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DECEMBER WEEK 1

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 INDEX

Paper 1
Culture

UNESCO inscribes Yoga in the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of

Humanity

Society related issues

Women and related issues

Reforms carried out in RMK to help poor women

India has improved by 21 spots as per latest Gender Gap Report of World Economic
Forum
More than 22000 children reported as missing on Track Child portal since last 6
months

Globalization

Review of policy on globalization

Paper 2
Polity & constitution
Governance related issues

Overlapping/Conflict between Central and State Labour Laws

Grievance Redress Mechanism

Social issues

UNESCO report on Universal Educational Goals

Purchasing of Goods From SC/ST Entrepreneurs
Number of teachers for disabled students
Cabinet approves Reforms to Boost Employment Generation and Exports in the
Made-ups Sector
Social Security Scheme for Domestic Workers
School Education Quality Index
Encouraging Participation in Sports
Advantage Health Care India 2016
 Universal Immunization Programme
Supply of Generic Medicines
PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana(PMSSY)
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
National Family Health Survey
Japanese Encephalitis
Health Care Facilities for Pregnant Women and Children
RashtriyaKishorSwasthyaKaryakram
Assessment of Sustainable Development Goals
Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour Scheme-2016

Self-Help groups

Ministry of Railways to Rope in Self Help Groups to Make Local Cuisines Available
Through E-Catering Services of Its PSU IRCTC

International relations

India-United States Joint Statement on the visit of Secretary of Defense carter to

India
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Thailand on Cooperation in controlling
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
India and Israel to step-up Science and Technology Cooperation
Trade Agreement between India and Bhutan
Defence partnership with Vietnam

International Organisations

Cooperation among BRICS Nations on Education

Sharing of Teesta River Water

Paper 3

Economy

Infrastructure

National Civil Aviation policy

Setting up of SEZ
Export promotion
 EDI Facilities
Setting up of Coastal Economic Zones
Project Raftaar in Indian Railways
Fourteen Coastal Economic Zones to come up under Sagarmala
Rail Connectivity of Ports

Agriculture

Implementation of National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

Setting Up of Cold Storages/Cold Chain Facilities

Energy and natural resources

Renewable energy in India

Integrated Energy Policy Formulated covering all sources of Energy Including
Renewable Energy Sources
Shortage of Critical Minerals
Exploitation of Ground Water

Environment

DST-Intel Collaborative Research for Real-Time River Water and Air Quality
Monitoring
Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in Sanjay Gandhi
National Park, Mumbai
Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX 2016-17)
Impact of Indias INDC Commitment
Bio Toilet Project in Indian Railways
Cleaning of Rivers Under NamamiGange Mission

Science and Technology

Indigenous satellites placed successfully in orbit

Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Technology
Scramjet Engine
Reusable Launch Vehicle
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
PSLV-C36 Successfully Launches RESOURCESAT-2A Remote Sensing Satellite
Universal Immunization Programme
Submarines and Aircraft Carriers
Disaster management

