1 | Centre for Ambiti on : (IAS ~ PCS)...2 | Centre for Ambiti on : (IAS ~ PCS) THE PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING DAY It is celebrated on 12 November. The day aims to commemorate the

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CENTRE FOR AMBITION (An Institute for Civil Servicies)

WORLD VEGAN DAY It is observed on 1 November. The Day provides an opportunity to promote the benefits of a vegan diet and veganism in general. The Vegan Society was established in November of 1944. VEGAN Donald Watson coined the term Vegan which was derived from the word Vegetarian in 1944. It then extended to eggs, and by 1951, veganism became a movement of people who did not partake in the exploitation of animals.The vegan food diet omits all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and meat. WORLD TSUNAMI AWARENESS DAY It is observed globally on 5 November 2019 since2016,marked by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It focuses on promoting targets on the Sendai Seven Campaign. It focuses on reducing disaster damage to critical infrastructure and the disruption of basic services. INFANT PROTECTION DAY It is celebrated on 7 November. The day aims to celebrate the day to spread awareness about the safety of infants and protect their lives by taking proper care of infants. NATIONAL CANCER AWARENESS DAY It is observed on 7 November. The day aimed to create awareness about the prevention and early detection of cancer. The day is observed on the day to coincide with the birth anniversary of the eminent and renowned scientist Marie Curie. The day was first observed on 7 November 2014. National Cancer Control Programme was established in 1975. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RADIOLOGY World Radiography Day is observed on 8 November since 2007 to mark the discovery of X-Radiation done by Roentgen on 8 November 1895. The theme of International Radiology Day 2019 is Sports Imaging. LEGAL SERVICES DAY It is celebrated every year on the 9th of November in all the state Authorities. It was started by the Supreme Court in the year 1995 all across The aim of celebrating Legal Services Day is to offer them free of charge, proficient, and legal services to the people of weaker sections of society as well as making them conscious about their rights. NATIONAL EDUCATION DAY It is celebrated on 11 November in India. The day aims to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad established the national education system. He focused on free primary education. In 1992 he was awarded Bharat Ratna for his contributions toward education.

Current Affairs NOV- 2019



THE PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING DAY It is celebrated on 12 November. The day aims to commemorate the first and only visit of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, to All India Radio. The occasion was aimed to address the displaced people, who had temporarily settled at Kurukshetra in Haryana after partition. WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY It is observed on 12th November. The day aims to fight against pneumonia. It also creates awareness about pneumonia disease, its symptoms, causes, and treatment. The theme for 2019 World Pneumonia Day is Healthy lungs for all. Pneumonia is the world's leading infectious killer of children under the age of 5. It is caused by a bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumonia. Other bacterial causal organisms are Mycoplasma pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, etc. The infection inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. It can be prevented by encouraging breastfeeding, properly washing hands with soap multiple times a day,

provide immediate medical attention to diseased children by means of antibiotics, and oxygen therapy.

BAMBOO TECHNOLOGY PARKS Centre has set up Bamboo Technology Parks in Jammu & Kashmir(Jammu, Srinagar) and Ladakh (Leh). The Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) project will be implemented under NEC. The project to set up three new Bamboo Technology Parks in and will be in association with the National Bamboo Mission (NBM). Centre has approved a Bamboo Industrial Park to be set up in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. CHHATH FESTIVAL Ancient texts say Rama and his wife Sita observed a fast and offered prayers to the Sun god in the month of Kartika in Shukla Paksha after they returned to the Ayodhya from 14 years of exile. Since then, Chhath Puja became a significant Hindu festival, which is celebrated every year. The four days long Chhath festival, worship of the Sun God, began in Bihar. The festival is celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Karthik Chhath falls on the sixth day after Diwali. Festival - Nahay Khay - Kharna - Sandhya Arghya - Usha Arghya ARGON-40 (40AR) Chandra's Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 (CHACE-2) payload on Chandrayaan-2 detected it from the

lunar exosphere. 40Ar is one of the isotopes of Argon, which is a noble gas. It originates from the radioactive disintegration of Potassium-40 (40K).

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEAN TECHNOLOGY (NIOT) Established in November 1993 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. NIOT has developed niche technologies to mine manganese nodules from deep sea. NIOT will be the nodal institution for implementing the proposed Deep Ocean Mission.

DUSTLIK 2019 It is the first-ever India-Uzbekistan Joint Exercise held at Tashkent in Uzbekistan.The exercise will enable sharing of best practices and experiences between the Armed Forces of the two countries and would lead to greater operational effectiveness.The primary focus will be on counterterrorism. POLAVARAM PROJECT Work on the mega Polavaram irrigation project was recently resumed by the new contractor, Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd.



It is a multi-purpose irrigation project across the Godavari River.The project provides water for Irrigation, hydropower and drinking water facilities to East Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. The Polavaram project was accorded national status in 2014. INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL (IISF) Fifth India International Science Festival is being held at Kolkata. The theme is ‘RISEN India – Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation’. It aims to build a strategy for inclusive advancement of Science and Technology. IISFis an annual event organised jointly by science and technology related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (Vibha). INDO BANGLADESH PROTOCOL (IBP) ROUTES The IBP route extends from Kolkata (India) on NW-1 to Silghat (Assam) on NW-2 (River Brahmaputra) and Karimganj (Assam) on NW-16 (River Barak). Two stretches of Bangladesh inland waterways viz. Sirajganj–Daikhawa & Ashuganj-Zakiganj on the IBP route are being developed on 80:20 cost sharing basis by India & Bangladesh. The development of these two stretches is expected to provide seamless navigation to and from North East India through waterways via the IBP route. SCOJTEX- 2019 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Joint Exercise on Urban Earthquake Search & Rescue is being held in India.It is hosted by NDRF to rehearse the disaster response mechanism, share knowledge, experience, technology & also for mutual coordination, etc. TIGER TRIUMP It is a first tri- services amphibious exercise between India and the US, conducted in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. SAMUDRA SHAKTI It is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Indonesia, conducted in Bay of Bengal. POLYPEDATES BENGALENSIS It is a newly discovered frog species from West Bengal. It is also known as the Brown Blotched Bengal Tree Frog. It belongs to the genus Polypedates. The frog’s body colour is yellowish-brown to greenish-brown. ICEDASH & ATITHI ICEDASH and ATITHI have been launched for improved monitoring and pace of customs clearance of imported goods and facilitating arriving international passengers. ICEDASH is an Ease of Doing Business monitoring dashboard of the Indian Customs helping the public see

the daily Customs clearance times of import cargo at various ports and airports. ATITHI app will facilitate hassle-free and faster clearance by Customs at the airports and enhance the

experience of international tourists and other visitors at the airports. HIGH QUALITY LIQUID ASSETS (HQLAS) It is liquid assets that can be readily sold or immediately converted into cash at little or no loss of value, or used as collateral to obtain funds in a range of stress scenarios. NBFC-ND (non-deposit taking) entities are those which do not accept public funds and do not have customer

interface and do not intend to engage in such activities. LCR refers to the proportion of highly liquid assets held by companies to ensure their ongoing ability to meet

short-term obligations.



WASTELAND ATLAS Wastelands are a barren and uncultivated land lying unproductive or which is not being utilized to its potential. It includes degraded forests, overgrazed pastures, drought-struck pastures, eroded valleys, hilly slopes, waterlogged marshy lands, barren land, etc. Ministry of rural development releases 5th edition of Wasteland Atlas. It also takes into account 08 MHa of

unmapped area of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the first time. It was carried out by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), using the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite

data. KEY FINDINGS A reduction in the wasteland area was observed in the categories of land with dense scrub, marshy land, sandy

areas, and degraded pastures. The wastelands have undergone a positive change in the states of Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra

Pradesh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal. The majority of wastelands have been changed into categories of croplands, plantation and industrial areas. Spatial extent of wastelands in India is 55.76 Mha (16.96 per cent of geographical area of the country i.e.

328.72 Mha) for the year 2015-16 as compared to 56.60 Mha (17.21 per cent) in the year 2008-09. As per the Atlas, during this period 1.45 Mha of wastelands are converted into non-wastelands categories. The per capita availability of agriculture land in India is 0.12 ha whereas world per capita agriculture land is

0.29 ha. India with 2.4 per cent of total land area of the world is supporting 18 per cent of the world’s population.

DANAKIL DEPRESSION A new study says that active and naturally occurring life cannot be sustained at Danakil.It identifies two barriers - magnesium-dominated brines that cause cells to break down; and an environment having simultaneously very low pH and high salt, a combination that makes adaptation highly difficult.

The Danakil Depression in northeastern Ethiopia is one of the world’s hottest places, as well as one of its lowest, at 100 metres below sea level.The Danakil Depression lies at the triple junction of three tectonic plates. It has developed as a result of Africa and Asia moving apart, causing rifting and volcanic activity.

The Awash River dries up in a chain of salt lakes such as Lake Afrera. Mount Ayalu and Erta Ale are active volcanoes. Dallol sulfur springs or hot springs is also in it.

THIRUVALLUVAR The Tamil Nadu BJP kicked up a controversy by tweeting a picture of the ancient Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar in a ‘Hindu’ style, replacing his usual white shawl with a saffron and adding Hindu symbols. Thiruvalluvar known as Valluvar was a great Tamil poet and philosopher. He is best known as the author of Thirukkuṛaḷ, a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economical matters, and love. He is thought to have lived sometime between the 4th century BC and the 1st century BC. BRUS Nearly 32,000 Brus living in Tripura camps since 1997 have been affected after the government decided to stop food supplies and cash dole. The Brus, also called Reangs, are scattered across Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.



A conflict with the majority Mizos in 1995 made influential organisations like the MizoZirlai Pawl (students’ union) demand that the Brus, labelled a non-indigenous tribe, be deleted from Mizoram’s electoral rolls.

In Tripura, they are recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. In Mizoram, they have been targeted by groups that do not consider them indigenous to the state.

MEASURES The MHA brought the stakeholders to the talks in 2015, and a financial package of Rs.435 crore was arrived

at in July. Centre signed an agreement with the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum and the governments of

Mizoram and Tripura. The package covers 32,876 members of 5,407 Bru families, entailing a one-time assistance of Rs.4 lakh in

fixed deposit within a month of repatriation, monthly assistance of Rs.5,000 through direct benefit transfer, free rations for two years, and Rs.1.5 lakh in three instalments for building houses.

FENI RIVER The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on the withdrawal of 1.82 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water from the Feni river by India for a drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town in Tripura.

*It originates in the South Tripura district, passes through Sabroom town on the Indian side, and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh. It forms part of the India-Bangladesh border. *According to the GOI there has been no water-sharing agreement between the countries. The dispute over the sharing of the river water has been long-standing. It was taken up between India and Pakistan in 1958 during a Secretary-level meeting in New Delhi.

In August 2019, India and Bangladesh held a water secretary-level meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) in Dhaka, where it was agreed to collect data and prepare water-sharing agreements for seven rivers — Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Feni.

The MoU stands to benefit Sabroom town on the southern tip of Tripura. The groundwater in this region has high iron content. Implementation of this scheme would benefit over 7000 population of Sabroom town.

ELEPHANT MEMORIAL Wildlife SOS, India-based conservation charity, unveiled India's first elephant memorial in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The memorial is a unique way to honour elephants that lost their lives to illegal trafficking, abuse, and cruelty. Wildlife SOS NGO was established in 1995 by Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani. BERLIN WALL German marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 09 November. The Berlin Wall(161 km) came up on August 13, 1961. The west called the Berlin Wall the “Wall of Shame” and it served to remind those who lived in Berlin that those in the Soviet controlled east lived far inferior lives to those who lived in western Berlin. The Berlin Wall came down on November 9, 1991, but the collapse had begun earlier. MEN’S HOCKEY WORLD CUP India will host the Men’s Hockey World Cup for the second consecutive time after the country was picked to host the game’s showpiece event in 2023 by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in Lausanne. Spain and the Netherlands named as the co-hosts of the 2022 Women’s World Cup.



India becomes the first country to stage four men’s Hockey World Cups ( 1982 -Mumbai, 2010 -New Delhi and 2018 -Bhubaneswar). INDIA JUSTICE REPORT (IJR) It has been prepared by Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for social Justice, Common Cause, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Daksh, TISS-Prayas and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. It is India’s first-ever ranking of states on justice delivery. The report has divided states on the basis of the population into two parts- (a) The large-medium states (Population 1 crore and above) (b) The small states and Union Territories (Population less than 1 crore)

Four Pillars *Police *Judiciary *Prisons *Legal aid

SURANGA BAWADI It has entered the World Monuments Watch List under the Ancient Water System of the Deccan Plateau of the World Monument Funds. It is situated in Bijapur, Karnataka. It was built in the 16th century by Adil Shah-I of Bijapur to supply water to Vijaypura in Karnataka. KAREZ SYSTEM Karez System is a method in which groundwater is brought to the surface by a tunnel. No mechanical pump or lift is used in the system. The water from the underground source was brought by gravity alone. The technology originated in Persia and Iran.

KALAPANI TERRITORY

Kalapani , a 35 square kilometre area, situated on the eastern bank of the river Mahakali. It is claimed by both India and Nepal. Kalapani is also a tri-junction point, where the Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan (Chinese) borders meet. The region has been manned by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police since 1962. The 1816 Treaty of Segauli signed between British India and Nepal, defined river Mahakali as the western border of Nepal. River Mahakali has several tributaries, all of which merge at Kalapani.

