Hyperloop September 2019 Final

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hyperloop 2020
SEPTEMBER 2019
Monthly Current Affairs for ESE 2020
&
Practice Questions
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other purpose without the prior permission of IES GS
Current affairs – ESE 2020 September 2019
Contents
1. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 Social development ............................................................................................................................................... 6
1. NRC final list: UN refugee chief urges India to ensure no one left stateless ......................................................... 6
2. 4th General Assembly of the Association of World Election Bodies ..................................................................... 6
3. Third round of India - Pakistan talks on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor ....................................................................... 7
4. Declaration of certain individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 ................. 8
5. Ujjwala Yojana achieves target of 8 crore LPG connections ................................................................................. 8
6. Skill India gets its first Batch of IES officers to the ISDS cadre .............................................................................. 9
7. Foundation Stone laid for Indian Institute of Skills .............................................................................................10
8. Skill India announces Annual Kaushalacharya Awards........................................................................................11
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9. Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019 ............................................................................................................................11

10. Union Territory of Ladakh Under 6th Schedule of Constitution Of India ...........................................................12
11. India joins the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub ............................................12
12. PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana ............................................................................................................................12
13. Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP) and Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT) .......13
14. Ban on e-cigarettes ...........................................................................................................................................14
15. UMMID initiative ..............................................................................................................................................15
16. Aadi Mahotsav ..................................................................................................................................................15
17. NITI Aayog releases School Education Quality Index (SEQI) ..............................................................................16
1.2 Industrial Development ........................................................................................................................................17
1. Tallest ATC(Air Traffic Control) Tower.................................................................................................................17
2. Index of Eight Core Industries .............................................................................................................................17
3. Light House Projects challenge ...........................................................................................................................18
4. Crisis in automobile industry ..............................................................................................................................19
5. First Mega Food Park of Telangana state ............................................................................................................19
6. Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) ....................................................................................................................20
7. Digital Platform to Give Single Point Access to Exporters ...................................................................................20
8. Nirvik to Enhance Loan Availability for Exporters ...............................................................................................21
9. Coal gasification plant for urea project ...............................................................................................................21
10. HOG system (Head on Generation technology) in LHB Coaches ........................................................................22
11. Company Law Committee on implementation of the Companies Act ...............................................................23
12. A Pilot Project for ushering in ‘Industry 4.0’ .....................................................................................................23
13. Indian Solutions for Global Application ............................................................................................................24
1.3 Economic development ........................................................................................................................................24
1.Where do the RBI’s earnings come from? ............................................................................................................24
2. Steering Committee on Fintech related issues submits its Final Report ..............................................................25
3. Cabinet approves Infusion of capital by Government in IDBI Bank .....................................................................26
4. Finance ministry sets up task force to identify infrastructure projects worth ₹100 trillion .................................27
5. Aid to Russia .......................................................................................................................................................28
6. Aadhaar Enabled Payment Services by India Post Payments Bank .....................................................................29
7. Hiring app for farmers.........................................................................................................................................30
8. Motihari-Amlekhganj (Nepal) pipeline ...............................................................................................................31
9. India’s second Multi Modal Terminal on Ganga at Sahibganj in Jharkhand ........................................................31

10. Privatization of BPCL .........................................................................................................................................31

11. Measures to Boost Economic Growth ...............................................................................................................32
2. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................................................34
2.1 Environment .........................................................................................................................................................34
1. UNCCD COP14 Event ...........................................................................................................................................34
2. Government to develop a master plan for the Tigers at High altitude ................................................................36
3. UN Climate Action Summit .................................................................................................................................36
4. IPCC Meet on Climate Change.............................................................................................................................38
2.2 Energy ...................................................................................................................................................................39
1. Cooperation between India and Russia in Hydrocarbon Sector ..........................................................................39
2. Kaiga nuclear power plant expansion gets green nod.........................................................................................39
3. International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Building Sector .......................................................................39
4. Pressure on thermal power plants ......................................................................................................................40
5. National Centre for Clean Coal Research & Development ..................................................................................41
6. Cooling Action Plan .............................................................................................................................................41
7. PACEsetter Fund programme ..............................................................................................................................42
8. First Indigenous Fuel Cell System launched ........................................................................................................42
3. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY .................................................................................................44
1. Election Commission of India Launches a One Stop Solution to Verify & Authenticate Voter Details.................44
2. Chandrayaan - 2 Status .......................................................................................................................................44
3. Maritime Communication Services in India ........................................................................................................44
4. Web portal for reporting of stolen mobiles ........................................................................................................45
5. 118 new Community Radio Stations to be set-up ...............................................................................................46
7. Wargaming software handed over to Indian Navy .............................................................................................46
8. MIS Portal Under Accessible India Campaign ......................................................................................................47
9. Acceptance of Transport Related Information in Electronic Form ......................................................................47
4 .GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ................................................................................................................................................48
1. DRDO successfully flight-tests MPATGM ............................................................................................................48
2. Gravitational waves detected for the first time from newly born black hole......................................................48
3. Jal Shakti Ministry to develop National Water Museum .....................................................................................50
4. Scorpene submarine “KHANDERI” ......................................................................................................................50
5. Sardar Patel National Unity Award .....................................................................................................................50
6. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat to be new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee ...................................................51

7. BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile ..................................................................................................................51

Topic 5: Safety.................................................................................................................................................................51
1. Preventing Fire Incidents ....................................................................................................................................51
2. Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar and National Safety Awards ..........................................................................52
PRACTICE QUESTIONS .....................................................................................................................................................53
1. Social development ................................................................................................................................................53
2. Industrial development ..........................................................................................................................................56
3. Economic development ..........................................................................................................................................58
4. Environment ...........................................................................................................................................................63
5. Energy.....................................................................................................................................................................63
6. Information and Communication Technology ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
7. GK and Other topics................................................................................................................................................65

1. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1.1 Social development
1. NRC final list: UN refugee chief urges India to ensure no one left stateless
● The top UN refugee official has urged India to ensure that no one is left stateless by the
exclusion of nearly 2 million people from a citizenship list in Assam state.
● India to ensure no one ends up stateless, "including by ensuring adequate access to
information, legal aid, and legal recourse in accordance with the highest standards of due
process.
Background
● In NRC of Assam about 31.1 million people were included in the list, leaving out 1.9 million.
● The Assam government have claimed that many genuine Indian citizens had been left out of
the final National Register of Citizens (NRC)
● They have option to appeal in the Foreigners Tribunal (FT)
National Register of Citizens (NRC)
● Register maintained by the Government of India containing names & certain relevant
information for identification of all genuine Indian citizens.
● The register was first prepared after the 1951 Census of India and it has not been updated till
recently.
● The state of Assam has become the first state in India where the updating of the NRC is being
taken up to include the names of those persons whose names appeared in the NRC, 1951 &
still alive and/or of their presently living descendants having permanent residence within the
state.
● The purpose is to identify of illegal migrants residing in that state, who entered into it after
midnight on 24 March 1971, the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
2. 4th General Assembly of the Association of World Election Bodies
The Election Commission of India hosted the 4th General Assembly of the Association of World
Election Bodies (A-WEB) at Bengaluru in September 2019.
Highlights
● India will take over as A-WEB’s Chair for the 2019-21 term.
● Over 50 countries across the globe joined the meeting
About A-WEB
● The Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) is the largest association of Election
Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide.

● A-WEB was established on October 14, 2013 in Song-do, South Korea.

● A-WEB’s vision is to foster efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free, fair, transparent and
participative elections worldwide.
● Its mission to identify the latest trends, challenges and developments in democratic electoral
management and electoral processes and to facilitate appropriate exchange of experience and
expertise among members
● Its objective is strengthening electoral democracy worldwide.
● At present A-WEB has 115 EMBs as Members & 20 Regional Associations/Organisations as
Associate Members.
Activities
● A-WEB has undertaken election ICT Programmes in various countries like Kyrgyzstan,
Uzbekistan, Fiji, Papua Guinea and Samoa.
● A-WEB also undertakes Election Visitor and Observation Programmes in various countries to
study various election management practices and share knowledge with other Members of
EMBs.
● The A-WEB Secretariat also undertakes Election Management Capacity Building Programme for
the officials from Member EMBs.
3. Third round of India - Pakistan talks on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

The third round of talks with Pakistan on the modalities for operationalisation of the Kartarpur
Sahib Corridor were held at Attari, Amritsar.
The following understanding has been reached by both the Parties:
1) Agreement on visa free travel of Indian pilgrims, without any restrictions based on their faith.
Persons of Indian origin holding OCI card too can visit Holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the
Corridor.
2) 5,000 pilgrims can visit Holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Corridor every day. Additional
pilgrims, is subject to capacity expansion by Pakistan side. Pakistan has conveyed its assurance
to increase this number.
3) The Corridor will be operational throughout the year, seven days a week.
4) Both sides agreed to build the bridge at Budhi Ravi Channel. Pending the construction of the
bridge on the Pakistan side.
5) The Pakistan side has agreed to make sufficient provision for preparation and distribution of
‘Langar’ and ‘Prasad’ for the pilgrims.
6) The work on the 4-lane highway to the crossing point at the International Boundary is
progressing satisfactorily and is on schedule.
The inflexibility shown by Pakistan
● Pakistan has insisted on charging a service fee for allowing Pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur
Sahib.
● Pakistan has also shown its unwillingness to allow the presence of Protocol officials at the
Gurdwara premises to accompany the pilgrims for their facilitation.
India’s persistent request
● To allow additional ten thousand (10,000) pilgrims on special occasions such as Gurpurab and
Baisakhi
● It also underscored the importance of ensuring safe and secure environment for the pilgrims.
4. Declaration of certain individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
Invoking the recent amendments in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Central
Government has decided to declare the following individuals as terrorists and add their names to
Schedule 4 of the Act:
1. Maulana Masood Azhar : chief, founder and key leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad
2. Hafiz Muhammad: chief, founder and key leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba/Jamat-ud-Dawa
3. Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi: chief operation commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and one of its
founder members
4. Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar: runs an international underworld crime syndicate and is
involved in perpetrating acts of terror
● All of the above are involved in terrorist attacks in India, and have been designated as global
terrorists under United Nations.
● Earlier when terrorist organizations were banned, the individuals associated with it simply
changed names and continued to carry out terrorist activities.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019
● According to the amendment, individuals could also be declared as terrorists. Earlier, only
groups or organisations could be declared as terrorists.
Investigation by NIA (National Investigation Agency):
● Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy
Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.
● The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to
investigate cases.
5. Ujjwala Yojana achieves target of 8 crore LPG connections
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched on May 1, 2016. The target was later raised to 8
crore connections by March 2020. The target has been achieved seven months ahead.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for providing
LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.

The Government has also decided to cover the following categories under the Scheme :-
1. All SC/STs households beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(PMAY) (Gramin)
2. Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY)
3. Forest dwellers
4. Most Backward Classes (MBC)
5. Tea & Ex-Tea Garden Tribes
6. People residing in Islands
7. People residing in river islands.
5. First water grid in the country
Marathwada region is going to get the first water grid in the country.
Jal Jeevan Mission
● Jal Jeevan Mission has been launched in order to free women from the trouble of having to toil
hard to fetch water.
● Jal Jeevan Mission involves saving water and delivering water at one’s doorstep.
● The Government will spend 3.5 lakh crore rupees for this, in the next five years.
● By providing safe drinking water to all parts of the country.
● A new ministry is forms to address all water issues that looks at the management of water
resources and drinking water supply
6. Skill India gets its first Batch of IES officers to the ISDS cadre
● The fresh batch of the newest central government services, the Indian Skill Development
Services commenced their training program at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI),
Mysuru.
● This service has been specially created for the Training Directorate of the Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship and is a Group ‘A’ service.

