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CONTENTS
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HISTORY
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POLITICAL SCIENCE
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GEOGRAPHY
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34 ECONOMICS
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SCIENCE
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NATIONAL–DIARY OF
EVENT
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71 tn INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
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TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
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1. HISTORY
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1.1 IMPORTANT DAYS
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Date Day Theme / Remark
International Brain ▪ The International Brain Tumour awareness week
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30 October to
Tumour Awareness was observed at Cancer Institute (WIA) from
November 06
Week 2021 October 30 to November 6.
▪ Every year since 2008, November 11 is celebrated

November 11
National Education
Day 2021
tnas the National Education Day to mark the birth
Anniversary of India’s first Education Minister
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
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▪ World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year
on November 14 to mark the birthday of Sir
Frederick Banting, who discovered the insulin
November 14 World Diabetes Day
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hormone along with Charles Herbert Best in 1922.

▪ The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021 is “Access
to Diabetes Care – If not now, when?”.
▪ As a part of the yearlong commemoration of

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75 years of Independence, the Union Cabinet

Janjatiya Gaurav
November 15 approved declaration of November 15 as “Janjatiya
Divas
Gaurav Divas” to remember the contributions of
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tribal freedom fighters.
▪ To raise awareness of our profession, the

International Organization for Medical Physics
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International Day (IOMP) initiated the International Day of Medical

7 November of Medical Physics Physics (IDMP) which takes place on the 7th of
(IDMP) November every year.
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▪ The theme for 2021 is “Communicating the Role

of Medical Physicists to the Public”.
2 | Current Affairs (NOVEMBER 2021)https://t.me/tnpscfree
▪ National Press Day is celebrated on November 16

to Commemorate the establishment of the Press
council of India.
16 November National Press Day
▪ Formed in 1966, the Press Council keeps a check
on the Quality of reportage provided by the Indian
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Press. It also ensures that journalistic objectivity is
not compromised due to "influence or threats of
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any extraneous factors".
▪ Audit Diwas will be celebrated on November 16

Audit Diwas (Audit
16 November every year, the day on which the first Auditor-
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Day)
General took charge in 1860.
▪ India celebrates National Integration Day, also
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known as “Quami Ekta Divas”, on November
19 every year in honor of its first female Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth Anniversary.
National Integration
19 November ▪ For greater awareness among the public about
Day tn
national integration, a full week program has
also been implemented by the Government of
India to celebrate November 19 to 25 as National
Integration Week.
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▪ International Men’s Day (IMD) is a global
holiday celebrated annually on November 19 to
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International Men’s recognize and celebrate the cultural, political, and

19 November
Day (IMD) socioeconomic achievements of men.
▪ International Men’s Day 2021 Theme: “Better
relations between men and women”.
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▪ World Toilet Day is observed on 19 November

every year highlights the importance of sanitation
and hygiene in driving improvements in public
s:
19 November World Toilet Day

health, gender equality, education, economic
development and environmental protection.
▪ The theme for 2021 is 'Valuing Toilets'.
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▪ In 2000, the Women's World Summit Foundation

World Day for the
(WWSF), a non-governmental organization,
19 November Prevention of Child
launched the World Day for Prevention of Child
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Abuse
Abuse on November 19.
https://t.me/tnpscfree HISTORY | 3
▪ World Children’s Day is observed on November

20, to promote feeling of togetherness among
children.
Theme of the day:
World Children’s
▪ World Children’s Day was observed under the
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November 20
Day
theme- ‘A Better Future for Every Child’. It is
being observed in accordance to global covid-19
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pandemic.
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▪ World Television Day is observed on November
21 across the globe, to highlight the importance of
November 21 World Television Day television beyond an electronic tool.
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▪ The day is not about celebrating the tool, but
rather the philosophy represented by Television.
▪ World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November

21 every year to recognize the contributions of
November 21 World Fisheries Day tnfisher folks, fish farmers, and people involved in
fishery trade worldwide.
▪ The World Health Organization (WHO) has

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declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of
the top 10 Global Health Threats.
▪ This year during the World Antimicrobial
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18-24 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (November 18-24), ‘Go Blue’

November Awareness Week campaign aims to raise awareness on AMR.
▪ Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microbes
such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
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don’t respond to medicines, which makes

infections difficult to treat.
▪ The United Nations General Assembly has

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International Day designated November 25 as the International Day

for the Elimination for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 25
of Violence Against annually.
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Women ▪ Theme for 2021 is "Orange the World: End

Violence against Women Now!".
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▪ Constitution Day (Samvidhana Divas), also

known as "National Law Day", is celebrated in
26 November Constitution Day
India on 26 November every year to commemorate
the adoption of the Constitution of India.
▪ National Milk Day is observed across India on

November 26 in memory of the “Father of the
White Revolution”, Dr. Verghese Kurien.
26 November National Milk Day
▪ This year, milk day falls on the 100th anniversary
of revolutionary personality, Dr. Kurien.
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▪ In India, the ‘National Organ Donation Day’ is
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observed every year on 27 November.
▪ The day aims to promote awareness and recognize
the selfless contribution made by deceased donors
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National Organ to healthcare and mankind re-instill our faith in
November 27
Donation Day humanity.
▪ 2021 marks the 12th National Organ Donation
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Day.
▪ The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the youth

wing of the Indian Armed Forces and the largest
National Cadet uniformed youth organisation in the world, is
November 28
Corps Day
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observing the 73rd anniversary of its raising on
November 28, 2021.
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1.2 PROFILE OF STATES

Tamil Nadu ▪ The Ordinance also referred to an
▪ In a first of its kind initiative in the country, announcement made by Minister for Municipal
the Tamil Nadu police control room has been Administration in the Assembly to form the
given ISO 27001: 2013 by the British Standards Tambaram City Municipal Corporation.
Institution. About Municipal Corporation:
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▪ Municipal Corporation is a type of Urban local
▪ The state-of-art control room functioning
governments in India.
in Egmore handles emergency calls in the
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numbers 100, 101 and 112 in an integrated ▪ The system of urban government was
constitutionalized through the 74th
platform with the help of ITES.
Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.
▪ Under the setup, the control room has the data
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▪ In 1688, the first municipal corporation in
of 1.2 crore calls received in the emergency
India was set up at Madras.
numbers and details of 14.5 lakh people using
▪ In 1726, the municipal corporations were set
the ‘Kavalan’ app.
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up in Bombay and Calcutta.
▪ The Tamil Nadu control room is the first in
▪ A Mayor, a council, a standing committee, a
the country to receive the ISO 27001: 2013
wards committee and a commissioner would
certificate. be the municipal authorities of the Municipal
About:
▪ Kohima North police station has become the
first police station and government facility in
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Gujarat:
▪ In 2021, November 5 is celebrated as Gujarati
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the entire northeastern region to receive the
International Standard Organisation (ISO) New year.
9001 Certification. ▪ Bestu Varas or Gujarati new year is celebrated
in Karthigai month of the Hindu calendar.
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▪ Country’s 1st Police Control Room to get

The day is traditionally known as Varsha
ISO 9001 Certificate is Uttar Pradesh (UP-100
Pratipada or Bestu Varas. People celebrate this
became the first Police Control Room in the
day by preparing new books to keep accounts
country to achieve this certificate.)
called the Chopda.
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▪ The Ahmedabad Police has become the first ▪ They also worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord
comprehensive ISO certified police force in Krishna on this day.
the country. It has been awarded three ISO
▪ Gujarati New Year is celebrated as the Day
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certifications by URS Certification Limited

after Diwali
which include ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 14001: 2015,
and ISO 45001: 2018. Uttarakhand State Formation Day:
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▪ Uttarakhand Foundation Day is observed

Tamil Nadu: annually on November 9 to celebrate the
▪ The Governor has promulgated an Ordinance formation of the 27th state of India.
to establish the Tambaram as the 20th City ▪ Uttarakhand was formed in 2000 after joining
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Municipal Corporation in Chennai. several districts from the Northwestern part of

▪ Tambaram City Municipal Corporation will Uttar Pradesh and a portion of the Himalayan
include the municipalities of Pallavaram, Mountain range.
Pammal, Anakaputhur, Sembakkam and ▪ It was earlier known as Uttaranchal, however,
the town panchayats of Chitlapakkam, in 2006, it was renamed Uttarakhand. This
Madambakkam, Perungaluthur, year, it will be 21st Uttarakhand Foundation
Peerkangaranai and Tiruneermalai. Day.
Uttar Pradesh-Kashi Vishwanath Temple in six States along the eastern Himalayas
Corridor Project an elevation from 6,000-10,000 feet in well
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate wooded terrain.
the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project ▪ The butterfly also flutters in Nepal, Bhutan,
on December 13 in Varanasi. Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.
▪ The project that encapsulates the vision of the ▪ Although the Kaiser-i-Hind is protected under
Holkar queen of Indore, Ahalya Bai Holkar, Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,
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who created a series of temples and vistas it is hunted for supply to butterfly collectors.
leading up to the Ganga ghat.
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Tamil Nadu: India's first Food Museum in
▪ The project connects the temple with the ghats,
Thanjavur:
with a paved walkway around 320 metres long
and 20 metres wide. ▪ Union Minister for Commerce, Industry, Food
and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal virtually
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▪ It will have a museum, a library, a pilgrim
launched India's first Food Museum.
facilitation centre and a salvation house.
▪ The Food Museum is the first such one in India
Only State to have Metro facilities in Five to depict India's food security story from "ship
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Districts to mouth" existence to becoming one of the
▪ Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath largest food grain exporters nations.
recently flagged off the trial run of the Kanpur ▪ Piyush Goyal said,
Metro. The work on Kanpur Metro had started ▪ Tamil Nadu will now be home to the
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on November 15, 2019. agricultural history of India.
▪ Uttar Pradesh is currently having operational ▪ Thanjavur is the cultural capital of Tamil
metro railway service in Ghaziabad, Noida, Nadu.
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Greater Noida and Lucknow. ▪ This is a step towards realizing Prime
▪ After the Kanpur Metro is flagged off, Uttar Minister Narendra Modi's vision of resilient
Pradesh would be the only state in the country infrastructure for food security.
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to have metro facilities in five districts.

Karnataka: 'Karnataka Ratna' Award:
Kaiser-i-Hind is Arunachal’s State ▪ Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai
Butterfly: announced that Kannada film star Puneeth
▪ An elusive swallowtail butterfly carrying Rajkumar, who died recently, will be conferred
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‘India’ in its name and found in next-door with the 'Karnataka Ratna' the highest civilian
China will become the State butterfly of honour in the state, posthumously.
Arunachal Pradesh. ▪ He will be the 10th recipient of the state's
s:
▪ The State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister highest civilian honour.

Pema Khandu approved the large, brightly ▪ Puneeth is the second personality from the
coloured Kaiser-i-Hind as the State butterfly. Kannada film industry — after his father and
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▪ The Cabinet meeting was for the first time held superstar Dr Rajkumar — to be given the
outside State capital Itanagar at an unusual Award.
location — Pakke Tiger Reserve.
West Bengal: ‘Duare Ration’ (Ration at
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▪ The Cabinet also adopted the Pakke Tiger

Doorstep):
Reserve 2047 declaration on climate change
▪ The West Bengal government launched the
resilient and responsive Arunachal Pradesh
‘Duare Ration’ (ration at doorstep) scheme,
aimed at lowering emissions and sustainable
which the administration said will benefit
development.
around 10 crores of people of the state.
▪ Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis)
literally means Emperor of India. This
butterfly with a 90-120 mm wingspan is found
▪ Banerjee said her government has decided plan for “Cow Welfare” in the State.
to enhance the commission for ration dealers ▪ Government has decided that a tax plan will
from Rs. 75 to Rs. 150 per quintal of Food be prepared to mop up funds for cow fodder.
Grain. ▪ It has planned to impose surcharge on services
Karnataka: Karnataka's Oldest Tree: provided by local bodies in order to generate
Rs. 100 crores for meeting the expenses of
▪ A 250-year-old jackfruit tree located 40
running cow shelters in Madhya Pradesh.
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kilometres from Bengaluru is said to be
Karnataka's oldest tree of this species and one ▪ It also asked that, cow products should be
of the oldest in the country. promoted and cow phenyl should be used
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across Government offices.
▪ The tree in Janagere village’s, Magadi taluk,
is now in the spotlight as agricultural and Odisha: “Best Marine District Award”:
horticultural specialists work to make it a ▪ On the occasion of World Fisheries Day
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"historical tree". on November 21, 2021, Balasore district of
▪ Ravish J.R is the tenth-generation owner of the Bhubaneswar received India’s “Best Marine
Jack Fruit Tree. District” Award.
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Odisha: Odisha all set to teach in tribal ▪ Award ceremony was organised by Ministry
of Fisheries, Animal husbandry & Dairying.
languages:
▪ The new National Education Policy lays ▪ In India, Odisha is the fourth largest fish
emphasis on imparting teaching in mother tn producing state.
tongue in primary classes. But when the Tripura:
language base of Odisha’s adivasi communities
▪ The Tripura Education Department has
is as diverse as 21 spoken languages further
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launched the ‘Mother on Campus’ initiative,
divided into 74 dialects, the task appears to be
to improve academic performance of students.
quite onerous.
▪ Biological or legally-authenticated mothers
▪ The ST and SC Development Department
can stay with their children on campus, to
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of the State Government has already started

induce a sense of security among children
working on project called ‘Samhati’ to address
and to benefit the academic performance of
the language issues faced by tribal students in
the children.
early grades or elementary classes.
▪ Mothers of children staying in state-run hostels
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▪ The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

and boarding schools in Tripura can now stay
Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI)
with the kids.
along with the Academy of Tribal Language
and Culture (ATLC), Bhubaneswar are Kerala: 'STREET' project:
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implementing the project. ▪ In a pioneering initiative to take tourism deep

into the state's interiors and rural hinterland,
Gujarat: Financial Assistance to buy
Kerala Tourism will launch the 'STREET'
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Smartphones: project in select spots in seven districts, which

▪ The Gujarat government has decided to would help visitors experience the diversity of
provide a financial assistance of up to Rs 1,500 offerings in these locales.
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to farmers in the state to buy smartphones.

▪ The project, conceived by the Responsible
▪ The farmers will be required to submit their Tourism Mission, is inspired by the 'Tourism
application through i-khedut portal. for Inclusive Growth' slogan of The United
Madhya Pradesh: New ‘Cow Welfare’ Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO).
Measures:
▪ Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj
Singh Chouhan, has decided to set up a tax
1.3 DEFENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND TERRORISM

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): ▪ Meant to disable airfield runways, SAAW is
▪ As many as 260 personnel of the Indo-Tibetan capable of hitting ground targets up to a range
Border Police (ITBP) engaged in various of 100 kilometers. It can carry a warhead of 125
special operations in Eastern Ladakh since kilograms.
May 2020, walked away with 260 or nearly ▪ The defence ministry said that the weapons
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65% of the total 397 Union Home Minister's were smoothly released and ejected by a newly
Special Operation Medals awarded on the adapted launcher and the intended target was
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occasion of National Unity Day this year. hit with high accuracy.
▪ Notified by the MHA in 2018, the Union
INS Vela:
Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal is
▪ The Indian Navy took delivery of the fourth
awarded for special operations in areas such
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‘Scorpene’ class submarine under Project-75
as counter terrorism, border actions, arms
from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
control, prevention of narcotics smuggling
(MDL) Mumbai.
and rescue operations.
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▪ So far, the shipyard has delivered three
About ITBP:
submarines of “Scorpene’’ class namely:
▪ Presently, ITBP is deployed on border
Kalvari, Khanderi, and Karanj.
guarding duties from Karakoram Pass in
Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh ▪ The fourth one was delivered on November 9
covering 3488 km of Indo-China Border.
▪ ITBP was initially raised under the Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Act, 1949.
tn2021 which will be later commissioned in the
Indian Navy as INS Vela.
▪ They are being constructed at MDL in Mumbai
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However, in 1992, parliament enacted the and under the collaboration/Transfer of
ITBPF Act and the rules were framed in 1994. Technology from M/s Naval Group, France.
About Project 75:
Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW): ▪ Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the
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▪ The Defence Research & Development Indian Navy’s 30-year Plan for indigenous
Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force submarine construction.
(IAF) have carried out two successful flight ▪ The Cabinet Committee on Security, in June
tests of indigenously-developed Smart Anti- 1999, had approved a 30-year submarine-
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Airfield Weapon (SAAW) within a week. building plan which included construction of
▪ The two flight tests have been conducted with 24 conventional submarines indigenously by
different configurations based on satellite 2030.
navigation and electro-optical sensors.
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▪ Of the total 24 submarines to be built in India,

▪ The ministry of defence said in a statement six will be nuclear-powered.
that an electro-optical seeker based flight ▪ Under P75I, six diesel-electric attack
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test of this class of bomb was conducted for submarines of the Kalvari class, based on
the first time in India. The second flight test, the Scorpene class, were being built at MDL
launched by an IAF aircraft from Chandan (Mazagon Dock Limited), Mumbai.
ranges at Jaisalmer.
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▪ India has only one nuclear submarine, INS

▪ The electro-optical configuration of the system Arihant, at the moment. The INS Arighat, also
is equipped with Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine,
Seeker technology enhancing the precision is to be commissioned soon.
strike capability of the weapon.
▪ INS Chakra, a nuclear submarine, which is
taken on lease from Russia, is believed to be
on its way back to the country of origin.
Dubai Air Show 2021 ▪ The Navy currently has 130 ships and had
▪ “The IAF has been invited by the Government earlier planned to achieve securing 200, which
of UAE to participate with the Sarang and was revised to 170 ships by 2027.
Suryakiran Aerobatics Teams,” the IAF said in About Project 15B
a statement. ▪ The contract for the construction of four ships
▪ The air show is scheduled to be held at the under Project15B was signed in January 2011
Al Maktoum International Airport from at a project cost of about 29,643.74 crore.
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November 14 to 18. ▪ Vishakapatnam Class is an upgraded
▪ India will showcase Light Combat Aircraft derivative of its predecessor "Kolkatta Class"
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(LCA) Tejas at the biennial Dubai Air Show. with improved features of stealth, automation
▪ The Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter and ordnance.
display team and Surya Kiran aerobatic ▪ Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design,
the four ships are being built by Mazagon
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display team will also perform at the show.
Dock Limited (MDL), under the "Make in
Rashtriya Raksha Samarpan Parv: India" Initiative.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi would hand ▪ The remaining ships , Mormugao, Imphal,
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over the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Surat would be commissioned one per year
(LCH) to the Indian Air Force (IAF), drones from 2022 to 2024.
built by startups to the Army and electronic
warfare suites to the Navy at a three-day Defence Minister commissions
celebration titled Rashtriya Raksha Samarpan
Parv in Jhansi.
▪ The Ministry of Defence (MoD) would
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Visakhapatnam:
▪ Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of
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formally dedicate a number of schemes to the the first Project 15B class stealth guided missile
nation from November 17¬-19 in events that destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam, on November
were part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” 21 in Mumbai, Mr. Rajnath Singh said.
celebrations.
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▪ In the United Nations Convention on the Law

▪ The twin-engine LCH, designed and of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, territorial waters
developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of nations, exclusive economic zones and the
(HAL), is a 5¬8 tons class dedicated combat principle of ‘Good order at sea’ had been
helicopter. propounded.
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▪ It is the only attack helicopter in the world ▪ Some irresponsible nations, for the sake of
which can land and take off at an altitude of their narrow partisan interests, keep on giving
5,000 m with considerable load of weapons and new and inappropriate interpretations to these
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fuel, significantly augmenting the firepower of international laws from hegemonic tendencies.
the IAF and the Army in high-altitude areas. The arbitrary interpretations create obstacles
▪ It will eventually be deployed along the Line in the path of a rule based maritime order.
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of Actual Control with China in addition to the About United Nations Convention on the Law
AH¬64E Apache helicopters in service. of the Sea (UNCLOS):
▪ The Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv was ▪ The United Nations Convention on the Law of
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being organised by the MoD along with the the Sea (UNCLOS), also called the Law of the
Uttar Pradesh Government. Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea Treaty,
is an international agreement that establishes
Navy’s plan for a 170-ship force on a legal framework for all marine and Maritime
course: Activities.
▪ The Navy will commission the first Project ▪ This agreement was signed on 10 December
15B class stealth guided missile destroyer 1982.
Visakhapatnam on November 21.
10 | Current Affairs (NOVEMBER 2021)
▪ UNCLOS came into force in 16 November ▪ This exercise was held at a time when the
1994, a year after Guyana became the 60th Indian armed forces are preparing for another
nation to ratify the treaty. winter of enhanced deployment of over 50,000
troops in Ladakh amid continuing tensions
Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance(MALE) with China.
Predator-B Drone: ▪ The aim of this high intensity airlift was to
▪ India is set to finalise a long-conceived strengthen the supply chain in the Northern
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proposal to procure 30 multi-mission armed sector and augment winter stocking in
Predator drones from the U.S. for the three operational areas.
services at an estimated cost of over $3 billion
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(around ₹22,000 crore). Rezang La monument:
▪ The proposal to acquire the MQ-9B long- ▪ The Rezang La monument symbolises the
endurance drones, armed with air-to-ground Government’s stand of giving a befitting reply
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missiles, is likely to be cleared by the Defence to anyone who threatened the sovereignty
Acquisition Council (DAC) in the next few and integrity of the country, Defence Minister
weeks following which it will be placed before Rajnath Singh said, after inaugurating the
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the PM-led Cabinet Committee on Security. revamped war memorial in eastern Ladakh.
▪ The procurement proposal has been moved ▪ The Battle of Rezang La is considered one of
by the Indian Navy and all three services are the 10 greatest and most challenging military
likely to get 10 drones each. conflicts in the world.
▪ The remotely piloted drones, manufactured
by U.S. defence major General Atomics,
are capable of remaining airborne for
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▪ The memorial was constructed in 1963 in the
Chushul plains, at an altitude of over 15,000
feet.
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around 35 hours and can be deployed on a ▪ November 18 marks the 59th anniversary of
range of missions including surveillance, the Battle of Rezang La in which troops from
reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and the 13 Kumaon Regiment defeated several
destroying enemy targets. waves of the Chinese People’s Liberation
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▪ The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Army in 1962.

Predator-B drone is the first hunter-killer ▪ Maj. Shaitan Singh was posthumously
UAV designed for long-endurance and high- awarded Param Vir Chakra, the country’s
altitude surveillance. highest wartime Gallantry Award.
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▪ Indian armed forces have been focusing on

Ex-SHAKTI 2021:
procuring unmanned platforms including
armed drones following the eastern Ladakh ▪ The Sixth Edition of Indo-France joint military
exercise “Ex-SHAKTI 2021” has commenced
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stand-off with China and a drone strike on the

at the Military School of Draguignan,
Jammu airbase. France on 15 November and concluded on
'Operation Hercules': 26 November.
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▪ The exercise named 'Operation Hercules' was ▪ The training includes mutual understanding
undertaken by the Indian Air Force and Indian of conduct of operations, and identification
Army on November 15 with transport aircraft of coordination aspects required for
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of the IAF being pressed into action. jointly operating in a Counter-Terrorism

▪ This joint exercise is carried out to assess their environment.
logistics supply chain. ▪ The participating forces also underwent
combat conditioning and tactical training.
▪ They also visited Mazargues War Cemetery,
where 1002 Indian soldiers of the I World War
were cremated.
▪ The Exercise proved to be "another remarkable ▪ The submarine’s mascot is the Subray which
milestone towards the pledge of terrorism - is an amalgamation of the submarine and the
free world. stingray which symbolizes the metamorphosis
of the submarine’s character with the qualities
Sagar Shakti Exercise: of a stingray.
▪ India's combat capability and readiness to ▪ Six Scorpene submarines are being built under
confront any multidimensional security threat Project75 by Mazagaon Dock Ltd. (MDL),
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was elaborately tested at a four-day mega Mumbai, under technology transfer from
military exercise conducted in the Creek sector Naval Group of France under a deal signed in
of the Kutch peninsula.
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October 2005.
▪ The Sagar Shakti exercise, held from November ▪ All six submarines are expected to be
19 to 22, witnessed participation of the Indian constructed in India, under the "Make in
Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian India" initiative.
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Coast Guard, Border Security Force, Gujarat
▪ The first submarine INS Kalvari was
Police and the Marine Police.
commissioned in December 2017.
▪ The high-intensity exercise was organised by
▪ The second submarine INS Khanderi in
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the Indian Army's Southern Command and its
September 2019 and third one INS Karanj in
primary aim was to test the combat readiness
March 2021.
of the agencies in a real-time scenario.
▪ The fifth submarine, Vagir, was launched in
Scorpene Class Submarine INS Vela tn November 2020 and is undergoing sea trials
joins Navy while the sixth one Vagsheer is in advanced
▪ The fourth Scorpene class conventional stage of outfitting.
submarine, INS Vela, was commissioned into ▪ The Navy has drawn up plans to install Air
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the Navy on November 25 in the presence of Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules on all
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Scorpene submarines as they go for their refit
Singh at a ceremony in Mumbai. beginning with INS Kulvari in 2023 to enhance
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▪ Vela has taken the ‘Make in India’ spirit a notch their endurance.
higher with the fitment indigenized battery
cells, which power a very silent permanently
magnetized propulsion motor.
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▪ Construction of the submarine commenced

with the first cutting of steel on July 14, 2009
and it was launched and named Vela on May
6, 2019. With this, the Navy currently has 16
s:
conventional and one nuclear submarine in

service.
▪ It includes eight Russian Kilo class submarines,
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four German HDW submarines, four French

Scorpene submarines and the indigenous
nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS
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Arihant.
▪ Vela is named after a type of Indian fish
belonging to the stingray family.
1.4 EMINENT PERSONS

Na. Nanchuntan ▪ The Royal College of Surgeons is considered
▪ Born in Vadavalli Coimbatore. to be one of the world’s prominent colleges of
Surgery.
▪ He has been in close contact with Rajaji since
the Independence Struggle. Jawaharlal Nehru:
▪ He has been working for tamil, as secretary in ▪ Several Congress leaders paid rich tributes to
e
G.K. Sundar founded Kamban Kazhagam and Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary,
Illangovadigal manram for 36 years. with the party hailing the country's first
re
▪ He authored Kamban kanda Ezhiloviyam, prime minister as a visionary who laid the
Annal Gandhi, Pudhuyuga Kavingar Bharathi, foundations of modern India.
Tamil Valartha Kadhai. ▪ Born in 1889, the Congress stalwart remains
cf
▪ He has printed and published articles of the country's longest serving prime minister.
legendary tamil scholars through the pamphlet ▪ Nehru promoted parliamentary democracy,
Silambu Malar. secularism, and science and technology during
ps
▪ For More than 35 years, he organized the 1950s, powerfully influencing India's arc
Silapathigara festival & Kamban festival in as a modern nation.
Coimbatore. ▪ As Congress president in 1929, Nehru called
▪ He has won 10 awards including Kambarseer for complete independence from the British
Paravuvar, Tamil Illakiya sudar award.
▪ He received Tamil Nadu Government’s
Illangovadigal Award in 2016.
tnRaj.
▪ Nehru became the interim prime minister of
India in September 1946.
e/
▪ Nehru became the Republic of India's first
B.V.Rao:
prime minister on 15 August 1947 and
▪ Padmashree Dr. B.V. Rao, the father of Indian delivered his inaugural address titled "Tryst
Poultry industry, restructured the industry with Destiny".
.m
with modern and scientific driven technology.

▪ His birthday is celebrated as Children's Day in
Malala Yousafzai India.
▪ Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, got His books:
married in a small ceremony in Birmingham, 1. Letters from a Father to His Daughter (1929)
//t
central England.
2. An Autobiography (1936), and
▪ When she was 15, Yousafzai was shot in the
3. The Discovery of India (1946)
head by militants from the TehreekeTaliban
s:
Pakistan, an off shoot of the Afghan Taliban, Babasaheb Purandare:

in her home town in the Swat valley while on ▪ Eminent historian and Padma Vibhushan
a school bus in 2012. awardee Balwant Moreshwar Purandare,
tp
▪ Ms. Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace popularly known as Babasaheb Purandare,
Prize as a 17year old in 2014. passed away aged 99.
▪ He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan,
Dr. Suddha Seshayyan
ht
India's second-highest civilian award on 25

▪ Dr. Suddha Seshayyan was awarded an January 2019.
Honorary Degree (FRCS) by the Royal College
▪ His works are mostly based on the events
of Surgeons (Edinburgh), UK.
related to the life of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,
▪ Dr. Sudha Seshayyan became the first woman the 17th-century founder of the Maratha
in India to receive this accreditation. Empire, as a result, he is termed as Shiv-Shahir
("Shivaji's bard").
▪ He is mostly known for his popular play on and Educational Services Corporation.
“Shivaji Jaanta Raja” which was popular
not only in Maharashtra but also in Andhra About V O C:
Pradesh and Goa. ▪ Valliyappan Olaganathan Chidambaram
▪ In 2015, he was awarded the Maharashtra Pillai (5 September 1872 - 18 November 1936)
Bhushan Award, Maharashtra's highest known as Kappalottiya Tamizhan or "First
civilian award. Indian Helmsman", was an Indian freedom
e
fighter and former leader of the Indian
▪ His other works include books titled “Raja
National Congress. Founder of Swadeshi
Shiva-Chatrapati“and “Kesari“, and a book
Steam Navigation Company in 1906 to
re
on life of Narayanrao Peshwa.
compete against the monopoly of the British
▪ For his works, in the field of drama, he was India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC).
awarded the "Kalidas Samman" by the
▪ He launched the first indigenous Indian
Madhya Pradesh Government for the year
cf
shipping service between Tuticorin (India) and
2007–08.
Colombo (Sri Lanka) with the Swadeshi Steam
Cre-A Ramakrishnan: Navigation Company (SSNC), competing
ps
▪ Cre-A Ramakrishnan, “Wordsmith of Tamil against British ships.
literary world”, dies at 75. ▪ Tuticorin Port Trust, one of India's thirteen
▪ The book “Culture in Tamil: Essays in Memory major ports, is named after him.
of Cre-A Ramakrishnan” was launched in ▪ His Written works:
the memory of Cre-A Ramakrishnan. Best
remembered as ‘Cre-A’ Ramakrishnan for
“Tharkaala Tamil Agarathi” or “Cre-A:
tn ▪ Meyyaram 1914
▪ Meyyarivu 1915
▪ Anthology 1915
e/
Dictionary of Contemporary Tamil”.
▪ Autobiography 1946
About:
▪ His Translation Works:
▪ Born in Chennai, Ramakrishnan worked in RK
Swamy advertising agency, before taking the ▪ Literary notes of Thirukural
.m
plunge into the Tamil literary world. ▪ His Published Works:

▪ He along with his friends and fellow ▪ Thirukural with literary notes of Manakudavar
litterateurs such as Na Krishnamoorthy and 1917
Gnanakooththan, published the Ka Sa Da ▪ Tolkappiam with literary notes of
//t
Tha Pa Ra, a small literary magazine which Ilampooranar 1928.

introduced a lot of young writers in the 1970s.
▪ In 1974, he started his own publishing house K. Manisekaran:
s:
‘Cre-A’ in Chennai. Its first published work ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his
was Naarkaalikaarar, a collection of plays by condolences over the death of writer and
Koothuppattarai’ Na Muthusamy. director.
tp
▪ Apart from publishing books, Ramakrishnan ▪ Manisekaran had won the Sahitya Akademi
was also actively involved in the making of Award for his historical novel “Kutrala
Roja Muthaiah Research Library in Chennai Kurinji” in the year 1992, and had written
and Koothuppattarai, a theatre group. stage plays, short stories, social and historical
ht
compendiums.
Books released to mark V.O.C.’s Birth ▪ Manisekaran is only Tamil writer who swept
Anniversary: the all of Literature awards in Tamil Nadu.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released two books
— V.O.C. Pannool Thirattu (Volume 1) and
V.O.C. Thirukkural Urai (Volume 2) — have
been brought out by the Tamil Nadu Textbook
1.5 PLACES IN NEWS

Pitchuka Lanka to get Tourism Resort
▪ The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department is
set to construct a resort at Pitchuka Lanka, an
island in the Godavari River in East Godavari.
▪ The Indian antelope, or the blackbuck, thrives
e
on the island and is facing a threat due to
poaching.
re
▪ The resort would be constructed at a cost of
₹250 crore in a public private partnership
(PPP) mode on the island.
cf
Vaccine testing facility to come up in
Kerala
▪ A vaccine testing and research facility for a host
ps
of ailments, including cancer and infectious
diseases, will be set up on the second campus
of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology,
Thiruvananthapuram.
Velankanni Church in Tamil Nadu:

▪ The Delhi Government has included
tn
Velankanni Church in Tamil Nadu to the list
e/
of pilgrimage sites under its free pilgrimage
scheme for senior citizens.
▪ The Delhi Government will resume the
.m
“Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana” on

December 3 when senior citizen pilgrims will
travel to Ayodhya.
About Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojna:
//t
▪ The “Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojna” was

approved by the Delhi Cabinet on January 9,
2018.
s:
▪ Under the “Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra

Yojana”, the Delhi Government bears the
expenditure of the entire pilgrimage of a
number of senior citizens to 13 circuits,
tp
including places like Puri, Rameswaram,

Shirdi, Mathura, Haridwar and Tirupati.
▪ Any resident of the national capital aged 60
ht
or above can avail the scheme after acquiring

a certificate from a local MLA, stating that he
lives in the legislator’s constituency.
▪ One attendant aged 21 or more can accompany
each traveller. The government bears the
expenses for the attendant too.
1.6 WORLD ORGANISATIONS - PACTS AND SUMMITS

Sustainable Urban Cooling Handbook on targets of achieving net zero by 2070 or
▪ United Nations Environment Programme shifting quicker to renewable energy sources
(UNEP) released a new report titled by 2030, if money is coming.
‘Sustainable Urban Cooling Handbook’. ▪ The draft exhorted developed countries to
▪ As per the report, cities will be the hotspots as double collective adaptation finance from
e
global warming continues uncontrolled. 2019 levels by 2025 and to scale up greenhouse
gas emission cuts that ought to be announced
▪ Overheated cities will face climate change
re
latest by next year.
costs, twice those of the rest of the world
because of the urban heat island effect. ▪ India has demanded one trillion dollars over
the next decade from developed countries to
▪ The report is based on an analysis of the
mitigate the challenges from warming, and
cf
world’s 1692 largest cities.
has made this a condition for delivering on its
COP26 Seals Deal, after India commitments.
Intervenes: ▪ A day after the 26th United Nations Conference
ps
▪ Government negotiators from nearly 200 of Parties (COP) in Glasgow, Union
countries have adopted a new deal on climate Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, said
action after a last-minute intervention by India’s last-minute intervention that played a
India to water down the language on cutting key role in the final text of the agreement that
emissions from coal.
▪ Several countries including small island states
said they were deeply disappointed by the ▪
tn called for coal to be “phased down” rather
than “phased out”.
Fossil fuels and their use have enabled parts of
e/
move to “phase down,” rather than “phase the world to attain high levels of growth.
out” coal power, the single biggest source of ▪ Even now, developed countries have not
greenhouse gas emissions. completely phased out coal.
.m
▪ A tearful COP26 president Alok Sharma ▪ The United Nations Framework Convention
closed the UN climate summit as the deal came on Climate Change (UNFCCC) refers to
despite a last gasp hitch from China and India mitigation of GHG emissions from all sources.
seeking to water down language on fossil fuels
in the summit’s text. UN: Countries must act to Save Humanity:
//t
▪ The summit ended when an agreement, or ▪ The COP26 climate summit must act to “save
more specifically a cover text of the agreement, humanity” and protect the planet, said UN
issued by the COP Secretariat led by Mr. chief Antonio Guterres, and also that currently
s:
Sharma, was agreed upon by all members. “we are digging our own graves”.
▪ A key demand from several island nations ▪ Mr. Guterres urged countries to keep the Paris
and countries in the African Union had been deal goal of limiting global warming to 1.5
tp
the establishment of a “Glasgow Facility” that degrees Celsius alive.

would provide money to countries already India re-elected to UN's cultural and
suffering from the impacts of climate change.
Education Organisation:
ht
This money would be part of an “adaptation

▪ India was re-elected to the executive board of
fund” to be financed by developed countries.
the UN's Cultural and Education Organisation
▪ Developed countries had committed to for the 2021-25 term with 164 votes.
providing $100 billion annually by 2020. This
▪ India was re-elected to Group IV of Asian
was a clause enshrined in 2009 but none of
and Pacific States which also include Japan,
it has actually made its way to developing
Philippines, Vietnam, Cook Islands and China.
countries and continues to be a major bone
of contention. India has said that it will take
▪ The executive board of the UN's Cultural ▪ On November 17, India won the re-election
and Educational Organisation is one of three to the executive board of UNESCO for the
constitutional organs of the UN agency. 2021-25 term. The Committee is responsible
▪ The other two are the General Conference and for the implementation of the World Heritage
the Secretariat. The General Conference elect’s Convention, defines the use of the World
members of the executive board. Heritage Fund and allocates financial
assistance upon requests from States parties.
e
World Heritage Committee: ▪ It has the final say on whether a property is
▪ India was elected on November 25, to the inscribed on the World Heritage List.
World Heritage Committee of the United
re
▪ It also decides on the inscription or deletion
Nations’ Cultural Organisation for a four-year of properties on the List of World Heritage in
term (2021-25) from the Asia Pacific region, a Danger.
week after the country was re-elected to the
cf
UNESCO Executive Board.
1.7 SPORTS & GAMES
ps
Rujna Zora Chess Tournament: About National Sports Awards:
▪ Indian Grandmaster (GM) P Iniyan emerged ▪ The National Sports Awards are given away
winner in the 5th Rujna Zora Chess on August 29 every year on the occasion of
tournament.
▪ The Indian GM finished with five wins and
four draws and remained undefeated. He
tnNational Sports Day, celebrated on the birth
anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan
Chand.
e/
finished half a point ahead of the second ▪ It is awarded annually by the Ministry of
placed International Master Makarian Rudik Youth Affairs and Sports.
of Russia. ▪ The National Sports Awards include the Major
.m
▪ The tournament was a 10-player, all-play-all Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award (earlier
one with classical time control and featured Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna), Arjuna award,
three GMs. Dronacharya award, Dhyan Chand award
among others.
National Sports Awards: Arjuna Award:
//t
▪ The Arjuna, Khel Ratna, Dhyan Chand, ▪ The Arjuna Award, for Outstanding
Dronacharya and other government sports Performance in Sports and Games, is the
awards were presented physically to the sports honour of Republic of India. The award
s:
awardees of 2020. is named after Arjuna, a character from the

▪ The awards were presented by President Ram Sanskrit epic Mahabharata of ancient India.
Nath Kovind virtually last year, and the cash ▪ First Awarded: 1961
tp
component had also been transferred to the Khel Ratna Award:

accounts of the awardees then. ▪ Khel Ratna award is highest sporting honour
▪ The Sports Ministry had handed over a total of of India. is honoured for their "spectacular
74 national sports awards, including five Rajiv
ht
and most outstanding performance in the

Gandhi Khel Ratnas and 27 Arjuna awards for field of sports over a period of four years" at
2020. international level.
▪ Iconic Sunil Chhetri, who is set to become ▪ First awarded: 1991–92.
country's first footballer to receive the Khel
Dronacharya Award:
Ratna award.
▪ The Dronacharya Award for Outstanding
Coaches in Sports and Games, is sports
coaching honour of the Republic of India.
▪ The award is named after Drona, often referred U-23 World Wrestling Championship
as "Dronacharya" or "Guru Drona", a character 2021:
from the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata of ancient ▪ Indian women wrestlers continued to shine at
India. the U-23 World Wrestling Championship 2021
▪ First awarded: 1985. after Divya Kakran, Nisha and Radhika won
Major Dhyan Chand Award: bronze medals in their categories.
▪ The Major Dhyan Chand Award is the lifetime ▪ India's overall tally has moved to five, with
e
achievement sporting honour of the Republic Shivani Pawar and Anju bringing two medals
of India. The award is named after Dhyan home earlier in the competition.
re
Chand (1905–79), an Indian field hockey About:
player. ▪ The 2021 U23 World Wrestling Championships
▪ First awarded: 2002. will be the fourth edition of the U23 World
cf
Wrestling Championships of combined events
2021 Sports Awards:
held from 1 to 7 November 2021 in Belgrade,
▪ Khel Ratna Winners: Serbia.
▪ Neeraj Chopra (athlete)
ps
▪ Medal Table was topped by
▪ Ravikumar (wrestling) Russia with 22 Medals.
▪ Lovlina Borgohain (boxing)
▪ Sreejesh (hockey) Djokovic Clinches sixth Paris Title-Tennis
tn ▪ World No. 1 Novak Djokovic won a sixth Paris
▪ Avani Lekhara (shooting)
title and record 37th Masters Crown, beating
▪ Sumit Antil (Para Athlete) Daniil Medvedev in the final.
▪ Pramod Bhagat (badminton)
e/
▪ Krishna Nagar (badminton) World Table Tennis Contender Lasko
▪ Manish Agarwal (Shooting), 2021:
▪ India’s Manika Batra and Archana Girish
▪ Mithali Raj (cricket),
Kamath won the women’s doubles title at
.m
▪ Sunil Chhetri (football), the World Table Tennis Contender Lasko

Manpreet Singh (Hockey). 2021 event, beating Puerto Rico’s Diaz sisters,
▪ Arjuna Award Winners: Adriana and Melanie, in three games in the
▪ 35 sport persons receive Arjuna awards final.
//t
including Bhavani Devi the first Indian

Olympic Fencer from Tamilnadu and Indian Grand Swiss Chess:
cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. ▪ Indian chess ace Dronavalli Harika held top-
seed Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine to a draw in
s:
Rahul Dravid-New Head Coach the 11th and final round of the FIDE Women's
▪ Former India captain Rahul Dravid has been Grand Swiss Chess tournament for joint third
appointed as the Head Coach of the senior spot but eventually settled for fifth place on
tp
Indian men’s cricket team. the basis of the tie-break score and qualify for
▪ Dravid takes over from Ravi Shastri, whose the next women's Grand Prix cycle.
term ends after the ongoing ICC T20 World
ht
Cup. Dravid’s innings will commence with First-Ever World YogaSana

the home series against New Zealand later this Championship:
Month. ▪ Addressing the opening ceremony of India’s
first Physical National Yogasana Sports
Championships in Bhubaneswar, NYSF
president Udit Sheth said, “India is going to
host first-ever World Yogasana Championship
showcasing India’s heritage sport to the world
in June 2022." Raahul is an International Master:

▪ Yogasana sport for both male and female ▪ V.S. Raahul of Chennai became an International
categories have been included in the Khelo Master by crossing the Elo rating-threshold
India Youth Games, 2021. of 2400 points in the 6th Memorijalni Turnir
'Bozidar KicovicKica' Open chess tournament,
Nethra Clinches Gold which concluded in Suncana Reka, Serbia.
▪ India’s Nethra Kumanan won gold in the
e
laser radial section of the Gran Canaria sailing Internatinoal shooting Sport-Federation
championships, one of the European regional (ISSAF) President's Cup 2021:
open events, held in Gran Canaria (Spain)
re
▪ Indian Shooters have won 5 Medals (2 Gold,
recently. 2 Silver & 1 Bronze) in the Inagural Edition of
ISSF President's Cup that was held between 3rd
National Wrestling Championship:
to 10th November 2021 at Wroclaw, Poland.
cf
▪ World Championship bronze medalist
▪ Manu Bhaker wins 2 Gold in Mixed event.
and two-time Asian Champion Sarita Mor
a) Manu Bhaker, partnering Olympic
defeated former Commonwealth Games
champion Javad Foroughi of Iran, won the
champion Geeta Phogat in the final to win the
ps
mixed air pistol gold in the President’s Cup
women’s 59kg title at the National Wrestling
Shooting Championship in Wroclaw, Poland.
Championships.
b) Manu Bhaker clinched her second gold
▪ Wrestler Nisha Dahiya emerged national medal at International Shooting Sport
champion in the women's 65kg category, a day tnFederation President’s Cup, which she won
after her dramatic 'murder story' turned out to on the final day partnering Turkey’s Ozgur
be a case of mistaken identity. Varlik in the 25m rapid fire pistol mixed team
competition.
e/
2022 Commonwealth Games in
Birmingham Person Event Medal
▪ A women's cricket tournament will be
Manu 10m Air Pistol
.m
held at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold

in Birmingham, England, during July and Bhaker mixed team
August 2022. 25m Rapid Fire
Manu
▪ It will be cricket's first inclusion in the Pistol Mixed Gold
Commonwealth Games since a List A Bhaker
Team
//t
men's tournament was held at the 1998

Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Rahi Women's 25m
Silver
Malaysia. Sarnobat Pistol
s:
▪ India will face Australia in the opening match Saurabh Men's 10m Air
when women's cricket makes its debut at the Silver
Chaudhary Pistol
2022 Commonwealth Games on July 29 while
tp
the final will be played on August 7. Abishek Men's 10m Air

Bronze
▪ Women's cricket is making its debut at the Verma Pistol
Commonwealth Games with the T20 format. About ISSF:
ht
▪ President: Vladimir Putin

Next Generation ATP Finals-Tennis:
▪ Secretary General: Alexander Ratner
▪ Carlos Alcaraz won the 4th edition of the Next
Generation Finals. ▪ Founded: 1907
▪ Head Quarters: Munich, Germany
Junior World Cup Hockey: ▪ Muguruza, winner of the 2016 French Open
▪ Lalremsiami, who played a part in the Indian and 2017 Wimbledon titles, capped a 2021
senior team's historic fourth-place finish at campaign that saw her return to the highest
the Tokyo Olympics, will captain the Junior level with titles in Dubai and Chicago after
World Cup hockey squad. three years outside the top 10.
About WTA Finals:
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: ▪ The WTA Finals is a tournament of the
e
▪ The seventh edition of the ICC Men’s Women's Tennis Association (WTA) played
T20 World Cup that began on October 17 annually at the end of the season.
culminated in Australia becoming the sixth
re
▪ The event is uniquely reserved for players at
team to win the crown.
the top of the WTA Rankings.
List of ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Winners
(2007-2021): South Asian Basketball Association
cf
(SABA) Championship 2021:
WINNER RUNNER UP YEAR/HOST ▪ The Indian men's basketball team won the
South Asian Basketball Association (SABA)
ps
2007/South Championship 2021 after defeating hosts
1. India Pakistan
Africa Bangladesh.
2009/ ▪ This was India's sixth SABA title in as many
2. Pakistan Sri Lanka appearances having also won the competition
England tn in 2002, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
2010/ West ▪ This was the eighth edition of the SABA
3. England Australia
Indies Championship, organized by the South Asia
e/
2012/Sri Basketball Association (SABA) SINCE 2002.
4. West Indies Sri Lanka
Lanka Para Badminton International 2021:
2014/ ▪ Indian shuttlers, including Tokyo Paralympic
.m
5. Sri Lanka India champion Pramod Bhagat, won a whopping

Bangladesh
47 medals at the Uganda Para Badminton
6. West Indies England 2016/India International 2021 that concluded in Kampala.
7. Postponed Postponed ▪ India won 16 golds, 14 silver and 17 bronze
//t
due to due to 2020/ medals at the five-day tournament in the

COVID-19 COVID-19 Australia Ugandan capital.
pandemic pandemic ▪ Tokyo 2020 Paralympic bronze medal winner
s:
Manoj Sarkar and reigning para world

New 2021/UAE badminton champion Manasi Joshi won the
8. Australia
Zealand and Oman gold medal in the men’s singles and women’s
singles SL3 categories, respectively.
tp
ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

▪ Palak Kohli, Abu Hubaida and Ammu Mohan,
▪ The International Cricket Council (ICC)
meanwhile, won two gold medals each in the
announced Pakistan as the hosts for the 2025
singles and doubles. The trio also won a silver
ht
Champions Trophy.
medal each; Palak Kohli and Ammu Mohan in
WTA Finals: the mixed doubles while Abu Hubaida won in
▪ Former World No. 1 Garbine Muguruza beat the men’s doubles.
Anett Kontaveit to become the first Spaniard ▪ World No. 1 Pramod Bhagat, meanwhile,
to win the elite season ending WTA Finals in featured in three finals but settled for silver
Mexico. medals. He lost the men’s singles to Manoj
Sarkar.
▪ Pramod and Sarkar, both Tokyo 2020

Pravin Jadhav,
medalists, teamed up in the men’s doubles Recurve-
Silver Parth Salunkhe and
but lost the final to fellow Indians Mohammad Men's Team
Arwaz Ansari and Deep Ranjan Bisoyee. Kapil
Ankita Bhakat, Recurve-
64th National Shooting Championship
Silver Ridhi & Madhu Women's
Competitions (NSCC):
Vedwan Team
e
▪ Twin brothers Vijayveer and Udayveer Sidhu
finished at 1 & 2 respectively in the junior Ankita Bhakat & Recurve-
Bronze
men's 25m pistol event as Punjab topped of
re
Kapil Mixed Team
the medals tally at the 64th National Shooting
Championship Competitions (NSCC). Aman Saini,
Compound -
Bronze Abhishek Verma &
▪ Punjab also won gold in the team competition Men's Team
cf
of the same event as the trio of Rajkanwar Rishabh Yadav
Singh Sandhu (577), Fatehjeet Singh (571) and
Amanpreet Singh (569) combined for a total About Archery Association of India:
ps
score of 1717, bettering Haryana's 1715. ▪ President – Arjun Munda
▪ Headquarters – New Delhi.
ATP Finals:
About World Archery Federation:
▪ World number three Alexander Zverev,
clinched his second ATP Finals title. ▪ Founded: 1931.
▪ He lifted the prestigious trophy in Turin
after handing the world number two Daniil
tn
▪ Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
▪ President: Ugur Erdener.
Medvedev a straight-set defeat. The former
e/
Mushtaq Ali Trophy
won a record-breaking sixth ATP title in the
ongoing season. ▪ Tamilnadu became the Champions by
defeating Karnataka in Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Asian Archery Championship 2021: 2021.
.m
▪ India finished 2nd in the overall medal tally at

the 22nd Asian Archery Championship 2021 SEASON WINNER
that was held in the Bangladeshi capital of 2006-07 Tamil Nadu
Dhaka from 13 to 18 November 2021.
//t
▪ The Indian contingent has won a total of 7 2009-10 Maharashtra

medals (1 Gold, 4 Silver & 2 Bronze), while 2010-11 Bengal
South Korea with a total of 15 medals topped
s:
the table. 2011-12 Baroda

2012-13 Gujarat
Medal Winner Event
tp
2013-14 Baroda
Compound
Jyoth Surekha 2014-15 Gujarat
Gold - Women's
Vennam
Individual 2015-16 Uttar Pradesh
ht
Compound 2016-17 East Zone

Silver Abhishek Verma - Men's
Individual 2017-18 Delhi
Jyothi Surekha 2018-19 Karnataka

Compund -
Silver Vennam & Rishabh 2019-20 Karnataka
Mixed Team
Yadav
2020-21 Tamil Nadu

2021-22 Tamil Nadu
NorthEast Sports Conclave:

▪ Sportstar hosted the first ever North East
Sports Conclave in Guwahati, with a host of
e
speakers from different sports disciplines
identifying vexing issues in the region and
ways to handle them.
re
▪ Anurag Thakur, India's Sports Minister,
lauded North East's efforts to better the sports
ecosystem in the region. "The fact that we have
cf
a sports conclave for North-East speaks a lot
about the progress of these states in sports.
It is a testament to the emergence of sporting
ps
excellence in NE states", he said.
World Para Powerlifting Championships

2021:
▪ Paramjeet Kumar became the First Indian tn
para-powerlifter to clinch a medal in the
World Para Powerlifting Championships in
Tbilisi, Georgia.
e/
▪ Paramjeet, competing in the 49kg category,
lifted 158 kg to grab the ‘Bronze’ medal while
Omar Shami Qarada of Egypt won the gold
.m
medal after lifting 174kg.

▪ Viatnam's Van Cong Le won the silver medal
with a total of 170kg.
Ramkumar wins maiden Challenger

//t
title:
▪ Indian tennis player Ramkumar Ramanathan
won his maiden Challenger level singles title,
s:
12 years after turning pro, when he outplayed

Evgeny Karlovskiy in the summit clash of the
Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger.
tp
ht
1.8 BOOKS & AUTHORS

Amazing Adyar book: Sanjay Gubbi:
▪ K.R.A. Narasaiah, launched his book ▪ Sanjay Gubbi- latest book “Leopard Dairies –
"Amazing Adyar, A Suburb to Be Proud The Rosette in India” is based on studying the
Of", has managed to beautifully capture the animal up close for years.
essence of Adyar.
e
Priyadarshi:
V.S. Natarajan’s Book: ▪ Priyadarshi’s book, “Running Toward
▪ Dr. V.S. Natarajan Geriatric Foundation Mystery”, an account of his journey to
re
recently received the Vayoshreshta Samman becoming a monk.
Award. A book on geriatric FAQs “Kelvi
Badhil Mudhiyor Maruthuvam” authored by Jerry Pinto’s Book
cf
Dr. Natarajan was released. ▪ Jerry Pinto is the author of the book ‘A book of
light: when a loved one has a different mind’.
“Sunrise over Ayodhya”
Manish Tewari’ Book:
ps
▪ Salman Khurshid authored the book “Sunrise
over Ayodhya”. ▪ Manish Tewari in his new book "10 Flash
Points; 20 Years - National Security Situations
Shashi Tharoor’s book: that Impacted India" slams the UPA for
▪ Shashi Tharoor is a third-term Member of weakness in the name of restrain post 26/11
Parliament (Congress Party) representing
Thiruvananthapuram and an award-winning
author of 22 books, including most recently,
tnterror attack in Mumbai.
e/
"The Battle of Belonging".
▪ "Nehru: The Invention of India" is
an Biography by him in 2003.
.m
▪ PRIDE, PREJUDICE, AND PUNDITRY: THE

ESSENTIAL authored by Shashi Tharoor is
published by Aleph Book Company
Amitav Ghosh:
//t
▪ Amitav Ghosh of the mangroves that feature

in his book “Jungle Nama”.
Pranay Lal:
s:
▪ Pranay Lal, author of “Invisible Empire: The

Natural History of Viruses”.
tp
Ira Mukhoty:
▪ Her book on the women of the Mughal empire,
“Daughters of the Sun”.
ht
▪ Her latest book, “Song of Draupadi” - A

Novel, was to look at the Mahabharata through
the lens of the women characters.
Neha Sinha:
▪ Neha Sinha, conservation biologist and author
of “Wild and Wilful”.
1.9 AWARDS & HONORS

Stalin Rajangam, Poet ▪ Stalin has also announced that a memorial for
Sukirtharani to Get Award: Pandit Iyottheethass would be built and steps
▪ Dalit historian and writer Stalin Rajangam and taken to retrieve Panchami lands.
feminist poet Sukirtharani have been chosen ▪ Stalin has also set up a monitoring and
for the 25th Puthumaipithan Memorial Award vigilance committee at the State level under
e
by Vilakku Ilakkiya Amaippu, a U.S.based his chairmanship.
forum, for 2020. ▪ MDMK chief Vaiko will receive the ‘Periyar
re
▪ Mr. Rajangam and Ms. Sukirtharani would Sudar’ award.
receive 1,00,000 each and an award for their
Padma Awards 2020 & 2021:
non-fiction and fictional work.
▪ Former Union Ministers George Fernandes,
cf
▪ Ms. Sukirtharani, whose works Kaipatri Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, and former
En Kanavu Kel, Iravu Mirugam, Avalai President of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth were
Mozhipeyarthal, Kamathipoo, and Ippadikku given the Padma Vibhushan posthumously
Evaal have been criticially acclaimed.
ps
for exceptional and distinguished service.
IIT Madras Faculty Honored ▪ The awards were presented at two civil
▪ The International Institute of Acoustics and investiture ceremonies at the Rashtrapati
Vibration has awarded the Distinguished Bhavan for the years 2020 and 2021.
Fellowship Award to R.I. Sujith, professor in
the Department of Aerospace Engineering at
the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
tn ▪ A total of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 16 Padma
Bhushan and 122 Padma Shri awards were
presented for the two years.
e/
▪ He is the first Indian to be awarded the ▪ The face of women’s boxing in India, M.C.
fellowship. Mary Kom, who is a sixtime AIBA women’s
▪ He has authored a book on Thermo acoustic boxing champion, Shri Visvesha Tirtha
Swamiji of Udupi (posthumous), were also
.m
Instability and has over 360 technical

publications, including 186 journal honoured with the Padma Vibhushan by
publications besides 12 patents. President Ram Nath Kovind.
▪ Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
Lifetime Achievement Award for K.M. (posthumous), who had also served as the
//t
Cherian Chief Minister of Goa, Mahindra Group

▪ K.M. Cherian, chairman and CEO of Frontier chairman Anand Mahindra, SundaramClayton
Lifeline Hospital, was presented the Lifetime Group chairman Venu Srinivasan, and former
s:
Achievement Award at the Confederation Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir were given
of Indian Industry Tamil Nadu Medclave the Padma Bhushan.
Excellence Honors. He is a pioneer in cardiac ▪ Badminton star P.V. Sindhu, Kashmiri political
bypass surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery and
tp
leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Tsering Landol,

heart and lung transplantation in India. the first gynaecologist from Leh, bilingual
author Manoj Das (posthumous), and
‘Ambedkar Sudar’ Award:
Krishnammal Jagannathan, a social activist
ht
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will

from Tamil Nadu, were also among those who
receive the ‘Ambedkar Sudar’ award for the
received the Padma Bhushan.
year 2021, given by the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal
Katchi (VCK). ▪ Bollywood star Kangna Ranaut, film
producer Karan Johar, television and film
▪ The party founder Thol. Thirumavalavan said
producer Ekta Kapoor, senior Professor at
▪ Mr. Stalin had satisfied a long pending demand PGIMER, Chandigarh, Digambar Behera, and
of Dalits and tribals to set up a commission for internationally renowned Indian classical
their welfare.
dance exponent Indira P.P. Bora were among The Swachh Survekshan Awards, 2021:
those conferred the Padma Shri. by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
▪ Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Hindustani ▪ The Swachh Survekshan Awards, 2021 handed
classical and semiclassical vocalist, was among out by President Ram Nath Kovind included
those who won Padma Vibhushan. the cleanest State honour for Chhattisgarh for
▪ The Padma awards are given in three categories the third time, in the category of States with
— Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and more than 100 urban local bodies.
e
Padma Shri — and announced annually on the ▪ Indore was ranked the cleanest city for the
eve of Republic Day. fifth consecutive year.
re
▪ The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for ▪ Varanasi, won the award for the cleanest
exceptional and distinguished service. “Ganga city”.
▪ The Padma Bhushan for distinguished service ▪ Among cities, Surat and Vijayawada secured
cf
of high order. the second and third place, respectively.
▪ The Padma Shri for distinguished service in ▪ Of States with over 100 urban local bodies
any field. (ULBs), Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
ps
▪ Transgender folk dancer Manjamma Jogati were ranked second and third respectively.
received a Padma Shri honour for her ▪ Jharkhand was judged the cleanest State with
contribution to arts for 2021. less than 100 ULBs, followed by Haryana and
Goa.
Project Siren: tn
▪ Of cities with population less than 1 lakh,
▪ The Hindu has been awarded the Project
Maharashtra’s Vita was the cleanest, followed
SIREN Award for Newspapers 2021 for
by Lonavala and Sasvad.
its consistent high performance on Project
e/
SIREN’s scorecards measuring responsible ▪ The New Delhi Municipal Council’s area was
reporting on suicide between June 2020 and ranked the cleanest in the category of cities
June 2021. with 13 lakh population.
▪ Noida was named the cleanest among
.m
▪ Project SIREN is an initiative of the India

Mental Health Observatory (IMHO) under mediumsized cities, that is with 3 lakh to 10
the Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy lakh population.
(CMHLP), which systematically tracks reports ▪ Among the big cities with population of 10
on suicides in major English newspapers lakh to 40 lakh, Navi Mumbai was ranked the
//t
and online news publications to promote cleanest.

responsible reporting. ▪ The table shows the rank of the top-10 cities in
the State with population between 1-10 Lakh.
s:
Badminton World Federation (BWF)

Awards: Rank in
City State
▪ Badminton legend Prakash Padukone will 2021
tp
receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement 1 Indore M.P

Award this year from the Badminton World
2 Surat Gujarat
Federation (BWF).
▪ The former World No. 1 and the first ever 3 Vijayawada A.P.
ht
Indian World championships medalist, 4 Navi Mumbai Maharashtra

Padukone has contributed immensely to the
5 Pune Maharashtra
game.
▪ In 2018, he was also honored with the BAI’s 6 Raipur Chhattisgarh
(Badminton Association of India) Lifetime 7 Bhopal M.P
Achievement Award.
8 Vadodara Gujarat
for the world's largest orchestra with 8,573

9 Visakhapatnam A.P.
musicians playing together.
10 Ahmedabad Gujarat
Pratham gets Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:
Tamil Nadu Cities in Swachh Survekshan ▪ Pratham, a civil society organisation dedicated
Ranking: to improving the quality of education among
▪ No City from Tamil Nadu was ranked in the underprivileged children in India and across
top-10.
e
the world, has been selected for the Indira
▪ Among those with a population of more than Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and
10 Lakh, Chennai was the highest ranked from Development for 2021.
re
Tamil Nadu at the 43rd Spot. Chennai and ▪ The International jury of the Indira
Tiruchi were the cleanest districts in the State. Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and
Rank Rank Rank Development, chaired by the former Chief
cf
City in in in Justice of India, Justice T.S. Thakur, announced
the award of the prize to the organisation.
2021 2020 2019
▪ The 2021 Prize is awarded to Pratham for its
ps
Tiruchi 121 102 39 pioneering work seeking to ensure that every
Dindigul 155 201 115 child has access to quality education, for its
innovative use of digital technology to deliver
Salem 163 173 156 education, for its programmes to provide skills
Hosur
Thiruvanamalai
192
196
328
275
255
178
tnto young adults, for its regular evaluation of
the quality of education, and for its timely
response in enabling children to learn during
the COVID19 related school closures.
e/
Tambaram 200 269 260
About Pratham:
Thoothukudi 216 238 200 ▪ Set up in 1995 in Mumbai by Dr. Madhav
Chavan and Ms. Farida Lambay, Pratham
Pudukottai 224 245 199
.m
started work in Mumbai slums, setting up

Pallavaram 233 241 278 community based “Balwadis” or preschools
and offering remedial education for students
Cuddalore 241 301 348
lagging behind their grade level curriculum.
//t
▪ The table shows the three cities in the State ▪ Its Annual Status of Education Report (ASER),
with a population of more than 10 Lakh and based on surveying 6,00,000 rural Indian
their National ranks in the last three years. children, is now used as a model to assess
education outcomes and learning deficiencies
s:
Chennai’s rank has consistently improved

since 2019. in 14 countries over three continents.
▪ In basic education, Pratham develops low
Rank in Rank in cost and replicable innovations, working with
tp
City
2021 2020 the Government and community to improve
City 43 45 learning outcomes. Its programmes now cover
children and young adults in 21 States.
ht
Chennai 46 40 About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:

Coimbatore 47 42 ▪ The Indira Gandhi Prize, or the Indira Gandhi
Peace Prize, also known as Indira Gandhi Prize
New Guinness Record: for Peace, Disarmament and Development, is
▪ Venezuela's National System of Youth and the prestigious award accorded annually.
Children's Orchestras — known as "El ▪ The award is given by Indira Gandhi Memorial
Sistema" — has set a new Guinness record Trust to individuals or organisations in
recognition of creative efforts toward Shaurya Chakra Award:

promoting international peace, development ▪ Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal was
and a new international economic order. posthumously given Shaurya Chakra for his
▪ First Awarded: 1986 role in a counterinsurgency operation.
▪ President Kovind also presented Shaurya
Gallantry Awards 2021 Chakra posthumously to Naib Subedar Sombir
▪ In the first combat fatalities on the Line of for killing a dreaded terrorist in an operation
e
Actual Control in 45 years, 20 Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.
were killed in the clash after they were attacked Kirti Chakra:
by Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on the
re
▪ The second highest peacetime gallantry award,
night of June 15, 2020. Kirti Chakra, was posthumously awarded
Vir Chakra: (Third highest wartime gallantry to Sapper Prakash Jadhav for neutralizing
award) terrorists in an operation in Jammu and
cf
▪ Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who Kashmir.
was held captive for three days by Pakistan
after he chased and downed a Pakistani fighter Hyderabad’s 4-yr-old hoists tricolour at
ps
jet in 2019, was awarded Vir Chakra, the third Everest Base Camp:
highest wartime gallantry award, by President ▪ Advit Golechha, a four-year-old from
Ram Nath Kovind. Hyderabad, recently became the Youngest
▪ He was among several other military officers Asian to trek to the base camp of Mount
who were presented Gallantry awards and
Distinguished Service decorations in a defence
investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
tnEverest. Accompanied by his mother, Shweta
Golechha, and uncle Saurabh Sukhani, Advit
started the climb on October 28 and scaled a
▪ Colonel B. Santhosh Babu, Commanding height of 5,364 metres on November 6.
e/
Officer of 16 Bihar who was among the
20 personnel killed in the clash with IIT-M Director Honoured:
Chinese troops at Galwan in June 2020, was ▪ The director of the Indian Institute of
.m
posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra Technology Madras, Bhaskar Ramamurthi,
(MVC), the country’s second highest wartime has been honoured with the Lifetime
gallantry award. Achievement Award at the 14th edition of
▪ Under Operation Snow Leopard, Col. Babu the CIICONNECT Awards, instituted by the
was tasked with establing an observation post Confederation of India Industry, jointly with
//t
in the face of the enemy, and he successfully the State Government.

executed the task, organising and briefing his ▪ The award is in recognition of his contributions
troops about the situation.
to the development of Technological
s:
▪ Other vir Chakra Award Winners are: Entrepreneurship.

▪ Havildar Tejinder Singh
▪ Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren Lifetime Achievement Award for Health
tp
▪ Naik Deepak Singh. Minister Subramanian:

▪ Havildar K. Palani (From Tamil Nadu) ▪ The 4th International Medical Special Awards
in London by the World Tamil Organisation
▪ Sepoy Gurtej.
was held on November 26, 2021.
ht
About Operation Snow Leopard:

▪ The Minister for Health and Family Welfare of
▪ The Indian Army launched Operation Snow
Tamil Nadu, Ma. Subramanian was presented
Leopard after China failed to move back and
with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the
restore status quo ante in eastern Ladakh.
House of Commons in the British Parliament,
▪ The Army finally launched the operation, for his outstanding work in the field of health
occupied a number of strategic heights and and family well-being and for his effective
strengthened its presence in the region. work during the Covid pandemic.
1.10 CULTURAL PANORAMA

Ahom Tribes: ▪ With 300 stalls, this was the largest participation
▪ The Ahom or Tai-Ahom is an ethnic group by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs in
from the Indian states of Assam and Arunachal India International Trade Fair this year.
Pradesh. About Hunar haat:
▪ The members of this group are mixed ▪ Hunar Haat is an exhibition of handicrafts and
e
descendants of the Tai people who reached the traditional products made by artisans from the
Brahmaputra valley of Assam in 1228 and the minority communities.
re
local indigenous people who joined them over ▪ These are organised by the Ministry of
the course of history. Minority Affairs under USTTAD (Upgrading
▪ Sukaphaa, the leader of the Tai group and his the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/
9000 followers established the Ahom kingdom Crafts for Development) scheme.
cf
(1228–1826 CE), which controlled much of the ▪ The USTTAD scheme aims to promote and
Brahmaputra Valley in modern Assam until preserve the rich heritage of the traditional
1826. arts & crafts of the Minority Communities.
ps
Tea Tribes:
▪ Tea-garden community are multi ethnic groups
of tea garden workers and their dependents in
Assam. They are officially referred as "Tea-
tribes" by Government of Assam.
▪ They are the descendants of tribals and
tn
e/
backward caste people brought by the British
colonial planters as indentured labourers
from the regions of present-day Jharkhand,
Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and
.m
Andhra Pradesh into colonial Assam during

1860-90s in multiple phases for the purpose of
being employed in the tea gardens industry as
labourers.
//t
▪ The community is composed of many large

tribes like Munda, Santhal, Kurukh (Oraon),
Gonds, Bhumij and dozen others who are
being denied Scheduled Tribe status. This
s:
tribal call themselves "Adivasi". Assam is the

only state in India where these tribes have
been denied ST status.
tp
Hunar Haat:
▪ Over 550 artisans and craftsmen from more
ht
than 30 States/UTs participated in the 33rd

"Hunar Haat", organised at India International
Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan from 14-27
November 2021.
▪ "Hunar Haat" received prestigious IITF2021
Silver Medal for strengthening commitment
to "Vocal for Local" and its strong presence at
Trade Fair.
1.11 LATEST HISTORICAL EVENTS

Iron Lady of India: ▪ PM Modi addressed the event and highlighted
▪ October 31, 2021 marks former Prime Minister that CAG is a key part of the country’s
Indira Gandhi's 37th death anniversary development.
daughter of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi ▪ He also noted that the institution played a
was the third prime minister of India. She was significant role in Productivity and Efficiency.
e
also the first and, to date, only female prime ▪ The Comptroller and Auditor General of
minister of the country. India Girish Murmu, while addressing the
re
▪ The late Congress politician was assassinated first Audit Diwas, said that 16 November has
by two of her own bodyguards on October 31, been chosen as the ‘First Audit Diwas’ as on
1984, after she ordered military action in the this day in 1860, the first Auditor-General took
Golden Temple in Operation Blue Star. Her charge and from now on Audit Diwas will be
cf
tragic demise led to many anti-Sikh riots in celebrated on November 16 every year.
several parts of the country. ▪ Under the Government of India Act 1858, after
the merging of audit departments of Bengal,
ps
Devasahayam to be canonized by the
Madras & Bombay presidencies, on 16th Nov
Pope: 1860 the first Auditor-General took charge.
▪ Devasahayam Pillai, the 18th century ▪ The first Auditor General Sir Edward
Roman Catholic convert and “martyr” from Drummond was appointed in 1860 and had
Kanyakumari district, will be canonized on
May 5, 2022, by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
▪ He is being canonized 270 years after his
tnboth accounting and auditing functions.
▪ The first Comptroller and Audit General of
India was V. Narahari Rao appointed in 1948.
e/
martyrdom. It is an important event for the
About CAG:
people of Tamil Nadu.
▪ Article 148 of the 1949 Indian Constitution
About Devasahayam Pillai: provided for the establishment of a Comptroller
▪ Born Neelakanta Pillai, a highcaste Hindu, he
.m
and Auditor General to be appointed by the

knew Sanskrit, Tamil and Malayalam. President of India.
▪ He learnt about Catholicism from a French ▪ CAG jurisdiction was extended to Jammu and
prisoner of war and converted to the faith. Kashmir in 1958.
▪ He was baptised on 14, May, 1745 and assumed
//t
▪ He submits his audit reports relating to the

the name Devasahayam Pillai. accounts of the Centre to the President, who
Revamped War Memorial shall, in turn, place them before both the
houses of Parliament.
s:
▪ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate

the revamped war memorial at Rezang La in ▪ He submits his audit reports relating to the
eastern Ladakh. accounts of a State to the Governor, who shall,
in turn, place them before the state legislature.
tp
▪ The memorial, dedicated to those who laid

down their lives in the Battle of Rezang La ▪ CAG also acts as a guide, friend and
during the 1962 war, now includes the names philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee
of Army personnel who lost their lives in the of the Parliament.
ht
violent clash at Galwan last year.

World Heritage Week:
Audit Diwas: ▪ School Children enjoyed the Danish fort at
▪ First Audit Diwas: Prime Minister Modi on Tharangambadi/Tranquebar ahead of World
November 16, 2021, unveiled the statue of Heritage Sites week.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the office of the ▪ The Danish fort at tharangambadi,
Comptroller and Auditor General of India Mayiladuthurai is 400 years old.
(CAG) to mark the first Audit Diwas.
▪ The fort was built by the Danish rulers who

ruled Tharangambadi from 1600 to 1634 with
their artistic intricacies.
▪ The fort which is under the control of the
Archaeological Survey of India is open to
public from November 19 to 25 to mark the
preservation of Heritage World Heritage
e
Week.
▪ World Heritage Week is annually observed
re
across India from 19th to 25th November to
promote the conservation of the heritage and
the culture of monuments.
▪ The week-long celebration aims to create
cf
awareness about the importance of culture
and traditions and the need to protect them.
ps
Heritage sites in India:
1. In India, around 3691 monuments are protected
by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and
among these monuments around 143 sites and
monuments are ticketed. tn
2. At present, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number
(745) of ASI protected monuments.
e/
3. 40 heritage sites across India are listed as
UNESCO World Heritage sites which include 32
cultural, 7 Natural, and 1 Mixed site.
4. Recently the UNESCO World Heritage
.m
Committee has inscribed the Kakatiya

Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana
and Dholavira: A Harappan City, Gujarat on the
UNESCO World Heritage list.
//t
5. At present Maharashtra has 5 UNESCO World

Heritage sites, the highest among all the Indian
states and UTs.
s:
tp
ht
1.12 INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

India confers honorary rank of General Pakistan’s Port City Gwadar:
on Nepal Army Chief: ▪ Massive protests have erupted in Pakistan’s
▪ Nepal Army Chief General Prabhu Ram Port City of Gwadar against unnecessary
Sharma was conferred the honorary rank of checkpoints, a severe shortage of water and
General of the Indian Army by President Ram electricity and threats to livelihoods from
e
Nath Kovind at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati illegal fishing, part of a growing backlash in
Bhavan. the country against China’s multibillion dollar
re
▪ It is a customary practice by the two countries belt and road projects.
to confer the honorary rank of General on each ▪ The protests are part of growing discontent
other’s Army Chiefs. with China’s presence in Gwadar, whose port
is an integral part of the $60 billion China
cf
India, China agrees to restart talks Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC),
between border commanders: the flagship project of China’s multibillion
▪ After a month-long freeze on discussion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
ps
on disengagement from the Line of Actual China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC):
Control (LAC), Indian and Chinese diplomats ▪ China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
have decided to reconvene talks between is a collection of infrastructure projects that
border commanders. are under construction throughout Pakistan
▪ The decision was made at the 23rd meeting of
the Working Mechanism for Consultation and
Coordination on India-China Border Affairs
tnbeginning in 22 May 2013.
▪ On 13 November 2016, CPEC became
partly operational when Chinese cargo was
e/
(WMCC) led by the Foreign Ministries on transported overland to Gwadar Port for
both sides and comprising diplomatic, border onward maritime shipment to Africa and
security and military officials. West Asia, while some major power projects
were commissioned by late 2017.
.m
Jaffna Cultural Centre Awaits

▪ Modern transportation networks built under
Inauguration:
CPEC will link seaports in Gwadar and
▪ Nearly two years after its construction, the India Karachi with northern Pakistan, as well as
funded Jaffna Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka’s points further north in western China and
//t
Northern Province awaits inauguration, amid Central Asia.

persisting uncertainty over who will run the
facility. ▪ Initial infrastructure works at Gwadar Port
commenced in 2002 and were completed in
▪ The structure was completed in early 2020.
s:
2007, however plans to upgrade and expand

▪ Built with an Indian grant of $11 million, the Gwadar's port stalled.
centre was envisaged as a public space to
One Belt One Road Initiative:
“promote, preserve and foster the cultural
tp
▪ The Belt and Road Initiative is a global

heritage of Jaffna”, and serve as “a hub of
infrastructure development strategy adopted
cultural activities” in Sri Lanka.
by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest
▪ “We hope to open it soon,” Prime Minister
ht
in nearly 70 countries and international

Narendra Modi told a rally in Chennai in organizations
February 2021, referring to the Jaffna Cultural
▪ Xi Jinping originally announced the strategy
Centre.
as the "Silk Road Economic Belt" during an
▪ But there has been little movement since, official visit to Kazakhstan in September 2013.
despite India’s subsequent offer to Sri Lanka,
to absorb the administrative costs of the centre
for five years.
▪ The project has a target completion date of system to share data on reservoirs, rivers and
2049 which will coincide with the centennial dam waters.
anniversary of the People's Republic of China About WORLD METEOROLOGICAL
(PRC)'s founding. ORGANIZATION (WMO):
▪ The World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) is a specialized agency of the
United Nations responsible for promoting
e
international cooperation on atmospheric
science, climatology, hydrology and
re
Geophysics.
▪ The WMO originated from the International
Meteorological Organization, a
nongovernmental organization founded in
cf
1873.
▪ Formation: 23 March 1950.
ps
▪ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
▪ President: Gerhard Adrian, Germany.
India’s Humanitarian Assistance to ▪ India flays Raising Bilateral Issues at SCO:
Afghanistan: ▪ Delivering a speech virtually at the 20th meeting
▪ Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan
announced that his government will allow
India to send a humanitarian shipment of
tn of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Council of Heads of Government, Mr.
Jaishankar obliquely criticized Pakistan and
50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to neighbouring China, and called for reform in the multilateral
e/
Afghanistan through its territory after the institutions, including in the World Health
finalisation of the transit modalities. Organization (WHO).
▪ Currently, Pakistan only allows Afghanistan ▪ Both India and Pakistan joined the SCO at the
.m
to export goods to India but doesn't allow Astana summit in 9th June 2017, and Pakistan
any other two-way trade through the border has ever since tried to raise the Kashmir issue
crossing. on this platform.
▪ Last month, India announced 50,000 ▪ Both India and Russia have urged Islamabad
//t
metric tonnes of wheat for Afghanistan not to raise such bilateral matters repeatedly.
as humanitarian assistance and requested ▪ The SCO Charter sealed in 2002 calls for
Pakistan to ship the food grain via the Wagah “peaceful settlement” of conflicts and disputes
border.
s:
among member states.

Meeting on the Ganga-Brahmaputra- ▪ In a veiled criticism of the China Pakistan
Meghna (GBM) River Basins: Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes
tp
through parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir,

▪ A meeting on the Ganga-Brahmaputra-
the Minister added that connectivity corridors
Meghna (GBM) river basins, jointly organized
should respect sovereignty.
by the World Meteorological Organization
ht
(WMO), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

and India Meteorological Department (IMD),
recently began in New Delhi.
▪ Scientists from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan
and China are attending the meeting.
▪ India and its neighboring countries sharing
the trans-boundary GBM basins are planning
to develop a Hydrological SOS system, a
1.13 APPOINTMENTS
Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar: New Navy chief
▪ The Central Government has appointed the ▪ Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar, presently Flag
former Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, Officer Commanding in Chief (FOCinC)
Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar as the president Western Naval Command, has been appointed
e
of the National Company Law Tribunal as the next Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
(NCLT). He will take over on November 30 when
re
▪ Justice Sudhakar has been appointed for incumbent Admiral Karambir Singh retires
a period of five years from the date of from service.
assumption of the charge of the post or till
E Balagurusamy:
he attains the age of 67 years or until further
cf
orders, whichever is the earliest. ▪ Anna University former vice-chancellor
E Balagurusamy has been appointed as
About NCLT: convenor of Madurai Kamaraj University vice-
▪ The National Company Law Tribunal is a
ps
chancellor search committee.
quasi-judicial body in India that adjudicates
issues relating to Indian companies. V. Thiruppugazh:
▪ The tribunal was established under the ▪ Retired IAS officer V. Thiruppugazh has been
Companies Act 2013 and was constituted on tnappointed by the Tamil Nadu government
1 June 2016 by the government of India and to lead an advisory panel on mitigation and
is based on the recommendation of the V. management of flood risk in Chennai.
Balakrishna Eradi committee. ▪ During his career, the 1991 batch IAS officer
e/
▪ The NCLT bench is chaired by a Judicial had served in a key post in the Gujarat State
member who is supposed to be a retired or Disaster Management Authority and later had
a serving High Court Judge and a Technical been Additional Secretary (Policy and Plan) in
.m
member who must be from the Indian the National Disaster Management Authority
Corporate Law Service, ICLS Cadre. (NDMA) of which the Prime Minister is the
▪ No criminal court shall have jurisdiction to ex-officio chairperson.
entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of
Bimal Patel:
any matter which the Tribunal or the Appellate
//t
Tribunal is empowered. ▪ Professor Bimal Patel, Vice-Chancellor,

Rashtriya Raksha University and Member of
Nandini Azad: National Security Advisory Board of India,
has been elected to the International Law
s:
▪ Nandini Azad, President and Representative

of Indian Cooperative Network for Women Commission for a five-year term starting
(ICNW), has been formally nominated by January 1, 2023 in a hard-fought election at the
United Nations.
tp
the global board of the World Farmers’

Organisation to the prestigious ‘Working ▪ Patel garnered 163 votes in the UN General
Group on Cooperatives’ as its global facilitator Assembly out of 192 members present and
for a term of two years. voting, topping the Asia-Pacific group that
ht
▪ She is the first Indian as well as first woman to included candidates from China, South Korea
be appointed to the assignment. and Japan.
▪ The Working Group on Cooperatives is About International Law Commission:
responsible for evolving a global policy ▪ The International Law Commission was
on cooperatives in Agriculture and other established by the General Assembly in 1947
allied sectors, and will engage with leading to undertake the mandate of the Assembly to
cooperatives from across the world. initiate studies and make recommendations
for the purpose of encouraging the progressive About CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
development of international law and its (CBI):
codification. ▪ The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is
▪ The Statute of the International Law the premier investigating agency of India,
Commission provides that the Commission formed in 1 April 1963.
shall consist of 34 members who shall ▪ Operating under the jurisdiction of the
be persons of recognised competence in Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
e
international law. Pensions, Government of India.
▪ The members of the Commission are to be ▪ CBI is exempted from the provisions of the
re
elected by the General Assembly from a list of Right to Information Act.
candidates nominated by the Governments of ▪ CBI is India's officially designated single point
States Members of the United Nations. of contact for liaison with the Interpol.
cf
Bhandari takes charge as Acting Chief ▪ The CBI headquarter is located in CGO
Justice of HC: Complex, near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in
New Delhi.
▪ Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath
ps
of office to Madras High Court Acting Chief ▪ Subodh Kumar Jaiswal is the director of
Justice (ACJ) Munishwar Nath Bhandari at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Raj Bhavan. New Prime Minister for Czech Republic:
Amritraj reelected as TNTA chief: tn ▪ Czech President Milos Zeman appointed the
▪ Vijay Amritraj was unanimously re-elected leader of a centre-right alliance Petr Fiala as
as the president of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Prime Minister in a ceremony he performed
Association (for 2021-24) at its 95th annual from a plexiglass cubicle after testing positive
e/
General meeting. for COVID-19.
▪ Fiala leads a bloc of five parties that controls
CBI Official Elected to Interpol Panel: 108 seats in the 200-member lower house of
.m
▪ The Interpol elected Central Bureau of parliament.

Investigation (CBI) Special Director Praveen
Sinha as a Delegate for Asia in its Executive Indian Parag Agrawal- New CEO of
Committee. Twitter:
▪ The elections were held at the ongoing 89th ▪ Parag Agrawal, an IIT-Bombay graduate, has
//t
Interpol General Assembly in Istanbul. replaced Jack Dorsey as the new Twitter chief
▪ The Executive Committee has 13 members executive officer.
from different countries comprising the ▪ Parag joined Twitter in 2011, and in 2017 he
s:
President of the Interpol, two Vice-presidents became Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the
and nine Delegates. company.
▪ It supervises the execution of the Interpol
tp
General Assembly’s decisions and the

administration and work of its General
Secretariat.
ht
▪ It meets three times a year and sets

organizational policy and direction.
▪ The Interpol General Assembly has also
elected Ahmed Nasser AlRaisi of the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) as the organization’s
President for a four-year term.
2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
e
2.1 INDIA'S FOREIGN POLICY
re
India to help Countries prone to Climate ▪ India’s Council on Energy, Environment and
Change: Water (CEEW) welcomed the launch of IRIS
▪ India has launched a new initiative — as a recognition of the severity of climate risks
cf
Infrastructure for Resilient Island States which can unravel decades of development,
(IRIS) — for developing the infrastructure especially for the most vulnerable countries
of small island nations vulnerable to climate and communities.
ps
change. NSA Doval meets Tajik, Uzbek
▪ The launch of Infrastructure for Resilient Counterparts:
Island States (IRIS) was also attended by ▪ Ahead of the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue,
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and tnNational Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his
UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres. The counterparts from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face the for separate bilateral meetings.
biggest threat from climate change.
▪ At his bilateral meeting with Nasrullo
e/
▪ Mr. Modi congratulated the Coalition for Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, secretary of
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for the Tajikistan’s security council, Doval had a
initiative, saying for him the CDRI or IRIS is detailed exchange of views on the situation in
.m
not just about infrastructure thing but it is part Afghanistan and both sides expressed concern
of a very sensitive responsibility of human at a sharp increase in terrorist threats, people
welfare. familiar with the matter said on condition of
▪ The Prime Minister said India has made special anonymity.
arrangements for cooperation with the Pacific
//t
▪ Doval and Mahmudzoda also discussed

islands and Caricom countries in the wake of bilateral matters such as deepening
the threat of climate change. cooperation in defence, border management
▪ India’s space agency ISRO will build a special and border infrastructure development.
s:
data window for them to provide them ▪ Afghanistan was the focus of discussions
timely information about cyclones, coral reef at a subsequent bilateral meeting between
monitoring, coastline monitoring through Doval and Victor Makhmudov, secretary of
tp
satellite. Uzbekistan’s security council, and both sides

▪ The IRIS initiative is a part of the CDRI that agreed the future of the war-torn country must
would focus on building capacity, having pilot be decided by the Afghan people.At present,
ht
projects, especially in small island developing no country has recognised the Taliban Interim
states. Government and the Taliban has rejected calls
▪ The new initiative is the result of cooperation for an electoral process to decide who will
between India, the U.K. and Australia and succeed the previous Ghani Government.
included the participation of leaders of
small island nations such as Fiji, Jamaica and
Mauritius.
https://t.me/tnpscfree POLITICAL SCIENCE | 35
India-New Zealand Bilateral ▪ We are looking at a transparent, honest

Cyber Dialogue: trading system in India and entering into an
▪ The second edition of the India-New Zealand agreement with certain geographies that don’t
Bilateral Cyber Dialogue was held on share information, don’t give market access to
November 16-17 in virtual mode. everybody equitably and openly, where there
are hidden subsidies.
▪ India and New Zealand have decided to
intensify cooperation in cyber security, About RCEP:
e
cybercrime and capacity building at the ▪ The Regional Comprehensive Economic
bilateral Cyber Dialogue. Partnership (RECP) is a free trade agreement
re
among the Asia-Pacific nations of Australia,
▪ The delegations deliberated on a wide range
Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan,
of topics of mutual interest and agreed to
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the
work closely with each other in the areas
Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand,
cf
of cybersecurity, cybercrime and capacity
and Vietnam.
building, it added.
▪ Signed: 15 November 2020
India to hold first 2+2 with Russia on ▪ Effective: 1 January 2022 (Projected)
ps
December 6: ▪ Headquarters: Hanoi, Vietnam (Virtual host)
▪ External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are likely to
hold their first “2+2” format talks with their
Russian counterparts Sergey Lavrov and
Sergey Shoygu, along with Russian President
Vladimir Putin, who is expected to meet Prime
tn
e/
Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi for the
annual summit on December 6.
▪ The 2+2 format agreed to during a Modi-Putin
phone conversation in April is particularly
.m
significant, given that India conducts joint

foreign and defence ministerial only with its
closest ‘Quad’ partners — the U.S., Japan and
Australia.
//t
▪ Russia thus far has the 2+2 format for “problem

solving” with countries such as Japan, France
and earlier with the U.S.
s:
▪ The 2+2 is also expected to look further afield

in building India’s ties with Central Asia and
Russia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
tp
India’s Stand on RCEP:

▪ Mr. Goyal response to a query from New
Zealand’s High Commissioner to India David
ht
Pyne on the changes needed in the Global

trade rules regime,
▪ New Zealand wanted India to join the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) but it was an “agreement between two
unequal”.
2.2 GOVT.WELFARE ORIENTED GOVT. SCHEMES THEIR UTILITY

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana ▪ Apart from housing eligible recipients,
(PMFBY) PMAY-G also focuses on the basic necessities
▪ There has been more than 60% decline in the of households through collaboration with
crop insurance claims of farmers at ₹9,570 other government programmes.
crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima ▪ It provides toilets, piped drinking water,
e
Yojana (PMFBY) for the 2020-21 crop year electricity connection, LPG gas connection etc
from the previous year as there were no major under different Government programmes.
re
crop losses. ▪ The PMAY-G scheme was launched in
▪ Maximum crop insurance claims were reported November 20, 2016.
from Rajasthan at ₹3,602 crore, followed by
Survey of India, T.N. sign MOU for
Maharashtra, and Haryana during 2020-21.
cf
SVAMITVA scheme
▪ However, total claims reported were of
▪ The Survey of India and the Tamil Nadu
₹9,570 crore for 2020-21. Out of which, claims
government signed a Memorandum of
reported from the Kharif season were ₹6,779
ps
Understanding (MOU) to undertake a pilot
crore, while from Rabi season ₹2,792 crore.
project in two villages under the SVAMITVA
About Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima scheme to study whether a drone survey
Yojana (PMFBY): would help the State further strengthen the
▪ It provides a comprehensive insurance cover tnland records database of ‘natham' areas.
against failure of the crop thus helping in
▪ The Survey of Villages Abadi & Mapping
stabilizing the income of the farmers.
with Improvised Technology in Village Areas
▪ PMFBY was launched on 13th January 2016. (SVAMITVA) scheme, promoted by the
e/
▪ The prescribed premium is 2% to be paid by Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, is aimed
farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all at establishing clear ownership of property in
rabi crops. In the case of annual commercial rural inhabited areas (called 'grama natham')
.m
and horticultural crops, the premium is 5%. by mapping of land parcels using drones
▪ The scheme was compulsory for loanee and to provide 'Record of Rights' to village
farmers availing Crop Loan/Kisan household owners.
Credit Card (KCC) account for notified ▪ Tamil Nadu has quite a strong database of
//t
crops and voluntary for others. land records. Since the Union government
has launched SVAMITVA, the State has given
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin: permission to undertake a pilot project to see
▪ The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin, whether the scheme would help to strengthen
s:
or PMAY-G, has been in place for five years the natham land records database by geo-
now. referencing the land records.
▪ PM Awas Yojana- Gramin was created in ▪ However, the scheme would require
tp
response to the government's pledge to offer additional human resource since the drone
'Housing for All' in rural India by 2022. survey would have to be complemented
▪ The project intends to provide all houseless with ground proofing. Though the State
ht
households living in kutcha and decaying has given permission only for a pilot study,
dwellings with a pucca house with basic the framework for the implementation says
utilities. the survey would cover 18,463 Tamil Nadu
▪ Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – villages by 2023-24.
Gramin as many as 1.63 crore houses have
been built as of November 15, 2021. These
houses are equipped with all basic amenities.
About SVAMITVA SCHEME Stipendiary Support to Apprentices

▪ SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping of National Apprenticeship Training
with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme (NATS):
is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of
▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
Panchayati Raj.
approved stipendiary support of Rs 3,054 crore
▪ Launched by Prime Minister on National to apprentices who undergo apprenticeship
Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2021 after training under the National Apprenticeship
e
successful completion of pilot phase of scheme Training Scheme (NATS) of the Ministry of
(2020-2021) in 9 states, to promote a socio- Education till 2025-26.
re
economically empowered and self-reliant
▪ NATS is a well-esta blished scheme of the
rural India.
Union government which has demonstrated
▪ It is a scheme for mapping the land parcels in to enhance the employability of students
rural inhabited areas using drone technology
cf
who have successfully completed the
and Continuously Operating Reference apprenticeship training.
Station.
▪ Approximately nine lakh apprentices will
▪ The scheme covers multifarious aspects viz.
ps
be trained by industry and commercial
▪ Facilitating monetisation of properties organisations.
▪ Enabling bank loan ▪ The apprentices who have completed graduate
▪ Reducing property related disputes and diploma programme in engineering,
▪ Comprehensive village level planning, would tn humanities, science and commerce will be
be the stepping-stone towards achieving Gram given stipend of Rs 9,000 and Rs 8,000 per
Swaraj in true sense and making rural India month respectively.
Atmanirbhar. ▪ The scope of NATS has further been expanded
e/
to include students from humanities, science
‘Bharat Gaurav' scheme eyes Railway and commerce besides students from
tourism engineering stream.
.m
▪ To tap the huge potential of tourism, the ▪ This scheme aims to raise the standards of
Railways announced the 'Bharat Gaurav' skill level by strengthening the skill ecosystem
scheme, under which theme-based tourist and as a result, will provide employment to
circuit trains, on the lines of the Ramayana approximately seven lakh youths in the next
Express, can be run either by private or State- five years.
//t
owned operators. ▪ The NATS will provide apprenticeship in the

▪ Till now, the Railways had passenger segments emerging areas under 'Production Linked
and goods segments. Now, we will have a Incentive' (PLI) such as mobile manufacturing,
s:
third segment for tourism – 'Bharat Gaurav' medical devices manufacturing, pharma
train. sector, electronics and technology products,
▪ These will not be regular trains that will run automobile sector.
tp
as per a timetable but will be more on the lines ▪ The scheme will also be preparing skilled
of the Ramayana Express being run by the manpower for connectivity and logistics
IRCTC. industry sectors, identified under GatiShakti.
ht
▪ Service providers, who can be an individual,

company, society, trust, joint venture or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban):
consortium, will be free to decide themes ▪ The approval was given by the Central
and circuits such as Guru Kripa trains for Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee
covering important places of Sikh culture or (CSMC) chaired by Union Housing and Urban
the Ramayana Express for places connected Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra.
with Lord Ram. ▪ The Centre has approved the construction
of 3.61 lakh houses in 17 States and Union
Territories under the Pradhan Mantri Awas About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna
Yojana (Urban), taking the total number of Yojana:
houses sanctioned under the scheme to 1.14 ▪ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
crore. At the CSMC meeting, an e-Finance (Prime Minister's Food Security Scheme for
module was also launched by the HUA the Poor) is a food security welfare scheme
secretary. announced by the Government of India in 26
▪ The e-Finance module has been integrated March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic
e
with all modules of the PMAY-U MIS system in India.
and designed, developed within PMAY-U MIS ▪ The program is operated by the Department
re
System with the objective to provide unique of Food and Public Distribution under the
platform to all stakeholders for disbursement Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
of funds through direct benefit transfer mode Public Distribution.
and to validate beneficiaries. ▪ The scheme aims to feed the poorest citizens
cf
About PMAY- Urban: of India by providing grain through the
▪ Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban Public Distribution System, to all the priority
(PMAY-U) was launched on 25th June, 2015. households (ration card holders and those
ps
▪ Launched by the Ministry of Housing and identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana
Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) in scheme).
Mission mode. ▪ PMGKAY provides 5 kg of rice or wheat
▪ It envisions provision of Housing for All by (according to regional dietary preferences) per
2022, when the Nation completes 75 years of
its Independence.
tnperson and 1 kg of dal to each family holding
a ration card. The scale of this welfare scheme
makes it the largest food security program in
Ownership of houses:
e/
▪ Houses are to be allotted in the name of the world.
adult female members or in joint name and ₹10,000 cr. more Allotted for MGNREGS
all houses to have toilet facility, drinking ▪ The Finance Ministry has allocated additional
.m
water and power supply. Preference is given funds of 10,000 crores as an interim measure
to persons with disabilities, ST/ SC/ OBCs, for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
minorities and transgender. Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna after it ran out of funds allocated in the
budget, according to the Ministry of Rural
//t
Yojana (PMGKAY):
Development (MoRD).
▪ The Centre has decided to extend its free ration
scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna About MGNREGA 2005:
▪ Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
s:
Yojana (PMGKAY), for another four months,

until March 2022. Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is an Indian
labour law and social security measure that
▪ Cabinet approved the extension of the
aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
tp
PMGKAY which provides more than 80 crore

ration card holders with five kg each of rice ▪ This act was passed in 23 August 2005 under
or wheat a month free of cost, in addition to the UPA government of Prime Minister
the five kg which they are eligible for on a ▪ Dr. Manmohan Singh.
ht
subsidized basis under the National Food ▪ The MGNREGA was initiated with the
Security Act. objective of "enhancing livelihood security in
▪ Initially introduced in the first COVID19 relief rural areas by providing at least 100 days of
package from April 2020, the scheme has been guaranteed wage employment in a financial
extended thrice, but was scheduled to end in year, to every household whose adult members
November. volunteer to do unskilled manual work".
▪ Employment is to be provided within 5 km of Thus, employment under MGNREGA is a

an applicant's residence, and minimum wages legal entitlement.
are to be paid. ▪ MGNREGA is to be implemented mainly by
▪ If work is not provided within 15 days gram panchayats (GPs). The involvement of
of applying, applicants are entitled to an contractors is banned.
Unemployment Allowance.
▪ That is, if the government fails to provide
e
employment, it has to provide certain
unemployment allowances to those people.
re
2.3 LATEST COURT VERDICTS
cf
Allahabad HC reduces sentence in ▪ The Act stipulates that a case of child sexual
POCSO case abuse must be disposed of within one year
from the date the offence is reported. It was
ps
▪ Oral sex with a minor is not aggravated
sexual assault and only a "lesser” offence, the amended in August 2019 to provide more
Allahabad High Court has concluded in a stringent punishment, including the death
judgment. penalty, for sexual crimes against children.
▪ The sessions court had earlier convicted the
man under "aggravated penetrative sexual
assault” under Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
tn
e/
▪ The trial court had sentenced him to 10 years
rigorous imprisonment with a fine of `5,000.
The minimum sentence under Section 6 is 10
years which may extend to life imprisonment.
.m
▪ The court reduced the prison sentence to a

minimum seven years but retained the fine.
About Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences Act, 2012:
//t
▪ It was enacted to protect the children from

offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment
and pornography with due regard for
s:
safeguarding the interest and well-being of

children.
▪ It defines a child as any person below eighteen
tp
years of age and regards the best interests and

welfare of the child as a matter of paramount
importance at every stage, to ensure the
healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and
ht
social development of the child.

▪ It defines different forms of sexual abuse,
including penetrative and non-penetrative
assault, as well as sexual harassment and
pornography.
▪ It also casts the police in the role of child
protectors during the investigative process.
2.4 PUBLIC AWARENESS & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Vanniyar Quota Law Unconstitutional in every crime where the victim happens to be
▪ The 102nd constitutional Amendment act, an SC or ST, the High Court of Karnataka has
bestowed the powers of the State Assembly to said.
include and exclude the Backward Classes on About SC/ST Act:
Parliament. ▪ The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled
e
▪ But the 105th Constitutional Amendment Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is
restored the power of the States to identify and an act of the Parliament of India enacted to
re
notify the Backward Classes. prohibit discrimination, prevent atrocities
▪ The 102nd Amendment came into and hate crimes against scheduled castes and
existence on August 11, 2018, and the scheduled tribes.
105th Amendment was enacted on August ▪ The Act is popularly known as the SC/ST Act,
cf
19, 2021. the Prevention of Atrocities Act (POA), or
▪ The court held that on the date of Vanniyar simply the Atrocities Act.
Quota Law enactment, February 26, 2021, the ▪ Enacted: 11 September 1989.
ps
State legislature had no power to pass such ▪ Commenced: 31 March 1995.
legislation.
Mediation Centre and the NATIONAL
▪ Since the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes,
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, Legal Services Authority (NALSA):
1993 providing 20% undivided reservation
for the MBCs was in force, without it
being amended, the Act providing internal
tn
▪ Chief Justice of India (CJI) N.V. Ramana
inaugurated a mediation centre and the
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
e/
reservation went against the constitutional office at the Supreme Court additional
provisions. building complex.
About: ▪ The Supreme Court Mediation Centre
functions under the aegis of the SCLSC
.m
▪ The Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled

Castes, and Scheduled Tribes Bill, 1993 was (Supreme Court Legal Services Committee)
passed by the Assembly (Act 45 of 1994) by J and MCPC (Mediation and Conciliation
Jayalalithaa's AIADMK Government. Project Committee).
▪ The act was placed in the Constitution's Ninth ▪ The cases referred by the Supreme Court of
//t
Schedule, ensuring that it cannot be contested India are undertaken by a Panel of trained
in any court. Mediators. Presently there are 79 empaneled
trained Mediators.
▪ The act received the assent of the President on
s:
the 19th July 1994, confirming the 69 percent ▪ Mediation is a fast and effective alternative
reservation for Tamil Nadu. dispute resolution mechanism that aims at
restoration of relationship between the parties
▪ An Act to provide for reservation of seats in
tp
and amicable settlement of disputes.

educational institutions and of appointments
or posts in the services under the state for the ▪ The proceedings are completely confidential
backward classes and for persons belonging to and it protects the right of self-determination
ht
the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes of the parties.

in the state of Tamil Nadu. ▪ SCLSC Chairman Justice A M Khanwilkar,
MCPC Member Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul,
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and K S Radhakrishnan, a renowned artist and
Act sculptor of the mural installed in the mediation
▪ An offence under the Scheduled Castes and centre, felicitated the Chief Justice of India.
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)
Act, 1989, cannot be presumed to be committed
▪ The CJI, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of About The Directorate of Enforcement:
NALSA, inaugurated its office at the additional ▪ The Directorate of Enforcement is a law
building complex in the presence of NALSA enforcement agency and economic intelligence
Executive Chairman Justice Uday Umesh agency responsible for enforcing economic
Lalit, and Chairman of Supreme Court Legal laws and fighting economic crime in India.
Service Committee Justice A M Khanwilkar. ▪ It is part of the Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
SC Collegium clears transfer of Madras
e
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi, India
HC CJ to Meghalaya:
▪ The Supreme Court collegium has ▪ Founded: 1 May 1956
re
recommended the transfer of Madras High ▪ Agency Executives:
Court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee to the Sanjay Kumar Mishra, IRS, Director
Meghalaya High Court. It also recommended Enforcement;
cf
the transfer of Justice Munishwar Nath Simanchala Dash, IRS, Principal Special
Bhandari from the Allahabad High Court to Director.
the Madras High Court.
Transfer of Chief Justice:
ps
About Collegium of the Supreme Court:
▪ The Collegium of the Supreme Court consists ▪ The Law Ministry notified the transfer of
of 5 seniors most Judges including the Chief Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjib
Justice of India. They will consider the Banerjee to the Meghalaya High Court after
elevation of Chief Justices/Judges of High tn President Ram Nath Kovind accepted the
Court to Supreme Court, elevation of Judges Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation
of High Courts as Chief Justices and elevation of transfer.
of Judges. Constitutional Provisions:
e/
▪ Article 222 of the Constitution of India deals
CBI, ED chiefs can now have Five-Year with the transfers of a judge from one High
Terms: Court to another.
.m
▪ President Ram Nath Kovind promulgated ▪ In the Third Judges case (1998), the Supreme
two ordinances that would allow the Union Court opined that in case of the transfer of high
Government to extend the tenures of the court judges, the Chief Justice of India should
directors of the Central Bureau of Investigation consult, in addition to the collegium of four
(CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) senior most judges of the Supreme Court, the
//t
from two years to up to five years. chief justice of the two high courts (one from
▪ While the change in tenure of the post of CBI which the judge is being transferred and the
Director was given effect by amending the other receiving him). Thus, the sole opinion of
s:
Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the chief justice of India does not constitute the
the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 ‘consultation’ process.
was amended with respect to the ED Director’s
tp
post. Transfer of Judge:

▪ The move comes just days before the present ▪ The Centre issued the notification for
ED chief, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, is to retire on transferring Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari
from the Allahabad High Court to the Madras
ht
November 17.
High Court.
About CBI:
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi ▪ He is the second senior-most judge at the
Allahabad High Court and will become the
▪ Founded: 1 April 1963 senior-most judge at the Madras High Court.
About: Central Administrative Tribunal:

▪ Article 222 of the Constitution of India deals ▪ The Central Administrative Tribunal had
with the transfer of a judge from one High been established under Article 323 - A of the
Court to another. Constitution. In pursuance of Article 323-A,
▪ In the Third Judges case (1998), the Supreme the Parliament has passed the Administrative
Court opined that in case of the transfer of high Tribunals Act in 1985.
court judges, the Chief Justice of India should ▪ The act authorizes the Central government to
e
consult, in addition to the collegium of four establish one Central Administrative Tribunal
senior most judges of the Supreme Court, the and the state administrative tribunals.
re
chief justice of the two high courts (one from ▪ The CAT is a specialist body consisting
which the judge is being transferred and the of Administrative Members and Judicial
other receiving him). Thus, the sole opinion of Members who by virtue of their specialized
the chief justice of India does not constitute the knowledge are better equipped to dispense
cf
‘consultation’ process. speedy and effective justice. It was established
Sexual Harassment of Women at in 1985.
▪ A Chairman who has been a sitting or retired
ps
Workplace (prevention, prohibition and
redressal) Act, 2013: Judge of a High Court heads the Central
Administrative Tribunal.
▪ The Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (prevention, prohibition and ▪ Manjula Das is the current Chairman.
redressal) Act, 2013 defines sexual harassment
as one or more of the following unwelcome
acts or behavior. Such as
tn
Right to Information (RTI) Act:
▪ The personnel ministry said a total of 1,59,107
applications were filed under the Act between
e/
1. physical contact and advances; or April 22, 2013 and November 12, 2021.
2. a demand or request for sexual favors; or ▪ Of those 11,376 were filed by women and the
3. making sexually coloured remarks; or rest by men.
.m
4. showing pornography; or About RTI Act 2005:

▪ The Right to Information (RTI) is an act of the
5. any other unwelcome physical, verbal or
Parliament of India which sets out the rules
non-verbal conduct of sexual nature;
and procedures regarding citizens' right to
6. The workplace includes any government or information.
//t
private sector organisation, establishment, etc.

▪ Enacted: 15-June-2005.
▪ It also covers unorganised and domestic
workers, hospitals, any sports institute, ▪ Department of Personnel and Training,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
s:
stadium or complex, any place visited by the

employee during her course of employment, Pensions provides a RTI Portal Gateway to
etc. the citizens for quick search of information on
the details of first Appellate Authorities, PIOs
tp
Constitutional Provisions:
etc.
▪ Sexual harassment results in violation of the
fundamental rights of a woman to equality ▪ Under the provisions of RTI Act, any citizen
under articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India may request information from a
ht
of India and her right to life and to live with "public authority" (a body of Government or
dignity under article 21 of the Constitution "instrumentality of State") which is required to
and right to practice any profession or to carry reply expeditiously or within thirty days.
on any occupation, trade or business with ▪ In case of matter involving a petitioner's life
includes a right to a safe environment free and liberty, the information has to be provided
from sexual harassment. within 48 hours.
▪ Although Right to Information is not included ▪ Mr. Modi also announced the formation of
as a Fundamental Right in the Constitution a committee with representatives from both
of India, it protects the fundamental rights the Central and State Governments to look
to Freedom of Expression and Speech under into issues related to agriculture, such as
Article 19(1)(a) and Right to Life and Personal zero budget farming, fertilizers, change in
Liberty under Article 21 guaranteed by the crop patterns, transparency in establishing
Constitution. minimum support prices and so on.
e
High Court Presses Centre on Uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the
Civil Code (UCC): Trade in Virtual Currencies.
re
▪ Stating that the Uniform Civil Code “is a ▪ The government is considering changes in
necessity and mandatorily required today,” the Income Tax Act to bring gains made from
the Allahabad High Court has called upon the transactions in cryptocurrencies under the tax
cf
Central Government to initiate the process for net in the Budget next year.
its implementation. ▪ It is also looking at imposing Goods and
▪ The UCC cannot be made ‘purely voluntary’ Services Tax (GST) on the trade in virtual
ps
as was observed by Dr. B.R Ambedkar 75 currencies.
years back, in view of the apprehension and ▪ People are already paying capital gains on
fear expressed by the members of the minority income from cryptocurrencies, and the GST
community. law provides for taxing such transactions as
▪ The Court directed the Centre to consider the
constitution of a committee or commission for
implementing the mandate of Article 44, as
tn ‘services’, Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj told
PTI.
directed by the Supreme Court. Parliament clears Farm Laws Repeal Bill
e/
▪ Noting that there has been a steep rise in without a debate:
intercommunity, inter-caste and interfaith ▪ The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 was passed
marriages and relationships, which has by both Houses of Parliament without debate
.m
exploded specially in the last few decades, amid protests by Opposition MPs on being
the court said that since 1950 the society has denied a debate.
considerably evolved and the relationships, ▪ On the first day of the winter session, as
be it interfaith, interculture, coupled with the expected, the Government had listed the Farm
//t
rise in the number of single women requires Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 for taking back the
a comprehensive Family Code which is in three contentious farm laws,
conformity with the changing times. ▪ Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce
▪ Article 44 says that the “State shall Endeavour (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020.
s:
to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code ▪ Farmers (Empowerment and Protection)
throughout the territory of India". Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm
Services Act, 2020.
tp
Repeal of the Three Contentious Farm

▪ Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act,
Laws:
2020.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced
ht
the repeal of the three contentious farm laws, Rajya Sabha MPs suspended for
assuring farmer groups protesting against them ‘Misconduct’
for the past year that the legislative process for ▪ Twelve Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha
the withdrawal would be completed in the were suspended for the entire winter session
coming winter session of Parliament. for “unprecedented acts of misconduct”, and
“unruly and violent behaviour” on August 11,
the last day of the previous monsoon session.
▪ This is the first time Rajya Sabha members

have been suspended for misconduct during
the previous session.
About Rajya Sabha:
▪ The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House (Second
Chamber or House of Elders).
▪ It represents the states and union
e
territories of the Indian Union.
▪ The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is
re
fixed at 250.
▪ At present, the Rajya Sabha has 245 members.
▪ Of these, 229 members represent the states, 4
cf
members represent the union territories and 12
members are nominated by the president.
▪ The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution deals
ps
with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha
to the states and union territories.
Crypto trade not tracked:

▪ The Government does not collect information tn
on Cryptocurrency or Bitcoin transactions
in the country and has no plans to recognize
Bitcoin as a currency, the Finance Ministry told
e/
Parliament.
▪ Responding to separate queries from Lok Sabha
MPs on the booming trade in Cryptocurrency
.m
in the country and whether the Government

has legally permitted their exchanges to do
business, the Ministry said “Cryptocurrencies
are unregulated in India” and it “does not
collect information” on their trading.
//t
s:
tp
ht
3. GEOGRAPHY
e
3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL LANDMARKS
re
Cleanest River in Asia: ▪ The river also known as Dawki river, is
▪ River Umngot is located at a distance of about touted as the “Cleanest River in Asia”. It
a 100 km from Meghalaya capital Shillong. flows through the Mawlynnong village in
Meghalaya.
cf
The Jal Shakti Ministry said it is "One of the
Cleanest rivers in the world".
ps
3.2 POLICY ON ENVIRONMENT ECOLOGY
Indus Dolphins: Sahib district and Ferozepur district of Punjab.
▪ The census of one of the world’s most The wetland and the lake were formed by
threatened cetaceans, the Indus River dolphin
(Platanista Gangetica Minor) — a freshwater
tn
dolphin that is found in river Beas, is all set to
constructing the headworks across the Sutlej
River in 1953.
World leaders pledge to save

e/
commence in the winter as part of a project by
the Centre. forests, cut Methane Emissions:
▪ Leaders at the COP26 global climate conference
▪ The Indus River dolphin is classified as
in Glasgow have pledged to stop deforestation
endangered by the International Union for
.m
by the end of the decade and slash emissions

the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and, until
of the greenhouse gas, methane, to help slow
recently, it was believed that these dolphins
climate change.
were endemic to Pakistan.
▪ The inability of major powers so far to agree
▪ But in 2007, a remnant but viable population
//t
more broadly on rapid reductions in the use

of Indus dolphins was discovered in Punjab’s
of fossil fuels, the main cause of man-made
Harike wildlife sanctuary and in the lower
global warming, has upset the poorer, smaller
Beas River. Since its discovery, research is
countries likely to suffers its worst effects.
s:
being done by Punjab’s Department of Forests

and Wildlife Preservation in partnership ▪ Nearly 90 countries have joined a U.S. and EU
with WWF India on the current distribution, led effort to slash emissions of methane 30%
habitat use and population abundance of the by 2030 from 2020 levels.
tp
mammal. ▪ The Global Methane Pledge, first announced

▪ The Indus River dolphin was declared the in September, now covers emissions from two
State aquatic animal of Punjab in 2019. thirds of the global economy, according to the
ht
U.S. official.
▪ Extension programmes will be held to develop
a group of dedicated individuals, called ‘Beas ▪ Among the signatories is Brazil — one of
Dolphin Mitra’s [Friends and Protectors] of the five biggest emitters of methane, which
the river Beas. is generated in cows’ digestive systems, in
landfill waste and in oil and gas production.
About Harike Wetland:
▪ Harike Wetland also is the largest wetland ▪ Three others — China, Russia and India —
in northern India in the border of Tarn Taran have not signed up. Australia has said it will
not back the pledge. The Ganges River Dolphin

▪ In 2020, the world lost 2,58,000 sq. km of forests ▪ The Jal Shakti Ministry released a guide for
according to the Global Forest Watch. The the safe rescue and release of stranded Ganges
conservation charity WWF estimates that 27 River dolphins. The document has been
football fields of forest are lost every minute. prepared by the Turtle Survival Alliance and
▪ The agreement expands a commitment by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change
40 countries as part of the 2014 New York Department (EFCCD) of the Uttar Pradesh
e
Declaration of Forests. Government.
▪ COP26 aims to keep alive a receding target of ▪ The guide has been drawn from years of
re
capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius experience of rescuing 25 Ganges River
above pre-industrial levels to avert still greater dolphins stranded in irrigation canals.
damage from heat waves, droughts, floods and ▪ It is listed as ‘Endangered’ under the IUCN
coastal damage that climate change is already Red List Assessments, Schedule I of the Indian
cf
causing. Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), Appendix I
▪ Under the agreement, 12 countries pledged to of the Convention on International Trade in
provide $12 billion of public funding between Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
ps
2021 and 2025 for developing countries to (CITES).
restore degraded land and tackle wildfires. ▪ The species, whose global population is
estimated at 4,000, is mostly found in the Indian
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS): subcontinent. The dolphins often accidentally
▪ Conservation biologists of the Wildlife Institute
of India (WII), Dehradun, will begin Collaring
10 fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) in the
tnenter canals in northern India and are unable
to swim up against the gradient. They are also
vulnerable to harm by people.
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Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) in Andhra ▪ The guide was also simultaneously released
Pradesh next week. via local fishermen at the Ghaghra river, a
▪ The country’s first such project will be led by prime habitat where most of the rescued
principal investigator Bilal Habib.
.m
dolphins were released in the past few years.

▪ In Asia, a similar project had been done in About Ganges River Dolphin:
Bangladesh. The project, planned in 2020, had ▪ The Ganges River dolphin it is also known by
to be postponed due to COVID19. the name susu (popular name) and shushuk
▪ The sanctuary is yet to be declared as a Ramsar (Bengali).
//t
site despite facing various threats to its ecology. ▪ The Ganges River dolphin has been
▪ A significant portion of the Coringa mangrove recognized by the government of India
ecosystem had recently been disturbed because as its National Aquatic Animal in 2009.
s:
of the clandestine manufacturing of ID liquor Guwahati on 6 June 2016 became first city in
in the Godavari estuary. the country to have its own 'city animal'.
▪ There is, however, no scientific study on the ▪ The Ganges River dolphin is the official animal
tp
impact of the illegal activity on the wildlife in of Guwahati. Its first occurrence, within the
general and the fishing cat in particular. Hooghly River, was documented by William
Roxburgh.
Longest Partial Lunar Eclipse:
ht
▪ The longest partial lunar eclipse in 580 years Six-Point Action Plan to Clean Yamuna:
will occur on November 19 and will be visible ▪ Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
from parts of Northeast India. announced a six-point action plan to
▪ The duration of the eclipse will be 3 hours 28 completely clean the Yamuna by 2025.
minutes and 24 seconds, making it the longest ▪ The action plan includes building new sewage
in 580 years. treatment plants (STP), increasing capacity
of existing STPs, and introducing new
https://t.me/tnpscfree GEOGRAPHY | 47
technology to ensure that pollutants do not

flow into the Yamuna. The Delhi Government
also proposed to connect every household to
the sewer network. It also proposes diverting
industrial waste.
Meat Eating Bees:
e
▪ Bee species mostly feed on pollen and nectar.
A few feeds on carrion as well.
▪ Some newly discovered ones have completely
re
switched to eating meat. They forego visiting
flowers. The microbiomes of these ‘vulture’
bees showed the presence of bacteria found
cf
in vulture, hyenas and such carrion feeders
(Scavengers), which probably help protect
them from pathogens found in meat.
ps
Iron and Nitrates in Drinking Water:
▪ Responding to a question in Rajya Sabha, the
Ministry of Jal Shakti gave information on the
Iron and Nitrate content in Drinking water. tn
The Minister of State Jal Shakti,
Bishweshwar Tudu said,
▪ As per the information for the period August,
e/
2018 to December, 2020, iron parameter were
found to have values more than the prescribed
standard for drinking water (as per BIS) at
.m
414 sites located in certain river basins falling

in the States of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Assam,
Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura, Tamil Nadu,
West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
//t
Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal

Pradesh, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Manipur, Delhi,
Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
s:
▪ In addition, the value of Nitrates was found

beyond prescribed limits for drinking water
(as per BIS) at 8 sites out of 588 sites for water
tp
year 1st June, 2019 to 31st May, 2020.

▪ The Ministry of Jal Shakti also said, “A total of
56,97,228 individual household latrines have
ht
been constructed under the Swachh Bharat

Mission-Grameen during 2020-21 and 2021-
22”.
4. ECONOMICS
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4.1 CURRENT SOCIO ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
re
‘Informal sector shrank sharply in 2020- About INFLATION:
21’ ▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most
▪ Signalling a greater shift towards formalization goods and services of daily or common use,
cf
of the economy, the share of the large informal such as food, clothing, housing, recreation,
sector in overall economic activity dipped Transport, consumer staples, etc.
sharply in 2020-21, the SBI said in a research ▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by
ps
report. two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price
▪ Concluding that the share of the informal Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) which
economy may have shrunk to no more than measure wholesale and retail-level price
20% of the economic output from about 52% changes, respectively.
in 2017-18, SBI group chief economic adviser
Soumya Kanti Ghosh termed this “a positive
development” amid the pandemic.
tn
Wholesale Price Index:
▪ It measures the changes in the prices of
goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale
e/
▪ There are variations in the formalization levels businesses to other businesses. Published by
in different sectors but the SBI estimated the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of
that the informal economy is possibly at a Commerce and Industry.
.m
maximum of 15% to 20% of formal GDP in Bankers must Support Job Creators, says
2020-21.
Modi:
▪ As per a National Sample Survey (NSS) of ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked bankers
2014, around 93% of the workforce earned to be more proactive in lending to smaller
their livelihoods as Informal Workers.
//t
businesses and help improve the viability

▪ The SBI projections suggest that the informal and scale of their borrowers’ operations to
agriculture sector has shrunk from 97.1% of facilitate the country’s leap into the next phase
the sector’s GVA in 2017-18 to just 70%-75% in of growth.
s:
2020-21, driven by the increased penetration of ▪ The country’s banking system was very strong
credit through Kisan credit cards. now with bad loans at a five-year low, thanks
▪ Real estate has also seen a significant dip in to reforms to resolve their challenges over the
tp
informal activity from 52.8% in 2017-18 to past six or seven years.

20%-25% last year. ▪ Mr. Modi urged each bank branch to ensure
Inflation in Wholesale Prices that they have at least 100 clients doing 100%
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▪ Inflation in wholesale prices hit a five-month transactions digitally by August 15, 2022 and
high of 12.5% in October, quickening from set goals such as helping 10 youth or small
September’s 10.7% following a broad-based businesses in their domains.
surge in prices of most commodities including RBI panel moots law to regulate digital
fuel and power, vegetable and animal oils and
lending:
fats, as well as chemicals.
▪ A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Working Group
(WG) on digital lending, including lending
https://t.me/tnpscfree ECONOMICS | 49
through online platforms and mobile apps, ▪ The stocks will be sold to refineries of
has recommended a separate legislation to Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd.
oversee such lending as well as a nodal agency (MRPL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd.
to vet the Digital Lending Apps. (HPCL), which are connected by pipeline to
▪ The group ‘set up in the backdrop of business the strategic reserves.
conduct and customer protection concerns ▪ The U.S. made the unusual request to some
arising out of the spurt in digital lending of the world's largest oil-consuming nations,
e
activities’ has also mooted a Self-Regulatory including China, India and Japan, to consider
Organisation for participants in the digital releasing crude stockpiles in a coordinated
re
lending Ecosystem. effort to lower global energy prices.
▪ Besides a separate law to prevent illegal ▪ This after members of the Organisation of the
digital lending activities, the group has Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and
proposed development of certain baseline its allies rebuffed repeated requests to speed
cf
technology standards and compliance with up their production increases.
those standards as a precondition for offering ▪ India is the world's third-largest oil consumer
digital lending solutions. and importing nation and has been severely
ps
▪ It has also suggested that disbursement of impacted by the relentless rise in international
loans be made directly into the bank accounts oil prices.
of borrowers and servicing of loans be done About Organization of the Petroleum
only through the bank accounts of the digital Exporting Countries (OPEC):
▪
lenders.
All data collection must require the prior
tn
consent of borrowers and come with verifiable
▪ The Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries is an intergovernmental
organization or cartel of 13 countries.
e/
audit trails and the data itself ought to be ▪ Founded: 14 September 1960 in Baghdad by
stored locally, it mooted. the first five (founding) members (Iran, Iraq,
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela).
India plans to release crude stockpiles
.m
▪ India plans to release about 5 million barrels ▪ Headquarters: Since 1965 it has been
of crude oil from its emergency stockpile in headquartered in Vienna, Austria, although
tandem with the U.S, Japan and other major Austria is not an OPEC member state.
economies to cool international oil prices. ▪ Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea,
Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria,
//t
▪ This is the first time ever that India, which

stores 5.33 million tonnes or about 38 million Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates,
barrels of crude oil in underground caverns at Venezuela are the 13 members of OPEC as of
three locations on the east and west coast, is now.
s:
releasing stocks for such purposes.

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4.2 NEW ECONOMIC POLICY & GOVT. SECTOR

ht
Excise Duty on Petro- Products: first six months of the current fiscal when
▪ After the introduction of the Goods and compared with last year and is 79% more than
Services Tax (GST) regime, excise duty is pre-Covid levels.
levied only on petrol, diesel, ATF and natural ▪ Excise duty for petrol and diesel was cut by
gas. Barring these products, all other goods the Union government to reduce inflation in
and services are under the GST regime. petroleum products.
▪ The govt's collection from levy of excise duty About Excise Duty:
on petroleum products has risen 33% in the ▪ An excise, or excise tax, is any duty on
manufactured goods that is levied at the Goods and Services Tax

moment of manufacture rather than at sale. ▪ The country’s gross GST (Goods and Services
▪ It is the opposite of Customs duty in sense that Tax) revenues crossed the ₹1.3 lakh crore mark
it applies to goods manufactured domestically in October, the second highest collection since
in the country, while Customs is levied on the tax regime was implemented in July 2017,
those coming from outside of the country. driven largely by ‘perfective season stocking
and improved compliance’.
e
Petrol Diesel ▪ October’s GST collection was 24% higher than
Base Price 47.28 49.36 the corresponding month a year ago and 36%
re
over the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. This was
Freight 0.3 0.28 driven largely by a 39% year-on-year surge
in collections from import of goods, while
Excise Duty 32.9(-5)* 31.8 (-10)*
domestic transactions and import of services
cf
Base Price 47.28 49.36 were 19% higher than October 2020.
Dealer rate 3.9 2.61 About GST:
▪ GST was introduced through the 101st
ps
VAT 25.31 14.37 Constitution Amendment Act, 2016.
Retail Price 109.69 98.42 ▪ It is an indirect tax levied on the supply of final
goods and services. The GST has subsumed
Figures in litres: indirect taxes like excise duty, Value Added
Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI):
▪ The country’s manufacturing activity
tnTax (VAT), service tax, luxury tax etc.
▪ It has a 4-tier tax structure for all goods and
services under the slabs- 5%, 12%, 18% and
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expanded, as reflected by the IHS Markit
28%.
Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
▪ Manufacturing jobs continued to slide Growth of Indian Economy:
though producers recorded the strongest ▪ Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said,
.m
improvement in overall operating conditions Indian economy is expected to grow by 10 per

since February, and business optimism hit a cent or more in the current fiscal, and 8 per
six-month high. A PMI reading of 50 indicates cent plus in the next fiscal year.
no change in output levels. About Niti Aayog:
//t
About PMI: ▪ The NITI Aayog (abbreviation for National

▪ The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is an Institution for Transforming India) is a public
index of the prevailing direction of economic policy think tank of the Government of India,
s:
trends in the manufacturing and service established with the aim to achieve sustainable
sectors. development goals .
The Three principal producers of PMIs are ▪ with cooperative federalism by fostering the
tp
▪ The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), involvement of State Governments of India in
which originated the manufacturing and the economic policy-making process using a
non-Manufacturing metrics produced for the bottom-up approach.
United States.
ht
▪ It replaced the Planning Commission which

▪ The Singapore Institute of Purchasing and followed a top-down approach.
Materials Management (SIPMM), which ▪ The NITI Aayog council comprises all the
produces the Singapore PMI. state Chief Ministers, along with the Chief
▪ The Markit Group, which produces metrics Ministers of Delhi and Puducherry, Lieutenant
based on ISM's work for over 30 countries Governors of all UTs, and a vice-chairman
worldwide. nominated by the Prime Minister.
▪ Formed: 1 January 2015
Asset Reconstruction Companies: affect the normal life of the people.

▪ To improve the performance of ARCs, the RBI ▪ The ECA was enacted in 1955.
had appointed a committee to examine the ▪ The list of items under the Act includes drugs,
issues and recommend measures for enabling fertilizers, pulses, and edible oils, as well
ARCs to meet the growing requirements as petroleum and petroleum products. The
of the financial sector. Stakeholders can Centre can include new commodities as and
send comments on the report to the RBI by when the need arises, and take them off the list
e
December 15. once the situation improves.
▪ The committee, headed by former RBI
re
Executive Director Sudarshan Sen, suggested ‘India now ahead of China in
to permit ARCs to acquire financial assets financial inclusion metrics’
from all regulated entities, including AIFs, ▪ India is now ahead of China in financial
FPIs, AMCs making investment on behalf of inclusion metrics, with mobile and Internet
cf
MFs and all NBFCs including HFCs and also banking transactions rising to 13,615 per
the creation of an online platform for the sale 1,000 adults in 2020 from 183 in 2015 and the
of stressed assets and allowing ARCs to act as number of bank branches inching up to 14.7
ps
resolution applicants during the IBC process. per 1 lakh adults in 2020 from 13.6 in 2015,
which is higher than in Germany, China and
Services Output Grows at Decade High South Africa, as per a report.
▪ India’s services sector recorded its strongest
output growth in ten and a half years in tn Customer-Centric Initiatives of the
October, as reflected by the survey based IHS Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Markit Services Purchasing Managers’ Index ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the
(PMI), which accelerated to 58.4 from 55.2 two innovative customer-centric initiatives of
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in September. A reading of 50 indicates no the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
change from the previous month’s Economic ▪ The initiatives are the RBI Retail Direct
Activity Levels. Scheme and the Reserve Bank - Integrated
.m
Duty cuts, stock Limits Helped Ombudsman Scheme.

Curtail Edible Oil Prices ▪ The RBI Retail Direct Scheme is aimed at
enhancing access to the government securities
▪ The prices of most major cooking oils
market for retail investors. It offers them a
dropped, giving credit to the stabilization of
//t
new avenue for directly investing in securities

global prices as well as measures such as duty
issued by the Government of India and the
cuts and stock limits. However, the national
state governments.
average retail prices for cooking oils showed
s:
little change, and mustard oil, which is only ▪ The Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman
produced domestically, continued to see rising Scheme aims to further improve the grievance
prices. redress redress mechanism for resolving
customer complaints against entities regulated
tp
▪ Apart from the cuts in duties and cess, the

by RBI.
Centre had used stock limits to help control
prices of both edible oils and pulses this ▪ The central theme of the scheme is based on
year, using the provisions of the Essential 'One Nation-One Ombudsman' with one
ht
Commodities Act. portal, one email and one address for the
customers to lodge their complaints.
About Essential Commodities Act 1955:
▪ The Essential Commodities Act (ECA) is an act Economic Recovery taking hold: RBI
of the Parliament of India that was established ▪ Numerous macro indicators suggest that the
to ensure the delivery of certain commodities economic recovery is now taking hold after
or products, the supply of which, if obstructed the beating it has taken during the pandemic,
due to hoarding or black marketing, would but for growth to be sustainable and reach
its potential, private capital investment has ▪ The GST rates for certain synthetic fibres and
to resume, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) yarn have been decreased from 18% to 12%, as
Governor Shaktikanta Das. per the notification, thus bringing in uniformity
▪ Mr. Das also asked banks to improve their of rates across the entire textiles sector as well
capital management process. as eliminating aberrations due to the inverted
▪ Lauding tech entrepreneurs, the RBI chief said duty structure, which is a situation where the
the country had emerged as a top performer tax rate on inputs used is higher than the tax
e
in the startup landscape, attracting billions in on the finished product.
Foreign Capital. About GST:
re
▪ Goods and Service tax has been implemented
SACHET Portal of RBI: by the Union government on 1st July 2017 all
▪ A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Working Group over the country, through 101st Constitutional
(WG) on digital lending, including lending Amendment act.
cf
through online platforms and mobile apps, ▪ Goods and services are divided into five
has stumbled upon more than 600 illegal loan different tax slabs for collection of tax: 0%, 5%,
apps operating in India. 12%, 18% and 28%.
ps
▪ The RBI panel pointed out that Sachet, Goods kept outside the GST:
a portal established by the Reserve Bank ▪ Alcohol for human consumption (i.e., not for
under State Level Coordination Committee commercial use).
(SLCC) mechanism for registering complaints
▪ Petrol and petroleum products (GST will apply
tn
by public, has been receiving significantly
at a later date), i.e., petroleum crude, high-
increasing number of complaints against
speed diesel, motor spirit (petrol), natural gas,
digital lending apps.
aviation turbine fuel.
e/
International Financial Services Centre Constitutional Provisions of Tax in India:
(IFSC): ▪ Article 246A – States have power to tax goods
▪ Country's maiden International Financial and services.
.m
Services Centre (IFSC) is located at GIFT City GST Council:

in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. ▪ Article 279A - GST Council to be formed by
▪ The central government has established the President to administer & govern GST.
International Financial Services Centres
India, U.S. commit to linking Economies
//t
Authority to regulate all financial services

in International Financial Services Centres
across sectors
(IFSCs). The International Financial ▪ The United States and India committed to
Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has integrating their economies across sectors to
s:
been established on April 27, 2020 under harness the untapped potential of the bilateral
the International Financial Services Centres relationship, at the Trade Policy Forum
Authority Act, 2019. It is headquartered at convened after a gap of four years.
tp
GIFT City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat. ▪ Co-chaired by Commerce and Industry,

Textiles, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public
GST (Goods and Services Tax): Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal and U.S.
▪ The government has increased the GST (goods
ht
Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine

and services tax) on finished goods such as Tai, the Forum resolved to take economic
garments, footwear and textiles from 5% to ties between the two countries to the next
12%, effective from January 1, 2022. high level and exchanged views on 'potential
▪ The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and targeted tariff reductions'.
Customs (CBIC) notified the hike on November ▪ The two sides decided to activate working
18. groups of the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) on
agriculture, non-agriculture goods, services,
investment, and intellectual property to meet ▪ In its probe, the directorate has concluded
frequently and address issues of mutual that the product continues to be exported to
concern in a mutually beneficial manner. India at prices below normal value resulting in
▪ The Indian side has sought restoration of continued dumping.
the GSP (Generalized System of Preferences)
About Anti-Dumping Duty:
benefits by the U.S. and said this would help
industries from both sides in integrating their Dumping:
e
supply chain efficiently. ▪ Dumping is said to occur when the goods are
exported by a country to another country at a
▪ The Forum also agreed on the significance
price lower than the price it normally charges
re
of negotiating a Social Security Totalization
in its own home market.
Agreement in the interest of workers from
both sides, and pursuing further engagements ▪ This is an unfair trade practice which can have
for reaching such an agreement. a distortive effect on international trade.
cf
▪ The agreement, being pursued for over a Objective:
decade, would allow workers from both ▪ Imposition of Anti-dumping duty is a
countries to move their retirement savings. measure to rectify the situation arising out of
ps
the dumping of goods and its trade distortive
Market Access:
effect.
▪ India seeks easier market access for its
mangoes, grapes and pomegranates. ▪ In the long-term, anti-dumping duties can
reduce the international competition of
▪ U.S. seeks quid pro quo for cherries, pork tn domestic companies producing similar Goods.
products and alfalfa hay.
▪ It is a protectionist tariff that a domestic
Action Plan:
Government imposes on foreign imports that
▪ Working groups on agriculture, non-
e/
it believes are priced below fair market value.
agriculture goods, services will meet
frequently. ▪ The use of anti-dumping measures as an
instrument of fair competition is permitted by
Hope For It Workers: the World Trade Organization.
.m
▪ India, U.S. to restart talks on agreement to help

professionals in both countries move statutory
social security contributions back home.
▪ Post-Covid Plan:
//t
▪ Both sides to work with allies to secure

pharmaceutical manufacturing base.
Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Tiles:

s:
▪ The Commerce Ministry has recommended

continuation of anti-dumping duty on Chinese
tiles, used for covering floors and walls in
tp
buildings, for five more years with a view to

guard domestic players from cheap imports.
▪ In a notification, the ministry's investigation
ht
arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies

(DGTR), has said there is “positive” evidence
of likelihood of dumping of 'Glazed/
Unglazed Porcelain/Vitrified Tiles in polished
or unpolished finish with less than 3 per cent
water absorption' and injury to the domestic
industry, if the existing anti-dumping duty
would be removed.
4.3 CURRENT TRENDS IN INDIAN ECONOMY

Foreign Direct Investments in India – The Second Largest Producer:
India: ▪ Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush
▪ India attracted "record" foreign direct Goyal addressed the National Export
investments in the last seven years and the Excellence Awards presentation ceremony of
trend is expected to continue in the coming the Council for Leather Exports (CLE).
e
years as well on account of major structural ▪ India is the second largest producer of footwear
reforms being undertaken by the government, and leather garments in the world after China.
re
said the Commerce and Industry Minister ▪ Exports of leather, footwear and leather
Piyush Goyal. products reached $3.67 billion during 2020-21
▪ He also said that India is focusing on (April to Feb).
integrating its quality standards with the
cf
world and the country needs to let go of the Export of Agricultural and
mindset of a particular product being for the Processed Food Products:
domestic market and others for the export ▪ India has recorded close to 15% rise in export
ps
market. of agricultural and processed food products
▪ FDI inflows into the country rose 62 per cent to in April-October period when compared with
USD 27 billion during April-July period of the the same period last year, according to the
current fiscal. data released by Ministry of Commerce and
Exports and Imports in India:

▪ India's October merchandise exports rose to
tnIndustry.
▪ According to the quick estimates released
by the Directorate General of Commercial
e/
$35.65 billion, higher by 43.05 per cent on a Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), the
year-on-year basis. Exports during October overall export of Agricultural and Processed
2020 stood at $24.92 billion. Food Products Export Development Authority
▪ India's merchandise imports in October 2021 (APEDA) products witnessed 14.7 per cent
.m
increased, rising by 62.51 per cent over last growth in terms of USD during April-October
year to $55.37 billion from $34.07 billion. 2021 over the same period of the previous year.
▪ The data by the Ministry of Commerce and ▪ This rise in exports has been achieved
Industry showed that in comparison to notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions. The
//t
October 2019, last month's exports rose by significant rise in agri-exports is seen as a
35.89 per cent. testimony of the government’s commitment
▪ As compared to October 2019, non-petroleum to increase farmers’ income through giving
s:
and non-gems and Jewellery exports in thrust on boosting exports of agricultural and
October 2021 registered a positive Growth of processed food products of the country.
36.82 per cent. ▪ The initiatives taken by APEDA, which
tp
▪ Oil imports in October 2021 were $14.43 billion functions under the Ministry of Commerce,
compared to $6 billion in October 2020. has helped the country achieve this milestone
▪ Non-oil imports in October 2021 were at a time when most of the business activities
suffered a huge setback due to the restrictions
ht
estimated at $40.94 billion, compared to $28.07

billion in October 2020." imposed after the outbreak of second wave of
the COVID19 pandemic.
▪ Consequently, trade deficit widened by 115.50
per cent on a year-on-year basis to $19.73
billion in September 2021 from $9.15 billion in
the like period of 2020.
▪ It had widened to $11.75 billion in October
2019.
India's gross domestic product (GDP) for ▪ During 2020-21, palm oil import sharply
Q2 FY22: increased to 83.21 lakh tonnes as compared to
▪ Rating agency ICRA has revised India's gross 72.17 lakh tonnes during the previous year due
domestic product (GDP) for Q2 FY22 to 7.9 per to reduction in import duty on CPO (Crude
cent. Palm Oil) and lifting of restriction on import
of RBD (Refined, Bleached and Deodorised)
▪ Gross Value Added (GVA) for the quarter is
Palmolein.
expected to rise to 7.4 per cent.
e
▪ The import of soft oil (soyabean, sunflower
▪ ICRA attributed the Centre's renewed
and other oils) decreased to 48.12 lakh tonnes
spending in the economy as the cause for this
re
from 59.58 lakh tonnes in last year, consisting
upward revision.
of 28.66 lakh tonnes of soybean oil, 18.94 lakh
About ICRA: tonnes of sunflower oil, 0.52 lakh tonnes of
▪ ICRA Limited (ICRA) is an Indian independent rapeseed oil.
cf
and professional investment information and
▪ Indonesia and Malaysia are the major
credit rating agency.
suppliers of RBD palmolein and crude palm
▪ It was established in 16th January 1991, and oil to India.
ps
was originally named Investment Information
▪ The crude soybean degummed oil is mainly
and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited
imported from Argentina and Brazil while
(IICRA India).
crude sunflower oil is mainly imported from
▪ It was a joint-venture between Moody's and Ukraine, Russia and Argentina.
various Indian commercial banks and financial
services companies.
▪ Headquarters: Gurgaon, India.
tn Index of Mineral Production of Mining
and Quarrying Sector:
e/
▪ The index of mineral production of mining
India's Import of Edible Oil: and quarrying sector for September stood at
▪ India's import of edible oil remained almost 95.1, which was 22.3% higher as compared to
flat at 131.3 lakh tonnes during the 2020-21 the year-ago month, said the mines ministry.
.m
marketing year ending October, but in value ▪ The cumulative growth for the April-
terms inwards shipments rose 63 per cent to September period over the corresponding
Rs 1.17 lakh crore, according to industry data. period of the previous year has decreased
▪ The marketing year of vegetable oil, which 15.2%.
//t
comprises of edible oil and non-edible oil, ▪ The production level of important minerals in
runs from November to October. September 2021 stood at 518 lakh tonnes for
▪ The import of vegetable oils has been at the coal, 35 lakh tonnes for lignite, 24 lakh tonnes
lowest for the second time in last six years.
s:
for petroleum (crude), and 14,36,000 tonnes

▪ Import of refined oil has marginally increased for bauxite, among others.
to 6.86 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 as compared to ▪ The production of important minerals showing
4.21 lakh tonnes during 2019-20, while crude
tp
positive growth during September 2021 over

oil import marginally decreased to 124.45 lakh September 2020 includes: Chromite (152.4%),
tonnes compared to 127.54 lakh tonnes. magnesite (66.8%), lignite (48%), gold (11.5%),
▪ Crude and refined oil import ratio is 95:5, coal (8.3%) and iron ore (3.4%).
ht
which was 81:19 in 2016-17. ▪ The production of other important minerals

▪ The higher import of crude veg oil helped showing negative growth includes diamond,
domestic refiners to have the better capacity phosphorite, bauxite and petroleum (crude).
utilization, employment generation and value
addition in the country.
SBI lifts GDP Growth view to 9.3%9.6%: contraction in the year’s earlier period.
▪ Economists at the State Bank of India (SBI) ▪ The second quarter of 2020-21 saw GDP
have upgraded their GDP growth projection contract by 7.9%.
for this fiscal to a 9.3% to 9.6% range, from ▪ SBI’s second quarter estimate is faster than
8.5% to 9% forecast earlier, citing an improved the 7.9% pace projected by the Reserve Bank
pace of vaccination and lower incidence of of India (RBI). The central bank has estimated
COVID19 cases in the country. that the economy would grow 9.5% in 2021-22.
e
▪ India’s GDP had grown 20.1% in the April
to June quarter, compared with a 24.4%
re
4.4 INDICES
cf
Life expectancy lower for Urban Poor: ▪ It also advocates for a better mechanism
▪ Life expectancy among the poorest is lower for coordinated public healthcare services
and better governed Private Healthcare
ps
by 9.1 years among men and 6.2 years among
women from the corresponding figures for Institutions.
the richest in urban areas, noted a report
Sustainable Development Goals Urban
released recently by Azim Premji University
in collaboration with 17 regional NGOs across
Index:
India.
▪ The report, “Healthcare equity in urban
tn
▪ Shimla topped the first Sustainable
Development Goals Urban Index released by
NITI Aayog.
India”, explores health vulnerabilities and
e/
inequalities in cities in India. ▪ The Centre’s public policy think tank assessed
urban local bodies (ULBs) across 56 cities on
▪ It also looks at the availability, accessibility and
77 SDG indicators.
cost of healthcare facilities, and possibilities in
.m
future proofing services in the next decade. ▪ The exercise was aimed at localising SDGs
and ensuring their efficient monitoring at city
▪ It notes that a third of India’s population lives
level.
in urban areas, with this segment seeing a
rapid growth from about 18% (1960) to 28.53% ▪ As per the SDGs Urban Index, Dhanbad,
Jharkhand, was at the bottom of the list, while
//t
(2001) and 34% (in 2019).

the national capital stood 20th along with
▪ Close to 30% of people living in urban areas
Raipur (Chhattisgarh).
are poor.
▪ Nagpur, Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad,
s:
Steps to be taken:
Coimbatore are among the top 10 urban
▪ The report calls for strengthening community
centres in terms of implementation of SDGs.
participation and governance;
▪ While Chennai and Bengaluru were ranked
tp
▪ Building a comprehensive and dynamic

11th and 13th respectively, Mumbai was 33rd
database on the health and nutrition status,
position and Kolkata was among the bottom
including comorbidities of the diverse,
10 cities at 48th position.
vulnerable populations;
ht
▪ Strengthening healthcare provisioning NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty

through the National Urban Health Mission, Index (MPI):
especially for primary healthcare services; ▪ With more than 50% of the population in
putting in place policy measures to reduce the Bihar identified as “multi-dimensionally
financial burden of the poor. poor”, the State has the maximum percentage
of population living in poverty among all the
States and the Union Territories.
▪ As per the index, 51.91% of the population in ▪ This means that one in five women who go
Bihar is poor, followed by Jharkhand (42.16%), to any medical facility, private or public,
Uttar Pradesh (37.79%), Madhya Pradesh undergoes a C-section.
(36.65%) and Meghalaya (32.67%). ▪ When medically justified, a C-section can
▪ On the other hand, Kerala registered the effectively prevent maternal and perinatal
lowest poverty levels (0.71%), followed by mortality and morbidity.
Puducherry (1.72%), Lakshadweep (1.82%), ▪ According to the World Health Organization,
e
Goa (3.76%) and Sikkim (3.82%). the ideal rate is between 10% and 15%.
▪ Other States and Union Territories where less ▪ When the rates rise towards 10% across a
re
than 10% of the population is poor include population, the number of maternal and
Tamil Nadu (4.89%), Andaman & Nicobar newborn deaths decreases. When the rate goes
Islands (4.30%), Delhi (4.79%), Punjab (5.59%), above 10%, there is no evidence that mortality
Himachal Pradesh (7.62%) and Mizoram rates improve.
cf
(9.8%). ▪ There are many States and Union Territories
▪ The development of the National where private hospitals conduct seven or eight
Multidimensional Poverty Index of India out of 10 deliveries through C-section.
ps
is an important contribution towards ▪ These include West Bengal (82.7%), Jammu
instituting a public policy tool which monitors and Kashmir (82.1%), Tamil Nadu (81.5%),
multidimensional poverty, informs evidence Andaman and Nicobar (79.2%) and Assam
based and focused interventions, thereby (70.6%).
ensuring that no one is left behind.
▪ India’s national MPI measure uses the
Globally accepted and robust methodology
tn
e/
developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human
Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
.m
About:
▪ India’s MPI has three equally weighted
dimensions, health, education and standard
of living - which are represented by twelve
indicators namely nutrition, child and
//t
adolescent mortality, antenatal care, years of

schooling, school attendance, cooking fuel,
sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing,
s:
assets and Bank Accounts.
‘One in two deliveries in private

Hospitals through C-section’
tp
▪ One in two women who go to a private hospital

undergoes a Caesarean section (C-section),
according to the latest National Family Health
ht
Survey (NFHS) data.

▪ The increasing trend in private medical
facilities, which have seen a rise in such
operations from 40.9% to 47.4%, has led to a
jump in pan India numbers — from 17.2% in
2014-2015 to 21.5% in 2019-2020, according to
NFHS5.
4.5 MONEY & BANKING

RBI announces draft scheme for PMC - vote in electing the board of directors.
USFB amalgamation: ▪ Co-operative societies now have constitutional
▪ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) placed status and protection by the 97th Constitutional
in public domain a draft scheme for Amendment Act of 2011. In this context,
amalgamation of the Punjab and Maharashtra it made the following three constitutional
e
Cooperative (PMC) Bank with Unity Small amendments:
Finance Bank Ltd. (USFB), a banking company 1. It established the right to establish cooperative
re
incorporated in India under Companies Act, societies as a fundamental right (Article 19).
2013, and having its registered office in New
2. It featured a new Directive Principle on State
Delhi.
Policy on the Promotion of Cooperative
▪ USFB commenced operations with effect from
cf
Societies (Article 43-B).
November 1, 2021.
3. It created a new Part IX-B to the Constitution
▪ The draft scheme of amalgamation envisages called "Co-operative Societies" (Articles 243-
takeover of the assets and liabilities of PMC
ps
ZH to 243-ZT).
Bank, including deposits, by USFB in terms of ▪ Co- operatives are listed under State list.
the provisions of the scheme, giving a greater
degree of protection for the depositors. RBI raises private bank promoter Stake
cap:
tn
Co-operative societies are not Banks,
▪ An internal working group of the Reserve Bank
RBI cautions: on the ownership and corporate structure of
▪ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cautioned private sector banks has favoured allowing
e/
members of the public not to deal with co- promoters to maintain any percentage of
operative societies undertaking banking holding in the first five years-- more than the
business by adding ‘bank’ to their names. present minimum of 40 per cent now favoured
▪ The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 was
.m
- and then capping it at 26 per cent after 15

amended by the Banking Regulation years of operations.
(Amendment) Act, 2020, which came into ▪ According to the RBI's current norms, a
force on September 29, 2020. promoter of a private bank needs to pare
▪ Accordingly, co-operative societies cannot use holdings to 20 per cent within 10 years, and to
//t
the words “bank”, “banker” or “banking” as 15 per cent within 15 years.

part of their names, except as permitted under
the provisions of BR Act, 1949 or by the RBI. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGB)
s:
▪ It has also come to the notice of RBI that some 2021-22:

co-operative societies are accepting deposits ▪ The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGB) 2021-
from non-members/nominal members/ 22 - Series VIII will be open for subscription
tp
associate members which is equivalent to for five days starting on November 29.
conducting banking business in violation of ▪ The issue price for the latest tranche of SGB
the provisions. has been fixed at ₹4,791 per gram of gold, the
Reserve Bank of India said.
ht
About Co-Operatives:
▪ A cooperative is "an autonomous association ▪ An individual can buy Sovereign Gold Bonds
of persons united voluntarily to meet their in various ways, including digitally.
common economic, social, and cultural needs
1. The bonds will be sold through banks (except
and aspirations through a jointly-owned
Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks)
enterprise".
2. Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited
▪ Cooperatives are democratically owned by
(SHCIL)
their members, with each member having one
3. Designated post offices ▪ The sovereign gold bond scheme was launched
4. Recognised stock exchanges viz., National in November 2015. Its objective is to reduce
Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay the demand for physical gold and shift a part
Stock Exchange Limited. of the domestic savings (used for the purchase
▪ The government of India, in consultation with of gold) into financial savings.
the RBI, has also decided to offer a discount ▪ Buy and Sale: Investors have to pay the issue
of ₹50 per gram on the nominal value to those price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed
e
investors applying online and the payment (bought back by the issuer) in cash on Maturity.
against the application is made through digital ▪ Issue price is the price at which bonds are
re
mode. "For such investors, the issue price of offered for sale when they first become
Gold Bond will be ₹4,741 per gram of Gold. available to the public.
▪ For cash payments, an individual can pay up ▪ The government will pay an interest at the
to a maximum of ₹20,000 while buying these rate of 2.5% per annum. The interest is payable
cf
bonds. One can also choose to pay demand semi-annually.
draft or cheque or electronic banking. ▪ Tenure: Sovereign gold bonds have a tenure
▪ The bonds will be denominated in multiples of eight years, with exit options are available
ps
of gram (s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram. from the fifth year.
About Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme: ▪ Eligibility: The Bonds will be restricted for
▪ Sovereign gold bonds are issued by the sale to resident individuals, Hindu Undivided
RBI on behalf of the government. They are tn Families (HUFs), Trusts, Universities and
government securities denominated in grams Charitable Institutions.
of gold. They are substitutes for holding
physical gold.
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4.6.1 PUBLIC FINANCE: FISCAL POLICY
.m
Health Expenditure of Centre in Gross ▪ The share of the government’s health

GDP: expenditure in the total health expenditure
▪ The share of the government's health has increased to 40.8 percent (2017-18) from
expenditure in the total GDP of the country has 28.6 percent (2013-14), the NHA report for
//t
increased from 1.15 percent (2013-14) to 1.35 2017-18 said.

percent (2017-18), according to the National ▪ This is the fifth consecutive NHA report
Health Accounts Estimates for India. produced by the National Health Systems
Resource Centre (NHSRC), designated as
s:
▪ Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan

released findings of the National Health the National Health Accounts Technical
Accounts (NHA) Estimates for India for 2017- Secretariat (NHATS) in 2014 by the Union
health ministry.
tp
18.
▪ As per the report, the government health ▪ The NHA estimates are prepared by
expenditure in the term of per capita has using an accounting framework based on
increased from Rs 1,042 to Rs 1,753 between internationally accepted System of Health
ht
2013-14 to 2017-18. Accounts 2011, provided by the World Health

Organisation (WHO).
▪ The share of primary healthcare in current
government health expenditure has increased ▪ The 2017-18 NHA estimates not only show the
from 51.1 per cent in 2013-14 to 54.7 per cent government’s expenditure on health exhibiting
in 2017-18. an increasing trend but also growing trust in
the Public Health Care System.
4.6.2 PUBLIC FINANCE: TAX STRUCTURE IN INDIA

Details of Goods and Services Tax (GST) S. Bommai, to propose a rationalization of tax
Compensation: rates and a possible merger of different tax
▪ Giving details of Goods and Services Tax slabs by December to shore up revenues.
(GST) compensation released and pending to ▪ Multiple rate changes since the introduction
be released as on November 24, 2021, Minister of the GST regime in July 2017 have brought
e
of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the effective GST rate to 11.6% from the
in the Lok Sabha that Rs.1,10,208 crore and original revenue neutral rate of 15.5%, Finance
re
Rs 1.59 lakh crore was released to the states Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out at
as back-to-back loan in 2020-21 and 2021-22 the last Council meeting in September.
fiscals, respectively. ▪ Merging the 12% and 18% GST rates into any
▪ Total GST compensation pending till tax rate lower than 18% may result in revenue
cf
September 2021 stood at Rs 51,798 crore. loss. But the study proposes that the GST
▪ This includes Rs 13,153 crore pending to Council may consider a three-rate structure
Maharashtra, Rs 5,441 crore to Uttar Pradesh, by adopting 8%, 15% and 30% for Revenue
ps
Rs 4,943 crore to Tamil Nadu, Rs 4,647 crore to Neutrality.
Delhi and Rs 3,528 crore to Karnataka. ▪ The nature of rate changes has also meant that
▪ States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, over 40% of taxable turnover value now falls
Mizoram and Nagaland do not have any GST in the 18% tax slab, thus any move to dovetail
compensation pending from the Centre.
▪ Under the GST law, states are compensated
tnthat slab with a lower rate will trigger losses to
the tax kitty that need to be offset by marginal
hikes in other remaining major rates — 5% and
for any loss of revenue arising on account of
e/
28%.
implementation of GST for five years till June
2022. About National Institute of Public
Finance and Policy:
▪ The compensation amount to be paid from
▪ The National Institute of Public Finance and
.m
the compensation fund which is arrived at by

Policy is an autonomous research institute
levying Cess on top of the highest tax slab on
under India's Ministry of Finance.
luxury, demerit and sin goods.
▪ The centre conducts research on public finance
▪ GST compensation for financial years 2017-18,
and contributes to the process of policy-
//t
2018-19 and 2019-20 has already been paid to

making relating to public finance.
the states.
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi
▪ Chaudhary said the economic impact of the
pandemic has led to higher compensation ▪ Founded: 1976
s:
requirement due to lower GST collection ▪ NIPFP is overseen by a governing board

and at the same time lower collection of GST comprising a chairman and representatives
compensation Cess. from the Ministry of Finance, Planning
tp
Commission of India and Reserve Bank of

‘Bring in Three-rate GST structure’ India.
▪ The Government can rationalize the GST rate ▪ Urjit Patel is the present chairman and Pinaki
ht
structure without losing revenues by rejigging Chakravarty is the present director of the
the four major rates of 5%, 12%, 18% and institute.
28% with a three-rate framework of 8%, 15%
and 30%, as per a National Institute of Public
Finance and Policy (NIPFP) study.
▪ The findings of the NIPFP assume significance
as the GST Council has tasked a Group of
Ministers, headed by Karnataka CM Basavaraj
5. SCIENCE
e
5.1 LATEST INVENTIONS ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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Australia, Canada and Japan team up to ▪ The Long March carrier rocket series,
send a rover to Moon by 2024: developed by the China Aerospace Science
▪ Australia is putting a rover on the Moon in and Technology Corporation, is responsible
cf
2024 to search for water. for about 96.4 per cent of all the launch
missions in China.
▪ A mission to be conducted by Canada's Stardust
Technologies and Australia's EXPLOR Space
ps
ISRO to set up Space Museum:
Technology may see them hunting for water ▪ The Indian Space Research Organisation
on the surface of the Moon by 2024. (ISRO) will set up a Space Museum and Space
▪ It will have an integrated robotic arm created Centre in Kanniyakumari at a cost of ₹100
by Canada’s Stardust Technologies & tn crore.
Australia’s EXPLOR Space Technology. ▪ Information Technology Minister Mano
▪ Last month the Australian Space Agency Thangaraj, who met ISRO chairman K. Sivan,
announced plans to send an Australian-made said the State Government had already allotted
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rover to the Moon by as early as 2026, under 10 acres of land for the purpose.
a deal with NASA. The rover will collect
lunar soil containing oxygen, which could International Space Station (ISS):
.m
eventually be used to support human life in ▪ The International Space Station (ISS) had to
space. perform a maneuver to avoid Chinese space
▪ Although the deal with NASA made junk.
headlines, a separate mission conducted by ▪ The maneuver was performed with the help
private companies in Australia and Canada, in of Russia's Progress MS-18 transport cargo
//t
conjunction with the University of Technology vehicle.

Sydney, may see Australian technology ▪ The space debris was from the Fengyun-1C, a
hunting water on the Moon as soon as mid- Chinese weather satellite.
s:
2024. ▪ The debris were from the Fengyun-1C, a

▪ If all goes according to plan, it will be the first Chinese weather satellite that was launched
rover with Australian-made components to in 1999 and decommissioned in 2002 but
tp
make it to the Moon. remained in orbit. China destroyed the

satellite in 2007 using a ballistic missile from
Long March-2D Carrier Rocket – China: the ground as part of an anti-satellite test.
▪ The satellites, belonging to the Yaogan-35
ht
▪ The blast resulted in the creation of over 3,000

family, were launched by a Long March-2D pieces of space debris and was criticized by
carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit several countries including the United States.
successfully, according to the Xinhua news The debris from the Fengyun-1C is expected to
agency. stay in orbit for decades.
▪ This launch marked the 396th mission for the
Long March series carrier rockets.
About ISS: ▪ The National Aerospace Laboratories

▪ The International Space Station (ISS) is a (NAL), under the Council of Scientific and
modular space station (habitable artificial Industrial Research (CSIR), has developed
satellite) in low Earth orbit. the indigenous, medium-class BVLOS multi-
▪ It is a multinational collaborative project copter UAV, made of light-weight carbon fibre
involving five participating space agencies: foldable structure for ease of transportation.
NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ▪ It has unique features like autonomous
e
JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA guidance through dual redundant Micro-
(Canada). Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based
re
▪ Launch date: 20 November 1998. digital autopilot with advanced flight
Instrumentation Systems.
Crew -3 Mission:
▪ A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying four MoU between NRCB and Sastra
cf
astronauts approached the International Space University
Station, which orbits more than 200 miles ▪ ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana
above Earth, and made a gentle in-orbit meet- (NRCB), Trichy and Sastra Deemed University,
ps
up, kicking off the astronauts' six-month stay Thanjavur have signed a memorandum of
at the space station. understanding (MoU) for joint exchange of
▪ This mission, called Crew-3, is the fourth knowledge and research infrastructure.
mission in a partnership between SpaceX ▪ Both the institutions have agreed to exchange
and NASA to make routine trips to the ISS
in order to keep the 21-year-old space station
adequately staffed.
tntheir ideas and expertise for developing
applications in agriculture, biotechnology,
nanotechnology and other fields such as
sensor development for insect, pest, disease
e/
▪ NASA has wanted to have more control over
since its Space Shuttle program retired in 2011, and maturity detection.
leaving Russia as the only country with the ▪ They will also jointly work on pesticide
ability to provide ISS Transportation. spraying drones, remote sensing, artificial
.m
▪ The Crew-3 mission kicked off when the intelligence and machine learning applications
astronauts strapped into their Crew Dragon for banana cultivation.
capsule as it sat atop one of SpaceX's 200-foot- ▪ The MoU will also cover the work on
tall Falcon 9 rockets on a launch pad at synthesis of composite materials from banana
//t
Kennedy Space Center in Florida. byproducts and many more engineering

devices and technologies for imparting
Octocoptered: precision agriculture in banana through
▪ Bengaluru sees its first Covid vaccine delivery technical collaboration.
s:
using a drone.
▪ The NAL's Octocopter can carry a payload of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile:
15 kg, boasts of a hovering endurance of 40 ▪ The Russian Ministry of Defense launched an
tp
minutes, and can fly at an operational altitude Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile destroying one
of 500 metres at a maximum speed of 36 km/ of its own satellites and creating a cloud of
hour. space debris that is threatening astronauts at
ht
the International Space Station.

▪ This was the first successful demonstration
of delivery of vaccines using a drone in ▪ Over the years, multiple nations including
Bengaluru, opening up avenues for a series the U.S. have developed and tested ASAT
of similar beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) technology.
autopilot flights for last-mile delivery of ▪ The "Nudol" anti-ballistic missile system had
medicines, vaccines, food, postal packets, and not destroyed a target before.
even human organs to and from remote areas.
https://t.me/tnpscfree SCIENCE | 63
▪ In 2007, China launched an ASAT missile at Indigenously manufactured drones in

one of its own weather satellites. Jammu:
▪ India launched its first ASAT test in 2019. ▪ Indigenously manufactured drones by Indian
▪ In 2020, Russia launched two ASAT missiles scientists will be launched for delivering
and separately tested another non-destructive medicines in the inaccessible and tough terrain
space-based ASAT technology. of Jammu and surrounding areas with a focus
on vaccine delivery Initially.
e
Highest Average Data Download Speed:
▪ The use of drones has gained popularity in
▪ Reliance Jio retained its top position with the last two years, beginning with the World
re
the highest average data download speed of Economic Forum’s “Medicine from the Sky”
21.9 megabit per second among 4G service project in India.
providers in October, according to the latest
▪ The drone is developed by the scientists at
data published by telecom regulator Trai.
cf
Bengaluru's National Aerospace Laboratories
▪ Airtel 4G data download speed increased to (NAL), a constituent of Council of Scientific and
13.2 mbps in October from 5 mbps in June and Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous
VIL 4G speed increased to 15.6 mbps from Society that is headed by the Prime Minister.
ps
6.5 mbps during the five months, thereby
reducing the gap with the Jio network.
Molnupiravir:
tn
5.2 LATEST DISCOVERIES IN HEALTH SCIENCE
▪ Pfizer released preliminary results of its study
▪ The U.K.’s medicine regulator approved of 775 adults. The company said it will ask the
e/
Merck’s pill to treat Covid-19, saying it was FDA to authorize its pill as soon as possible.
“safe and effective” at reducing the risk of
ZyCoV-D Vaccine:
hospitalization and death by half for adults
▪ ZyCoV-D is the first needle-free Covid
.m
with mild to moderate Covid, making Britain

vaccine cleared by India’s drug regulator for
the first country to authorize the antiviral pill.
inoculation of those aged 12 years and above.
▪ The pill, known as Molnupiravir, “interferes
▪ Zydus Cadila’s three-dose Covid vaccine
with the virus’ replication,” which prevents
ZyCoV-D is set to be included in the national
//t
the virus from growing, ultimately reducing

anti-coronavirus inoculation programme this
the severity of Covid-19, the Medicines and
month with the Centre placing a purchase
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
order with the Ahmedabad-based firm for one
(MHRA) said.
s:
crore doses.
Paxlovid: ▪ ZyCoV-D is the indigenously developed
▪ Pfizer Inc. said that its experimental anti- world’s first DNA-based Covid jab, which in
tp
viral pill ‘Paxlovid’ for COVID19 cut rates of all probability will be given to adults initially
hospitalization and death by nearly 90% in under the country’s vaccination drive.
high-risk adults, as the drugmaker joins the ▪ The three doses of ZyCoV-D are to be
race to bring the first easy to use medication
ht
administered 28 days apart, with each dose

against coronavirus to the U.S. market. comprising a shot in both arms.
▪ Competitor Merck’s COVID19 pill is ▪ ZyCoV-D received emergency use
already under review at the Food and Drug authorization from the drug regulator on
Administration (FDA) after showing strong August 20.
initial results.
Norovirus (which transmit chikungunya and dengue).

▪ Noroviruses (NoV) are a genetically diverse ▪ However, Zika virus is transmitted from
group of single-stranded positive-sense RNA, infected mother to fetus during pregnancy,
non-enveloped viruses belonging to the family through blood and other body floods and
Caliciviridae. organ translation as well as sexual contact.
▪ Norovirus, sometimes referred to as the winter
AY.4.2 Variant not of Concern:
vomiting bug, stomach flu or stomach bug is
e
the most common cause of Gastroenteritis. INSACOG:
▪ The frequency of the new AY.4.2 variant of
The most Common Symptoms of Norovirus
re
COVID19 is less than 0.1% of all Variants of
are:
Interest (VOI)/ Variants of Concern (VOC),
▪ Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain,
and is too low to be of concern at this time,
Fever, headache, body aches.
the Indian SARSCoV2 Genomics Consortium
cf
▪ A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 (INSACOG) has said.
hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most
▪ The INSACOG’s weekly bulletin said that
people with norovirus illness get better within
vaccine effectiveness does not seem to be
ps
1 to 3 days.
different for AY.4.2 when compared with
You can get Norovirus from: other Delta variants.
▪ Having direct contact with an infected person
▪ The INSACOG noted that Delta (B.1.617.2 and
▪ Consuming contaminated food or water AY.x) continues to be the main VOC in India
▪ Touching contaminated surfaces and then
putting your unwashed hands in your mouth.
tnand no new variant VOI or VOC have been
noted in India.
▪ The Delta variant, which was first found in
Zika Virus:
e/
India in October 2020, led to the devastating
▪ Zika virus, first detected in rhesus monkeys
second wave in the country, which peaked in
in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947 and then
April and May 2021.
identified in humans after a few years, appears
.m
to be repositioning itself. ▪ INSACOG, a consortium of 28 national

laboratories, was set up in December 2020 to
▪ Zika virus received global attention with the
monitor the genomic variations of SARSCoV2,
start of a major outbreak in Brazil in March
the virus that causes COVID19.
2015, which then spread to many countries in
Central and South America and the Caribbean.
//t
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin in

▪ On February 1, 2016, Zika virus out-break Australia:
was designated a Public Health Emergency of ▪ The Government of Australia has recognised
International Concern (PHEIC) by the World
s:
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

Health Organization (a classification a step
▪ This recognition from the Therapeutic Goods
before a disease is declared as pandemic).
Administration (TGA) of the Department of
Zika in India:
tp
Health will enable travellers fully vaccinated

▪ The earliest evidence of Zika virus in India is in with Covaxin to travel to the country.
1952 1953. The prevalence studies conducted ▪ Australia has become the first major economy
by the National Institute of Virology, Pune, to grant recognition to both the Indian
ht
in different parts of India, had detected the manufactured vaccines — Covishield and
antibodies against the Zika virus from humans. Covaxin.
▪ The first Two outbreaks of Zika virus infections
in India were reported in 2017. Covovax in Indonesia:
About Zika: ▪ Biotechnology firm Novavax Inc and its
▪ Zika virus is primarily a mosquitoborne partner Serum Institute of India (SII) said
illness, transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes they have received the first emergency use
authorisation (EUA) for Novavax’s COVID-19
vaccine in Indonesia. The SII will manufacture Omicron New Variant of Concern
the vaccine in India and market it in Indonesia ▪ The World Health Organization (WHO)
under the brand name Covovax, Novavax Inc. classified the B.1.1.529 variant detected in
South Africa as a SARSCoV2 “variant of
Covaxin gets WHO’s Emergency Use
concern”, saying it may spread more quickly
Nod: than other forms.
▪ India’s first indigenous COVID19 vaccine,
▪ Infections in South Africa had risen steeply in
e
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, was granted
recent weeks, coinciding with the detection of
Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the
the variant now designated as “Omicron” by
World Health Organization (WHO).
re
WHO.
Covaxin is a whole virionin activated vaccine
against SARSCoV2, developed in partnership ▪ The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus
with the Indian Council of Medical Research variant is likely to spread internationally and
poses a very high risk of infection surges that
cf
and the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
could have “severe consequences” in some
▪ It has been granted EUL for use in persons 18
places, the World Health Organization (WHO)
years and above, over two doses spaced four
said.
ps
weeks apart.
▪ No Omicron linked deaths had yet been
▪ The EUL is a prerequisite for the COVAX
reported, though further research was needed
initiative in vaccine supply, and allows
to assess its potential to escape protection
countries to expedite their own regulatory
tn against immunity induced by vaccines and
approval to import and administer COVID19
previous infections.
vaccines.
▪ In anticipation of increased case umbers as
Lancet study shows Covaxin safe: the variant, first reported last week in South
e/
▪ Two doses of Covaxin, India’s indigenous Africa, spreads, the UN agency urged its 194
COVID-19 vaccine, offer 77.8% protection member states to accelerate vaccination of
against symptomatic disease and present high priority groups and ensure plans were in
.m
no serious safety concerns, according to an place to maintain health services.

interim analysis of its phase 3 trial published ▪ Omicron has an unprecedented number
in The Lancet. of spike mutations, some of which are
▪ Covaxin, an inactivated whole virus vaccine concerning for their potential impact
developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat on the trajectory of the pandemic.
//t
Biotech, recently received emergency use About WHO:

approval from the World Health Organization ▪ The World Health Organization (WHO) is
(WHO) for people aged 18 and above. a specialized agency of the United Nations
s:
▪ The phase 3 trial findings indicate that Covaxin responsible for international public health.
induces a robust antibody response with ▪ The WHO Constitution states its main
no severe vaccine-related adverse events or objective as "the attainment by all peoples of
tp
deaths reported among the trial participants. the highest possible level of health".
▪ Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it
CoWIN to allow firms to verify
has six regional offices and 150 field offices
Vaccination status of people
ht
worldwide.
▪ The Union Health Ministry said it had unveiled
▪ The WHO was established on 7 April 1948.
a feature that allows third party entities such
as travel agencies, offices and employers to ▪ Director-General: Tedros Adhanom.
verify an individual’s vaccination status. ▪ Parent Organization: United Nations
▪ It stated, this would remove the need for a Economic and Social Council.
physical vaccination certificate.
Leprosy: ▪ Symptoms: Red patches on the skin, skin

▪ Odisha declared itself leprosy free in 2006- lesion, numbness in arms, hands, and legs,
07, with cases dropping below 10,000 and the ulcers on the soles of feet, muscle Weakness
prevalence rate below 1%. and excessive weight loss.
▪ The State then dismantled infrastructure and ▪ Cure: It was only in 1970s that a definite cure
did away with skilled manpower dealing with was identified in the form of Multi-Drug
leprosy patients. Therapy (MDT).
e
▪ The National Leprosy Eradication Programme About National Leprosy Eradication
(NLEP) began to be implemented in Odisha Programme:
re
since 1981. ▪ The National Leprosy Eradication Programme
▪ However, the annual number of cases breached is a centrally sponsored Health Scheme under
the 10,000 mark in 2013-14. Since then, there the National Health Mission of the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
cf
has been regular detection of over 10,000 cases
or more every year. ▪ It was launched in 1983, based on the
recommendation of a high-power committee
About Leprosy: under the chairmanship of M.S. Swaminathan
ps
▪ Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s Disease. in 1981, as a continuation of the National
▪ Leprosy is a chronic, progressive bacterial Leprosy Control Program of 1955.
infection. ▪ In 1983, the strategies for leprosy control were
▪ It is caused by a bacterium called tnchanged and National Leprosy Eradication
Mycobacterium Leprae, which is an acid-fast Program was launched. In the same year,
rod-shaped bacillus. Multi-Drug Therapy was also launched.
▪ Areas of Infection: Skin, Peripheral nerves, ▪ The Central Leprosy Teaching and Research
e/
Upper respiratory tract and Lining of the nose. Institute (CLT & RI), Chengalpattu was
▪ Mode of Transmission: Mainly by breathing established in 1955 by the Government of
airborne droplets from the affected individuals. India by taking over Lady Wellington Leprosy
.m
It can be contacted at any age. Sanatorium establish in 1924.
5.3 MASS MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

//t
Sameer App
▪ The Government of India has launched the
“Sameer App” that provides hourly updates
s:
on the National Air Quality Index (AQI)

published by Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB).
tp
▪ Air Quality Index is a tool for effective

communication of air quality in a single
number, nomenclature and colour.
ht
5.4 SPACE
New Docking Module “Prichal (Pier)”: carrying the Progress cargo ship with Prichal
▪ A Russian cargo craft carrying a new docking attached to it.
module successfully hooked up with the
Russia’s Zircon Cruise Missile:
International Space Station after a two-day
▪ Russia's navy has successfully test-fired a
space journey.
Prospective Hypersonic Missile.
e
▪ The new spherical module, named Prichal
▪ The Defense Ministry said the Admiral
(Pier), docked with the orbiting outpost.
Gorshkov frigate in the White Sea launched the
re
▪ It has six docking ports and will allow potential Zircon Cruise Missile, hitting a practice target
future expansion of the Russian segment of 400 kilometers (215 nautical miles) Away.
the station.
▪ The launch was the latest in a series of tests of
cf
▪ The module has moored to the docking port of Zircon, which is set to enter service next year.
the new Russian Nauka (Science) Laboratory
▪ Zircon would be capable of flying at nine times
Module.
the speed of sound and have a range of 1,000
ps
▪ The Soyuz rocket took off from the Russian kilometers (620 miles).
launch facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan,
5.5 NEW SCIENTIFIC LABORATORIES/OBSERVATORIES/CENTRE

tn
First Quality Control Laboratory – FCI: India’s first Laser Interferometer
▪ The Food Corporation of India (FCI) under Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO):
e/
Department of Food & Public Distribution ▪ In 2016, the Indian government gave an ‘in
(DFPD) developed its first State-of-art Quality principle’ approval to the LIGO-India mega
Control Laboratory to conduct in house testing science proposal for research on Gravitational
of food grain samples.
.m
Waves.
▪ Laboratory was set up under the guidance of ▪ India’s first Laser Interferometer Gravitational-
Central Food Technological Research Institute Wave Observatory (LIGO) project facility is to
in Mysuru, Karnataka. come up in Maharashtra.
▪ It was inaugurated at Institute of Food Security ▪ Recently, the Hingoli revenue department
//t
(IFS), FCI, Gurugram (Haryana) on November (Maharashtra) has handed over 225 hectares
21, 2021. of land in the state for the project.
About Food Corporation of India (FCI): ▪ LINAC- NCDC Fisheries Business Incubation
s:
▪ FCI is a statutory corporation which was Centre (LlFlC) in Gurugram:

created and run by Government, under the ▪ Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal
jurisdiction of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala
tp
Food & Public Distribution. inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind, dedicated

▪ It was established in 1965, with the enactment fisheries business incubator known as LINAC-
of Food Corporation Act, 1964. NCDC Fisheries Business Incubation Centre
ht
▪ Civil servant of the IAS cadre is designated as (LlFlC) in Gurugram.

Chairman of the FCI. ▪ It aims to encourage initiatives among
▪ Present Chairman: Atish Chandra. entrepreneurs providing them support in the
▪ Its initial headquarter was at Chennai, which fisheries sector to move towards self-reliance.
later moved to New Delhi. The incubator costs Rs 3.23 crore.
▪ In total, there are around 30,000 cooperatives
in the Fisheries Sector.
Jigyasa Programme
▪ India’s first virtual science lab for children
under the ‘CSIR Jigyasa’ programme was
launched recently, by the Union Minister of
State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh.
▪ CSIR has partnered with IIT Bombay to
develop a virtual lab platform under the ‘CSIR
e
Jigyasa’ programme, which enables classroom
learning with laboratory research for school
re
students.
▪ The target audience for the virtual lab is
students of classes 6-12.
cf
ps
tn
e/
.m
//t
s:
tp
ht
6. NATIONAL –
DIARY OF EVENT
e
Climate Equity Monitor Website: Chennai, and the Natural Sciences and
re
▪ A day ahead of the commencement of the 26th Engineering Department at the National
United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
in Glasgow, Scotland, India has officially
The National Commission for Scheduled
endorsed a website, made by Indian climate
cf
experts, that lists the historical carbon dioxide Castes:
emissions of developed countries. ▪ NCSC is a constitutional body that works to
safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes
▪ The database aims to highlight the disparity
ps
(SC) in India. Article 338 of the constitution of
between the emissions of developed and
India deals with this commission.
developing countries with countries such as
the United States, Canada and Australia and ▪ Formed: 19 February 2004.
those in Western Europe shown as having a ▪ Vijay Sampla has been appointed as the
net carbon debt while developing countries
such as India and China having net credit.
tn chairman of the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes.
▪ The key fact that the database highlights is that ▪ It consists of:
e/
it is only fair that developed countries must ▪ Chairperson.
commit to steeper targets towards curbing
▪ Vice-chairperson - Arun Halder
emissions than developing countries.
▪ Three other members.
.m
▪ India is the third largest emitter of carbon

emissions annually but the sixth largest when ▪ They are appointed by the President by
historical emissions are considered, and when warrant under his hand and seal.
accounting for the size of its population it is ▪ The Commission is also required to discharge
among the lowest per capita emitters. This similar functions with regard to the Anglo-
//t
underlines India’s demands for climate justice Indian Community as it does with respect to
being at the heart of negotiations and its the SCs.
reluctance to agree to a fixed time frame to ▪ Till 2018, the commission was also required
s:
reach net zero, or when — in balance — it will to discharge similar functions with regard
cease to emit greenhouse gases. to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was
▪ The Climate Equity Monitor, as the relieved from this responsibility by the 102nd
tp
site is called, is aimed at monitoring the Amendment Act of 2018.

performance of Annex I Parties under the
UNFCCC (developed countries) based on National Mission for Clean Ganga:
the “foundational principles” of the Climate ▪ The National Mission for Clean Ganga set a
ht
Convention. Guinness World Record on the first day of the

Ganga Utsav for the highest number of photos
▪ The performance and policies of the Non-
of handwritten notes uploaded on Facebook in
Annex I Parties (developing countries) will be
an hour.
provided for comparison, the statement notes.
▪ The website was conceptualized and
developed by the Climate Change Group at
the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation,
Knock Every Door Campaign: ▪ The Minister requested the LMDC members
▪ According to a release issued by the Union to join hands with India to support the global
Health Ministry of India, “Har Ghar Dastak” initiatives it has pioneered, including the
(Knock Every Door) campaign is scheduled International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition
to start soon in districts with low vaccination for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
rates. and the Leadership Group for Industry
▪ It aims to motivate people to get vaccinated. Transition (LeadIT).
e
As per the Health Ministry, there were more ▪ He also appreciated the efforts of the Third
than 10.34 crore people in the country who World Network (TWN) for its support to
re
had missed the second dose of COVID-19 LMDC, and expressed the need to ensure
vaccine that they were due to take while more resources to TWN.
than 12 crore unutilized doses were available
One Sun, One World, One Grid for
with the States.
cf
Seamless Energy:
Deep Dive Online Training Program ▪ On the second day of COP26, an initiative by
▪ Ministry of Electronics and Information India and the United Kingdom to tap solar
ps
Technology (MeitY) is organising a week-long energy and have it travel seamlessly across
Deep Dive Online Training program. borders was announced.
▪ The training program is organised by National ▪ It includes a group of Governments called the
e-Governance Division at MeitY under the Green Grids Initiative — One Sun One World
Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative.
▪ MeitY launched the Cyber Surakshit Bharat
initiative in 2018, as the first public-private
tnOne Grid group — and was announced at
COP26 by summit host United Kingdom’s
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
e/
partnership in cyber awareness. This online
program trains Chief Information Security ▪ In the presence of other heads of government,
officers (CISO) along with IT staff of different including U.S. President Joe Biden, the two
Ministries, PSUs and Banks. Prime Ministers presented the One Sun
.m
Declaration, endorsed by more than 80

Ministerial Meeting of Like-Minded countries, setting out the group’s aims.
Developing Countries ▪ The Green Grids Initiative Working Groups
▪ Speaking at the Ministerial meeting of Like- made up of national and international agencies
//t
minded Developing Countries (LMDC) at the have already been established for Africa and
26th international climate conference under for the Asia-Pacific region. Their membership
way in Glasgow, Union Environment Minister includes most major multilateral development
Bhupender Yadav also called upon the LMDC banks, such as the African Development Bank
s:
countries to work closely to protect their (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
interests. Climate finance cannot continue at and the World Bank.
the levels decided in 2009.
tp
▪ It should be at least $1 trillion to meet the goals Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC)
of addressing climate change and there should ▪ At the third edition of the Goa Maritime
be a system to monitor climate finance as we Conclave (GMC), Navy chiefs and the heads of
ht
have for monitoring mitigation. maritime agencies of the Indian Navy and 12
▪ The meeting, attended by representatives other littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region
from China, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela (IOR) will deliberate on the significance
and others, was presided over by Bolivian of interoperability to effectively deal with
President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora. emerging and future maritime security
challenges in the region.
https://t.me/tnpscfree NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 71
▪ The biennial GMC under the aegis of the Naval ▪ The scheme aims to feed the poorest citizens
War College, Goa is scheduled to be held on of India by providing grain through the
November 7 and 9 on the theme “Maritime Public Distribution System, to all the priority
security and emerging non-traditional households (ration card holders and those
threats: a case for proactive role for IOR identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana
Navies”. scheme).
▪ At GMC21, Navy chief Admiral Karambir ▪ PMGKAY provides 5 kg of rice or wheat
e
Singh would be hosting dignitaries from (according to regional dietary preferences) per
Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, person and 1 kg of dal to each family holding
re
Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, the a ration card.
Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. ▪ The scale of this welfare scheme makes it the
▪ The GMC aims to bring together regional largest food security program in the world.
stakeholders and deliberate on the
cf
About Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS):
collaborative implementation strategies in ▪ OMSS refers to the selling of food grains by
dealing with contemporary maritime security the government/government agencies at
challenges. predetermined prices in the open market from
ps
▪ The GMC is the Indian Navy’s outreach time to time.
initiative providing a multinational platform to ▪ This scheme aims to enhance the supply of
harness the collective wisdom of practitioners grains especially during the lean season and
of maritime security and the academia thereby to moderate the general open market
towards garnering outcome oriented maritime
thought, the Navy added.
▪ The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC)-2019 was
tn prices, especially in the deficit regions.
▪ The Food Corporation of India (FCI) on the
instructions from the Government, sells wheat
e/
inaugurated by the National Security Advisor, and rice in the open market from time to time.
Shri Ajit Kumar Doval, at Goa on 4th October ▪ This enhances the supply of wheat and
2019. rice especially during the lean season and
.m
No Proposal to Extend Food Grains moderates the open market prices, especially
Supply in the deficit regions.
▪ The Centre said there is no proposal at present Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value
to extend free food grains supply via the Enhancement:
//t
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

▪ Skills Strengthening for Industrial
(PMGKAY) to provide relief to ration card
Value Enhancement (STRIVE) is a
holders, in view of recovery in the economy
World Bank funded project approved
and good disposal of food grains in the open
s:
in 2016 for a total cost of Rs. 2200 crore.

market under the OMSS policy.
The project aims to create awareness through
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna industry clusters to address issues pertaining
tp
Yojana: to micro, small and medium enterprises

▪ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (MSMEs).
(Prime Minister's Food Security Scheme for ▪ The STRIVE program was launched in
the Poor) is a food security welfare scheme Mangalore, through Kanara Industries
ht
announced by the Government of India in 26 Association-Industrial Cluster. The

March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic participants will get National Apprenticeship
in India. Certificate from the Directorate General of
▪ The program is operated by the Department Training on clearing the Assessment and
of Food and Public Distribution under the Examination.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution.
In Kedarnath, PM hails India’s ‘Rishi ▪ Dr. Mohan, the only Indian to receive the
Tradition’ American Diabetes Association’s Harold
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the Rifkin Award, has more than 1,400 publications
“Rishi Tradition” of India as he inaugurated in his name.
several developments works in Kedarnath, ▪ The list also included R. Velraj, the Vice
Uttarakhand, including the unveiling of a Chancellor of Anna University, who is also a
statue of Adi Sankara and monuments related Professor at the Institute of Energy Studies at
e
to his samadhi. the university. His work was included in the
▪ Talking about Adi Sankara, the Prime Minister, field of Enabling and Strategic Technologies.
re
who personally supervised the plans for the ▪ Sarit K. Das from the Department of
restoration of the samadhi and building of the Mechanical Engineering in the institute was
statue, said, “Shan karoti saha Shankar” that ranked the highest in Mechanical Engineering
is, the one who does welfare is Shankar. field in the country.
cf
About Adi Shankara: ▪ IITMadras had the highest of 47 persons
▪ Adi Shankaracharya was an Indian associated with the institute finding a place
Philosopher and Theologian whose works had in the list. Apart from IITMadras, Vellore
ps
a strong impact on the Doctrine of “Advaita Institute of Technology and Christian Medical
Vedanta”. College, Vellore, had the second and third
▪ Shankara himself considered to be an highest of 13 and 10 researchers respectively
incarnation of Shiva, established “Dashanami on the list.
Sampradya” (Ten sects).
▪ He Organized the Hindu marks of these
tn
▪ The List also includes: Five professors from
Gandhigram rural institute are in the list of
Best Scientists in the World.
sects under four “Mathas” (Monastries)
e/
with headquarters at Dwarka in the West, ▪ They are:
Jagannatha Puri in the East, Srigeri in the ▪ Balasubramaniam is working in the field of
South and Badri Kashrama in the North. fuzzy logic and neural networks.
.m
▪ His Guru is Govinda Bhagavatpada. ▪ Sethuraman from the department of chemistry

▪ He is honoured as “Hagadguru” literally” is working in the area of surface protection
Guru of the Universe”. coatings and super Hydrophobic Materials.
▪ Abraham John concentrates on synthesizing
Top 2% of the Scientists:
//t
nano materials for sensor applications.

▪ Over 150 persons from around 60 institutions
▪ Marimuthu focuses on luminescence studies
in Tamil Nadu, who have published research
on glass materials for photonic applications
papers, have found a place among the top 2%
particularly for the white light applications
s:
of the scientists globally, based on their work

and radiation shielding materials.
till 2020.
▪ Meenakshi has expertise in the field of de-
▪ The recently published list was compiled by
fluoridation and removal heavy metal ions
tp
Stanford University, Elsevier BV and SciTech

using bio-polymeric composite materials.
Strategies, based on various parameters related
to citations of the research publications. ▪ The list also includes Four Professors working
in Various fields at Karunya University in
ht
▪ V. Mohan, director of the Madras Diabetes

Coimbatore.
Research Foundation and chairman of the
Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre, was ▪ They are: Sneha Gowtham (Civil Engineering),
ranked the highest in Tamil Nadu across all Emmanuel Selvakumar (Electrial Engineering),
fields with an overall global rank of 7,563, Jude Hemanth (Electronics Engineering,
based on a composite score that included all Godson Asirvatham (Mehanical Engineering).
citations.
Southern Railway's Vision 2024 Online Portal for Women by GSICC

▪ Under the Southern Railway's Vision 2024, Members:
Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is set to get an ▪ The Gender Sensitisation and Internal
upgrade. Complaints Committee (GSICC) of the Madras
▪ Its operational capability and commercial High Court has launched an online portal for
viability will be stepped up as per the women to lodge complaints related to sexual
guidelines of the National Rail Plan 2030. harassment within the precincts of the court
e
▪ The design for New Pamban bridge is complex.
produced by IIT Mumbai experts. ▪ The initiative for the online portal was
re
About National Rail Plan: taken by GSICC members Justices Pushpa
▪ Indian Railways have prepared a National Sathyanarayana, P.T.Asha and R.N.Manjula.
Rail Plan (NRP) for India – 2030. An inhouse software team of the computer
wing of the court had created the portal.
cf
▪ The Plan is to create a ‘future ready’ Railway
system by 2030.
▪ The NRP is aimed to formulate strategies based
ps
on both operational capacities and commercial 75% job Quota for Locals in Private
policy initiatives to increase modal share of Sector:
the Railways in freight. ▪ The Haryana government notified a law,
▪ The objective of the Plan is to create capacity which provides 75% reservation for local
ahead of demand, which in turn would also tn youth in private sector jobs that offer a salary
cater to future growth in demand right up of less than Rs 30,000 a month, from January
to 2050 and also increase the modal share 15, 2022.
of Railways to 45% in freight traffic and to ▪ The Haryana State Employment of Local
e/
continue to sustain it. Candidates Act, 2020 covers private
▪ To achieve this objective all possible financial companies, societies, trusts and partnership
models including Public Private Partnership firms in the state, as per a notification issued
.m
(PPP) are being considered. by the State Government.

▪ 100% electrification of Broad-Gauge routes to ‘China more active now at Chumbi
be completed by December, 2023. Valley’
▪ Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) ▪ China is strengthening its connectivity and
//t
and Eastern DFC to be commissioned by June increasing its depth in the Chumbi Valley,
2022. close to India’s strategic and vulnerable
About Vision 2024: Siliguri corridor.
s:
▪ As part of the National Rail Plan, Vision About Silliguri Corridor:

2024 has been launched for accelerated ▪ The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of
implementation of certain critical projects by land located around the city of Siliguri in west
tp
2024 such as: Bengal.

▪ 100% electrification. ▪ The Corridor is important as it connects the
▪ Multitracking of congested routes. states of Northeast India to the rest of India.
ht
▪ Upgradation of speed to 160 kmph on Delhi- ▪ Nepal and Bangladesh lie on each side of the
Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes. corridor and Bhutan at the northern end of the
▪ Upgradation of speed to 130kmph on all other corridor.
Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal (GQ/
GD) routes.
▪ Elimination of all Level Crossings on all GQ/
GD route.
Arunachal to showcase ‘Heroic Village’ specialized engineering wing for constructing

near the China Border certain roads and foot tracks along the Line
▪ Arunachal Pradesh is planning to make a of Actual Control to speed up connectivity
documentary about one of its most “patriotic projects with its posts in Ladakh and
destinations” — Kaho, a village on the Arunachal Pradesh.
China border — to mark the 75th year of ▪ ITBP, has taken up the "challenge" to construct
Independence. four out of the 32 roads under phase-II of the
e
About Kaho Village: Indo-China Border Roads project and two out
▪ Kaho is one of seven settlements that make up of the total 18-foot tracks sanctioned to it by
re
the Kibithoo block, which is divided by Lohit the government.
river. ▪ Traditionally, road construction projects along
▪ Kaho survived a Chinese onslaught in 1962. these areas are carried out by the Border Roads
Organisation (BRO), the Central Public Works
cf
▪ According to the 2011 census, Kaho has just 65
Department (CPWD) and other such agencies.
inhabitants and a literacy rate of 64.15 percent.
▪ The first phase of ICBR was launched in 2005
▪ The People of Kaho village belong to the
under the overall supervision of the Ministry
ps
Meyor Community.
of Home Affairs (MHA) and work on a
Srinagar declared a ‘Major Airport’ number of roads, helipads and troop bases of
▪ The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation declared this period is underway.
the Srinagar airport a “major airport” under About ITBP:
tn
the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority ▪ The ITBP was raised on 24th October, 1962
Act, 2008 (AERA). during the India-China War and is a border
▪ The move will allow the AERA to determine guarding police force specializing in high
e/
the tariff, including the development fee and altitude operations. Presently, ITBP is
passenger service fee, for aeronautical services deployed on border guarding duties from
at the Srinagar airport. Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in
Arunachal Pradesh covering 3488 km of Indo-
.m
▪ The Centre designates an airport as a major

China Border.
airport if it crosses a particular volume of
annual passenger traffic. ▪ ITBP was initially raised under the Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Act, 1949.
▪ Previously, the Airports Authority of India,
However, in 1992, parliament enacted the
//t
a body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation,

ITBPF Act and the rules were framed in 1994.
would determine the tariff for the Srinagar
airport. India signs up to COP26 action agenda
s:
Ajit Doval holds Strategic Dialogue with on Sustainable Agriculture:

France: ▪ India has signed the sustainable agriculture
action agenda after the first week of the
▪ India and France committed to closer
COP26 climate summit in Glasgow among 27
tp
cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through more

Countries.
intelligence sharing and expanding bilateral
exercises in the maritime sphere, as National ▪ The ‘Sustainable Agriculture Policy Action
Agenda for the Transition to Sustainable
ht
Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval met French

President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic Agriculture and Global Action Agenda for
adviser Emmanuel Bonne in Paris for the Innovation in Agriculture’ was among the
annual Strategic Dialogue. highlight action pledges to be
▪ clinched by the participating countries at the
Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR) 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) of the
▪ The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has United Nations Framework Convention on
taken a first-time decision to deploy its Climate Change (UNFCCC) recently.
▪ The countries laid out new commitments to ▪ As per the SBI, this facility is available for
change their agricultural policies to become only pensioners and spouse of the pensioner
more sustainable and less polluting and to receiving a pension will not be able to use this
invest in the science needed for sustainable facility.
agriculture and for protecting food supplies ▪ The process of video life certificate is paperless
against climate change. and also available free of cost.
▪ The World Bank will commit to spending $25
e
billion in climate finance annually to 2025 Pashupatinath Kashi Vishwanath Amrit
through its Climate Action Plan, including a Mahotsav Motorcycle Rally
re
focus on agriculture and food systems. ▪ The Indian Embassy in Nepal will organise a
▪ Alok Sharma said, the President of COP26, weeklong bike rally from the Pashupatinath
"If we are to limit global warming and keep temple in Kathmandu to the Kashi Vishwanath
the goal of 1.5 degree Celsius alive, then the temple in Varanasi from November 11, 2021.
cf
world needs to use land sustainably and put ▪ The rally will be flagged off by Minister of
protection and restoration of nature at the Culture of Nepal Prem Bahadur Ale from the
heart of all we do”. premises of the Pashupatinath temple on the
ps
morning of November 11 after religious rituals
India’s Solar Energy Capacity increased which will be performed in the presence of
in 7 years: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan
▪ India told the UN climate summit here that Kwatra.
its solar energy capacity stands at about 45
gigawatts after it increased 17 times in the
last seven years, asserting that although
tn ▪ The “Pashupatinath Kashi Vishwanath Amrit
Mahotsav Motorcycle Rally” between the
two of the most important religious shrines
the country represents 17% of the global
e/
of South Asia will draw participation from at
population, its historical cumulative emissions least 50 bikers and is aimed at strengthening
are only 4%. the connect.
▪ India said this while giving a presentation ▪ The rally will visit
.m
on its third Biennial Update Report (BUR) ▪ Motihari (in Bihar) associated with Mahatma
during the 11th Facilitative Sharing of Views Gandhiled Champaran Satyagraha of 1917
(FSV) at the ongoing COP26 climate summit
▪ Sarnath, the place of the first sermon of Lord
in Glasgow.
Buddha
//t
▪ The BUR was submitted to the United Nations

▪ Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur.
Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) in February. UNESCO picks Srinagar as Creative City
s:
About BUR: ▪ The United Nations Educational, Scientific and

▪ BURs are reports to be submitted by non- Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has picked
Annex I Parties, containing updates of national Srinagar among 49 cities as part of the creative
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories, including
tp
city network under the Crafts and Folk Arts

a national inventory report and information category.
on mitigation actions, needs and support ▪ The process of nomination of Srinagar under
received. the UNESCO ‘Creative City Network’ was
ht
Video life Certificate Service’ for undertaken and funded under the World
Bankfunded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery
Pensioners
Project.
▪ The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched
the first ‘Video life certificate service’ for ▪ This is the recognition of the historical crafts
pensioners. This new facility will allow and arts of the city. The inclusion is likely to
pensioners to submit their life certificates pave way for the city to represent its handicrafts
through video from their homes. on the global stage through UNESCO.
▪ The network involves folk art, media, film, 2025- 26, MPs will get ₹5 crore.
literature, design, gastronomy and media arts. ▪ When the suspension was announced last
▪ Srinagar was among one more city from India year, the Government had claimed that ₹8000
competing for the coveted recognition this crore that would have otherwise been spent
year. The dossier for its nomination was filed under the scheme will go to the consolidated
first in 2019 and then again in 2021. fund of India and will be used for fighting the
▪ Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts) in 2015, Varanasi pandemic.
e
and Chennai (Creative city of Music) in About MPLADS:
2015 and 2017 respectively have so far been ▪ Members of Parliament Local Area
re
recognized as members of the UCCN for Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a
creative cities. scheme formulated by Government of
India on 23 December 1993 that enables the
Recognition of COVID-19 Vaccination members of parliaments (MP) to recommend
cf
Certificates of India Globally: developmental work in their constituencies.
▪ Ninety-six countries have agreed to mutual ▪ Initially, this scheme was administered
recognition of COVID-19 vaccination by Ministry of Rural Development. Later,
ps
certificates with India, Union Health Minister in October 1994, Ministry of Statistics and
Mansukh Mandaviya said. Programme Implementation (MOSPI) has
▪ The Government continues to be in been looking into its working.
communication with the rest of the world ▪ The scheme was launched by (prime minister)
so that beneficiaries of the world’s largest
COVID-19 vaccination programme are
accepted and recognised, thereby easing travel
tnP. V. Narasimha Rao.
All India Monks Conference:
▪ All India Monks Conference was inaugurated
e/
for education, business and tourism purposes.
by Sankaracharya Sri Vijayendra Saraswati
Indians top list of tourists to Sri Lanka Swamigal at Kanchipuram. The conference
▪ Indians topped the list of holidaymakers in Sri was chaired by Prakash Anand Puri Maharaj,
.m
Lanka in the month of October, officials here Chairman of the Govind Jeevan Ashram in
said, as the island nation is showing a gradual Himachal Pradesh.
revitalisation of leisure tourism after being
Push for 'Har Ghar Dastak Campaign':
impacted by the pandemic.
▪ Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya
//t
▪ India, the UK, Pakistan, Russia and Germany will hold a meeting with health ministers of
were the top five international tourist all the states and the union territories to push
generating markets during October, it said. for 'har ghar dastak campaign' against the
s:
Members of Parliament Local Area coronavirus disease.

Development Scheme (MPLADS) ▪ Under this campaign, the central Government
is aiming to ensure vaccination of all adults
▪ Citing economic recovery, the Union Cabinet
tp
who have not received their first dose of the

restored the Members of Parliament Local
Covid jab yet or are overdue for their second
Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) that
dose.
was suspended in April 2020 subsuming the
▪ Upgrading Track to run Trains at 160 kmph:
ht
funds for the scheme in the consolidated fund

of India. ▪ The railway board granting ‘in principle’
▪ The scheme was suspended for two financial approval for upgrading track to run trains at
years (202021 and 202122) but the Government 160 kmph in eight routes connecting Chennai,
announced a partial rollback. The MPs will get Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad,
₹2 crore instead of the annual approved ₹5 Bengaluru, and Puri.
crore for the remaining part of the financial
year 202122 and from next financial year to
▪ Southern Railway has been selected as the ▪ The CCEA also approved a committed price
nodal agency by the Indian Railways for support of ₹17,408.85 crore to the Cotton
upgrading the Chennai-Bengaluru route to Corporation of India (CCI) as reimbursement
operate trains at the speed of 160 kmph. for its losses in procuring crops from farmers
▪ The Southern Railway would prepare the at minimum support prices (MSP) over the
detailed project report (DPR) for the Chennai- past seven years.
Bengaluru route. The entire length of the ▪ The CCEA approved reservation norms for
e
section is 362 km. the mandatory use of jute in packaging this
year, stipulating that 100% of food grains and
National Achievement Survey (NAS)
re
20% of sugar must compulsorily be packed
2021: in jute bags. Such reservation consumed two
▪ Around 3.8 million students from 1, 23,000 thirds of the total raw jute production last
schools in 733 districts across 36 states and year. The Centre itself purchases jute sacking
cf
Union territories will participate in the bags worth approximately ₹8,000 crore a year
National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021. to pack grains.
▪ The survey, which assesses the competencies
ps
India, U.S. monitoring Defence trade
developed by the students at the grade levels
of third, fifth, and eighth, is conducted every Projects:
three years. ▪ As part of efforts for co-production and co-
▪ The survey was last conducted in 2017 and was development of defence equipment under
scheduled to take place in 2020. However, due
to the Covid-19 situation, it was postponed
until this year.
tn the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative
(DTTI), India and the U.S. agreed on a revised
Statement of Intent (SOI) to strengthen the
dialogue by “pursuing detailed planning
e/
▪ This is the first time when private schools
and making measurable progress” on several
have been included in the NAS for grades 3,5
specific projects.
and 8. Earlier, private schools were included
for the class 10 NAS that is being conducted ▪ The agreement was made at the 11th DTTI
.m
separately. group meeting held virtually.

