(International News)

World Bank’s Human Capital Index released
 
The World Bank released today a Human Capital Index (HCI) as part of the World Development Report 2019. 
Broader theme of the World Development Report (WDR) this year is “The Changing Nature of Work”. 
As part of this report, the World Bank has launched a Human Capital Project (HCP). The HCP programme is claimed to be a program of advocacy, measurement, and analytical work to raise awareness and increase demand for interventions to build human capital. The HCI has been constructed for 157 countries.

Global Hunger Index 2018
 
As per the 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI), published, the level of hunger and under nutrition worldwide fell to 20.9, down from 29.2 in the year 2000. 

As per the index, India was ranked 103rd out of 119 qualifying countries. The Global Hunger Index 2018 report was prepared jointly by global NGOs namely, Concern Worldwide (Ireland) and Welthungerhilfe (Germany).

Malaysian government decides to abolish capital punishment
 
In Malaysia, the cabinet decided to abolish the death penalty. Communications and multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said, the government decided to scrap capital punishment following strong domestic opposition to the practice. 
Capital punishment in Malaysia is currently mandatory for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms and drug trafficking, among other crimes.

India lost $79.5 billion due to climate-related disasters in last 20 years: UN
 
India lost $79.5 billion to climate-related disasters in the last two decades, according to a United Nations (UN) report.
At least 91% of all major disasters recorded from 1988 to 2017 were climate-related, according to the Economic Losses, Poverty and Disasters 1998-2017 report, released by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva.
The largest numbers of people (2 billion) were affected by floods, which accounted for 43.4% of these disasters, followed by droughts, which affected a further 1.5 billion people. 
India is among five countries after the US, China and Japan and Puerto Rico, which have witnessed the greatest economic losses due to climate-related disasters.

(National News)

Central University of Jammu signs MoU with ISRO to set up Space Applications Center

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed an MoU with the Central University of Jammu (CUJ) in Jammu today for setting up of the Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science in the University.

Another MoU was signed between CUJ and the Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIR-CSIO). 

Objective:-
To create awareness about space research and to motivate young minds to take up research related to space, astronomy, geology, atmospheric sciences and related fields, a two day workshop was also inaugurated at the CUJ campus.

(Defence News)

(IND-INDO CORPAT), to be held from 11 – 27 Oct 2018

Indian Naval Ship Kulish, a Kora class missile corvette, commanded by Commander Deepak Bali and an Indian Dornier (naval maritime time patrol aircraft) from Andaman and Nicobar command entered Belawan harbour, Indonesia for the opening ceremony of the 32nd edition of India – Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT), to be held from 11 – 27 Oct 2018. 
The delegation is led by Commodore Ashutosh Ridhorkar, Naval Component Commander, Andaman and Nicobar Command.

(International Agreement News)

India-Azerbaijan sign protocol on trade and economic, science and technology cooperation
 
The 5th meeting of India-Azerbaijan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Science and Technology Cooperation (IA-IGC) was held on 11-12 October, 2018 in New Delhi.
Important Points:
To emphasised to further strengthen and expand their cooperation in trade and investment, transportation, energy and hydro-carbons, SMEs, agriculture, food safety and environmental protection, tourism, culture, health and pharmaceuticals, space technology, education and scientific research, chemicals and petrochemicals and mining.
Trade turnover between India and Azerbaijan in January-August 2018 was USD 657.9 million.
Both sides agreed to convene the next meeting of the India-Azerbaijan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Science and Technology co-operation in Baku.

(Economic News)

Vision of a USD 5 Trillion Indian Economy

The Working Group tasked to develop a roadmap towards achieving a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025 has prepared its report and it is being circulated to the stakeholders for further suggestions.
The Working Group was constituted by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with participation from government and industry.
Important:
India is one of the fastest growing major economies and is currently ranked as the world’s sixth largest economy. 

(International News)

Defence Minister on a three-day visit to France
 Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has left for Paris on a three-day visit to France.
Objective:-
Nirmala  Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests.
Both the leaders are expected to deliberate on joint production of military platforms and weapons by the two countries. 
Important:
French President Emmanuel Macron had visited India in March during which the two countries decided to expand strategic ties and deepen counter-terror cooperation. 

(Day & Dates News)
International Day of the Girl being observed on 11th October
 
International Day of the Girl is being observed today. This day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. 
The theme this year is With Her: A Skilled Girl Force. 

