National
• The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation has launched mobile application “ReUnite” in New Delhi to track and trace missing and abandoned children in India. The app is available for both Android and iOS. It has been developed by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi's NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan and IT company Capgemini.
• United States of America (US) has postponed its inaugural 2+2 dialogue with India which was scheduled to be held on July 6, 2018 in Washington DC, citing “unavoidable reasons”. Both countries are now identifying new mutually convenient dates to hold dialogue at the earliest, either in India or in US. This is third time that 2+2 dialogue has been postponed in the last six months.
• The National Statistics Day is celebrated every year on June 29 in India to create public awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation. The day also acknowledges notable contribution of Late Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in fields of statistics, statistical system and economic planning. The 2018 theme is “Quality Assurance in Official Statistics”. It underscores importance of compliance with essential parameters of quality in statistical systems and products.
• Haryana Government is going to host 2018 World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) Conference at Gurugram in 10-13 October 2018. In this regard, State Government has inked agreement WUWM. The conference will be organized by Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board.
President Ram Nath Kovind launched Solar Charkha Mission under which Government will disburse subsidy of Rs 550 crore to thousands of artisans, generating employment in rural areas. It was launched during the event of Udyam Sangam (National MSME Conclave) on the occasion of World MSME Day (observed on 27 June).
• NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurs Platform (WEP) has signed five separate Statement of Intent (SoIs) with Financial Institutions & Social Organisations to create opportunities and support women entrepreneurs. These organisations are Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Limited, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited, Sreemanta Sankar Mission and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
• The Union Cabinet has approved establishment of additional 6.5 Million Metric Tonne (MMT) Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) facilities at Chandikhol in Odisha and Padur in Karnataka. It also approved construction of dedicated SPMs (Single Point Mooring) for the two SPRs. This decision is in line with Government’s announcement of setting up of two additional SPRs during 2017-18 budget.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the capital infusion of Rs. 2000 crore for strengthening of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) to enhance insurance coverage to micro, small medium enterprises (MSMEs) exports. The amount will be infused in three financial years i.e. Rs.50 crore in 2017-18, Rs.1450 crore in 2018-19 and Rs.500 crore in 2019-20.
• The Union Cabinet has approved Implementing Arrangement (IA) between India and France for pre-formulation studies of Maritime Domain Awareness Mission signed in March 2018. The proposed joint mission will be devoted to maritime domain awareness, with objective to provide relevant data and services to both nations.
Th has proposed to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) across the country under its Van Dhan Scheme. This will help in empowering tribals by providing them skill up-gradation and capacity building training for value addition of forest produce for modernizing traditional tribal-rural economic system.
• India and Seychelles have signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) including in area of infrastructure development in Seychelles, cyber security and white-shipping arrangement. The agreements were signed between both countries after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Seychelles President Danny Faure in New Delhi.
• The Monsoon Session of Parliament will be held from July 18 to August 10, 2018. It will span over 24 days and will have 18 sittings. It was formally announced by Cabinet Committee of Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The CCPA recommendation now sets in summoning motion process of President Ram Nath Kovind for formally convening the session.
• According to recent report by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) for the Asia-Pacific region, gender inequality in India is extremely high at the workplace and in terms of legal protection and political voice. The report had assessed inequality on the basis of Gender Parity Score (GPS) that uses 15 indicators of gender equality in work and society under four broad categories. It ranks countries on scale of 0 (signifying inequality) to 1 (signifying parity).
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is testing credit rating model, a new system that will assist banks in assessing credit risk and probability of fraud using big data analysis. The system is expected to help banks, particularly rural and cooperative banks, tackle the issue of rising nonperforming assets (NPAs). Currently, rural and cooperative banks depend on judgement of bank manager, resulting in high NPAs and frauds. A credit rating model can assist banks to quantify risks under the big data context.
India has signed two Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with Cuba to enhance cooperation in biotechnology and traditional medicine. The MoUs were signed after delegation-level talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel in Havana, Cuba.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved setting up of committee to lay down standards for metro rail systems in the country. The committee will be headed by E Sreedharan (famously known as metro man of India) who is credited for changing face of public transport in India with his leadership in building Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro.
