Current Affairs Pocket PDF

Current Affairs Pocket PDF
Current Affairs Pocket PDF – April 2018
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Cabinet Approvals
On April 4, 2018, Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved following
initiatives:
• Cabinet approves closure of loss making Burn Standard Company Limited - a Central
Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)
• Cabinet approves rightsizing the Competition Commission of India
• Chairperson and Six Members (totalling seven) to One Chairperson and Three Members
(totalling four).
• Cabinet approves the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018
• Cabinet approves revised cost estimates of the scheme of updation of National Register of
Citizens, 1951 in Assam.
bilateral agreement and initiatives.
• Cabinet approves revision of pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union
TerritoriesThus, with this approval, pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of
Union Territories too has been revised from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 2,25,000/- per month
with effect from January 1, 2016.
• Cabinet approves Headquarters (Host country) Agreement between India and the
International Solar Alliance.
• Cabinet Approval to boost ‘Ease of doing Business’ in Petroleum and Natural Gas
sector
• Cabinet approves framework for Coal Bed Methane Extraction by Coal India Limited
(CIL) and its Subsidiaries
bilateral agreements and initiatives:
• Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Sao Tome and
Principe for Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and
Homoeopathy It is to be noted that Indian Government has already signed similar MoUs
with Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago, Hungry, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius, Mongolia
and Iran.
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and Sao Tome and Principe on cooperation in the
field of Medicinal Plants.
• Cabinet apprised of the Memorandum of Agreement between India and World Health
Organisation represented by its Regional Office for South-East Asia acting through its
Country Office in India
• Cabinet approves MoU on cooperation in the field of regulation of medical products for
human use amongst the medicine regulatory agencies of the BRICS countries
• Cabinet approves Long Term Agreements for supply of iron ore to Japan and South
Korea through MMTC Limited
• Cabinet approves declaration of Scheduled Areas in respect of Rajasthan under Fifth
Schedule to the Constitution of India
1|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
On April 25, 2018, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, approved following initiatives.
• Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices for Raw Jute for 2018-19 season
• Cabinet approves restructured National Bamboo Mission. Mission will be implemented
in limited States particularly in the North Eastern region and States including
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Bihar,
Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
State Wise National News
Andhra Pradesh
• On April 12, 2018, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the
IRNSS-1I navigation satellite aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C41.It
was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre located at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.It is
part of Indian satellite navigation system ‘Navigation with Indian Constellation’ (NavIC) that
was earlier known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
• State of Andhra Pradesh is constructing a world-class city in its de facto capital Amaravati.
Nearly 3840 apartments in 61 towers are under construction in the Amaravati capital
region.Towers being built by Shapurji Palonji and L&T are at Nelapadu village while those being
built by Nagarjuna Construction Company are at Rayapudi village.
• On 23rd April 2018, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated
the Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Operations Center (APCSOC) in Amaravati.APCSOC is
an initiative taken by Andhra Pradesh Information Technology, Electronics and Communications
(IT and E&C) ministry.
• On 28th April 2018, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Revenue) K E
Krishnamurthy initiated Andhra Pradesh government's 'Bhu Seva' (land hub) project aimed at
offering integrated services related with land.As per the Bhu Seva project, each land parcel will
be given a Bhudhar Number. The Bhudhar Number is an 11 digit unique number.
Assam
• On 7th and 8th April 2018, the Assam Spring Festival was held at the Manas National Park, in
Assam.The Festival was organized by Indian Weavers' Association and the Swankar Mithinga
Onsai Afat. The aim of the festival is to promote the local food and culture.It covers five districts
of Assam: Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri and Barpeta.
Goa
• Goa State Government has decided to launch its own app-based taxi service at some key tourist
destinations across the state.In which they invite the taxi operators to register with it. All taxi
operators, who hold licence to run cabs in Goa, are eligible to register for this application-based
transport service.
• Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu said that, Central government along with state
government and private partners is working to promote Goa as a tourism destination and a cargo
hub.He said that, Mopa airport will start operations by September 2020. Dabolim Airport will
continue to operate along with Mopa Airport.
• On 28th March 2018, a Multi Modal Logistics Park was inaugurated by CMD Konkan Railway
Sanjay Gupta and P K Agarwal, Director, Container Corporation at Balli Station on Konkan
Railway route, near Madgaon in Goa at a cost of Rs 43 crore.
Gujarat
• Gujarat is to set up India’s largest 5,000MW solar park .It will be established on 11,000 hectares
of land along the Gulf of Khambhat in the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). Gujarat
state government has also planned to set up a 200MW wind park in DSIR. It would attract
additional investment of Rs 1,400 crore.
• On April 11, 2018, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in Gujarat launched 6th edition
of Heat Action Plan (HAP) aimed at protecting city dwellers from scorching temperatures during
2|Page
summer.The plan has been designed and will be implemented in partnership with Gandhinagar-
based Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) and US based Natural Resources Defence Council
(NRDC) along with other groups and NGOs.Ahmedabad is the first city to prepare and
implement heat action plan.
• On 16th April 2018, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani launched 'Pocket Cop' project to
improve crime detection rate in the state, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.Under the Pocket Cop
project, smartphones having data of people with a criminal background will be given to 4,900
police personnel. The smartphone will contain four different applications for passport
verification, tracing criminals, finding missing persons and for stolen vehicles.
• On World Haemophilia Day (17th April 2018), Gujarat assembly Speaker Rajendra
Trivedi launched 'Haemophilia Jagruti, a magazine to create awareness on haemophilia, an
inherited bleeding disorder.It aims to share knowledge and the research done on Haemophilia.
Hemophilia affects over 6,000 people in Gujarat.
• On April 26, 2018, Swedish-Swiss multinational giant ABB announced commissioning of India’s
first industrial solar microgrid at its factory in Vadodara, Gujarat.Microgrids with integrated
battery energy storage is primarily setup to ensure continuity of work during planned and
unplanned Power outages.
• Surat railway station (in Gujarat) will be the third in India to be developed as a world-class
facility under Railway Ministry’s station redevelopment programme. Estimated cost for
redevelopment of Surat Railway Station is Rs 5000 crore. It is expected to be ready by 2020.
India’s two world-class Railway stations — Habibganj (in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) and
Gandhinagar (in Gujarat) — will be ready by the beginning of 2019.
Haryana
• Central Government’s ‘Gobardhan Yojna’, a scheme for managing and converting cattle dung and
solid waste into manure and biogas, will be launched nationally from Karnal, Haryana on April 30,
2018 Under this scheme, bio-gas plants will be set up at individual or community level and also at
the level of Self Help Groups and NGOs like Gaushalas.
• Haryana State Government has come up with Water ATM Policy to provide clean drinking water to
people at public places.Distance between two water ATMs within a city would be 400 metres, which
could be adjusted according to convenience of people.
• Haryana State Government has approved the slum-in-situ rehabilitation policy in line with Housing
for All-2018, under which, urban slum dwellers on Government land will be provided housing
facility without relocating them to other areas.As per the policy approved by Haryana Chief Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar, Rs 1.67 lakh per dwelling unit will be provided to developer for construction
of houses for these urban slum dwellers.
• A power plant worth Rs 502 crore will be set up in Bandhwari village of Gurugram district, Haryana,
to produce electricity from waste under the Integrated Solid Waste Management Scheme.The plant
will be set up by August 2019. It will generate 25 MW of electricity. Haryana Chief Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar laid the foundation stone of the plant in Bandhwari village on 13th April 2018.
• The intra-state e-way bill will come into effect on 20th April 2018 in Haryana.The e-way bill is
mandated for intra-state movement of goods also in Haryana. This was announced by Haryana Chief
Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the inaugural function of new building of excise and taxation.He
said the Haryana state government has been expanding e-governance in a planned manner to create
an easy and transparent work environment.
• On April 30, 2018, Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Uma Bharti launched
the GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) - DHAN scheme at the National Dairy
Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, Haryana. Ms. Bharti launched this scheme in presence of
Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar.This scheme will be run by Swachh Bharat Mission
(Gramin). Click here to read more.
Himachal Pradesh
• On 27th April 2018, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the Kanda
Pattan-Sarkaghat Water Supply Scheme at Cholthara in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh.The
scheme is developed at a cost of Rs 39.65 crore. It will benefit more than 31,000 people of that
3|Page
region.
• On March 4, 2018, Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Vipin Parmar launched Mother's Absolute
Affection (MAA) programme with an aim to promote breastfeeding.Beastfeeding helps in
reducing the incidence of infant mortality and early childhood mortality and provides complete
nutrition to a child.
• Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to introduce free Heli-ambulance services in order to
help patients in the far flung and inaccessible areas of the State.The free Heli-ambulance
services will be operated by Heli-mission Switzerland with the assistance of Lady Willingdon
Hospital, Manali in District Kullu.
Kerala
•
From April 28 to 30 , Kerala will host the India Skills Kerala 2018 in Kochi, as part of the World
Skills India 2018. It will help youngsters in the State to show their vocational skills. It aims to
generating interest and creating awareness among the general public.It might help training
students to get medals at the World Skills Competition Kazan 2019.
• On 21st April 2018, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched Pravasi pension scheme.The
Pravasi Pension Scheme offers people hailing from Kerala but living outside the state or country,
a pension of Rs 2,000 a month.People aged over 60 years are eligible for this scheme. To avail
this scheme a person has to pay Rs 100 per month.
• In May-June 2018, Kerala State Government will start a 'community radio' to update farmers
about the latest developments in the sector. The farm radio will start broadcast from Kuttanad
in Alappuzha district of Kerala and will serve farmers in a 20 square kilometre radius in the
region. Kuttanand was once popularly known as the 'rice bowl of Kerala.
• With an aim to make organ transplants more transparent in the state, Kerala State Government
has issued guidelines to be followed to confirm brain death cases. A medical board comprising
four doctors, including one in government service, will be the competent authority to declare a
patient brain-dead.
Madhya Pradesh
• President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, visited Madhya Pradesh.On April 28, 2018, President
Kovind graced the 27th convocation of Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar. He
also attended the Satguru Kabir Saheb Mahotsav, organised on the occasion of
620th Pragatosav of Satguru Kabir in Sagar & the next day he attended an ‘Asangathit
Shramik Sammelan’ organised by Government of Madhya Pradesh, in Guna district. In Guna,
he also addressed a function related to Mini Smart City Mission of Government of Madhya
Pradesh.
• Eighth ‘Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific’ was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh
from 10th – 12th April, 2018..Theme of this event was 'Achieving Clean Water, Clean Land
and Clean Air through 3R and Resource Efficiency - A 21st-Century Vision for Asia-Pacific
Communities' & it is concluded with the signing and adoption of 'Indore 3R Declaration on
Achieving Clean Water, Clean Land and Clean Air' in cities.
Maharashtra
• On 25th April 2018, the Maharashtra government announced the launch of 'Startup Week
2018' from 25th June to 29th June 2018, with an aim to promote entrepreneurial eco-
system.Best three among them (a total of 24) will be awarded work orders of up to Rs 15 lakh
from the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.
• Maharashtra State Government has announced that, starting from June 2018, cancer patients
in the state would be provided free chemotherapy treatment at district hospitals.This facility
will be rolled out in phased manner, starting with hospitals in Nagpur, Pune, Gadchiroli,
Amravati, Jalgaon, Nashik, Satara, Wardha, Bhandara and Akola.
• On April 10, 2018, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched ‘QUEST’, a
centre to evaluate and quantify special development budget allocations and their impact on
tribal development.’QUEST’ has been initiated by Maharashtra State Ministry of Finance and
Ministry of Tribal Welfare, with an objective to bring greater accountability in spending and
management of dedicated funds allocated for tribal welfare & Maharashtra became first
4|Page
among all Indian states to kick start such initiative.

Manipur
• On April 22,2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured officials for making Manipur’s
Karang the first cashless island of the country, and implementing the Goods and Services Tax
(GST) and other priority initiatives of the Centre.The island, a remote and backward region.
• Shirui Lily Festival 2018 is being held in Ukhrul district of Manipur from 24th to 28th April,
2018.The festival commemorates the significance of Manipur's state flower, the Shirui Lily.It
is celebrated to spread awareness about conservation of the endangered Shirui Lily and
promote the district of Ukhrul as a tourist destination in Manipur.
Meghalaya
• The Meghalaya government has launched 'Mission Lakadong' to achieve a five-fold increase in
the production of Lakadong turmeric, an organic variety of turmeric grown in Meghalaya, to at
least 50,000 metric tonne per year in the next 5 years. Objective of 'Mission Lakadong' is to
improve the livelihood and income of farmers involved in Lakadong turmeric cultivation.
Mizoram
• A Cancer Screening Mela was organized in Mizoram by the Health Department of Mizoram
jointly with Public Foundation of India and National Health Mission under the initiative of
Swasth Uttar Purv.Theme of the mela was: 'Come on Mizoram, together let's beat Cancer’.The
mela was conducted to create awareness on cancer prevention and early diagnosis, early
detection and management.
Nagaland
• On April 20, 2018, Nagaland launched "Saubhagya, Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana", aimed at
electrifying over 90000 households across the state by March 31, 2019.Under this
programme, electricity will be provided to 66766 rural households and 24,566 urban households
in Nagaland. The programme will be monitored by Rural Electrification Corporation (REC).
New Delhi
• On 1st April 2018, Delhi is the first city in India which started supplying Ultra-clean Euro-VI or
Bharat Stage (BS)-VI grade petrol and diesel from Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel without any
additional cost in order to curb air pollution.
• On April 25, 2018, Union Human Resource Development Ministry launched Unnat Bharat
Abhiyan 2.0 in New Delhi.It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Human Resources
Development, which seeks to bring in transformational change in rural developmental process by
leveraging knowledge base and resources of the Premier Institutions of India. IIT Delhi has been
designated as the National Coordinating Institute for this programme.
• A first of its kind Israeli Modern Art Exhibition was inaugurated in New Delhi on April 28,
2018.This exhibition titled ‘To the End of Land’ was organised by National Gallery of Modern
Art, New Delhi in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel in India and the Petach Tikva
Museum of Art, Israel.
• Second edition of World Hindu Congress (WHC)/World Hindu Congress 2018 will be held in
Chicago, US from 7th – 9th September, 2018. The theme of World Hindu Congress 2018 is
"Sumantrite Suvikrante" – “think collectively, achieve valiantly”.The inaugural World Hindu
Congress was held in New Delhi in November 2014.
• On April 3, 2018, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu launched digital
initiatives by Export Inspection Council (EIC) for ease of export at New Delhi.Three online
portals have been developed to make it easier to export farm products from India and reduce
transaction costs.
• On 5th April 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the 34th annual session of FICCI
Ladies Organisation (FLO) in New Delhi.Ms Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank win for
5|Page
Banking & Finance Sector

