Category: Ranker Webinars

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- In a first, Gujarat to offer PNG subsidy

Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojna

1. It is a scheme launched by the Central Government on May 1, 2016 with the aim of bringing happiness to the faces of women of poor families of India
2. Under this scheme, poor women will get free LPG gas connections
3. This scheme started by the Central Government will give the poor women the freedom soon to get the clay stove
4. The main objective of this scheme is to promote the use of LPG instead of fossil fuels used for cooking in rural areas
5. One of the main objectives of the scheme is to promote women’s empowerment and protect their health
6. To provide free LPG connections to the women members of the poor family, the Cabinet has approved a plan of Rs.8000 crore

B2B #2: From news- Modi honours Tibetan institute

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS)

1. CIHTS is a centrally funded institute that was started in 1967 following a discussion between Dalai Lama and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the early 1960s
2. This was later turned into an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture
3. It is situated in Sarnath
4. The Central Tibetan Administration, the authority of the Tibetans in exile has several programmes for cultural preservation at CIHTS and thus it is a unique institution in India

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)

Recently in News because : Has ranked India as the world’s most disaster-prone country for displacement of residents.

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] The Inter-State Council needs to be rejuvenated

Inter State Council(ISC)

1. The Inter State Council is a non permanent constitutional body setup by a presidential order on the basis of provisions in Article 263 of the Constitution of India
2. The body was formed by a Presidential Order dated 28 May 1990 on recommendation of Sarkaria Commission
3. The Council is formed to discussing or investigating policies, subjects of common interest, and disputes, among states

Aims of ISC

1. Decentralization of powers to the states as much as possible
2. More transfer of financial resources to the states
3. Arrangements for devolution in such a way that the states can fulfil their obligations
4. Advancement of loans to states should be related to as ‘the productive principle’
5. Deployment of central armed forces in the states either on their request or otherwise

B2B #2: From news- CSIR awarded National Intellectual Property Award 2018

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

1. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research was established by the Government of India in 1942 is an autonomous body that has emerged as the largest research and development organisation in India
2. It runs thirty-eight laboratories and thirty-nine field stations or extension centres throughout the nation, with a collective staff of over 12,000 scientists and scientific and technical personnel
3. Although it is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860
4. The research and development activities of CSIR include aerospace engineering, structural engineering, ocean sciences, life sciences, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environmental science
5. Dr. Girish Sahni was appointed as director general of CSIR, with effect from August 24, 2015

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Swachh Swasth Sarvatra

Objectives : To achieve better health outcomes through improved sanitation and increased awareness and healthy lifestyles\

Salient Features : 1. ‘SwasthBaccheSwasth Bharat’ are pictoral books prepared by Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB) 2. Health messages shall be brought out that will educate the children and youth about healthy living habits and activities 3. The Ministry has distributed these books on healthy living across schools in India

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Link for the test: Click2Attempt  (Let us know your score in comments)

We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)

We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017

Test 23 as per schedule (Click2View) is IYB + Eco Survey

Liked the test? You can join our FLT program containing more such high-level questions. The module contains 11 FLTs (8 paper 1 TS + 3 CSAT)

Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join

Want to do quick revision for Prelims? Join our SIP Comprehensive or SIP Mini modules giving you Static & Dynamic subjects coverage through video lectures

SIP Comprehensive- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes + FLTs + CA Tests: Click2Join

SIP Mini- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes: Click2Join

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- China, India, Canada top US list of intellectual property offenders

Priority watch list

1. The Special 301 Report is prepared annually by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 as amended of the Trade Act of 1974
2. The reports identify trade barriers to U.S. companies and products due to the intellectual property laws, such as copyright, patents and trademarks, in other countries
3. The report contains a “Priority Watch List” and a “Watch List”, containing countries whose intellectual property regimes are deemed of concern
4. “Priority Watchlist countries” are judged by the USTR as having “serious intellectual property rights deficiencies” that require increased USTR attention
5. “Watch List” countries have been identified by the USTR as having “serious intellectual property rights deficiencies” but are not yet placed on the “Priority Watchlist”

