1. The first-ever International tri services joint exercise “indra – 2017” has started between which of the following countries? Answer

7.President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed a Commission to examine the sub-categorisation of OBCs. Who will be chairperson of the commission?

Answer: [G Rohini ]

Commission which will present its report to the President within 12 weeks. The Commission will examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of OBCs with reference to such classes included in the Central List

8.Which city is hosting the Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) conference-2017?

Answer: [New Delhi]

Explanation:The Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) conference has started in New Delhi on October 2, 2017. India is hosting the programme jointly with World Bank (WB) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address illegal wildlife trade across 19 Asian and African countries. In it, Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan unveiled the 3rd National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) for 2017-2031 to spell out the future road map for wildlife conservation.

9.Which committee has drafted the 3rd National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) for 2017-2031?

Answer:[JC Kala committee ]

Answer Explanation:

The 3rd National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) for 2017-2031 has recently unveiled by Dr. Harsh Vardhan , the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEFCC), at the 2017 Global Wildlife Programme (GWP) conference in New Delhi. 10.What is the theme of the 2017 United Nations (UN)’s World Habitat Day (WHD)?

Answer: [Housing Policies: Affordable Homes] October 2

1.Which Indian entrepreneur has won the prestigious International Business Person of the Year award in London for innovative IT solutions?

Answer:[Birendra Sasmal] Ghana-based Indian entrepreneur

2. new Director General (DG) of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)?

[R. K. Mishra ]

3.Which city is hosting the 3rd edition of Women of India Organic Festival?

Answer:[New Delhi]

Explanation:The 3rd edition of Women of India Organic Festival has started at Dilli Haat in New Delhi on October 1, 2017. The purpose of the 15-day festival is to promote women entrepreneurs and farmers in the organic sector. Maneka Gandhi, the Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD) has inaugurate the festival. The theme of the festival is – Good for Women, Good for India, Good for You.

4.The Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary (GAS) is located in which state?

Answer: [Maharashtra ]

Explanation:

5.Who has been appointed as the new Governor of Bihar?

t Answer:[Satya Pal Malik]

6.The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Non-Violence is observed on which date?

Answer- [October 2]

Explanation:The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Non-Violence is observed every year on October 2 to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The day is an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. This day is referred to in India as Gandhi Jayanti.

7.The 2017 International Day of Older Persons is observed on which date?

Correct Answer:  [October 1]

Answer Explanation:

The 2017 theme “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society”

8.H. M. Marathe, the renowned journalist passed away. He hailed from which state?

Answer:  [Maharashtra ] October 1, 2017 Answer Explanation:

October 1, 2017

9.Which union minister has launched nationwide Free Eye Check-up Campaign?

Answer:[Nitin Gadkari]

Explanation:

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has launch the nationwide Free Eye Check-up Campaign and distribution of spectacles for truck drivers, cleaners and helpers on October 2, 2017 Maharashtra.

10.Which city is hosting the National Hard Court Tennis Championship?

Answer: [New Delhi]

Explanation:The National Hard Court Tennis Championship has started in New Delhi on October 2, 2017.

1.Which state to host the 3rd India International Science Festival (IISF)-2017?

Answer:[Tamil Nadu]

Explanation:The 3rd India International Science Festival (IISF-2017) will be held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from October 13-16. The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).

2.Tom Alter, the veteran actor has passed away. He hailed from which country?

Answer:[India]

Explanation:

work in films like Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Gandhi, Kranti, Bose: The Forgotten Hero and Veer Zara. But it was his sitcom Zabaan Sambhalke (1993-1997) that made him a household name. Born in Mussoorie in 1950, Alter was a third-generation American in India who studied at Woodstock School in the Himalayas and then briefly at Yale University in the USA, before returning to India in the early 70s.

3.NITI Aayog will host Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) in which city?

Answer: [Hyderabad ]

Explanation:NITI Aayog will host the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) in partnership with the USA, which is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from November 28 to 30. The 2017 theme “Women First, Prosperity for All”

4.Which city to host the 14th India-EU Summit -2017?

Answer: [New Delhi]

Explanation:The 14th India-EU Summit will be held in New Delhi from October 5-7, 2017.

5.Which service will be launched by BSNL in partnership with Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL) to provide disaster management in India?

Answer- [Relief 123]

Explanation:The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL) have

signed MoU to launch “Relief 123” service to provide disaster management in India.

6.Which bank has launched ‘Project Nishchay’ to improve financial performance?

