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Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 25, 2016

Hello readers, 
Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

International News

Sandra Lee Bartky, American Feminist Philosopher no more
  • Lee Bartky was an influential feminist philosopher who taught philosophy, gender and women's studies at University of Illinois, Chicago
Books by Sandra Lee Bartky
  • Towards a Phenomeonology of Feminist Consciousness (1975)
  • Feminism and Foucault: Reflections on Resistance (1988)
  • Feminity and Domination (1990)
  • Sympathy and Solidarity and Other Essays (2002)
  • She argued that women subconsicously submitted to men by accepting an unnatural cultural standard for the ideal female body.

 National News

Election rules amended to enable defence personnel cast vote through e-postal ballot 
  • Rule 23 of Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 amended. It will help defence personnel cast votes.
  • Due to the nature of their job, defence personnel are transferred frequently. This made it difficult for authorities to enroll them in electoral rolls. This amendment will also help families of these personnel.
  • Blank ballots can be downloaded, filled and sent by post to the Returning Officer.
  • This will apply to armed police personnel who are subject to Army Act.
Indian Army wins Gold in Exercise Cambrian Patrol 
  • Exercise Cambrian Patrol conducted by the British Army in Wales.
  • 8th Gorkha regiment of Indian Army participated in the exercise. A total of 160 countries participated in the exercise.
  • The exercise is a non-stop 36 hour endurance patrol exercise.  

Sports

Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 United States Grand Prix
  • This is Hamilton's 50 career win
  • Hamilton is trailing behind only Alain Prost (51) and Michael Schumacher (91) having won more than that number in the history of the sport.
  • US Grand Prix is part of the Formula One World Championships.

Daily Current for Competitive Exams: October 23, 24, 2016

Hello readers, 
Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

National News

State’s OBC commission dissolved in Rajasthan
  • The Rajasthan High Court order dissolved the State Other Backward Classes (OBC) Commission, in October 2016. The court dissolved the commission stating that the latter was constituted without the State Assembly enacting any legislation for it.
  • The Division Bench of the court directed the state government to appoint a new commission backed by a statute by January 15, 2017. It also directed that no salary or allowance of the members of this commission would be disbursed hereafter.

International News

United Nations Day observed across the world
  • The United Nations Day 2016 was observed across the world on October 24, 2016. The day marks the anniversary of the UN Charter(the founding document of UNO) in 1945.
  • Theme: In 2016, UN Day will be used to highlight concrete actions people can take to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Indo-Italy Scientific and Technological Cooperation re-launched
  • The Indo-Italian Joint Committee established on october 21, 2016, under the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement  re-launched the cooperation in the sectors of science, technology and innovation. The original agreement was signed between Italy and India in 2003.
  • The Joint Committee approved several initiatives in bilateral scientific R&D projects of significance with the aim of facilitating the mobility of researchers who will be jointly selected.
  • A new scientific and technological cooperation programme on applied science was launched aiming at developing technologies and processes to be applied in industry.
  • Joint workshops will be alternatively held in Italy and India, starting from 2017.  
  • An Indo-Italian Innovation Forum will be established to promote and connect the world of research with the world of business and investment.

Financial News

RBI eases norms for foreign investment in startups
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on October 20, 2016, notified the amended norms for foreign investment in startups in India. For this, the bank amended the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person Resident Outside India) Regulations, 2000.
  • Any FVCI, registered with market regulator SEBI, will not require any approval from Reserve Bank of India and can invest in unlisted Indian companies.
  • FVCI can invest in following sectors- Biotechnology, IT, Nanotechnology, Seed research and development, pharmaceutical sector, Dairy industry, Poultry industry, Production of bio-fuels, Hotel-cum-convention centres and Infrastructure sector.