▪ Officials said the survey will be very crucial ▪ It was co-chaired by Secretary (Defence
to assess the impact of the pandemic on the Production) Raj Kumar and Gregory Kausner,
learning levels among students. performing the duties of Under Secretary of
//t
Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment from

▪ The Union education ministry said that the
the U.S. Department of Defence.
National Council of Educational Research
and Training has done the instrument ▪ The meetings are normally held twice a
year, alternating between India and the U.S.
s:
development, testing, finalization of the test

items, sampling of the schools, etc. However, this meeting was held via video
conferencing consecutively for the second
Centre approves incentives for Sugar time on account of the COVID19 pandemic.
tp
Cane, Cotton, Jute Farmers ▪ The aim of the group was to bring sustained
▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs leadership focus to the bilateral defence
(CCEA) has approved a slew of measures trade relationship and create opportunities
ht
that will support farmers growing sugar cane, for coproduction and co-development of
cotton and jute. defence equipment, the statement noted.
▪ The CCEA increased the price of ethanol Four Joint Working Groups focused on land,
extracted from sugar cane juice for blending naval, air and aircraft carrier technologies had
in petrol to ₹63.45 a litre in the coming sugar been established under the DTTI to promote
marketing season starting December. mutually agreed projects.
▪ The two sides recently signed the first project Climate Finance.
agreement for Air Launched Unmanned ▪ NDCs are voluntary targets that countries set
Aerial Vehicle under the Joint Working Group for themselves, which describe the quantum
Air Systems. and kind of emission cuts they will undertake
over a fixed period to contribute to preventing
Malabar Rebellion 1921 Martyrs:
runaway global warming.
▪ Granite plaquettes featuring the names of
▪ India’s last NDC was submitted following
e
Variamkunnathu Kunjahamad Haji, Ali
the 2015 Paris deal. Before COP26 began
Musliyar, and other martyrs of the 1921
on November 1, nations were expected to
Malabar Rebellion will be put up at the
re
provide updated NDCs. India, however, did
precincts of a few mosques in Ernakulam, even
not furnish one.
as the Indian Council for Historical Research
(ICHR) is set to consider a proposal to delete Green Assurance
▪ India’s Five-fold Plan, as spelt out by Prime
cf
these names from the Dictionary of Martyrs:
India’s Freedom Struggle. Minister Narendra Modi on November 2.
About Malabar Rebellion: ▪ India’s non-fossil energy capacity will reach
500 GW by 2030.
ps
▪ The Malabar rebellion happened from August
20, 1921 to 1922 in the Malabar region of ▪ The country will meet 50% of its electricity
Kerala, India. The Malabar rebellion of 1921 requirements with renewable energy by 2030.
(also known by the names Moplah massacre, ▪ It will reduce its total projected carbon
Moplah riots, Mappila riots) started as a tnemissions by a billion tonnes by 2030.
resistance against the British colonial rule in ▪ India will cut the carbon intensity of its
Malabar region of Kerala. economy to less than 45%
▪ The popular uprising was also against the
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▪ Country will achieve net zero by 2070.
prevailing feudal system controlled by elite
Hindus. 52nd International Film Festival of India:
▪ The British had appointed high caste Hindus ▪ A competition will be held for young
.m
in positions of authority to get their support, filmmakers to attend the 52nd International
this led to the protest turning against the Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Hindus. ▪ A total of 15 films will compete for the
golden peacock and other awards at the 52nd
India seeks $1 tn in ‘Climate Finance’ to
//t
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2021.

meet its Targets
▪ Madhya Pradesh bags International Award
▪ India has demanded a trillion dollars over for Rural Tourism Project:
the next decade from developed countries
s:
▪ The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board's rural

to adapt to, and mitigate, the challenges
tourism project bagged the award for "best
arising from global warming, and has kept
project" at the World Travel Mart (WTM)
this as a condition for delivering on climate
World Responsible Tourism Awards-2021.
tp
commitments made by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi. India’s fivefold plan aims at ▪ The International Responsible Tourism Centre
reducing the carbon intensity of its economy gave the award to the state tourism board in
and eventually achieving net zero by 2070. the “Best Post-Covid Tourism Destination
ht
Development” category.
▪ Net zero is when a country’s carbon emissions
are offset by taking out equivalent carbon from ▪ Madhya Pradesh Rural Tourism was also
the atmosphere, so that emissions in balance given “Swarn Puraskar” at the zonal level in
are zero. the same category.
▪ “Our NDCs (Nationally Determined ▪ The state tourism board also won an award for
Contribution) are conditional, that is, subjected its "safe tourism for women" project.
to the availability of this amount [$1 trillion] in
▪ As per the release, 100 villages are being ▪ Kiren Rijiju has also announced the expansion
developed as tourism villages in the state of Tele-Law in 75,000 Gram Panchayats
under the rural tourism project, and tourism covering all states and UTs as a part of the 75
activities will be conducted in these villages years of India’s Independence celebrations.
with community participation. Some of the ▪ He also appealed to the Lawyers to join
major activities include better accommodation, the Tele-Law movement and provide legal
local food, folk music, rural sports, local arts guidance and consultation as basic steps to
e
and crafts, and skill up-gradation of youth. legal aid services.
New Approach to Accurately Detect ▪ The Tele-law initiative of the Department of
re
Justice was launched in 2017 with the goal of
Earthquakes:
strengthening the pre-litigation mechanism
▪ Researchers at the Indian Institute of
and providing free legal aid to the poor and
Technology-Madras (IIT-M) developed a new
marginalised citizens.
cf
approach to accurately detect earthquakes,
which could provide a small but crucial lead ▪ It has already helped more than 12 lakh
time to take measures to save lives. beneficiaries, including Scheduled Castes/
Scheduled Tribes and women.
ps
▪ An estimate of accurate time of arrival of
non-destructive waves of earthquakes would Protection of Children from Sexual
not only help in developing a robust early Offences Act, 2012:
warning system but also gives a lead time ▪ It was enacted to protect the children from
of approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes
(range may vary depending on the distance
tn
of epicentre from the monitoring site) till the
offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment
and pornography with due regard for
safeguarding the interest and well-being of
destructive surface waves hit the ground.
e/
children.
▪ Though small, this lead time is sufficient to ▪ It defines a child as any person below eighteen
shut down nuclear reactors, Metro Rail, park years of age and regards the best interests and
elevators in high rise buildings at the nearest welfare of the child as a matter of paramount
.m
floor and numerous other measures that can importance at every stage, to ensure the
save lives. healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and
▪ Information of P-wave arrival is crucial in social development of the child.
determining other source parameters of the ▪ It defines different forms of sexual abuse,
//t
event such as magnitude, depth and epicentre including penetrative and non-penetrative
location. Therefore, a solution to the P-wave assault, as well as sexual harassment and
detection problem that is robust, accurate pornography.
and precise is essential in order to estimate
s:
▪ It deems a sexual assault to be “aggravated”

the event details correctly and to reduce the
under certain circumstances, such as when
damage caused by the earthquake or other
the abused child is mentally ill or when the
triggered events.
tp
abuse is committed by a person in a position of

Tele-Law Mobile App: trust or authority like a family member, police
▪ Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju officer, teacher, or doctor.
launched the Citizen’s Tele-Law Mobile App. ▪ It also casts the police in the role of child
ht
This app would connect the beneficiaries protectors during the investigative process.
directly with panel lawyers offering legal ▪ The Act stipulates that a case of child sexual
advice and consultation. abuse must be disposed of within one year
▪ The app was launched as part of Azadi ka from the date the offence is reported. It was
Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, celebrated amended in August 2019 to provide more
by the Department of Justice from 8 to 14 stringent punishment, including the death
November. penalty, for sexual crimes against children.
First Operationalized Private Sector 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Defence Manufacturing Facility: ▪ The allocation for the health sector is Rs 70,051
▪ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated crore.
the first operationalized private sector defence ▪ The allocation for primary health care in rural
manufacturing facility in the Uttar Pradesh areas is Rs 42,928 crore.
Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) in ▪ The allocation for urban areas is Rs 26,123
Lucknow and termed it as a “shining example” crore.
e
of strong public-private partnership.
▪ A Defence Ministry statement said: “The Army chief General visit Israel:
re
facility, run by Aerolloy Technologies, a ▪ Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane
wholly owned subsidiary of PTC industries, left for Israel on a five-day official visit to
will manufacture parts for aircraft engines, discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral
helicopter engines, structural parts for defence relations.
cf
aircrafts, drones and UAV, submarines, Ultra- ▪ His visit comes weeks after the India-Israel joint
Light Artillery guns, space launch vehicles working group (JWG) on defence cooperation
and strategy systems.” decided to set up a task force to put together
ps
a comprehensive 10-year roadmap to identify
Habibganj Railway Station after Rani new areas of collaboration.
Kamlapati:
▪ Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Council of Ministers into Eight Different
Chouhan the Habibganj railway station after
Rani Kamlapati, an 18th century Gond queen.
About:
tn
Groups:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an attempt
to improve efficiency and transparency
e/
▪ Rani Kamlapati was the pride of Gond society. in governance, the Centre has divided 77
She was the last Hindu queen of Bhopal. members from the entire Council of Ministers
▪ The station was built in 1905 and was named into eight different groups to develop
Shahpur (one popular area in new Bhopal is technology-based resources and form a pool
.m
known as Shahpura, named after the Shahpura of professionals for their recruitment into their
lake). teams.
▪ In 1979, when the Railways was looking for ▪ The government is planning to rope in young
land for the expansion of the station, Habib professionals, make the best-use of technology
//t
Miya decided to give land free of cost and the for project monitoring and seek suggestions
station was named after him. from retiring officials.
▪ The Gond community is the largest tribal group ▪ The process of dividing the ministers into eight
s:
in India with more than 1.2 crore Population. groups was done following 'Chintan Shivirs'
The community is largely spread in Madhya (brainstorming sessions) of the entire council
that was chaired by PM Modi.
Pradesh, Chhattsigarh and Jharkhand.
tp
▪ A total of five such meetings were held -

Funds to Strengthen Health Infrastructure one each on Personal Efficiency, Focused
in Urban and Rural Areas: Implementation, Ministry Functioning and
Stakeholder Engagement, Party Coordination
ht
▪ The central government has released Rs 8,453

crore to 19 states, including Tamil Nadu, to and Effective Communication and the last one
strengthen health infrastructure in urban and was on Parliamentary practices.
rural areas, including Rs 805.92 crore. ▪ The last session was also attended by the Lok
▪ The 15th Finance Commission of the Union Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha
Ministry of Health has recommended the Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
release of a total of Rs 4,27,911 crore to the
State Governments during the financial year
Deliveries of S400 systems have begun: ▪ Headquarters is Mumbai.

▪ Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ▪ The Southern Zonal Council, comprising
visit to India, Moscow has started deliveries of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
the S400 air defence systems to India. Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union
▪ This risks the possibility of sanctions from Territory of Puducherry.
the U.S. under the Countering America’s ▪ Headquarters is Chennai.
Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) ▪ The North Eastern States i.e. (i) Assam (ii)
e
which would come up for discussion at the Arunachal Pradesh (iii) Manipur (iv) Tripura
India. (v) Mizoram (vi) Meghalaya (vii) Sikkim
re
and (viii) Nagaland are not included in the
Role of southern States in Country’s
Zonal Councils and their special problems are
Development: looked after by the North Eastern Council, set
▪ Union Minister of Home and Cooperation up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972.
cf
Amit Shah who chaired the 29th meeting of
Composition:
the Southern Zonal Council said,
▪ The Home Minister of Central Government is
▪ The ancient culture, traditions and languages the common chairman of five zonal councils.
ps
of southern States enriched the country’s Each chief minister acts as a vice chairman of
culture and legacy. the council by rotation, holding office for a
▪ India’s development can’t be imagined period of one year at a time.
without the very important contribution of the
States of southern India.
About Zonal Councils:
▪ Zonal councils are the Statutory bodies
tn India will Achieve Net Zero Emissions by
2070, says PM:
▪ India will achieve net zero emissions latest by
e/
established under the State Reorganisation 2070, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at
Act 1956 and not constitutional bodies. They the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
are only deliberative and advisory bodies. ▪ India was the only major emitter that had not
.m
▪ Aim: to promote interstate cooperation and committed to a timeline to achieve net zero
coordination. before the summit, or a year by which it would
▪ There are 5 Five Zonal councils namely: ensure its net carbon dioxide emissions would
be zero.
▪ The Northern Zonal Council, comprising the
Other Commitments of India:
//t
States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu

& Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National ▪ By 2030, India will ensure 50% of its energy
Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory will be sourced from renewable sources.
of Chandigarh. ▪ India also committed to reduce its carbon
s:
▪ Headquarters is New Delhi. emissions until 2030 by a billion tonnes.

▪ The Central Zonal Council, comprising the ▪ India will also reduce its emissions intensity
States of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar per unit of GDP by less than 45%.
tp
Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. ▪ India would also install systems to generate
▪ Headquarters is Allahabad. 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, a
50 GW increase from its existing target.
▪ The Eastern Zonal Council, comprising the
ht
States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and West ▪ He added that in the spirit of climate
Bengal. justice, rich developed countries ought to be
providing at least $1 trillion in climate finance
▪ Headquarters is Kolkatta.
to assist developing countries and those most
▪ The Western Zonal Council, comprising the vulnerable.
States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the
Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra
& Nagar Haveli.
Bilateral Meetings: ▪ “Young people have every reason to be angry

▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held two and frustrated at leaders who have made
important bilateral meetings with his empty promises and failed to deliver. None of
counterparts from Nepal and Israel on the what we discuss today is practical for me. We
sidelines of the COP26 meet in Glasgow. need actions rather than promises to live in a
India and Nepal: habitable world,” she said.
▪ The meeting between Indian and Nepalese ▪ Ms. Umashankar’s mobile ironing cart has
e
Prime Ministers was the first since Sher solar panels with a roof connected to a 100 Ah
Bahadur Deuba was appointed by the battery. It takes five hours of bright sunshine to
re
Supreme Court of Nepal in an extraordinary fully charge the battery, which in turn powers
judicial intervention in July. the steam ironing box for six hours.
▪ “The two leaders noted the excellent India International Trade Fair (IITF):
cooperation between India and Nepal during
cf
▪ The 40th edition of the India International
the pandemic particularly through the supply Trade Fair (IITF) started at the redeveloped
of vaccines, medicines and medical equipment parts of the ‘New Exhibition Complex' of
from India to Nepal,” said the Ministry of
ps
Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
External Affairs (MEA) in a statement.
▪ The fair was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal,
India and Israel: who said that IITF has returned after a
▪ Mr. Modi also met Israeli Prime Minister one-year gap in its 40th edition, powered
Naftali Bennett for the first time. tnby ‘Aatmanirbharta’ & ‘Azadi ka Amrit
▪ Mr. Modi invited the Israeli leader to visit Mahotsav’.
India to mark the 30th anniversary of the ▪ Tamil Nadu day is being celebrated in IITF
establishment of full diplomatic relations which was inaugurated by M. P. Saminathan,
e/
between India and Israel. the Minister for Information & Publicity.
At COP26, T.N. teenager tells leaders ▪ Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar
that Youth are Angry: Abbas Naqvi also visited the fair and
.m
inaugurated the 33rd edition of “Hunar Haat”

▪ Vinisha Umashankar, from Tiruvannamalai
in New Delhi.
town in northern Tamil Nadu.
▪ He said that during the Corona crisis,
▪ She innovated A solar powered ironing
indigenous production capacity fulfilled the
cart, which would replace the conventional
//t
domestic needs and became “safety cover” for

charcoal ironing box, would power a steam
Indian economy during the global recession.
ironing box to do its job.
▪ Her innovation brought her laurels from All India Presiding Officers’ Conference
s:
around the world, including the prestigious (AIPOC)

Children’s Climate Prize in November ▪ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will
2021. The prize given by the Sweden based address the inaugural session of 82nd All India
tp
Children’s Climate Foundation is one of the Presiding Officers’ Conference in Shimla that
most significant climate related awards for will be held on 17-18 November 2021. The first
young innovators. Conference was also held in Shimla in 1921.
ht
▪ Ms. Umashankar, one of the finalists for the ▪ The All India Presiding Officers’ Conference
Earth shot Prize, was asked by Prince William, (AIPOC), the apex body of the Legislatures in
Duke of Cambridge, to speak her mind on India, is celebrating its hundred years in 2021.
clean energy at a meeting that discussed clean
▪ The conference would dwell on the decay in
technology and innovation as part of the 26th
the discipline and decorum of legislatures,
UN Climate Change Conference of Parties
which was a matter of concern and on the anti-
(COP26) in Glasgow.
defection law.
▪ Birla, chairman of AIPOC, said the conference ▪ Apart from a Covid negative report within 72
was being held in Shimla for the seventh time hours of departures to India, travellers from
after 1921, 1926, 1933, 1939, 1976, and 1997. these 99 countries (called Category A) will
▪ Birla said the 82nd AIPOC will discuss a range also need to upload their fully vaccinated
of issues—Journey of a Century (Evaluation certificate on the Air Suvidha portal.
and the way forward) and Responsibility of
Manohar Parrikar Institute for
Presiding Officers towards the Constitution,
Defence Studies and Analyses
e
the House, and the People.
▪ The All India Presiding Officers’ Conference
(MP-IDSA):
▪ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled a
re
(AIPOC) ended with the delegates failing to
reach a consensus on whether the Speaker’s plaque at the Institute for Defence Studies and
powers under the anti-defection law should Analyses in the national capital to rename the
be limited. institute after the late Manohar Parrikar.
cf
▪ Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the report ▪ The renaming of the Institute for Defence
of the committee headed by Rajasthan Speaker Studies and Analyses as Manohar Parrikar
C.P. Joshi to review the anti-defection law was Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
ps
placed before the presiding officers, but there (MP-IDSA) by the Defence Minister, who is
was no consensus. the President of the
▪ The committee was formed in 2019 to ▪ Institute, comes after the unanimous decision
examine the role of the Speaker in cases of by the general body earlier this year to effect
disqualification on grounds of defection under
the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
About Anti-Defection:
tn the change in the memory of the former
Defence Minister.
Centre amends rules to Clear Tenure

e/
▪ The Tenth Schedule — popularly known as extension:
the Anti-Defection Act — was included in the ▪ A day after promulgating two ordinances
Constitution via the 52nd Amendment Act, that would allow the Centre to extend the
1985 and sets the provisions for disqualification
.m
tenures of the Directors of the CBI and the

of elected members on the grounds of defection Enforcement Directorate from two years to up
to another political party. to five years, the Personnel Ministry issued an
▪ As per the 1985 Act, a 'defection' by one-third order to amend the Fundamental Rules, 1922
of the elected members of a political party was adding the two posts to the list whose services
//t
considered a 'merger'. can be extended by up to two years beyond the

▪ But the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, two-year fixed tenure in “public interest”.
2003, changed this and now at least two-thirds
s:
of the members of a party have to be in favour Govt. mulls reopening Kartarpur

of a "merger" for it to have validity in the eyes Corridor:
of the law. ▪ The government is considering reopening
tp
the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara corridor to

Quarantine-Free Travel in the Country: Pakistan this week to allow Sikh pilgrims to
▪ India allowed fully vaccinated (with approved cross over, more than 20 months after it was
jabs) arrivals from 99 countries — including shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
ht
US, UK, UAE, Qatar, France and Germany — About Kartarpur Corridor:
to travel quarantine-free in the country. The ▪ Kartarpur Sahib was established by Guru
decision comes as the country allowed foreign Nanak Dev Ji, the Sikh Guru in 1522.
tourists on non-charters.
▪ The corridor is being built to commemorate
▪ India had suspended tourist visas last March 550th birth anniversary celebrations
and resumed them from October 15 by of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of
allowing them in on charters. Sikhism on 12th November 2019.
▪ The Gurdwara was washed away by floods of ▪ Nine other tribal museums — one each in
the river Ravi (Rabi) and the present Gurdwara Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur,
▪ Kartarpur Sahib is located in the Narowal Mizoram and Goa — would be opened soon.
district of Pakistan. About:
▪ The langar was first started in Kartarpur Sahib ▪ Birsa Munda (15 November 1875 – 9 June
Gurdwara by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Langar 1900) was an Indian tribal freedom fighter,
e
tradition is also known as ‘Guru ka Langar’, religious leader, and folk hero who belonged
the Gurus Kitchen. to the Munda tribe.
re
▪ Kartarpur Sahib is one of the holiest sites in ▪ He spearheaded a tribal religious millenarian
Sikhism. movement that arose in the Bengal Presidency
(now Jharkhand) in the late 19th century,
during the British Raj, thereby making him an
cf
important figure in the history of the Indian
independence movement.
▪ Birsa Munda's slogan threatening the British
ps
Raj—Abua raj ete jana, maharani raj tundu
jana ("Let the kingdom of the queen be ended
and our kingdom be established") He is the
only tribal leader to have been so honored.
tn
Top 2% Scientists in the World:
▪ Dr. K. Palanikumar, the Principal of Sri Sairam
Institute of Technology was included in the
e/
World Top 2% Scientists for the second time.
Birsa Munda Museum: He is a researcher in the field of Material
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Sciences.
.m
tribal people, inaugurating the Birsa Munda About:

museum in Ranchi as well as a slew of welfare ▪ World Ranking of Top 2% Scientists in 2021
schemes in Bhopal on what was the first ever database created by experts at Stanford
‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ or Tribal Pride Day. University, USA.
//t
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated

several railway projects to the nation, 'One Nation-One Legislative Platform':
including the redeveloped Rani Kamalpati ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked
Railway Station in Bhopal. lawmakers and legislatures to follow Indian
s:
▪ He inaugurated the first of 10 new museums values and send a message to citizens through
dedicated to tribal culture and contribution their conduct about giving primacy to one's
to the freedom movement and also marking duties, terming it as the mantra to speed up
tp
the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter India's development.

Birsa Munda in Ranchi. ▪ Addressing the inaugural session of the 82nd
▪ He inaugurated the Bhagwan Birsa Munda All India Presiding Officers' Conference
ht
memorial cum¬-freedom fighter museum on virtually, he also pitched for 'One Nation-One
what was the first ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas' or Legislative Platform', saying such a portal can
tribal Pride Day. not only give the necessary technological boost
to the parliamentary system but also work to
▪ Every year the country will celebrate
connect all the democratic units of the country.
November 15 i.e., the birth anniversary of
Bhagwan Birsa Munda as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav
Diwas’.
Business Bribery Risks: ▪ Further, crude oil consumption across

▪ India has slipped to 82nd position in 2021, sectors would need to peak by 2050 and fall
five places down from 77th rank last year, in substantially by 90% between 2050 and 2070.
a global list that measures business bribery ▪ Green hydrogen could contribute 19% of the
risks. total energy needs of the Industrial sector.
▪ The list by TRACE, an anti-bribery standard
Mobile Connectivity Project to Benefit
setting organisation, measures business
e
bribery risk in 194 countries, territories, and Tribes:
autonomous and semi-autonomous regions. ▪ More than half of the over 7,200 uncovered
re
villages, largely inhabited by tribal
▪ Highest Commercial Bribery Risk - North
communities, that the Government aims
Korea, Turkmenistan, Venezuela and Eritrea.
to provide 4G connectivity by 2023 at an
▪ Lowest Commercial Bribery Risk - Denmark, estimated cost of ₹6466 crore is in Odisha.
cf
Norway, Finland, Sweden and New Zealand.
▪ The Union Cabinet approved the provisioning
India needs $10 tn. to meet Net Zero: of mobile services in 7,287 uncovered villages
▪ To meet its goals of net zero, or being able to in 44 Aspirational Districts that are among the
ps
effectively eliminate carbon dioxide emissions most underdeveloped districts in India, across
by 2070, India will need close to $10 trillion five States – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
(₹700 lakh crore), according to an analysis Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha.
by climate and energy research firm, CEEW
tn Global Innovation Summit of the
Centre for Energy Finance (CEEWCEF).
Pharmaceuticals Sector:
▪ CEEW is the Council for Energy, Environment
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating
and Water Research, a think tank here.
the first Global Innovation Summit of the
e/
▪ Most of this money, around $8.4 trillion, pharmaceuticals sector said, India must think
would be needed to scale up generation from about ramping up domestic manufacturing of
renewable energy and bringing together key ingredients for vaccines and medicines.
.m
the necessary integration, distribution and

▪ The country had a large pool of scientists
transmission infrastructure. Another $1.5
with the potential to take the pharmaceutical
trillion would have to be invested in the
industry to greater heights. “This strength
industrial sector for setting up green hydrogen
needs to be harnessed to ‘Discover and Make
production capacity to advance the sector’s
//t
in India’,” Mr. Modi said. He noted that

decarbonization.
the COVID19 pandemic had brought the
▪ Green hydrogen is made from renewable pharmaceuticals sector into sharp focus.
energy and can be used for many things,
▪ The global trust earned by the Indian
s:
from heating to powering batteries as well as

healthcare sector has led to the country being
fueling vehicles.
called the ‘Pharmacy of the world’ in recent
▪ Country’s goals Reaching net zero by 2050 is times.
tp
earth’s best chance, scientists say, to keep the

globe’s average temperature from exceeding Indigenous chopper, drones handed
1.5 Celsius by the end of the century. over to Armed Forces:
ht
▪ The CEEW in another study had computed ▪ Admission of girls has started from this session
that India’s total installed solar power capacity in 33 Sainik schools, and Rani Laxmibai like
would need to increase to 5,630 gigawatts by daughters will emerge to take responsibility
2070. of defence, security and development of the
▪ The usage of coal, especially for power country on their shoulders, Prime Minister
generation, would need to peak by 2040 and Narendra Modi said at the Rashtriya Raksha
drop by 99% between 2040 and 2060. Samarpan Parv in Jhansi.
▪ He handed over the indigenously built Light ▪ The International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Combat Helicopter (LCH) to the Air Force, honored globally renowned filmmakers
two small drones built by Indian startups to Martin Scorsese and Istvan Szabo with the
the Army, and electronic warfare suites to the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
Navy. About:
▪ Mr. Modi also formally launched several ▪ The 52nd edition of the International Film
schemes of the Defence Ministry and unveiled Festival of India (IFFI), Asia's oldest and
e
a stone signage of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi on India's biggest film festival.
her 193rd birth anniversary at the precincts of ▪ Founded in 1952, the film festival is held
re
the Jhansi Fort, Uttar Pradesh. annually, currently in the state of Goa, to
celebrate the excellence of world cinema. It
56th DGPs/IGPs Conference:
will be held from November 20 to November
▪ LEFT-WING extremism, counter-terrorism,
28 this year.
cf
prison reforms, industrial security, cybercrime
and optimal utilization of training were some Ghaziabad: 5th Aadhaar Seva Kendra in
of the topics discussed at the 56th DGPs/ UP:
ps
IGPs Conference currently in Lucknow, Uttar ▪ Rajeev Chandrasekhar Minister of State for
Pradesh. Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and
▪ The second day of the Conference was Electronics and Information Technology and
attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, General (Dr) VK Singh (Retd), Minister of State
sat through all the presentations, making
specific comments and giving suggestions.
▪ The three-day conference, hosted by the
tnfor Road Transport and Highways and Civil
Aviation jointly inaugurated the 5th Aadhaar
Seva Kendra (ASK) in UP at Ghaziabad.
Intelligence Bureau, is held every year to share
e/
▪ Chandrasekhar highlighted the achievements
best practices among state police and central of the digital India campaign over the last six
agencies over key law and order and security years and remarked that 100 paise released
issues. from the Centre towards the welfare of poor
.m
▪ This year’s conference was inaugurated by and needy, now reach into their accounts at
Home Minister Amit Shah who stressed on the click of a button.
better coordination between the state police ▪ Minister of State for Electronics also cited the
and other Central agencies in his address. example of an indigenously developed CoWIN
//t
▪ The event is being held in hybrid mode for the platform that has facilitated vaccination of
first time. over 100 crore people in India.
▪ DGPs of all States/UTs and DGs of CAPFs ▪ Around 313 central government schemes have
s:
are attending from police headquarters at been notified to use Aadhaar for leak-proof
Lucknow. delivery of various social welfare benefits like
PM-KISAN, PM Awas Yojana, PM Jan Arogya
52nd edition of International Film Festival Yojana, PAHAL, MGNREGA, National Social
tp
of India Security Assistance Programme, PDS (in-kind

▪ Veteran actor Hema Malini was honored with benefits through Aadhaar authentication) etc.
the Indian Film Personality of the Year 2021
ht
Award at the 52nd edition of the International Eklavya Model Residential Schools
Film Festival of India. (EMRS):
▪ The festival started in Goa, will be held from ▪ Governor R.N. Ravi interacted with students
November 20 to November 28. and teachers of the Eklavya Model Residential
▪ The opening ceremony took place at the Dr Schools (EMRS).
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, ▪ He also paid floral tributes to the portrait of
Panaji, Goa. freedom fighter Birsa Munda.
About EMRS: release the report in the public domain saying

▪ Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) its “recommendations will pave the way to
is a Government of India scheme for model resolve the ongoing farmers' agitation.”
residential school for Indian tribals (ST,
Scheduled Tribes) across India. Survey On Domestic Workers:
▪ It is one of the flagship interventions of the ▪ Union Minister for Labour and Employment
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of Bhupender Yadav flagged off the first-ever
e
India and was introduced in the year 1997-98 All India Survey on Domestic workers being
to ensure tribal students get access to quality conducted by Labour Bureau, Chandigarh.
▪ Domestic workers (DWs) constitute a
re
education in the remote tribal areas.
▪ EMRSs are set up in States/UTs with grants significant portion of total employment in the
under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of informal sector. However, there is a dearth
India. of data on the magnitude and prevailing
cf
employment conditions of DW. Hence with
▪ As per the budget 2018-19, every block with
the view to have time-series data on domestic
more than 50% ST population and at least
workers, the Government of India has
20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya
ps
entrusted Labour Bureau to conduct an all-
Model Residential School by the year 2022.
India survey on DWs.
▪ The government gives one time ₹30 lakh grant
▪ Mr Yadav also released an instruction manual
for establishing the school, thereafter up to
with a questionnaire for the All-India Survey
₹30 lakh per school annually. Additional cost tn on Domestic workers, which will cover
is borne by state Governments.
37states/UT''s and 742 Districts across the
▪ Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya length and breadth of the country.
Vidyalaya and will have special facilities
e/
for preserving local art and culture besides Caste-wise census: A.P. House Passes
providing training in sports and skill resolution
development. ▪ The Andhra Pradesh Assembly adopted a
.m
▪ Across the country, as per census 2011 figures, resolution urging the Centre to conduct caste
there are 564 such sub-districts out of which wise census of the Socially and Educationally
there is an EMRS in 102 sub-districts. Backward Classes of citizens along with that
▪ Thus, 462 new schools have to be opened by of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes
the year 2022. and the minorities while holding the General
//t
Census for 2021.

Farm laws: SC Panel Member to take call ▪ The last caste-based census was conducted
on Report after Legal Consultations: in 1931 and even after 90 years, due to lack
s:
▪ Anil J Ghanwat, part of the three-member of proper enumeration, there is no scientific

Supreme Court-appointed committee on data regarding their population to ascertain
farm said he will decide on whether to release their social, educational and economic
tp
the panel’s report after analysing the legal backwardness, which has been posing a
consequences and claimed that the two other hurdle to meet their interests and aspirations.
members have given him the freedom to take
a call. Kovind to lead Constitution Day Event
ht
▪ The panel, after studying the three farm ▪ As part of the Constitution Day celebrations
laws and consultation with stakeholders, on November 26, the Union Government is
had submitted its report to the apex court on organising an online reading of the Preamble to
March 19. the Constitution open to the public. President
Ram Nath Kovind will lead the celebrations.
▪ Since then, the report has not been made public
despite Ghanwat having requested the Chief
Justice of India in a letter dated September 1 to
▪ The Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has pieces of legislation, in the winter session of
developed two portals – "Online reading of Parliament that begins on November 29.
the Preamble to the Constitution”, which will ▪ The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official
be available in 23 languages – 22 official and Digital Currency Bill, 2021, which is yet to be
English. officially approved by the Cabinet, seeks to
▪ A second portal for an "online quiz on create a facilitative framework for creation of
Constitutional Democracy [mpa.nic.in/ the official digital currency to be issued by the
e
constitutionday]” will be launched. Reserve Bank of India.
▪ The Bill also seeks to prohibit all private crypto
"Glacier changed track 20,000 years ago
re
currencies in India.
▪ Nearly 20,000 years ago, a five-kilometre-long
Himalayan glacier "abruptly” changed course DAC approves AK-203 deal with Russia
and over time fused into an adjacent glacier in ▪ The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
cf
present-day Pittoragarh, Uttarakhand. which met under the Chairmanship of Defence
▪ This is the first time, say scientists who have Minister Rajnath Singh approved the long-
described the findings in a peer-reviewed pending deal for the manufacture of 6.71 lakh
ps
journal this week, that such a turn in glacier's AK-203 assault rifles in India, according to a
course has been recorded in the Himalayas. defence source.
▪ Change in climate along with tectonic ▪ This comes ahead of Russian President
movement (Fault) probably caused this to Vladimir Putin's visit to India early next month
happen.
▪ The glacier, which does not have a name and
lies in an extremely inaccessible region, was
tnfor the India-Russia annual summit. Mr. Putin
is scheduled to visit India for the summit on
December 6, when the two sides will also hold
their inaugural 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
e/
large enough that it formed its own “valley”
and the accumulated debris that accompanies ▪ The two countries had signed an Inter-
the formation of glaciers probably caused it to Governmental Agreement (IGA) in February
turn from a north-eastern direction to a south- 2019 following which a joint venture, Indo-
.m
eastern course. Russian Rifles Private Ltd. (IRRPL), was set up

at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh for manufacturing
Smart Policing Index 2021: the rifles.
▪ The Indian Police Foundation (IPF) launched ▪ The JV is between Ordnance Factory Board
the Smart Policing Index 2021.
//t
(OFB) from the Indian side and Rosoboron

▪ IPF used six competency-based dimensions Export and Kalashnikov on the Russian
and three values-based dimensions of trust in side. The Army had also appointed a Major
the survey. General as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
s:
▪ It measures public perceptions and citizen of the IRRPL to ensure timely execution and
satisfaction in the survey. deliveries.
▪ The level of satisfaction with the quality of
tp
‘India first responder in Indian Ocean

policing was highest in Andhra Pradesh
(8.11), Telangana (8.10), Assam (7.89). They Region’
are followed by Kerala, Sikkim and Mizoram. ▪ India has proved itself to be “first responder”
ht
in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Defence

▪ Tamil Nadu in 13th place with 6.73.
Minister Rajnath Singh said while stating
New Crypto Bill seeks to ban private that the COVID19 pandemic has reaffirmed
players the “centrality of multilateralism” in our
▪ The Union Government will introduce a Bill to interconnected world not only for matters
regulate cryptocurrency and ostensibly ban all of international security but also disaster
private crypto currencies, along with 25 other management.
▪ “India’s unique position in the IOR, About Asian Development Bank:

complemented by a capability of our armed ▪ ADB is a regional development bank
forces, enables us to contribute significantly established on 19th December 1966.
in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief ▪ ADB now has 68 members,
(HADR) situations,” said Mr. Singh while 49 from within Asia.
virtually inaugurating the 5th World Congress ▪ It aims to promote social and
on Disaster Management. economic development in Asia.
e
▪ India has been regularly conducting ▪ ADB is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
exercises to deepen the HADR cooperation
▪ President: Masatsugu Asakawa
re
and coordination among our neighbors and
(from 17 January 2020).
friendly countries with a focus on sharing
expertise and building capabilities. National Family Health Survey (NFHS):
▪ He referred to some of the HADR missions in ▪ NFHS Births in institutional facilities, such as a
cf
the IOR undertaken by India in recent years, hospital, improved by nearly eight percentage
including Operation Rahat in Yemen in 2015, points but children who were either stunted or
cyclone in Sri Lanka in 2016; quake in Indonesia displayed signs of wasting only dropped by a
ps
in 2019; Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and maximum of three percentage points, shows
flooding and landslips in Madagascar in a comparison of the National Family Health
January 2020. Survey (NFHS) 5 and 4.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan to tn ▪ The NFHS4 was released in 2014-15 and the
latest, which captured population health
improve primary health care in urban
indicators in 2017-19, was delayed due to the
areas: pandemic. India has also officially hit a Total
▪ The Government of India (GOI) and Asian
e/
Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0 that indicates a
Development Bank (ADB) has signed a decrease from the 2.2 in the NFHS4.
300-million-dollar loan to improve primary
▪ According to the UN Population Division, a
health care in urban areas of 13 states that
.m
TFR of about 2.1 children per woman is called

will benefit over 256 million urban dwellers
replacement level fertility. If replacement level
including 51 million from slum areas.
fertility is sustained over a sufficiently long
▪ The programme will be implemented in urban period, each generation will exactly replace
areas across 13 states: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, itself.
//t
Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand,

▪ The urban TFR is 1.6 and rural 2.1.
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West ▪ Hunger Watch: The Nutritional status of
Bengal. children in India barely improved in 2019-20
s:
from the levels in 2015-16, the National Family

▪ Delivery and health information systems for
health Survey-5 data Show.
primary healthcare will be upgraded through
digital tools, quality assurance mechanisms,
tp
2019- 2015- 2005-

and engagement and partnership with the Indicator
20 16 06
private sector.
▪ The programme is supported by a 2-million- Children under five
ht
35.5 38.4 48
dollar technical assistance grant from ADB's who are stunted
Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction to provide
Children under Five
support for programme implementation and 19.3 21 19.8
who are wasted
coordination, capacity building, innovation,
knowledge sharing and application of scalable Children under
best practices across the healthcare system. five who are 32.1 35.8 42.5
underweight
▪ Bihar has a TFR of three which, however, is an

Children aged six
improvement from the 3.4 of the NFHS4.
months to 59 months 67.1 58.6 69.4
▪ Again, the TFR in all States has improved in
who are Anemic
the five years.
NFHS says women Outnumber Men: ▪ India is still poised to be the most populous
▪ The fifth edition of the National Family Health country in the world, with the current
Survey (NFHS) has confirmed signs of a projection by the United Nations population
e
demographic shift in India. division forecasting that India’s population
▪ For the first time since the NFHS began in will peak at 1.6 billion to 1.8 billion from 2040
re
1992, the proportion of women exceeded men: to 2050.
there were 1,020 women for 1,000 men. ▪ A Government report last year projected that
▪ In the last edition of the survey in 2015-16, India would overtake China as the world’s
most populous country around 2031 —
cf
there were 991 women for every 1,000 men.
almost a decade later than the United Nations
▪ Only the decadal Census is considered the
projection of 2022. A notable exception is
official marker of population trends in India
Kerala, a State with among the highest ratios
ps
and has a wider surveillance Programme.
of women to men at 1121 and improvement
▪ The NFHS surveys are smaller, but are over 1049 recorded in the NFHS4.
conducted at the district level and are a pointer
▪ However, the TFR in Kerala has increased
to the future.
tn to 1.8 from 1.6. The State has also reported a
▪ However, sex ratio at birth for children born in decline in the sex ratio of children born in the
the past five years only improved from 919 per past five years.
1,000 males in 2015-16 to 929 per 1000.
▪ There were 1047 females per 1000 males in
e/
▪ Most Indian States and Union Territories (UTs) 2015-16 that has now declined to 951 per 1000
had more women than men, the NFHS5 shows. males.
The States that had fewer women than men
▪ The NFHS5 survey work has been conducted
included Gujarat, Maharashtra, Arunachal
.m
in around 6.1 lakh sample households from

Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and
707 districts (as on March, 2017) of the country,
Punjab and Union Territories such as Jammu
covering 7,24,115 women and 1,01,839 men
& Kashmir, Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman and
to provide disaggregated estimates up to the
Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and
district level.
//t
Ladakh.
▪ All of these States and UTs, however, showed 50% of Women, Kids Anemic in NFHS:
improvements in the population increase of ▪ Exclusive breastfeeding of infants in the first
s:
women. six months has shown an improvement across

▪ A State wise breakup of the NFHS data also the country, going up from 55% in 2015-16 to
show that India is on its way to stabilizing its 64% in 2019-21, but anemia among children
and women continues to be a cause of concern
tp
population, with most States and UTs having

a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of less than two. with more than half of them found Anemic in
▪ A TFR of less than 2.1, or a woman on average all the 14 states and UTs surveyed in Phase-2
bearing two children over a lifetime, suggests of National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
ht
that an existing generation of a people will be ▪ The survey revealed that the number of
exactly replaced. Anemic children under five years of age rose
▪ Anything less than two suggests an Eventual to 67.1% from 58.6% in the last survey.
decline in population over time. ▪ The percentage of Anemic women increased
▪ Only six States — Bihar, Meghalaya, Manipur, to 57% from 53.1% and Anemic teenage girls
Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh — have a TFR (between 15-19 years) from 59.1% from 54.1%.
above two.
▪ The number of Anemic men also rose to 25% ▪ The Noida International Airport, by the last
from 22.7%. phase of development, will even surpass
▪ The states and UTs which were surveyed in this Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport
phase were Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and become the leading airport of the country.
Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya ▪ There are nine airports and this Noida
Pradesh, NCT of Delhi, Odisha, Puducherry, International Airport in Jewar will be the 10th
Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh airport in the state.
e
and Uttarakhand. ▪ The international airport will be connected
About National Family Health Survey: with all major nearby highways and roads
re
▪ The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is including the Yamuna Expressway, Delhi-
a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted Mumbai Expressway, Eastern Peripheral
in a representative sample of households Expressway, Western Peripheral Expressway.
throughout India. ▪ Also, the upcoming airport will be connected
cf
▪ The NFHS is a collaborative project of the to the planned Delhi-Varanasi High Speed
International Institute for Population Sciences Rail, reducing the travel time between Delhi
(IIPS), Mumbai, India. and Jewar airport to only 21 minutes.
ps
▪ The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ▪ The project will be the first net zero Emissions
(MOHFW), Government of India, designated airport in India. Jewar’s Noida International
IIPS as the nodal agency, responsible for Airport will be executed by Zurich Airport
providing coordination and technical guidancetn International AG as a concessionaire.
for the NFHS.
New Entrepreneurs in the Defence Sector:
▪ NFHS was funded by the United States Agency
▪ Sri Hans Raj Verma, IAS, currently the
for International Development (USAID) with
e/
Additional Chief Secretary /Chairman and
supplementary support from United Nations
Managing Director of Tamilnadu Industrial
Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Investment Corporation (TIIC), said steps are
▪ The First National Family Health Survey being taken to create new entrepreneurs in the
.m
(NFHS-1) was conducted in 1992-93.

defence sector.
▪ The Second National Family Health Survey
(NFHS-2) was conducted in 1998-99. 'Central Vista Oversight Committee':
▪ The Third National Family Health Survey ▪ The Central government has formed a five-
//t
(NFHS-3) was carried out in 2005-2006. member committee, headed by former finance
▪ The Fourth National Family Health Survey secretary Ratan P Watal, to ensure timely
(NFHS-4) was carried out in 2015-2016. completion of various projects being executed
under the Central Vista redevelopment plan.
s:
Asia’s Biggest Airport – Jewar’s Noida ▪ In an office memorandum issued, the Union
International Airport: Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the the 'Central Vista Oversight Committee'
tp
foundation stone for Asia’s biggest airport - will ensure multi-agency and stakeholder
the Noida International Airport in the state of coordination for seamless integration of
Uttar Pradesh. different project works.
ht
▪ Located in Jewar in the district of Gautam

Buddh Nagar in western UP, the international
airport will bring investments worth Rs 34,000
crore.
▪ It is expected that the first phase of the
Greenfield project will be completed in the
year 2024.
16 Days Campaign against Gender ▪ Similarly in the eastern sector, there are four
Violence: hotlines as part of measures to maintain peace
▪ The annual “16 days campaign against Gender and tranquillity on the LAC.
Violence”, initiated by the Prajnya Trust, ▪ There are nine Border Personnel Meetings
a Chennai based non-profit organisation (BPM) held between the countries every year
working on issues related to peace, justice and at Bumla on ceremonial occasions.
security, began with the release of the Gender ▪ Flag meetings are held as and when required
e
Violence in India 2021 report. between the two sides.
▪ The report indicated an alarming surge in the ▪ At Bumla, the last BPM was held on January
re
cases of domestic violence, with the National 2020 before the COVID pandemic. This year,
Commission for Women reporting nearly three flag meetings were held till October end.
2,300 complaints of domestic abuse filed
between January and May 2021, which is the Surge in Startups in India:
cf
highest since 2000. ▪ The turning point in India’s growth story
About National Commission for is that it has become a nation of job creators
rather than job seekers, Prime Minister
ps
Women:
▪ The National Commission for Women was set Narendra Modi said, hailing a recent surge in
up as statutory body in January 1992 under the startups valued over a billion dollars.
National Commission for Women Act, 1990 to: ▪ Addressing the nation through his monthly
“Mann Ki Baat radio” programme, Mr. Modi
1. Review the Constitutional and Legal
safeguards for women
2. Recommend remedial legislative measures
tnalso reminded listeners that the pandemic
is still ongoing and urged them to maintain
safety protocols.
e/
3. Facilitate redressal of grievances and
Cooperative Model best suited for India:
4. Advise the Government on all policy matters
▪ Union Home and Cooperation Minister
affecting women.
Amit Shah described the Cooperative Model
.m
▪ The First Commission was constituted on 31st

as the best suited model to achieve an all-
January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the
encompassing and inclusive development in a
Chairperson.
huge country like India with a population of
▪ The commission regularly publishes a monthly 130 crore.
newsletter, Rashtra Mahila, in both Hindi and
//t
▪ He said the cooperative model had the

English.
capacity to bring prosperity for all and
▪ Rekha Sharma is the current Chairperson of there was a need to increase the number of
the National Commission for Women in India successful cooperative models like the Amul
s:
(since August 7, 2018). dairy cooperatives and bring them under one
▪ The Chairperson and every Member shall umbrella.
hold office for such period, not exceeding
tp
three years, as may be specified by the Central

Government in this behalf.
Negotiation Technique courses to Army

ht
Officers:
▪ After starting courses in Tibetology for officers
posted along the Line of Actual Control
(LAC) with China, the Army is now looking
to introduce courses in negotiating tactics to
better orient them during bilateral military
level negotiations.
7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
e
No Timebound pacts on Climate Change ▪ The first official meeting of the G20 was held
re
at G20: in Berlin in December that same year.
▪ India pushed for “safeguarding the interests ▪ The G20 is the international forum that brings
of the developing world” as Prime Minister together the world’s major economies. Its
Narendra Modi addressed the G20 summit at members account for more than 80% of world
cf
sessions on Climate Change and Sustainable GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of the
Development, said G20 Sherpa (in charge population of the planet.
of carrying out negotiations and building
ps
▪ The G20 members are: Argentina, Australia,
consensus among Leaders) and Commerce Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany,
Minister Piyush Goyal. Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia,
▪ No timebound agreements were reached as South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea,
leaders of the world’s top economies ended the
tn Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United
summit in Rome, recommitting to providing States, and the European Union. Spain is also
$100 billion a year to counter climate change, invited as a permanent guest.
and pushing for greater vaccine equality to
e/
fight the COVID19 pandemic. Supply Chain Resilience Summit:
▪ G20 countries also committed to ending ▪ On the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit
international financing for all new coal plants in Rome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
.m
by the end of 2021, but made no mention of attended the Supply Chain Resilience Summit
domestic commitments on ending coal power sponsored by US President Joe Biden.
generation. ▪ According to a statement released by the
▪ The final communique, agreed upon after Ministry of Commerce and Industry, countries
negotiations overnight, spoke only of the “key acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic
//t
relevance of achieving global net zero” on was having an unprecedented impact in terms
carbon emissions “by or around midcentury”. of lives lost, livelihoods lost, and economies
▪ Amongst the other highlights of the statement affected, and that the pandemic had revealed
s:
was a decision to pursue the recognition supply chain vulnerabilities globally and in
of more vaccines by the World Health the region.
Organization under a “One Health approach”
tp
for the world, and providing finances and BASIC Group of Countries:
technology for vaccine production at “mRNA ▪ BASIC group of countries — Brazil, South
Hubs” in South Africa, Brazil and Argentina, Africa, India and China — at the U.N. Climate
ht
and to mobilize more international public Change Conference under way in Glasgow.
private financing for “green” projects. ▪ The key demand of the BASIC was that the
About G-20: Paris Agreement Rule book be concluded at
▪ At the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, the heads COP26.
of State and Government decided to ▪ While the Paris Agreement laid out the
institutionalize the G20 as the main forum for framework for international action, the
global economic and financial cooperation. Rulebook will set this Agreement in motion by
▪ Formation: 26 September 1999. laying out the tools and processes to enable it
is implemented fairly and properly. Countries sell the electricity generated by two other
had agreed to develop and finalize the Paris power projects, including the 456MW Upper
Rulebook at COP24 in Poland in 2018. Tamakoshi Hydropower Project.
Leader of the World’s Third Largest New 5-Pound Commemorative Coin:

Economy: ▪ Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak
▪ Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled a new 5-pound commemorative coin
e
declared victory after his ruling coalition won celebrating the life and legacy of Mahatma
a strong majority in national elections, vowing Gandhi to mark the festival of Diwali. The first
to boost the virus hit economy and “take a official UK coin commemorating the life and
re
leading role” in Asia’s push towards carbon legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
neutrality. ▪ The special coin, available in gold and silver,
▪ Mr. Kishida, said he would set out plans to features an image of India's national flower,
cf
revive the world’s third largest economy. the lotus, and one of Gandhi's most famous
▪ Before heading to the COP26 summit, Mr. quotes: "My life is my message."
Kishida said he was committed to climate ▪ The new range is part of Royal Mint's wider
ps
targets set by his predecessor Yoshihide Diwali collection, which includes 1g and 5g
Suga. We will not only stand firm on our 2050 gold bars in henna-style packaging, and the
carbon-neutral goal but also take a leading role UK's first gold bar depicting Lakshmi - the
in working towards zero emissions in Asia. Hindu goddess of wealth.
Palestinian PM calls for Indian Support:

▪ Prime Minister of Palestine Mohammad
tn
First Chinese Woman to Perform the
Manoeuvre
Shtayyeh, after he met Prime Minister ▪ Two Chinese astronauts completed a space
e/
Narendra Modi in Glasgow on the sidelines walk outside the core module of a future space
of the COP26 summit has said, India can play station, with 41¬-year¬-old Wang Yaping
a stabilising role in West Asia by maintaining becoming the first Chinese woman to perform
.m
cooperation with “all related parties”. the manoeuvre, state media reported.
▪ Zhai Zhigang, 55 is the other astronauts who is
Nepal to Sell Electricity on Indian Market:
the mission commander of Shenzhou13.
▪ The Energy Exchange under India’s Power
▪ A third astronaut, Ye Guangfu, assisted the
Ministry granted permission to Nepal after
//t
pair from inside the core module.

persistent lobbying from Kathmandu, as
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is now in ▪ Shenzhou13 is the second of four crewed
a position to sell its surplus energy for the missions needed to complete China's space
station by the end of 2022. During the first
s:
first time to India, according to a report in the

Kathmandu Post. such mission that ended in September, three
other astronauts stayed on Tianhe for 90 days.
▪ In the first phase, 39MW power, including
The current mission, launched on October 16,
tp
24MW produced by NEA-owned Trishuli

will last for six months.
hydropower and 15MW Devighat power
house, has been permitted for trading in PNS Tughril
Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). Both projects ▪ China exports the warship to Pakistan.
ht
were developed with India’s assistance.

▪ It has been named PNS Tughril by the
▪ Nepal Electricity Authority would now be Pakistani Navy, and it is “the first hull of four
able to participate in an auction in the Indian Type 054 frigates being constructed for the
Energy Exchange every day to sell power. Pakistan Navy”.
▪ According to Madhu Bhetuwal, spokesperson
for the Energy Ministry, the Indian authority
has also been studying Nepal’s proposal to
https://t.me/tnpscfree INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | 95
Restructured Shri Param Hans Ji Maharaj About Asia-Pacific Economic

temple: Cooperation:
▪ In December last year, century-old Shri Param ▪ The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is
Hans Ji Maharaj temple in Teri village in an inter-governmental forum for 21 member
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak district was economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes
vandalised and demolished by a mob led free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
by some local clerics belonging to the Jamiat ▪ Headquarters: Singapore
e
Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F). ▪ Founded: November 1989,
▪ Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed who had ordered Canberra, Australia
re
authorities to reconstruct it, has opened the ▪ Founder: Bob Hawke
temple to devotees.
S. Africa’s last apartheid President De
Fumio Kishida, re-elected as Japan’s Klerk dies
cf
Prime Minister: ▪ F.W. de Klerk, South Africa’s last white
▪ Fumio Kishida, re-elected as Japan’s prime President, who freed anti-apartheid icon
minister after his governing party scored a Nelson Mandela from jail, died aged 85.
ps
major victory in key parliamentary elections, ▪ De Klerk and South Africa’s first black
said the coronavirus remains the country’s President Mandela shared the Nobel Peace
most urgent issue and pledged to take steps to Prize in 1993 (10th December) for leading the
mend the pandemic-battered Economy. “miracle” transition from white rule over the
‘One Country, One Law’
▪ Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
tn country.
▪ He is most remembered for his famous speech
delivered on February 2, 1990, announcing
added three members from the minority
e/
Tamil community to the Task Force formed the lifting of a ban on the African National
last month to prepare a draft Act for the Congress (ANC) and other liberation
establishment of ‘One Country, One Law' movements. In the same speech he ordered
.m
legislation, following representations made Mandela’s release from prison after 27 years
by various parties over its composition and in jail.
membership. International Court of Justice (Review
▪ President Rajapaksa, through a special gazette and Reconsideration) Bill, 2021:
//t
last month, appointed the 13-member task

▪ Mr. Jadhav, a 51yearold retired Indian Navy
force for the establishment of a "One Country,
officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani
One Law" concept in Sri Lanka and comprised
military court on charges of espionage and
members from the majority Sinhala and
s:
terrorism in April 2017.

minority Muslim communities.
▪ India approached the International Court of
Xi warns against Cold War in Asia-Pacific Justice (ICJ). After hearing both sides, The
tp
▪ Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against Haguebased ICJ issued a verdict in July 2019,
letting tensions in the Asia-Pacific region cause asking Pakistan to give India consular access
a relapse into a Cold War mentality. to Mr. Jadhav and also ensure review of his
conviction.
ht
▪ His remarks on the sidelines of the annual

summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic ▪ The International Court of Justice (Review
Cooperation (APEC) forum came weeks after and Reconsideration) Bill, 2021 is aimed at
the U.S., Britain and Australia announced fulfilling the obligation under the verdict of
a new security alliance in the region which the ICJ and was presented by Law Minister
would see Australia build nuclear submarines. Farogh Nasim.
▪ Pakistan’s Parliament, in its joint sitting, ▪ It is rare to find the written works of Chinese
enacted a law to give Indian deathrow leaders in Hindi except Mao Zedong’s, some of
prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav the right to file whose works including the “Little Red Book”
a review appeal against his conviction by a had been translated into the language and
military court. widely read by far-left supporters in India.
About ICJ: ▪ An event organised by the Communist Party
▪ ICJ was established in 1945 by the United of China (CPC), marking the publishing of
e
Nations charter and started working in April Xi’s works in the languages of the Shanghai
1946. Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member
re
▪ Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, states and dialogue partners, was held at the
the ICJ is the only principal UN organ not multilateral group’s secretariat in Beijing.
located in New York City. ▪ Among the books that were unveiled were the
▪ Its official working languages are English and first volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of
cf
French. China” in Hindi, Pashto, Dari, Sinhalese and
▪ The ICJ consists of a panel of 15 judges elected Uzbek.
by the UN General Assembly and Security About Shanghai Cooperation
ps
Council for nine-year terms. No more than one Organisation:
judge of each nationality may be represented ▪ It is a permanent intergovernmental
on court at the same time. international organisation. It was created in
▪ The 15 judges of the Court are distributed in 2001.
following regions:
1. Three from Africa.
tn
▪ The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and
entered into force in 2003.
▪ It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military
e/
2. Two from Latin America and Caribbean. organisation aiming to maintain peace,
3. Three from Asia. security and stability in the region.
4. Five from Western Europe and other states. ▪ India and Pakistan became members in 2017.
.m
5. Two from Eastern Europe. Iran is the ninth and the newest member of
Indian Judges at the ICJ: SCO.
▪ Judge Dalveer Bhandari: Member of the Court ▪ Other Members are china, Kazakhstan,
since 27 April 2012 (Re-election of Judge Kyragystan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
Dalveer Bhandari to the International Court of
//t
▪ Headquarters: Beijing, China.

Justice on November 21, 2017 and appointed
in February, 2018 for a term of 9 years). Dubai Airshow 2021:
▪ Raghunandan Swarup Pathak: 1989-1991. ▪ Dubai Airshow 2021, the world’s biggest
s:
▪ Nagendra Singh: 1973-1988. aviation event since the outbreak of the

Covid-19 pandemic, closed with more
▪ Sir Benegal Rau: 1952-1953.
than Dh286.5 billion ($78 billion) worth of
tp
1. Jurisdiction: Worldwide, 193 state parties. commercial and defence contracts signed
2. First Case: 22 May 1947. during the show, surpassing the previous
edition’s total by over Dh100 billion.
3. Current President: Joan Donoghue Since 8
ht
February 2021. First Woman American President:

Xi Jinping’s “Governance in China” in ▪ Vice President Kamala Harris made history
Hindi for the 1st Time: once again by becoming the first woman and
Asian American to gain presidential power
▪ The first volume of President Xi Jinping’s
after President Joe Biden underwent a routine
“Governance in China”, which the state media
colonoscopy, according to the White House.
claims has sold millions of copies globally, is
now available in Hindi for the first time.
https://t.me/tnpscfree INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | 97
▪ Harris, the first Black and South Asian vice ▪ The voyage, the 11th declared freedom of
president of the United States, became the navigation exercise of the year, “demonstrates
commander in chief for nearly an hour and a the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-
half. Pacific”.
World's First Electric Autonomous Cargo Russia-India-China trilateral

Ship Launched in Norway: Cooperation:
e
▪ Zero emissions and, soon, zero crew: the ▪ This will be the 18th round of talks between the
world's first fully electric autonomous cargo foreign ministers under the RIC mechanism.
vessel was unveiled in Norway, a small but
re
▪ India took over chairmanship of RIC after the
promising step toward reducing the maritime last meeting of the three foreign ministers in
industry's climate footprint. Moscow in September last year.
▪ The maritime sector, which is responsible ▪ External affairs minister S Jaishankar will
cf
for almost three percent of all man-made chair a virtual meeting of the foreign ministers
emissions, aims to reduce its emissions by 40 of the Russia-India-China grouping that will
per cent by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2050. focus on strengthening trilateral cooperation
ps
and a review of regional and global issues.
China doesn’t Seek Hegemony, says Xi:
▪ The 18th meeting of the foreign ministers of
▪ Chinese leader Xi Jinping said his country
the Russian Federation, Republic of India and
will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia
People's Republic of China will be held in
or bully its smaller neighbours, amid ongoing
tn Digital video-conference Format.
friction over the South China Sea.
▪ Mr. Xi made the remarks during a virtual Operation Haechi II:
conference with the members of the ▪ In an operation coordinated by the Interpol,
e/
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or enforcement agencies in more than 20
ASEAN, held to mark the 30th anniversary of countries have arrested over 1,000 individuals
relations between China and the grouping. and intercepted about $27 million of illicit
.m
About ASEAN (ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST funds as part of a crackdown on cyber enabled

ASIAN NATIONS) financial crime.
▪ Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, ▪ India was one of the participants. The operation
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, codenamed ‘HAECHI-II’ was conducted over
Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
//t
four months from June to September.

▪ Motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One ▪ Specialised police units from 20 countries,
Community". including Hong Kong and Macau, took part in
▪ Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia. the exercise to target specific types of online
s:
▪ Secretary General: Lim Jock Hoi. fraud, such as “romance” scams, investment
fraud and money laundering linked to illegal
▪ Founded: 8 August 1967
online Gambling.
tp
U.S. commitment to a free and open

Indo-Pacific: India-UK collaboration effort as part of
▪ A U.S. warship sailed through the strait the Namami Gange River Rejuvenation:
ht
separating Taiwan and China, the first such ▪ The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NCMG)
passage since leaders from the two rival and the High Commission of India in London
superpowers held a video summit. have unveiled a new India-UK collaboration
effort as part of the Namami Gange river
▪ The passage through the Taiwan Strait by the
rejuvenation agenda with the launch of four
Arleigh Burkeclass guided missile destroyer
new chapters (London, Midlands, Scotland
USS Milius was a routine transit, the U.S.
and Wales) in Britain.
Seventh Fleet said.
▪ Each chapter will have convenors who will

connect various interest groups with the
Namami Gange programme, including
scientists, technology companies, investors
and community members, to host workshops
and outreach programmes to raise awareness
around the river Ganga rejuvenation Efforts.
e
re
cf
ps
tn
e/
.m
//t
s:
tp
ht
8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
e
Corporation Launches initiatives to raise ▪ a section on the contribution of women in the
re
Awareness of Breast Cancer: freedom struggle
▪ The Ripon Buildings was lit up in pink as part ▪ a section from the archives showing old maps
of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. of Chennai, Rock Fort in Tiruchi, Cuddalore
Fort and Vellore Fort,
cf
▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation has screened
1.17 lakh women for breast cancer in 2020- ▪ pictures of all Mani mandapams of freedom
2021 at its Urban Primary Health Centres and fighters maintained by the department and
Community Health Centres.
ps
▪ a section on visits of Mahatma Gandhi to
▪ Women over 30 years were screened at Tamil Nadu with contributions from the Roja
Corporation facilities. Muthiah Research Library.
▪ Under the ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’ ▪ The section of photographs published in The
scheme, nurses will screen 10 women every tn Hindu include those of Mahatma Gandhi’s
day. Women health volunteers will visit meeting in January 1937 at the Hindi Prachar
households and identify women at risk of Sabha
cancer. ▪ C. Rajagopalachary, popularly known as Rajaji,
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▪ Royapuram and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar zones presenting his first Budget in the Assembly in
successfully launched the ‘Makkalai Thedi September 1937
Maruthuvam’ scheme in October. The scheme ▪ a protest by women at Rattan Bazaar where
.m
will be launched in the remaining 13 zones in police dragged and arrested them in March
November. 1931.
▪ The manuscript of Major Bannerman’s letter
Border Martyrs Honored:
and the sword and other weapons used by
▪ As a special gesture, 110 border martyrs
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Kattabomman are displayed in the Exhibition.

involved in the “border struggle" alive now
-“When he went out to be executed, he walked
was honoured with Rs 1 lakh and a momento
with a firm and daring air and cast looks of
each on November 1,2021.
sullen contempt on the Poligars to his right and
s:
Stalin Inaugurates exhibition on left,” Major Bannerman writes in his report

Freedom Struggle: on the trial and execution of Kattabomman.
▪ It also has a copy of the order of the High
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▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated an

exhibition of photographs titled “Viduthalai Court rejecting the appeal from freedom
Poril Thamizhagam” to commemorate the 75th fighters V.O. Chidambaram and Subramania
year of Independence. Siva against their conviction.
ht
▪ The exhibition is organised by the Department ▪ The sentence was reduced, though their plea
of Information and Public Relations at against their transportation to Andaman was
Koyambedu Bus Terminus. rejected, they could not be sent there because
the prison was full.
The Exhibition has
▪ prints of cartoons drawn by poet Subramanya ▪ The expo also highlighted the achievement of
Bharathi in the India magazine. M.A. Eswaran, who spent 10 years in prison.
▪ He was the driving force behind the coming into service on or after March 10, 2020.
construction of the Bhavani Sagar dam. ▪ For a Ph.D, the onetime lump sum amount
▪ Eswaran agreed to support T. Prakasam for would be ₹25,000. For a postgraduate degree or
premier of the Madras Presidency on one its equivalent and a diploma or its equivalent,
condition,” he construct a dam”, known today the lump sum would be ₹20,000 and ₹10,000
as Bhavani Sagar. respectively.
▪ The exhibition also showcases the chair used ▪ The incentive would be granted on a
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by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Chennai maximum of two occasions during the service
Central Prison and the umbrella used by of a government employee and there should
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Gandhi, besides the events between 1920 and be at least two years between the occasions.
1947 and Gandhi’s visit to Tamil Nadu.
Keeladi 8th Phase Excavations likely
Welfare Schemes for Sri Lankan Tamils: after Pongal:
cf
▪ Launching a slew of welfare schemes, TN CM ▪ The State Archaeological Department has
said 7,469 houses would be constructed for the made its submission to the Central Advisory
Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps. Board for Archaeology (CABA) for carrying
ps
▪ In the first phase, 3,510 houses would be built, out the eighth round of excavations at Keeladi,
with each house measuring 290 sq.ft. basic where the remnants of Sangam Age settlement
facilities including electricity, toilets, storm are being unearthed.
water drains, roads and drinking water would ▪ Excavations at Keeladi, 13 km southeast of
be provided.
▪ A ‘Sri Lankan Tamils Lives Improvement
Scheme’ was also launched.
tnMadurai in Sivaganga district, are meant
to establish the historical, architectural and
cultural significance of the Sangam Age
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▪ As the allocation of kerosene to the families settlement.
living in these camps was inadequate, and they ▪ Important features stumble out after
were not in a position to get gas connections completion of 10% of excavation, which is
under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the acceptable for documenting history.
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State Government would provide each family ▪ The excavations, if possible, should be carried
free LPG connection and a stove. out twice a year.
▪ The families would also get ₹400 as a subsidy ▪ The first phase was carried out in 2015 and
for five LPG cylinders. The government would each year less than one per cent has been dug
//t
allot ₹ 3.80 crore every year for the purpose. up.

▪ It would also provide 20 kg of free rice to these ▪ The 6,000 plus artefacts recovered so far
families. which include beads, jewellery, silver coin,
s:
▪ At present, 19,496 Sri Lankan Tamils are living semiprecious stones, tools, spindle whorls,
in 106 rehabilitation camps in the State. A total black and red earthen wares, brick walls, ring
of 34,087 people are living outside the camps. wells, Tamil Brahmi script etched plates and
tp
▪ An employment skill development pots have shed light on the literacy achievement
programme for 5,000 youths in the camps was of the inhabitants, the probable trade links
also launched by the Chief Minister. and an urban settlement and pushed back the
known antiquity of the Sangam Age from 300
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Onetime Incentive for Govt. Workers BCE to 580 BCE.

Acquiring Higher Qualification:
Mariappan Thangavelu as Deputy
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has issued orders
for granting incentive in the form of onetime Manager in TNPL:
lump sum amount ranging between ₹10,000 ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister appointed
and ₹25,000 to State Government employees, Paralympic athlete Mariappan Thangavelu
who have acquired higher qualifications after as Deputy Manager (Marketing) in Tamil
https://t.me/tnpscfree TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 101
Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited project in Tamil Nadu.

(TNPL) considering the laurels he has won in ▪ “The demand for seaweed is increasing as
International Sports Events. it is used in production of fertilizers and
▪ The athlete, a graduate in business medicines", the Minister of State for Fisheries,
administration, is at present a senior coach in Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Information
the Sports Authority of India in Bengaluru. and Broadcasting, said.
▪ The athlete represented India in the 2016 ▪ Pointing out that seaweed is consumed as
e
Summer Paralympics games held in Rio de a food in Japan, he said it has a nutritional
Janeiro in Brazil and secured a gold medal in content and so will occupy an important place
re
men’s high jump. in future.
▪ He also won a silver medal in Tokyo 2020 ▪ The proposed seaweed park in Tamil
Paralympics. Nadu would offer scope for employment
and economic growth. The Park, besides
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Retrieval of Panchami Lands: providing employment to women in the
▪ Arun Halder, the vice chairman of National fishing community, would empower them
Commission for Scheduled Castes said that Economically.
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the TN CM committed to enact a new law to
prevent the sale of Panchami lands to non- Vande Bharat Express:
Dalits and to retrieve the lands and restore ▪ After Prime Minister Narendra Modi
ownership to Dalits. announced the operation of 75 Vande Bharat
About Panchami Lands:
▪ Panchami land is the assigned land which was
distributed for Dalits in Tamil Nadu during
tn trains on the occasion of Independence Day
this year, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in
Chennai plans to roll out the third rake of the
Vande Bharat Express in March next year.
e/
the British rule in 1892. It can neither be sold
nor re-classified. ▪ Chairman of the Railway Board Suneet Sharma
▪ In 1891, the Chengalpet collector J. H. A. inspected the ongoing work in ICF.
Tremenheere submitted his study on socio- ▪ The first two rakes of Train18, India’s first
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economic condition of Dalits in Tamil Nadu to semi highspeed trains rolled out by ICF in
the British administration. 2018, are now being operated as Vande Bharat
▪ Based on his recommendation Depressed expresses on the Delhi-Varanasi-Delhi and
Classes Land Act was passed on September 30 DelhiKatraDelhi routes.
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1892 and 12 lakh acres were assigned to Dalits

TN Forest and Wildlife Crime Control
across Tamil Nadu.
Bureau
▪ Government had constituted first state-level
▪ Tamil Nadu is one of the richest biodiversity
s:
retrieve committee in 1991–1996 to study and

regions in India, and ranks first in floral
submit a report suggesting modalities for
biodiversity in the country.
retrieving panchami lands occupied by non-
▪ There are 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 15 bird
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Dalits and restoring its ownership to Dalits.

sanctuaries, five tiger reserves, four elephant
▪ The next panel was headed by Justice M.
reserves, five national parks and three
Maruthamuthu in January 2011.
biosphere reserves in Tamil Nadu.
ht
▪ Three-member third committee was formed

▪ To conserve the rich biodiversity of the State
on October 8, 2013, with secretaries of
and prevent illegal forest and wildlife trade,
revenue and Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare
the government had made an announcement
departments as its members.
in the Assembly on September 3 that a Forest
Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu: and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau would be
▪ For the first time in India, the Central set up to detect and prevent organized forest
Government is to implement the Seaweed and wildlife crimes at the State level.
▪ The State Government issued orders for native species by disrupting the food web in
setting up the Tamil Nadu Forest and Wildlife an Ecosystem by restricting or replacing native
Crime Control Bureau with four zonal food sources.
offices in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and ▪ It will also create a State level forest and
Ramanathapuram. wildlife crime databank to assist investigating
▪ Its objectives will be to combat forest and agencies, develop and implement various
wildlife crime through a well-designed standard operating protocols relating to forest
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institutional network of trained forest and wildlife crime, create a cadre of well-
personnel; gather information related to trained officials from among the government
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wildlife crime and illegal trade, including departments, improve investigation quality for
transboundary trade, and to coordinate better appreciation of evidence, contributing
with various national and international to better investigation and control of illegal
organisations to access information and wildlife trade, and build informant networks
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intelligence to reduce and control wildlife among local communities that live in close
crime. proximity to forest and wildlife habitats.
▪ Improving investigation quality for better ▪ The TN FWCB will also help understand the
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appreciation of evidence contributing to better latest trends and patterns in wildlife crime.
investigation and control of illegal wildlife
trade, building informant networks among 25% Reservation for Widows Abandoned
local communities that live in close proximity Women:
to forest and wildlife habitats, and mapping
poaching and illegal trade hotspots in the State
for better action are among the objectives.
tn
▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has issued
an amendment to the rules for the direct
appointment of Anganwadi workers.
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▪ The Tamil Nadu Forest and Wildlife Crime ▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has issued
Control Bureau (TNFWCB) shall develop a 25% reservation for widows and women
and maintain State-wide data on forest and abandoned by husbands in the posts of
wildlife offences, forest offenders and wildlife Anganwadi Worker, Micro Anganwadi
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smuggling incidences. Worker and Assistant in Tamil Nadu.

▪ It would use information technology practices ▪ As per the order, “The Director of Integrated
and forest and wildlife crime information Child Development Services has ordered
in conjunction with various Intelligence that, only women be employed in the posts of
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Agencies. Chief Anganwadi Worker, Micro Anganwadi

▪ The Bureau is expected to create a cadre of Worker and Anganwadi Assistant under the
well-trained officials from among government Integrated Child Development Program.
s:
departments for effective monitoring of illegal ▪ The order also states that the reservation will
trade. be applicable to the above-said posts and
▪ The government also constituted a committee the appointment will be made based on the
qualifications stated.
tp
to draft a policy on ecological restoration

of forest areas infested with invasive plant
Madras Hedgehogs:
species in the State.
▪ On a mission to protect hedgehogs Brawin
▪ The panel would also identify, demarcate and
ht
Kumar, who has been studying the animal in

assess the extent of area infested with invasive T.N., says it needs protection.
alien species and formulate a Standard
▪ There are 17 types of hedgehogs across the
Operating Procedure for removal, disposal
world, India houses three species, of which
and Eco restoration of Infested Areas.
one is endemic to south India.
▪ The invasion by these species was regarded as
▪ It is found in Erode, Karur, Coimbatore and
one of the major threats to biodiversity and,
the southern districts.
indirectly, the non-native species suppressed
▪ “The Eastern Ghats is one of its habitats. It ▪ President: Pavan Sukhdev.

hides under the fronds of palm trees,” said Mr. ▪ Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland.
Kumar.
▪ Unlike the hedgehogs elsewhere, the Madras Mudhalvarin Mugavari’
hedgehogs do not hibernate, but estivate. ▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has issued
▪ Brawin Kumar authored the book "Mulli a directive to create a new department called
‘Mudhalvarin Mugavari’ by amalgamating
kattu ithikasam".
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the grievance departments of the Chief
Postal Cover on ‘Madurai Malli’: Minister.
re
▪ The Department of Posts released a special ▪ It has been announced that the 'Chief Minister
cover on Geographical Indication (GI) tagged in your constituency', the 'Chief Minister's
‘Madurai Malli’. Assistance Center', the 'Chief Minister's
▪ The department had, in the past, released 14 Private' and the 'Integrated Grievance
cf
such GItagged special covers in the southern Management' system will all be integrated and
districts, including will now function as a single department.
▪ Karaikudi kandangi (Saree) ▪ Shilpa Prabhakar Satish has been appointed
ps
as the Special Officer for the newly formed
▪ Pathamadai paai (Mat)
‘Mudhalvarin Mugavari' Department.
▪ Srivilliputtur palgova (Milk Sweet)
▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has stated
▪ Dindigul pootu (Lock) that a single website will be used to resolve
▪ Madurai Malli (Jasmine), which got the GI tag
in 2013.
▪ 421 products had received the GI tag in the
tn petitions in this regard.
▪ The public sector will be the coordinating
department providing all the assistance
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country, and Tamil Nadu alone accounted for required for this sector.
43.
Porkizhi Award – 2020 & 2021:
‘Nilgiri tahr numbers are stable’ ▪ Kalaignar Porkizhi Award or Kalaignar Mu.
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▪ “The numbers of the Nilgiri tahr, the State Karunanidhi Porkizhi Award is an annual
animal of Tamil Nadu, are stable and are literature award bestowed for Tamil and other
rising”, said Ravi Singh, general secretary and language writers at book fair organized by
CEO of World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) the Booksellers and Publishers Association of
India.
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South India (BAPASI) since 2008.

▪ The organisations have done three surveys in ▪ Each award consists of 1 lakh rupee and the
the past 15 years and the numbers from the fund is managed by donation of 1 crore Rupee
latest one is being checked. in 2007 by M. Karunanidhi.
s:
About Nilgiri Tahr: 2021 Awards Winners:

▪ Nilgiri Tahr is also known as Nilgiri Ibex.
▪ It has been listed as “Endangered” by IUCN. Abi Poetry
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▪ It is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the Rajendra Cholan Fiction

southern portion of the Western Ghats in
Tamil Nadu & Kerala. S. Ramakrishnan Prose
ht
About World Wide Fund for Nature: Veli Rangarajan Drama

▪ The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an
international non-governmental organization Maruthanayagam English
founded in 1961 that works in the field of Other Indian Language
wilderness preservation and the reduction of River Sakia
(Kashmiri).
human impact on the Environment.
2020 Awards Winners: ▪ The Paniya speak the Paniya language, which
belongs to the Dravidian family, closely
Awardess Awarded for related to Malayalam.
N. Murugesa Pandian Prose ▪ The Paniya today are a scheduled tribe.
One particular sub-group of theirs, the
A. Mangai Drama Kattupaniyar, inhabits the forest region of
Arivumathi Poetry Nilambur in the Malappuram District. Here,
e
members lead a traditional hunter-gatherer
Ponnelan Novel lifestyle.
re
Siddhalingaiyya Kannada Language Tamil Nadu CM in Southern Zonal
R. Balakrishnan English language Council meeting:
Chief Minister MK Stalin said,
cf
Tamil Nadu Floods: ▪ Tamil Nadu is a water deficit state and in
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said, short of a perennial river flowing through its
▪ A management committee will be set up to territory.
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recover the delta districts from flood damage. ▪ The farmers toil with the scanty groundwater
▪ The CM promised to evolve a permanent and uncertain monsoon.
solution to minimize damages caused by ▪ Having a large farming population depending
heavy rainfall and flood in the state. on traditional agriculture for ensuring food
▪ He said a total of 68,652 hectares of cultivated
land had been submerged in the rainwater.
▪ Necessary steps will be taken to provide
tnsecurity, protecting our rights on inter-state
rivers is too crucial for our state.
▪ We are always ready to cooperate with our
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compensation to the farmers for the crop loss. neighbouring states and resolve the issues in
a constructive and amicable manner resulting
About Cauvery Delta Region:
in mutual benefit.
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has declared the
.m
Cauvery delta region as a Protected Special ▪ Solidarity among us is crucial in utilizing

Agriculture Zone. The protected zone includes the limited resources available with us in a
eight districts namely Thanjavur (Rice Bowl judicious manner.
of Tamil Nadu), Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, ▪ Tamil was the first language of India to be
Pudukottai, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Karur and accorded official recognition as ‘classical
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Tiruchirapalli. language,’ he urged the Centre to declare

Tamil as one of the official languages of the
Nomadic tribal group gets Aadhaar: country.
s:
▪ Members of Kattupaniya, a nomadic tribal ▪ The Centre should take steps to declare
group that was rehabilitated from caves near Thirukkural as ‘National Book’ as its secular
the South Wayanad Nilambur Forest Division couplets are considered capsules of wisdom.
in Kerala a few years ago, have enrolled for
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▪ With an installed capacity of 4,692 MW, TN

Aadhaar cards with the intervention of the
also has huge potential to further harness
District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
offshore wind energy.
About Kattupaniya:
ht
▪ The Paniya, also known as Paniyar and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin
Paniyan, are an ethnic group of India. They (PMAY-G):
constitute the single largest Scheduled ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi transferred
Tribe in Kerala and are mainly found in the the first instalment of Pradhan Mantri Awaas
Wayanad District and the neighboring areas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) to more than
of Karnataka. 1.47 lakh beneficiaries of Tripura via video
conferencing.
▪ He thanked Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb Wednesdays to be ECOmmute day for
for “changing the government culture” and TNPCB Employees
“old ways of working.” ▪ Starting on November 17, personnel at the
About the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board office in
Gramin (PMAY-G): Guindy will avoid use of personal vehicles on
▪ Launch: To achieve the objective of “Housing all wednesdays.
for All” by 2022, the erstwhile rural housing ▪ As part of ECOmmute Day, a weekly pollution
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scheme Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was free office commute day, they will commute to
restructured to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- office by public transport or by walk or cycle
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Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f 1st April, 2016. or opt for Electric Vehicles.
▪ Ministry Involved: Ministry of Rural
development. Narikuravar and De-Notified
Communities Welfare Board:
cf
▪ Aim: To provide a pucca house with basic
amenities to all rural families, who are ▪ The fund for marriage assistance for members
homeless or living in kutcha or dilapidated and their families, their son, their daughter
houses by the end of March 2022. registered with the Narikuravar and De-
ps
▪ To help rural people Below the Poverty Line Notified Communities welfare board has been
(BPL) in construction of dwelling units and raised to Rs.3000 from Rs.2000 for bridegroom
upgradation of existing unserviceable kutcha and to Rs.5000 from Rs.3000 for brides.
houses by providing assistance in the form of About TAMIL NADU NARIKURAVAR WELFARE
a full grant.
State gets new Finance Secretary:

tn BOARD:
▪ Government has formed the Tamil Nadu
Narikuravar Welfare Board during the year
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▪ The Tamil Nadu Government effected a 2008-09 to provide various welfare assistance
reshuffle of civil servants, appointing senior in the field of education and alternative
IAS officer N. Muruganandam as its Finance livelihood to the Narikuravars.
Secretary.
.m
▪ Members of the board are sanctioned

▪ S. Krishnan - Industries Secretary, a post various welfare assistance as in the case
previously held by Mr. Muruganandam. of members of the welfare boards for the
▪ K. Gopal -Transport Secretary unorganized labourers, functioning under
▪ Dayanand Kataria - Secretary of the Public the administrative control of Labour and
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Works Department. Employment Department.

▪ Sandeep Saxena - Secretary of the ▪ The people belonging to the Narikuravar
Water Resources Department. Communities who have completed 18 years
s:
and not attained 60 years of age are eligible

▪ Ramesh Chand Meena is the new Principal
for enrolling themselves as a member in the
Secretary, Energy Department.
Narikuravar Welfare Board.
▪ Dharmendra Pratap Yadav - Secretary of the
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▪ The Members of Narikuravar Community

Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi
Welfare Board are provided with various
Department.
welfare assistance like accident relief,
▪ Selvi. Apoorva - Secretary of the Youth education scholarship, marriage assistance,
ht
Welfare & Sports Development Department maternity assistance and old age pension
and Beela Rajesh - Commissioner of Land through the District Backward Classes and
Reforms. Minorities Welfare Officers. Besides these,
▪ P. Amudha - Secretary of the Rural they are also given subsidy to do petty trades.
Development and Panchayat Raj Department
on her return to the State cadre.
About DE-NOTIFIED COMMUNITIES WELFARE Agricultural Extension Centres or through the

BOARD: Uzhavan App.
▪ Government has formed the De-notified ▪ At least 30% of the budget would be earmarked
Communities Welfare Board during the year for women farmers and at least 50% would be
2007-08 to uplift the people belonging to De- Earmarked for Small and Marginal Farmers.
notified communities, socially, educationally
and economically by providing assistance Rain Relief Measures:
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under various schemes implemented by the ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced
Government. compensation of up to 20,000 a hectare for
crops cultivated during kuruvai, kar and
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▪ The registered members of the De-notified
communities Welfare Board are provided sornavari seasons that were ready for harvest,
with various welfare assistances as provided before they were completely damaged by
to the members of the Welfare Boards for heavy rain that recently pounded various
cf
un-organized labours functioning under parts of the State.
the administrative control Labour and ▪ To aid farmers whose samba crops have been
Employment Department. damaged, Mr. Stalin also issued orders to
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officials to provide agricultural input supply,
TANCEM’s ‘Valimai’ Cement: valued at 6,038 a hectare.
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin ▪ The input supply will include 45 kg of paddy
launched ‘Valimai’ — a new cement brand seeds for short duration varieties, 25 kg of
from the Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation tncompost, 60 kg of urea and 125 kg of DAP
Limited (TANCEM), a state government fertilizer.
undertaking.
▪ Mr. Stalin also issued orders for sanctioning
▪ The two varieties of the Valimai cement brand
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300 crore towards restoring roads and other
are priced at ₹350 and 365 a bag. civic infrastructure, damaged due to the rain.
▪ Tamil Nadu Mission on Sustainable Green
Cover in Farm Lands: Traditional Medicines in Tamil Nadu:
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▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the Tamil ▪ Health Minister Ma Subramanian flagged off
Nadu Mission on Sustainable Green Cover in 50 vehicles to distribute Siddha medicines
Farm Lands, under which over 73 lakh high- across the city at Arignar Anna Govt Hospital
value tree saplings are to be distributed to of Indian Medicine.
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farmers at a cost of 11.14 crore. ▪ A total of 50 vehicles, with three doctors in

▪ Teak, red sandal, acacia, vengai, sandal, each, will distribute 30 litres of kabasura
manjal kadambu, rosewood, malai vembu, kudineer, 30 litres of nilaivembu kashayam
mahagony, karumaruthu and poovarasu are and other medicines such as Thalisaadhi
s:
among the timber value species that are likely sooranam capsule, pinda thailam, karpuradhi
to be distributed to the farmers under this thailam etc among the people in all 15 zones
scheme. in Chennai.
tp
▪ The saplings are to be obtained from Forest ▪ It would mainly focus on the areas where
Department at 15 each and distributed to dengue is mostly found, and areas that got
farmers free of cost. flooded in the recent rains.
ht
▪ Based on the survival of the saplings planted ▪ He also said,

as verified by the inspection team, farmers 1. To prevent monsoon-related diseases, over
would be given a subsidy of 7 a sapling for 1,560 traditional medicine treatment centres
the second, third and fourth year. will be open across the State, focussing on areas
▪ Farmers can collect the tree saplings from where dengue is prevalent and distributing
Forest Department nurseries after producing kabasura kudineer and other medicines to the
the registration slip issued by the Block affected.
2. As announced in the budget session, to start ▪ While there was a big increase in children
Siddha Medicine University in the city, the getting tuition across the country, Tamil Nadu
work is expected to begin in December. saw a slight increase from 13.9% in 2018 to
16.6% in 2021.
Drone Police Unit in Chennai:
▪ The economic impact of the pandemic had a
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced
large role to play in the migration of students
in the State Assembly that a mobile drone
from private schools to Government Schools.
unit would be formed as part of the Greater
e
Chennai Police. Justice Duraiswamy to perform Duties of
▪ Accordingly, the State government issued
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CJ
orders sanctioning ₹3.60 crore for the formation ▪ The Centre notified the President's order
of the drone unit earlier this month. appointing Justice M. Duraiswamy, the senior
▪ Nine drones, including six quick response most judge of the Madras High Court, to
cf
special payload flying devices, two long-range perform the duties of its Chief Justice since
surveillance ones and one lifeguard drone Sanjib Banerjee had been transferred to the
will form the new ‘Drone Police Unit’ of the High Court of Meghalaya.
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Greater Chennai Police.
▪ The quick response special payload drones ED chief gets One-year Extension of
will have HD camera and night vision. Service
▪ The Enforcement Directorate chief, Sanjay
Enrolment in govt. schools up: tn Kumar Mishra, was given one year extension
▪ The Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) in service, days after the Centre issued an
2021 shows that there has been a nationwide ordinance increasing the agency head’s tenure
shift from private to government schools, from two years to up to five years.
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compared with the last two years, a survey has
indicated. ‘Tamil Nadu can become $1tn. Economy
▪ In Tamil Nadu, which stands third in the in a Decade':
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trend after Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, the ▪ Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has
proportion of children aged 6 to 14 enrolled at said, Tamil Nadu can achieve its target of
government schools rose from 66.7% in 2018 to becoming a $1trillion economy within the
76.3% in 2021. next 10 years and the State has unlimited
▪ While the number of enrolled children whose opportunities and potential to pull it off, but it
//t
homes had at least one smartphone rose from needs to get certain things right.
40.2% in 2018 to 66.1% in 2021, access still ▪ Achieving the target would require a nominal
remained an issue. growth of 13% a year over the next 10 years.
s:
▪ Only 26.8% of the children said they could ▪ If you take out inflation from it of 56%, that’s
access this device at all times and 13.7% had 78% of real growth. It is easily achievable.
no access at all. A majority of 59.5% of children ▪ Initiative under way for welfare of
tp
said they could access it sometimes. Marginalized Communities:

▪ However, Tamil Nadu was better placed than ▪ In a significant social reform, Tamil Nadu has
other states as 26.1% of the children nationwide embarked on a mission to conduct a district
ht
were found with no access to Smartphones. wise enumeration of Narikuravas, tribals and
▪ Overall gap was observed across the country other members of marginalized communities.
between government school students and ▪ Revenue officials have been mandated with
private school students. the task of visiting villages for an on-the-
▪ In Tamil Nadu, 53.2% of government school spot assessment of the basic infrastructural
students had received support, as against facilities available to the members of these
68.8% of the private school students. communities.
▪ Officials are preparing a report on the number Chennai Corporation to increase

of families, their educational/economic status, strength of agents Manning Monsoon
nature and ownership of house (concrete/ Helpline:
thatched) or house site, school going children,
▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation is planning
access to toilet/drinking water/ road
to increase the number of call agents for the
facilities, drainage facilities, access to primary
civic helpline 1913 to strengthen disaster
healthcare etc.
response during the northeast monsoon that is
e
▪ The Needs Assessment Format would also currently prevailing over the State.
check whether the marginalized communities
▪ The number of call agents was increased from
re
are in possession of voter’s identity card,
10 to 50 during the beginning of the monsoon,
Aadhaar, community certificate, ration
and now, the civic body is expected to increase
card, differently abled certification, old age
that by 100 soon. The agents will support city
pension, Chief Minister’s Health Insurance,
cf
residents during disaster events.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) job card ▪ Complaints made on social media and the
among others. Namma Chennai App will also be followed up
ps
by call agents after the increase in number of
▪ The data would be monitored by the Special
personnel at the call centre.
Programme Implementation Department.
▪ Collectors have been asked to coordinate with Silambam included in Sports Quota for
the department concerned and take steps for Govt. Jobs:
redressing the grievances of these people.
Innuyir Kappom Thittam:

tn
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government designated
Silambam as one of the games to be included
in the 3% sports quota for recruitment in
▪ The State government will form a Road Safety
e/
Government departments and public sector
Authority to implement schemes to improve undertakings (PSUs).
the safety on roadways under the scheme
‘Innuyir Kappoom Thittam’. ▪ The State issued a government order after
.m
accepting the recommendations of a high-level

▪ Stressing the need for reducing the road traffic committee, headed by the Chief Secretary,
accident fatality rate, which is now 23.9 per to frame detailed guidelines and modalities
lakh population, Mr. Stalin said the concerned for the implementation of reservation for
departments should take initiatives to make meritorious sportspersons for recruitment in
//t
road transportation safe for commuters in government departments and PSUs.

Tamil Nadu.
▪ The Principal Secretary had said that Silambam
▪ To provide medical assistance to accident or Silambattam was a “weapon based” Indian
victims within 48 hours of an accident, 609
s:
martial art from Tamil Nadu, and 40 years

hospitals have been roped in. ago, the Government of Tamil Nadu had
▪ An allocation of ₹50 crore has been made to recognised it as a state sport.
initiate a scheme to provide medical assistance,
tp
▪ Silambam has also been included among the

including 81 procedures, for accident victims sports disciplines under consideration for the
during the first 48 hours. sports quota for admissions into professional
▪ Wide Coverage: The beneficiaries of the courses like engineering, the Secretary had
ht
scheme include all victims of road accidents, submitted in the letter.

including foreign nationals. The scheme will
include emergency response, rescue and
resuscitation, damage control surgery and
Rehabilitation.
List of Sports Disciplines

1 Athletics 14 Cycling 27 Motor Sports 40 Table Tennis
2 Atya Patya 15 Fencing 28 Netball 41 Taek-won-do
3 Badminton 16 Football 29 Powerlifting 42 Tennikoit
4 Ball Badminton 17 Golf 30 Roller Skating 43 Tennis
5 Base Ball 18 Gymnastics 31 Rowing 44 Throwball
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6 Basketball 19 Handball 32 Rugby 45 Triathon
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7 Beach Volleyball 20 Hockey 33 Sailing 46 Volleyball
8 Billiards and Snookers 21 Judo 34 Sepak Takraw 47 Weightlifting
9 Body Building 22 Kabaddi 35 Shooting 48 Wrestling
cf
10 Boxing 23 Karate-Do 36 Silambam 49 Wushu
11 Carrom 24 Kho-Kho 37 Soft Ball 50 Yachting
12 Chess 25 Korf Ball 38 Squash Rackets 51 Yogasanas
ps
13 Cricket 26 Mallakhamb 39 Swimming
Tamil Nadu constitutes FinTech ▪ The Chief Executive Officer, FinBlue/Director,

Governing Council:
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has constituted
a FinTech Governing Council to facilitate the
tn Software Technology Parks of India, Chennai
Centre, is also a member.
▪ The council is mandated to monitor the
e/
establishment of FinTech companies in the progress and implementation of initiatives in
State. FinTech and related sectors.
▪ The industries minister and the Chief Secretary ▪ The Government has identified FinTech as
will be its Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson one of the ‘sunrise sectors’, and is coming up
.m
respectively. with a FinTech policy. It has also announced a

▪ Three Members from the FinTech sector are FinTech Cell. A FinTech city is being planned
also in the council. at Nandambakkam in Chennai at an estimated
cost of ₹165 crore.
They are Balaji Nuthalapadi, Managing Director
//t
▪ The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development

and Head of Operations & Technology, Citi
Corporation Limited (TIDCO) has earmarked
South Asia; Sundar Kannan, who is a director
112.80 acres of land at Nandambakkam for the
of a leading Wall Street investment banking
s:
establishment of the FinTech City and intends

corporation; and Ramkumar Ramamoorthy, to develop it in three phases.
former Chairman and Managing Director
of Cognizant India and past president of the 3-D surgery facility at Government Eye
tp
Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Hospital, Egmore:

▪ The Secretaries of the Departments of ▪ Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated
Industries, Finance, Information Technology a 3-D surgery facility at the Regional Institute
ht
and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are of Ophthalmology and Government Eye
members. Hospital, Egmore.
▪ The Managing Director and Chief Executive ▪ He said this is the first time such a facility
Officer of Guidance Tamil Nadu will be the was opened at a government hospital in the
member convener. country and it is important to highlight the
benefits and applications of 3-D technology in
the field of ophthalmology.
Audit teams formed at DVAC, EOW: Govt. will set up Complaint Centres in
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has constituted Schools:
auditing teams at the Directorate of Vigilance ▪ The State Government is planning to print
and Anti-corruption and the Economic information about the toll-free Education
Offences Wing to probe the fraudulent Helpline '14417' as well as Childline, 1098
practices of some companies. on the front page of all school textbooks,
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was delivering School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh
e
a virtual address from Chennai at the Poyyamozhi told reporters after inaugurating
inauguration of the 53rd regional conference a workshop on child safety on the occasion of
re
of the Southern India Regional Council (SIRC) World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of ▪ Awareness of the helpline would help children
India held at Coimbatore. reach out for help in time of need.
cf
About SIRC: ▪ As children are returning to schools after 19
▪ The Southern India Regional Council was months, awareness posters about child safety,
formed by the Institute and notified by Central the '14417' helpline and other such details
Government in the year 1952 to serve the would be placed in all schools.
ps
members and students in Southern Region. ▪ A central complaints centre, consisting of a
▪ The SIRC is the knowledge hub of the dedicated team, would be set up. It will be a
profession, providing continuing professional one stop agency for the protection of children
education to its members and students. tnin each school.
▪ Chairman: CA. Jalapathi K.
One Crore in case of death of
Promote Information Technology in all Government Doctors:
e/
Districts: ▪ The Package Fund Scheme has been revised to
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called upon provide Rs 1 crore compensation to the family
all stakeholders to focus on promoting members of government doctors who die
while on duty.
.m
Information Technology (IT) in all districts of

the State. Speaking at the CII CONNECT 2021 ▪ The State Medical Services Directorate
Conference, he said, has made some recommendations to the
1. “The government have set a target that Tamil government regarding the change of the
Nadu should reach $1 trillion in economic management Committee of the Package Fund
//t
output by 2030. The outcome of the conference Scheme for Government Physicians and the
should help achieve the target.” raising of relief funds. It has been carefully
considered and important orders have been
2. Requested participants to give suggestions for
s:
issued.
creating a complete technological ecosystem in
Tamil Nadu, which the government was ready ▪ Accordingly, the Executive Committee will be
to implement. chaired by the Director of Medical Services,
tp
the Member Secretary will be the Director of

3. The Government is working towards making Public Health, and the Members will be the
Tamil Nadu the number one investment Director of Medical Education, the Director
destination in India. of Medical Services (ESI) and the Director of
ht
4. He wished the conference would bring new Family Welfare.

investments in the field of IT and make Tamil ▪ The Advisory Board will consist of Drs Senthil,
Nadu a leading State in the field. Ravishanka, Balakrishnan, Saminathan and
▪ Since 2000, the Tamil Nadu Government and Akilan Rs. 500/- per month will be deducted
the Confederation of Indian Industry have from the salaries of government doctors and
been jointly organising the Connect conference will be kept in reserve fund.
and exhibition.
▪ If Someone dies while on the job, their families 8th Best Police station in India:
will get Rs. 1 crore relief from it. There will be ▪ Thottiyam PS in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
no government Financial Contribution. has been ranked as the 8th best police station
in the country as part of the annual home
Care Earth Trust develops Flood Risk
ministry exercise to grade police stations
Map: based on parameters including handling of
▪ Care Earth Trust, a city-based biodiversity crime, infrastructure, and approachability of
e
research organisation, has developed a map personnel.
that marks out areas flooded in Chennai
▪ The ranking process assesses the performance
based on citizen responses on areas that were
re
of police stations on parameters like handling
waterlogged during the recent rain.
of property offences, crime against women,
▪ The map has plotted 250 intensively flooded crime against weaker sections, missing
areas in many parts of the city, including persons cases, infrastructure, approachability
cf
Ashok Nagar, Kolathur, Porur, Anna Nagar, of personnel and feedback of citizens etc.
Velachery, Koyambedu, Kodambakkam,
Teynampet, Kundrathur, Tambaram, Gold Father (Thanga Thandhai):
ps
Chromepet and Selaiyur. ▪ The Karur district administration has
▪ It was based on 900 responses from residents announced that men who do family planning
since November 11. will be given the title of Gold Father (Thanga
▪ Initiated by Stephen Jeyaseelan, GIS cell lead, Thandhai), as well as a housing bond or a
Care Earth Trust, the map has some core areas
in the city which were not usually affected
during monsoon. These included some
tn major government assistance scheme.
▪ Those who attend a special family health
contraceptive treatment special camp for
men will be honored with the Golden Father
e/
parts of T. Nagar, Alwarpet and Rukmani
Lakshmipathi Salai in Egmore. Award and an incentive of Rs. 5,000.
▪ If this amount is not available the beneficiaries
will be provided with
.m
1. free housing bond, old age allowance for an

elderly person at home, free dairy cow, goat,
free cattle shed through Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee
//t
Scheme, small and medium enterprises up to

Rs. 10 lakhs without interest free banker.
2. Small and micro farmers can avail of micro-
s:
irrigation at 100 per cent subsidy through loan

assistance and the Department of Agriculture.
3. Apart from these, the horticulture department
tp
provides subsidy of up to Rs. 40,000 per hectare

for coconut and multi-layered cropping
scheme.
ht
4. Priority will be given to the construction of

polythene huts through the Green Shelter
Scheme, financial assistance for setting up of
shade net tents up to a maximum of 4 square
meters with a 50 per cent subsidy of Rs. 355 per
square meter, free provision of prosthetic hand
and foot equipment to the disabled.
Centre for Police Well-being opened: ▪ The policy will be implemented by developing
▪ Commissioner of Police Shankar Jiwal a comprehensive plan of action.
inaugurated a Centre for Police Well-being ▪ An exclusive multisectoral advisory group
for rendering special counselling and to treat will be constituted at the State level for the
police personnel with suicidal tendencies and implementation of the policy and for further
alcohol addiction. monitoring.
▪ This was first of its kind programme to cover ▪ The policy said Tamil Nadu would regularly
e
at least 1,000 police personnel in the next three carry out a child budget analysis.
months.
re
Forensic DNA Profile Search Tool:
▪ A comprehensive wellness programme called
the “police well-being training” was rolled ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
out with the assistance of experts from the launched a forensic DNA profile search tool,
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro developed by the State Forensic Sciences
cf
Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, in 2018. Department.
▪ “The wellbeing 2.0 programme is a targeted ▪ Tamil Nadu became the first State in the
programme for the most vulnerable group of country to introduce such a tool.
ps
police personnel, from a mental health point of ▪ Through the tool, DNA profiles of children
view. Under it, treatment and counselling will who are kidnapped or missing can be matched,
be given to personnel with suicidal thoughts, and they can be reunited.
personnel with a history of misbehaviour with ▪ It will also help identify criminals who operate
tn
the public or colleagues or family members between States, identify dead bodies that are
and alcohol addicts”. washed ashore and match identities through
skeletal DNA profiling and identify people
Child Protection Policy:
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who lose their lives in natural calamities.
▪ The creation of ‘Bala Sabhas’ at all village
panchayats for children aged 12 to 18, on Chief Minister to inaugurate
the lines of gram sabhas, the introduction of Connect 2021:
.m
a Child Protection Policy at all panchayats ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate
and urban bodies and a child safeguarding the 20th edition of Connect 2021 and launch
policy at all schools are among the provisions various policies of the Information Technology
envisioned in the Tamil Nadu State Policy for Department on November 26, 2021.
//t
Children, 2021. ▪ The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

▪ “Bala sabhas, which will meet at least four is organizing Connect 2021, an international
times a year like the gram sabhas, will pass conference and exhibition on Information and
resolutions on matters related to children
s:
Communication Technology (ICT).

and submit them to gram sabhas to take ▪ It will be hosted by the Tamil Nadu Government
appropriate action. and co-hosted by Software Technology
▪ The policy has also provided for strategic
tp
Parks of India, Ministry of Electronics and

approaches in four specific areas — life, Telecommunications, Government of India.
survival, health and nutrition; education; ▪ The partner countries for Connect 2021 are
protection, and participation. Australia and the U.K.
ht
▪ Though it makes a mention of POSH, it does ▪ The theme of the two-day conference is
not mention the POCSO Act. “Building a sustainable deep Technology
▪ The policy also notes that the pandemic has Ecosystem.”
exacerbated the existing inequity in education,
digital divide, learning crisis, violence
against children and poverty, and has further
increased the vulnerability of children.
Publish list of free land allottees: Panel 510 tonnes of fortified rice meant for
▪ The Tamil Nadu Information Commission PDS expires:
(TNIC) has directed the Adi Dravidar and ▪ About 510 tonnes of fortified rice, meant for
Tribal Welfare Director to publish the list of distribution to consumers through the public
beneficiaries of free house site pattas online. distribution system (PDS), has expired, and
▪ The order follows a number of petitions the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation
received by the Commission from across the (TNCSC) has decided to sell the stock as
e
State seeking to know the list of beneficiaries. animal feed.
▪ State Information Commissioner S. Muthuraj ▪ The stock was part of the Abdul Latif Jameel
re
gave the order following numerous petitions. Poverty Action Lab’s (JPAL) “Alleviating
About: Anaemia” project, launched in collaboration
▪ The Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare with the Tamil Nadu Government.
cf
Department was set up in 1988 in Tamil ▪ A government order about the project,
Nadu after the trifurcation of Social Welfare issued by the Planning, Development and
Department, with the objective of providing a Special Initiatives Department of the State
more focused approach towards the integrated Government in November 2015, said it aimed
ps
socio-economic and educational development to address anaemia in the State, where such
of the underprivileged Adi Dravidar and deficiencies remained prevalent among the
Scheduled Tribes in a coordinated and poor, by providing multi-fortified rice (ultra-
planned manner. tn rice) through the universal PDS.
▪ Fortification is the practice of increasing the
Coimbatore, Tiruppur get Urban content of essential micronutrient — vitamins
Development Bodies: and minerals — in food.
e/
▪ The State Government issued orders, ▪ Rice can be fortified by adding a micronutrient
establishing urban development authorities powder to it that adheres to the grains or by
for Coimbatore and Tiruppur, on the lines spraying the surface of ordinary rice grains,
of the Chennai Metropolitan Development
.m
in several layers, with a vitamin and mineral

Authority (CMDA). mix.
▪ Madurai and Hosur too will have such bodies,
the orders for which will be issued shortly. IT Advisory Council holds First Meeting:
▪ The purpose of the new bodies was to ▪ The Advisory Council for Future IT Sector
//t
accelerate the pace of development of the cities and Emerging Technologies constituted by
and provide “focused attention” to issues the State government in October had its first
concerning the cities. meeting.
s:
▪ Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban ▪ The members discussed preparing a roadmap
Development department [Hitesh Kumar to help Tamil Nadu attract more companies
S. Makwana] has been made the chairman and expand business in the State and create
tp
for the two bodies, while Collectors of the more job opportunities in tier2 and tier3 cities.
districts concerned will hold the post of vice- ▪ The discussion on IT/ITES starkly highlighted
chairperson. the fact that all sectors and products were now
IT based with embedded software and there
ht
▪ There will be three non-officials, two of whom

will be nominated by the State Government, was growing recognition that the growth in
from fields like housing, trade and industry, services sector has to be captured to achieve
and the other from the world of academia. the $1 trillion goal by 2030.
▪ For the time being, ad hoc bodies, along with
advisory councils, have been set up. Secretary
of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
[V. Arun Roy] will head the advisory councils.
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka 3. a group for coir processing industries in
calls on Governor Pollachi,
▪ Indian High Commissioner to SriLanka Gopal 4. an industrial park in Sulur.
Baglay met Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi. ▪ The Chief Minister urged the industry heads
▪ Mr. Baglay, who is on a visit to Tamil Nadu met of the district to focus on manufacturing
fishermen leaders from various associations in products for the aerospace and defence sector,
the coastal district of Ramanathapuram. modernising the knitwear and garment
e
industries, becoming a leading manufacturer
▪ He visited Dhanushkodi, Arichalmunai and
of electronic hardware and bringing out new
other places accompanied by senior officers
re
inventions that can benefit the economically
from the Department of Fisheries and Collector
weaker sections of the society.
Shankar Lal Kumawat.
▪ The Government inked Memoranda of
▪ He had a look at the infrastructure provided
Understanding (MoUs) with 59 firms, with a
cf
by the Union and State governments for
cumulative investment of ₹35,208 crore, aimed
fishermen.
at creating employment opportunities for
Legislative Council Committees: 76,795 people across districts.
ps
▪ A separate officer has been appointed to ▪ The Chief Minister released
the Legislative Council Committees of the 1. The Tamil Nadu Fintech Policy 2021, for
Finance Department, including the Estimates augmentation of investment in the fintech
Committee. sector,
▪ It is noteworthy that for the first time an
official from the Parliamentary Secretariat has
been appointed to such committees.
tn 2. Launched the “Single window 2.0” mobile
application and
e/
3. Unveiled a directory of aerospace and defence
▪ There are various committees in the Tamil
industries in the State, compiled by the Tamil
Nadu Legislative Assembly such as the
Nadu Industrial Development Corporation
Estimates Committee, the Public Accounts
(TIDCO).
.m
Committee are functioning.

▪ The government also signed an MoU with
▪ These committees, depending on their nature, Dassault Systems for the establishment of a
have a chairman and vice-chairman, including “Centre of excellence”, worth ₹212 crore, in
the chairman and senior members of the Chennai, to enable aerospace and defence
Assembly.
//t
firms and startups to utilise the latest design

▪ Of these, the Estimates Committee, the Public and engineering tools.
Accounts Committee and the Committee
on Public Undertakings are financial sector FinTech Policy 2021:
s:
committees. ▪ The Tamil Nadu government in its FinTech

Policy 2021 has announced that a structured
"Tamil Nadu investors’ first Port of Call” package of incentives would be extended to
tp
Investment Conclave, Coimbatore: firms which have invested more than ₹50
▪ The State Government will set up NeoTidel crore and provided direct employment for 300
parks in tier2 and tier3 cities, as part of the next people or more over a period of less than 3
years, on a caseto-case basis.
ht
level of information technology revolution.

▪ Ex Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, had ▪ The first five large FinTech firms shall also be
inaugurated the Tidel Park in Chennai in 2000. eligible for a relocation incentive of 50% up to
▪ The State Government wil set up, ₹10 crore during the policy period.
▪ The policy that was released by Chief Minister
1. Industrial Park in Coimbatore,
M.K. Stalin will be valid until December 2025.
2. a “Centre of excellence” for casting
▪ Operational guidelines and clarification would
industries in Coimbatore,
be issued from time to time.
▪ The government has said that it would support ▪ Already the state allotted Rs 99 crore to
FinTech firms through multiple funding construct a seven-floor building for the library
avenues. For instance, around ₹5 crore would on New Natham Road in Madurai.
be earmarked from the Tamil Nadu Startup
Seed Grant Fund created under the Tamil CM unveils Power Infrastructure:
Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy 2018. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin virtually
▪ Another ₹20 crore has been earmarked from the inaugurated 20 new substations set up by
e
Emerging Sector Seed Fund through TIDCO/ the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation
Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Limited (Tantransco), and the Tamil Nadu
Generation and Distribution Corporation
re
Corporation (TNIFMC). This fund will be used
to provide venture capital for supporting the (Tangedco) Limited, at a total cost of 517.39
early-stage financing requirements of eligible crore.
FinTech startups. T.N. ahead in Reproductive, Child Health:
cf
▪ With a vision to transform Tamil Nadu into a ▪ With significant improvements in several
leading global destination for FinTech firms by social and health parameters, when compared
2025, the State has announced single window with the previous edition, the National Family
ps
clearance for them and said that it would set Health Survey (NFHS) 5 seems to have set
up a registry managed by the FinTech cell to the State on its regular path ahead yet again,
track and monitor the progress of these firms. particularly in reproductive and child health.
▪ Education Department will design online and ▪ The percentage of mothers who were protected
offline curriculum and training, in vernacular
languages for improving financial literacy
among students, leveraging best practices
tn by tetanus, those who had taken iron and folic
acid when they were pregnant, also went up
significantly in NFHS 5.
e/
from across the Globe. ▪ There were marginal increases in the
▪ The Tamil Nadu State Development percentage of institutional births — a nearly
Corporation (TNSDC) shall develop an 99.8% of births were attended to by skilled
Apex Skill Development Centre (APSDC)
.m
health personnel.
for banking, financial services and insurance ▪ Institutional delivery is 100 per cent in
(BFSI) which will offer courses on FinTech and Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
serve as a Centre of excellence.
▪ The neonatal mortality rate has gone down to
▪ The APSDC will be established in a PPP mode 12.7 (deaths per 1,000 live births in the first 28
//t
as a special purpose vehicle with TNSDC and days after birth), from 14 in NFHS 4.
an industry partner.
▪ The infant mortality rate has further dropped
▪ According to the policy, the Tamil Nadu to 18.6 from 20.2, and the under-5 mortality
s:
Industrial Development Corporation Limited rate now stands at 22.3 — a drop from 26.8 in
will develop a FinTech city in Chennai. NFHS 4.
▪ While sex ratio at birth of the total population
tp
Kalaignar Memorial library in Madurai:

▪ The state issued a Government Order is encouraging, at 1,088 females per 1,000
(GO) allotting an additional Rs 15 crore for males (up from 1,033 in NFHS 4), the sex ratio
Kalaignar memorial library to be constructed at birth for children born in the last five years
ht
in Madurai, taking the total estimated cost for is worrisome, at 867 (a drop from 954 in NFHS
the library to Rs 114 crore. 4).
▪ According to the order, out of Rs 15 crore, Rs 10 ▪ NFHS 5 fieldwork was done from January 6,
crore would be allotted for purchasing books, 2020, to March 21, 2020, before the lockdown,
magazines, e-books and research magazines and again from December 21, 2020, to March
and Rs 5 crore would be used for purchasing 31, 2021.
technical equipment for the library.
Key Performance Indicators: Here is a comparison between the State’s health Parameters
in the Current and Previous editions of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 5 and 4).
State’s Health Parameters NFHS 5 NFHS 4
Neo-natal mortality rate* 12.7% 14%
Infant Mortality Rate* 18.6% 20.2%
e
Under – 5 Mortality rate* 22.3% 26.8%
re
C-section births** 44.9% 34.1%
Mothers who attended ante-natal checkup in first trimester** 77.4% 64%
Mothers who took neo-natal tetanus shot in last delivery** 89.7% 71%
cf
Institutional births** 99.6% 98.9%
Births attended to by skilled health personnel** 99.8% 99.2%
ps
*Deaths per 1,000 Live Births) - **(in%)
TNPCB to promote ECOmmute in Schools: ▪ The TNPCB has also suggested that ‘student
▪ The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
(TNPCB) is launching an initiative to reduce
air pollution and carbon footprint in Chennai.
tnhour’ be declared between 8 to 9 am and 3 to 4
pm for traffic on all working days.
Honorarium for Village Panchayat

e/
▪ As part of the new scheme, high school Presidents:
students will be encouraged to adopt the
▪ Village Panchayat Presidents are acting as an
‘ECOmmute’ for school commute.
Executive Authority of the Village Panchayat
.m
▪ The participant schools shall collect details and discharge their functions.
from all high school students in the prescribed
▪ Honorarium for village panchayat presidents
format and submit their names to TNPCB.
hiked from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.
▪ The students have to opt for walking, cycling,
Constitutional Provision:
using public transport, e-cycle, e-vehicles,
//t
▪ To organize village panchayats and endow

school bus or private van, to commute from
them with necessary powers and authority
home to school.
to enable them to function as units of self-
▪ The scheme entails provision of awards and Government (Article 40).
s:
certificates for ECOmmute schools, students.

▪ The 73rd Amendment act of 1992 has given a
▪ Educational Officer, Chennai, to widely practical shape to Article 40 of the Constitution.
publicize the scheme.
tp
▪ This act has added a new Part-IX to the

▪ The Officer has also been requested to direct Constitution of India. This part is entitled as
all schools to ensure that students who cycle ‘The Panchayats’ and consists of provisions
to school wear helmets. from Articles 243 to 243 O.
ht
▪ The use of student volunteers (NCC/NSS/ ▪ In addition, the act has also added a new
Scouts and Guides) to regulate traffic at the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution. This
Gates has also been sought. schedule contains 29 functional items of the
▪ The Commissioner of Greater Chennai panchayats.
Corporation and the Commissioner of Police,
have also been asked to make roads safer for
students.
‘Global Chemicals and throughout the State, providing hygienic food

Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hub’ in at subsidised prices.
New Delhi: Over 1 lakh to benefit from nine pension
▪ Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu was schemes in Tamil Nadu
speaking at the second edition of ‘Summit on
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the
India: global chemicals and petrochemicals
distribution of orders granting old age pension
manufacturing hub’ in New Delhi.
e
(OAP) to 1.01 lakh new beneficiaries under
▪ He said, nine schemes.
re
1. The Tamil Nadu Government has leveraged ▪ The Schemes are
investments for three large petrochemical
1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension
projects in Thoothukudi, Nagapattinam and
Scheme.
Cuddalore.
cf
2. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension
2. The projects would ensure the supply of
Scheme.
feedstock to strengthen and position the State
as a petrochemical investment destination. 3. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension
ps
Scheme.
3. The establishment of Tamil Nadu Polymer
Park, near Chennai, to cater to plastic 4. Differently Abled Pension Scheme
manufacturing and logistics. 5. Destitute Widow Pension Scheme.
4. The state proposed to establish a pharmaceutical tn 6. Chief Minister’s Uzhavar Padhukappu
park and a textile park in the State. Thittam.
5. New industrial zones and industrial land 7. Destitute/Deserted Wives Pension Scheme.
banks are being developed across the State to 8. Pension to Poor Unmarried Women of Age 50
e/
establish sector specific clusters for electronics, years and above Scheme.
foods, furniture, chemicals and petrochemicals.
9. Pension Scheme for Sri Lankan Tamils living
6. Recalling the recent launch of the ‘Single in camps.
.m
window portal 2.0’, which offers investors

more than 100 services, the Minister said the State Govt. Constitutes Panel for bringing
system ensured that all necessary clearances in Investments:
are accorded within timelines. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government constituted an
▪ The Biz Buddy system has also been advisory panel to provide it with industry
//t
advocated. This is a platform for industries to insights and help to bring investments to the
submit a help call on issues or delays by any State. It also includes non-resident Tamils.
Government Department. ▪ The industries minister will be the chairperson
s:
of the 12-member panel.

Community Kitchens in Tamil Nadu:
▪ The Vice Chairman of the Tamil Nadu
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has proposed
State Planning Commission, the Industries
tp
to open 500 more community kitchens, called

Secretary and the Managing Director and CEO
‘Kalaignar Unavagams’, Minister for Food
of Guidance are the ex-official members.
and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani said in New
Delhi. ▪ The members would act as brand ambassadors
ht
of Tamil Nadu’s Industrial Ecosystem.

▪ He urged the Union Government to provide
100% assistance under the National Food Vaccination in Tamil Nadu:
Security Act, 2013, to extend the community ▪ Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian
kitchen scheme to all those in need. has said that the state has inoculated 76 per
▪ He said the State Government was running cent of its population with the first dose of
650 community kitchens called ‘Amma vaccine.
Unavagams’, through the local bodies,
▪ In a statement, the minister said that 40 per Realtime statistics to show that the sex ratio
cent of the people have received their second at birth is not as bad as recorded in the NFHS
dose of vaccine and the state aims to vaccinate data.
100 per cent of the population with the first ▪ Using data from the Civil Registration System
dose before November end. (available in the public domain), health
▪ Kanchipuram became the 100 % vaccinated officials have shown that the sex ratio at birth
district with the First Dose. over the last five years has been in the 900s
e
range, and not 867 as listed in NFHS5.
T.N. Posits Higher figure for Sex Ratio at
▪ In fact, the trend has been upward, with
re
Birth: the ratio of women to men improving
▪ While acknowledging that the National Family incrementally over the years, and dropping
Health Survey5 has presented a realistic marginally to 939 in 2020.
assessment of women and child health in
cf
Tamil Nadu this year, the State has offered
Better Performer: The State has provided real-time statistics to show that the sex ratio at
ps
birth over the last five years has been in the 900s, and not 867, as listed in the National
Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5
Sex Ratio at
Year NFHS 5 Male Female Total
2015
Birth (CRS)
918 12.7%
tn
5,10,932 4,69,027 9,79,959
2016 932 18.6% 4,76,210 4,44,022 9,20,232
e/
2017 932 22.3% 4,65,491 4,33,681 8,99,172
2018 933 44.9% 4,66,917 4,35,544 9,02,461
.m
2019 942 77.4% 4,79,057 4,51,156 9,30,213

2020 939 89.7% 4,78,599 4,49,508 9,28,107
2021
//t
935 99.6% 3,94,856 3,69,377 7,64,233

(OCT)
What is Sex Ratio at Birth? academia connect program, "HeadStart 2021,"

s:
▪ SEX RATIO at BIRTH is the number of resident in Chennai.

male live births (for a specific geography such ▪ Current industry requirements, re-skilling and
as country, state or county for a specified time training, opportunities and challenges faced
tp
period, usually a calendar year) divided by by educators to equip students to be industry

the number of resident female live births (for ready were some of the points discussed
the same geography and time period) and during the event.
multiplied by 100 or 1,000.
ht
▪ Launched earlier this year, Virtusa's "Thrive

Continuous process of up-skilling Academy" aims to fulfill this need by
providing hands-on exposure and training on
Employees, utmost need:
these technologies under the Graduate Talent
▪ Virtusa Corporation, a global provider of Programme, Chief People Officer Sundar
digital strategy, digital engineering, and IT Narayanan said.
services and solutions that help clients change
and disrupt markets through innovation
engineering, held its 7th annual engineering
Tamil Nadu rolls out Data Centre Policy: ▪ In the case of C category districts, 100% stamp
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has come duty exemption will be given.
out with a Data Centre Policy, in which it ▪ In category C districts, data centres / parks
has doled out incentives to projects with an can avail a 50% subsidy on land cost from
investment of over 500 crore and those that ELCOT/SIPCOT/SIDCO.
meet at least 30% of their energy requirement ▪ On private lands procured for data centres /
with renewable energy sources. parks, 50% subsidy on the cost of land, as per
e
▪ The policy will be applicable to data centres the guideline value, shall be given up to an
incorporated from April 1, 2021, to March 31, extent of 10 acres, and subject to land cost not
re
2026. exceeding 20% of EFA (eligible fixed assets)
▪ The policy, released by Chief Minister M.K. and a cap of 2 crores, and with at least 70%
Stalin at the 20 edition of CII Connect 2021,
th of land being used for data centre operations.
says that data centre units/parks can purchase ▪ Data centre developers will also
cf
power from the Tamil Nadu Generation and be encouraged to set up centres
Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), at within IT Special Economic Zones
prevailing industrial tariff, as per the norms (SEZs), developed by ELCOT.
ps
of the governing Tamil Nadu Electricity ▪ ELCOT will work with the ICT Academy to
Regulatory Commission (TNERC). design and conduct courses specific to data
▪ They are eligible for 100% subsidy of tax on centre operations.
power purchased from Tangedco or generated tn
and consumed from captive sources for five Efforts on to retain top slot in IT space:
years from the date of commencement of ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said efforts were
commercial operation. on to ensure that Tamil Nadu retained the
e/
▪ As per the latest tariff order, the State number one position in the IT space.
Government charges 60% of the conventional ▪ Inaugurating the 20th edition of CII Connect
cross subsidy charge for wind energy and 70% 2021, an international conference and
exhibition on information and communication
.m
of the conventional charge for solar energy for

third-party open access consumers. technology (ICT), he said in 1996, a separate
▪ The government has now said that the same department was created, along with an IT task
shall be extended to data centre units and force, which made possible the formation of
parks. Units with a sanctioned load of 50 MW the 340crore TIDEL Park in Taramani on the
//t
or more shall be provided dual power (two IT corridor.

different grids from two different locations/ ▪ Connect was organized by the Confederation
providers). of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with
s:
▪ The policy addresses critical factors of the Tamil Nadu Government, the Electronics
considerations such as power connections, Corporation of Tamil Nadu, the Ministry
multilevel stacking of generators and car of Electronics and Information Technology,
the Union Government and the Software
tp
parking provisions, among other things, along

with single window clearances and stamp Technology Parks of India.
duty concessions. The policy also promotes Minister reviews Tax Collection:
investments in tier 2 and tier 3 cities and green
ht
▪ Minister for Commercial Taxes and

building data centers with incentives.
Registration P. Moorthy chaired a meeting of
▪ In terms of stamp duty, if a firm wants to set Joint Commissioners of his department and
up a centre in A and B category districts, 50% reviewed the status of various announcements
concession will be given for the purchase/lease made by him in the last Assembly session.
of land obtained from Electronics Corporation
of Tamil Nadu Limited (ELCOT)/SIDCO/
SIPCOT.
▪ In line with his announcement, orders have Government Order regarding the
been issued to create seven new commercial Annual Audit of the Temples in Tamil
taxes administrative zones and six new Nadu:
intelligence zones across the State.
▪ The annual audit of temples will henceforth be
▪ A total of 56,295 crores, including under the purview of the Finance Department.
compensation, has been collected under the
▪ All these years, it had been under the control
GST in Tamil Nadu in the current fiscal 2021-
of the Hindu Religious and Charitable
e
22 (till October 2021).
Endowments (HR and CE) Department.
▪ This is 26% higher than the figures recorded in
▪ The move, according to a recent Government
re
the comparable period last year and 3% higher
Order, was based on a request from the
than figures in 2019-20 (till October 2019).
HR and CE Commissioner, who sought the
Air Quality Monitoring Stations: change to make auditing more transparent
cf
▪ The State government has sanctioned 64 and Independent.
crore to set up a state-of-heart Integrated State’s Invocation Song:
Environment Monitoring Studio that will
▪ Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi has
ps
provide real-time information from the
asked the Indian Institute of Technology
Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Madras to ensure that ‘Tamil thai vazhthu’, the
Stations (CAAQMS).
State’s invocation song, is sung at all functions
▪ The studio will provide information to in the institution.
regulatory bodies to take immediate
preventive and corrective measures.
▪ The data will be in public domain to alert
tn
About:
▪ Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu (Invocation to
Mother Tamil), is the State song of Tamil
e/
people about air pollution. Nadu.
▪ Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board ▪ The song was written by Manonmaniam
(TNPCB) would establish 28 stations in the Sundaram Pillai and composed by M. S.
district headquarters and major cities with a
.m
Viswanathan.
population of one lakh and above.
▪ Generally official functions of the Government
IT sector will help industries to become of Tamil Nadu start with this song and end
Globally Competitive: with the Indian National Anthem.
//t
▪ The Tamil Nadu government is taking many ▪ Adopted in 1956.

steps towards bridging the gap in information Initiative for women’s safety launched
and communications technology (ICT) skills
▪ To mark the International Day for the
and training people to become technologically
s:
Elimination of Violence Against Women,

savvy.
the ‘Niruthuda Women’s movement’ was
▪ Implementation of Bharat Net in the State formally launched by Karunalaya Social
will cover all village panchayats by this year,
tp
Service Society.
and the Tamil Nadu Data Centre Policy will
▪ In a statement of objectives prepared by them,
go a long way in making digital technology
the members said they would work towards
available to all sections of people.
ht
raising awareness about women’s rights and

About National Optical Fibre Network instill confidence and courage in women to
(NOFN) (now BharatNet/Tamil Net), 2017: fight Violence.
▪ Aim: Provide broadband connectivity to all
Gram Panchayats of India.
▪ The State will leverage both BharatNet and
Tamil Net to provide optical fibre.
International Conference on Classical BAPASI Elected its New President:

Language Day: ▪ Kumaran Publication S. Vairavan has been
▪ The Conference on Classical Language Day elected as the President of Book Sellers
was held at Annai Velankanni Women's and Publishers Association of South India
College at Saidapet which was jointly (BAPASI) recently.
organised by Mayilam Sivagnana Palaya ▪ Secretary- 'Nadham Geetham' S K Murugan.
Swamy Tamil College of Arts and Sciences, ▪ Treasurer - 'Leo Books' A Kumaran.
e
Kamban Kazhagam Foundation Tindivanam,
▪ Vice President (TAMIL) - 'Vanitha Publication'
Thanjavur Tamil Thai Foundation, Kuwait
P. Mayilavelan.
re
Tamil Islamic Association, Melbourne Tamil
Sangam of Australia and Annai Velankanni ▪ Vice President (English) - Maduari 'Sarvodaya
College. Illakiya Pannai' V. Purushothaman.
▪ Ko. Periyannan, the President of All India ▪ Deputy Joint Secretary (Tamil)- 'Unavu
cf
Writer's Association, VM Sethuraman- Ullagam Publication' Rama Meiyappan.
Founder of International Tamil Forum and ▪ Deputy Joint Secretary (English)- 'Spider
S. Devaraj- Founder of Annai Velankanni Books' S. Subramanian.
ps
College were presented with the Lifetime
Drop Duty on Cotton Imports:
Achievement Award 'Semmozhi Selvar'.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged Union
▪ Similarly, 107 people, including professors
Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal to direct the
and students who completed research papers tn Ministries concerned to remove the 11%
at the conference were presnted with the
import duty on cotton.
'Semmozhi Sudar award'.
▪ He pitched for reducing the minimum lot at
Thirukkural-World’s Secular Literature: e-auction.
e/
▪ Uran Adigalar, head of the Samarasa Sanmarga ▪ In a letter, he also sought the extension of
Research Center, has said that Thirukkural is 5% interest subvention to spinning mills for
the world's secular rhetoric (PerIllakiyam). cotton procurement during the peak season
.m
▪ On behalf of the Puducherry Literary (December - March).

Association " Kuralodu Uravadu", the ▪ One of the major reasons for the cotton price
unveiling of the Thiruvalluvar statue and volatility was the 5% basic customs duty, 5%
the launching ceremony of the book 'Tilasai agriculture infrastructure development cess
//t
Rathinap Pa' was held at the Tilasupettai and 10% social welfare cess imposed in the
Thalinchai Kaliamman Temple premises. Union Budget for 2021-22. This amounted to
▪ Uran Adigalar, Chairman, Samarasa an overall import duty of 11%.
s:
Sanmarkka Research Center, who presided About Import Duty:

over the function, spoke on the release of the ▪ Import duty is a type of tax levied on the
book 'Tilasai Rathinap Pa': Tolkappiyam in import and specific exports of a nation's
Grammar and Thirukkural in Literature are customs authorities. The value of goods will
tp
the biographical law books for Tamils. generally decide the amount of import duty
▪ Such a book did not form 2,000 years ago or that will be imposed. Sometimes, import duty
later. is also referred to as customs duty, import tax,
ht
▪ Thirukkural has been translated into most import tariff, or tariff.

languages. Best Performing State Overall in India:
▪ Thirukkural is the secular secular literature ▪ Chief Minister Mr. Stalin thanked India Today
of the world,which talks about public morals magazine for selecting Tamil Nadu as the Best
beyond country, race, and religion. Performing State Overall in the India Today
survey of State of States 2021.
▪ The Chief Minister said he was dedicating the ▪ Historical records collated by Mr. Gandhi
award to the people of Tamil Nadu and vowed shows that beekeeping in Marthandam was
to work harder than in the past seven months started at the YMCA, Marthandam campus,
of his rule. by Dr. Spencer Hatch, in 1924.
▪ The society was established in the year 1937.
Increase in Subsidy to Small Temples:
“ The honey produced in Marthandam has
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin increased the fixed been certified as AGMARK ‘A’ grade by the
e
deposits for 12,959 Onetime Puja (Oru Kaala Government of India.
Pujai) temples in the State to 2 lakh each.
▪ The method of processing this specific honey
▪ He released 129.59 crore as State subsidy
re
is unique as it is extracted from the hives
towards this. and stored in wax coated drums for over 49
▪ Onetime puja temples under the purview of the months which helps in changing the density of
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments the honey as well as removing all the dirt and
cf
(HR and CE) Department have so far been impurities naturally.
getting interest from fixed deposit of 1 lakh
About Geographical Indications (GI)
each to be used for puja.
▪ A GI is a sign used on products that have a
ps
▪ Mr. Stalin handed over a cheque for 129.59 specific geographical origin and possess
crore to Tamil Nadu Power Finance and qualities or a reputation that are due to that
Infrastructure Development Corporation origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must
(Tufidco Powerfin) as fixed deposit. identify a product as originating in a given
▪ The Corporation’s Chairman and Managing
Director Atulya Misra received the cheque at
a function at the Secretariat.
tnplace. In addition, the qualities, characteristics
or reputation of the product should be
essentially due to the place of origin.
e/
▪ It was in 1984 that a scheme to provide funds ▪ GI tags are issued as per the Geographical
to temples was launched. Indications of Goods (Registration and
▪ In 1993, it was increased to 25,000 per temple Protection) Act, 1999. This tag is issued by
the Geographical Indication Registry under
.m
from 3,500 and in the first phase 2,500 temples

were covered. the Department of Industry Promotion and
▪ The government created fixed deposits of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
1 lakh each for 12,959 temples from surplus Industry.
funds of large temples in 2011. ▪ Darjeeling Tea was the first product to be
//t
▪ In September 2021, the government began awarded GI tag in India in 2004−2005.

providing 1,000 a month per priest of the ▪ Karnataka has the highest number of GI tag
onetime puja temples. products, followed by Tamil nadu.
s:
▪ The GI tag is valid for 10 years and then it can

GI tag sought for Marthandam Honey: be renewed for next 10 years.
▪ Marthandam Beekeepers’ Cooperative Society ▪ Recently, Madurai marikolunthu, Kashmir
tp
Ltd. in Kanniyakumari district has filed an saffron, black rice Manipur got this GI tag.
application seeking geographical indication
(GI) tag for Marthandam Honey. ‘Reimburse only 75% of fees to schools
ht
▪ This particular honey is produced in Kakulam for RTE Admissions’

and Vilavancode taluks in Kanniyakumari. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has directed the
▪ Data provided in the GI application shows that Director of Matriculation Schools to reimburse
Marthandam and its neighbouring villages only 75% of fees for the 2020-2021 academic
produce around 6 lakh kg of honey each year year to schools which have admitted children
(from hives kept in Kanniyakumari). under the RTE Act.
▪ A Government Order issued to this effect by

School Education Secretary Kakarla Usha said
that the government had sanctioned 419.52
crore for the 2020-21 academic year towards
the reimbursement of fees for nonminority,
self-financing schools which have admitted
children under the RTE Act.
e
▪ The Right to Education Act states that 25%
of seats at the entry level should be kept
re
for the admission of children belonging to
disadvantaged groups and weaker sections.
About:
▪ The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
cf
Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE)
is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted on
4 August 2009, which describes the modalities
ps
of the importance of free and compulsory
education for children between the age of 6
to 14 years in India under Article 21A of the
Indian Constitution.
minority institutions) to reserve 25% of seats

for the poor and other categories of children
tn
▪ The Act requires all private schools (except the
e/
(to be reimbursed by the state as part of the
public-private partnership plan).
▪ It also prohibits all unrecognized schools from
practice, and makes provisions for no donation
.m
or capitation fees and no interview of the child

or parent for admission.
▪ The Act also provides that no child shall be
held back, expelled, or required to pass a
//t
board examination until the completion of

Elementary Education.
▪ There is also a provision for special training
s:
of school drop-outs to bring them up to par

with students of the same age. The Right to
Education of persons with disabilities until
tp
18 years of age is laid down under a separate

legislation- the Persons with Disabilities Act.
▪ A number of other provisions regarding
improvement of school infrastructure, teacher-
ht
student ratio and faculty are made in the Act.
Government of Tamil Nadu
Department of Employment and Training
Course : Competitive Exam

Subject : Current Affairs
Topic : Current Affairs – December 2021
© Copyright
The Department of Employment and Training has prepared the Competitive
Exams study material in the form of e-content for the benefit of Competitive Exam
aspirants and it is being uploaded in this Virtual Learning Portal. This e-content study
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CONTENTS
HISTORY
01
29 POLITICAL SCIENCE
GEOGRAPHY
33
34 ECONOMICS
SCIENCE
41
NATIONAL–DIARY OF
EVENT 47
71 INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
77
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. HISTORY
1.1 IMPORTANT DAYS

▪ The world marks AIDS Day on December 1 to
highlight the work done to eliminate the Epidemic.
▪ The day is also observed to extend support to those
who have to live with the life-threatening condition
December 1 World AIDS DAY
caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV).
▪ The theme for World AIDS Day 2021 is “END
INEQUALITIES. END AIDS.END PANDEMICS.”
▪ National Pollution Control Day 2021 is observed
annually on December 2 to remember the people
National Pollution
who lost lives during 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
December 2 Control Day
It is also the day to raise awareness about the
hazards of Air Pollution.
December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 2 World Computer Literacy Day
▪ Every year, the International Day of Persons
with Disabilities is observed on December 3
International Day
with a particular theme. This year, the theme for
of Persons with
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021
December 3 Disabilities
is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with
disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and
sustainable post-COVID 19 world’.
▪ The Indian Navy Day is observed on December
4 every year to recognize the efforts and
achievements of the Indian Navy in Operation
Indian Navy Day Trident conducted during the Indo-Pakistan war
December 4 in 1971.
▪ Theme of the Day for 2021: “Swarnim Vijay Varsh”
to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of India’s victory
in the 1971 war.
2 | Current Affairs (DECEMBER 2021)

December 4 International Day of Banks
December 5 World Soil Day ▪ Theme: “half Soil Salinization, enhance soil
production”.
International Day for
December 5
Economic & Social ▪ Theme: “Volunteer how for our common Future”.
Development
December 7 National Armed Forces Day / National Flag Day
December 8 SAARC Charter Day
December 8 to
Energy Conservation Week
14
International Anti- ▪ Theme: “Your right, Your role: Say to to
December 9
Corruption Day Corruption.
▪ Human Rights Day is observed on December 10
every year.
Human Rights Day ▪ This year’s Human Rights Day theme is “Equality,
December 10
reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.”
December 10 International Animal Rights Day
International
December 11 ▪ Theme: “Sustainable Mountain Tourism”
Mountain Day
▪ Theme: “To help Children Recover from
December 11 UNICEF Day interruptions and learning losses experienced
through pandemics in the last Two Years”.
International Day of
December 12 ▪ 1st observed in 2017.
Neutrality.
International
▪ Theme: “Leave no One’s Health Behind: Invest in
December 12 University Health
health Systems for all”.
Coverage Day
▪ Theme: “Azadi ka Amrit” Mahotsav: Energy
Energy Conservation
December 14 Efficient India’ and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav:
Day
Cleaner Planet”.
December 15 International Tea Day
▪ The Victory War Memorial on Kamarajar Salai
was built to pay homage to the heroes of the 1971
Indo Pakistan war.
December 16 Vijay Diwas
▪ ‘Vijay Diwas’ is celebrated on December 16 every
year to commemorate the anniversary of the
victory of the Indian armed forces in the 1971
India Pakistan war.
HISTORY | 3

December 17 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
International ▪ Theme: “Harnessing the Potential of Human

December 18
Migrants Day Mobility”.
National Minorities
December 18 ▪ Declared in 1992 by UN
Rights Day
▪ World Arabic Language Day is observed on
18 December to honour the language, which is
December 18 World Arabic spoken by over 400 million people globally.
Language Day ▪ It has been celebrated since 2012 to mark the
adoption of Arabic as the Sixth Official Language of
the United Nations by the UN General Assembly.
▪ The theme of the World Arabic Language Day
2021 is “Arabic Language, a bridge between
Civilizations”.
▪ Operation Vijay to free Portuguese Colonies in
December 19 Goa Liberation Day
India.
December 20 International Human Solidarity Day
▪ National Mathematics Day is celebrated on
22 December Annually to commemorate the
birth anniversary of the famous mathematician
Srinivasa Ramanujan.
▪ About:
▪ The day was announced by then Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on 26 February 2012 at Madras
National
December 22 University, to mark the 125th birth anniversary of
Mathematics Day
the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
▪ On this occasion Manmohan Singh also announced
that 2012 would be celebrated as the National
Mathematics Year.
▪ Ramanujam was born on 22 December 1887 in
Erode.
▪ 2021 Marks 5th Siddha Day
▪ Theme: “Strength of Siddha in Communicable
December 23 Siddha Day
Diseases.
▪ Birthday of Siddhar Agathiyar

▪ Kisan Divas or Farmer’s Day in India or National
Farmer’s Day is celebrated on 23 December across
the country to commemorate the birth anniversary
23 December Kisan Diwas of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the Fifth prime
minister of India.
▪ In 2001, the then government designated Charan
Singh’s birth anniversary as Kisan Diwas.
December 24 National Consumer Rights Day
▪ Aiming at creating awareness about accountability
in government among the citizens of the country,
every year on the Birth Anniversary of former
December 25 Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, December 25
Good Governance
is observed as the Good Governance Day.
Day 2021
▪ The theme for this year is ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki
Aur’, and the day will be observed as a part of the
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
December 27 International Day & Epidemic Preparedness
HISTORY | 5

Nagaland: ▪ While there are fewer instances of child labour
59 Statehood Day:
th in Kerala, children continue to be brought
▪ Nagaland celebrated its 59th Statehood Day to the State along with migrant workers and
with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extending his through middlemen for work.
greetings to the people of the State. Special Intervention Plan for
▪ Mr. Rio, on the occasion, said that the State Attapady Tribes:
with special provisions (Article 371-A in the
▪ Kerala Minister for Health, Women and Child
Constitution), occupies a unique position in
Development Veena George has announced a
the Indian Union.
special intervention plan for Attappady.
▪ According to the Article 371-A, no act of
▪ She said the long-term health of the tribal
Parliament would apply to the State of
community would be ensured through a
Nagaland in matter relating to religious or
special intervention plan.
social practices of Nagas, Naga customary
law and procedure, administration of civil or ▪ Attention would be paid to women, children
criminal justice involving decisions according and adolescents. She said a special collective
to Naga customary law and ownership and named ‘Pentrika Koota’ would be made
transfer of land and its resources. by involving 175 Anganwadi workers and
helpers, Asha workers and educated women.
About:
▪ In 1963, the State of Nagaland was formed by Meghalaya:
taking the Naga Hills and Tuensang area out ▪ Root Bridges:
of the state of Assam.
▪ A living root bridge is a type of simple
▪ Nagaland is the first State in the northeast to suspension bridge formed of living plant
be bifurcated from Assam as the 16th State of roots by tree shaping. They are common in the
the Indian Union. This was done to satisfy the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of
movement of the hostile Nagas. Meghalaya.
▪ However, before giving Nagaland the status ▪ They are handmade from the aerial roots of
of the 16th state of the Indian Union, it was rubber fig trees (Ficus elastica) by the Khasi
placed under the control of governor of Assam and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain
in 1961. along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau.
▪ By the State of Nagaland Act, 1962, it became ▪ Most of the bridges grow on steep slopes of
the State with effect from December 1, 1963. subtropical moist broadleaf forest between
50m and 1150m above sea level.
Kerala:
▪ Longest Living Root Bridge-At over 50 meters
Fortnight Vaccination Drive: in length, the longest known example of a
▪ In the wake of the emergence of the new living root known as Rangthylliang Bridge.
and more transmissible SARSCoV2 variant
Omicron, the Kerala Government has started a Odisha:
fortnight long special vaccination drive. Air Health Services Scheme:
▪ Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Incentive for Information on Child Inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Bayu
Labour: Swasthya Seva (Air Health Services) at
▪ The Kerala Government has decided to give Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International
an incentive of ₹2,500 to those providing Airport.
information about child labour.
▪ Child labour has been banned and made a
criminal offence.
▪ The Mukhyamantri Bayu Swasthya Seva (Air

Health Services) has been inaugurated for a
better health care facility which will become a
milestone in Odisha’s healthcare system.
Kerala:
Statue of P.N Panicker:
▪ President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled a statue
of late P.N. Panicker made of bronze at
Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram and said
he wanted to remove the evil of illiteracy.
▪ The President said Panicker spread an
Important message - "Vayichu Valaruka"
which means "Read and Grow".
▪ He said that Panicker made libraries and
literacy a movement of the people.
About P N Panicker:
▪ Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (1 March 1909
– 19 June 1995) is known as the Father of the
Library Movement in the Indian state of
Kerala.
▪ The activities of the Kerala Grandhasala
Sangham that he initiated triggered a popular
cultural movement in Kerala which produced
universal literacy in the state in the 1990s.
▪ June 19, his death Anniversary, has been
observed in Kerala as Vayanadinam (Reading
Day) since 1996.
▪ The Department of Education in Kerala also
observes Vayana varam (Reading Week) for
a week from June 19 to 25.
▪ In 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi declared June 19, Kerala's Reading Day,
as National Reading Day in India and the
following month is also observed as National
Reading Month in India (From June 19 to
July 18).
Meghalaya:
Cherry Blossom Festival 2021:
▪ Shillong’s famous Cherry Blossom Festival is
back this year after being cancelled due to a
Pandemic last year.
▪ The annual Cherry Blossom Festival begins
in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, on
November 25 and ends on November 27.
HISTORY | 7

25th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): ▪ BSF patrols about 192 kilometers of the
▪ The Chief of the Naval Staff is the head of the International Border with Pakistan and also
military staff of the Indian Navy. deployed, along with the Indian Army, on the
Line of Control.
▪ Admiral R. Hari Kumar assumed charge as
the 25th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from ▪ In the year 2021, the BSF encountered many
outgoing Chief Admiral Karambir Singh challenges like drone activities, smuggling
who retired on superannuation after a career and tunneling in the region of Jammu and
spanning over 41 years in service. Kashmir.
About Admiral Hari Kumar: ▪ But the security force has remained at the
▪ Admiral Kumar’s Sea Command includes forefront in Combating all Challenges.
Coast Guard Ship C-01, INS Nishank, Missile About Border Security Force (BSF):
Corvette, INS Kora and Guided Missile ▪ BSF was formed on December 1, 1965 as a
Destroyer INS Ranvir. unified Central agency after the Indo-Pak and
▪ He also commanded aircraft carrier INS Viraat. India-China wars for ensuring the security of
the borders of India and for matters connected
▪ He also served as Fleet Operations Officer of
therewith.
the Western Fleet.
▪ It is one of the five Central Armed Police
▪ He has also served in the Civil Military
Forces of the Union of India and stands as the
Operations Centre of U.N. Mission in Somalia
world’s largest border guarding force.
(UNOSOM I) at Mogadishu from December
1992 to June 1993. ▪ It is the only CAPF to have a Full-fledged
Water Wing, Air Wing and even an Artillery
About Indian Armed Forces:
regiment of its own.
▪ The Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian
Armed Forces (CDS) is the military head and ▪ It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee ▪ BSF has been termed as the First Line of
of the Indian Armed Forces. Defence of Indian Territories.
▪ The current and first Chief of Defence Staff ▪ Khusro Faramurz Rustamji was the first
is Bipin Rawat who took office on 1 January Director General of BSF (Founder).
2020. ▪ Motto: Duty unto Death
▪ The Chief of the Army Staff is the head of ▪ Headquarters: New Delhi
the military staff of the Indian Army and the ▪ BSF Director General: Pankaj Kumar Singh.
chairman of the Indian Army Board.
▪ The current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is First Indigenously Built Survey
General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who took Vessel — ‘Sandhayak’:
office on 31 December 2019. ▪ Adding new feather to the Indian Navy,
▪ The Chief of the Air Staff is the commander Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
in chief and head air marshal of the Indian Air Ltd. (GRSE) — a Defence PSU and a leading
Force. warship building company of India launched
▪ The current Chief of Air Staff (CAS) is Air its First indigenously built Survey Vessel —
Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who ‘Sandhayak’ in the presence of Minister of
took office on 30 September 2021. State for Defence Ajay Bhatt.
▪ Formally launched by Pushpa Bhatt, wife of
Border Security Force marks its 57th Ajay Bhatt, ‘Sandhayak’ is the first in the series
Raising Day: of four ships under the Survey Vessel (Large)
▪ The Border Security Force (BSF) is celebrating project for the Indian Navy.
its 57th Raising Day on 1st December 2021.
▪ These survey ships are capable of full scale ▪ The 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron was formally
coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of established in Mumbai in October 1991 with
Ports & Harbour approaches & determination 10 Veer Class and three Prabal Class missile
of navigational channels and Routes. boats.
▪ In addition, these ships are also capable of ▪ Indian Navy ships Nirghat, Nipat and Veer
undertaking surveys of Maritime limits and fired their Styx missiles and sank Pakistan
collection of Oceanographic and Geographical Navy ships Khyber and Muhafiz.
data for Defence applications, thus boosting ▪ Codenamed Op Trident, this operation is
the maritime capabilities of the country. considered to be one of the most successful
▪ The ships are fully designed by the design team operations in modern naval history, with
of GRSE to meet the requirements of the Indian no casualties being sustained by the Indian
Navy and are being built and outfitted utilizing Forces.
the concepts of ‘Integrated Construction’ and
in compliance with applicable provisions and Anti-drone Technology for
regulations of the Classification Society (IRS). Pakistan Borders:
▪ Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that
Indian Navy’s 22nd Missile Vessel indigenously made anti-drone technology
Squadron will receive the President’s would soon be available to tackle the
Standard: challenges faced by drones in areas bordering
▪ The Indian Navy’s 22nd Missile Vessel Pakistan.
Squadron, that bombed the Karachi Port and ▪ Mr. Shah was speaking at the 56th Raising Day
sunk Pakistan Navy’s vessels in the 1971 war, Parade of the Border Security Force (BSF) in
will receive the President’s Standard, a rare Jaisalmer. This is the first time that the Raising
honour for its distinguished service, from Day Parade of the border guarding force has
President Ram Nath Kovind. been held outside Delhi.
▪ This year also marks 50 years of inception of ▪ Mr. Shah also invoked the Surgical Strike
the Missile Vessel Squadron, also known as Operation after the 2016 Uri terror attack and
the ‘Killers’, which over the past five decades the Balakot air strike post Pulwama attack in
has maintained the capability of delivering a 2019 to drive the point that the Government
credible offensive punch from the sea. was serious about National Security.
▪ Based in Mumbai, the Missile Vessel Squadron ▪ Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh
has participated in the Operation Vijay, Shafeenul Islam was among the special
Operation Parakram and most recently, invitees present on the occasion.
during the heightened security state following
the Pulwama attack, it was deployed within Vertically Launched Short Range
striking distance off the Pakistan coast. Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM):
▪ The ships in this squadron have the ability ▪ India successfully test-fired the Vertically
to move swiftly and are missile-ready. Their Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile
deployment also acts as a deterrent. (VL-SRSAM) from Integrated Test Range (ITR)
▪ The Indian Navy was awarded the President’s in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, said the
Colours on May 27, 1951 by the then President Ministry of Defence.
of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad. ▪ The indigenously developed missile was Test
▪ The President’s Standard is the same honour fired from a static vertical launcher positioned
as the President’s Colours, awarded to a at the Integrated Test Range (ITR).
relatively smaller military formation or unit, ▪ DRDO Chairman Dr. G Satheesh Reddy said
the Navy said in a statement. this was a confirmatory trial to prove the
consistent performance of the configuration
and integrated operation.
HISTORY | 9
▪ Designed and developed by DRDO for Indian ▪ The test was carried out from the Integrated
Navy, the missile is capable of neutralising Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha
various aerial threats at close ranges including on December 08, 2021.
sea skimming targets. About BrahMos:
▪ The system can provide point and area defence ▪ The BrahMos is a joint venture between
against various aerial targets like jets, fighter India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) for the
aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles. development, production and marketing of
▪ With high kill probability, it can identify, the supersonic cruise missile.
track, engage and destroy targets at a range up ▪ The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet
to 40 km. supersonic cruise missile that can be launched
from submarine, ships, aircraft or land.
Vacuum at top level of the Military
▪ The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed
Hierarchy: from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra
▪ The untimely death of the country’s first CDS of India and the Moskva of Russia.
General Bipin Rawat has created a vacuum at
▪ It is the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile
the highest level of India’s military hierarchy.
currently in operation.
▪ After Gen. Rawat, the senior most officer
▪ In 2019, India upgraded the missile with a
in the military is Army chief General M.M.
new range of 650 km with plans to eventually
Naravane, who has tenure till April 2022.
upgrade all missiles to a range of 1500 km.
▪ He took over as the 28th Army chief from Gen.
Rawat on December 31, 2019 and is distinctly Pinaka Extended Range Rocket System
senior to the other two Service chiefs. Tested:
▪ The CDS wears several hats, which include ▪ Successful tests of the Pinaka Extended Range
9 Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (ER) multi-barrel rocket launcher system, Area
(DMA) in the Defence Ministry, Denial Munitions (ADM) and indigenously
9 Permanent Chairman, developed fuses have been carried out at
various test ranges.
9 Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the
▪ The technology of the Pinaka ER rockets was
9 Principal Adviser to the Defence Minister. transferred by the DRDO to the industry
▪ After the appointment of the CDS, the partner, which manufactured the enhanced
armed forces were brought within the ambit Pinaka Mk1 rockets with DRDO’s handholding
of the DMA, which also deals with works during the production and Quality Assurance.
relating to the three Services, and with About Pinaka:
procurement exclusive to the Services, except ▪ Pinaka is an indigenous multi-barrel rocket
capital acquisitions which remains with the launch system, which has been developed
Department of Defence. by the Defence Research and Development
▪ The broad mandate of the CDS includes Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army.
bringing about “jointness” in “operations, ▪ Its weapon system has a state-of-the-art
logistics, transport, training, support services, Guidance kit bolstered by an advanced
communications, repairs and maintenance of Navigation and control system.
the three Services, within three years of the
▪ The Pinaka Mark II Rocket is modified as a
first CDS assuming office”.
missile by integrating with the navigation,
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise control and guidance system to improve the
Missile: accuracy and enhance the range.
▪ The air version of the BrahMos supersonic ▪ The navigation system of the missile is aided
cruise missile was successfully test-fired from by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I. System (IRNSS).
▪ It is an artillery missile system capable of Stealth destroyer Mormugao sails for

striking into enemy territory up to a range of Trial on Goa Liberation Day:
75 kilometres with high precision. ▪ Indian Navy's second indigenous stealth
Supersonic Missile assisted destroyer of the P15B class Mormugao,
planned to be commissioned in mid-2022,
Torpedo System tested: DRDO
proceeded on her maiden sea sortie.
▪ A supersonic missile assisted torpedo system
▪ Mormugao is being built at Mazagon Dock
developed by the Defence Research and
Shipbuilders Ltd (MDSL) as part of the Project
Development Organisation (DRDO) was
15B destroyers. The ship incorporates several
successfully launched from Wheeler Island in
niche indigenous technologies and is a shining
Odisha.
example of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant
▪ Odisha government has formally named the India).
Outer Wheeler Island in Bhadrak district
as APJ Abdul Kalam Island as a tribute to First Squadron of S- 400 Missile
the former president on his second death Deployed in Punjab Sector:
anniversary on 28 July 2017. ▪ The Indian Air Force (IAF) first squadron of
DRDO Tests Agni P Missile: deployed Russia-made S-400 missile system
in the Punjab sector. This will give a boost to
▪ New generation nuclear capable ballistic
country's air defence capabilities.
Missile Agni P was successfully tested from
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of ▪ The batteries of the first squadron would be
Odisha. capable of taking care of aerial threats from
both Pakistan and China.
▪ This is the second test of the missile. The First
Test took place in June. About:
▪ A purchase agreement was signed in 2015 and
▪ Agni P is a two stage canisterised solid
a deal worth $4.5 billion was finalised in 2018
propellant missile with dual redundant
navigation and guidance system and has a ▪ The S-400 air defence system was contracted
range of up to 2,000 km. for by India in a deal worth around ₹35,000
crore and five squadrons would be provided
▪ DRDO officials termed Agni P as a new
to India for tacking air threats from up to 400
Generation advanced variant of Agni class of
km.
missiles with improved parameters, including
manoeuvring and accuracy. ▪ The S-400 missile defence system is equipped
with four different missiles which can engage
About DRDO:
enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and AWACS
▪ The Defence Research and Development
planes at 400 km, 250 km, the medium-range
Organisation (DRDO) is the premier agency
under the Department of Defence Research ▪ 120 km and the short-range 40 km.
and Development in Ministry of Defence Pralay Ballistic Missile:
of the Government of India, charged with
▪ India successfully test-fired the surface-
the military's research and development,
to-surface guided, short-range Pralay
Headquartered in Delhi, India.
Ballisitic Missile, the Defence Research and
▪ DRDO was formed in 1958 from the Development Organisation (DRDO) said,
amalgamation of the then already functioning Adding that weapon met all its objectives.
Technical Development Establishment (TDEs)
▪ The missile, which can strike targets at a range
of the Indian Army and the Directorate of
of 150 to 500 kms, was test-fired off the Odisha
Technical Development & Production (DTDP)
coast.
with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
▪ Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy.
HISTORY | 11
▪ It followed the desired quasi ballistic ▪ It had the distinction of being part of both the
Trajectory, and reached the designated target Western and Eastern Fleets.
with high degree accuracy, validating the
control, guidance and mission algorithms. Defence Technology & Test Centre in
▪ Pralay is powered with solid propellant rocket Lucknow:
motor, and has many new technologies. ▪ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the
Foundation stone for a Defence Technology
▪ Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO, the
& Test Centre (DTTC) and a BrahMos
agency said that upon induction, the missile,
manufacturing centre to be established by
which is equipped with modern technology,
the Defence Research and Development
would ‘provide necessary inputs to the armed
Organisation in Lucknow.
forces.’ Pralay can be fired from a mobile
launcher, and its guidance system includes ▪ The DTTC is being set up to implement the
state-of-the-art Navigation System and MoU between the Uttar Pradesh Expressways
Integrated Avionics. Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA)
and the DRDO.
▪ The project to develop this missile was
sanctioned in March 2015 with a budget of
nearly ₹333 crore.
▪ The weapon is based on the Prithvi Defence
Vehicle from the Indian Ballistic Missile
Defence Program.
Exercise ‘Dosti’:
▪ The 15th edition of the Maldives, India, and Sri
Lanka biennial Trilateral Exercise ‘Dosti’ is
underway in Maldives from 20-24 November
as part of regional security formation for
Peaceful and stable Indian Ocean Region.
▪ This year marks 30 years since the initiation of
the exercise.
▪ The aim of India-Maldives-Sri Lanka Tri-
Lateral Exercise ‘DOSTI’ is to further fortify
the friendship, enhance mutual operational
capability, and exercise interoperability and to
build cooperation between the Coast Guards
of Maldives, India and Sri Lanka.
INS Khukri decommissioned after 32

years of Service to Nation:
▪ The Sun has finally set on INS Khukri (Pennant
number 49), the first of the indigenously
built missile corvettes, in Visakhapatnam on
December 23.
▪ The ship was decommissioned after 32 years
of service to the nation, Visakhapatanam at
Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
▪ The corvette was built by the Mazagaon Dock
Shipbuilders and commissioned on August
23, 1989.
1.4 EMINENT PERSONS

Dr. Rajendra Prasad: Se. Ganesalingan:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes ▪ Se. Ganesalingan, veteran Marxist, Tamil
to India's First President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, writer dies at 93.
in office from 1950 to 1962, on his 137th birth ▪ Born on March 9, 1928, in Urumpirai of Jaffna
anniversary, hailing him as a person of unique district in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
talent who made distinguished contribution to ▪ He has written 71 novels, 7 short story
the freedom movement. collections, 22 essay collections, 8 books on
▪ His life dedicated to national interest will children’s literature.
always be a source of inspiration for people, ▪ His first story got published in 1950, and eight
Modi said. years later, a collection of his short stories was
About Rajendra Prasad: launched with a foreword by M. Varadarajan,
▪ He was an Indian political leader and Lawyer known as ‘Mu Va’ and widely regarded as an
by training. authority in Tamil studies.
▪ Dr. Prasad joined the Indian National Congress ▪ Ganesalingan’s first novel, Neenda Payanam
during the Indian Independence Movement (Long Journey) was out in 1965 and its theme
and became a major leader from the region of was caste oppression. It fetched him an award
Bihar, Maharashtra. from the Sri Lanka Sahitya Mandalaya.
▪ A supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Prasad ▪ The writer also did a comparative study of the
was imprisoned by British authorities during Thirukkural with Arthasastra, Machiavelli’s
the Salt Satyagraha of 1931 and the Quit India The Prince and the Bhagavad Gita.
movement of 1942. ▪ He ran a journal, Kumaran, during 1971-83,
▪ After the constituent assembly 1946 elections, which became noted for its articulation of the
Prasad served as Minister of Food and Leftist Marxian philosophy.
Agriculture in the central government.
▪ Upon independence in 1947, Prasad was elected Ramaswamy Venkataraman:
as President of the Constituent Assembly of ▪ Ramaswamy Venkataraman (4 December
India, which prepared the Constitution of 1910 – 27 January 2009) was an Indian lawyer,
India and served as its provisional parliament. Indian independence activist and politician.
▪ When India became a republic in 1950, ▪ Venkataraman was born in Rajamadam village
Prasad was elected its first president by the in Tanjore district, Madras Presidency.
Constituent Assembly. ▪ He participated in the Quit India Movement.
▪ In 1957, Prasad was re-elected to the ▪ He was appointed as the member of the
presidency, becoming the only president to Constituent Assembly and the provisional
serve two full terms. cabinet.
▪ Prasad stayed in office for the longest term of ▪ He was elected to the Lok Sabha four times
around 12 years. Post the completion of his and served as Union Finance Minister and
tenure, he quit the Congress and set up new Defence Minister.
guidelines for parliamentarians which are still ▪ In 1984, he was elected as the seventh vice
followed. president of India and in 1987, he became the
▪ Prasad played a major role in forming the eighth President of India and served from
Bihari Students Conference in 1906 and served 1987 to 1992. He also served as a state minister
as the president of the Constituent Assembly under K. Kamaraj and M. Bhaktavatsalam.
that drafted the Constitution of India.
HISTORY | 13
Konijeti Rosaiah: ▪ Ambedkar served as Chairman of the Drafting

▪ Former Governor of Tamil Nadu and former Committee of the Constitution of India, and
Chief Minister of the unified State of Andhra Minister of Law and Justice in the first cabinet
Pradesh Konijeti Rosaiah passed away in of Jawaharlal Nehru from 1947 to 1951.
Hyderabad. ▪ He is also referred to by the honorific
▪ After the sudden death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Babasaheb.
Reddy in 2009, Rosaiah, the then Finance ▪ In 1956, he converted to Buddhism, initiating
Minister, was elevated as Chief Minister before mass conversions of Dalits.
being made the Governor of Tamil Nadu. ▪ In 1990, the Bharat Ratna, India's highest
▪ Born in Guntur district on July 4, 1933, he civilian award, was posthumously conferred
started his political career as a member of the on Ambedkar.
Legislative Council in 1968. ▪ The salutation Jai Bhim (lit. "Hail Bhim") used
▪ He held various portfolios during his career by followers honours him.
and was the longest serving Finance Minister
presenting the budget 16 times. He was also C. Rajagopalachari:
elected to the Parliament once. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December
▪ He served as Pradesh Congress Committee 10 paid tributes to freedom fighter and
president twice and as a member of the statesman C. Rajagopalachari on his 143rd
Congress Working Committee. birth anniversary, saying he is remembered
for his contributions to the freedom struggle,
Sarada Menon: administrative and intellectual prowess.
▪ Sarada Menon, the longest serving head of the About Rajaji:
Institute of Mental Health, died in Chennai. ▪ The first deputy prime minister of India from
▪ She was 98. 1947 to 1950, Sardar Patel, was an ardent well-
▪ Born in Mangaluru, she did her psychiatry wisher of Rajaji.
training at the National Institute of Mental ▪ He studied law from the Presidency College in
Health and Neuro Sciences in Bengaluru. Madras (currently Chennai). In the year 1900,
▪ She is the Country's First Woman Psychiatrist he began his practice in Salem.
and was honored with Padma Bhushan in ▪ In 1917, he also became the Chairperson of
1992. Salem Municipality, which he served for two
▪ She founded the Schizophrenia Research years.
Foundation (SCARF India) in 1984 along with ▪ In 1916, Rajagopalachari formed the Tamil
Psychiatrist R. Thara. Scientific Terms Society. It is an organisation
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin that translates scientific terms from subjects
expressed his condolences and recalled that including mathematics, astronomy, chemistry,
she was awarded the Padma Bhushan (1992) physics, and biology into simple Tamil words.
and Tamil Nadu Government’s Avvaiyar ▪ In the year 1930, when Gandhi led the Dandi
Award (2016). March in the country, Rajaji did the same
at Nagapattinam and broke the salt law.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Following this incident, he became the editor of
▪ Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 Young India, Mahatma Gandhi’s Newspaper.
– 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, ▪ In 1937, when Congress came to power after
economist, and social reformer who fought the Madras Elections, Rajagopalachari was
economic and social discrimination against selected as the first Premier of the Madras
the untouchables (now dalits) in India's Hindu Presidency from the party.
society, and who later renounced Hinduism
▪ Two years later, he issued the temple entry
and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement.
authorization under which Dalits and Shanars
were allowed to enter temples.
▪ In 1952, he was sworn in as the Chief Minister ▪ Ki. Ra.'s stories were usually based in karisal
of Madras, now Tamil Nadu. kaadu (scorched, drought-stricken land)
▪ Later on in 1954, Rajagopalachari resigned around his native region of Kovilpatti.
from the post to focus on his writing. ▪ Gopallapurathu Makkal novel won him the
▪ He later founded the Swatantra Party, which Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991.
opposed the Congress and its policies statism ▪ In 1992, his short story “Current” was made
and socialism. into a Hindi film entitled Current for the
▪ Rajagopalachari was the last Governor- National Film Development Corporation of
General of India, as India soon became a India.
Republic in 1950. ▪ In 2003, his short story “kidai” was made
▪ He was also the first Indian-born governor- into a Tamil film entitled Oruththi and was
General, as all previous holders of the post screened at the International Film Festival of
were British nationals. India.
▪ He was one of the first recipients of India's ▪ His Awards and recognition are:
Highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. 9 1971 – Tamil valarchi araichi mandram award.
▪ He vehemently opposed the use of nuclear 9 1979 – Ilakkiya chinthanai award.
weapons and was a proponent of world peace 9 1990 – Santhome International Christian
and disarmament. Society Best Writer Award.
▪ During his lifetime, he also acquired the 9 2008 – M.A. Chidambaram award.
nickname ‘Mango of Salem’.
9 2016 – Literary achievement special award
Ki Rajanarayanan: from The Tamil Literary Garden.
▪ The foundation stone has been laid for the
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
memorial hall and library for writer Ki
Rajanarayanan in the Kovilpatti Panchayat ▪ India witnessed the 71st Death Anniversary of
Union Office. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on December 15.
About Ki Rajanarayanan: About Vallabhbhai Patel:
▪ Rayangala Shri Krishna Raja Narayana ▪ Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel born in Kheda
Perumal Ramanujam Naicker (16 September District Gujarat on 31st October 1875.
1923 – 17 May 2021), shortened to Ki. ▪ Popularly called as the ‘Iron Man of India’,
Rajanarayanan and popularly known by his Patel was a leader of the Congress party, a
Tamil initials as Ki. Ra., was an Indian Tamil lawyer by profession and as the first home
language folklorist and acclaimed writer from Minister and deputy prime minister of India.
Kovilpatti, in Tamil Nadu. ▪ First Home Minister and Deputy Prime
▪ Some of his popular works include Minister of India.
Gopalla Grammam (Gopalla Village), ▪ Headed various Committees of the Constituent
Gopallapurathu Makkal (The People of Assembly of India, namely:
Gopallapuram), Mayamaan (The Magical 9 Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights.
Deer), and Nattuppura Kadhai Kalanjiyam
9 Committee on Minorities and Tribal and
(Collection of Country Tales).
Excluded Areas.
▪ The Times of India called him the "Guardian
9 Provincial Constitution Committee.
of Tamil oral tradition".
▪ Integrated the farmer’s cause in Kheda
▪ His first short story "Mayamaan" ("The
Satyagraha (1918) and Bardoli Satyagraha
Magical Deer") was published in the magazine
(1928) with the National Freedom Movement.
Saraswati in 1959. It was an immediate success.
It was followed by many more short stories. ▪ Women of Bardoli bestowed the title ‘Sardar’
on Vallabhbhai Patel, which means ‘a Chief or
a Leader’.
HISTORY | 15
▪ The Statue of Unity is built in honor of Sardar in May 2000, to investigate the "killing of
Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Patel is credited with innocent sikhs" during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
uniting 560 princely states in pre-independent ▪ The report in two volumes was completed in
India hence the name of the Statue is christened February 2005.
as ‘Statue of Unity’. About Godhra Riots:
▪ It was inaugurated on 31st October, 2018 to ▪ The 2002 Gujarat riots, also known as the 2002
mark the 143rd Birth anniversary of Sardar Gujarat violence and the Gujarat pogrom, was
Patel. a three-day period of inter-communal violence
▪ The Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
world. At 182 metres,
Periyar:
▪ In January 2020, it was added in the ‘Eight
Wonders’ of the Shanghai Cooperation ▪ Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September
Organization (SCO). 1879 – 24 December 1973), revered as Periyar
or Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social
▪ Location:
activist and politician.
9 It is located on the Sadhu Bet Island on the
▪ He is known as the 'Father of the Dravidian
Narmada River, which flows between the
movement'.
Satpura and the Vindhya Mountain ranges.
▪ Since 2021, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
▪ Designed: celebrates his Birth Anniversary as 'Social
9 The Statue of Unity was designed by Padma Justice Day'.
Bhushan recipient sculptor Ram V Sutar. ▪ Ramasamy joined the Indian National
▪ He is also remembered as the "Patron Saint of Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925 when
India's Civil Servants" for having established he felt that the party was only serving the
the modern All India Services System which interests of Brahmins.
he described as the Country's "Steel Frame" ▪ In 1924, Ramasamy participated in non-violent
and thus he is regarded as “Father of Modern agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikom, Travancore.
All India Services”.
▪ In 1929, Ramasamy announced the deletion
Former SC judge Nanavati Passes of his caste title Naicker from his name at the
Away: First Provincial Self-Respect Conference of
▪ Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Girish Chengalpattu.
Thakorlal Nanavati (retd.), who investigated ▪ In 1939, Ramasamy became the head of the
the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots and the 2002 Godhra Justice Party, and in 1944, he changed its name
riots, passed away. to Dravidar Kazhagam.
About 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: ▪ He is known as the "Father of Modern Tamil
▪ The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, also known as the Nadu" as well as "Paguththarivu Pagalavan".
1984 Sikh Massacre, was a series of organised ▪ The title "Periyar" was conferred on
pogroms against Sikhs in India following the him by Tamil Nadu Women Conference
assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh held in Madras on 13th November 1938
Bodyguards. under the Presidentship of Neelambigai
▪ Date: October 31, 1984 - November 3, 1984. Ammaiyar daughter of Maraimalai Adigal.
Dr.Dharmambal gave the title "Periyar" to
▪ Location: Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya
him.
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
▪ His Newspapers: A Tamil weekly Kudi Arasu
▪ The Justice G.T. Nanavati commission was a
started in 1925, while the English journal
one-man commission headed by Justice G.T.
Revolt started in 1928.
Nanavati, a retired Judge of the Supreme
Court of India, appointed by the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) government
Antiapartheid Icon Desmond space science began when she watched

Tutu dies: the Sputnik launch from her hometown in
▪ South African antiapartheid icon Archbishop Lucknow in 1957.
Desmond Tutu, described as the Country’s Keri Hulme:
moral compass, died aged 90, sparking an
▪ Keri Hulme, the Maori writer who became
outpouring of tributes for the outspoken
the first New Zealander to win the prestigious
Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Booker Prize with her luminous debut novel,
▪ A tireless activist, Tutu won the Nobel “The Bone People,” securing her place in the
Peace Prize in 1984 for combating country’s literary canon, died. She was 74.
white minority Rule in his country.
▪ Published in 1984, “The Bone People” is the
brutal, lyrical story of the friendship among a
▪ He coined the term “Rainbow Nation” to mute child.
describe South Africa when Nelson Mandela
About Booker Prize:
became the country’s first black President in
▪ The Booker Prize is a leading literary award
1994.
in the English-speaking world, which has
▪ He retired in 1996 to lead a harrowing journey brought recognition, reward and readership
into South Africa’s brutal past as head of the to outstanding fiction for over 50 years.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which
▪ It is awarded annually to the best novel of the
revealed the horrors of apartheid.
year written in English and published in the
Scientist E.O. Wilson, Dubbed UK or Ireland.
Modern-day DARWIN: Dr. Sudha Seshayyan:
▪ Edward. O. Wilson, the trailblazing U.S. ▪ Dr. Sudha Seshayyan, Vice Chancellor, Dr.
scientist, professor and author whose study of MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu will
insects and clarion call to protect earth earned conclude/retire her work on December 30.
him the nickname “Darwin’s Natural Heir”,
▪ She has been in charge for three years, played a
has died.
vital role in reforming the selection procedure
▪ He was the author of hundreds of scientific for Medical Courses. About Tamil Nadu Dr.
papers and more than 30 books, two of which M.G.R. Medical University:
won him Pulitzer Prizes for nonfiction: 1978’s
▪ The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical
“On Human Nature”, and “The Ants” in 1990.
University (TNMGRMU) is a government
Dr. Hashima Hasan Medical University situated in Guindy in the
▪ Dr. Hashima Hasan an Indian American southern part of the city of Chennai, Tamil
played a pivotal role in the Dec. 25 launch of Nadu, India.
the James Webb Space Telescope. Hashima ▪ It is one of the premier medical universities
Hasan, Deputy Program Scientist for the named after the AIADMK founder and the
James Webb Space Telescope, was part of the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. G.
team on board when the world’s largest and Ramachandran.
most powerful telescope was launched on ▪ It is the second largest health sciences
Christmas from the European spaceport of university in India after Rajiv Gandhi
Kourou in French Guiana. University of Health Sciences, Karnataka.
▪ A program scientist at NASA headquarters in ▪ Established: 1987
Washington, D.C., Hasan has been involved in
more than a dozen missions. Additionally, she
serves as the Education and Communication
Lead for Astrophysics and as the executive
secretary of the Astrophysics Advisory
Committee. Hasan said her fascination with
HISTORY | 17
Narendra Modi World’s Top 20 Most ▪ The results have been calculated from the
Admired Men: combination of responses to two questions
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ranked 8th ▪ Whether a respondent admires the figure at all
on the list of the world's top 20 most admired ▪ Whether they are the figure the respondent
men, in a survey carried out by Data Analytics Admires the most.
Company YouGov. ▪ In the top 20 most admired Women list,
▪ PM Modi is ahead of Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Indian women Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya
Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Virat Rai Bachan and Sudha Murthy have been
Kohli. The list has been compiled taking included.
feedback from 42,000 people in 38 countries.
1.5 PLACES IN NEWS

Pondicherry: 100 feet high flag post along with wall of
▪ The Chief Minister of Pondicherry N. sacrifice as the part of 75th Independence Day
Rangasamy laid the foundation stone for Celebration.
1.6 SPORTS & GAMES

Asian Team Squash Championships Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting
2021: Championships 2021:
Indian men win Silver: ▪ Indian weightlifting prodigy Jeremy
▪ Malaysia came up with a dominating Lalrinnunga clinched a Gold Medal at
performance to outwit India 21 in the men’s the ongoing 2021 Commonwealth Senior
final of the Asian Team Squash Championships Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent.
held in Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ▪ Jeremy lifted a 305 kg to finish first at the
▪ India had lost in the summit clash before in weightlifting championships.
1981 and 2012 also. ▪ He lifted 141kg in the snatch while successfully
▪ It was a double for Malaysia, with its women’s lifting a 164kg in the clean and jerk in the men's
team defeating Hong Kong 21 in the final. 67 kg event.
▪ The last time Malaysian men’s and women’s ▪ Guru Raja also bagged a Silver Medal to
teams won was in the 2008 championships in attain a second-place finish in the men's
KUWAIT. 61 kg event.
▪ Indian weightlifter Sanket Mahadev Sargar
Davis Cup 2021:
clinched a Gold Medal in 55 kg event
▪ Russia’s 15year wait for a Davis Cup title ended at the ongoing Commonwealth Senior
in Madrid, the Capital of Spain, after another Championships 2021 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
clutch performance by Daniil Medvedev.
▪ Ajay Singh clinched India's third gold of the
▪ Medvedev defeated Marin Cilic in the second Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships
singles match to give Russia an insurmountable here by winning the men's 81 kg category.
20 lead over Croatia in the Final. Singh lifted a total of 322 kg and also set a
▪ It was Russia’s third Davis Cup title and its national record in snatch (147 kg) on Sunday
first since 2006. night.
BWF World Tour Finals 2021: ▪ Popy Hazarika had also won a silver, in the
▪ Reigning World Champion P.V. Sindhu women's 59 kg, with a total lift of 189 kg
returns with a silver medal after losing to (84+105).
Korean teen sensation An Se young in the National Shooting Championship
summit clash of the, HSBC BWF World Tour
Competitions:
Finals held in Bali, Indonesia.
▪ Former World Champion Ankur Mittal won
▪ An Se young became the first ever South the Men's title at the 64th National Shooting
Korean woman to win the season ending title. Championship Competitions (NSCC) of
World Boxing Council India Champion: shotgun events in Patiala.
▪ Sabari from Chennai was crowned as the first ▪ Ankur, representing ONGC, shot 43 in the
ever World Boxing Council India champion final to upstage Rajasthan's Aditya Bharadwaj
at the Hell’s Bay Pro Boxing Fight Night at who won silver with 40 hits to his name.
Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad. ▪ Uttar Pradesh's Rayyan Rizvi won bronze
with a score of 33 in the final round.
HISTORY | 19
Asian Rowing Championships 2021: Junior National Men’s Hockey:

▪ Arvind Singh’s Tokyo Olympics partner ▪ The Junior National men’s hockey
Arjun Lal Jat, who this time paired up with championship to be held at the artificial turf in
Ravi, won the gold medal in the men's double Kovilpatti from December 16 to 25, it is hoped,
sculls event. will provide a major fillip to the sport.
▪ Parminder Singh, who made his international ▪ The event will be held here for the first time.
bow, had won the silver in the men’s single
sculls. World Badminton Championships
▪ Senior rower Arvind Singh bagged a gold Huelva, Spain:
in the lightweight men's single sculls event ▪ Kidambi Srikanth clinched a historic silver
while his compatriots won three silver medals medal in the World Badminton Championships
as India signed off from the Asian Rowing after suffering a straight-Game defeat to Loh
Championship on a high note at Ban Chang, Kean Yew of Singapore in the summit clash
Thailand. to notch up the best ever performance by an
Indian in the men’s Singles.
▪ Overall, India ended returned from the
continental event with two gold and four ▪ He became the first male player from the
silver medals. nation to win a silver medal in BWF World
Championships.
Verstappen Snatches Title from
Hamilton in a Dramatic Final Lap: First Player to Complete 50 Wins in all
▪ Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took his first Formats of Cricket:
Formula One title, denying rival Lewis ▪ India's Test skipper Virat Kohli created
Hamilton a record eighth, with a last lap history on December 06 as he became the first
overtake to win a season ending Abu Dhabi player in international cricket to complete 50
Grand Prix that started and ended in drama wins in all three formats of the game.
and controversy. ▪ Kohli is now the only player in the world to
have been part of the playing XI in 50 wins
Commonwealth Weightlifting across all three formats - ODIs, Tests and T20Is.
Championships 2021:
▪ Punam Yadav, Arockiya Alish and Vikas National Hockey Championships 2021:
Thakur added three more medals to India's tally ▪ Hockey Punjab were crowned champions of
at the ongoing Commonwealth Weightlifting the 11th Hockey India Senior Men National
Championships 2021 in Tashkent. Championship Pimpri Chinchwad 2021 at
▪ Punam bagged a Silver Medal in the women's the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium,
76 kg category, having lifted a total of 220kg — Nehrunagar-Pimpri.
98 kg snatch and a 122 kg in clean & jerk. ▪ In the final, Hockey Punjab fought off the
▪ Vikas Thakur won a Bronze Medal in the challenge of Hockey Uttar Pradesh, to be
men's 96 kg event at the Commonwealth crowned third-time champions 2-1 via the
Weightlifting Championships. He lifted a total ‘shoot out’.
of 339 kg with 150 kg in snatch and 189kg in Asian Champions Trophy Men’s
clean & jerk. Hockey Tournament 2021:
▪ Purnima Pandey created eight National ▪ A misfiring India was made to toil hard before
records on the way to win Gold in the women’s getting the better of Pakistan 4-3 in a pulsating
+87kg category at the Commonwealth third-fourth place contest to clinch the bronze
Championships 2021 in Tashkent. at the Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey
tournament, Dhaka.
▪ Purnima lifted 229kg (102 + 127) to take
the title and qualify directly for next year’s
Commonwealth Games.
▪ South Korea emerged as the Champion after Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021:
beating Japan 42 in a shootout following a ▪ Shubham Arora announced himself on the
33 stalemate at the end of the regulation 60 big stage with a brilliant unbeaten 136 (131b,
minutes of the title clash. 13x4, 1x6) to power Himachal Pradesh to its
maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title, defeating
International Hockey Federation (FIH)
Tamil Nadu by 11 runs in the final at the Sawai
Rankings: Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on December 26.
▪ The Indian men's hockey team secured Third
▪ Chasing 315, Himachal was cruising along
Rank at the end of 2021 as per the International
at 299 for four in 47.3 overs when bad light
Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings.
stopped play and emerged victorious on the
▪ This is the best ranking the men's team has VJD method.
ever achieved.
▪ The V Jayadevan system, also known as
▪ Australia finished on top of the chart followed the VJD method, is a proposed method for
by Olympic gold medalist Belgium. calculating target scores in interrupted one-
▪ The Manpreet Singh led Indian team won the day and Twenty20 cricket matches.
bronze in Tokyo Games earlier this year to end
a 41-year medal wait for the country. World Rapid Chess Championship 2021:
▪ However, the women's team will finish the ▪ Defending Champion Koneru Humpy failed
Year at the ninth spot. to live up to her billing, finishing sixth with
7.5 points in the women's section of the FIDE
▪ The Indian women's team had finished fourth
World Rapid Chess Championship 2021 in
at the Tokyo Olympics.
Warsaw, Poland.
Indian Fencer to Participate in Four ▪ Young Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh scored
International Competitions: Nine Points to finish a creditable ninth, just
▪ Tokyo Olympian and the first-ever Indian half a point behind champion Nodirbek
fencer to represent the country at the Olympics, Abdusattorov (9.5) of Uzbekistan.
Bhavani Devi is set for participation in four ▪ R Vaishali was the Next best Indian performer
international competitions this 2022. in the women's section, finishing in the 14th
▪ An overall amount of Rs 8.16 Lakh has been spot with Seven points followed by Vantika
sanctioned by the Ministry of Youth Affairs Agrawal (6 points, 38th Place), and Padmini
and Sports via the Annual Calendar for Rout (5.5, 49th Place).
Training and Competition (ACTC) to facilitate
Bhavani’s participation in the competitions.
▪ As per the ACTC mechanism, the Government
of India releases grants to all the recognized
National Sports Federations (NSFs) every
financial year, after going through the NSFs
long-term projections, list of national and
international competitions/camps and athlete
training programs.
HISTORY | 21
1.7 WORLD ORGANISATIONS - PACTS AND SUMMITS

WHO members Agree to forge a International Institute for
Pandemic Accord: Democracy and Electoral
▪ World Health Organization member states Assistance:
agreed to start building a new international ▪ Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
accord on how to handle future pandemics and Sunil Arora has been invited to join the board
ensure there can be no repeat of COVID-19. of advisers at the International Institute for
▪ At a special meeting in Geneva, the 194 Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
WHO member states unanimously adopted ▪ The institute is also known as International
a resolution launching the negotiating and IDEA which has a mission to support
drafting process for a new international sustainable democracy.
instrument on pandemic prevention, About International IDEA:
Preparedness and response. ▪ International IDEA is an intergovernmental
▪ The process will present its final outcome in organization that works to support and
2024. strengthen democratic institutions and
processes around the world, to develop
SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure
sustainable, effective and legitimate
(RATS) Cyber Security democracies.
Seminar: ▪ Founded: 27 February 1995.
▪ A Pakistani delegation arrived to participate in
▪ Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.
a cyber security seminar being hosted by India
under the framework of the SCO Regional ▪ International IDEA currently has 34 member
Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS). countries from all continents.
▪ India has shown keen interest in deepening its UN confers Observer Status on Solar
security-related cooperation with the SCO and Alliance:
its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) ▪ The UN General Assembly has conferred
which specifically deals with issues relating to Observer Status on the International Solar
security and defence. Alliance (ISA), a historic decision which India
About Regional Anti-Terrorism said would help provide for a well-defined
Structure (RATS): cooperation between the alliance and the UN
▪ With its headquarters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, that would benefit global energy growth and
the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) development.
is a permanent organ of the Shanghai ▪ Permanent Representative of India to the
Cooperation Organisation (SCO). United Nations Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti
▪ The Head of RATs is elected for a three-year said,
term. All the member’s states also have their 9 I take this opportunity to thank the entire
own representatives at RATS. UN membership for adopting the resolution
▪ The RATS was formed in the June 2004 summit conferring Observer Status to the International
of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Solar Alliance (ISA).
(SCO) which was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
About International Solar Alliance:
▪ RATS is engaged in furthering cooperation and ▪ The launch of the International Solar Alliance
ties between member countries on concerns of (ISA) was announced by H.E. Mr. Narendra
terrorism, security, drug trafficking, crime and Modi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
cyberwarfare. and Mr. Francois Hollande, former Hon’ble
▪ The Current Director is Jumakhon Giyosov President of France on 30th November 2015,
of Tajikistan, who assumed his office on 1 at the 21st session of United Nations Climate
January 2019.
Change Conference of the Parties (COP-21) in Strategy in the backdrop of a pandemic.

Paris, France. ▪ The exercise is hosted by India at Pune.
▪ The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an About:
alliance of 124 countries initiated by India, ▪ The exercise will be participated by subject
most of them being the sunshine countries, matter experts and delegates from India,
which lie either completely or partly between Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri
the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Lanka and Thailand.
Capricorn. ▪ A Multi-Agency Exercise (MAE) comprising
▪ The primary objective of the alliance is to work a static display showcasing Humanitarian
for efficient consumption of solar energy to Assistance and Disaster Relief (HDR)
reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Equipment employed by the Indian Armed
▪ The alliance is a treaty-based inter- Forces and various civil agencies will also take
Governmental organization. place.
▪ Countries that do not fall within the Tropics About BIMSTEC:
can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as ▪ It is a regional organization which comprises
other members, with the exception of voting seven countries.
rights. ▪ Five of these seven countries- India, Nepal,
▪ After the United Nations, it is the largest Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh- are from
Grouping of states world-wide. South Asia while the remaining two, Thailand
▪ Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India. and Myanmar, are from Southeast Asia.
▪ The Group remained dormant for many
World Economic Forum: years till it was revived a few years ago as
▪ The World Economic Forum postponed an alternative to the South Asian Association
its Annual meeting in Davos next month, for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which
thwarted for a second year by the fresh waves despite having the potential, has not been able
of coronavirus across Switzerland and the to move forward due to friction between India
Globe. and Pakistan.
About World Economic Forum: ▪ With a focus on intra-regional cooperation,
▪ The World Economic Forum is an International the BIMSTEC has also formed a platform with
non-governmental and lobbying Organization the SAARC and the Association of Southeast
based in Cologny, canton of Geneva, Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries.
Switzerland.
▪ Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
▪ It was founded on 24 January 1971 by Klaus
▪ Sri Lanka is the Current Chairman.
Schwab.
BIMSTEC working on Joint Disaster

Relief Plans:
▪ A Curtain Raiser Event PANEX-21, a disaster
management exercise of the multilateral
grouping Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-
sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC).
▪ “PANEX 21, therefore, is unique as it is for the
first time that an exercise of this magnitude
involving multiple agencies from multiple
countries is being undertaken to review our
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
mechanism and streamline our response
HISTORY | 23
1.8 AWARDS & HONORS

FIFA Ballon d'Or ("Golden Ball"): ▪ Norwegian 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm
▪ Paris: Lionel Messi (34) of Argentina and and Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson
Alexia Putellas (27) of Spain won the Ballon Herah were named World Athletes of the Year
d’Or (2021), the most prestigious football for sensational performances at the Tokyo
award in the world, respectively. Olympics.
▪ Messi has won the award for the 7th time. ▪ Athing Mu, the 19-year-old American who
won the women’s 800m Olympic gold at
▪ Lionel Messi won the men's Ballon d'Or for
Tokyo, was named Female Rising Star.
a record-extending seventh time, ending
the year in style after a brilliant final season About World Athletics:
with Barcelona and earning his first major ▪ World Athletics (name since October 2019,
international trophy with Argentina. formerly known as the International Amateur
▪ Alexia Putellas became the third winner of Athletic Federation (from 1912 to 2001)
the women's award for an outstanding season and International Association of Athletics
with Barcelona and Spain. Federations (from 2001 to 2019), both
abbreviated as the IAAF) is the international
▪ The 34-year-old Messi led Argentina to the governing body for the sport of athletics,
Copa America title in July after losing in four covering track and field, cross country
major international finals. running, road running, racewalking, mountain
Nizamuddin Basti project wins two running, and ultra-running.
UNESCO Heritage Awards: ▪ The organization’s President is Sebastian Coe
▪ Nine projects from six countries Bangladesh, of the United Kingdom, who was elected in
China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand 2015 and re-elected unopposed in 2019 for a
have been honored by a jury of heritage further four years.
experts. ▪ Headquarters: Monaco
▪ In double joy for India, a project on holistic ▪ Members: 214 member federations.
urban revitalization of the historic Nizamuddin
Award for Empowerment of
Basti community in Delhi, has brought laurels
for the country in two categories in this year's Persons with Disabilities:
UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural ▪ Among Government departments, Public
Heritage Conservation. Works Department of Nashik was given
▪ The project has won the prestigious Award of award for its “outstanding work in creation of
Excellence, and another award in the Special a barrier free environment" and Nava Raipur
Recognition for Sustainable Development Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran was awarded
category, the United Nations Educational, for the same in the category of local bodies.
Scientific and Cultural Organization National Awards for outstanding work
(UNESCO) said. towards Empowerment of Persons with
World Athletics Awards 2021: Disabilities:
▪ Indian long jump star Anju Bobby George ▪ Tamil Nadu has been recognised as the ‘Best
has been bestowed the “Woman of the Year” State’ in promoting empowerment of persons
award by World Athletics for grooming with disabilities.
talent in the country and advocating Gender ▪ It will receive the award on the International
equality. Day of Persons with Disabilities, at a ceremony
▪ Anju is the second recipient after Ethiopia’s in New Delhi to be held by the Ministry of
double Olympic champion Derartu Tulu in 2019. Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons
with Disabilities.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the President Directorate of Social Welfare in 1992 to deal
would present the award to the State. exclusively with the Welfare of the Disabled.
▪ In a statement, he said ▪ Subsequently, the Directorate was upgraded
9 Six differently abled citizens from Tamil Nadu as the office of the State Commissioner for the
would also be presented with awards by the Disabled in 1999 as per the provisions in the
President for their exemplary service. Persons with Disability Act, 1995.
9 The Tamil Nadu Government would show Assam Baibhav – Assam’s Highest
additional focus on the education and Civilian Award:
employment of differently abled persons to
▪ The Assam Government has named
improve their standard of living.
industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata
9 Over the last two years, the State for Assam Baibhav, the State’s highest civilian
Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently award.
Abled has focused on helping those with
▪ Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Mr.
disabilities mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
Tata would be honoured for his contribution
▪ “We launched a door-to-door campaign towards furthering cancer care in the State.
during the lockdown to ensure that essentials
are delivered to persons with disabilities”, said U.S. Maths Prize for Nikhil
Johny Tom Varghese, State Commissioner for Srivastava:
Welfare of the Differently Abled. ▪ Eminent Indian American Mathematician
▪ Apart from providing cash assistance Nikhil Srivastava has been jointly selected
and medicines, ensuring access to for the inaugural $5,000 Ciprian Foias Prize
medical equipment and providing online awarded by the American Mathematical
physiotherapy sessions, the State kickstarted a Society (AMS) for “highly original work” in
home vaccination drive for the disabled and Operator Theory.
the elderly. ▪ Along with Professor Srivastava, who teaches
▪ Mr. Varghese said as per their records, they at the University of California, Berkeley, the
were able to cover over 70% of the adult two other awardees are Adam Marcus and
population with disabilities in the State. Daniel Spielman.
▪ Among the newer initiatives, a Differently ▪ Their work developed methods for
Abled Employment and Livelihood understanding the characteristic polynomial
Centre (DELC) has been set up, which the of matrices, namely the iterative sparsification
Commissioner said aims to enhance the method (also in collaboration with Batson)
skills, socioeconomic status and livelihood of and the method of interlacing polynomials.
Persons with disabilities.
Tamil Isai Sangam Awards 2021:
▪ The centre will act as a platform to connect
persons with disabilities with prospective ▪ Nagaswaram player Seshampatti
employers, and will work closely with T. Sivalingam will receive the “Isai Perarignar
the Skill Development Mission to conduct Award” of the Tamil Isai Sangam on the
programmes. occasion of its 79th music festival.
▪ Salem district will also get an award for the ▪ Mr. Sivalingam, who learnt nagaswaram from
Best District in providing Rehabilitation his father Theerthagiri, also came under the
Services. It is among the two districts along tutelage of Tiruvarur Latchappa Pillai between
with Indore in the Country getting the award. 1975 and 1978.
▪ He had already received the TTK Award of
About Directorate for the Rehabilitation of
the Music Academy, the Sangeetha Natak
the Disabled:
Academy Award and the Kalaimamani
▪ The Directorate for the Rehabilitation of the
Award.
Disabled was established by bifurcating the
HISTORY | 25
▪ The “Pann Isai Perarignar Award” will go to ▪ Only two Indians before Ms. Sandhu, just 21
Aalavai Pon. M. Muthukumaran. and an actor as well as a model, have been
▪ Mr. Muthukumaran is the disciple of crowned Miss Universe earlier — actors
Dharmapuram S. Gnanaprakasam, who is also Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
a recipient of the Pann Isai Perarignar Award. ▪ The 70th edition of the event was held in Israel’s
resort town of Eilat.
Bharathi Award presented to Scholars:
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin handed ICC Player of the Month Award:
over Bharathi Memorial Centenary Award ▪ Australia opener David Warner was voted
to Tamil researchers Seeni Viswanathan and as the ICC Men's Player of the Month for
Ya. Manikandan, who undertook research on November 2021 after his match-winning
the life and works of Tamil poet Subramania performances in Australia's successful T20
Bharathi. World Cup campaign in the UAE. Warner beat
▪ The award includes a cheque for 3 lakhs. Pakistan opener Abid Ali and New Zealand
▪ Mr. Stalin gave away the award along with cash fast bowler, Tim Southee for the Award.
prize to family members of senior Tamil scholars ▪ For the women’s award, Hayley Matthews
Periyasaamy Thooran, R.A. Padmanabhan, emerged victorious over Pakistan’s Anam
T.M.C. Ragunathan and Ilasai Manian. Amin and Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter.
▪ The Chief Minister also handed over a cheque 81 Minutes of Continuous Shooting for
for 25 lakhs to Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam
the Record:
to its representative Krishnamurthy as
▪ The film, 3.6.9, was shot for 81 minutes in a
contribution from the State government.
row at Pillaiyarkuppam for the Bhagur-World
▪ The Chief Minister handed over a cash prize Record.
of 10,000 to students from Chennai and
▪ ‘3.6.9’ is a film directed by Shiva Madhav and
Kancheepuram districts for reciting all 1330
starring Bhagyaraj in the lead role.
couplets of Thirukkural.
Modi to get Bhutan’s top Civilian
Balkrishna Doshi wins top Honor
▪ Architect Balkrishna Doshi will receive
Award:
the Royal Gold Medal, 2022, one of the ▪ Bhutan conferred the Order of the Dragon
world’s highest honors for architecture, the King (Druk Gyalpo) also known as “Ngadag
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Pel gi Khorlo", its highest Civilian honour, on
announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
▪ RIBA said that with a 70-year career and over ▪ This was announced on the occasion of the
100 built projects, 94year old Mr. Doshi has 114th National Day of Bhutan.
influenced the direction of architecture in ▪ Bhutan was the first country that Mr. Modi
India and its adjacent regions through both his visited upon taking charge as Prime Minister
practice and his teaching. on May 26, 2014.
▪ Given in recognition of a lifetime’s work, the About:
Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by ▪ It was founded on 7 November 2008 by the
Queen Elizabeth II and is given to a person or King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to
group of people who have had a significant reward those who have devoted a lifetime of
influence on the advancement of architecture. service to the nation and people of Bhutan.
Miss Universe 2021: Radhakrishnan gets SKOCH Award:

▪ Punjab’s Harnaaz Sandhu won the Miss ▪ Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan received
Universe 2021 pageant, beating contestants the SKOCH Public Service Award for Disaster
from 79 countries to bring the title back to Management and Mitigation in New Delhi.
India after 21 years.
▪ The award was presented to him for ▪ The Kamarajar Kathir Award
handling the aftermath of Kumbakonam fire - writer Nellai Kannan.
tragedy, tsunami relief and rehabilitation in ▪ The Quaide Millath Pirai Award -
Nagapattinam district in 2004 to handling the Indian National League’s TN president
COVID19 pandemic. Alhaj M. Basheer Ahamed.
About SKOCH: ▪ The Iyotheethaasar Aadhavan Award
▪ Instituted in 2003, SKOCH Award salutes - Dalit activist P.V. Kariyamal.
people, projects and institutions that go the
extra mile to make India a better nation. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman named South
▪ The SKOCH Award covers the best of efforts African of The Year 2021:
in digital, financial and Social inclusion. ▪ Indian-origin philanthropist and founder
It encompasses the best of governance, of disaster relief group 'Gift of The Givers',
inclusive Growth, excellence in technology Dr Imtiaz Sooliman has won the prestigious
and applications, change management, South African of the Year Award run by the
corporate leadership, corporate governance, Daily Maverick newspaper.
citizen services delivery, capacity building, ▪ Sooliman started 'Gift of The Givers' after his
empowerment and other such softer issues religious mentor in Turkey asked him to do so
that get normally lost in the Glamour and in 1994.
the glitz of industry sponsored or advertising ▪ Besides the Middle East, Eastern Europe and
Focused Jamborees. many countries in Africa, 'Gift of the Givers'
▪ SKOCH Awards are extremely coveted and teams have also assisted during natural
are India’s Highest Civilian Honour in Disasters in India and Pakistan.
the country conferred by an Independent
Organization and amongst its recipients Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2021:
have included regulators, secretaries, union ▪ The 12th edition of Dubai Globe Soccer Awards
ministers and chief ministers over its twenty was held in partnership with the Dubai Sports
year or so long history. Council. The event took place on 27th of
December 2021.
‘Young Geospatial Scientist’ Award': ▪ For the second year in a row the winners were
▪ Ropesh Goyal from IIT-Kanpur won the selected by the fans from all over the world
‘Young Geospatial Scientist’ award in and by a jury of International Footballing
recognition of his unique contribution to Coaches, directors and chairmen.
developing the Indian Geoid Model and
▪ Globe Soccer Awards 2021 Results:
computation software.
9 Fan's Player of the Year - Robert Lewandowski
▪ The ‘Young Geospatial Scientist’ award and
a gold medal have been presented every 9 Men's Player of the Year - Kylian Mbappe
year since 2011 to promising scientists below 9 Maradona Award - Robert Lewandowski
35 years of age in memory of Rachapudi 9 Top Scorer of All Time - Cristiano Ronaldo
Kamakshi, a strategic analyst with a strong
9 Best National Team of the Year - Italy
inclination towards Geography and Geospatial
studies. Ramnath Goenka Award:
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s ▪ The Hindu’s West Bengal correspondent
Shiv Sahay Singh won the Ramnath Goenka
Awards:
award in the “Uncovering India Invisible”
▪ Ambedkar Sudar Award – M.K Stalin. category for his 2019 story “Death by Digital
▪ The Periyar Oli Award - Exclusion” which exposed how the Jharkhand
MDMK leader Vaiko. government’s insistence on digitization
▪ The Semmozhi Nayiru deprived people living on the margins of the
Award - K. Ramasamy. benefits of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
HISTORY | 27
▪ The story detailed the Jharkhand Government’s ▪ The awards for works in Gujarati, Maithili,
decision to plug leakages in the PDS by linking Manipuri and Urdu would be announced
all ration cards to Aadhaar. later. Namita Gokhale won the award for the
About Ramnath Goenka Award: English novel Things to Leave Behind and
▪ The Awards honour journalists from print, Anuradha Sarma Pujari for her Assamese
broadcast and digital media recognizing work Iyat Ekhan Aaronya Asil. Poets in list
their strength of character and integrity while Among the winners for poetry are Mwdai
Covering news in adverse Circumstances. Gahai (Bodo), Sanjiv Verenkar (Konkani),
▪ Named after Ramnath Goenka, the awards Hrushikesh Mallick (Odia), Meethesh
have been held annually since 2006. Nirmohi (Rajasthani), Vindeshwariprasad
Mishr ‘Vinay’ (Sanskrit), Arjun Chawla
Who is Ramnath Goenka? (Sindhi) and Gorati Venkanna (Telugu). Books
▪ Ramnath Goenka (1904–1991) was an Indian of short stories by Raj Rahi (Dogri), Kiran
newspaper publisher. He launched The Indian Gurav (Marathi), Khalid Hussain (Punjabi),
Express Newspaper in 1932. Niranjan Hansda (Santali) and Ambai (Tamil)
▪ During the Emergency Period of India, he are among those chosen for the awards.
was one of the few independent businessman ▪ A biography by D.S. Nagabhushana in
Journalists that stood up to the government Kannada, an autobiography by George
Opposing Indira Gandhi. Onakkoor in Malayalam, a work of criticism
▪ He became the Lok Sabha Member in 1971 by Wali Mohammad Aseer Kashtawari
under the banner of Bhartiya Jan Sangha. in Kashmiri and a book of epic poetry by
Chhabilal Upadhyaya in Nepali have been
Feminist writer Ambai wins Sahitya
selected.
Akademi Award
▪ A Bengali play by Bratya Basu and a Hindi one
▪ Tamil Feminist writer Ambai, whose writings
by Daya Prakash Sinha have been selected.
challenge the stereotyping of women, has won
this year’s Sahitya Akademi award. She has 3 Indo-Canadians Honoured with
been honoured for her short story collection Canada's Civilian Award:
Sivappu Kazhutthudan Oru Patchaiparavai. ▪ Three Indian-origin Canadians have been
Ambai is the fourth woman writer from bestowed with the Order of Canada -- one of
Tamil Nadu to get the award. Another Tamil the country's highest civilian honours -- for
writer Mu. Murugesh bagged the Bala Sahitya their outstanding achievement, dedication to
Puraskar for his collection of short stories the community, helping in building a better
Ammavukku Magal Sonna Ulagin Mudhal nation and promoting bilateral ties between
Kadhai. Canada and India.
▪ Her first short story collection Sirakukal ▪ Internationally renowned scientist and
Muriyum was published in 1976 and the innovator Dr Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan;
eponymous story of the collection was written real estate mogul Bob Singh Dhillon, also
in 1967. known as Navjeet Singh Dhillon; and
▪ The Sahitya Akademi announced its Awards renowned paediatrician Dr Pradeep Merchant
for 2021 for literary works in 20 languages. In were among the 135 individuals honoured
a Statement, the National Academy of Letters with the prestigious award, according to a
said seven books of poetry, five of short press note uploaded on the website of the
stories, one each of biography, autobiography, Governor General of Canada.
criticism and epic poetry and two plays had
won the awards, which would be presented
later.
1.9 BOOKS & AUTHORS

Firelets of Puma Veeravalli: Commemoration of K P Aravanan:
▪ Puma Veeravalli, an official of the Indian ▪ Four books have been released on the Occassion
Railways, has compiled a selection of some of of 3rd Death Anniversary of Tamil scholar and
Bharathiyar's poems in English under the title former Vice-Chancellor of Manonmaniam
"Firelets". Sundaranar University, K.P. Aravanan.
▪ The book contains a translation of Bharathi's 9 "Pongattum Nalla Ennangal" - Professor K P
Deiveegam (Divinity), (Kadhal)Love, Aravanan.
(DesaBakti)Patriotism, (Thathuvam) 9 "Silapathigara Porutkalanjiyam"-
Philosophy and (Suya munnetram) Self- Professor Silambu Na Selavarasu.
Improvement poems.
9 "Silapathigarathil Adalaranga Marabugal" -
About Subramania Bharathi: Professors Rasa Kalaivani and S.Thamizhvelu.
▪ Subramania Bharathi (11 December 1882 – 11
9 "Sevvilakkiya Sollaivugal"-
September 1921), was a Tamil writer, poet,
Dr. Vaani Arivalan.
journalist, Indian independence activist, social
reformer and polyglot. V.L Indira Dutt:
▪ Popularly known as "Mahakavi Bharathi" ▪ Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu released the
("Great Poet Bharathi"), he was a pioneer of book “Dr. V L Dutt: Glimpses of a Pioneer's
modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of Life Journey”, written by Chairperson and
the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time. Managing Director of KCP Limited, V.L.
▪ His numerous works included fiery songs Indira Dutt.
kindling patriotism during the Indian
Independence movement. A.N Sattanathan’s Autobiography:
▪ A.N. Sattanathan, the first chairman of the
▪ He fought for the emancipation of women,
Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission
against child marriage, stood for reforming
in his autobiography, "Plain Speaking: A
Brahminism and religion. He was also in
Sudra’s Story" offers rare insights into the
solidarity with Dalits and Muslims.
world of exponents of the nagaswaram
▪ Born in Ettayapuram of Tirunelveli district other than the Isai Vellalas of the composite
(present-day Thoothukudi) in 1882, Bharathi Thanjavur district.
had his early education in Tirunelveli and
Varanasi and worked as a journalist with Meeran’s Stories and Parthiban’s
many newspapers, including The Hindu, Dream:
Bala Bharata, Vijaya, Chakravarthini, the ▪ Thoppil Mohamed Meeran's short stories in
Swadesamitran and India. tamil have been translated in English in the
▪ Other names: Bharathi, Subbaiah, Sakthi name "Meeran's Stories" by the retired judge
Dasan, Mahakavi, Mundasu Kavignar, Veera Prabha Sridevan.
Kavi, Selly Dasan. ▪ Kalki Krishnamoorthi's ‘Parthiban Kanavu’ is
▪ He paved the way for modern blank verse. He translated in English in the name "Parthiban's
wrote many books and poems on how Tamil is Dream" by Nandini Vijayaraghavan.
beautiful in nature. ▪ Both these translated books are published by
Jayakanthan: Ratna books and released by retired judge
K.Chandru.
▪ The recipient of Jnanpith Award late
D. Jayakanthan is the author of “Sila About Mohamed Meeran:
Nerangalil Sila Manithargal” is the literary ▪ Thoppil Mohamed Meeran (26 September
work that fetched him the Sahitya Akademi 1944 – 10 May 2019) was an Indian Nagercoil
Award in 1972. based Author who wrote in Tamil.
HISTORY | 29
▪ Meeran was awarded the highest Indian 9 Oru Kadalora Kiramathin Kathai (1988, The
Government award for Literature, Sahitya Story of Sea Side Village)
Akademi Award in 1997 for his novel Saivu 9 Turaimugam (1991, Harbour)
Narkali (The Reclining Chair).
9 Koonan Thoppu (1993, The Grove of a
▪ He also received the Tamil Nadu Kalai Ilakkiya Hunchback)
Perumantam Award, the Ilakkiya Chintanai
9 Saivu Narkkali (1995, The Reclining Chair)
Award, and the T N Govt. Award.
9 Anju vannam theru (2011, "Five Colours
▪ He published six novels and seven short Story
street")
Collections.
▪ His Novels: 9 Kudiyetram (2017, Emigration).

