Hard Facts 05 2017 (May)

Raj Malhotra’s IAS Study Group 

May, 2017 | Hard Facts | Volume 5 / 17 

Hard Facts 

With the civil services examination just eighteen days 

away, we are at Raj Malhotra IAS Study Group are happy 

to introduce Free Giveaway. A set of 12 Mock Tests with 

Explanations and All India Ranking for top 20 alongwith 

Art and Culture Notes and Summary of Down to Earth 

Magazine. To register for this you may visit our website. 

We understand the anxiety amongst many of you 

regarding your level of preparation. We hope that this 

small gesture will go a long way in giving you the much 

morale boost required at this time. To improve the level of 

this magazine we suggest that you read this on your PC or 

laptop as this would contain various videos as well. 

We sincerely hope that this consolidation of resources 

would benefit you all who hail from the elementary to the 

professional level of training at this stage and bring parity 

in your preparation by insinuating a spirit of confidence 

and dedication towards this expedition of unpredictability. 

Wishing you all the best, 

Capt. Munish Kishore 

Content 

Polity & Governance 

… Pg. 2 

International Relations 

…Pg. 7 

Security 

Economy 

Social Issues 

…Pg. 11 

…Pg.16 

…Pg. 24 

Environment & Ecology 

…Pg. 27 

Science & Tech 

Art & Culture 

…Pg. 32 

…Pg. 38 

1 | P a g e # 1 1 1 0 , A d j a c e n t Y M C A , S e c t o r 1 1 - C , C h a n d i g a r h P h : 9 8 1 4 7 - 1 1 6 6 1


Real Estate Act comes into force 

Indian Polity & Governance 

The Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016, the landmark realty law to protect home buyers from 

unscrupulous developers, has become operational nine years after it was conceived. The act was cleared by 

Parliament in March last year. Under the act, states had to notify the rules and set up Real Estate Regulatory 

Authority (RERA) by April 30 but only 13 states and Union Territories (UTs) have so far notified rules. 

Some of the major provisions of the Act, besides mandatory registration of projects and Real Estate Agents 

include: 

1. 1.Depositing 70% of the funds collected from buyers in a separate bank account in case of new projects 

and 70% of unused funds in case of ongoing projects; 

2. Projects with plot size of minimum 500 sq.mt or 8 apartments shall be registered with Regulatory 

Authorities; 

3. 3.Both developers and buyers to pay the same penal interest of SBI’s Marginal Cost of Lending Rate plus 

2% in case of delays; 

4. 4.Liability of developers for structural defects for five years; and 

5. Imprisonment of up to three years for developers and up to one year in case of agents and buyers for 

violation of orders of Appellate Tribunals and Regulatory Authorities. 

6. Real Estate Appellate Tribunals to be set up in every state. 

If you are reading this as pdf then Click Here to watch the Video File above 



Maharashtra CM inaugurates state’s first automatic weather station in Nagpur 

As an effective measure towards understanding weather cycles and crop patterns that would benefit farmers, 

Automated Weather Stations or AWS, will be set up across the state this year. Close to 2,065 such stations will 

come up in the state on PPP (public private partnership) models within this year and 1,000 of these will be set 

up by June. The state government has collaborated with Skymet Weather Private Ltd, a private weather 

forecasting firm, for the project Mahavedh under which a network of AWS will be launched. 

So, an AWS is an automated version of the traditional weather station, basically created to save human labour 

or to enable measurements from remote areas. It typically consists of a weatherproof enclosure that contains a 

data logger, rechargeable battery and the meteorological sensors with either an attached solar panel or wind 

turbine and mounted upon a mast. The system may report in near real time via a set telecommunication system 

or save the data for later recovery. 

So how is this going to benefit a farmer? 

The AWS will be helpful in measuring the accuracy in rain pattern, humidity and expected rainfall also including 

informing about the best crop for the farmers. The gathered information will be shared to the farmers through 

the Mahavedh portal, the state’s agriculture-weather information network as well as the Skymet mobile 

application. The farmers, based on the information provided by the AWS, can go ahead with the sowing in a 

much better and planned way in accordance to the weather conditions. The role of the weather station will be 

significant since the Indian Meteorological Department or IMD forecast pertains only to zones and not taluks. 

Mumbai-Goa Tejas Express 

The much-awaited Tejas Express, which boasts of several modern facilities onboard like LED TV and tea/coffee 

vending machine, will be flagged off from Mumbai for Goa on May 22. Equipped with CCTV cameras besides 

smoke and fire detection system, the 19-coach Tejas train will have bio- vacuum toilets and GPS-based 

passenger information display system. Since the train is equipped with better facilities, the fare will also be 

slightly higher as compared to normal mail/express service. There will be comfortable seating arrangements and 

each seat will have LED TV with touch control system and call bell facilities. The 20-coach Tejas Express will be 

the first Indian Railways' train to have automatic doors and secured gangways for all coaches. It would run 

between Mumbai and Karmali (Goa) five days a week during non-monsoon period and three days a week during 

monsoon by halting at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Ratnagiri and Kudal stations. 

Measurement of Liveability Index of cities to begin next month 

Ministry of Urban Development will launch measuring of Liveability Index of cities next month based on 

indigenously evolved Index. This was announced by Shri Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (Urban Development) here 

today while addressing a World Bank organized knowledge sharing workshop on improving accountability for 

local governments. 

To start with, Liveability Standards of 140 cities including 53 cities with population of one million and above and 

Smart Cities will be assessed. The Ministry has already invited bids for selecting the agency for carrying out the 

assessment based on the parameters evolved by the Ministry. The Ministry of Urban Development has come out 



with a detailed document on “Methodology for Collection and Computation of Liveability Standards in Cities” 

for the benefit of States and Cities. 

Cities will be assessed on 15 core parameters relating to Governance, social infrastructure pertaining to 

education, health and safety and security, economic aspects and physical infrastructure like housing, open 

spaces, land use, energy and water availability, solid waste management, pollution etc. Cities will be ranked 

based on Liveability Index that would cover a total of 79 aspects. 

A sense of healthy competition is being promoted among cities and towns in the country to focus their attention 

on improving governance and infrastructure availability. He further said that more than providing funds to State 

and City Governments, Ministry of Urban Development is according priority for incentivizing implementation of 

reforms that have a far reaching impact on governance and service delivery. Government officials and experts 

from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are participating in the workshop for sharing respective 

experiences on decentralization and empowerment of local bodies. 

Supreme Court goes digital with launch of e-filing system 

Filing a case online and tracking its progress at the Supreme Court is now possible, with the debut of Integrated 

Case Management Information System (ICMIS). The system was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 

in an event attended by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and other eminent judges. 

The new system, aimed at serving as a digital repository for case-related information, can be accessed at 

www.sci.gov.in. Its functions include the option of e-filing cases, checking listing dates, case status, online 

service of notice/summons, office reports and overall tracking of progress of a case filed with the apex court 

registry. It is also proposed that it will operate as an online gateway for payment of court fee and process fee. 

Other features offered under the new system include an online court fee calculator. This is expected to 

streamline the filing process for both the advocates and the registry. it will ensure transparency, provide easy 

access to case information and help in reducing the time in filing pleadings. All records of a particular case—at 

various stages—at the district court or high court will be integrated with the system to offer the complete 

record in digital form. In the future, linking of information on jail inmates and under-trials may be integrated 

into the system. 

Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims worst off, says Indian Exclusion Report 

Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims continue to be the worst-hit communities in terms of exclusion from access to 

public goods, according to the 2016 Indian Exclusion Report (IXR) released by the Centre for Equity Studies (CES) 

in New Delhi. The 2016 Report reviews exclusion with respect to four public goods: pensions for the elderly, 

digital access, agricultural land, and legal justice for undertrials. It also profiles four highly vulnerable groups in 

terms of their access to these goods.Despite the diverse public goods reviewed, the dominant finding of this 

report, like the last one, is that the groups most severely and consistently excluded from provisioning tend to 

the same historically disadvantaged groups: Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, and persons with disabilities and agerelated 

vulnerabilities. 

Meagre land holdings: On the provision of agricultural land as a public good, the IXR found that the pattern of 

land distribution “broadly reflects the socio-economic hierarchy — large landowners invariably belong to the 

upper castes, cultivators to the middle castes, and agricultural workers are largely Dalits and Adivasis.” The rate 

of landlessness was highest among Dalits, at 57.3%. Among Muslims, it was 52.6%, and 56.8% of women-headed 

households were landless. Around 40% of all those displaced by “development activity” were Adivasis. 



Where Dalits, Muslims and women owned land, the holdings were meagre in size, with only 2.08% of Dalit 

households owning more than two hectares of land. Also, the quality of land owned by Dalits was very poor, 

with 58% of it having no irrigation facility. On the subject of digital exclusion, the IXR observed that “almost 

1.063 billion Indians were offline even though India ranks among the top five nations in terms of the total 

number of Internet users”. Poverty and geographic location were the two major barriers to digital access, with 

urban locations enjoying better Internet penetration rates. 

Internet reach: Government initiatives to improve IT access have been riddled with implementation problems 

like poor infrastructure, a lack of adequate institutional frameworks, low literacy in the targeted areas, and poor 

cooperation from government officials. “The Digital India programme aimed to cover 1,00,200 panchayats 

under Phase I by March 2014; but in April 2016, only 48,199 panchayats were covered, and only 6,727 

panchayats had Internet access,” said the CES note, warning that “in the new thrust towards a cashless 

economy, digital exclusion can often also result in financial exclusion.” The IXR also noted with disapproval 

India’s refusal to be a signatory to a non-binding UN Human Rights Council resolution to protect human rights 

on the Internet and said that it signalled a reluctance to incorporate a rights-based approach to access. 

Can appoint Lokpal without LoP, says SC 

The Supreme Court on found the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013 an "eminently workable piece of legislation" 

which provides for the appointment of Lokpal chairperson and members even in the absence of a recognised 

Leader of Opposition (LoP).The judgment goes against the very logic of the government's argument that 

appointments of Lokpal chairperson and members is not currently possible, and would have to wait till the 2013 

Act is amended to replace the LoP with the single largest Opposition party leader. 

