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Learning Aid Name : Prelims Current Affairs Learning CardLearning Aid Type : Digital DocumentVolume : August 2019Length : 100 Cards | 30 Minute Revision ReadPrepared by : Team CAP, NEO IAS

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August, [email protected]

PRAGATI

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Current Affairs PlusPrelims Exclusive Classes – Taking you beyond CA

PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and

Timely Implementation) is a multi-purpose

and multi-modal platform aimed at

addressing grievances of common man.

PRAGATI is a unique integrating and

interactive platform.

It aims at simultaneously monitoring and

reviewing important government programs

and projects flagged by both Union & State

Governments.

It was developed jointly by Prime

Minister’s office (PMO) and National

Informatics Centre (NIC) and was launched

in 2015.

ACIC

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC) is

a new initiative of Atal Innovation Mission

to support community innovation drive in

the country & aims at spurring community

Innovation in underserved and unserved

areas of the country.

The program is directed to encourage the

spirit of innovation through solution driven

design thinking to serve the society.

ACIC will be established either in PPP mode

or with support of PSUs and other agencies.

The ACIC program should be connected to

every Panchayati Raj Institutions to help

innovators at grassroots level

Inter-State River Water Disputes Bill, 2019

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Inter-State River Water Disputes

(Amendment) Bill, 2019 proposes that

the final award will be delivered in two

years and whenever it gives the order,

the verdict will be notified

automatically.

The Bill provides for the constitution of

a single tribunal with different Benches,

and the setting of strict timelines for

adjudication.

A retired Supreme Court judge will

head the tribunal and Benches will be

formed as and when required.

KABIL

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Minister of Mines with the CMDs of NALCO,

HCL and MECL signed a Joint Venture to

establish KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd)

The KABIL would carry out identification,

acquisition, exploration, development,

mining and processing of strategic

minerals overseas for commercial use and

meeting country’s requirement of these

minerals.

The new company will help in building

partnerships with other mineral rich

countries like Australia and those in Africa

and South America.

The equity participation between NALCO,

HCL and MECL is in the ratio of 40:30:30

SAAC

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The State Assessment and Accreditation Centre

(SAAC), the first State-level accreditation

agency in the country, has been

operationalised for higher education

institutions.

All higher education institutions will be

required to seek accreditation by SAAC six

years after their establishment or after two

degree batches graduated, whichever is earlier.

New colleges will have to apply for

assessment and accreditation prior to

commencing their academic operations.

The accreditation agency will function in

accordance with the core values proposed by

NAAC.

IMPRINT India

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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IMPRINT India is an initiative of

the Ministry of Human Resource

Development (MHRD).

IMPRINT is a first-of-its-kind Pan-IIT and

IISc joint initiative to develop a New

Education Policy, and Roadmap for

Research to solve major engineering and

technology challenges in selected domains

needed by the country.

Under the IMPRINT-I Programme the

projects cover crucial domains like security

and defence, information technology,

energy, sustainable habitat, advance

materials, health care, nano technology,

climate change, etc.

SANKALP

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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SANKALP is an outcome-oriented centrally

sponsored programme of Ministry of Skill

Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) aims

to implement the mandate of the National Skill

Development Mission (NSDM).

It focuses on the overall skilling ecosystem

covering both Central and State agencies.

Under SANKALP four key result areas have been

identified:

(i) Institutional Strengthening (at National, State &

District level)

(ii) Quality Assurance of skill development

programs

(iii) Inclusion of marginalised population in skill

development

(iv) Expanding Skills through Public Private

Partnerships (PPPs).

DPIIT

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The government has changed the name of

the Department of Industrial Policy &

Promotion (DIPP) to the Department for

Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

(DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce

and Industry.

The renamed body will also be in charge of

four new categories of responsibilities:

• Promotion of internal trade,

• Welfare of traders and their employees,

• Facilitating Ease of Doing Business,

• Matters relating to start-ups.

(The matters related to internal trade were

earlier under the domain of the Ministry of

Consumer Affairs)

Ucchatar Avishkar Yojana

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY)

has been launched by the Ministry

of Human Resource Development

(MHRD) to promoting innovation

of a higher order that directly

impacts the needs of the Industry

and thereby improves the

competitive edge of Indian

manufacturing.

The scheme focuses on a viable

industry-academic collaboration

where industry shares a part of the

cost of research.

National Education Policy, 2019

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Draft National Education Policy, 2019 is

built on the foundational pillars of Access,

Equity, Quality, Affordability and

Accountability.

The path breaking reforms recommended

will bring about a paradigm shift by

equipping our students, teachers and

educational institutions with the right

competencies and capabilities.

It create an enabling and reinvigorated

educational eco-system for a vibrant new

India.

The Committee led by the Chairman Dr.

Kasturirangan submitted the Draft National

Educational Policy.

Article 370

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Article 370 relates to “temporary

provisions with respect to the State of

Jammu and Kashmir” and limits “the

power of Parliament to make laws for” the

state to a specified list of subjects.

