India & The World

• India and US agreed to expand coopera tion in defence (Free Available)
• India rejects criticism from U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (Free Available)
• Six nations to participate in conference for future of Afghanistan (Free Available)
• India moved to stabilise ties with China (Free Available)
• MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup is new High Commissioner to Canada (Free Available)
• India and Afghanistan goes against the dominant view on Afghanistan process (Free Available)
• India wants TNA to continue negotiating a political solution in Sri Lanka (Only for Online Coaching Members)
• Europe urged for six-month extension of bilateral investment with India (Only for Online Coaching Members)

India and US agreed to expand coopera tion in defence

• In the first high level contact between the defence departments of India and the U.S. since President Donald Trump took charge, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his U.S. counterpart agreed to expand cooperation.
• Two discussed cooperation under the Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI) and the Major Defence Partner status and agreed to take forward the joint development of defence platforms.
• The Defence Ministry said Mr. Parrikar and Gen. Mattis emphasised the high priority placed by both countries on the relationship, and resolved to work together to expand this partnership.
• Key appointments in the Pentagon are yet to made. There will be some clarity only after that on the defence front.
• For instance the portfolio of Frank Kendall, Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics is likely to be bifurcated. He heads the DTTI from the U.S. side.

BRICS Women Parliamentarian Forum: Important Topics for UPSC Exams​

What is it?

Government Plan Programme Policies for UPSC Exam

:: Three social Security Schemes ::

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana will offer a renewable one year accidental death cum disability cover of Rupees Two Lakh (Rupees One Lakh for partial permanent disability) to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 70 years for a premium of Rs. 12/- per annum per subscriber. The scheme would be offered / administered through Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) or other General Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms on the choice of the Bank / RRB / Cooperative Bank concerned.

PMJJBY on the other hand will offer a renewable one year life cover of Rupees Two Lakh to all savings bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 50 years, covering death due to any reason, for a premium of Rs.330/- per annum per subscriber. The scheme would be offered / administered through LIC or other Life Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms on the choice of the Bank / RRB / Cooperative Bank concerned.

Government Plan Programme Policies for UPSC Exam

:: IMPRINT INDIA ::

For the development of research and technology institutions in India, government of India has launched Imprint India programme. ‘IMPRINT India’ is a Pan-IIT and IISc joint initiative to develop a roadmap for research to solve major engineering and technology challenges in ten technology domains relevant to India. IMPRINT India is synergizing platform for institutions, academia, industry that encourages research & innovation, making it socially more relevant. There are various objective to Imprint India initiative. Objectives of the programme are mentioned below:

• identify areas of immediate relevance to society requiring innovation,
• direct scientific research into identified areas,
• ensure higher funding support for research into these areas and
• measure outcomes of the research effort with reference to impact on the standard of living in the rural/urban areas.

BRICS Summit: Important Topics for UPSC Exams​

What is BRICS?

• BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• BRIC started as a formal grouping in 2006 on the margins of G8 outreach summit.
• Originally the first four were grouped as "BRIC" before the induction of South Africa in 2010.
• 1st Summit was held in Russia in 2009. Moreover 1st, 5 member BRICS summit was held in 2011.
• Since 2009, the BRICS nations have met annually at formal summits. 8th summit in 2016 was held in Goa and BIMSTEC countries were invited for a joint summit as per the the tradition. 9th summit will be held in China.