Sports

India lifts its third Kabaddi World Cup
  • India on October 22, 2016 lifted the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. Team India, under the captaincy of Anup Kumar, defeated Iran 38-29 in the final held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
  • This was India's 3rd World Cup in the Standard Style version of Kabaddi.
About 2016 Kabaddi World Cup
  • The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup was an international kabaddi tournament governed by the International Kabaddi Federation. It was contested from October 7 to 22, 2016, in Ahmedabad, India. Twelve countries had competed in the tournament.
  • The tournament was hosted at The Arena by TransStadia, a newly-constructed convertible stadium in Ahmedabad.

Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 22, 2016

Hello readers,Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.
Union Government launched UDAN for Regional Air Connectivity
  • The Union Government on October 21, 2016, unveiled the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik), which seeks to enable people from smaller towns to access Air travel services. 
  • The scheme is expected to be rolled out by January 2017. The scheme UDAN envisages to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme would be in operation for a period of 10 years.
  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation took a major step today towards making flying a reality for the small town common man.
  • Under the scheme, the airline operators will bid for up to 40 subsidised seats and minimum seats will be 9. There will be 50 percent seats on market based pricing.
  • The scheme ensures affordability, connectivity, growth and development.
  • This first-of-its-kind scheme will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable for the common man even in small towns.
India, World Bank sign $650 Million agreement for Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor
  • India signed a 650-million US dollar loan agreement with the World Bank for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor-III (EDFC-III) Project, on October 21, 2016. The project will benefit industries of Northern and Eastern India, which rely on railway network for transportation of material inputs and exports.
  • These industries also depend on railway network for transportation of bulk processed and semi-processed commodities and consumer goods. Railway passengers will also be benefited through decongestion of the existing passenger lines.
  • The project is being developed by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL). It would also help in creating jobs in the northern and eastern regions of the country.
  • The EDFC-III Project is to augment rail transport capacity, improve service quality and enhance freight carriage throughput on the 401 km Ludhiana-Khurja section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.
  • It seeks to develop institutional capacity of DFCCIL to build, maintain and operate the entire DFC network.
IGKV Chhattisgarh develops protein-enriched rice variety
  • The researchers of the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalay (IGKV)Raipur, developed a protein-enriched rice variety.
  • The newly developed rice variety has over 10 per cent protein content, which is three per cent more than what is found in any popular variety and has 30 PPM zinc content.
  • The researchers hope that it would serve as a boon for malnourished population, especially children, in the tribal-dominated Chhattisgarh.
  • As per a survey conducted in 2015, very high rate of malnutrition was found among pre-school children in tribal areas showing conditions like being underweight and stunted growth, which indicates a critical situation.
  • The Women and Child Development Department in September 2016, informed that malnutrition rate in Chhattisgarh has declined to 29.8 per cent from 47.1 per cent.
SC freezes BCCI's financial transactions
  • The Supreme Court on October 21, 2016, froze all the financial transactions between  BCCI and state cricket associations. The apex court directed the apex cricket body not to disburse any funds, even for the match purposes, till BCCI abides by the Justice RM Lodha panel recommendations.
  • A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked Lodha panel to appoint independent auditors to scrutinize all BCCI accounts. The judgment also directed the Lodha panel to ask the auditors to scrutinize the high-value contracts provided by BCCI.
  • The apex court also directed BCCI president Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke to give a undertaking before the Lodha panel and apex court by December 3,2016, stating how much time they would need to implement reforms.
  • It directed the Lodha panel to ask the auditors to scrutinise the high-value contracts given by BCCI and also fix a ceiling of high-value contracts involving media rights. 

Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 21, 2016


Hello readers, Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

SBI declares Silchar as its 5th Zone in North East

The State Bank of India (SBI) on October 20, 2016, declared Silchar as its 5th zone in North-East India. This zone will cater to the banking needs of the people of Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur along with the Barak Valley.
Besides, SBI also opened its administrative office at Silchar. This office will facilitate banking issues for the customers of the region.
The other four zones of SBI in region are located in Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh and Jorhat.
Earlier, Silchar was under Guwahati zone and it was difficult for the bank to address the complaints and issues of the customers in such a difficult terrain. The bank has 736 branches across North East together with 3000 ATMs and 3000 customer service points for customer facilitation.

