Today's News 29 March 2019 :
दुनिया के सर्वश्रेष्ठ एयरपोर्ट का अवार्ड
सिंगापुर के चांगी एयरपोर्ट को लगातार 7वीं बार दुनिया के सर्वश्रेष्ठ एयरपोर्ट का अवार्ड दिया गया है। वहीं, इस लिस्ट में नई दिल्ली का इंदिरा गांधी एयरपोर्ट 59वें नंबर पर रहा है। इस लिस्ट को यूके की कंसल्टेंसी फर्म स्काईट्रैक्स ने जारी किया जो कि एयरलाइन और एयरपोर्ट की रिव्यू और रैंकिंग साइट भी चलाती है,
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19458-2019-03-29-03-56-55
#Airport #Award #Singapore #ChangiAirport #IndiraGandhiAirport

जैव चिकित्सा अनुसंधान करियर कार्यक्रम को पांच साल आगे बढा
प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी की अध्‍यक्षता में केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल ने जैव चिकित्सा अनुसंधान करियर कार्यक्रम (बीआरसीपी) और वेलकम ट्रस्ट (डब्ल्यूटी)/डीबीटी इंडिया एलायंस को इसकी आरम्भिक 10 वर्षीय अवधि (2008-09 से 2018-19 तक) से आगे बढ़ाकर नये पंचवर्षीय चरण (2019-20 से 2023-24 तक) में भी जारी रखने को मंजूरी दे दी है
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19457-2019-03-29-03-56-38
#Biomedical #centralcabinet #Brcp

कॉसमॉस बैंक पर साइबर अटैक पर रिपोर्ट
संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद (यूएनएससी) की ओर से बनाए गए एक्सपर्ट्स के एक पैनल ने बताया है कि पुणे के कॉसमॉस कोऑपरेटिव बैंक पर साइबर हमले के पीछे उत्तर कोरिया का हाथ था। हैकर्स ने बैंक के सिस्टम में सेंध लगाकर कथित तौर पर 28 देशों में एटीएम से 94 करोड़ रुपये निकाल लिए थे।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19456-2019-03-29-03-56-21
#Cosmosbank #Cyber​attack #NorthKorea #Hackers

विश्वविद्यालयों में चालू रहेंगे शोध
विश्वविद्यालयों में चल रहे शोध और शैक्षणिक सुधार से जुड़े कार्यक्रम आगे भी जारी रहेंगे। विश्वविद्यालय अनुदान आयोग (यूजीसी) ने विश्वविद्यालय व कालेज स्तर पर संचालित ऐसे करीब 30 कार्यक्रमों को 31 मार्च 2020 तक जारी रखने की मंजूरी दे दी है।
Read More:https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19455-2019-03-29-03-53-51
#University #UGC #Onlinecourse #Fellowshipscheme

UN peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights
The United States said the UN peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights has “a vital role to play in preserving stability between Israel and Syria,” an assurance that the Trump administration’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau won’t affect its operation.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19463-un-peacekeeping-force-on-the-golan-heights
#UNpeacekeepingforce #GolanHeights #Israeli #Syria

Five year’s extension of BRCP
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), and Wellcome Trust (WT) / DBT India Alliance beyond its initial 10-year term (2008-09 to 2018-29) to a new five year phase (2019-20 to 2023-24) with Department of Biotechnology (DBT) increasing its commitment to two times that of WT.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19462-five-year-s-extension-of-brcp
#BRCP #NarendraModi #WellcomeTrust #IndiaAlliance

'Mitra Shakti' commences
14 day long joint exercise between the armies of India and Sri Lanka "Mitra Shakti" commenced on 27 March 2019 with an impressive opening ceremony at Diyatalawa in Badulla district of Sri Lanka.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19461-mitra-shakti-commences
#MitraShakti #SriLanka #IndianArmy #SriLankanArmy

AI discovers two planets
Scientists have used artificial intelligence (AI) to uncover two more hidden planets in the data collected by the Kepler space telescope. The technique shows promise for identifying many additional planets that traditional methods could not catch.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19460-ai-discovers-two-planets
#planets #artificialintelligence #AstronomicalJournal

Breakdancing include 2024 Paris Olympics
Breakdancing was among four sports given a provisional green light for inclusion in the Paris 2024 Games by the International Olympic Committee on 27 March 2019, I

Today's Update

Today's Questions
29 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-questions/20335-29-may-2019

Today's Editorial (Hindi)
29 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-editorial-hindi/20332-29-may-2019

Today's Editorial
29 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-editorial/20331-29-may-2019

Today's Headlines (Hindi)
29 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-headlines-hindi/20334-29-may-2019

Today's Headlines
29 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-headlines/20333-29-may-2019


