09 Sep Eng Website

VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE
TNPSC
Current Affairs
SEPTEMBER - 2019
An ISO 9001 : 2015 Institution | Providing Excellence Since 2011
Head Office
Old No.52, New No.1, 9 Street, F Block, 1st Avenue Main Road,
th
(Near Istha siddhi Vinayakar Temple), Anna Nagar East – 600102.
Phone: 044-2626 5326 | 98844 72636 | 98844 21666 | 98844 32666
Branches
SALEM KOVAI
No.189/1, Meyanoor Road, Near ARRS Multiplex, (Near Salem New No.347, D.S.Complex (3rd floor), Nehru Street,Near Gandhipuram
bus Stand), Opp. Venkateshwara Complex, Salem - 636004. Central Bus Stand, Ramnagar, Kovai - 9
0427-2330307 | 95001 22022 75021 65390
Educarreerr Location
Vivekanandha Educational Institutions for Women,
Elayampalayam, Tiruchengode - TK Namakkal District - 637 205.
04288 - 234670 | 91 94437 34670
Patrician College of Arts and Science,

3, Canal Bank Rd, Gandhi Nagar, Opposite to Kotturpuram Railway Station, Adyar, Chennai - 600020.
044 - 24401362 | 044 - 24426913
Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College

Palani Road, Thippampatti, Pollachi - 642 107
73737 66550 | 94432 66008 | 90951 66009
www.vetriias.com
My Dear Aspirants,
Greetings to all of you! “What we think we become” Gautama Buddha.
We all have dreams. To make dreams come into reality it takes a lot of
determination, dedication, self discipline and continuous effort.
We at VETRII IAS Study Circle are committed to provide the right guidance,
quality coaching and help every aspirants to achieve his or her life’s
cherished goal of becoming a civil servant.
The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study Circle is meticulously planned to equip the
aspirants with all the relevant facts and fundamentals of the subjects. Further the VETRII IAS
Study Circle Study materials aim to support the candidate by providing the most relevant
study material in a comprehensive manner.
Wishing You All The Very Best !!
DIRECTOR
(M.Shunmugam)
Vetrii IAS Study Circle.
Published by
VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE

F Block New No. 1, 9th Street, 1st Avenue main Road, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar (E), Chennai – 102.
Phone: 044 – 26265326 / 9600124042 / 9840097666
www.vetriias.com
E-Mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Feedback: [email protected]
© All rights reserved with the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the
publisher, will be responsible for the loss and may be punished for compensation under copyright act.
INDEX
1 - 29 HISTORY
01
 Important Days  Defence National Security and
Terrorism  World Organisations – Pacts and Summits
 Eminent Persons  Sports and Games  Books & Authors
 Awards & Honours  Cultural Panaroma  India & its
Neighbours  Appointments – Who is who?
30
30 - 33 POLITICAL SCIENCE
India’s Foreign Policy Latest Court Verdicts Govt
– Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility
34 - 36 GEOGRAPHY 34
 Policy on Environment and Ecology Natural Disasters
– Safeguard Measures
37- 43 ECONOMICS
37
New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector Current Socio
- Economic Problems
44 - 51 SCIENCE 44
Latest Inventions in Science & Technology
Latest Discoveries on Health Science

Mass Media & Communication

52
52 NATIONAL – DIARY OF
EVENTS
79
79 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
87
87 TAMIL NADU AFFAIRS
91
91 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Important Days
History
1.1 Important Days
Date Day Theme
Women’s Equality Day
26-8-2019
29-8-2019
National Sports Day This day marks the birth anniversary of India’s hockey
legend Major Dhyan Chand
International Day It is first observed on December 2, 2009 at the 64th session of the
29-8-2019 against Nuclear Tests United Nations General Assembly.The way for the adoption of
the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996.
International Day of The United Nation (UN) jointly with the Amnesty
30-8-2019 the Victims of Enforced International observes the International Day of the Victims
Disappearances
observed on 30 August
of Enforced Disappearance every year on August 30.
2019
02-09-2019 World Coconut Day The theme was “Coconut for Family Wellness”.
September National Nutrition It is used to make the people get every knowledge about
(1 to 7) Week nutrition and it’s importance for the human body.
05-09-2019 National Teachers Day India celebrates Teachers’ Day every year in honour of
former president Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth
anniversary.
05-09-2019 International Day of To commemorate the death anniversary of Mother Teresa and
Charity also to also create awareness about the Importance of Charity.
09-09-2019 Himalaya day It was celebrated in the Biotech Auditorium of the Department
of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Roorkee.
10-09-2019 World Suicide In order to raise an awareness and prevent from committing
Prevention Day suicide, International Association for Suicide Prevention
(IASP) host in collaboration with global partners World
Health Organisation (WHO) and World Federation for
Mental Health (WFMH) every year
14-09-2019 Hindi Diwas Day Hindi is the forth most spoken language in world.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Important Days Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
15-09-2019 International Day of Theme of International Day of Democracy 2019:

Democracy Participation.
16-09-2019 International Day for The theme for the year 2019 is “32 Years and Healing”
the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer
17-09-2019 First World Patient The theme for the year 2019 is ‘Patient Safety: a global health
Safety Day priority’ and its slogan is ‘Speak up for patient safety’.
18-09-2019 10th edition of World 10th World Bamboo Day (WBD) was observed on September
Bamboo Day 18, 2019 to increase the awareness of bamboo globally by the
World Bamboo Organization (WBO). Bamboo is known as
poor man’s timber and green gold.
21-09-2019 International Day of The theme of this Day for 2019 is ‘Climate Action for
Peace or World Peace Peace’.
Day
21-09-2019 World Alzheimer’s Day The theme for the year is “Raising awareness and challenging
the stigma around the disease”.
The month of September is observed as World Alzheimer’s
Month (WAM). It is observed by the Alzheimer’s Disease
International (ADI) run by the Alzheimer University.
21-09-2019 International Coastal It encourages people along with ocean conservation groups,
Cleanup Day and environmental organizations to clean up the garbage/
trash on the beach. Coastal states across the country took
part in massive beach cleaning drive with many volunteer
participations.
22-09-2019 World Rhino Day It is an international ecological observance to raise awareness
on the protection of 5 existing species of rhinoceros- white
rhino, black rhino, Indian rhino, Javan rhino and Sumatran
rhino.
It was first observed in 2010 by WWF (World Wide Fund for
Nature), South Africa.
22-09-2019 World rose day & The purpose of celebrating this day is to make cancer patients become
Cancer free day strong enough to face the disease with spirit and will power.
23-09-2019 International Day of The theme of this day for 2019 is “Sign Language Rights
Sign Languages (IDSL) for All”.
23-09-2019 1st Edition of Ayushman It was on this day a year ago Ayushman Bharat Yojana or
Bharat Diwas Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) was launched by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ranchi, Jharkhand.
President inaugurates Theme of “Water cooperation: Coping with 21st Century
6th India Water Week Challenges”.
2019 in New Delhi

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Defence, National Security and Terrorism
1.2 Defence, National Security and Terrorism

2019 Indo Pacific Chiefs of Defence Facility for defence communication
Conference to be held in Thailand system
 The 2019 Indo Pacific Chiefs of Defence  A state-of-the-art 20,000 sq ft facility of
(CHOD) Conference will be held in an Indo-Israel joint venture to design,
Thailand’s capital city Bangkok. In this develop and manufacture tactical
conference, India will be represented communication systems for the armed
by Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee forces was inaugurated.
(COSC) and Chief of the Air Staff-Air  Astra Rafael Communication System
Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa. (ARC) has positioned itself to become
Key Words: 2019 CHOD Conference India’s first private sector firm to
 Theme for conference: “Collaboration manufacture cutting-edge software
in a free and Open Indo – Pacific”. defined radios in multiple variants.
 It will see participation of Chiefs of
Defence of more than 33 countries. Kandla, Adani ports put on security
alert
 The country’s two largest ports, Kandla
India to join developed nations in
and Adani in Gujarat, were put on high
ocean studies
alert, along with the centre Gulf of Kutch,
 India’s ambition to send men to the deep
after intelligence agencies shared inputs
sea in a submersible vehicle is likely to be a
of a possible entry by Pakistan-trained
reality in 2021-22 with the ‘Samudrayaan’
commandos through the Harami Naala
project.
creek to carry out underwater attacks.
 The project proposes to send a submersible
vehicle with three persons to a depth
of about 6000 metres to carry out deep India’s first female military diplomat
underwater studies. to join Indian Mission in Russia
 The ` 200 crore project proposes to carry  Wing Commander Anjali Singh became
three persons in a submersible vehicle India’s first female military diplomat
to a depth of 6000 metres under sea for posted in an Indian mission abroad after
various studies. Submarines go only joining the Indian Embassy in Russia
about 200 metres. as Deputy Air Attache (air force officer
involved in diplomatic operations). She
previously served the Indian Air Force
(IAF) for 17 years as an Aeronautical
Engineer (AE) and is also trained on
MiG-29 aircraft.
Defence, National Security and Terrorism Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
Joint Naval Annual Quality Mount Leo Pargyil

Conclave (JNAQC) to be held in  It is 3rd highest peak of Himachal. It lies
Visakhapatnam in Zanskar range in Kinnaur District.
 The Joint Naval Annual Quality  It is considered to be among most
Conclave (JNAQC) under the theme challenging and technically difficult peak
‘Transformation of QA Paradigm: to scale.
Opportunities and Challenges’ will be  An Indian Army team successfully
hosted by the Naval Quality Assurance summited Mount Leo Pargyil at 6773
Establishments, Ministry of Defence m recently. The expedition team hoisted
in Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Atul National Flag atop Mt Leo Pargyil after
Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding- an extremely challenging climb in harsh
in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command will weather.
be the Chief Guest for the annual event. Russia Opens Porthole to Chennai
 It is envisaged that the Conclave
 India and Russia agreed to open a
will provide a vibrant environment mari-time route between Chennai and
for stimulating discussions on all Vladivostok to ensure connectivity
aspects pertaining to Transformation between the two countries.
of QA Paradigm and will benefit all  A Memorandum of Intent was signed
stakeholders. between the Indian Ministry of Shipping
and Russia’s Ministry of Transport for the
development of maritime communications
9th SLINEX 2019 Indo-Lanka
between the ports of Chennai and
maritime fleet exercise commenced Vladivostok.
 On September 7, 2019 the 9th edition of
weeklong joint maritime naval exercise
Boeing Delivers 11th C-17 Globemaster
between India and Srilanka (SL) named
SLINEX for the year 2019 has commenced  Boeing has delivered the 11th C-17
in the port of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Globemaster III to the Indian Air Force
Pradesh. India’s adding capability to meet current
and future strategic airlift requirements.
 The first SLINEX was held in the year
 Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III is a premier
2005 and the the previous/8th edition
transporter for military, humanitarian
took place in Trincomalee, Srilanka.
and peacekeeping missions.
Maitree 2019: Indo-Thailand Joint Military Exercise to be held in Meghalaya

 The 2019 edition of Maitree, the joint military exercise between India and Thailand will
be conducted from 16-29 September at Foreign Training Node, Umroi, in Meghalaya.

28th Indo-Thai CORPAT Being DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests
conducted at Bangkok, Thailand Indigenously Developed low Weight,
 The 28th edition of India-Thailand Fire & Forget Man Portable Antitank
Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) Guided Missile
between India’s Indian Navy (IN) and  In a major boost for Indian Army,
Thailand’s Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for the Defence Research and Development
year 2019 is being conducted in Bangkok, Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight
Thailand from September 05-15, 2019. tested indigenously developed low
 Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari and His weight, fire and forget Man Portable
Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Kraburi Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in
are participating in the CORPAT along the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
with both navies’s Maritime Patrol  This is the third series of successful
Aircrafts (MPA). testing of MPATGM. The missile
DRDO gives second indigenously is incorporated with state-of-the-art
developed AEWC aircraft ‘Netra’ to Infrared Imaging Seeker along with
Air Force advanced avionics. The test paves the
way for the Army to have developed
 The Defense Research and Development
3rd generation man portable Anti-Tank
Organization (DRDO) has handed over
Guided Missile indigenously.
the 2nd indigenously developed AWAC
(Airborne Early Warning and Control) Yudh Abhyas 2019 to be held in US
aircraft, ‘Netra’ to the Indian Air Force
 The joint military training exercise
(IAF).
between India and United States (US)
 The maximum firepower of this missile named Yudh Abhyas – 2019 will be held
is about 2.5 km. It can be used for at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington,
surveillance, tracking, identification US
and classification of airborne and sea  This will be overall 15th edition of the joint
surface targets and is useful in detecting exercise hosted alternately between the
upcoming ballistic missile threats. two countries.
India ranks 9th among the top 10 individual nations in gold reserves
 The World Gold Council (WGC) released the 2019 list of gold reserves in each country.
The list was topped by United States (US) with gold reserves of 8,133.5 tonnes followed
by Germany (3,366.8 tonnes) at second place.
 India entered the top 10 list this year ranking at 10th spot surpassing Netherlands (612.5
tonnes) whereas it is ranked at 9th position in terms of individual countries with 618.2
tonnes, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks third (2,451.8 tonnes) in the gold
reserve list.
 India’s neighbouring country Pakistan, stood at 45th position (64.6 tonnes) in 2019 list.

Defence, National Security and Terrorism Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
BHEL commissions 1,320 MW Naval variant of LCA Tejas

thermal plant in Jharsuguda, Odisha  The naval variant of the Light Combat
 BHEL commissions 1,320 MW thermal Aircraft (LCA) Tejas made a successful
plant in Jharsuguda, Odisha Govt. short arrested landing on the Shore Based
of India owned state run engineering Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa.
firm Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited  The LCA made its maiden successful
(BHEL) announced commissioning of trap on the SBTF with the tail hook of the
1320 MegaWatt(MW) power project aircraft connecting with the arrestor wire
in Ib Thermal Power Station(ITPS) on the deck and coming to halt within a
in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district. This short distance.
generated power will be supplied to Grid  The SBTF, which replicates the flight
Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO). deck of an aircraft carrier was specifically
built to train naval pilots in the complex
Maitree: Indo-Thailand Joint Military manoeuvres of landing on the short flight
deck of an aircraft carrier before they
Exercise
move on to the actual carrier.
 Exercise MAITREE is a joint military
 The Navy currently operates Russian
exercise which is being conducted
MiG-29K fighters from INS Vikramaditya.
between armies of India and Thailand
They will also fly from the first Indigenous
since 2006. This annual training event is
Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Vikrant once it
held alternatively in Thailand and India.
enters service.
 Aim of Military Exericse is to share
experience gained during various
counter-terrorism operations. White Water Rafting Expedition
‘Rudrashila’ Flagged off at Jaisalmer
 The White water Rafting Expedition
The Indian Army and Indian Air Force christened ‘RUDRASHILA’ being
(IAF) undertaken by Kalidhar Battalion under
 The Indian Army and Indian Air Force the aegis of Battle Axe Division was
(IAF) will jointly engage to conduct a large Flagged Off at Jaisalmer Military station.
war exercise code-named ‘HimVijay’ in  The expedition christened ‘Rudrashila’
along the china border near Arunachal has been organised to commemorate
Pradesh. This would be the 1st and biggest the 75th Raising day of the Kalidhar
ever war game done by the strike corps in Battalion.
the eastern region. For the first time, 17  ‘Rudrashila’ takes its name from the
Mountain Corps will be involved, over famed Rudraprayag tributary of the
2500 soldiers will participate in it. Ganges River in the Mountains of
Uttarakhand.

SCO exercise “Tsentr (centre) 2019” DRDO hands over New-Generation
commenced in DONGUZ Ranges, War gaming Software to Navy
Russia  The Defence Research Development
 The opening ceremony of exercise Organisation (DRDO) handed over a
“TSENTR 2019” which forms part of the New-Generation War gaming Software
developed by New Delhi-based Institute
Russian Armed Forces’ annual training
for Systems Studies and Analysis (ISSA)
cycle, under the Shanghai Cooperation
to the Indian Navy. ISSA is a premier
Organisation (SCO), was conducted at
DRDO laboratory.
the DONGUZ ranges near Orenburg,
Russia. 1st India, Singapore, Thailand
 8 SCO member countries inclusive of Trilateral Naval Exercise begins
Russia namely China, Kazakhstan,  The maiden Trilateral Naval exercise
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, involving Indian Navy (IN), Republic
India, and Pakistan are participating in of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal
the exercise. The exercise which mainly Thailand Navy (RTN) commenced at Port
focuses on countering international Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
terrorism, comprises of two modules The five-day exercise will be held from 16
where the first module focuses on to 20 September 2019.
counter-terror operations, defensive
EXTRA Veteran American
measures and the second module focuses S
NEW journalist & Pulitzer
on offensive operations.
Prize winner Robert S
Indo-US First Tri-Services Exercise Boyd passes away
code “Exercise Tiger Triumph” for  Noted American
the year 2019 at Visakhapatnam and Journalist, Pulitzer Prize winner Robert
Kakinada in November Skinner Boyd has passed away in
 In November 2019, India and the Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US (United
United States (US) are set to host States) due to congestive heart failure.
the first ever tri-services exercise Rahul Aware wins Bronze in 61kg
codenamed “ExerciseTiger Triumph” at Free-Style Category at World C’ship
Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, both of
 Indian wrestler Rahul Aware has won
state Andhra Pradesh. The plan for this
a bronze medal in men’s 61-kilogram
exercise was discussed during the Final
freestyle category at the World
Planning Conference (FPC) for India-
Championship in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
US Tri-Services Humanitarian Aid and
He beat 17th seeded American Tyler Lee
Disaster Relief (HADR) which was held
Graff 11-4 to ensure he finished on the
in the Eastern Naval Command.
podium. It was India’s fifth medal at this
edition of the World Championships with
a total haul of 1 silver and 4 bronzes.
World Organisations – Pacts and Summits Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
1.3 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits

Russia set to offer submarines during India Ranks 9th on Happiness Index
Modi-Putin summit  According to “Global Happiness Survey”
 Russia is likely to offer India its from market research firm IPSOS, Indian
conventional submarines on the has been ranked 9th on the happiness
government -to-government route under index among 28 global markets.
the Navy’s Project-75I at the summit  Australia and Canada at the top spot (at
between Prime Minister Narendra 86 per cent) have emerged as the happiest
modi and President Vladimir Putin at nations of the world.
Vladivostok.
 Russian conventional submarines will
Delhi Ranks 118th and Mumbai at
be offered through the government - 119th spot in EIU’s Global Liveability
to-government route to India at the Index 2019
summit. This will save a lot of time in the  The “Global Liveability Index” prepared
procurement process. by the Economist Intelligence Unit
 The deal to manufacture at least 200 Ka- (EIU) has ranked Delhi in the 118th spot
226T Utility helicopters for the Indian which is a drop by 6 places from 112th
Army and Air Force is likely to get a spot(biggest decline registered in Asia)
boost. in its previous report due to an increase
in crime, poor air quality, and worsening
Gujarat Govt, Delaware State of climate conditions.
America sign MoU for Sister State  Mumbai also dropped by two places to
 Gujarat Government and Delaware State rank at 119th spot this year.
of America signed MoU – Memorandum  The list was topped by Vienna, the capital
of Understanding for sister state. MoU of Austria for the second consecutive
was signed in Gandhinagar, when a time whereas Damascus, the capital of
delegation of Delaware State of America Syria was ranked last becoming the least
called on Gujarat Chief Minister liveable city at 140th position. Russia’s St.
Delaware’s Vijay Rupani. MoU was Petersburg topped the list among BRICS
signed by Gujarat Chief Minister and nations at 71st spot.
Delaware’s Secretary of state.
President inaugurated the World first Youth Conference

 The President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the World first Youth Summit in New Delhi
on 7 September 2019. It was organized by the Youth Awakening Mission, a youth wing of
Paavan Chintan Dhara Charitable Trust, Ghaziabad.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Places in News
India Ranked 34th on World Travel,
Tourism Competitiveness Index
1.4 Places in News
 India has moved up six places to Vaishno Devi Shrine tops list of
rank 34th on world travel and tourism ‘Swachh Iconic Places’
competitiveness index, driven by rich  The Shrine has been adjudged on the basis
natural and cultural resources and strong of the overall improvement in sanitation.
price competitiveness announced by a Several initiatives were taken in the last
WEF report. few years to ensure the cleanliness of the
 India’s ranking improved from 40th to entire Shrine area.
34th, the greatest improvement over 2017  Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu
among the top 25 per cent of all countries and Kashmir has been adjudged as the
ranked in the report. Best Swachh Iconic place in the country
Key Words: in the ‘Swachh Iconic Places’ list released
About travel & tourism Competitiveness by the Ministry of Jal Shakti proclaimed
Index by the Department of Drinking Water
The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness and Sanitation
Index (TTCI), that covered 140 economies, Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium to be
measures the set of factors and policies that
Renamed as Arun Jaitley Stadium
enable sustainable development of travel
 The Delhi and District Cricket
and tourism sector which contributes to
Association (DDCA) decided to rename
the development and competitiveness of a
Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as Arun
country.
Jaitley Stadium in the memory of its
former president of DDCA. Jaitley was
the president of DDCA from 1999 to
2013.
A
EXTR
Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development
launched Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal)
designed by University Grants Commission (UGC)
 UGC constituted Expert Committee prepared a Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan
Kaushal) for Under Graduate Program.
 Life Skills like communication skill, interpersonal skill, time management, problem
solving ability, decision making capacity, leadership ability and integrity play a crucial
role in boosting the employability of the students.
 Life skills (Jeevan Kaushal) curriculum cover the set of human talents acquired by an
individual via classroom learning or life experience that can help them to deal with
problems encountered in day to day life.