Under the 2013 Act, the appointments to Lokpal is made by a high-level selection committee of the Prime 

Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, LoP, Chief Justice of India and an eminent jurist chosen by them. The fact that the 

16th Lok Sabha does not have a recognised LoP — Congress party could not get the required 10% membership 

in the Lok Sabha post 2014 parliamentary elections — had stalled the implementation of the Lokpal Act.Instead, 

the court points to sub-section (2) of Section 4 of the original 2013 Lokpal Act, which makes it clear that an 

appointment of the chairperson or members of Lokpal will not be invalidated merely because one of the 

members of the selection committee — the LoP — is missing. In short, the available members of the Lokpal 

selection committee could very well recommend suitable persons to the President for appointment to Lokpal. 

If an appointment process done by a “truncated” Lokpal Selection Committee is already recognised under the 

2013 Act, why should the government wait for any amendments at all, the Supreme Court asked.But having said 

that, the Supreme Court added that it cannot push the issue any further. It said no matter how strongly the 

populace feels about the imminent need for the Lokpal law and its beneficial effects on the citizenry of a 

democratic country, it cannot overstep its jurisdiction and encroach into the legislative domain. 

Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014, containing the proposed amendments in 

the law has been gathering dust from the date of its introduction in the Parliament on December 18, 2014. 

Though a Parliamentary Standing Committee submitted its report on December 3, 2015, fully supporting the 

amendment to replace the LoP with the single largest Opposition party leader in Lok Sabha, the law is yet to see 

the light of the day. This is despite the fact that India ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption 

way back in May 2011. 



NITI Aayog’s National Development Agenda 

NITI Aayog’s third Governing Council meet was held 

on Sunday morning as PM Narendra Modi, Union 

Ministers and Chief Ministers of all states talked 

about way forward on the developmental front for 

India. During his speech today Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi said, “NITI is a collaborative federal 

body whose strength is in its ideas, rather than in 

administrative or financial control.” Speaking about 

the GST bill, Prime Minister said it reflects the spirit of 

“One nation, One aspiration, One determination.” 

Apart from this, Prime Minister also presented the 

institution’s National Development Agenda and said it 

will benefit all the states. It has been started to 

maintain good governance and best practices in 

sustainable and equitable development, It offers a 

resolution method for inter-sector and interdepartmental 

issues in order to accelerate the 

implementation of the development agenda, To 

achieve the other objectives mentioned by NITI 

Aayog and government. 

The National Development Agenda includes: – 

 

 

 

Vision: A 15-year-long vision between 2017-18 to 2031-32 that combines national goals with 

international sustainable goals. 

Strategy: A 5-year long plan between 2017-18 to 2023-24 to convert border vision into implementable 

policy. 

Action Plan: A three year short-term action plan between 2017-18 to 2019-2020 to translate policies 

into action by 2019. 



International Relations 

India unanimously elected to head UN-Habitat, the United Nations’ Human 

Settlements Programme 

India has been unanimously elected as the President of the UN-Habitat, an organ of the United Nations’ 

Organisation (UNO) that promotes socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements across the 

world, after 10 years. UN-Habitat reports to the United Nations General Assembly. 

Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu will chair the four day meeting of the 

58 member Governing Council of UN-Habitat in Nairobi, Kenya from today. Shri Naidu will preside over the 

deliberations of the Governing Council of UN-Habitat for the next two years. Since the UN-Habitat came into 

being in 1978, It is only the third time that India has been elected to lead this important organization after 2007 

and 1988. 

As an inter-governmental policy making and decision making body, the Governing Council of UN-Habitat seeks 

to promote integral and comprehensive approach to human settlements, assist the countries and regions in 

addressing human settlement problems and strengthen cooperation among all countries on human settlement 

issue. Headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The theme of the 26th Meeting of the Governing Council to be chaired by Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu is 

“Opportunities for effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda” with focus on inclusive, sustainable and 

adequate housing for a better future and planning and financing sustainable urbanization and integrated 

human settlements. The New Urban Agenda was adopted by the world community at Quito, Ecuador last year. 




International Court of Justice stays Kulbhushan Jadhav’s hanging 

The International Court of Justice on Tuesday stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who 

has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of “spying”. The order by the Hague-based 

International Court of Justice came a day after India approached it against the death sentence to Jadhav by 

Pakistan’s Field General Court Martial last month. 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was 

established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.The seat of the 

Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is 

the only one not located in New York (United States of America).The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with 

international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions 

referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.The Court is composed of 15 judges, 

who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security 

Council. It is assisted by a Registry, its administrative organ. Its official languages are English and French. 

China, ASEAN nations agree on draft of South China Sea code of conduct 

China and the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) have agreed on the rough 

outline of a legally binding code of conduct designed to prevent clashes in the strategic South China Sea, officials 

said. The Philippines welcomed the finalisation of the draft of the framework.China was enraged by a ruling last 

year from a Hague tribunal invalidating most of its South China Sea claims in a case brought by the Philippines. 

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has downplayed that ruling as part of his push for a broad improvement in 

relations between the sides since taking office in June that has cast a shadow over Manila’s ties to its longtime 

ally, the United States. 

Despite the thaw in relations, China protested a visit last month by Manila’s defense and military chiefs to a 

disputed island in the South China Sea. The Philippine government maintained that it owns the territory where 

Filipino troops and villagers have lived for decades. China and the members of ASEAN committed 15 years ago 

to signing a code of conduct, but progress has been slow amid disputes over the body of water that China claims 

virtually in its entirety. In the absence of such an agreement, they have followed a separate document called the 

Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DOC, which among other provisions, commits 

the parties to “exploring ways for building trust and confidence ... on the basis of equality and mutual respect.” 

Along with the Philippines, ASEAN members Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei also maintain claims in the South 

China Sea that overlap with those of China and Taiwan. An estimated $5 trillion in global trade annually passes 

through the South China Sea, which is also home to rich fishing grounds and a potential wealth of oil, gas and 

other natural resources. 

One Belt One Road: China-Pakistan warmth, India skips summit 

SIGNALLING ITS strong displeasure at the inclusion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of 

the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, India decided not to send a high-level representative for the Belt and 

Road Forum that begins in China. 

“Regarding the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’, which is being projected as the flagship project of 

the OBOR, the international community is well aware of India’s position. No country can accept a project that 

ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 



official spokesperson Gopal Baglay. “Connectivity projects must be pursued in a manner that respects 

sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. 

Nepal officially inked the One Belt One Belt (OBOR) deal with China on Friday leaving India as the only South- 

Asian country not to be involved in the Asian superpower’s ambitious project. The policy is significant for China 

since it aims to boost domestic growth in the country. Experts have noted that OBOR is also a part of China’s 

strategy for economic diplomacy. Considering China’s exclusion from G7, OBOR policy might just provide China 

an opportunity to continue its economic development. The main reason behind India’s opposition towards the 

policy is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a part of OBOR. Citing sovereignty issues, India 

has raised objections over CPEC projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India’s decision to skip the 

meeting came after a year of bilateral discord over China’s stubborn opposition to India’s entry into the NSG 

and a UN ban against Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad leader Masood Azhar. 


52nd Annual Meeting of African Development Bank-2017 

The 52nd Annual Meetings of the African Development bank are being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 22 to 

26 May 2017. This is the first time that the Annual Meetings of AfDB are being held in India. These Meetings are 

the Bank’s largest annual event and serve to raise the profile of the institution on the global stage. In addition to 

the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, these Meetings will bring together about 3000 delegates and 

participants, and will feature a number of official, knowledge, and side events. The Governors of the Bank are 

from the 54 African regional member countries and 27 non-regional member countries (including India). The 

Annual Meetings provide a unique forum for representatives of government, business, civil society, think-tanks, 

academia and the media – from Africa and beyond – to debate key issues on Africa’s development, and to 

discuss the Bank’s performance in delivering on its mandate. 

The African Development Bank Group or Banque Africaine de Developpment is a multilateral development 

finance institution. It was founded in 1964 and comprises three entities: The African Development Bank, the 



African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. It’s mission is to fight poverty and improve living 

conditions on the continent through promoting the investment of public and private capital in projects and 

programs that are likely to contribute to the economic and social development of the region. It is a financial 

provider to African governments and private companies investing in the regional member countries (RMC). 

While it was originally headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the bank's headquarters moved to Tunis, Tunisia 

in 2003, due to the Ivorian civil war; before returning in September 2014. 



Agni-III missile successfully test-fired off Odisha coast 

Security 

India successfully test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-III from Abdul Kalam Island off the 

Odisha coast. The missile lifted off from Launch Pad No 4 of the Integrated Test Range located on the island at 

9.12 am, sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. 

Agni-III has a strike range of more than 3,000 km and capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear 

warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes. The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant engine. With a 

length of 17 metres, the missile's diameter is 2 metres and weight is around 2,200 kg. The missile was inducted 

in the armed forces in June 2011. Agni-III is a rail mobile system capable missile and can be launched from 

anywhere giving the country intermediate range ballistic missile firepower and greatly extending its power 

projection in the region. 

Indian Army successfully test-fires advanced Block-III version of Brahmos cruise 

missile 

The Indian Army, adding another feather to its cap, successfully test-fired an advanced version of the Brahmos 

land-attack cruise missile in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The test firing of the block–III version of the 

missile demonstrated the weapon’s unmatched lethality of hitting the centre of a designated target with “bull’s 

eye precision. The land-to-land configuration of BrahMosBlock – III was launched from a Mobile Autonomous 

Launcher (MAL) for its full-range, demonstrating the weapon’s unmatched lethality of hitting the centre of a 

designated target with ‘bull’s eye’ precision. The test was the fourth successful launch of the Block -III version of 

BrahMos land attack cruise missile. BrahMos Block-III is a joint Russian-Indian project, which is based on Russian 

P-800 Oniks missile. Block III had advanced guidance and upgraded software, incorporating high manoeuvres at 

multiple points and steep dive from high altitude. 




India successfully test fires nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile 

India successfully test fired its medium-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-ll off the Odisha coast.The 

trial of the surface-to-surface missile was conducted from Launch Complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) in 

the APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore district, said Defence Ministry officials. The Strategic Forces Command 

(SCF), a specially raised missile-handling unit of the Indian Army, carried out the test. 