In the latest map, India included Kalapani into the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Nepal government says that Kalapani is an integral part of the country and that talks are still on between New Delhi and Kathmandu over this unresolved area. Both the nations are also working on a joint hydropower project Pancheshwar on the river on the Indian side. Tanakpur and Chameliya hydro-electric project is on river Kali.



Susta , disputed territories between India (Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal is located on the bank of the Gandak river (called Narayani river in Nepal).The area is very fertile for agriculture because of the alluvial soil brought by the river.

MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IN INDIA (MMR) Maternal mortality ratio is measured as the number of maternal deaths per lakh live births. Assam recorded the highest MMR - 229

Uttar Pradesh (216) - Madhya Pradesh (188) - Rajasthan (186) - Odisha (168) - Bihar (165) Kerala has the lowest MMR- 42

Maharashtra (55) - Tamil Nadu (63) - Andhra Pradesh (74) - Jharkhand (76) The maternal mortality rate is the highest in -

Uttar Pradesh (20.1) - Madhya Pradesh(17.5) – Bihar(16.9) – Rajasthan(16.8) The maternal mortality rate is the lowest in -

Kerala (1.9) - Maharashtra (3.3) PLIOSAUR They are the largest aquatic carnivorous reptiles that have ever lived. Their bones are discovered in a cornfield in the Polish village of Krzyzanowice. They are often dubbed sea monsters. CYCLONES IN 2019 INDIAN OCEAN & ARABIAN SEA

BULBUL - MAHA - KYARR – VAYU - HIKAA Halong - Pacific Ocean. Dorian - Bahamas Nakri - Philippine Pabuk - South China Sea-Andaman Sea

ROHIT SHARMA He became the first Indian man and second in world (Shoaib Malik) cricket to complete 100 T-20 Internationals. He holds the world record for the highest individual score(264) by a batsman playing in a one-day international match. He is the only player to have scored three double-centuries in a one-day international match. PAMBA-ACHANKOVIL-VAIPPAR RIVER LINK PROJECT Kerala is not allowing Pamba-Achankovil to be connected with the Vaippar river in Tamil Nadu under the inter-linking of rivers project. It will reduce persistent floods in some parts and water shortages in other parts besides facilitating the

generation of hydroelectricity for an increasingly power hungry country. Enhances water and food security of the country and it is essential for providing water to drought prone and

water deficit areas. FCRA AND FOREIGN FUNDING More than 1,800 NGOs and academic institutes found to be violating laws pertaining to foreign funding have been banned by the government from receiving overseas funds this year. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and rules framed under it regulate the receipt and usage of

foreign contribution by NGOs in India. Since the Act is internal security legislation, despite being a law related to financial legislation, it falls into the

purview of Home Ministry and not the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The intent of the Act is to prevent use of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality for any activity

detrimental to the national interest.



The Act prohibits acceptance and use of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by a certain specified category of persons such as a candidate for election, judge, journalist, columnist, newspaper publication, cartoonist and others.

Regulates the inflow to and usage of foreign contribution by NGOs by prescribing a mechanism to accept, use and report usage of the same.

FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION It includes currency, article other than gift for personal use and securities received from foreign source. While foreign hospitality refers to any offer from a foreign source to provide foreign travel, boarding, lodging, transportation or medical treatment cost. WORLD CONGRESS ON RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL FINANCE It is being held in New Delhi.The theme is ‘Rural and Agricultural Finance: Critical Input to Achieve

Inclusive and Sustainable Development’. It is co-hosted by NABARD and the Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) and

supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. APRACA, representing 81 member institutions from 21 countries, is a regional association that promotes

cooperation and facilitates mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of rural finance. SWACHH – NIRMAL TAT ABHIYAAN It is launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to make beaches clean and create awareness amongst citizens about the importance of coastal ecosystems in Beaches across 10 states / UTs.The campaign will be organized in the beaches after consultation with the state governments. Environment Education Division and Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) under the Environment Ministry will be responsible for its implementation. BROWN TO GREEN REPORT 2019 The 2019 Brown to Green Report has been published by the Climate Transparency partnership, an international research collaboration. The report is the most comprehensive review of G20 countries’ climate performance, mapping achievements and drawbacks in their efforts to reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts and green the financial system. Carbon emissions from the world’s 20 biggest economies, including India, are rising. None of the G20 countries have plans that will help them achieve the target. Many of the current 2030 climate targets under the Paris Agreement (Nationally Determined Contributions or

NDCs) are too weak. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in G20 countries shot up by 1.8 per cent in 2018 due to rising energy

demand. Among the G20 countries, India has the most ambitious NDC. India is currently investing most in renewable energy, while Brazil and Germany are the only G20 countries

with long-term renewable energy strategies. India and China are among the G20 countries with the most progressive energy efficiency policies.

DAL LAKE The Dal Lake has shrunk to 24 sq km from 31 sq km and the lake has witnessed significant changes in land use and cover, apart from increasing human population. So the Jammu and Kashmir UT will set up a 10-member committee that will declare Dal Lake, an Eco-sensitive Zone. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-sensitive Zones”. The section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards



Besides the section 5 (1)of this act says that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas. The above two clauses have been effectively used by the government to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFA). The same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones. DAL LAKE Located in the Zabarwan mountain valley, in the foothills of the Shankracharya hills. Known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. An important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting. Four main interconnected basins - Hazratbal, Bod dal, Gagribal and Nagin. Contains Char Chinar & Nami islands.

HARMONISED SYSTEM (HS CODE) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has allocated a separate Harmonised System (HS) code for Khadi. The move is expected to boost Khadi exports in the coming years. Earlier, Khadi did not have its exclusive HS code. HARMONISED SYSTEM It is developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). It is a six-digit identification code. Of the six digits, the first two denote the HS Chapter, the next two give the HS heading, and the last two give

the HS subheading. It is a multipurpose international product nomenclature.

HS code are used by Customs authorities, statistical agencies, and other government regulatory bodies, to monitor and control the import and export of commodities. THE HELIOSPHERE

It is a bubble around the sun created by the outward flow of the solar wind from the sun and the opposing inward flow of the interstellar wind. It is the region where the constant flow of particles from our Sun, called the solar wind, collides with material from the rest of the galaxy. This collision limits the amount of harmful cosmic radiation entering the heliosphere.

Cosmic rays created locally and from the galaxy and beyond affect human explorers in space and can harm technological systems, and likely play a role in the presence of life itself in the universe.

The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission will help researchers better understand the boundary of the heliosphere.

The heliopause marks the end of the heliosphere and the beginning of interstellar space. AGREEMENT ON RECIPROCAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT (ARLS) It is an arrangement that will allow access to India and Russia, to each other’s military facilities for supplies and fuel, expanding the logistics support and operational turnaround of the Indian military. It will be beneficial for the Indian Navy, which has a large number of Russian origin ships that will get access

to Russian ports for supplies and refueling. The air force too will benefit by finding it easier to deploy aircraft for the same purpose. This access will also be for ports in the Russian part of the Arctic, allowing access to energy resources there. Reciprocal access for Russia – access to Indian ports and air bases.



Russia has also assured India access to energy resources in the vast Arctic region. INNER LINE PERMIT (ILP) Meghalaya has brought an ordinance that makes registration on entry mandatory for visitors who intend to spend more than 24 hours in the state. INNER LINE PERMIT ILP’s origin dates back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873, which protected the British Crown’s

interest in tea, oil and elephant trade. ILP is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian

citizen into a protected/restricted area for a limited period. It an effort by the Government to regulate movement to certain areas located near the international border of India.

ILP system is currently in operation in Mizoram, AP and Nagaland. Manipur had the system of ILP but it was abolished in 1950.

RED ATLAS ACTION PLAN MAP It has been prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to aid Tamil Nadu government in effective flood mitigation in Chennai. It is a first of its kind ready reckoner map. It is aimed at flood mitigation, preparedness, operations and management aspects. The manual provides information including on corporation wards that are likely to be affected due to flooding

and the areas that may need evacuation in Chennai taking into account all historical datasets. COASTAL FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM APP (CFLOWS-CHENNAI) CFLOWS is a complete webGIS-based decision support system that can be used both for mitigation planning operations before flooding and in real time to for aspects like relief work. It is India’s first integrated coastal flood warning system. It is launched by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). It is an integrated system that involves coupling models of regional weather forecasts,storm surges and

captures about 796 flood scenarios. The app can simulate the scenario and predict what will happen in a particular area.

THE CENTRE FOR MONITORING INDIAN ECONOMY (CMIE) CMIE has released a report on Unemployment in India. India’s unemployment rate in October rose to 8.5%, the highest level since August 2016. Urban unemployment rate at 8.9%, is more than the rural unemployment rate of 8.3%. Highest unemployment rate in Tripura and Haryana, at more than 20%. Lowest in Tamil Nadu at 1.1%. Rajasthan saw its unemployment rate double between September and October 2019.

EXERCISE ZA’IR-AL-BAHR It means Roar of the Sea, conducted in Doha, Qatar between the Indian Navy and Qatari Emiri Naval Forces. The maritime exercise will include a three-day Harbour Phase and two days Sea Phase. BEST EMERGING GREEN TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD Arunachal Pradesh State tourism department and stakeholders were awarded the Best Emerging Green Tourist Destination Award. The award was conferred by Travel & Leisure magazine. The award was received by Dia Mirza. WORLD TOILET DAY



It is observed on 19 November every year. The theme is Leaving No One Behind. The theme aims to tackle the global sanitation crisis. The day is aimed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which promises sanitation for all by 2030. According to the UN report, 637 million people across the world still defecate in the open.

The lack of sanitation is estimated to cause 4,32,000 diarrhoeal deaths every year. It is also the cause of several diseases, including intestinal worms, trachoma, and schistosomiasis.

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

It is observed on 19 November every year. The objective of the day is to focus on men's and boys' health, improving gender relations, and promoting gender equality.

The celebration of the International Men's Day was first declared in February 1992 by Thomas Oaster. The day coincides with the birthday of the father of Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh. He is a doctor from Trinidad

and Tobago. He relaunched International Men's Day in 1999. The day highlights men who are making a positive difference. The day raises awareness of issues that men

face on a global scale.

EXERCISE SINDHU SUDARSHAN Indian Army conducted the Sindhu Sudarshan exercise in Barmer, Rajasthan on 16 November. Sindhu Sudarshan showcases the ability of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps to undertake large scale offensive manoeuvres as part of an integrated air-land battle. SHAHEEN-I Pakistan successfully test-fired Shaheen-I missile on 18 November 2019. It is a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile. The missile can strike targets up to 650 kilometres. DARJEELING GREEN AND WHITE TEAS Darjeeling green and white teas have received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the domestic market. The price varies from Rs.3,000 to Rs.10,000 per kg. JUSTICE SHARAD ARVIND BOBDE Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was sworn in as the 47th Chief Justice of India. Justice Bobde will serve for a period of over 17 months as the CJI. He will retire on 23 April 2021. Bobde was a part of the five-judge Constitution bench brought an end to the Ayodhya land dispute.as well as part of a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court that held unanimously the Right to Privacy was a constitutionally protected fundamental right in India. PIPRAICH SUGAR MILL Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Pipraich Sugar Mill a unit of Uttar Pradesh Sugar and Sugarcane Development Corporation Limited. CM Adityanath announced that a 27 MW core generation plant would also be constructed, which can provide electricity to the mill. *It is expected that the mills will now produce more than 50,000 quintals of sugar every day. *The newly introduced sugar mill will create more employment among the youth. *He also inaugurated the Ramala sugar Mill in Baghpat in October 2019. CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL The fourth edition of the festival was celebrated in Shillong, Meghalaya. The 2019 festival was jointly celebrated by India and South Korea for the first time. NATIONAL EPILEPSY DAY



It is observed on 17 November every year. The day aims to create awareness about epilepsy, its causes, and treatment. Seminars, debates, and other events are organized to educate people about epilepsy disease and its treatment methods. *Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain. *WHO reported that about 50 million people have epilepsy across the world. NATIONAL PRESS DAY It is celebrated on 16th November 2019. On this day, the Press Council of India started functioning as a moral watchdog. It ensures that the press maintains high standards and is not fettered by any influence or threats. *In 1956, the First Press Commission was planned to form a Press Council to protect freedom of the press in India. *On 4 July 1966, the Press Council was established in India. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE It is observed on 16 November every year. The day aims to strengthen tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. In 1993, UNGA proclaimed the United Nations Year for Tolerance as 1995. This was followed by an initiative of UNESCO, which adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and the Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year. WORLD KABADDI CUP India is to host the 2019 World Kabaddi Cup from 1-9 December 2019. It will be organized by the Punjab State government. The inauguration ceremony of the event will be held on 1 December at Guru Nanak Stadium, Sultanpur Lodhi. Nine teams, namely India, England, Sri Lanka, Kenya, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Canada, are expected to take part in the 2019 World Kabaddi Cup tournament. BALI YATRA FESTIVAL Bali Yatra festival is being celebrated in at the bank of Mahanadi River, Cuttack, Odisha. The festival is organized every year in the memory of the rich maritime history of the state. For the first time the Bali Yatra festival has a maritime corner that exhibits the model of the maritime voyage of ancient sea traders, who were travelling to the different parts of South-East Asia for Trade and culture extension. e-GANNA APP Uttar Pradesh government launched a dedicated web portal and e-Ganna App, a mobile application to provide support to the sugarcane farmers of the state. The web portal and e-Ganna App aims to help in eradicating cane mafia and middleman. ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS (AIFS) The Union Cabinet has approved the creation of an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) of Rs. 25,000 crore to provide last-mile funding for stalled affordable and middle-income housing projects across the country. Alternative investment funds (AIFs) are defined in Regulation 2(1)(b) of Securities and Exchange Board of India (AIFs) Regulations, 2012. It refers to any privately pooled investment fund, (whether from Indian or foreign sources), in the form of a trust or a company or a body corporate or a Limited Liability Partnership(LLP) which are not presently covered by any Regulation of SEBI governing fund management (like, Regulations governing Mutual Fund or Collective Investment Scheme)nor coming under the direct regulation of any other sectoral regulators in India-IRDA, PFRDA, RBI. AIFs includes Private Equities, Venture Capital Fund, Hedge funds, Commodity funds, Debt Funds, infrastructure funds, etc. FEATURES The fund size will initially be Rs. 25,000 crore with the government providing Rs. 10,000 crore and the State

Bank of India and the Life Insurance Corporation providing the balance The funds will be set up as Category-II Alternative Investment Fund registered with the Securities and

Exchange Board of India and will be managed by SBICAP Ventures Limited.