A Royal Charter of Chola Kings: December 27 Marks the 110th
▪ A Royal charter or a sasana of the Chola kings, Anniversary of Jana Gana Mana:
lost 300 years ago from Tamil Nadu, is now ▪ The National Anthem was first sung at the
being preserved in the Leiden University in Calcutta session of the Congress on December
the Netherlands. 27, in 1911.
▪ Commonly referred to as the “Leiden plates”, ▪ ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is the first stanza of the
it was issued by the kings to a Buddhist vihara. Bengali hymn ‘Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata’ and
it was written by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath
Cannonball of Tipu’s Era in
Tagore. Sarala Devi Chowdhurani, Tagore’s
Kamudhi: niece, intoned the song, along with a few
▪ The Cannonball made of stone was unearthed school students, in front of the gathering of
when workers involved in excavation the then INC president Bishan Narayan Dhar
near Kamudhi. Peraiyur Archaeologist and other leaders such as Bhupendra Nath
Muniyasamy said that the cannonball is Bose and Ambika Charan Mazumder.
believed to be 300 years old and belong to 18th ▪ A slightly different version of the song was
Century of Tipu Sultan-British era. later adopted by Subhash Chandra Bose’s
100th Anniversary of the Visva-Bharati Indian National Army in 1941 as the national
anthem, called ‘Shubh Sukh Chain’ which also
University:
became popular in India.
▪ 23 December 2021 marked the 100th
Anniversary of the Visva-Bharati University ▪ On August 15, 1947, Capt. Thankuri of the
set up by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. INA was invited to play with the members of
his orchestra.
About Visva-Bharati University:
▪ Visva-Bharati is a public central university and ▪ On January 24, 1950, the Hindi version was
an Institution of National Importance located finally adopted by the Constituent Assembly
in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India. as the National Anthem of India.
▪ It was founded in 23rd December 1921 by ▪ The song defines the nation as the union of all
Rabindranath Tagore who called it Visva- provinces, languages and religion.
Bharati, which means “The Communion of ▪ The same day, Dr Rajendra Prasad, the
the World with India”. President of the assembly and former President
▪ Until independence it was a college. Soon after of India, had also declared ‘Vande Mataram’
independence, the institution was given the as the National Song.
status of a central university in 1951 by an Act
of the Parliament.

Pilot Project of Culture Mapping: and early 1980s.
▪ Culture Ministry officials said, Culture
Translation Project for
Mapping of 80 villages associated with noted
personalities in history, in particular the
Tolkappiyam:
freedom movement, unique crafts and festivals ▪ The uniqueness of Tolkappiyam as a very
has been started as a pilot project. The project ancient and complete grammatical treatise and
is expected to be completed this financial year. as the achievement of a linguist par excellence
has been acknowledged by some leading
▪ From Sempore in Kashmir to Kanjirapally
Western authorities on the subject concerned.
in Kerala, villages with a connection to the
freedom movement as well as those with their ▪ Daniel Jones, the British specialist in phonetics,
own art practices have been selected for the marvels at Tolkappiyar's accurate description
project, being conducted by the Indira Gandhi of the Tamil phonemes at a time when there
National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). was no recourse to any of the scientific
instruments which phoneticians could acquire
▪ The project would lead to a “National Register
only more than twenty Centuries later.
and interactive database of artists and art
practices from the villages of India”. ▪ An eminent Indian linguist, A. K. Ramanujan,
states that Tolkappiyar is “linguistics’ ultimate
▪ Each artist would be given a unique ID and an
guru” who takes all of language from the most
e-commerce platform set up.
ordinary banal language to the most poetic as
▪ The Places included in the project are the subject of his magnum opus.
9 Sempore or Pandrenthan in Budgam district ▪ The Central Institute of Classical Tamil has
of Jammu and Kashmir that is associated with already translated Tolkappiyam into English,
14th Century mystic Lal Ded or Lalleshwari. Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam (excepting
9 From Ladakh, the pilot project included the first two parts “Eluttu” and “Col”).
Choglamsar and Wanla villages, known for ▪ Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Chennai, is
wood carving. planning to bring out translations of the Tamil
9 Khatkar Kalan village in Punjab, which has a text, acknowledged by several international
memorial of Bhagat Singh. authorities on the subject as ‘universal
9 Reni village of Uttarakhand, where the Chipko grammar’, in to the following language:
movement started. ▪ Indian Languages
9 Kathputli Colony in Delhi, known for the 9 Sanskrit, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati,
“migrant kathputli artists”. Punjabi, Malayalam (excepting the
9 Two villages in Tamil Nadu — Ettayapuram, first two parts “Eluttu” and “Col”),
the birthplace of poet Subramania Bharathi, Urdu, Telugu, Maithili, Tulu.
and Thiruchigadi, a village of women potters. ▪ Foreign Languages
9 French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese,
An Ancient Indian Idol of Yogini: Japanese, Malay, Sinhalese, Swedish, Korean,
▪ An ancient Indian idol of a goddess missing Hebrew, Finnish, Siberian, Afrikaans, Russian.
from a temple in Uttar Pradesh, presumed
▪ Rules and Regulations
stolen over 40 years ago, will soon find its way
back home to India after it was discovered in a 9 The project is to be completed in one year.
garden in a country home in England. 9 The financial assistance to be given by the
▪ The Yogini, which refers to the divine Institute for every work is Rs. 5 Lakh (Rupees
feminine in Hinduism, dates back to the 8th Five lakh only), For the Malayalam translation
century and went missing from the village of of Tolkappiyam (Porulatikaram) it is Rs. 2 lakh
Lokhari in Banda district around the late 1970s (Rupees Two Lakh only).
HISTORY | 31
About CICT: ▪ This is a large-scale excavation site carried out

▪ The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) in Tamil Nadu after the carried out in Tamil
is an autonomous Institute of higher research Nadu after the Adichanallur Archaeological
functioning under the Ministry of Education, site.
Government of India. ▪ The settlement lies on the bank of the Vaigai
▪ This is an Institute constituted specifically river, dated between 6th Century B.C & 3rd
for carrying out higher research Century BC.
Classical Tamil at international levels ▪ In 2015, an Archaeological Survey of India
not to be found elsewhere Globally. group led by Amarnath Ramakrishnan started
the first phase of the excavation in Pallisanthai
▪ This unique Institute is functioning in Chennai Thidal in the north of manalur near keezhadi
from May 19, 2008. Earlier, from March, 2006 town.
to May 18, 2008, the Institute was functioning
in the campus of the Central Institute of Indian Durga Puja gets intangible
Languages, Mysore and it was called Centre cultural heritage tag
for Excellence of Classical Tamil. ▪ Durga Puja in Kolkata, one of largest cultural
▪ The CICT is engaged in several research carnivals and street art festival of the
activities aimed at establishing the ancientness country, received an important international
and uniqueness of Tamil and of Classical recognition by making it to UNESCO's
Tamil in particular and in propagating its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural
findings Globally. Heritage of Humanity.
Report on first two phases of Panchaloha Idol of

Keeladi Excavations: Chendikeshwar:
▪ Amarnath Ramakrishna, the ASI ▪ The Idol wing police recovered a missing
Superintending Archaeologist who oversaw panchaloha idol of Chandikeshwarar from
the first two phases of the Keeladi excavations Pasupatheeshwarar temple from the strong
that have now completed seven phases, has room in Kumbakonam and it was found to be
started writing the report for the first two replaced for another idol that went missing
Phases with his team of archaeologists. during the same period (40 years ago).
▪ The State published a report on the fourth Centuries old sculptures found in
phase, placing the Sangam Age 300 years older Chengalpattu:
than it was thought.
▪ A team of the Chennai Circle of the
▪ The third phase was carried out by the ASI Archaeological Survey (ASI) of India has
under P.S. Sriraman after Mr. Ramakrishna dated three sculptures, found at Irumbedu
was transferred to Guwahati. in Chengalpattu district, at 5th century AD
▪ In 2018, the Madras High Court, hearing a PIL Two have been identified as the sculptures of
petition that sought the preservation of the Goddess Vinayaki, the female form of Lord
Keeladi site, ordered that Mr. Ramakrishna Vinayaka, and Lakulisa, the preceptor of
alone write the report on the first two phases. Pasupatha school of Shaivism. The figure in the
Report on first two phases of Keeladi third sculpture is yet to be firmly ascertained.
Excavations: ▪ All the three sculptures had the same
▪ Keezhadi is an excavation site, which is a inscriptions that read, ‘Cheyam Patta Mutthira
sangam age settlement that is being excavated Varikan Madavathi’. This indicated that the
by the Archaeological Survey of India and the sculptures were donated to the village by a
Tamil Nadu Archaeology department. person named Mutthira Varikan Madavathi to
mark his victory.
Ray of hope for the Ruined Chola ▪ A five-day World Sangeet Tansen festival will
Temple: be celebrated till 30th December 2021.
▪ There is a ray of hope for the 12th century ▪ Many artists from India and as well as from
Apatsahayeswarar temple at Tukkachchi abroad will participate in the music festival.
near Kumbakonam, which has been standing ▪ The Theme of the World Sangeet Tansen
Derelict for over a century. Festival is based on the theme of the Siddhanath
▪ The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, temple situated in Omkareshwar.
which has studied the temple, is preparing a
detailed project report for conservation.
▪ According to late historian S.R.
Balasubrahmanyam, the temple was closely
associated with Kulotunga I and Vikrama
Chola.
▪ The inscriptions referred to it as
Thenthirukalathi or Vikramacholeeswaram.
▪ The history of Tukkachchi is the history
of Vikrama Chola as he renovated the
old Thenkallathi temple and named it
Vikramacholeeswaram.
▪ Vikrama Chola’s father Kulotunga had made
contributions to the temple for the singing of
‘Thevaram’.
Hero stone Unearthed in Villupuram

District
▪ A team from the Chennai Circle of the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has
unearthed a hero stone, likely to be from the
4th to 5th Century CE, at V. Nerkunam village
in Vikravandi taluk, Villupuram district.
▪ Palaeographic analysis of the inscription on
the stone indicated that it was from a period
when the script was transitioning from Tamil
Brahmi to Vatteluttu script.
▪ “While some of the letters were in Tamil
Brahmi, others were in Vatteluttu. It is based
on this palaeographic analysis that we are
dating the stone to be from the 4th to 5th
Century CE,”
▪ Nerkunam now, “said the ASI officials.
▪ Apart from this, sculptures of Goddess
Maheshwari and Lord Vinayaka from 10th
century CE were also found in this village.
97th World Sangeet Tansen Festival

▪ The 97th Edition of the World Sangeet Tansen
festival has been started off in Gwalior on 25th
December 2021.
HISTORY | 33

Four-Pronged Plan on Sri Lanka Crisis: ▪ Sheikh Rehana, youngest daughter of Father
▪ India and Sri Lanka agreed to a four-pronged of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
approach to discuss initiatives on food and Rahman, received President Kovind at
energy security to help mitigate Sri Lanka’s Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, the place
economic crisis, during a two-day visit by Sri which bears testimony to the life & work of the
Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to beloved Father of Bangladesh, where Kovind
New Delhi. paid homage to him.
Four-Pillar initiative: ▪ “I am honored to be at Jatiya Smriti Shoudho,
▪ The decisions included a four-pillar initiative, which stands as a Symbol of Valour and
comprising lines of credit for food, medicines Conviction of the people of Bangladesh
and fuel purchases granted by India, a against tyranny and oppression,” Kovind
currency swap agreement to deal with Sri wrote in the visitors’ book.
Lanka’s balance of payment issues, an “early” ▪ He is the only foreign head of state invited to
modernization project of the Trinco oil farms join the celebrations which also coincides with
that India has been pursuing for several years, birth centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu
and a Sri Lankan commitment to facilitate Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of
Indian investments in various sectors. Dhaka-New Delhi ties.
▪ He (Kovind) particularly appreciated the
India will Deepen ties with Bangladesh: Bangladesh motto that ‘dharma jar jar, utsab
▪ India would further “expand and deepen” sabar’ (the religion is a matter of individuals,
ties with Bangladesh, said Prime Minister but the religious festivals are universal).
Narendra Modi, marking Maitri Divas that
commemorates the day when India recognised President to open Renovated Hindu
Bangladesh as an independent country in 1971. shrine in Bangladesh
▪ The war to liberate Bangladesh began on ▪ In a symbolic gesture, President Ram Nath
December 3, 1971 and ended with the signing Kovind will inaugurate a famous Hindu
of the Instrument of Surrender by Pakistani shrine that was destroyed by the Pakistani
General A.A.K. Niazi on December 16. forces during the war of 1971.
▪ Three days after the beginning of the war, the ▪ "On December 17, President Ram Nath Kovind
Government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi will inaugurate the renovated Sri Ramna Kali
recognised Bangladesh as an independent Mandir, which was completely destroyed by
nation. Pakistani forces during heinous Operation
▪ The message of Maitri Divas set the stage Searchlight in 1971.”
for several bilateral engagements, including
1971 war altered Ideological Map:
the visit of President Ram Nath Kovind on
December 16 to celebrate the Victory Day. Ramnath Kovind
▪ The Liberation War of 1971 changed the
Golden Jubilee Celebrations of “ideological map” of South Asia, President
Bangladesh’s Independence: Ram Nath Kovind said in Dhaka.
▪ Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ▪ Participating in the celebration to mark
called on President Ram Nath Kovind in the golden jubilee of the independence of
Dhaka on the first day of his three-day visit. Bangladesh and victory in the war, President
▪ President Kovind arrived on a maiden three-day Kovind recollected the “grassroots support”
State Visit during which he will hold talks with from India to attain the freedom of Bangladesh.
his counterpart M Abdul Hamid and attend ▪ In a special gesture, he recited National Poet
the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh’s of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam and praised
independence from Pakistan in 1971. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for inheriting
her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur ▪ The Pakistani and Italian archaeologists
Rahman’s rebellious (bidrohi) spirit. during joint excavations at a historic site have
discovered over 2,300 years old Apsidal temple
Delhi-Dhaka Trade Ties: of the Buddhist period in north-west Pakistan
▪ Despite COVID19 restrictions, the trade besides recovering other precious artifacts.
between India and Bangladesh crossed $10 ▪ The discovery, which has been made in Bazira
billion, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. city of the Buddhist period in Barikot tehsil
▪ Mr. Jaishankar said Bangladesh is India’s of Swat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Largest trade partner in South Asia and province, has been described as the oldest
fourth largest export destination globally Temple in Pakistan of the Buddhist period.
while India is Bangladesh’s second largest ▪ The temple discovered in Swat is even older
trade partner. than the Temples discovered in Taxila remains
India marks 50 years of 1971 War: of Pakistan.
▪ The Country commemorated 50 years of the ▪ Apart from the temple, the archaeologists have
decisive victory in the 1971 Liberation War of recovered over 2,700 other artefacts of the
Bangladesh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Buddhist period which included coins, rings,
termed the war the “golden chapter” in India’s pots and writing of the kharosthi language of
military history. the Greece king Menander period.
▪ He unveiled an India Post special cover and a Six Nations call for ‘Immediate’ Aid for
Commemorative Stamp marking the Occasion. Afghans:
▪ The event marked the culmination of yearlong ▪ India and Central Asian Nations share a
‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ celebrations. “broad regional consensus” on Afghanistan,
▪ As part of this, 30 ‘Mukti Jodhas’ (freedom said a regional conference of Foreign Ministers
fighters) who took part in the war were invited in Delhi that proposed the use of the India run
from Bangladesh and honoured. terminal at the Chabahar port in Iran as a route
▪ The commemorative stamp for the event for trade.
carries a Swarnim Vijay Varsh logo designed ▪ A joint statement issued at the end of
by Lt. Cdr. Kushal Chandrashekhar. deliberations at the third India Central Asia
dialogue, hosted by External Affairs Minister
Kovind inaugurates Kalibari
S. Jaishankar for the Foreign Ministers of
Temple in Dhaka: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan,
▪ President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, said it
a famous Hindu temple in Dhaka that was was important to provide “immediate”
destroyed by Pakistani forces in 1971. humanitarian aid for Afghans.
▪ He declared that the revived shrine represents
the “spiritual and cultural” bonds between Bangladesh Ferry Fire:
India and Bangladesh. ▪ The Engine room of the Barguna bound MV
▪ The original Ramna Kalibari was built during Abhijan-10 that started its journey from Dhaka
the medieval era and was famous for its tall caught fire on the Sugandha river in southern
structure. Bangladesh.
▪ In 1929, the temple complex acquired an About Sugandha River:
additional building for the devotees of the ▪ The Sugandha is a coastal river under
famous saint Anandamayee, who later became Jhalakathi district of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s spiritual ▪ The length of this river is 30km.
advisor. ▪ It flows eastern near Shayestabd and falls
▪ 2,300-year-old temple of Buddhist Period into the Bay of Bengal after meeting with the
discovered in Pakistan: Meghna river at Sahbazpur in Bhola.
HISTORY | 35
Food Aid and Defense Equipment to ▪ The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when
Mozambique: seen in conjunction with India’s other policies
▪ India handed over two Fast Interceptor Craft impacting the maritime domain like Act East
(FIC) and other self-defense equipment to Policy, Project Sagarmala, Project Mausam,
Mozambique to assist in its capacity building India as ‘net security provider’, focus on Blue
as the Central African nation battles growing Economy etc.
Terror threats. Oil Storage Tank of Sri Lanka Lease to
▪ Naval ship INS Kesari entered Port of India:
Maputo in Mozambique to deliver 500 tons
▪ Sri Lanka is nearing completion of talks
of food aid as well as the defense equipment,
with India to reacquire the 99 World War II-
under the eighth edition of Mission Sagar by
era oil storage tanks leased to the Indian Oil
the Navy to assist friendly foreign countries in
Corporation in the strategically advantaged
the region.
Port district of Trincomalee in the country's
▪ These deployments were conducted in East Coast.
solidarity with India’s extended Maritime
▪ The Trincomalee Harbour, one of the deepest
neighborhood and highlights the importance
natural harbours in the world, was developed
accorded by India to these special
by the British during World War II.
Relationships.
▪ Since 2003, the Lanka IOC, the Sri Lankan
▪ INS Kesari, a landing ship tank (large), had
subsidiary of India's oil major Indian Oil
undertaken a similar mission in May-June
Corporation (IOC), has the leasing rights to 99
2020 to provide humanitarian and medical
tanks at the facility for a period of 35 years for
assistance to the Maldives, Mauritius, the
an annual payment of USD 100,000.
Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros,
including deployment of medical assistance
teams of the Navy in multiple locations.
▪ Since May 2020, ships have been deployed to
15 friendly countries under SAGAR missions.
▪ Separately, INS Sudarshini, which is on
deployment to the Gulf region as part of
Navy’s efforts towards familiarizing friendly
Navies on various facets of operations and
training on board sail training platforms,
visited Port Sahid Bahonar at Bandar Abbas
in Iran on December 22 on a three-day visit.
About SAGAR Mission:
▪ Security and Growth for All in the Region
(SAGAR) was launched in 2015.
▪ It is India’s strategic vision for the Indian
Ocean Region (IOR).
▪ Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen
economic and security cooperation with its
maritime neighbors and assist in building
their maritime security capabilities.
▪ Further, India seeks to safeguard its national
interests and ensure Indian Ocean region to
become inclusive, collaborative and respect
International Law.
1.13 APPOINTMENTS- WHO - IS WHO

Aavin Managing Director: Husbandry and Dairying, Government of
▪ N. Subbaiyan is appointed as the Managing Tamil Nadu and the trademark of Tamil Nadu
Director of Aavin. Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation
Limited.
About Aavin:
▪ Aavin is a statutory corporation under the ▪ Founded: 1958.
ownership of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal ▪ Headquarters: Chennai.
Husbandry and Dairying, Government of
Tamil Nadu and the trademark of Tamil Nadu IMF's First Deputy Managing
Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation Director:
Limited. ▪ Indian-American Gita Gopinath, the chief
▪ Founded: 1958. economist of the International Monetary
Fund, is being promoted as the First Deputy
▪ Headquarters: Chennai.
Managing Director of the International
IMF's First Deputy Managing Director: Monetary Fund.
▪ Indian-American Gita Gopinath, the chief ▪ She would replace Geoffrey Okamoto who
economist of the International Monetary plans to leave the Fund early next year.
Fund, is being promoted as the First Deputy ▪ Gopinath, who was scheduled to return to
Managing Director of the International her academic position at Harvard University
Monetary Fund. in January 2022, has served as the IMF's chief
▪ She would replace Geoffrey Okamoto who economist for Three years.
plans to leave the Fund early next year. About INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
▪ Gopinath, who was scheduled to return to (IMF)
her academic position at Harvard University ▪ The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
in January 2022, has served as the IMF's chief is an international financial institution,
economist for Three years. headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting
About INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND of 190 countries.
(IMF) ▪ Formed in 1944, started on 27 December 1945,
▪ The International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the Bretton Woods Conference primarily
is an international financial institution, by the ideas of Harry Dexter White and John
headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting Maynard Keynes, it came into formal existence
of 190 countries. in 1945 with 29 member countries and the goal
▪ Formed in 1944, started on 27 December 1945, of reconstructing the international monetary
at the Bretton Woods Conference primarily system.
by the ideas of Harry Dexter White and John ▪ President: Kristalina Georgieva
Maynard Keynes, it came into formal existence
K. Vivekanandan:
in 1945 with 29 member countries and the goal
of reconstructing the international monetary ▪ K. Vivekanandan who is the Managing
system. Director of Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing
and Development Corporation has been given
▪ President: Kristalina Georgieva
additional charge as the Member Secretary of
Aavin Managing Director: Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Board.
▪ N. Subbaiyan is appointed as the Managing About Tamilnadu Adi dravidar and Tribal
Director of Aavin. Welfare Commission:
About Aavin: ▪ Tamil Nadu Adidravidar (SC) and Tribal (ST)
▪ Aavin is a statutory corporation under the Welfare commission was setup in October 2021
ownership of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal by enacting the Tamil Nadu state Commission
HISTORY | 37
for the Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes ▪ The members will also advise the state
Act, 2021. Government on important issues affecting the
▪ The Commission was setup based on the lives of socially marginalized people.
recommendation of the Vigilance and
New Principal Chief Commissioner of I-T
Monitoring Committee headed by M.K. Stalin.
▪ Geetha Ravichandran, an IRS officer of the
▪ The period of the members of the SC/ST
1987 batch, has taken over as the Principal
commission will be three years.
Chief Commissioner of Income Tax for Tamil
▪ Aim: To safeguard the welfare of the SCs and Nadu and Puducherry Region.
STs, and to protect and develop their Economic
▪ After undergoing training at the National
and social wellbeing, the state Government
Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur she served
has decided to constitute the Commission.
in various parts of the country including
▪ Functions: The Commission will be Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur and Bangalore.
Empowered to inquire Suo Moto or on a
petition by the victims. New Chief Commissioner of
▪ With the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit Income Tax Assumes Charge:
(under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908), ▪ Debendra Narayan Kar has taken charge as
the commission can summon any person, the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in
examine witnesses, call for the production of Chennai.
any document, receive evidence on affidavits, ▪ Mr. Kar played a significant role in identifying
and requisition any public record from any several violations of foreign donations under
Court or office. the provisions of Foreign Currency Regulation
▪ The state commission will have a chairperson, Act, 2010.
vice-chairperson and five members, out of
which three will be from SCs, two from STs Pradeep Rawat next Ambassador to
and a woman member. China:
9 High Court Judge Sivakumar is the First ▪ The Ministry of External Affairs said Pradeep
Chairperson of the Commission and Punitha Kumar Rawat, a Mandarin speaking career
Pandian, Editor of ‘Dalit Murasu’ magazine, is diplomat, will take over as envoy in Beijing.
its Deputy Chairperson. ▪ Mr. Rawat, Ambassador to the Netherlands,
▪ The Commission will look into any violations will replace Vikram Misri, who completed a
of rights provided under the Protection of Civil close to three-year term earlier this Month.
Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Indian-origin diplomat America’s
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)
Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues:
Act 1989.
▪ The US has designated Indian-origin diplomat
▪ Among its functions, the commission can
Uzra Zeya as its Special Coordinator for Tibetan
recommend action against public servants who
Issues and she has been tasked with promoting
are negligent in preventing such violations.
“substantive dialogue” between China and the
▪ The Commission is expected to investigate Dalai Lama or his representatives, in support
and monitor safeguards present in various of a Negotiated agreement on Tibet.
legislations, in the interest of SC/STs and
▪ She will retain her current position as the Under
promote awareness of the same.
Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy,
▪ The state government will consult the and Human Rights.
commission on policy matters related to the
community, and the commission will also carry
out research work to avoid discrimination.
▪ As the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan

Issues, Zeya will coordinate the US government
policies, programmes and projects concerning
Tibetan issues, consistent with the Tibetan
Policy Act of 2002, as amended by the Tibetan
Policy and Support Act of 2020.
First Non-European FIA Chief:

▪ Mohammed Ben Sulayem became the first
non-European to be elected president of the
International Automobile Federation (FIA),
succeeding the retiring Jean Todt.
Tamil Nadu startup body TANSIM

Appoints New CEO:
▪ Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission
(TANSIM), a body created for promoting
startups in Tamil Nadu, has appointed
Madurai-based social entrepreneur Sivarajah
Ramanathan as its first CEO, with effective
from January 2022.
▪ TANSIM was set up in 2018 as an offshoot
of the Entrepreneurship Development and
Innovation Institute (EDII), as part of the
Startup and Innovation Policy 2018-2023. Also
called StartupTN, it has an objective of creating
a support system for the state's Startups
Ministry of Steel:
▪ Sanjay Kumar Singh assumes charge as
Secretary, Ministry of Steel
▪ Shri Singh succeeds Shri P.K. Tripathi,
Secretary, Department of Personnel and
Training (DoPT). Shri Tripathi was holding
the additional charge of Secretary Steel.
2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
2.1 PROBLEMS IN CONDUCT OF PUBLIC ELECTIONS
Plans to have 4 cut-off Dates for new ▪ The ECI had told the government that the
Voters to Enroll: January 1 cut-off date set for the purpose
▪ Plans are afoot to have four cut-off dates Every deprives several youngsters from participating
year for people to enroll as voters by amending in the electoral exercise held in a particular
the electoral law, a move which will eventually year.
help have a common electoral roll for the Lok ▪ Due to only one qualifying or cut-off date, a
Sabha, Assembly and local body polls as also person attaining the age of 18 years on January
ensure that more eligible Youngsters become 2 cannot be registered. Therefore, a person
part of the electorate. who turns 18 after January 1 will have to wait
▪ The Election Commission of India (ECI) had for next year to get registered.
been pushing for multiple cut-off dates to ▪ The law ministry has told a parliamentary
allow more eligible people to register as voters. panel that "it is proposed to amend section
▪ As of now, for an election to be held in a 14(b) of the Representation of the People Act
particular year, only an individual who has to insert four qualifying dates (or cut-off dates)
attained the age of 18 years as on January 1 of - January 1,
that year or before is eligible to be enrolled in ▪ April 1, July 1, and October 1 of every year".
the voters' list.
2.2 POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICAL SYSTEM IN INDIA

Sate Legislative Council: Six Additional Seats for Jammu, One for
▪ The State Legislative Council, or Vidhan Kashmir Proposed:
Parishad, or Saasana Mandali is the upper ▪ The Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation
house in those states of India that have a Commission proposed to increase six seats for
bicameral state legislature; the lower house the Jammu division and one for the Kashmir
being the State Legislative Assembly. division, besides reserving 16 seats for the
▪ Its establishment is defined in Article 169 of Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled
the Constitution of India. Tribes in the Union Territory, triggering sharp
▪ As of 2021, 6 out of 28 states have a State reactions from the regional Parties.
Legislative Council. These are Andhra ▪ The Kashmir division currently has 46 seats
Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Jammu 37.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.The latest state to ▪ The commission, headed by Justice Ranjana
have a council is Telangana. Prakash Desai (retd.), met its five associate
members — two MPs from the BJP and three
from the National Conference — in New Delhi.
▪ The commission has not specified the districts ▪ The Delimitation Commission is an
where the SC and ST seats would be reserved. independent body and the executive and
▪ It told the associate members that the 2011 political parties cannot interfere in its
Census was the basis for carving out the new functioning.
seats. According to the census, the population Why Delimitation?
of the Kashmir division was 68.8 lakh and ▪ To provide equal representation to equal
Jammu 53.5 lakh. Segments of a population.
About Delimitation Commission: ▪ Fair division of geographical areas so that one
▪ The Delimitation Commission is appointed political party doesn’t have an advantage over
by the President of India and works in others in an election.
collaboration with the Election Commission of ▪ To follow the principle of “One Vote One
India. Value”.
▪ Composition: How Delimitation is carried out?
9 Retired Supreme Court judge ▪ Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a
9 Chief Election Commissioner Delimitation Act after every Census.
9 Respective State Election Commissioners ▪ Under Article 170, States also get divided into
territorial constituencies as per Delimitation
▪ The Delimitation Commission in India is a
Act after every Census.
high-power body whose orders have the force
of law and cannot be called in question before ▪ Once the Act is in force, the Union Government
any court. sets up a Delimitation Commission.
About the Jammu & Kashmir Delimitation ▪ The first delimitation exercise was carried out
Commission: by the President (with the help of the Election
▪ The Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission) in 1950-51.
Commission was appointed on March 6, ▪ The first Delimitation Commission Act was
2020 headed by former Supreme Court judge enacted in 1952.
Ranjana Prakash Desai. ▪ Delimitation Commissions have been set up
▪ Appointed to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under
constituencies of the Union Territory Jammu the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.
and Kashmir and the northeastern states of ▪ There was no delimitation after the 1981 and
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and 1991 Censuses.
Nagaland.
Winter Session of Parliament:
▪ Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and
state election commissioners of Jammu and ▪ The winter session of Parliament ended the
Kashmir and the four states are the ex-officio same way it started on November 29 — on an
Members. Acrimonious note.
▪ The Commission will delimit the constituencies ▪ Both Houses were adjourned sine die a day
of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with ahead of schedule.
the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir ▪ The 11 bills that were passed during the Winter
Reorganization Act, and of Assam, Arunachal session are
Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland in accordance 1. Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021
with the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 2. Dan Safety Bill, 2021
2002.
3. Assisted Reproductive Technology
What is Delimitation? (Regulation) Bill, 2021.
▪ Delimitation is the redrawing of boundaries
4. Surrogacy (Regulation Bill, 2021)
of an assembly or Lok Sabha constituency to
reflect changes to the population of a region.
POLITICAL SCIENCE | 41
5. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Adjournment Sine Die

Education and Research (Amendment) ▪ Adjournment sine die means terminating a
Bill, 2021. sitting of Parliament for an indefinite period.
6. Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2021. In other words, when the House is adjourned
without naming a day for reassembly, it is
7. High Court and Supreme Court Judges
called adjournment sine die.
(Salaries and Conditions of Service)
Amendment Bill, 2021. ▪ The power of adjournment as well as
adjournment sine die lies with the presiding
8. Delhi Special Police Establishment
officer of the House. He can also call a sitting
(Amendment) Bill, 2021
of the House before the date or time to which
9. Central Vigilance Commission it has been adjourned or at any time after the
(Amendment) Bill, 2021. House has been adjourned sine die.
10. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Prorogation:
Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 ▪ The presiding officer (Speaker or Chairman)
11. Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 declares the House adjourned sine die, when
About: the Business of a session is completed.
▪ The Three sessions of the Parliament in a ▪ Within the next few days, the President issues
year are a notification for prorogation of the session.
9 The Budget Session (February to May); However, the President can also prorogue the
House while in session.
9 The Monsoon Session (July to September); and
9 The Winter Session (November to December).
Adjournment
▪ A session of Parliament consists of many
meetings. Each meeting of a day consists of
two sittings, that is, a morning sitting from 11
am to 1 pm and post-lunch sitting from 2 pm
to 6 pm. A sitting of
▪ Parliament can be terminated by adjournment
or adjournment sine die or prorogation or
Dissolution (in the case of the Lok Sabha).
▪ An adjournment suspends the work in a sitting
for a specified time, which may be hours, days
or weeks.

Committee to revisit the criteria for 10% Constitutional Provision on President’s
reservation for Economically Weaker Assent:
Sections (EWS): ▪ When a bill has been passed by both houses
following the described process, it is sent to
▪ The Ministry of Social Justice and
the President for his approval as per Article
Empowerment appointed a three-member
111 of the Indian Constitution.
committee to revisit the criteria for 10%
reservation for Economically Weaker Sections ▪ The President can give assent or withhold his
(EWS) in educational institutions and assent to a bill or he can return a bill, other
Government jobs. than a money bill which is recommended by
the President himself to the Houses.
The panel comprises
▪ Former Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Members of Parliament Local Area
Pandey; Development Scheme (MPLADS):
▪ Member Secretary, Indian Council of Social ▪ Citing economic recovery, the Union Cabinet
Science Research, V.K. Malhotra; and restored the Members of Parliament Local
▪ Principal Economic Adviser to the Government Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) that
of India, Sanjeev Sanyal. was suspended in April 2020 subsuming the
▪ It has been given three weeks’ time to complete funds for the scheme in the consolidated fund
its work. of India.
▪ The Supreme Court last month observed that ▪ The scheme was suspended for two
the Centre could not “pull out of thin air” financial years (2020-21 and 2021-22) but the
the ₹8 lakh annual income limit to identify Government announced a partial rollback.
economically weaker section for providing ▪ The MPs will get ₹2 crore instead of the annual
10% quota and questioned if the attempt was approved ₹5 crore for the remaining part of the
to “make unequals equals. financial year 2021-22 and from next financial
year to 2025- 26, MPs will get ₹5 crore.
Curriculum must include Wisdom of
About MPLADS:
Vedas:
▪ Members of Parliament Local Area
▪ The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a
Education, Women, Children, Youth and scheme formulated by Government of
Sports submitted its report on reforms in the India on 23 December 1993 that enables the
content and design of school textbooks to the members of parliaments (MP) to recommend
Rajya Sabha on November 30. developmental work in their constituencies.
▪ History textbooks should also give greater ▪ Initially, this scheme was administered
importance to unknown freedom fighters, by Ministry of Rural Development. Later,
women heroes, the empires of the Deccan and in October 1994, Ministry of Statistics and
the history of the northeastern region, and the Programme Implementation (MOSPI) has
Sikh and Maratha communities. been looking into its working.
Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021: ▪ The scheme was launched by (Prime Minister)
▪ The Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021 received the P. V. Narasimha Rao.
assent of the President of India on November Lok Sabha passes bill to regulate IVF
30, said a gazette notification issued by the
Clinics:
Ministry of Law and Justice.
▪ The Lok Sabha passed the Assisted
▪ This law was passed by Parliament on
Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill,
November 29 without debate in both houses.
2020 that proposes the establishment of a
National Registry and Registration Authority support of tribals and other sections of society.
for all clinics and medical professionals 9 The Paikas attacked British symbols of power,
serving in the field. setting ablaze police stations, administrative
▪ Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, while offices and the treasury during their march
moving the bill for passage, said several towards Khurda.
suggestions of the Standing Committee 9 The Paikas were supported by the rajas,
have been considered by the Government to zamindars, village heads and ordinary
improve the legislation. peasants. The rebellion quickly spread to
▪ The Bill seeks to regulate and supervise different parts of the province.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) 9 British were initially taken aback and then tried
clinics and ART banks, prevent misuse, adopt to regain lost ground but faced stiff resistance
safe and ethical practice and so on. from the rebelling Paikas. However, the Paikas
▪ The Bill also has a provision that those were eventually defeated by the British.
involved in trafficking and sale of embryos 9 The Paikas retreated into the thick jungles of
will be fined ₹10 lakh at first instance and in Odisha and carried out guerrilla warfare for
second instance, the person can be imprisoned several years. After successive defeats, the
for up to 12 years. Paika leader, Bakshi Jagabandhu, surrendered
Paika Rebellion to be in History to the British in 1825 and lived as a prisoner in
Cuttack till his death in 1829.
Textbooks:
▪ The 1817 Paika rebellion of Odisha could Rajya Sabha passes Dam Safety Bill:
not be called the first war of Independence, ▪ The Rajya Sabha passed the Dam Safety Bill,
but considering it as a beginning of a popular 2019 on November 2,2021.
uprising against the British.
▪ Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
▪ It can be said that the ‘Paika Bidroha’, which said a National Policy on the safe management
was set off in March 1817 and continued until of dams had been pending for 40 years.
May 1825, had set an example for the classes as
▪ Opposition members raised concerns that the
well as the masses in India to follow later on.
bill encroached on the federal structure as
About Paika Rebellion: Dams and Rivers are State Subjects. The Bill
History: was passed in the Lok Sabha on 2 August,
9 Till 1803, Odisha was under Maratha rule, 2019.
however after the second Anglo-Maratha War,
▪ Forty-two dams have broken so far. In 1982,
the Marathas were forced to cede most of their
it was decided to prepare a national policy.
territory in Odisha to the British East India
Company.
▪ We sought the advice of the Solicitor General.
9 Establishment of British rule in Odisha was He said Parliament can make the law. Entry 17
followed by a policy of repression against the of the State list doesn’t act as an embargo for
Paikas. the Union to make a legislation on this subject.
9 They lost their traditional position in the
society and their lands were taken away. ‘Kamaraj Plan’ in Andhra Pradesh:
9 In addition to losing their estates, the Paikas ▪ The imminent ‘Kamaraj Plan’ in Andhra
were also heavily exploited by the revenue Pradesh (A.P) could serve as an opportunity
collectors under the British. as well as a challenge for the YSR Congress
Party (YSRCP) government.
The Rebellion:
9 Paikas under the leadership of Baxi Jagabandhu, ▪ After the formation of the Cabinet in 2019,
the hereditary chief of the militia army of the A.P. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Gajapati King of Khurda (a kingdom near announced that the entire Cabinet should
Puri), rose in rebellion in March 1817, taking be prepared to resign and go back to their
constituencies to strengthen the party halfway by the House or, where there are two Houses,
through the five-year term. by each of the Houses of the Legislature of that
About Kamaraj Plan: State.
▪ Kamaraj remained Chief Minister for three 9 Any Act so passed by Parliament may be
consecutive terms, winning elections in 1957 amended or repealed by an Act of Parliament
and 1962. Kamaraj noticed that the Congress passed or adopted in like manner but shall
party was slowly losing its vigour. not, as respects any State to which it applies,
▪ On Gandhi Jayanti day 2 October 1963, he be amended or repealed by an Act of the
resigned from the post of the Chief Minister. Legislature of that State.
▪ In 1963 he suggested to Nehru that senior 153 Private members’ Bills introduced
Congress leaders should leave ministerial
in LS:
posts to take up organizational work. This
suggestion came to be known as the Kamaraj ▪ Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor moved
Plan. a private member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha
seeking to establish permanent Benches of
▪ Six Union Ministers and six Chief Ministers
High Courts in State capitals.
including Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jagjivan Ram,
Morarji Desai, Biju Patnaik and S.K. Patil ▪ In Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha,
followed suit and resigned from their posts. Goa, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Arunachal
Pradesh, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh, the State
Tamil Nadu CM condemns passage of High Court is situated outside the Capital city.
Dam Safety Bill: ▪ The Private member’s bill was moved in the
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Lok Sabha after a gap of nearly Two Years.
condemned the BJP Government at the Centre ▪ The Private member’s business had been
over the passage of the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 pushed back mainly due to curtailed hours
in the Rajya Sabha, saying the Bill was against under COVID19 protocol, disruptions due to
federalism and would snatch the rights of the Opposition protest.
States. ▪ Ramesh Bidhuri introduced a Bill to provide
▪ The Bill violated Article 252 (1) of the for compulsory teaching of the Bhagavad Gita
Constitution, and now, the protection of the as a moral education textbook in educational
States’ powers had become a question mark, institutions.
Mr. Stalin noted. ▪ Biju Janata Dal member Bhartruhari Mahtab
Article 252 in The Indian Constitution: introduced a Bill to prohibit religious
▪ Power of Parliament to legislate for two or conversions by inducement, coercion or undue
more States by consent and adoption of such influence.
legislation by any other State ▪ Manish Tewari introduced a Bill to regulate
9 If it appears to the Legislatures of two or more the functioning and exercise of power of
States to be desirable that any of the matters Indian intelligence Agencies.
with respect to which Parliament has no power ▪ Jayant Sinha introduced The Right of Children
to make laws for the States except as provided for Free and Compulsory Education Bill.
in Articles 249 and 250 should be regulated
About Private Member Bill:
in such States by Parliament by law, and if
▪ The Private bill is introduced by any member
resolutions to that effect are passed by all the
of Parliament other than a minister.
House of the Legislatures of those States, it
shall be lawful for Parliament to pass an Act ▪ It reflects the stand of opposition party on
for regulating that matter accordingly, and public matter.
any Act so passed shall apply to such States ▪ It has lesser chance to be approved by the
and to any other State by which it is adopted Parliament.
afterwards by resolution passed in that behalf
▪ Its rejection by the House has no implication ▪ In Arunachal Pradesh, the impact of AFSPA
on the parliamentary confidence in the was reduced to Eight Police Stations.
Government or its resignation.
Lok Sabha nod for Bill on
▪ Its introduction in the House requires one
month’s notice. PharmaInstitutes:
▪ The Lok Sabha passed a bill that seeks to
▪ Its drafting is the responsibility of the Member
accord special status to six more institutes
concerned.
of pharmaceutical education and research as
Supreme Court’s 1997 verdict laid down well as set up a council for these institutes.
Guidelines for use of AFSPA: ▪ The current bill, which will amend the
▪ The investigation into the Army’s botched National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education
operation in Nagaland may have to provide and Research Act, 1998, that established
answers to whether a 1997 Supreme Court the National Institute of Pharmaceutical
judgment advocating “caution and use of Education and Research (NIPER), at Mohali in
minimum force against our own people” in Punjab, will encourage high quality research
AFSPA regions was followed or not. as it accords the status of Institutions of
▪ The November 1997 judgment of a Constitution National importance to six more institutes at
Bench in Naga People’s Movement for Human Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Hajipur, Hyderabad,
Rights vs Union of India held that the power Kolkata and Rae Bareli.
under Section 4(a) of the AFSPA to use deadly Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Clarify Pension
force should be employed only under “certain
to Judges:
circumstances”.
▪ Under the High Court and Supreme Court
About AFSPA: Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service)
▪ The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was Amendment Bill, 2021, all retired judges of
passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it the Supreme Court and High Courts and their
was approved by the President on September family members are entitled to pension or
11, 1958. It became known as the Armed Forces family pension.
Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.
▪ They are also entitled to an additional
▪ The Act came into force in the context of quantum of pension or family pension when
increasing violence in the North-eastern States they attain a certain age in accordance with a
decades ago, which the State Governments specified scale.
found difficult to control.
▪ The scale contains five age brackets (with
▪ AFSPA gives armed forces the power to minimum age of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years),
maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. and the additional quantum increases with
They have the authority to prohibit a gathering age (from 20% to 100% of the pension or family
of five or more persons in an area, can use force pension).
or even open fire after giving due warning if
▪ The Bill clarifies that a person will be entitled
they feel a person is in contravention of the
to the additional pension or family pension
law.
from the first day of the month in which
▪ If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can they complete the minimum age under the
also arrest a person without a warrant; enter concerned age bracket.
or search premises without a warrant; and ban
the possession of firearms. Bill Seeks to Setup an Institutional
States under AFSPA, Act Mechanism for the Safety of Specified
▪ It is effective in the whole of Nagaland, Dams Passed:
Assam, Manipur (excluding seven assembly ▪ Parliament passed a bill that seeks to set up
constituencies of Imphal) and parts of an institutional mechanism for the safety of
Arunachal Pradesh. specified dams in the country.
▪ Rajya Sabha had passed The Dam Safety Bill ▪ Its membership primarily comprises legal
on December 2 with minor amendments, experts (Chairman, 1 Permanent Member, 1
including changing the year in the title of the Member Secretary, 2 Part-time Members, 2 ex-
Bill from 2019 to 2021. officio members).
▪ The Bill provides for surveillance, inspection, ▪ The first Law Commission was established
operation and maintenance of the specified during the British Raj era in 1834 by the
dams for the prevention of dam failure-related Charter Act of 1833. It was presided by Lord
disasters. Macaulay. After that, three more Commissions
▪ It provides for an institutional mechanism to (1853, 1861, 1879) were established in pre-
ensure a safe functioning of the dams. independent India.
▪ A clause has been added to the bill to impose ▪ The first Law Commission of independent
punishment on the states or people if the India was established with the then Attorney-
norms are not adhered to. General of India, Mr M. C. Setalvad, as its
▪ Earlier, Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on chairman in 1955 for a three-year term. Since
August 2, 2019. then, twenty-one more Commissions have
been established.
▪ The Bill also seeks to constitute National
Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS), which ▪ The 21st Law Commission under Justice B.S.
is expected to work as a think-tank at the Chauhan(retd.) was established in 2015, and
central level with the National Dam Safety had tenure to 31 August 2018.
Authority to monitor the implementation of Bills to extend tenure of ED, CBI Chiefs
the recommendations made by the NCDS.
passed in LS:
Similar bodies would also be there under the
▪ The Lok Sabha passed two bills (the Central
State Governments.
Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill,
Law Panel Appointments Under 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment
Consideration: (Amendment) Bill, 2021) allowing the Centre
▪ The Government has informed the Supreme to extend the tenure of the Enforcement
Court that appointment of the Chairperson Directorate (ED) chief and the CBI Director up
and Members of the 22nd Law Commission to five years from the current two.
of India, the Government’s top body to ▪ The Bills replace the ordinances brought in last
recommend crucial legislative reforms, is month.
under consideration. About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
▪ The 22nd Law Commission was constituted ▪ The Central Bureau of Investigation
by the Government on February 21, 2020. (CBI) is the premier investigating
However, no progress has been made in the agency of India, formed in 1 April 1963.
appointments till date.
About Law Commission of India: ▪ Operating under the jurisdiction of the
▪ Law Commission of India is neither a Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
constitutional body nor a statutory body, it is Pensions, Government of India.
an executive body established by an order of ▪ CBI is exempted from the provisions of the
the Government of India. Right to Information Act.
▪ Its major function is to work for legal reforms. ▪ CBI is India's officially designated single point
▪ The Commission is established for a fixed of contact for liaison with the Interpol.
tenure and works as an advisory body to the ▪ The CBI headquarter is located in CGO
Ministry of Law and Justice. Complex, near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in
New Delhi.
▪ Subodh Kumar Jaiswal is the director of
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
About the Directorate of Enforcement: ▪ The program is operated by the Department

▪ The Directorate of Enforcement is a law of Food and Public Distribution under the
enforcement agency and economic intelligence Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
agency responsible for enforcing economic Public Distribution.
laws and fighting economic crime in India. ▪ The scheme aims to feed the poorest citizens
▪ It is part of the Department of Revenue, of India by providing grain through the
Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Public Distribution System, to all the priority
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi, India households (ration card holders and those
▪ Founded: 1 May 1956 identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana
scheme).
▪ Agency Executives: Sanjay Kumar Mishra,
IRS, Director Enforcement. ▪ PMGKAY provides 5 kg of rice or wheat
(according to regional dietary preferences) per
In Lok Sabha, Minister lists steps for person and 1 kg of dal to each family holding
Supplementary Child Nutrition a ration card.
▪ Minister for Women and Child Development ▪ The scale of this welfare scheme makes it the
Smriti Irani said, “To ensure continuous largest food security program in the world.
nutritional support to beneficiaries,
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
anganwadis workers and helpers distributed
supplementary nutrition at the doorstep Yojana (PMMSY):
of beneficiaries once in 15 days during ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
COVID19 as all anganwadis centers across the ₹20,050 crore-Pradhan Mantri Matsya
country were closed to limit the impact of the Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to boost production
pandemic.” and exports in the fisheries sector as part of the
▪ The National Family Health Survey5, government’s aim to double farmers’ income.
which was made public recently, measures ▪ The PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused
malnutrition indicators, researchers argue that and sustainable development of fisheries sector
there are difficulties in studying the impact of in the country with an estimated investment
COVID19. of ₹20,050 crore for its implementation during
2020-21 to 2024-25 as part of Aatmanirbhar
Prime Minister's Garib Kalyan Anna Bharat Package.
Yojana: ▪ The investment of ₹20,050 crore
▪ Under the Food Grain Distribution Scheme under PMMSY is the highest ever in
for the Poor (Prime Minister's Garib Kalyan the fisheries sector, the PMO said.
Anna Yojana) 34 lakh MT of food grains have
been allotted to Tamil Nadu by the Central ▪ Out of this, an investment of about ₹12,340
Government at the State level. crore is proposed for beneficiary-oriented
▪ Plan to distribute free food grains to the poor activities in marine, inland fisheries and
affected by the corona epidemic until March aquaculture and about ₹7,710 crore investment
2022 extended. A total of 364.69 lakh people for fisheries infrastructure.
has benefited from this scheme. ▪ The PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production
About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25,
Yojana: increasing fisheries export earnings to ₹1 lakh
▪ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana crore by 2024-25.
(Prime Minister's Food Security Scheme for ▪ ₹45.87 crore to Tamil Nadu and Rs. 10.03 crore
the Poor) is a food security welfare scheme to Puducherry under this scheme.
announced by the Government of India in 26
March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic
in India.
▪ Implementation: It will be implemented ▪ The bill – The Farmers Right to Guaranteed

as an umbrella scheme with two separate Minimum Support Price Realization of Agri-
components namely, Produce Bill, 2021 – has been submitted to
▪ Central Sector Scheme: The project cost will Parliament, but is yet to be tabled.
be borne by the Central government. ▪ Any member of Parliament who is not a
▪ Centrally Sponsored Scheme: All the sub- minister can move a private member’s bill.
components/activities will be implemented ▪ A decision to admit a private bill rests with
by the States/UTs and the cost will be shared the chairman in case of Rajya Sabha and the
between Centre and State. speaker in case of the Lok Sabha. These bills
are taken up during the second half of the
Manipur and Assam wanted to retain session on Friday.
AFSPA ▪ The bill proposes that MSP is set at a profit
▪ After the recent civilian killings in Nagaland, margin of 50% over the comprehensive
there is a clamor in the northeastern states to cost of production as recommended by the
revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Swaminathan Committee in 2006.
Act, or the AFSPA.
▪ “Any farmer realizing a price less than the
▪ However, four years ago, the Union Home above declared MSP price shall be entitled to
Ministry’s decision to remove areas under compensation equal to the difference in value
the AFSPA was resisted by at least two States between the price realized and end guaranteed
— Assam and Manipur — both ruled by the MSP,” the proposed bill Envisages.
Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
▪ It provides for codification of various crops
▪ The AFSPA, which has been in force in the based on quality parameters, ensuring that
northeast since 1958, gives unbridled power to the farmers do not have to resort to distress
the armed forces and the Central Armed Police sales if crops do not meet predefined Quality
Forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill or criterion.
arrest anyone acting in contravention of law
▪ The bill encourages crop diversification
and search any premises without a warrant.
and recommends the most suited crop to
▪ It offers them protection from prosecution and be cultivated for each sub-district, thereby
legal suits without the Union Government’s reducing the environmental cost of agriculture
sanction. and promoting crop patterns suitable for long-
▪ Concurrent Powers: term ecological sustainability.
9 Both the Centre and the State Governments ▪ It calls for setting up a separate department
have got concurrent powers to issue notification under the farm ministry to implement the law.
under Section 3 of AFSPA. ▪ The draft legislation calls for establishing well-
9 For instance, the notification extending it in equipped procurement centres – one for every
Manipur, right from the 1980s, has been issued five villages – and creation of supply chain
by the Government of Manipur. infrastructure, which includes warehouses
9 In the past 40 years, the Ministry has not issued and cold storages to help farmers seamlessly
any notification under the AFSPA for Manipur. store and sell their produce after harvest.
About Minimum Support Price:
Private Member’s Bill for ▪ The MSP is the rate at which the government
Guaranteed MSP of 22 crops: buys grains from farmers.
▪ Varun Gandhi, a lawmaker from the Bharatiya ▪ Reason behind the idea of MSP is to counter
Janata Party, has piloted a private member’s price volatility of agricultural commodities
bill that seeks legal guarantee of minimum due to the factors like variation in their supply,
support price for 22 agricultural commodities lack of market integration and information
with an annual financial outlay of ₹1 trillion. asymmetry.
▪ Fixation of MSP Against Atrocities (NHAA) will be available

9 The MSP is fixed on the recommendations round the clock on toll-free number 14566
of the Commission for Agricultural across the country.
Costs and Prices (CACP). ▪ It can be accessed by making a voice call
About National Commission on Farmers: or VOIP either from a mobile or a landline
Swaminathan Committee number of any telecom operator.
▪ On 18th November, 2004, the Union ▪ The service will be available in Hindi, English
Government formed the National Commission and the regional languages of the states and
on Farmers (NCF) with MS Swaminathan as its Union territories. The mobile application of
chairman. the NHAA will also be available.
▪ The main aim of the committee was to come ▪ The objective of the helpline is to build
up with a sustainable farming system, make awareness about the provisions of the Act
farm commodities cost-competitive and more that are aimed at ending discrimination and
profitable. Providing protection to all.
▪ It, in 2006, recommended that MSPs must be Cabinet nod to raise Girls’
at least 50% more than the cost of production.
Marriage Age to 21:
▪ It talked about the cost of farming at three
▪ The Centre has decided to raise the legal age of
levels:
marriage of women from 18 to 21 years and is
9 A2: All the types of cash expenditure likely to move legislative amendments in the
to generate the crop like seeds, ongoing winter session of Parliament.
manure, chemicals, labour costs,
▪ The Union Cabinet cleared a proposal to bring
fuel costs and irrigation costs.
uniformity in the marriageable age of men
9 A2+FL: It includes A2 plus an imputed and women, adding that a Bill to amend the
value of unpaid family labour. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA),
9 C2: Under C2, the estimated land rent and 2006, will be introduced during this Session.
the cost of interest on the money taken ▪ The proposed Bill may also contain
for farming are added to A2 and FL. Amendments to various personal laws relating
▪ The NCF submitted four reports in December to marriage of various communities to ensure
2004, August 2005, December 2005 and April a uniform age of marriage.
2006 respectively. ▪ As of now, the legal age of women to get
▪ The Fifth and final report was submitted on 4 married is 18, while that for men is 21.
October 2006. About:
▪ The reports contain suggestions to achieve the Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA) of 1929
goal of "faster and more inclusive growth" as or Sharda Act:
envisaged in the Approach to 11th Five Year ▪ The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929,
Plan and are collectively termed the M.S. passed on 28 September 1929, in the Imperial
Swaminathan report for Farmers. Legislative Council of India, fixed the age of
marriage for girls at 14 years and boys at 18
Government to Launch National years.
Helpline to ensure proper ▪ In 1949, after India's independence, it was
implementation of SC/ST Act: amended to 15 for girls.
▪ The government is going to launch a helpline ▪ In 1978 Sarda act was amended to increase the
with an aim to ensure a proper implementation age for marriage to 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled
Prohibition of Child Marriages Act:
Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
▪ The Prohibition of Child Marriages Act was
▪ In a statement, the Ministry of Social Justice introduced in 2006 to address the weaknesses
and Empowerment said the National Helpline inherent in the former legislations.
▪ It came into effect from 1 November 2007, ▪ Any grievances related to the determination
replacing the Child Marriage Restraint Act of benefit sharing or order of the National
(CMRA) of 1929 or Sharda Act. Biodiversity Authority or a State Biodiversity
▪ The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act Board under this Act, shall be taken to the
(PCMA) defines child marriage as marriage in National Green Tribunal (NGT).
which either the girl or the boy is underage, About National Biodiversity Authority:
i.e., the girl is under 18 years of age or the boy ▪ The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
is younger than 21 years. was established in 2003 by the Central
Government to implement India’s Biological
Ecologists oppose Changes to Diversity Act (2002).
Biological Diversity Act, 2002 ▪ It is a Statutory body that performs facilitative,
▪ Environmentalists have expressed concern regulatory and advisory functions for
over amendments to the Biological Diversity the Government of India on the issue of
Act, 2002 on the grounds that it prioritises Conservation and sustainable use of Biological
intellectual property and commercial trade at resources.
the expense of the Act’s key aim of conserving
▪ The NBA has its Headquarters in Chennai,
Biological Resources.
Tamil Nadu, India.
▪ The Bill seeks to exempt registered AYUSH
medical practitioners and people accessing 100 Years of Public Accounts
codified traditional knowledge, among Committee:
others, from giving prior intimation to State ▪ Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M
biodiversity boards for accessing biological Venkaiah Naidu called for a wider debate on
resources for certain purposes. “freebies” given by various governments and
About the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: said there should be harmony between welfare
▪ The act was enacted in 2002, it aims at and development objectives.
the conservation of biological resources, ▪ Addressing a function to mark the centennial
managing its sustainable use and enabling fair celebrations of Parliament’s Public Accounts
and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of Committee (PAC), he said the PAC may be
the use and knowledge of biological resources redesignated as Public Accounts and Audit
with the local communities. Committee given the fact that audit review is
▪ Biodiversity: The biodiversity means the also its core function.
variability among living organisms from all ▪ Founded 1921-100 years ago (pre-
sources and the ecological complexes of which independence); 1950-71 years ago (post-
they are part and includes diversity within Independence).
species or between species and of Ecosystems.
▪ The act envisaged a three-tier structure to Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021:
regulate the access to Biological Resources: ▪ The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021,
9 The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) which seeks to link electoral rolls to Aadhaar,
has been listed for introduction in the Lok
9 The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) Sabha.
9 The Biodiversity Management Committees ▪ The Bill allows electoral registration officers
(BMCs) (at local level) to ask for the Aadhaar of applicants for
▪ The Act provides these authorities with special registration as voters so as to establish their
funds and a separate budget in order to carry identity.
out any research project dealing with the ▪ It also seeks to allow the officers to ask for the
biological natural resources of the Country. number from persons already included in the
▪ The act stipulates all offences under it as electoral roll for the purposes of authentication
cognizable and non-bailable. of entries in electoral roll, and to identify
registration of name of the same person in the and other offences.

electoral roll of more than one constituency or 9 It lays down the procedure for settling doubts
more than once in the same constituency. and disputes arising out of elections.
▪ The amendment Bill makes it clear that “no
application for inclusion of name in the AFSPA to continue in Assam:
electoral roll shall be denied and no entries in ▪ Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
the electoral roll shall be deleted for inability of said the State will continue to be under Armed
an individual to furnish or intimate Aadhaar Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, and a
number due to such sufficient cause as may be decision on withdrawing it will be taken only
prescribed”. if the present peace prevails for a longer term.
▪ People who cannot furnish their Aadhaar ▪ He expressed apprehension that the militant
Numbers will be allowed to present other Groups might not reciprocate the same way if
Documents to establish identity. the AFSPA is withdrawn from Assam.
▪ The Act was imposed in Assam in November
Lok Sabha passes Bill to Link 1990 and has been extended every six
Electoral rolls with Aadhaar: months since then after a review by the State
▪ Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, while moving Government.
the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021,
told the House that the linking of the electoral New Technology Training Centers:
roll with a person’s Aadhaar was “voluntary. ▪ Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for
About Election Laws: Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
▪ The Election Commission of India (ECI) is and Electronics and Information Technology
the watchdog of free and fair elections in the of India said in Lok Sabha that, 18 new
country and Article 324 of the Constitution Technology training Centers will be setup in
provides for its establishment. India including one in Coimbatore.
▪ In this context, the Parliament has enacted the ▪ Under the Skill India Mission, Ministry of
Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950 Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is
and Representation of the People Act,1951. implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan
Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with
Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950
an objective to provide skilling to prospective
9 Lays down procedures for delimitation of
youth including persons with disability (PwD)
constituencies.
under Short Term Training (STT) courses and
9 Provides for the allocation of seats in the House Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across the
of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies country.
and Legislative Councils of States.
About PMKVY:
9 Lays procedure for the preparation of Electoral ▪ Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
rolls and the manner of filling seats. (PMKVY) is a skill development initiative
9 Lays down the qualification of voters. scheme of the Government of India for
Representation of the People Act (RPA),1951 recognition and standardisation of skills.
9 It regulates the actual conduct of elections and ▪ The aim of the PMKVY scheme is to encourage
by-elections. aptitude towards employable skills and
9 It provides administrative machinery to increase working efficiency of probable
for Conducting elections. and existing daily wage earners, by giving
monetary awards and rewards and by
9 It deals with the registration of political parties.
providing quality training to them.
9 It specifies the qualifications and
▪ Launched: 16 July 2015.
disqualifications for membership of the
Houses.
9 It provides provisions to curb corrupt practices
Cabinet Approves MSP for Copra (dried Groundnut, Sunflower Seed, Soyabean,
coconut) for 2022 season: Sesamum.
▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 9 The Rabi Crops for which MSP is announced
(CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra are Wheat, Barley, Gram, Masur, Rapeseeds &
Modi has given its approval for the Minimum Mustard, Safflower and Toria.
Support Prices (MSPs) for Copra for 2022 9 Apart from this, MSP is announced for
season. Copra, De-husked Coconut, Jute and Fair
▪ The MSP for fair average quality of milling Remunerative Prices (FRP) is announced for
copra has been increased to ₹10,590 per Sugarcane.
quintal for 2022 season from ₹10,335 in 2021 ▪ Normally MSP for Rabi Season was announced
and the minimum price for ball copra has been in October.
increased to Rs.11,000 per quintal for 2022 ▪ Last year it was announced on 23rd September
season from ₹10,600 in 2021, the CCEA said. and for the year 2022-23 it was further
▪ The cabinet said the move is to ensure a return advanced and announced on 8th September
of 51.85% for milling copra and 57.73% for ball 2021.
copra over the all India weighted Average cost
About CACP:
of production.
▪ Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
▪ The increase in MSP for copra for 2022 season is (CACP) is a decentralized agency of the
in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a Government of India.
level of at least 1.5 times the all India weighted
▪ It was established on January 8 1965 as the
average cost of production as announced by
Agricultural Prices Commission, and was
the Government in the Budget 2018-19.
given its present name in 1985.
▪ The decision is based on recommendations of
▪ It is an advisory body, not statutory, attached
the Commission for Agricultural Costs and
to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers
Prices (CACP).
Welfare, Government of India.
▪ It assures a minimum of 50% as margin of
▪ As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23
profit as one of the important and progressive
commodities including the FRP for Sugarcane.
steps towards making possible doubling of
Farmers' incomes by 2022. Nirbhaya Fund:
▪ The National Agricultural Cooperative ▪ Under the Nirbhaya Fund, funds are being
Marketing Federation of India Limited provided to states and union territories across
(NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumer the country and various schemes for the
Federation of India Limited (NCCF) will protection of women are being implemented.
continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies ▪ Under the Nirbhaya Fund for the year 2018-19
to undertake price support operations at the Rs. 550 crore and Rs. 555 crore and Rs. 1355.23
MSP in the coconut Growing States. crore has also been allocated.
About Minimum Support Price (MSP): ▪ The ‘Safe City Proposal’ is being implemented
▪ The MSP is the rate at which the government in eight cities, including Chennai,
buys grains from farmers. Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad,
▪ Reason behind the idea of MSP is to counter Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai.
price volatility of agricultural commodities ▪ DNA testing, cyber forensics and related
due to the factors like variation in their supply, facilities are being set up in 24 states and
lack of market integration and information Union Territories including Tamil Nadu and
asymmetry. Pondicherry.
▪ MSP is announced for ▪ 317.75 Crore has been provided to Tamil Nadu
9 The Kharif Crops of Paddy, Jowar, Bajara, under the Nirbhaya Fund and Rs. 296.62 crore
Ragi, Maize, Arhar, Moong, Urad, Cotton, has been utilized. Puducherry has been given
Rs 15.11 crore and Rs 9.5 crore has been used. ▪ The GGI 2020-21 Categorizes States and UTs
About Nirbhaya Fund: into four categories, i.e.,
▪ Government of India has set up a dedicated 9 Other States – Group A;
fund called Nirbhaya Fund for implementation 9 Other States – Group B;
of initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and
9 North-East and Hill States;
security and security of women in the country.
9 Union Territories.
▪ The Rs 1,000 crore Nirbhaya Fund was
announced in Union Budget 2013 by the then ▪ Gujarat tops the composite ranking in the
Finance Minister P Chidambaram. 58-indicator index followed by Maharashtra
and Goa covering 10 sectors.
▪ Ministry of women and child development
is the nodal authority for appraisal of the ▪ Tamil Nadu topped in Judiciary and Public
Schemes received Under Nirbhaya fund. Safety Sectors.
▪ The Fund is administered by Department of ▪ Delhi tops the Union Territories category
Economic Affairs of the finance ministry. composite ranking.
▪ Ministry of Finance has set up an empowered 9 Delhi has performed strongly in Agriculture &
committee to assist Ministry of Women Allied Sectors, Commerce & Industry, Public
and Child Development in Approving the Infrastructure and Utilities and Social Welfare
Schemes. & Development.
▪ The Concerned Ministries take up the sanction Panel to look into AFSPA withdrawal
and implementation of the schemes approved from Nagaland:
by the Ministry.
▪ A recent high-level meeting in New Delhi
Karnataka Passes Anti-Conversion Bill: decided to constitute a committee to study the
▪ The Karnataka Assembly adopted the possibility of withdrawing the Armed Forces
contentious, Anti-Conversion Karnataka (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the State.
Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion ▪ The Act gives immunity to armed forces when
Bill, 2021 through a voice vote in the ongoing they use force in a notified area.
winter session. ▪ The committee will be headed by the
Additional Secretary (Northeast) in the Union
Good Governance Index 2021: Home Ministry and will include Nagaland’s
▪ Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.
of Cooperation, Mr. Amit Shah today released
▪ The other members will be the Inspector
the Good Governance Index 2021 prepared
General of Assam Rifles (North) and a
by Department of Administrative Reforms
representative of the Central Reserve Police
and Public Grievances (DARPG) on Good
Force (CRPF).
Governance Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New
Delhi. ▪ The committee would submit its report within
45 days.
▪ Good Governance Index, GGI 2021 Framework
covered ten sectors and 58 indicators. ▪ The withdrawal of the “disturbed area”
notification and the AFSPA from Nagaland
▪ The sectors of GGI 2020-21 are
will be based on the recommendations of the
9 Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Commerce & committee.
Industries, Human Resource Development,
Public Health, Public Infrastructure & Utilities, National Commission for
Economic Governance, Social Welfare & Minorities (NCM):
Development, Judicial & Public Security, ▪ The Union Government set up the National
Environment, and Citizen-Centric Governance. Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the
National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
▪ In 1993, the first Statutory National Commission

was set up and five religious communities viz
the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and
Zoroastrians (Parsis) were notified as minority
communities.
▪ ▪ In 2014, Jains were also notified as a minority
community making the number to six.
Composition:
9 NCM consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-
Chairperson and five members and all of
them shall be from amongst the Minority
Communities.
▪ Tenure: Each Member holds office for a period
of three years from the date of assumption of
office.
▪ Current Chairman: Sardar Iqbal Singh
Lalpura.
Sectors Group A Group B NE & Hill States UTs

Agriculture & Allied Andhra Madhya
Mizoram D & N Haveli
Sector Pradesh Pradesh
Commerce and
Telangana Uttrarpradesh J&K Daman & Diu
Industry
Human Resource Himachal
Punjab Odisha Chandigarh
Development Pradesh
Public Health Kerala West Bengal Mizoram A & N Island
Public Infrastructure Himachal
Goa Bihar A & N Island
and Utilities Pradesh
Economic Governance Gujarat Odisha Tripura Delhi
Social Welfare and
Telangana Chhattisgarh Sikkim D & N Haveli
Development
Judiciary and Public
Tamil Nadu Rajasthan Nagaland Chandigarh
Safety
Environment Kerala Rajasthan Manipur Daman & Diu
Citizen Centric &
Haryana Rajasthan Uttarakhand Delhi
Governance
Madhya Himachal
Composite Gujarat Delhi
Pradesh Pradesh

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital indispensable part in not only bridging the
SAKSHARTA Abhiyaan digital gap in the country but also transforming
(PMGDISHA) Scheme: it into a knowledge economy and society.
▪ A total of 5.36 crore candidates have been ▪ The IIPA recommended the continuation this
enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin scheme.
Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) About PMGDISHA:
Scheme to improve literacy. ▪ The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta
▪ Out of this, 4.54 crore candidates have been Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) being initiated under
trained and 3.37 crore candidates have been Digital India Programme would cover 6
duly certified. crore households in rural areas to make them
digitally literate by March 2020.
▪ In Tamil Nadu, over 10.7 lakh people registered,
and of this, over 8.7 lakh were trained and over ▪ Eligibility
5.78 lakh people were certified. 9 The Scheme is applicable only for rural areas
Why there is Lesser Enrolment from Tamil of the country.
Nadu under this Scheme? 9 Eligible Household: A household is defined as
9 Tamil Nadu has a history where the State a unit comprising of Head of family, spouse,
Government has already rolled out similar children and parents.
schemes over a decade ago to enhance digital 9 All such households where none of the family
literacy. They even give out free laptops. member is digitally literate will be considered
9 And the digital literacy index of the State as eligible household under the Scheme.
is already very high and that is why there is ▪ The beneficiary should be Digitally illiterate.
lesser Enrolment under this scheme. ▪ Only one person per eligible household would
▪ The marginalized sections of the society be considered for training.
including Scheduled Castes (SCs)/Scheduled ▪ Age Group: 14 - 60 years
Tribes (STs), women, differently abled persons,
▪ Priority would be given to
etc. have also been enrolled and certified.
9 Non-smartphone users, Antyodaya
▪ So far, three impact assessment studies of the
households, college drop-outs, Participants
scheme have been carried out.
of the adult literacy mission.
9 The first Impact Assessment Study was carried
▪ Digitally illiterate school students from class
out by the Council for Social Development
9th to 12th, provided facility of Computer/ICT
(CSD) in 2017-2018.
Training is not available in their schools.
9 The second was done by Indian Institute of
▪ Preference would be given to SC, ST, BPL, women,
Technology Delhi in 2019.
differently-abled persons and minorities.
9 The last impact assessment study of the ▪ The identification of the beneficiaries
scheme was carried out by the Indian Institute would be carried out by CSC-SPV in active
of Public Administration (IIPA) in financial collaboration with DeGS, Gram Panchayats,
year 2020-21. and Block Development Officers. The list of
▪ The aim of the study was to analyses the such beneficiaries would be made available on
ground level situation of the scheme, with a the scheme portal.
larger aspect of continuation of the scheme ▪ The implementation of the Scheme would
beyond the 12th plan period. be carried out under the overall supervision
▪ The IIPA, after the comprehensive and of Ministry of Electronics and IT in active
methodological evaluation of scheme, collaboration with States/UTs through their
concluded in the report that PMGDISHA designated State Implementing Agencies,
as a Digital Literacy Programme plays an District e-Governance Society (DeGS), etc.
Poshan Tracker Data Under Wraps: ▪ Union Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters
▪ The Ministry of Women and Child at a press briefing on decisions taken by the
Development has spent over ₹1000 crore Union Cabinet that the scheme has been
on its Poshan or Nutrition Tracker, which extended beyond March 2021, and till March
records real time data on malnourished and 31, 2024.
‘severe acute malnourished’ children in each ▪ The total target is to construct 2.95 crore
anganwadi. ‘pucca’ houses.
▪ Of the total, ₹600 crore was spent on About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana –
procurement of smartphones, followed by Gramin (PMAY-G):
₹203.96 crore on smartphone recharge and ▪ The PMAY-G scheme was launched in
maintenance, ₹180.68 crore on incentives to November 20, 2016.
anganwadi workers and helpers for using the ▪ Ministry Involved: Ministry of Rural
technology and ₹68 crore on training. development.
▪ In response to a question on the number ▪ PM Awas Yojana- Gramin was created in
of malnourished children, the Minister for response to the government's pledge to offer
Women and Child Development Smriti Irani 'Housing for All' in rural India by 2022.
relied on data from the recently released
▪ The project intends to provide all houseless
National Family Health Survey5, which
households living in kutcha and decaying
shows improvement in stunting, wasting and
dwellings with a pucca house with basic
underweight Children.
utilities.
▪ The Poshan Tracker gives the Ministry daily
▪ Apart from housing eligible recipients,
data from 12.3 lakh anganwadi centres, with
PMAY-G also focuses on the basic necessities
9.8 lakh beneficiaries.
of households through collaboration
About POSHAN: with other government programmes.
▪ The Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for
Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN Abhiyaan),
▪ It provides toilets, piped drinking water,
or the National Nutrition Mission, is the
electricity connection, LPG gas connection etc
Government of India's flagship programme
under different Government programmes.
to improve nutritional outcomes for children,
pregnant women and lactating mothers. Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana
▪ Poshan Abhiyaan was launched by Hon'ble (AVYAY):
Prime Minister on the occasion of International ▪ The Ministry of Social Justice and
Women’s Day 8th March, 2018 in Jhunjhunu Empowerment plans to provide grant-in-aid
district of Rajasthan. to healthcare agencies under the Atal Vayo
▪ The focus of Abhiyaan is to lay emphasis on Abhyuday Yojana for providing training to
nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant create a pool of trained caregivers to provide
women, lactating mothers and children from bedside assistance for needy elderly.
0-6 years age. ▪ The scheme aims for welfare of Senior Citizens
across the country.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)
▪ The implementing agency for this will be
Extended:
National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).
▪ The Union Cabinet approved the continuation
of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) ▪ The ministry aims to run eight such projects
for another three years to provide financial and reach out to 9,600 beneficiaries.
assistance for the construction of the remaining ‘80% of funds for Beti Bachao were
155.75 lakh houses under the scheme.
spent on Media Campaigns’:
▪ The Government spent 80% of the funds
under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (BBBP)
scheme on media campaigns and must now ▪ In 2016, the project was brought under
revisit this strategy and invest in measurable Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
outcomes in health and education for girls, the with the target to complete it in a time-bound
Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment manner.
of Women has noted in its report tabled in the ▪ It is said that the project will benefit nine
Lok Sabha. districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, namely
▪ The committee is chaired by Heena Vijaykumar Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda,
Gavit and the report is titled “Empowerment Siddharthnagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar,
of women through education with special Gorakhpur, and Maharajganj.
reference to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.” About:
▪ The scheme was launched by Prime Minister ▪ Sarayu River:
Narendra Modi in January 2015 with the ▪ The Saryu is a river that originates at a ridge
aim to address sex-selective abortion and the south of Nanda Kot Mountain in Bageshwar
declining child sex ratio, which was at 918 district in Uttarakhand, India.
Girls for every 1000 boys in 2011. ▪ It flows through Kapkot, Bageshwar, and
▪ The Programme is being implemented across Seraghat towns before discharging into the
405 districts. Sharda River at Pancheshwar at the India—
▪ The committee noted that the massive spend Nepal border. Sharda river (also known as
on advertisements was despite the clearly laid Kali River) then flows into Ghaghara River in
down formula for utilization of funds 50 lakh Sitapur District, Uttar Pradesh, India.
a year is earmarked a district for utilization ▪ Lower Ghaghara is also popularly known as
under six different components. Sarayu in India.
▪ Of this, 16% is for intersectoral consultation ▪ Rapti River:
or capacity building, 50% for innovation ▪ West Rapti drains Rapti Zone in Mid-Western
or awareness generation activities, 6% for Region, Nepal, then Awadh and Purvanchal
monitoring and evaluation, 10% for sectoral regions of Uttar Pradesh state, India before
interventions in health, 10% for sectoral joining the Ghaghara—a major left bank
interventions in education and 8% as flexi tributary of the Ganges known as the Karnali
funds. inside Nepal.
▪ Advocacy and media campaigns include ▪ Banganga River:
television publicity, outdoor and print media,
SMS campaigns, radio spots and community ▪ Banganga River, a 240 km long tributary of
engagement through exhibition vans. Gambhir river in India, originates from the hills
of Aransar and Bairath (Virat Nagar) in Jaipur
Saryu Nahar National Project: region of Rajasthan state and confluences with
▪ The Saryu Nahar National Project will provide Yamuna near Fatehabad in Agra district of
assured water for irrigation of over 14 lakh Uttar Pradesh state.
hectares of land and benefit about 29 lakh ▪ Its main tributaries are Gumti Nalla
farmers of the region. and Suri River on right bank, and
▪ It involves the interlinking of five rivers - Sanwan and Palasan Rivers on left bank.
Ghaghara, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga, and
Rohini. ▪ Rohini River:
▪ The work of the Saryu Nahar irrigation project ▪ The Rohini River rises in the Chure or Siwalik
was in 1978 but due to lack of continuity Hills in Kapilvastu and Rupandehi Districts
of budgetary support, interdepartmental of Nepal's Lumbini Zone and flows south into
coordination, and adequate monitoring, it got Uttar Pradesh state, India.
delayed and was not completed even after
nearly four decades.
▪ At Gorakhpur it becomes a left bank tributary Rs 1,894.85 crore incurred as IEC

of West Rapti River, which in turn joins the expenditure under Swachh Bharat
Ghaghara above Gaura Barhaj, then Ghaghara Mission:
in turn joins the Ganges.
▪ A sum of Rs 1,894.85 crore was incurred as
Nod to extend Irrigation Scheme for Information, Education and Communications
Five Years: expenditure under Swachh Bharat Mission
(Grameen) from 2014-15 to 2021-22.
▪ The government has extended the Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), ▪ Information, Education and Communication
launched in 2015 to improve farm productivity (IEC) is a strategy to spread awareness through
by four years till 2025-26 to complete ongoing communication channels to target Audience to
projects. The program entails additional achieve desired positive result.
spending of ₹93,068 crore. ▪ The Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)
▪ The government also approved the (SBM-G) was launched by the government
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme on October 2, 2014 with the main aim to make
(AIBP), Har Khet ko Pani (HKKP), and the country open defecation free (ODF) by
Watershed Development Components of the October 2, 2019, by providing access to Toilets
PMKSY for four years to 2025-26. to all rural households.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit ▪ Responding to a question in Rajya Sabha,
Programme (AIBP) Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Prahlad
9 Under the AIBP, which offers financial support Singh Patel said no specific funds have been
to irrigation projects, the government aims to earmarked under the mission for advertising
extend irrigation to 1.39 million hectares by the scheme.
2025-26. About SWACHH BHARAT MISSION-URBAN
9 Apart from completing 60 ongoing projects, 2.0:
including the 3- million-hectare command area ▪ SBM-U 2.0 envisions to make all cities
development, additional projects can also be ‘Garbage Free’ and ensure grey and black
taken up as part of the programme. water management in all cities other than those
covered under AMRUT, make all urban local
9 In addition, the inclusion criteria have been
bodies as ODF+ and those with a population of
eased for projects under tribal and drought-
less than 1 lakh as ODF++, thereby achieving
prone areas.
the vision of safe sanitation in Urban areas.
Har Khet ko Pani ▪ The Mission will focus on source segregation
9 Under the HKKP, which aims to expand the of solid waste, utilizing the principles of 3Rs
cultivable area under assured irrigation, the (reduce, reuse, recycle), scientific processing
government plans to bring 450,000 hectares of all types of municipal solid waste and
under irrigation through minor projects and remediation of legacy dumpsites for effective
rejuvenation of water bodies. Solid Waste Management.
▪ Through the Watershed Development
Component, the government envisages the Two more districts to Distribute Fortified
completion of sanctioned projects covering rice through PDS:
4.95 million hectares of degraded land and ▪ Two more districts — Virudhunagar and
bringing an additional 250,000 hectares under Ramanathapuram — are to have the supply
protective irrigation through 2025-26. of fortified rice through the public distribution
system (PDS) as part of the Centrally
Sponsored Scheme.
▪ At present, the scheme of distribution of ▪ Implemented by: Ministry of Housing and

fortified rice with three nutrients (iron, folate Urban Affairs.
and vitamin B12) is under implementation in ▪ The Mission addresses Urban housing
Tiruchi on a pilot basis. shortage among the Urban Poor including the
▪ This has been on since October 2020. Slum Dwellers by ensuring a pucca House to
▪ The scheme is intended to address anaemia eligible urban poor.
and micronutrient deficiency. ▪ All houses under PMAY(U) have basic
▪ The Department of Food and Public Amenities like toilet, water supply, Electricity
Distribution, Ministry of Women and Child and kitchen.
Development and the Department of School ▪ The Mission promotes women empowerment
Education and Literacy are involved in the by providing the ownership of houses in the
countrywide implementation of the scheme name of Female members or in joint name.
while the local implementation is taken care of ▪ Preference is also given to differently abled
by the State Governments. persons, senior citizens, SCs, STs, OBCs,
▪ Implementation method. Minority, single women, transgender and
9 The distribution of fortified rice is covered other weaker & vulnerable sections of the
under the Integrated Child Development society.
Scheme (ICDS) and Pradhan Mantri Poshan
PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme:
Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme.
▪ National Book Trust, India announced the
9 On an average, 6500 tonnes of fortified rice results of the All-India contest organised on
is distributed in Tiruchi, with beneficiaries the theme 'National Movement of India' under
getting about 85% of the allocated rice. the PM-YUVA Mentorship scheme.
9 Approximately 89,720 tonnes of fortified rice ▪ As per the scheme, 75 authors were selected
have been supplied in Tiruchi since the launch through this contest for a scholarship-cum
of the scheme, as per an estimate based on mentorship programme for the young authors
the information provided on the Annavirtan below the age of 30 years.
portal of the Department of Food and Public
▪ Out of the 75 selected authors, 38 are males
Distribution in the Union Government.
and 37 are females.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) ▪ Further, two are below 15 years, whereas there
▪ The Central Government approved the are 16 authors in the age-group of 15-20 years,
construction of 1.07 lakh houses in five 32 fall in the age group of 21-25 years and 25
states – Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, authors are in the age group of 26-30 Years.
Maharashtra, Puducherry and Uttarakhand ▪ The selected authors will undergo 6-months of
– under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana mentorship in which they would be provided
(Urban), according to a statement by the Union research & editorial support under the
ministry of housing. guidance of eminent authors and the editorial
▪ The ministry said the total number of team of National Book Trust.
sanctioned houses under the mission is now ▪ Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programmes,
1.14 crore, of which around 91 lakhs have been the All-India contest was organized from June
grounded for construction and more than 53 1 to July 31 through MyGov and National
lakhs have been completed and delivered to Book Trust platforms.
the beneficiaries. ▪ The scheme is in line with Prime Minister
About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Narendra Modi’s vision to encourage young
Urban: writers to write about India's freedom struggle.
▪ Launched: 25th June 2015, intends to provide A consolidated scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per
housing for all in urban areas by year 2022. month for a period of six months per author
will be paid under the mentorship scheme.
▪ A book or a series of books written by these Odisha and Jharkhand.

young authors will be published by NBT and ▪ Gender analysis of the data shows that 52.56%
a royalty of 10% will be paid to the authors. are female while 47.44% are male.
▪ Their published books will also be translated ▪ The data show that 42.64% of the registered
into other Indian languages to ensure the workers are other backward classes (OBC)
exchange of culture and literature between followed by 26.45% from general category,
different states, thereby promoting Ek Bharat 22.54% from the scheduled caste and 8.38%
Shreshtha Bharat. from the Scheduled Tribe.
About National Book Trust: ▪ It also shows that over 94% registered
▪ NBT, India is an apex body established by the workers’Income is ₹10,000 per month or
Government of India (Department of Higher below while over 4% have income in the rage
Education, Ministry) in the year 1957. of ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per Month.
▪ The objectives of the NBT are ▪ ▪ About 51% workers are farm laborer’s, 11% in
9 To produce and encourage the production of construction, 10% in domestic and household
Good literature in English, Hindi and other work and 6.5% in the apparel segment.
Indian languages. About e-Shram Portal:
9 To make such literature available at moderate ▪ The Ministry of Labour and Employment
prices to the public. launched the e-Shram portal on August
9 To bring out book catalogues, arrange book 26,2021.
fairs/exhibitions and seminars and take all Aim:
necessary steps to make the people book 9 To register 38 crore unorganized workers such
minded. as construction laborer’s, migrant workforce,
▪ NBT is Mandated to Publish street vendors, and domestic workers, among
others.
9 The classical literature of India.
▪ The workers will be issued an e-Shram card
9 Outstanding works of Indian authors in Indian
containing a 12-digit unique number.
languages and their translation from one
Indian language to another. ▪ If a worker is registered on the e-SHRAM
portal and meets with an accident, he will be
9 Translation of outstanding books from Foreign
eligible for Rs 2.0 Lakh on death or permanent
languages.
disability and Rs 1.0 lakh on partial disability.
9 Outstanding books of modern knowledge for
Implementation:
popular diffusion.
9 Government in States/UTs will conduct
‘Every Third Informal Worker is now registration of unorganized workers across the
country.
registered on E-Shram’:
▪ Every third informal sector worker in India ▪ The Ministry of Labour and Employment
is now registered on the e-Shram portal has categorized the unorganized labour force
with registration on the portal crossing the under four groups as below.
14-crore mark in four months, Union Minister ▪ Occupation:
Bhupender Yadav said. 9 Small and marginal farmers, landless
▪ The national database being created on agricultural laborer’s, sharecroppers,
e-Shram portal will eventually help the fishermen, those engaged in animal
Government to provide various social security Husbandry, Beedi making, etc.
and other welfare benefits to unorganised ▪ Nature of Employment:
workers. 9 Attached agricultural laborer’s, bonded
▪ The latest data of the portal shows that the top laborer’s, migrant workers, contract and casual
five States in terms of number of registrations laborer’s come under this category.
on e-Shram are U.P., West Bengal, Bihar,
▪ Specially Distressed Category: 9 It is being implemented by the Ministry of

9 Toddy tappers, scavengers, carriers of head Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
loads, drivers of animal driven Vehicles, ▪ Identification of Beneficiaries:
Loaders and Unloaders. 9 The entire responsibility of identification of
▪ Service Category: beneficiary farmer families’ rests with the State
9 Midwives, Domestic workers, Fishermen and / UT Governments.
women, Barbers, Vegetable and fruit vendors, ▪ Objective:
Newspaper vendors etc. 9 To supplement the financial needs of the
Small and Marginal Farmers in procuring
10th installment of PM-KISAN
various inputs to ensure proper crop health
Financial Benefit on January 1: and appropriate yields, commensurate with
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the anticipated farm income at the end of each
the 10th installment of financial benefit under crop cycle.
the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
9 To protect them from falling in the clutches
(PM-KISAN) scheme on January 1, 2022.
of Money lenders for meeting such expenses
▪ The Prime Minister will transfer an amount and ensure their continuance in the farming
of over ₹20,000 crore to more than 10 crore activities.
beneficiary farmer families.
PM-KISAN Mobile App:
▪ The Ninth installment of PM-KISAN scheme ▪ The PM-KISAN Mobile App developed
was released by the Prime Minister in August and designed by the National Informatics
2021 when he virtually transferred ₹19,500 Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of
crore to over 9.75 crore farmers. Electronics and Information Technology has
▪ PM-KISAN is for families involved in farming. been launched.
According to the rules of the scheme, the ▪ The farmers can view the status of their
yearly amount is deposited directly into the application, update or carry out corrections of
Bank account of one family member. If both their Aadhaar cards and also check the history
husband and wife are found availing the of credits to their bank accounts.
benefit of the scheme, the government will
take back the amount.
▪ Those who are using their farmlands for
some work other than farming are ineligible
for benefit under the scheme. Also, people
working on the farm of another person and are
not owners of the land are ineligible.
▪ Further, the scheme cannot be availed even if
the land is registered under the name of the
person’s father or Grandfather.
About PM KISAN Scheme:
▪ Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an
amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal
instalments, directly into the bank accounts of
all landholding farmers irrespective of the size
of their land holdings.
▪ It was launched in February 2019.
▪ Funding and Implementation:
9 It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding
from the Government of India.
3. GEOGRAPHY
Indonesia Volcano Eruption: ▪ The two projects would allow storage in
▪ Mount Semeru, the biggest mountain on the the Yamuna basin, benefitting six states
island of Java erupted. in the upper Yamuna basin, augmenting
water supply to Delhi, Himachal Pradesh,
SC approves Widening of three Char Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and
Dham Highways: Rajasthan.
▪ The Supreme Court upheld the Government’s ▪ It is a major step towards the rejuvenation of
mandate to broaden three Himalayan Yamuna.
highways, considered crucial by the Ministry
of Defence (MoD) for quick troop buildup Association seeks GI tag for Andhra
along the India-China border. Pradesh’s Paper Sweet:
▪ The three National Highways — Rishikesh to ▪ The Sir Arthur Cotton Atreyapuram
Mana, Rishikesh to Gangotri and Tanakpur Pootharekula Manufacturers Welfare
to Pithoragarh — act as feeder roads to the Association, which operates from East
northern border with China. Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, has filed an
application seeking Geographical Indication
▪ They are part of the Char Dham Highway
(GI) tag for the famous Atreyapuram
project.
Pootharekulu, also known as Paper Sweet.
▪ The highways will now be developed in
accordance with the double lane with paved About Geographical Indications (GI):
shoulder (DLPS) system. ▪ A GI is a sign used on products that have a
About Char Dham Project: specific geographical origin and possess
▪ Char Dham Pari yojana aims to “improve qualities or a reputation that are due to that
the connectivity to the Chardham pilgrimage origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must
centres (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, identify a product as originating in a given
Yamunotri) in the Himalayas, making place.
journeys to these centres safer, faster and more ▪ In addition, the qualities, characteristics or
convenient. reputation of the product should be essentially
▪ It will widen almost 900 km of highways due to the place of origin.
connecting the pilgrimage sites and the ▪ GI tags are issued as per the Geographical
Tanakpur-Pithoragarh stretch of National Indications of Goods (Registration and
Highway (NH) 125, a part of the Kailash Protection) Act, 1999. This tag is issued by
Mansarovar Yatra route. the Geographical Indication Registry under
the Department of Industry Promotion and
National Hydro Projects:
Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
▪ Central funding of 90% of water component for Industry.
two national projects, namely Renukaji Dam
Project (Himachal Pradesh) and Lakhwar
Multipurpose Project (Uttarakhand), has
been provisioned.
GEOGRAPHY | 63
GI tags sought for Palm Leaf Drawings, Kashmiri Apples face Iranian Kiwi
Cheese Product, Toys Pests:
▪ Toys: ▪ The Import of Iranian kiwis from Afghanistan
9 From Mango Trees Sawantwadi in to India has posed a major concern for apple
Maharashtra is famous for its art and culture, dealers in Kashmir following a contagious
especially for toys made from mango trees in Quarantine pest threat found earlier this
the village of Kolgaon. month in New Delhi.
9 The most sought-after products here are the ▪ Alarm bells were set off in Kashmir, which
fruit and vegetable toys that resemble the produces 71% of the country’s apples, after
Original. the National Plant Protection Organisation
(NPPO), a body under the Union Ministry
9 Craftsmen who make these toys belong to the
of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, wrote
Chittari and Sutar communities.
to Iran on December 7 about the incidence of
9 The application in respect of the Sawantwadi two quarantine pests, Aspidiotus nerd and
wooden craft was filed by Sutar Samaj Hastkala Aonidella aurantii, in many shipments of
Producer Company Limited. kiwis from Iran.
▪ Cheese Product: ▪ The Indian Government has already conveyed
9 Dogra cuisine The Shyam Kaladi Cooperative to Iran that “the phytosanitary certificates
Limited, Jammu and Kashmir, filed an issued by the NPPO, Iran, for fresh kiwi fruits
application for the Udhampur Kaladi (a shall not be entertained from our end from
Traditional ripened cheese product). December 8, 2021”.
9 It is an authentic Dogra cuisine that originated ▪ Iran is also exporting apples to India from
from Ramnagar in Udhampur district. orchards which have been affected by these
9 Kaladi is prepared daily at almost every sweet pests, along with others such as codling moth.
shop in the Jammu region. ▪ Codling Moth is dependent on fruits, rather
9 Over the years, it has evolved into a cottage than leaves, as a food source, and are among
Industry in this Region. the major pest threats for fruits, especially
apples and pears.
9 It is Generally made from buffalo’s or cow’s
milk, but goat and sheep milk are also used. GI tag sought for Apatani Textile
9 This product lasts 12-30 days in winter and 12- Product:
15 days in summer. ▪ An application seeking Geographical
▪ Palm Leaf Drawings: Indication (GI) tag for the Arunachal Pradesh
9 The application for the Talapatra Pothi Chitra Apatani textile product has been filed by a
of Puri (palm leaf engraving) was filed by the firm, Zeet Zeero Producer Company Ltd.
Kalakruti Vikash Kendra, Odisha. ▪ The Apatani weave comes from the Apatani
9 These paintings are made by fineline drawings tribe living at Ziro, the headquarters of Lower
etched with a steel stylus on rectangular Subansiri district.
strips of palm leaves that are delicately strung ▪ The woven fabric of this tribe is known for
together. its geometric and zigzag patterns and for its
9 Known as Talapatrachitras, these paintings Angular designs.
hold a world of tales and secrets, beautifully ▪ The Apatani community weaves its own
Depicted by the artists of Odisha. textiles for various occasions, including Rituals
9 The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are the and cultural festivals.
favourite subjects of illustration in many art ▪ The tribe predominantly weaves shawls
forms, as they are with the palm leaf Paintings. known as jig-jiro, and jilan or jackets called
supuntarii.
▪ The people use leaves and plant resources

for organic dyeing of the cotton yarns in their
Traditional ways. And only women folk are
Engaged in weaving.
Renukaji Dam Project:

▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the
foundation of the Rs 6,700-crore Renukaji
Dam project from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi
Town.
▪ The project on the Giri river in Sirmaur district,
once completed, is expected to generate 200
million units of energy in a Surface power
house with 40 MW installed Capacity which
would be utilized by the state.
▪ The Himachal Pradesh government claims that
the storage capacity of the dam would be 498
million cubic meters which would fulfill about
40 per cent of the drinking water Requirement
of Delhi.
▪ The construction of the dam takes shape
following cooperation on behalf of six states —
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Delhi.
GEOGRAPHY | 65
3.2 ENVIRONMENT ECOLOGY

Tamil Nadu to declare Pallikaranai ▪ Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar
marshland a ‘Ramsar site’: protection.
▪ The Union government told Parliament that Ramsar Sites in India:
it had received a proposal from Tamil Nadu ▪ India is a party to the Ramsar Convention.
to declare Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai India signed under it on 1st February 1982.
a ‘Ramsar site’- a Wetland of International ▪ There are 46 Ramsar Sites in India.
significance. ▪ Four new sites have been added to the list of
▪ Tamil Nadu had recently launched a Wetland Ramsar Sites in India in August 2021. These
Mission to identify and map 100 wetlands in are:
five years and restore ecological balance with 9 Sultanpur National Park – Gurugram, Haryana
a focus on livelihood options.
9 Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary – Jhajjar,
▪ The Tamil Nadu Wetland Authority had sent Haryana
the Pallikaranai proposal to the Centre on
9 Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary – Near
November 20.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
About Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
9 Wadhvana Wetland – Vadodara, Gujarat.
▪ The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an
international treaty for “the Conservation and ▪ Sundarbans is the largest Ramsar Site of India.
Sustainable use of wetlands”. It is also known ▪ Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National
as the Convention on Wetlands. Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first
▪ It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran Ramsar Sites of India.
where it was signed on 2nd of February 1971. ▪ Uttar Pradesh has the most number of Ramsar
▪ The 2nd of February each year is World Sites in India. It has 8 Indian Wetlands.
Wetlands Day. ▪ Renuka Wetland (Area – 20 ha) in Himachal
▪ The number of parties to the convention (COP) Pradesh is the smallest wetland of India.
is 171 (as of May 2021). Ramsar Site in Tamil Nadu:
▪ At the centre of the Ramsar philosophy is the ▪ Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary is
“wise use” of wetlands. the only site in Tamil Nadu to be declared as a
Ramsar Site on 19th August 2002.
▪ Wise use: Maintenance of ecological character
within the context of sustainable development. ▪ It is located along the Palk Strait covering
Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur.
Ramsar Site:
▪ When a country accedes to the Convention, Species:
it must designate at least one wetland as a
Wetland of International Importance. Chocolate Bordered Flitter:
▪ The inclusion of a “Ramsar Site” in the List ▪ Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, from Dzongu
embodies the government’s commitment in North Sikkim has been in the habit of
to take the steps necessary to ensure that its photographing butterflies and sending
ecological character is maintained. their pictures to entomologists based at the
National Centre for Biological Sciences
▪ There are over 2,400 Ramsar Sites Covering 2.5
(NCBS), Bengaluru, to identify and upload
million sq km on the territories of 171 Ramsar
them on to the ‘Butterflies of India’ website
Contracting Parties across the world.
they maintain.
▪ The world’s first site was the Cobourg
▪ In 2020, he contributed the picture of a Golden
Peninsula in Australia, designated in 1974.
yellow butterfly with brown borders and
▪ The countries with the most Ramsar Sites are spots.
the United Kingdom with 175 and Mexico
with 142.
▪ All the observations submitted to this website Kazhuveli notified as 16th Bird
are reviewed by an expert panel and they Sanctuary in T.N:
realised that this was a species previously ▪ The Ecologically important Kazhuveli
unknown in India and was a new species. wetlands in Villupuram district is the 16th
▪ The new species of butterfly, now named the bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.
Chocolate bordered Flitter, also carries the ▪ In a government order, Environment and
scientific name Zographetus dzonguensis, Forests Secretary Supriya Sahu has declared
after Dzongu in North Sikkim, the place the creation of Kazhuveli bird sanctuary.
where it was discovered.
▪ An area of 5,151.60 hectares in Vanur and
▪ Dzongu called Blykovoo, which means “the Marakkanam taluks have been combined to
land of butterflies”. create the sanctuary.
Project RE-HAB (Reducing ▪ The area has adequate ecological, faunal,
Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees): floral and geomorphological significance for
the purpose of protecting, propagating and
▪ Buoyed by the success of its innovative Project
developing wildlife and its environment.
RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks
using Bees) in Karnataka, Khadi and Village Afforestation Funds Released to States:
Industries Commission (KVIC) has now ▪ The Compensatory Afforestation Fund
replicated the project in Assam. Management and Planning Authority
▪ Chairman of KVIC, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena (CAMPA) has so far disbursed ₹48,606 crore
launched Project RE-HAB at Village Mornoi to 32 States, according to a response by the
in Goalpara district of Assam which severely Environment Ministry.
Grapples with elephant-human conflicts. ▪ CAMPA funds are part of long pending dues of
▪ The project has been implemented in Assam the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF),
with the support of the local forest department. a ₹54,000crore tranche collected for nearly a
Surrounded by dense forests, a large part decade as environmental compensation from
of Assam is infested by elephants with 332 industry, which has razed forest land for its
human deaths reported between 2014 and business plans.
2019 due to elephant attacks. ▪ States have their own established monitoring
▪ Under Project RE-HAB, mechanism to check if the funds are being
9 “Bee-fences” are created by setting up bee used for their intended purpose.
boxes in the passage ways of elephants to block ▪ The Centre also has its own monitoring scheme
their entrance to human territories. and approves funds for use by States.
9 The boxes are connected with a string so that ▪ Chhattisgarh and Odisha have had the
when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug maximum amount transferred to them, or close
or pull causes the bees to swarm the elephant to ₹5700 crore each followed by Jharkhand
herds and dissuade them from progressing and Maharashtra at around ₹3000 crore.
further. ▪ The CAF Act 2016, which came into being
9 It is a cost-effective way of reducing human- more than a decade since it was devised,
wild conflicts without causing any harm to the established an independent authority —
animals. the Compensatory Afforestation Fund
9 It is scientifically recorded that elephants are Management and Planning Authority — to
annoyed by the honey bees. Elephants also execute the fund.
fear that the bee swarms can bite their sensitive
inner side of the trunk and eyes. The collective
buzz of the bees is annoying to elephants that
force them to return.
GEOGRAPHY | 67
Two Plant Species became Extinct in the About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):
Wild: ▪ It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body,
▪ Two species of plants first collected by botanists established by the Government of India under
more than 125 years ago from Meghalaya and the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
the Andaman Islands are now extinct in the to combat organized wildlife crime in the
wild, according to a new paper published in country.
the Journal of Threatened Taxa. ▪ WWCB established under Wildlife (Protection)
▪ Classified under the genus Boesenbergia, the Amendment Act 2006.
species belong to the family of Zingiberaceae, ▪ The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi.
the ginger family of flowering plants. ▪ It also assists and advises the customs
▪ Boesenbergia rubrolutea was first collected authorities in inspection of the consignments
from the Khasi Hills, Thera, in Meghalaya on of flora & fauna as per the provisions of the
October 10, 1886. Wild Life Protection Act, Convention on
▪ Specimens of Boesenbergia alboluteawere International Trade in Endangered Species
collected from the Andamans and sent to the of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Export
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, in 1889. Import (EXIM) Policy governing such an item.
▪ Possible reasons for their disappearance Buxa Tiger Reserve:
include climate change, human interference ▪ A Royal Bengal Tiger has been spotted in Buxa
and overexploitation or natural calamities. tiger reserve in West Bengal, after at least 23
▪ Ten species of this genus, including the two years, as per the West Bengal Government.
cited above, have been reported in India. ▪ A picture of a tiger was captured on a trap
Control of Wildlife Crime: camera in the forest of East Damanpur of Buxa
tiger reserve.
▪ Between 2018 and 2020, about 2054 cases were
registered for killing or illegal trafficking of ▪ It was in 1998 that images of a Royal Bengal
wild animals in India. Tiger were captured at the reserve earlier.
▪ Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has ▪ The reserve had lost its identity as a tiger
been created for control of wildlife crime at reserve from the National Wild Life Board.
the Central Government level, to work in close About Buxa Tiger Reserve:
coordination with State Forest department ▪ Buxa Tiger Reserve is situated in the
and other law enforcement agencies. Alipurduar Sub-division of Jalpaiguri District,
▪ The WCCB had launched, West Bengal.
▪ “Operation Save Kurma” from to December ▪ It was created in 1983 as the 15th tiger reserve
2016 to January 2017 to focus on the poaching, of India.
transportation and illegal trade of live turtles ▪ It was declared as a National Park in January
and tortoises. 1992.
▪ “Operation Turtshield I” from December ▪ The northern boundary of Buxa Tiger Reserve
2019 to January 2020 and runs along the international border with
▪ “Operation Turtshield II” from December Bhutan.
2020 to February 2021 was taken up to tackle ▪ The main rivers flowing across the Tiger
the illegal trade of live turtles. Reserve are Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia,
▪ “Operation Soft Gold” was undertaken from Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima and Nonani.
October 2018 to March 2019 to tackle illegal
trade in Shahtoosh shawls (made from Chiru
wool). During the operation, 350 shawls were
found.
Boundaries of Vedanthangal Bird ▪ The presence of the Indus River dolphin

Sanctuary not to be reduced: and the gharial, led the area to be declared a
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) Conservation Reserve.
has decided to withdraw “forever” the ▪ Beas is be the first river in the country to be
proposal to rationalize the boundary of included in the Ramsar Sites list.
Vedanthangal bird sanctuary.
New Species of dwarf Catfish found in
About:
Nagaland:
▪ Vedanthangal was declared a bird sanctuary
in 1936. ▪ The team of researchers, which included
J. Praveenraj, Balaji Vijaykrishnan, Lima
▪ It is known as the oldest bird sanctuary in Akum and Gurumayum Devi, discovered a
India. new species of dwarf catfish, Pseudolaguvia
▪ Vedanthangal was notified as a reserved Vespa, in the Tsücha River at Khar Village in
Forest in 1963 under Madras Act LBB2. Nagaland’s Mokokchung district.
▪ The sanctuary was finally notified under ▪ The discovery was published in the latest
section 26 (l) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 issue of Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed taxonomy
in the year 1998. Journal.
After 50 years, Gharials Alive and ▪ Tsucha is a tributary of the Milak River, a
kicking in Beas Reserve: South Bank tributary of the Brahmaputra.
▪ After successfully reintroducing the critically ‘Chillai kalan’ puts Kashmir in a Deep
endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in Freeze:
the rivers of Punjab where it went extinct half ▪ Kashmir is in a deep freeze as the 40-day
a century ago, the State’s wildlife preservation harshest spell of winter, locally called ‘chillai
wing is now keeping its fingers crossed, kalan’, with the minimum temperature
expecting the breeding of the crocodilians Already subzero in the entire Valley.
to start in the next few years as the released
gharials are healthy and have adapted to the ▪ The cold wave triggered by the subzero
Beas Conservation Reserve as their home. temperature has slowed down the pace of life
in the Valley.
▪ The gharial reintroduction in the Beas
Conservation Reserve is an ambitious ▪ Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK), has
Programme of the Punjab government. warned of increase in cases of heart attack or
stroke due to the chilly weather.
▪ The reptiles were commonly sighted in the
Beas River till the 1960s but later became About:
extinct. ▪ Chillai-Kalan (Major Cold), a traditional 40-
day long period of extreme cold in Kashmir,
▪ The gharial can be found in north Indian rivers
began on December 21 and will continue till
such as the Ganga, Yamuna and Chambal and
January 31 followed by Chillai-Khurd and
their Tributaries.
Chillai-Bachha.
About Beas Conservation Reserve:
▪ Beas Conservation Reserve hosts more than New variety of rose named after M.S.
500 species of birds and over 90 species of Fish. Swaminathan:
▪ It is the only location to host the endangered ▪ M.S. Viraraghavan, a leading horticulturist
Indus River dolphin (Platanista gangetica in the country based in Kodaikanal, has bred
minor), once thought to be lost from the country a new rose variety and named it “The M.S.
A 2017 programme reintroduced 47 long- Swaminanthan Rose”.
snouted gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) to the
Beas, 30 years after they had disappeared.
GEOGRAPHY | 69
▪ This rose, wearing a magenta purple, is Highly of wetlands and it came into effect from
disease resistant, according to a release from December 21, 1975.
the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation,
Chennai. India saw a record 126 tiger deaths in
▪ This variety of rose plant, grows up to a 2021: NTCA Data
height of 4 to 5 feet with a dark green granular ▪ According to the National Tiger Conservation
surface, large leaves with regular thorns. Authority, India's tiger conservation body,
this is the highest toll since it began compiling
▪ Professor Swaminathan pioneered new
data a decade ago
approaches to the breeding of food crops,
which increased production and made India National Tiger Conservation
self-sufficient in food production. Authority:
Jewel of Monkompu: ▪ National Tiger Conservation Authority
▪ Another new variety of rose has been named (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry
“Jewel of Monkompu”, which was bred by of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
KSG Son, a nursery based in Bengaluru, and it
▪ It was established in 2005 following the
is a sparkling pinkish floribunda rose.
recommendations of the Tiger Task Force.
▪ These two varieties were handed over by
▪ It was constituted under enabling provisions of
Narendra Dadlani, floriculture scientist and
the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended
former director, horticulture, Government
in 2006, for strengthening Tiger Conservation,
of India, New Delhi, to Mr. Swaminathan in
as per powers and functions assigned to it.
Chennai.
▪ Mr. Dadlani also presented a copy of his book Tagging of Olive Ridley Turtles:
Indian Rose to the Agriculture Scientist. ▪ Scientists have resumed tagging of Olive
Ridley turtles at Rushikulya rookery along the
Haiderpur Wetland a new Ramsar Site: Odisha coast, which would help them identify
▪ Haiderpur Wetland of Western Uttar Pradesh the migration path and places visited by the
has been recognized as 47th Ramsar site in the marine reptiles after congregation and nesting.
country and 10th in Uttar Pradesh and 2463rd
▪ Researchers of the Zoological Survey of
in the world, which has been confirmed by the
India (ZSI) are carrying out tagging of the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Olive Ridleys at three mass nesting sites
Change.
— Gahirmatha, Devi River mouth and
▪ The Haiderpur Wetland is spread over an Rushikulya.
area of 6908 hectares on the Muzaffarnagar-
▪ The exercise was undertaken in Odisha in
Bijnor border between the Ganges and the
January 2021 after a span of about 25 years
Solani River. It is a part of Hastinapur Wildlife
and 1,556 turtles had been tagged.
Sanctuary.
About ZSI:
▪ Haiderpur Wetland is a man-made lake,
▪ The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), founded
which was formed in 1984. The biodiversity
on 1 July 1916 by Government of India
here attracts birds. Exotic birds reach here by
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
crossing the hills of Mongolia.
Change, as premier Indian organisation in
About: zoological research and studies to promote the
▪ According to the Ramsar Convention, a survey, exploration and research of the Fauna
wetland is a place that is full of water for at in the country.
Least eight months in a year and is home to
▪ Headquarters: Kolkatta.
more than 200 species of birds.
▪ A conference was held on 2 February 1971 in
Ramsar, Iran. The countries involved in this
signed an Agreement related to the protection
3.3 NATURAL DISASTERS - SAFEGUARD MEASURES

Cyclone Jawad: ▪ Winds with speeds between 80 to 90 kmph
▪ The low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal Gusting to100 kmph are likely to prevail.
is expected to intensify into Cyclone Jawad
Super Typhoon Rai Hammers
which is likely to reach the north Andhra
Pradesh and south Odisha coasts.
Philippines:
▪ Super Typhoon Rai is the strongest storm to
▪ The depression intensified into a deep
hit the disaster-prone archipelago this year.
Depression over west-central adjoining
southeast Bay of Bengal. ▪ It was packing maximum sustained winds
of 195 km an hour as it made landfall on the
▪ It is expected to further intensify into a
southern island of Siargao.
cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours and
reach North Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast. ▪ “This monster storm is frightening and
threatens to hit coastal communities like a
▪ The storm, once developed, will be called
freight train,” said Alberto Bocanegra, head of
Jawad (pronounced Jowad), as named by
the International Federation of Red Cross and
Saudi Arabia. After Yaas in May and Gulab
Red Crescent Societies in the Philippines.
in September, this will be the third cyclone
headed towards the east coast this year.
3.4 HUMAN AND ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY:

1258 Scheduled Castes in India: Songs of Harvest:
▪ A total of 1258 castes or communities have so ▪ The Hill Tiwas, one of the major tribes
far been specified as Scheduled Castes, and no Inhabiting the foothills of Karbi Anglong
community has been included in the list in the district in Assam, come together during
last three years. Paddy cultivation and harvest.
▪ Social Justice and Empowerment Minister ▪ The community harvesting is always
Virendra Kumar said the benefits of reservation associated with dance and Merry making.
are available to members of all such castes
which have been specified as Scheduled Castes
in relation to a state or a union territory.
4. ECONOMICS
4.1 CURRENT SOCIO ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

OECD cuts World Growth Outlook on RBI said in its ‘State Finances: A Study of
Omicron: Budgets of 2021-22’ report.
▪ The Organisation for Economic Cooperation About Debt-to-GDP Ratio:
and Development (OECD) warned that the ▪ In economics, the Debt-to-GDP ratio is the
Omicron variant threatens the global economic ratio between a country's government debt
recovery as it lowered the growth outlook (measured in units of currency) and its gross
for 2021 and appealed for a swifter rollout of domestic product (GDP) (measured in units of
COVID vaccines. currency per year).
▪ The global economy is now expected to ▪ A low debt-to-GDP ratio indicates an Economy
expand by 5.6% this year, down from an that produces and sells goods and services is
earlier forecast of 5.7%, the OECD said in its sufficient to pay back debts without incurring
updated economic outlook which warns that further debt.
low vaccination areas could create “breeding About Finance Commission:
Grounds” for deadlier virus mutations. ▪ The Finance Commission (FC) is a
▪ It’s forecast for 2022 remains unchanged at constitutional body, that determines the
4.5%, but the report was released only days method and formula for distributing the tax
after Omicron was detected. proceeds between the Centre and states, and
About OECD: among the states as per the constitutional
▪ The Organisation for Economic Co-operation arrangement and present requirements.
and Development is an intergovernmental ▪ Under Article 280 of the Constitution, the
economic organisation with 38 member President of India is required to constitute a
countries, founded in September 1961 to Finance Commission at an interval of five
stimulate economic progress and world trade. years or earlier.
▪ Headquarters: Paris, France. ▪ The 15th Finance Commission was constituted
▪ Secretary General: Mathias Cormann. by the President of India in November 2017,
under the chairmanship of NK Singh. Its
▪ Debt-to-GDP ratio of States worrying: RBI
recommendations will cover a period of five
▪ The combined Debt to GDP ratio of states years from the year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
is expected to remain at 31% by the end of
March 2022, which is worryingly higher than Control over Money Supply:
the target of 20% to be achieved by 2022-23, ▪ Former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao has
according to an RBI report. said the central bank could lose control over
▪ In view of the pandemic induced slowdown, money supply and inflation management if
in its projections, the 15th Finance Commission cryptocurrency is allowed in India.
expects the debt GDP ratio to peak at 33.3% ▪ "There are also concerns that crypto will
in 2022-23 (in view of the higher deficits in disrupt the monetary policy," he added. Rao
2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23), and gradually also said that India's case for issuing a central
decline thereafter to reach 32.5% by 2025-26, bank digital currency may not be strong as
there are capital controls. Rao, who served as the country.

the governor of RBI from 2008 to 2013 said, ▪ They also account for 12% of global maternal
▪ "The central bank’s role as last-resort lender deaths. India has a maternal mortality rate
should not be hampered". of 113 per 100,000, and the rate remains
“alarmingly high” in these nine States at 161
Regulation needed for Cryptocurrencies: Deaths per 100,000.
IMF About Janani Suraksha Yojana:
▪ International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief ▪ Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe
Economist Gita Gopinath has made a strong motherhood intervention under the National
case for regulating cryptocurrencies, saying it Health Mission (NHM).
will always be a challenge to ban them as they
▪ The Yojana was launched on 12th April 2005.
operate from offshore exchanges.
▪ It is being implemented in all States and UTs
▪ Ms. Gopinath also suggested a Global
with special focus on low performing states.
Policy and coordinated action for regulating
Cryptocurrencies. ▪ JSY is a 100 % Centrally Sponsored Scheme
and it integrates cash assistance with delivery
About International Monetary Fund (IMF)
and post-delivery care.
▪ The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
is an international financial institution, ▪ Objectives:
headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting 9 It was Launched for reducing maternal and
of 190 countries. neonatal mortality, to promote institutional
▪ Formed in 1944, started on 27 December 1945, delivery among pregnant women especially
at the Bretton Woods Conference primarily with weak socio-economic status i.e., women
by the ideas of Harry Dexter White and John from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
Maynard Keynes, it came into formal existence BPL households.
in 1945 with 29 member countries and the goal ▪ Cash Assistance:
of reconstructing the International monetary 9 Under the JSY, eligible pregnant women are
system. entitled to cash assistance irrespective of the
▪ President: Kristalina Georgieva age of mother and number of children for
▪ Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath (till Jan 2022). giving birth in a government or accredited
private Health Facility.
Poverty key Factor in Determining ▪ Area of Focus:
Institutional Delivery: 9 The scheme focuses on poor pregnant woman
▪ Poverty, Education, and Exposure to a with special dispensation for states that have
Community Health Worker are more low institutional delivery rates, namely, the
important than age at marriage in determining states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar,
whether a mother will be able to have a safe Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
birth in a medical facility, according to a first Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Jammu and
of its kind study on utilisation of institutional Kashmir.
delivery in the country. ▪ While these States have been named Low
▪ It focuses on nine Low Performing States Performing States (LPS) under the scheme, the
(LPS) with high burden of maternal mortality remaining States/UTs have been named High
— Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Performing States (HPS).
Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar ▪ The scheme also provides performance-based
Pradesh and Uttarakhand. incentives to women health volunteers known
▪ These States constitute about half of the as ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)
country’s population and contribute 62% of for promoting institutional delivery among
maternal deaths, 71% of infant deaths, 72% of Pregnant Women.
underfive (years) deaths, and 61% of births in
ECONOMICS | 73

RBI’s Retail Direct: Secondary market.
▪ RBI’s new Retail Direct platform allows ▪ RBI’s Retail Direct is not the only platform that
individuals to open and maintain a Retail allows you to participate in G-sec Auctions.
Direct Gilt (RDG) account directly with the ▪ NSE’s goBID and broker owned platforms
RBI. such as Zerodha Coin also offer such access
▪ To open your account, you need a PAN card, and may be easier to onboard. But the RBI’s
a savings bank account and an officially valid platform scores over others on cost, as it charges
KYC document. no fees for account opening, Maintenance or
▪ NRIs eligible to invest in G-secs under FEMA Transactions.
can open this account too. ▪ Through this new platform, retail investors
▪ G-secs can be bought either during their can invest a minimum of ₹10,000 going up to
initial issue or after they begin to trade in the ₹2 crore in these auctions.

Manufacturing PMI signals Nov. Output imports rose sharply, taking the monthly trade
growth at 9-month High deficit to a fresh high.
▪ India’s manufacturing sector recorded the ▪ The trade deficit widened to a fresh record
strongest production expansion in nine of $23.27 billion, from $19.9 billion in the
months in November, with the survey based previous month. This is almost 83% higher
IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing than the November 2019 levels.
Managers’ Index (PMI) climbing to 57.6, from ▪ The trade deficit from April to November 2021
October’s 55.9. is now close to $122 billion, 7.5% over the same
About PMI: period in FY20.
▪ The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is an ▪ The sharp 16% sequential slide in exports led
index of the prevailing direction of economic to a flare-up in the trade deficit to a record
trends in the manufacturing and service high.
sectors. About:
▪ The three principal producers of PMIs are ▪ The Balance of Trade (BoT), commercial
9 The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), balance, or net exports (NX) is the difference
which originated the manufacturing and between the monetary value of a nation's
non-manufacturing metrics produced for the exports and imports over a certain time period.
United States, ▪ If a country exports a greater value than it
9 The Singapore Institute of Purchasing and imports, it has a trade surplus or positive
Materials Management (SIPMM), which trade balance.
produces the Singapore PMI ▪ If a country imports a greater value than it
9 The Markit Group, which produces metrics exports, it has a trade deficit or negative trade
based on ISM's work for over 30 countries balance, that is a situation in which a country
worldwide. buys more from other countries than it sells to
other countries.
Exports Dip - Widening Trade
Deficit:
▪ India’s merchandise exports slipped below
the $30 billion mark for the first time in eight
months in November to $29.88 billion, even as
Gujarat displaces Maharashtra to levels in the corresponding months of 2019.

become largest Manufacturing Hub in ▪ Among the 19 HFIs, there are some indicators
Country: whose recovery is way beyond 100 per cent,
▪ Gujarat has pipped Maharashtra to emerge the such as e-way bill by volume, merchandize
largest manufacturing hub in the country, with exports, coal production and rail freight traffic,
the former’s Gross Value Addition (GVA) in which suggests that not only the recovery
manufacturing growing 15.9 per cent annually is complete, the economic growth is now
on average between FY12 and FY20 to touch Rs gathering momentum over the pre-pandemic
5.11 lakh crore, according to the data released levels of output.
by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Sugar Exports in India:
▪ Maharashtra’s annual growth rate during the ▪ Sugar mills have exported 9.39 lakh tonnes of
period was 7.5 per cent per annum, taking the the sweetener till the first week of December
state’s total manufacturing GVA to Rs 4.34 during the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year
lakh crore in FY20. It continues to lead as the that started from October 1, and are not in
nation’s biggest services hub. hurry to sell further stock in view of sluggish
▪ The worst performers among states, which Global price trend, trade body AISTA.
were already among the top 10 manufacturing ▪ About 4.68 lakh tonnes of sugar is in transit, the
ones during the period, were Rajasthan, All-India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA).
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with average
▪ Mills have contracted to export 33 lakh tonnes
annual growth rates of 3.8 per cent, 5.5 per
of sugar without the government subsidy so
cent and 6.9 per cent, respectively.
far in the 2021-22 marketing year.
About GVA:
▪ The sugar marketing year runs from October
▪ GVA is defined as the value of output minus
to September.
the value of intermediate consumption and is
a measure of the contribution to growth made ▪ Sugar exports this year are being undertaken
by an individual producer, industry or sector. without the Government subsidy.
▪ It provides the rupee value for the number of India’s Economic Growth Forecast to
goods and services produced in an economy 8.4%
after deducting the cost of inputs and raw
▪ Fitch Ratings slashed India’s economic Growth
materials that have gone into the production
forecast to 8.4% for the current financial year
of those Goods and Services.
given that less than one-third of the population
Indian Economy is showing strong Signs is fully vaccinated and new Omicron variant
of Recovery: poses a new risk to the recovery.
▪ Indian economy is showing strong signs of ▪ However, it raises India growth projection to
recovery from the devastation caused by the 10.3% for the next financial year.
pandemic, with an upswing being reported ▪ In October, the agency had forecasted a GDP
in 19 out of the 22 economic indicators as growth of 8.7 per cent in FY22 and 10 per cent
compared to the pre-Covid levels. in FY23.
▪ High-frequency indicators (HFIs) are being About Fitch Ratings:
monitored to track the progress of Economic ▪ Fitch Ratings Inc. is an American credit rating
recovery in India since the first COVID-19 case agency and is one of the "Big Three credit
was reported in the country in January 2020. rating agencies", the other two being Moody's
▪ The latest information indicates that among and Standard & Poor's.
22 HFIs, full recovery has been achieved in ▪ Headquarters: New York.
respect of 19 HFIs, as their latest levels in the ▪ CEO: Paul Taylor (2 Apr 2012– Present).
months of September, October and November ▪ Founded: 24 December 1913.
this year are higher than their pre-pandemic
ECONOMICS | 75
▪ Founder: John Knowles Fitch. continued uptick in mineral, fuel and power,
as well as oil and gas prices.
Imports made up 86% of Gold
▪ Fuel and power inflation, in fact, surged to a
Supply in 2016-20: record level of almost 40% in November, rising
▪ Imports made up 86% of India’s gold supply sharply over two months from the revised
between 2016-2020, and inbound shipments level of 29.5% recorded in September.
continue to grow despite high import duty, ▪ A marked uptick was also visible across most
as per a report by the World Gold Council categories beyond fuel.
(WGC). ▪ Manufactured products recorded a marginal
▪ Since the first duty hike in 2012, India has reduction month on month, with inflation
imported some 6581 tonnes of gold, averaging dipping to 11.92% from 12.04% in October.
730 tonnes per annum, as per WGC’s ‘Bullion About Inflation:
Trade in India’ report. ▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most
▪ In 2020, India imported 377 tonnes of gold bars Goods and services of daily or common use,
and dore from over 30 countries, of which 55% such as food, clothing, housing, recreation,
came from just two countries — Switzerland transport, consumer staples, etc.
(44%) and the UAE (11%). ▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by
About World Gold Council: two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price
▪ The World Gold Council is the market Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) which
development organisation for the gold measure wholesale and retail-level price
industry. It works across all parts of the changes, respectively.
industry, from gold mining to investment, and ▪ Wholesale Price Inflation:
their aim is to stimulate and sustain demand 9 It measures the changes in the prices of
for gold. Goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale
▪ CEO: David Tait Businesses to other businesses.
▪ Headquarters: London, United Kingdom 9 WPI is published by the Office of Economic
▪ Founded: 1987 Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
▪ President: Kelvin Dushnisky
ADB lowers India’s FY22 Growth
Industrial Production Growth Remained to 9.7%:
Subdued: ▪ The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has
▪ India’s industrial Production Growth remained marginally lowered its growth projection for
subdued for the second straight month and the Indian Economy to 9.7% in 2021-22, from
expanded by 3.2% in October, mainly due to 10% estimated in September.
the waning base effect while mining, power ▪ The bank cited the lower than expected 8.4%
and manufacturing sectors performed well. Growth in the July to September quarter and
▪ The manufacturing sector, which constitutes expects supply chain factors such as chip
77.63% of the Index of Industrial Production shortages and rising semiconductor prices to
(IIP), grew 2% in October, according to data continue to suppress Growth.
from the National Statistical Office (NSO).
India's GDP to grow 9% in FY22 and
▪ Mining sector output rose 11.4% in October,
FY23: ICRA
while power Generation increased 3.1%.
▪ The Indian economy is expected to maintain
Wholesale Inflation Spikes: real GDP growth of 9% both in FY22 and in
▪ India’s Wholesale Inflation accelerated to FY23, amid the uncertainty triggered by the
a new high of 14.2% in November from Omicron variant of the Covid-19-causing
12.5% in October, led by a surge in primary virus, ICRA said in a report.
food inflation that hit a 13month high and a
▪ It said that available data for the third quarter About Regional Comprehensive
of the current fiscal did not offer convincing Economic Partnership (RECP):
evidence that the Reserve Bank Monetary ▪ The Regional Comprehensive Economic
Policy Committee’s criteria of durable and Partnership (RECP) is a free trade agreement
sustainable growth recovery had been met, among the Asia-Pacific nations of Australia,
to confirm a change in the policy stance Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan,
to ‘neutral’ when the panel meets next in Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the
February 2022. Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
A Victory for the Dairy Sector:
▪ Signed: 15 November 2020
▪ India’s withdrawal from the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership ▪ Effective: 1 January 2022 (Projected)
(RCEP) is a major victory for the farmer’s ▪ Headquarters: Hanoi, Vietnam (Virtual host)
organizations, trade unions, associations of
‘Compensate us for land given to PSUs
small and medium industrial producers and
civil society groups, which had organized in case of Privatization’
widespread agitations against the free trade ▪ Mr. Rajan underlined that the increased levy
Agreement. of cesses and surcharges, which are not part
of the divisible pool, had adversely affected
▪ The key fear of the dairy sector was that tariff
the transfer of resources to the States. The
Clauses for agriculture in the RCEP are much
cesses and surcharges, as a proportion of the
more severe compared to the existing World
Union government’s Gross Tax Revenue, had
Trade Organization (WTO) agreement.
almost tripled from 6.26% in 201011 to 19.9%
▪ While the WTO allows a country to fix tariffs in 202021. In effect, the States are deprived of
up to a certain maximum, or bound tariff, a share in approximately 20% of the revenue
for a given commodity line, the RCEP binds collected by the Union.
countries to reduce that level to zero within
▪ “As a consequence of this realignment, the
the next 15 years. Currently, India’s average
ratio of grants-in-aid to share in the Central
bound tariff for Dairy products is about 63.8%
taxes has increased from 62.67% in FY 201011
while its average applied tariff is 34.8%.
to 130.7% in FY 202021 for Tamil Nadu.
▪ A self-sufficient sector of India:
▪ In the last five years, there has been a wide gap
9 India’s dairy sector provides livelihood to between the revenues realized and the revenues
about 70 million households. guaranteed, and the States’ revenues were
9 A key feature of India’s dairy sector is the yet to recover. “I urge the Union government
predominance of small producers. In 2017, if to extend the period of compensation by at
the average herd size in a dairy farm was 191 least two years beyond June 2022 and also
in the U.S, 355 in Oceania, 148 in the U.K. and request the immediate release of the pending
160 in Denmark, it was just 2 in India. compensation of ₹16,725 crores.”
9 Yet, due to Operation Flood after the 1960s, ▪ He highlighted that ₹17,000 crores in dues
India’s contribution to world milk production were pending from the Union government
rose from 5% in 1970 to 20% in 2018. to Tamil Nadu. A sum of ₹2,029.22 crore in
9 Today, India is largely self-sufficient in milk performance grants for the period from 201718
production. It does not import or export milk to 201920 and the basic grant of ₹548.76 crore
in any significant quantity. India is the largest for 201920 under the14th Finance Commission
Milk Producer in the world. were also pending.
9 Major players in the export of milk are the U.S,
the EU, Australia and New Zealand.
9 New Zealand is the largest Exporter of Milk.
▪ China is the largest Importer of Milk.
ECONOMICS | 77
Pay GST Compensation for 5 more

Years: States
▪ Several State governments, including of
Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal,
on Thursday pressed for continuation of
the GST compensation for another five yeas
in view of the financial stress created by the
Pandemic.
▪ The demand was made by the State Finance
Ministers at a prebudget consultation
called by Union Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman in the national capital. Many
States also demanded raising the share of the
Union government in Centrally sponsored
schemes. Currently, the Centre and the State
government share in some schemes is 60:40
while in others it is 75:25. GST compensation
to the States for revenue shortfall resulting
from subsuming of local taxes will end in June
next year.
4.4 INDICES
Combined Index of Eight Core ▪ Female labour income in India of 18.3% is
Industries: lower than the average for Asia, which was
▪ The combined Index of Eight Core Industries at 27% in 2019. Eleven countries in the region
stood at 136.2 in October 2021, which increased have values above 30%.
by 7.5 per cent (provisional) as compared to Among the Neighbors:
the Index of October 2020. ▪ Performed worse than India was Bhutan
▪ The production of Coal, Natural Gas, Refinery (17.5%), Bangladesh (16.9%), Pakistan (7.4%),
Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and and Afghanistan (4.2%).
Electricity industries increased in October 2021 ▪ Those with a higher share were Nepal (23.2%),
over the corresponding period of last year. Sri Lanka (23.3%) and China (33.4%).
▪ The eight Core industries comprise 40.27 per ▪ After the pandemic, there was a worsening of
cent of the weight of items included in the female labour participation rate, which fell to
Index of Industrial Production (IIP). 16.1% during the July September 2020 quarter,
About CORE SECTORS: according to the Ministry of Statistics.
▪ The country's eight core industries include ▪ Eastern Europe has the highest female labour
coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, income shares, with the average female share
fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity. near 41%. Moldova has the highest female
labour income in the world at 45%.
About Index of Industrial Production:
▪ The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is ▪ Overall, the share of women in total incomes
an index which shows the growth rates in from work neared 30% in 1990 and stands at
different industry groups of the economy in a 34% Today.
stipulated period of time. About:
▪ The IIP index is computed and published by ▪ The Report was released by the World
the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) on a Inequality Lab, which aims to promote
Monthly Basis. research on global inequality dynamics.
▪ This Report presents the most up-to-date
World Inequality Report 2022: synthesis of international research efforts to
▪ Men in India capture 82% of labour income, track Global Inequalities.
while women earn just 18%, according to the
first ever estimates of the gender inequality Literacy Rates and Education Level of
in global earnings presented in the World STs:
Inequality Report 2022. ▪ As per Census 2011, literacy rate of Scheduled
▪ The female share of the total labour income is Tribes (STs) was 59% whereas the overall
the national aggregate labour income earned literacy rate was 73% at all India level.
by women relative to the total aggregate of ▪ "Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya
labour income within a country. Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar
▪ In a country with perfect equality between Pradesh were the states in which tribal literacy
women and men, the female labour income is less than the national average", said Minister
share would be 50%. But the report finds of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta.
that it is below 50% around the world, with ▪ Saakshar Bharat is the centrally sponsored
significant variations across countries, ranging nation-wide literacy scheme of the Indian
from below 10% to 45%. Department for School Education and Literacy
▪ The report covered 180 countries between (DSEL) focusing on increasing women´s
1991 to 2019. literacy in India. It was launched by the prime
minister on International Literacy Day in
September 2009.
ECONOMICS | 79
▪ Its aim is to significantly reduce the number Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
of non-literate adults in India and foster ▪ The State Health Index is annual tool to assess
an environment within communities that the performance of states and UTs.
Encourages lifelong learning. ▪ It is a weighted composite index based on
▪ On the occasion of International Literacy 24 indicators grouped under the domains
Day, Prime Minister Modi launched 'Padhna of ‘Health Outcomes’, ‘Governance and
Likhna Abhiyan' to tackle the literacy-related Information’, and ‘Key Inputs/Processes’.
challenges in the post COVID world, as per ▪ To ensure comparison among similar entities,
the Education Ministery of India. The scheme the ranking is categorized as ‘Larger States’,
launched to Educate Adults in the country. ‘Smaller States’ and ‘Union Territories’.
‘Foundational Literacy and Numeracy ▪ On overall ranking based on the composite
Index’: Index score in 2019–20, the top-ranking
▪ Foundation Literacy and Numeracy Index, states were Kerala and Tamil Nadu among
prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness, the ‘Larger States’, Mizoram and Tripura
by the chairperson of the Economic Advisory among the ‘Smaller States’, and DH&DD and
Council to the Prime Minister Bibek Debroy. Chandigarh among the UTs.
▪ The index, an indicator of literacy among ▪ For the fourth year in a row, Kerala has topped
Children below the age of 10 years. a ranking of States on health indicators.
▪ West Bengal secured the top position in the ▪ Uttar Pradesh has come in at the bottom.
index, Bihar was marked at the bottom. Among ▪ Kerala is followed by Tamil Nadu and
small states, Kerala grabbed the top position Telangana, which improved its ranking.
and Jharkhand was the worst performer. ▪ Health outcomes include parameters such as
▪ Lakshadweep and Mizoram topped the chart neonatal mortality rate, under-5 mortality rate
among Union territories and northeast states and sex ratio at birth. Governance includes
respectively. Ladakh featured at the bottom of institutional deliveries, average occupancy
the list of UTs, and Arunachal Pradesh came of senior officers in key posts Earmarked for
last in the Northeast category. health. And the “key inputs” domain consists
▪ The report took four categories into of the proportion of shortfall in healthcare
consideration and the regions were divided providers to what is recommended, functional
into large states, small states, Union territories medical facilities, birth and death registration
and the northeast. and tuberculosis Treatment success rate.
▪ The Index on Foundational Literacy and ▪ Table Shows: the NITI Aayog’s Health Index
Numeracy includes five pillars of educational scores (Out of 100) of the three ‘large’ States
infrastructure, access to education, basic at the top and bottom in 2019-20 and 2018-19.
health, learning outcomes and Governance The Rank for 2018-19 is mentioned in Brackets.
comprising 41 Indicators.
Rank State 2019-20 2018-19
NITI Aayog Health Index:
1 Kerala 82.2 81.6 (1)
▪ NITI Aayog released the fourth edition of the
State Health Index for 2019–20. 2 Tamil Nadu 72.42 70.79 (2)
▪ The report, titled “Healthy States, Progressive 3 Telangana 69.96 65.74 (4)
India”, ranks states and Union Territories on
their year-on-year incremental performance in 19 U.P. 30.57 25.06 (19)
health outcomes as well as their overall Status.
18 Bihar 31 30.24 (18)
▪ The report has been developed by NITI Aayog,
with technical assistance from the World Bank, 17 M.P. 36.72 33.37 (17)
and in close consultation with the Ministry of
About NITI Aayog (National About Sustainable Development Goals

Institution for Transforming India): (SDGs):
▪ Planning Commission was replaced by a new ▪ To bring sustainable development in the
institution – NITI AAYYOG on January 1, 2015 mainstream United Nations (UN) launched
with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ approach to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
envisage the vision of Maximum Governance, and SDGs.
Minimum Government, echoing the spirit of ▪ This universal, integrated and transformative
‘Cooperative Federalism’. agenda aims to spur actions that will end
▪ Chairperson: Prime Minister poverty and build a more sustainable world
over the next 15 years.
▪ Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by Prime-
Minister ▪ There are 17 goals and 169 targets specific
targets to be achieved by 2030. Reaching
▪ Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all
the goals requires action on all fronts –
states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories.
governments, businesses, civil society and
▪ Regional Council: To address specific regional people everywhere all have a role to play.
issues, Comprising Chief Ministers and Lt.
▪ SDGs are not legally binding.
Governors Chaired by Prime Minister or his
nominee. ▪ The 17 'SDG' goals mentioned by the UN are
No Poverty (1st Goal), Zero Hunger, Good
▪ Adhoc Membership: 2 members in ex-officio
Health and Well-Being, Quality Education,
capacity from leading Research institutions on
Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation,
rotational basis.
Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work
▪ Ex-Officio Membership: Maximum four from and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation
Union council of ministers to be Nominated and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities,
by Prime minister. Sustainable Cities and Communities,
▪ Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by Responsible Consumption and Production,
Prime-minister for a fixed tenure, in rank Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on
Land, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
of Secretary to Government of India.
and Partnerships for the Goals.
ECONOMICS | 81
4.5 MONEY & BANKING

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to 9 This will cover almost 98% of all banking
Meet: accounts.” Beyond this, the Prime Minister
▪ The Reserve Bank Governor-headed Monetary also touched upon the move to introduce a 90-
Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet day deadline for depositors to get their money
during December 6-8, 2021. back.
▪ The central bank had kept the benchmark ▪ He also said that banks play a big role in
Policy Rate (Repo Rate) unchanged in October. the nation’s prosperity, however, to ensure
prosperity of bank, money of depositors need
About MPC:
to be safeguarded.
▪ The Monetary Policy Committee is responsible
for fixing the benchmark interest rate in India. ▪ At the event, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das
had pointed out that,
▪ The meetings of the Monetary Policy
Committee are held at least 6 times a year 9 The “first set of banks where 90 days were
(specifically, at least once BIMONTHLY) completed on November 29, all the claims
and it publishes its decisions after each such were processed,” with the claim receipt and
meeting. settlement process now automated by the
DICGC.
▪ The committee comprises six members - three
officials of the Reserve Bank of India and 9 According to the Prime Minister, the progress
three external members nominated by the in banking infrastructure has provided
Government of India. maximum benefit to the women of the country.
▪ The Governor of Reserve Bank of India is the 9 Citing the latest NFHS data, Mr. Modi pointed
chairperson ex officio of the committee. out that, 80% of women have their own bank
Accounts.
▪ Decisions are taken by majority with the
Governor having the casting vote in case of a 9 The number of accounts for women in urban
tie. India were matched by those in rural India.
▪ The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was ▪ The RBI Governor also spoke on “new
amended by Finance Act (India), 2016 to Governance guidelines for commercial banks”,
constitute MPC which will bring more adding that a committee has been constituted
transparency and accountability in fixing for “bringing about reforms in the urban co-
India's Monetary Policy. operative sector.”
▪ The committee is answerable to the ▪ “To strengthen resilience, we are now doing
Government of India if the inflation exceeds root cause analysis, looking at business models
the range prescribed for three consecutive of banks to see if they are viable, without of
Quarters. course, interfering in the commercial flexibility
▪ Reserve Bank of India Governor which the banks must have for their success,”
at present: Shaktikanta Das. Mr. Das said.
Depositors First: Guaranteed Time-

bound Deposit Insurance:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that,
9 The move to increase deposit insurance cover
to ₹5 lakhs from ₹1 lakh, will fully insure ₹76
lakh crore of savings.
9 Such a comprehensive insurance cover is not
there even in developed nations.
4.6 PUBLIC FINANCE

India has 4th largest foreign State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told Lok
exchange reserves in world: Sabha.
▪ India currently has the fourth largest foreign ▪ As on November 19, 2021, he said the forex
exchange reserves in the world, Minister of reserve stood at USD 640.4 billion.
4.6.1 PUBLIC FINANCE: FISCAL POLICY

India’s gross Domestic Product (GDP) ▪ Tax collections from import of goods were
grew by 8.4%: 43% higher, while revenues from domestic
▪ India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew transactions, including import of services,
by 8.4% in the July to September quarter, were 20% higher than the respective collections
compared to a 7.4% contraction a year ago, in November 2020.
with the economy’s gross value added (GVA) About E-Way Bills:
rising 8.5%, the National Statistical Office. ▪ Under GST, transporters should carry an
▪ Factoring in the first quarter GDP growth of e-Way Bill when moving goods from one
20.1%, the first half of this year has recorded place to another when certain conditions are
13.7% growth and India is likely to record satisfied.
double digit growth for 2021-22 as a whole, ▪ E-Way Bill is an Electronic Way bill for
the Finance Ministry’s Chief Economic movement of goods to be generated on the
Adviser (CEA) Krishnamurthy Subramanian e-Way Bill Portal.
said, seeking to emphasize that the recovery ▪ A GST registered person cannot transport
process is continuing to play out. goods in a vehicle whose value exceeds Rs.
About National Statistical Office (NSO): 50,000 without an e-way bill that is generated.
▪ The Statistics Wing of Ministry of Statistics ▪ Movement of handicraft goods or goods
and Programme Implementation called the for job-work purposes under specified
National Statistical Office (NSO) consists of the circumstances also requires e-way bill even
Central Statistical Office (CSO), the computer if the value of consignment is less than fifty
center and the National Sample Survey Office thousand rupees.
(NSSO). ▪ Electronic Way Bill (E-Way Bill) is basically
a compliance mechanism wherein by way
GST collections surge in
of a digital interface the person causing the
November: movement of goods uploads the relevant
▪ Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections information prior to the commencement of
hit ₹ 1,31,526 crores in November, the second movement of goods and generates e-way bill
highest since it was implemented in July 2017, on the GST portal.
and the second month in a row that collections
have crossed ₹1.3 lakh crore. India’s Fiscal Deficit
▪ The revenues for November were 25% higher ▪ The Central Government's fiscal deficit at the
than that in the corresponding month last year end of October worked out to be 36.3 per cent
and 27% over the pre-pandemic levels of 2019- of the annual budget target for 2021-22 due to
20. an improvement in the revenue collection.
▪ The November collections, reflecting ▪ Fiscal deficit was 119.7 per cent of the budget
transactions undertaken in October, were estimate of 2020-21 during the corresponding
underwhelming in the context of the record period last year.
Generation of e-way bills in October.
ECONOMICS | 83
▪ In actual terms, the deficit was Rs 5,47,026

▪ It audits the
crore at the end of October, 2021 against the
accounts and ▪ It is the Principal
annual estimate of Rs 15.06 lakh crore, said
related activities Accounting
the data released by the Controller General of
of the 3 tiers of Adviser to the
Accounts (CGA).
government: Government
▪ The fiscal deficit for 2020-21 was 9.3 per cent of Federal, Provincial, of India.
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), better than and Local.
9.5 per cent projected in the revised estimates
in the Budget in February.
About: ‘India’s retail inflation Accelerated in
▪ Fiscal Deficit or Budget deficit occurs when Nov. to 5.1%’:
Government expenditures exceed revenues ▪ India’s retail inflation likely accelerated last
from taxes and other sources. month towards the upper limit of the RBI’s
▪ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the standard target range as fruit and vegetable prices rose.
measure of the value added created through ▪ The December 68 poll of 39 economists
the production of goods and services in a forecast November consumer price inflation at
country during a certain period. 5.1%, faster than October’s 4.48%. If realized, it
▪ As such, it also measures the income earned would be within the RBI’s target band of 26%
from that production, or the total amount spent for a fifth consecutive month.
on final goods and services (less imports). ▪ The CPI data is due on December 13.
▪ The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) ▪ Brent crude oil, India’s biggest import, slid
is the Principal Accounting Adviser to the more than 16% last month.
Government of India. The office is in the About INFLATION:
Department of Expenditure, Ministry of ▪ Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer
Finance, GOI. Price Index (CPI).
▪ The office of the CGA has the mandate to ▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most
establish and maintain a technically sound goods and services of daily or common use,
Management Accounting system. such as food, clothing, housing, recreation,
▪ It also prepares and submits the accounts of Transport, consumer staples, etc.
the Central Government. ▪ Consumer Price Index
▪ It is also in charge of the exchequer control and 9 It measures price changes from the perspective
Internal Audits. of a retail buyer.
▪ It is not a constitutional body or a statutory 9 Four types of CPI are as follows:
body. 1. CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).
▪ Government of India has appointed Shri
2. CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).
Deepak Das as the 25th Controller General of
Accounts. 3. CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).
4. CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined).
Office of CAG Office of CGA 9 Of these, the first three are compiled by the
Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour
▪ It is under the
and Employment. Fourth is compiled by the
▪ It is an Department of
National Statistical Office (NSO) in the Ministry
independent body. Expenditure in the
of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Finance Ministry.
9 Base Year for CPI is 2012.
▪ It is not a
▪ It is a constitutional
constitutional
body.
body.
FDI may decline 20% in FY22, Trend to ▪ India’s Forex Reserve include:
Weigh on Rupee: UBS 9 Foreign Currency Assets
▪ Inflows into India via foreign direct 9 Gold reserves
investments (FDI) may decline by about 20% 9 Special Drawing Rights
this fiscal after the all-time high investments
9 Reserve position with the International
of close to $82 billion received in FY21, UBS
Monetary Fund (IMF).
Global said in a research report.
About FDI: Antidumping Duty on five Chinese
▪ A foreign direct investment (FDI) is a purchase Goods:
of an interest in a company by a company or ▪ India has imposed antidumping duty on five
an Investor located outside its Borders. Chinese products for five years to protect local
▪ Generally, the term is used to describe a manufacturers from cheap imports from the
business decision to acquire a substantial stake Neighboring country.
in a foreign business or to buy it outright in ▪ According to separate notifications of the
order to expand its operations to a new region. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
Forex Reserves stem Decline: (CBIC), the duties have been imposed on
▪ India currently has the fourth largest foreign 9 Certain flat rolled products of aluminium
exchange reserves in the world. — sodium hydro-sulphite used in the dye
Industry.
▪ For the third straight week, the nation’s forex
reserves recorded a fall, this time by $77 9 Silicone sealant, used in manufacturing solar
million to reach $635.828 billion during the photovoltaic modules and thermal Power
week ended December 10, as per RBI data. applications.
▪ The dip in the foreign exchange or forex was 9 Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) component R32 and
on account of a decline in foreign currency 9 Hydrofluorocarbon blends, both used in
assets (FCA), a vital component of the overall refrigeration.
Reserves. ▪ These duties were imposed following
▪ Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency recommendations of the Commerce Ministry’s
assets include the effect of appreciation or investigation arm, the Directorate General of
depreciation of non-US units like the euro, Trade Remedies (DGTR).
pound sterling and Japanese yen held in the ▪ It has also slapped the duty on imports of
foreign exchange reserves. calcined gypsum powder from Iran, Oman,
▪ The value of the gold reserves rose by $291 Saudi Arabia and the UAE for five years.
million by to $38.709 billion during the ▪ While the DGTR recommends the duty to be
reporting week. levied, the Finance Ministry imposes it.
▪ The special drawing rights (SDRs) with the About Directorate General of Trade
International Monetary Fund (IMF) posted a Remedies (DGTR):
decline of $37 million to reach $19.089 billion. ▪ It is the apex national authority under the
▪ The country’s reserve position with the IMF Ministry of Commerce and Industry for
also increased by $10 million to $5.17 billion. administering all trade remedial measures
About Foreign Exchange Reserves: including anti-dumping, countervailing duties
▪ Foreign exchange reserves are assets held on and safeguard measures.
reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies, ▪ It provides trade defense support to the
which can include bonds, treasury bills and domestic industry and exporters in dealing
other government securities. with increasing instances of trade remedy
▪ It needs to be noted that most foreign exchange investigations instituted against them by other
reserves are held in US dollars. Countries.
ECONOMICS | 85

▪ Dumping:
9 Dumping is said to occur when the goods are
exported by a country to another country at a
Price lower than the price it normally charges
in its own Home Market.
9 This is an unfair trade practice which can have
a distortive effect on International Trade.
▪ Objective:
9 Imposition of Anti-dumping duty is a Measure
to rectify the situation arising out of the
dumping of goods and its trade distortive
effect.
9 In the long-term, anti-dumping duties can
domestic companies producing similar Goods.
9 It is a protectionist tariff that a domestic
Government imposes on foreign imports that
it believes are priced below fair market value.
9 The use of anti-dumping measures as an
Instrument of fair competition is permitted by
the World Trade Organisation.
5. SCIENCE

An innovation that can better
protect Power Grids: ▪ The Government has launched the National
▪ Researchers from Indian Institute of Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.
Technology (IIT) Kanpur have come up with cybercrime.gov.in), to enable the public to
an innovation that can help protect power report all types of cybercrimes, with special
grids against sudden, unexpected current focus on crimes against women and children.
surges. ▪ Cybercrimes reported on this portal, their
▪ An innovative variation of the Superconducting conversion into FIRs and subsequent action
Fault Current Limiter (SFCL), this smart thereon are handled by the police in the
SFCL not only shields the grid from large respective State/Union Territories.
current surges and consequent fire accidents, ▪ Seven Joint Cyber Coordination teams have
it can also sense when the current surges will been constituted under I4C covering the whole
happen and warn the system about it. country based upon cybercrime hotspots/
areas having multi-jurisdictional issues and in
‘Financial frauds can be reported on consultation with States/Union Territories to
portal’ enhance the coordination among the police.
▪ A Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting
and Management System has been launched CIBA decodes Indian white Shrimp’s
for reporting financial frauds and to stop Genome:
siphoning off funds by the fraudsters, said ▪ Scientists of the Chennai based Central
Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture
▪ A tollfree number 155260 has been (ICARCIBA) have sequenced and assembled
operationalized to get assistance in lodging the whole genome of Indian white shrimp
online cyber complaints. Penaeus indicus.
▪ The MHA has set up the Indian Cyber Crime ▪ Penaeus indicus is a native species and
Coordination Centre (I4C) to deal with all one of the world’s most important seafood
types of cyber-crime in the country, in a Commodities.
coordinated and comprehensive manner and ▪ The breakthrough would help to evolve
a National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (NCFL) strategies for control and prevention of
in Dwarka, New Delhi, to provide early stage the white spot syndrome virus disease, a
cyber forensic assistance to investigating major problem faced by shrimp farmers, as
officers (IOs). ICARCIBA had already decoded the genome
▪ Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) of the virus.
platform, namely CyTrain portal, has been ▪ The project was financially supported by ICAR
developed for capacity building of police Consortium Research Platform on Genomics.
officers/ judicial officers through online ▪ The scientist said shrimp was the economic
course on critical aspects of cybercrime engine of the seafood exports in India and
investigation, forensics, prosecution. it accounted for ₹40,000 crores in national
SCIENCE | 87
income, about 75% of the value of the seafood World’s Largest Space Telescope
exports. Launched:
▪ The Indian shrimp industry accounts for about ▪ The world’s most powerful space telescope
11% of the global production (7,59,906 tonnes blasted off• into orbit in Ariane 5 rocket from
valued at $4 billion in 2019). Kourou Space Centre in French Guiana.
▪ This important Genomic resource will help in ▪ NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the
enhancing the growth potential, reproduction agency's successor to the famous Hubble
and maturation in captivity. telescope, launched on Dec. 25, 2021 on a
About Central Institute of Brackishwater Mission to study the earliest stars and peer
Aquaculture (CIBA): back farther into the universe's past than ever
▪ Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture before.
(CIBA) is one of the research institutes under ▪ Coasting through space for two more weeks,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research the Webb telescope will reach its destination in
(ICAR), New Delhi to serve as the nodal agency solar orbit about 1.6 million km from Earth —
for catering to the needs of the brackishwater about four times farther away than the moon.
aquaculture research in India. ▪ It is expected to take a month to reach its
▪ The institute is headquartered at Chennai remote destination.
with a research centre at Kakdwip in West ▪ It is expected to beam back new clues that will
Bengal and an experimental field station at help scientists understand more about the
Muttukadu, roughly 30 km to the south of origins of the Universe and Earthlike planets
Chennai. beyond our solar system.
▪ The Institute works under the Ministry of ▪ Named after a former NASA director, Webb
Agriculture, India. follows in the footsteps of the legendary
▪ Established: 1987. Hubble — but intends to show humans what
the Universe looked like even closer to its birth
Indian Army launches indigenous nearly 14 billion years ago.
messaging application called ASIGMA:
▪ By comparison,
▪ The Indian Army has launched a messaging
9 Webb’s 30-year-old predecessor, the Hubble
application with features such as multi-level
Space Telescope, orbits the Earth from about
security and message prioritisation.
550 km away, passing in and out of the Planet’s
▪ The defence ministry said the Army Secure shadow every 90 minutes.
IndiGeneous Messaging Application
9 Webb mainly will view the cosmos in the
(ASIGMA) is a new generation, state-of-the-
infrared spectrum, allowing it to gaze through
art, web-based application.
clouds of gas and dust where stars are being
▪ It added that a team of Corps of Signals has born, while Hubble has operated primarily at
developed it in-house. optical and ultraviolet wavelengths.
▪ The Ministry said the application was being ▪ The location of Webb’s orbit is called the
deployed as a replacement of the Army Wide Lagrange 2 point and was chosen in part
Area Network messaging application, which because it will keep the Earth, the Sun and the
has been in service for 15 years. Moon all on the same side of its sun shield.
▪ The application (ASIGMA) has been fielded ▪ Webb is expected to officially enter service in
on Army-owned hardware and lends itself to June. Webb is designed to last up to 10 years.
lifetime support with future upgrades.
▪ The telescope is an international collaboration
▪ The ministry said the application will meet the led by NASA in partnership with the European
Army's real-time data transfer and messaging and Canadian space Agencies.
requirements, especially in the Backdrop of
the current geopolitical-security Environment. ▪ The Arianespace launch vehicle is part of the
European contribution.
About Hubble Space Telescope (HST):

▪ Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is named after
the astronomer Edwin Hubble.
▪ The observatory is the first major optical
telescope to be placed in space and has made
groundbreaking discoveries in the field of
Astronomy since its launch (into Low Earth
orbit in 1990).
▪ It is said to be the “most significant advance in
astronomy since Galileo’s telescope.”
▪ It is a part of NASA's Great Observatories
Program - a family of four space-based
observatories, each observing the Universe in
a different kind of light.
▪ The other missions in the program include
the visible-light Spitzer Space Telescope,
Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO),
and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO).
▪ It captures images of deep space playing a
major role in helping astronomers understand
the universe by observing the most distant
Stars, galaxies and planets.
▪ NASA also allows anyone from the public to
search the Hubble database for which new
galaxy it captured, what unusual did it notice
about our stars, solar system and planets and
what patterns of ionised gases it observed, on
any Specific day.
Philippines Agrees to Procure BrahMos

Missile $ 55 Milion
▪ In a huge boost to India’s mission to turn a
defence exporter after decades of being seen as
an importer, the Centre has struck reportedly
struck a deal with The Philippines to sell the
indigenous BrahMos missile System for a
whopping $55.5 million dollars.
▪ With this, The Philippines has become India’s
first foreign customer for the cruise missile
system, a joint venture between India and
Russia.
▪ BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile is a joint
venture between the Defence Research and
Development Organisation of India (DRDO)
and the NPOM of Russia.
▪ Brahmos is named on the rivers Brahmaputra
and Moskva.
SCIENCE | 89

Single Use Dialysis Policy WHO nod for Serum Institute’s Covovax:
▪ The first centre for maintenance Haemodialysis, ▪ The World Health Organization said it had
an alternative for patients with end stage Granted emergency approval to the India
kidney diseases who do not have a suitable manufactured Vaccine Covovax.
kidney donor for renal transplantation, was ▪ The jab is being produced by the Serum
established at Madras Medical College in 2010. Institute of India under License from the U.S.
▪ The facility was made available at KMC since based Novavax.
2019. ▪ Covovax requires two doses and is stable at 2
▪ All dialysis units followed reuse policy in to 8 degrees Celsius refrigerated temperatures.
which the dialyser and AV tubings were reused About WHO:
for eight to 10 times for each patient. This led ▪ The World Health Organization (WHO) is
to heavy chemical exposure for patients as a specialized agency of the United Nations
well as for doctors, nurses and Technicians. responsible for International Public Health.
▪ To reduce the chemical exposure and improve ▪ Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it
the quality of dialysis, the Government has six regional offices and 150 field offices
Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital worldwide.
has, for the first time in the State, introduced ▪ The WHO was established on 7 April 1948.
Single-Use Dialysis Policy.
▪ Director-General: Tedros Adhanom.
▪ All consumables used would be disposable.
The dialyser, which is known as artificial Indigenous COVID Test Kit to Detect all
kidney, and tubings will be used only once. Variants:
Bird Flu Triggers Alert in Alappuzha: ▪ ICMR gives approval for indigenous COVID
test kit PUNE The “CoviDelta diagnostics
▪ Alappuzha district was put on alert after
kit” developed indigenously by Pune-based
an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed at
GenePath Diagnostics has been approved by
Kunnumma South (Ward 10) in the Thakazhy
the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
gram panchayat.
▪ The kit detects all current variants of COVID-19
▪ The H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus
and flags presumptive Delta and Omicron
was reported in ducks.
variants in a single test, said Nickhil Jakatdar,
▪ Earlier this year, avian flu caused by the H5N8 CEO, GenePath Diagnostics.
strain of the Influenza A virus was detected
▪ The test shows high sensitivity and specificity.
from six places in Kuttanad, and Kainakary in
Alappuzha district and Neendoor in Kottayam ICMR Designs kit for Omicron Detection:
District. ▪ The Indian Council of Medical Research
Omicron Spreads Faster and Weakens (ICMR) has designed a diagnostic kit for
detection of Omicron variant of the coronavirus
Vaccine Efficacy:
and has invited Expression of Interest from
▪ The Omicron coronavirus variant is more in vitro diagnostics (IVD) kit manufacturers
transmissible than the Delta strain and for undertaking transfer of technology for its
reduces vaccine efficacy but causes less severe development and Commercialization.
symptoms according to early data, said the
World Health Organization. ▪ The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre,
NE, Dibrugarh, one of the institutes of the
▪ The WHO said Omicron had spread ICMR, New Delhi, has developed a novel
to 63 countries as of December 9. technology—real-time RT-PCR assay for
detection of Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of
SARS-CoV2 and a kit for the same.
▪ ICMR is the owner of the said technology, ▪ This would make it the second vaccine
including any underlying intellectual approved for use in India for those below 18.
properties and commercialization Rights. ▪ The DCGI in August granted emergency
▪ ICMR is lawfully entitled to enter into any approval to ZycovD, a threedose DNA
form of non-exclusive license agreements COVID19 vaccine developed by the
with selected manufacturer/manufacturers, Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadilla Group,
including transfer of technology through making it the first vaccine in India that could
suitable agreement to any other interested be administered to adults and those aged 12
manufacturers. and above.
About ICMR: About COVAXIN:
▪ The Indian Council of Medical Research ▪ It is India’s only indigenous Covid-19 vaccine.
(ICMR), the apex body in India for the ▪ Developed by Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad
formulation, coordination and promotion of in collaboration with the Indian Council
biomedical research, is one of the oldest and of Medical Research’s National Institute of
Largest medical research bodies in the world. Virology, Pune.
▪ The ICMR is funded by the Government ▪ It is an inactivated vaccine which is
of India through the Department of Health developed by inactivating (killing) the live
Research, Ministry of Health and Family Microorganisms that cause the disease.
Welfare. ▪ This destroys the ability of the pathogen to
▪ Predecessor: Indian Research Fund replicate, but keeps it intact so that the immune
Association (IRFA) formed in 1911. system can still recognize it and produce an
▪ Formation: Renamed as ICMR in 1949. Immune Response.
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi. ▪ It is expected to target more than just the Spike
protein.
Pfizer pill ‘Paxlovid’ becomes first US-
▪ It also aims to develop an immune response to
Authorized home COVID Treatment: the nucleocapsid protein (the shell of the virus
▪ U.S. health regulators authorized the first pill that encloses its genetic material).
against COVID-19 on December 23, a Pfizer
About Drug Controller General of
drug that Americans will be able to take at
India (DCGI):
home to head off the worst effects of the Virus.
▪ Drug Controller General of India is the
▪ The drug, Paxlovid, is a faster way to treat head of the Central Drugs Standard Control
early COVID-19 infections, though initial Organization (CDSCO) in India.
Supplies will be extremely limited.
▪ DGCI is the central licensing authority for
▪ All of the previously authorized drugs against medical devices which fall under the Medical
the disease require an IV or an injection. Device Rules 2017.
▪ An antiviral pill from Merck also is expected ▪ Parent Ministry: CDSCO headed by Drug
to soon win authorization. But Pfizer's drug Controller General of India, functions under
is all but certain to be the preferred option Directorate General of Health Services,
because of its mild side effects and superior Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
effectiveness, including a nearly 90% reduction Government of India.
in hospitalizations and deaths among patients
▪ Key Functions of Drug Controller General of
most likely to get Severe Disease.
India:
Covaxin Cleared for those above 12 9 Establishing standards for the manufacturing,
Years of Age: sales, import, and distribution of drugs in
▪ Covaxin has been approved for use in those India.
aged 12 and above by the Drugs Controller 9 Regulating medical and pharmaceutical
General of India (DCGI). devices.
SCIENCE | 91
9 Acting as an appellate authority in case of any ▪ Other Vaccines approved by India are
dispute with respect to the quality of the Drug. 1. Covishield:
9 Preparing and maintaining the national 9 It is the name given to an Oxford-AstraZeneca
reference standard for drugs. Covid-19 vaccine developed by the University
9 Ensuring uniformity in the implementation of of Oxford in collaboration with Swedish-
the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. British drugmaker AstraZeneca.
9 The present Drug Controller General of India 9 Serum Institute of India (SII) is the
is Dr. V. G. Somani. He was appointed on manufacturing partner in India.
August 14, 2019. 2. Covaxin:
Two More Vaccines and a Drug join 9 It is India’s only indigenous Covid-19 Vaccine.
India’s fight against COVID 9 Developed by Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad
▪ India has approved two more COVID19 in Collaboration with the Indian Council
vaccines and the antiviral drug Molnupiravir of Medical Research’s National Institute of
under emergency use authorization. Virology, Pune.
▪ India uses Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V 3. ZyCoV-D:
for vaccination. 9 ZyCoV-D, designed and developed by Zydus
▪ Corbevax, to be made by Hyderabad based Cadila (a pharmaceutical company) with
Biological E, the Baylor College of Medicine in support from the Department of Biotechnology
Houston, U.S., and the U.S. company Dynavax (DBT) the world’s first and India’s indigenously
Technologies, is a protein subunit vaccine developed DNA based vaccine for COVID-19.
▪ Covovax, to be manufactured by the Serum 4. Sputnik V:
Institute of India, Pune, under licence from 9 The Sputnik V vaccine has been developed
Novavax, a U.S. based biotechnology company by Gamaleya National Research Institute of
is a nano particle-based vaccine. Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow.
▪ The vaccine has been approved by the 9 It uses two different viruses that cause the
World Health Organization (WHO) under its common cold (adenovirus) in Humans.
Emergency Use Listing and, therefore, will
be available globally as part of the COVAX
initiative to ensure that at least 40% of world is
vaccinated on priority.
▪ Molnupiravir, which was approved this
December by the U.S. Food and Drugs
Administration (USFDA), close on the heels of
Paxlovid by Pfizer Inc, is said to be a promising
drug for those with mild and moderate disease
and also easily administered as a pill.
▪ Molnupiravir was originally developed to
treat influenza at Emory University which
later partnered with Merck & Co. to develop
the drug further.
5.3 SPACE
ISRO to launch Gaganyaan in 2023: ▪ Unlike Earth, the Sun doesn’t have a solid
▪ India's maiden space mission, Gaganyaan, will surface. But it does have a superheated
be launched in 2023, making the country the atmosphere, made of solar material bound to
fourth nation in the world to launch a human the Sun by gravity and magnetic forces.
spaceflight mission after the US, Russia and ▪ As rising heat and pressure push that material
China. away from the Sun, it reaches a point where
▪ The major missions viz., Test vehicle flight gravity and magnetic fields are too weak to
for the validation of Crew Escape System contain it.
performance and the 1st Uncrewed mission ▪ That point, known as the Alfven Critical
of Gaganyaan (G1) are scheduled during the Surface, marks the end of the solar atmosphere
beginning of second half of 2022. and beginning of the solar wind.
▪ This will be followed by the second ▪ Solar material with the energy to make it
uncrewed mission at the end of 2022 carrying across that boundary becomes the Solar Wind,
"Vyommitra" a spacefaring human-robot which drags the magnetic field of the Sun with
developed by ISRO and finally the first crewed it as it races across the solar system, to Earth
Gaganyaan mission in 2023. and beyond.
▪ The objective of the Gaganyaan programme is ▪ Importantly, beyond the Alfven critical
to demonstrate the capability to send humans surface, the solar wind moves so fast that
to low earth orbit (LEO) onboard on Indian waves within the wind cannot ever travel fast
Launch Vehicle and bring them back to earth enough to make it back to the Sun – severing
safely. their connection.
First Spacecraft to Reach the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV):

Sun – Parker Solar Probe: ▪ The development of the Indian Space Research
▪ NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has now flown Organisation’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
through the Sun’s upper atmosphere – the (SSLV) is in the final stages, and the first
corona – and sampled particles and magnetic developmental flight is planned for the first
Fields there. quarter of 2022, Union Minister of State
▪ Its goal is to make repeated, and ever closer, Jitendra Singh informed Parliament.
passes of the Sun. ▪ Mr. Singh said ISRO had signed six
▪ The US space agency (Nasa) is calling it a Agreements with four countries for launching
historic moment - the first time a spacecraft foreign satellites between 2021 and 2023.
has flown through the outer atmosphere of the ▪ He said €132 million would be earned through
Sun. the launch of these satellites.
▪ In 2019, Parker discovered that magnetic ▪ Since 1999, 342 satellites of 34 countries have
zig-zag structures in the solar wind, called been successfully launched on India’s Polar
switchbacks, are plentiful close to the Sun. Satellite Launch Vehicle on a commercial
But how and where they form remained a basis, he said.
Mystery. ▪ India has earned a foreign exchange revenue
9 Halving the distance to the Sun since of $35 million and €10 million during 2019-21
then, Parker Solar Probe has now passed through satellite launches.
close enough to identify one place where
they originate: the solar surface.
SCIENCE | 93
Japanese Billionaire Launched to the

International Space Station:
▪ Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese billionaire was
launched to the international space station
by Russian space agency, ROSCOSMOS on
December 8 in a Soyuz Spacecraft.
▪ He has returned to earth after spending 12
Days on the International Space Station.
▪ The landing completed a successful test run for
his 2023 flight to the Moon with Elon Musk’s
SpaceX.
6. NATIONAL –
DIARY OF EVENT
Leadership Forum on Financial a fintech revolution. “A revolution that helps
Technology (FinTech): to achieve financial empowerment of every
▪ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi single citizen of the country”.
inaugurated Infinity Forum, a thought ▪ The University Grant Commission (UGC) has
leadership Forum on FinTech through video asked universities and colleges to encourage
conference on December 3,2021. participation in the event.
▪ It will bring together business leaders, Extension of Jurisdiction of Border
policymakers and leading minds to find
Security Force:
solutions in the fintech field for inclusive
Growth. ▪ The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released
a notification for enhancing the jurisdiction of
▪ The agenda of the forum will focus on the
the Border Security Force.
theme of 'Beyond'.
▪ Government of West Bengal and Government
▪ It will have various sub-themes including
of Punjab have expressed their apprehension
9 FinTech beyond boundaries, with Governments that such a move encroaches upon the powers
and businesses focusing beyond the of the State Government.
geographical boundaries in the development of
▪ The two States had opposed the move, saying
global stack to promote financial inclusiveness,
it was an attack on federalism, as Police is a
9 FinTech beyond Finance, by having ‘State’ subject.
convergence with emerging areas such as ▪ The reply stated that the Centre amended a
SpaceTech, among others. 2014 notification and extended the jurisdiction
▪ Representatives of more than 70 countries are of the BSF in certain States, including Punjab,
expected to take part in the forum. vide a notification on October 11.
▪ Prime Minister said that ▪ Their apprehension is ill-founded. The
9 The history of currency shows tremendous extension of territorial jurisdiction of BSF
Evolution. would result in better and more effective
9 Last year, in India, mobile payments exceeded control on transborder crimes in conjunction
ATM cash withdrawals for the first time. and cooperation with State Police.
9 Fully digital banks, without any physical Conclave on ‘Positioning India in the
branch offices, are already a reality and may New World Order’:
become commonplace in less than a decade.
▪ The Madras Management Association (MMA)
9 India has proved to the world that it is along with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
second to none when it comes to adopting (KAS) and the Observer Research Foundation
technology or innovating around it. organized a Conclave on ‘Positioning India
9 Transformational initiatives under Digital in the New World Order’ in Chennai.
India have opened doors for innovative Fintech ▪ M.K. Narayanan, former National Security
solutions to be applied in Governance. Advisor, suggested that India must regain its
▪ The Prime Minister emphasized that now it moral leadership and revive the Non-Aligned
is time to convert these fintech initiatives into movement.
NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT | 95
▪ “India should not flinch in biting the bullet in What is Troika?

dealing with China and Pakistan,” he said. ▪ Troika refers to the top grouping within the
▪ The Country must reopen communications G20 that consists of the current, previous and
with Pakistan and revitalize its relations with the incoming Presidencies — Indonesia, Italy
Russia. and India.
▪ Pointing out that the United States is a key About G-20 Nations:
factor in India’s foreign policy, he said the ▪ At the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, the Heads
U.S. could now undermine India’s Strategic of State and Government decided to
Autonomy. institutionalize the G20 as the main forum for
Global economic and financial cooperation.
Chennai Mumbai Express turns 100: ▪ Formation: 26 September 1999.
▪ The Chennai division of the Southern Railway ▪ The first official meeting of the G20 was held
celebrated the centenary of the Chennai- in Berlin in December that same year.
Mumbai Superfast Express train service.
▪ The G20 is the international forum that brings
▪ The popular express train had its maiden together the world’s major economies. Its
journey on December 1, 1921, and was run as members account for more than 80% of world
Madras Bombay fast passenger train. GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of the
▪ The passenger train was later converted into population of the planet.
an express service on March 1, 1930, and was ▪ The forum has met every year since 1999 and
made into a superfast service on July 1 last includes, since 2008, a yearly Summit, with the
year. participation of the respective Heads of State
▪ The superfast express service, covering and Government.
1,284 km, passes through Pune, Solapur, ▪ The G20 members are: Argentina, Australia,
Yadgar, Raichur, Cuddappah, Renigunta and Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany,
Arakkonam. Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia,
India joins G20’s Troika with South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea,
Indonesia and Italy: Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United
States, and the European Union. Spain is also
▪ India joined the G20 ‘Troika’.
invited as a permanent guest.
▪ India will assume the G20 presidency on
December 1, 2022 from Indonesia, and will June 2023 Deadline for
convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the First Smart Cities:
time in India in 2023. ▪ The deadline for completing projects under the
▪ Italy hosted the G20 summit during October Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was extended
30-31, that was attended by Prime Minister for all 100 participating cities to June 2023 due
Narendra Modi where India had raised the to the delays caused by COVID19 and based
issue of Afghanistan’s future following the on a NITI Aayog recommendation in August,
takeover by the Taliban. according to Housing and Urban Affairs
▪ Indonesia took over the G20 presidency on Ministry.
December 1,2021. ▪ Though announced in 2015, the SCM was
▪ In the coming months, Indonesia will hold conducted as a competition with cities being
rounds of discussion at various levels among selected from 2016 to 2018.
the members of the G20 before convening the ▪ The cities were given five years to complete the
G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for October projects under the mission, with the first set of
30-31, 2022. Smart Cities expected to complete in 2021, but
▪ Next year’s summit will be organized along a midterm evaluation found that further work
the overall theme of “Recover Together, needed to be done to complete the projects.
Recover Stronger”.
ZyCoV-D to be launched in Seven ▪ The new camouflage of digital pattern will be

States: lighter, more climate friendly and suitable for
▪ Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan asked the varied terrain the Army operates in.
seven States to identify high priority districts ▪ To commemorate the 50 years of the Liberation
where the three dose ZyCoVD vaccine could War of Bangladesh, the Army’s marching
be launched initially. contingents would also be showcasing
▪ Following a review meeting with States, uniforms and weapons of earlier wars.
Mr. Bhushan stated that Bihar, Jharkhand, Nine Nuclear Reactors in India by 2024
Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar
▪ The nation will have nine nuclear reactors by
Pradesh and West Bengal, will identify the
2024 and a new nuclear project, the first in
districts with high numbers of people who have
northern India, will come up 150 kms away
not received the first dose, for introduction of
from Delhi in Gorakhpur of Haryana, the
ZyCoVD.
Government informed the Rajya Sabha.
▪ The Health Ministry said in a release that
▪ Minister of State for Personnel, Public
National Training for Administration of
Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said,
ZyCoVD has been completed.
"By 2024 you will have nine nuclear reactors
▪ Also, the selected States have been asked to plus 12 new additional ones which were
plan sessions based on pharmajet injectors and approved during the Covid times with a
identify vaccinators for training. Unlike some capacity of 9000 MW. Five new sites are also
vaccines, ZyCoVD needs a special applicator being identified," in different parts of the
for administration. Country.
DigiYatra Policy: ▪ The minister also informed that earlier, most
▪ After a delay of three years, from March 2022, of our nuclear projects were with the support
passengers will be able to use a face scan as of Russia and France and now more and more
their boarding pass at four airports in the of our reactors are becoming indigenous.
country. Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in
▪ Airports at Varanasi, Pune, Kolkata and India:
Vijaywada will be the first to rollout the
▪ In the General Budget 2018-19, Central
facial recognition technology based biometric
Government announced setting up of two
boarding system, and the service will go live
Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in the
from March 2022.
Country.
▪ The Airports Authority of India has
▪ In pursuance of the said announcement, it
engaged NEC Corporation Private Ltd. for
was further decided to set up one of these
implementing the technology as part of the
Corridors in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and another
DigiYatra Policy, which seeks to promote
in Tamilnadu (TN).
paperless air travel and a seamless journey
from entering an airport till boarding a plane. ▪ Subsequently, Six nodes for Uttar Pradesh
Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC),
▪ The policy was unveiled in October 2018, and
namely
as per the original plan, the rollout of the facial
recognition technology was scheduled for 9 Aligarh, Agra, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur and
April 2019. Lucknow were identified.
▪ Five nodes for Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial
Army to have New Combat Uniform: Corridor (TNDIC), namely
▪ The Army is set to introduce a new Combat 9 Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem and
Uniform for its rank and file, which will Tiruchirappalli were identified.
be showcased at the Army Day parade on
January 15.
▪ Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) are ▪ The Corridor will provide seamless
aimed at providing fillip to the defence connectivity and reduce travel time from Delhi
manufacturing ecosystem in both States and to Haridwar as well.
attract investment worth Rs. 10,000 Crore in
each of the DICs by the year 2024-25. India to supply 20% more Power to
▪ The respective State Governments provide Bangladesh:
necessary lands, connectivity and basic ▪ India will supply 20 percent more power to
infrastructure for the DIC. Bangladesh as the two countries renewed the
contract for another five years.
▪ Subsequently, Government of India
has received proposals from eight State ▪ Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited
Governments, including Telangana for setting (TSECL) will supply 192 mw power to
up of Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in Bangladesh, an increase from the earlier 160
their States. mw it supplied, as per the renewed Agreement.
▪ No proposal has been received from the State ▪ India and Bangladesh inked an agreement
of Andhra Pradesh. on January 11, 2010 for power trading at a
mutually agreed price. The agreement had
Asia’s Biggest Elevated Wildlife expired on March 16, 2021.
Corridor: ▪ TSECL MD MS Kele and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Nigam Ltd CEO Praveen Saxena represented
the public meeting in Uttarakhand after India and signed the renewal agreement
the inauguration and foundation laying of in Dhaka on December 2. Bangladesh was
18 projects including the ₹8600crore Delhi represented by its Power Secretary and
Dehradun Economic Corridor, Asia’s biggest Director of Bangladesh Power Development
elevated wildlife corridor of 12 km and a new Board (BPDB).
bridge to cross river Ganga as an alternative to
Rishikesh’s iconic Lakshman Jhoola. Museum of Prime Ministers:
▪ The personal effects of former Prime Minister
About Delhi-Dehradun Economic corridor:
Morarji Desai that will make their way to
▪ Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor will
the Museum of Prime Ministers set to be
enhance road connectivity and provide clean
inaugurated are, a copy of the Bhagavad Gita,
Drinking water to the people of Uttarakhand.
a Parker pen, a Gandhi Topi (cap) and a Tulsi
▪ The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor Mala.
(from Eastern Peripheral Expressway Junction
▪ Bharat Ratna (1991) and the Nishan e Pakistan
to Dehradun) is being built.
(1988) [the highest civilian award of Pakistan]
▪ The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor will awarded to Morarji are all with the Gujarat
have arrangements for rainwater harvesting Vidyapeeth.
at intervals of 500 meters and over 400 water
▪ The Museum, under the Ministry of Culture,
recharge points.
will be 10,975 sq km in size and digital and
▪ The Greenfield alignment project from Delhi- virtual reality displays will also be there
Dehradun Economic Corridor connecting alongside physical display of personal effects
Halgoa, Saharanpur to Bhadrabad, Haridwar and photographs of former Prime Ministers.
will be constructed at a cost of over Rs 2000
▪ Space for future Prime Ministers has also been
crore.
kept aside, while the museum dedicated to the
▪ The highway will have seven major first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, will
interchanges, connecting Haridwar, remain in the Nehru Memorial Museum and
Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Yamunanagar, Library (New Delhi) premises as before.
Baghpat, Meerut, and Baraut.
About Gujarat Vidyapeeth/Vidyapith: Measures to Simplify Justice

▪ "Vidyapith," in many languages of India, Delivery System:
means University. ▪ Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju
▪ The Gujarat Vidyapith is a university that was said the Centre is taking various measures
founded on 18 October 1920 as a 'Rashtriya to simplify the justice delivery system in the
Vidyapith' ('National University') by Mahatma country.
Gandhi, who would serve throughout his life ▪ Addressing a One-Day Legal-Cum-Medical
as the kulpati (chancellor). Literacy Camp organised by the district
▪ Its purpose was to promote educational legal services authority in Pithoragarh,
institutions run by Indians for Indians outside Uttarakhand, Mr. Rijiju said,
the financial and governing control of British 9 A large number of PARALEGAL Volunteers
authorities. (PLV) has been appointed by his ministry to
▪ Its foundation was one of the important events create necessary awareness among people
of an initiative Satyagraha launched by Gandhi so that they can take advantage of free legal
as a means to peacefully terminate British rule camps to get speedy justice.
in India. 9 The Union Government is also working to ease
▪ The Gujarat Vidyapith became a 'deemed the process of law to release those who are in
university' in 1963. It is funded and governed jails for long due to non-hearing of their cases.
by the University Grants Commission, under 9 Besides providing legal aid to rural people, the
the Union Ministry for Human Resources PLVs are also making them aware of free legal
Development in New Delhi. aid schemes of the Government.
About Morarji Desai:
▪ Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (29 February 1896 Wayanad completes E-Office
– 10 April 1995) was an Indian independence Project:
activist and politician who served as the Prime ▪ Wayanad has become the first district in the
Minister of India between 1977 and 1979 country to complete the e-office project in all
leading the government formed by the Janata revenue offices.
Party. ▪ The district administration has connected all
▪ During his long career in politics, he held revenue offices, including the collectorate,
many important posts in government such sub collector office, three taluk offices, and 49
as Chief Minister of Bombay State, Home village offices through e-office software.
Minister, Finance Minister and 2nd Deputy
Prime Minister of India. National Family Health Survey (NFHS)5:
▪ He resigned from the Congress during the ▪ The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)5
split of 1969, and joined the INC (O). After the shows negligible gains in nutritional outcomes
controversial emergency was lifted in 1977, among under-five children.
the political parties of the opposition fought ▪ According to NFHS-5, 35.5% of under-five
together against the children are stunted and 19.3% are wasted.
▪ Congress, under the umbrella of the Janata ▪ Childhood anaemia has worsened from
Party, and won the 1977 election. Desai was NFHS4. Anaemia among adolescent girls and
elected Prime Minister, and became the first women aged 15-49 has also worsened
non-Congress Prime Minister of India. ▪ Though institutional delivery has gone up,
▪ Desai holds international fame for his peace early initiation of breastfeeding is static.
activism and created efforts to initiate peace
between two rival South Asian states, Pakistan
and India.
Government of India inked Two Loan ▪ ADB is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.