• The Union Ministry of Power is considering making 24 degrees celsius as mandatory default setting and labeling of air conditioners within few months. This has been planned after six months campaign was launched to promote energy efficiency in the area of air-conditioning.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Vanijya Bhawan, a new office complex in New Delhi for the Department of Commerce. Vnijya Bhawan will help in ease of doing business by bringing all Departments of Commerce under one roof.
• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has notified that use of Aadhaar biometric data for criminal investigation is not allowed under Aadhaar Act, 2016. This comes after National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Director Ish Kumar made strong pitch for police to be provided with limited access to Aadhaar data to aide them in catching first-time offenders and for identification of unidentified bodies.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has banned al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) under anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. AQIS is an affiliate of al Qaeda and ISKP is Afghanistan wing of Islamic State (IS).
• The inaugural India, United States 2+2 Dialogue will be held on July 6, 2018 in Washington. DC, capital city of US. The dialogue will focus on strengthening strategic, security, and defence cooperation as both countries jointly confront global challenges. It is seen as a vehicle to elevate the strategic relationship between two countries.
• President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the eighth time in the last four decades J&K was put under Governor’s rule and third time under J&K Governor N N Vohra tenure.
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched National Health Resource Repository (NHRR) Project. It is country’s first ever healthcare establishment census to collect data of all public and private healthcare establishments.
• The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) launched National Digital Library of India (NDLI) on the occasion of National Reading Day (observed on June 17) in New Delhi. NDLI’s objective is to make digital educational resources available to all citizens of the country to empower, inspire and encourage learning.
The Union Government has constituted Chief Ministers Subgroup to coordinate policy approaches for agriculture sector and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). It will submit its report within three months from its date of constitution.
• The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has declared medium (5 GW by 2022) and long-term (30 GW by 2030) targets for offshore wind power capacity addition. The offshore wind power will add new element to already existing basket of renewable energy of the country.
• According to 11th report of Common Review Mission of National Health Mission (NHM), women bear uneven burden in family planning as they account for more than 93% of sterilisations in the country. The report was based on latest data from Health Management Information System (HMIS) where states upload data on various parameters of NHM including sterilisations. CRM is an external evaluation of the flagship NHM.
• Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has announced that National Testing Agency (NTA) will train paper setters to set better question papers and provide better model answers. NTA was set up to relieve Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and other educational regulator bodies from burden of conducting multiple examinations.
• Central Water Commission (CWC) has signed collaboration agreement with search engine giant Google for flood forecasting and dissemination of flood related information to masses. This initiative will help crisis management agencies to deal extreme hydrological events in better manner for effective flood management in India under National Hydrology Project (NHP).
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) is planning to expand its India BPO Promotion Scheme to 1 lakh seats from current 48,000 seats. It will also set up 5th and India’s largest National data centre (NDC) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh with capacity of 5 lakh virtual servers. NDCs host government websites, services and apps, are currently operational at four locations Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bhubaneswar. These initiatives will help to create new job opportunities and also ensure that people in smaller towns find employment closer home.
• The fourth meeting of Governing Council of National Institute of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was held under the chairmanship Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. It was attended by 23 Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, apart from Union Ministers, who are ex-officio members and special invitees.
• Team of specialists from US held meeting with their counterparts on Indian side in New Delhi to negotiate text of Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), a foundational military communications agreement. The meeting was held as part of preparations for 2+2 dialogue between foreign and defence ministers of India and US scheduled to be held in Washington in July 2018.
• SAARC Development Fund (SDF) is going to launch social enterprise development programme (SEDP) as part of its social window. The programme will be implemented in all SAARC member states with objective of identifying and building social enterprises by using mix of grants and concessional returnable capital. It intends to fund around 80 enterprises across the 8 SAARC member states (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) annually.
• Seychelles President Danny Faure ahead of his state visit to India has said that India-Seychelles joint project to develop naval base at Assumption Island in his country will not move forward. He also mentioned that Seychelles will develop military facilities at the island on its own. This statement comes after growing political opposition in Seychelles to agreement that was signed with India in 2015 to develop a naval facility at Assumption Island which would have given India strategic advantage in Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
India is going to host 23rd European Union Film Festival (EUFF) on 18th to 24th June, 2018 at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. It is organized by Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting partnering with the Delegation of European Union (EU) and embassies of EU Member States in various city film club.
• The Union Government has approved financial assistance amounting to Rs. 5.5 lakh per family to West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs). It will benefit 5,764 families of WPRs settled in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational districts of India to provide clean drinking water. It will involve outlay of Rs. 700 crores through flexi-funds under existing National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.