The open-ended fund is expected to swell over time. The government is also in talks with sovereign bonds and pension funds to put in money in AIF further.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a ‘Special Window’ to provide priority debt financing for completion of stalled housing projects in the affordable and middle-income housing sector.

Category I: Mainly invests in start- ups, SME’s or any other sector which Govt. considers economically and socially viable. Category II: These include Alternative Investment Funds such as private equity funds or debt funds for which no specific incentives or concessions are given by the government or any other Regulator Category III : Alternative Investment Funds such as hedge funds or funds which trade with a view to make short term returns or such other funds which are open ended and for which no specific incentives or concessions are given by the government or any other Regulator. CORE INVESTMENT COMPANIES (CICS) Core Investment companies are companies holding shares, bonds debentures and is categorized as NBFCs by the RBI. They can’t engage in trading of the instruments they holds. CICis a non-banking financial company carrying on the business of acquisition of shares and securities and which (a) holds not less than 90 per cent of its net assets in the form of investment in equity shares, preference shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in group companies (b) its investments in the equity shares in group companies constitutes not less than 60 per cent of its net assets as on the date of the last audited balance sheet. FEATURES CIC with an asset size of less than Rs100 crore will be exempted from the requirements of registration with

RBI. For this purpose all CICs belonging to a Group will be aggregated. CICs with asset size above Rs. 100 crore but not accessing public funds are also exempted from the

requirement of registration with RBI. Due to systemic implications on account of access to public funds (such as funds raised through Commercial

Paper, debentures, inter-corporate deposits and borrowings from banks/FIs), CICs having asset size of 100 crore or above are categorised as Systemically Important Core Investment Companies (CICs-ND-SI) and are required to obtain Certificate of Registration from the Reserve Bank.

LANCET REPORT The Lancet has published a report titled- ‘Countdown on Health and Climate Change’. The report is a comprehensive yearly analysis tracking progress across 41 key indicators. Nearly 157 million more people are exposed to heatwaves in 2017 as compared to the year 2000. The average person experienced an additional 1.4 days of heatwaves per year over the same period. Between 1901 and 2007, India's mean temperature increased by more than 0.5 degree Celsius. India saw an increase of 40 million in the number of people exposed to heatwaves from 2012 to 2016. Average temperatures in India are projected to rise alarmingly. The world is bracing for an increase of around 2 degrees Celsius over the 21st century. The northern, central and western India may witness further increase averaging 2.2 to 5.5 degrees by the end

of the 21st century. IMPACT Heatwaves are associated with increased rates of heat stress and heat stroke, exacerbation of heart failure and

acute kidney injury from dehydration. Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing morbidities are particularly vulnerable. Low and middle-income countries are likely to be worst affected by climate change. The report shows that 153 billion hours of labour were lost globally in 2017 due to heat. The impacts vary with different sectors, with agriculture being most vulnerable as compared to the industrial

and services sector.



India lost nearly 75,000 million hours of labour in 2017, relative to about 43,000 million hours in 2000. NADU NEDU PROGRAMME Nadu-Nedu programme has been launched to transform government schools into vibrant and competitive institutions in Andhra Pradesh. It also seeks to provide basic amenities such as clean water, furniture, compound wall, toilets etc. Teachers would be imparted training to effectively implement the decision to introduce English medium from Classes 1 to 6 in government schools from the next academic year. The parent committees and locals would be involved to make it an inclusive system. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE WEEK It is celebrated between November 19, 2019 and November 25, 2019 to increase awareness among people about safety and preservation of cultural heritages and monuments. There are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 30 cultural sites, seven natural sites and one mixed site. India has the sixth largest number of sites in the world. UNESCO designation as a World Heritage Site provides prima facie evidence that such culturally sensitive sites are legally protected pursuant to the Law of War, under the Geneva Convention, its articles, protocols and customs, together with other treaties including the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and international law. GOLDEN LEAF AWARD Tobacco Board Receives the 2019 Golden Leaf Award. The award was given in recognition of the Board’s efforts to initiate various sustainability (green) initiatives in Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco cultivation in India. The Golden Leaf Awards were created to recognize professional excellence and dedication in the tobacco industry by Tobacco Reporter, an international magazine in the year 2006.Awards are granted on an annual basis to companies that have achieved outstanding performance in five categories: NISHTHA- National Initiative For School Heads’ And Teachers’ Holistic Advancement It has been launched in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to improve learning outcomes at Elementary level through integrated Teacher Trainings. ESSAR STEEL VERDICT In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has upheld the supremacy of the Committee of Creditors comprising the financial creditors of the bankrupt firms over the distribution of claims. There is no principal of equality between secured and unsecured creditors. The mandatory nature of the 330-day mark as a violation of Article 14 (right to equal treatment) of the Constitution and an “excessive and unreasonable restriction on the litigant’s right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution”. ARROKOTH NASA has recently renamed farthest cosmic body, located in the Kuiper belt, earlier known as ‘Ultima Thule’ to ‘Arrokoth’ or Sky because Thule has been associated with Nazis in the past. It has a reddish color, probably caused by exposure of hydrocarbons to sunlight over billions of years. It belongs to a class of Kuiper belt objects called the “cold classicals”, which have nearly circular orbits with low inclinations to the solar plane. SISSERI RIVER BRIDGE The 200m long bridge provides connectivity between Dibang Valley and Siang at lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. The bridge was constructed by ‘Project Brahmank’ of Border Roads Organisation (BRO). PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA



Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been elected president. Sri Lanka’s government operates under a semi-presidential system where the president holds widespread

executive authority. The president is directly elected for a five-year term through a version of Instant-runoff voting in which

electors rank up to three candidates, and limited to only two rounds in total. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round of voting, second and third preferences from ballots whose

first preference candidate has been eliminated are used to determine the winner. No person who has been twice elected to the office of President by the People, shall be qualified thereafter to

be elected to such office by the People. SAANS The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a campaign in Gujarat named Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS). To reduce child mortality due to pneumonia To mobilise people to protect children from pneumonia A child suffering from pneumonia will be treated with a pre-referral dose of antibiotic amoxicillin

by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. Pulse Oximeter will be used at the Health and Wellness Centre for identification of low oxygen level

KIMBERLEY PROCESS The Plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is being hosted by India. India is the present Kimberley Process (KP) Chair. KP is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds. The KP has 55 participants, representing 82 countries, including the European Union. KPCS outlines the rules that govern the trade in rough diamonds. KPCS imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’ and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. CONFLICT DIAMONDS It means rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments. It is also described in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. IMD WORLD TALENT RANKING- 2019 It is released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Switzerland. The ranking is based on the performance in three main categories -

*Investment and development *Appeal *Readiness Top Performers - Switzerland - Denmark - Sweden - Austria - Luxembourg. India has slipped 6 places to 59 rank. This is due to low quality of life and expenditure on education,

effectiveness of the health system and women’s participation in the labour force. India is also lagging behind fellow BRICs countries – China ranked 42nd on the list, Russia (47th) and South

Africa (50th). SPACE INTERNET SpaceX, the world’s leading private company in space technology, has launched 60 satellites into the low earth orbit, under the Starlink network project. The project ensures that reliable and uninterrupted Internet services are universally available in every part of the globe. GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT It is located at a height of 35,786 km over the Earth’s surface, directly above the Equator. Satellites in this orbit move at speeds of about 11,000 km per hour, and complete one revolution of the Earth

in the same time that the earth rotates once on its axis.



Signals from geostationary orbit can cover a very large part of the Earth. So three to four satellites would be enough to cover the entire Earth.

There is a time lag called latency between a user seeking data, and the server sending that data and because data transfers cannot happen faster than the speed of light (in reality, they take place at significantly lower speeds), the longer the distance that needs to be covered the greater is the time lag or latency.

A transmission from a satellite in geostationary orbit has a latency of about 600 milliseconds. LOW EARTH ORBIT A satellite in the lower orbit 200-2,000 km from the Earth’s surface, can bring the lag down to 20-30

milliseconds, roughly the time it takes for terrestrial systems to transfer data. Owing to their lower height, their signals cover a relatively small area. As a result, many more satellites are

needed in order to reach signals to every part of the planet. It increases space debris, risk of collisions. Space Internet satellites will make it difficult to observe other space objects, and to detect their signals.

TARGET OLYMPIC PODIUM SCHEME (TOPS) It aims at identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for upcoming Olympic Games. It will provide selected sportspersons customized training at institutes having world class facilities and also

other necessary support is being provided to the elite athletes. It will provide a benchmark for selection of athletes on par with international standards. Sports Authority of India (SAI) and federations, which are members of Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), will be

nodal agencies for disbursal for fund. RECYCLING OF SHIPS BILL, 2019 The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for enactment of Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 and accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009. KEY FEATURES It restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous material, which applies irrespective of whether a

ship is meant for recycling or not. Restriction or prohibition on use of hazardous material would not be applied to warships and non-commercial

ships operated by Government. Ships shall be surveyed and certified on the inventory of hazardous material used in ships. Ship recycling facilities are required to be authorized and ships shall be recycled only in such authorized ship

recycling facilities. Ships to be recycled in India shall be required to obtain a Ready for Recycling Certificate in accordance with

the HKC- Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. HONG KONG CONVENTION(2009) For the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. It was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It aimed at that ships after being recycled do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and

environment. The Convention is yet to come into force because it has not been ratified by 15 nations.

SMART SAFETY SURVEILLANCE, OR 3S PROGRAMME The central government is planning to expand the reach of the Smart Safety Surveillance, or 3S, programme. The 3S project was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), considering the limited safety

data on vaccines introduced in India. This is being done to optimize post-marketing surveillance of priority drugs and vaccines, and ensure the

vaccines distributed under the universal immunization programme are safe. India is evaluating the recently-introduced rotavirus vaccines.



PATENT PROSECUTION HIGHWAY PROGRAMME The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for adoption of Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme by the Indian Patent Office (IPO) under the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, India (CGPDTM) with patent offices of various other interest countries or regions. PPH is a set of initiatives for providing accelerated patent prosecution procedures by sharing information

between some patent offices. PPH would allow a patent applicant to demand fast-tracking of his patent application by showing that his

product or process has already been granted a patent in Japan. Eligibility: Indian Patent Office may receive patent applications in certain specified technical fields only.

BENEFITS Reduction in time to dispose patent applications. Reduction in pendency of patent applications. Improvement in quality of search and examination of patent applications. An opportunity for Indian inventors in Japan.

INDIAN PERFORMING RIGHT SOCIETY (IPRS) It is a representative body of artists, including music owners, composers, lyricists, and publishers of music. It collects royalties due to the artists if their work is used anywhere from a wedding to a New Year function or on radio or TV or wherever music is played. It was set up in 1969, and re-registered as a copyright society in 2017. IPRS has both civil and criminal remedies available to it under The Copyright Act. The Copyright Act, 1957 laid down that artists would get 50% of royalties every time their work was used.

IDRIS ELBA A species of wasp, discovered in Mexico, has been named Idris Elba. It is a parasite, depends on the eggs of the bagrada bug insect. Bagrada bug is a major pest of cruciferous vegetables. Idris Elba could be the ultimate weapon in the battle against the stink bug (painted bug). MK-45 NAVAL GUNS USA has approved the sale of thirteen MK-45 naval guns and related equipment to India. It is an automatic loader that can be fired under full automatic control.It has a range of more than 20 nautical miles or 36 km. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOWA-RIGPA (NISR) The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) at Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh. It will be an autonomous national institute under the Ministry of AYUSH. It will act as an apex institute for Sowa-Rigpa system.

SOWA -RIGPA It is a traditional system of medicine, originated by Yuthog Yonten Gonpo in Tibet. It is practised in the Himalayan belt of India and Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Russia. The method of treatment is antidote.

PLAGUE Two people in Beijing were recently diagnosed with the pneumonic plague, which is known to be the most deadly version of the disease. PLAGUE It was known as the Black Death. It is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis which is particularly found in rodents.



Bubonic plague It infects a person’s lymphatic system. Its symptoms include fever, chills, weakness and headaches.