Agreements with ADB: ▪ President: Masatsugu Asakawa (from 17
▪ The government has inked two loan January 2020).
agreements of Rs 2074 crore with Asian
Glasgow Summit on Climate Change:
Development Bank (ADB) for an affordable
Housing Project in Tamil Nadu and a Water ▪ “The Glasgow agreement was not accepted
Sanitation Programme in Uttarakhand. by the Central government as the use of forest
and land has been finalized in conjunction
▪ The government and the ADB signed a USD
with trade”, said Union Minister Ashwini
150 million (around Rs 1,132 crore) loan
Kumar Chaubey.
agreement to provide access to inclusive,
resilient, and sustainable housing for the ▪ According to the National Forest Policy of
urban poor in the state of Tamil Nadu. 1988, the goal is to increase forest cover by
one-third of the area.
▪ Separately, a USD 125 million (around Rs
942 crore) loan was inked to improve access ▪ He also said that the forest area in India has
to safe and affordable drinking water supply increased by 24.56 per cent.
and citywide inclusive sanitation services in ▪ According to the Dehradun Indian Wildlife
Dehradun and Nainital cities in Uttarakhand. Survey, 8,07,276 sq km is covered by forest in
▪ The affordable housing project is aligned India, which shows 24.56 per cent increase.
with the government's development priorities Nutrition Mission: States used only 56%
and policies on urban sector development,
of funds in last three years:
particularly the flagship programme PMAY-
Housing for All (Urban). ▪ State and Union Territory Governments have
used only 56% of the total funds released under
▪ Rapid urbanization and growth in Tamil Nadu
the Poshan Abhiyan or Nutrition Mission in
have created a housing shortfall particularly
the past three years.
for low-income households.
▪ Out of a total of ₹5,312 crore disbursed by the
▪ Through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat
center between fiscal years 2019 to 2021, ₹2985
Development Board, the project will construct
crore was used, Minister of Women and Child
housing units in nine different locations and
Development Smriti Irani told Rajya Sabha in
relocate about 6,000 households vulnerable
response to a question.
to natural hazards to safer locations among
others. ▪ The five states and territories with the lowest
use were Arunachal Pradesh (25.14%),
About Asian Development Bank: Puducherry (28.03%), Ladakh (31.2%), Punjab
▪ ADB is a regional development bank (33.62%) and Uttar Pradesh (33.73%).
established on 19th December 1966.
▪ West Bengal, which refused to adopt Bhushan
▪ ADB now has 68 members, 49 from within Abhiyan, was allocated Rs 267 crore in the past
Asia. three years but continued to be unused.
▪ As of 31 December 2019, ADB’s five largest ▪ The five states and the United Nations that
shareholders are Japan and the United States used the most funds were Nagaland (98.34%),
(each with 15.6% of total shares), the People’s Meghalaya (98.14%), Mizoram (94.22%),
Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%) and Sikkim (93.13%), Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Australia (5.8%). (88.2%).
▪ It aims to promote social and economic ▪ Poshan Abhiyan was launched in March 2018
development in Asia. and aims to reduce the problems of stunting,
▪ ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, underweight and low birth weight by 2%
inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and annually; and anemia among young children,
the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to adolescents and women by 3% annually
eradicate extreme poverty. through 2022.
▪ Tamil Nadu has been allocated Rs. 259.31 crore Uttar Pradesh, according to data provided
between fiscal years 2019 to 2021. by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Rajya
Sabha.
Indian Air Force Helicopter Crashed-
CDS Bipin Rawat Dead: Cabinet nod for Ken-Betwa Project:
▪ Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin ▪ The Union Cabinet approved the funding
Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, an Army and implementation of the Ken-Betwa River
Brigadier, and 10 others were killed when interlinking project at a cost of ₹44,605 crore at
an Indian Air Force helicopter carrying them the 2020-21 price level.
crashed into a heavily wooded area of the ▪ The project involves transferring of water
Coonoor ghat in the Nilgiris in western Tamil from the Ken River to the Betwa river through
Nadu. the construction of Daudhan dam and a
▪ The Russian made MI17V5 is a “very reliable” canal linking the two rivers, the Lower Orr
chopper widely used for high altitude Project, Kotha Barrage and the Bina Complex
operations and rescue missions, according to Multipurpose Project.
defence sources. ▪ The project will be of immense benefit to the
About Bipin Rawat: water starved Bundelkhand region, spread
▪ General Bipin Rawat took over as the first across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on 1 January 2020 ▪ The project will partly submerge the Panna
and held it until his death on 8 December 2021. Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and affect
Prior to taking over as the CDS, he served as the habitat of vultures and jackals.
57th and last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff ▪ After years of protests, it was finally cleared
Committee as well as 26th Chief of Army Staff by the apex wildlife regulator, the National
of the Indian Army. Board for Wildlife, in 2016.
▪ He assumed the post of Vice Chief of Army
Staff on 1 September 2016. University Grants Commission (UGC)
▪ He took office of Chief of Army Staff as the 27th urges Universities to raise Awareness
COAS on 31 December 2016, after retirement of Millets:
of General Dalbir Singh Suhag. ▪ General Assembly adopted a resolution,
About CDS: sponsored by India and supported by more
▪ The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the than 70 countries, declaring 2023 as the
Indian Armed Forces is the military head and International Year of Millets.
chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of ▪ UGC urges universities to raise awareness
the Indian Armed Forces. of grain benefits to celebrate 2023 as the
▪ The CDS is the senior-most and highest- International Year of Millet.
ranking uniformed officer on active duty ▪ The aim is to create awareness and inspire all
in the Indian military, and is the principal stakeholders to work towards improving the
staff officer and chief military adviser to the production and productivity of the climate-
Minister of Defence. resilient and nutritious millets across the
▪ The Chief also heads the Department of Globe, says UGC.
Military Affairs. Tamil Nadu CM demands withdrawal of
U.P. tops the list in Rights Violation Electricity Amendment Bill, 2021:
Cases: ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Prime
▪ Around 40% of human rights violation cases Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his
lodged annually by the National Human urgent intervention to defer the proposed
Rights Commission (NHRC) in the past three amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003 as they
financial years till this October 31 were from had “far reaching detrimental implications for
the State Discoms”.
▪ He said the amendments to the Bill propose to Tri-Service Enquiry about the Crash of
delicense the distribution sector of electricity MI17:
by introducing the concept of ‘Distribution ▪ Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin
Company’ and the deemed registration of any Rawat, wife and 11 defence personnel who
such company after 60 days of application. were killed in the MI17V5 helicopter crash in
“This step will give unbridled access to private Tamil Nadu.
players to supply power to select consumers
▪ The Defence Minister told the Parliament
and enable them to use the already laid out
that, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had ordered
distribution network of the public sector
a tri service inquiry headed by Air Marshal
power companies.
Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding
▪ While the State PSUs carry the burden of in Chief, Training Command, to investigate
investment in such networks, these private the crash.
companies are being allowed to use the same
without any investment or any responsibility 75 years of Constituent Assembly’s First
to maintain them. Meeting:
▪ Mr. Stalin asked the Prime Minister to ▪ Noting that the Constituent Assembly met for
withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, the first time on December 9 75 years ago, Prime
2021 and allow the State-owned distribution Minister Narendra Modi urged youngsters to
licensees to continue to supply quality power know more about this gathering’s proceedings
at affordable rates to the people. and the eminent stalwarts who were a part of
it, saying doing so would be an intellectually
Sports topped India’s Google searches enriching Experience.
in 2021: ▪ The Constituent Assembly met for the first
▪ Sports, COVID19 and farmers’ protest were time on December 9, 1946, reassembling on
among the top topics that Indian users looked August 14, 1947 as a sovereign body.
for and talked about on social media in 2021.
About Constituent Assembly:
▪ While Indian Premier League (IPL) and ▪ The Constituent Assembly of India was elected
ICC T20 World Cup filled the top spots in to write the Constitution of India, and served
the overall list of queries on Google search, as its first Parliament as an independent
‘#Covid19’ and ‘#Farmers Protest’ were the nation.
most tweeted hashtags on Twitter.
▪ It was set up as a result of negotiations between
▪ IPL, which had topped the trending query list the leaders of the Indian independence
last year as well, was followed by CoWIN, ICC movement and members of the British Cabinet
T20 World Cup, Euro Cup, Tokyo Olympics Mission.
and COVID Vaccine in the top trending query
▪ The Constituent Assembly was elected
list on search engine Google.
indirectly by the members of the Provincial
▪ 2021 also witnessed a strong interest in Legislative assembly, which existed under the
regional cinema, with Tamil film Jai Bhim British Raj.
securing the top spot on the movies list.
▪ The first sitting of the Constituent Assembly
On Twitter, Australian cricketer Pat Cummins’s
was presided over by Dr. Sachchidananda
tweet about his donation to COVID19 relief
Sinha, who was the eldest member of the
in India was the most retweeted tweet of the
Assembly.
year in the country, while Indian cricketer
Virat Kohli’s tweet announcing the birth of his ▪ Sinha was introduced and conducted to the
daughter was the most liked tweet. Chair by Acharya Kripalani.
President calls for a debate on Right to Helicopter Training School at INS Rajali:
Climate Justice: ▪ As many as 20 Indian Navy officers were
▪ Speaking at the Human Rights Day event awarded the prestigious ‘Wings’ by Rear
of the National Human Rights Commission Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, Flag Officer,
(NHRC), the President Ramnath Kovind said, Commanding Goa Area, and Flag Officer,
9 While the world was waking up to harsh Naval Aviation, during a special passing-
realities, decisive changes were yet to be made. out parade to mark the graduation of the 97
Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) at INS
9 While non-discrimination was the first
Rajali.
condition for absolute respect for human
dignity, the world was beset with countless 37% of trains in India being Hauled
prejudices. by Diesel Locomotives, rest by Electric
9 The world needed to debate and discuss the Engines:
“right to a healthy environment and climate ▪ A daily average of 13,555 trains are Operating
justice”. in India currently, and 37% of these are
9 We owe it to our children that we save being hauled by diesel locomotives, Railway
Mother Nature from the worst effects of Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
industrialization. The time is running out. ▪ The remaining 63% are hauled by electric
▪ Earlier in the event, NHRC Chairperson Justice engines, he stated in a written response to a
Arun Kumar Mishra (retd.) said tolerance and question in Rajya Sabha.
inclusion were non-negotiable Human Rights. ▪ As per annual statistical statements for the year
▪ Mr. Mishra said it was necessary “to provide 2019-20, total diesel and electricity consumed
remedy to the victims of unfair economic for running trains were 2,370.55 million litres
structure and business-related human rights and 13,854.73 million KWH respectively,
violations”. which work out to 6.49 million litres per day
of diesel and 37.96 million KWH per day of
Book on ‘Academic Integrity and Electricity.
Research Quality’:
▪ In a bid to improve the quality of research, Translate Literary Works into
the University Grants Commission (UGC) has Indian Languages:
come out with a book on ‘Academic Integrity ▪ Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu called for
and Research Quality’. proactive and concerted efforts to increase the
▪ The book comprises l6 well-researched articles number of translations of literary classics in
covering the basic parameters of ethics. Indian languages.
▪ It is pertinent to mention here that UGC has ▪ In this regard, he suggested leveraging
taken the initiative of ‘Quality Mandate’ which technological advancements in translation
emphasizes the importance of promoting high- to make the rich heritage of regional Indian
quality research and creating new knowledge literature accessible to people in their own
by faculty members. mother tongue.
▪ The UGC established a Consortium for ▪ He praised the efforts of institutions such
Academic Research and Ethics (CARE) which as Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in
is a step towards enhancing research capacity, translating classics such as 'Amuktamalyada'
nurturing research culture and promoting by Sri Krishnadevaraya into other Indian
academic and research integrity as well as languages.
publication ethics in the Indian Universities ▪ He called for more such efforts from similar
and Colleges. universities to preserve and promote the use
of different languages in India.
BEL’s Week-Long Exhibition: ▪ “We are moving ahead to meet the goal of
▪ Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Universal Health Coverage with “Whole of
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) week-long Society” approach with Sahbhagyata and
exhibition to showcase its capabilities in both Sankalp”.
defence and non-defence segments.
Khadi-denim by US based
▪ The exhibition by the Centre-owned aerospace
Patagonia:
and defence electronics company will take
▪ One of the America’s leading fashion brand,
place from Monday till Sunday (December
Patagonia, has purchased nearly 30,000 meters
19) in adherence with all coronavirus disease
of Khadi Denim Fabric worth INR 1.08 crore
(Covid-19) related protocols.
from Arvind Mills in Gujarat for making
▪ It is being organised as a part of the Union Denim apparels.
Government's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,
▪ In July 2017, Khadi and Village Industries
which is an initiative to commemorate 75 years
Commission (KVIC) signed an agreement with
of progressive India and its glorious History.
Arvind mills Limited, Ahmadabad, to trade
▪ The BEL release also said the week-long Khadi Denim products around the world.
exhibition is a unique opportunity for people
▪ Since then, Arvind Mills has been purchasing
to have a first-hand glimpse of the company's
a large quantity of Khadi Denim fabric every
various iconic and marquee products
year from KVIC-certified Khadi institutions of
manufactured for use by the armed forces.
Gujarat.
▪ Rajiv Jain, general manager in-charge, OFT
▪ Khadi Denim is the only handcrafted Denim
(Ordnance Factory Trichirapalli) said weapons
fabric in the world which has gained wide
needed for exporting to other countries is
popularity in the country and abroad.
also carried out and the ordnance factory
displayed modern defence products and ▪ Khadi Denim is increasingly being used by
vintage weapons used in World War II. leading fashion brands owing to the superior
quality, comfort, organic and eco-friendly
About BEL:
qualities of the fabric. Khadi Denim is an apt
▪ Bharat Electronics Limited was founded in
example of ‘Local to Global’ as envisaged by
1954 and has transitioned from manufacturing
the PM.
basic communication equipment to equipment
in fields such as defence communication, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor:
radars, naval Systems among others. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
▪ In 2020, BEL was among the top 100 Global the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor that connects
arms-producing and military services the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the banks
companies, according to the Stockholm of the river Ganga, terming it a “symbol of
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Sanatan culture of India”.
Universal Health Coverage: Central Asian leaders invited for R-Day:
▪ “Universal Health Coverage Day ,2021” the ▪ India is awaiting responses from leaders
theme “Leave No One’s Health Behind: Invest of five Central Asian Nations (Kazakhstan,
in Health Systems for All”. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and
▪ While COVID led to delay in several activities Uzbekistan) to an invitation to attend as chief
all over the world, in India, work on Health and Guests of Republic Day.
Wellness Centres (HWCs) increased despite ▪ If they accept, this will be the first time all
the pandemic. More than 81,000 HWCs have five countries will attend the Republic Day
been operationalized as on date, and the target parade together, though Kazakhstan’s former
of 1.10 lakh HWCs will be completed by end President Nursultan Nazarbayez was the chief
of March 2022. guest in 2009.
▪ Diplomats said the invitation was part of others to promote maritime security in the
India’s reach out to the former Soviet States, region in an inclusive and cooperative manner.
that intensified since 2015, when Prime About United Nations Convention on the Law
Minister Narendra Modi visited all five of the Sea (UNCLOS):
capitals. ▪ The United Nations Convention on the Law of
▪ India joined the Shanghai Cooperation the Sea (UNCLOS), also called the Law of the
Organization (SCO) in 2017, which all Central Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea Treaty,
Asian States other than Turkmenistan are is an international agreement that establishes
Members. a legal framework for all marine and maritime
▪ The India Central Asia dialogue was launched activities.
in 2019, and in July this year, Mr. Jaishankar ▪ As of June 2016, 167 countries and the
attended the Central Asia South Asia European Union are parties. This agreement
Connectivity Conference. was signed on 10 December 1982.
▪ Maritime connectivity: “The invitation is also ▪ UNCLOS came into force in 16 November
a signal that India wants to increase its links 1994, a year after Guyana became the 60th
to the region, where land connectivity has nation to ratify the treaty.
been difficult due to Pakistan’s [obstructive]
Position. Self-Reliant India Employment Scheme
▪ Mr. Modi invited SAARC and BIMSTEC (ABRY Scheme)
Group leaders to his swearing in ceremonies ▪ Maharashtra has topped the list of states with
in 2014 and 2019 respectively, and invited 10 maximum number of beneficiaries under the
leaders of the ASEAN as Republic Day Guests Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY),
in 2018. followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
▪ As on December 4, 2021, as many as 6,49,560
India lays emphasis on UNCLOS: beneficiaries were recorded in Maharashtra,
▪ India remained committed to promoting a followed by Tamil Nadu (5,35,615), Gujarat
free, open and rules-based order rooted in (4,44,741) and Karnataka (3,07,164), Minister
international law and undaunted by coercion, of State for Labour & Employment Rameswar
the Centre informed Parliament while Teli said in written reply to Lok Sabha.
reiterating support for the United Nations About ABRY Scheme:
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ▪ It was launched in November 2020 under
▪ Government of India is committed to the Minstry of Labour & Employment to
safeguarding maritime interests and boost employment in the formal sector and
strengthening security in the Indian Ocean incentivize creation of New Employment
Region (IOR) to ensure a favorable and opportunities during the Covid-19 recovery
positive Maritime Environment. phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0.
▪ India also supported freedom of navigation
and overflight, and unimpeded commerce Cabinet approves 76,000 crore Push for
based on the principles of international law, Semiconductor Makers:
reflected notably in the UNCLOS 1982. ▪ The Union Cabinet approved a scheme to boost
▪ India developed its maritime cooperation semi-conductor and display manufacturing
with regional partners in consonance with the in the country, taking the total amount of
Government’s vision of Security and Growth incentives announced for the Electronics
for All in the Region (SAGAR). sector to 2.3 lakh crore.
▪ Joint Exercises: In addition, India proactively ▪ The Comprehensive Program for the
engaged with regional and extra regional “Development of Sustainable Semi-conductor
maritime forces through multilateral exercises, and Display Ecosystem in the Country”
joint surveillance, coordinated patrols among was aimed at making India a Global
hub of Electronic System Design and ▪ India is pursuing an indigenous three-

Manufacturing. stage Nuclear Power Program to provide
▪ The Scheme would provide fiscal support of the Country long term energy security in a
up to 50% of the project cost for setting up sustainable manner.
semiconductor and display fabrication units. ▪ Light Water Reactors based on foreign
▪ The Union government will work with the cooperation are also being set up as additional
States to set up high-tech clusters with the facilities to provide the Country Clean
required infrastructure such as land and semi- Electricity.
conductor-grade water. ▪ Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)
▪ In order to drive the long-term strategies for 3&4 (2X1000 MW) project implemented by
a sustainable semiconductors and display Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
ecosystem, a specialized and independent (NPCIL) has achieved a physical progress of
‘India Semiconductor Mission’ will be set up. 54.96% as of November, 2021.
▪ Semiconductor designers would be given 9 The units of KKNPP 3 & 4 project are expected
the opportunity to begin start-ups. The to be completed by March 2023 & November
Government would bear 50% of the expense 2023 respectively.
under the design-linked incentive scheme. ▪ Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF)
▪ The entire Programme would lead to project is presently being executed by Nuclear
35,000 high-quality direct jobs and indirect Recycle Board, Bhabha Atomic Research
employment for 1 lakh persons. Centre, Department of Atomic Energy.
▪ Financial progress of the project as on 30th
Cabinet approves Incentive Scheme to November 2021 is 32% and the Project is
Promote Digital Transactions: expected to be completed by December 2027.
▪ In a big boost to digital payments, the Union Cabinet approves Treaty between India and
Cabinet approved a Rs 1300-crore incentive Poland:
scheme to promote transactions made via UPI ▪ The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime
and Rupay debit cards. Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved
▪ Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in
said that the Government will reimburse Criminal Matters between the Government
transaction charges levied on digital payments of the Republic of India and the Republic of
made by persons to the merchant as part of the Poland.
Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). ▪ The Treaty aims to enhance effectiveness
▪ The scheme will cover reimbursement on of both the countries in investigation and
digital transactions of up to Rs 2,000, using prosecution of crime, through cooperation and
Rupay debit cards and BHIM-UPI. mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
▪ Under the scheme, the acquiring banks will ▪ In the context of transnational crime and its
be incentivized by the Government, by way of linkages to terrorism, the proposed Treaty will
paying a percentage of the value of transactions provide a broad legal framework for bilateral
(P2M) done through RuPay Debit cards and cooperation with Poland in investigation and
low-value BHIM-UPI modes of payments, for prosecution of crime as well as in tracing,
a period of one-year W.E.F. April 01, 2021. restrain and confiscation of proceeds and
instruments of crime as well as the funds
Nuclear Power Capacity Grew Over 40% meant to finance terrorist acts.
in the last Seven Years:
▪ It will increase effectiveness of India in tackling
▪ Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the criminal activities involving Poland.
last seven years, the installed nuclear power
capacity grew from 4780 MW to 6780 MW, an
increase of over 40%.
Science based shift to Natural Farming ▪ The farmers will have option to adopt any
is the need of the hour: Modi form of organic farming in compliance of PGS-
▪ Virtually addressing a Conclave on Natural India standards.
Farming in Gujarat, Mr. Modi urged farmers to All India Mayors' Conference:
replace the chemical fertilizers and pesticides
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
that spurred the Green Revolution with
and address the All-India Mayors’ Conference.
concoctions made with the dung and urine of
indigenous cows, advocating a “completely ▪ The Conference is being organized by the
science based” shift from Chemistry labs to Department of Urban Development of Uttar
nature’s laboratory. Pradesh in Varanasi.
▪ He said small and marginal farmers, who ▪ The theme/title of the mayors' conference is
owned less than two acres and made up 80% 'New Urban India'.
of the country’s farming population, stood ▪ PM Modi said that the aim of the conference is
to benefit the most from natural farming to “share best practices in civic administration
techniques as they were currently forced to for the benefit of our citizens”.
spend large sums on expensive fertilizers. ▪ This forum brings together Mayors from
▪ Calling for a mass movement to promote across India with the aim of sharing best
natural farming, he said reducing the import Practices in civic administration for the benefit
bill on artificial fertilizers was an essential step of our Citizens.
to achieve the goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat
Competition Commission of India
or a self-reliant India.
(CCI) froze its approval to Amazon’s
About PKVY:
▪ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, was investment in a Future Group:
launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and ▪ The Competition Commission of India (CCI)
Farmers Welfare in 2015. is an elaborated froze its approval given in November 2019
component of Soil Health Management to Amazon’s investment in a Future Group
(SHM) of major project National Mission of unit on the grounds that the U.S. ecommerce
Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). company had suppressed the scope and
full details of its investment while seeking
▪ It aims at development of sustainable models
Regulatory approval.
of organic farming through a mix of traditional
wisdom and modern science to ensure ▪ The anti-trust regulator also imposed a penalty
long term soil fertility buildup, resource of ₹200 crore on Amazon for failing to notify
conservation and helps in climate change the details of its ‘combination’, as required in
adaptation and mitigation. law.
▪ It primarily aims to increase soil fertility and About CCI:
thereby helps in production of healthy food ▪ The Competition Commission of India (CCI)
through organic practices without the use of is the Chief National Competition regulator in
agro-chemicals. India.
▪ PKVY also aims at empowering farmers ▪ It is a statutory body within the Ministry
through institutional development through of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for
clusters approach not only in farm practice enforcing the Competition Act, 2002 in order
management, input production, quality to promote competition and prevent activities
assurance but also in value addition and direct that have an appreciable adverse Effect on
marketing through innovative means. competition in India.
▪ Participatory Guarantee System under PGS- ▪ The commission was established on 14 October
India Programme will be the key approach for 2003. It became fully functional in May 2009
quality assurances under the PKVY. with Dhanendra Kumar as its first Chairman.
▪ CCI consists of a chairperson and 6 Members Good Governance Week:

appointed by the Central Government. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the
▪ The current Chair of the CCI is Ashok Kumar Government is committed to strengthening
Gupta, who was appointed to the role in 2018. Good governance that is “pro-people” and
▪ The CCI looks into cases and investigate it if guided by “citizen-first” approach.
the same has negative impact on competition. ▪ The Department of Administrative Reforms
▪ CCI also approves combination under the act and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of
so that two merging entities do not overtake Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
the market. in collaboration with the Ministry of External
▪ Its aim is to create and sustain fair competition Affairs, Department of Promotion of Industry
in the economy that will provide a ‘level and Internal Trade, Department of Personnel
playing field’ to the producers and make the and Training, Department of Pensions
markets work for the welfare of the consumers. and Pensioners’ Welfare and Ministry of
The Competition Act: Panchayati Raj and Rural Development is
celebrating good governance week from
▪ The Competition Act, 2002, as amended by the
December 20-25 as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit
Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007, follows
Mahotsav’ celebration.
the philosophy of modern competition laws.
▪ The theme of the Good Governance week
▪ The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements,
(sushasan saptah) is “prashasan gaon ki
abuse of dominant position by enterprises and
aur” under which, a campaign for redressal
regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring
of public grievances and improving service
of control and M&A), which causes or likely
delivery will be held in all districts, states, and
to cause an appreciable adverse effect on
Union Territories.
competition within India.
▪ On December 23, the Department of Personnel
Three Aircraft Carriers a Must: and Training will organise a workshop on
▪ Having three aircraft carriers will considerably the theme – “Mission Karmayogi – The Path
enhance combat capabilities of the Navy, Ahead”.
the Parliamentary Standing Committee on ▪ On December 24, the DARPG will organise
Defence says in its recommendation to the a workshop on “initiative for increasing
government while also suggesting that it is efficiency in decision making in central
“worthwhile” to priorities investment for the secretariat” wherein the experiences will be
development of various island territories as shared by central ministries/departments.
Provisional aircraft carrier. ▪ On December 25, the “Good Governance
▪ The Navy has been pushing for a second Day” would be celebrated.
Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IACII) based on
its force structure centred on three carriers. Goa never forgot its Indianness: Modi
▪ The country’s first IAC (IAC-I), Vikrant, ▪ On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of
is currently undergoing sea trials and is the liberation of Goa from Portugal in 1961,
scheduled to be commissioned in August Next Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
year. Development projects in Goa, Operation
Vijay, the military action in 1961 by which
India’s first International Arbitration India liberated the territories of Goa, Daman
and Mediation Centre (IAMC): and Diu from Portuguese rule.
▪ Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and ▪ Urging the Goan people to achieve greater
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar heights by the 75th year of the State’s liberation,
Rao inaugurated India’s first International the Prime Minister said the State was giving
Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC) at strength to the country through its flagship
Nanakramguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad. ‘Swayampurna Goa’ programme.
Southern Railways to be Electrified Fully ▪ The international community has committed

by 2023: to end hunger, achieve food security and
▪ Indian Railways is taking a multi-pronged improve nutrition by 2030.
Approach to go green and decarbonize — ▪ The WFP assists 88 countries, and has assisted
from increasing its sourcing of renewable 97 million people (in 2019) which is the largest
energy (RE) to electrifying its traction network number since 2012.
and reducing its Energy Consumption. About NITI Aayog (National Institution for
▪ The body’s goal is to become a ‘net-zero’ Transforming India):
carbon emitter by 2030. ▪ Planning has been in Indian psyche as our
▪ To achieve this, the Southern Railways leaders came under influence of the socialist
committed to Electrify all routes by 2023. clime of erstwhile USSR. Planning commission
served as the planning vehicle for close to six
NITI Aayog’s Statement of Intent (SoI) decades with a focus on Control and command
with World Food Program (WFP): approach.
▪ On 20th December, 2021, NITI Aayog signed ▪ Planning Commission was replaced by a new
a Statement of Intent (SoI) with United institution – NITI AAYYOG on January 1, 2015
Nations World Food Program (WFP). with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ approach to
The Statement of Intent (SoI): envisage the vision of Maximum Governance,
▪ It focuses on strategic and technical Minimum Government, echoing the spirit of
collaboration between NITI Aayog and WFP ‘Cooperative Federalism’.
to strengthen climate resilient agriculture for ▪ Administrative Skeletal
enhanced food and nutrition security in India. ▪ Chairperson: Prime Minister
▪ It has the objective of mainstreaming of millets ▪ Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by Prime-
and supporting India to take lead globally in Minister
knowledge exchange using the opportunity of ▪ Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all
2023 as an International Year of Millets. states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories.
▪ It aims at building resilient livelihoods ▪ Regional Council: To address specific regional
for small-holder farmers and adaptation issues, Comprising Chief Ministers and Lt.
capacities to climate change and transforming Governors Chaired by Prime Minister or his
Food Systems. nominee.
About World Food Programme (WFP): ▪ Adhoc Membership: 2 member in ex-officio
▪ The World Food Programme (WFP) is the capacity from leading Research institutions on
leading humanitarian organization saving rotational basis.
lives and changing lives, delivering food
▪ Ex-Officio membership: Maximum four from
assistance in emergencies and working with
Union council of ministers to be nominated by
communities to improve nutrition and build
Prime minister.
Resilience.
▪ Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by Prime-
▪ It was founded in 1961 by the Food and
minister for a fixed tenure, in rank of Secretary
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United
to Government of India.
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with its
Headquarters in Rome, Italy. India ranks third among world’s
▪ It is also a member of the United Nations biggest doping violators in
Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), WADA’s latest report:
a coalition of UN agencies and organizations ▪ The number of offenders has taken India
aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development into the top-three of the world’s biggest
Goals (SDGs). doping violators in a WADA report detailing
the transgressions for the year 2019 with
bodybuilding, weightlifting and athletics Portal and Logo dedicated to the

contributing majorly to the country’s Conformity Assessment Scheme of Milk
Embarrassing record. Products:
▪ In the latest report published by the World ▪ The Prime Minister launches a Portal and
Anti-Doping Agency, 152 (17% of the world Logo dedicated to the Conformity Assessment
total) Anti-doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) Scheme of milk products, in Varanasi.
were reported in India in 2019, leaving it
▪ The Prime Minister said that Global credibility
of Indian Milk products will increase now.
third in the list with the maximum dope
offenders coming from bodybuilding (57). ▪ Portal and Logo developed by the Bureau
In 2018, India was placed fourth with 107 of Indian Standards (BIS) with the help of
ADRVs. National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
▪ India had gone down to seventh in 2017, with ▪ NDDB and BIS have been involved in
57 ADRVs. certification of Process and Products
respectively.
About World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA):
▪ It was established in 1999 as an international ▪ NDDB has been awarding ‘Quality Mark’ to
independent agency composed and funded the dairy plants of cooperatives adhering to
equally by the sport movement and the Process standards.
Governments of the world. ▪ BIS has a Product certification Scheme for
▪ Its foundation was initiated by the IOC to manufacturers, including dairy product
promote, coordinate and monitor the fight Processors which also ensured food safety at
against drugs in sports. product level allowing licensees to use ‘ISI
Mark’ on their products.
▪ It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
▪ With the initiative of the Department of Animal
India displaces UK to be Third Top Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India,
Country Hosting Unicorns: after extensive stakeholder consultation, a
▪ “India is in the midst of a startup boom, more unified Conformity Assessment Scheme was
than doubling its unicorns to take its official chalked out by BIS with the help of NDDB.
tally of unicorns to 54 by adding 33 ‘unicorns’ ▪ This is a novel and first of its kind certification
in a single year, and overtake the U.K. to third scheme considering the perishable nature and
place in the world.” short shelf-life of milk and milk products, as
▪ The U.K. added only 15 unicorns to take its well as the extensive cold-chain involved in
Total to 39, and hence got displaced by India. the production and supply of milk and milk
Products.
▪ The US and China, who occupy the first two
ranks, are way ahead. ▪ This has brought ‘Product–Food Safety
Management System–Process’ certification
9 The US added 254 unicorns and now totals
under one umbrella with a unified logo
487 companies in the coveted list, while China
featuring the earlier respective logos BIS-ISI
added 74 to take its tally to 301 start-ups.
mark & NDDB-Quality Mark and Kamdhenu
▪ The Indian unicorns list is led by EdTech start- Cow.
up Byju's with a valuation of USD 21 billion
and followed by Inmobi (USD 12 billion), About NDDB:
Oyo (USD 9.5 billion) and Razorpay (USD 7.5 ▪ The National Dairy Development Board
billion). (NDDB) is a statutory body set up by an Act of
▪ Bengaluru is home to the Highest Number of Parliament of India.
unicorns among Indian cities. ▪ It is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying ,
Government of India.
▪ The main office is in Anand, Gujarat with during the course of his travels.
Regional offices throughout the country. ▪ Lakhpat Sahib gurdwara has his relics,
▪ Founded: 16 July, 1965. including wooden footwear and palkhi
▪ Founder: Dr. Verghese Kurien. (cradle) as well as manuscripts and markings
About BIS:
scripts of Gurmukhi.
▪ The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the About Gurunanak Dev:
National Standards Body of India under ▪ Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) was born in a
Department of Consumer affairs, Ministry of village, Talwandi Rai Bhoe, near Lahore (it
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, was renamed later as Nankana Sahib).
Government of India. ▪ Guru Nanak Dev initiated inter-faith
▪ It is established by the Bureau of Indian dialogue way back in the 16th century and
Standards Act, 2016 which came into effect on had conversations with most of the religious
12 October 2017. denominations of his times. His written
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi. compositions were included in the Adi Granth
compiled by Guru Arjan (1563-1606), the fifth
Banas Dairy Sankul: Sikh guru. This came to be known as Guru
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the Granth Sahib after the additions made by the
Foundation stone of the Banas Dairy Sankul, 10th Guru Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708).
a dairy spread across 30 acres with a facility His idea of equality can be deduced by the
for processing five lakh litres of milk per day following innovative social institutions, as
in Lucknow. India produces about 22% of the given by him:
world’s milk, he said. 9 Langar: Collective cooking and sharing of food.
▪ He also laid the foundation stone for the 9 Pangat: Partaking food without distinctions of
biogas-based electricity generation plant for high and low caste.
the Milk Producers Cooperative Union plant 9 Sangat: Collective decision making.
in Ramnagar.
▪ Apart from it, forgiveness, patience,
BOB arm, Navy unveil cobranded forbearance, and kindness are the core of Guru
Credit Card Nanak Dev's teachings.
▪ BOB Financial Solutions Ltd. (BFSL), a wholly ▪ Guru Nanak Dev placed the motto of "kirat
owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda (BoB) and karo, naam japo and vand chhako" (work,
the Indian Navy have introduced a cobranded worship and share) before his disciples.
credit card for the personnel of the Indian ▪ He advocated the concept of “dasvandh” or
Navy. donating one-tenth of one’s earning among
▪ The card will be equipped with contactless needy persons.
features and offered on the RuPay platform. ▪ The selfless service to mankind known as
“Seva” is central to the teaching of Sikhism.
Gurpurab celebrations of Guru Nanak
Dev: Bharat Darshan Park to be unveiled:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address ▪ People in Delhi can catch a glimpse of the
the Gurpurab celebrations of Guru Nanak replicas of 21 monuments, including the likes
Dev, the founder of Sikhism, at Lakhpat of Taj Mahal, Victoria Memorial Hall and
Sahib gurdwara in Kutch, Gujarat via video Mysore Palace, from across the country at the
conferencing. Bharat Darshan Park in Punjabi Bagh, which is
▪ Every year from December 23 to December set to be inaugurated by Union Home Minister
25, Sikhs in Gujarat celebrate the Gurpurab at Amit Shah on December 25.
Lakhpat Sahib gurdwara, it said, noting that ▪ The 21 replicas also include the likes of Qutub
the first Sikh guru had stayed at Lakhpat Minar, Char Minar, Konark Temple, Nalanda
Stupa, Meenakshi Temple, Sanchi Stupa and Varanasi and the other from Delhi to Katra.
Gol Gumbaz. ▪ Vande Bharat trains are self-propelled
▪ The senior SDMC official confirmed that no “engineless” train sets.
replica of the Golden Temple was among the ▪ Its faster acceleration and deceleration results
21 replicas present at the park. in reduced train travel time.
About Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
▪ Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a scheme of Missionaries of Charity Denied FCRA
Ministry of Tourism under Government of Nod:
India. ▪ The Missionaries of Charity is a Catholic (Latin
▪ The scheme aims to promote, develop and Church) religious congregation established
harness the potential of tourism in India. in 1950 by Mother Teresa, now known in the
Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
▪ Launched: 2015
▪ The Union Home Ministry said that it had
▪ This is a central sector scheme ie 100% funded
refused to renew the FCRA registration of
by Central Government of India.
Missionaries of Charity (MoC), a Catholic
▪ The funding available for Corporate Social religious congregation set up by Nobel
Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central laureate Mother Teresa, as “some adverse
Public Sector Undertakings and Corporate Inputs were noticed”.
Sector is also used in this scheme.
▪ The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
▪ IRCTC announces Bharat Darshan special (FCRA) registration is mandatory for any
tourist train from January 7-19: NGO or association to receive foreign funds or
▪ The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism donations.
Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a 'Bharat ▪ The NGO registered in Kolkata has more than
Darshan' special tourist train which would 250 bank accounts across the country to utilize
enable travellers to learn much about India's the Foreign Funds.
glorious heritage and culture.
▪ Some of the biggest donors are Missionaries of
▪ The upcoming service of the special tourist Charity in the U.S. and the U.K. that sent over
Train is from January 7-19, 2022 and the fare is ₹15 crore for “primary health care, education
Rs 13,000 per person. assistance, treatment of leprosy patients” and
Vande Bharat Express: others.
▪ The Manufacturing of Vande Bharat Express About Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act
trains will commence from next year (2022- (FCRA), 2010:
2023) said Integral Coach Factory (ICF) ▪ Foreign funding of persons in India is regulated
General Manager A.K Agarwal. under FCRA Act and is implemented by the
Ministry of Home Affairs.
About Vande Bharat Express:
▪ The Train18, later named Vande Bharat ▪ Individuals are permitted to accept foreign
Express, was rolled out by the Integral contributions without permission of MHA.
Coach Factory, Chennai under the Indian However, the monetary limit for acceptance
Government’s Make in India initiative. of such foreign contributions shall be less than
Rs. 25,000.
▪ The service was named 'Vande Bharat Express'
on 27 January 2019. ▪ The Act ensures that the recipients of Foreign
contributions adhere to the stated purpose for
▪ The train was launched on 15 February 2019.
which such contribution has been obtained.
▪ It was showcased as India’s first semi high-
▪ Under the Act, organisations are required to
speed train with an operational efficiency of
register themselves every five years.
160 kmph.
▪ As of Aug 2021, the Indian Railways operates
two Vande Bharat trains, one from Delhi to
Foreign Contribution (Regulation from vehicles, this move will help India
Amendment Act, 2020: comply with its commitment made at COP26
▪ Prohibition to accept Foreign Contribution: to reduce the total projected carbon Emissions
9 The Act bars public servants from receiving by one billion tons by 2030.
foreign contributions. Public servant ▪ The union minister for Road Transport and
includes any person who is in service or pay Highways has said that this shift will help
of the government, or remunerated by the substitute India’s petroleum import for fuel
Government for the Performance of any public and provide direct benefits to farmers.
duty. ▪ In order to accelerate the introduction of Flex
▪ Transfer of Foreign Contribution: Fuel vehicles, the Production Linked Incentive
9 The Act prohibits the transfer of foreign (PLI) scheme has included automobile & auto
contribution to any other person not registered components and auto components of flex-fuel
to accept foreign contributions. engines.
▪ Aadhaar for Registration: ▪ NITI Aayog, after acknowledging the
strong foundation for the Ethanol Blending
9 The Act makes Aadhaar number mandatory for
programme (EBP), has formulated the road
all office bearers, directors or key functionaries
map for Ethanol blending for the period, 2020-
of a person receiving foreign contribution, as
2025.
an identification document.
What is Flex Fuel vehicle?
▪ FCRA Account:
▪ An FFV is a modified version of vehicles that
9 The Act states that foreign contribution must could run both on gasoline and blended petrol
be received only in an account designated by with different levels of Ethanol blends.
the bank as FCRA account in such branches of
▪ These are currently being used successfully in
the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
Brazil giving people the option to switch fuel.
▪ Reduction in use of foreign contribution for
▪ Such flexible fuel vehicles provide opportunity
Administrative purposes:
for increased use of biofuels for Running
9 The Act proposes that not more than 20% of the vehicles.
total foreign funds received could be defrayed
for administrative expenses. In FCRA 2010 the Form a Dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task
limit was 50%. Force:
▪ Surrender of Certificate: ▪ The Union government has asked states to
9 The Act allows the central government to coordinate with central agencies to form a
permit a person to surrender their registration dedicated anti-narcotics task force under
Certificate. police chiefs, set up narco-canine squads
and employ drones for surveillance of drug
Flex Fuel Vehicles and Hybrid EVs within cultivation among other measures to counter
6 Months: illicit drug trade in the country.
▪ Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari ▪ The directions were made by Union Home
said on December 27 that he has advised Minister Amit Shah as he chaired the third
automobile manufacturers in India to start meeting of the Apex Level Committee of
making Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) and Flex Fuel Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) in New
Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) Delhi.
in compliance with BS-6 Norms in a time- ▪ The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD)
bound manner within a period of six Months. was established in November 2016.
▪ This move, he said, will drastically reduce ▪ Shah directed that all states should form Anti-
Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) under state
on a well-to-wheel basis and added that by police chiefs (DGPs) — which will work as
drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions State NCORD secretariats.
▪ He also gave directions to form a central ▪ The fifth-generation is the latest upgrade in the
NCORD unit under NCB on a national level. long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband
▪ NCORD was given shape by the Government networks. While 4G was a great leap forward,
to boost coordination among drug law allowing people to stream music and video on
enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, the go, 5G is designed to connect many more
and provide a platform for discussions on types of devices than smartphones and offers
Drug-trafficking related issues. far higher speed and capacity.
▪ The minister reviewed the drugs abuse Extend Garima Greh scheme to Entire
Scenario and the mechanism to counter it in
LGBTQIA+ community: HC
the country during the third top-level meeting
▪ In a big fillip to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
of the narcotics coordination mechanism
Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual
NCORD, which has a theme of eradicating
and others (LGBTQIA+) community, the
drugs from the country with the objective of
Madras High Court has disapproved of the
'nasha-mukt Bharat abhiyan' or Drugs-Free
practice of Union Ministry of Social Justice
India movement.
and Empowerment restricting the benefit of
About Narcotics Bureau (NCB): ‘Garima Greh’ scheme only to transgenders.
▪ The Narcotics Control Bureau was created on 17
▪ Under the ‘Garima Greh’ scheme, the
March 1986 to enable the full implementation
transgender persons get a secure living space
of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
and care. The Centre had provided 100%
Substances Act, 1985 and fight its violation
financial assistance for setting up such shelters
through the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in
in 12 States including Tamil Nadu.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Act, 1988. ▪ Basic requirements such as food, counselling,
Medical services and skill development
▪ The Narcotics Control Bureau's national
training would be provided in those shelters.
Headquarters is located in Delhi.
▪ Stressing the importance of extending the
▪ The Director General of NCB is an officer of
scheme to entire LGBTQIA+ community, the
the Indian Police Service (IPS) or the Indian
judge said: “Only then can it be considered a
Revenue Service (IRS).
wholesome and non-discriminative scheme.
▪ Current Director General: Satya Narayan. The Ministry has to bear in mind that persons
▪ NCB is affiliated to Home Ministry, which from LGBTQIA+ community do not have any
was made responsible for administering The support from their family or from the society
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances at large.”
Act, 1985. About Garima Greh:
▪ The NCB is outside the ambit of the Right to ▪ Garima Greh means Shelter Home for
information Act under Section 24(1) of the RTI Transgender People.
act 2005. ▪ Garima Greh Yojana have been launched on
5G Services to roll out in India's Four 25th November 2020.
Metros: ▪ It has been opened first in Vadodara, Gujarat
▪ The Fifth Generation or 5G telecom services and will be run in association with the Lakshya
are set to be rolled out in selected cities in Trust, a community-based organisation
India in 2022. entirely run by the transgenders.
▪ The cities which are set to get the 5G telecom ▪ The Scheme of ‘Shelter Home for Transgender
services in 2022 include Gurugram, Bangalore, Persons’ includes shelter facility, food, clothing,
Kolkata, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Delhi, recreational facilities, skill development
Jamnagar, Ahmadabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, opportunities, yoga, physical fitness, library
Lucknow, Pune, and Gandhinagar. facilities, legal support, technical advice for
gender transition and surgeries, capacity
building of trans-friendly organizations, Foundation of Self-Reliant India:

employment, etc. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed
▪ 10 cities have been identified to set up the 13 the 54th Convocation Ceremony of the Indian
Shelter Homes. Institute of Technology-Kanpur and asked the
▪ The cities include Vadodra, New Delhi, Patna, students to become impatient for a self-reliant
Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Kolkata, Manipur, India, follow their passion for technology and
Chennai, Raipur, Mumbai etc. innovation but not become Robots themselves.
▪ This scheme will rehabilitate a minimum of ▪ The Prime Minister said that initiatives like
25 transgender persons in each of the houses Start-up India, Atal Innovation Mission, PM
which means in one house there will be 25 Research Fellowships and National Education
Transgenders can live. Policy have been launched in the past seven
years to build the foundation of a self-reliant
J&K Real Estate Open to All: India.
▪ The Centre and the administration of Jammu ▪ The PM remarked that in this 75th year of
and Kashmir decided to throw open real estate independence, India has more than 75 unicorns
in the Union Territory for “second homes and and more than 50,000 start-ups, of these, 10,000
summer homes” to all Indian Citizens. have come only in the last six Months.
▪ According to an official summit document at ▪ India has emerged as the second-largest start-
the first J&K Real Estate Conference in Jammu, up hub in the world and the third largest
the Union Territory has become a promising country in Unicorns.
yet untapped destination for the next wave
of growth and prosperity. “Under the newly Intel planning Semiconductor
introduced Jammu and Kashmir Development Manufacturing Unit in India:
Act, the term ‘being permanent resident of the ▪ Chipset maker, Intel, is planning to set up its
State’ as a criterion has been ‘omitted’, paving semiconductor manufacturing unit in India.
the way for investors outside Jammu and ▪ The US-based chipset giant announcement
Kashmir to invest in the Union Territory. came in the back drop of recent Union
▪ As a result, any citizen of India can buy non- Cabinet’s decision on semiconductors that
agriculture land in Jammu and Kashmir". will encourage research and innovation in
the sector and also boost manufacturing,
Bina-Panki Multiproduct Pipeline
strengthening the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'
Project: Programme.
▪ Prime Minister inaugurated the Bina-Panki ▪ The Union Cabinet approved a ₹76,000-crore
Multiproduct Pipeline Project on December policy boost for semiconductor and display
28. It's a 356 km long project with a capacity of manufacturing ecosystem in the country in
around 3.45 million metric tonne per annum. a bid to position India as a global hub for hi-
▪ Extending from Bina refinery in Madhya Tech Production.
Pradesh to Panki in Kanpur, the project has ▪ The scheme for setting up of semiconductor
been built at a cost of over ₹1500 crore. Fabs and display fabs in India will extend
▪ It will help the region access petroleum Fiscal support of up to 50 per cent of project
products from the Bina refinery. cost to Eligible Applicants.
Kanpur Metro Rail Project: About Semiconductor:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December ▪ A semiconductor material has an electrical
28 inaugurated the completed section of conductivity value falling between that of a
the Kanpur Metro Rail Project, the nine-km conductor, such as metallic copper, and an
long section from IIT Kanpur to Moti Jheel insulator, such as glass.
completed in a record two years’ time. ▪ Its resistivity falls as its temperature rises;
Metals behave in the opposite way.
▪ Its conducting properties may be altered ▪ The ranking evaluates educational Institutions
in useful ways by introducing impurities across the country on various Parameters
("doping") into the crystal structure. which includes intellectual property rights,
▪ When two differently doped regions exist in entrepreneurship, startup, technology transfer
the same crystal, a semiconductor junction is and commercialisation of research on campus.
created. ▪ A total of 1,438 higher educational institutions
▪ The behavior of charge carriers, which include participated in the exercise.
electrons, ions, and electron holes, at these ▪ The only two State Government institutions
junctions is the basis of diodes, transistors, and that feature in the list are Periyar University
most modern electronics. and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
▪ After silicon, gallium arsenide is the second- ▪ The top rank has been bagged by the IIT-
most common semiconductor and is used in Madras followed by the IITs in Bombay, Delhi,
laser diodes, solar cells, microwave-Frequency Kanpur and Roorkee. The IISc has bagged
integrated Circuits, and others. the sixth position in the ranking followed
▪ Silicon is a critical element for fabricating most by the IITs in Hyderabad and Kharagpur,
Electronic Circuits. the National Institute of Technology (NIT),
Calicut, and the Motilal Nehru National
‘Drone Mela’ to create awareness on Institute of Technology, Uttar Pradesh.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and its use: ▪ The ARIIA is an initiative of the Union
▪ Giving a boost to drone production and Education Ministry to rank systematically all
creating awareness among people on the major higher education institutions in India
utility of technology like drones, India for the on indicators related to innovation, startup
first time organized a ‘Drone Mela’ in Gwalior and entrepreneurship development among
in Madhya Pradesh. Students and faculty members.
▪ Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country ▪ ARIIA 2021 ranking has been announced in
in advancing the use of drone Technology at various categories which include Centrally
such a big scale. funded technical institutions (IITs, NITs and
▪ Drone Mela was organized jointly by the so on), State universities, State standalone
Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government technical colleges, private universities, private
of Madhya Pradesh, the Federation of Indian standalone technical colleges, nontechnical
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) government and private universities and
at Madhav Institute of Technology & Science institutions.
(MITS), Gwalior. ▪ The ARIIA evaluates institutions on parameters
such as patent filed and granted, number of
IIT Madras named most Innovative registered students and faculty startups, fund
Institute: generation by incubated startups, specialized
▪ Seven Indian Institutes of Technology and infrastructure created by institutions to
the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, promote innovation and Entrepreneurship.
are among the top 10 central institutions in
Promotion and support of innovation and Petrol cost cut by ₹25 a litre in
entrepreneurship development, according to Jharkhand:
Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation ▪ Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren
Achievements (ARIIA), by the union announced that petrol prices will be reduced
Education Ministry. by ₹25 a litre for two wheelers.
▪ For the third consecutive year, the Indian ▪ The new price will be effective from January
Institute of Technology Madras is ranked the 26, 2022.
most Innovative educational institute in the
country.
More Defence Systems to be ▪ It is a constitutional body under Article 279A.

Locally Manufactured: It makes recommendations to the Union
▪ The Defence Ministry notified a list of 2,500 and State Government on issues related to
subsystems and components that have been Goods and Service Tax and was introduced
localized and another 351 imported items to by the Constitution (One Hundred and First
be so substituted in the next three years. Amendment) Act, 2016.
▪ This ‘Aatmanirbhar’ initiative will save ▪ The GST Council is chaired by the Union
foreign exchange approximately equivalent to Finance Minister and other members are the
₹3000 crore every year. Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance
and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation
▪ A positive indigenisation list of subsystems
of all the States.
and components had been notified by the
Department of Defence Production as part of ▪ It is considered as a federal body where both
the Ministry’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in the centre and the states get due representation.
manufacturing and minimise imports by the ▪ Every decision of the Goods and Services
Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Tax Council shall be taken at a meeting by
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. a majority of not less than three-fourths of
▪ They would only be procured from Indian the weighted votes of the members present
industry after the timelines indicated in the and voting, in accordance with the following
list. Principles, namely:
9 The vote of the Central Government shall have
46th GST Council meet on December 31: a weightage of one third of the total votes cast.
▪ The 46th GST Council meeting will be held 9 The votes of all the State Governments taken
on December 31 in Delhi and it will be an together shall have a weightage of two-thirds
extension to the pre-budget meeting with State of the total votes cast, in that Meeting.
finance ministers on December 30.
▪ The Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate AFSPA Extended in Nagaland:
rationalization will submit report to the ▪ The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
Council. The panel has reviewed items under (AFSPA) has been extended in Nagaland
an inverted duty structure to help minimize for another six months by the Union Home
refund payout. Ministry.
▪ Besides, the Fitment committee, comprising ▪ A Ministry notification on Thursday said “the
tax officers from states and the Centre, has Central government is of the opinion that
made many "sweeping" recommendations to the area comprising the whole of the State of
the GoM regarding slab and rate changes and Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous
taking items out of the Exemption list. condition that the use of armed forces in aid of
▪ Currently, GST is a four-tier slab structure of the civil Power is Necessary.”
5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. Essential items are ▪ In exercise of the powers conferred under
either exempted or taxed at the lowest slab, Section 4 of the Act, “the Central government
▪ while luxury and demerit items attract the hereby declares that whole of the State of
Highest slab. Nagaland to be ‘disturbed area’ for a period
▪ On the top of the highest slab, a cess is levied of six months with effect from 30th December,
on luxury and demerit goods. 2021.
About Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council: New scheme to support the
▪ Goods and Service Tax has been implemented Marginalized
by the Union government on 1st July 2017 all ▪ A scheme for rehabilitation of persons
over the country, through 101st Constitutional engaged in begging and for providing Support
Amendment act. to transgender persons was expected to be
launched soon, according to a statement by

the Union Social Justice and Empowerment
Ministry
▪ The Ministry said it had formulated an umbrella
scheme, SMILE (Support for Marginalized
Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise),
that included two sub-schemes for the welfare
of transgender persons and persons engaged in
begging. The scheme will cover rehabilitation,
provision of medical facilities, counselling,
education, skill development and economic
linkages. As a part of the national antidrug
campaign, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
that was launched in 2020, the Ministry said it
had planned to declare 100 districts as “drug
sensitized districts” soon.
7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Barbados, 55 Years after its World's Expensive Cities:
Independence, has become a ▪ Tel Aviv, a city in Israel is the world's most
Republic: expensive city to live in as soaring inflation
▪ The declaration of a republic is more than has pushed up living costs Globally.
repudiation. It is an acknowledgement, as the ▪ The Israeli city climbed five runs to score top
Country's first President, Sandra Mason put place for the first time in the authoritative
it, that “We the people are Barbados”. ranking compiled by the Economist
Intelligence Unit (EIU).
▪ At the stroke of the midnight hour on
▪ The Worldwide Cost of Living Index is
November 30,2021, the republic of Barbados
compiled by comparing prices in US dollars
was born.
for goods and services in 173 cities.
▪ The Caribbean Island Nation, 55 years after
▪ Tel Aviv climbed the rankings partly due
its independence, got rid of the remnants of
to the strength of the national currency, the
colonial rule by separating from Britain — shekel, against the dollar, as well as increases
Queen Elizabeth is no longer the head of state. in prices for transport and groceries.
▪ Barbados was a part of the British Empire ▪ Paris and Singapore came joint second,
for over 400 years, a link in the lines of trade, followed by Zurich and Hong Kong. New
commerce and oppression that English York was in sixth, with Geneva in seventh.
Mercantilism and colonialism fostered for ▪ Rounding off the top 10 were Copenhagen in
centuries. eighth, Los Angeles in ninth and Osaka, Japan,
Austria Prime Minister/Chancellor in 10th.
Resigns: ▪ Last year, the survey put Paris, Zurich and
Hong Kong in joint first place.
▪ Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg
announced that he is stepping down just two ▪ The average inflation figure does not include
months after taking over from predecessor four cities with exceptionally high rates:
Caracas, Damascus, Buenos Aires and Tehran.
Sebastian Kurz, who stumbled over corruption
allegations just hours after party strongman ▪ The Iranian capital rose from 79th to 29th place
Sebastian Kurz said he was leaving politics in the ranking as US sanctions have pushed up
altogether. prices and caused shortages.
▪ Damascus was ranked the World's Cheapest
About Austria:
City to live in.
▪ Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is
a landlocked country in the southern part of India, Russia Renews Military Pact:
Central Europe, located on the Eastern Alps. ▪ Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to
▪ It is composed of nine federated states, one of New Delhi for the 21st India-Russia Summit
which is Vienna, Austria's capital and largest meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
city. highlights the constant efforts by both leaders
▪ Currency: Euro. to nurture and to provide further impetus
to the ‘India-Russia Special and Privileged
Strategic Partnership’.
▪ At the summit, referring to the common fight ▪ Science and technology, nuclear, energy, space
against organised crime, drug trafficking have been key driving forces.
and terrorism, Mr. Putin said, “It is natural ▪ But changes in interests and capabilities
we are concerned at the developments in being fuelled by geopolitical differences are
Afghanistan”. widening the divergence between India and
▪ Both sides renewed the military technical Russia.
cooperation agreement for another 10 years 9 In terms of geostrategy, Russia is aligned with
till 2031 and also signed the deal for the China and India is more anchored toward the
manufacture of AK203 assault rifles. United States.
▪ In the post-Cold War era, India has emerged ▪ This dissonance was apparent in the Indian
as an economic powerhouse and a key and Russian approach over Afghanistan.
stakeholder in today’s global debate be it
▪ Bilateral trade has seen the two countries
climate change, international trade, or the
progressing from defence and energy to IT,
menace of terrorism.
pharmaceuticals, agro-industry, mineral and
▪ Russia with its global status and presence metallurgy, fertilizers, and infrastructure
presents a win win situation for deeper Projects.
cooperation.
▪ A structure in place Russia has been one of First 2+2 Ministerial Meeting India &
India’s closest friends and allies with the Russia:
signing of the “Declaration on the India ▪ The ‘2+2’ mechanism has become the
Russia Strategic Partnership” in October standard framework of cooperation to widen
2000 which unlocked new opportunities collaboration.
in strategic, science and technology, space, ▪ The inaugural ‘2+2’ dialogue between the
energy, nuclear ties, trade and commerce, Foreign and Defence Ministers of the two
culture and a people to people connect. countries promises to provide new vitality
▪ Mr. Putin’s visit to India in December 2010 to the special and privileged strategic
heralded a new chapter in India Russia partnership.
relations when the Strategic Partnership ▪ The uniqueness of this approach not only
was elevated to the level of a “Special and ensures result-oriented cooperation but also
Privileged Strategic Partnership”. deliberates upon regional and global matters
▪ Russia is the key and principal supplier of of mutual concerns and interests.
arms and armaments to the Indian armed
forces accounting for over 60% of weapons. India- Russia Bilateral Treaty:
It comprises the whole gamut covering the ▪ Oleg Avdeev, Consul General of the Russian
Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Federation in South India, said the symbolism
Navy. of Mr. Putin’s visit could not be downplayed,
▪ India recently inducted the S400 Triumf as it was only his second trip abroad since the
missile systems. Sukhoi Su30 fighter aircraft, start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
T90 tanks, and the Talwar and the Krivak ▪ He said 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of
class stealth frigates are key weapons in the the Bilateral Treaty on Peace, Friendship and
armoury of the Indian armed forces. Cooperation between the two countries.
▪ The India Russia defence cooperation has ▪ While the world has undergone fundamental
evolved from a buyer-seller model to new changes in the last five decades, the friendship
areas of military technical collaboration. between Russia and India has remained a
▪ The BrahMos missile system was a successful constant.
collaboration of joint research, development, ▪ The proposed Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime
and production. Corridor will help expand the economy of
Tamil Nadu and south India at large, he said.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | 121
▪ The Chennai-Vladivostok Sea route will Asia Power Index 2021:

enable to transfer cargo between Chennai and ▪ According to Lowy’s report, India performs
Vladivostok in 24 days in comparison to over best in future resources measures and stands
40 days currently taken to transport goods behind the US and China.
from India to Far East Russia via Europe. ▪ India ranked fourth most powerful country
About: according to the Lowy Institute Asia Power
▪ India was first country to establish resident Index.
Consulate in Vladivostok in 1992. ▪ However, India’s overall score went down by
▪ India’s current engagement with region is two points from 2020, standing at 37.7 out of
limited to isolated pockets such as Irkut 100.
Corporation in Irkutsk where Mig and Sukhoi ▪ It fell short of the major power threshold and
aircraft are built and over $6 billion worth is among the 18 countries which showed a
of investments by ONGC Visesh Limited in downward trend in overall scores in 2021.
Sakhalin 1 project.
About:
▪ Chennai-Vladivostok searoute is a maritime ▪ Lowy Institute is an independent think tank
route covering approximately 5,600 nautical that releases the Asia Power Index by assessing
miles, aimed at increasing bilateral trade the resources and influence to rank the relative
between India and Russia. power of states in the Indo-Pacific region.
World’s 100 Most Powerful ▪ Lowy Institute has been releasing this index
Women: every year since 2018.
▪ Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Diplomatic Boycott of the Winter
has made it to the Forbes’ annual list of
Olympic Games:
Powerful Women — The World’s 100 Most
▪ Canada joined Australia and Britain in a U.S
Powerful Women.
led diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic
▪ She is ranked at number 37. This is the third Games in Beijing, saying it was important to
year in a row that she made it to the list. send a clear message over China’s human
▪ Last year, she was in the 41st spot and 34th in rights record.
2019. ▪ Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
▪ 3 Indian Companies in top 100 Global Weapon said Beijing would be aware of longstanding
Makers: Western concerns about human rights in
▪ Three Indian military equipment making China. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we
companies have made it to the list of top 100 decided not to send diplomatic representation.
Global companies making arms, weapons,
military Planes and Equipment. Summit for Democracy:
▪ The details were released by Swedish think- ▪ Democracies should jointly deal with social
tank Stockholm International Peace Research media and cryptocurrencies, Prime Minister
Institute (SIPRI) in its report ‘Top 100 arms- Narendra Modi said in a virtual address at
producing and military services companies, the Summit for Democracy, hosted by U.S.
2020’. President Joe Biden.
▪ The arms sales of Hindustan Aeronautics ▪ Mr. Modi said India is the largest democracy
(ranked 42nd) and Bharat Electronics (ranked in the world and has 2500-year-old democratic
66th) increased by 1.5 per cent and 4 per cent, traditions.
respectively. Indian Ordnance Factories’ ▪ “We must also jointly shape global norms
(ranked 60th) arms sales rose marginally (by for emerging technologies like social media
0.2 per cent) during 2020. and cryptocurrencies, so that they are used to
▪ China is now second to the US in making arms, empower democracy, not undermine it,” Mr.
weapons and military equipment. Modi said.
▪ Opening the summit, Joe Biden announced ▪ CPOA was signed in Vienna on 14 July
the establishment of the Presidential Initiative 2015, between Iran and P5+1 (China, France,
for Democratic Renewal, under which the Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the
administration plans to provide $424.4 million United States, and the European Union, or
for supporting free and independent media, the EU), but former US President Trump has
fighting corruption, strengthening democratic withdrawn from it (in 2018) and embarked on
reforms, advancing technology for democracy, a policy of ‘maximum pressure’ to coerce Iran
and defending free and fair elections. back to the negotiating table.
▪ Mutual learning: Different parts of the world ▪ Under the deal, Tehran agreed to significantly
have followed different paths of democratic cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium
development. There is much we can learn from and heavy-water, all key components for
each other. We all need to constantly improve Nuclear Weapons.
our democratic practices and systems. About Chabahar Port:
▪ “We all need to continuously enhance inclusion, ▪ Chabahar Port is located in Sistan and
transparency, human dignity, responsive Baluchistan province in the South-eastern part
grievance redressal and decentralization of of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
power,” he said. ▪ In December 2018, India took over the
▪ Mr. Modi referred to the civilizational tradition operations of the Port. It was being operated
of democracy in India, citing the ancient city by India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL).
states under the Lichhavis and others that ▪ India’s first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan
flourished in India during the late Vedic and was sent through Chabahar Port.
Buddhist periods and continued till the early ▪ India began building a railway line between
medieval period. Chabahar port and Zahedan as part of the
▪ Mr. Modi said democratic traditions had made North-South Transport Corridor.
ancient India the “most prosperous”. ▪ Chabahar port is about 170 km away from
▪ “Democracy is not only of the people, by Gwadar Port built in Pakistan by China.
the people, for the people, but also with the ▪ It will be the gateway to the International
people, within the people,” he added. North-South Transport Corridor which is
US sanctions on Iran have no bearing a combination of road, rail, and sea routes
on India's Chabahar Port Project: connecting Russia, Europe, Central Asia, Iran,
and India.
▪ The US sanctions on Iran have not affected
India's Chabahar port project, External Affairs G7 puts up United Front against Russia:
Minister S Jaishankar told Lok Sabha. ▪ The world’s wealthiest democracies sought
▪ The minister also clarified that US sanctions to present a united front against Russian
are "not relevant" to India's Chabahar port aggression toward Ukraine as Britain hosted
Project in Iran at all. a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the northern
▪ All our agreements on the Chabahar port English city of Liverpool.
operations are limited to Iran. ▪ The G7 meeting, attended in person by U.S.
▪ Originally, there was a trilateral agreement Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his
but that was the basis to set it up. counterparts from France, Italy, Germany,
▪ In terms of port operations, we are not required Japan and Canada, comes amid international
to have any agreement with the Government concern that Russia could invade Ukraine.
of Afghanistan. Russia denies planning any attack.
About the Iran Nuclear Deal: About Group of Seven (G7):
▪ Also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan ▪ t is an intergovernmental organization that
of Action (JCPOA). was formed in 1975.
▪ The bloc meets annually to discuss issues ▪ India’s Permanent Representative and
of common interest like global economic Ambassador to the U.N. T.S. Tirumurti
Governance, international security and Energy said, positing that the reason countries were
policy. attempting to bring climate talks to the
▪ The G7 countries are the UK, Canada, France, Security Council was that decisions could be
Germany, Italy, Japan and the US. taken without consensus or the involvement
▪ All the G7 countries and India are a part of of most developing countries.
G20. ▪ The draft resolution, as per the ambassador,
▪ The G7 does not have a formal constitution or would undermine progress made at Glasgow,
a fixed headquarters. where the latest round of talks under the
UNFCCC, the 26th Conference of the Parties
▪ The decisions taken by leaders during Annual
(COP26), concluded in November.
summits are non-binding.
▪ Developing and ‘least developed’ countries
▪ Bennett in UAE on historic first visit by an
had worked, over the last two decades, to make
Israeli PM:
“common but differentiated” responsibilities a
▪ Israel’s Naftali Bennett arrived in the United fundamental tenet of climate action.
Arab Emirates Sunday for the first official visit
About UNSC:
by a Prime Minister of the Jewish state, after
▪ The United Nations Security Council
they established diplomatic ties last year.
(UNSC) is one of the six principal organs
▪ The trip announced by Mr. Bennett’s office of the United Nations (UN), charged with
comes amid Israel’s renewed diplomatic ensuring international peace and security,
push against resumed international talks with recommending the admission of new UN
its arch foe Iran over the Islamic republic’s members to the General Assembly, and
Nuclear Programme. approving any changes to the UN Charter.
India Votes against UN Draft ▪ The UNSC is the only UN body with the
Resolution on Climate Change: authority to issue binding resolutions on
Member states.
▪ India voted against a draft resolution at the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ▪ The Security Council consists of fifteen
linking climate to security, saying it was an Members, of which five are permanent:
attempt to shift climate talks from the United ▪ The People's Republic of China, the French
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Republic, the Russian Federation, the United
Change (UNFCCC) to the Security Council Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
and a “step backward” for collective action on Ireland, and the United States of America.
the issue. These were the great powers, or their successor
▪ The resolution was sponsored by Ireland and states, that were the victors of World War II.
Niger, and it did not pass, with 12 UNSC ▪ The remaining ten members are elected on a
members voting for it, India and Russia voting regional basis to serve a term of two years.
against it and China abstaining. ▪ The body's presidency rotates monthly among
▪ Niger, which holds the UNSC presidency for its members.
December, organized a debate on December ▪ Formation: 24 October 1945.
9 titled ‘Maintenance of international About UNFCC:
peace and security: security in the context of ▪ The United Nations Framework Convention
terrorism and climate change.’ on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established
▪ One of the objectives of the debate was to an international environmental treaty to
examine how terrorism and security risks combat "dangerous human interference with
could be linked to climate change, as per a the climate system", in part by stabilizing
concept note circulated by Niger. Greenhouse Gas concentrations in the
atmosphere.
▪ It was signed by 154 states at the United World's First Paperless

Nations Conference on Environment and Government:
Development (UNCED), informally known as ▪ Dubai has become the world's first
the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro from Government to turn 100 per cent paperless,
3 to 14 June 1992. the Emirate's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan
▪ It established a Secretariat headquartered in bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has
Bonn and entered into force on 21 March 1994. announced, pointing at savings of 1.3 billion
▪ By 2020 the UNFCCC had 197 states parties. Dirham (USD 350 million) and 14-million-man
Its supreme decision-making body, the hours.
Conference of the Parties (COP), meets ▪ All internal, external transactions and
annually to assess progress in dealing with procedures in the Government of Dubai are
climate change. now 100 per cent digital and managed from
▪ Signatories now: 165. a comprehensive digital government services
platform.
India – France Inter-governmental
Agreement: At OIC summit, countries vow to provide
▪ India had signed an inter-governmental aid to Afghanistan:
agreement with France in September 2016 for ▪ Islamic countries scrambled to find ways to
the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a help Afghanistan avert an imminent economic
cost of around Rs 59,000 crore. collapse they say would have a “horrendous”
▪ The French embassy said a total of 33 Rafale global impact.
Jets have already been delivered to India as ▪ The hastily called meeting of the Organization
per schedule despite the Covid-19 pandemic. of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad
▪ The first batch of five Rafale jets, manufactured ended with a promise to set up a fund to
by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, provide humanitarian aid through the Islamic
arrived in India on July 29 last year. Development Bank (IDB), which would
provide a cover for countries to donate
China’s Oldest Person Passed Away: without dealing directly with the country’s
▪ China's oldest person, Alimihan Seyiti, a Taliban rulers.
135-year-old woman from its 'Longevity
Town' passed away in the Xinjiang Uyghur Foreign Ministers of Five Central Asian
Autonomous Region in Kashgar on December countries call on PM:
16. ▪ The visiting foreign ministers of Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
India-Vietnam Cooperation in Postal and Uzbekistan called on the Prime Minister
Sector: a day after attending the third India-Central
▪ India and Vietnam have signed the letter of Asia dialogue hosted by External Affairs
intent for enhanced cooperation in the postal Minister S Jaishankar.
sector, in line with the comprehensive strategic ▪ The Prime Minister underscored the potential
and economic partnership and Growing of enhancing economic cooperation between
relations between the two countries. India and Central Asia, and the role of
▪ The letter of intent underscores the joint Connectivity in that regard.
objectives of both the nations to facilitate ▪ PM Modi underlined the importance of
cooperation in the field of posts and telecom, maintaining cultural and people-to-people
promote sharing of information and contacts between India and Central Asia given
experience, cooperate to implement projects the popularity of Indian films, Music and Yoga
in HR development and promote enhanced in the region.
cooperation of postal designated operators
and service providers.
▪ The Central Asian foreign ministers conveyed

the greetings of their presidents to Modi and
emphasized the readiness of their leadership
to further strengthen relations with India.
Hong Kong loses a symbol of its

Freedom:
▪ Hong Kong University (HKU) to remove
what was a popular fixture on its campus for
close to 25 years.
▪ The Pillar of Shame, a haunting eight-metre-
tall sculpture showing intertwined bodies
with hollowed eyes and open mouths — an
anguished mass of humanity — was created by
Danish artist Jens Galschiot as a tribute to the
victims of China’s crackdown in Tiananmen
Square in June 1989.
▪ It has been at HKU since 1997, installed Shortly
after one of Hong Kong’s annual June vigils
at Victoria Park, where thousands Gathered
every year to mark the Anniversary.
8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu: CM Inaugurates Colleges under HR&CE
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the prevalence Dept.
of HIV/AIDS in the State had reduced to ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated three
0.18%, from 0.38% in 2010-11, and urged new colleges belonging to the Hindu Religious
everyone in the State to treat those living with and Charitable Endowments Department.
the infection with love. ▪ They will offer B. Com, BBA, BCA and B.Sc.
▪ He said the government had created a trust for Computer Science courses.
children living with HIV/AIDS, with a Fund ▪ The colleges are situated at
of ₹25 crore, and was implementing various
9 Oddanchathram in Dindigul district,
welfare schemes using the interest on the
deposit. 9 Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi district and
▪ This was India’s first such scheme, he said, 9 Tiruchengode in Namakkal district.
adding that pension was also being provided ▪ They were among the 10 colleges announced
to young widows whose husbands had died of by the HR&CE Department in the 2021-22
the infection. demands for grants in the Assembly.
▪ They will function out of rented buildings
Financial Assistance to Soldiers from
till they get their own Infrastructure, the
Tamil Nadu: Government said.
▪ The Tamil Nadu government extended a
financial assistance of Rs 20 lakhs each to the Hot Air Balloon Festival:
families of three soldiers who were martyred. ▪ The Tourism Department of Tamil Nadu has
▪ Chief minister M. K. Stalin handed over planned to conduct a Hot Air Balloon Festival
cheques to in February 2022 in the State.
9 Kin of K Egambaram of Chembarambakkam ▪ Pandemic restrictions permitting, this will be
in Kancheepuram district, conducted, said M. Mathiventhan, Minister
9 K. Karuppusamy of Kovipatti for Tourism.
in Tuticorin district and ▪ In the 20th edition of the International Balloon
9 P. Palanikumar of Uthamapalayam Festival took place from November 12 to 16 in
in Theni district. the Metropolitan Park of Leon in Mexico, the
Slogan of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department
▪ The Government honoured Captain Kubera “Enchanting Tamil Nadu” is featured in a
Gandhiraj, the first army personnel from the giant balloon in the colour of the National Flag
State to be part of the Indian Army team that to showcase the pride of the Indian Tourism
traversed from Ladakh in the Karakoram to Industry.
Malari in Uttarakhand by skiing.
▪ Stalin handed over the certificate in
appreciation of his bravery.
TAMILNADU AFFAIRS | 127
Tamil Nadu to adopt “DigiLocker” to SIMS ties up with NSE to boost stock
achieve Paperless Governance: market understanding for their MBA
▪ The “DigiLocker” system provides a digital Students:
wallet to every citizen so that all documents ▪ The Sri Sairam Institute of Management
can be made available electronically in one Studies (SIMS), Sairam Engineering College
place and be accessed anytime. (SEC), Chennai has signed a Memorandum
▪ All departments of the State government and of Understanding with the National Stock
their subordinate agencies will be adopting Exchange Institute.
DigiLocker System soon, to provide access to ▪ The MoU, which was signed on November 29,
digital documents to citizens as envisaged in will enable the setting up of an NSmart trading
the Information Technology (Preservation and simulator lab at SIMS.
Retention of Information by Intermediaries ▪ It was signed under the Skill India initiative
Providing Digital Locker Facilities) Rules, with focus on honing the skills of MBA
2016. students at SEC.
▪ The Tamil Nadu E-Governance Agency will ▪ The NSE Simulator is being designed as a
provide support to the Govt. departments/ Centre for Excellence for trading of stocks
PSUs/statutory authorities/autonomous in order to train students on trading equity,
bodies/universities and educational equity derivatives and currency derivatives
institutions/agencies for the adoption of and to help them acquire trading skills through
DigiLocker. real-time market feed straight from the NSE’s
▪ It is a flagship initiative of the Union Ministry live trading sessions.
of Electronics and Information Technology ▪ The centre will be available to all students and
promoting the vision of paperless governance. staff at SEC.
▪ The documents in DigiLocker System are ▪ The collaboration would also include
deemed on par with Original Physical Certificate Courses under Management
Documents. Development Programs in the areas of
▪ For implementing the DigiLocker system, all Financial Valuation and Modeling, Derivative
government departments should integrate Trading Strategies, Financial Engineering and
their existing/ongoing/future software Equity Research.
applications with DigiLocker and register
themselves as an issuer or a requester or both Fort St. George to be Modernized after
as required. 100 years:
▪ Departments/organisations that get registered ▪ The Tami Nadu Assembly Hall at Fort St.
with DigiLocker as issuer organisation can George is being modernized after 100 years.
provide electronic copies of documents and ▪ With DMK government took charge, the
certificates issued by them (For example - Government announced that it would replace
driving license, voter ID, certificates/mark the assembly with paperless assembly.
sheets, ration card etc) directly into citizen’s ▪ Accordingly, the State Financial Statement
DigiLocker account. (Budget) and Grant requests were also filed as
▪ Similarly, departments can register as requester paperless reports.
organisations and integrate online application About Fort St. George:
with DigiLocker to enable the citizens to ▪ Fort St. George is the first English (later British)
fetch supporting documents required for fortress in India, founded in 1639 at the coastal
various online applications directly from their city of Madras, the modern city of Chennai.
DigiLocker.
▪ The construction of the fort provided the
▪ The 'DigiLocker'app was launched in July, impetus for further settlements and trading
2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. activity, in what was originally an uninhabited
land. Thus, it is a feasible contention to say ▪ Some of the emerging sectors such as Defence
that the city evolved around the fortress. and Aerospace and Green investment in the
▪ The fort currently houses the Tamil Nadu Auto Sector may enhance the demand for
legislative assembly and other official machine tools.
buildings. ▪ The exhibition would have manufacturers of
▪ The East India Company (EIC), which had various products and technologies, including
entered India around 1600 for trading activities, special purpose machines, energy saving
had felt the necessity of a port closer to the solutions, control devices and laser cutting.
Malaccan Straits, and succeeded in purchasing
50 % Seats for Women in the Standing
a piece of coastal land, originally called
Chennirayarpattinam or Channapatnam, Committees of
where the Company began the construction of Corporations:
a harbour and a fort. ▪ Half of the standing committees in all
▪ The fort was completed on 23 April 1644 corporations, including Chennai, Coimbatore
coinciding with St George's Day, celebrated in and Madurai, will now be women.
honour of the patron saint of England. ▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has amended
the law, prior to this, one-third of the members
Computer Literacy Programme: were women.
▪ The Greater Chennai Police, as part of ▪ There are a total of 20 corporations in Tamil
upgrading the computer knowledge and to Nadu.
create awareness about cybercrimes, has begun
9 The corporations are Chennai, Madurai,
organizing Computer Literacy Programme for
Coimbatore, Trichy, Nellai, Salem, Tiruppur,
inspectors and sub-Inspectors.
Erode, Vellore, Tuticorin, Thanjavur, Dindigul,
▪ The department has tied up with colleges, Hosur, Nagercoil, Avadi, Cuddalore,
including IIT-Madras, to organise the Kanchipuram, Sivakasi, Karur and Tambaram.
Computer Literacy Programme for police Of these, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram, Sivakasi,
officials. Karur and Tambaram were recently upgraded
International Machine Tools and Auto as corporations.
Components Exhibition (ACMEE) 2021: ▪ Standing Committees: There are Standing
Committees in every corporation. When
▪ The Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers
elections are held for urban localities, the
Association (AIEMA) will organise the 14th
elected councilors will be members of the
edition of ACMEE (International Machine
Standing Committee.
Tools and Auto Components Exhibition)
2021, the biennial exhibition on machine tools ▪ There are six level committees in all
technology, at Chennai Trade Centre from corporations.
December 9 to 13. ▪ Six level committees have been set up:
▪ The exhibition will be available on a 3D virtual 9 Accounts-Audit, Stone V-Sports, Health-
platform where visitors can walk through the Family Welfare, Taxation and Finance, Urban
exhibition and interact with the exhibitors. Development, Tasks.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is expected to ▪ The Standing Committees will examine the
inaugurate the exhibition which will have budgets, the activities of the Corporation
smart manufacturing as the theme and focus Schools, the activities of the departments
on use of information technology to improve closely related to the people in the health sector
Manufacturing process. and their related files. Standing committees
have the main responsibility to point out any
Mistakes in this.
Tamil Language Made Compulsory in ▪ Education assistance of ₹1000 to ₹1500 will

Recruitment: be given to children of indigent journalists
▪ The State Government issued a G.O. making studying in Classes X to XII.
the Tamil language paper compulsory in ▪ College students will get ₹1500 in aid, and
qualifying examinations for State government those in hostels ₹1750 per academic year.
Jobs. The G.O. makes the Tamil paper ▪ An assistance of ₹2000 to ₹6000 will be
compulsory in the TNPSC and Teachers provided to those pursuing multiple
Recruitment Board examinations. Educational Courses.
Loans of Women’s Self-Help Groups ▪ The Government also announced the provision
of ₹2000 as marriage assistance, ₹6000 as
Waived Off:
maternity assistance, ₹3000 for abortion or
▪ The Tamil Nadu government waived the miscarriage, ₹50,000 for natural death and
loans taken by women’s self-help groups from ₹5000 for final rites.
cooperative societies.
▪ All 12 existing schemes for journalists will be
▪ The waiver was to the tune of 2,674.64 crore merged into the new welfare board. Funds
(principal plus interest), excluding interest for the Board will be raised through the 1%
penalties and other expenses as of March 31, contribution made by media organisations,
2021. out of the total advertisement value given by
▪ The Government will assume the loan and the government to them.
has earmarked ₹600 crore to be released this
financial year, and the balance with 7% interest UAV Corporation in Tamil Nadu:
would be released over four years. ▪ The Higher Education Department has
About Self-help Groups (SHGs) issued an order to establish the Tamil Nadu
▪ Self-help Groups (SHGs) are informal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation
associations of people who come together to (UAV) in partnership with the Madras Institute
find ways to improve their living conditions. of Technology (MIT), Anna University.
They are generally self-governed and peer- ▪ The 100% government owned company with
controlled. a registered office at Directorate of Technical
▪ A self-help group is a financial intermediary Education (DoTE), Guindy, and a functional
committee usually composed of 10 to 25 local office on MIT campus in Chromepet, has been
women between the ages of 18 and 40. set up with ₹10 crore as authorised paid-up
capital, divided into one crore equity shares of
▪ The origin of SHGs in India can be traced back
₹10 each.
to the establishment of the Self-Employed
Women’s Association (SEWA) in 1972. Board of Directors:
9 The board of directors will include the Higher
▪ NABARD, in 1992, formed the SHG Bank
Education Secretary who will be its chairman
Linkage Project, which is today the world’s
and an IAS officer will be the Managing
largest microfinance project.
Director.
▪ From 1993 onwards, NABARD, along with the
Reserve Bank of India, allowed SHGs to open 9 The Additional Chief Secretary or the Finance
savings bank accounts in banks. Secretary or his or her nominee will be one of
the directors.
T.N. Notifies Journalists’ Welfare Board: ▪ The secretaries/ representatives of municipal
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government notified the administration and water supply, industries,
setting up of the Journalists’ Welfare Board, revenue and disaster management, the
which was announced in the demand for Additional Director General of Police
grants for the Information and Publicity (Technical Services), the Director of Technical
Department in September. Education, a representative from Anna
University and a chief executive officer, who
will be recruited on deputation, would be ▪ INS Chennai is the first naval ship named
directors. after Chennai, capital city of the state of Tamil
Nadu, India.
State draws praise for
Empowering the Disabled: State Development Funds:
▪ Tamil Nadu has taken initiatives in providing ▪ Tamil Nadu had an outstanding liability of
rehabilitation to the mentally ill persons about ₹3.78 lakh crore as of March 2021 on
who are abandoned by the family and found funds raised through the issue of bonds called
roaming the streets and other public places State Development Loans (SDLs).
who are rescued and admitted to the hospitals ▪ According to the RBI report ‘State Finances: A
under the ‘Rescue Scheme’ through Non- Study of Budgets of 2021-22’, SDLs accounted
Government Organisations (NGOs) and are for 67.5% of Tamil Nadu’s total outstanding
provided shelter, food, medical facilities and liabilities of about ₹5.59 lakh crore.
vocational training. ▪ To bridge the gap between its income and
expenditure or, in other words, fiscal deficit,
Ceremonial Parade of Navy Day in
Tamil Nadu borrows from the market through
Tamil Nadu: the issue of SDLs.
▪ On the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Varsh and
About SDL:
Navy Day 2021, a ceremonial parade was
▪ State Development Loans (SDLs) are sovereign
conducted.
securities issued by various State Governments
▪ Governor R.N. Ravi inspected the ceremonial to raise funds from the market.
Guard and reviewed platoons of naval
▪ In India, the Central Government issues both
personnel of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
treasury bills and bonds or dated securities
Naval Area.
while the State Governments issue only bonds
▪ A model of the INS Chennai was presented or dated securities, which are called the State
to the Governor by Rear Admiral Puneed Development Loans (SDLs). G-Secs carry
Chadha, Flag Officer Commanding, T.N. and practically no risk of default and, hence, are
Puducherry Naval Area. called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.
About INS Chennai:
▪ INS Chennai is the third and last ship of the Initiatives of Tamil Nadu
Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyers Government:
of the Indian Navy. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin flagged off two police
▪ She was constructed by the Mazagon Dock vehicles fitted with audiovisual equipment to
Limited (MDL) at Mumbai. create awareness on the prevention of sexual
▪ She was laid down in February 2006, and was harassment of children.
launched on 1 April 2010 by the then Defence ▪ The vehicles have been fitted with CCTV
Minister AK Antony's wife Elizabeth Antony. cameras on all four sides to monitor activities
▪ Construction completed on 12 November and, if necessary, take action.
2015 and was commissioned on 21 November ▪ Besides creating awareness, the vehicles can
2016 by the Indian Defence Minister Manohar also be used for law-and-order work based on
Parrikar. requirements.
▪ On 17 April 2017, INS Chennai was dedicated ▪ Mr. Stalin also launched a scheme of the
to the city of Chennai in presence of then Chief Agriculture Department to provide vegetable
Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Palaniswamy. seeds at a subsidized price of ₹225 for rooftop
▪ INS Chennai has on her seal a Bull symbolising Gardening, and 12 types of vegetable seeds for
the Jallikattu festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu ₹15 in rural areas to encourage the setting up
from where the ship associates its heritage. of vegetable gardens.
▪ He also inaugurated a scheme for providing 8 has now made it affordable for entrepreneurs
plants to boost immunity for ₹25. and business persons to buy plots in various
▪ He urged the people to contribute as much SIDCO industrial estates.
as possible for the Flag Day celebrations in ▪ Tamil Nadu is ranked as second largest
support of the Armed Forces. industrialized state after Maharashtra.
About SIDCO:
Goat Distribution Scheme:
▪ Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development
▪ The state government has said that all the
Corporation Limited (TANSIDCO) playing a
insurance information for the goat distribution
significant role in facilitating the promotion
scheme for poor women should be in Tamil.
and development of MSMEs in Tamil Nadu
▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has directed was established in 1970 by the Government of
to implement a scheme to provide 5 goats with Tamil Nadu.
100% subsidy to poor women.
▪ It establishes industrial parks throughout the
▪ 1.94 lakh goats are to be distributed in the state, providing the necessary infrastructure
current year alone. The Director of Animal for small-scale industries, gives-away
Husbandry will act as the implementing government subsidies for the sector, and
officer for this project. provides technical assistance for the new
▪ Goats under six to 8 months of age will be industries.
given 100 percent subsidy to poor, destitute ▪ SIDCO has been performing the functions of
Women. maintenance of 41 Government Industrial
▪ The insurance for these goats is valid for up to Estates and 80 Industrial Estates established
two years. on its own, thus maintaining totally 121
▪ Government will improve Suo Motu Industrial Estates all over in Tamil Nadu.
Publication of data under the RTI Act: ▪ Infrastructural facilities like motorable roads,
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government will improve storm water drains, culverts, water supply,
suo motu publication of data under the sewage system, street lighting, green belt,
Right to Information Act on the websites of parks and other amenities are provided in
government departments, said Minister for Industrial Estates.
Finance and Human Resources Management ▪ Guindy Industrial Estate established in 1958
Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, at the launch of the is the 1st Industrial Estate established in India.
book “Whole Numbers and Half Truths”, ▪ Ambattur Industrial Estate established in 1963
authored by journalist S. Rukmini. spread over 1167 acres is one of the largest
Industrial Estates for MSMEs in Asia.
Prices of plots slashed in SIDCO
Industrial Estates: ▪ Headquarters: Guindy, Chennai.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced Scheme to Integrate the Software of the
reduction in the prices of plots in SIDCO Registration Department:
industrial estates, by 5%-75%, depending on
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated 11
the industrial estate.
office buildings of the Commercial Taxes and
▪ Several Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Registration Department.
associations requested the State Government to
▪ He launched a scheme to integrate the
reduce the prices of plots in SIDCO industrial
software of the Registration Department with
estates to help entrepreneurs come out of the
the Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai
difficulties caused by the COVID19 pandemic.
Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage
▪ The Government said it was reducing the Board and Tangedco.
rates of plots in the industrial estates for
▪ The Chief Minister also made a contribution to
the first time in 50 years, as many remained
the Flag Day Fund.
vacant without allotment. The Government
About Flag Day: Separate Website for Tamils

▪ The Armed Forces Flag Day, or simply Flag Outside Tamil Nadu:
Day, is celebrated every year on 7 December ▪ Minister Ginger KS Mastan has launched a
since 1949 throughout the Country. separate website (www.nrttamils. tn.gov.in)
▪ The day is dedicated to India towards for the benefit of Tamils living outside the
collection of funds from people of India for the state.
welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel. ▪ Hereafter, the World Tamil Day for Diaspora
▪ Over the years, it has become a tradition to will be celebrated every year to mark their
commemorate this day as an honour to the contribution to the development of the state.
soldiers, sailors and airmen of India. ▪ The forthcoming World Tamil Day for
SC and ST loans under TAHDCO: Diaspora, which falls on January 12 and 13,
is to be celebrated at the Chennai Kalaivanar
▪ Collector J. Vijaya Rani has announced that SC
Arangam.
and ST students can apply for loans under the
TAHDCO scheme in Chennai district. Long Term Loan to TANGEDCO:
About TAHDCO: ▪ Union Minister of Power said that the
▪ Tamilnadu Adi Dravidar Housing Government had announced a Liquidity
Development Corporation (TAHDCO) Infusion Scheme with reform linkages to
is implementing Economic Development TANGEDCO.
programmes. ▪ Under this, Special long term transition loans
▪ Bank loans are arranged with TAHDCO of Rs.26,428Cr have so far been disbursed by
subsidy for self-employment under Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural
Entrepreneur Development Programme Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)
(EDP), Self-Employment Programme for to TANGEDCO as on 30-11-2021 to clear
youth (SEPY) Schemes. its outstanding dues of CPS Undertakings,
▪ The physical Target for the year 2017-18 is 457 Generating and Transmission Companies as
for all TAHDCO loan schemes in respect of well as Independent Power Producers and
Chennai District. Renewable Energy.
▪ Till now loan sanctioned for 212 cases alone. ▪ Steps taken to tap available renewable energy
There are 1179 TAHDCO applications with resources in the country including Tamil
199.55 Lakhs of Subsidy component pending Nadu.
with banks.
CM to launch scheme for Road
▪ When banks sanction the loan, subsidy will be
Accident Victims:
released immediately by TAHDCO.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will launch
▪ Banks may select SC, ST beneficiaries (having
the State Government’s latest initiative,
an annual income of Rs.1,00,000/-) on their
Nammai Kaakkum 48, in Chengalpattu on
own marketing network under MUDRA,
December 18. The scheme is being rolled
Standup India Schemes and recommend the
out to ensure the timely hospitalization and
cases to TAHDCO for availing subsidy.
treatment of people injured in road accidents.
▪ Since TAHDCO is insisting not to demand
▪ The scheme will cover the injured, irrespective
collateral for loans up to Rs.10 Lakhs as
of whether the accidents take place on rural
per Reserve Bank guidelines, Banks are not
roads, State Highways or National Highways,
coming forward to sanction loans to TAHDCO
and irrespective of the country, State and
beneficiaries.
district the victim is from.
▪ Non repayment of earlier loans and non-viable
projects are also the reasons for pendency of
TAHDCO loan applications with banks.
▪ The scheme will be rolled out in 610 hospitals a projected annual capacity of 3.3 gigawatts
— 205 government facilities and 405 private (GW).
ones — across the State. The list of empaneled ▪ The debt financing would be subject to
hospitals will be released soon. negotiations of definitive agreements between
▪ Those injured in accidents can be admitted to the DFC, America’s development bank
these hospitals and the State Government will and First Solar, the largest American solar
spend 1 lakh for their treatment. manufacturing company.
▪ Passersby usually hesitate to help accident ▪ The DFC is thrilled to be in a position to
victims, considering that they will have to go support First Solar’s new venture in India,
to the police station and courts. Keeping this in which will boost solar panel manufacturing
mind, the State government has also decided capacity for a key ally and help mobilise the
to grant an incentive of 5,000 to those who industry to take up better standards.
immediately take accident victims to hospitals.
CM launches Wedding Scheme for
T.N. announces 50,000 for kin of Persons with Disabilities:
COVID19 Victims: ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched a scheme
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has ordered an allowing the free conduct of marriages between
exgratia payment of 50,000 from the State persons with disabilities in temples under the
Disaster Response Fund to the kin of those who purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable
died of COVID19, including people involved Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
in relief operations or were associated in ▪ Persons with disabilities will also be allowed to
preparedness activities. rent kalyana mandapams attached to temples
▪ The cause of death has to be certified as for free. They will only have to pay the service
COVID19, as per guidelines jointly issued by charge.
the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ▪ Couples have to provide details, including
and the Indian Council of Medical Research. their age proof and nativity certificates, after
▪ Expenditure will be incurred from the State which temples will issue them marriage
Disaster Response Fund, in strict compliance certificates.
with the guidelines of the National Disaster ▪ Temples have also been instructed to provide
Management Authority. saris and dhotis to couples with disabilities at
▪ The exgratia will be applicable from the day their weddings.
when the first COVID19 case was reported
in the country, and will continue till the NGT appoints panel to look into River
denotification of COVID19 as a disaster. Pollution:
▪ This excludes frontline workers who have ▪ The Southern bench of the National Green
been given an exgratia of 25 lakh, children Tribunal has constituted a joint expert
who lost both parents (5 lakh) and children committee to be headed by retired IAS officer
who lost one parent (3 lakh). Santha Sheela Nair to prepare a detailed
project report for remediation of fly ash from
Solar Module Project in T.N. gets DFC Ennore and to prepare a report detailing
Green Light: damages caused to the river basin.
▪ The U.S. International Development Finance ▪ The NGT has directed the committee to find
Corporation (DFC) has announced that it out whether the damage has been caused due
has approved up to U.S. $500 million of debt to the soil, water, flora and fauna on account of
financing for First Solar, Inc. to support the the deposit of fly ash in the river basin.
company’s previously announced vertically About Fly Ash:
integrated photovoltaic (PV) solar module ▪ Definition: It is a byproduct from burning of
manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu, with coal in electric power generating plants.
▪ It is called fly ash because it is transported from ▪ The MoUs have been signed with an aim to
the combustion chamber by exhaust Gases. undertake co-lending activities to support
▪ It is collected from the exhaust gases by MSMEs. They will also help MSMEs get access
Electrostatic precipitators or bag filters. to working capital and term loans.
▪ Composition: Fly ash includes substantial ▪ TIIC has introduced an ‘Industrial
Amounts of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Aluminium infrastructure initiative’ Scheme, under
Oxide (Al2O3), Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3) and which financial assistance will be provided to
Calcium Oxide (CaO). MSMEs for the purchase of plots in SIPCOT
Harmful Effects:
and TANSIDCO industrial estates to set up
▪ Fly ash particles are toxic air pollutants. They units.
can trigger heart disease, cancer, respiratory About TAICO Bank:
diseases and stroke. ▪ The Tamilnadu Industrial Cooperative Bank
▪ When combined with water they cause Ltd., popularly known as “TAICO Bank” is the
leaching of heavy metals in ground water. first of its kind in the Cooperative Sector in the
Country for catering the needs of Industrial
▪ It also pollutes the soil, and affects the root
Cooperatives.
development system of trees.
▪ A unique Cooperative Bank with state
Books of Six Tamil Scholars wide jurisdiction, to develop the Industrial
Nationalized: Cooperative Societies in the State of Tamilnadu.
▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin nationalized the texts ▪ In the year 1958, the “Working group on
of six tamil Scholars and handed the copyright Industrial Co-operatives” was set up by the
cost to the family. Government of India and recommended for
▪ The six tamil scholars are Silampoli S. establishment of a separate Bank at state level
Sellappan, Dr. T. Paramasivan, Pulavar exclusively to cater the financial needs of the
Ilangumaran, Murugesa Bhagavatar, Industrial Co-operative societies.
Sankaravalli Nayakam, S. Rasu. ▪ Madras State Industrial Cooperative Bank was
▪ It was announced that the books would be organized and registered on 13.9.1961 under
nationalized and the copyright would be paid. Tamilnadu Cooperative Societies Act which
was the ‘Brain Child’ of Thiru R. Venkatraman,
▪ Pulavar S. Rasu’s book nationalized and given
the then Industries Minister of Tamilnadu and
15 lakhs to help with the medical expenses for
later the President of India.
him.
▪ The bank Commenced functioning since 1962
▪ The books of the late Tamil scholars Silampoli
and catering the financial requirements of the
S. Sellappan, T. Paramasivan and Pulavar
Industrial Cooperative Sector.
Ilangumaranar were nationalized and Rs. 15
lakhs have been given to their families. ▪ The Bank functions under the Administrative
Control of Department of Industries and
▪ The books of Sankara Valli Nayakam and
Commerce.
Murugesa Bhagavatar were nationalized and
given Rs. 10 lakh each to their family. 1.74 lakh Connections Provided Under
TIIC inks MoUs with TANSIDCO, TAICO Ujjwala 2.0 in T.N:
Bank: ▪ Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) that have
so far, provided 1.74 lakh free liquefied
▪ The Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment
petroleum gas (LPG) connections under the
Corporation Ltd. (TIIC) has inked two
Ujjwala 2.0 scheme in the State are looking to
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with
increase these numbers by targeting districts
the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development
with less than 90% LPG coverage.
Corporation Limited (TANSIDCO) and the
Tamil Nadu Industrial Co-Operative Bank
Ltd. (TAICO Bank).
▪ A total of 32.43 lakh beneficiaries were covered ▪ Along with a deposit-free LPG connection,
in the first phase of the Ujjwala scheme in Ujjwala 2.0 will provide the first refill and a
Tamil Nadu. hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries.
▪ The scheme was launched in April 2021 to ▪ Under Ujjwala 2.0, an additional 10 million
provide LPG connections to households under LPG connections will be provided to the
various categories, including island dwellers, beneficiaries.
SC/ST, most backward classes, forest dwellers, ▪ Government has also fixed a target of providing
tea and ex-tea garden tribes. piped gas to 21 lakh homes in 50 districts.
▪ These houses should not possess any other ▪ Nodal Ministry:
LPG connection. ▪ Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
▪ The households should have some document (MoPNG).
such as family card or Aadhaar card and have
a bank account linked to the Aadhaar. Chennai Photo Biennale Third
▪ The beneficiaries would get a gas stove, Edition:
Suraksha safety hose, regulator and one LPG ▪ Titled “Maps of Disquiet”, the Biennale will
cylinder for free. reflect on the exigencies of our times: resisting
About Ujjwala: majoritarian impositions, ecological collapse,
▪ Ujjwala is part of the ambitious agenda for and technological dystopias by reclaiming
behavioural change that will help India transit pluralities of thought, voices, and art, and
to a $5 trillion economy by 2024. building new networks of solidarity and care.
▪ PMUY-I: ▪ From physical exhibition to virtual and in
person guided tours, with over 1500 images of
9 It is a flagship scheme with an objective to
51 artists, the third edition of Chennai Photo
make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available
Biennale was launched at the Roja Muthiah
to the rural and deprived households which
Research Library.
were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels
such as firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes etc. ▪ In a span of 60 days beginning December
9, they will display the works of artists and
9 Usage of traditional cooking fuels had
contributors from 11 countries which will
detrimental impacts on the health of rural
include talks by artists, digital screening,
women as well as on the environment.
physical and virtual exhibition, book release
9 The scheme was launched on 1st May 2016 and virtual and in person guided tours.
in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh by Hon’ble Prime
▪ The Chennai Photo Biennale will be held from
Minister of India.
December 9 to February 6 in various venues,
9 Under Ujjwala 1.0, the target was to provide including Forum Art Gallery, Ashvita’s
LPG connections to 50 million women from Gallery, Roja Muthiah Research Library,
the below poverty line (BPL) households, by Madras Literary Society and screenings of
March 2020. video works at Goethe Institut.
▪ PMUY-II: ▪ The curators are Arko Datto, Bhooma
9 It is aimed to provide maximum benefit to the Padmanabhan, Boaz Levin and Kerstin
migrants who live in other states and find it Meincke.
difficult to submit address proof.
Initials in Tamil mandatory for
9 Now they will only have to give “Self-
Declaration” to avail the benefit. Students, Public:
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has issued
▪ Features:
an order making it mandatory for students
▪ The scheme provides a financial support of to write the initials of their names in Tamil
Rs 1600 for each LPG connection to the BPL while applying for certificates in schools and
households. colleges.
▪ Likewise, the mandate would apply to crime prevention and criminal investigation
members of the public when they submit has a long history.
applications for government records.
Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a prayer song,
▪ The order issued by Mahesh Kasirajan,
Secretary, Tamil Development Department, not Anthem:
directed all departments, schools and colleges ▪ Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a prayer song and not
to display the Government Order to create an anthem. There is no Statutory or Executive
awareness among the people. Order requiring attendees to stand up when it
▪ The first letter of the parent’s name as written is sung.
in Tamil would be the initial of the applicant. ▪ But the highest reverence and respect ought to
▪ The State government already made it be shown to the song, observed the Madurai
compulsory for its employees to sign their Bench of the Madras High Court.
name and initials in Tamil. ▪ Justice G.R. Swaminathan took into account
the fact that a Government Order (G.O) issued
International Machine Tools in 1970 stated that the song, written by P.
Exhibition in Chennai: Sundaram Pillai, should be sung as a prayer
▪ Rural Industries Minister T.M. Anbarasan song at the commencement (and not at the
said while inaugurating “ACMEE 2021”, end) of all functions organized by government
an International Machine Tools Exhibition departments, local bodies and Educational
organised by the Ambattur Industrial Estate Institutions.
Manufacturers Association (AIEMA). ▪ In 2018, the then Governor Banwarilal Purohit
▪ The exhibition will jump-start our economy released a Tamil Sanskrit dictionary at a
that is still recovering from the pandemic,” function held in Music Academy, Chennai,
he said. The exhibition, which concludes on in the presence of the pontiff of the Kanchi
December 13, has over 400 firms participating Kamakoti Peetam, Shri Vijayendra Saraswathi
in it. Swamigal.
▪ Over 100 foreign firms have displayed their ▪ When Tamil Thai Vazhthu was played, the
products through their Indian channel pontiff remained seated. This had triggered
partners at the Chennai Trade Centre. considerable outrage.
▪ The judge observed, “I cannot help asking as
Sniffer Dogs to Prevent Forest Crimes: to whether the whole controversy was justified
▪ The state government has allocated funds for in the first place”, while taking cognisance of
the creation of a separate sniffer dog unit in the government order issued in 1970.
forest department to prevent forest crimes.
▪ A memo was also released in the same year,
▪ Supriya Sahu, Principal Secretary, Forest directing that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung in
Department in this regard said, Raaga Mohanam and in Thisra Thaalam as
9 Forest crimes have serious implications composed by musician M.S. Viswanathan.
for sustainable development, economic
development and social welfare causes ‘Green Tamil Nadu Mission’:
extinction of wildlife, poses a threat to ▪ The State Government has granted its
rare species, including our ecosystem and administrative and financial sanction for
biodiversity. implementing the ‘Green Tamil Nadu
9 These offenses if extend uncontrollably, Mission’ during 2021-22 that aims at
animals and creatures can pose the greatest increasing the forest and tree cover in the
threat to life. State from the present 23.8% to 33% by
2030-31.
9 There is a need to further strengthen existing
efforts to curb illegal wildlife poaching.
9 The practice of using sniffer dogs in forest
▪ Under this mission, 265 crore seedlings ▪ The Minister said the State’s position on the
of native trees of economic and ecological National Education Policy (NEP) would be
significance would be planted over a period made evident through the its own education
of 10 years on suitable public lands like urban policy, which would be formulated within a
areas, farms, educational institutions, temple Few Months.
grounds, sacred groves, industrial areas, ▪ Children need to be taught through activity-
tank foreshore, padugai areas among others, based learning such as Montessori Learning,
covering an area of about 13,500 square which some private institutions do.
kilometers. ▪ The tablets were provided to provide assistance
▪ The funding sources for the mission would be for the children, which was being undertaken
from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, as a pilot project by the School Education
the Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Department. Such model schools were set up
and the Tamil Nadu State Compensatory in 10 districts to encourage students to study
Afforestation Fund. in premier higher educational institutes after
▪ Tamil Nadu intended to sustainably manage their schooling.
its forest and tree cover, recognizing its key role ▪ Special attention and guidance would be given
in climate change adaptation and mitigation. to these students, and based on their results, it
▪ The State plans to augment the national efforts would be emulated in other districts.
in creating the additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3
billion tonnes in its forest and tree cover by the World Tamils Economic Conference to
year 2030 as a part of its National Determined be held in Chennai:
Contribution commitments under the Paris ▪ The eighth World Tamils conference and
Agreement. Chennai Global Economic Summit will be
held in city from December 27 to 29.
Stalin unveils Eco Park at Pallikaranai:
▪ The conference will be held both in physical
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin virtually and virtual mode.
inaugurated an ecological park set up on 2.5
▪ Former Prime Minister of Guyana Moses
hectares of Pallikaranai marshland at a cost of
Veerasamy Nagamootoo, former Acting
₹20 crores.
President of Mauritius Dr. Paramasivam
▪ The park includes a 2km pedestrian track laid Pillai Vyapoory, and former Minister of South
for the benefit of birdwatchers and walkers. Africa Ravi Pillay will address the conference
▪ The State government has been taking steps to virtually.
protect the bird species that visit Pallikaranai ▪ We will confer “Crown Jewel of World
marsh Every Year. Tamils” award on 10 prominent Tamils
▪ Efforts are on to declare it as a bird sanctuary. from all over the world on the final day,
Madras Development Society President V.R.S.
State Education Policy will be Drafted
Sampath said.
Soon in Tamil Nadu:
▪ The State Government will soon constitute Complaint Boxes to be Fixed at
a high-level committee to frame the State Government Schools-‘Manavar
Education Policy and a set of names to be Manasu’:
appointed as the panel members has been ▪ Government Elementary and Government
recommended to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Secondary Schools across Tamil Nadu will
said School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh soon install complaint boxes for students on
Poyyamozhi. campus as a part of the measures undertaken
to ensure student protection and safety on
Campus.
▪ Schools in each district will be given ₹1000 ▪ By clicking on the application, the personnel
each to set up the complaint box and an can get their leave sanctioned in three hours
awareness flex board, which will explain the without any hassle. In case of rejection, the
aspects of student safety and will prominently sanctioning authority should cite the reason.
display the Education Department’s helpline ▪ If there is delay for more than three hours, it
number 14417. will be escalated to the superior officer above
▪ Funds to the tune of ₹61 lakh will be released the sanctioning officer.
for government secondary schools and ₹3.12 ▪ “TN Police CLAPP”, the app will be
crore has been earmarked for elementary introduced from December 31 for processing
schools by the Samagra Shiksha. casual leave for the police personnel from the
▪ Schools have been instructed to place these rank of Constables to the rank of special Sub-
boxes prominently on campus with a label Inspectors working in Armed Reserve force in
titled “Manavar Manasu”, in front of the the Chennai city police. It will be extended to
Principal’s Office. other wings later.
▪ Every 15 days, members of the Students
A Musical Tribute to Maha Kavi
Safeguarding Advisory Committee (SSAC)
will check these boxes for complaints and will Bharathiyar:
take immediate action. ▪ Launch of Kavi Bharathi, a band tune where
the poet’s Oli Padaitha Kanninai have been
▪ A Government order earlier this year had
notated for playing using instruments in
called for the formation of SSACs in all
bands.
schools to continually review, monitor and
recommend measures at the institutional level ▪ A band comprising 30 odd members rendered
on all aspects of student safety. the song in front of Bharathiyar Illam in
Triplicane.
▪ Calling for regular counselling to be made
accessible to students, Patric Raymond, ▪ The RSS has introduced several band tunes
General secretary, Tamil Nadu Graduate based on Hindustani and Carnatic music.
Teachers’ Federation, said ▪ This is the first time a tune had been created
9 At the block level, the School Education based on a Tamil Patriotic Song.
Department could ensure that a counsellor was
Poverty Free Tamil Nadu is the
appointed to reach out to students in the area
at regular intervals. Ultimate Goal:
▪ Tamil Nadu CM M.K Stalin said,
9 At least twice a month, counsellors can visit
government schools and speak to the students. ▪ We are working towards making Tamil Nadu
Additionally, students can also be shown hunger free and eradicate poverty from the
prerecorded videos on handling stress, anxiety State.
and other concerns. ▪ Niti Aayog's Multidimensional Poverty Index
(MPI) that was published recently had shown
TN Police CLAPP: that Tamil Nadu ranked fourth among the
▪ A new mobile based app is going to be rolled least poor States in the country after Kerala,
out for police personnel in the city for applying Goa, Sikkim.
leave and getting the sanction Quickly without ▪ Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have
any hassle. Emerged as the poorest states in India.
▪ At the initiative of the Commissioner of Police ▪ The government launched an Urban
Shankar Jiwal, the new system has been Employment Scheme, at a cost of ₹100 crore,
planned to eradicate delays, summary rejection and the Namakku Naame scheme at ₹300
or favoritism by sanctioning Authority and to crore. Mr. Stalin said
ensure more transparency.
9 An integrated textile park would soon come up About SRIVILLIPUTHUR-MEGAMALAI TIGER

in Salem. RESERVE:
9 A TIDEL software park would be set up in ▪ It was established in February 2021. It was
Karuppur to create job opportunities for the jointly declared by the Centre and Tamil Nadu
Youth. governments.
▪ For this, the Megamalai Wild Life Sanctuary
Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood Mission: and the adjoining Srivilliputhur Wild Life
▪ The State Government will positively Examine Sanctuary were clubbed together.
and implement the housing scheme for ▪ Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve is the
the homeless, said Tamil Nadu Legislative fifth Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, and 51st
Assembly Speaker Appavu. tiger reserve of India.
▪ Under the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood
Mission, the beneficiaries will have to give Archaeology Experts Appointed for
₹1.05 lakh each and the State Government will Upkeep of Ancient Shrines
give ₹2.10 lakh for each dwelling which costs ▪ The Hindu Religious and Charitable
₹3.15 lakh. Endowments (HR and CE) department has
appointed archaeological consultants for
Contest on contribution of Bharathi to temples that are over 100 years old.
Independence:
▪ There are around 8,000 temples that are
▪ Governor R.N. Ravi has announced a over a century old under the purview of the
state level essay writing competition on department, which controls 44,000 temples in
“the contribution of Bharathiyar to India’s the State.
independence”, to mark the 139th birth
▪ The consultants, who are appointed for a
anniversary of poet Subramania Bharati and
period of one year on a consolidated salary,
75 years of the country’s independence (Azadi
would travel to various temples under the
ka amrut mahotsav). The competition will be
jurisdiction of the various regional joint
held in Tamil and English for high School and
commissioners, study the condition of the
college/ university students.
temples and submit reports.
▪ The aim is to create awareness among the
▪ They will look at restoration of artefacts,
youth about the contributions of Bharati to the
Paintings, wood work, stone idols, inscriptions
freedom movement and kindle their curiosity
and the temple structure itself.
to learn more about Indian legends from Tamil
Nadu. ▪ Any alteration or construction will have
to be carried out only on the basis of their
Proposed power line threatens Core recommendations and under their supervision
Habitat of New Tiger Reserve after taking due permission.
▪ Noticing defects and shortcomings in the ▪ These 12 appointments are being done
Tangedco’s proposal for laying a new following the orders of the Madras High
underground electric cable to the Arulmigu Court.
Sundara Mahalingam Swami temple, on top
of the Sathuragiri Hills, the Forest Department Medha Patkar inaugurates
has sought clarifications from the power Jeevanandam Foundation:
utility. ▪ Social activist and national convener of National
▪ Activists said the move to electrify the temple Alliance of People’s Movement Medha Patkar
with a new 11 KV high tension line would inaugurated the Dr.Jeevanandam Foundation
disturb the core habitat of the newly formed at Coimbatore and said that he was a rare kind
Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve. of revolutionary activist.
▪ Ms.Patkar said the Communist leader was ‘T.N. Planning Major Shift towards
committed to various social causes and had E-Mobility’:
full faith in Periyar and Mahatma Gandhi. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Planning Commission is
Jeevanandam linked them both, she said. revisiting the e-vehicle policy unveiled in 2019
▪ Jeevanandam had deep interest in to mark a huge shift towards e-mobility.
Environmental issues and spoke in favour of ▪ Speaking during a webinar organized by the
indigenous people and Adivasis. Dravidian Professionals Forum on ‘Tamil
Awards of Azadi Ka Amrit Nadu’s transition to net zero carbon economy’,
Mr. Rajaa said the commission was looking at
Mahotsav Campaign:
the possibility of setting up e-vehicle charging
▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has bagged infrastructure in the State.
two awards for undertaking the highest
▪ It would also look at how batteries are used
number of Non-Communicable Disease
and manufactured and fix responsibility for
(NCD) screenings (29,88,110) in the country
recycling batteries. The commission would
and conducting the third highest number of
also look at the possibility of having more CNG
wellness sessions (85,514) during the Azadi Ka
buses and study the viability of hydrogen fuel
Amrit Mahotsav campaign.
cells and usage of more e-vehicles.
▪ To celebrate 75 years of Independence, the
▪ The State would consider a no coal
Government of India conducted the campaign
policy once it achieved self-sufficiency
from November 16 to December 12, during
in the power sector, especially with
which States and Union Territories were
the usage of wind and solar power.
assigned specific targets for NCD screenings
and wellness sessions to be conducted at
all functional Health and Wellness Centres ▪ Palanivel Thiagarajan said, “If India needs to
(HWC). achieve net zero by 2070, Tamil Nadu needs to
achieve it by 2050 at least”.
▪ In Tamil Nadu, the campaign was implemented
under the name of Sudhandhirathin Amirtha 9 Tamil Nadu needs to be ahead of the curve. It
Peruvizha. is possible through innovation, technology and
storage options for Renewable Energy.
▪ The Health Department’s field team from
Achanakkal Health Sub Centre (HSC) Raghuram Rajan, Medha Patkar Call on
Coonoor block in the Nilgiris district received
T.N. CM:
the award for the best performing HWCHSC
▪ Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India,
team in Tamil Nadu for 2021-2022.
Raghuram Rajan, called on Chief Minister
Fort St. George to host next M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat.
Assembly Session from Jan. 5: ▪ Mr. Rajan is a member of the economic
▪ The next session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Advisory council to the Chief Minister.
Assembly would commence at 10 a.m. on ▪ Social activist and national convener of the
January 5, 2022 with the customary Governor’s National Alliance of People’s Movement,
address in the Assembly Hall on the Fort St. Medha Patkar, also called on the Chief
George campus, Speaker M. Appavu said. Minister.
▪ Following the COVID19 outbreak, some About:
sessions of the Assembly were held at ▪ The Tamil Nadu government named former
Kalaivanar Arangam. Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram
Rajan and Nobel laureate Esther Duflo as part
of a five-member Economic Advisory Council
to the Chief Minister.
▪ The others in the panel are: former Chief ▪ All government medical college hospitals in
Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, the State would provide special counselling for
development economist Jean Dreze and children and students to reduce mobile phone
former Union Finance Secretary S Narayan. usage and prevent Internet addiction. Such
centres would function at the Department of
TN CM unveils 3rd Master Plan for City: pediatrics.
▪ A Third Master plan for Chennai is being ▪ The Emergency Care and Recovery Centres
prepared, in which combating floods, were being expanded to 22 government
urbanization, traffic disruptions and other medical colleges. Each facility would have 10
problems pertaining to the city will be given exclusive beds. A team of psychiatrists and
importance, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said nurses were formed to treat the mentally ill.
after inaugurating Statecon 2021 – “Vision
▪ On the newborn hearing special screening, he
Tamil Nadu Growth for The Next 10 Years”,
said that of the 1,000 children born in Tamil
organized by the Confederation of Real Estate
Nadu, 1.42 had hearing impairment.
Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI)
Tamil Nadu Chapter. The plan is for 2026 to ▪ Six postgraduate courses would be launched
2046. during 2021-2022 academic year at the
Government Omandurar Medical College
▪ The Chief Minister said,
Hospital MD General Medicine (six seats), MD
9 The Government is taking steps to make the General Surgery (six seats), MD Paediatrics
State slum free by 2031 and plans were afoot (six seats), MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology
to provide 9.5 lakh houses to the poor in the (four seats), MD Anaesthesiology (three seats)
next 10 years. and MS Orthopaedics (three seats).
9 Under the “Affordable Rental Housing
Complex” scheme, private companies should Artificial Intelligence Cameras in
build houses and dormitories on their own Chennai:
land and give it them on rent to those in need ▪ Artificial Intelligence Cameras are being set
for 25 years. This will be useful for those who up at 7,500 places in Chennai, places where
work here coming from other States. crimes against women are taking place and in
9 A single window portal will be introduced to Public Places.
quickly start construction work by approving
Loan Scheme for Women’s SHGs:
plots of land within 60 days.
▪ The Tamil Nadu government provided loans
▪ Suresh Krishnan, president, CREDAI Tamil to the tune of ₹2750 crore and welfare aid to
Nadu, said that after the farming sector, it is 7.56 lakh women from 58,463 women’s Self
the construction industry which generated the Help Groups in the State.
maximum number of jobs.
▪ Tamil Nadu CM M.K Stalin said this would
▪ CREDAI planned to open five new chapters in
provide impetus to women entrepreneurs and
Tirunelveli, Dharmapuri, Hosur, Salem, and
help them gain self-confidence as well.
Karur.
▪ The government had also waived loans to the
‘Five Announcements on tune of ₹2756 crore taken by women’s SHGs.
Healthcare Implemented’: About SHG:
▪ Five Budget announcements — establishing ▪ The first SHG was started in Dharmapuri
cognitive rehabilitation daycare centres, district of Tamil Nadu in 1989.
internet deaddiction centres, postnatal ▪ Government of Tamil Nadu initiated Magilar
depression counselling, newborn hearing thittam in 1997 to develop the women in
special screening and expansion of emergency Tamil Nadu. Women in the age group of 18
care and recovery centres for the mentally ill to 60 belong to the same village can join the
were implemented. organization.
▪ Each group counts from 12 to 20. ▪ Eligible persons can apply through the online
▪ These groups are organized by the panchayath form by visiting www.tn.gov.in and then
board and self-service groups. navigating to the ‘ExGratia for COVID19’ link
▪ It is not only for women but also for the young under the ‘What’s new?’ section.
and energetic men from 18 to 35. Government Sets up helpline for
▪ These organizations are for the welfare of the Fertilizer Plaints:
poor. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department has
▪ Tamil Nadu is ranked the second in the set up a helpline number — 9363440360 — at
country, after Andhra Pradesh, in SHG-Bank the State Agriculture Directorate, through
Linkage Programme. which farmers can get information about
the availability of fertilizers and also raise
Training for Visually Impaired
Complaints.
Teachers:
▪ An officer has been appointed specifically to
▪ The State Council of Educational Research and
look into the complaints and find an Immediate
Training (SCERT) and the Samagra Shiksha in
solution.
Tamil Nadu are working towards equipping
visually impaired teachers in the State with ▪ Currently, fertilizers are distributed to farmers
Information and Communications Technology through 8,100 private centres and 4,354
(ICT) skills. cooperative units.
▪ Around 1,500 such teachers in Tamil Nadu Incentive for Cane farmers
are working in mainstream schools across the ▪ The State Government, sanctioned 54.7 crore
State. for providing a special incentive of Rs.3150
▪ Hope Foundation, an NGO in association with a ton to sugarcane farmers for the 2020-21
Dell Technologies, has facilitated this initiative Crushing season.
with the School Education Department. ▪ Only registered sugarcane farmers of
▪ The special curriculum includes how to use cooperative, public and private sector sugar
accessible readers, the School Education mills, who have supplied cane, including
Department’s EMIS system, apps such as cane diverted to other mills based on proper
Zoom and Google Classrooms for online diversion-/ratification orders obtained from
classes, and the DIKSHA app to access the Commissioner of Sugar, from fields in the
Educational content. villages of Tamil Nadu, from October 1, 2020
▪ Tactile learning books have been prepared to September 30, 2021, are eligible to receive
as resource material. While Phase 1 of this the incentive.
special ICT skill training module will focus
‘Indco Tea Vandis’:
on smartphones, phase 2 will deal with
computers. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin flagged off 20 tea-
cum-food trucks, called 'Indco Tea Vandis', at
Online Application for COVID-19 the Secretariat.
Ex-Gratia: ▪ They would serve Indcoserve's various Tea
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has launched an varieties to customers with support from
online portal for eligible persons to apply for the Special Area Development Programme
the ex-gratia payment to the kin of the Persons (SADP).They are to be deployed in Chennai,
who died due to COVID19. Coimbatore, Tiruppur and the Nilgiris.
▪ The government recently announced that Pallikaranai Margazhi Thiruvizha:
it will pay ₹50,000 from the State Disaster
▪ The State Forest Department along with
Response Fund to the family of the persons
the Conservation Authority of Pallikaranai
who died due to COVID19.
Marshland and Care Earth Trust, a city-
based biodiversity organisation, will host Stalin unveils 70 Cooperative

“Pallikaranai Margazhi Thiruvizha” from Pharmacies:
December 18 to January 9. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin virtually
▪ The third edition of the bird watching inaugurated 70 new cooperative pharmacies
experience will mainly have guided walks in 36 districts.
Every Day. ▪ They will sell medicines at prices up to 20%
▪ Birdwatchers would get to know about cheaper than the open market and will help to
Flamingoes and Painted Storks that throng keep prices in check.
wetlands during this season. ▪ There are 303 pharmacies run by the
▪ They may observe aquatic birds such as Cooperation Department and the State
Fulvous Whistling Duck and Grey Headed Government is planning to open 600 more in
Lapwing, which are not commonly spotted in the next five years.
the State.
Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health
Tamil Nadu mobilized ₹6 crore for the Insurance Scheme (CMCHS):
NDF 50 years ago: ▪ A Government Order has been passed to add
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s participation the journalists recognized by the Ministry for
in the Swarnim Vijay Diwas (December 16) Information & Publicity as the beneficiaries of
event at the War Memorial provided a sense the CMCHS, without the ceiling of Rs.72000,
of nostalgia to many about Tamil Nadu’s as the eligibility to become a beneficiary.
contribution of ₹6 crore to the National About CMCHS:
Defense Fund immediately after the 1971 ▪ CMCHS the flagship scheme for mass Health
Bangladesh Liberation War. Insurance in the state of Tamil Nadu has
▪ ₹200 servicemen from Tamil Nadu had laid bagged the "E-India Jury Award" - 2012 for
down their lives for the country in the Indo- the best Practices in Health Insurance with IT
Pakistan war of 1971. enabled solutions.
About National Defense Fund (NDF): ▪ Chief Ministers Comprehensive Health
▪ The National Defense Fund was set up to take Insurance Scheme launched by the
charge of voluntary donations in cash and kind Government of Tamil Nadu through United
received for promotion of the national defense India Insurance Company Ltd a Public
effort, and to decide on their utilisation. Sector Insurance Company headquartered at
▪ The Fund is used for the welfare of the (Chennai).
members of the Armed Forces (including Para ▪ The Scheme provides quality health care
Military Forces) and their dependents. to the eligible persons through empaneled
▪ The Fund is administered by an Executive Government and Private hospitals and to
Committee, with PM as Chairperson, and reduce the financial hardship to the enrolled
Defence, Finance and Home Ministers as families and move towards universal health
Members. coverage by effectively linking with public
▪ Finance Minister is the Treasurer of the Health system.
Fund and the Joint Secretary, PMO dealing ▪ The Scheme provides coverage for meeting
with the subject is Secretary of the Executive all expenses relating to hospitalization of
Committee. Accounts of the Fund are kept beneficiary as defined in the Scope of the
with the Reserve Bank of India. Scheme.
▪ The scheme seeks to provide cashless
hospitalization facility for certain specified
Ailments/ procedures.
▪ The scheme provides coverage up to penned by ‘Manonmaniam’ Sundaranar and

Rs.5, 00, 000/- per family per year on a floater published in 1891, eventually came to be
basis for the ailments and procedures covered known as the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu.
under the scheme. ▪ In 1913, the annual report of the Karanthai
▪ The Eligibility to avail Chief Minister’s Tamil Sangam made the demand for singing
Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, the song at all functions.
is as indicated for the resident of Tamilnadu ▪ The Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is being sung at
by the presence of his/her name in the Karanthai Tamil Sangam since 1914.
Family card and whose annual income ▪ On March 11, 1970, the then Chief Minister, M.
is less than Rs.72, 000/ per annum. Karunanidhi, while speaking at a Government
function, announced that the Tamil Thai
Srilankan refugees in the camps are also Vaazhthu would be sung at the events of the
eligible without any Income limit. Tamil Nadu Government.
▪ Migrants from other states can also join this ▪ A Government Order issued on November
CMCHIS based on the request letter along 23, 1970, declared the select verses from
with a list of Eligible members from labour ‘Manonmaniam’ the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu.
department, provided they have resided for Since then, it is being sung at the beginning
more than six months in the state as certified of government functions and those organised
by suitable authority. by educational institutions and public
▪ Orphans residing in any registered/ Establishments.
unregistered organization can be given a
single card. This also includes the rescued Innuyir Kappom Thittam from
girlchildren and any other person defined as December 18:
orphan by the Government. ▪ Innuyir Kappom Thittam, Nammai Kaakum
- 48 Scheme which is a 48 hours Cashless
Tamil Thai Vaazhthu declared the State
treatment for road accidents under the Ministry
Song: of Health and Family Welfare Department
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government declared will be inaugurated by the TamilNadu Chief
the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, penned by Minister M.K.Stalin in Melmaruvathur,
‘Manonmaniam’ Sundaranar, the State Song Chengalpattu District on December 18.
of Tamil Nadu.
▪ Everyone except the differently abled and Birth Rate in Tamil Nadu Lowered:
pregnant women should rise when the song is ▪ The Birth rate in Tamil Nadu has dropped
sung at Educational Institutions, Government from 17.2 in 2017 to 14.2 in 2019, said Bharathi
offices and public functions. Praveen Pawar, Union Minister of State for
▪ According to an official release, the song Health and Family Welfare in the Lok Sabha.
should compulsorily be sung at the beginning ▪ He further said: Family Development Program,
of events organised by all educational Comprehensive Contraception Facilities,
institutions, government offices and public Compensation Scheme for Contraceptives,
sector undertakings, among other public home delivery of Contraception devices by
organisations. Asha staffs, Family planning information
▪ The song should be sung in 55 seconds in management system, media publicity and
Mullaipaani Ragam (Mohana Raagam). other are the programs being implemented by
the government for Family Planning.
▪ At public functions, the playing of the song
with musical instruments/recordings is to be ▪ Funds used in Tamil Nadu for family planning
avoided, and trained singers should sing it. activities under the Maternity and Child
Health package of the National Rural Health
▪ A part of the verses under the title ‘Tamil
Mission are,
Dheiva Vanakkam’ from ‘Manonmaniam’,
▪ 123.75 crore in 2018-19 and Rs. 111.50 crore Kilpauk Water Works quenching the
in 2019-20. city’s Thirst for 108 years:
▪  90.32 crore in 2020-21 and Rs. 1.84 crore in ▪ Kilpauk Water Works, the city’s first water
2021-22 treatment plant and backbone of treated
▪ The birth rate in Pondicherry has risen from water supply system on New Avadi Road, has
13.2 in 2017 to 13.3 in 2019. entered its 108th year.
What is Birth Rate? ▪ It was started by J.W. Madley on December
▪ The birth rate in a period is the total number of 17, 1914. The heritage structure is a testimony
live births per 1,000 population divided by the to the evolution of Chennai’s water supply
length of the period in years. The number of infrastructure and challenges such as droughts
live births is normally taken from a universal faced by the city.
registration system for births; population ▪ A press release said that initially, James
counts from a census, and estimation through Fraser, a civil engineer, introduced organized
specialized Demographic Techniques. water supply system in 1872 by tapping water
from Kosasthalaiyar river and saving it in
Women to get more alerts during Cholavaram and Red Hills reservoirs. Water
Pregnancy and Post Childbirth: was transported through an earthen Channel
▪ From now, 25 SMS alerts starting with through iron pipes.
antenatal care to child immunization will be ▪ In 1914, J.W. Madley, the then special engineer
sent for the benefit of pregnant women and to the Corporation of Madras, launched
children in the State. scientifically designed treated water supply
▪ All pregnant women registered in the infrastructure that is still in use.
Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and
Evaluation (PICME) System will be covered Climate Risk Horizons Report & TN’s
under this SMS based vaccination reminder Renewable Energy:
service. ▪ The latest report from the Climate Risk
▪ The Universal Immunization Programme was Horizons (CRH) highlights the need for
being implemented in the State since 1985. Freezing the coal powered Udangudi project
▪ Every year, around 10.11 lakh pregnant and going ahead with less expensive solar
women and 9.23 lakh children benefited Power.
from the Programme. Through this, children ▪ It urges the State government to take corrective
were protected from 12 vaccine preventable measures to control the ballooning fiscal
Diseases. deficit caused by the amount being spent on
▪ As per the State’s Health Management the construction of thermal power projects.
Information System report, 95% of children ▪ The report wants the Government
have received all vaccines, while the National ▪ To remove the subsidies for agricultural and
Family Health Survey5 put the Child domestic users or at least lower them so that
Immunization Coverage at 89.2%. the Purchase cost incurred by Tangedco will
▪ The alerts would start with the registration of come down;
pregnancy (within the first 12 weeks) and go ▪ Lower the government guarantees sought by
on to remind for antenatal check-ups for the lenders for handing loans to Tangedco;
16th, 20th, 26th, 30th and 34th weeks followed by ▪ Increase the electricity tariff across the board.
alerts for the third trimester.
▪ The report also warns that the State’s support
▪ Alerts on the bank deposits made for the to the outstanding guarantees of the debt of the
financial assistance under the Dr. Muthu power utility would impact the government’s
Lakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme credit rating itself, causing damage to its
would also be sent. financial position.
Response to the Report: About Tamil Nadu's Renewable Energy:

▪ TANGEDCO officials said they were aware of ▪ Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in renewable energy,
the financial risks involved in the construction having an installed capacity of 15,779 MW of
of the Udangudi power project, but they had renewable energy, which constitutes around
no option since battery storage for solar power 50% of the State’s total installed capacity.
is in a nascent stage and the cost is prohibitive. ▪ The State has harnessed 11,717 million units of
▪ Establishing a thermal plant is cheaper. wind energy and 3,842 million units of solar
However, the official said that going ahead energy during 2019-20.
with the Udangudi project would not mean ▪ Wind Energy:
that the State, a leader in the wind power ▪ Tamil Nadu is pioneer in promoting wind
Generation, had closed the door on renewable Energy in the country.
Energy.
▪ The State has the highest wind power capacity
9 There are plans for increasing the renewable in the India, contributing about 27% of the
Energy generation through solar plants with country’s total wind installed capacity, with
Battery storage and hydro plants to 20,000 MW an installed capacity of 9.2 GW.
by the end of 2030.
▪ Gujarat was second, with installed capacity of
▪ Plans for increasing the Renewable Energy 8,952 MW.
Generation:
▪ Solar Energy:
9 Wind, solar and hydro, which remain the main
▪ The 648-MW Kamuthi Solar Power Project is
stay of renewable energy for the power utility,
the biggest operating project in the state.
are set to see an expansion.
▪ On 1 January 2018, NLC India Limited
9 Solar power will be expanded to a capacity of
(NLCIL) commissioned a new 130 MW solar
8,500 MW and hydro power generated through
power project in Neyveli. As of 2021, total
pumped storage to 11,500 MW.
installed capacity stands at 4.3 GW, with plans
9 The solar plants are to be set up in the next five for capacity to double by 2022.
years and the pumped storage projects over a
About KUSUM SCHEME:
period of 10 years.
▪ Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam
9 He said Tamil Nadu would switch to no-coal Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Yojana
policy after it reached surplus capacity in wind, was launched by the Government of India to
solar and other renewable sources of energy. increase the income of farmers and provide
▪ Mr. Rajaa said that with Tamil Nadu sources for irrigation and de-dieselizing the
accounting for 13% of India’s coastline, the Agricultural Sector.
State is looking at tapping into Offshore Wind ▪ The Scheme was launched by the Ministry of
Potential. New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2019
▪ KUSUM Scheme is a pilot project for for setting up solar pumps and other new
Solarization in Villupuram district. 22 sub- power plants across the country.
stations have been selected for setting up a 50 ▪ The PM-KUSUM scheme of the Government
MW Solar plant each. of India is one of the largest initiatives in the
▪ Kundah pumped storage hydroelectric world to provide clean energy to more than 3.5
project of 500 MW in the Nilgris district is million farmers by solarizing their Agriculture
executed at a cost of more than 3000 crore. pumps.
▪ To combat pollution in the existing thermal ▪ The scheme plans to set up 30.8 GW of solar
stations, Flue Gas De-Sulphurisation (FGD) capacity by December 31, 2022, through
plants are installed in Mettur Thermal Power financial assistance of INR 340.35 billion
Station and North Chennai Thermal Station. (US$4.65 billion).
▪ The scheme is divided into Three ▪ The scheme was aimed at reducing deaths due
Components. to road accidents.
▪ Component-A: 10,000 MW of decentralized ▪ A total of 609 hospitals — 201 government
Ground-mounted grid-connected renewable hospitals and 408 private hospitals — were
power plants. linked to the scheme.
▪ Component-B: Installation of two million ▪ All persons injured in road accidents —
standalone solar-powered agriculture Pumps. whether they are covered or not under the
▪ Component-C: Solarization of Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health
1.5 million grid-connected solar- Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), or even those
powered agriculture Pumps. who belong to other States or countries — that
▪ The Government will provide 60% subsidy occur in Tamil Nadu limits would receive
to the farmers and 30% of the cost will be treatment for the first 48 hours free of charge.
given by the Government in the form of loan. ▪ As many as 81 treatment packages were
Farmers will only have to pay 10% of the Total identified for accident victims in the hospitals
cost of the project. Farmers can sell electricity where they were admitted for the first 48 hours
generated from solar panels. with a ceiling of ₹1 lakh per individual.
▪ The district wise list of empaneled hospitals
Film City on 100 Acres in under the scheme was published on the
Pondicherry: website https:// cmchistn.com. Further
▪ A 100-acre film town and an entertainment information can be obtained from the State’s
center will be set up at Manapat near Health Helpline 104.
Puducherry on the Puthuvai Government
House. Finance Department Complex
▪ This can be used commercially. The tender Renamed after Anbazhagan:
will be called soon to prepare a detailed project ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled a bust of
report for this. former Finance Minister and DMK general
secretary K. Anbazhagan at the Integrated
“Thalapathi MK Stalin’s Assembly Finance Department Complex in Chennai,
speeches”: and renamed the complex as ‘Professor K.
▪ A three-volume compilation of Stalin’s Anbazhagan Complex’ to commemorate
Assembly speeches titled “Thalapathi MK the start of the centenary birth Anniversary
Stalin’s Assembly speeches” (published by celebrations of the late DMK leader.
Poompuhar Publication) released.
State’s Capital Spending Healthy:
▪ The book was released by DMK general
▪ Tamil Nadu has spent ₹16,493.37 crore till
Secretary Duraimurugan.
October 2021 towards capital expenditure,
▪ The first volume would consist of Stalin’s 19 which is about 39.1% of ₹42,180.96 crore,
Assembly speeches from the maiden speech in budgeted for 2021-22, according to provisional
1989 to 2010. figures of Comptroller and Auditor General
‘Innuyir Kaapoom-Nammai (CAG).
Kaakkum 48’: ▪ Capital expenditure includes capital outlay
which leads to the creation of assets such as
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched ‘Innuyir
schools, hospitals, and roads and bridges and
Kaapoom-Nammai Kaakkum 48’ through
helps in improving economic activity and
which the State Government will bear the
Creating jobs.
expenses of emergency care for accident
victims for the first 48 hours. ▪ Capital expenditure also includes repayment
of loans.
▪ Analysts said while the current trend is healthy, vulnerable as informal workers.
sustaining the level of capital expenditure
would be challenging going ahead. CM Dashboard – For Monitoring Status
▪ The State’s capital expenditure for the current of Projects:
fiscal is budgeted to be around 14% of its total ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin will
expenditure. launch the much-hyped CM Dashboard on
December 23, 2021.
▪ The capex spending so far is better than
previous year, wherein 29% of the budgeted ▪ Chief Minister will be able to monitor the
Amount was incurred. status of projects being implemented by
various Government Departments across the
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam Scheme: state through a giant digital screen installed at
▪ After the expansion of Makkalai Thedi his office at the Secretariat.
Maruthuvam to urban areas and Primary ▪ CM Dashboard developed by the Tamil
Health Centres, Government hospitals Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA) aims
and medical colleges, a total of 40,80,770 at integrating data from all government
beneficiaries have benefitted from the Scheme. departments, district administrations,
▪ The scheme has benefitted the people suffering government agencies, and police force to
from Diabetes and Hypertension very much. ensure easy monitoring of projects being
implemented in the State.
Medical board will assist Jaya Panel: SC
▪ Stalin had on September 17 told a meeting of
▪ The Supreme Court held it is only “just and department secretaries’ that his government
proper” to constitute a medical board to assist will not just stop at announcing projects and
the Justice A. Arumugaswamy Commission schemes but will introduce a mechanism to
of Inquiry gather facts on the death of former monitor them on a regular basis.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at
About TAMIL NADU E-GOVERNANCE
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai in 2016.
AGENCY:
▪ The apex court directed that the Director of ▪ TNeGA has been created under the Tamil
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nadu e-Governance Plan (2007).
would nominate a panel of doctors, specialists
in the fields of treatment of ailments as suffered ▪ Vision: To fulfil the vision of Good Governance
by the late Chief Minister. using the tools that information technology
provides, such that working with Government
▪ The Inquiry Commission has to furnish the becomes transparent and efficient, with
medical board with complete records of the transparency and decency in Delivery of
Proceedings. services to Citizens.
▪ The court permitted the medical board to ▪ Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA),
participate in “all further proceedings of the as a State Nodal Agency has been formed to
Commission and furnish a copy of the report support and drive all e-Governance initiatives
to the Commission.” of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Music Academy’s 95th Annual ▪ TNeGA is implementing various
Concerts Commence in Chennai: e-Governance projects with the objective of
▪ The 95th Annual Concerts (Digital) of The Music making all Government services, wherever
Academy commenced here with Soumya feasible & accessible to the common man in an
Swaminathan, Chief Scientist of World Health efficient and transparent Manner. Tamil Nadu
Organization, calling for support to artists and has in fact progressively aligned its entire
artisans who could not Embrace the digital e-Governance plan in consonance with NeGP,
medium. ever since its formulation in May 2006 by the
Government of India.
▪ Addressing the Inaugural event,
Dr. Swaminathan said such artists were as
T.N. asks Centre to foot bill for ▪ “The third stage of the KKNPP relating to
Community Kitchen Operations: the main construction period will provide
▪ Tamil Nadu suggested the Union Government Additional power capacity to ensure the
could pay for the capital expenditure and industrial and commercial development of
the full recurring expenditure on account of businesses in TN and India as a whole.
grain, transport and salary, while the State Income Slab for CMCHIS to be hiked:
government and the local bodies could provide
▪ Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the
land for establishing community kitchens.
income eligibility for beneficiaries of the Chief
▪ Tamil Nadu Minister for Food and Civil Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance
Supplies R. Sakkarapani said Tamil Nadu’s Scheme (CMCHIS) will be increased from Rs
experience had been that only the most 72,000 per annum to Rs 1.2 lakh per annum,
deserving persons were coming to community with effect from January 11.
kitchens; hence, making it restrictive based on
▪ Inaugurating the first bone bank in South
some exclusion criteria might not be required.
Tamil Nadu at the Government Rajaji Hospital
9 For a vast country like India, any uniform (GRH) Madurai, the minister released the
system or one single model may not be merit list for paramedical course Admissions
Desirable. in the State.
9 It will be appropriate that the States be given ▪ With the aid of a deep freezer, the bank would
the freedom and flexibility within the broad facilitate storing fresh frozen bone grafts
framework and guidelines to decide on the harvested from live donors (joint replacement
actual model and functioning of community surgery patients, amputees) and cadaver
kitchens. donors up to five years.
▪ The community kitchens were useful all times ▪ Subramanian also unveiled a Rs 4.3 crore-
and more so in times of natural disasters or a worth telecobalt equipment that facilitates
Total lockdown. radiotherapy for cancer patients at the
▪ Therefore, the scheme may have flexibility Regional Cancer Centre in Balarengapuram.
in terms of ramping up their number and
supplies. Special Exhibition on Freedom Struggle
▪ Pointing out that three meals were being given at Egmore Museum:
away in the Greater Chennai Corporation and ▪ The Egmore Museum for a month from
two meals at other places in Tamil Nadu, December 22 to commemorate the 75th year
Mr. Sakkarapani said, “It is suggested that a of Independence has displayed the following.
minimum of two meals be provided through 9 A book handwritten by poet Subramnia
these kitchens.” Bharathi,
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has been running 9 A 250-year-old cannon of Tipu Sultan made of
about 650 community kitchens through the gun metal,
local bodies at a highly subsidized price for 9 Remains of Emden’s shots,
the benefit of the poor.
9 Photographs of important personalities from
▪ At present, the scheme is funded by the State Tamil Nadu who fought the British,
Government and the local bodies.
9 Stamps and various artefacts.
Construction begins for unit-6 of ▪ The Egmore Museum has curated a special
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: exhibition on “Role of Tamil Nadu in the
▪ The construction of unit-6 of the Kudankulam Indian Freedom Struggle”.
Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) has begun ▪ Paintings of prominent freedom fighters such
with first concreting in the foundation on Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,
December 20, said Russian State Atomic Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Subhas Chandra Bose,
Energy Corporation (Rosatom). and Lala Lajpat Rai by artistes Bashyam Arya,
K.V. Vaidhyanathan, A. Balakrishnan, S.S. ‘Meendum Manjappai’ Campaign:

Manian and S.N. Chanka will be on display. ▪ Chief minister MK Stalin will launch
▪ A bust sized sculpture of Mahatma Gandhji ‘Meendum Manjappai’ campaign organised
by D.P. Roy Chowdhury will also be exhibited. by the State Pollution Control Board on
Stamps and Coins pertaining to important December 23 2021.
activists and leaders of freedom Struggle will ▪ The campaign aims at reducing single-use
be on display. plastic, which causes irreparable damage to
▪ A string musical Instrument called as Mayil the environment and natural resources.
Yazh carrying the images of freedom fighters, ▪ A plastic bag is used by a person for about 20
activists and revolutionaries will be on display. minutes. When this used plastic is discarded,
▪ A variety of arms such as maces, elephant it takes hundreds of years to get degraded.
Goads, spears, choppers, swords, daggers, ▪ Taking this into account, the state had banned
battle axes and gauntlets, used by the rulers of 14 types of materials.
various dynasties that existed in Tamil Nadu
will be showcased. Testing Facility of Omicron Variant in
▪ A permanent exhibition displaying the Tamil Nadu:
prehistoric Adhichanallur antiquities and ▪ The Pune-based National Institute for Virology
Keezhadi excavation models has been (NIV) will give its accreditation to the testing
organised by the Museum that reflect the facility for Omicron variant in Tamil Nadu
immense talent and inimitable skill of the soon.
Prehistoric Tamil people. ▪ Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan said the
accreditation process for the existing testing
Honour for 22 Educational facility for Omicron variant at the DMS
Institutions in the State: (Directorate of Medical Services) complex in
▪ Twenty-two educational institutions were Chennai, was in the final stages of approval by
given News 18 Katral Awards 2021 for their the NIV.
contributions to the education sector. ▪ Currently, the samples of Omicron variants
▪ An initiative of News 18 Tamil Nadu, this that are tested at the DMS facility are sent to
event was organized in Chennai on December NIV for re-testing.
15 to recognize those who excelled in the field ▪ Accreditation helps to acknowledge results of
of education. tested samples at the DMS facility by NIV.
▪ This is the first edition of the Katral Awards ▪ The facility will be a branch of NIV for testing
2021. samples for the Omicron variant.
CM Dashboard: Bird Census on January 22, 23-2022:
▪ The CM Dashboard provides the state ▪ The state-level annual synchronized bird
Government with better insights based on census will start in bird sanctuary and
accurate data and real-time information. wetlands on January 22 and 23, 2022.
▪ This home-grown Dashboard is enabling the ▪ Bird watchers, ornithologists, wildlife
state government to take informed decisions enthusiasts and college students were among
and engage the citizens effectively. those to carry out the census.
▪ The features of the Dashboard are: ▪ The enumerators were to be briefed about
9 Real time data Analytics, the methodology of counting birds, including
9 Proper Monitoring of Projects, migratory birds, at an induction programme
9 Avoid Delay in Decision Making, before the census virtually by Bombay Natural
History Society,
9 Improve Administrative Efficiency.
▪ Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Dashboard launched in CMO to Monitor
History and Natural History and Forest Schemes:
Research Institute. ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
About Bombay Natural History Society: launched the ‘CM Dashboard Monitoring
System’ at his office.
▪ The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS),
founded on 15 September 1883, is one of the ▪ It will enable him to track all welfare Schemes,
largest non-governmental organisations in including the status of their implementation,
India engaged in conservation and biodiversity fund allocation and the Number of
research. beneficiaries.
About SACON: ▪ It will help in proper monitoring, more
▪ The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and efficiency, elimination of delays and prompt
Natural History (SACON) is a national centre Decisions.
for information, education and research in ▪ It will also update the Chief Minister on the
Ornithology and natural history in India. storage in the key dams and rainfall patterns.
▪ It was inspired by and named in honor of Salim ▪ Price mesh will monitor the prices of more
Ali, the leading pioneer of ornithology in India. than 25 food grains, vegetables and fruits
It is an autonomous organisation established and project a possible increase in the prices to
in 1990 as a public- NGO partnership between facilitate government intervention.
the MoEF & CC, and the Bombay Natural ▪ The status of the economy, including
History Society(BNHS) under the Centre of Employment trends, and civil supplies will
Excellence Scheme and registered under the also be available on the dashboard.
Indian Societies Registration Act. ▪ The dashboard will display the status of
▪ Its headquarters are at Anaikatti, Coimbatore, pleas and representations made on the Chief
Tamil Nadu, India. Minister Helpline and under the ‘CM In Your
▪ Digital Display Board at Government Constituency’ scheme, the daily police reports
Hospitals: on major crimes, and the progress of housing
▪ State Health Minister Ma Subramanian schemes for the urban and rural poor and
inaugurated a digital display board that water supply schemes.
displays the services and treatment provided Second Edition of TANSEED:
for the people at Government Kilpauk Medical
▪ As many as 19 startups from across Tamil
College and Hospital.
Nadu, which were selected in the second
▪ Over 25 government medical college hospitals edition of the Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant
across Tamil Nadu to have the digital display Fund (TANSEED), received a grant of 5 lakh
board within a week. each from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
▪ Meanwhile, the State Health Department ▪ Around 640 startups applied in the second
released a report that a total of 456 people edition and 53 of them were shortlisted for a
healed from accidents during the past four boot camp.
days under Innuyir Kappom Thittam –
▪ Finally, 30 startups made it to the prefinal
Nammai Kakkum 48.
pitch and 19 were chosen for the funding.
▪ To create awareness among people, the digital
▪ Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission,
display board will carry details of kind of
mandated to build a vibrant ecosystem, has
services, treatment provided to the Patients,
been implementing TANSEED to promote the
and the hospital’s achievements.
startup culture in the State.
▪ On another display board, it will have content
of the number of patients who are under
treatment and for what disease in the Hospital.
About Tamil Nadu Startup and envisaged that Tamil Nadu will emerge as the
Innovation Mission (TANSIM): “Knowledge Capital” and “Innovation Hub”
▪ The Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation of the country. It will also attract entrepreneurs
Mission (TANSIM), branded as “StartupTN”, and investors across the globe.
was established as a Section 8 company under ▪ Vision:
the MSME Department in March 2021. 9 To make Tamil Nadu a Global Innovation Hub
▪ A Section 8 company is a company registered and the most preferred destination for Startups
under the Companies Act, 2013 for Charitable by 2023.
or not-for-profit purposes.
▪ Mission:
▪ StartupTN is an agency of the Government
9 To create, support and nurture a vibrant
of Tamil Nadu, nurturing a benevolent
startup ecosystem in Tamil Nadu resulting
entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the State.
in Innovation and Entrepreneurship driven
Five Pillars of StartupTN: Employment and Economic Growth,
1. Encourage entrepreneurship and facilitating creation of at least 5000 startups
Innovations. including 10 global high Growth startups by
2. Ensure channeling of adequate 2023.
resources.
Justice Authinathan Panel:
3. Enable skill development and inclusive
Job Creation. ▪ The Tamil Nadu government has constituted
a six-member committee headed by retired
4. Extend support to social High Court judge Justice N. Authinathan to
Entrepreneurship. make recommendations for the premature
5. Establish Global Accessibility, release of life convicts on the basis of “good
connections and partnerships. behaviour” and on “humanitarian grounds.”
▪ TANSEED:
Mamallapuram Dance Festival:
9 TANSEED has been established under the
▪ The Annual 30 Day Indian Dance Festival
Startup TN mission, which is an exclusive
organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism
platform for state-based startups under the
Department began at Mamallapuram near
“Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission”
Chenna on December 24.
of the state Government.
▪ Around 90 performances, including those of
9 One of the schemes envisaged in the Tamil
Bharathanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kuchipudi
Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy is the
(Andhra Pradesh), Mohiniattam (Kerala) and
much-needed seed fund to support early-stage
Kathak (North India) and folk arts of Tamil
startups.
Nadu such as Oyilattam, Karagattam, Kavadi
9 We launched the first edition of TANSEED and Thappaattam will be held as part of the
(Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant Fund) this Festival.
year during January-February 2021, as a Grand
Challenge, in association with “Headstart UAV Corporation in Tamil Nadu:
Network Foundation” and had supported Ten ▪ The State Government has given its Approval
Promising Startups with a seed grant of Rs. 10 for establishing the Tamil Nadu Unmanned
Lakh each. Aerial Vehicles Corporation (UAVC)
9 Tamil Nadu Government has launched in partnership with Madras Institute of
the Tamil Nadu Startups and Innovation Technology, Anna University.
Policy 2018-2023 to foster entrepreneurship ▪ The corporation will support government
and innovation ecosystem in the state Agencies in Tamil Nadu and other States with
with Entrepreneurship Development and operating UAVs for different purposes.
Innovation Institute (EDII) as the nodal Agency. ▪ The UAVC is a 100 per cent government-
By implementation of the policy, it is owned private limited company.
▪ The authorized share capital of the Corporation ▪ whether the schools met the required criteria.
will be Rs 10 crore while the paid-up capital ▪ The time for the participating schools to
will be Rs 9 crore. register in the programme has been extended
▪ The board of directors will be headed by to 31 January 2022.
Higher Education Secretary D Karthikeyan.
School of Public Health (SPH) Health
The Main Objectives are:
▪ To carry on business of designing, Survey Report:
Manufacturing, and trading in all types of ▪ School of Public Health (SPH) at SRM
drones and allied systems, for low altitude Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST),
tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and Kattankulathur celebrates the successful
target acquisition missions from manned completion and dissemination of the key
or unmanned airborne platforms and also findings of the National Family Health Survey
Product development/service support (NFHS -5) for the state of Tamil Nadu and
Solutions. Puducherry at SRM Medical College Hospital
and Research Centre (SRM MCH&RC).
ECOmmute Registration Time for NFHS-5, the Fifth in the NFHS rounds,
Schools Extended: provides information on population, health,
▪ The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had and nutrition for India and each state/union
announced 'Green Certification' for schools territory (UT) and also provides data at the
in the city, where the school children ride to district level.
School by bicycles or by walk. ▪ NFHS-5 includes some new topics, such as
▪ TNPCB chairman A Udayan said it is an preschool education, disability, access to a
extension of the Board's recently launched toilet facility, death registration, Menstrual
'Ecommute' programme to the school Students Hygiene, and abortion.
in classes 8,9 and 10 standards. ▪ The scope of Clinical, Anthropometric, and
▪ The two main criteria for participating in the Biochemical testing (CAB) has also been
programme are extended to include measurement of waist
9 Ninety per cent of the students from the and hip circumferences, and the age range for
participating schools should commute by their the measurement of blood pressure and blood
bicycles to their schools. glucose has been expanded.
▪ SRM SPH surveyed a total of 27,929
9 No person motor vehicle to drop these high
households, 25,650 women, and 3372 men
school students within 100 metres from the
in Tamil Nadu and 3520 households, 3669
school gate.
Women, and 534 men in Puducherry.
▪ The schools can obtain both the form and
▪ Chief Guest of the event, Dr. P Kuganantham,
Guidelines from the board's website: www.
member of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s
tnpcb.gov.in.
Expert Advisory Committee for COVID19
▪ No student should be compelled to get said, “This is an eye-opener about the health
involved in this programme out of Enthusiasm status of India. Data helps to make decisions. It
or curiosity. highlights the public health of the community
▪ The entire application process will be online and the nation at large.”
and eco-friendly, as the board do not want to
use any paper for this purpose. Hindi Translation of Tolkappiyam
▪ The board will examine the details submitted Released:
by the school and will conduct verification and ▪ The Minister of State for Education Dr. Subhas
surprise checks in the schools to find out Sarkar has released the Hindi translation of
Tolkappiyam and the Kannada translations of
9 books of Classical Tamil literature.
▪ The Tolkappiyam in Hindi translation in ▪ Pichavaram, Vedaranyam, Muthupet,

verse (Text, Transliteration, and Translations) Chatram and Thoothukudi are the places in
was translated by Dr. H. Balasubramaniam Tamil Nadu where the mangrove forest is
and Prof. K. Nachimuthu. found to a considerable extent.
Tolkappiyam: ▪ Mangroves helps in the prevention of Coastal
▪ Tolkappiyam was authored by Tolkappiyar erosion from waves and storms.
and is considered the earliest of Tamil literary ▪ It also protects coral reefs and sea grass
work. meadows from being smothered in sediments.
▪ Some in the Tamil tradition place the text in ▪ Pichavaram mangrove forest is located near
the mythical second sangam, variously in 1st Chidambaram, Cuddalore district is the
millennium BCE or earlier. second largest mangrove forest in the world
▪ It is a unique work on Grammar and poetics. covering about 1,100 hectares (11 sq.km) of
▪ It consists of three parts of nine sections each. area. It is separated from the Bay of Bengal by
The three parts deals with Ezhuthu (letter), a sandbar.
Col (word) and Porul (subject matter). ▪ It consists of species like Avicennia and
Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies): Rhizophora.
▪ It consists of eight works – Aingurunooru, ▪ It also supports the existence of rare varieties
Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, of shell and fin Fishes.
Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal and
Padirruppatu. Welfare Measures of the Agriculture
Department:
Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls):
▪ It consists of ten works – ▪ The Chief Minister distributed solar roof
Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunararruppadai, Dryers, solar powered pump sets, solar
Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, powered electric fences and value-added farm
Mullaippattu, Nedunalvadai, Madurai Equipment to 672 farmers at a cost of Rs 9.24
Kanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai crore.
and Malaipadukadam. ▪ Under the budget, Solar Roof Dryer for
Farmers to dry oil seeds, fruits vegetables,
“Magical Mangroves” Campaign: spices and herbs etc. have been announced
▪ In an effort to protect mangroves and sensitise ▪ This scheme is being implemented this
people about its conservation, the World- financial year at the cost of Rs. 2 crores for 115
Wide Fund for Nature India has identified farmers.
volunteers from various parts of the State and
▪ Solar powered electric fence scheme is also
trained them as mangrove ambassadors.
to be implemented. To reduce human-animal
▪ The “Magical Mangroves” Campaign being conflict, solar powered electric fence will be
organised along with Godrej and Boyce by the provided at Subsidized rates.
WWF India is aimed at creating awareness,
▪ A farmer with 2-hectare area is eligible for a
particularly among the youth, on the
556-meter solar electric fence at subsidized
significance of mangroves and train them as
rate.
influencers for protecting the Ecosystem.
▪ The expenses that is spent to install solar
▪ The campaign will take up awareness initiatives
electric fence, 40% will be provided as subsidy.
in eight districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram,
Chengalpattu, Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, ▪ Solar-powered pump-sets up to a capacity of
Tiruchi and Sivaganga. 10 horse power will be installed at 70 per cent
subsidy for 171 farmers this financial year at
About:
the cost of Rs.3.81 crores.
▪ Mangrove forest is found in the coastal areas,
river deltas, tails of islands and over sea faces
where accretion is in progress.
State Human Rights Commission: ▪ The chairperson and members hold office for a
▪ The Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993 term of three years or until they attain the age
provides for the creation of not only the of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
National Human Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission:
▪ Rights Commission but also a State Human ▪ The State Human Rights Commission was
Rights Commission at the State Level. constituted in the state of Tamil Nadu on
▪ A State Human Rights Commission can 17.4.1997 in accordance with the powers
inquire into violation of human rights only in conferred on the State under section-21 of the
respect of subjects mentioned in the State List Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
(List-II) and the Concurrent List (List-III) of the ▪ Tamil Nadu is one of the very few States which
Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. has constituted a Commission for the Human
▪ The Central Government may confer upon Rights.
the State Human Rights Commissions the More Stipend for trainees in Temples:
functions relating to Human Rights except the
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a
Union Territory of Delhi. Such functions for
scheme to provide an increased stipend
New Delhi are dealt by the National Human
of ₹3000 to students undergoing training
Rights Commission.
to become temple archakas, odhuvars,
▪ If any case is already being inquired into by Prabandha Vinnapars, Vedhaparayanar and
the National Human Rights Commission or musicians, over the ₹1000 given earlier.
any other Statutory Commission, then the
▪ Under the scheme, 67 trainees undergoing
State Human Rights Commission does not
training at various temples such as Palani
inquire into that case.
Murugan Temple, Mylapore Kapaleeswarar
▪ The State Human Rights Commission is a multi- Temple, Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar
member body consisting of a Chairperson and temple and Madurai Meenakshi
two members. Sundareswarar Temple will be benefitted.
▪ The chairperson should be a retired Chief Farm kits to Farmers at Subsidized Price:
Justice or a Judge of a High Court and members ▪ Stalin launched the scheme of distributing
should be a serving or retired judge of a High agricultural kits worth Rs 3,000 at subsidized
Court or a District Judge in the state with a price to 64,444 farmer families across the state.
minimum of seven years of experience as
▪ The kit will contain agriculture equipment
District Judge and a person having knowledge
such as crow bar, spade, sickle and so on.
or practical experience with respect to human
rights. ▪ The announcement about the scheme was
made in the state Assembly by Agriculture
▪ The chairperson and members are appointed
Minister MRK Panneerselvam.
by the Governor on the recommendations of a
committee consisting of the chief minister as its ▪ Under the scheme, the farm kits will be
head, the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, distributed at 75 per cent subsidy to farmers
the state home minister and the leader of the so that farmers need to pay only Rs 750 and
opposition in the Legislative Assembly. in case of Adi Dravidar and Tribal farmers the
kits will provided at 90 per cent subsidy so
▪ In the case of a state having Legislative
that they have to pay just Rs 300.
Council, the chairman of the Council and the
leader of the opposition in the Council would ▪ One farming family is entitled to receive only
also be the members of the committee. one kit.
▪ Further, a sitting judge of a High Court or a ▪ Farmers can register for the kit through
sitting District Judge can be appointed only ‘Uzhavan App’ also and preference will be
after consultation with the Chief Justice of the given for micro, small, women, Adi Dravidar
High Court of the concerned state. and Tribal farmers.
▪ Rs. 15 crore has been allotted for the scheme.
Student In Responsible Police ▪ The Chief Minister handed over to his family
Initiatives (SIRPI): Rs. 20 lakhs, the amount of copyright for his
▪ The Greater Chennai Police are forming Nationalized books.
Student In Responsible Police Initiatives ▪ It is noteworthy that the novelist
(SIRPI) units on the lines of the National Cadet Nedunchezhiyan has written numerous books
Corps (NCC) in 100 schools. on the history of the Justice Party and the
▪ An initiative of Commissioner of Police language struggle.
Shankar Jiwal, the project is aimed at About Nedunchezhiyan:
addressing the issue of juvenile delinquency, ▪ Novelist Nedunchezhiyan was born in 1920
driven by factors such as socioeconomic in Thanjavur, and passed away on January 12,
status, peer pressure, lack of family support 2000.
and unemployment. ▪ He has been the Minister of Education, Finance
▪ About 5,000 boys and girls will be inducted and Food since 1967.
from at least 100 schools possibly by the first ▪ Novelist Nedunchezhiyan has been the
Week of January. caretaker Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu three
▪ The idea is to take them on board to make times. He has also been the leader of the
them understand the laws of the land and the AIADMK.
role of the police in enforcing the laws. ▪ He was also Finance Minister under the
▪ An officer not below the rank of inspector of Governments of C. N. Annadurai, M.
police will be assigned to act as police student Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and J.
liaison officer. Jayalalithaa.
9 The officer would deploy sufficient personnel ▪ For his literary contributions, he was also
for the training and strive to maintain good known as "Navalar" or the eloquent.
relationship between the police and the schools. ▪ He became involved in politics while at the
▪ 50 students each would be chosen from 100 university and joined the Dravidar Kazhagam
“vulnerable schools” from Class VIII and party in 1944.
above for the “SIRPI Wing”. ▪ In 1949, he and C. N. Annadurai formed the
▪ Legal literacy programmes, in collaboration Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
with government and non-governmental ▪ Nedunchezhiyan was elected to the Legislative
organisations, would be conducted. Assembly of Tamil Nadu in 1962.
▪ They would be made to understand the ▪ In 1967, he became the Minister of Education
value of following traffic laws and would when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam took
inculcate right habits. The other activities power. He was briefly acting Chief Minister
would include staging short plays, mono act, for the state following C. N. Annadurai's death
film show and organising campaign against in 1969, taking the role until M. Karunanidhi
drugs, alcoholism, terrorism and to celebrate was appointed.
national festivals, salute national symbols and ▪ Together with Sathyavani Muthu,
develop a sense of pride about the progress Nedunchezhiyan left the DMK to form a new
and prosperity of the State. political party called the Makkal Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam but this did not last long.
CM Unveiled a Statue of
Nedunchezhiyan: ▪ The party merged with the All India Anna
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK),
▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin on December 26
which was by then in government, in 1978
unveiled a statue of the late former minister
and from 1980 Nedunchezhiyan was again
Nedunchezhiyan at the Chepauk Government
a cabinet minister, this time as a Minister of
Guest House in Chennai.
Finance under the leadership of AIADMK's M.
G. Ramachandran, until 1987.
▪ He became acting Chief Minister in 1988 when Thirugnanasambandar had sung in praise of
Ramachandran died. the deity.
▪ He served as Minister of Finance again ▪ Historian K.A. Nilakanta Sastri had described
between 1991 and 1996. Vijayalaya, the father of Aditya I “the first of
▪ Nedunchezhiyan’s autobiography titled the imperial line of Cholas” and called “the
Vaazhvil Naan Kandathum Kettathum. Thirupurambiyar war as a turning point in the
▪ Some Books of Nedunchezhiyan: history of South India”.
9 Pathupaattu Arayichi (1943), Maraintha ▪ As per the Thiruvalangadu plates, Aditya
Dravidam (1948), Mozhi Porattam (1948), I, subsequently overthrew the Pallava king
Kalanjiyam (1948), Kanneerum Senneerum Aparajita and deprived him of his Territory.
Valarttha Kazhagam (1951), D.M.K (1961). Forest Department plans to add 28,000
Nunnarangu'21: Tamil Nadu AI hectares to Point Calimere Sanctuary:
Conclave: ▪ The Forest Department has decided to
Approach Chemplast and the Department of
▪ Tamilnadu AI Conclave aims to be a common
Industry to hand over parts of the unsurveyed
platform for Government, Industries, Startups
saltpans and the swamp areas, measuring
and Academia to come together and exchange
about 28,000 hectares, to be added to the Point
knowledge and strategies for implementing AI
Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary.
for social good which was held on December
10. ▪ The aim is to make it one of the best Flamingoes’
and waders’ habitats in the world.
State’s revenue from Stamp Duty, ▪ Besides the flamingoes, the team, led by Mr.
Registration Fee Robust: Niraj, listed major migratory species in large
▪ Tamil Nadu’s revenue from stamp duty and numbers such as painted storks, pelicans,
registration fee remains robust in 2021-22 and curlew sandpipers, ringed plover, red beaked
is back to pre-COVID19 levels, according to Caspian tern, white ibis, wood sandpiper,
data from the State’s Registration Department. Seagulls, crested tern, stilt and redshank.
▪ Stamp duty and registration fee, one of the key ▪ Some of these species have come all the way
components of the State’s own tax revenue, from Russia and the Arctic regions.
stood at ₹ 8,448.42 crore in April-November About Point Calimere Sanctuary:
2021, when compared to ₹5,687.64 crore in the ▪ The sanctuary was formed in the year 1967 for
comparable period last year. the conservation of the blackbuck antelope, an
endemic mammal species of India.
A Temple Marking the Emergence of
the Cholas in Neglect: ▪ Before 1988, Point Calimere Wildlife and
Bird Sanctuary was known as Point Calimere
▪ Amid paddy fields and on an elevated area
Wildlife Sanctuary.
covered with impenetrable vegetation in
Thirupurambiyam village, near Kumbakonam, ▪ It was in the year 1988, that the sanctuary was
stands a pallipadai temple where Prithivipati expanded to include the Talaignayar Reserve
I, the king of the Ganga Dynasty, was buried. Forest and the Great Vedaranyam Swamp.
Since then, it was renamed the Point Calimere
▪ Though the war at Thirupurambiyam in 879
Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary.
CE proved a turning point in the history of the
Tamil land, as it led to the emergence of the ▪ The Point Calimere Sanctuary consists of
Cholas, the pallipadai temple — a monument shallow waters, shores, long sand bars,
where kings are buried — is in a Derelict state. intertidal flats and intertidal forests,
mangroves, dry evergreen forests, saline
▪ Thirupurambiyam is one of the abodes
lagoons, as well as human-made salt
of Lord Siva, and the deity here is known
Exploitation sites.
as Sathchinatheswarar. Saivaite saint
▪ Point Calimere or Kodiakkarai is a low ▪ Popularly known as "Mahakavi Bharathi"

headland on the Coromandel Coast in ("Great Poet Bharathi"), he was a pioneer of
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. modern Tamil poetry and is considered one of
▪ Point Calimere is one of the 47 designated the greatest Tamil literary figures of all Time.
Ramsar sites in India, the Convention on ▪ His numerous works included fiery songs
Wetlands, since the year 2002. kindling patriotism during the Indian
Independence movement.
Livelihood parks to be set up across
▪ He fought for the emancipation of women,
Tamil Nadu: against child marriage, stood for reforming
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government is set to Brahminism and religion. He was also in
establish a total of 25 ‘Mahakavi Bharathiyar solidarity with Dalits and Muslims.
Livelihood Parks’ over three years that will
▪ Born in Ettayapuram of Tirunelveli district
serve as common infrastructure centres for
(present-day Thoothukudi) in 1882, Bharathi
self-help groups (SHGs) to pursue their
had his early education in Tirunelveli and
Activities collectively.
Varanasi and worked as a journalist with
▪ The Park is aimed at providing better working many newspapers, including The Hindu,
ambience for rural artisans and producers of Bala Bharata, Vijaya, Chakravarthini, the
farm-based and value-added products. Swadesamitran and India.
▪ The Park is to be located on government lands ▪ Other Names: Bharathi, Subbaiah, Sakthi
in the vicinity of intersections of major roads Dasan, Mahakavi, Mundasu Kavignar, Veera
or areas with high congregation of people on Kavi, Selly Dasan.
a daily basis, each will comprise of four to six
▪ He paved the way for modern blank verse. He
Production units for varied products.
wrote many books and poems on how Tamil is
▪ The funds required for the construction and beautiful in nature.
Basic infrastructure will be in convergence
with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Sangamam Renamed ‘Namma Ooru
Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) Thiruvizha’:
and other rural development schemes, ▪ Sangamam, the annual folk arts festival
relevant to the creation of infrastructure. The organised during Pongal in the previous
Approximate cost is ₹1.25 crore. DMK regime, has been given a new name and
▪ The livelihood parks will act as both a point itinerary this year.
of collectivism for SHG-run enterprise for ▪ It will now be called “Namma Ooru
production process and a marketing area for Thiruvizha” when it makes a comeback after
Buyers. a decade during the ensuing Pongal in the
▪ The parks will ensure year-round availability second week of January, 2022.
of a particular product at a single point for the ▪ The three-day festival beginning on January
buyer, in addition to being a learning hub for 14 covering an array of folk arts in Chennai
Visitors. would be extended to Coimbatore, Tiruchy
▪ Sites are to be shortlisted for setting up these and Madurai this year.
parks, which will include locations nearby
places of religious significance, tourist spots, Welfare Fund for Document Writers:
major roads and access points of districts. ▪ The Tamil Nadu government has issued
About Bharathiyar: orders to set up a new welfare fund for the
▪ Subramania Bharathi (11 December 1882 – 11 benefit of document writers and their families
September 1921), was a Tamil writer, poet, in the state.
journalist, Indian independence activist, social
reformer and polyglot.
▪ An order issued by Jothi Nirmala, secretary of ▪ Governor for Academic Chairs named after
the state registration department, said that Rs Bharathiar, V.O.C., Kattabomman:
10 per registration would be collected towards ▪ Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi held a virtual
the welfare fund from people Turning up for meeting with the Vice-chancellors of State
registrations. and Central Universities and reviewed the
▪ As per the GO, document writers registered for activities relating to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,
the funds would be paid Rs 1,00,000 each for an initiative by the Centre to Celebrate 75 years
death due to accident, permanent Disability of India’s Independence.
and Rs 20,000 for other disabilities and natural ▪ The Governor, who is the Chancellor of State
death. universities, appreciated the initiatives taken
▪ Marriage assistance of Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 by them and urged them to celebrate the event
(women), maternity assistance of Rs 6,000, in such a manner that instils a sense of pride
and education assistance for various levels of among the younger generations about all
Qualification among other benefits would be those who gave their lives for the Country’s
Distributed. independence.
▪ The Government has lifted the annual ceiling ▪ He also urged them to set up chairs in the
for the number of beneficiaries of the welfare names of freedom fighters and leaders of
Fund. our nation like Subramaniya Bharathiyar,
▪ It has been proposed to implement the fund V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Veerapandiya
without state contribution. Kattabomman to fulfil their vision of building
a great India.
Government reconstitutes Tourism
Advisory Panel: Tamil Nadu lauded for Regulating
▪ The Government has issued orders to Industry’s Groundwater Extraction:
reconstitute the Tamil Nadu Tourism ▪ The Comptroller and Auditor General of India
Advisory Committee and rename it as Tamil has commended Tamil Nadu for having put in
Nadu Tourism Promotion and Development place a system of issuing the permit — Consent
Committee with state Tourism Minister M to Operate — only to industrial units that have
Mathiventhan as its chairperson. obtained no objection certificates from the
▪ Its purpose is to advise the government on the authorities for Groundwater extraction.
development of tourist destinations, encourage ▪ The CAG said such a system was in place only
various segments in tourism, Improving the in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
interdepartmental coordination, encouraging ▪ Its study covered the period of 2013-18 and
participation of private sector and for creating information was updated till September 2020.
tourism Awareness. ▪ In Tamil Nadu, the regulation for the
▪ The term of office of the members shall be for Groundwater management and issue of
a period of two years. no objection certificates for groundwater
extraction authorizes the Tamil Nadu
DA hiked for Govt. Staff, Teachers, Pollution Control Board and the Bureau of
Pensioners: Indian Standards to accord permission only
▪ Ahead of the Pongal festival, Tamil Nadu Chief after ensuring that applicants have got the no
Minister M.K. Stalin increased The Dearness objection certificates.
Allowance (DA) for State government ▪ More importantly, the CAG clubbed Tamil
employees, teachers and pensioners from 17% Nadu with seven other States for having a high
to 31% with effect from January 1. stage of groundwater extraction. In respect of
▪ The announcement means an additional Tamil Nadu, the stage was 81%.
Expenditure of ₹8,724 crore a year.
▪ The CAG has also lauded the Tamil Nadu for ▪ She is the daughter of "Father of Green
adopting ‘firka’ as the assessment, ‘firkas’ are Revolution of India", M. S. Swaminathan and
smaller than blocks and encompasses 10-15 Indian Educationalist Mina Swaminathan.
villages. ▪ Her Awards:
Mobile Ophthalmology Vehicles 9 2012: Tamil Nadu Science and Technology
Award.
Launched:
▪ TN Health Minister Subramanian flagged off 9 2016: NIPER, ASTRAZENECA research
multi-purpose mobile ophthalmology vehicles Endowment Award.
at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology Biogas using Cow dung and Agri Waste:
and Government Ophthalmic Hospital.
▪ Department of Rural Development and
▪ Five vehicles were announced in the Assembly, Panchayats in its order said the Central
and three were launched. Government is implementing a biogas project
▪ The remaining two will be put to use soon. A through dung and agricultural waste.
total of ₹90 lakh was spent on the three mobile ▪ To implement this plan Rs 50 lakh has been
units that will cover Salem, Ramanathapuram Allotted to each district.
and Tirunelveli.
▪ At the state level, a Technical Resource
▪ These units would help in identifying persons Committee is set up for the purpose.
Requiring treatment for eye disorders.
9 The committee will be chaired by the Director
▪ At the national level, the prevalence of visual of Rural Development and Panchayats.
impairment among persons aged above 50 is
9 The additional director of the department will
1.19%.
be the member secretary and senior members
▪ The rate is 1.18% in Tamil Nadu. from the departments including Agriculture,
▪ These units would camp in villages and Screen Livestock, Cooperatives and Energy will be
people. members.
WHO Chief Scientist calls on Chief ▪ Like the state level committee, the committee
is set up at the district level.
Minister:
▪ The World Health Organisation's chief 9 The District Collector shall be its chairman.
scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, called on 9 The Project Director of the District Rural
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat in Development Agency will be its member
Chennai on December 28. secretary and senior members from the
▪ M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation's departments including Agriculture,
Principal scientist Parasuraman was also Horticulture, Livestock, Cooperatives and
present. Spirit will be members.
About: About GOBAR-Dhan:
▪ Soumya Swaminathan (born 2 May 1959) is ▪ GOBARDHAN was launched by the
an Indian pediatrician and clinical scientist Government of India in April 2018 as a part
known for her research on tuberculosis and of the Solid and Liquid Waste Management
HIV. component under Swachh Bharat Mission
(Grameen) to positively impact village
▪ Since March 2019, Swaminathan has served
cleanliness and generate wealth and energy
as the Chief Scientist at the World Health
from cattle and organic waste.
Organization. Previously, from October 2017
to March 2019, she was the Deputy Director ▪ The main focus of GOBARDHAN is to keep
General of Programmes (DDP) at the World villages clean, increase the income of rural
Health Organization. Households, and generate energy and organic
manure from cattle waste.
▪ Objectives of GOBAR-Dhan: Stalin Announces Revised

9 To support villages effectively manage their Remuneration Structure for DPC
cattle waste, agricultural waste/residue andall Employees
other organic waste. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced new
9 To support communities to convert their remuneration structure for the employees
Organic waste (especially cattle waste) to of the direct purchase centers (DPCs) run by
wealth through generation of manure and the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation to
Energy out of Waste. Procure paddy from the farmers.
9 To promote Environmental Sanitation and ▪ the wages for the load men at the DPCs has
curb vector-borne diseases through effective been hiked to ₹10 per bag from the existing
disposal of waste in rural areas. ₹3.25 per paddy bag. The load men were also
9 To create livelihood opportunities in rural entitled to receive travelling allowance
areas and enhance the income of farmers and ▪ Record clerks and watchmen would receive
other rural people by supporting them to ₹5,288 per month and ₹5,218 per month,
Convert their waste to wealth. respectively, in addition to ₹3,499 as Dearness
9 To promote rural entrepreneurship by Allowance,
involving entrepreneurs, SHGs and Youth ▪ He appealed to the DPC employees to ensure
Groups in the setting up and operation and a complaint-free procurement exercise during
Management of Biogas Plants. the forthcoming samba/thaladi Harvesting
Season.
Palm Tree Development in Tamil Nadu:
▪ The agriculture ministry said in Tamil Nadu Tamilnadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal
Agricultural Budget that Rs.3 crore will be Welfare Commission will function
spent to for, Palm tree development movement at TAHDCO campus at Teynampet,
will be implemented; 76 lakh palm seeds will Chennai.
be distributed in 30 districts; steps will be ▪ Retired High court judge Sivakumar is the
initiated to take palm products to the people. First and current chairman of Tamilnadu Adi
▪ As a result of the budget, 50 palm seeds would Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Commission,
be distributed to each farmer to promote the which is created under a state government act
cultivation of Palms in Tamil Nadu. in 2021.
▪ Board for Cutting Down Palm Trees: TAHDCO:
9 Cutting down palm trees is prohibited. ▪ Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing
9 The permission of the Collector is compulsory and Development Corporation Limited
to cut down the palm tree in unavoidable (TAHDCO) was incorporated in 1974 under
circumstances. the Companies Act, 1956.
9 For this a committee will be set up with the ▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu and the
District Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer, Government of India contribute to the Share
Deputy Collector, Assistant Director of Capital of the Corporation.
Agriculture, Khadi and Assistant Director of ▪ Though the Corporation was initially started as
the Village Industries Board. a Construction Company in 1974, the activities
9 The District Collector may add another of the Corporation was extended to enable it
member to this committee as required. to undertake a wide spectrum of Economic
development schemes for income Generation,
skill development training for Scheduled caste
and Scheduled Tribes in the State.
Tamilnadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare ▪ It provides for the establishment of a system
Commission: of “victim support” for all cases of abuse,
▪ Will have the powers of a civil court. and focuses on rehabilitation and identity
▪ The commission will inquire, Suo moto or on protection.
a petition presented to it by a victim or any ▪ The State shall pay greater attention to getting
person on his/her behalf, into complaints all children from poor families and special
of violation of any right provided under the focus groups, like girls and children from SC/
Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and ST communities who are not in school, back
the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into school.
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. ▪ The scope of Kasturba Gandhi Balika
▪ It will look into negligence in the prevention Vidyalaya shall be extended specifically
of such violations by a public servant, inquire in Educationally backward blocks to cover
into the issue and recommend the initiation adolescent girls up to 19 years of age, so that
of disciplinary action to the government if they are able to complete their schooling.
the official has been grossly negligent or ▪ It aims to support at least 1000 women Student
indifferent while discharging his/her duties, researchers from disadvantaged sections every
with regard to the protection of the interests of year, especially in STEM.
people from the SCs and STs. ▪ After receiving inputs from the public, the
▪ It will have a chairperson, a vice chairperson policy would be finalized and released.
and five other Members. ▪ The draft has identified four core focus areas
9 The chairperson of the panel will be a retired of empowerment — social, economic, Political
Judge of the High Court, belonging to any of and Emotional — which will be the Guiding
the SCs or STs. principles of the policy.
9 The vice chairperson will be a prominent ▪ “Tamil Nadu shall provide free/subsidized
person belonging to any SC or ST, who has coaching classes for exams like JEE, CAT,
worked for the welfare of these communities. UPSC and TNPSC, and for higher management
9 Of the five members, three will be from SCs and technical courses to encourage women’s
and two from STs. participation.”
9 One member should be a woman. Canine Squad gets Two New Members:
Draft Women’s Policy Unveiled: ▪ Orly and Orio, sniffer Labrador dogs, were
▪ Mandatory martial arts training for school inducted into Canine Squad of Chennai for
and college girls, 50 more person days for Detecting narcotic substances at Chennai
all single and women headed households Airport.
under MGNREGS and 33.3% representation ▪ They were trained at Customs Canine Centre,
in registered parties are among the provisions Attari, Punjab which was started in 2019.
in the draft Tamil Nadu State New Policy for ▪ Orio and Orly have been trained to detect
Women 2021. heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine
▪ As per the draft, all forms of transport must be and MDMA in the Baggages of passengers or
made women friendly. parcels arriving at the airport.
▪ In buses, the first half of the seats shall be ▪ Chennai airport customs for the first time
Earmarked for women, and the front exit/ inducted a canine squad to locate people with
entrance shall be used only by women. narcotics.
▪ The policy would be implemented over five
years.
Tirupattur tops in Maternal Health ▪ The order for this was given by Adi Dravidar
Services: and the Tribal Welfare Department.
▪ Tirupattur district bagged the top rank ▪ Accordingly, for the members and their
in offering maternal health services at dependents registered under the Tamil Nadu
Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Sanitation Workers Welfare Board, natural
Newborn Care (CEmONC) centres. death allowance, education and marriage
▪ Cuddalore stood second, while Kancheepuram assistance, old age pension, Funeral allowance
came Third. provided so far is to be paid in accordance
with other Welfare Schemes.
Tamil Nadu lab gets INSACOG
Recognition:
▪ The Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
laboratory of the State Public Health Laboratory
(SPHL) has joined the Indian SARSCoV2
Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
▪ According to officials of the Health Department,
the recognition is part of the expansion of
INSACOG, a network that Monitors genomic
variations of SARSCoV2.
▪ The Department of Biotechnology has
approved the inclusion of the laboratory
as a new INSACOG Genome Sequencing
Laboratory (IGSL) in the consortium.
▪ Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said the
SPHL’s facility, set up at a cost of ₹4 crore, had
been recognised by INSACOG.
▪ It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on
September 14.
Libraries inside Temples:

▪ Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu said that libraries
situated inside temples in the State were being
refurbished.
▪ A sum of ₹10 crore had been allocated for this
Purpose and work was on in 114 libraries.
These facilities were getting furniture, fresh
coat of paint and books, wherever needed.
▪ He said four libraries with books related to
Hinduism were coming up in Chennai in
areas, including Triplicane and Mylapore,
where temples witnessed large crowds.
Increase in the allowance of the Sanitation
Workers Welfare Fund:
▪ The allowance for members of the Tamil
Nadu Sanitation Workers Welfare Board has
been increased as announced in the legislative
assembly earlier.

Topic : Current Affairs – January 2022 (English)
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CONTENTS
HISTORY
01
GEOGRAPHY
51
57 ECONOMICS
SCIENCE
69
NATIONAL–DIARY OF
EVENT 75
98 INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
104

1. HISTORY
1.1 IMPORTANT DAYS

▪ Global Family Day is celebrated as a day of peace
and sharing on January 1.
▪ Its aim is to unite and spread a message of peace
01 January World Family Day
by considering and promoting the idea that Earth
is one Global Family so as to make the world a
better place to live for everyone.
▪ Defence Research and Development Organisation
01 January Foundation Day
(DRDO) Foundation Day
▪ World Braille Day is observed globally by the
national and international organisations on
January 4.
04 January World Braille Day
▪ The day highlights the importance of Braille as a
means of communication for partially sighted and
blind People.
06 January World Day of War Orphans
08 January National Vision Board Day
▪ Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-
Resident Indian (NRI) Day is celebrated to
Pravasi Bharatiya strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian
09 January Divas community with the Government of India and
Reconnect them with their roots.
▪ It is celebrated every two years on 09 January.
▪ This year, January 9th is observed as the birth
Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
▪ He was born on December 22 as per the Georgian
Guru Gobind Singh calendar but his birthday is celebrated every year
09 January
Jayanti in accordance with the lunar calendar.
▪ Gobind Singh Jayanti is also known as the Prakash
Parv.
2 | Current Affairs (JANUARY 2022)

▪ The Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry have decided to organise
10 - 16 Start Up India
a week-long virtual innovation celebration called
January Innovation Week ‘Startup India Innovation Week’ to showcase
the spread and depth of entrepreneurship across
India.
▪ It is celebrated on 10 January to commemorate the
First World Hindi Conference.
About:
▪ Hindi is one of the widely spoken languages in
India and other countries like Nepal, Mauritius,
10 January World Hindi Day Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji.
▪ The day marks the anniversary of the First World
Hindi Conference, held in 1975.
▪ On January 10th, 2006 for the first time World
Hindi Day was observed by former Prime Minister
▪ Dr. Manmohan Singh.
▪ National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
In 2007, the United States Senate ratified the
National Human resolution establishing January 11th as National
11 January Trafficking Human Trafficking Awareness Day. In 2010,
Awareness Day President Obama dedicated the entire month of
January to awareness and prevention of human
trafficking.
▪ The day, January 12, being the birth anniversary
of Swami Vivekananda, is observed as National
12 January National Youth Day Youth Day also known as Yuva Diwas.
▪ The theme for National Youth Day 2022 is “It's all in
the mind,” a key teaching of Swami Vivekananda.
13 January Lohri Festival. Lohri is the first festival of the year 2022.
14 January World Logic Day
14 January Food Corporation of India Foundation Day
▪ Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed on
January 14 every year, since 2017.
▪ It is celebrated to honour the sacrifice of our
Armed Forces Veterans in serving the nation.
14 January
Veterans Day ▪ Armed Forces Veterans Day was called Armistice
Day when it was announced and this year, the
Nation will celebrate the 6th Armed Forces
Veterans Day.
HISTORY | 3
▪ Armed Forces Veterans Day recognizes the

services rendered by Field Marshal KM
Cariappa OBE, the first Indian Commander-in-
Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. He retired on
January 14 in 1953.
▪ Last year (2021), Admiral Karambir Singh
released the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ song
dedicated to our brave and courageous soldiers
of the 1971 war.
▪ The Indian Army Day is celebrated to honor each

soldier in the armed forces of our country for
their selfless service.
▪ On the occasion of Army Day, General MM
Naravane released a Commemorative Postage
15 January Indian Army Day Stamp, "Permanent Commission to Women
Officers in the Indian Army.
▪ "The World’s largest national flag made of
'khadi' was displayed along the India- Pakistan
border in Jaisalmer to celebrate Indian Army
Day. The flag was 225 feet long and 150 feet wide.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared to

mark 16th January as ‘National Start-up Day’.
▪ The announcement was made by PM Modi
on January 15, 2022 during a week-long event
“Celebrating Innovation Ecosystem” as a part of
National Start -up Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
16 January
Day ▪ The startups, categorized under six groups, gave
presentations to the Prime Minister on six themes
—growing from roots, nudging the DNA, from
local to global, technology of future, building
champions in Manufacturing and Sustainable
Development.
11 to 17
Road Safety Week in India
January
▪ National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

celebrates its Raising Day every year on January
19, since it came into existence on January 19,
19 January NDRF Raising Day 2006.
▪ In 2022, the NDRF is observing its 17th Raising
Day.

▪ The Indian Government has decided to
celebrate January 23rd as ‘Parakram Diwas’ to
commemorate the birth Anniversary of Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose.
▪ This year is the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose.
About Netaji:
▪ Netaji was born on January 23, 1897.
Parakram Diwas / ▪ Netaji joined the Indian National Congress in
Desh Prem Diwas/ 1921.
National Day of ▪ Netaji started a newspaper called “Swaraj”.
23 January ▪ He had written a book called “The Indian
Patriotism
Struggle”.
▪ The term “Jai Hind” was coined by Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose.
▪ With the slogan “Give me blood and I will give
you freedom”, he awakened the country towards
fighting against the British.
▪ He formed the All India Forward Bloc as a part
of the Indian National Congress in 1939.
▪ Netaji built a force known as the Azad Hind Fauj
(Indian National Army) giving the slogan of
“Dilli Chalo”.
▪ The International Day of Education is marked
Every year on 24 January globally to celebrate
the role of education in bringing global peace
and sustainable development.
▪ The first-ever International Day of Education
was celebrated on 24 January 2019 as per the
International Day of resolution passed by the United Nations General
24 January
Education Assembly on December 3rd 2018 to celebrate the
role of education in development.
▪ The theme of 4th International Day of Education
in 2022 is “Changing Course, Transforming
Education”.
▪ The celebration is led by the UN Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
HISTORY | 5

▪ In India, the National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is
observed annually on January 24.
▪ The day was observed for the first time in 2008
National Girl Child
24 January as an initiative by the Ministry of Women and
Day Child Development and the Government of
India.
▪ Every year on 25 January National Voter's

Day or Rashtriya Matdata Diwas is celebrated
to encourage young Voters to take part in the
Political Process.
▪ In 2011 the first time this day was celebrated to
mark Election Commission's Foundation Day
25 January National Voter's Day (25th January 1950).
▪ The theme for National Voters’ Day 2022 is
‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible &
Participative’.
▪ The theme for last year was ‘Making Our Voters
Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed’.
▪ Every year on 25 January National Tourism

Day is celebrated in India to raise awareness and
educate people about the importance of tourism
and the role it plays in the Indian economy.
▪ A national-level programme to mark 'National
Tourism Day' will be held at Telangana's
Pochampally, a village on the outskirts of
Hyderabad known for its famous hand-woven
Ikat saris.
▪ In 2022, the theme for National Tourism Day is
National Tourism ‘Rural and Community Centric Tourism’.
25 January
Day ▪ In 2021, the theme of National Tourism Day was
‘Dekho Apna Desh’.
▪ In 1958, the government realised the importance
of tourism traffic coming towards India and they
Created a separate department of tourism.
▪ Known for its famous hand-woven Ikat saris,
Pochampally (Weaver's Hamlet) was selected
as one of the best tourism villages by the
United Nations World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO) in November 2021.

▪ The International Customs Day (ICD) is
celebrated on 26 January to commemorate
the inaugural session of the World Customs
Organisation WCO), which was held on this day
in 1953.
International ▪ The day also raises awareness about the
26 January
Customs Day importance of customs authorities and their role
in the smooth movement of goods across borders.
▪ This year, the theme of International
Customs Day is “Scaling up Customs Digital
Transformation”.
International ▪ (The largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-

Holocaust Birkenau was liberated by Soviet troops on Jan
27 January
Remembrance Day 27, 1945.), International Day of Commemoration .
28 January Data Privacy Day & Lala Lajpat Rai birthday
▪ January 30 is observed as Shaheed Diwas or
Martyr's Day in India to mark the date of the
assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram
Godse in 1948.
▪ This year nation observed 74th Martyrs’ Day or
Shaheed Diwas.
About:
30 January Martyr's Day ▪ The day is observed to remember the sacrifices
made by freedom fighters in the struggle for
India’s independence and to pay our respects to
them.
▪ Notably, Martyrs’ Day is also observed in India
on March 23 to pay respect to Bhagat Singh,
Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, who
was hanged death on this day in 1931.
▪ World Leprosy Day is observed Globally on the
last Sunday of January every year.
▪ In 2022, the World Leprosy Day falls on January
30 January World Leprosy Day
30, 2022.
▪ This year theme of World Leprosy Day 2022 is
“United for Dignity”.
HISTORY | 7

Kerala: ▪ The project is a joint initiative of Mumbai
Port Trust (MbPT), City and Industrial
First Water Metro Ferry Development Corporation (CIDCO) and
▪ First Water Metro ferry handed over to Kochi Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).
Metro Rail Limited.
▪ The first of the 23 fully air-conditioned, battery Gujarat:
powered electric ferries of the 747crore Kochi Kevadia Railway Station Renamed as
Water Metro Project was handed over by the Ekta Nagar Railway Station:
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to the Kochi
▪ The Ministry of Railways has approved the
Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).
Renaming of the Kevadiya railway station in
▪ The 50-seater ferry was christened “Muziris” the Narmada district of Gujarat, as Ekta Nagar
— named after what was once a thriving BC- railway station.
era port — and is said to have been located at
▪ The Statue of Unity’s Kevadiya railway station
Pattanam village located 25 kms from Kochi
falls under the Vadodara division.
city.
About:
▪ This would be the first time in the world that a
▪ Last year, the Ministry of Railways had said
centrally controlled integrated water transport
tourists visiting the world’s tallest statue
system comprising a large fleet would be
in Gujarat “Statue of Unity” will be able to
battery powered.
experience the rich cultural history of the state
▪ The ferries would have generator backup, at the Kevadiya railway station itself.
which will take over their operation
▪ Under the public-private partnership (PPP)
automatically in the event of any failure of the
initiative, the Vadodara Division of Western
Battery System.
Railways had awarded first of its kind
India’s first Paperless Court: contract in the Indian Railways network for
▪ The Kerala High Court is all set to become the development of an Art Gallery with a
India’s First Paperless court. Souvenir shop at Gujarat’s Kevadiya Railway
station.
▪ Supreme Court judge Justice DY
Chandrachud inaugurated the smart Nagaland:
court rooms on 1 January 2022. In Kohima, a Cemetery with a Tennis Court:
▪ In the 1st phase six courtrooms, including the ▪ Nagaland’s capital Kohima is home to a
Chief Justice’s room, will be converted into unique cemetery that also has a tennis court.
smart courts. ▪ The United Kingdom-based Commonwealth
▪ Also, case files will be made available to the War Graves Commission (CWGC) has listed
lawyers on the computer screen. five sites with unusual features.
Mumbai: ▪ The Kohima War Cemetery is one of 23,000
World War Graves across the continents
Mumbai to host India's first Water Taxi maintained by the CWGC.
Service: ▪ In 1944, following hard fighting in the Burmese
▪ The Financial Capital of India is set to get jungle, the Japanese forces in the region pushed
a new transportation solution with the across the Chindwin River and into India. In
commissioning of state-of-the-art water taxi their path was the Fourteenth Army, made up
Services. of forces from across the Commonwealth.
▪ The lawn of this house had a tennis court About Himachal Pradesh:
where the British officers played for recreation. ▪ Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala
▪ The Japanese force continued to fight for (Winter).
Kohima before they were finally forced to ▪ Governor: Rajendra Arlekar.
withdraw in May. ▪ Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.
▪ Those who had fallen in the defence of Kohima
were buried on the battlefield, which later Himachal Pradesh's Statehood Day:
became a permanent CWGC cemetery, with ▪ PM Modi on January 25 extended greetings
further burials from the surrounding areas. to the people of Himachal Pradesh on the
occassion of its Statehood Day.
Himachal Pradesh: ▪ On December 18, 1970, the State of Himachal
First LPG enabled & Smoke Free State Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament, and
the new State came into being on January 25,
of the Country:
1971.
▪ Himachal Pradesh became the first state to
have 100% LPG coverage, also, smoke-free ▪ Himachal Pradesh became the 18th State of
state. the Indian Union with Dr.Yashwant Singh
Parmar as its First Chief Minister.
▪ This Milestone was achieved due to the
Ujjwala Scheme and Grahini Suvidha Andhra Pradesh:
Yojana. A.P. to create 13 New Districts
▪ Ujjwalla Yojana was started by the Centre ▪ The Andhra Pradesh Government announced
Government with the view to free the women the formation of 13 districts at the Republic
of the country from indoor pollution. Along Day celebrations.
with this, the Himachal government also ▪ The New districts will come into force from
started the Grihini Suvidha Yojana to benefit Ugadi, Telugu New Year (April 2).
as many women as possible, under the scheme.
▪ With this, the total tally of districts in the State
About Grihini Suvidha Yojana: would go up to 26.
▪ The Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana is a
scheme to provide LPG gas connection to Manipur:
houses.
First Goods Train Reaches
▪ It was launched on 26 May, 2018 to encourage
Manipur:
people to use LPG gas fueled stoves instead
of chulhas. This reduces indoor air pollution ▪ With the first freight train reaching Manipur,
from the open chulhas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this will
enhance the state's commerce and connectivity
▪ The Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana was as goods from there will reach all parts of the
launched to cover those households that were country.
left out by the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
▪ The freight train arrived at the Rani Gaidinliu
About Ujjwala: station in the north-eastern state on January
▪ The scheme was launched on 1st May 2016 27, days after a passenger train from Silchar in
in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh by Hon’ble Prime Assam reached the Bongaichungpao railway
Minister of India. station in Manipur, where assembly polls will
▪ It is a flagship scheme with an objective to be held in two phases on February 27 and
make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available March 3.
to the rural and deprived households which
were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels
such as firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes etc.
HISTORY | 9
About Manipur:
▪ Manipur is a state in Northeast India, with the
city of Imphal as its capital.
▪ It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland
to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam
to the west. It also borders two regions of
Myanmar, Sagaing Region to the east and
Chin State to the south.
▪ The Manipur State Constitution Act of 1947
established a democratic form of government,
with the Maharaja continuing as the head of
state after the Indian independence.
▪ Maharaja Bodhchandra was summoned to
Shillong, to merge the kingdom into the Union
of India. He is believed to have signed the
merger agreement under duress.
▪ Thereafter, the legislative assembly was
dissolved, and on 15 October 1949 Manipur
became part of India.
▪ It was made a Union Territory in 1956 and
a fully-fledged State in 1972 by the North-
Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.

