Week 1 Current Affairs Update

1st- 7th September 2017

EVENTS

NATIONAL

SOCIAL
National Nutrition Week
DATE: - 1st September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To create awareness of nutrition for health that has an impact
on productivity, economic growth and national development
TARGET/APPLICATION: The National Nutrition Week was observed
throughout the country from 1st to 7th September. The theme of the National Nutrition
Week for 2017 was Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child
Health. Nutrition is an issue of survival, health and development for current and
succeeding generations. Child born underweight have an impaired immune function
and increase risk of diabetes and heart diseases. Under nutrition in young children
continues to be a major public health problem in India. The NFHS4 has not shown
an encouraging improvement in the nutritional status, especially among women and
children. As per NFHS-4, the level of underweight has decreased by 6.8% and is
stunting by 9.6%. Level of anaemia has decreased by 11% as compared to NNHS-
3 figures. Malnourished children tend to have lower IQ and impaired cognitive
ability thus affecting their school performance and productivity in their later life.
Therefore, improving the nutritional status of the population is imperative for
National Development. During the week, the Food and Nutrition Board of Ministry
of Women & Child Development coordinated with the Department of the State/UT
governments, National Institutions and NGOs level workshops. Large numbers of
state, district and village level activities were organized.
National Nutrition Strategy
DATE: - 6th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To promote health of common people by providing them
nutrition
TARGET/APPLICATION: With a renewed focus on nutrition, NITI Aayog
has launched the National Nutrition Strategy. The nutrition strategy envisages a
framework wherein the four proximate determinants of nutrition uptake of health
services, food, drinking water & sanitation and income & livelihoods work together
to accelerate decline of under nutrition in India. Currently, there is also a lack of real
time measurement of these determinants, which reduces our capacity for targeted
action among the most vulnerable mothers and children. The Nutrition Strategy
framework envisages a Kuposhan Mukt Bharat linked to Swachh Bharat and Swasth
Bharat.
The aim is to ensure that states create customized state/ district action plans to address
local needs and challenges. This is especially relevant in view of enhanced resources
available with the States, to prioritise focussed interventions with a greater role for
panchayats and urban local bodies. The strategy enables states to make strategic
choices, through decentralized planning and local innovation, with accountability
for nutrition outcomes. Supply side challenges often overshadow the need to address
behavioural change efforts to generate demand for nutrition services. This strategy,
therefore gives prominence to demand and community mobilisation as a key
determinant to address Indias nutritional needs.
UJALA scheme
DATE: - 7th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using
efficient lighting equipment
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Indias zero-subsidy UJALA programme has paved
the way for a brighter future and has now travelled to Malaysia. Energy Efficiency
Services Limited (EESL), under Ministry of Power, Government of India has
launched UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All) Scheme in the State
of Melaka, Malaysia. The scheme has seen successful implementation in the UK.
Under the scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high quality 9-watt LED
bulbs at a cost of only RM 10 (10 Malaysian Ringgit), which is a special price and
is almost half of what in being offered in the market. The EESL plans to distribute
about 1 million 9W LED bulbs, replacing 18W CFLs in Melaka.
The initiative will have the logistical assistance and facilitation support from Green
Growth Asia, a non-profit organisation in Malaysia. The scheme is being implemented
by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the
Union Ministry of Power. The scheme will not only help reduce consumers their
electricity bills but also contribute to the energy security of India. The price of each
bulb will be way lesser than global average price of LED bulbs, which still swings
between 3-5 USD.