Abnormal weather
Earthquake Prone Areas
 Paper 1
Culture
UNESCO inscribes Yoga in the
representative list of Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Yoga, Indias one of the ancient practices has
now been inscribed as an element in the
UNESCOs list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of
humanity during the 11th session of the
Intergovernmental Committee for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yoga has become the 13th intangible cultural
heritage that has been listed from India so far
with UNESCO.
Previous ones includes:-
Chhau dance( Inscribed in 2010),
the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (
inscribed in 2012),
Sankirtana the ritual singing,
drumming, and dancing of Manipur(
inscribed in 2013),
Traditional brass and copper craft of
utensil making among the Thatheras of
Jandiala Guru, Punjab(inscribed in
2014) and
Ramlila- the traditional performance of
the Ramayana ( inscribed in 2008).
Society related issues
Women and related issues
Reforms carried out in RMK to help
poor women
Introduction
RashtriyaMahilaKosh (RMK) is a society
registered under the Societies Registration Act,
1860 and an apex micro-finance
organization under the Ministry of Women and
Child Development.
Objective
The main objective of RMK is to provide micro-
credit to poor women for various livelihood
support and income generating activities at
concessional terms in a client-friendly manner
to bring about their socio-economic
development.
Target beneficiaries
The target beneficiaries include rural women
and are from different economic activities.
Since inception RMK has made a cumulative
disbursement of Rs.302 Crore to more than
7.35 lacs poor woman beneficiaries through a
network of over 1500 Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs)/ Intermediary
Organizations.
India has improved by 21 spots as
per latest Gender Gap Report of
World Economic Forum
As per the Global Gender Gap Report 2016 by
World Economic Forum, India ranks at 87th in
respect of Global Gender Gap Index (GGI)
among 144 countries of the World.
According to the Human Development Report
2015 brought out by UNDP, India ranked 130
on the Gender Inequality Index among 155
countries.
Indias performance:-
As per the GGR, India has climbed 21
spots to rank 87th in 2016, which is an
improvement from being ranked at
108th in 2015.
The improvement in ranking has been
driven largely by major improvements
in education.
On education attainment India has
moved up from 125th rank in 2015 to
113th in 2016.
On economic participation and
opportunity too, India has moved up
to 136th rank in 2016, from 139th in
2015.
On health and survival, it has moved
up by one rank over last year to rank
142nd. India ranks 9th on political
empowerment in the world, which is a
major achievement.
Government initiatives for empowerment
of women
Government of India has taken several
measures, interventions and strengthened
Institutional mechanism towards the
empowerment of women and for elimination of
gender gap and inequality.
ICDS is being implemented to address
the nutritional needs of children and
pregnant and lactating women,
MatritvaSahyogYojana for pregnant
and lactating women to improve their
health and nutrition status.
JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY),
implemented with the objective of
reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality.
Sabla scheme aims at the
empowerment of adolescent girls in the
age group of 11-18 years.
SarvaSikshaAbhiyan (SSA) and
RashtriyaMadhayamikSikshaAbhiyan
(RMSA) schemes are being
implemented to universalize
elementary and secondary education
respectively, having a strong focus on
improving enrolment and retention of
girls.
Support to Training & Employment
programme for Women (STEP) scheme
aims to ensure sustainable
employment and income generation for
marginalized and asset-less rural and
urban women.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme
(MGNREGA) helps in economic and
social empowerment of women.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development
is implementing the following schemes to
reduce gender gap and promote gender
sensitization;
i. The BetiBachaoBetiPadhao has been
launched to address the issue of
declining Child Sex Ratio on a life cycle
continuum basis.
ii. One Stop Centres integrated with
Women Helpline (181) have been
established across the country to
provide integrated support and
assistance to women affected by
violence,
iii. Engagement of Mahila Police
Volunteers has been initiated to act as
a link between police and public.
Empowerment on education level:-
Several steps and initiatives have also
been taken up in school education
system such as:- National Curriculum
Framework (NCF) 2005
And flagship programme like
SarvaShikshaAbhiyan (SSA) and the
subsequent Right to Education Act
(RTE).
 Kasturba Gandhi BalikaVidyalayas
(KGBVs) have been opened in
Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs).
Gender Sensitisation is also done
through
RashtriyaMadhyamikShikshaAbhiyan
(RMSA) which includes Gender
sensitization Module- part of In-service
training, Construction for toilet for
girls, Construction of residential
quarters for female teachers and
Curriculum Reforms.
More than 22000 children reported
as missing on Track Child portal
since last 6 months
The Ministry of Women and Child
Development has developed web
portals Track Child and Khoya-Paya
to track the missing and found
children.
The Khoya-Paya has been integrated
as citizen corner on TrackChild portal.
The number of website hits reported on
Track Child portal from January, 2012
to November, 2016 (till date)
are 12,13,82,364.
Globalization
Review of policy on globalization
The degree of trade openness is one of the
indicators for measuring globalization.
Some facts
Indias merchandise trade to GDP ratio has
increased from 20.4 per cent in 2001-02 to
28.3 per cent in 2004-05 and to 32.0 per cent
in 2015-16.
If services trade is also included, then the
degree of openness increased from 26.7 per
cent in 2001-02 to 38.1 per cent in 2004-05
and further to 43.5 per cent in 2015-16.
Recent trends
The global slowdown had some impact
on various aspects of economic
activities including exports from India
which declined by 0.2 percent during
2016-17 (April-October).
Recently, exports showed signs of
revival in September 2016 and October
2016 with a positive growth of 4.0 per
cent and 9.6 per cent respectively.
The World Economic Outlook of
October 2016 by the International
Monetary Fund states that the growth
in India is robust and has predicted
resilient growth for emerging markets
and developing economies.
The effects of globalization vary from
country to country and from time to
time.
Indias economic liberalization has
been calibrated and cautious especially
insensitive sectors such as agriculture.
The government constantly reviews its
economic policies to ensure that the
objective of inclusive growth is
achieved.
In multilateral forums, the effort is to
achieve results which safeguard the
interests of the poor.
 Paper 2
Polity
Governance related issues
Overlapping/Conflict between
Central and State Labour Laws
The Labour is a subject included in the
Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the
Constitution of India. The concept of
Appropriate Government envisages that both
Central and State Governments are competent
to legislate in their respective spheres.
Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages
Act, 1948, both Central and State
Governments are appropriate Governments to
fix, review and revise the minimum wages for
different categories of workers employed in the
scheduled employment under their respective
jurisdictions.
Recommendations of Second National
Commission on Labour
Commission submitted its Report in 2002 had
recommendedThe existing Labour Laws should
be broadly grouped into four or five Labour
Codes on functional basis. i.e.
Wages;
Industrial Relations;
Social Security & Welfare;
Safety and Working Conditions
Accordingly, the Ministry has initiated steps for
drafting four Labour Codes on Wages;
Industrial Relations; Social Security & Welfare;
and Safety and Working Conditions, by
simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the
relevant provisions of the existing Central
Labour Laws.
Right to delivery of service
Grievance Redress Mechanism
It is the constant endeavor of the Government
to further improve the Grievance Redress
Mechanism so that the problems faced by the
people are mitigated.
A grievance can be lodged on the Centralized
Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring
System (CPGRAMS) from anywhere, anytime
and action can be tracked by the petitioner.
Detailed analytical reports are generated from
CPGRAMS based on which monitoring of action
taken is being done through regular review
meetings.
Grievances are also monitored through the
Pro-Active Governance and Timely
Implementation (PRAGATI) platform.
The Reports have been duly circulated to the
concerned Ministries/Departments.
Respective Departments have taken up
reforms like automatic refunds on cancellation
of Railway Tickets, Single Window Pension
through disbursing Banks, intensive
mechanized cleaning of coaches, e-verification
of Income Tax Returns, expeditious Income
Tax Refunds upto Rs.50,000/- among other
reforms.
Laws like the Consumer Protection Act, 1986
etc. already exist for dealing with consumer
related complaints.
A Delivery of Services and Grievances Redress
Scheme has also been prepared.
The Scheme inter alia makes it mandatory for
the public authorities to regularly publish and
update their Citizens Charter specifying fixed
time period and Designated Officers for the
services being provided by the Government.
Implementation of recommendations of
ARC
The Second Administrative Reforms
Commission (2nd ARC) presented 15 Reports to
the Government for consideration.
Barring the 8th Report on the subject of
Combatting Terrorism all other 14 reports
were considered by the Government. In these
14 reports there were 1514 recommendations,
out of which 1183 were accepted, 228 not
accepted and 59 deferred and 21 referred to
other foras.
Decisions on the accepted recommendations
had been conveyed to all concerned Central
Ministries/Departments and States/Union
territories Government for implementation.
Reforms in the public administration by nature
are a continuous process and cover a wide
range of activities. It may be through
simplification of procedures, issue of executive
instruction, enactment of laws etc.
Social Issues
UNESCO report on Universal
Educational Goals
In its Global Education Monitoring Report,
2016, UNESCO has claimed that India will be
half a century late in achieving its universal
education goals.
Primary level
The Report also states that India will achieve
universal primary education by 2050, universal
lower secondary education (Grades VI - VIII in
case of India) by 2060 and universal upper
secondary education (Grades IX-XII in case of
India) by 2085.
As per UDISE 2014-15, the Gross Enrolment
Ratio at primary and upper primary level is
100.08% and 91.24% respectively.
Achievement
Near universal access and enrolment has been
achieved at the primary and upper primary
level by:-
Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009
which provides for free and universal
elementary education
And the implementation of the
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of
SarvaShikshaAbhiyan, which is the key
vehicle to implement the RTE Act,
Secondary level:-
The
RashtriyaMadhyamikShikshaAbhiyan
(RMSA) provides for universalisation of
access to and improvement of quality
at the secondary stage.
As per UDISE 2014-15, the Gross
Enrolment Ratio at secondary and
higher secondary level is 78.51% and
54.21% respectively.
Overall there has been substantial
growth in enrolment in secondary
education (Grade IX-X) in the country.
 Total enrolment for Grades IX and X
has increased from 30.7 million in
2009-10 to 38.3 million students in the
academic year 2014-15.
This represents a 24.8% increase over
a five-year period. There has also been
steady improvement in the Gross
Enrolment Ratio (GER).
The national average GER increased by
15.6 percentage points (from 62.9% in
2009-10 to 78.5 % in 2014-15).
Accordingly, it is envisaged that the
target of universal secondary (Grades
IX-X) education will be achieved
sooner than 2030.
Purchasing of Goods From SC/ST
Entrepreneurs
The Government of India has notified Public
Procurement Policy for Micro and Small
Enterprises (MSEs) Order, 2012 under which a
minimum of 20% of the total annual
procurement is made mandatory from Micro &
Small Enterprises by Central Ministries
/Departments/PSUs. w.e.f. 1st April 2015.
Out of this 20% target of annual procurement
from MSEs, a sub-target of 4% has been
earmarked for procurement from MSEs owned
by SC/ST entrepreneurs.
Since the issuance of the notification of the
Policy total Rs 650.03 Crore has been
purchased from SC/ST entrepreneurs as
reported by CPSUs.
Number of teachers for disabled
students
The Government of India is implementing
SarvaShikshaAbhiyan (SSA) as the main
programme for universalising elementary
education for all children from 6-14 years of
age.
Its overall goals include universal access and
retention, bridging of gender and social
category gaps in education and enhancement
of learning levels of children.
The focus of SSA is on providing inclusive
education to children with special needs
(CWSN), wherein children with and without
disabilities participate and learn together in the
same class.
CWSN need inclusive teaching strategies,
adapted curriculum, adapted teaching
techniques and modified evaluation strategies.
Steps taken for children with special
needs (CWSN)
National Council for Educational
Research and Training has developed
material for training of regular teachers
in curricular adaptation at primary and
upper primary level.
So far 3.59 lakh regular teachers have
been trained on this material.
To further strengthen the skills of
regular teachers to teach CWSN, they
are given category specific training.
In Chhattisgarh till now, 799 teachers
have been trained on low vision, 10047
teachers have been oriented to the
needs of children with blindness.
The Inclusive Education for Disabled at
Secondary Stage (IEDSS) component
of the integrated
RashtriyaMadhyamikShikshaAbhiyan
caters to the needs of CWSN at
secondary level of schooling.
Under the IEDSS, any school where the
number of the children with disabilities
is more than 5, should appoint one
special educator.
In case the number of children is less,
the special educator can work for a
cluster of schools.
In accordance with this ratio, the
requisite number of special educators
may be appointed in schools (or for a
cluster of schools) for children
requiring special teacher support.
 Cabinet approves Reforms to Boost
Employment Generation and Exports
in the Made-ups Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime
Minister ShriNarendraModi has given its
approval to the reforms to boost employment
generation and exports in the Made-ups
Sector.
The following interventions have been
approved in a time bound manner within the
approved budget of Rs. 6,006 crore for the
apparel package
1. Providing production incentive through
enhanced Technology Upgradation
Fund Scheme (TUFS) subsidy of
additional 10%.
2. Extension of
PradhanMantriParidhanRozgarProtsaha
nYojana (PMPRPY) Scheme (for
apparel) to made-ups sector for
providing additional 3.67% share of
Employer's contribution in addition to
8.33% already covered under
PradhanMantriRozgarProtsahanYojana
(PMRPY).
3. Extension of Rebate of State Levies
(ROSL) (for apparel) Scheme to made-
ups sector for enhanced Duty
Drawback on exports of Made-ups.
4. Simplification of labour laws:
Increasing permissible overtime up to
100 hours per quarter in Made-ups
manufacturing sector,
Making employees' contribution to EPF
optional for employees earning less
than Rs 15,000 per month.
The interventions are expected to boost
employment in the textile sector and create
employment for upto eleven lakh persons, lead
to increase in exports and enhance benefits to
the workers in the textile and apparel sector
Social Security Scheme for
Domestic Workers
In order to provide social security benefits to
the workers in the unorganised sector including
domestic workers, the Government has
enacted the Unorganised Workers Social
Security Act, 2008.
The 2008 Act stipulates formulation of suitable
welfare schemes for unorganized workers on
matters relating to:
(i) Life and disability cover,
(ii) Health and maternity benefits,
(iii) Old age protection and
(iv) Any other benefit as may be
determined by the Central
Government through the National
Social Security Board.
Various Schemes, formulated by the
Government to provide social security cover to
the unorganized workers, listed in the
Schedule I of the above Act are as under:
a. Indira Gandhi National Old Age
Pension Scheme (Ministry of
Rural Development)
b. National Family Benefit
Scheme (Ministry of Rural
Development)
c. JananiSurakshaYojana
(Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare)
d. Handloom Weavers
Comprehensive Welfare
Scheme (Ministry of Textiles)
e. Handicraft Artisans
Comprehensive Welfare
Scheme (Ministry of Textiles)
f. Pension to Master Craft
Persons (Ministry of Textiles)
g. National Scheme for Welfare of
Fishermen and Training and
Extension (Department of
 Animal Husbandry, Dairying &
Fisheries)
h. AamAdmiBimaYojana
(Department of Financial
Services)
i. RashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana
(Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare)
Central Government has also launched the Atal
Pension Yojana,
PradhanMantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana and
PradhanMantriSurakshaBimaYojana for all
citizens especially targeting unorganised
workers to provide them comprehensive social
security.
Guidelines for insurance coverage to
Ayurvedic treatment issued in
September this year: AYUSH Minister
Health Insurance Regulations, 2013 notified by
the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority and further amended in 2016 enable
General Insurers and Health Insurers for
providing insurance coverage to AYUSH
treatment.
The condition for the benefit is that treatment
should undergone in a government hospital or
in any institute recognized by government
and/or accredited by Quality Council of India or
National Accreditation Board on Health.
With these provisions, insurance companies
may design products offering AYUSH coverage
in their health insurance products.
School Education Quality Index
Central Government through SSA and RMSA
provides assistance to States and UTs for
growth and expansion of education system.
Government achievements
Since the inception of SSA in 2001 till
30.6.2016:-
3.59 lakh new elementary schools have
been opened
construction of 2.90 lakh school
buildings
17.48 lakh additional classrooms have
been completed
9.61 lakh school toilets constructed
15.74 lakh teachers have been
recruited
Further Since the inception of RMSA in 2009:-
12394 new secondary schools have
been approved
Funds have been provided for
strengthening of 37,382 existing
secondary schools
Under RMSA, 120284 teachers
including Head Masters are approved
till date
Ministry of Human Resource Development
(MHRD) and NITI Aayog are jointly working on
a School Education Quality Index (SEQI) with
the goal of institutionalizing a focus on
improving education outcomes at the State
and UT level.
The details of the index are still under
preparation. The data for the index will be
uploaded by States and UTs.
Encouraging Participation in Sports
KendriyaVidyalayaSangathan (KVS) has issued
directions to all its regional offices to arrange
extra classes for students participating in
sporting and other cultural activities /
competitions.
To encourage the students to participate in
sporting activities cash prizes are given by KVS
to the students securing top three positions in
the National Games / School Games Federation
of India (SGFI) events, as detailed below:
Recognizing the importance of sports in the
holistic development of the students, the
RashtriyaMadhyamikShikshaAbhiyan (RMSA), a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme encourages the In addition, it showcased the training
States/UTs to focus on sports, cultural capabilities of India in Medical
activities, activity based learning, exposure to healthcare, AYUSH and Nursing sector.
life skills etc.
About medical value travel industry (MVT)
An amount of Rs. 50,000/- per school (School
Annual Grant) is given as part of recurring The medical value travel industry has
grant for miscellaneous activities including emerged as one of the fastest growing
purchase of sports equipment and other sports segment of the tourism industry.
related activities.
Globally the market is estimated at
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
around USD 40-55 billion. India has
Education (RTE) Act, 2009, also provides for a
tremendous potential in MVT.
play ground for each school, a part time
instructor for physical education in upper
Our estimated market size is USD 3
primary schools and for supply of play
Billion, growing at 15% CAGR. As per
material, games and sports equipment.
2015 data while 11 million people
Central Board of Secondary Education has also travelled to seek treatment, 500,000
made it mandatory for all schools affiliated to it foreign patients travelled to India
to provide one compulsory period for sports seeking treatment.
upto class X and two periods in a week for
classes XI and XII. With adequate focus and effective
execution, MVT in India can be a USD
9 billion opportunity by 2020.
Advantage Health Care India 2016
Universal Immunization Programme