● These are the first batch which is joining the ISDS cadre from the Indian Engineering Service
Examination conducted by UPSC.
● The induction of young talent as ISDS officers is one of the special initiatives taken by the MSDE
and the government as a whole, to significantly strengthen the skill development ecosystem in
the country.
Aim:
● To attract young and talented administrators towards institutionalizing the Skill Development
environment in the country.
● It will supply critical human resources not only in India but also internationally.
Mandates:
● Catering to the highly specific task of skill development
● The ISDS services are a unique combination of skills, technology, management and public
service,
ISDS Posts
● The Indian Skill Development Service (ISDS) has 263 all India posts.
● The cadre comprises of
○ 3 posts at Senior Administrative Grade,
○ 28 posts at Junior Administrative Grade,
○ 120 posts at Senior Time Scale and
○ 112 posts at Junior Time Scale.
ISDS Training Programs:
● A complete overview of management and governance of skilling in particular, and functioning
of the government system in general, will be offered.
● After this capsule, there will be a foundation course and then further training will be provided.
7. Foundation Stone laid for Indian Institute of Skills
Indian Institute of Skills:

● To provide skill training in highly specialized areas to students who want to pursue technical
education after completing Class X and Class XII, making them employable and industry ready
for the New India and the global market.
● IISs in line with Institutes of Eminence including IITs and IIMs with first-hand learning facilities
from internationally renowned existing skill institutions
● IIS aims to enroll 5,000 students per year with campus placement of 70% trainees.
● The Union Cabinet had given its nod to set up Indian Institute of Skills (IISs) in three locations of
the country —
○ Mumbai,
○ Ahmedabad and

○ Kanpur.
● These institutes will be constructed & operated on a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model
and in not-for-profit basis.
● This institute will facilitate learnings and trainings through strong industry connect in both
public and private sectors.
● The courses in this institute will include modern training methodologies using digital and
augmented learning platforms.
● It is also an important step towards promoting apprenticeship-embedded courses and offering
higher order qualifications leading up to certificates, diplomas and degrees in conjunction with
universities.
8. Skill India announces Annual Kaushalacharya Awards
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organized Kaushalacharya Samadar
2019 to felicitate trainers from different sectors for exceptional contribution towards creating a
future-ready and skilled workforce.
● 53 Trainers felicitated for outstanding contribution, including experts of WorldSkills
Competition winners, trainers from NSTI, ITI, JSS and from reputed Corporates
● Kaushalacharya Awards to become an annual ceremony
The evolution of skill training

● It depends on the quality of instruction at the workplace and quality of instruction at the
classroom.
● Corporates and universities have supported the Skill India Mission by providing training
academies with quality infrastructure for training of trainers.
● The initiative has also been supported by international organisations like Temasek Foundation
and Singapore Polytechnic that have bolstered capacity-building programs for trainers and
assessors.
● This has allowed Standardized Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure to be developed
for the implementation of comprehensive training programme for trainers in the short-term
skilling ecosystem.
9. Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019
Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019, a massive countrywide awareness and mobilization campaign on
Swachhata is observed during 11th September to October 2nd 2019.
● This year’s Swachhata Hi Seva will see mass awareness generation activities on plastic waste
management
● A nationwide Shramdaan for plastic waste collection and segregation on 2nd October, and
● Recycling and effective disposal of the collected plastic waste from 3rd October to Diwali, 27th
October 2019.

10. Union Territory of Ladakh Under 6th Schedule of Constitution Of India

● The 119th meeting of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was held on 11th
September, 2019 to deliberate the issue of inclusion of UT of Ladakh under Fifth/Sixth
Schedule of the Constitution of India.
6th Schedule of Constitution of India:
● Under the Sixth schedule, there are the constitution of district councils and regional councils
with special provisions for the administration of the tribal-dominated areas.
● To secure their culture, identity and land rights while delivering on development
Recommendation of Committee
It recommends that the Union Territory of Ladakh be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the
Constitution.
The Commission feels that this will help in:
1. Democratic devolution of powers;
2. Preserve and promote distinct culture of the region.
3. Protect agrarian rights including rights on land
4. Enhance transfer of funds for speedy development of Ladakh region.
11. India joins the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub
India has joined the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub as
a new member.
● This expands the global partnership working to address challenges and improve coordination
and collaboration in global AMR R&D to 16 countries, the European Commission, two
philanthropic foundations and four international organisations.
Antimicrobial Resistance:
● It is the broader term for resistance in different types of microorganisms and encompasses
resistance to antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal drugs.
● It occurs naturally but is facilitated by the inappropriate use of medicines, for example using
antibiotics for viral infections such as cold or flu, or sharing antibiotics.
What causes antimicrobial resistance?
● The main cause of antibiotic resistance is antibiotic use.
● When we use antibiotics, some bacteria die but resistant bacteria can survive and even
multiply.
● The overuse of antibiotics makes resistant bacteria more common.
12. PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana
Registration for the PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana begins.
About the scheme:

 It aims to improve the lives of small and marginal farmers of the country.
 The scheme is voluntary and contributory for farmers in the entry age group of 18 to 40 years.
 A monthly pension of Rs. 3000/– will be provided to them on attaining the age of 60 years.
 The farmers will have to make a monthly contribution of Rs.55 to Rs.200, depending on their
age of entry, in the Pension Fund till they reach the retirement date i.e. the age of 60 years.
 The Central Government will also make an equal contribution of the same amount in the
pension fund.
 The spouse is also eligible to get a separate pension of Rs.3000/- upon making separate
contributions to the Fund.
 The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) shall be the Pension Fund Manager and
responsible for Pension pay out.
 If the farmer dies after the retirement date, the spouse will receive 50% of the pension as
Family Pension.
 The beneficiaries may opt voluntarily to exit the Scheme after a minimum period of 5 years of
regular contributions.
 On exit, their entire contribution shall be returned by LIC with an interest equivalent to
prevailing saving bank rates.
 In case of default in making regular contributions, the beneficiaries are allowed to regularize
the contributions by paying the outstanding dues along with prescribed interest.
13. Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP) and Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching
(ARPIT)
Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP)- 2019
LEAP is a three weeks leadership development training programme (2 weeks domestic and one-week
foreign training) for second level academic functionaries in public funded higher education
institutions.
LEAP is being implemented through the following 15 institutions:
1. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
2. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
3. Banaras Hindu University
4. Jamia Millia Islamia
5. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
6. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata
7. University of Hyderabad
8. NIT Trichy
9. University of Delhi
10. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
11. Jawaharlal Nehru University

12. Indian Institute of Technology BHU

13. TISS Mumbai (CALEM)
14. AMU (CALEM)
15. NIEPA (CALEM)
LEAP training institution

● Each training institution signs MoUs with its foreign counterpart.
● At the end of the training, the trainees are evaluated on ten critical leadership attributes,
namely,
○ Visioning & strategizing;
○ Communication skills;
○ People management;
○ Conflict management & handling stress;
○ Decision making;
○ Teaching Learning, research and innovation;
○ Financial planning and management;
○ Administrative skills;
○ Understanding students; and
○ Collaboration.
Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT)
● ARPIT is a great platform for teachers to learn about the latest developments in their field and
develop their teaching qualities
● ARPIT is a major and unique initiative of online professional development of 1.5 million higher
education faculty using the MOOCs platform SWAYAM.
● For implementing ARPIT, discipline-specific National Resource Centers (NRCs) are identified
● NRCs are tasked to prepare online training material and methodologies for transacting revised
curriculum.
14. Ban on e-cigarettes
● Cabinet approves promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance:
● The Centre is in the process of issuing guidelines to ban the manufacture, import, sale and any
kind of trade in e-cigarettes.
Highlights
● Terming e-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems “addictive”
● The chief constituent of e-cigarettes is nicotine.
● It also has a high level of toxicity and can lead to development of cardiovascular diseases, lung
diseases, have adverse effect on the immune and gastrointestinal systems, and raise the risk of
miscarriage in pregnant women

15. UMMID initiative

The UMMID(Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders) initiative is to
tackle inherited genetic diseases of newborn babies
Aim:
● To establish NIDAN(National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras to provide
counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary care in
Government Hospitals wherein the influx of patients is more.
● To produce skilled clinicians in Human Genetics, and
● To undertake screening of pregnant women and newborn babies for inherited genetic diseases
in hospitals at aspirational districts.
Objective
● Under this scheme 75 new medical colleges will be opened in the country by 2022.
● About 115 districts have been identified in the rural areas where these centers will be started
soon.
● These centres will provide counselling, prenatal testing/diagnosis and management in
government hospitals of the country.
● The operation of five 'diagnosis centres' are started in Delhi, Jodhpur, Hyderabad and Kolkata
for the treatment and research of diseases based on congenital disorders.
Methodology
● In NIDAN centres, potential patients or parents of such disorders will be identified and
counselled by the experts before the birth of the children.
● Counselling sessions after the birth of the child will also be provided if required.
● NIDAN centres will create awareness to normalize the life of children suffering from disorders.
16. Aadi Mahotsav

The scheme of the festival is:
● A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce.
● The festival will feature exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings fabric, jewellery
and much more through 70 stalls.
The tribal textiles:
● Master tribal craftsmen from Jammu & Kashmir in the North to Tamil Nadu in the South and
from Gujarat in the West to Nagaland/Sikkim in the East will be available in the Mahotsav.
Cashless payment:
● For the first time the tribal artisans will be accepting payment through major credit/debit cards
for which Point of Sale (POS) machines have been provided in each stall.
● The Mahotsav will display the rich digital commerce and e-commerce being promoted by
Tribes India.
TRIBES India:

● Has signed MoUs with Amazon, Snapdeal, Flipkart, PayTM and GEM, a government of India
portal for e-commerce of the tribal products.
● Besides TRIBES India also has its own e-com portal www.tribesindia.com.
The Aadi Mahotsav is an effort to take tribal commerce to the next level of digital and electronic
transactions.
The Mahotsav art form exotic handicrafts will also show the electronic and digital skills of the tribals
as a special attraction.
17. NITI Aayog releases School Education Quality Index (SEQI)
School Education Quality Index (SEQI):
● It was developed by NITI Aayog to evaluate the performance of States and Union Territories
(UTs) in the school education sector.
● The index aims to provide States and UTs in education platform to identify their strengths and
weaknesses and undertake requisite course corrections or policy interventions.
● It consists of 30 critical indicators that assess the delivery of quality education.
● These indicators are categorized as below:
Category 1: Outcomes
a. Domain 1: Learning outcomes
b. Domain 2: Access outcomes
c. Domain 3: Infrastructure and facilities for outcomes
d. Domain 4: Equity outcomes
Category 2: Governance processes aiding outcomes

● Schooling should result in successful learning outcomes.
● A credible system of assessment in this regard is crucial to design necessary remedial actions.
● SEQI assigns almost half its weight to learning outcomes.
● States and UTs have been grouped as Large States, Small States and UTs.
● The indicator values have been appropriately scaled, normalized and weighted to generate an
overall performance score and ranking for each State and UT.
● Of the eight Small States, seven perform better on the Outcomes category.
● Of the seven UTs, four perform better on the Outcomes category,
● In terms of Infrastructure & Facilities for Outcomes, States’ and UTs’ performance is strongly
linked to the presence of Computer Aided-Learning (CAL) at the elementary level and
vocational education at the secondary and senior-secondary level.
● SEQI is envisioned as a dynamic instrument that will continue to evolve.
● In particular, the linkages between policy actions and SEQI indicators will be analyzed to reflect
the efforts made by States and UTs to improve school education.