Article 370 accords special status to

Jammu and Kashmir in many respects –

giving the central government authority

only over external affairs, finance, defence

and communication.

The Government moved a resolution

which would repeal the provisions under

Article 370 of the Constitution of India,

which granted a special status to the state

of J&K.

Surrogacy Regulation Bill

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Surrogacy regulation bill seeks to

ban commercial surrogacy & aimes at

ending the exploitation of women.

The Bill seeks to allow only altruistic

surrogacy by infertile Indian couples

from a “close relative”,

while prohibiting foreigners, NRIs and

PIOs from commissioning surrogacy in

the country.

Even singles, homosexuals and live-in

couples cannot apply for surrogacy.

Competition Commission of India

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Competition Commission of India is

a statutory body of the Government of

India & the commission was

established through Competition Act,

2002.

The Competition Commission of India

consists of a Chairperson and Three

members (appointed by the Central

Government).

Competition Commission of India aims

to establish a robust competitive

environment markets of India.

BBBP

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) was

launched by the Prime Minister on

22nd January, 2015 in Panipat, Haryana.

It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of

Women and Child Development, Health

& Family Welfare and Human Resource

Development.

The implementation of BBBP scheme is

led by the Ministry of Women and Child

Development as the Nodal Ministry, in

partnership with Departments of Health

and Education.

National Handloom day

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The National Handloom Day is

observed annually on 7th August to

honour the handloom weavers in the

country and also highlight India’s

handloom industry.

The Union Government had

declared 7th of August as the

National Handloom Day in July

2015.

August 7 was chosen as the National

Handloom Day to commemorate

the Swadeshi Movement which was

launched on this day in 1905 in

Calcutta.

Meghdoot

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Ministries of Earth Sciences and

Agriculture have launched a mobile

application that will assist the farmers in

local languages.

It has been developed by experts from the

IMD and Indian Institute of Tropical

meteorology and the ICAR.

It will provide forecast relating to

temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind

speed and direction and advisories to the

farmers on how to take care of their crops

and livestock.

The information would be updated twice a

week.

GQ Highway project

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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In 1999, then prime minister Atal Bihari

Vajpayee laid the foundation stone for the

Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) Highway project.

The Golden Quadrilateral is the longest road

project in India and the fifth-longest highway

in the world.

It connects four major cities: Delhi, Mumbai,

Chennai and Kolkata.

The GQ project is managed by the National

Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under

the Ministry of Road, Transport and

Highways.

The Golden Quadrilateral constitutes only the

national highways of the country and not

state highways and rural-urban roadways.

Mekedatu project

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Mekedatu Balancing

Reservoir project is a Karnataka

government project.

The Mekedatu project is to be

constructed across the Cauvery

river basin.

The objective of the dam is to

supply drinking water to

Bengaluru and recharge the

groundwater table in the region.

Conflict about the project

between the state Karnataka and

Tamil Nadu.

MAA

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA)

is a nationwide programme of the

Ministry of Health and Family

Welfare.

It aims to bring undiluted focus on

promotion of breastfeeding and

provision of counselling services for

supporting breastfeeding through

health systems.

The programme has been named

‘MAA’ to signify the support a

lactating mother requires from family

members and at health facilities to

breastfeed successfully.

CWM Index

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Composite water management

(CWM)index is released by NITI

Aayog.

The CWMI is an important tool to

assess and improve the

performance of States/ Union

Territories in efficient management

of water resources.

This has been done through a first

of its kind water data collection

exercise in partnership with

ministry of jalshakti, ministry of

rural development and all the

states/ union territories.

Hunar Haat

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Hunar Haat is organised across the

country by the Minority Affairs

Ministry, to empower master artisans

and craftsmen in the country.

Hunar Haat Hunar Haat exhibitions are

organised under the scheme USTAAD

scheme (Upgrading the Skills &

Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for

Development).

“Hunar Haat” has become a credible

brand to fulfil Prime Minister Shri

Narendra Modi’s commitment to

“Make in India”, “Stand up India”,

“Start up India”.

Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha

is a time bound campaign with

a concept of water

conservation.

The Department of School

Education & Literacy, MHRD

has launched the ‘Samagra

Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive to

promote water conservation

activities for School Students.

Rozgar Samachar

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Rozgar Samachar is a journal that has

been launched with a view to make

aspirants aware of job opportunities in

government sector including public

sector enterprises by Union Minister of

Information & Broadcasting .

It will also provide information and

guidance about admission and career

opportunities in various streams

through career-oriented articles by

experts.

It is expected to meet the emerging

challenge of young readers switching

to electronic modes of communication.

MGSSBY

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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MGSSBY (Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat

Sehat Bima Yojana) is a medical

insurance Scheme launched by

Punjab Government (Covers 76%

of Population).

Insurance Coverage: This scheme

will also provide cashless health

insurance cover of Rs.5 lakh/year.

Surgical packages under the

scheme also include the cost of pre-

hospitalisation for three days and

post-hospitalisation for 15 days.

Zonal Councils

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Zonal Councils are the statutory

bodies, established by the States

Reorganization Act, 1956.

The act divided the country into five

zones.

They are only deliberative and

advisory bodies.

They discuss and make

recommendations regarding matters

like economic and social planning,

linguistic minorities, border disputes,

inter-state transport and so on.

National Productivity Council

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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National Productivity Council (NPC)

is national level organization to

promote productivity culture in India

established by the Union Ministry of

Industry, GOI in 1958.

It is an autonomous, multipartite,

non-profit organization with equal

representation from employers’ &

workers’ organizations and

Government.

NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-

based Asian Productivity

Organisation (APO).

Char Dham project

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Char Dham National Highway (NH)

connectivity project comprises projects

of improvement/development of 889

km length of NHs leading to Yamunotri

Dham, Gangotri Dham, Kedarnath

Dham, Badrinath Dham and part of

route leading to Kailash Mansarovar

yatra.

The construction work on the Char

Dham project has been started and the

project is targeted to be completed by

March 2020.

Projects under Char Dham lie within the

State of Uttarakhand only.

Polavaram Multipurpose project

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Polavaram Multipurpose project is

a multi-purpose irrigation project.

The Polavaram project aims to

build an earth-cum-rock filled

dam across river Godavari.

Its reservoir spreads into parts

states of Chhattisgarh and

Odisha.

In 2014 the project has been

declared a National Project by

Government of India.

NCTE

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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National Council of Teacher

Education (NCTE) is statutory body of

Central Government set up

under NCTE Act, 1993.

NCTE was established on

17th August 1995.

NCTE also serves as an advisory

body to Central and State

Governments to ensure maintenance

of standards and quality in Teacher

Education.

Operation ‘Number Plate’

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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Railway Protection Force (RPF) of

Indian Railways launched a Special

Drive with a Code Name –

Operation “Number Plate”.

Operation “Number Plate” – to

identify and verify all vehicles

parked in Railway premises,

circulating area, parkings and even

in the ‘No Parking’ areas for longer

duration.

It was launched under the direction

of DG/RPF

Know India Programme

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Know India Programme (KIP) is

an important initiative of the GOI

with an aim to engage & make the

students and young professionals

of India Diaspora (age group of 18-

30 years) feel a sense of connect

with their motherland.

The KIP is a 25-day orientation

programme organized by the MEA

in partnership with one or two

States including visit to States for 10

days.

National Youth Award

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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National Youth Awards given to

individuals (aged between 15-29

years) and organizations for

excellent work and contribution in

different fields of development

and social service, such as health,

promotion of human rights, active

citizenship, and community

service etc.

The awards are given by

the Ministry of Youth Affairs and

Sports,

WTI Awards

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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The Women Transforming India

(WTI) Awards is being organized

in collaboration with the United

Nations to recognize women

entrepreneurs from across India.

This year’s theme is ‘Women and

Entrepreneurship’, in continuation

of the theme for WTI Awards

2018.

WhatsApp has collaborated with

NITI Aayog for WTI Awards 2019.

NHRC

Polity & Governance

August 2019

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National Human Rights Commission

(NHRC) of India is an

independent statutory body established

on 12 October, 1993.

It is the watchdog of human rights in the

country.

President appoints the Chairman and

members of NHRC on recommendation

of high-powered committee

headed by Prime Minister.

The Chairperson and the members of the

NHRC are appointed for 5 years or till

the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.

The Motor Vehicles Bill, 2019

Environment

August 2019

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The Bill provides for a National Road

Safety Board, to be created by the

central government through a

notification.

Good Samaritan guidelines have been

incorporated in the Bill to help road

accident victims.

The Bill provides for a scheme for

cashless treatment of road accident

victims during golden hour.

Aadhar Card has been

made mandatory mandatory for

making Driving Licences and driving

tests.

Kaziranga National Park

Environment

August 2019

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Kaziranga, a World Heritage Site

designated by UNESCO (since 1985), is

more popular as the world’s best

address for the one-horned rhino & It is

also been a major tiger reserve.

Location – MiddleAssam in North East

India.

Located on the banks of the mighty

Brahmaputra River.

Kaziranga National Park was declared a

wildlife sanctuary in 1940 and was

declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006.

ICRI

Environment

August 2019

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The International Coral Reef Initiative

(ICRI) is an informal partnership

between Nations and organizations

which strives to preserve coral reefs

and related ecosystems around the

world.

The Initiative was founded in 1994 by

eight governments: Australia, France,

Japan, Jamaica, the Philippines,

Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the

United States of America.

ICRI now counts more than

60 members including India

Tardigrade

Environment

August 2019

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The Tardigrade, also known as

water bear, is among the toughest

and most resilient creatures on

Earth.

The Tardigrade can only be seen

under a microscope.

Half a millimetre long, it is

essentially a water-dweller but

also inhabits land and, a 2008

study found, can survive in the

cold vacuum of outer space.