• On April 10, 2018, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the two-day “Scientific
Convention on World Homeopathy Day” in New Delhi.The two-day convention has
been organized by Union Ministry of AYUSH.The theme of this convention is "Innovate:
Evolve; Progress: Exploring Science since 40 years".
• Union Communications Minister Manoj Sinha has announced that second edition of India Mobile
Congress (IMC) will be held in New Delhi from 25th – 27th October. IMC will be hosted by the
Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).First
edition of IMC was held in September 2017 in New Delhi.
• On 16th and 17th April, 2018, India International Institute of Democracy and Election
Management (IIIDEM) organized a Consultative Workshop in New Delhi for the Delegation
from the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan.Interactive discussions on the
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) & Role of Information Technology (IT) and a Training
Programme were conducted during the course of this workshop.
• On 18th April 2018, the integration of e-SANAD portal and NAD – National Academic
Depository was launched by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, at the India Habitat
Centre in New Delhi. National Academic Depository was launched by the government to
digitally store school learning certificates, degrees and other academic awards of institutions of
higher education.
• In a bid to promote trade between India and Taiwan, Taipei World Trade Centre (TWTC)
launched its office at New Delhi on April 19, 2018.Taipei World Trade Centre will serve as a
single venue that combines consulting service on trade-related issues, trading partners, suppliers,
and markets for international business.The gross volume of the bilateral trade
between India and Taiwan currently stands at 6.3 billion.
• Third edition of the Annual 5G India Congress 2018 was held on April 20, 2018 in New
Delhi.Indian government is planning to roll out 5G by 2020. Besides, as per Global Mobile
Operators Association,5G will account for 14 percent of global wireless connections by
2025. According to a recent report on Indian telecom market, the revenue from 5G-enabled
digitisation in India will reach USD 25.9 billion by 2026 and 5G-enabled industry revenue is
expected to add around $13 billion to operator revenue.
• The Four day first International SME (Small,Medium Enterprises) convention 2018 is being held
in New Delhi from 22ndto 24th April 2018. The main focus of this convention is on inclusion of
MSMEs in the Make in India program & empowering women entrepreneurs. It has been engaged
by Minister of MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) with 35 International Trade
Development organizations.
• On April 24, 2018, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh
Vardhan inaugurated the four-day Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop of the UN Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in New Delhi.This four-day regional Workshop (April 24-27,
2018) is the fourth in a series of UNCCD Workshops held around the world and the first one
being co-hosted by India.
• Two day Secure India Conclave, organised by Global Counter Terrorism Council began in New
Delhi on April 24, 2018.The conclave has been organised keeping in view, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘New India : Secure India 2018”.Several sessions on internal security
situation on Jammu & Kashmir, Left wing Extremism and cyber security, chaired by eminent
personnel will be held during the course of this two day conclave.
Odisha
• On April 1, 2018, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated World-Class
tourist amenities at Konark Sun Temple in Odisha developed by Indian Oil Foundation (IOF),
a trust formed by Indian Oil Corporation
• On 28th April 2018, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 'Odisha Skills 2018',
the state-level chapter of India Skill competition organised by National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC) in Cuttack, Odisha.Union Petroleum and Skill Development Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan also inaugurated a skill-cum-common facility centre for filigree
6|Page
craftsman of Cuttack.
• Odisha Public e-library set up by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) and Odisha
Society of America (OSA) has started functioning from the Berhampur Town Hall in Odisha.
OSA (Odisha Society of America) is an association of Odia people living in the US. OSA had
offered Rs 20 lakh for the e-library through chief minister’s relief fund.
• On April 15, 2018, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a 2.5-km-long bridge
built over the Ib river in Sambalpur district.This is Odisha’s second longest bridge and has
been built at a cost of Rs. 117.50 crore.The bridge has enabled direct road connectivity
between Sambalpur and Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district.
Sikkim
• On 26th April 2018, former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia launched his political party named
"Hamro Sikkim" at the Press Club of India, New Delhi.He said that "Hamro Sikkim" will
focus on corruption and unemployment in Sikkim.
• On 29th April 2018, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling surpassed the record of
former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu as the longest serving Chief Minister of any
Indian state.He is also a poet with pen name ‘Kiran’. He received Bhanu Puraskar award in
2010.
Tamil Nadu
• On 5th April 2018, the Tamil Nadu government launched Amma Free Wi-Fi zones in 5 cities
of Tamil Nadu. Labour Statue at Marina, Chennai,Central Bus stand at Salem,Central Bus
stand at Tiruchirappalli,Gandhipuram Bus Stand in Coimbatore,Mattu Thavani Bus Stand in
Madurai.
• Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister K Palaniswami recently launched ‘Uzhavan’ (meaning -
farmer), a mobile application for farmers. This app allows farmers to have access to nine
types of services, including details about their crop insurance, information on farm subsidies,
book farm equipment and related infrastructure and receiving weather forecast for the next
four days.
Tripura
• On April 7, 2018, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb launched state component
of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana in Agartala.It is aimed at encouraging aptitude
towards employable skills and increasing working efficiency of probable and existing daily
wage earners, by providing quality training to them.
• On April 12, 2018, Tripura State Government approved Rs 50.67 crore to set up an Indian
Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Bodhjungnagar, located 15 km away from
Agartala. Bodhjungnagar is one of North Eastern region's biggest industrial
zones.The institute would be set up on 52.08 acres land and the total project cost would be Rs
128 crore.
Uttar Pradesh
• On April 7, 2018, Ganga Hariteema Yojana (Ganga Greenery scheme) was launched in 27
districts of Uttar Pradesh, located on the bank of Sangam, the confluence of rivers of Ganga,
Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.It envisages carrying out plantation drives in one-kilometre
areas from the banks of river.
• On 10th April 2018, Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved construction of an integrated sugar
complex in Pilibhit and setting up a Tiger Conservation Foundation in Dudhwa.The cabinet
also approved setting up of Dudhwa Tiger Conservation Foundation, as said by central
government in 2007.
• On April 13, 2018, Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated Gujarat Narmada Valley
Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC’s) Neem Project in Amethi district of Uttar
Pradesh.Under this project, GNFC intends to collect 8,000 to 10,000 MT Neem seeds from
Uttar Pradesh, which in turn will provide additional income of Rs 12-15 crore for over one
lakh rural woman from 2,500 villages in the State.
• On April 18, 2018, Uttar Pradesh State Government ordered all government hospitals and
orphanages to establish SHISHU SWAGAT KENDRA - PALNA and put up cradles in front
7|Page
of their buildings so that any person, lady or couple can leave their unwanted child without
disclosing their identity.Objective of this setup is to tackle the problem of abandoning the
infants at the roadside or other places which may pose a risk of life for the baby.
• Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS), Union Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and National Skill Development Corporation
(NSDC) have come together to make Uttar Pradesh Open Defecation Free (ODF).This is the
first training camp, launched as a part of an intense drive towards making India Open
Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2019.
Uttarakhand
• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched a campaign called "Devbhoomi
dialogue", calling upon youth to look for self-employment opportunities in their chosen
fields.Seeking valuable suggestions from Youth, Mr. Rawat stated that a search for self-
employment opportunities can to help check the perennial problem of migration from the remote
hill areas.
• On 4th April 2018, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched a transformation
campaign to improve the standard of education in the government schools of Uttarakhand.He
said that one model school will be opened in Kumaon and another in Garhwal.
• On April 8, 2018, Union Food Processing Industries Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated
Uttarakhand’s second Mega Food Park in Udham Singh Nagar district.It is being set up over an
area of 50.14 acres at a cost of Rs 99.96 crore.Uttarakhand’s first Mega Food Park is located at
Haridwar and has already become operational.
West Bengal
• The central government has declared Digambarpur gram panchayat of West Bengal in South 24
Parganas district as the best panchayat in the country.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee reminded that state was topped in job creation under the NREGA project. West Bengal
has not only topped in rural employment generation, but also been able to reduce the
unemployment rate by 40%.
• Sunderban Reserve Forest is likely to be declared a Ramsar Site as West Bengal State
Government has given approval to its State Forest Department to apply for recognition under the
Ramsar Convention.
• West Bengal State Government has rolled out Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s dream project
"Rupashree" scheme aimed at providing an amount of Rs 25000 marriage assistance to girls
coming from economically weaker families whose family income is uoto Rs 1.5 lakh
Other Important National Affairs
• As per data released by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA),
subscriber base of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) stood at 97.05 lakh at the end of the financial year
2017-18.The Yojana is launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, 2015.
• On April 3, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh
each to the next of the kin of 39 Indians who were killed in Iraq.
• On April 2, 2018, Indian Government imposed a 10 per cent duty on import of
key smartphone components such as printed circuit board assembly, loaded or stuffed printed
circuit boards (for telephones as well as mobile phones), camera module and connectors of
cellular mobile phones.
• As per data released by Union Commerce and Industry Ministry, Core Sector such as Coal, crude
oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity recorded 5.3% growth
in February 2018 on account of a steep rise in output of cement and fertilisers.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru has been named the overall best institution in
India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). It was followed by Jawaharlal
Nehru University (JNU) in the second position and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in the third
spot.
8|Page
• Ministry of Tourism along with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
has launched “Adopt a Heritage Project”Main focus of the project will be to provide basic
facilities like cleanliness, public convenience, drinking water, ease of access for tourists, signage
etc. and advanced facilities like Souvenir shop, Cafeteria etc.
• The UIDAI has unveiled the beta version of 'Virtual ID', which will soon be accepted by service
providers in lieu of Aadhaar number to address privacy concerns related to quoting Aadhaar.All
authorised agency/service providers will have to compulsory accept VID for undertaking
authentication from June 1, 2018.
• On April 5, 2018, Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurated first flight
from Delhi to Pathankot (in Punjab), at a ceremony held at the Indira Gandhi International
Airport in Delhi. It aims at making flying a reality for common people residing in Tier-II and
Tier-III towns by providing air connectivity to currently underserved and unserved airports.
• On April 5, 2018, digital payments company PayPal and the Federation of Indian Export
Organisations (FIEO) signed a MoU from which PayPal will work with FIEO to educate SMEs
on how to leverage global opportunities, help them receive money in a safe and timely manner
with PayPal products and inform them of global best practices.
• IndiaFilings.com has launched online income tax filing services for salaried individuals.
income tax return using their platform.All income tax returns like ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4,
ITR-5, ITR-6 and ITR-7 can be filed online using their platform directly.
• On 5th April 2018, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs
Hardeep Singh Puri launched the modernisation of the Government Press.Amount sanctioned for
the total project is Rs 338.56 crore. Out of this Rs 100 crore has been allotted for plant and
machineries.
• On April 5, 2018, Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal launched UTTAM
(‘Unlocking Transparency by Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal’)App for Coal Quality
Monitoring.It is developed by Union Ministry of Coal and Coal India Limited (CIL).
• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has constituted a five-member working group to examine
the taxation aspects related to High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) who are migrating abroad to
other jurisdictions.This Working Group will be headed by Pragya Sahay Saksena, a joint
secretary with Foreign Tax & Tax Research Division of CBDT.
• On April 5, 2018, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) put forth a concept of open
architecture-based public Wi-Fi grid to bring down the cost of the internet by 90%. TRAI
Chairman R S Sharma believes that Broadband proliferation across the country is an important
pillar of Digital India and Wi-Fi is the cheapest option owing to low cost of equipment and free
spectrum.
• Jammu's first tulip garden has been set up at Sanasar in Ramban district of Jammu region.This is
the first tulip garden in Jammu region.The tulip garden was developed by the Floriculture
Department. There are no time restrictions for visiting the garden. Also, no fee is charged from
visitors.
• Union Ministry of Tribal affairs has approved establishment of the first multipurpose “Van Dhan
Vikas Kendra” in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh for value addition of Forest Produce.This
scheme is for socio economic development of tribals living in forests, for whom, collecting
Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source of livelihood.
• From 10th to 23rd April, 2018, Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct exercise ‘Gagan Shakti,
2018’, its biggest ever combat exercise along Pakistan and China borders.Indigenous Light
Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will be taking part in the exercise for the first time.
• Indian Railway has inducted three ‘09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express machines’, the state of the
art integrated track maintenance machines. Each new 09-3X- Dynamic Tamping Express
machine costs about Rs. 27 Crore. 42 more such machines will be inducted in Indian Railway
maintenance fleet over next three years.
• On April 6, 2018, Indian Government banned imports of the hormone oxytocin to stop its misuse
in the livestock industry.Oxytocin is referred to as "love hormone". It is released naturally during
human bonding activities such as sex, childbirth and breastfeeding.
9|Page
• NITI Aayog is planning to build National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP) to host and
analyse huge amount of data which shall be helpful for citizens to understand spend patterns of
the government, consumption trends and the success of various government policies.By using
artificial intelligence (AI) for in-depth analysis.
• On April 8, 2018, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan launched
PMUY scheme in Delhi.It was launched in May 2016. The objective of this scheme is to provide
deposit-free LPG connections with monetary assistance to women from below poverty line
(BPL) households.So far it has transformed the lives of more than 3.5 crore women.
• Madhubani railway station in Bihar, which was once considered as a dirty railway station has got
a makeover with the traditional Mithila paintings.It is also referred to as Madhubani art.These
paintings constitute geometrical patterns drawn with twigs, fingers, brushes, nib-pens, and
matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments.
• IHHC (India Home Health Care) has become the first home health care company to create a
dedicated ICU simulation lab to train nursing staff, at its Bengaluru facility.Through this, IHHC
will introduce critical care at home services. IHHC customers can now enjoy enhanced care
service in the comfort of their homes.
• Prof Panchanan Mohanty,former dean of the School of Humanities at University of Hyderabad
(UoH) has discovered two new languages:Walmiki and Malhar.Walmiki is spoken in Koraput of
Odisha and in the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh.Malhar is spoken in an isolated region
165 km away from Bhubaneswar in Odisha.
Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Oli was on a three-day official visit to India from 6th – 8th April 2018.
 Both the Prime Ministers jointly pushed a button to virtually lay the foundation stone of the 900
MW Arun III hydroelectric project, for which Indian Government will provide USD 1.5 billion.
This project will be built by Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam.
 The integrated checkpost at Birgunj-Raxaul, the main entry-exit point on the open India-Nepal
border, was also remotely inaugurated by both the Prime Ministers.
 India to build strategic Railway link between Kathmandu and Raxaul
 India, Nepal to enhance Agriculture cooperation & also promotes exchanges between the Indian
Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council
(NARC).
 India, Nepal decide to develop inland waterways for Cargo Movement
 Modi, Oli launched the ground-breaking ceremony of Rs 3.24 billion India-Nepal petroleum
products pipeline from Motihari to Amlekhgunj.
 Oli Seeks farm expertise for Nepal
• 51-day long 8th Theatre Olympics, concluded in Mumbai on April 8, 2018.It was held in India for
the first time.It was inaugurated by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at the Red Fort, Delhi, on
February 17, 2018.The theme is “Flag of Friendship”.
• The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has introduced secure digitally-signed QR
Code on e-Aadhaar that will contain photograph of the Aadhaar holder along with demographic
details.This has been introduced to enable better offline verification of an individual.
• On 9th April 2018, Export Promotion Council for EoUs and SEZs (EPCES) announced that, it has
launched a new membership software application. It will also help to reduce delays and
paperwork for the members. The new facility allows members to renew their membership, apply
for new membership or to download certificates. It is available in https://membership.epces.in
• Intra-State E-way (Electronic Way) bill i.e. the E-way bill for movement of goods within the
state will be rolled out from April 15, 2018, starting with 5 states namely Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.In context of this news, it is important to note that
10 | P a g e
E-way bill system for moving goods worth over Rs 50000 from one state to another has already
been rolled out since April 1, 2018.
• On April 10, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India's first 12000
horsepower electric locomotive from Bihar's Madhepura locomotive factory.With the launch of
this locomotive, India has joined the league of countries - Russia, China, Germany and Sweden
– that have successfully run 12000 horsepower and above capacity electric Locomotives.
• On April 10, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the National Convention of
Swachhagrahis (cleanliness ambassadors) at Motihari, in East Champaran district of
Bihar. Theme of the centenary celebrations of the Champaran Satyagraha is "Satyagraha se
Swachhagrah".PM Modi launched development projects worth over Rs. 6600 crore in Motihari.
• On April 10, 2018, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand
Gehlot launched a new Website and Mobile App of the ‘National Commission for Safai
Karamcharis’.The new website and Mobile App will help the Commission in addressing the
grievances/complaints of petitioners in an efficient manner.
• On 9th April 2018, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched 'Project
Dhoop', an initiative to shift the school assembly time to noon to make sure maximum absorption
of Vitamin D in students through natural sunlight.This initiative has been conceptualised by
McCannHealth. It is supported by Kwality (Ltd).
• On 10th April 2018, Animal Husbandry Secretary Tarun Shridhar launched a website of Pashu
Chikitsak Mahasangh, the topmost body for state veterinary associations.Tarun Shridhar
inaugurated the website 'www.pashuchikitsakmahasangh.in'. He dedicated it to veterinarians.
• Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs has set up a 12-member panel to review the enforcement of
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provisions under the Companies law and to recommend a
uniform approach for its enforcement.The panel is headed by Manmohan Juneja - Regional
Director (Western Region) while Seema Rath – Deputy Director (CSR) will be the convener.
Other members include Sanjay Shorey - Joint Director (Legal) and N K Dua - Joint Director
(Policy) N K Dua.
• Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology lab, India’s first-of-its-kind 5G
radio laboratory will be inaugurated at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on April 13,
2018.The Massive MIMO Technology Lab has been set up at the Bharti School of
Telecommunication Technology and Management, at IIT Delhi.
• On 12th April 2018, Union government announced the formation of a 13-member task force, to
develop a roadmap for the implementation of unmanned aerial vehicle technology.The Task
Force is headed by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.It will also focus on research
and development, acquisition and commercialisation, application and adoption in specific
sectors, the regulatory framework and preference for Make in India.
• On 11th April 2018, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an agreement for its
first international project as part of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral
Highway. India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on the 1,400 km long highway.The project
is funded by Ministry of External Affairs, India.The estimated cost for the project is Rs 1,177
crore.
• As per data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on April 12, 2018, industrial
production grew at 7.1 per cent in February 2018.Growth in industrial production during
February 2018 came on account of robust performance of the manufacturing sector and higher
offtake of capital goods and consumer durables.
• On April 13, 2018, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh launched the web-based application ‘e-
FRRO’ (e-Foreigners Regional Registration Office).By using e-FRRO application, foreigners in
India would be able to get as many as 27 Visa and Immigration related services from the comfort
of their place of stay, through email/post without appearing in person at the FRRO office.
• On 10th April 2018, the Supreme Court said that, the provision of Aadhaar Act that seeks to
validate the data collected from 2009 to 2016 was "badly drafted".The provision validated all
biometric enrolments even before the law was passed with retrospective effect.Section 59 of the
Act deems consent in all pre-2016 cases where biometrics were collected without the backing of
11 | P a g e
any law. Chief Justice Dipak Misra said that “Section 59 is badly drafted.”
• On 13th April 2018, Hardeep Puri, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs launched
Smart Imprest Cards & e-Measurement Book (e-MB) on PFMS portal for CPWD (Central Public
Works Department).This is the first integrated web based module in Civil Ministries to monitor
and track both the financial progress - utilization of funds and related physical progress captured
through e-MB of various works in CPWD projects.
On April 14, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chhattisgarh for two-day state visit.
During the course of this visit, he will launch various welfare schemes.
 PM Modi to inaugurate first health centre under Ayushman Bharat Scheme
 PM Modi to visit Jangala Development Hub
 PM Modi inaugurated Van Dhan Yojana aimed at empowering tribal communities.
 He also flagged off a train between Dalli Rajhara and Bhanupratappur and thereby dedicating the
Bhanupratappur-Gudum railway line to the nation.
• On April 13, 2018, Central Government announced extension of phase 1 of the FAME-India
scheme by six months till end of September 2018 or till its second phase is approved, whichever
is earlier.Announcement in this regard was made through a notification issued by Department of
Heavy Industry under Union Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, which is the
administrative authority for this scheme.
• On April 14, 2018, on the occasion of 127th birth anniversary BR Ambedkar, Union Petroleum
and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan launched Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana
(PMUY) in Telangana. PMUY has so far benefited more than 3.5 crore families.Mr. Pradhan
stated that by the next year-end, over 20 lakh new gas connections will be provided in Telangana.
• On April 15, 2018, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took oath for his new six years term in
the Rajya Sabha. Mr. Jaitley took oath in Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu's chamber in
Parliament, in presence of Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ananth Kumar and Leader
of Opposition in the Upper House, Ghulam Nabi Azad.He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from
Uttar Pradesh. He was re-elected for new term in March 2018.
• As per World Bank’s bi-annual South Asia Economic Focus report released on April 15, 2018,
Indian economy has recovered from the adverse impacts of demonetisation (in November 2016)
and roll out of Goods and Services Tax (in July 2017).Owing to recovery from above stated
events, Indian economy is projected to grow by 7.3% in 2018 and 7.5% in 2019.
• On April 16, 2018, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 7th edition of Home
Expo India 2018 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.This three-day fair has been organised
by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), which is the nodal export promotion body
for handicrafts in India.
• In a bid to further boost the consumption of natural gas in the country, Indian Government is
planning to set up a Gas Trading Hub/Exchange (GTHE) by October 2018.The GTHE will
enable trading in natural gas and supply through a market-based mechanism instead of multiple
formula driven prices.
• Government of India has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19 – Series-I. These
bonds will be issued by Reserve Bank India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of
India.Subscription Date: April 16, 2018 to April 20, 2018. Bond Certificate will be issued
on May 4, 2018.Denomination: 1 gm multiples.Issue Price: Rs. 3114 per gram. Click here to
know more.
• Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has designated 14 new sites as
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) since 2016.The 14 new sites are
wide ranged from oases to rice terraces, wasabi cultivation to raisin production.These places have
shaped landscapes into works of art. They have protected sustainable ways of living and
producing food.Click here to read more.
• On April 16, 2018, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) unveiled the beta version of a
website that contains information about mobile tariffs of all operators for all service
12 | P a g e
areas.Objective behind unveiling this portal is to allow users to compare tariffs of different
telecom operators and thereby enhance transparency in the industry.
• On April 17, 2018, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu launched Federation
of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO’s) GlobalLinker, a digital platform for Micro Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSME) Exporters which is a growing global network, which currently
comprises over 140000 SME firms.
• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Plastic Waste
Management (Amendment) Rules 2018. The amended Rules state that, the phasing out of
Multilayered Plastic (MLP) is now applicable to MLP that are non-recyclable, or non-energy
recoverable, or with no alternate use.Rule 15 of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment)
Rules 2018 on “explicit pricing of carry bags” has been omitted.
• According to latest data released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Bihar has the
highest rate of crimes against Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe population &lowest in West
Bengal.Madhya Pradesh reported the highest rate of crime (43.4%) against SCs specifically,
while West Bengal had the lowest at 6%.Rajasthan reported the highest rate of crime (12.9%)
against STs specifically.
• On April 17, 2018, Minister of State for Communications, Manoj Sinha launched DARPAN-PLI
App, which will help in collection of premium for Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life
Insurance policies at Branch Post Offices anywhere in India.This app is a part of Department of
Posts endeavour to go digital which will help in providing better after-sales service to customers
of PLI and RPLI, particularly to those living in rural areas of India.
• On April 18, 2018, Union Minister of External Affairs, Ms. Sushma Swaraj launched ‘Study in
India’ portal which is aimed at making India a preferred destination for the foreign students to
pursue their education.The 150 institutions are the ones which have a high National Assessment
and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
ranking.
• The Finance Ministry might bring up a Rs 10,000-crore follow-on fund offer of the Bharat-22
exchange traded fund (ETF) as it plans to dilute stake in Coal India to meet the minimum public
holding norm.PSUs that are part of the new Bharat ETF-22 are ONGC, IOC, SBI, BPCL, Coal
India and Nalco.
• Intra-State E-way (Electronic Way) bill i.e. the E-way bill for movement of goods within the
state will be rolled out in six more states from April 20, 2018.Six states are Bihar, Jharkhand,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Uttarakhand.Karnataka is the only state which had
rolled out Intra-State E-way bill system from April 1, 2018.
• On 17th April 2018, the Environment Ministry released the draft of National Clean Air
Programme aimed to reduce air pollution.Objectives are to augment and develop an effective
and a proficient ambient air quality monitoring network throughout India to ensure
comprehensive and reliable database & to have efficient data dissemination and a public outreach
mechanism for timely measures for prevention and mitigation of air pollution.
• In a bid to reduce the digital divide, from May 2018, Chhattisgarh State Government will start
distributing free smartphones to over 50 lakh people across the state under theSanchar
Kranti Yojana (SKY).On account of this scheme, 13900 villages of Chhattisgarh will get better
phone connectivity.
• Minister of State of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Giriraj Singh has stated that
four technology centres are being established in North Eastern India namely Imphal (Manipur),
Dimapur (Nagaland), Tinsukia (Assam) and Agartala (Tripura) for supporting Micro industries in
the region.
• Karan Johar (referred to as KJo), will soon become first Indian filmmaker to get a wax statue at
Madame Tussauds, London.Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar and PM Narendra Modi are
some of the other Indian dignitaries who have got a wax statue at Madame Tussauds, London.
• On 16th April 2018, the Union Rural Development Ministry said that,due to the need and
urgency of rural roads for national development the target date for completion of PMGSY-I has
been preponed from 2022 to 2019.To meet this target, the government has sanctioned the order
13 | P a g e
for construction of roads to connect 1.66 lakh habitations.