• Twenty States have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for implementing Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). The MoUs were exchanged during Health Ministers’ conclave held in New Delhi. During the conclave, aspects of NHPM, like operational guidelines, model tender document for selection of insurance companies and implementation support agencies for trusts were discussed.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated country’s 10th Smart City Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Under the ambitious Smart City Mission, ICCC in nine cities are operational in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Pune, Nagpur, Rajkot, Visakhapatnam, Bhopal and Kakinada.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBITC) under Finance Ministry has raised import duty by 5-10% on non-palm edible oils, both crude and refined ones, in order to protect interest of domestic oilseeds growers and processors.
• The 10th Meeting of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) was held in New Delhi, India. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda. This is second time India hosted meeting of GAELF. Earlier in 2002, India had hosted second meeting of GAELF.
• The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog launched Composite Water Management Index as useful tool to assess and improve performance in efficient management of water resources. The index aims to inspire States/UTs towards efficient and optimal utilization of water and recycling thereof with sense of urgency.
• The Union Cabinet has approved proposal of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for nomination of Union Home Minister as ex-officio Chairman of North Eastern Council (NEC). It also approved that Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER will serve as Vice Chairman of NEC.
• The Union Cabinet has approved continuation of Three Year Action Plan (2017-2020) of scheme for Agricultural Education Division and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes. The plan aims at strengthening and developing higher agricultural education in India.
The Union Cabinet has given final extension to commission constituted to examine sub-categorisation within Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Central list. The commission earlier had term till June 20, 2018 but with extension it will now work till July 31, 2018.
• Union Cabinet has been apprised of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Institut National de la Santeet de la RechercheMedicale (INSERM), France. Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The Union Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has selected 10 more iconic sites under Phase III of Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) of Swachh Bharat Mission. The third phase of SIP was launched at Mana village which is situated close to Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand.
• NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has selected 3,000 additional schools for establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs). The new additions take number of such ATLs to 5,441 representing all states and five out of seven union territories. It will facilitate the creation of over one million neoteric child innovators by 2020.
• President Ram Nath Kovind will embark on three nation official tour to Greece, Suriname and Cuba from 16 to 22 June 2018. Greece will be first leg of the visit followed by Suriname and Cuba. President will be accompanied by large delegation including Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai.
The Union Ministry of Culture has launched Seva Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide financial assistance on purchase of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free distribution among people. Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) charged on the raw food materials purchased by the religious institutions will be refunded.
• The Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeITY) launched 5000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages in partnership with common service centres (CSCs). It was jointly inaugurated by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi.
• India extended financial aid of Rs. 99 million to Nepal for the construction of 2,700 shallow tube well (STWs) irrigation systems in 12 districts of southern Terai region to boost agricultural productivity. The assistance was extended as part of final payment for Nepal-Bharat Maitri Irrigation Project. With this payment, India has released so far released total of 227.6 million Nepali rupees to Nepal for implementing this project.
• India is considering bringing together group of 8-10 member countries of World Trade Organisation (WTO) to prepare agenda for creation of conducive atmosphere to ensure smooth functioning of the global trade body.
• The second edition India-US colloquium on Earth Observations and Sciences for Society and Economy was inaugurated at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Dona Paula, Goa. The colloquium is being organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)-NIO and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Union Ministry of Railways has launched Rail MADAD (Mobile Application for Desired Assistance During travel) Application to expedite and streamline passenger grievance redressal. The application was launched inline with Union Government’s Digital India Initative.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended India’s progress in reducing maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 77%, from 556 per 10000 live births in 1990 to 130 per 10000 live births in 2016. This progress puts India on track towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of MMR below 70 by 2030. India’s present MMR is below Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target.
• India and China have signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) related to sharing of Brahmaputra river data and supply of non-Basmati rice. These MoUs were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held detailed discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on bilateral and global issues to take forward agenda set at informal Wuhan Summit of April 2018. The two leaders discussed implementation of Wuhan consensus and drawing up blueprint for future India-China relations. This was 14th meeting between two leaders over past 4 years.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has notified declaration submitted by Indian relating to Article II and III of Appendix to Paris Act (1971) related to Berne Convention for Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. The declaration will enter into force, with respect to India from March 28, 2018. It will enable India to avail itself faculties provided for Article II and III of the Appendix to Berne Convention during 10 years period that will expire, on October 10, 2024.