B2B #2: From news- Fitch maintains India sovereign rating with stable outlook

Sovereign rating

1. A credit rating is an evaluation of the credit risk of a prospective debtor (an individual, a business, company or a government), predicting their ability to pay back the debt, and an implicit forecast of the likelihood of the debtor defaulting
2. A sovereign credit rating is the credit rating of a sovereign entity, such as a national government
3. The sovereign credit rating indicates the risk level of the investing environment of a country and is used by investors when looking to invest in particular jurisdictions, and also takes into account political risk
4. Obtaining a good sovereign credit rating is usually essential for developing countries in order to access funding in international bond markets

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Swachh Swasth Sarvatra

Objectives : To achieve better health outcomes through improved sanitation and increased awareness and healthy lifestyles

Salient Features : 1. ‘SwasthBaccheSwasth Bharat’ are pictoral books prepared by Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB) 2. Health messages shall be brought out that will educate the children and youth about healthy living habits and activities 3. The Ministry has distributed these books on healthy living across schools in India

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Link for the test: Click2Attempt  (Let us know your score in comments)

We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)

We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017

Test 23 as per schedule (Click2View) is February’18 CA

Liked the test? You can join our FLT program containing more such high-level questions. The module contains 11 FLTs (8 paper 1 TS + 3 CSAT)

Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join

Want to do quick revision for Prelims? Join our SIP Comprehensive or SIP Mini modules giving you Static & Dynamic subjects coverage through video lectures

SIP Comprehensive- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes + FLTs + CA Tests: Click2Join

SIP Mini- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes: Click2Join

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Outcome-based financing for development in India

Social impact bond

1. A Social impact bond, also known as Pay for Success Financing, a Pay for Success Bond or a Social Benefit Bond  or simply a Social Bond, is a contract with the public sector in which a commitment is made to pay for improved social outcomes that result in public sector savings
2. The term was originally coined by Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of the Young Foundation
3. The first Social Impact Bond was launched by UK-based Social Finance Ltd. in September 2010
4. Social Impact Bonds are a type of bond, but not the most common type. While they operate over a fixed period of time, they do not offer a fixed rate of return
5. Repayment to investors is contingent upon specified social outcomes being achieved
6. Therefore, in terms of investment risk, Social impact bonds are more similar to that of a structured product or an equity investment.

B2B #2: From news- Strong winds in Atlantic create high waves off Indian coasts over 10,000 km away

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)

1. INCOIS is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences
2. ESSO-INCOIS is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO)
3. ESSO- INCOIS is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvements through systematic and focused research

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Key words related to History : Vidhata

Dynasty/era : Vedic period

Meaning : 1.Vidatha appears for 122 times in the Rig-Veda and seems to be the most important assembly in the Rig Vedic period. Vidatha was an assembly meant for secular, religious and military purpose. 2.The Rig-Veda only once indicated the connection of woman with the Sabha whereas Vidatha is frequently associated with woman women actively participated in the deliberations with men. 3. Vidatha was the earliest folk assembly of the Aryans, performing all kinds of functions- economic, military religious and social. The Vidatha also provided common ground to clans and tribes for the worship of their gods.

Link for the test: Click2Attempt  (Let us know your score in comments)

We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)

We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017

Test 22 as per schedule (Click2View) is Environment ( Full Syllabus)

Liked the test? You can join our FLT program containing more such high-level questions. The module contains 11 FLTs (8 paper 1 TS + 3 CSAT)

Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join

Want to do quick revision for Prelims? Join our SIP Comprehensive or SIP Mini modules giving you Static & Dynamic subjects coverage through video lectures

SIP Comprehensive- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes + FLTs + CA Tests: Click2Join

SIP Mini- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes: Click2Join

Here are 3 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- More institutions to work for rural development

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

1. This is an HRD Ministry initiative launched in 2014 with the two-fold aim to provide rural India with professional resource support from institutes of higher education in the field of STEM
2. And Building institutional capacity in Institutes of higher education in research & training relevant to the needs of rural India
3. This programme will be launched in collaboration with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) throughout the country
4. Each IIT/NIT/IISER will identify 10 villages in its neighborhood and work out technologies to solve the most pressing issues of the region
5. Various teams from these institutes will visit the villages, identify problems and then aim to find financially-viable schemes.

B2B #2: From news- Expand national programmes to eliminate malaria by 2030: WHO

National framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME)

1. NFME outlines the strategies for eradication of the disease by 2030
2. It classifies districts or states/UTs depending upon their Annual Parasite Incidence (API) or malaria
   endemicity into categories 0,1,2,3
3. API number gives the number of cases affected by malaria per 1000 population per annum
4. The milestones and targets are set for 2016, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2027 and 2030 by when the entire country has sustained zero indigenous cases and deaths due to malaria for 3 years and initiated the processes for certification of malaria elimination status to the country
5. The objectives of the NFME are to:

• Eliminate malaria from all low (Category 1) and moderate (Category 2) endemic states/UTs (26) by 2022
• Reduce the incidence of malaria to less than 1 case per 1000 population in all States/UTs and the districts and malaria elimination in 31 states/UTs by 2024
• Interrupt indigenous transmission of malaria in all States/ UTs (Category 3) by 2027;
• Prevent re-establishment of local transmission of malaria in areas where it has been eliminated and to maintain the malaria-free status of the country by 2030

B2B #3: From news- Press freedom: India falls to 138, North Korea remains most repressive country in RSF rankings

Press Freedom Index

1. The Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders based upon the organization’s own assessment of the countries’ press freedom records in the previous year
2. It intends to reflect the degree of freedom that journalists, news organizations, and netizens have in each country, and the efforts made by authorities to respect this freedom
3. A smaller score on the report corresponds to greater freedom of the press as reported by the organization
4. The index only deals with press freedom and does not measure the quality of journalism nor does it look at human rights violations in general
5. The report is partly based on a questionnaire which asks questions about pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and infrastructure
6. Violence against journalists, netizens, and media assistants, including abuses attributable to the state, armed militias, clandestine organizations or pressure groups, are monitored by RSF staff during the year and are also part of the final score

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : HySIS (Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite)

Details : Earth observation satellite, using a critical chip it has developed called “optical imaging detector array”

Link for the test: Click2Attempt  (Let us know your score in comments)

We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)

We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017

Test 21 as per schedule (Click2View) is Economics ( Full Syllabus)

Liked the test? You can join our FLT program containing more such high-level questions. The module contains 11 FLTs (8 paper 1 TS + 3 CSAT)

Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join

Want to do quick revision for Prelims? Join our SIP Comprehensive or SIP Mini modules giving you Static & Dynamic subjects coverage through video lectures

SIP Comprehensive- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes + FLTs + CA Tests: Click2Join

SIP Mini- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes: Click2Join

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- Heavy metals in fertilizers raise risk of diabetes, heart diseases in farmers

Heavy metals

1. Heavy metals are generally defined as metals with relatively high densities, atomic weights, or atomic numbers. The criteria used, and whether metalloids are included, vary depending on the author and context
2. In metallurgy, for example, a heavy metal may be defined on the basis of density, whereas in physics the distinguishing criterion might be atomic number, while a chemist would likely be more concerned with chemical behaviour
3. More specific definitions have been published, but none of these have been widely accepted. The definitions surveyed in this article encompass up to 96 out of the 118 known chemical elements; only mercury, lead and bismuth meet all of them
4. Despite this lack of agreement, the term (plural or singular) is widely used in science
5. A density of more than 5 g/cm3 is sometimes quoted as a commonly used criterion and is used in the body of this article

B2B #2: From news- New system to measure air quality

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)

1. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Govt. of India, has introduced a major national initiative “SAFAR” for greater metropolitan cities of India to provide location-specific information on air quality in near real time and its forecast 1-3 days in advance for the first time in India
2. It was started under the plan scheme “Metropolitan Advisories for Cities for Sports, Tourism (Metropolitan Air Quality and Weather Services)
3. It has been combined with the early warning system on weather parameters
4. The SAFAR system is developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, along with ESSO partner institutions namely India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)
5. The implementation of SAFAR is done with an active collaboration with local municipal corporations and various local educational institutions and governmental agencies in that Metro city

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : Kavach (KVx) series laser walls

Defence Forces : Army

Module Type : Tech Misc.

Brief Intro : 1.The hi-tech Kavach (KVx) series laser walls immediately alert the nearest outpost about intrusion attempts and triggers action from a Quick Response Tool(QRT), which is IoT device, developed by CRON Systems, a Delhi-based defence IoT company. 2.CRON Systems has developed Kavach laser walls after working with our jawans on ground and thoroughly understanding their needs and challenges.It takes five KVx-series walls, connected with infra-red, to secure a kilometre-long stretch. Each wall is connected with a quick response tool (QRT), an IoT device, to help jawans respond to alerts.