Department of Commerce, Government of

India organized the second edition of Under UIP, Government of India is providing
Advantage Health Care India 2016 (AHCI vaccination free of cost against ten vaccine
2016), preventable diseases i.e.:-

It is an International Summit on Medical Value 1. Diphtheria,

Travel with the aim of Promoting Healthcare
Services Exports from India. 2. Pertussis,

The objective of this international 3. Tetanus,

summit was to promote India as a
Premier Global Healthcare Destination 4. Polio,
and to enable streamlined medical
5. Measles,
services exports from India.
6. severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis,
This underlying objective is a unique
conglomeration of 5Ts, namely 7. Hepatitis B and
Tradition, Technology, Tourism, Talent
and Trade. 8. Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by
Hemophilus Influenza type B across
The Summit presented an opportunity the country;
to interact, network and collaborate
through the hosted buyers program, 9. Japanese Encephalitis in JE endemic
the exhibition, the conference along districts and
with regional forums as well as visits to
some of the world class hospitals in 10. Rotavirus diarrhoea in selected states.
Delhi and NCR.

Supply of Generic Medicines
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has
informed that there were some reports of
pharmaceutical companies indulging in unfair
practices to promote their medicines.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals
announced a Uniform Code of
Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices
(UCPMP) with effect from 1st January,
2015 to curb unfair practices.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) in its
regulations namely the Indian Medical Council
(Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics)
Regulations, 2002 under Clause 1.5 has
prescribed as under:-
Every physician should prescribe drugs with
generic names legibly and preferably in capital
letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a
rational prescription and use of drugs.
PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana(
PMSSY)
The Government under
the PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana
(PMSSY) has decided to upgrade 71 existing
Government Medical Colleges/Institutes
(GMCIs) in the country under the Scheme at
various phases.
Timeline for completion of the upgradation
work depends upon various factors like
approval of authorities concerned, approval of
DPR and issue of notification of award.
The timeline for completion of works is
mentioned in the notification of award and is
generally for a period of 16 to 24 months from
date of award of work depending upon the size
of the project and local site specific conditions.
National Rural Health Mission
(NRHM)
Public Health being a State Subject, the
implementation of NRHM/ NHM is done by the
States/UTs.
Some Complaints/ Grievances in respect of
implementation of NRHM like irregularities in
appointment, misuse of funds, HR issues etc.
have been received in the Ministry.
As per information received from State
Government of Maharashtra, reports of
irregularities in procurement of drugs under
National Health Mission (NHM) came into their
notice and an Enquiry Committee was
constituted in this regard.
Under NHM, support is provided to States/UTs
to put in place robust and transparent systems
of procurement, quality assurance, IT backed
supply chain management, warehousing, HR &
training, prescription audit, IEC & BCC,
monitoring and grievance redressal that would
ensure the highest possible levels of safety and
quality of drugs.
National Organ and Tissue
Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)
As per Transplantation of Human Organs and
Tissues Act, 1994 (as amended) and Rules
thereunder, the Central Government has been
given the mandate to maintain National
registry of donors and recipients of human
organs and tissues.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant
Organization (NOTTO) has been set up
to maintain this registry based on the
information received from the
transplant/retrieval hospitals and other
related organizations.
There is a huge gap between the
number of patients who need organ
transplants and the number of organs
that are available.
Heath is a State subject. Complaints
regarding wastage of organ have, as
such, not been brought to the notice of
the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
However, it is a fact that all
harvestable organs cannot be retrieved
and used owing to lack of awareness
and inadequacy of capacity.
 The Government has taken a series of
steps to promote organ donation
especially in case of brain stem death
and also to augment capacity for organ
retrieval and transplantation in the
country.
NOTTO is working along with a large
number of Non-Governmental
Organizations to spread awareness
about organ donation, their retrieval
and transplantation.
Efforts are also being made to utilize
the good offices of industry and trade
associations for spreading awareness
about it.
All of them including those working in
Karnataka, have indicated their
willingness to spread the message.
National Family Health Survey
As per the factsheets of National Family Health
Other schemes under different Ministries of
Survey (NFHS) 4 (2015-16) released by the
Government of India, targeting improvement
Ministry, Madhya Pradesh has shown an
of nutritional status are as under:-
improvement in the nutrition situation.
Since NFHS-3 (2005-06) children under 5
years who are stunted, wasted and
underweight have come down from 50% to
42%, 35% to 25.8% and 60% to 42.8%
respectively.
Measures are taken by government
Under National Health Mission (NHM), various
interventions are implemented to improve the
health of mother and children which have
implication on nutritional status of children.
These are:
Promotion of appropriate infant and
young child feeding practices (IYCF)
that include early initiation of
breastfeeding and exclusive
breastfeeding till 6 months of age by
Accredited Social Health Activists.
Treatment of children with severe
acute malnutrition at Nutrition
Rehabilitation Centres.
Specific program to prevent and
combat micronutrient deficiencies of
Vitamin A and Iron & Folic Acid,
Vitamin A supplementation is provided
for children till the age of 5 years.
Under National Iron plus initiative, bi-
weekly Iron & Folic Acid
supplementation is provided to children
6 to 60 months.
Management of under-nutrition and
common neonatal and childhood
illnesses at community and facility
level by training service providers in
Integrated Management of Neonatal
and Childhood Illnesses.
National Iodine Deficiency Disorders
Control Programme for promotion of
adequately iodated salt consumption at
household level.
Integrated Child Development
Services Schemes (ICDS).
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for
Empowerment of Adolescent Girls
[RGSEAG] - (SABLA).
Indira Gandhi MatritvaSahyogYojana
(IGMSY).
National Programme of Nutritional
Support to Primary Education (Mid
Day Meal Programme).
Improving the purchasing power of
the people through various income
generating schemes including
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme.
National Rural Drinking Water
Programme.\

Japanese Encephalitis
AES is caused by various reasons like bacteria,
virus etc. of which only JE is vaccine
preventable disease, for which vaccination is
provided.
As on date, out of 216 endemic districts, 198
have been covered under JE vaccination
campaign in 1-15 years children.
The campaign is followed by two doses of JE
vaccine under Routine Immunization (at 9-12
months and 16-24 months) to cover the new
cohort under Universal Immunization Program
(UIP) since 2006.
A multi-pronged strategy has been adopted
under the National Programme for Prevention
and Control of JE/AES
The Major components under the Programme
include:-
Strengthening of JE/AES surveillance
by establishing sentinel laboratories,
Reduction in case fatality rate by
establishment of Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit (ICU) at district level in 60
high burdened districts,
Capacity building in critical case
management,
JE vaccination,
Supply of safe drinking water,
Establishment of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Department in 10
identified medical college of five states.
Some achievements
Number of sentinel sites increased
from 51 in 2005 to 130 at present.
Apex Referral Laboratories increased
from 12 to 15.
Out of 216 endemic districts, 197
districts covered under JE vaccination
campaign in 1-15 years children.
Adult JE vaccination completed in 5
districts of Assam and selected blocks
of 7 districts of UP and 9 districts of
West Bengal. More Blocks have been
identified for Adult JE vaccination
campaign (>15-65 years) in the States
of West Bengal and Assam.
Till date funds released for 42 Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Funds have been released for 10 Physical
Medicine Rehabilitation (PMR).
Health Care Facilities for Pregnant
Women and Children
The Government of India has implemented
various schemes for pregnant women and
children in the country and the same are
placed below:
JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY) was
launched in April 2005, with the
objective of reducing maternal and
neonatal mortality by promoting
institutional delivery among pregnant
women.
Scheme will provide incentive to all BPL/SC/ST
pregnant women delivering in Government
health facilities/accredited private institutions
in both High performing State (HPS) and Low
Performing State (LPS) regardless of age of
mother and number of children.
All pregnant women delivering in government
health centres of LPS are entitled for cash
assistance.
JananiShishuSurakshaKaryakaram
(JSSK) has been launched on 1st
June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant
women delivering in public health
institutions to absolutely free and no
expense delivery including Caesarean
section.
The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics,
blood and diet, besides free transport from
home to institution, between facilities in case
of a referral and drop back home.
Similar entitlements have been put in place for
all sick infants accessing public health
institutions for treatment.
The
PradhanMantriSurakshitMatritvaAb
hiyan (PMSMA) has been launched by
the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
(MoHFW), Government of India to
provide fixed-day assured,
comprehensive and quality antenatal
care universally to all pregnant women
on the 9th of every month.
As part of the Abhiyan, a minimum package of
antenatal care services would be provided to
pregnant women in their 2nd / 3rd trimesters,
by OBGY specialists/ Radiologist/ Physicians at
government health facilities, with support from
private sector doctors to supplement the
efforts of the government.
RashtriyaBalSwasthyaKaryakram
(RBSK) has been launched to provide
child health screening and early
interventions services by expanding
the reach of mobile health teams at
block level.
These teams also carry out screening of all the
children in the age group 0 6 years enrolled
at Anganwadi Centres at least twice a year.
RBSK covers 30 common health conditions.
In order to increase awareness about
the use of ORS and Zinc in diarrhoea,
an Intensified Diarrhoea Control
Fortnight (IDCF) is being observed
during July-August, with the ultimate
aim of zero child deaths due to
childhood diarrhoea.
During fortnight health workers visited the
households of under five children, conducted
community level awareness generation
activities and distributed ORS packets to the
families with children under five years of age.
Around 1.9 crore and 6.34 Crore Under-five
children were reached by ASHAs during IDCF
2014 and 2015 respectively and prophylactic
ORS packets were distributed to them with
counselling for care during diarrhoea.
National Deworming Day
(NDD): Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare had adopted a single day
strategy called National Deworming
Day (NDD) in 2015 to combat Soil
Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections
in the children.
During NDD, a single dose of Albendazole is
administered to the children by school teachers
and anganwadi workers.
RashtriyaKishorSwasthyaKaryakram
RKSK- Government of India is implementing
the
RashtriyaKishorSwasthyaKaryakram(RKSK).
The salient features of the various
interventions under RKSK are as follows :
Weekly Iron Folic Acid
Supplementation programme: The
objective of the programme is to
reduce the prevalence and severity of
anaemia in adolescent population (10-
19 years).
The programme covers adolescent girls
and boys enrolled in 6th to 12th class
in government/government
aided/municipal schools and out of
school adolescent girls.
Under the programme supervised WIFS
are given to these adolescent girls and
boys using fixed day approach and
biannual deworming for control of
helminthic infestation.
The adolescents are screened for
moderate/severe anaemia and are
referred to appropriate health facilities.
Nutrition Health Education is also
imparted to the adolescents by trained
nodal teachers.
Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual
Hygiene: The scheme aims at:-
Increasing the awareness regarding
hygiene practices during menstruation,
 Increased access to and use of Performance was estimated on the
hygienic products during menstruation basis of 33 health-related Sustainable
and disposal of such products in an Development Goal (SDG) indicators for
environmentally friendly manner 188 countries from 1990 to 2015.
among adolescent girls living rural
areas. Though the SDG 3 of health and
wellbeing of all at all ages is in sync
Peer Education: The programme aims to
Country Life Infant Mater Under
ensure that adolescents between the age of
expe mortali nal weigh
10-19 years benefit from regular and sustained
ctanc ty rate mortal t (%)
peer education thus improving life skills,
y at ity under
knowledge and aptitude on key focused areas. 2015
birth ratio age
Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics: At ( in five
years 2015 years
AFHCs with the presence of trained service
) (
providers counselling and curative services (
Adjust (2010
information, commodities and services) are
2015 ed) -
provided at primary, secondary and tertiary
2015)
levels of care with due referral linkages