Agni-II has two solid fuel stages and a Post Boost Vehicle (PBV) integrated into the missile's Re-entry Vehicle 

(RV). The 20-metre missile is a two-stage, solid propelled ballistic missile. It has a strike range of more than 

2,000 km, is 20 metres long, weighs 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1,000 kg. 

29th India- Indonesia Co-Ordinated Patrol (Corpat) Commences 

The 29th series of India–Indonesia CORPAT is scheduled from 09 – 25 May 17 with the opening ceremony being 

conducted from 09 -12 May 17 at Port Blair under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command. The Indonesian 

Naval Ship KRI Sutedi Senoputra has arrived at Haddo Wharf, Port Blair to mark the commencement of the 29th 

series of IND–INDO CORPAT today. An Indonesian Maritime Patrol Aircraft also flew in with the Indonesian 

Naval delegation led by First Admiral Bambang Irwanto to INS Utkrosh, Port Blair. First Admiral Bambang 

Irwanto called on Maj Gen PS Sai, Chief of Staff, Andaman and Nicobar Command and the delegation also 

interacted with Commodore Ashutosh Ridhorkar, the Naval Component Commander. 

Apart from securing the trade sea route, the Coordinated Patrol also serves to enhance mutual understanding 

and inter–operability between the two navies. The CORPAT thus reflects the shared concerns between the two 

countries for a peaceful Indian Ocean for the benefit of international community. 

The close defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing steadily with regular joint activities 

and exchanges of personnel between the Armed Forces of the two countries. Under the broad ambit of this 

strategic partnership, Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and the Indian Navy have been carrying out coordinated 

patrolling twice a year since 2002 near the International Maritime Boundary Line to keep this part of the Indian 

Ocean region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade. 

India's first Pvt sector small arms manufacturing plant 

India's first private sector small arms manufacturing plant was today inaugurated here which will supply world 

class weapons to the armed forces in sync with the country's defence indigenisation programme. The plant, a 

joint venture between India's Punj Lloyd and Israel Weapon Systems, will produce four products -- X95 carbine 

and assault rifle, Galil sniper rifle, Tavor assault rifle and Negev Light Machine Gun (LMG). The commissioning of 

the plant comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel during which a number of 

mega defence deals are likely to be sealed. 

India is the largest buyer of Israel's military hardware and the latter has been supplying various weapon 

systems, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles over the last few years but the transactions have largely 

remained behind the curtains. Israel Ministry of Defence said his country will continue to support transfer of 

technology to India for defence production. It will help the armed forces replace their weapons with 

sophisticated and high precision products. the armymen will use weapons produced in Chambal area to fight 

with the enemy. Chambal area was once known presence of large number of dacoits and gangsters. 




Army brings back cordon and search operations as part of counter-terror ops in 

Kashmir 

Signalling an aggressive stance, The Army has decided to re-introduce cordon and search operations (CASO) as a 

“permanent feature” of its campaign against militants, nearly 15 years after the practice was abandoned. 

Army sources said CASO will be carried out in a major way in militancy-hit areas of Kulgam, Pulwama, Tral, 

Budgam and Shopian in south Kashmir. CASO will be a permanent feature as part of counter-terror operations 

after a gap of 15 years. The Army had discontinued CASO following stiff opposition from the local population 

and after 2001 launched cordon and search operations only on specific intelligence-based inputs. The security 

establishment felt that CASO had alienated the local population from the armed forces due to difficulties people 

faced during such operations. The decision to re-introduce CASO as a major feature of the counter-terror 

operations comes against the backdrop of anger over the recent killing of young and unarmed Kashmiri Army 

officer Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz in Shopian by militants. 

Tejas Successfully Test Fires Derby Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range Missile 

Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft today successfully demonstrated an Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) 

missile firing capability by releasing Derby Air-to-Air BVR missile in RADAR guided mode. The missile launch was 

performed in Lock ON after Launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target was destroyed. 

The objective of the test was to assess the Derby integration with aircraft systems on-board Tejas including the 

aircraft avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and Missile Weapon Delivery System and to verify its 

performance. The test was conducted on a Manoeuvrable Aerial Target at the Interim Test Range (ITR), 

Chandipur. The sensors at ITR also tracked the target and missile. A safe separation was followed by missile 

guidance towards RADAR acquired target. The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems 

performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it. The 

test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities 

on LCA aircraft for FOC. 



India gets first artillery guns in 30 years 

India on Thursday received its first artillery guns in almost 30 years after the Bofors scandal unfolded in the late 

1980s, hitting the modernisation of the Indian Army. The two M777s that arrived in New Delhi are part of a 

$750-million contract with the United States for 145 ultra-light howitzers. The contract was signed in November 

2016. Here are five things you should know about the new guns: 

• Make in India: The two guns are part of the 25 ready-built weapons that will be supplied by the US over 

the next two years. The remaining 120 howitzers will be produced in the country under the Modi 

government’s ambitious Make in India initiative. Manufactured by BAE Systems, the guns will be built in 

India in collaboration with Mahindra Defence. Forty Indian companies will be eligible to be a part of the 

supply chain. 

• Capability: The 155 mm/39-caliber howitzers have been bought to increase the army’s capabilities in high 

altitude. The M777s will be deployed in the northern and eastern sectors. The army’s new mountain 

strike corps, being raised in West Bengal’s Panagarh, will be equipped with the new guns. Aimed at 

countering China in the Northeast, the government will spend around Rs 40,000 crore on the new corps 

that is likely to be fully operational by 2025. 

• Ultra-light: The howitzers weigh only 4,218 kg, providing them superior tactical mobility. In contrast, 

155mm towed howitzers weigh twice as much. The howitzers can be underslung from helicopters and 

swiftly deployed at high-altitude areas. The M777s are built with titanium and aluminum alloys. The guns 

have been bought under the foreign military sales programme of the US government. 

• Field results: More than 1,090 M777s are in service globally. The howitzers have been used during 

operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. India will be the latest user of the howitzers operated by the US, 

Australian and Canadian militaries for accurate artillery fire support. The two guns that arrived on 

Thursday will be taken to Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan for trials. 

• More guns: The M777s will be followed by new 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled guns. Private 

sector defence major Larsen & Toubro and South Korea’s Hanwha Techwin (HTW) on April 21 signed a 

$720-million contract for the artillery gun programme. The army will be supplied 100 K9 VAJRA-T guns. 

L&T plans to begin production of the guns at Talegaon near Pune in Maharashtra and is expected to 

deliver them within three years. 




Bilateral Exercise Between Indian & Republic Of Singapore Navy Simbex-17 

Commences 

As part of "SIMBEX-17’, the ongoing Bilateral Naval Exercise between Navies of the Republic of Singapore and 

India, lndian Naval Ships Shivalik, Sahyadri, Jyoti and Kamorta and one P8-I Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine 

Warfare Aircraft are participating. While INS Sahyadri and INS Kamorta are at Singapore since 12 May 2017, INS 

Shivalik and INS Jyoti would be joining directly for the sea phase of the exercise. The ships are under the 

command of Rear Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, YSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. 

SIMBEX is an acronym for “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercises”. Bilateral cooperation between 

Singapore and India was first formalised when RSN ships began training with the Indian Navy in 1994. This year’s 

edition of SIMBEX-17 being held in the South China Sea would be the 24th in the series and is aimed to increase 

interoperability between the RSN and IN as well as develop common understanding and procedures for 

maritime security operations. The scope of the current exercise includes wide-ranging professional interactions 

during the Harbour Phase scheduled from 18 May to 20 May and a diverse range of operational activities at sea 

during the Sea Phase to be held from 21 May to 24 May. The thrust of exercises at sea this year would be on 

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), integrated operations with Surface, Air and Sub-surface forces, Air Defence and 

Surface Encounter Exercises. 

During SlMBEX-17, the Singapore Navy is represented by RSN Ships Supreme, Formidable and Victory and 

Maritime Patrol Aircraft Fokker F50 in addition to the RSAF F-16 aircraft. The two navies share a long standing 

relationship with regular professional interactions that include exchange programs, staff talks and training 

courses. Singapore Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Lai Chung Han had earlier visited ENC and participated in lFR-16 

held in February last year in the City of Destiny, Visakhapatnam. RSS Formidable and a Fokker F 50 aircraft 

participated in SlMBEX-16 which was held at Visakhapatnam and in Bay of Bengal. 



ARCs must have minimum net corpus of Rs 100 cr by 2019: RBI 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said all the existing asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) must have 

a minimum corpus of Rs100 crore by March 2019. As per amended Sarfaesi Act, 2016, no ARC can commence 

or carry on the business of securitisation or asset reconstruction without having net owned fund of not less than 

Rs2 crore or such other higher amount as the RBI may, by notification, specify. RBI notification said the existing 

ARCs not meeting the minimum NOF criteria have been asked by RBI to achieve the minimum NOF of Rs100 

crore latest by 31 March 2019. In its last bi-monthly monetary policy, RBI had proposed to stipulate a minimum 

NOF of Rs100 crore for ARCs in view of their enhanced role and greater cash based transactions. 

The government as well as RBI have envisaged a greater role for ARCs in resolving the stressed assets issue of 

the Indian banking system. These companies are in the business of buying bad loans from banks to turn them 

around. Asset Reconstruction companies (ARCs) ARC is a company registered under Section 3 of the 

Securitization and reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002. 

ARCs are regulated by the RBI. Narsimham Committee – II (1998) proposed setting up of ARCs on the similar 

lines with that of asset management companies present globally. The main advantage of ARCs is they help the 

banks to concentrate on normal banking operations rather than dealing with stressed assets. 

Cabinet approves New Central Sector Scheme – SAMPADA 

Economy 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime 

Minister has given its approval for re-structuring the schemes of the 

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under new Central Sector 

Scheme – SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and 

Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) for the period 2016-20 

coterminous with the 14th Finance Commission cycle. SAMPADA with an 

allocation of Rs. 6,000 crore is expected to leverage investment of Rs. 

31,400 crore, handling of 334 lakh MT agro-produce valuing Rs. 1,04,125 

crore, benefit 20 lakh farmers and generate 5,30,500 direct/ indirect 

employment in the country by the year 2019-20. 

The objective of SAMPADA is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agriwaste. 