• On 18th April 2018, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched 'Atal Amrit Abhiyan', a health
scheme of Assam government that provides free medical care of up to Rs 2 lakh for every person
from Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families.The scheme has
been named after former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• On April 18, 2018 Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has taken an another effort
to increase the privacy level of aadhar details without disclosing the 12-digit Aadhar card number
by introducing an updated digitally signed 'QR code' on e-Aadhaar that will now contain the
photograph of the Aadhaar user with other non-sensitive details like name, address and birth date.
• On 18th and 19th April 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind was on his two-day visit to Jammu
and Kashmir.He addressed the sixth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University
(SMVDU) at Katra on 18th April 2018. Nearly 880 scholars received degrees and merit
certificates at the event & visited the Mubarak Mandi heritage site.
• A Group of Ministers constituted by the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry, has
recommended a uniform structure of road tax for vehicles across states.The GoM is headed by
Rajasthan transport minister Yoonus Khan. For levying tax based on invoice price of the
vehicles, GoM has recommended three slabs viz. 8 percent tax on vehicles below 10 lakhs, 10
percent for vehicles costing between 10-20 lakh, and 12 percent for vehicles above 20 lakh.
• On April 20, 2018, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Statistics and Programme
Implementation, Vijay Goel inaugurated the new office of Central Project Monitoring Unit for
the e-Vidhan project of the Government at the Parliament House Annexe.e-Vidhan, a part of
Central Government’s Digital India Programme, is a mission mode project to digitize and make
the functioning of State Legislatures in India paperless.
• Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda,Union health minister has decided to roll out 'Integrated initiative for
prevention & control of viral hepatitis' with a budget of Rs 517.39 crore for three year. This
initiative for prevention and control of viral hepatitis has roll out under National Health Mission
(NHM).
• On April 21, 2018, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh laid foundation for various
development projects in Union Territory, Diu.He laid foundation for Construction of a pile jetty
in Vanakbara village, first phase of sewerage network, New school buildings at Kamleshwar,
Zampa and Ghoghla.Diu has been selected for Central Government’s Smart Cities Mission.
• On April 21, 2018, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi gave its approval for restructured Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj
Abhiyan (RGSA).It will help more than 2.55 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to develop
governance capabilities to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through inclusive
local governance with focus on optimum utilisation of available resources.
• Diu Smart City has become the first city in India to function on 100% renewable energy during
daytime.Diu has adopted a two-pronged approach. According to that, a 9 MW solar park has
been se t up in 50 hectares and solar panels have been installed on the roof tops on 79
government buildings accounting to 1.3 MW power generation annually.
• On April 21, 2018, Union Cabinet stated that India will now maintain a database of sexual
offenders to monitor and track those individuals convicted of such crimes.It will be maintained
by National Crime Records Bureau.Only eight countries viz. US, Australia, Canada, Ireland,
New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom have sexual offender
database.
• Taniya Sanyal from Kolkata has become the first woman firefighter appointed by Airports
Authority of India (AAI).AAI currently has 3310 fire fighters posted at different airports across
India.Physical standards for selection of male firefighters is minimum height of about 1.6 metres
and minimum weight of 50 kg.
• On 21st April 2018, the central government approved an ordinance to amend the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to provide death penalty for the rape of children
below the age of 12 years.
14 | P a g e
Rape of women Imprisonment had increased from 7 years to 10 years,

extendable to life imprisonment.
Rape of a girl under 16 years of age Imprisonment had increased from 10 years to 20 years,
extendable to imprisonment for rest of life.
Gang rape of a girl under 16 years of age Imprisonment for rest of life of the convict.
Rape of a girl under 12 years Minimum 20 years of imprisonment or imprisonment
for rest of life or with death.
Gang rape of a girl below 12 years Imprisonment for rest of life or death sentence.
• On April 20, 2018, Madras High Court became the first court in south India and eighth in India to
introduce e-court fee payment facility.It is an advocate/litigant-centric initiative which enables
advocates and litigants to pay court fee online. So far, only Supreme Court and the High Courts in
Delhi, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have the e-court fee
payment facility.
• Two craft forms from Telangana - Adilabad Dokra, an ancient bell metal craft popular in the tribal
regions of Adilabad district,its speciality of Adilabad Dokra is that no two pieces are alike in
shape as well as in size thus making it impossible to replicate.and Warangal Dhurries, a popular
cotton rug - are famous across the world due to the high degree of craftsmanship involved in its
creation. Both have been issued the Geographical Indication (GI) Registration Certificate by the
GI Registry, Chennai.
• Prototype of an intelligent traffic management solution is currently being tested by Bengaluru
Smart City jointly with the Electronics City Township Authority (ELCITA), to enhance traffic
management.Typical traffic management activities like vehicle detection, traffic density
estimation and control of traffic lights will be automated for real-time performance.
• On 23rd April 2018, the central government said that, the Armed Forces (Special Powers)
Act (AFSPA) has been removed from Assam, Meghalaya and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, due to
remarkable improvement in security situation in those regions.AFSPA was completely withdrawn
from all areas of Meghalaya from 1st April 2018. AFSPA has been in force in Nagaland, Manipur
and Jammu and Kashmir for many decades. In Assam it was introduced in 1990s.
• On 24th April 2018, an official announcement stated that, foreign tourists, except those from
Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, will now be allowed to visit Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
The Home Ministry has decided to relax the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime from Nagaland,
Mizoram and Manipur for five years with effect from 1st April 2018.
• The e-Way Bill system for Intra-State movement of goods is implemented from 25th April 2018 in
Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Puducherry. As on 20th April, 2018,
e-Way Bill system for Intra-State movement of goods has been rolled-out in Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tripura,
Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under the NITI Aayog will launch the Atal New India
Challenge on 26th April 2018.Through the Atal New India Challenge, AIM will invite prospective
innovators/MSMEs/start-ups to design market-ready products, using advanced technologies or
prototypes in 17 focus areas like Climate Smart Agriculture, Smart Mobility, Predictive
Maintenance of Rolling Stock, Waste Management etc.
• Six countries of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have suspended their
memberships amid differences over who should lead the group they are Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Paraguay and Peru. Owing to this, membership of UNASUR has reduced to half
and now only Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela remain in the bloc.
• On April 24, 2018, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons awarded Letters of Intent (LoI) to 9
agencies for 22 monuments under ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’
project.Under this scheme, Ministry of Tourism invited private and public sector entities to adopt
15 | P a g e
as many as 116 ASI-protected monuments/sites and to take up the responsibility for its
maintenance, conservation and development.
• On April 25, 2018, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, released a commemorative postage stamp
on former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Late Shri Hemvati Nandan BahugunaHemvati Nandan
Bahuguna was the 9th Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He held office from November 8, 1973 to
November 29, 1975.
• On 25th April 2018, the third ship of the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV project was inducted
into the Indian Navy at Port Blair.The ship was commissioned as INLCU L53 by Vice Admiral
Bimal Verma, AVSM, ADC, Commander-in-Chief A&N Command.It was designed and built by
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• On April 26, 2018, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) conducted a mock exercise
on earthquake preparedness in three North Eastern States - Tripura, Nagaland and
Mizoram.Conducting such mock exercise was required as these three states fall under seismic
vulnerability zone
• On April 14, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of
Tribal Affairs and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)
during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur, Chattisgarh.This scheme is for socio
economic development of tribals living in forests, for whom, collecting Minor Forest Produce
(MFP) is a major source of livelihood.Click here to read more.
• On April 26, 2018, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched a portal to facilitate
import-export of seeds and planting material. This portal will help organisations involved in
import-export of seeds to do away with the requirement to submit their applications in 20 copies.
• On April 26, 2018, Union Ministry of Tourism launched a 360° Virtual Reality (VR) experience
video on Incredible India in collaboration with Google India.It takes through a journey across
Hampi, Goa, Delhi and Amritsar. The video covers the site-specific as well as the people-aspect
associated with these destinations.
• On 27th April 2018, Union Minister Manoj Sinha said that, the Telecom Commission has
approved a comprehensive strategy to implement BharatNet in the North East region,mainly in
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura will be connected
through broadband connectivity on satellite media by December 2018.The estimated cost for this
is Rs 733 crore.
• A five-day training programme, aimed at enhancing the preparedness of Airport Emergency
Handlers (AEHs) to respond to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear emergencies at
the airports, concluded on April 27, 2018 at the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna,
Bihar.During the course of this training, NDMA & NDRF jointly conducted its first-ever full-
scale Biological Management Emergency Exercise.
• The environment ministry has banned plastics in all protected areas throughout India, declaring
them "plastic free zones".Environment secretary C K Mishra said all protected areas and forest
reserves will be plastic free zones. This will be mandatorily enforced. He added that, alternatives
to plastics will be made available gradually.
• NITI Aayog and ITC Ltd will be collaborating in the area of agriculture and allied sectors with an
objective to strengthen farming systems.This collaboration will be for a period of four years till
April 2022 under which, both the entities will strive to increase net returns from farming through
reduction in costs of production and increasing productivity of major crops.
• On 26th April 2018, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) set up India’s first Virtual
Bronchoscopy Navigation, an advanced facility for diagnosis and treatment of small tumour-like
spots in lungs. The VBN system was installed in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine and
Sleep Disorders at AIIMS.Apart from India only few countries like China, Singapore besides the
US and Europe own this facility.
• On April 27, 2018, Expenditure Finance Committee of Union Finance Ministry accepted the
proposal of Union Ministry of Water Resources to provide Central Assistance for completion of 8
Major/Medium Irrigation projects and 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects in Vidarbha,
Marathwada and drought prone areas of rest of Maharastra.Estimated cost for completion of these
16 | P a g e
projects is Rs. 13651.61 Crore.