The Tardigrade can endure extreme

hot and cold temperature levels.

Blackbuck

Environment

August 2019

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Blackbuck (Indian antelope) is the sole

extant member of the genus Antilope.

It is found in India, Nepal and Pakistan

& extinct in Bangladesh.

It is the state animal ofAndra Pradesh,

Haryana and Punjab.

Hunting of blackbuck is prohibited

under Schedule I of the Wildlife

Protection Act of 1972.

It is evaluated as Least Concern (LC) on

the IUCN Red List.

Kosi-Mechi interlining project

Environment

August 2019

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Kosi-Mechi river interlining

project, providing a major lease of life

to Bihar’s Seemanchal region.

The interlinking project envisages

diversion of part of surplus water of Kosi

river through existing Hanuman Nagar

barrage to the Mahananda basin.

Mechi is an important tributary

of Mahananda River.

It is the second major river interlinking

project in the country to be approved

after the Ken-Betwa project in Madhya

Pradesh.

Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project

Environment

August 2019

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Ken-Betwa River Interlinking Project

is India’s first interstate river interlinking

project which aims to connect the

rivers Ken in Madhya Pradesh and Betwa

in Uttar Pradesh.

Through the project the government aims

to transfer surplus water from the Ken

River in MP to Betwa in UP to irrigates the

drought-prone Bundelkhand region spread

across the two states.

The project will also generate 78 MW of

power.

The KBRL project will submerge a part of

panna tiger reserve.

Clouded Leopard

Environment

August 2019

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Clouded leopard is Vulnerable in

IUCN Red list.

It is the State animal of

Meghalaya.

Range : Himalayan foothills

through mainland Southeast

Asia into China.

In India it is spread over Assam,

Northern West

Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal

Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Miz

oram, Nagaland, and Tripura.

Kaleshwaram project

Environment

August 2019

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The Kaleshwaram project aims to irrigate

45 lakh acres of land for two crops in a

year and meet the drinking water

requirement of 70% of the Telangana

state.

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, to

harness the flood waters of the Godavari &

seeks to divert 180 TMC of water first to

Sripada Sagar Yellampalli barrage and

then to Mallanna Sagar from the Pranahita

confluence point.

The Kaleshwaram project will

support Mission Kakatiya and Mission

Bhagiratha schemes designed to provide

drinking water to many villages and

improve the capacities of tanks.

TRAFFIC

Environment

August 2019

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Wildlife Trade Monitoring

Network (TRAFFIC) is a leading non-

governmental organisation working

globally on trade in wild animals and

plants in the context of both biodiversity

conservation and sustainable

development.

TRAFFIC was established in 1976 with

headquarters at Cambridge, UK.

It is a strategic alliance of WWF and

IUCN.

TRAFFIC came to India in 1991,

operating as a division of WWF-India

CITES

Environment

August 2019

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Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Flora (CITES) is an international

agreement between governments also

known as Washington Convention.

CITES was drafted as a result of a

resolution adopted in 1963 at a

meeting of members of IUCN.

CITES entered in force on 1July 1975.

CITES is legally binding on the

Parties but it does not take the place of

national laws.

Chilika Lake

Environment

August 2019

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Chilika Lake of Odisha is the largest

brackish water lake in Asia &

the second largest coastal lagoon in

the world.

It is located at the mouth of Daya

River.

Nalabana Bird Sanctuary is located in

the lake.

The Irrawaddy dolphin is the flagship

species of Chilika Lake.

It was designated the first ‘Ramsar

site’ of India in 1981.

Ansupa Lake

Environment

August 2019

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Ansupa lake is Odisha’s largest

freshwater lake.

Ansupa is famous for its sweet water

fish, especially labeo bata locally

known as Pohala.

Ansupa spread over almost 2 sq km is

also the wintering ground for 32

species of migratory birds.

The Odisha Wetland Authority has

approved implementation of an

integrated management plan

for Chilika and AnsupaLake.

BS- VI Norms

Environment

August 2019

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Bharat Stage norms are the automotive

emission norms which the automotive

manufacturers have to comply to sell their

vehicles in India.

To curb growing menace of air pollution,

the Government of India has decided to

leapfrog from the exiting BS – IV norms to

the BS- VI norms with effect from 1st April

2020.

The Environment Ministry is responsible for

deciding the fuel standard in the country &

the CPCB implements these standards.

The BS regulations are based on the

European emission standards.

WWF

Environment

August 2019

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World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is

international non-governmental

organization working in the field of the

wilderness preservation and reduction of

human impact on the environment.

It founded in 1961 and is headquartered

in Gland, Switzerland.

Currently, its work is organized around

these six areas: food, climate, freshwater,

wildlife, forests, and oceans.

It publishes Living Planet Report every

two years since 1998.

CPCB

Environment

August 2019

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The Central Pollution Control Board

(CPCB), statutory organisation,

constituted in 1974 under the Water

Act, 1974.

Further, CPCB was entrusted with

the powers and functions under the

Air Act, 1981.