• The Central Government has decided to raise five Indian Reserve Police (IRP) battalions in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with an aim to provide jobs to local youths. These battalions will have 60% reservation to people from border areas of J&K.
According to Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, rural sanitation coverage of India has risen to 85% under Swachh Bharat Mission. Recent survey conducted by Independent Verification Agency across 90,000 households in over 6000 villages across the country has found usage of toilets in rural India to be 93.4%.
• The meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has revised cost and deadline of World Bank funded Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP) to Rs.3466 Crore till June 2020. The meeting was held under Chairpersonship of Secretary, Department of Expenditure to consider proposal of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. It was attended by officials of Ministries of Power, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Environment and Forest, NITI Aayog and officers of Central Water Commission (CWC).
• 11th edition of Geo-Intelligence Asia 2018 was held at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, India from 4-5 June 2018. The aim of the event was to provide platform to showcase innovative applications of Geospatial technologies. It also aimed to provide platform for showcasing latest and updated technology to new and existing users.
• The Supreme Court has allowed Centre to go ahead with reservation in promotion for SC/ST employees as per the law. From the centre’s behalf, the Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh had pleased SC to allow promotions, which were on standstill, as per mandate of the constitution. This plea was accepted by SC bench hearing the case.
• Union Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal flagged off a new Humsafar Jodhpur Bandra Express. The train started its journey towards Bandra from Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway station in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur on 2nd June 2018. Humsafar Express are a completely 3-tier AC sleeper trains which started their operation from December 2016.
Foundation of Sakhi Suraksha Advanced DNA Forensic Laboratory was laid in the campus of Central Forensic Science Lab (CFSL), Chandigarh. It is India’s first advanced forensic lab dedicated for crimes related to women for timely deliver justice.
•The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched an Online Analytical Tool to facilitate closer monitoring of flow and utilisation of foreign contributions received by various organisations registered or permitted under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The web-based tool will help to effectively monitor hundreds of thousands of transactions undertaken by such organisations and help stakeholders in Government to better regulate acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions.
• The Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved construction of another 1.5 lakh affordable houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for benefit of urban poor. Decision in this regard was taken at 34th meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee. It approved investment of Rs 7,227 crore with Central assistance of Rs 2,209 crore.
• Government (Union Finance Ministry) has signed US $500 million (Rs 3,371 crore) loan agreement with World Bank to provide additional financing for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) rural road projects. The loan has maturity of 10 years along with 3 year grace period. It will provide additional financing for PMGSY Rural Roads Project to build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be constructed using green technologies.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three Indian mobile payment applications BHIM, RuPay and UPI enabled remittance app of SBI in Singapore aimed at internationalisation of the country’s digital payment platforms. They were launched at ‘Business, Innovation and Community Event’ held in Singapore where digital platform was the main theme.
International
• Portugal’s Antonio Manuel de Carvalho Ferreira Vitorino (61) was elected as next Director General (DG) of International Organization for Migration (IOM), an UN Migration Agency. He will succeed incumbent DG William Lacy Swing who will be stepping down after completing the second of two five-year terms.
• The International Day of Tropics is observed every year on 29 June across the world with an aim to raise awareness to specific challenges faced by tropical areas and t far-reaching implications of issues affecting world’s tropical zone. This day celebrates diversity of tropics and provides opportunity to share tropical stories and expertise and to acknowledge the diversity and potential of the region.
• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at its plenary meeting in Paris, France has officially placed Pakistan on its Grey List of countries involved in providing monetary assistance to terrorism and related causes for failing to curb terror financing on its soil. This will be second time Pakistan has been grey listed by FATF, for first time it was placed in the list for three years from 2012 to 2015.
• The world’s foremost chemical weapons watchdog, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as granted itself new powers to help identify those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria. 82 members (exceeding required two-thirds majority) of the OPCW voted in favour of this proposal tabled by United Kingdom at special session of Conference of States Parties in The Hague. 24 countries including Russia, Iran and Syria voted against it.
The International Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day is observed every year across the world on June 27. This year is second edition after the day was instituted in April 2017. The day highlights strong contribution of MSME businesses worldwide to livelihoods, communities and economies, and need to support MSMEs towards their success. Objectives of this day are to advocate importance of MSMEs in youth employment, raise awareness around the skills needed by youth to acquire decent jobs and raise awareness around youth entrepreneurship. The campaign slogan of MSME Day 2018 is ‘The Youth Dimension’.