• Indian Government will soon launch a uniform and credible national-level disaster database
on UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR’s) insistence to implement its commitment
to the Sendai Framework.The Database will be a dynamic platform having locally obtained and
validated data on nationwide losses of properties and lives occurring due to disasters.
• On 27th April 2018, K.J.Alphons, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology inaugurated the Indian Culinary
Institute (ICI) at Noida.ICI offers courses in Diploma, Under Graduation, and Post-Graduation
and research in Culinary Arts.
• Central Government has started a Pilot Scheme for Procurement of Aggregate Power of 2500 MW
on competitive basis for 3 years from generators with commissioned projects but without Power
Purchase Agreement.Maximum allotment to a single entity has been capped at 600 MW.PFC
Consulting Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of PFC Ltd is the Nodal Agency and PTC India
Limited is the Aggregator for this scheme.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
• India’s neighbouring country, Nepal has launched its first accessible trekking trail (for the
differently-abled and the elderly) in Pokhara city.The trail was inaugurated as a part of International
Conference on Accessible Tourism.
• In 2018, China will unveil the world's longest cross-sea bridge, connecting Hong Kong, Macau and
mainland China which is 55km-long and six lanes wide, comprising of four tunnels and four artificial
islands & will reduce the commute time to half.
• On April 3, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan launched construction of Turkey’s first ever nuclear plant on the Mediterranean coast at
Akkuyu.It is being built by Russia's nuclear energy agency, Rosatom.
• Qatar has introduced national service for women for the first time as per a law issued by Qatar’s
Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. According to the law, women above the age of 18 can volunteer
for national service. Men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to perform compulsory military
service, and now the service period has been increased from three months to one year.
• Indo-Korean joint anti-piracy, search and rescue exercise 'SAHYOG-HYEOBLYEOG 2018' was
held on April 5, 2018 off the Chennai coast.As a part of this exercise, ships of the Indian Coast
Guard and Korean Coast Guard ship 'BADARO' jointly undertook tactical manoeuvres and drills to
counter piracy and carry out maritime law enforcement tasks.
• India has become the ninth most affected country in the world and second most affected country in
Asia-Pacific Japan region in cryptojacking activities, as per the ‘Internet Security Threat Report’
presented by Symantec, a security solutions provider.India is one among the top five countries as a
source for IoT (Internet of Things) attacks.
• On April 8, 2018, Japan activated its Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), its first
marine unit since World War Two.The marine unit has been activated to counter invaders who
attempt to occupy Japanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea. Japan fears that those
islands are vulnerable to attack by China.
• On April 8, 2018, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that India and South Korea will sign a pact to
provide Indian seafarers employment on over 500 Korean ships & will also explore partnerships in
shipbuilding, waterways and smart transportation.It will be beneficial for both the countries as Korea
is a large ship-owning nation & India is a large seafaring nation with over 1.5 lakh seafarers.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia concluded "Desert Tiger 5" joint military exercise aimed
at sharing expertise and enhancing joint military actions.It was aimed at improving combat readiness,
raising combat efficiency and enhance interoperability of the ground forces of both the countries.
• On April 9, 2018, President of India, Ram Nath Kovind concluded his visit to Equatorial Guinea, He
was conferred with the 'Condecoracion', the highest honour accorded to a non-citizen by the
government of Equatorial Guinea.India and Equatorial Guinea signed three Memorandum of
17 | P a g e
Understanding in the fields of AYUSH and traditional medicine; medicinal plants; and an action
plan for Information and Communication Technology.
• Veena Sahajwalla, an Indian-origin scientist in Australia, has launched the world's first microfactory
that can transform the components from electronic waste like smartphones and laptops into valuable
materials for re-use.
• On April 10, 2018, Vice Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Dang Dinh Quy met Union External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi and held discussions on India-Vietnam comprehensive
strategic partnership and on ways to further boost ties.It is to be noted that in 2016,
India and Vietnam formally upgraded their relationship status (from Strategic Partnership) to
"comprehensive strategic partnership.
• Officials of Union Commerce Ministry are in Peru for the second round of negotiations for
proposed free trade agreement (FTA) to boost two-way commerce between both the countries.
Under FTA, the partner countries reduce or eliminate duties on most of the goods traded between
them.
• On April 10, 2018, India and World Expo 2020 signed participants’ contract for India’s pavilion in
the prestigious World Expo 2020.World Expo 2020 will take place in Dubai, UAE for six months
beginning October 2020.The India Pavilion, which is to be developed in public-private partnership
mode, will focus on country’s advances in Space, Pharma, IT, Renewable Energy, Telecom sectors.
• 'Commonwealth Trade Review 2018: Strengthening the Commonwealth Advantage' has been
released. India has become the top recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) from within the
Commonwealth. It has become the second-most lucrative source of investment within
Commonwealth after the UK.
• On 8th to 11th April 2018, the 2018 edition of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), also known as Asia's
Davos was held in Hainan, China.Theme: The theme for 2018 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is: "An
Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity"
• Indian President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Zambia on 10th April 2018. He held delegation-level
talks with Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.India and Zambia signed four agreements
on:1.double taxation avoidance,2.judicial cooperation,3.mutual visa waivers for officials and
diplomats,4.the Entrepreneurship Development Institute that India will build in Zambia
• World's first long-distance electric bus line began service on April 12, 2018 in Paris, France.
This bus line has been presented by Flixbus, a brand which offers intercity bus service in Europe.It
will link Paris to France’s northern city of Amiens, undertaking a 160 kilometres journey within two
hours.
• President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on Swaziland announced to donate USD 1 million to support
Swaziland's national disaster management agency and also expressed commitment to the
developmental partnership to create local capacities in Swaziland and across Africa.India and
Zambia signed four agreements viz. on double taxation avoidance; on mutual visa waivers for
officials and diplomats, on judicial cooperation and on the Entrepreneurship Development Institute
that India will build in Zambia.
• On April 12, 2018, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a ban on all new
offshore oil exploration permits as a part of her Government’s plan to transition towards a carbon-
neutral future.The ban on new offshore oil exploration permits has been applied with immediate
effect. However, it will not affect existing permits and onshore drilling.
• China has introduced China Science and Technology Cloud (CSTC) to provide scientists with
accessible, accurate and secure data services to promote research and innovation.China Science and
Technology Cloud (CSTC) has been developed by the Computer Network Information Centre of the
Chinese Academy of Sciences.
• On 13th April 2018, Pakistan's Supreme Court disqualified former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from
holding office for life. Nawaz Sharif is 67 years old. He resigned in July 2017 after the Supreme
Court disqualified him from holding office on an issue over undeclared source of income.
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd and joint stock company Rosoboronexper: for underwater platforms of Indian
Navy and Heavy Weight Torpedo and future-ready combat vehicles.
18 | P a g e
• The state of cooperation between Kazakhstan and India in the energy sector was discussed and
analysed at the 16th International Energy Forum held in New Delhi from 10th to 12th April 2018.
The talks were focused on "The future of global energy security - transition, technology, trade and
investment", and how Kazakhstan and India can improve cooperation in the energy sector within the
framework of the IEF and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
• On 13th April 2018, US President Donald Trump launched air strikes on Syria in a combined
operation with France and Britain.US, Britain and France have targeted Damascus (capital of Syria)
and surrounding areas in response to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical attack that killed
over 60 people last week
• United Nations (UN) has launched a UN Road Safety Trust Fund to spur action that could save lives
and prevent the loss of opportunity associated with road accidents.The fund has been launched in
wake of tragic road accidents in Canada and India. UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
is the secretariat for the trust fund.
• Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that India, China and other Asian countries
will work together to voice against the "Asian Premium".OPEC sells oil to Asian countries,
including India, at a higher price as compared to America and European countries. The price
differential is referred to as ‘Asian Premium’.
• On April 12, 2018, United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it is reviewing the
eligibility of India, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in
response to concerns that these countries are not complying with the programme criterion.In 2017,
India benefited to the tune of $5.6 billion under GSP.
• On April 16, 2018, New South Wales (NSW), a southeastern Australian state, announced a two-year
USD 1.58 million partnership with India to enhance Indian startup ecosystem, technology, and
advanced manufacturing sectors.Announcement in this regard was made by New South
Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who is on an official visit to India from 16th – 19th April, 2018.
• Bisket Jatra celebration began in Bhaktapur, Nepal on April 14, 2018.It is a nine-day
festival, celebrated annually to welcome the spring and the Nepalese New Year.It is believed that
the festival started during Malla dynasty, that ruled Kathmandu fom 1201–1769 AD.
• On April 18, 2018, China proposed a India-Nepal-China economic corridor with multi-dimensional
connectivity through the Himalayas.China has proposed this trilateral economic corridor on basis
MoU signed by Nepal to join its multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• According to a Reuters poll of economists, India will reach the top position among the world's
fastest-growing major economies in 2018, but increasing trade tensions between the United States
and China might hinder that growth.It has predicted that India's economy will expand 7.4 % in the
fiscal year that
• As per UK India Business Council (UKIBC’s) report ‘The UK and India: The Bilateral Trade
Relationship’, a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK will help boost two-way
commerce and investments between both the countries.
• On 18th April 2018, Saudi Arabia unveiled its first cinema in more than 35 years with a private
screening of the mega hit Hollywood movie ‘Black Panther’, as a trial run before movie theaters are
opened to the public.
• On 20th April 2018, India and Afghanistan held bi-lateral talks to discuss issues related to illicit drug
trafficking and narcotics abuse, in New Delhi.Discussions were held on cooperation between India
and Afghanistan for exchange of ideas, sharing of best practices and enhancing areas of cooperation
in the drug crime domain.
• On April 19, 2018, king of Swaziland, King Mswati III announced that his country's name has been
changed to ‘Kingdom of eSwatini’.The declaration was made during celebrations marking King
Mswati III’s 50th birthday as well as 50 years of independence from British colonial rule.In Swazi
language, eSwatini means "place of the Swazi".
• Syria has returned to France the prestigious Légion d'honneur presented to its President Bashar al-
Assad.Syria has returned the award citing the reason that It is no honour for its President to wear the
award given by a country that is a ‘slave’ to America.
19 | P a g e
• Leaders of 53 Commonwealth countries have unanimously agreed to work closely to evaluate and
strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks and response mechanisms by 2020.Announcement in this
regard was made through a landmark declaration at the end of 25th Commonwealth Heads of
Government meeting (CHOGM), held on 19th and 20thApril, 2018 in London, UK.
• On April 19,2018 The Cuban government has selected the country’s 57-year-old first vice-president,
Miguel Díaz-Canel, as the country's President, replacing Raúl Castro.He is the first leader outside the
Castro dynasty to lead the country since the 1959 revolution. Raúl became Cuba's President in 2008
after taking over from his brother Fidel Castro.
• Kyrgyzstan’s new President Sooronbay Jeenbekov has dismissed the republic’s cabinet of ministers
headed by Prime Minister Sapar Isakov, the Kyrgyz president’s press service. On April 19 the
Kyrgyz MPs voted to express no confidence in the government. The motion was backed by 101 MPs,
and five people voted against it.
• On April 20, 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Germany after wrapping up his
visit to the United Kingdom where he attended the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting (CHOGM) and held bilateral meeting with British PM Theresa May.Germany is India’s
largest trade partner in the European Union. In 2016-17, the bilateral trade between India and
Germany stood at USD 18.76 billion.
• On 19th and 20th April 2018 , Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India led the Indian Delegation to the G-20
Finance Ministers and Central
• India and Finland have reached an agreement on the dispute between Indian Income Tax Department
and Finnish Telecom firm Nokia, under the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP).At Nokia India's
request, Finland initiated the MAP process under the DTAA in 2013. The process resulted in
rectified tax liability of 1600 crore, which Nokia India paid in March 2018, thus bringing an end to
the dispute.
• On April 23, 2018, Iran banned the use of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies by its banks and
financial institutions.Ban has been imposed citing concerns that cryptocurrencies can be used for
money-laundering and financing terrorism.
• On 22nd April 2018, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland announced that, Canada
will host the world's female foreign ministers for talks ahead of this year's UN General Assembly &
opened a meeting in Toronto of G7 foreign ministers with a session, co-hosted by EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini & said that, she and Federica Mogherini had
decided to host talks on 21st and 22nd September 2018 ahead of UN General Assembly just for
female foreign ministers.
• India is tying up with the United States and Finland to create a pollution-forecast system that will
enable anticipation of particulate matter (PM) levels at least two days in advance with a better
resolution. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will coordinate this exercise. It has been planned to
have the system ready by winter.
• “Harimau Shakti”, a joint training exercise between India and Malaysia will be conducted in the
forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia from 30 April 2018 to 13 May 2018.It is aimed to
enhance cooperation & coordination between armed forces of India and Malaysia and to share the
expertise of both the contingents.Main focus of the exercise will be on tactical operations in jungle
warfare.
• The Government of Kazakhstan has launched a 72-hour-long transit visa free regime for Indian
citizens from 17th April 2018 to 31st December 2018. Kazakhstan's Ambassador to India Bulat
Sarsenbayev said that, only citizens of India are eligible for this facility who fly with Air Astana
(Kazakhstan's national carrier) or any other Kazakh airline and are transiting through international
airports in Astana and/or Almaty to a third country or returning from a third country through Astana
and/or Almaty.
20 | P a g e
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held the first-ever informal
summit in China’s Wuhan city on 27th and 28th April, 2018 to discuss measures for strengthening
bilateral ties between both the countries.This was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fourth visit to
China after he came to power in 2014.Click here to read more.
• For the first time, India and Pakistan will be part of a multi-nation counter-terror exercise, schedule
to be held in Russia in September 2018.This multi nation exercise will be conducted under the
framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).The exercise has been named ‘Peace
Mission 2018’ and almost all SCO member countries including China will be a part of this exercise.
• Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) released 2018 edition of ‘Special 301 Report’.
In this report, India has once again been placed in the ‘Priority Watch List’ on account of
longstanding challenges in its Intellectual Property (IP) framework and lack of sufficient measurable
progress. Besides India,Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait,
Russia, Ukraine, and Venezuela are also in ‘Priority Watch List’.
• India has been projected as the second fastest growing country in the world for passenger traffic
based on traffic forecasts during 2017-40 by the Airports Council International (ACI).Vietnam has
topped the list with a 8.5 per cent growth rate. It is followed by India at 7.5 per cent and Iran at 7.3
per cent. China occupies 8th position with 5.9 per cent growth rate. ACI has forecasted that by 2022,
passenger traffic in emerging economies like India will beat advanced economies.
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI in News
• On April 5, 2018, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced First Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy
Statement for financial year 2018-19. This time too, the Policy Repo Rate has been kept
unchanged.
Policy Repo Rate 6.00% Unchanged – since 2nd August 2017
Reverse Repo Rate 5.75% Unchanged – since 2nd August 2017
Marginal Standing Facility Rate 6.25% Unchanged – since 2nd August 2017
Bank Rate 6.25% Unchanged – since 2nd August 2017
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) 4.00% Unchanged – since 9th February 2013
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 19.50% With Effect from 14th October 2017
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to use Gross Domestic Product (GDP) instead of Gross
Value Added (GVA) to measure economic activity in India. GVA gives the picture of the state of
economic activity from the producers' side or the supply side. GDP provides the picture from the
consumers' side or the demand side.
• On April 6, 2018, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Central Government,
hiked the foreign portfolio investors (FPI) investment limit in Central government securities The
FPI investment limit in G-Sec has been hiked from 5 per cent of outstanding stock now to 5.5 per
cent in Financial Year 2018-19 and 6 per cent in Financial Year 2020.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs. 3 crore on IDBI Bank for non-
compliance with the outlined norms related to reporting of bad loans. RBI said that, the penalty
was imposed on account of non-compliance with the directions issued on Income Recognition
and Asset Classification (IRAC) norms.
• On April 12, 2018, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a notification aimed at tightening
reporting norms for the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).Under LRS, all resident Indian
individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit abroad, up to USD 250000 per
financial year for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.
• According to the weekly data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s foreign exchange
reserves touched a life-time high of $424.864 billion in the week to April 6, 2018. As per RBI
data, on a week-on-week basis, forex reserves increased by $503.6 million in the week to April 6,
2018. In the previous week, forex reserves rose by $1.828 billion to $ 424.366 billion.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed Mumbai-based City Co-operative Bank under directions,
21 | P a g e
owing to which, its customers will not be allowed to withdraw more than Rs. 1000 per deposit
account.In addition to withdrawal restrictions, City Co-operative Bank would not be able to
accept fresh deposits, disburse loans, make any investment, or borrow funds without RBI
approval.
• On April 20, 2018, Reserve Bank of India amended its ‘know your customer’ (KYC) guidelines,
making Aadhaar mandatory for conducting customer due diligence by banks and finance
companies.
As per the circular, for the purpose of doing customer due diligence, all RBI regulated entities
must obtain Aadhaar number, PAN or Form No. 60 from an individual who is eligible for
enrolment of Aadhaar.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel has stated that India’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018-19.He stated that global demand has been improving,
which should encourage exports and boost fresh investments in 2018-19. According to Mr. Urjit
Patel, Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) of the Central Government is budgeted at 3.3 per cent in 2018-
19.
• On 27th April 2018, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) liberalised External Commercial Borrowings
(ECB) Policy by including more sectors in the window, with an aim to enable cheaper access of
overseas funds. RBI notified that, it has decided to increase the ECB Liability to Equity Ratio for
ECB raised from direct foreign equity holder under the automatic route to 7:1.
Technology in Banking
Name of Entity Technology implemented Points to be noted

Indian Bank ‘Bharat QR’ 'Bharat QR' is a mobile payment
collection scheme to accept digital
payments.
Yes Bank ‘Yes GST’ An OD (over draft) facility for Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs).
ICICI Bank 'digital form' It will help open current accounts in a
few hours
Paytm Payments Bank Paytm KYC centers and 'Paytm-Ka- To accomplish this feat on account of a
ATM' constant campaigning highlighting about
the benefits of the Know Your Customer
(KYC) system
HDFC Bank IRA 2.0 Through voice based navigation, IRA
will interact with customers, answer
bank-related queries, frequently asked
questions and will guide them inside the
branch.
Loans issued by banks/others
Loan issued by Received by Amount Points to be noted

International Bank for Government of US$ 420 To benefit Small and Marginal
Reconstruction and Maharashtra million farmers in the Marathwada and
Development (IBRD) Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra
Asian Infrastructure Government of USD $ 140- This project is co-financed by the
Investment Bank (AIIB Madhya Pradesh Million World Bank. It aims to improve
the rural road connectivity and
management for residents of
22 | P a g e
nearly 5,640 villages

Asian Development Bank Uttarakhand Rs 1700 crore To give an aid of to which will be
(ADB) utilised for creation of
infrastructural facilities, sewer
treatment plants and water supply
facilities in urban areas of
Uttarakhand.
World Bank Government of $210 million Signed a loan agreement for the
Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Rural
Connectivity Project
World Bank India USD 48 million A loan agreement worth for the
"Meghalaya Community - Led
Landscapes Management Project
(MCLLMP)"
National Bank for Uttar Pradesh (UP) Rs 10012 crore To facilitate overall development
Agriculture and Rural in the state with special focus on
Development (NABARD) agricultural credit. The funds were
provided.Rs 8450 crore released to
commercial banks, Regional Rural
Banks and Cooperative Banks
MoU/Agreements in Banking & Finance
• National E-Repository Limited (NERL), a group company of National Commodity and

Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), has empanelled ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank as
repository participants.As per the agreement, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank will offer pledge
finance against electronic negotiable warehousing receipts (eNWR) created on NERL’s repository
platform for commodities stored in warehouses registered with Warehousing Development and
Regulatory Authority (WDRA).
• On April 24, 2018, India signed a loan agreement with credit of $125 for the “Innovate in India
for Inclusiveness Project”.Objective is to encourage indigenous innovation, facilitate local
product development and accelerate commercialization process in the sphere of affordable and
innovative healthcare products.
• On April 20, 2018, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) entered into an agreement with National e-
Governance Services Limited (NeSL) for utilizing its Information Utility Services envisaged
under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• On April 23, 2018, Bank of India (BoI) entered into an agreement with National e-Governance
Services Limited (NeSL) for utilizing its Information Utility Services envisaged under the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• On April 24, 2018, Government of India signed a Legal Agreement with World Bank for flexible
financing arrangements for National Biopharma Mission (NBM).It is the first ever Industry-
Academia mission to accelerate biopharmaceutical development in India. This programme has
been named Innovate in India (i3).It is a $250 million dollar initiative that includes a $125
million loan from the World Bank.
• World Bank has approved $55 million to expand the use of clean renewable energy in rural areas
of Bangladesh that do not have access to grid electricity. $55 million has been approved as an
additional financing to the Second Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development
(RERED II) Project.
Other Important Banking & Finance News
• On 31st March 2018, Allahabad Bank announced that, it has reduced the base rate and benchmark
prime lending rate (BPLR) by 45 basis points that is it reduced base rate to 9.15 per cent from
23 | P a g e
9.60 per cent. BPLR has been reduced to 13.40 per cent from 13.85%.
• On 28th March 2018, a record amount of Rs 71, 633.45 crore was digitally transacted through the
Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal.PFMS is implemented by the Controller
General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance.
• Jio Payments Bank Limited has commenced operations as a payments bank with effect from
April 3, 2018.Jio Payments Bank is a 0:30 joint venture between Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance
Industries and the State Bank of India (SBI). H. Srikrishnan,is MD and CEO of Jio Payments
Bank.
• On April 4, 2018, IndusInd Bank announced that it has launched a pilot WhatsApp enterprise
solution to communicate with its customers.The customers of IndusInd Bank will now be able
to check balance, obtain mini statement, check reward points as well as update of
Aadhaar through WhatsApp.
• On April 6, 2018, global financial messaging cooperative, SWIFT announced that ICICI Bank
has become its first Indian client to go live with an improved cross-border payments service.The
improved cross-border payments service which is being referred to is the gpi (Global Payment
Innovation) Tracker, which has been extended to cover all payment instructions sent across the
SWIFT network.
• As part of its 'Customer First' initiative, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched three ‘Internet
of Things’ (IoT)-based customer service initiatives on a pilot basis at one of its branch in
Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI) will be investing a total of Rs 80 billion in the 900
megawatt (MW) Arun III hydropower project of Nepal. The contract for constructing this project
has been awarded to Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam (SJVN).
• 11 public sector banks have been placed under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s Prompt
Corrective Action (PCA) framework due to non-performing assets.They are 1.Allahabad
Bank,2.United Bank of India,3.Corporation Bank,4.IDBI Bank,5.UCO Bank,6.Bank of
India,7.Central Bank of India,8.Indian Overseas Bank,9.Oriental Bank of Commerce,10.Dena
Bank,11.Bank of Maharashtra.Five more banks are expected to be brought under RBI’s PCA
framework. They are,1.Andhra Bank,2.Punjab National Bank,3.Canara Bank,4.Union
Bank,5.Punjab & Sind Bank.
• Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Bank has launched 'Add on Working Capital GST', a special financing
scheme to help the state industry cope with the delay in reimbursement of Goods and Services
Tax (GST) under special tax relief.It was launched by J&K Finance Minister Syed Altaf
Bukhari in the presence of Minister for Industry and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga.
• On 11th April 2018, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated that the Indian economy would
expand by 7.3 % in fiscal year (FY) 2018 and 7.6 % in the next fiscal year.In ADB’s Asian
Development Outlook (ADO) 2018 report, it stated that the reduction in growth to 6.6 % in
FY2017 was partially due to demonetization.
• On 11th April 2018, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)
announced that, it has aimed to raise its long-term on-lending or refinance portfolio to nearly Rs
80,000 crore in the current fiscal year in a move to improve rural economy.
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has tied up with Common Service
Centre (CSC) to run micro enterprises promotion programme (MEPP) in 115 aspirational
districts across India.MEPP is geared towards promoting potential rural entrepreneurs by hand-
holding them and also facilitating access to finance for such enterprises from formal banking
sector.
• On 13th April 2018, Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched new products like pre-approved
credit card and UPI solution to mark its 124th foundation day. PNB also announced its UPI
partnership with WALNUT, an expense management app, that has features like bill reminders,
bill-split and instant paperless loans.The camp was inaugurated at PNB head office in New Delhi
by Sunil Mehta, MD and CEO of PNB.
• The government has raised the authorised capital of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture
and Rural Development) by 6 times to Rs 300 billion, aimed to increase its lending to the rural
24 | P a g e
economy, as a part of the initiative to double farmers’ income by 2022.It will help NABARD to
expand its business and activities, resulting in promotion of integrated rural development,
prosperity of rural areas and generation of more employment.
• On 16th April 2018, data from Ministry of Commerce & Industry stated that, India's annual
Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI) was at 2.47 % in March 2018, a nine-month low, due to a fall in
price of vegetables and other food and beverages.The build up inflation rate in the financial year
so far was 2.47 percent compared to a build up rate of 5.11 percent in the corresponding period of
the previous year.
• Bandhan Bank has found a place in the list of the top-50 most valuable companies in terms of
market capitalization (m-cap) in India.Bandhan Bank has surpassed Dabur India, Britannia
Industries, New India Assurance Company, Tech Mahindra and Bharti Infrastructure in the last
10 trading sessions.Tata Consultancy Services Ltd is the most valuable company in India. It is
followed by Reliance Industries Ltd and HDFC Bank Ltd.
• On April 17, 2018, India's largest private sector bank, ICICI Bank announced that it has on-
boarded over 250 corporates on its blockchain platform for domestic and international trade
finance.In August 2016, ICICI Bank became the first bank in India to successfully undertake
pilot transactions on its blockchain platform for international trade finance.
• On April 16, 2018, market capitalisation of Kotak Mahindra Bank, for the first time surpassed
that of State Bank of India.At the end of the trading day on April 16, 2018, Kotak Mahindra
Bank’s market capitalisation rose to Rs 2.23 lakh crore compared with SBI’s market cap of Rs
2.22 lakh crore.
Kotak Mahindra Bank has become the second-most valuable bank in India after HDFC Bank.
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has announced that it has
extended total credit support of Rs 14690 crore to Rajasthan during 2017-18.Rajasthan has
been one of the biggest beneficiaries under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) of
NABARD.Funds sanctioned by NABARD were used for 10 irrigation projects, construction of
1614 roads and two rural drinking water supply projects in the state.
• On 17th April 2018, Communications and Railways Minister Manoj Sinha said that, the
government aims to empower 1.55 lakh post offices after integration with 650 Payments Banks
to offer digital services including financial inclusion.He also launched Digital Advancement of
Rural Post Office for a New India or Darpan program with a budget of Rs 1,300 crore.
• AU Small Finance Bank has decided to improve its business through crowd-sourcing, involving
not only employees but also customers and non-customers using the mobile app named ‘Kamao’
(earn).AU Small Finance Bank has planned to encourage stakeholders to refer prospective
customers, who want to open deposit accounts or get loans, on the app and win rewards.
• Global Findex Report, 2017 released by the World Bank has acknowledged that rapid increase
in financial inclusion has taken place in India in recent years.As per the report, number of
account holders in India rose from 35 percent of the adults in 2011 to 53 percent in 2014 and 80
percent in 2017.36 percent of account owners in India are already using their accounts to make or
receive digital payments.
• Mid-size private sector bank YES Bank has got approval from the Reserve Bank of India to open
two international representative offices - in London and Singapore.Offerings at these offices
would include ‘Yes First’ and ‘Yes Private Wealth Management’ programme along with Non-
Resident External/ Non-Resident Ordinary (NRE/NRO) savings accounts and deposits and
similar services.
• India’s second largest public sector bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has stated that Union
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confiscated passports of 150 wilful defaulters based on
its complaints.In March 2018, Union Finance Ministry asked banks to obtain passport details of
those who have borrowed more than Rs 50 crore and ensure swift action in case of fraud in order
25 | P a g e
to prevent them from fleeing the country.