S-400 missile system to be First ▪ From 2002 onward, the exercise has been
deployed in Punjab by February: conducted every year.
▪ The Indian Air Force is likely to complete ▪ Japan and Australia first participated in 2007,
the deployment of the first regiment of the and since 2014, India, the US and Japan have
S-400 Triumph Missile System at an airbase in Participated in the exercise every year.
Punjab by February. ▪ In 2020 Australia joined the Malabar Exercise
▪ The first regiment of the missile system is on India’s request in order to contain China in
being deployed in such a way that it can cover the Indo-Pacific region.
parts of the border with China in the northern ▪ For the first time in over a decade, Malabar
Sector as well as the frontier with Pakistan. 2020 saw the participation of all four Quad
▪ In total, India will get five units of the S-400 air Members.
defence missile systems from Russia. ▪ It is aimed to support free, open and inclusive
Indo-Pacific and remain committed to a rule
‘Malabar is the most Complex Naval based International Order.
Exercise’
▪ While the Navy gears up to hold its largest J&K Police to get Firepower upgrade:
multilateral exercise ‘Milan’ at the end of ▪ Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel will
February, there are requests from several soon get American Sig Sauer assault rifles and
countries for various formats of exercises, pistols to carry out anti-terror operations.
defence officials said, pointing out that ▪ The Army has already equipped its personnel
Malabar is the most complex naval exercise Guarding the Line of Control (LoC) with
India does with any other country. Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
About Exercise MILAN: with China with state-of-the-art rifles.
▪ It is a biennial, multilateral naval exercise ▪ The Jammu and Kashmir Police is probably
which started in 1995. the first in the Country to get the modern
▪ The Navy has held 10 editions of the Milan weapons, they said, adding that the force will
Exercise, with the theme of “synergy across be procuring 500 Sig Sauer-716 rifles and 100
the seas” to enhance professional interactions Sig Sauer MPX 9mm pistols.
between friendly foreign navies and learn best ▪ The Special operation Group (SoG) and
practices from each other, since 1995. Personnel deployed for the security of
▪ It was conducted at the Andaman and Nicobar protected people will be equipped with the
Command until 2018. Weapons.
▪ It is held under the aegis of Eastern Naval About Line of Control:
Command. ▪ The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the
About MALABAR EXERCISE: 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United
▪ It is a multilateral war-gaming naval exercise Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War.
that was started in 1992. It began as a bilateral ▪ It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following
exercise between the navies of India and the the Shimla Agreement between the Two
United States. Countries.
▪ Two more editions of the exercise were carried ▪ LoC is demarcated up to the Siachen Glacier -
out in 1995 and 1996, after which there was the world's Highest Battlefield.
a break until 2002 in the aftermath of India’s ▪ LoC is delineated on a map signed by the
nuclear tests. Director General of Military Operations
(DGMO) of both armies and has the
international sanctity of a legal agreement.
HISTORY | 11
About Line of Actual Control: ▪ It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India
▪ LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian- ▪ The name Vikrant ("stepping beyond") means
controlled territory from Chinese-controlled "courageous".
Territory. ▪ The motto of the ship is "Jayema Sam Yudhi
▪ LAC is different from the Line of Control Sprdhah", which is taken from Rigveda,
(LoC) with Pakistan means "I defeat those who fight against me".
▪ IT is divided into three sectors: launched on 12 August 2013 -ship started sea
9 The eastern sector which spans Arunachal trials in August 2021.
Pradesh and Sikkim (1346 km) ▪ Vikrant is scheduled to be commissioned into
9 The middle sector in Uttarakhand and service by August 2022, with flight trials of
Himachal Pradesh (545 km) aircraft expected to be completed by mid-2023.
9 The western sector in Ladakh (1597 km). BrahMos Advanced Variant Test Fired
Sea Dragon 2022 Exercise: ▪ An extended range sea to sea variant of the
▪ India and its partners in the Quadrilateral BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was test
Security Dialogue or Quad along with fired from the recently commissioned stealth
Canada and South Korea are participating Guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam.
in the multinational exercise Sea Dragon 2022 ▪ BrahMos is joint collaboration between India
at Guam in the Western Pacific that began on and Russia and is capable of being launched
January 5, 2022. from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface
▪ The six nations that are participating in the and sea-based targets, with a range capped at
exercise are the United States, Australia, 290 km initially.
Canada, India, Japan and South Korea. ▪ The range of the missile was originally Capped
▪ The exercise, primarily focused on anti- at 290 km as per obligations of the Missile
Submarine warfare (ASW) training, will Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
involve more than 270 hours of in-flight ▪ Following India’s entry into the club in
training and activities ranging from tracking June 2016, officials said the range would be
simulated targets to tracking a US Navy extended to 450 km and to 600 km at a later
Submarine. Stage.
▪ Each event will be graded and the country ▪ INS Visakhapatnam, with a displacement of
scoring the highest points will receive the 7,400 tonnes, is the first of four ingenuously
Dragon Belt Award. designed and built Project15B class
stealth guided missile destroyers and was
Vikrant heads out for Next Set of Sea Commissioned in November 2021.
Trials:
Indian Navy and Russian Navy conduct
▪ Indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant headed out
for the next set of sea trials on January 9 2022. PASSEX Exercise in Arabian Sea:
▪ The maiden sea trials in August 2021 were to ▪ Indian Navy and Russian Navy undertook
establish propulsion, navigational suite and PASSEX (Passage Exercises) at the port of
basic operations, while the second sea trial in Cochin, in the Arabian Sea.
October-November 2021 saw the ship being ▪ The Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and
put through various machinery trials and built guided-missile destroyer, INS Kochi,
flight trials. took part in the exercise.
About INS Vikrant: ▪ The exercise showcased cohesiveness and
▪ INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous interoperability between the two navies and
Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1). included tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck
▪ Constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited Helicopter Operations and Sea-man ship
(CSL) for the Indian Navy. Activities.
Explosion in destroyer INS Ranvir: About BrahMos:

▪ Three Navy personnel were killed and 11 ▪ The BrahMos is a joint venture between
injured in an explosion aboard the destroyer India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) for the
INS Ranvir at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. development, production and marketing of
▪ INS Ranvir had been on cross coast operational the supersonic Cruise Missile.
deployment from the Eastern Naval Command ▪ The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet
since November 2021 and was due to return to supersonic cruise missile that can be launched
the base port shortly. from submarine, ships, aircraft or land.
▪ INS Ranvir is the fourth of the five Rajput-class ▪ It is notably one of the fastest supersonic cruise
destroyers built for the Indian Navy. Ranvir missiles in the world.
was Commissioned on 28 October 1986. ▪ The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed
▪ Builder: Mykolayiv Shipyard, Ukraine. Until from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra
2017, it was known as the Shipyard named of India and the Moskva of Russia.
after 61 Communards. ▪ It is the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile
currently in operation.
India & Japan conducted Maritime
▪ In 2019, India upgraded the missile with a
Partnership Exercise in Bay of Bengal: new range of 650 km with plans to eventually
▪ A Maritime Partnership Exercise was held upgrade all Missiles to a range of 1500 km.
between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime
Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in the Bay of German warship’s visit to Mumbai
Bengal on 13 January 2022. reflects Berlin’s new focus on Indo-
▪ The Indian side was represented by Indian Pacific:
Naval Ships (INS) Shivalik and INS Kadmatt ▪ The German frigate Bayern F217 sailed into
while JMSDF Ships Uraga and Hirado Mumbai port on January 20 after traversing
participated from the Japanese side. the South China Sea as part of Berlin’s focus on
▪ Some other Important Exercise of India are: maritime and security cooperation in the Indo-
9 Red Flag: India and US Pacific, marking the first visit by a German
9 Al Nagah: India and Oman warship to India in almost a decade.
9 ‘Naseem-Al-Bahr’: India and Oman
9 Ekuverin: India and Maldives
9 Garuda Shakti: India and Indonesia
9 Desert Warrior: India and Egypt
Extended Range BrahMos Tested:

▪ The supersonic cruise missile BrahMos with
increased indigenous content and improved
performance was successfully flight-tested
from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off
the coast of Odisha.
▪ The missile is capable of being launched from
land, sea, subsea and air against surface and
sea-based targets and has been long inducted
by the Indian Armed Forces.
HISTORY | 13
1.4 WORLD ORGANISATIONS – PACTS AND SUMMITS

WEF's online Davos Summit begins on fourth Industrial Revolution.
January 17: ▪ There would be Sessions on energy transition,
▪ With its high-profile annual meeting getting scaling up Climate Innovation and Latin
deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, America outlook.
the World Economic Forum's (WEF) five-day About World Economic Forum:
online Davos Agenda summit will begin on ▪ The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss
January 17 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi nonprofit Foundation established on 24th
scheduled to deliver his special addresses on January 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
the first day itself. ▪ Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the
▪ The forum will also see Chinese President Xi international institution for public-private
Jinping delivering an address. cooperation.
▪ According to WEF Agenda, the virtual ▪ Mission:
plenaries will be aligned with the annual 9 Committed to improving the state of the
meeting objective of "orienting global leaders world by engaging business, political,
on the imperatives of the year ahead". Academic, and other leaders of society
▪ This year's theme is "The State of the World." to shape Global, Regional, and industry
▪ Several Heads of state will address the event Agendas.
including Japanese Prime Minister Kishida ▪ Founder and Executive Chairman: Klaus
Fumio, Australian Prime Minister Scott Schwab.
Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, ▪ Some major reports published by WEF are:
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Chinese 9 Energy Transition Index.
President Xi Jinping, and EU Commission's
9 Global Competitiveness Report.
chief Ursua von der Leyen.
9 Global IT Report - WEF along with
▪ WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom
INSEAD and Cornell University publishes
Ghebreyesus, IMF managing director
this report.
Kristalina Georgieva, special presidential
envoy for the climate of the US John F Kerry, 9 Global Gender Gap Report.
European central bank president Christine 9 Global Risk Report.
Lagarde, and WTO director-general Ngozi 9 Global Travel and Tourism Report.
Okonjo-Iweala are also expected to attend the
event. ‘Cyberattacks Surge as COVID Spurs
▪ The summit will also bring together Digital Push’:
Government and business leaders, ▪ The World Economic Forum’s ‘Global
international organisations, and civil society Cybersecurity Outlook 2022’, released during
to share their outlooks, insights, and plans its online Davos Agenda summit, further
relating to the most urgent global issues such showed that each successful cyber breach
as climate change, social contracts, and vaccine cost a company $3.6 million (almost 27
equity. crore) last year, while the average share price
▪ The Davos Agenda 2022 will mark the launch of the hacked company under-performed
of several WEF initiatives to accelerate net- the NASDAQ index by close to 3% even six
zero emissions, the economic opportunity of months after the event in case of the breach
nature-positive solutions, and cyber resilience. becoming public.
▪ Two virtual summits are expected in the ▪ The WEF said the global digital economy had
online summit - one on Covid-19 and the surged on the back of the COVID19 pandemic,
second on Technology cooperation in the but so had cybercrime.
"P3 (Pro-Planet-People) Movement: World Employment and Social Outlook –

▪ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Trends 2022 (WESO Trends) Report:
introduced the “P3 (Pro-Planet People) ▪ The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
movement” to underline India’s climate has released its World Employment and
change commitments at World Economic Social Outlook – Trends 2022 (WESO Trends)
Forum’s (WEF) Davos Agenda 2022. Report.
▪ The World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda ▪ In the WESO 2022, ILO has downgraded its
Virtual Summit hosted world leaders and forecast for labour market recovery in 2022.
heads of important institutions around the About ILO:
world to discuss climate action, pandemic ▪ The International Labour Organization (ILO)
recovery, and socio-Economic Resilience. is established to advance social and economic
1st BRICS Sherpas Meeting of 2022: justice through setting international labour
standards.
▪ The first BRICS Sherpas meeting of 2022 was
held virtually on January 18-19 2022, with ▪ Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles
the members thanking India for its BRICS as an affiliated agency of the League of
chairmanship in 2021. Nations.
▪ China has taken on the rotating chairmanship ▪ Became the first affiliated specialized agency
of BRICS in 2022. of the United Nations in 1946.
▪ BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging ▪ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, ▪ Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.
and South Africa. 9 For improving peace among classes.
▪ Sanjay Bhattacharyya - India’s BRICS Sherpa. 9 Pursuing decent work and justice for
About BRICS: workers.
▪ In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill 9 Providing technical assistance to other
coined the term BRIC to describe the four developing nations.
emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, ▪ Members: 187 Countries.
and China.
▪ Director-General: Guy Ryder of the United
▪ The grouping was formalised during the first Kingdom since 2012.
Meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers in 2006.
▪ South Africa became the member in December PM to hold Central Asia summit on
2010, after which it became BRICS. The January 27:
chairmanship of the forum is rotated Annually ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold
among the members. the First India Central Asia summit, in
▪ During the Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza a video conference with five Presidents
(Brazil) in 2014, the agreement establishing the from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
New Development Bank (NDB - Shanghai, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
China) was signed. ▪ The major areas of focus for the conference
▪ They also signed the BRICS Contingent would be trade and connectivity, building
Reserve Arrangement to provide short-term development partnerships and enhancing
Liquidity support to the members. cultural and people to people contacts.
▪ The first BRICS Sherpa meeting - in 2019 under ▪ India extended a $1 billion Line of Credit
the Presidency of Brazil in Curitiba, Brazil. (LOC) for development projects in the areas
Who are Sherpas? of energy, healthcare, connectivity, IT, and
▪ Sherpa is a personal representative of the agriculture in 2020.
head of state or government, preparing an ▪ India hopes to build on its trilateral working
International Summit. group on Chabahar with Iran and Uzbekistan
to strengthen connectivity to the region.
HISTORY | 15
1.5 EMINENT PERSONS

Velu Nachiyar: ▪ A young Ayyappan Pillai joined the State
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his Congress when it was formed in 1938.
Tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her Birth ▪ When the question of Travancore's accession
anniversary 3 January. He said, she personifies to the Indian Union came up, it was
'Nari Shakti'. Mr. Ayyappan Pillai who acted as the emissary
About: of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma to
▪ Rani Velu Nachiyar was an 18th century Pattom Thanu Pillai.
queen from Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu, ▪ In 1949, he moved to the Praja Socialist Party.
who is known as the first queen to have fought In later decades, he associated with the Jan
against the British colonial Power. Sangh and joined the BJP when it was formed.
▪ Velu Nachiyar was born on 3 January in 1730 ▪ When India attained Independence, he was
AD to the royal couple Mannar Sellamuthu asked by the Maharaja to carry on secret
Sethupathy and Sakandhimuthal. negotiations with Indian National Congress
▪ She was trained in archery, horse riding, and the Government of Travancore in 1947.
martial arts, and even handling different Sidney Poitier:
weapons. She was also educated in several
▪ Sidney Poitier, who broke through racial
languages like French, Urdu and English.
barriers as the first Black winner of the Best
▪ At the age of 16, Velu Nachiyar was married Actor Oscar for his role in Lilies of the Field
to Sivagangai Mannar Muthuvaduganathur, (1963), and inspired a generation during the
Following which they had a daughter who civil rights movement, has died at age 94.
was named Vellachi.
▪ He was born in Miami on February 20, 1927.
▪ During her reign, the queen also formed a
▪ In 2009, Mr. Poitier was Awarded the Highest
women's only army called Udaiyaal.
U.S. civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of
▪ For more than 10 years, Velu Nachiyar proudly Freedom, by President Barack Obama.
ruled Sivagangai before she died in 1796 of an
Illness. 11 January – Death Anniversary of Lal
Bahadur Shastri
Freedom Fighter K. Ayyappan
About:
Pillai Passes Away:
▪ He was the second Prime Minister of
▪ Born in 1914 to A. Kumara Pillai and Bhargavi Independent India.
Amma in Thiruvananthapuram.
▪ He promoted the White Revolution – a
▪ Mr. Ayyappan Pillai became active in the National Campaign to increase the production
freedom movement and the Indian National and supply of milk – by supporting the Amul
Congress during his student days in the 1930s. milk co-operative of Anand, Gujarat and
▪ K Ayyappan Pillai was a member of Sree creating the National Dairy Development
Mulam Praja Sabha of Travancore. Board.
▪ Ayyappan Pillai had served as ▪ He also promoted the Green Revolution in
Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Councilor in India in 1965.
1942. ▪ He led the country during the Indo-Pakistan
▪ In 1934, Gandhi advised him to serve the War of 1965. His slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan"
people directly which prompted him to stand ("Hail to the soldier; Hail to the farmer")
for elections in the newly formed legislature became very popular during the war.
of Travancore representing Trivandrum as an ▪ The war formally ended with the Tashkent
Indian National Congress candidate. Agreement on 10 January 1966; he died the
following Day.
▪ He was posthumously awarded the Bharat ▪ It was the Green campaign led by Mr.
Ratna in 1966. Prasad and others highlighting the ecological
significance of the evergreen forest of the area
Indian-Origin Captain Harpreet Chandi that eventually led to the scrapping of the
Reaches South Pole: hydel power project proposed by the Kerala
▪ Captain Harpreet Chandi, Indian-origin State Electricity Board in the area.
British Sikh Army officer and physiotherapist, ▪ Later, the Silent Valley was notified as a
also known as Polar Preet, has created history National Park in 1984.
by becoming the first woman of colour to
▪ He had led the popular science movement
complete a solo unsupported trek to the South
Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad, which had
Pole.
undertaken campaigns for popularization of
▪ Capt. Chandi announced her history-making science in everyday life, as its president.
feat at the end of Day 40 after travelling 700
▪ He had also played a key role in the
miles (1,127 kilometres) while pulling a pulk
development of the Integrated Rural
or sledge with all of her kit and battling
Technology Centre in Palakkad.
temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius and
wind speeds of around 60mph. ▪ He was also involved in the Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment Board of the United
Sindhutai Sapkal: Nations and was associated with the activities
▪ Social Activist and Padma Shri awardee of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation,
Sindhutai Sapkal passed away in Pune due to the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
a Heart attack at the age of 74 on January 04
Pandit Birju Maharaj Passed Away:
2021.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled the death
▪ Sindhutai Sapkal was known as 'Mai' and
of legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju
'Mother Terresa of Maharashtra'. She ran
Maharaj.
an orphanage named Sanmati Bal Niketan
Sanstha in Pune. About Birju Maharaj:
▪ Pandit Birju Maharaj (born Brijmohan Nath
▪ She was also called as 'Mother of Orphans'.
Mishra; 4 February 1937 – 17 January 2022 in
▪ A biopic on her life titled "Mee Sindhutai Allahabad) was an Indian dancer, composer,
Sapkal" was released in 2010. singer and exponent of the Lucknow "Kalka-
▪ 2017 – Nari Shakti Puraskar from the President Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance in India.
Of India. She was awarded the Padma Shri in ▪ He was a descendant of the Maharaj family of
2021 in Social Work Category. Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles,
Noted Environmentalist Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and
his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj. He also
M.K. Prasad Passes Away:
practiced Hindustani classical music and was
▪ Professor Prasad, who had served as Pro-Vice a vocalist.
Chancellor of Calicut University, was in the
▪ He composed the music, and sang, for two
forefront of environment protection activities
dance sequences in the Satyajit Ray's Shatranj
in Kerala.
ke Khilari, and choreographed the song Kaahe
▪ He had played a crucial role in creating public Chhed Mohe from the 2002 film version of
awareness across the State for protecting the novella Devdas.
verdant forests of the Silent Valley during the
His Awards and Honors:
early 1970s.
▪ 1964 - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
▪ He had played a leadership role in the Save
▪ 1986 - Padma Vibhushan.
Silent Valley campaign, considered the first
popular campaign for protecting a forest
ecosystem in the State.
HISTORY | 17
His Film Awards: ▪ Dr. Shanta moved into the campus of the
▪ 2012 - National Film Award for Best Cancer Institute in 1955 and made this her
Choreography for Unnai Kaanaathu home until her last days in January 2021.
(Vishwaroopam). ▪ She was simple all through her life and
▪ 2016 - Filmfare Award for Best Choreography followed the Gandhian Lifestyle.
for Mohe Rang Do Laal (Bajirao Mastani).
Cartoonist Narayan Debnath
About Classical Dances in India:
▪ India is known for its rich cultural legacy. Passes Away:
Performing arts like classical dances are ▪ Narayan Debnath, legendary cartoonist, noted
integral parts of Indian culture. illustrator and litterateur, passed away in
Kolkata.
▪ Most of the classical dance forms originated in
temples. Worshipping was the Main aim. ▪ Mr. Debnath was the creator of some of
immortal cartoon characters for Bengali
▪ Though every dance form evolved from
readers such as Bantul the Great, Handa
different regions, their roots are the same. The
Bhonda and Nonte Fonte that have inspired
roots can be traced from the Sanskrit text –
not only children but generations of Bengalis.
‘Natya Shastra’ by Bharat Muni.
▪ He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi
▪ The first compilation of Natya Shastra is dated
Award in 2013 and the Padma Shri in 2021.
between 200BCE and 200CE.
▪ The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently Youngest Woman to fly Solo around the
confers Classical Status on eight World:
Indian Classical Dance styles: ▪ The 19-year-old Belgian-British pilot Zara
Rutherford set a world record as the youngest
Name of Classical Place of Classical woman to fly solo around the world, touching
Dance Dance her small airplane down in western Belgium
Bharatanatyam Tamil Nadu on January 20 — 155 days after she departed.
Kathak Northern India First Indian to Complete Prestigious

Nasa programme:
Kathakali Kerala
▪ Jahnavi Dangeti, a young girl from Andhra
Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh Pradesh, has just completed NASA’s
International Air and Space Program (IASP
Manipuri Manipur NASA) at the Kennedy Space Centre in
Mohiniyattam Kerala Alabama, US.
▪ She is a member of the International
Odissi Odisha Organization of Aspiring Astronauts (IOAA).
Sattriya Assam
Ayesha Malik:
▪ Lahore High Court Justice Ayesha Malik will
Dr. V. Shanta: be Pakistan's first-ever woman judge of the
▪ There was a time when the word ‘Cancer’ Supreme Court.
meant only death in the public mind. This
perception in the later years was changed by World’s Oldest Living Man:
the work of Dr.V. Shanta, who came under ▪ Guinness World Records holder for the oldest
the influence of legends S. Krishnamurthi and person living (male), Saturnino de la Fuente
his mother Muthulakshmi Reddy, a visionary Garcia (Spain) has passed away at the Age of
dedicated to social service and reforms. 112 years and 341 days.
▪ Saturnino claimed the record as the oldest About Thich Nhat Hanh:
person living (male) in September 2021 when ▪ Born as Nguyen Xuan Bao in 1926 and ordained
he was exactly 112 years and 211 days. He was at age 16 and went on to found a youth school
born on February 11, 1909. which trained volunteers to build clinics and
infrastructure in villages blighted by war.
Saint Composer Sri Thyagaraja:
▪ He was the founder of the Plum Village
▪ Hundreds of musicians paid homage to Tradition, historically recognized as the main
saint composer Sri Thyagaraja by singing his inspiration for engaged Buddhism.
‘Pancharatna Kritis’ in chorus on the occasion
▪ He coined the term "Engaged Buddhism" in
of the 175th aradhana of Thyagraja at the
his book ‘Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire’.
saint's samadhi on the banks of Cauvery at
Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district. ▪ He founded the Van Hanh Buddhist University
in Vietnam.
About Thyagaraja:
▪ Saint Tyagaraja was a renowned composer of Archaeologist and Epigraphist
Carnatic music. Nagaswamy Passes away at 92
▪ He has composed thousands of devotional ▪ R. Nagaswamy, the first Director of the
compositions, mostly in Telugu in the praise Department of Archaeology, died.
of Lord Rama.
▪ An authority in archaeology, Architecture,
▪ He saw the reigns of four kings of Maratha Epigraphy, Numismatics, Iconography, south
dynasty — Tulaja II (1763-1787), Amarasimha Indian bronzes and Temple Rituals.
(1787-1798), Serfoji II (1798-1832) and Sivaji II
▪ Nagaswamy was born at Kodumudi in Erode
(1832-1855), but he served none of them.
district.
▪ Tyagaraja introduced several unusual ragas in
▪ He penned a book, ‘Masterpieces of Early
Carnatic music.
South Indian Bronzes’, in 1983 and compiled
▪ Tyagaraja and his contemporaries, Shyama a coffee table book for the Tamil Nadu
Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar, are government to mark the World Classical
regarded as the Trinity of Carnatic music. Tamil Conference.
▪ A sports complex in New Delhi, Thyagaraj ▪ His other important books are on
Sports Complex, was named after him. Mamallapuram, published by the Oxford
▪ A crater on the planet Mercury was named University Press, Uthiramerur and Gangai
after Tyagaraja in 1976. kondacholapuram. He had also published
books in Tamil.
Ahobila Math sabha President Passes
Away: Linguist S.Y. Shanmugam Passed Away:
▪ N.V. Vasudevachariar, president of the Sri ▪ Dr. C. Y. Shanmugam (91 years old), former
Ahobila Math Samskrita Vidya Abhivardini Senior Director, Center for Linguistic Studies,
Sabha, which runs the Sri Ahobila Math Chidambaram Annamalai University,
Oriental Higher Secondary School, died. Cuddalore District, passed away on January
▪ Mr. Vasudevachariar was a former member 27.
of the Central Sanskrit Board and a former ▪ He has submitted over 300 research articles
member of the Senate of the University of nationally. He has written over 40 books.
Madras. ▪ He is the recipient of the President's
Tolkappiyar Award and the Kambar Award
Thich Nhat Hanh:
of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
▪ Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered Zen Buddhist
monk who helped pioneer the concept of
mindfulness in the West and socially engaged
Buddhism in the East, has died.
HISTORY | 19
Lala Lajpat Rai Birth Anniversary: ▪ When the Simon Commission visited Lahore
▪ Born on January 28, 1865 in the Ludhiana on 30 October 1928, he was leading a silent
district of Punjab, he was a part of the triarchy protest against the Simon Commission in
political institution Lal Bal Pal (Extremists), Lahore and gave the movement a slogan “Go
who advocated the Swadeshi movement, by Back Simon” when he was brutally lathi-
boycotting all imported items and promoting charged by Superintendent of Police, James
the use of Indian made goods in 1907. Scott.
▪ He was influenced by the Hindu reformist ▪ He died of injuries sustained, on 17 November
movement of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, 1928.
became a Member of existing Arya Samaj
M V Pasupathi:
Lahore (founded 1877).
▪ Senior Tamil Professor M V Pasupathi passed
▪ He founded the Home Rule League of
away.
America in 1917 in New York.
▪ He has been graduated from Senthamizh
▪ He was also elected President of the All-India
College in Thiruppanandal, worked as a tamil
Trade Union Congress.
Professor and Principal in the same college.
▪ He supported the Non-Cooperation
▪ After his retirement in 2002, he worked as the
Movement of Gandhi at the Nagpur session of
honorary curator of Dr. U.V. Swaminatha Iyer
the Congress in 1920.
library, Besant Nagar.
▪ He was elected deputy leader of the Central
▪ He was then engaged in compiling antiquities
Legislative Assembly in 1926.
into texts. Among them, he has published a
▪ He founded Hindu Relief movement in 1897 collection of manuscripts related to 'Panavidu
to provide help to the famine -stricken people thuuthu'. This will help to facilitate the study
and thus preventing them falling into the of numismatics.
clutches of the missionaries.
▪ He has published four collections of essays
▪ He founded the Servants of People Society in with respect to U.V Swaminathan's prose.
1921.
▪ Deciphering palm-leaf manuscripts, Ma. Ve
▪ His important literary works include Young Pasupathi has published 40 literary works. He
India, England’s Debt to India, Evolution of received the prestigious U Ve Sa award for
Japan, India’s Will to Freedom, Message of this singular work.
the Bhagavad Gita, Political Future of India,
▪ Some his other works are 'Kavinganum
Problem of National Education in India, The
Suvainganum', 'Kama Sigarangal', 'Pudhiya
Depressed Glasses, and the travelogue ‘United
Thiruvalluvamalai'.
States of America’.
▪ He has worked as the editor of 'Kumaragurupar'
▪ He founded several institutions and
religious literary monthly Magazine.
organizations such as Hisar Bar Council, Hisar
Arya Samaj, Hisar Congress, National DAV
Managing Committee.
▪ He was the editor of the Arya Gazette, which
he had founded.
▪ He co-founded the Punjab National Bank in
1894.
▪ His ideologies and contribution in making
India an independent country is what earned
him the title of Punjab Kesari or the Lion of
Punjab.
1.6 SPORTS & GAMES

U19 Asia Cup 2021: National Motorcycle Racing
▪ India reaffirmed its supremacy in the U19 Asia Championship:
Cup with a record Eighth Title as it hammered ▪ Drawing a close on the 4th round of MRF
Sri Lanka by nine wickets. MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle
Racing Championship on a high, IDEMITSU
Mission Paris 2024: Six New Honda SK69 Racing’s Rajiv Sethu displayed
Foreign Athletics Coaches: finesse on track and was the second to cross
▪ India’s preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics the chequered line in the Pro-Stock 165cc
is likely to get a lift with the Sports Authority category.
of India (SAI) approving appointments of six ▪ Ryhana Bee (RACR Castrol Power Ultimate)
new foreign coaches for the country’s track regained the title in the girls’ category after
and field athletes in a shortened Olympics a two-year gap with one race to spare as the
cycle. fourth round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian
▪ The six foreign coaches are: National Motorcycle Racing Championship.
1. Germany’s Steffen Reumann, who is a Md Arif Khan in the Target Olympic
biomechanics expert, is expected to be roped Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core Group:
in as the new coach for rotational throwers like
▪ Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell
Kamalpreet Kaur and Tejinderpal Pal Singh
(MOC) of India has approved the inclusion
Toor.
of Alpine Skiing athlete Md Arif Khan in the
2. Former world champion Kimmo Kinnunen Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core
of Finland is set to coach the javelin throwers, Group, until the Winter Olympics, scheduled
barring Tokyo gold medallist Neeraj Chopra. this February in Beijing, China.
3. Kimmo Kinnunen will be working with the ▪ The feat earned Khan the unique distinction of
likes of Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal and Yashvir becoming the first Indian to win direct Quota
Singh in the national camp. spots in two different Winter Olympics Events.
4. Neeraj Chopra will continue to train under ▪ He is also the first athlete from the country
personal coach Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, whose to seal a berth at the Winter Olympic Games
contract was extended till 2024 recently. 2022.
5. Russia’s Tatiana Sibileva, a former Olympian,
is set to be the new race-walking coach. ATP Tennis Tournament ADELAIDE:
6. Cuba’s Juan Gualberto Napoles Cardenas is ▪ The unseeded pair of Rohan Bopanna and
expected to be the new coach for long jumpers. Ramkumar Ramanathan of India beat the top
seeds, Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo in the
7. Josef Lisowski, who is credited for the success
double’s final of the ATP tennis tournament in
of Polish runners, will look to add pace to the
Adelaide, Australia.
progress of Indian sprinters and relay runners
who are currently training under coach Galina New Grandmaster in India:
Bukharina. ▪ Bharath Subramaniyam, who became a
8. Men’s steeplechase runner Avinash Sable and Grandmaster at the age of 14 on January 9, is
other middle and long-distance runners will another addition to India’s impressive list of
get Scott Simmons as their coach. Talented youngsters that could challenge the
▪ Currently, 117 Indian track and field athletes world’s strongest players within a few years.
are preparing at the senior national athletics ▪ Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and R.
camp for the upcoming Commonwealth and Praggnanandhaa have already proved
Asian Games. themselves on the global stage.
▪ The oldest among them is only 18.
HISTORY | 21
Tata Group is Title Sponsor: Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia to

▪ The Tata Group has replaced Vivo as the Title become the first men’s team from the country
Sponsor for the Indian Premier League 2022 to win the Yonex-Sunrise India Open.
and 2023 Editions.
World Rapid Chess:
AISCD gets Approval to hold first World ▪ Nodirbek Abdusattorov 17-year-old
Deaf T20 Cricket Championship 2023: from Uzbekistan won the World Rapid
▪ The All India Sports Council of the Deaf championship in Warsaw, claiming enroute
(AISCD) has got Approval from the the scalps of Magnus Carlsen and the No 1’s
International Committee of Sports for the Deaf last two challengers, Fabiano Caruana and Ian
(ICSD) to host the first World Deaf T20 Cricket Nepomniachtchi.
Championship in Thiruvananthapuram ▪ In rapid chess each player has 15 minutes for all
Kerala from January 10-20, 2023. moves, plus a 10 second per move increment.
▪ A minimum of eight countries are expected to ▪ At 17 years three months Abdusattorov
take part in the championship and this kind of becomes the Youngest ever world Champion
international event is being held in India with in open competition, surpassing Ruslan
the approval of the ICSD for the first time. Ponomariov at 18.
About the AISCD:
▪ AISCD is the only Centre-recognized National 9th women National Ice Hockey
sports federation for the deaf, while the ICSD Championship-2022:
is the only international federation recognized ▪ In Himachal Pradesh, the 9th women
as governing body of the deaf sports National Ice Hockey Championship-2022 was
movement and Deaflympics sanctioned by the inaugurated at Ice Skating Rink, Kaza in
International Olympic Committee. Lahaul Spiti district.
Kohli steps down as Test Captain: ▪ For the First Time in the state, Ice Hockey
competition & development camp is being
▪ Virat Kohli has stepped down as the Test
organized at the National Level.
captain of the Indian national cricket team
after seven years, a day after India lost the Test ▪ Teams from Himachal Pradesh, Telengana,
series 1-2 to South Africa at Cape Town. Ladakh, ITBP Ladakh, Chandigarh & Delhi
▪ He first led the national side in Test cricket in are participating in this mega event.
2014 against Australia. ▪ The State Government has already announced
▪ In 2021, India also finished as the runners-up in the High-Altitude Sports Center at Kaza with
the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. an estimated cost of Rs. 16 crores.
▪ India also became a top-ranked Test side in the Best FIFA Football Awards 2021:
world. ▪ The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021 Ceremony
Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2022: was held virtually in Zurich, Switzerland
▪ India’s Lakshya Sen secured his maiden Super to crown outstanding players for excellent
500 title by winning the Yonex-Sunrise India achievement in football.
Open with a stunning straight-game victory ▪ Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas and Poland/
over reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski
of Singapore in the men’s singles final. were awarded the Best FIFA Players in
▪ In the double’s final, top doubles pair of women’s and men’s football respectively.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty ▪ Lewandowski won the Best FIFA Men’s
scripted a stunning straight-game win over Player Award for the second straight year,
three-time world champions Mohammad after getting the First one in 2020.
ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year:

ICC Emerging Men’s Janneman Malan
▪ Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has been named
Cricketer of the Year (South Africa)
as the captain of the ICC Men’s T20I team of
the year for 2021. ICC Emerging
Fatima Sana
▪ The ICC Team of the Year recognises the Women’s Cricketer
(Pakistan)
11 best players in men’s cricket who have of the Year
impressed one and all with their performances
ICC Men’s Associate Zeeshan Maqsood
in a calendar year, either with the bat, ball or
Cricketer of the Year (Oman)
their all-round performance. No Indian male
player has found a place in the team of 11. ICC Women’s
Andrea-Mae Zepeda
Associate Cricketer
Syed Modi Badminton 2022: (Austria)
of the Year
▪ Ace Indian shuttler, PV Sindhu has bagged
the women’s singles title at the Syed Modi ICC Men’s ODI Babar Azam
International Tournament in Lucknow. Cricketer of the Year (Pakistan)
▪ Sindhu beat fellow Indian Malvika Bansod
ICC Women’s ODI Lizelle Lee (South
21-13 21-16 to win her second Syed Modi title
Cricketer of the Year Africa)
after 2017.
▪ The 2022 Syed Modi International badminton ICC Men’s Test
Joe Root (England)
tournament was held at Babu Banarasi das Cricketer of the Year
Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
from 18 to 23 January 2022.
AFC Women’s football Asian Cup 2022:
International Cricket Council Announced ▪ India hosts the AFC Women’s football Asian
ICC Awards 2021: Cup India 2022 from 20th January 2022 in
▪ The International Cricket Council (ICC) has Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
announced the winners of the 17th Edition of ▪ The tournament will witness 12 teams
ICC Awards for the year 2021 to recognize and competing for the trophy. AFC Women’s
honor the best international cricket players of Asian Cup India will also be the final stage of
the previous 12 Months, between January 01, Asian qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s
2021, and December 31, 2021. World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
▪ Winners are listed below: ▪ Japan are the defending champions of the
Women’s Asian Cup, having won it in 2018.
Category Winners ▪ The Indian women's football team has
withdrawn from the ongoing AFC Women's
ICC Women’s Smriti Mandhana
Asian Cup 2022.
Cricketer of the Year (India)
▪ This is after several players tested positive for
ICC Men’s Cricketer Shaheen Afridi COVID-19.
of the Year (Pakistan)
Asia Cup Hockey 2022:
ICC Umpire of the ▪ Defending champion India defeated China 2-0
Marais Erasmus
Year to win a consolation bronze at the women’s
Asia Cup hockey tournament in Muscat
ICC Men’s T20I Mohammad Rizwan
(Capital of Oman) on January 28.
Cricketer of the Year (Pakistan)
▪ Japan (3rd title) became the Champion by
ICC Women’s T20I Tammy Beaumont defeating South Korea in the final.
Cricketer of the Year (England)
HISTORY | 23
Winter Olympics 2022: Women's Doubles:

▪ The 2022 Winter Olympics, officially the XXIV ▪ The Czech duo Barbora Krejcikova and
Olympic Winter Games and commonly known Katerina Siniakova battled through a
as Beijing 2022, is an upcoming international challenging championship match to win their
winter multi-sport event scheduled to take first Australian Open title and add to their
place from 4 to 20 February 2022 in Beijing growing number of majors.
and venues near the neighboring towns of ▪ They overcame a spirited effort from the
Yanqing and Chongli in China. unseeded and previously undefeated pair
of Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan and Beatriz
Viswanathan Anand to Mentor Haddad Maia of Brazil, winning 6-7(3), 6-4,
Indian team for Asian Games: 6-4 to notch their fourth career Grand Slam
▪ Five-time world champion Viswanathan women's doubles title.
Anand will mentor the Indian team that will Men's Singles:
take part in the Asian Games at Hangzhou, ▪ Rafael Nadal roared back from two sets
China from September 10, 2022. down to win a titanic five set duel with Daniil
Tata Steel Chess 2022: Medvedev and claim a record 21st Grand Slam
men’s title in the Australian Open final in
▪ Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi won the
Melbourne.
Tata Steel Challengers event with a round to
spare after a draw with Thai Dai Van Nguyen ▪ It is the Fourth Time in his storied career that
of Czech at Wijk aan Zee,near Amsterdam, Nadal has clawed back to win from two sets
Netherlands. down, but the first time in a Slam final.
▪ He is the Fourth Indian after P Harikrishna, B ▪ It is the second time Nadal has denied
Adhiban and Vidit Santhosh Gujrathi to win Medvedev in a Grand Slam final, winning a
the Tata Steel Challengers event. five-set epic at the 2019 US Open.
▪ World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen clinched his ▪ It was one of the 35-year-old Spanish warrior’s
eighth title in Wijk aan Zee after beating greatest title victories in his 29th Grand Slam
Fabiano Caruana in Tata Steel Masters event. final as he won his second Australian Open, 13
years after his first in 2009.
Australian Open Melbourne 2022: ▪ With this win, Nadal reached the milestone of
Women's Singles: winning atleast 2 Grand Slams.
▪ An imperious Ashleigh Barty became the first ▪ In the open era, he became the second player
Australian to win her home Grand Slam in to achieve this after Novak Djokovic.
44 years on January 29, halting the charge of
From Deuce to Advantage:
fearless American Danielle Collins in straight
▪ Nadal broke away from a three-way tie to
sets.
become the First Man to win 21 Majors. A
▪ It was a third Slam title for the 25-year-old list of the Big Three’s (Rafael Nadal, Roger
Barty after her breakthrough French Open Federer, Novak Djokovic) Slam break-up.
success in 2019 and Wimbledon last year,
Rafael Nadal’s Winning Records:
joining Serena Williams as the only active
▪ Australian Open (2009, 2022) -2 times.
players to win Majors on all three surfaces.
▪ French Open (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010,
▪ Barty is the First Women to win a Grand Slam
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
title in her home country since Stephens at the
– 13 times.
US Open 2017.
▪ Wimbledon (2008, 2010) – 2 times.
▪ US Open (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) – 4 times.
Roger Federer’s Winning Records:

▪ Australian Open (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017,
2018) – 6 times.
▪ French Open (2009) – 1 time.
▪ Wimbledon (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2009, 2012, 2017) – 8 times.
▪ US Open (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
5 – times.
Novak Djokovic’s Winning Records:
▪ Australian Open (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015,
2016, 2019, 2020, 2021) – 9 times.
▪ French Open (2016, 2021) – 2 times.
▪ Wimbledon (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019,
2021) – 6 times.
▪ US Open (2011, 2015 ,2018) – 3 times.
Odisha Open Badminton 2022:

▪ Fourteen-year-old Unnati Hooda capped
a splendid run with an impressive finish
against a fighting Smit Toshniwal to become
the youngest winner of the women’s singles
title in the $75,000 Odisha Open badminton
tournament at Cuttack.
▪ For the men’s singles title, Kiran George staved
off a remarkable rally from Priyanshu Rajawat
in Three games.
HISTORY | 25
1.7 AWARDS & HONORS

RedInk Awards: ▪ Madurai Municipal Corporation, Tamil Nadu
▪ Senior Journalist Prem Shankar Jha and - “Best Urban Local Body” - 3rd Place.
Reuters’ Photo journalist Danish Siddiqui, ▪ Govt. Girls Hr. Secondary School,
who died while reporting in Afghanistan in Kaveripattinam, Tamilnadu - “Best School”.
July, will be awarded with the top two RedInk ▪ Welspun India Textile Ltd., Gujarat - “Best
awards by the Mumbai Press Club. Industry”.
▪ While Jha will get the lifetime Achievement ▪ Hyundai Motor India Ltd., Tamil Nadu -
Award, Siddiqui will be bestowed upon the “Best Industry” - 2nd Place.
Journalist of the year, posthumously. About the Award:
▪ Instituted by the Mumbai Press Club a ▪ The National Water Award was launched by
decade ago, this is the tenth edition of “peer the Jal Shakti Ministry in 2018 to recognise and
Recognition for excellent writing and Good motivate individuals and organizations doing
Journalism”. exemplary work in the field of water resources
Management.
19th Chennai International Film Festival
Awards: First Ever Guinness World Record in
▪ Filmmaker Vasanth’s film ‘Sivaranjaniyum Numerology:
Innum Sila Pengalum’ - Best Tamil Feature ▪ India’s one of the top Numerologists, JC
Film Award. Chaudhry has achieved the first-ever Guinness
▪ Actress Lakshmipriya Chandramouli - World Record in Numerology and the first
Special Jury Award. world record of 2022 by educating about
▪ Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao ancient science to around 6000 participants,
- Lifetime Achievement Award. enthusiasts of numerology joined from the
▪ Singer Sid Sriram - Amitabh Bachchan Youth United States, the United Kingdom, Middle
Icon Award. East, and India.
▪ The Guinness World Record London office
National Water Awards- 2020: has opened a new category, “Numerology”
▪ Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh for this Achievement.
Shekhawat announced 3rd National Water
Awards-2020. Ramnath Goenka Award:
▪ A total of 57 awards were announced in 11 ▪ Zishaan A Latif won Ramnath Goenka Award
Categories including Best States, District, in the Photo Journalism category.
Panchayat and Best Industries. ▪ He won the award for his photo essay, ‘The
▪ In the ‘Best State’ category, Uttar Pradesh arduous struggle for inclusion in the NRC’,
has been awarded First Prize, followed by which was published in The Caravan in
Rajasthan, second and Tamil Nadu, third. October 2019.
▪ Yelerampura Panchayat, Tumakuru District, ▪ He documented the plight of people who
Karnataka - “Best Village Panchayat” – South were dropped from the National Register of
Zone. Citizens (NRC) and put a face to an untold
Human Story.
▪ Vellaputhur Panchayat, Chengalpattu District,
Tamil Nadu - “Best Village Panchayat” – ▪ About a month after the NRC list was released,
South Zone - 2nd Place. Latif made his way through four districts in
Assam, documenting people’s struggle for
▪ Vapi Urban Local Body, Gujarat - “Best Urban inclusion in the NRC.
Local Body”.
About Ramnath Goenka Award: ▪ The SKOCH Award covers the best of efforts
▪ The Awards honour journalists from print, in digital, financial and social inclusion.
Broadcast and digital media recognizing It encompasses the best of governance,
their strength of character and integrity while Inclusive growth, excellence in technology
covering news in adverse Circumstances. and applications, change management,
▪ Named after Ramnath Goenka, the awards corporate leadership, corporate governance,
have been held annually since 2006. citizen services delivery, capacity building,
Who is Ramnath Goenka?
empowerment and other such softer issues
▪ Ramnath Goenka (1904–1991) was an Indian that get normally lost in the glamour and the
newspaper publisher. He launched The Indian glitz of industry sponsored or advertising
Express Newspaper in 1932. Focused jamborees.
▪ During the Emergency Period of India, he ▪ SKOCH Awards are extremely coveted and are
was one of the few independent businessman India’s Highest Civilian Honour in the country
Journalists that stood up to the Government conferred by an Independent Organization
Opposing Indira Gandhi. and amongst its recipients have included
regulators, secretaries, union ministers and
▪ He became the Lok Sabha Member in 1971 chief ministers over its twenty year or so long
under the banner of Bhartiya Jan Sangha. History.
‘Outstanding Investigator Award’: SKOCH Award for Assam Mission on
▪ Vijay Viswanathan, head and chief
Malnutrition:
diabetologist of MV Hospital for Diabetes
▪ A Mission to combat malnourishment among
Chennai, has been presented the ‘Outstanding
children aged six months to five years has
Investigator Award’ by the US based World
earned the SKOCH Award for southern
India Diabetes Foundation.
Assam’s Cachar district.
78 SKOCH summit – 6 January 2022:
th th
▪ The project named Mission Parvarish saw 704
▪ The summit was organized with the theme out of a targeted 800 children recover from the
“State of Governance”. severely acute malnourished stage.
▪ The Forensic Science Laboratory - Forensic ▪ The programme was launched during the
Service, Delhi, has won the SKOCH Award “nutrition month” in 2020.
2021 (Silver).
Golden Globes Award:
▪ It got the award in the Governance category
▪ “The Power of the Dog” and Steven Spielberg’s
for its work towards combating Crime and
“West Side Story” won the top film prizes at
Violence against Children.
an untelevised Golden Globes that was largely
▪ The SKOCH Literature Award 2021 was ignored by Hollywood.
presented to the book titled ‘Rising to the
▪ Jane Campion's dark Western “The Power of
China Challenge: Winning Through Strategic
the Dog” became only the second film directed
Patience and Flexible Policies’ authored by
by a woman to win the best Drama Prize.
leading members of Pune International Centre.
▪ The film also won for best director and best
▪ The book was published in 2021 by Rupa
Supporting actor for Kodi SmitMcPhee.
Publications India Ltd.
▪ Will Smith and Nicole Kidman won the
▪ The book was based on the 2020 Galwan
prizes for best actor and actress in film dramas
Valley clash provoked by China.
for their turns in King Richard and Being the
About SKOCH: Ricardos.
▪ Instituted in 2003, SKOCH Award salutes
people, projects and institutions that go the
Extra mile to make India a better nation.
HISTORY | 27
Dr. Subhas Mukherjee Award: 9 The Master Artisans - Amita Sachdeva

▪ A professor in the clinical embryology (India) and Mubarik Khatri (India).
Department at Kasturba Medical College
12th Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award
(KMC), under Manipal Academy of Higher
Education (MAHE), Dr.Satish Adiga has been 2022:
Selected by the Indian Council of Medical ▪ The 2015 film Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame actress,
Research (ICMR) for its national award. Harshaali Malhotra has been awarded the
12th Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award 2022.
▪ He will receive Dr. Subhas Mukherjee Award
from ICMR in recognition for his outstanding
contribution to the field of in-Vitro Fertilization ▪ She received the award from Shri Bhagat
(IVF). Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra, for
her commendable performance in the Movie
▪ He has contributed significantly to both
and contribution in the field of Indian Cinema.
Clinical IVF and fertility research.
About: Periyar Award and Ambedkar Award:
▪ Dr Subhas Mukherjee Award was instituted ▪ The Tamil Nadu government announced that
by ICMR in the year 2012 in the memory of Dr. K. Thirunavukkarasu, a historian documenting
Subhas Mukherjee. the Dravidian movement, and the retired
▪ This award is granted to a scientist for Madras High Court judge, K. Chandru, would
outstanding contributions, in the field be honoured with the Thanthai Periyar Award
of assisted reproductive technology, for Social Justice and the Dr. Ambedkar Award
reproductive biology & endocrinology and for 2021 respectively.
Reproductive health in general. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has issued an order
▪ Dr. Subhas Mukherjee was the creator of to increase the cash prize for both awards to ₹5
India's first child using IVF. lakh, an official release said.
▪ The awards comprise the cash prize, gold
International Craft Award 2021:
Medal and Citation.
▪ Kerala Arts and Crafts Village Organization
▪ K. Thirunavukkarasu:
(KACV) from Kovalam, Kerala was awarded
the ‘International Craft Award for 2021’ for 9 Mr. Thirunavukkarasu’s work, ‘Needhi
the best craft village in the world by the World Katchi Varalaru’, documents in two
Crafts Council International. volumes the history of the Justice Party
since its founding in 1916 until it was
▪ It is the only award India received in the non-
named Dravidar Kazhagam in 1944.
Individual category.
9 He has also been commended for his works,
▪ The KACV was established by the Uralungal
‘Dravida Iyakka Vergal’ and ‘Dravida
Labour Contract Cooperative Society (UL
Iyakka Thoongal’.
CCS) for the State Tourism Department of
Kerala. 9 He was a recipient of the Tamil Nadu
Government’s Thiru. Vi.Ka. Award. He
▪ Other Awardees are:
Received it from former Chief Minister M.
9 Village of the Year - ‘Kraf Komuniti Ku’ in Karunanidhi in 2006.
Malaysia.
▪ K. Chandru:
9 Craft Persons of the Year - Shahrbanoo
9 Mr. Chandru has delivered judgments in
Arabian (Iran) and Dalavayi Kullayappa
over 96,000 cases during his service. When
(India).
he was an advocate, he was the voice of
9 Next Generation Craft Designers of the the poor and workers in the Madras High
year - Qiling Zhang (China) and Mubin Court.
Khatri (India).
9 His works, My Judgments in the Light of 9 The statue of Thiruvalluvar in Bengaluru

Ambedkar and Listen to My Case! When was unveiled by former CM M Karunanidhi
Women Approach the Courts of Tamil in 2009.
Nadu, were widely appreciated. ▪ These awards carry a prize of Rs 1 lakh each, a
9 The Tamil Nadu government has every year Gold Medal, and a citation.
been honouring those who has made an
Outstanding contribution to the promotion Global Women’s Health Tech Awards:
of social justice with the Thanthai Periyar ▪ NIRAMAI Health Analytix Pvt Ltd, and
Award. InnAccel Technologies Pvt Ltd have received
9 The Ambedkar Award is given to an World Bank Group and Consumer Technology
eminent Personality who has contributed Association’s Global Women’s Health Tech
to the socio economic and educational Awards.
development of the Adi Dravidar ▪ The award recognizes innovative startups that
community. leverage tech to improve women’s Health and
Safety.
Global Private Banking Awards 2021: ▪ NIRAMAI Health Analytix was selected for
▪ HDFC Bank was named as the ‘Best Private early-stage Breast Cancer Medical Device.
Bank’ in India at the ‘Global Private Banking ▪ InnAccel was selected for Fetal Lite, AI-
Awards 2021’ which was organised by powered Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) monitor.
Professional Wealth Management (PWM)
in a virtual ceremony. PWM is a wealth About the Award:
management Magazine, published by the ▪ Launched in August 2021.
Financial Times Group. ▪ The award recognizes innovative startups that
About HDFC Bank: use technology to improve women’s Health
▪ Headquarters: Mumbai. and Safety in Emerging Markets.
▪ Founded: August 1994.
Former West Indies Cricketer Clive Lloyd
▪ CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan.
Receives Knighthood:
Kamarajar and Thiruvalluvar Award ▪ Former West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd
2022: received Knighthood from Prince William,
▪ The State Government has chosen veteran the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle, for
Congress leader and former TNCC president his services towards the Game of Cricket.
Kumari Ananthan (88) for the Perunthalaivar ▪ A knighthood is a title that is given to a man
Kamarajar Award for 2021. by a British king or queen for his achievements
9 Kumari Ananthan is a senior politician of or his service to his country. A man who has
TN and a close associate of former CM K been given a knighthood can put ‘Sir’ in front
Kamaraj. of his name instead of ‘Mr’.
9 He introduced Asking questions in Tamil ▪ On the same day, England’s world cup-
in Parliament and served as a member of winning captain Eoin Morgan was awarded
the State Assembly. with CBE (Commander of the Order of the
British Empire) by Prince William for his
9 He is well versed in Tamil literature and
services towards the game of cricket.
has authored many books.
▪ The CBE is the highest-ranking Order of
▪ M Meenakshi Sundaram (78), who was
the British Empire award, followed by OBE
instrumental in installing a statue of
(Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and
Thiruvalluvar in Bengaluru, has been chosen
then MBE (Member of the Order of the British
for the Thiruvalluvar Award.
Empire).
HISTORY | 29
South Indian Bank won UiPath Innovation Promotion Group and

Automation Excellence Awards 2021: Suggestion Scheme for Best Innovation
▪ South Indian Bank (SIB) won the UiPath in Indian Railways:
Automation Excellence Awards 2021 for ▪ On behalf of the Ministry of Railways,
Best Automation under ‘Crisis for Business recommendations for the best development
Continuity’. works in the Railways received every year
▪ The 2021 edition of the award recognizes from all the Railway Zones and Production
the contribution of the individuals and Workshops and the best nominations will be
organizations across India and South Asia (Sri rewarded.
Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal) for bringing ▪ The best recommendation for the year 2020-
change through Transformative Automation 2021 has been to awarded to Southern railway
Projects. and Western railway for recommending for
railway line upgradation and reducing the
Best National Costume award at Mrs.
electricity consumption in the rail engine.
World 2022 pageant:
▪ The first prize of Rs. 3 lakhs are to be distributed
▪ India’s Navdeep Kaur has won the award for between the two railway zones.
the Best National Costume at the prestigious
▪ The Southern Railway bagged the first place
Mrs. World 2022 pageant in Nevada, Las
with ₹1.5 lakh group award for suggesting
Vegas.
“Automatic Gauge Face Greasing Machine”.
▪ She is the winner of Mrs. India World 2021,
▪ The Integral Coach Factory has bagged the
was representing the country at Mrs. World
second prize in the national innovation award
2022.
for suggesting a modification in the existing
▪ Navdeep hails from a small town near Odisha’s Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches that
Steel City, Rourkela. will not only cut cost but enhance the aesthetics
▪ The “Avant Garde” outfit was inspired by by averting undulations.
Kundalini Chakra, which “symbolizes” the ▪ Team ICF suggested replacement of the
movement of energy in chakras of the body existing five-piece side wall and three-piece
from the base to the spine up through the roof sub-assemblies of the LHB coach with one
crown”. metal assembly respectively.
▪ Cobra embellishments on the shoulder were ▪ The new innovation reduces cost of
added to represent the “mystical serpent manufacture of LHB body shells and also
native to India”, while the golden colour was
reduces the assembly and crane handling time.
chosen as it represents novelty, power and
glory. National Arts Festival Awards:
▪ 7 students from Tamil Nadu have been
Mrs. World 2022:
selected for the prize for the first time in the
▪ 37 Years old Shaylyn Ford was crowned as the
national level art festival held on behalf of the
winner of Mrs. World 2022.
Union Ministry of Education.
▪ She was crowned by the outgoing queen Kate
▪ To boost the artistic skills of School students,
Schneider from Ireland.
Union Ministry of Education in association
▪ Mrs. Jordan Jaclyn Stapp & Mrs. UAE with National Institute for Educational
Debanjali Kamstra were the runner up. Research and Training (NCERT) has been
▪ Shaylyn Ford represented America in the conducting the National Art Festival for the
pageant. past seven years.
▪ This is the 8th time an American ▪ This year the competitions were held online at
representative won the title of Mrs. World. the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.
▪ Similarly online competitions in all states IBSi Innovation Awards 2021:

including New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala ▪ Axis Bank & CRMNEXT Solution won the IBS
were conducted. Intelligence (IBSi) Global FinTech Innovation
▪ Numerous students have participated in Awards 2021 for the “Best CRM (Customer
nine types of competitions including singing, Relationship Management) System
music, dance, sculpture, and Toy making. Implementation”.
▪ The 7 students (2 from government school & ▪ It is one of the most prominent awards
5 from private school) selected from Tamil for global bankers and IT (Information
Nadu are: Technology) consultants across the world.
9 L. Mukund Bhardwaj - ▪ The Axis Bank implemented CRMNEXT for
Second Prize, Singing. Sales and Service modernisation and it also
9 S.N. Yazhini - Third Prize, Singing. enables smarter lead processing, automated
9 R. Madhavi - Third Prize, Playing routing, complete tracking, and visibility.
Musical Instruments. About Axis Bank:
9 M. Shakthi Poorani - Folk ▪ Founded: 3 December 1993.
Dance, Second Prize. ▪ Headquarters: Mumbai.
9 B P Dharanish - Third Prize, Folk Dance. ▪ MD & CEO: Amitabh Chaudhary.
9 E. Saranya - Third Prize, Miss Trans Global Crown:
Making Traditional Toys.
▪ Kerala Native Sruthy Sithara was crowned as
9 R. Charan - Third Prize, Miss Trans Global 2021.
Making Traditional Toys.
▪ Sithara received the award on December 1 in
11 Cities win Centre’s Road Challenge: her hometown, Vaikom in Kerala, during an
▪ Eleven cities have been selected as the winners online event. She became the First Indian to
of the Streets for People Challenge for their win this title.
pilot projects to make roads more pedestrian ▪ The Physical event, which was scheduled to be
friendly, the Union Ministry of Housing and held in London, was cancelled this year due to
Urban Affairs said. the pandemic.
▪ Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kochi, ▪ She was dedicated the award to her late
Kohima, Nagpur, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, mother and "Anannyah Chechi", referring to
Udaipur, Ujjain and Vijayawada were selected Anannyah Kumari Alex, the Kerala's First
on the basis of their pilot projects and would transgender RJ.
be given 50 lakh each as they scale up their
proposals. UNDP India's First Youth Climate
▪ The Ministry also announced 10 winners of the Champion:
pilot stage of the Nurturing Neighbourhoods ▪ Leading content creator and actor, Prajakta
Challenge. The challenge was also started in Koli, who embraces the moniker MostlySane,
November 2020 and included 70 pilot projects has become the first United Nations
by 25 cities. Development Programme India Youth
▪ Among the winners were Bengaluru, which Climate Champion.
improved safety of an Anganwadi centre with About UNDP:
child specific design standards; Hubbali- ▪ The United Nations Development Programme
Dharwad, which started a shared pram
(UNDP) is a United Nations organization
service, priority seating for pregnant women
tasked with helping countries eliminate
100 buses; and Jabalpur.
poverty and achieve sustainable economic
▪ Indore, Kakinada, Kochi, Kohima, Rourkela, growth and human development.
Vadodara and Warangal were selected as
winners of the pilot stage. ▪ Headquarters: New York, United States.
HISTORY | 31
▪ Founded: 22 November 1965. the legislative assembly elections in Tamil

Nadu during 2021.
Reimagine Education Award:
▪ Sahoo has been invited to receive the award at
▪ Rhapsody Music Foundation (2013) has won the national award function to be held at New
the prestigious Reimagine Education Award. Delhi on the occasion of National Voters Day
▪ Founded by classical pianist-turned-Education 25th.
innovation entrepreneur Anil Srinivasan, ▪ The National Awards for the Best Electoral
Rhapsody has been ranked Number 1 in Asia Practices will be conferred on State and District
and Number 1 worldwide in the Arts and level officers for their outstanding performance
Humanities category ahead of more than 1500 in the conduct of elections in different spheres
education innovators. such as IT initiatives, Security Management,
▪ The Reimagine Award recognizes innovative Election Management during Covid-19,
approaches that improve student learning Accessible Election and contribution in the
Outcomes. field of voter awareness and outreach.
Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony National Child Award 2022:
Award 2021: ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with
▪ From pledging his wife’s jewels to feed the winners of the National Child Award,
migrant workers to donating ambulances, 2022, and extolled the valour and sacrifice of
J. Mohammed Rafi (47) always believed in the four martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh
brotherhood. It is this belief that fetched the on January 24.
city-based activist Tamil Nadu government’s ▪ He also urged them to follow Netaji Subhas
prestigious Kottai Ameer Communal Chandra Bose’s motto of “Nation First”.
Harmony Award, 2021.
▪ Twenty-nine children were given the Pradhan
▪ He will be presented a silver medal and Rs Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for their
25,000 by Chief Minister MK Stalin on Republic exceptional achievements in innovation, Social
Day in Chennai. Science, Education, sports, arts and culture
and for demonstrating bravery.
Netaji Award 2022:
▪ Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ▪ The Award will be presented every year for
was conferred with the Netaji Award 2022 by the Age group between 5 to 15 years.
Netaji Research Bureau. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Digital
▪ Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Nakamura Certificates to them using block chain-driven
Yutaka received the honour on behalf of Mr. technology for the first time, developed by
Abe at a function at the Elgin Road residence IIT Kanpur under the National Blockchain
of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th Project and a cash prize of ₹ 1 lakh credited in
birth anniversary. their bank account.
▪ In January 2021, India bestowed the Padma ▪ There are 15 boys and 14 girls among the
Vibhushan on former Japanese Prime awardees belonging to 21 states and UTs.
Minister Shinzo Abe, the country’s second- ▪ Winners from Tamil Nadu:
highest civilian honour. 9 Vishalini N C in the Innovation Category.
9 Aswatha Biju in the Innovation Category.
National Awards for the Best Electoral
Practices: Padma Awards:
▪ Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu ▪ This Year the President has approved the
Satyabrata Sahoo has been selected for the conferment of 128 Padma Awards comprising
national award under the category of best four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan
performing State for overall performance in and 107 Padma Shri Awards.
various areas of election management during
▪ As many as 34 awardees are women and the Seven persons selected for Padma Shri
list also includes 10 persons from the category Awards from T.N.
of Foreigners/ Non-Resident Indians and
Overseas Citizens of India. Sowcar Janaki for Art:
▪ Guruprasad Mohapatra, former AAI chairman ▪ Legendary actress Sankaramanchi Janaki
and DPIIT secretary, was selected for Padma popularly known as Sowcar Janaki or
Shri posthumously. Shavukaru Janaki has acted in over 400 films
across Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu.
▪ Padma Vibhushan, part of the Padma series, is
the second highest civilian award. ▪ She was a prominent radio artist at ‘Akashavani
Madras’ since her early years.
▪ Radheyshyam Khemka, President of Gita
Press, known for publishing religious Hindu ▪ Janaki made her debut in 1950 through the
books, has been named for Padma Vibhushan Telugu film ‘Shavukaru’ following which got
posthumously. her the moniker ‘Sowcar’.
▪ General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of ▪ Apart from receiving the Filmfare lifetime
Defence Staff who died in an air crash recently, award (South) in 1984, she has won several
and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accolades.
Kalyan Singh, who headed the State during Sirpi Balasubramaniam for Literature and
Babri Masjid demolition, were selected for Education:
Padma Vibushan posthumously on the eve of ▪ Sirpi Balasubramiam, who hails from Tamil
Republic Day. Nadu, India, and is a poet, critic, scholar, and
▪ Congress leader and former Chief Minister lecturer.
of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad ▪ Born in Aaththupollachi in Coimbatore, he
and former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb earned his MA and PhD from Annamalai
Bhattacharjee were awarded with Padma University and Madras University,
Bhushan. respectively.
▪ Bharat Biotech’s Suchitra and Krishna Ella, ▪ In 2001, he got the Sahitya Akademi's
Serum Institute of India’s Cyrus Poonawalla Translators Award for his Tamil translation
were accorded with Padma Bhushan along of Lalithambika Antharjanam's Agnisakshi
with Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman and in 2003 for Oru Gramathu Nadhi.
of Tata Sons. ▪ He has won several awards including the
▪ Satya Narayana Nadella, Chairman and Bharathidasan Award, Government of Tamil
CEO of Microsoft Corporation, Sundararajan Nadu Award among many others.
Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet were ▪ Some of his finest works include Siritha
accorded with Padma Bhushan. Muthukkal, Sooriya Nizhal, Oru Gramathu
▪ Punjabi singer Gurmeet Bawa was given Nadhi.
Padma Bhushan posthumously. S Damodaran for Social Work:
▪ Former Union Home Secretary and CAG Rajiv ▪ Born in 1952, Damodaran, was a Member of
Mehrishi was also conferred with Padma the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.
Bhushan. ▪ Prior to being elected to the Tamil Nadu
▪ Star para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia was Legislative Assembly, he was the President
named for the prestigious Padma Bhushan, of Thalakkarai Panchayat (1984–1989) and a
the third highest civilian honour in the country. member of Pollachi North Panchayat Union
▪ Olympian Neeraj Chopra, gold medalist at (1996–2001).
2021 Tokyo paralympics Avani Lakhera and AKC Natrajan for Art:
singer Sonu Nigam were given Padma Shri. ▪ AKC comes from a long line of wind instrument
players in her Family.
HISTORY | 33
▪ Kuppuswami Naidu, his grandpa, was a ▪ During his service he was recognized as a
Nagaswaram performer who eventually teacher of par excellence, an astute clinician,
switched to clarinet. academician and researcher, committed to
▪ Alathur Sri Venkateswara Iyer taught AKC public health initiatives and particularly
Carnatic music, and Ellupur Sri Natesa Pillai women’s welfare.
taught him the basics of nagaswaram. Ballesh Bhajantri for Art:
▪ AKC's first performance dates back to 1946. ▪ Pandit S. Ballesh is an Indian shehnai player
Even in his early years, he was given numerous who was born Ballappa Sanna Bharamappa
opportunities to perform in front of doyens Bhajantri on April 1, 1958.
such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Aiyengar, T. N. ▪ He, who can perform a variety of styles in his
Rajarathinam Pillai, and Palakkad Mani Iyer. shehnai, aalaapi, and aakaar, including khayal
▪ Hailed as the Clarinet Everest, Natarajan is singing, jhala (sitar and sarod), tatkar (kathak
a recipient of the Madras Music Academy’s dancers), meend & harquatts (sarangi and
Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 2008. violin), tone consistency (been), and sweetness
▪ He even received the Sangeet Natak Akademi (bansuri), began learning from his father and
Award in 1994. strengthened his musical Foundations.
R Muthukannammal for Art: ▪ Ballesh starred as Shehnai in the Hindi film
▪ 82-year-old Muthukannamal is from the Raanjhanaa, which featured Oscar winner
Seventh Generation of a family of Sathir AR Rahman's music. He also played shehnai
dancers from Viralimalai., 28 km from Tiruchy. in Imtiaz Ali's 2011 Hindi film Rockstar, with
music by A.R. Rahman, for the song "The
▪ She has been dancing since the age of 8. Her
Dichotomy of fame”.
father Ramachandra Nattuvanar has been
her tutor. Currently, Muthukannamal teaches Six Army men honored with
Sathir to those interested. Shaurya Chakra for Gallantry:
▪ Muthukannamal is among the last Devadasi ▪ Six Army personnel, five of them
Sathir dancer from Viralimalai. posthumously, have been selected for the
▪ Sathir, is an ancient dance form. She served the Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime
deity at the Murugan temple in Viralimalai. gallantry award, by the President and Supreme
▪ In 2018, she was honoured with Commander of the Indian armed forces, Ram
DakshinaChitra Virudhu, an annual award Nath Kovind.
presented by the Madras Craft Foundation ▪ The five personnel conferred Shaurya Chakra
and the Friends of Dakshinachitra to honour posthumously are Naib Subedar M. Sreejith,
the folk performing artists. Sepoy Maruprolu Jaswanth Kumar Reddy,
Dr. Veeraswamy Sehiah for Medicine: Havildar Anil Kumar Tomar, Havildar
▪ Seshiah, born in Chennai, is a medical Kashiray Bammanalli, Havildar Pinku
graduate completed his MD Medicine at Kumar.
Stanley Medical College and studied from the ▪ The sixth Shaurya Chakra awardee is Rifleman
great teacher Prof M Viswanathan, who is the Rakesh Sharma.
Father of Diabetology in India. ▪ All the six personnel have been awarded
▪ He has been honoured with a number the Shaurya Chakra for their role in
of International & national awards in counterinsurgency operations, of which all
recognition of academic, clinical and research five personnel awarded posthumously were
contributions. for operations in Jammu and Kashmir and
along the Line of Control (LoC).
▪ The sixth Shaurya Chakra awardee, Rifleman 12. M.Muralitharan, Deputy Superintendent of
Sharma, was part of an ambush that took place Police, Crime Branch CID, OCU, Coimbatore,
after receiving information on the movement 13. K.Murugesan, Inspector of Police, Central
of insurgents for extortion and killing of Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police,
civilians in a village in Assam in May 2021. 14. K.Anna Durai, Inspector of Police,
Buddhadeb refuses Padma ‘Q’ Branch CID, Chennai,
Bhushan Award 15. D.Shanmugam, Inspector of Police, Vigilance
▪ Former West Bengal Chief Minister and veteran and Anti-Corruption, Cuddalore,
CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee 16. G.Sivaganesan, Sub Inspector of
refused to accept the Padma Bhushan award Police, Special Task Force, Erode,
conferred on him in the field of Public Affairs. 17. R.Ganesan, Special Sub-Inspectorof Police,
Special Intelligence Unit, Tiruchi,
Republic Day: 20 Police Officers to get
18. R.Pasupathi, Special Sub Inspector of Police,
Medals: Special Branch CID, Headquarters.
▪ On the occasion of Republic Day, the Centre
announced medals to 20 police officers for Genesis Prize 2022:
'distinguished works' and meritorious service. ▪ Albert Bourla has been awarded the
▪ G.Venkataraman, Additional Director General prestigious Genesis Prize 2022
of Police, Headquarters and C.Sivanarul, ▪ He is the Chairman and Chief Executive of
Inspector of Police, Special Branch CID, Pfizer.
Thanjavur, will receive the ‘President’s Police ▪ He has been awarded for his efforts in leading
Medal for Distinguished Service.’ the development of a COVID-19 vaccine
▪ Eighteen officers will be awarded the Police (Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine).
Medal for Meritorious Service. They are: ▪ Genesis Prize is widely referred to as the
1. V.Balakrishnan, Inspector General of “Jewish Nobel Prize”.
Police (IGP), Central Zone, Tiruchi,
2. Pradip Kumar, Commissioner of
Police, Coimbatore City,
3. R.Sudhakar, IGP, West Zone, Coimbatore,
4. P.Saravanan, Superintendent of
Police(SP), Tirunelveli District,
5. P.Kannammal, SP ‘Q’ Branch CID, Chennai,
6. V.K.Surendranath, Deputy Commissioner
of Police, Traffic Planning, Chennai City,
7. D. Karthikeyan, Commandant, Tamil Nadu
Special Police XII Battalion, Manimuthar,
8. V.Elangovan, Additional Deputy
Commissioner of Police, Traffic
Planning, Coimbatore,
9. A. Thomas Prabhakar, Additional
Superintendent of Police, NIB CID, Chennai,
10. S. Prabakaran, Assistant Commissioner of
Police, Bank Fraud Investigation, Central
Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police,
11. S. Murugavel, Assistant Commissioner of
Police, Intelligence Section, Coimbatore City,
HISTORY | 35
1.8 BOOKS & AUTHORS

Arundhati Bhattacharya's Ruskin Bond:
Autobiography: ▪ A new book titled “A Little Book of India:
▪ HarperCollins is set to publish “Indomitable: Celebrating 75 years of Independence”
A Working Woman’s Notes on Life, Work and authored by Ruskin Bond was released,
Leadership” the autobiography of Arundhati marking 75 years of India’s Independence.
Bhattacharya, retired Indian banker and ▪ The book is the blend of “physical and spiritual”
former first-ever woman Chairperson of the attributes of India and also highlights the last
State Bank of India. 75 years of India’s progress as a nation.
▪ It is published by Penguin Random House
TN CM Releases Book by an
India (PRHI).
Eight-year-old:
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released a book, “The $10 Trillion Dream”:
"The Adventures of Shing and Shang in ▪ The former finance secretary of India, Subhash
Mystery Island", written by an Eight-Year- Chandra Garg has announced his debut book
old Magizhini Ilanchezhian. named “The $10 Trillion Dream”.
The Legend of Birsa Munda: ▪ It is published by Penguin Random House
India (PRHI).
▪ Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari
has released a book titled ‘The Legend of
Birsa Munda’, authored by Tuhin a Sinha
and co-authored by Ankita Verma.
▪ The Book is the story of a lesser-known tribal
hero, Birsa Munda, who courageously fought
against the oppressive British Raj for the rights
of his tribal community.
TN Governor Ravi Launches Two Books:

▪ Governor R.N. Ravi received the book ‘The
Authentic Yoga’ by P.Y. Deshpande and ‘Tales
from the Vedas and Upanishads Retold’ by
Daaji Kamlesh Patel Heartfulness Institute in
Chennai.

Mahatma Gandhi's favourite Poem About Narsinh Mehta:
“Vaishnav Jan To”: ▪ Narsinh Mehta, also known as Narsi Mehta
▪ "Vaishnava Jana To" is a Hindu bhajan, written or Narsi Bhagat, was a 15th-century poet-
in the 15th century by the poet Narsinh Mehta saint of Gujarat, India, notable as a bhakta, an
in the Gujarati language. exponent of Vaishnava poetry.
▪ The poem speaks about the life, ideals and ▪ “Vaishnav Jan To” was Mahatma Gandhi's
Mentality of a Vaishnava jana (a follower of favorite and was rendered as a bhajan in his
Vaishnavism). Sabarmati ashram.
▪ He is especially revered in Gujarati literature, ▪ Narsinh Mehta was born in a Nagar Brahmin
where he is acclaimed as its Adi Kavi (Sanskrit family at Talaja and later moved to Junagadh in
for "first among poets"). Saurashtra peninsula of modern-day Gujarat.
Veer Baal Diwas to be observed ▪ All the three states were formed on January
on Dec. 26: 21 five decades back on this day in 1972, after
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that Meghalaya and Manipur as per the North East
December 26 shall henceforth be marked as Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971.
Veer Baal Diwas to pay homage to the courage ▪ Among these, Tripura used to be a princely
of the Sahibzades, four sons of Guru Gobind state and was merged with the Indian Union
Singh, the last Sikh guru. in 1949.
▪ While all four were martyred, the date has Picture book on Unsung Heroes is out:
been chosen as it was the day observed as the
▪ A pictorial book telling the stories of 20 unsung
martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas Zorawar
women freedom fighters was released by the
Singh and Fateh Singh, who were killed at
Culture Ministry on 27 January 2022.
the tender age of six and nine in Sirhind by
Mughal forces. ▪ The book was brought out in partnership with
Amar Chitra Katha.
About Guru Gobind Singh:
▪ Guru Gobind Singh, born as Gobind Rai, was ▪ Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi
the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual leader, warrior, said Rani Abbakka had thwarted Portuguese
poet and philosopher. attacks for several decades. She said the
stories were being brought to light under the
▪ He formally became the leader and protector
“Prime Minister’s vision” as part of Azadi ka
of the Sikhs at the age of nine after his father,
Amrit Mahotsav, the celebration of 75 years of
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was
Independence.
killed by Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to
Islam. ▪ The book contains Stories of
▪ He was responsible for institutionalizing 9 Matangiri Hazra, a freedom fighter from
the Khalsa, who played a significant role in Bengal who laid down her life in the
protecting the Sikhs after his death. struggle;
▪ Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared Guru Granth 9 Gulab Kaur, who fought against the British
Sahib as Sikhism's holy scripture in 1708, rule after abandoning her own dreams of a
before his Death. life abroad;
9 Padmaja Naidu, Sarojini Naidu’s daughter
50th Statehood Day of Tripura, and a freedom fighter in her own right;
Meghalaya & Manipur: 9 Velu Nachiyar, the first Indian queen to
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home wage war against the East India Company;
Minister Amit Shah and others greeted and
Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur on the 50th 9 Jhalkari Bai, a solider and adviser to the
Statehood Day and hailed the northeast states Rani of Jhansi.
for their “vibrant contribution” to the nation.
HISTORY | 37

Losar Festival of Ladakh: ▪ 75 Bikers participating in this expedition will
▪ Losar festival of Ladakh is a religious festival be selected from all over the country and will
Celebrated by the Tibetan Buddhists. cover about 9000 km in the North East Region
in 6 Groups.
▪ The Losar is a 15 days festival, from the start
of the Tibetan Lunar calendar, marking the 1st ▪ The Expedition will also promote the Dekho
day of the 11 months in the Tibetan Calendar Apna Desh initiative of the Ministry of
which is on December 27. Tourism.
▪ The festivities began with the celebration of ▪ The Riders will also carry the message of the
Birth and Nirvana Anniversary Je Tsongkhapa. importance of Road Safety.
About Losar Festival: 9th Edition of North East Festival
▪ The Losar festival originated in Tibet. Concludes:
▪ It dates back to pre – Buddhist era, around 17th ▪ The 9th Edition of the North East Festival
century. concluded in Guwahati, Assam.
▪ Incense burning custom is followed in Bon ▪ The main purpose of this festival is to promote
Religion. and highlight the commercial and tourism
▪ With the Arrival of Lord Buddha in Tibet, this potential of the North East region.
Custom merged with the Harvest Festival and
the Losar Festival Emerged. Gangasagar Mela Festival 2022:
▪ This happened during the reign of Pude ▪ The Gangasagar Mela was inaugurated by
Gungyal. He was the ninth Tibetan king. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
on January 12, 2022 following strict COVID-19
18th Kachai Lemon Festival begins in protocols after receiving approval from the
Manipur 2022: Calcutta High Court.
▪ The 18th edition of the two days long Kachai ▪ Gangasagar Mela 2022 or Ganga Sagar Yatra
Lemon Festival began in Manipur at the Local or Ganga Snan is an annual gathering of Hindu
Ground of Kachai Village in Ukhrul district. pilgrims, India’s 2nd biggest Fair Celebration
▪ The Kachai Lemon Festival is organised in West Bengal.
annually to promote this unique kind of lemon ▪ Gangasagar mela is the festival of India
fruit and to Encourage Lemon Farmers. celebrated during 14th – 15th January every
▪ This year the festival is being organised under year attracts thousands of pilgrimages from
the theme ‘Organic Kachai Lemon for Safe all around the world.
Environment and Rural Transformation’. ▪ The hosting state of West Bengal receives this
▪ Kachai Lemon of Manipur has been accorded fair with great pride and with devout.
Geographical Indication (GI) registration tag. ▪ The festival is held during the winter time of
the year, it finds thousands of devotees coming
‘North East on Wheels Expedition’ over to seek righteousness at Sagar Island’s
launched to Promote Culture of southern tip in West Bengal.
Northeastern States:
Tripura Celebrated 44th Kokborok Day:
▪ Minister of State for Culture, Meenakashi
Lekhi has launched the ‘North East on Wheels ▪ Kokborok Day, also known as the Tripuri
Expedition’ in New Delhi to promote the Language Day is annually celebrated across
Culture of Northeastern States. the Indian State of Tripura on 19th January
with an aim to develop the Kokborok (Tripuri
▪ The Bike Expedition is scheduled between 8th
or Tiprakok) Language.
to 16th April this year to mark the celebrations
of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
▪ The day commemorates the initial recognition

of Kokborok as the official language in 1979.
▪ In 1979, Kokborok, along with Bengali and
English, was declared an official language of
the state of Tripura.
International Folk Art Festival:

▪ Lavni artist from Maharashtra, Sumit Bhale
of Fulbari taluka has won a gold medal at the
International Folk Art Festival in Dubai.
▪ Lavani is a genre of music popular in
Maharashtra.
▪ It is a combination of traditional song and
dance.
▪ It is particularly performed to the beats of
Dholki, a Percussion Instrument.
HISTORY | 39

Sri Lanka to Ink Pact with India to ▪ The agreement was signed between the leaders
develop Oil Tanks: Benazir Bhutto, then Pakistan's Prime Minister
▪ Sri Lanka announced its decision to sign three and Rajiv Gandhi the then Prime Minister of
lease agreements on developing the strategic India in 1988 and the agreement was ratified
Trincomalee oil tank farm with India, after during Chandrasekhar as the PM of India and
the Rajapaksa administration negotiated a Nawaz Sharif as the PM of Pakistan in 1991.
“suitable” deal for 16 months. ▪ According to this agreement, both countries
▪ The Announcement, signaling forward have to inform each other of the nuclear
Movement in a long dragging project, is Facilities.
significant for New Delhi following a year of China Constructing Bridge on
Diplomatic strain beginning early 2021, when
Pangong lake in Ladakh:
Sri Lanka unilaterally cancelled a tripartite
▪ China is constructing a bridge in eastern
agreement to develop a Colombo port
Ladakh connecting the north and south banks
Terminal with India and Japan.
of Pangong Tso (lake), which will significantly
▪ The Trincomalee project pertains to some 100 bring down the time for the People’s Liberation
oil storage tanks — built by the British during Army (PLA) to move troops and equipment
Second World War — in Sri Lanka’s eastern between the two Sectors.
Trincomalee district.
▪ The new bridge between the closest points on
▪ It has dominated bilateral talks for decades, two banks, which is around 500 m, will bring
from the time of the Indo-Lanka Accord of down the movement time between the two
1987, but has seen little progress. sectors from around 12 hours to three or four
▪ Lease extended as per the new deal, 14 Hours.
Tanks currently operated by the Indian Oil ▪ The bridge is located around 25 km ahead of
Corporation subsidiary, Lanka IOC, will be the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
leased to the company for 50 years.
▪ The bridge is in China’s territory and the
▪ Further, 24 tanks will be given to the Ceylon Indian Army would have to now factor this in
Petroleum Corporation (CPC), while 61 will its operational plans.
be developed in a joint venture, with the
▪ India holds one-third of the 135km long
CPC holding 51% stakes, and Lanka IOC, the
boomerang shaped lake located at an altitude
remaining 49%
of over 14,000 feet.
India, Pak exchange list of Nuclear ▪ The lake, a glacial melt, has mountain spurs
Installations: of the Chang Chenmo range jutting down,
▪ India and Pakistan exchanged a list of their referred to as fingers.
Nuclear installations that cannot be attacked Pangong Tso Lake
in case of an escalation in hostilities, as part ▪ Pangong Lake is located in the Union Territory
of an annual ritual that has been in practice of Ladakh.
between the two neighbours for more than ▪ It is situated at a height of almost 4,350m and
three decades. is the world’s highest saltwater lake.
▪ The lists of nuclear installation and facilities ▪ Extending to almost 160km, one-third of the
were exchanged as per the provisions of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-
Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition thirds in China.
of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and
Facilities, signed on December 31, 1988 and
ratified on 27 January 1991.
Pakistan ready to host SAARC Summit: ▪ With the signing of MoU, diplomatic relation
▪ Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood between the two countries will further
Qureshi said that his country was ready to improve.
host the 19th SAARC Summit and India can
India Tops Sri Lanka’s Tourism List:
join it virtually if the leadership in New Delhi
is not willing to visit Islamabad. ▪ India topped Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in
December and the entire year, according to
▪ SAARC - a regional grouping comprising
data published by the Sri Lanka Tourism
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the
Development Authority (SLTDA).
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka -
has not been very effective since 2016 and its ▪ Tourism sector — third largest foreign
biennial summits have not taken place since exchange earner for Sri Lanka.
the last one in Kathmandu in 2014. ▪ For December 2020, Sri Lanka recorded 89,506
▪ The 2016 SAARC Summit was originally tourist arrivals, of whom 23,566 or 26.3 % were
planned to be held in Islamabad on November from India, signaling that India had regained
15-19, 2016. its spot as the largest source market in its
tourism sector.
▪ But after a terror attack on an Indian Army
Camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on ▪ From January 2021 to December 2021, 56,268
September 18 that year, India expressed its tourists — about 42 % of the visitors — arrived
inability to participate in the summit due to in Colombo from India, again the highest
"prevailing circumstances". number from a country recorded last year,
following Russia, the U.K. and Germany.
▪ The summit was called off after Bangladesh,
Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to Sri Lanka Launches Luxury Train Service
participate in the Islamabad meet. in Jaffna with India’s Assistance:
About SAARC: ▪ Sri Lanka has launched a luxury Train Service
▪ The South Asian Association for Regional connecting the country’s Tamil-dominated
Cooperation (SAARC) was established with Jaffna district to the capital city Colombo
the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on with the help of a Line of Credit offered by
8 December 1985. India, in another significant landmark in
▪ Afghanistan became the newest member of Bilateral ties.
SAARC at the 13th Annual Summit in 2005. ▪ The intercity rail service with all facilities
▪ The Headquarters and Secretariat of the was launched on January 9 for passengers
Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal. travelling from Colombo’s Mount Lavinia
▪ There are currently nine Observers to suburb to Jaffna’s Kankesanthurai port
SAARC, namely: (i) Australia; (ii) China; suburb in the north, covering a distance of
(iii) the European Union; (iv) Iran; (v) Japan; Approximately 386 kms.
(vi) the Republic of Korea; (vii) Mauritius; ▪ India had provided AC Diesel Multiple Units
(viii) Myanmar; and (ix) the United States of (AC DMUs) under the loan Facility.
America.
India extends $900 mn aid to Sri Lanka:
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ▪ India confirmed a $400 million currency swap
between India and Nepal: with Sri Lanka while deferring another $500
▪ The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime million due for settlement to the Asian Clearing
Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Union (ACU), in a move aimed at helping the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) island nation witnessing an Unprecedented
between India and Nepal for construction economic crisis.
of bridge over Mahakali River at Dharchula ▪ The announcement on RBI assistance includes
(India)- Dharchula (Nepal). deferring the payment of $500 that Sri Lanka
owes to the ACU, a regional initiative with
HISTORY | 41
the Central Banks and Monetary Authorities Social Housing Project in Mauritius:
of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his
Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Mauritian counterpart Pravind Kumar
Jugnauth jointly inaugurated a Social Housing
India extends $500-mn credit to Sri
Project in the island nation.
Lanka for Fuel Imports:
▪ In the virtual ceremony, both leaders also laid
▪ India extended a $500million Line of Credit
the foundation stone for two other projects
(LOC) to Sri Lanka for urgent fuel imports,
including the construction of a college for
just days after providing $900 million relief
training of civil servants and an 8-megawatt
to the island nation, which is facing one of its
Solar Power Project, which will help mitigate
worst Economic Downturns.
the climate challenges that Mauritius faces as
Tamil Sri Lankan Legislators on an island country.
Implementing 13th Amendment: ▪ In 2020, India contributed 10% of Mauritius
▪ Prominent Tamil legislators from Sri Lanka's total imports and ranked third among their
Northern province have written to Prime countries of imports.
Minister Narendra Modi, seeking India's ▪ An agreement was reached on extending
intervention in ensuring a lasting political a $190 million line of credit from India to
solution to the long-standing Tamil issue and Mauritius for the metro project.
the implementation of the contentious 13th ▪ Prime Minister Jugnauth Announced that the
Amendment. major metro station in their country will be
▪ The 13th Amendment was the result of the named after Mahatma Gandhi.
Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, inked by the ▪ India and Mauritius are united by history,
then Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardena ancestry, culture, language and the shared
and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. waters of the Indian Ocean.
▪ It provides for the devolution of power to the
Xi offers Central Asian Nations $500mn
Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
▪ Two days before Prime Minister Narendra
▪ India has continually reaffirmed its
Modi, hosts India’s first virtual summit with
commitment to protect the rights of Sri Lanka's
Central Asian leaders, China’s President Xi
minority Tamil community through the full
Jinping offered $500 million in assistance to
implementation of the 13th Amendment, early
the region and pledged to ramp up trade.
convening of Provincial Council elections and
achieving reconciliation. ▪ Mr. Xi chaired his own virtual summit with
Central Asian leaders, two days ahead of Mr.
▪ The amendment also confirms Tamil as
Modi hosting a first of its kind virtual summit
an official language of the Island nation
with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
alongside Sinhalese, with English as a ‘link
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
language’.
▪ It was also the result of the 13th amendment India probes China, Vietnam over
that the Northern and Eastern regions got ‘Dumping’ of Vinyl Tiles:
independent Provincial Councils. ▪ India has initiated an antidumping probe
▪ However, the ruling Sri Lanka People's against imports of a certain type of tiles, used
Party's Sinhala majority hardliners have been for covering the Floors in residential and
advocating for a total abolition of the island's commercial buildings, from China, Taiwan
Provincial Council system. and Vietnam following a complaint by
▪ Indian High Commissioner in SriLanka is Domestic Players.
Gopal Baglay.
▪ The Commerce Ministry’s investigation

arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies
(DGTR) is probing the alleged dumping of
“vinyl tiles other than in roll or sheet form”.
▪ Dumping:
9 It is a protectionist tariff that a domestic
Government imposes on foreign imports
that it believes are priced below fair market
value.
9 Dumping is said to occur when the goods
are exported by a country to another
country at a price lower than the price it
normally charges in its own home market.
9 This is an unfair trade practice which can
have a distortive effect on international
trade.
9 Imposition of Anti-dumping duty is a
measure to rectify the situation arising
out of the dumping of goods and its trade
distortive effect.
9 In the long-term, anti-dumping duties can
Domestic companies producing similar
Goods.
9 The use of anti-dumping measures as an
instrument of fair competition is permitted
by the World Trade Organisation.
HISTORY | 43

New Coast Guard Chief: ▪ The resolution was adopted mandates all
▪ V.S. Pathania took over as the 24th Director States to criminalize assistance for terrorist
General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard on activities, share information on Groups
December 31 from Krishnaswamy Natarajan planning terrorist attacks and deny financial
who Retired from service. support & safe haven to Terrorists.
Indian-Origin in Tesla Autopilot Team: New IIT-M Director:

▪ Indian-origin Ashok Elluswamy has been ▪ V. Kamakoti, who has been appointed as the
roped in as the first employee of Tesla autopilot new director of IIT Madras, said his immediate
team, the electric car maker's and CEP Elon priority would be to augment the skill sets
Musk said. for indigenous technology development,
addressing local and Global requirements,
▪ Musk, who has been using social media to
Aligning with the objectives of the National
recruit people said, Ashok is the head of
Education Policy.
Autopilot Engineering.
▪ Mr. Kamakoti, who designed India’s first
Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism indigenously developed microprocessor
Committee: “Shakti”, will take over from Bhaskar
▪ The United Nations announced that T. S. Ramamurthi as the Director of Indian Institute
Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative of Technology Madras. Mr. Ramamurthi had
to the UNSC, has been made the chairman served the institute for 10 Years.
of the Counter Terrorism Committee of the ▪ IIT Delhi’s next director will be Rangan
United Nations Security Council. Banerjee, currently the Forbes Marshall
▪ The Counter Terrorism Committee of the Chair Professor in IIT Bombay’s Department
United Nations takes big steps against of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT
Terrorism in the world and now that India is Bombay, which he helped to start in 2007.
the chairman of that committee. ▪ IIT Bombay is also the current home of IIT
▪ The Counter terrorism committee is of a Indore’s next Director Suhas S. Joshi. He
Greater significance for India, because, India currently heads the Department of Mechanical
has been pitching pertinent measures to fight Engineering at IIT Bombay.
Terrorism across the global platform. ▪ Laxmidhar Behera, a Robotics professor in the
▪ India last chaired the committee in 2012. Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT
▪ India will chair three important Communities Kanpur, has been appointed the next Director
at the UNSC in 2021-22. The three committees of IIT Mandi.
are- Taliban Sanctions Committee, Counter- New Chairman of ISRO:
terrorism Committee and Libya Sanctions
▪ Eminent rocket scientist S. Somanath has
Committee.
been appointed Chairman of the Indian Space
About Counter-Terrorism Committee: Research Organisation (ISRO) and Space
▪ Counter-Terrorism Committee is a subsidiary Secretary.
body of United Nations Security Council. ▪ Dr. Somanath is taking over the reins of ISRO
▪ It is a 15-member committee, established in at a critical juncture when sweeping reforms
the aftermath of 9/11 attack in United States and critical missions are set to define the
to monitor the UNSC resolution 1373. Forward journey of the storied space agency.
▪ He has been serving as the Director of the ▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu and the
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Government of India contribute to the Share
the Indian Institute of Space Science and Capital of the Corporation in the ratio 51:49
Technology (IIST). respectively.
▪ Bank loans are arranged with TAHDCO
Chairman of the Indian Council of
subsidy for self-employment under
Historical Research (ICHR): Entrepreneur Development Programme
▪ Professor emeritus, Kurukshetra University, (EDP), Self-Employment Programme for
Raghuvendra Tanwar has been appointed as youth (SEPY) Schemes.
chairman of the Indian Council of Historical
Main Activities of the Corporation:
Research (ICHR).
▪ To implement economic development schemes
▪ Tanwar appointment is for a period of three for the Welfare of Scheduled Caste / ST in the
Years from the day he assumes the office of the State.
Chairman of the Council or until further order.
▪ To provide skill development training to youth
▪ Tanwar, who joined Kurukshetra University as belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
a lecturer in August 1977, has an outstanding Tribes for job / self-employment.
academic record, with two gold medals in MA
▪ To undertake Construction activities entrusted
History.
by the Government.
About ICHR:
▪ The Indian Council of Historical Research New MD of NHIDCL:
(ICHR) is an captive body of the Ministry of ▪ Chanchal Kumar has been appointed as the
Education established by an Administrative Managing Director, National Highways &
Order. Infrastructure Development Corporation
▪ The ICHR is based in Delhi, with regional Ltd (NHIDCL), under the Ministry of Road
centres in Pune (Maharashtra), Bengaluru Transport & Highways (MoRTH).
(Karnataka), and Guwahati (Assam). ▪ He is appointed in the rank and pay of Additional
▪ Its First Chairman was the historian Ram Secretary. He is a 1992 batch IAS officer of
Sharan Sharma. Bihar cadre, presently Principal Secretary
▪ Founded: 27 March 1972. of Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
New TAHDCO Chairman: About NHIDCL:

▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin issued orders to ▪ Founded: 2014.
appoint former Dairy minister U Mathivanan ▪ Headquarters: New Delhi.
as Chairman of Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar
Housing and Development Corporation Ltd. Zakir Hussain made Adviser to Music
About TAHDCO: Schools:
▪ Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing ▪ Bharatanatyam dancer A. Zakir Hussain
and Development Corporation Limited has been appointed as an advisor for all 17
(TAHDCO) was incorporated in 1974 under district music schools under the Tamil Nadu
the Companies Act, 1956 with the objective to Government’s Arts and Culture Department.
improve socio economic status in Tamilnadu.
Centre Appoints New CEA:
▪ For the economic development of Scheduled
Caste, the TAHDCO has been implementing ▪ The Centre on January 28 appointed
many programmes / schemes with financial V. Anantha Nageswaran as the Chief
assistance from Special Central Assistance. Economic Advisor (CEA). His predecessor -
Krishnamurthy Subramanian.
HISTORY | 45
▪ The appointment comes two days before the

presentation of the Economic Survey (2021-22)
on January 31.
▪ The CEA is usually responsible for drafting
the Economic Survey presented on the eve of
the Budget.
▪ But the Economy Survey of 2021-22 is prepared
by the Principal Economic Adviser Mr.Sanjeev
Sanyal.
2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
Gram Ujala Scheme: Parliamentary Panel on Marriage Age
▪ The Gram UJALA Programme - an ambitious has only One-Woman MP:
scheme offering the world’s cheapest LED ▪ The parliamentary panel assigned to examine
bulbs in rural areas at a mere Rs. 10 launched the landmark bill which seeks to raise the legal
on March 24, 2021 by the Union Ministry of age of marriage for women to 21 has only one-
Power. woman MP out of 31 members.
▪ 7 watt and 12-watt LED bulbs with 3 years ▪ The Prohibition of Child Marriage
Warranty will be given to rural consumers (Amendment) Bill, which will have wider
against submission of working Incandescent influence over society especially females, was
bulbs. introduced in Lok Sabha during the winter
9 Each household will get up to 5 LEDs. session and referred to the Parliamentary
9 Participating rural households will also Standing Committee on Education, Women,
have Metres installed in their houses to Children, Youth and Sports.
account for usage. ▪ According to the members' list of the
▪ The LED bulbs are offered by state-run Energy parliamentary standing committee, led by
Efficiency Services Ltd’s (EESL’s) subsidiary senior BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe,
Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL). available on the Rajya Sabha website, TMC
MP Sushmita Dev is the only woman among
▪ EESL is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
the 31 members.
under the Ministry of Power.
About Parliament Standing Committees:
Financing Mechanism:
▪ Indian Constitution mentions two kinds
▪ The Programme will be financed entirely
of Parliamentary Committees – Standing
through carbon credits and will be the first
Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
such Programme in India.
▪ Any subject related to these committees is dealt
▪ The revenue earned from carbon credits will
with Article 118 (1) of the Indian Constitution.
contribute Rs. 60 per LED bulb piece, with
the balance Rs. 10 to be paid by the rural ▪ A Standing Committee is a group of Members
Consumer. of Parliament (MPs) in the Indian Parliament.
▪ Carbon credit (or “carbon offsets”) are ▪ It is a permanent and regular committee that
certificates generated by projects or activities is established according to the requirements of
that reduce, avoid, or destroy greenhouse an act of Parliament or the Rules of Procedure
Gases. and Conduct of Business from Time to time.
▪ The main objective of the standing
Committees is to secure more accountability
of the Executive (that is., Council of Ministers)
to the Parliament, particularly financial
Accountability.
▪ Each standing committee consists of 31 POSH Act: HC Guidelines Challenged:

members (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from ▪ A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court
Rajya Sabha). challenging guidelines issued by the Bombay
▪ The term of office of each standing committee High Court in cases under the Protection of
is one year from the date of its constitution. Women from Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act,
▪ Out of the 24 standing committees, 8 work which include a blanket bar on parties and
under the Rajya Sabha and 16 under the Lok Advocates from sharing records, including
Sabha. orders and judgments, with the media.
About Sexual Harassment of Women at
English is the Language of Court, says Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Gujarat HC: Redressal) Act, 2013:
▪ A Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court ▪ The Sexual Harassment of Women at
has asked a journalist facing contempt of court Workplace (prevention, prohibition and
proceedings to speak only in English as that redressal) Act, 2013 defines sexual harassment
was the language in the Higher Judiciary. as one or more of the following unwelcome
About: acts or behavior. Such as
▪ Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1. Physical contact and advances
1963, provides that the use of Hindi or official 2. A demand or request for sexual favors
language of a State in addition to the English
3. Making sexually coloured remarks
language may be authorized, with the consent
of the President of India, by the Governor of 4. Showing pornography
the State for purpose of judgments etc. made 5. Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-
by the High Court for that State. verbal conduct of sexual nature.
▪ Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar ▪ The workplace includes any government or
Pradesh have already been granted the right private sector organisations, establishment,
to use Hindi in their High Courts. etc.
▪ The same right has been withheld from Tamil ▪ It also covers unorganized and domestic
Nadu and Gujarat and Chhattisgarh which workers, hospitals, any sports institute,
sought permission to use Tamil, Gujarati and stadium or complex, any place visited by the
Hindi respectively. employee during her course of Employment,
▪ What the Constitution says? etc.
9 Article 348 (1) of the Constitution of Govt. says `8 Lakh EWS Cap Derived
India provides that all proceedings in after Study:
the Supreme Court and in every High
▪ The Supreme Court wondered how the
court shall be in English Language until
Union government came up with the
Parliament by law otherwise provides.
`8 lakh annual income limit within just three
9 Under Article 348 (2), the Governor of the days of introducing 10% reservation for the
State may, with the previous consent of the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society.
President, authorize the use of the Hindi
▪ The Constitution (One Hundred and Third)
language or any other language used for
Amendment Act introducing EWS quota came
any official purpose of the State, in the
into force on January 14, 2019.
proceedings of the High Court having its
principal seat in that State provided that
decrees, judgments or orders passed by
such High Courts shall be in English.
About: ▪ In exercise of the powers conferred by the

▪ The 10% EWS quota was introduced under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the
103rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2019 by central government, after consulting the
amending Articles 15 and 16. Election Commission of India, hereby makes
▪ It inserted Article 15 (6) and Article 16 (6). the following rules further to amend the
▪ The Amendment under Article 15(6) enables Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, namely, the
the State to make special provisions for the Government said in a gazette notification.
Advancement of any economically weaker ▪ These rules may be called the Conduct of
section of citizens, including reservations in Elections (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
Educational institutions. ▪ They shall come into force on the date of their
▪ Article 16 (6) is added to provide reservations publication in the Official Gazette.
to people from economically weaker sections
Polls in Five States from
in Government Posts.
February 10 to March 7:
▪ It was enacted to promote the welfare of the
▪ Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh,
poor not covered by the 50% reservation
Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will
policy for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled
be held between February 10 and March 7, the
Tribes (STs) and Socially and Educationally
Election Commission of India announced.
Backward Classes (SEBC).
▪ The counting of votes for all 690 constituencies
▪ It enables both Centre and the states to provide
across the five States, where a total of 18.34
reservation to the EWS of society.
crore citizens are eligible to vote, will be held
Law Ministry Approves Increase of poll on March 10.
Expenditure by Candidates: ▪ The Commission banned all physical
▪ The Union ministry of law and justice Campaigning till January 15 due to the rise in
Approved raising the election expenditure COVID19 cases across the country.
ceiling by a candidate to a maximum of ▪ The current Chief Election Commissioner is
`95 lakh in Parliamentary elections and Sushil Chandra.
`40 lakhs in assembly elections, increasing About Election Commission of India:
them from the earlier limits of `77 lakh and ▪ The Election Commission of India is an
`30.8 lakhs. Autonomous constitutional authority
▪ The increase comes at a time when five states Responsible for administering Union and
are headed for assembly polls - Uttar Pradesh, State election processes in India.
Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa - even ▪ The body administers elections to the Lok
as a sharply rising third wave of Covid-19 Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative
cases has raised the clamour for political rallies Assemblies in India, and the offices of the
to be conducted virtually to avoid the spread President and Vice President in the country.
of the infection. ▪ Part XV of the Indian constitution deals with
▪ The ceiling for parliamentary constituencies elections, and establishes a commission for
was at the time raised to `77 lakh, from the these Matters.
2014 limit of `70 lakh, and assembly polls to ▪ The Election Commission was established
`30.8 lakhs from `28 lakh in larger states. in accordance with the Constitution on 25th
▪ With the revision, candidates in Uttar Pradesh, January 1950.
Uttarakhand and Punjab - classified among ▪ Article 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with
large states - will therefore be able to spend powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc. of the
`40 lakh in the upcoming polls, while those in commission and the members.
Goa and Manipur - classified as small states -
will have to adhere to a limit of `28 lakh.
Articles related to Elections ▪ It aimed to provide for Regulation of an Armed

1. 324- Superintendence, direction and control force of the Union for providing security to
of elections to be vested in an Election the Prime Minister of India and the former
Commission. Prime Ministers of India and members of their
2. 325- No person to be ineligible for inclusion in, immediate families.
or to claim to be included in a special, electoral ▪ It was extended to all former Prime Ministers
roll-on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex. and their immediate families after former
3. 326- Elections to the House of the People and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was Assassinated.
to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on ▪ Special Protection Group (Amendment) Act,
the basis of adult suffrage. 2019 is an act passed by Indian parliament in
4. 327- Power of Parliament to make provision 2019 which reduces Special Protection Group
with respect to elections to Legislatures. cover to only Prime Minister, former Prime
5. 328- Power of Legislature of a State to make Minister and their immediate family members
provision with respect to elections to such up to 5 years after ceasing post if they are
Legislature. residing at the residence Allotted.
6. 329- Bar to interference by courts in electoral Apply for Citizenship under
matters. CAA, says HC:
Structure of the Commission: ▪ The Guwahati High Court has asked a man
1. Originally the commission had only One declared a foreigner by a tribunal in 2017 to
election commissioner but after the Election apply for citizenship under the Citizenship
Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it has (Amendment) Act of 2019.
been made a multi-member body. ▪ The Foreigners’ Tribunal II of the district had
2. The commission consists of one Chief in May 2017 declared him a foreigner who
Election Commissioner and Two Election came to India illegally from Bangladesh on or
Commissioners. after March 25, 1971.
3. The secretariat of the commission is located in ▪ The petitioner entered West Bengal with
New Delhi. his father Boloram Paul and grandfather
4. At the state level election commission is helped Chintaharan Paul 57 years ago from East
by Chief Electoral Officer who is an IAS rank Pakistan, which became Bangladesh on March
Officer. 26, 1971.
5. The President appoints Chief Election ▪ The two-judge bench of Justice N. Kotiswar
Commissioner and Election Commissioners. Singh and Justice Malasri Nandi observed that
6. They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the petitioner entered India in 1964 without
the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. any valid documents but was given Shelter by
7. They enjoy the same status and receive salary this country.
and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme ▪ Though he was given shelter does not mean
Court of India. that he is a legal migrant as he did not possess
8. The Chief Election Commissioner can be any valid document/passport to enter India.
removed from office only through a process ▪ The court said the bar to his citizenship by
of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court registration was lifted by the CAA 2019 and
judge for by Parliament. thus the petitioner can apply for Citizenship
by registration.
Special Protection Group Act: About Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019:
▪ The Special Protection Group Act, 1988 was ▪ The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 seeks
passed by the parliament after the assassination to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955.
of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
▪ The Citizenship Act,1955 provides various Centre’s Response awaited on law on

ways in which citizenship may be acquired. Interfaith Marriages:
It provides for citizenship by birth, ▪ The law that Governs interfaith marriages in
descent, registration, naturalization and by the country, the Special Marriage Act (SMA),
Incorporation of the territory into India. 1954 is being challenged for endangering the
▪ The Bill amends the Act to provide that the lives of young couples who seek refuge under
Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and it.
Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh ▪ More than a Year after a writ petition was
and Pakistan, who entered India on or before moved before the Supreme Court, seeking
December 31, 2014, will not be treated as striking down of several of its provisions,
Illegal Migrants. the Union Government is yet to submit its
▪ In order to get this benefit, they must have also response.
been exempted from the Foreigners Act, 1946 About the Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954:
and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 ▪ The Special Marriage Act is the legislation
by the central government. made to validate and register interreligious
▪ The 1920 Act mandates foreigners to carry and inter-caste Marriages in India.
Passport, while the1946 Act regulates the ▪ It allows two individuals to solemnize their
entry and departure of foreigners in India. marriage through a civil contract.
▪ The Act allows a person to apply for citizenship ▪ No Religious formalities are needed to be
by registration or naturalization if the person carried out under the Act.
meets certain qualifications.
▪ For instance, if a person resides in India for Draft Notification for Extended Producer
a year and if one of his parents is a former Responsibility:
Indian citizen, he may apply for citizenship by ▪ The Ministry of Environment, Forests and
registration. Climate Change released the draft notification
▪ To obtain citizenship by naturalization, one of for regulations for the Extended Producer
the qualifications is that the person must have Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyres.
resided in India or have been in the service of ▪ The draft will be effective from the new fiscal
the central government for at least 11 years Year.
before applying for citizenship. ▪ EPR means responsibility of producer of tyres
▪ The Bill creates an exception for Hindus, Sikhs, to ensure environmentally safe management
Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from of Waste Tyres.
Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, with
regard to this qualification. For these groups Govt. extends tenure of IPO-bound LIC's
of persons, the 11 years’ requirement will be Chairman for 1 Year:
reduced to five years. ▪ The Government has extended the tenure
▪ On acquiring Citizenship: (i) such persons of chairman of IPO-bound Life Insurance
will be deemed to be citizens of India from the Corporation (LIC) by one more year with
date of their entry into India, and (ii) all legal a view to facilitate smooth listing of the
proceedings against them in respect of their insurance behemoth.
illegal migration or citizenship will be closed. ▪ Besides, the government has also extended the
tenure of one of the managing directors, Raj
Kumar, for one year.
▪ With the extension, M R Kumar will continue
as chairman of LIC till March 2023
▪ This is the second extension for the LIC
chairman.

Modi releases Aid for Farmers: Atal Pension Yojana (APY):
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi released over ▪ The Journey of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
`20,900 crores to more than 10.09 crore farmers over six-and-a-half years since its inception has
across India as the 10th instalment of Financial been substantive with 3.68 Crore Enrolments.
aid under the PMKISAN scheme. ▪ The performance in this financial year has
▪ The money is transferred directly to the bank been good as more than 65 lakh subscribers
account of the beneficiaries. Enrolled which is the highest ever enrolment
▪ Prime Minister also released an equity grant during the same period since the launch of the
of more than `14 crore’s to about 351 farmer scheme.
producer organisations (FPOs), benefiting 1.24 ▪ Apart from enrolments, the male-to-female
lakh farmers. subscription ratio of 56:44 is improving, and
assets under management stand at around
`20,000 crore.
About Atal Pension Yojana:
▪ Atal Pension Yojana, formerly known as
Swavalamban Yojana is a government-backed
pension scheme in India, primarily targeted at
the unorganized sector.
▪ It was mentioned in the year 2015 Budget
speech by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
▪ It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on 9 May 2015 in Kolkata.
▪ Administered By: Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority through National
Pension System (NPS).
▪ Eligibility: Any citizen of India can join the
APY scheme. The age of the subscriber should
be between 18-40 years.
▪ Benefits:
9 It provides a minimum guaranteed
pension ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000
on attaining 60 years of age.
9 The amount of pension is guaranteed
for lifetime to the spouse on death of the
Subscriber.
9 In the event of death of both the subscriber
and the spouse, the entire pension corpus is
paid to the nominee.
▪ Tax Benefits:
9 Contributions to the Atal Pension Yojana
(APY) are eligible for tax benefits similar to
the National Pension System (NPS).
Deposits in Jan Dhan Accounts Cross Rs Rabi crops. In the case of annual commercial
1.5 Lakh Crore: and horticultural crops, the premium is 5%.
▪ Deposits in bank accounts opened under the ▪ The scheme was compulsory for loanee
Jan Dhan Yojana, launched by the Government farmers availing Crop Loan/Kisan Credit
about seven and a half years ago, have crossed Card (KCC) account for notified crops and
Rs 1.5 lakh crore. voluntary for others.
▪ According to the latest Finance Ministry data, PMFBY 2.0:
the total balance in over 44.23 crore Pradhan ▪ In order to ensure more efficient and effective
Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts implementation of the scheme, the central
stood at Rs 1,50,939.36 crore at the end of government had revamped PMFBY in the
December 2021. 2020 Kharif Season.
▪ PMJDY, the National Mission for Financial ▪ This overhauled PMFBY is often called PMFBY
Inclusion, completed seven years of 2.0, it has the following features:
implementation in August last year. 9 Completely Voluntary: Enrolment 100%
About Jan Dhan Yojana: Voluntary for all farmers from 2020 Kharif.
▪ This was Announced by Prime Minister 9 Limit to Central Subsidy: The Cabinet
Narendra Modi in his Independence Day has decided to cap the Centre’s premium
address on 15 August 2014 and launched on subsidy under the Scheme for Premium
August 28th 2014. rates up to 30% for unirrigated areas/crops
▪ During the first year of the scheme, 17.90 crore and 25% for irrigated Areas/Crops.
PMJDY accounts were opened. 9 More Flexibility to States: The government
▪ Objective of Jan Dhan Accounts: has given the flexibility to states/UTs to
9 The government’s flagship scheme Implement PMFBY and given them the
objectives include ensuring access option to select any number of additional
to financial products and services at risk Covers/features.
Affordable Prices. 9 Investing in ICE Activities: Insurance
9 Benefits such as scholarships, COVID relief companies have to now spend 0.5% of the
funds, subsidies and pensions are credited Total premium collected on information,
to bank accounts, including Jan Dhan Education and communication (IEC)
accounts, through Direct Benefit Transfer Activities.
(DBT). Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban
Higher Coverage Under Crop Insurance Mission:
Scheme for Samba Season: ▪ Telangana stood first in the implementation of
▪ Around four lakhs more acres have been the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
brought under the fold of the Prime Minister’s (SPMRM).
Crop Insurance Scheme – PMFBY for the ▪ In Telangana, in as many as 17 clusters (12
Samba cultivation season of 2021-22, compared non-tribal and five tribal), the programme was
to the corresponding period last year. being implemented.
About Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima ▪ Sangareddy and Kamareddy districts stood in
Yojana (PMFBY): the first two positions among the 300 Clusters
▪ It provides a comprehensive insurance cover across the country where the programme was
against failure of the crop thus helping in being implemented.
stabilising the Income of the Farmers. ▪ Tamil Nadu and Gujarat took the second and
▪ PMFBY was launched on 13th January 2016. third positions respectively.
▪ The prescribed premium is 2% to be paid by
Farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all
About SPMRM: Veer Gatha Project:

▪ SPMRM is a scheme launched by the Ministry ▪ The Government of India launched “Veer
of Rural Development (MoRD) on February Gatha Project” as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit
21 2016 to deliver integrated project based Mahotsav under which government has been
infrastructure in the rural areas, which introducing several events to mark to 75th
will also include development of economic year of India’s independence.
activities and skill development. ▪ Veer Gatha project was launched to inspire
▪ A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision the school children in India, by making them
of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA), aware with stories of war heroes and brave
announced in 2003. hearts.
▪ Large parts of rural areas in the country are not ▪ 25 students have been selected as the winners
stand-alone settlements but part of a cluster of of this project.
settlements, which are relatively proximate to ▪ Under it, students were motivated to do
each other. These clusters typically illustrate activities and projects, based on gallantry
potential for growth, have Economic drivers award winners.
and derive locational and Competitive
▪ This project was organised from October 21,
advantages. These clusters once developed
2021 to November 21, 2021 across India.
can then be classified as 'Rurban'.
▪ The Veer Gatha Project was organised by
▪ Mission's Objectives: Bridging the rural-
Ministry of Education, Department of School
Urban divide-viz: economic, technological
Education & Literacy and the Central Board of
and those related to facilities and services.
Secondary Education (CBSE).
▪ Rurban Clusters: There are 2 categories of
▪ The Super 25 will be felicitated on January 25,
clusters: Non-Tribal and Tribal.
2022, after they will arrive in New Delhi. They
▪ They are identified across the country’s rural will also witness the Republic Day parade
areas showing increasing signs of urbanization as special guests of Ministry of Defence.
- i.e. increase in population density, high levels Furthermore, they will also receive a cash
of non-farm employment, presence of growing prize of Rs.10,000.
economic activities and other socioeconomic
parameters. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi:
▪ For the purposes of SPMRM, Rurban areas ▪ The farmers who are the institutional
refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about landholders are ineligible to get incentive
30 to 40 lakh population. under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme.
▪ The clusters will be geographically contiguous ▪ They are waiting to be declared as the
Gram Panchayats with a population of about beneficiaries under the scheme for 3 years.
25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and a About PM KISAN SCHEME:
population of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or ▪ Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an
tribal areas. amount of Rs 6000 per year, in three equal
Role of states: instalments, directly into the bank accounts of
▪ The State Government identifies the clusters all landholding farmers irrespective of the size
in accordance with the Framework for of their land holdings.
Implementation prepared by the MoRD. ▪ It was launched on 24 February 2019.
▪ Funding: SPMRM is a Centrally Sponsored Funding and Implementation:
Scheme (CSS). ▪ It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100%
▪ The Mission has 2 fund streams: Convergence funding from the Government of India.
through various schemes (Central sector, ▪ It is being implemented by the Ministry of
centrally sponsored schemes, State sector/ Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
sponsored schemes/ programmes, CSR funds
etc) and Critical Gap Funds (CGF).
Identification of Beneficiaries: partial disability.

▪ The entire responsibility of identification of ▪ Implementation:
beneficiary farmer family rests with the State 9 Government in States/UTs will conduct
/ UT Governments. registration of unorganized workers across
▪ Objective: the country. Status of Unorganised Sector
9 To supplement the financial needs of the in India:
Small and Marginal Farmers in procuring 9 The Ministry of Labour and Employment
various inputs to ensure proper crop health has categorized the unorganized labour
and appropriate yields, commensurate force under four groups:
with the anticipated farm income at the ▪ Occupation:
end of each crop cycle.
9 Small and marginal farmers, landless
9 To protect them from falling in the clutches agricultural labourers, sharecroppers,
of moneylenders for meeting such expenses fishermen, those engaged in animal
and ensure their continuance in the farming husbandry, beedi making, etc.
activities.
▪ Nature of Employment:
PM-KISAN Mobile App:
9 Attached agricultural labourers, bonded
▪ The PM-KISAN Mobile App developed
labourers, migrant workers, contract and
and designed by the National Informatics
casual laborer’s come under this category.
Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology has ▪ Specially Distressed Category:
been launched. 9 Toddy tappers, scavengers, carriers of head
▪ The farmers can view the status of their loads, drivers of animal driven vehicles,
application, update or carry out corrections of loaders and Unloaders.
their Aadhaar cards and also check the history ▪ Service Category:
of credits to their Bank Accounts. 9 Midwives, Domestic workers, Fishermen
and women, Barbers, Vegetable and fruit
Special Camps to Register Workers on vendors, Newspaper vendors etc.
E-Shram Portal:
▪ Union Labour and Employment Minister
Bhupender Yadav said special camps would
be organised to register brick kiln, plantation,
forestry and other unorganised sector workers
on the Centre’s E-Shram portal.
About e-Shram Portal:
▪ The Ministry of Labour and Employment
launched the e-Shram portal on August
26,2021.
▪ Aim:
9 To register 38 crore unorganized workers
such as construction labourers, migrant
workforce, street vendors, and domestic
workers, among others.
9 The workers will be issued an e-Shram
card containing a 12-digit unique number.
9 If a worker is registered on the e-SHRAM
portal and meets with an accident, he will
be eligible for Rs 2.0 Lakh on death or
permanent disability and Rs 1.0 lakh on
3. GEOGRAPHY
GI tag sought for Kumbakonam
Vetrilai, Thovalai Manikka Malai:
▪ Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai
has received applications seeking GI tag for
two famous products from Tamil Nadu —
Kumbakonam Vetrilai and Thovalai Manikka
Malai.
▪ The application for Kumbakonam Vetrilai
was filed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Coimbatore.
9 Kumbakonam betel leaves were heart
shaped and grown in the Cauvery delta
region by small and marginal farmers.
9 It is particularly grown in Ayyampettai,
Rajagiri, Pandaravadai and Swamimalai in
Thanjavur district.
▪ The Application for Thovalai Manikka Malai
was given by the Thovalai Manikkamaalai
Kaivinai Kalaingargal Nalasangam,
Kanniyakumari.
9 Thovalai Manikka Malai is a special type
of garland that is made only in Thovalai, a
small village in Kanniyakumari.
9 The flowers used in this particular garland
are positioned in a way that when folded
they look like a gem.
9 Palani Pandaram invented the technique
of Manikka Malai.

Two New Plant Varieties in Kerala: ▪ Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in
▪ Researchers from SNM College Maliankara, the northeast Indian state of Assam Established
the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, in 1905.
and the Payyanur College have reported two ▪ Spread across the floodplains of the
new plant species from the biodiversity rich Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and
Western Ghats regions in Thiruvananthapuram Grasslands are home to tigers, elephants.
and Wayanad districts of Kerala. ▪ World’s largest population of Indian one-
▪ They have been christened Fimbristylis Horned rhinoceroses.
sunilii and Neanotis prabhuii, Taxonomy ▪ Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in
Journal Phytotaxa. 2006.
▪ Collected from the grasslands of Ponmudi
Hills, Thiruvananthapuram, Fimbristylis Researchers Discover Two Rare Flower
sunilii has been named after plant taxonomist Flies:
C.N. Sunil, retired professor and research ▪ Researchers have discovered two new species
Guide of Botany, SNM College. of very rare wasp-like flower flies from north-
▪ A perennial plant of the Cyperaceae family, it Eastern India and the Western Ghats.
stands 2059 cm tall and was collected from an ▪ The newly discovered species, Monoceromyia
Elevation of 1,100 metres. Flavoscutata and Monoceromyia nigra,
▪ Neanotis prabhuii is a prostrate perennial belong to the Syrphidae family.
herb named after K.M. Prabhu kumar, ▪ Anooj S.S, an assistant professor of
Senior Scientist at CSIRNBRI, Lucknow, in Entomology at the Kerala Agricultural
recognition of his research on flowering Plants University, Padannakkad explained that the
of the Western Ghats. new species, M. flavoscutata, discovered from
▪ Discovered in the Chembra Peak Grasslands of Thadiyankudisai in Dindigul district, Tamil
Wayanad, it hails from the Family Rubiaceae Nadu, was named after its yellow-coloured
and grows on ighaltitude grasslands. thoracic ends and can be differentiated from
the closely resembling species based on the
▪ Neanotis prabhuii grows up to 70 cm in length
colouration of the thorax and the wing vein
and is many flowered with the petals palepink
characters, whereas the other new species, M.
in colour.
nigra discovered from West Siang of Basar
Kaziranga Elevated Road Plan Awaits district of Arunachal Pradesh, differed from
nod: the other species based on thoracic, abdominal
and facial Colouration and wing vein character.
▪ The Assam Government is awaiting the
Centre’s clearance for an elevated road over ▪ It was named as nigra based on the black-
nine corridors used by the animals of the Coloured thorax.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve
Ambergris worth Rs 6.5 Crore was
usually during high floods. The 35km elevated
road will run along an existing Arterial
Seized:
Highway. ▪ The seizure of whale ‘Ambergris’ in the
Southern Districts has increased in the last few
About Kaziranga National Park:
months. Ambergris worth Rs 6.5 crore was
▪ There are 104 existing national parks in India
seized near Thiruchendur.
covering an area of 43,716 km2, which is
1.33% of the geographical area of the country What is Ambergris?
(National Wildlife Database, Dec. 2020). 9 Whales over the age of 20 spew wax-like
substance produced in their bodies through
their mouths. This is ambergris.
GEOGRAPHY | 57
▪ Ambergris, which floats in the sea, is used ▪ It includes the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic
to make high quality perfumes in countries plain landscape, Central Indian Landscape
including Dubai. and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats landscape,
▪ Its value in the international market is North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra flood
Rs 1 crore per kg. plains, and Sundarbans.
▪ The sale of Ambergris is banned in India under ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah
the Wildlife Protection Act .
in India’:
Gharials to Return to Orang ▪ The union minister for Environment, Forests
National Park: and Climate Change has launched the ‘Action
▪ The gharial, wiped out from the Brahmaputra Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’
River system in the 1950s, could be the prime under which 50 of these big cats will be
beneficiary of a process to expand an Assam Introduced in the next Five Years.
Tiger Reserve. ▪ The action plan was launched at the 19th
▪ Orang, on the northern bank of the meeting of the National Tiger Conservation
Brahmaputra River, is strategic to the Authority (NTCA).
Kaziranga Orang Riverine Landscape. ▪ The Government is preparing to translocate
▪ Tigers and rhinos are known to use the islands the First Batch of eight from South Africa
in this riverine landscape, about 180 km long, and Namibia to Kuno - Palpur National Park
to hop between Orang and Kaziranga. in Madhya Pradesh soon after the situation
linked to the current third wave of Covid-19
▪ The government is pursuing a policy for the
becomes normal, and total 50 in various parks
reintroduction of the gharial that became
over a period of Five Years.
locally extinct more than six decades ago.
About the Cheetah:
▪ The Gangetic dolphin is also expected to
▪ The cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, is one of the
be a beneficiary of the final notification of
oldest of the big cat species, with ancestors
the addition to Orang. The landscape has 16
that can be traced back more than five million
species of turtles that need more conservation.
Years to the Miocene era.
▪ Orang was recognised as a tiger reserve in
▪ The cheetah is also the world’s Fastest Land
2016.
Mammal. It is listed as vulnerable in IUCN red
▪ Other national parks in Assam are Kaziranga, listed Species.
Manas, Nameri, DibruSaikhowa, Raimona
▪ The country’s last spotted feline died in
and Dehing Patkai.
Chhattisgarh in 1947. Later, the cheetah was
Water bodies in the Tiger-Bearing declared extinct in India in 1952.
Areas of India: Asian Waterbird Census
▪ The 19th Meeting of the National Tiger ▪ Recently, the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC)
Conservation Authority (NTCA) was held found lower waterbird species diversity at
under the chairmanship of the union minister East Delhi’s Sanjay Lake when compared to
for Environment, Forest & Climate Change the count from the past three years.
Bhupender Yadav.
About Asian Waterbird Census:
▪ During the meeting, the union minister ▪ This citizen-science event is a part of the global
released a Water Atlas. International Waterbird Census (IWC) that
▪ The water atlas maps all the water bodies in supports the conservation and management of
the tiger-bearing areas of India. wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
▪ Landscape-wise information has been outlined ▪ The AWC is conducted in January each
in this water atlas. year and is coordinated by the Wetlands
International South Asia and the Bombay
Natural History Society in india. Although ▪ Top three States showing increase in forest
the recommended dates for the AWC are 1 cover are Andhra Pradesh (647 sq. km)
– 16 January 2022, counts from any dates in followed by Telangana (632 sq. km) and
January and February are welcomed. Odisha (537 sq. km).
▪ It is an integral part of the Global waterbird ▪ Madhya Pradesh had the largest forest cover,
monitoring programme, the International followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Waterbird Census (IWC), coordinated by Odisha and Maharashtra.
Wetlands International. ▪ The top five States in terms of forest cover as
▪ It runs in parallel with other regional a percentage of their total geographical area
programmes of the International Waterbird were Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh
Census in Africa, Europe, West Asia, the (79.33%), Meghalaya (76%), Manipur (74.34%)
Neotropics and the Caribbean. & Nagaland (73.90%).
▪ It was initiated in 1987 in the Indian ▪ The total mangrove cover in the country had
subcontinent and since has grown rapidly to increased by 17 sq. km, to reach 4,992 sq. km.
cover major region of Asia. ▪ The Total Carbon stock in forests was estimated
▪ It is the longest-running Citizen science to be 7,204 million tonnes, an increase of 79.4
Initiative. Million tonnes from 2019.
India’s oldest Sloth Bears ‘Gulabo’ Sixth Warmest Year:

Passes Away: ▪ Year 2021 tied with 2018 as the sixth warmest
▪ India’s Oldest Female sloth bear, whose Name on record, find studies conducted by NASA
was Gulabo, has passed away at the Van Vihar and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
National Park and Zoo, located in Bhopal, Administration.
Madhya Pradesh. ▪ Global Temperatures were 0.85 degrees
▪ Gulabo was the oldest sloth bear of the Celsius warmer in 2021 than the average for
country. She died at the Age of 40. the baseline period from 1951 to the present.
▪ She was rescued from a street performer ▪ Earth was about 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer
(Madaari) in May 2006, when she was 25 Years. than Preindustrial Levels.
▪ The Van Vihar National Park, located on the Tonga Volcanic Eruption:
Banks of Bhopal’s Upper Lake, also runs a
▪ An undersea volcano erupted in spectacular
Rescue and breeding centre for Sloth Bears.
fashion near the Pacific nation of Tonga on
▪ Van Vihar National Park was established on January 15, sending large tsunami waves
18th February 1979. crashing across the shore and people rushing
Forest, tree cover in India up by 2,261 to higher Ground.
sq. Km in Two Years: ▪ A Tsunami Advisory was in effect for Hawaii,
Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast.
▪ Forest and tree cover in the country has
increased by 2,261 square kilometres since the Shockwave from Tonga Volcanic
last assessment in 2019, according to the India Eruption Recorded in Chennai
State of Forest Report 2021.
▪ The Shockwave Generated by the massive
▪ The report found that there had been a 1,540 Volcanic Eruption in Tonga in the Pacific
sq. km increase in forest cover and 721 sq. km Ocean which was felt in many parts of the
increase in tree cover since the last report in Globe, was recorded in Chennai as well, which
2019. is located 12,000 km Away.
▪ Increase in forest cover has been observed in ▪ It was recorded as a blip in the atmospheric
open forest followed by very dense forest. pressure that suddenly spiked by around
two hectopascals (hPa) around 8.15 p.m. in
GEOGRAPHY | 59
Chennai on January 15, around 10 hours after (Miss Kerala), a native freshwater fish species
the eruption happened in Tonga. commonly found in parts of Karnataka and
▪ The eruption of the submarine volcano, Kerala, has been included in Schedule I of the
believed to be one of the largest in Recent Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021.
History. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in
About the Volcano:
December last.
▪ The underwater volcano erupted in Tonga ▪ Sahyadria Denisonii (Scientific name of
(a country in the Pacific Ocean) is called the Dension Barb) is found in almost 11 rivers
“Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai” volcano. of Kerala and Karnataka with some of the
▪ Hunga Tonga and Hunga Haapai were Highest endemic aquatic fauna in the country.
two separate islands. The volcanic eruption Kerala gets its First ever Scientific Bird
merged the two islands. Atlas:
▪ The volcano in the island is a part of Kermadec ▪ The Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA), the first of its
Islands Volcanic arc located in the South kind State level bird atlas in India, has created
Pacific Ocean. solid baseline data about the distribution and
Super Mom Tigress Who Gave Birth To abundance of bird species across all major
habitats, giving an impetus to futuristic
29 Cubs Dies in MP's Pench Reserve:
studies.
▪ The T-15 tigress from Madhya Pradesh's Pench
Tiger Reserve has died. ▪ Conducted as a citizen science driven exercise
with the participation of over 1000 volunteers
▪ Collarwali, a name given to her by the locals of the birdwatching community, the KBA has
of that area, died due to old age. She was more been prepared based on systematic surveys
than 16 years old. held twice over 60 days a year during the
▪ She was also one of the most photographed wet (July to September) and dry (January to
Tigresses in the world. March) seasons between 2015 and 2020.
▪ The Super Mom was Popularly Called, ▪ The KBA accounts for nearly three lakh records
'Mataram' (the Mother of Pench). of 361 species, including 94 very rare species,
About Pench Tiger Reserve: 103 rare species, 110 common species, 44
▪ The Reserve is located in the southern very common species, and 10 most abundant
reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and species.
Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh, and ▪ It is Arguably Asia’s largest bird atlas in terms
continues in Nagpur District in Maharashtra of geographical extent, sampling effort and
as a separate Sanctuary. species coverage derived from the aggregation
▪ The Reserve is named after the Pench river of 25,000 checklists.
that flows through the National Park. ▪ It was found that the species count was higher
▪ Pench National Park was created as a wildlife during the dry season than in the wet season
sanctuary in 1977. Soon after in 1983, its status while species richness and evenness were
was elevated to that of a National Park. The higher in the northern and central districts
year 1992 brought to Pench the official identity than in the southern districts.
of a Tiger Reserve.
Combat Climate Change through
▪ Other Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh
include Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh Technology-led Carbon Capture and
National Park, Panna National Park, Satpura Utilisation Solutions:
National Park, Sanjay-Dubri National Park. ▪ Experts from India and US discussed the
challenges and opportunities to combat
Miss Kerala in Endangered List: climate change through technology-led
▪ A section of aquarists and ornamental fish Carbon Capture and Utilisation solutions at
breeders are surprised that the Denison barb the Indo-US Scoping Workshop on Carbon
Capture held on 21st January 2022, jointly ▪ They celebrate the 10th anniversary of all 13
organized by DST India and DoE USA. tiger range countries committed to doubling
▪ Dr. S Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department the Global population of wild tigers by 2022.
of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India, ▪ Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary was
said that at the recently concluded COP-26 declared a tiger reserve in 2013 and the
at Glasgow, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri reserve that spread across 1,411.60 sq km is
Narendra Modi brought forth the country’s an important link between the Nilgiris and
remarkable performance as well as ambitions Eastern Ghats.
to meet the climate goals despite being one of ▪ The Nilgiri biosphere landscape that this
the fastest growing economies in the world.
reserve is part of is currently the home to the
The PM has given a mandate for all of us to
Largest Tiger population in the world.
become a net-zero Emissions nation by the
year 2070. ▪ It is connected to other well-established
▪ Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage tiger habitats like Mudumalai Tiger Reserve,
(CCUS) is among one such key pathways to Bandipur Tiger Reserve and BR Hills Tiger
reduce emissions while continuing to develop Reserve.
sustainably at an unprecedented pace. 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger
▪ CCUS clearly aligns with five of the seventeen Conservation:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
namely, Climate action; clean energy; ▪ It was recently organized by the Government
industry, innovation, and infrastructure; of Malaysia and the Global Tiger Forum.
responsible consumption and production; ▪ This conference is an important event for
and partnerships to achieve the goals,” he reviewing progress towards the Global Tiger
said at the first workshop on thematic of Recovery Programme and commitments to
Carbon Capture. tiger conservation.
New Species of Rain Frog: ▪ India will facilitate Tiger Range Countries
▪ A New Species of rain frog, discovered in the towards the finalization of the New Delhi
Panama jungle, has been named after Swedish declaration for the Global Tiger Summit to be
Environmental Activist Greta Thunberg. held at Vladivostok, Russia later this year.
▪ The species has been named as Pristimantis ▪ A “Pre-Tiger Summit” meeting was held at
gretathunbergae, or popularly known as the New Delhi in 2010.
Greta Thunberg Rain frog. ▪ The draft declaration on tiger conservation for
Global Tiger Summit was finalized.
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Bags
TX2 Award: Parasitic plant found in Nicobar Eco
▪ Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in hotspot:
Erode district has been given the prestigious
▪ A new genus of a parasitic flowering plant has
TX2 award after its tiger numbers doubled to
recently been discovered from the Nicobar
80 since 2010.
Group of islands. The genus Septemeranthus
▪ Apart from the STR, the Bardia National Park Grows on the plant species Horsfieldia glabra
in Nepal has won this year’s TX2 award for
(Blume) Warb.
doubling the population of wild tigers.
▪ The parasitic flowering plants have a modified
▪ The awards are presented by the Conservation
root structure spread on the stem of the tree and
Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS), Fauna
and Flora International (FFI), Global Tiger are anchored inside the bark of the host tree.
Forum (GTF), IUCN’s Integrated Tiger ▪ The plant was found on the periphery of
Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP), the tropical forest in one of the biodiversity
Panthera, UNDP, The Lion’s Share, Wildlife hotspots referred to as the Nicobar group of
Conservation Society (WCS) and WWF. islands separated from the Andaman group of
Islands.
4. ECONOMICS

‘India to surpass Japan as Asia’s 2nd ▪ The sovereign gold bond scheme was launched
Largest Economy by 2030’ in November 2015. Its objective is to reduce
▪ India is likely to overtake Japan as Asia’s the Demand for physical gold and shift a part
second largest economy by 2030 when its GDP of the domestic savings (used for the purchase
is also projected to surpass that of Germany of gold) into financial savings.
and the U.K. to rank as the world’s No.3, IHS ▪ Buy and Sale: Investors have to pay the issue
Markit said in a report. price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed
▪ Currently, India is the Sixth Largest Economy, (bought back by the issuer) in cash on maturity.
behind the U.S., China, Japan, Germany and ▪ Issue price is the price at which bonds
U.K. are offered for sale when they First
▪ India’s nominal GDP is forecast to rise from become Available to the public.
$2.7 trillion in 2021 to $8.4 trillion by 2030. ▪ The Government will pay an interest
▪ By 2030, the Indian economy would also at the Rate of 2.5% per annum. The
be larger in size than the largest Western interest is payable semi-annually.
European Economies of Germany, France and ▪ Tenure: Sovereign gold bonds have a tenure
the U.K. of eight years, with exit options are available
from the fifth year.
Gold bond Issue Priced at `4,786/gm: ▪ Eligibility: The Bonds will be restricted for
▪ The issue price for the Next tranche of sale to resident individuals, Hindu Undivided
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2021-22, which Families (HUFs), Trusts, Universities and
will open for subscription for five days, has Charitable Institutions.
been fixed at `4,786 per gram, the RBI said. ▪ The Minimum permissible investment unit is
▪ The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2021-22 1 gram of gold.
Series IX will be open for subscription for the
period January 10-14, 2022. EVs in RBI's Priority Sector Lending:
▪ The Government of India has decided to ▪ NITI Aayog has proposed government to
offer a Discount of `50 per gram less than the include electric vehicles in the Reserve Bank of
nominal value to investors applying online India’s priority-sector lending guidelines.
and the payment made through digital mode. ▪ NITI Aayog, in its report on EVs with Rocky
About Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme: Mountain Institute (RMI) and RMI India said,
▪ Sovereign Gold bonds are issued by the banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies
RBI on behalf of the government. They are (NBFCs) in India have the potential to achieve
Government securities denominated in Grams an electric vehicle (EV) financing market size
of gold. They are substitutes for holding of Rs 40,000 crore by 2025 and Rs 3.7 lakh crore
Physical gold. by 2030.
▪ Priority-sector lending aims to expand

Financial access and support employment
Opportunities in India.
▪ It has suggested in the report that electric two-
wheelers, three-wheelers, and commercial
four-wheelers are early segments to prioritize
under PSL.
▪ Further, it suggests recognition of EVs as
an infrastructure sub-sector by the ministry
of finance and the incorporation of EVs as a
separate reporting category under the RBI.
About Priority Sector Lending (PSL):
▪ The RBI mandates all scheduled commercial
banks and foreign banks (with a sizable
presence in India) are mandated to set aside
40% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit
(ANDC) for lending to the priority sectors.
▪ Priority sectors identified by RBI are -
Agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs), export credit,
education, housing, social infrastructure,
Renewable energy.
▪ Regional rural banks, co-operative banks and
small finance banks have to allocate 75% of
ANDC to PSL.
ECONOMICS | 63

Core sector output rose 3.1% in Apple is first firm to touch $3 TN in
November value:
▪ Output of eight core sectors rose by 3.1% in ▪ Apple Inc. became the First Company with
November as against a contraction of 1.1% in a $3 trillion stock market value, lifted by
the same month last year. investor confidence that the iPhone maker will
▪ Barring crude oil and cement, all other sectors keep introducing bestselling products as it
recorded positive growth in November. explores new markets such as automated cars
▪ In October, these core sectors’ output had and virtual reality.
Grown by 8.4%. NSO Estimates FY22 GDP Growth at
▪ According to the data, coal production 9.2%
expanded by 8.2%, natural gas by 23.7%, ▪ India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is
refinery products 4.3%, fertilizers by 2.5%, Expected to grow by 9.2% in the current
steel by 0.8%, and electricity climbed 1.5% in Financial year following last fiscal’s 7.3%
November. contraction, the National Statistical Office
▪ The growth rate of the eight infrastructure (NSO) said in its first advance estimates of
sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery Economic output released, amid concerns
products, fertilizers, steel, cement and over the likely impact of a third wave of the
electricity — stood at 13.7% during April, COVID19 pandemic.
November this fiscal as against a contraction ▪ GDP at constant prices (2011-12) in the year
of 11.1% during the same period last fiscal.
2021-22 is estimated at `147.54 lakh crore, as
Wheat Exports Jumped to $872 mn in against the Provisional estimate of GDP for the
April-Oct. year 2020-21 of `135.13 lakh crore.
▪ India’s wheat exports jumped to $872 million ▪ Real GVA at Basic Prices is estimated at `135.22
during April-October period in the current lakh crore in 2021-22, as against `124.53 lakh
fiscal on account of healthy demand, with crore in 2020-21, showing a Growth of 8.6%.
Bangladesh emerging as the top destination. ▪ Agriculture sector is estimated to grow at 3.9%
▪ India’s wheat exports are mainly to neighboring in FY22 (3.6%).
countries, with Bangladesh having the largest ▪ The electricity, water supply and other utility
share of more than 54% in both volume and services category is estimated to grow at 8.5%
value terms in fiscal year FY21. (1.9%), while construction is expected to grow
10.7% (8.6%).
‘India spent record $55.7 bn on Gold
▪ Trade, hotels, transport, communication and
Imports in 2021’ broadcasting services are projected to grow at
▪ India splurged a record $55.7 billion on Gold 11.9% against a sharp contraction of 18.2% last
imports in 2021, buying more than double year.
the previous year’s tonnage as a price drop
Favored retail buyers and pent-up demand Indian Exports up 33% to $7.63 Billion
emerged for weddings that were delayed during Jan 1-7 Period:
when the pandemic first hit. ▪ The country's Exports grew 33.16 per cent
▪ India is the world’s second biggest gold to $7.63 billion during January 1-7 period on
Consuming Nations. account of healthy performance by various
Sectors, including engineering, petroleum and
gems and jewellery, according to preliminary
data from the Commerce Ministry.
▪ Imports, excluding petroleum, increased in 4. CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined).

the period under review by 29.88 per cent over ▪ Of these, the first three are compiled by the
the Same Period of 2020-21. Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour
Retail Inflation Accelerates to 5.59%:
▪ Retail inflation quickened to 5.59% in December of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
due to an uptick in food prices, while India’s
▪ Base Year for CPI is 2012.
industrial output grew at a subdued 1.4% in
November 2021, according to data from the ▪ The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) uses
National Statistical Office (NSO). CPI data to control inflation.
▪ The inflation based on the Consumer Price About NSO:
Index (CPI) compares with 4.91% seen a ▪ The Government order dated 23rd May 2019
Month earlier and 4.59% in December 2020. has merged the National Sample Survey
▪ Consumer food price inflation accelerated to Office (NSSO) with the Central Statistics Office
4.05% in December, as against 1.87% seen in (CSO) to form an overarching body – National
November 2021. Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation
▪ The increase relative to the previous month
(MoSPI).
was primarily led by food and beverages,
and clothing and footwear, with a welcome ▪ It is the central statistical agency of the
moderation in the prints for fuel and light. Government mandated under the Statistical
Services Act 1980.
What is Inflation?
▪ The order states that the proposed NSO
▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most
would be headed by Secretary (Statistics and
Goods and services of daily or common use,
Programme Implementation).
such as food, clothing, housing, recreation,
Transport, consumer staples, etc. ▪ NSO was first envisaged by Rangarajan
Commission to implement and maintain
▪ Inflation measures the average price change
statistical standards and coordinate statistical
in a basket of commodities and services over
activities of Central and State agencies as laid
time.
down by the National Statistical Commission
▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by (NSC).
two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price
▪ It is responsible for the development of
Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) which
arrangements for providing statistical
measure wholesale and retail-level price
information services to meet the needs of the
changes, respectively.
Government and other users for information
About Consumer Price Index: on which to base policy, planning, monitoring
▪ It measures price changes from the Perspective and Management Decisions.
of a retail buyer.
▪ Its services include collecting, compiling and
▪ The CPI calculates the difference in the price disseminating official Statistical Information.
of commodities and services such as food,
▪ All business operations in NSO are done in
Medical care, education, electronics etc, which
compliance with international standards,
Indian consumers buy for use.
Procedures and best practices.
▪ The CPI has several sub-groups including
food and beverages, fuel and light, housing World Bank retains India's Economic
and clothing, bedding and footwear. Growth Forecast at 8.3% for 2021-22:
▪ Four types of CPI are as follows: ▪ The World Bank has retained India's Economic
1. CPI for Industrial Workers (IW). Growth forecast for the current fiscal at 8.3 per
2. CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL). cent as the recovery is yet to become broad-
3. CPI for Rural Labourer (RL). based.
ECONOMICS | 65
▪ As per the first advanced estimates of the contributed to the report.

national income released by the National About United Nations Department of
Statistical Office (NSO) last week, the Economy Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA):
is projected to grow at 9.2 per cent in 2021-22, ▪ It was formed in the year 1948.
surpassing pre-COVID level in Actual terms,
▪ It is the development pillar of the United
mainly on account of improved performance,
Nations.
especially in farm, mining and manufacturing
sectors. ▪ UN DESA is a pioneer of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
▪ Further, the report said that growth forecast
has been upgraded for 2022-23 and 2023-24 to ▪ It brings the global community together
8.7 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively. to work towards common solutions to the
World’s most pressing problems.
▪ The upward revision reflects an improving
investment outlook with private investment, ▪ It helps countries translate their global
particularly manufacturing, benefiting from commitments into national action in the
the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Economic, social and Environmental Spheres.
and increases in Infrastructure Investment. About UNCTAD:
▪ United Nations Conference on Trade and
UN Report Projects Global EconoMy Development (UNCTAD) was established
Growth to slow in 2022, 2023: in 1964 to promote development-friendly
▪ The global economy is projected to grow by Integration of developing countries into the
4% in 2022 - down from 5.5% last year - and World Economy.
expand 3.5% in 2023 amid new waves of ▪ UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental
COVID-19 infections, labor market challenges, body headquartered at Geneva in Switzerland.
supply-chain constraints and rising inflation, ▪ Some of the reports published by it are:
according to a U.N. report.
9 Trade and Development Report
▪ The World Economic Situation and Prospects
9 World Investment Report
2022 report said 2021 growth momentum -
following a contraction of 3.4% in 2020 - began 9 The Least Developed Countries Report
to slow by the end of the year, including 9 Information and Economy Report
in big Economies like China, the European 9 Technology and Innovation Report
Union and the United States, as the effects of 9 Commodities and Development Report.
fiscal and monetary stimuli faded and major
Supply-chain disruptions surfaced. IMF cuts India's GDP Forecast to
▪ The World Economic Situation and Prospects 9 per cent in FY22:
2022 is a report produced by the United ▪ The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
Nations Department of Economic and Social cut India's economic growth forecast to 9 per
Affairs (UN DESA), in partnership with the cent for the current fiscal year ending March
United Nations Conference on Trade and 31, joining a host of agencies which have
Development (UNCTAD) and the five United downgraded their projections on concerns
Nations Regional Commissions: over the impact of a spread of new variant of
9 Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), coronavirus on business activity and mobility.
Economic Commission for Europe ▪ In its latest update of World Economic Outlook,
(UNECE), Economic Commission for Latin the Washington-based international Financial
America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), Institution, which had in October last year
Economic and Social Commission for Asia projected a 9.5 per cent GDP growth for India,
and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Economic put the forecast for the next fiscal FY23 (April
and Social Commission for Western Asia 2022 to March 2023) at 7.1 per cent.
(UNESCWA). The United Nations World ▪ The Indian economy had contracted by 7.3
Tourism Organization (UNWTO) also
per cent in the 2020-21 fiscal year. The IMF's

forecast for the current financial year is less
than 9.2 per cent that the government's Central
Statistics Office has predicted and 9.5 per cent
that the Reserve Bank of India has estimated.
About INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
(IMF):
▪ The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
is an international financial institution,
headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting
of 190 countries.
▪ Formed in 1944, started on 27 December 1945,
at the Bretton Woods Conference primarily
by the ideas of Harry Dexter White and John
Maynard Keynes, it came into formal existence
in 1945 with 29 member countries and the goal
of reconstructing the international monetary
system.
▪ President: Kristalina Georgieva
India's Exports to China jump 34%:

▪ India's exports to China have increased about
34 per cent to USD 22.9 billion in 2021 from
USD 17.1 billion in 2019, according to data
from the Commerce Ministry.
▪ Imports, on the other hand, rose 28 per cent to
USD 87.5 billion in 2021 as against USD 68.4
billion in 2019.
▪ The trade deficit has increased to USD 64.5
billion last year as compared with USD 51.2
billion in 2019.
ECONOMICS | 67
4.3 MONEY & BANKING

Foreign owned assets in India rose by SBI, ICICI, HDFC Bank continue to
$37 bn in Q2: RBI data: remain Systemically Important Banks:
▪ Indian residents’ overseas financial assets rose RBI
$31.9 billion, almost three-fourths of which ▪ The RBI said state-owned SBI, along with
came from build-up in reserve assets. Private Sector lenders ICICI Bank and HDFC
▪ This partly reflects the allocation of Special Bank continue to be Domestic Systemically
Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the International Important Banks (D-SIBs) or institutions
Monetary Fund (IMF) in August 2021, the which are 'too big to fail'.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said. ▪ SIBs are perceived as banks that are 'too big to
▪ The regulator released data relating to India’s fail (TBTF)'.
International Investment Position (IIP). ▪ This perception of TBTF creates an expectation
▪ The International Monetary Fund describes a of government support for these banks in
nation’s IIP as showing the value of financial times of distress. Due to this perception,
assets of residents of an economy that are these lenders enjoy certain advantages in the
claims on non-residents, or are gold bullion Funding Markets.
held as reserve assets and of the liabilities of ▪ SBI, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank continue to be
residents to non-residents. identified as Domestic Systemically Important
Banks (D-SIBs), under the same bucketing
RBI Approves Small, Offline
structure as in the 2020 list of D-SIBs.
e-payments:
▪ The current update is based on data collected
▪ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has come out from banks as on March 31, 2021.
with the framework for facilitating small value
▪ The additional Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1)
digital payments in offline mode, a move that
requirement for D-SIBs was phased-in from
would promote digital payments in semiurban
April 1, 2016 and became fully effective from
and rural Areas.
April 1, 2019.
▪ The framework incorporates feedback
▪ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had
received from the pilot experiments on offline
Announced SBI and ICICI Bank as D-SIBs in
transactions conducted in different parts of
2015 and 2016.
the country between September 2020 and June
2021. ▪ HDFC Bank was classified as a D-SIB in 2017.
▪ An offline digital payment does not require ▪ The framework for dealing with D-SIBs was
Internet or Telecom connectivity. Issued in July 2014.
▪ Under this new framework, such payments ▪ The framework requires the RBI to disclose
can be carried out face-to-face (proximity the names of banks designated as D-SIBs
mode) using any channel or instrument like starting from 2015 and place these lenders
Cards, wallets and mobile devices. in appropriate buckets depending upon their
Systemic Importance Scores (SISs).
▪ Such transactions would not require an
Additional Factor of Authentication. Since ▪ The Reserve Bank of India said that State Bank
the transactions are offline, alerts (by way of of India, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank will
SMS and / or email) will be received by the remain as Domestic Systemically Important
customer after a time lag. Banks (D-SIBs) and therefore will have to
maintain additional common equity tier 1
▪ There is a limit of `200 per transaction and
(CET1) capital ratios in the same manner
an overall limit of `2,000 until the balance in
Prescribed in 2020.
the account is replenished. The RBI said the
Framework took effect ‘Immediately’.
▪ For SBI, the additional CET1 requirement is the National Payments Corporation of India
maintained at 0.6% of the bank's risk weighted (NPCI).
assets, while for HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, ▪ State Bank of India followed PPBL as the
the requirement is kept at 0.2%. second-largest beneficiary with 664.89 Million
▪ The additional CET1 requirement is in addition Transactions.
to the capital conservation buffer and was
prescribed to strengthen these Bank's Capital. First Telecom Company to roll-out UPI
▪ The capital conservation buffer, at 2.5% of a AUTOPAY:
bank's total exposures, is in addition to the ▪ National Payments Corporation of India
4.5% Minimum Requirement for Common (NPCI) and Reliance Jio have announced that
Equity Tier 1 capital. UPI AUTOPAY has now been introduced for
the telecom industry with Jio.
LazyPay tie-up with SBM Bank ▪ Jio’s integration with UPI AUTOPAY has
India to Launch LazyCard: made it the first player in the telecom industry
▪ LazyPay, a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) to go live with the unique e-mandate feature
solution by PayU Finance, announced its that was launched by NPCI.
partnership with SBM Bank India to launch ▪ Using the UPI AutoPay launched by NPCI,
LazyCard, a prepaid payment instrument customers can now enable recurring e-mandate
backed by a credit line that works on the Visa using any UPI application for recurring
Payment network. payments such as mobile bills, electricity
bills, EMI payments, entertainment/OTT
▪ LazyCard reaches over 62 million pre- subscriptions, insurance, mutual funds among
approved users of LazyPay, with a credit limit others.
of up to 5 lakhs.
About NPCI:
About SBM Bank India: ▪ Founded: 2008.
▪ SBM Bank (India) Ltd. incorporated on 1st
▪ Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
December 2018, is an Indian private sector
Bank headquartered in Mumbai, India. ▪ MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe.
▪ It is the first-ever foreign bank in India, Digital Payments Index for September
licensed to operate as a Scheduled Commercial 2021:
Bank by the Reserve Bank of India in virtue of ▪ The RBI’s Digital Payment Index, which
a wholly-owned subsidiary Model. shows the deepening of payments through
▪ SBM Bank (India) Ltd. is a step-down digital modes in India, rose by 39.64 per cent
subsidiary of State Bank of Mauritius. to 304.06 in September 2021 against 217.74 in
the year-ago month.
Most Preferred UPI Beneficiary Bank in
▪ RBI has introduced Digital Payments Index
India:
in January 2021 with March 2018 as the base
▪ Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) became the
year to capture the extent of digitization of
largest and fastest-growing UPI beneficiary
payments across the country.
bank in India. It becomes the first beneficiary
bank in the country to achieve the landmark of ▪ RBI has started publishing the Digital
over 926 million UPI transactions in a Single Payments Index (DPI) on a semi-annual
Month. basis from March 2021 onwards with a lag
of 4 months. This means that the DPI will be
▪ Beneficiary banks are the banks of the account
released by RBI for March and September
holder who is receiving money.
every year in the months of July and January
▪ While State Bank of India (SBI) topped respectively.
the chart of being the biggest remitter in
▪ The RBI-DPI comprises five broad parameters
December 2021, according to data released by
that enable measurement of deepening and
ECONOMICS | 69
penetration of digital payments in the country

over different time periods, viz. payment
enablers (with 25 per cent weight), payment
infrastructure—demand-side factors (10 per
cent), payment infrastructure—supply-side
factors (15 per cent), payment performance (45
per cent) and consumer centricity (5 per cent).
About Reserve Bank of India:
▪ The Reserve Bank of India was established on
April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions
of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
▪ The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was
initially established in Kolkata but was
permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. The
Central Office is where the Governor sits and
where policies are formulated.
▪ Though originally privately owned, since
nationalisation in 1949, the Reserve Bank is
fully owned by the Government of India.
4.4 PUBLIC FINANCE: FISCAL POLICY

GST Council defers Tax Rate Forex Reserves down by USD 1.466 bn
increase on Textiles: to USD 633.614 bn:
▪ The GST was retained the status quo and not ▪ The Country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves
go to 12% from 5% in the case of textiles. declined by USD 1.466 billion to USD 633.614
▪ Various States such as Gujarat, West Bengal, billion in the week ended December 31, RBI
Delhi, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu had opposed data showed.
the move to raise the Goods and Services Tax ▪ During the reporting week ended December
(GST) rate on textiles to 12% with effect from 31, the decline in foreign exchange reserves
January 1, 2022. was on account of a fall in foreign currency
▪ However, a similar demand for footwear was assets (FCA), a major component of the overall
not considered and the sector will attract GST reserves.
of 12% from January 1, irrespective of prices. ▪ Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency
assets include the effect of Appreciation or
Current Account Slips to Deficit in Q2: depreciation of non-US units like the euro,
▪ India’s Balance of Payments (BoP) position pound and yen held in the Foreign exchange
moved to a deficit of $9.6 billion in the Quarter reserves.
ended September (Q2), as widening trade ▪ Gold reserves rose by USD 14 million to USD
deficit weighed. 39.405 billion in the reporting week.
▪ At 1.3% of GDP, this compares with a surplus ▪ The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the
of $6.6 billion in the immediately previous International Monetary Fund (IMF) remained
Quarter and with a surplus of $15.3 billion a unchanged at USD 19.114 billion in the
year earlier. reporting week.
▪ The deficit in the Current Account in Q2 ▪ The country’s reserve position with the IMF
was mainly due to widening of trade deficit was also unchanged at USD 5.207 billion in the
to $44.4 billion from $30.7 billion in the reporting week.
preceding quarter and an increase in net outgo
of Investment Income. About Foreign Exchange Reserves:
▪ Foreign exchange reserves are assets held on
About Current Account: reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies,
▪ A country's Current Account records the value which can include bonds, treasury bills and
of exports and imports of both Goods and other government securities.
services and international transfers of capital.
▪ It needs to be noted that most foreign exchange
▪ It is one of the three components of its Balance reserves are held in US dollars.
of Payments (BoP), the others being the
▪ India’s Forex Reserve include:
capital account and the Financial Account.
1. Foreign Currency Assets
▪ Current account measures the nation's
earnings and spendings abroad and it consists 2. Gold reserves
of the balance of trade, net primary income or 3. Special Drawing Rights
factor income (earnings on foreign investments 4. Reserve position with the International
minus payments made to foreign investors) Monetary Fund (IMF).
and net unilateral transfers, that have taken
place over a given period of time.
ECONOMICS | 71
Saa`Thi Mobile App on Investor

Education:
▪ The New App Saa`Thi aims to empower
investors with accurate knowledge about the
securities market.
▪ The App will cater largely to individual
investors, who have recently entered the
markets and carry out trading via their mobile
phones.
▪ The app will be helpful in easily accessing all
the relevant information like the basic concepts
of Securities Market, KYC Process, trading
and settlement, mutual funds, recent market
developments, investor grievances redressal
mechanism, etc.
▪ It is currently available in Hindi and English.
About SEBI:
▪ The Securities and Exchange Board of India
was established on April 12, 1992 in accordance
with the provisions of the Securities and
Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
▪ Headquarters: Mumbai.
▪ Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi.
4.5 PUBLIC FINANCE: TAX STRUCTURE IN INDIA

November’s GST Revenues: Centre releases Rs 95,082 Crore to
▪ November’s GST revenues were the second States as January Tax Devolution:
Highest since the introduction of this indirect ▪ The finance ministry released Rs 95,082 crore to
Tax regime in July 2017. states, which includes an advance instalment
▪ While revenues from domestic transactions of tax devolution of Rs 47,541 crore, almost
were up 5% year-on-year in December, there double of their entitlement during the month
was a significant variation among collections of January.
in States, with revenues falling by 4% in Tamil ▪ With the release of the second advance
Nadu and by 2% in Rajasthan, Gujarat and installment, the states would have received
Andhra Pradesh. an additional amount of Rs 90,082 crore under
▪ West Bengal and Bihar both saw a 10% decline tax devolution over and above what has been
in revenues, while Uttar Pradesh recorded a budgeted to be released till January, 2022.
marginal 2% rise. ▪ Among those, Tamil Nadu's share of Rs.1939.19
▪ Maharashtra, on the other hand, clocked a crore of first instalment and second instalment
healthy 11% growth while Karnataka revenues of Rs.1939.19 crore, total Rs.3878.38 crore has
rose 12%. been released by Centre to Tamil Nadu as tax
About GST: devolution.
▪ Goods and Service tax has been implemented ▪ Among the states received the tax devolution,
by the Union government on 1st July 2017 all Uttar Pradesh received the highest Amount
over the country, through 101st Constitutional (17,056.66 crore) followed by Bihar, Madhya
Amendment act. Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan,
▪ Goods and services are divided into five Odisha, Andhra Pradesh.
different tax slabs for collection of tax: 0%, 5%, ▪ State which received lowest share among
12%, 18% and 28%. larger state category is Himachal Pradesh (789
▪ The revenue Loss incurred by the States crores).
because of the implementation of GST will be
given compensation for five years from the
Implementation of GST.
▪ Goods kept outside the GST:
9 Alcohol for human consumption (i.e., not
for commercial use).
9 Petrol and petroleum products (GST will
apply at a later date), i.e., petroleum crude,
high-speed diesel, motor spirit (petrol),
natural gas, aviation turbine fuel.
5. SCIENCE

World’s First artificial intelligence- “Yogyata” Application:
Equipped Judge: ▪ The Common Services Centers (CSC) has
▪ China has created a judge equipped with recently launched the “Yogyata” mobile
artificial intelligence, which is the first of its phone application. It aims to provide
kind in the world. vocational education and skill enhancement
▪ This AI-equipped judge gives 97 percent opportunities to youth and other citizens in
correct decisions after listening to verbal rural areas.
Arguments. ▪ It includes the access to courses like Cyber
▪ It is produced by Shanghai Pudong People’s Security, CAD and 3D printing, to increase
Procuratorate which is the busy Prosecution employability The training content is on a
Office. continuous learning mode and the courses are
yearly subscription-based.
▪ It has been built using thousands of cases from
around the world. These cases are from the
year 2015 to 2020.
Researchers find Anticancer Activity in

Marine Seagrass:
▪ Researchers have found scientific evidence
of a strong anti-cancer activity in the ethyl
acetate fraction of Halodule uninervis, a
Species of seagrass found in the coastal
Region of Mandapam close to Rameswaram
in southern Tamil Nadu.
▪ The study, claimed to be the first of its kind,
was aimed at evaluating the invitro anti-
cancer activity of ethyl acetate fraction of this
seagrass species against various human cancer
cell lines, including malignant melanoma,
lung, cervix, carcinoma and colorectal cancers.

India’s Serum Institute Applies for full About WHO:
approval of Covishield Vaccine: ▪ The World Health Organization (WHO) is
▪ Serum Institute of India has applied to the a specialized agency of the United Nations
country’s drug regulator and the health responsible for International Public Health.
ministry for full approval of its COVID-19 ▪ Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it
vaccine Covishield, the company’s chief has six regional offices and 150 field offices
Executive said. Worldwide.
▪ Serum Institute, which produces AstraZeneca’s ▪ The WHO was established on 7 April 1948.
COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name ▪ Director-General: Tedros Adhanom.
Covishield, has supplied more than 1.25
billion doses of the shot in India. Sonowal bats for AYUSH Immunity kit:
▪ The Ministry of AYUSH has developed an
ICMR Approves India-made kit to Ayurvedic kit for increasing immunity to
Detect Omicron: combat the variants of COVID19 named
▪ The Indian Council of Medical Research Ayuraksha Kit.
(ICMR) has approved a testing kit for ▪ The kit comprising Chyavanprash, Sanshmani
detecting the Omicron variant of the SARS- Vati, Anu Taila and Ayush Kwath to increase
CoV-2 coronavirus. immunity in the fight against the Coronavirus.
▪ The kit is manufactured by Tata Medical and
Xenotransplantation:
Diagnostics and is named OmiSure.
▪ A US man has become the first person in
▪ The RT-PCR kit, Omisure, was earlier sent to
the world to get a heart transplant from a
the ICMR for approval after continued Testing.
Genetically-modified pig. David Bennett, 57,
The kit will be used to confirm the Omicron in
is doing well three days after the experimental
patients with its S-Gene Target Failure (SGTF)
seven-hour procedure in Baltimore.
strategy.
▪ The possibility of using animal organs for
▪ The kit currently in use to detect Omicron in
so-called xenotransplantation to meet the
India has been developed by the U.S.-based
Demand has long been considered, and using
scientific instrumentation company Thermo
pig heart valves is Already Common.
Fisher. It, too, uses the SGTF strategy to detect
the variant. New ‘Deltacron’ Covid Variant:
New Coronavirus Variant 'IHU' ▪ Cyprus has detected a new variant dubbed
as “Deltacron”, that has a similar genetic
identified in France:
background to the Delta variant, coupled with
▪ As the world grapples with the highly mutated 10 mutations from Omicron.
Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, scientists
About Cyprus:
have identified a new strain of the COVID-19
▪ Capital: Nicosia.
causing virus in Southern France.
▪ Currency: Euro.
▪ Known as 'IHU', the B.1.640.2 variant has
been reported by researchers at institute IHU ▪ Continent: Europe.
Mediterranee Infection in at least 12 cases, and ▪ President: Nicos Anastasiades.
has been linked to travel to African Country
Cameroon. Covid Vaccine for 12-14 Age Group:
▪ India may begin inoculating children in the
▪ The B.1.640.2 has not been identified in
12-14 age group against COVID19 in March
other countries so far or labelled a variant
as the 15-17 population is likely to get fully
under investigation by the World Health
vaccinated by then, N.K. Arora, Chairman of
Organization (WHO).
SCIENCE | 75
the COVID19 working group of the National NeoCov Coronavirus:

Technical Advisory Group on Immunization ▪ A team of Wuhan researchers found a new
(NTAGI). kind of coronavirus, NeoCov, among bats in
▪ NTAGI is the highest advisory body on South Africa.
immunization in the country which consists ▪ In a study, the researchers said that the virus
of independent experts who provide may pose a threat to humans in the future (1
recommendations on vaccines after reviewing out of 3 may die).
data on disease burden, Efficacy and cost- ▪ The virus is closely related to the Middle East
effectiveness of vaccines. respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral disease
Omicron in Community Transmission: that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in
2012.
INSACOG
▪ Omicron is now in community transmission ▪ According to the study, NeoCov can penetrate
in India and has become dominant in human cells in the same way as the COVID-19
multiple metros, where new cases have been virus.
rising exponentially, the Indian SARSCoV2 ▪ NeoCov is only one mutation away from
Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said. becoming dangerous for humans.
▪ INSACOG, jointly initiated by the Union Portable Device to Detect Oral Cancer:
Health and Family Welfare Ministry, the
▪ Scientists from IIT Kharagpur have developed
Department of Biotechnology and others, is a
a portable, inexpensive device for detecting
consortium of 38 laboratories monitoring the
oral cancer. The estimated cost per device is
genomic variations in SARSCoV2, the novel
within USD500.
Coronavirus causing COVID19.
▪ The new technology enables a clinician in
Omicron Testing Kit – OM: a community health centre detect potential
▪ The CSIR - Central Drug Research Institute has vulnerable cases early enough, during the
developed an indigenous RT-PCR diagnostic First Examination.
kit, ‘Om’.
▪ This is for the testing of the Omicron variant of
Coronavirus.
▪ It is the first kit made by any government
institution.
▪ And it is the third to be made indigenously, for
specific testing of Omicron.
About CSIR:
▪ The Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research abbreviated as CSIR was established
by the Government of India on 26 September
1942 as an Autonomous body that has emerged
as the largest research and development
organisations in India.
▪ Though it is mainly funded by the Ministry
of Science and Technology, it operates as
an autonomous body through the Societies
Registration Act, 1860.
▪ Since 18 October 2018, Shekhar C. Mande is
the Director General of CSIR-cum-Secretary
DSIR.
5.3 SPACE
‘ISRO gearing up for Multiple Space than that on Earth.
Missions in 2022’ ▪ The presence of water had been confirmed by
▪ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is remote observation but the lander has now
gearing up for a number of missions in 2022 Detected signs of water in rocks and soil.
including the launch of the first unmanned ▪ A device on-board the lunar lander measured
mission of Gaganyaan, its Chairman, K. Sivan the spectral reflectance of the regolith and the
said. In his New Year’s message for 2022, Mr. rock and detected water on the spot for the
Sivan said ISRO had a number of missions to First Time.
execute this year. ▪ The Chang'e-5 spacecraft landed on one of the
▪ These include youngest mare basalts located at a mid-High
9 The launch of the Earth Observation latitude on the moon.
Satellites, EOS4 and EOS6 on board the About Change'e 5:
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). ▪ Chang'e 5 is the fifth lunar exploration mission
9 The EOS02 on board the maiden flight of of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program,
the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). and China's first lunar sample-Return Mission.
9 Chandrayaan 03, Aditya Ll, XpoSat, IRNSS ▪ Like its predecessors, the spacecraft is named
and technology demonstration Missions after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e.
with indigenously developed Advanced ▪ It was launched on 23 November 2020 from
Technologies. Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Hainan
▪ ISRO has delivered the Sband SAR payload to Island, landed on the Moon on 1 December
NASA for NISAR [NASA ISRO SAR] mission. 2020, collected 1731 g of lunar and returned to
The NISAR mission, scheduled for launch in the Earth on 16 December 2020.
2023, is optimized for studying hazards and ▪ Chang'e-5 was the first lunar sample-return
global environmental change and can help Mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in
manage natural resources better and provide 1976.
information to scientists to better understand ▪ The mission made China the third country to
the effects and pace of Climate Change. return samples from the Moon after the United
▪ A Venus mission, DISHA –a twin Aeronomy States and the Soviet Union.
satellite mission and TRISHNA, an ISROCNES
[Centre national detudes spatiales] Mission in Qualification test of Cryogenic
2024. Engine for Gaganyaan Successful:
▪ The Indian Space Research Organisation
China's lunar probe finds First Successfully conducted the qualification
on-site Evidence of Water on Moon's test, for 720 seconds, of cryogenic engine
Surface: for the Gaganyaan programme at the ISRO
▪ China's Chang'e 5 lunar lander has found the Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri. ISRO
first-ever on-site evidence of water on the said the performance met the objectives and
surface of the moon, lending new evidence to the parameters closely matched with the
the dryness of the satellite. predictions.
▪ The study published in the peer-reviewed ▪ This successful longduration test is a major
Journal Science Advances revealed that the Milestone for the human space programme
lunar soil at the landing site contains less — Gaganyaan. It ensures the reliability
than 120 parts-per-million (ppm) water or 120 and robustness of the cryogenic engine for
grams water per ton, and a light, vesicular induction into the human rated launch vehicle
rock carries 180 ppm, which are much drier for Gaganyaan.
SCIENCE | 77
About Gaganyaan Mission:

▪ Gaganyaan is a mission by the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO).
▪ Under the Gaganyaan Schedule:
9 Three flights will be sent into orbit.
9 There will be two unmanned flights and
one Human spaceflight.
▪ The Gaganyaan system module, called
the Orbital Module will have three Indian
Astronauts, including a woman.
▪ It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an
Altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days.
▪ Launch Vehicle:
9 GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3
(Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage
heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to
launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary
payload capability.
James Webb Space Telescope Snapped

in Its Orbit 15 Lakh Kms away From
Earth:
▪ The Rome-based Virtual Telescope Project
has released a picture of the James Webb Space
Telescope among the stars after the latter just
arrived at its destination on January 25.
▪ According to project manager Gianluca
Masi's report, Webb was imaged just when it
entered its orbit at the second Lagrange point
after travelling 1.5 million kilometres after its
launch on December 25.
▪ On January 25, Webb entered its orbit at the
second Lagrange point, a location that has
been chosen for its gravitational stability and
to save the telescope's instruments from the
Sun's heat.
▪ Built at a cost of $10 billion, Webb has been
touted as the successor of NASA-ESA's
Hubble Space Telescope which will follow up
on the findings of the latter.
▪ Scientists also say that it is the most powerful
telescope ever built and has the highest level of
sensitivity to the infrared wavelength of light.
▪ The telescope, in the simplest of terms, is a
time machine that would peer 13 billion years
ago to Answer Questions about the origins of
the Universe.
5.4 NEW SCIENTIFIC LABORATORIES/OBSERVATORIES/

CENTRES
Indian Army Sets Up Quantum
Research Laboratory:
▪ The Indian Army created a quantum laboratory
at Military College of Telecommunication
Engineering (MCTE) in Mhow, in the state of
Madhya Pradesh with the support from the
National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
▪ The officials said that the Army has set up a
quantum computing laboratory and a centre
for artificial intelligence (AI) at the institute.
6. NATIONAL –
DIARY OF EVENT
Sale of Electoral Bonds 2022: each in the months of January, April, July and
▪ The sale of the 19th tranche of electoral bonds October as may be specified by the Central
will begin from January 1, 2022. Government.
▪ The issuance of these bonds was approved by ▪ A person being an individual can buy bonds,
the central government, ahead of the Assembly either singly or jointly with other individuals.
elections in next few months. The sale will go ▪ Donor’s name is not mentioned on the bond.
on till January 10.
Oxfam India says work in 16 States will
▪ The elections are due in Uttar Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and be Affected:
Goa. ▪ Oxfam India said that the Central Government’s
refusal to renew its Foreign Contribution
▪ "State Bank of India (SBI), in the XIX Phase of
Regulation Act (FCRA) registration would
sale, has been authorized to issue and encash
severely affect the Organization’s ongoing
Electoral Bonds through its 29 Authorized
crucial humanitarian and social work in 16
Branches with effect from January 1 to January
States.
10, 2022," the finance ministry said in a
statement. ▪ According to the list released by the MHA
on January 1, 2022, Oxfam India’s FCRA
▪ The 29 specified SBI branches are in cities,
registration renewal request has been denied,
such as Lucknow, Shimla, Dehradun Kolkata,
restricting the flow of foreign funds to the
Guwahati, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram,
Organisations.
Patna, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar,
Gandhinagar, Bhopal, Raipur, and Mumbai. Budget 2022: Govt may Hike Agri
About Electoral Bonds: Credit Target:
▪ Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for ▪ With a view to give a boost to the agriculture
making donations to political parties. sector, the government is likely to raise farm
▪ The sale of the first batch of electoral bonds credit target to about Rs 18 lakh crore in
took place from March 1-10, 2018. the Budget 2022-23 to be presented on 1st
▪ The 18th tranche of the bond sale took place February.
from September 1 to September 10, 2021. ▪ For the current financial year, the Government
▪ The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, has set a credit target of Rs 16.5 Lakh Crore.
Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1
crore without any maximum limit. India Appeals against WTO Dispute
panel ruling on Sugar Export Subsidies:
▪ State Bank of India is the only bank authorized
to issue and encash these bonds, which are ▪ India has appealed against a ruling of the
valid for fifteen days from the date of issuance. World Trade Organization's (WTO) trade
dispute settlement panel which ruled that
▪ These bonds are redeemable in the designated
the country's domestic support measures for
Account of a registered political party.
sugar and sugarcane are inconsistent with
▪ The bonds are available for purchase by any Global trade norms.
person (who is a citizen of India or incorporated
or established in India) for a period of ten days
▪ The appeal was filed by India in the WTO's "atma-nirbhartha", India needs to allow
Appellate Body, which is the final authority private collaboration, wherever it is possible,
on such Trade Disputes. with stringent quality controls.
▪ India has stated that the WTO's dispute panel ▪ The Vice President virtually laid the
ruling has made certain "erroneous" findings Foundation stone of the "Towed Array
about domestic schemes to support sugarcane Integration Facility", essential for the
producers and exports and the findings of the development of towed array sonar systems,
panel are completely "unacceptable" to it. which is critical to underwater defence.
▪ The panel in its ruling on December 14, 2021 9 The towed array sonar system is expected
recommended India to withdraw its alleged to enhance the Navy's capabilities to detect
prohibited subsidies under the Production Quieter Enemy Submarines Underwater.
Assistance, the Buffer Stock, and the Marketing ▪ The Vice President said NPOL's role towards
and Transportation Schemes within 120 days national security is paramount as all warships
from the adoption of this report. or conventional submarines in the fleet of
▪ Ruling in favour of Brazil, Australia and the Indian Navy are equipped with NPOL-
Guatemala in their trade dispute against India developed sonars.
over New Delhi's sugar subsidies, the WTO ▪ Formed in the Southern Naval Command
panel has stated that the support measures are in 1952, NPOL later became part of DRDO
inconsistent with WTO trade rules. in 1958. It will be celebrating its 70th year of
About WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION: Inception in 2022.
▪ The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an
intergovernmental organization that regulates India's Covid Vaccination Programme
and facilitates international trade between one of World's Most Successful: Govt
nations. ▪ In the fight against the global pandemic,
▪ It officially commenced operations on 1 India's National Vaccination Programme has
January 1995, pursuant to the 1994 Marrakesh been one of the most successful and largest
Agreement, thus replacing the General vaccination programmes when compared
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that to many developed western nations with
had been established in 1948. significantly low population base to Vaccinate,
said the Union Health Ministry.
▪ The WTO is the world's largest international
Economic organization, with 164 member ▪ Since the start of the national COVID-19
states representing over 96% of global trade vaccination drive on January 16 last year,
and global GDP. India has administered to over 90 per cent of
its eligible citizens first doses and 65 per cent
▪ The WTO is headquartered in Geneva,
second doses.
Switzerland.
▪ In the vaccination drive, so far, the country
▪ Purpose: Reduction of tariffs and other
has achieved several milestones, which
barriers to trade.
have no precedent in the world, including
▪ Director-General: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. administering over 100 crore doses in less than
▪ She is the first woman and first African to lead nine months, administering 2.51 crore doses in
the World Trade Organization as Director- a single day and several times Administering
General. one crore doses in a day, the ministry said.
Make India Self-Reliant in all ▪ Compared with other developed nations,
India has done a better job in administering
domains: Naidu
Covid vaccination to its eligible adult citizen
▪ Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu while of 93.7 crore (as per the RGI (Registrar General
inaugurating the 70th Anniversary celebrations of India)) across all its states and UTs (union
of the Naval Physical and Oceanographic territories).
Laboratory (NPOL) in Kochi, said, to achieve
▪ Table Source the Coverage of Vaccines to the Kalpana Chawla Centre for
Eligible Population Research in Space Science &
Technology (KCCRSST):
FIRST DOSE SECOND DOSE ▪ Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Kalpana
India - 93.7% India - 65% Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science
& Technology (KCCRSST) at Chandigarh
America - 73.2% America - 61.5% University, Gharuan, the first of its kind in
Britian - 75.9% Britain - 69.5% North India.
▪ The union minister also launched Chandigarh
France - 78.3% France -73.2% University's Defence Scholarship Scheme,
Spain - 84.7% Spain - 81% worth Rs 10 Crore, for the wards of Defence
Personnel of the three services.
▪ The centre was established with the objective of
Census Data Collection Deferred:
training students in space science and satellite
▪ The first phase of census and the collection development and to meet future challenges
of details to update the National Population in the area of space research, this state-of-the-
Register (NPR) have been postponed at least art space centre would be the Ground Control
till September. Station (GCS) for the Chandigarh University's
▪ The Registrar General of India (RGI) had in Student Satellite (CUSAT), an in-house
December informed the States that the freezing developed nano-satellite being designed by
of boundaries of districts, subdistricts, tehsils, the students of Chandigarh University, and a
talukas and police stations had been postponed Geo Spatial Centre for research, besides other
till June 2022. important Projects.
▪ Freezing of boundary limits of administrative ▪ It may be mentioned here that CUSAT will
units, at least three months prior to the exercise, be among the 75 student-built satellites to be
is a prerequisite for conducting the census. launched into space on the eve of the 75th
Census in India Independence Day in 2022.
▪ The decennial (once in 10 years) Census ▪ The Chandigarh University has joined the
is conducted by the Office of the Registrar list of 13 institutes like Indian Institute of
General and Census Commissioner, Ministry Technology (IIT) Kanpur, IIT Bombay and
of Home Affairs became the first university in North India to
▪ First Census was conducted in 1881 design and develop its own satellite.
▪ Sixteenth Census - Census 2021 ▪ With the launch of CUSAT, Punjab will
▪ Census 2021 was postponed owing to the become the first border state in India to have
outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. its Own Satellite in space.
▪ However, it will be the first digital Census, States told to share Intel on
also with a provision for self-enumeration. Common Grid:
▪ It is for the first time that information of ▪ The Union Government has asked the States
Households headed by a person from the to share more intelligence inputs through
Transgender Community and members living the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), a common
in the family will be collected. - Earlier there counter-terrorism grid under the Intelligence
was a column for male and female only. Bureau that was made operational in 2001
Following the Kargil War.
▪ At a high-level meet, Union Home Minister
Amit Shah asked the Directors-General of
Police to share adequate information and
actionable inputs through the MAC.
▪ As many as 28 organisations, including of the Government of India, charged with

the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the military's research and development,
armed forces and State police, are part of the Headquartered in Delhi, India.
platform. Various security agencies share real- ▪ DRDO was formed in 1958 from the
time intelligence inputs on the MAC. Amalgamation of the then already functioning
▪ All the States have a Subsidiary Multi Agency Technical Development Establishment (TDEs)
Centre (SMAC) located in the capitals. of the Indian Army and the Directorate of
Technical Development & Production (DTDP)
Road named after PM Modi: with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
▪ The road connecting Tsomgo Lake and ▪ Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy.
Nathula Border in Sikkim with the capital
Gangtok has been named after Prime Minister Tamilisai inaugurates Central Kitchen
Narendra Modi as “Narendra Modi Marg”. at Lawspet:
▪ This newly constructed road has been Officially ▪ Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan
inaugurated by Governor Ganga Prasad. inaugurated the modernised kitchen of the
▪ The old route connecting the Nathula Border Akshaya Patra Foundation at Lawspet.
with the capital Gangtok has been Named ▪ The Education Department had signed an
after former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal agreement with the foundation, a non-profit
Nehru. wing of the International Society for Krishna
▪ Officials said the 19.51-km-long road has been Consciousness, in 2018, for the supply of
operational for commuters for a year, but nutritious mid-day meals to 50,800 children
now it has been officially inaugurated by the Studying in 291 schools in Puducherry.
Governor. ▪ The kitchen was constructed at a cost of around
₹15 crore with the support from the New
DRDO 64th Foundation Day
India Assurance Corporation Limited and the
▪ The Defence Research and Development General Insurance Corporation of India.
Organisation (DRDO) has observed the 64th
Foundation Day of its establishment on PM Modi lays foundation stone of Major
January 01, 2022. Dhyan Chand Sports University:
▪ DRDO was established with just 10 ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the
Laboratories to enhance the research work in foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand
the Defence sector. Sports University in Meerut.
▪ At that time, it was tasked with designing and ▪ The University will be established at Salawa
developing cutting edge defence Technologies and Kaili villages of Sardhana town in Meerut
for the Indian Armed Forces. at an estimated cost of about 700 Crore rupees.
▪ As of now, DRDO is working in multiple ▪ The University will have the capacity of
cutting-edge military technology areas, Training 1080 sportspersons including 540
which include aeronautics, armaments, female and 540 Male Sportspersons.
combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation,
engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval Energy Transition Advisory Committee:
systems, advanced computing, simulation, ▪ The Energy Transition Advisory Committee
cyber, life sciences and other technologies for was formed by Ministry of Petroleum and
defence. Natural Gas. It is headed by Tarun Kapoor,
About DRDO: former Secretary of Petroleum Ministry.
▪ The Defence Research and Development ▪ It will focus on increasing the share of clean
Organisation (DRDO) is the premier agency Energy sources such as hydrogen, biofuel,
under the Department of Defence Research Nuclear, geothermal, tidal in the energy mix
and Development in Ministry of Defence of the country.
Why was the committee formed? MHA forms Committee to Probe into PM
9 To help India achieve its net zero emission Modi's Security Breach in Punjab:
Target by 2070. ▪ Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has
9 To create an energy transition road map constituted a committee to enquire into the
(within 6 months). serious lapses in the security arrangements
9 To create a step – by – step plan for moving during Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra
from Fossil fuels to Green Energy. Modi's visit to Ferozepur, Punjab on 05.01.2022.
▪ The three-member committee will be led by
Digi Zone
Sudhir Kumar Saxena, Secretary (Security),
▪ Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has Cabinet Secretariat, and would comprise
inaugurated “Digi Zone”, at Bandra Kurla Balbir Singh, Joint Director of the Intelligence
Complex, Mumbai, as part of its effort to Bureau, and S Suresh, IG, Special Protection
enhance its digital footprint. Group.
▪ LIC’s Digi Zone can be used by the customers
to purchase policies online, pay the premium Centre Releases Revenue Deficit Grant
and avail of other services. to 17 States:
▪ The Central government released Rs 9,871
First Open Rock Museum Inaugurated: Crore as revenue deficit grant to 17 states
▪ Union Minister of State for Science & including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana,
Technology Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala,
first open rock museum on the campus of the Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,
CSIR National Geophysical Research Institute Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu,
(NGRI). Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
▪ About 46 different types of rocks of ages ▪ This was the 10th instalment of the Post
ranging from 3.3 billion years to around 55 Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) grant
million years, have been displayed in a garden Released to the states.
with descriptions giving their Economic and
▪ The Post Devolution Revenue Deficit
scientific importance.
Grants are provided to the States as per the
▪ The rocks have been sourced from Odisha, recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance
Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Jammu Commission to meet the gap in Revenue
& Kashmir and others. Accounts of the States post devolution.
▪ The country was celebrating 75 years of ▪ The eligibility of States to receive this grant
Independence and CSIR celebrating 80 years and the quantum of grant was decided by
of its Formation. the Commission based on the gap between
About National Geophysical Research assessment of revenue and expenditure of the
Institute (NGRI): State after taking into account the assessed
▪ The National Geophysical Research Institute devolution for the Financial Year 2021-22.
(NGRI) is a geoscientific research organization About Finance Commission:
established in 1961 under the Council of ▪ The Finance Commission (FC) is a
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), constitutional body, that determines the
India's largest Research and Development method and formula for distributing the tax
Organization. proceeds between the Centre and states, and
▪ Location: Hyderabad, Telangana. among the states as per the Constitutional
Arrangement and Present Requirements.
▪ Under Article 280 of the Constitution, the
President of India is required to constitute a
Finance Commission at an Interval of five
Years or earlier.
▪ The 15th Finance Commission was constituted ▪ As many as 13,737 out of 14,200 villages in the
by the President of India in November 2017, State are on the ODF Plus list, which is 96.74%.
under the chairmanship of NK Singh. ▪ This was followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,432
▪ Its recommendations will cover a period of villages (35.39%) and Karnataka with 1,511
Five years from the year 2021-22 to 2025-26. villages (5.59%). Gujarat took the 17th Position
with only 83 villages (0.45%).
Chittaranjan National Cancer
Institute in Kolkata: Jammu and Kashmir set to have
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate district-level Good Governance Index:
the second campus of Chittaranjan National ▪ Jammu and Kashmir will soon become the
Cancer Institute (CNCI) in Kolkata on January First Union Territory to have a district-level
7 via video conferencing. Good Governance Index, Union minister
▪ The second campus of CNCI has been built in Jitendra Singh announced.
line with Modi's vision to expand and upgrade ▪ The Centre will set up the index and the
health facilities in all parts of the Country. department of administrative reforms and
▪ Around Rs 400 crore was provided by the public grievances will carry out this task in
Union government and the rest by the West collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir
Bengal Government in the ratio of 75:25. Government.
▪ The framework of the proposed Index has
Government Approves `12,031 Crore in been finalised with the technical support from
Green Energy Push: the Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad.
▪ The Government cleared a `12,031 crore plan ▪ The framework will have 58 indicators that
to set up infrastructure to transmit electricity Assess different aspects of development and
from renewable energy projects as it seeks to District Administration.
Boost the output from green sources and meet
half of the nation’s energy requirement from Modi’s vision of a ‘Sweet Revolution’:
them by 2030. ▪ To harness export potential of honey in
▪ The investment Approval by the Cabinet line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is for Modi’s vision of a ‘Sweet Revolution’ through
the second phase of the green energy corridor, promotion of beekeeping and allied activities,
which will help supply 20 gigawatts (GW) of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
renewable energy to the national grid from Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, has been giving thrust on boosting exports
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. through ensuring quality production and
▪ The project is Expected to help India meet the market expansion to newer countries.
climate commitments it made at the COP-26 ▪ At present, India’s natural honey exports are
summit in Glasgow. majorly dependent on one market - the United
▪ The CCEA’s decision adds strength to India’s States, which accounts for more than 80 per
efforts of achieving the target of 450GW in the cent of the exports.
Renewable Energy Sector. ▪ APEDA is working with the exporters to deal
with the challenges such as higher Freight
Telangana tops in Highest Number of cost, limited availability of containers in peak
ODF villages: honey export season, higher Nuclear Magnetic
▪ Telangana stood first in the country in the list of Resonance test costs and inadequate Export
the Highest Number of Open Defecation Free incentives.
(ODF Plus) villages under the Swachh Bharat
Mission (Grameen) Phase-II programme till
December 31, 2021.
▪ India exported 59,999 metric tonnes (MT) of ▪ It functions under the Ministry of Commerce
natural honey worth Rs. 716 crore (US $ 96.77 and Industry.
million) during 2020-21, with the United States ▪ Headquarters: in New Delhi.
taking a major share at 44,881 MT.
▪ Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, SC permits NEET Counselling
Bangladesh and Canada were the other top Under Present OBC, EWS Quota:
destinations for Indian honey. India started ▪ The Supreme Court allowed National
its first organized exports in the year 1996-97. Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
▪ India ranks 8th and 9th in the world in counselling to proceed so as to not “dislocate”
Honey producing and exporting countries Medical admissions this year.
respectively. ▪ The court also upheld the 27% reservation for
▪ China, Turkey, Canada, Argentina, Iran and the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 10%
USA are among the major honey-producing for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in
countries, accounting for 50% of total world the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats in accordance
Production. with a July 29, 2021 government order.
▪ North East Region and Maharashtra are the ▪ The `8 Lakh Gross Annual Family Income
Key areas for natural honey production in the Limit criterion for identifying the EWS, as
country. originally notified by a January 2019 official
▪ Around 50% of the honey produced in India Memorandum and recommended for retention
is consumed domestically and the rest is by the government appointed former Finance
Exported across the globe. Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey led Expert
Committee on December 31, 2021, would
▪ The Government of India approved Allocation
be now implemented for the admission year
of Rs 500 crore for the National Beekeeping
2021-2022.
and Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years
(2020-21 to 2022-23). India to Export Mango to U.S. after
About National Beekeeping and Honey Hiatus:
Mission (NBHM): ▪ India did not export mangoes to the U.S. for
▪ The mission was announced as part of the two and a half years as the U.S. phytosanitary
Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative in February Inspectors did not visit during 2020 and 2021.
2021. ▪ The new Agreement also covers Pomegranate.
▪ NBHM aims for the overall promotion & Both items will begin arriving in the U.S. from
development of scientific beekeeping in February. Under this agreement, India will
the country to achieve the goal of ‘Sweet import alfalfa hay and cherries from the U.S.
Revolution’ which is being implemented from April.
through National Bee Board (NBB). ▪ Mango and pomegranate exports will start
▪ There is a budget of Rs.170 crore for the Mini from January-February 2022 and Pomegranate
Mission. arils exports from April 2022.
▪ The purpose is for developing beekeeping ▪ The development comes months after the 12th
in the country, developing honey clusters, India-USA TPF (Trade Policy Forum) Meeting
Improving quality and productivity of honey held on November 23, 2021.
and also increasing exports. About Mango:
About APEDA: ▪ India is the world’s largest producer of
▪ The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Mangoes.
Export Development Authority (APEDA) was ▪ China and Thailand stood at 2nd and 3rd
established by the Government of India under position among mango producing countries in
the Agricultural and Processed Food Products the world.
Export Development Authority Act, 1985.
▪ Uttar Pradesh (23.47%) tops the list of Mangoes non-sovereign lending in South and Southeast
producing states. Other major producing states Asia.
are Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, ▪ The AIIB has approved more loans for India
Bihar and Gujarat. than any other member of the bank.
▪ In the year 1950, Mango fruits were adopted as ▪ China is its biggest shareholder and India is
the National Fruit of India. the second largest.
▪ 22 July is celebrated as National Mango Day ▪ The U.S. and Japan are not among its 105
or Mango Day. Members.
▪ Salem is known as the Mango city in India. ▪ The AIIB has funded 28 projects in India
Amounting to $6.7 billion.
No need for lockdown, says Soumya
About Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank:
Swaminathan:
▪ The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
▪ The World Health Organization’s Chief
(AIIB) is a multilateral development bank
Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said
that aims to improve economic and social
lockdowns were not needed since there was a
Outcomes in Asia.
better understanding of the novel Coronavirus
that causes COVID19. ▪ The bank currently has 105 members.
▪ The three Cs — Close contact, Crowds and ▪ President: Jin Liqun of China.
Close settings — were the key to the spread ▪ It is established by the AIIB Articles of
of the disease, she said, urging people to wear Agreement (entered into force Dec. 25, 2015)
Masks. which is a multilateral treaty.
▪ It is headquartered in Beijing and began its
Startup India Innovation Week: operations in 16th January 2016.
▪ The Department for Promotion of Industry and
▪ Fourteen of the G-20 nations are AIIB members
Internal Trade and the Ministry of Commerce
including France, Germany, Italy and the
and Industry has decided to organize a week-
United Kingdom.
long virtual innovation celebration called
‘Startup India Innovation Week’. No PM photo in Vaccination
▪ This is to showcase the spread and depth of Certificates in Poll bound States
Entrepreneurship across India. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name and
▪ The virtual event is organized from January 10 photo will be removed from the COVID19
to January 16, 2022. vaccination certificates issued in the five poll
▪ The event also aims to commemorate the 75th bound States since the model code of conduct
year of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit has come into force there.
Mahotsav’. ▪ Union Health Ministry would apply the
necessary filters on the CoWIN platform to
Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel Joins remove Mr. Modi’s photo from the certificates
Beijing based AIIB: issued to people in Goa, Manipur, Punjab,
▪ Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Urjit Patel has been appointed vice president
of the Beijing based Asian Infrastructure India’s Passport Rank Improves to 83
Investment Bank (AIIB). from 90
▪ Mr. Patel will serve a three-year term as one of ▪ India’s passport power has improved this
the multilateral development bank’s five vice- Quarter compared to 2021. It now ranks at
presidents, and will take the place of Former 83rd position in the Henley Passport Index,
Gujarat Chief Secretary D.J. Pandian who had Climbing seven places from 90th rank last
been, as Vice-president, leading the AIIB’s Year.
investment operations and all sovereign and
▪ However, in 2020, its rank stood at 84 while in ▪ PM Modi said that the role of the MSME sector
2016, India was ranked 85th along with Mali is very important in creating 'Atmanirbhar
and Uzbekistan. Bharat'.
▪ Japan and Singapore top the index. ▪ It is very important our MSME use the
▪ The current rankings are for first quarter of technologies that are changing the world. The
2022 and India shares the position with Sao new MSME centre is an important step in that
Tome and Principe in Central Africa, behind direction.
Rwanda and Uganda. ▪ Following the inauguration of the festival by
▪ Since 2005, Henley Passport Index ranks Modi, the National Youth Summit will take
world’s passports according to the number place in which panel discussions on four
of destinations their holders can access themes -
without prior visa and is based on data from 9 Environment, climate and sustainable
International Air Transport Association Development Goals (SDG) led growth;
(IATA). Growing disparity India now has visa 9 Technology, entrepreneurship and
free access to 60 destinations worldwide with Innovation;
Oman and Armenia being the latest Additions. 9 Indigeneous and ancient wisdom;
▪ India has added 35 more destinations since 9 National character, nation building and
2006. home grown; will happen.
25th National Youth Festival: World’s third-largest Start-up
▪ The festival organized by the Ministry of Ecosystem:
Youth Affairs and Sports from January 12 to
▪ India became the third-largest start-up
16 in Puducherry will mark India's 75th year of
ecosystem in the world, said Niti Aayog CEO
independence.
Amitabh Kant on January 09.
▪ The National Youth Festival is aimed at
▪ Youth from the diaspora have a massive role
Shaping the minds of India's youth and
to play; potential for India 2.0 comes from tech
Transforming them into a "united force for
Innovation by youth, said Kant.
Nation building."
▪ It aims to bring Diverse cultures of India and Amitabh Kant says policy should be
integrate them into a united thread of 'Ek pro-innovation, light touch:
Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. ▪ Speaking at an event organised by Microsoft
▪ The prime minister also inaugurated a India, Kant pointed out India is creating Three
technology centre of the MSME ministry and Unicorns a month.
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam ▪ Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the
via video conference. country’s policies need to be pro-innovation,
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar ManiMandapam: light touch and progressive, as also they
▪ It is an auditorium with an open-air theatre in should be benchmarked against the world’s
Puducherry . best.
▪ The auditorium, which can accommodate
more than 1000 people, would primarily be India’s first “Mobile Honey Processing
used for Educational Purposes. Van”:
Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry: ▪ Khadi and Village Industries Commission
▪ The technology centre has been built at a (KVIC) Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena has
cost of nearly ₹122 crore with a focus on the launched the country’s first Mobile Honey
Electronic system design and manufacturing Processing Van at Village Sirora in Ghaziabad.
(ESDM) sector. ▪ The Mobile Van has been designed in-house
▪ It will cater to the skill development of Youth by KVIC at its Multi-disciplinary Training
and also train around 6,400 trainees per year. Centre, Panjokehra, at a cost of Rs 15 lakh.
▪ This mobile honey processing unit can process ▪ Drawing from the words of Sri Aurobindo,
up to 300 KG of honey in 8 hours. whose 150th anniversary also coincided with
▪ The van is also equipped with a testing the NYF, that “a brave, frank, clean hearted,
Laboratory, that would instantly examine the courageous and aspiring youth is the only
Quality of honey. foundation on which the future nation can
▪ In line with the Prime Minister’s dream of be built,” Mr. Modi said he believed that the
“Sweet Kranti” (Sweet Revolution) through nation’s youth were not only a “demographic
honey production, the KVIC has come up with dividend” but “drivers of development” and
this unique innovation to enable beekeepers Proponents of democratic values.
and farmers to get a fair prices for their Honey ▪ The Prime Minister also gave a call to the
Production. Youth to espouse a “vocal for local” motto as a
▪ KVIC has designed the innovative Mobile fitting tribute to the great sons that the country
Honey Processing Van that will process had produced.
beekeepers’ honey at their doorsteps and thus What’s Indians searched for in 2021:
save them the hassle and the cost of taking the
▪ According to Google Trends, the Indian
honey to processing plants in far off cities for
Premier league was the most searched topic in
Processing.
India in 2021.
Indu Malhotra Panel to Probe Security ▪ Along with cricket, other sporting events such
Breach: as the Tokyo Olympics, the Euro Cup and
▪ The Supreme Court appointed a committee copa America also garnered wide Interest.
Chaired by its former judge Indu Malhotra ▪ However, these topics trended only when
to inquire into a security breach that led to the events were streamed live. On the other
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy hand, CoWIN and COVID-19 vaccine, which
being stuck on a flyover in Punjab on were among the top trends last year, garnered
January 5. sustained interest throughout the year,
especially after the country's vaccination drive
Modi exhorts youth to Adopt Motto of opened up for all adults in May.
‘Compete & Conquer’: ▪ Among movies, Jai Bhim was the most
▪ Foreseeing the dawn of the Golden Age of searched, and among personalities Neeraj
startups in India, Prime Minister Narendra Chopra and Aryan Khan were widely
Modi issued a call to the country’s youth to searched.
adopt the motto of “Compete and Conquer”
as their guiding principle in life. MIOT Opens Eye Care facility at
▪ Inaugurating, in virtual mode, the Seychelles:
25th National Youth Festival (NYF) hosted by ▪ MIOT Hospitals opened an eye care facility in
the Union Territory of Puducherry, Mr. Modi Seychelles on January 14 2022.
said the evolution of the startup ecosystem ▪ Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan
that had grown to over 50,000 units, about inaugurated the MIOT International Total Eye
10,000 of them initiated during Six to seven Care.
months of the COVID19 Pandemic, reflected ▪ Indian High Commissioner for Seychelles
the “can do” spirit of the youth of today. General Dalbir Singh Suhag was present.
▪ The Government had initiated several Schemes ▪ Created in collaboration with Visus Optical
focused on creating space for the Youth to Seychelles, it was the first such facility set up
translate their ideas and develop their skills by an Indian hospital in Seychelles.
such as MUDRA, StartUp India, StandUp ▪ Prithvi Mohandas is the managing director of
India and the Atal Incubation centres, the MIOT Hospitals.
Prime Minister said.
Republic Day Celebrations will now by Indian Institute Technology (IIT) alumni
begin every year from January 23: for water purification through innovative
▪ Republic Day celebrations will now begin technology with financial support from
every year from January 23 instead of January Technology Development Board (TDB).
24 to include the Birth Anniversary of Subash ▪ The facility aims to provide clean drinking
Chandra Bose. water at a price much lesser than the market
▪ This is in line with the Narendra Modi price.
government's focus on commemorating ▪ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
important aspects of India's history and was also signed between TDB, a statutory
culture, they said, noting it had earlier body of the Department of S&T and Swajal
started celebrating Bose's birth anniversary as Water Private Limited.
"Parakram Divas" on January 23. ▪ The Gurugram based company’s patented
▪ Other such days, observance of which have system, ‘Clairvoyant’ uses artificial
become a yearly affair, are intelligence to optimise purification systems
9 August 14 as Partition Horrors and predict future breakdowns.
Remembrance Day, India’s First Sanitary-Napkin Free
9 October 31 as National Unity Day Village:
(birth anniversary of Sardar Patel),
▪ Kerala’s Kumbalanghi in Kochi is set to
9 November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas become the country’s first sanitary napkin-free
(Birsa Munda's birth anniversary), panchayat.
9 November 26 as Constitution Day and ▪ This move is a part of the ‘Avalkayi’ initiative,
9 December 26 as Veer Baal Divas (a tribute which is being implemented in the Ernakulam
to the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh). parliamentary constituency, in association with
the “Thingal Scheme” of HLL Management
Odisha Tops Medal Chart in National Academy’s and Indian Oil Corporation.
Skill Competition: ▪ Under this initiative, 5000 menstrual cups will
▪ Odisha topped the medal chart with be distributed to women aged 18 and above in
51 Winners, followed by Maharashtra, 30 Kumbalangi village.
and Kerala, 25 winners, at the India Skills
2021 National Competition organized by Hyderabad bids to host Formula
the National Skill Development Corporation E World Championship:
(NSDC) in New Delhi from January 7 to ▪ Hyderabad officially bids as a candidate to
January 9. host the Formula E World championship
▪ Odisha won 10 gold, 18 silver, nine bronze and exclusively for electric cars, scheduled to be
14 medallions in the country’s biggest skill held between November 2022 and February
competition. 2023.
▪ The Closed-door competition witnessed ▪ The race may be held on the 2.37-km track
Participation in 54 skills such as concrete in and around the Secretariat Complex in
construction work, beauty therapy, car Hyderabad.
Painting, Health and social care, visual
merchandising, Graphic Design technology, Commemorative Postal Stamp on the
Wall and floor tiling, welding, among others. Covid-19 Vaccination:
▪ The government of India has released a
AI-driven Start-Up for Water commemorative postal stamp on the Covid-19
Purification by IIT Alumni: vaccination on January 16 to mark the
▪ Union Minister of State of Science & first anniversary of the country’s national
Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has launched immunization programme against the virus.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven Start-Up
▪ The commemorative stamp design features a it had received consolidated claims of `6473.74
healthcare worker inoculating a senior citizen crore, higher than the allocated amount, and
with COVID-19 vaccine, along with an image has therefore sought additional allocation of
of ‘COVAXIN’ vial. the Balance Amount.
▪ This stamp signifies the remarkable work About IREDA:
done by our frontline healthcare workers ▪ Indian Renewable Energy Development
and scientific community across the country Agency Limited (IREDA) is a Mini Ratna
in protecting the people against the COVID (Category – I) Government of India Enterprise
pandemic. under the administrative control of Ministry
of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Cabinet Approved the infusion of `1500
▪ IREDA is a Public Limited Government
crore in IREDA:
Company established as a Non-Banking
▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Financial Institution on 11 March 1987
(CCEA) approved the infusion of `1500 crore engaged in promoting, developing and
in Indian Renewable Energy Development extending financial assistance for setting up
Agency Ltd (IREDA). projects relating to new and renewable sources
▪ The investment will help generate 10,200 jobs of energy and energy efficiency/conservation.
and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to ▪ Motto: “ENERGY FOR EVER”.
approximately 7.49 million tons per year.
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi.
▪ The additional equity infusion will enable the
mini-ratna company under the ministry of new India Telecom User Base Grows to 1.19
and renewable energy to lend Approximately million: TRAI
`12,000 crore to the renewable energy sector, ▪ Telecom subscriber base in the country grew
helping meet the sector’s debt requirement for marginally to 1,191.05 million at November
additional capacity of 3,500–4,000 MW. end with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel
▪ The equity infusion will also enhance the expanding their user base, according to TRAI
specialized non-banking finance agency’s data.
net worth, which will help it in additional ▪ Reliance Jio has also toppled BSNL as top
financing, thus contributing better to the fixed line broadband subscriber and now
Government’s targets. It will also improve the leads the segment with 4.34 million customers
capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio to facilitate which had been dominated by the state-run
its lending and Borrowing Operations. telecom since its inception about 20 years ago.
▪ But according to the Reserve Bank of India, ▪ Reliance Jio led the growth in mobile segment
the loan can only be lent on 20% of the net with net addition of 20,19,362 customers taking
worth. The net worth of IREDA is `3000 crore. its total subscriber base to over 428 million.
It can lend loans up to `600 crore only. ▪ Bharti Airtel added 13,18,251 new Mobile
▪ Separately, the Union cabinet approved a Subscribers.
scheme for grant of ex-gratia of `973.74 crore, ▪ Vodafone Idea (VIL) continued to lose
the difference between compound interest and subscribers.
simple interest for six months to borrowers in
About TRAI:
specified loan accounts.
▪ The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
▪ The government had approved the scheme for (TRAI) was established with effect from
six months during the first wave of the covid 20th February 1997 by an Act of Parliament,
pandemic between 1 March and 31 August called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of
2020. India Act, 1997, to regulate telecom services,
▪ State Bank of India, the nodal agency under including fixation/revision of tariffs for
the scheme for consequent reimbursement to telecom services which were earlier vested in
lending institutions, told the government that the Central Government.
▪ TRAI's mission is to create and nurture ▪ The First Commission was constituted on 31st
Conditions for Growth of telecommunications January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the
in the country in a manner and at a pace which Chairperson.
will enable India to play a leading role in ▪ The Second Commission was constituted on
emerging Global Information Society. July 1995 with Dr. (Mrs.) Mohini Giri as the
▪ One of the main objectives of TRAI is to provide Chairperson.
a fair and transparent policy environment ▪ The Third Commission was constituted on
which promotes a level playing Field and January 1999 with Mrs. Vibha Parthasarathy
Facilitates fair competition. as the Chairperson.
▪ The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, ▪ Current Chairperson is Rekha Sharma since
effective from 24 January 2000, establishing August 7, 2021.
a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement
and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take SWAYAM-NPTEL Online Certification
over the adjudicatory and disputes functions Courses for January 2022:
from TRAI. ▪ NPTEL is currently offering 593 courses
▪ TDSAT was set up to adjudicate any dispute across Engineering, Sciences, Management,
between a licensor and a licensee, between Humanities and Social Sciences through the
two or more service providers, between a SWAYAM platform.
service provider and a group of consumers, ▪ All those candidates who are interested can
and to hear and dispose of appeals against any now apply for these courses by enrolling
direction, decision or order of TRAI. themselves for free of cost by visiting the
official website; i.e.swayam.gov.in/NPTEL.
Crimes Committed against Women
▪ Some of the most popular courses offered
2021:
this time include Data Science for Engineers,
▪ There was a 30% rise in complaints of crimes Electrical Vehicles, programming courses such
against women in 2021 as compared to 2020 as Python, Java, C and C++.
when 23,722 complaints were received.
▪ An array of new courses has also been
▪ Nearly 31,000 complaints of crimes committed introduced for the January 2022 term
against women were received by the National including a course on Hindustani Music,
Commission for Women (NCW) last year, the Multidisciplinary courses such as Research
highest since 2014, with over half of them from Methodology for students in research, Basic
Uttar Pradesh. Course in Ornithology, Oral Biology for
About National Commission for Women: students in Dental Studies, Blockchain and
▪ It was set up as a statutory body in January its Applications, and Online Privacy, among
1992 under the National Commission for others.
Women Act, 1990. ▪ Introduction to Machine Learning course is
▪ Its mission is to strive towards enabling women offered in Tamil and Signals and Systems
to achieve equality and equal participation in course is offered in Hindi this Semester.
all spheres of life by securing her due rights About SWAYAM:
and entitlements through suitable policy ▪ Study Webs of Active Learning for Young
formulation, legislative measures, etc. Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), was launched
▪ Its functions are to: on July 9, 2017 by the Ministry of Human
9 Review the constitutional and legal Resource Development to provide one
safeguards for women. integrated platform and portal for online
9 Recommend remedial legislative measures. courses.
9 Facilitate redressal of grievances. ▪ Former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee
9 Advise the Government on all policy launched SWAYAM and SWAYAM Prabha.
matters affecting women.
▪ SWAYAM is a programme initiated by About NPTEL:

Government of India and designed to achieve ▪ National Programme on Technology
the three cardinal principles of Education Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a project of
Policy viz., access, equity and quality. MHRD initiated by seven Indian Institutes
▪ The objective of this effort is to take the best of Technology (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur,
teaching learning resources to all, including Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati and Roorkee)
the most disadvantaged. along with the Indian Institute of Science,
▪ SWAYAM seeks to bridge the digital divide Bangalore in 2003, to provide quality education
for students who have hitherto remained to anyone interested in learning from the IITs.
untouched by the digital revolution and have ▪ The main goal was to create web and video
not been able to join the mainstream of the courses in all major branches of engineering
knowledge economy. and physical sciences at the undergraduate
▪ Courses delivered through SWAYAM are and postgraduate levels and management
available free of cost to the learners, however courses at the Postgraduate Level.
learners wanting a SWAYAM certificate National Disaster Response Force:
should register for the final proctored exams ▪ The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
that come at a fee. is an Indian specialized force constituted
▪ The study material on the central "for the purpose of special response to a
government’s e-learning platform, Study threatening disaster situation or disaster"
Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Minds (SWAYAM), is being translated into ▪ NDRF was constituted with 8 Battalions in
eight regional Indian languages, These eight 2006.
languages–Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada,
Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu. ▪ At present, National Disaster Response Force
consist of 16 battalions from the BSF, CISF,
▪ The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) CRPF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles with each
platform has 521 courses translated into Battalion consisting of 1149 personnel.
vernacular languages. The maximum number
of courses (130) has been translated in Hindi, ▪ These NDRF battalions are located at 16
followed by Tamil with 94 courses and Gujarati different locations in the country based on
with 57 courses. the vulnerability profile of country and to cut
down the response time for their deployment
▪ The current SWAYAM platform is developed at disaster site.
by Ministry of Education and NPTEL, IIT
Madras with the help of Google Inc. and ▪ NDRF is functioning under the Ministry of
Persistent Systems Ltd. Home Affairs, Government of India, within
the overall command, control and leadership
SWAYAM Prabha: of the Director General, NDRF.
▪ It is an initiative of the Ministry of Human
▪ Current Director General: Atul Karwal.
Resources Development to provide 32 High
Quality Educational Channels through DTH 'Seema Bhawani' of BSF:
across the length and breadth of the country ▪ ‘Seema Bhawani’ is the all-women biker team
on 24X7 basis. of the Border Security Force (BSF). The team
▪ It has curriculum-based course content will showcase their talent on the Republic Day
covering Diverse Disciplines. 2022, for the second time.
▪ This is primarily aimed at making quality ▪ Over 100 female troops from different ranks
learning resources accessible to remote areas are taking part in the event.
where internet availability is still a challenge. ▪ Seema Bhawani team was formed in the year
▪ The DTH channels are using the GSAT-15 2016 and they participated in the Republic
satellite for programme telecasts. Day parade in 2018, for the first time.
Open Data Week 2022: The study: ‘Indian Tech Startup

▪ The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Ecosystem: Year of The Titans’
Affairs (MoHUA) announced the “Open Data ▪ Startups raised a record $24.1 billion in 2021,
Week” that will see participation from all the a two-fold increase over preCOVID19 levels,
100 smart cities, a move aimed at ensuring a according to a new study by NASSCOM and
collaborative effort towards making Indian Zinnov.
Cities “data smart”. ▪ According to the study, ‘Indian Tech Startup
▪ The Open Data Week will be conducted during Ecosystem: Year of The Titans’, more than
the third week of January from 17th January 2250 startups were added in 2021, over 600
2022 to 21st January 2022. more than what was added in the previous
▪ It is divided into two segments — year.
9 The uploading of datasets, visualization, ▪ It added that while the U.S. remains the
APIs and data blogs on the Smart Cities leading source of Foreign Direct Investment
Open Data Portal from January 17 to (FDI) in Startups.
January 20.
Many Freedom Fighters
9 The celebration of a “Data Day” by all
smart cities on January 21.
Recognized now: PM
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a
Amar Jawan Jyoti now Merged with hologram of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at
War Memorial flame: India Gate on 23rd January, where a grand
▪ The Iconic Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ), was statue of the freedom fighter would be placed
Inaugurated after the 1971 Liberation War of soon.
Bangladesh by former Prime Minister Indira ▪ Marking Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary, the
Gandhi. hologram was installed under the canopy
▪ Jyoti was “merged” with the flame at the where a statue of King George V had stood till
National War Memorial (NWM). its removal in 1968.
▪ The NWM, inaugurated in February 2019, is ▪ He cited his government’s decisions, including
located at the ‘C’ Hexagon near India Gate and observing
was built in memory of the soldiers who laid ▪ Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in honour of tribal
down their lives for the country in the post- freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda,
Independence period. ▪ Constructing the Statue of Unity in honour of
▪ India Gate, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
was unveiled by Lord Irwin on February 12, ▪ Naming an island in the Andamans after
1931. Netaji, as steps in that direction.
▪ It was built to honor over 83,000 soldiers of ▪ Mr. Modi conferred the Subhas Chandra Bose
British India who died from 1914 to 1921. Aapda Prabhandhan Puraskar, or awards for
▪ The AJJ was set up to pay homage for the disaster management, for 2019, 2020, 2021 and
soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1971 2022 on individuals and institutes for their
War. work in Disaster Management.
▪ The memorial of the unknown soldier, an
PM Modi holds meeting with DMs:
inverted bayonet with a helmet structure,
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked district
along with the AJJ was inaugurated under the
magistrates to work on time-bound targets to
arch of India Gate by then Prime Minister Indira
increase ease of living for people and asserted
Gandhi on January 26, 1972 to commemorate
that the country’s goal today is to achieve 100
India’s victory in the 1971 war.
percent saturation of services and facilities.
▪ Modi also called for a direct and emotional
connection between administration and the
public to ensure ‘top to bottom’ as well as New India before 100th Year of
‘bottom to top’ Governance Flow. Independence:
▪ Modi said the teamwork of Centre, states ▪ After unveiling the hologram statue of
and local Administration was yielding good Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate,
results in aspirational districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his
▪ The prime minister said that these districts government has a target to build a new India
have proved that due to the elimination of before the 100th year of Independence.
silos in implementation, optimum utilization ▪ PM Modi also said “Netaji used to say 'Never
of resources takes place. lose faith in the dream of independent India’.
▪ Launched by the prime minister in January There is no power in the world that can shake
2018, the Aspirational Districts Programme India".
aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 ▪ He also advised people to move ahead in their
most under-developed districts across the lives by taking inspiration from the 'Can Do,
country. Will Do' spirit of Netaji as he refused to bow
▪ The prime minister said various ministries before the British.
and departments of the government have
prepared a list of 142 districts that are not so Gandhi's 'favourite' hymn being
much lagging in development but are weak on dropped from Beating Retreat:
one or two parameters. ▪ One of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymns
▪ This is a new challenge for all the Governments "Abide with Me" has been dropped from this
– the government of India, the state year's Beating Retreat ceremony on January
government, the district administration, and 29.
the Government Machinery. ▪ "Abide With Me", written by Scottish Anglican
▪ PM called for time-bound targets for taking poet and hymnologist Henry Francis Lyte
roads to all the villages of the districts, in 1847, has been part of the Beating Retreat
Ayushman Bharat cards, bank accounts ceremony since 1950.
to every person, Ujjwala gas connection, ▪ The Centre had in 2020 also planned to drop
insurance, pension housing for everyone. "Abide with Me" from the Beating Retreat
▪ Modi also pitched for a two-year vision for ceremony but had later retained it after a huge
every district. uproar.
▪ He suggested that every district can identify 10 ▪ For this year's ceremony, the hymn has been
tasks to be completed in the next three months replaced by the popular patriotic song 'Ae
to improve ease of living for common people. Mere Watan Ke Logon', which was written by
Kavi Pradeep to commemorate the supreme
▪ Similarly, five tasks may be associated with
sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers during
the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he added.
the 1962 Indo-China war.
▪ The Prime Minister said the country is
witnessing a silent revolution in the form of “Statue of Equality’ gets Final Touches”
Digital India and no district should be left ▪ Work is going apace on the 216 ft tall statue
behind in this. of the 11th century reformer and Vaishnavite
▪ He pointed out the importance of digital saint, Sri Ramanuja in a sitting position, to be
infrastructure reaching every village and unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at
becoming a means of door-step delivery of the sprawling 40-acre ashram of Sri Tridandi
services and facilities. Chinna Jeer Swamy in Muchintal on the
▪ Modi also asked NITI Aayog to devise a mode outskirts of Hyderabad on February 5 2022.
of regular interaction between the district ▪ The ‘Statue of Equality’, as it is called, is being
DMs. installed to mark the 1000th birth Anniversary
of Sri Ramanuja.
▪ It was built of panchaloha, a combination of turnover of USD 400 billion (approximately

gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc, by the INR 26,00,000 crore) by 2025.
Aerospun Corporation in China and shipped ▪ The National Policy of Electronics 2019
to India. (NPE 2019) replaces the National Policy of
▪ It is the second largest in the world in sitting Electronics 2012 (NPE 2012).
position of the saint.
Revamped CGHS website and Mobile
▪ The monument will be surrounded by 108
“Divya Desams” of Sri Vaishnavite tradition App Launched:
(model temples) like Tirumala, Srirangam, ▪ Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh
Kanchi, Ahobhilam, Badrinath, Muktinath, Mandaviya on January 24 launched the
Ayodhya, Brindavan, Kumbakonam and upgraded CGHS (Central Government Health
others. Scheme) website and MyCGHS app.
▪ The idols of deities and structures were ▪ The launch of the revamped CGHS website
constructed in the shape at the existing linked with a mobile app is an important
temples. and timely step towards catering to India’s
increasing digital penetration. The website has
▪ Statue of Sri Ramanuja made of 120 kg gold,
several updated features which shall hugely
representing the years he lived, will be
aid beneficiaries.
inaugurated by President Ramnath Kovind by
performing the first puja on February 13 2022. ▪ With the newly provided feature of tele–
consultation, the CGHS beneficiaries can seek
‘India can make $300bn Electronics by expert advice directly through teleconsultation,
2026’ he said. With these improved facilities, the
▪ Ministry of Electronics and Information CGHS aims to further increase its outreach to
Technology, in association with ICEA, released beneficiaries with ease of providing various
a 5-year roadmap and Vision Document for the facilities.
electronics sector, titled “$300 bn Sustainable ▪ The website has been developed in accordance
Electronics Manufacturing & Exports by 2026.” with Guidelines for Indian Government
▪ This roadmap is the second volume of a two- Websites (GIGW) and has user friendly
part Vision Document – the first of which titled features including aid for visually impaired
“Increasing India’s Electronics Exports and persons like audio play of the text and option
Share in GVCs” was released in November to increase the font size etc.
2021. ▪ The website also has a link to beneficiary login
▪ It is lower than the target of $400 billion by 2025 for accessing online facilities such as tracking
set as per the National Policy on Electronics of medical claims, grievances, status and
(NPE) 2019. downloading of CGHS card, accessing history
About National Policy on Electronics (NPE)
of medicines, online appointment system and
various other facilities.
2019.:
▪ The Policy envisions Positioning India as a ▪ The CGHS is the nodal healthcare provider to
global hub for Electronics System Design Central government employees, pensioners
and Manufacturing - (ESDM) by encouraging and certain other categories of beneficiaries
and driving capabilities in the country for and their dependents enrolled under the
developing core components, including scheme.
chipsets, and creating an enabling
Nagaland - Assam Border Dispute:
▪ Environment for the industry to compete ▪ Nagaland and Assam share about 512 km
Globally. boundary and disputes along the border
▪ Targets: Promote domestic manufacturing between the two states are believed to have
and export in the entire value-chain of ESDM been going on from 1963 after Nagaland
for economic development to achieve a attained statehood.
About Nagaland: ▪ So far, 16 States have responded. Seven States

▪ Nagaland is a state in northeastern India. — Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh,
▪ It is bordered by the state of Arunachal Pradesh Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Arunachal
to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to Pradesh, all governed by the Bharatiya Janata
the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar Party (BJP) — have given their consent to the
to the east. proposal.
▪ Its capital city is Kohima and its largest city is ▪ Five States — Odisha, Meghalaya, Jharkhand,
Dimapur. Rajasthan and West Bengal — have responded
▪ Nagaland became the 16th state of India on 1 to the DoPT, opposing the amendments.
December 1963. ▪ The Chief Ministers of three other States —
▪ After elections in January 1964, the first Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana — have
democratically elected Nagaland Legislative written to the Prime Minister to register their
Assembly was constituted on 11 February opposition.
1964. About All India Services:
▪ The All-India Services (AIS) comprises the
India’s first state to launch AVGC Center three civil services of India:
of Excellence: 9 Indian Administrative Service (IAS);
▪ The Government of Karnataka has launched 9 Indian Police Service (IPS); and
India’s first AVGC Center of Excellence
9 Indian Forest Service (IFoS).
(CoE) (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming,
and Comics) in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, ▪ AIS officers are recruited by the Union
Karnataka. Government (by UPSC) and their services are
allotted under various State Cadres
▪ It is also the biggest centre in Asia.
▪ However, the Cadre Controlling Authority of
India’s first Para-Badminton Academy: AIS is the Union Government.
▪ India’s first para-badminton Academy has ▪ The DoPT is the cadre controlling authority of
been set up in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. IAS officers.
▪ It has all the advanced equipment and facilities. ▪ Cadre controlling authority for deputation
▪ The set-up will improve India’s medal of Indian Police Service and Indian Forest
prospects at the 2024 Paralympics to be held Service Officers (IFoS) is the Ministry of Home
in Paris, France at Stade de France stadium. Affairs (MHA) and the Environment Ministry
▪ The badminton centre has been launched respectively.
by the head national coach of the Indian ▪ As per Article 312 of the Indian Constitution,
para-badminton team, Gaurav Khanna, in the Parliament is entitled to create one or more
association with Ageas Federal Life Insurance. All India services (including an All-India
Judicial Service) common to the Union and the
Centre to remind States again of IAS States.
Cadre Rules ▪ The recruitment to all these services is made by
▪ The Department of Personnel and Training the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
(DoPT) will send another reminder to States
to respond to its proposal to amend the Decommissioned INS Khukri to be
Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, Converted into Museum
1954, with which Indian Administrative ▪ INS Khukri, the lead ship of the Indian
Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Navy’s Khukri class missile corvettes which
Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officers could was decommissioned last December, was
be deputed to the Union government and handed over to the Diu Administration to be
Ministries without necessarily taking the State converted into a museum.
government’s nod.
▪ Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Khukri airline, along with taking on a debt of `15,300
was commissioned on August 23, 1989 in crore.
Mumbai by the then Defence Minister Krishna ▪ Of the total debt and liabilities of Air India
Chandra Pant of `77,396 crore, the government will absorb
Indian IT firms outpace US competitors `62,096 crore.
in Brand Finance IT Services ranking: ▪ Tatas will get Air India’s fleet of 141 planes,
▪ Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has along with ownership of iconic brands like Air
become the second most valued brand in the India, Indian Airlines and the Maharajah.
information technology (IT) services sector ▪ As many as 13,500 permanent and contractual
globally, while Accenture retains the title of employees will also move to the Tata fold and
the world’s most valuable and strongest IT have to be retained at least for one year.
services brand, according to Brand Finance.
TVS Motor Co. buys 75% of Swiss EV
▪ Infosys has emerged as the fastest growing
firm:
IT services brand following 52 per cent brand
▪ TVS Motor Co. has acquired 75% stake in
value growth since last year and 80 per cent
Switzerland’s largest e-bike player Swiss
since 2020 to $12.8 billion, earning it third spot,
E-Mobility Group for $100 million.
the brand valuation consultancy said in its
latest Global 500 IT Services Ranking report. ▪ The acquisition has been made in an all-cash
deal through TVS Motor (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
▪ TCS and Infosys have pushed IBM to fourth
spot from second. IBM’s brand value now ▪ This is the second acquisition by TVS Motor in
stands at $10.6 billion, a decline of 34 per cent recent times after the buyout of majority stake
from last year and 50 per cent since 2020. in e-mobility firm EGO Movement — also
Swiss — in September.
▪ The US technology major’s brand value has
fallen significantly after the divestment of ▪ Asserting that the firm was planning to buy
Kyndryl. the remaining stake next year, Sudarshan
Venu, JMD, TVS Motor, said: “We see this as a
▪ Apart from TCS and Infosys, there are four
key driver of our growth in Europe and other
more Indian companies in the top 25 IT
developed markets.”
services brands - Wipro (7th), HCL (8th), Tech
Mahindra (15th) and L&T Infotech (22nd). 6% of MSMEs owned by SC
Air India Back to Tata Group: Entrepreneurs
▪ The Union Government on 27 January 2022 ▪ Maharashtra tops India’s list in the number of
transferred its shares in Air India, along with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
control and management, to the Tata Sons owned by entrepreneurs from the Scheduled
subsidiary Talace. Castes with as many as 96,805 enterprises.
Generally, the proportion of enterprises
▪ The airline has been a public sector undertaking
owned by Scheduled Caste entrepreneurs in
from 1953.
the overall national tally of MSMEs is 6%.
▪ The transaction covers Air India, Air India
▪ Tamil Nadu with 42,997 enterprises and
Express and the Government’s entire 50%
Rajasthan with 38,517 units occupy the
stake in a Ground Handling company AI
second and third slots, according to the data
SATS.
furnished by the Office of the Development
▪ Tata Group founder J.R.D Tata launched the Commissioner in the Union Ministry of
Nation's First Air carrier as Tata Airlines in MSME.
1932 which is now Air India.
▪ The fourth, fifth and sixth slots belong to
▪ When Air India merged with Indian Airlines Uttar Pradesh (36,913 units), Karnataka
in 2007-08, it started incurring losses. (28,803 enterprises) and Punjab (24,503 units)
▪ Tata Sons have paid `2700 crore in cash for the respectively.
▪ As on January 23, 2022, the number of SC of Excellence' in 12 States with technical

owned enterprises at the all-India level was assistance from the Israel Government.
4,53,972, of which micro enterprises accounted ▪ Already, the Israel Government has
for 4,50,835, small 3,004 and medium 133. established 29 Centre of Excellence (CoEs) in
▪ The Udyam system of registration, which came 12 States, which are producing more than 25
into force on July 1, 2020, is a prerequisite for million vegetable plants, over 3,87,000 quality
any MSME (regardless of the social category fruit plants and can train more than 1.2 lakh
of ownership) to avail itself of concessions farmers per year.
or benefits from the Central and State ▪ The 150 villages that are located around CoEs
governments and the last date for migration will be converted into 'Villages of Excellence.'
to Udyam has been extended up to March 31, "Out of which, 75 villages are being taken up
2022. in the first year to commemorate the 75th year
of India's independence, where India and
Philippines inks $375 mn BrahMos Israel will work together," Union Agriculture
Missile Deal: Minister Narendra Singh Tomar conveyed in a
▪ India got its first ever export order for BrahMos meeting with new Israeli Ambassador to India
Missiles when the Philippines' Defence Naor Gilon on January 27.
Ministry signed a USD 374 million contract ▪ The Ambassador of Israel, Mr. Gilon evinced
with the BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL) interest in further collaboration with agri-
to supply undisclosed number of missiles. research body ICAR and making available the
▪ BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russia joint latest technologies available with Israel.
venture, produces the supersonic cruise
missile BrahMos that can be launched from India, Oman to hold 10th Military
submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land Cooperation Meeting:
Platforms. ▪ After a gap of three years, India and Oman
▪ The BAPL (BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd) are set to hold a meeting of the Joint Military
signed a contract with the Department of Cooperation Committee (JMMC) during the
National Defence of the Republic of Philippines visit of Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary
on January 28, 2022, for supply of shore-based General, Ministry of Defence of Oman.
anti-ship missile system to Philippines. ▪ The JMCC is the highest forum of Engagement
between India and Oman in the field of
Swachhata Start-Up Challenge: defence that evaluates and provides guidance
▪ Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to the overall framework of defence exchanges
launched the Swachhata Start-Up Challenge to between the two sides.
encourage innovative start-ups to transform ▪ The JMCC was to hold discussions annually,
the Sanitation and waste Management Sector. but a meeting could not be organised since
▪ The challenge has been launched in partnership 2018, when the meeting of the 9th JMCC was
with Department of Promotion of Industry and held in Oman.
Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Agence Française ▪ Defence exchanges between the two
de Développement (AFD). It seeks to promote countries are guided by a framework MoU
enterprise development under Swachh Bharat (Memorandum of Understanding), which was
Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0). renewed in 2021.
India to convert 150 villages into India’s largest EV Charging Station:
'Villages of Excellence' with Technical ▪ India’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging
help from Israel: station with a capacity of 100 charging points
▪ The Centre on January 28 said it has decided to for 4 wheelers, was opened at Delhi-Jaipur
convert as many as 150 villages into 'Villages National Highway in Gurugram.
▪ Previously, India’s largest EV charging station ▪ Riddhima is a student of class 7th and she
was situated in Navi Mumbai with 16 AC & 4 has written that she wants to see an India in
DC charging ports for EVs. the 100th year of independence which is the
▪ The new EV charging station has been cleanest country in the world, completely
free of terrorism, included in the 100 percent
developed by tech-piloting company Alektrify
literate countries, zero accident country, and
Private Limited.
be capable of food security with sustainable
National Commission for Women’s Technology.
Foundation Day programme: ▪ I have also got a post card of Navya Verma of
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
▪ “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address
30th National Commission for Women (NCW) 9 Navya has written that her dream for 2047 is
Foundation Day programme on January 31 at of an India where everyone has a dignified
life, where farmers are prosperous and
4.30 p.m. via video conferencing.
there is no corruption.
▪ The theme of the programme is ‘She the
▪ Navya, your dream for the country is very
Change Maker’, aimed at celebrating the
commendable. The country is also moving
achievements of women in different fields. rapidly in this direction. You talked about a
PM’s address in the 85th Episode of corruption free India. Corruption hollows the
country like a termite. Why wait for 2047 to
‘Mann Ki Baat’: get rid of it? All of us countrymen, today's
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the youth have to do this work together, as soon
nation on January 30 in this year's first episode as possible and for this it is very important
of 2022 of his monthly radio programme that we give priority to our duties. Where duty
'Mann Ki Baat'. is felt, Duty is paramount, corruption cannot
▪ The 85th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', which is even think of entering there.
broadcast on the last Sunday of every month, ▪ The awareness about education is visible
was aired at 11.30am on the entire network of at every level in the society. The example
All India Radio and Doordarshan and also on of Taimmal ji living in Udumalpet block
AIR News and mobile app. of Trippur district of Tamil Nadu is very
inspiring.
▪ PM said, in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the
country is re-establishing its national symbols 9 Taimmal ji does not have any land of her
own. For years, her family is making a
through these efforts. We saw that the 'Amar
living by selling coconut water. Taimmal
Jawan Jyoti' near India Gate and the Jyoti lit
ji, who had accumulated some capital by
at the 'National War Memorial' in the vicinity, selling coconut water, donated one lakh
were merged. At the 'National War Memorial', rupees to the school in which her children
the names of all the bravehearts of the country are studying, to improve the condition
who have been martyred since Independence of the classrooms and to fix the school
have been inscribed. Infrastructure.
▪ The 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' lit at the memorial is a
Budget 2022:
symbol of the immortality of the martyrs".
▪ The Budget Session of Parliament will
▪ More than one crore children have written to commence on January 31 and is scheduled
me through their 'Mann Ki Baat' post cards. to conclude on April 8. The President will be
▪ I have shortlisted some postcards for the addressing both the Houses of Parliament
listeners of 'Mann Ki Baat' which I want to assembled together on January 31.
share with you. Like this one is the post card ▪ Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will
of Riddhima Swargiyari from Guwahati, table the Economic Survey for 2021-22 in the
Assam. Lok Sabha on Jan 31 soon after the President's
Address to both Houses of Parliament. She time, for the next financial year beginning
will present the Union Budget for the fourth April 1, 2022, on February 1.
History of Budget
Historical Status Budget Year Presented by Finance Minister
Scottish economist and politician James