Pneumonic plague It is the ‘ost virulent form of plague. It occurs when the bacteria infects the lungs. It is the only type of plague that can be transmitted from human to human. Its symptoms include chest pain, fever and cough. It is highly contagious and transmissible merely by

coughing. Septicemic plague It occurs when the bacteria enters the blood stream and multiplies there. A person infected by septicemic plague may also notice their skin turning black.

DEPOSIT INSURANCE? With the failure of the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank reigniting the debate on the low level of insurance for deposits held by customers in banks in India, the central government now plans to raise the cover. A legislation in this regard is likely in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Deposit insurance is providing insurance protection to the depositor’s money by receiving a premium. The government has set up Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) under RBI to

protect depositors if a bank fails. Every insured bank pays premium amounting to 0.001% of its deposits to DICGC every year. Under the DICGC Act, the liquidator is supposed to hand over a list of all the insured depositors (with their

dues) to the DICGC within three months of taking charge. The corporation covers all commercial and co-operative banks, except in Meghalaya, Chandigarh,

Lakshadweep and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The DICGC does not include the following types of deposits: Deposits of foreign governments. Deposits of central/state governments. Inter-bank deposits. Deposits of the state land development banks with the state co-operative bank. Any amount due on account of any deposit received outside India. Any amount specifically exempted by the DICGC with previous approval of RBI.

K12 EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION FRAMEWORK Microsoft rolls out its K12 Education Transformation Framework more widely in India. The Framework provides a holistic framework to facilitate a comprehensive digital transformation of schools. The framework is a flexible platform based on the latest research and input from hundreds of academics,

experts, and policymakers. It comprises four pillars - *Leadership and policy *Modern teaching and learning *Intelligent environments *Technology blueprint

INTENSIFIED MISSION INDRADHANUSH To further intensify the immunization programme, the government launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) on October 8, 2017. OBJECTIVE To reach each and every child up to two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left

uncovered under the routine immunisation programme/UIP. Low performing areas in the selected districts (high priority districts) and urban areas will be covered.



Special attention will be given to unserved/low coverage pockets in sub-centre and urban slums with migratory population.

The IMI programme is supported by 12 ministries and departments and is being monitored by the cabinet secretary at the national level.

AVIAN BOTULISM Avian botulism is said to be the reason behind the deaths of 18,000 birds in and around Rajasthan’s Sambhar lake. The good monsoon provided a favorable environment for the bacteria to spread. The bacteria needs anaerobic (absence of oxygen) conditions and does not grow in acidic conditions. The lake also provided a nutrient-rich substrate. The bacteria is also found in the gills and digestive tracts of healthy fish. The government should pass legislation in the Assembly to create a Sambhar Lake Development and

Conservation Authority. BUDAPEST CONVENTION A UN committee has passed a Russian-led resolution on a global cybercrime treaty, despite reservations that it could be used to justify shutting down civil society in repressive countries. The resolution was sponsored by China, North Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Syria, among others, and will up an “Open Ended Working Group” to examine cybercrime. The first international treaty seeking to address Internet and computer crime by harmonizing national laws,

improving investigative techniques, and increasing cooperation among nations. It was drawn up by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. It is open for ratification even to states that are not members of the Council of Europe. As of September 2019, 64 states have ratified the convention.

INDIA’S CONCERNS India did not participate in the negotiation of the Convention and thus is worried about it. The Convention through its Article 32b allows for transborder access to data and thus infringes on national

sovereignty. The regime of the Convention is not effective, “the promise of cooperation not firm enough,” or that there are

grounds for refusal to cooperate. PRITHVI-II MISSILE It is a surface-to-surface tactical missile with a strike range of 350 km. It is capable of carrying 500 to 1,000 kg of warheads, both conventional as well as nuclear. The state-of-the-art missile is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines.

BACTERIOPHAGES They are the viruses that can kill the bacteria. They are comprised of a protein capsule around an RNA or DNA genome. They are ubiquitous viruses, found wherever bacteria exist. The most striking advantage of bacteriophage therapy is the ability to tailor treatment accurately to kill the

pathogenic bacteria provided the diagnostic procedures are highly accurate.

INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT FOR 2019 Renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is to be conferred for the prize by an international jury chaired by former president Pranab Mukherjee, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. He is awarded for a lifetime of doing more to reveal the wonders of the natural world to us than perhaps any other individual. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development is awarded every year by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. The trust is located in New Delhi, India. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.2.5 million and a citation. The first award was presented to Parliamentarians for Global Action in the year 1986.



ABE SHINZO Prime Minister Abe Shinzo became the longest-serving (2,886 days) prime minister in the history of Japan’s constitutional government. The top four longest-serving prime ministers - Abe Shinzo - Katsura Taro - Sato Eisaku - Ito Hirobumi WORLD FISHERIES DAY It is celebrated on 21 November every year. The day aims to highlight the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems. It also ensures the sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world.. WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY It is observed on 21 November every year. The day is observed every third Thursday of November month. It was instituted in 2002 by the UNESCO. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN It is observed on November 25th every year. The 2019 theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape. MUNDERWA SUGAR MILL Munderwa Sugar Mill of Uttar Pradesh State Sugar Corporation Limited in Basti district. It will also generate 27 MW of electricity. VIRAT KOHLI Virat Kohli was awarded People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's Person of the Year for 2019. He was awarded for his animal advocacy efforts. He took efforts to improve conditions for animals. One of such includes sending a letter on PETA India's behalf to officials for the release of Malti, an elephant. Malti was used for rides at Amer Fort. He regularly visited an animal shelter in Bengaluru to check on injured and formerly neglected dogs there. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco on 22 March 1980. It has it’s headoffice in Virginia, United States. ALBENDAZOLE It is DEC (Diethylcarbamazine) tablet which is useful for Filariasis or Filaria. The Central government has the set year 2021 as the deadline for complete eradication of filaria in the country. Uttar Pradesh government launches a massive immunization campaign against the filarial in 19 districts. SANGAI FESTIVAL 2019 It is an annual cultural festival organized by Manipur Tourism Department every year from 21 to 30 November. This Festival was known as Tourism Festival since 2010 renamed as the Sangai Festival to stage the uniqueness of the shy and gentle brow-antlered deer popularly known as the Sangai. RAFAEL NADAL World number one Rafael Nadal won sixth Davis Cup title for Spain . He defeated Denis Shapovalov of Canada in Madrid. He won five Davis Cup titles with the Spain Davis Cup team. He also won the French Open and the US Open in 2019. LIVING ROOT BRIDGES It is also known as Jing Kieng Jri means to cross streams and rivers. These are aerial bridges built by weaving and manipulating the roots of the Indian rubber tree. They have been serving as connectors for generations in Meghalaya.



MALABAR TREE TOAD It is a very rare species of amphibian endemic to the Western Ghats. It is an endangered species that spends most of its life on trees, coming to the ground only during the first monsoon showers to mate. JOHADS Johads are community-owned rainwater storage wetland mainly used for harnessing water resources in Haryana . GOLDEN RICE It is a genetically-engineered rice that contains beta-carotene. The traditional rice is changed by inserting bacteria and daffodil and maize genes into it. It is called golden rice because of the golden colour of its grains. It was claimed to be able to fight Vitamin A deficiency. SUMATRAN RHINO The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of the five extant rhino species (White Rhino - Black Rhino - One-Horned Rhino-Javan Rhino) in the world. Sumatran rhino is now extinct in Malaysia. SECRETAGOGIN Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have demonstrated the role of a protein secretagogin (SCGN) in increasing insulin action in obesity-induced diabetes. SCGN is now established as a functional insulin-binding protein with therapeutic potential against diabetes. SCGN binds to insulin and protects it from various stresses, increases its stability and adds to its action. SCGN is found in lower quantities in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL 28 private member’s Bills introduced in Lok Sabha. Any MP who is not a Minister is referred to as a private member. Private member’s bills are piloted by non-Minister MPs. Their purpose is to draw the government’s attention to what individual MPs see as issues and gaps in the existing legal framework, which require legislative intervention. The admissibility is decided by the Chairman for Rajya Sabha and Speaker in the case of Lok Sabha. The Member must give at least a month’s notice before the Bill can be listed for introduction. The number of private member’s Bills to three per session. Private member’s Bills can be introduced and discussed only on Fridays.

ONE STOP CENTRE SCHEME Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), has formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up One Stop Centre, a sub - scheme of Umbrella Scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of women including Indira Gandhi Mattritav Sahyaog Yojana. Popularly known as Sakhi, the scheme is being implemented since 1st April 2015. OBJECTIVES To provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces

under one roof. To facilitate immediate, emergency and non - emergency access to a range of services including medical,

legal, psychological and counselling support under one roof to fight against any forms of violence against women.

SERVICES * Emergency Response and Rescue Services * Medical assistance * Assistance to women in lodging FIR

/NCR/DIR

* Legal aid and counselling * Shelter * Video Conferencing Facility



* Psycho- social support and counselling. FUNDS The Scheme will be funded through Nirbhaya Fund. The Central Government will provide 100% financial assistance to the State Government /UT Administrations under the Scheme. CLIMATE EMERGENCY European Union (EU) has become the first multilateral bloc to declare climate emergency. Implications: The symbolic move is expected to pressurise countries to act ahead of the United Nations summit on climate change that starts on December 2 in Spain. There is no single definition of what that means but many local areas say they want to be carbon-neutral by 2030. It varies. DENDROCHRONOLOGY CONFERENCE - The 6th (first time in India) Asian Dendrochronology Conference being held at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow. Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings that hold a wealth of information about not only a tree’s past but also that of the ecosystem in which it lives. YU WAAH It is launched by UNICEF to bring young people together with the private sector, governments, international and local organisations. The aim is to tackle the urgent challenge of investing in their learning and training so that they are prepared for the complex and fast-changing world of work and can be active and engaged citizens. QS UNIVERSITY RANKINGS QS World University Rankings for Asia has been released. The National University of Singapore is ranked 1st . It is followed by Nanyang Technological University (2nd) and the University of Hong Kong(3rd ). The best performers from India - IIT Bombay(34th ). It is followed by IIT Delhi (43rd) and IIT Madras (50th). CBDR–RC India’s approach will be guided by principles and provisions of the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBDR-RC) for the 25th Conference of Parties (COP) scheduled to be held in Spain. CBDR–RC is a principle within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change. FASTAGS All 560-odd plazas under the control of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will collect toll without human intervention, and vehicles need not stop to pay toll. It is valid for five years and can be recharged. It is affixed on the windscreen. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) collects the payments through National Electronic Toll

Collection (NETC). Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is used for payments.

TRACHISCHIUM APTEII -



It is a newly discovered snake species found in Tally Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. It belongs to a group of fossorial (adapted to digging) snakes that live mostly underground.

EXERCISE HIM VIJAY - Indian Army’s biggest mountain combat exercise. First-ever military drill that was held in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

SATAT Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation initiative has the potential of addressing

environmental problems arising from stubble burning. The viability is based on techno commercial factors. The initiative is aimed at providing a SATAT as a developmental effort that would benefit both vehicle-users

as well as farmers and entrepreneurs. Compressed Bio-Gas plants are proposed to be set up mainly through independent entrepreneurs. Compressed Bio-Gas is exactly similar to the commercially available natural gas in its composition and energy

potential. With calorific value (~52,000 KJ/kg) and other properties similar to CNG, Compressed Bio-Gas can be used as an alternative, renewable automotive fuel.

CONSTITUTION DAY OF INDIA Constitution day (Samvidhan Divas) is celebrated every year on November 26 to mark the day on which the

Constitution of India was adopted. The Constitution Day was also a tribute to Ambedkar. It was commemorated as National Law Day.

ROHTANG TUNNEL The 8.8 km long Rohtang tunnel will become the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. It will cut through Pir Panjal range. It will connect Lahaul and Spiti as well as Zanskar Valley of Ladakh. The Seri nullah default zone is situated in the tunnel zone.

ASI PROTECTED TEMPLES A total 651 Hindu temples in India are designated as Centrally Protected Monuments under the Archaeological

Survey of India (ASI). The largest number of Hindu temples under the ASI’s protection is in Karnataka, followed by Tamil Nadu,

Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. EMISSION GAP REPORT The annual UNEP flagship Emissions Gap Report (Commitment Gap) has been released. It measures the gap between what we need to do and what we are actually doing to tackle climate change. The world will fail to meet the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement unless global greenhouse gas

emissions fall by 7.6 per cent each year. Global temperatures are set to rise about 3.2 degrees C by 2100. The top four emitters (China, USA, EU and India) contributed over 55% of the total emissions. India is the fourth-largest emitter of Green House Gases (GHGs).

ACCELERATOR LABS UNDP launches Accelerator Lab in India to work on pollution and water issues. The Accelerator Lab is a new initiative by the UNDP, Germany and Qatar to find 21st century solutions to today”s complex new challenges. FOUR APPROACHES Building on locally-sourced solutions, finding things that work and expanding on them.



Rapid testing and iteration to implement what works and go beyond the obvious solutions. Combining the best understanding, ideas and expertise to generate collective knowledge. Accelerating progress by bringing expertise, creativity and collective intelligence to bear.

COALBED METHANE (CBM) Ministry of Coal has asked the state-run coal miner Coal India Limited (CIL) to produce 2 million metric standard cubic metres per day of coalbed methane (CBM) gas in the next 2 to 3 years. India has the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world. India’s CBM resources are estimated at around 92 trillion cubic feet (TCF). The country’s coal and CBM reserves are found in 12 states of India. The Damodar Koel valley and Son valley are prospective areas for CBM.