• According to Union Finance Ministry data, total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts crossed Rs.
80000 crore mark as on April 11, 2018. The increase in Jan Dhan deposits was fuelled by
increase in number of Jan Dhan account holders, which stood at 31.45 crore as on April 11,
2018 as compared to 26.5 crore at the beginning of 2017.The Slogan of PMJDY is “Mera Khata
– Bhagya Vidhaata.”
• On 21st April 2018, the World Bank Group approved USD 13 billion increase in paid-in capital,
as part of a series of internal reforms.The package approved by the Development Committee of
the Board of Governors consists of USD 7.5 billion paid-in capital for International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and USD 5.5 billion paid-in capital for International
Finance Commission (IFC), through both general and selective capital increases.
• In the 3rd phase of sale, State Bank of India (SBI) has been authorised to issue and encash
Electoral Bonds through its 11 Authorised Branches with effect from 01.05.2018
to 10.05.2018.Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 states that, Electoral Bonds can be purchased by a
person, who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. Electoral Bonds are valid
for fifteen days from the date of issue.
• India Index Services & Products Limited (IISL), index services subsidiary of National Stock
Exchange of India has introduced Nifty Equity Savings Index, which can serve as a benchmark
for equity savings funds offered by various mutual fund houses.This index captures the
performance of a portfolio having exposure to equity, equity arbitrage and debt instruments.
• Global credit ratings agency, Fitch ratings has retained India’s sovereign rating at BBB- with a
stable outlook on account of its assessment that upside and downside risks to ratings remains
evenly balanced.
• As per a report by Deutsche Bank, Indian economy is likely to register Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth of 7.5 per cent in financial year 2018-19, marks an improvement as compared to
the likely 6.7 per cent growth in 2017-18.
• As per Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar, Indian economy is expected to grow by at least
7.5 per cent in 2018-19.He believes that India’s economic growth in 2018-19 will come on back
of improvement in investment cycle and capacity utilisation.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
• Indian Cellular Association (ICA) with Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha and IT Minister Ravi Shankar
Prasad, India replaced Vietnam & now became the second largest mobile phone producer in the
world after China.
• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into 16 more Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs),
taking the total number of APAs to 219 so far.14 are unilateral APAs and 2 are bilateral APAs
Unilateral APAs Bilateral APAs Total
(Till Date)199 20 219
(In 2017-18) 58 9 67
• IndusInd Bank has received Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI's) approval to buy IL&FS Securities
Services Ltd. (ISSL), the securities services arm of IL&FS.IL&FS is the promoter shareholder of
IL&FS Securities Services Ltd (ISSL).
• SoftBank Group Corp of Japan has planned to launch a $930 million Indian joint solar energy
venture with GCL System Integration Technology Co, a Chinese firm, as part of its India solar
investment roadmap.Technology support will be provided by GCL and SoftBank will help in
obtaining land and regulatory approvals.
• Ola has introduced an in-trip insurance programme for all its customers in India starting at just Re
1.This in-trip insurance will cover for loss of belongings, missed flights, and medical expenses up to
Rs 500,000 in case of an accident. Ola has partnered with Acko General Insurance and ICICI
Lombard General Insurance for this in-trip insurance programme.
26 | P a g e
• India has surpassed Japan and has become the world’s second largest producer of crude steel in
February 2018, according to Steel Users Federation of India (SUFI). China is the current largest
producer of crude steel in the world.
• On 5th April 2018, MakeMyTrip Limited, and Flipkart announced that they have entered into a
partnership regarding online bookings in the travel segment.Various brands of MakeMyTrip like
MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and redBus, will utilize the customer base of Flipkart to increase online
travel bookings.
• On 9th April 2018, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra) said that, it has won a Rs 1,081 crore contract
from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for work in two units of the Kudankulam
project in Tamil Nadu.This project will be commissioned in 56 months.
• Tech Mahindra along with Balbix provides intelligent security operations center (iSOC). Using this,
cyber-breaches can be predicted and proactively avoided by continuously monitoring IT
inventories.The Tech Mahindra and Balbix platform uses deep learning and specialised AI
algorithms to predict how attacks can occur and propagate. It offers actionable insights to reduce
breach.
• Google Home and Home Mini Bluetooth speakers have been launched in India.Google Home and
Home Mini can be activated by saying ‘Ok Google’. Google Home works with Android TVs also
and can be used to control Netflix. They will answer user’s questions like how long will it take to
reach a place, horoscope, weather, etc.
• On April 11, 2018, online cab aggregator platform Uber announced the launch of its new partner
(driver) app in India.The new app is more simple as compared to previous version, provides a
personalised experience, and has been designed to support Uber drivers on every moment of their
journey.
• On 12th April 2018, Reliance Jio and Sodexo announced their tie-up to accelerate India's digital
transformation.Jio Money, the Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) wallet of Jio Payments Bank Ltd.,
has enabled integration of Sodexo Meal Cards with the Jio Money account of its users. This will
allow mobile-based payments through Sodexo Meal Card.
• Reliance Jio has signed an agreement to raise nearly Rs 3,250 crore as samurai term loan from Japan-
based banks.With exchange rate of 60 paise per Japanese yen, the loan value amounts to nearly Rs
3,248 crore.This deal is said to be the largest samurai loan (low interest loans from Japanese
investors) for an Asian corporate company.
• Deutsche Post DHL Group, a Global logistics group, is working to connect Indian companies with
businesses in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to enhance India's economic relations with
Southeast Asian markets.Alfred Goh, President, said that, they aim to capitalise their presence in
high-growth markets and partner businesses on developing cross-border commerce and trade.
• On 16th April 2018, Suzlon, a renewable solution provider, said that it has commissioned 626 MW
of wind power projects in 2017-18 (FY18), the highest installations by any firm in this fiscal year.
• As per latest World Economic Outlook, released by International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 17,
2018, Indian economy is projected to grow 7.4% in the current fiscal i.e. FY 2018-19 and accelerate
further in FY 2019-20 to 7.8%.India’s growth in current and next fiscal will come on back of strong
private consumption as well as fading transitory effects of demonetisation and roll out of Goods and
Services Tax.
• On April 12, 2018, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) stated that India's gross domestic product
(GDP) is expected to grow at 7.3-7.7 percent during the 2018-19 financial year. As per
CII, agriculture sector is expected to grow at 2.5-3.5 percent, industrial sector to grow at 7.2-7.5
percent and services sector to grow at 8.4-8.7 percent.
• On April 20 2018 Telecom giant Vodafone announced the rollout of Voice-over LTE(VoLTE)
Services in Chennai, Tamilnadu and confirmed it would expand the service across the State over the
next few months.By using the VoLTE services, 4G customers in Chennai can make calls and can
access Vodafone VoLTE for no additional charges and all calls would be billed as per existing
plan. The company has invested Rs 7,200 crore till date including Rs 450 crore last year.
• India’s largest private sector bank ICICI Bank has introduced a 'digital form' which will help open
current accounts in a few hours.Through ‘digital form’, ICICI Bank officials would be able to
27 | P a g e
capture information about the customer and the business digitally and verify KYC documents in real-
time, at the premise of the customer.
• Mid-size private sector bank YES Bank has got approval from the Reserve Bank of India to open
two international representative offices - in London and Singapore.Offerings at these offices would
include ‘Yes First’ and ‘Yes Private Wealth Management’ programme along with Non-Resident
External/ Non-Resident Ordinary (NRE/NRO) savings accounts and deposits and similar services.
• On April 20 2018 , TCS moved closer to the USD 100 billion mark in market capitalisation as its
share price surged nearly 7 per cent , adding about USD 6.2 billion to its valuation.This has taken its
market capitalisation (m-cap) to over Rs 6.50 lakh crore or around $98 billion. With this, the IT
major emerges as the first Indian company with a market capitalisation of close to $100 billion.
• On 22nd April 2018, Mahindra Electric and cab service Meru announced a joint electric vehicle
(EV) pilot project in Hyderabad, which will be introduced soon in other cities also.Meru will deploy
Mahindra's eVeritos all-electric sedans.
• On 23rd April 2018, the World Bank said that, India has retained its position as the top remittances
receiving country with its people who have immigrated to various countries sending nearly USD 69
billion back home in 2017. India is followed by China (USD 64 billion), the Philippines (USD 33
billion), Mexico (USD 31 billion), Nigeria (USD 22 billion), and Egypt (USD 20 billion) in the
remittance inflow.
• On April 24, 2018, The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the launch of its e-Gsec platform
which will allow retail investors to invest in government securities. Government issues securities in
order to borrow money from the market. Auction is held by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on weekly
basis, wherein large investors viz. banks, primary dealers, financial institutions, mutual.
• According to the Japanese financial services major Nomura, India’s average Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth is expected to rise to 7.8 per cent in the first half of 2018. Further, Nomura has
cautioned that rising oil prices may have a direct bearing on Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation,
wherein every USD 10/bbl rise in oil prices will spike the CPI inflation by 30-40 bps and would
worsen the current account balance by 0.4 percentage points.
• As per data released by Commerce Ministry,India's global trade at $767.9 billion in 2017-18 marks
an increase by 16.32 per cent as compared to $660.2 billion in 2016-17. Bilateral trade with Latin
American Countries (LAC) including Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Brazil has recorded healthy growth of
19.63 per cent in 2017-18.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted first licence for Liquid Chlorine on All India basis to
M/s Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd.Liquid chlorine is primarily used in paper, pulp, textile
bleaching, water sterilization and manufacture of chemicals. As the name indicates, this product is in
liquid form, but is used as a gas obtained by evaporating the liquid from a metal container.
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Research & Development (R&D) centre in Faridabad, Haryana has
signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with ISKCON Food Relief Foundation (IFRF), Haryana, through
which, entire cost of Cooking gas and Delivery Vehicle's CNG incurred under IFRF, Haryana’s
midday meal initiative will be borne by IOC.
• On 26th April 2018, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an agreement with
Macquarie for road projects under the highway monetisation initiative.The agreement has been
signed with Macquarie for the first set of highway projects worth USD 1.5 billion. This is one of the
highest FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in highways.
• One97 Communications Limited, the owner of Paytm, announced the launch of Paytm Tap Card, its
offline payments solution to provide easy payments solutions for non-internet customers. The Tap
Card utilises Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to enable safe and convenient digital
payments, totally offline at Paytm-issued, NFC PoS terminals, within a second.
• As per data provided by Union Finance Ministry, Government has collected Rs 7.41 trillion in taxes
in the first year of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) ending March 31, 2018. Rs. 7.41 trillion
collection includes Rs 1.19 trillion of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Rs 1.72 trillion of
State Goods and Services Tax (SGST), Rs 3.66 trillion of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST)
and Rs 620.21 billion of cess for first eight months and Rs 240 billion addition for March 2018
28 | P a g e
MoUs
MoUs between Countries
On April 4, 2018, Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved following bilateral
agreements:
No. MoU between Field
1 India and United Arab Emirates Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector
2 India and Canada Foster cross-border partnerships focused on research
excellence and industry-academic collaboration
3 India and Afghanistan Or cooperation in the field of food safety and related
areas
4 India and Iran The establishment of an expert group on trade remedy
measures.
5 India and Eritrea Facilitate a structured dialogue for strengthening
bilateral corporation between both the countries
6 India and Morocco Strengthening geological research and evaluation of
the potential of mineral resources, development of the
geological infrastructure for Geoscience Maps and
geochemical maps and promoting exploration and
mining through participation of both public & private
sector
7 India and United Kingdom and Northern The return of Illegal Migrants
Ireland
MoUs – States wise

No State MoU with Field/Purpose
1 Maharashtra British Council the to strengthen educational and cultural
cooperation
2 Andhra Pradesh MasterCard for top cyber security experts to exchange
strategies and solutions to fight the cyber
threat issues in India and worldwide
Other MoU/Agreements
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to provide skill training to 500
youth and women at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.The objective is to provide gainful employment
(wage and self-employment) to nearly 70 percent of the trained candidates post-training.
• On April 10, 2018, India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad based firm M/s Suraas Impex Pvt. Ltd. for developing a Mega
Tourism Destination project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.The estimated cost of the project is Rs.
550 crore.
• SJVN Limited, the operator of one of the largest Hydro Power Plants in India has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Ministry of Power for the year 2018-19.SJVN
Ltd. is a Mini Ratna public sector undertaking under administrative control of Union Power Ministry.
SJVN’s Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) target for 2018-19 has been set at Rs. 900 crore.
• A MOU was signed between the Indian Culinary Institute (ICI), an autonomous body under the
Ministry of Tourism, and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak.Objective
of setting up of ICI was to create a mechanism to support efforts taken to preserve, document,
promote and disseminate Indian Cuisine, meet the requirement of specialists in Indian Cuisine, to
29 | P a g e
promote Cuisine as a Niche Tourism product.

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) and
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under Union Ministry of Communications have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical knowledge sharing for establishing a
nationwide Time Stamping & Time Synchronization network.
• On April 29, 2018, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and
Indian Yoga Association (IYA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly promote
yoga, health and spiritual tourism in the Krishna Circuit in Uttar Pradesh.It is among the thirteen
thematic circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
• On April 8, 2018, Singapore and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Beijing
to promote greater collaboration between Singapore and Chinese companies in third-party markets
along the Belt and Road initiative.The project aims to connect China with Eurasia through land-
based "Silk Road Economic Belt" (SREB) and ocean going "Maritime Silk Road" (MSR).
• On April 9, 2018, India and Bangladesh signed six pacts including one for the construction of
a 129.5 km-long oil pipeline between Siliguri and Parbatipur.Other pacts include, an MoU on
cooperation between Prasar Bharati and Bangladesh Betar, agreement between Department of
Atomic Energy, India and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and an MoU for setting up
an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Urdu Chair in Dhaka University.
• India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Timor-Leste (East Timor) in the field
of public health to extend affordable healthcare to its people.This MoU was signed during India’s
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar’s four-day visit
to Timor Leste from 7th – 10th April 2018.
• On 13th April 2018, Indian companies and Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
signed 7 MoUs at the DefExpo 2018 held in Thiruvidanthai, Chennai.
On 16th and 17th April 2018, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Sweden on the invitation
of Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Lofven.During the visit Narendra Modi held separate bilateral
meetings with PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen of Denmark, PM Juha Sipila of Finland, PM Katrin
Jakobsdottir of Iceland and PM Erna Solberg of Norway on 17 April 2018.
 India - Nordic Council Summit
 Sweden India Joint Action Plan (April 17, 2018)
o To promote bilateral cooperation, the following Joint Action Plan was decided.They
are, Innovation,Trade and investment,Smart Cities and Next Generation
TransportSmart, sustainable and renewable energy,Women’s skills development and
empowerment,Defence,Space and science,Health and Life Sciences.
 List of MOUs and Agreements signed and exchanged on the occasion of the visit of Prime
Minister to Stockholm (April 16-17,2018).
o Joint Declaration on India-Sweden Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable
FutureMOUs/Agreements between India and Denmark.
o MOU on Cooperation in the field of Sustainable and Smart Urban Development.
o MOU on Cooperation in the fields of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
o MOU on Food Safety Cooperation.
o MOU on Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education.
o MOUs/Agreements between India and Iceland.
o MOU on the Establishment of the ICCR Chair for Hindi Language
• On April 3, 2018, Indian Army and HDFC Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on the Defence Salary Package.HDFC Bank provides free personal accident death
cover and free permanent disability cover of Rs 30 lakhs, free educational cover of upto Rs 1
30 | P a g e
Lakh per year for four years.

• On 23rd April 2018, SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd) said that, it has signed a MoU with
Airports Authority of India (AAI) for utilisation of airstrips at Rourkela, Bokaro and Burnpur
under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN.AAI will operate and manage
airport operations for Burnpur, Rourkela and Bokaro airport on behalf of SAIL for three
years.
• Dalmia Bharat Limited has signed a MoU with the Tourism Ministry to take up Red Fort and
Gandikota Fort (Andhra Pradesh) under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project.It is the first corporate
to be part of the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project & it will look after the operations and the
maintenance of Red Fort and Gandikota Fort for the next five years.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed its Annual Performance Contract (APC) for
2018-19 with Ministry of Civil Aviation. The MoU was signed between Secretary (Civil
Aviation) R.N. Choubey and Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, AAI, on 27th April 2018.
th
On 13 April 2018, Indian companies and Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) signed 7
MoUs at the DefExpo 2018 held in Thiruvidanthai, Chennai.
 Larsen & Toubro Ltd and joint stock company Rosoboronexper: for underwater platforms of
Indian Navy and Heavy Weight Torpedo and future-ready combat vehicles.
 Ananth Technologies and JSC Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRE): for product
support for defence systems and upgrade of opto-electric sighting and navigation complex for
Su-30MKI aircraft).
 Ananth Technologies and Research and Production Corporation: to set up technical and
logistic support in India for T90 S&T72 tanks in service with the Indian Army.
 Space Era and KRET: to set up technical and logistics support in India.
 OSKROSOMARINE and Russian company JSC AGAT: for post-sale support for Fregat radar
installed onboard naval frontline warships.
 Krasnet Defence Technologies and JSC Concern AGAT: for co-operation in the field of after-
sales support of equipment manufactured by JSC AGAT and installed on board Indian ships.
 Aviatech Enterprises and JSC AGAT: for co-operation in after-sales support of equipment
manufactured by JSCAGAT and installed on board Indian naval ships.
• On April 2018, Indian Consortium consisting of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia to jointly develop and build Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL), an
integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex, in the State of Maharashtra.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
National
Name Appointed as Entity/Place Points to be noted
Subrata Ambassador of To the Republic of Serbia He is Joint Secretary in the
Bhattacharjee India Ministry of External Affairs at
present
Sripriya Ambassador of To the Republic of Korea She is at present Joint Secretary
Ranganathan India in the Ministry of External
Affairs
Rahul Kulshreshth Ambassador of To Egypt
India
Sanjay Ambassador of To Turkey
Bhattacharya India
Ravi Thapar Ambassador of To Nicaragua
India
31 | P a g e
Rajiv Kumar Nagpal Ambassador of To the Bolivarian Republic of