India’s First Budget April 7,1860. Wilson from East India Company presented
it to the British Crown.
First Budget of Independent November 26,

R.K. Shanmugam Shetty.
India 1947
Longest Budget Speech February 1,

Nirmala Sitharaman.
(2 hrs, 42 min) 2020
Most no of words in Budget

1991 Manmohan Singh.
Speech- 18,650 words
Most no of words in Budget

2018 Arun Jaitley.
Speech-18,604 words
Least no of Words in Budget

1977 S M Patel.
Speech- (800 words)
First Paperless Budget 2021-22 Nirmala Sitharaman.
Special Name of Budget Budget Year Reason
Black Budget 1973-74 Fiscal deficit of Rs. 550 Crores.
Carrot & Stick Budget Feb. 28, 1986 It offered both rewards and punishment.
Epochal Budget 1991 Economic Liberalisation.
Slashed marginal income tax rate for

Dream Budget 1997-98 individuals &Companies, slashed customs
duty. (Chidambaram -Finance Minister)
Laid the road map for the growth of India’s

Millenium Budget 2000 Information Technology (IT) industry.
(Yashwant Sinha)
Several Proposals were withdrawn or rolled

RollBack Budget 2002-03
back. (Yashwant Sinha)
To revive Asia’s 3rd largest economy by

Once-in-a-Century Budget Feb 1, 2021-22.
investing in infrastructure & health care.
7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Population will Increase by 7.4 crore in ▪ It is headquartered at Shanghai, China.
a Year: In 2018, the NDB received observer status
▪ According to the US Census Bureau today, in the United Nations General Assembly,
on January 1, 2022, the world’s population establishing a firm basis for active and fruitful
has increased by 780 million people, which cooperation with the UN.
represents an increase of 0.9 percent.
▪ With this, the US Census Bureau has estimated UK Ex-PM Tony Blair Becomes Sir Tony:
that, this year, 4.3 children will be born ▪ Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair
worldwide every second, while 2 people will has been awarded a knighthood by Queen
die every one second. Elizabeth II and becomes to be called as 'Sir'
▪ The Census Bureau estimates that, in the from January 1 2022.
last one year, the population of America has
▪ Blair has been appointed as the member of
increased by 7 lakh 70 thousand and on New
Year’s Day 2022, the population of America the "Order of the Garter", England's oldest
has increased to 33.24 million. and most senior honour which is made as a
▪ The Census Bureau estimates that there has Personal choice of the Monarch.
been a 0.2 percent increase in the population ▪ The Ceremonial Order, founded in 1348, is
between this year’s New Year’s compared to recognition of significant Public Service, and
Last year’s New Year’s. is made prime ministerial advice as with other
BRICS New Development Bank: New Year honours.
▪ The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) World Powers vow to Stop Spread of
announced that it will add Egypt as its new
member. NDB was established by BRICS
Nuclear Weapons:
nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, ▪ Five Global Nuclear Powers pledged to
and South Africa, in the year 2015. prevent atomic weapons spreading and to
▪ Egypt is the fourth new member admitted avoid nuclear conflict, in a rare joint statement
into NDB, after Bangladesh, the United Arab ahead of a review of a key nuclear treaty later
Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay. Marcos Troyjo this year. “We believe strongly that the further
is the President of the NDB. spread of such weapons must be prevented,”
About New Development Bank: said permanent UN Security Council members
▪ It is a multilateral development bank jointly China, France, Russia, the U.K. and U.S.
founded by the BRICS countries at the 6th
▪ The statement was issued after the latest
BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil in 2014.
review of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation
▪ It was formed to support infrastructure and
sustainable development efforts in BRICS and of Nuclear weapons (NPT) — which first came
other underserved, emerging economies for into force in 1970 — was postponed from its
faster development through innovation and scheduled date of January 4 to later in the year
cutting-edge technology. due to the COVID19 pandemic.
‘India, Israel in Talks for free Trade About TRIPS:

Agreement’ ▪ TRIPs came into effect in January 1995.
▪ India is in dialogue with Israel for concluding ▪ It frames the IP system in terms of Innovation,
a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Commerce technology transfer and public welfare.
and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. ▪ The TRIPS Council is responsible for
▪ The announcement coincides with the administering and monitoring the operation
30th Anniversary of the establishment of of the TRIPS Agreement.
Diplomatic ties between the two countries.
▪ TRIPS was negotiated during the Uruguay
▪ Both sides are currently in talks to mark the Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs
Occasion with high-level visits and new and Trade (GATT) in 1986–1994.
Agreements.
▪ The TRIPS Agreement is also described as a
▪ Mr. Goyal also informed that bilateral free
“Berne and Paris-plus” Agreement.
trade agreements are being negotiated with the
United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, World’s longest Metro line Opened in
Australia and Canada. Shanghai:
▪ He said the agreement with the UAE was ‘close ▪ On December 31, 2021, World’s longest
to finalization’ while the FTA with Australia Metro Line was opened in China’s Shanghai
was at a ‘very advanced stage.’ Province.
▪ The FTAs would cover a wide range of
▪ With this, the total length of metro network in
sectors such as agricultural Products and
Shanghai has extended to 831 km.
Pharmaceuticals.
▪ Shanghai continues to be the longest network
India wants WTO meet on COVID Across the world.
Package:
NATO to hold Foreign Ministers Meeting
▪ India has sought an emergency meeting
of the General Council of the World Trade over Ukraine:
Organization (WTO) this month in Geneva ▪ NATO announced that the alliance will hold
to deliberate upon the world trade body’s a virtual meeting of foreign ministers from
proposed response package, including patent the 30 member nations on 7th January 2022 to
waiver proposal, to deal with the pandemic assess the situation in Ukraine and upcoming
Amid rising coronavirus infections globally. talks with Russia to ease the tension between
▪ The General Council is WTO’s highest the Cold War foes.
Decision-making body in Geneva. ▪ The meeting will be chaired by the NATO
▪ Expressing disappointment over no progress Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg.
on TRIPs (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual About North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s
Property Rights) waiver proposal to deal with
(NATO):
the pandemic, India has called for including
▪ Formation:
this proposal into WTO’s Proposed response
package. 9 NATO was established by the North
Atlantic Treaty (also called the Washington
▪ In October 2020, India and South Africa
submitted the first proposal, suggesting Treaty) of 4th April, 1949, by the United
a waiver for all WTO members on the States, Canada, and several Western
implementation of certain provisions of the European nations to provide collective
TRIPs agreement in relation to the prevention, security against the Soviet Union.
containment or treatment of COVID19. ▪ Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
▪ Political and Military Alliance: ▪ Each Member State holds the presidency of the
9 NATO's primary goals are the collective Council of the European Union for six months
defence of its members and the maintenance on a Rotational Basis.
of a democratic peace in the North Atlantic
India Hails Statement by 5 world
Area.
Powers to Stop Nuclear Weapons:
9 The collective defence principle enshrined
▪ India welcomed a joint pledge by the US, the
in NATO’s Article V states that “an attack
UK, China, Russia and France to prevent the
against one ally is considered as an attack
spread of atomic weapons and reaffirmed its
against all allies”.
nuclear doctrine of maintaining a credible
▪ NATO’s Forces: Minimum deterrence based on a 'no first use'
9 NATO has a military and civilian Policy and Commitment to Universal nuclear
headquarters and an integrated military Disarmament.
command structure but very few forces or
assets are exclusively its own. India, U.K. kick off talks for Free Trade
9 Most forces remain under full national Agreement:
command and control until member ▪ India stands to gain from this Multidimensional
countries agree to undertake NATO- Economic Partnership with exports growth
Related Tasks. in leather, textiles, Jewellery, processed agri
▪ NATO's Decisions: products.
9 A “NATO decision” is the expression of the ▪ The bilateral trade of $50 billion is expected to
collective will of all 30 member countries double to $100 billion in 10 years.
since all decisions are taken by consensus. ▪ A joint statement quoted both sides as
saying they would consider the option of an
Second Successful test Flight of a ‘Interim Agreement’ while negotiations for a
Hypersonic Missile: comprehensive pact continue.
▪ North Korea claimed to have conducted the
Second successful test flight of a hypersonic Best Time to Invest in India: PM Modi
Missile, days after leader Kim Jong Un vowed ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the
to bolster his military forces despite Pandemic- World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda.
related difficulties. ▪ During his speech, he talked about some of
▪ The launch is the North’s first known Weapons the pressing issues like Covid, climate change,
test in about two months, indicates the country cryptocurrency, reforms and initiatives taken
will press ahead with plans to modernize its by his government for ease of doing business.
nuclear and missile arsenals rather than return ▪ He also said India is promoting 'Ease of Doing
to disarmament talks Anytime soon. Business' by reducing our corporate tax rate
making it most competitive. This is the best
The Council of European Union: time to invest in India.
▪ On 1 January 2022, France, for the first time ▪ India's focus is not only on easing the processes,
in 14 years, will take over the presidency of but also on incentivizing investment and
the Council of the European Union (EU) from production.
Slovenia.
▪ India is making policies, taking decisions
▪ France will hold the presidency of the Council regarding the present as well as the goals of
of the EU for six months from 1 January to 30 the next 25 years. In this period, India has
June 2022. set the Goals of high growth, a saturation of
▪ The presidency of the council is responsible welfare, and wellness.
for conducting meetings, determining the ▪ This period of growth will also be green, it will
Agenda, and facilitating dialogues with other also be clean, it will also be sustainable, it will
EU institutions. also be reliable.
Rising sea levels prompt Indonesia to About European Union’s Parliament:

Relocate Capital: ▪ Headquarters: Strasbourg, France;
▪ Indonesia’s parliament passed a law approving ▪ Founded: 10 September 1952, Europe.
the relocation of its capital from slowly sinking
Swiss Gold Exports:
Jakarta to a site 2,000 kilometers away on the
▪ Switzerland is the world’s largest gold refining
jungle-clad Borneo Island that will be named
centre and transit hub. Its trade data showed
“Nusantara”.
a 2020 plunge in exports to Asia, where most
▪ The new capital will cover about 56,180 gold is sold as jewellery, and huge shipments
hectares in East Kalimantan province on the to the U.S. and Britain, where investors cluster.
Indonesian part of Borneo.
▪ In 2021, exports to India surged to 507 tonnes,
Global list for On-time Performance up from 148 tonnes in 2020 and the most since
Airports for 2021: 2015.
▪ Chennai International Airport has been 20th Dhaka International Film Festival:
ranked eight for on-time performance among ▪ P.S Vinothraj directed film Koozhangal from
large international airports globally for 2021 India won the best film award in the Asian
by Cirium — an organization that provides Film Competition section at the 20th Dhaka
aviation data to the travel, finance, aerospace International Film Festival.
and Aviation Industries.
▪ Information and Broadcasting Minister of
▪ It is the only Indian airport ranked in the top Bangladesh Hasan Mahmud gave away the
10. awards as Chief Guest during the concluding
▪ The top three are Miami Airport in the United session organized at the National Museum
States, Fukuoka Airport and Haneda Airport auditorium in Dhaka.
from Japan 2nd & 3rd respectively.
West African bloc Suspends Burkina
▪ The on-time departures to 70 routes globally
Faso after Military Coup:
analysed by Cirium is 89.32 per cent for
Chennai. Current Chennai Airport Director is ▪ West Africa's main regional bloc (ECOWAS)
Dr Sharad Kumar. on January 28 suspended Burkina Faso from
its Governing bodies over this week's military
First Black Woman to appear on US coup but stopped short of imposing any
Coin: sanctions.
▪ The US Treasury has minted coins featuring About Economic Community of West African
poet Maya Angelou – the first black woman States (ECOWAS):
ever featured on the US 25-cent coin known as ▪ Established on May 28 1975 via the treaty of
a Quarter. Lagos.
▪ Angelou, a poet and activist, was the first ▪ ECOWAS (also known as CEDEAO in French)
black woman to write and perform a poem at is a 15-member regional group with a mandate
a Presidential Inauguration. of promoting economic integration in all fields
of activity of the constituting countries.
Roberta Metsola takes over EU ▪ Member countries making up ECOWAS are
Parliament Presidency: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’
▪ Roberta Metsola, a Christian Democrat from Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea
Malta, was elected president of the European Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra
Union’s parliament. Leone, Senegal and Togo.
▪ She is the European Parliament’s youngest ▪ Mali was suspended in 2020 and Guinea in
president. 2021 from the bloc.
Brand Finance Global 500-2022 Report: ▪ The Indian conglomerate Tata Group has
▪ Apple holds on to world’s most valuable emerged as the most valuable brand from
brand title with record valuation at more India and also in South Asia. It is the only
than US$355 billion (the highest brand value brand from the country in the top 100.
ever recorded in the Brand Finance Global 500
▪ The Global Rank of Tata Group 78.
ranking history), followed by Amazon and
Google. ▪ Brands in the top 10:
▪ New entrant TikTok (18th) named world’s 9 Apple , Amazon, Google, Microsoft,
Fastest-growing brand, up 215%, leading 9 Walmart, Samsung, Facebook,
Global revolution in media consumption.
9 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
▪ US and China continue to dominate claiming
2/3 of brand value in ranking, while UK sees 9 Huawei, Verizon.
fastest growth out of top 10 countries, up 47%,
Gehri dosti, says Israel PM about ties
following Shell’s HQ move.
▪ Microsoft’s Satya Nadella comes out top in
with India:
Brand Finance Brand Guardianship Index ▪ Israel and India have a “gehri dosti” (deep
2022 of World’s top 250 CEOs. friendship), Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
▪ Development of COVID-19 vaccines sees Bennett has said and thanked his Indian
pharma named fastest-growing industry, counterpart, Narendra Modi, for his “deep
while tourism sector remains below pre- commitment” to the “strong and robust
pandemic valuation. friendship”.
▪ WeChat named world’s strongest brand for ▪ The two nations celebrated 30 years of
second consecutive year with top score of 93.3
Establishment of Diplomatic relations.
out of 100 and elite AAA+ rating.
▪ Tech remained the most valuable industry ▪ Though India had recognised Israel on
in the list in terms of sector followed by September 17, 1950, full-fledged diplomatic
Retail, Banking, Media and Telecoms in top 5 relations between the countries were
respectively. established on January 29, 1992.
8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
CM opens Medical Centres at 7 Temples: ▪ For participation, Chennai residents are
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Requested to register in the Strava app.
Virtually inaugurated Medical Centres at ▪ When participants record their activity on
seven temples on behalf of the Hindu Religious Strava app, it will automatically be tracked as
and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) part of the challenge.
Department for the benefit of Devotees.
Governor Inaugurates Mega Isai Vizha:
▪ The temples are Subramaniyaswamy Temple
▪ Governor R.N. Ravi inaugurated the Mega Isai
in Tiruchendur, Arunachaleswarar Temple
Vizha (Season-5) organised by Tamil Cultural
in Tiruvannamalai, Angala Parameswari
Academy at Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai
Temple in Melmalayanur, Lakshmi
on January 1, 2022.
Narasimhaswamy Temple in Sholinghur,
Subramaniyaswamy Temple in Maruthamalai, ▪ Governor R.N. Ravi presented the "Isai
Subramaniyaswamy Temple at Tiruttani and Chemmal" award to vocalist Aruna Sairam.
Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple at Palani. 22nd Anniversary of Thiruvalluvar Statue
▪ In these medical centres, besides basic in Kanniyakumari:
amenities, first aid and basic treatment would ▪ The Thiruvalluvar Statue, or the Valluvar
be provided with oxygen cylinders, beds and Statue, is a 41-metre-tall (133 ft) stone sculpture
Lifesaving Medicines. of the Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar,
‘Singara Chennai 2.0 Veedhi Vizha’: author of the Tirukkural, an ancient Tamil
work on Dharma and morality.
▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation launched
Singara Chennai 2.0 Veedhi Vizha, a cycling ▪ It is located atop a small island near the town
and walking initiative for residents. of Kanyakumari on the southernmost point
of the Indian peninsula on the Coromandel
▪ The festival will continue till January 26.
Coast, where two seas (the Bay of Bengal and
▪ As part of the festival, the Corporation has the Arabian Sea) and an ocean (the Indian
invited residents to take up the walking and Ocean) meet.
Cycling challenge this year.
▪ The statue was sculpted by the Indian Sculptor
▪ Nalamigu Chennai is one of the main themes V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also created the
of the Singara Chennai vision. Iraivan Temple, and was unveiled on the
▪ To celebrate 75 years of Independence, the millennium day of 1 January 2000 by the then
Government has already encouraged line Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
agencies to organise various events that would ▪ It is currently the 25th tallest statue in India.
also motivate people towards a Healthy
Lifestyle. Tamil Nadu’s borrowings 17% lower so
▪ The initiative is also part of the walking far, this Financial Year:
and cycling challenge among 75 cities in ▪ Tamil Nadu’s market borrowings in the First
the country. The number of registrations in Nine Months of the 2021-22 financial year
Chennai has crossed 1,000 because of the have been about 17% lower than last year,
participation of cycling clubs. amid improving revenue.
▪ The State has borrowed `52,000 Crores in Tiruvannamalai Creates 1,121 Farm
April-December 2021, compared with `63,000 Ponds in a Month:
crores in the same period during the Previous ▪ Tapping the workforce, mostly women
Financial Year. laborer’s, under the Mahatma Gandhi National
▪ The borrowings have been done through the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
auction of State Government Securities or (MGNREGS), the district administration in
State Development Loans. Tiruvannamalai has created 1,121 farm ponds
▪ Tamil Nadu’s revenue has rebounded after the in a month’s time as part of its efforts on water
conservation.
Second wave of COVID19.
About MGNREGA Scheme:
▪ Its total revenue receipts increased about 22%
▪ MGNREGA is one of the largest work
to `1,18,992.48 crore in April-November 2021,
Guarantee programmes in the world.
from `97,635.78 crore in the same Period Last
Year. ▪ Objective:
9 The primary objective of the scheme is
▪ The total revenue receipts include tax
to guarantee 100 days of employment in
Revenue, non-tax revenue, grants-in-aid and
every financial year to adult members of
contributions.
any Rural household willing to do public
▪ Tax revenue comes from the State’s own work-related unskilled manual work.
direct sources like the State GST, stamps
▪ Legal Right to Work:
and registration fees, land revenue, tax on
petroleum products and revenue from liquor 9 Unlike earlier employment guarantee
schemes, the act aims at addressing the
sales and the State’s share in the Central and
causes of chronic poverty through a rights-
other taxes and duties.
based framework.
▪ The revenue receipts got a boost with the
9 At least one-third of beneficiaries have to
Union Government devolving `3,878.38 crore
be women.
to the State in November last.
9 Wages must be paid according to the
▪ The State also got `8,095 crores in back-to- statutory minimum wages specified for
back GST compensation loan from the Union agricultural laborers in the state under the
Government for 2021-22. Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
▪ Tamil Nadu’s revenue expenditure stood at ▪ Demand-Driven Scheme:
`1,26,862.35 crore in April-November 2021. 9 The most important part of MGNREGA’s
▪ As a result, the revenue deficit (which implies design is its legally-backed guarantee
revenue expenditure which is higher than for any rural adult to get work within 15
revenue receipts) stood at about ` 7,869.87 days of demanding it, failing which an
crore as in November 2021, lower than ‘unemployment allowance’ must be given.
`10,126.14 crore posted in October 2021. 9 This demand-driven scheme enables the
About SDL: self-selection of workers.
▪ State Development Loans (SDLs) are sovereign ▪ Decentralised Planning:
securities issued by various State Governments 9 There is an emphasis on strengthening
to raise funds from the market. the process of decentralization by
▪ In India, the Central Government issues both giving a significant role in Panchayati
treasury bills and bonds or dated securities Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning and
while the State Governments issue only bonds implementing these works.
or dated securities, which are called the State 9 The act mandates Gram sabhas to
Development Loans (SDLs). G-Secs carry recommend the works that are to be
practically no risk of default and, hence, are undertaken and at least 50% of the works
called risk-free gilt-edged instruments. must be executed by them.
Survey to ascertain how many Sri Prime Minister of India, on 30 October 1964.
Lankan Tamils want Indian Citizenship: Officially, it was known as Agreement on
▪ A panel constituted by the Tamil Nadu Persons of Indian Origin in Ceylon.
Government, tasked to find durable solutions ▪ It was a significant agreement in determining
for short and long-term issues facing the Sri the status and future of people of Indian origin
Lankan Tamils living in and out of camps in Ceylon.
across the State, has decided to undertake a About Sirima- Gandhi Pact:
survey to ascertain how many among them
▪ The Sirima–Gandhi Pact or Srimavo-Gandhi
want Indian citizenship.
Pact was an agreement that was signed
▪ The Advisory Committee, which was between Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the Prime
constituted by the State Government following
Minister of Sri Lanka, and Indira Gandhi, the
the announcement made by Chief Minister
Prime Minister of India, on 28 June 1974.
M.K. Stalin in the Assembly last Year.
▪ It was a follow-up agreement of Sirima-Shastri
▪ After a survey, the State Government would
then request the Union Home Ministry to Pact that left 150,000 people of Indian origin
consider the case of Sri Lankan Tamils and in Sri Lanka to future account. Sirima-Shastri
make necessary provisions in the Citizenship Pact agreed to grant Ceylonese citizenship to
(Amendment) Act, 2019, to facilitate Indian 300,000 Indian population in Sri Lanka and
Citizenship for them. 525,000 people Repatriation to India.
▪ About 50% of the camp population wanted ▪ The pact is considered one of the good
Indian citizenship on the grounds of their relationship factors between India and Sri
Indian origin and citizenship by birth for their Lanka since it contributed to solve the issues
children. of stateless Indian origin people in Sri Lanka.
▪ MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy insisted on
CM meets expert panel on Flood
removing the ‘illegal migrants’ tag from Sri
Lankan Tamils, which he contended was the prevention in Chennai
main obstacle to their legal demand for Indian ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin chaired a meeting
citizenship. of the Chennai Flood Disaster Mitigation and
▪ Tamils from Sri Lanka could be categorized Management Committee.
under multiple categories — those who arrived ▪ Committee Head: V. Thiruppugazh
after the signing of the SirimavoShastri Pact ▪ In October last year, the State government
and SirimavoGandhi Pact, those who came constituted the committee, which noted that
after the holocaust, those who arrived during
Chennai was prone to natural disasters and
the war between the Sri Lankan Government
Cyclones.
and rebel forces, and children of these persons,
who were born in Tamil Nadu, among others. ▪ Chennai’s terrain was flat with most of the
area at an average elevation of two metres
▪ As of July 1 2021, a total of 58,668 persons from
18,937 families living inside camps and 34,123 above the Mean Sea Level and some of them
persons from 13,553 families of Sri Lankan were even below the sea level, according to a
origin were living outside the camps across Government Order.
Tamil Nadu.
‘Humayun Mahal restoration to be
About Sirima – Shastri Pact:
completed by August’
▪ The Sirima–Shastri Pact or Srimavo-Shastri
Pact (also known as the Indo-Ceylon ▪ The project to restore the historic Humayun
Agreement and Bandaranaike-Shastri Pact) Mahal in Chepauk Palace complex is expected
was an agreement that was signed between to be completed by August.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister ▪ Nearly 85% of the work to restore the fire-hit
of Sri Lanka, and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the heritage structure has been completed.
▪ Public Works Minister E.V. Velu inspected the ▪ In the consumption of Petrol, Tamil Nadu
`41.12 crore work being taken up at Humayun Ranks third in India. To reduce the usage
Mahal on Wallajah Road. of Petrol, mixing of 20 % ethanol is being
▪ The 250-year-old Humayun Mahal was built promoted.
in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture between ▪ Apart from sugarcane, the Central Government
1868 and 1871. has allowed production of ethanol from
▪ It functioned as Revenue department’s produces such as maize, rice etc.
headquarters during the British era and About Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna
then had various State government offices, Yojana (PMGKAY):
including Horticulture and Revenue, ▪ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Functioning in the building. (Prime Minister's Food Security Scheme for
the Poor) is a food security welfare scheme
T.N. Assembly Session:
announced by the Government of India in 26
▪ The first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative
March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic
Assembly for the year is set to commence
in India.
with the customary Governor’s address to the
House in Kalaivanar Arangam on Wallajah ▪ The program is operated by the Department
Salai in Chennai on January 5. of Food and Public Distribution under the
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
▪ Assembly Speaker M. Appavu called on
Public Distribution.
Governor R.N. Ravi at the Raj Bhavan and
extended the traditional invitation to him to ▪ The scheme aims to feed the poorest citizens
deliver the inaugural address. of India by providing grain through the
Public Distribution System, to all the priority
Food Secretary held Review households (ration card holders and those
Meeting in UDHAGAMANDALAM: identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana
▪ Shri. Sudhanshu Pandey IAS, Secretary scheme).
(Department of Food Public Distribution), ▪ PMGKAY provides 5 kg of rice or wheat
Govt. of India, held a review meeting for Tamil (according to regional dietary preferences) per
Nadu at Udhagamandalam regarding the person and 1 kg of dal to each family holding
implementation of the Central Government a ration card.
Schemes with State Government. ▪ The scale of this welfare scheme makes it the
▪ He has told the district administration to largest food security program in the world.
interact with owners of tea estates in the
About National Food Security Act (NFSA),
Nilgiris and help migrant workers enroll in the
2013:
‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ Programme.
▪ Notified on: 10th September, 2013.
The migrants should be encouraged to register
on ‘Mera Ration’ app. ▪ Objective:
▪ While reviewing the PMGKAY scheme, it 9 To provide for food and nutritional security
was observed that State needs to gear up its in the human life cycle approach, by
distribution of the entire allocation of the ensuring access to adequate quantities of
Foodgrains made by Government of India. quality food at affordable prices to people
to live a life with dignity.
▪ State Government was also advised to get the
verification of the National Food Security Act ▪ Coverage:
(NFSA) card holders done to data cleaning, de- 9 75% of the rural population and upto
duplication so that all the eligible and Genuine 50% of the urban population for receiving
people are extended the benefit of Food grains subsidized foodgrains under Targeted
at the subsidized rate. Public Distribution System (TPDS).
9 Overall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total under the purview of the Hindu Religious
population. and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE)
▪ Eligibility: Department.
9 Priority Households to be covered under ▪ A total of 52,803 persons, including around
TPDS, according to guidelines by the State 7000 women, who work as priests, temple staff
Government. and Odhuvars would receive the clothes.
9 Households covered under existing ▪ The male priests would get two sets each of
Antyodaya Anna Yojana. dhoti-angavasthram with mayil kann and the
▪ Provisions: women will receive maroon-coloured saris
with yellow borders.
9 5 Kgs of food grains per person per month
at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse Electorate in Tamil Nadu Crosses 6.36
Grains. Crore:
9 The existing AAY household will continue ▪ As per the final electoral rolls published, the
to receive 35 Kgs of food grains per total electorate in the State stands at 6,36,25,813,
household Per month. which includes 3,23,91,250 women, 3,12,26,759
9 Meal and maternity benefit of not less than men and 7,804 persons from the third gender,
Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating the Chief Electoral Officer said.
mothers during pregnancy and six months ▪ Shozhinganallur Assembly constituency in
after the child birth. Chengalpattu district continues to have the
9 Meals for children up to 14 years of age. highest number of electors – 7,11,755, including
9 Food security allowance to beneficiaries in 3,55,394 women and 122 members of the third
case of non-supply of entitled food grains gender, followed by Kavundampalayam in
or Meals. Coimbatore district with 4,76,467 electors. It
9 Setting up of grievance redressal includes 2,39,021 women, 2,37,305 men and
mechanisms at the district and state level. 141 from the third Gender.
▪ Kilvelur constituency in Nagapattinam
Startup to Upskill Disadvantaged Youth: district has the lowest number of voters –
▪ GUVI, an online technical learning platform, 1,78,517, including 91,613 women, 86,893 Men
will offer upskilling courses for free to over and 11 from the third gender.
one million disadvantaged youngsters in the ▪ Chennai District has 40.8 Lakh Voters:
Country. 9 Chennai district has 40,80,578 voters,
▪ The beneficiaries will receive courses on according to the final electoral rolls
Python programming and advanced AI in released after the completion of the Special
English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu among Summary Revision 2022.
Other Languages. 9 According to a release from the Greater
▪ Union Higher Education Minister Dharmendra Chennai Corporation, there are 26,540 more
Pradhan lauded GUVI for contributing to voters in the district now than compared to
the efforts of All India Council for Technical the number of voters in draft electoral rolls
Education (AICTE) in upskilling Economically that was released on November 1, 2021.
Disadvantaged Youth. 9 Among the voters, 20,04,860 were men,
Stalin Distributes Uniforms to staff, 20,74,616 women and 1,102 persons who
Identified themselves as others.
Priests of Temples:
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the 9 There were 69,756 more women than
Scheme to provide uniforms and dhoti- men. Of the 16 Assembly constituencies
angavasthram to Archakas, Bhattacharyas, in Chennai, Velachery has the highest
Odhuvars and Poosaris and staff of temples Number of 3,17,349 voters and Harbour
has the lowest number of 1,78,665 voters.
9 Harbour is the only constituency in Agro-Industrial Corridor project to

Chennai where men voters (92,978), out- Commence Next Year:
number women (85,626). ▪ Governor R.N. Ravi said the agro-industrial
corridor project would commence next year.
Customary Address of Governor R.N.
▪ The project would address the industrial
Ravi to the Tamil Nadu
infrastructure deficit in Cauvery delta districts
Legislative Assembly: by promoting agro based industries.
▪ The State Government urged the Centre ▪ The medical devices industry has been
to release funds totaling about `6230 crore identified as a sunrise sector and in order
from the National Disaster Response Fund to develop a comprehensive ecosystem for
Immediately to ameliorate the effects of this industry, a Medical Devices Park is
Damage caused by the recent heavy rain and being established over 150 acres. The State
Flooding. will also be setting up the Nation’s First
▪ In order to carry out mining in an Ecologically Largescale Furniture Park over 1100 acres in
sustainable manner and mobilize revenue Thoothukudi.
for the government, a ‘Natural Resources ▪ These two parks would generate Employment
Management Plan’ would be formulated. for around three lakh persons.
▪ A detailed action plan titled ‘Towards One ▪ The government has declared January 12 as
Trillion Dollar Economy’ would be prepared ‘World Tamil Diaspora Day’, which will be
to ensure that the State Government’s vision marked by Special Events Every Year.
of ‘One Trillion Dollar Economy’ by 2030 is
T.N. may Clip Governor’s Powers to
realized.
Appoint VCs
▪ The State Government also urged the GST ▪ After Maharashtra and West Bengal sought to
Council and the Union Finance Ministry to vest the Government with more powers in the
continue the GST compensation at least till June appointment of Vice-chancellors to the State
30, 2024, contending that the State’s Revenues universities, the Tamil Nadu Government is
were yet to recover from the pandemic. exploring options to empower itself to make
▪ Since the introduction of GST, the State was the Appointment instead of the Governor.
not able to realise the high growth of tax ▪ At present, Vice-chancellors are appointed by
collections that it had witnessed during the the Governor, in his capacity as the Chancellor
VAT regime. of the State universities, from a shortlist of
▪ The GST compensation will be ceased to exist three names submitted by a search committee.
on June 30, 2022 as of now. About:
▪ Proceeding’s Webcast: ▪ Article 154 of the Constitution of India vests
the executive power of the state in Governor.
9 Besides the regular live telecast of the
Governor's Address in the House by ▪ One of the executive powers of the Governor is
DD Podhigai, a YouTube channel of the that he acts as the chancellor of universities in
Directorate of Information and Public the state. He also appoints the Vice Chancellors
of universities in the state.
Relations web streamed the proceedings.
9 For the first time, the videos of Question Bills to Create New Local bodies
Hour, scheduled on January 6 and 7, and introduced in Assembly
the Chief Minister's reply to the debate ▪ Municipal Administration Minister K.N.
on the motion of thanks to the Governor's Nehru introduced the bills for creation of
address to the House, scheduled on the last Municipal Corporations for Cuddalore,
day of the sitting, will be made available Kancheepuram, Sivakasi, Karur, Tambaram
through DD Podhigai. and Kumbakonam.
▪ He said considering the rapid pace of to identify the encroachments.

urbanization in the State, it was imperative to ▪ Realtime monitoring of forest fires and wildlife
Reorganize the urban local bodies. depradation would also be carried out.
▪ As per the 2011 Census, 48.5% of people in the ▪ The aim was to create a centralized repository
State lived in urban areas. of spatial database.
▪ “Over 53% of the people in the State live in ▪ Geotagging of all forestry development
Urban areas now” he added. activities and forests, monitoring of plantation
▪ The total number of municipalities in activities, climate impact assessment, wildlife
Tamilnadu is increased from 15 to 21. Corridor monitoring, human wildlife conflict
Reporting could be done.
TNPSC to Recruit for State PSUs:
▪ The digitization would also be useful for
▪ The Assembly passed a Bill to entrust the Delineation of wildlife corridors, Eco sensitive
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission zones, wetlands and zones of influence.
(TNPSC) with the additional function of
recruiting candidates for certain posts in the Temple Advisory Committee:
State public sector undertakings, Corporations ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government constituted a
and Statutory boards. state level advisory committee for all major
Hindu temples under the purview of the
Supplementary Budget Estimates
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Presented (HR&CE) Department.
▪ Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga
▪ A Government order said Chief Minister M.K.
Rajan presented the first supplementary
Stalin will be the committee’s chairman and
Estimates Amounting to `3,719.65 crore for HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu will be its
2021-22 in the Assembly. vice chairman.
▪ They represent 1% of the total spend of the ▪ The HR&CE Secretary will be a member,
state. and the HR&CE Commissioner the member
Term of Cooperative Societies cut to 3 Secretary.
Years: ▪ The committee will oversee the maintenance
▪ The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the Bill to of major temples with an annual income of
further amend the Tamil Nadu Cooperative over `10 lakhs.
Societies Act, 1983 to reduce the term of the ▪ The Members will hold office for Three Years.
office of the board of directors of cooperative
societies from Five Years to Three Years.
Participation of Visually Impaired in
Co-operative Union Elections:
Forest Department to Digitize ▪ A bill was passed in the Assembly stating that
Various Activities: the visually impaired people are eligible to
▪ As part of the Tamil Nadu Digital Forests contest in the Co-operative Union elections.
initiative, the Forest Department has decided ▪ Anyone who is illiterate in Tamil or English
to digitize various activities. or any other language declared by the
▪ A sum of `33.10 crore has been sanctioned Government under the Tamil Nadu Co-
for the next two years to take up a digital operative Societies Act is eligible to be elected
GPS survey of forest blocks to prepare the or appointed as a member of the Board of
necessary geo-database with details of the Directors of any registered Co-operative
boundaries. Also strengthening of information Society.
technology infrastructure and end-to-end ▪ Under this rule, in the election held in 2013
computerization of the Department will be for the Co-operative Societies, the applications
taken up simultaneously. filed by the visually impaired Candidates at
▪ The digitization of forest boundaries will help the time were rejected by Election Officials.
▪ Therefore, legislation has been enacted to regulated markets. The scheme aims to protect
ensure that visually impaired and physically the soil and environment and increase farmers’
handicapped persons are eligible to be elected income.
and appointed as members of any of the
registered co-operative Societies. New App among Bunch of Goodies for
TN Farmers:
ASI’s Decision to set up Tamil EpiGraph ▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a raft of
Office Welcomed: schemes for farmers including e-vaadagai, a
▪ CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan welcomed mobile app to rent farm equipment, scheme
the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to provide agricultural inputs to cultivate
decision to change the ASI’s Southern Region pulses on rice fallow areas, and sustainable
Deputy Superintendent office into Tamil cotton cultivation mission to increase cotton
Epigraph Deputy Superintendent office as it Production.
would help the scholars and researchers to ▪ Through the Uzhavan mobile app, farmers
access Unpublished inscriptions. can also learn about the State Agricultural
▪ He urged the union government to bring all Engineering Department’s latest initiatives
the Tamil inscriptions and related documents and schemes, and get their doubts cleared.
kept at Mysore Central Archaeological They can also use the app to get details of rent
Department office to the Chennai office and of equipment and conditions for using them.
to make all necessary arrangements including ▪ Stalin also launched a scheme to provide
appointment of adequate staff for the Chennai 2,118 pieces of agricultural machinery for a
office to preserve and maintain the inscriptions. total subsidy of Rs 50.73 crore, and presented
▪ Tamil inscriptions, manuscripts and Machinery to five farmers at the secretariat.
archaeological symbols were all Unmaintained ▪ The equipment is being given to women SC/
and unprinted and preserved by the Mysore ST farmers at 50 per cent subsidy and other
Central Archaeological Office, making them farmers at 40 per cent subsidy. This scheme
unusable by Tamil researchers and Activists. will be implemented in all districts except
▪ It is to note that Madras HC had already Chennai.
Passed an appropriate order to preserve the ▪ The CM also inaugurated new buildings for
Tamil Inscriptions. the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing
Board in Kanniyakumari, Dharmapuri,
Scheme to Promote Lentil Cultivation:
Dindigul, Theni, Krishnagiri, Tenkasi,
▪ Tamil Nadu Government has initiated a Perambalur, and Thiruvarur districts.
Scheme to promote lentil cultivation (black
▪ Under the Sustainable Cotton Cultivation
Gram / green lentils).
Mission, long-staple cotton variety, which is
▪ A scheme to provide agricultural inputs to in high demand, will be cultivated on 25,000
encourage farmers to cultivate pulses on Hectares using integrated methods.
rice fallow areas after harvesting samba and
▪ At the secretariat, five farmers received inputs
thaladi crops was launched.
for cotton cultivation from the chief Minister.
▪ Cultivation of pulses on such land areas Farmers who produce seeds of long-staple
is planned on 11 lakh acres this year. Five cotton varieties will get an incentive of Rs 60
farmers from Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur per kg.
districts received agricultural inputs from the
▪ Subsidised Machinery:
CM at the secretariat.
9 A new scheme will provide 2,118 pieces of
▪ The inputs include certified seeds, bio
agricultural machinery on a total subsidy
Fertilizers and Micronutrients.
of Rs 50.73 crore.
▪ Also, the pulses thus produced will be
9 Women SC/ST farmers will get it at 50%
procured by Minimum Support Price through
subsidy, and others at 40%subsidy.
Essay Competition on Ahimsa: ▪ The functioning of the quarries and depots

▪ In memory of Mahatma Gandhi and thousands will be monitored through CCTV cameras
of freedom fighters, the Chennai based Round the clock.
Gandhi Peace Foundation will organise an ▪ A centralized control room will be set up for
essay competition on the subject “The Ahimsa real time monitoring of sand quarry activities
Abundant in Me”. across the State.
▪ Those in the age group of 10 to 25 may send
T.N. Hopes to meet its Rice Production
their essays not exceeding 500 words based on
how they manage their day-to-day Problems Target:
creatively by adopting ahimsa. ▪ For 2021-22, the State has fixed an overall
target of 125 lakh tonnes of grain, including 42
Tamil Nadu should set up a lakh Tonnes of millets and 7.5 lakh tonnes of
‘Citizens’ Information Portal’: pulses.
▪ Leading economist Jean Dreze has made a ▪ For the three previous years (from 2018-19 to
strong case for the creation of a Citizens’ 2020-21), the State’s rice production ranged
Information Portal (CIS) in Tamil Nadu, from 61.32 lakh tonnes in 2018-19 to 72.83 in
saying that it would facilitate social audits and 2020-21.
other efforts to curb corruption. ▪ According to the Reserve Bank of India’s
▪ Mr. Dreze, a member of the State Advisory publication, Handbook of Statistics on Indian
Council, said though Tamil Nadu, like the Economy for 2020-21, Tamil Nadu’s highest
Centre, had a user-friendly facility for online rice production since 2001-02 was 75.17 lakh
Right to Information (RTI) queries, “it was tonnes during 2015-16.
Only for one department so far.” ▪ The officials are of the view that given the
▪ In a letter to the Chief Minister, he proposed Government’s Emphasis on millets and pulses,
extending the facility to all departments as the their Production will help the State meet its
first step towards transparent governance. He overall Grain Target.
explained that the online facility of the Central
Government had made it possible not only
to file RTI queries but also to monitor their
progress, pay fees if any, file appeals etc. T.N. likely to Borrow `25,800 Crores in
State Government Fixes basic Price for Q4, 2022:
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has indicated
Sale of River Sand:
that it will borrow `25,800 crores in Q4
▪ The State Government has fixed the basic Cost
(January March) of the financial year 2021-22
of river sand as `1000 per unit and plans to
by auctioning bonds, called State Development
take steps to open new sand quarries and
Loans, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s
Government depots in two months.
borrowing calendar.
▪ According to a Government Order, approved
▪ This is marginally higher than the about
building plans have been made mandatory for
`25,000 crores borrowed during the same
customers to book river sand Loads.
period last year.
▪ Besides online booking, buyers may also pay
▪ From April to December 2021, the State had
in cash at the special bank extension counters
Borrowed `52,000 crores, slightly higher than
to be established at government sand depots.
the `51,950 crores indicated for the period.
▪ Customers will also have to provide the
registration number of vehicles at the time ▪ However, it was 17% lower than `63,000 crores
of booking, which will be verified by the borrowed during April - December 2020.
Water Resources Department (WRD) during ▪ The State Development Loans are the Major
Delivery. source of borrowing for the States to fund their
fiscal deficit that arises when total Expenditure GSDP for 2021-22, with an additional 0.5%
exceeds Total Revenue. limit for those undertaking critical power
▪ Excluding the GST compensation of sector reforms. And one of the reforms is the
`8,095 crore received as back-to-back loan, introduction of direct benefit transfer to all
Tamil Nadu’s fiscal deficit is estimated to be Farmers.
`92,529.43 crore in 2021-22, which is 4.33% of ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has urged
the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). the Union Government to continue the GST
▪ Accepting the 15th Finance Commission’s Compensation at least till June 30, 2024.
recommendations, the Union government has
allowed the States to borrow up to 4% of the
Coverage
Target Coverage achieved
Normal Achieved
Season fixed for during 2021-22
Coverage during
2021-22 (till Jan, 3,2022)
2020-21
Kar/Kuruvai/Sornavari
(KKS)
Cauvery Delta 1.19 1.668 1.439 1.984
Non-Delta Region 1.649 1.351 1.608 2.121
KKS Total 2.839 3.019 3.047 4.105
Samba/Thaladi/Pishanam
(STP)
Cauvery Delta 5.213 5.455 5.419 5.389
Non-Delta region 7.313 8.22 8.578 9.399
STP Total 12.526 13.675 13.997 14.788
Navarai / Kodai (NK)
Cauvery Delta 0.35 0.002 0.32 0.006
Non-Delta region 1.865 0.614 1.886 0.734
NK Total 2.215 0.616 2.206 0.74
Grand Total 17.58 17.31 19.25 19.633
Source: State Agriculture
*in Lakh Hectares
Department
New Appointments in Tamil Nadu: CM declares Chikkaiah Naicker College

▪ IAS officer Sudeep Jain has been posted in Erode as a Government College:
as Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin declared Chikkaiah
Minerals Ltd. Naicker College (CNC) in the city as a
▪ S. Arunraj will be posted as Executive Director Government college.
of the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu ▪ The college was started in 1954 by Thanthai
Ltd. Periyar.
▪ G. Prakash has been posted as Commissioner ▪ The College continues to be under the control of
of Milk Production and Dairy Development.
the State Government from 1998 and the Joint
▪ N. Subbaiyan will continue holding the post Director of Collegiate Education, Coimbatore
of Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu region, is administering its Activities.
Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd.
▪ There has been a demand for over 20 years
Nemmeli Third Desalination plant to be to convert it as a government college and
ready by April 2023: the State Government now declares it as a
▪ Nearly 32% of the work on the third Government College.
desalination plant at Nemmeli along the
Digital Philatelic Exhibition:
East Coast Road with a capacity to treat 150
million litres a day (mld) of seawater has been ▪ The Department of Posts, Tamil Nadu Circle,
completed. has Organised the 13th State-level philately
Exhibition in digital mode.
▪ Work is in progress to simultaneously lay a
pipeline to supply treated water to various ▪ Called ‘TN Digipex 2022’, the virtual
south Chennai and suburban areas, catering to Exhibition being Organised in association
9 lakh population. with the South India Philatelists’ Association,
▪ The plant is expected to be ready by April next was inaugurated on January 7 and completed
year. on January 10.
▪ The `1,259.38crore project is being ▪ “India’s rich Cultural Heritage” is the theme
implemented under the AMRUT scheme and of the Exhibition.
with financial assistance from KFW (German ▪ The exhibition was being held in digital mode
Development Bank). for the first time to promote philatelists’
collection and to help the youth appreciate the
ISBACON 2022:
Country’s Culture and Heritage.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said entrepreneurs
should focus on new industries while IIT Madras Tech Fest Shastra 2022:
consolidating their position in the existing ▪ Shaastra 2022, the annual festival of IIT Madras
Sectors. will be taking place virtually from January 13
▪ In the wake of the pandemic, entrepreneurs and 16.
should equip themselves to face new ▪ Shaastra is student-run technical festival that
challenges. comprises events and competitions in diverse
▪ Inaugurating ISBACON 2022, the 14th Annual disciplines that ranges from Aeronautics and
conference of Indian Science and Technology Biotechnology to Business.
Entrepreneurs Parks and Business Incubator ▪ This Edition's Summit will focus on gaming
Association (ISBA) in Chennai, Mr. Stalin and Gaming Technology.
said: “We welcome major industries. At ▪ The event would encourage the young minds
the same time, we are giving importance to to solve various industrial and societal-related
MSMEs.” problems in diverse disciplines.
▪ Many events of the 22nd edition of Shaastra, However, he said, that alone would not be
one of India's biggest Annual student-run enough and the State needed to focus on
technical festival, are free to access for the Export-oriented labour-intensive sectors.
public. ▪ It was important to address the resource
▪ The theme for this year's edition is “Code to constraint faced by the State with high deficits
Chaos.” and most of the revenue going towards interest
payments.
Govt. to hold 35.8% stake in Vodafone
▪ Two big areas which needed reforms were
Idea: Property tax sector and power sector.
▪ The Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea Ltd.
approved the conversion of interest — related Government notifies rules for Preparing
to spectrum auction instalments and on Regional Plans:
adjusted gross revenue dues to the Centre — ▪ The Tamil Nadu government has notified the
into equity. Regional Plan (Preparation, Publication and
▪ Post conversion, the government would own Sanction) Rules, 2021, under the Tamil Nadu
35.8% of the telecom carrier. This follows the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
reform package announced by the Government ▪ According to the notification, within 18
last year. Months of the constitution of the Regional
▪ The Net Present Value of this interest is Planning Authority (RPA), it should prepare
expected to be about `16,000 crores. a land and building use map for the regional
planning area and for the different parts of the
CM’s Economic Advisory Council Regional Area.
member for Universal Basic Income: ▪ Within two years of the preparation of the land
▪ Member of Economic Advisory Council to and building use map, the RPA should prepare
the Chief Minister Arvind Subramanian said a draft regional plan for the regional planning
he was in favour of the State introducing a area in consultation with the Development
Universal basic income scheme. and local planning authorities.
▪ An idea of a minimum basic income would ▪ The draft regional plan would have the
help complete Tamil Nadu’s social safety net Location of the region, its historic evolution,
Project and help in individuals realizing their topography, geology and geomorphology,
Potential. hydrology (surface and ground water), climate,
▪ Mr. Subramanian said Tamil Nadu had a administrative profile, functional areas and
Successful social development model and the ratio of urban and rural Development,
currently beneficiaries were targeted based on among others.
particular criteria. ▪ It would also have the extent of use of land
▪ His personal view is universal basic income for residential, industrial, commercial,
is one more step where one can look at the Agricultural and recreational purpose or
leakages happening and rationalize and design as forest or for mineral exploitation, and
a well targeted minimum income Programme. Tentative land requirement projections from
▪ His idea was a quasi-universal basic income various sectors for various zones.
model where the rich were excluded and the ▪ On receiving the draft regional plan from the
Rest covered. RPA through the Director, the Government
▪ Despite having the technology and talent, will either give its consent or direct the RPA to
Chennai had only three Unicorns (startups make modifications in the regional Plan.
valued over $1 billion) out of 80 in India, ▪ After the draft is published and objections and
he added. Unicorns were the boom sector suggestions are received and issues are sorted
in India in the last three years and Tamil out, it will be notified in the Gazette of Tamil
Nadu lagged behind in this dynamic sector. Nadu.
CM lays Foundation for Kalaignar ▪ The new campus is fully funded by the Union
Memorial Library in Madurai: Government and is built at a cost of Rs 24
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin virtually laid Crore.
the foundation for the Kalaignar Memorial ▪ The new campus is equipped with a spacious
Library in Madurai, to be constructed at a cost library, an e-library, seminar halls and a
of `99 crores. Multimedia hall.
▪ The institute library has a rich collection of
PM opens 11 New Medical Colleges in over 45,000 ancient Tamil books.
T.N: ▪ It also aims to translate and publish
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually ‘Thirukkural’ in various Indian as well as 100
Inaugurated a record 11 new government Foreign languages.
Medical colleges across Tamil Nadu.
▪ After inaugurating the campus, PM urged
▪ The colleges, established in Ariyalur, Dindigul, the tamil speaking youth to translate English
Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Nagapattinam, Content into their mother tongue.
Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, the Nilgiris,
▪ He informed that the government is
Tiruppur, Tiruvallur and Virudhunagar,
Developing an AI based language translation
would have a cumulative annual intake of
tool to translate English online courses into 12
1,450 MBBS students.
Indian languages including Tamil.
▪ Mr. Modi, after inauguration speaking from
New Delhi, said it was for the first time that Helplines Opened for Interstate
11 medical colleges were being inaugurated in Migrant Workers:
one State. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has requested
▪ The previous record was nine medical colleges interstate migrant workers to stick to their
in Uttar Pradesh. Workplaces without any fear or anxiety over
▪ The cost of constructing the new colleges in the third wave of the COVID19 pandemic.
Tamil Nadu was shared by the Centre (`2,145 ▪ It has opened control rooms in nine districts
crore) and the State (`1934.6 crore). and Announced Helplines.
▪ Mr. Modi said that in 2014, there were 387 ▪ The helplines are 04424321438 and 04424321408
medical colleges, but the number had gone up which function from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
to 596.
TN CM Calls for Unity Among Tamil
▪ In 2014, India had around 82,000 medical
Diaspora:
Undergraduate and postgraduate seats.
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called for unity
▪ In the last seven years, this number had gone
among the global Tamil diaspora and urged
up to around 1.48 lakh.
them to overlook divisions in Tamil Nadu.
▪ The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat
▪ He invited them to visit Tamil Nadu with
Infrastructure Mission is aimed at addressing
their children to show them the rich cultural
the critical gaps in health infrastructure and
Heritage of the Tamils.
Health research, especially in districts.
▪ He was speaking virtually at the World
▪ A support of over `3000 crore would be
Tamil Diaspora Day (January 12) celebration
provided to Tamil Nadu in the next five years,
organised by the Commissionerate of
he added.
Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-resident
NEW CICT CAMPUS in TN: Tamils.
▪ The Establishment of a new campus of the CICT 31,000 COVID19 Patients covered under
in Chennai is in line with the Prime Minister’s
CMCHIS:
vision to protect and preserve Indian heritage
▪ The treatment of 31,145 COVID19 patients
and promote classical Languages.
was covered under the Chief Minister’s
Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme ▪ The Chief Minister also launched various
(CMCHIS) at a cost of nearly `382 crore. Schemes to distribute marriage assistance to
▪ A total of 1,600 hospitals — 714 Government Eligible women through the Social Welfare
hospitals and 886 Private Hospitals — were and Women Empowerment Department.
being empanelled under the CMCHIS.
▪ Recently, the Tamil Nadu Government ▪ For 2021-22, `762.23 crore has been sanctioned,
entered into an Agreement with United and this is expected to benefit over 94,700
India Insurance Company to implement the women, including 53,599 degree or Diploma
CMCHIS for five more years at a total cost of holders and 41,101 others.
`1248 crore. ▪ The beneficiaries are given an 8 gram gold
coin along with cash assistance, depending on
CM Releases Govt. ‘Report Card’, says their educational qualifications.
2,619 files have been Cleared: ▪ The Marriage assistance schemes are aimed
▪ Presenting the ‘report card’ of his Government, at promoting the education of girl children,
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said preventing child marriage and encouraging
9 He had cleared 2,619 of the 2,683 files that Social Reform.
came to him since he assumed office in
May last Year. Magizh Kanitham:
9 His government had cleared within 100 ▪ Samagra Shiksha will organise “Magizh
days over 2.5 lakh petitions he had received Kanitham”, a virtual training programme, on
during his Electoral Campaign. January 21 and 22 for mathematics teachers
from government schools, in a bid to make
9 Over 2.15 crore families had received
learning the subject simple and fun for
COVID19 relief assistance of `4000 each. Students.
9 While 2.15 crore families had received the ▪ The programme, which will cover Classes VI
dry rations distributed by the government to VIII, will help teachers use interactive tools
as part of the COVID19 relief kit, 50 lakh and aids to dispel the fear in students about
people benefited from the Makkalai Thedi the Subject.
Maruthuvam scheme.
9 Under the Illam Thedi Kalvi scheme, 80,138 Tools to Test ties with the Past
centres were set up, and 1,73,792 lakh ▪ Archaeological excavations at Keeladi and
children who dropped out of school were last year’s carbon dating analysis of rice with
identified and reenrolled. soil found in a burial urn at Sivakalai, which
9 The Dearness Allowance for over 18.30 indicated the Thambirabarani civilisation
lakh State government employees, teachers Dates back to 3,200 years, have reignited an
and pensioners was increased, and gold Interest in the ancientness of Tamil civilisation.
loans were waived, benefiting 13.50 lakh ▪ The State is now using scientific Methodologies,
families. along with literary evidence, to ensure the
findings are irrefutable and stand intellectual
Chief Minister Launches Distribution of scrutiny globally.
Enhanced Pension to Retired Priests: ▪ Normally, the process would be to excavate,
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the exhibit, and corroborate with literary sources.
distribution of enhanced pension to eligible
▪ An Ancient DNA Lab is being set up at
retired priests, who had served in temples
Madurai Kamaraj University in collaboration
including the ones that do not come under the
with international agencies. Samples are being
control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable
sent to Florida for carbon dating.
Endowments Department.
▪ This year, three sites will be added to the
▪ The move is expected to benefit a total of 1,904
excavation list —Tulukkapatti and Vembakottai
retired priests across the State.
to validate the cultural significance of ▪ It all began with a decision taken at a meeting
Adichchanallur and Sivakalai; and Perumbalai at the Victoria Public Hall in Chennai in
that is on the erstwhile Kongu Nadu border. November 1916 to form an organisation
to voice the grievances of nonBrahmins.
Efforts are on to undertake undersea Among those present were T.M. Nair and P.
explorations through a reconnaissance Survey Theagaraya Chetti.
at Korkai, an ancient port. ▪ The meeting paved the way for the
▪ This will be a multimodal agency operation Establishment of the Justice Party.
involving the National Institute of Ocean ▪ A month later, the leaders unveiled a
Technology and the Indian Maritime Document, called ‘Non Brahmin Manifesto’.
University. Thus began the campaign for getting a Rightful
▪ Focus on Archaeology share of the Non Brahmins in public life and
9 Excavation sites in Tamil Nadu include in Government services. Four years later, the
Korkai, Sivakalai, Keeladi, Adichanallur, Justice Party came to power in the Elections
Gangaikondacholapuram, Myladumparai to the Legislative Council, which was how the
and Kodumanal. legislature was called.
9 Funding for Archaeology has ▪ It had its moments of success in September
been Increased from few lakhs to 1921 and August 1922 when two Government
Rs. 5 crores with separate Allocations for orders (GOs), famously called “Communal
documentation and scientific analysis. GOs”, were issued.
9 State-of-the-art Museums are being built ▪ In his Politics and Social Conflict in South
at Keeladi and Tirunelveli to display the India, the Non Brahman Movement and Tamil
Cultural Heritage of the Vaigai and Porunai Separatism, 1916-1929,’ American historian
river valleys. Eugene F Irschick mentions the party “pursued
9 TN Chief Minister M K Stalin has said its demands doggedly, for it realised that
excavations would be carried out in other the implementation of Government Orders
states and countries in search of Tamil to redistribute Government appointments
roots. in favour of Non-Brahmans would fulfil
some of the party’s first Articulated ideas —
9 They include the ancient port city of
administrative power, social position and
Muziris, now known as Pattanam in
Economic Security.”
Kerala; Quseir-al-Qadim and Berenice in
Egypt; and Khor Rori in Oman. ▪ In the first GO, six broad classifications —
Brahmins, Non-Brahmin Hindus, Indian
9 The research will help to establish the
Christians, Muhammadans (Muslims),
Tamil's trade relations with these countries.
European & Anglo Indians, and Others —
History of Reservation in Tamil Nadu: were created.
▪ The recent Supreme Court order permitting ▪ The second GO pointed out that Non
27% quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Brahmin Hindus constituted 48% of the new
in the all India quota for admissions to the appointments made in the six months ending
undergraduate medical courses has been December 1921.
hailed by almost the entire political spectrum ▪ Six years later, when P. Subbaroyan was
in Tamil Nadu as a milestone in the History of the Chief Minister, a scheme of quota was
social justice. designed under which Non Brahmins would
▪ The words, ‘Social Justice,’ may even sound get 5 out of 12 posts (41.67%) and Brahmins,
Cliched to some but a look at the evolution of Anglo Indians Christians and Muslims 2 each
the reservation system reveals how the idea (16.67%).
is an important chapter in the contemporary ▪ Depressed Classes, now called Scheduled
Politics in Tamil Nadu. Castes, would get 1 out of 12 (8.33%). This
development was described by R. Kannan, 69% quota system had to get a constitutional
UN diplomat, in his book “Anna: The Life safeguard, which became a reality in 1994
and Times of C.N. Annadurai”, as the basis owing to the efforts of the then Chief Minister
for the present scheme of reservation. Jayalalithaa (AIADMK) and Prime Minister
▪ Three Months after Independence, when P.V. Narasimha Rao (Congress).
Omandur P. Ramaswami Reddiar of the ▪ During the fifth innings of Karunanidhi as
Congress was the Chief Minister, an exclusive Chief Minister (2006-11), Arunthathiyars and
category — Backward Hindus — was created, Muslims were given internal quotas of 3% and
with 14.29% of the seats earmarked for them. 3.5% within the overall quota for the SCs and
▪ After the Constitution was adopted in 1950, the BCs respectively.
the Madras High Court and then the Supreme
NGT Directs Govt. to Stop Work on Fish
Court quashed the scheme of reservation on
the Grounds of violation of the principle of Landing centre in Thoothukudi:
equality. ▪ The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has
Directed the Tamil Nadu Government to stop
▪ Agitations organised by Dravidar Kazhagam
Further construction of a fish landing centre
founder ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy Naicker
and associated structures at Singithurai in
and pressure exerted by K. Kamaraj, a
Thoothukudi district, which was undertaken
towering figure of the Congress, on the
without requisite clearance under the Coastal
Central government made possible the first
Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011.
Constitutional amendment.
About Coastal Regulation Zone:
▪ In September 1951, the Scheduled Castes
(SCs)/the Scheduled Tribes (STs) were ▪ In India, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
provided with 15% and the BCs with 25%. Rules govern human and industrial activity
close to the coastline, in order to protect the
▪ Kamaraj, as Chief Minister, had got ready the Fragile ecosystems near the sea.
list of ‘More Backward’ among the BCs after
a study. ▪ They restrict certain kinds of activities —
like large constructions, setting up of new
▪ A GO issued in January 1957 stipulated that industries, storage or disposal of hazardous
on a par with those of the SCs, educational material, mining, reclamation and bunding —
concessions alone need be granted to 58 within a certain distance from the coastline.
Communities identified in the list.
▪ Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification
▪ Thirty two years later, when DMK leader was first issued in 1991 by Ministry of
M. Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister, this Environment, Forest and Climate Change
list became the basis for the creation of the (MoEFCC) under Environment (Protection)
category — Most Backward Classes (MBCs) — Act, 1986 with the mandate to take measures to
which got 20% out of 50% for the BCs. protect and conserve our coastal Environment.
▪ Following the recommendations made by ▪ Several amendments were made in the CRZ
the First Backward Classes Commission 1991 notification which was consolidated and
(1969-70), headed by A.N. Sattanathan, issued in the CRZ 2011 notification. The CRZ
Chief Minister Karunanidhi, in May 1971, 2011 notification took into account the Issues
announced 31% quota for the BCs and 18% for of CRZ 1991.
the SCs/STs.
Objectives of CRZ 2011:
▪ In February 1980, the AIADMK Government,
9 To conserve and protect coastal stretches;
led by M.G. Ramachandran, which had
unsuccessfully tried to introduce the creamy 9 To ensure livelihood security to the fishing
layer concept among the BCs, hiked the & local communities living in the coastal
quantum of reservation to 50%. In the wake areas;
of the Supreme Court’s verdict in 1992 in 9 To promote development in a sustainable
the Mandal Commission case, the State’s manner based on scientific principles,
taking into Account Natural Hazards and ▪ This Scheme has been launched in seven
sea-level rise. districts namely- Thanjavur, Tirunelveli,
▪ In December 2018, Union cabinet approved the Madurai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Chennai and
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, Salem.
2018. ▪ The Scheme will hinge on women public
9 Shailesh Nayak Committee was constituted health workers, women health volunteers
in June 2014, and it submitted its report in (WHVs), Physiotherapists and Nurses, who
January 2015. will Provide Healthcare at the Doorstep.
T.N. will Install Pennycuick’s Statue in Mayorship Reserved for SC Woman

U.K: Candidate:
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government will install ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government issued orders to
a statue of Col. Pennycuick in Camberley, reserve the Chennai Mayor post for a woman
United Kingdom, the birthplace of the British belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) when
Army Engineer, who was Instrumental in ordinary elections are conducted for the urban
constructing the Mullaiperiyar reservoir. local bodies in 2022.
▪ Marking the Birth Anniversary of the late ▪ It also reserved the mayor posts in Tambaram
architect of the reservoir, Mr. Stalin said that and Avadi Municipal Corporations for a SC
the government would take steps to install (Women) and SC (General) respectively.
the statue at the city’s central park, after
▪ This will be the first time a woman from the
obtaining necessary Permission from the U.K.
SC community will be elected as Mayor of
Government.
Chennai when “indirect elections” are held for
▪ Col. Pennycuick built the dam in 1895
the urban local bodies this year.
which had resulted in farmers carrying out
Cultivation on over 2 Lakh Acres of land. ▪ The mayor posts in nine Corporations —
▪ Apart from this, the reservoir has also been a Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode,
prime source of drinking water in the region. Kancheepuram, Karur, Madurai, Sivakasi
and Vellore have been reserved for Women
▪ As a mark of respect, late Chief Minister M.
Karunanidhi had unveiled Col. Pennycuick’s (General) candidates.
statue on the Public Works Department ▪ The mayor post in other 9 Corporations
campus in Tallakulam, Madurai on January - Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur,
15, 2000. Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Hosur, Nagercoil,
Kumbakonam are reserved for General
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam: category.
▪ Since the launch of Makkalai Thedi ▪ The State government also reserved the post
Maruthuvam Scheme on August 5 2021 in of chairperson of 10 municipalities to SC
Tamil Nadu, the beneficiaries of the scheme (General) candidates, 10 Municipalities to SC
crossed over 45 lakhs. (Women), one Municipality to woman from
▪ This scheme has been made to provide door- the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and 58 others to
to-door health facilities among the people of Women (General).
the state who are above 45 years of age. ▪ It also reserved 288 chairperson posts in town
▪ Under the Door Step Health Care Scheme, panchayats — two for ST (Women), one for
door-to-door checkups and medicines will be ST (General), 43 for SC (Women), 42 for SC
provided to the people. (General) and 200 for Women (General).
▪ To bring development in all the health ▪ There are 21 Municipal Corporations in Tamil
Facilities delivered through this scheme, the Nadu. Among them, Cuddalore, Sivakasi,
Government has covered 1172 health sub Kumbakonam, Tambaram, Karur, Hosur,
centres, 189 Primary health centers and 50 Nagercoil and Avadi Corporations are facing
Community Health Centres. the election for the First Time.
TN is the most Attractive relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening

Investment Destination: disaster situation or disaster.
▪ Tamil Nadu has emerged as the most attractive ▪ It supplements the State Disaster Response
investment destination in the first nine months Fund (SDRF) in case of a disaster of severe
of FY22. nature, provided adequate funds are not
▪ The State is the highest net gainer in terms of available in the SDRF.
Investment during April to December 2021.
Central Institute of Classical Tamil
▪ The State attracted investment worth `1,43,902 Releases Eight Books:
crore during this period against `36,292 crore
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released eight books
in the same period last year — a net gain of
published by the Central Institute of Classical
`1,07,610 crore.
Tamil (CICT) in Chennai when he visited its
▪ Gujarat came second with a net gain of `77,892 new premises at Perumbakkam.
crore and Telangana third (`65,288 crore), says ▪ Minister for Industries (who holds the
a report by Projects Today. portfolio of Tamil Official Language and
▪ Some of the companies that have committed Culture) Thangam Thennarasu received the
investment in Tamil Nadu include Tata Group; first copies of the books.
JSW Renew; Hindustan Unilever; TVS Motor;
▪ The books are:
Adani and Larsen & Toubro.
9 Tholkappiya Aayvu, Dheivachchilayaar
CM asks Home Minister to Release Uraineri, Ayngurunooru Kurinji,
NDRF aid: Ayngurunooru Paalai, Vaaymozhi
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Vaaypattu Kotpaattu Nokkil Sanga
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterating Ilakkiyam, Puthiya Nokkil Kalabirar
his request to urgently release the National Varalaaru, Dravidian Comparative
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) assistance for Grammar - II and A Historical Grammar of
the damages caused by the recent floods. Tamil.
About National Disaster Response Fund About CICT:
(NDRF): ▪ The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT)
▪ National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) is an autonomous Institute of higher research
was renamed as National Disaster Response functioning under the Ministry of education,
Fund (NDRF) with the enactment of the Government of India.
Disaster Management Act in 2005. ▪ This is an Institute constituted specifically for
▪ It is placed in the “Public Account” of carrying out higher research Classical Tamil at
Government of India under “reserve funds not international levels not to be found elsewhere
bearing interest. globally.
▪ Public Accounts: It was constituted under ▪ This unique Institute is functioning in Chennai
Article 266 (2) of the Constitution. It accounts from May 19, 2008. Earlier, from March, 2006
for flows for those transactions where the to May 18, 2008, the Institute was functioning
government is merely acting as a banker eg. in the campus of the Central Institute of Indian
provident funds, small savings etc. These Languages, Mysore and it was called Centre
Funds do not belong to the Government and for Excellence of Classical Tamil.
have to be paid back at some time. ▪ The CICT is engaged in several research
▪ Expenditures from it are not required to be activities aimed at establishing the ancientness
approved by the Parliament. and uniqueness of Tamil and of Classical
▪ It is managed by the Central Government for Tamil in particular and in propagating its
meeting the expenses for emergency response, Findings Globally.
Northern districts ahead in Readmitting ▪ Again, the Tamil Nadu government on August
‘Out of School Children’: 25, 2021 renamed the State Development Policy
▪ Northern districts of Tamil Nadu account for Council as the State Planning Commission.
about 40% of 1.77 lakh children who have been ▪ The SDPC was tasked with preparing short,
brought back to the system of schooling. medium and long-term plans and strategy
▪ In what is billed as the first of its intervention, documents, monitoring, evaluation and policy
an exercise is under way to take back those advocacy, creating policy coherence and
who have fallen into the category of “Out of implementation of special programmes.
school children (OoSC).” ‘Reservation of Mayor post based on
▪ In the School Education Department’s Census 2011, Legal Provisions’
initiative of readmitting the children, ▪ The scheme of reservation, worked out for the
Tiruvallur district topped in the State with post of Mayor for 12 municipal corporations
14,526 children, followed by Chennai — 9,833 out of 21 in Tamil Nadu, is based on the data of
and Chengalpattu — 9,359. Census 2011 and the legal provisions relevant
▪ The annual OoSC survey carried out five to urban local bodies, according to a senior
months ago covered 5,37,587 children. Government Official.
CM asks Planning Panel to Monitor Anna Centenary Library Restoration
Schemes: Underway:
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called upon the ▪ The Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram
members of the State Planning Commission is all set to get an overhaul.
(SPC) to come up with comprehensive ▪ In the next six months, visitors here will be
suggestions for the development of the State. welcomed by a sea of changes that include an
He urged them to monitor whether the welfare LED wall displaying events and programmes,
schemes implemented by the Government special light settings, refurbished floors, and
reached the people at the grassroots. new furniture.
▪ SPC Vice Chairperson J. Jeyaranjan made ▪ A major chunk from Rs 29 crore would be spent
a presentation on the functions of the to repair and improve the infrastructure in the
commission, new policies, information on the library. The government allotted Rs 6.5crore to
department wise reviews, field visits. buy new books, e-books and e-journals for the
▪ Chairing the review meeting Stalin pointed next three years.
out: “We have to agree that our development ▪ The library was inaugurated by the then Chief
is not equally distributed. Industrial growth Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi on 15
differs between districts and so is education. September 2010, named after the former chief
While poverty is low in some districts, it is minister of Tamil Nadu, C. N. Annadurai.
high in other districts." ▪ Built on 8 acres of land, the 9-floor library
About State Planning Commission of Tamil houses a total area of 333,140 sq. ft and has a
Nadu: capacity to accommodate 1.2 million books, it
▪ The State Planning Commission was is the largest library in South Asia.
constituted on 25-05-1971 to help Government ▪ The library was designed by
to implement its policies effectively by more C. N. Raghavendran.
efficient utilization of the material, capital and ▪ In July 2010, the library building received the
human resources within the State and outside LEED NC Gold rating from IGBC becoming
it. the first library building in Asia to reach this.
▪ The state Government has changed the name This project has achieved 43 LEED points,
of the State Planning Commission into State highest amongst any Government buildings
Development Policy Council on 23-04-2020. in Tamil Nadu thus far.
Foundation stone laid for Bharathi ▪ The scheme, improvised and expanded by the
Centre at Kadayam: successive regimes, has become an acclaimed
▪ Speaker M. Appavu laid the foundation stone universal model to attract students to schools
for Bharathi Centre to be built at Kadayam in and Prevent Dropouts.
Tenkasi district, the native place of the poet’s ▪ Consistency on the State’s two language policy
wife Chellammal, on an outlay of `2 crore. drafted to oppose the Centre’s attempted
Hindi imposition, brought with it a byproduct,
▪ The centre, to be built by Sevalaya, a non-
English proficiency, a key driver of global
Governmental Organisation, will come up
employment opportunities.
on Kadayam library premises, where life-size
▪ If this prepared Graduates for the corporate
bronze statues of Bharathi and Chellammal
world, privatization of engineering education
will also be installed.
by the M.G. Ramachandran regime, despite its
Fourth Police Commission in critical drawbacks, ensured Tamil Nadu was
Tamil Nadu: ready with qualified manpower to supply to
the information technology sector in its early
▪ Tamilnadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has
years.
issued orders to constitute the Fourth Police
Commission which will be headed by retired ▪ Three other factors facilitated this upward
Madras High court Judge C.T. Selvam. mobility for families that did not belong to the
socially privileged classes.
▪ The state government order said that the Tamil
▪ First, the affirmative communal reservation
Nadu Government is determined to ensure a
policy driven by the core understanding of
crime-free environment.
the political class that not family vocation but
▪ It further stated that the Police department is education is empowerment.
playing an important role in maintaining law
▪ Second, the vision to create necessary
and order in the state.
infrastructure for the IT and manufacturing
▪ In a bid to improve the relationship between sectors when the time was ripe by the M.
the police and the general public, the Dravida Karunanidhi (DMK) dispensation during
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government had 1996-2001.
set up three police commissions, 1969, 1989, ▪ Third, the Tamil Nadu Placement Programme
and 2006 respectively. launched during Jayalalithaa’s regime (2001-
▪ Senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal 06) that brought competent job aspirants
will function as the panel’s Member-Secretary. under one platform and reversed the lopsided
▪ The Police Commission will extensively recruitment policy of corporates of heading to
examine measures towards the welfare of city colleges for talent hunting.
police personnel and various other aspects ▪ In school education, Tamil Nadu was a model
related to policing and will submit its for activity-based learning, and the Uniform
recommendations within a time frame. System of School education (USS or Samacheer
Kalvi) has to an extent bridged the disparity in
Progressive Policies put the State in the quality of Education.
Pole Position Track Record of GER in TN:
▪ Continuation, improvisation and expansion of ▪ T.N.’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is 51.4 as
early progressive policies to take education to against the national Average of 27.1.
the masses have catapulted Tamil Nadu to an ▪ GER of women is 51 against national average
envious position in the knowledge Economy. of 27.3.
▪ The Congress’s K. Kamaraj had not only ▪ GER of SC men and women are 38.8 and 40.4
taken schools to the villages but launched respectively, and of ST men and women are
the farsighted noon-meal scheme to ensure 43.8 and 37.7 respectively, which are almost
retention of students. double the National Average.
▪ The state has 587 engineering and Architectural 9 Thullukkarpatti in Tirunelveli district
colleges. (Phase I)
▪ It has 495 Polytechnic institutions and 14 hotel 9 and Perumpalai in Dharmapuri district
management/catering institutions. (Phase I)
▪ There are 887 arts and science Colleges, 649 ▪ These excavations would go on till September.
Colleges of education, 11 Physical education
colleges, and two schools of Social Work. Silent Revolution in R & D in
What is GER? Tamil Nadu:
▪ Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) or Gross ▪ A silent revolution in the research and
Enrolment Index (GEI) is a statistical measure development (R&D) space has been on in
used in the education sector, to determine Tamil Nadu in recent years.
the number of students enrolled in school at
several different grade levels (like elementary, ▪ Industry captains say the State’s progress
middle school and high school), and use it to has remained an untold story, and there is
show the ratio of the number of students who potential to make it a hub for innovation.
live in that country to those who qualify for ▪ According to statistics from the Department
the particular grade level. of Science and Technology, Government of
India, Tamil Nadu’s R&D spend stood at ₹668
T.N. to Conduct Reconnaissance Survey
crore in financial year 2017-18, accounting for
in Sea off Korkai Coast:
about 9.5% of ₹7,264.81 crore spent in India.
▪ A reconnaissance survey in the sea off the
coast of Korkai in Thoothukudi district, which ▪ This was the second highest, after Gujarat,
finds mention in Sangam literature, will be which accounted for 10.9%.
undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Archaeology ▪ The State has 751 R&D institutions as of
Department in collaboration with the Indian 2021 and 2,742 patents were filed in 2017-18
Maritime University & National Institute of accounting for 17.6% of the 15,550 applications
Ocean Technology. filed by Indian nationals. Only Maharashtra,
▪ The offshore explorations would be undertaken with 24.6% of patents, was ahead.
near the estuary where the Thamirabarani
▪ French glass and building materials maker
joins the sea, and are aimed at exploring the
Saint-Gobain explored at least four different
archaeological value of the ancient port of
Korkai. States where it had a manufacturing footprint
to set up an R&D centre.
▪ From the first week of February, archaeological
excavations would be undertaken at seven ▪ The company set up its R&D facility in 2012
sites across the State, he added. and moved into a permanent place at IIT
▪ The excavations would be undertaken in Madras Research Park in 2016 and has done
9 Keeladi and nearby locations (Konthagai, 120 patents, including 26 filed last year.
Agaram and Manalur) in Sivaganga district ▪ The roots of R&D go way back to the
(Phase VIII); establishment of Central Leather Research
9 Sivagalai in Thoothukudi district Institute in Chennai in 1948, as a constituent
(Phase III) laboratory of the Council of Scientific and
9 Gangaikondacholapuram in Ariyalur Industrial Research (CSIRCLRI).
district (Phase II) ▪ Tamil Nadu is among the first three positions
9 Mayiladumparai in Krishnagiri district in India in automotive, auto components,
(Phase II) general Engineering, space tech, software,
9 Vembakkottai in Virudhunagar district wind energy, healthcare, cotton spinning and
(Phase I) readymade Garments.
Electric Vehicle Wave in Chennai: A Steady Growth of SC

▪ Tamil Nadu, known as the Detroit of Asia for Entrepreneurs
over two decades with the presence of Major ▪ Tamil Nadu, a front ranking State in the sector
automobile manufacturing units and allied of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
industries in and around Chennai, has quickly (MSMEs), is witnessing a steady growth of
embraced the Electric Vehicle (EV) wave. entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Castes.
▪ In the last six months, the TN CM M.K. Stalin ▪ Though the number of the SC entrepreneurs
has inked 10 memoranda of understanding in is not proportionate to the share of the
the EV space, entailing an investment of `6,541 community in the population, it is growing.
crore and jobs for 26,865 people. ▪ In fact, as per the 4th All India Census of
▪ Mobility Park: A first of its kind `300 crore EV MSMEs (registered sector) census undertaken
in 2006-07 and published in 2011, the State had
future mobility park is coming up at Soolagiri
the highest number of SC owned enterprises
in Krishnagiri.
with 18,120, about 15.24% of such units at the
Eight lakh incentive to Chess all-India level.
Grandmaster: ▪ Under the schemes New Entrepreneur cum
▪ The CM also handed over a cheque for Enterprise Development Scheme (NEEDS)
and Unemployed Youth Employment
`8 lakh as an incentive to Bharat Subramaniam,
Generation Programme (UYEGP) the SC
a native of Tamil Nadu who became the Chess
participants are given support.
Grandmaster this year.
▪ The SC entrepreneurs refer to the arrangement
▪ Minister for Sports Development Siva V.
by the Central government wherein out
Meyyanathan was present. of the 25% target of annual procurement
Ennum Ezhuthum Mission: from MSMEs, 4% should be set aside for SC
enterprises.
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government Recently
Announced a Foundational Literacy and Status of Scheduled Castes owned
Numeracy Programme called the Ennum MSMEs as on June 30, 2020:
Ezhuthum Mission, to be implemented in ▪ They pertained to those units registered under
2022-2023 in government schools across the the Udyog Aadhar Memorandum (UAM),
which was in existence between September
state over the next five years.
2015 and June 2020.
▪ Working with children in Class 1, 2 and 3, the
▪ Udyam replaced UAM in July 2020.
ambitious project aims to ensure that by 2025,
all students in Tamil Nadu’s government Tamil Nadu enjoys a Pride of Place at the
schools are able to have reading and arithmetic all-India Level:
skills appropriate for their level by age 8 (or ▪ Ranked third nationally, Tamil Nadu has an
estimated Number of 49.48 lakh MSMEs with
Class 3).
8% share, providing employment to 96.73 lakh
▪ Madhi Foundation, an NGO is collaborating persons.
with the Tamil Nadu Government to
▪ After the launch of Udyam, Tamil Nadu has
implement the Ennum Ezhuthum Mission.
been placed second with 5,48,504 registered
Merlia Shaukath is the founder of Madhi MSMEs and 10.8% of all the enterprises
Foundation. registered across the country till the end of
▪ The field Experiment of the programme has September 2021.
begun in Tamil Nadu. Concessions & Incentives for SC
▪ A curriculum manual containing Tamil, Entrepreneurs:
Mathematics and English subjects is currently ▪ SC/Scheduled Tribes account for 19% of
being developed for this purpose. aspirants under the New Entrepreneur-cum-
Enterprise Development Scheme (NEEDS), a CLAPP Rolled out for Police:

Tamil Nadu Government Scheme. ▪ A new android app has been launched for
▪ Annually, 1,000 Candidates are chosen to Greater Chennai police personnel to apply for
assist the educated youth to become First Leave and to get it sanctioned immediately.
Generation Entrepreneurs. ▪ Called "CLAPP (Complete Leave APP)", the
▪ State government provides an additional app has been designed to eradicate delays,
capital subsidy of 5% on the value of Eligible summary rejections or favoritism by the
plant and Machinery subject to a Maximum of sanctioning authority and is aimed at Ensuring
5 Lakh. transparency in the leave process.
▪ In the allotment of plots or sheds by the ▪ The sanctioning authority must respond
Tamil Nadu small Industries Development within three hours. If there is delay of more
Corporation, Priority is shown to the extends than three hours, it will be escalated to the
of 20% for SC/ST and transgender. officer above the sanctioning authority.
▪ Under Unemployed Youth Employment ▪ For those who do not have the internet, they
Generation Programme (UYEGP), a can use advanced CLAPP V2 and apply by
sending an SMS.
Programme of the state government, and
Prime Minister's Employment Generation Madurai's Alanganallur to get new
Programme (PMEGP), a Central Scheme, the Jallikattu Arena:
beneficiary contribution is kept at 5%. ▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced that a
▪ While the upper age limit is fixed at 45 Under new jallikattu arena with world-class Facilities
the UYEGP, the Centre, through PMEGP, would be built at Alanganallur.
provides a subsidy of 25% of the Project cost ▪ An exhibition centre on bulls will also be set
for enterprises set up in Urban areas and 35% up near the arena.
for enterprises in Rural Areas. ▪ This was among the works for various
schemes in the district, costing
Item Micro Small Medium Rs 342.33 crore, the Chief Minister inaugurated
through video conferencing.
Tamilnadu 51,016 4,927 104 ▪ Referring to Chennai's rapid developmental
Proportion Growth following the inception of the Chennai
Metropolitan Development Authority
of SC-owned
(CMDA), Stalin said,
enterprises
in the State’s 9 "The recently-unveiled Urban
Development Authority for Madurai will
total MSME 5.26% 3.7% 2.40%
ensure the development of the city. All
enterprises
infrastructure here will be augmented
belonging
considering the city’s rising Population”.
to all Social
Categories Semmozhi Tamil Awards Presented to
Proportion
10 Scholars:
of SC-owned ▪ The awards are presented by the Kalignar M.
Karunanidhi Tamil Aivu Arakkatalai, which
enterprises of
was set up by the former Chief Minister after
Tamil Nadu in 6% 8.20% 6.30%
the Central Institute of Classical Tamil was set
all-India figure
up in 2008.
of SC-owned
▪ The award was instituted in 2009 with
enterprises
Prof. Asko Parpola from Finland being its
first recipient at the World Classical Tamil Tamil Nadu will Execute Water
Conference in Coimbatore in 2010. Project: Minister
▪ The award carries a cheque for `10 lakh, a ▪ Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan
citation plaque and a bronze replica of the asserted that Tamil Nadu had the right to
Donor execute, legally and on humanitarian grounds,
▪ There are two foreigners in the list - V.S. Rajam the second phase of the Hogenakkal combined
(USA) and Ulrike Niklas (Germany) drinking water project.
▪ The 10 scholars are: ▪ The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, in its
S.No Scholars Years final order of February 2017, allocated 2.2
thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) to Tamil
1 VS. Rajam 2010 Nadu for consumptive use.
2 Pon Kothandaraman 2011 ▪ Consequently, the State had been permitted to
draw about 11 tmc ft. This had been made, after
3 E. Sundaramoorthy 2012
the Tribunal had apportioned water among
4 P. Marudhanayagam 2013 States [and Union Territory of Puducherry]
5 K. Mohanarasu 2014 of the Cauvery basin on the basis of irrigated
areas served.
6 Maraimalai Illakuvanar 2015
▪ After providing water to all parties to the
7 K. Rajan 2016 dispute, the Tribunal had fixed 25.71 tmc
8 Ulrike Niklas 2017 ft as Tamil Nadu’s share out of the balance
quantum of water.
9 Erode Tamizhanban 2018
▪ This was worked out on the basis of the 2011
10 K. Sivamani 2019 Census, after considering the requirements of
the permitted Irrigated Schemes.
Keeladi Excavations Documented:
Stalin opposes Changes to IAS Rules:
▪ The Archaeological excavations at Keeladi
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote
in Sivaganga district have highlighted how
to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposing
urbanised the Vaigai valley was as early as the
the proposed Amendments to the IAS (Cadre)
6th Century B.C.
Rules, 1954.
▪ Now, an artist has documented the lives and
work of the men and women involved in the ▪ He argued that it struck at the very root of the
excavation. country’s federal polity and State autonomy.
▪ V. Saranraj’s photographs have been ▪ He urged the Prime Minister to engage with
displayed, under the title, ‘Keeladi,’ as part of the States to further strengthen the nation’s
the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB) Edition- federal spirit.
III at the Roja Muthiah Research Library at ▪ Contending that civil servants must be
Taramani. allowed to work with a free mind and stay
▪ They showcase the role of these workers in apolitical, Mr. Stalin said the ramifications
the excavation and the steps involved in the of the proposed amendments were ominous
process before artefacts were presented. and would cause an irreparable damage to
▪ From measuring the site to digging, probing, the spirit of cooperative federalism that exists
accessing historical objects, carefully collecting between the Union and the States and result
and cleaning them and the tools that were in concentration of power with the Union
used, the photographs have documented it all. Government.
Arumughaswamy Panel gets Public Libraries Act, Rules to be

Extension revisited
▪ The State Government extended till June 24 ▪ Conscious of the problem of lack of funds being
the tenure of Justice A. Arumughaswamy faced by public libraries and the consequent
Commission of Inquiry constituted to probe adverse impact on development works of
the Libraries Department, the Tamil Nadu
the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
government has decided to revisit the Public
▪ The panel’s tenure was to expire on January Libraries Act, 1948, and the Public Libraries
24. Rules, 1950.
▪ The panel had sought extension to examine ▪ An eight-member high-level committee,
witnesses in the wake of the Supreme Court headed by former Tamil University Vice-
order. chancellorM. Rajendran, has been constituted,
according to an order issued by the Education
BHOG Certification for Prasadam Department last week.
▪ Chief Minister M. K. Stalin appreciated the
Urban Local Bodies polls to be held in
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Single Phase on Feb. 19
(HR&CE) Department for obtaining BHOG
▪ Tamil Nadu State Election Commissioner V.
certification for Prasadam (offering to deities)
Palanikumar announced that the urban local
and food distributed as part of Annadhanam
bodies polls for 21 municipal corporations,
scheme at 314 temples in the State. including Chennai, 138 municipalities and
▪ As a token of appreciation, he met the 490 town Panchayats, will be held in a single
executive officers of 15 temples at an event at phase on February 19.
the Secretariat and handed over the Blissful
Hygienic Offering to God (BHOG) certificates CM to launch All India Federation for
issued by the Food Safety and Standards Social Justice
Authority of India. ▪ On the occasion of Republic Day, Chief
Minister M.K. Stalin said he will soon launch
Chola-era Inscriptions found at Temple an All-India Federation for Social Justice,
near Villupuram which will have “leaders from oppressed
classes from all States”.
▪ Inscriptions of the Chola period were
▪ Addressing a national webinar on ‘Taking
discovered at the Vishnu temple at Angur in
Forward the Struggle for Social Justice and
Villupuram district. Joint National Programme (JNP) for Social
▪ They belong to the period of Kulottunga I Justice Movement’, Mr. Stalin said,
(1070-1120), Vikrama Chola (1118-1135) and 9 “The proposed federation will provide
Kulottunga II (1133-1150). suggestions to all States on laws related to
social justice.
CM Inaugurates T.N. Unmanned Aerial 9 ‘Everything for everyone’ will be the base
Vehicles Corpn. Expo of this federation. This will be a federation
▪ Inaugurating the Tamil Nadu Unmanned that works to achieve the principles of
Aerial Vehicles Corporation exhibition in federalism and Social Justice.”
Anna University, Chennai, which has been set ▪ The webinar was jointly organized by the All-
up at `10 crore, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said India Backward Classes Federation (AIBCF),
the need for drones were on the rise. the Social Revolution Alliance (SRA), Phule
Ambedkari Gauravshali Aur Adarshawadi
▪ He also virtually inaugurated the 1 MW Muhim (PAGAAM), the All India Backward
capacity solar power plant established at and Minority Communities Employees
`7.25 crore in the Madurai Kamaraj University Federation (BAMCEF), We the People (WTP)
campus. and Lead India.
CM Announces Awards for Otteri during Nivar cyclone and rescued a

Scholars: differently-abled boy Palani and reunited him
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the 2021 with his family in three hours was given the
awards for scholars, organisations and media award.
houses that contributed to the development of ▪ Next to receive the award was M.Rajiv
Tamil language. Gandhi, a fireman from Villupuram district,
▪ From this year the award money has been who rescued two boys from drowning in a
flood.
increased to `2 lakhs from `1 lakh each.
▪ Dr. K. Asokan, forest veterinary assistant
▪ The award winners will be honoured with
surgeon, was awarded the gallantry medal for
a one sovereign gold medal, a shawl and a
successfully tranquilising two forest elephants
citation.
and saving many lives.
▪ The winners are:
▪ Four members of the public were awarded the
9 Perarignar Anna Award - Nanjil Sampath. Anna medal for gallantry.
9 Mahakavi Bharathiyar Award ▪ Tey are
- Bharathi Krishnakumar. 9 Muthukrishnan from Sivaganga was
9 Pavendhar Bharathidasan Award awarded for saving the lives of five people
- Senthalai Gowthaman. who fell into a canal. Nine-year-old
9 Sollin Selvar Award - Surya Xavier. Chandrasekaran of Tiruchy got the award
9 Singaravelar Award - for saving the life of a Class four student
Madukkur Ramalingam. who fell into a well.
9 Thamizhthai Award - Malaysian 9 Sokknathan and Sudha, from Tiruppur,
Tamil Writers Association. were awarded the medal for rescuing five
school children from drowning.
9 Arutperunjyothi Vallalar
Award– Sanjeevirayar. 9 M.Thaniyarasu from Tiruvottiyur was
awarded for alerting the residents of
9 Si Pa Aditanar Award -
TNUHDB building before it collapsed.
Uyirmmai magazine.
▪ C.Ramasamy from Salem district was
9 Kambar Award - Bharathi Baskar. awarded C. Narayanasamy Naidu Award for
9 G.U. Pope Award - veteran journalist the highest yield of rice (13,800 kg per hectare).
and former Readers’ Editor of The ▪ Gandhi Adigal Police Medal was given
Hindu A.S. Panneerselvan. to policemen for their outstanding work in
9 Maraimalai Adigalar Award - Suki Sivam curtailing illicit liquor.
9 Ilango Adigal Award - Nellai Kanan. ▪ The Tirupur south, Tiruvannamalai Taluk
9 Ayothidas Pandithar Award and Anna Nagar police stations were named
- Gnana Aloysius. the best police stations in the State.
Stalin Presents Anna medals for Padma Sri to me will bring joy and
Gallantry to Brave Hearts: encouragement to Thavil Musicians:
▪ An Air Force helicopter showered flower ▪ Thavil musician Kongampattu AV
petals over the venue after the tricolour was Murugaiyan, one of the Padma Shri recipients
unfurled. Wing Commander Anuj Gupta is joyous over the announcement by the
was the overall Parade Commander of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the occasion of
Republic Day parade in Chennai. 73rd Republic Day.
▪ Stalin presented Anna medals for gallantry to ▪ "It is not only an honour for me but the award
policemen and members of the public. to me will bring joy and encouragement
▪ Inspector Rajeswari who saved Ganesh, to young musicians to learn Thavil," said
a painter, from a dilapidated house in Murugaiyan.
▪ The 58-year-old Thavil exponent who is that would provide seamless coverage by
the only recipient of the Padma award from easing the process of application, approval
Puducherry was born in Kongampattu village, and Installation of Telecom Infrastructure.
near Kandamangalam in Villupuram district. ▪ A G.O. issued by the Information Technology
▪ He is the seventh from Puducherry to win the Department recently said the policy was in
Padma award. consonance with Indian Telegraph Right of
▪ He is a recipient of several awards including the Way Rules 2016 and is applicable to all existing
Kalaimamani Award from the Government of and future telecom infrastructure, which
Tamil Nadu in 2006. would streamline the process of applications
▪ He was conferred the title of ‘Aasthana and granting of permission for installation of
Vidwan’ by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peeda and mobile towers, laying of optical fibre cable and
Sreepuram Golden Temple. other telecom infrastructure.
▪ He was an A Plus Grade Artist on All India ▪ The policy aims at increasing mobile telecom
Radio, who has also performed at concerts in penetration in rural areas, providing reliable,
several international countries and represented affordable, high-quality telecommunication
India in the “Festival of India" in Paris. and internet services and providing high
speed and high-quality broadband access to
▪ He is a Thavil teacher at Villupuram
the rural areas and adopting green and citizen
Government Music school, where he has
friendly telecom sites.
taught more than 300 students in his 23 years
of service at the school. ▪ For laying Underground Telegraph
Infrastructure, every application would have
Funds Alloted for Magizh Kanidham to be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of
Scheme: ₹1000 a kilometre or part thereof exclusive of
▪ 'Magizh Kanitham' (Learning Mathematics taxes.
with Joy) will, according to Samagra Shiksha ▪ In case of establishing Mobile Tower
officials, kindle interest among children to (Overground Telegraph Infrastructure),
learn mathematics. every application has to be accompanied by a
▪ To implement the scheme, Tamil Nadu onetime non-refundable fee of `10,000 a tower.
government has allotted Rs. 93.79 lakhs for ▪ For establishing Overground Telegraph/
6948 schools (Rs. 1350 per school). Optical Fibre Cable line, every application
▪ R. Sudhan, State Project Director, Samagra under subsection of (1) of Section 11 of this
Siksha in his circular to primary education Policy, shall be accompanied by a onetime
officials said for the students from 6th to 8th nonrefundable fee of `1000 per kilometre or
class in government schools in Tamil Nadu to part thereof exclusive of taxes, it said.
learn maths easily 'Magizh Kanidham' scheme
is yet to be implemented. States must decide on SC/ST Quota in
▪ The School Education Department has
Promotions:
conducted an online training programme for ▪ The Supreme Court refused to lay down the
mathematics teachers on January 20 and 21 “yardstick” for determining the inadequacy
to give them a basic knowledge on the new of representation for granting reservation
concept. in promotions for Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe candidates in government
State unveils its Telecom Infrastructure jobs.
Policy 2022: ▪ The court stuck firm by the decisions of its
▪ The State government has formulated the Constitution Benches in the Jarnail Singh and
Tamil Nadu Telecom Infrastructure Policy, M. Nagaraj cases that the question of adequate
2022, aiming at developing a robust and secure representation of SC/ST communities ought
state-of-the-art telecommunication network to be left to the respective States to determine.
Acknowledging Demographic CM Administers Pledge against

transition, T.N. prepares Draft policy for Untouchability:
Elders: ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin administered the
▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has framed pledge against untouchability to Ministers,
a Draft policy for senior citizens in an senior officials and staff at the Secretariat in
Acknowledgement of the State’s ongoing Fort St. George on January 29, to mark the
demographic transition. In this endeavor, it death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
plans to partner with field experts, academic About:
institutions and civil society organisations ▪ The Gandhi murder trial took place in Delhi’s
working for the welfare of senior citizens in Red Fort.
rural and urban Tamil Nadu. ▪ Godse and Narayan Apte were sentenced
▪ The draft document is based on Article 41 to death. Vinayak Savarkar was acquitted.
of the Constitution, which requires the State Others, including Nathuram’s brother Gopal
to secure the right to work, education and to Godse, were given prison sentences on
public assistance in cases of unemployment, conspiracy charges.
old age, sickness and disablement. Books on Gandhiji's Assassination:
▪ According to the report Elderly in India, 2021 ▪ Veteran journalist Dhirendra K Jha - 'Gandhi's
released by the Ministry of Statistics and Assasin: The Making of Nathuram Godse
Programme Implementation, Tamil Nadu and His Idea of India'.
had 13.6% of senior citizens last year. ▪ Koenraad Elst - 'Why I Killed the Mahatma:
▪ It is projected to have the second highest Uncovering Godse’s Defence'.
proportion of people aged 60 and above (after ▪ Justice GD Khosla was one of the judges who
Kerala), with 18.2% in 2031. presided over Godse’s trial. He authored the
▪ As per the draft policy, the State government book 'Murder of the Mahatma'.
will focus on health and nutrition, social ▪ Prof Makarand R Paranjape - 'The Death and
security schemes, livelihood and income Afterlife of Mahatma Gandhi' in 2014.
security, housing and environment, safety,
▪ Louis Fischer - biography 'The Life of
institutional care, awareness and education,
Mahatma Gandhi'.
research and documentation, disaster
management and set up the Directorate for the ▪ British historian Robert Payne - 'The Life and
Welfare of the Senior Citizens. Death of Mahatma Gandhi'.
▪ Tushar Gandhi, the Mahatma’s grandson -
541 MBBS, BDS seats Allotted in First 'Let’s Kill Gandhi' in 2007.
day of Medical Counselling under 7.5
per cent Quota:
▪ Medical counselling for government school
students under the 7.5 per cent reservation
began on January 28.
▪ The selection committee had called 762
candidates for the counselling, of which 739
attended it.
▪ A total of 541 seats were allotted, of which 437
were MBBS seats.

Topic : Current Affairs – February 2022 (English)
© Copyright
Competitive Exams.
Director,

Contents
HISTORY
01
GEOGRAPHY
26
30 ECONOMICS
SCIENCE
45
NATIONAL–DIARY OF
EVENT 50
69 INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
72
87
GENERAL
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
KNOWLEDGE
History | 1
1. HISTORY
1.1 IMPORTANT DAYS

▪ World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (World
NTD Day) is observed on January 30 every year to
raise awareness about neglected tropical diseases
30 January World NTD Day (NTDs) as a critical public health challenge so
that we can progress towards their elimination.
▪ 2022 theme is ‘Achieving health equity to end
the neglect of poverty-related diseases.
01 to 07 Wild Interfaith ▪ 1st Proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan in
February Harmony Week 2010.
▪ World Wetlands Day is observed every year on

February 2 all over the world.
▪ 2022 marks 51 years of the Convention on
02 February World Wetlands Day Wetlands.
▪ The international theme for World Wetlands Day
2022 is ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’.
▪ World Cancer Day is observed every year globally

on 4th February by the Union for International
Cancer Control.
04 February World Cancer Day ▪ This year’s World Cancer Day’s theme, “Close
the Care Gap”.
▪ The day came into existence on February 4, 2000,
during the World Cancer Conference for the
New Millennium in Paris, France.
04 February International Day of ▪ First celebrated in 2021.
Human Fraternity ▪ The Day is part of the “World Interfaith Harmony
Week”.
06 February International Day ▪ First Introduced in 2003.

of Zero Tolerance ▪ Theme: “Accelerating Investment to End Female
Genital Mutilation”.
to Female Genital
Mutilation
www.vetriias.com 1
2 | February - 2022 CURRENT AFFAIRS

08 February International Safer ▪ Theme: “Together for a better internet”
Internet Day
▪ The day was started as an initiative under the
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
▪ It aims to make every child between the ages of
one and 19 years across the country free from
intestinal worms.
10 February National Deworming ▪ These intestinal worms are also referred to as
Day Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH).
▪ According to the World Health Organisation
(WHO), there are about 241 Million children in
India who are at risk of intestinal worms.
▪ The day has been established by the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
to recognize the importance of pulses (dry beans,
10 February World Pulses Day lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, lupins) as a global
food.
11 February World Day of the Sick
11 February Anti-Smuggling Day ▪ Inaugural day from 2022
11 February World Unani Day ▪ This year World Pulses Day’s theme is “Pulses
to empower youth in achieving sustainable agri-
food systems”.
▪ The day is observed to recognize the role

of women and girls in science, not only as
beneficiaries but also as agents of change.
▪ It is the 7th International Day of Women and Girls
in Science Assembly, taking place this year.
11 February International Day of ▪ The Day is implemented by UNESCO and UN-
Women and Girls in Women in collaboration with institutions and
Science civil society partners that aim to promote women
and girls in science.
▪ The 2022 theme of the Day is “Equity, Diversity,
and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”.
12 February National Productivity Day
2 www.vetriias.com
History | 3

▪ The day is celebrated every year to commemorate
the Birth Anniversary of the father of
Evolutionary biology, Charles Darwin in 1809.
▪ This day highlights Darwin's contribution to
evolutionary and plant science.
12 February Darwin Day ▪ In 2015, Darwin's ‘Origin of Species’ was voted
the most influential academic book in history.
▪ He is well known for his work “The Theory of
Natural Selection”.
▪ This is to commemorate the birth anniversary of
Sarojini Naidu.
▪ She was born on 13 February 1879 in Hyderabad
to scientist and philosopher Aghornath
Chattopadhyaya and Barada Sundari Devi.
13 February National Women’s ▪ She was the first Indian woman President of
Day the Indian National Congress and also the
first woman governor of an Indian state that
is Governor of United Province which is now
known as Uttar Pradesh.
▪ She was famous for her nickname ‘Nightingale
of India’ or ‘Bharat Kokila’ because of her poems.
▪ World Radio Day is celebrated to raise awareness

about the importance of Radio.
▪ The day was Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member
13 February World Radio Day States of UNESCO and adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an
International Day.
14 February International Epilepsy ▪ Observed every year on the second Monday of
Day February
14 to 18 Financial Literacy ▪ Celebrating Since 2016.

February week ▪ Theme: “Go Digital, Go Secure”.
▪ The day has been established by the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
to recognize the importance of pulses (dry beans,
February 10 World Pulses Day lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, lupins) as a Global
food.
▪ This year World Pulses Day’s theme is “Pulses to
empower youth in achieving sustainable agri-
food systems”.
www.vetriias.com 3

▪ The day is observed to recognize the role
of women and girls in science, not only as
beneficiaries but also as agents of change.
February 11 International Day of ▪ It is the 7th International Day of Women and Girls
Women and Girls in in Science Assembly, taking place this year.
Science ▪ The Day is implemented by UNESCO and UN-
Women in collaboration with institutions and
civil society partners that aim to promote women
and girls in science.
▪ The 2022 theme of the Day is “Equity, Diversity,
and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”.
▪ The day is celebrated every year to commemorate
the birth anniversary of the father of evolutionary
biology, Charles Darwin in 1809.
February 12 Darwin Day ▪ This day highlights Darwin's contribution to
evolutionary and plant science.
▪ In 2015, Darwin's ‘Origin of Species’ was voted
the most influential academic book in history.
▪ He is well known for his work “The Theory of
Natural Selection”.
▪ The FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling
and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the
Economy (CASCADE) has taken the initiative to
February 11 Anti- Smuggling Day launch Anti-Smuggling Day.
2022 ▪ The inaugural Anti-Smuggling Day is being
observed on February 11, 2022.
▪ World Radio Day is celebrated to raise awareness
about the importance of Radio.
▪ The day was Proclaimed in 2011 by the Member
February 13 World Radio Day States of UNESCO and adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an
International Day.
February 14 International Epilepsy Day 2022
February 15 International ▪ International Childhood Cancer Day

Childhood Cancer
Day
February 19 Soil Health Card Day ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Soil
Health Card (SHC) Scheme on 19th February
2015 at Suratgarh in Rajasthan.
4 www.vetriias.com
History | 5

▪ World Pangolin Day is celebrated on the “Third
Saturday of February” every year.
▪ In 2022, the annual World Pangolin Day is being
February 19 World Pangolin Day celebrated on 19 February 2022. It marks the 11th
edition of the Event.
▪ World Day of Social Justice 2022 Theme:
“Achieving Social Justice through Formal
Employment”.
February 20 World Day of Social ▪ The International Labour Organization
Justice unanimously adopted the ILO Declaration on
Social Justice for a Fair Globalization on 10 June
2008.
February 20 Mizoram Foundation Day
February 20 Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day
February 21 The International ▪ The 2022 theme is “Using technology for

Mother Language multilingual learning: Challenges and
opportunities”.
Day
February 22 World Thinking Day ▪ The theme for World Thinking Day 2022 is Our
World, Our Equal Future.
February 22 World Scout Day
▪ Central Excise Day is observed in India on 24

February every year to encourage the employees
of the excise department to carry out the central
February 24 Central Excise Day excise duty in a better way to prevent corruption
in the manufacturing business and to carry out
the best possible exercise services in India.
February 27 World Sustainable ▪ The theme of World Sustainable Energy is Energy
Energy day transition – full speed ahead!
www.vetriias.com 5

February 27 World NGO Day ▪ The day is dedicated to recognising, celebrating,
and honour all non-governmental and non-profit
organisations, and also the people behind them
that contribute to society.
February 27 National Protein Day
▪ This Day is celebrated every year in India to mark
the discovery of the Raman Effect by the Indian
physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
February 28 National Science Day ▪ He discovered the Raman Effect on 28 February,
1928 and for this discovery, he was honoured by
the Nobel Prize in Physics subject in 1930.
▪ The day will be celebrated on last February every
year.
▪ The day raises awareness and generates change
February 28 World Rare Disease for the people who are living with a rare disease,
Day 2022 their families, and their carers.
6 www.vetriias.com
History | 7

Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022): of all Quad countries, with the U.S. being
invited for the first time.
▪ Western Naval Command of the Indian
Navy conducted a joint maritime exercise ICGS ‘Saksham’:
Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) off the West Coast ▪ India’s Goa Shipyard Ltd delivered the 5th
which concluded. and final vessel of the 5 Coast Guard Offshore
▪ The exercise continued for 20 days and was Patrol Vehicle (CGOPV) Project ahead of
conducted with an aim to enhance Inter- contractual schedule.
Service synergy among the Indian Navy, ▪ The vessel was named ICGS ‘Saksham’. The
IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard. point to be underlined- all 5 vessels have
▪ The Western Naval Command (HQ- been delivered before time to the Indian
Mumbai) is one of the three command-level Coast Guard.
formations of the Indian Navy. ▪ The contract for 5 CGOPVs was signed by
▪ The other two are Eastern Naval Command GSL with the Ministry of Defence on 26
(HQ- Visakhapatnam) and Southern Naval August 2016.
Command (HQ- Kochi).
MILAN22 gets under way in
Indian Coast Guard celebrates its
Visakhapatnam
46th Raising Day:
▪ The biennial Multilateral Naval Exercise,
▪ Indian Coast Guard is celebrating its 46th MILAN22, was officially inaugurated
Raising Day on 01 Feb 2022. by Union Minister of State for Defence
▪ As the Fourth largest Coast Guard in the Ajay Bhatt at a Programme organized at
world, the Indian Coast Guard has played a Samudrika Auditorium at Eastern Naval
significant role in securing the Indian Coasts Command (ENC) on February 26.
and enforcing regulations in the Maritime ▪ MILAN would be conducted till March 4.
Zones of India. ▪ After the Harbour Phase, the Sea Phase,
About Indian Coast Guard: which comprises complex naval exercises,
▪ The ICG was formally established on would begin from March 1.
February 1, 1977, by the Coast Guard Act, ▪ This was the 11th edition of MILAN
1978 of the Parliament of India. and the first to be hosted by the Eastern
▪ It operates under the Ministry of Defence. Naval Command in Andhra Pradesh’s
▪ One of the primary duties of the Indian Coast Visakhapatnam.
Guard is prevention of smuggling through ▪ All the previous editions had been held at
maritime routes in its area of responsibility. Port Blair under the aegis of the Tri-Service
▪ Director-General: Virender Singh Pathania. Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Navy’s Milan to bring together DRDO, Safran to develop Engine

46 Countries for Aircraft
▪ The Navy is set to hold the 12th President’s ▪ India and France are close to concluding a
Fleet Review (PFR) at Visakhapatnam and deal, likely in the next couple of months, for
few days from that it will host the largest the joint development of a 125KN engine for
multilateral exercise in this region, Milan the indigenous fifth generation Advanced
2022, which will see participation of all major Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) under
Navies including Quad countries, Russia and development, according to defence officials.
from West Asia amid tensions in Ukraine and ▪ The collaboration is between the Defence
Developments in West Asia. Research and Development Organization
▪ This year’s Milan will see the participation (DRDO) and French engine maker Safran.
www.vetriias.com 7
Synergy between Navies key to

Mitigate Challenges: Hari Kumar
▪ Increased cooperation, shared vision and
collaboration between likeminded Navies
will play a key role for maritime security and
protecting the interests and sovereignty of
the nations.
▪ This was the opinion of the panel members
that included chiefs of different Navies at the
seminar with the theme ‘Changing character
and conflict at sea’ organized as part of
MILAN2022, at the Eastern Naval Command
in Visakhapatnam.

Manipur: ▪ According to inscriptions, it was on February
24 in the year 1130 that Vaishnavite saint
Manipur Meitei’s’ demand for ST Bhagawad Ramanuja laid the foundation
Status Hangs Fire stone for the temple and the four Mada
▪ A demand for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) streets around the shrine, which became the
status to the Meiteis has found no takers first step towards building the township.
among the political parties in poll bound
Manipur. Kerala’s ‘Brain Gain’ Attracts
▪ The Meitei’s are the dominant community Academic Diaspora:
in 40 of the 60 Assembly constituencies ▪ Kerala has been witnessing a growing
straddling the Imphal and Jiribam Valleys. support from its academic diaspora towards
▪ A majority follow Hinduism, while a little its novel ‘Brain Gain’ Programme.
more than 8% are Muslims, known as ▪ Over 200 scholars from across the globe have
Pangals here. evinced interest in partnering with higher
education institutions as short-term teachers,
Andhra Pradesh: part time collaborators and co-supervisors in
Tirupati wears a Festive look as it Research.
Celebrates 892nd birthday ▪ Spearheaded by the Kerala State Higher
Education Council (KSHEC), the Programme
▪ With garlands of mango leaves and saffron
aims at locating experts in various disciplines
festoons crisscrossing the four roads
to create a network of academics of Keralite
encircling the Sri Govindaraja temple and
origin.
plantain trees adorning either side of the
road, the core area of Tirupati wore a festive
look on its 892nd birthday on Feb 24.
8 www.vetriias.com
History | 9
1.4 EMINENT PERSONS

Singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay in 1903 when he had just turned 14.
passes away ▪ By 1907, Raman obtained his graduation
and postgraduation from the University of
▪ Legendary Bengali singer Sandhya Madras, securing top ranks.
Mukhopadhyay passed away in Kolkata. ▪ He then moved to Calcutta (Kolkata) to take
▪ Last month, the singer declined the Padma up the job of Assistant Accountant General
Shri award by the Union Government. after clearing the Indian Finance Services
▪ She was awarded Banga Bibhushan, the Exam, which he topped.
highest honour in West Bengal, by the State ▪ His subsequent research that led to his Nobel
Government in 2011. happened in Calcutta and he spent the rest of
Guru Ravidas: his life largely in Bangalore (Bengaluru) with
the Indian Institute of Science and later at the
▪ Dalit icon Guru Ravidas was also known as
Raman Research Institute.
Guru Raidas.
▪ He was born in the village of Sir Gobardhan, Freedom fighter Sindanai Sirppi
near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Singaravelar Birth Anniversary:
▪ His birthplace is now known as Shri Guru
Ravidass Janam Asthan. ▪ On behalf of the Tamil Nadu government,
▪ His parents belonged to a leather-working Minister for health & family welfare
Chamar community making them an Ma Subramanian, secretary of Tamil
untouchable caste. development and information department
▪ While his original occupation was leather Mahesan Kasirajan, Chennai collector J
work, he began to spend most of his time in Vijaya Rani and senior officials paid floral
spiritual pursuits at the banks of the Ganges. tributes to a portrait of the freedom fighter
▪ The text Anantadas Parcai is one of the on the premises of Chennai collectorate on
earliest surviving biographies of various his 163rd birthday.
Bhakti movement poets which talks about About:
the birth of Ravidas. ▪ Malayapuram Singaravelu (18 February
C.V. Raman 1860 – 11 February 1946), also known as M.
Singaravelu and Singaravelar.
▪ Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, popularly ▪ Singaravelar, on 27 April 1918, founded
known as C.V. Raman, went on to become the the first trade union in India, called the
First Asian to win a Nobel Prize in a science Madras Labor Union of the British-owned
field in 1930 for his work on “the scattering Buckingham & Carnatic Mills. Chettiiar
of light and for the discovery of the Effect became its first president.
named after him.” ▪ On 1 May 1923 he organised the first ever
▪ Raman is technically the only Indian citizen celebration of May Day in the country. The
to have received a Nobel in science (excluding day was observed as International Workers'
economics) as the other three — Har Gobind Day. On that occasion, again for the first time
Khorana, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar the red flag was used in India.
and Venki Ramakrishnan — had become ▪ In 1925, he became one of the founding
citizens of other countries when they received fathers of the Communist Party of India; and
the prize. chaired its inaugural convention in Kanpur.
▪ Born in 1888 in Thiruvanaikaval in Tiruchi, ▪ When the Indian National Congress met in
Raman, a precocious child, finished his Gaya, in 1922, Singaravelar participated,
schooling in Visakhapatnam and enrolled in seeing himself as a representative of workers.
The Presidency College that was part of the He spoke in favour of labour legislation and
University of Madras for a B.A. programme felt that the labour movement in India must be
www.vetriias.com 9
a part of the congress movement. M. N. Roy

praised him for calling himself a communist, ▪ Indian Postal department issued a
in Vanguard dated 1 March 1923. commemorative postage stamp on 18
February 2006.
U.V. Swaminatha Iyer: ▪ His house in Uthamadhanapuram has been
▪ Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer converted as a Memorial.
Swaminatha Iyer was born on 19 February
1855 – 28 April 1942 in the village of Anjalai Ammal:
Suriyamoolai near Kumbakonam. ▪ Anjalai Ammal was a social worker and
▪ He was a Tamil scholar and researcher who reformer from Cuddalore.
was instrumental in bringing many long- ▪ She started her political activism in 1921 with
forgotten works of classical Tamil literature the Non-Cooperation Movement and later
to light. took part in the Neil Statue Satyagraha, Salt
▪ He is affectionately called Tamil Thatha Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.
(literally, "Tamil grandfather"). ▪ Her courage was so well known that
▪ Swaminatha Iyer was duly appointed as Mahathma Gandhi called her South India's
the head of the Tamil Department at the Jhansi Rani.
Government Arts College, Kumbakonam on ▪ She also encouraged her nine-year-old
16 February 1880 after Tyagaraja Chettiar's daughter to participate in the protests, who
retirement. was named Leelavathy by Gandhi himself.
▪ Swaminatha Iyer met Salem Ramaswami ▪ In 1931, she presided over The All-India
Mudaliar, a civil munsif who had been Women Congress Meet.
recently transferred to Kumbakonam. The ▪ In 1932, she took part in another struggle for
friendship between them proved to be a which she was sent to Vellore prison. She
turning point in Swaminatha Iyer's life. was pregnant while she was sent to Vellore
▪ Mudaliar was responsible for persuading Iyer prison.
to edit and publish the ancient Tamil classics. ▪ Anjalai Ammal was in jail for more than four
Mudaliar also gave him a handwritten copy and half years and she gave birth to her last
of Seevaga Sindhamani for publication. son in the jail itself.
▪ Seevaga Sindhamani was published by Iyer ▪ After India's independence in 1947, she was
in 1887. elected as the member of the Tamil Nadu
▪ Swaminatha Iyer published his legislative assembly thrice.
autobiography, ‘En Saritham’, serialised ▪ She died on 20th February 1961.
in the Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan, from
January 1940 to May 1942. It was later Shakuntala Choudhury:
published as a book in 1950. ▪ The Padma Shri awardee Shakuntala
▪ The honorary doctoral degree (D.Litt.) Choudhury passed away on February 21.
was conferred on Iyer by the University of ▪ She was a great Gandhian, freedom
Madras in 1906. fighter and social worker, who spent his
▪ In recognition of his outstanding literary life following the principles and ideals of
accomplishments and contributions, Mahatma Gandhi.
he was also honoured with the title, ▪ Choudhary, 102-years-old, popularly known
Mahamahopathiyaya, literally: "Greatest of as 'Shakuntala Baideo', was from Assam's
great teachers". Kamrup and worked for the wellbeing of
▪ Iyer was awarded the title of Dakshinathya villagers.
Kalanidhi in 1925. ▪ At an early age, in 1947, Choudhary
▪ In 1932, the Madras University awarded joined the Assam branch of the Kasturba
an honorary PhD to him in recognition Gandhi National Memorial Trust
of his services in the cause of Tamil. (KGNMT) and continued her association
with the Trust for the rest of her life.
10 www.vetriias.com
History | 11
▪ This branch of the Trust was inaugurated by

Mahatma Gandhi himself on 9 January 1946.
▪ Shakuntala Choudhary was closely
associated with Vinoba Bhave who was the
initiator of the Bhoodan Movement.
▪ Choudhary was also associated with of the
"Ban Cow Slaughter Satyagraha" started by
Vinoba Bhave in 1978.
▪ Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 2010 for the
Development and Welfare of Women and
Children.
▪ In 2022, the Government of India conferred
the Padma Shri Award, the third highest
award in the Padma series of awards, on
Shakuntala Choudhary for her distinguished
service in the field of Social Work.
1.5 PLACES IN NEWS

Virtual Museum created to
preserve T.N.’s Cultural Treasures
▪ The Idol Wing CID of the Tamil Nadu police
has created a virtual museum with 374 idols
to preserve and promote Tamil Nadu’s rich
cultural treasures.
▪ The Idol Wing has 374 idols, including
36 metal objects, 265 stone objects, and 73
wooden objects.
▪ The idols and artefacts have been shifted to the
icon centers at Thiruvottriyur, Kumbakonam
and the Government Museum, Egmore, for
safe custody.
▪ The Idol Wing, with the help of Indian
Institute of Technology Madras, has taken 3D
pictures of all the idols, with virtual reality
and augmented reality unique cameras.
▪ The pictures have been uploaded on http://
www.tnidols.com/.
www.vetriias.com 11

ASEAN to exclude Myanmar: ▪ The WTO is the world's largest international
▪ Cambodia is currently chair of the Association economic organization, with 164 member
of Southeast Asian Nations. states representing over 96% of global trade
▪ Myanmar will not be invited for the ASEAN and Global GDP.
meeting that is to be held in Cambodia on ▪ The WTO is headquartered in Geneva,
February 16 and 17. Switzerland.
About ASEAN (Association of SouthEast About TRIPS:

Asian Nations) ▪ TRIPs came into effect in January 1995.
▪ Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, ▪ It frames the IP system in terms of Innovation,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Technology transfer and public welfare.
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and ▪ TRIPS was negotiated during the Uruguay
Vietnam Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs
▪ Motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One and Trade (GATT) in 1986–1994.
Community" ▪ The TRIPS Agreement is also described as a
▪ Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia. “Berne and Paris-plus” Agreement.
▪ Secretary General: Lim Jock Hoi. One Ocean Summit:
▪ Founded: 8 August 1967.
▪ Recently, the Prime Minister addressed the
India risks being edged out of high-level segment of the One Ocean Summit.
patent waiver plan at WTO ▪ The summit was organised by France in
Brest, France in cooperation with the United
▪ India runs the risk of being excluded from a Nations and the World Bank.
proposal it co-authored at the World Trade ▪ The “BBNJ Treaty”, also known as the
Organization (WTO) negotiations, in 2020, “Treaty of the High Seas”, is an international
to “temporarily waive” Intellectual Property agreement on the conservation and
Rights (IPR) held, by primarily Western sustainable use of marine biological diversity
countries, on vaccines, therapeutics and of areas beyond national jurisdiction,
Diagnostics for COVID19. currently under negotiation at the United
▪ A small group of WTO members were Nations.
discussing suggestions to exclude drug ▪ This new instrument is being developed
manufacturers in India and China — two within the framework of the United
major, global suppliers of medicine — from Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
prospective waivers to IPR obligations that the main international agreement governing
result from the Trade Related Intellectual human activities at sea.
Property Rights (TRIPS) which WTO
members are committed to upholding. ‘Disturbed’ India abstains from
About World Trade Organisation: Vote against Russia at UNSC
▪ The World Trade Organization (WTO) is ▪ India, along with China and the UAE,
an intergovernmental organization that abstained from the United Nations Security
regulates and facilitates international trade Council (UNSC) resolution sponsored by the
between nations. U.S. and Albania, and co-sponsored by nearly
▪ It officially commenced operations on 1 80 countries that sought to condemn Russian
January 1995, pursuant to the 1994 Marrakesh aggression and called for the immediate
Agreement, thus replacing the General withdrawal of Russian military from Ukraine.
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that
had been established in 1948.
12 www.vetriias.com
History | 13
▪ The resolution, supported by 11 UNSC

Members, was vetoed by Russia.
▪ The U.S. vowed to take the issue to the
General Assembly.
www.vetriias.com 13
1.7 EMINENT PERSONS

India’s First Woman Rafale Pilot: Auto’s Managing Director.
▪ In April 2021, Bajaj stepped down as non-
▪ Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, the
executive chairman of Bajaj Auto.
country’s first Rafale pilot, was a part of the
▪ Rahul Bajaj was the Chairman of industry
Indian Air Force (IAF) tableau that featured
body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
in the Republic Day parade.
for two terms—1979-80 and 1999-2000.
▪ She joined the IAF’s fighter stream in 2017
▪ Rahul Bajaj is the recipient of Padma Bhushan
and flew the MiG-21 Bison aircraft before
from the government of India and Economic
being posted to a Rafale squadron based in
Times Harvard Business School Association
Ambala.
of India Award for Corporate Performance,
Santishree Pandit is first woman 1985.
VC of JNU ▪ Rahul Bajaj was a member of the Rajya Sabha
for the 2006-2010 period.
▪ SantishreeDhulipudi Pandit, a political
science professor at Savitribai Phule Pune
University, has been appointed as the first
woman Vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru
University (JNU).
Devaneya Pavanar:
▪ Tamil scholar Devaneya Pavanar’s 120th
birthday is celebrated on February 8th 2022.
▪ The title Senthami Selvar was conferred on
him by the Tamil Nadu State Government in
1979, and he was also addressed as Dravida
Mozhi nool Nayiru ("Sun of language")
▪ He was a member of the Tamil Development
and Research Council, set up by the Nehru
government in 1959, entrusted with
producing Tamil school and college textbooks
▪ Devaneya Pavanar composed many musical
pieces (Isaik kalambakam) and many
noteworthy poems, including the collection
of Venpa.
▪ Pavanar's ‘Vadamoli Varalaru’ argues that
hundreds of Sanskrit words can be traced to
a Tamil origin
▪ He claimed that Tamil is a "superior and
more divine" language than Sanskrit.
Rahul Bajaj:
▪ Rahul Bajaj passed away on February 12,
2022, after being unwell for some time.
▪ Rahul Bajaj joined the Bajaj group in 1965 and
became the CEO of Bajaj Auto in 1968.
▪ In 2005, Rahul Bajaj, a strong voice in the
corporate world, stepped down from his
executive role and his son Rajiv became Bajaj
14 www.vetriias.com
History | 15
1.8 SPORTS & GAMES

Jyothi Surekha Triumphs U19 World Cup 2022:
▪ V. Jyothi Surekha won the Lancaster Archery ▪ Team India lifted a record-extending fifth
Classic in women’s pro (compound) category U19 World Cup title after they defeated
at Lancaster (Pennsylvania, USA). England in the final of the latest edition at
▪ The 25-year-old World No. 4 from Vijayawada the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua,
defeated Paige Pearce of USA 131-129 in the West Indies.
Final. ▪ India is the most successful team at U19
▪ She is the First Indian archer to win an World Cups, having won titles in 2000, 2008,
indoor Tournament. 2012 and 2018 previously.
World Games Athlete of the Year Beijing Winter Olympics 2022:

Award 2021 ▪ Therese Johaug, the decorated Norwegian
▪ Indian men’s hockey player PR. Sreejesh has cross-country skier won the first gold in the
won the World Games Athlete of the Year Beijing Winter Games.
award for 2021. He is the second Indian after
Indian Cricket Team creates
Rani Rampal to win this award.
▪ In 2020, Indian women’s hockey captain Rani History, becomes first team to play
Rampal became the First Indian to win the 1000 ODI matches
honor for her Performances in 2019. ▪ The match was played against West Indies.
Indian team played the match under the
Neeraj Chopra for Laureus Award: captainship of Rohit Sharma. And India won
▪ India's Olympic gold medal winning javelin the match.
thrower Neeraj Chopra was nominated for the ▪ Played at Narendra Modi Stadium in
prestigious Laureus 'World Breakthrough of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
the Year' award.
▪ He was clubbed alongside tennis stars Daniil Afcon 2021 - Football
Medvedev and Emma Raducanu among ▪ Senegal's football team won the Africa Cup
others in the shortlist. of Nations for the first time.
▪ The 23-year-old Chopra, who became only
the second Indian to win an individual 2028 Olympics
Olympic gold medal and first in track and ▪ The 2028 Olympics is to be held in Los
field, clinched the yellow metal in Tokyo Angeles.
with a throw of 87.58 metres. ▪ This is after the 2024 Olympics to be held in
▪ He is now only the Third Indian to fetch a Paris.
Laureus nomination after cricket legend ▪ The 2022 Olympics was held in Tokyo.
Sachin Tendulkar and wrestler Vinesh These are all the summer Olympics, the main
Phogat. Olympics.
▪ The one that is being held in China right now
Australia Retain Women’s Ashes: is Winter Olympics.
▪ Australia retained the women’s multi-format ▪ 2028 Olympics includes surfing, climbing,
Ashes trophy in the first of three one-day and skateboarding. These are new sports
internationals, holding England short of a introduced in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
paltry first innings of 205 for nine to win by
27 runs in Canberra.
www.vetriias.com 15
Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger ▪ Portugal’s Joao Sousa won Emil Ruusuvuori
of Finland.
2022:
▪ Ramkumar Ramanathan continued his Medals Table:
dream run in doubles, winning his third title ▪ The Beijing Winter Olympics have closed
of the year, as he and Saketh Myneni beat the with IOC chief Thomas Bach hailing a
French pair of Hugo Grenier and Alexandre smoothly run event and a "safe Games" in the
Muller to clinch the Bengaluru Open ATP midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Challenger on February 12. ▪ Norway topped the Medal table (more
number of Gold) with 37 medals (16 Gold, 8
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022:
Silver, 13 Bronze) followed by Germany with
▪ US speed skater and world No. 1 Erin Jackson 27 Medals (12 Gold, 10 Silver, 5 Bronze).
won the women's 500m gold medal in a time ▪ The host nation China finished third with 15
of 37.04 – 0.08 seconds ahead of Japan's Miho Medals (9 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze).
Takagi. ▪ USA (8 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze) and Sweden
▪ The 29-year-old is the first American to win (8 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze) have finished at
since Bonnie Blair did so at the 1994 Winter 4th & 5th place respectively.
Games.
▪ She is also the first Black woman to win an 'Vridhi Kumari is an Inspiration to
Olympic gold medal in speed skating. girls’:
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: ▪ Vridhi Kumari recently won the bronze medal
at the IMMAF (International Mixed Martial
Erin Jackson: Arts Federation) World Championships.
▪ US speed skater and world No. 1 Erin Jackson ▪ She became the first woman to win a medal
won the women's 500m gold medal in a time for India in her category.
of 37.04 – 0.08 seconds ahead of Japan's Miho ▪ Her coach is Ajit Sigamani.
Takagi.
▪ The 29-year-old is the first American to win Indian teenager Praggnanand-
since Bonnie Blair did so at the 1994 Winter haa beats World Chess Champion
Games. Carlsen:
▪ She is also the first Black woman to win an ▪ Praggnanandhaa, 16, who in 2016 became
Olympic gold medal in speed skating. the youngest international master in history
Ailing (Eileen): at age 10, beat Carlsen on February 21 at the
Airthings Masters rapid chess tournament
▪ Ailing (Eileen) Gu has won an historic
(in Online).
third free-ski medal, by claiming gold in the
▪ The 16-year-old won the match with black
Women's halfpipe on 18 February.
pieces in 39 moves.
▪ No freestyle skier had ever won three medals
▪ He became the third Indian to defeat Magnus
in three different events at an Olympic
Carlsen, after chess legend Vishwanathan
Winter Games previously. The Chinese star
Anand and P Harikrishna.
already has big air gold and slopestyle silver
from Beijing 2022. ICC T20I Rankings:
Tata Open Tennis Maharashtra: ▪ India became the number one side in the
men's ICC T20I team rankings for the first
▪ India's Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar
time in six years after its 3-0 series win over
Ramanathan won their second ATP World
West Indies in Kolkata on February 20.
Tour title together in the final of the Tata Open
▪ It previously held the reigns over the format
Maharashtra at Pune by beating Australia's
under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership
Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith.
from February 12, 2016 to May 3, 2016.
16 www.vetriias.com
History | 17
Pro Kabaddi League Title.

▪ Dabang Delhi pulled off a coup as it beat
Patna Pirates 37-36 to clinch its maiden Pro
Kabaddi League title.
1.7 AWARDS & HONORS

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar Book by Subhash Garg
Award 2021: ▪ The former finance secretary of India, Subhash
▪ The Sahitya Akademi has announced Chandra Garg has announced his debut book
the Annual Yuva Puraskar Award for named “The $10 Trillion Dream”.
Outstanding Young Writers. ▪ The new book explores the critical policy
▪ Awards are presented in 24 languages. issues that India faces today and suggests
▪ Short story writer Karthik Balasubramaniam Reforms for it to become a USD 10 trillion
has been announced as the recipient of the economy by the mid-2030s.
2021 Sahitya Akademi Youth Award in the ▪ It is published by Penguin Random House
Tamil Language category. India.
▪ His first novel novel "Natshatra vasikal" won
the award, which will include a cheque for Madhavrao Limaye Award:
Rs 50,000 and a medal at a Special Ceremony. ▪ Union Minister of Road Transport and
Highways, Nitin Gadkari will be facilitated
Raoul Wallenberg Award 2022: for the first time with the 18th late Madhavrao
▪ The Roulwallenberg award for the year 2022 Limaye Award in the Category of Karyakram
was given to an Indian from the state of Khaasdar (Efficient Member of Parliament)
tamilnadu named Vincent Raj Arokiasamy. for the year 2020-21.
▪ Also known as "Evidence Kathir" for his ▪ This award will be facilitated by Nashik
extraordinary efforts in saving more than Public Library, Sarvajanik Vachanalay.
25,000 victims in 3,000 incidents of human ▪ Earlier, the award was given to Karyaksham
rights violations in India . Aamdaar, an efficient Member of the
Legislative Assembly (MLA) from
About:
Maharashtra.
▪ The Raoul Wallenberg Award is bestowed
by The Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the
United States on "individuals, organizations,
and communities whose courage, selflessness
and success against great odds personified
those of Raoul Wallenberg himself."
▪ It has been awarded periodically since 1985,
when the inaugural award was given to
Wallenberg himself.
www.vetriias.com 17
1.8 BOOKS & AUTHORS

“Fearless Governance”: Rajiv Bhatia's New Book:
▪ The book titled ‘Fearless Governance’ ▪ Ambassador Rajiv Kumar Bhatia, a
authored by Dr . Kiran Bedi has been Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies
released. Programme at Gateway House, has authored
▪ She is the former Lt Governor of Puducherry a new book (his 3rd book) titled “India-Africa
and IPS (retd). Relations: Changing Horizons” which
explores the emergence and assertion of
A book Titled ‘Operation Khatma’: Africa as a significant actor and stakeholder
▪ A book titled ‘Operation Khatma’ has been in global affairs and the transformation of the
released which is authored by journalists relationship between India and Africa.
RC Ganjoo and Ashwini Bhatnagar. ▪ Gateway House: Indian Council on Global
▪ The book is based upon the operation by Relations is a foreign policy think tank in
the Special Operations Group of Jammu & Mumbai, India.
Kashmir Police which led to the killing of 22
terrorists of the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation A Book by Bill Gates:
Front (JKLF). ▪ A book titled ‘How to Prevent the Next
▪ It is a Graphic first-hand thriller on Terrorism Pandemic’ has authored by Bill Gates will be
in Kashmir. published this year in May 2022.
▪ In the book Bill Gates has written about
A Fascinating study of art and specific steps that can only stop future
Epigraphy’ pandemics but, in the process, provide better
▪ Two books, ‘Kaveripakkam - History health care for everyone around the world.
and Art Traditions’ by V. N. Srinivasa ▪ His last book, “How to Avoid a Climate
Desikan and ‘Historical Perspectives of Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the
Domestic Architecture in Kanchipuram’ by Breakthroughs We Need”, was released in
J. Sumathi, were released at an event at February 2021.
C.P.R. Institute of Indological Research.
Chandru's Autobiography:
A Book Titled "Cinema and Myself’ ▪ Justice K. Chandru, a retired judge of the
▪ Chief minister M.K. Stalin released the book Madras High Court, is a household name in
– ‘Indian Administrative Service, Cinema Tamil Nadu.
and Myself’ – Written by Retired IAS officer ▪ He became famous pan India after the
Gnana rajasekaran. phenomenal success of Suriya starrer Jai
Bhim.
Journalist Sagarika Ghose's Book: ▪ The movie was based on just one case
▪ A book titled “Atal Bihari Vajpayee” authored conducted by him when he was a lawyer, but
by Sagarika Ghose has been launched. his autobiography "I too became a judge",
▪ It is a biography of the former Prime Minister released in Tamil recently, is a compendium
of India. of numerous hair-raising adventures.
▪ She has also authored a book titled “Indira:
India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister”.
Spituk Gustor Festival:
▪ Spituk Gustor Festival, a two-day Annual Celebration of Ladakhi culture and traditional heritage
celebrated on 30th & 31st January 2022 in Leh and Ladakh Union Territory.
▪ The colourful mask dance locally called “Chams” performed during the Festival.
18 www.vetriias.com
History | 19

India’s EXIM Bank, Sri Lanka sign 1800-Year-Old Buddhist Artefacts
$500mn Loan Agreement Found in Pakistan:
▪ The Export Import Bank (EXIM) of India and ▪ Archaeologists in Pakistan have discovered
the Government of Sri Lanka signed a $ 500 more than 400 valuable Buddhist artefacts
million Line of Credit agreement aimed at dating back to 1800 years in the country’s
helping Sri Lanka cope with its fuel shortages, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
amid one of the worst economic meltdowns ▪ Dr. Abdus Samad, director of the Department
Facing the island nation. of Archeology of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
▪ On January 13, India extended a $400 million province, said that the excavation work
currency swap to Sri Lanka. started six months ago.
▪ In recent times, many such archaeological
Indian Diplomats to Boycott discoveries have been made in Khyber
Beijing Winter Olympics: Pakhtunkhwa.
▪ Terming China’s decision to field a People’s ▪ In December last year, a joint excavation
Liberation Army soldier involved in the Team of Pakistani and Italian archaeologists
June 2020 Galwan clashes as the torchbearer discovered a 2,300-year-old arched temple
for the 24th Winter Olympics Games in and some other valuable artifacts from the
Beijing as “regrettable”, India announced a Buddhist period.
diplomatic boycott of the games just ahead of ▪ The discovery, made in the town of Bazira
the opening ceremony on February 4. in Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
▪ The decision came after Chinese media province, was said to be the oldest temple of
reports identified Qi Fabao, a PLA regiment the Buddhist period in Pakistan.
commander who received military honors for
the Galwan clashes, where he was injured, as
WFP to allot Indian wheat in
one of about 1,200 runners bearing the torch Afghanistan
at a relay in Beijing. ▪ India signed an Agreement with the United
▪ The Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) for
India in Beijing will not be attending the the distribution of 50,000 tonnes of wheat
opening or closing ceremony of the Beijing that it has committed to sending Afghanistan
2022 Winter Olympics. as part of humanitarian assistance.
▪ The Indian Ambassador to China, Pradeep
About World Food Programme:
Kumar Rawat, whose appointment was
announced in December, is expected to take ▪ The World Food Programme (WFP) is the
charge in the next few weeks, and hence leading humanitarian organization saving
Acquino Vimal is the top diplomat in Beijing lives and changing lives, delivering food
at present. assistance in emergencies and working with
▪ Other countries including the U.S., Japan, communities to improve nutrition and build
Australia, United Kingdom and a number resilience.
of European countries including Latvia, ▪ It was founded in 1961 by the Food and
Lithuania, Denmark, the Netherlands, Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United
Sweden and the Czech Republic have Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with its
announced their plans for diplomatic boycott: headquarters in Rome, Italy.
sending athletes and sports officials, but no ▪ The WFP assists 88 countries, and has
diplomatic or political presence, in protest of assisted 97 Million people (in 2019)
China’s restrictions on its Uighur population which is the Largest number since 2012.
in Xinjiang and other Human Rights Abuses.
www.vetriias.com 19
▪ WFP has been working in India since India sends wheat to Afghanistan
1963, with work transitioning from food after deal with Pakistan:
distribution to Technical Assistance since the
country achieved self-sufficiency in cereal ▪ We are extending our humanitarian
production. assistance to Afghanistan in the form of
▪ Global Report on Food Crisis- describes 50,000 tonnes of wheat.
the scale of acute hunger in the world is the ▪ We are flagging off our first consignment of
report released by WFP. 2500 tonnes in 50 Afghan trucks.
▪ The WFP has been awarded with the Nobel ▪ The trucks will then head for Afghanistan’s
Prize for Peace 2020. city of Jalalabad via Pakistan's Torkham
border and it’ll be delivered to the World
Chief Justice of Nepal Faces Food Program for dissemination in Jalalabad.
Impeachment Motion: ▪ In this endeavour, India has already supplied
5,00,000 doses of Covaxin, 13 tonnes of
▪ Cholendra Shumsher Rana became the
essential life-saving medicines and 500 units
second Chief Justice of Nepal to face
of winter clothing.
“impeachment” procedure in Parliament in
▪ These consignments were handed over to
seven years over allegations of corruption.
the World Health Organisation at the Indira
▪ Earlier, CJ Rana has been “suspended”
Gandhi Hospital, Kabul.
pending final disposal of the case, and Dipak
Karki, the senior most judge in the Supreme
Court has taken over as the acting CJ.
▪ The sudden development followed a swift
and secret operation where signatures of 98
Members of Parliament belonging to Nepali
Congress, Unified Socialists and Maoist
Centre were collected and submitted in the
Parliament Secretariat.

Rare Mughal era coin to go under the Hammer
▪ A piece of antiquity billed as a rarity — a one rupee silver coin struck at Kabul mint by Shah Jahan
to declare rebellion against his father Jahangir in 1627 — is going under the hammer in Bengaluru
on February 26.
▪ This is the first time that the coin, which was minted just before the death of Jahangir, has surfaced
in public.
▪ The coin has been struck at Kabul in the name of Khurram, the pre-accession name of Shah Jahan,
and is being sold by an unidentified person from central India.
▪ The coin was an important aspect in the power struggle between Jahangir and his first son
Khurram (Shah Jahan).
▪ Khurram was the name given to Shah Jahan by his grandfather Akbar.
▪ While Khurram had a fallout with his father in 1622 due to palace intrigues, in the power struggle
after the death of Jahangir, Khurram defeated his younger brother Shahriyar and ascended the
throne in Agra on February 16, 1628, taking the name Shah Jahan.
20 www.vetriias.com
History | 21

Collegium recommends Bhandari ▪ Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi administered
oath of office to Munishwar Nath Bhandari
for HC CJ post in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
▪ The Supreme Court collegium has at the Raj Bhavan here on February 14.
recommended the elevation of Madras High ▪ After the swearing-in, Stalin presented Justice
Court Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Munishwar Bhandari with a book on 'Keeladi, an ancient
Nath Bhandari as its Chief Justice. Tamil urban settlement on the banks of
▪ He would take oath after the issuance of a River Vaigai' which is at least 2,600 years
Presidential Notification. belonging to the Sangam Era, published by
the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department
New Liaison Officer:
(TNAD).
▪ Mangat Ram Sharma has been appointed ▪ Hailing from Rajasthan, he is the 32nd Indian
as the liaison officer for the new project Chief Justice of the High Court.
which will expedite the Implementation of
Government Projects. About Madras High Court:
▪ The Central Government has initiated a new ▪ The High Court of Judicature at Madras, one
Initiative to expedite the implementation of the three High Courts in India established
of the Central Government's plans and to at the Presidency Towns by Letters Patent
Ensure that they reach the people through granted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria,
them. bearing date 26th June 1862.
▪ It is the second oldest High Court — the
Next UGC Chairman: first being the Calcutta High Court — in the
▪ Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Country.
Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar was on Friday
appointed as chairperson of the University New Director to Indian Institute of
Grants Commission (UGC). Information Technology (IIIT)
▪ A notification issued by the Ministry of Manipur:
Education said the appointment has been
▪ Prof. Dr. Krishnan Baskar has been appointed
made for a period of five years, or until he
as the Director for IIIT-Manipur on
turns 65, whichever is earlier.
February 14.
Chief Resident Commissioner of ▪ He was the former Vice-Chancellor of
Tirunelveli Manonmaniam Sundaranar
T.N. House in Delhi
Universty, Govt. of Tamilnadu during 16th
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government posted senior February 2016 - 15th February 2019, a period
IAS officer Atulya Misra as the Chief Resident of three years on deputation from Anna
Commissioner of Tamil Nadu House in University, Chennai.
Delhi.
▪ Mr. Misra replaces Jagmohan Singh Raju, New MD and CEO of Air India:
who opted for voluntary retirement to take ▪ Ilker Ayci has been appointed as the new
the Political plunge in his home State of CEO and MD of Air India.
Punjab. ▪ He will assume his responsibilities on or
before 1st April 2022.
Madras HC New Chief Justice:
▪ Ilker Ayci is a former chairman of Turkish
▪ According to the Law Ministry, Justice Airlines.
Munishwar Nath Bhandari has been
appointed Chief Justice of the Madras High About Tata Group:
Court. ▪ Founder: Jamshedji Tata.
▪ Founded: 1868, Mumbai.
www.vetriias.com 21
Madras HC New Chief Justice: President of ICAI:

▪ According to the Law Ministry, Justice ▪ Debashis Mitra has been elected as the
Munishwar Nath Bhandari has been President of the Institute of Chartered
appointed Chief Justice of the Madras High Accountants of India (ICAI) for the year
Court. 2022-23.
▪ Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi administered ▪ Aniket Sunil Talati has been elected as Vice
oath of office to Munishwar Nath Bhandari President of the institute.
in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
About ICAI:
at the Raj Bhavan here on February 14.
▪ After the swearing-in, Stalin presented Justice ▪ The Institute of Chartered Accountants of
Bhandari with a book on 'Keeladi, an ancient India (ICAI) is a statutory body established
Tamil urban settlement on the banks of by an Act of Parliament, the Chartered
River Vaigai' which is at least 2,600 years Accountants Act, 1949 for regulating the
belonging to the Sangam Era, published by profession of Chartered Accountancy in the
the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department country.
(TNAD). ▪ The Institute, functions under the
▪ Hailing from Rajasthan, he is the 32nd Indian administrative control of the Ministry of
Chief Justice of the High Court. Corporate Affairs.
▪ The ICAI is the second largest professional
About Madras High Court: body of Chartered Accountants in the world.
▪ The High Court of Judicature at Madras, one ▪ The Council constitutes of 40 members
of the three High Courts in India established of whom 32 are elected by the Chartered
at the Presidency Towns by Letters Patent Accountants and remaining 8 are nominated
granted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by the Central Government generally
bearing date 26th June 1862. representing the Comptroller and Auditor
▪ It is the second oldest High Court — the General of India, Securities and Exchange
first being the Calcutta High Court — in the Board of India, Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
country. Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders.
Prof. Dr. Krishnan Baskar has Sudha Ragunathan is member of

been appointed as the Director for CABC:
IIIT-Manipur on February 14. ▪ The Ministry of Culture has appointed Sudha
▪ He was the former Vice-Chancellor of Ragunathan as a member of the Central
Tirunelveli Manonmaniam Sundaranar Advisory Board on Culture (CABC).
Universty, Govt. of Tamilnadu during 16th About CABC:
February 2016 - 15th February 2019, a period
▪ The members will provide policy advice to the
of three years on deputation from Anna
Culture Ministry on developing programmes
University, Chennai.
which would focus on creativity at different
New MD and CEO of Air India: levels in various regions.
▪ Ilker Ayci has been appointed as the new ▪ From advising the Ministry on policies
CEO and MD of Air India. to giving inputs on the development of
▪ He will assume his responsibilities on or new need-based cultural programmes, the
before 1st April 2022. members will provide guidance on the work
▪ Ilker Ayci is a former chairman of Turkish of the Ministry’s national missions.
Airlines. ▪ The Board would be meeting once a quarter
and presided by the Minister for Culture.
About Tata Group:
▪ Founder: Jamshedji Tata.
▪ Founded: 1868, Mumbai.
22 www.vetriias.com
Political Science | 23
2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
2.1 GOVT.WELFARE ORIENTED GOVT. SCHEMES THEIR
UTILITY
Implementation framework for PM infrastructure in a single digital platform.
GatiShakti is taking Final Shape ▪ The multi-modal connectivity will provide
integrated and seamless connectivity for
▪ The implementation framework for PM movement of people, goods and services
GatiShakti national master plan is taking its from one mode of transport to another. It
final shape at a faster pace and after April will facilitate the last mile connectivity of
1 this year, every infrastructure project infrastructure and also reduce travel time for
is expected to route through the network people.
planning group (NPG) constituted under this ▪ It will help raise the global profile of local
initiative. manufacturers and help them compete with
▪ This will help in bringing down the logistics their counterparts worldwide.
cost, Secretary in the Department for ▪ It will be a source of employment
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade opportunities for the youth in future.
(DPIIT) Anurag Jain said
About PM GatiShakti Start-up helps Schools set up Atal
▪ Announced at the 75th Independence Day
Tinkering Labs:
(15th august - 2021) by the Prime Minister of ▪ Infinite Engineers, a city-based education
India. startup, has set up about 100 Makerspace
▪ PM Gati Shakti will incorporate the labs across the State to help schoolchildren
infrastructure schemes of various Ministries explore science and technology beyond
and State Governments like Bharatmala, classrooms.
Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ▪ These labs, according to the firm, have been
ports, UDAN etc. set up as part of NITI Aayog Atal Innovation
▪ Economic Zones like textile clusters, Mission Scheme where schools are funded
pharmaceutical clusters, defence corridors, to open such Atal tinkering labs.
electronic parks, industrial corridors, fishing ▪ The startup firm helps schools in setting up
clusters, agri zones will be covered to improve labs, empowering teachers and provides
connectivity & make Indian businesses more an environment for students to experience
competitive. science concepts.
▪ It will also leverage technology extensively ▪ The startup is involved in creating awareness
including spatial planning tools with ISRO among private schools that are interested in
(Indian Space Research Organisation) the Government Funded Scheme.
imagery developed by BiSAG-N
The Pradhan Mantri Matru
(Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space
Applications and Geoinformatics). Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
▪ In the proposed plan, all the existing and ▪ The Government’s recent Announcement
proposed economic zones have been mapped that the maternity benefit Programme, The
along with the multimodal connectivity Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
www.vetriias.com 23
(PMMVY) which provides 5,000 for first of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
child will be extended to cover the second with a budget of ₹1600 crore for five years.
child only if it is a girl has met with sharp ▪ The National Health Authority (NHA) will be
criticism from activists who have demanded the implementing agency of the Ayushman
that it be universalized. Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
▪ Launched in 2017, PMMVY provides 5,000 ▪ Under the ABDM, citizens will be able
for the birth of the first child to partially to create their ABHA (Ayushman Bharat
compensate a woman for loss of wages. Health Account) numbers, to which their
▪ Launched under Ministry of Women and digital health records can be linked. This will
Child Development. enable creation of longitudinal health records
▪ It is combined with another scheme, Janani for individuals across various healthcare
Suraksha Yojana, under which nearly 1,000 providers, and improve clinical decision
is given for an institutional birth, so that a making by healthcare providers.
woman gets a total of 6,000. ▪ The mission is expected to improve equitable
▪ Under the revamped PMMVY under Mission access to quality healthcare by encouraging
Shakti, the maternity benefit amounting to use of technologies such as telemedicine and
6000 is also to be provided for the second enabling national portability of health services.
child, but only if the second is a girl child The pilot of the ABDM was completed in the
- to discourage prebirth sex selection and six Union Territories of Ladakh, Chandigarh,
promote the girl child. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman &
Diu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar
About Janani Suraksha Yojana:
Islands and Lakshadweep with successful
▪ Launched in 2005 by Ministry of Health and demonstration of technology platform
Family Welfare. developed by the NHA.
▪ Aims at reducing maternal and infant
mortality by promoting institutional
delivery among pregnant women.
▪ Benefit - 1,000 is given for an Institutional
Birth.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

(Urban)
▪ The Government has disbursed interest
subsidy of Rs 41,415 crore to 17.68 lakh
beneficiaries so far under the Pradhan Mantri
Awas Yojana (Urban).
About:
▪ Launched in 2015.
▪ Aim - intends to provide housing for all in
urban areas by year 2022.
▪ Implemented by: Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs
Govt. nod for Health Account

Numbers
▪ The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the
national rollout of the Central sector scheme
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
24 www.vetriias.com
Political Science | 25

SC lifts stay on Haryana quota for Private Jobs:
▪ The Supreme Court on February 17 set aside a Punjab and Haryana High Court order staying
a controversial State law which provides 75% reservation for local youth in private sector jobs
paying less than ₹30,000 a month.
2.3. PUBLIC AWARENESS & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Helmet to be must for kids on two-wheelers:
▪ The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification on February 15 to amend the
Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, making the two-safety equipment mandatory for children
between the age of nine months and four years.
▪ The new rules limit the speed of two-wheelers carrying a child below the age of four to 40 km/hr.
▪ Children below the age of four must wear helmets and a safety vest while travelling on two-
wheelers.
▪ The new rules will come into force one year from the date of publication of the Central Motor
Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022.
Child Welfare Scheme saw hike of 390%:

▪ Union Minister Smriti Irani has said that a children-centric scheme of the government had seen a
“390%” increase in budgetary allocations since 2014.
▪ One graph showed an increase of “390.66%” for Mission Vatsalaya (an umbrella scheme for
child welfare and protection) for which allocations rose from ₹300 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1472 crore
in 2022-23.
▪ Another graph showed an increase of “14.48%” for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (an
umbrella scheme for nutritional development of children) for which ₹17,700 crore was set aside
in 2013-14 compared to ₹20,263 crore for the next fiscal.
www.vetriias.com 25
3. GEOGRAPHY
India Ranks Third Globally in develop grasslands for ungulates as a prey
base.
Forest Area Gain: Survey
▪ The tiger reserve, spread across 1,216 sq. km,
▪ India has increased its forest area in the past witnessed the first of its kind tiger relocation
decade and ranks third globally in average from the Ranthambore National Park by
annual net gain in forest area from 2010-2020, helicopter in 2008 after the felines became
the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) extinct in the Sanctuary.
said in the annual Economic Survey. ▪ Since then, the animal has taken some time in
▪ India annually added an average 2,66,000 multiplying at its own ease, unlike the Panna
hectares of forest area over the period. tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, where a
▪ Forests covered 24% of India’s geographical similar aerial translocation was carried out in
area, accounting for 2% of the world’s total 2009.
forest area in 2020, the department said.
▪ The top 10 countries account for 66% of the About Sariska Tiger Reserve:
world’s forest area. Brazil (59%), Peru (57%), ▪ Sariska Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve in
Democratic Republic of Congo (56%) and Alwar district, Rajasthan, India.
Russia (50%) have half or more of their ▪ It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958.
geographical area under forests. ▪ It was given the status of a tiger reserve
▪ “Much of India’s increase in forest cover making it a part of India's Project Tiger in
from 2011-21 is attributed to enhancement 1978.
in very dense forest cover, which rose by ▪ The wildlife sanctuary was declared a
approximately 20%,” the DEA said. national park in 1982.
▪ “Open forest cover also improved by 7%. ▪ It is the first reserve in the world with
Going forward, there is need to further successfully relocated tigers.
improve forest and tree cover. Social forestry ▪ It is an Important biodiversity area in the
could also play a significant role in this Northern Aravalli leopard and wildlife
regard,” it added. corridor.
New Flatworm Species: New species of spider and
▪ The Scientists recently discovered millipede – Kerala
Humbertium Covidum. These are the new ▪ Researchers of the Department of Zoology
Flatworm species. from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, discovered
▪ The new species were found hunting snails a new species of spider from Wayanad
in Italy and France. Wildlife Sanctuary and new species of
▪ They have been named after COVID millipede from the campus of the University
Pandemic. of Calicut, Tenhipalam.
▪ Carrhotus tholpettyensis was the new species
Sariska Tiger reserve – Rajasthan
of spider that was discovered from the
▪ The Tiger population in the wildlife sanctuary moist deciduous forest of Tholpetty range
has gone up to 25, while the resources are of wildlife sanctuary in the Western Ghats.
being provided to create water holes and
26 www.vetriias.com
Geography | 27
▪ The researchers also discovered a new transform the pre-existing Social and natural
species of millipede from the campus of capital towards efficient Farming.
Calicut University. About NABARD:
▪ This new species has been named Delarthrum
Anomalans. ▪ Formation: July 12, 1982;
▪ It belongs to the family Paradoxosomatidae. ▪ Headquarters: Mumbai;
▪ Chairman: Govinda Rajulu Chintala.
Tirunelveli Records 33,000 birds of
Thousands of Crimson Rose butter-
41 Species in Inland Wetland
flies fly across ocean:
Survey
▪ The pristine beach of Dhanushkodi at the
▪ The waterbird population in inland wetlands
Southernmost tip of the Rameswaram island
recorded during a synchronized survey this
in the Indian peninsula has witnessed a
year was lesser due to the prevailing high-
rare phenomenon over the past few days.
water Condition in most of the wetlands.
▪ After coastal wetlands, the survey for inland
▪ Thousands of Crimson Rose butterflies
wetlands was done in Tamil Nadu covering
swarmed all available flowering plants along
339 wetlands from 25 Districts.
the beach.
▪ This comprised of 14 inland waterbird
▪ It was their stop over for nectaring, before
sanctuaries including the historical waterbird
they undertook their ultimate flight towards
sanctuary such as Vedanthangal.
Sri Lanka, around 25 km away from the tip of
▪ Salem hosted 97 inland wetlands which was
Dhanushkodi.
the highest followed by Chennai with 28
▪ Crimson Rose, a large butterfly with a mix
Wetlands.
of black, white and crimson colours on its
Tirunelveli Records 33,000 Birds of wings and body, is known for crossing the
sea to migrate to Sri Lanka.
41 Species in inland Wetland
Survey New Gecko from NE gets Army
▪ The waterbird population in inland wetlands Tag:
recorded during a synchronized survey this ▪ A lizard new to science is wearing the Indian
year was lesser due to the prevailing high- Army’s tag.
water condition in most of the wetlands. ▪ A team of herpetologists have recorded
▪ After coastal wetlands, the survey for inland a new species of bent-toed gecko from a
wetlands was done in Tamil Nadu covering wooded part of the Umroi Military Station
339 wetlands from 25 Districts. in Meghalaya.
▪ This comprised of 14 inland waterbird ▪ Its scientific name is Crytodactylus Exercitus
sanctuaries including the historical waterbird and English name is Indian Army’s bent-toed
sanctuary such as Vedanthangal. gecko. Exercitus in Latin means army.
▪ Salem hosted 97 inland wetlands which was
the highest followed by Chennai with 28 Researchers Discover Wew Frog
wetlands. Species:
JIVA Programme: ▪ Researchers have discovered yet another
new frog species from the freshwater bodies
▪ National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
of the western coastal plains of India.
Development (NABARD) has launched
▪ It had been scientifically named Euphlyctis
the ‘JIVA programme’ to promote natural
Jaladhara with a common name “Jaladhara
farming under its existing watershed and
skittering frog”.
wadi programmes in 11 states.
▪ The discovery has been made in a
▪ To effectively implement the principles of
collaborative effort by scientists of the
agroecology long-term sustainability and
www.vetriias.com 27
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Mount

Carmel College (MCC), Bengaluru, and the
National Institute of Science Education and
Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar.
▪ Initially, it was first spotted in fresh water
bodies around the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
in Ernakulam, and then multiple populations
were identified all along the western coastal
plains from Kerala to Gujarat.
▪ The earlier species, the Kerala Pond frog
(Phrynoderma Kerala), was also discovered
in the same region by the same group of
researchers in 2021.
▪ In the recent past, this is the first time that a
wide range of new species of frog species has
been discovered with its confirmed range in
at least five States.
▪ The new species looks similar to the common
skittering frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis).
Researchers Report New variety

belonging to Ginger Family
▪ Researchers from Mizoram and Kerala have
identified a new plant variety, a wild relative
of the edible ginger from Mizoram.
▪ The plant is of the species Zingiber
Neotruncatum but has unique traits which
has prompted the researchers to report it as
a distinct variety.
▪ Spotted in Aizawl and Mamit districts, it
has been named Zingiber neotruncatum var.
ramsawmii.
28 www.vetriias.com
Geography | 29

Exporters’ association seeks GI tag ▪ GI tags are issued as per the Geographical
for Panruti Cashews: Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Act, 1999. This tag is issued by
▪ The Tamil Nadu Cashew Processors and the Geographical Indication Registry under
Exporters Association (TNCPEA) has applied the Department of Industry Promotion and
for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
Panruti cashews. Industry.
▪ Panruti cashews are unique in nature because ▪ Darjeeling Tea was the first product to be
of the taste and quality. awarded GI tag in India in 2004−2005.
▪ GI tagging of Panruti cashews would not ▪ Karnataka has the highest number of GI tag
only provide a fillip to the industry but products, followed by Tamil nadu.
would also enhance the secondary economic ▪ The GI tag is valid for 10 years and then it can
activities in the region and safeguard the be renewed for next 10 years.
interests of farmers and cashew exporters ▪ Recently, Madurai marikolunthu, Kashmir
from the region. saffron, black rice Manipur got this GI tag.
▪ Meanwhile, an application seeking GI
tag for the famous Panruti Palapazham
(jackfruit) has been filed by the Tamil Nadu
State Agricultural Marketing Board and the
Maligampattu Farmer Producer Association.
About Geographical Indications (GI):
▪ A GI is a sign used on products that have
a specific geographical origin and possess
qualities or a reputation that are due to that
origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign
must identify a product as originating in a
given place.
▪ In addition, the qualities, characteristics
or reputation of the product should be
essentially due to the place of origin.
www.vetriias.com 29
4. ECONOMICS
GDP slide in FY21 was Lower Than ▪ Growth in 2022-23 will be supported by
Estimated: widespread vaccine coverage, gains from
▪ The contraction in India’s economy during supply side reforms and easing of regulations,
the pandemic hit year FY21, was less than robust export growth, and availability of
estimated earlier, as per revised data from fiscal space to ramp up capital spending.
the National Statistical Office (NSO). ▪ The year ahead is also well poised for a
▪ Real GDP declined 6.6% in FY21, compared pickup in private sector investment with the
with a 7.3% contraction estimated previously, financial system in a good position to provide
while the Gross Value Added (GVA) dropped support to the revival of the economy.
4.8% as opposed to a 6.2% fall indicated What is the Economic Survey?
earlier. ▪ Economic Survey is an annual document
▪ The NSO, however, also revised downwards of the Ministry of Finance. It reviews the
real GDP growth for FY20 to 3.7% from 4% economic progress of the country and issues
estimated earlier. in the last 12 months.
▪ Thus, a part of the revisions in FY21 data ▪ The Economic Survey discusses major fiscal
were triggered by the base effect, while the developments, macroeconomic factors,
NSO attributed the revisions to the use of inflation, and other economic factors. The
more detailed Industry Information. document also highlights the impact of
Survey pegs Growth at 8-8.5% in agriculture, climate change, and employment
on the economy of the country.
2022-23: ▪ The 1st Economic Survey was tabled in
▪ India’s GDP is expected to grow by 9.2% 1950-51. However, till the year 1964, it was
this year and 8% to 8.5% in 2022-23, though presented along with the budget.
hardening inflation and energy prices along
with tightening of global liquidity pose a Core Sectors grow 3.8%, Analysts
challenge, according to the Economic Survey see Mixed Signs:
for 2021-22 tabled by Union Finance Minister ▪ Output from India’s eight core sectors
Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. grew 3.8% in December 2021, accelerating
▪ Newly appointed Chief Economic Adviser marginally from the 3.4% increase recorded
V. Anantha Nageswaran termed the 8%-8.5% in November, but still far from the healthy
GDP growth estimate for the coming year a 8.4% year-on-year rise in October.
conservative projection. ▪ Though output dipped year-on-year in just
▪ India’s investment to GDP ratio has hit two sectors, crude oil (1.8%) and steel (1%),
29.6% in 2021-22, the highest level in seven Economists said signals from the data were
years, the Survey said, attributing this capital Mixed.
formation to the government’s policy thrust
on quickening the ‘virtuous cycle of growth
via capex and infrastructure spending’ has
increased Capital formation in the economy.
30 www.vetriias.com
Economics | 31
RBI projected India's Economic ▪ At the bi-annual Monetary Policy Committee

meet of the RBI, it was decided to increase
Growth for the Financial year 2023 the e-Rupi digital voucher cap from Rs
(FY23) at 7.8%. 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
▪ RBI governor, Shaktikanta Das said there
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):
was some loss of economic momentum due
to third pandemic wave and the demand for ▪ The Monetary Policy Committee is a statutory
contact intensive sector is muted. and institutionalized framework under the
▪ The repo rate unchanged: The RBI kept the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, established
repo rate — the rate at which the RBI lends in 2016.
to banks — unchanged for the tenth time in ▪ An RBI-appointed committee led by the
a row at 4 per cent. All six members of the then deputy governor Urjit Patel in 2014
MPC, headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta recommended the establishment of the
Das, voted to keep the repo rate intact. Monetary Policy Committee.
▪ Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank ▪ The Governor of RBI is ex-officio Chairman
of a country (Reserve Bank of India in case of of the committee.
India) lends money to commercial banks in ▪ The committee comprises six members
the event of any shortfall of Funds. (including the Chairman) - three officials
▪ Reverse repo rate is the rate at which the of the RBI and three external members
RBI borrows money from commercial banks nominated by the Government of India
within the country. ▪ The MPC determines the policy interest rate
▪ Inflation: Behind the RBI decision not to hike (repo rate) required to achieve the inflation
rates is also its outlook on inflation for the target (4%).
next financial year. Despite crude oil prices Contribution of Agricultural Export
rising over $90 per barrel, it has projected a
lower retail inflation level of 4.5 per cent in in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
the next fiscal 2022-23 as against the inflation ▪ During 2019-20, the value of India’s agri-
forecast of 5.3 per cent for 2021-22. exports of principal agri commodities group
▪ GDP Growth: The RBI has projected real was Rs.2,52,297 crore which was 1.2% of
(adjusted for inflation) gross domestic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current
product (GDP) growth projection at 7.8 per prices.
cent for 2022-23. The real GDP growth at 9.2 ▪ Despite covid-19 pandemic, there has been
per cent for 2021-22 takes it modestly above 22.8% growth in agri exports at Rs. 3, 09,939
the level of GDP in 2019-20. crore with a share of 1.6% to GDP during
▪ Cryptocurrency: In the post monetary 2020-21.
policy press conference Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said,
Exports rise 25% to $34.5 bn in
"Cryptocurrency is privately created and it Jan.
is a threat to financial stability," ▪ India’s merchandise exports touched $34.5
▪ e-RUPI: The e-RUPI pre-paid digital voucher billion in January, 25.3% higher than a year
developed by the NPCI was launched ago, while imports grew at a slightly slower
in August 2021. The single use cashless pace, taking the country’s trade deficit to a
payment voucher has a cap of Rs 10,000. It is five-month low of $17.4 billion, say official
now proposed to increase the cap of e-RUPI estimates released on February 15.
vouchers issued by the Central government ▪ While January’s goods exports are 8.75%
and State governments from Rs 10,000 to Rs lower than December’s all-time record figure
1,00,000 per voucher and permit such e-RUPI of $37.81 billion, it takes India’s exports near
vouchers to be used more than once (until the $400 billion target set for 2021-22, with the
the amount of the voucher is completely first 10 months of the year already clocking
redeemed). outbound shipments worth $336 billion.
www.vetriias.com 31
▪ This marks a nearly 47% increase from a year goods and services of daily or common use,
ago and a 27.1% increase over the pre-COVID such as food, clothing, housing, recreation,
period of 2019-20. transport, consumer staples, etc.
▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by
Retail Inflation for farm and Rural two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price
Workers Rose: Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index)
▪ Retail inflation for farm workers and rural which measure wholesale and retail-level
labourers rose to 5.49 per cent and 5.74 per price changes, respectively.
cent, respectively in January mainly due to Consumer Price Index:
higher prices of certain food items.
▪ It measures price changes from the
▪ The all-India CPI-AL (consumer price
perspective of a retail buyer.
index for agricultural workers) and CPI-RL
▪ Four types of CPI are as follows:
(consumer price index for rural labourers)
numbers in January 2022 decreased by 2 1. CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).
points and 1 point to stand at 1095 and 1105 2. CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).
points, respectively as compared to that in
3. CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).
December 2021.
▪ In case of agricultural labourers, the index 4. CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined).
recorded a decrease of 1 to 9 points in 11 ▪ Of these, the first three are compiled by the
states and an increase of 1 to 8 points in 9 Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour
states. Tamil Nadu with 1292 points topped and Employment. Fourth is compiled by
the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh the National Statistical Office (NSO) in
with 869 points stood at the bottom. the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
▪ In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded a Implementation.
decrease of 1 to 9 points in 10 states and an ▪ Base Year for CPI is 2012.
increase of 2 to 8 points in 8 states while it ▪ The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) uses
remained stationary for Madhya Pradesh CPI data to inflation.
and Odisha. Tamil Nadu with 1278 points
topped the index table whereas Himachal
Indian Tech Industry crosses $200
Pradesh with 917 points stood at the bottom. bn Revenue Mark in FY22:
▪ Amongst states, the maximum decrease ▪ India’s technology industry crossed the $200
in CPI-AL and CPI-RL numbers was billion revenue mark this financial year to
experienced by Uttar Pradesh (9 points touch a record $227 billion, the National
each), mainly due to fall in prices of wheat- Association of Software and Services
atta, pulses, mustard-oil, vegetables & fruits, Companies (Nasscom) said in its Strategic
firewood etc. Review 2022 report.
▪ On the contrary, the maximum increase ▪ India has also emerged as a global hub for
in CPI-AL number was experienced by digital talent with more than five million tech
Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan (8 points workers.
each). ▪ The software services industry employs 1.8
▪ Jammu & Kashmir saw maximum increase in million women, accounting for 36% of overall
CPI-RL number (8 points) mainly due to rise workforce, making it one of the largest
in prices of rice, maize, vegetables & fruits, private-sector employers of women in India.
wheat-atta, meat-goat, shirting cloth cotton
About NASSCOM:
(mill), firewood etc.
▪ National Association of Software and
About Inflation: Services Companies (NASSCOM) a not-for-
▪ Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer profit industry association, is the apex body
Price Index (CPI). for the IT industry in India.
▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most ▪ Established in 1988, NASSCOM’s relentless
32 www.vetriias.com
Economics | 33
pursuit has been to constantly support the IT

and BPO industry.
▪ Members of NASSCOM are Indian Co
software development, software services, IT-
enabled/BPO services.
▪ NASSCOM role has primarily been to make
sure that service quality and enforcement
of Intellectual Property Rights have been
properly implemented in the Indian software
and BPO industry.
Services Export is expected to

reach USD 325 Billion:
▪ The country's services export is expected
to reach USD 325 billion in 2022-23 on
account of increasing demand for all kinds
of services and gradual resumption of
regular international travels, Services Export
Promotion Council (SEPC) Chairman Sunil
H Talati said.
▪ He said support measures for the sector in
the new Foreign trade policy would help
further boost the outbound shipments.
▪ It had earlier proposed an alternative scheme
to SEIS (Services Export from India Scheme)
-- DRESS (Duty Remission on Export of
Services Scheme) to boost exports.
www.vetriias.com 33
4.2 PUBLIC FINANCE: BUDGETING

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UNION ▪ The projects pertaining to these 7 engines in
the National Infrastructure Pipeline will be
BUDGET 2022-23: aligned with PM GatiShakti framework.
▪ Union Minister for finance & corporate
affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 1, Road Transport:
tabled the Union Budget 2022-23 (a bigger Rs ▪ National Highways Network to be expanded
39.45 lakh crore Budget) in the Parliament, by 25000 Km in 2022-23.
which seeks to complement macro-economic ▪ Rs 20000 Crore to be mobilized for National
level growth with a focus on micro-economic Highways Network expansion.
level all-inclusive welfare.
Multimodal Logistics Parks:
▪ This is Narendra Modi government’s tenth
Budget, and the second paperless budget ▪ Contracts to be awarded through PPP mode
in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in 2022-23 for implementation of Multimodal
situation. Logistics Parks at Four Locations.
The key highlights of the Budget are Railways:

as follows: ▪ The Railway Ministry has been allocated
▪ India’s Economic Growth estimated at 9.2% budgetary support of Rs 140367.13 crore in
to be the highest among all large Economies. the Union Budget - Rs 20,311 crore more than
▪ 60 lakh new jobs to be created under the the revised figures of the previous fiscal.
productivity linked incentive scheme in 14 ▪ The FM has also allocated Rs 15710.44 crore to
sectors. the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), whose
▪ PLI Schemes have the potential to create an assets will be monetized by the Railways for
additional production of Rs 30 lakh crore. operations and maintenance.
▪ Entering Amrit Kaal, the 25 year long lead up ▪ The budget has also allocated Rs 13335.47
to India @100, the budget provides impetus crore for track renewal, Rs 2850 crore for
for growth along four priorities: gauge conversion and Rs 12,108 crore for
doubling.
9 PM GatiShakti. ▪ A sum of Rs 25243 crore has been allocated
9 Inclusive Development. for new lines as well.
9 Productivity Enhancement & Investment, ▪ One Station One Product concept to help
Sunrise opportunities, Energy Transition, local businesses & supply chains.
and Climate Action. ▪ 2000 Km of railway network to be brought
under Kavach, the indigenous world class
9 Financing of investments.
technology and capacity augmentation in
PM GatiShakti: 2022-23.
▪ The seven engines that drive PM GatiShakti ▪ 400 new generation Vande Bharat Trains to
are Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, be manufactured during the next three years.
Mass Transport, Waterways and Logistics ▪ 100 PM GatiShakti Cargo terminals for
Infrastructure. multimodal logistics to be developed during
the next three years.
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan:
▪ The scope of PM GatiShakti National Parvatmala
Master Plan will encompass the seven ▪ National Ropeways Development Program,
engines for Economic Transformation, Parvatmala to be taken up on PPP mode.
seamless Multimodal connectivity and ▪ Contracts to be awarded in 2022-23 for 8
logistics Efficiency. ropeway projects of 60 Km length.
34 www.vetriias.com
Economics | 35
Inclusive Development reached among beneficiary states, centre will

Agriculture provide support for implementation.
▪ Central government budget on agriculture MSME:
and allied activities (Agriculture Budget) ▪ Udyam, e-shram, NCS and ASEEM portals
has increased marginally. to be interlinked.
▪ In the year 2021-22, it was Rs 1,47,764 crore, ▪ 130 lakh MSMEs provided additional credit
which has been increased to Rs 1,51,521 under Emergency Credit Linked Guarantee
crore this year. Scheme (ECLGS).
▪ However, the Budget allocation for the ▪ ECLGS to be extended up to March 2023.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry ▪ Guarantee cover under ECLGS to be
and Dairying has been increased by 44 % to expanded by Rs.50000 Crore to total cover of
Rs 6,407.31 crore and for Food Processing Rs 5 Lakh Crore.
Industries by 2.25 times to Rs 2,941.99 crore ▪ Rs. 2 lakh Crore additional credit for Micro
for the next fiscal. and Small Enterprises to be facilitated under
▪ Rs. 2.37 Lakh Crore direct payment to 1.63 the Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and
crore farmers for procurement of wheat and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
paddy. ▪ Raising and Accelerating MSME
▪ Chemical free Natural farming to be performance (RAMP) programme with
promoted throughout the county. Initial outlay of Rs 6000 Crore to be rolled out.
focus is on farmer’s lands in 5 Km wide
corridors along river Ganga. Skill Development
▪ NABARD to facilitate fund with blended ▪ Digital Ecosystem for Skilling and
capital to finance startups for agriculture & Livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) will be
Rural Enterprise. launched to empower citizens to skill, reskill
▪ ‘Kisan Drones’ for crop assessment, or upskill through on-line training.
digitization of land records, spraying of ▪ Startups will be promoted to facilitate
insecticides and nutrients. ‘Drone Shakti’ and for Drone-As-A-Service
(DrAAS).
MGNREGA budget slashed 25% Amid
High Rural Unemployment: Education:
▪ The Centre’s ₹73,000 crore allocation for the ▪ ‘One Class-One TV channel’ programme
flagship rural jobs scheme, the Mahatma of PM eVIDYA to be expanded to 200 TV
Gandhi National Rural Employment channels.
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), in 2022-23 is ▪ Virtual labs and skilling e-labs to be set up to
25% lower than the ₹98,000 crore revised promote critical thinking skills and simulated
estimate for the scheme in the current year, learning environment.
reverting to the same insufficient amount ▪ High-quality e-content will be developed for
allocated in the last budget. delivery through Digital Teachers.
▪ Digital University for world-class quality
Ken Betwa project universal education with personalised
▪ 1400 crore outlay for implementation of the learning experience to be established.
Ken – Betwa link project.
▪ 9.08 lakh hectares of farmers’ lands to receive Health:
irrigation benefits by Ken-Betwa link project. ▪ The health sector has been allocated Rs
86200.65 crore in the Union Budget, a hike of
Draft DPRs for 5 river links: 16 percent over Rs 73,931 crore in 2021-22.
▪ Draft DPRs for 5 river links Damanganga- ▪ Out of Rs 86200.65 crore, Rs 83,000 crore have
Pinjal, Par- Tapi-Narmada, Godavari- been allocated to the Department of Health
Krishna, Krishna-Pennar & Pennar-Kaveri and Family Welfare while Rs 3200 crore have
have been finalized. Once consensus is been allocated to the Department of Health
www.vetriias.com 35
Research.
▪ An open platform for National Digital e-Passport
Health Ecosystem to be rolled out.
▪ e-Passports with embedded chip and
▪ ‘National Tele Mental Health Programme’
futuristic technology to be rolled out.
for quality mental health counselling and
care services to be launched. Urban Planning
▪ A network of 23 tele-mental Health Centres ▪ Modernization of building byelaws, Town
of excellence will be set up, with NIMHANS Planning Schemes (TPS), and Transit Oriented
being the nodal centre and International Development (TOD) will be implemented.
Institute of Information Technology- ▪ Battery swapping policy to be brought out
Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology for setting up charging stations at scale in
support. urban areas.
Saksham Anganwadi: Land Records Management
▪ Integrated benefits to women and children ▪ Unique Land Parcel Identification Number
through Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, for IT-based management of land records.
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. ▪ Accelerated Corporate Exit Centre for
▪ Two Lakh Anganwadis to be upgraded to Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit
Saksham Anganwadis. (C-PACE) to be established for speedy
Har Ghar, Nal Se Jal winding-up of companies.
▪ Rs. 60,000 crores allocated to cover 3.8 crore AVGC Promotion Task Force
households in 2022-23 to provide drinking ▪ An animation, visual effects, gaming, and
water under Har Ghar, Nal se Jal. comic (AVGC) promotion task force to be set-
Housing for All up to realize the potential of this sector.
▪ Rs. 48,000 crores allocated for completion of Telecom Sector
80 lakh houses in 2022-23 under PM Awas ▪ Scheme for design-led manufacturing to be
Yojana. launched to build a strong ecosystem for 5G
Prime Minister’s Development as part of the Production Linked Incentive
Initiative for North-East Region Scheme.
(PM-DevINE) 44,720 Crore in BSNL in 2022-23:
▪ New scheme PM-DevINE launched to ▪ The Government will put in ₹ 44,720 crore
fund infrastructure and social development into loss-making state-owned telecom
projects in the North-East. company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
▪ An initial allocation of Rs. 1500 crores made (BSNL) in the next financial year.
to enable livelihood activities for youth and ▪ The provision is made for capital infusion for
women under the scheme. 4G spectrum, technology up-gradation and
Vibrant Villages Programme restructuring in BSNL.
▪ Vibrant Villages Programme for development Export Promotion:
of Border Villages with sparse population, ▪ Special Economic Zones Act to be replaced
limited Connectivity and infrastructure on with a new legislation to enable States
the Northern Border. to become partners in ‘Development of
Banking Enterprise and Service Hubs’.
▪ 100 per cent of 1.5 lakh post offices to come Rs 5.25 lakh crore for defence:
on the core banking system. ▪ India's defence budget has been increased to
▪ Scheduled Commercial Banks to set up 75 Rs 5.25 lakh crore for the next fiscal from last
Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in 75 districts. year's allocation of Rs 4.78 lakh crore.
36 www.vetriias.com
Economics | 37
▪ The Government is committed to reducing ▪ Financial support to farmers belonging to

imports and promoting self-reliance in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who
defence manufacturing. want to take up agro-forestry.
AtmaNirbharta in Defence: Public Capital Investment:
▪ 68% of capital procurement budget ▪ Public investment to continue to pump-prime
earmarked for Domestic Industry in 2022- private investment and demand in 2022-23.
23, up from 58% in 2021-22. ▪ Outlay for capital expenditure stepped up
▪ Defence R&D to be opened up for industry, sharply by 35.4% to Rs. 7.50 lakh crore in
startups and academia with 25% of defence 2022-23 from Rs. 5.54 lakh crore in the current
R&D budget earmarked. year.
▪ Independent nodal umbrella body to be ▪ Outlay in 2022-23 to be 2.9% of GDP.
set up for meeting testing and certification ▪ ‘Effective Capital Expenditure’ of Central
requirements. Government estimated at Rs. 10.68 lakh crore
in 2022-23, which is about 4.1% of GDP.
Priority to Internal Security:
▪ Reflecting the Modi government's priority GIFT-IFSC
to internal security, the Union Budget ▪ World-class foreign universities and
allocated Rs 1.85 lakh crore to the Ministry institutions to be allowed in the GIFT City.
of Home Affairs, about 11.5 percent more ▪ An International Arbitration Centre to be
than the current fiscal when it was allocated set up for timely settlement of disputes under
Rs 1,66,546.94 crore, with the majority of international jurisprudence.
spending on central police organisations
Mobilising Resources
like the CRPF, BSF and for improving
the infrastructure along the international ▪ Data Centres and Energy Storage Systems
borders. to be given infrastructure status.
▪ Venture Capital and Private Equity invested
Sunrise Opportunities more than Rs. 5.5 lakh crore last year
▪ Government contribution to be provided for facilitating one of the largest start-up and
R&D in Sunrise Opportunities like Artificial Growth ecosystem. Measures to be taken to
Intelligence, Geospatial Systems and Drones, help scale up this investment.
Semiconductor and its eco-system, Space
Blended funds to be promoted for
Economy, Genomics and Pharmaceuticals,
Sunrise sectors.
Green Energy, and Clean Mobility Systems.
▪ Sovereign Green Bonds to be issued for
Energy Transition and Climate Action: mobilizing resources for green infrastructure.
▪ Additional allocation of Rs. 19,500 crores
Digital Rupee
for Production Linked Incentive for
manufacture of high efficiency solar ▪ Introduction of Digital Rupee by the Reserve
modules to meet the goal of 280 GW of Bank of India starting 2022-23.
installed solar power by 2030. Providing Greater Fiscal Space to
▪ Five to seven per cent biomass pellets to be States
co-fired in thermal power plants:
▪ Enhanced outlay for ‘Scheme for Financial
▪ CO2 savings of 38 MMT annually,
Assistance to States for Capital Investment’:
▪ Extra income to farmers and job opportunities
▪ From Rs. 10,000 crores in Budget Estimates
to locals,
to Rs. 15,000 crores in Revised Estimates for
▪ Help avoid stubble burning in agriculture
current year
fields.
▪ Allocation of Rs. 1 lakh crore in 2022-23
▪ Four pilot projects to be set up for coal
to assist the states in catalysing overall
gasification and conversion of coal into
investments in the economy: fifty-year
chemicals for the industry
www.vetriias.com 37
interest free loans, over and above normal payment of additional tax.
borrowings.
▪ In 2022-23, States will be allowed a fiscal ▪ Will enable the assesses to declare income
deficit of 4% of GSDP, of which 0.5% will missed out earlier.
be tied to power sector reforms. ▪ Can be filed within two years from the end of
the relevant assessment year.
Fiscal Management
▪ Budget Estimates 2021-22: Rs. 34.83 lakh Cooperative societies
crore. ▪ The budget has allocated Rs 900 crore to the
▪ Revised Estimates 2021-22: Rs. 37.70 lakh newly created Ministry of Cooperation for
crore. 2022-23.
▪ Total expenditure in 2022-23 estimated at ▪ Alternate Minimum Tax paid by cooperatives
Rs. 39.45 lakh crore. brought down from 18.5 % to 15 %.
▪ Total receipts other than borrowings in ▪ To provide a level playing field between
2022-23 estimated at Rs. 22.84 lakh crore. cooperative societies and companies.
▪ Fiscal deficit in current year: 6.9% of GDP ▪ Surcharge on cooperative societies reduced
(against 6.8% in Budget Estimates). from 12 % to 7 % for those having total
▪ Fiscal deficit in 2022-23 estimated at 6.4% of income of more than Rs 1 crore and up to Rs
GDP. 10 crores.
DIRECT TAXES Tax relief to persons with disability
▪ No change in income tax slabs. ▪ Payment of annuity and lump sum amount
▪ Income Tax Slab Rates for FY 2022-23: from insurance scheme to be allowed to
differently abled dependent during the
Total Income New Tax Regime
lifetime of parents/guardians, i.e., on
(Without deductions
parents/ guardian attaining the age of 60
and exemptions) years.
Upto Rs. 2.5 NIL Parity in National Pension Scheme

Lakh Contribution
From Rs.2,50,0001 5% ▪ Tax deduction limit increased from 10 per
to Rs. 5 Lakh cent to 14 per cent on employer’s contribution
to the NPS account of State Government
From Rs. 5,00,001 to 10%
employees.
Rs. 7.5 Lakh
▪ Brings them at par with central Government
From Rs. 7,50,001 to 15% Employees.
Rs. 10 Lakh ▪ Would help in enhancing social security
From Rs. 10,00,001 20% benefits.
to Rs. 12.5 Lakh
Incentives for Start-ups
From Rs. 12,50,001 25%
to Rs. 15 lakhs ▪ Period of incorporation extended by one
year, up to 31.03.2023 for eligible start-ups to
From Rs. 15,00,001 30%
avail tax benefit.
and above
▪ Previously the period of incorporation valid
▪ To take forward the policy of stable and
up to 31.03.2022.
predictable tax regime:
▪ Vision to establish a trustworthy tax regime. Incentives under concessional Tax
▪ To further simplify tax system and reduce regime
litigation. ▪ Last date for commencement of
▪ Introducing New ‘Updated return’ manufacturing or production under section
▪ Provision to file an Updated Return on 115BAB extended by one year i.e., from 31st
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Economics | 39
March, 2023 to 31st March, 2024. ▪ Surcharge on long term capital gains arising
on transfer of any type of assets capped at 15
Scheme for taxation of Virtual Digital
per cent.
Assets:
▪ To give a boost to the startup community.
▪ Specific tax regime for virtual digital assets
introduced. Health and Education Cess
▪ Any income from transfer of any virtual ▪ Any surcharge or cess on income and profits
digital asset to be taxed at the rate of 30 per not allowable as business expenditure.
cent.
Deterrence against tax-evasion
▪ No deduction in respect of any expenditure
or allowance to be allowed while computing ▪ No set off, of any loss to be allowed against
such income except cost of acquisition. undisclosed income detected during search
▪ Loss from transfer of virtual digital asset and survey operations.
cannot be set off against any other income. Rationalizing TDS Provisions
▪ To capture the transaction details, TDS to
▪ Benefits passed on to agents as business
be provided on payment made in relation
promotion strategy taxable in hands of
to transfer of virtual digital asset at the rate
agents.
of 1 per cent of such consideration above a
▪ Tax deduction provided to person giving
monetary threshold.
benefits, if the aggregate value of such benefits
▪ Gift of virtual digital asset also to be taxed in
exceeds Rs 20,000 during the financial year.
the hands of the recipient.
Litigation Management INDIRECT TAXES
▪ In cases where question of law is identical to Remarkable progress in GST
the one pending in High Court or Supreme ▪ GST revenues are buoyant despite the
Court, the filing of appeal by the department pandemic – Taxpayers deserve applause for
shall be deferred till such question of law is this growth.
decided by the court. Special Economic Zones
▪ To greatly help in reducing repeated litigation
▪ Customs Administration of SEZs to be fully
between taxpayers and the department.
IT driven and function on the Customs
Tax incentives to IFSC National Portal – shall be implemented by
▪ Subject to specified conditions, the following 30th September 2022.
to be exempt from tax Customs Reforms and Duty Rate
9 Income of a non-resident from offshore changes
derivative instruments. ▪ Faceless Customs has been fully established.
9 Income from over-the-counter derivatives During Covid-19 pandemic, Customs
issued by an offshore banking unit. formations have done exceptional frontline
9 Income from royalty and interest on work against all odds displaying agility and
account of lease of ship. purpose.
9 Income received from portfolio Project imports and Capital Goods
management services in IFSC. ▪ Gradually phasing out of the concessional
Rationalization of Surcharge: rates in capital goods and project imports;
▪ Surcharge on AOPs (consortium formed to and applying a moderate tariff of 7.5 percent
execute a contract) capped at 15 per cent. – conducive to the growth of domestic sector
▪ Done to reduce the disparity in surcharge and ‘Make in India’.
between individual companies and AOPs. ▪ Certain exemptions for advanced machineries
that are not manufactured within the country
shall continue.
www.vetriias.com 39
▪ A few exemptions introduced on inputs, Chemicals

like specialized castings, ball screw and ▪ Customs duty on certain critical chemicals
linear motion guide - to encourage Domestic namely methanol, acetic acid and heavy feed
manufacturing of capital goods. stocks for petroleum refining being reduced;
Review of customs exemptions and Duty is being raised on sodium cyanide for
tariff simplification which adequate domestic capacity exists –
▪ More than 350 exemption entries proposed This will help in enhancing domestic value
to be gradually phased out, like exemption addition.
on certain agricultural produce, chemicals, MSME
fabrics, medical devices, & drugs and ▪ Customs duty on umbrellas being raised to
medicines for which sufficient domestic 20 per cent. Exemption to parts of umbrellas
capacity exists. being withdrawn. Exemption being
▪ Simplifying the Customs rate and tariff rationalized on implements and tools for
structure particularly for sectors like agri-sector which are manufactured in India
chemicals, textiles and metals and minimise ▪ Customs duty exemption given to steel scrap
disputes; Removal of exemption on items last year extended for another year to provide
which are or can be manufactured in India relief to MSME secondary steel producers
and providing concessional duties on raw ▪ Certain Anti- dumping and CVD on stainless
material that go into manufacturing of steel and coated steel flat products, bars of
intermediate products – in line with the alloy steel and high-speed steel are being
objective of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar revoked – to tackle prevailing high prices of
Bharat’. metal in larger public interest.
SECTOR SPECIFIC PROPOSALS Exports
Electronics ▪ To incentivise exports, exemptions being
▪ Customs duty rates to be calibrated to provide provided on items such as embellishment,
a graded rate structure - to facilitate domestic trimming, fasteners, buttons, zipper, lining
manufacturing of wearable devices, hearable material, specified leather, furniture fittings
devices and electronic smart meters. and packaging boxes.
▪ Duty concessions to parts of transformer ▪ Duty being reduced on certain inputs
of mobile phone chargers and camera lens required for shrimp aquaculture - to promote
of mobile camera module and certain other its exports.
items – To enable domestic manufacturing of Tariff measure to Encourage blending
high growth electronic items. of fuel
Gems and Jewellery ▪ Unblended fuel to attract an additional
▪ Customs duty on cut and polished diamonds differential excise duty of Rs 2/ litre from the
and gemstones being reduced to 5 per cent; 1st of October 2022 - to encourage blending
Nil customs duty to simply sawn diamond of fuel.
- To give a boost to the Gems and Jewellery Funds allocated to various Ministries:
sector.
▪ A simplified regulatory framework to be ▪ Government to borrow Rs 11.6 lakh crore in
implemented by June this year - To facilitate FY23:
export of jewellery through e-commerce. 9 The government will borrow Rs 11.6 lakh
▪ Customs duty of at least Rs 400 per Kg to crore in 2022-23 to meet its expenditure
be paid on imitation jewellery import - requirements, the estimated amount is
To disincentivise import of undervalued Rs 2 lakh crore higher than the amount of
imitation jewellery. Rs 9.7 lakh crore budgeted for the current
fiscal.
40 www.vetriias.com
Economics | 41
9 Total market borrowings of the Women and Child Development

government for 2022-23 are estimated to Ministry allocated Rs 25,172 crore:
stand at Rs 11,58,719 crore, according to ▪ The budget allocated to the Women and
the Budget document. Child Development Ministry stood at Rs
Over Rs 288 crore for training of 25,172.28 crore in 2022-23, a slight increase of
bureaucrats: 3 per cent from Rs 24,435 crore that was given
▪ As part of this year's Budget, the Modi in 2021-22.
administration has allocated Rs 288 crore Fund Allocated to Minority Affairs
to the Personnel Ministry to be used for Ministry:
the training of bureaucrats, in addition to
▪ In the budget presented for 2022-23 by
augmenting necessary infrastructure.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,
▪ The Union Budget 2022-23 also has an outlay
it is proposed to give ₹ 5020.50 crore to
of Rs 44.25 crore for the "Administrative
the Ministry of Minority Affairs which is
Reforms and Pensioners' Scheme", which
₹ 674.05 crore more than the revised figures
includes provision for Department of
of the previous fiscal.
Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances
▪ The budget estimate for the Ministry of
scheme for modernisation of government
Minority Affairs in the financial year 2021-
offices, and pilot projects on administrative
22 was ₹ 4810.77 crore and later the revised
reforms which consists of promotion of
allocation was ₹ 4346.45 crore.
e-governance, fostering of good governance,
▪ Of the proposed allocation to the ministry,
learning from success, sevottam etc.
₹1425 crore is for the pre-matric scholarship
₹3980 crore allocated for Ministry of scheme and ₹ 515 crore is for the post-matric
Information and Broadcasting: scholarship.
▪ Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ▪ Over 491 crores have been allocated for skill
on February 1 announced a ₹3,980.77-crore development and livelihood initiatives.
outlay for the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting in the 2022-23 fiscal, a decrease
January sees second highest GST
of ₹90 crore from last year. collection at ₹1.38 lakh cr.
▪ The allocation to the government’s ▪ India clocked its second highest gross Goods
autonomous body Prasar Bharati has been and Service Tax collections in January at
reduced to ₹2,555.29 crore from ₹2,640.11 ₹1,38,394 crore, 15% higher than a year
crore allotted to it in the last fiscal. earlier and 25% more than the GST revenues
in the pre-COVID month of January 2020.
Rs 3030 crore allocated to
▪ The Highest Monthly GST collection since
Environment Ministry:
the introduction of the tax in July 2017, was
▪ Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ₹1,39,708 crore recorded in April last year.
allocated Rs 3030 crore to the ministry for the ▪ This was the fourth month that GST revenues
financial year 2022-23, of which Rs 460 crore have crossed ₹1.3 lakh crore.
were allotted towards control of pollution, ▪ Apart from settling ₹29,726 crore to Central
which is Rs 10 crore less than last year's GST and ₹24,180 crore to States’ GST kitty
Budget. from the Integrated GST (IGST) collections,
▪ The government, however, increased the the Centre also settled ₹35,000 crore of IGST
Budget for National Mission for Green India on an adhoc basis in the ratio of 50:50 between
from Rs 290 crore in the last financial year to the Centre and States and Union Territories
Rs 361.69 crore this year with the national in January.
afforestation programme alone being allotted ▪ GST compensation Amounting to ₹18,000
Rs 300 crore, more than last year's amount of crore was also released to the States in the
Rs 235 crore. month.
www.vetriias.com 41
Finance Ministry's Monthly

Economic Review:
▪ The Indian Economy is poised to grow at
the quickest pace among the league of large
nations on the back of various initiatives
taken by the government in Budget 2022-23.
▪ "The current year may as well end with an
economic reset manifest of a post-COVID-19
world. Manufacturing and Construction will
be the 'growth drivers', triggered by the PLI
schemes and public capex in infrastructure,"
the review report said.
▪ Agriculture, which continues to see a
constant increase in net sown area and crop
diversification, will strengthen food buffers
while benefiting farmers through generous
volumes of procurement at remunerative
minimum support prices and income
transfers through PM KISAN scheme, it
added.
42 www.vetriias.com
Economics | 43
4.3 MONEY & BANKING

RBI - 2nd Largest Gold Buyer: prospect into consideration.
▪ The largest buyer, the Central Bank of About Inflation:
Thailand, bought 90 metric tonnes of gold in ▪ Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer
2021. Price Index (CPI).
▪ RBI is the second-largest buyer of gold in ▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most
2021 (77.5 metric tonnes). This took the total goods and services of daily or common use,
gold reserve to 754.1 tonnes. such as food, clothing, housing, recreation,
▪ As per Goldhub, India’s official gold reserves transport, consumer staples, etc.
is the ninth-largest in the world. ▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by
▪ Goldhub is the official website of the World two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price
Gold Council. It maintains all the data Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index)
regarding precious metals. which measure wholesale and retail-level
About World Gold Council: price changes, respectively.
▪ Consumer Price Index
▪ The World Gold Council is the market ▪ It measures price changes from the
development organisation for the gold perspective of a retail buyer.
industry. It works across all parts of the ▪ Four types of CPI are as follows:
industry, from gold mining to investment, ▪ CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).
and their aim is to stimulate and sustain ▪ CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).
demand for gold. ▪ CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).
▪ CEO: David Tait ▪ CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined).
▪ Headquarters: London, United Kingdom ▪ Of these, the first three are compiled by the
▪ Founded: 1987 Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour
▪ President: Kelvin Dushnisky. and Employment. Fourth is compiled by
Inflation edges past 6% in the National Statistical Office (NSO) in
the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
January
Implementation.
▪ India’s retail inflation accelerated past the ▪ Base Year for CPI is 2012.
6% mark in January to hit 6.01%, breaching ▪ The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) uses
the central bank’s tolerance threshold for CPI data to control inflation.
consumer price inflation for the first time ▪ Wholesale Price Index
since June 2021. ▪ It measures the changes in the prices of
▪ Retail inflation was 5.66% in December 2021. Goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale
Rural India bore the brunt of the inflation Businesses to other businesses. Published by
spike as per official data, with the pace of the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of
price rise touching 6.12% from 5.36% in Commerce and Industry.
December.
▪ Inflation in urban India was virtually Inflation edges past 6% in January
unchanged at 5.91% in January, from 5.9% ▪ India’s retail inflation accelerated past the
a month earlier. The Consumer Food Price 6% mark in January to hit 6.01%, breaching
Index spiked significantly from 4.05% in the central bank’s tolerance threshold for
December to 5.43% in January, with rural consumer price inflation for the first time
India again reporting a sharper rise. since June 2021.
▪ Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta ▪ Retail inflation was 5.66% in December 2021.
Das said the 6% inflation print should not Rural India bore the brunt of the inflation
cause concern or trigger any alarm, because spike as per official data, with the pace of
the Central Bank has already taken its price rise touching 6.12% from 5.36% in
www.vetriias.com 43
December.
▪ Inflation in urban India was virtually
unchanged at 5.91% in January, from 5.9%
a month earlier. The Consumer Food Price
Index spiked significantly from 4.05% in
December to 5.43% in January, with rural
India again reporting a sharper rise.
▪ Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta
Das said the 6% inflation print should not
cause concern or trigger any alarm, because
the Central Bank has already taken its
prospect into consideration.
44 www.vetriias.com
Science | 45
5. SCIENCE
NIPER Research Portal: About the National
▪ NIPER is the National Institute of Supercomputing Mission (NSM):
Pharmaceutical Education and Research ▪ NSM was announced in 2015, with an aim
(NIPER). to connect national academic and R&D
▪ The Ministry of Chemicals has recently institutions with a grid of more than 70
Launched NIPER Portal to facilitate high-performance computing facilities at an
innovation and research in the pharmaceutical estimated cost of Rs. 4,500 crores over the
Sector. period of seven years by 2022.
▪ The portal will assist the researchers in ▪ It supports the government's vision of 'Digital
contacting appropriate organizations. India' and 'Make in India'.
▪ It will help in industry-academia ▪ NSM is jointly steered by the Ministry of
Collaboration. Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department
▪ Also, the portal will benefit the MSMEs of Science and Technology (DST - Ministry of
largely. Science and Technology) and implemented
SeHAT OPD Portal: by the Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian
▪ Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
launched ‘Services e-Health Assistance &
Tele-consultation' (SeHAT) OPD Portal. DCGI grants Emergency Use
▪ Portal has been launched to provide Permission to single-dose Sputnik
Telemedicine services in Armed Forces.
Light COVID vaccine
▪ Service will be provided by defence services
Doctors who are on regular duties. ▪ The Drugs Controller General of India has
▪ Persons aged 75 and above can consult granted emergency use permission to single-
without waiting. dose Sputnik Light COVID vaccine in the
country
IISc. Commissions one of India’s ▪ This comes following recommendations
most Powerful Supercomputers: of an expert panel of India’s central drug
authority to grant restricted emergency use
▪ The Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) has
authorisation to Sputnik Light subject to
installed and commissioned Param Pravega,
various regulatory provisions.
one of the most powerful supercomputers
▪ Sputnik-Light is the same as component-1 of
in India, and the largest in an Indian
Sputnik V.
academic institution, under the National
Supercomputing Mission (NSM). About:
▪ It has a total supercomputing capacity of 3.3 ▪ Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia is a
petaflops (1 petaflop equals a quadrillion, or two-dose vaccine. The unique feature of the
10^15 floating-point operations per second). vaccine is that the first and second dose are
▪ It has been designed by the Centre for different from each other. In Sputnik Light a
Development of Advanced Computing single dose is sufficient.
(C-DAC).
www.vetriias.com 45
Giant Magellan Telescope during an experiment in December, more

than doubling a 1997 record.
▪ The Giant Magellan Telescope is under
▪ A kilogram of fusion fuel contains about 10
construction.
million times as much energy as a kilogram
▪ It will have resolving powers ten times the
of coal, oil or gas. The energy was produced
Hubble Space Telescope.
in a machine called a tokamak, a doughnut-
▪ Giant Magellan Telescope is an extremely
shaped apparatus. The JET site is the largest
large telescope.
operational one of its kind in the world.
▪ The telescope is to be located in Las Campanas
▪ Deuterium and tritium, which are isotopes
Observatory, Chile.
of hydrogen, are heated to temperatures 10
▪ The project is US-led.
times hotter than the centre of the sun to
▪ The partners are Brazil, Australia, and South
create plasma. This is held in place using
Korea.
superconductor electromagnets as it spins
▪ Chile is the host country.
around, fuses and releases tremendous
ISRO to launch New Satellite on energy as heat.
February 14 ▪ The record and scientific data from these
crucial experiments are a major boost for the
▪ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ITER, the larger and more advanced version
is all set for its first launch of 2022 next week. of the JET.
ISRO plans to place, into orbit, an Earth ▪ The ITER is a fusion a research mega-project
Observation Satellite (EOS-04) on board the supported by seven members China, the
PSLV C-52 on February 14. European Union, India, Japan, South Korea,
▪ This will be the first launch for ISRO under Russia and the U.S. – and based in the south
the new chairman, S. Somanath. of France. It seeks to further demonstrate
▪ According to ISRO, the PSLV C-52 is the scientific and technological feasibility of
scheduled to launch at 5.59 a.m. from the Fusion energy.
first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre at Sriharikota. ISRO plans to place the
1,170 kg EOS-04 in a sun synchronous polar
orbit of 529 km. EOS-04 is a radar imaging
satellite, designed to provide high-quality
images under all weather conditions for
applications such as agriculture, forestry &
plantations, soil moisture and hydrology,
and flood mapping.
Scientists set new record in