COALBED METHANE It is an unconventional form of natural gas found in coal deposits or coal seams. CMB is formed during the process of coalification and the transformation of plant material into coal.

LOGO OF LOKPAL

The logo symbolizes various essence of LOKPAL figuratively in shapes such as: ombudsman (judges bench), people (three human figures), vigilance (Ashok chakra forming eye–pupil), law (shape of book in orange) and judicial (the tricolor two hands are placed below forming a unique balance). The logo is in tricolor representing the national essence of LOKPAL.

The Hon’ble Bench unanimously decided to take one portion of the above 1st sloka of ‘Ishabasoupanishad’. The finally selected slogan/motto for the office of Lokpal is as under:-

मा गधृः क य व नम ्

The meaning is - कसी के धन का लोभ मत करो. “Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth.”

The Logo design of Shri Prashant Mishra from Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh, is selected for adoption as Logo of Lokpal.

KULASEKARAPATTINAM The government of India is to set up a new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam in the State of Tamil Nadu. The new launchpad will be used for the Unified Modular Launch Vehicle, GSLV Mk III, Avatar Reusable Launch Vehicle (Avatar RLV), Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). GLOBAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020 Global Migration Report 2020 has been released by International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM). India is followed by Mexico (11.8 million) and China (10.7 million). India accounts for the highest share with 17.5 million Indians living outside the country. India is the leading recipient of remittances. International remittances in 2018 (2020 report) reached $689

billion, out of which India received $78.6 billion from the 17.5 million living abroad. The top migration corridors for Indians are the United Arab Emirates, the US and Saudi Arabia. Highest number of migrants entering India come from Bangladesh. The United States was the top remittance-issuer followed by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The top destinations for international migrants is the US followed by Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russian

Federation and the UK. The UAE is the country with the highest proportion of international migrants.



CHAGOS ISLANDS Mauritius called the UK an illegal colonial occupier after it ignored a UN mandated deadline to return the Chagos Islands, a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. Britain detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965. The largest island, Diego Garcia was leased to the US for a strategic airbase. The UK should end its control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean as rapidly as possible. The islands are not lawfully separated from the former colony of Mauritius.

MAJOR ISSUES 1. LOWERING THE AGE OF CONSENT

The report titled “Why Girls Run Away to Marry — Adolescent Realities and Socio-Legal Responses in India” is based on a qualitative study of 15 girls. A new study calls for a need to distinguish between self-arranged marriages among older adolescents and

forced child marriages to protect teens from social stigma, parental backlash and punitive action. The study makes a case for an age of consent that is lower than the age of marriage to

decriminalise sex among consenting older adolescents to protect them from the misuse of law for enforcing parental and caste controls over daughters.

The study also records that while girls face restrictions on their mobility, premarital relations and sexuality, the same was not true for boys of the same social milieu who enjoyed greater freedom.

The study again provides evidence of the misuse of POCSO, which raised the age of consent from 16 to 18 years.

National Crime Records Bureau data reveals that about half of the Pocso Act cases fall in the category of 16-18 years age group. Removing cases of consensual sex under this category can help us get a better picture of sexual assault cases.

Many countries have 16 years or below that as the age of consent. Most of the American states, Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, China and Russia fall into this category.

Madras High Court (HC) acquitted a boy accused of aggravated penetrative assault under the Prevention of Children From Sexual Assault (Pocso) Act and kidnapping under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court observed that it was possibly a case of mutual consent and teenage attraction, not an uncommon occurrence at such an age, and, therefore, the age of consent should be reduced from 18 years to 16, so that the boy accused of the crime does not have to undergo punishment under the Pocso Act. PRESENT LAW The law prescribes that the minimum age of marriage is 21 and 18 years for men and women, The minimum age of marriage is distinct from the age of majority, which is gender-neutral. An individual attains the age of majority at 18 as per the Indian Majority Act, 1875. For Hindus, Section 5(iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 sets 18 years as the minimum age for the bride and

21 years as the minimum age for the groom. In Islam, the marriage of a minor who has attained puberty is considered valid under personal law. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 also prescribe 18 and 21

years as the minimum age of consent for marriage for women and men respectively. NEED



Women’s rights activists too have argued that the law perpetuates the stereotype that women are more mature than men of the same age and therefore can be allowed to marry sooner.

The Law Commission paper recommended that the minimum age of marriage for both genders be set at 18. For the difference in age for husband and wife has no basis in law as spouses entering into a marriage are by all means equals and their partnership must also be of that between equals.

National Legal Services Authority of India v Union of India(2014), the Supreme Court while recognising transgenders as the third gender said that justice is delivered with the “assumption that humans have equal value and should, therefore, be treated as equal, as well as by equal laws.”

Joseph Shine v Union of India (2019), the Supreme Court decriminalised adultery and said that “a law that treats women differently based on gender stereotypes is an affront to women’s dignity.”

The government will have to take steps to eliminate the unwarranted criminalisation of consensual or romantic sexual relations.

Any relaxation of stringent punishments entailed in the Act may also be misused. So the most critical thing here is to distinguish between the consensual sex between adolescents and abuse or

exploitation. The onus is on investigating officers to differentiate between the two. But Inspectors and SIs are often driven by their moral compass around sex and sexual acts. They should be sensitised and imparted with intelligence and self awareness for nuanced reading and

application of the law.

2. AYODHYA VERDICT A bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi delivered the Ayodhya verdict alongside CJI designate S.A. Bobde, and Justices D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S.A. Nazeer. The verdict was unanimous. The Supreme Court, implicitly referring to the demolition of the Babri Masjid at the disputed site, said that it was invoking Article 142 “to ensure that a wrong committed must be remedied”. Article 142(1) states that “The Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe”. This was the first time that the court invoked this power in a case involving a civil dispute over an immovable property, involving private parties. THE VERDICT The Hindus would get the entire disputed 2.77 acres in Ayodhya where the demolished Babri Masjid once

stood. Possession of disputed 2.77 acre land will remain with Central government receiver. The Muslims will get alternate five acres of land either in the surplus 67 acres acquired in and around the

disputed structure by the central government or any other “prominent” place. A trust will be formed in 3 months to build a temple on the disputed land. The court held that the Nirmohi

Akhara is not the shebait or devotee of the deity Ram Lalla but will get to be a member of the Trust. ISSUE The Babri Masjid was a mosque in Ayodhya built in 1528–29 CE by Mir Baqi, on orders of the Mughal emperor Babur. The mosque was located on a hill known as Ramkot after destroying a Ram Temple that marked the birthplace of the deity. A.E. Cunningham conducted the first survey in Ayodhya in 1862-63 followed by another in 1889-91 by A.

Fuhrer. Professor A.K. Narain conducted the third excavation in Ayodhya in 1969-70, and finally, Professor B.B. Lal conducted a more intensive and revealing study of the area in 1975-76.



The intention of Cunningham’s survey was to relocate Buddhist sites and establish the Buddhist antecedents of Ayodhya. In his report, he asserted that the present-day Ayodhya was the Ayodhya of Ramayana years.

Among the excavation yields, the ASI reportedly found stone and decorated bricks, mutilated sculpture of divine couple, carved architectural members including foliage patterns, amalaka, kapotapali, doorjamb with semi-circular shrine pilaster, broken octagonal shaft of black schist pillar, lotus motif, circular shrine having pranjala (watershute) in the north and 50 pillar bases in association with a huge structure.

Tieffenthaler (18th-cen.) wrote his travelogue titled “Description Historique et Geographique De l’Inde”. In India, he was commissioned at the famous observatory of Sawai Jai Singh, the Raja of Jaipur, and was later attached at the Jesuit College in Agra which was built with the patronage of Akbar.

William Finch’s account has been recorded in the 1921 book ‘Early Travels in India (1583-1619)’ by the Sir William Foster.

Martin was an Anglo-Irish author and civil servant. He practised medicine in Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), East Africa and Australia. Martin then went on to work in Kolkata where helped found the paper ‘Bengal Herald’. He wrote the three-volume work ‘History, Antiquities, Topography and Statistics of Eastern India’.

What is adverse possession, the Muslim claim SC rejected? One of the questions before the Supreme Court was whether the Sunni Wakf Board had acquired the title of

the disputed land by adverse possession.

3. OFFICE OF PROFIT President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected a petition demanding disqualification of 11 Delhi MLAs belonging to Aam Aadmi Party for allegedly holding office of profit. The decision of the President rejecting the plea is based on an opinion rendered by the Election Commission. What’s the issue? In March 2017, a petition was filed before the President seeking disqualification of the lawmakers claiming that they were enjoying office of profit by being co-chairpersons of district disaster management authorities in 11 districts of Delhi. The issue was referred to Election Commission which gave an opinion in August this year that holding the office of co-chairperson of a district disaster management authority does not attract disqualification as MLA since there is no remuneration by way of salary and allowances. As per law, the President accepts the opinion of the Election Commission in cases of office of profit. OFFICE OF PROFIT MPs and MLAs, as members of the legislature, hold the government accountable for its work. The essence of disqualification under the office of profit law is if legislators holds an ‘office of profit’ under the government they might be susceptible to government influence and may not discharge their constitutional mandate fairly. The office of profit law simply seeks to enforce a basic feature of the Constitution- the principle of separation of power between the legislature and the executive. The law does not clearly define what constitutes an office of profit but the definition has evolved over the years with interpretations made in various court judgments. SUPREME COURT VERDICTS In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled that the test for determining whether a person holds an office of profit is the test of appointment. (a) Whether the government is the appointing authority (b) Whether the government has the power to terminate the appointment (c) Whether the government determines the remuneration (d) What is the source of remuneration (e) The power that comes with the position.



The Supreme Court in Pradyut Bordoloi vs Swapan Roy (2001) outlined the four broad principles for determining whether an office attracts the constitutional disqualification. (a) Whether the government exercises control over appointment, removal and performance of the functions of the office (b) Whether the office has any remuneration attached to it (c) Whether the body in which the office is held has government powers (releasing money, allotment of land, granting licenses etc.). (d) Whether the office enables the holder to influence by way of patronage. The Supreme Court, while upholding the disqualification of Jaya Bachchan from Rajya Sabha in 2006, had said that for deciding the question as to whether one is holding an office of profit or not, what is relevant is whether the office is capable of yielding a profit or pecuniary gain and not whether the person actually obtained a monetary gain. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS Under the provisions of Article 102 (1) and Article 191 (1) of the Constitution an MP or an MLA (or an MLC) is barred from holding any office of profit under the central or state government. The articles clarify that “a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state by reason only that he is a minister”. They can be disqualified for – (a) Holding an office of profit under government of India or state government (b) Being of unsound mind (c) Being an undischarged insolvent (d) Not being an Indian citizen or for acquiring citizenship of another country. The office of profit law simply seeks to enforce a basic feature of the Constitution- the principle of separation of power between the legislature and the executive. The expression “office of profit” has not been defined in the Constitution or in the Representation of the People Act, 1951. It is for the courts to explain the significance and meaning of this concept.

4. BIMSTEC First ever ‘BIMSTEC Ports’ Conclave will be held at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.The Conclave will explore the possibility of increasing economic cooperation by furthering EXIM trade and coastal shipping.It will also discuss various investment opportunities, best practices adopted for productivity and safety at Ports. BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative on Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a sub-regional grouping involving seven countries in South Asia and South East Asia. The BIMSTEC states are those which are on the shore or are adjacent to the Bay of Bengal and are dependent on it. They are Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. It was formed on 6th of June 1997, through the Bangkok declaration and is headquartered at Dhaka in Bangladesh.

* Over one-fifth (22%) of the world’s population live in the seven countries around it, and they have a combined GDP close to $2.7 trillion.

* Despite economic challenges, all the countries in the region have been able to sustain average annual rates of economic growth between 3.4% and 7.5% from 2012 to 2016.

* One-fourth of the world’s traded goods cross the Bay every year.

* There are fourteen priority sectors and each member country voluntarily leads one or more sectors.



BIMSTEC is a sector driven cooperative organization and covers cooperation in sectors like communication, leather, textiles, transport, fisheries, human resource, tourism, agriculture, investment, technology and commerce etc. Counter terrorism & transnational crime and telecommunication & transport are dealt with by India. The grouping is a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia and constitutes a reinforcement of relations between the seven countries. It is of utmost significance to India as it is a major support in implementing its Act East Policy and the development of its ambitious ‘Sagar Mala’ project. The necessity for making BIMSTEC alive and functional for India stems from - Failure of SAARC as a regional forum Global insecurity in terms of Free trade and free market economy Growing protectionist policies and decline of multi-literalism at international level Enough scope of in terms of trade, infrastructure, services and security Natural platform to fulfil our key foreign policy priorities of ‘Neighborhood First’ and ‘Act East’ From the strategic perspective, the Bay of Bengal, a funnel to the Malacca straits, has emerged a key theatre

for an increasingly assertive China in maintaining its access route to the Indian Ocean.