जीएसटी परिषद ने ई-बिल के लिए गठित किया दो उप-समूह
जीएसटी परिषद ने कंपनियों के बीच होने वाले कारोबार के लिए ई-बिल निकालने में कारोबारी सीमा और तकनीकी पहलुओं पर गौर करने के लिए दो उप-समूह का गठन किया है। जहां एक उप-समूह ई-इनवॉयस के लिए व्यापार प्रक्रिया, नीति एवं कानूनी पहलुओं का परीक्षण करेगा। वहीं दूसरा इसके क्रियान्वयन को लेकर तकनीकी पहलुओं के बारे में अपनी सिफारिशें देगा।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20326-2019-05-29-06-15-35
#GST #eBill #B2B #GoodsServicesTax #telecommunications

भारत और बांग्लादेश के बीच शुरू हुई बस सर्विस
भारत और बांग्लादेश के संबंधों को हाल ही में एक नया आयाम मिला है। दरअसल, दोनों देशों के बीच एक बस सर्विस शुरू की गई है। ढाका से सिलीगुड़ी के रास्ते बंगलाबन्धा और फुलबाड़ी के बीच एक बस सेवा 26 मई की शाम को शुरू की गई थी और पहली बस 13 बांग्लादेशी यात्रियों के साथ 27 मई 2019 सुबह लगभग 10 बजे फुलबाड़ी पहुंची।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20325-2019-05-29-06-14-27
#India #busservice #Bangladesh #Railservice #Nepal #NarendraModi #greenflag

New version of Akash air defence missile
DRDO successfully test fired the new version of the Akash surface to air defence missile system with a new indigenously-developed seeker. The missile was test-fired in Balasore off the Odisha coast. This is the second successful test of the missile in last two days as a successful test was done also.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20330-new-version-of-akash-air-defence-missile
#Akashair #missile #DRDO #IGMDP #CAG #MRSAM #Prithvimissiles

World’s rivers are contaminated with antibiotics
Rivers around the world are contaminated with dangerous levels of antibiotics, according to a major new study. Concentrations of antibiotics in some waterways exceed safe levels by 300 times, a global team of scientists led by the University of York found. The Thames was contaminated with five antibiotics, including levels of ciprofloxacin — used to treat skin and urinary tract infections — that were three times what is considered safe.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20329-world-s-rivers-are-contaminated-with-antibiotics
#Worldsrivers #Concentrationsofantibiotics #72countries #dangerous #Nigeria

GST Council sets up 2 sub-groups
The GST Council has set up two sub-groups to look into the policy and technical aspects, such as turnover threshold and mode of generation, for e-invoice generation by businesses. While one sub-group will examine the business process, policy and legal aspects for generation of e-invoice, the other will recommend technical aspects for its roll-out.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20328-gst-council-sets-up-2-sub-groups
#GST #eBill #B2B #GoodsServicesTax #telecommunications

Sri Lanka, Japan, India sign deal
Sri Lanka, Japan and India on 28 May 2019 signed an agreement to jointly develop the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port. The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) is significant, given that India and Sri Lanka were negotiating a potential partnership on the project, although with little success.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20327-sri-lanka-japan-india-sign-deal
#SriLanka #MoC #Japan #ColomboPort #flashpoint #Ranil

JLF #SupremeCourt #ICA #apexcourt

US offers missile defence systems to India
The Trump administration has approved the sale of armed drones to India and has offered integrated air and missile defence systems aimed at helping the country boost its military capabilities and protect shared security interests in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20474-us-offers-missile-defence-systems-to-india
#missile #India #MTCR #THAAD #COMCASA #China #DonaldTrump

‘Nishan Izzuddeen’ for PM
The Maldivian government on 8 June 2019 announced it will confer its highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries, Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister will depart to the Maldives on his first bilateral visit on 8 June 2019 after returning to power.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20473-nishan-izzuddeen-for-pm
#NishanIzzuddeen #PMModi #AbdullaShahid #Maldivian #government #SriLanka

Today Update

विश्व शरणार्थी दिवस
रिफ्यूजी को हम इसलिए याद कर रहे हैं क्योंकि 20 जून को World Refugee Day 2019 है। शरणार्थी, रिफ्यूजी, मुहाजिर चाहे जिस नाम से पुकार लें। लेकिन ये वे लोग हैं जिन्हें किसी न किसी कारणवश अपना देश, अपना घर, अपना सबकुछ छोड़कर दूसरों के रहम-ओ-करम पर जीने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ता है। किसी न किसी मजबूरीवश अपनी धरती को छोड़कर भागे हुए ये वो अभागे लोग हैं, जिन्हें कोई भी पूरे दिल से स्वीकार नहीं करता।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20611-2019-06-21-04-16-25
#WorldRefugeeDay #Afghanistan #Refugee #WRD2019 #terrorism

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पेटेंट आवेदनों पर संगोष्‍ठी
वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय के उद्योग एवं आंतरिक व्‍यापार संवर्धन विभाग (डीपीआईआईटी) के अधीनस्‍थ भारतीय पेटेंट कार्यालय अंतर्राष्‍ट्रीय पेटेंट आवेदनों को दाखिल करने पर एक दिवसीय संगोष्‍ठी आयोजित कर रहा है। यह संगोष्‍ठी विश्‍व बौद्धिक संपदा संगठन (विपो), एसोचैम, भारत सरकार के वाणिज्‍य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय के आईपीआर संवर्धन एवं प्रबंधन प्रकोष्‍ठ (सीपम) और उत्‍तराखंड सरकार के सहयोग से आयोजित की जा रही है।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20610-2019-06-21-04-16-13
#InternationalPatentApplications #DPIIT #SEPM #VIPO #ASSOCHAM

EOI for six submarines
The Centre has taken a major step towards building advanced submarines for the Indian Navy. The defence ministry on 29 June 2019 issued an Expression of Interest to shortlist Indian strategic partners for the construction of six conventional submarines under Project 75 India (P-75I) worth about Rs 45,000 crore.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20615-eoi-for-six-submarines
#EOI #P75I #NUH #SPs #India #ExpressionofInterest #navy

Sri Lanka launches its first satellite
Sri Lanka’s first satellite ‘Ravana-1’, designed and developed by two local engineers, was successfully launched into orbit this week from the International Space Station (ISS) along with two other BIRDS 3 satellites from Japan and Nepal. Ravana 1, the cube satellite measuring 11.3 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, and weighing around 1.05 kg, was launched into orbit.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20614-sri-lanka-launches-its-first-satellite
#SriLanka #satellite #Ravana1 #ISS #BIRDS3 #Japan

India’s first solar cruise vessel
Close on the heels of launching India’s first solar-powered ferry in 2016, Kerala is gearing up for the launch of the country’s premier solar-powered cruise boat by December. The initiative comes from the State Water Transport Department (SWTD), whose solar ferry Aditya in the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route has proved to be a success.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20613-india-s-first-solar-cruise-vessel
#India #SWTD #IRS #Kerala #solar #Aditya

QS Rankings 2020
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) emerged the top-ranked private university in India in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking 2020 released on 19 June 2019. In the 16th edition of the rankings, Manipal figures in the 701-750 band, up from 750-800 last year, among the 1,620 universities considered and 1,000 published universities from 82 countries.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20612-qs-rankings-2020
#QS #Rankings2020 #MAHE #India #WorldUniversityRanking

आर्थिक समीक्षा 2018 -19
केन्‍द्रीय वित्‍त एवं कॉरपोरेट मामलों की मंत्री श्रीमती निर्मला सीतारमन ने संसद में आर्थिक समीक्षा 2018-19 पेश की। आर्थिक समीक्षा की 2018-19 की मुख्य बातें इस प्रकार हैं-
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20780-economic-survey-2018-19-hindi
#EconomicReview2018 #NirmalaSitharaman #GDP #MSME #BetiBachao #BetiTeach

हेनले पासपोर्ट इंडेक्‍स-2019
हेनले पासपोर्ट इंडेक्‍स-2019 की ताजा रैंकिंग में दो एशियाई देशों जापान और सिंगापुर ने संयुक्तरूप से पहला स्थान हासिल किया है। भारत इस सूची में 86वें स्थान पर है। यह रैंकिंग देशों के पासपोर्ट की ताकत पर निर्भर करती है। जिस देश के पासपोर्ट के जरिए बगैर वीजा या वीजा ऑन अराइवल सबसे अधिक देशों में आने-जाने की छूट होती है, वह सबसे अधिक ताकतवर पासपोर्ट माना जाता है।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20779-2019-37
#HenleyPassport #Index2011 #Japan #SriLanka #visa #Afghanistan #UAE

भारत को मिलेगा पहला ई-वाहनों को चार्ज करने वाला हाईवे
दिल्ली-जयपुर और दिल्ली-आगरा हाईवे ये भारत का पहला ऐसा हाईवे बनने जा रहा है, जहां इलेक्ट्रिक वाहनों के लिए चार्जिंग स्टेशनों की भी व्यवस्था की जाएगी। 2020 तक यह हाईवे तैयार हो जाएगा। बताया गया कि यमुना एक्सप्रेसवे (दिल्ली और आगरा के बीच) और राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग 48 (दिल्ली और जयपुर के बीच) की टोटल दूरी 500 किमी होगी और दो मार्गों पर टोल प्लाजा के पास 18 चार्जिंग स्टेशन स्थापित किए जाएंगे।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20778-2019-07-05-04-31-37
#India #highway #Jaipur #ASSAR #EODB #NHEV #PariChowk

Economic Survey 2018-19
The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2018-19 in the Parliament on 4 July 2019. The Key Highlights of Economic Survey 2018-19 are as follows:
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20784-economic-survey-2018-19
#EconomicSurvey2018 #GDP #MGNREGS #WTO #GCF #HumanDevelopment #NirmalaSitharaman