ECONOMY

Business & Climate Summit 2017

DATE: - 1st September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To meet the global carbon reduction targets
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The Business & Climate Summit is the leading
annual forum for businesses, investors and policy makers on climate action. It is
where business and governments come together to agree on a roadmap for reaching
net zero emissions over the next half century. The Business & Climate Summit was
attended by Ministers, Senior Government Officials, Business Leaders, International
Agencies, Banks & Financial Institutions, Senior Business Executives and Media
from different parts of the world. It demonstrates how low carbon strategies are good
for business and good for growth and builds the partnerships needed to scale up and
accelerate the low carbon transition.
The objectives of BCS 2017 are as follows:
Showcase business leadership in addressing climate change and provide solutions
to help government achieve climate change objectives.
Express the reduction in GHG emissions to limit global warming to +2C and
their commitment to engage in this direction.
Debate and present the priority policies required to allow the accelerated
deployment of these solutions in the world and ensure that climate change is
taken into account in all policy decisions.
Increase awareness of international policy makers about the wealth of solutions
developed by companies and the conditions for deployment of these solutions.
BRICS nations sign pact for credit lines
DATE: 4th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To develop and strengthen economic ties and investment
cooperation between BRICS nations
TARGET/APPLICATION: Five banks of the BRICS Bank Cooperation
Mechanism have agreed to establish credit lines in the national currencies and
cooperate on credit ratings. Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), Vnesheconom
bank, Export-Import Bank of India, China Development Bank and Development
Bank of South Africa (DBSA) have signed an agreement to establish credit lines in
the national currencies, as well as a memorandum of cooperation on credit ratings.
The agreement on credit ratings allows the ICM members to share information about
internal credit ratings assigned to clients, as well as rating assessment and assignment
methodologies.
The use of local currencies will help promote economic cooperation, mitigate currency
risks, increase trade and facilitate companies in accessing the BRICS markets.
One of the main purposes of cooperation is to set up a scheme designed to provide
financing and banking services for future investment projects that could be beneficial
for the economic development of the BRICS countries. On the basis of agreements
that have been signed within the framework of the BRICS interbank cooperation
mechanism, the member banks have taken steps towards developing multilateral
financial cooperation within the BRICS countries and created basic mechanisms for
settling payments and financing investment projects in local currencies.
Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs)
DATE: - 4th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer
pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and setting the prices of international
transactions in advance.
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has
entered into 4 more Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) during August, 2017.
Out of these 4 Agreements, 3 are Unilateral and 1 is a Bilateral. This includes 162
Unilateral APAs and 13 Bilateral APAs. In the current financial year, a total of 23
APAs (2 Bilateral and 21 Unilateral) have been signed till date. The 4 APAs were
made during August, 2017, which pertain to various sectors of the economy like
Telecom, Banking, Manufacturing and Education. Since its inception, the APA
scheme has been well accepted by taxpayers and that has resulted in more than
800 applications (both Unilateral and Bilateral) being filed so far in five years. The
progress of the APA scheme strengthens the Governments resolve of fostering a non-
adversarial tax regime. The Indian APA programme has been appreciated nationally
and internationally for being able to address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair
and transparent manner.

AGRICULTURE

Hortinet- mobile app

DATE: - 2nd September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To allow farmers to apply on-line to facilitate their farm
registration, application and approvals
TARGET/APPLICATION: - To harness the potential of mobile technology,
APEDA has developed a mobile app- Hortinet. The Agricultural and Processed
Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the
Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority Act 1985. This mobile app is an initiative to increase the
accessibility and reach of the traceability software system among the farmers and
other stakeholders. This new Mobile app will assist state horticulture/ agriculture
department to capture real time details of farmers, farm location, products and details
of inspections like date of inspection, name of inspecting directly from field. After
registration and approval of farm, farmer gets approval information. Hortinet is an
integrated traceability system developed by APEDA for providing Internet based
electronic services to the stakeholders for facilitating farm registration, testing and
certification of grape, pomegranate and vegetables for export from India to the
European Union in compliance with standards.
The key features of the app are:
Online farm registration application and status tracking
Processing and approval on on-line farmer applications by State Horticulture /
Agriculture department
Registration of farmers, farms and products by State Horticulture/Agriculture
department
Capture geo location of the farms registered through the app
Sample collection by APEDA authorized laboratories along with geo location of
the sample

