DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 16 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 16 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      1^ST INDO-US TRI-SERVICES EXERCISE LIKELY TO BE IN INDIA IN 2019

i. 1st Indo-US tri-services exercise likely to be in India in 2019

ii. The first such exercise involving all the 3 forces will be in India, and it will take place in 2019.

iii. It will focus on United Nations-based scenario and the over-arching mission of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief measure.

2.      INDIA ELECTED TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL WITH HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES

i. India was elected to the United Nations’ top human rights body, UNHRC for a period of three years.

ii. This period would commence from January 1, 2019.

iii. India got 188 votes out of 193, the highest number of votes among all candidates.

It is a part of the 18 new members elected in the UN Human Rights Council.

iv. UNHRC:- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland,  India’s Permanent Representative to the UN : Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin,  Members: 47.

3.      PRIYANK KANOONGO APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS

i. Priyank Kanoongo has been appointed the Chairperson of National Commission for ii. Protection of Child Rights by the appointments committee of the cabinet for a term of 3 years.

iii. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

iv. Type – works to safeguard child rights and child related policies of India

Location – New Delhi

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 15 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 15 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      INDIA AND SRI LANKA SIGN TWO MOU FOR CONSTRUSTION OF 1200 HOUSES

i. On October 13, 2018, India and Sri Lanka signed 2 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for construction of 1200 houses.

ii. India and Sri Lanka sign two MoU for construstion of 1200 housesi. It will be done through 50 model villages, using Indian grant assistance of 60 crore Srilankan rupees.

iii. As per the new MoUs, 600 houses each will be constructed in the Southern and Northern Provinces.

iv. It will target low income landless and homeless beneficiaries with additional assistance of 5 lakh Sri Lankan rupees to each in installments, linked to the stages of construction of the house.

v. Indian financial commitment, under grant, for housing in Sri Lanka currently stands at around  350 million US dollars.

vi. And with this, India’s collaboration with Srilankan government under Model Villages Housing Program stands at 2400 houses in 100 model villages.

vii. SRI LANKA:- Capital: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Currency: Sri Lankan rupee.

2.      INDIA REMAINS POLIO FREE, ALL VACCINES USED IN GOVERNMENT IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME SAFE: UNICEF, WHO

i. On October 13, 2018, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced India’s status as a polio-free country.

ii. The risk of children getting vaccine derived poliovirus was “minimal” in India which came up in the backdrop of oral polio vaccine vials being found contaminated with the type-2 polio virus.

iii. They also asserted that all vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) are safe.

iv. This was achieved by high routine immunization coverage being achieved in India under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

v. The India Expert Advisory Group advises the country to conduct mass vaccination campaigns against polio, using bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), to maintain high immunity Background:

vi. Certified polio-free in March 2014, India continues to remain vigilant against all three types of polioviruses. The last polio case due to wild poliovirus in the country was detected on 13 January 2011.

vii. UNICEF: Full Form: United Nations Children’s Fund, Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore, Headquarters: New York, USA, Member: 190 countries.

3.      ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY RELEASES ANALYTICAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE-2018

i. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, released an Analytical Report of the National Health Profile-2018.

ii. It covers demographic, socio-economic, health status and health finance indicators, comprehensive information on health infrastructure and human resources in health.

iii. The Analytical Report of National Health Profile – 2018 indicates the progress made in India in various health related sectors.

iv. The significance of National Health Resource Repository , India’s first ever national healthcare facility registry, was also discussed at the event.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 14 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 14 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      NEW INDUSTRIAL POLICY FRAMED BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE

 i. Ministry of Commerce released The New Industrial Policy framed in consultation with all Ministries of Government of India, State Governments, Industry.

ii. It aims to align India with the emerging technologies of drones, artificial intelligence and block chain.

iii. The policy is in sync with the challenges and opportunities of the 4th industrial revolution technologies and will boost India’s presence in the global supply and value chains.

iv. WEF is also setting up a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Maharashtra.

v. This center will focus on Artificial intelligence, block chain and drones as the first three projects.

2.      4-MEMBER PANEL TO LOOK INTO #ME TOO CASES: UNION MINISTER MANEKA GANDHI PROPOSES

i. Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi announced setting up a four-member committee to examine all #MeToo cases.

ii. The panel would consist of senior judicial and legal persons as members.

iii. They will form a legal and institutional framework which will handle the complaints of sexual harassment and advise the ministry on how to strengthen the policies.

iv. It was placed through “The Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act’ of 2013.

v. Here, women could complain through the She Box ( www.shebox.nic.in)

3.      3 MOBILE APPS I-KHET,E-PEHAL,E-PREVENT LAUNCHED BY PUNJAB TO CHECK STUBBLE BURNING

i. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh launched 3 apps to prevent crop residue burning.