NITI Aayog's ease of doing farm business
Maharashtra achieved first rank in NITI Aayog launched “Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index (AMFFRI), which ranks states based on the degree of reforms they have undertaken in agricultural marketing.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20783-niti-aayog-s-ease-of-doing-farm-business
#NITIAayog #AMFFRI #MadhyaPradesh #UTs #APMCAct #EconomicSurvey2018

New gene linked to schizophrenia
After 18 years of research, Indian and Australian scientists have identified a new gene directly linked to schizophrenia. Scientists from the University of Queensland in Australia and a team of Indian researchers searched the genomes of over 3,000 individuals and found those with schizophrenia were more likely to have a particular genetic variation.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20782-new-gene-linked-to-schizophrenia
#schizophrenia #Indian #NAPRT1 #BryanMowry #Chennai #QBI #European

‘To-Do List’ for Jal Shakti Abhiyan
The Centre has issued an 18-point to-do list to all joint secretaries and additional secretaries deputed as Central Nodal Officers/Central Prabharis for implementation of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. Tasks have been clearly spelt out, beginning from three days after the launch of the Abhiyan on July 1.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20781-to-do-list-for-jal-shakti-abhiyan
#JalShaktiAbhiyan #BNO #JSA #CNO #BlockNodalOfficers

बोरिस जॉनसन को ब्रिटेन का प्रधानमंत्री बनने के आसार
पूर्व ब्रिटिश विदेश मंत्री बोरिस जॉनसन के ब्रिटेन का अगला प्रधानमंत्री बनने की संभावना सबसे ज्यादा है। समाचार पत्र द टाइम्स के एक नए ओपिनियन पोल के मुताबिक, वह एक बैलट में तीन चौथाई वोट जीत सकते हैं।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20812-2019-07-08-06-13-44
#Borisjohnson #Opinionpoll #Thetimes #Theresa

एयर इंडिया को बेचने के लिए नए प्लान पर विचार
केंद्र सरकार ने कर्ज में डूबी सरकारी एयलाइन कंपनी एयर इंडिया को बेचने के लिए नए सिरे से विचार करना शुरू कर दिया है। नए प्लान के तहत सरकार एयर इंडिया की 100 फीसदी हिस्सेदारी बेच सकती है। हालांकि इस संबंध में आखिरी फैसला मंत्रियों के एक पैनल द्वारा लिया जाना है।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20811-2019-07-08-06-13-35
#AirIndia #Deepam #Airlinecompany #Policycommission

कम ही टैक्स देते हैं भारत के सुपर-रिच
इस बजट में केंद्र सरकार ने उच्च आय वाले लोगों पर कर देयता को बढ़ाया है। इससे इस वर्ग के लोगों में असंतोष है। इस बीच सरकार ने कहा कि दो करोड़ रुपये ज्यादा सालाना कमाई करने वाले लोगों पर टैक्स बढ़ाने के बावजूद यह कई देशों के मुकाबले काफी कम है
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20810-2019-07-08-06-13-16
#Taxes #Superrich #SouthAfrica #HighNetworthIndividual


Iran reduces commitment in nuclear deal
Iran on 7 July 2019 will announce an increase in uranium enrichment to 5%, a concentration above the limit set by its 2015 nuclear deal, an Iranian official told, in a move signalling a deepening challenge to escalating U.S. sanctions pressure.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20815-iran-reduces-commitment-in-nuclear-deal
#Iran #nucleardeal #HassanRouhani #Tehran #EmmanuelMacron

First model village built with Indian assistance
A model village built with Indian assistance as part of a housing project meant for war affected people and estate workers was inaugurated in Sri Lanka.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20814-first-model-village-built-with-indian-assistance
#Firstmodelvillage #SriLanka #CBKumaratunga #culturalaffairs

Greeks vote in 1st parliamentary election
Greeks were voting on 7 July 2019 in the first parliamentary election since their country emerged from three successive international bailouts but still struggles with a crippling nearly decade-long financial crisis.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20813-greeks-vote-in-1st-parliamentary-election
#Greeks #vote #AlexisTsipras #PrimeMinister #skyrocket

India in GII 2019
The 12th edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII) — an annual ranking of countries in terms of their capacity for innovation and success in it has ranked India as the 52nd most innovative country globally in its 12th edition.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21021-india-in-gii-2019
#India #GII2019 #INSEAD #WIPO #healthcare #GlobalLeaders #Innovation

Steps taken to combat Terror Financing
During the Informal BRICS Meeting, on the margins of G20 Osaka Summit (28-29 June, 2019), India along with other BRICS members underlined their resolve to make the international financial system entirely hostile to terrorist financing.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21020-steps-taken-to-combat-terror-financing
#BRICS #TFFC #FICN #MoU #FCORD #NIA #Prevention #terroristattacks

Unlawful Activities Amendment Bill passed
The Lok Sabha on 24 July 2019 passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, popularly known as the Anti-Terrorism Bill. Introducing the bill in the lower house, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the amendments to the bill will ensure anti-terror laws are not misused.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21019-unlawful-activities-amendment-bill-passed
#Amendment #LokSabha #NIA #UAPA #Prevention #AmitShah #AntiTerrorismBill

India, China in free visa-on-arrival scheme
Sri Lanka on 24 July 2019 included India and China in the free visa-on-arrival scheme to revive the country’s tourism sector which witnessed a slump following the Easter Sunday bombings.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21018-india-china-in-free-visa-on-arrival-scheme
#India #China #visa #SriLanka #USA

‘Belt and road’ in Afghan resolution
China and Russia clashed with the US and other Security Council members over China’s insistence on including a reference to Beijing’s USD 1 trillion “belt and road” global infrastructure program in a resolution on the UN political mission in Afghanistan.
Read More: http://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21493-belt-and-road-in-afghan-resolution
#Afghan #Beltandroad #UNAMA #UN #RAVN #globalinfrastructure

South Asia’s tallest tower
Sri Lanka unveiled South Asia’s tallest tower, costing over $100 million, 80% of which has been funded by China under the controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Read More: http://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21492-south-asia-s-tallest-tower
#SouthAsia #tallesttower #BRI #CPEC #PoK #XiJinping #SriLanka

Astra successfully launched
India's indigenously designed air-to-air missile Astra was successfully test-fired from the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha on 17 September 2019.
Read More: http://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21491-astra-successfully-launched
#Astra #Sukhoi30MKI #Odisha #missile #DRDO #HAL

CubeSat mission in lunar orbit
NASA is aiming towards returning mankind to the Moon. The space agency plans on landing American astronauts, including the first woman and the next man, on the Moon by 2024 through its Artemis mission.
Read More: http://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21490-cubesat-mission-in-lunar-orbit
#NASA #CubeSat #lunarorbit #CAPSTONE #Mars #Moon

InSight won an Emmy Award
NASA has won two Emmy Awards for its interactive programming during this past weekend. The space agency won the two awards for the coverage of its InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission to Mars and for its first test of a spacecraft that will help bring crewed launches to the International Space Station back to US soil.
Read More: http://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21489-insight-won-an-emmy-award
#InSight #EmmyAward #NASA #JPL #SDM #SpaceXDemonstrationMission1

Startup India Vision 2024
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has proposed significant cuts in the compliance time to just one hour per month for start-ups as part of measures to ease regulatory requirements for budding entrepreneurs, an official said.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22016-startup-india-vision-2024.html
#StartupIndiaVision #DPIIT #StartupIndia #IndiaVision

First night trial of Agni II missile
India on 16 November 2019 conducted successfully the first night trial of ‘Agni-II’, its versatile surface-to-surface medium-range nuclear-capable missile from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22015-first-night-trial-of-agni-ii-missile.html
#AgniIImissile #Firstnighttrial #ITR #DrAbdulKalam

Environmental DNA (eDNA)
In a first, researchers have shown that environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used to detect the presence of an endangered bird species by collecting and analysing small amounts of water from the pools where they drink -- an advance that may lead to better assessment of animal and bird populations in the wild.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22014-environmental-dna-edna.html
#EnvironmentalDNA #eDNA #DNA #water #birdpopulations


Exercise Naseem Bahr
India and Oman will conduct the 12th edition of bilateral maritime exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ in the Arabian Sea next month, as both countries are aiming to further increase interoperability between the two navies and enhance maritime security.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22013-exercise-naseem-bahr.html
#ExerciseNaseemBahr #ExerciseNaseem #NaseemBahr #GCC

Justice Ranjan Gogoi retires
Justice Ranjan Gogoi on 17 November 2019 retired as the Chief Justice of India after serving for over 13 months in the post. He will be succeeded by Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22012-justice-ranjan-gogoi-retires.html
#JusticeRanjanGogoi #ChiefJusticeofIndia #SharadArvindBobde

Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins
Sri Lanka’s controversial wartime defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 17 November 2019 won the hotly contested presidential election,
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22011-gotabaya-rajapaksa-wins.html
#GotabayaRajapaksa #SriLanka #UNP #terrorattacks

Code on IR Bill approved
The Centre approved the Code on Industrial Relations (IR) Bill, 2019 — considered to be the most contentious labour law amendments. The central government has withdrawn its proposal to give flexibility to big companies, in terms of manpower, to retrench or lay off workers and shut shop without seeking official consent, a government official said, requesting anonymity.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22065-code-on-ir-bill-approved.html
#IR #Bill #UttarPradesh #IndustrialRelationsBill #DignityofLabour #amendment

Unified regulator for IFSC
The government will set up a unified regulator for International Financial Services Centres. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet. The International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 will be introduced in the Lok Sabha after withdrawal from the Rajya Sabha.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22064-unified-regulator-for-ifsc.html
#Unified #IFSC #CCEA #Irdai #RajyaSabha #IFSCAB

