Environment 2017

National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change

• NAFCC was operationalised in 2015-16.

• The fund is meant to assist national and state level activities to meet the cost of adaptation

measures in areas that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

• This scheme has been taken as Central Sector Scheme with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) as National Implementing Entity (NIE).

• The overall aim of the fund is to support concrete adaptation activities which are not covered under ongoing schemes of State and National Government that reduce the adverse effects of climate change facing community sector and states

Science & Tech 2017

Vikaspedia: To provide information on health, education, agriculture, energy, social welfare and egovernance in more than 10 languages.

GI Cloud: In order to utilise and harness the benefits of Cloud Computing, Meity has embarked upon an initiative - "GI Cloud" which has been coined as "MeghRaj".

Indian Economy 2017

Niryat Bandhu Scheme

It is meant for mentoring first generation entrepreneurs by leveraging the knowledge base of DGFT officers and by providing timely and appropriate guidance through orientation programmes, counselling sessions, etc., implemented by DGFT in coordination with stakeholders, namely, export councils, industry associations, state governments departments, customs, excise, etc

Indian Polity 2017

MPLADS

launched on 23^rd December, 1993.

Initially, Ministry of Rural Development was the Nodal Ministry for this scheme. In October, 1994 this scheme was transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

salient features

v  Central Plan Scheme fully funded by the Government of India under which funds

v  are released in the form of grants-in-aid directly to the district authorities;

v  The funds released under the Scheme are non-lapsable, i.e. the entitlement of funds not released in a particular year is carried forward to the subsequent years, subject to eligibility. At present, the annual entitlement per MP/constituency is 5 crore;

v  Under MPLADS, the role of the Members of Parliament is limited to recommend works. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the district authority to sanction, execute and complete the works recommended by Members of Parliament within the stipulated time period;

v  The elected Lok Sabha Members can recommend works in their respective constituencies. The elected members of the Rajya Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the state from which they are elected. Nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha can recommend works for implementation, anywhere in the country.

v  can be implemented in areas affected by natural calamities like floods, cyclone,hailstorm, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, landslides, tornado, earthquake, drought, tsunami, fire and biological, chemical, radiological hazards, etc. MPs from the non affected areas of the state/UT can also recommend per missible works upto a maximum of 25 lakh per annum in the affectedarea(s) in that state/UT;

v   In order to accord special attention to the development of areas inhabited by Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), 15 percent of MPLADS funds are to be utilized for areas inhabited by SC population and 7.5 per cent for areas inhabited by ST population;

v   The MP can spend a maximum of 20 lakh per year for giving assistance to differently abled citizens for purchase of tricycles (including motorized tricycles),battery operated motorized wheel chair and artificial limbs; and aids for visually and hearing impaired;

v  Funds released by the Government of India are deposited by the District administrations in nationalized banks (including IDBI Banks)/Regional Rural Banks (Gramin Banks) which are on Core Banking Platform with the Nationalized Bank as their sponsor, for each MP for the purpose of MPLAD scheme

v  The roles of Central Government, state government, district authorities and implementing agencies have been clearly defined in the guidelines on MPLADS for implementation of MPLAD Scheme.

Indian Polity 2017

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

Announced on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

this innovative measure, the knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of different states& UTs will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the states, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India.

The broad objectives

(i) To celebrate the unity in diversity of our nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our country;

(ii) To promote the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all states and union territories through a year-long planned engagement between states;

(iii) To showcase the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either state for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity

(iv) To establish long term engagements

(v) To create an environment which promotes learning between states by sharing best practices and experiences.

Indian Economy 2017

White Revolution

v  India is the leading milk producing nation in the world with sustainable increase in the annual milk production. Under Conservation and Genetic Improvement of Indigenous Cattle Breeds, the milk yield showed an increasing trend among the progenies of different sets. Semen doses of Gir, Kankrej, and Sahiwal were produced and utilized for insemination. Cloning of the only alive wild-buffalo of Chhattisgarh has led to cloning technology application in conservation of endangered species

Environment 2017

Cool Farm Tool

v  Model used to estimate emission of GHGs, integrates several globally determined

v  empirical GHG quantification models.

v  Using the tool, GHG fluxes (carbon-dioxide and methane), moisture and heat in the soil-plant-atmosphere systems were measured in rice-wheat rotation.

v  Maize-wheatcropping registered highest carbon management index.

v  The cumulative seasonal methane emission was reduced by 75 per cent in aerobic rice as compared to continuously flooded rice and the seasonal emissions were lower in slow-release N fertilizer

Ecology 2017

Kuanad Wetland Ecosystem

v  region covering the Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities.

v  The region has the lowest altitude in India, and is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried around 1.2 to 3.0 metres (4 to 10 ft) below sea level.

v  Kuttanadu is historically important in the ancient history of South India and is the major rice producer in the state. Farmers of Kuttinad are famous for Biosaline Farming.

v  FAO has declared the Kuttanad Farming System as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

v  Four of Kerala's major rivers, the Pamba, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala flow into the region.

v  It is well known for it boat race in the Ramankari Backwaters. 

Indian Economy-Agriculture

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):

Outlay of 50,000 crore for a period of 5 years (2015-16 to 2019-20).

Objective

To achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable

area under irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, enhance the adoption of precision irrigation and other water saving technologies(more crop per drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.

Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Department of Land Resources and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development &Ganga Rejuvenation are involved.

Indian National Movement 2017

National Song

• composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of  inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom.

• It has an equal status with Jana-gana-mana.It was first sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.

Indian National Movement 2017

National Anthem

• composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950.

• It was first sung on December 27, 1911 at the Kolkata Session of the Indian National Congress.

Indian Polity 2017

National Flag

Art 51A(a) - To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.

Statutes Governing Use of Flag

• Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950

• Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act,1971

• Flag Code of India, 2002