1.2 Industrial Development

1. Tallest ATC(Air Traffic Control) Tower
● Delhi Air Traffic Service Complex (DATS- Complex) has country’s tallest Air Traffic Control tower
at the Indira Gandhi International Airport
● This infrastructure is a necessary step to up-scale the services and systems to ensure efficient,
smooth and uninterrupted air traffic management.
● Civil Aviation sector will be the driver of Indian economy in the years to come.
The significant aspects of the DATS- Complex are
● 102 meters and one of the tallest in the world
● Provisions for 33 towers and ground controllers’ position at level 26 and 25 of control tower.
● Internet protocol-based voice communication system for enhanced VHF coverage in the area
of responsibility of a controller.
● Advanced radar and Automatic Dependent Surveillance(ADS) enabled automation system
● Electronic flight stripes in ATC units in places of paper strips
● IP based automatic message switching system with online flight plan filling facility.
● Its built at a cost of about Rs 350 crore.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance(ADS)
● Automatic dependent surveillance—broadcast (ADS–B) is a surveillance technology in which
an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it,
enabling it to be tracked.
● The information can be received by air traffic control ground stations as a replacement
for secondary surveillance radar
● It can also be received by other aircrafts to provide situational awareness and allow self-
separation
2. Index of Eight Core Industries
The Index of Eight Core Industries (base: 2011-12) is published
● The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index
of Industrial Production (IIP).
● The combined Index of Eight Core Industries stood at 131.9 in July, 2019, which was 2.1 per
cent higher as compared to the index of July, 2018.
Coal
● Coal production (weight: 10.33 per cent)
Crude Oil
● Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 per cent)
Natural Gas
● The Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88 per cent)

Refinery Products
● Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04 per cent)
Fertilizers
● Fertilizer production (weight: 2.63 per cent)
Steel
● Steel production (weight: 17.92 per cent)
Cement
● Cement production (weight: 5.37 per cent)
Electricity
● Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 per cent)
Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
● It is an index which shows the growth rates in different industry groups of the economy in a
stipulated period of time.
● The IIP index is computed and published by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).
● IIP is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under,
1. Broad sectors namely Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity
2. Use-based sectors namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods and Intermediate Goods.
3. Light House Projects challenge
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has launched a challenge for States/ UTs to select six sites
across the country for constructing the Lighthouse projects under GHTC-India (Global Housing
Technology Challenge-India).
● The winning six States/ UTs will receive Central Assistance to construct these projects as per
PMAY (U) guidelines.
● In addition to this, a Technology Innovation Grant (TIG) for the States/ UTs is provisioned to
offset the impact of any additional cost implication due to the use of new technology
● The selected sites for lighthouse projects will be used as an ‘open laboratory’ for live
demonstration and will receive due attention from academia, practitioners, policy makers and
media apart from felicitation/ recognition in Grand Expo-cum-Conference.
Global Housing Technology Challenge-India
● The three key components of the challenge are as follows:
1. Conduct of Grand Expo-cum-Conference
2. Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies from across the globe
3. Promoting Potential Technologies through the establishment of Affordable
Sustainable Housing Accelerators- India (ASHA-I) for incubation and accelerator
support.

● Among the three points, the second component intends to identify and pilot ‘Proven
Demonstrable Technologies’ from around the world in actual housing projects in different
parts of the country.
Evaluation of Technical proposals
● A total of 43 proposals from 19 agencies have been received for six locations
1. Indore
2. Rajkot
3. Chennai
4. Ranchi
5. Tripura
6. Lucknow
The Tender Evaluation Committee will evaluate the Technical proposals and submit the Detailed
report.
4. Crisis in automobile industry
The automobile industry is in the grip of an unprecedented crisis. Causes are
● The downturn in the economy has led to a dip in production and huge job losses across the
country.
● The current 15-20% cut in production has led to a crisis-like situation in the auto ancillary
industry
● The slowdown began in the last quarter of 2018-19 and has only been intensifying since.
● The slowdown, triggered by low consumer sentiment, non-availability of liquidity, and other
factors.
● Even as the government scrambles to come up with solutions, workers have been laid off.
5. First Mega Food Park of Telangana state
Telangana is one of the leading States in agricultural production. Union Minister of Food Processing
Industries inaugurated the first Mega Food Park in Telangana promoted by M/s Smart Agro Food Park
Pvt. Ltd. at Village Lakkampally, Nizamabad District, Telangana state.
● The Mega Food Park will leverage an additional investment of about Rs. 250 crore in 22 food
processing units in the park and generate a turnover of about Rs. 14000 crore.
● The Park will also provide direct and indirect employment to 50,000 youth and benefit about 1
lakh farmers.
● Mega Food parks shall facilitate doubling of farmer’s income by 2022 which is a primary
agenda of Govt in the field of agriculture.
● Mega Food Parks shall further complement the Govt’s scheme by reducing post-harvest losses
and hedging the farmer’s risk.
● Mega Food Park shall provide gainful employment to women.
Mega Food Park Scheme

● Ministry of Food Processing Industries is focusing on boosting the food processing industry so
that agriculture sector grows exponentially and becomes a major contributor to doubling the
farmer’s income and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government.
● Mega Food Parks create modern infrastructure facilities for food processing along the value
chain from farm to market with strong forward and backward linkages through a cluster based
approach.
● Common facilities and enabling infrastructure are created at Central Processing Centre and
facilities for primary processing and storage is created near the farm in the form of Primary
Processing Centers (PPCs) and Collection Centers (CCs).
● Under the Scheme, Government of India provides financial assistance up to Rs. 50.00 Crore per
Mega Food Park project.
6. Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC)
● AURIC is India’s well- planned and greenfield smart industrial city being developed across an
area of 10,000 acres in Maharashtra State, as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
(DMIC).
● The multi-billion dollar DMIC is the largest infrastructure and economic development program
in the country’s history.
● Strategically located at Shendra and Bidkin near Aurangabad, an existing urban and industrial
hub in the State.
● Aurangabad International Airport provides direct flight connections to key hubs at Mumbai and
Delhi and other destinations.
● The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust’s proposed dry port and container terminal at Jalna is only 40
kilometers away. This will give industries at AURIC an easy access to India’s largest sea port of
the country – the JNPT.
7. Digital Platform to Give Single Point Access to Exporters
● It will be a single access point for all exporters, for all FTAs/PTAs and for all agencies
concerned.
● Certificate of Origin (CoO) will be issued electronically which can be in paperless format if
agreed to by the partner countries.
● Authorities of the partner countries will be able to verify the authenticity of certificates from
the website.
● Further, it provides administrative access to Department of Commerce for reporting and
monitoring purposes.
● The benefits of this platform will be:
New Platform Existing Process
The issuance process is electronic, Current process requires the exporter to

paperless and transparent visit the agency thrice for each certificate
Real-time tracking of FTA utilization at Real-time tracking is not possible as data

product level, country level etc. is fragmented across various agencies
Electronic Certificate of Origin issued Physical Certificates of Origin issued
Possible to electronically exchange CoO Electronic exchange of CoOs not possible

with the partner countries
Reduces transaction cost and time for the Current processes take more time and
exporters cost
● Exporters may register on this platform and apply for CoOs to any of the designated agencies.
● India has 15 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)/ Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with various
partner countries under which Indian exporters avail reduced import tariffs in the destination
country.
● In order to avail this benefit, the exporters must provide a preferential CoO.
● These verticals certify that exported goods are made in India.
8. Nirvik to Enhance Loan Availability for Exporters
Ministry of Commerce & Industry throughExport Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) has introduced
a new Export Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS) called NIRVIK to enhance loan availability and ease the
lending process.
The details of the scheme
● The scheme was announced to boost exports.
● The ECGC cover provides additional comfort to banks as the credit rating of the borrower is
enhanced to AA rated account.
● Enhanced cover will ensure that Foreign and Rupee export credit interest rates will be below
4%and 8% respectively for exporters.
Under ECIS Export Credit Insurance Scheme
● Insurance cover percentage has also been enhanced to 90% from the present average of 60%
for both Principal and Interest.
9. Coal gasification plant for urea project
The Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers has signed a contract for the coal gasification plant for the
urea project at Talchar, Odisha.

Background
Currently, the production of urea in the country is done by using pooled natural gas which comprises
domestic Natural Gas and imported Liquified Natural Gas(LNG).
● Import of LNG is costly and leads to spending valuable foreign exchange.
● Hence it is preferred that an indigenous raw material is used for the production of urea and
other fertilizers in the country.
Production of Urea with Coal Gasification
● The project will improve India's self-sufficiency in Urea, promote agriculture growth in India.
● It will promote the use of abundantly available domestic coal in an environment-friendly
manner.
● Also, the success of this technology shall also propel the usage of coal for the production of
other products like syngas, diesel, methanol, petrochemicals, etc.
Coal Gasification
● The process of Coal Gasification chemically transforms the fossil fuel into Synthetic Natural
Gas (SNG), instead of burning fossil fuel.
● It produces Syngas which is a mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O).
○ Syngas can be used to produce a wide range of fertilizers, fuels, solvent and
synthetic materials.
○ It is primarily used for electricity generation, for the production of chemical
feedstocks.
● The hydrogen obtained from coal gasification can be used for various purposes such as
making ammonia, powering a hydrogen economy.
● In-situ gasification of coal – or Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) – is the technique of
converting coal into gas while it is still in the seam and then extracting it through wells.
10. HOG system (Head on Generation technology) in LHB Coaches
With the HOG technology, power for the coaches will be supplied from overhead lines, for train
lighting, air conditioning, lighting, fans and other equipment that runs on the electrical power supply.
● Instead of generator cars, the trains will have one emergency generator and an LSLRD (LHB
Second Luggage, Guard & Divyaang Compartment).
● The LSLRD car has the capability to generate power from overhead lines and leave space for
additional passengers and luggage guard room.
● For each unit of power, Indian Railways currently incurs a cost of Rs36. After the
implementation of this technology, the cost per unit is expected to fall to Rs6.
● To bring in foreign exchange saving of around Rs14bn due to the reduction in the use of diesel.
● Already, 342 trains have been converted to HOG, and plans to convert an additional 284 trains
to HOG by the end of this year.
● The government is also planning for the modification of the electrical system and future
coaches will be compatible with HOG.
● Another advantage of the HOG system is zero emissions of CO2 and NOx.

11. Company Law Committee on implementation of the Companies Act

The terms of reference of the Committee are as follows: -
 Analyze whether any of the offences could be re-categorized as ‘civil wrongs’ along with
measures to optimize the compliance requirements under the Companies Act, 2013 and
concomitant measures to provide further Ease of Doing Business;
 Examine the feasibility of introducing settlement mechanism, deferred prosecution agreement,
etc. within the fold of the Companies Act, 2013;
 Study the existing framework under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and suggest
measures to plug the gaps;
 Propose measures to further de-clog and improve the functioning of the NCLT (National
Company Law Tribunal); and
 Suggest measures for removing any bottlenecks in the overall functioning of the statutory
bodies like SFIO, IEPFA, NFRA, etc. under the Act.
12. A Pilot Project for ushering in ‘Industry 4.0’
The Ministry of Railways and Department of Science & Technology have joined hands in
partnership with IIT Kanpur for taking up a unique project on ‘Industry 4.0’ by launching a Pilot
Project for implementation at Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli.
Industry 4.0:
● ‘Industry 4.0’ commonly referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, is a name given to
the current trend of automation, interconnectivity and data exchange in manufacturing
technologies to increase productivity.
● It provides insight into production process to take the decisions in real time basis,
minimizing human errors and ensure that resources are put to the best utilization, what
is called the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
● Industry 4.0 is a complex Cyber-Physical Systems which synergizes production with
○ Digital technologies
○ Internet of Things
○ Artificial Intelligence
○ Big Data & Analytics
○ Machine Learning and
○ Cloud Computing
History of the industrial revolution:
● Industry 1.0 refers to the first industrial revolution. It is marked by a transition from hand
production methods to machines through the use of steam power and water power.

● Industry 2.0 is the second industrial revolution or better known as the technological
revolution in the period between 1870 and 1914.
● It was made possible with the extensive railroad networks and the telegraph which
allowed for faster transfer of people and ideas
● The third industrial revolution or Industry 3.0 occurred in the late 20th century, after the
end of the two big wars, as a result of a slowdown with the industrialization and
technological advancement compared to previous periods. It is also called digital
revolution.
13. Indian Solutions for Global Application

● The Singapore India Hackathon, the second such one was organised in collaboration with
Government of Singapore, Government of India, IIT Chennai and the Nanyang Technical
University (NTU), Singapore.
● The First Hackathon was organised at NTU,Singapore in 2018.
● Is the first of its kind joint international hackathon between India and any other country,
● Each team will have three students from both countries for exchange of culture and ideas.
● The hackathon is focussed on three areas
○ Good health and well-being,
○ Quality education, and Affordable and
○ Clean energy.
● Programmes like
○ Atal Innovation Mission,
○ PM Research Fellowships,
○ Start-up India Abhiyan are the foundation of 21st century India, that promotes a culture
of innovation.
● To give exposure to modern technology like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence,
Blockchain to our students as early as in 6th grade
● Encouraging Innovation and Incubation for two big reasons
○ 1 - Want easy solutions to solve India's problems, to make life easier.
○ 2 - India want to find solutions for the whole world.
1.3 Economic development
1.Where do the RBI’s earnings come from?
Why is the RBI payout different this year?
The amount of funds being transferred by the central bank to the government this year is much
higher than earlier — 146.8% more than what it had paid out last year.