It serves as a field formation and

also provides technical services to

the Ministry of Environment and

Forests of the provisions of the

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Marmoset

Environment

August 2019

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A new species of Marmoset/Mico

munduruku was discovered by Rodrigo

Costa Araújo of the National Institute of

Amazonian Research in Brazil’s Pará

state.

The new species is distinct from other

marmosets in that it has white tails

rather than black, which the others

have.

It also has white feet and hands, white

forearms and a beige-yellow spot on

the elbow.

Spahaerotheca Magadha

Environment

August 2019

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Spahaerotheca Magadha

(Magadha Burrowing Frog) is a

new species of burrowing frog

has been confirmed in

Jharkhand’s Chhota Nagpur

Plateau.

The frog was first discovered in

2015.

The frog is endemic to

agricultural areas in Nawadih

and Joungi village of

Jharkhand’s Koderma district.

Mount Elbrus

Environment

August 2019

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Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano in

the Caucasus Mountains in Southern

Russia, near the border with Georgia.

It could be considered the highest

mountain in Europe.

Elbrus was active in the Holocene, and

according to the Global Volcanism

Program, the last eruption took place

about AD 50.

Since 1986, Elbrus has been

incorporated into Prielbrusye National

Park, one of the protected areas of

Russia.

Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Environment

August 2019

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Location – Karnataka.

Tiger reserve was brought

under Project Tiger in 1973.

The Bandipur National Park

is surrounded by the river

Kabini in the north, River

Moyar in the south and the

River Nugu runs through the

park.

Equalisation Levy

Economics

August 2019

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Equalisation Levy was introduced in India

in 2016, with the intention of taxing the

digital transactions.

It is aimed at taxing business to business

(B2B) transactions.

Equalisation Levy is a direct tax, which is

withheld at the time of payment by the

service recipient.

The two conditions to be met to be liable

to equalisation levy:

•The payment should be made to a

non-resident service provider;

•The annual payment made to one

service provider exceeds Rs.1, 00,000

in one financial year.

MCLR

Economics

August 2019

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Marginal Cost based Lending Rate

(MCLR) is the standard lending rate

that banks have to set and publish

on different maturities.

The significance of MCLR is that it

has replaced the base rate which

has functioned as the standard

lending rate from 2010 onwards.

The MCLR came into effect from

April 1, 2016 onwards.

As per the RBI instruction, banks

have to declare MCLR for different

maturities on a monthly basis.

Central Board of Direct Taxes

Economics

August 2019

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The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)

is a statutory authority functioning under

the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes consists

of a Chairman and six Members.

The CBDT is a part of the Department of

Revenue in the Ministry of Finance,

Government of India.

The CBDT Chairman and Members of

CBDT are selected from Indian Revenue

Service (IRS), a premier civil service of

India, whose members constitute the top

management of Income Tax Department.

Capital Gains Tax

Economics

August 2019

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Capital gains tax is a levy assessed

on the positive difference between the

sale price of the asset and its original

purchase price.

The capital gains tax, which can be

both short-term or long-term.

Long-term Capital Gains Tax: It is a

levy on the profits from the sale of

assets held for more than a year

Short-term Capital Gains Tax: It

applies to assets held for a year or

less and is taxed as ordinary income.

ITAT

Economics

August 2019

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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) is a

quasi-judicial institution set up in 1941

and specializes in dealing with appeals

under the Direct Taxes Acts.

The orders passed by the ITAT are final,

an appeal lies to the High Court only if a

substantial question of law arises for

determination.

Starting in 1941 with six Members

constituting three Benches – one each at

Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Mumbai

(Bombay), the numbers of Benches have

progressively increased and presently

ITAT has 63 Benches.

WPI

Economics

August 2019

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The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is

published by the Office of

Economic Adviser, Ministry of

Commerce and Industry.

It is prepared monthly with base

year 2011-12.

In the WPI index weightage of

• Primary Articles -22.62%

• Fuel and Power -13.15%

•Manufactured Products - 64.23%

New Development Bank

Economics

August 2019

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The New Development Bank (NDB),

formerly referred to as the BRICS

Development Bank, is a multilateral

development bank established by

the BRICS states.

It is headquartered in Shanghai,

China.

All members of the United Nations

could be members of the bank;

however the share of the BRICS

nations can never be less than 55%

of voting power.

Depository Receipts

Economics

August 2019

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A Depositary Receipt (DR) is a negotiable

certificate issued by a bank representing

shares in a foreign company traded on a

local stock exchange.

The depositary receipt gives investors the

opportunity to hold shares in the equity

of foreign countries and gives them an

alternative to trading on an international

market.

Depositary receipts allow investors to

diversify their portfolios and purchase

shares in foreign companies in a more

convenient and less expensive manner

than purchasing stocks in foreign

markets.

NEFT

Economics

August 2019

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National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)

is an electronic funds transfer system

which enables bank customers in India to

transfer funds between any two bank

accounts on a one-to-one basis.