(National News)
13th Annual Convention of Central Information Commission
 
President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the 13th Annual Convention of Central Information Commission (CIC) here on Friday on October 12, 2018. 
The Annual Convention on the topic “Data privacy and Right to information, Amendment in the RTI Act and Implementation of the RTI Act” is aimed at recommending measures for improving the transparency and accountability with a view to improve governance. 
The Convention shall deliberate on three specific subjects viz. “Data privacy and Right to Information”, “Amendment in the RTI Act” and “Implementation of the RTI Act.”

India’s First National Environment Survey In 2019
 
India’s first ever National Environment Survey (NES) will be kicked off in January, 2019 to map environment data of 55 districts across 24 states and 3 Union Territories.
The NES will rank all districts on their environmental performance and document their best green practices based on various environmental parameters. The earliest first set of complete green data from this survey will be available in 2020.

Cyclone Titli makes landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha 
 
The Cyclone Titli made landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha this morning. The bordering district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh was severely hit due to the cyclone.  Several parts of Odisha are experiencing heavy rain as the Cyclone intensifies.
'Titli', which has been categorised as a "very severe cyclonic storm", hit the coast with a speed of 140 to 150 kmph, the Met department said. The cyclone is moving towards West Bengal and is expected to weaken gradually with decreasing wind speed.

(Appointment News)
Tushar Mehta appointed as the new Solicitor General of India
 
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta was appointed as the Solicitor General of India by the central government. The post was vacant since October 20, 2017 after the resignation of former solicitor general of India Ranjit Kumar.
The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Mehta with effect from the day of assumption of charge of the office for a period till June 30, 2020.

(Science & Technology News)

Scientists develop the first bio-electronic medicine

Scientists from Washington University in the US have developed the first bioelectronic medicine -- an implantable, biodegradable wireless device that speeds nerve regeneration and improves the healing of a damaged nerve.
The technology, called "bioelectronic medicine," provides therapy and treatment over a clinically relevant period of time and directly at the site where it's needed, thereby reducing side effects or risks associated with conventional, permanent implants.

(Sports News)
Asian Para Games:
Sundar Singh Gurjar wins silver in javelin throw
 
Indian javelin thrower Sundar Singh Gurjar won a silver medal in the men’s F46 category of the Asian Para Games.
In the same event, Rinku picked up a bronze medal to make it an India-dominated podium. The F46 category of disability covers upper limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement.
India also logged a bronze in the men’s 400m T13 category with Avnil Kumar claiming the third position. The T13 classification deals with visual impairment.
 

(International Agreement News)
Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation
 
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modihas approved Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation. 
The areas of cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation shall include:
 
•    Air and water pollution prevention and purification, remediation of contaminated soils;
•    Waste management including hazardous wastes, and waste-to-energy technologies;
•    Promotion of circular economy, low-carbon solutions and sustainable management of natural resources including forests:
•    Climate change;
•    Environmental and Forest monitoring and data management;
•    Conservation of Marine and Coastal Resources;
•    Integrated water management of Oceanic/Sea Islands; and
•    Any other areas jointly decided upon.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Lebanon in the field of agriculture and allied sectors
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Lebanon for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
Benefits of MoU:
It will promote understanding of best Agricultural practices in the two countries 
It will help in better productivity at farmer fields as well as improved global market.
 It will help to increase agriculture production and productivity by getting access to best practices and market worldwide.  
It will lead to innovative techniques for increasing production and productivity, leading to strengthening of food security.

(National News)
Set up of two new Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) 
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved establishment and operationalistion of permanent campuses of the two new Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Berhampur (Odisha).  
The total cost likely to be incurred is Rs. 3074.12 crore (Non-Recurring: Rs.2366.48 crore and Recurring: 707.64 crore).
Background:
 In 2015, IISER, Tirupati was established in pursuance to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, while IISER, Berhampur was established in 2016 in pursuance to the announcement made by the Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech, 2015. These institutes are presently functioning from transit campuses.

IAF launched "MedWatch mobile health" app
 
The Indian Air Force launched an innovative mobile health application called ‘MedWatch’ on October 8, 2018, on the occasion of its 86th anniversary. It was launched by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff.
The app has been conceived by the doctors of IAF and developed in-house by the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) with zero financial outlay.
Air Force Day

The Air Force Day is celebrated every year on October 8 to pay rich tribute to the untiring efforts and supreme sacrifice made by veterans, who laid a strong foundation for the service. 