• The 3rd Annual Meeting of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) concluded in Mumbai, Maharashtra in optimistic note to raise its lending capacity to boost prosperity and security in Asia. The meeting was jointly organised by Department of Economic Affairs under Union Finance Ministry and AIIB.
• India has pledged $5 million for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Near East. Besides India, 19 countries also made pledges (contributions) for UNRWA at the Pledging Conference for UNRWA held in New York, US. Among the donors, Sweden has pledge to contribute US $250 million over four years, $ 51 million and UAE $50 million.
• The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on June 26 across the world to raise awareness of major problem that illicit drugs. The day is also observed as an expression of United Nations’ (UN) determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
• The Day of the Seafarer is being observed every year on 25 June across the globe as an expression of thanks to the seafarers for their contribution to the economy and civil society of the world. It also acknowledges the risks and personal costs endured by seafarers while being in their jobs.
Mongolia has launched construction of its first strategically important oil refinery funded by India in southern Dornogovi province. The ground-breaking ceremony of long-awaited project was attended by Mongolian Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and Indian Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh.
• According to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2018 report, number of hungry people in world has risen for first time in more than decade. There are now approximately 38 million more undernourished people in the world, rising from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million in 2016.
• The United States under President Donald Trump administration has announced its withdrawal from United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) terming it hypocritical and self-serving. It has blamed UNHRC for bias against Israel and refusing to eject members who are violators of human rights.
• The Parliament of Canada has passed Cannabis Act (or Bill C-45), a landmark law that legalizes recreational use of marijuana (a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant intended for medical or recreational use) nationwide. It makes Canada the first G7 country to legalise the drug’s recreational use and the second to have a nationwide, legal marijuana market, after Uruguay (permitted in December 2013).
• The World Refugee Day is observed every year June 20 to raise awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world. Observance of this day seeks to draw attention to the plight of refugees and also to celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems. The theme for World Refugee Day 2018 is “Now More Than Ever, We Need to Stand with Refugees.”
According to updated count by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the number of nuclear warheads with nine nuclear countries has reduced from 14,935 at start of 2017 to 14,465 at start of 2018. These nine countries are United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. SIPRI is an independent think tank that uses open sources to compile such data since 1966.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified gaming addiction as mental health disorder in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11. This is as per draft of new document that was released in December 2017. This classification will be used by health professionals across the globe to uniformly diagnose and classify risks for addictive gaming behaviour.
• The World Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed every year on June 18 across the world. The day acknowledges gastronomy as cultural expression related to natural and cultural diversity of the world. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development.
• The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCDD) is observed every year on June 17 across to world to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day aims to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels. The 2018 Theme of WDCDD is “Land has true value – invest in it.” It urges to move away from unsustainable land use and make a difference by investing in the future of land. The global observance of WDCD2018 was hosted by Government of Ecuador.
• The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) plenary meeting took place on in Jurmala, Latvia after Latvia assumed chairmanship of NSG for 2018-19. With this, Latvia became first Baltic state to chair the NSG. There was no headway in India’s application for NSG entry in this plenary meeting. India had applied for NSG membership at 2016 Seoul plenary session, but it was objected by few member countries of NSG including China.
China in tit-for-tat action has imposed additional tariffs and duties on $50-billion worth of American products. It comes after US President Donald Trump slapped stiff 25% tariff on Chinese goods worth similar amount. This has triggered full-fledged trade war between world’s two largest economies.
• The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is observed every year on 16 June across the world. It is aimed at recognizing significant financial contribution migrant workers make to wellbeing of their families back home and to sustainable development of their countries of origin. It is also aimed at encouraging public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to do more together and collaborate to maximize impact of remittances in developing world.
• United States has slapped stiff 25% tariff on US $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. It has accused China of intellectual property (IP) theft and unfair trade practices. This decision has triggered full-fledged trade war between world’s two largest economies.
• The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed every year on June 15 across the world to highlight the often silent suffering of the elder generation. The theme this year is “Moving from Awareness to Action through a Human Rights based approach”.
• Japan’s Cabinet has adopted an economic plan that will allow more foreign workers to work in the country. This proposal will help rapidly aging country to make up for its declining workforce. In recent times, number of foreign workers in Japan has nearly doubled to 1.28 million.