National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa
The Union Cabinet approved setting up of the National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa in Leh as an autonomous organization. Sowa-Rigpa is a traditional Tibetan system of medicine practised in the Himalayan belt of India.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22063-national-institute-for-sowa-rigpa.html
#NationalInstitute #SowaRigpa #NISR #AYUSH #NarendraModi #UnionCabinet

TOT model for national highways
The government approved amendments proposed to the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model for national highways. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval to the amendments proposed in the TOT model by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22062-tot-model-for-national-highways.html
#TOT #CCEA #COD #NHAI #EPC #BOT #NirmalaSitharaman

Singapore to use ITR at Chandipur
The armed forces of Singapore, which already use Indian military facilities for training of their mechanized forces, artillery and F-16 fighter jets, will soon also begin to use the integrated test range (ITR) for firing of missiles at Chandipur in Odisha as well.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22061-singapore-to-use-itr-at-chandipur.html
#ITR #Chandipur #RajnathSingh #Singapore #SITMEX

India is seventh-most affected by terror
India is at seventh place in a global think tank’s list of countries most affected by terrorism. The annual report by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace states that the country most affected by terrorism in 2018 was Afghanistan (7,379 killed), displacing Iraq (1,054 killed) as the deadliest country.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22060-india-is-seventh-most-affected-by-terror.html
#India #Iraq #Afghanistan #JeM #GTI #TerrorFactfile

Sri Lanka’s new prime minister
Sri Lanka’s former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa on 21 November 2019 took oath as the new prime minister of the island nation after incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe formally stepped down from his post.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22059-sri-lanka-s-new-prime-minister.html
#SriLanka #MahindaRajapaksa #PGR #LTTE #illegal

International children's peace prize
The Hague: Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg was awarded an international children's peace prize on 20 November 2019, for her work in the struggle against climate change which has resonated with schoolchildren across the world.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22058-international-children-s-peace-prize.html
#Internationalchildren #DivinaMaloum #PeacePrize #DKR

GDP base year
The government told Parliament that the Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS) has recommended to the ministry of statistics and programme implementation to consider 2020-21 as the next base year of National Accounts in view of the structural reforms in the economy.
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22137-gdp-base-year.html
#GDP #ACNAS #CSO #GDP #RBI #UNSNA #NationalAccounts #MCA21

First NBFC to list commercial paper
Non-bank lender Aditya Birla Finance on 28 November 2019 became the first company to list its commercial papers borrowing of Rs 100 crore on the bourses.
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22136-first-nbfc-to-list-commercial-paper.html
#NBFC #CPs #AdityaBirla #NSE #Sebi #RBI #CPs #Kumarmangalam

Millions line of credit to Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 29 November 2019 financial assistance of $450 million to Sri Lanka including $50 million for counter-terrorism after holding talks with the visiting Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22135-millions-line-of-credit-to-sri-lanka.html
#SriLanka #NarendraModi #LOC #GotabayaRajapaksa #Millionsline

Parliament clears chit fund Bill
Parliament passed a bill which seeks to raise the monetary limits for chit funds and commission for foreman. The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha.
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22134-parliament-clears-chit-fund-bill.html
#RajyaSabha #chitfundBill #Amendment #LokSabha #Parliament

Real-time billionaires list
With a net worth of $60 billion, Reliance Industries (RIL) chief Mukesh Ambani has been ranked the 9th richest person globally, according to 'The Real-Time Billionaires List' of Forbes, that was topped by Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos.
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22133-real-time-billionaires-list.html
#billionaires #RIL #CEO #LVMH #RelianceIndustries #AmazonFounder

EIU survey on urban areas
Three cities in Keralafeature among the fastest-growing urban areas across the world, according to a ranking released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22591-eiu-survey-on-urban-areas.html
#EIU #Kollam #urban #TamilNadu #UAE #Gujarat

Ration card portability implemented
The Centre has rolled out the ‘one nation, one ration card’ initiative in 12 states including Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22590-ration-card-portability-implemented.html
#Rationcard #RamVilasPaswan #NFSA #Maharashtra

FAIRS Export Certificate Report
India’s animal husbandry sector underwent a significant change last year due to a “landmark move” by the government which helped ease import regulations, according to a report released by the US Department of Agriculture.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22589-fairs-export-certificate-report.html
#FAIRS #DPPQS #OAA #GAIN #India #DAHD #FAIRS

Iran-U.S. conflict
Five days after Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Quds Force chief, was killed in a U.S. air strike outside Baghdad airport, Iran on 8 January 2020 launched ballistic missile attacks at American troops in two military bases in Iraq.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22588-iran-u-s-conflict.html
#Iran #PMF #missile #MGQS #QudsForce #Article51

Only Indian in list of umpires
Anil Chaudhary is the lone Indian named in the list of 19 match officials, including 16 umpires, for the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup starting in South Africa from January 17.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22587-only-indian-in-list-of-umpires.html
#Indian #AnilChaudhary #ICC #WorldCup #T20 #SriLanka