Nuclear fusion energy
▪ Scientists in the United Kingdom said they
had achieved a new milestone in producing
nuclear fusion energy, or imitating the way
energy is produced in the sun.
▪ Energy by nuclear fusion is one of mankind's
long standing quests as it promises to be low
carbon, safer than how nuclear energy is now
produced and, with an efficiency that can
technically exceed a 100%.
▪ A team at the Joint European Torus (JET)
facility near Oxford in central England
generated 59 megajoules of sustained energy
46 www.vetriias.com
Science | 47

Centre places purchase order for ▪ If a hacker tries to crack the message in
Corbevax: quantum communication, it changes its form
in such a manner that would alert the sender
▪ The Centre has placed a purchase order and would cause the message to be altered
with Biological E for five crore doses of or deleted.
COVID vaccine Corbevax each costing ₹145
excluding taxes. X Particles in Quark – gluon
▪ The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector Plasma
undertaking, has issued the supply order of
▪ A mysterious “X” particle comprising four
Corbevax to Biological E in January-end on
quarks and first seen in 2003, has been
behalf of the Union Health Ministry.
found in the quark-gluon plasma produced
▪ India’s Drug Regulator approved India’s first
in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron
indigenously developed RBD protein sub-
Collider (LHC).
unit vaccine against COVID-19, Corbevax,
▪ The observation was made by physicists
for restricted use in emergency situation on
working on CERN’s Compact Muon Solenoid
December 28 2021.
(CMS) experiment.
▪ Corbevax is the third indigenously
▪ Further studies of the particle could help
developed vaccine in india after Covaxin
explain how familiar hadrons such as protons
and Covishield.
and neutrons formed from the quarkgluon
AI-based Chest X-Ray plasma believed to have been present in the
▪ An Artificial Intelligence (AI) based chest early universe.
X-Ray technique was recently developed Moons Make Planets Habitable:
by researchers from the Indian Institutes of
▪ A new study has examined the moon
Technology Jodhpur (IIT-J).
formations and concluded that only certain
▪ This chest X-Ray technique will be used
types of planets can form moons that are
for Covid-19A screening. The team of
large in respect to their host planets.
researchers has proposed a deep learning-
▪ The moon controls the length of the day and
based algorithm called COMiT-Net.
ocean tides, which affect the biological cycles
▪ This algorithm will learn the abnormalities
of life forms on our planet.
present in chest X-Ray images for
▪ The moon also contributes to Earth's climate
differentiating non-covid affected lung from
by stabilizing Earth's spin axis, offering an
Covid affected lung.
ideal environment for life to develop and
Hack-proof Quantum evolve.
▪ Because the moon is so important to live
Communication: on Earth, scientists conjecture that a moon
▪ The scientists from the Ahmedabad- may be a potentially beneficial feature in
based Space Applications Centre and harbouring life on other planets.
Physical Research Laboratory successfully
demonstrated quantum entanglement. Research on Ring- Shaped
▪ Using real-time Quantum Key Distribution, Molecules:
they conducted hack-proof communication ▪ MIT chemical engineers’ team has created
between two places separated by 300 meters. a new material, which is stronger than steel
▪ Quantum communication is one of the safest and lighter as plastic.
ways of connecting two places with high ▪ The material can be easily manufactured in
levels of code and quantum cryptography Large Quantities.
that cannot be decrypted or broken by an
external entity.
www.vetriias.com 47
▪ It can self-assemble into sheets, unlike all

Other Polymers.
WHO Report on Health Care Waste

▪ The World Health Organization recently
raised concerns against the extra medical
waste created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
▪ The pandemic has put immense strain on
medical waste management systems in the
world.
▪ The WHO report says that 30% of health care
facilities are not equipped to handle medical
waste.
▪ 60% of them are in the least developed
countries.
First Woman reported cured of HIV

after stem Cell Transplant:
▪ A U.S. patient with leukemia has become the
first woman and the third person to date to
be cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell
transplant from a donor who was naturally
resistant to the virus that causes AIDS.
Corbevax gets Emergency Approv-

al for 12-18 Age Group by DGCI:
▪ The Drugs Controller General of India
(DCGI) has approved the Corona Vaccine
Biologicals E Ltd’s Corbevax for children in
the age group of 12 to 18 years.
▪ Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company
Biological E Ltd said its coronavirus vaccine
Corbevax, is also India’s third homegrown
vaccine.
▪ Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is being given to
children aged 15 to 18 years from January 3.
▪ Corbevax is called a protein subunit and
currently, we have an example of the
hepatitis B vaccine which is also similarly a
protein subunit vaccine.
▪ Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
said, “It is the first indigenously developed
Receptor Binding Domain Protein subunit
vaccine against COVID19.
48 www.vetriias.com
Science | 49
5.3 SPACE
Chandrayaan-3 set for Launch in spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
▪ After a flight of about 17 minutes 34 seconds
August: three satellites namely EOS-04, INSPIREsat-1
▪ India plans to execute the Chandrayaan-3 and INS-2TD were injected successfully into
mission this August; Minister Jitendra Singh a sun-synchronous polar orbit of 529 km.
told the Lok Sabha. ▪ This was the country’s first mission this year,
▪ Though the Government had stated that in fact, it was the first mission since the failure
the mission was scheduled for 2022, this is of the GSLV F10 mission in August 2021 and
the first time that a specific month has been the first mission of the space agency under
announced. the chairmanship of S Somanath.
▪ The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a follow-up of
Chandrayaan-2 of July 2019, which aimed to EOS-04:
land a rover on the lunar South Pole. ▪ The 1700kg EOS-04 is a radar imaging
▪ Chandrayaan-2 was sent aboard the satellite capable of providing high-quality
country’s most powerful Geosynchronous images under all weather conditions.
Launch Vehicle, the GSLV-Mk 3. ▪ It can be used to capture images for
▪ However, lander Vikram, instead of a agriculture, forestry, flood mapping, soil
controlled landing, ended up crashlanding moisture and hydrology. The satellite has a
on September 7, 2019, and prevented rover mission life of 10 years.
Pragyaan from successfully travelling on the INS-2TD (Precursor to India-Bhutan
surface of the moon. Joint Satellite (INS-2B):
▪ Had the mission been successful, it would
have been the first time a country landed ▪ The spacecraft will also carry the INS-2TD
its rover on the moon in its maiden attempt. Technology Demonstrator satellite, which
has a thermal imaging camera and can
About Chandrayaan - 3: help in the assessment of land and water
▪ Chandrayaan-3 is a planned third lunar surface temperatures apart from mapping
Exploration Mission by the Indian Space vegetation.
Research Organisation (ISRO). InspireSat-1:
▪ Although scores of landers sent by Russia,
the U.S. and the Chinese have explored the ▪ The third InspireSat-1 satellite was
moon's surface, so far, no other agency has developed by the Indian Institute of
landed in the southern hemisphere of the Space Science and Technology, University
moon. ISRO hopes to be the first to do so. of Colorado, US, Singapore’s Nanyang
▪ As per ISRO, the total cost of Chandrayaan-3 Technological University, and National
mission will be over Rs 600 crores. Central University in Taiwan.
In comparison, the total cost of the ▪ This satellite will use two instruments to
Chandrayaan-2 mission was Rs 960 crores. study Ionosphere Dynamics and the Sun’s
▪ Launch Vehicle: GSLV-Mk 3. Coronal Heating process.
ISRO Successfully Launches

EOS-04:
(ISRO) successfully launched its Earth
Observation Satellite EOS-4 and two co-
passenger technology demonstrator and
scientific satellites at 5:59 am on February 14
from the first launch pad at the country’s only
www.vetriias.com 49
6. NATIONAL
– DIARY OF EVENTS
President Ram Nath Kovind's ▪ The chief architect of our Constitution, Baba
Budget Speech: Saheb Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar, had said:
"My ideal would be a society based on Liberty,
▪ Despite the pandemic, our farmers produced
Equality, and Fraternity... Democracy is
more than 30 crore tonnes of food grains and
not merely a form of Government… It
33 crore tonnes of horticulture produce in
is essentially an attitude of respect and
2020-21.
reverence towards one’s fellow men”.
▪ The government made record procurement
▪ In order to ensure remunerative prices to
to match the record production. The
farmers for their crops, it is necessary that
government procured 433 lakh metric tonnes
their products reach the right market. In this
of wheat during the Rabi season benefiting
direction, the Government has endeavoured
about 50 lakh farmers.
to open new avenues of prosperity for the
▪ A record quantity of about 900 lakh metric
farmers by launching Kisan Rail Seva.
tonnes of paddy was procured during Kharif
▪ During the Corona period, Indian Railways
season, benefiting 1 crore 30 lakh farmers.
operated over 1,900 Kisan Rails on more
▪ The Covid pandemic affected the entire
than 150 routes to transport perishable food
world and in India too, many of our loved
items like vegetables, fruits and milk, thereby
ones were snatched away from us. In these
transporting about 6 lakh metric tonnes of
circumstances, the Central Government,
Agricultural Produce.
State Governments, local Governments
▪ The Government is also modernizing the
and administration, our doctors, nurses
Indian Railways at a fast pace. New Vande
and health workers, our scientists and
Bharat trains and new vistadome coaches
entrepreneurs have worked as a team.
have added new feathers to the Indian
▪ This mutual trust, coordination and
Railways.
cooperation between the government and
▪ In the last seven years, 24,000 km of railway
citizens is an unprecedented example of the
route has been electrified. Laying new
strength of our democracy.
railway tracks and double-laning are also
▪ Today we are among the leading countries
progressing rapidly.
in the world with the highest vaccine doses
▪ Gandhinagar railway station in Gujarat
administered. Success of this campaign
and Rani Kamalapati railway station in
has given a shield to the country providing
Madhya Pradesh now provide new glimpse
enhanced protection to our citizens, while
of modern India.
also boosting their morale.
▪ The Railway arch bridge being constructed
▪ Yoga, Ayurveda and traditional medical
on the Chenab River in Kashmir is also
practices are also becoming increasingly
emerging as a centre of attraction.
popular due to the efforts of the government.
▪ Today, in the Amrit Kaal of independence,
▪ The country used to export AYUSH products
our resolve of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'
worth Rupees 6,600 crore in 2014. This export
is enabling us to write a new chapter of
has now increased to more than Rupees
development on the basis of democratic
11,000 crore.
values.
▪ India is going to establish the world’s
▪ The country is making special efforts for the
first ‘WHO Global Centre of Traditional
states and regions hitherto left neglected.
Medicine’.
50 www.vetriias.com
National Diary Of Events | 51
The beginning of a new era of development ▪ The scheme is being implemented in 15

in Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh region is a districts across as many States.
Great example of this. ▪ Last year, during his Independence Day
▪ The Government has started a new central speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Sector Scheme for the industrial development announced that by 2024 rice made available
of Jammu & Kashmir at a cost of about under every Government Programme will be
Rupees 28,000 crore. fortified to fight Malnutrition.
▪ Last year Qazigund-Banihal tunnel was
opened to traffic. International flights ‘Demand for MGNREGA work
between Srinagar and Sharjah have also Softens’
started. ▪ Demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi
▪ Many important steps have also been taken National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
to provide better opportunities for education, (MGNREGA) scheme has dropped from the
health and employment to the people of peak of the first lockdown, but is still higher
Jammu & Kashmir. than pre COVID levels, the Department of
▪ At present, works are in progress on seven Economic Affairs said in its annual Economic
medical colleges and two AIIMS, one in Survey, noting that this is “an indicator of
Jammu and another in Kashmir. Construction rural labour markets”.
of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu is also going on
in full swing.
About MGNREGA:
▪ The Sindhu Infrastructure Development ▪ The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Corporation has been set up to accelerate Employment Guarantee Act – 2005. - to
infrastructure and economic development in augment employment generation and social
the Union Territory of Ladakh. security in India.
▪ It is a demand-driven - 100 days of guaranteed
President Quotes Thirukkural in wage employment scheme, which functions
his Address under the Ministry of Rural Development.
▪ President Ram Nath Kovind quoted a ▪ Every adult member of a household in a rural
couplet while addressing the joint Houses of area with a job card is eligible for a job under
Parliament for the Budget session. the scheme.
▪ ‘Karka Kasadara Karpavai Kattrapin Nirka ▪ At least one-third of beneficiaries have to be
Atharku Thaka’ was the couplet chosen by women.
him to reiterate the importance of the New ▪ Wages must be paid according to the
Education Policy. statutory minimum wages specified for
▪ It insists on thorough and flawless learning Agricultural labourers in the state under the
and adhering to what one has learnt. Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
Fortified rice Supply in Govt. ‘Creating Jobs via Infra

Schools raised Investments’
▪ The Centre has distributed 3.38 lakh metric ▪ Principal Economic Adviser Sanjeev
tonnes of fortified rice till December 2021 Sanyal sought to allay concerns over rising
through Anganwadis and Midday meal Unemployment and asserted that the
schemes at government schools, according to economy was creating a significant number
the Economic Survey. of new jobs.
▪ In 2019, the Government approved a Centrally ▪ The Government, he added, was also
sponsored pilot scheme for fortification of rice Creating jobs through capital expenditure
for a period of three years beginning 2019-2020. on infrastructure and providing job support
via the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
www.vetriias.com 51
India may become $5 Trillion Minister for Road Transport and Highways
Economy by 2025-26: Nitin Gadkari said.
▪ "As of now, length of 1,613 km has been
▪ India is likely to become a $5 trillion Economy
completed and balance length is targeted for
by the financial year 2025-26 or 2026-27 if the
completion by year 2026-27," the minister
GDP continues to grow at around 8 per cent,
added.
said the Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha
▪ The Ministry of Road Transport and
Nageswaran.
Highways last month released comprehensive
▪ “If we continue to retain the path of 8 per
guidelines for the use of new, alternative
cent of real GDP growth, it will translate
Materials and technologies in highway
into even 8 per cent dollar GDP growth. If
Construction.
we extrapolate it, we should be a $5 trillion
▪ The use of such materials and technologies
economy in terms of nominal GDP in the
will help reduce the use of iron and cement
Financial Year 2025-26 or the Financial Year
in road construction.
2026-27,” Nageswaran said during a post-
Budget press conference. About Bharatmala Pariyojana:
▪ Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella
Centre to Formulate Battery
program for the highways sector envisaged
Swapping Policy for Electric by the Ministry of Road Transport and
Vehicles: Highways.
▪ The Centre is planning to come out with ▪ Under Phase-I of Bharatmala Pariyojana,
a battery swapping policy with inter- Implementation of 34,800 km of national
operability standards for Electric Vehicles highways in 5 years (from 2017 to 2022) has
(EVs). been approved at an estimated outlay of Rs.
▪ Presenting the Union Budget for 2022-23, the 5,35,000 crores.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said ▪ It focuses on the new initiatives like
that considering space constraint in urban Development of Border and International
areas for setting up charging stations at scale, Connectivity roads, Coastal & port
a battery swapping policy will be brought Connectivity roads, National Corridors
out and inter-operability standards will be Efficiency improvements, Economic
Formulated. corridors development and others.
▪ The private sector will be encouraged to Bharatmala Project Components:
develop sustainable and innovative business
▪ Economic Corridor – As per the guidelines of
models for ‘Battery or Energy as a Service’.
the road construction project, the construction
This will improve efficiency in the EV
of 9000kms of Economic Corridors will be
Ecosystem.
undertaken by the central government.
Economic Corridors Envisaged ▪ Feeder Route or Inter Corridor – The total
Under Phase-I Of Bharatmala length of the roads, which fall under the
Feeder Route or Inter Corridor category, is a
Project:
whopping 6000kms.
▪ The Government on 2 February informed ▪ National Corridor Efficiency Improvement
the Parliament that around 9000 km length – 5000kms of roads, constructed under the
of Economic Corridors have been envisaged scheme will fall in the category of National
under the first phase of the Bharatmala Corridor for the better connection between
Pariyojana. Roads.
▪ "Out of the 9000 km, projects comprising ▪ Border Road and International Connectivity
length of 6087 km have been approved or – Connecting the cities and remote areas,
awarded and the remaining length is planned which are situated in the border regions, the
for award in next two financial years," Union project has kept provision for constructing
52 www.vetriias.com
2000kms roads that fall in the Border Road or the economic well-being of the people living
International Connectivity category. there.
▪ Port Connectivity and Coastal Road – To
About Madhya Pradesh:
connect the areas that are dotted along the
shorelines and important ports, the central ▪ Capital: Bhopal.
Government has ordered the construction of ▪ Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel.
2000km of roads. ▪ Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
▪ Green Field Expressway – The main stress Prime Minister Modi Launches
will be given on the construction and
development of Green Field Expressway for
Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation:
better management of traffic and freight. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched
▪ Balance NHDP Works – Under the last the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation on the
segment, the project will see construction occasion of the 92nd Birth Anniversary of the
and maintenance of about 10,000kms of new Indian Classical Vocalist.
roads. ▪ Prime Minister Modi said that the World is
entitled to benefit from Indian music like
India’s First Unicorn Sports they have from Yoga.
Enterprise: ▪ Durga Jasraj and Pandit Shaarang Dev keep
▪ Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has become alive the Glorious legacy of the maestro.
the Country’s first sports Unicorn with ▪ Yoga, Indian music has the capacity to stir
its market cap having touched a high of Rs the depth of the human mind and the world
7,600 crores and its share in the grey market is entitled to be benefited from it.
trading in the Rs 210-225 price band. World Steel Production 2021:
▪ India Cements’ market cap stood at Rs 6869
crores. ▪ In 2021, a total of around 1.95 billion metric
tons of crude steel were produced worldwide.
Criteria of a Unicorn Enterprise: Steel is an alloy made by combining iron and
▪ Unicorn companies are those that reach a other elements.
valuation of $1 billion without being listed ▪ Global crude steel production rose 3.6% over
on the stock market and are the dream of any 2020.
tech startup. ▪ China produced 1 billion mt of crude steel
during the year, down 3% year on year,
India’s First Geological Park: making up 54% of the overall total.
▪ The first geological park of India will be built ▪ The world's second-largest steel producer
in Lamheta, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. India increased output by 17.8% in 2021 to
▪ Approval for the park was given by the 118.1 million mt, while production from
Geological Survey of India, under the Japan climbed 14.9% to 96.3 million mt for
ministry of mining. the year.
▪ In 1928, William Henry Sleeman had
discovered a Dinosaur fossil from this area. Govt plans to make Fitness Test-
UNESCO has also recognised Lamheta as a ing of vehicles through Automated
geo heritage site. Testing Stations mandatory:
▪ Lamheta is a sedimentary geological ▪ Fitness testing for heavy goods vehicles and
formation found in Madhya Pradesh, heavy passenger motor vehicles through an
Maharashtra and Gujarat. ATS will be mandatory from April 1, 2023, as
What is Geopark? per the draft notification.
▪ Geopark is a unified area, which advances ▪ In the case of medium goods vehicles and
the protection and use of geological heritage medium passenger motor vehicles and light
in a sustainable manner. It also promotes motor vehicles (transport), the requirement
www.vetriias.com 53
will be made compulsory from June 1, 2024. ▪ In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
▪ According to the draft notification, renewal of launched the first flight under Ude Desh Ka
certificate of fitness will be for two years for Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, also known
commercial vehicles (transport) that are up to as Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
eight years old and one year for commercial ▪ The aim of the scheme was to take flying to
vehicles (transport) that are older than eight the masses and improve air connectivity to
Years. tier-2 and 3 cities.
▪ Road Transport and Highways Secretary - ▪ Under the scheme, airlines have to cap fares
Giridhar Aramane. at 2500 per seat per hour of flight for 50%
▪ An Automated Testing Station (ATS) uses of the seats in a plane for which they receive
mechanical equipment to automate the a viability gap funding (subsidy) from the
various tests required to check the fitness of Government along with some other benefits.
a vehicle. ▪ The Government expected that after the
Centre to form FPOs with Small Expiry of the three-year subsidy period,
airlines would be able to sustain the routes
Farmers: without outside support.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
ICRISAT’s Climate Change Research PM Modi Inaugurates 216-Foot
Facility on Plant Protection and Rapid 'Statue of Equality' In Hyderabad:
Generation Advancement Facility and also ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 February
launched a commemorative stamp issued in inaugurated the 216-foot tall 'Statue of
Hyderabad. Equality', honouring the 11th-century Hindu
▪ He stated that the Union government is saint Ramanujacharya. The Prime Minister
resolved to mobilize small farmers into said,
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and
make them influential market forces in the 9 This statue of Ramanujacharya ji is a
years to come to improve their incomes by symbol of his knowledge, detachment,
developing agriculture value chain. and ideals.
▪ He mentioned the successful example of 9 The Statue of Equality commemorates
ICRISAT’s work in Bundelkhand on ‘Per Ramanujacharya, who promoted the
Drop More Crop’, on which he visited an idea of Equality in all aspects of living
exhibition stall too at ICRISAT. including Faith, caste and creed.
▪ Stating that small and marginal farmers ▪ The statue is made of 'panchaloha', a
comprised about 80% of the community in combination of five metals: gold, silver,
the country and climate change was major copper, brass, and zinc and is among one
crisis to them, the Prime Minister said the of the tallest Metallic statues in sitting
Centre would help them fight climate change position (considered 2nd), in the world.
with its commitment to achieve net zero ▪ It is mounted on a 54-feet high base building,
(carbon emissions) by 2070. named 'Bhadra Vedi', has floors devoted
for a Vedic digital library and research
UDAN routes Survived after 3
centre, ancient Indian texts, a theatre, an
Years: Educational Gallery detailing many works of
▪ Only one out of four routes under the low- Sri Ramanujacharya.
cost flying scheme called UDAN have ▪ The statue was proposed and designed by
survived after completing the government’s Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya
subsidy period of three years, according to Ashram and the foundation stone for the
information shared by the Ministry of Civil structure was laid in 2014.
Aviation before a parliamentary panel. ▪ The inauguration of the Statue of Equality
is part of the 12-day Sri Ramanuja
54 www.vetriias.com
Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing ▪ In December last year, the Delimitation

1000th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Sri Commission, comprising retired Supreme
Ramanujacharya. Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai, Chief
▪ Saint Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 in Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and
Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu to mother J&K Election Commissioner K K Sharma.
Kanthimathi and father Asuri Kesava ▪ Once these proposed additions are effected,
Somayaji. the total number of Assembly constituencies
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored in J & K will rise to 90 — in Jammu, the
the Union government’s commitment to number of seats will go up to 43 from 37, and
eliminating inequalities in the country while in Kashmir, by one seat to 47.
pursuing the path of “sab ka saath, sab ka ▪ For the first time, the Commission proposed
vikas” (everyone’s support, everyone’s reserving nine seats for Scheduled Tribes
progress). (STs) on the basis of population. Seven seats
▪ The recognition of the Ramappa temple were proposed for the Scheduled Castes
in the erstwhile Warangal district as a (SCs).
World Heritage Site by UNESCO and of ▪ Of the seven additional Assembly
Pochampalli as a world tourism village by constituencies in the Union Territory, one
the World Tourism Organization was an each was proposed in the districts of Kathua,
extension of the rich cultural heritage left Samba, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda and Kishtwar
behind by the Satavahana and Kakatiya in Jammu division, and Kupwara in the
dynasties, the PM said. Kashmir Valley.
▪ Earlier during his Hyderabad visit, the Prime ▪ The December meeting saw the participation
Minister launched the 50th Anniversary of all five MPs – Farooq Abdullah, Hasnain
celebrations of International Crops Research Masoodi and Mohammad Akbar Lone (NC)
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma
in Patancheru in Hyderabad. (BJP).
9 In the event, PM said, Nation Mourns its ‘Nightingale’
9 To save our farmers from climate ▪ Lata Mangeshkar, singer passes away at 92.
challenge, our focus is on the fusion of ▪ She was affectionately called as “Nightingale
both back to basics and march to of India”.
future. ▪ As a mark of respect, the Union government
9 The Union Budget 2022-23 is focused on announced a two-day national mourning,
natural farming & digital agriculture. while the Maharashtra government has
9 In the next few years, we want to take area declared a public holiday.
usage in the palm oil sector to 6.5 lakh ▪ The Rajya Sabha will be adjourned for an
hectares. hour on Monday morning in honour of the
singer who was a member of the House from
9 We are focusing on food security as well
1999 to 2005.
as nutrition security.
▪ Lata sang thousands of songs in several
9 We have developed several bio-fortified Indian languages in a record-breaking career
varieties in the last 7 years. which began at the age of 13 in the 1942
J&K: Delimitation Panel Redraws Marathi film Kiti Hasaal.
Electoral Map: ▪ Bharat Ratna, in 2001, having earlier been
awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1969, and
▪ Jammu and Kashmir were partitioned into the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
two separate union territories by repealing the ▪ She was also given France’s highest civilian
special status given to J & K on 5 August 2019. award, Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, in
2009.
www.vetriias.com 55
MATRIBHASHA DIWAS is prohibited could be replaced with site-

▪ Universities Grants Commission (UGC) has specific limits to be decided by an expert
requested all the higher education institutions committee, as the Union Culture Ministry
to celebrate MATRIBHASHA DIWAS on 21st was working on amendments to the relevant
February in a grand manner to promote Act, officials say. The Ancient Monuments
and Archaeological Sites and Remains
9 The use of mother tongue and attain the (AMASR) Act, 1958, was amended in 2010
following objectives:- to declare the 100metre radius of protected
9 Highlight the linguistic diversity of our monuments as prohibited areas and the next
country 300metre radius as regulated areas.
9 Encourage usage, not only of the Geographical Indication Tag
respective mother tongue, but other
lndian languages as well
sought for Three Products from
9 To understand and draw attention to
Uttar Pradesh:
consequent forums of literature, craft, ▪ Three applications from Uttar Pradesh have
creative expression been filed with the Geographical Indications
Registry here, seeking a Geographical
About:
Indication (GI) tag for the Bundelkhand
▪ The UNESCO has declared 21st February Kathiya Gehu (Wheat), BanarasiTabla and
every year as International Mother Language Sitapur Durrie.
Day to promote the dissemination of mother ▪ A GI tag is a sign used on products that have
tongues and fuller awareness of Iinguistic and a specific geographical origin and possess
culturat traditions throughout the world and qualities or a reputation by virtue of their
to inspire solidarity based on understanding, Geographical Association.
tolerance and dialogue.
▪ ln lndia, MATRIBHASHA DIWAS is About Geographical Indications (GI):
celebrated every year to promote the use of ▪ A GI is a sign used on products that have
mother tongue. a specific geographical origin and possess
qualities or a reputation that are due to that
‘Elderly In India 2021’ origin.
▪ The Number and the proportion of ▪ In order to function as a GI, a sign must
India's Elderly are growing and so should identify a product as originating in a given
programmes intended to ensure the comfort place.
and safety of this segment of the population. ▪ In addition, the qualities, characteristics
▪ That’s according to a report by the Ministry or reputation of the product should be
of Statistics and Programme Implementation essentially due to the place of origin.
titled ‘Elderly In India 2021’. ▪ GI tags are issued as per the Geographical
▪ Among 21 major Indian states, Kerala has Indications of Goods (Registration and
the maximum proportion of elderly people Protection) Act, 1999.
in its population at 16.5%, followed by ▪ This tag is issued by the Geographical
Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Indication Registry under the Department
Andhra Pradesh in 2021. of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade,
▪ This proportion is the least in Bihar at 7.7%, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
followed by Uttar Pradesh and Assam.
Aadhaar not Mandatory on
Centre to tweak no build zone CoWin: Govt.
around Monuments ▪ Aadhaar is not Mandatory for registration on
▪ The 100metre radius around Centrally the CoWIN portal for COVID19 vaccination,
protected monuments where construction the government confirmed in the Supreme
56 www.vetriias.com
Court. About:
▪ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ▪ Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for
informed that one of the nine identity making donations to political parties.
documents, including passport, driving ▪ The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs.
license, PAN card, voter ID card, ration card, 1,000, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and
can be produced for vaccination. Rs. 1 crore without any maximum limit.
About Co-WIN ▪ State Bank of India is authorised to issue
▪ Launched in 2021. and encash these bonds, which are valid for
▪ Co-WIN, a cloud-based IT platform, is fifteen days from the date of issuance.
supposed to handle minute details for ▪ These bonds are redeemable in the designated
India’s Covid-19 immunisation programme, account of a registered political party.
including registering beneficiaries, allocating ▪ The bonds are available for purchase by
Vaccination centres, sending text messages any person (who is a citizen of India or
with name of their vaccinator to beneficiaries incorporated or established in India) for
and live monitoring of vials in cold storage. a period of ten days each in the months of
▪ PM CARES fund - Prime Minister’s Citizen January, April, July and October as may be
Assistance and Relief in Emergency specified by the Central Government.
Situations Fund ▪ Donor’s name is not mentioned on the
▪ The PM CARES Fund collected 10,990 bond.
crores since its inception in March 2020 until Sonali Singh
March 2021.
▪ The Government of India has appointed
▪ It spent ₹3,976 crores during the 2020-21
Sonali Singh to hold the additional charge of
Financial Years, according to the audited
the Controller General of Accounts (CGA),
financial statement posted on its website.
under the Department of Expenditure,
▪ As on March 31, 2021, the Fund had an
Ministry of Finance.
unspent balance of ₹7,044 crores.
▪ She is serving as the Additional Controller
About: General of Accounts since October 2019.
▪ Created in march 2020 to deal with any kind
100 Years of Chauri Chaura
of emergency or distress situation like posed
by the COVID-19 pandemic. Incident
▪ The Fund is a public charitable trust with ▪ Chauri Chaura is located in Gorakhpur of
the Prime Minister as its Chairman. Other Uttar Pradesh.
Members include Defence Minister, Home ▪ Mahatma Gandhiji called off the non –
Minister and Finance Minister. cooperation movement due to the incident
▪ The Fund enables micro-donations as a that occurred in Chauri Chaura.
result of which a large number of people ▪ The people set up a fire to the police station.
will be able to contribute with the smallest of The incident occurred on February 4, 1922.
Denominations. ▪ India recently celebrated the 100 years of the
▪ The Fund will strengthen disaster Chauri Chaura incident.
management capacities and encourage
research on protecting Citizens. The Craft Map of Manipur:
▪ The craft map of Manipur was prepared on
Electoral Bonds the basis of a field survey by an expert team
▪ The Electoral Bond Scheme was introduced in 2018-19.
in 2018 and so far eligible individuals, entities ▪ It is the first of its kind, prepared
have purchased electoral bonds worth over with the objective of providing equal,
Rs 9,200 crore. concentrated attention to all art forms.
www.vetriias.com 57
▪ It provides the details of Manipur’s ▪ It is also to ensure quality and reliable power
handloom and handicraft traditions. supply.
▪ This map recently came into the limelight,
when KonsamIbomcha Singh received the Sputnik Light
2022 Padma Shri for the doll-making craft. ▪ The Drugs Controller General of India
recently granted Emergency Use Permission
India’s Unemployment Rate to Sputnik light COVID-19 vaccine.
▪ The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy ▪ The expert panel of the central drug authority
recently released the unemployment report. had recommended this.
▪ According to the report, unemployment in ▪ With this sputnik light becomes the ninth
India was at 6.57% in January 2022. COVID – 19 vaccine in the country.
▪ This is the lowest since March 2021. ▪ It is a booster shot.
▪ The unemployment in the urban regions was
8.16%. It was 5.84% in rural areas. India’s First Bullet Train Route:
▪ In December 2021, the unemployment rate in ▪ The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project
the country was 7.91%. It was 9.3% in urban will be India’s first bullet train route.
and 7.28% in rural. ▪ While Surat city will get India’s first bullet
▪ Telangana had the lowest unemployment train station.
rate in January 2022. ▪ Of the 508.17-kilometer Mumbai-
▪ Haryana had the highest Unemployment Ahmedabad bullet train project, 155.76 km is
Rate. in Maharashtra, 384.04 km in Gujarat, and 4.3
km in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Quad Ministers set to meet in
Australia November 7 Should Be Observed
▪ External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar will as Students Day:
begin a visit to Australia on Thursday and ▪ President Ram Nath Kovind said that
attend a meeting of the Foreign Ministers November 7 should be observed as
of the Quad (India, Australia, United the Students Day across the country to
States, Japan), which is expected to discuss commemorate the importance attached by
cooperation on vaccines, technology and B.R Ambedkar to education and his devotion
regional security issues including related to towards this field.
China. ▪ He was speaking after performing pooja of the
urn of Ambedkar and paying floral tributes
About QUAD
to Lord Buddha at Ambadawe, the ancestral
▪ Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). village of the Father of the Constitution, in
▪ In 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" ▪ "November 7 is celebrated as the Students Day
Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep in schools in Maharashtra to commemorate
the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free the day when Babasaheb Ambedkar had
of any influence (especially China). enrolled in a school in 1900.
▪ The idea of Quad was first mooted by ▪ He said Ambadawe village is known as
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. the "Sphurti bhumi" (land of inspiration)
Powerthon - 2022 which is an apt tribute to Ambedkar who
contributed enormously in various fields
▪ Power Minister R K Singh launched with full energy.
Powerthon-2022. ▪ The President further said that he was
▪ It is a hackathon competition to find elated to note that the Dalit Indian Chamber
technology-driven solutions to solve the of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) has
complex problems in power distribution. undertaken various initiatives to make
58 www.vetriias.com
Ambadawe self-reliant. Atal Tunnel:

▪ He praised the DICCI for providing relief to ▪ Atal Tunnel has officially been certified by
villagers affected by the 'Nisarga' cyclone in the World Book of Records, as the 'World's
June 2020. Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet.
Kovind unveils Gold ▪ It connects Manali to the Lahaul - Spiti Valley.
▪ It is 9.02 km long, strategically significant,
Ramanujacharya Statue:
and runs under the 'Rohtang Pass'.
▪ Srirama Nagaram, where 108 Vaishnavite
shrines have been set up along with the Hydrogen Plant based on Biomass:
Statue of Equality. ▪ India’s First commercial-scale biomass-based
▪ The President inaugurated the 120kg statue hydrogen plant will come up in the Khandwa
of Sri Ramanujacharya made of gold as district of Madhya Pradesh.
part of the Sriramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroh, ▪ Every day this plant will produce one tonne
marking the 1000 years of the birth of the of hydrogen, from 30 tonnes of biomass
saint-poet at Muchintal in Telangana. feedstock.
▪ The President said Sri Ramanujacharya’s ▪ The plant is being put up by a joint venture
‘Visishtadvait’ was not only his singular of Watomo Energies Ltd and Biezel Green
contribution to philosophy, but he also Energy.
showed the relevance of philosophy in day- ▪ The company owns the technology for
to-day life. a ‘Thermally Accelerated Anaerobic
▪ The Bhakti tradition that united the country Digestion (TAD) Reactor’ that can produce
in a single thread centuries ago were found hydrogen, methane, and biochar from
in the Puranas and this tradition could be biomass.
seen in the form of Bhakti sects inspired
by Sri Ramanujacharya which spread from India Bans 54 Chinese apps that
Srirangam and Kancheepuram in Tamil Pose Threat to the Country:
Nadu to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. ▪ The Ministry of Home Affairs has
LIC IPO: recommended a ban on 54 Chinese mobile
applications, including the popular game
▪ India's biggest state-owned insurer Life Garena Free Fire.
Insurance Corporation (LIC), in its prospectus ▪ Interestingly Garena Free Fire is Singapore-
filed with market regulator SEBI, has said based and the developer is not from China.
the net IPO (initial public offering) offer will ▪ The Ministry of Electronics and Information
constitute 5 per cent of the company's post- Technology (MeitY) had issued interim
offer paid-up share capital. directions for banning the operations of these
▪ The IPO issue is expected to be the country's apps in India.
largest public issue and will hit the capital ▪ When TikTok was banned on June 29, 2020,
market in March. the list included around 59 apps in total
▪ As per DRHP, LIC has said as of September and on 2nd September 118 more apps were
2021, its assets under management (AUM) banned under section 69A of the IT Act.
stood at ₹39.6 lakh crore. ▪ In 2020 alone, a total of 267 Chinese apps
▪ In the DRHP filed, LIC has said that the were banned.
government will offload 316.25 million ▪ The source cited threat to national security
shares of its over 6,325 million shares. and sovereignty as the reason for the app
▪ According to the government, this maiden ban.
share sale should fetch the government
between Rs 60,000 crore and Rs 75,000 crore,
which could peg the insurer's market value
between Rs 12 trillion and Rs 15 trillion.
www.vetriias.com 59
India bans 54 Chinese Apps that 2020.

Pose threat to the country: ▪ The updated Guidelines help private
companies prepare a variety of maps without
▪ The Ministry of Home Affairs has needing approvals from a host of Ministries
recommended a ban on 54 Chinese mobile and make it easier to use drones and develop
applications, including the popular game applications via location mapping.
Garena Free Fire. ▪ The trinity of geospatial systems, drone
▪ Interestingly Garena Free Fire is Singapore- policy and unlocked space sector will be
based and the developer is not from China. the hallmark of India’s Future Economic
▪ The Ministry of Electronics and Information Progress.
Technology (MeitY) had issued interim
directions for banning the operations of these About Svamitva Scheme:
apps in India. ▪ It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of
▪ When TikTok was banned on June 29, 2020, Panchayati Raj.
the list included around 59 apps in total ▪ Launched by Prime Minister on National
and on 2nd September 118 more apps were Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2021 after
banned under section 69A of the IT Act. successful completion of pilot phase of
▪ In 2020 alone, a total of 267 Chinese apps scheme (2020-2021) in 9 states, to promote
were banned. a socio-economically empowered and self-
▪ The source cited threat to National Security reliant rural India.
and sovereignty as the reason for the app ▪ It is a scheme for mapping the land parcels in
ban. rural inhabited areas using drone technology
and Continuously Operating Reference
Saudi Commander briefed on Station.
India’s Defence Capabilities ▪ The scheme covers multifarious aspects viz.
▪ The visiting Commander of the Royal Saudi
9 Facilitating monetisation of properties
Land Forces Lieutenant General Fahd Bin
Abdullah Mohammed AlMutair was on 9 Enabling bank loan
Feb.15 given a detailed presentation by the ▪ Reducing property related disputes
Army Design Bureau (ADB) on the capability comprehensive village level planning,
and competencies of the Indian defence would be the stepping-stone towards
industry and also the systems developed achieving Gram Swaraj in true sense and
indigenously, especially artillery, specialist making rural India Atmanirbhar.
Vehicles, drones, counter drones, helicopters
and missiles. All-women Indian Army Team Un-
▪ This is the Commander’s first visit to India. dertakes Offshore Sailing
Army chief Gen. Manoj Naravane visited expedition off India's East Coast:
Saudi Arabia in December 2020, the first by ▪ Aimed at motivating young women to take
an Indian Army chief. up sailing as an adventure sport, an Indian
India to make Digital maps of all Army team of nine women officers has set
sail on a Chennai-Visakhapatnam-Chennai
Villages expedition.
▪ India plans to prepare digital maps of all its ▪ Heading out to sea from the Chennai port,
6,00,000 villages and pan India 3D maps will the team of women sailors are led by Major
be prepared for 100 cities. Mukta S Gautam and will be covering a
▪ An ongoing scheme, piloted by the Panchayati distance of nearly 900 nautical miles or 1700
Raj Ministry, called SVAMITVA (Survey Kilometers.
of Villages and Mapping with Improvised
Technology in Village Areas) was launched
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April
60 www.vetriias.com
Cabinet Approves Preparations for India, Philippines reaffirms strong

India's G20 Presidency: commitment to multifaceted
▪ The Union Cabinet approved setting up of a Partnership:
G20 secretariat to put in place arrangements ▪ Jaishankar’s three-day visit to the Philippines
required for India's presidency of the comes over two weeks after the key Southeast
prestigious grouping. Asian country signed a USD 375 million
▪ India will hold the Presidency of the G20 deal with India to buy three batteries of the
from December 1 to November 30, 2023. BrahMos cruise missile.
India will host the G20 summit next year. ▪ India and the Philippines vowed to expand
▪ It will be manned by officers and staff from security and defence cooperation during
the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s
Finance, and other relevant line Ministries maiden visit to the archipelago, also deciding
/ Departments and domain knowledge to have a closer partnership under the Indo-
experts. Pacific strategic construct, with an eye on
▪ The Government said the secretariat will be China.
functional till February 2024. ▪ During the visit, the minister held a bilateral
▪ Italy held the G-20 presidency in 2021 while meeting with his counterpart Teodoro L
Indonesia will play the role till November, Locsin Jr and the two ministers reviewed
2022. developments in bilateral relations since the
▪ Italy, Indonesia and India are the G20 troika meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral
countries at present. Cooperation that they co-chaired in virtual
About G-20 Nations: Format in November 2020.
▪ The two sides agreed to make efforts to
▪ At the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, the Heads
further expand economic cooperation as well
of State and Government decided to
as trade and investment links in a range of
institutionalize the G20 as the main forum for
areas such as agriculture, infrastructure,
global economic and financial cooperation.
Health and pharmaceuticals, tourism, ICT,
▪ Formation: 26 September 1999.
and science & technology.
▪ The First official meeting of the G20 was held
▪ They expressed satisfaction in recent
in Berlin in December that same year.
initiatives to step up cooperation in emerging
▪ The G20 is the international forum that
areas such as fintech, blue economy,
brings together the world’s major economies.
renewable energy, space, cyber security and
Its members account for more than 80% of
traditional medicine.
world GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of
▪ To expand business, tourism and student
the population of the Planet.
exchange between the two countries, both
▪ The forum has met every year since 1999 and
sides agreed on the need for a simplified visa
includes, since 2008, a yearly Summit, with
regime between India and the Philippines.
the participation of the respective Heads of
▪ He met defence minister Delfin Lorenzana,
State and Government.
finance minister Carlos Domineguez III,
▪ The G20 members are: Argentina, Australia,
and Agriculture minister William Dar of
Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany,
Philippines.
Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia,
South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, India lacks solar Waste Handling
Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United Policy:
States, and the European Union. Spain is also
invited as a permanent guest. ▪ While India ramps up its solar power
capacity, the nation does not yet have a firm
policy on managing waste that results from
used Solar Panels or from the manufacturing
process.
www.vetriias.com 61
▪ The International Renewable Energy Agency 9 India is a mega-diverse country. With

(IRENA) last December estimated that the 2.4% of the world’s land area, it accounts
Global photovoltaic waste will touch 78 for nearly 8% of the world’s species. It is
million tonnes by 2050, with India expected the duty of us to protect it.
to be one of the top five generators of such ▪ The International Union for Conservation of
waste. Nature has recently recognised India’s efforts.
▪ India currently considers solar waste a part The Aravali Biodiversity Park in Gurugram
of electronic waste and does not account for was recognised an “other effective area-
it separately. based conservation measures (OECM) site”
▪ Minister for New and Renewable Energy for effective conservation of biodiversity by
(MNRE) R.K. Singh said a committee had IUCN.
been constituted under the chairmanship of
the Ministry’s Secretary to propose an action Air Travel to get costlier as Jet Fuel
plan to evolve a “circular economy” in solar prices rise:
panel, through reuse/recycling of waste ▪ Fuel retailers revise jet fuel prices on a
generated. fortnightly basis.
▪ There was no commercial raw material ▪ In the national capital, the price of jet fuel
recovery facility for solar e-waste operational was raised to Rs 90,519.79 per kilolitre from
in India, but a pilot facility for solar panel Rs 86,038.16 per kilolitre (5.2 % increase).
recycling and material recovery had been set ▪ In the other metro cities of Kolkata, Mumbai
up by a private company in Gummidipoondi and Chennai, the price was increased to Rs
in Tamil Nadu. 94,888.70, Rs 88,987.20 and Rs 93,371.18 per
▪ India has set a target of producing 100 GW of kilolitre, respectively.
solar energy by 2022. ▪ India, currently, has some of the world's
▪ The cumulative capacity of grid-connected highest rates of taxation on the ATF which
solar photovoltaic (PV) installations is around massively drives up the fuel cost component.
40 GW and of the current capacity, about 35.6 ▪ The industry has been urging the Centre to
GW, is generated from ground-mounted include the fuel type in the ambit of GST,
plants and 4.4 GW from rooftop solar. similar to the status given to 'Bunker Diesel'
Equitable Energy Access key of which is used in the shipping sector.
Environmental Policy: India’s First Water Taxi Service
▪ “We have heard people call our planet Inaugurated in Maharashtra:
fragile. But it wasn’t the planet but people
▪ India’s first water taxi service was inaugurated
and their commitment to nature was fragile”,
in Maharashtra on February 17 connecting
said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi
the Navi Mumbai area to mainland Mumbai.
in his inaugural address at The Energy
▪ The 8.37crore project will presently operate
and Resources Institute’s (TERI) World
on three routes and the State and the Centre
Sustainable Development Summit on
have shared the expenditure.
February 16.
▪ India’s first train ran between Mumbai and
▪ The Prime Minister also said,
Thane on 16 April 1853, was dedicated by
9 India’s energy needs are expected to Lord Dalhousie.
double in the next 20 years and denying
people this energy would be the India, UAE to sign trade Pact
equivalent of denying life to millions. ▪ India and the United Arab Emirates will sign
9 Successful climate actions also need the first ever bilateral Free Trade Agreement
adequate financing. For this, developed between the two countries on February 18.
countries need to fulfil their commitments ▪ The FTA — Comprehensive Economic
on finance and Technology Transfer. Partnership Agreement (CEPA) — is
62 www.vetriias.com
expected to be in focus during a virtual notification.

summit between Prime Minister Narendra ▪ The Centre also constituted a 22-member
Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi National Committee on Dam Safety which
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan. will be headed by the Chairman of the
Central Water Commission.
About India-UAE Economic Relations:
▪ According to the National Register of Large
▪ The UAE is currently India’s third-largest Dams, there are 5264 completed large
trading partner with bilateral trade in dams in the country, while 437 were under
2019/2020 valued at USD 59 billion. construction.
▪ The UAE is also India’s second-largest export ▪ The Dam Safety Act seeks to provide an
destination after the US, with exports valued institutional architecture for dam safety in
at approximately USD 29 billion in 2019-2020. the country.
▪ The UAE is the eighth-largest investor
in India, having invested USD 11 billion India, UAE sign major trade pact:
between April 2000 and March 2021, while ▪ India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
investment by Indian companies in the UAE signed a bilateral “comprehensive” trade
is estimated to be over USD 85 billion. pact on February 18.
▪ Major Exports: Petroleum products, precious ▪ Announcing the Comprehensive Economic
metals, stones, gems and jewellery, minerals Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the
etc. biggest trade pact of the last seven years,
▪ Major Imports: Petroleum and petroleum Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed
products, precious metals, stones, gems and investment from the Gulf country into
jewellery, minerals etc. Jammu and Kashmir and said the initiative
would open new routes for regional trade
Centre constitutes National Dam
and connectivity and advance “collective
Safety Authority: interests” of India, Israel, the UAE and the
▪ The National Dam Safety Authority, which U.S.
seeks to maintain standards related to dam ▪ Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush
safety, prevent dam-related disasters and Goyal said the CEPA would have strong
resolve inter-state issues in this regard, has antidumping measures.
come into force from 18th February 2022. ▪ “This agreement will herald a new age in our
▪ The Dam Safety Act, passed by Parliament on financial relations. Our trade in the next five
December 8 last year, states that a National years will increase from $60 billion to $100
Dam Safety Authority will liaise with State- billion,” said Mr. Modi, thanking the Crown
level dam safety organisations and owners Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin
of dams for standardising safety-related data Zayed Al Nahyan, who participated in the
and practices. summit virtually.
▪ The Authority will be headed by a chairman
and assisted by five members to lead its
About Comprehensive Economic Part-
five wings — policy and research, technical,
nership Agreement:
regulation, disaster and resilience and ▪ It is a kind of free trade pact which covers
administration and finance. negotiation on the trade in services and
▪ The Authority will have its headquarters investment, and other areas of economic
in the national capital region and will be partnership. It may even consider negotiation
supported by four regional offices. on areas such as trade facilitation and customs
▪ A key function of the Authority is to resolve cooperation, competition, and Intellectual
any issue between the State Dam Safety Property Rights.
Organisations of States or between a State ▪ Partnership agreements or cooperation
Dam Safety Organisation and any owner agreements are more comprehensive than
of a specified dam in that state, as per the Free Trade Agreements.
www.vetriias.com 63
▪ CEPA also looks into the regulatory aspect the next couple of years.
of trade and encompasses an agreement ▪ He said the garbage disposal capacity of the
covering the regulatory issues. urban areas in the country has increased by
▪ India has signed CEPAs with South Korea four times since 2014.
and Japan also.
Narendra Modi flags off 100
Postal cover on Punganur cow ‘Kisan Drones’:
brings cheer to A.P. farmers: ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed
▪ The release of a special cover on Punganur confidence that India’s rising capability in
cow by the Postal department recently has the drone sector will give the world a new
brought cheer to the officials of the Animal leadership, as he flagged off 100 “kisan
Husbandry and Veterinary departments, and drones” in different parts of the country for
hundreds of dairy farmers in Chittoor district spraying pesticides and other farm materials.
of Andhra Pradesh. ▪ The Prime Minister said a new culture of
▪ In recognition of the importance of this rare drone startups is getting ready in India.
breed of bovine, the special cover has the ▪ The Honorable Prime Minister virtually
image of the cow with an impressive design. inaugurated Make in India drone startup
▪ The Punganur cow breed is considered Garuda Aerospace's facilities simultaneously
“divine” by farmers across the district. in two locations (Gurgaon, Chennai) through
▪ While veterinary scientists are busy working video conferencing on Feb 21.
on a research project to preserve the breed, ▪ Garuda's proposed Chennai Plant is located
and to expand its presence through artificial on a 20-acre facility where mass volume
insemination, the special cover is expected to manufacturing capacity of 100 drones per
bolster its image. day and manufacturing of 1,00,000 Kisaan
▪ Punganur cow’s height does not go beyond drones are being planned over the next 2
90 cm and weighs 120-200 kg. years.
▪ It consumes five kg fodder daily as against 25
kg by any other hybrid cow or other native 695.67 LMT of Paddy Procured in
breeds and its fat percentage is more than KMS 2021-22:
8% as against 3 or 3.5% in case of the regular ▪ The paddy procurement is progressing
breeds. smoothly in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS)
2021-22 at MSP from farmers, as was done in
Asia's biggest Bio-CNG Plant previous years.
'Gobar-Dhan': ▪ A quantity of 695.67 LMT of Paddy has been
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually procured in KMS 2021-22 upto 20.02.2022
inaugurated Asia's biggest Bio-CNG plant, in the procuring States/UTs of Chandigarh,
Gobar-Dhan, in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. Gujarat, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
▪ The Bio-CNG plant has been set up based on Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar
the concept of waste-to-wealth innovation in Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Telangana, Rajasthan,
India's cleanest city. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal,
▪ Situated on the Devguradia trenching NEF (Tripura), Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra,
ground, the 550 MT per day capacity Bio- Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh
CNG plant is the biggest of its kind in Asia. and Madhya Pradesh.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February ▪ Till now about 94.15 Lakh farmers have been
19 said the government is making efforts benefitted with MSP value of Rs. 1,36,350.74
to free thousands of acres of land in the crore.
country's urban areas from piles of garbage, ▪ In Tamil Nadu 2,39,460 farmers have been
which was being dumped there for decades, benefitted with MSP of Rs.3070.15 crores
and convert these places into green zones in (15,66,401 MTs of Paddy Procured).
64 www.vetriias.com
International Affairs | 65
About Minimum Support Price: in the framework of the common roadmap

▪ The MSP is the rate at which the Government “EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap
buys grains from farmers. to 2025” and the EU strategy for cooperation
▪ Reason behind the idea of MSP is to counter in the Indo-Pacific.
price volatility of agricultural commodities ▪ They will also enhance their coordination
due to the factors like variation in their in view of the fifth session of the United
supply, lack of market integration and Nations Environment Assembly in 2022 so
information asymmetry. as to support the initiation of negotiations for
a global agreement on marine plastic waste
Fixation of MSP: and microplastic.
▪ The MSP is fixed on the recommendations of
the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Signature Tune of
Prices (CACP). ‘Vande Bharatam’ released:
▪ In a celebration under Azadi ka Amrit
India, France sign Agreement to Mahotsav, the event on International Mother
enhance blue Economy and Ocean Language Day named "Ekam Bharatam"
Governance: along with a cultural evening was hosted by
▪ India and France have inked a roadmap to the Ministry of Culture at IGNCA, Delhi on
enhance their bilateral exchanges on the 22nd February 2022.
blue economy and forge a common vision of ▪ The signature tune for "Vande Bharatam"
ocean governance based on the rule of law composed by Grammy Award winner Ricky
and cooperate on sustainable and resilient Kej and Oscar contender Bickram Ghosh
coastal and waterways infrastructure. was released by Minister of State for Culture
▪ The agreement was signed during External & External Affairs Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi.
Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s three-day visit
Union Budget will help in
to France which began on February 20 with
bilateral talks with his French counterpart implementing NEP: Modi:
Jean-Yves Le Drian. ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the
▪ The roadmap scope will encompass Union Budget for 2022-23 will be of great
maritime trade, the naval industry, fisheries, help in implementing the National Education
marine technology and scientific research, Policy on the ground, and said the decision
ocean observation, marine biodiversity, to set up a National Digital University can
marine ecosystem-based management and solve the problem of shortage of seats in
integrated coastal management, marine educational institutions in the country.
eco-tourism, inland waterways, cooperation ▪ On International Mother Language Day, Mr.
between competent administrations on civil Modi underlined the link between education
maritime issues, marine spatial planning in the medium of mother tongue and the
as well as international law of the sea and mental development of children.
related multilateral negotiations. About National Education Policy 2020:
▪ It said the two countries wish to contribute
▪ In May 2016, Committee for Evolution
to the Sustainable Development Goal of the
of the New Education Policy under the
United Nations Sustainable Development
Chairmanship of TSR Subramanian, Former
Agenda, which aims to conserve and
Cabinet Secretary, submitted its report.
sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
▪ In June 2017, Committee for the Draft
resources.
National Education Policy was constituted
▪ It said that India and France are also
under the Chairmanship of Former ISRO
committed to promoting cooperation
chief Kasturirangan.
between the European Union and India on
▪ The last Education policy was released in
the blue economy and ocean governance,
1986 that is 34 years back.
www.vetriias.com 65
▪ The First NPE was promulgated in 1968 by ▪ Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy.

the government of Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi, the second by Prime Minister Rajiv India to have 1 billion smartphone
Gandhi in 1986, and the third by Prime users by 2026:
Minister Narendra Modi on 29th July 2020. ▪ India will have 1 billion smartphone users
by 2026 with rural areas driving the sale
DRDO takes part in ‘Vigyan of internet-enabled phones, according to
Sarvatra Pujayate’: Deloitte's 2022 Global TMT (Technology,
▪ Defence Research and Development Media and Entertainment, Telecom)
Organisation (DRDO) is participating in predictions.
‘Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate’ being held across ▪ India had 1.2 billion mobile subscribers
the country on the occasion of 75th year of in 2021, of which about 750 million are
India’s Independence, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit smartphone users.
Mahotsav’. ▪ It is poised to be the second-largest
▪ ‘Vigyan Sarvatra Pujayate’ is a pan-India smartphone manufacturer in the next five
programme to showcase science, technology Years.
& innovation from every part of the country
during February 22-28, 2022. J&K Delimitation panel gets
▪ The DRDO is also organising exhibitions 2-month Extension:
on the theme ‘Amrit Mahotsav Science ▪ The Delimitation Commission, set up to
Showcase: Roadmap to 2047’ at 16 cities redraw the Assembly constituencies of
throughout the country. Jammu and Kashmir, has been given two
▪ The cities where these science & technology more months to complete the exercise, a
mega expositions are being held by DRDO notification from the Union Law Ministry
are Agra, Almora, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, said.
Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, ▪ The term of the panel, headed by former
Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Leh, Mumbai, Mysuru, Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana
Pune, Tezpur, Eranakulam, Vijayawada and Prakash Desai (retired), was coming to
Visakhapatnam. end on March 6. While Chief Election
▪ Participation of DRDO in the ‘Mahotsav’ is Commissioner Sushil Chandra and the
an opportunity to highlight the work being Election Commissioner of J&K are ex-officio
done by R&D organisations and showcasing members of the Commission, all the five Lok
ideas and technology efforts on the road to Sabha members from the Union Territory are
2047. its associate members.
About DRDO: ▪ The commission came into being by virtue of
an Act of Parliament, under the provisions
▪ The Defence Research and Development of Part V of the Jammu and Kashmir
Organisation (DRDO) is the premier agency Reorganization Act, 2019. It is redrawing
under the Department of Defence Research boundaries of seven additional seats for the
and Development in Ministry of Defence 83-member Assembly.
of the Government of India, charged with
the military's research and development, About Delimitation Commission:
headquartered in Delhi, India. ▪ The Delimitation Commission is appointed
▪ DRDO was formed in 1958 from the by the President of India and works in
amalgamation of the then already functioning collaboration with the Election Commission
Technical Development Establishment of India.
(TDEs) of the Indian Army and the
Directorate of Technical Development &
Composition:
Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science ▪ Retired Supreme Court judge
Organisation (DSO). ▪ Chief Election Commissioner
66 www.vetriias.com
▪ Respective State Election Commissioners ▪ India’s central pool stood at 24.2 million
▪ The Delimitation Commission in India is tonnes, twice more than the buffer and
a high-power body whose orders have the strategic needs, they said.
force of law and cannot be called in question ▪ More than a quarter of the world’s wheat
before any court. export comes from Russia and Ukraine.
Russia is the world’s largest exporter of
What Is Delimitation?
wheat, accounting for more than 18% of
▪ Delimitation is the redrawing of boundaries international exports.
of an assembly or Lok Sabha constituency to ▪ In 2019, Russia and Ukraine together
reflect changes to the population of a region. exported more than a quarter (25.4%) of the
▪ The Delimitation Commission is an world’s wheat.
independent body and the executive and ▪ Egypt, Turkey and Bangladesh bought more
political parties cannot interfere in its than half of Russia’s wheat, they said. Egypt
functioning. is the world’s biggest importer of wheat,
IIT-M, NIOT organise OCEANS spending more than $4 billion annually.
▪ Russia and Ukraine cover more than 70% of
¬2022: Egypt’s imported wheat demand.
▪ The Indian Institute of Technology Madras ▪ Turkey is also a big spender with 74% of
Research Park and the National Institute of its imports worth $1.6 billion coming from
Ocean Technology are jointly hosting, for Russia and Ukraine in 2019.
the first time in India, the OCEANS 2022
conference, a biannual event of global marine Indian Tea exporters fret over un-
researchers. certainty due to war
▪ Madhu Nair, chairman and managing ▪ We need to wait and see how the situation
director of Cochin Shipyard, said the theme evolves. Tea exports saw a decline in 2021.
was “Inspire-Innovate-Sustain”. As against 189.8 million kg exported totally
Special Events planned to mark between January and November 2020, it was
175.3 million kg in 2021.
Auroville Founding Anniversary: ▪ Ukraine is also a major importer of Indian
▪ Auroville has launched a variety of events tea. If tea exports to these two countries are
leading up to the commemoration of the affected, it will have an impact on the Indian
Anniversary of its founding on February 28, tea sector.
1968. ▪ Exports to Russia are of two types one based
on rupee payments and the other on dollar
▪ This Founding Day also coincides with the payments. While there will be no issues with
150th Birth Anniversary year of Sri Aurobindo. rupee payments, dollar payments may face
▪ During the 75th Independence Day problems.
celebrations last year, Auroville had
launched a yearlong 150th birth anniversary Russia Ukraine Conflict hits
fete for Sri Aurobindo, broadly centered on SunFlower Oil Imports
the theme, ‘Sri Aurobindo: A Force in Action ▪ With imports of sunflower oil getting
(1872-2022)’. affected due to the conflict between Ukraine
‘Crisis a Chance for India to Export and Russia, industry body SEA said it is
weighing options to source cooking oils from
more Wheat’ other countries to maintain domestic supply
▪ The Russia-Ukraine crisis might give India and keep retail prices under check.
an opportunity to export more wheat in ▪ India’s total imports of edible oils surged to a
the global markets and domestic exporters record ₹1.17 lakh crore in 2020-21 marketing
should tap this opportunity. year (November to October).
www.vetriias.com 67
▪ “India imports 25 lakh tonne of sunflower oil

annually, of which 70% comes from Ukraine
and 20% from Russia,” Solvent Extractors’
Association (SEA) executive director B. V.
Mehta.
NITI Studying options to Tackle

Obesity in Country
▪ India can take actions such as taxation of
Foods high on sugar, fat and salt and front
of the pack labelling to tackle rising obesity
in the population, according to the annual
report of NITI Aayog.
▪ The government think tank is reviewing the
evidence available to understand the actions
India can take to tackle rising obesity in the
population, the annual report 2021-22 stated.
▪ The Aayog in the report mentioned that the
incidence of overweight and obesity was
increasing among children, adolescents and
women in India.
▪ According to the National Family Health
Survey (NFHS5) 2019-20, the percentage of
obese women increased to 24% from 20.6% in
2015-16, while the percentage for men rose to
22.9% from 18.4% four years earlier.
68 www.vetriias.com
7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
World’s-largest canal lock un- About ONE BELT ONE ROAD INITIATIVE
veiled in Netherlands: (BRI):
▪ The world’s largest canal lock has been ▪ The Belt and Road Initiative is a global
inaugurated at Ijmuiden, a small port city, in infrastructure development strategy adopted
the Port of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. by the Chinese government in 2013.
▪ The sea lock was inaugurated by Dutch King ▪ The BRI aims to link Southeast Asia, Central
Willen-Alexander. Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with
▪ The Ijmuiden Sea lock is 500-meter (1640- a network of land and sea routes.
feet) long and 70-meter wide. ▪ CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
▪ Construction on the massive infrastructure Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)
project began in 2016.
2021:
World’s first Hydrogen-powered ▪ Transparency International has released the
Flying Boat ‘The Jet’: Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2021 in
▪ Dubai firm, The JET Zero Emission which India has been ranked at 85th spot
announced the launch of the World’s first (Score of 40).
hydrogen-powered flying boat ‘THE JET’ in ▪ The ranking has been topped jointly by
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. three countries- Denmark, Finland and New
Zealand (Score of 88).
China, Pak. ink New CPEC ▪ This ranking measures how corrupt each
Agreement: country’s public sector is perceived to be.
▪ China and Pakistan signed a new agreement ▪ The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly
on industrial cooperation as part of the China corrupt) to 100 (very clean). 180 countries are
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan ranked in it.
during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ongoing Iran Nuclear Deal Talks
visit to Beijing.
▪ Iran nuclear deal talks resumed in Vienna.
▪ The industrial cooperation agreement is a key
negotiators in recent weeks have cited
part of what is being called “phase two” of
progress in seeking to revive the 2015
CPEC.
landmark accord.
▪ The first phase primarily involved Chinese
Investments in energy projects as well as About:
Road infrastructure. ▪ Iran Nuclear Deal: Joint Comprehensive Plan
▪ China has described CPEC as a “flagship of Action (JCPOA)
project” of the Belt and Road Initiative. ▪ The Iran nuclear agreement, formally known
▪ The corridor links Xinjiang with Gwadar, as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
and also passes through Pakistan occupied (JCPOA), is a landmark accord reached
Kashmir (PoK) where China is investing in a between Iran and several world powers,
number of projects. including the United States, in July 2015.
▪ It imposes restrictions on Iran’s civilian
Nuclear Enrichment Program.
www.vetriias.com 69
▪ Iran agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear ▪ It was founded in 1972 following the
program and open its facilities to more landmark UN Conference on the Human
extensive International Inspections Environment.
▪ The negotiations with Iran were carried out ▪ Major Reports of UNEP are Emission Gap
by the five permanent members of the UN Report, Global Environment Outlook,
Security Council (China, France, Russia, the Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.
United Kingdom, and the United States) and ▪ Major Campaigns of UNEP are Beat
Germany, collectively known as the P5+1. Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day,
The European Union also took part. Wild for Life.
Sri Lankans recognise India as a Quad meet focuses on IndoPacific

true, Reliable Friend: Peiris ties
▪ The people of Sri Lanka “increasingly ▪ Calling for justice for the 26/ 11 terror attacks
recognize” that India is a true friend that in Mumbai (2008) and the Pathankot airbase
Sri Lanka can rely on at all times, Foreign attack (2016) for the first time since the
Minister G.L. Peiris has said, thanking India group was formed, the Foreign Ministers of
for the $2.4 billion assistance at a “critical Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. said the
juncture” for the island nation in the midst of Quad was already cooperating on sharing
an Economic Crisis. Intelligence on threats in the IndoPacific
▪ His visit coincides with India releasing Region.
urgent financial assistance to Sri Lanka since ▪ The joint statement issued included a
the beginning of this year, including a $400 Renewed commitment to the “flagship”
million currency swap, a $500 million loan Quad Vaccine initiative to deliver at least one
deferment, a Line of Credit for $500 million billion vaccines produced at Hyderabad’s
for fuel imports and another $1 billion Biological E facility by the end of 2022 to
currently under negotiation. IndoPacific countries.
Sri Lanka to launch its own Singapore Air show 2022:

‘Aadhaar’ ▪ The IAF will be “pitching” the indigenous
▪ India has agreed to provide a grant to Sri Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-I
Lanka to implement a ‘Unitary Digital aircraft alongside participants from across
Identity framework’, apparently modelled the world at the Singapore Air show next
on the Aadhaar card. week.
▪ The initiative follows bilateral talks between ▪ Three LCAs, along with a 44–member
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime contingent of the IAF, reached the Changi
Minister Narendra Modi in December 2019. International Airport on February 12 to
▪ It also comes amid substantive Economic participate in the air show scheduled to be
assistance from India — totalling $ 1.4 billion held from February 15 to 18.
since the beginning of this year — to Sri ▪ The air show is a biennial event which
Lanka, to help the island nation cope with provides a platform for the global aviation
its dollar crunch, and import food, medicines industry to showcase their products.
and fuel amid frequent shortages. About Tejas:
UNEP ▪ The Tejas is an Indian fighter jet developed
by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
▪ The United Nations Environment
for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy
Programme (UNEP) is celebrating its 50th
in collaboration with the Aeronautical
anniversary in 2022.
Development Agency (ADA).
▪ The ADA operates under the DRDO (Defense
Research and Development Organization).
70 www.vetriias.com
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor About Israel:

2021/2022 Report: ▪ Capital: Jerusalem;
▪ The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) ▪ Currency: Israeli Shekel;
2021/2022 report, unveiled at the Dubai ▪ President: Isaac Herzog;
Expo, India is among the top five easiest ▪ Prime minister: Naftali Bennett.
places to start a new business. 9th US Green Building Council:
▪ The survey of Indian respondents, who
answered questions on their entrepreneurial ▪ The US Green Building Council (USGBC)
activity, attitudes to enterprise and view of has released the 9th annual ranking of top 10
their local entrepreneurial ecosystem, found countries outside of the United States (US)
that 82% think it is easy to start a business, for Leadership in Energy and Environmental
placing India fourth Globally. Design (LEED) in 2021 in which India ranked
▪ It was topped by Saudi Arabia and followed 3rd with 146 projects.
by Netherlands & Sweden. ▪ It has been topped by China with 1,077 LEED
projects certified in 2021, which is followed
India again backs diplomacy at by Canada at 2nd position with 205 projects.
UNSC ▪ The ranking highlights countries and regions
outside the US that are doing good in healthy,
▪ “At a meeting at the United Nations Security
sustainable, and resilient building design,
Council (UNSC) called by Russia to discuss
construction, and operations.
the Ukraine crisis, on the seventh anniversary
of the Minsk II ceasefire agreement, India About USGBC:
called for a diplomatic solution to the ▪ President and CEO: Peter Templeton.
tensions” ▪ Headquarter: Washington, D.C., US.
▪ India’s Permanent Representative to the
United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti. Give peace a chance, UN tells
▪ Russia, which holds the rotating presidency Russia
of the UNSC for February, had called around ▪ As news of Russian President Vladimir Putin
the anniversary Minsk II agreement – signed ordering a military operation in eastern
in February 2015 with an aim to bring peace Ukraine broke, United Nations Secretary
in the rebel held regions of the Donbas region General Antonio Guterres, speaking at a
of Ukraine. hastily called Security Council meeting,
▪ The agreement was signed by Russia, Ukraine, asked Russia to stop the attack on Ukraine
separatist leaders and the Organization for and to “give peace a chance.”
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
▪ Minsk II has not been fully implemented (its
predecessor, Minsk I, broke down).
Drones in Civilian Airspace:

▪ Israel becomes the first-ever country to allow
drone flights in civilian airspace.
▪ The certification was issued to the Hermes
Starliner unmanned system by the Israeli Civil
Aviation Authority and was manufactured
and developed by Elbit Systems.
▪ The UAVs will be used for the benefit of
agriculture, the environment, public welfare,
economic activity, and they will be used
against crime.
www.vetriias.com 71
8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
Announcements on GST, borrowing HC directs State to Frame Scheme
will be Keenly Watched: for Removing Seemai Karuvelam
▪ At the pre-budget meeting, Tamil Nadu ▪ The Madras High Court directed the State
Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan Government to frame a scheme within two
urged the Union Government to extend the weeks for eradicating Seemai Karuvelam
GST compensation period by at least two (Prosopis Juliflora) trees from all districts in
years, arguing that the States’ revenues were the State.
yet to recover.
▪ He had also urged the Centre to permit the Chief Minister to release Eng-
States to borrow 5% of the GSDP without lish translation of Tamil Literary
any condition, besides seeking payment of Works:
pending dues under various heads. ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is likely to release a
▪ Tamil Nadu has seen a recovery in revenue set of books, including ‘The Silappatikaram’,
collection, but expenditure has remained translated into English under the ‘Taking
higher, putting stress on the State’s finances. Tamil to the World project’.
▪ The total revenue receipts stood at ▪ The book release is expected to take place at
1,18,992.48 crore so far in 2021-22 (till the Chennai Book Fair in the third week of
November 2021), up 22% from last year, February.
while the total expenditure was ₹1,49,044.19 ▪ ‘Taking Tamil to the World’ is a
crore, resulting in a fiscal deficit of ₹30,051.71 collaboration between Tamil Nadu Textbook
crore. and Educational Services Corporation (TNTB
▪ Revenue deficit (which implies revenue and ESC) and private publishers to promote
expenditure is higher than revenue receipts) the rich literary history and culture of Tamil
stood at ₹7,869.87 crore. Nadu. It was launched in 2017.
▪ According to the Union Budget 2021-22, ▪ The books slated to be released by the Chief
Tamil Nadu was projected to get ₹27,148.31 Minister are ‘The Silappatikaram’ translated
crore as a share of the Central taxes. into English as ‘The Tale of an Anklet’.
▪ Driven by higher tax collections, the Union
government has devolved ₹7,756.76 crore to The six of the set of 12 books
Tamil Nadu (including the second advance selected for Translation are:
instalment paid last month) and released
9 Sahitya Akademi award winner Thoppil
₹1,836.67 crore in Post Devolution Revenue
Mohamed Meeran’s stories,
Deficit Grant so far, this fiscal.
▪ The State also got ₹8095 crores in back-to- 9 Tamil writer S. Ramakrishnan’s ‘Katha
back GST compensation loan for 2021-22. Vilasam’,
▪ Tamil Nadu needs aspirational, high 9 Writings about Tamil short story writers,
value-added jobs for its rising population 9 Essays of U.Ve. Swamintha Iyer,
of educated youths in services and 9 Hephzibah Jesudan’s novel ‘Putham
manufacturing such as tele healthcare, online House’ and
education, data centres, high-end electronics,
biotech, and industrial Design and research 9 Short fictions by Dalit writers titled in
and Development. Defiance Stories.
72 www.vetriias.com
Tamil Nadu Affairs | 73
▪ Another 22 books have been finalized for Tamil Nadu Development:

translation this year under Thisaithorum ▪ The third edition of NITI Aayog’s 2020
Dravidam, a project to identify Tamil literary Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
works and translate them into English and Index, whose findings were made public in
other Dravidian languages to enhance the June 2021, placed Tamil Nadu at the second
reach of the treasure house of the Tamil spot.
literary, historical and social traditions. ▪ Significantly, for the third year in succession,
All India Federation for Social Tamil Nadu finished at the top with regard
to the Goal 1 — No Poverty — which
Justice:
encompassed the aim of eradicating poverty
▪ A week after announcing in 73rd Republic not only in monetary terms but also in all
Day that an ‘All India Federation for Social forms and dimensions by 2030.
Justice’ would be launched, Tamil Nadu Chief ▪ In early August, after the Union Ministry of
Minister MK Stalin has written to leaders of Statistics and Programme Implementation
37 political parties across the state, asking came out with its annual report on advance
them to nominate party representatives for estimates of growth figures for 2020-21, Tamil
the federation. Nadu was found to be the only southern
▪ The federation is expected to be a platform State to clock a positive growth rate of 1.42%
for all to create a roadmap to take forward even during the first year of the COVID-19
the battle for social justice in the country and pandemic.
identify the areas in which more could be ▪ The Reserve Bank of India’s Handbook of
done and bring about a common minimum Statistics on Indian States estimated that
programme to be uniformly adopted by all Tamil Nadu had achieved a yield of 3.76
States. tonnes of rice per hectare during 2019-20
District Collectors to get CM Special and it followed very closely the water rich
Andhra Pradesh, which had recorded 3.765
Award: tonnes.
▪ The District Collectors and the Chief ▪ Of course, Punjab was the first with 4.034
Education Officers who are dedicated to the tonnes. The same publication mentioned
overall development of Government schools that with respect to the number of factories,
in Tamil Nadu will be given the “Special for which the data were available only up to
Award of the Chief Minister of Tamil 201819, Tamil Nadu had the highest number
Nadu”. A selection committee has been set with 38,131 units. Maharashtra was behind
up for the purpose by the Government. with 25,972 units.
▪ A selection committee includes the
Principal Secretary for School Education Consistent Performance:
as the Chairman, Commissioner for School ▪ Tamil Nadu’s rank remained at 2 from 2011-
Education as the Secretary, State Project 12 to 2019-20 in terms of the size of the Gross
Director for Integrated School Education, State Domestic Product (At constant Prices-
Director of Elementary Education, and base Year 2011-12).
Director of the State Institute of Educational ▪ As per the Good Governance Index (GGI)
Research and Training are the unofficial 2020-21, worked out by the Department
members. of Administrative Reforms and Public
Grievances at the centre, Tamil Nadu
bagged the First rank in the Group A states
with regard to judiciary and Public Safety;
second in environment and fourth in
agriculture and allied sector, public health,
social welfare and development.
www.vetriias.com 73
▪ Tamil Nadu is in the middle rank in rural- Chennai book Fair from
urban disparity, using the multidimensional February 16:
poverty Index (2021) of NITI Aayog.
▪ The latest GGI, which underscored that the ▪ The State Government allowed The
State had improved its standing in the sectors Booksellers and Publishers Association of
such as agriculture and social welfare, South India (BAPASI) to organise the 45th
however, identified Tamil Nadu as one at the Chennai Book Fair between February 16 and
bottom in citizen centric Governance. March 6.
▪ Likewise, the third edition of the SDG Index ▪ Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu in an order said
mentioned that 44.3% of the pregnant women the permission had been given following
in the State in the age group of 15-49 were a representation from the secretary of the
Anaemic. BAPASI to conduct a book exhibition in a
▪ But the neighboring Kerala’s figure was manner it was organised in 2020 by strictly
22.6%. This issue can be tackled effectively, if adhering to COVID appropriate rules and
greater space is given to the local bodies as is regulations.
being done in Kerala. ▪ The BAPASI said it would reduce the number
of book stalls to 800 from 1,000.
About SDG India Index: ▪ The book fair will be held on the YMCA
▪ The SDG India Index is the world’s first Ground in Nandanam.
Government-led subnational measure of About BAPASI:
SDG progress.
▪ The first edition of the index was launched in ▪ The Book Sellers and Publishers Association
December 2018. of South India (BAPASI) has been organizing
▪ The second came out on 30 December 2019. the Chennai Book Fair ever since it was
▪ The third edition was launched in June 2021. started in the year 1976.
▪ A dashboard has been developed for the ▪ The Book Fair has grown in stature in all
index, with interactive visualisation, which is spheres gradually to be recognized as the 2nd
in the public domain. largest Book Fairs in India in terms of size
and the first in terms of footfall.
About NITI Aayog (National Institution
for Transforming India): CM Remembers Farmer Leader:
▪ Planning Commission was replaced by a ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on 6 February
new institution – NITI AAYYOG on January issued a message of greetings on the occasion
1, 2015 with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ of the birth anniversary of the farmer leader
approach to envisage the vision of Maximum Narayanasamy Naidu who fought for the
Governance, Minimum Government, echoing livelihood and rights of farmers in Tamil
the spirit of ‘Cooperative Federalism’. Nadu.
▪ Chairperson: Prime Minister About Narayanaswamy Naidu:
▪ Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by
▪ He was born on 06.02.1925 at Seengalipalayam
Prime-Minister
village near Coimbatore.
▪ Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all
▪ Chinnamanna Narayanaswamy Naidu was
states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories.
a former president of the All India Farmers'
▪ Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by
Association & Tamil Nadu Agriculturists'
Prime-minister for a fixed tenure, in rank of
Association and a farmers' leader.
Secretary to Government of India.
▪ In 1957, Narayanasamy Naidu held a
meeting of the farmers in Coimbatore and
met with the District Collector and Minister
of Minorities, explaining the sorrow of the
farmers and recovering 16 hours of electricity
once again from 4 hours. This was the first
74 www.vetriias.com
victory struggle by Narayanasamy Naidu. protection of plants and Animal Species.

▪ A memorial was constructed at ▪ It has six schedules which give varying
Vaiyampalayam in Coimbatore district, on degrees of Protection.
the memory of Naidu. ▪ Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide
absolute protection - offences under these are
Training on Life Science for prescribed the Highest Penalties.
School Students ▪ Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV
▪ The State Council of Education Research are also protected, but the penalties are much
and Training (SCERT), in collaboration lower.
with UNICEF has decided to provide ▪ Animals under Schedule V, e.g. common
training on mental health and life science for crows, fruit bats, rats and mice, are legally
underperforming students from class 9th to considered vermin and may be hunted freely.
12th of government and government aided ▪ The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI
schools in Tamilnadu. are Prohibited from cultivation and planting.
▪ UNICEF funds will be utilised for providing T.N. Assembly Readopts NEET Bill:
the training materials for students and
▪ A special session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly
teachers.
has ‘unanimously’ readopted a Bill that seeks
▪ Teachers will also be trained on mental health
to dispense with NEET for admission to
and life science skills.
undergraduate medical courses in the State.
About UNICEF: ▪ The Bill, previously adopted last September,
▪ United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was recently returned by Governor R.N.
is a special program of the United Nations Ravi.
(UN) devoted to aiding national efforts to ▪ This is the first time that the House has
improve the health, nutrition, education, and readopted a Bill returned by the Governor.
general welfare of children.
▪ UNICEF was created in 1946
The Central University of
▪ It became a permanent part of the United Tamil Nadu (CUTN)
Nations in 1953. ▪ The Central University of Tamil Nadu
▪ Headquarters: New York City. (CUTN), established over a decade ago at
the initiative of the then Chief Minister M.
Second hatchery for Olive Ridleys Karunanidhi in his native district Thiruvarur,
to be set up off ECR in Villupuram will soon be setting up a campus in Tiruchi.
▪ The Villupuram Forest Department will soon ▪ Established in 2009, the sprawling 520acre
be establishing its second artificial hatchery main campus of CUTN in lush green settings
for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles in Tiruvarur, houses 27 departments offering
along the district’s coastline as part of its 55 programmes for 2,700 students.
conservation initiative to protect turtle nests.
▪ The Villupuram coastline falls on the
Municipal Corporation
migratory route to Odisha used by these ▪ Chennai is the first corporation established in
turtles listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife 1688.
Protection Act, 1972. The Olive Ridley is one ▪ The second city in Tamil Nadu to be made a
of only two species of sea turtles that engage corporation was Madurai in 1971.
in ‘arribada’ nesting (Spanish for mass ▪ S. Muthu, one of the then prominent leaders
migration), where large groups of females of the DMK, became the first Mayor of the
assemble at a nesting site on the beach city.
About Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Buckingham Canal

▪ The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is an ▪ Buckingham Canal was built in different
Act of the Parliament of India enacted for phases through the 19th Century.
www.vetriias.com 75
▪ Though the first stretch was built in 1806, it ▪ A perusal of the third edition of SDG reveals
was the roughly 8 km stretch built in 1877-78, that even Kerala, the number one State in the
linking the Adyar and Cooum rivers during implementation of all the SDGs, occupies
the tenure of Duke of Buckingham that gave the third rank, trailing behind Tamil Nadu’s
the canal its present name. score of 86 by three marks. In fact, two of its
neighbors, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
Sahitya Akademi that are bigger than Tamil Nadu in area and
▪ The first Tamil writer to receive the prestigious better placed in terms of natural resources,
Sahitya Akademi award constituted in 1954 are behind the State.
was R.P.Sethu Pillai for his collection of ▪ As the administrative system is highly
essays Tamil Inbam. efficient and effective, the fruits of various
▪ Mr. Pillai later took enormous interest in the development and welfare schemes have
Tamil language and became a professor at reached the intended beneficiaries in a big
the University of Madras. His works were way.
nationalized.
Government Measures that Supported
INDCOSERVE Development
▪ The Coonoor headquartered INDCOSERVE, ▪ The self-help Group (SHG) movement
which began operations in 1965, has over as one of the factors that contributed to the
30,000 small tea growers as members and a consistent performance of Tamil Nadu with
federation of 16 tea factories. regard to the Goal No. 1. The SHG movement
▪ INDCOSERVE, is the largest tea cooperative is very strong in the State and its role in
federation in India. Poverty identification and reduction is quite
Commendable.
Spinning Success: One-third of India’s
▪ Tamil Nadu has been implementing a health
textile business is in Tamil Nadu
insurance scheme [CM’s Comprehensive
▪ Boasting at least one-third of the textile Health Insurance Scheme] for more than 10
business in the country, with 2,032 spinning years, universal public distribution system.
mills (total mills in India: 3,542), 5.63 lakh The provision of free rice is a measure that
power looms (India: 24.86 lakh), 1.55 lakh makes a difference to the poor.
handlooms (India: 23.77 lakh), and nearly ▪ Apart from having a widespread economic
15,000 garment units (close to one lakh development, the State is strong in several
units nationally), Tamil Nadu is regarded as social and educational indicators. For
numero uno in textiles and garments. It also example, only in thousands, children in the
supplies to global brands. State would not have joined any school.
▪ Tamil Nadu was the first State to bring in a ▪ The Education Department, through the
textile policy. It promoted the development district administrative set up, monitors such
of industries in backward districts. The children and encourages parents to get them
continued focus by entrepreneurs, for to schools.
Generations, investing to upscale technology, ▪ State still has to address issues concerning
Productivity and quality, have all helped. nutrition more effectively. Besides these,
T.N.’s Success in Poverty Reduction sanitation is another area that has to focused
on.
▪ All the three editions of NITI Aayog, the
Centre’s policy think tank’s implementation of What does the Goal 1 “ No Poverty”
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), have mean ?
one common feature –Tamil Nadu finishing ▪ According to NITI Aayog, the SDG 1 is aimed
on top with regard to Goal 1 “No Poverty.” at eradicating poverty, not only in monetary
terms but in all forms and dimensions by
2030.
76 www.vetriias.com
▪ This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing basic resources and services, and
supporting communities affected by conflict and climate related disasters.
▪ To measure the country’s performance towards the Goal of No Poverty, the policy think tank has
identified six national level indicators, which capture four out of the seven SDG targets for 2030
outlined under this Goal.
▪ These indicators have been selected based on the availability of data at the subnational level and
to ensure comparability across States and Union Territories.
▪ Among the targets fixed in pursuit of fulfillment of the goal, with 2030 as the reference year, are
▪ the elimination of extreme poverty that is currently measured as people living on less than $1.25
a day or about ₹94 a day;
▪ reduction of at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living
in poverty in all its dimensions, achievement of substantial coverage of the poor and
the vulnerable under Nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

▪ Established in 2015 by UN
▪ There are 17 goals and 169 targets specific targets to be achieved by 2030.
▪ SDGs are not legally binding.
www.vetriias.com 77
Relative Performance: The following table shows Tamil Nadu’s relative performance in certain indicators:
78
SDG SDG SDG Best State Best State Target Data Source Data State Dept
2018* 2019* 2020-21 Value Periods
Percentage of Popula- Tendulkar
tion Living below the 11.28 11.28 11.28 Goa 5.09 10.96 Committee 2011-12 All depts
national Poverty line report
Head count ratio as
78 | February - 2022
per the Multidimen-

- - 4.89 Kerala 0.71 0 NITI Aayog 2015 -16 All depts
sional poverty Index
(%)
Percentage of house-
holds with any usual
member covered by 64 64 64 AP 74.6 100 NFHS 2015 -16 Health
a health scheme or
health insurance
MGNREGS: Persons
provided employment
98.83 94.07 94.44 Mizoram 99.62 98.95 2019 -20 Rural
as a percentage of per-
sons who sought jobs
Percentage of the
Population (out of to-
Union
tal eligible population)
Ministry of
receiving social protec-
- - 88.42 Rajasthan 98.15 100 Women and 2019 -20 Health
tion benefits under
child Devel-
Pradhan Mantri Matru
opment
Vandana Yojana (PM-
MVY
Percentage of House- Revenue Dept.,
July 2018
holds living in Katcha NSS 76th Housing & Urban
- 2.4 2.4 Haryana 0.2 0 to Dec
houses round Development
2018
Dept.
Note: The table is generally based on the NITI Aayog’s SDG 3.0 and Inputs provided by the State Department of Economics and Statistics, only
with respect to the values on the second row alone, the source is the 2021 baseline report of the NITI Aayog on the National Multidimensional
Poverty Index.
www.vetriias.com
NHFS: National Family Health Sample Survey.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
T.N. Rejects Exclusive Discussion on Sections of various Acts of the Urban Local
Bodies.
Mekedatu ▪ The Tamil Nadu State Election Commission,
▪ Tamil Nadu on Friday rejected the idea for an an independent, autonomous Constitutional
exclusive discussion by the Cauvery Water Authority formed under the Constitution of
Management Authority (CWMA) on the India as per the Provisions of the 73rd and
Mekedatu Balancing ReservoircumDrinking 74th Amendment Acts of 1992 is governed by
Water Project proposed by Karnataka. the State Election Commissioner.
▪ All elections to Panchayats and urban
Excavations begin at several
local bodies are to be held under the
Locations in T.N. superintendence, direction and control of the
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin State Election Commission.
virtually inaugurated the eighth phase ▪ The Tamil Nadu State Election Commission
of archaeological excavations at Keeladi, came into inception from 15th July 1994.
Konthagai, Agaram and Manalur in ▪ Current Tamil Nadu State Election
Sivaganga district and also the second phase Commissioner - Dr. V. Palanikumar,
of excavations at Gangai kondacholapuram I.A.S.(R).
Maligaimedu in Ariyalur district.
▪ Last month, Mr. Stalin announced that Dictionary of Sangam Literary
excavations would be undertaken in seven Words Required:
locations across the State — Keeladi and ▪ Experts in the field of inscriptions and
nearby locations in Sivaganga district (Phase archeology have insisted that a separate
VIII), Sivagalai in Thoothukudi district (Phase vocabulary dictionary be created for Sangam
III), Gangai kondacholapuram in Ariyalur literary words in the expert group meetings
district (Phase II), Mayiladumparai in that was held department-wise under the
Krishnagiri district (Phase II), Vembakkottai auspices of the Sainthamizh Etymology
in Virudhunagar district (Phase I), Agara Mudali Project.
Thullukkarpatti in Tirunelveli district (Phase ▪ The word 'Kudumbu' was used in the
I) and Perumpalai in Dharmapuri district inscriptions of the time for the word 'ward'
(Phase I). which is now in circulation in the panchayat
▪ He had also announced that a reconnaissance administrations.
survey in the sea, off the coast of Korkai ▪ The word 'Kudumbu' found in the
in Thoothukudi, mentioned in Sangam Uttaramerur inscription means land and
literature, would be undertaken by the ward.
Archaeology Department in collaboration ▪ Similarly, the Ancient word 'Perum Eedu'
with the Indian Maritime University and the was taken by the Egyptians as ‘pyramid’.
National Institute of Ocean Technology.
Treatment for Cancer in the Chief
Tamil Nadu Urban Local Body Minister's Comprehensive Health
Elections 2022: Insurance Scheme:
▪ After a gap of over 10 years, the Tamil Nadu
▪ World Cancer Day 2022 aims to provide
urban local body polls will be held in a single
timely treatment to cancer patients. The rate
phase on February 19.
of cancer survivors is 80 percent in Western
About State Election Commission: Countries and 65 percent in India.
▪ The State Election Commission is the ▪ The aim of this year is to increase this even
Constitutional Authority under Article 243- more.
K and Article 243-ZA of the Constitution ▪ Women all over India, including Tamil Nadu,
of India read with Section 239 of the Tamil suffer from breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 and the relevant ▪ Similarly, men are more likely to have oral
www.vetriias.com 79
and Lung Cancer. CMCHIS based on the request letter along

▪ If 1 lakh people are tested, then 97 people with a list of Eligible member’s from labour
have been diagnosed with some form of department, provided they have resided for
cancer and 63 out of 1 lakh people die of more than six months in the state as certified
cancer. If this is not controlled it is likely to by suitable authority.
increase. ▪ Orphans residing in any registered/
unregistered organization can be given a
About CMCHIS:
single card. This also includes the rescued
▪ CMCHS the flagship scheme for mass health girlchildren and any other person defined as
insurance in the state of Tamil Nadu has Orphan by the Government.
bagged the "e-India Jury Award" - 2012 for
the best Practices in Health Insurance with IT MakkalaiThedi Maruthuvam
enabled solutions. ▪ Tamil Government announced that 48.50
▪ Chief Ministers Comprehensive Health lakh patients have been benefitted under
Insurance Scheme launched by the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme.
Government of Tamil Nadu through United ▪ Diabetic and Blood pressure patients are the
India Insurance Company Ltd a Public most benefitted under the scheme.
Sector Insurance Company headquartered at
(Chennai). About Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam
▪ The Scheme provides quality health care to ▪ To provide healthcare facilities at the
the eligible persons through empanelled doorstep of the poor residents of Tamil
Government and Private hospitals and to Nadu, the respected chief minister MK Stalin
reduce the financial hardship to the enrolled has launched a new scheme on 5th August
families and move towards universal health 2021 known as MakkalaiThediMaruthuvam
coverage by effectively linking with public Scheme.
health system. ▪ Under the Tamil Nadu Doorstep Healthcare
▪ The Scheme provides coverage for meeting Scheme, various facilities like physiotherapy
all expenses relating to hospitalization of related therapies, testing and providing
beneficiary as defined in the Scope of the medicine for non-communicable diseases
Scheme. will be provided to poor people.
▪ With the help of the Makkalai Thedi
Benefits: Maruthuvam Scheme, people who are above
▪ The scheme seeks to provide cashless the age of 45 years will be screened and
hospitalization facility for certain specified provided with medical facilities if found to
ailments/ procedures. be infected with non-communicable diseases
▪ The scheme provides coverage up to Rs.5, 00, like high blood pressure and diabetes.
000/- per family per year on a floater basis
for the ailments and procedures covered Innuyir Kappoom Thittam
under the scheme. ▪ To provide medical assistance to accident
Eligibility: victims within 48 Hours of an Accident
▪ Accident victims will be assisted with
▪ The Eligibility to avail Chief Minister’s ₹1 Lakh per individual.
Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, is ▪ Aim is to reduce the road traffic accident
as indicated for the resident of tamil nadu by Fatality rate.
the presence of his/her name in the Family ▪ Wide Coverage: The beneficiaries of the
card and whose Annual Income is less than Scheme include all victims of road accidents,
Rs.72, 000/ per annum. including foreign nationals.
▪ Srilankan refugees in the camps are also ▪ The Scheme will include Emergency
eligible without any Income limit. response, rescue and resuscitation, damage
▪ Migrants from other states can also join this control surgery and Rehabilitation.
80 www.vetriias.com
3.45 Lakh Hectares of Groundnut Govt. will soon roll out ₹1000
in the Current Year: Financial Aid for Women:
▪ Groundnut is one of the important oilseed ▪ DMK president M.K. Stalin said that his
crops cultivated in Tamil Nadu. Groundnut Government would soon implement its
is cultivated in about 4 lakh hectares annually Assembly election promise of ₹1000 per
in the state. month in Financial assistance to women
▪ Groundnut production capacity, which was heads of family.
around 1000 kg per hectare in the past, has
now increased to 2980 kg per hectare. CM opens 45th Chennai Book Fair:
▪ As a result, Tamil Nadu is the leading ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the
producer in India. 45th Chennai Book Fair (February 16 - March
6) and presented awards to authors and
NOTA Option not available in Up- publishers.
coming Civic Polls also ▪ Mr. Stalin said he had penned an
▪ Voters of urban local bodies (ULBs) in Tamil autobiography titled ‘Ungalil Oruvan’ [One
Nadu are not going to be provided with the among you].
option of NOTA (None of the Above) in the ▪ The first part of the autobiography would be
February 19 polls, and may get the option released at the end of February.
only in the next elections, if the State Election ▪ “I have written about my life till 1976 in the
Commission (SEC) has its way. first part. It will soon come to book fairs,” he
▪ In Tamil Nadu, NOTA was introduced in the said.
2013 by-election to the Yercaud Assembly ▪ The Government has paid homage to the
constituency. late Tamil scholars K. Rajanarayanan and Ira
▪ In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Ilangumaranar.
proportion of those who supported NOTA ▪ The books of 165 Tamil scholars in the last
varied from 1.4% to 1.8%. 37 years are nationalized. Of these, the texts
▪ Approximately, 5.5 lakh persons cast their of 148 were nationalized during the DMK
votes for NOTA. regime.
▪ In the 2016 polls, NOTA drew 1.3% of ▪ During these eight months, the books of
voters– around 5.6 lakh persons –to its side. seven Tamil scholars have been nationalized
However, this went down to about 0.75% five and Rs. 80 lakhs have been distributed to
years later, with around 3.46 lakh persons their families.
using NOTA. ▪ Tamil, the oldest of the Dravidian languages.
Various books in Tamil will be translated
Book Free Day: into English and other Dravidian languages.
▪ The Tamil Nadu school education ▪ Currently six books under the scheme of
Department has declared February 26 to “Thisaithorum Dravidam” have been
be Book Free Day or Bookless Day or No released.
School Bag Day in every school across Tamil ▪ They are:
Nadu. 9 The popular epic Silappathikaram written
▪ The objective of this program is to reduce the by Ilangovadigal.
burden of books carried by students in grades
6 to 8 in all Government and Government- 9 Short fictions by Dalit writers titled In
aided schools and to enable schools to Defiance-Our Stories in Tamil.
provide students with life education through 9 Short stories by Toppil Mohammad
experience. Meeran.
▪ Training will be given on terrace gardening, 9 'Kadhavilasam' written by S.
herbalism and traditional arts on No School Ramakrishnan by introducing 50 Tamil
Bag Day. short story writers.
www.vetriias.com 81
9 The novel 'Putham Veedu' written by reputation for effective conservation — the
Hepsiba Jesudasan notable among Tamil affidavit claimed.
novel writers. ▪ The affidavit marks the shutting of doors for
9 Essays of U.Ve. Swamintha Iyer has been the project initially mooted by the Institute of
translated into English and published. Mathematical Sciences and then by the Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research.
▪ Thisaithorum Dravidam, a project to identify
▪ The Neutrino project of the Centre is to come
Tamil literary works and translate them into
up at the Pottipuram village in the Bodi West
English and other Dravidian languages to
Hill bordering Kerala and will be the largest
enhance the reach of the treasure house of the
basic science project in India.
Tamil literary, historical and social traditions.
▪ The environment ministry issued a clearance
▪ Mr. Stalin presented the Kalaignar
in June 2011.
Karunanidhi Porkizhi Award to
▪ The Chief Minister met the Prime Minister on
▪ Prose - journalist and author Samas,
17 June 2021 with a request not to implement
9 Drama - Prasanna Ramasamy, the project.
9 Poetry - Aasai Thambi (Aasai), ▪ On November 2 2018, the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) dismissed an appeal by
9 Media - R. Vennila,
activists against the environment ministry’s
9 Translation - Paul Zachariah clearance for the project. But the NGT also
9 English - Meena Kandasamy. directed the INO to get an okay from the
9 He also presented BAPASI Awards to National Board for Wildlife.
9 Best Publisher Award - Meenakshi A perfect host to Companies from
Somasundaram, Ravi Thamizhvanan.
across the Globe
9 Best Bookseller Award - Ponnazaghu.
▪ Tamil Nadu is home to over 1400 companies
9 Best Child Writer Award - Thiruvai from many countries, including South Korea,
Babu. China, Japan, the U.K., the U.S., Singapore,
9 Best Tamil Scholar Award - Devira. Australia and Denmark.
9 First Female Publisher Amsaveni ▪ Further, it has attracted investors from
Periyakannan award to Best Female Germany, France and Taiwan with over 200
Writer - Bharathi Baskar. companies operating in the State.
▪ Over the years, the State has also become
9 Nellai S Muthu award for the Best
home and hub for global automakers.
Children’s Science Book - K. Y.
▪ Hyundai from South Korea, Nissan and
Balasubramanian.
Yamaha from Japan, Daimler from Germany
T.N. tells SC it doesn’t want and Renault, and Peugeot from France have
Neutrino observatory made huge investments in manufacturing.
▪ The Tamil Nadu government February ▪ For foreign investors and for relocation
17, 2022, filed an affidavit in the Supreme investments, the State offers additional
Court stating that it would not permit incentives as part of the Industrial Policy
the construction for the proposed Indian 2021, which include relocation benefits,
Neutrino Observatory at Bodi West Hills in a direct subsidy on its capital investment
Theni district, a sensitive ecological zone in and incentives to boost the research and
the Western Ghats at a great cost to wildlife development innovation projects.
and biodiversity. About State Industrial Policy 2021:
▪ The project, if implemented, will affect the ▪ Tamil Nadu then Chief Minister Edappadi K.
flora and fauna of the Periyar Tiger Reserve Palaniswami on February 16 2021 unveiled
and Mathikettan Shola National Park in the the State’s new industrial policy 2021.
Western Ghats — which have earned global ▪ The objective of the industrial policy is to
82 www.vetriias.com
achieve an annual growth rate of 15% in the Rectangular ivory die unearthed at
manufacturing sector and attract investments Keezhadi site:
worth ₹10 lakh crore and create employment
opportunities for 20 lakh people by 2025. ▪ The eighth phase of excavation in Keezhadi
▪ The industrial policy also hopes to increase and its cluster villages (Agaram, Manalur,
the contribution of the manufacturing sector Kondhagai) has begun on February 11, 2022.
to 30% of the State’s economy by 2030. ▪ A rectangular ivory die was unearthed from
▪ The industrial policy also offers land at Keezhadi excavation site in the district on
50% of its cost and other incentives for February 17 in the 8th phase.
those setting up industries in 22 identified ▪ The die was found at a depth of 30 to 40 cm
districts including the Southern districts below the ground.
and industrially-backward districts such as ▪ The die is 4.5 cm in length, 0.9 cm in height
Dharmapuri and Perambalur among others. and 0.9 cm in thickness.
▪ It has marks (dot surrounded by circles) on
New Chairperson named for Tamil four sides indicating the numerals - one, two,
Nadu State Commission for three and four.
Women Rare Documentaries for Sale in
▪ A.S. Kumari has been named the Chairperson Book Fair:
of the recently reconstituted Tamil Nadu ▪ 635 rare documentaries have been reprinted
State Commission for Women. The panel has and brought for sale at the Tamil Nadu
seven new members. Textbook Arena set up at the Chennai Book
▪ The Chairperson and members of the Fair.
Commission would hold office for a period ▪ The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has
of three years. recently published a book titled Pannool
▪ The tenure of two legislators, nominated by Thirattu which compiles most of VOC's
the State government to the panel, would works and VOC's Thirukkural text.
cease if they stop being Members of the ▪ Apart from that, Caldwell's Oppilakkanam
Legislative Assembly or on completion of has been published in association with the
the tenure for three years, whichever applies World Tamil Research Institute.
first.
▪ The legislators are K. Sivagama Sundari Institute of Hydraulics and
(Krishnarayapuram) and M. Varalakshmi Hydrology (IHH):
(Chengalpattu).
▪ Institute of Hydraulics and Hydrology (IHH)
About Tamil Nadu State Commission at the Poondi Reservoir next to Tiruvallur the
for Women: samples of more than 50 dams are featured
▪ In the year 1993, the Tamil Nadu State from various states.
Commission for Women, which is a statutory ▪ This has attracted a lot of educational tourism
body was constituted to deal with the cases researchers.
related to crime against women. About IHH:
▪ The objectives of the Commission are
▪ This Institute of Hydraulics and Hydrology,
▪ To provide protection and ensure welfare of
Poondi was established as an Irrigation
women.
Research Station in 1944 at Poondi.
▪ To address the gender issues.
▪ It was formed by Er. T.P. KUTTIAMMU,
▪ To recommend to the Government on various
Executive Engineer who visited various
issues related to women.
Research Institutes of India and did very
good spade work in forming this Institute.
www.vetriias.com 83
About Poondi Reservoir: moving around in two deep water boats. For
▪ Poondi Reservoir or Sathyamoorthy reservoir intelligence collection and data sharing, these
is the reservoir across Kosathalaiyar River or units will interact with other stakeholders like
Kotralai River in Tiruvallur district of Tamil customs, coast guard and naval officers apart
Nadu State was constructed in 1944. from marine police and fisheries officials.
▪ The Gudiyum cave the first of its kind in ▪ The primary objective is to strengthen the
India, discovered by geologist Sir Robert protection and sustainable management
Bruce Foote exists near Poondi in Tiruvallur of marine area and watch out for disasters
taluk of Tiruvallur district. affecting marine and coastal wildlife.
▪ The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay occupy
Karur tops in Polling Percentage in nearly a 675-Kilometre-long coastline.
State: The Gulf of Mannar is home to significant
ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky shores,
▪ As many as 8.39 lakh voters turned up to
sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries,
vote in Coimbatore municipal corporation,
mangroves, seaweed stretches and seagrass
making it second only to Chennai in terms
beds. It is also home to endangered corals,
of the number of people who exercised their
crustaceans, molluscs, finfish apart from
franchise in 19th Feb urban local bodies
seasonally migrating marine mammals such
elections.
as whales, dolphins, porpoises and marine
▪ In terms of the proportion of turnout to the
turtles. These two areas are considered
total number of voters, Karur was the first
biologists paradise with over 4,223 species
with 75.84%, but, in terms of absolute figures,
of flora and fauna documented over several
its tally was about 1.42 lakh.
decades.
▪ As for 489 town panchayats having 7,605
▪ The Marine resources are constantly exploited
wards that went to the polls, Kanniyakumari
for economic reasons and the protected
district topped the list with about 4.64 lakh
species are also hunted illegally as they fetch
persons casting their votes spread over 51
huge prices in domestic and international
town panchayats.
illegal wildlife markets.
▪ It was followed by Coimbatore with around
▪ Marine turtles, sea cucumbers, sea horses,
3.56 lakh votes polled in 33 town panchayats
sharks and rays, pipe fishes, dugongs,
and Erode with 3.14 lakh votes polled in 42
dolphins and sea shells face extraordinary
town Panchayats.
hunting pressure, Ms. Sahu said, explaining
Aruna Jagadeesan Commission the reason behind setting up the Marine Elite
gets Three more Months Force.
▪ In another order, Ms. Sahu sanctioned funds
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has extended
to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR)
the tenure of the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan
for declaration of Dugong Conservation
Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that is looking
Reserve in Palk Bay, the first in the country.
into the causes and Circumstances which led
▪ The DPR will be prepared by engaging a
to the opening of fire in Thoothukudi on May
reputed institution based on clearances
22, 2018, by three more months.
obtained from various departments
▪ Two units of Marine Elite Force to be set up
connected with marine activities.
in T.N.
▪ Two units of Marine Elite Force will be set Corporation Fines Shop ₹50,000
up in the State to combat marine wildlife for Cutting Tree
crimes, including smuggling, prevention and
▪ The District Green Committee imposed a
poaching of marine animals, particularly in
fine of ₹50,000 on a shop located on M.G.
the Gulf of Mannar biosphere and Palk Bay.
Road at Vannanthurai near Besant Nagar for
▪ Each unit will have five marine watchers to
cutting an avenue Tree.
be engaged on a contract basis. They will be
84 www.vetriias.com
▪ The committee, comprising officials of ▪ Another milestone will be achieved after

the District Forest Office and the Chennai the construction of the 150mld SWRO
Corporation, inspected the site where the desalination plant on a 10.6acre land adjacent
avenue tree was chopped and fined the to the Nemmeli facility. This will be the first
offender. plant in India of that capacity built in a
smaller area.
TN a Pioneer in Desalination
▪ Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront DMK’s Vote Share at 43.13% in
of drinking water supply management Urban Local Body Polls
conceiving technology aided solutions to ▪ The DMK, which emerged as the largest
stave off a crisis in coastal districts. party in the urban local bodies polls, secured
▪ It pioneered desalination as early as the a total vote share of 43.13%, followed by the
1990s. The arid Ramanathapuram district AIADMK, which bagged 25.15% of the votes.
and the expanding Chennai city that grapple ▪ The BJP, which fought alone, secured 5.41%
with a severe water scarcity were the first to of the votes, followed by the Congress at
get desalination plants. 3.31%, data released by the State Election
▪ The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Commission showed.
Board (TWAD) had initially set up nearly
15 small-scale reverse osmosis desalination Making Healthcare Affordable
plants in Ramanathapuram, which are over ▪ More than six months after its launch, the
30 years old. Tamil Nadu government’s flagship scheme,
▪ Subsequently, during the government Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, reached out
of M. Karunanidhi in 1999, one of the to its 50,00,000th beneficiary on February 23.
first major seawater desalination plants ▪ In a State such as Tamil Nadu, where the
was commissioned at Narippaiyur in three-tier healthcare system — primary,
Ramanathapuram with a capacity to treat secondary, tertiary — is considered well-
3.80 million liters a day (mld). The facility structured, Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam is
was maintained by BHEL, Ranipet. aimed at reaching the unreached, with the
▪ As for Chennai, it is home to the largest emphasis on bridging the gap in the treatment
seawater desalination plants in Minjur and of noncommunicable diseases (NCD).
Nemmeli with a combined capacity to treat ▪ Designed to take healthcare to the doorstep
210 mld. of people, the scheme encompasses services
▪ Acclaimed to be South Asia’s first largest ranging from drug delivery for hypertension
SWRO desalination plant, the 100 mld plant and diabetes to providing palliative care,
at Kattupalli, Minjur, has been supplying physiotherapy and continuous ambulatory
water to the 10 lakh residents since July 2010. peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Rolled out in
▪ Spread over 60 acres, the Minjur plant August 2021, the scheme has not only taken
was established on a design, build, own, healthcare services closer home but also made
operate and transfer basis by Chennai Water it affordable for beneficiaries like Bavin, 16,
Desalination Limited, a special purpose of Vizhuperundurai village in Cuddalore
vehicle of IVRCL Infrastructures and Project district, who is undergoing CAPD.
Ltd, Chennai, and Befesa, Spain. ▪ It ensures that accessible and free healthcare
▪ Metrowater is purchasing water at a rate reaches the doorstep.
of ₹55 per kilo-litre from the Minjur plant ▪ Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam had been a
under a bulk purchase agreement. While the game changer in providing care to those who
treated water from the Minjur plant is being were elderly, immobile, recovering from
consumed by north Chennai residents, Metro paralysis, differently abled and required
water established another desalination plant palliative care at the doorstep.
at Nemmeli, along East Coast Road, in 2013 ▪ It has had a catalytic effect on improving
for southern parts of Chennai.
www.vetriias.com 85
access to free healthcare and more ▪ The tenure of the bond is Eight Years.
importantly helped in creating awareness of
the health needs among people.
▪ Tamil Nadu being a front runner in health,
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam bridges the
gap between hospitals and the people.
▪ The disconnect or gap that was existing
despite a very well-established public health
system in Tamil Nadu is bridged by Makkalai
Thedi Maruthuvam.
▪ The three gaps would be reduced —
diagnostic gap (the undiagnosed getting
diagnosed by house-to-house screening);
therapeutic gap (diagnosed patients not on
treatment or on irregular treatment is reduced
by drug delivery at home); and control gap
(those diagnosed on treatment but with poor
control of hypertension/ diabetes would be
reduced by drug delivery and follow-up at
home).
▪ Adherence to drugs would in turn lead to a
Good Control of hypertension and diabetes,
ultimately reducing chronic diseases.
Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana

▪ The Madras High Court bid farewell to
Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana as she is
retiring from service.
▪ Elevated to the Bench on October 25, 2013, she
holds the distinction of having led the court’s
fist all Women Full Bench (comprising three
judges) with Justices Anita Sumanth and
P.T. Asha in March 2020 to decide a case
related to the applicability of the Employees
State Insurance Act on unaided Educational
Institutions.
Post Offices to Sell Sovereign Gold

Bonds till March 4
▪ The post offices under the Chennai City
Central Division will offer sovereign gold
bonds for sale from February 28 to March 4.
▪ The sale will be done at the post offices,
including the T. Nagar and Mylapore head
post offices and 22 sub post offices.
▪ The value of the bond is ₹5109 per gram of
Gold.
▪ Customers may invest a minimum of one
gram to four kg of gold during the fiscal.
86 www.vetriias.com
9. GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE
Longest Lightning Bolt:
▪ A bolt of lightning that stretched nearly 768
Kilometres across three US states in 2020 or
equivalent to the distance between London
and the German city of Hamburg has been
declared as the longest recorded single flash
by the World Meteorological Organisation.
▪ The Record lightning struck on April 29,
2020 across Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas
in the southern US, with the exact length
at 768 km, or 477.2 miles, that beat the old
record set in 2018 in Brazil of 440.6 miles (709
kilometres).
About World Meteorological
Organization (WMO):
▪ The World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) is an intergovernmental organization
with a membership of 193 Member States
and Territories.
▪ It originated from the International
Meteorological Organization (IMO), which
was established after the 1873 Vienna
International Meteorological Congress.
▪ Established by the ratification of the WMO
Convention on 23 March 1950, WMO
became the specialized agency of the United
Nations for meteorology (weather and
climate), operational hydrology and related
Geophysical sciences.'
▪ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
▪ President: Gerhard Adrian, Germany since
2019.
▪ Secretary-General: Petteri Taalas, Finland
since 2016.
www.vetriias.com 87

Topic : Current Affairs – March 2022
© Copyright
Competitive Exams.
Director,

CONTENTS
HISTORY
01
GEOGRAPHY
36
38 ECONOMICS
SCIENCE
43
NATIONAL–DIARY OF
EVENT 46
61 INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
62

1. HISTORY
1.1 IMPORTANT DAYS
▪ The day aims to ensure the right to equality,

inclusion, and protection of all people without
any discrimination in their law and policies to
Zero Discrimination
March 01 live a full life with dignity re-gardless of any
Day
barriers.The theme of Zero Discrimination Day
2022: “Remove laws that harm, create laws that
Empower”.
▪ World Civil Defence Day is celebrated every year

on 1st March to bring the attention of the world
public about the importance of Civil protection
and to pay tributes to the ef-forts, sacrifices, and
accomplishments of all the services responsible to
World Civil Defence
March 01 fight against disasters. The theme for the year 2022
Day
is “Civil defence and management of displaced
popula-tions in face of disasters and crises; role
of volunteers and the fight against pandemics”.
International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO)
decided to celebrate this day in 1990.
▪ The 46th Civil Accounts Day has been celebrated

at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath,
New Delhi.The Minister for Finance & Corporate
Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest
Civil Accounts Day
March 02 of the occasion where she has launched a major
2022
e-governance initiative - the Electronic Bill
(e-Bill) processing system.This is launched as
part of ease of doing business and Digital India
eco-system.
2 | Current Affairs (MARCH 2022)
▪ The day aims to ensure the right to equality,

inclusion, and protection of all people without
any discrimination in their law and policies to
Zero Discrimination live a full life with dignity re-gardless of any
March 01
Day barriers.
▪ The theme of Zero Discrimination Day 2022:
“Remove laws that harm, create laws that
Empower”.
▪ World Civil Defence Day is celebrated every year

on 1st March to bring the attention of the world
public about the importance of Civil protection
and to pay tributes to the ef-forts, sacrifices, and
accomplishments of all the services responsible
World Civil Defence to fight against disasters.
March 01
Day ▪ The theme for the year 2022 is “Civil defence
and management of displaced popula-tions in
face of disasters and crises; role of volunteers
and the fight against pandemics”.International
Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) decided to
celebrate this day in 1990.
▪ The 46th Civil Accounts Day has been celebrated

at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath,
New Delhi.
▪ The Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs
Civil Accounts Day Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest of
March 02
2022 the occasion where she has launched a major
e-governance initiative - the Electronic Bill
(e-Bill) processing system.This is launched as
part of ease of doing business and Digital India
eco-system.
▪ This day is celebrated globally on 3rd March and

is closely aligned with Sustainable Development
Goal 12 that is Life without water, which focuses
on marine species and highlights the problems,
critical issues of marine wildlife to our everyday
March 03 World Wildlife Day life.
▪ The theme of World Wildlife Day 2022 is
“Recovering key species for ecosystem
restoration”.The day was proposed by Thailand
and recognized in 2013 by United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA).
HISTORY | 3
▪ It is a campaign run by the Office of Prevention

of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health
Organization (WHO) to spread awareness about
March 03 World Hearing Day hearing loss and promote ac-tions towards its
prevention and improved hearing care.
▪ The theme for this year's World Hearing Day is
“To hear for life, listen with care."
▪ It is observed to promote practical solutions to

end the global obesity crisis.The day is organized
March 04 World Obesity Day by the World Obesity Federation.The theme of
World Obesity Day 2022 is 'Everybody Needs to
Act'
▪ It is celebrated every year to commemorate the

foundation of the National Safety Council (NSC)
of India.
▪ The day aims to raise public awareness of all safety
principles, including road safety, workplace
safety, human health safety, and Environmental
March 04 National Safety Day safety.This year’s theme is ‘Nurture young minds
- Develop safety culture’.
▪ The first National Safety Day was observed
in 1972.About National Safety Council (NSC)
of India:National Security Council of India
Founded: 19 November 1998.National Security
Council of India head: Ajit Kumar Doval.
▪ It is also known as Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas.

The day aims to show gratitude to all the security
forces, including policemen, para-military forces,
commandos, guards, army officers, and other
National Security
March 04 persons involved in security, who sacrifice their
Day lives in maintaining the peace and security of the
people of the country.
▪ Apart from this, National Security Week 2022 is
being celebrated from March 4 to March 10, 2022.
▪ This is the 4th Jan Aushadhi Diwas.The theme

of 4th Janaushadhi Diwas: “Jan Aushadhi-Jan
Upyogi”.
March 01 to Janaushadhi Diwas
▪ The Government has set a target to increase
07 2022
the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Ja-
naushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by the
end of March 2025.
▪ This day honours women around the world,

celebrates their social, economic, cultural, and
political achievements.
International
March 08 ▪ The theme for International Women’s Day 2022
Women's Day
is, “Gender equality today for a sustainable
tomorrow.”The United Nations began celebrating
the day in 1977.
▪ World Kidney Day is observed annually on the

2nd Thursday in March.
▪ This year, it is being observed on March 10, 2022
theme: "Kidney Health for All – Bridge the gap to
better kidney care".
March 10 World Kidney Day
▪ World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the
International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the
International Federation of Kidney Foundations
(IFKF).
▪ World Kidney Day started in 2006.
▪ It is the first annual observation in the World.

▪ On this day, the United National reaffirms
its commitment to develop and im-plement
appropriate and effective strategies and plans for
International Day of
March 10 the advancement of women in the judicial system
Women Judges
and institution at the managerial and leadership
level.
▪ The resolution of the General Assembly on this
was drafted by Qatar in 2021.
▪ It is also known as the Pi Day because the

mathematical constant π (pi) can be rounded
down to 3.14.The theme for 2022 IDM is
“Mathematics Unites“.
International Day of ▪ The day was adopted in the 40th session of the
March 14
Mathematics General Conference of UNESCO in November
2019.
▪ Later in 2020, the world celebrated its First
International Day of Mathematics on March 14,
2020.
March 15 World Consumer Rights Day

HISTORY | 5
▪ The International Day of Action for Rivers.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the
World Consumer
March 14 International Day of Action for Rivers, with a
Rights Day
theme 'to highlight the importance of Rivers to
Biodiversity.'
▪ The theme for National Vaccination Day or

National
March 16 National Immunisation Day 2022 is "Vaccines
Vaccination Day
Work for all".
▪ Friday before the March equinox (This year, it

falls on March 18) ‘Quality Sleep, Sound
March 18 World Sleep Day
Mind, Happy World’ is the theme for World
Sleep Day 2022.
Global Recycling Day Ordnance Factories’ Day in India This year, the
March 20
theme is “recycling fraternity”.
▪ The theme of World Sparrow Day is “LOVE

March 20 World Sparrow Day
Sparrows.”
International Day of ▪ The theme for Happiness Day 2022 is "Keep

March 20
Happiness Calm, Stay Wise and Be Kind".
International Day of ▪ The theme for 2022 is “Forests and sustainable

March 21
Forests production and consumption”.
International Day
▪ The 2022 edition of the International Day
for the Elimination
March 21 focuses on the theme “VOICES FOR ACTION
of Racial
AGAINST RACISM”.
Discrimination
March 21 World Puppetry Day ▪ This year's theme is "the Sea".
▪ World Oral Health Day (WOHD), celebrated

every year on 20 March, aims to promote
awareness around a healthy mouth and oral
World Oral Health
March 20 hygiene.
Day
▪ This year, the theme for WOHD is “BE PROUD
of your Mouth”.
International
March 20 to
Adolescent Health ▪ The Official Theme of IAHW 2022: "Transitions".
26
Week
▪ World Poetry Day is celebrated every year to

recognize the unique ability of poetry to capture
the creative spirit of the human mind.
▪ The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
March 21 World Poetry Day
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted this
day during UNESCO’s 30th session in Paris in
1999.
▪ The Day is commemorated as a global initiative

to increase awareness about hereditary disorders.
▪ The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2022
is “Inclusion Means”.
About WDSD:
World Down ▪ The first World Down Syndrome Day was
March 21 Syndrome Day observed in 2006.
(WDSD) ▪ In November 2011, the General Assembly
adopted a resolution by consensus to celebrate
World Down Syndrome Day every year.
▪ The next month it declared March 21 as World
Down Syndrome Day.
▪ The day aims to highlight the importance of

freshwater.
▪ It is used to advocate for the sustainable
management of freshwater resources.
▪ The World Water Day theme 2022 is
“Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible”.
March 22 World Water Day About:
▪ The United Nations General Assembly adopted
a resolution by which 22 March of each year was
declared World Day for Water, to be observed
starting in 1993.
▪ World Oral Health Day (WOHD), celebrated

every year on 20 March, aims to promote
awareness around a healthy mouth and oral
World Oral Health
March 20 hygiene.
Day
▪ This year, the theme for WOHD is “BE PROUD
of your Mouth”.
International
March 20 to
Adolescent Health ▪ The Official Theme of IAHW 2022: "Transitions".
26
Week
HISTORY | 7
▪ World Poetry Day is celebrated every year to

recognize the unique ability of poetry to capture
the creative spirit of the human mind.
▪ The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
March 21 World Poetry Day
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted this
day during UNESCO’s 30th session in Paris in
1999.
▪ The Day is commemorated as a global initiative

to increase awareness about hereditary disorders.
▪ The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2022
is “Inclusion Means”.
About WDSD:
World Down ▪ The first World Down Syndrome Day was
March 21 Syndrome Day observed in 2006.
(WDSD) ▪ In November 2011, the General Assembly
adopted a resolution by consensus to celebrate
World Down Syndrome Day every year.
▪ The next month it declared March 21 as World
Down Syndrome Day.
▪ The day aims to highlight the importance of

freshwater.
▪ It is used to advocate for the sustainable
management of freshwater resources.
▪ The World Water Day theme 2022 is
“Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible”.
March 22 World Water Day About:
▪ The United Nations General Assembly adopted
a resolution by which 22 March of each year was
declared World Day for Water, to be observed
starting in 1993.
▪ Every year, the Nation was observed on March

23rd as Martyrs Day (Shaheed Diwas or Sarvodaya
Day).
▪ The day was observed to pay tribute to the death
anniversary of the freedom fighters Bhagat
Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru,
Shaheed Diwas or who laid their lives for the freedom of India.
March 23
Martyrs’ Day
▪ Also, 30 January is observed as Martyr’s Day
or Shaheed Diwas in the memory of Mahatma
Gandhi.
▪ World Meteorological Day is celebrated globally

on March 23rd every year.
▪ The day is celebrated as the establishment of the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
World
March 23 which was established on March 23, 1950.
Meteorological Day
▪ World Meteorological Day 2022 is celebrated
keeping the theme of “Early Warning and Early
Action”.
▪ The day aims to pay tribute to those who have

devoted their lives or lost their lives in, the
struggle to promote and protect human rights
International Day
for all.
March 24 for the Right to the
▪ This day is observed on 24th March every year
Truth
to pay tribute to “Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo
Romero” as he was murdered on 24 March 1980.
▪ The day is observed every year on to create

awareness among the public about the global
epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to
World Tuberculosis
March 24 eliminate the disease.
Day
▪ The theme of World TB Day 2022 – ‘Invest to End
TB. Save Lives.’
March 25 The International Day of the Unborn Child
▪ (This year it falls on March 26) last Saturday of

March month
March 26 Earth Hour 2022
▪ The Earth Hour 2022 theme will focus on ‘Shape
Our Future.
▪ The theme for this day has been the same over
March 27 World Theatre Day
the years, i.e., 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace.'
HISTORY | 9

Manipur: ▪ The Nagaland Assembly Secretariat has
attached a tablet or e-book on each table in
Manipur Meitei’s’ demand for ST Status the 60 members’ assembly amid the ongoing
Hangs Fire Budget session.
▪ A demand for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST)
status to the Meiteis has found no takers Kerala:
among the political parties in poll bound First state to introduce carbon-Neutral
Manipur.
Farming Methods:
▪ The Meitei’s are the dominant community in 40 ▪ Kerala is set to become the first state in the
of the 60 Assembly constituencies straddling country to introduce carbon-neutral farming
the Imphal and Jiribam Valleys. methods in selected locations, for which the
▪ A majority follow Hinduism, while a little Government has set aside Rs 6 crore in the
more than 8% are Muslims, known as Pangals 2022-23 Budget.
here. ▪ In the first phase, carbon-neutral farming
Nagaland: will be implemented in 13 farms under the
Agriculture Department and tribal areas, and
Nagaland became First Paperless steps are on to convert the State Seed Farm at
Assembly: Aluva to a carbon-neutral farm.
▪ Nagaland has created history by becoming the ▪ In the second phase, model carbon-neutral
first State Assembly in the country to implement farms will be developed in all the 140
the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) Assembly constituencies.
programme to become completely paperless.
1.2 LATEST JUDGEMENTS

Wearing Hijab is not Essential Part of
Religion: Karnataka HC
▪ The Karnataka High Court on March 15
upheld the ban on the wearing of hijab (head
scarf ) by students in schools and colleges in
the State.
▪ It held that wearing the hijab is not an
essential religious practice in Islam and
is not, therefore, protected under by the
right to freedom of religion guaranteed
by Article 25 of the Constitution.
▪ The court said it was a reasonable restriction
that was Constitutionally Permissible.

Indian Navy Successfully Test-Fires India-Sri Lanka Maritime Exercise
advanced Version of Brahmos Missile: begins in Visakhapatnam:
▪ The Indian Navy on March 5 successfully ▪ THE NINTH edition of the India-Sri Lanka
test-fired an advanced version of the Brahmos bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX is
supersonic cruise missile demonstrating its underway at Visakhapatnam with an aim to
increasing strike capability. enhance interoperability and improve mutual
▪ The Navy said the missile hit its intended understanding between the navies of the two
target with pinpoint accuracy after traversing neighbouring countries in the strategically
an extended range trajectory and performing significant Indian Ocean Region.
complex manoeuvres. ▪ SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise)
▪ The Indian Navy successfully demonstrated is being conducted in two phases. The first
the accuracy of an extended-range land-attack one, the harbour phase at Visakhapatnam on
Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from the March 7 and 8, followed by the sea phase on
stealth destroyer INS Chennai in the Indian March 9 and 10 in the Bay of Bengal.
Ocean.
Dharma Guardian 2022:
▪ Both Brahmos missile and INS Chennai are
▪ India Japan bilateral Army exercise, Dharma
indigenously built and highlight the cutting-
Guardian, concluded at Belgaum on March 10
edge of Indian missile and ship-building
2022.
prowess. They reinforce the Indian Navy's
contribution towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat ▪ This Annual Military Exercise between the
and Make in India endeavors. armies of India and Japan commenced on 27th
February.
▪ BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint
venture, produces the supersonic cruise ▪ Dharma Guardian is an annual military
missiles that can be launched from submarines, exercise that is being conducted in India since
ships, aircraft, or land platforms. 2018.
▪ BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or ▪ Platoon level joint training on operations in
almost three times the speed of sound. semi-urban or urban terrain and the jungle is
covered in this exercise.
▪ The range of the advanced version of the
missile is learnt to have been extended to Other Joint Exercises with Japan:
around 350 km from the original 290 km. SHINYUU Maitri:
▪ This is a bilateral exercise conducted between
IAF decides to postpone Ex Vayu Shakti
the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF)
2022 and the Indian Air Force.
▪ The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to
JIMEX:
postpone its fire power demonstration, Ex
▪ It is a bilateral maritime exercise held between
Vayu Shakti, scheduled in the Pokhran ranges
Japan and India.
in Rajasthan on March 7 due to the developing
situation. Sahayog-Kaijin:
▪ A joint bilateral exercise between the Japan
▪ The Triennial Ex Vayu Shakti 2022, aimed
Coast Guard and the Indian Coast Guard.
at showcasing the capability of the IAF to
conduct full spectrum operations.
HISTORY | 11
ICGS ‘Saksham’: ▪ The first missile hit a medium altitude long

▪ The Indian Coast Guard (ICR) has range target and the second a low altitude
commissioned ICGS ‘Saksham’, the fifth shortrange one.
Coast Guard Ship in the series of 105 M-Class ▪ This MRSAM version is developed jointly
offshore patrol vessels. by the DRDO and the Israel Aerospace
▪ ICGS Saksham is the fifth and last Offshore Industries (IAI) for the Army.
Patrol Vessel designed and developed by Goa ▪ The system comprises multifunction radar,
Shipyard Limited (GSL) for Coast Guard. mobile launcher system and other vehicles.
▪ The vessel uses totally indigenous steering
gear and gearbox, which was being imported
earlier.
‘EX-DUSTLIK’:
▪ The third edition of the joint training exercise
between India’s and Uzbekistan’s armies
named ‘EX-DUSTLIK’ began in Uzbekistan’s
Yangiarik.
▪ The last edition of DUSTLIK was held in
Uttarakhand’s Ranikhet.
▪ The joint exercise will focus on Counter
Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain.
‘LAMITIYE-2022’:
▪ The 9th edition of the Joint Military Exercise
‘LAMITIYE-2022’ between the Indian Army
and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) was
held from March 22 to 31, 2022 at Seychelles
Defence Academy (SDA), Seychelles.
▪ The Indian Army contingent will be
represented by the 2/3 GORKHA RIFLES
group (PIRKANTHI Battalion).
▪ Exercise LAMITIYE is a biennial training
event, been conducted in Seychelles since 2001.
India Test Fires Two Surface to Air

Missiles:
▪ India on March 27 successfully test fired two
Army version Medium Range Surface-to-Air
Missiles (MRSAMs) from the Integrated Test
Range at Chandipur in Odisha.
▪ The flight tests were carried out as part of live
firing trials against highspeed aerial targets,
sources in the Defence Research Development
Organisation (DRDO) said, adding that the
missiles intercepted the targets and destroyed
them completely, registering direct hits at both
the ranges.

UNSC holds meet to discuss ▪ The WFP assists 88 countries, and has assisted
Zaporizhzhia Fire: 97 million people (in 2019) which is the largest
▪ The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, built number since 2012.
between 1984 and 1995, is the largest nuclear UN World Happiness Report 2022:
power plant in Europe and the ninth largest ▪ India has improved its rank by three spots to
in the world. acquire 136th position in the United Nations’
▪ United Nations Security Council (UNSC) World Happiness Report for the year 2022,
members expressed alarm at the prospect of a which ranked 146 countries.
nuclear incident in Ukraine, at an Emergency ▪ The World Happiness Report is being
Meeting, convened hours after a training published by United Nations Sustainable
building at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear Development Solutions Network, since 2012,
power plant caught fire, as Russians moved in to rank countries by how happy their citizens
on the facility and seized control of it. perceive themselves to be.
▪ The International Atomic Energy (IAEA) chief ▪ Finland has topped the 2022 World Happiness
told the Council that no reactors had been Report, for the fifth continuous year.
damaged.
▪ Lebanon, which is facing economic meltdown,
WFP says war has Hit its Food fell to second from last on the index of 146
Programme: countries, just below Zimbabwe.
▪ A World Food Programme (WFP) official ▪ Afghanistan has been ranked as the
said on March 18 that food supply chains in unhappiest country in the world, at 146th
Ukraine were collapsing, with a portion of position.
infrastructure destroyed and many grocery ▪ Top 10 countries of the 2022 World Happiness
stores and warehouses Empty. Report:
About World Food Program:
Rank Country
▪ The World Food Programme (WFP) is the
leading humanitarian organization saving 1 Finland
lives and changing lives, delivering food
2 Denmark
assistance in emergencies and working with
communities to improve nutrition and build 3 Iceland
resilience.
4 Switzerland
▪ It was founded in 1961 by the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United 5 The Netherlands
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with its
Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Indian Economist Jayati Ghosh named
▪ It is also a member of the United Nations as member of UN’s Advisory Board:
Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG),
▪ United Nations (UN) Secretary-General,
a coalition of UN agencies and organizations
Antonio Guterres has announced the
aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development
appointment of Indian development
Goals (SDGs).
economist Jayati Ghosh as a member of the
▪ The International community has committed UN’s newly established Advisory Board on
to end hunger, achieve food security and Effective Multilateralism.
improve nutrition by 2030.
HISTORY | 13
▪ The 12-member high-level advisory board on ▪ He said the antiquities had been taken
effective multilateralism will be co-chaired by illegally from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat,
former Liberian president and Nobel laureate Himachal Pradesh and other States.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Swedish ▪ The Culture Ministry said the antiquities were
prime minister Stefan Lofven. divided into six broad categories: Shiva and
▪ The new advisory board will be asked to his disciples; worshipping Shakti; Lord Vishnu
build on the ideas in Our Common Agenda and his forms; Jain tradition; and portraits and
including the centrality of women and girls, decorative objects.
and the need to take into account the interests ▪ An official from Archaeological Survey of India
of young people and future generations to said with these antiquities from Australia, the
make concrete suggestions for more effective number of retrieved antiquities in India had
multilateral Arrangements across a range of reached 228.
key Global Issues. ▪ Three more antiquities — one each from Italy,
International Network for Women in the United Kingdom and Australia — would
soon be brought back to India as they had been
Cooperatives to be formed:
handed over to Indian High Commissions in
▪ The formation of an International Network
those countries.
for Women in Cooperatives has been initiated
with 1,000 members, said Nandini Azad, Modi moots Free Trade Agreement for
President, Working Women’s Forum (India) BIMSTEC:
(WWFI), Indian Cooperative Network for ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for
Women (ICNW). strengthening the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
▪ She was addressing the United Nation’s Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
66th edition of the Commission Status of Economic Cooperation), and welcomed the
Women (UNCSW 66) virtual parallel event unveiling of the Charter of the organisations
titled “COVID – Heroines Women micro that connects the littoral countries of the Bay
entrepreneurs warriors combat COVID 19 of Bengal.
Working Women’s Forum/Indian Cooperative ▪ The summit concluded in Colombo on March
Network for Women”. 30.
Nod to continue AIDS Control ▪ Addressing the meeting virtually, Mr. Modi
Programmes: said: “Today we have adopted the Charter of
▪ The Union Cabinet has approved the BIMSTEC. This is an important step towards
continuation of the National AIDS and STDs creating an institutional architecture of
Control Programme, a scheme funded by BIMSTEC.”
the Centre from April 1, 2021 to March 31, ▪ The Charter had given the BIMSTEC a new
2026 with an outlay of ₹15,471.94 crore by orientation and concrete goals.
approving Phase 5 of the programme. ▪ Under this Charter, the members were
▪ The Phase 4 (Extension) of National AIDS expected to meet once in every two years.
and STDs Control Programme concluded on ▪ The signing of the Charter was the main
March 31, 2021. outcome of this summit.
▪ With the Charter, the BIMSTEC now has an
29 Stolen Antiquities brought back to
international personality. It has an emblem, it
India from Australia: has a flag.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected 29
▪ It has a formally listed purpose and principles
stolen antiquities dating as far back as 9th
that it is going to adhere to. It represents
century that were brought back to India from
significant evolution of the grouping.
Australia about a week ago.
▪ The Prime Minister called for a Free Trade ▪ Initially, it was formed with four Member
Agreement among the member countries. States with the acronym ‘BIST-EC’
▪ He mentioned the necessity for coastal (Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand
shipping ecosystem and electricity grid Economic Cooperation).
interconnectivity, as two of the necessary ▪ It became renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ in 1997,
components of the evolving shape of the following the inclusion of Myanmar.
BIMSTEC. ▪ With the admission of Nepal and Bhutan in
▪ India will be the “security pillar” of the 2004, the name of the grouping was changed
BIMSTEC. to ‘Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
▪ The summit saw the declaration of the Technical and Economic Cooperation’
Master Plan for Transport Connectivity that (BIMSTEC).
would provide a framework for regional and
domestic connectivity.
▪ In line with the development of the
organisation into a formal structure, the
leaders of the member countries had agreed to
divide the working of the grouping into seven
segments, with India providing leadership to
the security pillar.
▪ BIMSTEC is a multilateral regional cooperation
platform and the aim is to focus on economic
and development cooperation to do activities
that genuinely deliver value to people.
▪ Members on this platform are countries who
are geographically littoral to or dependent
upon the Bay of Bengal.
About BIMSTEC:
▪ The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-
Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) is a Regional Multilateral
Organization.
▪ Its members lie in the littoral and adjacent
areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a
contiguous regional unity.
▪ Out of the 7 Members,
9 Five are from South Asia
9 Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri
Lanka
9 Two are from Southeast Asia
9 Myanmar & Thailand.
▪ BIMSTEC not only connects South and
Southeast Asia, but also the ecologies of the
Great Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal.
▪ This sub-regional organization came into being
in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
HISTORY | 15
1.4 EMINENT PERSONS

G.D. Naidu - An Innovator for all ▪ According to the Sedition (Rowlatt)
Seasons Committee Report, 1918, the protest
▪ Born on March 23, 1893, to a farmer named was marked by wholesale and deliberate
Gopalsamy at a village called Kalangal, destruction of government property in open
around 26 km from Coimbatore, G.D. Naidu defiance of the constituted authority.
did not show any interest in schooling. ▪ Every public building in Tinnevelly
▪ His biographical book, “Appa”, authored by [Tirunelveli] town, except the Sub-Registrar’s
Sivasankari and updated recently by Naidu’s office, was attacked.
son G.D. Gopal. ▪ VOC sought to destabilise the financial might
▪ In 1915, he joined the kitchen of British of the British by launching the Swadeshi Steam
entrepreneur Robert Stanes, who was staying Navigation Company.
in Coimbatore. There he managed to learn ▪ The district came under British control only
English. after the struggle, VOC and his navigation
▪ Impressed with Naidu’s work, Stanes sold company were crushed. March 13, 1908
one of his buses to him in 1921, which Naidu remains an indelible day in the freedom
operated between Pollachi and Palani, struggle.
according to the book. ▪ In Tuticorin, the entire workers of the Coral
▪ By 1933, he established the United Motor (Harvey) Mills, numbering more than 1,500,
Service that had a fleet of 280 buses. went on strike.
▪ Workers from other European establishments
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai such as Ralli Bros and Best and Co. also struck
▪ When Tirunelveli erupted like a volcano in work. More than a hundred persons were
March 1908 arrested following the uprising. Most of them
▪ There is a scene in Kappalotiya Tamilan, the were convicted. The Government fought the
film portraying the life of freedom figther cases hard, employing European lawyers from
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC), in which Chennai.
an advocate would refuse to engage a barber
Ramanathan, the leader of the
because he raised the slogan, Vande Mataram.
Karanthai Tamil Sangam, Passed Away:
▪ But in reality, it was the barber, who stopped
▪ He was the founder of various educational
the work in the middle and the pro-British
institutions, the President of the Karanthai
lawyer had to be escorted out of the district to
Tamil Sangam from 1983 to 1997 and the
complete his shaving.
Secretary from 2000 to 2021.
▪ It happened [in Tirunelveli] 114 years ago in
▪ Later, he resumed his career as a leader from
March 1908 after VOC and Subramania Siva
2021 and was the recipient of the Karanthai
were arrested for eulogising freedom fighter
Tamil Chemmal, Ceyal Mamani, Chemmozhi
Bipin Chandra and calling upon people to
Velir etc. Awards.
boycott foreign goods.
▪ The incident exemplifies how society as a Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women
whole threw itself in the struggle against 2021 announced:
British rule. ▪ Fortune India released the list of most powerful
▪ It was a spontaneous uprising. People cutting women in India 2021 in which Union Minister,
across class, caste and religion plunged into it. Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Corporate
▪ Even, butchers stopped selling meat to their Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman ranked 1st.
European customers and they were forced to
import meat from Colombo.
▪ She is followed by Reliance Foundation ▪

Chairperson and Goodwill Ambassador
Nita Ambani in 2nd position, and Soumya
Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health
Organization (WHO) at 3rd.
▪ Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive
Chairperson, Biocon and Suchitra Ella,
Co-founder and Joint MD, Bharat Biotech
International Ltd are in 4th & 5th position
respectively.
Former CJI Lahoti passes away at 81:

▪ Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ramesh
Chandra Lahoti was appointed the 35th CJI on
June 1, 2004.
▪ He retired on November 1, 2005.
▪ He was a former independent director on the
board of directors of the Press Trust of India.
▪ He was appointed arbit rator by the
Government of India in the ₹20,000crore tax
dispute case with Vodafone.
Madeleine Albright Passes Away:

▪ Madeleine Albright, who fled the Nazis as a
child in her native Czechoslovakia during
Second World War but rose to become the first
woman Secretary of State and, in her later
years, a feminist icon, died on March 23 at the
age of 84.
▪ She served as America’s top diplomat from
1997 to 2001 in the last four years of Clinton
Administration.
HISTORY | 17
1.4 AWARDS & HONORS

Three T.N. Women awarded Nari Shakti function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi
Puraskar on 08.03.2022.
▪ Three Women from Tamil Nadu were among ▪ Mine-I of Neyveli received the National Safety
those who received the Nari Shakti Puraskar Award (Mines) – Winner for the year 2018,
from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, 2019 and 2020 under the category “Lowest
on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Injury Frequency Rate (LIFR)” per Million
▪ Jaya Muthu and Tejamma, two Toda artisans, cubic metre of output, Mine-II of Neyveli was
were jointly awarded from Tamil Nadu for the awarded National Safety Award (Mines) –
year 2020, and R. Thara eminent psychiatrist, Winner under the category “Longest Accident-
was among the awardees for 2021. Free Period (LAFP)” for the year 2020.
▪ The artisans, who produce embroidered ▪ The Directorate General of Mines Safety,
shawls, are from Bettumund, known by the (DGMS) functioning under the Ministry is
Toda community as Innkity. enforcing the Safety practices and evaluating
the Mines for the National Awards from 1983
▪ The “mund”, or Toda hamlet, is home to
onwards. These awards are presented to the
around 30 people and is located between
eligible Mines Annually.
Kattabettu and Ralliah Dam.
▪ Both Ms. Muthu and Ms. Tejamma are expert Boltzmann Medal:
Toda artisans who have produced exquisite ▪ The prestigious Boltzmann Medal for the year
embroidery work that showcases the rich 2022 has been awarded to Professor Deepak
culture and heritage of the community. Dhar.
▪ R. Thara, cofounder and vice-chairman, ▪ He became the first Indian to win this award
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), and shared the award with American scientist
was among the 14 awardees selected for the John Hopfield.
year 2021. ▪ The chosen two scientists will be presented the
▪ A psychiatrist by training, Dr. Thara has medals at the StatPhys28 conference to be held
been a pioneer in raising awareness about in Tokyo in August, 2022.
mental health, and instrumental in forging ▪ The Commission on Statistical Physics of
collaborations with renowned institutions the the International Union of Pure and Applied
world over. Physics (IUPAP) presents this medal once in
▪ She had championed the use of mobile three years for contributions in the field of
telepsychiatry to reach out to rural statistical physics.
communities in Tamil Nadu for Schizophrenia
care. Miss World 2021 is Karolina Bielawska
▪ The IDEAS (Indian Disability Evaluation & from Poland:
Assessment Scale) tool, devised by her, is used ▪ Karolina Bielawska from Poland who has been
to assess Mental Disorders. crowned Miss World 2021 at the 70th edition
of the pageant at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
NLC india limited's Mines Recognized ▪ Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica
with coveted National Safety Awards: crowned her successor at the finale.
▪ The Neyveli Mine-I & II of NLC India Limited ▪ Shree Saini of USA and Olivia Yacé of Cote
has bagged four National Safety Awards for D’Ivoire emerged as the first and second
the year 2018,2019 and 2020, instituted by runners-up, respectively.
Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, ▪ India’s Manasa Narayan couldn’t make it to
and the awards were presented by Hon’ble the top six.
Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav at a
President gives Away Padma Awards: ▪ Topology is a field of mathematics which was
▪ India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General born in the 19th century and has to do with
Bipin Rawat and the late Radheshyam properties of surfaces that do not change when
Khemka who headed the Gita Press that is they are deformed.
well known for publishing Hindu religious
Manikandan to be Honoured with
literature, were given the Padma Vibhushan,
the second highest civilian award, Water Warrior Award for Restoring
posthumously. Vellalore Lake:
▪ Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Tata ▪ In recognition of his commendable work,
Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, former Manikandan has been chosen to be honoured
Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv with water warrior award by Union Jal Shakti
Mehrishi, Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at ‘Jal
Serum Institute of India (SII) that manufactures Prahari Samman-2022’ on the theme “Water
the Covishield vaccine, para-athelete and Self Reliant India Efforts and Challenges” at
javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia were New Delhi on March 30.
among the eight people who were honoured 1st Para-athlete to receive Padma
with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest
Bhushan:
civilian award.
▪ Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-
▪ Many of the Padma awardees were “unsung
athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan award.
heroes”, including the 125yearold yoga
practitioner Swami Sivananda. ▪ He has won many Paralympic medals,
including gold at the 2004 Paralympics in
▪ Announced on the eve of Republic Day and
Athens and 2016 Rio Games, and a silver
given by the President at ceremonial functions
medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, this year has 128
awards, including two duo cases (in a duo INS Valsura awarded President’s
case, the award is counted as one). The list of Colour:
awardees comprises four Padma Vibhushan, ▪ President Ram Nath Kovind on March 25
17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri presented the President’s Colour to INS
awards. Valsura, the Navy’s premier Technological
▪ While 34 of the awardees are women, the list training establishment.
includes 10 persons from the NRI, PIO and ▪ The President’s Colour is bestowed on a
OCI categories and 13 posthumous awardees. military unit in recognition of the exceptional
American mathematician Sullivan wins service rendered to the nation, both in peace
and in war.
Abel prize:
▪ The Norwegian Academy of Science and ▪ INS Valsura trains officers and men on
Letters has awarded the Abel prize for operation and maintenance of sophisticated
the year 2022 to American Mathematician and technologically advanced equipment on
Dennis Parnell Sullivan, who is with the board warships.
Graduate School and University Center of the ▪ The Navy was the first Indian armed force
City University of New York and the State to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr
University of New York at Stony Brook “For his Rajendra Prasad on May 27, 1951.
ground breaking contributions to topology ▪ INS Valsura, started on 30 acres of land as
in its broadest sense, and in particular its a torpedo school in 1942 under the British,
algebraic, geometric and dynamical aspects”. has today grown into one of the foremost
technological training institutions of the
country spread over 600 Acres.
HISTORY | 19
National Water Awards: About Sahitya Akademi:

▪ Tamil Nadu bagged the third prize in ▪ The Sahitya Akademi was formally
water management awarded by the Union inaugurated by the Government of India on 12
Government. March 1954.
▪ The Award was received by Water Resources ▪ Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy
Department Secretary Sandeep Saxena in New of Letters, is the central institution for literary
Delhi. dialogue, publication and promotion in
▪ Uttar Pradesh won the first place and the country and the only institution that
Rajasthan emerged second. undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian
languages, including English and Rajasthani.
▪ The National Water Awards was announced
by the Centre in 2018. ▪ Though set up by the Government, the Akademi
functions as an autonomous organisations. It
▪ Apart from the third place, Tamil Nadu also
was registered as a society on 7 January 1956,
bagged several other awards in South Zone
under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
category such as
▪ The Sahitya Akademi award is the second-
▪ Second prize for Vellapudur panchayat in
highest literary honour by the Government of
Chengalpattu district under best panchayat.
India, after the Jnanpith award.
▪ Third Prize for Madurai Corporation under
Urban Local body category. 94th Oscars in California:
▪ First place for Kaveripattinam Girls Higher ▪ The 94th Academy Awards returned to the
Secondary School in Krishnagiri for best Dolby Theater in Hollywood as the top films
school. from the last year were honoured by the
▪ Second place for Hyundai Motors in Tamil Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Nadu under industries sector. ▪ Indian documentary Writing With Fire is also
▪ Second place for Vivekananda Kendra in nominated for Best Documentary (Feature).
Kanniyakumari district under best NGO ▪ The movie "Dune" won six awards.
category. List of Winners:
9 Best Actor in a Leading Role: Will Smith,
Indira Parthasarathy conferred Sahitya “King Richard”
Akademi Fellowship:
9 Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica
▪ Noted playwright, writer, scholar and critic Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Indira Parthasarathy was conferred the
9 Best Picture: CODA
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship by the Sahitya
Akademi on March 29. 9 Best International Feature Film: Drive My
Car
▪ The fellowship, which is India’s highest
literary honour, is presented to distinguished 9 Documentary Short Subject: The Queen of
scholars of outstanding literary merit. Basketball
▪ The number of Akademi fellows at a given 9 Best Directing: Jane Campion (The Power
time is restricted to only 21. of the Dog)
▪ A Padma Shri awardee, he has published 9 Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Ariana
16 novels, 10 plays and anthologies of short DeBose (West Side Story)’
stories and essays. 9 Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Troy
▪ He won the Sahitya Akademi Award in Kotsur (CODA)
1977 for his novel ‘Kuruthipunal’ and is the 9 Best Makeup & Hairstyling: The Eyes of
only Tamil writer to have received both the Tammy Faye
Sahitya Akademi Award and the Sangeet 9 Best Cinematography: Dune
Natak Akademi Award.
9 Best Original Score: Hans Zimmer (Dune) ▪ Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google
9 Best Visual Effects: Dune CEO Sundar Pichai were among those who
9 Best Animated Feature Film: Encanto were named for Padma Bhushan but they
were not present at the event.
9 Best Animated Short Film: The Windshield
Wiper ▪ The Padma Shri awardees include the country’s
first individual Olympic gold medallist Neeraj
9 Best Costume Design: Cruella
Chopra and popular playback singer Sonu
9 Best Original Screenplay: Kenneth Nigam.
Branagh (Belfast)
▪ This year’s total list comprises four Padma
9 Best Adapted Screenplay: Sian Heder Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107
(Coda) Padma Shri awards.
9 Best Live Action Short Film: The Long
Goodbye
9 Best Sound: Dune
9 Best Documentary Feature: “Summer of
Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could
Not Be Televised)”
9 Best Original Song: “No Time To Die”
from “No Time to Die,” music and lyric by
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
9 Best Production Design: Dune
9 Best Film Editing: Dune
Padma Awards:
▪ Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan
Singh, actor Victor Banerjee, Olympic gold
medallist Neeraj Chopra were among the 65
persons who were given the Padma awards
by President Ram Nath Kovind on March 28.
▪ At the second investiture ceremony held at the
Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kalyan Singh was given
the Padma Vibhushan, posthumously.
▪ Rajveer Singh, Lok Sabha member from Uttar
Pradesh and son of the former Chief Minister,
during whose tenure the Babri Masjid was
demolished in 1992, received the honour.
▪ Classical singer Prabha Atre was the other
recipient of the country’s second highest
civilian award.
▪ The Padma Bhushan recipients included
Krishna Murthy Ella and Suchitra Krishna
Ella of Bharat Biotech, the maker of
coronavirus vaccine Covaxin, apart from actor
Victor Banerjee.
HISTORY | 21
1.6 SPORTS & GAMES

World Athletics Race Walking Team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022:
Championship MUSCAT 2022: ▪ The 12 edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket
▪ India bagged their first-ever medal in World Cup is being held in New Zealand
the World Athletics Race Walking Team which has kicked off on March 4.
Championships 2022 on March 4, winning ▪ The opening match of the ICC Women’s
a bronze medal in the women's 20km race World Cup 2022 was held at the Bay Oval in
walking team competition. Mount Maunganui between West Indies and
▪ This is India's first medal in the 61-year history New Zealand.
of the World Athletics Race Walking Team ▪ The final match is scheduled to take place at
Championships. the Hagley Oval stadium on April 3.
▪ The Indian team of Bhawna Jat, Ravina and ▪ Total 8 teams are participating which includes,
Munita Prajapati finished third behind China New Zealand, Australia, England, South
and Greece to win the bronze medal. Lithuania Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and West
finished fourth in the standings. Indies.
World Table Tennis Contender Muscat First Woman to appear in World Cups:
2022: ▪ The Indian Women cricket team captain,
▪ The Indian mixed doubles pair of Manav Mithali Raj has become the first woman to
Thakkar and Archana Kamath clinched a appear in six World Cups.
silver medal after losing their final match to ▪ She is the only third cricketer overall to play
the Chinese pair of Wang Chuqin and Chen six world cup after Sachin Tendulkar and
Xintong in the mixed doubles, as did the Javed Miandad.
women's doubles duo of Sutirtha Mukherjee ▪ She has played in the ICC women’s cricket
and Ayhika Mukherjee lost to Zhang Rui and world cup events in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013,
Kuai Man, also from China in the women's 2017, and now in 2022.
doubles summit clash at the WTT Contender
tournament in Muscat on March 5. 23rd Woman Grandmaster of India:
▪ 19-year-old Priyanka Nutakki has secured
ISSF World Cup Rifle / Pistol Cairo, EGYPT: her final WGM-norm at MPL’s forty-seventh
▪ The first place in the Medal Standing was National Women Chess Championship.
taken by India with 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 1
▪ She became India’s twenty-third Woman
bronze), the Second by Norway with 6 medals
Grandmaster.
(3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze), the third by
France with 3 Gold Medals. ▪ She is from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
India's Second-highest Wicket-taker: Mithali Raj breaks World Cup Captaincy

▪ Ravichandran Ashwin has become India's Record:
second-highest wicket-taker in Test crickets ▪ India’s ODI skipper Mithali Raj on March 12
after Anil Kumble by taking his 435th test broke the record for most matches captained
wicket in his 85-test match and 9th highest in in the ICC Women’s World Cup, surpassing
Test History. former Australian counterpart Belinda Clark.
▪ Ashwin achieved the feat when he dismissed ▪ Mithali, 39, led the country in 24 World Cup
Sri Lankan batsman Pathum Nissanka in the games, claiming 14 victories, 8 losses and one
Test between India and Sri Lanka at the PCA no result. Clark had captained her side in 23
Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh on March 6. matches.
Highest Wicket Taker in Women’s WC Spanish Para Badminton

History: International-I:
▪ Veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami on ▪ Manasi G. Joshi and Nithya Sree claimed
March 12 surpassed yet another milestone in a gold each, while Tokyo Paralympics
her illustrious 22-year-old career by becoming champion Pramod Bhagat secured two silvers
the all-time highest wicket-taker in the history and a bronze at the Spanish Para Badminton
of the ICC Women’s World Cup. International-I in Cartagena, Spain.
▪ With 40 scalps in her kitty, Goswami has ▪ In all, India tallied 21 medals, including six
surpassed Australia’s Lynette Fullston, who Golds, seven silvers and eight bronze medals.
took 39 wickets during her career spanning six
year from 1982 to 1988. Cristiano Ronaldo breaks World Record
in Football:
World Golf Hall of Fame: ▪ With 807 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo etched
▪ Famous Golfer, Tiger Woods was formally his name in the record books as professional
inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. football’s all-time leading scorer surpassing
▪ The 46-year-old Woods entered the storied Austro-Czech Josef Bican (805).
hall as part of the Class of 2022 along with ▪ Ronaldo, who scored the opener for
retired PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, Manchester United against Tottenham in the
U.S. Women’s Open champion Susie Maxwell Premier League on March 12.
Berning and Marion Hollins, a U.S. Women’s
Amateur champion and Golf course architect Indian Boxers Punch to Gold at Asian
who was recognised Posthumously. Youth & Junior Boxing Championships
2022 in Amman, Jordan:
Malappuram all set for Santosh Trophy
▪ The Indian junior team finished their
▪ Kerala Minister for Sports V. Abdurahiman campaign in second position at the prestigious
released the mascot of the Santosh Trophy continental tournament bagging eight gold,
Football Championship here on March 13. seven silver and six bronze medals.
▪ The mascot, designed by Pradeep Kumar ▪ Indian boxer Krrish Pal won gold by defeating
from Kechery, Thrissur, was chosen for the Tajikistan’s Anushervon Fazylov in 46kg
75th Santosh Trophy to be held in the district category event.
from April 16.
▪ In the 75kg category, Indian boxer Muskan
National Junior Chess Gurugram: produced an aggressive show against
▪ Neelash Saha (7.5 points) scored an expected Kazakhstan’s Aidasaribarova and won gold.
victory over Aryan Arora to overtake fellow ▪ India's Shaheen Gill won gold in 60kg
overnight leader and Bengal teammate Utsab category event.
Chatterjee for the National junior chess title on ▪ Indian boxer Tamanna won gold by defeating
March 13. Uzbekistan’s Robiyankhon Bakhtiyorova in
▪ In the girls’ section, Andhra Pradesh’s the 50kg category event.
N. Priyanka justified her top seeding by ▪ India's Yashwardhan Singh (Men) registered
winning the title following a ninth-round impressive victory in the finals to clinch gold
draw with Tamil Nadu’s B. Sajitha. in 60kg category event.
▪ Priyanka had finished third in the National ▪ Ravina defeated Uzbekistan’s Sitora
women championship at Bhubaneswar. Bahodirova in the finals in the 63kg category
event.
▪ India's Nivedita Karki won gold in 48kg
category event.
HISTORY | 23
▪ Six Indian juniors, including Vini, Yakshika Barty Announces Shock Retirement:
and Vidhi, registered contrasting wins to ▪ Top ranked Ashleigh Barty stunned the tennis
claim gold medals in their weight categories at world on March 23 by retiring from the sport
the 2022 ASBC Asian youth & junior boxing aged just 25, saying she had fulfilled her
championships in Amman, Jordan, on March dreams and was “spent physically”.
13. ▪ Barty is just the fifth woman in WTA history
▪ Add this as last point in Indian Boxers Punch to finish three straight years at No. 1 (Evert,
to Gold at Asian Youth & Junior Boxing Navratilova, Graf and Serena).
Championships 2022 in Amman, Jordan: ▪ She’s one of six women in the Open Era to win
Asian Youth and Junior Boxing their first three Slam finals. (Seles-6, Osaka-4,
Wade, Davenport, Capriati-3).
Championships in Amman, Jordan:
▪ Vishwanath Suresh (48kg) and Vanshaj ▪ Barty is among nine women who have at
(63.5kg) clinched gold medals in the men’s least one singles Slam title on every surface
youth competition as the Indian contingent in the Open Era (Court, Serena, Graf, Evert,
concluded its campaign with a whopping 39 Navratilova, King, Goolagong, Sharapova).
medals, including 15 gold, at the Asian youth Pranav Sprints to 200m Gold:
and junior boxing championships in Amman,
▪ Sprinter Pranav Prashant Desai won India’s
Jordan.
first gold medal at the 2022 World Para
▪ The haul included 10 silver and 14 bronze. Athletics Grand Prix Dubai on March 23,
The Indian youth pugilists secured seven gold, claiming the top prize in the men's 200m T64
three silver and Eight Bronze medals while the final.
junior team finished with 21 medals, including
▪ Pranav’s gold was the only medal for India on
eight gold, seven Silver and Six Bronze.
a day when the throwers faltered.
Chennai to host 44th Chess Olympiad: WTT Contender Doha 2022:
▪ The International Chess Federation (FIDE)
▪ India’s table tennis players finished the WTT
Council had earlier decided to shift the event
Contender Doha with two medals, including
out of Moscow in Russia.
a singles bronze won by Achanta Sharath
▪ The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Kamal, as the seniors showed the way on the
said in a social media post: “Delighted that the concluding day of the competition.
Chess Capital of India is set to host the 44th
▪ G Sathiyan and Manika Batra settled for the
Chess Olympiad!
silver after losing the mixed doubles final
▪ In the previous 43 times that the official FIDE against the top-seeded Chinese Taipei pair of
Chess Olympiad has been organised since Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching.
1927, India has not once been able to be the
▪ Sharath went down in the men’s singles
host nation.
semifinals against Yuan Licen of China.
All England Championships 2022: DGC Open 2022:
▪ Lakshya Sen, who won bronze at the World
▪ After a dramatic sequence of events over the
Championships, placed second at the 2022 All
last five holes leading to the playoff hole,
England Open Badminton Championships
Nitithorn Thippong won the inaugural
after losing to world number one Viktor
$500,000 DGC Open title for his maiden
Axelsen in the men’s singles final.
triumph on the Asian Tour.
Swiss Open Super 300 Badminton

Tournament Basel:
▪ P.V. Sindhu clinched her Second women’s
title of the season with a win over Thailand’s
Busanan Ongbamrungphan, but H.S. Prannoy
lost in the men’s singles final at the Swiss
Open Super 300 badminton tournament
Basel on March 27.
19th Delhi International Open Chess

Tournament 2022:
▪ Arjun Erigaisi won the title in 19th Delhi
International Open chess tournament 2022.
▪ Following a three-way tie at 8.5 points from
10 rounds, involving D. Gukesh and Harsha
Bharathakoti, Arjun walked away with the
winner’s share of ₹4 lakh and a glittering
trophy.
▪ For the second time this month, 15-year-old
Gukesh finished runner up to Arjun.
▪ Harsha was rewarded for his gallant display
with the Third Prize.
HISTORY | 25
1.7 BOOKS & AUTHORS

'Thanikkai' Book: ▪ The book highlights the key role played
▪ Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga by Keshav Dev Malaviya, who was the
Rajan released a book Thanikkai, written by petroleum minister in the 1970s with a Degree
R. Thirupathy Venkatasamy, Indian Audit in Oil Technology.
and Accounts Service (IAAS), on March 4.
A great teacher who revived Ancient
Journalist Amitava Kumar's Book: Tamil literature:
▪ Indian writer and journalist, Amitava Kumar ▪ The book, "U Ve Sa, The man who revived
has released a new book titled ‘The Blue Book: ancient Tamil literature", was translated
A Writer’s Journal' and it has been published from Tamil to English by Prabha Sridevan, a
by HarperCollins India. retired judge, and Pradeep Chakravarthy.
▪ The Blue Book is the outcome of the diary- U Ve Sa:
keeping by the author during the time of ▪ The man who revived ancient Tamil literature,
lockdown due to pandemics. a great teacher, a liberal, a meticulous
documentation expert, a pragmatic
“Role of Labour in India’s philosopher.
Development” Book: ▪ This is how speakers described
▪ Minister of Labour and Employment and Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer
MoEFCC, Bhupender Yadav has launched Swaminatha Iyer (U Ve Sa), popularly known
a book titled “Role of Labour in India’s as ‘Tamil Thatha’, at a book discussion session
Development”. organised by Chennai International Centre.
▪ V V Giri National Labour Institute has
published the book.
▪ The publishing of the book is part of the ‘Iconic
Week’ celebrations of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav’.
Autobiography of Vishwanath:
▪ Former Indian cricket captain Gundappa
Ranganatha Vishwanath has penned his
autobiography titled “Wrist Assured: An
Autobiography”, co-authored by senior
journalist R Kaushik.
Climate Hazards e-bookLaunched:

▪ The India Meteorological Department (IMD)
launched an ebook, “Climate Hazards and
Vulnerability Atlas of India- State: Tamil
Nadu”, in Chennai as part of the World
Meteorological Day celebrations.
▪ The atlas is available at mausam.imd.gov.in
for public access.
Book by Journalist Richa Mishra

▪ A book titled “Unfilled Barrels India’s oil
story” authored by Richa Mishra.

NTPC, CEB to jointly set up Solar Power ▪ Much of Sri Lanka’s external borrowings are
Plant: though sovereign bonds in the international
▪ The National Thermal Power Corporation money market.
(NTPC) of India on March 11 signed a deal Peace in Border areas key to
with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to
Normal ties, India tells China:
jointly set up a solar power plant in Sampur,
▪ There can be no normality in India-China
in Trincomalee district, a decade after a similar
ties unless the troops amassed at the Line of
joint, coal power project was signed and
Actual Control (LAC) are withdrawn, External
subsequently scrapped.
Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Chinese
India extends $1 Billion credit to Sri Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Delhi on March
Lanka: 25 during talks that ended without any joint
▪ India extended a $1 billion credit facility to statement or agreement on the way forward.
Sri Lanka to assist the island nation through ▪ China’s Foreign Ministry said Mr. Wang put
its worst foreign exchange crisis and enable it forward a “three-point approach” in his talks
to procure food, medicines and other essential with Mr. Doval, saying both sides needed to
items. view ties with a “long term vision”, see each
▪ An agreement to this effect was signed between other’s development as an opportunity, and
the State Bank of India and the government of cooperate on Multilateral Issues.
Sri Lanka on March 17. ▪ On the second point, he proposed reviving the
▪ In 2022, so far India has extended $1.4 billion “China-India plus” initiative for joint projects
support to Sri Lanka, through a $400million in South Asia, an outcome of the Wuhan
RBI currency swap, deferral of a $0.5 billion meeting between Prime Minister Narendra
loan and another half a billion as a line of Modi and President Xi Jinping in 2018.
credit for the country to sustain its essential ▪ He highlighted that China did not seek
fuel imports. a “unipolar Asia” and “respects India’s
▪ Sri Lanka is facing its worst financial crisis, traditional role in the region”.
and had declared an emergency in August Sri Lanka President Gotabaya
last in the face of a crippling foreign exchange
Rajapaksa thanks India for ‘Invaluable
crunch.
Assistance’:
▪ The nation is still facing significant fuel and
▪ India's External Affairs Minister Mr.
gas shortages, and high inflation in essential
Jaishankar, who is in Colombo for the
goods as well as food items.
BIMSTEC summit that Sri Lanka is hosting this
▪ The situation has triggered a series of protests year, held a series of bilateral meetings, ahead
by the political Opposition and citizens’ of his engagement at the regional forum.
groups, who blame the Rajapaksa government
▪ Along with PM Mahinda, he launched the
for the crisis.
India–built Jaffna Cultural Centre virtually.
▪ Sri Lanka is due to repay foreign debt totalling
▪ Built with an Indian grant of $11 million, the
nearly $7 billion this year, amid a persisting
building with 11 floors and facilities including
shortage of dollars to import food, medicines
a 600–capacity auditorium, conference hall,
and other essentials.
amphitheatre and a digital library was
▪ It has already sought China’s help to completed in early 2020 to serve as a public
restructure its loans that amount to 10% of its space for sharing art and culture in the war–
total foreign debt. affected area and was awaiting inauguration
for two years.
HISTORY | 27
Indian Power Projects Replace

Chinese Ventures in Sri Lanka:
▪ India will set up hybrid power projects in
three islands off Jaffna, effectively replacing
the Chinese venture cleared by Colombo last
year.
▪ India will also help develop fisheries harbour
in Point Pedro, Pesalai and Gurunagar in the
Northern Province, and Balapitiya, south of
Colombo, apart from supporting schools in
the southern Galle district with computer
labs, extending a grant for Sri Lanka’s Unique
Digital Identity project.

Buch named SEBI’s First Woman Chief About:
▪ Former banker Madhabi Puri Buch has been ▪ Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone is on one of the
appointed as the new chairperson of the feeder routes of the Char Dham pariyojana.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) It stretches from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi,
— the first ever woman to head the capital covering an area of 4179.59 sqkm.
markets regulator.
Centre appoints Panda as IRDAI Chief:
▪ She replaces Ajay Tyagi whose tenure as SEBI ▪ The Centre on March 11 appointed former
chairman ends on March 7. financial services secretary Debasish Panda
CPO of Southern Railway: as chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and
▪ K. Harikrishnan has been appointed as the Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for
Principal Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) of a period of three years from the Assumption
Southern Railway. of charge.
New President of the Financial Action Tata Sons chief to chair Air India also:
▪ N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons,
Task Force:
has been appointed chairman of Air India by
▪ T Raja Kumar, a Singaporean, has been named
the airline’s board.
president of the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF). ▪ The Tata Group had on October 8 last year
won the bid to acquire debt laden state-run
▪ FATF is the world’s anti-money laundering
Air India by offering ₹18,000 crore.
and anti-terrorism financing agency.
▪ Though it had announced that former Turkish
▪ His appointment is for a set two-year term,
Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci would be the
which begins on July 1.
CEO and MD of Air India, on March 1, Mr.
▪ Mr. Raja’s nomination marks the first time Ayci declined Tata Sons.
Singapore has assumed the president of the
organisation. Tirumurti gets Extension, Govt. seeks
‘Continuity’ amid Conflict:
SC asks Sikri to head Char Dham Panel:
▪ Amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the
▪ The Supreme Court on March 11 asked Government has decided to extend the tenure
its former judge, Justice A.K. Sikri, to of India’s envoy to the United Nations T.S.
head the high-powered committee which Tirumurti for Three Months.
independently monitors the environmental
impact of the Char Dham road project in the ▪ According to an announcement by the
Himalayas that extends up to the India-China appointments committee of the Cabinet, Mr.
border. Tirumurti, who was due to retire on March 31,
will now remain in the position at the rank of
▪ These highways would be developed in Secretary to the government from April 1 to
accordance with the Double Lane with Paved June 30, 2022.
Shoulder system.
▪ Justice Sikri is already chairing the oversight Forest Force gets New Chief:
committee set up by the apex court in a ▪ The State Government has posted Syed
judgment last December. Muzammil Abbas as Principal Chief
▪ This panel is tasked with ensuring that Conservator of Forests, the head of the forest
the Government implements the remedial force.
measures recommended by the high-powered
committee for the environment concerns and
other issues related to the Char Dham project.
HISTORY | 29
▪ Ashok Upreti, who held the post of Principal Adityanath Sworn in as U.P:
Chief Conservator of Forests, Chennai, has ▪ Yogi Adityanath took oath as Chief Minister
been posted as Chairman of Tamil Nadu of Uttar Pradesh, the first Chief Minister to do
Forest Plantation Corporation Ltd. so for a second successive term after having
▪ Yogesh Dwivedi, who held the post of Tamil completed a full five year term in the State.
Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Ltd Chief
has been transferred and posted as Chairman First Woman Vice-Chancellor of TNAU:
of Arasu Rubber Corporation Ltd. ▪ Professor V. Geethalakshmi has been
▪ Shekhar Kumar Niraj, the Chief Wildlife appointed Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu
Warden, has been transferred and posted as Agricultural University (TNAU) by Governor
Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Biodiversity R.N. Ravi.
Board. ▪ The Governor had appointed her for a term of
three years from the date of assuming office.
Woman Dubashi:
▪ For the first time, a woman named Rajalakshmi Member of Transgender Council:
has been appointed as the person (Dubashi) to ▪ N. Ramamurthy (60), the photographer
walk in front of the Speaker of the Legislature of the 'Dinamani' Villupuram edition, has
of Tamil Nadu. been appointed as a member of the National
▪ During the British period, Dubashi was also a Transgender Council.
translator and interpreter to the Speaker. ▪ The Council, headed by Union Minister
for Social Justice and Empowerment
Chief Minister of Manipur: Veerendra Kumar, has four members
▪ Senior BJP leader N Biren Singh took the oath from different parts of the country.
as Chief Minister of Manipur for a second
consecutive five-year term on March 21, 2022. ▪ Ramamurthy has been appointed as one of
▪ The ruling BJP party contested all 60 seats in them. The first meeting of this council is to be
the Manipur Assembly election in 2022 and held on April 2 in Delhi.
won 32 seats. About National Transgender Council:
▪ Nongthombam (N) Biren Singh started ▪ The Ministry of Social Justice and
his career as a footballer, then turned to Empowerment has constituted the National
journalism, before Joining Politics. Council for Transgender Persons, under the
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights)
Dhami takes oath as Uttarakhand CM: Act, 2019.
▪ Pushkar Singh Dhami on March 23 took oath
Aim:
as the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, beginning
▪ To mainstream the transgender community’s
his second term, at a ceremony attended by
concerns, focusing on livelihood issues as
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several
well as to raise awareness about the trans
top BJP leaders in Dehradun.
community, so that transpersons are accepted
New MD & CEO for Maruti Suzuki India: within families and in the larger society.
▪ Maruti Suzuki India Limited's Board of ▪ To ensure that transgender welfare boards are
Directors has appointed Hisashi Takeuchi as set up in all States and essential needs of the
the Managing Director and Chief Executive transgender community, like housing, food,
Officer with effect from April 1. healthcare and education are met.
▪ The new appointment comes upon the Functions:
completion of the term of Kenichi Ayukawa ▪ Advising the Central government on the
on March 31. formulation of policies, programmes,
legislation and projects with respect to
transgender persons.
▪ Monitoring and evaluating the impact of

policies and programmes.
▪ Reviewing and coordinating the activities of
all the departments.
▪ Redressing grievances of transgender persons.
Performing such other functions as prescribed
by the Centre.
Composition:
▪ Its chairperson will be the Union Minister of the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
▪ It will also consists of:
9 Representatives from five states or Union
Territories (one each from the north, south,
east, west and northeast regions), on a
rotational basis.
9 Five members of the trangender community
(one each from the north, south, east, west
and northeast regions).
▪ The tenure of the community members shall
be three years.
▪ Representatives from 10 central departments.
J. Kumar, New V-C of MKU:

▪ J. Kumar, a professor of Anna University,
Guindy, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor
of Madurai Kamaraj University.
▪ He will have a three-year tenure from the date
of his assuming office.
▪ Governor-Chancellor R.N. Ravi handed over
the appointment order to him on March 29.
Sanjay Ghosh given Additional charge

as CBFC:
▪ Sanjay Ghosh, Deputy Director, DPD, Chennai
have been given additional charge as Regional
Officer, Central Board of Film Certification
(CBFC), Chennai.
▪ He will hold this charge additionally along
with the post he is already holding as Deputy
Director, DPD.
2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
SC clears 50% seats for in-service ▪ A Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
Candidates: held, “We find no constitutional infirmity
▪ The Judgment had empowered State in the OROP principle as defined in the
Legislatures to provide reservation for government’s communication of November
in-service candidates in admissions to 7, 2015, on the implementation of the pension
postgraduate degree/diploma medical Scheme”.
courses. ▪ The Koshiyari Committee's
▪ Justice Gavai, who authored the verdict, recommendations of 10th December
applied the logic used by the Constitution 2011 for OROP was endorsed.
Bench to extend to the State legislature ▪ The OROP scheme stipulated that benefits
the power to provide quota for in-service would be effective for pensioners from the cut-
candidates. off date of July 1, 2014.
▪ “Tamil Nadu would be at liberty to continue ▪ Pensions of past pensioners would be re-
the counselling for 2021-22, taking into fixed on the basis of pensions of retirees in the
consideration the reservation provided as calendar year 2013.
per the Government Order [of November 7, ▪ The scheme mandated the re-fixation of
2020],” the court said. pension every five years.
▪ The court went on to direct the Union
Supreme Court upholds One Rank, One
Government to conduct the “re-fixation
Pension Scheme for Armed Forces: exercise” from July 1, 2019 — the date on
▪ The Supreme Court on March 16 upheld the which the first five-year period from July 1,
Centre’s One Rank, One Pension (OROP) 2014, expired.
scheme for the armed forces.

Labour Ministry launches ‘Donate a Minimum Assured Pension:
Pension’ Scheme: ▪ Each subscriber shall receive a minimum
▪ The Union Labour and Employment Ministry assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after
on March 7 launched the “Donate a Pension” attaining the age of 60 years.
scheme allowing any citizen to pay the Family Pension:
premium amount on behalf of an unorganised ▪ During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber
worker under the Pradhan Mantri Shram dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be
Yogi MaanDhan Scheme. entitled to receive 50% of the pension received
▪ The pension scheme, which was launched by the beneficiary as family pension. Family
in 2019, allows unorganised sector workers pension is applicable only to spouses.
between the age of 18 and 40, who earn up ▪ If a beneficiary has given regular contribution
to ₹15,000 a month, to enroll by paying a and died due to any cause (before age of 60
premium amount between ₹55 and ₹200, years), his/her spouse will be entitled to
depending on the age, that would be matched join and continue the scheme subsequently
by the government. by payment of regular contribution or exit
▪ On reaching the age of 60, the beneficiaries the scheme as per provisions of exit and
would get a ₹3000 monthly pension. As withdrawal.
of March 3, the scheme had 46.34 lakh Contribution:
enrollments. ▪ The subscriber’s contributions shall be made
▪ The donor can pay the contribution for a through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her
minimum of one year, with the amount savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account.
ranging from ₹660 to ₹2400 a year, depending ▪ PM-SYM functions on a 50:50 basis where
on the age of the beneficiary. prescribed age-specific contribution shall be
▪ The premium amount can be paid through made by the beneficiary and the matching
maandhan. in or by visiting a Common Service contribution by the Central Government.
Centre anywhere in the country. Plan to bring 4 Lakh Girls Back to
About Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi School:
MaanDhan Scheme (PM - SYM): ▪ The Centre is launching a back-to-school
▪ PM- SYM which was recently announced in campaign to bring at least four lakh young
the Interim Budget-2019 implemented from girls who are out of school into the formal
February 15, 2019 by the Ministry of Labour education system.
and Employment.
▪ Under the new Saksham Anganwadi scheme
▪ PM-SYM is a Central Sector Scheme of the Women and Child Development
administered by the Ministry of Labour and Ministry, these girls in the 11-14 age group
Employment and implemented through will no longer receive anganwadi support, as
Life Insurance Corporation of India and the focus shifts to 14 to 18 year olds.
Community Service Centers (CSCs).
▪ The campaign to enrol them in schools will be
LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and
driven by anganwadi workers in collaboration
responsible for Pension pay out.
with district education officers, supported
▪ This scheme seeks to benefit around 42 crore by tracking systems used by the WCD and
workers from the unorganized sector of the Education Ministries.
country.
▪ A UNICEF survey of 50,000 Indian adolescents
during the COVID19 pandemic, also released
at the same event, reported that while 90% of
respondents were currently enrolled in school,
a third of them knew of at least one girl who ▪ He said the scheme is now available in 35
had dropped out. states and union territories covering 77 crore
▪ The dropouts were either engaged in domestic beneficiaries.
work or had got married, said UNICEF India ▪ Through this facility, while a migrant
representative Yasumasa Kimura. beneficiary is able to get ration at the
▪ In 2018-19, there were 11.88 lakh girls aged destination he or she is working in, his or her
11-14 years who were part of the Scheme for family back home is also allowed to get their
Adolescent Girls (SAG) in anganwadis, but part of the entitled ration to support itself.
this had dropped to 5.03 lakh by 2021. ▪ The scheme is being implemented without any
▪ With the new Saksham Anganwadis set to discrimination and seven crore people have so
pivot their focus to 14 to 18 year olds from far taken the benefits of portability, he said.
this year, it becomes imperative to ensure that
Sujalam 2.0 Campaign:
the four lakh remaining 11 to 14 year olds are
absorbed by the school system. ▪ On 23rd March 2022, the Sujalam 2.0 campaign
was launched by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,
About Anganwadi: the Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
▪ Anganwadis or a type of rural child care centre
▪ This campaign has been launched for
were started by the Indian government in 1975
Greywater Management.
as part of the Integrated Child Development
Services program to combat child hunger and ▪ The launch event was held virtually by
malnutrition. the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of
Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS).
▪ These are focal point for implementation of
all the health, nutrition and early learning ▪ ‘Groundwater: making the Invisible Visible’
initiatives under ICDS. is the theme for this campaign.
DD India is now on OTT Platform: ▪ The Sujlam 2.0 campaign was launched with
▪ India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has the objective of managing greywater through
signed a memorandum of understanding with the participation of the people.
Yupp TV, an over-the-top (OTT) platform, in ▪ Under this campaign, there are plans to
order to expand the reach of DD India channel, mobilize communities such as schools,
which puts forth the country’s perspective on panchayats, and Anganwadis to help in
various international developments on Global greywater management.
Platforms.
Housing scheme set to be
77 crore people covered under 'One completed soon, says Puri:
Nation One Ration Card' Scheme: ▪ Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on March
▪ As many as 77 crore people in the country 28 told the Rajya Sabha that the Pradhan
have been covered under the 'One Nation Mantri Awas Yojana (housing scheme) for
One Ration Card' scheme through which urban areas would be completed within a
beneficiaries can take their share of food short foreseeable future and if there was more
grains from anywhere in the country, demand from the States then even the private
Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public sector was also coming up with affordable
Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal said. housing.
▪ Goyal said that the technology driven ▪ Mr. Puri said that so far more than one crore
initiative was conceptualised by Prime houses had been constructed under the scheme
Minister Narendra Modi, taking into account and by the time final update for this financial
the problems being faced by migrant workers year was received this number would stand at
in getting government benefits. 1.15 crores.
▪ With that, the entire objective of the Pradhan

Mantri Awas Yojana Urban would be
completed.
About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban
(PMAY-U):
▪ It is a flagship Mission of Government of India
being implemented by Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), was launched
on 25th June 2015.
▪ The Mission addresses urban housing shortage
among the EWS/LIG and MIG categories
including the slum dwellers by ensuring a
pucca house to all eligible urban households
by the year 2022, when Nation completes 75
years of its Independence.
▪ All houses under PMAY(U) have basic
amenities like toilet, water supply, electricity
and kitchen.
▪ The Mission promotes women empowerment
by providing the ownership of houses in name
of female member or in joint name.
▪ Preference is also given to differently abled
persons, senior citizens, SCs, STs, OBCs,
Minority, single women, transgender and other
weaker & vulnerable sections of the society.
A PMAY(U) house ensures dignified living
along with sense of security and pride of
ownership to the beneficiaries.
2.3. PUBLIC AWARENESS & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Urdu can be Second Language: Cabinet nod for Centre for Traditional
▪ The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet meeting chaired Medicine:
by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on ▪ The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister
March 7 gave its nod for making a legislative Narendra Modi, approved the establishment
amendment to enable students to select Urdu of the WHO (World Health Organization)
as a second language alongside Telugu. Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO
GCTM) at Jamnagar in Gujarat.
Cabinet approves Amendment in
▪ An agreement was signed by the Government
MMDR Act to fix Royalty Rates of certain
of India with the world body in this regard.
Minerals:
▪ The WHO GCTM, to be established under
▪ The Union Cabinet on March 9 approved a
the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga,
proposal to amend the Second Schedule to
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and
the MMDR Act to specify the royalty rates of
Homoeopathy), will be the first global centre
certain minerals, including potash, emerald
for Traditional Medicine.
and platinum group of metals.
▪ The approval would ensure auction of mineral
blocks in respect of glauconite, potash,
emerald, platinum group of metals, andalusite,
and molybdenum thereby reducing imports of
these minerals.
Cabinet nod for New Firm to Monetize

Land Assets:
▪ The Union Cabinet approved the setting up
of a new Government owned firm for pooling
and monetising sovereign and public sector
land assets.
▪ The National Land Monetisation Corporation
(NLMC) is being formed with an initial
Authorised share capital of ₹5000 crore and
paid-up capital of ₹150 crore.
▪ The Government will appoint a chairman
to head the NLMC through a “merit-based
selection process” and hire private sector
professionals with expertise.
▪ The NLMC will undertake monetisation of
surplus land and building assets of Central
public sector enterprises (CPSEs) as well as
Government Agencies.
▪ The proposal is in pursuance of the Budget
announcements for 2021-22, which included
an ambitious National Monetisation Pipeline
to garner revenues from public assets.
3. GEOGRAPHY
IPCC warns of Multiple Climate (WBA).
Hazards: ▪ The Spotted Royal lives close to its host plant,
▪ The world faces unavoidable multiple climate which are the native Loranthus species.
hazards over the next two decades with global ▪ The WynterBlyth Association has been
warming of 1.5°C, and even temporarily recording butterflies since2015.
exceeding this warming level would mean
additional, severe impacts, some of which will Great Barrier Reef suffers Severe Coral
be irreversible, according to a report by the Bleaching:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ▪ Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering
(IPCC). widespread and severe coral bleaching due
to high ocean temperatures two years after a
Indonesia’s Merapi volcano Unleashes mass bleaching event, a government agency
lava: said.
▪ Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano spewed ▪ In July last year, Australia garnered enough
avalanches of hot clouds in eruptions international support to defer an attempt
overnight on March 10. by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural
▪ Mount Merapi is the most active of more than organisation, to downgrade the reef ’s World
120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Heritage status to “in danger“ because of
▪ The 2,968m peak Mount Merapi is near damage caused by climate change.
Yogyakarta, an ancient city and a center of
Islands Brace for Cyclone, Ship Services
Javanese culture.
suspended:
Acetabularia Jalakanyakae: ▪ People living in coastal areas of Andaman and
▪ It is the new marine algae species discovered Nicobar Islands were evacuated to safety as
in India. the archipelago experienced heavy rain and
▪ It was discovered by Indian scientists from the strong winds due to Cyclone Asani.
Central University of Punjab in the Andaman ▪ The system is expected to move towards the
archipelago. Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts.
▪ The scientists sighted the species in 2019
Gahirmatha’s Beach Witnesses an
during their trip to Andaman.
Arribada:
Rare Butterfly Recorded in the ▪ About 2.45 lakh Olive Ridley Sea turtles
Nilgiris after over a century crawled ashore on the Nasi-II beach of the
▪ A rare butterfly species — the Spotted Royal Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary along the
(Tajuria maculata), which has not been Odisha coast for laying eggs, marking one of
recorded in the Nilgiris for over a century the largest opening day arrivals of turtles at
— was rediscovered again in the district by the site.
members of the Wynter Blyth Association
GEOGRAPHY | 37
▪ Gahirmatha is the world’s largest rookery for

the endangered Olive Ridley Sea turtles.
Fewer Olive Ridleys reach Godavari

site:
▪ Once known as a safe nesting ground on
India’s east coast, a nearly 30km coastline in
the Godavari estuary has recorded a sharp
fall in the arrival of Olive Ridley turtles
(Lepidochelys olivacea) during the breeding
season as large numbers of the endangered
animals are trapped by high-speed fishing
boats.
▪ The entire rookery, including the Coringa
Wildlife Sanctuary, is part of the rare and
ecologically sensitive Godavari mangrove
System.
Rhino population up by 200 in

Kaziranga:
▪ The population of the greater one-horned or
Indian rhinoceros in the Kaziranga National
Park and Tiger Reserve has increased by 200
in four years, the latest census of the World
Heritage Site’s flagship Animal has revealed.
▪ The last rhino census conducted in 2018 had
put the Number at 2,413.
▪ A similar census was conducted in two more
of Assam’s rhino habitats earlier in March.
▪ The Orang National Park recorded an increase
of 24 rhinos over the figure of 101 in 2018.
▪ The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary recorded five
more rhinos than in 2018. Of the 107 rhinos, 50
were females, 30 males and 27 Calves.
4. ECONOMICS

GDP to grow at 8.9% in 2021-22 Three-fold jump in Foreign Investment
instead of 9.2% in Real Estate:
▪ India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is ▪ Foreign capital flows into the Indian real estate
estimated to grow at 8.9% in 2021-22 instead jumped more than threefold to nearly $24
of the 9.2% estimated earlier, with year-on- billion in five years to 2021 as compared to the
year growth during October-December 2021 previous five years, said Colliers-Ficci report
slipping to 5.4% from 8.5% in the previous suggesting greater transparency has boosted
quarter, as per the second advance national overseas investors' confidence in Indian real
income estimates. estate.
▪ Gross Value-added (GVA) in the economy ▪ Foreign investors, who had previously
is expected to grow by 8.3% this financial refrained from investing in the Indian real
year, from a 4.8% contraction in 2020-21, the estate market due to the lack of transparency,
National Statistical Office (NSO) said. started investing in the country with greater
optimism from 2017.
Core Sector Growth at 3%
▪ The share of foreign investments in Indian real
▪ India’s output from all eight core infrastructure estate has grown to 82 per cent during 2017-
sectors surpassed pre-pandemic production 2021, compared to 37 per cent in the preceding
levels this January, even as the pace of growth five-year period, data produced by the study
slowed marginally to 3.7% from a 4.1% uptick showed.
in December 2021.
▪ During 2017-21, the Office sector was at the
ISMA Revises Upwards Sugar Output forefront of foreign investments with a 43
Estimate: per cent share in total overseas investments
▪ Sugar production this sugar season (October coming into that.
2021September 2022) is estimated at 333 lakh ▪ But foreign investors remained cautious about
tonnes against 312 lakh tonnes in the previous the residential sector after the NBFC crisis.
season. ▪ The Investments in the Industrial and Logistics
▪ The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) sector surpassed the residential sector.
said between October 2021 and February
Industrial output grows 1.3% in
2022, as many as 516 mills crushed sugarcane,
producing 252.87 lakh tonnes of sugar against January:
503 mills producing 234.83 lakh tonnes during ▪ India’s industrial output grew 1.3% in January
the same period last season. 2022, recovering marginally from a revised
growth rate of 0.7% for December 2021, but
▪ Production is higher than previous estimates
was still only 0.7% above the pre-pandemic
in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
levels, as per data from the National Statistical
Office.
ECONOMICS | 39
▪ Manufacturing output rose 1.1%, while measure wholesale and retail-level price
mining production grew 2.8% and electricity changes, respectively.
Generation went up by 0.9% year-on-year.
Consumer Price Index:
▪ Production of consumer durables slumped for
the fifth month in a row in January, contracting ▪ It measures price changes from the perspective
3.3% compared with a 0.1% shrinkage a year of a retail buyer.
ago. Four types of CPI are as follows:
9 CPI for Industrial Workers (IW).
India's Merchandise Exports likely to be 9 CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL).
at USD 111.3 bn in Q4 FY22: 9 CPI for Rural Labourer (RL).
▪ The country's merchandise exports are likely
9 CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined).
to be at USD 111.3 billion in the fourth quarter
of the current fiscal, according to a forecast by ▪ Of these, the first three are compiled by the
India Exim Bank. Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour
▪ Non-oil exports are expected to be at USD 95.2
billion in Q4 FY22, with total merchandise
of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
outbound shipment exceeding USD 414 billion
for FY 2022. ▪ Base Year for CPI is 2012.
About Exim Bank: ▪ The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) uses
▪ On June 18, 1980, the then Finance Minister, CPI data to inflation.
Shri R. Venkataraman, in the budget speech, Moody’s cuts India’s 2022 Growth to
announced the decision to establish an Exim
9.1% :
Bank.
▪ Moody’s Investors Service cut India’s Growth
▪ The Export-Import Bank of India Act was forecast for 2022 to 9.1% from the earlier
passed in September 1981 and the Bank estimated 9.5%, cautioning that high global
commenced its operations in March 1982. fuel and commodity prices on Account of
▪ Headquarters: Mumbai. the Russia-Ukraine war could weigh on the
Government’s capital spending ability.
Retail Inflation Climbs to 6.07%
▪ India’s retail inflation inched up to an eight- Fitch cuts India growth forecast for
month high of 6.07% in February from 6.01% 2022-23 to 8.5% from 10.3%:
in January, with rural India experiencing a ▪ Fitch Ratings downgraded its 2022-23 growth
sharper price rise at 6.38%. forecast for India from 10.3% to 8.5%, citing
▪ For urban consumers, the inflation rate, in sharply higher energy prices which it believes
fact, fell from 5.91% in January to 5.75% in will spur inflation beyond 7% as oil companies
February. eventually pass on price hikes to retail
▪ The RBI has projected an average retail consumers. The rating firm also scaled up its
inflation of 4.5% for the coming year. inflation forecast for India.
About Inflation: ▪ “Local fuel prices have been flat over the past
▪ Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer weeks, but we assume that oil companies will
Price Index (CPI). eventually pass on higher oil prices to retail
▪ Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most fuel prices (with some offset from a reduction
goods and services of daily or common use, in the excise duty by the government),” it
such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, noted.
transport, consumer staples, etc. ▪ "We expect inflation to remain elevated
▪ In India, inflation is primarily measured by throughout the forecast horizon, at 6.1%
two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price annual average in 2021 and 5% in 2022,” the
Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) which agency said.
Exports cross $400bn Annual Target as

Goods Shipments Jump:
▪ India’s annual goods exports crossed the $400
billion mark for the first time ever, buoyed
by an increase in shipments of merchandise,
including engineering products, apparel and
garments, gems and jewellery and petroleum
products.
▪ Noting that the agriculture sector too had
recorded its highest ever export during 2021-
22 with the help of export of “rice, marine
products, wheat, spices and sugar”, Mr.
Goyal termed the development a “Made in
India blockbuster” and a “collective show of
strength”.
▪ Marking the “first time ever” development,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated
the manufacturers, farmers and weavers for
achieving this target.
India's FDI inflow 65% more under PM

Modi Regime:
▪ Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on
March 29 said that Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) into the country was $500.5 billion
(65 per cent more) during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's regime as opposed to the
amount received in 10 years of the previous
UPA Government.
▪ The minister also said that India continues
to stay among the top five FDI recipient
countries in the world, according to an
United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) report.
About FDI:
▪ FDI is the process whereby residents of one
country (the home country) acquire ownership
of assets for the purpose of controlling the
production, distribution and other activities of
a firm in another country (the host country).
Routes through which India gets FDI:
▪ Automatic Route: In this, the foreign entity
does not require the prior approval of the
Government or the RBI.
▪ Government Route: In this, the foreign entity
has to take the approval of the Government.
ECONOMICS | 41
4.2 PUBLIC FINANCE: BUDGETING

LIC’s Mega Share Sale gets Sebi Govt., working on Classification of
Approval: Cryptocurrency under GST Law:
▪ India’s markets regulator has cleared the share ▪ The Centre is considering on classification
sale proposal of state-run Life Insurance Corp. of cryptocurrency under the GST law so that
of India, or LIC (which was filed on February tax can be levied on the entire value of the
13), paving the way for the Government to transaction.
launch India’s largest initial public offering. ▪ At present, 18% Goods and Services Tax
▪ The Government was expected to sell 5 per (GST) is levied only on services provided
cent stake in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) by crypto exchanges and is categorized as
this month, which could fetch over Rs 63,000 financial services.
crore to the exchequer. ▪ GST officers told that cryptocurrencies are
▪ The Approval was granted within 22 days of similar to casinos, gambling, betting, which
filing Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP). have 28% of the GST on the entire value.
About SEBI: ▪ The GST has not clearly made a classification
▪ The Securities and Exchange Board of India of cryptocurrency.
(SEBI) is the regulatory body for securities ▪ In the absence of a law regulating such virtual
and commodity market in India under the digital currencies, the classification has to take
ownership of Ministry of Finance , Government into account whether the law classifies it as an
of India. actionable claim.
▪ It was established on 12 April 1988 and given ▪ The provisions related to 1% TDS will come
Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through into effect from July 1, 2022, while the gains
the SEBI Act, 1992. will be taxed effective April 1.
4.3 PUBLIC FINANCE: TAX STRUCTURE

States Requested extension of the About GST:
GST Compensation: Finance Minister ▪ The tax came into effect from 1 July 2017 through
Nirmala Sitharaman: the implementation of the One Hundred and
First Amendment of the Constitution of India
▪ Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law,
by the Indian government.
states were guaranteed to be compensated bi-
monthly for any loss of revenue in the first ▪ Goods and services are divided into five
five years of GST implementation from July 1, different tax slabs for collection of tax: 0%, 5%,
2017. 12%, 18% and 28%.
▪ The shortfall is calculated assuming a 14 per ▪ The tax rates, rules and regulations are
cent annual growth in GST collections by governed by the GST Council which consists
states over the base year of 2015-16. The 5-year of the finance ministers of the central
period ends in June 2022. Government and all the states.
▪ The compensation amount to be paid from the
compensation fund is arrived at by levying
cess on top of the highest tax slab on luxury,
demerit and sin goods.
4.4 MONEY & BANKING

RBI opens up UPI for Feature Phones, ▪ Christened UPI123Pay, the new payments
No Internet Needed: system for feature phone users involves four
▪ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March 8 different technologies.
launched unified payments interface (UPI) for ▪ The First One is through use of Interactive
feature phones, bringing about 400 million Voice Response (IVR) numbers. One can dial
users of such phones under the ambit of a number and initiate a secured call from
India’s homegrown payments network. feature phone, and after getting registered can
▪ India has a mobile phone consumer base start financial transactions without internet
of about 118 crore, of which about 74 crore connectivity.
have smartphones, indicating that there is a ▪ The Second Module is through apps on
significant number of feature phone users in feature phones. Majority of UPI functions
the country. will be available on apps that are available
▪ UPI was available on feature phones on feature phones and one can do almost all
since 2016, when UPI was launched for kinds of UPI transactions except scan and pay,
smartphones, albeit through a complicated which is still a work in progress.
USSD or Unstructured Supplementary Service ▪ The Third Method of feature phone UPI
Data mode. Under this, a feature phone user involves proximity sound-based payments.
had to dial *99#, get a set of menus and initiate This technology uses sound waves to enable
transactions. But the process was cumbersome, networking and therefore helps carry out
involving multiple chargeable messages. contactless offline and proximity data
▪ This is one reason that the products introduced communication on any device.
on March 8 will fill in this gap and take UPI to ▪ The Last Method is a quintessential Indian
the next level. way -- missed call approach -- where users
receive a callback from a standard number to
authenticate and carry out transactions.
4.5 INDICES
Export Preparedness Index by NITI ▪ The Export Preparedness Index for 2021
Aayog: is based on States’ ratings on four major
▪ Gujarat has been named India’s top State in parameters pertaining to exports promotion
terms of export preparedness for the second and facilitation, including policy support,
year in a row as per an index released by the business and export ecosystem and the actual
NITI Aayog. performance in outbound shipments.
▪ Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu were
ranked second, third and fourth in the index,
as coastal States with higher industrial activity
and access to sea ports account for a majority
of India’s exports.
5. SCIENCE
5.1 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INVENTIONS

Locally made Trainer Aircraft Finishes ▪ Due to this missile’s size, it is being speculated
Sea Trials: that the Hwasong-17 can carry multiple decoys
▪ A first-of-its kind indigenous aircraft trainer, and warheads so as to efficiently penetrate a
HANSANG, developed by the CSIR National Country’s Missile Defense System.
Aerospace Laboratories (CSIRNAL), has
completed sea-level trials in Puducherry, a
necessary condition before evaluation by the
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
▪ HANSA New Generation (HANSANG) is
reportedly one of the most advanced flying
trainers, powered by a Rotax digital control
engine with features such as a composite
lightweight airframe, a glass cockpit, a bubble
canopy with a wide panoramic view, and
electrically operated flaps.
▪ It is an ideal aircraft for commercial pilot
licensing due to its low cost and low fuel
consumption.
▪ For the sea trials, the aircraft was flown from
Bengaluru to Puducherry covering 140 nautical
miles in an hour and a half at a cruising speed
of 155 kmph on February 19.
▪ The two-seater HansaNG, a revamped
version of the original Hansa developed three
decades ago, had a successful maiden flight on
September 4 when it took off from the HAL
airport in Bengaluru and flew for about 20
minutes.
Monster Missile Hwasong-17:

▪ North Korea has test-fired an intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM) named Hwasong-17.
▪ This missile is the biggest ICBM ever
developed.
▪ This missile can potentially deliver a nuclear
warhead to any United States location.