SAMPADA is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes of the Ministry like Mega Food Parks, 

Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, etc. 

and also new schemes like Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward 

Linkages, Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities. It includes new schemes of 

Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages and Creation / 

Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities aim at development of modern infrastructure to 

encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach, provide effective and 

seamless backward and forward integration for processed food industry by plugging gaps in supply chain and 



creation of processing and preservation capacities and modernization/ expansion of existing food processing 

units. Implementation will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management 

from farm gate to retail outlet. It will create huge employment opportunities especially in the rural areas. It will 

also help in reducing wastage of agricultural produce, availability of safe and convenient processed foods at 

affordable price to consumers and enhancing the export of processed foods. 

Background: Food Processing Sector has emerged as an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of 

its contribution to GDP, employment and investment. During 2015-16, the sector constituted as much as 9.1 

and 8.6 per cent of GVA in Manufacturing and Agriculture sector respectively. 

Government has taken various other measures to boost food processing sector as follows: 

a) To provide impetus to investment in food processing and retail sector, govt. has allowed 100% FDI in 

trading including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and / or produced in 

India. This will benefit farmers immensely and will create back – end infrastructure and significant 

employment opportunities. 

b) The govt. has also set up a Special Fund of Rs. 2000 crore in NABARD to make available affordable credit 

at concessional rate of interest to designated food parks and agro processing units in the designated 

food parks. 

c) Food and agro–based processing units and cold chain infrastructure have been brought under the ambit 

of Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to provide additional credit for food processing activities and 

infrastructure thereby, boosting food processing, reducing wastage, create employment and increasing 

farmers’ income. 

Cabinet approves National Steel Policy 2017 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for National Steel 

Policy (NSP) 2017. The new Steel Policy enshrines the long term vision of the Government to give impetus to the 

steel sector. It seeks to enhance domestic steel consumption and ensure high quality steel production and 

create a technologically advanced and globally competitive steel industry. 

Key features of the NSP 2017: 

1. Create self-sufficiency in steel production by providing policy support & guidance to private 

manufacturers, MSME steel producers. 

2. Encourage adequate capacity additions, 

3. Development of globally competitive steel manufacturing capabilities, 

4. Cost-efficient production 

5. Domestic availability of iron ore, coking coal & natural gas, 

6. Facilitating foreign investment 

7. Asset acquisitions of raw materials & 

8. Enhancing the domestic steel demand. 

The policy projects crude steel capacity of 300 million tonnes (MT), production of 255 MT and a robust finished 

steel per capita consumption of 158 Kgs by 2030 - 31, as against the current consumption of 61 Kgs. The policy 

also envisages to domestically meet the entire demand of high grade automotive steel, electrical steel, special 

steels and alloys for strategic applications and increase domestic availability of washed coking coal so as to 

reduce import dependence on coking coal from about 85% to around 65% by 2030-31. 



Some highlights of New Steel Policy 

The Indian steel sector has grown rapidly over the past few years and presently it is the third largest steel 

producer globally, contributing to about 2% of the country's GDP. India has also crossed 100 MT mark for 

production for sale in 2016-17. The New Steel Policy, 2017 aspires to achieve 300MT of steel-making capacity by 

2030. This would translate into additional investment of Rs. 10 lakh Crore by 2030-31. The Policy seeks to 

increase consumption of steel and major segments are infrastructure, automobiles and housing. New Steel 

Policy seeks to increase per capita steel consumption to the level of 160 Kgs by 2030 from existing level of 

around 60 Kg. Potential of MSME steel sector has been recognised. Policy stipulates that adoption of energy 

efficient technologies in the MSME steel sector will be encouraged to improve the overall productivity & reduce 

energy intensity. Steel Ministry will facilitate R&D in the sector through the establishment of Steel Research and 

Technology Mission of India (SRTMI). The initiative is aimed to spearhead R&D of national importance in iron & 

steel sector utilizing tripartite synergy amongst industry, national R&D laboratories and academic institutes. 

Ministry through policy measures will ensure availability of raw materials like Iron ore, Coking coal and noncoking 

coal, Natural gas etc. at competitive rates. With the roll out of the National Steel Policy-2017, it is 

envisaged that the industry will be steered in creating an environment for promoting domestic steel and 

thereby ensuring a scenario where production meets the anticipated pace of growth in consumption, through a 

technologically advanced and globally competitive steel industry. This will be facilitated by Ministry of Steel, in 

coordination with relevant Ministries, as may be required. 

Background: 

Steel is one of the most important products in the modern world and forms the backbone to any industrial 

economy. India being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and steel finding its extensive 

application right from construction, infrastructure, power, aerospace and industrial machinery to consumer 

products, the sector is of strategic importance to the country. The Indian steel sector has grown exponentially 

over the past few years to be the third largest producer of steel globally, contributing to about 2% of the 

country's GDP and employing about 5 lakh people directly and about 20 lakh people indirectly. Untapped 

potential with a strong policy support becomes the ideal platform for growth. Owing to the strategic importance 

of the sector along with the need to have a robust and restructured policy in present scenario, the new NSP, 

2017 became imminent. 




RBI tightens JLF rules, directs banks not to break any norms, threatens to impose 

penalties 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) moved to make the joint lenders’ forum (JLF) more effective, directing banks to 

not break any rules and to meet all deadlines. The regulator said any breach of rules would attract a monetary 

penalty. 

JLFs are meetings at which banks attempt to red-flag stress early and work to try and keep it in check by putting 

in place a corrective action plan (CAP). Although the mechanism has been place for some time now, decisions 

have been few and far between thanks to disagreements between lenders. 

With a view to facilitating consensus, the RBI lowered the threshold needed for implementing a CAP — 

decisions agreed to by a minimum of 60% of creditors by value and 50% of creditors by number will now be 

valid. Earlier, 75% of the lenders by value and 60% by number needed to sign off on a CAP. Once a decision was 

taken, the RBI said, it would be binding on all the others and must be implemented without any additional 

conditionalities. If a lender wanted to exit, it could do so by resorting to the substitution option but if it failed to 

exit within the given time, it would need to go along with the decision taken. 

Corrective Action Plan (CAP) by JLF 

The JLF may explore various options to resolve the stress in the account. The intention is not to encourage a 

particular resolution option, e.g. restructuring or recovery, but to arrive at an early and feasible solution to 

preserve the economic value of the underlying assets as well as the lenders’ loans. The options under Corrective 

Action Plan (CAP) by the JLF would generally include: (a) Rectification b) Restructuring (c) Recovery. 

India to grow at 7.7% in 2018-19: IMF 

India’s growth is expected to rebound to 7.2% in the 2017-18 fiscal and 7.7% in 2018-19 after disruptions caused 

by demonetisation, the IMF said on Tuesday, while recommending the removal of long-standing structural 

bottlenecks to enhance market efficiency. The temporary disruptions (primarily to private consumption) caused 

by cash shortages accompanying the currency exchange initiative are expected to gradually dissipate in 2017 as 

cash shortages ease, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its regional economic outlook. Such 

disruptions would also be offset by tailwinds from a favourable monsoon season and continued progress in 

resolving supply side bottlenecks, the IMF said. The investment recovery is expected to remain modest and 

uneven across sectors as deleveraging takes place and industrial capacity utilisation picks up, it noted. 

“In India, growth is projected to rebound to 7.2% in FY2017-18 and further to 7.7% in FY2018-19,” the IMF said. 

“Headwinds from weaknesses in India’s bank and corporate balance sheets will also weigh on near-term credit 

growth. Confidence and policy credibility gains, including from continued fiscal consolidation and antiinflationary 

monetary policy, continue to underpin macroeconomic stability,” the IMF said. World Economic 

Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report are prepared by IMF 

Growth in China and Japan is revised upward for 2017 compared to the October 2016 World Economic Outlook, 

owing mainly to continued policy support and strong recent data. Growth is revised downward in India due to 

temporary effects from the currency exchange initiative and in South Korea owing to political uncertainty. Over 

the medium term, slower growth in China is expected to be partially offset by an acceleration of growth in India, 

underpinned by key structural reforms. 



According to the report, in India, improving productivity in the agriculture sector, which is the most labourintensive 

sector and employs about half of Indian workers, remains a key challenge. More needs to be done to 

address long-standing structural bottlenecks and enhance market efficiency, including from liberalising 

commodity markets to giving farmers more flexibility in the distribution and marketing of their produce, which 

will help raise competitiveness, efficiency, and transparency in state agriculture markets, it said. In addition, 

input subsidies to farmers should be administered through direct cash transfers rather than underpricing of 

agricultural inputs, as such subsidies to the agriculture sector have had large negative impacts on agricultural 

output, the IMF said. 

New IIP, WPI series introduced, show overall benign macronumbers 

The new-look index of industrial production (IIP) and the wholesale price index (WPI), have been built on the 

new series of data, paint a healthier picture of the Indian economy in 2016-17 than the old series did. However, 

the impact of demonetisation still persisted on industrial production, particularly manufacturing, which declined 

in March over February. Besides, investments are yet to pick up. The base year for the indices in the new series 

has shifted to 2011-12, against the earlier 2004-05. Showing a brighter side, the IIP data on new series showed 

that in none of the months in 2016-17 did the IIP contract, while it declined in six months April, July, August, 

October, December, and February in the old series. 

The new series of the IIP shows higher growth rates in most months in the period April 2012 to March 2017 than 

was the case when the computation was done in accordance with the old series. This is attributable to the base 

shift, increase in the number of factories in the panel for the reporting data and excluding closed ones, and 

including new items and keeping out old ones. 

Calculated in accordance with the new series, while the IIP rose 2.7 per cent in March, against 1.9 per cent in 

February, the WPI inflation rate declined to a four-month low of 3.85 per cent in April, against 5.29 per cent in 

the previous month. The consumer price index (CPI), which had moved to the new series earlier, declined to a 

record 2.99 per cent in April, against 3.81 per cent in the previous month. 

Gross domestic product (GDP) is also expected to undergo revision, based on the new WPI and IIP numbers. The 

WPI is used as a deflator for manufacturing to compute constant GDP. The government will release GDP figures 

for 2016-17 at the end of this month. Advance Estimates had shown the economy grew 7.1 per cent in the year. 

The IIP data of November 2016 did not reflect the impact of demonetization, as the effect came with a lag. 

However, it was visible in the four months from December to March, as the IIP did not return to the level seen 

in November, when it had grown by 5.7 per cent. The same trend was found even in the old series, by which IIP 

growth in November was 5.6 per cent, the highest in the post-demonetisation period. 

The manufacturing growth rate declined by 1.2 per cent in March,against 1.4 per cent in the previous month. 

This is the lowest growth in the three-month period, but was higher than the 0.9 per cent in December, which 

was the worst affected due to demonetisation. 

Mining saw stupendous growth of 9.7 per cent in March, against 4.6 per cent in February, while electricity 

generation rose 6.2 per cent, against 1.2 per cent over this period. 



Cumulatively, the IIP grew five per cent in 2016-17, against 3.4 per cent in the previous year. But the old series 

shows growth to be dismal. It would have been 0.7 per cent in 2016-17, against 2.5 per cent in the previous 

year. 

In the new series of the IIP, there are 809 items, against 620 in the old one. As many as 149 items such as 

steroids, cement clinkers, prefabricated concrete blocks, and refined palm oil have been added in the new 

series, while 124 items such as calculators, colour TV picture tubes, and gutka have been deleted. 

The weight of manufacturing in the new IIP has increased to 77.6 per cent from 75.5 per cent, while that of 

mining reduced to 14.1 per cent from 14.3 per cent, and electricity to 7.9 per cent from 10.3 per cent. The 

revised series is expected to narrow the wide divergence between the manufacturing sector under the IIP and 

that under GDP, with the series becoming more representative now. 

In the new series of the WPI, the number of items covered has increased from 676 to 697. In all, 199 new items 

have been added and 146 old items have been dropped. Among the primary articles, new vegetables and fruit 

such as radish, carrot, cucumber, bitter gourd, mosambi (sweet lime), pomegranate, jackfruit, and pear have 

been added. In the mineral group, items like copper concentrate, lead concentrate and garnet have been added 

whereas copper ore, gypsum, kaolin, dolomite, and magnesite have been taken out. Natural gas has been added 

as a new item. Among manufacturing items, around 173 new items such as conveyer belt, rubber tread, steel 

cables, tissue paper, and wooden splint have been added, while 135 items like khandsari (unrefined raw white 

sugar), poppadom, and video CD players have been dropped. The weight of manufactured items has decreased 

to 64.2 per cent in the WPI in the new series from 64.9 per cent in old series, and fuel and power to 13.1 per 

cent from 14.9 per cent, while those of primary items rose to 22.6 per cent from 20.1 per cent. 

Government approves Pharma mission to develop bio pharmaceuticals 

The government approved a programme for development of bio pharmaceuticals through industry-academia 

collaboration entailing investment of Rs 1,500 crore by it over a period of five years. The programme will focus 

on development of specific products such as vaccines, biotherapeutics, medical devices and diagnostics, an 

official statement said. Besides, the ‘Innovate in India empowering biotech entrepreneurs and accelerating 

inclusive innovation’ mission will also work on establishment of shared infrastructure and facilities. It will build 

and strengthen domain specific knowledge and management skills while also creating and enhancing 

technology transfer capabilities in public and private sector, the statement added. The proposal was approved 

by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The primary objective of the programme is to forge an industry-academia collaborative mission for accelerating 

discovery research to early development for biopharmaceuticals. The mission will be implemented by 

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) – a public sector undertaking of Department of 

Biotechnology (DBT). The pan-India mission entails an investment of Rs 1,500 crore by the Government of India 

for five years with 50 percent of the cost for the programme coming from the World Bank loan. The key focus 

areas of the programme would be to aid country’s technological and product development capabilities in the 

biopharmaceutical sector to a level that it is globally competitive over the next 10-15 years. The National 

Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020 announced by the DBT lays emphasis on making India ready to 

meet the challenge of achieving USD 100 billion biotech industry by 2025. 



Cabinet approves phasing out Foreign Investment Promotion Board 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the phasing out 

of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). The proposal entails abolishing the FIPB and allowing 

administrative Ministries/Departments to process applications for FDI requiring government approval. 

Henceforth, the work relating to processing of applications for FDI and approval of the Government thereon 

under the extant FDI Policy and FEMA, shall now be handled by the concerned Ministries/Departments in 

consultation with the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion(DIPP), Ministry of Commerce, which will also 

issue the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for processing of applications and decision of the Government 

under the extant FDI policy. In addition, Foreign Investors will find India more attractive destination and this will 

result in more inflow of FDI. The move will provide ease of doing business and will help in promoting the 

principle of Maximum Governance and Minimum Government. 

Background: The proposal for abolition of FIPB was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting on 24-05-2017. 

Presently, applications are considered by FIPB in Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance 

comprising of various Secretaries of Government of India for making recommendation on FDI applications. After 

the Cabinet decision, it would be handled independently by Administrative Ministries as per Sector. 

GST Council unveils 4-slab rates for services, exempts healthcare, education, non-AC 

travel 

MAINTAINING status quo on most exempted services, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Friday 

moved towards a multi-tiered service tax structure to distribute services under four slabs — 5, 12, 18 and 28 per 

cent — as against the single rate of 15 per cent levied on all taxable services currently. While education, 

healthcare and non-AC rail travel will continue to remain exempted under the proposed indirect tax regime, 

luxury hotels, gambling, race club betting and cinema services will attract a levy of 28 per cent. 

The total tax incidence on cinema, including entertainment tax and service tax, is currently in the range of 

around 55 per cent. If a state wants to levy additional tax on cinema, they will have to use the legislative route 

to enable local bodies to charge the tax and utilise the revenue. States have the freedom to levy any new tax 

since the taxation powers of states have been restricted, not abolished, after the rollout of GST. Taxation rates 

for about 500 services were discussed on the final day of the meeting. Telecom and financial services will be 

taxed at a standard rate of 18 per cent, while transport services will be taxed at 5 per cent. Cab aggregators like 

Ola and Uber, who currently have to pay 6 per cent tax, will also be charged 5 per cent under GST. 

The GST Council has also decided on a 1 per cent Tax Collected at Source (TCS) rate for e-commerce players such 

as Flipkart, Snapdeal, even though the law provides for a levy for 2 per cent tax rate. AC rail travel will attract 5 

per cent tax, although input tax credit will be provided. Economy class air travel will attract 5 per cent GST while 

business class will be charged 12 cent. Travelling on metro, local train and religious travel, including Haj yatra, 

will continue to be exempt from GST. Non-AC restaurants will attract a GST of 12 per cent, while the rate for AC 

restaurants and those with liquor licences will be 18 percent. Restaurants with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh or below 

can go for 5 per cent composition. Work contracts, such as whitewashing, will be liable for a 12 per cent GST. 

Advertisements placed in newspapers will attract a 5 per cent GST. This is, at present, exempt from service tax. 



Nitin Gadkari launches NHAI Masala Bonds in LSE 

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari have launched the issue of National 

Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Masala Bond in the London Stock Exchange. The overwhelming response 

made the Masala Bond issuers to raise the initially benchmarked issue of Rs 1500 Cr to upsize to Rs 3000 Cr at a 

price yielding 7.3% annually. The transactions in the NHAI Masala Bond marks the largest ever five-year issuance 

and the largest inaugural transaction in the Masala Bond market. The National Highways Authority of India is an 

autonomous agency of the Government of India, responsible for management of a network of over 70,000 km 

of National Highways in India. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the 

Government of India, responsible for management of a network of over 70,000 km of National Highways in 

India.[5] It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. NHAI has signed a memorandum 

of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organisation for satellite mapping of highways. 




Prakash Javadekar Launches VIDYA VEERTA ABHIYAN 

Union Minister of Human Resource 

Development Shri Prakash Javadekar y 

launched the VIDYA VEERTA ABHIYAN in 

New Delhi. A collage of photo portraits and 

book on Paramveer Chakra recipients was 

also released and presented to Vice- 

Chancellors of universities. 

Social Issues 

Highlighting the importance of the 

occasion Shri Javadekar expressed his 

gratitude towards the most difficult service 

rendered by our armed forces. He said we 

feel secure just because of the continuous vigil and alertness of our forces busy in securing our borders. The 

Minister said these are our real post independence heroes while the freedom fighters who laid their lives and 

faced atrocities for the cause of freedom are the natural heroes since the days of Satyagraha which culminated 

in the revolution for getting independence from the foreign rule. Shri Javadekar said through this campaign a 

wall of valour will be built in colleges and universities across the country and this will be built on contributory 

funding by students and teachers on voluntary basis. He said this wall will be 15X20 feet in size and will depict 

the portraits of all the 21 Paramveer Chakra recipients. The Minister expressed the hope that this will help 

revive and re-energize the patriotic fervour in our young minds. The Minister said organising of such events 

help in changing atmosphere in our colleges and universities. It is just to revive the patriotic feeling in our youth. 

The Param Veer Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration awarded to officers or enlisted personnel 

from all branches of the Indian military for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. It is given for 

the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, in the presence of 

the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.” The Param Veer Chakra (PVC) is equivalent to the Medal of 

Honor in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. 

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan Scheme Launched 

The Minister of State for Communications (IC), Manoj Sinha launches BSNL’s satellite phone service that will be 

offered to government agencies in phase one and later opened for others in phased manner. Shri Manoj Sinha 

also launched Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Telecom Skill Excellence Award Scheme and Pandit Deen Dayal 

Upadhyaya Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan Scheme on this occasion. 

While launching the new service, Shri Manoj Sinha said that BSNL works there also where no one (network) is 

present. BSNL has played an important role in spreading communication network across the country. Global 

satellite phone service is modern satellite phone service. In first phase agencies handling a disaster, state police, 

railways, Border security forces and other government agencies will be given in the first phase. Later people 

while travelling in flight and on ships will be able to use it. The services will be provided by INMARSAT which has 

a constellation of 14 satellites. 



Shri Sinha said that 10,000 people from 10 States/UTs to be trained in the first phase under the scheme of 

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan Scheme. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab 

and Haryana are included in the first phase. Shri Sinha also stated that the DoT to be established more than 

1,000 Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan in future under the newly launched scheme. Shri Sinha also informed 

that Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Telecom Skill Excellence Award will also be given the person who will perform at par 

excellence. The Communication Minister further stated that DoT will provide broadband connection to 2.5 lakh 

Gram Panchayat by December 2018. 