ENVIRONMENT
Comeback of tigers at Buxa Tiger Reserve
DATE: 4th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To introduce six tigers at Buxa Tiger Reserve
TARGET/APPLICATION: Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has been
identified for the tiger augmentation programme by the National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA). Tigers from the forest reserves of Assam, which have a similar
flora and fauna, will be introduced in Buxa. The reserve is located very close to
Assams Manas Tiger Reserve, and some experts believe that animals from Manas
often come to Buxa using Bhutan as a corridor. Besides the population pressure
another major challenge at Buxa is the broad gauge rail line passing through the
reserve, connecting Siliguri and Alipurduar. The people residing in the villages
mainly work at the tea plantations. In an attempt to mitigate the human versus animal
conflict, the Forest Department has started awareness programmes in the villages
before introducing the tigers. The tiger reserve has an area of about 757.9 sq km, of
which 390 sq km lies in the core area and 367 sq km in the buffer zone. There are
about 38 villages in Buxa and 49 villages in the fringe area. A number of tea gardens
are located on the periphery of the reserve. The Phipsu Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan
is contiguous to the north of BTR. Manas National Park lies on east of BTR. BTR,
thus, serves as international corridor for Asian elephant migration between India
and Bhutan. Northern boundary of Buxa Tiger Reserve runs along the international
border with Bhutan. The Sinchula hill range lies all along the northern side of BTR
and the eastern boundary touch that of the Assam state. Over the past few years, the
number of tigers in the Buxa Reserve has been hotly debated by wildlife enthusiasts.
While, Forest Department officials claimed there were tigers in the reserve, almost
no sighting of the big cats raised questions about their presence. The survey of tigers
in 2011 based on DNA analyses of scat put the number of tigers at 20.

HEALTH & MEDICINE

New contraceptives launched by Health Ministry
DATE: - 6th September
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To keep a check on the increasing population in India
TARGET/APPLICATION: - The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has
launched two new contraceptives- MPA and Chhaya. The two new contraceptives,
an injectable contraceptive MPA under the Antara programme and a contraceptive
pill, Chhaya, in the public health system will expand the basket of contraceptive
choices to meet the emerging needs of couples. The contraceptives are safe and highly
effective, the Antara injectable being effective for three months and the Chayya
pill for one week, and will help meet the changing needs of couples and help women
plan and space their pregnancies. The contraceptives are being launched under the
governments Mission Parivar Vikas, a central family planning initiative.
The main objective of the Mission Parivar Vikas family planning initiative is to
bring down the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.1, which is when the population starts
stabilizing, by the year 2025. The key strategic focus of this initiative will be on
improving access to contraceptives through delivering assured services, dovetailing
with new promotional schemes, ensuring commodity security, building capacity
(service providers), creating an enabling environment along with close monitoring
and implementation. The mission is being implemented in 146 high focus districts
that house 44% of the countrys population, with the highest total fertility rates of
3 and more in the country. The high focus districts are in the seven states of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Assam.

INTERNATIONAL

ENVIRONMENT

Volcanic carbon dioxide caused ancient global warming

DATE: - 1st September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To reduce carbon emission responsible for global warming
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Researchers from the University of Southampton
in the U.K. used a combination of new geochemical measurements and novel global
climate modelling to show that the Palaeocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)
was associated with a geologically rapid doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide in
less than 25 thousand years with volcanoes squarely to blame. The PETM is the most
rapid and extreme natural global warming event of the last 66 million years. It lasted
for around 150 thousand years and global temperatures increased by at least five
degrees Celsius. An extreme global warming event 56 million years ago was driven
by massive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from volcanoes, during the formation
of the North Atlantic Ocean, a study suggests.
While, it has long been suggested that the PETM event was caused by the injection
of carbon into the ocean and atmosphere; the ultimate trigger, the source of this
carbon, and the total amount released, have up to now all remained elusive. It has
been known that the PETM roughly coincided with the formation of massive flood
basalts large stretches of ocean floor coated in lava, resulting from of a series of huge
eruptions. These occurred as Greenland first started separating from north-western
Europe, thereby creating the North Atlantic Ocean, the vestiges of which are still
continuing in miniature in Iceland at present.
 PEOPLE

NATIONAL

POLITY
Nirmala Sitharaman
Born: - 18th August, 1959
Background: - Nirmala Sitharaman is an Indian politician who is currently serv-
ing as the Defence Minister of India. She is the first woman to hold the position
independently. She is also a member of the Rajya Sabha for Karnataka. Sitharaman
has formerly served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs
under the Ministry of Finance and the Minister for Commerce and Industry with
independent charge. Prior to that, she has served as a national spokesperson for the
Bharatiya Janata Party.
Career: - Sitaraman was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu to her parents Narayanan
and Savitri. Her father, Narayanan Sitaraman, hailed from Musiri, Tiruchirappal-
li district in Tamil Nadu. Her mothers family had its roots in Thiruvenkadu and
Salem district. Her father was an employee of Indian Railways and hence she
spent her childhood in various parts of the state. She was schooled in Madras and
Tiruchirappalli. She obtained a BA in economics at the Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy
College in Tiruchirapalli. She got Masters degree in Economics from Jawaharlal
Nehru University, Delhi.
Sitharaman joined the BJP in 2008 and has served as a spokesperson for the party.
In 2014, she was inducted in Narendra Modis cabinet as a junior minister. In May
2016, she was one of the 12 candidates nominated by the BJP to contest the Rajya
Sabha elections which was due on 11th June 2016. She successfully contested her
seat from Karnataka. On 3rd September 2017 she was elevated to second female
Defence Minister of India. Within India, she is a former a member of the National
Commission for Women. Presently, she is one of the founding directors of Pranava
school in Hyderabad.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Born: 14th May, 1962
Death: 17th April, 1975
Background: - Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher and statesman
who was the first Vice President of India (19521962) and the second President of
India from 1962 to 1967.
Career: - One of Indias most distinguished twentieth century scholars of
comparative religion and philosophy his academic appointments included professor
of Philosophy at the University of Mysore (1918-1921), the King George V Chair of
Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (19211932) and Spalding
Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics at University of Oxford (19361952).
His philosophy was grounded in Advaita Vedanta, reinterpreting this tradition for a
contemporary understanding. He defended Hinduism against uninformed western
criticism, contributing to the formation of contemporary Hindu identity. He has
been influential in shaping the understanding of Hinduism, in both India and the
west, and earned a reputation as a bridge builder between India and the West.
Radhakrishnan was awarded several high awards during his life, including a
knighthood in 1931, Bharat Ratna the highest civilian award in India in 1954 and
honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. Radhakrishnan
believed that teachers should be the best minds in the country. Since 1962, his
birthday is being celebrated in India as Teachers Day on 5 September.
 IDEAS

NATIONAL

SOCIAL
Diksha Portal
DATE: 1 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: To train teachers with the help of advanced digital technology
TARGET/APPLICATION: The Union Ministry of Human Resource and
Development (HRD) has launched Diksha Portal for providing digital platform to
teacher to their lifestyle more digital. It will serve as National Digital Infrastructure
for Teachers. Through this portal, all teachers across nation will be equipped with
advanced digital technology.
Diksha portal will accelerate and amplify solutions in realm of teacher education.
It will aid teachers to learn and train themselves for which assessment resources
will be available. It will help teachers to create training content, profile, in-class
resources, assessment aids, news and announcement and connect with teacher
community. The portal will record complete work and accomplishment of teachers
in educational institutes from start to end point till their retirement. It will cover
entire life cycle of teacher from time they were enrolled as student teachers in
Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) to after they retire as teachers.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Hydrogen fuel produced from sunlight, water