India Venezuela
Krishan Kumar Ambassador of To the Kingdom of Norway
India
Narinder Chauhan Ambassador of To the Czech Republic
India
Female Brand Measles-rubella
shooter Gauri Sheor Ambassador (MR) vaccination campaign
an
Indian shooter Manu Brand Haryana's Measles and Rubella
Bhaker ambassador (MR) vaccination campaign
Ban Ki-moon Chairman Boao Forum for Asia His appointment took place at
the annual session of the forum
named the "Asian Davos"
Rishad Premji Chairman Nasscom (National Association Keshav Murugesh, CEO of
of Software and Services WNS Group, has been
Companies) appointed the vice chairman
Secretary Bhanu Chairman Banks Board Bureau (BBB) Other members of the BBB
Pratap Sharma are:Vedika Bhandarkar (former
MD Credit Suisse India),P
Pradeep Kumar (former MD
SBI),Pradip P Shah (founder
MD Crisil).
Suresh Kumar Chairman and Coal India Ltd
Managing
Director
Rajiv Bakshi Chief Marketing Intex Technologies He has headed brand
Officer (CMO). development, business
transformation, consumer
acquisition and digital strategy
for long term growth and
profitability
Mithun Sundar Chief revenue Myntra He will report directly to Chief
officer Executive Officer Ananth
Narayanan
Balram Bhargava Director Indian Council of Medical also appointed the Secretary of
General Research (ICMR) the Department of Health
Research
Lieutenant General Director National Cadet Corps (NCC)
P P Malhotra General
Rajesh Ranjan Director Central Industrial Security Force He is currently the Special
General (DG) (CISF). Director General of the Border
Security Force (BSF).
Rajasthan DGP, Ajit Head of Anti- Board of Contraol for Cricket in He will replace former Delhi
Singh Corruption Unit India (BCCI) Police Commissioner Neeraj
Kumar
Chandra Shekhar Managing Bandhan Bank
Ghosh Director and
CEO
Uday Kotak Managing Kotak Mahindra Bank
Director and
Chief Executive
32 | P a g e
Officer
Sanjeev Nautiyal MD and CEO SBI Life Insurance Company He replaces Arijit Basu
Limited
Debjani Ghosh President NASSCOM (National She is the former MD of Intel
Association of Software and South Asia
Services Companies)
Himanta Biswa President Badminton Association of India He is a Cabinet Minister in
Sarma (BAI) Assam
T K Rajalakshmi President Indian Women's Press Jyoti Malhotra and Shobhna
Corps (IWPC) Jain were declared vice-
presidents of IWPC
S. Jaishankar President Tata Sons' global corporate He was India's foreign secretary
affairs from January 2015 to January
2018.
Aditya Ghosh President and IndiGo

whole-time
Director
Dilip Chenoy Secretary Federation of Indian Chambers He replaces Sanjaya Baru as the
General of Commerce and Industry Secretary General of FICCI
Vineet Joshi The Director National Testing Agency (NTA)
General (DG)
International wise
Name Appointed as Entity/Place Points to be noted
Julius Maada Bio President Sierra Leone He ruled Sierra Leone as the
military head in 1996, along
with former foreign affairs
minister Kamara
Jim Bridenstine 13th Administrator National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
(NASA)
Mario Abdo Benitez President Paraguay
Other Appointment and Resigns

• On 31st March 2018, it was announced that, M L Srivastava has been appointed as the protem
chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi.The previous administrator of Lalit Kala Akademi is CS
Krishna Setty.
• On April 3, 2018, Rubique, an online marketplace for loan, credit card and insurance announced the
appointment of Ajay Desai as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).He worked as Senior President and
Chief Financial Inclusion Officer in Yes Bank.
• On 2nd April 2018, actor Rituparna Sengupta was appointed the chairperson of Shilpi Sansad who
replaces Supriya Devi.It provides financial assistance to artistes in times of emergency and for
medical treatments.
• On 3rd April 2018, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Aashish Kapoor has
replaced Venkatesh Prasad in the three-member All-India Junior Selection Committee. Other two
members of the Committee are Gyanendra Pandey and Rakesh Parikh.
33 | P a g e
• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will also hold the additional portfolio of Information,
Public Relations and Languages, now. Earlier this portfolio was held by Haryana Women and Child
Development Minister Kavita Jain.
• Rakesh Kumar Vats has been given the additional charge of chairman of NPPA (National
Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) with immediate effect.He replaces Bhupendra Singh as Chairman
of NPPA. Bhupendra Singh has been appointed as chairperson of National Authority for Chemical
Weapons Convention under the Cabinet Secretariat.
• On 9th April 2018, Labour Secretary M Sathiyavathy took charge as a member of Union Public
Service Commission (UPSC). U P Singh has been given additional charge as secretary, Ministry of
Labour and Employment. He is a senior IAS officer. He is currently secretary in Ministry of Water
Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
• On 8th April 2018, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban won a third consecutive term as Prime
Minister.Viktor Orban’s party Fidesz won nearly half of the votes, with 93% of votes counted.
Fidesz is expected to win a two-thirds majority in parliament.
• Inspector General KR Nautiyal has been appointed as the new Coast Guard Commander (Eastern
Seaboard).KR Nautiyal will take over Headquarters Eastern Seaboard from Inspector General KS
Sheoran on 12th April 2018. He has been promoted to the rank of Additional Director-General.
• On 10th April 2018, Inspector General Vijay Chafekar took charge as the new Flag Officer, Indian
Coast Guard (West Region) from IG K.R. Nautiyal.The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) - West consists of
an important area that stretches to the outer limits of Exclusive Economic Zone from the coasts of
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep.
• Former deputy governor at Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Harun Rasid Khan, has joined Bandhan
Bank board.He has replaced PK Saha in Bandhan Bank board. He had headed RBI's vision on
payment system. He had handled financial market, foreign exchange, financial inclusion, etc. in RBI.
He served as deputy governor of RBI from 2011 to 2016.
• On 26th April 2018, sources in the Law Ministry said that, the government has cleared the
appointment of senior advocate Indu Malhotra as a judge of the Supreme Court, making her the first
woman lawyer to become Supreme Court judge.She will be the seventh woman to become a
Supreme Court judge.
• Mike Pompeo former CIA Director, has been sworn in as the 70th US secretary of state.He is a
former Army officer.As soon as he was sworn in as US secretary of state, the State Department said
that, he will visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel on the weekend after attending a NATO (North
Atlantic Treaty Organization) meeting in Brussels on 27th April 2018.
• On 26th April 2018, Lt Gen Bipin Puri took charge as Senior Col Commandant of the Army Medical
Corps.He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017. He was Honorary Surgeon to The President
of India (PHS) from June 2016.He was awarded ‘Double Helical's National Health Awards-2017' by
Indian Medical Association.
• India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI) has reshuffled the roles of its top
management.Padmaja Chunduru,will now be in charge of SBI’s global treasury operations while C
Venkat Nageswar,will be the new MD & CEO of SBI Capital Markets.PN Prasad,will be the chief
risk officer while DA Tambe will be the new chief information officer.Arijit Basu,will now head
corporate accounts group while Sanjeev Nautiyal has been appointed as CEO of SBI Life.
• On 29th April 2018, Saudi Aramco appointed a woman to its board, by recruiting American Lynn
Laverty Elsenhans to its 11-member board.She is a former chief executive and chairperson of US oil
refinery Sunoco. She was named as one of the world’s most powerful women in 2008 by Forbes
magazine.
• On 29th April 2018, Nirmal Singh resigned as Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and
Kavinder Gupta (Gandhinagar MLA) took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and
Kashmir.The following persons took charge as ministers of state:Mohammad Khalil Band (Pulwama
MLA),Sat Paul Sharma (BJP's state unit chief),Mohammad Ashraf Mir (Sonwar MLA),Rajiv
Jasrotia (Kathua MLA),Devinder Kumar Manyal (Sambha MLA),Shakti Raj (Doda MLA).
34 | P a g e
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Name of Awards Award Winner Field Points to be noted

Cleanest airport in Mangalore International Airport V V Rao received the award at the
India Airport 23rd annual day function of the
Airports Authority of India (AAI)
in New Delhi
Padma Bhushan Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Achievement in

Award Billiards player Pankaj Sports
Advani
'World Education Study Khazana, an e-portal For best It Provides education-deprived
Summit and Award emerging online aspirants get access to quality
2018’ Education Portal education irrespective of
in North India geographical boundaries
India Business Chhattisgarh 'State of the Union Information Technology
Leader Awards Year' Award and Electronics Minister Ravi
(IBLA) in New Shankar Prasad presented the
Delhi award to Chhattisgarh Minister
Prem Prakash Pandey
Dadasaheb Phalke Anushka Sharma She has been

Excellence Award promoting
for 2018 content-driven or
experimental
cinema
The Shorenstein Siddharth Varadarajan the founding

Journalism Award editor of The
for 2017 Wire
British Academy The production team of BAFTA Special

Television Craft "Game of Thrones" drama Award
Awards
Dada Saheb Phalke Aditi Rao Hydari Best Leading She will be awarded the for
excellence award Lady (Critics the for her performance in the
2018 Award) Bollywood movie 'Bhoomi'
Most Film Friendly Madhya Pradesh Announcement in this regard was

State Award 2017 made on April 19, 2018
by Ramesh Sippy, Chairman of the
jury for selecting the Most Film
Friendly State Award 2017
Banco Award Bhuj Mercantile Cooperative Best performing Received the Award
Bank cooperative bank from Telangana Chief Minister K
35 | P a g e
Chandrashekhar Rao at an award

ceremony held recently in
Hyderabad
Indu Jain, chairman All India Management All India
of Bennett, Association’s (AIMA’s) Management
Coleman & Co annual award Association’s
(AIMA’s) annual
award for
lifetime
‘1st Print BiennaleArup Kumar Kuity (Andhra The awards of It was hosted by India’s National
India 2018’ Pradesh), Satya Narayana Print Biennale Academy of Art, the Lalit Kala
Gavara (Andhra Pradesh), India 2018 Akademi
Purvi Parmar (Gujrat), Preya
Bhagat (Uttar
Pradesh) and Sonal
Varshneya (Uttar Pradesh).
2018 Press Freedom Egyptian Mahmoud Abu Photojournalist photojournalist
Prize awarded by Zeid
UNESCO
2018’s 'Martha Nadiya Shafi, a video Contribution to
Farrell Award for reporter from Srinagar gender equality
Excellence in and leading
Women's gender
Empowerment' discussion clubs
in Srinagar
National Council of Scientific and 'Top R&D CSIR has been ranked 9th in the
Intellectual Industrial Research (CSIR) Institution/Organ world among 1,207 government
Property (IP) isation for institutions
Award 2018 Patents and
Commercialisati
on
11th edition of SAP Moglix, a B2B commerce Sourcing It recognises excellences in IT
ACE Awards 2018 company Excellence innovation in various business
sectors, bringing a digital impact
in India's economy
"Sarvashrestha Parijat Industries (India) Pvt Indian The award was given away
Suraksha Puraskar" Ltd agrochemical by Santosh Kumar Gangwar,
gold award for the company Minister of State in the Ministry of
year 2017 Labour and Employment
13th edition of Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO of Contributor to

Goafest 2018 Yes Bank the Media and
Communication
Industry
National felicitation National felicitation Central NEIGRIHMS, Shillong was
ceremony of ceremony of Kayakalp Government adjudged the winner in Group B
Kayakalp awardees awardees (2017-18) Hospitals A category
(2017-18) category
Other Awards and Recognitions

• On 31st March 2018, Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj was honoured with the
'Sportsperson of the Year' award at the Telangana Sports Journalists Association annual awards for
2017, in Hyderabad, Telangana.
36 | P a g e
Other awardees:
1.Hockey player N Mukesh Kumar - Lifetime Achievement award
2.Hyderabad Cricket team - 'team of the year' award
3.Gymnast B Aruna Reddy - outstanding achievement award
4. Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth- best senior male athlete
5. Shuttler P V Sindhu- best senior female athlete
6. Pullela Gopichand- best coach of the year.
• On 5th to 7th April 2018, Goafest 2018 was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel, in Bambolim, Goa.
This is the 13th edition of Goafest. It is organised by the Advertising Club along with the Advertising
Agencies Association of India.Social Street won the Creative Agency of the Year award, with three
gold, seven silver and seven bronze metals and a score of 94.
• Indian Badminton players, PV Sindhu & Kidambi Srikanth have been named 'Sportspersons of the Year'
at the inaugural ESPN Multi-Sport Awards.Coach Pullela Gopichand has been adjudged 'best
coach'.Indian National Women's Hockey Team got the 'Team of the Year'.
• On 13th April 2018, the 65th National Film Awards for 2017 was announced by Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting.The 65th National Film Awards will be presented by President Ram Nath Kovind on
3rd May 2018.The Feature Film Central panel was headed by Shekhar Kapur. The Non- Feature Film
panel was headed by Nakul Kamte and the Best Cinema on Writing jury was headed by Anant
Vijay.Click here to view the list of winners.
• Veteran actor Dharmendra will be conferred Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement by Maharashtra State
Government.Along with Dharmendra, Director Rajkumar Hirani will get the Raj Kapoor Special
Contributions Award, veteran Marathi actor Vijay Chavhan will get Chitrapati V Shantaram
Jivangaurav Puraskar (Lifetime Achievement Award) and actress-director Mrinal Kulkarni will get
Chitrapati V Shantaram Vishesh Yogdaan Puraskar (Special Contributions Award).
• The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games or Gold Coast
2018,which is held in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, between 4 and 15 April 2018.India bagged 66
medals and won third place in 2018 commonwealth Games.Click here to read more.
• The prestigious Pulitzer Prizes for achievements in journalism, literature and musical composition were
announced on April 16, 2018. This was the 102nd edition of Pulitzer Prizes.Coming as a positive
surprise, a comic novel, ‘Less’, written by Andrew Sean Greer has won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for
fiction.30-year old Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize for music.Click here
to read more.
• 2018 TIME 100 Most Influential People List, featuring some of the world’s most significant artists,
leaders, scientists, activists and entrepreneurs was announced on April 19, 2018.Four Indian who have
featured in 2018 TIME 100 are Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, Ola co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal,
Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
• On Apr. 20 2018 , International Olympic Committee(IOC) president Thomas Bach presented a
memento to Indian Olympic medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and boxer Vijender Singh.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Awards 2018, honouring individuals from the entertainment industry for
their outstanding contribution towards the growth and development of cinema and/or television were
presented on April 21, 2018.This was the fourth edition of Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Awards & the
awards were given by a Mumbai-based organisation called Dadasaheb Phalke Foundation.Click here to
read the list of winners.
• On 23rd April 2018, President and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces Ram Nath
Kovind conferred 3 Kirti Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras to Armed Forces Personnel for displaying
courage and devotion to duty.2 Kirti Chakras and 2 Shaurya Chakras were awarded posthumously. 13
Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 2 UttamYudhSeva Medals, 2 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and 26 Ati
Vishisht Seva Medals to senior officers of the Armed Forces for distinguished service of an exceptional
order.
• On 27th April 2018, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (Independent charge) Ministry of
Labour & Employment presented the National Safety Council’s (NSCI) Safety Awards’ for 2017 at
New Delhi.Parijat Industries (India) Pvt. Ltd., Ambala, Haryana, won the top level award in MSME
sector. A total of 70 organizations won awards in four awards categories: Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha
37 | P a g e
Puraskar, Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar, Suraksha Puraskar and Prashansa Patra.

• K K Birla Foundation has announced that, Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashaschandra's poetry collection
"Vakhar" has been selected for the Saraswati Samman for 2017.The selection for this award is done by
a high level named 'Chayan Parishad' (selection committee). It is presided by former secretary general
of Lok Sabha, Subhash C Kashyap. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs, a citation and a
plaque.
• Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir has been shortlisted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
excellence award for promoting digital payments and cashless economy.Digital payments facility has
been implemented at 670 places throughout the Budgam district, under the supervision of District
authorities.
Conference/Summit in National & International News
No. Name of Summit/Conference Place Facts about the summit /conference

1 the seventh Moscow Conference Russia Union Defence Minister Nirmala
Sitharama is on an official visit to
Russia. This visit will reinforce India-
Russia bilateral relation
2 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Azerbaijan's capital Theme of this conference
Ministerial Conference city Baku was "Promoting international peace and
security for sustainable development".
3 First international conference on Kathmandu, Nepal Objective of this conference is to bring
‘Water, Environment and Climate everyone to discuss and deliberate on
Change: Knowledge Sharing and challenges, opportunities and strategies
Partnership’ related to water and environmental
issues
4 Biannual Indian army commanders' New Delhi That will be discussed are:
conference infrastructure development in the
Northern borders and other issues.
5 India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 New Delhi. The Title of the Conference
is ‘Securing Global Supply Chains
through Government-Industry
Partnerships towards Effective
Implementation of UNSC Resolution
1540’.
6 Conference on “Urban Development: Ahmedabad, Gujarat Issues related to financing, institutional
Technological Solutions and and regulatory environment,
Governance Challenges” technological options for sustainable
future, financial sustainability etc. were
discussed in the conference
7 National Kharif Conference 2018 New Delhi Union Minister of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh
addressed in this meeting
8 International Buddhist Conference Lumbini, Nepal Theme of International Buddhist
2018 Conference 2018 was ‘Lumbini Nepal
9 The first African Land Forces Summit Nigerian capital, It is hosted by U.S. Army Africa and
(ALFS) Abuja Armed Forces Nigeria
10 Global Logistics Summit New Delhi The Summit was organised by the
Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce & Industry, along with
FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce & Industry) and the
38 | P a g e
World Bank Group
11 Malaria Summit London, UK The summit was hosted by ‘Malaria No