Eminent Persons Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
Shalija Dhami of IAF Becomes First

1.5 Eminent Persons Female Flight Commander
 Wing Commander
Mother Teresa’s 109th birth anniversary Shalija Dhami of the
 Mother Teresa’s 109th birth anniversary Indian Air Force (IAF),
was commemorated across the world became the first ever
on August 26, 2019. Mother Teresa was female officer to be
born on August 26, 1910. Mother Teresa appointed as flight
came to India in 1929 and worked for the commander (second in
welfare of the poorest of the poor as well command) of a flying
as the homeless. unit. She took over as flight commander
of a Chetak helicopter unit at Hindon
airbase, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
1st Serving General to Complete
France’s Oldest Marathon Cycling
Event Sahitya Akademi Award-winning
 Lieutenant General Anil Puri (56) has
writer dies at 77
become the first serving Lieutenant  Sahitya Akademi
General-rank officer of the Indian Army Award-winning
to complete 1200 km of France’s oldest writer Kiran Nagarkar
and toughest cycle competition. has died at the age
 He achieved this feat by cycling non-stop of 77. He suffered a
for 90 hours without sleeping on the 19th brain haemorrhage
Paris Brest-Paris circuit (PBP) 2019 held on September 2 and
from 18-22 August 2019. breathed his last on September 5.
 Nagarkar wrote his first book ‘Saat
Sakkam Trechalis’ in 1974.
India’s First Woman DGP Kanchan
Chaudhary Bhattacharya Passes
away Eminent Person passed away Ram
 India’s first woman Director General Jethmalani
of Police (DGP), Kanchan Chaudhary  Ram Jethmalani,
Bhattacharya passed away. She was a twice Law Minister,
1973 batch officer, made history in 2004 criminal lawyer, jurist,
when she was appointed as the DGP of teacher, litigant and
Uttarakhand. parliamentarian who
 She was also the second woman IPS relished the epithet
officer in the country. “unchanged and
unrepentant maverick”, passed away at 95.
10 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Eminent Persons
Chinese firm Alibaba Group’s Renowned Writer of Kerala Sivaraman
chairman Jack Ma steps down Cheriyanad Passed away at the age
 Jack Ma, Founder & Chairman of Chinese of 78 years
firm Alibaba Groups has stepped down  The famous Writer and author Sivaraman
from his post at his 55th birthday and will Cheriyanad passed away at the age of 78.
remain on board till 2020. Jack will be Born in Chengannur, Kerala, in December
replaced by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 13, 1941, Sivaraman initially worked
Daniel Zhang as its new chairman. as a school teacher and then started to
Key Words write many novels, stories, especially
 Jack Ma, a former English teacher who children’s literature.
founded the firm in 1999 which is now  He was honoured with Abu Dhabi
worth $ 460 billion, was named as Sakthi Award in 1988, A.P. Kalakkad
China’s richest person in 2018 by Forbes Award (2009), Kerala Sahitya Akademi
magazine. scholarship in 1990-91 for study on the
writings of writer Parappuram and also
received National Teachers Award in
Former Tunisia President Zine El- 1989.
abidine Ben Passed Away At The Age
Of 83 Former Dutch Football International
 Former president of Tunisia Fernando Ricksen Passes Away
Zine el-Abidine Ben has  Former Rangers football
died in exile at the age of 83 player Fernando Ricksen
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He of Netherlands has passed
was ousted from power in away in St Andrew’s
2011 at the start of the Arab Hospice in Airdrie, North
spring movement in which Lanarkshire, Scotland after
many leaders were swept from power. a 6-year battle with motor neurone
disease.
B R Vats, former PTI Correspondent Who Veteran Actor and Multi-
Covered 1st LS Polls Passed Away Faceted Artiste S.K.
 Bhagat Ram Vats (BR Vats), who was a former Padmadevi Passed Away
senior correspondent of Press Trust of India  Veteran actor and multi-
(PTI) passed away at the age of 97 due to head faceted artiste S.K. Padmadevi,
injury in New Delhi. aged 95, who was part of the
 He was well known for covering the 1st Lok Sabha first Kannada talkie film
polls and had also travelled with the then Prime ‘Bhakta Dhruva’ (1934)
Minister (PM) Jawaharlal Nehru (1st PM) for 14 passed away in Bengaluru,
years covering his political activities, especially Karnataka from age-related
the election tours in 1952, 1957 and 1962. illness.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 11

Sports and Games Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
1.6 Sports and Games Elavenil Valarivan Wins Gold Medal at

the ISSF World Cup
Indian Team Wins Four Medals at  Young Elavenil
WorldSkills Event Valarivan won her
 A jubilant Indian team created history
maiden gold medal in the
at the 45th WorldSkills competition women’s 10m Air Rifle
held, winning one gold, one silver and event even as fancied
two bronze medals in the country’s best teammates Anjum
performance since it first participated at Moudgil and Apurvi
the event in 2007. Chandela finished out of
 In 2017, the Indian team had won one
medal bracket at the ISSF
silver, one bronze and nine medallions of World Cup Rifle/Pistol Stage.
 India has now won three out of the four
excellence.
 The winners were announced at a
World Cup gold medals in the women’s
glittering ceremony at the 45th WorldSkills 10m Air in 2019.
competition in the capital of Tatarstan.
 S. Aswatha Narayana, 25, won the gold Jalaj Saxena has Become the 1st
medal in water technology. Pranav Indian Cricketer to Sets Rare Record
Nutalapati, 17, won silver medal in web in Indian First-Class Cricket History
technologies. Sanjoy Pramanik, 21, from  Jalaj Saxena (32), an Indian
West Bengal and Shweta Ratanpura, cricketer who plays as an
22 from Maharastra both won bronze all-rounder for Kerala has
medals in Jewellery and graphic design set a big record in first-class
technology respectively. cricket.
Anjali Qualifies for Worlds Again
 The 59th National inter-State athletics India’s Highest Sky Cycling Track
championships Anjali winning the built in Manali
400m and qualifying for the World  The highest sky cycling track of the
Championships for the second time, and country has been built at an altitude of
it was as impressive and surprising as 9,000 feet at Gulaba, a tourist destination
the last time she made the cut 11 months at Manali. The track was successfully
ago. tested on August 29, 2019.
 The length of this track is 350 meters. It
Andreescu overpowers Serena
will be duly opened to the general public
 Teenager Bianca Andreescu became
in the first week of October.
Canada’s first Grand Slam singles
 This track has made by Atal Bihari
champion with a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5
Vajpayee Mountaineering Sports
win over 23-time Major champion Serena
Institute under the supervision of Colonel
Williams in the US Open final.
Neeraj Rana.
Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Sports and Games
Abhishek Verma Wins Gold in 10m Air Jasprit Bumrah Becomes 3rd Indian to
Pistol in Rio World Cup Register a Hat Trick in Test cricket
 Abhishek Verma won the Gold Medal  Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has
and Saurabh Chaudhary the bronze, become the third Indian to register a hat-
in the men’s 10m air pistol event of the trick in Test cricket. He took 3 wickets in
World Cup in Rio. 3 successive balls in the 2nd test against
 Verma shot 244.2 in the eight – man
West Indies, held in Kingston, Jamaica.
finals, while Chaudhary’s 221.9 was good
 This was the third test hat-trick by an
enough to get him the bronze.
Indian bowler after Harbhajan Singh and
New book titled “India in the Persianate Irfan Pathan.
Age: 1000-1765” by professor and
India Top Medals Tally at ISSF Rifle /
author Richard M Eaton released
Pistol World Cup
 A new book named “India in the
 India topped medals tally with 5 gold, 2
Persianate Age: 1000-1765” by United
States (US) based professor and author, silver and 2 bronze medals at the ISSF
Richard M Eaton was released. This World Cup ISSF World Cup in Rio de
book mainly focuses on the rise of Persian Janeiro.
culture and also about the civilisations,  Gold winners included Manu Bhaker &
architecture, upheavals, and the art of Saurabh Chaudhary in mixed 10m air
the Indian subcontinent between 11th and pistol and Apurvi Chandela & Deepak
18th centuries. The book is published by Kumar in mixed 10m air rifle
Penguin India.
An official mascot for Beijing Winter
Shooter Yashaswini Singh Deswal Olympics and Paralympics 2022
won gold at ISSF World Cup revealed
 Shooter Yashaswini Singh Deswal won  The smiling panda, named Bing Dwen
gold at ISSF World Cup 2019 at Rio de Dwen was revealed as the official mascot
Janeiro, Brazil. She became the world for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 at a
champion in the women’s 10m Air Pistol
ceremony held at Beijing, China.
event.
 A walking Chinese lantern Shuey Rhon
 Yashaswini Singh Deswal defeated
Olena Kostevyc, 2004 Athens Olympic Rhon was declared as the official mascot
champion. for Winter Paralympics 2022.
Logo for 2022 FIFA World Cup Launched by Qatar

 The host city for 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar unveiled the logo for the same displaying
it in public spaces in Doha and cities around the world. 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is
the 22nd Edition, will be hosted by the Gulf Emirate.
 FIFA and the Qatar organising committee launched the logo/emblem in Doha, capital
of Qatar.

Meghalaya’s Hopewel Elias Higher Brazilian tennis player Diego Matos

Secondary School clinched the title banned life time for match-fixing
of 60th edition of U-17 Junior Boys  The 31-year old Brazilian
Subroto Cup International Football tennis player Diego
Tournament-2019 Matos has been banned
 Meghalaya’s Hopewel Elias Higher for life time because of
Secondary School clinched the title of 60th match fixing and was
edition of Under-17 Junior Boys Subroto fined $ 125,000. Matos was
Cup International Football Tournament ordered to repay $ 12,000, received in the
2019 by beating Bangladesh Krida tournament of Ecuador.
Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) by a score
line of 1-0 at the tournament held in Dr. 8th edition of Ladakh Marathon,
Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. world’s highest marathon, for 2019
 It was Asia’s largest youth football held in Leh, Ladakh
tournament.  The 8th edition of Ladakh Marathon for
2019 was held from September 6-8, 2019
American woman Sarah Thomas
in Leh, Ladakh. It is the highest marathon
became the first person to swim in the world as it is held at over 11,000
English Channel 4 times non-stop feet above the mean sea level. There
 An American woman Sarah Thomas, were more than 5500 participants from 26
aged 37, became the first person to swim countries.
English Channel 4 times non-stop.  World highest Marathon Khardongla
She successfully completed the 84-mile Challenge (72Km) was held on September
challenge in 54 hours and 13 minutes. 06, 2019.
 Earlier, 4 swimmers had successfully
swum across the English Channel 3 times
without stopping.
Charles Leclerc wins second successive F1 win through

Italian Grand Prix 2019
 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) has won the 2019 Italian
Grand Prix Formula 1 (F1) race at Monza, Italy. This marks
Ferrari’s first Italian Grand Prix win in 9 years (last win 2010)
and also Charles’s second successive win in the F1 race after
winning the maiden 2019 Belgian Grand Prix.
 Charles was followed by Mercedes’s Valtteri (Finland) and
Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton (Britain) in the second and third
place respectively.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Sports and Games
Overview of US Open
 US Open 2019, annual hard-court tennis competition, is held
from August 26- September 8, 2019 at USTA Billie Jean King
National Tennis Centre New York, United States (US) on
hard courts. It is the 139th edition of the tournament which was
run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and was a
part of the 2019 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)
Tour and the 2019 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour calendars under the Grand
Slam category.
List of Winners
Category Winner Runner
Men’s Singles Rafael Nadal (Spain) Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
Women’s Singles Bianca Andreescu (Canada) Serena Williams (USA)
Men’s Doubles Juan Sebastian Cabal & Robert Marcel Granollers (Spain)
Farah (Colombia)
& Horacio Zeballos (Argentina)
Women’s Elise Mertens (Belgium) & Ashleigh Barty (Australia) & Victoria
Doubles Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) Azarenka (Belarus)
Mixed Doubles Jamie Murray (Great Britain) & Michael Venus (New Zealand) &
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) Chan Hao-ching (Chinese Taipei)
India Red wins 2019 Duleep Mayank Vaid Becomes First Indian to
Trophy at Chinnaswamy complete Enduroman triathlon
stadium, Bengaluru  Mayank Vaid becomes the
 India Red defeated India first Indian to complete the
green by an innings and 38 Enduroman. It is a triathlon
runs to win the 2019 Duleep from England to France
trophy held at Chinnaswamy which is considered to be one
stadium, Bengaluru. Akshay of the toughest endurance
Wakhare (India red) of competitions in the world.
Vidarbha, Maharashtra took  He is the 44th person in the
a 5 wicket haul leading to world to have completed this
the team’s victory while triathlon. He is also the first
Abhimanyu Easwaran (India Asian person to complete this triathlon in solo
red) was awarded player of capacity.
the match title.

Vinesh Phogat wins Bronze- maiden Lionel Messi Won the Best FIFA Mens
Wrestling World Championships Player Award for the First Time
2019 medal in Kazakhstan  Barcelona striker Lionel
 Indian wrestler Vinesh Messi won the FIFA 2019
Phogat, defeated Men’s Player of the Year
Greece’s two-time 2019 award for the first time
world bronze medalist at a ceremony in Milan,
Maria Prevolaraki and Italy.
won a bronze medal  Messie edged out Virgil V an
in the women’s 53 kg Dijk, who won the UEFA player’s award
category at the “2019 in August 2019.
World Wrestling  He also won the European Golden Shoe
Championships” held in Nur-Sultan, after scoring 36 goals, the La Liga title
Kazakhstan. with Barcelona and helped Argentina to
 Earlier she won both matches of the bronze at 2019 Copa America.
repechage round in the 53kg category The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award:
and became the first Indian wrestler to
qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Best FIFA Men’s Player was initiated
She is only the 4th Indian female wrestler in the year 2016. The award recognizes the
to win a medal at the tournament. excellence in the association football team
and individual achievements.
Ekaterinburg AIBA 2019 World Boxing
 The first awardee, in 2016, of the award is
Championships held in Ekaterinburg Cristiano Ronaldo.
Expo, Yekaterinburg, Russia  In the year 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo won
 A Biennial event, Ekaterinburg AIBA the award In the year 2018, Luka Modrić
(Association Internationale de Boxe won the award.
Amateur or International Boxing
Association) 2019 World Boxing Amit Panghal settles with historic
Championships was held in Ekaterinburg silver in World Championships
Expo, Yekaterinburg, Russia.  Amit Panghal settled for the silver medal
 Indian boxers clinched 2 medals and it at World Boxing Championships after he
was for the first time that India had won lost to Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov
2 medals in the championships. 3-2 in the 52kg category final.
 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships  He became the first Indian male pugilist
will be held for the first time in New to win a silver in World Championships
Delhi, India. at Ekaterinburg in Russia.
Pankaj Advani wins IBSF World Billiards Championship

 Pankaj Advani defeated Nay Thway Oo to win the 150-up format at the IBSF World
Billiards Championship held in Mandalay, Myanmar.
 This was his 4th straight victory in the final of the 150-up format at the IBSF World Billiards
Championship. With this win, he has increased his tally of world titles to 22.
Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Books & Authors
1.7 Books & Authors A Short History of Indian Railways

 A new book called
New Book Gives “A Short History of
Account of Obama’s Indian Railways”,
Years in Office written by veteran
 A new book on Barack journalist and author
Obama will give an in- Rajendra B Aklekar
depth account of the on the history of Indian
former U.S. President’s Railways details the
years in office, while journey of the national
examining his legacy. transporter starting from the 1830s (almost
 Obama: The Call of History is written by 15 years before the official train run of
Peter Baker of The New York Times. 1853) to the new high-speed Train 18 and
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s
Book on Siddaganga Math Released ambitious bullet train project has been
 Seer and president of Sidda-ganga Math introduced in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Shri Siddalinga Swami released the first
copy of the book Sri Siddaganga Math: India’s Lost Frontier the Story of
Upholding Basaveshwara’s Ideals at the the North-West Frontier Province of
‘gadduge’ of late Shivakumara Swami Pakistan
on the Math premises in Tumakuru.  A book named
“India’s Lost
Roopa Pai’s “From Leeches to Slug Frontier the Story
Glue: 25 Explosive Ideas that Made of the North-West
(and Are Making) Modern Medicine” Frontier Province
to be released of Pakistan” written by veteran civil
 A new book “From Leeches to Slug servant Raghvendra Singh, who was
Glue: 25 Explosive Ideas that Made the then Director General (DG) of the
(and Are Making) Modern Medicine” National Archives of India (NAI) has
that traces the origins of experiments been released.
and discoveries in science and medicine
 It is published by Rupa Publications,
evolution spanning over 2,500 years and
several geographies is to be released on New Delhi.
September 28, 2019. The book is authored
by Roopa Pai and will be published by Glorious Diaspora- Pride of India
publisher Puffin Books.  The Vice President of India, Shri M.
Key points : Venkaiah Naidu has released a coffee
 The book which has 25 chapters explores table book entitled ‘Glorious Diaspora-
areas like vaccination, anaesthesia, X- Pride of India’ on Pravasi Bharatiya
rays and the germ theory etc. Samman awardees in New Delhi.

Books & Authors Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
‘Loktantra Ke Swar (Khand 2)’ & ‘The “Savarkar: Echoes from a forgotten
Republican Ethic (Volume 2)’ past, 1883-1924” by Vikram Sampath
 The Vice President of India, Shri M. released
Venkaiah Naidu planned to release 2nd  Renowned Bengaluru-
editions of ‘Loktantra Ke Swar (Khand based historian
2)’ and ‘The Republican Ethic (Volume and author Vikram
2)’ at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Sampath’s recent book
Delhi. It will be released with the aim to ”Savarkar: Echoes from
promote and diffuse selected speeches of a forgotten past, 1883-
President Ram Nath Kovind, President of 1924″ describing the life
India. of freedom fighter and
Philosopher Vinayak
Phool Proof: Indian Flowers, Their Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as
Myths, Traditions and Usage Veer Savarkar, was released by Penguin
 A new book, “Phoolproof: Indian publishers.
Flowers, Their Myths, Traditions and A Book On Gandhi Titled “Being
Usage” written by Jhelum Biswas Bose Gandhi” By Paro Anand
is set to be released on September 8, 2019.  A new book titled “Being Gandhi”
It is published by Penguin India. The written by award-winning author Paro
book’s foreword is written by actor Lisa Anand released on September 21, 2019.
Ray.  It marks the 150th anniversary of Mahatma
 The book explains the subtle power and Gandhi. The book, published by Harper
meaning of different Indian flowers. Collins Children’s Books, explores the
life events of Gandhiji.
‘Rethinking Good Governance’ by former CAG, Shri Vinod Rai
 President of india Ram Nath Govind launched ‘Rethinking Good
Governance’, authored by the former Comptroller Auditor General
(CAG), Shri Vinod Rai.
Key Words
 Vinod Rai is a former Indian IAS officer who served as the 11th
Comptroller and Auditor General of India. He is the current chairman
of UN Panel of External Auditors and Honorary Advisor to the
Railways and a member of the Railway Kaya Kalp Council. He is
widely considered as symbol of the anti-corruption movement and is
credited with having turned the office of CAG into a powerful force
for accountability and transparency in contemporary India.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Books & Authors
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Released ‘Himalayan Odyssey’ Book By Mp
Veerendra Kumar In New Delhi
 Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu
released the book in New Delhi named
‘Himalayan Odyssey’ written by Member of
Parliament (MP) Veerendra Kumar.
 The book is an English translation of the
Kendra Sahitya Akademi and Kerala Sahitya
Akademi award winning Malayalam original
‘Haimavathabhuvil’ by Veerendra Kumar, who is also the Chief Managing Director(CMD)
of Mathrubhumi.
‘Girl Power: Indian Women Who Broke First They Erased Our Name:
The Rules’ by Neha J Hiranandani A Rohingya Speaks
on 50 Indian women role models  A new book entitled
released “First They Erased Our
 A new book named ‘Girl Power: Indian Name: A Rohingya
Women Who Broke The Rules‘ written Speaks” penned by
by author Neha J Hiranandani was journalist Sophie Ansel
released on September 23, 2019. The (France) will be formally
book is about the stories/achievements of released by Penguin
50 Indian women role models. The book Random House (India).
is published by Scholastic India.
1.8 India and its Neighbours

India Builds School in Eastern Jhapa
Nepal, India Launch Kathmandu-
District of Nepal
Siliguri Bus Service
 The Government of India handed over
 A bus service was launched between
a newly built school infrastructure in
Kathmandu and Siliguri, the 10th bus
Eastern Jhapa District, the home district
service between Nepal and India.
of Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma
 Minister for Transport Management
Oli.
Raghubir Mahaseth and Indian
 Indian Ambassador to Nepal- Manjeev
Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh
Singh Puri and Attorney General of
Puri jointly flagged off the bus service.
Nepal- Agni Prasad Kharel jointly
 This is the 10th bus service between Nepal
inaugurated the School Building of
and India. The Kathmandu-Gorakhpur
Shree Schoolchaun Higher Secondary
direct bus service will also start in the
School at Gauradaha.
near future.

Awards & Honours Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
1.9 Awards & Honours Tenzing Norgay National Adventure

Award 2018 Announced
PM Received Highest Civilian Award
in Bahrain
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
awarded the King Hamad Order of the
Renaissance by Bahraini King Hamad
bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa on 24
August.
 The award recognizes his efforts to build  Tenzing Norgay National Adventure
a strong friendship and bilateral ties with Award 2018 announced. The award is
the Gulf nation. Indian Prime Minister given in 4 categories: Land Adventure,
Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit Water Adventure, Air Adventure and
Bahrain. Life Time Achievement.
 The awardee will receive statuettes,
Noorani, Thirumavalavan get Quaid certificates and award money of ` 5 lakh
– e – Milleth Award each.
 Eminent Constitutional expert and  The award has been given in the following
Columnist A.G. Noorani and Viduthalai categories:
Chiruthaigal Katchi Founder Thol.  Land Adventure: Aparna Kumar, Shri
Thirumavalavan received the Quaid-E- Dipankar Ghosh, Shri Manikandan K
Milleth Award for Probity in Public and  Water Adventure: Prabhat Raju Koli
Political Life here at Quaid-e-Milleth  Air Adventure: RameshwerJangra
College for Men.  Life Time Achievement: Wangchuk
Sherpa
Muhammad Yunus conferred ‘Lamp
of Peace of Saint Francis’ Award Indian Documentary ‘I’m Jeeja’ Wins
 Nobel Laureate Professor Award at We Care Film Festival
Muhammad Yunus from  Indian documentary film “I’m Jeeja” has
Bangladesh was conferred won the award at the 14th edition of the
the ‘Lamp of Peace of ‘We Care Film Festival on Disability
Saint Francis’ award by the Issues’. “I’m Jeeja” has won the award in
Vatican. the ‘Under 30 minute’ category.
 He has been awarded for his  The documentary directed by Swati
contribution towards establishing peace Chakraborty attempts to explore the
and harmony. The award is a recognition lives and battles of people living with
for distinguished work by an individual the disability. Another Indian film “Post
for promoting peace and dialogue among Dark” received a jury mention in ‘Under
people. 5 minutes’ category.
Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Awards & Honours
DAY-NULM Bagged SKOCH PM Modi to get award from bill &
Governance Gold Award for the year Melinda gates Foundation for Swachh
2019 Bharat Abhiyaan
 The Ministry of Housing and Urban  Prime Minister
Affairs’ flagship mission, Deendayal Narendra Modi is set
Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban ..to receive an award
Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) from bill and Melinda
bagged 2019 SKOCH Governance Gold Gates Foundation for
Award for its Portal for Affordable one of his ambitious
Credit and Interest Subvention Access projects Swachh Bharat
(PAiSA) portal. Abhiyaan (SBA). This award will be
conferred to him during his visit to United
Key Words: PaiSA:
States in late September 2019.
1. It is a centralized Information Technology
(IT) platform launched in November 76th Venice International Film Festival
2018 for quick processing of loans Awards for 2019 held at Venice Lido,
under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Italy
mode. Mobile message will also be sent  The 76th Edition of the annual Venice
instantly after crediting the amount. International Film Festival Awards for
Currently, there are about 1.50 lakh 2019 was held at Venice Lido in Italy
beneficiaries paid a total of Rs. 27 Cr. from August 28- September 7, 2019.
2. Postal design: The design and It was organized by La Biennale di
development were done through Venezia and was officially recognized by
Allahabad bank. FIAPF (International Federation of Film
About DAY-NULM: Producers Association).
List of Winners
The DAY-NULM reduces poverty and
Award Name of the Director
vulnerability of the urban poor households
Film
enabling them self-employment and
Golden Joker Todd
skilled wage employment opportunities,
Lion for Phillips
resulting in improvement in their
Best Film (USA)
livelihoods.
Silver Lion Jacques (An Roman
– Grand Officer and a Polanski
Jury Prize Spy) (France,
Italy)
Special The Mafia Franco
Jury Prize is no longer Maresco
what it used (Italy)
to be

Swachh Mahotsav 2019 held at New Odia writer Pradeep Dash wins 40th
Delhi Sarala Puraskar award for 2019
 Swachh Mahotsav 2019 was held at Vigyan  Odia poet Pradeep Dash
Bhavan in New Delhi on 6 September was selected for the 40th
2019. The function was organised by edition of 2019 Sarala
Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. President Puraskar Award for his
of India Ram Nath Kovind presented poetry work “Charu
the Swachh Bharat Awards in various Chibar O Charjya”.
categories for outstanding contribution The award which is the foremost literary
to Swachh Bharat Mission. honour in Odisha, comprises of a citation
with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh by governor
Key Words:
of Odisha Shri Ganeshi Lal.
About Swachh Bharat Awards 2019
 Best Swachh Iconic Place award: was NDTV’s Ravish Kumar awarded 1st
awarded to Vaishno Devi Shrine Gauri Lankesh Memorial Award 2019
Board in Jammu and Kashmir. The in Bengaluru, Karnataka
Shrine was selected on basis of overall
 Ravish Kumar (44) of Motihari, Bihar,
improvement in sanitation.
an Indian TV anchor, writer, journalist
 Swachh Award in Swachhta Action
and the Managing Editor of NDTV
Plan category: awarded to Ministry of
India, the Hindi news channel of the
Railways.
NDTV (New Delhi Television Limited
 Swachhta Pakhwada Award: was given
) news network , has received the 1st
to Department of Defence. Gauri Lankesh Memorial Award 2019
 Power Grid Corporation received by the Gauri Lankesh Memorial Trust
award in category of Public Sector (which is founded in memory of the
Undertakings (PSUs). journalist, Gauri Lankesh) in Bengaluru,
 Award for Open Defecation Free Karnataka.
(ODF) and Behavior Change: were Key points :
given to Gujarat and Sikkim.  He was selected for this prestigious
“Oscars of science” awarded to Event award in recognition of his sharp
Horizon Telescope Team news analysis and uncompromising
secular stance. On August 2, 2019, he
1. The Event Horizon Telescope Team
was awarded 2019 Ramon Magsaysay
consisting of 347 scientists who produced
Award, regarded as the Asian version
the world’s first image of a black hole
of the Nobel Prize.
were felicitated with breakthrough Prize
in Fundamental Physics.
2. The prize is known as the “Oscars of
science”, with prize money $3 million.

UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 17 Indian peacekeepers deployed
2019 with the UNMISS felicitated with UN
 On September Service Medals
2, 2019, Audrey  17 Indian peacekeepers who were
A z o u l a y , deployed in the United Nations Mission
the Director- in South Sudan (UNMISS) for over a
General (DG) of year were felicitated with UN Service
United Nations Medals by the United Nations (UN) in
Educational, recognition of their UN Peacekeeping
Scientific and service to the people of South Sudan, the
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world’s youngest country, as UN Police
announced the winners of UNESCO officers. Among the 17 peacekeepers, 5
International Literacy Prizes 2019. were women police officers.
 The awards were distributed by the
Director-General in a ceremony at Chhaya Sharma to be honored with
UNESCO Headquarters-Paris on 2019 Asia Society Game Changers
September 9, 2019 on the occasion of Award by Asia Society
International Literacy Day (ILD) 2019  The Indian Police
(Theme-Literacy and Multilingualism). Service (IPS) officer
About Awards: Chhaya Sharma who
 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize :
led the investigation
Established in 1989, with the support of the 2012 Nirbhaya
of the Government of the Republic of gangrape was
Korea, it gives special consideration to selected for the
the development and use of mother- 2019 Asia Society
tongue literacy education and training. Game Changers
Award along with six others by Asia
 UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy : The
Society, which is a leading educational
UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy,
organization. She has been awarded
established in 2005, with the support
for redefining the role of female police
of the Government of the People’s
officers.
Republic of China.
Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Suri conferred with UAE Order of Zayed II
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has honoured Indian Ambassador
Navdeep Singh Suri with its highest civilian honour Order of
Zayed II award. He has been given this honor for strengthening the
relationship between the two countries.

