April 2018

Index
TNPSCPortal.IN’s
Important Days 01-04
Tamil Nadu 05-11
National 11-39
International 40-53
Current Affairs
Science & Tech /
Defence 53-66
April – 2018
Economy 66-79
Appointments/
Resignations 80-82
Compiled by
Awards 82-85
Sarala Dhavamanoharan
Sports 86-90
Books& Authors 90
Deaths 90
© www.tnpscportal.in
www.tnpscportal.in Current Affairs April 2018
Current Affairs for TNPSC Examinations - April 2018
Important Days:
1. April 1- Utkal Divas or Urtkal Dibasa also known as Odisha Formation Day ( as a separate
province from 1st April 1936) . Odisha separated from the combined Bengal- Bihar-Orissa
province on that day.
2. April 2- World Autism Awareness Day 2018 was observed all over the world to highlight the
necessity to improve the quality of life of people with autism. The theme for World Autism
Awareness Day 2018 is: “Empowering Women and Girls with Autism”. The first World
Autism Awareness Day was observed on 2nd April 2008. On this day, various autism
organizations come together and discuss on research, diagnoses, treatment of autism, etc.
3. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) celebrated its foundation day this
year on April 2, 2018. The day was celebrated as day of Sampark (connect), Sanwad
(interaction), Suraksha (security) and Sampreshan (disseminate). Several initiatives were
launched on this occasion. They are MSME contact programme; Samridhhi, a virtual
assistant; revamped SIDBI website (www.sidbi.in) and Bankability Kit.
4. April 4- International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was observed
all over the world to create awareness about the threat of mines, unexploded grenades and
other explosive hazards that prevents the return of normalcy in areas affected by armed
conflicts with the theme 2018 is Advancing Protection, Peace and Development.
5. April 5- National Maritime Day (NMD) is observed every year to commemorate the maiden
voyage of the first Indian owned ship “SS Loyalty” (the first ship of the Scindia Steam
Navigation Company Ltd) sailed from Bombay to London on 5th April 1919. This year is
55th edition of NMD and theme is “Indian Ocean-An Ocean of opportunity”. It should be
noted that World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed on September 29 to highlight the
importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment.
6. April 6 - International Day of Sport for Development and Peace was celebrated all over the
world to highlight the contribution of sports and physical activity to education, human
development, healthy lifestyle and a peaceful world.
7. April 7 - World Health Day (WHD) is observed every year to mark anniversary of founding
of World Health Organization (WHO) on this day in 1948. The theme for year 2018 is
“Universal Health Coverage: Health For All‟.
Compiled by Sarala Dhavamanoharan mail@tnpscportal.in Page 1

8. April 8 - International Romani Day 2018 or International Roma Day was celebrated all over
the world. It was officially declared at the fourth World Romani Congress of the
International Romani Union (IRU) in Serock, Poland, in 1990. This day was celebrated to
remember Romani culture and creates awareness on issues faced by Romani people.
9. April 10 - World Homoeopathy Day (WHD) is observed every year to pay tribute to Dr.
Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, founder and father of Homeopathy system of
medicine. On this occasion, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated scientific
convention on WHD 2018 in New Delhi organised by Ministry of AYUSH. The theme of
two-day convention wass “Innovate: Evolve, Progress: Exploring Science since 40 years”.
10. April 11- The National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed every year to create
awareness on proper healthcare and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.
The theme of 2018 is „Respectful Maternity Care‟. The NSMD is an initiative of White
Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, India (WRAI). India is first country in the world to
celebrate National Safe Motherhood Day. At request of WRAI, the Central Government in
2003 had instituted this day on the occasion of birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, wife
of Gandhiji.
11. April 11, 2018 - 63rd Railway Week Function of Railway Board was organized in Rail
Bhavan, New Delhi.
12. April 13, 2018 was the 99th anniversary Jallianwallah Bagh Massacre (also known as
the Amritsar massacre). On April 13, 1919, nearly 15000-20000 people gathered at
Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar, Punjab. The gathering took place to
celebrate the Punjabi harvest festival of Baisakhi and to protest against the repressive
Rowlatt Act that imposed control of the press, arrests without warrant and indefinite
detention without trial. Around 50 troops of the British Indian Army, under the command of
Colonel Reginald Dyer arrived at the spot and fired at the crowd indiscriminately for 10
minutes. According to British Government assessment, 379 individuals died and 1200 were
wounded in Jallianwalah Bagh massacre. However, as per Indian National Congress‟
estimates, more than 1500 were injured and 1000 died.
13. April 14 - B.R.Ambedkar Remembrance Day also known as Ambedkar Jayanti was
observed all over India to commemorate the birth anniversary of B.R.Ambedkar who was
born on 14 April 1891. He was the architect of Indian Constitution. He is known as
the “Father of Indian Constitution.”
14. On 15th April 2018, South Western Command celebrated its 14th Raising Day. Lt Gen
Vijay Singh, chief of staff, South Western Command and other officers paid tributes to the

martyrs of Indian Army at a ceremony at „Prerna Sthal‟ in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on the 14th
raising day of South Western Army Command. It was formed on 15th April 2004. It
is named as the Sapta Shakti. Its motto is Forever Victorious.
15. April 15 – Foundation day of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram
Thakur hoisted the Indian national flag at the Ridge Maidan in Shimla to mark state‟s
71st foundation day. The state of Himachal was founded on April 15, 1948. Mr. Thakur,
presented awards to the best performers in the field of administration, sports, health and
social work. Alpine skier Aanchal Thakur from Manali was awarded Himachal Gaurav
Puruskar. Aanchal Thakur is the only Indian who has won a medal in skiing.
16. April 17-- World Haemophilia Day was observed all over the world to create awareness
about haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders with the theme of 2018 is Sharing
Knowledge Makes Us Stronger.
17. April 18 - World Heritage Day is observed every year across the world with the theme of
the day 2018 is “Heritage for Generations”, emphasizing on inter-generational transfer of
knowledge. Its aims to spread awareness and the importance of protecting and preserving
various sites around world that have achieved world heritage status and having
outstanding universal values.
18. April 19- World Liver Day (WLD) is observed every year to build awareness and
understanding importance of liver in human body and how liver ailments can be treated.
The 2018 theme for WLD is „Riding New Waves in Liver Diagnosis, Staging & Treatment‟.
As per World Health Organisation (WHO), liver diseases are 10th most common cause of
death in India.
19. April 21 - National Civil Services Day is observed across India. This year observance of the
day focussed on „Evolving Strategies for Transforming Aspirational Districts‟. This day
coincides with the date on which Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel had addressed the first batch of
probationers at All India Administrative Service Training School at Metcalfe House, New
Delhi in 1947. In this famous speech, Sardar Patel had referred to bureaucrats as “steel
frame of India”. On this day, the „Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public
Administration‟ is presented in three categories. These awards were instituted in 2006.
20. April 22- Earth Day is being observed every year to build support for environmental
protection around world. It aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective
responsibility to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic, social and
environmental needs of present and future generations. The theme for 2018 Earth Day is
„End Plastic Pollution‟.

21. April 23- World Book and Copyright Day was observed across the world to highlight the
power of books and to promote UNESCO‟s vision of knowledge societies that are inclusive,
pluralistic, equitable, open and participatory for all citizens. The World Book and Copyright
Day pay tribute to books and authors by encouraging everyone to discover the pleasure of
reading. This year, UNESCO designated Athens, Greece as the World Book Capital for
2018. The city of Athens was chosen for its efforts in making books available to the city‟s
entire population including migrants and refugees.
22. April 24 - National Panchayati Raj Diwas (Day) is celebrated every year since 2010.This
day marks the passing of Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force
with effect from 24 April 1993. The 73rd Amendment 1992 added a new Part IX to the
constitution titled “The Panchayats” covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O); and a
new Eleveventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats.
23. April 25-World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed every year to recognise the global efforts to
control preventable vector borne disease malaria. The theme of 2018 WMD is “Ready to
beat malaria“. Malaria is mosquito-borne infectious disease most commonly transmitted
through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito.
24. April 30- Google on April 30, 2018 commemorated the 148th birth anniversary of Dhundiraj
Govind Phalke, one of the pioneering figures in Indian cinema, with a doodle. Phalke, who
is fondly remembered as Dadasaheb, has the distinction of directing India‟s first full-length
feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913.In the doodle, a young Phalke is seen instructing
actors, getting behind the camera, and examining rolls of film.

Tamil Nadu:
1. Tamil Nadu government launched Amma Free Wi-Fi zones in 5 cities of Tamil Nadu on
5th April 2018. This scheme was announced by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa in September 2016. It was said that Wi-Fi zones will be set up in 50 spots,
mainly in larger bus terminals, parks and commercial complexes. Amma Free Wi-Fi zones
have been introduced at the following five locations namely Labour Statue at Marina,
Chennai, Central Bus stand at Salem,Central Bus stand at Tiruchirappalli, Gandhipuram
Bus Stand in Coimbatore and Mattu Thavani Bus Stand in Madurai.Users of Amma Free
Wi-Fi zones will be offered 20 minutes of free internet service per day. After that the users
will be charged Rs 10 per hour.This scheme will be implemented in 50 spots by Tamil Nadu
Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV). Cost of this project is Rs 8.50 crore.
2. „Uzhavan‟ (farmer)- a bilingual mobile application in a bid to use technology for benefit of
farmers was launched by Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palanisamy. The app available in
Tamil and English language will allow ryots to have access to nine types of services,
including details about their crop insurance. It will also provide information on available
stocks of seeds and fertilisers in local government and private stores. Tamil Nadu
Government also launched „Amma Bio-Fertiliser‟ scheme named after late Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa. It is aimed at better management of nature farming and help boost and
maintain soil fertility.
3. Mahindra Defence Systems signed an agreement with ShinMaywa Industries, Japan, to

manufacture and assemble amphibious aircraft ShinMaywa US-2 in India at the
10th edition of DefExpo in Chennai, Tamil Nadu . As per the MoU, both the companies will
develop a strategic partnership. ShinMayway US-2 is a unique aircraft. It is the only „in-
service‟ open sea-capable amphibian aircraft with advanced equipment suitable for rough
sea operations.
4. The 10th edition of a DefExpo India- 2018, a biennial exhibition of weapons and military
hardware, began at Tiruvidanthal, Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu on April 11, 2018. The tag
line of DefExpo this year is “„India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub” to
showcase India‟s capability in export of defence systems and components. More than 670
exhibitors including over 150 international exhibitors will take part in the DefExpo.
5. The 10th edition of Defence Expo (DefExpo 2018) in Chennai at Tiruvidanthal, in

Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu organised by Ministry of Defence was inaugurated by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The theme of the expo was “India: The Emerging Defence
Manufacturing Hub”. Over 670 defence firms, including 154 foreign manufacturers
participated in the exhibition of weapons and military hardware. Over 47 countries,

including US, UK, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Myanmar,
Nepal, Portugal, Seychelles and Vietnam participated in the four-day event. Under this, for
the first time project India‟s Defence manufacturing capabilities were showcased to the
world.
6. The Madras High Court became first court in south India and overall eighth in the country
to introduce e-court fee payment facility. It will pave way for easier and secured way of
paying stamp duty. It will also help to tackle sale of counterfeit judicial stamps. The e-
stamps can be purchased online through web site of Stock Holding Corporation after
simple registration process. Payments for it can be made through net banking or debit
cards and so on. The new system will enable litigants who file cases in High Court to pay
judicial stamp duty to government through e-stamps, which can be purchased both online
and offline. It was jointly launched by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Chief
Justice Indira Banerjee at the principal seat of the High Court in Chennai.
7. Tamil Nadu Government‟s Awards 2017:
Tamil Thai Award – Bangalore Tamil Sangam
Kabilar Award – Dr. K.V.Balasubramaniyan
U.V.Swaminathan Award – Thiru S. Krishnamoorthy
Kambar Award- Thiru Sugi.Sivam
Sollin Selvan Award – Thiru Dr. Vaigai Selvan
G.U.Pope Award –Thiru K.Rajeswari Kothandam
Umaru Pulavar Award – Thiru Haji M. Muhammed Yusof
Illangovadigal Award – Dr. V. Nallathambi
Amma Illakiya Award – Thirumathi M.S.Srilakshmi ( Singapore)
Chief Minister‟s Kanini Tamil Award 2016 - Thiru R. Duraipandi ( Founder of Ultimate
Software solutions)
Tamil Nadu Government‟s Ulaga Tamil Sangam Awards 2016:
Literature Award – Thiru N. Andiappan ( Singapore)

Grammar Award – Thiru Benjamin Lebo ( France)
Linguistic Award – Dr. Subashini ( Germany)
Tamil Nadu Government‟s Ulaga Tamil Sangam Awards 2017:
Literature Award- Chandrika Subramaniyan ( Australia)
Grammar Award-Ulrike Nicholas ( Germany)
Linguistic Award- Mahadeva Iyer Jaya Rama Sharma ( Australia)
8. The first phase of desalination plant using electromagnetic waves to make it use for
irrigation is launched at Ilayankudi and Suranam areas of Sivagangai district.
9. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2018-Anna University ranks at 10th

position in overall ranking, 4th rank in Universities category and 8th ranking at Engineering
category.
10. “Anitha Sat” is a satellite was made by Villat Ovia , a student from Trichy to knew the level
of pollution due to global warming of the earth.
11. CM Edapaddi K. Palanisamy inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Digital Library. With the help of
this digital library users can download e-books ,e-magazines,videos,research journals ,etc.
(www.tndigitallibrary.ac.in)
12. Professor M.K.Surappa was appointed as the new Vice chancellor of Anna University.
13. Amma Unavagam have completed its 5th year successfully and stepped into its 6th year. It
was started on 24th Feb 2013. In this Unavagam, Pongal and Sambhar rice costs Rs.5
each. Curd rice for Rs.3 and 2 chappathi costs Rs. 3 .
14. Korean Ship „Badora „reached Chennai Port on 2.4.2018 for joint naval exercise.
15. C. Bala Chandran was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Veterinary
University.
16. Tamil Nadu Government has announced the increment of monthly stipend of Rs. 400 to
650 for food at the homes for mentally challenged persons.

17. For the first time in the history of government schools, the annual exam is conducted for
Primary and Middle school students using mini computers( tablets). Around 350 students
have written the exams.
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National:
 Delhi became the first city in India to supply ultra-clean Bharat Stage (BS) VI grade fuel
(both petrol and diesel) with an aim to combat the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi –
NCR region. Other cities in NCR like Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad as well
as other 13 major cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune will
roll-out cleaner BS-VI grade fuel from January 1 2019. State-owned oil firms have started
supplying the BS-VI fuel (equivalent to fuel meeting Euro-VI emission norm) at all their 391
petrol pumps in NCT.