India 68 38 174 29

Assessment of Sustainable
Development Goals
Bangladesh 72 31 176 33

The study titled Measuring the health-related

Bhutan 70 27 148 13
Sustainable Development Goals in 188
countries: a baseline analysis from the Global
Myanmar 66 40 178 23
Burden of Disease Study 2015 published
recently in medical journal The Lancet
Nepal 70 29 258 30
placed India at 143rd position.
Pakistan 66 66 178 32

Sri Lanka 75 8 30 26

with the vision of proposed National

Health Policy and National Health
Mission (NHM), a National Task Force
on SDG 3 has been set up by the
Ministry.

The reasons for low performance

include issues pertaining to adequacy
of access and quality of healthcare,
affordability, regional disparities, other
socio cultural determinants of health
etc.

Health is a State Subject. However,

under National Health Mission support
is provided to the States/UTs to
strengthen their health care system
 based on the requirements posed by
them under Programme
Implementation Plans.
National Health Mission (NHM), has two Sub-
Missions, viz. the National Rural Health Mission
(NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission
(NUHM).
NHM envisages achievement of universal
access to equitable, affordable & quality
healthcare services that are accountable and
responsive to peoples needs.
The main programmatic components include
Health System Strengthening in rural and
urban areas, Reproductive-Maternal-Neonatal-
Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A)
interventions and control of Communicable and
Non-Communicable Diseases.
Certain key health indicators of India and
some developing countries
Source: THE STATE OF THE WORLDS
CHILDREN 2016, UNICEF.
Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour
Scheme-2016
Bonded Labour System has been abolished by
law throughout the country with effect from
25th October, 1975 under the Bonded
LabourSystem (Abolition) Ordinance which was
replaced by the Bonded Labour System
(Abolition) Act, 1976.
Under the Act, it is the responsibility of State
governments to identify, release and
rehabilitate the bonded labour.
The Act affords protection to the freed bonded
labourers from eviction from their homestead.
District Administration is mandated to restore
the bonded labourer to the possession of such
homestead or other residential premises as
early as practicable.
The Act also provides for the economic and
social rehabilitation of the freed bonded
labourers.
Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation
of Bonded Labourers, 2016
In order to assist the State Governments in the
task of rehabilitation of identified and released
bonded labourers, a Centrally Sponsored Plan
Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour
was in operation since May, 1978.
The Government has revamped the Centrally
Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of
Bonded Labourers with effect from 17th May,
2016.
The revamped scheme is known as the Central
Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded
Labourers, 2016.
The salient features of the Scheme are as
under:
The revised scheme is a Central Sector
Scheme. The State Government is not
required to pay any matching
contribution for the purpose of cash
rehabilitation assistance.
Financial assistance has been
increased:-
o From Rs. 20,000/- to one lakh
per adult male beneficiary, Rs.
2 lakh for special category
beneficiaries such as children
including orphans or those
rescued from organized &
forced begging rings or other
forms of forced child labour,
and women and
o Rs. 3 lakh in cases of bonded
or forced labour involving
extreme cases of deprivation or
marginalization such as trans-
genders, or woman or children
rescued from ostensible sexual
exploitation such as brothels,
massage parlours, placement
agencies etc.
The amount of assistance for survey of bonded
labourers is Rs. 4.50 lakh per district.
Scheme provides for creation of a
Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund at
District level by each State with a
permanent corpus of at least Rs. 10
lakh
 The fund is released by the Ministry
under the Scheme to the District
National Child Labour Project Society
and the District Project Society.
Safe and secure environment for the
capacity building of child bonded
labourers, facilities for ensuring their
proper education, short stay home till
education upto class 12th, skill
development, marriage assistance etc.
In case of migrant bonded labourers, it
is responsibility of the State
Governments/Union Territory
Administrations, where the bonded
labour have been identified, to make
arrangements for their repatriation to
their native place, if they so desire.
Self-help Groups
Ministry of Railways to Rope in Self
Help Groups to Make Local Cuisines
Available Through E-Catering Services
of Its PSU IRCTC
The Partnership with NABARD to Help Ensure
Extensive e- marketing for Products Produced
by the SHGs Leading to Increase in Rural
Incomes
This Step Also Assume Significance as it
Integrates the Rural Population With Much
Desired Cashless Transaction System and
Bring Them Under The Ambit of Digital India
Initiative
IRCTC Also to Take the Help of SHGs in
Installation and operation of Water Vending
Machines (WVMs)
In a significant measure to promote Self-Help
Groups (SHGs), Ministry of Railways through
its PSU Indian Railway Catering & Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to rope in
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in making regional
cuisine products produced by such groups
available to travelling passengers on e-catering
service platform of IRCTC.
IRCTC in association with National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development (NABARD) is joining
hands with SHGs formed by MAVIM -
MahilaArthikVikasMahamandal, and
Lupin Human Welfare Research
Foundation in the Konkan region to
bring the delectable Konkani cuisine
right on the seat of a train passenger
through its e-catering service popularly
known as Food on Track.
This will not only provide an enriched
variety of local homemade foods to the
passengers but will help generate local
employment, empower women and
ensure inclusive growth. The move will
also support persons from weaker
sections in a big way.
The partnership with NABARD to
provide support and access to the
IRCTC website would ensure extensive
e- marketing for products produced by
the SHGs would lead to increase in
rural incomes.
International
India-United States Joint Statement on
the visit of Secretary of Defense carter
to India

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

made an official visit to India

India and US agreed to continue further

strengthening the bilateral counter-terrorism
cooperation and underlined the need to ensure
that terror groups receive no patronage from
any State.

Progress in India-US relations

The signing of a Defense Framework

Agreement in 2015, have laid a
blueprint for collaboration.

Joint exchange opportunities in both

personnel and training exercises
have expanded and strengthened our
bilateral cooperation.

The recent signing of the Logistics

Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
(LEMOA) has facilitated additional
opportunities for practical engagement
and exchange.

Recently, Indias designation as a

Major Defense Partner of the United
States has been finalised.

The designation as a Major Defense

Partner is a status unique to India and
institutionalizes the progress made to
facilitate defense trade and technology
sharing with India to a level at par with
that of the United States closest allies
and partners, and ensures enduring
cooperation into the future.