DRDO indigenous tech
The DRDO installations at the DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow have proven to be among the largest crowd-pullers. The Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile — successfully tested last year, making India the fourth country to successfully attack satellites — is attracting a lot of attention.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22810-drdo-indigenous-tech.html
#DRDO #DefExpo2020 #satellites #ROV #IEDs #ASAT

Coronavirus conundrum
Keen to avoid stigmatising the city of Wuhan, the World Health Organization is treading carefully on naming the new virus. The UN health agency's official temporary name for the disease, which it has designated as a global health emergency, is "2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease".
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22809-coronavirus-conundrum.html
#Coronavirus #ICTV #MERS #SARS #WHO #nCoV

India's fiscal gap
At around 7.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), the revenue-to-expenditure gap in India is one of the highest among major emerging markets. According to estimates by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), total government expenditure was equivalent to around 27.1 per cent of GDP while total government revenue was around 19.6 percent of GDP in the last calendar year.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22808-india-s-fiscal-gap.html
#India #GDP #IMF #SriLanka #ASEAN

Watch: Sri Lanka caught in a 'strategic debt trap', faces worst economic crisis #srilankacrisis #economy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4lgvwTVsAc

Today's Headlines - 19 July 2023
BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ meet
GS Paper - 2 (International Relations)

The first-ever Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) began in Bangkok, Thailand. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was also present, and said that areas of coordination challenge that were discussed, including health and energy security.

What is BIMSTEC?

BIMSTEC is a regional organisation that was established in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
Initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), the organisation is now known as BIMSTEC and comprises seven members, with Myanmar joining towards the end of 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in 2004.
Around 22% of the world’s population lives in the seven countries around the Bay of Bengal, with a combined GDP close to $2.7 trillion.
All seven countries have sustained average annual rates of growth between 3.4% and 7.5% from 2012 to 2016. A fourth of the world’s traded goods cross the bay every year.
Cooperation within the BIMSTEC had initially focused on six sectors in 1997 (trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, and fisheries) and expanded in 2008 to other areas.
In 2021, a reorganisation led to each of the Member States leading certain sectors. India focuses on security, along with counter-terrorism and transnational crime, disaster management and energy.

Growth of BIMSTEC as a regional forum

Despite having been in existence for many years, the grouping had been largely ignored until India gave it a renewed push in October 2016, a month after the terrorist attack in Uri.
Alongside the BRICS summit in Goa, India hosted an outreach summit with leaders of BIMSTEC countries.
Weeks earlier, some of these countries had supported New Delhi’s call for a boycott of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit scheduled in Islamabad that November.
SAARC includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as its members. When that summit was postponed, India claimed victory in isolating Pakistan.

China on mind

The Bay of Bengal is crucial for an increasingly assertive China in maintaining its access route to the Indian Ocean.
As China has undertaken a massive drive to finance and build infrastructure in South and Southeast Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative in almost all BIMSTEC countries, except Bhutan and India, BIMSTEC is a new battleground in the India-China battle for dominance.
BIMSTEC could allow India to push a constructive agenda to counter Chinese investments, and instead follow best practices for connectivity projects based on recognised international norms. The Chinese projects are widely seen as violating these norms.
The two organisations — SAARC and BIMSTEC — focus on geographically overlapping regions. However, this does not make them equal alternatives.
SAARC is a purely regional organisation, whereas BIMSTEC is inter-regional and connects both South Asia and ASEAN.
Since the SAARC summit has only been postponed, not cancelled the possibility of revival remains.

#upsc #news #bimstec #foreignminister #bangkok #technical #economic #cooperation #affairsminister #thailand #jaishankar #energy #security #bangladesh #myanmar #bhutan #nepal #sevencountries #terrorism #disaster #management #SAARC #finance #india #china #south #asian #newdelhi #maldives #srilanka

Today's Headlines - 22 July 2023
India, Sri Lanka adopt vision document
GS Paper - 2 (International Relations)

India and Sri Lanka adopted an ambitious vision document to significantly expand economic partnership after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. In his statement, the PM, referring to the economic difficulties in Sri Lanka last year, said India stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" with the people of the island nation during the crisis as a close friend.

More about the document

An agreement for launch of the UPI payment system in Sri Lanka will result in fintech connectivity between the two sides.
The security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined and it is necessary to work together keeping in mind each other's security interests and sensitivities. A vision document for economic partnership has been adopted.
The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in areas of tourism, power, trade, higher education, skill development and connectivity.
The vision is to strengthen maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both the countries.
It was decided that talks will start soon on an agreement on economic and technological cooperation.
A feasibility study will be conducted on the India-Sri Lanka petroleum pipeline.
On the fishermen issue, the prime minister said it should be handled under a humanitarian approach.

#upsc #news #india #srilanka #document #ambitious #economic #launch #agreement #UPI #payment #development #cooperation #tourism #technological #cooperation #feasibility #study #petroleum #pipeline

Today's Headlines - 29 July 2023
India urges Sri Lanka to implement 13th Amendment
GS Paper - 2 (International Relations)

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe held an all-party meeting to discuss the issue of Tamil reconciliation and welfare. This comes days after his visit to India, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to him the need to “ensure a life of dignity” for the Tamil community in the island nation. The PM also expressed the hope that Wickremesinghe would be committed to implementing the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution — which flows from the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 — and holding provincial council elections.