RBI has announced that the NEFT

platform will be available on a 24X7

basis from December 2019, helping

transfer funds even during weekends.

The minimum amount transferred can

be as low as Rs.1 and there is no

maximum amount assigned by the RBI

for NEFT Transactions and the receiver

gets the money between two and 24

hours.

BrahMos Missile

Security

August 2019

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BrahMos cruise missile is a two-stage

Supersonic cruise missile, Designed

and developed by BrahMos Aerospace,

a joint venture of India and Russia.

It operates on fire and forget principal

& Capable of being launched from

land, sea, sub-sea and air against sea

and land targets.

Carrying capacity : 300 Kg.

Speed : Mach 3.

Max Range: 290 Km.

(Its range was extended to 450 km and

plan is to increase it to 600km)

QRSAM

Security

August 2019

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Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile

(QRSAM) has been developed by DRDO

for the India Army for search and track

on move capability with very short

reaction time.

QRSAM uses solid-fuel propellant and

has a range of 25-30 km.

It is a sophisticated all-weather and all-

terrain missile.

It is equipped with electronic counter

measures against jamming by aircraft

radars.

NGMMC Batteries

Security

August 2019

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Next Generation Maritime Mobile

Coastal Batteries (NGMMCB,

LongRange) would be fitted with

supersonic BrahMos surface-to-surface

cruise missiles and would be deployed

along the coast.

The NGMMCB has been developed and

manufactured in India by Indo-Russia

Joint Venture Company, M/s BrahMos

Aerospace Private Limited.

Both these indigenously developed

equipment are of the latest generation

and would give a fillip to the Make-in-

India initiatives of the Government.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Security

August 2019

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Defence Acquisition Council

(DAC) is Defence Ministry’s

highest decision making body for

capital acquisition proposals

forwarded by the Indian armed

forces.

DAC was set up in 2001 as part of

the post-Kargil reforms in defence

sector.

It recommends all big capital

defence purchases for approval of

the Cabinet committee on security

(CCS) headed by Prime Minister.

NLFT

Security

August 2019

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National Liberation Front of Twipra

(NLFT) has been banned under the

UAPA since 1997 and has been

involved in violence, operating from

their camps across the international

border.

The key objective of the insurgent

group was to liberate Tripura from he

Centre and not to give any political and

rights or power to Bengalis.

Peace talks with NLFT were initiated in

2015 and there has been no violence

by NLFT since 2016.

IoT attacks

Security

August 2019

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India has emerged as the ‘most

vulnerable’ to cyber attacks due to the

deployment of Internet of Things (IoT)

systems.

The country also saw a 22% jump in

total number of attacks in the IoT segment

during the quarter ended June.

Globally, cyberattacks increased by 13%

during the same period.

IoT systems related to smart cities,

financial services, and transportation

sectors were the top targets for hackers,

accounting for over 51% of all cyber

attacks registered

Nuclear Command Authority

Security

August 2019

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The Nuclear Command Authority

comprises a Political Council and an

Executive Council.

The Political Council is chaired by the

Prime Minister & it is the sole body

which can authorize the use of

nuclear weapons.

The Executive Council is chaired by

the National Security Advisor &

provides inputs for decision making

by the Nuclear Command Authority

and executes the directives given to it

by the Political Council.

Ordnance Factory Board

Security

August 2019

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Ordnance Factory Board is

situated in Kolkata.

It is under Ministry of

Defence.

The ordnance factories form an

integrated base for indigenous

production of defence

hardware and equipment, with

the primary objective of self

reliance in equipping the

armed forces with state of the

art battlefield equipments.

Changthangi Goats

Geography

August 2019

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The Changthangi or Pashmina goat, is a

special breed of goat indigenous to the high

altitude regions of Ladakh in Jammu and

Kashmir.

The Changthangi goat grows a thick, warn

undercoat which is the source of Kashmir

Pashmina wool – the world’s finest cashmere

measuring between 12-15 microns in fiber

thickness.

These goats are generally domesticated and

reared by nomadic communities called the

Changpa in the Changthang region of Greater

Ladakh.

The Changthangi goats have revitalized the

economy of Changthang, Leh and Ladakh

region.

Asiatic Lion

Geography

August 2019

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Asiatic Lion is one of the five

pantherine cats inhabiting India.

Until the 19th century, it occurred

in eastern Turkey, Iran, Mesopotamia,

and from east of the Indus

River to Bengal and Narmada River in

Central India.

Since the turn of the 20th century, it

is restricted to the Gir Forest National

Park and surrounding areas.

It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife

(Protection) Act 1972, in Appendix I

of CITES and as Endangered on IUCN

Red List

Pench Tiger Reserve

Geography

August 2019

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Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya

Pradesh) is one of the major

protected areas of Satpura-

Maikal ranges of the central

highlands, which is among

most important tiger habitats of

the world.

Pench Tiger Reserve comprises

the Indira Priyadarshini Pench

National Park, the Pench

Mowgli Sanctuary and a buffer.

