Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 3 August 2018

::NATIONAL::

Govt launches Swachh Bharat Summer Internship

Government of India launched a “Swachh Bharat Summer Internship- 100 hours of Swachhta” programme for the students of Universities and Higher Education Institutions.
The students are to devote approximately 100 hours conducting Swachhta- related activities in villages selected by them and approved by their parent institution.
The participants are to conduct (i) Information- Education- Communication activities for increasing awareness of village people about sanitation and hygiene and (ii) Solid Waste Management related activities in villages.
All the participants of the Internship programme will be given a Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Certificate on completion of their internship and its approval by their parent institution. Apart from these Certificates, the Best interns will be recognised with Shields/cups at college level and cash prizes.
As per the guidelines of the Internship programme, 2 curriculum credits are to be given by institutions affiliated with UGC to those interns whose internships are certified by the parent institution as eligible for the credits on the basis of higher parameters.

National Commission for Backward Classes gets constitutional status

The LokSabha on Thursday unanimously passed the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill providing for a National Commission for Backward Classes as a constitutional body, with all 406 votes being cast in support of the Bill.
The Bill as passed by the Lower House inserts Article 338 B in the Constitution, which provides for a Commission for the socially and educationally backward classes with a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of India.
In response to BJD’s BhartruhariMahtab moving an amendment that there must be at least one woman on the Commission, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment ThaawarchandGehlot said this would be done while drafting the Rules.
While supporting the Bill, the Congress on Thursday demanded that the caste census data, obtained during the United Progressive Alliance regime, be made public.

::ECONOMY::

Invest India joins hands with energy sector companies

Invest India has joined hands with energy sector companies to offer a unique lab-to-market opportunity for Indian startups through the Integrate to Innovate Programme.
The application for the programme is hosted on Startup India Hub – an online platform bringing together all stakeholders of the Indian startup ecosystem.
The programme provides an opportunity for collaboration and conversation around valuable energy transitions, offering startups an opportunity to bring their ideas to life with the guidance and support from corporates.
The selected startups will receive a cash prize grant of upto ₹ 5 Lakh per startup along with an opportunity to pilot their product with corporates. The corporates would offer them access to technology, technical and commercial mentorship and access to potential customers through the corporate network of partners.

Centre plans to give electricity to farmers through renewable energy sources

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is providing subsidy up to 30% of the benchmark cost of the solar water pumps to the farmers under Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme. Till date over 1.85 lakh solar water pumps have been reported installed in the country under the Programme.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy provides financial support to various R&D/academic institutions for research in the field of solar, wind, biogas, biofuel, storage, etc. for technology development and demonstration leading to commercialization.
A comprehensive policy and guidelines for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) for new and renewable energy sector are in place. Under these guidelines Central Financial assistance up to 50% of the project cost can be provided for the projects that involve partnership with industry / civil society.
MNRE sanctioned 112 R&D Projects to various R&D/Academic institutions, industries, etc. with total financial support of Rs. 523.43 crore in renewable energy sector in the country during the 12th Plan Period.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

::INTERNATIONAL::

Political crisis in Zimbabwe amid polls

Both leading contestants in Zimbabwe’s disputed presidential election indicated that they had won on Thursday as a tense nation awaited official results three days after voting.
International observers urged the Electoral Commission to release the tally as soon as possible to avoid further violence after six people were killed on Wednesday in clashes between security forces and Opposition supporters.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa claimed victory, saying President EmmersonMnangagwa knew he had lost otherwise the results would have been announced by now. But Mr.Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU-PF suggested the win would be his.
In his first public appearance since the vote on Monday, Mr.Chamisa urged his supporters to be calm and await “massive celebrations” for his victory.

China claims they are not worried about U.S tariffs

China's top envoy called on the U.S. to remain “cool-headed” on Thursday as Washington threatened to raise the tariff rate on the next $200 billion of Chinese imports.
Slapping additional tariffs on Chinese imports, 60% of which are made by foreign firms, including American companies will only raise costs for domestic U.S. consumers, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Trade Representative to consider increasing the proposed tariffs to 25% from the planned 10%, USTR Robert Lighthizer said on Wednesday.
Washington and Beijing are locked in battle over American accusations that China’s export economy benefits from unfair policies and subsidies, as well as theft of American technological know-how.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

DRDO tests Ballistic Missile Interceptor AAD Successfully

DRDO conducted the successful test of the Ballistic Missile Interceptor Advanced Area Defence (AAD) at 1130 hrs today from Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
The endo-atmospheric missile, capable of intercepting incoming targets at an altitude of 15 to 25 kms was launched against multiple simulated targets of 1500 km class ballistic missile.
One target among simultaneously incoming multiple targets was selected on real time, the weapon system radars tracked the target and the missile locked on to it and intercepted the target with a high degree of accuracy.
The complete event including the engagement and interception was tracked by a number of electro-optical tracking systems, radars and telemetry stations. All the mission objectives were successfully met.

Jammu & Kashmir seeks Navy’s help to cleanse Dal lake

Alarmed over the rapid shrinking of the Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra approached Navy chief Sunil Lanba on Thursday seeking help to save the water body, a major tourist attraction of the State.
Encroachments of water channels and clogging have diminished the circulation and inflows into the lake, leading to the extensive growth of hyacinth.
A report added that the depth of the lake had come down at many places and its total capacity had gone down to 40%. “The continuing night soil discharge from the 800 to 900 houseboats is causing extreme pollution.
The Governor has appointed the Dredging Corporation as the nodal consulting agency to formulate a plan for dredging parts of the land masses in the interiors of the lake.

::SPORTS::

IOA issues circular to national federations

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has issued a circular to all the National Sports Federations about honouring the protocol of using the ceremonial kit, travel kit, casual uniforms sports uniform and kit, by the athletes and officials, during international travel, training, competition, medal ceremony and media interaction during the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
More importantly, the athletes would not be allowed to endorse or use “his/her name, image, voice, performance, signature and likeness, for commercial, advertising, marketing or promotional purposes of any other brand in the segment of banking, financial services, insurance, diary products, beverage container, sportswear, clothing, paints and lubricants”, during the Games period.