The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987

The 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution was made after the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J R Jayewardene, on 29 July 1987, in Colombo.
Under the 1978 constitution, Sri Lanka had a unitary government, with all powers in the hands of the Centre.
The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka was concentrated in the Northern and Eastern provinces and the struggle for rights and greater autonomy here had flared up into the long and bloody civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government, with some other groups also involved.
The 1987 Accord aimed at amending the constitution to transfer some powers to the governments of the country’s nine provinces, thereby finding a constitutional solution to the civil war.
After the Accord, the constitution underwent the 13th Amendment to allow devolution of power to provinces.
Apart from the devolution of power, the Accord had other clauses, such as Tamil and English being adopted as official languages along with Sinhala, lifting of emergency on the “Eastern and Northern Provinces by 15 August 1987”, surrender of arms by militant groups, and “general amnesty to political and other prisoners now held in custody under The Prevention of Terrorism Act and other emergency laws”.
The Accord also says that “The Government of India will underwrite and guarantee the resolutions, and co-operate in the implementation of these proposals”.

What about the 13th Amendment’s implementation?

The separation of powers was never done fully, and while some are unhappy over too little devolution, the hardline nationalists raise alarms over the “weakening” of the Central government’s authority.
The Sinhala nationalists also oppose the 13th Amendment as they see it as imposed by India. Moreover, the regions that the devolution was primarily meant for never benefitted much from it.
Under the Accord, the North and Eastern provinces were to be merged into one, temporarily, and later, a referendum was to be held to decide if they should stay together or have two separate provincial councils.
Thus, elections to the merged North Eastern Province were held on 19 November 1988. However, little over three months later, Chief Minister Annamalai Varadaraja Perumal moved a motion in the Council to declare an independent ‘Eelam’.
This prompted the President, Ranasinghe Premadasa, to dissolve the council, and impose President’s rule, which lasted till December 2006.
The referendum on the two provinces was never held, and in 2006, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court ruled that the merger had been illegal. Thus, the Northern and Eastern provinces were separated again, on 1 January 2007.
Since 2014, provincial elections are pending across Sri Lanka. This is because Parliament is yet to amend a 2017 Act in Parliament, for reforming the election process by introducing a hybrid system of first past the post and proportional representation from the current system of proportional representation.

#upsc #news #todayheadline #india #srilanka #implement #amendment #ranil #wickremesinghe #tamil #community #islandnation #constitution #civilwar #liberation #government #sinhala #eastern #northern #annamalai #varadaraja #proportional

Today's Headlines - 13 August 2023
Katchatheevu island a political issue
GS Paper - 2 (Polity)

Ahead of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremsinghe’s visit to New Delhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to PM Modi requesting him to retrieve the island. The transfer of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, by the Union government, without the state government’s consent, has deprived Tamil Nadu fishermen’s rights and adversely impacted their livelihoods.

Where is the island of Katchatheevu?

Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited speck in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.
It is no more than 1.6 km in length and slightly over 300 m wide at its broadest point.
It lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast. It is about 62 km southwest of Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and 24 km away from the inhabited Delft Island, belonging to Sri Lanka.
The only structure on the island is an early 20th century Catholic shrine – St Anthony’s church. During an annual festival, Christian priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct the service, with devotees from both India and Sri Lanka making the pilgrimage.
This year, 2,500 Indians made the journey to Katchatheevu from Rameswaram for the festival.
Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.
What is the island’s history?

The island is relatively new in the geological timescale, being the product of a 14-century volcanic eruption.
In the early medieval period, it was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka. In the 17th century, control passed to the Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram, about 55 km northwest of Rameswaram.
It became part of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. But in 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, at the time British colonies, claimed Katchatheevu in order to determine fishing boundaries.
A survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka, but a British delegation from India challenged this, citing ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom.

What is the agreement now?

In 1974, Indira Gandhi made attempts to settle the maritime border between India and Sri Lanka, once and for all.
As a part of this settlement, known as the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’, Indira Gandhi ‘ceded’ Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
At the time, she thought the island had little strategic value and that ceasing India’s claim over the island would deepen its ties with its southern neighbour.
Moreover, as per the agreement, Indian fishermen were still allowed to access Katchatheevu “hitherto”. Unfortunately, the issue of fishing rights was not ironed out by the agreement.
Sri Lanka interpreted Indian fishermens’ right to access Katchatheevu to be limited to “rest, drying nets and for visit to the Catholic shrine without visa”.
Another agreement in 1976, during the period of Emergency in India, barred either country from fishing in the other’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Again, Katchatheevu lay right at the edge of the EEZs of either country, retaining a degree of uncertainty with regards to fishing rights.

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