TRIUMPH IAS ACADEMY MUMBAI

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Indonesia om combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Indonesia on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors. The MoU will help in mutual cooperation in regulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and in combating drug trafficking.  It will come into force on the date of signing and will remain in effect for a period of five years. India has signed similar Conventions/MoUs/Agreements with the 37 countries. Salient features of the MoU are as under: The MoU shall facilitate and enhance the cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors as defined by the United Nations International Drug

India pilots resolutions on Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly In a significant first, India piloted resolutions on two important global environment issues relating to Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) which was held in Nairobi from 11 th  to 15 th  March 2019.UNEA adopted both the resolutions with consensus. The theme of the UNEA this year was Innovative Solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable production and consumption. The global nitrogen use efficiency is low, resulting in pollution by reactive nitrogen which threatens human health, eco system services, contributes to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion. Only a small proportion of the plastics produced globally are recycled with most of it damaging the environment and aquatic bio-diversity. Both these are global challenges and the resolutions

Ministry of Earth Science 27-March, 2019 13:59 IST Cabinet apprised about MoU on Antarctic cooperation between India and Argentine The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised about an MoU signed in February, 2019 between India and Argentine on Antarctic cooperation. The MoU will help scientific cooperation on projects in the fields of Earth sciences, as well as those related to the protection and conservation of the natural environment of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans. Salient Features: Scientific co-operation on projects in the fields of -inter alia- Earth sciences and life sciences, as well as those related to the protection and conservation of the natural environment of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans; The exchange of scientific and bibliographical information related to the study of Antarctica, its environment and dependent and associated ecosystems; Exploring opportunities for exchanges of scientists; Participation of

Young Scientist Programme Launched at ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation has launched a special programme for School Children called  “Young Scientist Programme” “YUva VIgyani KAryakram” (युविका )   from   this year. The Program is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities. ISRO has chalked out this programme to “Catch them young”. The residential training programme will be of around two weeks duration during summer holidays and it is proposed to select 3 students each from each State/ Union Territory to participate in this programme every year covering CBSE, ICSE and State syllabus. Those who have finished 8 th  standard and currently studying in 9 th  standard will be eligible for the programme. ISRO has approached the Chief Secretaries of the respective States/ Administrators of Union Territories in India to

The ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy ( Sujata ,  Sarathi  and  Shardul ) are currently  undertaking Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  operations at Port Beira, Mozambique since 18 Mar 19.  The ships were diverted from sea post Cyclone ' IDAI'  hit the coast of Mozambique on 15 Mar 19 causing large scale destruction and loss of lives. 

Ministry of Defence 27-March, 2019 14:41 IST India Joins Select Group of Nations, Destroys Live Satellite in Low Earth Orbit Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’ from the Dr AP J Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. A DRDO-developed Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a ‘Hit to Kill’ mode. The interceptor missile was a three-stage missile with two solid rocket boosters. Tracking data from range sensors has confirmed that the mission met all its objectives. The test has demonstrated the Nation’s capability to defend its assets in outer space. It is a vindication of the strength and robust nature of DRDO’s programmes. With this India joins a select group of nations, which have such capability. The test has once again proven the capability of indigenous weapon systems.

Admiral Sunil Lanba commissions Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training Facility - ABHEDYA, at INS Shivaji, Lonavala Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM AVSM ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff commissioned a state of the art  "Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training Facility - ABHEDYA", at  INS Shivaji, Lonavla today. The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including VAdm AK Chawla, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command, VAdm GS Pabby, Chief of Materiel &Cmde BB Nagpal CMD, GSL. M/s. GSL had signed the contract with Indian Navy for construction of NBCTF on 31 Mar 2016. In line with its tradition of delivering projects ahead of schedule, GSL has handed over the facility to Indian Navy on 28 Sep 2018, well ahead of schedule. Cmde BB Nagpal CMD GSL stated “The timely completion of this Project is a reflection of the superior technical design and execution abilities of the Indian Navy and Goa Shipyard Limited. This unique facility will assist Indian Navy in providing realistic simu

PM-KISAN SCHEME – More than 2 crore Small/Marginal Farmers have benefited so far With a view to augment the income of farmers by providing income support to all Small and Marginal landholder farmers’ families across the country and to enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs, the Central Government had started a new Scheme on 01.02.2019 namely, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAmman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). The Scheme aims to provide a payment of Rs.6000/- per year for the farmers’ families with cultivable land holding upto 2 hectare, subject to certain exclusions. This Rs.6000/- would be released in three 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000/- over the year. The scheme is effective from 1.12.2018. The amount is being released by the Central Government directly into the bank accounts of the eligible farmers under Direct Benefit Transfer mode for a period of 4 months ending on 31.03.2019. Around 12.5 crore farmers across the country

– Croatia relations- the way forward” It is a privilege for me to be at the University of Zagreb, this historic home of thought and knowledge, which is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year. India’s second President and my illustrious predecessor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had visited this university in October 1965. I thank Dr. Boras and the University for this opportunity to once again bring to you the message of India. The University of Zagreb is renowned as a centre for learning and scholarship. We in India have a special connect with this university, and particularly its Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, for hosting the Department of Indology. The rich work that this Department has undertaken in promoting the study of India has been invaluable. In studying India, our languages, our traditions and our cultures, you have truly brought our two countries together. We are privileged to have partnered with you in many endeavours. Yesterday, we launched a Sanskrit

Government of India and World Bank Sign $250 Million Agreement for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) to boost Rural Incomes across 13 States in India The World Bank and the Government of India signed here today in New Delhi a $250 Million Agreement for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) which will help women in rural households shift to a new generation of economic initiatives by developing viable enterprise for farm and non-farm products.     A Key Focus of the Project will be to promote women-owned and women-led farm and non-farm enterprises across value chains; enable them to build businesses that help them access finance, markets and networks; and generate employment.   The National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) is an  additional financing  to the $500 million National Rural Livelihoods Project (NRLP) approved by the World Bank in July 2011.  The NRLP which is currently being implemented across 13 states, 162

Ministry of Commerce & Industry 05-March, 2019 12:04 IST INDIA-US Trade Issues United States of Americatoday has given a 60-day withdrawal notice to Indiaon the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits extended by US. Since the review initiated by the US in April 2018 on India's GSP benefits, India and US have been discussing various trade issues of bilateral interest for a suitable resolution on mutually acceptable terms. GSP benefits are envisaged to be non-reciprocal and non-discriminatory benefits extended by developed countries to developing countries. In India's case the GSP concessions extended by the US amounted to duty reduction of only USD 190 million per annum. The US had initiated the review on the basis of representations by the US medical devices and dairy industries, but subsequently included numerous other issues on a self-initiated basis. These included issues related to market access for various agriculture and animal husbandry products, r

PM Modi launches Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today, launched the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana at Vastral in Gujarat. He also distributed the PM-SYM pension cards to select beneficiaries. Over two crore workers at three lakh Common Service Centers across the country witnessed the launch event through video conference Terming it as a historic day, the Prime Minister dedicated PM-SYM Yojana to the forty two crore strong unorganized sector workers in the country. He said that the scheme will assure a monthly pension of Rs.3000 for the enrolled unorganized sector workers during their old age. It is for the first time since independence that such a scheme is envisaged for the crores of workers engaged in the informal sector, PM added. The Prime Minister explained in detail about the benefits of PM-SYM. A contribution of equal amount as that of the beneficiary will be made by the Union Government,

The Regional Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between sixteen countries namely 10 countries of ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners (also known as AFP’s or ASEAN FTA Partners) namely Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. The RCEP has entered the sixth year of negotiations. During the last five years 24 Rounds of negotiations at the expert level were held – the last Round was held from 18-27 October, 2018 in Auckland; six Ministerial meetings and seven inter-sessional Ministerial meetings were held so far - the 6 th  Ministerial meeting held on 30-31 August, 2018 in Singapore and the 7 th inter-sessional Ministerial meeting held on 12-13 November, 2018 in Singapore; and two RCEP Leaders’ Summitswere held. During the 2 nd  RCEP Summit on 14 November 2018 in Singapore, Leaders acknowledged the ‘substantial progress’ in the negotiati

1.The Chairman and the other members of the Commission shall hold office from the date on which they respectively assume office up to the date of submission of Report or 30th day of October, 2019, whichever is earlier.  2. The Commission shall make recommendations as to the following matters, namely:— (i) The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds; (ii) The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under Article 275 of the Constitution for purposes other than those specified in the provisos to clause (1) of that article; and (iii) The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources

Ministry of Commerce & Industry 11-March, 2019 12:46 IST 14thCII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnerships to be held in New Delhi on March 17 – 19 Ministry of Commerce & Industry will be organising the 14 th  CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnerships, in association with Confederation of Indian Industry and EXIM Bank of India in New Delhi from March 17-19, 2019. The event will mark the deepening of India-Africa economic and business ties and pave the way for a whole range of cross-border project partnerships. The annual Conclave, since its inception in 2005, brings senior Ministers, policy makers, officials, business leaders, bankers, technologists, start-up entrepreneurs and other professionals from India and Africa on a common platform in a spirit of partnership.       Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,  Vice President of  Republic of Ghana, Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana,  Prime Minister of  Republic of Guinea, Monyane Moleleki,  Deputy Prime Minist

NITI Aayog 25-March, 2019 19:19 IST Over 300 stakeholders from across the Government, Banking and Startup investors chart future of financial technologies To shape India’s continued ascendancy in FinTech, build the narrative for future strategy and policy efforts, and to deliberate steps for comprehensive financial inclusion, NITI Aayog organized a day-long FinTech Conclave in New Delhi today. The Conclave featuredrepresentatives from across the financial space – central ministries, regulators, bankers, startups, investors, service providers and entrepreneurs. MrShaktikanta Das, Governor of RBI inaugurated the Conclave in the presence of Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog and MrSubhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. Giving the keynote address on ‘Opportunities and Challenges of FinTech’, Mr Das noted that FinTech has the potential to reshape the financial services and financial inclusion landscape in India in fundamental ways. He