 The 114th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) between India and Pakistan
was held in New Delhi. India‟s Indus water commissioner PK Saxena and Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA) officials were part of Indian delegation for annual meeting.
Pakistan‟s six-member delegation will be led by Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah. The
Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960. It covers the water distribution and sharing
rights of six rivers of Indus river system viz, Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.
The treaty specifies that waters from three western rivers viz. Indus, Jhelum and Chenab
are reserved for Pakistan, while waters from eastern rivers viz. Ravi, Sutlej and Beas are
for reserved for India.
 “Rupashree”- a scheme to provide one-time financial support for marriage of poor girls has
launched by the West Bengal government to ensure safe future for young women,This
scheme was earlier announced by Amit Mitra, the Finance Minister of West Bengal, at the
time of budget. Before marriage an amount of Rs 25,000 will be credited to girl‟s bank
account. A woman is required to fill the application form before her marriage and submit it
to the office of Block Development Officer or Municipality Office to avail benefits under
Rupashree. No minimum educational qualifications are required to apply for the scheme.
Women should be more than 18 years of age at the time of their marriage. Annual income
of a family should be less than 1.5 lakh. Beneficiary must be the permanent resident of the
West Bengal.
 World-Class tourist amenities at Konark Sun Temple coincided with Utkal Diwas the
foundation day of Odisha State was inaugurated by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan. Visitor-friendly infrastructure and facilities at Konark Sun Temple have
been developed by Indian Oil Foundation (IOF), a trust formed by Indian Oil Corporation.
Most prominent amenity at the temple is the world class interpretation centre which will not
only educate tourists about the temple‟s rich history but will also showcase natural and
cultural heritage of Odisha.
 As per the MoU entered between Konkan Railway & Container Corporation of India Ltd
(CONCOR), the Multi Modal Logistics Park at Balli Station near Madgaon in Goa was
recently inaugurated which is located on Konkan Railway route. It will benefit trade and
industry from economic transport solutions and state of art facilities.
 Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) had launched Adopt a Heritage Project. Under it, selected public
sector companies, private sector companies and individuals will develop tourist amenities

at heritage sites. They will be called as „Monument Mitra‟ and adopt the sites essentially
under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity.
 Mangalore International Airport has been named the cleanest airport in India. Mangalore
Airport director V V Rao received the award at the 23rd annual day function of the Airports
Authority of India (AAI) in New Delhi on 1st April 2018. AAI conducted a survey in 53 Indian
airports. Mangaluru airport was selected as the cleanest airport in India.AAI officials had
inspected the airport terminal, parking area, toilets, commercial stalls, road leading to the
airport and customer lounge Cleanliness management at the Mangaluru airport is handled
by Durga Facility Management Services Private Limited.
 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2018 or NIRF-3 released by Ministry of
Human Resource Development. This year it is third edition NIRF survey and was released
as part of India Rankings 2018 for the Educational Institutions. The Indian Institute of
Sciences, Bengaluru topped the list of Overall Rankings followed by IIT Madras at 2nd
position, IIT Bombay at 3rd, IIT Delhi at 4th and IIT Kharagpur at fifth position. IISC
Bangaluru also topped the University rankings, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University
and Benares Hindu University at second and third position, respectively. Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras (IIT-M) was adjudged best engineering college and Indian Institute of
Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) the best management institution. Delhi University‟s
Miranda House was adjudged best college, AIIMS-Delhi as best medical college and
NLSIU-Bengaluru as best law school in country.
 Mother‟s Absolute Affection (MAA) programme with an aim to promote breastfeeding was
launched by Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Vipin Parmar on March 4, 2018. The main
objective is to create awareness among masses about the importance of
breastfeeding. Beastfeeding helps in reducing the incidence of infant mortality and early
childhood mortality and provides complete nutrition to a child.
 Jammu‟s first tulip garden has been set up at Sanasar health resort in Ramban district of
Jammu region. This is the first tulip garden in Jammu region. A tulip garden is present in
Srinagar region of Jammu and Kashmir. The tulip garden was developed by the Floriculture
Department. There are no time restrictions for visiting the garden. Also, no fee is charged
from visitors. This garden has been set up on half an acre of land near the Sanasar lake.
Red, yellow and white tulips have been grown in the garden this year.
 The Union Ministry of Tribal affairs has approved establishment of the first multipurpose
“Van Dhan Vikas Kendra” in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh for value addition of Forest
Produce. It is an important part of Central Government‟s scheme of “Mechanism for

marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support price (MSP) and
development of Value chain for MFP”. It will provide skill upgradation and capacity building
training and will have primary processing and value addition facility. Initially, this Kendra will
have processing facility for Tamarind brick making, Mahua flower storage facility and
chironjee cleaning and packaging.
 The Revised Cost Estimates (RCE) of scheme of Updation of National Register of Citizens
(NRC), 1951 in Assam has approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The revised cost estimates exercise will
help in preparation of final NRC in Assam. The proposed date for publication final NRC is
set to 31 December 2018. The NRC scheme is specific to Assam only and covers about
3.29 crore applicants.
 The Union Cabinet has approved closure of Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) Burn
Standard Company Ltd (BSCL) under Ministry of Railways. The closure of company will
save public funds, which are currently being used for loss making BSCL and can be used
for other developmental work. This decision was taken in view of continuous poor physical
and financial performance of company for more than decade despite financial assistance
and other support from government and low probability of its revival in future.
 The Union Cabinet chaired gave its approval for rightsizing Competition Commission of
India (CCI) from one Chairperson and six Members (totalling seven) to one Chairperson
and three Members (totalling four). The downsizing proposal of CCI is expected to result in
reduction of three Posts of members CCI in pursuance of Government‟s objective of
“Minimum Government – Maximum Governance”. It will be done by not filling existing two
vacancies of members and one more additional vacancy, which is expected in September
2018 when one incumbent member complete his term.
 A MoU signed between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Technical Cooperation in
Rail Sector was approved by the union cabinet. The MoU will provide platform to Indian
Railways to interact and share latest developments and knowledge in railway sector. It will
facilitate exchange of information, expert meetings, technical visits and implementation of
jointly agreed cooperation projects between both countries. The MoU was signed in
February 2018 with Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime of UAE.
 The Union Cabinet on April 4, 2018 approved the Protection of Human Rights
(Amendments) Bill, 2018, aimed at protection and promotion of human rights in India. It
proposes to include the 'National Commission for Protection of Child Rights' as deemed
Member of the National Human Rights Commission.The Bill aims to strengthen the human

rights institutions of India for effective discharge of their mandates, roles and
responsibilities.
 Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurated first flight
from Delhi to Pathankot (in Punjab), at a ceremony held at the Indira Gandhi International
Airport in Delhi on 5th April 2018. It is the 21st airport in India, which has become
operational for passengers.
 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched a transformation campaign to
improve the standard of education in the government schools of Uttarakhand. The main
purpose of this campaign is to start smart classes in government schools and provide them
with all basic facilities required by students like safe buildings, clean drinking water,
furniture, fans, heaters, sports material and computers.
 On 5th April 2018, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs
Hardeep Singh Puri launched the modernisation of the Government Press. The
Government Press serves both the Houses of Parliament during session for printing
services. It also prints important gazette notifications, ordinances and budget related
materials.The Government Press will be modernised with advanced technology and
machineries after it is re-developed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). It
will be made ready by 2020. Amount sanctioned for the total project is Rs 338.56 crore. Out
of this Rs 100 crore has been allotted for plant and machineries.
 National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) approved the sale of its tower and
fibre business by Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom). Earlier, NCLAT prevented RCom
from selling any asset without its permission, following a legal challenge from Swedish
telecoms gear maker Ericsson.Proceeds of the sale will be deposited with the State Bank
of India.
 The Union Minister of State for MSME Giriraj Singh launched a mobile phone application
for locating 4000 Khadi stores in the country. There are more than 8000 Khadistores in
India, the rest of stores will also be available on the store locater by the end of month. The
Khadi products are manufactured by about 7 lakh privately owned household units which
are funded through schemes like the Prime Minister‟s Employment Generation Programme
(PMEGP).
 The Indian Railways has inducted three 09-3x Dynamic Tamping Express machines for
improved mechanised Track Maintenance. It is latest high output integrated tamping
machine having multiple functions, so far being carried out by different machines. It can
measure pre and post track geometry, correct track to required geometry tamp three

sleepers simultaneously, stabilize and measure post tamping track parameters under load
to ensure quality of work done. These machines have been manufactured in India under
Make in Inida initiative with imported components. Indian Railways is planning to induct 42
more such machines in its maintenance fleet over next 3 years. This advanced technology
simulator is presently only available in five countries including India.
 Maharashtra Government have signed US $420 million loan agreement with World Bank
for Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture to help small and marginal farmers in
Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra. The project aims to help in increasing
climate resilient practices in agriculture and ensuring that farming continues to remain a
financially viable activity for them. It will be implemented in rural areas largely dependent
upon rain fed agriculture. It will take up series of activities at farm and watershed level. The
loan will be provided from World Bank‟s International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD). It will have maturity of 24 years and grace period of 6 years. This
project is expected to benefit over 7 million people that are spread over area of 3.0 million
hectares and cover 5142 villages across 15 most climate vulnerable districts of
Maharashtra.
 The imports of hormone oxytocin to stop its misuse in livestock industry, where it causes
hormonal imbalances and shortens the lives of milch animals has banned by the union
govt. It has asked customs officials to step up vigilance against those likely to try and
smuggle oxytocin into India. Oxytocin, often called love hormone, is released naturally in
human bonding activities such as sex, childbirth and breastfeeding. It is uterine stimulant
hormone, prescribed for initiation of uterine contractions and induction of labour in women
as well as stimulation of contractions during labour.
 India has agreed to build strategic railway link between Raxaul in Bihar and Kathmandu in
Nepal to facilitate people-to-people (P2P) contact and bulk movement of goods. This
announcement was made after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma. The proposal to link Raxaul to
Kathamandu with railway line comes nearly two years after China in March 2016, agreed to
construct strategic railway link with Nepal through Tibet with apparent aim of reducing
landlocked Nepal‟s dependence on India for transit connectivity. The new electrified rail line
between Kathmandu and Raxaul will be financed by India. As first step towards building
railway connectivity, India in consultation with Nepal will carry out preparatory survey work
within one year. There are three other railway projects in pipeline between both countries
viz. Nautanwa-Bhairahawa, New Jalpaiguri-Kakarbhitta and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj.

 Madhubani railway station got complete makeover with Mithila paintings. The makeover
project was unique initiative of Indian Railways to experiment with local artists voluntarily
painting works in short span of two months. More than 225 artists, 80% of them women,
volunteered to paint station free of cost. The total wall area of railway station covering area
more than 14,000 sq ft has been fully painted with various themes under traditional Mithila
painting style.
 The two-day Assam Spring Festival was held at Manas National Park organised by Indian
Weavers‟ Association and Swankar Mithinga Onsai Afat, an association of reformed
poachers in Manas. The aim of the festival was to promote local food and culture of fringe
villagers. It also attempted to create model of alternative livelihood through food, handloom
and culture.
 Uttarakhand‟s second Mega Food Park in Udham Singh Nagar district inaugurated by
Union Food Processing Industries Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Central Processing
Centre (CPC) of this Mega Food Park will have a Multi-Purpose Cold Storage, Aseptic
Brick Filling Line, Dry Warehouse, Fruit & Vegetable Processing Line, Quality Control &
Food Testing Lab and other related food processing facilities. This Mega Food Park will
benefit around 25000 farmers in Udham Singh Nagar district as well as neighbouring
districts of Nainital, Garhwal, Almora and Champawat. Besides, it will also provide direct
and indirect employment to 5000 persons. Uttarakhand‟s first Mega Food Park is located at
Haridwar and has already become operational.
 Kerala State Government will start a „community radio‟ to update farmers about the latest
developments in the sector in May-June 2018 under the Farm Information Bureau (FIB) of
the Kerala State‟s Agriculture Department. This „community radio‟ will serve as a platform
to provide range of information to farmers including climate change
and environment issues, tips and information on various aspects of agriculture and
agrarian crisis and alerts. This will be the first such community radio in India, under
Government initiative to get connected with the farming community.The farm radio will start
broadcast from Kuttanad in Alappuzha district of Kerala and will serve farmers in a 20
square kilometre radius in the region. Kuttanand was once popularly known as the „rice
bowl of Kerala.
 13th edition of Goa fest organised by the Advertising Club along with the Advertising
Agencies Association of India was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel, in Bambolim, Goa from 5th to
7th April,2018. Social Street won the Creative Agency of the Year award, with three gold,

seven silver and seven bronze metals and a score of 94. Social Street was started by
Pratap Bose three years ago. Early Man Film won the Grand Prix in Creative Abby Awards.
 The Eighth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and Pacific , co-organized by Ministry of Housing
and Affairs, Japan‟s Environment Ministry, and United Nations Centre for Regional
Development (UNCRD) was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The theme of this edition of
forum was “Achieving Clean Water, Clean Land and Clean Air through 3R and Resource
Efficiency– A 21st Century Vision for Asia-Pacific Communities”. The event saw
participation of around 40 mayors of cities around the world and mayors of more than 100
cities across India. The Regional 3R Forum in Asia and Pacific was launched in 2009 in
Tokyo, Japan with objective of integrating 3Rs– reduce, reuse and recycle in policy,
planning and development.
 The 8th edition of Theatre Olympics which was inaugurated by Vice President Venkaiah
Naidu in February 2018 at the majestic Red Fort in New Delhi was concluded in Mumbai,
Maharashtra after glorious run of 51 days across 17 cities of India and showcasing rich
heritage and culture across length and breadth of the country. The 8th Theatre Olympics
was biggest international theatre festival held in India for first time. It staged more than 400
plays and hosted 78 allied events including 34 Living Legend series, 29 Master Classes,
seven Interfaces, six national and international seminars and two workshops across 17
cities. Besides, about 600 ambience performances and 250 youth forum shows were also
held during the nationwide event. It was organised by National School of Drama (NSD)
under Ministry of Culture. The theme of the festival was – “Flag of Friendship“.
 A linguist Prof Panchanan Mohanty from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has
discovered two languages recently called Walmiki and Malhar, which were “lying hidden
from linguists”.The languages are categorised `endangered‟ as it is spoken by a very small
number of people. The Malhar is spoken by just 75 people including children from a
particular community. These people live in a remote and isolated hamlet about 165 kms
from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha.
 The state government of Maharashtra has announced that cancer patients would be
provided with free chemotherapy treatment at district hospitals. The first phase of the plan
would start in June 2018. The move aims to ease the travelling and lodging problems of
cancer patients who come to Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel, which is one of the
country's premier cancer treatment facilities, for six-week chemotherapy course as a part of
their treatment.