It derives its name from its life

line-the River Pench.

Kajin Sara Lake

Geography

August 2019

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The Kajin Sara lake is

located at a height of 5,200

metres at Singarkharka in

Chame rural municipality.

It called Singar locally is

said to have formed out of

the water melted from the

Himalayas.

Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary

Geography

August 2019

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Location – Madhya Pradesh.

It is a potential site for the Cheetah

Reintroduction Programme in India.

Cheetahs being translocated from

Namibia.

The Supreme Court recently

appeared willing to green light

National Tiger Conservation

Authority’s proposal to

experimentally introduce

African cheetahs in Indian jungles.

Kala-Azar

Science & Technology

August 2019

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Kala-azar also known as black fever is

caused by the leishmania parasite which is

transmitted by the bites from female

sandflies.

It is characterized by irregular bouts of

fever, substantial weight loss, swelling of

the spleen and liver, and anaemia.

It belongs to Neglected Tropical Disease

(NTD) family of diseases which affect

poorest populations.

It is endemic to Indian subcontinent in 119

districts in four countries (Bangladesh,

Bhutan, India and Nepal).

Canine Distemper Virus


August 2019

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Canine distemper is a contagious

and serious disease caused by a

virus.

CDV attacks the respiratory,

gastrointestinal and nervous

systems of puppies and dogs.

It can be transmitted from CDV-

infected dogs living in and around

wildlife sanctuaries.

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)

caused deaths of Asiatic lions in Gir

forest.

Leprosy


August 2019

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Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease

caused by Mycobacterium leprae.

It usually affects the skin and

peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of

the upper respiratory tract and the

eyes.

The disease is characterized by long

incubation period generally 5-7 years.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of

cases, before nerve damage has

occurred, is the most effective way of

preventing disability due to leprosy.

Genome India Initiative


August 2019

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The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) plans

to scan nearly 20,000 Indian genomes over

five years, in a two-phase exercise, and

develop diagnostic tests that can be used for

cancer.

These data would be compared using

machine learning to identify genes that can

predict cancer risk, as well as other diseases

that could be significantly influenced by

genetic anomalies.

22 institutions, including those from the CSIR

and the DBT would be involved in the

exercise.

The data generated would be accessible to

researchers anywhere.

Seed Ball Technique


August 2019

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A seed ball (or seed bomb) is a seed

that has been wrapped in soil materials,

usually a mixture of clay and compost,

and then dried.

It is helpful when one cannot enter

certain areas due to topographical

hindrances.

Seed Balls Mission aims to overcome

the shortage of green cover in Punjab.

The programme is being mentored by a

Talwara-based cooperative society,

‘Unati’ and is supported by the Punjab

Forest Department.

SSLV


August 2019

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Small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV)

a new mini-rocket launcher designed

and built by the ISRO for launching

small satellites.

SSLV rockets are capable of putting a

payload of 500 kg to mid-inclination

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 300 kg to

Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), making

it ideal for launching small satellites.

SSLV is perfectly suited for launching

multiple micro-satellites at a time

& can be assembled both vertically

and horizontally.

Pretomanid


August 2019

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Pretomanid is only the third

new anti-TB drug approved for use

by FDA in more than 40 years.

Pretomanid is novel compound

developed by New York-based non-

profit organisation TB Alliance.

This three-drug regimen is

collectively known as BPaL regimen

and it can cure highly drug-resistant

strains of tuberculosis by drastically

shortening treatment period.

Fedor


August 2019

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Final Experimental Demonstration

Object Research (Fedor), also

known as known as Skybot F850,

a life-size humanoid robot is the

first ever sent up by Russia.

Fedor will spend 10 days learning

to assist astronauts on the

International Space Station.

Fedor copies human movements, a

key skill that allows it to remotely

help astronauts or even people on

Earth carry out tasks while they are

strapped into an exoskeleton.

Khare Crater


August 2019

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The Khare crater was among the 14

Pluto features christened by

the International Astronomical

Union (IAU) on the basis of a

proposal from NASA’s New

Horizons team.

This is the second round of

nomenclature for Pluto features.

In the first round in 2017, IAU used

the names of Everest pioneers

Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund

Hillary to describe two mountains on

the icy dwarf planet.

Tuberculosis


August 2019

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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria

(Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that

most often affect the lungs.

TB is spread from person to person

through the air.

Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is

among the health targets of the newly

adopted Sustainable Development

Goals of WHO.

Swasth E- Gurukul is a media

campaign of the WHO to educate the

masses about TB and its prevention.

Escherichia Coli


August 2019

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Escherichia Coli is a bacterium that is

commonly found in the gut of

humans and other warm-blooded

animals & it can cause severe

foodborne disease.

Symptoms: Include abdominal

cramps and diarrhoea (may be

bloody), Fever and vomiting may

also occur.

Most patients recover within 10

days, although in a few cases the

disease may become life-

threatening.

EVD


August 2019

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Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as

Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a rare but severe,

often fatal illness in humans.

It was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic

Republic of Congo (DRC).

Transmission:

The virus is transmitted to people from wild

animals and spreads in the human population

through human-to-human transmission

via direct contact.

Symptoms:

Fever, Fatigue, Muscle pain, Headache, Sore

throat.

Community engagement is key to successfully

controlling outbreaks.

Benin

International Relations

August 2019

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India offers USD 100 million line of

credit to Benin during President’s

visit.

It is a country in West Africa.

It is bordered by Togo to the

west, Nigeria to the east,

and Burkina Faso and Niger to the

north.

The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo

GSP

International Relations

August 2019

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Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is

a preferential tariff system extended

by developed countries to developing

countries.

It is a preferential arrangement allows

concessional low/zero tariff imports from

developing countries.

The GSP – launch in 1976, by the Trade

Act of 1974.

The GSP is the largest and oldest US trade

preference programme and is designed to

promote economic development by

allowing duty-free entry for thousands of

products from designated beneficiary

countries.

Elephanta Caves

Art & Culture

August 2019

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Elephanta Caves are located on

Elephanta Islands in

Mumbai, Maharashtra.

They are the rock-cut Caves and were

constructed around the mid-5th to 6th

centuries AD.

They are a collection of cave temples

primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva but

also have Buddhist caves.

Elephanta Caves is currently

maintained by the Archaeological

Survey of India (ASI) and are also

a UNESCO World Heritage Site (From

1987).

National Archives of India

Art & Culture

August 2019

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The National Archives of India is

an Attached Office under the

Ministry of Culture.

It was established on 11 March

1891 at Kolkata (Calcutta) as the

Imperial Record Department.

Present building of the National

Archives of India was constructed

in 1926 which was designed by

Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Aadi Mahotsav

Art & Culture

August 2019

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Aadi Mahotsav is a joint initiative

of Ministry of Tribal Affairs & TRIFED.

The theme of the festival is: “A

celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft,

Culture and Commerce”.

Aadi Mahotsav provide opportunities to

tribals for economic growth and

prosperity.

Aadi Mahotsav will also provide an

opportunity to take tribal commerce to

the next level of digital and electronic

transactions.

Mountain Echoes

Art & Culture

August 2019

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Mountain Echoes literary festival is an

initiative of the India Bhutan

Foundation, in association with Siyahi.

It brings together writers, biographers,

historians, environmentalists, scholars,

photographers, poets, musicians,

artists, film-makers to engage in

cultural dialogue, share stories, create

memories and spend three blissful

days in the mountains.

Mountain Echoes enjoys the patronage

of Her Majesty the Royal Queen

Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo

Wangchuck.

Panchamirtham of Palani Temple

Art & Culture

August 2019

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‘Panchamirtham’ of Palani

temple is the first temple

‘prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu

has been bestowed with the

GI tag.

The panchamirtham is a

combination of five natural

substances — Banana,

Jaggery, Cow ghee, Honey

and Cardamom.

Nuclear Suppliers Group

World Affairs

August 2019

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Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group

of nuclear supplier countries that seek to

prevent nuclear proliferation.

It is a 48 member body and the group is

guided by the consensus principle formed

in 1974.

It seeks to control the export and re-

transfer of materials that may be

applicable to nuclear weapon

development.

Signing the Nuclear non-Proliferation

Treaty (NPT) or other nuclear moratoriums

on testing is a pre-requisite for the

membership.

NPT

World Affairs

August 2019

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NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty) is

an international treaty, which

came into force in 1970.

The NPT aims to prevent the

spread of nuclear weapons and

weapons technology, to foster

the peaceful uses of nuclear

energy, and to further the goal

of disarmament.

India, Pakistan, South Sudan and

Israel have also not signed NPT

BRICS

World Affairs

August 2019

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BRICS is the acronym association of

five major emerging national

economies: Brazil, Russia, India,

China and South Africa (All five

are G-20 members).

The Chairmanship of the forum is

rotated annually among the

members, in accordance with the

acronym B-R-I-C-S.

BRICS nations are accountable for

40% of the world population, 30%

of the world GDP.

Basic Countries

World Affairs

August 2019

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BASIC countries are bloc (geopolitical

alliance) of four large newly

industrialized countries – Brazil, South

Africa, India and China, formed

in November 2009.

It is working to define common

position on emission reductions and

climate aid money and try to convince

other countries to sign up to

Copenhagen Accord.

“Brazil, South Africa, India and China

put together has one-third of world’s

geographical area and nearly 40% of

the world’s population.

G7 ( Group of Seven)

World Affairs

August 2019

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The Group of Seven (G7) comprises

seven leading industrialised nations:

the USA, UK, France, Italy, Japan,

Canada and Germany.

In addition, the European Union sends

representatives to all the meetings.

The G7 Summit 2019 in France and in

2020 USA.

The countries in this group have more

than 62% of the global net wealth.

NEO IAS Premium Learning Aid Series · 2019-09-06 · What is Prelims Current Affairs Learning...

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