More’, a non-profit organization that
aims to end death caused by malaria
• th
On 4 April 2018, the presidents of Iran, Turkey and Russia met for their tripartite summit,
aimed at speeding up the peace process for Syria and establishing their influence in Syria.The
tripartite summit was hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his presidential
palace in Ankara, Turkey.
• On April 10, 2018, Education Minister of Mauritius, Leela Devi Dookhun Luchoomun released
the logo and website of in New Delhi. 11th World Hindi Conference is scheduled to be held in
Mauritius from 18th to 20th August 2018.1st World Hindi Conference was held in January 1975 in
Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Committee/Meeting in National & International News
• On April 23, 2018, Committee headed by Justice Rajesh Bindal, Judge, High Court of Punjab &
Haryana, Chandigarh, submitted its report on legal issues related to inter country removal &
retention of children to Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi.It
should be chaired by a retired High Court Judge and should have Members from Legal and
Social sector background along with representatives from key Ministries.
• On April 4, 2018, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting constituted a 10-member
committee to regulate online portals, including news websites, entertainment sites and media
aggregators.In India, print and electronic media, both are regulated but online media does not
come under the ambit of any regulatory mechanism.
• Delhi government will set up ‘Rogi Kalyan Samitis’ in each Assembly constituency and ‘Jan
Swasthaya Samitis’ in state-run dispensaries, poly clinics and mohalla clinics in order to provide
support to the health institutions in the national capital.As per the order, 'Assembly Rogi Kalyan
Samitis' will have an advisory role in assisting health facilities, develop and customise strategies.
The 'Jan Swasthaya Samitis' will be set up as its sub-committee.
• On April 16, 2018, India won six elections to UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
bodies.By winning these elections, India won places on the executive boards of four UN bodies,
three commissions and a committee.In election for the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO)
Committee, within the Asia-Pacific group, India got the highest number of votes (46).
India has also been elected to following bodies:
Board/Commission Term
Executive Board of UN-Women Three-year term starting January 2019
Commission on Population and Development Will start immediately. Term will end in
September 2021
Commission for Social Development Four-year term starting immediately
Commission on Crime Prevention and Three-year term starting January 2019
Criminal Justice
• On 25th April 2018, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led the delegation at the 6th
Joint Committee for Cooperation with Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar.Various
aspects of bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment, energy, mining, animal husbandry,
education and capacity building and tourism were discussed in the meeting.
• India-Nepal Inter Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on Trade, Transit and Cooperation
to Control Unauthorised Trade was held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 26th and 27th April, 2018.IGC also
takes up issues relating to bilateral trade, transit facilities provided by India to Nepal to facilitate
trade with third countries and Indian investment in Nepal.
• Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot has been made a member of Congress central election
committee.He is a former chief minister of Rajasthan. He was appointed the AICC (All India
39 | P a g e
Congress Committee) general secretary in charge of organisation and training of party cadres,
recently.
• North Korea halts missile and nuclear tests, a pledge made by leader Kim Jong-un ahead of a
meeting with Donald Trump. All other countries have welcomed this decision.North Korea has
conducted all six of its nuclear tests at Punggye-ri test site in the country’s north-east. It tested its
first nuclear weapon in 2006, while its last and most powerful test came last September 2017.
• 114th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) took place in New Delhi on 29th and
30th March, 2018 it focused on technical deliberations on various issues related to Indus Waters
Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan.
• India - Japan - United States 9th Trilateral Meeting at Joint Secretary/Director General/Assistant
Secretary level was held in New Delhi on April 4, 2018.It is to be noted that the India-Japan-US
trilateral was launched in December 2011 during Hillary Clinton’s tenure as US Secretary of State.
• On April 6, 2018, Minister of State for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (Independent Charge),
Giriraj Singh launched a mobile phone application for locating Khadi stores in the country.The app
was launched during 9th meeting of National Board of Khadi and Village Industries Commission
(KVIC) in New Delhi.
• First meeting of newly constituted ‘NITI Forum for North East’ was held in Agartala, Tripura on
April 10, 2018.The meeting was chaired by Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog - Rajeev Kumar and
the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh.It was
constituted with an aim to ensure sustainable economic growth of the North Eastern Region (NER)
of India and review the development status in the North Eastern region at periodic intervals.
• 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial (IEF16) Meeting was held on 10th -12th April 2018 in
New Delhi.This meeting was hosted by India and co-hosted by China and South Korea. IEF16 was
the largest gathering of Energy Ministers from across the globe. From the Indian side, the ministerial
was attended by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• On 18th April 2018, the first meeting of National Council on India's Nutrition Challenges under
POSHAN Abhiyaan was held at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi.The POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to
reduce the level of under-nutrition and other related problems by making sure the convergence of
various nutrition related schemes.
• Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from G20, (the Group of 20 economies) have agreed
to aim for economic growth by promoting trade.Agreement in this regard was arrived at the G20
Spring Meeting held in Washington D.C., US on 19th and 20th April, 2018.The meeting was chaired
by Argentina’s Treasury Minister Nicolas Dujovne.
• First meeting of the think tank set up by the government to deliberate on issues related to e-
commerce sector and cross-border digital trade was held in New Delhi on April 24, 2018.The
meeting is led by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and comprises officials
from ministries of finance, corporate affairs, home affairs and electronics and information
technology.
• On 24th April 2018, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, chaired the third meeting of the Island
Development Agency (IDA) in Delhi. The Island Development Agency reviewed the work done for
preparation of Development Plans for identified Islands (4 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Smith,
Ross, Long, Avis and five in Lakshadweep - Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam,
Suheli).After implementation of these projects, investment of Rs. 650 crore is expected from private
sector.
• On 26th April 2018, the 23rd meeting of the Western Zonal Council consisting of Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Goa, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli will be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• On 25th April 2018, J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, conducted a high
level meeting to review the preparedness of the Ministry for prevention and control of vector borne
40 | P a g e
diseases like kalaazar, dengue, malaria and chickungunya in India.He ordered the officials for
launching aggressive IEC campaigns to create awareness on prevention and control of vectors before
the season starts.
• On April 18, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London, United Kingdom (UK) for a
four-day official visit, during which, he held bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May
and attended Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London on April 19,
2018.
• On 19th April 2018, the first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors
was held in the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., United
States. Major issues discussed in the meeting improving the project pipelines of New Development
Bank (NDB) evenly across member countries.
• Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting held in Washington D.C.The Main schema of the Meeting was
to discuss prospects and vulnerabilities of global economy, harnessing future of work for inclusive
growth and take stock of progress made under G20 Compact with Africa Initiative.
• On April 20 2018, Prince Charles was confirmed as the successor to Queen Elizabeth as head of the
Commonwealth at a meeting of the group’s heads of government in Windsor at Buckingham Palace
in London, Britain.The biennial meeting, taking place in Britain for the first time in 20 years . The
next summit will be held in Malaysia in 2020.
RANKINGS
India in Rankings
Index/Report/Field Position Points to be noted

StartupBlink - 37th According to a report released by StartupBlink, the Indian
startup ecosystem, during 2017, ranked at number 37 out of
125 countries. United States (US) has topped
‘Internet Security Threat 3rd U.S. has been ranked as the top most vulnerable country. It is
Report’ followed by China in the second
2018 Index of Economic 130th Index of Economic Freedom published by the

Freedom Heritage Foundation, an American think-tank
Commonwealth Innovation 10th First three rankers are UK, Singapore and Canada.The Global
Index Innovation Fund (GIF) will work as the delivery partner to
host a new Commonwealth Innovation Fund (CIF)
2018 ‘World Press Freedom 138th Released by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF).Norway topped
Index’ in the list.
International Monetary Fund’s 6th India has been declared the 6th largest economy in the world
World Economic Outlook with a GDP of 2.6 trillion in 2017. India has improved from
(WEO) for April 2018 6.7 % in 2017 to 7.8 % in 2018.
Indian states or Cities or Entities in Rankings

State or City Index/Report/Field Positio Points to be noted
n
Patna 4G availability 1 As per a , Patna has
ranked No.1 among 20
largest cities in India
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport Council 16th Delhi’s Indira Gandhi
International (IGI) International’s preliminary report on International (IGI) Airport
Airpor airport traffic for 2017 has ranked as 16th busiest
airport in the world
• Bengaluru has emerged as the highest paying city in India, with an average annual cost to company
(CTC) for talents through all levels and functions at Rs 11 lakh, as per the report of Randstad
41 | P a g e
Insights.The report said that professionals from pharma and healthcare industry are paid the highest
in Indiaaverage CTC Rs.10 lakh followed by professional services a little more than Rs 9 lakh,
FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods) sector CTC of Rs 9 lakh, IT sector, Infrastructure, real estate
& construction sector.
Position Highest Paying City

1 Bengaluru
2 Pune
3 NCR
4 Mumbai
5 Chennai
6 Hyderabad
7 Kolkata
• As per rankings released by Facebook on April 19, 2018, Facebook (FB) page of Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Yogi Adityanath is the most popular among all other chief ministers of India.With 42
million likes, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular Lok Sabha member while
legendary cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar is the most popular Rajya Sabha member with over 28 million
likes.
• With a vision to bring more females into its workforce, United Arab Emirates’ cabinet approved a
bill guaranteeing equal pay for men and women.This decision is a part of UAE Government efforts
to narrow the gender gap.UAE ranked 120 out of 144 countries overall in the 2017 World Economic
Forum's Global Gender Gap Report.
• As per Trust Research Advisory’s Brand Trust Report 2018, State Bank of India (SBI) is the most-
trusted bank (among both public and private sector banks) in India.Among private sector banks, the
list was topped by ICICI Bank.Although SBI has topped the Banking and Financial Services
Institutions its overall brand trust index ranking has dropped from 13th in 2017 to 21st this year.
• Germany, and the United Kingdom are ahead of India in the ranking. According to TRA's Brand
Trust Report 2018, Google is the most trusted Internet brand in India.Facebook has attained the
second position on the list. TRA's Brand Trust Report 2018 has said that, Google features 1.2 trillion
searches every year.Amazon has ranked third. It is followed by e-Bay in the fourth position. Flipkart
has secured 6th position.
• Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, owning a fortune of $38 billion, is Asia’s third-
richest man and has secured 19th rank in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index .Jeff Bezos has secured
the top position globally.He is followed by Bill Gates at the second spot & the third position is
occupied by Warren Buffett.
• Richest Indian, Mukesh Ambani and human rights lawyer Indira Jaising have featured in Fortune
magazine’s 2018 ranking of the 50 Greatest Leaders.Mukesh Ambani has ranked 24th on the
list.Indira Jaising, the lawyer who has dedicated her life to battling injustice ranked at 20th.Architect
Balkrishna Doshi (43rd rank) is another Indian who has made it to the list.
• On 25th April 2018, Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2018 stated that, Microsoft India is
the most attractive employer brand in India this year.It is followed by Amazon India. On a sectoral
basis, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) ranked as the top employer brand for the IT industry. Larsen
& Toubro was ranked as top employer for infrastructure & construction and Hindustan Unilever for
FMCG.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
• On 3rd April 2018, ride-hailing service provider Ola announced that, it has acquired Ridlr, a public
transport ticketing and commuting app.Ridlr will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ANI
Technologies. ANI Technologies owns Ola brand.
42 | P a g e
• HCL Technologies has acquired C3i Solutions for USD 60 million, in a move to enhance HCL’s
growth in life sciences and consumer services.C3i Solutions is a wholly owned, independently
operated subsidiary of Merck & Co, which is known as MSD outside the US and Canada.
• On 16th April 2018, fashion retailer Myntra announced that it has acquired Witworks, a Bengaluru
based technology startup, involved in developing smart wearable devices and their underlying
software.Witworks launched the Blink Watch wearable device in 2016. It operates on their voice-
based platform, Marvin OS.
• Zoom, part of the Times Network has announced a partnership with India’s leading online fashion e-
tailer, Myntra.This partnership is slated to be one of the biggest-ever brand partnerships in the
television history in India.On April 19, 2018, Zoom unveiled its new avatar, ‘Zoom Styled by
Myntra’.
• On 25th April 2018, Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel Ltd announced that, they have agreed to
combine operations in a deal that will create the world's second-largest mobile masts company
measured by numbers of towers.The combined company will lag only China Tower. It will still be
listed on Indian bourses.
DEFENCE
• A two-day coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach' began on April 24, 2018 along Kerala shores.It is
being conducted to strengthen and assess the loopholes in the coastal security mechanism
along Kerala shores.Along with Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement wing, Indian Coast Guard
and Indian Navy is also participating in Exercise 'Sagar Kavach'.
• Tenth edition of India's mega defence exhibition, DefExpo 2018 began at Thiruvidanthai (on the
outskirts of Chennai) on April 11, 2018.This exhibition of weapons and military hardware showcases
India's defence manufacturing capabilities to the world. Theme of DefExpo 2018 is “India: The
Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”.
• A MoU was signed between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), India, and
the Groupement des Industries Françaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS), France, to promote a
sustainable framework for present and future partnerships and cooperative actions between the
French aerospace industry and the Indian defence industry.
• On April 13, 2018, Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj met the Afghan Defence
Minister Lieutenant-General Tariq Shah Bahramee in New Delhi and agreed to make efforts in to
combat the menace of opium cultivation and drugs trafficking which is the main source of funding
terrorism against the people of Afghanistan.
• On 11th April 2018, Mahindra Defence Systems signed an agreement with ShinMaywa Industries,
Japan, to manufacture and assemble amphibious aircraft ShinMaywa US-2 in India.It has been
deployed by Japanese Maritime Self-defence forces. 10th edition of DefExpo is organised by the
Ministry of Defence. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai.
• On April 11, 2018, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India's multinational engineering conglomerate,
and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a government-owned aerospace and defence company signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cater to the needs of evolving domestic and export
markets for defence products and systems.Besides, the MoU will also leverage expertise, experience
and well-developed supply chain of BEL and L&T to enhance exports in the defence sector.
• Indian Government will be setting up a dedicated defence and aerospace small and medium
enterprises (SME) fund, registered with the Securities and Exchange Board
of India (SEBI).Objective for setting up this fund is to channelize investments into the two defence
corridors announced by Government of India in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
• In a bid to boost defence cooperation, Indian Government is planning to gift obsolete military
equipment to friendly countries.Military platforms that are being considered to be offered as gifts are
artillery guns, armoured vehicles, helicopters, naval patrol vehicles and radar systems that are
obsolete or nearing obsolescence.
43 | P a g e
• On April 27, 2018, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Union Defence Minister,
Nirmala Sitharaman,approved procurement of NAG Missile System (NAMIS) comprising third
generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA)
& also approved procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for Indian Navy.
• LCA Tejas has achieved another milestone towards FOC certification, after the launch on 27th April
2018, piloted by Wg Cdr Siddharth Singh from the firing range off the coast of Goa.The missile was
launched from LCA Tejas. Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) successfully fired Derby Air-to-
Air beyond Visual Range Missile to expand the firing envelope.
• On April 14, 2018, Pakistan successfully test fired 'Babur Weapon System-1 (B)', an enhanced
version of indigenously-built Babur cruise missile.This enhanced version on Babur, has a strike
range of 700 km and can deliver conventional and non-conventional weapons.
• On April 1, 2018, United States and South Korea kicked off the annual military exercise ‘Foal Eagle
drill’ which will be a low-key event, featuring fewer strategic weapons, as North Korea has proposed
to hold summits with the South Korea and US.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Mobile Apps/Portal Launched by Purpose

m-Awas Hardeep Puri, Minister of State For allotment of Government
for Housing and Urban Affairs accommodations in General Pool
(I/C) Residential Accommodation
(GPRA) in Delhi under the control
of the Directorate of Estates
• On April 1, 2018, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated that it has lost contact
with GSAT-6A, the latest communication satellite which was to provide mobile communication
to India through, multi-beam coverage facility which was launched on board Geosynchronous
rocket GSLV-F08 on March 29, 2018.
• China's Tiangong-1 (English translation - "Heavenly Palace") space station is set to re-enter the
Earth's atmosphere between 1st and 2nd April 2018.
• On 2nd April 2018, SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched its Dragon spacecraft –
SpaceX’s 14th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Hubble Space Telescope has
discovered 'Icarus', the farthest individual star ever seen. Official name of Icarus is MACS
J1149+2223 Lensed Star 1.They found Icarus through a phenomenon called gravitational lensing.
• On 6th April 2018, the RH300 sounding rocket was launched from Thumba Equatorial Rocket
Launching Station (TERLS), in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.The rocket was developed by
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). This is the 21st launch of RH300 sounding rocket.
• The Health Ministry has banned over the counter sale of 14 skin creams and ointments
containing steroids.Health ministry said that, a notification has been issued by placing 14 drugs
under the Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, based on recommendations of the
Drug and Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) under the Drug Controller General of India.
• A new class of antibiotics named “Odilorhabdins” has been discovered which can help in
fighting drug-resistant or hard-to-treat bacterial infections.Researchers from the University of
Illinois (UIC) at Chicago and Nosopharm, a France-based biotechnology company, were
involved in this study.
• A study by National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded researchers at the University of
California (UC), Davis, states that more than a quarter of total available nitrogen is derived from
the weathering of Earth's bedrock.The study says that, up to 26 % of the nitrogen in ecosystems
is obatined from rocks, and remaining is obtained from atmosphere.
• Scientists have successfully completed the first test drive of a DNA 'unicycle' - a tiny machine
made of genetic material powered by chemical energy that could perform directed movements.
Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany and the University of Michigan in the US
44 | P a g e
used structures made of DNA nano rings .The tiny vehicle is only 30 nanometers in size.
• US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved marketing of IDx-DR, first Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-based device to detect certain diabetes-related eye problems.IDx-DR, is a
software programme that uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to analyse images of eye taken
with a retinal camera.ii. FDA has permitted marketing of IDx-DR to IDx LLC, a medical device
company.
• On 16th April 2018, China authorities said that, China will launch Fengyun-II 09 satellite, a new
meteorological satellite, in 2018 to enhance its weather forecasting capabilities.This is the last in
the Fengyun-II series. It will collect meteorological, maritime, and hydrological data to help
weather forecast in China and neighbouring regions & will be launched from Xichang Satellite
Launch Centre in Sichuan Province of China.
• On April 17, 2018 (as per Indian Standard Time), US space agency National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) will launch Transit Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a satellite
designed to detect more exoplanets.TESS will be launched aboard a SpaceX’s Flacon 9 rocket
from Florida, US.TESS will use a detection method called transit photometry. With four sensitive
cameras, it will track.
• Chinese scientists have developed ‘Artificial Transpiration’, a new device of 3D hollow-cone
structure that can greatly increase the solar-thermal conversion efficiency.The device was named
by Zhu Jia and his team members in Nanjing University.
• Scientists at Northwestern University, USA, headed by an Indian, have developed
“Memtransistor”, an electronic device that can mimic the human brain.It combines the functions
of a memristor and a transistor. The memtransistor has great potential in Artificial Intelligence
(AI).It has been designed by Dr Vinod Kumar Sangwan (Indian), a post-doctoral researcher at
Northwestern University and a team of scientists.
• Scientists in Britain and the United States have discovered “PETase” an enzyme that can digest
some commonly polluting plastics.PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a strong plastic that is
commonly used in bottles.Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6 is a bacterium that uses the plastic as its
major energy source.
• Indian scientists have formulated world’s first ayurvedic drug to cure dengue, which is likely to
be available in the market by 2019.It has been made with seven herbal ingredients which are in
use in Ayurveda system of medicine.
• Scientists in the University of Southampton have discovered that, stimulating a specific location
on the surface of immune cells can be targeted with antibodies to help in fighting cancer.This
discovery is related to a receptor called CD40. CD40 is found on the surface of certain immune
cells which regulates their activity.
• On 18th April 2018, 'Chandrayaan-2', India's second moon mission, which was planned to be
launched in April 2018 has been postponed to October-November 2018.Chandrayaan-2 will
comprise a lander and rover probe which will descend on the surface of the moon. It will observe
the lunar surface and send back data for analysis of the lunar soil.
• On 18th April 2018, NASA’s latest planet-hunting spacecraft TESS on board a SpaceX Falcon 9
rocket took off from Cape Canaveral, in Florida, United States. It aims to scan 85 % of the skies
for cosmic bodies where life might exist.The spacecraft is of the size of a washing machine.
• On 17th April 2018, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully
launched Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph or CHESS 4 on a NASA Black
Brant IX sounding rocket, from the Kwajalein Atoll in The Republic of the Marshall Islands.The
CHESS 4 mission will study the interstellar medium (the matter between stars). It focuses on
translucent clouds of gas that provide the fundamental building blocks for stars and planets.
45 | P a g e
• Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have discovered a small molecule
named “Pep-I” that exhibits good antiviral activity against chikungunya virus.
• Scientists have successfully removed sulphur from fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal using
novel bacterial strains.They used four bacterial strains: Rhodococcus rhodochrous, Arthrobacter
sulfureou, Gordonia rubropertinita and Rhodococcus erythropolis.These bacterial strains use
dibenzothiophene (an organic sulphur compound which is a major contaminant of fossil fuel) as
an energy source. This eliminates the sulphur content.
• In coming months, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be launching a slew of
strategically important satellites.In September 2018, ISRO will launch Gsat-7A, for the Indian
Air Force (IAF). Gsat-7A will be launched onboard GSLV Mk II rocket and will enable the IAF
to interlink different ground radar stations, airbases and Airborne Warning and Control System
(AWACS) aircraft.Risat-2A will be launched by the end of 2018 onboard PSLV rocket. It is an
advanced remote sensing satellite and will boost India’s surveillance capabilities.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed ‘Bhabha Kavach’, a next-generation
bulletproof jacket for the Indian armed forces, which is cheaper and much lighter as compared to
the ones which are used currently.It is made using extremely hard boron carbide ceramics (used
for first time in India for making jackets), hot-pressed with carbon nano-tubes and composite
polymer. It weighs just 6.6 kg in comparison to the 17-kg jackets in use.
ENVIRONMENT
• Rare dinosaur footprints that are 170 million years old have been discovered in the north-east
coast of Isle of Skye in Scotland. Majority of the footprints were made by sauropods and
theropods. The sauropods & theropods were long-necked and two metres tall.
• Researchers from the University College, Kerala, have reported the discovery of “Fimbristylis
agasthyamalaensis”, a new plant species from the Western Ghats.The discovery has been
published in Phytotaxa.
• At least four kingfisher species are thriving in the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh.
The species have been identified as White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Pied
kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), Black-capped kingfisher (Halcyon pileate) and the Common
kingfisher. The birds are thriving there as the sanctuary is an ideal habitation for prey.
• Cliff carvings of Buddha that are 1,200 years old have been discovered in eastern Tibet.The
regional cultural relics protection research institute said that, the Cliff carvings of Buddha were
found in Acur township in Chagyab County of the Qamdo City.
• On 9th April 2018, scientists said that, a jawbone fossil found at a beach in southwestern England,
belongs to “Ichthyosaur”, one of the biggest marine animals on record.Ichthyosaur appears to be
the largest marine reptile discovered so far. It had lived 205 million years ago at the end of the
Triassic Period.
• Scientists at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, have discovered that the Indian Aedes
aegypti mosquito, when infected with the African strain of the Zika virus(ZIKV), can transmit
the infection to suckling mice.A study was conducted by scientists from the NIV, the National
Jalma Institute of leprosy and other Mycobacterial Diseases, to demonstrate how the Indian
Aedes Aegypti mosquito is vulnerable to the Zika virus (ZIKV).
• Indian researchers have discovered world’s smallest land fern in the Ahwa forests of the Western
Ghats in Gujarat’s Dang district.The new Malvi’s adder’s-tongue fern Ophioglossum malviae is
just one centimetre in size. However, the most similar adder’s-tongue fern is 10 cm tall.
• Chinese entomologists have discovered a giant mosquito belonging to Holorusia Mikado species,
with a wing size of 11.15 cm in Sichuan province of China.These mosquitoes do not feed on
blood.
• They feed mainly on nectar. The adults have a life span of a few days.It is also known as the
crane fly are mainly found in the Chengdu plain of the western parts of Sichuan.
46 | P a g e
• ‘Fejervarya goemchi’, a large-sized brown frog, measuring 41 to 46mm, has been discovered in
Goa.It has been named after the state Goa, where it was discovered.It has been discovered by
scientists of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune. It was discovered in Surla, Goa.
• Australian researchers have said that, the world’s oldest known spider named “Number 16” has
died at the age of 43 in Australia
SPORTS
Sports/Tournament/title Winner Points to be noted