To check and create awareness about environmental effects of crop residue burning.

ii. The apps are: i-Khet Machine ,  e-PEHaL and e-Prevent.

iii. The i-Khet Machine will help facilitate farmers to have access to the agriculture machinery or equipment for in-situ management of crop residue.

iv. The e-PEHaL app will help in monitoring tree plantation.

v. The e-Prevent will have prompt and accurate information about incidents of crop residue burning.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 13 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 13 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      HOME MINISTRY EXEMPTS SIKH WOMEN FROM WEARING HELMET IN CHANDIGARH

i. This decision has been made following the representation of Sikh bodies, led by Shiromani Akali Dal  chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

ii. Home Ministry has directed Chandigarh administration to follow Delhi government’s notification, with an exemption to Sikh women from wearing helmets while driving two-wheelers in Chandigarh.

iii. Delhi government’s transport department notified on June 4, 1999, to carry out the amendment in Rule 115 of Delhi Motor Vehicle Act 1993, which makes it optional for

iv. women whether riding on pillion or driving motorcycle to wear a helmet.

v. The rule has been further amended through a notification on August 28, 2014, in which the word “women” has been replaced by “Sikh women”.

vi. SOME WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN CHANDIGARH:- Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Parrot Bird Sanctuary Chandigarh

2.      PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION 151A OF THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT 1951

i. As per the provisions given in Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Election Commission of India  can fill casual vacancies.

ii. As per the norm, it can fill the casual vacancies in the Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures through bye elections within six months of occurrence of vacancy.

iii. This can only be allowed when the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more.

iv. In the present scenario, the term of sixteenth Lok Sabha is upto 3rd June, 2019.

v. Accordingly, the vacancies occurred in Karnataka have occurred more than one year before the expiration of the term of House which is why bye elections are required to be held under Section 151A of R. P. Act 1951.

vi. Vacancies have occurred from 9-Bellary (ST), 14-Shimoga and 20-Mandya Parliamentary Constituencies of Karnataka on 18th May, 18th May and 21st May, 2018

vii. In case of Andhra Pradesh, there is no need to hold bye elections as the remaining term of the Lok Sabha is less than one year as they have occurred on 20th June, 2018.

3.      2ND JAPAN-INDIA ACT EAST FORUM HELD IN NEW DELHI

i. Both sides agreed to boost cooperation on connectivity projects in the northeast including connectivity to people-to-people exchanges and concrete projects.

ii. It aims to identify specific projects for economic modernization of India’s North-East region.

iii. It provides a platform for India-Japan collaboration under India’s “Act East Policy” and Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy”.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 12 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 12 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      GOVERNMENT CUTS EXCISE DUTY ON JET FUEL TO 11 % FROM CURRENT 14 %

i. The government reduced excise duty on jet fuel to 11 % from current 14 % inorder to help the aviation industry that has been affected badly by high fuel prices.

ii. The Revenue Department of the Finance Ministry has notified that the excise duty on aviation turbine fuel  change will come to effect from 12th October 2018.

2.      FIRST INDIA-ISRAEL INNOVATION CENTRE OPENS IN BENGALURU

i. India’s first India-Israel Innovation Centre  an entrepreneurial technology hub, was launched in Bengaluru.

ii. It  will help Israeli companies enter India. It will enable local partnerships and joint ventures between companies from India and Israel.

iii. It will create an ecosystem to support entrepreneurship, partnership with vendors, mentoring and non-formal community development and covers business, technology, investors and customers.

3.      DELHI, MOSCOW SIGN TWIN-CITY AGREEMENT

i. Delhi government signed a twin-city agreement with the government of Moscow for cooperation in various fields like environment, culture and education, for the next 3 years.

ii. The two governments have mutually agreed to extend  help in environmental protection and air pollution control, cultural and tourism, healthcare, education, sports, transport management and e-governance.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 11 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 11 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES 29TH ACCOUNTANTS GENERAL CONFERENCE

i. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 29th Accountants General Conference at the Comptroller and Auditor General building, at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, in New Delhi.

ii. The theme of this year’s conference is: “Auditing and Accounting in a Digital Era”.

iii. This conference provides an opportunity to discuss on efforts needed to enhance accountability, transparency and good governance.

iv.  ABOUT COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL:- CAG of India – Rajiv Mehrishi

CAG was established by Article 148 of the Indian Constitution.

2.      MEDWATCH’: MOBILE HEALTH APP FOR CITIZENS OF INDIA LAUNCHED BY IAF ON AIR FORCE DAY

i. The Indian Air Force, on its 86th anniversary, announced an innovative mobile health App named ‘MedWatch’ .

ii. The objective is to provide health information to airwarriors and all citizens of India.

iii. It is in sync with Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Digital India, Ayushman Bharat and Mission Indradhanush’.

iv. It has features like:Information on basic First Aid, Health topics and Nutritional Facts;Reminders for timely Medical Review, Vaccination and Utility tools like Health Record Card, BMI calculator, helpline numbers and web links.