Mission Indradhanush Phase 4 

The Prime Minister's Office has advanced the deadline for the Centre's immunisation programme, Mission 

Indradhanush, by more than a year and asked the health ministry to strive to complete it by December 2018. 

The mission, launched in December 2014 by the health ministry, earlier had a deadline of 2020 to provide full 

immunisation to more than 90% children in the country. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has 

launched Mission Indradhanush on 25th December 2014 with the aim of expanding immunization coverage to 

all children across India by year 2020. The Mission Indradhanush, depicting seven colours of the rainbow, targets 

to immunize all children against seven vaccine preventable diseases namely Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, 

Childhood Tuberculosis, Polio, Hepatitis B and Measles. In addition to this, vaccines for JE (Japanese 

Encephalitis) and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) are also being provided in selected states. Immunization 

is the key to protect children from life threatening conditions that are preventable. As per MOHFW, 

immunization coverage in India has increased from 61% to 65% only from 2009-2013. So, MOHFW has decided 

to intensify its efforts in immunization though this mission. 

The renewed focus on the mission comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the project threadbare 

last week at the meeting of the multi-modal platform PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely 

Implementation) PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) is a unique integrating and 

interactive platform. The platform is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously 

monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects 

flagged by State Governments. The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data 

management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology. It also offers a unique combination in the 

direction of cooperative federalism since it brings on one stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the 

Chief Secretaries of the States. With this, the Prime Minister is able to discuss the issues with the concerned 



Central and State officials with full information and latest visuals of the ground level situation. Such an effort has 

never been made in India. It is also an innovative project in e-governance and good governance. 

Key features of the PRAGATI application are as follows: 

• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States); 

• Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the Government of India 

Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-informatics 

visuals; 

• The first such programme was launched on 25th March, 2015 (Wednesday) at 3.30 PM; 

• Now onwards, it will be held once in every month on Fourth Wednesday at 3.30 PM-to be known as 

PRAGATI Day. 

• Issues to be flagged before the PM are picked up from the available database regarding Public 

Grievances, on-going Programmes and pending Projects; 

• The system will ride on, strengthen and re-engineer the data bases of the CPGRAMS for grievances, 

Project Monitoring Group (PMG) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 

PRAGATI provides an interface and platform for all these three aspects. 

• It will also take into consideration various correspondences to PM’s office by the common people or 

from high dignitaries of States and/or developers of public projects; 

• The issues flagged are uploaded seven days prior to the PRAGATI day (i.e. on third Wednesday of every 

month). 

• These issues can be viewed by the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries after entering 

into the application; 

• User ID and Password for each of the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have been 

created and made available; 

• Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries will be able to see the issues pertaining to their 

Department /State; 

• Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have to put their comments and updates about the 

flagged issues within three days (i.e. by next Monday); 

• One day - Tuesday is available to the PMO team to review the data entered by the Union Government 

Secretaries and Chief Secretaries; 

• The design is such, that when PM reviews the issue he should have on his screen the issue as well as the 

latest updates and visuals regarding the same; 

The system has been designed in-house by the PMO team with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC). As 

the name suggests, it is aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. It is 

also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange 

among the key stakeholders. 



Environment & Ecology 

Department of Telecom (DoT) Launches Tarang Sanchar, a web Portal for Information 

sharing on Mobile Towers and EMF Emission Compliance 

Tarang Sanchar, a web portal for Information sharing on Mobile 

Towers and EMF Emission Compliances has been launched and 

that it will go a long way in clearing the myths and 

misconceptions of public on mobile towers and emissions from 

them. The portal will empower common man to know at the 

convenience of a mouse click, about towers working in a 

particular locality and whether they are compliant to the EMF 

emission norms defined by the Government. 

The portal will allow users to get a tower or base station 

checked for radiation emission, for a fee of Rs 4,000. Brushing 

aside growing concerns over the emanating electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiations from mobile towers, 

the Telecom Minister once again reminded that Indian norms had prescribed 10 times stricter limits for 

radiation emission in comparison to global standards. He said that more measures are being taken to penalise 

the erring entities. 

The portal also has ‘EMF Overview’ and ‘Learn’ Sections, which provide numerous articles, booklets and videos, 

to further educate the citizens about EMF and coverage of telecom services. In addition to government-tocitizen 

(G2C) services, the portal also facilitates government-to-business (G2B) service delivery in a transparent 

and eco-friendly manner. 

Swachh Bharat rankings: Indore is India's cleanest city, Bhopal comes 2 nd 

Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been declared the cleanest city in India under the Swachh Survekshan 2017. 

Gonda in Uttar Pradesh has been ranked the dirtiest among the cities judged. The rankings came out of a survey 

meant to gauge the progress of Modi government's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission. The Ministry of Urban 

Development's official Twitter handle released the rankings on Thursday. 

The cleanliness rankings of 434 cities and towns were announced under the survey. After Indore, Madhya 

Pradesh's capital Bhopal ranked as the second cleanest city in the country. Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh, 

came third, Gujarat's Surat fourth and Karnataka's Mysuru fifth. Mysuru had ranked as the cleanest city during 

the 2015 iteration of the survey. 

Union Minister of Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu announced the rankings. Naidu said that 3.7 million 

citizens had responded this year by providing valuable feedback on their municipalities’ performance. 

New Delhi Municipal Council missed out on the top five ranks and came in at the seventh position, followed by 

Navi Mumbai. Conducted by the Quality Council of India, the Swachh Survekshan-2017 judged cities on the basis 

of data provided by Municipal bodies, which carried 900 marks, data collected through direct observations and 

independent assessment (500 marks), and citizen feedback (600 marks). 




India's first BIO-CNG fuel plant inaugurated at Pune 

India's first BIO-CNG fuel plant was inaugurated by Union Minister of surface Transport Nitin Gadkari and Union 

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, in Pune, Maharashtra. The plant has been commissioned by city-based 

Primove Engineering Private Limited, and will use agricultural residue to generate CNG that can be used as fuel 

in automobiles. 

What is Bio-CNG: BIO-CNG is the purified form of biogas from which all the unwanted gases are removed to get 

more than 93 per cent of pure methane gas. In its composition and energy potential it is exactly similar to the 

commercially available natural gas. 

The idea came up as the disposal of agricultural waste is an important concern of the country. Per year around 

600 million tonnes of agricultural waste is generated in the country. Out of this very small amount is used and 

the remaining is wasted. 

How is CNG generated from agricultural waste: The process of generating CNG from agricultural waste involves 

treating waste matter with a special bacterial solution, and then gas which is generated is cleaned and 

compressed so that it can be used in vehicles. 

Benefits of BIO-CNG: It will help in reducing the import of diesel up to 50 per cent,It is cost-effective,It is 

pollution free. Although Bio-CNG has been used as automobile fuel in Europe it is the first time that technology 

will be used in India. During the trial run, the company successfully tested the fuel at least seven different kinds 

of vehicles, which ranged from auto rickshaws to buses to test the fuel. 



International Day for Biological Diversity - 22 May 

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase 

understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN 

General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological 

Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General 

Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 

by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological 

Diversity. 

2017 Theme: “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism” 

Diversity in species, ecosystems and landscapes attracts tourism and promotes economic growth. In turn, a 

well-managed tourist sector can help reduce threats to key wildlife populations, and can maintain or increase 

biodiversity, through tourism revenue. The celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity 

under the theme “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism” is an opportunity to raise awareness of the important 

contribution of sustainable tourism both to economic growth and to the conservation of biodiversity. This 

theme has been chosen to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable 

Tourism for Development and can contribute to ongoing initiatives such as the Sustainable Tourism Programme. 

Why an International Day for Biological Diversity? 

While there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to present 

and future generations, the number of species is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. The 

Convention on Biological Diversity is the international legal instrument for "the conservation of biological 

diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of 

the utilization of genetic resources" that has been ratified by 196 nations. Given the importance of public 

education and awareness for the implementation of the Convention, the General Assembly proclaimed 22 May, 

the date of the adoption of its text, as the International Day for Biological Diversity by its resolution 55/201 of 20 

December 2000. 

Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals : The objectives of halting biodiversity loss and promoting 

the sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems are included in Sustainable Development 

Goal No 15. 




Swachh Bharat App Launched in National Museum 

“Swachh Bharat App” has been launched in National Museum under Ministry of Culture by the Minister of State 

(I/C) for Culture & Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma yesterday. The main focus of this “Swachh Bharat App” is to 

basically involve people actively to become part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Movement). At present, 

this App is available for Android Mobile phones which can be downloaded from Google Play Store. In this App 

the concept of Physical web is implemented. When you are in the monument or Museum it will deliver you the 

message about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and ask you to report the garbage around you. All you need is to enable 

the Bluetooth of your mobile device. Even if you did not have the App installed then also you will be delivered 

the message by Google about the Swachh Bharat Abiyan and which will give you the link to install the App. Once 

you start the App it will ask to take photograph of the garbage and write the comment and just submit. It will be 

reported to the authority on the backend. The App will be monitored by the Ministry of Culture and will play an 

important role in cultivating the significance of cleanliness to the citizens. 

Black-necked crane 

The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a medium-sized crane in Asia that breeds on the Tibetan Plateau and 

remote parts of India and Bhutan. It is 139 cm (55 in) long with a 235 cm (7.8 ft) wingspan, and it weighs 5.5 kg 

(12 lbs). It is whitish-gray, with a black head, red crown patch, black upper neck and legs, and white patch to the 

rear of the eye. It has black primaries and secondaries. Both sexes are similar. Some populations are known to 

make seasonal movements. It is revered in Buddhist traditions and culturally protected across much of its range. 

A festival in Bhutan celebrates the bird while the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir considers it as the state 

bird. 