World Blood Donor Day observed every year across the world on June 14 to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. It also seeks to raise awareness of need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.
• International Conference on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will be held in Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal from June 17-18, 2018. The Theme of two day conference is “Sustainable Development Goals for Smart Society”.
• The World Day against Child Labour is observed every year across the world on June 12 with an aim to raise awareness against child labour. This years theme is ‘Generation Safe & Healthy’. This year, a joint campaign was launched by World Day against Child Labour (WDACL) and World Day for Safety and Health at Work (SafeDay) to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labour. The campaign aims to boost initiatives to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.7 of ending all forms of child labour by 2025 and target 8.8 of safe and secure working environments for all workers by 2030.
• The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit concluded with the adoption of the Qingdao declaration. It was adopted by leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India (represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and Pakistan. It was India and Pakistan’s first summit as full members of SCO grouping.
• India was ranked 136th among 163 countries in Global Peace Index 2018 that was released by Sydney-based think tank Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). In Last year’s index, India was ranked 137th. 2018 GPI was twelfth edition of index since it was launched in 2006. Iceland was ranked most peaceful country in the world and it managed to retain its position since 2008.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected South Africa, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Germany and Belgium as non-permanent members of UN Security Council (UNSC). They will have two-year term beginning January 1, 2019.
• A meeting between external affairs ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa was organized in Pretoria, South Africa. This ministerial summit chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was attended by South African Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and the Brazilian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvao.
• June 4, 2018 marked the 29th anniversary of Tiananmen Square protests / massacre of China. On this day in 1989, the Chinese troops had violently retook the Tiananmen Square in Beijing from the pro-democracy protesters. On this occasion, the Chinese people worldwide also remember a lone man, better known as “Tank Man” who armed with nothing more than two shopping bags stepped in front of the row of tanks moving down the streets of Beijing. The image of Tank Man is considered to be most enduring image of China’s violent crackdown on democracy supporters.
Business, Economy & Banking
• India was ranked 35th among 100 countries (countries) in recently released Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI). The index was released by realty consultant JLL. India was ranked 36th in the index during the last bi-annual survey conducted in 2016 and 40th in 2014. Its real estate market is currently placed in the ‘semi-transparent’ zone.
• The second tranche of Bharat-22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), comprising shares of 22 companies, has received bids worth Rs. 15,436 crore, much higher than government’s fund raising target. The second tranche was targeted to achieve fund mop up of Rs 6,000 crore with green-shoe option for another Rs. 2,400 crore.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed setting up of Board of Management (BoM) in all Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) having deposits of over Rs 100 crore within one year to strengthen governance and promote professional management in these banks.
• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved investment of $200 million in India’s National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) to give greater impetus to mega infrastructure projects. It will be investing US $100 million now and remaining $100 million in the time to come.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved investment of $200 million in India’s National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) to give greater impetus to mega infrastructure projects. It will be investing US $100 million now and remaining $100 million in the time to come.
• India has notified higher tariffs on 29 items imported from United States (US). This is was in retaliation against US announcement imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium items — 25% and 10% respectively — imported from all countries except Canada and Mexico in March 2018 to compensate from loss of revenue.
• Indian IT industry’s apex body NASSCOM (National Association of Software & Services Companies) has launched ‘Women Wizards Rule Tech’ programme to increase number of women in senior levels in Information Technology (IT) industry. The programme was announced in March 2018 at Nasscom Diversity and Inclusion Summit in Chennai as joint initiative by Nasscom Sector Skills Council and Data Security Council of India.
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has set up 10-member committee to review norms related to Insurance Marketing Firms (IMF) with an aim to increase insurance penetration in the country. The committee will be headed by Suresh Mathur (ED-IMF, IRDAI).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has narrowed the definition of relatives under the ‘maintenance of close relative’ category of Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) to check outflow of funds and prevent misuse of facility. Henceforth, funds under this category can be sent only to immediate relatives such as parents, spouses, children and their spouses.
Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has recommended 22 general managers to be elevated as executive directors at the various public sector banks (PSBs). This is the first major exercise undertaken by reconstituted BBB, headed by newly appointed Chairman BP Sharma, former Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training.
• Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has recommended 22 general managers to be elevated as executive directors at the various public sector banks (PSBs). This is the first major exercise undertaken by reconstituted BBB, headed by newly appointed Chairman BP Sharma, former Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased investment norms for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in debt, especially into individual large corporates. This move is aimed at attracting more overseas flows and thereby help to arrest recent fall in rupee and also lift recent fall in demand for corporate bonds.
• India’s IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) became first listed company in India to close day’s trade with market capitalisation (m cap) of over Rs. 7 lakh crore (over $103 billion). M cap is value of company that is traded on stock market, calculated by multiplying total number of shares by present share price.
• The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has constituted an expert committee to recommend suitable framework to allow direct listing of Indian companies overseas bourses while also allowing overseas companies to list directly on Indian bourses.
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted Group to look into existing Institutional Trading Platform (ITP) framework and suggest measures to facilitate listing of startups. Its members include representatives from Indian Software Product Industry Round Table (iSPIRT), Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA), Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), law firms, merchant bankers and stock exchanges.
• Union Government is going to launch Rs.500 crore Credit Enhancement Fund (CEF) in July 2018 to facilitate infrastructure investments by insurance and pension funds. The CEF provides additional source of assaurance or gaurantee that borrower will service their loan. It also helps borrower to raise loans at lower interest rates. The fund was first announced in Union Budget for fiscal year 2016-17.
• According to Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), foreign direct investment (FDI) in India increased to US $61.96 billion in 2017-18. FDI inflow in previous fiscal was US $60 billion. In last four years perod, FDI inflows has jumped to US 4222.75 billion from US $152 billion.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will set up a Public Credit Registry (PCR) as a repository of information regarding loan information of individuals and corporate borrowers. This decision has been taken as per recommendations of Y.M. Deosthalee committee set up by the central bank.
• On June 6, 2018, the six members Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI has decided to hike Repo (short term lending rate) to 6.25% from 6.00%. As per the second Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has approved a Rs. 8500 Crore bailout package for the distressed sugar industry in the country.
India is world’s second largest sugar producer after Brazil with production of around 20-25 million tonnes of sugar every year. The sugar production was 25.13 million tonnes in 2015-16 sugar season (sugar season ~ October to September); 20.2 million tonnes in 2016-17, 25 million tonnes in 2017-18 and is expected to be around 30 million tonnes in 2018-19. Currently, UP is India’s foremost sugar producing state and it is likely to maintain this position for the next two years. Maharashtra is on number 2 in production of both sugarcane as well as sugar.
• On June 4, 2018, India received first shipment of its so far cheapest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Russian supplier Gazprom. The LNG has been delivered at a price close to USD 7 per million British Thermal Unit (mmBtu). This price is around 1.5 USD cheaper from the LNG imported from Qatar, which is India’s oldest and largest supplier of LNG. This price is also 1-1.5 USD per mmBtu cheaper than the LNG sourced from Australia and United States.
• Reserve Bank of India is conducting Financial Literacy Week from June 4 on the theme ‘Customer Protection’. The week-long event is to focus on creating awareness among customers of banks. According to RBI, the event will emphasise on awareness about different financial products, services, digital applications and good financial practices.
• According to index of eight core industries released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, eight core infrastructure sectors grew by 4.7% higher in April 2018. It was driven by healthy performance in segments like coal, natural gas and cement.
Government Schemes
• President Ram Nath Kovind launched Solar Charkha Mission under which Government will disburse subsidy of Rs 550 crore to thousands of artisans, generating employment in rural areas. It was launched during the event of Udyam Sangam (National MSME Conclave) on the occasion of World MSME Day (observed on 27 June).
• NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurs Platform (WEP) has signed five separate Statement of Intent (SoIs) with Financial Institutions & Social Organisations to create opportunities and support women entrepreneurs. These organisations are Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Limited, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited, Sreemanta Sankar Mission and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
• Th has proposed to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) across the country under its Van Dhan Scheme. This will help in empowering tribals by providing them skill up-gradation and capacity building training for value addition of forest produce for modernizing traditional tribal-rural economic system.
• Gujarat government has launched Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY), solar power scheme for farmers enabling them to generate electricity for their captive consumption as well as sell surplus power to grid and earn extra buck. It is claimed to be first such scheme in the country, where farmer will produce his power and sell surplus to State power utility.