Asian Armwrestling Championship Indian arm He also secured a silver medal
wrestler Shrimant Jha in Para-Arm Wrestling World Cup
in Poland under 80 kg category
56th edition of Belgrade International Gold medal winners,Sumit Indian boxers won three gold, five
Boxing Championship at Belgrade in Sangwan(91Kg), Indian silver and five bronze medals at this
Serbia woman boxer Nikhat championship
Zareen(51 kg), Himanshu
Sharma (49 kg).
Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco Rafael Nadal 31st Masters title by defeating
Japan's Kei Nishikori.
Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Jeremy Lalrinnunga Jeremy Lalrinnunga won the silver
Championship at Urgench, in youth section and a bronze medal
Uzbekistan in the junior section.
Barcelona Open tennis title Rafael Nadal
2018 Chinese Grand Prix Red Bull`s Daniel Riccia 2. Valtteri Bottas -Mercedes
3. Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
34th edition of the Miami Open also known as 2018 Miami Masters, a professional men and women's tennis
tournament, took place in Miami, Florida, United States.
2018 Miami Open – Winners:
Category Winner Runners-up
Men’s Singles John Isner (United States) Alexander Zverev
(Germany)
Women’s Singles Sloane Stephens (United Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)
States)
Men’s Doubles Bob Bryan (United States) and Karen Khachanov (Russia)
Mike Bryan (United States) and Andrey Rublev (Russia)
Women’s Doubles Ashleigh Barty (Australia) Barbora Krejcikova (Czech
and CoCo Vandeweghe Republic) and Katerina
(United States) Siniakova (Czech Republic)
Cricket
• On April 3, 2018, South African fast bowler Morne Morkel announced his retirement from
international cricket at the conclusion of South Africa-Australia test series.. Morne Morkel made
his international Test debut against India back in 2006..He also played for Rajasthan Royals,
Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
• Virat Kohli and Mithali Raj, captains of Indian men and women’s cricket team respectively
found a place in the Wisden’s leading cricketers of the year. Five cricketers were chosen for the
‘Cricketers of the Year Award’ they are Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya
Shrubsole,West Indies batsman Shai Hope and Essex bowler Jamie Porter. Stu Forster of Getty
Images took a picture of English fast bowler Katherine Brunt taking a selfie at the cricket world
cup final at Lord’s stadium. This has been selected as the Cricket Photograph of the Year.
47 | P a g e
Football
• FC Goa in collaboration with the Forca Goa Foundation, is introducing “FC Goa Soccer
Schools”, a soccer programme for kids.This programme is aimed at developing football in Goa
and to provide opportunity to more children to play football.
• On 1st April 2018, Kerala defeated West Bengal and won its sixth title in the 72nd Santosh
Trophy (Football) at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal.West Bengal had won
Santosh Trophy title 32 times.
• The Mumbai Football Arena, the new hub of Indian football, will play host to the inaugural
edition of the four-nation Intercontinental Cup, which is slated to be held from June 1 to June 10,
2018. The Intercontinental Cup has been planned to be an annual event and will thus have
representation from the CAF( Confederation of African Football) region in the form of South
Africa, New Zealand from the Oceania, and Chinese Taipei from the AFC.
• Julio Cesar, 38-year-old former Brazil, Inter Milan and Benfica goalkeeper has retired from
football after playing a last match for boyhood club Flamengo.Julio Cesar honoured with five
Italian titles and the 2010 Champions League title with Inter, three Portuguese titles with Benfica
and the 2004 Copa America with Brazil.
• Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian professional footballer who plays for English club Liverpool and
the Egypt national team was named the PFA Player of the Year on April 22, 2018.Mohamed
Salah is the first Egyptian to win this award.
• On 21st April 2018, Barcelona defeated Sevilla 5-0 to and won its fourth straight and 30th overall
Copa del Rey title at the Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid.Two goals were scored by Luis Suarez
and a goal each by Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Philippe
Tennis
• German tennis player Alexander Zverev improved to the third spot in the latest ATP men's
singles rankings released on 23rd April 2018.The latest ATP top 3 are as follows:1.Rafael
Nadal,2.Roger Federer,3.Alexander Zverev.
• On 7th April 2018, Leander Paes won Davis Cup and secured his 43rd doubles win of his career
in the competition, in Tianjin, China.He has broken the 46-year-old record of Italian player
Nicola Pietrangeli and become the Davis Cup's most successful doubles player.
Records & Rankings in sport
• Indian Table Tennis player Sathiyan Gnansekaran has reached his career-best ranking of 46 in
the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings.Among Indian Woman Table
Tennis Players, Manika Batra continues to rank highest at 58.
• Virat Kohli has retained the second position in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings that was
released on 4th April 2018.Australian former captain Steve Smith has secured the top spot. New
Zealand has surpassed Australia and secured third place in the ICC Test Team Rankings.
• Indian badminton player Kidambi Srikanth has emerged as World Number 1 in the latest edition
of the BWF rankings that were released on 12th April 2018.Kidambi Srikanth has replaced
Denmark's Viktor Axelsen and become World Number 1 in the BWF rankings.He has become
the first Indian male player to achieve this mark. Saina Nehwal was the first Indian girl to
become world No 1 in 2015.
• On 12th April 2018, the latest FIFA rankings were released in which Germany has secured the top
position followed by Brazil in the second position. Tunisia has improved nine places and reached
14th place. This is their highest ever position.It is the highest position for any African country,
since Ivory Coast obtained 13th rank in July 2013.
• Sampanna Ramesh Shelar, a 17-year-old swimmer from Pune has set a world record to double
cross the Bangla Channel.Water stretch from Saint Martin's Island Jetty to Teknaf
in Bangladesh is known as the Bangla Channel.Sampanna Ramesh Shelar has become the first
person to double cross (swim to and fro) the Bangla Channel by completing the journey of 32.2
kilometers in 9 hours and 10 minutes.
• On 16th April 2018, Yuki Bhambri entered into the top-100 ATP men’s singles ranking with a
rank of rank 83, for the first time since February 2016.This is the best rank an Indian has
48 | P a g e
obtained in ATP singles ranking, after Somdev Devvarman reached rank 62 in 2011. Divij
Sharan has improved to rank 41. Leander Paes has secured 49th position. Rohan Bopanna is at
rank 19. Sania Mirza remains at 24th rank in the women’s ranking.
• Indian Badminton player Kidambi Srikanth has lost his World No. 1 rank and has dropped four
places to fifth in latest men’s singles rankings released by the Badminton World Federation
(BWF) on April 19, 2018.Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in men’s
singles ranking. In women’s singles ranking, India’s PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal retained their
positions at third and the 12th rank respectively.Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi has dethroned
Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying to become the new World No. 1 in women’s singles ranking.
Other Sports news
• On 4th April 2018, the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games started at Carrara Stadium in
Gold Coast, Australia.PV Sindhu is the flag-bearer for India at the opening ceremony.The
Commonwealth Games is hosted by Australia for the fifth time.This will be the most expensive
Commonwealth Games ever with estimated cost around AUS$2billion.
• On 18th April 2018, Son of Dreams was unveiled as official Mascot of the FIBA Basketball
World Cup 2019, in Beijing, China.Son of Dreams was born in China on 8th August 2015. Son
of Dreams' magical horns give him the power to see in the future, visualizing plays and moves
before they happen in real.This first ever 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in
eight Chinese cities from 31st August to 15th September 2019.
• On 21st April 2018, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced two per cent
reservation in Telangana state government jobs for sportspersons.
• 8th South Asian Judo Championship was held in Lalitpur near Kathmandu, Nepal from 21st-
23rd April, 2018.Six countries – India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan –
competed in this Championship.The 13-player Indian contingent won 10 golds and three bronze
medals in individual categories.
• On 24th April 2018, National Muaythai Federation Cup, a martial arts competition, ended at the
Indoor Stadium, Srinagar.It was organised by Jammu and Kashmir Muaythai Association with
the support of Muaythai India National Federation together with Jammu and Kashmir State
Sports Council. It is also known as 'the art of eight limbs' as it is involves the combined use of
fists, elbows knees and shins.
• On 29th April 2018, Prajnesh Gunneswaran won his first singles title on the ATP Challenger
circuit in the Kunming Open in Anning, China.He is currently ranked 260th. He is expected to
enter the top-200 with the 125 ATP points obtained from the title.
• On 28th April 2018, India's CA Bhavani Devi won a silver medal in the sabre event of the
Tournoi World Cup Satellite Fencing Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book Name Author Other Information

‘Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar President Ram Nath Kovind received the
first copy of the book ‘Dr Babasaheb
Ambedkar
Adi Shankaracharya: Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s
Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker” Greatest Thinker”, from the author Shri
Pavan Varma, at Rashtrapati Bhavan
49 | P a g e
'Mister M K Gandhi Ki Arvind mohan Released by nitish kumar

Champaran Diary'
'Champaran Andolan 1917' Edited by Ashutosh Released by Nitish Kumar
Partheshwar
'Pir Muhammad Munis: Kalam Collected and edited by Released by Nitish Kumar
Ka Satyagrahi' Srikan
Handbook on Prevention of Released by Ashwini Kumar
Accidents and Awareness of Choubey, Minister of State
First Aid for Health and Family
Welfare
‘My Journey from Marxism- Former Planning Commission Former Prime Minister Manmohan
Leninism to Nehruvian and Finance Commission Singh released the book
Socialism’ member C H Hanumantha
Rao
OBITUARY
National Wise
Name of the person who Field Points to be noted
passed away
CV Rajendran Tamil Film Director His popular movies are: Sumathi En Sundari, Vani
Rani, Garjanai, Ullasa Paravaigal and Vaazhkai
Niranjan Thomas Alva Supreme Court Lawyer Husband of former Rajasthan governor Margaret
Alva
Munin Barua Assamese Film-Maker He was popularly known as Bhaimon da. He had
received National Film Award for Best Feature
Film in Assamese in 2005
E N Rammohan Former BSF (Border
Security Force) Director
General (DG
Nihal Singh Journalist He was the Chief Editor of The Statesman, Editor-
in-Chief Indian Express and Editor of Khaleej
Times. He received the International Editor of the
Year Award in New York
TVR Shenoy Journalist He was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan
award in 2003. Shenoy was a regular contributor
to The Indian Express
Shakuntala Mahawal former principal She also served as special correspondent at the All
information officer India Radio's office in Brussels
Bhimsain Khurana Indian animation expert He had won National Award for his animation
short film “Ek Anek Ekta”.
M S Ravi Chief Editor of leading
Malayalam daily Kerala
Kaumudi
Swedish DJ Avicii World's biggest dance
music stars
Nabi Tajima World’s oldest person Her town of Kikai is in Kagoshima prefecture on
Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main
islands
50 | P a g e
Tony Daniel Technical committee He was the Deputy Competition Manager during
chairman of the the Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010 and
Athletics Federation of Competition Director (Athletics) in South Asian
India (AFI) Games, Guwahati 2016
International Wise
Name of the person who Field Points to be noted
passed away
Efrain Rios Montt Military dictator
Ray Wilkins Ex-England midfielder His nickname was “Butch.” He played for teams
like Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan.
Barbara Bush Former First Lady of She was the wife of former US President George
the United States Herbert Walker Bus
James Ajongo South Sudan
military chief General
IMPORTANT DAYS
Observed Day Other information

date/week
1st April Odisha Formation Day also known as Utkal Dibasa or Utkal Divas was
celebrated to mark the formation of Odisha as a
separate province on 1st April 1936
2nd April World Autism Awareness Day The theme is: "Empowering Women and Girls with
Autism".
2nd April SIDBI celebrated its foundation Day of Sampark (connect), Sanwad (interaction),
day Suraksha (security) and Sampreshan (disseminate),&
they launched the ‘MSME contact
programme’,Samridhhi,‘Bankability Kit’
4th April International Day for Mine 2018 theme - Advancing Protection, Peace and
Awareness and Assistance in Development.
Mine Action
5th April 55th edition of National maritime The theme for National maritime Day 2018 is: 'Indian
Day Shipping - An Ocean of opportunity'
6th April International Day of Sport for Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD)
Development and Peace of the United Nations Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UN DESA) has launched the online
campaign #PlayforGlobalGoals
7th April World Health Day 2018 theme: Universal health coverage: everyone,
everywhere. The slogan is “Health for All”.
8th April International Romani Day It is also known as International Roma Day celebrates
Romani culture and creates awareness on issues faced
by Romani people
11th April 63rd Railway Week Function of He presented Merit Certificates and Cash Awards to
Railway Board officials of Railway Board for their outstanding
performances during 2017-18
11th April National Safe Motherhood Day 2018 theme-‘Respectful Maternity Care’
12th April International Day of Human On 12th April 1961 Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union,
Space Flight & World Aviation performed the first manned flight to the space on a
and Cosmonautics Day “Vostok-1” spaceship
13th April 99th anniversary Jallianwallah The gathering took place to celebrate the Punjabi
Bagh Massacre harvest festival of Baisakhi and to protest against the
repressive Rowlatt Act
51 | P a g e
14th April B.R.Ambedkar Remembrance He was the architect of Indian Constitution. He is

Day known as the "Father of Indian Constitution"
15th April 14th Raising Day Tributes were paid to martyrs of Indian Army at a
ceremony at 'Prerna Sthal' in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on the
14th raising day
15th April Himachal Pradesh
71st foundation day
17th April World Haemophilia Day 2018 theme: Sharing Knowledge Makes Us Stronger
18th April World Heritage Day 2018 theme: Heritage for Generations
19th April World Liver Day 2018 theme: "Riding new waves in liver diagnosis, staging
and treatment."
21st April World Creativity and Innovation This day will be observed six days after Leonardo da
Day Vinci’s birthday and one day before International
Mother Earth Day.
21st April Secretaries Day also known as
Administrative professionals Day
21st April Civil Services day This date is chosen to honor the day in 1947 when first
Home Minister of Independent India,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers
of Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf House,
Delhi
22nd April Earth Day 2018 theme: 'End Plastic Pollution'
23rd April World Book and Copyright Day The 2018 edition of World Book and Copyright Day is
entitled: “READING, it's my right!”
23rd April English Language Day It is observed as both the birthday and date of death of
William Shakespeare
23rd April Khongjom Day It observed in Manipur by paying floral tributes to the
martyrs of 1891 at the historic Khongjom War
memorial site at Kheba hillock
24th April World Lab Animals Day It marks the birthday of former NAVS president Hugh
Dowding
25th April World Malaria Day and Italy 2018 theme: Ready to beat malaria.
Liberation Day
26th April World Intellectual Property Day 2018 theme: Powering change: Women in innovation
and creativity
28th April World Day for Safety and Health 2018 theme: Occupational safety health (OSH)
at Work vulnerability of young workers
29th April International Dance Day It marks the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, the
creator of modern ballet
30th April International Jazz Day It is chaired and led by the UNESCO Director General
Audrey Azoulay and jazz pianist and composer Herbie
Hancock
• On 23 April 2018, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 29th Road
rd
Safety Week at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. He released a short story collection on road safety
theme named “Have a safe journey”. He released a paper on road safety by Indian Road Safety
Campaign (IRSC).IRSC organizes an annual road safety championship called Safer India
Challenge in collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.The Safer India
Challenge’18 was also launched at the event.
52 | P a g e

Current Affairs Pocket PDF - April 2018 by AffairsCloud

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Current Affairs Pocket PDF - April 2018 by AffairsCloud

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Current Affairs Pocket PDF – April 2018

State Wise National News

among all Indian states to kick start such initiative.

Banking & Finance Sector

Other Important National Affairs

for construction of roads to connect 1.66 lakh habitations.

Rape of women Imprisonment had increased from 7 years to 10 years,

projects is Rs. 13651.61 Crore.

BANKING & FINANCE

Name of Entity Technology implemented Points to be noted

Loans issued by banks/others

Loan issued by Received by Amount Points to be noted

nearly 5,640 villages

• National E-Repository Limited (NERL), a group company of National Commodity and

Other Important Banking & Finance News

to prevent them from fleeing the country.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

MoUs – States wise

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

promote Cuisine as a Niche Tourism product.

Lakh per year for four years.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Rajiv Kumar Nagpal Ambassador of To the Bolivarian Republic of

Aditya Ghosh President and IndiGo

Other Appointment and Resigns

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Name of Awards Award Winner Field Points to be noted

Padma Bhushan Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Achievement in

Dadasaheb Phalke Anushka Sharma She has been

The Shorenstein Siddharth Varadarajan the founding

British Academy The production team of BAFTA Special

Most Film Friendly Madhya Pradesh Announcement in this regard was

Chandrashekhar Rao at an award

13th edition of Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO of Contributor to

Other Awards and Recognitions

Puraskar, Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar, Suraksha Puraskar and Prashansa Patra.

Conference/Summit in National & International News

No. Name of Summit/Conference Place Facts about the summit /conference

World Bank Group

11 Malaria Summit London, UK The summit was hosted by ‘Malaria No

Committee/Meeting in National & International News

Index/Report/Field Position Points to be noted

2018 Index of Economic 130th Index of Economic Freedom published by the

Indian states or Cities or Entities in Rankings

Position Highest Paying City

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Mobile Apps/Portal Launched by Purpose

Sports/Tournament/title Winner Points to be noted

Other Sports news

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Name Author Other Information

'Mister M K Gandhi Ki Arvind mohan Released by nitish kumar

Observed Day Other information

14th April B.R.Ambedkar Remembrance He was the architect of Indian Constitution. He is

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen