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Global University Employability Ranking 2017 – IISc Ranks 29th in the World
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has ranked 29th among the top 150 universities on Global University Employability Ranking 2017 published by Times Higher Education. Other than IISc, only two institutes from India featured among the top 150. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) ranked 145th and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) ranked 148th.
Indian Railways installs Asia’s largest Solid State Interlocking in Kharagpur
Indian Railways has installed Asia’s largest Solid State Interlocking (SSI) system in Kharagpur, which will enable station masters to set 800 different routes for trains in a matter of minutes. Interlocking is a railway signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements of trains. Asia’s largest Solid State Interlocking (SSI) system has been installed in Kharagpur at a cost of Rs 39 crore. The cutting-edge technology replaces the pre-1989 route relay system that only allowed operators to set maximum 423 routes. The new system ensures that no cross-movement takes place.
Multi State Mega Mock Tsunami Exercise 2017 begins
The Ministry of Home affairs will conduct a multi-State mega mock exercise on tsunami preparedness on 24 November 2017. The Ministry with the help of the national Disaster Management Authority, NDMA and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services will conduct the exercise simultaneously in 31 coastal districts across four States – West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu – and Union Territory Puducherry along with the entire East Coast. The exercise is one of the various activities planned on the occasion of the 2nd World Tsunami Awareness Day held on November 5 this year.
Bamboo not ‘Tree’ any more: President promulgates ordinance to amend Forest Act
President Ram Nath Kovind has promulgated an ordinance under Article 123 of Constitute to amend Indian Forest Act, 1927 to encourage bamboo plantation by farmers in private lands. The ordinance omits bamboo (taxonomically a grass) grown in non-forest areas from definition of trees. The omission, thereby exempts it from requiring permits for felling or transportation of bamboo grown in non-forest areas.
HRD ministry launches Digital Signature campaign on Constitution Day
Ministry of Human Resources Development has launched a Digital Signature campaign on Constitution Day affirming faith in Indian Constitution and to generate awareness on fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution. Giving the link in a tweet, Mr Javadekar stated that people, can join the campaign by filling a form online. 26th November is celebrated as Constitution Day.
Union Cabinet introduces Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra
The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave approval for the expansion of schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) under the umbrella scheme “Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women”. The expansion has been approved for a period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with financial outlay of 3636.85 crore. The Central Share will be approximately Rs.3084.96 crore. Besides, a new scheme called ‘Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra (PMSSK)’, which will empower rural women through community participation approved.
Government Sets up a Panel to Draft New Direct Tax Law
The government has constituted a task force for redrafting the 50-year old income tax law in sync with the economic needs of the country. The six-member task force will have Arbind Modi, CBDT Member (Legislation) as the Convener and other members, including Girish Ahuja (chartered accountant), Rajiv Memani (Chairman and Regional Managing Partner of EY) and Mansi Kedia (Consultant, ICRIER). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the annual conference of tax officers in September, had observed that the Income-tax Act, 1961 was drafted more than 50 years ago and it needs to be redrafted.
Union Govt initiates ‘safe-city’ plan for women in 8 metropolitan cities
The union govt has initiated the process of formulating comprehensive ‘safe-city’ plans for women in eight metropolitan cities of the country. The process was kick-started during a Steering Committee meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv gauba. During the meeting, a comprehensive review was undertaken to measure the progress and examine steps taken by the police and civil administration for women’s safety. The pan will be implemented in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
Prime Minister Modi launches Umang app
Prime minister Narendra Modi has launched Umang mobile application, an integrated platform for government to citizen services. Umang- an acronym for “unified mobile app for new age” e-governance – currently hosts around 162 services from 33 government departments of central and state governments. The app has been developed by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MEITY). Some of the services relate to Aadhaar, DigiLocker, Pay Gov, Bharat Bill Payments System (BBPS), and CBSE. The app provides easy facility for provisioning the services through mobile without long drawn detailed project report (DPR)/ bidding process.
India becomes Second Largest Fish Producing Country in the World
Combining the production of all types of fisheries (capture and culture), the total fish production has reached at about 11.41 million tonnes in 2016-17 and India has become the second largest fish producing country in the world. The scheme ‘Blue Revolution’ has been launched with the outlay of Rs. 300 crore for the integrated development of the Fisheries sector in the country. As a result, overall fish production has registered an increase of about 18.86% in comparison to the last three years, whereas inland fish production has registered a growth of more than 26%.
India’s first Mega Coastal Economic Zone to come up in Maharashtra
The government has given the go-ahead for setting up India’s first mega coastal economic zone (CEZ) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra as part of a plan to develop 14 such industrial clusters to spur manufacturing and generate jobs. About 45 companies across telecom, auto and IT sectors will soon bid for 200 hectares of land to set up manufacturing units in the zone. The plan envisages a total investment of Rs 15,000 crore in the first phase and creation of more than 1.5 lakh jobs.