5. THIRD BATTLE OF PANIPAT The trailer for the upcoming Hindi film ‘Panipat’, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, was recently released. The title refers to the Third Battle of Panipat, fought in 1761. BACKGROUND Abdali had attacked India in 1752 A.D. and Emperor Ahmad Shah was forced to surrender Multan and Punjab

to him. Abdali appointed Muin-ul-mulk as the subedar of those provinces and returned back. In 1754 A.D., the Marathas reached Delhi under the command of Raghunath Rao and helped Vazir Gaziuddin

in raising Alamgir II to the Mughul throne in place of Ahmad Shah. In 1757 A.D. Abdali reached Delhi. He appointed Nazib-ud-daula as Mir Bakshi assigned Punjab to his son,

Taimur Khan and, then, returned to Kabul. Raghunath Rao removed Nazib-ud-daula from the post of Mir Bakshi and appointed Ahmad Shah Bangash in

his place. He attacked Punjab forced Taimur Khan to leave it and then handed it over to Adina Beg. In 1759 A.D., Raghunath Rao returned to Poona and his place at Delhi was taken over by Dattaji Sindhia. Dattaji handed over Punjab to Sabaji Sindhia, opened negotiations with Nazib-ud-daula but when failed

besieged him at Sakartal. In January 1760, Dattaji fought a battle against Abdali at Loni near Delhi. He was defeated and killed and

Delhi was occupied by Abdali. Peshwa despatched a Maratha army under the command of Sadashiva Rao Bhau. Abdali declared that his aim was not to stay in India but desired to turn out the Marathas and place Emperor

Shah Alam on the throne of Delhi. Nazib-ud-daula supported Abdali. Sadashiva Rao Bhau failed to get support of any powerful chiefs in the North. The Rajput rulers were already

dissatisfied with the Marathas. Bhau even lost the support of Suraj Mal the Jat Raja of Bharatpur. Nazib-ud-daula got Suja-ud-daula, the ruler of Avadh to the side of Abdali by pleading to him in the name of

Islam. Nazib-ud-daula successfully conspired with Malhar Rao Holkar as well.

On January 14, 1761 A.D. the Marathas attacked Abdali. Malhar Rao Holkar fled away during the course of battle. The artillery of Ibrahim Gardi damaged Abdali’s army very much. But, by the evening, the Marathas were badly defeated. Most of the Maratha soldiers were killed and the rest of them fled away. CAUSES OF THE DEFEAT Bhau also proved incapable as a commander when compared to Abdali. Bhau lost control over Doab and therefore, felt scarcity of supplies. There were a large number of women and servants in the Maratha camp who were simply burden to the army. The effective fighting force of the Marathas numbered only 45,000 while the army of Abdali consisted of

nearly 60,000 soldiers.



He wasted three months by camping before Abdali at Panipat and engaged in battle when, from the last two months, the Maratha army was semi-starved.

The Marathas did not use their guerilla method of warfare. They depended too much on the artillery under Ibrahim Gardi. Bhau failed to get the support of the Rajputs and the Jats.

It checked the progress of the Marathas towards north India. The battle destroyed the prestige of the Marathas and they were no more considered invincible. The Marathas took a long time to reconsolidate their power and the time was utilised by other powers to strengthen themselves. War paved the way for British colonial power to expand here.

6. EAST ASIA SUMMIT The latest edition of the East Asia Summit (EAS) is being held in Bangkok. EAST ASIA SUMMIT It is an annual meeting of regional countries including 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations plus 8 other nations such as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US. which was started in 2005. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December 2005.It is be chaired by an ASEAN member. The members The EAS membership represents around 54% of the world’s population and accounts for 58% of global GDP. There are six priority areas -

* Environment and Energy * Education * Finance

* Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases * Natural Disaster Management * ASEAN Connectivity

FOR INDIA EAS acts as an alternative to the APEC in which India doesn’t enjoy the membership. EAS acts as a bridge for Indo-Pacific region. EAS has provided a relatively bigger platform to India for better endorsement of Act East Policy. Majority of EAS participant countries are embracing India’s role of balancing China on the front of Indian

Ocean region and collaboration with other stakeholders’ countries on South China Sea. It provides a platform to India for rebalancing the Asia strategy and an acknowledgement of linkage between

the Indian and Pacific Oceans. India can play a major role in cultural and people to people cooperation with the region, which can reinforce

the economic momentum for community building.

7. MOODY’S RATINGS Global ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has cut its outlook on the Government of India’s ratings to negative from stable, but affirmed the Baa2 foreign-currency and local-currency long-term issuer ratings. Moody’s also affirmed India’s Baa2 local-currency senior unsecured rating and its P-2 other short-term local-currency rating. Moody’s projected fiscal deficit of 3.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the year through March

2020 as slower growth and a surprise corporate-tax cut curbs revenue. India’s growth outlook has deteriorated sharply this year, with a crunch that started out in the non-banking

financial institutions (NBFIs) spreading to retail businesses, car makers, home sales and heavy industries. Moody’s said the outlook partly reflects government and policy ineffectiveness in addressing economic

weakness, which led to an increase in debt burden which is already at high levels. India’s economy grew by 5 per cent between April and June, its weakest pace since 2013, as consumer

demand and government spending slowed amid global trade frictions. The decision to change the outlook to negative reflects increasing risks that economic growth will remain materially lower than in the past, partly reflecting lower government and policy effectiveness at addressing long-standing economic and institutional weaknesses than Moody’s had previously estimated, leading to a gradual rise in the debt burden from already high levels.



Reduction in outlook is the first step towards an investment downgrade, as India is now just a notch above the investment grade country rating. An actual downgrade in country ratings can lead to massive foreign fund outflows. DIFFERENT GENERAL CREDIT RATINGS (a) CRISIL This full-service rating agency is the major credit rating agency in India, with a market share of more than

60%. It is offering its services in financial, manufacturing, service, and SME sectors. The head quarter of CRISIL is in Mumbai. The majority stake of CRISIL was held by the world’s largest rating agency Standard & Poor’s.

(b) CARE Credit Analysis and Research Limited Ratings was established in 1993. It is supported by Canara Bank, UTI, IDBI and other financial and lending institutions. This is considered as the second largest credit rating company in India. The head quarter of CARE is in Mumbai.

(c) SMERA It is a rating agency entirely created for the rating of Small Medium Enterprises. It is a joint enterprise by SIDBI, Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited (D&B) and

some chief banks in India. The head quarter of SMERA is in Mumbai.

(d) ONICRA It was incorporated by Mr. Sonu Mirchandani in 1993. It investigates data and arranges for possible rating solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises and

Individuals. The head quarter of ONICRA is in Gurgaon. It has rated more than 2500 SMEs.

(e) FITCH Fitch Ratings is a global rating agency dedicated to providing the world’s credit markets with independent and

prospective credit opinions, research, and data. The head quarter of Fitch Ratings is in Mumbai.

(f) ICRA It was created in 1991 by prominent financial institutions and commercial banks in India with a devoted crew

of experts for the MSME sector Moodys, which is considered as the International credit rating agency holds the major share.

8. ETHANOL PRODUCTION

Ethanol, an anhydrous ethyl alcohol having chemical formula of C2H5OH, can be produced from sugarcane, maize, wheat, etc which are having high starch content. In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process. Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline to form different blends. As the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions and thereby reducing the occurrence of environmental pollution. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered as renewable fuel.Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme was launched in January, 2003. In the year 2008, the Government of India announced its National Policy on biofuels, mandating a phase-wise implementation of the programme of ethanol blending with petrol in various states. India is expected to consume a record 3.8 billion liters of ethanol this year, up from a record 3.1 billion liters

in 2018. The report states a 6.6 percent blend rate could be achievable if all the ethanol produced form molasses this year is blended with gasoline.

Ethanol production in India is expected to reach a record 3 billion liters this year, up 11 percent from 2018. Last year, approximately 2.7 billion liters of ethanol was produced

According to the report, India had 166 ethanol refineries in place last year, up from 161 in 2018.



PRODUCTION At 95% purity, it is called rectified spirit and is used as the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages. At 99%-plus purity, ethanol is used for blending with petrol. Total Fermentable Sugars (TFS) component consists of sucrose along with the reducing sugars glucose and

fructose. Most of this TFS component gets crystallised into sugar, and the remaining part is called molasses. The molasses go through three stages - A, B, and C The ‘C’ molasses roughly constitute 4.5% of the cane, and have a remaining TFS of 40%. After C-molasses are sent to the distillery, ethanol is extracted from them. Every 100 kg of TFS yields 60 litres of ethanol.

Mills can also produce only ethanol from sugarcane, without producing sugar at all. In this case, the entire 14% TFS in the cane is fermented. Mills currently have all-time-high stocks of sugar, and they have been at loggerheads with farmers over non-payment of dues.Mill owners insist that the reason behind their woes is excess production of sugar and fall in its price. The government approved an increase in the price of ethanol to be procured by public sector oil marketing companies from sugar mills for blending with petrol for the 2019-20 supply year from December 1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also allowed conversion of old sugar into ethanol, which again is expected to help mills deal with the current overproduction in the sweetener and make timely payments to farmers for the cane delivered by them.

9. SABARIMALA CASE The Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala region of Kerala happens to be one of the most famous pilgrimage sites for Hindus in India. Every year, thousands of people undertake the holy trek to the hill temple located in Pathanamthitta district. The legend has it that the temple deity Ayyappa followed celibacy all through his life Therefore temple does not open its doors to women of menstruating age (10 to 50 years). Swami Ayyappa who is believed to be the son of Shiva and Mohini (a female avatar of Vishnu). CASE A petition was filed in the Kerala High Court seeking a ban on the entry of women inside the Sabarimala

temple in 1990. The Kerala High Court imposed a restriction on women aged 10 to 50. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court by the Indian Young Lawyers Association seeking entry of women

aged between 10 and 50. The matter was referred to a three-judge bench two years later in 2006. The Supreme Court referred the case to a Constitution bench in 2017. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court struck down the entry ban in 2018. A five-judge Supreme Court bench has decided to refer review pleas challenging the admission of women of

all ages into the Sabarimala temple to a larger, seven-judge bench. But there's currently no stay on the original September 2018 order, which struck down a centuries-old entry ban on women aged 10-50.

Judgment was a 3:2 majority ruling; two judges dissented by dismissing all review pleas. The Supreme Court has referred to a 7 judge- bench a clutch of review petitions challenging its September

2018 . ISSUES The custom violates the right to equality under Article 14 and the freedom of worship under Article

25 of the women worshippers. It curtails her religious freedom assured by Article 25(1). The entry prohibition takes away the woman’s right against discrimination guaranteed under Article 15(1) of

the Constitution. Whether the devotees of Sabarimala constituted a religious denomination under Article 26. This

question was of utmost importance since the Travancore Devaswom Board had relied heavily on the protection of Article 26 in order to carry out this practice.

Both sections of the same religious group have a right to freely profess, practise and propagate their religious beliefs as being integral part of their religion by virtue of Article 25 of the Constitution of India.



Prohibition of women’s entry to the shrine solely on the basis of womanhood and the biological features associated with womanhood is derogatory to women, which Article 51A (e) aims to renounce.

The case has constitutional as well as cultural dimensions. This particular deity system is Tantric in nature and the temple is not a prayer hall but an energy centre; the

deity is not God who is omnipresent, but a source of energy (chaithanya) in a particular spiritual space.

10. CONTEMPT OF COURT The Supreme Court has held former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder and Shivinder Singh guilty of contempt for violating its order that had asked them not to divest their shares in Fortis Healthcare Limited. CONTEMPT OF COURTS Under Section 2(a) of the Contempt of Courts Act of 1971 defines contempt of court as civil contempt or criminal contempt, it is generally felt that the existing law relating to contempt of courts is somewhat uncertain, undefined and unsatisfactory. The jurisdiction to punish for contempt touches upon two important fundamental rights of the citizens, namely, the right to personal liberty and the right to freedom of expression. It was, therefore, considered advisable to have the entire law on the subject scrutinized by a special committee. The Act divides contempt into civil and criminal contempt. Civil contempt refers to the wilful disobedience of an order of any court. Criminal contempt includes any act or publication which - (i) ‘scandalises’ the court, or (ii) prejudices any judicial proceeding, or (iii) interferes with the administration of justice in any other manner. ‘Scandalising the Court’ broadly refers to statements or publications which have the effect of undermining public confidence in the judiciary. Article 129 and 215 of the Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court and High Court respectively to punish people for their respective contempt. Section 10 of The Contempt of Courts Act of 1971 defines the power of the High Court to punish contempts of its subordinate courts. Power to punish for contempt of court under Articles 129 and 215 is not subject to Article 19(1)(a). Article 129: Grants Supreme Court the power to punish for contempt of itself. Article 142(2): Enables the Supreme Court to investigate and punish any person for its contempt. Article 215: Grants every High Court the power to punish for contempt of itself.

COURT CASES In Duda P.N. v. Shivshankar, P., the Supreme Court observed that the contempt jurisdiction should not be

used by Judges to uphold their own dignity. In Auto Shankar’s Case, Jeevan Reddy J, invoked the famous “Sullivan doctrine” that public persons must be

open to stringent comments and accusations as long as made with bonafide diligence, even if untrue. In Arundhati Roy, In re, the Supreme Court observed that a fair criticism of the conduct of a Judge, the

institution of the judiciary and its functioning may not amount to contempt if made in good faith and in public interest.

As Justice Krishna Iyer said, the law of contempt has a vague and wandering jurisdiction with uncertain boundaries. Such a law, regardless of public good, may unwittingly trample upon civil liberties.

* In a democracy, the people should have the right to criticize judges. The purpose of the contempt power should not be to uphold the majesty and dignity of the court but only to enable it to function.

* The right of the citizens to free speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) should be treated as primary, and the power of contempt should be subordinate.

* The power to punish for contempt was draconian in nature without commensurate safeguards in favour of the persons charged with the accusation of having committed contempt of court.



* The basic principle in a democracy is that the people are supreme. Once this concept of popular sovereignty is kept firmly in mind, it becomes obvious that the people of India are the masters and all authorities (including the courts) are their servants.

* The law of contempt should be employed only to enable the court to function, not to prevent criticism.

11. LALA LAJPAT RAI November 17 is the death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, the firebrand Indian nationalist leader affectionately called ‘Punjab Kesari’. KEY FACTS Born in 1865, he became a follower of Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, and went on to

become one of the society’s leaders. Lajpat Rai joined the Government College at Lahore in 1880 to study Law. While in college he came in

contact with patriots and future freedom fighters like Lala Hans Raj and Pandit Guru Dutt. He was deeply impressed by the ideals of patriotism and nationalism outlined by Italian revolutionary leader

Giuseppe Mazzini. Inspired by Mazzini. In 1885, Rai established the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore and remained a committed educationist

throughout his life. Rai, Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal (called Lal-Bal-Pal) fervently advocated the use of Swadeshi goods and

mass agitation in the aftermath of the controversial Partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon. His proposal for "a clear partition of India into a Muslim India and non-Muslim India" on December14, 1923,

in The Tribune, met with major controversy. In October 1917, he founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York. Lajpat Rai was invited to preside over the special session of the Congress in Calcutta(1920). When Gandhi decided to suspend the movement post Chauri Chaura incident, Lajpat Rai criticized the

decision and went on to form the Congress Independence Party. The patriot died at Lahore in 1928 after he was attacked by police during a protest rally against the Simon

Commission. He was a follower of Dayanand Saraswati and helped establish the nationalistic Dayanand Anglo-Vedic

School. He initiated the established of a bank which later evolved as the ‘Punjab National Bank’. He initiated the established of All India Trade Union Congress. Publications: The Story of My Deportation (1908), Arya Samaj (1915), The United States of America: A

Hindu's impressions (1916), Young India (1916), England's Debt to India: India (1917), ‘Evolution of Japan’, ‘India’s Will to Freedom’, ‘Message of the Bhagwad Gita’, ‘Political Future of India’, ‘Problem of National Education in India’, ‘The Depressed Glasses’.

His views helped recognize the importance of a united front against British. His thoughts of cultural diversity were given post independence by Nehru as ‘Unity in Diversity’. His idea of people of all religions as true citizens of India, combined with Gandhiji’s ideas of inclusive fight against British led to Non- Cooperative movement linked with the Khilafat movement.

12. EQUAL REPRESENTATION TO ALL STATES IN RAJYA SABHA SOUGHT

On the occasion of its 250th session a silver coin of Rs.250 and a postal stamp of Rs.5 is released to commemorate the evolution of Rajya Sabha. On the occasion, Rajya Sabha MPs have made the following suggestions - Giving all States, irrespective of their population and size, an equal number of seats in the Rajya Sabha. All members, irrespective of their parties’ strength in the House, the same amount of time to speak in debates.

The ‘Council of States’ which is also known as Rajya Sabha, a nomenclature that was announced by the chair in the House on the 23rd August, 1954 has its own distinctive features.



The origin of the second Chamber can be traced to the Montague-Chelmsford Report of 1918. The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for the creation of a ‘Council of State’ as a second chamber of the then legislature with a restricted franchise which actually came into existence in 1921. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS Article 80 of the Constitution lays down the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha as 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President and 238 are representatives of the States and of the two Union Territories. The present strength of Rajya Sabha, however, is 245, out of which 233 are representatives of the States and Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry and 12 are nominated by the President. The members nominated by the President are persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service. ALLOCATION OF SEATS The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha. The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State. QUALIFICATIONS Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership – He must be a citizen of India. He must be not less than 30 years of age. He must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by

Parliament. Article 102 of the Constitution lays down that a person shall be disqualified – If he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an

office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder; If he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; If he is an undischarged insolvent; If he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any

acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State; If he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament(Tenth Schedule).

ELECTORAL COLLEGE The representatives of each State and two Union territories are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State and by the members of the Electoral College for that Union Territory, as the case may be, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The Electoral College for the National Capital Territory of Delhi consists of the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Delhi, and that for Puducherry consists of the elected members of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly. BIENNIAL/BYE-ELECTION Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution. However, one-third Members of Rajya Sabha retire after every second year. A member who is elected for a full term serves for a period of six years. CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha also chooses from amongst its members, a Deputy Chairman. There is also a Panel of Vice-Chairmen in Rajya Sabha, the members of which are nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. In the absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, a member from the Panel of Vice-Chairmen presides over the proceedings of the House. Secretary-General The Secretary-General is appointed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and holds rank equivalent to the highest civil servant of the Union. The Secretary-General is also the administrative head of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and the custodian of the records of the House. He works under the direction and control of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. RELATION BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES Under article 75(3) of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha which means Rajya Sabha cannot make or unmake the Government.



To resolve a deadlock between the two Houses, in case of an ordinary legislation, the Constitution provides for the joint sitting of both Houses. Issues in joint sitting are decided by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting. Lok Sabha clearly enjoys pre-eminence over Rajya Sabha in financial matters. Ministers may belong to either House of Parliament. The Constitution does not make any distinction between the Houses in this regard. Every Minister has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House but he is entitled to vote only in the House of which he is a member. With regard to powers, privileges and immunities of the Houses of Parliament, their members and committees thereof, the two Houses are placed absolutely on equal footing by the Constitution. Both Houses enjoy equal powers are election and impeachment of the President, election of the Vice-President, approving the Proclamation of Emergency, the proclamation regarding failure of constitutional machinery in States and financial emergency. In respect of receiving reports and papers from various statutory authorities, etc., both Houses have equal powers. SPECIAL POWERS OF RAJYA SABHA If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting saying that it is “necessary or expedient in the national interest” that Parliament should make a law on a matter enumerated in the State List, Parliament becomes empowered to make a law on the subject specified in the resolution, for the whole or any part of the territory of India. If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting declaring that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to create one or more All India Services common to the Union and the States, Parliament becomes empowered to create by law such services. Under the Constitution, the President is empowered to issue Proclamations in the event of national emergency, in the event of failure of constitutional machinery in a State, or in the case of financial emergency. If a Proclamation is issued at a time when Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of Lok Sabha takes place within the period allowed for its approval, then the proclamation remains effective, if the resolution approving it is passed by Rajya Sabha within the period specified in the Constitution under articles 352, 356 and 360. RAJYA SABHA IN FINANCIAL MATTERS A Money Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. After it is passed by that House, it is transmitted to Rajya Sabha for its concurrence or recommendation. Rajya Sabha has to return such a Bill to Lok Sabha within a period of fourteen days from its receipt. Financial Bills also cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha. LEADER OF THE HOUSE Apart from the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, Leader of the House is another functionary who plays important role in the efficient and smooth conduct of the business in the House. (First - N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar) LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (LOP) In Rajya Sabha until 1969, there was no Leader of the Opposition in real sense of the term. The office of Leader of the Opposition was given official recognition through the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. (First - Shyam Nandan Mishra) IS THE RAJYA SABHA ESSENTIAL? Professor Shibban Lal Saksena represented the position against a bicameral legislature in the Constituent

Assembly debates - “I wish to point out that our experience has been that the Upper House acts as a clog in the wheel of progress. I think that everywhere in the world the experience about Upper Houses has been the same. It has always acted as a sort of hindrance to quick progress.”

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, speaking as the first chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said, “There is a general impression that this House cannot make or unmake governments and, therefore, it is a superfluous body. But there are functions, which a revising chamber can fulfil fruitfully. Parliament is not only a legislative but a deliberative body. So far as its deliberative functions are concerned, it will be open to us to make very valuable contributions, and it will depend on our work whether we justify this two chamber system, which is now an integral part of our Constitution."



Lok Sabha that has representation from several regional parties more than adequately represents a federal country. The recent reversal on the land acquisition ordinance is an example of this federal character of the Lok Sabha in practice. The Rajya Sabha has become a haven for losers in elections, crony capitalists, compromised journalists and party fundraisers. Far from being deliberative, the Rajya Sabha appears to have descended into the same fickleness and passion as the Lok Sabha and has shown a disconcerting trend away from the decorum expected from it.

13. RANI LAKSHMIBAI

19th November 2019 marks the 191st birth anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai. RANI LAKSHMIBAI Manikarnika (Mistress of Jewels) Tambe was born to a Maharashtrian family at Kashi (now Varanasi) in

1835. In 1842, she married Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao Niwalkar. On wedding day, she was given the

name Lakshmi Bai. The adopted child was named Damodar Rao. As per the Hindu tradition, he was their legal heir. As per the

Doctrine of Lapse, British rulers refused to accept him as the legal heir. She filed an appeal for the hearing of her case in London. But, her plea was rejected. In March 1854 Rani of Jhansi was granted an annual pension of 60,000 and was ordered to leave the Jhansi

fort. In March 1858, when the Britishers attacked Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai's army decided to fight and the war

continued for about two weeks. In the Jhansi army women were also carrying ammunition and were supplying food to the soldiers. Sir Hugh Rose was tasked with cleaning up the remaining rebel encampments in Jhansi and Gwalior. She escaped to the fortress of Kalpi under the cover of darkness and was accompanied by many other

rebellions. She died on 18 June, 1858 during the battle for Gwalior with 8th Hussars that took place in Kotah-Ki-Serai

near Phool Bagh area of Gwalior. General Sir Hugh Rose commented that the rani “remarkable for her beauty, cleverness and perseverance" had

been "the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders”. Rose called her “a sort of Indian Joan of Arc.”

14. WEST BANK The United States has told that it no longer thinks Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law. The new US view is different from that of most countries’ on this issue.

* After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War the West Bank was captured by Jordan. West Bank is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia.

* In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights(borders the Sea of Galilee) from Syria.

* Over 4 lakh Israeli Zionists settlers now live in West Bank along with some 26 lakh Palestinians.

* Zionists follow the ideology that combines Zionism and Orthodox Judaism.

The United Nations General Assembly, the UN Security Council, and the International Court of Justice have said that the West Bank settlements are violative of the fourth Geneva Convention (1949).



Camp David Accords (1978) set the stage for peace talks between Israel and its neighbors and a resolution to the Palestinian problem.

Hamas, a violent offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood seeking to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine through violent jihad, was founded in 1987.

Under the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, both Israel and the Palestinians agreed that the status of settlements would be decided by negotiations. The Oslo Accords also established the Palestinian Authority, which received limited autonomy in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.

Under the Rome Statute that set up the International Criminal Court in 1998, such transfers constitute war crimes.

CONSEQUENCES The decision is likely to inflame opinion in the Arab world. All settlement activity is illegal under international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334. USA's proclamation raises questions about the future of a UN peacekeeping force after its mandate expires on

June 30, 2019. USA's declaration signals to the Russians to not push Israel into corner. Majority of the countries’ consider West Bank settlements illegal and an occupied territory.

15. CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA’S OFFICE UNDER RTI ACT

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court has held that the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The court, however, said that judicial independence has to be kept in mind while disclosing information in public interest. The issue dates back to 2007 when Subhash Chandra Aggarwal, RTI activist, filed a plea in HC seeking details of judges’ assets, but the information was denied. He had sought details regarding the appointments of three SC judges - Justices R.M. Lodha, H.L. Dattu and A.K. Ganguly. The judiciary cannot function in total insulation as judges enjoy a constitutional post and discharge public

duty. Right to Privacy is an important aspect and has to be balanced with transparency while deciding to give out

information from the office of the Chief Justice of India. The relationship between the CJI and the judges would neither be fiduciary nor be beneficial. The judgement said that under Section 6(2) of the act, the motive of the seeker of information is not a relevant

consideration. INFORMATION Under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, information means “any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force”. PUBLIC AUTHORITY Public authority means any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted by or under the Constitution; by any other law made by Parliament/State Legislature and by a notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government.

16. REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) The Supreme Court has refused to stay the May 2019 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that banned the use of reverse osmosis (RO) systems where drinking water supply had total dissolved solids (TDS) less than 500 mg per litre. In May, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked MoEF to frame rules for the use of RO filters and also banned the use of RO purifiers in locations where TDS was low. According to NGT, RO purifiers lead to the wastage of almost 70-80 percent water during the purification process. It had asked the RO manufacturers to ensure that they are able to recover about 75 percent of the water.



Following this, the Water Quality India Association moved the SC to seek a stay on the RO ban. However, the apex court refused to give a stay. OSMOSIS Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules from the region of pure solvent (area of low solute concentration) towards the solution (area of higher solute concentration) through a semi-permeable membrane.

REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) RO is a process in which a large pressure is applied on the solution side so as to overcome the osmotic pressure. This pushes the pure solvent under pressure, out of the solution through the semi-permeable membrane. This process finds a number of practical applications. Some of them are the purification of drinking water, removal of salt from water molecules, removal of effluents from water, etc.