3.      INDIA RANKED 147^TH IN OXFAM WORLD INEQUALITY INDEX

i. UK-based charity ‘Oxfam International’s report named ‘Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index was released.

ii. India ranked 147th among 157 countries analysed and was labeled a “a very worrying situation” with respect to the rising inequality in the country.

iii. Government spending on health, education and social protection is low which is more subsidized to the private sector.

iv. Denmark topped the list based on its high and progressive taxation, high social spending and good protection of workers.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 10 OCT 2018

                                    DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 10 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      ‘2ND WORLD CONFERENCE ON ACCESS TO MEDICAL PRODUCTS: ACHIEVING THE SDGS 2030’ INAUGURATED BY SHRI J P NADDA

i. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda inaugurated ‘2nd World Conference on Access to Medical Products: Achieving the SDGs 2030’ in New Delhi.

ii. The objectives of the conference is working on recommendations from the 1st World iii. Conference 2017, work on medical products in the context of SDGs of WHO,Accelerating research and innovation.

iv. It also highlighted the importance of traditional medical system in achieving the health goals. The National Health Policy 2017 was also discussed.

2.      EAM SUSHMA SWARAJ LAUNCHED ‘INDIA FOR HUMANITY’ INITIATIVE IN NEW DELHI

i. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj launched ‘India for Humanity’ initiative in New Delhi.

ii. It is a part of 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi being held over the next one year.

iii. This initiative comprises of a year-long series of artificial limb fitment camps in a number of countries spanning the globe fully sponsored by Ministry.

3.      20-MEMBER ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION (PREVENTION AND CONTROL) AUTHORITY RECONSTITUTED BY GOVERNMENT

i. Centre reconstituted 20-member Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority or the EPCA

ii. The objective is to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region

The authority is headed by Former secretary Bhure Lal.

iii. Ajay Mathur, Arunabha Ghosh, Navroz K. Dubash,  and Vishnu Mathur are some other important members

iv. EPCA is Supreme Court mandated body tasked with taking various measures to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 9 OCT 2018

                                            DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 9 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      JIMEX 18’: 3RD EDITION OF INDIA-JAPAN BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE BEGAN AT VISAKHAPATNAM

i. ‘JIMEX 18’: 3rd edition of India-Japan bilateral maritime exercise began at Visakhapatnami.

ii. JIMEX-18 is aimed to enhance interoperability, improve understanding and imbibe the best practices of each other.

iii. The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in Dec 2013 off Chennai.

2.      TASK FORCE LAUNCHED TO ADDRESS SKILL GAPS IN INDIA: MOSD&E AND WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

i. A  task force was constituted by the Union ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship in collaboration with World Economic Forum for addressing the skill gap in the country.

ii. This task force is called: Closing the Skills Gap Task Force in India .

This is the second country-led public-private collaboration of the World Economic Forum’s Closing the Skills Gap Project after South Africa.

iii. The task force would bring together various leaders from different sectors like business, government, education and Working on promoting education and training systems in the country.

3.      “QUINTERO ONE”: WORLD’S FIRST FULL-SCALE HYPERLOOP PASSENGER CAPSULE UNVEILED

i. US-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies or HyperloopTT launched the first full-scale transportation capsule which will be operational in 2019.

ii. The name of the capsule is: “Quintero One”.

It was constructed completely out of a specially made dual-layer smart composite material called  “Vibranium” made by HyperloopTT.

iii. It can move at speeds of more than 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) per hour and has a capacity to hold 30 to 40 passengers at a time.

iv. Andhra Pradesh signed Mou with HyperloopTT o set up the Hyperloop transportation system connecting Anantapur, Amaravati, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 8 OCT 2018

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 8 OCT 2018

(DAILY NEWS INDIA)

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1.      RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN’S 2-DAY VISIT TO INDIA 2018

I. Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi commencing his on two-day visit to India.

II. The Russian President attended the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit 2018 in New Delhi.

III. India and Russia signed their biggest defence deal in over two decades for Five S-400 air defence systems with worth $5.43 billion ( Rs. 39,000 crore), surface-to-air missile systems

IV. The 2 countries have also set a target of achieving $30 billion bilateral trade by 2025.

V. Indra 2018, joint India-Russia counter-terrorism exercise, to be held in UP in November

VI. The S-400 regiments will be delivered starting 2020 and are likely to be deployed to cover both the Pakistani and Chinese borders.

2.      THE ELECTRONIC TRADING PLATFORMS (RESERVE BANK) DIRECTIONS, 2018’ RELEASED BY RBI

I. RBI issued norms for operating Electronic Trading Platforms to enable transactions in eligible instruments.

II. The Electronic Trading Platforms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018’ called: ‘The Electronic Trading Platforms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018’.

III. ETPs will strictly mean any electronic platform except the stock exchange, where transactions of eligible instruments would take place.

IV. A entity to operate as an ETP, it has to obtain the permission of the RBI beforehand.

V. Furthermore, an entity seeking authorisation as an ETP operator should possess and maintain a minimum net-worth of Rs 5 crore at all times.

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