DATE:- 2 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: - To produce hydrogen fuel that can be used for powering
eco-friendly cars
TARGET/APPLICATION: - CSIR scientists have developed an ultra-thin
wireless device that mimics plant leaves to produce energy using water and
sunlight. The artificial leaf absorbs sunlight to generate hydrogen fuel from water.
In advance, this artificial leaf may provide clean energy for powering eco-friendly
cars in the future. It can serve ultimate solution for our energy and environment
problems.
The artificial leaf or the wireless device consists of semiconductors stacked in
manner to simulate natural leaf system. The device has an area of 23 square
centimetres. When visible light strikes semiconductors, electrons move in one
direction and produce electric current. The current almost instantaneously splits
water into hydrogen making it one of cleanest forms of fuel as its main byproduct
is water. It can produce 6 litres of hydrogen fuel per hour. To improve light-
absorbing efficiency of artificial leaf, researchers had used gold nanoparticles,
titanium dioxide and quantum dots. Quantum dots are semiconductor crystals of
nanometre dimensions with properties that depend on the size of dots.

INTERNATIONAL

ENVIRONMENT

Clean fuel produced from air

DATE: 3 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To produce clean fuel methanol from methane using air
TARGET/APPLICATION: Scientists from Cardiff University, UK have
discovered a new way to produce methanol from methane using oxygen from the
air. Methanol is an important chemical often used as fuel in vehicles. The discovery
has major implications for cleaner, greener industrial processes worldwide. The
new technique uses freely available air, inexpensive chemicals and an energy
efficient methanol production process.
In the new method, scientists produced methanol from methane through simple
catalysis i.e. by addition of substance called catalyst which speeds up a chemical
reaction. It enables methanol production at low temperatures using oxygen and
hydrogen peroxide. The new process can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
and its commercialisation may take much longer. It seeks to use waste gas flared
into the atmosphere during natural gas production, thus saving carbon dioxide
emissions.

HEALTHCARE

First gene therapy for cancer

DATE: 4 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To treat cancer through gene therapy
TARGET/APPLICATION: The United States approved the first gene therapy,
a treatment that uses a patients own immune cells to fight childhood leukaemia.
The treatment is made by Novartis and is called Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel). This
type of immunotherapy, known as a CAR-T cell therapy, was known by the term
CTL019 until now. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
children and young adult patients up to age 25 with a form of acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia.
The FDA described the approval as a historic action that would usher in a
new approach to the treatment of cancer and other serious and life-threatening
diseases. Studies have shown that 83% of patients responded to the treatment,
achieving remission within three months. The treatment is not a pill or a form of
chemotherapy. It uses a patients own immune cells, called T-cells, along with white
blood cells. These cells are removed from a patient, sent to a lab, and encoded with
a viral vector, reprogrammed, and returned to the patient. This is considered a great
achievement in the field of healthcare.

SOCIAL

First civilian drone base

DATE: 6 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To provide service to unmanned aerial vehicles
TARGET/APPLICATION: The Civil Aviation Administration of China
announced the opening of the countrys first test-flight base for civilian drones
in Shanghai. The base, located in the district of Qingpu, will provide service to
thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in a country where private drones
have become very popular. Drones in China are required to fly at a height below 150
metres and all test flights to be monitored for safety reasons to avoid obstructing
air operations.
According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of China, there are over
120,000 registered drones in the country. China has approximately 500 drone
manufacturers, controlling almost 70 per cent of market share. The use of UAV,
initially used in videography, for recreational purposes, security and agriculture,
has expanded dramatically.
 ISSUES

NATIONAL

GDP OF INDIA DIPS

DATE: 1 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: Implementation of GST and demonetization hitting the Indian
economy
The Indian economy lost steam in the April-June quarter, slowing to a three-year
low as companies stalled production in June to prepare for the switch-over to the
Goods & Services Tax (GST) regime. According to economists, lingering effects
of demonetisation also contributed to the slowdown. Data released by the Central
Statistics Office (CSO) showed the economy grew 5.7% in April-June, the first
quarter of the current fiscal, slower than the previous quarters 6.1% and much
lower than the 7.9% growth registered in the first quarter of 2016-17. Finance min-
ister Arun Jaitley planned to take steps to boost growth. Indias April-June growth
of 5.7% is below Chinas 6.9% expansion during the same period and puts pres-
sure on policymakers to unveil measures to revive the economy.
Slowdown is a matter of concern. In coming quarters we need to work more on
policy and investment to improve the figures. Global economy is improving faster
than estimated and the domestic public investment is certainly going to be quite
high because the revenue trend seems to be positive. The slowdown was most
steep in manufacturing, construction and mining sectors while most services post
higher growth than last year. Higher growth was largely propelled by government
spending.

ENVIRONMENT
Less water flowing in Indian rivers
DATE: - 2 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: - Receding water in rivers posing threat to the plants and
animals
Indias fabled rivers are under dire threat. At a meeting of water activists and experts
in December 2016 called India Rivers Week, information and ground reports from
290 rivers across the country were analysed and the verdict was chilling: 205
(over 70%) of them, including most of the big rivers, were in the critical or `red
category. Their water flows were diminished, tributaries were dwindling or cut
off, pollution was rampant, river banks built up and encroached, and catchment
areas denuded of forests. Most rivers are overexploited by constructing structures
like check dams, weirs, dams, so the minimum flow (called `environmental flow)
required for the river eco-systems is not materialized. Studies show the current
minimum flow is only one-third of what is required. Many small tributaries of the
rivers are disconnected due to population pressure, road development etc. Another
factor for slow dying of the rivers is the rainfall pattern which has changed a lot in
the recent years, thus making the river flows unsustainable. As a result, people start
misusing them in terms of sand mining, encroachment, polluting.
Apart from pollution and diversion, one important factor that doesnt get that much
attention is forests. Not only do forests help in making rain, they also act as pumps
that draw in the rain-laden winds from the seas. Forests also provide tiny particles
like pollen and spores around which raindrops can condense. There is an ardent
requirement of taking necessary actions to restore rivers.

SOCIAL
Malware attacks in India
DATE: - 4 August 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: - Data security threat posed by ransomare
The government issued an alert on the spread of a new malware -Locky Ransomware
-that can lock computers and demand ransom for unlocking them. Alert regarding
spam spreading Locky Ransomware issued by Computer Emergency Response
Team. Ransomware is a malicious software and the Locky Ransomware is learnt
to be demanding ransom of half bitcoin, which at present rate is equivalent to over
Rs 1.5 lakh. The alert, issued on Cyber Swachhta Kendra, said it has been reported
that a new wave of spam mails is circulating with common subject lines to spread
variants of Locky Ransomware. Reports indicate that over 23 million messages
have been sent in this campaign. The messages contain common subjects like
`please print, `documents, `photo, `Images, `scans and `pictures. However, the
subject texts may change in targeted spear phishing campaigns, the alert, which
described severity of the ransomware as high.
The system infected by Locky Ransomware is getting locked or encrypted with
random numbers with extension [dot] lukitus or [dot] diablo6. The instructions
contain installation of a TOR browser and visiting (dot) onion sites and demanding
ransom of 5 Bitcoins. Users are advised to exercise caution while opening emails
and organisations are advised to deploy anti-spam solutions and update spam block
lists.