DTTI will strengthen Indias Make in

India initiative and both sides
committed to convening all new DTTI
working groups prior to the next DTTI
Group meeting anticipated for February
2017.
 Cabinet approves MoU between India
and Thailand on Cooperation in
controlling narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime
Minister ShriNarendraModi has given its
approval to the MoU between India and
Thailand in controlling narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances, their precursors and
chemicals and drug abuse.
The MoU is an effective framework to deal with
all issues requiring mutual assistance and
cooperation in the above areas. It will facilitate
effective institutional interaction between India
and Thailand. The MoU, once in force, would
help in curbing transnational narcotics
trafficking.
India and Israel to step-up Science and
Technology Cooperation
The visit of the Israeli S&T and Space Minister
to India follows the visit of the President of
Israel to India last month.
In the meeting between the two
Ministers both sides agreed to give
boost to the bilateral cooperation in
science and technology under the aegis
of the S&T Agreement concluded
between India and Israel in 1993.
Next year will mark 25 years of
diplomatic relationship between the
two countries.
India and Israel together have
implemented a large number of cutting
edge research projects in applied areas
covering Agricultural and Medical
Biotechnology; Human Genomics;
Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology;
Imaging Sensor & Robotics; Solar
Energy; Communication & Information
Technology; and Lasers & Electro-
optics.
This has led to new knowledge creation
through high impact publications in
peer reviewed international journals.
In recognition of the importance of
promoting women in science it was
agreed to consider special initiatives to
support women in science and
technology through new joint programs
in this area.
The potential avenues and mechanism
for collaboration particularly leading to
establishment of Networked Research
Centers between the academic and
R&D institutions from the two countries
was also mooted.
The science and technology
relationship between India and Israel
has been unique in also promoting
industrial R&D cooperation through
academia-industry participation which
has the potential to create new
intellectual property, prototypes and
products.
This collaborative program is
particularly significant in context to the
Make in India and other national
missions of the Indian government.
Trade Agreement between India and
Bhutan
In 2015-16, the major commodities exported
from India to Bhutan were petroleum
products, machine tools, motor vehicles/cars,
products of iron and steel etc.
While the major imports from Bhutan were
power, iron and steel, inorganic chemicals,
plastic sheet and film, alcoholic beverages etc.
Agreement on Trade, Commerce and
Transit
India and Bhutan have signed an
Agreement on Trade, Commerce and
Transit on 12th November 2016,
 It provides for a free trade regime
between the two countries aimed at
boosting the bilateral trade for mutual
benefit.
The Agreement also aims at facilitating
Bhutans trade with third countries
through an improved procedure for
containerised cargo, striving towards
use of electronic means to facilitate the
movement of transit cargo, additional
entry/exit points in India, etc.
An Agreement on Trade and Commerce
between India and Bhutan was first signed on
17th January, 1972. Since then, the
Agreement has been renewed/revised five
times, including the agreement signed on 12th
November 2016.
Defence partnership with Vietnam
During the visit of our Prime Minister to
Vietnam in September 2016, India and
Vietnam agreed to elevate the current strategic
partnership to Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership.
International Organization
Cooperation among BRICS Nations on
Education
In the 4th meeting of BRICS Education
Ministers recently held at New Delhi on
30th September, 2016, BRICS member
countries have signed New Delhi Declaration
on Education in which they have inter alia
declared to:
Initiate actions to formulate country-
specific targets within the broader
scope of the SDG4 and corresponding
targets
Taking into account the past gains and
achievements in the education sector
Emerging national development
priorities
Availability of resources, and
institutional capacities
Integrate the SDG4-related targets
with the national and subnational-level
education sector development
plans/programmes
Build capacity at the national and
subnational levels for measuring and
monitoring progress towards SDG4 and
corresponding targets using the
indicators adopted by the UN General
Assembly in September 2016
Share information on higher education
systems, approval and recognition
processes, quality assurance and
accreditation
Identify a nodal institution within each
country and create an institutional
network to share ICT policies,
Open Educational Resources and other
e-resources, including e-Libraries,
among BRICS member countries.
The implementation of these recommendations
is a long drawn process which is done through
various stakeholders in India and other BRICS
member countries.
Sharing of Teesta River Water
part of the Joint Declaration between the two
countries, the Indian side had conveyed that
deliberations are underway involving all
stakeholders with regard to conclusion of the
Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of
Teesta River.

As envisaged in National Perspective Plan for

Water Resources development through Inter
Basin Water Transfer prepared by
MoWR,RD&GR, NWDA has identified Manas-
Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga (MSTG) link under the
Himalayan Component of NPP for diversion of
the surplus waters of Manas and Sankosh
rivers

Government of India has been in discussion

with the Government of Bangladesh to have an
Agreement on sharing of common rivers
including Teestariver on equitable and fair
basis.

During the visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister of

India to Dhaka, Bangladesh in June 2015, as
 Paper 3
Economy
Infrastructure
National Civil Aviation policy
The Ministry of Civil Aviation released the National
Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP)-2016 on 15th June 2016.
Vision
To create an eco-system to make flying
affordable for the masses
To enable 30 crore domestic ticketing by
2022 and 50 crore by 2027,
International ticketing to increase to 20 crore
by 2027.
Similarly, cargo volumes should increase to
10 million tonnes by 2027.
Steps taken by government:-
Ministry of Civil Aviation has already released
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN
(UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) for promoting Regional
connectivity in the country as envisaged in NCAP -
2016.
The Ministry has modified the requirement for 5/20
and all airlines can now commence international
operations provided that they deploy 20 aircraft or
20% of total capacity (in term of average number of
seats on all departures put together), whichever is
higher for domestic operations.
Setting up of SEZ
The principal objectives behind creating Special
Economic Zone (SEZs) in the country include:
Generation of additional economic activity
Promotion of exports of goods and services;
Promotion of investment from domestic and
foreign sources;
Creation of employment opportunities;
Development of infrastructure facilities
In addition to 7 Central Government Special
Economic Zones (SEZs) and 11 State/Private Sector
SEZs set-up prior to the enactment of the SEZs Act,
2005, approvals have been accorded to 405
proposals for setting up of SEZs in the country.
Presently, out of 331 notified SEZs a total of 206
SEZs are operational.
As on 30.09.2016, an investment of Rs 4,06,690crore
has been made in different SEZs and an employment
for about 16.88 lakh persons has been generated.
Steps taken by government to promote SEZs:-
The various steps taken to strengthen SEZs in the
country are as under:
Minimum Land Area requirement for setting
up of new SEZs has been reduced to 50% for
Multi-product and Sector-specific SEZs.
Sectoral broad-banding has been introduced
to encompass similar / related areas under
the same Sector.
A new sector 'agro-based food processing'
sector has been introduced to encourage
agro-based industries in SEZs.
Dual use of facilities like Social & Commercial
infrastructure by SEZs and non-SEZs entities
has been allowed in order to make SEZ
operations more viable.
 Online processing of various activities relating
to SEZ Developers and Units has been
introduced for improving ease of doing
business.
Export promotion
The Government has taken various measures to
diversify and boost exports from India, which
includes;
(i) Merchandise Exports from India
Scheme (MEIS)
MEIS was included under Foreign Trade Policy (FTP)
2015-20 w.e.f. April 1, 2015 as a major export
promotion scheme implemented by the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
With an objective to incentivize export of
merchandise which are produced/manufactured in
India.
Rewards under MEIS are payable as a percentage of
realized FOB value of exports of notified product /
tariff lines, by way of the MEIS duty credit scrip,
which are transferable and can also be used for
payment of a number of duties including the basic
customs duty.
(ii) Interest Equalization Scheme
IES has been introduced w.e.f. 01.04.2015 for five
years with an objective to provide affordable credit to
exporters to enable them to be more competitive.
The scheme is available to 416 specified tariff lines
and exports made by manufacturing Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSME) across all ITC(HS)
Codes.
The rate of interest equalization is 3 % per annum.
(iii) Under Duty Exemption Scheme
In addition, the FTP 2015-2020 provide support for
manufacture and export of commodities.
Under Duty Exemption Scheme, duty free import of
inputs can be made for manufacturing and exports.
(iv) Export Promotion Capital Goods
Scheme
Under the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme,
capital goods can be imported at zero percent duty
linked to export performance to be achieved within
six years from the date of imports.
A manufacturer setting up an Export Oriented Unit
(EOU) for exports also has access to duty free
imports of raw material and capital goods.
(v) Various Export Promotion Councils and
Commodity Boards also make efforts in
promotion of export of their commodities
including diversification.
EDI Facilities
Major Indian ports, custom-houses, Special Economic
Zones, etc. are connected through the Electronic
Data Interchange (EDI) for facilitating transaction in
imports/exports.
More than 95% of International Trade is done
through EDI enabled Customs Stations.
Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange system
has been implemented at major ports, customs
houses, Inland Container Depots and Land Customs
Stations. Indian customs also launched Single
Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT)
w.e.f. 01.04.2016,
It is integrating approval process of many
Government agencies on a single platform to provide
faster clearance. Indian customs Electronic Data
Interchange infrastructure is upgraded as and when
required.
Setting up of Coastal Economic Zones
The National Perspective plan of the Sagarmala
Programme has identified two maritime clusters for
development, one in Tamil Nadu and other in
Gujarat.
Fourteen Coastal Economic Zones(CEZ) have been
identified along the coastline of the country in the
National Perspective Plan of the Sagarmala
Programme.
These CEZs are aimed at promoting:-
Development of port-proximate industrial
clusters,
Encourage port-led development,
Reduction of logistics cost and time for
movement of EXIM and domestic cargo
Enhance the global competitiveness of Indian
manufacturing sector.
Project Raftaar in Indian Railways
As announced in Railway Budget 2016-17, Mission
Raftaar was launched with the objective of doubling
of average speed of freight trains, and increasing the
average speed of all non-suburban passenger trains
by 25 kilometre per hour (kmph) in next 5 years.
Some of the steps taken include;
Replacement of all loco hauled commuter
trains on New Delhi-Mughalsarai, and
Howrah-Dhanbad sections by MEMU
services.
Preparation of plan of action to improve
power-to-load ratio of trains in routes
with heavy freight traffic and steep
gradients.
Fourteen Coastal Economic Zones to
come up under Sagarmala
Capacity augmentation of the lines linking the
ports to hinterland is taken up on a need-
based manner.
Rail connectivity to some of non-major ports
namely Mundra, Dahej, Pipavav, Dhamra and
Krishnapatnametc have been provided under
Public Private Partnership.
A participative policy for rail connectivity has
been issued in December, 2012 to facilitate
rail connectivity to upcoming ports and mines
through Public Private Participation.
Several ports projects which have been
granted approval/in-principle approval under
the participative policy for rail connectivity
are Jaigarh, Dighi, Riwas, Astaranga, Chhara,
Nargol and Hazira.

The Ministry of Shipping has identified fourteen

Coastal Economic Zones (CEZ) along the coastline of
the country under National Perspective Plan (NPP) of
Sagarmala Program.

What is Coastal Economic Zones (CEZ)?

The CEZ are spatial economic regions spread

over multiple coastal districts with strong port
linkage.

Within each CEZ, there could be multiple

industrial clusters that could contain
industrial units with requisite support
infrastructure. The details of identified CEZs
are as under:-

Based on the land parcels available in close

proximity to a deep draught port and with
strong potential for manufacturing, four CEZs
have been identified to be taken up in the
first phase of development.

These are in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh,

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. No special
provision regarding tax holiday, employment
and extent of investment has been made so
far.