Merger of NCVT and NSDA to establish National Council for Vocational Education and Training, NCVET
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the merger of the existing regulatory institutions in the skills space - National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) into the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).
National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT)
The National Council for Vocational Training, an advisory body, was set up by theGovernment of India in 1956 (the then National Council of Training in Vocational Trades—NCTVT).
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) is an autonomous body under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship that anchors the National Skill Qualifications Framework and allied quality assurance mechanisms for synergizing skill initiatives in the country.

Approval for closure of Biecco Lawrie Limited 
 
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for closure of the Biecco Lawrie Limited (BLL) including giving Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)/ Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) to the employees of the Company.
Background:
BLL is a Schedule ‘C’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) with 67.33% and 32.33% equity share held by Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) and Government of India respectively. The remaining 0.44% shares are held by others.
Biecco Lawrie, located
Biecco Lawrie, located in Kolkata, was established in 1919 as British India Electric Construction Company. It started as a tea garden machine manufacturer and made shell cases, food containers, camouflage sets for military during World War II. 

(Sports News)
Asian Para-Games: 
Archer Harvinder Singh clinches gold for India 
 
Archer Harvinder Singh notched up the men's individual recurve gold, while track-and-field athletes added a silver and a bronze to India's tally in the Asian Para-Games in Jakarta today.
 
Harvinder defeated China's Zhao Lixue 6-0 in the W2/ST category final to claim the top honours and take India's gold tally to seven.
 
Monu Ghangas claimed the silver in the men's discus throw F11 category, while Mohammed Yasser fetched a bronze in the men's shot put F46 category.

(Awards)
ESIC wins ‘ISSA GOOD Practice Award, Asia & the Pacific 2018’
 
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has won the ‘ISSA Good Practice Award’ for Administrative Solution for Coverage Extension at the “Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific” held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently.
International Social Security Association
The ISSA (International Social Security Association) is the principal international organization for Social Security Organizations, Govts. and Departments of Social Security.  
The ISSA, founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva, promotes excellence in social security administration through professional guidelines, expert knowledge, services and support to enable its Members to develop dynamic social security systems.

(National News)

IMF predicts 7.3% growth rate for India in current fiscal year
 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today predicted a growth rate of 7.3 per cent for India in the current year and 7.4 per cent in 2019.  In 2017, India had recorded a 6.7 per cent growth rate.
The latest World Economic Outlook Report has predicted a slightly lower growth rate than it made projections in the April 2018 World Economic Outlook for 2019. It said, the prediction is lower due to recent increase in oil prices and the tightening of global financial conditions.

PM Modi to unveil statue of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram
 
Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi will visit Sampla in Rohtak district, today, where he would unveil 64-Feet tall statue of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram, popularly known as messiah of farmers. Prime minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Rail Coach Repair Factory today at Badhi in Sonepat district. 
Important:
Haryana Governor is Mr Satyadeo Narain Arya.

(Sports News)

Asian Para Games: 
Ekta Bhyan wins India's fourth gold in women's club 
Ekta Bhyan won India's fourth gold at the Asian Para Games by topping the women's club throw event in Jakarta today. Bhyan produced her best throw of 16.02m in her fourth attempt to win the F32/51 event. 
The F32/51 class features athletes with significant impairment in hand function.
India also secured three bronze medals today courtesy Jayanti Behera, Anandan Gunasekaran and Monu Ghangas. Ghangas finished third in the men's shot put while Gunasekaran in men's 200m and Behera in the women's 200m race.

Youth Olympics
Jeremy Lalrinnunga wins the first gold for India
 
Jeremy Lalrinnunga won the first gold medal for India at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina by lifting a combined weight of 274kgs in the Men's 62kg Group A event of weightlifting on Tuesday.
Toptas Caner of Turkey won the silver medal for a combined lift of 263kg and Estiven Jose Manjarres of Colombia won the bronze medal with 260kg.

(Day & Dates News)

World Post Day
 

Today is World Post Day. The day is celebrated every year on 9th October marking the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. 
Background
It was declared World Post Day by the Universal Postal Union Congress held in Tokyo in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.

(International  News)

4 day long India International Science Festival (IISF-2018) concludes in Lucknow
 
The four day long mega science expo, India International Science Festival (IISF) concluded in Lucknow today.
Important:
IISF witnessed more than twenty thousand registrations and a footfall of more than ten lakh people making it the biggest festival of this kind in Asia.
Union Minister Dr.HarshVardhan said the motto of New India henceforth can be “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan” 
Union Minister Shri. Nitin Gadkari launches a dedicated website on Science in India.

(Science & Technology)

Google+ to Be Shut Down for Consumers

Tech giant Google has said that its social network Google will be shut down after it was discovered that a bug exposed private data of up to 500,000 users to external developers.
Google Plus is an Internet-based social network that is owned and operated by Google.
The service, Google's fourth foray into social networking, experienced strong growth in its initial years, although usage statistics have varied, depending on how the service is defined.

(International News)

India and Tajikistan have agreed to further strengthen their Strategic Partnership

India and Tajikistan have agreed to further strengthen their Strategic Partnership. India will also offer a grant of 20 million US Dollar to Tajikistan for development projects.

On this occasion both countries have signed MoUs in fields of political relations, strategic research, agriculture, renewable energy, traditional medicine, space technology, youth affairs, Culture and Disaster Management.

India will undertake feasibility study of solar projects in seven villages of Tajikistan as requested by the country and will also provide two English language laboratories for of Tajikistan Military. 

(National News)

Reconstitution of Top Court-Powered Pollution Control Panel

The Centre has reconstituted Supreme Court-empowered Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority or the EPCA, which is tasked with taking various measures to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region. The tenure of the last EPCA expired on October 3.

Former secretary Bhure Lal continues to be the chairman, while theCentre for Science and Environment (CSE) DG Sunita Narain is one of the members.

EPCA

The EPCA was constituted with the objective of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing and controlling the environmental pollution in the National Capital Region. The EPCA is also mandated to enforce Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the city as per the pollution levels.

Odisha launches 'Nirman Kusuma' scheme 
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik launched 'Nirman Kusuma' programme to provide financial assistance to the children of the construction workers for their technical education in the state.
'Nirman Kusuma'

The programme 'Nirman Kusuma' will help fulfil the dreams of the construction workers' children. The scheme would provide financial assistance to the children of construction workers for their education in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics.
Under the programme, an ITI student will be entitled to get financial assistance worth Rs 23,600 and a diploma student will get assistance worth Rs 26,300 per annum. 

ECI announces election schedule for legislative assemblies of five states

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Telangana.
The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram are due to expire, however, the Telangana Government vide his order dated September 6, 2018 dissolved the Telangana Legislative Assembly with immediate effect.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.

(Sports News)

Tushar Mane bagged silver: Youth Olympic Games 
India has opened their medal account in the Youth Olympic Games with Silver. On the opening day of competitions in Buenos Aires today, shooter Tushar Mane bagged silver in the men's 10 metre air rifle event.   
India is being represented by 46 athletes in 13 sports in the prestigious event. This is India's largest ever contingent at the Youth Olympics. 
India won two medals silver and a bronze in the last Youth Olympics in 2014 in Nanjing in China.
Youth Olympic Games
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport eventorganized by the International Olympic Committee. The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format, though in reverse order with Winter Games held in leap years instead of Summer Games. 

India bags 2 silver, 4 bronze medals on opening day in Jakarta
The men's badminton team opened the country's medal account after narrowly losing to Malaysia 1- 2 in the semi-finals to settle for a bronze.

In the 49 kg men’s powerlifting event, Farman Basha claimed the silver and Paramjeet Kumar won the bronze. The gold went to Pia Laophalkdee of Laos for his effort of 133 kg.

Swimmers Devanshi Satijawon picked up silver in women's 100 metre butterfly and Suyash Jadhav clinched the bronze in the men's 200 metre individual medley.

Caroline Wozniacki wins her 30th WTA singles title
Caroline Wozniacki won her 30th WTA singles title with victory over Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova in the China Open final in Beijing today. 

The 28-year-old Wozniacki, who won her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open at the start of this year, was imperious against the unseeded Sevastova, winning 6-3, 6-3. It is her second China Open crown as she also won it in 2010. 

(Awards)
Nobel Economics Prize awarded to William D Nordhaus, Paul M Romer

The Royal Swedish Academy on Monday, October 8, 2018, decided to award the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2018 to William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer, for “integrating innovation and climate with economic growth.”
Important to Know:
Dr. Nordhaus was the first person to create “an integrated assessment model, i.e. a quantitative model that describes the global interplay between the economy and the climate.
Dr. Romer “laid the foundation of what is now called endogenous growth theory. The theory is both conceptual and practical, as it explains how ideas are different to other goods and require specific conditions to thrive in a market.”

(International Relations)

Bilateral Maritime Exercise Between Japan and India (JIMEX 18) to Commence at Visakhapatnam

Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Inazuma – a Guided Missile Destroyer arrived at Visakhapatnam on 07 October 2018.

The JMSDF Ships under the command of Rear Admiral Tatsuya Fukada, Commander, Escort Flotilla-4 (CCF-4), would be participating in the third edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) with the ships of Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy (IN) from 07 to 15 October 18.

JIMEX-18 is aimed to enhance interoperability, improve understanding and imbibe the best practices of each other.

JIMEX 18, spread over eight days, will comprise a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase of four days each.

The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in Dec 2013 off Chennai. The conduct of JIMEX-18 after five years is indicative of an upswing in the Indo-Japanese defence relations and the continued efforts of both Governments to work closely to enhance safety and security of the global commons in keeping with ‘rule based order’.

(National News)

4th India International Science Festival

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 4th India International Science Festival in Lucknow

The first of the four-day festival saw scientists, students, experts in different fields of science from across the country in hundreds, along with members of India’s science policy team that inaugurated and introduced the day’s sessions.

The Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan, inaugurated a few of the key events himself, including the Young Scientists Conference and the Global Indian Science and Technology Stakeholder’s Meet.

Air Force Day Parade 2018

The Indian Air Force is celebrating its 86th Anniversary on 08 Oct 2018.

In the last eight decades, IAF has technologically evolved and grown in strength to thwart any threat to the nation. It is committed to safeguard the Indian skies and has played a key role in providing assistance to the people of the country during any natural calamity.

Professionalism displayed by air-warriors during various international exercises reaffirms IAF’s ability to be an effective net security provider.

On this day, all men and women of IAF pay rich tribute to the untiring efforts and supreme sacrifice made by veterans, who laid a strong foundation for the service.

Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani Inaugurates exhibition “Revisiting Gandhi: The Art of Shelly Jyoti” at IGNCA, New Delhi

Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani Inaugurated the exhibition “Revisiting Gandhi: The Art of Shelly Jyoti” at IGNCA, New Delhi, on 06th of October, 2018.

Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Trustee, Kasturba Gandhi National Museum Memorial, Dr. Sachidananda Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNA, Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, Chancellor, M.S. University, Vadodara were the guests of Honour at the Event.

The exhibition was organised as part of Gandhi Parv, 150 years birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi

IndiaSkills 2018, the Country’s biggest skill competition, concludes

IndiaSkills 2018, the Country’s biggest skill competition, concluded here today, with the winners being awarded by dignitaries.

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship ShriAnantkumarHegde and ShriSubhashGhai, Chairman of Media and Entertainment Skills Council and India Film Director gave away the awards in 46 trades to participants from across the country.

IndiaSkills 2018 was the second edition of the nationwide competition organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India to identify, recognize, promote and reward the best talents in various skills.

23 states actively participated in organizing the competitions at the state and regional levels in which over 50 thousand participants took part. 450 participants took part in the 3-day national level competition organized in New Delhi. Besides 46 competition trades, there were 10 demonstration trades also.

Some of winners of the competition of various trades will be given more training, before they are sent to represent India at the 45th WorldSkills Competition at Kazan, Russia in 2019.

A number of Divayangs also participated in the competition and the winners will take part at the World level in Abilympics in China. A large number of Corporates (over 100) supported the Government’s efforts in organizing the IndiaSkills 2018.

(National News)

GI Tag for Alphonso from Konkan
Alphonso from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts of  Maharashtra, is registered asGeographical Indication (GI). 
A Geographical Indication or a GI is an indication used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality. Darjeeling Tea, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi Sarees and TirupatiLaddus are some of the GIs.

Digi Yatra central platform will be operational by end of February, 2019
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation, Shri Suresh Prabhu released the policy on biometric based digital processing of passengers at airports called “Digi Yatra” at a press-conference. 

‘DigiYatra’ 

The ‘DigiYatra’ is an industry-led initiative co-ordinated by the Ministry in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Digital India’s vision to transform the nation into a digitally empowered society. This follows Air Sewa which brings together all the stakeholders on a common platform for handling customer grievances and disseminating real-time data.

Launch of Methanol Cooking Fuel Program of India

Northeast and Assam Petro-chemicals, a state-owned company for launching Asia's first cannisters based and India's first "Methanol Cooking Fuel Program".
 The program was inaugurated by Dr V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and Chairman, Methanol Apex Committee at the Assam Petro-chemicals campus at Namrup.

Details:
500 households inside the Assam Petro Complex will be the first pilot project, scaling it to 40,000 households in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Goa and Karnataka. The project is a natural extension of our Prime Minister's vision of reducing import of crude and an effort to provide clean, import substitute, cost effective and pollution free cooking medium. Assam Petrochemicals Limited has been manufacturing methanol for the last 30 years and is in the process of upgrading their 100 TPD methanol plant to 600 TPD by Dec 2019.

(Appointment News)

RN Ravi becomes Deputy National Security Advisor
The government  redesignated RN Ravi as deputy national security advisor (internal affairs) from his earlier assignment as the chief of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).

Ravi will be the third deputy to NSA Ajit Doval after former Research and Analysis Wing chief Rajinder Khanna and serving diplomat Pankaj Saran.

Ravi retired as the special director in the domestic intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the NDA government appointed him as the chief of the JIC which is a subsidiary body of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) tasked with assessment of intelligence gathered by various intelligence agencies.

(International News)
Atal Innovation Mission & SIRIUS sign MoU forpromotion of innovative cooperation 

To promote innovative cooperation between students of India and Russia, a Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Russian Federation’s SIRIUS Educational Foundation in the presence of the Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi and the President of Russia H.E. Vladimir Putin, in New Delhi on 5th October 2018.

About AIM-SIRIUS Innovation Festival 2018
To promote a spirit of collaborative innovation, young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs and SIRIUS Educational Foundation came together at a four-day Indo-Russian ATL innovation boot-camp from October 1st to October 4th. 

About Atal Innovation Mission
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India. AIM has been established to create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in a holistic manner through various initiatives at school, university and industry levels.

India, Vietnam hold joint drill in Bay of Bengal
The Indian Coast Guard conducted its maiden joint exercise with the Vietnam Coast Guard in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Chennnai.

The exercise — Sahyog HOP TAC-2018 — was aimed at enabling the Coast Guard units of the two countries to acquaint themselves with each other’s capabilities, strengthening the working-level relationship to rescue lives at sea and refining joint operation procedures.

The joint exercise simulated a scenario involving rescue of crew from a hijacked oil tanker, interdiction of a pirated vessel, joint boarding operation and external fire-fighting to salvage burning ships.

National News
Chanda Kochhar quits as ICICI Bank CEO, MD

The ICCI Bank CEO and MD, Chanda Kochhar quit her position with immediate effect on October 4, 2018. The announcement came after her plea for early retirement was accepted by the bank. 

Kochhar, who had headed ICICI Bank since May 2009, is also stepping down from the board of directors of its units. Her third term was set to end in March 2019. 
Sandeep Bakhshi, who was appointed as the bank's COO in June 2018, has been named to succeed Kochhar as the bank’s new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Bakhshi has been appointed for a period of five years until October 3, 2023, subject to various approvals.

21 IORA Countries adopt the Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy

As many as 21 countries in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) today adopted the Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy in the Indian Ocean Region, post the 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting held at the 2nd Global Re-Invest India-ISA Partnership Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet & Expo in Greater Noida.
The Delhi Declaration on Renewable Energy in the Indian Ocean Region calls for collaboration among IORA member states in meeting the growing demand for renewable energy in the Indian Ocean littorals, development of a common renewable energy agenda for the Indian Ocean region and promote regional capacity building.