Answer: [IDBI Bank]

Explanation:IDBI Bank has launched ‘Project Nishchay’ in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to accelerate its turnaround program and improve financial performance.

7.The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) is located in which state?

Answer [Odisha ]

8.Who has become the first womanchief proctor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU)?

Answer[Royana Singh]

9.Makhan Lal Fotedar, who passed away recently, was the political leader of which party?

Answer:[Indian National Congress]

Explanation:Makhan Lal Fotedar (85), a veteran Congress leader, has passed away in Gurugram, Haryana on September 28, 2017. Hailing from Kashmir,

10.Which will be the first big state after Goa to use EVMs with VVPAT?

Answer: [Gujarat ]

Explanation:Gujarat will be the second state after Goa to use the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system for the Assembly elections. Here, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be equipped with VVPAT. State Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary Mr. B. B. Sawain announced this at a press conference in Gandhinagar on Septmebr 28, 2017.
BCCI nominates MS Dhoni for Padma Bhushan award September 20, 2017. The BCCI has nominated former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Sing Dhoni (36) for Padma Bhushan, country’s third highest civilian award for his contribution to game. He is only cricketer nominated by BCCI for this years Padma Awards..

Rafael Nadal wins 2017 US Open title September 11, 2017. World number one Rafael Nadal (Spain) won the 2017 US Open title in men’s single category. It was his overall 16th Grand Slam title and third US Open title (2010 and 2013.

Law Ministry approves Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2017 September 19, 2017-The Union Law ministry has approved Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2017 to empower government to confiscate property of economic offenders and defaulters who flee India. The Bill seeks to deter economic offenders and defaulters who flee India. The Bill seeks to deter economic offenders from evading the process of Indian law by fleeing the country. It was drafted in pursuance of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s 2017-18 Budget speech promising legislative changes or even new law to confiscate the assets of such fugitives. The Finance Ministry had prepared the draft Cabinet note on the bill and sought the law ministry’s opinion on it.

ARPAN 3.0: Government rolls out new automation software for Defence Security Corps September 30, 2017-: Defence Ministry has rolled out ARPAN 3.0 (Army Record Office Process Automation 3.0), a new automation software for Defence Security Corps personnel to ease personal documentation and all issues related to their progression. The software was jointly developed by Army Software Development Centre (ASDC) and Tech Mahindra, using state-of-the-art web-based technology. Key Facts-: ARPAN 3.0 will provide over 12 lakh soldiers of Indian Army easy access to their service records including pay and leave details and transfer and postings among others.  As of now, all these records are maintained manually, which is a time-consuming exercise. It consists of seven modules facilitating end to end human resource, financial management of Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks with major functional advantages of timely processing of postings, promotions, release of salary, publication of personal occurrences and processing of pension has been rolled out by DCOAS (IS &T) for the Defence Security Corps.

NITI Aayog to host Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad September 30, 2017-:The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog in partnership with US Government is going to host 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) in Hyderabad (Telangana) from November 28 to 30, 2017.  The theme for this year is “Women First, Prosperity for All” to celebrate entrepreneurship in all its strength, diversity and entirety. This is the first time GES is being held in South Asia.

Key Facts-: GES 2017 aims to empower Indian entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, build partnerships, secure funding, and create innovative products and services that will transform societies for better future. It will not only bring global best practices to India, but also create irreplaceable place for India in global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

3rd India International Science Festival to be held in Chennai September 30, 2017-:The third India International Science Festival (IISF-2017) will be held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from October 13-16, 2017. It will be organised by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Ministry Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and  Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).

Key Facts-:The objective of IISF 2017 is to instil scientific temper among masses and showcase India’s contribution in field of science and technology over years. Top scientists from government are expected to participate in four-day festival at IIT-Chennai.

Gorkhpur Hospital Deaths-:in mid aug 2017 over 70 children died at the state-run baba Raghav Das Medical college in Gorkhpur (UP) allegelly due to supplier cutting off liquid oxygen supply because of non payment from the state government. Sources in the hospital said that due to the lack of oxygen supply, cylinders had to be transported and filled from neighbouring districts. Manoj Singh, a Gorakhpur-based social activist-journalist, said the hospital had had to rely on using jumbo oxygen cylinders since Thursday night as the liquid oxygen supply had collapsed.

-:Mr. Rautela said that he had learnt from the Principal of BRD that the hospital had witnessed disturbance in the supply of liquid oxygen since Thursday night as the firm had withdrawn supply due to non-payment of its dues.

“Out of an outstanding of 70 lakh, 35 lakh was paid to the Lucknow-based firm. But the firm said they have not received the payment. They said they had alternate means of oxygen supply. We requested them to not disrupt supply of liquid oxygen,” Mr. Rautela said.

-:The company, identified as Pushpa Sales, had written to the principal of BRD Hospital on August 1 informing that it would be unable to supply oxygen if the payment of 63 lakh was not made soon. It had also stressed said that the company from which it sourced gas had expressed its inability to supply in future due to the non-payment of dues.

-:The hospital lies in the home turf of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the incident comes two days after he himself inspected the hospital during his tour.

G20:HAMBURG SUMMIT-: In the 12th G20 Summit held in Hamburg, the leaders of the G20 countries has agreed for taking concrete steps to stop funding of the terror activities. The leaders have also pledged for a joint crackdown on the global scourge of terrorism and check its funding sources.

Salient Highlights-: Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for united action against terrorism and elimination of terrorist safe havens, the G20 countries trongly condemned all terrorist attacks worldwide and pledged greater coordination to counter the menace. Earlier Prime Minister Modi in the G20 Summit had called for a concerted global crackdown against countries that support terrorism for their own political goals.

-:The leaders also agreed to facilitate swift action and targeted exchange of information between intelligence, law enforcement and judicial authorities.

-:The G20 leaders have also called upon the private sector including the communication firms to curb the misuse of the internet for terror propaganda.

-:Further, the leaders have also pledged to ensure terrorists are brought to justice. Further, the G20 leaders reiterated their resolve to make the international financial system entirely hostile to terrorist financing. The leaders have also called for taking strong measures against the terrorist organisation like ISIS/ISIL/Daesh, Al Qaida etc

New Metro Rail Policy-:Union Cabinet has approved a new metro rail policy with the objective of meeting growing demand of metro rail of various cities in a responsible manner.

The Union Cabinet has approved a new policy for expanding and regulating metro rail services in cities across India. This is the first such policy document prepared by the Union Urban Development Ministry since metro rail operations began in Delhi in 2002.

-: The policy gives a big boost to private players by making private participation mandatory for all the three funding options. They are (i) Public-private partnership (PPP) model with central assistance under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme of the Union Finance Ministry, (ii) Grant from the Centre under which 10% of the project cost would be given as a lump sum, (iii) 50:50 equity sharing model between the Central and State governments. 

Salient Features of new policy-:

1.Private investments: The policy opens a big window for private investments across a range of metro operations by making PPP component mandatory for availing central assistance for new metro projects. It will help to meet the huge resource demand for capital intensive high capacity metro projects.

2.Last mile connectivity: The new policy seeks to ensure focusing on a catchment area of five kms for last mile connectivity on either side of metro stations. It makes mandatory for States to commit last mile connectivity in project reports by providing necessary feeder services, Non-Motorised Transport infrastructure like cycling and walking pathways and para-transport facilities. States, proposing new metro projects will be required to indicate such proposals and investments to be made for such services in the project reports.

3.Alternatives: It mandates Alternate Analysis, requiring evaluation of other modes of mass transit like Light Rail Transit, Tramways, BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System), Metro Rail and Regional Rail in terms of demand, capacity, cost and ease of implementation to ensure that least cost mass transit mode is selected for public transport.

4.Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA): It makes mandatory for setting up UMTA to prepare Comprehensive Mobility Plans for cities for ensuring complete multi-modal integration for optimal utilization of capacities.

Government releases National Trade Facilitation Action Plan July 21, 2017 -:The Union Government released the 76 point National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP). It was released by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi.

-:The NTFAP has been adopted by the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF), reflecting Government’s commitment to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

Key Facts-: Aims of the action plan: Transform cross border clearance ecosystem through efficient, transparent, risk based, co-ordinated, digital, seamless and technology driven procedures supported by state-of-the-art sea ports, airports and land borders.

-:Objectives of the action plan: Achieve improvement in ease of doing business by reduction in cargo release time and cost, transparent and predictable legal regime, move towards paperless regulatory environment and improved investment climate through better infrastructure.

CAC adopts Codex standards for three spices July 27, 2017-:The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted three Codex standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin and thyme. It is for first time pepper, cumin and thyme, spices will have such universal standards. These standards were adopted at 40th session of CAC held in Geneva.

-:The adoption of Codex standards paves the way for universal agreement on identifying quality spices in various countries. It also set reference points and benchmarks for member-nations to align their national standards for spices with Codex.

Background-: With the approval of the Central government, the Spices Board India (SBI) had submitted a proposal to CAC for harmonizing the standards for spices and culinary herbs. SBI is the flagship organization of the Commerce Ministry for export and promotion of spices from the country.

Significance-: The adoption of Codex standards for the three spices will help evolve a common standardisation process for their global trade and availability. It will bring harmony to the global spice trade and ensure availability of high quality, clean and safe spices to the world. It is also considered as major recognition of India’s efforts to benchmark global spices trade.

Lok Sabha passes NABARD (Amendment) Bill, 2017 August 3, 2017-: The Lok Sabha has passed the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by voice vote. The Bill seeks to amend the NABARD Act, 1981.

NABARD is responsible for providing and regulating facilities like credit for agricultural and industrial development in the rural areas.

Key Features-:

1.Bill Increase in capital of NABARD: The Bill allows Union Government to increase capital of NABARD to Rs 30,000 crore from Rs. 5000 crore. Further, it allows Union Government to increase it to more than Rs 30,000 crore in consultation with the RBI, if necessary.

2.Transfer of the RBI’s share to Union government: The Bill provides that the Union Government alone must hold at least 51% capital share of NABARD.

-:Further, it transfers share capital held by the RBI valued at Rs 20 crore to the Union Government. Currently RBI holds 0.4% of the paid-up capital of NABARD and the remaining 99.6% is held by the Union government and this causes conflict in the RBI’s role as banking regulator and shareholder in NABARD.

Adds Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) terms: The Bill replaces the terms ‘small-scale industry’ and ‘industry in the tiny and decentralised sector’ with the terms ‘micro enterprise’, ‘small enterprise’ and ‘medium enterprise’ as defined in MSME Development Act, 2006. Further, it allows NABARD to provide financial assistance to banks if they provide loans to the MSMEs.

GeM and CII sign MoU to establish GeMSamvad August 16, 2017-:The Public procurement portal Government eMarketplace (GeM) and industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have signed a MoU to establish GeMSamvad, a GeM -Industry forum. –

-:GeMSamvad aims to create awareness about online purchase of goods and services by government agencies and departments,

Key Facts-: GeMSamvad will be a participative and collaborative approach with the industry for promoting Indian industry and entrepreneurship.

-:The MoU will facilitate GeM and CII to work together to create GeM related awareness across the country. The MoU facilitates establishment of GeM-Industry Forum for collaboration with the Indian Industry for seeking inputs on the technical specifications of products and service-level agreement of services to be procured by government agencies. It also calls for improving the quality of products procured from the MSMEs and organize annual Public Procurement Convention of all stakeholders. It also calls for setting up of GeM Resource Centres at CII Regional Offices

-:About Government eMarketplace (GeM)-:. GeM is an online market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government. It was established by Directorate General of Supplies and Disposal (DGS&D), Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

Hubballi–Ankola Railway line project clears first Environmental hurdle-12 Jul 2017 The line, announced 20 years ago, cuts through dense forests of the Western Ghats

HUBBALLI: The much-delayed, controversial project to provide a railway line — connecting Hubballi in the plains and Ankola on the coast — that cuts through the dense forests of the Western Ghats has taken its first step towards fruition.

-:The environmental cost, however, remains high: More than 1.73 lakh trees in 1,472 acres of forests will make way for the railway project, apart from fragmentation of two tiger reserves.

On Monday, the Regional Empowered Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) recommended the Stage-1 clearance for the long-pending project, albeit with conditions.

This marks a big step for the project —which was announced in 1997 and foundation stone for which was laid in 1999 — that has seen environmental opposition and even court scrutiny.

Among the conditions mentioned, the REC has asked the Railways to propose an increased number of tunnels. According to the proposal submitted, there will be 34 tunnels and nine stations on the 168.3-km route. Similarly, the committee has asked them to revise the mitigation measures being taken, including construction of underpasses for wildlife.

HELI-TAXI-:India’s first helicopter-taxi (heli-taxi) service will be started in Bengaluru, Karnataka for those who cannot afford to spend time battling traffic to travel across the city. The Kempegowda International Airport will become the first airport in India to have this facility. The service will be operated by Thumby Aviation Private Limited and is expected to take off within three months. Initially, the helicopter service will be operated between Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport and the Electronics City area. The travel time will be cut down to 15 minutes instead of the two hours taken by road.