 The state government of Goa has decided to launch its own app-based taxi service to few
key tourist destinations of the state. The taxi operators who hold the license to run cabs in
Goa would be eligible to register for the new transport service. The new service would
operate from locations such as GTDC residencies and hotels across the state, the
Mormugao Port Trust jetty where cruise vessels anchor, the airport and the St Monica Jetty
in Panaji, besides other spots.
 The state government of Kerala on April 7, 2018 issued protocols that are to be followed to
confirm brain death cases.The main aim of the move is to make organ transplantation more
transparent in the state. Speaking on the same, the state‟s Health Minister K K Shylaja said
that it is for the first time that a state in the country is putting in place the Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) to confirm brain death cases. The guidelines were drawn on
the basis of a directive of the Kerala High Court to put an end to the concerns and doubts
of the public related to the procedures of organ donations of deceased and transplantation.
 The Supreme Court on April 9, 2018 asked the Union Government to file its draft scheme
by May 3 in pursuance of its judgment in the Cauvery water dispute case. The court said
that it has considered the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and decided the water
share for states, which has to be complied with. The Centre, which is up against a plea
from Tamil Nadu for contempt of court, agreed to file a draft scheme implementing the
court‟s February 16 judgment for allocation of Cauvery water among Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry.The Apex court also directed
competent authorities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain peace in their states till the
court finally approves the scheme for implementation of its judgment on Cauvery water
distribution.
 Odisha Public e-library set up by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) and Odisha
Society of America (OSA) has started functioning from the Berhampur Town Hall in
Odisha. The Odisha Public e-library is expected to support the library movement of Odisha
and help computer literate students. The library was opened for the public on 4th April
2018. The BeMC will connect with the National Informatics Center (NIC) so that its e-
Granthalaya can also be accessed. The library has employed two staff members and one
technical worker.OSA (Odisha Society of America) is an association of Odia people living in
the US. OSA had offered Rs 20 lakh for the e-library through chief minister‟s relief fund.
 A MoU between India and United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on the return of Illegal
Migrants was approved by the cabinet. This MoU will streamline the procedure of return of
nationals (to their Home country) who are caught to be staying illegally, in the other country

(either in India or United Kingdom) in a specified time-frame. Besides, it will also facilitate
the Visa Free Agreement for holders of diplomatic passports as well as liberalization of
United Kingdom (UK) Visa Regime for Indians travelling to the UK legally.
 Union Cabinet has given its approval for delegating the powers to Minister of Petroleum
and Natural Gas and Finance Minister to award the Blocks/Contract Areas to successful
bidders under Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) after International
Competitive Bidding (ICB).
 The revision of pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories was
approved by the union cabinet. The revision will bring the pay and allowances of Lieutenant
Governors of Union Territories at par with that of the Secretary to the Government of India.
Pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories was last revised with
effect from January 1, 2006 from Rs. 26,000/- (fixed) per month to Rs.80000/- (fixed) per
month plus dearness allowance, sumptuary allowance at the rate of Rs. 4,000/- per month
and local allowances. After that, with effect from January 1, 2016, pay of officers of the rank
of Secretary to the Government of India was revised from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 2,25,000/-
per month as per Central Civil Services (Revised) Pay Rules, 2016. Thus, with this
approval, pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories too has been
revised from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 2,25,000/- per month with effect from January 1, 2016.
 „Project Dhoop‟ to address rising incidence of Vitamin D deficiencies (VDD), particularly
amongst the young people was launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of
India (FSSAI) along with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT),
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) as well as North MCD Schools. The project aims to
encourage schools to shift their morning assembly to around noon-time, mainly between 11
am to 1 pm to ensure maximum absorption of Vitamin D in students through natural
sunlight.
 According to recently published study, over quarter of nitrogen on Earth (26% of nitrogen in
natural ecosystems) comes from weathering of planet‟s bedrock. For centuries, prevailing
science indicated that all of nitrogen on Earth available to plants comes from atmosphere.
This study could greatly improve climate change projections.
 The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has brought in secured digitally-signed
QR Code on e-Aadhaar will contain photo of Aadhaar holder in addition to existing facility
of demographic details. It will allow various user agencies like banks to verify the
genuineness of the Aadhaar card. It will also have UIDAI digital signature to make this
information more secured and tamper-proof.

 The Union Government has modified the rules notified last year on sale of livestock by
removing the word „slaughter‟. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of
Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, had kicked up a political storm after it banned sale of
cattle for slaughter in animal markets. The 2017 rules notified on May 23, 2017, have been
replaced with draft rules called Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Animal Markets Rules,
2018. It has also watered down clauses on preventing cruelty and rules for markets in
border areas.
 Jharkhand government will be providing employment to one lakh youths through skill
development this year focusing on the six most backward districts of the state. The chief
minister of the state also asked the officers to ensure placements of students from ITIs,
polytechnics and engineering colleges. The state government aims to bring qualitative
changes in the lifestyle of the youth by training them and giving them employment. Besides
this, skill development centres will be opened in tribal-dominated areas of the backward
districts.
 The state government of Haryana has launched water ATM policy to provide clean drinking
water at public places to the people of the state. The information was shared by the state‟s
Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain on April 9, 2018. The Minister said that with the
development, the residents of the cities in Haryana can now look forward to having a water
ATM every 400 metres. A proposal to this effect was approved by the state‟s Chief Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar.
 Delhi‟s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport entered the club of the top 20 airports
across the world, as per the Airport Council International‟s preliminary report on airport
traffic for 2017, published on April 9, 2018. Indira Gandhi International Airport climbed up
from the 22nd to the 16th position as the busiest airport in the world this year. The airport
was ranked as India's busiest airport for passenger traffic, which grew by 14.1 percent year
over year. While, New York‟s John F. Kennedy International Airport was pushed out of the
top 20 club, with the entry of the IGI Airport.
 The National Convention of Swachhagrahis (cleanliness ambassadors) at Motihari, in East
Champaran district of Bihar was addressed by PM Modi to celebrate the centenary of
Champaran Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhiji with the theme “Satyagraha se
Swachhagrah”. While addressing the convention, PM Modi outlined that sanitation
coverage in India has expanded from about 40 percent in 2014, to about 80 percent
today.During the event, PM Modi also distributed awards to Champion Swachhagrahis.

 Indian Consortium consisting of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL signed a MoU with Saudi Aramco,
the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the 16th International
Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi to jointly develop and build Ratnagiri
Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL), an integrated refinery and petrochemicals
complex, in the State of Maharashtra. RRPCL entails investment of Rs. 3 lakh crore and
will be world‟s largest refining & petrochemicals project. On completion, it will be capable of
processing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day and will also produce a range of refined
petroleum products, including petrol and diesel meeting BS-VI fuel efficiency norms.
 Gujarat is to set up India‟s largest 5,000MW solar park in Dholera Special Investment
Region (DSIR). It will be established on 11,000 hectares of land along the Gulf of
Khambhat in the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). The construction of this solar
park will attract an investment of Rs 25,000 crore and provide employment for more than
20,000 people. Gujarat state government has also planned to set up a 200MW wind park in
DSIR. It would attract additional investment of Rs 1,400 crore.
 Animal Husbandry Secretary Tarun Shridhar launched a website of Pashu Chikitsak
Mahasangh, the topmost body for state veterinary associations. Tarun Shridhar
inaugurated the website „www.pashuchikitsakmahasangh.in„. He dedicated it to
veterinarians.
 Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved construction of an integrated sugar complex in Pilibhit and
setting up a Tiger Conservation Foundation in Dudhwa. 40.308 hectare land of the sugar
mill will be offered on 30 years lease. The ownership of the land will be with the sugar mill
company. The cabinet also approved setting up of Dudhwa Tiger Conservation Foundation,
as said by central government in 2007.A committee has been set up to monitor the
foundation. It is headed by the forest minister and has 12 members.A four member
committee has been formed to monitor the day to day works. It is led by the regional
director of Dudhwa.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India‟s first high-speed electric locomotive with
12000 horsepower (HP) engine with maximum speed of 110 km per hour from Madhepura
Electric Locomotive Factory in Bihar. It is first big Make-in-India project developed and
completed by Indian Railways in collaboration with French firm Alstome. Till now, most
powerful electric engine in Indian Railways was of 6,000 HP. With this, India joins elite list
of countries, including Russia, China, Germany and Sweden that have 12,000 HP and
above capacity electric locomotive. With 100% electrification, they will bring down operating
costs of Indian Railways and also significantly cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

 A new website and mobile application of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
(NCSK) was launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
(Thaawarchand Gehlot) in New Delhi. It is comprehensive website giving complete details
about Commission viz. its composition, mandate, manner of filing complaints, details of
visits undertaken by its Chairman and Members, etc. The NCSK was established in 1994
to deal with the grievances of persons engaged in manual scavenging. It is statutory body
established under National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.
 A 12-member committee headed by Regional Director (Western Region) Manmohan
Juneja to review enforcement of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provisions has
been constituted by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) under Companies Act, 2013. It
will revisit guidelines for enforcement of CSR provisions and basis, including structure of
Centralised Scrutiny and Prosecution Mechanism (CSPM).
 The newly constituted NITI Forum first meeting for Northeast was held in Agartala, Tripura
which was organised by NITI Aayog and Ministry of Development of North East Region
(DoNER) and North Eastern Council (NEC). Representatives of all eight member
northeastern states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,
Sikkim and Tripura participated in it. It was constituted in February 2018 with an aim to
ensure sustainable economic growth of North Eastern Region (NER) and periodically
review the development status in NER. It has its Secretariat in the Ministry of DoNER. The
highlights of meeting are i) They were outlined for promoting sectors like horticulture,
tourism and food processing in the region. Other missions will cover bamboo-based
handicrafts and medium scale industries with focus on „Make in North-East‟. The focus of
development projects in region will be based on the concept of “HIRA” which stands for
Highways, Internet ways, Railways and Airways. There will be also emphasis on education,
health and skill development in the region.
 Cabinet committee on economic affairs approved the framework for Coal Bed Methane
Extraction by Coal India Limited (CIL) and its Subsidiaries. This decision came in line with
Government‟s „Ease of Doing Business Initiative‟. It will expedite the exploration and
exploitation of CBM, enhance the availability of natural gas and reduce the gap in demand
and supply of natural gas. Besides, it will also generate employment opportunities in CBM
operations and in related industries.
 The Supreme Court ruled on April 11, 2018 that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the „first
among equals‟ and has the constitutional authority to decide allocation of cases and setting
up of benches to hear them. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices

AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud ruled this while dismissing a PIL seeking framing of
guidelines for rational and transparent allocation of cases and constitution of benches to
hear them. The PIL was filed in the backdrop of the January 12, 2018 press conference by
senior-most apex court judges- J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian
Joseph.
 The first international conference on „Water, Environment and Climate Change: Knowledge
Sharing and Partnership‟ was inaugurated in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 10, 2018.
 The 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) ministerial meeting began in New Delhi, India
on April 10, 2018. It would conclude on April 12. The theme of the forum is "The Future of
Global Energy Security: Transition, Technology, Trade and Investment”. The event is
aimed at improving policy and investment decisions through increased knowledge and
experience sharing. The biennial IEF ministerial meeting is expected to witness the largest
gathering of energy ministers, industry leaders and heads of key international
organizations, who will debate the future of global energy.
 The Supreme Court on April 10, 2018 ruled that the provision of Aadhaar Act, 2016 that
seeks to validate the collection of data from 2009 to 2016, the time before the Act was
enacted, has been "badly drafted". The five judge constitution bench headed by Chief
Justice Dipak Misra also noted that the supposed deemed consent for parting with
biometric data can't be extended to mean giving up of fundamental right to privacy of the
people.
 The 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting from 10-12th April 2018 was
hosted by India in New Delhi. This is second time India hosting IEF Ministerial meeting. It
had earlier hosted 5th IEF Ministerial in 1996 at Goa.This was inaugurated by PM Modi
with the theme of 2018 was “The Future of Global Energy Security: Transition, Technology,
Trade and Investment”. It was attended by Petroleum Ministers from 42 countries and was
co-hosted by China and South Korea. It was aimed to improve policy and investment
decisions, and through increased knowledge and experience sharing. The IEF is an inter-
governmental arrangement set up in 1991 and based (Secretariat) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The IEF Ministerial Meetings are held biennially and is world‟s largest gathering of Energy
Ministers who engage in dialogue on global energy issues.
 The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) under Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) has issued Expression of Interest (EoI) for first offshore wind energy
project of India. The proposed area first offshore wind energy project is located 23-40 km
seaward side from Pipavav port in Gujarat. MNRE is plannning to install at least 5 GW of

offshore wind capacity by 2022. Under it, Chennai based NIWE was designated nodal
agency to carry out necessary studies and surveys before final bidding of offshore wind
project sites. NIWE has identified areas off coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu for
development of offshore wind power. It had had installed first offshore LiDAR in Gulf of
Khambhat for measurement of wind resource and is collecting wind speed data from
November 2017. It will install second LiDAR off Tamil Nadu coast by September, 2018.
 A MoU was signed between India and Morocco in the field of Mining and Geology for a
period of 5 years to promote mineral exploration in New Delhi after the bilateral discussions
between Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and his Moroccan counterpart Aziz
Rabbah. The focus of MoU is on development of geological infrastructure for Geo science
Maps and geochemical maps, strengthening geological research and evaluation of
potential of mineral resources. Geological Survey of India (GSI) will assist Morocco in
geological mapping and mineral exploration.
 The signing of Host country (Headquarters) agreement between India and International
Solar Alliance (ISA) was approved by the Union Cabinet. The agreement gives ISA juridical
personality power to contract, acquire and dispose of movable and immovable properties
and also to institute and defend legal proceedings. The agreement was signed between
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and ISA in March, 2018.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has delegated powers to Finance
and Petroleum Ministers to award oil and gas exploration blocks to successful bidders
under Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP). Under HELP, Empowered
Committee of Secretaries (ECS) considers Bid Evaluation Criteria (BEC), conducts
negotiations with bidders wherever necessary and makes recommendations to CCEA on
award of blocks. Then CCEA approves award of blocks. Central Government had launched
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) in March 2016, as a new policy
regime for Exploration & Production (E&P) in petroleum and natural gas sector.
 The Maharashtra state government on April 11, 2018 announced cash prizes for all the
players from the state who have bagged medals in the ongoing Commonwealth Games
Gold Coast. An official notification from the state‟s Chief Minister‟s office mentioned that
each gold medal winner will be rewarded with a cash prize of 50 lakh rupees, silver
medalists with 30 lakh rupees and bronze medalists will be awarded 20 lakh rupees
each. Madhurika Patkar and Pooja Sahasrabuddhe, both from Thane, and Sanil Shetty
have bagged gold in table tennis. Chirag C Shetty of Vile Parle has also bagged a gold
medal in badminton.Besides, Heena Sidhu, who lives in the Mumbai suburb of Goregaon,

also won a gold and silver medal in two categories of pistol shooting. The coaches would
also be honoured with 12.5 lakh rupees, 7.5 lakh rupees and 5 lakh rupees, respectively for
each gold, silver and bronze medal won by the players from the state.
 A committee was constituted by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development on
April 11, 2018 under the Chairmanship of Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh
Chudasama to eliminate the fear of maths among the students. The committee will also
suggest the ways to make the maths subject easy and will submit its report in July 2018.
 The Supreme Court on April 11, 2018 asked the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board to show
documents signed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to prove its ownership on the iconic Taj
Mahal, a 17th century monument. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justices
A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Waqf board counsel to authenticate
through documents that Shah Jahan had executed a „Waqfnama‟ in favour of the waqf
board. Waqfnama is a document through which a person conveys intention to donate a
property or land to waqf for charitable purpose.
 An agreement for up gradation of Yagyi – Kalewa section of highway in Myanmar to two
lane with earthen shoulder was signed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
This project is part of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway and will be NHAI‟s
first international project. The project aims to provide seamless vehicular movement for
enhancing trade, business, health, education and tourism between Indian, Myanmar and
Thailand.
 A 13-member task force has been constituted by the union government to prepare road
map and fast-track implementation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology or drones
in the country. It will be headed by Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha
and will have representatives from government, PSUs, industry and sectoral experts.
 According to Amnesty International‟s global report „Death Sentences and Executions‟, the
Indian courts gave away 109 death sentences in 2017 but no executions were carried out.
The report was released on April 12, 2018.The report stated that the number of death
sentences imposed by the Indian courts in 2017 had come down by 27, as in 2016 the
courts had pronounced 136 death sentences.
 Indian Dalit organisations on April 12, 2018 announced to observe 14 April, the birth
anniversary of BR Ambedkar, as the Protect Constitution Day. These groups have also
demanded that the Union government should immediately bring an ordinance to restore the
original Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. They also

urged for the inclusion of the Act in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to ensure
that there can‟t be any more revisions in the Act.
 Haryana State Government has approved the slum-in-situ rehabilitation policy in line with
Housing for All-2018, under which, urban slum dwellers on Government land will be
provided housing facility without relocating them to other areas. Rs 1.67 lakh per dwelling
unit will be provided to developer for construction of houses for these urban slum dwellers
as per the policy approved by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
 Ministry of State (I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs launched Smart Imprest Cards & e-
Measurement Book (e-MB) on PFMS portal for CPWD (Central Public Works Department).
This is the first integrated web based module in Civil Ministries to monitor and track both
the financial progress – utilization of funds and related physical progress captured through
e-MB of various works in CPWD projects.
 Phase-1 of FAME India Scheme to provide financial support to electric and hybrid vehicles
was extended by another six months till 30 September 2018 or till launch of phase-II by the
Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. FAME India Scheme stands for Faster
Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles.
 The second edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC-2018) organised by Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) will be held
in New Delhi on October 25-27, 2018. The theme of second edition of IMC is NEW
DIGITAL HORIZONS Connect, Create, innovate. It expects participation of more than
200,000 professionals. The exhibition would feature more than 1,300 exhibitors. The first
IMC held in September 2017 was attended by around 2,000 delegates, 32,000 visitors, 152
speakers, 100 exhibitors and 100 start-ups.
 India‟s forex (foreign exchange) reserves have touched record high of $424.864 billion in
April 2018 according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The surge was due to massive
spike in foreign currency assets (FCAs), a key component of the reserves.
 A 13-member task force has been constituted by the Union Government to prepare road
map and fast-track implementation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology or drones
in the country.
 Prime Minister Modi launched first of 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres, planned under
the recently launched Ayushman Bharat Scheme, at Jangla village in Bijapur district of
Chhattisgarh on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, 2018. Ayushman Bharat
Scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 21, 2018 with budgetary support of
Rs 10500 crore.

 Tripura State Government approved Rs 50.67 crore to set up an Indian Institute

of Information Technology (IIIT) at Bodhjungnagar, located 15 km away from Agartala on
April 12, 2018. Bodhjungnagar is one of North Eastern region‟s biggest industrial zones.
Decision to set up IIIT at Bodhjungnagar in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode was
taken in 2012. However, the project could not take off due to non clearance of funds from
the previous Left Front government. The institute would be set up on 52.08 acres land and
the total project cost would be Rs 128 crore.
 „QUEST‟, a centre to evaluate and quantify special development budget allocations and
their impact on tribal development was launched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis . „QUEST‟ stands for Quality Evaluation for Sustainable Transformation.
Maharashtra has become the first among all Indian states to kick start such initiative.
 Andhra transforming its capital into world class city in its de facto capital Amaravati. Nearly
3840 apartments in 61 towers are under construction in the Amaravati capital region.
 National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed a MoU with the Nuclear
Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to provide skill training to 500 youth and
women at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. As per the terms of the MoU, firstly, NSDC will
conduct a baseline survey in 19 villages in Tirunelveli district to assess nature and extent of
talent gap and will accordingly identify job roles for the training.Thereafter, NSDC will
impart training through its approved training partners near KKNPP. The objective is to
provide gainful employment (wage and self-employment) to nearly 70 percent of the trained
candidates post-training.
 6th edition of Heat Action Plan (HAP) aimed at protecting city dwellers from scorching
temperatures during summer was launched by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC),
in Gujarat. Key elements of this year‟s HAP are expanding use of cool roofs, increasing
access to drinking water, reflective paint on buildings to lower inside temperatures and
training medical professionals to help protect patients during extreme heat. AMC has been
implementing HAP since 2013. Ahmedabad is the first city to prepare and implement heat
action plan. The plan has been designed and will be implemented in partnership with
Gandhinagar-based Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) and US based Natural
Resources Defence Council (NRDC) along with other groups and NGOs.
 A power plant worth Rs 502 crore will be set up in Bandhwari village of Gurugram district,
Haryana, to produce electricity from waste under the Integrated Solid Waste Management
Scheme. The plant will be set up by August 2019.

 Indian Government will be setting up a dedicated defence and aerospace small and
medium enterprises (SME) fund, registered with the Securities and Exchange Board
of India (SEBI). The main objective for setting up this fund is to channelize investments into
the two defence corridors announced by Government of India in Tamil Nadu and Uttar
Pradesh.
 “Gram Swaraj Abhiyan- Special Interventions”, an high-intensity outreach programme to
deliver welfare schemes to select villages which need particular attention launched by the
Union Government. The abhiyan was launched on the lines of rural development schemes
like Antyodaya based on principle of convergence and saturation. The initiative aims for
100% coverage of seven schemes launched by Central Government for eligible
beneficiaries in three-week window from April 14 to May 5, 2018. The objective of abhiyan
is to promote social harmony, reach out to poor rural households, obtain feedback on
ongoing programmes, enrol in new initiatiatives, focus on doubling farmers‟ income,
enhance livelihood opportunities and re-emphasise national priorities such as cleanliness
and strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions.
 The first regional conference of eastern states on Water Resources was held in Kolkata,
West Bengal in bid to address outstanding water resources issues. The conference was
aimed at addressing outstanding water resources issues, inter-state issues, intra and inter-
basin issues among five eastern states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and
West Bengal.
 The biannual Army Commanders‟ Conference will began in New Delhi on April 16,
2018. Chaired by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, the senior commanders will deliberate
on specific issues to Army formations and Army as a whole at the conference. The Army
Commanders‟ Conference is held biannually for formulating important policy decisions
through collegiate deliberations. It is an important event for planning and execution process
of the Indian Army. The important issues that are likely to come up for discussion include
management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and
enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries.
 The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was on April 16, 2018 inducted to the
Ayush Ministry's empowered committee with an objective to control misleading
advertisements and exaggerated claims of its drugs. The seven-member committee of the
Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)
will be empowered to review and monitor the implementation of the provisions of The
Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954.The committee will

make recommendations for regulatory action against misleading advertisements and

advise the Central government for issuing any specific directions.
 A MoU was signed by India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) with Hyderabad
based firm M/s Suraas Impex Pvt. Ltd. for developing a Mega Tourism Destination project
in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The proposed Mega Tourism Destination project in
Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 550 crore.
 Bengaluru has emerged as the highest paying city in India, with an average annual cost to
company (CTC) for talents through all levels and functions at Rs 11 lakh, as per the report
of Randstad Insights. Pune ranks second with an average annual CTC at Rs 10 lakh. NCR
occupies the 3rd position with an average annual CTC figure of a little under Rs 10 lakh.
Mumbai has come fourth with an average annual CTC of Rs 9 lakh. Chennai (Rs 8 lakh),
Hyderabad (a little under Rs 8 lakh) and Kolkata (around Rs 7 lakh) are the other three
cities in the list of Indian cities paying the highest average salaries for professionals.
 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a 2.5-km-long bridge built over the Ib
river in Sambalpur district on 15th April 2018. This is Odisha‟s second longest bridge and
has been built at a cost of Rs. 117.50 crore. The bridge has enabled direct road
connectivity between Sambalpur and Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district. By Commuting
through this bridge, distance between these two places is reduced by 50 km.
 Central government along with state government and private partners is working to
promote Goa as a tourism destination and a cargo hub. Union Minister for Civil Aviation
Suresh Prabhu said that, Mopa airport will start operations by September 2020. Dabolim
Airport will continue to operate along with Mopa Airport. At Dabolim airport, renovation work
worth Rs 300 crore is being done. New multi-layer parking complex will start operation by
July 2018. He said that, under the Skill Development and Startup India initiative, Civil
Aviation Ministry is in discussion with World Bank and other major institutions to promote
Goa as a market destination.
 The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Plastic
Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018. The amended Rules state that, the phasing
out of Multilayered Plastic (MLP) is now applicable to MLP that are non-recyclable, or non-
energy recoverable, or with no alternate use. Rule 15 of the Plastic Waste Management
(Amendment) Rules 2018 on “explicit pricing of carry bags” has been omitted. The Plastic
Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018, was notified by the ministry on 27th March
2018. The amended Rules state that i) a central registration system for the registration of
the producer/importer/brand owner is prescribed ii) any mechanism for the registration

should be automated and should take into account ease of doing business for producers,
recyclers and manufacturers iii) the centralised registration system will be developed by
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the registration of the producer/importer/brand
owner iv) a national registry is prescribed for producers with presence in more than two
states v) a state-level registration has been prescribed for smaller producers/brand owners
operating within one or two states.
 POSHAN Abhiyaan - the first meeting of National Council on India‟s Nutrition Challenges
was held in New Delhi. POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan in March 2018. POSHAN stands for Prime Minister‟s Overarching
Scheme for Holistic Nutrition. It aims to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition
for pregnant women, mothers and children.
 A draft of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) proposing multiple strategies to reduce
air pollution was released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
(MoEFCC). The goal of NCAP is to meet prescribed annual average ambient air quality
standards at all locations in country in a stipulated time frame. It aims to tackle increasing
air pollution problem across country in comprehensive manner.
 The Supreme Court of India on April 16, 2018 struck down the order of the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) that had declared the Amarnath cave shrine as a „silence zone‟ and
prohibited religious offerings such as chanting of hymns and ringing bells beyond the entry
point. The Amarnath Shrine Board had challenged the NGT order in the apex court,
arguing that the green tribunal cannot pass orders on the Amarnath shrine while hearing a
plea related to stopping the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in
Jammu.A two-judge bench comprising Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta
stayed the NGT order while hearing a plea filed by the Amarnath Shrine Board against the
order on the ground that a decision in a case could not be based on grounds outside the
pleading of the parties. The judges‟ bench stated that the National Green Tribunal had
exceeded its jurisdiction in giving the order.
 „Study in India‟ programme to attract foreign students to pursue higher education in India
was approved by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) in collaboration
with Ministry of External Affairs. It aims at boosting country‟s share of international students
and subsequently, improves global reputation and rankings of Indian educational
institutions. The programme is similar to initiative launched by Australia, Malaysia,
Singapore and Canada. The programme will provide meritorious foreign students fee
waiver and scholarship. It will target students from 30 countries, primarily in Asia and

Africa, including Nepal, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand,
Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Rwanda.
 Defence Planning Committee (DPC), a new integrated institutional mechanism that will
drive country‟s military and security strategy and guide defence equipment acquisitions
was formed by the Union Government under the chairmanship of National Security
Advisor Ajit Doval. The committee will operate through four sub-committees: on Policy and
Strategy, Defence Diplomacy, Plans and Capability Development and Defence
Manufacturing system.
 Gujarat launched 'Haemophilia Jagruti, a magazine to spread awareness about
haemophilia, a hereditary and genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to control
blood clotting. The magazine aims to share knowledge and the research being done on
Hemophilia that affects over 6000 people in the state.
 The Union Government have announced to provide smartphones, instead of tablets, to
Anganwadi workers to promote Poshan Abhiyaan nutrition scheme. The decision was
taken during the first meeting of National Council on India's nutrition challenges under
'Poshan Abhiyaan' which was chaired by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar.The
Council has been set up under 'Poshan Abhiyaan' and serves as the apex body to
formulate overall policies, guide and monitor all nutrition based schemes.
 In a bid to make education system in India more transparent, the Ministry of Human
Resource Development (HRD) has launched integration of e-SANAD portal and NAD –
National Academic Depository. e-Sanad is project aimed at online submission and
verification of documents with ultimate object to extend contact less, cashless, faceless
and paperless document attestation service. NAD is 24X7 online store house of all
academic awards viz. diplomas certificates,, degrees, mark-sheets etc. duly digitised and
lodged by academic boards, institutions, eligibility assessment bodies.
 A new draft rules to make mandatory for automobile manufacturers to provide high security
registration plates (HSRP) to all new vehicles has published by the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways (MoRTH) from January 1, 2019. HSRPs will have in-built security
features, such as self-destructive sticker with engine and chassis numbers. It will be fitted
on front and rear of vehicles and windscreens will have number plate tag with hologram.
 Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is recommended to be declared as a public
body by the Law Commission of India (LCI). BCCI‟s monopolistic activities, directly and
indirectly, affect the fundamental rights of citizens, players, and other functionaries. Private

citizen should be able to move highest court against BCCI for any violation of his
fundamental rights.
 Madhya Pradesh was selected for the Most Film Friendly State award 2017 for its efforts
towards easing filming in state. The awards will be presented by President Ram Nath
Kovind in May 2018 during presentation of the 65th National Film Awards in New Delhi. MP
was acknowledge for easing filming in state by offering excellent on ground support and
filmic infrastructure and creating well-structured web site. Uttarakhand was given Special
Mention certificate in recognition of its efforts made towards creating film friendly
environment.
 One Nation One Tax policy for seamless movement of commercial vehicles across the
country has been proposed by the Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted by Union Ministry
of Road Transport and Highways. It will allow transfer of vehicles from one state to another
without levying road tax. It will put check on people registering their vehicles in low tax
states and running them in other states. It will also bring necessary relief to genuine cases
requiring transfer of vehicles. The two day meeting of GoM held in Guwahati, Assam was
attended by transport ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Goa,
Kerala, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya and Jharkhand. The GoM is headed by
Rajasthan transport minister Yoonus Khan. Centre has the powers to decide principles on
which motor vehicles tax can be levied. The uniform tax should be based on invoice price
of vehicles in three slabs. 8% tax on vehicles below 10 lakhs, 10% for vehicles costing
between 10 -20 lakh, and 12% for vehicles above 20 lakh. Diesel vehicles may have to pay
2% extra taxes, while electric vehicles will be given 2% discount.
 25th meeting of the Common wealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM) was
held in London, UK. The theme of CHOGM 2018 was “Towards a Common Future“.It was
also first CHOGM held following United Kingdom‟s decision to withdraw from European
Union. This decision has resulted for Britain to strengthen its economic ties with and play
greater role in Commonwealth. India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 A MoU with Ministry of Power for generating 9200 million units for the year 2018-19 was
signed by Hydro power major Sutlej Jal Vidut Nigam (SJVN) Limited in New Delhi. SJVN
Limited is a Mini Ratna and Schedule „A‟ Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under
Ministry of Power.
 The first International SME (Small, Medium Enterprises) convention organised by Ministry
of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises will be held in New Delhi from 22ndto 24th April,
2018. The four day International SME convention will see participation of 150 participants