RO Water Purifier is considered as one of the most important water purification technologies. The contaminants present in water are removed by pushing water under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane. RO is also used in the desalinization of seawater. The process eliminates dissolved and suspended impurities, even bacteria. The membrane is small enough to allow the solvent molecules to pass but does not allow large ions or

molecules to pass through its pores. Polymer membranes are used for the desalinization of seawater. Cellulose acetate is often used as the semi-permeable membrane. It allows water molecules to pass but is

impermeable to impurities. It finds application in military, wastewater purification, food industry, landfill leachate purification, etc.

ISSUES Deposition of brine (highly concentrated salt water) along the shores. Hyper salinity along the shore affects plankton which is the main food for several of these fish species. The high pressure motors crush and killing fish species. Construction of the RO plants required troves of groundwater. Freshwater that was sucked out and is replaced by salt water, rendering it unfit for the residents around the

desalination plants. On an average, it costs about Rs.900 crore to build a 100 MLD-plant and, as the Chennai experience has

shown, about five years for a plant to be set up. To remove the salt 4 units of electricity per 1,000 litres of water.

CONCERNS The RO water may be short of vital minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium and carbonates. Most RO plants put the water through a ‘post-treatment’ process whereby salts are added to make TDS around 300 mg/l.

17. REVIEW PETITION Petitioners plan to seek review of the recently delivered Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi and telecom revenue verdicts. Besides, the Supreme Court itself agreed to review its Sabarimala verdict but refused to do so in the Rafale case.



The word “Review” in legal parlance connotes a judicial re-examination of the case. Therefore, in order to rectify an error and prevent the gross miscarriage of justice. Article 137 of the Constitution of India provides that subject to provisions of any law and rules made under

Article 145, the Supreme Court has the power to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it. Under Supreme Court Rules, 1966 such a petition is to be filed within thirty days from the date of judgment or

order and as far as practicable; it is to be circulated, without oral arguments, to the same Bench of Judges who delivered the judgment or order sought to be reviewed.

Under Article 145(e), the Supreme Court is authorized to make rules as to the conditions subject to which the court may review any judgement or order.

A provision for review has been laid down under the Section 114 of the Code of Civil Procedure which gives a substantive right of review and Order XLVII there under provides for the procedure.

Any party aggrieved by an order or judgement may apply for reviewing the said order or judgement to the same court. It can be filed where no appeal is preferred or in case there is no provision for appeal. Review Petition is a discretionary right of court. The grounds for review are limited. Review is filed in the same court. SC RULING Justice Krishna Iyer(1975) said a review can be accepted “only where a glaring omission or patent mistake or like grave error has crept in earlier by judicial fallibility”. Union of India v. Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Ltd) case(2013), the court laid down nine principles on when a review is maintainable. In a 2014 case, the Supreme Court held that review petitions in all death penalty cases will be heard in open court by a Bench of three judges. CURATIVE PETITIONS In Roopa Hurra v Ashok Hurra (2002), the court itself evolved the concept of a curative petition, which can be heard after a review is dismissed to prevent abuse of its process. Such petitions serve as the final and last option for the parties to get justice as promised and guaranteed to

each one of us through The Constitution of India. The parameters within which a curative petition may be allowed are narrow and therefore, such petitions when

allowed are treated to be rare. The objective behind allowing such a petition is only to minimize any abuse of the processes of law and to

cure gross miscarriage and lapses in the system of justice. It is considered as the last and final option available for redressal of grievances. It is generally not allowed to happen in an open court and is heard in the chamber of the judge.

ACTUS CURIAE NEMINEM GRAVABIT Latin Maxim means act of the court prejudice no one. It becomes applicable when a situation is projected where the Court is under an obligation to undo the wrong done to a party by the act of the Court. In a case, where any undeserved or unfair advantage has been gained by a party invoking the jurisdiction of the Court, and the same requires to be neutralized, the said maxim is to be made applicable. It would be an extremely strong discretionary power which could only be exercised in rare cases. AMICUS CURIAE Amicus Curiaemeans “friend of the court”. The Amicus Curiae suggested an adoption of an unusual unanimous approach to apply to a situation where even after exhaustion of Article 137 of the Constitution of India an aggrieved party might be provided with an opportunity under inherent powers of this Court to seek relief. In many high-profile, The courts appoint an amicus curiae, to assist them in formulating a viewpoint and to make inquiries and reports in PILs. The traditional amicus curiae is the one who is asked to represent the accused in a criminal appeal - When the Accused is too poor and/or requests the court to provide him a lawyer. When the criminal does not engage his own lawyer to defend him against the State.



18. BODOLAND DISPUTE The Home Ministry has declared the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) along with all its groups, factions, and front organisations as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. BODOS Bodos are the single largest tribal community in Assam, making up over 5-6 per cent of the state’s population. They have controlled large parts of Assam (Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang districts). It constitutes the Bodo Territorial Area District (BTAD). HISTORY Bodo leader Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma submits a

memorandum to the Simon Commission asking for reservations in the Legislative assembly and for a separate political entity for his people.

There are calls from Bodos and other tribes for a separate state of Udayachal as immigrants are accused of illegally encroaching on Bodo-inhabited lands.

All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Upendranath Brahma adopt a peaceful approach.

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland is founded by Ranjan Daimary.

They had to tackle a series of issues such as illegal immigration, encroachment of their lands, forced

assimilation, loss of language and culture. They have been consistently deprived of the political and socio-economic rights by successive state and

central governments. The Bodos have not only become an ethnic minority in their own ancestral land but have also been struggling

for their existence and status as an ethnic community. CONSTITUTION OF INDIA The Sixth Schedule makes special provisions for the administration of the tribal dominated areas in four states

namely Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. As per article 244 and 6th Schedule,these areas are called “Tribal Areas”,which are technically different from

the Scheduled Areas under fifth schedule. The Governors of these four states are empowered to declare some tribal dominated districts / areas of these

states as autonomous districts and autonomous regions. It provides for the creation of autonomous District and Regional Councils in these tribal areas and they enjoy

a certain degree of administrative, legislative, judicial and financial autonomy.

(ABOVE TOPICS ARE BASED ON PIB / AIR / RSTV / THE HINDU) *****



SPECIAL TOPIC CLASSICAL DANCE

KATHAK It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. The word Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit term Katha. Kathak poses are depicted at Bharhut. Kathak is originated in Varanasi and then spread in Jaipur, Lucknow. The Lucknow Gharana of Kathak was founded by Ishwari Prasad at the time of Bhakti Movement.The theme is based on Krishna and Radha.Kalkaprasad Maharaj was great revivalist who named it Kathak. Men play tabla, manjira, harmonium and sarangi. Famous exponents of Kathak dance are Janaki Prasad, Raja Chakradhar Singh, Shambhu Maharaj, Birju Maharaj, Acchan Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shobhana Narayan, Kumudini Lakhia, and Roshan Kumari. ODISSI It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. Odissi dance form is divided in two specific forms in this text – (a) Nrita : focuses on perfection of hand movements and gestures (b) Nritya : aspects of expressions Sankarjang ,Udayagiri cave, Manchapuri cave, Brahmeswara Temple, Konark and Jagannath temple depict carvings dance forms. Buddhist figures Marichi, Vajravarahi and Haruka are carved in Odissi dancing poses. Sanskrit poet Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda inspired the development of present day Odissi. Ramachandradeva, King of Khurda promoted the Gotipuas,the early form of Odissi. Oriya poet and dramatist Kavichandra Kalicharan Pattanayak was great revivalist who named it Odissi. Odissi sequence Invocation - Nritta - Nritya - Natya - Moksha The female dancers wear brightly coloured Bomkai silk sari. A male dancer wears a dhoti. Men play tabla, pakhawaj, harmonium, cymbals, violin, flute, sitar and Swarmandal. Famous exponents of Odissi dance are Kelucharan Mohapatra, Raghunath Dutta, Deba Prasad Das, Pankaj Charan Das, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Kumkum Mohanty, Aruna Mohanty, Anita Babu and Aadya Kaktikar.

MANIPURI It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. It is based on the theme of love between Radha and Krishna, Gopis(Sudevi, Rangadevi, Lalita, Indurekha , Tungavidya, Vishakha, Champaklata and Chitra) and Krishna, and Shaktism. Acrobatic and vigorous dance movements are also displayed. The fundamental dance movement of Ras dances of Manipur is Chari. It is performed during festival Lai Haraoba to please sylvan deity Umang Lai. The ethnic majority of Meitei people call dance as Jagoi. Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra (Jai Singh) systematized the Manipuri dance. He composed three forms of Ras Lilas (a) Kunja Ras (b) Basanta Ras (c) Maha Ras Maharaja Gambhir Singh, Maharaja Chandra Kirti Singh, Guru Budhimantra Singh(praised by Rabindranath Tagore), Guru Naba Kumar, Atomba Singh promoted the Manipuri dance. Male dancer wears a bright coloured dhoti(dhora). Female dancer wears Potloi (bridal costume).Kumil is a long skirt(barrel shaped), embroidered with fine gold and silver works. Men play pung(barrel drum), cymbals, harmonium, flute, pena and sembong. Famous exponents of Manipuri dance are Guru Bipin Singh, Darshana Jhaveri, Nayana, Ranjana and Suverna, Charu Mathur and Devyani Chalia.

MOHINIATTAM (Kerala) It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. Mohiniattam derives its name from the word Mohini, a female avatar of Lord Vishnu.It is a solo dance performed by female. It is Lasya type which shows female more graceful and delicate.



Trikodithanam Vishnu temple and Kidangur Subramanya temple depict carvings dance forms. M. N. Namboodiri mentioned the term Mohiniyattam in his book Vyavaharamala. The 18th century Sanskrit treatise on natyam written by the K. T. Bala Rama Varma, king of Travancore, patron of Mohiniattam, wrote Balarama Bharatam. Vallathol Narayana Menon was great revivalist who established a dance school called Kerala Kalamandalam. Dancer displays excellence in Ekaharya Abhinaya form (solo). She presents pure dance movements rhythmic aspects in Nritta and in Nritya she communicates a story and spiritual themes through expressive gestures. Mohiniyattam sequence Cholkettu - Jatisvaram - Varnam - Padam - Tillana - Shlokam - Saptam Men play kuzhitalam, veena, idakka, drum, mridangam and flute. Famous exponents of Mohiniyattam dance are Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Krishna Panicker, Sunanda Nair, Smitha Rajan, Radha Dutta, Vijayalakshmi, Gopika Varma and Jayaprabha Menon. KATHAKALI (Kerala) It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. Kathakali is the dance drama from the south Indian state of Kerala. Krishnanattam is a precursor of Kathakali. Krishnanattam is developed at the time of Zamorin ruler Manavedan Raja. Ramanattam is developed by Thampuran in Sanskrit. Thampuran gave shape to Kathakali. Kathakali is similar to Kutiyattam, a form of Sanskrit drama. Kathakali is also influenced by – (a) Ritualistic art forms Padayani and Mudiyettu of Kerala (b) Folk arts form Porattunatakam of Kerala (c) Kalaripayattu, an ancient style of martial art of Kerala Kathakali is also known for make-up code{Pacca (green), Minukku(saffron), Teppu, Kari (black), Tati, Payuppu (ripe) and Katti (knife)}, costume, face masks, head dress and brightly painted faces. Men play itaykka, centa, maddalam, cempata, atanta and pancari. Famous exponents of Kathakali dance are K. C. Panicker, Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman, K.R. Nair, K.V.Pisharody, K. K. Prasad, K. K. Namboodiri and K. Balakrishnan. KUCHIPUDI (Andhrapradesh) It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. It is a dance-drama art, originated from Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.Tirtha Narayana Yati and Siddhendra Yogi promoted the dance in present day form. The Vijayanagara rulars promoted the dance. Abul Hasan Qutb Shah of Golkonda was the patron of the dance. Dancer displays excellence in Ekaharya Abhinaya form (solo). She presents pure dance movements rhythmic aspects in Nritta and in Nritya she communicates a story and spiritual themes of Lord Krishna through expressive gestures. Vedantam Lakshminarayana Sastri and Chinta Venkataramayya were great revivalist. Men play cymbals, mridangam, tambura, veena and flute. Famous exponents of Kuchipudi dance are Esther Sherman, Ragini Devi, Indrani Rahman, Yamini Krishnamurti, Raja and Radha Reddy, Lakshmi Narayn Shastri, Bhavana Reddy and Swapana Sundari. BHARATANATYAM (Tamil Nadu) It is originated from Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni. It is oldest classical dance of India. It is solo dance performed only by women.It means bhava, raga and tala. It is described in Shilappatikaram. Kanchipuram temple is decorated with carvings of Bharatanatyam dance poses. E. Krishna Iyer was great revivalist who established Madras Music Academy. Rukmini Devi Arundale, Ragini Devi and Balasaraswati expanded the dance form out of Hindu temples and established it as a mainstream dance form. Bharatanatyam sequence Alarippu - Jatiswaram - Shabdam - Varnam - Padam - Thillana Men play cymbals, mridangam, tambura, nagaswaram and flute. Nattuvanar is a vocalist. Famous exponents of Kuchipudi dance are Mrinalini Sarabhai, Padma Subramanyam, Mallika Sarabhai, Yamini Krishnamurti, Alarmel Valli, Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, and Anita Ratnam.

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1 | Centre for Ambiti on : (IAS ~ PCS)...2 | Centre for Ambiti on : (IAS ~ PCS) THE PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING DAY It is celebrated on 12 November. The day aims to commemorate the

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