How does the RBI earn money?
 Open market operations, wherein a central bank purchases or sells bonds in the open market
in order to regulate the money supply in the economy, are a major source of income for the
RBI.
 The interest received from these bonds.
 RBI may also profit from favorable changes in bond prices.
 Dealings in the foreign exchange market may also contribute to the bank’s profits. The RBI, for
instance, may buy dollars cheaply and sell them dear in the future.
 The primary mandate of the RBI is not to earn profits but to preserve the value of the rupee.
2. Steering Committee on Fintech related issues submits its Final Report
The Committee was constituted in pursuance to the announcement in Budget speech 2018-19.
Highlights
● The Committee report identifies application areas and use cases in Governance and financial
services and suggests regulatory upgrades enabling fintech innovations.
● The Committee has recommended that the RBI may consider development of a cash-flow
based financing for MSMEs, development of an open-API MSME stack based on TReDS data
validated by GSTN and a standardised and trusted e-invoice infrastructure designed around
TREDS-GSTN integration.
● It has also recommended that Insurance companies and lending agencies to be encouraged to
use drones and remote sensing technology for crop area.

● The Committee has highlighted the positive impact of Fintech innovations on sectors such as
Agriculture and MSMEs.
● It has recommended NABARD to take immediate steps to create a credit registry for farmers
with special thrust for use of fintech along with core banking solutions (CBS) by agri-financial
institutions, including Cooperative societies.
● The Committee recommends a special drive for modernisation and standardisation of land
records by setting up a dedicated National Digital Land Records Mission based on a common
National Land Records Standards with involvement of State Land and Registration
departments, with a view to making available land ownership data on an online basis to
Financial Institutions.
● The Committee also recommends a comprehensive legal framework for consumer protection
be put in place early keeping in mind the rise of fintech and digital services.
● It has also recommended adoption of Regulation technology (or RegTech) by all financial sector
regulators to develop standards and facilitate adoption by financial sector service providers.
● It is necessary to have a nodal agency to coordinate developments across Ministries and
Regulators in the area of Fintech.
What is Fintech?
● FinTech stands for Financial Technologies: technologies used and applied in the financial
services sector, chiefly used by financial institutions themselves on the back end of their
businesses.
● FinTech also represent the technologies that are disrupting traditional financial services,
including mobile payments, money transfers etc.
3. Cabinet approves Infusion of capital by Government in IDBI Bank
Why government Funding?
● IDBI Bank needs a one-time infusion of capital to complete the exercise of dealing with its
legacy book.
● It has already substantially cleaned up, reducing net NPA from peak of 18.8% in June 2018 to
8% in June 2019. The capital for this has to come from its shareholders.
● LIC holds a 51% share. Of the Rs. 9,300 crore needed, LIC would meet 51% (Rs. 4,743 crore).
Remaining 49%, amounting to Rs. 4,557 crore, is proposed from Government as its share.
● This cash neutral infusion will be through recap bonds i.e. Government infusing capital into
the bank and the bank buying the recap bond from the Government the same day, with no
impact on liquidity or current year’s Budget.
Effects of funding
● It will help in completing the process of IDBI Bank’s turnaround
● It will enable it to return to profitability and normal lending
● IDBI Bank expects to be able to subsequently raise further capital on its own
● Expects to come out of RBI’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework sometime next year.

About IDBI Bank

● The government last year offloaded 51% stake in IDBI, one of the country’s worst-performing
banks, to LIC.
● The insurance regulator has also only permitted LIC to hold up to 51 percent stake in IDBI
Bank..
● The Reserve Bank of India, has labelled IDBI Bank as a private sector entity ever since the stake
sale.
● Private and public sector banks have different levels of regulatory oversight. The public sector
banks are subject to oversight by the Central Vigilance Commission. In IDBI Bank’s case, the
CVC will continue to have oversight on the bank.
What is bank recapitalisation?
● Bank recapitalisation, means recapitalising banks with new capital to improve their balance
sheet.
● The government, using different instruments, infuses capital into banks undergoing credit
crunch.
● Government plans recapitalisation through budgetary allocation, through markets, and by
issuing recapitalisation bonds.
How recapitalisation bonds work?
● The government will issue recapitalisation bonds, which banks will subscribe and enter it as an
investment in their books.
● The banks will lend money to the government for subscribing to the bonds.
● This money raised by the government through these bonds will go back to banks as capital.
● This will immediately strengthen the balance-sheet of the banks and show capital-adequacy.
● The money lent to the government for subscribing recap bonds is free from becoming a bad
loan
● Since the government is not infusing money from the state coffers, it does not have an
immediate impact on the fiscal deficit.
● Government can retire the debt from the proceeds by selling the bank equities purchased
earlier, once banks’ situation gets better.
4. Finance ministry sets up task force to identify infrastructure projects worth ₹100 trillion
● The government has constituted a high-level task force to identify infrastructure projects for Rs
100 trillion investment by 2024-25.
● The task force is headed by economic affairs secretary.
● The task force will comprise secretaries from different ministries, other senior officials and Niti
Aayog CEO.
Mandates
● This would include greenfield and brownfield projects costing above Rs 100 crore each.
● It will identify technically feasible and financially/ economically viable infrastructure projects
that can be initiated in 2019-20.
● It has been asked to list the projects that can be included in the pipeline for each of the
remaining five years between fiscals 2021-25.
● Qualifications for inclusion will include availability of a detailed project report (DPR), feasibility
of implementation, inclusion in the financing plan and readiness/ availability of administrative
sanction.
● It has also been asked to estimate annual infrastructure investment/capital costs, guide
ministries in identifying appropriate sources of financing and suggest measures to monitor the
projects to minimize cost and time overruns.
● Each ministry/department would be responsible for monitoring of projects so as to ensure
their timely and within-cost implementation.
● The task force will also enable robust marketing of the pipeline of projects requiring private
investment through the India Investment Grid (IIG) and National Investment and Infrastructure
Fund (NIIF), among others.
Back ground
● In the past decade (fiscal 2008-17), India invested about $1.1 trillion on infrastructure.
● The challenge is to step-up annual infrastructure investment so that lack of infrastructure does
not become a binding constraint on the growth of the Indian economy.
● To implement an infrastructure program of this scale, it is important that projects are
adequately prepared and launched.
5. Aid to Russia
Highlights
● India announced a $1 billion Line of Credit (LOC) for the development of the resource-rich Far
East region of Russia.
● India was once among the largest recipients of Russian aid.
● It is the first time India is extending aid to another developing country.
● Soft loans, given to recipients on very favorable terms, has been an effective tool in India's
diplomatic outreach.
Why India investing in Russia
● Russian Far East is a resource rich region in a hostile climate. It is rich in oil, natural gas, timber,
gold and diamond among other resources.
● India has invested in oil fields in the Far East and plan to invest more.
● The proposed Vladivostok-Chennai sea link is somewhat a counter to China's Maritime Silk
Route (MSR) plan as part of One Belt One Road project.

6. Aadhaar Enabled Payment Services by India Post Payments Bank
● With the launch of AEPS services, IPPB has now become the single largest platform in the
country for providing interoperable banking services to the customers of ANY BANK.
About India Post Payments Bank
● India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry
of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India.
● The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted
bank for the common man in India.
● The fundamental mandate is to reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network.
● Its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack - enabling Paperless, Cashless and
Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers' doorstep, through a
CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device.
● IPPB delivers simple and affordable banking solutions through intuitive interfaces available in
13 languages.
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS)

● AEPS is a bank led model which allows online interoperable financial transaction at PoS (Point
of Sale / Micro ATM) through the Business Correspondent (BC)/Bank Mitra of any bank using
the Aadhaar authentication.
What is required for Transaction:
● MicroATM
● Aadhaar Number
● Bank name
● Bio-metrics (Finger and/or IRIS)
● Assisted mode
Transaction Cost:
● NIL to customer
● Merchant or BC may get charged or paid based on bank ‘s discretion
Services Offered:
● Balance Enquiry
● Cash Withdrawal
● Cash Deposit
● Aadhaar to Aadhaar funds transfer
● Payment Transactions (C2B, C2G Transactions)
Funds Transfer limit:
● Banks define limit. No limit by RBI.
7. Hiring app for farmers
● The custom hiring centres (CHC) app is already open for registrations by the farmers, societies
and entrepreneurs who run these centres.
● So far, almost 26,800 CHCs have registered to offer more than one lakh pieces of equipment
for hire.
● Farmers who wish to hire equipment can register using their names, addresses and mobile
numbers, and then punch in their requirements.
● The system would also help to track the usage of new technology that the government wants
to promote, such as the Happy Seeder that aims to prevent stubble burning that causes air
pollution, or solar dryers that can help farmers process and preserve their produce.
● Farmers save precious groundwater and increase productivity by 10 to 15%.
About Customer Hiring Centres:
● Customer Hiring Centres (CHCs) are basically a unit comprising a set of farm machinery,
implements and equipment meant for hiring by farmers.
● Marginal farmers (Farmers whose land holdings are less than two hectares of land), by virtue of
their economic condition are unable to own farm machinery on their own or through
institutional credit.
● Ideally, the CHCs should be located within a radius of 5 to 7 kms of land holdings. This will
reduce the transport cost and time of transport of agricultural machinery.
8. Motihari-Amlekhganj (Nepal) pipeline
● South Asia’s first cross-border petroleum products pipeline is from Motihari in India to
Amlekhgunj in Nepal
● The distance between the Motihari- Amlekhgunj pipeline is 68 Km, having a capacity of 2
million metric ton per annum.
● It will provide petroleum products at affordable cost to the people of Nepal.
9. India’s second Multi Modal Terminal on Ganga at Sahibganj in Jharkhand
India’s second riverine Multi Modal terminal is built at Sahibganj in Jharkhand as part of Jal Marg
Vikas Project (JMVP)
● The Multi-Modal terminal at
Sahibganj will open up industries in
Jharkhand and Bihar to the global market
and provide Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity
through waterways route.
● It will play an important role in
transportation of domestic coal from the
local mines in Rajmahal area to various
thermal power plants located along NW-1.
● Other than coal, stone chips,
fertilisers, cement and sugar are other
commodities expected to be transported
through the terminal.
Multimodal Terminal
● It is the convergence of Road-Rail-River Transport.
● The capacity of the terminal is 30 lakh tonnes per annum.
● The development in Phase II will be entirely made by the private.
Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP):
● To develop the stretch of River Ganga between Varanasi to Haldia for navigation of large
vessels upto 1500-2000 tonnes weight, by maintaining a drought of 2-3 metres in this stretch
of the river and setting up other systems required for safe navigation.
● To promote inland waterways as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly means of
transport, especially for cargo movement.
● Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the project Implementing Agency.
10. Privatization of BPCL
Options Available

● Government selling its BPCL stake to another PSU like IOCL

● Privatization. Ex: Selling shares to multinational companies
Concerns and Benefits:
● Government selling its BPCL stake to IOCL can create a monopoly in the oil marketing business.
● Privatization would realize a higher price for government and may help take politics out of fuel
pricing.
● BPCL is second-largest state refiner and fuel retailer
● Earlier ONGC was driven under massive debt after purchasing stake in HPCL.
● An earlier attempt to sell state refiners Hindustan Petroleum Corp. to a single investor and
Bharat Petroleum to the public was stalled by a Supreme Court order in 2003.
11. Measures to Boost Economic Growth
● Partial credit guarantee scheme for banks to buy assets of NBFCs has been implemented.
● Measures being taken to improve credit outflows from banks
● Transmission of interest rate cuts are being affected by banks
Faceless Assessment
● Assessment to be handled by specific functional units on the basis of automated allocation
system
● Assessment unit will be anonymous
● All communication to be made exclusively in electronic mode
● No personal appearance of any assesses
Document Identification Number (DIN)
● All notices, summons, orders, communication to be issued only through systems
● All documents to have unique DIN
● Validation of Documents issued can be done on e-filing portal
● Documents without DIN to be treated as non-existent
Prosecution Easing Measures
● Smaller taxpayers with minor procedural defaults will not be prosecuted
● Prosecution to be launched only in deserving cases and to be commensurate to the degree of
offence.
New Measures to Boost Exports
Incentives and Taxation
● Extend the scheme of Reimbursement of Taxes & Duties for Export promotion.
● Fully automated electronic refund route for Input Tax Credits (ITC) in GST
Export Finance:
● Expanding scope of Export Credit Insurance Scheme (ECIS) by ECGC
● Revised Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for Export Credit
Export Facilitation:
● Leverage technology to reduce “Time to Export or Turn-around time”

● Annual mega shopping festivals
Free Trade Agreements
● Special FTA Utilisation Mission
● Online “Origin Management System”
Engineering
● Time bound adoption of mandatory Technical Standards
● Affordable testing and certification infrastructure
Handicrafts
● Enable handicrafts industry to effectively harness e-commerce for exports
Housing Sector
● Relaxation of ECB guidelines for Affordable Housing
● House Building Advance
● Special Window for affordable and middle income Housing
Corporate Taxes slashed
Corporate tax rates slashed to 22% for domestic companies and 15% for new domestic manufacturing
companies and other fiscal reliefs announced.
● The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 to make certain amendments in the Income-
tax Act 1961 and the Finance (No. 2) Act 2019.
The salient features of these amendments
● Any domestic company will have an option to pay income tax at the rate of 22 per cent subject
to the condition that they will not avail any exemption or incentive.
● The effective tax rate for these companies will be 25.17% inclusive of surcharge and cess. Also,
such companies will not be required to pay minimum alternate tax (MAT)
● The effective corporate tax rate earlier was 30 per cent.
● Manufacturing companies set up after October 1 will have the option to pay 15 per cent tax.
● To provide relief to companies which continue to avail exemptions or incentives, the rate of
MAT has been reduced from existing 18.5 per cent to 15 per cent.
● For the listed companies that have announced buyback before July 5, the tax on buyback of
shares will not be charged.
● A higher surcharge will also not apply to capital gains on sale of security including derivatives
held by foreign portfolio investors.
● The government has also decided to expand the scope of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
spending.
● Now CSR 2% fund can be spent on incubators funded by the Central or state government or
any agency or public sector undertaking and making contributions to public funded

universities, IITs, national laboratories and autonomous bodies (established under the auspices
of ICAR, ICMR, CSIR, DAE, DRDO, DST, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology)
engaged in conducting research in science, technology, engineering and medicine aimed at
promoting Sustainable Development Goals.
2. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Environment
1. UNCCD COP14 Event
The 12-day 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD) was conducted at Greater Noida in September 2019.
● Human actions have a role in disturbing the balance of nature. Now people have realized and
positive human action will undo that and make a better world for future generations.
● Among 122 countries, Brazil, China, India, Nigeria, Russia and South Africa, which are among
the largest and most populous nations on Earth, have agreed to make the Sustainable
Development Goal of achieving land degradation neutrality a national target.
About UNCCD:

● The UNCCD is an international agreement on good land stewardship.

● It helps people, communities and countries to create wealth, grow economies and secure
enough food and water and energy, by ensuring land users have an enabling environment for
sustainable land management.
● Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up robust systems to manage drought
promptly and effectively.
● Good land stewardship based on a sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate the
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and
prevent biodiversity loss.
India and UNCCD
● India takes over COP Presidency from China for the next two years
● India is among the select few countries to have hosted the COP of all three Rio conventions on
climate change, biodiversity and land.
● It will also provide a stage to mainstream sustainable land management in the country's
national development policies
● The key outcomes of COP 14 will facilitate in delivering convergence and synergies among the
existing programme in the field of agriculture, forestry, land, water management and poverty
alleviation.
Key highlights of the UNCCD COP14
● The Bureau of the CST, in collaboration with other members of the Science-Policy Interface
(SPI), formed a working group to review the options and possible indicators
● Technical Guide on LDN launched to assist countries in the mobilization of financial resources
to implement the Convention and address desertification, land degradation and drought.
What is LDN?
● Land Degradation Neutrality is “a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources
necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain
stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems”
● The goal is maintaining or enhancing the land resource base.
● LDN is being pursued in the context of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development which seeks
to protect the planet from degradation.
Gender Action Plan
● The Convention recognizes the importance of women in the implementation of the
Convention, and identifies critical areas for their engagement:
○ Awareness-raising, and participation in the design and implementation of programme;
○ Decision-making processes that men and women adopt at the local level in the
governance of development, implementation and review of regional and national action
programme (RAPs and NAPs); and

○ Capacity-building, education and public awareness, particularly at local level through the
support of local organizations.
New Delhi Declaration
● At the end of COP 14 the parties adopted the “New Delhi Declaration".
● While the New Delhi Declaration is a statement of consensus, the 35 decisions are legally
binding on each of the 196 countries
● All countries recognized that desertification undermines health, development and prosperity
in all regions.
● The participating countries agreed that land degradation is a major economic, social and
environmental problems, and welcomed the strengthening of the adoption of voluntary “land
degradation neutrality" targets that include restoration of degraded land by 2030.
Highlights:
● Have found clear links between land restoration, biodiversity and climate change.
● Need to manage land restoration, so communities are not deprived of land rights.
● We need to put ‘people’ first—women, children, the health of people and create conditions
of peace and prosperity.
● All countries recognized that desertification undermines health, development and prosperity
in all regions
● Participation from civil society organizations, local governments and the private sector would
be crucial to achieving the objectives of UNCCD.
2. Government to develop a master plan for the Tigers at High altitude
● A report, prepared by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) reveals that tigers have been found in high
altitude regions.
● It reveals that even ecology at high altitude is compatible for the tiger growth.
● The study, led by the GTF, with governments of Bhutan, India and Nepal, along with
conservation partners (WWF and country specific collaborators), was supported by the
Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHPC) of the IUCN.
● Tiger habitats in high altitude require protection through sustainable land use, as they are a
high value ecosystem with several hydrological and ecological processes providing ecosystem
services and adaptation to mitigate the ill effects of climate change.
● Several high-altitude habitats in South Asia have the spatial presence of tigers.
3. UN Climate Action Summit

● To meet the urgent need to address climate change and achieve the goals of the Paris
Agreement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened a Summit in September 2019.
● The Summit will bring together governments, the private sector, civil society, local authorities
and other international organizations to develop ambitious solutions in six areas:
○ A global transition to renewable energy;
○ Sustainable and resilient infrastructures and cities;

○ Sustainable agriculture and management of forests and oceans;
○ Resilience and adaptation to climate impacts; and
○ Alignment of public and private finance with a net zero economy.
New initiatives announced by India

 First, a platform with Sweden and other countries, for governments and the private sector to
work together to develop low carbon pathways for industry.
 Second, a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
 This initiative was approved by the Union Cabinet last month and ₹480 crore has been
allocated for technical assistance and projects.
 The U.K., Australia and island nations such as Fiji and the Maldives will be part of this coalition.
 India will increase renewable energy capacity to beyond 175 GW by 2022 and take it to 400
GW.
Steps in International Level
 Solar panels on the roof of the U.N. building
 The 50-kilowatt Gandhi Solar Park is the first of its kind symbolic Indian effort at the UN.
 80 countries have joined the International Solar Alliance initiated by India.
Other Environmental Actions
 Called for a people’s movement to end the use of single use plastic.
 Ambitious ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ for water conservation, rainwater harvesting and for the
development of water resources.
 Increase the proportion of the biofuel blend in petrol and diesel.
 To make the transport sector green through the use of electrical vehicles.
 India had provided 160 million families with cooking gas connections.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
 Developed through consultations with more than 35 countries.
 The CDRI envisions to enable measurable reduction in infrastructure losses from disasters,
including extreme climate events.
CDRI aims:
 To enable the achievement of the objectives of expanding universal access to basic services,
 Enabling prosperity as enshrined in the sustainable development goals,
 To established as a platform for generating and exchanging knowledge
 The CDRI will conduct country-specific and global activities.

Major Impact:
● The CDRI will serve as a platform where knowledge is generated and exchanged on different
aspects of disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure.
● It will bring together technical expertise from a multitude of stakeholders.
● It will create a mechanism to assist countries to upgrade their capacities and practices, with
regard to infrastructure development in accordance with their risk context and economic
needs.
● This initiative will benefit all sections of society.
4. IPCC Meet on Climate Change
India hosted the Second Lead Author Meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) Working Group III Sixth Assessment Report at New Delhi from 30th September to 4th October
2019.
Highlights:
● The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) will examine topics such as the link between consumption
and behaviour and greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of innovation and technology.
● The report will assess the connection between short to medium-term actions and their
compatibility with the long-term temperature goal in the Paris Agreement.
● It will assess mitigation options in sectors such as energy, agriculture, forestry and land use,
buildings, transport and industry.
IPCC:
● The IPCC is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change.
● It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide political leaders with periodic scientific
assessments concerning climate change, its implications and risks, as well as to put forward
adaptation and mitigation strategies.
● It has 195 member states.
● For the assessment reports, IPCC scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of
scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known
about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and
mitigation can reduce those risks.
The IPCC has three working groups.
● Working Group I: Dealing with the physical science basis of climate change
● Working Group II: Dealing with impacts, adaptation and vulnerability
● Working Group III: Dealing with the mitigation of climate change
● It also has a Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories that develops methodologies
for measuring emissions and removals.

2.2 Energy
1. Cooperation between India and Russia in Hydrocarbon Sector
● India-Russia hydrocarbon cooperation is a major pillar of India-Russia strategic partnership.
● Both Sides recognize the importance of global energy markets that are stable, predictable and
balanced giving due regard to the interests of producer and consumer countries.
1. NATURAL GAS SECTOR
Both sides recognize the significance of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplied from Russia to
India and agree to strengthen LNG imports to India to promote India’s bid to transform itself
into a gas based economy.
2. UPSTREAM SECTOR
Both Sides welcome successful cooperation in the upstream sector of Russia, India and third countries
between the leading oil & gas companies of Russia and India.
3. DOWNSTREAM SECTOR
The Indian side would invite further investment from Russian public and private sector entities
into Indian refining, petrochemical and associated sectors.
4. TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD COUNTRY COOPERATION
Both Sides will strengthen and diversify existing training exchange program and create new ways of
enhancing knowledge exchange, joint research in energy sector, including those in emerging
technologies.
2. Kaiga nuclear power plant expansion gets green nod
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF) has given its approval for setting up
fifth and sixth units at Kaiga nuclear power station.
● Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) Director had sent a proposal to the Centre for
expansion of Kaiga nuclear plant.
● The Economic Advisory Council (EAC), approved the expansion plan with 17 specific and 19
general conditions.
● The Economic Advisory Council suggests, in order to compensate for tree loss, the competent
authorities should develop 732 hectares of forests in Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts.
3. International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Building Sector
● The international conference ANGAN (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat) is
focussed on Energy Efficiency in the Building Sector.
● The Conference is being organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power,
Government of India in collaboration with GIZ under the Indo German Technical Cooperation.
● Experts from 16 countries to discuss various options and technologies for energy efficient
buildings.
Aim

● To provide a platform to deliberate on interdependence between organizations, systemic

sustainability and feedback loops for better resource efficiency.
● Challenge of providing adequate energy of desired quality to the consumers at reasonable
costs.
● Improving the efficiency in high energy consumption sectors like buildings have become an
important component of our integrated energy policy.
● To provide thrust in this direction to address such challenges faced by the stakeholders.
1. Due to lack of awareness and
2. knowledge about the latest technologies,
3. financial assistance,
4. suppliers and
5. purchase of energy efficient equipment, etc.
About BEE
● The BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
● It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy
intensity of the Indian economy.
● BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to
identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions
assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act.
Energy efficient buildings
● Buildings that are designed to provide a significant reduction of the energy need for heating
and cooling, independently of the energy and of the equipment that will be chosen to heat or
cool the building.
4. Pressure on thermal power plants
A report prepared by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Applied
Economics Clinic (AEC) has pointed out that India’s coal-fired energy sector is facing increasing
pressure due to
● Generator over-capacity,
● Water shortages and
● The rise of low-cost renewables.
Analysis:
● The energy landscape has changed dramatically in recent years
● There are increasing stressors, particularly on the thermal coal sector that require
urgent attention
● Water is one of the most prominent stressors.

5. National Centre for Clean Coal Research & Development
Government of India through Department of Science & Technology, has set up the National Centre for
Clean Coal Research and Development (NCCCR&D) as a national level consortium on clean coal R&D,
led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bengaluru.
● The research in clean coal domain could potentially be a game changer for meeting the energy
needs of the country in terms of higher efficiency and capacity at lower operating costs and
size.
Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research
● It is India’s first centre for conducting a wide spectrum of energy research by knowledge
network of elite researchers.
● To enable us to realise the vision of an affordable, efficient, compact reliable Clean Energy
systems.
● It will be facilitating all efforts and complementing and supplementing both in terms of
technical knowledge and finances.
6. Cooling Action Plan
Indian cooling action gets UN applaud.
● India is one of the first countries in the world to develop a comprehensive Cooling Action plan
which has a long-term vision to address the cooling requirement across sectors and lists out
actions which can help reduce the cooling demand.
● Cooling requirement is cross sectoral and an essential part for economic growth and is
required across different sectors of the economy such as residential and commercial buildings,
cold-chain, refrigeration, transport and industries
The goal of ICAP
● To provide sustainable cooling and thermal comfort for all while securing environmental and
socio-economic benefits for the society.
● This will also help in reducing both direct and indirect emissions.
The India Cooling Action seeks to
1. Reduce cooling demand across sectors by 20% to 25% by 2037-38,
2. Reduce refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by 2037-38,
3. Reduce cooling energy requirements by 25% to 40% by 2037-38,
4. Recognize “cooling and related areas” as a thrust area of research under national S&T
Programme,
5. Training and certification of 100,000 servicing sector technicians by 2022-23, synergizing
with Skill India Mission.
The following benefits would accrue to society over and above the environmental benefits:
1. Thermal comfort for all – provision for cooling for EWS and LIG housing,
2. Sustainable cooling – low GHG emissions related to cooling,
3. Doubling Farmers Income – better cold chain infrastructure – better value of produce to
farmers, less wastage of produce,
4. Skilled workforce for better livelihoods and environmental protection,
5. Make in India – domestic manufacturing of air-conditioning and related cooling
equipment.
6. Robust R&D on alternative cooling technologies – to provide push to innovation in
cooling sector.
● Cooling is also linked to human health and productivity.
● Linkages of cooling with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are well acknowledged.
● The cross-sectoral nature of cooling and its use in development of the economy makes
provision for cooling an important developmental necessity.
7. PACEsetter Fund programme
MNRE awards grants to four projects in second round of PACEsetter Fund programme. The awardees
include
○ Society for Economic and Social Studies, New Delhi,
○ Customized Energy Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Pune,
○ The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi and
○ RaghavendraSuntech Systems Pvt Ltd (RSSPL), Bengaluru..
Background:
● The PACEsetter fund was constituted by India and the USA in 2015.
● To provide early-stage grant funding to accelerate the commercialization of innovative off-grid
clean energy products, systems, and business models.
● It would allow businesses to develop and test innovative products, business models and
systems.
● The Fund's main purpose is to improve the viability of off-grid renewable energy businesses
that sell small scale (under 1 megawatt) clean energy systems to individuals and communities
without access to grid connected power or with limited/intermittent access. (less than 8 hours
per day).
8. First Indigenous Fuel Cell System launched
● The first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel Cell System developed by Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) under India’s flagship program named New Millennium Indian
Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI).
● A unique example of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) among CSIR’s three Laboratories *CSIR-
NCL, Pune; CSIR-NPL, New Delhi & CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi (Chennai Center)] and two Indian
industries; M/s Thermax Limited, Pune and M/s Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai.
Highlights:

● The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power in a green manner using methanol / bio-methane,
with heat and water as bi-products for further use.
● For amounting to greater than 70% efficiency, which otherwise may not be possible by other
energy sources.
● The Fuel Cells developed are based on High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane
(HTPEM) Technology.
● The development is most suitable for distributed stationary power applications like; for small
offices, commercial units, data centers etc.; where highly reliable power is essential with
simultaneous requirement for air-conditioning.
● This system will also meet the requirement of efficient, clean and reliable backup power
generator for telecom towers, remote locations and strategic applications as well.
● This development would replace Diesel Generating (DG) sets and help reduce India’s
dependence on crude oil.
New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative
● The (NMITLI) is the largest public-private-partnership effort within the R&D domain in the
country.
● The Government finances and plays a catalytic role.
● NMITLI has so far evolved 60 largely networked projects in diverse areas viz. Agriculture &
Plant Biotechnology, General Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals,
Chemicals, Materials, Information and Communication Technology and Energy.

3. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
1. Election Commission of India Launches a One Stop Solution to Verify & Authenticate Voter Details
Aim:
● To improve the health of Electoral rolls and to provide better electoral services to citizens and
increase the level of Communication between voters and the Commission.
● It has been launched at all Levels starting from the State/UT Headquarters, District level, and
Polling Stations.
The voters can log on to NVSP portal (nvsp.in), Voter Helpline App, Common Service Centers or any
nearby voter facilitation center to avail the following facilities.
● Verification and corrections of the existing details
● Authentication of entry by furnishing scanned/DigiLocker copy of the required documents:
● Furnishing details of family members and verifying their entries too
● Furnishing GIS Coordinates of House (through Mobile App) to avail better electoral Services
● Feedback regarding existing Polling Stations and suggestions on alternate PS, if any
The one-time authentication of details and sharing contact details would help electors to get update
on,
● Status of EPIC,
● Election Day announcement,
● Voter slip on their registered email and mobile number.
● Regular notification on modifications on Serial No. and details of Polling Station,
● Change in BLO/ ERO,
● All information related to Polling Station will also be shared with the Electors.
2. Chandrayaan - 2 Status
● Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-2 failed to make a smooth soft-landing.
● The mission operations complex at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network in
Bengaluru stopped receiving data from the lander.
● Before the touchdown, a few hundred kilometers from the ground, it was expected to hover
over the surface, trying to ascertain whether there was a safe place to land.
● The failure happened 13 minutes after Vikram began its descent.
● To decelerate after starting its descent, Vikram continuously fired its four thrusters in the
direction of its movement.
● It travelled a total of almost 585 km in a parabolic path before losing contact.
3. Maritime Communication Services in India
● Nelco, India's leading VSAT solutions provider will be the first Indian company to provide
quality broadband services to the maritime sector.

● Maritime Connectivity will enable high-end support to those in sea by providing access to
Voice, Data and Video services while traveling on sailing vessels, cruise liners, ships in India,
using satellite technology.
● NELCO will also be offering a bouquet of digital services to cater to the needs of the various
types of maritime vessels.
Background
● In December 2018, the Government of India announced the licenses for In-flight and Maritime
Communications (IFMC) that allows voice and internet services while flying over the Indian
skies and sailing in Indian waters, both for international and Indian aircrafts and vessels.
● The IFMC license is a key initiative of the Telecom Ministry, a move to liberalize satellite
communication services in India.
Inflight and Maritime Telecom Connectivity Policy
● The policy intent of the Government is to open the airspace and territorial waters for
telecommunication services for the general public which was not possible earlier due to lack of
enabling rules.
● Rules envisage creation of satellite gateway within India for providing telecom services in
aircraft and ships through Indian licensed service providers.
● Further, Indian satellite bandwidth has to be utilized. If a foreign satellite is used, it has to be
approved by ISRO.
● Only the authorized IFMC service provider, can provide wireless voice or data or both type of
services on ships within Indian territorial waters and on aircraft within or above India or Indian
territorial waters.
● Territorial waters are 12 nautical miles from the baseline of the coast and beyond that is the
Exclusive Economic Zone up to 200 nautical miles (1 nautical mile is 1.852 Kms.).
● 7 Companies have taken the authorization to provide Inflight and Maritime Connectivity (IFMC)
services till date.
● Satellite bandwidth has been provided on Indian Satellites by ISRO for providing IFMC service.
4. Web portal for reporting of stolen mobiles
● A project called Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system has been undertaken by the
DoT for addressing security, theft and other concerns including reprogramming of mobile
handsets.
Background
● International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique identity of a mobile phone device.
● Generally, a phone with one/two slots of SIM card is programmed with one/two IMEI number
as the case may be.
● IMEI number being programmable, some miscreants do reprogram the IMEI number, which
results in cloning of IMEI causing multiple phone devices with same IMEI number.

● If such IMEI is blocked, a large number of mobile phones will get blocked being handsets with
same IMEI causing inconvenience to many genuine customers.
● Thus, there is a need to eliminate duplicate/fake IMEI mobile phones from the network.
● Accordingly, CEIR project was taken up.
The major objectives of the project include the following:
● Blocking of lost/stolen mobile phones across mobile networks thus discouraging theft of
mobile phones
● Facilitate in tracing of such reported lost/stolen mobile phones
● Prevention of mobile devices with duplicate and fake IMEIs in the network
● Curtail the use of counterfeit mobile devices
● Reduced health risks to the users with the control of use of counterfeit mobile phones
● Improved QoS and reduced call drops with reduction in use of counterfeit mobile devices
5. 118 new Community Radio Stations to be set-up
● The approved list of applicants having been granted Letter of Intent for setting up CRS includes
○ 16 from Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts,
○ 6 from most LWE affected districts,
○ 25 from coastal districts,
○ 17 from Aspirational Districts,
○ 3 from North-East and
○ 2 from Jammu and Kashmir.
● Community Radio Stations act as essential communication channels for enhancing last mile of
outreach of government.
Background about Community Radio Stations
● Community Radios are small (low power) FM radio stations with a coverage area of around 10-
15 Km radius, depending on the geography of the area.
● CRS play a significant role in dissemination of agriculture related information, government
schemes for people’s welfare, weather forecast etc.
● CRS are expected to produce at least 50% of their programmes locally, as far as possible in local
languages or dialects.
● More than two hundred sixty CRS across India, broadcasting in various languages including
local dialects, give marginalised communities a platform to make their voice heard and an
opportunity to express their views.
7. Wargaming software handed over to Indian Navy
Institute for Systems Studies and Analysis (ISSA) Delhi, a premier DRDO laboratory, has designed and
developed a new generation Wargaming Software in collaboration with Maritime Warfare Centre,

Visakhapatnam to meet the contemporary operational and tactical level wargaming requirement for
the Indian Navy.
The key focus
● To create a wargaming environment which enables Maritime Warfare Centres (MWCs) to train
using the latest technological and computing tools.
● The software has a versatile and user-friendly feature which enable globally playable
wargaming scenarios between multiple forces.
● It enables exercises to be conducted between geographically dispersed locations over Wide
Area Network.
● The architecture is forward compatible and new functional and equipment modules can be
developed and easily plugged in.
8. MIS Portal Under Accessible India Campaign
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a Management Information System
(MIS) for stakeholders of Accessible India Campaign (AIC).
Aim:
● To bring all nodal ministries, states and the Union Territories on a common platform to
monitor the progress made against each target of the Accessible India Campaign.
Functions
● It will help maintain all the functions on the digital platform and capture real-time data.
● The portal will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities.
● The monitoring of places will be more effective when there is a provision of uploading pictures
of accessible features.
Accessible India Campaign:
It is also known as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, was launched as a nation-wide campaign for achieving
universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Aim:
● To serve persons with disabilities and create an accessible physical environment that benefits
everyone.
The programme include
● Eliminating obstacles and barriers in indoor and outdoor facilities including schools, Medical
facilities, Workplaces and Transport system.
● The places such as footpaths, curb cuts and other obstacles that block the flow of regular
pedestrian traffic are also covered under the programme.
9. Acceptance of Transport Related Information in Electronic Form

● People can produce the documents or other information either through the DigiLocker app or
the mParivahan app.

