Last 6 Months Current Affairs PDF for SSC & Railways 2018 Exam

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Last 6 Months Current Affairs PDF
for SSC & Railways 2018 Exam

Dear readers,

This PDF is a complete docket of important Current Affairs news and events that occurred in last 6 months (1
January 2018 – 10 July 2018). This file is important and relevant for all competitive exams like, SSC, Railways,
State, and other Govt. Exams.

Schemes
by Union/State Govt.
July
1. MP Government launched Subsidised Power Scheme ‘Sambal’: The Madhya Pradesh State Government launched an
outstanding power bill waiver scheme and subsidised power scheme called ‘Sambal’ for labourers and poor families.
• Under Sambal Yojana, the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families would be provided electricity at a cost of Rs 200 per
month.

June
1. Solar Charkha Mission: President Ram Nath Kovind of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions
launched Solar Charkha Mission under which (CRIs) for free distribution among people.
Government will disburse subsidy of Rs 550 crore to • The Union Ministry of Culture has launched Seva
thousands of artisans, generating employment in rural Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide financial
areas. assistance on purchase of specific food items by
• It was launched during the event of Udyam Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free
Sangam (National MSME Conclave) on the distribution among people.
occasion of World MSME Day (observed on 27
• Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central
June). Goods and Services Tax (CGST) charged on the
2. Suryashakti Kisan Yojana' for Farmers: The Gujarat raw food materials purchased by the religious
government launched a solar power scheme for farmers- institutions will be refunded.
Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) enabling them to • The scheme has been launched for financial
generate electricity for their captive consumption as well years 2018-19 and 2019-20 with a total outlay of
as sell the surplus power to the grid and earn an extra Rs. 325.00 crores.
buck.

3. Seva Bhoj Yojna, Union Ministry of Culture launched a
new scheme to provide financial assistance on purchase

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4. Swajal Scheme launched in 115 Aspirational districts of • Laborers falling under the unorganized sector in
India to provide clean drinking water. Madhya Pradesh will get power supply at a
• Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation subsidized rate.
launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational • The state cabinet also approved Mukhyamantri
districts of India to provide clean drinking water.
Jan Kalyan (Sambal) Yojana 2018 (a scheme to
• It will involve outlay of Rs. 700 crores through
provide subsidized power) in the meeting.
flexi-funds under existing National Rural
6. Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana a
Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.
Health Insurance Scheme for Journalists: Gopabandhu
5. Bijli Bill Mafi Yojana 2018 for laborers and poor
Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana is a new Health
families: The Madhya Pradesh government announced
Insurance Scheme for the journalists launched by the
an outstanding power bill waiver scheme Bijli Bill Mafi
state government in Odisha.
Yojana 2018 for laborers and poor families.
• This scheme provides Rs. 2 Lakh per annum
health insurance cover to all working journalists
of the state.

May

• The webportal and app aims to bring
1. Samagra Shiksha scheme: The Union Ministry of transparency in power purchase transactions
Human Resource Development (HRD) launched Samagra between Generators and Discoms.
Shiksha scheme to improve quality of school education. 3. IP Nani - The union minister Shri Suresh Prabhu
Note: launched the Intellectual Property (IP) mascot IP Nani at
• The Union Ministry of Human Resource the conference in New Delhi.
Development (HRD) launched Samagra Shiksha • Mascot IP Nani is a tech-savvy grandmother who
scheme to improve quality of school education. helps the government and enforcement agencies
• The scheme aims at improving quality of in combating IP crimes with the help of her
education, enhancing learning outcomes and grandson “Chhotu” aka Aditya.
using technology to empower children and
• The IP mascot will spread awareness about the
teachers.
importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
2. Union Ministry of Power launched the PRAAPTI App to
among people, especially children, in an
bring transparency in electricity payments to Generators.
interesting manner.
Note:
4. Gujarat govt. launch free treatment scheme for the road
• The Union Ministry of Power launched web
accident victims.
portal (www.praapti.in) and app namely
Note:
PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification And Analysis in
➢ Under this scheme, the state govt. will bear
Power procurement for bringing Transparency
medical expenses of up to 50,000 rupees for each
in Invoicing of generators).

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victim of road accident in the state for the first • It also aims at active participation in the learning
48 hours. process through experimentation and putting
➢ Free treatment includes dressing of wounds, X- into practice the knowledge acquired in the
ray, blood transfusion, treatment in ICU and MRI,
classrooms.
and all other treatment available in a hospital.
7. Rythu Bandhu scheme - The Telangana government
5. National Wind-solar Hybrid Policy - Ministry of New
launched Rythu Bandhu (friend of farmers) scheme at
and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched National Wind-
Dharmarajupalle-Indiranagar village in Karimnagar
solar Hybrid Policy to promote new projects as well as
district on May 10, 2018.
hybridization of the existing ones.
• The scheme is a first-of-its-kind initiative
Note:
➢ The objective of the policy is to provide a providing investment support to farmers, who
framework for the promotion of large grid own land.
connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for 8. ‘SWAYAM’ - Human Resource Development Ministry has
launched an initiative ‘SWAYAM’ to train teachers using
efficient utilization of transmission
digital platform.
infrastructure and land.
• The government will use the Massive Open
➢ These projects can be set up anywhere across the
Online Courses platform SWAYAM aims to
country depending on feasibility and land
update the teaching technique of 1.5 million
availability with bidders.
higher education faculty with focus on new and
➢ The MNRE is also in the process of launching a
emerging trends.
scheme for new hybrid projects under this
• To achieve this, in the first phase, 75 discipline-
policy.
specific National Resource Centres (NRCs) have
6. Digital India Internship Scheme - In May 2018, Union
been identified to prepare online training
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched the website of
Digital India Internship Scheme in New Delhi. material and keep the teachers well-informed of
Key points - latest developments in their disciplines through
• Under this scheme, 25 interns will be inducted the online refresher course.
for a period of three months, paid a stipend of 10 • Several institutions such as Central, State and
thousand rupees per month. Open Universities, National Institutes for
• The internship is an opportunity for a student to Technical Teachers Training, IITs, IIITs, NITs and
secure first hand and practical work experience other have been notified as NRCs in this regard.
under the guidance of qualified and experienced
Supervisor and Mentor.

April

1. ‘Project Dhoop’ - In order to address rising incidence of launched a unique initiative, 'Project Dhoop' in
Vitamin 'D'Deficiencies, particularly amongst the young association with NCERT, NDMC and North MCD Schools.
people, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has • This unique initiative urges schools to shift their
morning assembly to noon time mainly between

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11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to ensure maximum • Objective - The objective of this initiative is to
absorption of Vitamin D in students through solve problems in different 17 areas, which
natural sunlight. would have direct impact on improving lives of
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India citizens and also generate employment.
is an autonomous body established under the • Partnership - Under this new initiative, Atal
Innovation Mission has partnered with the
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Ministries of Road Transport and Highways,
Government of India.
Housing and Urban Affairs, Agriculture and
• Current Union Minister of Shri Jagat Prakash
Family Welfare, Drinking Water & Sanitation and
Nadda.
the Railway Board.
• He is a member of Rajya Sabha from Himachal
5. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan - The Ministry of Human
Pradesh.
Resource Development (HRD) launched the second
2. UTTAM App - for Coal Quality Monitoring.
edition of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan in New Delhi.
• The Union Minister for Railways and Coal Shri • The objective of this mission is to students from
Piyush Goyal launched UTTAM App for Coal 750 colleges and universities across the country
Quality Monitoring. will adopt the nearby villages and visit them to
• UTTAM stands for – Unlocking Transparency by get familiar with the life of the village people and
Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal the problems faced by them in the day to day life.
• UTTAM App ensures accountability, 6. Study in India - In April 18, the Government of India
transparency, effectiveness and efficiency in coal (GoI) has launched its flagship ‘Study in India’
ecosystem. programme to attract international students to study in
• It provides a platform for monitoring of sampling India.
and coal dispatches. • It was jointly launched by External Affairs
3. ‘Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ - Prime Minister Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for
Narendra Modi launched the ‘Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Human Resources Development Satya Pal Singh
Abhiyan’ at Ram Nagar in Mandla district of Madhya in New Delhi.
Pradesh.
7. 'Rupshree Yojana' - West Bengal introduced 'Rupshree
• The objective of the scheme is to enhance Yojana' for marriage of poor girls of the state
capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and • In this scheme, there is a proposal to extend the
the Gram Sabhas. financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to the girl's family,
4. Atal New India Challenge - On 26th April 2018, NITI whose annual income is Rs 1.5 lakh.
Aayog launched Atal New India Challenge under Atal • The State Government of West Bengal had earlier
Innovation Mission (AIM) with an aim to bring-in initiated a scheme called Kanyashree Scheme to promote
innovations and technologies relevant to the people. education among women.
Key points – 8. ‘Atal Amrit Abhiyan’ - Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu
• Grant - Under the Atal Innovation Mission grants launched an ambitious health assurance scheme ‘Atal
of up to Rs 1 crore will be provided to the Amrit Abhiyan’ in Assam state.
applicants showing capability, intent, and • The scheme will offer free medical care of up to 2
potential to productize technologies. lakh rupees for every individual from Below

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Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line • The main objective of this scheme is to increase the
(APL) families. green cover in the catchment areas of Ganga river and to
• The scheme will cover 92% of the state's control the erosion of land.
population with annual income below 5 lakh 10. DARPAN-PLI App - Minister of Communications
rupees. Manoj Sinha launched the DARPAN-PLI App in New
• The Assam govt. earmarked 400 crore rupees for Delhi.
the scheme in the financial year 2018-19. • The DARPAN-PLI App will help in the collection
9. Ganga Haritmala Scheme (Ganga Hariyali Yojana) - of a premium for PLI and RPLI policies at Branch
started by the state of Uttar Pradesh. Post Offices anywhere in India.
• DARPAN stands for - Digital Advancement of
Rural Post Office for a New India.

March

1. Ama Gaon, Ama Vikas (Our Village, our development)” • It is an initiative launched by the NITI Aayog.
programme - Odisha state launched ‘Ama Gaon, Ama 5. ‘Saubhagya’ scheme – Ministry of Skill Development
Vikas’ programme - & Entrepreneurship union ministry partnered with the
• Aim - to reach out to the people in rural areas Ministry of Power to support household electrification
and involve themselves in the developmental scheme ‘Saubhagya’.
activities. • The Union Ministry of Power has partnered with
2. KHUSHI’ Scheme” - Odisha government launched
the Ministry of Skill Development &
KHUSHI scheme to provide free sanitary napkins to
Entrepreneurship to train the manpower in six
school girls across the state.
states – Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
3. Udyam Sakhi Portal - Ministry of Micro, Small and
Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh – for
Medium Enterprises launched the Udyam Sakhi Portal
speedy implementation of its household
for women entrepreneurs of India.
electrification scheme ‘SAUBHAGYA’.
4. “SATH-E” project - to introduce system-wide
• The purpose of the SAUBHAGYA (Pradhan
Governance Transformation in school education.
Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna) scheme is to
• The expand form of “SATH-E” is Sustainable
Action for Transforming Human Capital in achieve universal household electrification in all
Education. parts of the country in a time bound manner.

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Schemes launched in Union Budget 2018
February

1. KUSUM scheme 2018 - Kisan Urja Suraksha evam • The operation aims to aid farmers and help
Utthaan Mahaabhiyan scheme announced in the Union control and limit the erratic fluctuations in the
Budget 2018. prices of onions, potatoes and tomatoes.
• Objective: to encourage farmers for solar • Budget Allocation – Rs. 500 crore
farming across the country. • Objective - to double the income of farmers by
• Budget allocation - Rs. 48,000 crore the end of 2022.
• Benefits – Govt. will provide Solar Agricultural 4. National Bamboo Mission (NBM) – Terming Bamboo as
Pumps to the farmers. ‘Green Gold’, the Union Finance Minister launched
• Target – Doubling farmers income by 2022. announced the scheme in the Union Budget 2018. It is a
2. Ayushman Bharat Scheme – In the Union Budget 2018 wholly-sponsored central scheme.
two major initiatives in health sector as part of • Objective - to promote the bamboo sector in the
Ayushman Bharat programme announced by the Union country. This will help the people of rural and
Finance Minister Arun Jaitely. tribal areas.
(i) Health and Wellness Centre - Under this 1.5 lakh • Budget Allocation - Rs 1,290 crore
centres will bring health care system closer to the homes 5. Gobar Dhan Yojana - Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro
of people. These centres will also provide free essential Resource Fund Scheme - In Union Budget 2018, the
drugs and diagnostic services. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has announced the new
Budget - The Budget has allocated Rs.1200 crore for scheme for the villagers.
this flagship programme. Objective - To make the villages open defecation free
and improving the lives of villagers.
(ii) National Health Protection Scheme - National Key points
Health Protection Scheme will cover over 10 crore poor • Under this scheme the solid waste and cattle
and vulnerable families. It will have 50 crore dung will be composed into useful elements such
beneficiaries. This scheme will be world’s largest as Bio-CNG and Bio-Gas that are needed in
government funded health care programme. agricultural sector.
3. Operation Green – On the lines of ‘‘Operation Flood’’ a 6. Affordable Housing Fund (.Kifayati Aawas yojna )– In
new Scheme ‘‘Operation Greens’ is announced in the Union Budget 2018, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has
Union Budget 2018. announced the new scheme to provide homes at low
• Aim – The aim of Operation Green scheme is to cost.
promote farmer producers organisations, agri- Objective – To boost demand and supply of low-cost
logistics, processing facilities and professional homes.
management. Key points –
• It is a price fixation scheme that aims to ensure • Government will establish a dedicated Affordable
farmers are given the right price for their Housing Fund (AHF) in National Housing Bank,
produce. funded from priority sector lending shortfall and

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fully serviced bonds authorized by the
Government of India. 8. Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education
7. Ekalavya Model Residential School – In the Union (RISE) - To make India produce better research and
Budget 2018, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has make its institutions climb up in global rankings.
announced the scheme to educate children from the • Objective - To step up investments in research
Tribal Community. and related infrastructure in premier educational
Objective – To bring major revolutions in the education institutions, including health institutions.
sector. • Agency - Higher Education Financing Agency
Key points (HEFA) would be suitably structured for funding
• Under this mission, it has been decided that by this initiative.
the year 2022, every block with more than 50% • Budget allocation - a total investment of ₹1
Scheduled Tribes (ST) population and at least lakh crore in the next four years.
20,000 tribal persons, will have an Ekalavya 9. Prime Minister Fellowship Scheme – A ‘Prime Minister
Model Residential School. Fellowship Scheme’ was announced for top 1,000 BTech
• “Ekalavya schools will be on a par with Navodaya students in the country to provide opportunity to the
Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for students to pursue a PhD in IITs and Indian Institute of
preserving local art and culture, besides Science (IISc).
providing training in sports and skill
development.”

January

1. Govt relaxes norms for Atal Pension Yojana - The followed by Bihar (8.87 lakh subscribers) and Tamil
Union Finance Ministry has relaxed norms of Atal Nadu (6.60 lakh).
Pension Yojana (APY) to allow small finance banks and 2. Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana (MGSVY) –
payment banks to offer APY distribution. The move is Punjab government launched the 'Mahatma Gandhi
expected to help expand coverage of the scheme. Sarbat Vikas Yojana' (MGSVY) aimed at the inclusive
Key features of the APY – growth of the distressed sections of the society.
• It is a social security scheme. 3. Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative - The Ministry of
• It replaced earlier Swavalamban scheme. Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has
• Age limit – 18 – 40 years launched Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative.
• Pension - Under scheme, subscriber will receive a Objective - to strengthen cybersecurity ecosystem in
minimum guaranteed pension of Rs. 1000 to Rs. India in line Government’s vision for a ‘Digital India’.
5000 per month, depending on his contribution, Key points
from age of 60 years. • It was launched in association with National e-
• There is no exit to the scheme before the age of 60. Governance Division (NeGD) and industry
Note: Uttar Pradesh with 11.41 lakh subscriber (APY partners.
accounts) is highest contributing state of the scheme • Cyber Surakshit Bharat is first public-private
partnership of its kind.