from 31 countries and 400 entrepreneurs from India. It has specific focus on inclusion of
MSMEs in Make in India program and empowering women entrepreneurs. It aims to
provide platform to allow Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur (E2E) exchange of ideas, free and
fair business discussions, mutual sizing of opportunities and ways to address them.
 Under Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) system, India and Finland have reached an
agreement on the tax dispute with Nokia .This paves way for the sale of Nokia‟s Chennai
(Sriperumbudu) plant, which has been shuttered since November 2014. The resolution
covers disputes pertaining to Nokia India as well as Nokia Corp. This involves payment of
Rs 1,600 crore, a sum that was deposited with government by Nokia in March 2018.
 „Integrated initiative for prevention & control of viral hepatitis‟ under National Health Mission
(NHM) for prevention and control of viral hepatitis has been decided to roll out by the Union
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under this initiative, the ministry will scale up to 100
treatment and 665 testing centres over period of next three years in all states. The initiative
will have budgetary support of more than Rs. 517 crore for three years. India is committed
to eliminating the viral hepatitis by 2030.
 A new office of Central Project Monitoring Unit for e-Vidhan project of Government was
inaugurated by the Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs at Parliament House Annexe. e-
Vidhan is mission mode project to digitize and make functioning of State Legislatures in
India to make them paperless. It is a part of broader Digital India Programme of Central
Government.
 The restructured Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)
was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be implemented during period from April 2018 to
March 2022 with total proposed cost of the scheme is Rs. 7255 crore. The restructured
scheme will focus on training, building infrastructure, stepping up initiatives for e-
governance under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP). The fund sharing ratio for
scheme for state components will be 60:40 barring Northeast and hilly states where it will
be 90:10. For UTs, central share will be 100%.
 The Union Cabinet has approved promulgation of Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance to
provide death penalty for rapists of girls below 12 years. The ordinance amends Indian
Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
(POCSO) Act and Indian Evidence Act. It provides for stringent punishment of jail term of
minimum 20 years or life imprisonment or death for rape of girl less than 12 years. It
increases minimum punishment from 10 years to 20 years for crime of rape of girl under 16

years, which can be extended to imprisonment for rest of 7 years to 10 years, which can be
extended to life imprisonment.
 The State Forest Department of West Bengal through Central Government will apply to
Ramsar Convention Secretariat to include Sunderbans in Ramsar list. West Bengal
government has given its approval to State Forest Department to apply for coveted Ramsar
Site recognition under Ramsar Convention. There are currently 26 sites in India recognised
as Ramsar wetland sites of international importance, including East Kolkata Wetlands in
West Bengal. Sunderban Reserve Forest is spread across 4,260 sq. km. with over 2,000
sq. km. of mangrove forests and creeks making it ideal site of wetland. Once it is conferred
Ramsar site status, Sundarbans Reserve Forest will be largest protected wetland in the
country.
 Bengaluru Smart City is testing prototype of an intelligent traffic management solution in
collaboration with the Electronics City Township Authority (ELCITA) to improve traffic
management in the city. It involves capturing video streams from several cameras and
processing them using artificial intelligence. This will help in automation of traffic management
tasks such as vehicle detection, traffic density estimation and control of traffic lights for real-
time performance.
 Diu Smart City has become first city in India to run on 100% renewable energy during daytime.
Diu was importing 73% of its power from Gujarat until last year. But now it has adopted two-
pronged approach to reduce dependence on Gujarat for power requirements through
renewable energy. With this, it has set new benchmark for other cities to become clean and
green.
 The Justice Rajesh Bindal committee has submitted on legal issues related to inter country
removal & retention of children its report to Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD).
The recommendations of Committee includes government should establish „Inter Country
Parental Child Removal Disputes Resolution Authority (ICPCRDRA)‟ and stressed upon need
for mediation as first step. The authority will be chaired by retired High Court Judge and shall
have members from Legal and Social sector background along with representatives from key
Ministries. It will envisaged to provide one window solution in cases of inter country removal
and retention of children.
 A six-decade-old protected area permit (PAP) regime to allow foreign tourists to access border
areas of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur has relaxed by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for
five years with effect from April 1, 2018 with protected area permit (PAP). The protected areas
currently include whole of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim,

besides parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. Some
parts of Sikkim fall under protected area regime while others under restricted area regime.
 Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry has awarded Geographical Indication (GI)
Tag to two more craft forms from Telangana viz. Adilabad dokra and Warangal Dhurries.
Adilabad Dokra is an ancient bell metal craft and Warangal Dhurries is a popular traditional
cotton rug. Adilabad Dokra is a form of ancient bell metal craft practiced by Woj community
native to Adilabad district of Telangana. They use ancient casting technique called cire perdue
(lost wax casting technique), a technique wherein duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an
original sculpture. Warangal Dhurries is a popular traditional thick cotton rug in which weavers
create beautiful patterns and dye them using vegetable colours, which are washed in flowing
water after the printing process.
 The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) was completely removed from
Meghalaya and some areas of Arunachal Pradesh with effect from April 1, 2018. Till
September 2017, 40 percent of Meghalaya was under AFSPA including the 20 km stretch of
the state‟s 884.9 km border with Assam. However, AFSPA has been restricted to eight police
stations of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam and three districts adjoining Myanmar namely
Tirap, Longding and Changlang.
 The Supreme Court of India on April 23, 2018 sought a response from the Central
Government on pleas challenging the Indian Penal Code‟s Section 377, which criminalises
homosexuality.
The response was sought by a 3-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A
M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud on a plea by hotelier and LGBT activist Kesav
Suri. The bench tagged Suri's plea with an earlier pending challenge to Section 377. Following
this, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi urged the court to ask the government to respond to the
plea.
 A group of 50 alumni from the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the
country have quit their jobs to form a political party to fight for the rights of Scheduled Castes,
Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. The group, which is waiting for an approval
from the Election Commission, has named their outfit "Bahujan Azad Party". The party
members, however, do not aim for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The group, which includes
members mostly from the SC, ST and OBC communities, feels that the backward classes
have not received their due in terms of education and employment. All set with a poster which
has pictures of B R Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose and A P J Abdul Kalam, among others,
the party has already begun a social media campaign.

 Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan at Ramnagar, tribal-dominated district of Madhya Pradesh

was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on National Panchayati Raj Day (24 April). It
is central government scheme that aims at making rural local bodies self-sustainable,
financially stable and more efficient. It seeks to address critical gaps that hinder success of
Panchayats by enhancing their capacities and effectiveness, and promote devolution of
powers and responsibilities. It will be implemented during period from April 2018 to March
2022 with outlay of Rs. 7255 crore.
 Letters of Intent have been awarded to 9 agencies for 22 monuments under Phase-IV of Adopt
a Heritage Project: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan Scheme by the Ministry of Tourism in
collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs
Governments in New Delhi. This Scheme aims to preserve rich cultural and natural heritage
and to promote tourism across length and breadth of our country. Under it, selected public
sector companies, private sector companies and individuals will develop tourist amenities at
heritage sites. They are being called as „Monument Mitra‟ and adopt the sites essentially under
their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity.
 The Union Government, Madhya Pradesh Government and World Bank have signed $210
million loan agreement for Madhya Pradesh Rural Connectivity Project. The project will cover
10,510 km stretch of rural roads in Madhya Pradesh that fall under Chief Minister‟s Gram
Sadak Yojana (CMGSY) program. Of this 10,000 km will be upgraded from existing gravel to
bituminous surface roads, while 510 km of new roads will be built to same bituminous surface
standard. It will enhance rural road connectivity instate which will open up opportunities for
economic development and access to social services for beneficiary communities in the state
and help in reducing poverty. The project will focus on improving road safety by collecting
accident data and analysing it at central and state levels through implementation of Road
Accident Database Management System (RADMS) and strengthen road safety capacity at
central level and focus on training territorial waters i.e. 12 nautical miles.
 A Loan Agreement has signed with the World Bank for IBRD credit of US$ 125 (equivalent) for
Innovate in India for Inclusiveness Project by the Union Government (Ministry of Finance) to
support India in developing an innovative biopharmaceutical and medical devices industry,
which is globally competitive. The projects seeks to achieve its objective by bridging critical
skill and infrastructure gaps to promote affordable and innovative healthcare products
generation for inclusive development and increasing competitiveness in India. The project will
support Union Government‟s Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Program (BIRAC).

It mainly aims to leverage India‟s potential and capability to deliver safe, effective and low-cost
vaccines to tackle a host of diseases that affect billions of people around the world.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the centrally sponsored
scheme „National Bamboo Mission‟ (NBM) under the National Mission for Sustainable
Agriculture (NMSA) for the remaining period of Fourteenth Finance Commission (2018-19 &
2019-20). The National Bamboo Mission will ensure integrated development of the bamboo
sector by establishing effective linkage of farmers with industry. Besides, the CCEA also
approved the Empowerment of Executive Committee for formulation of guidelines of the
National Bamboo Mission and to make the changes therein.
 The state cabinet of Jammu and Kashmir on April 24, 2018 approved the Jammu and Kashmir
Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 that provides death penalty to the rapists of
children below the age of 12 years.
 The Supreme Court on April 24, 2018 asked the Centre and all the States to remove all the
provisions that refer to leprosy as a disability from statute books. The move came after the
apex court observed that the leprosy is curable and patients suffering from it should not be
victims of social stigma. The Supreme Court bench noted that the references to leprosy as a
disability in the written laws led to the “statutory stigma.” And these laws must be amended to
bring in the parity as with the advancement of medical science, leprosy is no longer an
incurable disease.
 The increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Raw Jute for 2018-19 season was
approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. The increased MSP was based on recommendations of Commission for
Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) which had taken into account cost of production, overall
demand-supply, domestic and international prices before recommending MSP for Raw Jute.
MSP is form of agricultural market intervention undertaken by Central Government in order to
insure agricultural producers are protected against any sharp fall in farm prices. It is
announced for certain crops by Central Government prior to sowing season. The MSP for Fair
Average Quality (FAQ) of Raw Jute was increased to Rs.3700 per quintal for 2018-19 season
from Rs. 3500 per quintal in 2017-18 season.
 A MoU was signed between National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) and Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) on technical knowledge sharing for establishing nationwide Time
Stamping and Time Synchronization network (TSTSN) and traceability of Time signal to UTC
NPL Time. The establishment and implementation of pan India TSTSN across Indian Telecom
Network will eliminate problem of Time Synchronization among TSP/ISPs. This will lead to

better efficiency of Telecom Network and reduce Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) call
drop, improve Quality of Service of network, Voice, Video. It will help to curb cybercrimes and
also help to identify and correlate various digital financial transactions.
 Under National Biopharma Mission, the Union Government has entered into agreement with
World Bank for flexible financing arrangement to accelerate research towards early
development for biopharmaceuticals. It aims to make India hub for design and development of
novel, affordable and effective biopharmaceutical products such as vaccines, biologics and
medical devices for combating public health concerns. The mission was launched by Ministry
of Science & Technology in 2017 at total cost of US $250 million for five years with 50%
funding through World Bank Loan.
 The Union Cabinet has given approval inclusion of certain areas in Rajasthan under Fifth
Schedule of the Constitution. he areas to be included comprises three complete districts
Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, nine tehsils, one block and 46 complete gram panchayats
covering 227 villages in Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Pali and Sirohi districts of
Rajasthan.
 A MoU signed between India and Sao Tome and Principe for Cooperation in field of
Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy was approved by the Union Cabinet. The
MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation between two countries in areas of Traditional Systems
of Medicine.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved restructured National
Bamboo Mission (NBM), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under National Mission for
Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) during remaining period of 14th Finance Commission (2018-
20) with an outlay of Rs. 1290 crore. The restructured mission will ensure holistic development
of bamboo sector by addressing complete value chain and establish effective linkage of
producers (farmers) with industry.
 The renewal of long-term agreements (LTAs) for export of iron ore (lumps and fines) of grade
+64% Fe content to Japan and South Korea for another five years (2018 to 2023) through
state-owned trading firm MMTC has approved by Union Cabinet. Export of iron ore under
LTAs will help India to strengthen its bilateral ties with long-standing partner countries, Japan
and South Korea by securing export market and result in inflow of foreign exchange.
 The Union Human Resource Development Ministry launched the second edition of Unnat
Bharat Abhiyan in New Delhi. Under the program, students from 750 higher educational
institutions from across the country will adopt nearby villages and visit them to get acquainted
with the regular lifestyle of village people and the problems faced by them in their day to day

life. The main objective of the program is to enable higher education institutions to work with
the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate
solutions for accelerating sustainable development in rural areas.
 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted First Licence to Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals
Ltd for Liquid Chlorine on all India basis as per Indian Standard (IS) 646:1986. This is the First
Licence granted on All India basis. The licence has been made operative with effect from April
2018 for a period of one year. Liquid Chlorine is in liquid form and stored in metal containers. It
is usually used as gas obtained by evaporating liquid from metal container.
 The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of
Tribal Affairs and TRIFED during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur,
Chattisgarh. While speaking at the launch, the Prime Minister said that the Van Dhan scheme
along with others like Jan Dhan and Gobar-Dhan schemes had the potential to change the
tribal-rural economic system. Hence, he stated that all the three schemes need to be promoted
by the state governments.
 The state government of Meghalaya on April 26, 2018 installed a software at Shillong district
jail to integrate information about its inmates, as a part of its initiative to modernise correctional
homes in the state. The e-prisons software, developed by the Union government, aims to keep
a tab on prisoners of all states. It is a significant step towards digitization and modernization of
prisons.It will digitize the jail records and ensure transparency and accountability in the
system. It will be implemented in all the correctional facilities across the state.
 Vistara has become the third Indian carrier to be a member of the International Air Transport
Association (IATA), the trade association of more than 280 airlines. The move will help the
airlines to provide a seamless travel experience through an extended global network of
travelers to and from India. The two other Indian carriers that are IATA members include Air
India and Jet Airways. The IATA advocates for the interests of airlines across the globe,
establishes standards to simplify process and increase passenger convenience, and helps
airlines to operate safely, efficiently and economically.
 The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched seed import-export portal
to facilitate export-import of seeds and planting material. It has been developed for making
trade process easy. With the launch of this portal, all organisations importing-exporting seeds
will not be required to submit their applications in 20 copies. The import export of seeds and
planting material is controlled under Import Export Policy 2002-2007.