Rail Connectivity of Ports

Presently, 12 major ports (six on Western

and six on Eastern Coasts) are already
connected with Indian Railway network.
 Agriculture related activities
Implementation of National
Programme for Organic Production
(NPOP)
Ministry of Commerce has implemented the National
Program for Organic Production (NPOP) since 2001.
The objectives of NPOP are as under:
To provide the means of evaluation of
certification programme for organic
agriculture and products (including
wild harvest, aquaculture, livestock
products) as per the approved
criteria.
To accredit certification programmes
of Certification Bodies seeking
accreditation.
To facilitate certification of organic
products in conformity with the
prescribed standards.
To facilitate certification of organic
products in conformity with the
importing countries organic standards
as per equivalence agreement
between the two countries or as per
importing country requirements.
To encourage the development of
organic farming and organic
processing.
The production standards include crop production
plan, conversion requirement, nutrient management,
disease management etc for agricultural crops. There
are no separate prescribed production standards for
pulses.
The certified production of organic pulses under
NPOP, including in conversion, for the last three
years is as under:
Year Production in MT
2013-14 39444.96
2014-15 34717.45
2015-16 39248.63
Any agricultural product certified as organic under
NPOP has to be certified by an accredited certification
body under NPOP for exports.
Organic products are traded only through issuance of
Transaction Certificates (TCs) wherein the product
identity and traceability is maintained.
The TCs are also issued only by the accredited
Certification Bodies.
All the handlers of the product in the supply chain are
required to be in the certification system under NPOP
and need to obtain TC whenever the product is
traded.
Setting Up of Cold Storages/Cold
Chain Facilities
The Government has got a study done on
Assessment of Quantitative Harvest and Post-
Harvest Losses of Major Crops and Commodities in
India by ICAR - Central Institute of Post-Harvest
Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana.
The study has estimated that annual value of harvest
and post-harvest losses of major agricultural
produces at national level was of the order of Rs.
92,651 crore calculated using production data of
2012-13 at 2014 wholesale prices.
The percentage of post-harvest losses as assessed by
the study areas under:
Crops Cumulative wastage
(%)
Cereals 4.65 5.99
Pulses 6.36 8.41
Oil Seeds 3.08 9.96
Fruits & Vegetables 4.58 15.88
Milk 0.92
Fisheries (Inland) 5.23
Fisheries (Marine) 10.52
Meat 2.71
Poultry 6.74
It has been the endeavor of the Government to
promote food processing industry in the country to
reduce wastage of agricultural produce and minimize
post- harvest losses.
With the above in view, the Ministry of Food Energy and natural resources
Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing
various Central Sector Schemes:- Renewable energy in India

(i) Mega Food Parks.

Government Released Rs 1667.99 Crores and Rs
(ii) Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and
366.47 Crores for Installation of Solar and Wind
Preservation Infrastructure Energy Projects

(iii) Setting up/ Modernization of Abattoirs According to the government, total installed capacity
and in the country from solar power was 8727.64 MW and
from wind power was 28279.40 MW as on
(iv) Scheme for Quality Assurance, Research 31.10.2016.
& Development and Other Promotional
Activities. The potential of wind and solar in the country has
been estimated to be 302251 MW and 784990 MW
Ministry also has 2 academic cum research institutes respectively.
viz.:-
Utilization of Renewable Energy
1. National Institute of Food Technology,
Vision 2020 document of the Indian Railways
Entrepreneurship and
envisages to utilize at least 10% of its energy
Management(NIFTEM)
requirement from renewable sources.
2. Indian Institute of Crop Processing
Indian Railways (IR) has planned to source
Technology(IICPT)
about 1000 Mega Watt (MW) Solar Power as
part of its Solar Mission.
Both of which offer B.Tech, M.Tech and PhD
programmes and undertake research in food
Further, Indian Railways also plans to
processing.
harness about 200 MW of wind power in next
In addition, National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and five years based on techno commercial
National Horticulture Board (NHB) are also providing assessment.
assistance for setting up cold storages under their
respective schemes. Out of this, about 50 MW (14 MW solar and
36 MW wind power) renewable power has
already been set up.

Energy audit on IR is an ongoing process and

in the last year, about 200 energy audits
were done.

To improve energy efficiency, it has been

decided to use LED lights in all Railway
installations progressively and till date, about
200 Stations have been provided with LED
lighting.

Integrated Energy Policy Formulated

covering all sources of Energy Including
Renewable Energy Sources

Government has formulated an Integrated Energy

Policy (IEP) document gives a roadmap to develop
energy supply options and increased exploitation of
renewable energy sources.

In addition, for promotion of Renewable Energy,

Government has amended the National Tariff Policy
for electricity in January 2016.
By this amendment several provisions for promotion
of renewable energy have been made.
Several schemes to promote renewable energy have
been launched by Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) which are as follows :
(i) Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and
Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects.
(ii) Scheme for Development of Solar PV Power
Plants on Canal Banks/ Canal Tops.
(iii) Scheme for setting up of 300 MW of Grid
connected Solar PV Power Projects
by Defence Establishments under Ministry of
Defence and Para Military forces with Viability
Gap Funding (VGF) under Batch-IV of Phase-
II/III of National Solar Mission.
(iv) Implementation of scheme for setting up of
1000 MW of Grid- Connected Solar PV Power
Projects by CPSUs with VGF under Batch-V of
Phase-II of JNNSM.
(v) Implementation of Scheme for Setting up of
15000 MW of Grid connected Solar PV Power
Projects under Batch II of Phase II of
National Solar Mission (by NTPC/NVVN)
(vi) Setting up of 2000 MW Grid connected solar
power with VGF through Solar Energy
Corporation of India (SECI)
(vii) Development of Solar Cities
Programme.
(viii) Scheme for Development of Solar
Zones in the country
Shortage of Critical Minerals
India is endowed with a potential for vast mineral
resources. Exploration for minerals is a continuous
process and the quantity of resources is updated on a
regular basis.
Agencies attached to mineral exploration
Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office
of the Ministry of Mines, is taking up measures to
increase the mineral exploration activity at deeper
levels to discover different mineral deposits through
its Annual Field Season Programmes
Atomic Minerals Directorate, Mineral Exploration
Corporation Limited, State Directorates of Geology &
Mining, State/Central Undertakings and Private
Enterprises are also engaged in detailed exploration
to identify mineral deposits.
India is dependent on imports for many critical
elements like rare earths elements, selenium,
germanium, rhenium etc. required for clean-energy
applications, solar cells and high technology products.
MMDR Amendment Act 2015
In pursuance of the MMDR Amendment Act 2015, the
Government has established the National Mineral
Exploration Trust with the prime objective of
promoting regional and detailed mineral exploration
in the country.
Further, the Government has formulated the National
Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016 for accelerating
mineral exploration in the country through diverse
measures like:-
Open dissemination of baseline geosciences
data,
launching of National Aerogeophysical
Mapping Programme,
Attractive revenue sharing model for inviting
private investment in mineral exploration etc.
All these are aimed towards exploration and
discovery of mineral deposits including critical
minerals.
Out of 100 blocks identified by GSI for undertaking
regional exploration by private and public agencies,
22 blocks are for strategic and critical minerals.
Exploitation of Ground Water
Central Ground Water Board carries out periodic
assessment of replenishable ground water resources
jointly with the State Government Departments of
the Country including Punjab.
As per the latest assessment, the total annual
replenishable ground water resource of the
Country is around 433 Billion Cubic Metres
(BCM).
The net annual ground water availability is
398 BCM out of which annual ground water
utilization (draft) is estimated as 245 BCM
and stage of ground water
development/exploitation is 62%.
Out of the total 6607 assessment units
(Blocks/ Mandals/ Talukas/ Firkas/Districts)
assessed in the country, 1071 units are
categorised as Over-Exploited.
 As per the ground water resource assessment 79,178 Crores to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic
2011, ground water availability for future Metre) of water.
irrigation use for India as a whole is 154.71
The augmented ground water resources will enhance
BCM and that of Punjab is -14.83 BCM.
the availability of water for drinking, domestic,
industrial and irrigation purpose. The Master Plan has
Negative values indicate that overall ground
been circulated to all State Governments for
water demand in the state exceeds annual
implementation.
availability.

Measures taken up by the Central Government

to check over exploitation

Measures taken up by the Central Government to

check over exploitation of ground water in the
country include:-

The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by

Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR, inter-alia,
advocates:-

Conservation, promotion and protection of

water and highlights the need for augmenting
the availability of water through rain water
harvesting,

Direct use of rainfall and other management

measures.

This Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all

the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable
ground water legislation for its regulation and
development which includes provision of rain water
harvesting.

So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and

implemented the ground water legislation on
the lines of Model Bill.

In addition, 30 States/UTs have made rain

water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws
or by formulating rules & regulations.

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has

been constituted under The Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 for the purpose of regulation
and control of ground water development and
management in the Country.

Under the CGWA guidelines, in notified areas,

no permission is accorded to extract ground
water through any energized means for any
purpose other than drinking water.

However, for non-notified areas, ground

water withdrawal by industries is regulated
by means of guidelines/criteria as specified as
CGWA.