Swedish environmental activist Agnes Kharshiing- rights activist based

Greta Thunberg wins 2019 Amnesty’s in Meghalaya wins 11th International
‘Ambassadors of Conscience’ award Hrant Dink award for the year 2019
in Washington D.C.  Meghalaya based rights activist Agnes
 S w e d i s h Kharshiing, the survivor of coal mafia
environmental assaults a year ago, was honoured with
activist Greta Turkish award, the 11th International
Thunberg (16 Hrant Dink award for the year 2019
years) and along with Nebahat Akkoc, Turkish
the ‘Fridays activist against male violence.
for Future  Agnes is awarded for defending women,
youth movement’ won the Amnesty children and poor rights, environmental
International’s ‘Ambassadors of rights. The award was presented to them
Conscience’ award for the year 2019. commemorating the memory of Turkish-
 The award ceremony which was held American journalist Hrant Dink who was
at the George Washington University, assassinated in 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Washington D.C, America, is the highest Key Words
human rights award constituted by the  The award is presented by Hrant Dink
Amnesty International. foundation on the birthday of Hrant
About Amnesty International Drink (September 15), since 2009
 ItisaBritiishNon-GovernmentOrganisation annually to individuals, organisations or
(NGO) focused on human rights. groups working against discrimination,
 Headquarters : London, United Kingdom. violence, racism by risking own lives.
 Founded : July 196.
 Founder : Peter Benenson.
Secunderabad Station Becomes 1st Station To Get IGBC Green Platinum

Rating
 The Secunderabad railway station became the first station
awarded with green ‘Platinum rating’ by the Indian
Green Building Council (IGBC) under the Confederation
of Indian Industries (CII) for its energy conservation
initiatives and modern passenger amenities inclusion.
 Major initiatives of this railway station are Air conditioned
waiting halls equipped with CO2 (carbon dioxide) sensors,
solar panel installations, station beautification and waste management etc.

Moti Bagh, a documentary film on the hard work of an elderly farmer, claims
to have an entry at the Oscars 2020
 A documentary film, “Moti Bagh” based on the life of a farmer Vidya Dutt Sharma
(82), who belongs to a remote village in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand has been
nominated for an Oscar 2020.
 The film, directed by Nirmal Chander Dandriyal, shows the struggles of Sharma to keep
his farm alive and on deserted hilly land.
71st Emmy Awards 2019 declared
 The 71st annual primetime Emmy Awards honours handed out at the Microsoft Theater
in Los Angeles. Here is the complete list of Winners of EMMY AWARDS 2019:
Sl.
Category Winner
No.
1. OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES Game of Thrones (HBO)
2. OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES Fleabag (Amazon)
3. LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA Billy Porter, Pose
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Confers The National Dr. Kalam Smriti
Geoscience Awards For 2018 in Delhi International Excellence
 The awards were given in 10 disciplines covering Award
the areas such as Mineral exploration, Groundwater  Bangladesh Prime Minister
exploration, mining technology, Mineral beneficiation, (PM) Sheikh Hasina was
Sustainable mineral development, Basic and applied awarded Dr. Kalam Smriti
geosciences, Geo-environmental studies and Natural International Excellence
hazards investigation. Award for the year 2019
in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
 The award was first initiated in the year 1966 by
 She was awarded by
the ministry of mines and has awarded over 820
T.P. Sreenivasan, Chief
geoscientists and engineers till date.
Adviser of the Dr. Kalam
Name Award Awarded for Smriti International
Prof. Syed Award for Global contributions Advisory Council former
Wajih Ahmad Excellence in the field of aquatic ambassador, for her
Naqvi,Council biogeochemical contribution in holding a
of Scientific and research healthy relation between
Industrial Research (CSIR) India and Bangladesh,
International peace and
Dr. SohiniGanguly, Young Significant work in
cooperation. With this
Goa University Scientist the fields of petrology, award, Hasina has so far
Award- volcanology and received 37 international
2018 geochemistry. accolades.
ISB Hyderabad Ranked 7th Globally & 1st in Asia in Forbes “Best International
1-Year Business Schools 2019” Rankings; IMD Tops
 The Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad,
Telangana whose another campus is in Mohali (Punjab),
was ranked 7th globally and 1st in Asia in the Forbes’ “Best
International 1-Year Business Schools 2019” rankings.
 The annual Forbes’ list ranked the schools on their 5-year
MBA (Master of Business Administration) gain.
Top 3 schools:
Rank School Location

1 International Institute for Management Lausanne, Switzerland
Development (IMD)
2 Insead Fontainebleau (France) & Singapore
3 Judge Business School Cambridge, United Kingdom
Jindal Global University of Haryana Super 30 founder Anand Kumar

receives ‘Institution of Eminence’ honoured with Education Excellence
Status Award 2019
 OP Jindal Global University (JGU)  Super 30 founder and
of Haryana has been conferred the noted mathematician
‘Institution of Eminence (IOE)’ status Anand Kumar, aged 46,
by the Ministry of Human Resource was awarded Education
Development (MHRD) in recognition of Excellence Award 2019
its outstanding contribution of its faculty, by the Foundation For
students and staff. Excellence (FFE) at
About Institution of Eminence (IOE): the organisation’s 25th
 It was proposed by the MHRD in 2018 anniversary gala in San Jose, California,
to establish world-class institutes in the United States for the contributions
country, as no Indian Universities were towards imparting education to the
ranked in the 2017 World University needy students.
Rankings.  Through the ‘Super 30’ initiative, Mr.
Kumar has been training 30 students free
 It aims to help 20 higher education
of cost for the last 18 years for admission
(10 public and 10 private) institutions
to India’s premier technology institutes
from country break into top 500 global
(i.e.) Indian Institute of Technology- Joint
rankings in 10 years, and then eventually
Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE).
break into top 100 over time.

India’s IMPS rated as the World’s best Home ministry announces new
Real-time Payment Service in 6th annual ‘Sardar Patel National Unity Award’
Flavours of Fast report for 2019 by FIS for promoting national integration
 The Jacksonville, United States (US) and unity
based research firm Fidelity National  The union home ministry announced a
Information Services (FIS) in its 6th new honour on the Padma awards pattern
annual Flavours of Fast report for 2019 named the Sardar Patel National Unity
rated India’s Immediate Payment Award to individuals and persons for
Service (IMPS) as the world’s best real- promoting national unity and integrity.
time payment service in comparison to  The award was first instituted by Prime
the similar facilities of 54 countries. Minister Shri Narendra Modi in December
 It received the only 5+ rating. 2018.
 It is rated highest in FIS’s ‘Faster Payments
IIT Bombay tops the Indian institutes,
Innovation Index 2019’. and MIT overall, in 2020 QS Graduate
About Immediate Payment Service
Employability Rankings
 Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) is an
 In the latest QS (Quacquarelli Symonds)
instant interbank electronic fund transfer
Graduate Employability Rankings 2020,
service through mobile phones. It is also
the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
being extended through other channels
Bombay topped all the Indian institutes
such as ATM, Internet Banking, etc.
in the list with band ranking 111-120,
 It is an instant payment inter-bank
which is now up from 141-150 of the year
electronic funds transfer system in India
2018.
founded on 22 November 2010.
 The list was topped overall by
 It is managed by the National Payments Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Corporation of India (NPCI). (MIT), United States (US).
 Globally, IIT Madras ranks 3rd in terms
Kerala tourism wins 3 Awards in 2019 of ‘graduate employment rate indicator’,
PATA Gold Awards in Nur-Sultan, University of Delhi ranks 20th in ‘alumni
Kazakhstan outcomes’, BITs ranks 72nd in ‘employer-
 The Pacific Asia Travel Association student connection indicator’.
(PATA) awards for the year 2019 was
held in Nur-Sultan (Astana), the capital Zoya Akhtar’s Film ‘Gully Boy’ gets
of Kazakhstan.
 The Kerala tourism has won 3 PATA Oscar 2020 entry
gold awards at the event and the awards  Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and
are given for an ethnic food restaurant Alia Bhatt starrer film ‘Gully Boy’ has
run by women at Kumarakom (Kerala) been nominated for the Oscar 2020 Film
under its Responsible Tourism (RT)
Awards from India. Directed by Zoya
mission, for Kerala tourism campaign
advertisement ‘Come Out and Play’ and Akhtar, the film has been sent for an
the third one was for its website www. Oscar for the Best International Feature
keralatourism.org. Film category.

Reliance Industries becomes the

most valued domestic firm in market
1.11 Latest Historical Events
capitalisation surpassing TCS K2K Glory Run was Flagged off
 Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)  Kargil to Kohima, an Ultra-Marathon
became the most valued domestic firm - Glory Run, was Flagged-off at Air
in market capitalisation (m-cap) by Headquarters, New Delhi. The marathon
surpassing Tata Consultancy Services was flagged off by Chief of the Air Staff
(TCS). (CAS) Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa.
 The Top 5 most valued firms by m-cap  Aim: The aim of K2K is to promote
are as follows: awareness for Pedestrian Safety. It also
promotes Fit India Movement which
1 RIL was recently launched by Hon’ble Prime
2 TCS Minister Shri Narender Modi along with
paying tribute to brave hearts who made
3 HDFC Bank the supreme sacrifice.
4 Hindustan Unilever Ltd
5 HDFC 1.12 Cultural Panorama
Nuakhai Juhar: Odisha’s harvest
1.10 Appointments – Who is who? festival celebrated
 Nuakhai Juhar, a harvest festival
 PK Sinha is Appointed as OSD in
welcoming the newly harvest crop of the
Prime Ministers Office season was celebrated in Odisha. It is one
 Five States to Get New Governors of the most ancient festivals celebrated
 Madhukar Kamath elected as chairman in Odisha to welcome new crop of the
of the ABC (2019-20) season. It is an important social festival
 Dr. P.K. Mishra takes over as Principal of Western Odisha and is an agricultural
Secretary to the Prime Minister festival.
 Sunil Arora Takes Charge of World 74-year-old Museum
Election Body Specimen-species EXTR
A
 A.K. Mittal appointed as the chief Of Giant Salamander
justice of Madras High Court Becomes The World’s
 Indian officer Abhijit Guha to lead Largest Amphibian
UN’s peace mission in Yemen
 Researchers from the Zoological Society
 Indian Air Force Appoints Air Marshal of London (ZSL) and London’s Natural
Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria As History Museum have discovered a
The 26th Chief Of Air Staff discovered a new species of giant Chinese
 Justice P Lakshmana Reddy Appointed salamander which is now considered to
as First Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh be the world’s largest amphibian. The
study of this species is mentioned in the
journal “Ecology and Evolution” and its
scientific name is Andriassligoi.

MNRE awards grants to four projects in second round of
PACEsetter Fund programme
A
EXTR  The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy awarded Grants to the
awardees of the second round of PACEsetter fund programme.
 In the second round of awards, a total of 168 Expressions of Interest
were received. Out of these, four projects were selected for award of
grants. The awardees include Society for Economic and Social Studies, New Delhi,
Customized Energy Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Pune, The Energy & Resources Institute
(TERI), New Delhi and Raghavendra Suntech Systems Pvt Ltd (RSSPL), Bengaluru.
 The PACEsetter fund was constituted by India and the USA in 2015 as a joint fund to
provide early-stage grant funding to accelerate the commercialization of innovative off-
grid clean energy products, systems, and business models.
 The mission of the PACEsetter Fund is to accelerate the commercialization of innovative
off-grid clean energy access solutions by providing early-stage grant funding that would
allow businesses to develop and test innovative products, business models and systems.
PM to inaugurate India’s second Multi Modal Terminal on Ganga at Sahibganj

in Jharkhand
 The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation India’s second riverine
Multi Modal terminal built at Sahibganj in Jharkhand.
 This is the second of the three Multi Modal Terminals being constructed on river Ganga
under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP). Earlier, in November, 2018 the Prime Minister
had inaugurated the MMT at Varanasi.
 The Multi-Modal terminal at Sahibganj will open up industries of Jharkhand and Bihar to
the global market and provide Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity through waterways route.
It will play an important role in transportation of domestic coal from the local mines in
Rajmahal area to various thermal power plants located along NW-1.
 The capacity of the terminal is 30 lakh tonnes per annum.
Key Words
 The MMTs are being built as part of the Jal Marg Vikas Project that aims to develop
the stretch of River Ganga between Varanasi to Haldia for navigation of large vessels
upto1500-2000 tonnes weight, by maintaining a drought of 2-3 metres in this stretch of
the river and setting up other systems required for safe navigation.
 The objective is to promote inland waterways as a cheaper and more environment
friendly means of transport, especially for cargo movement.
 Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the project Implementing Agency.

Latest Court Verdicts Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
POLITICAL
2. SCIENCE
Maharashtra cabinet clears the
2.1 Latest Court Verdicts vertical property rules
5-Judge SC Bench to hear pleas on  The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared
withdrawal of Article 370 the “vertical property rules” to create
a database of all flats, buildings and
 The Supreme Court referred to a five-judge
commercial complexes. The “vertical
Bench several petitions challenging the
property rules” would prevent property-
withdrawal of Article 370 and bifurcation
related frauds, where one flat or
of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into
commercial unit is sold or mortgaged to
two Union Territories.
multiple buyers or financial institutions.
 A Presidential Order on August 5 had
 All flat owners in the state will soon get
withdrawn Article 370, through which
supplementary property cards, which
special rights and privileges had been
will have details such as carpet area,
accorded to the people of Jammu and
amenity space and bank loan information,
Kashmir since 1954 in accordance with
along with their 7/12 extracts.
the Instrument of Accession.
Odisha rolls out “One nation one ration card” scheme from september 1, 2019
 On September 1, 2019 the Odisha government implemented the “One nation one ration
card” programme on a pilot basis initially in areas under the Bhubaneswar Municipal
Corporation (BMC), to people possessing ration card ensuring inter-state portability of
ration cards.
A
EXTR
SEBI Sets Up Committee To Suggest Structure And Norms For

Social Stock Exchanges
 Capital market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has formed a
15-member committee headed by Ishaat Hussain, Director at State Bank of India (SBI)
Foundation and former Tata Sons Director, to suggest possible measures and regulations
in creating the ‘social stock exchanges.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility
2.2 Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility

‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Campaign Angikaar Project for PMAY (U)
Launched in Udhampur Beneficiaries Launched
 With an aim to eliminate the menace of  In order to bring those who have got homes
female foeticide in Jammu and Kashmir, constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas
‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign was Yojana (Urban) into the fold of several
launched in Udhampur. other Central schemes, like Ayushman
 To spread awareness amongst the masses in Bharat and Ujjwala, the Union Housing
this regard, the Udhampur administration and Urban Affairs Ministry launched
also launched a cyclothon. the Angikaar project.
 The event was flagged off by the Major  Housing and Urban Affairs Minister of
General Madhuri Kanitkar. State (Independent Charge) Hardeep
Singh Puri recited the government was
going beyond just constructing houses
MeitY partners with Google to roll-out under PMAY (U).
‘Build for Digital India’ programme Key Words: About Angikaar project
 The Ministry of Electronics and  The e-course is offered by the MoHUA
Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration of School of Planning
has signed a statement of intent with & Architecture (SPA), New Delhi
multinational technology company, and Building Materials & Technology
Google for rolling out ‘Build for Digital Promotion Council (BMTPC).
India’ programme, which will provide  Angikaar aims for social behaviour
engineering students with a platform change, focusing on issues such as
to develop market-ready, technology- water & energy conservation, waste
based solutions that deals with key social management, health, tree plantation,
challenges. sanitation and hygiene for beneficiaries
of completed houses under PMAY (U).
ECGC launches scheme “Nirvik” to ease the lending process

 Ministry of Commerce & Industry through Export Credit Guarantee Corporation has
introduced a new Export Credit Insurance Scheme called NIRVIK.
 The Niryat Rin Vikash Yojana has been launched to enhance loan availability to exporters
and to ease the lending process. Under the new scheme NIRVIK, up to 90 per cent of the
principal amount and interest will be covered through insurance.
 During the launch, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal revealed that Central government
will give support of Rs 8,500 crore to Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India in the
next 5 years.

Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
Mukhya Mantri SevaSankalp Helpline New Health Insurance Scheme, ‘AB-

‘1100’ for redressal of public MGRSBY’ Launched in Rajasthan
grievances  The Rajasthan state government has
 The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh launched a new health insurance scheme
(HP) Shri Jai Ram Thakur launched called Ayushman Bharat-Mahatma
the “Mukhya Mantri SevaSankalp Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima
Helpline ‘1100’” (Chief Minister’s Service Yojna (AB-MGRSBY) by integrating the
Resolution Helpline) for redressal of Bhamashah Health Insurance Scheme
public grievances in a speedy and time (BSBY) of the State Government and
bound manner. Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan
 The helpline functions from 7am-10pm
Arogya Yojna Scheme (AB-PMJAY) of
from monday-saturday. By this service, the Central Government.
HP became the fourth state in the country Key Words: Eligibility
after Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and  Only the natives of Rajasthan can take
Madhya Pradesh to launch this helpline. advantage of this scheme. The poor
Key Words: families covered in any of National
Food Security Act (NFSA) and Socio-
About Mukhya Mantri SevaSankalp Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011
Helpline ‘1100’: are considered eligible for the scheme.
 56 state departments are involved  The scheme will be available till
in this helpline by geo-mapping and December 12, 2019.
geo-tagging.
 Grievances will be addressed within PM to Launch a Pension Scheme for
a minimum period of 1 week and a Traders
maximum of 2 weeks.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will
Project ‘Bal Basera’ launch the Pradhan Mantri Laghu
 Bal Basera or a Creche is a project for Vyapari Maandhan Yojana, the Centre’s
the welfare of Children of Construction pension scheme for traders. A few of the
Workers was deployed at AIIMS Rishikesh first subscribers from across the country
site. The project is supported by Central will be given pension cards by the PM.
Public Works Department (CPWD).  The scheme, which is an extension of the
 Bal Basera shall accommodate about PM Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana,
35 Children and shall be run by CPWD will make all beneficiaries eligible for a
Officers’ Wives Association (OWA).
monthly pension of ` 3000 after the age of
AIIMS Rishikesh Project is being executed
60 at a miniscule monthly contribution.
by CPWD.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Role of Voluntary Organizations
2.3 Political parties and Political system in India

All category students in ‘Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana’
 The Delhi Cabinet decided to include other backward class and general category students
in its ‘Jai Bheem Mukhyamantri Yojana’, and enhance financial assistance from Rs 40,000
to Rs one lakh for coaching for various competitive exams. The scheme was only for the
scheduled caste category students under which financial assistance of up to Rs 40,000
would be provided.
2.4 Role of Voluntary Organizations

Amazon India launches employment Ashok Leyland heavy-duty trucks get
programme for ex-servicemen and BS-VI certification
their spouses  Ashok Leyland has received the BS-VI
 Amazon India announced the launch emission compliance certificate for its
of a Military Veterans Employment full range of heavy-duty trucks.
programme will create hundreds of  The auto manufacturer has claimed
opportunities for military veterans and that it became the first India’s original
their spouses across Amazon India’s equipment manufacturer to receive
Fulfillment Centres. the certification from ARAI. The BS-VI
 Amazon India is partnering with
emission norms will be implemented
the Office of the Director General of across the country from 1st April 2020.
Resettlement (DGR) and the Army Key Words: About BS-VI
Welfare Placement Organisation
Bharat stage Emission Standards (BSES)
(AWPO) to create continued work
are emission standards instituted by the
opportunities for military families Government of India to regulate the output
across the country of air pollutants from internal combustion
RBI & SEBI jointly engine and Spark-ignition engines
EXTR
A working on a framework equipment, including motor vehicles.
for accurate exchange of
borrower data between
 The joint framework aimed at bridging
banks and CRAs the gap between the default rates
 India’s central Banking Institution, the divulged by rating agencies differed
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the from the report computed by the RBI’s
regulator for the securities market in Central Repository of Information on
India, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Large Credits (CRILC), a borrower-
Board of India) are jointly working level database focusing on systemically
on a framework that will freely enable important credit exposures.
exchange of borrower information  RBI will also advise the banks to update
between banks and credit rating agencies the borrower data with CIC (credit
(CRAs) in more accurate manner. information companies) regularly and to
maintain the quality of the information.
Geography Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
3. GEOGRAPHY
3.1 Policy on Environment and Ecology
Convention to Combat Desertification Union
 Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar recites the target is in addition to India’s pledge
to restore 13 mn hectares of degraded land by 2020.
 The target is over and above India’s pledge to restore 13 million hectares of degraded and
deforested land by 2020 as part of the ‘Bonn Challenge’.
 The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of deforested and
degraded land into restoration by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.
Star tortoise, otters get higher protection at CITES

 India’s proposal to upgrade the protection of star
tortoises (Geochelone elegans), the smooth-coated
otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and small-clawed
otters (Anoyx cinereus) in CITES (Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species on
Wild Fauna and Flora) have been approved.
 These species have been listed under Appendix I
of CITES and will now enjoy the highest degree of protection as there will be a complete
international ban enforced on their trade.
 The upgradation was approved at the Conference of the Parties (COPI7) held at
Geneva.
Rohit4Rhinos campaign
 Indian cricket team’s star batsman Rohit Sharma is launching “Rohit4Rhinos campaign”
in partnership with WWF India and Animal Planet (wildlife channel) to spread awareness
about the need for conservation of one-horned rhinos.
 Key Points: This rhino conservation campaign will be launched on September 22 on
World Rhino Day.
 The one -horned rhinoceros, the state animal of Assam. There are around 3,500 Indian
rhinos present in the world. India is home to 82 % of the rhinos.
 Rohit is the brand ambassador for rhino protection in WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
India and for this, he joined in 2018.
Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Geography
Two new eel species discovered Butterfly with Light Penetrating
 Two new species of marine eel were Feathers Discovered in Salem
discovered and documented by the  Nature enthusiasts during a recent Nature
Estuarine Biology Regional Centre (EBRC) walk in the foothills of Yercaud recorded
of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at the presence of a rare butterfly Tarucus
Gopalpur in Odisha. indica, commonly known as the Indian
 One of them is a short brown unpatterned Pierrot or Transparent Pierrot.
moray eel now named Gymnothorax  There are around five or six varieties in
andamanensis. the genus Tarucusand the Transparent
 New white-spotted moray eel, named Pierrot is a rare species. This is the first
Gymnothorax smithi has also been photographic record of the butterfly’s
identified by Gopalpur’s ZSI scientists. Its presence in Tamil Nadu. Till date its
first specimen was found in the Arabian presence has been recorded only in
Sea in 2011. Maharashtra, Gujarat and other Northern
States.
Special Tiger Force for Corbett
Extreme Mangrove Corals Found on
Reserve set up
the Great Barrier Reef
 The Uttarakhand government has decided
 University of Technology Sydney
to form a Special Tiger Force for Corbett
Researchers discovered “Extreme Corals”
Tiger Reserve, a move which will help
in mangrove lagoons around Australia’s
serve as the much needed second layer of
Great Barrier Reef, which is yielding
protection for the big cat.
important information about how corals
 The decision to set up the force was taken
deel with environment stress.
by the State Cabinet. The force will have
 34 species of coral were found to be
85 posts.
regularly exposed to extremely low
 The decision is in line with Government
pH, low oxygen and highly variable
of India guidelines for providing three-
temperature conditions making two
tier protection to tigers at reserves.
mangrove lagoons on the Woody Isles
and Howick Island Potential “hot spots”
Anandan’s day gecko adds to the
of coral resilence.
Western Ghats
 The recent discovery of the 35th species of
Typhoon Faxai hits Tokyo, Japan
day gecko highlights the rich biodiversity
 Typhoon Faxai has hit Tokyo, Japan.
of the Western Ghats.
There were winds of up to 216 kilometres
 The recently discovered Cnemaspis
(134 miles) per hour. Authorities have
anandani (Anandan’s day gecko), is
issued non-compulsory evacuation
the most recent day gecko found in the
warnings to more than 390,000 people.
Nilgiris and is endemic to the Western
Ghats.
Natural Disasters - Safeguard Measures Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
Malaria Eradication possible by 2050: Lancet Report

 The latest Lancet Report suggested that it may be possible to eradicate malaria from the
world by 2050. The report titled, ‘Malaria eradication within a generation: ambitious,
achievable, and necessary’ has prepared by 41 leading scientists, economists and health-
policy experts.
 The Lancet report informed that the first global campaign to eradicate malaria was
launched by the World Health Organization in 1955. The Global Malaria Eradication
Programme lasted for nearly fifteen years and succeeded in eliminating malaria from
fifteen countries and significantly reducing transmission in several others.
86 Tigers Rescued From Infamous

Temple in Thailand have died
3.2 Natural Disasters –
 The government soon removed 147 tigers Safeguard Measures
from the compound in the West Thailand Storm Dorian makes landfall in
town of Kanchanaburi, taking them to Canada
two state-run facilities.  Storm Dorian has made landfall in
 Thailand media announced that 86 of the the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
rescued animals have died. A government as a post-tropical cyclone, it hit the
official attributed the animals’ deaths to a Bahamas as a Category 5 hurricane
causing widespread devastation to the
viral disease.
archipelago.
A
EXTR Prime Minister Launches National Animal Disease Control
Programme and National Artificial Insemination Programme
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Animal Disease
Control Program (NACDP) to control and eradicate the Foot & Mouth
Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis amongst the livestock in the country, at Mathura on 11
September 2019.
 The Prime Minister also launched the National Artificial Insemination Program and a
country wide workshop in all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in all the 687 Districts
of the country on vaccination and disease management, Artificial Insemination and
Productivity.
 The Prime Minister also launched the Swachhta Hi Seva Program with focus on reducing
the usage of Single Use Plastic in the country.
 The Swachhta hi Sewa 2019 theme is ‘plastic waste awareness and management’.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector
4. ECONOMICS
4.1 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector
CVC sets up 4-Member Advisory Board Stamp of Best Author of Siddha
for Banking Frauds Medicine to be Released by PM
 The Central Vigilance Commission  He is among the 12 inspiring personalities
has constituted a 4-member Advisory whose commemorative stamps will be
Board for Banking Frauds. The ABBF released by Prime Minister Narendra
will be headed by former Vigilance Modi in the national capital.
Commissioner T.M. Bhasin.  T.V. Sambasivam Pillai was born on
 The panel will function as the 1st level September 19, 1880 in Bengaluru, as
of examination of all large fraud cases. the eldest son to Vilviah Manniar and
Lenders will refer all large fraud cases Manonmani Ammal.
above `50 crore to the board and on  This work of T.V. Sambasivam Pillai, the
receipt of its recommendation or advice, acclaimed author, is considered as one of
the bank concerned would take further the great treasures of the Siddha system.
action in such matters.
ICICI Bank Deploys ‘Robotic Arms’ to Count Currency Notes
 ICICI Bank has become the country’s first
commercial bank to customise and deploy
industrial ‘Robotic Arms’ to digitise operations at
its currency chests across 12 cities.
 ICICI Bank announced the deployment of
industrial ‘Robotic Arms’ to digitise operations at
its currency chests.
 The cities where ICICI Bank has deployed the
robotic arms are Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh,
Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Sangli,
Mangaluru, Raipur, Siliguri and Varanasi and will
help sort 1.8 billion banknotes annually.