WHO’s Chief Scientist Expresses concern Indigenous COVID drug completes
over Malnutrition, Growing Anemia Clinical Trials:
Levels ▪ The First Indigenous drug to treat COVID19
▪ Putting money into nutrition or health was is likely to be made available to the public
not a cost for Governments but an investment, soon with the completion of clinical trials,
an Investment in building human capital that which showed “excellent results”, informed
would pay off many, many more times in the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)
future, World Health Organization’s chief director Rakesh Mishra.
scientist Soumya Swaminathan said. ▪ The product ‘Vincov19’ is a collaborative
▪ The recent Global Hunger Index 2020 ranked effort of CSIR-Centre for Cellular & Molecular
India 94th out of 107 countries, way behind Biology (CCMB), University of Hyderabad
some of the other developing countries. new (UoH) and city based VINS Bioproducts.
data from National Family Health Survey
Man, who received pig’s heart dies
(NFHS) suggest that while less children are
dying — a lot of progress has been made in after 2 months:
reducing maternal mortality and under-5 ▪ The first-person David Bennett to receive
mortality — but those who survive are a heart transplant from a pig has died, two
becoming malnourished and anemic. months after the groundbreaking experiment,
▪ “NFHS-5 showed worsening of nutritional the Maryland hospital that performed the
indicators especially in children under5 and surgery.
increase in both stunting and wasting in about ▪ Mr. Bennett survived significantly longer than
half of the States. one of the last milestones — when Baby Fae,
a dying infant, lived 21 days with a baboon’s
heart in 1984.
5.3 SPACE
The Artemis Programme, NASA’s New ▪ Artemis is also the goddess of the moon.
Moon Mission: ▪ Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space
▪ On March 17, the National Aeronautics and Exploration Systems.
Space Administration (NASA) rolled out its ▪ It is an uncrewed space mission where the
Artemis I moon mission to the launchpad for spacecraft will launch on SLS — the most
testing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, powerful rocket in the world — and travel
United States. 2,80,000 miles from the earth for over four to
▪ The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and six weeks during the course of the mission.
Orion capsule of the mission were hurled The Orion spacecraft is going to remain in
out to the launchpad by NASA’s Crawler- space without docking to a space station,
Transporter 2 vehicle. longer than any ship for astronauts has ever
done before.
What is the Artemis Mission?
▪ NASA’s Artemis mission is touted as the next ▪ With the Artemis programme, NASA aims to
generation of lunar exploration, and is named land humans on the moon by 2024, and it also
after the twin sister of Apollo from Greek plans to land the first woman and first person
mythology. of colour on the Moon.
SCIENCE | 45
GSLV mission may have failed due to a

Valve Leak:
▪ The GSLVF10/ EOS03 mission, which lifted
off from Sriharikota on August 12 2021, failed
due to ‘deviation in the performance’ of the
cryogenic upper stage (CUS) of the launch
vehicle, a national level Failure Analysis
Committee (FAC) has found.
▪ Although the Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) had a normal lift off
after a 26hour countdown, the mission had to
be aborted much to the dismay of the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
India to launch 7 Satellites this Year:

(ISRO) is likely to launch seven satellites this
year, said the Deputy Minister at Indian Prime
Minister's Office Jitendra Singh.
▪ He said ISRO has successfully launched the
earth observation satellite EOS-4 onboard
PSLV-C52 on Feb. 14 from the Satish Dhawan
Space Center along with INS-2TD and
INSPIRESat-1 as co-passengers.
▪ "EOS-4 is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
imaging satellite for earth observation,
operating in C-band at 5.4 GHz frequency,
for applications in the domains of agriculture,
disaster management, water resources and
Forestry."
6. NATIONAL –
DIARY OF EVENT
Adopt Gati Shakti, Modi Tells States, Meet on challenges in implementation
Private Sector: of Jal Jeevan Mission to be held:
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged State ▪ A day-long conference will be held at the
governments as well as private sector to adopt Vidhana Soudha at Bengaluru on March 5
the Gati Shakti portal to plan infrastructure for discussing specific issues and challenges
projects and develop special economic zones. in the states/union territories, regarding the
▪ In October last year, the government implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and
announced PM Gati Shakti programme the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen with
under which a portal would be set up to bring ministers from six states and two UTs.
16 Ministries together for integrated planning ▪ Prime Minister accords highest priority to
and implementation of infrastructure women empowerment and healthcare as
connectivity projects. he has launched two flagship programmes
▪ The portal is expected to be ready by March which focus on water and sanitation thereby
end. ensuring 'ease of living' especially for women
and young girls.
A Transformational Budget for ▪ 'Har Ghar Jal' is a flagship programme of the
Transitional Energy Economy: government, being implemented by the Jal
▪ India today is the world's fourth largest Jeevan Mission (JJM) under the Ministry of
renewable energy (RE) country and fifth Jal Shakti. The JJM aims to provide tap water
largest in terms of installed Solar Capacity. connection to every rural household in the
▪ In early February, solar installations crossed country by 2024.
the 50 GW milestone, making India only the ▪ Telangana and Puducherry achieved 100 per
fifth country to achieve this. cent coverage in 2021. Madhya Pradesh plans
▪ In August 2021, India achieved 100 GW of to provide tap water connection to all rural
installed RE capacity and in December 2021 households by 2023 followed by Andhra
it became only the fourth country to have Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
150GW of RE (including large hydro). in 2024.
▪ Today, India is home to one of the world's ▪ The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen
largest energy transition programme. (SBM(G)) is another flagship programme being
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
announced that India is expanding its RE ▪ All the Gram Panchayats declared themselves
target to 500 GW by 2030. Open Defecation Free on October 2, 2019.
▪ With only nine years to go to meet the Operation Ganga:
ambitious target, the budget 2022 has given
▪ As part of the government’s ‘Operation
the much-needed impetus to place Indian RE
Ganga’, 14 civilian flights mounted by Indian
sector at an advantage.
airlines brought back 3,142 people and three
C17 flights by the Indian Air Force brought
back 630 Indians from Romania, Hungary,
Slovakia and Poland.
Indigenous Train Collision Protection ▪ “If successful, this will be expanded to all
System: geothermal fields for space heating and
▪ On March 4 in Secunderabad, 'Kavach' was conversion into electrical energy without any
tested successfully with two trains hurtled carbon footprint,” he said.
towards each other at full speed, one with the ▪ The Minister pointed out that the spring-water
railway minister on board and the other with rejuvenation and river-water regeneration can
the Chairman of the Railway Board. contribute to the human settlement and agro-
▪ But the two trains didn't collide, thanks to economy of the country and exploitation of
'Kavach'. 'Kavach', which literally means available and abundant mineral resources in a
armour, is being promoted by the Railways as scientific manner is another domain of socio-
the world's cheapest automatic train collision economic development.
protection system. ▪ “We can think of innovation for converting
▪ The indigenously developed Automatic Train hazardous residues into usable products also,”
Protection (ATP) system has been built to he said.
help the Railways achieve the goal of "zero EC to Conduct Outreach Event on March
accidents".
7:
▪ Kavach is designed to bring a train to a halt
▪ The Election Commission will organise an
automatically when it notices another train on
international election visitors programme
the same line within a prescribed distance.
(IEVP) for foreign poll management bodies in
▪ Trains will also stop on their own when digital virtual mode on March 7, when Uttar Pradesh
system notices any manual error like "jumping" votes for the last phase of Assembly election.
of the red signal or any other malfunction.
▪ The programme constitutes an important part
Himalayan geo-resources yet to be of the EC’s international outreach and seeks
Fully Explored: to familiarise fellow Election Management
Bodies (EMBs) with the electoral system
▪ Speaking after inaugurating the Research
adopted by India.
Scholars’ and Transit Hostel at the Wadia
Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) in ▪ IEVP 2022 also provides an opportunity to the
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Union Earth Sciences EC to share best practices and experience of
Minister Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that the the conduct of the poll process along with the
Himalayan geo-resources are huge, and can steps taken to ensure compliance of COVID19
contribute to the socio-economic development protocols, an EC statement said.
of the region and the Country in many ways. ▪ More than 135 delegates from over 26
▪ He emphasised that the main Himalayan countries and four international organisations,
resources are its glaciers and snowfields which including International IDEA, International
feed billions of people through irrigation and Foundation of Electoral Systems, Association
drinking water, industry, and hydropower of World Election Bodies and Community of
generation, as well as tourism and religious Democracies, will participate in the event.
pilgrimage. Common people benefitted from 'Jan
▪ He noted that the WIHG has mapped 40 Aushadhi Kendras':
geothermal springs each in Uttarakhand
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while
and Himachal Pradesh Himalayas, and has
addressing an event on the occasion of 'Jan
been trying to generate five MW of electricity
Aushadhi Diwas' on March 7, said the poor
at initial stage by a binary power plant at
and the middle class have benefitted from
Tapovan.
the 'Jan Aushadhi Kendras', set up to provide
generic drugs at affordable prices.
▪ The Prime Minister said Rs 13,000 crore were Buddha in the annual pageant of the famed
saved after the said stores were opened. Buddhist Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in
"Over 8,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been Kandy every August for 11 consecutive Years.
opened.
Festival of Letters 2022:
▪ PM said his government has regulated the
price of more than 800 medicines required ▪ Sahityotsav, the Festival of Letters of Sahitya
for the treatment of diseases like cancer, Akademi, India’s most inclusive literature
tuberculosis, diabetes and heart ailment. festival will be held from 10th to 15th March
2022 in New Delhi.
▪ The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched ▪ Festival of Letters 2022 will be a part of the
by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to celebrations to commemorate 75th Anniversary
provide quality medicines at affordable prices of India’s Independence.
to the masses in 2008 under the name Jan ▪ The events will have one or the other theme
Aushadi Campaign. pertaining to Independence or Independence
▪ PMBJP stores have been set up to provide movement. At the festival, there will be a
generic drugs, which are available at cheaper special corner to display the books related
prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy to the India's freedom movement and other
as expensive branded drugs. materials relevant to the Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav.
▪ 'Jan Aushadhi Week' is being celebrated
across the country from March 1 to March 7 to ▪ The prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards will
generate awareness about the usage of generic be presented to the 24 Award winners on 11th
medicines and benefits of the Jan Aushadhi March 2022.
Pariyojana. About Sahitya Akademi:
▪ As an important step in ensuring the healthy ▪ The Sahitya Akademi, India's National
security for Indian women, Jan Aushadhi Academy of Letters, is an organisation
Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins dedicated to the promotion of literature in
were launched on 27th August 2019 to be the languages of India headquarterd in New
made available at Re.1 per pad. Delhi.
▪ In September 2015, the „Jan Aushadhi Scheme ▪ Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported
was revamped as „Pradhan Mantri Jan by, though independent of, the Indian
Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY). Government (Ministry of Culture).
▪ In November, 2016, to give further impetus to ▪ It initially functioned under executive order,
the scheme, it was again renamed as “Pradhan but was subsequently registered as a society
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana” under the Indian Societies Registration Act,
(PMBJP). 1860.
Indian Elephant,the Largest in Asia Walmart and IIT-M to collaborate in

died: research, education, CSR:
▪ Sri Lanka is mourning the death of a 69-year- ▪ Walmart Global Tech (WGT) has entered into
old celebrated Indian elephant, considered to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
be the largest in Asia, after it died on March 7, the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructing (IIT-M), to accelerate research in new areas of
that the body of the tusker be preserved for technology.
future generations and naming it as a national ▪ IIT-M will also provide associates of the
treasure. global firm with continuing education and
▪ The tusker named Nadungamuwe Raja, who collaborate on projects for Corporate Social
was born in India’s Mysore, has been carrying Responsibility (CSR).
the main casket carrying the tooth relic of Lord
▪ The MoU was signed on March 9 in Chennai India’s First fully owned by Women
in the presence of Suresh Kumar, Global Industrial Park:
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief ▪ India‘s first fully owned by women industrial
Development Officer (CDO), Walmart Inc., park opened its doors in Hyderbad.
Prof Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean—Alumni
▪ The park, that is promoted by the FICCI
and Corporate Relations, IIT-M, and the US
Ladies Organization – FLO in collaboration
Consul General in Chennai, Judith Ravin.
with the State government, consists of 25
▪ Walmart Tech Global would also provide a units which represent 16 different sectors of
training program to the students of IIT Madras. green category, and all of them are owned and
▪ The training program would help students to controlled completely by women.
gain advanced Knowledge of technology in ▪ This park was built on 50 acres of land in
the retail and e-commerce sector. Sultanpur, which is near Patancheru.
India Global Forum Annual Summit: ▪ India good at managing finances but oil price
▪ India Global Forum’s (IGF) annual summit is hike worrying: IMF
being organized in Bengaluru, Karnataka. ▪ India has been very good at managing its
▪ The summit will bring together eminent faces finances but the surge in global energy prices
of tech-driven disruption and those who have after Russia’s military operations in Ukraine
joined the unicorn club along with Union is going to have a negative impact on its
ministers, policymakers,and global business economy as India is an importer, according to
leaders. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
▪ The previous editions were hosted in Dubai ▪ Gita Gopinath, the first deputy managing
and the UK. director of the IMF, observed that the war
has posed a challenge to global economies,
▪ This is the first-ever edition of IGF at
including India.
Bengaluru.
Supreme Court Committee to Submit
India’s largest reclining statue of Lord
Report on Prison Reforms in 6 Months:
Buddha:
▪ The Supreme Court granted six month's time
▪ India's largest reclining statue of Lord Buddha
to the Committee on Prison Reforms headed
is being built in Bodh Gaya.
by the former Supreme Court Judge, Justice
▪ Built by Buddha International Welfare Amitava Roy to submit its final report.
Mission, the statue will be 100 feet long and
▪ The Committee was constituted by the Apex
30 feet high.
Court vide order dated 25.09.2018 to examine
▪ Lord Buddha is in the sleeping posture in the the issues plaguing prisons that needed
statue. reform.
▪ The construction of the giant statue started in ▪ Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted
the year 2019. that the Court had earlier directed the
▪ It is being made with fibreglass and built by Committee to complete the collection of data
sculptors from Kolkata. and make suggestions over the issue within a
▪ The idol of this posture of Lord Buddha is in period of 12 months, however, almost 3 years
Uttar Pradesh`s Kushinagar where he attained have passed and the same was not done due
his Mahaparinirvana. to the prevailing situation since last few Years.
▪ The giant statue of Lord Buddha will be open
for devotees from February 2023.
The Central Board of Trustees of ▪ The decision to move out of Ukraine came after
the Employees’ Provident Fund the Russian attacks on the western Ukrainian
Organisation (EPFO): town of Lviv near the Polish border, where the
embassy had set up a camp office for the past
▪ The Central Board of Trustees of the
few weeks to facilitate the movement of Indian
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
(EPFO), the country’s largest retirement fund, students fleeing the Country.
has recommended a return of 8.10 per cent for First Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal of
its over 6 crore active subscribers for financial Indian Railways commissioned:
year 2021-22. This is the lowest interest rate in
▪ The Asansol Division of Indian Railways has
at least four decades but remains higher than
successfully commissioned private siding
that of other small-savings instruments.
of Maithan Power Limited at Thaparnagar,
About EPFO: Jharkhand, in accordance with the Prime
▪ The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation Minister’s vision Gati Shakti and the Ministry
(EPFO) is the statutory body under the of Railways’ policy regarding the Gati Shakti
Government of India's Ministry of Labour and Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal or also known as
Employment. GCT, informed the Ministry of Railways.
▪ On 1 October 2014 the Government of India
launched a Universal Account Number 100 Days Countdown in run–up to 8th
for employees covered by EPFO to enable International Day of Yoga 2022 begins:
Provident Fund number portability. ▪ Union Minister of Ayush Sarbanand Sonowal
▪ The EPFO's top decision-making body is the inaugurated Yoga Mahotsav 2022, an event
Central Board of Trustees (CBT),a statutory to commemorate 100 days countdown in the
body established by the Employees' Provident run–up to the 8th International Day of Yoga
Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF&MP) (IDY) 2022 on March 13.
Act, 1952. ▪ The International Day of Yoga 2022 campaign
▪ Founded: 4 March 1952. will focus on the theme 100 days, 100 cities and
▪ Headquarters: New Delhi. 100 organisations till June 21 across the globe.
▪ For the first time to celebrate Azadi ka Amrut
Skoch State of Governance Ranking Mahotsav, it will demonstrate Yoga at 75
2021: Heritage Heritage/Iconic cultural sites on
▪ Andhra Pradesh has retained its number June 21.
one spot in the SKOCH State of Governance ▪ The Ministry will propagate the benefits of
rankings for the second consecutive year. using WHO mYoga App, Namastey App,
▪ The second rank was bagged by West Bengal Y-break App.
and Odisha was ranked 3, Gujarat was
ranked 4 and Maharashtra was ranked 5 and Co-operatives to play a Major Role in
Telangana was ranked 6. Rs 350 Lakh Crore Target:
▪ Union Home and Cooperatives Minister Amit
India Relocates Embassy in Ukraine to Shah has said that the co-operative sector will
Poland play a major role in achieving Prime Minister
▪ With the Russian forces stepping up their Narendra Modi’s economic target of Rs 350
attack on Ukrainian cities and closing in on trillion ($ 5 trillion).
capital Kyiv, the government has decided ▪ Only 5 will benefit if private milk companies
to temporarily relocate the Indian Embassy, grow stronger. If the co-operative sector
moving all officials across the border to becomes strong, many people in the country,
Poland. including farmers and livestock breeders, will
benefit.
▪ If the Sumul Sangam gains strength, the 2.5 ▪ The report on Demands for Grants (2022-23)
lakh members (milk producers) belonging to of the MHA by the parliamentary standing
this Sangam will also benefit. It will strengthen committee headed by Congress leader Anand
the country’s policy of self-determination. Sharma said the Ministry had demanded
▪ The Sumul Sangam last produced 200 liters of ₹3637.92 crore for border infrastructure in the
milk per day in 1971. It is currently producing coming fiscal even though it was able to spend
20 lakh liters per day. The aim of this only 50% of the allocated budget till December
association is to increase this to 25 lakh liters. 2021.
Direct flight connecting Indore- Identification of 9.45 Lakh Water

Hyderabad route Flagged off on March Reservoirs in the Country:
13: ▪ According to the First Reservoir Census,
▪ The ministry of civil aviation has awarded 18,691 of the 9.45 million identified reservoirs
the route to Fly Big under the UDAN RCS-4.0 in 22 states and UTs have been violated
bidding process. said Minister of State for Water Resources
Bishweshwar Todo.
▪ With this, 409 routes would be operationalised
under the UDAN-RCS scheme. ▪ The highest number of encroachments is
8,366 from Tamil Nadu, followed by Andhra
▪ Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
Pradesh with 3,920 and Telangana with 3,032.
said the UDAN scheme is fulfilling the Prime
Minister's dream of providing air services to ▪ This is the sixth census that is being carried
the common man. out since 2017-2018. He said in a written reply
that for the first time under the first census of
▪ The Indore-Gondia-Hyderabad route will
aquifers, information on encroachments on
connect Indore with the two states Maharashtra
aquifers was being collected.
and Telangana.
▪ Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Scheme
▪ Scindia said 100 new airports will be built in
(PMKSY) – Irrigation, repair, renovation and
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which will give a boost
rehabilitation of water reservoirs under the
to the last-mile connectivity.
scheme for each field has a target of 1.89 lakh
▪ He said the Centre is going to bring a small hectares, of which 1.32 lakh hectares had been
aircraft scheme, which will strengthen rehabilitated by January.
connectivity in tier 2 and 3 cities.
About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee
▪ With this, Gondia will become their 14th Yojana:
UDAN destination and Fly Big is the first ▪ PMKSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
airline to connect Gondia with a scheduled (Core Scheme) launched in 2015.
commercial flight to other metro cities.
▪ Centre- States will be 75:25 per cent.
▪ This is also the first flight route for Gondia
▪ In the case of the north-eastern region and
as prior to this it was not connected with any
hilly states, it will be 90:10.
airports in India.
No Decision yet on Country-wide NRC:
Government Sanctioned 32 New Roads
▪ The Minister said on the direction of the
along China Border:
Supreme Court, the supplementary list of
▪ Post-Galwan incident, the Government of inclusions and the list of exclusions for the
India sanctioned 32 roads along the China NRC in Assam have been published on August
border, of which work has started on eight 31, 2019.
roads.
▪ “Till now, the government has not taken any
▪ The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed decision to prepare the National Register of
a parliamentary panel that 32 helipads were Indian Citizens at the national level,” Union
being constructed and upgraded along the Minister Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha.
China border.
About NRC: growing from 6.9 crore to more than 10 crore.

▪ Nodal Agency: Registrar General and Census ▪ The growth of farmers’ debt burden is highest
Commissioner India. in Maharashtra, a whopping 116% increase in
What is National Register of Citizens (NRC)? the outstanding amounts due over the six year
▪ National Register of Citizens, 1951 is a register period. In absolute terms as well, Maharashtra
prepared after the conduct of the Census farmers owe the highest amount of ₹5.5 lakh
of 1951 in respect of each village, showing crore by way of Agricultural Loans.
the houses or holdings in a serial order and ▪ Incidentally, the State also consistently has the
indicating against each house or holding the largest number of farmer suicides, as recorded
number and names of persons staying therein. by the National Crime Records Bureau.
▪ The NRC was published only once in 1951. ▪ Other States which saw significant increase in
farmers’ debt burden include Odisha (76%),
Reservation Policy in India:
Tamil Nadu (68%), Andhra Pradesh (65%) and
▪ Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated Gujarat (64%).
16th November, 1992 in the Indra Sawhney
case of 1990, has decided that reservation under Chair of excellence in memory of Bipin
Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution Rawat:
should not exceed 50%. ▪ On the eve of the 65th birthday of late Chief
▪ The total reservation given to SC, ST and OBC of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat,
under these Articles does not exceed 50%. the Indian Army has instituted a Chair of
▪ The reservation given to the Economically Excellence in his memory at the United Service
Weaker Sections (EWS) has been provided by Institution of India (USI).
the Government under provisions of Articles ▪ The formal announcement was made by
15(6) and 16(6), which were inserted vide the Gen. Manoj Naravane, Chief of Army Staff
Constitution 103rd Amendment Act 2019. and Officiating Chairman, Chiefs of Staff
▪ Thus the 10% reservation given to EWS, does Committee.
not violate the 50% limit on reservations given
under Articles 15(4) and 16(4). Cabinet clears bill to allow use of
Latest tech to Collect more details of
▪ The 10% reservation give to EWS under the
provisions of Articles 15(6) and 16(6) are Criminals, Convicts:
distinct from the reservation given to SC, ST & ▪ The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared
OBC under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) and these a bill on March 16 to allow the use of latest
are legally protected. technology to maintain records of convicts
▪ This information was given by the Minister and those arrested for crimes.
of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, ▪ The proposed ‘Identification of Prisoners Bill’
Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in a written reply in seeks to replace the Identification of Prisoners
the Lok Sabha on March 15. Act, 1920, which would be repealed.
▪ They pointed out that the present British-era
Farmers’ debt rose 53% in 6 years, law allows limited “body measurements” of
Centre tells Rajya Sabha: convicts and those arrested for crimes which
▪ Farmers’ debts increased 53% over the past carry the provision of rigorous punishment for
six years, the Union Finance Ministry told the a term of one year or more.
Rajya Sabha on March 15. ▪ The draft bill, allows collection of various
▪ In 2020-21, outstanding agricultural loans for details of convicts and those arrested for
scheduled commercial banks amounted to various crimes, including finger and palm
more than ₹18.4 lakh crore, in comparison to prints, foot prints, photo, iris or retina scan
₹12 lakh crore in 2015-16, with the number and hand writing samples.
of farmers’ accounts holding such debts also
▪ Availability of greater details will help in ▪ The manuscripts were saved from being burnt
increasing conviction rate as it would give in the 12th and 13th centuries by Bakhtiyar
investigators more tools to nail criminals. Khilji’s Army and later brought back to India
from Tibet by traveller, freedom fighter and
Mann sworn in as 17th Punjab CM: monk Rahul Sankrityayan.
▪ Breaking established traditions, Aam Aadmi ▪ Bihar, Art and Culture Minister Alok Ranjan
Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Singh Mann informed the Assembly that the process has
was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of been started by the Central Institute of Higher
Punjab on March 16 by Governor Banwarilal Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) at Sarnath.
Purohit at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village
of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, instead of the ST Panel in Stasis, Says Report:
Raj Bhavan. ▪ The National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes has been dysfunctional for the past four
House Panel flag’s Issues plaguing
years and has not delivered a single report to
MGNREGS: Parliament, a parliamentary committee has
▪ Fake job cards, widespread corruption, said in a recent report.
late uploading of muster rolls, and huge
▪ The pending reports include a study by the
pending payments for wages and materials
commission of the impact of the Indira Sagar
are among the issues hampering the
Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh on
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National
the tribal population and a special report on
Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme,
rehabilitation and resettlement of tribespeople
apart from insufficient funding, according to
displaced by the Rourkela steel plant.
a Parliamentary Standing Committee report
submitted to the Lok Sabha. About National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes (NCST):
India’s Defence Requirement has ▪ NCST was set up with effect from 19th
Increased: February, 2004 by amending Article 338
▪ With the changing Economic, Political and and by inserting a new article 338A in the
Strategic Equations increasingly placing world Constitution through the 89th Constitution
powers in a tussle, India’s defence requirement Amendment Act, 2003.
has increased and constant modernisation of ▪ NCST oversee the implementation of various
the country’s armed forces is need of the hour, safeguards provided to STs under the
said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Constitution or under any other law for time
▪ Inaugurating a seven-storeyed Flight being in force or under any other order to the
Control System (FCS) integration facility at Government and to evaluate the working of
Aeronautical Development Establishment such safeguards.
(ADE), a laboratory of Defence Research Composition:
and Development Organisation (DRDO) ▪ It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson
in Bengaluru, the Minister said, “Keeping and 3 other Members who are appointed by
ourselves ready is our top priority and we are the President by warrant under his hand and
constantly working to enhance our strategic seal.
capabilities. Be it technology or products, ▪ At least one member should be a woman.
services or facilities, their advanced and faster ▪ The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and
development is critical.” the other Members hold office for a term of 3
‘Original manuscripts from years.
Nalanda to be Translated’: ▪ The members are not eligible for appointment
▪ Steps are being taken to translate and publish for more than two terms.
hundreds of original Buddhist manuscripts
from Nalanda and Vikramshila.
▪ The Chairperson has been given the rank of India hopes to put down roots in Arctic:
Union Cabinet Ministers, the Vice Chairperson ▪ India aspires to have a permanent presence
has the rank of a Minister of State and other with more research and satellite ground
Members have the rank of a Secretary to the stations in the Arctic region, suggests a
Government of India. perusal of its Arctic Policy document officially
▪ Current Chairperson: Shri Harsh Chouhan. unveiled last week.
▪ India now has a single station, Himadri,
India, Japan set target for $42 bn
in NyAlesund, Svalbard, a Norwegian
Investment: archipelago, where research personnel are
▪ India and Japan set an investment target of usually present for 180 days.
“five trillion yen” ($42 billion) in the next five
▪ India is in the process of procuring an
years, the leaders announced after a meeting
icebreaker research vessel that can navigate
in New Delhi for the 14th annual summit.
the region.
▪ The two sides also exchanged six agreements
▪ Eight nations — Canada, Denmark, Finland,
on cybersecurity, economic partnerships,
Norway, Iceland, Russia, Sweden and the
wastewater management, urban development,
United States — make up the Arctic Council.
a clean energy partnership and an agreement
on promoting bamboo-based products from ▪ India has had a research base in the region
the northeast region. since 2008 and also has two observatories.
Covishield second dose eight weeks Toll Plazas Within 60 Km of Each Other
after First: on Highways to be Closed in 3 Months:
▪ The National Technical Advisory Group on ▪ Union Minister of Road Transport and
Immunization (NTAGI) has recommended Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that the
that the second dose of Covishield can be government will provide passes to locals
administered from eight to 16 weeks after the having Aadhaar cards who reside near toll
first dose. plazas.
▪ Currently, the second dose is being given 12 to ▪ Additionally, he also said that there will be
16 weeks after the First. only one toll plaza within 60 km and if there’s
a 2nd toll plaza, then it will be shut in the next
Diesel price for bulk users raised by 3 months.
nearly ₹25 a litre:
MSP for raw Jute Increased to Rs 4750
▪ The price of diesel sold to bulk users has been
per Quintal:
hiked by about ₹25 a litre in line with a near
40% rise in international oil prices, but retail ▪ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs,
rates at petrol pumps remain unchanged. chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
approved a proposal to increase Minimum
▪ Price of diesel sold to bulk users has been
Support Price (MSP) for raw jute to Rs 4750
hiked to ₹122.05 a litre in Mumbai from ₹94.14
per quintal for 2022-23 season, which is Rs 250
a litre sold at petrol pumps.
per quintal higher over the previous year.
▪ In Delhi, diesel costs ₹86.67 a litre at the petrol
▪ This would ensure a return of 60.53 per
pump, but for bulk or industrial users, it is
cent over all India weighted average cost of
priced at about ₹115.
production.
▪ PSU oil companies have not raised retail prices
▪ The announced MSP of raw jute for 2022-23
of petrol and diesel since November 4, 2021
season is in line with the principle of fixing
despite a surge in global oil and fuel prices.
the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all
India weighted average cost of production as
announced by the Government in the Budget
2018-19.
▪ The approval is based on recommendations ▪ The MCD was trifurcated in 2012 when the
of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Congress government of Sheila Dikshit
Prices. controlled Delhi. It was done to decentralise
▪ The new MSP price would assure a minimum Governance.
of 50 per cent as a margin of profit.
Union Cabinet approves release of
▪ The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will
those in Jail for Petty Crimes:
continue as Central Government Nodal
▪ The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared
Agency to undertake Price Support
a proposal to release certain category of
Operations and the losses incurred, if any, in
prisoners incarcerated in jails as part of the
such operations, will be fully reimbursed by
‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative of the
the Central Government.
Central Government.
Govt extends applicability of New ▪ Sources aware of the decision said identified
Investment Policy-2012 for HURL's 3 prisoners will be released on this Independence
Fertiliser Plants: Day, the next Republic Day and August 15
▪ The Government approved the extension next year.
of applicability of the 'New Investment ▪ Those convicted of heinous crimes and facing
Policy-2012' for three upcoming units of death sentence will not come in the ambit of
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) the programme, the sources said.
at Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni. ▪ ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is an initiative
▪ The government had announced the New of the Central Government to celebrate and
Investment Policy (NIP) - 2012 in January, commemorate 75 years of Independence.
2013 and its amendment in October, 2014 to ▪ The programme commenced on March 21,
facilitate fresh investment in the urea sector 2021 which started a 75-week countdown to
and to make India self-sufficient. country’s 75th Anniversary of independence
▪ HURL, incorporated in June, 2016, is a joint and will end on August 15, 2023.
venture of Coal India Ltd, NTPC and Indian
Export Policy of Hydrofluorocarbons
Oil Corporation.
revised to Restricted’ Category:
▪ It is reviving the erstwhile Gorakhpur and
Sindri Units of FCIL and Barauni Unit of ▪ Hydrofluorocarbons hydrofluorocarbon
GFCL by setting up new gas based urea plants exports have been banned.
with an installed capacity of 12.7 lakh tonnes ▪ This step has been taken to increase its
per annum each. availability in the domestic market.
▪ The cost of the three HURL urea projects is Rs ▪ This chemical is used for refrigeration
25,120 crore. (Refrigeration) and air-conditioning (Air-
▪ GAIL is supplying natural gas to these three Conditioning) occurs in the region.
units. ▪ Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
said, the export policy for hydrofluorocarbons
Cabinet Approves Merger of Delhi’s has been revised from free to curb category
Three Civic Bodies: with immediate effect.
▪ The Union Cabinet gave its to The Delhi ▪ No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of
Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, Environment, Forest and Climate Change for
2022, which aims to merge the Capital’s three its export (NOC) will need to be taken.
municipal corporations — South, North and
East — ten years after the trifurcation of the
civic body.
Justice, Development now Reaching greywater management, soak pits, and

J&K: treatment of faecal sludge — has not been
▪ Parliament approved a ₹1.42 lakh crore able to meet targets, with the pandemic also
Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and slowing down progress.
Kashmir for 2022-23. 9 New Judges Appointed to 5 High
▪ Ms. Sitharaman, in her speech, asserted that Courts:
after the dilution of Article 370, the people of
▪ The Law Ministry has notified the appointment
J&K have been benefited by implementation
of nine judges to five High Courts (HCs).
of 890 Central laws.
▪ A statement issued by the Department of
▪ “You see justice reaching, democracy
Justice in the Law Ministry said six of the new
reaching, economic development reaching”
judges were advocates while the remaining
the residents of the Union Territory of Jammu
three were judicial officers.
and Kashmir” said Sitharaman.
▪ Two advocates, Nidumolo Mala and
6 States Favour Castes S. Sounthar, have been appointed additional
Re-categorisation: judges of the Madras High Court.
▪ Only six of the 20 States that have responded ▪ The Prseident appoints the judges in exercise
to the recommendation of re-categorisation of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article
of sub-castes have favoured this sub- 224 of the Indian Constitution.
categorisation, the government informed the
Study to Setup National Data Centre in
Rajya Sabha on March 23.
the South:
▪ Minister of State for Social Justice and
Empowerment A. Narayanaswamy said these ▪ Union Home Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar
six States are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, has told the Lok Sabha that the Center is
Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana examining the policy for setting up a national
and Punjab. data center based on consultations with
various IT companies.
Few villages Received Waste ▪ Data centers are an integral part of the overall
Disposal Infrastructure: 'Digital India' infrastructure. Currently there
▪ Only 12% of the villages that were supposed to is an increase in services based on global
get infrastructure for liquid waste management network servers called public cloud, cloud.
this year have achieved their goal under the ▪ Thus the demand for data centers has also
second phase of the Swacch Bharat Mission, increased. Based on this, the National Data
according to the parliamentary standing Center Policy is under study.
committee report on water resources. ▪ We need to make India the premier destination
▪ The implementation of solid waste for global network and data centers.
management infrastructure also lagged ▪ Steps are being taken to make India a global
behind, with only 22% of target villages hub for green data center and cloud services.
covered during 2021-22 until February 7.
▪ There will be a National Data Center Policy
▪ In its first phase, the Swacch Bharat Mission to promote solutions for secure and reliable
aimed to provide a toilet in every rural infrastructure, especially in information
household and claimed to have achieved its technology.
goal in 2019.
▪ A public consultation and consultation
▪ However, the second phase, which involves program on National Data Center Policy was
more complex communityl evel infrastructure held on 25th February in Chennai.
— including facilities for collection and
▪ It was attended by more than 65 corporations
segregation of solid waste, compost pits
and central and state government officials.
and biogas plants for biodegradable waste,
▪ More than 295 people also participated via Report 2022 released.
video and submitted suggestions. ▪ On World Tuberculosis Day on March
▪ The Minister said that the policy of the 24, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
National Data Center is being examined on the reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
basis of the suggestions received. making India tuberculosis–free by 2025 and
said this will be achieved by ensuring access
India Imposes Import ban on 107 to quality healthcare and advanced treatment.
Equipment in push for self-reliance in
Defence: Competition Commission of India:
▪ The defence ministry announced a fresh list ▪ Competition Commission of India (CCI) is
of 107 sub-systems and components that will a statutory body of the Government of India
not be allowed to import under a staggered responsible for enforcing the Competition Act,
timeline of six years beginning December with 2002, it was duly constituted in March 2009.
a primary aim to promote indigenisation. ▪ The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade
▪ The list comprises components required in Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed
the production of helicopters, submarines, and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002, on
warships, tanks, missiles, radars and the recommendations of Raghavan committee.
Communication systems many of which are ▪ The Competition Act was passed in 2002
currently procured from Russia. and has been amended by the Competition
▪ In December last year, the defence ministry (Amendment) Act, 2007.
released a list of 2851 sub-systems and ▪ It follows the philosophy of
components which will come under import modern competition laws.
embargo under a specific timeline. ▪ The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements,
▪ The list released by the Defence Ministry abuse of dominant position by enterprises and
comprised 22 items that will be taken up for regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring
indigenisation by the state-run aerospace of control and M&A), which causes or likely
major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to cause an appreciable adverse effect on
while Bharat Electronics Ltd will indigenise competition within India.
21 sub-systems. ▪ In accordance with the provisions of
▪ The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders will take the Amendment Act, the Competition
up indigenisation of six components and Commission of India and the Competition
subsystems used for construction of ships and Appellate Tribunal have been established.
submarines, Bharat Dynamics Ltd has been ▪ Government replaced Competition Appellate
entrusted with indigenisation of four items for Tribunal (COMPAT) with the National
Astra missiles, while BEML Ltd got 12. Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
▪ Other defence public sector undertakings in 2017.
(DPSU) being involved in the process are Composition of CCI:
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, ▪ The Commission consists of one Chairperson
Goa Shipyard Ltd, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, and six Members as per the Competition
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd and Munitions Act who shall be appointed by the Central
India Limited (MIL). Government.
India to be TB-free by 2025: ▪ The commission is a quasi-judicial body which
gives opinions to statutory authorities and also
▪ A 19% increase was witnessed in 2021 from
deals with other cases. The Chairperson and
the previous year in TB patients’ notifications.
other Members shall be whole-time Members.
▪ The number of incident TB patients (new and
relapse) notified during 2021 was 19,33,381
against the 16,28,161 in 2020, noted India TB
India, WHO sign pact to set up Global ▪ Union Minister of Coal, Mines and
Centre for Traditional Medicine: Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi on March
▪ India, World Health Organisation (WHO) 26 inaugurated the resumption of the mining
has signed a host country agreement for operations at the Tikok opencast project
establishing a global centre for traditional (OCP) of the North Eastern Coalfields (NEC),
medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. a unit of Coal India Limited.
▪ Conveying India’s happiness, Prime Minister ▪ The national park is part of the 937 sq. km
Narendra Modi said, “India is honoured to Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes
be home to a state-of-the-art @WHO Global the Britishera collieries and oil refinery town
Centre for Traditional Medicine. This Centre Digboi.
will contribute towards making a healthier India to Start Building 10 Nuclear
planet and leveraging our rich traditional
Power Plants:
practices for global good."
▪ With the first pour of concrete for a 700 MW
▪ The Ministry of Ayush on March 25 signed
atomic power plant in Karnataka’s Kaiga
the pact. The onsite launch of the new WHO
scheduled in 2023, India is set to put in motion
global centre will take place on April 21, 2022.
construction activities for 10 ’fleet mode’
▪ The global knowledge centre for traditional nuclear reactors over the next three years.
medicine has been supported by an
▪ The first pour of concrete (FPC) signals the
investment of USD 250 million from the
beginning of construction of nuclear power
Indian government with the aim to harness
reactors from the pre-project stage which
the potential of traditional medicine from
includes excavation activities at the project
across the world through modern science and
site.
technology to improve the health of people
and the planet. ▪ The FPC of Kaiga units 5&6 is expected in
2023; FPC of Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut
Tribes oppose Narmada link Praiyonjan units 3 & 4 and Mahi Banswara
Project proposed by the Centre: Rajasthan Atomic Power Projects units 1 to 4 is
▪ More than 5,000 tribal people in Gujarat expected in 2024; and that of Chutka Madhya
gathered in Gandhinagar to oppose the Pradesh Atomic Power Project units 1 & 2 in
proposed Par-Tapi-Narmada River link 2025, officials of the Department of Atomic
project, which the local communities fear Energy (DAE) told the Parliamentary panel on
will displace residents of the region in south science and technology.
Gujarat. ▪ The Centre had approved construction of 10
▪ According to the National Water Development indigenously developed pressurised heavy
Agency, 6,065 hectares will be submerged by water reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW each in
the seven reservoirs proposed to be built in June 2017.
Maharashtra and Gujarat. ▪ The ten PHWRs will be built at a cost of Rs 1.05
lakh crore.
Coal mining Operations Resume in ▪ It was for the first time that the government
Assam Reserve: had approved Building 10 nuclear power
▪ Coal mining operations have resumed in a part reactors in one go with an aim to reduce costs
of eastern Assam’s Dehing Patkai Elephant and speed up construction time.
Reserve almost two years after they were
suspended following reports of illegal mining Congress Demands Imposition of Article
in forestlands and protests over its ecological 355 in West Bengal:
impact. ▪ West Bengal Congress president renewed his
calls to invoke Article 355 in the state given the
violence that broke out in the Birbhum district.
About Article 355: ▪ Mr. Modi said that during the last one year
▪ It deals with Duty of the Union to protect through the government’s GeM portal, the
States against external aggression and internal Government had purchased items worth more
disturbance. than ₹1 lakh crore.
▪ It shall be the duty of the Union to protect ▪ “There was a time when only big companies
every State against external aggression could sell goods to the government. Now even
and internal disturbance and to ensure that the smallest of shopkeepers can sell one’s goods
the Government of every State is carried on to the government on the GeM Portal — this is
in accordance with the provisions of this the New India, in which all of us together will
Constitution. fulfill the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, a
self-reliant India,” he said.
Modi pitches for ‘Local for Global’:
▪ After his ‘vocal for local’ pitch, Prime Minister ‘India, UAE Trade pact likely from May
Narendra Modi, in his 87th edition of the Mann 1’:
ki Baat radio broadcast on March 27, made ▪ The free trade agreement between India and
a call for ‘local for global’ while lauding the the UAE is likely to come into effect from May
quantum jump in exports of Indian products. 1 this year, under which domestic exporters
▪ Praising India for achieving the export target of as many as 6,090 goods from sectors such
of $400 billion, Mr. Modi said that at first as textiles, agriculture, dry fruits, gem and
instance, it might come across as a matter jewellery would get duty-free access to
related to the economy, but more than that, the UAE market, Commerce and Industry
it was related to the capability of India, the Minister Piyush Goyal said.
potential of India. ▪ The Comprehensive Economic Partnership
▪ The supply chain of India is getting stronger Agreement (CEPA) was signed by India and
by the day. The nation takes great strides the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February
when resolutions are bigger than dreams. which aims to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion
▪ Today new products from all corners of the in the next five years from current $60 billion.
country were reaching foreign shores, let they
be leather goods from Hailakandi in Assam ▪ The two countries have agreed to set up
or handloom products from Osmanabad, or a technical council on Investment, Trade
fruits and vegetables from Bijapur. Promotion and Facilitation, as part of the
▪ He attributed the success of “Make in India” agreement signed.
drive to farmers, artisans, weavers, engineers,
Thakur launches skilling project at
small entrepreneurs and MSME sector, among
others, and pitched for making the local
Dubai Expo:
‘global’ and augment the prestige of Indian ▪ Union Minister for Information and
products further. Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on March 27
launched the “Training for Emirates Jobs And
▪ The Prime Minister also spoke about the need
Skills (Tejas)” project at the Dubai Expo.
for yoga and cleanliness and urged children
to take up water conservation issues on a war ▪ The project is expected to create a 10,000 strong
footing. Indian workforce in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) during its initial phase.
▪ He urged the entrepreneurs in Ayush
related startups to propagate their products ▪ It is aimed at skilling, certification and overseas
in languages for audiences in non-English employment of Indians.
speaking foreign countries. ▪ Tejas is aimed at creating pathways to enable
Indian workforce to get equipped for skill and
market requirements in UAE.
Muslim Woman makes History in ▪ The Charter and the BIMSTEC Master Plan for
Odisha: Transport Connectivity is expected to boost
▪ The recently concluded civic body polls was trade among the members.
a turning point for the minority community DA Hiked by 3% for Central Govt. Staff:
in Odisha’s poll history with voters directly
▪ The Union Cabinet on March 30 approved the
electing a woman from the Muslim
release of an additional instalment of dearness
community as chairperson of a urban local
allowance (DA) to Central government
body for the first time.
employees and dearness relief (DR) to
▪ Gulmaki Dalawzi Habib, 31, an independent pensioners, effectively giving an increase
candidate, won the election to the post of of 3% over the existing rate of 31% of basic
chairperson of the Bhadrak Municipality. pay or pension with effect from January 1, to
Paddy Procurement in India: compensate for price rise.
▪ 741.62 In lakh tonnes, the paddy procured by Centre Approves Procurement of 15
the Union government in the ongoing 2021-22 Indigenous light Combat Choppers:
marketing year at the minimum support price
▪ The Centre approved the procurement of 15
(MSP).
indigenous light combat helicopters from the
▪ As of March 27, out of the total procurement Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian
undertaken so far, a maximum of 187.28 Air Force.
lakh tonne of paddy has been procured
▪ The light combat helicopter Limited Series
from Punjab, followed by 92.01 lakh tonne
Production is an indigenously designed,
from Chhattisgarh, 70.22 lakh tonne from
developed and manufactured modern combat
Telangana, 55.30 lakh tonne from Haryana
helicopter.
and 66.53 lakh tonne from Uttar Pradesh.
▪ The production cost incurred is ₹3,887 crore
LokSabha nod to include Two Tribes on along with infrastructure sanctions to the tune
Tripura ST list: of ₹377 crore.
▪ The Lok Sabha on March 28 passed a Bill to ▪ The manufacturing of the LCH by the HAL
include the Darlong community as a subtribe will give a further push to Atmanirbhar Bharat
of the Kuki tribe on the list of Scheduled initiative and boost indigenization of defence
Tribes of Tripura even as Opposition members production and the defence industry in the
called for a more comprehensive law on Country.
including communities on the Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe lists rather than in
a Piecemeal Allocation.
India seeks closer BIMSTEC Partnership:

▪ Addressing the ministerial of the BIMSTEC
(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation), he
urged closer cooperation and connectivity
among the Members.
▪ The BIMSTEC summit scheduled for March
30 has drawn global attention because of
participation from Myanmar which was
isolated internationally following the military
takeover in February 2021.
7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Mobile World Congress 2022: Ukraine war could cut 1% off
▪ The Global System for Mobile Communications Global Growth: OECD
Association has organized the 2022 Mobile ▪ The Ukraine crisis could knock more than a
World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. percentage point off global growth this year
▪ The Global Mobile Economy Report expects and add two and a half percentage points to
5G connections globally to reach 1 billion in inflation, the OECD estimated.
2022 by 5G adoption. ▪ Well-targeted increases in government
▪ An increase in the 5G network connection spending by OECD countries of the order of
will increase the global GDP by 5% up to $5 0.5% of GDP could reduce the war’s economic
Trillion in 2025. impact by about half without significantly
adding to inflation.
World’s First Airlines to Use Solar
About OECD:
Aviation Fuel: ▪ The Organisation for Economic Co-
▪ Swiss International Air Lines AG (SWISS operation and Development (OECD) is an
or Swiss Air Lines) and its parent company, intergovernmental economic organisation
Lufthansa Group have partnered with with 38 member countries.
Switzerland based solar fuels start-up,
▪ It was founded in 1961 to stimulate economic
Synhelion SA (Synhelion) to use its solar
progress and world trade.
aviation fuel.
▪ Headquarters: Paris, France.
▪ Swiss International Airlines will become the
first airline to use solar aviation fuel (“sun-to- Global House Price Index Q4 2021:
liquid” fuel) to help power its flights. ▪ India has improved its rank by five spots to
▪ SWISS will become the first customer of solar be placed at 51st position in the ‘Global House
kerosene in 2023. Price Index Q4 2021’ released by property
consultant Knight Frank.
▪ India was placed at 56th position in Q4 of 2020.
8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
DMK Government Reconstitutes State ▪ Psychological counsellors and medical doctors
Commission of Child Rights will offer guidance on nutrition, physical
▪ After it reconstituted the State Commission fitness and overall development of the
for Women, replacing the panel appointed student’s personality.
by the AIADMK government before the end ▪ A sense of Tamil culture and tradition too will
of its tenure, the DMK government has also be inculcated in the students.
withdrawn the State Commission for the ▪ Training will be offered through both in
Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) appointed person and virtual sessions, and a guidance
by the previous regime. bureau will be created in every school.
▪ Protection of Child Rights Act was enacted on ▪ A separate curriculum will be created and
2005. continuous classes will be offered for students
▪ The usual tenure of the SCPCR is Three years. in Classes IX to XII.
▪ A mentoring system will also be introduced
Start Removing invasive Plant Species with the help of alumni.
immediately, says HC ▪ Depending on the demand, classes on foreign
▪ The Madras High Court on asked the State languages will be offered to students to equip
Government to immediately commence a them in Finding Employment Abroad.
pilot project for the eradication of invasive
▪ “For Tamil Nadu to realize its ambitious target
alien plant species such as eucalyptus, wattle
of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030, the
and prosopis juliflora, and carry out proper
State needed 2 million skilled youth in the
Ecological restoration of natural habitats.
State by 2026”, Mr. Stalin said, adding that
CM Launches Naan Mudhalvan Scheme Naan Mudhalvan was his “dream scheme.”
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Committee for Dravida Kalanchiam
inaugurated the Naan Mudhalvan scheme,
constituted
which aims to equip about 10 lakh youth
across the State annually with skills that will ▪ Tamil Nadu Government has allotted ₹20 lakh
help them realize their talents for the benefit for publishing Sangam literature with simple
of the country. and accessible commentaries and granted
permission for compilation of Dravida
▪ He also launched a new portal for this scheme.
Kalanchiam.
▪ The scheme aims to identify, train and offer
▪ An order issued by Tamil Development and
career and academic guidance to talented
Information Department said the Dravida
students in Government run and State aided
Kalanchiam would cover the works of scholars
educational institutions.
and thinkers of the Dravidian movement and
▪ It also aims at offering spoken English lessons publish them at an affordable price.
to enable students to face interview panels
▪ A committee has been constituted under the
successfully.
chairmanship of Thangam Thennarasu, the
▪ The scheme will offer training capsules Minister for Tamil Official Language and
in coding and robotics to keep pace with Tamil Culture.
Technological Advancements.
▪ The members of the committee include ▪ Another entrepreneurship model is the

M.Rajendran, former Vice-chancellor, Producer Collective (PC). Under this, a large
Tamil University, V. Arasu, former head of number of producers come together for
Tamil Department, Madras University K. aggregation, value addition, marketing and
Thirunavukkarasu, historian of the Dravidian service provisioning for economies of scale,
movement and others. and membership is usually between 300 and
3,000 producers.
Enterprises to Transform Rural Areas
▪ There is also Mahalir Vazhvaadhara Sevai
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has undertaken Maiyam, a one stop small business facilitation
a rural transformation project in partnership cumincubation centre at the block level.
with the World Bank to promote rural
▪ It provides business development support
enterprises in the farm, off farm and non-farm
services to individual and collective
sectors.
enterprises, besides channelizing the Matching
▪ While the World Bank provides 70% of the Grant Programme.
funding, the rest is borne by the State.
▪ Under the Programme, community
▪ The Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation skill schools provide training through
Project (TNRTP) now has an official brand locally available master craftsmen/expert
name, Vazhndhu Kattuvom (We shall practitioners on traditional arts and crafts and
live and show), and looks beyond poverty highly remunerative trades.
alleviation to develop a business ecosystem
▪ The Migrant Support Centre, a collaborative
that nurtures skills and fosters entrepreneurial
effort between TNRTP and Deen Dayal
capabilities among self-help groups (SHGs)
Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, is
and their households.
aimed at providing services to migrants within
▪ The project is operational in 3994 village the State.
panchayats in 120 blocks across 31 districts.
▪ M.K. Stalin’s vision of making Tamil Nadu a NUGGETS OF HISTORY
trillion-dollar economy by 2030 would require
Tamil Nadu in Focus:
expansion of enterprise groups along with a
business-driven ecosystem at various levels. First woman Mayor:
▪ With the completion of the urban local bodies
▪ The project looks at turning women into a
elections, Chennai is set to get a woman Mayor.
critical partner in the growth trajectory. It
focuses on enterprise promotion under various ▪ She will be the third woman Mayor since the
subsets at the individual and collective levels. Corporation was inaugurated in 1688 and
Nathaniel Higginson became its first Mayor.
▪ One subset is the Enterprise Group (EG) —
a group having joint ownership of business ▪ Tara Cherian was the first woman Mayor.
activities, with a shared profit and loss and Kamakshi Jayaraman was the second.
with the aim of reducing production costs, Last Congress CM:
improving quality and increasing revenues. ▪ National parties have been unable to come
Each EG will have 1030 members at the village to power in Tamil Nadu since the DMK
level. dislodged the Congress in 1967.
▪ In the Producer Group (PG) model, producers ▪ M. Bhaktavatsalam was the last Congress
of a particular commodity in a village come Chief Minister. He and former Chief Minister
together for aggregation, productivity K. Kamaraj, also of the Congress, lost in their
enhancement and collective actions to increase constituencies to the DMK candidates in 1967.
income. About 30-150 members are mobilized Women’s Association:
to form a PG. Each PG is provided a startup ▪ The Women’s Indian Association (WIA), one
grant of up to ₹75,000, based on their business of the first organisations formed by women in
plans. the country that was at the forefront of the fight
for women’s rights, was formed in Madras in ▪ Andhra Pradesh has replicated it as
1917, with Annie Besant as its president. Podupulakshmi Indira Kranti Patham, Bihar
▪ Stri Dharma was a magazine brought out by as Jeevika, Odisha as Mission Shakti Targeted
the WIA. Rural Initiatives for Poverty Termination and
Bharat Ratnas from T.N.
Infrastructure. In Kerala, it is Kudumbashree.
▪ All the three recipients of Bharat Ratna in ▪ The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development
1954, the first year the award was instituted, of Women (TNCDW) is a significant player
were from Tamil Nadu. dispherding the movement.
▪ They were C. Rajagopalachari, C.V. Raman ▪ More than the economic dimension is the
and S. Radhakrishnan. impact that the SHGs made on women with
▪ Eight persons from the State have received the regard to enhancing their self-esteem.
award so far. ▪ The movement has proved that women can do
▪ The last to receive it were M.S. Subbulakshmi as much as men.
and C. Subramaniam. SHGs Defined:
First cinema in Chennai:
▪ A group of 12-20 poor women aged 18-60
▪ Electric Theatre, established by Warwick residing in an area is organized into a self-help
Major on Anna Salai in Madras in 1913, was group (SHG).
the first permanent, purpose-built cinema to ▪ To ensure the economic and social
come up in south India. empowerment of women, SHGs are trained
▪ Gaiety Theatre, built by Raghupathi Venkayya in effectively following the “pancha sutras”
in 1914, was the first cinema to be built in the – regular meetings, regular savings regular
city by an Indian. interval lending, regular maintenance of books
of accounts.
The Foot Soldiers in the Fight against ▪ A brief history during the DMK government,
Poverty: headed by M. Karunanidhi, the SHG movement
▪ When the concept of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was launched in 1989 in Dharmapuri district on
was launched 33 years ago in an obscure a pilot basis with the assistance of International
village of the backward Dharmapuri district Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to
with the assistance of International Fund improve the Economic and Social conditions
for Agricultural Development, the idea was of women.
to improve the overall socioeconomic and
political status of women. Present status of SHGs*:
▪ But, over the years, the SHGs have transformed No. of SHGs 7.22 lakhs
into a movement that has not only served as a
link between the conventional banking system Members 1.07 crore
and those who were left out but also emerged
Rural SHGs 4.8
as tools of Poverty Reduction.
▪ The SHGs, apart from being front runners in Members 70.97 lakhs
the Bank Linkage Programme (BLP), constitute Urban SHGs 2.42 lakhs
an important element in the implementation
of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and Members 35.71 lakhs
the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihoods Mission.
Source: State Rural Development and
▪ Today, Tamil Nadu’s ‘Mahilar Thittam’, Panchayat Raj Department’s Policy Note for
and its subsequent variants, is studied by 2021-22
development experts globally.
R. Priya Elected Unopposed to the post existing SRDF was constituted under Section
of Chennai Mayor: 48 (1)(a) of the Act.
▪ R. Priya, 28, was elected unopposed in the ▪ SDMF is expected to support mitigation
indirect election to the post of Chennai Mayor projects that are identified in the State Disaster
on March 4. Management Plan or for implementing
▪ She belongs to the DMK. Greater Chennai mitigation projects that emerge out of a
Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep situation.
Singh Bedi administered the oath of office to ▪ Even before the Disaster Management Act,
Ms. Priya, who is the 49th person to assume 2005 was enacted, the Tamil Nadu government
Mayoral office in the city. in July 2003, constituted the State Disaster
Management Authority with Chief Secretary
₹1,470 Crore Sanctioned for Water as its chairperson to ensure coordinated
Supply Schemes: steps towards mitigation, preparedness and
▪ Nine hundred and eighteen habitations, spread coordinated response.
over five districts, are going to have combined ▪ After the Union Government enacted the
water supply schemes at a cost of about ₹1473 Disaster Management Act, 2005, in December,
crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission. which mandated the Chief Minister of the State
▪ Of them, 667 are in Tiruvarur district; 109 in as the Chairperson of the respective SDMA, it
Tiruchi; 88 habitations and Sembedu village was reconstituted in September 2008.
panchayat in Ranipet; 32 in Mayiladuthurai; ▪ According to the Revenue and Disaster
and 22 in Tirunelveli. Management Department, floods were
▪ The Central Government’s share of the cost will reported in various parts of the State in 1977,
be about ₹581.5 crore; the State Government’s 1985, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010,
₹884.3 crore; and the community contribution 2011 and 2015.
₹7.4 crore. ▪ Cyclones hit parts of the State in 1977, 1991,
▪ The State’s share includes ₹112.57 crore to be 1992, 1993, 2000, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018
paid to the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and and 2020. Tsunami hit coastal districts in 2004.
Drainage (TWAD) Board towards centage. Several incidents of major landslides were
About TWAD: reported in the Nilgiris district.
▪ The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage New Mayors of New Corporation:
Board (TWAD Board) is a statutory body
▪ Sundari elected first Mayor of Cuddalore.
corporate constituted under TWAD Board
Act, 1970 on 14.04.1971. ▪ S K. Vasanthakumari and M. Mahalakshmi
Yuvaraj won the indirect elections to become
▪ TWAD Board is entrusted with the
the first Mayors of the Tambaram and
development of Water Supply and Sewerage
Kancheepuram Corporations respectively.
facilities in the State of Tamil Nadu, except
Chennai Metropolitan Development Areas. ▪ G. Udaya Kumar became the First Mayor of
the Avadi Municipal Corporation.
T.N. Government sets up State
Centenary International Symposium on
Disaster Mitigation Fund:
Mahakavi Bharathiar Memorial at
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has set up the
State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) for Tamil University:
undertaking projects that are exclusively for ▪ To commemorate the centenary of the birth
the purpose of disaster mitigation. of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiar, the
Department of Overseas Tamil Education
▪ This fund is different from the State Disaster
of the University of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur,
Response Fund (SDRF). The SDMF has been
the Department of Tamil at the University
constituted under Section 48 (1) (c) of the
of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and the Vanavil
Disaster Management Act, 2005, while the
Cultural Center will jointly hold a two- The Urban Quest:

day international seminar on "Mahakavi ▪ September 29, 1688, Madras became the first
Bharathiar's Prose Works" on March 30 and 31. city corporation to come into existence in
▪ The statue of Mahakavi Bharathiar will also be India. That day, Nathaniel Higginson took the
unveiled at the seminar to be held at the Tamil oath as the first Mayor of Madras, along with
University. those nominated.
▪ Chennai did not have a Mayor from 1973 to
Two years on, PENN Continues Working
1996, after the post was suspended because of
to Tackle Sexual Violence: a scam, known as the ‘Muster Roll Scandal’.
▪ From teaching them self-defense techniques
to helping them tackle cyber bullying, PENN, Date Number of
a non-Governmental Organisation, has been Corporation
Inaugurated Voters*
reaching out to school and college students in
the fight against sexual violence. Chennai 29 Sep, 1688 61.73 Lakh
Madurai 1 May 1971 13.44 Lakh
T.N. sets up Cyber-Crime
Investigation Centre Coimbatore 1 May 1981 15.65 Lakh
▪ The Cyber Crime Wing of Tamil Nadu Police is Tiruchi 1 April 1994 7.8 Lakh
setting up a first of its kind State Cyber Crime
Investigation Centre at its headquarters, to deal Salem 1 June 1994 7.31 Lakh
exclusively with cases like organized cyber- Tirunelveli 1 June 1994 4.21 lakh
crimes that have international ramifications
and require intra-country investigation, Erode 1 Jan 2008 4.49 lakh
ransomware attacks, cryptocurrency frauds. Tiruppur 1 Jan 2008 7.23 lakh
▪ The Cyber Crime Investigation Centre will
Vellore 1 Aug 2008 4.15 lakh
handle those cases where the complainant and
suspect jurisdictions cannot be defined and Thoothukudi 5 Aug 2008 3.26 Lakh
also cases pertaining to victims belonging to
Dindigul 19 Feb 2014 1.84 Lakh
more than one jurisdiction.
▪ It will also handle social media abuses that Thanjavur 19 Feb 2014 1.99 lakh
target important Constitutional functionaries, Hosur 1 March 2019 2.2 lakh
disturbs the integrity of the State, indulges
in antinational activities, spreads false news Nagercoil 1 March 2019 2.47 lakh
on sensitive issues, posts pictures and videos Avadi 17 June 2019 3.13 lakh
affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India
and disturbs public order. Sivakasi 21 Oct 2021 1.11 Lakh
▪ The centre will handle organized crimes Karur 21 Oct. 2021 1.88 Lakh
committed in the cyber space, which requires
Cuddalore 21 Oct 2021 1.44 Lakh
an international level investigation; organized
crimes of interstate nature, which requires Kanchepuram 21 Oct 2021 2.23 Lakh
regular coordination from other States, and
Tambaram 3 Nov 2021 7.78 Lakh
highly specialized cases like ransomware and
cryptocurrency, where it is difficult to create Kumbakonam 20 Dec 2021 1.29 Lakh
expertise at the station level.
▪ In the last six months, the State has already
set up 47 cyber-crime police stations in all
districts, cities and special units of police.
Approval to begin 11 research centers ▪ The key areas that will be discussed under
at Anna University: research and development and innovation
▪ In Tamil Nadu, the Board of Governors of and digital governance include energy and
Anna University has approved the setting net zero; education; healthcare and assistive
up of new research centers in 11 departments technologies; water; infrastructure and
to give priority to research and to conduct communication; transport and mobility;
research at the Anna University similar to urbanization and housing; rural development
those conducted at Central Government and agriculture; fintech and inclusion; and
Educational Institutions. Information Security and defence.
M. Karunanidhi’s statue and an Eco- G.O. on Reconstituted Welfare board for

Park Inaugurated: Persons with Disabilities put on Hold:
▪ Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin unveiled the ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has temporarily
bronze life-sized statue of ‘Kalaignar’ M. withdrawn its recent order announcing the
Karunanidhi at the party office in Thoothukudi reconstituted welfare board for persons with
in the presence of Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi disabilities.
Karunanidhi. ▪ Minister for Social Welfare and Women Rights
▪ He said he had the opportunity to unveil Geetha Jeevan made the announcement on
the statue of Kalaignar in Chennai, Erode, March 6.
Kancheepuram, Murasoli office in Chennai, ▪ The initial proposal to reconstitute the board,
but he was feeling elated to unveil the statue as outlined in the G.O., lacked representation
here in Thoothukudi as this was the first city of 21 categories of disabilities, as outlined in
where he addressed the party workers after the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act,
the mega victory of the DMK in the Civic Polls. 2016. No representatives were named from
▪ Mr. Stalin also inaugurated an Eco Park set different districts.
up by Ramco Cements on 72 acres of unused ▪ The order had said the board, chaired by
quarry site at Pandalgudi in Virudhunagar the Chief Minister, would have four official
district on March 2 2022. members, including him, one specialist
▪ This park is part of an ambitious plan to plant or expert in the field of disability and six
1 million trees on 800 acres of land by 2027. representatives of NGOs and associations.
▪ In 2007, the DMK government had constituted
Bureaucrats, Academics, Entrepreneurs to the board.
ideate on Research and Innovation:
▪ The “Imagining India @2047 through Stalin Inaugurates India’s Maiden
innovation” being held from March 7 to 9 will Floating power plant in Thoothukudi:
have young academicians from the Indian ▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin on March 7
Institute of Technology Madras and young inaugurated the first and largest floating
entrepreneurs from the institute’s incubation solar power plant in India, which is expected
cell interacting with young bureaucrats. to generate 42 million units of electricity per
▪ The Department of Administrative Reforms annum at a cost of Rs. 150 crores and 40 lakhs.
and Public Grievances along with the IITM ▪ The plant is established on the large
and IITM Research Park is organizing the water reservoir at the factory premises of
event. SPIC (Southern Petrochemical Industries
▪ Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Corporation) firm in Thoothukudi.
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, is
expected to inaugurate the event on
March 8.
▪ The new 25.3 MW DC / 22 MW AC floating ▪ Addressing the Women’s Day celebration by

solar power plant is set up with SPIC’s ESG the Women’s Wing of the DMK, Mr. Stalin said
strategy to enable state-of-the-art green, he had taken a cue from the ‘Samathuvapurams’
sustainable technology and self-sufficient created by the government headed by
energy production. Kalaignar (Karunanidhi).
▪ Floating solar projects provide higher yields ▪ The houses in the Samathuvapuram were
than traditional land-based solar plants, allotted to women heads of family.
improving energy production and saving
precious water from Evaporation. CM Distributes various Awards in
recognition of Services
Every District in T.N. will see Industrial ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented the
Growth: Avvaiyar Award for 2022 to social worker
▪ The ultimate goal of the Tamil Nadu Girija Kumarbabu, in recognition of her service
Government is to ensure growth in all districts, towards the welfare of women and children.
said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Thoothukudi ▪ The Avvaiyar Award includes an eight-gram
on March 7. gold medal, a cheque for ₹1 lakh, a shawl and
▪ Laying the foundation for establishing a World a citation.
Class Furniture Park on a sprawling 1,156 acres ▪ Mr. Stalin also handed over the ‘Bharat
of land at an estimated cost of ₹1000 crore, Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Traditional Rice Variety
situated close to the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Conservator Award’ for 2020-21 to S. Moorthy
Mr. Stalin said he was confident that not only from Namakkal district, K. Ponnu Puthiyavan
Thoothukudi, but every district in Tamil Nadu from Tirunelveli district and P. Lakshmi Devi
would witness industrial Growth. from Tirunelveli district, along with the cash
▪ The furniture park, a first of its kind in the prize.
country, was the need of the hour for the State. ▪ Mr. Stalin handed over awards to those
who could not take part in the Republic Day
Disaster management conclave
celebration this year to collect these.
Launched
▪ V. Muthukrishnan from Sivaganga, S. Logith
▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu
from Tiruchi, K. Asokan from Coimbatore
inaugurated the first Regional Conclave
and C. Sudha alias Pechiammal from
on Disaster Management organized by the
Tiruppur received the Anna Gallantry
National Disaster Management Authority
Award, each comprising a cash prize of
in coordination with the Tamil Nadu State
₹1 lakh, a citation and a medal.
Disaster Management Authority in the city.
▪ While farmer S. Ramasamy from Salem
▪ A total of 10 coastal States and Union Territories
district received the C. Narayanasamy Naidu
are participating in the two-day event, which
paddy intensification Award for obtaining the
will provide a platform for sharing the
highest yield of paddy through the System of
challenges faced by the participants in disaster
Rice Intensification method, which included a
management and learning best practices from
cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a medal, Inspector
each other.
of Police (Intelligence) M. Kumar from
‘TNUHDB to Allot Houses in the Name Vellore Zone, and Sub Inspector of Police
of Women Heads of Family’ S. Chidambaram, attached to Musiri Police
Station, received the Gandhi Adigal Police
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the allotment
Medals, each of which includes a cheque for
of houses by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat
₹40,000.
Development Board (formerly the Slum
Clearance Board) will henceforth be made in
the name of women heads of family.
Initiative launched to revamp school social inclusion; upgrade infrastructure and

management panels: facilitate industrial development; provide
▪ The School Education Department launched skill development and entrepreneurship
the ‘Nam Palli Nam Perumai’ (Our School, development; facilitate institutional credit;
Our Pride) initiative on March 8. protect heritage and culture; achieve ecological
balance and enhance data governance.
▪ It is aimed at restructuring school management
committees in government schools. ▪ The role of the selected Fellows will be to
identify and monitor issues, and aid data-
▪ The revamped committee will aim to
driven decision making in the assigned
understand and assess the needs of a school,
programmes to address the gaps and optimise
ensure community participation and chalk out
the service delivery.
steps to be taken to ensure quality education is
accessible to students. ▪ They have to undertake visits to districts to
assess ground situation, elicit feedbacks and
▪ The committee will have 20 members, and
assist in appropriate follow up actions.
a parent will head it. Fifty per cent of the
committee should be women, and a parent of ▪ They will get a monthly remuneration of
a child with special needs should be part of the ₹50,000 each and an additional allowance of
committee as an office-bearer. ₹10,000 each to meet their incidental Expenses.
▪ Increasing enrolment, ensuring that students ▪ Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM)
continue attending school, creating a in Tiruchi, which is functioning as a not-for-
conducive environment for learning and profit society, registered under the Societies
improving infrastructure are among the areas Registration Act, has been proposed to be the
that the committees will focus on and collect academic partner for the Fellowships.
information about. ▪ The selection process would have three stages–
preliminary assessment (internet-based test),
T.N. Budget on March 18: comprehensive examination (written test) and
▪ The Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan a personal interview.
will present an e-Budget for 2022-23 on March
18, Assembly Speaker M. Appavu said. Conference with Collectors, Police and
Forest Officials:
State rolls out CM’s Fellowship ▪ The three-day conference with Collectors and
Programme: officials of the Departments of Police and
▪ The State Government has issued orders for Forest begins in Chennai (March 10 to March
implementing the Chief Minister’s Fellowship 12). Forest Department officials will take part
Programme (TNCMFP) during 2022-24 at an at the conference for the first time.
estimated cost of ₹5.66 crore.
▪ While 24 persons would get the fellowship
Tambaram to get five ration shops with
for researching in 12 identified thematic areas MLACDS funds
(two fellows for each area) for synergies in ▪ Five ration shops will come up in
implementation, monitoring and evaluation Tambaram Corporation limits under the
by grouping the various departments MLA Constituency Development Scheme
and schemes, another six would be in the (MLACDS) of S.R. Raja.
Monitoring Cell of the Special Programme ▪ The shops would be constructed at a cost of
Implementation Department. ₹53.30 lakh.
▪ Twelve areas identified for research are– ▪ About MLACDS:
augment water resources; increase agricultural ▪ The MLACDS is being implemented in Tamil
production and create marketing linkages; Nadu in order to identify and execute the
provide housing for all; improve educational essential infrastructure works in the assembly
standards; boost health indicators; achieve constituencies.
▪ The MLAs identify infrastructure gaps in the ▪ Forty-two Dalit-run Tamil magazines that
constituencies and propose the works to be came out between 1869 to 1943 have been
executed under the scheme. documented.
▪ The scheme is being implemented both rural
First Padma Shri Awardee:
and urban areas.
▪ Mary Club Wala Jadhav, a pioneer in social
▪ From 2011 – 12 onwards, the fund allocation
work, was the first from Tamil Nadu to receive
per constituency under the scheme had been
the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian
increased from Rs. 1.75 Crore to Rs.2.00 crore.
award, in 1955.
NUGGETS OF HISTORY: ▪ She has the distinction of being honored with
Tamil Nadu in Focus Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan as
well in 1965 and 1978.
Record Majority:
▪ The DMK holds the record for the highest Tamil Nadu needs a ‘tech’tonic shift:
number of seats won by a party in the Tamil ▪ What is the ‘tech’tonic shift needed for Tamil
Nadu Assembly elections. Nadu to reclaim that momentum?
▪ In 1971, it won 184 of the 203 seats it ▪ Here’s what the State can do to accelerate high
contested. This was the first election faced value growth along with social inclusion.
by M. Karunanidhi after he became the Chief ▪ First, the State should attract companies
Minister in 1969 following the death of C.N. investing big in digital technologies such as
Annadurai. cloud, data and analytics, artificial intelligence
and IoT, as well as deep technologies such as
A Peek into History: quantum computing, photonics and advanced
▪ Madura Vijayam, a collection of Sanskrit material science.
poems, written by Ganga Devi in the 14th
▪ Second, the State should draw global capability
century, gives a valuable account of the
centres (GCCs) of multinational companies.
conquest of Madurai by the Vijayanagara
Empire, which brought the Madurai Sultanate ▪ Today, India has over 1,400 GCCs employing
to an end. more than a million people. Despite being
home to the GCCs of large players such as
▪ The Text was discovered in the early 20th
Wal-Mart, Astra Zeneca, Fidelity, TransUnion,
century in Thiruvananthapuram.
Wells Fargo, Shell and BNP Paribas, Tamil
Treaty to cede Madras: Nadu enjoys only a single digit share of the
▪ The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, signed to end overall opportunity.
the War of Austrian Succession between ▪ Third, the State, among India’s most urbanized,
European powers in the 18th century, had should incentivize expansion across its large
ramifications for Madras. number of tier2 cities.
▪ Through this treaty, the French gave Madras ▪ The COVID19 pandemic has mainstreamed
back to the British in 1749 in return for a colony work-from-anywhere models, turning the
in North America. spotlight on tier2 and tier3 cities.
▪ The French had taken over Madras in 1746. ▪ Some of the largest IT services players such as
Accenture, Tech Mahindra, Mindtree and L&T
First Dalit-run Magazine: Infotech have entered Coimbatore in the last
▪ Sooriyodayam, a magazine started by few months alone, joining companies such as
Thiruvenkitasamy Pandithar in 1869, is the HCL, Omega Healthcare and Zoho, who have
first Tamil magazine run by a Dalit. a presence in Madurai, Tiruchi and Tenkasi as
▪ While no copies have survived, colonial well.
records show it was published from Pudupet ▪ Fourth, the State should galvanise the startup
in Madras. and innovation ecosystem. With private equity,
venture capital and angel investors looking of Gandhi, who came to Kanniyakumari and
to invest in techfocused newage companies, lived in Vazhavilai.
Tamil Nadu has a golden opportunity to ▪ Local people knew him as Konti swami
extend its head start in SaaS (Zoho, Freshworks because he wore a vaishna vite mark on his
and Chargebee) and FinTech (CredAvenue, forehead.
Credit Mantri, and KaleidoFin) to ManuTech, ▪ He was among the 100 Brahmins, who heeded
HealthTech and deep tech. Gandhi’s call and lived in Dalit villages. He
▪ Finally, the State should market itself better started a night school for Dalits and inculcated
both within India and globally. Humility may nationalistic fervor in people through
well be a virtue, but marketing is not a vice! education.
A Platform that helps raise Capital About Poona Pact:
▪ Tamil Nadu may be home to thousands of ▪ The Poona Pact was an agreement between
small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar
when it comes to raising funds through bank on behalf of depressed classes and upper
loans, firms continue to face a challenge. caste Hindu leaders on the reservation of
electoral seats for the depressed classes in the
▪ To address this, the Tamil Nadu government
legislature of British India in 1932. It was made
is looking at pushing such firms to raise
on 24 September 1932 at Yerwada Central Jail
funds through listing their shares on the SME
in Poona, India.
platform of the BSE (formerly Bombay Stock
Exchange) and the National Stock Exchange ▪ It was signed by Ambedkar on behalf of the
(NSE). depressed classes and by Madan Mohan
Malviya on behalf of Hindus and Gandhi.
▪ This platform, available on the BSE since
March 2012, is seen as an alternative to raising ▪ The pact was signed to end the fast that
bank loans, which poses many hurdles. Gandhi was undertaking in jail as a protest
against the decision made by British prime
▪ The government has been providing assistance
minister Ramsay MacDonald to give separate
for listing and raising money in SME stock
electorates to depressed classes for the election
exchanges with a maximum subsidy of ₹30
of members of provincial legislative assemblies
lakh towards total expenditure incurred on
in British India.
SME initial public offering. In the current year,
₹1 crore has been allocated for the scheme. The Architects from Tamil Nadu who led
▪ NSE SME platform ‘Emerge’, too, has criteria the Turnaround:
such as companies should have a positive net ▪ The late 1950s and early 1960s marked the
worth and an operating profit for at least any period when agriculture scientists, just as
two out of the three financial years. policymakers, were seriously engaged in
▪ Chennai based Thejo Engineering Ltd. was efforts to develop high yielding crop varieties.
the first company to raise capital of ₹19 crore The reason was not far to seek.
through the Emerge platform in 2012. ▪ India had been meeting the bulk of its grain
requirements through imports, especially
A Messenger from Gandhi:
from the U.S. under the Public Law (PL)480
▪ There stands an old building housing a temple agreements since 1954.
at Vazhavilai near the Padmanabhapuram
▪ M.S. Swaminathan, also from Tamil Nadu,
palace in Kanniyakumari district.
who had a postgraduate degree in cytogenetics
▪ It stands testimony to Mahatma Gandhi’s call and Ph.D. from Cambridge, joined the Indian
to caste Hindus to work among Dalits in every Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New
village after the Poona Pact in 1932. Delhi, as assistant cytogeneticist in October
▪ The building once housed a night school started 1954. In 1959, he approached American
by Babu Ramanuja Das, one of the followers agriculture scientist plant pathologist Norman
Borlaug to get some of his semidwarf wheat ▪ Dr. Swaminathan occupied other positions,
breeding material. including the Director-general of the Indian
▪ In March 1963, Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Nobel Prize for Peace for his role in combating ▪ Though CS ceased to be the Food and
world hunger, visited different parts of north Agriculture Minister after his defeat in the
India, along with Dr. Swaminathan, before 1967 Lok Sabha election, the seeds sown
supplying the suitable material. by him and his team helped India achieve a
▪ After successful trials of the material, Dr. quantum jump in wheat production by 1968.
Swaminathan and other scientists were ▪ He was honored with Bharat Ratna, the
convinced that the country could achieve a country’s highest civilian award, in 1998.
breakthrough in wheat production. ▪ The country, which had approached the U.S.
▪ It was at this juncture that CS teamed up literally with a “begging bowl” in the 1960s,
with Dr. Swaminathan and both went on to unilaterally declared the termination of the
have an admirable policymaker technocrat PL480 arrangements on December 31, 1971, on
relationship. the ground that it had become self-sufficient in
▪ There was one more Tamilian who joined the grain production.
duo — B. Sivaraman, who, as the Agriculture ▪ During 2021-22, it produced a record 127.93
Secretary, provided critical support to all the million tonnes of rice and 111.32 million tonnes
new initiatives. of wheat during 2021-22, according to the data
▪ Citing the tight situation in foreign exchange released last month by the Union Ministry of
reserves, the then Finance Minister, T.T. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Krishnamachari, had opposed importing ▪ There are areas in agricultural production
tonnes of high yielding varieties of grain. where the country is still lagging. For example,
▪ A section of scientists even contended that the pulses and edible oil continue to be imported.
introduction of the Mexican seeds might bring A vibrant collaboration for positive outcomes
in new diseases. is the need of the hour.
▪ But, in due course, all hurdles were overcome. ▪ The country is only to follow the model shown
Of course, the CS Swaminathan team received by CS and Dr. Swaminathan, and improve
enormous support from Shastri initially and upon it.
his successor Indira Gandhi.
Organic Farming & Product Export in
▪ The diplomatic skills of CS also helped when
Tamil Nadu:
he had tough negotiations with representatives
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has announced
of the U.S., including the then President,
that prizes will be given to farmers who excel
Lyndon B. Johnson, during the back-to-back
in organic farming and product exports.
drought in the mid-1960s that led to the “ship-
to-mouth” situation in the availability of food ▪ In this regard, the Secretary of the Department
grains. of Agriculture, C Samaya Moorthy said, A
prize of Rs 2 lakh is to be given to farmers
▪ Dr. Swaminathan’s stint, as the director of the
who discover agricultural technologies and
IARI, which commenced in July 1966, saw
equipment’s. Similarly, a total of Rs. 2 lakhs
the growth of the institute in a huge way,
will be given to farmers who excel in organic
contributing to the enhanced agricultural
farming and agricultural exports.
production.
▪ The farmer who wants to participate in this
▪ The institute went on to have 23 divisions
competition must first register his name
against the original strength of six.
through the Uzhavan Mobile application.
▪ Directorates dealing with wheat, pulses,
▪ Farmers who cultivate in leasing land can also
nuclear research in agriculture, and water
participate in this competition.
technology came up.
Shields to Best Performing Districts in ▪ The president of the Association of Indian

various sections: Universities (AIU), G. Thiruvasagam,
▪ The Conference of District Collectors and spoke on the theme: ‘Realising Sustainable
Superintendents of Police began in Chennai Development Goals through higher education
on March 10. institutions for ensuring inclusive and quality
education’.
▪ The Chief Minister presented shields on
the first day of the conference to the police ▪ AIU secretary-general Pankaj Mittal said India
personnel who have excelled under various ranked 120th in the Sustainable Development
sections in the districts. Goals and had only eight years to reach the
target.
They are:
9 Namakkal for raising awareness on India’s First Furniture Park:
cybercrimes. ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the
9 Thoothukudi district for special anti-drug foundation stone for India’s first international
operation. furniture park at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.
9 Madurai for taking special action against ▪ The park seeks to create a better ecosystem
those involved in crime. to meet 70-80 percent of the raw material
9 Vellore District for fitting a greater number demand.
of surveillance cameras.
Prioritise inclusive Growth, CM tells
9 Coimbatore district for handling the office
Collectors:
management online.
▪ During his concluding remarks on the
A Workshop for Journalists on second day of the three day conference of
Tuberculosis Eradication: Collectors and senior officials, Mr. Stalin
▪ Tamil Nadu Tuberculosis Prevention said, “You should prioritise the requirements
Programme Additional Director Dr Asha of the marginalised sections, minorities, the
Frederick has said awareness about TB needs Scheduled Castes and Tribes and differently
to be created at school and college level abled persons.”
and the TB Prevention Programme is being ▪ Citing a study, the Chief Minister said
implemented with the aim of creating a deficiency of nutrients among children in
Tuberculosis-free India by 2025. Dharmapuri district was 36% and advised
▪ She said testing centres were being set up to officials to focus on the implementation of
diagnose tuberculosis. She also said everyone the Integrated Child Development Services
should be aware of tuberculosis like corona (ICDS). “Though Tamil Nadu stood second
and that our goal is to create a Tuberculosis- in the economy, I regret to say that the State
free India by 2025. stands 19th [in nutrition among children]. It is
our duty to set it right,” he said.
▪ Consultant, Tuberculosis Prevention Unit,
World Health Organisation, Dr Prabhu ▪ Mr. Stalin referred to Anaithu Grama Anna
Ravanan said 37 per lakh people in India die Marumalarchi Thittam and Kalaignarin
of tuberculosis. Anaithu Grama Orunginaintha Velan Valarchi
Thittam, and said these schemes could benefit
▪ He also said mobile testing centers were being
lakhs of people and urged the Collectors to
set up at village level to diagnose tuberculosis
focus on implementing them, coordinating
and the number is set to increase.
with multiple departments.
▪ He said the Government was providing
financial assistance to TB patients through
direct Bank Transfers.
South Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Meet in

Coimbatore:
International Seminar in Chennai: India.

Organized by the Department of ▪ The country has been witnessing a progressive
Archeology reduction in MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122
▪ The Department of Archeology, Government in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-18, and to 103 in 2017-
of Tamil Nadu and the Roja Muthiah Research 19.
Library launched an international seminar ▪ India is on the verge of achieving National
on 'Ancient Tamil Culture and Tradition' Health Policy (NHP) target of 100/lakh live
in memory of the late sculptor Iravatham births by 2020 and certainly on track to achieve
Mahadevan at the Anna Centenary Library in the SDG target of 70/ lakh live births by 2030.
Chennai. ▪ The number of states which have achieved the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target
CM opens all-India builders’ has now risen from 5 to 7 viz. Kerala (30),
Convention Maharashtra (38), Telangana (56), Tamil Nadu
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 12 (58), Andhra Pradesh (58), Jharkhand (61), and
inaugurated the 30th All India Builders’ Gujarat (70).
Convention. ▪ There are now nine (9) States that have
▪ The Builders’ Association of India handed over achieved the target of MMR set by the NHP
a copy of the resolution adopted in its meeting which include the above 7 and the States of
to the Chief Minister for implementation of Karnataka (83) and Haryana (96).
Construction Labourers Welfare Insurance ▪ Encouraging achievement has been reported
Scheme. by Uttar Pradesh [which has shown the
Airport gets IPbased Navigation maximum decline of 30 points.
Services System ▪ Remarkably, three states (Kerala, Maharashtra
▪ The IPbased Automatic Message Switching and Uttar Pradesh) have shown more than
System (AMSS) has been commissioned at 15% decline in MMR.
Chennai airport. What is MMR?
▪ Nearly 120 hours before the departure of an ▪ The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is defined
international flight, a flight plan is prepared, as the number of maternal deaths during
sent to the origin, destination and airports a given time period per 100,000 live births
enroute. during the same time period.
▪ From aeronautical to meteorological ▪ India's MMR - 99 for 2020.
information, several crucial operational Walkathon organized in City ahead of
messages are shared among several
World Sleep Day
departments to transport a passenger safely.
This new software does all of this seamlessly. ▪ A walkathon to create awareness on the
importance of proper sleep was organized
▪ AMSS is available at other major airports jointly by the Dr. V.S. Natarajan Geriatric
in the country, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Foundation, the Indian Medical Association
Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru.” (Ayanavaram–Villivakkam Chapter) and
MGM Hospital.
▪ The Event was organised a head of World
India on verge of achieving SDG target Sleep Day, which, according to the World
of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of Sleep Society, Falls on March 18 this year.
70/ lakh live births by 2030
▪ In a significant achievement, Maternal
Over 60 Innovative Tech Projects
Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined featured at IIT Madras CFI open house:
by 10 points as per the Special Bulletin on ▪ IIT Madras Centre for Innovation (CFI)'s
MMR released by the Registrar General of annual Open House' 2022 on March 13
featured over 60 innovative tech projects made ▪ The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational
by the students. Services Corporation and the Hyderabad Book
▪ The event returned to a physical mode after a Trust jointly published these books under the
gap of two years and showcased autonomous Thisaithorum Dravidam Project.
vehicles, rockets besides the first-ever electric
Awards to Tamil Scholars and
formula car from the institute made completely
by the Student Team 'Raftar.' Tamil Organizations:
▪ MK Stalin will present various awards of
▪ Some of the new initiatives at CFI include:
the Government of Tamil Nadu to scholars
creating the chennaiwaterlogging.org,
and organizations who have worked for
a platform enabling public participation
the development of Tamil in Chennai on
in Chennai region to improve disaster
March 15.
preparedness.
▪ MK Stalin will address the function and
2022-23 will be declared 'Year of will present awards to Tamil scholars and
Millets': Tamil organizations who are proud to have
▪ The upcoming year will be declared the 'Year volunteered for the development of the Tamil
of Millets', said Agriculture and Farmers language and literature and the life of the
Welfare Minister MRK Panneerselvam in Tamil community.
Thanjavur on March 13. ▪ A total of 21 awards including the awards
▪ Talking to mediapersons after chairing a in the names of Thiruvalluvar, Kamarajar,
pre-agriculture budget meeting with farmers Ambedkar, Bharathiyar, Bharathidasan, K.A.P
of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Viswanatham, Kambar, G.U. Pope, Anna,
Mayiladuthurai, and Ariyalur districts the Periyar, Umaru Pulavar, Illango Adigal,
minister said to reduce dependence on other Devaneya Pavanar, Singaravelar, Maraimalai
States for millets and pulses, the cultivation of Adigal, Vallalar, Iyotheethasa Pandithar
the same would be promoted. and Mudhalvar Kanini Tamil award, C P
Adithanar monthly magazine award, and
India’s First Ambulance for Street Tamil Thaai award will be presented.
Animals Launched:
Project in VOC port under Gati Shakti:
▪ India’s first ambulance for street animals has
been launched in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. ▪ VO Chidambaranar Port Authority Chairman
TV Ramachandran said the Union government
▪ It has been started by the Blue Cross of India
has proposed to implement the outer harbour
in collaboration with the international animal
development project at the port under the Gati
welfare organization “Four Paw”.
Shakti scheme, at a total estimated cost of Rs
Cognizant to create technical 7,500 crore.
Infrastructure in Govt. Schools ▪ The Gati Shakti plan also envisages a
▪ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was centralised portal comprising all existing and
signed between the Tamil Nadu government’s planned infrastructure initiatives of 16 Union
School Education Department and Cognizant ministries and departments, so as to provide
towards creating technical infrastructure in every department a visibility of each other's
government schools, resources to simplify activities and to share critical data while
technical education and train teachers. planning and executing projects.
▪ Mr. Stalin also released the Telugu translation ▪ The outer harbour development project for
of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s VOC port was first announced in the Union
Thirukkural Urai by Professor Jayaprakash Budget 2013.
and the Telugu translation of novelist Sundara
Ramaswamy’s Oru Puliyamarathin Kathai by
Gowri Kirubanandan.
About Gati Shakti scheme or 9 Kumari Ananthan - Perunthalaivar

National Master Plan for Kamarajar Award.
multi-modal connectivity plan: 9 Bharathi Krishnakumar -
▪ Aim: To ensure integrated planning and Mahakavi Bharathiar Award.
implementation of infrastructure projects in 9 Senthalai N. Gowthaman - Paventhar
the next four years, with focus on expediting Bharathidasan Award.
works on the ground, saving costs and creating 9 M. Rajendran - Muthamizh Kaavalar
jobs. K.A.P. Viswanatham Award.
▪ The Gati Shakti scheme will subsume the Rs 9 Bharathi Bhaskar - Kambar Award.
110 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline 9 Surya Xavier - Sollin Selvar Award.
that was launched in 2019.
9 Senior journalist and the former
▪ Besides cutting logistics costs, the scheme Readers’ Editor of The Hindu, A.S.
is also aimed at increasing cargo handling Panneerselvan - G.U. Pope Award.
capacity and reducing the turnaround time at
9 N. Mamad - Umaruppulavar Award.
ports to boost trade.
9 Nellai Kannan - Ilango Adigal Award.
▪ It also aims to have 11 industrial corridors
and two new defence corridors - one in Tamil 9 K. Arasendhiran - Devaneya
Nadu and other in Uttar Pradesh. Extending Paavanar Award.
4G connectivity to all villages is another aim. 9 Madhukkur Ramalingam -
Adding 17,000 kms to the gas pipeline network Singaravelar Award.
is being planned. 9 Sugi. Sivam - Maraimalai Adigalar Award.
▪ It will help in fulfilling the ambitious targets 9 R. Sanjeevirayar - Arutperunjothi
set by the government for 2024-25, including Vallalar Award and
expanding the length of the national highway 9 Gnana. Aloysius - Iyothee
network to 2 lakh kms, creation of more Das Pandithar Award.
than 200 new airports, heliports and water
9 S.P. Adithanar Award on Uyirmai, a
Aerodromes.
magazine. Its editor S. Abdul Hameed,
Book Park to be set up soon: CM alias Manushya Puthiran, received it.
▪ A book park (‘Puthaga Poonga’) will be 9 The Tamil Thai Award was conferred
established in Tamil Nadu in consultation with on Malaysia Tamil Ezhuthalar
the Book Sellers and Publishers Association of Sangam. Its officebearers P. Rajendran,
South India (BAPASI), and it could be a one Simon Gnanamuthu and Muniyandi
stop solution for booklovers, Chief Minister Maruthan received the award.
M.K. Stalin said.
TANGEDCO enters into
▪ The Thiruvalluvar Award for 2022 was
Agreements for Procuring 2,900 MW of
conferred on late scholar M. Meenakshi
Sundaram, and it was received by his wife Power:
Vasantha. ▪ The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution
Corporation (Tangedco) Limited has entered
▪ The Chief Minister Kanini Thamizh Award
into agreements with three firms for procuring
was conferred on V. Dhanalakshmi.
2,900 MW of power.
Awards for 2021:
▪ The agreement with NLC India Limited was
9 Historian K. Thirunavukkarasu
for procuring 1,500 MW, the agreements with
- Thanthai Periyar Award.
Solar Energy Corporation of India and M/s
9 The retired Madras High Court judge, K. Power Trading Corporation of India Limited
Chandru, - Annal Ambedkar Award. were for procuring 1,000 MW and 400 MW
9 Nanjil Sampath - Perarignar Anna Award. respectively.
Govt. formulates Tamil Nadu Data ▪ The committee, led by retired IAS officer N.
Policy, 2022: Sunderadevan, was constituted in July last
▪ Aiming at harnessing data for effective year to look into the challenges faced by the
decision making, the State government has sector and suggest immediate, medium term
formulated the Tamil Nadu Data Policy, 2022. and long-term measures.
▪ It is expected to support policymaking, ▪ Mr. Stalin also released “The Molluscs of
improve implementation of schemes, Gulf of Mannar, India and Adjacent Waters:
encourage value-added services and improve A Fully Illustrated Guide”, which documents
the quality of services. over 1,000 species found in this geographical
location.
▪ A State-level empowered data governance
committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, Paddy Procurement Records a Marginal
would provide strategic guidance for Rise:
the data policy framework, while a data
▪ The State has witnessed a marginal rise in
interdepartmental committee, headed by
the procurement of paddy this year when
the Chief Executive Officer of Tamil Nadu
compared to last year.
e-Governance Agency (TNeGA), would make
the operational level decisions. The CEO of ▪ Till now (March 14), about 25.07 lakh tonnes
the TNeGA would be the State’s Chief Data have been procured during the current Kharif
Officer. Marketing Season (KMS), which commenced
on October 1, 2021.
▪ The policy would apply to all data and
information created, generated, collected ▪ During the corresponding period of the
and archived using public funds of the previous KMS, the quantity procured was
government of Tamil Nadu directly or through about 23.86 lakh tonnes.
authorised agencies by various departments/ ▪ As in the past, the Delta region, comprising
organizations and autonomous bodies. the districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur,
▪ It will also apply to data that are recurring and Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruchi,
generated owing to automation, and to legacy Karur, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, Perambalur
data in non-machine-readable form. and Ariyalur, accounted for a majority of the
procured quantity. Its share of the overall
MoU signed for developing Credit figure was 81% .
Guarantee Scheme Portal: Procurement – then and now
▪ The Tamil Nadu government’s Department
of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises This Year’s
signed an agreement with the Credit Procurement* Last Year
Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Region (in tonnes) Procurement
Enterprises (CGTMSE) for developing a portal Procurement* (in tonnes)
for implementing the Tamil Nadu Credit (in tonnes)
Guarantee Scheme (TNCGS). Delta 20,36,927 18,70,169
▪ TNCGS is expected to benefit micro, small and
Non –
medium companies. 4,12,470 4,20,972
Delta
▪ The Government has earmarked ₹100 crore
for this Scheme. Others 57,766 95,298
▪ An electronic platform will be developed for Total 25,07,163 23,86,439
its rollout in the next six months.
*As on March 14, as per Procurement done by the
▪ Meanwhile, a committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.
Government for suggesting measures to
revive micro, small and medium enterprises
submitted its report to Mr. Stalin.
Jurisprudence since the Second Century ▪ Though there was no excess rainfall (as defined
in Tamil Nadu: by the Meteorological Department) during
▪ Supreme Court Judge V. Ramasubramanian the southwest monsoon, the State had 39 cm
spoke on the topic "Law and Justice in against the normal of about 34 cm.
Silappathikaram" ▪ Totally, the State received about 138 cm of
▪ Silappathikaram is the story of a woman rainfall during 2021 as against the average of
(Kannaki)'s struggle against injustice. 94 cm.
Everyone thinks that silappathikaram is Nuggets of History - Tamil Nadu in
related to one case.
Focus:
▪ But it involved three cases.
9 One is the theft case against Kovalan; Net State Domestic Product of TN:
9 The other is the case against the Pandya ▪ ₹2,25,106 is the per capita Net State Domestic
king by Kannaki; Product of Tamil Nadu (at current prices),
according to the Economic Survey for the year
9 The third case is the case of appealing to
2021-2022.
Kannaki by the deity Madurapathi not
to destroy Madurai saying that this has Village Panchayats in TN:
happened due to prenatal corruption. ▪ 12,525 village panchayats are there in Tamil
▪ Silapathikaram was written as a law book in Nadu, according to the Union Ministry of
2nd Century A.D. Panchayati Raj. The State has the eighth
▪ Silappathikaram is a book that shows that highest number of village panchayats.
there is an excellent and wonderful judiciary
in Tamil Nadu that we can never imagine. Pioneering Novelist:
▪ Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki Ammal, born in
▪ Criminal law is more commonly spoken of in
1901, was a pioneering woman novelist from
ancient literature than patent law.
Tamil Nadu, who wrote more than 100 novels
T.N.’s paddy coverage hits a between 1924 and 1950.
15 Year High: ▪ Some of her novels were made into movies.
▪ Tamil Nadu has achieved a record coverage of ▪ She edited Jaganmohini, a monthly magazine,
paddy this financial year (2021-22) as the total for more than three decades.
area stands at 21.65 lakh hectares.
First Woman in Cabinet:
▪ This marks the highest coverage of paddy in
the last 15 years. The previous high was 20 ▪ Maragatham Chandrasekhar, a prominent
lakh hectares in 2015-16. Then, rice production Congress leader from Tamil Nadu, was the first
was about 74 lakh tonnes. woman from the State since Independence to
be part of the Union government.
▪ Compared with the previous year (2020-21),
paddy has been raised on nearly two lakh ▪ She was appointed Deputy Minister in the
more hectares this year. Health and Family Welfare Department in
1952.
▪ The Cauvery delta’s share is around 7.4
lakh hectares and the non-delta 14.223 lakh Taking Tirukkural abroad:
hectares. ▪ Constantine Joseph Beschi, the Italy-born
▪ One of the main reasons for improved Jesuit priest, known by his Tamil name
performance was that both southwest ( June- Veeramamunivar, was the first person
September) and northeast monsoons were to translate Tirukkural into a European
favourable to the State. language.
▪ He translated Arathupal and Porutpal of
Tirukkural into Latin in the early 18th Century.
The Great Indian Survey: ▪ In 1971, it submitted its report suggesting

▪ The Great Trigonometrical Survey, carried out the three cadre systems — Tamil Nadu State
in the 19th Century to survey the subcontinent Police Service, Police executive service and
in full, began in Madras. police constabulary service.
▪ Lieutenant-Colonel William Lambton began ▪ It recommended that the basic pay scales
the work on April 10, 1802. and dearness allowance be fixed for different
▪ A nearly eight-mile-long plain near St. Thomas categories on the principles of common
Mount was measured as a baseline. applicability to all public services and
separately compensated in the form of
Example of Cooperative promotions.
Federalism: ▪ Among its other recommendations were
▪ The Krishna water supply scheme, which sanctioning of a provident fund scheme for
has been catering to Chennai’s drinking the police force and the target of 80% housing.
water requirements for over 25 years, may be ▪ The Commission also recommended that
regarded as unique in the country. lockups at police stations be re-modelled
▪ A few days before the launch of the scheme in with better ventilation and sanitation.
September 1996, Duraimurugan, now Water
Resources Minister and then handling a bigger ▪ The next commission, headed by the former
portfolio of Public Works, emphasised that Chief Secretary, P. Sabanayagam and
“for the first time in the country”, a scheme, including the former DGP, K.R. Shenai, and
envisaging inter-State and inter-basin water four other members, was set up in May 1989
transfer exclusively for the drinking water by the Karunanidhi government to suggest
requirements of a city, had been executed. measures to improve the police department,
▪ On September 29, 1996, at an event at given its increasing demand and growth.
Tamaraipakkam, a little known village on ▪ It made a thorough study of the modules of
the border between Andhra Pradesh and other States and countries and presented its
Tamil Nadu, a manually operated shutter was report in August 1990.
lifted to let the water into Tamil Nadu in the ▪ It recommended measures to improve the
presence of the then Chief Ministers of the two quality of subordinate ranks by creating more
States, M. Karunanidhi and N. Chandrababu posts of head constables and sub-inspectors,
Naidu. and to carry out “scientific investigations”.
A Pioneer in Police Service ▪ The third commission, too, was formed when
Reforms: Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister in August
2006, with the former Home Secretary, R.
▪ When it comes to initiating reforms in the
Poornalingam, as chairman.
service conditions of the police force, Tamil
Nadu could boast of being a pioneer with the ▪ It dealt with the conditions of service,
establishment of the First Police Commission welfare, the powers and duties of the police
as early as November 1969 by the DMK force; crime detection and traffic regulation;
Government, headed by M. Karunanidhi. and modernisation of the organisation and
methods and investigation facilities.
▪ Currently, a Police Commission, headed by
C.T. Selvam, a retired judge of the Madras ▪ The only police commission established during
High Court. the AIADMK regime was in 2014, which was
headed by the former IAS officer, Sheela Priya.
▪ The first Commission, with the retired
Chief Secretary, R.A. Gopalaswamy, as its ▪ However, the Madras High Court (Madurai
chairperson. Bench) directed that it be reconstituted with
a retired judge as chairman. Accordingly, the
M.K. Stalin government has set up the Selvam
Commission.
▪ Incidentally, during the AIADMK government, ▪ Acknowledging that the enrolment ratio of girl
the Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Act, 2013, students from government schools in higher
was enacted. education was very low, Finance Minister said
▪ It entailed formation of a State Security the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar
Commission (SSC), headed by the Home Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme
Minister, which among other things, was to had been transformed as the Moovalur
examine the functioning of the police force Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education
and submit Annual Reports. Assurance Scheme.
▪ The enactment came against the backdrop of ▪ The students will be eligible for this in addition
the Supreme Court’s directives in the Prakash to other scholarships.
Singh vs Union of India case to bring about
‘Perasiriyar Anbazhagan School
police reforms.
Development Scheme’:
▪ While the enactment is yet to trigger action on
▪ Under a new scheme titled ‘Perasiriyar
the ground, the Madras High Court recently
Anbazhagan School Development Scheme’
called for reconstitution of the SSC in line with
(named after former Education Minister and
the Supreme Court guidelines.
DMK stalwart K. Anbazhagan) to modernise
Tamil Nadu Budget 2022-23: government schools over the next five years,
▪ Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel 18,000 new classrooms will be built.
Thiaga Rajan on March 18 presented the State ▪ A sum of ₹7000 crore will be allocated for the
Budget for 2022-23, which focused on a fiscal phased implementation of the scheme over
consolidation path, without any populist the next five years, and ₹1300 crore will be
measures. allocated for the coming financial year.
▪ For the first time in seven years, the revenue ▪ Model schools will be established in 15 more
deficit (which implies the revenue expenditure districts in the coming financial year, and ₹125
exceeds revenue receipts) will be brought crore has been allocated for the purpose.
down by over ₹7000 crore (from 59,000 crore)
in 2021-22 and is expected to further reduce in Illam Thedi Kalvi:
the next Financial Year. ▪ Illam Thedi Kalvi, the flagship remedial
education programme to bridge the learning
Girls from Government Schools to get loss among children due to the closure of
₹1000 in Monthly Aid: schools during the pandemic, will continue
▪ The TN government made two major into the next year with a Budgetary allocation
announcements benefiting government school of ₹200 crore.
students —it will provide a monthly assistance
‘Knowledge City’:
of ₹1000 to all girl students, who studied from
Class VI to XII in Government schools, till the ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will develop
completion of their Graduation or diploma; a ‘Knowledge City’ through international
and it will also bear the education expenses collaboration. It will have branches of world
of both boys and girls from these schools renowned universities with research and
if they secure admission to undergraduate development hubs, skill training centres and
programmes in premier institutions like IIT, knowledge based enterprises.
AIIMS and IISc. ▪ Over the next five years, a special scheme
▪ The monthly sum of ₹1000 will be remitted will be implemented by the Higher Education
into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts till Department to create new classrooms, hostels,
the uninterrupted completion of their laboratories and smart classrooms at a total
undergraduate degree, diploma and ITI cost of ₹1000 crore.
courses.
▪ An amount of ₹204 crore had been ▪ For the manufacture of electronic products, two
allocated towards the reimbursement of clusters would be established at Pillaipakkam
fees to government school students who and Manallur with the financial assistance of
joined professional courses under the 7.5% the Union government.
preferential allotment. ▪ An amount of ₹300 crore had been provided
▪ An allocation of ₹5668 crore had been made as capital subsidy for the micro, small and
to the Higher Education Department in the medium units in the next Fiscal as against
Budget. ₹280 crore allocated for the current Fiscal.
▪ Reserving 5% of all government divisible
48% jump in allocation for MSMEs:
procurements for the Scheduled Caste and
▪ The Tamil Nadu Budget for 2022-2023, Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs was another
presented, has hiked the allocation for the significant initiative.
Department of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises by almost 48%. Tech, startup hubs to be
▪ To help micro enterprise clusters, the Established:
government would launch a micro cluster ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will set up an
development Programme. iTamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) hub at a
▪ The Budget has proposed an allocation of ₹50 cost of ₹54.61 crore in Chennai.
crore for the development of 20 micro clusters, ▪ This centre will coordinate efforts to use
including one for artificial jewellery making technology to solve complex challenges in the
by Narikuruvars in Kancheepuram district, a State.
toy cluster in Madurai, a cookware cluster in ▪ The Government has formulated a
Tirunelveli and a cashew processing cluster in comprehensive strategy to develop a
Cuddalore. conducive startup ecosystem in the State, he
▪ Tamil Nadu Coir Business Development said.
Corporation will be set up in Coimbatore for ▪ The Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation
developing the coir sector to popularise value Mission (TANSIM) would set up Regional
added products made in Tamil Nadu, such as Startup Hubs in Erode, Madurai and
Geo Textiles and coir pith, in the domestic and Tirunelveli to ensure the development of the
export markets, and develop the coir industry startup ecosystem.
across the State.
▪ An iconic State Startup Hub Centre will be
▪ A special fund of ₹100 crore will be created established by the Tamil Nadu Industrial
to build the required public infrastructure for Development Corporation (TIDCO) at
export organisations. This fund will be used Nandambakkam, Chennai at an estimated
to set up skill centres, testing centres, export cost of ₹75 crore.
warehouses and inland container depots, with
contribution from industries and industry Botanical garden to be raised in
associations. Partnership with Kew Gardens:
▪ The Minister said a new footwear and leather ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will set up a
industry development policy would be botanical garden at a cost of ₹300 crore near
released. Chennai in partnership with Kew Gardens
▪ The government would open new industrial of London.
parks in Coimbatore, Perambalur, Madurai, ▪ The Government had decided to set up a
Vellore and Tiruvallur districts to promote Children’s Nature Park at an estimated
industrial development across the State. cost of ₹20 crore, which would house birds,
▪ Through these industrial parks, investments butterflies and animals by re-modelling the
worth ₹50,000 crore would be attracted. Guindy Children’s Park to generate awareness
about forests and wildlife among children.
▪ The government will set up a Forest State to form Human Resources Reforms
Commission to recommend policy changes Panel:
needed in forest conservation, expansion of ▪ The Tamil Nadu Government will constitute
green cover, involvement of tribal people in a human resources reforms committee, which
forest management, prevention of will propose a road map for reforms in human
man-animal conflict, capacity building and resource management within six months,
modernisation initiatives in the Forest Minister for Finance and Human Resource
Department. Management Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said in
Green Fund: the Assembly.
▪ The State Government will set up a ‘Tamil ▪ To account for all movable and immovable
Nadu Green Climate Change Fund’ to fund assets of the government and monitor their
climate change initiatives, mitigation and utilisation, a new asset management system
greening projects. would be introduced and integrated with the
Integrated Financial and Human Resources
▪ The fund would mobilise necessary resources
Management System from the coming year.
from various sources, including development
finance institutions and international climate Rules to be Amended for 5% buy from
funds. SC/ST Units:
▪ For the conservation of Tamil Nadu’s State ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will amend the
animal, expansion of its habitat and to spread Transparency in Tenders Rules to implement
awareness among the public, the Government its decision (announced in the budget) to
will implement Project Nilgiri Tahr with an reserve 5% of all divisible procurement by
initial allocation of ₹10 crore. the government and its agencies for Tamil
Nadu based entrepreneurs belonging to the
Eco-tourism Sites:
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
▪ Eco-tourism sites would be developed
at Sethumadai in Coimbatore district, ▪ Indicating this, officials said that the decision
Manavanur and Thadiyan Kudisai in Dindigul would cover only “manufactured products”
district and and Yelagiri in Tirupattur district and not “trading products”.
in the public-private partnership mode.
▪ A sum of ₹849.21 crore has been allocated to
the Environment, Climate Change and Forests
Department in this Budget.
Single-window system for Building Plan ▪ SMC is a 20-member body comprising

Approval: parents, teachers, local body representatives,
▪ A single window system will be implemented and educationalists.
this year to expedite the issue of planning ▪ A parent should be the leader of the committee.
permissions and approvals for construction ▪ The panel has to meet once a month to discuss
of buildings by the Chennai Metropolitan various matters like student attendance,
Development Authority (CMDA), the potable water and toilet facilities, and
Directorate of Town and Country Planning, availability of other basic amenities.
the Greater Chennai Corporation, local
planning authorities and other local bodies. Science Centre opened at Govt. school
in PALLAVARAM:
Empowerment of Women Key to ▪ School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh
progress: Poyyamozhi inaugurated the Young Kalam
▪ The ‘Thaliku Thangam’ Scheme has been Discovery Science Center at the Maraimalai
changed to a Financial assistance scheme for Adigal Government Higher Secondary School
girls for the development of society through in Pallavaram.
Women Empowerment. ▪ The centre has been established by HCL
▪ Explaining the scheme, the finance minister Foundation (HCLF), the CSR arm of HCL
said, over the past four years, there has been Technologies, in partnership with Socio-
a major backlog in the ‘Thalliku Thangam’ Economic Development Trust.
scheme and thus, they had revamped the
structure to increase the percentage of girls Govt.’s Aim is to provide suitable Jobs
pursuing higher education in the State. for all: CM
▪ The government will create a new scheme ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said providing
to boost employment and entrepreneurial everyone a job that suits their qualification was
opportunities for women who have completed his government’s aim and his Government
their higher education. was improving school and college Education
towards achieving it.
Illam Thedi Kalvi vital to fill ▪ He also inaugurated the programme telecast
Learning Gap: by Kalvi TV for the benefit of candidates,
▪ Justifying the allocation of Rs 200 crore in the preparing for various Competitive Exams.
State Budget for ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’, School
Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram Bags
said the continuity of the education programme GI tag:
is important considering the need for filling ▪ Nagaswaram made in Narasinghapettai
the learning gap of nearly two years brought in Thanjavur district has been granted the
about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Geographical Indication (GI) tag on the
▪ Taking part in a School Management application filed by the Thanjavur Musical
Committee (SMC) meeting the minister said, Instruments Workers Cooperative Cottage
“Learning gap is still a concern as per the Industrial Society Ltd.
reports as there were two years of Disruption ▪ Narasinghapettai, a village near
in Education.” Thiruvidaimarudur, has an inseparable place
▪ Distributing pamphlets on SMC’s role to in the world of Carnatic Music.
parents, he said, “Parents’ duties do not end ▪ It was N.G.N. Ranganatha Achari, who
once they send their wards to school. They designed the ‘pari’ nagaswaram, now used
need to know the functioning of the SMC. by nagaswaram players, at the request of
Parents should play an active role in the nagaswaram wizard Thiruvavaduthurai T.N.
committee. Rajarathinam Pillai.
▪ Nagaswaram players used the short ‘timiri’ of the National Institute of Mental Health and
nagaswaram before the ‘pari’ nagaswaram Neuro Science, and J. Kumutha of Saveetha
was made. Medical College Hospital.
▪ The centre would be headed by Mohanasankar
TN treats over 33,000 Accident
Sivaprakasam of IIT Madras.
Victims under New Scheme in Three
Months: CM lays Foundation for
▪ Over 33,000 people who met with road Multispecialty Hospital:
accidents across the state have been treated ▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 21 laid
under the Tamil Nadu Government’s Innuyir the foundation for a Multi Super Speciality
Nammai Kaakum 48 (Emergency care scheme) Hospital at the King Institute for Preventive
in the first three months of its implementation. Medicine and Research Centre, in Guindy.
▪ Chief Minister M K Stalin told the Assembly ▪ Mr. Stalin had announced on June 3 last
that 29,142 accident victims received treatment year, on the occasion of the birth anniversary
in government hospitals, while 4,105 people of former CM Karunanidhi, that a 500 bed
got admitted in various private hospitals multi-specialty hospital would come up in the
empaneled with the scheme. institute at an estimated cost of ₹250 crore.
▪ In all, 33,247 people have received treatment ▪ The six-storey structure is being built by the
under the scheme between December 18, 2021, Public Works Department on 4.89 acres, with
and March 18, 2022. a built up area of 51,429 square feet.
▪ The Chief Minister said the state has so far
‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ Revives
spent Rs 29.56 crore on this scheme and will
work with vigour to bring about a situation Hopes of Folk Artistes:
where there is no casualty due to road ▪ ‘Namma Ooru Thiruvizha’ helped to revive
accidents in the state. the hopes of hundreds of artistes like them.
▪ The ambitious scheme provides for free ▪ Several performances of folk art forms, such as
treatment up to Rs 1 lakh for the first 48 hours ‘karagam’ and ‘silambam’, were staged as part
after an accident in 609 hospitals of which 408 of the event organised by the Departments of
are from the private sector in the state. The Art and Culture and Tourism.
scheme also covers those from other states and
Traditional rice, Czech Oil and Honey
abroad.
will be available in Khadi Board:
▪ The scheme will be implemented for 12
▪ Traditional rice, Czech oil and honey are
months and will be integrated with the Chief
produced by the Khadi Board. All of these
Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance
new items were unveiled on March 23.
scheme.
▪ Traditional rice varieties of Tamil Nadu
IITM sets up centre to Study such as Samba, Ratha Sally, Thuyamalli,
Human Brain: Chiragasamba, Karuppugavuni, Poonkar are
▪ The Indian Institute of Technology Madras the traditional rice varieties produced under
has launched a centre to generate and study the name "Khadi Parambariyam".
human brain data. ▪ Gingelly oil and groundnut oil produced from
▪ The centre plans to focus on high resolution the Czech made of Wagai wood under the
brain imaging and has an ambitious project name 'Khadi Newlife' and incense sticks with
to map human brain at the cellular and new fragrances like Jasmine and Rose have
connectivity level. been made.
▪ The clinical partners for the project are ▪ Along with Khadi Honey, Figs, walnuts and
medical teams led by three doctors — George dried fruits are mixed separately and packed
Varghese of CMC Vellore; Anita Mahadevan in glass bottles for sale.
▪ The products produced by the Board is Famine in 1646:

designed to look at the quality of the products ▪ The first famine that ravaged Madras was in
on sale from the outside of the pocket. 1646, a few years after the establishment of the
▪ The pockets are designed to appeal to the city.
younger generation. ▪ It took nearly two years for the situation to
improve.
Nuggets of History - Tamil Nadu in
▪ The city faced at least two more famines before
Focus:
the end of the 17th century.
▪ 3605 sq km is the spread of very dense forests
in Tamil Nadu. It accounts for 2.8% of the The vibrant banking sector in Tamil
State’s Geographical Area. Nadu:
A long wait: ▪ The vibrant banking sector in Tamil Nadu has
played a vital role in the development of the
▪ Though the College of Engineering, Guindy,
State’s Economy.
came into existence as the Survey School in
1794, girl students were admitted for the first ▪ Homegrown banks in the public as well as
time to the institution only in 1940. private sectors, with over 100 years of unique
history, have made key contributions.
▪ Three women who entered the campus that
year went on to become the first women ▪ The idea of establishing one of the homegrown
Engineers in the country. banks, the Indian Bank, emerged from a
major financial crisis in 1906, which led to the
First semi-formal Bank: collapse of the Arbuthnot & Co. Krishnaswami
▪ The first semiformal bank to be set up by the Iyer, the lawyer who successfully handled the
East India Company was the Madras Bank Arbuthnot bankruptcy case, came up with
during 1682-83 by William Gyfford. the idea of starting an indigenous venture for
▪ The notification issued by the bank said it banking services.
would offer a 6% annual rate of interest for ▪ He founded the Indian Bank and requested
fixed deposits made for a term of at least six Annamalai and Ramasamy Chettiar to
months. mobilise deposits.
▪ The bank was incorporated on March 5, 1907,
Accurate Depiction:
with an authorised capital of ₹20 lakh and
▪ One of the earliest maps of Madras was commenced its business on August 15, 1907.
formed in the first decade of the 18th century
▪ Indian Overseas Bank was founded on
when Thomas Pitt was the Governor.
February 10, 1937, by Chidambaram Chettiyar
▪ This map had an accurate depiction of the then with the main objective of specialising in
Black and White Towns, Peddanaickenpetta foreign exchange business.
and Muthialpetta.
▪ The bank started business simultaneously at
Industrial support: Karaikudi, Chennai and Rangoon in Burma
▪ The Thiru Vi Ka Industrial Estate at Guindy (now Myanmar), followed by a branch in
was the first such infrastructure to be created Penang, Malaysia.
with Government support in India to aid the ▪ Both Indian Bank and Indian Overseas Bank
Growth of small scale industries. were among the 14 major banks nationalised
▪ It was established when K. Kamaraj was the in 1969, and have overcome many challenges.
Chief Minister and R. Venkataraman was the ▪ Indian Bank posted a record loss of over ₹1000
Minister for Industries. crore in 1995-1996, hit by a loan scam.
▪ Allahabad Bank was amalgamated with Indian
Bank, and the bank commenced its operation
as an amalgamated entity on April 1, 2020.
▪ The State has been home to some of the older Baron Connemara, became Governor of the
private sector banks as well. Madras Presidency in 1886.
▪ One of the oldest such banks is Karur Vysya ▪ Unlike many of his predecessors and
Bank (KVB) founded by M.A. Venkatarama successors, he interacted freely and cordially
Chettiar and Athi Krishna Chettiar in 1916 with people of all classes.
with a seed capital of ₹1.20 lakh with the aim ▪ In no time did he develop an admiration for
of supporting agriculture and trade in the Indian students and realised not many were
town of Karur. able to afford the books they needed.
Kulasekarapattinam to be on Global ▪ As part of his efforts to address this need, he
laid the foundation in March 1886 on Pantheon
Map:
Road in Egmore for, what he called, a “free
▪ A small town panchayat in the southern
public library”, which later came to be called
district of Thoothukudi, known for its religious
Connemara Public Library.
fervour during the Dussehra festival, will soon
be on the global scientific map. ▪ After the library was thrown open to the
public in December 1896, it became one of the
▪ Every year, lakhs of devotees descend on
sought after places of the city.
Kulasekarapattinam, the town of less than
10,000 residents, during the festival, to pay ▪ Anna Centenary Library (ACL) at
obeisance to the deity Muthaaramman. Kotturpuram regarded as one of the big
libraries in south Asia, the ACL, declared
▪ Many dress up as deities and various animals.
open by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi
The festival is celebrated with so much fervour
in September 2010.
that it is regarded second only to the Dussehra
celebrations in Mysore. Right time to safeguard State
▪ Indian Space Research Organisation Animal:
(ISRO) sets up its second spaceport at ▪ ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’, with an initial allocation
Kulasekarapattinam for launching satellites of ₹10 crore announced in the Tamil Nadu
weighing less than 500 kg on its Small Satellite Budget for conservation and expansion of
Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). habitat for the State animal, has come at a time
▪ Currently, the ISRO has two launchpads when its population has started declining in
at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, closer to parts of its highly fragmented range.
Chennai, from where it launches satellites ▪ It has been formulated as a comprehensive,
on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the long-term strategy to ensure the survival of
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius).
▪ The proposed launch pad will help to increase ▪ The montane Grasslands of the Anamalai
the performance of a launch vehicle as the Tiger Reserve (ATR) are estimated to be
location allows the rockets to go directly the second biggest habitat for the tahr after
southwards, unlike in Sriharikota where the Eravikulam National Park in Kerala.
launch vehicles have to go southeast first, ▪ ATR has an estimated population of 510
avoid Sri Lanka and take a turn after crossing individuals in 35 groups, a survey conducted
Sri Lanka. by researchers of the Nature Conservation
▪ The Kulasekarapattinam launchpad will also Foundation (NCF) in 2018 indicated.
enhance employment opportunities for the ▪ The Grass Hills National Park in ATR is home
local population and lead to an economic to the largest population, believed to be over
Growth in the region. 200 individuals.
The Tale of Two Libraries: ▪ “The Nilgiri tahr", listed as ‘endangered’ in the
▪ After a parliamentary career of 18 years in IUCN Red List.
Britain, Robert Bourke (1827-1902), later
2 more members for NonResident ▪ The school education department is actively

Tamils’ Welfare Board: involved in efforts to strengthen and expand
▪ A Bill adopted by the House amended the these centres.
Tamil Nadu Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare ▪ With this in mind, the Department of Education
Act, 2011 to alter the composition of the Tamil has assigned some tasks to regional-level
Nadu Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare Board advisory committees.
with the Chairman and members instead of ▪ Accordingly, the group should engage in
the Managing Director and Directors. activities to create Illam Thedi Kalvi centers.
▪ Besides increasing the strength of the Board ▪ At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen
from 13 to 15, the Bill, introduced by Minister the already functioning centers by integrating
for Minorities and Non Resident Tamils’ them. Learning activities should be focused on
Welfare Gingee K.S. Masthan, made the centers operating in all areas.
Commissioner of Rehabilitation and Welfare ▪ It is important to address the issues that
of Non-Resident Tamils the ex-officio Member volunteers encounter in the domain, by
Secretary of the Board. contacting those concerned.
Lighting up the Sky with Tamil in Dubai: About Illam Thedi Kalvi Scheme:
▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is on his ▪ The scheme was launched by the state
maiden visit to Dubai after assuming office, Government on 27 October 2021.
held discussions with Al Marri and Foreign ▪ Initially, the scheme was implemented in
Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi 12 districts—Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode,
to woo investments in various sectors in Tamil Kancheepuram, Kanniyakumari, Madurai,
Nadu. Nagapattinam, The Nilgiris, Thanjavur,
▪ Stalin inaugurated the Tamil Nadu stall on Tiruchy, and Villupuram.
March 25 at the expo’s Indian pavilion. ▪ However, the scheme was expanded to even
▪ Tamil Nadu Week is also being observed at Chennai and its neighbouring districts.
the Dubai Expo for one week from March 25 Tamil Nadu to Enact Legislation
to 31.
Governing Apartment Ownership:
▪ On the occasion, a beautiful video on the
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has decided
history, culture, and recent excavations in
to enact legislation by repealing the Tamil
Tamil Nadu was aired from Burj Khalifa, the
Nadu Apartment Ownership Act, 1994 and
tallest building (2217 feet) in the world.
has released the memorandum of legislation
Illam Thedi Kalvi Centres Expanding by inviting comments from the public.
Department of Education: ▪ The decision has been taken in view of the
▪ The Integrated School Education Department changing scenario in the real estate sector,
is actively working to strengthen and expand with the establishment of new bodies like the
the 'Illam Thedi Kalvi' centres in Tamil Nadu. Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
▪ The 'Illam Thedi Kalvi' program is being Stalin calls upon UAE to Invest in EV,
implemented in all the districts for one hour to Charging Stations:
one and a half hours daily with volunteers to
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 26
cover the learning gaps and losses of students
called upon the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
studying in schools from class one to class
to invest in electric vehicles and charging
eight due to the spread of corona epidemic.
stations, stating that the UAE businesses
▪ There are currently 1,79,356 Illam Thedi Kalvi were well-developed in those areas and their
centres operating. investment in Tamil Nadu could help bring a
paradigm shift.
▪ The State Government also signed three of commercial business decisions and FDI
Agreements for ₹2,600 crore worth inflow depends on the availability of natural
Investments in Tamil Nadu. resources, market size, infrastructure, political
▪ Reiterating his government’s vision to make and general investment climate as well as
Tamil Nadu a one trillion US$ economy, Mr. macroeconomic stability and the investment
Stalin said key factors like strong leadership, decision of foreign investors.
good governance, transparency and
‘Celebrate Forward Bloc Leader’s Birth
commitment had attracted many investors.
Centenary’:
▪ In the last ten months alone, Tamil Nadu has
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government has been urged
signed 124 MoUs attracting investments of 8
to observe the birth centenary of late leader
billion US$, creating Employment for nearly
P.K. Mookiah Thevar as a State function and
two Lakh Persons.
to name a school at his native place after him.
▪ The Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu had
▪ The late Mookiah Thevar was elected to the
Skilled Workers in Abundance.
State Legislative Assembly in the first election
Thirukkural National Book from Periyakulam and later from Usilampatti
Conference: in 1957, 1962, 1967, 1971 and 1977 Assembly
▪ Tamil Indian Union Official Language, elections as a Forward Bloc candidate.
Thirukkural National Book Conference was Varumun Kappom:
held at Chennai Tamil Sangam on March 27.
▪ Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated
▪ President of the Delhi All India Tamil Union smart classrooms renovated at a cost of Rs
Ira, Mukundan chaired the conference. 12.36 lakh with contribution from World
▪ Perungaviko VM Sethuraman, Pulavar Vision and Varumun Kappom health camps
Sundararasan, Pavalar Ganapathy, Puthuvai at Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in
Tamil Sangam President Prof. Muthu, Saidapet on March 28.
VMSThiruvalluvar Kavignar Ilamaran and ▪ The Varumun Kappom programme is being
others were present. implemented to provide free specialised
▪ Speaking on the occasion, Ira Mukundan medical check-ups to the public for early
said, “We will extend all possible assistance detection and treatment of diseases.
to hold the conference in Delhi and arrange About Varumun Kappom:
to meet the Prime Minister and the Union ▪ Chief minister M K Stalin on September 29
Minister of Education to make a request to the 2021 relaunched the ‘Varumun Kappom’
Central Government to declare Thirukural as (preventive healthcare) scheme as
a National Book." ‘Kalaignarin Varumun Kappom’ at a function
at Vazhapadi, Salem.
FDI inflow into Tamil Nadu up 41.5% in
April-December 2021: ▪ The Varumun Kappom scheme was first
launched by former chief minister M
▪ The foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tamil
Karunanidhi on December 30 2006 in
Nadu grew about 41.5% to ₹17,696 crore
Poonamallee.
(about $2.4 billion) in April-December 2021
from ₹12,504 crore (about $1.7 billion) in the ▪ The camps would address dental, ENT,
same period of 2020 (when the first wave of stomach, intestine, high blood pressure,
COVID19 started). diphtheria, bone and joint, kidney, heart, and
psychiatric related issues.
▪ Tamil Nadu’s share in the total FDI in the
country increased to 5% from 4%. ▪ The scheme would be linked to ‘Makkalai
Thedi Maruthuvam’ (taking medicines to
▪ Tamil Nadu has the fifth Highest Share,
people’s doorstep) scheme to help the newly-
after Maharashtra (26%), Karnataka (23%),
identified patients get medicines at their
Gujarat (21%) and Delhi (13%). FDI is a matter
doorsteps.
Flood Relief to TN by Centre: ▪ The Tamil Nadu e-governance Agency

▪ The Centre has allotted ₹352.85 crore to Tamil (TNeGA) is a key player in the exercise.
Nadu as relief for flood that affected the State ▪ Efforts are on to link the PDS beneficiaries’
in 2021. database with live registers of death.
▪ Tamil Nadu had been allotted ₹1088 crore
Govt. mulling Easing of
under the State Disaster Response Fund
(SDRF) in 2021-22. Restrictions in Private Forests:
▪ The Tamil Nadu Government is mulling
LuLu Group to Invest ₹3500 crore in T.N. easing of restrictions that may allow felling of
for Three Projects: trees in private forests, spread within an area
▪ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of five acres.
was signed between the Tamil Nadu ▪ Informed sources said State Forest Minister
government and LuLu Group in the presence K. Ramachandran would, hold a meeting
of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Abu Dhabi to with the Chief Wildlife Warden, heads of
implement three major projects in the State at departments and officials to discuss, among
a total investment of ₹3500 crore. other things, whether private lands measuring
▪ While Two Malls are to come up at a total less than five acres could be exempted from
investment of ₹2500 crore, a food processing the applicability of provisions of the Tamil
project is to be implemented at an investment Nadu Preservation of Private Forests (TNPPF)
of ₹1000 crore. Act, 1949.
▪ About 5000 people are expected to get ▪ The original legislation was enacted to prevent
Employment in these projects. the destruction of “forests”, which lie in
private lands.
Over two lakh ration cards cancelled in
the last one year: Kannagi Art District and Festival 2022:
▪ Over two lakh ration cards, accounting for ▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation launched
approximately 10 lakh beneficiaries of the the Kannagi Art District and Art Festival for
public distribution system (PDS), have been 2022 in Sholinganallur on March 28.
struck off from official records since the Drive Launched to Reform First Time
beginning of 2021.
Offenders:
▪ Broadly, there are only two reasons — deaths
▪ The Greater Chennai City Police on March 28
and out-migration.
launched a pilot project called “PARAVAI”
▪ A majority of the beneficiaries have died with (Personality Attitude Reformation
the rest moving out of Tamil Nadu. Assistance Venture Affirming Identity) for
▪ The previous high with regard to the reforming young first-time offenders and their
cancellation of ration cards was in 2018 when rehabilitation and reintegration.
about 1.63 lakh cards were cancelled. ▪ This project has been initiated by the Greater
▪ At that time, a drive was carried out to identify Chennai City Police in association with the
duplicate cards following the adoption of the Prisons and Correctional Services Department,
system of ‘smart family cards’ in April 2017. Social Defense Department, and the Tamil
▪ Then, end-to-end computerization and seeding Nadu State Legal Services Authority being
of Aadhaar numbers in PDS beneficiaries’ stakeholders.
database were carried out, all of which led to ▪ Aimed at reducing and preventing recidivism
the card cancellation. and re-arrest, the project is being implemented
▪ This time, as part of the ‘data purity’ project, along with PRISM, an NGO.
the authorities have been coordinating
closely with those officials who have the data
regarding the death of individuals.
▪ Mr. Prakash recalled a pilot project which was ▪ The health council is held only once a year.
launched for the rehabilitation of first-time ▪ In the first phase, 14 districts will participate
petty offenders aged 18-24 and lodged in the in the Health Council and by 2024, 38 districts
Saidapet subjail under the name PATTAM will be participating.
(Personality and attitude transformation ▪ The Chief Minister is acting as the Chairman
through therapeutic assistance and of the State Health Council.
management).
▪ The World Bank has approved Rs 1,995 crore
▪ He said the face of the police had to change of which Rs 955 crore has been funded so far.
and they should have paternal and maternal
roles while handling young offenders. Change of Portfolios of Ministers:
▪ In a significant change, Chief Minister M.K.
MoUs for ₹6100 Cr. Investment signed
Stalin on March 29 divested Transport
during UAE Visit: Minister R.S. Rajakannappan of his portfolio
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin March 29 said and made him the Minister for Backward
memoranda of understanding with six major Classes Welfare.
companies for investments to the tune of ₹6100
▪ Earlier this year, the subject, airport, handled
crore in Tamil Nadu were signed during his
by him was given to Minister for Industries
visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Thangam Thennarasu.
▪ S.S. Sivasankar, who held the portfolio of
Backward Classes Welfare, has been appointed
as the Transport Minister.
Scheme for Pregnant Mothers:

▪ The Government of Tamil Nadu has been
implementing various schemes for pregnant
mothers under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy
Maternity Financial Assistance Scheme, such
as Maternity and Child Welfare Assurance
Amazon’s biggest office in T.N. opens in Centers and Seemang Centers.
Chennai: ▪ Following this, for the first time in India, an
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated autodelfia Maternal Analyzer, a medical
Amazon’s biggest office in Tamil Nadu at a device specially developed from abroad, has
function held in Chennai on March 24. been set up at the State Hospital, Government
▪ The office, housed in the World Trade Centre Multipurpose High Specialty Hospital.
on the information technology corridor of
Rajiv Gandhi Salai at Perungudi, will have
Two Sires Shortlisted for New
18 floors and accommodate 6000 workers. Airport in TN:
▪ The state-of-the-art building will also house the ▪ Two sites — Pannur and Parandur — have
research and development team of Amazon’s been shortlisted by Airports Authority of
Echo device. India for the Chennai city’s second airport and
referred to the State Government recently.
Stalin inaugurates State Health Council:
Panel to Monitor Finance Related Cases:
▪ Chief Minister M K Stalinon March 30
inaugurated the State Health Council under the ▪ The State government has constituted
Tamil Nadu Health Rehabilitation Program at a Litigation Advisory and Oversight
the Government Omandurar Multi-speciality Committee (LAOC) to monitor all high risk
Hospital in Chennai. litigations related to taxation, land acquisition,
Government tenders and so on to ensure
that public interest was effectively protected
and the financial resources accrue to the ▪ The agriculture budget for 2022-23 increased
government without delay. the allocation for agriculture and allied sectors
▪ The committee has been constituted following to ₹33,007.68 crore from the ₹32,775.78 crore
Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan’s in the revised estimate for 2021-22.
announcement made on the floor of the ▪ The government will take steps to achieve 126
Legislative Assembly during the revised lakh tonnes of grain production.
Budget speech for 2021-22 that he would put ▪ He said crop diversification was being
in place a Litigation Risk Management System encouraged to deal with climate change.
(LRMS) to be overseen by retired judges and ▪ Special schemes will be implemented to
legal experts. popularise the cultivation of millets and pulses
▪ Retired judge of Punjab and Haryana High as an alternative to water-intensive crops.
Court K. Kannan and advocates Joseph ▪ Schemes for establishing suitable water
Prabhakar, K. Ravi and V. Lakshminarayanan harvesting structures and ground water
have been inducted into the LAOC as legal recharge systems are introduced in the
experts. Agriculture Budget for increasing production
▪ The committee would also comprise of the in dry land. All these components will be taken
Finance Secretary and Law Secretary as official into account for agriculture development and
members. this Government will take steps to achieve 126
▪ The LAOC would offer strategic guidance lakh MT of food grains production in 2022-23.
to the Finance Department as well as the
Administrative Department concerned Kalaignarin All Village Integrated
regarding the high risk cases. Agriculture Development
▪ LRMS would also create a mechanism for Programme:
consultation between the Finance Department, ▪ The budget allocated ₹300 crore for the
the LAOC and the office of the Advocate Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture
General and implementing their suggestions. Development Programme, which was
▪ Defining ‘high risk litigation,’ the G.O. states announced in the first agriculture budget.
that all taxation cases where the claim against ▪ He said the main objective was to bring about
an individual or entity was over ₹100 crore, holistic development in all village panchayats.
cases in which a judicial decision could cause ▪ The project was designed to be implemented
a revenue loss of ₹500 crore or more and cases every year in village panchayats identified
related to tenders where the procurement under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi
value was more than ₹1000 crore would fall Thittam.
under the definition. ▪ It is being implemented by the Department of
▪ It also clarifies that all Government Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.
departments, public sector undertakings, ▪ During the First Year, this project is being
statutory boards, universities, municipal implemented in 1997 village panchayats of
corporations and other local bodies would be Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam
covered under LRMS. as these two projects are converged and
implemented parallely.
Tamil Nadu DMK Government's Second
Agricultural Budget: ▪ During the year 2022-23, the scheme will
be implemented at an outlay of Rs.300 crore
▪ Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
in 3,204 village panchayats converged with
M.R.K. Panneerselvam on March 19 presented
Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam.
the DMK government’s second agriculture
budget, which focused on integrated
development, besides allocating funds for
various schemes.
Chief Minister’s Dry Land Vermicompost, Jeevamirtham etc.,

Development Mission: ▪ Distribution of Tarpaulin to Farmers:
▪ This dryland mission will be implemented ▪ To safeguard the harvested produce from
at a total outlay of Rs.132 crore, covering an natural disasters and also for utilizing as
area of 7.5 Lakh acre in 3,000 dryland clusters drying yard, Tarpaulins will be provided to
to support the dryland farmers to take up 60,000 farmers at subsidized cost at an outlay
successful cultivation of dryland crops. of Rs.5 crore.
▪ Agricultural inputs and seeds will be provided Coconut Development Scheme:
at subsidized cost. ▪ In order to augment productivity of Coconut,
▪ Priority will be given to the farmers in villages to increase oil content and to prevent button
where the “Kalaignarin All Village Integrated shedding, Coconut Micro Nutrient mixture,
Agriculture Development Programme” is green manure seeds, Bio-Fertilizers and Borax
being implemented. will be distributed at subsidy. This Scheme
will be implemented at an outlay of Rs.9 crore.
Crop Insurance: ▪ Nel Jeyaraman’s Traditional Paddy Varieties
▪ For implementing the crop insurance Conservation Mission:
scheme continuously during 2022-23, the
▪ The mission is being implemented in order
State Government has allocated an amount
to preserve and restore the traditional paddy
of Rs.2,399 crore as state share of premium
varieties in Tamil Nadu. During 2022-23, the
subsidy.
Traditional Paddy varieties will be cultivated
State Agriculture Development Scheme: in 200 acres in the State Seed Farms and
▪ To fulfill the farmers need and increase distributed at subsidy to 20,000 farmers at an
their income with various components, this outlay of Rs.75 Lakh.
Government will introduce a new Scheme Special Package of Assistance for
namely State Agricultural Development Alternative Crops during Kuruvai
Scheme, this year with a total allocation Season:
of Rs.71 crore. This will be implemented ▪ Special Package will be provided to encourage
by “Kalaignarin All Village Integrated the farmers to take up alternative crops such as
Agriculture Development Programme”. Millets, Pulses and Oilseeds in Kar, Kuruvai,
▪ This scheme includes the following key Sornavari season in an extent of 66,000 acres at
features. an outlay of Rs.10 crore.
Promotion of Organic Farming: Rice Fallow Pulses:
▪ As announced in the last year Agriculture ▪ In order to encourage the cultivation of Rice
Budget, the State Government has initiated Fallow pulses with the additional production
establishment of Nammazhvar Organic of 13,000 MT of Pulses, an amount of Rs.5 crore
Farming Research Institute for encouraging will be allocated.
the farmers who are interested in Organic New technique on propagation of Paddy
farming. seedlings
▪ Now, during 2022-23, a sum of Rs.4 crore ▪ In pro-tray method will be demonstrated to
has been allocated for production of Organic increase the 12 productivity of Paddy crop.
produces in food grains, vegetables, fruits for ▪ Protray seedling will be produced in the State
development of immunity to lead a healthier Seed Farm in Tirukkadaiyur of Mayiladuthurai
life. District in an area of 250 acres.
▪ Financial assistance at the rate of Rs.1 Lakh
per group will be extended to 100 farmers
and Farmer producer who are interested in
production and sale of organic inputs like
Pulses Seeds will be distributed for Redgram Zone will be formed comprising
cultivation: Krishnagri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai and
▪ As bund crop, in an area of 5 lakh acres to Salem districts.
control the pests naturally and to get additional ▪ This scheme will be implemented at an outlay
Income. of Rs.60 crore, during 2022-23, with Union and
▪ This Scheme will be implemented with an State Government fund.
allocation of Rs.3 crore from State fund.
Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission:
Zinc Sulphate and Gypsum:
▪ The “Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission”
▪ will be provided at subsidized cost to increase
will be implemented at an outlay of Rs.15.32
the paddy productivity covering an area of 1
crore with Union and State Government fund,
Lakh acre each at an outlay of Rs.5 crore.
for enhancing the Cotton yield during 2022-
Seed Distribution: 23. Cultivation of organic cotton will also be
▪ Tamil Nadu State Seed Development Agency encouraged.
(TANSEDA) will Produce 30,000 MTs of
certified seeds of Paddy, Pulses and Oilseeds Oilseeds Area and Production
and distribute to farmers during the year 2022- Development Scheme:
23. ▪ The scheme is envisioned to implement the
Making Youth into Agri–entrepreneurs: long term vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister
▪ Financial assistance will be provided at the to increase the productivity of Sunflower and
rate of Rs.1 Lakh each to the 200 unemployed to bring Tamil Nadu in the top three States in
Agriculture or Horticulture or Agricultural terms of Production.
Engineering graduates for establishing ▪ The project will be implemented
Agri clinic or Agro based activities with the in Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar,
financial allocation of Rs.2 crore. Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Karur, Dindigul
and Ariyalur districts to attain enhancement
Tamil Nadu Millet Mission:
in area, Production and Productivity of
▪ To enhance millet production, Two Millets
Sunflower, Groundnut, Sesame and Castor
Special Zones will be formed covering
crops at an outlay of Rs.28.50 crore under
the districts of Tiruvannamalai, Salem,
Union and State Government fund.
Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore,
Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Vellore districts Digital Agriculture:
as one zone and Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, ▪ Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Madurai, Tenkasi, Ramnathapuram, M.R.K. Panneerselvam announced a scheme
Sivagangai, Theni, Trichy, Karur, Dindigul for digital agriculture with an allocation of
Ariyalur and Perambalur as the second zone. ₹8 crore.
▪ To create awareness on the importance of ▪ All features, covering seed to yield, can be
millet nutrition among farmers, Entrepreneurs, obtained through the ‘Uzhavan’ mobile
Farmer Producer Organizations, Women Self application, he said.
Help Groups, voluntary organizations and
▪ Individual farm-based crop plans, survey
consumers, "Millet Festivals" will be organized
numbers and subdivisions of all villages will
at the State and District levels.
be geotagged and super imposed with details
▪ This scheme will be implemented with a total of landowners’ basic information, soil health
allocation of Rs.92 crore from Union and State and the crops grown.
Government fund.
▪ The seven agro-climatic zones are divided
Pulses Development Scheme: into 1,330 micro agro-climatic zones to
▪ In order to achieve self-sufficiency in Pulses formulate profitable crop plans based on
production, Red gram production and factors of production.
cultivation of Pulses in fallow lands, a Special
▪ Artificial intelligence will be applied to in Dharmapuri, Nagapattinam, Vellore and

monitor crops for pest and disease and Tirupattur districts at a cost of ₹10 crore.
instantaneous management measures will be ▪ He said one Uzhavar Sandhai in each district
delivered to farmers through SMS advisories would be allowed to function in the evening
in coordination with the Tamil Nadu for sale of millets and pulses.
e-Governance Agency and the Tamil Nadu ▪ He said the government would establish
Agricultural University. wholesale Vegetable market complexes in
▪ In coordination with the Tamil Nadu Theni, Coimbatore and Kanniyakumari
Agricultural University and the Tamil Nadu through the private public partnership (PPP)
Drone Corporation, farmers will be trained at mode.
seven farmers’ training centres in the use of ▪ He said the government would set up
drones in spraying pesticide and surveying an industrial estate for agro-products in
the stages of crops. Tiruvarur.
▪ Internet of Things will be adopted in State
seed farms and State horticultural farms for Golden Bean –Increase Area under
automated irrigation and fertigation (the Soya Bean:
application of fertilizers with irrigation water). ▪ With the aim to increase the area under short
Farmers will be trained in the use of this new duration Soybean, an amount of Rs.1.20
digital technology. crore will be allocated under Union and
▪ A portal, ‘Tamil Mann Valam’, will be State Government fund for implementation
launched in coordination with the Tamil in Thanjavur, Salem, Tiruvallur, Tirunelveli,
Nadu Agricultural University. It will enable Villupuram and Cuddalore Districts.
farmers to get the soil fertility status of their
land, survey numberwise, and to print the soil New Soil Testing Laboratory:
health cards by themselves. ▪ A new Soil Testing Laboratory will be
established during 2022-23, at a budget outlay
Gene pool will be created to Preserve of Rs.75 lakh for the benefit of farmers in newly
Indigenous Crops: formed Mayiladuthurai District.
▪ Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister
₹381 cr. to be used to develop Food
M.R.K. Panneerselvam announced the creation
of a gene pool of indigenous varieties of fruits, Parks:
vegetables and medicinal plants once widely ▪ Adequate infrastructure would be established
cultivated in Tamil Nadu. in three food parks through the State
Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil
▪ Mr. Panneerselvam also announced that the
Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) at an estimated cost
government’s plan to create a gene pool of
of ₹381.38 crore.
different kinds of spices collected from across
the country. ▪ The three food parks, registered by SIPCOT to
be established on 451 acres of land at Theni,
▪ In the first phase, the gene pool will be created
Tindivanam (ViIllupuram), Manapparai
for important species such as pepper and
(Tiruchirapalli) taluks, have been declared
nutmeg in the State’s horticulture farms in
‘Mega Food Parks’ by the Centre.
the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Kolli Hills, Yercaud,
Courtallam and Javvadu Hill areas. ▪ He also said the government would provide
mobile phone based automatic pump
▪ The allocation for the project is ₹1 crore.
controller to farmers in all districts.
Besides announcing the renovation of Uzhavar
Sandhais with digital infrastructure, electronic ▪ As much as 50% subsidy assistance, up to
price display board and public address system a maximum of ₹5,000 per unit, would be
at a cost of ₹15 crore, the Minister said four provided for this scheme.
new Uzhavar Sandhais would be established
▪ The Minister said 3,000 standalone solar- ▪ The scheme will be implemented under Union
powered pumping systems, up to a capacity and State Government fund at an outlay of
of 10 horsepower, would be installed with 70% Rs.20 crore for 2,000 farmers.
subsidy assistance at an outlay of ₹5.34 crore
in 2022-23. Formation of Honey Clusters:
▪ Green house type 145 solar drying units would ▪ 37 honey bee clusters will be formed to promote
be installed during 2022-23 with 40% subsidy beekeeping at a financial outlay of Rs.8.58 crore
assistance for an amount of ₹3 crore. by the Union and State Government Fund.
▪ Bee colonies and equipment manufacturing
Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Mission: centres will be established for distribution
▪ “Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Mission” of quality honey bee colonies and its
will be implemented by Department of equipment to farmers thereby promoting new
Horticulture on a cluster based approach with entrepreneurs.
two clusters in each district with a cluster size ▪ A special emphasis will be given to women
of 50 ha. farmers in coordination with the Departments
▪ It is programmed to undertake the promotional of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Rural
activities such as creating awareness on Development, Khadi and Village Industries.
cultivation practices through special trainings ▪ To augment the income of Self-Help Groups,
and exposure visit, giving information on soil 3,350 Bee Keeping units will be created under
health, advice on bio-fertilizer production Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission
units and distribution of inputs, creation during 2022-23 at a cost of Rs.1.67 Crore.
of residual analytical laboratory for testing
the produces, registering with Organic Establishment of Garden in
Certification Department etc., at an outlay of Government Girls Hostel:
Rs.30 crore with Union and State Government ▪ To help Girl students to identify fruits,
fund. vegetable and herbal plants, their importance,
▪ Also, cattle shed and vermi compost unit cultivation methods and its nutritional value,
will be set up in coordination with Rural gardens will be established with Fruits,
Development Department. Vegetables and Medicinal plants in Girls
Hostels all over Tamil Nadu.
Promoting Inter-crop cultivation:
▪ This project will be implemented in 200 Girls
▪ To promote inter-cropping in coconut, mango, Hostels at an outlay of Rs.20 lakh under
guava and banana, “Inter-crop Kits“ will State Government fund in which kits valued
be given to small and marginal farmers for Rs.10,000/- per kit comprising Fruit seedlings,
covering an area of 38,000 acre at an outlay of Medicinal plants, Coconut seedlings, vegetable
Rs.27.51 crore. seeds garden tools and other inputs will be
Improving livelihood of Scheduled distributed at full subsidy.
Caste, Scheduled Tribe farmers through Device to put Palmyra within reach of
micro irrigation: climbers:
▪ The farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes ▪ The State Government has encouraged
and Scheduled Tribes who have applied for inventing palmyra climbing devices in order
electricity connection under tatkal scheme to make climbing the tall a risk-free affair.
under the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing ▪ The best inventor of palmyra climbing devices
Development Corporation (TAHDCO) will will be awarded.
be identified and given subsidy for Borewells,
▪ A 75 per cent subsidy for tree climbing
Motor Pump and installation of Micro
equipment, value addition units for making
irrigation for improving the livelihood of
palm jaggery and palm candy, training for 250
farmers.
farmers on palm jaggery production and 100
women on leaf handicrafts, were among the

major announcements concerning the State
tree.
▪ The minister said 25 lakh palm seedlings will
be planted this year as part of the Palmyrah
Development Mission.
Include Narikuravars on ST list:

▪ Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Prime
Minister Narendra Modi to move Narikuravar
and Kuruvikarar community from the Most
Backward Classes list to the Scheduled Tribes
(ST) category in Tamil Nadu.
▪ He told the Prime Minister that the director
of Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in his
letter dated April 30, 2013, said the Registrar
General of India had agreed to the proposal
for including “Narikoravan grouped with
Kuruvikkaran community” into the ST list of
Tamil Nadu.
▪ Stalin also pointed out that expert panels like
the Lokur Committee and a Joint-Committee of
Parliament had also recommended inclusion
of this community in the ST category in 1965
and 1967 respectively.

Topic : Current Affairs – April 2022
© Copyright
Competitive Exams.
Director,

Contents
HISTORY
01
GEOGRAPHY
04
05 ECONOMICS
NATIONAL
SCIENCE
DIARY OF EVENTS 07
II | Current Affairs (APRIL 2022)
INTERNATIONALOF
NATIONAL–DIARY
AFFAIRSEVENT 09
10 TAMIL NADU
INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
AFFAIRS
TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. HISTORY
1.1 AWARDS & HONORS
T.K. Murthy honoured with Subash

GI Tag sought for Chettinad Chandran Memorial Award for
Athangudi Tiles: Excellence in Percussion
▪ The Federation of Chettinad Athangudi
▪ The Subash Chandran Memorial Award for
Heritage Flooring Tiles Manufacturer
Excellence in Percussion was presented to
Association, along with the MSME
mridangam maestro and guru T. K. Murthy
Technology Development Center (Process
at an event organized here on Sunday by the
and Product Development Center), has
Sankara Academy of Music and Arts and
applied for the Geographical Indication
Subash Chandran Foundation.
tag for the handmade Athangudi tiles.
Athangudi is a village in Sivaganga district. PM Receives Lata Mangeshkar
These eco-friendly tiles, which have been Award
made in this region for the last 500 years,
are used to decorate the floors and walls of ▪ Narendra Modi received the first Lata
houses and are in demand in the domestic as Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, instituted in
well as International Markets. memory of the Legendary Singer.
▪ A GI tag is used on products that have a A.P. bags Central Award for
specific geographical origin and possess
Curbing Malaria
qualities or a reputation by virtue of their
geographical association. The owner of the ▪ Andhra Pradesh has bagged the best
tag has exclusive rights to the product. performer award and recognition for best
practices in malaria elimination from the
Transperson of 2022 State Award Central government. According to a release,
Presented: the award will be presented to the Andhra
▪ A. Marlima, from Villupuram district, Pradesh government at the World Malaria
was presented the State level Award for Day programme to be conducted in New
Transperson of 2022 by Tamil Nadu Chief Delhi.
Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat here
on Monday. The award comprises a cheque
for 1 lakh and a citation.
▪ It was instituted in 2020 to encourage
transpersons who have done eminent work
for their community’s welfare and in their
own career.
2 | Current Affairs (APRIL 2022)
1.2 BOOKS & AUTHORS

Printing in Tranquebar
▪ The first printing press to be set up in the present-day Tamil Nadu was in Tranquebar
(Tharangampadi). The Tranquebar Mission Press, set up by two German missionaries, began
functioning in 1712. The first printing in Tamil was attempted in 1713 and a Tamil translation of
the New Testament was printed in 1715.
Women’s Magazine:
▪ The First Women’s Magazine in India — The Indian Ladies’ Magazine — came out from Madras
in 1901. It was edited and published by Kamala Sathianadhan, born Hannah Ratnam Krishnama,
who was the First Woman graduate and postgraduate from the University of Madras.
‘Kalki’ Krishnamurthy’s biography in English released

▪ The English translation of the biography of Journalist and writer Kalki Krishnamurthy titled
‘Kalki Krishnamurthy: His Life and Times’ by his granddaughter and playwright Gowri
Ramnarayanan, was released at an event organized by the Chennai International Centre.
1.3 EMINENT PERSONS

Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Birth Anniversary Fete at Red Fort
▪ The Government will celebrate the 400th Birth Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur with a two-day
event at the Red Fort.
1.4 PLACES IN NEWS

500 year old shiva linga found at Thuthipattu village near Ambur:
▪ A group of workers laying the foundation for a house on a piece of land owned by a dairy farmer
in Thuthipattu village near Ambur in Tirupattur unearthed a 500yearold shiva linga.
1.5 SPORTS & GAMES

Rushil and Bushan hand India the Gold
▪ Rushil Khosla and Bushan Haobam underlined their potential as they helped India win the gold
in the AsiaOceania Junior Davis Cup under16 boys’ tennis tournament.

Lt. Gen. Manoj Pande is New Army chief
▪ The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Manoj Pande, has been appointed the 29th Chief of the
Army Staff.
2. POLITICAL
SCIENCE
‘Mother Nature’ a ‘Living Being’ with Legal Entity: Madras HC
▪ Justice S. Srimathy observed that the court is hereby declaring ‘Mother Nature’ a ‘living being’
having the status of a legal person with all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living
person, in order to preserve and conserve it.
▪ The court observed that ‘Mother Nature’ was accorded the rights akin to fundamental rights,
legal rights, constitutional rights for its Survival, Safety, Sustenance and resurgence in order to
maintain its status and also to promote its Health and wellbeing.
▪ The State and Central Governments are directed to protect ‘Mother Nature’ and take appropriate
steps in this regard in all Possible ways.
2.2GOVT.WELFAREORIENTEDGOVT.SCHEMESTHEIR
UTILITY
e-DAR portal to speed up Accident Rajnath rolls out schemes for
Compensation Claims: defence start-ups
▪ The Ministry of Roads, Transport and ▪ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday
Highways (MoRTH) has developed the portal launched Innovations for Defence Excellence
named ‘eDAR’ (eDetailed Accident Report). (iDEX) Prime and the sixth Defence
Digitalised Detailed Accident Reports (DAR) India Startup Challenge (DISC–6) meant
will be uploaded on the portal for easy to encourage defence start–ups during
access. The web portal will be linked to the DefConnect 2.0.
Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD). ▪ The iDEXPrime aims to support projects,
From iRAD, applications to more than 90% requiring support beyond ₹1.5 crore up to
of the datasets would be pushed directly to 10 crores, to help the evergrowing startups
the eDAR. Stakeholders like the police, road in the sector.
authorities, hospitals, etc., are required to
enter very minimal information for the eDAR NITI Aayog gets a new Vice
forms. Thus, eDAR would be an extension Chairman
and eversion of iRAD. ▪ The government on Friday appointed Suman
▪ The portal would be linked to other K. Bery as the vicechairman of the NITI
government portals like Vaahan and would Aayog following the resignation of Rajiv
get access to information on driving license Kumar. Mr. Bery will take charge from May
details and registration of vehicles. 1, 2022.
▪ Details like photos, video of the accident
spot, damaged vehicles, injured victims,
eyewitnesses, etc., would be uploaded
immediately on the portal.
3. GEOGRAPHY
‘Explore Green Cremation (NBR), including the Wayanad Wildlife
Methods’ Sanctuary, is a matter of serious concern for
the conservation of wildlife habitats of the
▪ The National Green Tribunal has directed all Western Ghats.
States and Union Territories to switch over to
environment friendly methods of cremation Palli in Jammu becomes India’s
and explore the viability of electric or piped first Carbon Neutral Panchayat
Natural Gas (PNG) Crematorium alongside
▪ Palli village in Samba district of Jammu and
wood to curb Air Pollution.
Kashmir has become the first panchayat in
Record Nesting of Olive Ridley the country to become carbon neutral, fully
Turtles: powered by solar energy. All its records
have been digitized and the benefits of all the
▪ As a record number of 4.92 lakh Olive Ridley Central schemes are available in this village
turtles have crawled to the Rushikulya coast around 17 km from Jammu.
in Odisha, scientists have tagged more than
6,000 turtles to gather more information about Rajamala safest haven for Nilgiri
their breeding behaviour and migration. Tahr
▪ Arribada is a Spanish word meaning “arrival
▪ The survival rate of newly born Nilgiri tahrs
by sea” and refers to the mass nesting
(up to one year) is found to be the highest at
behaviour exhibited by Kemp’s Ridley and
Rajamala in the Eravikulam National Park
Olive Ridley Sea turtles.
(ENP) than in other isolated natural habitats
A Mangrove Forest much less such as Pothady, Njandalmala, Kambakallu,
Explored Kundala, Sankumala, Meesapulimala, Silent
Valley, Chokkanadumala, Muhanmudi and
▪ The Pichavaram mangrove forest in the Varayattumudi in Munnar.
coastal Cuddalore district, considered the
second largest in the country after West Record Nesting of Olive Ridley
Bengal’s Sundarbans, is a storehouse of Turtles:
biodiversity. Straddling the Vellar and
▪ As a record number of 4.92 lakh Olive Ridley
Coleroon rivers, which flow into the Bay
turtles have crawled to the Rushikulya coast
of Bengal, the verdant mangrove region, a
in Odisha, scientists have tagged more than
unique ecosystem spread over 1,000 hectares,
6,000 turtles to gather more information about
is undeniably one of Tamil Nadu’s hidden
their breeding behaviour and migration.
gems.
▪ Arribada is a Spanish word meaning “arrival
Invasive species put chokehold on by sea” and refers to the mass nesting
flora of the Ghats behaviour exhibited by Kemp’s Ridley and
Olive Ridley Sea turtles.
▪ The dearth of effective steps to arrest the
rampant Growth of invasive vegetation,
especially Senna spectabilis, in the forest
areas of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve
GEOGRAPHY | 5
WHO Records New SARSCoV2

Variant
▪ The World Health Organization (WHO) has
flagged the emergence of a new variant of the
SARSCoV2 virus, the XE recombinant, in the
United Kingdom, and with a possibly higher
rate of Transmission.
99% of World’s Population is

Breathing Polluted Air: WHO
▪ A full 99% of people on Earth breathe air
containing too many pollutants, the World
Health Organization said on Monday,
blaming poor air quality for millions of
deaths each year.
▪ The poorest air quality was found in the
eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia
regions, and Africa.
4. ECONOMICS
patents were filed by individual Inventors/
Wholesale price inflation climbs to
Academia Research Outfits.
14.55% in March:
▪ Inflation in India’s wholesale prices hit a India will lead the Next
four-month high of 14.55% in March, from Technology Revolution: PM
13.11% in February, driven by accelerating ▪ Inaugurating the three-day Semicon India
price rise across all categories of goods, with 2022 conference being held in Bengaluru on
fuel and power as well as primary articles Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said
driving most of the gains. India is headed for a robust Economy.
▪ “India’s own consumption of semiconductors
‘If Freebie Culture persists, India
is expected to cross $80 billion by 2026 and is
may face Sri Lanka’s fate’ expected to reach $110 billion by 2030.”
▪ India could end up facing a Sri Lanka type
Economic crisis if it doesn’t shun the “culture GST Collections Hit New High in
of freebies” and subsidies in sectors like March
agriculture, NITI Aayog member Ramesh ▪ India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Chand has warned. collections hit a record 1,42,095 crores
in March, surpassing the January high of
IMF cuts India Forecast to 8.2% on
₹1,40,986 crore and lifting the Centre’s
War projected gross tax revenues for 202122
▪ The IMF on Tuesday cut its forecast for India significantly above the government’s revised
GDP growth in the current fiscal year to estimates.
8.2%, a 0.8 percentage point reduction from ▪ The March GST revenues, for transactions
January, as it downgraded the outlook for undertaken in February, were 15% higher
global growth citing the economic impact of than a year earlier and 46% higher than in
the Russia-Ukraine war. The International March 2020. Revenues from import of Goods
Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic were 25% higher and the revenues from
Outlook also projected India’s economy to Domestic transactions, including import of
expand by 6.9% next year, putting it on course services, were 11% higher than a Year earlier.
to be the fastest growing large Economy over
the Two Years. ADB projects India FY23 growth at
7.5%
‘Indian Entities Filed 1.38 Lakh
▪ The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts
Patents from 2015 to 2021’ that India’s GDP growth will moderate to
▪ Entities in India had filed 1,38,000 tech patents 7.5% in 202223, from an estimated 8.9% in
in the country and more than 9,500 patents in 202122.
the U.S. from 2015 to 2021, according to India ▪ The multilateral lender, however, sees the
Patents Report published by Nasscom. More pace picking up in 20232024 to reach 8%.
than 60% of the patents were filed by Indian The ADB has factored in the Russia-Ukraine
firms and startups while 17% of the tech conflict’s implications for India, which
ECONOMICS | 7
would be largely indirect through higher oil

prices, and has assumed that the severity of
the COVID19 pandemic would subside with
a rise in Vaccination Rates.
Tax receipts surge 34% to Exceed

27 Lakh Cr.
▪ India’s gross tax revenues surged 34% in
202122 to exceed 27 lakh crores, lifting the
tax-to-GDP ratio to an at least 23 year high
of 11.7%, from 10.3% in the previous year,
Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj said on Friday.
Tax collections were 5 lakh crores more
than the Budget estimates, and surpassed the
revised estimates by 1.87 lakh crore, with
direct taxes surging 49% and indirect taxes
rising by 20%.
▪ Corporation tax collections rose by 56.1% and
personal income tax grew about 43%, taking
overall direct tax growth to 49%,
▪ “The Customs duty collections went up by
48%, as reflected in our robust export-import
data, while excise duty collections have
actually contracted 0.2% and the Central GST,
which was a challenge for us, has grown by
almost 30%.”
4.2 NEW ECONOMIC POLICY & GOVT., SECTOR

Egypt to Import Wheat from India: Rivers Run through these Grand
▪ Egypt, one of the world’s biggest importers Structures:
of wheat which has been importing the grain ▪ Tamil Nadu’s rich history of irrigation is
from Russia and Ukraine, has agreed to back in focus. The State has bagged three
source wheat from India, Union Minister for out of the country’s four entries chosen for
Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said. the International Commission on Irrigation
& Drainage’s award of world heritage
‘Labour participation dips to 40%
irrigation structures (WHIS) for 2021. What
from 46% in six years’ is more exciting is the selection of Kallanai
▪ Only 40% of Indians of legal working age were or the Grand Anicut, an irrigation cum flood
employed or were looking for jobs in 202122. management structure, said to have been
In comparison, the labour force participation built during the reign of Karikala Chola in
rate was above 46% in 201617, according to the 2nd Century CE.
data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian ▪ The other two chosen structures of Tamil
Economy. Nadu are the Veeranam tank, formed during
▪ In absolute terms, India’s labour force has the rule of Parantaka Chola I (907-955 CE),
shrunk from about 445 million to 435 million and the 740-year-old Kalingarayan Anicut
in the six years. Currently, about 1,085 and Channel, which links the Bhavani with
million Indians are aged 15 or above and can the Noyyal.
be legally employed. ▪ The fourth Indian structure chosen is the
▪ Labour force participation among women, Dhukwan weir in the Bundelkhand region
which was already in low double digits, of Uttar Pradesh, which belongs to the early
has declined further. In 201617, about 15% 20th Century (190509).
women were employed or looking for jobs. ▪ Ranked as the fourth oldest dam in the world
This metric dipped to 9.2% in and the oldest in the country, the Grand
▪ 2021-22. Anicut was built on sand foundation.
▪ Among men, the participation rate declined ▪ Over 300 m long, 20 m wide and 4.5 m tall,
to 67%, from more than 74%. The dip in the the Kallanai has been ensuring the fertility of
participation rate was higher in the urban the delta with the availability of the Cauvery
areas. water and diverting the floodwater through
▪ The rate dropped in all the States, except in the Coleroon (Kollidam).
Rajasthan.
▪ Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu had
participation rates of 54% and 56%,
respectively, in March 2016, and witnessed
the sharpest declines. Between 2016 and
2022, participation rates fell 20 percentage
points and 17 percentage points for Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh respectively.
Centre’s Employment Survey finds

Addition of Four Lakh Jobs
▪ Over four lakh jobs were created in firms
with 10 or more workers in nine selected
sectors in October-December 2021, according
to the Labour and Employment Ministry’s
third Quarterly Employment Survey (QES).
5. NATIONAL
– DIARY OF EVENTS
NEP Essential to create New India, ▪ The archaeological discoveries were made
PM tells Students from different places along the banks of the
rivers Bhavani, Siruvani, and Kodumkara
▪ The National Education Policy (NEP), with Pallam or Anakkatti recently.
its emphasis on skills and not just knowledge, ▪ The remains came to light during an
is essential to create the new India of the 21st extensive postdoctoral study undertaken
century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said by economist A.D. Manikandan among the
on Friday. In the fifth edition of ‘Pariksha tribal communities of Attappady.
pe Charcha’, a pre¬exam interaction with
students, teachers and parents, Mr. Modi said UN Chief Names an Indian in
that a 20th century education and mindset Climate Team
could not be allowed to determine India’s
▪ Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of the Delhi based
development trajectory moving forward into
Council for Energy Environment and Water,
the 21st century.
has been appointed a member of a high-
India-Australia deal seeks to Dou- level group constituted by United Nations
ble Bilateral Trade in 5 years: Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to
bolster action against global warming. Mr.
▪ India and Australia signed an Economic Ghosh is among three Asians, and the only
Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) South Asian, serving on the expert group.
on Saturday in the presence of Prime ▪ The High-level Expert Group on the
Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart NetZero Emissions Commitments of Non-
in Canberra Scott Morrison, with an eye on state Entities was constituted on March 31
doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion in Five and is expected to draw up an action plan
Years and easing movement of people, goods and recommend actions to businesses and
and services across Borders. nonstate actors to accelerate the transition to
Prehistoric relics point to Riverine NetZero, or when carbon emitted by human
sources is compensated by sucking carbon
Settlement at Attappady:
out of the atmosphere.
▪ The discovery of several prehistoric
artefacts and archaeological remains along Second Edition of Swarm Drone
the banks of three rivers flowing through Contest Launched
Attappady hills straddling Kerala and Tamil ▪ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the
Nadu, indicating the presence of a mature second edition of the ‘Mehar Baba’ swarm
settlement, have surprised researchers and drone competition by the Indian Air Force
local people alike. (IAF) for Indian startups to develop a swarm
▪ The Discovery of Stone Tools, inhabited drone-based system to detect foreign objects
caves, menhirs, cists or burial chambers, on Aircraft Operating surfaces. This was
stone circles, burial urns, black and red unveiled at the IAF Commanders Conference.
ware pottery, terracotta images, stone
carvings, and granite inscriptions point
to prehistoric human settlements in the
predominantly tribal area of Attappady.
Centre extends relief to Tibetan when the stamp got leaked before its official
Committee by 5 years: release.
▪ The Union Government has extended the Free Entry Today at
scheme to provide 40 crore grantsinaid ASI Monuments:
to the Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief
▪ All ticketed centrally protected monuments
Committee (CTRC) for another five years, up
will have free entry on Monday on the
to fiscal year 2025-26.
occasion of World Heritage Day, the
▪ The scheme was extended after the Galwan
Archaeological Survey of India said in an
incident in June 2020 where 20 soldiers were
order.
killed in violent clashes with the Chinese
▪ The ASI maintains 3,693 monuments. The
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Eastern
entry is also free on International Women’s
Ladakh.
Day on March 8 and World Heritage Week
▪ “The scheme provides for an annual grant of
celebration on November 19.
₹8 crores to CTRC to meet the administrative
expenses of Settlement Offices and social Boris Johnson to start India visit
welfare expenses for Tibetan refugees from Gujarat:
staying in Tibetan settlements spread across
12 States/UTs in the country.” ▪ British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is
▪ The entire amount of ₹40 crores (₹8 crores expected to meet leading industrialist
per annum) from 201617 to 202021 for this Gautam Adani in Gujarat during his visit to
scheme has been released/ reimbursed to the India which begins on April 21.
CTRC.” Prime Ministers’ Museum thrown
Vinay Kwatra will be the New open to the public
Foreign Secretary ▪ The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
▪ The Union Government has appointed (NMML) on Thursday opened its doors to
Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan the public as the Prime Ministers’ Museum
Kwatra as the next Foreign Secretary. The dedicated to all former Prime Ministers.
announcement came just after a visit by ▪ The residence of India’s first Prime Minister,
Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Jawaharlal Nehru, for 16 years that was
converted into a memorial, Teen Murti
India-U.S. 2+2 will discuss key is- Bhavan, after his death in 1964 has been
sues, says MEA refurbished over the past three years.
▪ The new Prime Ministers’ Museum building
▪ External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and
in the complex that was inaugurated by
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14
the United States for the “2+2” dialogue
welcomed visitors for the first time.
with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in PM Announces Visas for AYUSH
Washington DC on April 11, the Ministry of Therapy
External affairs announced.
▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Leaked Stamp Scuttled Govt. Plan Wednesday announced that a special visa
to honour former category would be created soon for those
who want to travel to the country to avail
PM Narasimha Rao:
themselves of AYUSH therapies. “Heal in
▪ The Government’s Plans to issue a India”, he said, could become a big brand
Commemorative stamp to honour former of this decade and wellness centres based
Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on his on Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and such
100th Birthday in June last year were scuttled traditional practices could be very popular
and attract people from across the world. No limits to Russia-China ties, says
▪ Mr. Modi was inaugurating a Global AYUSH EU chief amid Ukraine war
Investment and Innovation Summit in
Gandhinagar in the presence of Director- ▪ The friendship between Russia and China
general of the World Health Organization has “no limits”, President of the European
(WHO) Tedros Ghebreyesus and Prime Commission Ursula von der Leyen said here
Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar on Monday.
Jugnauth. ▪ Addressing the inaugural session at the
annual Raisina Dialogue, which was
Sixth Scorpene takes to Water attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
▪ The sixth and last of the French Scorpeneclass and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar,
submarines, INS Vagsheer, was launched she condemned the Russian aggression in
into water at the Mazagon Docks in Mumbai. Ukraine but also supported the need to find a
▪ The six submarines were being built under “diplomatic solution” to the crisis.
Project75 by the Mazagon Docks under India, Bangladesh Discuss
technology transfer from the Naval Group as
part of a $3.75billion deal signed in October
High-Level Visits
2005. ▪ External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on
▪ INS Kalvari was commissioned in December Thursday held talks with his counterpart,
2017; INS Khanderi in September 2019; INS A.K. Abdul Momen, in Bangladesh and called
Vagir in November 2020; INS Karanj in on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka is
March 2021; and INS Vela in November 2021. the first stop in a two-nation neighborhood
visit undertaken by Dr. Jaishankar, along
Doval to lead first international with top Indian diplomats including the
intelligence heads’ Delhi meet Foreign Secretary designate Vinay Mohan
▪ Two days before the Ministry of External Kwatra.
Affairs (MEA) begins its annual Raisina Reporting of Cyber Breaches made
Dialogue in Delhi, National Security Adviser
Ajit Doval will lead discussions at India’s
Mandatory for all Firms
first such conference of intelligence agency ▪ The Indian Computer Emergency Response
chiefs, also being held in the capital. Team (CERTIn) has made it mandatory for all
service providers, intermediaries, data centre
WTO may ease curbs on Indian providers, corporates as well as Government
Grain Exports: organisations to report cyber incidents within
▪ Ngozi OkonjoIweala, Director General, six hours of their detection.
World Trade Organization (WTO), is looking ▪ To strengthen India’s overall cybersecurity
into resolving WTO rules that are making position, the country’s nodal cybersecurity
it difficult for India to export food grains to agency has also issued additional directions
meet shortages in other countries, caused by relating to synchronization of ICT system
the Russia Ukraine war, according to Finance clocks, maintenance of logs of ICT systems
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. and subscriber/customer registration details
▪ The difficulties, the Minister said, included by data centres, virtual private server (VPS)
WTO rules around the export of food by providers, VPN service providers and cloud
a country that had also procured food on a service providers.
Minimum Support Price basis.
Lt. Gen. B.S. Raju is new Vice Chief

of Army Staff
▪ The Army’s Director General of Military
Operations, Lt. Gen. B.S. Raju, has been
appointed the next Vice Chief of the Army
Staff.
▪ He will take over on May 1, 2022, the Army
said.
6. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Russia suspended from Rights use of coal. India also increased its focus
Council: on a lack of climate finance from developed
countries and asked for $1 trillion in climate
▪ Russia’s membership to the Human Rights financing over the current decade, in order to
Council (HRC), to which it was elected in meet its climate commitments.
2020, was suspended on Thursday after the ▪ Climate goals Prime Minister Narendra Modi
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) announced on November 2 that India would
voted, 93 to 24, with 58 abstentions, including have a renewable energy target of 500 GW by
India, to adopt a resolution suspending 2030 and meet 50% of its energy needs from
Moscow from the UN body. renewable sources, by then. It would achieve
▪ The resolution, ‘Suspension of the rights of net zero emissions by 2070.
membership of the Russian Federation in the
Human Rights Council’, was proposed by Maldives bans ‘India Out’
a group of countries that included Ukraine, Campaign
the U.S., the EU, several Latin American
▪ Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed
countries and required a two thirds majority
Solih on Thursday issued a decree banning
of those present and voting for adoption.
the ‘India Out’ campaign, now led by former
Abstentions do not count in the tally of
President Abdulla Yameen, terming it a
those ‘present and voting’. India abstained
“threat to national security.”
for reasons of “substance and process”,
▪ The ‘India Out’ campaign, started and
its Permanent Representative to the UN
sustained by critics of the Solih administration,
(UNPR), T.S. Tirumurti, said.
gained prominence in recent months with
Ukraine war has Hit India’s bid to former President Yameen spear-heading it.
Move Away from Coal: FM India 3rd Highest Military Spender
▪ India’s transition away from coal as a fuel ▪ World military spending continued to
will be hampered by the Russia-Ukraine grow in 2021, reaching a record $2.1 trillion
war, according to Finance Minister Nirmala despite the economic fallout of the pandemic,
Sitharaman. according to new data on global military
▪ the price of crude has gone up due to the spending published by the Stockholm
situation in Europe, as has the price of International Peace Research Institute
natural gas — a “transition fuel” for India — (SIPRI).
in addition to it being in short supply. ▪ The five largest spenders in 2021 were the
▪ Almost all of the world’s energy needs are U.S., China, India, the U.K. and Russia,
met by coal, oil and natural gas, but coal together accounting for 62% of expenditure.
releases almost twice the amount of carbon The U.S. and China alone accounted for 52%.
dioxide relative to natural gas, on a kilogram- “India’s military spending of $76.6 billion
to-kilogram basis. ranked third highest in the world. This was
▪ At the UN Climate Change Conference (the up by 0.9% from 2020 and by 33% from 2012.
26th Conference of Parties COP26), held in
Glasgow last November, countries agreed,
after pressure from India and China, to
“phase down” rather than “phase out” the
Macron pledges to tackle ‘doubts

and divisions’
▪ Repeat win | Emmanuel Macron won the
2022 French Presidential Election becoming
the first president to win a re-election in the
last 20 years, However, far-right candidate
Marine Le Pen gained vote share in almost
all departments (administrative divisions
just below regions), in the second round.
7. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
Two Women Head GCC Standing First Tamil play:
Committees: ▪ Pratapa Chandra Vilasam, written by
▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation standing Ramaswamy Raju in 1877, is the first play to
committee chairpersons were elected on be published in Tamil. The play reportedly
Thursday. All of them were from the ruling deals with the theme of young men picking
DMK. Following indirect elections to the up ‘bad aspects’ of the Western culture
posts of chairpersons held in Ripon Buildings instead of the good ones. (Compiled by
on Thursday, Corporation Commissioner Ponvasanth B.A)
Gagandeep Singh Bedi announced that the
506:
chairpersons, including two women, were
elected unopposed. ▪ Protected monuments and sites are present
▪ The following were elected chairpersons in Tamil Nadu, of which 411 are under the
of various Standing Committees: K. control of the Archaeological Survey of India
Dhanasekaran (Ward 137) will head the and 94 under the Department of Archaeology
Standing Committee on Accounts, N. Sitarasu in the State.
(Ward 110) Works, G. Santhakumari (Ward 38,667
81) Public Health, Tha. Viswananathan (Ward
181) Education, Sarpajeya Das (Ward 44) ▪ Religious Institutions are under the control
Taxation, Accounts and Ilaya Aruna (Ward of Tamil Nadu’s Hindu Religious and
49) Town Planning. Raja Anbalagan (Ward Charitable Endowments Department.
141) and S. Velu (Ward 78) were elected Temples can now supply Excess
members of the Appointments Committee of
Paddy to TNCSC:
the Corporation.
▪ Temples under the purview of the Hindu
Buddhist Centre Religious and Charitable Endowments
▪ Xuanzang, the Chinese Buddhist monk and (HR&CE) Department can now sell any
scholar, who travelled to the present day excess paddy that they get from farmers
Kancheepuram in the 7th Century A.D, to whom they have leased out their lands.
described that Buddhism was thriving in the These could be sold to the Tamil Nadu Civil
place. He claimed that more than a hundred Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). The temples
monasteries with over 10,000 monks were would be offered the minimum support price
present. (MSP) and the incentive being provided by
the State Government.
Radio Broadcasting:
▪ The first radio broadcasting in India began
Core Sector Output Rises 5.8%:
in Madras in 1924. It was done by the ▪ India’s core sector output grew at the fastest
Madras Presidency Radio Club, led by C.V. pace in four months at 5.8% in February, with
Krishnaswamy Chetty. The club, located in six of eight sectors registering growth. Crude
Egmore, reportedly broadcast programmes oil and fertiliser production fell 2.2% and
daily in the evening for more than two hours. 1.4% yearonyear, respectively.
▪ Cement, for instance, grew 5% compared
with February 2021, but output was 4.4%
lower than in January 2022. Similarly, in public spaces. Mayor R. Priya launched
refinery products’ output was up 8.8%, but the gender lab in Ripon Buildings on Friday.
7.3% lower than the preceding month. Steel Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep
production grew for the second month in Singh Bedi and Commissioner of Police
a row after contracting in December, rising Shankar Jiwal were present.
5.7% in February. Electricity generation grew ▪ T.N.-based start-ups get funding in Q1 2022
4%, while natural gas and coal output grew ▪ Tamil Nadu startups have raised over $1,235
12.5% and 6.6%, respectively. million in 23 deals from private equity and
▪ Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to have venture capital firms in the first three months
risen less than 2.5% in February. The core of 2022. During the same period last year,
sectors account for about 40% of IIP. 12 startups in the State got $530 million,
according to data collated by Venture
Trade Gap Widens Q3 Current Intelligence, a research service focusing on
Account Deficit to $23 billion: private company financials and transactions
▪ India’s current account deficit (CAD) and their valuation. Of these startups, 13 are
widened sharply to $23 billion, or 2.7% of headquartered in Tamil Nadu.
GDP, in the quarter ended December, from ▪ The rest were once headquartered in the
$9.9 billion (1.3% of GDP) in the preceding State, but have moved abroad, closer to the
three
month period, the Reserve Bank of investors. But these firms continue to operate
India (RBI) said on Thursday. The CAD was and have a major presence in the State.
$2.2 billion (0.3% of GDP) in the yearearlier
quarter, the data showed.
Special Postal Cover on
Tholpavakkoothu-PALAKKAD
Centre urged to release 20,860 ▪ The Department of Posts will honour the
Cr. due to T.N. traditional art form Tholpavakkootthu
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called on Union (shadow puppetry) by bringing out a special
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in cover on Saturday at a function at Puthur
Delhi on Friday and requested her to release Sree Thirupuraikkal Temple.
20,860.40 crore due to Tamil Nadu so that
the State could overcome the Fiscal Crisis.
A.P. Student wins First
▪ Though the 14th Finance Commission had ▪ Pranay Sai Gandikota, a student of Ithaka
recommended ₹7,899.69 crore as the basic International School, Nellore, Andhra
grant for rural local bodies during 2015¬2020, Pradesh, has won the first prize in ‘Grade
the Centre did not release the basic grant of 10 Individual Project’ category in the NASA
₹548.76 crore to Tamil Nadu because of the AMES Space Settlement Design Contest 2022
non¬-conduct of local bodies elections in for his project ‘Exodus’
2,900 Village Panchayats.
25%-50% tax hike covers about
Corporation launches ‘Country’s 83% of Houses in Tamil Nadu
First’ Gender Lab ▪ The increase in the property tax rates,
▪ The Greater Chennai Corporation has ranging from 25% to 50%, will affect about
inaugurated a gender lab, said to be the first 83% of the houses in Tamil Nadu. Of a
such initiative by an urban local body in the total of 77.87 lakh houses, the 25% increase
country. The civic body has appointed three will cover approximately 45.54 lakh houses
specialists in the first phase to launch the and 50% rise will cover 19.23 lakh. A senior
facility. government official said only around 7% of
▪ The Three specialists, all women, will review the houses came under the slabs of 100% and
every civic infrastructure project to suggest 150%.
changes for improving the safety of women
Principal Chief Commissioner takes Tamil Nadu. It will be headed by the former
Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court,
over D. Murugesan, and comprises a broad
▪ Mandalika Srinivas assumed charge on spectrum of experts in academia, sports and
March 31 as Principal Chief Commissioner music.
of Central Excise and GST, Chennai Zone,
covering the jurisdiction of Chennai and Stalin Inaugurates Smart
Puducherry. Classrooms
IIT-M director launches Avishek ▪ Mr. Stalin also launched the Kaaval Uthavi
(Police Assistance) App at the Secretariat.
Parui’s book: According to a release, the app was launched
▪ Avishek Parui, founding chairperson of with over 60 features to enable public,
Indian Network for Memory Studies. His especially women, to seek police help in case
book, Culture and the Literary: Matter, of Emergency.
Metaphor, Memory, that explores the human ▪ The app would be a pioneer among States,
mind and the way technology influenced it it noted. The app comprises an emergency
was launched on Wednesday virtually by V. help and a dial facility (Dial112/ 100/101).
Kamakoti, director of the Indian Institute of The Dial 100 facility has been integrated into
Technology Madras. the app. It also has facility for mobile based
complaint and location sharing facility.
Centre constitutes Dam Safety
▪ The app can be downloaded from the Google
Authority with Temporary Officials Play Store.
▪ The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has
established the National Dam Safety Coimbatore may be the First
Authority (NDSA) with a temporary T.N. City to get Metrolite
composition of officials. Conceived under ▪ Coimbatore city may be the first city in the
the Dam Safety Act, which came into force State to have a Metrolite system that will
on December 30, the NDSA is the regulatory cover 45.87 km with 40 stations, making a
body. halt at several important landmarks of the
▪ It will implement policies and address city, including Coimbatore Airport.
unresolved issues between Two States.
▪ The Act provides that the NDSA will perform A Smart Governance System for
the role of the State Dam Safety Organisation Monitoring Infra Work
for a dam located in one State and used by
▪ The State Government will launch a smart
another, as in the case of the Mullaperiyar
Governance system to monitor infrastructure
dam. An order issued by the Peninsular
work and civic services in realtime.
Rivers Wing of the Department of Water
▪ Municipal Administration and Water Supply
Resources, River Development & Ganga
Minister K.N. Nehru on Thursday announced
Rejuvenation on Monday, the Member
the launch of the smart governance system in
(Designs & Research) in the Central Water
all urban local bodies in the State.
Commission (CWC) has been entrusted
▪ Residents will be able to get information
additionally with the charge of being the
and give feedback about infrastructure
chairperson of the Authority.
projects and services in urban areas,
Panel set up to draft T.N. Education including Chennai, other corporations and
Policy: municipalities in the State,
▪ The urban local bodies will get star ratings
▪ Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday under the smart governance system to
announced the constitution of a committee improve services for residents. The urban
to formulate a State Education Policy for local bodies, including Chennai Corporation,
will launch a people’s movement for clean ‘All PHCs to Plant at Least 200
cities. Saplings’
▪ A cleanliness drive will be conducted on
second and fourth Saturdays. Residents’ ▪ Keeping in tune with the theme of World
associations will be empowered to keep cities Health Day 2022, ‘Our Planet, Our Health’,
clean. all medical officers have been told to plant
▪ The local bodies will launch a scheme for saplings on the premises of every Primary
the empowerment of sanitary workers. Health Centre, Health Minister Ma.
The scheme includes skill development for Subramanian said.
workers involved in mechanization of solid Ex-Welfare Workers to get Priority
waste management, education for their
in MGNREGS Appointments: CM
children and loans for them from public
sector banks. ▪ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on
▪ A common Tamil Nadu Local Bodies Act Friday announced that former ‘Makkal Nala
will come into force to integrate all aspects Paniyalargal’ (welfare workers) would be
of local administration in various cities, given priority in the appointment of project
municipalities and town panchayats in the coordinators under the Mahatma Gandhi
State. National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (MGNREGS) in 12,524 Village
Smart City projects to be audited Panchayats.
in 11 Cities Financial Assistance for self-help
▪ The State Government has decided to
Groups Increased to 20 Lakhs
conduct an audit of the smart city projects,
implemented in 11 cities across the State. The ▪ The financial assistance provided by
Central government had launched Smart Cooperative Societies to self-help groups
Cities Mission in June 2015. Hundred cities has been increased from 12 lakhs to ₹20
were selected for infrastructural upgradation lakhs from the year 202223, Minister for
and introduction of smart applications. The Cooperation I. Periyasamy announced in the
objective of the Smart Cities Mission was to Assembly.
create worldclass cities as per the aspirations Childline 1098 may be merged
and needs of the citizens.
▪ The Smart City projects were classified into
with Emergency Helpline 112:
areabased development (ABD) projects and ▪ Childline 1098 is a 24x7 Emergency, free
pan city projects covering larger parts of the phone outreach for children in distress. It
cities. Under ABD, the projects are in the is one of the world’s biggest emergency
nature of city improvement (retrofitting), city helpline services dedicated to children, and
renewal (redevelopment) and city extension is considered to be among the country’s
(greenfield development). Each city had been largest Emergency response systems with 50
allocated 1,000 crore, shared equally by the Lakh Calls received Annually.
Centre and State governments, to carry out
Organ allocation all set to become
these projects.
▪ These projects were expected to be completed an Automated Process in T.N.:
within five years from the time cities were ▪ After making patient registration a fully
chosen. Since most of these cities have automated process, the Transplant Authority
completed five years, the State government of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN) is currently
has decided to conduct an audit of these testing the possibility of organ allocation
Smart Cities. through its recently developed application
to make the entire process transparent. In
August 2021, TRANSTAN rolled out the
automated webcummobile app Vidiyal and TANUVAS Ranked First among

initiated the registration of patients from Veterinary Universities in Country:
start to finish on the platform. Aadhaar based
authentication, through mobile based OTP ▪ The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal
and fingerprints, was rolled out for patients. Sciences University (TANUVAS) has been
▪ The first ever automated system for organ ranked first among the 15 State veterinary
allocation in India and the first to use universities in India by the Indian Council
Aadhaar authentication to prevent multiple of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in its recent
registrations. The app will automatically (2020) Rank List.
generate a waitlist, blood groupand seniority ▪ “TANUVAS has taken the 12th place on the
wise, and put up the list for hospitals to list of agriculture, veterinary, horticulture
accept/ decline. If a hospital declines the and fisheries universities across the country.
organ, they will have to state the reason, It is a significant achievement, because it
▪ The app features a chat box to enable hospitals [TANUVAS] has moved from the 41st rank
to raise queries, and shows a timer on the in 2017 to the 12th rank in 2020.
screen to limit the timeframe for decision- Pallavastyle Stones Exposed by
making to 45 minutes.
Strong Waves on Mamallapuram
Seamless Experience: beach
The Features of the Vidiyal App: ▪ Stones apparently belonging to the Pallava
9 Aadhaar Authentication to precent period have been found on Mamallapuram
Multiple Registrations. beach. With top layer of sand washed away
9 Payment Gateway for private Hospitals by rough seas and wave action, stones, some
for patient registration. of which resemble Shivalinga and probably
were buried all these years, were exposed.
9 Automated calls to Hospitals.
9 Privacy T.N. to set up 600 ‘Village
9 Transparency in intimating the patient Secretariats’
about Registration, wait-list and current ▪ The Tamil Nadu government will set up
status. ‘village secretariats’ that will help implement
9 Secure patient database. its schemes in rural areas, Chief Minister
9 Paperless work. M.K. Stalin said in the Assembly.
▪ Mr. Stalin said the village secretariats will
9 Dynamic waiting list updation have internet connection, rooms for the
9 Automated report generation panchayat presidents, secretaries and village
Villages of equality are in for a administrative officers, meeting halls and
basic amenities.
makeover:
▪ The secretariats, to be constructed at a cost of
▪ The Samathuvapuram, also called ‘equality 40 lakh each, would also coordinate efforts
villages’ and ‘egalitarian societies’ that were to implement schemes of the Departments
first established during the M. Karunanidhi of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj,
government in 1998 against the backdrop Revenue, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
of caste clashes in the southern districts to and Social Welfare.
provide housing to people living below the ▪ Mr. Stalin said the Gram Sabha meetings
poverty line of different castes, are in for a would be held six times a year. Besides on
makeover, thanks to a state government Republic Day (January 26), Labour Day
project. (May 1), Independence Day (August 15) and
the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
(October 2), the gram sabhas would meet
on World Water Day (March 22) and Local an NGO representative or academician from
Governance Day (November 1). the community is expected to be a part of the
▪ November 1 had been observed as Local committee.
Governance Day by the DMK government
since 2007. TANUVAS to open native dog
▪ The Chief Minister said the government Research centre to Restore and
would resume conferring the Uthamar Conserve Breeds
Gandhi Village Panchayat award on the best ▪ Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences
performing Village Panchayats based on 10 University (TANUVAS) has decided to set
parameters. It was introduced in 2006 under up a native dog research centre in Tenkasi
the DMK government. district “to restore and conserve the breeds”.
▪ One Village Panchayat in 37 districts would “The government has sanctioned 1 crore for
be chosen per year. the project, and it will cater to those who are
▪ The award would carry a cash component of keen on keeping native dog breeds.”
10 lakhs.
‘TB must be notified when
State Govt. to set up e-libraries
Diagnosed’
and Construct Buildings for Hostels
▪ The Director of Public Health has instructed
▪ Backward Classes Welfare Minister all government and private healthcare
R.S. Rajakannappan on Friday announced institutions and laboratories to notify
schemes in the Assembly for students tuberculosis when it is diagnosed. As per the
of the Backward Classes and Denotified Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, TB was
Communities staying in hostels across Tamil declared a notified disease by the State on
Nadu. January 19, 1955.
▪ He said e-libraries would be set up for ▪ Thus, all practitioners who diagnose or treat
students staying in 275 college hostels at the disease must provide information “with
a cost of 2.20 crore ( 80,000 per hostel), the least practicable delay” to the concerned
through which students could access Local Health Authority.
books available online at the Arignar Anna
Centenary Library and other libraries. Zero Shadow Day Observed:
▪ The biannual Zero Shadow Day phenomenon
Parents Elect Members of School
was observed in the city at 12.07 p.m. on
Management Panels Sunday with Birla Planetarium, Tamil Nadu
▪ As a part of the reconstitution of School Science Forum (TNSF), and the Indian
Management Committees (SMCs) initiated Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc)
by the School Education Department for the organizing events in different parts of the
Nam Palli Nam Perumai scheme, parents in city.
Government middle schools across the State ▪ Zero Shadow Day happens when the sun is
came together to democratically choose the directly at the zenith point of the sky dome,
members of the committees. resulting in the phenomenon of no shadow
▪ Through the reconstitution of these for a period of time.
committees, the School Education ▪ This can be observed only in the regions
Department aims at encouraging better between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of
community engagement and involvement in Capricorn. The Next Zero shadow in Chennai
schools’ functioning. Each committee should will happen on August 18 this year.
have 20 members, 15 of them parent. And
50% of the committee should be women.
▪ The panel should also include a teacher
representative, head of the school, as well as
Conservation Centre for Naatu four and a half years after it was constituted
Kuttai cattle breed to be set up at and its tenure having been extended several
Times.
Kattupakkam
▪ Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences ‘State moving towards Malaria
University (TANUVAS) has decided to Elimination Phase’
set up a Conservation Centre for Naatu ▪ Tamil Nadu is moving towards the malaria
Kuttai Maadugal, cattle breed prevalent in elimination phase. From 1.20 lakh cases in
Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur 1990, the number dropped to 22,171 in 2011.
and Villupuram districts. It has fallen drastically to 772 cases at present,
T.N. Reaching Saturation level in according to health officials.
▪ While India has a target of achieving malaria
Food grain Production: elimination by 2030, Tamil Nadu aims to
▪ Despite the State recording 9% higher stamp out the disease by 2024.
production of food grains during 2021-22 ▪ From category II in 2014.
when compared to the previous year, it
appears to be reaching the level of saturation. The City Police had Launched
▪ Since 2011-12 reveals that on an average, Kaaval Karangal
the State has been able to produce around ▪ As many as 2,541 abandoned or homeless
100 lakh tonnes a year. In the last 11 years, people were rescued by Greater Chennai
the highest production was in 2014-15, with City police personnel from the streets in the
127.95 lakh tonnes, followed by last year’s last one year under its programme Kaaval
production about 118 lakh tonnes. Karangal, which was launched in April last
‘TNEB 2.0’ to Double Production by year.
▪ On April, 21, last year, the city police launched
2030 the initiative, Kaaval Karangal, with the
▪ The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution assistance of officers of the Greater Chennai
Corporation will roll out ‘TNEB 2.0’ to meet Corporation, the Social Welfare Department
the surging power demand and modernize and nongovernmental organisations to
distribution by 2030. rescue abandoned/ homeless persons
▪ It is aimed at doubling production through helplines.
and upgrading distribution to ensure
uninterrupted supply. 1.70 Lakh Jobs created in State’s
▪ ‘TNEB 2.0’ was aimed at more than doubling Formal Sector in February 2022
production from 33,877 MW to 77,153 MW ▪ About 1.70 lakh jobs were created in Tamil
(including the Central, State share). The Nadu’s formal sector in February 2022,
State’s own generation capacity would go up according to provisional data provided by
from 7,175 MW to 41,085 MW. the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
▪ TANGEDCO created three new (EPFO).
administrative zones — Thanjavur, ▪ This is an increase of 26% from January 2022
Tiruvannamalai and Karur — taking the total and 13% from February 2021, respectively.
number to 12. The new jobs added are measured in terms
Arumughaswamy Commission of the number of new net enrolments made
with the EPFO.
Completes Hearing ▪ “The manufacturing industry, electronic
▪ The one-man commission probing the manufacturing and the services sector have
circumstances that led to former Chief created new jobs at a pace much higher than
Minister Jayalalithaa’s hospitalization and that of other segments,”
death has completed its hearing, more than ▪ T.N. slipped to Number Two slot in Organ
Donations: exMinister
▪ Former Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar on
Friday said Tamil Nadu, which stood first
in organ donation in the country for six
consecutive years, had slipped to the second
position.
T.N. slipped to Number Two slot in

Organ Donations: exMinister
▪ Former Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar on
Friday said Tamil Nadu, which stood first
in organ donation in the country for six
consecutive years, had slipped to the second
position.
NUGGETS OF HISTORY
First Portraits: was the first to document the hill plants in
▪ The first portraits to be unveiled in the Tamil south India. The illustrated book,
Nadu Legislative Assembly were those of ▪ The Flora of the Nilgiri and Pulney Hill-tops,
C. Rajagopalachari and Mahatma Gandhi which he compiled with his wife Diana Ruth
in 1948. Today, the Assembly Hall has the Fyson, remains a seminal contribution.
portraits of 16 leaders. The latest one to be Cholera in 19th Century
unveiled was that of former Chief Minister
▪ Cholera, which has now become rare,
M. Karunanidhi.
affected several parts of India in waves
Tryst with Ooty throughout the 19th Century. With mortuary
▪ Tryst with Ooty The only time the Tamil registration coming into force in 1866 in the
Nadu Assembly functioned outside Chennai Madras Presidency, records show around
was in April May 1959. It happened in two lakh persons died of cholera that year in
Arranmore Palace (now the Thamizhagam the Presidency.
Guest House) in Udhagamandalam. The First Proficient
Assembly met from April 20 to 30, while the
▪ When the Presidency College was functioning
Council met in the first week of May.
as a High School before collegiate education
Governor for long: was introduced, those who passed the exams
▪ Surjit Singh Barnala, former Chief Minister and got degrees were called Proficients.
of Punjab who later served as Governors of The first Proficient was C.V. Runganada
different States, has the distinction of being Sastri, a polyglot, who served as a renowned
the longest serving Governor of Tamil Nadu. interpreter and civil servant.
He held the post for over seven years from Best Actors Women:
1990 to 1991 and then from 2004 to 2011.
▪ Who starred in Tamil films have won the
Presidents from T.N. national award for best actress six times. Men
▪ While no one from Tamil Nadu has become have won the award for best actor eight times.
the Prime Minister, the State has the The first to win the best actor award from
distinction of having sent the highest number Tamil Nadu was former Chief Minister M.G.
of occupants to Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Of the Ramachandran for his film Rickshawkaran in
14 Presidents, three were born in Tamil Nadu 1971.
(S. Radhakrishnan, R. Venkatraman and Tiruvottiyur Annexed:
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam).
▪ Tiruvottiyur, Located North of Chennai,
Blackbucks in Guindy: was annexed by the British in 1719 when
▪ The blackbuck, an endangered species, Joseph Collet was the Governor of Madras.
was introduced in the present day Guindy Colletpetta, a village he established for
National Park in 1924 by the then Governor weavers and painters near Tiruvottiyur, later
of Madras Presidency, Lord Willingdon. came to be known as Kaladipet. (Compiled
▪ The Governor’s mansion in the park by Pon Vasanth B.A)
became the Raj Bhavan in 1948. Tamil Nadu in Focus:
(Contributed by Pon Vasanth B.A)
17,225.11
Documenting the Flora ▪ MW is the installed renewable energy
▪ Philip Furley Fyson, a botanist and educator capacity in Tamil Nadu, which is the highest
who was in India in the early 20th Century, in the country.
▪ Manapparai Government Hospital Tops list Irrigation:

of Clean Hospitals in State ▪ 26.7 lakh hectares is the total irrigated area
▪ Government Hospital, Manapparai, had won in Tamil Nadu, of which 62% is irrigated
the first place at the State-level for ‘Clean through wells and borewells.
Hospital’ in the National Health Mission’s
‘Kayakalp’ programme 2021-22 Women Entrepreneurs Scripting a
Foray into Cinema: silent transformation:
▪ Rajakumari, the first movie penned by late ▪ With about 10.87 lakh units, Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, was released accounts for the highest number of women-
in 1947. This happened to be another late owned establishments
Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran’s first ▪ The 2021 edition of Women & Men in
movie as a hero. Between 1947 and 2011, India, published last week by the National
Karunanidhi wrote scripts for 67 movies. Statistical Office (NSO) of the Union Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation,
First College for Arts: has an element of surprise for Tamil Nadu.
▪ Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, With about 10.87 lakh units, Tamil Nadu
was the first such institute for arts to be accounts for the highest number of women
opened in India in 1850. Started as a private entrepreneurs owned establishments, which
institution by Alexander Hunter, a surgeon cover not only micro, small and medium
and an artist, in Broadway as the Madras enterprises (MSMEs) but also nano units,
School of Art, it was taken over by the promoted through platforms such as
Government two years later. the self-help groups (SHGs). The State’s
share is around 13.5 % of 80.5 lakh such
Women Doctors: establishments in the country.
▪ Mary Ann Dacombe Scharlieb, D. White, S. ▪ “No other State is even close to ours,”
Mitchell and M. Beale were the first women observes an official in the State government,
to be admitted to a medicine course in India dealing with Development Issues.
in Madras Medical College in 1875. It was ▪ Kerala comes next with around 9.14 lakh
made possible by the efforts of Edward establishments having the share of 11.35%.
Balfour, the then surgeon-general of Madras. Andhra Pradesh is placed third with around
Even institutions in Britain had not allowed 8.5 lakh units (10.6%), followed by West
women in medical courses by then. Bengal with about 8.3 lakh units (10.3%).
States known to be highly industrialized,
Tramways in Madras: Maharashtra and Gujarat, have 6,64,300 and
▪ Madras was the first city to have a tramway 5,28,623 such establishments respectively,
in India. Trams were operational in the city with their shares being 8.25% and 6.57%.
from 1895 to 1953. At its peak, tram networks ▪ Of these units in Tamil Nadu, 94% has
covered around 24 kilometres in the city and been classified as “perennial” against the
carried more than one lakh passengers a day. all-India figure of 89%. Even though the
number of hired workers is about 2.93
First Flight:
lakhs, its proportion (27%) is higher than the
▪ The First Flight in India took off from
national average of 17%. Again, in terms of
Pallavaram in Madras in 1910, eight years
employment, the State finishes on top with
after the Wright Brothers’ successful flight.
13.8% of about 1.34 crore persons employed
Giacomo D’angelis, a hotelier, designed and
in the country. Tamil Nadu’s figure is about
flew this biplane, which was later exhibited
18.6 lakh persons.
for members of the public in Island Grounds.
▪ 70 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is roughly
(Compiled by Ponvasanth B.A).
produced in Tamil Nadu every year, of
which 36% is produced in the Delta region.

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International Brain ▪ The International Brain Tumour awareness week

▪ Every year since 2008, November 11 is celebrated

hormone along with Charles Herbert Best in 1922.

▪ As a part of the year­long commemoration of

75 years of Independence, the Union Cabinet

tribal freedom fighters.

▪ To raise awareness of our profession, the

International Day (IOMP) initiated the International Day of Medical

▪ The theme for 2021 is “Communicating the Role

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ National Press Day is celebrated on November 16

▪ Audit Diwas will be celebrated on November 16

▪ India celebrates National Integration Day, also

International Men’s recognize and celebrate the cultural, political, and

▪ World Toilet Day is observed on 19 November

19 November World Toilet Day

▪ In 2000, the Women's World Summit Foundation

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ World Children’s Day is observed on November

▪ World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November

▪ The World Health Organization (WHO) has

18-24 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (November 18-24), ‘Go Blue’

don’t respond to medicines, which makes

▪ The United Nations General Assembly has

International Day designated November 25 as the International Day

Women ▪ Theme for 2021 is "Orange the World: End

▪ Constitution Day (Samvidhana Divas), also

Date Day Theme / Remark

▪ National Milk Day is observed across India on

▪ The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the youth

1.2 PROFILE OF STATES

▪ Country’s 1st Police Control Room to get

certifications by URS Certification Limited

▪ Uttarakhand Foundation Day is observed

Municipal Corporation in Chennai. several districts from the Northwestern part of

to have metro facilities in five districts.

▪ The State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister highest civilian honour.

▪ The Cabinet also adopted the Pakke Tiger

of the State Government has already started

▪ The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

implementing the project. ▪ In a pioneering initiative to take tourism deep

Smartphones: project in select spots in seven districts, which

to farmers in the state to buy smartphones.

1.3 DEFENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND TERRORISM

▪ Of the total 24 submarines to be built in India,

▪ India has only one nuclear submarine, INS

▪ In the United Nations Convention on the Law

▪ The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Army in 1962.

▪ Indian armed forces have been focusing on

stand-off with China and a drone strike on the

of the IAF being pressed into action. jointly operating in a Counter-Terrorism

▪ Construction of the submarine commenced

conventional and one nuclear submarine in

four German HDW submarines, four French

1.4 EMINENT PERSONS

with modern and scientific driven technology.

Pakistan, an off­ shoot of the Afghan Taliban, Babasaheb Purandare:

India's second-highest civilian award on 25

▪ As a part of the yearlong commemoration of

Pakistan, an off shoot of the Afghan Taliban, Babasaheb Purandare: