Insights April 2018 Current Affairs

132 Pages·2017·5.4 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

APRIL 2018
© INSIGHTS ACTIVE LEARNING
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GS PAPER - I ______________________________ 8 GS PAPER - II _____________________________ 20
Paper 1 Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Paper 2 Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings,
Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and
modern times. ___________________________________ 8 basic structure. __________________________________ 20
1. Konark Sun Temple ______________________ 8 Right to convert is part of fundamental right of
choice __________________________________ 20
2. Kalamkari art ___________________________ 8
Paper 2 Topic: Separation of powers between various organs
3. Adopt a Heritage Project __________________ 9
dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. ________ 20
4. National Culture Fund ____________________ 9
1. Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal ________ 20
5. Walmiki and Malhar, two new languages
2. PIL misuse _____________________________ 21
discovered ______________________________ 10
3. Scheduled areas ________________________ 22
6. 11th World Hindi Conference ______________ 10
Paper 2 Topic: Salient features of the Representation of
7. Baisakhi ______________________________ 11
People’s Act. ____________________________________ 23
8. Bagh-e-Naya Qila _______________________ 12
Simultaneous elections ____________________ 23
9. Adilabad Dokra and Warangal Durries get GI tag
Paper 2 Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts,
_______________________________________ 12 powers, functions and responsibilities of various
Constitutional Bodies. ____________________________ 24
10. Adopt a Heritage’ scheme _______________ 13
1. Process to impeach the Chief Justice of India _ 24
11. Saraswati Samman ____________________ 14
2. First Woman Lawyer to be Appointed As
12. Krishna Circuit ________________________ 14
Supreme Court Judge: _____________________ 25
13. International Buddhist Conference _______ 14
Paper 2 Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-
14. Silappathikaram ______________________ 15 judicial bodies. __________________________________ 25
Paper 1 Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and 1. Fast track task Force ____________________ 25
important contributors /contributions from ___________ 16
2. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) ________ 25
“Satyagraha se Swachhagraha” campaign _____ 16
3. NCLT _________________________________ 26
Paper 1 Topic: Role of women and women’s organization,
4. Competition Commission of India __________ 26
population and associated issues, poverty and
developmental issues. ____________________________ 17 5. Drugs Technical Advisory Board ___________ 27
1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
6. National Company Law Appellate Tribunal __ 28
(PMMVY) _______________________________ 17
7. National Commission for Safai Karamcharis __ 29
2. Swadhar Greh Scheme __________________ 18
8. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board
3. Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme ____________ 18
(PNGRB) ________________________________ 29
Paper 1 Topic: Urbanization, their problems and their
9. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH)
remedies. ______________________________________ 19
_______________________________________ 30
1. Happy cities summit ____________________ 19
10. National Commission for Minority Educational
2. Smart rating of garbage free cities _________ 19 Institutions (NCMEI) _______________________ 31
11. Defence Planning Committee (DPC) _______ 32
12. National Commission for Minorities (NCM) _ 33
13. Island Development Agency _____________ 34

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14. MoU between ICI and IGNTU ____________ 34 Paper 2 Topic: Issues relating to development and
management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,
15. Zonal Council _________________________ 35
Education, Human Resources. ______________________ 50
16. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) ________ 35
1. NIRF India Rankings 2018 ________________ 50
17. National Safety Council _________________ 36
2. FSSAI introduces Project Dhoop ___________ 51
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
3. Viral hepatisis __________________________ 52
______________________________________________ 36
Paper 2 Topic: Development processes and the development
1. National Register of Citizens (NRC) _________ 36
industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and
2. ‘one candidate, one seat’ ________________ 37 associations, donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders. ___________________________________ 53
Paper 2 Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of
the population by the Centre and States and the performance 1. Gram Swaraj Abhiyan ___________________ 53
of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies
2. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 ________________ 53
constituted for the protection and betterment of these
vulnerable sections. ______________________________ 38 Paper 2 Topic: Important aspects of governance,
transparency and accountability, e-governance-applications,
1. POSHAN Abhiyaan ______________________ 38
models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens
2. PM Ujwala Yojana ______________________ 38 charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and
other measures. _________________________________ 54
3. NITI Forum for Northeast ________________ 39
1. POCSO e-Box __________________________ 54
4. WHO directives call for support for breastfeeding
2. Integration of e-SANAD portal and NAD –
_______________________________________ 40
National Academic Depository ______________ 55
5. Aspirational District Programme __________ 40
3. Make BCCI a public body _________________ 55
6. Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana ____________ 41
4. e-Vidhan project________________________ 56
7. TRIFED _______________________________ 42
Paper 2 Topic: Role of civil services. _________________ 56
Paper 2 Topic: Government policies and interventions for
Civil Services Day _________________________ 56
development in various sectors and issues arising out of their
design and implementation. _______________________ 43
Paper 2 Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations. __ 57
1. SC/ST Atrocities Act _____________________ 43
1. Kishanganga project _____________________ 57
2. Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill,
2. India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral
2018 ___________________________________ 44
Highway ________________________________ 57
3. Oxytocin ______________________________ 44
Paper 2 Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and
agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
4. Phosphorus pentoxide: __________________ 45
______________________________________________ 58
5. Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy
1. Mutual Recognition of Certificates of
(HELP) __________________________________ 45
Competency of Seafarers ___________________ 58
6. Gram Swaraj Abhiyan ___________________ 46
2. G7 foreign ministers’ summit _____________ 59
7. e-FRRO scheme ________________________ 46
3. Peace Mission 2018 _____________________ 59
8. DARPAN-PLI App _______________________ 47
Paper 2 Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and
9. Cabinet to discuss death penalty for rape of developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. 60
minors _________________________________ 47
1. US places India under watch list ___________ 60
10. Inter-country removal & retention of children
2. Study in India programme ________________ 60
_______________________________________ 49
Paper 2 Topic: Important International institutions, agencies
11. National Biopharma Mission ____________ 50
and fora, their structure, mandate. __________________ 61
1. Guidelines for accreditation of journalists ___ 61
2. World Heritage Site _____________________ 62
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3. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) _ 63 Paper 3 Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts
of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation
4. UN Disarmament Commission ____________ 64
systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural
5. International Energy Forum ______________ 64 produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in
the aid of farmers. _______________________________ 82
6. Regional 3R Forum _____________________ 65
Uttarakhand’s second mega food park at Udham
7. Headquarters Agreement between India and the
Singh Nagar _____________________________ 82
International Solar Alliance_________________ 66
Paper 3 Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm
8. Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution
Health (PMNCH) _________________________ 67 System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping;
issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology
9. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) _ 68
missions; economics of animal-rearing. ______________ 83
10. UN launches road safety trust fund _______ 68
1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) _ 83
11. Asian premium _______________________ 69
2. ‘Samridhi – the virtual assistant’ ___________ 84
12. Weisbaden conference _________________ 70
3. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) ___ 84
13. World heritage day ____________________ 71
4. National Bamboo Mission ________________ 85
14. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) __ 72
Paper 3 Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports,
15. Meeting of the Development Committee (DC) Railways etc. ____________________________________ 86
and IMFC of the World Bank Group and the IMF 72
1. Bharatmala Programme__________________ 86
16. South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF)
2. Char Dham project ______________________ 87
_______________________________________ 73
3. UDAN – RCS ___________________________ 88
17. World Press Freedom Prize ______________ 73
4. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund
18. World Immunization Week ______________ 73
(NIIF) ___________________________________ 89
19. World Press Freedom Index _____________ 74
5. SEBI amends norms for REITs _____________ 89
GS PAPER - III ____________________________ 76 6. FAME scheme __________________________ 89
Paper 3 Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to 7. PMGSY _______________________________ 90
planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development.
8. Uniform road tax _______________________ 91
______________________________________________ 76
1. RBI bars banks from dealing with virtual 9. Leisang in Manipur ______________________ 92
currencies ______________________________ 76
Paper 3 Topic: Science and Technology- developments and
their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements
2. Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) ______ 76
of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of
3. Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework _ 77 technology and developing new technology. __________ 92
4. Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) _______ 78 1. Road map for drones ____________________ 92
5. Inflation targeting ______________________ 78 2. Commonwealth innovation index __________ 93
6. Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) _______ 79 3. Commonwealth Innovation Fund __________ 94
Paper 3 Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, 4. Atal Tinkering Labs ______________________ 94
changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial
5. Earth BioGenome Project ________________ 95
growth. _______________________________________ 80
6. Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project ___ 96
Economic freedom index __________________ 80
7. Atal New India Challenge _________________ 96
Paper 3 Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. 81
1. Sovereign Gold Bond scheme _____________ 81 8. Bhabha Kavach _________________________ 97
2. International SME Convention-2018 _______ 81

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Paper 3 Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, 8. Rushikulya ___________________________ 113
Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and
9. Coastal Regulation Zone ________________ 114
issues relating to intellectual property rights. _________ 97
10. Ramsar tag likely for Sunderbans ________ 115
1. RemoveDebris system ___________________ 97
11. Earth Day 2018 _______________________ 115
2. Point Nemo ___________________________ 98
12. New system to measure air quality _______ 116
3. Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation
Research Experiment (ASPIRE) ______________ 99 13. World’s smallest land fern ______________ 116
4. Icarus- farthest star _____________________ 99 14. Fejervarya goemchi ___________________ 116
5. BIS Act 2016 __________________________ 100 15. United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) __________________ 117
6. Newly discovered antibiotic class, Odilorhabdins
______________________________________ 100 16. Great Barrier Reef ____________________ 117
7. Parker Solar Probe _____________________ 101 17. Trapdoor matriarch ___________________ 118
8. IIT-Delhi launches first 5G radio lab _______ 102 Paper 3 Topic: Disaster and disaster management. ____ 118
9. IRNSS-1I _____________________________ 102 National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)
______________________________________ 118
10. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) 103
Paper 3 Topic: Security challenges and their management in
11. Lunar ‘Gateway’ space station __________ 103
border areas. __________________________________ 119
12. Bureau of Indian Standards ____________ 104
1. Protected Area Permit regime ____________ 119
13. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information
2. AFSPA lifted in Meghalaya _______________ 120
Service (INCOIS) _________________________ 104
Paper 3 Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their
14. ESA’s space observatory Gaia ___________ 105
mandate. _____________________________________ 121
15. National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018
Narcotics Control Bureau __________________ 121
______________________________________ 105
Paper 3 Topic: Challenges to internal security through
16. Priority watch list ____________________ 106 communication networks, role of media and social
networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of
17. Resource Prospector mission ___________ 106
cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. __ 122
18. Hubble captured first image of surviving
1. ‘Internet Security Threat Report’ _________ 122
companion to supernova _________________ 107
2. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ________ 122
19. Interior Exploration using Seismic
Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport 3. Cybersecurity Tech Accord ______________ 123
(InSight) _______________________________ 107
4. Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance 2018
20. Sentinel-3B satellite __________________ 108 ______________________________________ 124
Paper 3 Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and Facts for Prelims _________________________ 126
degradation, environmental impact assessment. _____ 109
1. India’s longest elevated road ______________ 126
1. Delhi becomes first city to roll-out Euro VI fuel
2. India is now second largest mobile phone producer
______________________________________ 109
_________________________________________ 126
2. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical
3. “Thank You India” Campaign 2018 __________ 126
Weapons (OPCW) _______________________ 110
4. Walong tri-junction ______________________ 126
3. Van Dhan Vikas Kendra _________________ 110
5. Malaysia approves law against fake news ____ 126
4. Manas National Park ___________________ 111
6. Fimbristylis agasthyamalaensis _____________ 126
5. Kaleswaram project ____________________ 111
6. India pips Japan, becomes second largest
6. NAAMES Mission ______________________ 112 manufacturer of crude steel _________________ 127
7. Samta Diwas ____________________________ 127
7. National Clean Air Programme ___________ 113
8. UTTAM APP for Coal Quality Monitoring _____ 127
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9. National Maritime Day ___________________ 127 22. India Mobile Congress - 2018 _____________ 129
10. Gaganshakti-2018 ______________________ 127 23. Babur cruise missile _____________________ 129
11. ‘Chakravat’ ____________________________ 127 24. Film Friendly Award _____________________ 130
12. Sahyog – Hyeoblyeog 2018 _______________ 128 25. Kayakalp awards ________________________ 130
13. Railway link between India and Nepal ______ 128 26. First Indian IT Company To Touch 100 Billion Dollar
Market Value _____________________________ 130
14. “Desert Tiger 5” ________________________ 128
27. Madras HC to introduce e-court fee payment 130
15. Sugar tax comes into effect in the UK ______ 128
28. Which city in India recently became the first city
16. World’s first microfactory to help tackle e-waste
to run on 100% Renewable Energy during Daytime?
hazard ___________________________________ 128
_________________________________________ 130
17. Delhi’s IGI airport among the top 20 busiest
29. India highest recipient of remittances ______ 130
airports __________________________________ 128
30. Sagar Kavach ___________________________ 130
18. Equatorial Guinea ______________________ 129
31. HARIMAU SHAKTI 2018 __________________ 130
19. Ratnagiri Mega Refinery _________________ 129
32. What is underwriting rule? _______________ 131
20. Exercise Gaganshakti-2018 _______________ 129

21. Defence, aerospace SME fund ____________ 129

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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. Konark Sun Temple
Context:
 An aesthetically designed interpretation centre with
world-class facilities that showcases the unique
architectural features of Kalingan era was recently
inaugurated at Sun Temple, Konark.
 The Indian Oil Foundation has developed the
interpretation centre and the tourist facilitation
centre at a cost of Rs. 45 crore.
Key facts for Prelims:
 Built in the 13th century, the Konark temple was
conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven
horses.
 It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of Ganga dynasty.
 The temple is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its architectural greatness and also for the
sophistication and abundance of sculptural work.
 The temple is perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach and salient natural beauty.
 It is protected under the National Framework of India by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains (AMASR) Act (1958) and its Rules (1959).
 The Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is
Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha).
 This temple was also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by
ancient sailors to Odisha. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.
 It remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around
the month of February.
Sources: pib.

2. Kalamkari art
Context:
 A ‘Kalamkari art museum’ has been opened at Pedana
in Andhra Pradesh. The museum traces the history of
the art and displays the process of extraction of natural
colours from various sources.
Kalamkari:
 Kalamkari is an ancient style of hand painting done on
cotton or silk fabric with a tamarind pen, using natural
dyes. The word Kalamkari is derived from a Persian
word where ‘kalam‘ means pen and ‘kari‘ refers to
craftsmanship.
 There are two identifiable styles of Kalamkari art in
India – Srikalahasti style and Machilipatnam style.
o In the Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari, motifs are essentially printed with hand-carved traditional blocks
with intricate detailing painted by hands.
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o On the other hand, Srikalahasti style of painting draws inspiration from the Hindu mythology describing
scenes from the epics and folklore. This style holds a strong religious connect because of its origin in the
temples.
What’s important?
 For Prelims and Mains: Kalamkari and its subtypes.
Sources: the hindu.

3. Adopt a Heritage Project
Context:
 Infrastructure conglomerate GMR and tobacco company ITC Ltd
are currently bidding to adopt the Taj Mahal under the ‘Adopt a
Heritage’ project. The iconic tomb in Agra was not initially on the
list of monuments to be adopted under the Adopt a Heritage
scheme, because of its importance.
 However, it was added to the list in February and a seven-
member Oversight and Vision Committee will now decide whom
to hand over the bid to.
Adopt a Heritage Project:
 What is it? The ‘Adopt a Heritage Scheme’ of Ministry of Tourism was launched on World Tourism Day i.e.
27th September, 2017. This project is a key initiative of Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with
Ministry of Culture and Archeological Survey of India (ASI), to develop the heritage sites / monuments and
making them tourist-friendly to enhance the tourism potential and their cultural importance in a planned and
phased manner.
 How it works? The project plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites to private sector
companies, public sector companies and individuals for the development of tourist amenities. The project
aims to develop synergy among all partners.
 Monument Mitras: Successful bidders selected for adopting heritage sites / monuments by the Oversight and
Vision Committee shall be called as Monument Mitras. The basic and advanced amenities of the tourist
destinations would be provided by them. They would also look after the operations and the maintenance of
the amenities. The ‘Monument Mitras’ would associate pride with their CSR activities.
Facts for Prelims:
 In 2007, the government of Maharashtra had announced its own adopt-a-monument scheme, inviting private
and public sector companies to adopt heritage sites for a period of five years.
 This was extended to 10 years in 2014 because of the poor response from companies. So far, the only site to
be adopted by a private company under this scheme is Osmanabad district’s Naldurg fort, where tourism
amenities are now being managed by Unity Multicons.
What’s important?
 For Prelims: Adopt a Heritage, Monument Mitras and World Tourism Day.
 For Mains: Need for conservation of heritage sites.
Sources: pib.

4. National Culture Fund
Context:
 As per latest data released by the government, 34 projects have been successfully implemented under
National Culture Fund Scheme till date, thus, promoting, protecting and preserving India’s cultural heritage.
About National Culture Fund:
 National Culture Fund (NCF) was set up as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 in November
1996 by the Government, with a view to mobilize extra resources through Public Private Partnerships.
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