Insights March 2018 Current Affairs

154 Pages·2017·8.31 MB·English

INSIGHTSIAS
SIMPLIFYING IAS EXAM PREPARATION
- I A S S E L F S T U D Y G U I D E -

CURRENT AFFAIRS

MARCH 2018
© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GS PAPER - I ______________________________ 6 Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure,
functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges
Paper 1 Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient
and issues arising out of these. _________________ 21
aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times. ______________________ 6 1. Karnataka govt. unveils State flag ______________ 21
1. Kuthiyottam ritual ____________________________6 2. No confidence motion _______________________ 21
2. 6th Editon of India by the Nile festival ____________6 3. Rajya Sabha elections ________________________ 22
3. Nabakalebar festival __________________________7 4. Office-of-profit _____________________________ 23
4. Hindu New Year ______________________________7 Paper 2 Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the
Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining
5. Jackfruit to be Kerala’s state fruit ________________7
to the federal structure, devolution of powers and
6. ‘Adopt a Heritage Project’ ______________________7 finances up to local levels and challenges therein. __ 23
7. Karnataka govt clears minority status for Lingayats _8
1. Special Status To Andhra Pradesh ______________ 23
8. National Cultural Audiovisual Archives (NCAA) _____9 2. Cooperative Election Authority ________________ 24
9. MADHAVPUR MELA ___________________________9
Paper 2 Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-
10. MP’s black chicken Kadaknath wins GI tag _____ 10 judicial bodies. _____________________________ 25
Paper 1 Topic: Role of women and women’s 1. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ________________ 25
organization, population and associated issues,
2. National Financial Reporting Authority __________ 26
poverty and developmental issues. _____________ 10
4. National Biodiversity Authority ________________ 26
1. India’s falling sex ratio _______________________ 10
5. Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership
2. #YesIBleed Campaign ________________________ 12 (GCNEP) _____________________________________ 27
3. International Women’s Day 2018 ______________ 13 6. Animal Welfare Board of India ________________ 28
4. Women Entrepreneurship Platform ____________ 13 7. GM soybean _______________________________ 29
5. LaQshya programme ________________________ 14 8. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
6. ‘WomenInTech’ forum _______________________ 15 (IREDA) ______________________________________ 29
7. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi ____________________ 16 9. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) _________ 30
10. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences
Paper 1 Topic: Urbanization, their problems and their
(CCRAS) _____________________________________ 31
remedies. _________________________________ 16
11. National Building Construction Corporation
Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS) ______ 16
(NBCC) ______________________________________ 31
Paper 1 Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena. 17
12. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
1. ‘Bomb Cyclone’ _____________________________ 17 (NCPCR) _____________________________________ 32
2. Geomagnetic storm _________________________ 18 13. India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited
(IIFCL) _______________________________________ 33
GS PAPER - II _____________________________ 19
14. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Topic: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme
(BIRAC) ______________________________________ 33
with that of other countries. __________________ 19
15. “E-Tribes India” ____________________________ 34
Russian Presidential Elections ___________________ 19
16. National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and
Paper 2 Topic: Separation of powers between various National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) ____ 35
organs dispute redressal mechanisms and
17. India Convention Promotion Bureau ___________ 35
institutions. _______________________________ 19
Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal ______________ 19
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Paper 2 Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable 9. 60 Higher Educational Institutions granted
sections of the population by the Centre and States autonomy ___________________________________ 55
and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, 10. Krishi Vigyan Kendras _______________________ 56
laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the
11. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) ___ 56
protection and betterment of these vulnerable
sections. __________________________________ 36 12. Ayushman Bharat – National Health Protection
Mission______________________________________ 57
1. Social security scheme _______________________ 36
13. National Conference on Down Syndrome _______ 58
2. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao _____________________ 37
14. E-Cigarettes _______________________________ 59
3. Tribal Diaries _______________________________ 37
15. First National Conclave on Psychological Trauma,
4. Scheme for construction workers ______________ 38
Child Protection, and Mental Illnesses ____________ 60
5. North-East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS)
16. Integrated Scheme for School Education _______ 60
2017 ________________________________________ 39
Paper 2 Topic: Development processes and the
6. Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk
development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various
Industry _____________________________________ 39
groups and associations, donors, charities,
7. ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ institutional and other stakeholders. ____________ 61
programme __________________________________ 40
1. Transformation of 115 Backward Districts _______ 61
Paper 2 Topic: Government policies and interventions
Paper 2 Topic: Important aspects of governance,
for development in various sectors and issues arising
transparency and accountability, e-governance-
out of their design and implementation. _________ 41
applications, models, successes, limitations, and
1. Trafficking of Persons Bill, 2018 _______________ 41
potential; citizens charters, transparency &
2. Know India Programme ______________________ 42 accountability and institutional and other
measures. _________________________________ 62
3. Relief measures for telecom sector ____________ 42
1. Panel to study issues in Fintech space ___________ 62
4. Rajasthan passes Bill to give death penalty for child
rape ________________________________________ 43 2. World Consumers Day _______________________ 63
5. 80:20 gold scheme __________________________ 44 3. e-Office programme _________________________ 64
6. Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 ____ 44 4. ISA and India sign the Host Country Agreement __ 64
7. Draft policy on defence production ____________ 45 5. Public Financial Management System (PFMS) ____ 65
8. New vehicle scrappage policy _________________ 45 Paper 2 Topic: India and its neighbourhood-
9. Enemy properties ___________________________ 46 relations. __________________________________ 65
10. Smart India Hackathon 2018 _________________ 46 1. Border pact between India and Myanmar _______ 65
11. ‘Saubhagya’ scheme ________________________ 47 2. Rohingya refugees issue ______________________ 66
12. Atal Innovation Mission _____________________ 47 3. RITES _____________________________________ 67
Paper 2 Topic: Issues relating to development and 4. Permanent Indus Commission _________________ 67
management of Social Sector/Services relating to 5. Diplomatic Tussle between India and Pakistan ___ 68
Health, Education, Human Resources. ___________ 48
Paper 2 Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings
1. Rare Disease Day ___________________________ 48 and agreements involving India and/or affecting
2. Diabetes has five types, say scientists __________ 49 India’s interests. ____________________________ 68
3. IMPRINT-II _________________________________ 50 1. Indo-French Knowledge Summit _______________ 68
4. Passive Euthanasia legalised by Supreme Court __ 50 2. Avoidance of Double Taxation _________________ 69
5. World Happiness Index ______________________ 52 3. Cool EMS Service ____________________________ 70
6. Yellow fever _______________________________ 52
7. Festival Of Innovation And Entrepreneurship ____ 54
8. ‘SATHE’ program ___________________________ 54
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Paper 2 Topic: Effect of policies and politics of Paper 3 Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in
developed and developing countries on India’s various parts of the country, different types of
interests, Indian diaspora. ____________________ 70 irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport
and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and
1. H-4 visas __________________________________ 70
related constraints; e-technology in the aid of
2. CP Trans-Pacific Partnership __________________ 71
farmers. __________________________________ 89
3. India Development Foundation _______________ 73
Mega food park _______________________________ 89
Paper 2 Topic: Important International institutions,
Paper 3 Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect
agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. _____ 73
farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public
1. Global Status Report 2017 ____________________ 73 Distribution System objectives, functioning,
limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and
2. Global Agriculture and Food Security Program
food security; Technology missions; economics of
(GAFSP) _____________________________________ 74
animal-rearing. _____________________________ 90
3. Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) _______________ 74
1. 1st Mega Food Park in Maharashtra at Satara ____ 90
4. European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD) ______________________________________ 75 2. National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of India
Ltd. (NAFED) _________________________________ 91
5. Digital Single Market Strategy _________________ 76
Paper 3 Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads,
6. New World Information and Communication Order 77
Airports, Railways etc. _______________________ 92
7. International Solar Alliance ___________________ 77
1. Sukhad Yatra App ___________________________ 92
8. International Air Transport Association (IATA) ___ 78
2. National E-Mobility programme _______________ 92
9. Philippines withdraws from ICC _______________ 78
3. Major Port Authorities Bill ____________________ 93
10. International Competition Network 2018 ______ 79
4. WEF energy transition index __________________ 94
11. Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) 80
5. Toll Operate and Transfer (TOT) model__________ 94
12. African Continental Free Trade Area __________ 80
6. Naitwar Mori Hydro Electric Project ____________ 95
13. KISS to host ‘Commonwealth Big Lunch’ _______ 81
Paper 3 Topic: Science and Technology- developments
14. Cuvette Centrale region _____________________ 81
and their applications and effects in everyday life
15. Executive Board of UNESCO _________________ 82 Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
indigenization of technology and developing new
16. 3R Regional Forum in Asia and the Pacific ______ 83
technology. ________________________________ 95
17. South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme
(SACEP) _____________________________________ 84 1. Silver copper telluride (AgCuTe) _______________ 95
2. GBI submarine cable _________________________ 96
GS PAPER - III ____________________________ 85
3. Rare mineral discovered in plants for first time ___ 96
Paper 3 Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to
planning, mobilization of resources, growth, 4. Rydberg polarons ___________________________ 97
development. ______________________________ 85 5. HT Cotton __________________________________ 97
1. Letters of undertaking (LoUs) _________________ 85 6. Neutrino project ____________________________ 98
2. E-way bill __________________________________ 85 7. Indian Science Congress In Manipur ___________ 100
Paper 3 Topic: Employment. __________________ 87 8. Interstitium: The latest organ discovered in human
body _______________________________________ 101
1. PMEGP ___________________________________ 87
Paper 3 Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space,
2. Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services ____ 87
Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology
3. Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana _______ 88
and issues relating to intellectual property rights. _ 102
Paper 3 Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from
1. CIMON (Crew Interactive MObile CompanioN) __ 102
it. _______________________________________ 88
2. Marshall Islands to launch world-first digital legal
1. Privatisation of PSBs ________________________ 88 tender _____________________________________ 102
3. Parker solar probe _________________________ 103
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4. Air-Breathing Electric Thruster (ABET) _________ 105 Topic: Security challenges and their management in
border areas. _____________________________ 129
5. Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) 105
6. Ice-VII ___________________________________ 106 1. First ever ‘crime-free zone’ along international
border launched _____________________________ 129
7. Gallium joins graphene in the second dimension 107
2. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 130
8. Carbonaceous chondrites ___________________ 107
3. Protected area permit ______________________ 131
9. Antibiotic resistance _______________________ 108
Paper 3 Topic: Various Security forces and agencies
10. Hammer spacecraft _______________________ 109
and their mandate. _________________________ 131
11. ‘HISAR GOURAV’ _________________________ 110
1. India’s first coastal policing academy __________ 131
12. Cold fusion ______________________________ 110
2. National Conference on Drug Law Enforcement _ 132
13. GI tag ___________________________________ 111
Paper 3 Topic: Challenges to internal security through
14. Copernicus programme ____________________ 112 communication networks, role of media and social
15. TCIL to set up US arm for Google project ______ 113 networking sites in internal security challenges, basics
of cyber security; money-laundering and its
16. Chandrayaan-2 ___________________________ 113
prevention. _______________________________ 133
17. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) ___ 114
1. Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 _________ 133
18. Basmati GI tag ___________________________ 114
2. Bill on chit funds ___________________________ 134
19. James Webb Space Telescope _______________ 115
Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in
20. GSAT-6A ________________________________ 116
creating challenges to internal security. _________ 134
21. InSight Mission ___________________________ 117
1. Northeast ex-militants get more sops __________ 134
22. BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) _____ 117
Facts for Prelims _________________________ 136
23. Russia’s ‘Sarmat’ _________________________ 118
1. INDIAsize _________________________________ 136
Paper 3 Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution
2. Dr Harsh Vardhan App ______________________ 136
and degradation, environmental impact
assessment. ______________________________ 119 3. Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) NAG ________ 137
4. “Lamitye” 2018 ____________________________ 137
1. Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS)
Partnership _________________________________ 119 5. Paschim Leher (XPL-18) _____________________ 137
2. World Wildlife Day _________________________ 120 6. Phirangipuram to be Andhra’s first all-women rail
3. Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) ______ 121 station _____________________________________ 137
4. In-situ management of crop residue ___________ 121 7. India to help build nuclear plant in Bangladesh __ 138
5. CleanSeas campaign ________________________ 122 8. Danger Islands _____________________________ 138
9. World’s largest solar park Shakti Sthala launched in
6. Newton-Bhabha Fund for arsenic research in Ganga
basin ______________________________________ 123 Karnataka __________________________________ 138
7. Climate Watch ____________________________ 124 10. Namaste Shalom __________________________ 139
8. In news- Loktak lake________________________ 124 11. DEFEXPO INDIA 2018 ______________________ 139
9. Strategy on Resource efficiency ______________ 124 12. Pakistan elects its first Dalit woman Senator ___ 139
10. World Water Day 2018 ____________________ 125 13. India remains 12th largest foreign holder of US govt
securities ___________________________________ 139
11. International Day of Forests ________________ 126
14. India’s first helitaxi launched in Bengaluru _____ 139
12. Earth Hour 2018 __________________________ 127
15. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam __________________ 139
13. Chipko Movement ________________________ 128
16. Saposhi _________________________________ 140
Paper 3 Topic: Disaster and disaster management. 129
17. Sri Lanka declares state of emergency: ________ 140
Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System
18. Airports Council International (ACI) – ASQ 2017
(RIMES) ____________________________________ 129
rankings: ___________________________________ 140
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19. SpaceX Landmark 50th Falcon 9 Flight ________ 141 43. World Hindi Secretariat ____________________ 147
20. A toll-free number for highway users _________ 141 44. 8th Theatre Olympics ______________________ 147
21. “Wings India 2018” _______________________ 141 45. Maharashtra to ban plastic _________________ 147
22. 2018 Pritzker prize for Balkrishna doshi _______ 142 46. New species of water strider found in Nagaland 148
23. Nari Shakti Puraskar 2017 __________________ 142 47. ICGS C-437 _______________________________ 148
24. Udyam Sakhi Portal _______________________ 142 48. Varuna-18 _______________________________ 148
25. I – Metros’ _______________________________ 143 49. 106th Indian Science Congress to be held in
Bhopal _____________________________________ 148
26. SUVIDHA ________________________________ 143
50. Plastic Park to be set up in Deoghar District,
27. Swachh Shakti 2018 _______________________ 143
Jharkhand __________________________________ 148
28. Calcium silicate perovskite _________________ 143
51. Gulf Shield 1 _____________________________ 148
29. Diu becomes the first and only Union Territory to be
52. Okhla Bird Sanctuary ______________________ 149
100% solar energy efficient ____________________ 144
53. World’s first brass futures contract ___________ 149
30. ITB – Berlin ______________________________ 144
54. First Indian Sign Language Dictionary of 3000 Words
31. ‘Ex Samvedna’ ___________________________ 144
Launched ___________________________________ 149
32. National Legislators Conference _____________ 144
55. Fluorimeter ______________________________ 149
33. Reciprocal logistics support deal _____________ 145
56. BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile ___________ 150
34. MILES-18 ________________________________ 145
57. NAIPUNYA RATHAM _______________________ 150
36. ‘Kinzhal’ missile __________________________ 145
58. World’s longest sandstone cave discovered in
37. Country’s ‘tallest’ flag unfurled in Belagavi ____ 145 Meghalaya __________________________________ 150
38. Places in News- Tel Aviv ___________________ 145 59. World Tuberculosis Day 2018 _______________ 150
39. India emerges as world’s largest importer of 60. ‘Print Biennale India 2018’ __________________ 151
arms _______________________________________ 146
61. Surat becomes first district to have 100% solar
40. C-17 Globemaster _________________________ 146 powered health centres _______________________ 151
41. Bidya Devi Bhandari, Nepal’s 1st female president, 62. India’s first insect museum opens in Tamil Nadu 151
wins second term ____________________________ 146
42. The Delhi End TB Summit __________________ 146

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GS PAPER - I

Paper 1 Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from
ancient to modern times.
1. Kuthiyottam ritual
Context:
 The Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights
has registered a suo motu case in connection with the
Kuthiyottam ritual.
 The commission said it would examine if the ritual, reportedly
involving piercing children’s sides with a hook, violated child
rights in any manner.
What is Kuthiyottam ritual?
 The Kuthiyottam ritual is usually performed every year during
the Pongala festival at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
 The Attukal Pongala festival is the largest congregation of women for a festival in the world. Pongala, which
means ‘to boil over’, is a ritual in which women prepare a pudding made from rice, jaggery, coconut and
plantains cooked together, and offer it to the goddess. The ritual can only be performed by women.
What’s the controversy now?
 Nearly 1,000 young boys undertake a seven-day penance before Pongala day.
 These boys are said to represent the wounded soldiers of the goddess.
 The boys have to observe strict discipline and stay inside the temple for seven days. The rigours include
sleeping on the floor, strict diet restrictions, and bathing three times a day.
 They also have to prostrate 1,008 times before the deity.
 The ritual also reportedly involves piercing the child’s side with a small hook and knotting a thread through it
to symbolise their bond with the Goddess.
What’s important?
 For Prelims: Attukal Pongala Festival, Kuthiyottam ritual.
 For Mains: Protection of vulnerable groups, balance between rights and customs.
Sources: the hindu.

2. 6th Editon of India by the Nile festival
Context: Sixth edition of the India by the Nile (IBN) festival 2018 is being held in Cairo, Egypt.
About India by the Nile festival:
 The annual festival showcases a range of Indian cultural output, including contemporary and classical music,
dance, puppet theatre, visual arts, food and yoga.
 It is the biggest foreign festival in Egypt and encourages artistic collaborations between the two countries.
 This year, the festival will also bring two new events, a fashion show and screening of the Indian movies.
 The festival is organised by the Embassy of India in Egypt and the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture in
collaboration with entertainment company Teamwork Arts.
What’s important?
 For Prelims: India by the Nile festival.
 For Mains: Cultural linkages between India and Egypt.
Sources: the hindu.

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3. Nabakalebar festival
Context:
 Commemorative coins in denominations of ₹10 and
₹1000 have been released on Lord Jagannath’s
Nabakalebar festival.
About Nabakalebar festival:
 The Nabakalebara is an ancient ritual associated with most of the Jagannath Templeswhen the Idols of Lord
Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced by a new set of Idols.
 A year with an extra Ashadha masa/month as per Hindu Calendar is considered auspicious for conducting the
ceremony. This usually occurs every twelve to nineteen years.
 The Deities are made from a special type of Neem wood known as Daru Bramha.
 The most recent ceremony was in 2015, following the 1996 ceremony.
 This festival is celebrated at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa.
What’s important?
 For Prelims: Nabakalebar festival, Daru Bramha.
Sources: the hindu.

4. Hindu New Year
 Hindu New Year was welcomed in different parts of the country with traditional festivities and celebrations.
 The Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Navareh, Navroz and Chetti Chand are the same festivals in different
names, marking the occasion.
o Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Ugadi.
o Karnataka: Yugadi /Ugadi.
o Maharashtra: Gudi Padwa.
o Sindhis: Cheti Chand.
o Manipuris: Sajibu Cheiraoba.
o Hindus of Bali and Indonesia also celebrate their new year on the same day as Nyepi.

5. Jackfruit to be Kerala’s state fruit
 Context: Jackfruit is set to be declared as the official fruit of Kerala. The
core objective of the government was to give a fillip to the production
and sale of jackfruit and its value-added products.
 Facts: Elephant is the state animal of Kerala, while ‘great hornbill’ is the
state bird and ‘kanikkonna’, the official flower. The state had also
recently declared pearl spot, popularly known as ‘karimeen’, as its
official fish.

6. ‘Adopt a Heritage Project’
Context:
 Letter of Intent has been issued to 24 agencies for the Submission of Vision Bids for 75 sites under the Adopt
a Heritage Project.
o The private players will undertake gap analysis of the actual requirement of the basic and advanced
amenities, within the permissible guidelines of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and prepare a Vision
Bid Proposal accordingly for the site opted by them.
o Once vision bid is accepted, MoU will be signed with the related party for upkeep of the Monument for
overall enhanced tourist experience.
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