First Regional Conference on 'Women in Detention and Access to Justice' in Shimla 

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Ministry of Home Affairs is organising the First ever Regional Conference at Shimla on 'Women in Detention and Access to Justice' in collaboration with the Prison Department, Himachal Pradesh on October 4-5, 2018. The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri Acharya Devvrat, the  Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

The following themes have been identified for discussions and deliberations:

•    Reproductive Health Rights of Women Prisoners: National and International Legal Norms
•    Health Needs of Women Prisoners
•    Health, Skill, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Women Inmates and Their Children
•    Prison Reforms, Structural Managerial and Legal Issues with Focus on Women Inmates & Comparison to Global Norms
•    Neuro-Criminology Program for the Offender
•    Transforming Prisons

 Defence News

India and Kazakhstan agree to boost Defence and Military Technical Cooperation
 
Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman was on a three-day visit to Astana, Kazakhstan from October 02, 2018 at the invitation of Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nurlan Yermekbayev.
India and Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation includes military-technical cooperation, military education and training, joint military exercises, bilateral exchange of visits and cadet youth exchange programs.  Over 200 Kazakh Defence Forces Personnel have undergone military training in India till date.  Both countries successfully conducted a company level joint military exercise ‘KAZIND-2018’ in South Kazakhstan, last month. India and Kazakhstan are bound by historical and cultural ties and this has laid a strong foundation for the multifaceted cooperation.  Both countries are Strategic Partners since 2009.

 Awards News

Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2018

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave awards to top Ranked State, District and State with maximum citizen participation based on the National Swachh SurvekshanGrameen 2018 commissioned by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. 
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation had commissioned “Swachh Survekshan Grameen-2018” (SSG 2018) through an independent survey agency to develop ranking of all districts of India on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation (Swachhata) parameters.
Overall Ranking:
•    Top 3 States-1) Haryana, 2) Gujarat 3) Maharashtra
•    Top 3 Districts 1) Satara, Maharashtra 2) Rewari, Haryana 3) Pedapalli, Telangana
•    States with maximum citizen participation 1) Uttar Pradesh 2) Gujarat 3) Maharashtra
•    Districts with maximum citizens’ participation 1) Nashik, Maharashtra 2) Solapur, Maharashtra 3) Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

International News

Four-day long India International Science Festival (IISF-2018) begins 
     
Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhanand Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath jointly addressed a curtain raiser in Luknow on the eve of 4thIndia International Science Festival-2018 (IISF-2018) to be held in Lucknow from 05th to 08th October.The mega science expo will be formally inauguratedby the President Shri Ram NathKovind.
The theme of this edition of Science Festival is “Science for Transformation”. IISF-2018 is expected to be represented by approximately 10000 delegates including 5000 students, 550 teachers, 200 students from North-East Region, 20 international delegates and approximately 200 startups.

National News

Establishment of National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation in Sehore District instead of Bhopal 
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved,in partial modification of the earlier decision taken on 16.05.2018, the establishment of National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation(NIMHR) in Sehore District (Bhopal-Sehore highway) instead of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
Benefits:
NIMHR will be the first of its kind in the country in the area of mental health rehabilitation. It will serve as an institution of excellence for capacity building in human resource and research in the area of mental health  rehabilitation, and also recommending body suggesting models/protocols for effective rehabilitation of persons with mental illness.

840 institutes enrolled in "Unnat Bharat Abhiyan"
  

Under “Unnat Bharat Abhiyan” scheme, 688 institutes selected in the phase-1 are involved in various activities aimed to enrich rural India. This includes field visits, house to house survey, identifying the felt needs of the rural masses, developing technology or process to improve their lives.
 Now, in the next phase, on a challenge mode, 840 Institutions have been selected and will be part of UBA 2.0. Out of these 840 Institutes, 521 are Technical Institutions and 319 are Non-Technical Institutions.
“Unnat Bharat Abhiyan”
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is being coordinated and steered by IIT Delhi. The programme involve engaging with neighbouring communities and using technologies for their upliftment. Recently an article has been published outlining a roadmap for rural India.

International News

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Russiaon cooperation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) - a Public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Republic of India and JSC-Russian Small & Medium Business Corporation (RSMB Corporation), Russia.The MoU will be signed during the upcoming visit of Russian President to India.
Objective:
The objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the two countries. It would provide a structured framework and enabling environment to the MSME sector of the two countries to understand each other's strengths, markets, technologies, policies etc. 
Aim:
It aims to enhance enterprise to enterprise cooperation and help initiate sustainable business alliances in terms of technology transfers, joint ventures and business partnerships in MSME sector between the two countries. 

Approval Second Protocol amending CECA between India and Singapore
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore. The CECA was signed on 24th August 2018.
Benefits:
Signing of the Second Protocol will enhance bilateral trade and will deepen the Economic Cooperation between India and Singapore. It will also improve utilization of CECA.

Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Road Industry between India and Russia 
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Russia on Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Road Industry. The MoU will be signed during the upcoming visit of Russian President to India.
 Background:
 India and Russia enjoy long-standing relationship and have maintained strong economic ties at a strategic partnership level. Russia has developed technological solutions for satellite based tolling solutions. Similarly, they have also adopted advanced intelligent traffic management systems including crash reporting/ monitoring systems. 

IBSAMAR VI: India, Brazil & SA Navies train to build interoperability
With the aim to build interoperability and mutual understanding as well as sharing of best practices, the 6th edition of IBSAMAR, a joint Multi – National Maritime Exercise between the Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies, is being held at Simons Town, South Africa from Oct 1-13.

The exercise includes both harbour and sea phases with various navigation and seamanship evolutions, surface weapons firing, force protection exercises, antipiracy exercise, anti-air and anti-submarine exercise as well as flying operations. Apart from professional activities, sports and social engagements are also planned.

(National news)

BSE to launch commodity derivatives trading next week 

BSE is set to launch trading in commodity derivatives from October 1 and has decided to waive off the transaction charges for the first year of commodities market operations, the exchange said Friday. 

The exchange will begin trading in commodity derivatives with non-agriculture commodities like metals initially, followed by agri commodities subsequently, BSE said in a statement. 

Bombay Stock Exchange 

The Bombay Stock Exchange is an Indian stock exchange located at Dalal Street, Mumbai. Established in 1875, the BSE is Asia’s first stock exchange.

Launch of SATAT initiative to promote Compressed Bio-Gas as an alternative, green transport fuel 

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will kick off an innovative initiative in New Delhi on 1st October, 2018, with PSU Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs ,i.e. IOC, BPCL and HPCL) inviting Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential entrepreneurs to set up Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and make available CBG in the market for use in automotive fuels. 
Significance
This significant move has the potential to boost availability of more affordable transport fuels, better use of agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste, as well as to provide an additional revenue source to farmers.
Titled SATAT, the initiative is aimed at providing a Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) as a developmental effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs.

India ranked 5th in pictorial warnings on cigarette packets

India ranks fifth, jointly with Hong Kong and Thailand, in terms of the largest pictorial warning on cigarette packs with 85 per cent of both sides of the packets covered, according to a Canadian Cancer Society report released.

The Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report 2018 highlighted that 118 countries worldwide have made pictorial warnings mandatory, representing a global public health achievement and 58 per cent of the world's population is covered by this regulat.

(International news)
India, Uzbekistan sign 17 agreements for cooperation in various sectors

India and Uzbekistan inked 17 agreements on Monday, including in the areas of defence, space, health and agriculture.

After holding delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev termed the signing of agreements "historic".

The two countries signed pacts for 

•    collaboration in the field of military education and for cooperation between the Office of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan and the National Security Council Secretariat of India.

•    Agreement on cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking.
•    A pact for cooperation in outer space exploration for peaceful purposes was also signed.
•    Agreements were signed for visa-free travel of diplomatic passport holders for programme of cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs of Uzbekistan and India in 2019-2020.
•    Two agreements in the sectors of innovation, and health and medical science were also signed.
•    Business relationships between the two countries will be promoted through the India-Uzbekistan Business Council, for which a pact was inked.

PM inaugurates first assembly of the International Solar Alliance
The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, today inaugurated the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance at Vigyan Bhawan. The same event also marked the inauguration of the second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting, and the 2nd Global RE-Invest (Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet and Expo). 

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of more than 121 countries, most of them being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 

( Award News)

James P. Allison, Tasuku Honjo win Nobel Prize in Medicine for cancer research

The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been jointly awarded to James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo, by the Nobel committee of the Karolinska Institute.

The two immunologists — from the U.S. and Japan, respectively — were awarded the Prize “for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.”

The discovery made by the two Medicine Laureates takes advantage of the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells by releasing the brakes on immune cells.