 India was placed at 138th rank out of 180 nations surveyed worldwide in terms of press
freedom in 2018in recently released World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2018 by Reporters
Without Borders. It was ranked at the 135th in WPFI 2017.
 The 23rd meeting of Western Zonal Council was held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat under the
chairmanship of Union home minister Rajnath Singh. The meeting was attended by chief
ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat, ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, administrator of
UTs of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and senior officers from Central and state
governments
 FMCG major ITC has joined hands with NITI Aayog to train 2 lakh farmers to increase their
income and raise productivity of major crops in 25 “aspirational districts” across seven states
namely Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh in the country by 2022. The prime objective of increasing net returns from farming
through reduction in costs of production and increasing productivity of major crops in each of
identified district.
 Google Arts & Culture in partnership with Ministry of Tourism has unveiled 360-degree virtual
reality (VR) video for global „Incredible India‟ tourism campaign. The video showcases 360-
degree view of some of most iconic destinations in India including Delhi‟s Qutab Minar,
Hampi‟s Vitthala Temples, Amritsar‟s Golden Temple and Goa‟s easygoing vibe. As part of it,
Google Arts & Culture will provide users with immersive 360-degree view of India‟s heritage,
festivity, spirituality and adventure.
 Uttarakhand High Court declared the practice of solitary confinement as unconstitutional as
per the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The practice
of solitary confinement not only amounts to additional punishment but also amounts to torture
and is violative of basic human rights.The bench made the observations while upholding the
capital punishment awarded to two convicts by the lower court in a case relating to the
gangrape and murder of a 55-year-old woman.
 The Environment Ministry has banned plastics in all protected areas around the country and
declared them plastic free zones. It has directed states and Union territories to organise
awareness campaigns to sensitise people about the issue. The decision has been taken
ahead of the World Environment Day that is observed on June 5.
 Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Smriti Zubin Irani Minister announced a
scholarship for Rs 25000 in commemoration of Deen Dayal Upadhyay for people of Indian
Origin who did exemplary work in development of journalism while addressing the 69th
Valedictory session of Development Journalism Course at Indian Institute of Mass

Communication, New Delhi. On this occasion she also inaugurated National Media Faculty
Development Center in IIMC Campus and also launched ECHO Newsletter, Samachar
Madhyam and Communicator magazines.
 A four-day Asia Pacific Regional Workshop of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD), jointly hosted by the Union Ministry of Environment and UNCCD
Secretariat concluded on April 27, 2018. The four-day Workshop trained the participants in the
use of an innovative land degradation monitoring tool by Conservation International, for the
reporting process of UNCCD.Participants included delegates from about 40 Asia Pacific
countries, as well as representatives from 12 Indian states affected by land degradation,
scientists and researchers and line-Ministries.
 During the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Van
Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development
Federation of India (TRIFED) at Bijapur, Chattisgarh PM also inaugurated first model Van
Dhan Vikas Kendra under the scheme in Bijapur. The scheme aims at economic development
of tribals involved in collection of Minor Food Produces (MFPs) by helping them in optimum
utilization of natural resources and provide them sustainable livelihood. Under it, 10 Self Help
Groups (SHGs) of 30 Tribal gatherers will be constituted.
 A MoU have signed between the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and
Indian Yoga Association (IYA) to facilitate interaction and cooperation between two
organisations to promote wellness, spiritual and cultural tourism in Krishna Circuit.
Government is trying to promote Krishna circuit as major tourist attraction under Swadesh
Darshan Scheme. It is named after Lord Krishna and is centered on him. Under it, 12
destinations spread across five states have been proposed. The destinations covered are
Gujarat: Dwarka; Rajasthan: Nathdwara, Jaipur and Sikar; Uttar Pradesh: Mathura, Vrindavan,
Barsana, Gokul, Nandgaon and Govardhan; Odisha. They will be developed on principles of
high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 29, 2018 announced that April 28 will be remembered
as a historic day in the development journey of India as on this day, every single village of
India was electrified. The achievement comes several days before the deadline set by PM
Modi, which was May 10, 2018.Leisang, a village in central Manipur's Senapati district, was
the last one to receive electricity on April 29, 2018 under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram
Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). Out of 18,452 villages that were without electricity in 2015, 17,181
have been electrified. The others are either uninhabited or classified as grazing reserves.

International:
1. “Accessible Tourism” - Nepal has launched its first accessible trekking trail for differently
abled and elders in Pokhara city ,as a part of three-day international conference.
Accessible tourism or inclusive tourism refers to an emerging concept referring to travel
that is accessible to all people, with disabilities or not, including those with mobility,
hearing, sight, cognitive, or intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, older persons and
those with temporary disabilities.
2. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on April 1, 2018 suspended the implementation of the
new "good conduct certificate" for foreign job seekers. The "good conduct certificate"
initiative by the UAE cabinet was raised on February 4, 2018 which stated that an
immigrant moving to the UAE for work should present a police document from his country
as a proof of non-criminal history or convictions.The immigrants will also be required to
provide a good conduct certificate, if they change jobs within the Gulf state, but only if the
new employer demands it.
3. India received first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo comprising 1.2 Lakh tones of the
Gas from United States. The cargo landed at the Dabhol regasification terminal in
Maharashtra.This recent consignment of LNG has been imported from US under a long-
term USD 32 billion contract of 20 years. This contract was signed between India‟s GAIL
and America‟s Dominion Energy Cove Point project in Maryland and Cheniere Energy Inc‟s
Sabine Pass Project in Louisiana.
4. China will unveil the world‟s longest cross-sea bridge, connecting Hong Kong, Macau and
mainland China. This cross-sea bridge will be 55km-long and six lanes wide, comprising of
four tunnels and four artificial islands. It is a multi-billion dollar project, which took seven
years to complete.It is reported that quantity of steel used in building this bridge is more
than 60 Eiffel Towers in Paris, France and experts from 14 countries have been involved in
its construction.The brigde will reduce the commute time between mainland China, Macau
and Hong Kong to half. It is estimated that nearly 40000 vehicles will be passing over this
bridge on daily basis, including shuttle buses running at 10-minute intervals.
5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh each to the
next of the kin of 39 Indians who were killed in Iraq on April 3, 2018. 39 of the 40 Indian
labourers were killed by Islamic State terrorists in Iraq, while one of them managed to
escape.Mortal remains of 38 of these 39 Indians were brought back to India on April 2,

2018 in a special aircraft and handed over to their relatives. 27 hailed from Punjab, 6 from
Bihar, 4 from Himachal Pradesh and 2 from West Bengal.
6. Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharama is on an official visit to Russia from 3rd –
5th April, 2018. This will be Nirmala Sitharaman‟s first visit to Russia in her capacity as
India‟s Defence Minister.Main purpose of this visit is to attend the seventh Moscow
Conference on International Security. This visit will reinforce India-Russia bilateral relation
with particular reference to military technical cooperation.
7. The Union Cabinet has given its ex post facto approval to MoU between India and Iran on
establishment of an expert group on trade remedy measures. The MoU will promote
cooperation between two countries in area of trade remedies.
8. India, Japan and the United States participated in the ninth trilateral meeting in New Delhi
on April 4, 2018. The meeting was held in the backdrop of the ongoing trade war between
China and the USA that erupted after both sides imposed tariffs on each other‟s goods.
The main focus of this 'Trilateral Infrastructure Working Group' was on connectivity,
counter-terrorism and other regional and global issues.
9. The construction of Turkey's first-ever nuclear power plant in Mersin region, a large port
city on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey was inaugurated by the President of
Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 3,
2018. The first stage is due to be completed by 2023, on the occasion of the 100th
anniversary of modern Turkey's founding. It is expected to be completed fully by 2026.
Once completed the power station will contribute around 10 percent to the electricity needs
of Turkey, which is significant as the nation has few energy resources of its own.
10. The 9th India-Japan-US trilateral meeting was held in New Delhi and was represented by
senior diplomats by three countries. It held consultations on regional and global issues of
mutual interest and focussed on connectivity, counter-terrorism and other regional and
global issues of common concern.
11. Qatar has introduced national service for women for the first time as per a law issued by
Qatar‟s Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. According to the law, women above the age of 18
can volunteer for national service. Men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to
perform compulsory military service, and now the service period has been increased from
three months to one year. The new law also states that men must apply for compulsory
enlistment in the military service within 60 days of turning 18 years. Persons who are
caught avoiding military service will be imprisoned up to three and a fine of up to 50,000
Qatari riyals will be imposed.

12. The Union External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj embarked on a three-day official visit
to Azerbaijan‟s capital city Baku to participate in Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial
Conference on 4th April,2018. NAM Mid-Term Ministerial Conference was held in Baku on
5th and 6th April 2018.Theme of this conference was “Promoting international peace and
security for sustainable development”.Before the conference, on April 4, 2018, Ms. Sushma
Swaraj held bilateral consultations with her Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov
and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Ms. Swaraj also
called on Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.
This was the first-ever bilateral visit of an Indian External Affairs Minister to Azerbaijan.
13. A MoU signed between India and Canada to foster cross-border partnerships focused on
research excellence and industry-academic collaboration has been appraised by the Union
Cabinet. The MoU aims at fostering cross-border partnerships in research excellence and
industry-academic collaboration between India and Canada to bring robust innovation
gains to both countries.
14. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on April 4, 2018 comfortably defeated
the no-confidence motion moved by the joint opposition against him, securing the majority
support in the 225-member Parliament.
15. Qatar would be introducing national service for women for the first time with immediate
effect, under a new law issued by the Gulf nation‟s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al
Thani. The nation has also extended the time served in the military by recruited men. While
women aged over 18 will now be able to volunteer for national service under the law, men
will have to serve for a year instead of three months. It is the first time that women have
been allowed to undertake national service, although some women already serve in the
military in administrative roles.
16. President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on three-nation official state visit to African
countries of Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland and Zambia from April 7 to 12, 2018. It will be
first-ever visit by any head of state of India to Equatorial Guinea and Swaziland. Indian
President‟s visit to Zambia will be taking place after 29 years. Earlier in March 2018,
President had undertaken two-nation visit to Madagascar and Mauritius. It will be overall
President Kovind‟s visit third visit to African continent since he took office. The visit will help
to further deepen relations between three African countries.
17. With introduction of sugar levy, UK joins few countries, including Mexico, France and
Norway that have introduced similar fat taxes. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy also known as
soft drinks sugar tax or sin tax or sugar tax came into force in United Kingdom as part of

government‟s plan to combat obesity and sugar related disease. The Soft Drinks Industry
Levy was announced in 2016. It is based on levels of sugar in drinks, with most sugary
drinks paying highest tax. Drinks containing 5 grams of sugar per 100ml taxed are taxed at
18 pence per litre, and those with more than 5 grams per 100ml taxed at 24 pence per litre.
18. Japan activated its Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), its first marine unit
since World War Two on 8 April,2018. The marine unit has been activated to counter
invaders who attempt to occupy Japanese islands along the edge of the East China
Sea. Japan fears that those islands are vulnerable to attack by China.
19. India and Nepal have agreed to boost cooperation in connectivity sector as they decided to
develop inland waterways for cargo movement within Protocol to Treaty of Transit between
India and Nepal. Both countries recognised untapped potential of inland waterways to
contribute towards overall economic development of the region.
20. India and South Korea signed mutual recognition of certificate of competency of seafarers
Korea to provide Indian seafarers employment on over 500 Korean ships during four-day
visit of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to South Korea. The
pact will help in creating job opportunities for Indian seafarers and also pave way for
recognition of maritime education and training through various certificates issued for
seafarers by governments of both countries.
21. Hungary's right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban on April 8, 2018 claimed a landslide
victory in the nation‟s general election. Orban will serve a third consecutive term in office,
with his party Fidesz projected to keep its key two-thirds majority in parliament. Hungary's
National Election Office stated that Fidesz party has won almost half of the vote, with 93
percent of ballots counted.
22. China has banned the export to North Korea of some items with potential dual-use in
weapons of mass destruction. The announcement of the export bans comes amid a
tightening of exports from China to North Korea. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce gave
details of 32 materials, technologies and forms of equipment with potential use related to
weapons of mass destruction, including particle accelerators and centrifuges.
23. The United Nations Security Council would be meeting tonight following requests by
Russia and the United States after a deadly chemical attack in Syria. Russia called for a
meeting of the 15-member council on international threats to peace and security while 9
countries including US, UK and France had called an emergency meeting of the UN
Security Council over an alleged chemical attack in Syria.Russian President Vladimir Putin
and Iran have been blamed for a chemical attack in Douma, Syria that killed at least

dozens of people. Both Syria and Russia, however, denied that a chemical attack took
place and said they have reached an evacuation deal with the Jaish al-Islam rebels who
hold Douma. Under the deal, 100 buses are said to be moving 8,000 fighters and 40,000 of
their relatives out of the battered town. Hostages who had been held by the rebels are
being set free.
24. Ban Ki-moon ( Former UN Secretary General ) was elected as Chairman of Boao Forum
for Asia replacing Japan‟s Yasuo Fukuda. Zhou Xiaochuan (Former governor of People‟s
Bank of China ) was appointed vice-chairman. Both the appointments took place during
second session of annual Boao Forum, known as “Asian Davos” underway in China‟s
Hainan province. Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-
level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other
continents to share their vision on most pressing issues in this dynamic region and world. It
is modelled on annual World Economic Forum (WEF) held annually in Davos, Switzerland.
It was established in 2001. Its first meeting was held in April 2002 and since then it is held
annually. It takes its name from town of Boao in China‟s southern Hainan province, which
has been permanent venue for its annual conference since 2002.
25. A MoU was signed between Singapore and China to promote greater collaboration
between companies from both countries in third-party markets along China‟s ambitious Belt
and Road routes. The MoU will see the formation of a working group between Singapore‟s
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), China‟s National Development and Reform
Commission and Enterprise. The working group will identify sectors and markets of mutual
interest, organise business-matching activities and forums to facilitate third-party market
cooperation between Singapore and Chinese companies under Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI).
26. The world‟s first microfactory that can transform components from electronic waste items
into valuable materials for re-use was launched by the IIT-trained Australian scientist of
Indian origin Veena Sahajwalla. The e-waste microfactory uses green manufacturing
technologies to turn many types of consumer waste such as glass, plastic and timber into
commercial materials and products.
27. Kate Brown (The Governor of Oregon state) has signed the Net Neutrality bill on April 9,
2018 which bans Internet operators from offering paid prioritisation services to customers,
into law. The new law makes it illegal for the state's public agencies to work with Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) that take part in discriminatory activities such as paid prioritisation
and blocking legal content online.