India Disease Burden Initiative Report
As per ‘India State-level Disease Burden Initiative Report’, child and maternal malnutrition were responsible for 15 % of the total disease burden in 2016 across India. Analysis of disease burden for each Indian state from 1990 to 2016 has been presented. It is jointly prepared by the ICMR, the Public Health Foundation of India and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
Vice President inaugurates ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ Tribal Festival
The Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ – fortnight long Tribal Festival with the theme of ‘A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce’ on 16 November at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. The festival will run for a fortnight through 30th November 2017. The festival will feature exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, fabric, jewellery and much more through about 200 stalls. The Mahotsav is an effect to take tribal commerce to the next level of digital and electronic transactions. The Mahotsav apart from exotic handicrafts will also showcase the electronic and digital skills of the tribals as a special attraction.
India’s global rank up to 14th for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
India is ranked 14th in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2018 out of 56 nations and the European Union by environmental organisation Germanwatch, an improvement from its 20th position last year, for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by opting to transform its electricity sector towards green technology. The top three rankings are unoccupied as the report says no country is on a Paris-compatible path yet that aims to keep the average global temperature rise well below two degrees Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Sweden ranks fourth in this year’s CCPI, following the empty top three.
Thirty seventh India International Trade Fair begins in New Delhi
The 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF) has begun at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The 14-day annual event has been organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). It was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind. This year the theme of the fair is “Startup India Standup India”. Vietnam is the Partner Country, while Kyrgyzstan is the Focus Country. Jharkhand is participating as a Partner State in the event.
Power Minister launches National Portal for power sector
Power Ministry launched a National Power Portal (NPP), a centralised platform for collation and dissemination of Indian power sector information. The portal may be accessed at http://npp.gov.in. The NPP is a centralised system for the power sector which facilitates online data capture/input (daily, monthly, annually) from generation, transmission and distribution utilities.
Youth Affairs Minister releases India Youth Development Index and Report 2017
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Rajyavardhan Rathore released the Indian Youth Development Index (YDI) and Report 2017 in New Delhi. The index has been developed by the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) in Tamil Nadu. The main aim behind constructing the index is to track the trends in Youth Development across the states.
Govt to give proxy voting rights to over 25 million Non Resident Indians
The government has decided to give proxy voting rights to over 25 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) spread across the world, Attorney general KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court. The Election Commission of India had already recommended that the government take necessary steps to amend the law for NRI voters. It had prepared a report titled ‘Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors’ and presented it to the court in October 2014.
First ever Nordic-Baltic Youth film festival in India
The Nordic-Baltic embassies will host the first ever youth film festival of the European nations in Delhi showcasing movies from the region. The 6-Day long festival will run in collaboration with the India Habitat Centre. The Nordic-Baltic countries Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden or NB8 are tied together geographically and historically through trade, culture, and many common value systems.
Government doubles import duty on wheat to 20%
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) under Union Finance Ministry has doubled import duty on wheat to 20% from 10% to curb cheap shipments and give positive price signal to farmers in ongoing Rabi season. It also imposed import duty of 50% on peas to check cheaper shipments from countries like Canada to boost domestic prices. The import duty on peas has been imposed to curb shipments and boost domestic prices.
Union Minister Smriti Irani flags off Digital Rath in New Delhi
Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani flagged off Digital Rath in New Delhi to create awareness among people for the cashless transaction. UPI transactions have increased from 3.8 million in April to 77 million in October this year, which is a huge growth. The travel is around 20 thousand kilometer and will reach 10 lakh people.
Main Arch of World’s Highest Bridge launched by Indian Railways
Indian Railways has launched the main arch of the world’s highest bridge on the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district which will provide direct connectivity to the Kashmir valley. The iconic bridge will soar 359 metres above the bed of the River Chenab and will be 30 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The bridge forms the crucial link in the 111-km stretch between Katra and Banihal which is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla section of the Kashmir Railway project. It entails carrying heavy segments from two ends of the bridge – Kauri end and Bakkal end – and involves the world’s longest cable crane arrangement.
Maneka Gandhi launches ‘first of its kind’ portal for sexual harassment complaints
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi launched ‘SHe-box’ (sexual harassment electronic box), an online portal for registering complaint related to sexual harassment in non-government and government organisations. The SHe-Box was launched in New Delhi to ensure the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (the SH Act), 2013. The new portal offers the facility of making online complaints of sexual harassment at workplace to all women employees in the country including government and private employees.
Seven commodities granted Geographical Indication Tag
Seven commodities were granted Geographical Indication (GI) this year by the Indian patent office. It includes Banaganapalle mangoes (Andhra Pradesh), Tulaipanji rice (West Bengal), Pochampally Ikat (Telangana), Gobindobhog rice (West Bengal), Durgi stone carvings and Etikoppaka toys (Andhra Pradesh) and Chakshesang shawl (Nagaland). In 2016-17, as many as 33 items got GI registration.