ECONOMY
Eight core sectors growth dips
AGENDA/ISSUE: - Slowdown in the eight core sectors hampering Indian
economy
The eight core industries driving Indias economy grew by 2.4 per cent during July
2017 compared to a growth of 3.1 per cent in the same month last year. According
to an official statement, Coal production increased by 0.7 percent in during the
period under consideration over the same period of the last year.
Steel production too increased by 9.2 per cent in July 2017 over July 2016. There
was an increase in electricity generation by 5.4 per cent in July 2017 over power
generation in July 2016. Natural gas production increased by 6.6 percent in July
2017. The laggards were petroleum refinery production that declined by 2.7 per
cent in July 2017 over July 2016. Fertiliser production too declined by 0.3 per
cent in July and crude Oil production decreased by 0.5 per cent and cement output
by 2 per cent. In the second bi-monthly monetary policy review on June 6 and 7,
the committee had left lending rates unchanged at 6.25 per cent while reducing the
statutory liquidity ratio by 0.5 per cent. Analysts attributed the low growth of core
sector in June to a high base effect.

POLITICS
Tension between US and South Korea over H-bomb test
DATE: - 6 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - H-bomb test by South Korea forcing US and its allies to
start war against it
Making a mockery of President Trumps warnings that US forces are locked
and loaded and would inflict unprecedented fire and fury if it continued its
provocations, North Koreas isolated regime defiantly tested a massive nuclear
device that it claimed was a thermonuclear weapon, otherwise known as a
hydrogen bomb. North Korean state media revealed that the test was carried to
test the accuracy and credibility of its H-bomb to be placed at the payload of the
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Pyongyang tested an ICBM for the
first time in July this year, with a second test later that month showing it could,
depending on the payload.
Sundays test, preceded by the release of photographs purportedly showing North
Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the weapon that was exploded, blew open
differences in the US-led coalition. President Trump led the universal condemnation
of the test, calling North Korea a rogue nation, whose words and actions continue
to be very hostile and dangerous to the US. With barely any distance and time
separating South Korea and North Korea, the US ally and its capital Seoul is a
sitting duck for North Koreas missiles nuclear or otherwise compared to the
US. US and South Korean officials and generals were on the hotline on Sunday
to coordinate a response to North Koreas test, after President Trump spoke to his
South Korean counterpart.
 Weekly Multiple Choice Questions
1. Consider the following statements? 6. The new UJALA Scheme has been launched in which
(I) Malnourished children tend to have lower of the following countries by Ministry of Power, Government
IQ and impaired cognitive ability thus affecting their of India?
physical performance and productivity. (a) Singapore
(II) Nutrition is an issue of survival, health and (b) Indonesia
development for current and succeeding generations. (c) Philippines
(III) The national nutrition week is celebrated from (d) Malaysia
2nd to 8th week of September. 7. Diksha Portal is related to
Which of the following is/are correct?
(a) Teacher education
(a) I and II only
(b) Student training
(b) II and III only
(c) All of the above (c) Police training
(d) I and III only (d) None of these
2. Consider the following statements. 8. Read the following statements regarding hydrogen
(I) The Business & Climate Summit 2017 fuel.
showcased business leadership in climate change and (I) CSIR scientists have developed an ultra-thin
provided solutions to help government achieve climate wireless device that resembles plant leaves to produce
change objectives. energy using water and sunlight.
(II) The leaves are made of silver nanoparticles
(II) The summit focuses on the reduction in green
Choose the correct option.
house gases to limit global warming to +1.5C.
Which of the following is/are correct? (a) I Only
(b) II Only
(a) II only
(c) Both I and II
(b) I only
(d) None of these
(c) Both I and II
9. Recently, scientists have discovered a new way to
(d) None of the above produce methanol from methane. Which of the following gas
3. Which of the following mobile app has been is used to produce methanol from methane?