28. Around 1200 year-old Buddhist cliff carvings have been found in Tibet that may offer a
glimpse into Buddhist art and local history. Experts believe that the carvings were created
in the 9th century, based on their style. According to the regional cultural relics protection
research institute, the discoveries dating back to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom were found in
Acur township of Qamdo city.
29. India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to set up a 129.5 km oil pipeline aimed at
pumping oil from India to Bangladesh with a capacity of 1 million metric tons per annum on
April 9, 2018. This 129.5-km long oil pipeline will be built from the Siliguri Marketing
Terminal of the Numaligarah Refinery Ltd (NRL) in India to the Parbaripur depot of the
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
30. India and Zambia signed four agreements as a part of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind‟s
visit to three African countries. This is the first visit to Zambia by an Indian president since
1989. Ram Nath Kovind also addressed the Zambia-India Business Forum. India and
Zambia signed four agreements on double taxation avoidance,judicial cooperation, mutual
visa waivers for officials and diplomats and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute
that India will build in Zambia.
31. India donated US $1 million to support Swaziland‟s National Disaster Management Agency
as well as food grains. India invited Swaziland to join International Solar Alliance (ISA) as
partner country. India is ready to help Swaziland on issues of public health. India will
establish Centre of Agricultural Excellence in Swaziland for sharing its experience in the
sector. India also expressed commitment to developmental partnership to create local
capacities Swaziland and across Africa.
32. The 11th edition of World Hindi Conference will be hosted by Mauritius in its capital city
Port Lois in August 18-20, 2018 with the theme of the Conference is “Vaishvik Hindi Aur
Bharatiy Sanskriti“.The conference provides common platform to several Hindi scholars,
writers and laureates from different parts of the world to contribute the language. The First
World Hindi Conference was held from 10 to 12 January 1975 in Nagpur and was
inaugurated by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Every year 10th January is being
observed as World Hindi Day.
33. India and World Expo 2020 Dubai have signed participants contract for India‟s pavilion in
prestigious World Expo 2020 held once in 5 years. India‟s pavilion at World Expo 2020 will
be developed in public-private partnership mode. The aim of India‟s pavilion will also be to
connect with priorities of UAE by showcasing India‟s strength in innovation and startups
which are pushing barriers in high technology areas like artificial intelligence, financial

technology (fintech), space and green energy. World Expo 2020 which will take place in
October 2020 for six months duration.
34. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on April 12, 2018 announced a ban on all new
offshore oil exploration, as a transition towards a zero-carbon economy. The ban is applied
with immediate effect to only new offshore oil exploration permits and will not affect existing
permits and onshore drilling. Arden also assured that her policy will not lead to job losses in
the country's oil industry, which currently employs at least 11,000 workers and generates
about $1.8 billion per year. Greenpeace, a non-governmental environmental organisation,
hailed Ardern's move in a statement, saying this was a historic moment for the country and
a huge win for the climate and people power.
35. The Cabinet of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has approved the issuance of law on Equal
Wages and Salaries for men and women. It will provide women with equal opportunities as
partners in the UAE's development. The approval of the law comes in line with the
government‟s objective to ensure the protection of women's rights and support their role in
the national development process. The law will further empower women to lead future
national strategies and ambitious projects.
36. President Ram Nath Kovind and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Chagwa Lungu on April
12, 2018 laid the foundation stone of Lusaka traffic Decongestion Project in Zambia. The
cost of this 93 km road is USD 289 million, of which, India will be contributing USD 250
million.This project is aimed at redesigning the major road network for Lusaka city with a
view to reducing traffic jam, travel distance and saving fuel. The project will be completed in
three years.
37. UN Road Safety Trust Fund to improve road safety worldwide has been launched by the
United Nations to save lives and prevent the loss of opportunity associated with road
accidents. The fund aims to accelerate progress in improving global road safety by bridging
gaps in mobilization of resources for effective action at all levels. It will support efforts along
five pillars of Global Plan for Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-20).
38. Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj met the Afghan Defence
Minister Lieutenant-General Tariq Shah Bahramee in New Delhi and agreed to make
efforts in combating terrorism in the South Asian region. Lieutenant-General Tariq Shah
Bahramee was in India to attend 10th edition of Defence Expo 2018 in Tamil Nadu. During
the course of this visit, he also met Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During the
meeting, Ms. Sushma Swaraj and Lieutenant-General Tariq Shah Bahramee pushed

for efforts to combat the menace of opium cultivation and drugs trafficking which is the
main source of funding terrorism against the people of Afghanistan.
39. Indian companies and Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) signed 7 MoUs
at the DefExpo 2018 held in Thiruvidanthai, Chennai On 13th April 2018.
40. The state of cooperation between Kazakhstan and India in the energy sector was
discussed and analysed at the 16th International Energy Forum held in New Delhi from
10th to 12th April 2018. The talks were focused on “The future of global energy security –
transition, technology, trade and investment”, and how Kazakhstan and India can improve
cooperation in the energy sector within the framework of the IEF and the Gas Exporting
Countries Forum (GECF).
41. US, Britain and France have targeted Damascus (capital of Syria) and surrounding areas
in response to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad‟s chemical attack that killed over 60
people last week.Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will call an emergency
session of UN Security Council regarding the airstrike on Syria.
42. India was added in the monitoring list of United State‟smajor trading partners that merit close
attention to their currency practices and macroeconomic policies. The US Treasury
Department report is required by Congress to identify countries that are trying to artificially
manage value of their currency to gain trade advantage, for example by keeping exchange
rate low to promote cheaper exports.
43. The India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 with the title „Securing Global Supply Chains through
Government-Industry Partnerships towards Effective Implementation of UNSC Resolution
1540‟ was held from April 16-17, 2018, in New Delhi. The Conference provided opportunity to
participants to share experiences on their export control systems and identify legal and
technical assistance, action plans & challenges in national implementation of UNSC 1540. The
Wiesbaden Process was initiated by Government of Germany in 2012 to strengthen
implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 through Government-Industry partnerships.
44. British Prime Minister Theresa May on April 16, 2018 opened the Commonwealth Business
Forum (CBF) in London, marking the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting (CHOGM).India is among 52 other member-countries participating in the summit
hosted by the UK in London around the theme of "Towards a Common Future".United
Kingdom, which is the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth for two years, also unveiled a
range of new initiatives and networks to mark the launch of CHOGM.
45. India on April 16, 2018 won the elections conducted by UN‟s Committee on Non-
Governmental Organizations in the Asia Pacific States category.India amassed the highest

number of votes -46, followed by Pakistan 43, Bahrain 40 and China 39. India would now be
required to serve a four-year term in the committee along with few other nations beginning on
January 1, 2019.India was also elected by acclamation to other subsidiary UN bodies in five
separate polls including United Nations Development Programme and United Nations
Population Fund.
46. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has designated 14 new sites
as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) since 2016. These systems
highlight agricultural traditions that promote sustainability, protect biodiversity and the
environment and support the social and economic development required for stable, decent
livelihoods.
47. India has won six elections to United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
bodies, five of them unanimously. In these polls, India won places on executive boards of four
UN bodies, three commissions and committee. India won elections to Executive Boards of UN
Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Office for Project
Services (UNOPS). India will serve three-year terms from January 2019 on those executive
boards. Executive Board of UN-Women India was also elected separately on this executive
board for three-year term starting January 2019. UN-Women work for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women. India was elected on UN Commission on Population and
Development. UN Commission for Social Development and UN Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice
48. The Supreme Court of the United States on April 17, 2018 restricted deportation of immigrant
felons by ruling that the US Immigration and Nationality Act requiring the deportation of
immigrants convicted of certain crimes of violence is unconstitutionally vague. The court
invalidated the provision in a 5-4 ruling. The ruling came on a plea filed by convicted California
burglar James Garcia Dimaya, a legal immigrant from the Philippines.
49. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Sweden on April 16-17, 2018 at the
invitation of Stefan Lofven, Sweden‟s Prime Minister. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime
Minister to Sweden after almost three decades. However, both the sides have met earlier
when PM Stefan Lofven visited India in February 2016 with a strong business delegation to
attend the „Make in India‟ week in Mumbai. PM Lofven also participated in „Make in India:
Sweden 2017‟ event which was organised in Stockholm in October 2017. During his visit, PM
Modi invited top Swedish firms to invest in India and participate in flagship initiatives of the
country. PM Modi also emphasised that there are excellent investment opportunities for
Swedish firms in India in fields like smart cities, clean technology, universal housing,

renewable energy, start-ups and many others. In turn, Swedish companies showed their
commitment to invest USD 1.1 billion in India over the next two years. The major investors
would be the likes of Ikea, AstraZeneca and Volvo trucks.
50. The immigration authorities of China announced that the country‟s southernmost province of
Hainan will allow foreign tourists from 59 countries to stay for up to one month without a visa.
Group and individual tourists from the 59 countries, including Russia, Britain, France,
Germany, and the US, can visit Hainan visa-free from May 1 onwards and stay there for up to
30 days on condition that they book their tour through travel agencies. Hainan had offered a
15-day visa-free stay for group tourists from 21 countries previously.
51. India and Britain on April 18, 2018 signed 9 agreements in the areas of technology, trade and
investment during PM Narendra Modi‟s visit to the United Kingdom, at the invitation of British
PM Theresa May. India and Britain signed a framework agreement for the UK-India Cyber
Relationship, aiming for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. The agreement also
calls for cooperation in exchange of information and strategies for effective cyber security
incident management and threat response.
52. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 18, 2018 opened its first public movie theatre, after over
35 years of prohibition for religious reasons. A special screening of Marvel superhero film
„Black Panther‟ was held in Riyadh, which was attended by Saudi Culture and Information
Minister Awwad Alawwad along with Saudi royalty, celebrities and guest filmmakers. The first
public screening will be held on April 20, the tickets for which went on sale on April 19.
53. The Malaria Summit was held in London organized by non-profit organisation Malaria No More
in conjunction with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and supported by British Prime Minister
Therasa May. The summit pledged investment of over $3.8 billion to pay for innovation in
malaria research and treatment. Malaria is life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease
caused by Plasmodium parasite. It is transmitted to humans through bite of Anopheles
mosquito.
54. India has pressed the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations to set up
an independent credit rating agency of the five-member group. It was on sidelines of the first
meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors held along with IMF/World
Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, US. India sought the support of BRICS members in
building consensus amongst BRICS membership on the BRICS Rating Agency proposal.
55. Commonwealth Cyber Declaration to take action on cyber security by 2020 was adopted by
the Commonwealth countries at the end of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) in London. The declaration is considered as world‟s largest and most

geographically diverse inter-governmental commitment on cyber security cooperation. It aims

to tackle criminal groups and hostile state actors who pose a global threat to cyber security.
56. Canada and the European Union will together host the world's first female foreign ministers'
meeting on September 21, 2018 in Canada. The meeting will be held for 2 days. The
announcement was made by the Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on April 22,
2018 in Toronto. The female foreign ministers from about 30 countries will be invited to the
gathering, which is aimed at deepening global discussion on women's empowerment.
57. Mario Abdo Benitez, who represents Paraguay's long-dominant Colorado conservatives, won
the 2018 Presidential Elections on April 22, 2018. Abdo Benitez won 46.49 percent of the vote,
against his centrist opponent Efrain Alegre who fetched 42.72 percent votes in a race that was
far closer than expected.
58. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), a South American bloc created to counter
US influence in the region, temporarily lost half its members after six countries suspended
their memberships. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru decided to
temporarily leave the bloc due to the differences over choosing the secretary general of the
group.Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela remain in the bloc.
59. The bilateral trade between India and Poland has crossed $ 3 billion in 2017 and the
European country is exploring various sectors to improve the trade balance.Of the total trade,
India's export to Poland was $2.3 billion while polish export to India stood at $800
million. However, both the countries had drawn up a blueprint for stepping up investments and
identified a series of actions to raise trade from the 2014 level of $2.3 billion to $5 billion by
2018.
60. A giant mosquito with a wingspan of 11.15 centimetres was discovered by the scientists in
China‟s Sichuan province. The mosquito belongs to the world‟s largest mosquito species
Holorusia mikado. Earlier, this mosquito species was first found in Japan and normally have
wing span of about 8 centimetres.
61. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is tying up with US and Finland to develop new
pollution-forecast system that will help anticipate particulate matter (PM) levels at least two
days in advance and at greater resolution. Currently, System of Air Quality and Weather
Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), run out of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM),
Pune, serves as apex forecaster of pollution trends in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. It
generates likely air quality profile for a day in advance, for these cities. The new system will
jointly develop with expertise from Finnish Meteorological Institute and US National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). SAFAR will continue to be the backbone for pollution
forecast.
62. India and Mongolia agreed to explore ways to identify new areas of cooperation in all sectors
of mutual interest and to enhance bilateral trade and investments. The announcement came
during the meeting of Indian-Mongolia Joint Committee between Mongolian Foreign Minister D
Tsogtbaatar and Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Ulaanbaatar.During the
Indian-Mongolia Joint Committee meeting on Cooperation, the two sides discussed global
challenges, particularly the scourge of terrorism and agreed to collaborate bilaterally to stop
those who extend support to terrorist outfits. Both the sides also agreed to explore the
possibility of launching direct air connectivity between New Delhi and the Mongolian capital
Ulaanbaatar.The two countries agreed to remove institutional and logistical impediments to
boost trade, tourism and people to people contacts.
63. The United States has urged Taliban to return to Afghanistan from their foreign safe
havens. Acting Secretary of State John Sullivan stated that it is time for the Taliban to
participate in the country's electoral process. He said, more violence will not bring peace and
security to Afghanistan. He further stated that the US supports the Afghan security forces who
are standing against the Taliban and terrorist groups that seek to destroy the Afghan society.
64. The first-ever informal meet between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese
President Xi Jinping began on April 27, 2018 at Hubei Provincial Museum, in the city of Wuhan
in China. The two-day meet is expected to see the two leaders exchange a series of one-on-
one conversations on various issues including bilateral, global and regional issues. The
leaders are expected to review the developments in their bilateral relations from a strategic
and long-term perspective.
65. In a historic first, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on April 27, 2018 crossed the border that
separates the two Koreas at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) to enter South Korea, becoming the
first North Korean leader to step into South Korean territory since 1953.The highest-level
encounter is only the third of its kind since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. It took place as
a part of the historic Inter Korean summit that began in the southern side of the truce village of
Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone.
66. The Central Bank of Myanmar announced on April 27, 2018 will introduce quarter tical gold
coins with new design to meet high demand. The portrait of late national hero and Father of
the Nation of modern-day Myanmar General Aung San is engraved on the new coin. He was
the father of Myanmar‟s state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The Central Bank of Myanmar

has been issuing quality tical, half tical and quarter tical gold coins since 1991 with images of a
ploughing farmer and an elephant hauling a log being depicted on them.
67. The Trump administration announced on April 27,2018 that it would be terminating the
temporary protection status (TPS) that was earlier granted to the Nepalese people. The
decision is expected to affect over 8,950 people, 85 percent of whom live in New York. All of
these people from Nepal would either have to go back to Nepal or face deportation. However,
to allow for an orderly transition, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M Nielsen has
determined to delay the termination for 12 months. The designation will now terminate on June
24, 2019. The TPS is a designation afforded to nationals of countries experiencing
humanitarian crisis such as violent conflict, environmental disasters, earthquake or epidemics
that would prevent nationals from returning safely.
68. Atal New India Challenge under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was launched by NITI Aayog
with aim to bring-in innovations and technologies relevant to the people. For this initiative, AIM
has partnered with Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Road Transport and Highways,
Agriculture and Family Welfare, Drinking Water & Sanitation and Railway Board. This initiative
will focus on efforts towards solving problems in core areas, which would have direct impact on
improving lives of citizens and also generate employment.
69. The first Informal Summit was held in Wuhan between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
China‟s President Xi Jinping. The purpose of meeting was to exchange views on overarching
issues of bilateral and global importance and to elaborate their respective visions and priorities
for national development in context of current and future international situation. Both leaders
agreed that simultaneous emergence of India and China as two large economies and major
powers with strategic and decisional autonomy have implications of regional and global
significance.
70. For first time, arch rivals India and Pakistan are taking part in Peace Mission, a multi-nation
counter-terror exercise in Russia to be held in September 2018. Peace Mission counter-terror
military exercise will be held in the Ural mountains of Russia and almost all SCO member
countries are taking part in it. Its main aim is to enhance counter-terror cooperation among the
eight SCO member countries
71. To commemorate 2562nd Buddha Jayanti, International Buddhist Conference was held in
Lumbini, Nepal on 29 and 30 April 2018. The theme of the conference was „Lumbini Nepal:
The birthplace of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism and world peace‟. The basic
objective of conference was to disseminate teachings of Buddha and spread messages of
nonviolence, brotherhood, co-existence, love and peace to international community.

