January 2018

Government announces 4 new schemes to promote young scientists On January 24, 2018, Central Government launched four new schemes to promote young scientists and researchers in India. All the schemes focus on empowering, recognising and motivating youth. i. Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) Scheme will connect the educators to leading public funded institutions like Indian

Centre releases Rs 734.7 crore for 26 irrigation projects Last week, Union Water Resources Ministry released central assistance amounting to Rs 734.7 crore for 26 irrigation projects. Funds for Irrigation Projects: i. Out of the total amount Rs. 734.7 crore, Rs 246.9 crore is for nine prioritised projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for Accelerated Irrigation

International Dam Safety Conference held in Thiruvananthapuram International Dam Safety Conference – 2018 begun at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 23rdJanuary 2018. Dam safety conferences are organized every year under the Dam Safety Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Highlights of International Dam Safety Conference – 2018: This two-day conference was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while Arjun Ram Meghwal,

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban Launches Smart Star-Rating for Garbage Free Cities On January 20, 2018, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri along with the Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar launched the ‘Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities’ in Goa. Information about Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities: i. This seven star-rating system has been developed by the Swachh

Amit Shah to launch ‘Yuva Udghosh programme’ in Varanasi On January 20, 2018, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah launched “Yuva Udghosh programme” in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. About ‘Yuva Udghosh programme’: i. Mr. Shah launched this programme in presence of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and UP BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey. ii. The launch programme was held at sports ground

25th GST Council meet held in New Delhi 25th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council was held in New Delhi on January 18, 2018. GST Meeting: i. The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley ii .Highlight of the 25th GST Council meet was the reduction of tax rates on 29 goods and 53 categories

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on a six-day official visit to India starting from January 14, 2018. i. It is to be noted that Mr. Netanyahu is the second Israeli Prime Minister after Ariel Sharon to visit India in the last 25 years of India-Israel diplomatic relationship. ii. India and Israel inked following

Maharashtra cabinet approves 1% quota for orphans in govt jobs On January 17, 2018, Maharashtra State Cabinet approved one per cent reservation for orphans in government jobs under general category. Reservation for orphans – Maharashtra: i. Maharashtra State Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde stated that this decision will help to rehabilitate orphan children and secure their

NITI Aayog initiates the first course on Sustainable Urban Planning in Noida On January 15, 2018, Ratan P. Watal, Principal Adviser of NITI Aayog inaugurated the first Global Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) course on Sustainable Urban planning using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s outreach centre at Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Information about

CIPAM-DIPP launches IP IPrism competition for college & university students Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) a professional body under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has launched a one of its kind Intellectual Property (IP) Competition, ‘IPrism’ for college and university students. More Information about ‘IPrism’ Competition: i. CIPAM-DIPP has launched this competition in collaboration with Associated Chambers of Commerce

Chhattisgarh HC Makes Aadhaar Mandatory for Bail Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a directive to all trial courts in the state to mandatorily obtain Aadhaar Cards of accused persons and sureties before issuing release warrant of a prisoner/accused. i. The order is an attempt to curb the rampant practice of obtaining bail on the basis of forged revenue

Bhogali Bihu celebrated in Assam with traditional fervour & gaiety On 14th January 2018, the Bhogali Bihu also called as Magh Bihu festival began in Assam. Bhogali Bihu: i. The Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam. The festival kick-started with the burning of traditional Meji and Bhelaghar made from thatch and fire woods. ii. People offered prayers

Delhi is the richest state, Bihar the poorest: NFHS-4 As per data collected through National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted among more than 6 lakh households in 2015-16, Delhi is the richest state while Bihar is the poorest. i. The report outlines that poverty is widespread in rural India as 29% of the rural population