Darwaza Band for open defecation 

The centre launched an aggressive new campaign titled 'Darwaza Band' to promote toilet use and freedom from 

open defecation across the country's villages. The campaign produced by the Ministry of drinking water and 

sanitation under Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in the presence of iconic actor, Shri Amitabh Bachchan, 

Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Chief Minister of Maharashtra 

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer, and 

other Centre and State dignitaries in Mumbai. The event was widely attended by officials from all the State 

Districts and selected Gram Panchayat Members. The 'Darwaza Band' campaign has been supported by the 

World Bank and is being rolled out countrywide immediately after the launch. It is designed to encourage 

behaviour change in men who have toilets but are not using them 

Cyclonic Storm ‘MORA’ over East Central Bay of Bengal 

The cyclonic storm ‘MORA’ over east central Bay of Bengal moved northward with a speed of 11 kmph and lay 

centred at over east central Bay of Bengal near Latitude 17.3ºN and Longitude 91.3ºE, about 660 km southsoutheast 

of Kolkata and 550 km south-southwest of Chittagong. The system is likely to intensify further into a 

severe cyclonic storm. It is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross Bangladesh coast between 

longitude 91.0ºE and 92.0ºE near Chittagong. 

A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or 

subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. Tropical cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the 

Northern Hemisphere. They are classified as follows: 

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. 



Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots). 

Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. In the western 

North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons; similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean are 

called cyclones. 

Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, 

corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. 

Tropical cyclones forming between 5 and 30 degrees North latitude typically move toward the west. Sometimes 

the winds in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere change and steer the cyclone toward the north and 

northwest. When tropical cyclones reach latitudes near 30 degrees North, they often move northeast. 




IIT scientists create low-cost solar cells using Jamun 

Scientists at IIT Roorkee have used the juicy, delectable Indian summer fruit Jamun to create inexpensive and 

more efficient solar cells. Researchers used naturally occurring pigment found in jamun as an inexpensive 

photosensitiser for Dye Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSCs) or Gratzel cells which are thin film solar cells composed of 

a porous layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) coated photoanode, a layer of dye molecules that absorbs sunlight, an 

electrolyte for regenerating the dye, and a cathode. These components form a sandwich-like structure with the 

dye molecule or photosensitizer playing a pivotal role through its ability to absorb visible light. The dark colour 

of jamun and abundance of jamun trees in IIT campus clicked the idea that it might be useful as a dye in the 

typical Dye Sensitised Solar Cells. Researchers extracted dyes from jamun using ethanol. They also used fresh 

plums and black currant, along with mixed berry juices which contain pigments that give characteristic colour to 

jamun. The mixture was then centrifuged and decanted. The extracted coloured pigment called anthocyanin 

was used as a sensitiser. Natural pigments are way economical in comparison to regular Ruthenium-based 

pigments and scientists are optimising to improve the efficiency. 

Facebook launches Express WiFi in India 

Facebook launched Express WiFi service that offers Internet facility through public hotspots to users in rural 

parts of India. The social network has partnered with telecom operator Bharti Airtel that plans to bring an 

additional 20,000 hotspots online, starting in the next few months, TechCrunch reported. The launch comes a 

year after Facebook put an end to the controversial "Free Basics" programme that drew severe criticism from 

advocates of net neutrality. Facebook is currently working with a number of local ISPs and 500 local 

entrepreneurs. "Our strategy has always been that these programmes work if they are financially sustainable for 

the partners we work with," the report quoted James Beldock, the company's product manager, as saying. 

Facebook has launched the service commercially in Kenya earlier. "WiFi, of course, is a far easier onramp to the 

Internet than most other means of getting online," Beldock stressed. 

GSLV Successfully Launches South Asia Satellite 

Science & Technology 

India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) successfully launched the 2230 kg South |Asia 

Satellite (GSAT-9) into its planned Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) today (May 05, 2017). Today’s launch 

of GSLV was its eleventh and took place from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR 

(SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, the spaceport of India. This is the fourth consecutive success achieved by GSLV 

carrying indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage. In its oval shaped GTO, the South Asia Satellite is now 

orbiting the Earth with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 169 km and an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 

36,105 km with an orbital inclination of 20.65 deg with respect to the equator. 

Few seconds before the launch countdown reached zero, the four liquid propellant strap-on motors of GSLV- 

F09, each carrying 42 tons of liquid propellants, were ignited. At count zero and after confirming the normal 

performance of all the four strap-on motors, the 139 ton solid propellant first stage core motor was ignited and 

GSLV lifted off at 16:57 IST. The major phases of the flight occurred as scheduled. About seventeen minutes 



after lift-off, South Asia Satellite was successfully placed in GTO. Soon after separation from GSLV, the two solar 

arrays of the satellite were automatically deployed in quick succession and the Master Control Facility (MCF) at 

Hassan in Karnataka assumed control of the satellite. South Asia Satellite is a communication satellite built by 

ISRO to provide a variety of communication services over the South Asian region. For this, it is equipped with 

Ku-band transponders. Following the successful launch, the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra 

Modi addressed along with the South Asian leaders. He congratulated ISRO and remarked that today was a 

historic day for South Asia and a day without precedence. The Prime Minister recalled that two years ago India 

made a promise to extend the advanced space technology for the cause of growth and prosperity of the people 

of South Asia and felt that the successful launch of South Asia Satellite today marks a fulfillment of that. In the 

coming days, the satellite orbit will be raised from its present GTO to the final circular Geostationary Orbit (GSO) 

by firing the satellite's Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) in stages. The South Asia Satellite will be commissioned into 

service after the completion of orbit raising operations and the satellite’s positioning in its designated slot in the 

GSO following in-orbit testing of its payloads. 

In tribute to APJ Kalam, NASA names new species after the late president 

Scientists at NASA have named a new organism discovered by them after the much-loved A P J Abdul Kalam. Till 

date, the new organism -- a form of a bacteria -- has been found only on the International Space Station (ISS) 

and not even on earth. Researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the foremost lab of NASA for work on 

inter-planetary travel, discovered the new bacteria on the filters of the International Space Station (ISS) and 

named it Solibacillus kalamii to honour the late president, who was a renowned aerospace scientist. Kalam had 

his early training at NASA in 1963 before he set up India’s first rocket-launching facility in the fishing village of 

Thumba in Kerala. “The name of the bacterium is Solibacillus kalamii, the species name is after Dr Abdul Kalam 

and genus name is Solibacillus which is a spore forming bacteria. The filter on which the new bug was found 

remained on board the ISS for 40 months. Called a high-efficiency particulate arrestance filter or HEPA filter, this 

part is the routine housekeeping and cleaning system on board the international space station. This filter was 

later analysed at JPL and only this year did Venkateswaran publish his discovery in the International Journal of 

Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. According to Venkateswaran, even as it orbits the earth some 400 

kilometres above, the ISS is home to many types of bacteria and fungi . Towards that, his responsibilities include 

monitoring the bug levels on the ISS and he also has to ensure that all spacecraft that fly to other planets are 

free of terrestrial bugs. 




NASA’s Juno probe unveils Earth-sized cyclones on Jupiter 

Jupiter is a complex, turbulent world, with Earth-sized cyclones at its poles and storm systems that travel deep 

into the heart of the gas giant, according to the first science results obtained from NASA’s Juno spacecraft. Juno 

was launched in 2011, and entered Jupiter’s orbit on July 4 last year. 

Findings: The findings from the first data-collection pass, which flew within about 4,200 kilometres of Jupiter’s 

swirling cloud tops on August 27 last year, appear in the journals Science and Geophysical Research Letters. 

Among the findings that challenge assumptions are images show both of Jupiter’s poles are covered in Earthsized 

swirling storms that are densely clustered and rubbing together. 

Researchers also found that Jupiter’s iconic belts and zones are mysterious, with the belt near the equator 

penetrating all the way down, while the belts and zones at other latitudes seem to evolve to other structures. 

The data suggest ammonia clouds over the planet are quite variable and continue to increase up to a few 

hundred miles or kilometres — as far as the Juno’s instruments can observe. 

Magnetic field: Prior to the Juno mission, it was known that Jupiter had the most intense magnetic field in the 

solar system. Measurements of the massive planet’s magnetosphere indicate that Jupiter’s magnetic field is 

even stronger than models expected, and more irregular in shape. The magnetic field greatly exceeded 

expectations at 7.766 Gauss, about 10 times stronger than the strongest magnetic field found on Earth. The next 

flyby is scheduled for July 11, when Juno will fly directly over one of the most iconic features in the entire solar 

system — Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. 

ISRO braces for heaviest rocket GSLV Mk-III to launch Indians into space 

 

 

 

 

 

An indigenous rocket as heavy as 200 full-grown Asian elephants could well be the one taking "Indians 

into space from Indian soil" as the country inches closer to joining the big boy's space club. Standing tall 

on the rocket port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh is the country's latest rocket called the 

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk- III), the heaviest rocket ever made by India 

that is capable of carrying the heaviest satellites till now. 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) enters into a bold new world muscling its way to make 

its mark in the world's heavy weight multi-billion dollar launch market. It is the maiden experimental 

launch of GSLV-Mk III earlier named Launch Vehicle Mark-3, but if all goes on well in a decade or after a 

slew of at least half a dozen successful launches, this rocket could be India's vehicle of choice to launch 

"Indians into space, from Indian soil using Indian rockets". 

This heavy lift rocket is capable of placing up to 8 tons in a low Earth orbit, enough to carry India's crew 

module. ISRO has already prepared plans of hoisting a 2-3 member human crew into space as soon as 

the government gives it a sanction of about 3-4 billion dollars. If the human venture materialises, India 

would become only the fourth country after Russia, the US and China to have a human space flight 

program. 

In the intense pre-monsoon heat, India's rocket port is buzzing with feverish activity as engineers from 

the Indian space agency get set to launch an all new indigenously-made rocket. It is the heaviest fullyfunctional 

rocket to reach the launch pad weighing 640 tons or almost 5 times the weight of a fully 

loaded Jumbo Jet airplane. 

The new rocket is capable of carrying satellites of four ton class into the geosynchronous orbit and 

opens a whole new window through which ISRO can now explore the universe. It is estimated that the 

new rocket costs a whopping Rs 300 crore but the country would end up saving almost as much when 



an Indian launcher is used to place New Delhi's communication satellites. Today India uses the French 

Ariane-5 rocket launched from Kourou in South America to place its heavy 4 ton class of communication 

satellites. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) failed on its maiden launch in 1993 and since then it 

has had 38 consecutively successful launches and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-1 

(GSLV Mk-1) failed in 2001 and since then it has 11 launches with half of them successful. 

Space fairing is a very risky business and all nations the US, France and Japan and even the new private 

companies have had failures in recent times like the spectacular Falcon-9 rocket in 2016. 

India already has two operational rockets — the workhorse PSLV that can hoist satellites of 1.5 tons into 

space and was the preferred vehicle for India's maiden mission to Moon and Mars. 

The second — the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II can hoist 2 ton class of satellites and 

because of its repeated failures it was dubbed 'the naughty boy of ISRO'. 

Between them, ISRO has done 50 launches and recently even earned a world record by successfully 

placing 104 satellites in orbit. 

The new GSLV-Mk III is an all new vehicle designed and developed in India and in 2014 a sub-orbital 

successful test of this vehicle was conducted to understand how it performs in the atmosphere. The 

rocket never went into space but helped test India's future astronaut capsule. It had a dummy cryogenic 

engine and was a single stage vehicle. 

Even though the GSLV-Mk III is 43-m-tall, making it the shortest of the three big Indian rockets, it carries 

a huge punch as it weighs almost 1.5 times heavier than India's next biggest rocket the GSLV Mk-2 and 

almost twice as heavy as India's PSLV. 

This monster rocket has an elegant design and is capable of carrying loads equal to the weight of two 

sports utility vehicles or SUVs into space. 

The massive first stage along with strap-on boosters weighs 610 tons and comprises multiple engines all 

firing nearly simultaneously. It is the second stage which is all together a new animal for this mammoth 

rocket, it is a novel Indian cryogenic engine that weighs about 30 tons. 

The new cryogenic engine is being tested on a fully functional rocket for the first time and it is the 

development of this technology that uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellant is what took 

more than 15 years for Indians to master. 

Zika detected in India: Gujarat Health Minister requests for calm 

With cases of Zika virus being reported from Ahmedabad, Gujarat government asserted that there was no need 

to be worried as actions have been taken in accordance to the guidelines of World Health Organisation (WHO) 

and the Government of India. The ministry clarified that only three Zika cases have been detected in a round of 

50, 000 tests, adding that no mosquitoes were detected positive. The state health departments are all following 

standard protocols on the same. According to the WHO, "One sample from a 64-year-old male presenting with 

febrile illness of 8 days' duration was found to be positive for Zika virus at BJMC, Ahmedabad. This is the first 

Zika positive case reported through AFI surveillance at BJMC, Ahmedabad, Gujarat State." Another case was 

reported by a 34-year-old female, who delivered a clinically well baby, at the BJMC in Ahmedabad on November 

9 in 2016 and her sample was referred to the Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at the BJMC for 

dengue testing and thereafter found to be positive for Zika Virus. The sample was re-confirmed as Zika Virus 

positive by RT-PCR and sequencing at NIV, Pune, as per the reports. The third sample, taken from a 22-year-old 

pregnant female in her 37th week of pregnancy, has also been tested positive for Zika virus disease. 



Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys through a 

network that monitored yellow fever. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United 

Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the 

Pacific. From the 1960s to 1980s, human infections were found across Africa and Asia, typically accompanied by 

mild illness. The first large outbreak of disease caused by Zika infection was reported from the Island of Yap 

(Federated States of Micronesia) in 2007. In July 2015 Brazil reported an association between Zika virus infection 

and Guillain-Barré syndrome. In October 2015 Brazil reported an association between Zika virus infection and 

microcephaly. 

Signs and Symptoms: The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not 

clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and 

include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are 

usually mild and last for 2-7 days. 

Complications of Zika virus disease: Based on a systematic review of the literature up to 30 May 2016, WHO has 

concluded that Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital brain abnormalities, including 

microcephaly; and that Zika virus is a trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Intense efforts are continuing to 

investigate the link between Zika virus and a range of neurological disorders, within a rigorous research 

framework. 

Transmission: Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the 

Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day, peaking 

during early morning and late afternoon/evening. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, 

chikungunya and yellow fever. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is also possible. Other modes of transmission 

such as blood transfusion are being investigated. 

Diagnosis: Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history of travel (e.g. 

residence in or travel to an area with active Zika virus transmission). A diagnosis of Zika virus infection can only 

be confirmed through laboratory tests on blood or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or semen. 

Treatment: Zika virus disease is usually mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus 

should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms 

worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available. 

Prevention: Protection against mosquito bites is a key measure to prevent Zika virus infection. This can be done 

by wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers 

such as window screens or closing doors and windows; sleeping under mosquito nets; and using insect repellent 

containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin according to the product label instructions. Special attention and help should 

be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or 

elderly. Travellers and those living in affected areas should take the basic precautions described above to 

protect themselves from mosquito bites. It is important to cover, empty or clean potential mosquito breeding 

sites in and around houses such as buckets, drums, pots, gutters, and used tyres. Communities should support 

local government efforts to reduce mosquitoes in their locality. Health authorities may also advise that spraying 

of insecticides be carried out. 



Sexual transmission: Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. This is of concern due to an 

association between Zika virus infection and adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes. For regions with active 

transmission of Zika virus, all people with Zika virus infection and their sexual partners (particularly pregnant 

women) should receive information about the risks of sexual transmission of Zika virus. WHO recommends that 

sexually active men and women be correctly counselled and offered a full range of contraceptive methods to be 

able to make an informed choice about whether and when to become pregnant in order to prevent possible 

adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes. Women who have had unprotected sex and do not wish to become 

pregnant due to concerns about Zika virus infection should have ready access to emergency contraceptive 

services and counselling. Pregnant women should practice safer sex or abstain from sexual activity for at least 

the whole duration of the pregnancy. For regions with no active transmission of Zika virus, WHO recommends 

practising safer sex or abstinence for a period of six months for men and women who are returning from areas 

of active transmission to prevent Zika virus infection through sexual intercourse. Sexual partners of pregnant 

women, living in or returning from areas where local transmission of Zika virus occurs should practice safer sex 

or abstain from sexual activity throughout the pregnancy. 

Prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus: WHO is supporting countries to control Zika virus disease by 

taking actions outlined in the “Zika Strategic Response Framework": 

 

 

 

 

 

Define and prioritize research into Zika virus disease by convening experts and partners. 

Enhance surveillance of Zika virus and potential complications. 

Strengthen capacity in risk communication to engage communities to better understand risks associated 

with Zika virus. 

Strengthen the capacity of laboratories to detect the virus. 

Support health authorities to implement vector control strategies aimed at reducing Aedes mosquito 

populations. 




Banganapalle Mango of Andhra Pradesh gets GI Tag 

Banaganapalle mangoes, one of the most popular and finest varieties of mango from Andhra Pradesh, has been 

given the Geographical Indication (GI) Registration Certificate by the GI Registry, Chennai. The Andhra Pradesh 

government is now the registered proprietor of the GI tag for mangoes, often hailed as ‘the king of fruits’. The 

Banaganapalle mangoes have gained wide acceptability throughout the globe due to its unique characteristics in 

aroma, taste, shape, size and appearance. 

The application for the Banaganapalle Mangoes was filed by the Horticulture Development Agency, represented 

by commissioner of horticulture, the government of Andhra Pradesh, and was facilitated by Andhra Pradesh 

Technology Development and Promotion Centre (APTDC) of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). According to 

the AP horticulture department, about 5,500 tonne of Banaganapalle mangoes are exported annually to the US 

and UK. The primary centre of origin of the fruit is Kurnool district, comprising Banaganapalle, Paanyam and 

Nandyal mandals. The government has also listed Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, Medak and Adilabad 

districts in Telangana as secondary centres of origin. 

PM Modi inaugurates International Basava Convention 

Art & Culture 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, dedicated the holy Vachanas of Basavanna, translated into 23 

languages, and addressed an event to mark the inauguration of Basava Jayanthi 2017, and Golden Jubilee 

Celebration of Basava Samithi, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said India's history is not only Paying homage to Lord 

Basaveshwara, he said Basaveshwara had envisioned a democratic arrangement, several centuries ago. He said 

our land has been blessed with great individuals who have transformed our society. He said reform has always 

come to our society from within, whenever required. He expressed confidence that reformers would emerge 

from within the Muslim community itself, to put an end to the pain suffered by some Muslim women, because 

of the practice of “triple talaq.” He urged the Muslim community not to look at this issue through a political 

lens.out defeat, poverty or colonialism. India gave the message of good governance, non-violence and 

Satyagraha, he added. 

Basava Jayanthi is traditionally observed by the Lingayats and is observed as a holiday in the Indian state of 

Karnataka. It marks the birthday of Basavanna, 12th-century poet-philosopher, and the founding saint of the 

Lingayat religion. It is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety all over south India, majorly in Karnataka, 

Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. 

Vishwaguru Basavanna was a great revolutionary who established spiritual democracy called "Anubhava 

Mantapa" in the 12th century in India (Anubhava Mantapa - which is also called as the "FIRST PARLIAMENT 

CONCEPT OF THE WORLD". Its lead by Saint Allamprabhu), and gave practical solutions to all kind of problems 

mankind was suffering at that time. His teachings are time tested, scientific and proven. Basava-Tatva is never 

ending inspiration to achieve the welfare of mankind. 



MUSIC FEST MARKS TYAGARAJA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY 

A three-day music festival has been organised in the city to mark Saint Tyagaraja’s 250th birth anniversary. He 

was born in 1767 in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur district. Tyagraja is an iconic figure in classical Carnatic music. The saint 

is considered to be one of the musical geniuses who laid the foundation of Carnatic music in India. 

Kakarla Tyagabrahmam (4 May 1767 – 6 January 1847) or Saint Tyagaraja, also known as Tyāgayya in Telugu, 

was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music or Indian classical music. He was a prolific composer and 

highly influential in the development of the classical music tradition. Tyagaraja composed thousands of 

devotional compositions, most in Telugu and in praise of Lord Rama, many of which remain popular today. Of 

special mention are five of his compositions called the Pancharatna Kritis (English: "five gems"), which are often 

sung in programs in his honour. Tyagaraja saw the reigns of four kings of Maratha dynasty — Tulaja II (1763- 

1787), Amarasimha (1787-1798), Serfoji II (1798-1832) and Sivaji II.

Hard Facts 05 2017 (May)

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