New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Mega Public Sector Bank Merger; 10 Banks

Amalgamated into 4 Entities
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on August 30 unveiled a mega merger plan for
public sector banks (PSBs), amalgamating 10 banks into 4.
 The consolidation will bring down the total number of public sector banks in the country
to 12 from 27 in 2017.
 Bank of India, Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and Punjab and
Sindh Bank will continue to operate as before and will be provided necessary support
from the government.
 The government has taken care that the technological platforms used by the banks are
compatible and enable a quick realization of gains without any customer inconvenience
or disruption in services.
Banks to be merged Size of merged entity Total business
Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of 2nd largest PSB 18 lakh cr.
Commerce and United Bank
Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank 4th largest PSB 15.2 lakh cr.
Union Bank, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank 5th largest PSB 14.6 lakh cr.
Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank 7th largest PSB 8.08 lakh cr.
Standard Chartered Bank Launches CBDT Constitutes Special Cell to

New “DigiSmart” Credit Card Address Grievances of Start-Ups
 The Standard Chartered Bank, a British  The Central Board of Direct Taxes – CBDT
multinational banking and financial has constituted a five – member special
services company has launched its cell to address grievances of Start – ups
“DigiSmart” credit card primarily with relation to angel tax and other tax
focused on the ever-growing segment of related issues.
 The ‘startup cell’ will be headed by the
millennials.
Member (Income Tax Computerisation)
The new credit card is available for a of the board.
nominal monthly fee of only ` 49. However,  The Cell will work towards redressal
this fee will be waived off if the spends of of grievances and mitigate tax – related
the customer are ` 5,000 or above in the issues in case of start – up entities with
previous month. respect to the administration of Income
– tax Act 1961.
RBI revises guidelines on concurrent audit system as per the recommendations

of an expert committee headed by Y.H. Malegam
 Following the recommendations of an expert committee headed by Y.H.Malegam, the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the guidelines on concurrent audit system.

India to Contribute USD 22 mn to CCEA approves ethanol price revision
Global Fund for AIDS, TB, Malaria for supply to Public Sector Oil
 India has announced a contribution Marketing Companies
of USD 22 million to the Global Fund
for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria The Cabinet Committee on Economic
(GFTAM) for 2020-22 as part of its Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister
commitment towards eliminating these Narendra Modi, has approved revision of
diseases announced by Union Health price of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) for the year
Minister Harsh Vardhan 2019-20 derived from various raw materials
 India shares a sustained partnership under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP)
with the Global Fund since 2002, both as programme. The revision comes into effect
recipient and as a donor.
from 1st December 2019 till 30th November
Canara Bank Introduced OTP Facility 2020.
for ATM Withdrawal
About EBP:
 Public sector Bank, Canara Bank has
launched India’s first OTP facility for The programme was launched in
ATM withdrawals. This additional January 2003, to promote alternative and
factor of authentication protects from environment friendly fuels for meeting
unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals for the energy requirements. During its initial
cardholders. Canara Bank ATMs get safer launch the OMCs were asked to supply
and more secured with OTP facility on 5% ethanol blended Petrol.
cash withdrawals above ` 10,000 in a day.
India Post launches speed post service T N Manoharan taskforce on secondary

for six new countries market for corporate loans submits
 The Department of Posts has expanded its report to RBI
its speed post service to 6 new overseas  A 6-member
destinations in Asia, Europe and South taskforce on
America. It has introduced International
secondary market
Speed Post (EMS) for Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Brazil, Ecuador, for corporate loans,
Kazakhstan, Lithuania and North headed by Canara
McDonia. Bank Chairman TN
Manoharan has
EMS (Express Mail Service): submitted its report
 It is a premium service that enables
to RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Governor
its users to send documents and
Shaktikanta Das.
merchandise faster and in this service
 Self-Regulatory Body: RBI’s task force
goods can be monitored online with
the help of the internet. Currently India proposed to setting up of a Self-Regulatory
Post is providing speed post service to Body for the standardization of corporate
100 countries. loan documents.

UNCTAD Released Its First ‘Digital Economy Niti Aayog Selected McKinsey
Report 2019’ & Company to set up India’s
 United Nations Conference on Trade and First Digital Capability
Development (UNCTAD) released the first ever Centre
Digital Economy Report (DER) titled “Digital  National Institution for
Economy Report 2019 – Value Creation and Transforming India (Niti
Capture: Implications for developing countries”. Aayog) has selected McKinsey
DER was formerly known as the Information & Company to set up India’s
Economy Report. It examines the scope for value first Digital Capability Centre
(DCC) in New Delhi. McKinsey
creation and capture in the digital economy by
& Company supports 5 such
developing countries.
centres globally- in Aachen,
Highlights of DER 2019 Chicago, Singapore, Venice and
Following are the highlights of the report: Beijing.
Global Internet Protocol (IP) traffic Infosys tops Indian

 Global Internet Protocol (IP) traffic has grown companies in Forbes’ World’s
from about 100 gigabytes (GB) per day in 1992 to best ‘regarded’ companies
more than 45,000 GB per second in 2017. list 2019, Visa tops
 By 2022, global IP traffic is projected to reach  Nearly 17 Indian companies
150,700 GB per second. were listed in the Forbes World’s
best ‘regarded’ companies
Value in digital economy
list 2019. The company which
 Estimates of the size of the digital economy range
topped among other Indian
from 4.5% to 15.5% of the world’s GDP (Gross
firms is Infosys which ranked
Domestic Product).
third in the overall list. The first
 Regarding value added in the information and
and second place were held by
communications technology (ICT) sector, the
global payments technology
United States and China together account for
company Visa and Italian car-
almost 40% of the world’s total.
maker Ferrari respectively.
 ICT sector is the largest in Taiwan Province of
 Infosys which tops among
China, Ireland, and Malaysia.
the Indian companies, was
 The global computer services industry is
ranked at 31st position in
dominated by the United States. 2018.
 India has the largest share among developing
 Indian firms in the top
countries in the computer services industry. 50 list: Tata Consultancy
Also, India ranked fourth in terms of growth in Services (TCS) ranking 22nd
the share of the ICT sector’s value-added in GDP and Tata Motors ranking (31)
between 2010 and 2017. featured among the top 50 in
the coveted list
An internal group of RBI to assess the IFC & FIDC sign a MoU to train NBFCs
adequacy of forex reserves  The International Finance Corporation
 An internal group of the Reserve Bank (IFC), part of the World Bank Group
of India (RBI) will frame a formal and the Finance Industry Development
mechanism to assess the adequacy of Council (FIDC), a representative body of
its foreign exchange (forex) reserves. asset and loan Financing of Non-Banking
RBI had recently adapted the fresh Financial Company (NBFC), signed
Economic Capital Framework (ECF) as a Memorandum of Understanding
recommended by Bimal Jalan Committee (MoU) to train the NBFCs in India on
on ECF which noted that RBI’s forex “Commercial Credit Reporting” with an
reserves in 2008 were higher than India’s objective to build the capacities of NBFCs
external debt. to improve reporting and enquiring on
Key Words Commercial Credit Information Data
1. The panel will study whether forex from the Credit Bureaus.
reserves are adequate or not and how  Training will be conducted under the
much reserves are adequate to cover guidance of leading consultants from the
various risks. World Bank Group in India at different
2. At present, the forex reserves (more centers.
than $ 400 billion) are lower than India’s  It is a company registered under the
total external liabilities ($ 1 trillion) and Companies Act, 2013 of India, engaged
even lower than total external debt ($ in the business of loans and advances,
500 billion). acquisition of shares, stock, bonds, hire-
3. As on August 16, 2019, India’s forex purchase insurance business or chit-fund
reserves stood at $ 430.5 billion, an business, agriculture, industrial activity
increase of $ 17.6 billion over March 31, and sale, purchase and construction of
2019 ($ 412.9 billion). immovable property.
RBI released guidelines for licensing of Small Finance Banks

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on September 13 released draft norms for ‘on tap’
licensing of Small Finance Banks (SFBs), which will allow applicants to approach the
banking regulator.
 A Small Finance Banks (SFB) is a basic banking entity that provides bare minimum financial
services with focus on financial inclusion and expansion in unbanked geographical areas.
The minimum paid-up voting equity capital for SFBs shall be Rs. 200 crore.
 Indian citizens with at least 10 years of experience in banking and finance at a senior
level can apply for a banking license, while companies with track record of five years will
be eligible as promoters, according to the proposed norms. Others include existing non-
banking finance companies (NBFCs), micro finance institutions and local area banks.

IMF cuts India’s GDP growth to 7% from 7.3% for FY20

 The International Monetary
Fund (IMF) has reduced the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
growth rate of India to 7% from
its previous estimate of 7.3%
which is much weaker than
expected by IMF.
 This rate cut is attributed to
uncertainty in corporate and
environmental regulatory in
some Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC).
Key Words
 This economic growth rate is expected to rise to 7.2 % FY21, which is also a downgraded
projected growth rate of 7.5 in the earlier report.
A Federal Body Like GST Council For the Agriculture Sector

 The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) panel has suggested creating
an institution like the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council
to implement reforms in the agricultural sector.
 It was also recommended to transfer subsidy directly to the
account and avoid debt waiver.
 The Reserve Bank of India has created the Internal Working
Group (IWG) to Review Agricultural Credit chaired by
Mahesh Kumar Jain on February 13, 2019.
Key recommendations:
 Banks are required to develop a management information system (MIS) to sanction loans
against gold as collateral in core banking solution (CBS) platform for better monitoring
of end-use of funds.
 The panel stated that subsidy on interest subvention or agricultural credit should be
converted into direct benefit transfer (DBT) like LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) and
fertilizer with an overall limit of ` 3 lakh per individual farmer through Kisan Credit
Card (KCC) mode.
 Banks should increase credit supply for agricultural activities and give consumption
loans to farmers up to ` 1 lakh.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Current Socio - Economic Problems
OECD Lowers India’s Economic Growth Forecast For 2019-20 To 5.9% From 7.2%
 As per the intergovernmental economic
organisation, OECD(Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development ) latest update on
OECD report 2019, India’s GDP (gross domestic
product) growth expected to grow by 5.9 per cent
for 2019 (FY-Fiscal Year 2020) and 6.3 % in 2020
(FY21).
Other ratings :
 For FY 20, The World Bank (WB) projected
India’s GDP growth rate remained at 7.5%, IMF
(International Monetary Fund) -7%, ADB (Asian
Development Bank) -7%, Economic Survey of
the finance ministry -7%, Reserve Bank India
(RBI) -6.9%.
The 37th GST Council Meeting For 2019 Held

in Panaji, Goa
 The 37th Good and Service Tax (GST) Council
Meeting under the Chairmanship of Union
Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt
4.2 Current Socio-
Nirmala Sitharaman was held in Panaji, Goa. Economic Problems
About GST :
 The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is governed
by the GST Council. A Panel Headed By Harsh
 Article 279 (1) of the amended Indian Vardhan For The Development
Constitution states that the GST Council has to Of Housing Finance
be constituted by the President within 60 days Securitisation Market
of the commencement of the Article 279A.  The panel headed by Harsh
 According to the article, GST Council will be Vardhan, senior advisor, Bain
a joint forum for the Centre and the States. It and Co., for the development of
consists of the following members: housing finance securitization
 The Union Finance Minister will be the market has submitted its report
Chairperson. to the governor of the Reserve
 As a member, the Union Minister of State will Bank of India (RBI) Shaktikanta
be in charge of Revenue of Finance.
Das.
 The Minister in charge of finance or taxation
or any other Minister nominated by each State
government, as members.

Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
5. SCIENCE
5.1 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology
National Cancer Tissue Biobank at India-France to Jointly Build, Run
IIT-Madras space-based Ship Tracking System
 The National Cancer Tissue Biobank at  The world’s first space-based automatic
IIT-Madras will enable India to perform identification system (AIS) to track
necessary testing to develop treatments merchant ships on a real-time basis will
most effective for cancer patients in the be built and operated jointly by India and
country by Union minister Ashwini France.
Kumar Choubey.  Indian and France signed an agreement
 The National Cancer Tissue Biobank at recently to start development and
IIT-Madras will enable India to perform production of a constellation of satellites
the necessary testing to develop treatments on which studies have been underway
and medications that will be most effective for more than a year.
in Indian conditions/patients.
MIT Scientists Developed Biggest- IIT-Hyderabad Develops Water

Ever Carbon Nanotube Computer Proofing Material Using Fly Ash
chip- RV16XNano  Researchers at the Indian Institute of
 Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have found
of Technology (MIT) have developed the fly ash, a waste by-product from coal-
biggest-ever computer chip using carbon based thermal power plants that poses
nanotubes (CNT) - RV16XNano. This was a threat to the environment that can be
published in the journal Nature. modified into a waterproofing material.
 The researchers have converted fly ash
Key Words:
into a water proofing material by treating
RV16XNano is a 16-bit processor that it with stearic acid, which is commonly
contains 14,000 transistors — electronic used in soaps and shampoos.
switches. These switches are made up of
CNT — tiny cylinders made of rolled-up,
atom-thick sheets of graphene.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology
India Unveiled World’s First Ever Harman Introduces Infinity Brand
Facial BSID Audio Products in India
 India launched the world’s first ever  Audio products maker Harman, which
Biometric Seafarer Identity Document is a wholly-owned subsidiary of South
(BSID) which captures the facial biometric Korean giant Samsung Electronics, has
data of seafarers. It was launched by Shri introduced lifestyle audio brand Infinity
Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State in India.
(I/C) Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers  Harman has also unveiled 11 new audio
in New Delhi. He handed over the new products, which include six headphones,
BSID cards to 5 Indian seafarers. four portable Bluetooth speakers and a
About BSID multimedia bluetooth system.
The BSID has the dimensions of a smart IIT-M Students Design Low-cost
ID card. It introduces modern security Freezers for Farm Produce
features like an embedded biometric chip,  Researchers in the Indian Institute of
as well as optical security features such Technology- Madras discovered with
as micro prints/micro texts and Unique low-cost efficient freezers that farmers
Guilloche pattern. The security of the can use to transport their produce.
BSID card is ensured at various levels and  They found that the logistics of cold
through different methods. storage is a huge pain for small-scale
farmers
India Faces Higher Mortality From
Cardiovascular Diseases IAmid Vikram lull, MOM completes 5
yrs around Mars
 Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continues
 On September 24, 2019 Five Earth years in
to be the leading cause of death across the
world, but there are significant variations the Martian Orbit for Isro’s Mars Orbiter
between rich and poor nations. Mission (MOM), bringing subdued cheer
 While in high-income countries, that of
at the space agency, amid a lull caused by
CVD, in low-income countries, including an unsuccessful attempt at soft-landing
India, deaths from cardiac disease were Vikram, Chandrayaan-2’s lander on
three times that of cancer. Moon.
 MOM was designed for just six months
 Additionally, indoor or household air
pollution has been identified as a key around Mars its long life a feat for
cause of CVD. Isro, which had failed to achieve to
Chandrayaan-1, its first mission to Moon,
in 2008. 2.5 Martian Years.
 MOM had completed five Earth years
around Mars it only amounts to two-and-
a-half Martian years. The Mars actually
take more than the double of 365.

Indians have Higher Average Resting IIT Kharagpur Collaporales with

Heart Rate Amazon Web Services
 Indians have an average resting heart  IIT Kharagpur has collaborated with
rate of 80 beats per minute which is Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop
higher than the desired rate of 72, found a resource portal to promote learning and
by Indian Heart Study (IHS). development in the artificial intelligence
 The IHS also highlighted that unlike (AI).
people of other Countries, Indians have  The National Artificial Intelligence
higher blood pressure in the evenings Resource Portal (NAIRP) is aimed
than in mornings. at making the search for AI learning
 The study was conducted on 18918 resources simpler and more accessible to
participants, both men and women, learners, practitioners and researchers in
across 355 cities in 15 states. India
AUS gets 1st DGCA Certification Under

IAF receives 8 US-made ‘Apache AH-
Small Category Drone
64E’ fighter helicopters
 The Indian Air The Bengaluru’s Aarav Unmanned
Force (IAF) has Systems (AUS) is the first company to get
received 8 US-made the Directorate General of Civil Aviation
‘Apache AH-64E’ (DGCA) under a small company drone
fighter helicopters category. Insight, AUS’s flagship enterprise-
from US (United grade multi-copter drone is to be certified
States)aerospace major Boeing at Airforce for the No-Permission No-Takeoff (NPNT)
Station, Pathankot, Punjab. Air Chief manufacturing compliance requirement.
Marshal B. S. Dhanoa was the chief guest
Key Words: Insight
of the ceremony held at the Pathankot
 The Insight drone weighs between 2-
Station.
25 kg. It falls under the small category.
Key Words:
Whereas micro category drones weigh
In September 2015, IAF had signed between 250 gms to 2 kg.
a contract with US Government and  Drones: Drone is a flying robot which is
Boeing for purchasing 22 AH-64E Apache remote-controlled. It is allowed to work
helicopters. Boeing delivered the first 4 out in India by DGCA in October 2017.
of 22 helicopters on 27 July 2019.
Aadhaar authentication must from Jan. 2020: GSTN
 To keep ghost traders at bay, Aadhaar authentication or physical verification will be
made mandatory for new traders coming under the Goods and Services Tax regime from
January 2020, according to the GST Network. Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the Group
of Ministers of the GST Network announced Aadhaar authentication of new dealers.
IIT Kharagpur to set up Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute
(SATHI)
 IIT Kharagpur selected for setting up a Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help
Institute (SATHI) by Department of Science and Technology. Aim of SATHI is to extend
help to the academic institutes in the neighbouring regions.
 IIT Delhi has also been selected to develop a SATHI Centre as a shared technology
infrastructure that can be used by different parties.
 The scheme is a brain-child of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the
Central Government. The grant amount sanctioned for IIT Kharagpur under this scheme
will be disbursed to the institute over three financial years commencing from 2019-20.
About SATHI
 The SATHI Grant Scheme, the Central Government intends to develop state-of-the-art
science and technology infrastructure facilities across the country.
 The SATHI scheme intends to help build advance technology infrastructure that can
also be used by start-ups and manufacturing units to conduct research with the help of
sophisticated instruments which they cannot fund themselves.
World’s first website with 32 crore Scientists from BSI discovered

pages two new species of ginger from
 Delhi resident Amit Sharma, owner Nagaland
of world’s largest static website  Scientists from the Botanical Survey of
Cheapflightsall.com, has developed it India (BSI) discovered 2 new species
only in 23 days and has approximately 32 of ginger- Zingiber namely Zingiber
crores of pages. perenense and Zingiber dimapurense
 Cheapflightsall.com has approximately from Nagaland.
32 crores of pages with size of the  The article on Zingiber dimapurense was
website equivalent to 5 TB. Amit has published in NeBIO, an International
developed this website only in 23 days Journal of Environment and Biodiversity
which connects 159 countries with every and the article on Zingiber perenense
intercity wherever airport or flight route was published in The Thailand Natural
is available. History Museum Journal.
 Zingiber perenense was discovered from
the Peren district of Nagaland. It’s the
leafy shoots reach up to 70 cm and the
specimens were collected in September
2017, when botanists were working on
the ‘State flora of Nagaland’ in the Peren
district.

K2-18b: Water discovered for the first time in atmosphere of habitable

exoplanet
 Astronomers have found water for the first time
in atmosphere of habitable exoplanet- K2-18b
which orbits in its star’s “habitable zone”. The
article was published in the scientific journal
Nature Astronomy and the lead scientist of the
research is Prof Giovanna Tinetti of University
College London (UCL), United Kingdom.
About Exoplanet:
 The planets that are beyond the solar system
are called exoplanets. The first exoplanet was
discovered in 1992, orbiting a pulsar (a neutron star that emits electromagnetic radiation).
They are believed to resemble Jupiter or Neptune.
ISRO loses contact with Moon lander “Vikram” IIT Madras finds an eco-friendly
1. Indian Space Research Organisation has way to degrade plastics
announced that it lost contact with the Moon 1. Three years ago researchers
lander “Vikram” which was scheduled to land from the Indian Institute of
on the moon between 1.30 a.m. and 2.30 a.m. Technology (IIT) Madras
(IST). observed silver slowly
2. Further the roll out of the rover “Pragyan” dissolving in a glucose solution
was scheduled between 5.30 a.m and 6.30 when heated to 70 degree.
a.m. Lander “Vikram” started its descent at 2. The team has demonstrated an
about 1.38 a.m. from an altitude of 30 km at environment-friendly strategy
a velocity of 1,680 metres per second, but lost to degrade the chemically
its communication with the Chandrayaan-2 inert and physically stable
Orbiter when it was at an altitude of 2.1 Km plastic fluoro-polymer -
from Moon’s surface. polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
3. ISRO launched the Chandrayaan-2 (on of which Teflon is made.
July 22, 2019) into the space from India’s 3. All that is required to degrade the
fluoropolymer into molecules is
heavy lift rocket Geosynchronous Satellite
continuous stirring of it in water
Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV Mk III). The containing 1,000 ppm glucose
Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft comprised three and metal ions for about 15 days
segments: the Orbiter, lander ‘Vikram’ and at 70 degree C.
rover ‘Pragyan’.

Survey of India to deploy 300 Drones ISRO and DRDO join Hands for
for Mapping Country ‘Gaganyaan’ Mission
 India’s oldest scientific  The Space agency of the Government
department, the of India (GoI), Indian Space Research
Survey of India (Sol) Organization (ISRO) and the Defence
historically tasked with Research and Development Organization
mapping the country (DRDO) signed a Memorandum of
will for the first time rely on drones to Understanding (MoU) to develop human-
map the country. centric systems for the ‘Gaganyaan’
 A consequence of the mapping will be project.
creating high resolution maps of land Key Words
in villages facilitating the digitisation of  DRDO is committed to provide
land titles in villages. all necessary support to ISRO for
manned space mission. ISRO plans
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to demonstrate man’s ability to reach
Ltd Delivered Second Scorpene space before the completion of 75 years
Submarine “KHANDERI” To Indian of India’s independence in 2022.
Navy In Mumbai  Gaganyaan: It is a proposed manned
 India’s biggest warship builder space mission by Government of India
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd(MDL), (GoI).
delivered the second of the 6 scorpene  This will be India’s first manned
class submarine, Indian Naval Ship mission, to be launched by 2022.
(INS) khanderi to the Indian Navy in  On August 15, 2018, the mission was
Mumbai, Maharashtra. announced by Prime Minister (PM)
 The submarine Khanderi is named after Narendra Modi in his independence
wide snouted Sawfish, which is a deadly day speech from Red Fort.
sea predator of the Indian Ocean.
Protodontopteryx ruthae - World’s oldest Bird Species is Discovered in

Waipara, New Zealand
 Scientists from the Canterbury Museum (England) have
discovered the world’s oldest bird species’ fossils in Waipara,
New zealand that lived 62 million years ago.
 It was a sea bird, and is named as Protodontopteryx ruthae with
its discovery details mentioned in the journal ‘Palaeontology’.
The bird which was smallest in size of its family, maintained size of an average sea gull
while its descendants had wingspans more than five metres.