launched by Agricultural and Processed Food Products (a) Nitrogen
Export Development Authority in order to promote online (b) Oxygen
application of farmers?
(c) Helium
(a) Hornbill (d) Carbon dioxide
(b) m Kisan portal 10. Which of the following methods has been recently
(c) Hornet found to treat cancer?
(d) Kisan Suvidha (a) Gene therapy
4. Buxa Tiger Reserve is situated in which of the (b) Cell culture
following state? (c) Vaccination
(a) Odisha (d) Physiotherapy
(b) Andhra Pradesh 11. Read the following statements regarding Indias
GDP.
(c) West Bengal
(I) GDP of India rose as of April-June 2017.
(d) Jharkhand
(II) Demonetisation and GST played an important
5. Which of the following new contraceptive pills has role in controlling Indian GDP.
been released by Union Health Ministry in 2017? Choose the correct option.
(a) Saheli (a) I Only
(b) Nirodh (b) II Only
(c) Chameli (c) Both I and II
(d) Chhaya (d) None of these
12. Read the following statements regarding Indian 14. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
rivers. (a) Coal production increased during July 2017 in
(I) The water level water in Indian rivers has comparison to the same period in 2016.
gone up due to glacier melting. (b) Fertiliser industry showed positive growth
(II) Slow dying of few Indian rivers is due to during July 2017.
change in the rainfall pattern. (c) Both a and b
Choose the correct option. (d) None of these
(a) I Only 15. Which of the following female politician became the
Defence Minister of India?
(b) II Only
(a) Sushma Swaraj
(c) Both I and II
(b) Smriti Irani
(d) None of these (c) Nirmala Sitharaman
13. Which of the following ransomwares demands (d) Vasundhra Raje
ransom in Bitcoins? 16. Who among the following became the first vice
(a) Locky Ransomware president of India?
(b) GoldenEye (a) Zakir Hussain
(b) Varahagiri Venkata Giri
(c) WannaCry
(c) Krishan Kant
(d) CryptoLocker (d) Sarvepalli Ramakrishnan
 ANSWER AND EXPLANATION
1. (a) I and II are correct.
Nutrition is an issue of survival, health and development
for current and succeeding generations. Malnourished
children tend to have lower IQ and impaired cognitive
ability thus affecting their physical performance and
productivity. Hence, the national nutrition week is
observed from 1st to 7th September.
2. (b) I only is correct
The Business & Climate Summit is the leading annual
forum for businesses, investors and policy makers on
climate action. The Summit 2017 showcases business
leadership in climate change and provides solutions to
help government achieve climate change objectives.
3. (c) Hornet
To harness the potential of mobile technology, APEDA
has developed a mobile app- Hortinet. This mobile app
is an initiative to increase the accessibility and reach of
the traceability software system among the farmers and
other stakeholders.
4. (c) West Bengal
Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has been identified
for the tiger augmentation programme by the National
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Tigers from
the forest reserves of Assam, which have a similar flora
and fauna, will be introduced in Buxa. The reserve is
located very close to Assams Manas Tiger Reserve.
5. (d) Chhaya
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has
launched two new contraceptives- MPA and Chhaya.
6. (d) Malaysia
Indias zero-subsidy UJALA programme has paved
the way for a brighter future and has now travelled to
Malaysia.
7. (a) Diksha Portal is related to teacher education.
8. (a) CSIR scientists have developed a wireless
device that looks like plant leaves to produce energy
using water and sunlight. The leaves are made of gold
nanoparticles.
9. (b) Scientists have discovered a new way to
produce methanol from methane using oxygen.
10. (a) Treatment of cancer has been found effective
through gene therapy.
11. (b) GDP of India fell as of April-June 2017.
Demonetisation and GST are important factors in
controlling Indian GDP.
12. (b) The water level water in Indian rivers has
gone down due to deforestation and change in rainfall
patter.
13. (a) Locky Ransomware demands ransom in
Bitcoins.
14. (a) Fertiliser industry showed negative growth
during July 2017.
16. (c) Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman is an Indian politician who is currently
serving as the Defence Minister of India.
17. (d) Sarvepalli Ramakrishnan
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher
and statesman who was the first Vice President of India
(19521962) and the second President of India from
1962 to 1967.