● They can download the Driving Licence or the Registration Certificate through these apps and
store on their mobile devices.
● The enforcement agencies can simultaneously access these details from eChallan app, which
has data for on-line verification of vehicle and its license status.
● Off-line verification of mParivahan QR Code is also available on this platform. Normal android
mobile apps can be used for this purpose.
Benefits :
● The enforcement agencies as they are not required to physically handle any document, need
not maintain any inventory or record, and the citizens also not required to carry documents.
● This fast, transparent and accountable system also ensures real-time availability of offence
status to the transport and traffic enforcement officers and the citizens.
4 .GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
1. DRDO successfully flight-tests MPATGM
Indian Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today successfully flight
tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile
(MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
 The missile was launched from a man portable Tripod launcher and the target was mimicking a
functional tank.
 The missile hit the target in top attack mode and destroyed it with precision. All the mission
objectives were met.
 This is the third series of successful testing of MPATGM.
 The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced
avionics.
2. Gravitational waves detected for the first time from newly born black hole
 The gravitational waves from a newly born black hole, found that the ringing pattern of the
waves predicts the cosmic body’s mass and spin, providing more evidence for Einstein’s
General Theory of Relativity.
What are Gravitational Waves?
 These are ripples in the fabric of space-time that are produced, when black holes collide and
stars explode, gravitational waves are produced when objects accelerate.
 Gravitational waves were first proposed, 100 years ago by Albert Einstein, as part of the Theory
of Relativity.

What is a black hole?

 A black hole is an object in space that is so dense and has such strong gravity that no matter or
light can escape its pull. Because no light can escape, it is black and invisible.
 There’s a boundary at the edge of a black hole called the event horizon, which is the point of
no return — any light or matter that crosses that boundary is sucked into the black hole. It
would need to travel faster than the speed of light to escape, which is impossible.
How can we detect or photograph them?
 By looking for the effects of their extreme gravity, which pulls stars and gases toward them.
 Also, while anything past the event horizon is invisible, outside that boundary, there is
sometimes a spiral disk of gas that the black hole has pulled toward.
 The gases in that accretion disk are heated up as they accelerate toward the black hole,
causing them to glow extremely brightly. The colours they glow are invisible to us, but are
detectable with an X-ray telescope.
 Scientists have also detected the gravitational waves generated when two black holes collide.
light surrounding the black hole right to the edge of the event horizon, which is the goal of the
Event Horizon Telescope.

3. Jal Shakti Ministry to develop National Water Museum
Jal Shakti Ministry has taken an initiative to develop National Water Museum to raise awareness
among people on conservation of the natural resource.
● The Ministry is also organizing a two-day International Workshop which will be attended by
experts from India and abroad.
● The outcome of the workshop will be a blueprint for establishing the proposed National Water
Museum.
4. Scorpene submarine “KHANDERI”
● Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited delivers second Scorpene submarine“KHANDERI” to Indian

Navy
● Khanderi, a Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine, will be commissioned into the Navy.
● Designed by French company Naval Group (earlier known as DCNS).
● Khanderi has been named after the wide-snouted Sawfish, a deadly predator of the Indian
Ocean
● The 17th submarine of the Navy.
● Manned by a crew of eight officers and 35 sailors, Khanderi can stay out in the sea for 50 days.
● Khanderi is capable of targeting surface ships as well as hunt enemy submarines with its deadly
armament of torpedoes which can be fired from six 21-inch tubes or SM.39 Exocet anti-ship
missiles.
● The submarine can also undertake intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance
operations.
5. Sardar Patel National Unity Award
The government of India instituted the Highest Civilian Award for contribution to Unity and Integrity
of India in the name of India’s first deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel
● On 31 October, observed as National Unity Day on the occasion of Sardar Patela’s birth
anniversary, the first award will be presented
● The person conferred with the award will receive a medal and a citation, but not a monetary
reward
● This is awarded to recognise notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of
national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India.
● A maximum of three awards will be given in a year and it would not be conferred
posthumously except in very rare and highly deserving cases.
● Any Indian national or institution or organisation based in India would be able to nominate an
individual for consideration for this award.

● Individuals may also nominate themselves. State governments, UT administrations and

ministries of the Government of India may also send nominations.
6. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat to be new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee
● Gen Rawat could possibly be the last in the post.

● Govt will go ahead and appoint a CDS, who will replace the present COSC.
● The Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) comprises chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force
and the senior most member is appointed its chairperson.
● The Chairman of COSC is tasked with ensuring synergy among the three services and evolve a
common strategy to deal with external security challenges facing the country.
CDS
 Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is a proposed position for the combined head of the Indian
Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
 It was first officially suggested in 1999 following the Kargil War through the recommendations
of the Kargil Review Committee.
 The official call was made public by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence
Day speech on 15 August 2019.
7. BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile
● BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile featuring Indian propulsion system, airframe, power
supply and other major indigenous components, was successfully test fired from ITR,
Chandipur in Odisha.
● The missile test-fired for its full range of 290-km during the launch jointly conducted by DRDO
and BrahMos Aerospace.
● With this successful mission, bolstered India’s defence indigenisation and the flagship ‘Make in
India’ programme.
● The missile was jointly developed by India and Russia, BRAHMOS has been operationalized in
the Indian Armed Forces with all three services.
Topic 5: Safety
1. Preventing Fire Incidents

NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) 15th Formation Day Function
● The theme is ‘Fire Safety’.
● Fire risk in the country, its prevention and mitigation, key issues and institutional challenges
with regards to fire risk reduction were discussed.
Reasons for choosing fire risk reduction as the theme

● Fire accidents, if not handled carefully, can lead to a huge loss of life
● The recent fire incidents like the Surat fire tragedy, which have emphasized upon the need and
importance of enforcing rules and regulations to save precious lives and property.
● In India fire accidents are one of the biggest risks to business.
● It is important to take special measures to strengthen the ecosystem for a proactive approach
of fire risks prevention, mitigation and preparedness for response.
● Outlining the challenges:
● The local authority, in-charge for rule enforcement at state level, must have a clear
understanding of the techno-legal regime and profound knowledge of various risk scenarios.
● Another challenge identified was the need for state-of-the-art equipment for responding to fire
incidents.
Solutions:
● Adopting international best practices for fire risk prevention and mitigation.
● Skill upgradation of government functionaries as well as awareness generation among people
about fire risks and precautionary measures through mock drills.
● Community participation with the government functionaries is a must to prevent fire incidents
and minimizing the resultant socio-economic losses.
2. Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar and National Safety Awards
● Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar (VRP) and National Safety Awards (NSA) were given by the
Ministry of Labour and Employment for the performance year 2017.
● The “National Safety Awards (NSA)” and “Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar (VRP)”.(Previously
known as ShramVir National Awards) are operated since 1965 under the Ministry of Labour
and Employment.
● VRP is awarded in recognition of outstanding suggestions given by a worker or a group of
workers.
● NSA is awarded for the outstanding safety performance of construction sites, ports, industrial
establishments, and installations under the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in the
management of accident prevention programs.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Social development
Q1.Recently the updating of National Citizens Register was taken up in the state of
A. Jammu and Kashmir

B. Assam
C. West Bengal
D. Tamilnadu
Answer: B
● The register was first prepared after the 1951 Census of India and it has not been updated till
recently.
● The state of Assam has become the first state in India where the updating of the NRC is being
taken up.
Q2. The Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), the largest association of Election
Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide is based in

A. New Delhi, India

B. Beijing, China
C. Song-do, South Korea
D. Washington, The USA
Answer : C
Q3. What is an ‘unlawful activity’, as defined in India?
A. Behavior that is not authorized by law

B. Participation in an activity that violates criminal or civil law
C. Any activity intended to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India
D. All of above
Answer : D
Unlawful activity means those are against the law. As per unlawful activities prevention act unlawful
activity refers to any action taken by individual or association (whether by committing an act or by
words, either spoken or written, or by signs to questions, disclaims, disrupts or is intended to disrupt
the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India.
Q4. Kaushalacharya Samandar Awards are
A. To felicitate trainers from different sectors for exceptional contribution towards skill
development.
B. For teachers in implementing ICT in education
C. For trainers who help in sports development
D. For the exceptionally skilled artisans
Answer: A
Q5. Which of the following can be the Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?
A. Reducing indoor air pollution

B. Reducing fuel import bill
C. Reducing fuel bills for households
D. All of above
Answer: A
Benefits are
● Providing clean fuel
● Smoke free house -to all including children
● Preventing from direct health hazards due to use wood cow dung in cooking
● Fuel bill reduction is not a benefit as beneficiary pays for the LPG consumed.

Q6. Benefits of Jal Jeevan Mission is/are

A. Getting water at one’s doorstep
B. Getting free water connection for crops
C. Water harvesting in all buildings
D. Conservation of water bodies
Answer: A
Jal Jeevan Mission — is to give functional tap-water to every household in the country by 2024.
Q7. Recently new cadre called ISDS was recruited from ESE examination. What is the aim of this
cadre?
1. To attract young and talented administrators towards institutionalizing the skill

development environment in the country.
2. To supply critical human resources internationally also.
Choose the correct option.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1&2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Q8. Under the sixth schedule of Indian constitution regions of five states - Assam, Tripura, Mizoram
and Meghalaya are included. Reason for this is:
A. As tribal area to protect its distinct culture.
B. Preserve the natural environment.
C. To provide efficient security from extremist activities.
D. To develop north east India
Answer: A
They are tribal regions whose distinct culture needs to be protected.
Q9.How to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance
A. Do not use antibiotics to treat viral infections, such as influenza, the common cold, a runny
nose or a sore throat.
B. Use antibiotics only when a doctor prescribes them.
C. When you are prescribed antibiotics, take the full prescription even if you are feeling better.

D. All the above

Answer : D
Q10. With reference to LEAP initiative which of the below statements is/are correct?
1) It is a flagship leadership development training programme.

2) The objective is to prepare students for leadership roles in the future.
Select the correct answer code:
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: a)
Explanation: Ministry of Human Resource Development launched Leadership for Academicians
Programme (LEAP). It is a three weeks Flagship leadership development training programme (2 weeks
domestic and one week foreign training) for second level academic functionaries in public funded
higher education institutions. The main objective is to prepare second tier academic heads that are
potentially likely to assume leadership roles in the future.
Q11. Which of the following measures taken under Accessible India Campaign?
1. Eliminating obstacles and barriers in indoor and outdoor facilities including schools and
public buildings.
2. Create an accessible physical environment that benefits everyone, not just persons with
disabilities.
3. Eliminating obstacles and barriers in places such as footpaths.
A. 1,2&3
B. 1 only
C. 1&2
D. 1&3
Answer : A
2. Industrial development
Q1. Which among the following is a core industry?
A. Crude Oil
B. Shipping
C. MSME
D. Information Technology
Answer: A

Explanation
Eight Core Industries are Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and
Electricity.
Q2. Light House Projects challenge is constituted under
A. Global Housing Technology Challenge - India
B. Sagarmala Project
C. Integrated multi modal transportation scheme
D. FAME Scheme
Answer: A
Explanation
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has launched a challenge for States/ UTs to select six sites
across the country for constructing the Lighthouse projects under GHTC-India (Global Housing
Technology Challenge-India).
Q3. Which of the following would have led to job losses and low production in the automobile
industry.
1. The low consumer sentiment
2. Reducing daily shifts in factories
3. Non-availability of liquidity
4. Temporarily shutting of plants
Choose the correct statements
A. 1 only
B. 2&3
C. 1&3
D. 1,2,3&4
Answer: C
1&3 can be the reasons. 2&4 are consequences.
Q4. Mega Food Park is a scheme with the aim of establishing a
A. Direct linkage from farm to processing and then to consumer markets
B. Creating a brand name for agricultural products
C. Certification system for farm products
D. Export facilitation Centre for agricultural products
Answer: A

The Scheme of Mega Food Park aims at providing a mechanism to link agricultural production to the
market by bringing together farmers, processors and retailers so as to ensure maximizing value
addition, minimizing wastage, increasing farmers’ income and creating employment opportunities
particularly in rural sector
Q5. What are the benefits of Digital Platform for Issuance of Electronic Certificates?
1. Reduces transaction cost and time for the exporters
2. Pensioners need not be physically present for verification
Choose the correct statements
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 & 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : A
This platform will be a single access point for all exporters, for all FTAs/PTAs and for all agencies
concerned. Certificate of Origin will be issued electronically which can be in paperless format if agreed
to by the partner countries.
Q6.Which of the following statements is/are correct about coal gasification technology ?
1. Coal is converted to Synthetic Natural Gas mixture of CO2 , CO, methane and water.
2. Syngas can be efficiently used to produce electricity, for transportation purpose.
Choose the correct option:
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Neither 1 nor 2
D) Both 1 and 2
Answer : D)
Explanation :
● The main technology being used is coal gasification - instead of burning the fossil fuel, it is
chemically transformed into synthetic natural gas (SNG).
● Syngas that can be used to efficiently produce clean electricity, transportation fuels, and
chemicals using domestic fuel resources.
● The process is decades old, but recent rises in the price of gas mean it is now more
economically viable.
3. Economic development
Q1.Which of the following are source of income for RBI?