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• It will leverage the expertise of the IT industry in Health and Fitness Profile Card for more than 12
cybersecurity. lakhs of Kendriya Vidyalaya students.
• The founding partners include leading IT 6. 'Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana' – Odisha
companies such as Microsoft, Intel, WIPRO, state government launched the yojana assistance scheme
Redhat and Dimension Data. for Artists in the state.
4. Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Yojna - Objective – To provide financial assistance to the artists
Maharashtra state government launched the Yojna. of the state.
Objective – To promote climate-resilient agriculture in Note:
the state. • The government has decided to give Rs 1,200 per
Total budget - Rs.4,000-crore. month as artist assistance.
Note: • As per new eligibility criteria, a male artist can
• The yojna will be roll out in 2018-19 and get assistance under after attaining the age of 50
continue till 2023-24. years (earlier it was 60 years) and female artist
• The Scheme has been named after social activist can get it at age of 40 years (earlier it was 50
Nanaji Deshmukh who has worked in fields of years).
education, health, and rural self-reliance, and has 7. National Programme for Control of Viral Hepatitis
been honoured with Padma Vibhushan. scheme – The scheme will be roll out by the Union
5. Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat’ launched by HRD Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar in Kochi, Kerala. Objective - The focus will be on anti-viral treatment of
• The programme is an initiative of Kendriya Hepatitis C which will be provided free at all government
Vidyalaya Sangathan to prepare a physical health set-ups.
Budget - Rs 600 crore for the next three years.

Summits & Conference
July

1. G-20 Summit 2018 - Buenos Aires, Argentina its prestigious global event to be held in Navi
• G 20 Summit 2017 – Hamburg, Germany Mumbai, India in October 2018.
• G-20 2016 Summit – Hangzhou, China 5. 17th World Sanskrit Conference held in Canada:
2. NATO 2018 Summit – Brussels, Belgium. Human Resource Development Minister Prakash
• NATO Summit 2017 – Brussels, Belgium. Javadekar inaugurated the 17th World Sanskrit
• NATO 2016 Summit -Warsaw, Poland Conference held at Vancouver, Canada.
3. 10th BRICS Summit 2018- Johannesburg, South 6. 6th edition of biennial World Cities Summit held
Africa. in Singapore: The sixth edition of biennial World
• 9th BRICS Summit 2017 - Xiamen, China. Cities Summit was held in Singapore from July 8 to
12, 2018. Its theme was “Liveable & Sustainable
• V 8th BRICS Summit 2016- Goa, India
Cities: Embracing the Future through Innovation and
4. India to host International Union of Food Science
Collaboration“.
and Technology 2018 – India to host 19th edition of

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7. The 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic various ministries and industry partners, is
Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional ministerial organising ‘MOVE: Global Mobility Summit’ in New
meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan. It was first RCEP Delhi in September 2018.
ministerial gathering to be held outside ASEAN This Summit will help drive Government’s goals for
countries. vehicle electrification, renewable energy integration
8. NITI Aayog to organise India’s First Global and job growth and also speed up India’s transition
Mobility Summit: NITI Aayog, in collaboration with to a clean energy economy.

June

1. Haryana to host World Union of Wholesale Markets • Kyrgyzstan has taken over the SCO rotating
Conference. presidency, and the 19th SCO summit will be
• Haryana Government is going to host 2018 held in Kyrgyzstan next year.
World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) • The SCO is consisting of China, Russia,
Conference at Gurugram in 10-13 October 2018. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan,
2. World Environment Day 2018: India India and Pakistan.
• India hosted 2018 World Environment Day on 5. 44th G7 Summit 2018 – Canada
June 5, 2018. • The 44th G7 summit was held on June 8–9,
• With “Beat Plastic Pollution” as the theme for 2018, in Quebec, Canada.
this year’s edition, the world is coming together • This was the sixth time since 1981 that Canada
to combat single-use plastic pollution. has hosted the meetings.
• India ranks at 177 positions out of 180 in • The 45th G7 summit or next G7 summit will be
Environmental Performance Index 2018. held in 2019 in France.
3. The 11th edition of Geo-Intelligence Asia 2018 – New • The Group of Seven (G7) is a group consisting of
Delhi. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United
• The 11th edition of Geo-Intelligence Asia 2018 Kingdom, and the United States.
was held at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, 6. An International Conference on Information and
India. Communication Technology (ICT) - Kathmandu, Nepal
• The aim of the event was to provide platform to Explanation:
showcase innovative applications of Geospatial
• The International Conference on Information and
technologies.
Communication Technology (ICT) was held in
4. 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Kathmandu, Nepal.
summit 2018 - China
• The Theme of the two-day conference is
• The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization
“Sustainable Development Goals for Smart
(SCO-2018) was hosted by China in the city of
Society”.
Qingdao in June 2018.
• The conference is organised by the Federation of
• 17th SCO summit 2017, was held in Astana,
Computer Association Nepal (CAN).
Kazakhstan in June 2017.

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