Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: November 17, 2016

Hello readers,

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

DRDO successfully launches UAV Rustom-II

• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight of TAPAS 201 (RUSTOM – II), a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), November 16, 2016. The test flight took place from Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chitradurga, a newly developed flight test range for the testing of UAVs and manned aircraft.

Highlights

• Designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the Bangalore-based premier lab of DRDO. 
• It is the first R&D prototype unmanned aerial vehicle which got the certification and qualification for its first flight from the Center for Military Airworthiness & Certification and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance.
• It will carry out the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the three Armed Forces with an endurance of 24 hours. 
• It is capable to carry diverse combinations of payloads like Medium Range Electro Optic (MREO), Long Range Electro Optic (LREO), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP). 
• The data link for the UAV was developed by Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL) of DRDO.

Government announces new guidelines to tackle Demonetisation problems

• To contain the problems faced by people following the demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupees currency notes, the Union Government on November 17, 2016, announced new measures to address the problem.

Highlights

• For Farmers: To ensure sowing in the Rabi season, farmers have been allowed to withdraw 25000 rupees a week against crop loan and Kisan credit card.
• For Traders: Traders registered with Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) markets and mandis can draw 50 thousand rupees in cash per week to pay for sundry expenses like wages.
• For Marriage: a person can withdraw up to 2.5 lakh rupees from bank account for marriage during ongoing wedding season. The money can be withdrawn by one member of the family, may be father or mother, bride or bridegroom.
• Crop loan insurance premium: The time limit for payment of crop loan insurance premium will be extended by 15 days.
• Central Government Employees: Employees up to Group C can draw salary advance up to 10000 rupees in cash. This advance salary will be adjusted against their salaries of November.
• The existing limit of 4500 for exchange of old 500 and 1000 rupee notes has been reduced to 2 thousand rupees.

India-China kick starts exercise 'Hand in Hand'

• The sixth India China joint training exercise Hand-in-Hand 2016 commenced on November 16, 2016, at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp, Pune.

Highlights

• The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance confidence and trust between the two armies, which may be called upon to grapple with anti-terrorism operations under the UN mandate.
• The conduct of joint military exercises is also an important step to uphold the values of Peace, Prosperity and Stability in the region.
• The Opening Ceremony was followed by both the contingents displaying their weapons, which included assault rifles, grenade launchers and other equipment.
• The 13-day exercise is focused on training on special heliborne operations, firing of various weapons, handling and neutralization of improvised explosive devices and conduct of cordon and search operations in insurgency and terrorism environment.

‘Post-Truth’ named Word of the Year by Oxford

• The word Post Truth was named as word of the year 2016 by Oxford Dictionaries on November 16, 2016. The word was selected after a research conducted by the Oxford Dictionaries which saw an increase of about 2000 percent over its usage in 2015.
• The Word of the Year of Oxford Dictionary is an expression or word that is chosen to reflect the passing year in language. These words are chosen by the Oxford after reviewing and debating on the merits of the words, ethos, mood or preoccupations of that particular year. About the word Post-truth 

• Post-truth (adjective): Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.
• It was used maximum time in June 2016 in the United Kingdom during European Union referendum.
• It also saw its usage during the United States Presidential election. It again saw the rise in usage in July 2016 when Donald Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination.