TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 08 and 09 for group 1 & group 2 mains(All)

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 

1.TU-142M, long range Maritime Patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy was decommissioned.

TU-142M, one of the long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of Indian Navy which was de-inducted after 29 years of service and arrived at INS Dega , Vishakhapatnam ,which will be turned into a museum.

N Chandrababu Naidu ,Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh received the aircraft. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht ,Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval command and other officials attended the ceremony.

About TU-142M

• The TU-142M has taken part in all major exercises and operations including Operation Cactus in Maldives, Op Vijay in 1998, Op Parakram in 2002 and Anti-piracy Operations.
• It is nick named as Bear by NATO,it has the capability to detect and destroy enemy submarines moving deep and stealthily in sea.
• It was the heaviest, fastest and highest flying turbo prop with max flying speed of over 800 Kmph.

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 08 and 09 for Group 2, Group 4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 

1.TU-142M, long range Maritime Patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy was decommissioned

TU-142M, one of the long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of Indian Navy which was de-inducted after 29 years of service and arrived at INS Dega , Vishakhapatnam ,which will be turned into a museum.

2.Kolkata- Khulna-Dhaka bus and Train 3 services launched from Kolkata

With aim to increase the bilateral relation between India and Bangladesh, Kolkata- Khulna-Dhaka bus services launched from Kolkata by Prime minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime minister Smt.Sheikh Hasina and chief minister of West Bengal Smt Mamata Banerjee.

Apart from bus services , Train services between two nation also launched named Maitree-2 Express.He Train service which had been discontinued since 1965, was  restored when the Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka was operationalised in 2008 between two countries.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 08 and 09 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 

India Mongolia joint exercise – Nomadic Elephant

The 14 day Joint military exercise –Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia underway at Vairengte in Mizoram from 05 April 2017 and will ends on 18 April 2017.

About the Exercise.

• This was the 12th “iteration of Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant” exercise aimed in training troops in counter-insurgency and counter terrorism operation.
• The joint exercise will help in strengthening the defence cooperation and military relation between both India and Mongolia.
• The exercise will help both the armies in sharing their experience and gain mutually.
• The exercise includes convoy protection, room intervention drills, ambush/counter-ambush drills while jointly conducting counter-terrorist operations under the United Nations mandate.
• The Mongolian army is represented by 9 officers and 36 soldiers of the elite 084 special forces task Battalion and the Indian Army represented by 3 officers,4 JCOs and 39 soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. 

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 08 and 09 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 

TU-142M, long range Maritime Patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy was decommissioned.

TU-142M, one of the long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of Indian Navy which was de-inducted after 29 years of service and arrived at INS Dega , Vishakhapatnam ,which will be turned into a museum.

N Chandrababu Naidu ,Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh received the aircraft. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht ,Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval command and other officials attended the ceremony.

About TU-142M

• The TU-142M has taken part in all major exercises and operations including Operation Cactus in Maldives, Op Vijay in 1998, Op Parakram in 2002 and Anti-piracy Operations.
• It is nick named as Bear by NATO,it has the capability to detect and destroy enemy submarines moving deep and stealthily in sea.
• It was the heaviest, fastest and highest flying turbo prop with max flying speed of over 800 Kmph.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 08 and 09 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 

Kolkata- Khulna-Dhaka bus and Train 3 services launched from Kolkata

With aim to increase the bilateral relation between India and Bangladesh, Kolkata- Khulna-Dhaka bus services launched from Kolkata by Prime minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime minister Smt.Sheikh Hasina and chief minister of West Bengal Smt Mamata Banerjee.

This is an initiative taken to strengthen bilateral relations and provide better road and rail connectivity for people from both India and Bangladesh.

Train Services

• Apart from bus services , Train services between two nation also launched named Maitree-2 Express.
• He Train service which had been discontinued since 1965, was  restored when the Maitree Express between Kolkata and Dhaka was operationalised in 2008 between two countries.
•  The train service named Maitree- 2 express which  launched today is second betweenKolkata and Dhaka, will pass via Khulna.
• The new service will operate through the Benapole-Petrapole border

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 07 for Group 2, Group 4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

1.Asian Development Bank to lend $175 million to India to improve solar transmission system.

Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB)  have agreed to lend $175 million loan to support construction of high voltage transmission systems to evacuate power generated from new mega solar parks to the interstate grid, and improve reliability of the national grid system .

  

2.Mega Food Park at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,

Ministry of Food processing Industries has given approval to M/s Ratnatray Mega Food Park pvt, ltd for setting up a Mega Food Park at Akkarai Sengapally village, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 07 for group 1 & group 2 mains(All)

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

1.Asian Development Bank to lend $175 million to India to improve solar transmission system.

Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB)  have agreed to lend $175 million loan to support construction of high voltage transmission systems to evacuate power generated from new mega solar parks to the interstate grid, and improve reliability of the national grid system .

 The Agreement  was signed by Mr.Raj Kumar Joint Secretary , Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of finance on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission signed for Asian Development Bank.

About Agreement:

• The loan will be given to the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) and will include subprojects in various locations in India.
• The construction of interstate transmission systems for the mega solar power projects will enable transmission of surplus solar energy from States with surplus power to power-deficit States.
• The project will improve the capacity and efficiency of interstate transmission networks, particularly in transmitting the electricity generated from the new solar parks to the national grid.
• Apart from the evacuation of 2,500 megawatts(MW) of power from solar parks in Bhadla, Rajasthan, and 700 MW from Banaskantha, Gujarat, POWERGRID is also including two additional subprojects that will increase solar power generation by 4.2 gigawatt and lessen carbon emissions by over 7 million tons every year.
• This project will support the continued expansion of solar energy in India in line with the Government of India’s objectives, and contribute to climate change by increasing share of clean energy in the power mix besides increasing overall efficiency of the power system

  

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 07 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

India improves ranking in tourism by 12 places -World Economic Forum

India has moved 12 Places from 52^nd to 40^th rank globally in Travel and tourism competitiveness list in latest report published by world Economic Forum.

Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma said that India has moved to 40^th place in the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index of World Economic Forum released on 5^th April 2017.

Key factors:

• The Key factors for improving tourism is due to some strong policies like visa on arrival, e-visas, improvement in the ground transport infrastructure.
• India also continues to enrich its cultural resources, protecting more cultural sites and intangible expressions through UNESCO World Heritage lists, and via a greater digital presence, report said.
• It also noted that even though health conditions, ICT readiness, security concerns and human resources are improving but remains weak.
• In last 3 years India has cumulatively improved its ranking by 25 places from 65^th position to 40^th position.
• Spain, France and Germany were ranked at the top three positions, China ranked 12^th position.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 07 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Asian Development Bank to lend $175 million to India to improve solar transmission system.

Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB)  have agreed to lend $175 million loan to support construction of high voltage transmission systems to evacuate power generated from new mega solar parks to the interstate grid, and improve reliability of the national grid system .

 The Agreement  was signed by Mr.Raj Kumar Joint Secretary , Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of finance on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission signed for Asian Development Bank.

About Agreement:

• The loan will be given to the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) and will include sub-projects in various locations in India.
• The construction of interstate transmission systems for the mega solar power projects will enable transmission of surplus solar energy from States with surplus power to power-deficit States.
• The project will improve the capacity and efficiency of interstate transmission networks, particularly in transmitting the electricity generated from the new solar parks to the national grid.
• Apart from the evacuation of 2,500 megawatts(MW) of power from solar parks in Bhadla, Rajasthan, and 700 MW from Banaskantha, Gujarat, POWERGRID is also including two additional subprojects that will increase solar power generation by 4.2 gigawatt and lessen carbon emissions by over 7 million tons every year.
• This project will support the continued expansion of solar energy in India in line with the Government of India’s objectives, and contribute to climate change by increasing share of clean energy in the power mix besides increasing overall efficiency of the power system

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 06 for group 1 & group 2 mains(All)

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

1.Tamil Nadu lead in implementing urban poverty alleviation programmes 

Union Government said that Tamil Nadu lead in implementing urban poverty alleviation programmes followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh. These states are ahead of other states in addressing urban poverty during 2014 to 2017.

            As per the official information Minister of State for Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Tamil Nadu is in the forefront in assisting urban poor with subsidized loans for self-employment through setting up of individual and group micro enterprises and formation of Self-Help Groups under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)

Top 5 states are

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Andhra Pradesh
5. Chattisgarh.

About DAY-NULM:

Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched in 2016 with the aim to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities for improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis by giving skill training, subsidized bank loans and forming self -help groups.

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 06 for Group 2a, Group 4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

1.Tamil Nadu lead in implementing urban poverty alleviation programmes 

Union Government said that Tamil Nadu lead in implementing urban poverty alleviation programmes followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh. These states are ahead of other states in addressing urban poverty during 2014 to 2017.

          

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 06 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

RBI keeps repo rate unchanged and raises reverse repo rate

During RBI’s First Bimonthly policy review, Reserve Bank of India keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.25 % and raises the reverse repo rate by 25 bps from 5.75% to 6%.

This move will help in narrow the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF). LAF is a tool which allows banks to borrow money through repurchase agreements. LAF which helps banks adjusting the day to day mismatches in liquidity

The excess Liquidity arose due to Government’s demonetization policy.

What is repo Rate?

Repo rate (re purchase rate) is the rate which Reserve bank of India lends money to other banks in the time of shortfall of funds. In simple words, when commercial banks are in money crunch, they will borrow money from RBI for interest, the rate at which RBI lends money is called Repo Rate.

What is Reverse repo Rate?

Reverse Repo is the rate given by Reserve bank of India to the commercial bank, when the commercial banks have excess of money and  choose to  deposit money in RBI 

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 06 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Tamil Nadu lead in implementing urban poverty alleviation programmes 

Union Government said that Tamil Nadu lead in implementing urban poverty alleviation programmes followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh. These states are ahead of other states in addressing urban poverty during 2014 to 2017.

            As per the official information Minister of State for Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Tamil Nadu is in the forefront in assisting urban poor with subsidized loans for self-employment through setting up of individual and group micro enterprises and formation of Self-Help Groups under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)

Top 5 states are

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Andhra Pradesh
5. Chattisgarh.

About DAY-NULM:

Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched in 2016 with the aim to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities for improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis by giving skill training, subsidized bank loans and forming self -help groups.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 06 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Prime Minister Lays Foundation Stone of Multimodal Terminal in Jharkhand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of Multimodal Terminal at Sahibganj district, Jharkhand. It is an important component of National Waterway-1 from Varanasi to Haldia about 1390 km in River Ganga under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari also present in inauguration .

Benefits:

• The project will  reduce the cost and time of cargo movement between Sahibganj and Manihari
• It will have cargo handling capacity of 2.24 Million Tons Per Annum (MTPA) on completion
• Jharkhand is richly endowed with mineral resources, this terminal will play an important role in transporting domestic coal from local mines in Rajmahal area to other various thermal power plants.
• It will have facilities like berthing space for two vessels, stockyard, conveyor belt system with hoppers, barge loaders, shore protection works, roads, ramps, parking area, and terminal buildings

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017 05 for Group 2a, Group 4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

1.Indira Banerjee Sworn in Chief Justice of Madras High Court.

Indira Banerjee Sworn in as Chief justice of Madras High Court. Tamil Nadu Governor Ch.Vidyasagar Rao Administered the oath of office to her at Raj Bahavan.

2.Union Cabinet approves Collaboration Agreement to support the Belmont Forum Secretariat

The Union Cabinet has given its nod for signing of the collaborative agreement with French National research Agency (ANR) for supporting the Belmont Forum secretariat which is based in France. As per agreement the support is from January 2015 to December 2017 at cost of Euro 40,000 and also continued financial support further 2017

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 05 for group 1 & group 2 mains(All)

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

1.Union Cabinet approves Collaboration Agreement to support the Belmont Forum Secretariat

The Union Cabinet has given its nod for signing of the collaborative agreement with French National research Agency (ANR) for supporting the Belmont Forum secretariat which is based in France. As per agreement the support is from January 2015 to December 2017 at cost of Euro 40,000 and also continued financial support further 2017

About Belmont Forum:

• The Belmont Forum is a group of world’s major and emerging funders of global environment change research which is created in 2009.
• It aims to accelerate the delivery of the international environmental research priorities for the society, by way of trans-national research collaboration between natural and social scientist and alignment of international resources,
• The members are Austria, Australia, Brazil, China, the European Commission, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.
• For coordination the activities of the Belmont, a Secretariat is hosted by one of the Member on rotational basis. ANR France is hosting the Secretariat from Jan 2015 to Dec 2017.
• All the expense of hosting will be borne by member countries.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 05 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Backward Commission likely to get Constitutional Status.

The New bill to get constitutional status to the Backward classes commission has been introduced in lokh Sabha by Union Government. The bill was introduced as 123^rd amendment bill of constitution by social Justice Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot. Previously Backward Classes Commissionhas only statutory powers.

This amendment will insert new article 338B in Constitution and new clause 26C under Article 366 will define the term “ socially and Educationally backward clasess”.

About Amendment: 

• The New Amendment will create National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes ( NSEBC as) under new article 338B in constitution.
• It will replace current National Commission for Backward classes act, 1993 and its rules framed under the act.
• It will insert provision to provide parliament’s approval for every inclusion into and exclusion from the central list of other backward classes under article 341,342 viz 342A.
• It also define the term “Socially and Educationally Backward classes”  inserting new clause (26C) under Article 366
• It will dissolute the commission constituted under act 1993 and will compose new commission “National commission for socially and Educationally Backward classes, with a chairperson, vice chairperson and 3 other members.

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 05 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Union Cabinet approves Collaboration Agreement to support the Belmont Forum Secretariat

The Union Cabinet has given its nod for signing of the collaborative agreement with French National research Agency (ANR) for supporting the Belmont Forum secretariat which is based in France. As per agreement the support is from January 2015 to December 2017 at cost of Euro 40,000 and also continued financial support further 2017

About Belmont Forum:

• The Belmont Forum is a group of world’s major and emerging funders of global environment change research which is created in 2009.
• It aims to accelerate the delivery of the international environmental research priorities for the society, by way of trans-national research collaboration between natural and social scientist and alignment of international resources,
• The members are Austria, Australia, Brazil, China, the European Commission, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.
• For coordination the activities of the Belmont, a Secretariat is hosted by one of the Member on rotational basis. ANR France is hosting the Secretariat from Jan 2015 to Dec 2017.
• All the expense of hosting will be borne by member countries

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 05 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Cabinet approves various MoU’s between India and Bangladesh

Union cabinet has approved the various MoU’s between India and Bangladesh on Wednesday, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Memorandum of Understanding:

• The MoU on Audio Visual Co-Production India and Bangladesh.
• MoU on Cooperation in the field of Mass Media between India and Bangladesh.
• MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes between both countries for starting regular movement of passengers and tourists in water crafts.
• MoU in the field of judicial sector cooperation which aimed at developing, promoting and strengthening mutual cooperation between the judiciaries of both the countries.
• MoU for fairway development of Ashuganj-Zakiganj stretch of Kushiyara river and Sirajganj-Daikhawa stretch of Jamuna river by undertaking necessary dredging jointly by both the countries.

  

TNPSC Current affairs April 2017 05 for group 1 & group 2 mains

TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017

Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia on cooperation in Health and Medicine.

Union cabinet has approved the MoU between India and Australia on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Areas of Cooperation:

• Cooperation on Communicable diseases such as Malaria and Tuberculosis  
• Cooperation on Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases; 
• Cooperation on Anti-Microbial Resistance and responding to public health emergencies; 
• Cooperation on Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices; 
• Cooperation on Digital Health; 
• Cooperation on Tobacco Control; 
• and any other area of cooperation decided mutually between the both India and Australia.