Fast attack craft INS Tihayu commissioned to Indian Navy

Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) INS Tihayu was commissioned into the Indian Navy on October 19, 2016. The 320-tonne INS Tahiyu is the sixth WJFAC Car Nicobar Class vessel to be commissioned and allotted to the Eastern Fleet of the Navy. Named after Tihayu island (presently known as Katchal island) in the Nicobar group, measuring 49 meters can achieve speeds in excess of 35 knots.

Background

The production of Car Nicobar-class vessels designed and built by GRSE was fast-tracked after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. It was built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol.
These vessels are designed as a cost-effective platform for patrol, anti-piracy and rescue operations in India's Exclusive Economic Zone. The class and its vessels are named for Indian islands.

Indian Boxing Council inducted into WBO with voting rights

The Indian Boxing Council (IBC) was inducted into the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) with voting rights in mid-October 2016. The decision was taken at the WBO's annual convention at Puerto Rico. The Indian Boxing Council is a licensing body for the country's professional boxers.

About World Boxing Organisation

The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization that recognizes professional boxing world champions.
It is recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) as one of the four major world championship groups. The other groups are the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF).
The WBO's headquarter is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The WBO started after a group of Puerto Rican and Dominican businessmen broke out of the WBA's 1988 annual convention in Isla Margarita, Venezuela over disputes regarding what rules should be applied.

Maharashtra government launches ‘Kaushalya Setu’ for skill development

Maharashtra government launched ‘Kaushalya Setu’, a skill development programme for students, on October 19, 2016. Under the Kaushalya Setu initiative students of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education who failed to clear Class X or SSC exam, will be accommodated in skill development courses. 
The main aim of the initiative is to compensate the loss of a year of students failed the matriculation examination by providing skill-oriented training. It will give a big boost to Central Government’s Skill India Mission-2020 by providing skill development courses to students.

IUNC to declare Kashmir’s Red Stag as Critically Endangered

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is going to declare the Kashmiri Red Stag (also known as Hangul) as a Critically Endangered species. The critically endangered status to the Kashmiri Red Stag will help it to get more protection and enhance the conservation efforts to increase its rapidly declining population.

About Kashmiri Red Stag

The Kashmiri Stag or Hangul is a subspecies of elk native to India. It is found in dense riverine forests in the high valleys and mountains of Kashmir Valley and northern Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
As per Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) nearly 3000 to 5000 Hanguls existed around the 1940s. But at present, only about 150 of them survive within its last bastion in Dachigam National Park located on foothills of Zabarwan range on the outskirts of Srinagar, J&K.

About IUCN

The IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organisation working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
It is also involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying and education. IUCN is best known to the wider public for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.

IPO Examination 2016 - Questions with Answer - Paper IV Question No 1 to 50

Here we are providing solved Paper from IPO Examination 2016 - Paper IV ( Question 1 to 50 )


Please  download by clicking below link
 1.      Gramapani    sanctuary    is  located   in      ………………………….                              

Assam
2.       Entomology    is  the  science    that  studies 

Insects
3.       What  is  common  between   R  K   Lakshmanan   ,  Kutty  and  Sudhir  Das    

Cartoons
4.       Which    of  the following     was    Satyajit    Ray  associated    with   

Film  Direction  

To  download    50  question   with  answer   please  Click Here

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Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 19, 2016