The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 Crore

rain water harvesting and artificial recharge
structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs.
 Environment
DST-Intel Collaborative Research for
Real-Time River Water and Air
Quality Monitoring
Department of Science and Technology (DST),
Government of India and Intel are collaborating to
jointly initiate DST-Intel Collaborative Research for
Real-Time River Water and Air Quality Monitoring
The Minister said that this programme is very critical
for the restoration, conservation and preservation of
the environment.
Aim of this initiative
The goal of this research would be to enable
the development and eventual deployment of
low-cost, low-power, autonomous wireless
sensor networks to provide a fine-grained
view of several critical water and air quality
metrics over large geographic areas (cities,
rivers, watersheds etc.).
These online sensor networks for river water
and air quality monitoring will provide the
pre-remedial quality status and would enable
to assess efficacy of post remedial
interventions based on real time reliable
factual data.
This real time data will significantly further
strengthen and complement the Missions of
National priority like NamamiGange
Programme and others by serving as critical
data feeders for pre and post treatment
analysis.
In order to eliminate problems associated
with manual water quality monitoring, DST
and Intel have come together for
development of state-of-art solutions for real-
time river water quality monitoring.
About Ganga
The Ganga is the largest and the most important
river of India, with its watershed covering 10 Indian
states, namely Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
Jharkhand, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
The river Ganga (commonly called as Bhagirathi in
the stretch Gangotri to Devprayag and Hubli in the
stretch Farakka to Ganga Sagar) occupies a unique
position in the ethos of people of India. Emotional
attachment to the river and the centers of pilgrimage
on its banks runs deep and long in the Indian History.
Need for monitoring water pollution
Causes of pollutions in Ganga
Discharge of untreated sewage
Discharge of untreated sewage from urban centres is
a major cause of water quality degradation in the
river.
The total wastewater generation from 222 towns in
Ganga basin is reportedly 8250 MLD, out of which
2538 MLD is directly discharged into the River, 4491
MLD is disposed into its tributaries and 1220 MLD is
disposed on land or low lying areas.
River Yamuna is another one of the most grossly
polluted rivers in the country.
Need for Air Pollution monitoring
Air pollution is another emerging public
health concern as there is increasing amount
of evidence that the quality of air significantly
affects our health due to the presence of
various toxic pollutants.
Increasing levels of air pollution are linked
with more illness, higher use of health
services, and premature death among the
exposed population groups.
Further, both Household Air Pollution (HAP)
and Outdoor Air Pollution (OAP) have
reported to have largely detrimental effects
on the quality of life.
Further, air quality networks need to be
developed that can depict and forecast
pollution levels for public with health
advisories and pollution emergencies
measure.
Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report
The recent report of Global Burden of Disease
(GBD) has ranked air pollution among the top
ten killers in the world, and as the sixth
largest killer in South Asia.
In a study by UNEP-WHO, it was estimated
that about 6.3 million deaths worldwide are
caused by air pollution, out of which 3.3
million are due to OAP and 3.5 million due to
HAP.
GBD also estimated that air pollution causes
6,20,000 deaths everyyear making it the
5th leading cause of mortality in India.
One of the main causes of pollution in Delhi-
NCR is high levels of Particulate Matter 10
 (PM 10) and PM 2.5 particles smaller than 2.5
micrometers in diameter that lead to
hazardous smog and causes asthma and
respiratory diseases.
Air quality in Delhi and National Capital
Region (NCR) worsened recently to alarming
levels recording PM 2.5 reading of 500 on the
air quality monitoring portals, putting the
pollution level in the severe category.
Way ahead
The development of such an Internet of Things (IoT)-
based solution will require:-
Innovations in sensor technology for
miniaturized platforms for continuous,
Always-connected multi-modal sensing,
Ultra-low power radios for efficient
communication
And energy harvesting technologies to
enable very long or perpetual operation
of sensor nodes.
These key blocks will need to be woven together by a
data analytics framework that spans edge devices,
gateways and cloud-based analytics, to enable
inferencing and sense-making in a low-latency
manner.
Environment Ministry issues final
notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai
The Government today issued the Final Notification
for an Eco-Sensitive Zone area of 59.46 sqkms of
which 19.25 sq km is forest land and 40.21 sq km is
non-forest land in Sanjay Gandhi National Park in
Mumbai suburb.
The extent (of ESZ) varies at different places
taking into consideration its geographical
area. No construction will take place in this
(ESZ) area.
The Eco-Sensitive Zone has a minimum
extent of 100 metres and maximum extent of
up to 4 km from the Park boundary.
The objective of notifying Eco-Sensitive
Zones is to create a buffer as further
protection around Protected Areas (PAs) such
as National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries.
The Notification also provides that in areas
around Housing Societies and with high
human habitation, and in view of the fact that
the National Park has a large population of
leopard, a high wall with fencing may be
erected to ensure that man-animal conflict is
avoided.
About Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is spread over
three districts Palgar, Thane and Mumbai
Suburb and falls within the Tehsils of Kurla,
Borivalli and Thane.
The National Park is home to a number of
endangered species of flora and fauna and
harbours approximately 800 species of
flowering plants, 45 species of mammals, 43
species of reptiles, 38 species of snakes, 12
species of amphibians, 300 species of birds,
150 species of butterflies.
Notable amongst them are large mammalian
species such as leopard, wild boar, four-
horned antelope, black-naped hare, wild cat,
jackal and porcupine
and many bird species such as Lesser grebe,
Purple Heron, Smaller Egret, Lesser Whistling
Teal, Pariah Kite. Many reptiles, including
snakes as Indian Cobra and Viper are also
found in the National Park.
Winter Fog Experiment
(WIFEX 2016-17)
Fog is a visible mass consisting of cloud water
droplets suspended in the air or near the Earths
surface.
Recent studies on fog in India during the past 10-15
years have prompted significant socio-economic
concern due to increase in frequency, persistence and
intensity of fog occurrence over the northern parts of
the country.
Land use changes and increasing pollution in the
region are responsible for growing Fog occurrence.
Effects of fog:-
The presence of heavy and extended period fog in
the northern regions of India is one of the major
weather hazards, impacting aviation, road
transportation, economy and public life in the worlds
most densely populated region.
Maximum fog occurrence over the Northwest India is
about 48 days (visibility < 1000m) per year, and
occurs mostly during the December-February time
period.
Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX)
The objectives of the Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX)
are to develop better now-casting (next 6 hours) and
forecasting of winter fog on various time and spatial
scales,
Need for WIFEX:-
It helps reduce its adverse impact on
aviation, transportation and economy, and
loss of human life due to accidents.
The physical and chemical characteristics of
fog, meteorological factors responsible for its
genesis, sustenance, intensity and dissipation
are poorly understood.
Similarly, meteorological conditions like
humidity, wind and synoptic conditions are
also not well studied.
Improved understanding on above aspects is
required to develop reliable forecasting
models and observational techniques for
accurate prediction of Fog events.
WIFEX was conducted in a pilot mode at IGIA
during last winter to understand different
physical and chemical features of Fog and
factors responsible for its genesis, intensity
and duration, and will be continued during
December 2016 till February 2017.
The main scientific objective of this project is
to study the characteristics and variability of
fog events and associated dynamics,
thermodynamics and fog microphysics, with
the aim to achieve better understanding of
fog life cycle and ultimately improve
capability in fog prediction.
These observations from intense campaign will be
further used to validate model forecasts and to
improve model capability. It is proposed to introduce
this model for operational forecasts of Fog for the
winter season of 2017-18.
Impact of Indias INDC Commitment
Indias Intended Nationally Determined Contribution
(INDC) is comprehensive and balanced, incorporating
all its development priorities.
Indias contribution takes into account its
commitment to conservation of nature, along with
development challenges like poverty eradication, food
security, universal access to education, health and
energy etc.
Indias NDC allows Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) to grow, while reducing the emissions.
Under the Paris Agreement, the developed
countries have committed to mobilise US
$100 billion per year and agreed to enhance
it by 2025 beyond US $100 billion per year.
Green Climate Fund (GCF) has been set up
under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as
an operating entity of the financial
mechanism of the Convention.
India is an eligible country for accessing
GCF.
Government of India has established the
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change
(NAFCC) with a budget provision of Rs 350
crore for 2015-16 and 2016-17 to assist
States and Union Territories to undertake
projects and actions for adaptation to climate
change.
Rs. 182.27 crore has been released for 18
projects for sectors including agriculture and
animal husbandry, water resources, coastal
areas, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh has been
provided to each State Government for
strengthening capacity of nodal agencies for
implementation of State Action Plan on
Climate Change (SAPCC).
Twenty Nine (29) States/ Union Territories (UTs),
have submitted their projects for capacity building.
Bio Toilet Project in Indian Railways
The project of installation of bio-toilets in passenger
coaches has not yet been completed. The project is
still in progress.
More than 49,000 bio-toilets have been installed by
Indian Railways in passenger coaches till 31.10.2016.
At present, there are more than 900 trains in which
bio-toilets have been introduced either in all coaches
or in some coaches of the trains.

Process used

Anaerobic digestion process is applied for the

digestion of human excreta in the bio-toilets
that are being fitted in passenger coaches of
Indian Railways.

No human excreta is thrown out on the

railway track from a bio-toilet fitted in trains.

In these bio-toilets, which are fitted below

the coach floor underneath the lavatories, the
human waste is collected from toilet and is
acted upon by a colony of anaerobic bacteria
that convert human waste mainly into water
and bio-gases (mainly Methane CH4 &
Carbon Dioxide CO2).

The gases escape into the atmosphere and

wastewater is discharged after disinfection
onto the track. Human excreta thus do not
fall on the railway tracks.

Cleaning of Rivers Under

NamamiGange Mission

The NamamiGangeprogramme is an umbrella

programme to ensure effective abatement of
pollution and conservation of the river Ganga and all
its tributaries.

Under the current NamamiGangeprogramme, other

than river Ganga, pollution abatement work is taken
up on certain critical tributaries like Ramganga, Kali
and Yamuna as a first priority.

The works are executed by the State Project

Management Groups (SPMGs) of the respective
States through the designated Executing Agencies.