India to be high-middle income country by 2047: World Bank CEO
Lauding India’s increasing per capita income, World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva said she has no doubt that India will be a high-middle income country by 2047 when it completes its centenary year of independence. Georgieva praised India for its sudden jump of 30 ranks in 2017, the biggest leap ever, in the history of the ease of doing business. She hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “high-level ownership” efforts and “championship of reforms” that led to achieve India such a ranking in ease of doing business.
ONGC to acquire HPCL
The Cabinet approved ONGC for acquiring majority 51.11 % stake in HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited). ONGC’s acquisition of 51.11 % stake in HPCL is in line with the government’s plan to create an integrated energy major with businesses spread across the hydrocarbon value chain. The government’s stake in HPCL is sold to ONGC for an amount of Rs 26,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore.
India successfully tests its first fully indigenous Glide Bomb
The Union Government announced that an indigenously developed lightweight ‘Glide’ bomb was successfully tested in Chandipur in Odisha. The development marks a major milestone in developing such weapons. The bomb – SAAW (Smart Anti Airfield Weapon) – was dropped from an Indian Air Force aircraft at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana launched to promote philately
The Union Ministry of Communications has launched Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, a pan India scholarship program for school children to increase the reach of Philately. The SPARSH stands for Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby. Under the scheme, annual scholarships will be awarded to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as hobby through competitive selection process in all postal circles. Government will award 920 scholarships to students pursuing Philately as hobby.
Technical Education can not be provided through correspondence courses- SC
The Supreme Court has ruled that technical education cannot be provided through correspondence courses. The Apex Court restrained educational institutions from providing courses in technical education like engineering through distance learning programme. Two years ago, the Punjab and Haryana high court had ruled that a degree in ‘computer science’ obtained through distance mode could not be considered at par with one attained by attending regular classes.
PM Modi inaugurates World Food India 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Food India 2017 event, at Vigyan Bhavan, in New Delhi. The three day-long event, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, is set to host a congregation of global investors and business leaders of major food companies from November 3 to 5 in New Delhi. This is the first time that India is hosting such an event for the food processing sector. PM Modi launched “Nivesh Bandhu”, an Investor Facilitation Portal. Karnataka will be the focus State in the ‘World Food India 2017′ trade fair. In September 2017, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor was named brand ambassador for World Food India’s Food Street. Germany, Japan and Denmark are partner countries to World Food India, while Italy and the Netherlands are the focus countries.
President inaugurates 21st World Congress of Mental Health
The 21st World Congress of Mental Health was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi. The conference was organised by the World Federation for Mental Health in partnership with Caring Foundation and other institutions. The World Congress of Mental Health is taking place in India for the first time. India’s National Mental Health Programme is building 22 centres of excellence in the field of mental health. The District Mental health Programme has already covered 517 of the approximately 650 district in India. It is taking the conversation about mental health to the grassroots of our society.
Aadhaar-mobile number linking must by February 6: Govt
The Aadhaar-Mobile SIM linking should be completed by February 6, under e-KYC verification, the Centre told the Supreme Court. The Centre also mandated production of 12-digit unique Aadhaar number for opening new bank accounts. The government has introduced three new methods, including through one-time password (OTP), to ease the process of linking the Aadhaar identity number with individual mobile numbers.
9th ‘CMS Vatavaran’ begins in Delhi
The 9th edition of ‘CMS Vatavaran’, a global film festival on environment and wildlife begins in New Delhi. The Theme of CMS Vatavaran is “Conservation 4 Water”. The event is supported and partnered by Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, National Geographic, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Max age of joining NPS increased from 60 to 65 years: Finance Ministry
The Ministry of Finance increased the maximum age of joining the National Pension System (NPS) from the existing 60 years to 65 years under NPS – Private Sector (i.e. all citizen and corporate model). In accordance with several initiatives undertaken by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) during the last few years, now any Indian citizen, resident or non-resident, between the age of 60 – 65 years, can join NPS and continue up to the age of 70 years.
Goa tops Gender Vulnerability Index, Bihar at bottom
The Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI) prepared by Child development NGO Plan India has ranked the state of Goa at the top and Bihar at the bottom. The other two states to occupy the top positions include Kerala and Mizoram, which were ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively. Bihar was joined by Uttar Pradesh at the bottom, while Delhi was placed near bottom at the 24th place. The composite index has been developed after analysing the situation of girls and women in the country on the basis of four important dimensions – Health, Education, Protection and Poverty. It will be useful in understanding the situation in states, as it ranks each state in every dimension of gender vulnerability.
Read more: Current Affairs November 2017 Study Material | FreeJobAlert.com http://currentaffairs.freejobalert.com/november-2017-current-affairs-study-material/29835/#ixzz5Ukq4avn4
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