Defence Ministry signed ` 5,500 crore contract for additional indigenous

Akash SAM systems and LCAs
 The union defence ministry signed contracts worth Rs. 5,500 crores for 6 squadrons of
Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems and 83 Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) to
be deployed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the borders of China and Pakistan.
 The main vendors in this contract are Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat
Dynamics Limited (BDL) along with 150 private vendors.
 Targets set: The defence ministry targets for exports worth $ 5 billion till 2024 and aims
to build $ 26 billion turnover in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025.
Thaawarchand Gehlot launches MIS Consumer affairs minister Ram

portal under Accessible India Campaign Vilas Paswan launched online
in New Delhi national laboratory directory
 The Union Minister of Social Justice and and ‘BIS Certified Products’ app
Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot
 The union minister of consumer
has launched a Management Information
affairs, food and public distribution
System (MIS) developed by the Department
of Empowerment of Persons with Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launched
Disabilities for stakeholders of Accessible an online directory that provides
India Campaign (AIC) in New Delhi. information about testing
Key points: infrastructure and various products
 MIS: The aim of the portal is to bring all
of Indian standards for stakeholder
nodal ministries, states and the Union benefits, especially start- ups.
Territories (UT) on a common platform  The directory link www.
to monitor the progress made against each labdirectory.bis.gov.in features
target under Accessible India Campaign. accredited and recognized
 Accessibility: The portal will be fully Hallmarking Labsby National
accessible for persons with disabilities, help Accreditation Board Ltd (NABL).
maintain all the function on digital platform  Paswan also launched ‘BIS
and capture data on a real-time basis. Certified Products’ app to check
 Accessible India Campaign: On December
the genuineness of a License/
3, 2015 (International Day of People with
Registration number of any
Disabilities), Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has launched the Accessible India product.
Campaign / Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.
 It was launched to serve the differently-
able community of the country and create
an accessible physical environment that
benefits everyone, not just persons with
disabilities.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Mass Media & Communication
5.2 Mass Media & Communication

Govt launched mobile application Indian girls create an app to connect
“Janaushadhi Sugam” old-age homes and orphanages
 “Janaushadhi Sugam” will enable  Five girls have developed a mobile app
people to search for Janaushadhi generic that connects children at orphanages
medicines and the stores at the tip of their with senior citizens in old-age homes,
fingers. with their innovation fetching them a
 This mobile application would have user- bronze medal at global tech competition
friendly options like- to locate nearby in the US.
Janaushadhi Kendra, direction guidance  The app, called Maitri, is aimed at
for the location of the Janaushadhi Kendra bringing together individuals suffering
through Google Map. from loneliness and depression and those
lacking the nurturing love of elderly role
All Villages Will Soon Be linked With models.
 Technovation Challenge is the world’s
Wi-Fi through GramNet
largest technology and entrepreneurship
 The Government reiterated that it will
programme for girls, which runs across
provide Wi-Fi in all the villages through
more than 100 countries, supported by
GramNet with connectivity between
Salesforce.org, Google.org, the Adobe
10mbps to 100 mbps speed.
Foundation, Uber, Samsung, BNY Mellon
 Delivering a keynote address at the 36th
as well as UNESCO
Foundation Day celebrations of C-DOT,
Minister of State for Communications
Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre recited that
BharatNet also plans to provide 1 GBPS
connectivity, which can be expanded up
to 10 GBPS.
OSDMA Wins 2019 IT Excellence Award for SATARK app

 The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has won the 2019 “IT
Excellence Award” by Express India, for designing the app SATARK.
 The award for the app, which tracks and alerts during disasters based on dynamic risk
knowledge in real time, is to be received on September 18, 2019 by OSDMA director B P
Sethi, at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
About SARTAK app
The App covers lightning, earthquake, heatwave, cyclones, floods and drought.

National Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
6. NATIONAL –
DIARY OF EVENT
7th Community Radio Sammelan to be Banjari village of Katni district in MP
held in Delhi to become an integral part of the
 The Seventh Community Radio Sammelan digital map of the country
will be held at Dr. BR Ambedkar Bhawan,  Under the Prime Minister’s ambitious
New Delhi from 27th to 29th August project of Digital India, the Banjari village
2019. of Katni district becomes the 1st village
 The theme of this year’s Sammelan is
in Madhya Pradesh (MP) to become an
integral part of the digital map of the
‘Community Radio for SDGs’. The
country.
representatives of the Community Radio
Stations will discuss experiences and Happiness department of Madhya
possibilities of programming for better Pradesh opens “Time Bank”
public awareness on the Sustainable
 The Madhya Pradesh’s Happiness
Development Goals.
department has planned to set up
 Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar
“Time Bank” that is mutual exchange of
will give awards to Community Radio
services. In Time bank, the units of time
Stations for their achievements in
in an hour is valued as currency. It would
broadcasting development programmes.
provide money for an hour that could be
Ladakhi Shondol dance creates exchanged to acquire a new skill without
history by entering into Guinness the need of any paper money.
book of records  Whenever a bank member needs to get
 Shondol dance, which is known as a skill or service, for example gardening,
the royal dance of Ladakh, has created playing guitar, by knowing the particular
history by entering into the Guinness skill, the member could exchange an
Book of World Records as the largest hour of credited money to another bank
Ladakhi dance. member. The member can start with zero
 Shondol is a famous dance, which credit.
artistes used to perform for the king of
 As many as 408 women attired in traditional
Ladakh.
 The event was held on the concluding
dresses and beautiful headgears performed
day of the ongoing Buddhist carnival the dance, which broke the previous record
Naropa festival near the Hemis of 299 artists dance of Shondol in the 2018
Monastery in Ladakh. festival.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 National Diary of Event
4th edition of Internet of Things India to have 10,000 CNG stations in
(IoT) India Congress 2019 held in next 5 years: Petroleum Minister
Bengaluru  Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister
 The 4 edition of India’s largest confluence
th Dharmendra Pradhan said India will
of digital-technology stakeholders, the have ten thousand CNG stations in the
Internet of Things (IoT) India Congress next five years.
2019 held in Bengaluru, Karnataka from  Launching the commencement of work
August 22 – 23, 2019 with the theme of for 10th City Gas Distribution bidding
‘Mainstreaming the Internet of Things’. round in New Delhi which will cover 50
Geographical Areas in 124 districts across
the country, Mr. Pradhan suggested auto
National Digital Library of India
companies to retrofit vehicles with CNG
launched by HRD Ministry to boost sales.
 Human Resource Development Ministry
has launched the National Digital Library Renovated National Food Laboratory
of India project to develop a framework inaugurated at Ghaziabad
of virtual repository of learning  Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
resources with a single-window search inaugurated regulator Food Safety and
facility. It has been launched under the Standard Authority of India’s (FSSAI)
National Mission on Education through National Food Laboratory (NFL) in
Information and Communication Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. It was
Technology (NMEICT). inaugurated on the occasion of 13th
 There are more than 3 crore digital anniversary of enactment of Food Safety
resources available through the National and Standards Act, (FSSA) 2006.
Digital Library. National Digital Library
is also integrated with UMANG App. Meghalaya launches ‘Walk to Work’
campaign
 Chief Minister of Meghalaya launched
PM Narendra Modi launches ‘Fit India
the ‘Walk to Work’ campaign in the
Movement’
state. The campaign is a part of Fit India
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
Movement which has been launched in
the nation-wide “Fit India Movement” the country by the Prime Minister.
appealed to every citizen to remain  The campaign comes with the multiple
healthy and fit. The event was launched benefits like cost cutting of fuel including
at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New reduction of CO2 emission, reduction
Delhi. in congestion in the city and the most
 The launch was also attended by Sports
important “health and fitness” for the
Minister Kiren Rijiju and National citizens.
Sports Awards 2019 winners among
others.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal top India’s child well-being index
 Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry topped the charts in the
child well-being index, a tool designed to measure and track children’s well-being
comprehensively.
 Meghalaya, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh featured at the bottom of the list, according
to a report released by the non-government organisation World Vision India and research
institute IFMR LEAD.
HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Uttarakhand plant to convert plastic

launches integrated web portal for waste into diesel
school education ‘Shagun’  Union Minister for Science and Technology,
 Human Resource Development (HRD) Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Chief Minister
Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat
launched a web portal ‘Shagun’ to inaugurated a waste plastics to diesel
provide all-inclusive information on plant in Dehradun.
school education including the results of  The plant has been set up in Indian
students through a single platform. Institute of Petroleum whose scientists
 Shagun is a comprehensive initiative to will process waste plastics into fuel. It has
improve the school education system by the capacity to produce 800-litre diesel
creating a junction for all online portals from one tonne of plastic.
and websites relating to various activities
of the Department of School Education 12th India Security Summit on
and Literacy in the government of India “Towards New National Cyber
and all States and Union Territories. Security Strategy” held
 The 12th India Security Summit on the
Rajnath inaugurates Ladakhi-Kisan-
theme “Towards New National Cyber
Jawan-Vigyan Mela in Leh
Security Strategy” was held.
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh  During the conference, many issues
inaugurated the 26th Mela of Ladakhi- were discussed such as protection of
Kisan-Jawan-Vigyan Mela. critical national infrastructure, emerging
 The mela was organised by the Leh-based cyber threats: incidents, challenges and
Defence Institute of High Altitude response.
Research (DIHAR) of DRDO, which was  The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
established in 1960 to meet the fresh food has rolled out a scheme ‘Indian Cyber
requirement of the soldiers deployed in Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)’ to
the harsh terrain of Ladakh. combat cyber crime in the country, in a
coordinated and effective manner.

The Union Minister of Consumer GeM and SIDBI sign MoU to enable
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution growth of MSMEs, Start-ups and
Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launches Women Entrepreneurs
National Lab Directory  Government e Marketplace (GeM),
 The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Food and Public Distribution Shri Ram Commerce and Industry has signed an
Vilas Paswan launched the National Lab MoU with Small Industries Development
Directory which is a one-stop-shop for all Bank of India [SIDBI] to benefit MSMEs,
testing needs of the industries, academia, women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups
researchers and other stakeholders (SHGs), Women Self Help Groups and
who need to get their Testing Facilities
various loan beneficiaries under MUDRA
accredited / certified / recognised.
and Stand-up India scheme.
 The National Lab Directory presently
 This MoU will enable promotion of special
encompasses NABL accredited, BIS
Recognised/Empanelled Labs. The labs initiatives of GeM like Womaniya and
which are recognised/notified by FASAI, Start-up Runway with SIDBI stakeholders.
APEDA, EIC, can also be indicated GeM and SIDBI will take steps to ensure
accordingly. All testing facilities for payments within a guaranteed time
various labs can be searched by Products, frame to sellers, enhance working capital
IS standards, etc. availability through bill discounting and
 This Directory will benefit all stakeholders control NPAs through control of end use.
such as manufacturers, consumers,
regulatory agencies, government and Centre approves Gorewada
research institutions in identifying the test International Zoo in Nagpur
facilities that are required for assessing
 Union Minister Prakash Javadekar
conformity of relevant products or in
announced the approval for the new
testing for the purpose of research and
development. Gorewada International Zoo to be
inaugurated in Nagpur district of
Maharashtra.
“Mega Vendor Meet 2019” held at
 According to Forest Development
Lucknow
Corporation of Maharashtra Limited
 Research Designs and Standards (FDCML), the Government of
Organization organized the “Mega Maharashtra has already issued its
Vendor Meet 2019” at Lucknow. The Government Resolution, for establishing
special meet was organized to expand International Standard Zoo and Rescue
vendor base and spread information Centre at Gorewada village, Nagpur
on greater business opportunities in District on 1914 hectares of Forest Land
Railways Sector. through FDCML.
 Research Designs and Standards
Organization is a research wing of Indian
Railways.
Home minister launched first fleet of Delhi cabinet approves free ride to
eco-friendly e-buses in Ahmedabad, women in buses
Gujarat  Delhi Cabinet has approved free travel for
 On August 29,2019, In a bid to make the women in Delhi Transport Corporation
city cleaner & greener, the Union Minister (DTC) buses and cluster buses from
of Home Affairs, Amit Shah has flagged October 29, 2019.
off the first fleet of eco-friendly e-buses  There are around 38 lakh passengers
(electric buses) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, traveling daily in DTC buses, while about
which will be operated on major junctions 12 lakh passengers use cluster buses, of
in the city. this 30% are women passengers.
 He also inaugurated the India’s 1st  The government also asked DTC as well
automated battery charging & changing as DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal
station for e-buses in the city. Transit System) to strengthen their ticket
5 International Ramayan Festival
th
checking mechanisms to check that the
organized in New Delhi facility is not misused.
 The 5th International Ramayan Festival
Indian Oil to build 1 GW electric
organized by Indian Council for Cultural
vehicle battery plant
Relations (ICCR) is being held from 17-19
September 2019 in New Delhi.  India Oil Corporation limited will set up a
 The maiden day of festival was presided 1 Giga Watt (GW) plant to make batteries
by Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit used for running electric vehicles in
Shah as Chief Guest. partnership with an overseas start-up
using a non-lithium in raw material.
Fun zone has been set up by the
Railways at the Visakhapatnam DPIIT launched plastic waste
Railway Station management ‘Swachhta hi Sewa 2019’
 A fun zone, the first of its kind in India, campaign on September 11, 2019
has been set up by the Railways at  The Department of Promotion and
the Visakhapatnam Railway Station, Industry and Internal Trade (DPITT)
Andhra Pradesh. The Gaming zone was under the Ministry of Commerce and
inaugurated at platform number 1. Industry launched ‘Swachhta hi Sewa
2019′ campaign as part of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s call to action against
plastic waste from industrial estates,
parks and other areas by all states and
Union Territories(UT). The theme of the
campaign is Plastic Waste Management.

Most awaited “Assam’s National Register of Citizens List” released
 State coordinator of the National Register of Citizens, Prateek Hajela has released the
most awaited Assam’s final National Register of Citizens list. The list has been made
accessible online and at all NRC seva kendras in the state.
 The process of NRC Update was started in the state of Assam as per order of the
Supreme Court of India in 2013. The NRC took five years and ` 1,220 crore before getting
published.
4th General Assembly of Association of World Air India to ban single – use
Election Bodies (A-WEB) at Bengaluru plastic from October 2
 The Election Commission of India is scheduled to  Air India announced that the
host the 4th General Assembly of Association of usage of single – use plastic on
World Election Bodies (A-WEB) at Bengaluru on the flights of its subsidiaries Air
3rd September 2019. India Express and Alliance Air
 India will take over as A-WEB’s Chair for the 2019- – Will stop from October 2. In
21 term. Over 50 countries across the globe will join First Phase it will implement in
the meeting at Bengaluru from 2nd to 4th September, all flights of Air India Express
2019. and Alliance Air Flights.
 An International Conference on “Initiatives and  In 2nd Phase, it will be
Challenges of Social Media and Information implemented in Air India
Technology in Elections” will also be held on 4th Flights.
September, 2019.
Prime Minister (PM) of India Shri Narendra Modi
 Prime Minister (PM) of India Shri Narendra Modi paid a one-day visit to Jharkhand
and launched schemes namely KMY, PMLVMY and Swarojgar. He also inaugurated
Jharkhand assembly and schools in the state.
Scheme Launched in Ranchi, Jharkhand KMDY:
 The “Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana” (KMY) for small and marginal farmers was launched
in Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand. This scheme would benefit 5 crore farmers
nationwide.
 Contribution: Farmers can contribute to KMDY in terms of installments from PM-KISAN
scheme and through Common Service Centers (CSC).
PMLVMY :
 Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyaparik Mandhan Yojana (PMLVMY) was launched with the
aim of providing pension to small shopkeepers and traders benefiting 3crore people in
the country.
Building inauguration
 Jharkhand assembly: New Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha (state assembly building) was
inaugurated by PM in presence of Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Raghubardas and
governor Droupadi Murmu and had also laid foundation stone for the New Secretariat
Building at Ranchi. This assembly becomes the first paperless assembly of the country.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu India’s First Garbage Café to open in

Inaugurates Aqua Aquaria India 2019 Chhattisgarh
in Hyderabad.  India’s first ‘Garbage Cafe’ will soon
 Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu be opened in Ambikapur city in north
inaugurated the Aqua Aquaria India 2019 Chhattisgarh. It is initiative of Ambikapur
in Hyderabad. municipal corporation. It aims to make
 The Three – day expo is being organized by Ambikar city plastic-free.
the Marine Products Export Development
India’s first ‘Garbage Cafe’
Authority (MPEDA).
 Marine Products Export Development In this unique Cafe, poor people and rag
Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry pickers will get free food in exchange for
of Commerce and Industry is organising one kilogram of plastic. Besides they will
this bi- annual event. also provided with breakfast in return
 India, the second Largest fish producer for exchanging half a kilogram of plastic
in the world with a production of 13.70 brought to the café. The collected garbage
Million tonnes during 2018-19, earns through this café will be sold at Solid
10 per cent of its total exports from Liquid Resources Management Centre.
fisheries. It will be further be turned into granules
 The Contribution of Fisheries to the Gross and will then be used in the construction
Domestic Product is about one per cent of roads in the city.
and about 5.37 per cent to the Agricultural
GDP. 3-day International Snacks Festival
 This Year’s Theme – ‘Taking blue 2019 Inaugurated in Hyderabad
revolution of India’s hinterland’.  A 3-day International Snacks Festival
2019 was inaugurated in Hyderabad,
India’s longest electrified rail tunnel Telangana. It was inaugurated at the
in Andhra Pradesh
Ameerpet Metro station by Hyderabad
 The Vice President of India, Shri Metro Rail (HMRL) Managing Director
Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the (MD) NVS Reddy, along with secretary
longest electrified railway tunnel (6.7 km)
to Tourism, Culture & Youth Affairs of
between Cherlopalli and Rapuru costing
Telangana, B. Venkatesham and Larsen &
` 437 crores, and the electrified railway
Toubro Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH)
line (112 km) between Venkatachalam
(Krishnapatnam) and Obulavaripalli project director MP Naidu.
costing ` 1,993 crores.
 Remodelled yard of Guduru railway
station and new intercity superfast
express between Guduru and Vijayawada
were also inaugurated.

KVIC Launches ‘Terracotta Grinder’ at 100 cities to be covered under
Varanasi to Re-use wasted pottery CGHS services by 2022.
 Khadi and Village 1. Health Minister has announced
Industries Commission that the Central Government
(KVIC) launched a Health Scheme’s services
first ever ‘Terracotta would be available to 100 cities
Grinder’ at Sewapuri in by 2022.
Varanasi 2. He announced it during the
 This Terracotta grinder inauguration of state of the art
will make grinding of CGHS Bhawan in New Delhi.
wasted pottery items faster than the traditional 3. The Minister also launched
mortar and pestle. It will lessen the cost of the new scheme “Annual
production, and will also help in solving the Health Check-up” of CGHS
problem of shortage of clays beneficiaries for pensioners of
the age of 75 years.
RD Ministry Awarded Institute of Eminence
Status to 5 Public Institutions
‘72nd Session of the WHO
 The Human Resource Development Ministry
Regional Committee for
has awarded the Institute of Eminence status to
South-East Asia’ held in New
5 public institutions. The status was awarded to
Delhi
the following institutions:
 Union Minister of Health and
 IIT Madras
Family Welfare(MoHFW) Dr.
 IIT Kharagpur
Harsh Vardhan inaugurated
 Delhi University the ‘72nd Session of the WHO
 Benares Hindu University Regional Committee for
 University of Hyderabad South-East Asia’ in New Delhi
 Each of the above university has to sign an MoU and was also unanimously
with the HRD Ministry and will lay out its plan to elected as the chair of the 72nd
achieve the objective of becoming a world-class Session of the WHO (World
institution. The public institutions on the list will Health Organisation) Regional
then be eligible for a government grant of ` 1,000 Committee for South-East Asia.
crore.
Key Words:
About Institute of Eminence (IoE)
It is an Initiative in that public institutions selected as
‘Institution of Eminence’ will be provided a financial
assistance of upto ` 1000 crore, over a period of five
years to emerge as World Class Institution.

“C-plan” app to aid community Food Ministry puts blanket ban on

policing by UP police launched single use plastic products from 15
 The Uttar Pradesh (UP) police have September
launched a new app name “C-app” in its  Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs
new police headquarters at Lucknow, UP Food and Public Distribution has
to aid community policing throughout announced a blanket ban on all types
the state whereby the police would be of single use plastic products in various
involved in tracking anti-social elements departments of Ministry and all its Public
in time. Sector Units (PSUs) including Food
 This app helps at being informed about Corporation of India (FCI) starting from
communal tensions and also in verifying 15 September 2019.
the received information.
Key Words: IGI gets India’s tallest ATC Tower

 Aim: To bring down the crime rate and  Union Minister of state for civil aviation
enhance police-public relationship with Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated a new
the help of technology. air traffic control (ATC) tower at Delhi’s
Indira Gandhi International Airport,
New Delhi.
Health Ministry proposal to ban e-
cigarette ATC tower
 The height of the ATC tower is 101.9
A panel of ministers from commerce, health, metres. The tower aims to reduce the
agriculture, chemicals and petrochemicals, pressure on controllers and provide
and food processing departments chaired by relief to flyers from delays. The tower
finance minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman has over 45 work stations with better
will study the proposal of Ministry of operational area visibility. The tower
Health, Government of India (GoI) to ban has multilayered security.
the production and import of e-cigarettes,
through an ordinance.
Cyber Crime Investigation and Cyber
Key Words: Forensics in New Delhi
The health ministry in august 2018, has  1st National Conference on Cyber Crime
proposed a nation-wide ban on electronic Investigation and Cyber Forensics
cigarettes /electronic nicotine delivery being held at CBI HQ in New Delhi
systems (ENDS) with a prison sentence up on September 4-5. Inaugurated by
to one year and stiff monetary penalties CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla, the
of ` 1 lakh for first-time offenders & up conference attended by DGPs, ADGPs,
to three years and ` 5 lakh for repeat and SPs dealing with cybercrime.
offenders.

Govt. Launches Campaign to Promote WHO SE Asia Region Plans to Banish
‘Eat Right Movement’ Measles, Rubella by 2023
 Health Minister Harsh Vardhan kick-  Member-countries of the World Health
starting POSHAN Maah 2019 with a year- Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia
long social and mass media campaign on Region have resolved to eliminate highly
the Eat Right India movement. infectious childhood killer diseases
 Theme of eating right for the next 365 measles and rubella by 2023.
days, Dr. Vardhan also launched the  A resolution to eliminate the diseases was
new Eat Right India logo that represents adopted at the 72nd session of the WHO
a healthy plate, an online eat right quiz Regional Committee for South-East Asia
and online course for frontline health in Delhi.
workers.
About The Eat Right Movement Ministry Rolls Out 25 New Mobile
It is voluntary and collaborative movement Science Museums
built on two broad pillars - “Eat healthy
 The Union Culture Ministry rolled out 25
and Eat safe”. It is collective effort to
new mobile science museums, including
encourage people towards making right
one for Ladakh.
food and dietary choices. It focuses on both
 Aiming to take science education to
sides - demand and supply side to come
students in areas without access to such
together.
services.
 Union Culture and Tourism Minister of
State (Independent charge) Prahlad Singh
‘Coolie No.1’ is the first Bollywood
Patel flagged off the science museum bus
film which is set to go plastic-free
in Leh.
 An upcoming movie featuring Varun  These museums-on-wheels will travel to
Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan and Paresh schools in the 115 “aspirational districts”,
Rawal named Coolie No. 1 is the first as named by the Centre.
Bollywood film to go plastic-free.
 The film, directed by David Dhawan and No School Bag Day
produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky  The Manipur government has declared
Bhagnani and Deepshika Deshmukh will all working saturday as “No School Bag
be released on May 1, 2020. Day” for students from Class I to VIII.
 On this day, students will not Carry
Thessaloniki International Fair School Bags and Institutions will ensure
 An Indian delegation led by Minister of taking up extra co-curricular activities,
State (MoS) for Commerce and Industry, games and sports, recreational activities
Hardeep Singh Puri participated in the among others and make schools a more
84th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) joyful place of learning.
in Greece.