Harayana Government has launched 7-Star Gram Panchayat Rainbow scheme to give star rankings to its panchayats on the basis of seven social parameters. Under this scheme, as many as 1,120 villages of the state have achieved rankings since its launch in January 2018. Ambala has topped star ranking followed by Gurugram and Karnal.
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched National Health Resource Repository (NHRR) Project. It is country’s first ever healthcare establishment census to collect data of all public and private healthcare establishments.
• The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) launched National Digital Library of India (NDLI) on the occasion of National Reading Day (observed on June 17) in New Delhi. NDLI’s objective is to make digital educational resources available to all citizens of the country to empower, inspire and encourage learning.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has narrowed the definition of relatives under the ‘maintenance of close relative’ category of Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) to check outflow of funds and prevent misuse of facility. Henceforth, funds under this category can be sent only to immediate relatives such as parents, spouses, children and their spouses.
• Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) is planning to expand its India BPO Promotion Scheme to 1 lakh seats from current 48,000 seats. It will also set up 5th and India’s largest National data centre (NDC) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh with capacity of 5 lakh virtual servers. NDCs host government websites, services and apps, are currently operational at four locations Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bhubaneswar. These initiatives will help to create new job opportunities and also ensure that people in smaller towns find employment closer home.
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational districts of India to provide clean drinking water. It will involve outlay of Rs. 700 crores through flexi-funds under existing National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.
• Twenty States have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for implementing Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). The MoUs were exchanged during Health Ministers’ conclave held in New Delhi. During the conclave, aspects of NHPM, like operational guidelines, model tender document for selection of insurance companies and implementation support agencies for trusts were discussed.
• The Union Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has selected 10 more iconic sites under Phase III of Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) of Swachh Bharat Mission. The third phase of SIP was launched at Mana village which is situated close to Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand.
• The Union Ministry of Culture has launched Seva Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide financial assistance on purchase of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free distribution among people. Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) charged on the raw food materials purchased by the religious institutions will be refunded.
• The Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeITY) launched 5000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages in partnership with common service centres (CSCs). It was jointly inaugurated by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi.
• The meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has revised cost and deadline of World Bank funded Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP) to Rs.3466 Crore till June 2020. The meeting was held under Chairpersonship of Secretary, Department of Expenditure to consider proposal of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. It was attended by officials of Ministries of Power, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Environment and Forest, NITI Aayog and officers of Central Water Commission (CWC).
• The Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved construction of another 1.5 lakh affordable houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for benefit of urban poor. Decision in this regard was taken at 34th meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee. It approved investment of Rs 7,227 crore with Central assistance of Rs 2,209 crore.
Awards & Honors
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved institution of Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal. It also has instituted three more Medals- Antarik Suraksha Medal, Asadharan Aashuchan Padak, and Utkrisht & Ati-Utkrisht Seva Medal.
• The World Food Prize 2018 was awarded to Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro for their individual but complementary global leadership in elevating maternal and child undernutrition within food security. The World Food Prize is most prominent global award for individuals whose breakthrough achievements alleviate hunger and promote global food security. This year’s $250,000 prize will be divided equally between two recipients.
• Surat smart city from Gujarat was selected for ‘City Award’ for showing great momentum in implementation of projects under India Smart Cities Awards 2018 especially in categories of urban environment, transport and mobility and sustainable integrated development. Total nine awards in three categories including Innovative Idea Award, Project Award, and City Award were announced by Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under India Smart Cities Awards 2018.
• Renowned social activist and founder of Sulabh International, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak (75) was honoured with the Japan’s prestigious Nikkei Asia Prize for his contribution to Asia’s development. He was presented with this award at 23rd Nikkei Asia Prize ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan under ‘Culture and Community’ category for his significant work in tackling poor hygiene and discrimination.
• China awarded its first highest state honour Friendship Medal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The award was personally bestowed on Vladimir Putin by Chinese President Xi Jinping in grand ceremony held at Great Hall of the People in capital city of Beijing.
Sports
• India’s talismanic football team captain Sunil Chhetri (33) became joint second highest international goal scorer among active players along with Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi. He achieved this feat after he scored his 64th goal in match between India and Kenya in Intercontinental Cup summit clash in Mumbai, Maharashtra. In this match, Chhetri scored two goals.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has signed Letter of Intent (LoI) with UN Environment to promote green’ cricket in India. The partnership aims to spread greater awareness about key environmental challenges India is facing and highlight alternate and more sustainable solutions.
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