The NGRBA has resolved that no untreated municipal

sewage or industrial effluent will be discharged into
river Ganga by year 2020. Construction and
beautification of Ghats are included under Entry
Level Activities of NamamiGange. As on 30th Sep.,
2016, schemes for 118 Ghats have been approved in
the five main-stem Ganga states.
 Science and Technology
Indigenous satellites placed
successfully in orbit
India presently has 38 indigenously manufactured
satellites operational in orbit.
It comprises of 12 Earth observation satellites
(RESOURCESAT-1 & 2, CARTOSAT-1 & 2,
CARTOSAT-2S [3 nos.], RISAT-1, OCEANSAT-
2, MEGHA-TROPIQUES, SARAL & SCATSAT-
1);
4 Meteorological satellites (INSAT-3D,
KALPANA, INSAT-3A & INSAT-3DR);
13 communication satellites (INSAT-3C, 4A,
4B, 4CR, GSAT-6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 &
18),
7 navigational satellites (IRNSS-1A to 1G)
and 2 Space Science satellites (Mars Orbiter
Mission & ASTROSAT)
Since January 2011, none of the satellites got
destroyed before being placed in the desired orbit.
The satellites are designed in such a way that it will
not allow any information to be accessed or used
without the knowledge of ISRO.
Launching places
As on date, 29 satellites have been launched
from outside the country.
Out of these, for 3 satellites (Aryabhatta,
Bhaskara-1 & Bhaskara-2),
free launch was provided by Russia as part of
Indo-Soviet friendship and for 1 satellite
(Apple),
Ariane offered a free launch in their
developmental flight. Remaining satellites
were launched by hiring launch services on a
commercial basis.
Advanced Heavy Water Reactor
Technology
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a
constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, is
working on the research and development of the
Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).
It is a thorium fuel based vertical pressure tube type,
heavy water moderated and boiling light water cooled
reactor.
The 300 MWe capacity AHWR designed by BARC is
intended to serve as a technology demonstrator for a
range of technologies for Thorium utilization as well
as for several advanced safety features that have
been incorporated.
Benefits
AHWR being a technology demonstration
reactor will provide impetus for development
of technologies for the third stage of Indias
Nuclear Power Programme.
It will provide experience on use of Thorium
fuel on a large and industrial scale.
In addition, the research programme which is
underway for development of advanced
safety systems will also provide benefits for
post Fukushima related improvements for
other operating / under-construction
reactors.
Scramjet Engine
The first experimental mission of a sub-scale
Scramjet engine, towards the realization of
an Air Breathing Propulsion System, was
successfully conducted from SatishDhawan
Space Centre, Sriharikota.
With this experimental flight, critical
technologies such as ignition of air breathing
engines at supersonic speed, holding the
flame at supersonic speed, air intake
mechanism and fuel injection systems have
been successfully demonstrated.
The total cost incurred towards carrying out
the first experimental mission of the Scramjet
engine is Rupees 8 Crores.
The Scramjet engine, used in the first
experimental mission is a scaled down
version to demonstrate proof-of-concept.
About technology
Scramjet engine technology is a complex
technology which is yet to be fully proven
worldwide.
 A series of technology demonstration tests
are required before inducting the engine with
required thrust into future launch vehicles.
The technology will be useful only during the
atmospheric phase of the flight of launch
vehicle and will benefit in bringing down the
cost of access to space, by reducing the need
of carrying the oxidizer along with the fuel.
Reusable Launch Vehicle
ISRO has successfully carried out the first
experimental mission of Reusable Launch Vehicle
Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), on May 23,
2016 from SatishDhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
In this mission, critical technologies such as
autonomous navigation, guidance & control and
reusable thermal protection system have been
successfully demonstrated.
The Development of Reusable Launch Vehicle is a
technical challenge and it involves the development
of many cutting edge technologies.
Presently, it is in the preliminary stage of total
developmental process. A series of technology
demonstration missions would be required before it is
made operational.
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
An Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) has been
signed in October 2007 between the Governments of
India and the Russian Federation for joint
development and production of Fifth Generation
Fighter Aircraft (FGFA).
The project is planned to be executed in two
phases (i) Preliminary Design (PD) phase;
and (ii) Detailed Design & Development
Phase (Called R&D Phase).
An amount of Rs.1609.41 crore has been
sanctioned for PD phase.
The PD phase contract was signed in
December 2010. The work commenced in
February 2011 and completed in June 2013.
Negotiations for R&D contract between Indian
side and Russians are on.
PSLV-C36 Successfully Launches
RESOURCESAT-2A Remote Sensing
Satellite
In its thirty eighth flight (PSLV-C36), ISRO's Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched the
1,235 kg RESOURCESAT-2A Satellite from the
SatishDhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
This is the thirty seventh consecutively successful
mission of PSLV.
The data sent by RESOURCESAT-2A will be useful for
agricultural applications like crop area and crop
production estimation, drought monitoring, soil
mapping, cropping system analysis and farm
advisories generation.
With todays launch, the PSLV has yet again
demonstrated its reliability. The total number of
satellites launched by Indias workhorse launch
vehicle PSLV including todays RESOURCESAT-2A has
now reached 122, of which 43 are Indian and the
remaining 79 are from abroad.
Universal Immunization Programme
Surface-to-Air Missiles
Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) has been
jointly developed by DRDO and IAI, Israel to be
launched from ship.
It possesses high degree of maneuverability at target
interception range.
LR-SAM has been developed to counter a wide
variety of airborne threats, like anti-ship missiles,
aircraft, helicopters, UAVs drones and supersonic
missiles.
Successful trials of Missile have been carried out
recently and the weapon systems proven end to end.
The deliverable have already been started.
Submarines and Aircraft Carriers
Force level preparedness is a dynamic and continuous
process based on various factors. All efforts are made
to ensure availability of assets as per requirement.
The Indian Navy has a total force level of 139 ships
and submarines, comprising 16 submarines, 2
aircraft carriers and 111 other ships for carrying out
various roles of Indian Navy.
Indian Navy is a well-balanced, multi-dimensional
force with modern surface, sub-surface and air
assets, for defending our national interests against
potential adversaries.
Each submarine and ship is fitted with necessary
weapons and sensors which allows it to carry out its
defined role and protect Indias maritime interests.
The induction of ships and submarines is being
carried out in accordance with the Maritime Capability
Perspective Plan and Long Term Integrated
Perspective Plan 2012-27, which was approved by
Defence Acquisition Council.
Aeronautical research
Kaveri engine development was an indigenous effort
of Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) for
mastering one of the most complex technologies.
Altitude Testing and Flying Test Bed trials have been
completed which are major milestones in any gas
turbine engine development.
The other development problems are addressed to
make the engine flight worthy through indigenous as
well with assistance from abroad Engine Houses.
The following DRDO laboratories are fully dedicated
towards aeronautical research.
Aeronautical Development Establishment
(ADE) Morphing Aircraft Technologies.
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
Aircraft Design & Development.
Gas Turbine Research Establishment
(GTRE) Gas Turbine Aero Engines.
Defence Research & Development
Laboratory (DRDL) Hypersonic
Propulsion.
Advanced System Laboratory (ASL) Solid
Propellant Combustion Modelling.
Centre for Airborne System (CABS)
Design & Development of Airborne
Surveillance System.
A dedicated programme on Gas Turbine Enabling
Technology (GATET) has also been sanctioned by
DRDO at a cost of Rs. 78 Crore to facilitate academia
and research institutions to carry out R&D in
aerospace sector.
Disaster Management
Abnormal weather
Heavy rain events (>10 cm/day) over central India
are found to have increased in the recent decades
while weak and moderate events are decreasing.
The extreme rain events which are becoming
more intense in recent years are localized
and could be part of the natural variability of
the monsoon system.
Heat -waves typically occur between March to
June. Heat waves are more frequent over the
Indo-Gangetic plains of India.
Northern and eastern states such as
Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi,
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Tripura are
affected by the Cold Wave.
Indian sub-continent having a coast line of
7516 kms is affected by the Tropical
Cyclones. There are 13 coastal states/UTs
encompassing 84 coastal districts which are
affected by cyclones.
Four States (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil
Nadu and West Bengal) and one UT
(Pondicherry) on the East Coast and One
State (Gujarat) on the West Coast are more
vulnerable to Tropical Cyclones and
associated storm surge.
The states falling within the periphery of
India Flood Prone Areas are West Bengal,
Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Assam,
Bihar, Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and
Punjab. The intense rains during the
monsoon season causes rivers like
Brahmaputra, Ganga, Yamuna etc. to swell
their banks, which in turn floods the adjacent
areas.
Monitoring
IMD is responsible for monitoring, detection and
forecasting of weather including severe weather
events such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, extreme
temperature etc.
It provides forecast of these events at national,
regional and state levels through its three tier
structure.
Cyclone Warning System
For effective operational cyclone activities, an
appropriate institutional mechanism
comprising cyclone warning division at India
Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi.
3 Area Cyclone Warning Centers (ACWCs) at
Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Cyclone
Warning Centers (CWCs) at Bhubaneswar,
Vishakhapatnam and Ahmadabad are
functional on 24X7 basis.
In order to meet specific requirements of
flood forecasting, which is provided by
Central Water Commission (CWC), India
Meteorological Department (IMD) operates
Flood Meteorological Offices (FMOs) at
thirteen locations viz., Agra, Ahmedabad,
Asansol, Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati,
Hyderabad, Jalpaiguri, Lucknow, New Delhi,
Patna, Srinagar, Bangaluru and Chennai.
Apart from this, IMD also supports Damodar
Valley Corporation (DVC) by providing QPF
for Damodar river basin areas for their flood
forecasting activities.
During the flood season, FMOs provide
valuable meteorological support to the CWC
for issuing flood warnings in respect of the 43
rivers of India covering 146 river basins.
CWC is working in close association with IMD
and State Governments for timely flood
forecast whenever the river water level rises
above warning level.
Earthquake Prone Areas
Earthquake - prone areas of the country have been
identified on the basis of scientific inputs relating to
seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and
tectonic setup of the region.
Based on these inputs, Bureau of Indian Standards
[IS 1893 (Part I):2002], has grouped the country
into four seismic zones, viz. Zone II, III, IV and V.
Of these, Zone V is seismically the most active
region, while zone II is the least.
Broadly, Zone - V comprises entire northeastern
India, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, part
of North Bihar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Zone - IV covers remaining parts of Jammu and
Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, National Capital
Territory (NCT) of Delhi, Sikkim, Northern Parts of
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, parts of
Gujarat and small portions of Maharashtra near the
west coast and Rajasthan.
Zone III comprises Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep
islands, remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat
and West Bengal, Parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and
Karnataka. Zone - II covers remaining parts of
country.
Earthquake monitoring system
National Centre of Seismology (NCS) has
installed a number of Seismic and Global
Positioning System (GPS) stations across
major faults to monitor the seismicity and
crustal movement of the Indian subcontinent.
NCS maintains a National Seismological
Network (NSN) for real time monitoring of
earthquake activities in and around the
country.
The NSN now consists of 84 state-of-art
digital broadband seismograph stations with
VSAT commutations facilities for real time
monitoring and auto location of earthquakes
in and around the country.
This system has latest tools for dissemination
of earthquake information to the concerned
disaster management authorities and other
user agencies in least possible time (8-
10minutes) for relief and rescue operations in
hour of need.
Koyna Deep Borehole programme,
Under the Koyna Deep Borehole programme,
studies have been initiated to carry out
scientific investigations for deep borehole
drilling in the Koyna-Warna region.
The investigations include, Seismological,
Geophysical (seismic, gravity, magnetic),
LIDAR, geomorphology and structural
geological studies, apart from a few
exploratory boreholes.
Other studies
Change of ground water table and other
anthropological activities and their influence on
earthquake occurrence, have been studied in various
regions of the world including Indian region.
This process may only trigger an earthquake but it
may not cause an earthquake on a fault. Thus, in any
case, the main cause of earthquake occurrence is
tectonic forces.
Education and awareness creation
Disaster Management Authorities, have taken up
various initiatives to educate and enhance awareness
amongst general public and school children on the
general aspects of earthquakes, their impacts and
measures to mitigate losses caused by them.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also
functional under the general superintendence,
direction and control of the NDMA for the purpose of
specialized response to natural and man-made
disasters.
Markets, schools, hospitals and Railway and Bus
stations, airports etc. are regularly sensitized by
organising mock drills and information dissemination
relating to evacuation and steps to be taken during
rescue and relief operations.