1. Purchasing or selling bonds in the open market

2. Government investment through budgetary allocation in bank
3. Dealings in the foreign exchange market
4. Recapitalisation bonds
Find the correct statements
A. 1&2
B. 2&3
C. 1&4
D. 1&3
Answer : D
Explanation
Domestic Sources:
*Earnings from interest on holding of domestic securities for conducting OMOs + interest on
loans & advances to centre and state govts/banks & FIs
*Discount/exchange /commission/ rent
Foreign sources: Earnings from foreign currency assets
Q2. Which of the following were recommendations of steering committee on fintech?
A. The Insurance companies to be encouraged to use drones and remote sensing
technology for crop area.
B. Modernisation and standardisation of land records by setting up a dedicated National
Digital Land Records Mission.
C. A comprehensive legal framework for consumer protection
D. All the above
Answer: D
Explanation
The Committee was constituted in pursuance to the announcement in Budget speech 2018-19.
All of the above are its recommendations.
Q3. What is bank recapitalisation?
1. Using different instruments, infusing capital into banks undergoing credit crunch.
2. Government investment through budgetary allocation in bank.
3. Providing banks with new capital to improve their balance sheet.

4. Issuing of recapitalisation bonds.

Find the correct statements
A. 1&2
B. 2&3
C. 1&4
D. 1&3
Answer : D
Explanation
● Bank recapitalisation, as the name suggests, means recapitalising banks with new capital to
improve their balance sheet.
● The government, using different instruments, infuses capital into banks undergoing credit
crunch.
Q4. How recapitalisation bonds work?
A. The government will lend money to the bank for subscribing to the bonds.
B. This money raised by the government through these bonds will go to banks as capital.
C. These bonds directly strengthen the balance-sheet of the banks.
D. All the above
Answer: B
Explanation
● The government will issue recapitalisation bonds, which banks will subscribe.
● The banks will lend money to the government for subscribing to the bonds.
● This money raised by the government through these bonds will go back to banks as capital.
● This capital will immediately strengthen the balance-sheet of the banks.
Q5. SOPs(Standard Operating Practices) aim to achieve
1. efficiency
2. quality output and uniformity of performance
3. reducing miscommunication
4. failure to comply with industry regulations
Choose the correct options:
A. 1&2
B. 1,2&3
C. 1,2,3&4
D. 3 only
Answer: B

Q6.Why should India invest in Russia’s Far East provinces?
1. It is a Petroleum resources rich region

2. Many other nations have their presence there
3. Russia is facing economic slowdown
Which of above statements can be correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1&2
C. 1,2&3
D. 1&3
Answer: B
Q7. Which of the following is correct regarding services offered in AEPS?
1. Cash withdrawal is possible, but cash deposit is not possible

2. Funds transfer and C2G payments are possible
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1&2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Cash Deposit, Payment transactions (C2B, C2G Transactions) are possible.
Q8. Consider the following statements with reference to Customer Hiring Centres:
1) They aim to reduce the transport cost and time of transport of agricultural machinery.
2) They are basically a unit providing insurance services to marginal farmers.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: a
Explanation: Customer Hiring Centres (CHCs) are basically a unit comprising a set of farm machinery,
implements and equipment meant for hiring by farmers. In order to bring farm machinery available
within the reach of small/marginal holdings, collective ownership or Custom Hiring Centres are being
promoted in a big way.Ideally, the CHCs should be located within a radius of 5 to 7 kms of land
holdings. This will reduce the transport cost and time of transport of agricultural machinery. In order

to bring farm machinery available within the reach of small/marginal holdings, collective ownership or
Custom Hiring Centres are being promoted in a big way.
Q9. Jal marg vikas project is carried on which river ?
A. Ganga
B. Yamuna
C. Godavari
D. Brahmaputra
Answer : A
Q10. Which of the following are benefits of privatization of the PSU, BPCL ?
A. Privatization may help take politics out of fuel pricing.

B. BPCL shares will rise due to improvement in gross refining margins.
C. BPCL can become the largest refiner and fuel retailer.
D. The acquirer may be driven under massive debt after purchasing stake in BPCL .
Answer : A
The outright benefit is A only. Earlier ONGC was driven under massive debt after purchasing stake in
HPCL
Q11. Which of the following can be factors of economic growth?
1. Natural resources
2. Investment in Human Capital
3. Non-existence of traditional industries
4. Entrepreneurship
A. 1&2
B. 1,2&4
C. 1&3
D. 2&4
Answer: B
There are 4 main factors that influence economic growth within a country:
1. Land [natural resources] available.
2. Investment in Human Capital.
3. Investment in Physical Capital.
4. Entrepreneurship.
Q12. Which of the following are the salient features of recently introduced Document Identification
Number (DIN)?

A. All documents to have unique DIN

B. Validation of documents issued can be done on the online portal
C. All notices, summons, orders, communication to be issued as e-documents
D. All the above
Answer : D
Every communication to be issued by the Income-Tax Department will now have a Document
Identification Number (DIN). This intends to insure proper audit trail of such communication.
4. Environment
Q1. 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was
hosted by
A. China
B. India
C. South Africa
D. Brazil
Ans: B
Q2. What are single use plastics?
1. They are non-disposable
2. They are non-recyclable
3. They are chemically non- degradable
4. They are not biodegradable
Correct statement(s) is/are
A. 1&2
B. 1,2&4
C. 2,3&4
D. 4 only
Ans: D
Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or
recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and
most food packaging. It is difficult to recycle the single use plastic. Although plastic will not
biodegrade (decompose into natural substance like soil,) it will degrade (break down) into tiny
particles after many years.
Q3. Why we should stop using single use plastic?
1. Plastic takes a long time to break down
2. World-wide only 10-13% of plastic items are recycled
3. It releases toxic chemicals

A. 2&3
B. 1&3
C. 1,2&3
D. 2 only
Ans: C
Plastic takes a long time to break down. In the process of breaking down, it releases toxic chemicals
(additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make their way into our food and
water supply.
Q4. What is land degradation neutrality?
A. A state whereby the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support ecosystem
functions and services, remains stable.
B. A state whereby the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support ecosystem
functions and services, decreases.
C. A state whereby the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support ecosystem
functions and services, is unavailable.
D. None of the above
Ans: A
Q5. How can land be saved from degradation?
1. Overgrazing
2. Integrated land and water management
3. Protection from erosion
A. 2&3
B. 1&3
C. 1,2&3
D. 3 only
Ans: A
Preventive actions include:
1. Integrating land and water management to protect soils from erosion, salinization, and other
forms of degradation.
2. Protecting the vegetative cover, can be a major instrument for soil conservation against wind
and water erosion.
Q6. A major economic, social and environmental problem highlighted in recent New Delhi Declaration
is :
E. Land restoration

F. Biodiversity
G. Climate change
H. Ozone restoration
Answer : A
Delhi Declaration of COP 14 is promoting projects to prevent Land degradation at local, national and
regional levels
5. Energy
Q1. How high is India's natural gas consumption?
A. India has the highest natural gas consumption
B. India has the lowest per capita natural gas consumption
C. India is among the top 5 natural gas consumers
Ans: D
India has the 14th-highest natural gas consumption (54,200 m³/year) in the world. The top 10
countries by natural gas consumption are: World, United States, European Union, Russia, China, Iran,
Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Mexico, United Kingdom.
Q2. How can buildings improve energy efficiency?

1. Providing insulation for buildings in cold regions.
2. Choosing the right ventilation system.
3. Buying only certified equipment.
4. Using LED lights.
5. Getting certification like LEED.
6. Purchasing materials only after calculating the return on investment.
Choose the correct answers
A. 1,2&4
B. 1,2,3&4
C. 1,2,3,4&5
D. 2,3,4,5&6
Ans: C
Insulation is to prevent heat loss in cold regions. Energy saving materials will give return on
investment in terms of cost saved in energy bills. But 6th option cannot be said as a way to improve
energy efficiency.
Q3. India’s coal-fired energy sector is facing increasing pressure due to
A. Generator over-capacity
B. Water shortages
C. The rise of low-cost renewables

D. All the above
Answer: D
The boom in coal plant construction during the early 2010s has resulted in significant over-capacity.
The amount of installed coal-fired capacity in India is now 20% higher than the country’s peak
demand level and fully 50 gigawatts (GW) above average demand levels.
Q4. With reference to India Cooling Action Plan, consider the below statements:
1) It aims to provide sustainable cooling and thermal comfort for all while securing environmental
and socio-economic benefits
2) It will increase the refrigerant demand in the near future
3) It will facilitate reduction of cooling demand across sectors
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3
b) 1,2 and 3
c) 2 and 3
d) 1 and 2
Answer: a)
Explanation: The overarching goal of India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is to provide sustainable cooling
and thermal comfort for all while securing environmental and socio-economic benefits for the society.
It aims for reduction of refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by 2037-38.
6.ICT
Q1. The primary objective of Chandrayaan 2 was
A. To demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface and operate a robotic rover on the
surface.
B. To find presence of water on moon
C. To explore the mineral resources
D. To study moon's atmosphere
Ans: A
Q2. Features of Flight and Maritime Connectivity (FMC) Rules, 2018 is/are
1. Permit voice and data service provisioning in flights and ships
2. Creation of satellite gateway within India for providing telecom services in aircraft and ships
3. ISRO to be the sole provider of satellite services
A. 1 only

B. 1&2
C. 1,2&3
D. 1&3
Ans: B
● If a foreign satellite is used, it has to be approved by ISRO.
Q3. Which of the following are the major objectives of the project - Central Equipment Identity
Register (CEIR)?
A. Blocking of lost/stolen mobile phones across mobile networks

B. Facilitate in tracing of reported lost/stolen mobile phones
C. Prevention of mobile devices with duplicate and fake IMEIs in the network
D. All the above.
Answer : D
Q4. CRS (Community Radio Stations) play a significant role in
E. Communicating agriculture related information
F. Popularising Government schemes among citizens
G. Weather forecast broadcasting
H. All the above
Answer : D
7. GK and Other topics
Q1. What are the highlights of National Water Museum?
A. The importance of water and its current state in different regions of the country.
B. Possible solutions for the water problem.
C. Traditional and modern water management practices.
D. All the above
Answer : D
Q2. When black holes collide and stars explode which of the following will be produced?
A. Gravitational waves
B. New stars
C. Another black hole
Answer : A


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9. Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019 ............................................................................................................................11

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10. Privatization of BPCL .........................................................................................................................................31

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7. BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile ..................................................................................................................51

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1. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

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● A-WEB was established on October 14, 2013 in Song-do, South Korea.

3. Third round of India - Pakistan talks on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

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5. First water grid in the country

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Indian Institute of Skills:

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The evolution of skill training

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10. Union Territory of Ladakh Under 6th Schedule of Constitution Of India

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12. Indian Institute of Technology BHU

LEAP training institution

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15. UMMID initiative

16. Aadi Mahotsav

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Category 2: Governance processes aiding outcomes

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1.2 Industrial Development

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New Platform Existing Process

The issuance process is electronic, Current process requires the exporter to

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Real-time tracking of FTA utilization at Real-time tracking is not possible as data

Electronic Certificate of Origin issued Physical Certificates of Origin issued

Possible to electronically exchange CoO Electronic exchange of CoOs not possible

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11. Company Law Committee on implementation of the Companies Act

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13. Indian Solutions for Global Application

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How does the RBI earn money?

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About IDBI Bank

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6. Aadhaar Enabled Payment Services by India Post Payments Bank

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● Government selling its BPCL stake to another PSU like IOCL

● Leverage technology to reduce “Time to Export or Turn-around time”

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2. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

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● The UNCCD is an international agreement on good land stewardship.

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3. UN Climate Action Summit

○ Sustainable and resilient infrastructures and cities;