Hello readers,
Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.
PM Modi inaugurates 3 hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated three flagship hydropower projects- the  800 MW Hydro Power Station of NTPC- Koldam, the 520 MW Parvati Project of NHPC and the 412 MW Rampur Hydro Station of SJVNL projects to the nation in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
  • NHPC’s Parvati-III Power Station is a run of the river scheme having a 43m high rockfill dam, underground Power house, and 10.58 km long water conductor system. A net head of 326 meter is utilized to run four vertical Francis turbines with an installed capacity of 520 MW (4x130 MW). The power plant is designed to generate 1963.29 Million Units annually. The power generated from the Parbati-III Power Station is distributed to beneficiary states i.e. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Power Station is supplying 13% free power to home state i.e. 12% as home state share and 1% for Local Area Development fund.  
  • The completion cost of the project is around Rs 2600 crore, the total power generation is 1880 MU with revenue realization of Rs 816 crore.
  • With the commencement of generation from four 200 MW units, NTPC-Koldam has achieved a capacity of 800 MW and provides the peaking capacity to the Northern grid.  It shall annually generate 3054 GWh electricity at 90% dependable year basis. Twelve percent of the electricity generated from Koldam is being supplied to the home state Himachal Pradesh free of cost while 1 percent to the state on account of Local Area Development fund.  
  • All the Project Affected Families are being provided 100 units of electricity every month free of cost which accounts for 0.62 percent of the total generation. Thus a total 13.62 percent of electricity generated from the plant is supplied free of cost to Himachal Pradesh, remaining power supplied to other beneficiaries namely Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttrakhand, and Chandigarh. 
  • SJVN’s Rampur Project (412MW) in Kullu district will be operated in tandem with Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (HPS). This project will provide 13 percent free power to the state of Himachal Pradesh.
PM launches National SC/ST hub and Zero Defect – Zero Effect schemePrime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National SC/ST hub and the Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ludhiana, Punjab. He presented the National Awards to Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He also distributed 500 traditional wooden charkhas (spinning wheels) among women.
What is National SC/ST hub?
  • The objective of the SC/ST (Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes) Hub is to provide professional support to entrepreneurs from the SC/ST. It also seeks to promote enterprise culture and entrepreneurship among the SC/ST population and to enable them to participate more effectively in public procurement. It will work towards strengthening market access/linkage, capacity building, monitoring, sharing industry-best practices and leveraging financial support schemes.
  • Public Procurement Policy, 2012: It specifies that 4% of procurement done by ministries, departments and CPSEs should be done from enterprises owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs.
What is Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) scheme?
  • ZED Scheme aims to rate and handhold all MSMEs to deliver top quality products using clean technology. It will have sector-specific parameters for each industry. MSME sector is crucial for the economic progress of India and this scheme will help to match global quality control standards. The slogan of Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) was first mentioned by PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in 2014. It was given for producing high-quality manufacturing products with a minimal negative impact on the environment.  
  • ZED Scheme is meant to raise quality levels in unregulated MSME sector which is the engine of growth for the Indian economy. MSME sector drives almost 38% of nation’s GDP and around employs 110 million employees. The scheme will be the cornerstone of the Central Government’s flagship Make in India programme, which is aimed at turning India into a global manufacturing hub, generating jobs, boosting growth and increase incomes.
Irom Sharmila announces formation of political party named Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance
  • Human rights activist Irom Sharmila announced the formation of her political party named Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA). The announcement was made on October 18, 2016, with a promise to fight for justice and peace among the people. While launching the party, the Iron Lady of Manipur said that she is entering the electoral battle to fight against injustice after ending her nearly 16-year long hunger strike.
Background
  • Irom Chanu Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur announced her decision to enter politics on August 9, 2016, when she broke her 16-year-long fast. She was on a fast with the demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state.
  • Earlier on October 5, 2016, a court in Imphal acquitted her from charges under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to suicide).
Saina Nehwal appointed member of IOC's Athletes' Commission
  • Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was appointed as a member of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athletes' Commission. The Athletes' Commission is chaired by Angela Ruggiero and it comprises nine vice presidents and 10 other members. Saina's appointment to the prestigious panel has come just when she is set to resume practice after recovering from a knee injury. 
About International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athletes' Commission
  • The IOC Athletes' Commission is a body maintained by the International Olympic Committee for the purpose of representing athletes. It was established in 1981 by the then-President of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, and its creation was subsequently codified by the IOC in Rule 21 of the Olympic Charter.
  • The Commission is a consultative body whose function is to act as 'the link between active athletes and the IOC'. It makes recommendations to the IOC's executive bodies, and its chair serves as a member of the IOC Executive Board.

Employment News : 22 -October To 28-October -2016


JOB HIGHLIGHTS 
UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, NEW DELHI 
Name Of Post : Additional Director General, Scientific Officers, Scientist ‘B’, Public Prosecutors, Commercial Tax Officer
No.of Vacancies : 74
Last Date :10.11.2016 
HINDUSTAN COPPER LIMITED, KOLKATA 
Name Of Post : Deputy General Manager, Chief Manager, Senior Manager, Manager, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager
No.of Vacancies : 153
Last Date :30.11.2016 
GAIL (INDIA) LIMITED 
Name Of Post : Junior Engineers, Junior Superintendents, Marketing Assistant, Officer, Assistant, Accounts Assistant, Foreman’s, Junior Accountant
No.of Vacancies : 233
Last Date :05.11.2016 
CENTRAL SILK BOARD, BANGALORE 
Name Of Post : Scientist - C, Scientist - B
No.of Vacancies : 65
Last Date :11.11.2016 
CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE, BIHAR 
Name Of Post : Constable, Driver Backlog Vacancies
No.of Vacancies : 441
Last Date :19.11.2016 
Source : www. employmentnews.gov.in/

India Post recruits 304 Postman and 6 Mail Guard for the Year of 2016

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
Online Application for Postman/Mail Guard

Online applications are invited from eligible Indian Citizens, to fill up the post of Postman/Mail Guard in Postal / Railway Mail Service (RMS) Divisions in Tamilnadu Circle in the Pay Matrix Pay level 3: Rs 21,700 – 69,100.



Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 18, 2016

Hello readers,
Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.
Historic Global Greenhouse Gas Emission Agreement signed in Kigali
  • A historic global climate deal was reached in Kigali, Rwanda at the 28th  Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP28). The Kigali pact amends the 1987 Montreal Protocol and aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of potent greenhouse gases by the late 2040s. Under the pact, all 197 countries, including India have agreed to a timeline to reduce the use of HFCs by roughly 85% of their baselines by 2045.
What are Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)?
  • HFCs are a family of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are largely used in refrigerants, car air-conditioners, and air sprays etc. These factory-made gases had replaced CFCs under the 1987 Montreal Protocol to protect Earth’s fragile protective Ozone layer and heal the ozone hole over Antarctica.
Why are they harmful?
  • In recent times, it was found that HFCs have several thousand times capacity in retaining heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent GHG. Thus, it can be said that HFCs have helped ozone layer but exacerbated global warming. Currently, HFCs are the world’s fastest GHGs, with emissions increasing by up to 10% each year.
What is the significance of the Kigali Pact?
  • The Kigali Pact amends the 1987 Montreal Protocol that was designed to close the growing ozone hole in Antarctica by banning ozone-depleting coolants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The Montreal Protocol which was initially conceived only to reduce emissions to plug gases that were destroying the ozone layer, will now also include HFCs which play a part in global warming.  
  • This move will help to prevent a potential 0.5 degree Celsius rise in global temperature by the end of the century. The Kigali Agreement or amended Montreal Protocol for HFCs reduction will be binding on countries from 2019. It also has provisions for penalties for non-compliance.  
  • Under it, developed countries will also provide enhanced funding support estimated at billions of dollars globally. The exact amount of additional funding from developed countries will be agreed at the next Meeting of the Parties in Montreal in 2017.
Different timelines under Kigali Amendment
  • All signatory countries have been divided into three groups with different timelines given to them in order to reduce HFCs.  
  • First group: It includes the richest countries like the US and those in the European Union (EU).  They will freeze production and consumption of HFCs by 2018. They will reduce them to about 15% of 2012 levels by 2036.  
  • The second group: It includes countries like China, Brazil and all of Africa etc. They will freeze HFC use by 2024 and cut it to 20% of 2021 levels by 2045.  
  • The third group: It includes countries India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, etc. They will be freezing the use of HFC by 2028 and reduce it to about 15% of 2025 levels by 2047.
How is it different from Paris agreement?
  • The Paris agreement which will come into force by 2020 is not legally binding on countries to cut their emissions. The Kigali Amendment is considered absolutely vital for reaching the Paris Agreement target of keeping global temperature rise to below 2-degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial times.
Indian Wrestlers bagged four medals at 2016 TAFISA World Games
  • Indian grapplers clinched four medals, including a gold medal, at the sixth edition of the TAFISA World Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Wrestler Dalmiya bagge gold in the 60kg category after outplaying Muhammad Sahan of Azerbaijan 4-1 in the summit clash.
About TAFISA
  • The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA) is the leading international sport for all organization. Its vision and mission is to achieve an Active World by globally promoting and facilitating access for every person to Sport for All and physical activity.
Amandeep Singh Gill appointed as India's Ambassador to UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva
  • Senior IFS officer Amandeep Singh Gill was appointed as India’s Ambassador to the UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva. He had represented India on the UN Secretary General’s Panel on Missiles from 2007 to 2008. Besides, he was also a member of the Indian delegation to the Conference on Disarmament during the negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
What is UN Conference on Disarmament?
  • The Conference on Disarmament is not formally a United Nations (UN) organization. It is linked to the UN through a personal representative of the UN Secretary-General.
  • It is a forum established in 1979 by the international community to negotiate multilateral arms control and disarmament agreements. The conference has 65 members.
  • In the 1990s, the Conference had held intensive efforts to draft CTBT text and its two annexes, but it did not succeed in reaching consensus on the adoption of the text. Currently, it conducts a discussion on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), a pact to prevent an arms race in outer space, nuclear disarmament and negative security assurances (NSA).
India completes nuclear triad by commissioning INS Arihant
  • India has completed its nuclear triad by inducting the first indigenously built strategic nuclear submarine INS Arihant into service. With this, India becomes the fourth country to have a nuclear triad i.e. capable of delivering nuclear weapons by aircraft, ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles. Other countries having nuclear triad are Russia, United States, and China. INS Arihant was formally commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in August 2016. However, it was kept secret owing to strategic significance.
Features of INS Arihant
  • INS Arihant is a nuclear submarine capable of carrying nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. Thus it belongs to the class of Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN). Its design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarine.  
  • It was built with Russia’s help under Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project started in the 1980s. It weighs 6000 tonnes and is 112 metre long. It is powered by 83 MW pressurised light water nuclear reactor with enriched uranium fuel.  
  • It will be armed with the K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km. Later it will be armed with much longer range K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) being developed by DRDO.  
  • The vessel was launched in 2009 by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Since then, it has undergone extensive sea trials.
Eminent writer C Radhakrishnan wins Mathrubhumi Literary Award 2016
  • Eminent writer C Radhakrishnan was selected for the prestigious Mathrubhumi Literary Award for the year 2016. He was selected by a panel chaired by novelist M Mukundan in recognition of his contribution to the field of literature.  
  • He was born in February 1939 in Ponnani taluk, Malappuram, Kerala. Currently, he is the editor of a Malayalam magazine, Piravi. Earlier he had served as the chief editor of Madhyamam daily from 1999 to 2001. He has directed films like Agni (1978), Kanalattam (1979), Pushyaragam (1979) and Ottayadippaathakal (1990).
  • Awards and Honours: He has been bestowed with National Literary Academy of India (1989), Kerala Literary Academy (1962) etc.