Category: Ranker Webinars

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.

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 20 as per schedule (Click2View) is History+ Art & Culture

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- India highest recipient of remittances

Foreign remittance

1. A remittance is a transfer of money by a foreign worker to an individual in his or her home country
2. Money sent home by migrants competes with international aid as one of the largest financial inflows to developing countries
3. Workers’ remittances are a significant part of international capital flows, especially with regard to labour-exporting countries
4. In 2014, $436 billion went to developing countries, setting a new record. Overall global remittances totaled $582 billion in 2015
5. Some countries, such as India and China, receive tens of billions of US dollars in remittances each year from their expatriates and diaspora
6. In 2014, India received an estimated $70 billion and China an estimated $64 billion

B2B #2: From news- Intra-State e-way bills: phase 3 to start Apr. 25

What is e-way bill?

1. The E-way bill, short form for electronic way bill, is a document to be generated online under the GST system, when goods of the value of more than ₹50,000 are shipped inter-State or intra-State
2. The E-way bill must be raised before the goods are shipped and should include details of the goods, their consignor, recipient and transporter
3. For a comprehensive read, Click here

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

Name : Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Recently in News because : India Has Been Re-Elected To The UN’s Principal Organ, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for Another Three-Year Term

Objective : ECOSOC is the United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development

Members : The Council’s 54 member Governments are elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. Seats on the Council are allotted based on geographical representation with fourteen allocated to African States, eleven to Asian States, six to Eastern European States, ten to Latin American and Caribbean States, and thirteen to Western European and other States

Headquarters : New York

Year Founded : ECOSOC is one of the six main organs of the United Nations established by the UN Charter in 1945

Here are 3 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- Minorities’ commission to seek constitutional status

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

1. The Union Government set up the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
2. Six religious communities, viz; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified in Gazette of India as minority communities by the Union Government all over India
3. The NCM adheres to the United Nations Declaration of 18 December 1992 which states that “States shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity”
4. Constitution of India doesn’t define the word ‘Minority’ but has used the word minorities considering two attributes religion or language of a person
5. The Commission shall consist of

• a Chairperson,
• a Vice-Chairperson and
• Five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity; provided that five members including the Chairperson shall be from amongst the minority communities

B2B #2: From news- CCEA approves restructured Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

1. The aim of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system across the country and address critical gaps that constrain its success
2. RGSA seeks to:

• Enhance capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and the Gram Sabhas;
• Enable democratic decision-making and accountability in Panchayats and promote people’s participation;
• Strengthen the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity building of Panchayats;
• Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act;
• Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of peoples participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat system;
• Create and strengthen democratic local self-government in areas where Panchayats do not exist;
  Strengthen the constitutionally mandated framework on which Panchayats are founded

B2B #3: From news- Health Ministry to roll out prog to combat hepatitis

Hepatitis

1. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver tissue
2. Some people have no symptoms whereas others develop yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
3. Hepatitis may be temporary (acute) or long term (chronic) depending on whether it lasts for less than or more than six months
4. Acute hepatitis can sometimes resolve on its own, progress to chronic hepatitis, or rarely result in acute liver failure
5. Over time the chronic form may progress to scarring of the liver, liver failure, or liver cancer

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

Name of the scheme : Swachhata Pakwada

Objectives : Mandates to State and City Governments to undertake extensive audit of toilets in urban areas under ‘Swachh Pakhwada’, to ensure that they are functional and fully used.

Salient Features : – As a part of behavioral change communication, hoardings and posters of ‘Asli Tarakki’ campaign, prioritizing construction of toilets over other needs like owning a scooter or a TV set, are to be prominently and widely displayed during the fortnight. – Google Toilet Locator to be launched for the benefit of the people of National Capital Region which helps in locating the nearest toilet for use.

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Urban Development

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 19 as per schedule (Click2View) is CA Dec’17

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- India to push for local manufacturing of APIs, reduce dependence on China

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

1. All drugs are made up of two core components: the API, which is the central ingredient, and the excipients, the substances other than the drug that helps deliver the medication to your system
2. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) is the part of any drug that produces its effects
3. Excipients are chemically inactive substances, such as lactose or mineral oil
4. The quality of APIs has a significant effect on the efficacy and safety of medications

B2B #2: From news- Swell waves forecast along India’s coasts

Swell Waves

1. ‘Swell waves’ are massive ripples that form on the sea due to winds coming from as far away as Madagascar
2. Swells are collections of waves produced by storm winds raging hundreds of miles out to sea, rather than the product of local winds along beaches
3. They are often referred to as surface gravity waves
4. Swell continues to move under winds and waves that have long since changed direction, it can even head in the opposite direction as the wind and waves
5. They might appear to be tsunami-like waves but have completely different characteristics
6. They can have heights between 2 m and 3 m and periods between 17-22 seconds

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

Name : RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands

Brief Intro : The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975 after UNESCO, the Convention’s depositary received the instruments of accession from the countries. – The RAMSAR Secretariat is based at the headquarters of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Gland, Switzerland. – World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd.

Objective :  An intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Type : Conventions

Category : E&B

Year : 1971

Importance (wr. Prelims) : Medium

Place : Ramasar

Key Terms/ Institutions spinoffs : The Montreux Record – a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character are of concern. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

India specific trivia : India currently has 26 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites)

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 17 as per schedule (Click2View) is December’17 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