NGT asks to Prepare Plan for Protection “SRS Based Abridged Life Tables,
of the Great Indian Bustard 2013-17”
 The high mortality rate of the Great Indian  According to the Sample Registration
Bustard, the National Green Tribunal Survey (SRS) document named “SRS
has directed the Centre to prepare a time- Based Abridged Life Tables, 2013-17”
bound action plan within two months for released by the Registrar General of
protection of the birds. India, the overall life expectancy at birth
 A Bench headed by NGT chairperson in India improved to 69 years from 68.7
Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also years in 2012-16.
constituted a joint committee comprising  Men & Women life expectancy: As per
officials of the Ministry of Environment, SRS 2013-17, women are expected to live
Forest and Climate Change, Ministry for 70.4 years and men for 67.8 years. In
of Power and Ministry of New and 2012-16, the life expectancy for women
Renewabale Energy. was 70.2 years and for men, it was 67.4
years.
‘Vijay Sankalp’ Rally
 PM addressed the ‘Vijay Sankalp’ rally Army to conduct ‘startup weekend’
in Haryana. He stated that over the last for J & K youth
five years, the state has got the benefit  To foster the spirit of entrepreneurship
of the double-engine –Central and state in the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the
governments. Army is conducting a three-day “start-
 Haryana is a leading state in ‘Swachhta’
up weekend” at Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi University in Reasi district from
campaign. It has been declared open-
September 20.
defecation-free, a kerosene-free state  The ‘’Techstars startup weekend’’ is an
and is a leading state in Micro, Small and entrepreneurial experience programme
Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. where participants go through the
experience of building prototypes, take
First ‘Make in India’ Metro Coach in their ideas to the next stage and learn how
Mumbai inaugurated by PM Modi in to launch their businesses.
Mumbai
 Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi India Pavilion inaugurated at 44th
inaugurated the first Metro Coach TIFF 2019
in Mumbai under the ‘Make in  High Commissioner of India to Canada
India’ initiative at Jio World Centre, Vikas Swarup inaugurated the India
Maharashtra, Mumbai. Pavilion at the 44th Toronto International
 In Aurangabad shri Modi addressed Film Festival (TIFF) 2019.
‘Mahila Saksham Melava’ (Empowered  The Inauguration of India Pavilion at TIFF
Women’s Meet) of the Self Help Groups 2019 will provide a platform to showcase
(SHG) organised by the Maharashtra State Indian Cinema in the overseas market and
Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM). facilitate new business opportunities.
National Animal Disease Control Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana
Programme (NADCP)  Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall
 In one of the major efforts towards launch the Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana
doubling the Farmers Income, Prime on the 12th of September at Ranchi,
Minister Narendra Modi planned to Jharkhand.
launch the National Animal Disease  The Scheme shall secure the lives of 5
Control Programme (NADCP) for Crore Small and Marginal Farmers by
eradicating the Foot and Mouth Disease providing a minimum pension of ` 3000
(FMD) and Brucellosis in the livestock, per month, to those who attain 60 years
on 11th September from Mathura in of age.
Uttar Pradesh.  All the small and marginal farmers who
 With 100 Percent funding from the are currently between the ages of 18 to 40
Central Government, of Rs 12,652 Crores
years can apply for the scheme.
for a period of five years till 2024, the
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall
program aims at vaccinating over 500
also inaugurate 400 Ekalvya Model
Million Livestock including cattle,
Residential Schools to provide quality
buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs against the
upper primary, secondary, and senior
FMD.
secondary level education to ST Students
 The program also aims at vaccinating 36
in Tribal dominated areas.
Million Female Bovine Calves annually
in its fight against the Brucellosis MP govt. to offer cows for online
disease. adoption
 The Program has two components  The Madhya Pradesh (MP) govt.
– to control the diseases by 2025 and announced to launch online service
eradication by 2030. for cow adoption and shed provisions
under the MP govt’s initiative “Project
Gaushala” at Gaushalas (cow shelters).
Narmada dam at its highest level, to In this project a cow can be adopted for a
overflow for first time minimum period of 15 days.
 Gujarat’s Narmada dam is set to overflow Key Words
at its full 138.68 metre height for the first
 Currently there are 626 gaushalas in
time, after it was completed with the
the state. 15 day cow feed would cost `
installation of gates in 2017.
 Sardar Sarovar Dam: Necessary to control
1100, 10 years would cost ` 3 Lakhs and
flood situation in Bharuch city due to high for 6 months it costs ` 11,100.
tide and 175 villages in three districts.
The district administration requested to
control outflow. Level touched historic
mark 138 metres.

‘ANGAN’- A three-day international Conference on Energy Efficiency in Building

Sector
 An international conference ANGAN (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-
habitat) focussed on Energy Efficiency in Building Sector began in New Delhi. The
Conference is being organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of
Power, Government of India in collaboration with GIZ under the Indo German Technical
Cooperation.
Key Words: About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
 The BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
 It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing
the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
The exhibition PRA-KASHI on finest Kerala to set up India’s First iWTC in

trends of contemporary weaving Kozhikode
 Union Minister of State for Culture&
Tourism (Independent Charge), Shri
Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the
exhibition PRA-KASHI on the finest
trends of contemporary weaving, in New
Delhi
 This year, National Museum has
already organised three special thematic
exhibitions on Baluchari Textiles,
Himachal Folk Art and West Bengal’s
Patachitra or Scroll Painting.  In consonance with the 17 United Nations
DefExpo 2020 Sustainable Development Goals
 Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired (UNSDGs), Kerala will set up India’s first
the first meeting of the Apex Committee International Women’s Trade Centre
for DefExpo 2020, in the presence of (iWTC) in Kozhikode to boost women
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi entrepreneurship and secure gender
Adityanath. parity. It is an important Gender Park
 The huge exhibition that will showcase under the Department of Social Justice of
India’s Defence manufacturing Kerala Government.
capabilities as well as world’s top defence Key Words:
manufacturing companies would be held  The first phase of iWTC will be
for the first time in Lucknow from 05 – 08 completed by 2021. It is executed under
February, 2020. the Gender Park’s “Vision 2020”.

National Conference on Crop Residue North Eastern Council held in
Management Guwahati
 Union Minister of State for Agriculture  The 68th Plenary session of the North
& Farmers Welfare requested further Eastern Council (NEC) was held in
support and ideas from the farmers to Guwahati on the 8th & 9th September,
ensure zero burning in all the villages. 2019.
Inaugurating the National Conference  The Plenary session was inaugurated
on Crop Residue Management for by the Union Home Minister Shri
the farmers from the states of Punjab,
Amit Shah. The Union Home Minister
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi the
announced that the North Eastern Council
Minister said that success stories from
these States should be shared with all will earmark 30 per cent of its fund for
farmers. focussed funding of priority areas and
 This conference was organized in deprived sections of society in the North
collaboration with ICAR in order to East.
address concerns of farmers and State Key Words:
Governments. The straw burning events
About North Eastern Council (NEC)
in 2018 have reduced by 15% and 41%
as compared to that in 2017 and 2016  North Eastern Council was established
respectively, as per the report of the under the North Eastern Council Act,
High-Power Committee Chaired by Dr. 1971as an apex level body for securing
Nagesh Singh. balanced and coordinated development
 The Minister also launched a multilingual and facilitating coordination with the
Mobile App “CHC Farm Machinery” North eastern states.
for the farmers to avail the custom hiring  NEC is headed by Home Minister and
services of CHCs located in the radius of all the Governors and Chief Ministers of
50 Kms. This app connects the farmers
North Eastern States will be Members.
with Custom Hiring Service Centres in
their area. INDIASOFT 2020
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot launched  It will be conducted from March 3 – 4,
India’s first ‘Jan Soochna Portal’ 2020 in Telangana, Hyderabad.
RAJIV campaign  Experience a world of innovations and
explore the avenue of sourcing the best
 The govt. of Rajasthan has launched
of total IT products & solutions for the
a portal called ‘Jan Soochna Portal’ growth of your enterprise including
under the Rajasthan Innovation Vision Mobile Application Services, Cloud
(RAJIV) campaign that was started to Computing and much more under
commemorate former Prime Minister one roof. The event will have over 250
(PM) Rajiv Gandhi’s 75th anniversary. Indian IT companies catering a host of
 This portal will provide people to seek solutions with value additions, three
the Right to Information (RTI) with dimensional growth in skills, technology
transparency and accountability. and expertise.
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar Launched Defense Secretary Sanjay

2 Insurance Schemes Mitra to Head 3 Member Panel
 “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji to look into Assets, Liabilities
Durghatna Beema Yojana” and “Mukhyamantri of J & K
Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana” for  The union government has
traders. appointed defense Secretary
 The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Shri Sanjay Mitra to head a
Khattar launched 2 insurance schemes named 3-member panel to look into
“Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji assets, liabilities of Jammu and
Durghatna Beema Yojana” and “Mukhyamantri Kashmir (J & K) between two
Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana” for traders successor Union territories (UT)
registered under the Haryana Goods and Service J & K and Ladakh, that comes
Tax (HGST) Act, 2017. Premium of Rs 38 crore into effect on October 31, 2019.
for both the schemes will be paid by the Haryana
Key Words:
state government.
 Background: The Centre,
Key Points: announced the withdrawal of
 Under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik the special status granted to
Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana, an accident Jammu and Kashmir under
insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh will be provided Article 370 of the Constitution
for 3.75 lakh registered traders. and bifurcation of the state into
 Under the Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti two UTs on August 5, 2019.
Beema Yojana, an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh
to Rs 25 lakh will be provided for 3.13 lakh India declares free from H5N1
registered small and medium traders. Haryana avian influenza
became the first state in India to implement this  India has been declared free
scheme. from H5N1 avian influenza
 All the families in Haryana with an annual (commonly known as bird flu)
family income of Rs 1.80 lakh will be covered by OIE (Office International
under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. des Epizooties) - World
 The monthly wages of ‘Safai Karamcharis’ Organisation for Animal Health.
working in urban areas was hiked to Rs 15,000 The flu was last reported in
from Rs 13,500 and in rural areas to Rs 12,500 2017 with disease outbreaks in
from Rs 11,000. Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand.
 Families living in electricity-deprived habitats Key Points:
outside a radius of one kilometer from villages  H5N1 is non-contagious but
will be covered under the Manohar Jyoti has a mortality rate of 60%,
Yojana. when infected.

Asian Ministerial Energy Round table
 The 8th Edition of Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER 8) for the year 2019 was
held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India was the co-host along with
UAE.
 It was held alongside the 24th Edition of World Energy Congress (WEC). From the Indian
side, it was attended by the Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Mr Dharmendra
Pradhan who is on a 3-day visit to UAE.
Plenary sessions:
 AMER8 had 2 Plenary sessions which focussed on the role of new technologies for a more
competitive & productive world energy mix and advancing inclusive access to secure,
affordable, and sustainable energy services.
 AMER9 : It is scheduled to be held in New Delhi in 2021.
 24th World Energy Congress (WEC): The 24th Edition of World Energy Congress (WEC)
for 2019 was held from September 9-12, 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition
Centre, UAE under the theme “Energy for Prosperity”. It is a triennial event.
J&K tops in coverage of iodised salt in the first Nutrition International’s survey
2019
 The Country’s first of its kind survey to measure iodized salt coverage conducted by
Nutrition International in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS) and the Indian Coalition for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD)
has reported that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has topped the list of best performers in
iodized salt coverage.
 J&K is followed by Nagaland and Manipur in the second and third place respectively.
Meanwhile the country’s third largest iodized salt producer Tamil Nadu was reported to
be the lowest iodized salt consuming state in the country.
Top 5 states Bottom 5 states Study report:

Jammu & Kashmir TamilNadu  76.3% of Indian households consumed
Nagaland Andhra Pradesh adequate iodized salt.
Manipur Rajasthan  The survey covered a total of 21,406
Mizoram Odisha households in 29 States and 7 Union

Territories in India and conducted from
Meghalaya Jharkhand
October 2018 till March 2019
 Top salt producers: Gujarat is the top salt
producer of the country producing 71%
of the nation’s salt and is followed by
Rajasthan (17%) and TamilNadu (11%).

Unani Medical Centre and Siddha 118 new Community Radio Stations
Clinical Research Unit at Safdarjung to be set-up
Hospital  Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar
 Minister of State (Independent Charge) announced that 118 new Community
for AYUSH and Defence Shri Shripad Radio Stations (CRS) are in the process
Yesso Naik inaugurated an Unani of being set-up.
Medical Centre and Siddha Clinical Key Words:
Research Unit at Safdarjung Hospital, About Community Radio Stations
New Delhi.  Community Radios are small (low
 The Unani Medical Centre has been power) FM radio stations with a
established by the Central Council for coverage area of around 10-15 Km
Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) radius, depending on the geography of
and Siddha Clinical Research Unit has the area. CRS play a significant role in
been established by the Central Council dissemination of agriculture related
for Research in Siddha Medicine information, government schemes for
(CCRS). people’s welfare, weather forecast etc.
About AYUSH  CRS are expected to produce at least
 The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 50% of their programs locally, as far as
9th November’ 2014. Earlier it was known possible in local languages or dialects.
as the Department of Indian System of
Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM & H) India’s 1st National Antimicrobial
which was created in March 1995 and Resistance Hub set up in Kolkata
renamed as Department of Ayurveda,
 India’s first National Antimicrobial
Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
Resistance Hub was recently inaugurated
and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in
in Kolkata.
November 2003, with a view to provide
 The Kolkata centre would be the hub for
focused attention for the development
research on antibiotic resistance not only
of Education and Research in Ayurveda,
for the country but for the entire South
Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
Asia.
and Homoeopathy.
 The centre was jointly inaugurated
Delhi Attracts the Largest Number of by the ICMR, in association with the
Students from Across the Country U.S. Consulate of Kolkata and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
 Deputy Chief Minister and Education
Services.
Minister Manish Sisodia launched his
book ‘Shiksha: A Journey’.
 The book documents his experiences as
an education minister in transforming
the public education system in Delhi.

312 Sikhs of Indian origin from ‘adverse list’: Reports
 At least 312 Indian-origin Sikhs living in
foreign countries have been removed from
a Ministry of Home Affairs “adverse list”,
enabling them to apply for Indian visa and
visit the country
 In future, Sikhs mentioned in the list could
eventually apply for registration as Overseas
Citizens of India (OCI) after they have
applied for and held normal visa for a period
of two years.
 In the 1980s, when Sikh militancy was at its
peak, many members of the community in
India and abroad were influenced by anti-India propaganda.
 Some Sikhs fled India to escape the authorities, acquired foreign nationality and took
asylum outside the country. They were placed in the adverse list till 2016, making them
ineligible to avail visa services to visit India.
National Green Tribunal forms ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ became the

committee to stop illegal groundwater only Indian film in “The Guardian” list
extraction of 100 Best Films of the 21st century
 Expressing concern over depleting  The Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s
groundwater levels, the National Green film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ released
Tribunal (NGT) has set up a committee in 2012 featuring Manoj Bajpayee,
to formulate steps required to prevent Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Piyush Mishra
illegal extraction of groundwater. and Richa Chadha, became the only Indian
Key Highlights of Committee film in British daily “The Guardian” list
 A bench headed by NGT Chairperson of the 100 Best Films of the 21st century.
Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the It claimed the 59th position.
committee to evolve a robust mechanism Key Words:
for ensuring that groundwater is not  The first spot was claimed by the film
illegally extracted and to monitor There Will Be Blood (2007).
manning and functioning of Central  It was followed by 12 Years a Slave
Ground Water Authority (CGWA). (2013) and Boyhood (2014).
 Committee may look into the reports
already submitted. The report may be
furnished within 2 months by e-mail.

Union HRD Minister launched Various Government constitutes

Initiatives of AICTE in New Delhi Company Law Committee for
 Union Human Resource Development examining provisions and issues
(HRD) Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal related to Companies Act 2013
‘Nishank’ launched various initiatives of implementation
All India Council for Technical Education  The corporate affairs ministry in
(AICTE) in New Delhi. line with the govt’s objective to
 Initiatives: The initiatives are Facilitation promote the ease of living and by
through Margadarshan and Margadarshak, providing Ease of Doing Business
Model Curriculum for Diploma Courses, to the companies abiding the law
Waste Management Accelerator for Aspiring decided to be set up, a company law
Women Entrepreneurs (WAWE Summit committee to look into the issues
2019) and 360-degree Feedback of Faculty. pertaining to the implementation
Margadarshan Initiative: of the Companies Act, 2013 and the
 Under this scheme, institutions having good Limited Liability Partnership Act,
accreditation record/highly performing 2008.
institutions are provided funding upto Rs.  The 11- member company law
50 lakhs per institution over a period of committee will be headed by
three years in instalments for carrying out Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti
various activities. Srinivas.
Margdarshak Initiative:
 Under this scheme, mentor teachers or Tatpar, a new app of Delhi Police,
Margdarshaks are identified and they up to 50 invoices can be done
will guide the mentee institutions to  The Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil
get accreditation by National Board of Baijal has launched a new mobile
Accreditation (NBA). app called ‘Tatpar’ developed by
 Their tenure will be initially for 6 months various units of Delhi Police over the
but extendable on year on year basis. last three years.
WAWE Summit 2019:  People will be able to do more than
 The WAWE Summit will be held in 50 works of their need through this
November-December 2019 which will be app with a single touch.
 By visiting this app, people can
jointly organized by the AICTE and Institute
of Waste Management (IIWM) at Jaipur, navigate to their nearest police
Rajasthan. station, traffic pit and prepaid taxi
booth & can also get complete contact
 Theme will be ‘Make your own bag’. It will
details of the concerned Station House
be the largest gathering of young women
Officer (SHO) of a police station.
students to promote entrepreneurship in
waste management.

First International Conference on Sustainability Education 2019 Held At The
India Habitat Centre In New Delhi
 The first of its kind International Conference on Sustainability Education 2019 was held at
the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2019.
 It was jointly organised by Mobius Foundation, the Climate Reality Project, India in
partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), New Delhi office.
 First International Conference on Sustainability Education-2019.
Key Words : Asia’s first environment school- World Environment School (WESc)
 Asia’s first environment school named World Environment School (WESc) was
launched on International Conference on Sustainability Education 2019.
 It will be operational from 2021 for grade 6 to 12 students and educate the next generation
of environmental leaders.
CD Minister Facilitates States, Districts
Country’s first Central Police
Under BBBP Scheme for Improved Sex
University to be built in Greater
Ratio
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
 The Minister of Woman and Child Affairs
 India’s first Central Police University (WCD) Smt. Smriti ZubinIrani awarded
will be established in Greater Noida, states and districts for sex ratio and
Uttar Pradesh near the Yamuna awareness generation under the Beti Bachao
Expressway with the aim to improve Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign. Further 10
the law and order of the country. districts were also awarded for good work in
awareness generation and outreach activities.
Telangana governor Tamilisai The awarded states were:
becomes the youngest governor State District
at 58 years while Andhra governor Arunachal Pradesh East Kameng
Harichandan becomes the oldest Haryana Mahendragarh
at 85 Haryana Bhiwani
 Former TamilNadu Bharatiya Janata Uttrakhand Udham Singh Nagar
Party (BJP) chief Dr. Tamilisai
Tamil Nadu Namakkal
Soundararajan who was sworn
in as the first woman governor of Maharashtra Jalgaon
Telangana, became the youngest Uttar Pradesh Etawah
state governor at the age of 58 among Chattisgarh Raigarh
all the current governors. Andhra Rajasthan Jodhpur
Pradesh governor Biswa Bhusan
Key Words: About BBBP:
Harichandan is the oldest at the age
 Launched : 22nd January, 2015
of 85 among the current governors.
 Launch location : Panipat, Haryana

NASSCOM’s DSCI, MeitY And Google Beneficiaries Under PMMVY Scheme

India Launched A Nationwide ‘Digital Crossed 1 Crore
Payment Abhiyan’  Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
 The National Association of Software (PMMVY) achieved a mark of reaching 1
and Services Company’s (NASSCOM) crore (1,00,11,200) beneficiaries in India.
Data Security Council of India (DSCI), The total amount disbursed under the
Ministry of Electronics & Information scheme crossed Rs. 4,000 crores.
Technology (MeitY) and Google India  Top 5 states: Madhya Pradesh, Andhra
had collaborated together to launch a Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Dadra &
nationwide awareness campaign ‘Digital Nagar Haveli and Rajasthan are the top
Payment Abhiyan. 5 states/ union territories (UTs) in the
 The campaign was launched by the implementation of scheme.
Communications and Electronics &  Odisha and Telangana have not
Information Technology (IT) Minister Mr implemented the scheme.
Ravi Shankar Prasad at the Google for  Its implementation is monitored by
India event in New Delhi. the central and state governments
 Google and Vodafone-Idea entered through a web-based software
into an agreement to introduce Google application named PMMVY-CAS.
Assistant to 2G and feature phone users.
About PMMVY:
Google Assistant function will be made
 It is a flagship scheme of the Government
available in 9 local languages in India.
for Pregnant Women and Lactating
 Hindi is the second-most used ‘Assistant’
Mothers (PW&LM).
language globally after English.
 It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Launched under which PW&LM receive a cash

‘Champions Campaign’ Against benefit of Rs. 5,000 in three instalments
on fulfilling certain conditions.
Dengue
 The eligible beneficiaries also receive cash
 The Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr Arvind
incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana
Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
(JSY). Thus, on an average, a woman gets
launched “champions campaign” in the
Rs. 6,000.
fight against dengue.
 Earlier, he had also launched 10 Hafte 10
Baje 10 Minute campaign.
 He had urged the Delhi residents to
give 10 minutes every Sunday from
September 1- November 15, 2019 to check
the surroundings to prevent the breeding
of dengue-carrier mosquitoes.

HRD Ministry Announces National Educational Alliance For Technology (NEAT)
Scheme For Higher Education Learning Outcomes
 The Union Ministry of Human Resource & Development (MHRD) has announced a new
scheme named National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) for better learning
outcomes in higher education and is expected to be operational in early November 2019.
 The main objective of this scheme is to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in making
personalized learning and will be developed through Public-private partnership (PPP)
model.
 AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) will be the implementing agency of
this scheme.
 EdTech (Education Technology) companies will be responsible for managing the learners’
registration though the NEAT portal.
Indian Army Conducted ‘Chang Thang’ Exercise In Eastern Ladakh
 The Indian army conducted massive integrated exercise named ‘Chang Thang’ in the
Eastern Ladakh region bordering China in a very high-altitude area in order to test and
improve its capabilities in war fighting.
 The exercise involved all the arms of the Indian army like T-72 tanks, artillery guns and
helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles etc.
Reason for the exercise :
 The exercise which happened first time in the region came from the backdrop of a
scuffle (a short struggle/fight) between India and Chinese troops on the northern
bank of Pangong Tso (Tso denotes lake) in Ladakh amid China.
 Him Vijay: The army will also conduct another major exercise Him Vijay in next two
months. The exercise will be conducted in Arunachal Pradesh to test new fighting
formation, Integrated Battle Group in mountain warfare.
IAF Chief B S Dhanoa restored Ambala-based 17th Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’

to operate first unit of Rafale aircraft
 Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa restored Air Force
Station (AFS) Ambala-based 17th Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ which will be committed
to operate India-Pakistan frontier. It will be the first unit to operate the newly-acquired
Rafale aircraft.
AP govt forms expert panel to review Amaravati and other developmental plans
 The Andhra Pradesh government on set up a five-member committee, comprising urban
planning experts, to review developmental plans initiated so far (by the government) and
suggest a comprehensive strategy for the all-round development of the state, including
the upcoming capital Amaravati. Both the financial institutions together were to pump in
$500 million into the project. Retired IAS officer G. Nageswara Rao will be the convenor
of the committee.
President Ram Nath Kovind approved Rajnath Singh becomes first Indian
the Promulgation of the Prohibition of defence minister to fly in home-
Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance, 2019 built LCA Tejas from the HAL Airport,
 President of India Shri Ram Nath Bengaluru
Kovind approved the Promulgation of  Defence Minister of India, Mr Rajnath
the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Singh became the first Indian defence
(production, manufacture, import, minister to fly (for 30 minutes) in the
export, transport, sale, distribution, indigenously-built light combat aircraft
storage and advertisement) Ordinance, (LCA) Tejas from the Hindustan
2019 after the cabinet approved it on Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport,
September 18, 2019. also known as Hindustan Airport, in
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
E-Cigarettes:
 Tejas is the smallest lightweight, multi-
 Electronic Cigarettes/ e-Cigarettes are
role, single-engine tactical fighter
battery-operated devices that produce aircraft.
aerosol by heating a solution containing
nicotine, which is the addictive substance NTPC Ltd to set up 5 GW solar park-
in combustible cigarettes.
biggest in the country, in Gujarat
 They include all forms of Electronic
 NTPC ltd (formerly National Thermal
Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Heat
Power Corporation Limited) announced
Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and the like
to set up a 5GW (gigawatt) solar national
devices.
park in Gujarat and is also expected to be
 Association of Vapers India (AVI) is
the biggest in the country.
an organisation representing e-cigarette
 This solar park is part of NTPC’s aim to
users.
build 32GW renewable energy by 2032
Panel to study e-Cigarettes and reduce the energy mix of fossil fuels
 A Group of Ministers (GoM) from from 96% to 70%
commerce, health, agriculture, chemicals  The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
and petrochemicals, and food processing has set a target of producing 175GW of
departments chaired by the finance renewable capacity by 2022.
minister Nirmala Sitharaman had studied
the proposal submitted by the Ministry of
Health, to ban the production and import
of e-cigarettes.
35th Tri-Services Commanders Conference for 2019 held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
 The 35th Tri-Services Commanders Conference for 2019 was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
It was held under the aegis of the Army Southern Command headquartered in Pune.
 The three service commands of the Army, Navy and Air Force had participated in the
annual conference and many issues like coastal security, protection of island territories
and vital installations in the southern and south-western region were discussed.

Agreement between Skill India and HRD Ministry introduces of study of
IBM for nationwide Train-the-Trainer Artificial Intelligence at school level
program in AI  Union Ministry of Human Resource
and Development has prepared a
 The Directorate General of Training
module to introduce study of Artificial
(DGT) division of the Ministry of Skill
Intelligence (AI) at the school level. The
Development & Entrepreneurship, has
announcement for the initiative was
signed a pact with the world’s leading made by Union Human Resource and
IT (Information Technology) company Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal
IBM (International Business Machines Nishak while addressing Central Board
Corporation), under which a nationwide of Secondary Education’s Teachers
program to train trainers in Basic Artificial Awards 2018-19. During the event,
Intelligence (AI) will be carried out. 34 teachers were felicitated for their
 Objective: The objective of the program outstanding and innovative contribution
is to help trainers in basic approach, in field of teaching.
workflow and AI application, so that Key Words :
they can use it in their training modules.  The study of Artificial Intelligence at
 IBM aims to train 10,000 ITI faculty school level is a big leap in country’s
members across India. The program will education system as artificial intelligence
be of one year duration and will have 14 which was otherwise taught at the
instructors at 7 locations with over 200 college level, is now being introduced
workshops. from class 8th.
 For this purpose HRD Ministry has
Telangana declares 2020 as AI year joined hands with technology leaders
like Intel.
 The Telangana state Government will
1. Vidya Daan: It is a unique initiative
celebrate 2020 as Year of Artificial
in which a repository of content is
Intelligence (AI) by organizing multiple prepared by teachers by uploading
programs and activities related to the new study materials for students of class
age technology throughout the year. 6th -10th on an on-line platform called
 The decision comes in the backdrop of the Diksha App.
emerging talent workforce and renewed
focus by industry and other ecosystem First IoT in Mini Piped Water Scheme
players on this space in the past four to launched at Amingaon
five years.  The Public Health Engineering
 Telangana government has signed up Department (PHED) Assam and Piramal
with NITI Aayog (National Institution Water Pvt Ltd (Piramal Sarvajal),
for Transforming India), which has launched a project on the deployment of
come out with the ‘National Strategy for the first Internet of Things (IoT) solution
Artificial Intelligence’ to organize pilot in single village mini piped water supply
projects in the state. scheme.
Indian Railways undertakes “Massive Shramdan” Great Ganga Run

drive with main focus on collection of plastic waste 2019 flagged off in
 The Indian Railways has once again carrying out a
New Delhi
“Massive Shramdan” drive movement aimed at collecting  Jal Shakti Minister
plastic waste from all railway premises to create awareness and Sports Minister
for a greater impact against single-use plastic. flagged off “Great
Key Words: Ganga Run-2019″
 Railways has carried out such movements in the recent
at Jawaharlal Nehru
past on September 2, 2019 (a 10 days cleanliness drive for Stadium in New
trains and stations). Delhi.
 The marathon was
 For the best work to make cleanliness work culture,
organised by Ministry
Railways had won the Best Union Ministry Swachhata
of Jal Shakti. A large
award by the President of India on 6th September 2019 for
number of people
the year 2018-19.
from all age groups
 To mark the Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary
participated in the
on October 2, 2019, Railways also undertaking various
marathon.
activities relating to Swachhata Pakhwada from
September 11 – October 2, 2019.
Maharashtra govt. to set up “Swachh Indian Railways For The First

Bharat World University” at Sevagram in Time Installed Pet Bottle Crush
wardha district of Maharashtra Machine In Mumbai Rajdhani
 In order to focus on cleanliness and sanitation Express
research, the state govt of Maharashtra decided to  For the first time in India, Indian
set up ‘Swachh Bharat World University’ to mark Railways installed Polyethylene
Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. Terephthalate (PET) bottle crush
 The university will be set up at Sevagram town, machine in Mumbai Rajdhani
Wardha, in vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Express which runs between
A seven-member committee headed by Vinod Mumbai Central and New
Tawde, education minister of Maharashtra Delhi.
has been formed to study about the university  It was implemented by the
requirements. Western Railways as part of the
 The reason Wardha region was selected to Indian Railways’ Swachh Bharat
establish the university was because, the region and Go Green missions associated
also has Mahatma Gandhi’s Sevagram Ashram with the ban of single-use plastic
and Institute of Gandhian Studies (Gandhi imposed by the Centre.
Vichar Parishad)

Home Minister Amit Shah announced “Srivilliputtur Palkova” gets Geographical
first ever “digital census” in 2021 Indication (GI) tag in Chennai
 During the foundation stone laying
 “Srivilliputtur Palkova” in
ceremony for construction of new Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu has
building of Registrar General of India,
get Geographical Indication (GI) tag in
which conducts the census exercise,
Chennai. The sweet is prepared from high
Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA)
quality flavour of milk with sugar. The
Shri Amit Shah, announced to conduct
milk is fetched only from in and around
first ever “digital census” in 2021. He
reared cows of Srivilliputtur. In 2014,
also suggested a single multipurpose
identity card i.e., one card facility for all The petition was filed by Srivilliputtur
utilities in the future. Milk Producers’ Co-operative Society for
Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It was
Key points :
approved by Geographical Indication
 The digital census is expected to have
(GI) registry of Chennai.
the potential in bringing all the cards
like Aadhaar, passport, bank account, New Delhi to host 1st conference on
driving license etc. under a single Military Medicine for SCO member states
platform. Rs. 12, 000 crores will be spent
on preparation of National Population  The first Conference on Military Medicine
Register (NPR) and census 2021. for Shanghai Co-operation Organisation
(SCO) Member States will be held in
Centre sets up Task Force for drawing New Delhi from 12-13 September 2019.
up National Infrastructure Pipeline The conference will also be 1st military
 Central government constituted a task co-operation event hosted by India under
force for drawing up a roadmap for SCO Defence Cooperation Plan 2019-
‘National Infrastructure Pipeline’ (NIP) of 2020, after India became an SCO member
` 100 lakh crore from financial year 2019- country in 2017.
20 to 2024-25. The Task Force is headed
by Economic Affairs Secretary Atanu First-ever helicopter summit held in
Chakraborty would cover greenfield and Uttarakhand
brownfield projects costing above ` 100
 The Aviation Ministry organised the
crore each.
country’s first helicopter summit in
Key Words : About Task Force Uttarakhand’s Dehradun where issues
 To identify technically feasible and related to “enhancing connectivity
economically viable infrastructure through helicopters. First ever helicopter
projects that can be initiated during summit was organised by Ministry
current fiscal year. of Civilian Aviation at Dehradun,
 Task force would draw up a list of Uttarakhand. Indian Air Force was
infrastructure projects that can be set invited to talk on ‘Role of IAF helicopters
rolling in 2019-20 as it looks at steps to in MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) at
tide over the economic slowdown. National level.

Election Commission announces India’s second largest railway

Schedule for General Election to the overbridge in West Bengal
Legislative Assemblies of Haryana  Indian Railways has completed the
and Maharashtra, 2019 construction of the giant four-lane cable-
 Election Commission of India today stayed railway overbridge (RoB) at
announced the Schedule for General Burdwan Junction in West Bengal.
Election to the Legislative Assemblies  The RoB, considered to be the second
of Haryana and Maharashtra, 2019 as largest in the country will be inaugurated
also the Schedule for bye-elections to by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.
fill casual vacancy in the Parliamentary
Constituency & State Legislative India’s second largest railway overbridge
1. The railway overbridge was completed in
Assemblies of various States/UTs.
197 days without affecting traffic for even
a single day
Indian Railways across the country 2. The work on 188.43 metre cable-stayed
is observing “Swachhta-Hi-Seva railway overbridge was kicked off in
Pakhwada” from 11th September to 2012.
2nd October. 3. Built at a cost of ` 300 crores, the project is
the result of a 50:50 partnership between
 Ministry of Railways is observing
the Ministry of Railways and the West
‘Swachhta-Hi-Seva Pakhwada’ across its
Bengal government officials
entire network from 11th September to 2nd
4. The railway overbridge connects Burdwan
October. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India town with the two sub-divisions of
at an event on Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) Kalna and Katwa and is on the Howrah–
offered Shram daan at Mathura leading Bardhaman mainline.
and giving a message to the nation on
removal of plastic waste. Kargil to Kohima (K2K) Ultra Marathon
 Indian Railways also undertook massive - “Glory Run” Flagged off from KARGIL
Shram daan with participation from all  Kargil to Kohima (K2K) Ultra-Marathon-
stakeholders on plastic waste collection “Glory Run” was flagged off from
on the first day of SHS. Kargil War Memorial, Drass by Air
 He has also directed that officers and Vice Marshal PM Sinha, Air Officer
staff of all departments to be involved in Commanding J&K.
various activities during ‘Swachhta-Hi-  To commemorate 20th year of Kargil
Seva Pakhwada’. Victory and to live up to the true tradition
 Plastic bottle crushers to be installed at and motto of IAF i.e. “Touch the Sky
all A1 and A category stations before 2nd with Glory”, a unique expedition Kargil
to Kohima (K2K) Ultra-Marathon-
October, 2019.
“Glory Run” is being undertaken by
IAF from Kargil War Memorial, Drass
(J&K) to Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima
(Nagaland).

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 International Affairs
7. INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Narendra Modi launches RuPay card US Launches New Command for
in UAE Space Warfare
 Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi  USA formally established a new Pentagon
has launched the RuPay card, making the command for space warfare.
UAE the first country in the Middle East  Space Com will oversee US military and
to initiate the Indian indigenous system intelligence efforts in space, including
of electronic payment. RuPay card defending American satellites and
scheme was launched in 2012 to fulfil the supporting troops.
Reserve Bank of India’s vision to have a  The role of Space Command is to conduct
domestic, open and multilateral system operations, such as enabling satellite-
of payments. based navigation and communications
 RuPay facilitates electronic payment at all in the field and providing warning of
Indian banks and financial institutions. missile launches abroad.
India has already launched the RuPay  The renewed focus on space as a military
card in Singapore and Bhutan. domain reflects concern about the
vulnerability of US satellites, both military
1st India-Ghana Foreign Office and commercial, that are critical to US
Consultations held in New Delhi interests and are potentially susceptible
 The first ever India-Ghana Foreign to disruption by Chinese and Russian
Office Consultations was held in New anti-satellite weapons.
Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by  According to the Pentagon, the Space
Shri. T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Force as the sixth branch of the United
Relations) while the Ghanaian delegation States military, to go along with the
was led by Charles Owiredu, Deputy Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Coast Guard.
Integration.
National Conference on ‘India-Africa Partnership’ organized in New Delhi

 The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has participated with the world
community to work together to completely root out terrorism and promote a peaceful
global order.
 Organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in New Delhi.

International Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
The Japan – India Defence Ministerial Mumbai ranks 45th & Delhi 52nd in
Meeting 2019 world’s Safe Cities Index
 Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh  On August 29, 2019 According to a
co-chaired the Japan – India Defence report by the Economist Intelligence
Ministerial Meeting with Defence Minister Unit sponsored by NEC corporation’s
of Japan Mr Takeshi lwaya in Tokyo. (formerly Nippon Electric Company),
 The lndo-Pacific vision was discussed World’s Safe City Index (SCI) for the year
at length with an expression of India’s 2019, Mumbai was ranked 45th safest city
preference for a rules-based order whereas Delhi stood at the 52nd position.
along with centrality of Association of The overall list was topped by Tokyo
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Japan) followed by Singapore and Osaka
and inclusiveness and security for all. in 2nd and 3rd spots respectively.
The importance of the Special Strategic Rank City Rank City
and Global Partnership between 1 Tokyo 6 Toronto
India and Japan in addressing regional 2 Singapore 7 Washington
peace, security and stability was also 3 Osaka 8 Copenhagen
highlighted.
4 Amsterdam 9 Seoul
 He invited participation of Japanese
companies and other stakeholders at 5 Sydney 10 Melbourne
biennial DefExpo 2020 to be held in Key Words:
Lucknow.  A total of 6 out of 10 cities of the Asia-
Pacific (APAC) region, made it to the
India Lends $ 1 Billion for Russia’s top 10 spots. Other cities Sydney and
Melbourne were also placed in the top
Far East
10 list.
 India announced an “unprecedented” $ 1
 Seoul (South Korea) along with
billion line of credit for the development
Copenhagen (Denmark) took the eighth
of Russia’s Far East, with Prime Minister spot.
Narendra Modi vowing that New Delhi
 Low scored states: Yangon (Myanmar),
would walk shoulder-to-shoulder with
Karachi (Pakistan) and Dhaka
Moscow in its quest for the development (Bangladesh) were ranked at the bottom
of the resource-rich region. of the list.
 For the development of the Ear East, India
 The SCI ranks 60 cities based on 57
will give a line of credit worth $ 1 billion. indicators under digital security, health
 Our government has actively engaged security, infrastructure security and
East Asia as part of its “Act East” policy. personal security. While the overall spot
was topped by Tokyo, several other
cities topped in those certain individual
categories.

India to host 6th India-China Strategic 4th Indian Ocean Conference 2019
Economic Dialogue held in Male
 The 6th India-China Strategic Economic  4th Indian Ocean Conference
Dialogue (SED) begins in New Delhi. India 2019 was recently held in
will host the dialogue that will focus on Male, Maldives. Indian
collaboration between two countries on External Affairs Minister S.
areas of infrastructure, energy, high-tech, Jaishankar was one of the
resource conservation, pharmaceuticals speakers at the Indian Ocean
policy coordination. Conference 2019 event.
 From the Indian side, it will be chaired by  The theme for 4th Indian Ocean Conference
NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar 2019 was: ‘Securing the Indian Ocean
and the Chinese side will be led by the Region: Traditional and Non-Traditional
chairman of the National Development Challenges’. This edition of the conference
and Reforms Commission (NDRC). will provide yet another opportunity for
stakeholders of the Indian Ocean Region
New Luxury Train Pulathisi Express to deliberate on building an institutional
by Indian Railways ‘Make in India’ framework for managing the threats to
Product Flagged Off regional peace and human security.
 The new luxurious train of Sri Lanka(SL),
Pulathisi Express which was produced
Mumbai ranks 5th and New Delhi- 11th
under the ‘Make in India’ project of
in the 2019 Knight Frank Co-Living
the Indian Railways was launched. The
Index across Asia-Pacific, Beijing
president of SL Shri Maithripala Sirisena
tops
flagged off the new train from Fort railway
station in Colombo to Polonnaruwa,  The Co-living index for the year 2019
North central province of SL. across the Asia-Pacific region was
Key Points: released by London based consultancy
 The train was supplied under Line of
agency Knight Frank. Among the Indian
Credit (LoC) by Rail India Technical cities, Mumbai ranked at the 5th spot,
and Economic Service (RITES) ltd New Delhi ranked at the 11th spot and
and was manufactured by the Integral the electronic city of India, Bengaluru
Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. ranked at the 19th spot in the index. The
index was topped by Beijing (China)
followed by Tokyo (Japan) and Shanghai
(China) in the second and third position
respectively.

PM of India & Nepal jointly inaugurate 7th RCEP Ministerial Meeting Held in
South Asia’s first cross-border Bangkok
petroleum products pipeline from  Union Minister of Commerce & Industry
Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in and Railways Piyush Goyal participated
Nepal in 7th RCEP Ministerial Meeting held in
 Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Bangkok, Thailand on 8th September
Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. 2019.
Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated South  The Ministers from the 16 RCEP
Asia’s first cross-border petroleum Participating Countries (RPCs) gathered
products pipeline of 69-km from Motihari in Bangkok for the 7th RCEP Ministerial
in Bihar, India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal Meeting to review developments in the
through video conference. RCEP negotiations since the Ministers
last met in Beijing on 2019. The Meeting
United Nations Convention on was chaired by Jurin Laksanawisit,
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
(UNCRPD) Commerce of Thailand.
Key Words: About RCEP
 India is a signatory of the United Nations
 The Association of Southeast Asian
Convention on Rights of Persons with
Nations (ASEAN) has free trade
Disabilities (UNCRPD). It ratified this
agreements with six partners namely
Convention on 01-10-2007 in pursuance
People’s Republic of China, Republic
of Article 35 of the Convention. India of Korea (South Korea), Japan, India as
submitted its First Country Report on well as Australia and New Zealand.
Status of Disability in India in November  In order to broaden and deepen the
2015. engagement among parties and to
 The UN Committee on CRPD in its 22nd enhance parties’ participation in
Session took up India’s First Country economic development of the region,
Report for consideration during 2nd & 3rd the leaders of 16 participating countries
September 2019 at UNHRC, Geneva. established the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP).
India announces $1 million disaster relief aid for Bahamas as it is affected by

Hurricane Dorian
 The Government of India (GoI) announced a humanitarian assistance of $ 1 million as an
immediate disaster relief to help people in The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian
which has caused large scale destruction. The death toll is more than 40 and is likely to
increase.

VInternational
etrii's Current Affairs
Affairs, September - 2019 International Affairs
22nd session of UN Committee on Samsung unveils ‘Good Vibes’ and
CRPD held at UNHRC, Geneva ‘Relumino’ app for deaf-blind and
 The 22nd session of the United Nations visually impaired people in India
Committee on Convention on Rights  South Korean tech giant Samsung,
of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has unveiled two apps namely “Good
was held at the United Nations Human Vibes” a communication tool for deaf
Rights Council (UNHRC), Geneva, and blind people and “Relumino” that
Switzerland from September 2-3, 2019. helps the visually impaired people to see
Key Points: the images clearer.
1. Indian delegation was led by Mrs. Key Words:
Shakuntala D. Gamlin, Secretary,  Relumino app: It was developed by
Department of Empowerment of Persons the Samsung employees in the global
with Disabilities (DEPwD). C-Lab program in partnership with
2. UN Committee on CRPD took up India’s the National Association for the
First Country Report for consideration. Blind (NAB), Delhi.
3. Secretary of DEPwD highlighted on
 The NAB will make use of this
enactment of the Comprehensive Rights
relumino in classrooms for students
of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD)
with low vision.
Act, 2016, launch of Accessible India
Campaign, establishment of National Sri Lanka unveils South Asia’s tallest
Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation
tower
(NIMHR), establishment of Centre
 Sri Lanka unveiled South Asia’s tallest
for Disability Sports, achievements
tower, costing over $100 million, 80% of
in distribution of aids and assistive
which has been funded by China under
devices, etc while speaking in the
the controversial Belt and Road Initiative
different initiatives taken by the Indian
(BRI).
Government.
 The 350-metre-tall 17-storey Lotus
Key Words: India & UNCRPD
Tower, located in the heart of Colombo
 India is a signatory of the United
city, comprises a television tower, a
Nations Convention on Rights of hotel, a telecommunications museum,
Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). restaurants, auditorium, an observation
It ratified this Convention on 2007 deck, a shopping mall and a conference
in pursuance of Article 35 of the centre.
Convention. India submitted its  The tower, spread over an area of 30,600
First Country Report on the Status sq. metres, was constructed at a cost of
of Disability in India in November over $100 million, 80% of which was
2015. funded by China.

The Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2020

 In World University Rankings 2020, published by the United Kingdom (UK) based
Times Higher Education (THE), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar and Indian
Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore were ranked number 1 among the 56 Indian
institutes on the list of the best universities of the world, beating IIT Bombay and IIT
Delhi.
 Since 2012, for the first time Indian institutions did not feature among the top 300 in
World University Rankings 2020. The ranking includes almost 1,400 universities across
92 countries.
Top 3 Indian Institutes: Thailand became the first Asian nation
to unveil plain cigarette packaging
Rank Institute
 Thailand became the first Asian nation to
1 IIT Ropar & IISc Bangalore (301–350)
unveil plain cigarette packaging to reduce
2 IIT Indore (351-400 band)
the appeal of smoking and complied with
3 IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi & IIT
the World Health Organization’s (WHO)
Kharagpur (In the top 401-500
guidelines
universities bracket)
Top 3 Universities of the World: U.S. Designates TTP Dhief Noor Wali
Mehsud as Global Terrorist
Rank Institute
 On the eve of the 18th anniversary of
1 University of Oxford, UK (Topped the 9/11 attacks, the United States (US)
the 2020 edition of the rankings for Department of State designated the
the fourth consecutive year) chief of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban
2 California Institute of Technology Pakistan (TTP) Noor Wali Mehsud, also
(Caltech), United States known as Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, as a
3 University of Cambridge, UK ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’
(SDGT).
Tamil Nadu EV Policy Proposes 100% Road Tax Exemption on Electric Cars
Until 2022
 Encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the Tamil Nadu EV Policy has
proposed a 100 per cent exemption on registration fees for electric vehicles till the end of
2022.
 The draft policy also proposes 100 per cent exemption on electricity tax till December 31,
2025, for EV related and charging infrastructure manufacturing industries in the state. The
EV related industries will also receive benefits to obtain land by sale or lease with a 100
per cent exemption on stamp duty for transactions till December 31, 2022.

UNESCO to translate and publish an anthology of Guru Nanak Dev’s writings
in world languages on his 550th birth anniversary
 Ministry of Culture of the union government notified that in commemoration of the 550th
birth anniversary (April 15, 1469) of Guru Nanak Dev, United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will translate and publish an anthology
of Guru Nanak Dev’s writings in different major languages of the world.
 Construction of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district in
Punjab to the international border, the development of the historic town of Sultanpur
Lodhi as a heritage town on the smart city principle, the upgradation of Sultanpur Lodhi
railway station and release of commemorative coins and postage stamps are the other
events and initiated projects to mark the anniversary.
According to United in Science Sixty Six Countries Committed To Net

Report 2019 by UN, average global Zero CO2 Emissions By 2050
temperature between 2015-2019  Sixty-six countries signaled their intent
set to be the hottest of any five-year to achieve net zero carbon dioxide
period on record emissions by 2050.
 According to the report titled United in  The 66 governments are joined by 10
Science for 2019 by United Nations (UN), regions, 102 cities, 93 businesses and 12
the average global temperature between investors all committed to net zero CO2
emissions by 2050 Around 60 world
2015-2019 will be the hottest of any five-
leaders have convened for the UN Climate
year period on record. It is estimated to be
Action Summit in New York.
1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial
 The UN estimates that the world needs
(1850-1900) times and 0.2 degrees Celsius
to increase its current efforts five-fold
warmer than 2011-2015. to contain climate change to the levels
 The report was compiled by the World dictated by science a rise of 1.5 degrees
Meteorological Organization (WMO) Celsius by the year 2100 to avoid
and was prepared by the Science Advisory escalating climate damage.
Group of the UN Climate Action Summit  Countries announced commitments to
2019. carbon reduction targets under the Paris
Agreement of 2015, and are now expected
to update their nationally determined
contributions by 2020.

India with 17.5million international St. Vincent and Grenadines, 79th

migrants, tops country of origin of country to join India-led ISA
international migrants in 2019 by  Saint Vincent and Grenadines became
UN’s ‘International Migrant Stock
the 79th country to join the International
2019’ report Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative by India
 According to the report by the United aimed at combating the threats of climate
Nations (UN) named ‘The International change and global warming.
Migrant Stock 2019’, India topped
 The International Solar Alliance is a group
the country of origin of international
of 121 solar resource-rich countries with
migrants in 2019 with 17.5 million
headquarters in Gurugram, India. The
migrants globally, making it the largest
diaspora in the world. organisation aims to deploy over 1,000
 Currently the world’s migrant population gigawatts of solar energy and mobilise
stands at 272 million in 2019, according more than USD 1,000 billion into solar
to the report which grew by 23% over a power by 2030, according to the United
decade. Nations Framework Convention on
 Country wise, United States (US) hosted Climate Change (UNFCCC).
large no. of international migrants at Key Words
51 million equalling 19% of the world’s
 St Vincent and the Grenadines
total.
Capital: Kingstown; Currency: Eastern
Leading country of origin of Caribbean dollar.
international migrants:
Country Host The 63rd Annual Regular Session of the
leading with countries of International Atomic Energy Agency
Rank origin of large no. of (IAEA) General Conference was held
international international in Vienna, the capital of Austria with
migrants migrants participation from 171 IAEA member
states
United States
1. India
(US)  The conference is conducted to jointly
discuss about the issues related to the
2. Mexico Germany
IAEA’s work, budget and priorities.
3. China Saudi Arabia  The Indian delegation to the conference
was led by Dr. K N Vyas, Chairman of the
4. Russia Russia Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and
United Secretary of the Department of Atomic
5. Syria
Kingdom Energy(DEA).
Key Words About United Nations: About IAEA :
 Founded- 1957.
 Headquarters: New York City.
 Headquarters- Vienna, Austria.
 Secretary General: Antonio Guterres.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Tamilnadu Affairs
8. TAMILNADU
AFFAIRS
T.N. flags non-availability of water The country’s first bird eco-poisoning
sources research center In Tamil Nadu
 Due to non-availability of adequate  The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology
sources of water in Tamil Nadu, only and Natural History (SACON) is a
20% of households have functional tap national centre for information, education
connections in rural areas of the State, and research in ornithology in India.
recited by Municipal Administration and  It was inspired by and named in honour
Water Supply Minister S.P. Velumani. of Salim Ali, the leading pioneer of
 In this connection, he has urged the Centre ornithology in India. It is an autonomous
to grant funds of T.N. Participating in organisation established in 1990.
the Jal Jeevan Mission Conference in  Its headquarters are at Anaikatti,
Delhi. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Chennai Egmore Railway Station

T.N.’s First Public Electric bus Rolled
certified by ISO
out
 Chennai Egmore Railway Station certified
 An air-conditioned electric bus was
by ISO as the best station in South India.
flagged off by Chief Minister Edappadi
K. Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu’s 150-year-old Dindigul
 The bus, operated by the Metropolitan locks and Kandangi sarees secure GI
Transport Corporation (MTC), began tag
plying on route ‘A1’, between Puratchi  The Geographical Indication Registry
Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central of India has granted Geographical
Railway Station and Thiruvanmiyur, via Indication (GI) tag to the state of Tamil
Mylapore and Adyar. Nadu for Dindigul lock and Karaikudi
Kandangi sarees.
CREDAI to hold multi-location fair
 Benefits: The GI tagging will help rural
 Confederation of Real Estate Developers’
artisans & highly skilled weavers, who
Associations of India (CREDAI), Chennai possess unique knowledge of traditional
will organise the first ‘multi-location practices and methods. They can make &
property fair’ showcasing 300 properties market their products domestically and
developed by 40 developers in the city. internationally.
Tamilnadu Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
New textile processing cluster at Rare tarantula sighted in Villupuram

Kariapatti district
 The work has started for Southern  Researchers have sighted a critically
District Textile Processing Cluster endangered species of tarantula for the
Private Limited and New Industrial first time beyond its known habitat in the
Park at Kariapatti (Tamil Nadu). Eastern Ghats.
 The expected investment in this park is  The spider belonging to the genus
Poecilotheria, commonly known as the
about Rs. 200 crore.
Peacock Parachute Spider or Gooty
Tarantula, was spotted by a team of
T.N. bans sex reassignment surgeries researchers of the Puducherry-based
in children Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation
 Madras High Court order, the State (IBF) in the Pakkamalai Reserve Forests
government has banned performance of near Gingee in Villupuram district.
sex reassignment surgeries on intersex India’s 1st FinTech centre of excellence
infants and children, except to overcome - “Fin Blue” in Tamil Nadu
life-threatening situations.
 Software Technology Parks of India
 The decision has come as a shot in the
(STPI) in association with Electronics
arm for intersex activists who had been Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) has
pleading with the Central and State officially set up a ‘Centre of Excellence
governments for long against imposition in FinTech’ with a cost of over ` 23 crore
of the parents. in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is first of its
Tamilnadu Plans Underwater kind in India and is named ‘FinBlue’.
Archaeological Excavations 5 railway stations in Salem division
 State Archaeology Department is bag ISO-14001 certification
planning to carry out underwater  Five major railway stations in Salem
excavations in areas of the port cities and division have obtained ISO-14001
towns that existed during the Sangam certification. Divisional railway manager
and medieval periods. U. Subba Rao issued the certificates to the
 The objective is to probe trade contacts station masters of Salem, Karur, Erode
with Greek, Roman and Arab merchants. Tirupur and Mettupalayam.
The last time the State Archaeology  Salem division was the first ever division
Department took up underwater in the Southern Railway to get the ISO
excavations was in the 1990s, off certification for all the major stations.
Poompuhar.
Ex-judge to oversee money disbursal to depositors

The Madras High Court appointed former judge K.N. Basha to ensure the disbursal of about
`11.5 crore by the Coimbatore-based Universal Trading Solutions Pvt Ltd (UTS), that duped
over 1,000 depositors

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Tamilnadu Affairs
King’s College Hospital of London CM unveils ‘Digital Accelerator’ to
may set up branches in T.N. assist investors
 The Tamil Nadu government has signed  Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami
a memorandum of understanding with inaugurated a ‘Digital Accelerator’ to
King’s College Hospital, London, to assist entrepreneurs.
establish branches in the State.  The accelerator, through which the State
 The agreement was signed in the
will allocate 10% of the funds required
presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K.
for entrepreneurs to start business in
Palaniswami confirmed that the State
government would help facilitate the setting Tamil Nadu, will be set in motion which
up of such hospitals in Tamil Nadu. assistance from the American Tamil
Entrepreneur Association.
 The Tamil Nadu government, which
Ayushman Bharat Signs MoU With Ola
had earlier signed 16 memorandam of
To Extend Healthcare Benefits For Its
understanding (MoU) in the U.S., inked
Driver-partners And Families
an additional 19 MoUs for investments to
 The Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri the tune of ` 2,300 crore.
Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme
which is the world’s largest healthcare Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index
scheme signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with mobility  Tamil Nadu has been ranked tenth in the
platform Ola whereby the scheme would State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index
provide health insurance to 2 million (SARAL).
driver partners of Ola.  Karnataka has been given the first rank
 The first phase of this partnership in the index, followed by Telangana,
will be rolled out in Delhi as a pilot
Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
project after which it will be extended
to other states.  According to the Ministry of New and
 AB card: All Ola employees and Renewable Energy (MNRE), this index
eligible driver partners can avail the encourages each State to assess the
AB card at a cost of Rs.30. initiatives taken so far, and what it can do
to improve its solar rooftop eco-system.
Centre Introduced a New Scheme  Tamil Nadu aims to have an installed
Named ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’ solar capacity of 9000 MW by 2023, with
for the Fishermen in Tamil Nadu 40% coming from rooftop solar systems.
 Union Minister for Animal Husbandry,
Dairying and Fisheries Giriraj Singh Government Law College inaugurated
notified that a new scheme named
near Theni
‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’
was introduced for fishermen in Tamil  Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam
Nadu with an objective to make a ‘Blue inaugurated a Government Law College,
Revolution’. Rs 300 crore was released for the 14th one in the State, at Upparpatti.
this scheme by the union government.

Tamilnadu Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
Cabinet approves setting up of ANPR cameras installed on accident-

international Coalition for Disaster prone ECR
Resilient Infrastructure in New Delhi  Greater Chennai Police have fixed eight
 Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Automatic Number Plate Reading
Minister Narendra Modi has approved (ANPR) cameras at Muttukadu to keep a
establishment of International Coalition database of vehicles entering and exiting
for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure the city via ECR.
(CDRI) along with its supporting  Police commissioner AK Viswanathan
Secretariat Office in New Delhi. CDRI launched the functioning of the cameras
is proposed to be launched at United
by inaugurating a peripheral police
Nations (UN) Climate Action Summit
station, which will also function as a
scheduled to be held in New York, US
control room for ANPR cameras, at
on 23rd September 2019.
Muttukadu.
 He also launched 209 CCTV cameras at
Tamil Nadu officials to participate in
safety workshop in Australia Neelankarai and Kanathur police station
jurisdictions as part of the police’s Third
 The Tamil Nadu government has sent a
Eye project.
team of senior bureaucrats to Australia
for studying highway safety using Safe
System Solution and emulate the best T.N. to form panel to look at treatment
practices back home. of LSD at lower cost
 The programme is part of the  The Tamil Nadu government has informed
memorandum of understanding signed
the Madras High Court that it will
by the State government with VicRoads
constitute in the near future a committee
and Highways Department, Australia.
to have consultations with doctors
Karnataka has cleared T.N. quota of dealing in different branches of medicine
water including Ayurveda, Homeopathy and
 Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Allopathy to discuss whether a plan
Yediyurappa announced the State had for management of Lysosomal Storage
cleared the quota of water to be shared Disorders can be evolved at a lower cost.
with Tamil Nadu in the last one month  Bench comprising Justice Vineet Kothari
by discharging the Cauvery and Kabini and Justice C.V. Karthikeyan, Advocate
waters. General Vijay Narayan informed the court
 He was offering ‘bagina’ to the Cauvery that there were 132 identified patients in
at the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), near the State suffering from the disease and a
Srirangapatna, which has attained the discussion would be held to see if this can
full-reservoir level. be managed in an appropriate manner
 The surplus waters were discharged and
with the pool of funds of the State and the
hence the neighbouring State received its
Union government.
quota in the recent days.

Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019 Practice Questions
10. PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. When is World Water Monitoring Day observed?
(A) September 18 (B) September 11 (C) September 20 (D) September 20
2. When is world organ donation day observed?
(A)August 11 (B) August 12 C) August 13 (D) August 14
3. When is National Sports Day observed?
(A) August 27 (B) August 28 (C) August 29 (D) August 30
4. When is International Day against Nuclear Test observed?
(A) August 25 (B) August 27 (C) August 28 (D) August 30
5. What is the theme of National Sports Day -2019?
(A) Fit India Young India (B) Unit Change
(C) Golden Triangle Tours (D) Young India
6. When is International Eagle Day observed?
(A) June 20 (B) June 21 (C) June 22 (D) June 23
7. When is International Literary Day observed?
(A) Sep. 06 (B) Sep. 07 (C) Sep. 08 (D) Sep.09
8. When is World Alzheimer’s Day observed?
(A) September 21 (B) September 24 (C) September 26 (D) September 30
9. When is World rose day observed?
(A) September 21 (B) September 22 (C) September 25 (D)September 27
10. When is the International Day of sign languages observed?
(A) 21 September (B) 23-September (C) 25-September (D) 28-September
11. Which of the following city tops in Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index-2019?
(A) New Delhi (B) Damascus (C) Vienna (D) Mumbai
12. In which of the following city, the UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian conference for children-2019
is held?
(A) Male (B) Paris (C) Colombo (D) Geneva
13. What is India’s rank in World Economic Forum’s World Travel and Tourism competitiveness Index-2019?
(A) 55th (B) 34th (C) 67th (D) 25th
14. What is the head on strike range of successfully test fired air-to-air Astra missile?
(A) 100 km (B) 90 km (C) 70 km (D) 50 km
15. Which of the following ship is India’s first Air-Craft carrier?
(A) INS Viraat (B) INS Vikrant (C) INS Kesari (D) INS Gomathi
16. In which of the following year the National Disaster Rescue Force formed?
(A) 2004 (B) 2005 (C) 2006 (D) 2010
17. Which of the following country launched the smart Dragon-1 rocket recently?
(A) Japan (B) Russia (C) Israel (D) China
18. Which of the following country launched unmanned warship-JARI recently?
(A) Japan (B) China (C) Russia (D) America
19. Where is Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference-2019 held?
(A) Malayasia (B) Srilanka (C) India (D) Thailand
20. India has partnered with which of the following country to build world’s first space-based ship
automatic identification system?
(A) Japan (B) Russia (C) Israel (D) France
21. Who is appointed as the Brand Ambassador of “Fit India Movement”?
(A) Sania Mirza (B) Shilpa Agarwal (C) Mahendra Singh Dhoni (D) P.V. Sindhu
22. Photographer Charlie Cole belongs to which of the following country?
(A) USA (B) China (C) Russia (D) France

Practice Questions Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
23. Who was the panchayat raj minister when Kamaraj was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?
(A) C. Subramaniyan (B) Ramasamy Padaiyatchiyar
(C) S. Ganesan (D) B Parameshwaran
24. Which of the following International Organistation is decided to publish the writings of Guru Nanak
Dev writing in world languages?
(A) World Bank (B) UNESCO (C) UNCD (D) Clinton Foundation
25. Sivaraman Cheriyanad who passed away recently related to which of the following field?
(A) Writer (B) Painter (C) Flimmaker (D) Singer
26. Who became the first Defence minister to fly LCA Tejas?
(A) Nirmala Sitharaman (B) Amitshah
(C) Rajnath Singh (D) Nitin Gadkari
27. Who is the current chairperson of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes?
(A) Kunwar Singh (B) Nandakumar Sai (C) Rameshwar Oraon (D) H. Ramdhan
28. What is height of the Mulkila Mount?
(A) 6571 m (B) 7066m (C) 7086m (D) 8589m
29. Which of the following state got Geographical Indication (GI) for its famous Tirur betal leaf recently?
(A) Tamil Nadu (B) Kerala (C) Andhrapradesh (D) Odisha
30. Which of the following country going to host World Youth Chess Championship 2019?
(A) Japan (B) India (C) China (D) Germany
31. Which of the following country won Physical Disability World Cricket Series-2019?
(A) New Zealand (B) Ireland (C) India (D) England
32. Where was the World Badminton Championship held recently?
(A) Japan (B) Switzerland (C) France (D) Canada
33. Where was World Wrestling Championship -2019 held?
(A) Kazakhastan (B) Poland (C) France (D) Switzerland
34. Where was the World Athletic Championship - 2019 held?
(A) Doha (B) Beijing (C) Delhi (D) Kualalumpur
35. Who is the author of the book “Rise and fall of India’s Diamond Mogul Nirav Modi”?
(A) Amita Nair (B) Bhawan C.Lal (C) Raghul Kanval (D) Rajiv Masanth
36. Who is the translator of the book “The Diary of Manu Gandhi”?
(A) Nita Sathyendran (B) Tridip Suhurd (C) Krishna Kripalani (D)Saraswathy Nagarajan
37. Who is the author of the book “Obama the call of History”?
(A) Ian Kershav (B) Ben Judeh (C) Nira Antonia (D) Peter Baker
38. Who is the author of book “A short History of Indian Railways”?
(A) Alok Varma (B) Rajendra B Aklekar (C) Chandra Shakar (D) Rajiv Kumar
39. Who released the book title- “Glorious Diaspora- Pride of India”?
(A) Ram Nath Kovind (B) Venkaiah Naidu (C) Narendra Modi (D) Amit Shah
40. Who is the author of the book “Savarkar: Echoes from a forgotten past, 1883-1924”?
(A) Vikram Sampath (B) Vish Dhamija (C) Debashis Sarkar (D) Kewal Dheer
41. Who wrote the book “Rethinking Good Governance”?
(A) Alok Varma (B) Vinoth Rai (C) Sanjay Chaturvedi (D) Sarat Kumar
42. Which of the following channel introduced two awards to honour Neelum Sharma?
(A) CNN IBN (B) Times Now (C) Prasar Bharati (D) NDTV
43. Who won the National Goodwill Award-2019?
(A) Selva Kannan (B) M.N.Arunraj (C) Amitav Misra (D) Pandian Raj
44. Who is awarded the pushkin medal-2019?
(A) Priyal Chatterjee (B) Meeta Narain (C) Seema Sharma (D) Priyanka Dubey
45. Who is the first Indian to win gold at the world Junior wrestling championship?
(A) Deepak Punia (B) Bajrang Punia (C) Yogeshwar Dutt (D) Geetha Phogat
46. Which of the following district was awarded best municipal award on 73rd Independence Day?
(A) Vedaranyam (B) Dharmapuri (C) Aranthangi (D) Kallupatti

47. Who is going to be awarded ‘Eminent Engineer Award for the year’ -2019?
(A) Nand Kumar Sai (B) Vinod Kumar Yadav (C) Prabhakar Singh (D) Utpal Bora
48. Who is awarded the life time Achievement Award category in Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2019?
(A) Dipankar Ghosh(B) Wangchuk Sherpa (C) Chen Yufi (D) Aparna kumar
49. What is newly announced retirement age of the Central Armed Police Force(CAPF) personnels?
(A) 58 (B) 65 (C) 70 (D) 60
50. Who is the newly appointed Defense Secretary of India?
(A) Brij Kumar Agarwal (B) Subash Chandragarg
(C) Rajiv Gauba (D) Ajay Kumar
51. Who is the first women to be appointed as a commander in the Indian Air Force?
(A) Nivedita Chaudhari (B) Shaliji Dhani
(C) Punita Arora (D) Priya Jingam
52. Where is Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana launched?
(A) Haryana (B) Punjab (C) Maharashta (D) Uttarakhand
53. Which of the following is associated with NISHTHA programme?
(A) Mangalyaan (B) Education (C) Digital Banking (D) Women
54. What is the name of the programme with objective to supply piped water connections to all households?
(A) Jal Abhiyan (B) Jal Shakti Scheme (C) Jal Jeevan Scheme (D) Jal Hai tohkal hai scheme
55. What is the minimum allocated pension amount under the Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan
Dhan Yojana for small traders?
(A) Rs. 3000 (B) Rs. 4000 (C) Rs. 2000 (D) Rs. 6000
56. Which of the following District won the award for improvement of sex ratio and awareness under the
“Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” Campaign in Tamil Nadu?
(A) Dindigul (B) Namakal (C) Erode (D) Salem
57. When was Pradhan mantri Matru Vandana Yojana launched that is achieved one crore benefitiaries recently?
(A) 2018 (B) 2017 (C) 2016 (D) 2015
58. Which of the following state government launched 1st Jan Soochna portal?
(A) Haryana (B) Gujarat (C) Rajasthan (D) Bihar
59. Which of the following Bank is the first bank in India to deploy robotic arms to count currency notes?
(A) State Bank of India (B) Indian Bank (C) ICICI Bank (D) HDFC Bank
60. Which of the following financial Institution provides ` 3,000 Crore financial Assistance to set up mini
& mega food parks across India?
(A) Asian Development Bank (B) IMF
(C) World Bank (D) AIIB
61. Which of the following state government decided to set up a “Time Bank”?
(A) Rajasthan (B) Punjab (C) Madhya Pradesh (D) Uttarakhand
62. Which of the following payments bank launched bharosa saving account?
(A) Paytm (B) Airtel Payment (C) Amazon (D) Jiopayment
63. Where is the headquarters of Tropical Forest Reserch Institute (TFRI) located?
(A) Dehradun (B) Kanpur (C) New Delhi (D) Jabalpur
64. Which of the following country is affected by the Typhoon Bailu recently?
(A) Japan (B) China (C) South Korea (D) Russia
65. Where is Gorewada International Zoo located?
(A) Patna (B) Nagpur (C) Ranchi (D) Pune
66. Which of the following state is decided to form a special Tiger force for corbett Reserve?
(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Uttarakhand (C) Tamil Nadu (D) Gujarat
67. Where is herb Rhodiola found mostly in India?
(A) Kashmir (B) Ladakh (C) Jammu (D) Darjeeling
68. What is the range of the resolution of cartosat-3?
(A) 65 cm (B) 30 cm (C) 25 cm (D) 55 cm

Practice Questions Vetrii's Current Affairs, September - 2019
69. Which of the following IIT Students designed low-cost freezers for farm produce?
(A) Delhi (B) Hyderabad (C) Chennai (D) Kharagpur
70. Which of the following India’s app won US Technology Award-2019?
(A) Vidur (B) Damini (C) Akshaya (D) Maitri
71. Which of the following country launched worlds first-ever Facial Biometric Data Based Seafarer
Identity Document?
(A) Pakistan (B) India (C) Saudi Arabia (D) Indonesia
72. Where is ANPR cameras installed in India for the first time?
(A) Visakhapatnam (B) Bangalore (C) Mumbai (D) Chennai
73. What is the name of the lander of the Chandrayaan-2 Mission?
(A) Vikranth (B) Pragyan (C) Vikram (D) Kranti
74. What is RV16X-Nano?
(A) Asteroid (B) Meteoroid (C) Computer Chip (D) Jupiter New Moon
75. What is Colistin?
(A) Crypto-currency (B) Dragon tree (C) Anti-Biotic (D) Herbicide
76. Which of the following country launched humanoid robot Fedor into space?
(A) China (B) Japan (C) Russia (D) America
77. Which of the following company signed a MOU with Telangana Government for the initiative of
“Digital telangana”?
(A) Google (B) Infosys (C) Microsoft (D) Wipro
78. Which of the following state launched Jai Bheem Mukhya Mantri Yojana recently?
(A) Gujarat (B) Haryana (C) Delhi (D) Jharkhand
79. SUPRA Scheme is associated to
(A) Women Empowerment (B) Science & Technology
(C) Child Education (D) Digital banking
80. When was the National Teacher Education Council Setup?
(A) 1995 (B) 1999 (C) 1997 (D) 1996
81. Which of the following country is the largest emitter of SO2, according to Greenpeace International?
(A) Russia (B) India (C) China (D) Soudi Arabia
82. Where was the 6th International Small and Medium Export Conference held?
(A) Bhuvaneshwar (B) Hyderabad (C) Mumbai (D) Delhi
83. What is the reference year for the Composite Water Management Index - 2.0?
(A) 2019-20 (B) 2018-19 (C) 2016-17 (D) 2017-18
84. Which of the following state topped composite Water Management Index-2.0?
(A) Karnataka (B) Gujarat (C) Madhya pradesh (D) Himachal Pradesh
85. Who heads the committee to advice the government on the “Fit India Movement”?
(A) Rajyavardhan Rathore (B) Smriti Irani
(C) Rajnath Singh (D) Kiran Rijiju
86. Where was the 12th India Security Summit held?
(A) Chennai (B) Kochi (C) New Delhi (D) Pune
87. What is the theme of the 12th India Security Summit?
(A) Protecting identity of an entity
(B) Towards New National Cyber Security Strategy
(C) Phishing Under Security (D) Good Security increases shareholder
88. Which of the following state started free travel program for Women in public transport?
(A) Delhi (B) Maharshtra (C) Haryana (D) Bihar
89. Which of the following city ranks 45th in Worlds Safe Cities 2019?
(A) Chennai (B) Mumbai (C) Bangalore (D) New Delhi
90. When was the World Gold Council formed?
(A) 1977 (B) 1967 (C) 1987 (D) 1997

91. Where was ANGAN-a three day international conference on Energy efficiency held?
(A) Chennai (B) Mumbai (C) Hyderabad (D) New Delhi
92. Where is the headquarters of the World Resources Institute located?
(A) New York (B) Geneva (C) Washington (D) Paris
93. Which of the following state planned to launch Online Service for adoption of Cows?
(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Bihar (C) Uttarakhand (D) Madhya Pradesh
94. Where is South Asia’s tallest lotus tower located?
(A) Ratnapura (B) Kandi (C) Colombo (D) Kalmunai
95. What is India’s rank on the Global Economic Freedom Index?
(A) 45th (B) 56th (C) 68th (D) 79th
96. Where was the 23 session of the world Tourism Organisation held?
rd
(A) India (B) Brazil (C)Russia (D) Colombia

97. According to United Nations Report India is the leading country of origin of international migrants in
2019 with ___________ crore strong diaspora
(A) 5 (B) 3 (C) 1.75 (D) 2.3
98. Which of the following countries share demilitarized zone of 38th parallel line?
(A) Israel and Syria (B) Israel and Jordon
(C) South Korea and North Korea (D) Turkey and Russia
99. Which of the following country introduced face recognition for money transaction with facial payment
technology?
(A) China (B) Japan (C) USA (D) South Korea
100. In which of the following city Tamil Nadu Chief Minister inaugurated the first electric bus service?
(A) Madurai (B) Kovai (C) Salem (D) Chennai
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
B A B C C C B C C C
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
A D A A B D C B D C
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
B B C D B D B B C D
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
C D A C B A A B C D
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
A B A B C C C B A D
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
B B A B C D B A B D
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
D D A A C B D B C A
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
B A D C A D C B B D
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
A B A B C B D D D CA
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
A D B C B A B B A C

SUBSCRIPTION FORM
Subscription No: ............................
Period Total Issues Price

01 Year  12 970/-
01 ½ Year  18 1450/-
02 Year  24 1900/-
(Fill the required details and send with subscription amount to the below address mentioned)
Name : ...............................................
MODE OF PAYMENT
Address : ..................................................................
....................................................................................
....................................................................................
Cheque D/D Online
transfer
....................................................................................
Cheque / D.D. No. :
Age : .........................................
Educational : ......................................... Amount :
Qualification : .........................................
IOB : ......................................... Date :
Telephone (E-mail) : ..............................................
Please Enclose DD / Mo No ..................................... Bank : ----------------------------------------
Dated ........................................... in favour of “Vetrii
IAS Study Circle’’. Payable at Chennai.
OUR BANK DETAILS
Date : .......................... A/C Name : VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE
Sign : .................................................
BANK : HDFC BANK
Contact Address: ACCOUNT NO : 50200000435399
VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE IFSC CODE : HDFC 0000017

F Block New No. 1, 9th Street, 1st Avenue Main
AMOUNT
Road, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar (E), Chennai - 102.
Ph : 044-26265356 / 9790874927 DEPOSITED : ................................................
DATE : .....................

09 Sep Eng Website

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

09 Sep Eng Website

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

09 Sep Eng Website

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE

An ISO 9001 : 2015 Institution | Providing Excellence Since 2011

(Near Istha siddhi Vinayakar Temple), Anna Nagar East – 600102.

Phone: 044-2626 5326 | 98844 72636 | 98844 21666 | 98844 32666

04288 - 234670 | 91 94437 34670

Patrician College of Arts and Science,

044 - 24401362 | 044 - 24426913

Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College

73737 66550 | 94432 66008 | 90951 66009

Wishing You All The Very Best !!

VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 

15-09-2019 International Day of Theme of International Day of Democracy 2019:

 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.2 Defence, National Security and Terrorism

Joint Naval Annual Quality Mount Leo Pargyil

Maitree 2019: Indo-Thailand Joint Military Exercise to be held in Meghalaya

 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 

BHEL commissions 1,320 MW Naval variant of LCA Tejas

 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.3 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits

President inaugurated the World first Youth Conference

 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 

Shalija Dhami of IAF Becomes First

10 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 11

1.6 Sports and Games Elavenil Valarivan Wins Gold Medal at

Logo for 2022 FIFA World Cup Launched by Qatar

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 13

Meghalaya’s Hopewel Elias Higher Brazilian tennis player Diego Matos

Charles Leclerc wins second successive F1 win through

14 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 15

Pankaj Advani wins IBSF World Billiards Championship

1.7 Books & Authors A Short History of Indian Railways

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 17

18 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

1.8 India and its Neighbours

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 19

1.9 Awards & Honours Tenzing Norgay National Adventure

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 21

22 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 23

Swedish environmental activist Agnes Kharshiing- rights activist based

Secunderabad Station Becomes 1st Station To Get IGBC Green Platinum

24 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

3. LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA Billy Porter, Pose

Rank School Location

Jindal Global University of Haryana Super 30 founder Anand Kumar

26 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 27

Reliance Industries becomes the

28 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

PM to inaugurate India’s second Multi Modal Terminal on Ganga at Sahibganj

Vetrii IAS Study Circle 29

SEBI Sets Up Committee To Suggest Structure And Norms For

30 Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle

Vetrii IAS Study Circle