72. In 2018 Special 301 Report, the USTR has placed 12 countries on its Priority Watch List. The
Office of United States (US) Trade Representative (USTR) has once again placed India on
„Priority Watch List‟ in its annual Special 301 Report on the state of intellectual property
protection. Other countries on list are Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia,
Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Special 301 Report identifies US trading
partners that do not adequately or effectively protect and enforce IP rights or deny market
access to its innovators and creators that rely on protection of their IP rights.
Science & Technology/ Defence:

 ISRO has lost contact with India‟s most powerful communication GSAT-6A satellite in less
than 48 hours after it was launched. This is caused by power system failure or short circuit
on the satellite. The GSAT-6A satellite was to be placed in orbit in three phases after its
successful textbook launch on March 29, 2018 onboard of GSLV-F08.
 Tiangong-1- China‟s out-of-control space lab has re-entered Earth‟s atmosphere, landing in
middle of the South Pacific Ocean near world‟s „spacecraft cemetery or graveyard‟. Most of
its parts were burned up during gravity-propelled re-entry process. Tiangong-1 (Heavenly
Palace or Celestial Palace-1) was China‟s first prototype space station or space laboratory.
It was placed in orbit in September 2011 as part of China‟s efforts towards building its own
space station independent and unconnected to any other international space-active
countries. It was first operational component of Tiangong program, which aims to place a
larger, modular station into orbit by 2023, the time when US-led International Space Station
is expected to go out of service. Tiangong-1 was originally planned to be decommissioned
in 2013 but its mission was repeatedly extended. It reportedly stopped functioning in 2016.
China has launched a second lab, Tiangong-2 in 2017 which continues to be operational.
The spacecraft cemetery also known as Point Nemo — considered the most remote place
on Earth (at about 2400 km from any spot of land). It often used to crash-land defunct
satellites. Between 1971 and mid-2016, space agencies all over the world have dumped
between 260 and 300 spacecraft into the region.
 Babur III- indigenously designed and built nuclear-capable, submarine-launched cruise
missile (SLCM) was successfully test-fired by Pakistan. Babur-III is the naval variant of the
land-based Babur-II. The missile is capable of delivering various types of payloads
including nuclear. It incorporates advanced technologies, including underwater controlled
propulsion and sophisticated guidance and navigation features. The missile has strike
range of 450 km.

 A new grass-like plant species named Fimbristylis agasthyamalaensis in Ponmudi hills

within the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot was
discovered by the researchers. The new species of plant belongs to the Cyperaceae
family. Its flowering and fruiting were observed from October to March. In India,
Cyperaceae genus is represented by 122 species, of which 87 are reported from the
Western Ghats. Many of the known Cyperaceae species are medicinal plants or used as
fodder.
 Rare dinosaur footprints that are 170 million years old have been discovered in the north-
east coast of Isle of Skye in Scotland. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh were
involved in this discovery. The study has been published in the Scottish Journal of
Geology.Majority of the footprints were made by sauropods and theropods. The sauropods
were long-necked and two metres tall. The theropods were also of the same size.
 ASPIRE (Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment) to test
supersonic parachute that will help its space exploration missions to land on Mars was
successfully conducted by NASA. The parachute was launched aboard of sounding rocket
from NASA‟s Wallops Flight Facility in US. It was tested in sky, mimicking conditions of
entering red planet. The test of ASPIRE was meant to mimic conditions that spacecraft will
experience during red planet entry, descent and landing (EDL).
 A MoU was signed between Indian Army with HDFC Bank on the Defence Salary Package.
This MoU will benefit large number of serving and retired Indian Army personnel who are
having their accounts with HDFC bank. It will also provide them an opportunity to access
modern banking facilities.
 The Hubble Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) has discovered the most distant star ever seen named 'Icarus'. This huge blue star
is located over halfway across the universe. It took nine billion years for the Icarus' light to
reach the Earth. The star was named as 'Icarus' after the Greek mythological character
who flew too near the Sun on wings of feathers and wax that melted.
 'SAHYOG- HYEOBLYEOG 2018'- the Indo-Korean joint anti-piracy exercise was
conducted on April 5, 2018 off the Chennai coast. This joint exercise is a part of a
proposed establishment of a MoU between the Coast Guards of India and Korea to
improve maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. As part of the exercise, ships of the
Indian Coast Guard and the Korean vessel undertook strategic exercises and drills to
counter piracy and carry out maritime law enforcement tasks. As a part of this exercise,
ships of the Indian Coast Guard and Korean Coast Guard ship „BADARO‟ jointly undertook

tactical manoeuvres and drills to counter piracy and carry out maritime law enforcement
tasks. Along with ICG Shaurya, C-423, C-431, Indian Coast Guard also deployed
a Dornier aircraft to carry out sea-air coordinated search.
 Indian Navy conducted multi-agency humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)
exercise named „Chakravat‟ meaning „cyclone‟ with coordination of Kerala Government off
Kochi Coast. The exercise saw participation of three Services, Coast Guard, State
administration, State Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF), Fisheries Department, Coastal Police and members of fishing community. It is for
the first time that the yearly exercise is being conducted in Kochi. The mandate of exercise
was to review response mechanism in the event of a cyclonic storm. It was led by the
Southern Naval Command at BTP Jetty of the Cochin Port.
 A 10-member committee to regulate online portals, including news websites, entertainment
sites and media aggregators has constituted by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting (I&B). The committee will look to bring online information dissemination under
regulation. It will propose policy for foreign direct investment (FDI) in this media.
 A team of researchers have identified certain DNA variants for a new effective treatment of
the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the intestinal disorder. Irritable bowel syndrome is the
most common gastrointestinal disorder. More than 10 percent of the population,
particularly women, suffer from recurrent symptoms including abdominal pain, gas,
diarrhoea, and constipation.
 Gaganshakti 2018, biggest air combat exercise along Pakistan, China borders between
April 10 to 23, 2018 is going to conduct by Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise is aimed at
coordinating operations, maintenance and administrative responses to achieve stated
objectives of IAF, in case of any contingency. Though it is IAF centric exercise, it will also
be executed keeping in mind “Joint Operational Doctrine” so that requirements of other
services are also met.
 IRSO‟s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) was successfully launched the RH-300
MKII sounding rocket from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala under Sounding Rocket Experiment (SOUREX) programme
for atmospheric studies. The objective of experiment is to measure neutral wind in dynamo
region (80-120 km) of equatorial ionosphere using indigenously developed Electron Den
sity and Neutral Wind Probe (ENWi). It will also perform cross-validation using an
independent Tri Methyl Aluminium (TMA) release technique. It was overall 21st launch of
RH300 sounding rocket.

 The fourth of eight Mark IV LCU vessels – L54, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata was formally handed over to Indian Navy at GRSE,
Kolkata. L54 is 62.8 meters long and 11 meters wide and has 90% indigenous content. It is
fitted with 2 MTU 16V 4000 M 53 marine Diesel Engines each fitted with one Fixed Pitch
Propeller generating 2 X 1840 KW power. It is fitted with 2 X CRN-91 indigenous 30mm
Guns, 4 X MMG and 2 X HMG to provide artillery fire support during attack missions. The
first ship of Mark IV LCU vessels INS LCU 51 was commissioned into Indian Navy in 2016.
Moreover, two more LCU ships L52 & L53 have been already delivered to Indian Navy.
The Mark IV LCU vessels are a further improved version of the Mark III LCU vessels
presently being used by the Indian Navy.
 „Sahyog-Hyeoblyeog 2018‟- India, South Korea joint anti-piracy, search and rescue
exercise was conducted in Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast in Tamil Nadu. The
exercise was conducted between Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Korean Coast Guard
(KCG) as part of proposed establishment of MoU between them to improve maritime
security in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The exercise aimed at developing working level co-
operation and enhanced inter-operability between coast guards of both countries in fields
of maritime search and rescue.
 As per a report by Open Signal( London based company), Patna has ranked No.1 among
20 largest cities in India in terms of 4G availability. It is placed ahead of cities like Delhi,
Mumbai and even Bengaluru, which is considered a tech hub of India.
 “Desert Tiger 5”- joint military exercise between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Malaysia which aimed at sharing expertise and enhancing joint military actions in Dubai,
UAE was concluded . It was aimed at improving combat readiness, raising combat
efficiency and enhance interoperability of the ground forces of both the countries.
 IHHC (India Home Health Care) has become the first home health care company to create
a dedicated ICU simulation lab to train nursing staff, at its Bengaluru facility. The ICU
simulation lab recreates real-life scenarios through patient simulators, digitalised video,
computer charting, electronic supply, static mannequins, etc. Through this, IHHC will
introduce critical care at home services. IHHC customers can now enjoy enhanced care
service in the comfort of their homes.
 The-counter sale of 14 steroid creams to prevent indiscriminate sale of ointments
containing steroids and antibiotics without prescription was banned by the Union Health
and Family Welfare Ministry. The decision was taken following consultation with Drugs
Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). These 14 preparations were included under Schedule H

of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to impose the ban. It also had submitted their
recommendations to Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO). Schedule H
is a class of prescription drugs listed under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 which
governs manufacture and sale of all drugs in India. These are drugs cannot be purchased
over counter without prescription of qualified doctor. It is revised time to time on advice of
DTAB.
 Four kingfisher bird species thriving were recently identified in Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in
Andhra Pradesh. They are Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), White-throated Kingfisher
(Halcyon smyrnensis), Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileate) and Common Kingfisher
(Alcedo atthis). In India, 12 species of kingfisher bird can be sighted. The four sighted in
sanctuary are wetland dependents.
 A new class of antibiotics called odilorhabdins or ODLs that fights drug resistance have
been discovered by the researchers. It was produced by symbiotic bacteria found in soil-
dwelling nematode worms that colonise insects for food.
 The humanity‟s first mission Parker Solar Probe (PSP) to the Sun in July 31, 2018 is going
to launch by NASA. It is NASA‟s first planned robotic spacecraft to study outer corona of
Sun. It has been designed and built by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics
Laboratory. It is named after solar astrophysicist Eugene Parker, first spacecraft of NASA
to be named after living person. It is undergoing final preparations for its scheduled launch
on board of NASA‟s Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
After its launch, the probe will orbit directly through solar atmosphere — the corona —
closer to surface than any human-made object has ever gone.
 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on April 9, 2018 mooted an ambitious model
of a public Wi-Fi grid that aims to slash Internet access cost by 90 per cent and push
broadband proliferation in India. TRAI Chairman RS Sharma stated that the regulator's
concept involves Public Data Office Providers (PDOs) - much like PCOs that galvanised
connectivity. The PDOs will be companies or even small merchants, interested in providing
Wi-Fi hotspots to the public using either free or paid model.
 The first group of China's Yaogan-31 remote sensing satellites was launched into space on
April 10, 2018. The satellites were carried by a Long March-4C rocket, the 271st mission
for the Long March rocket family. The mission also sent a micro nanotechnology
experiment satellite into orbit. The satellites will be used for electromagnetic environment
surveys and other related technology tests. China launched the first „Yaogan; series
satellite, Yaogan-1, in 2006.

 Gagan-shakti (An all-encompassing war exercise) was launched by the Indian Air Force on
April 8, 2018. The two-week long exercise would conclude on April 22. During the exercise,
Indian Air Force will put into force its entire machinery to validate its concept of operations
and war waging capability. This exercise aimed at coordinating operations, maintenance
and administrative responses to achieve the stated objectives of the Indian Air Force, in
case of any contingency. The main aim of the exercise is real time coordination,
deployment and employment of air power in a short and intense battle scenario.
 Scientists have successfully completed the first test drive of a DNA „unicycle‟ – a tiny
machine made of genetic material powered by chemical energy that could perform directed
movements. The tiny vehicle is only 30 nanometers in size. Fuel is given by the protein “T7
RNA polymerase”, as per study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany and the University of Michigan in the
US used structures made of DNA nano rings to make the vehicle. The two rings are linked
like a chain. This enzyme is coupled to the ring that serves as an engine. It synthesizes an
RNA strand based on the DNA sequence. It uses the chemical energy released during this
process for the rotational movement of the DNA ring. This ever-expanding RNA thread,
which comes from the engine as a waste product, is used to keep the tiny vehicle on its
path by using markings on a DNA-nanotube track.
 ISRO is going to launch first privately built satellite IRNSS-1L, the backup navigation
satellite with a new atomic clock. The satellite has been developed by a consortium of mid
and small sized firms led by Bengaluru-based aerospace firm Alpha Design Technologies
under the guidance of ISRO. The satellite will be launched from Sriharikota by the home-
grown polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) rocket.
 ISRO has successfully launched IRNSS-1I navigation satellite from Sriharikota in Andhra
Pradesh. It is overall eighth satellite to join ISRO‟s NavIC navigation satellite constellation.
It replaced IRNSS-1A, the first of seven navigation satellites of IRNSS series that was
rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed. The satellite was launched
on board of PSLV-C41 (height of 44.4 meters and weight of 321 tonnes) after the normal
lift-off and was successfully placed in the designated orbit. It was overall 20th flight of
PSLV-XL version and 41st successful mission of total 43 of PSLV. IRNSS-1I was made by
Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with ISRO. It was ISRO‟s
second attempt to send replacement satellite. The previous mission of a PSLV carrying
IRNSS-1H in August 2017 failed after the heat shield covering satellite failed to separate in
space after the launch.

 The first of its kind 5G lab in the country has been set-up at Bharti School of
Telecommunication Technology and Management which was installed by IIT-Delhi. It is a
Massive Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) lab on campus for standardisation, R&D
and manufacturing of 5G equipment. The lab will serve as 5G base station prototype that
will be used to test and verify algorithms and also develop complete 5G base station. It will
help in manufacturing of 5G base stations in India with support and collaboration from
industry. It will also be instrumental in generating skilled manpower in this technology. 5G
is wireless communication technology based on third-generation partnership project
(3GPP). It is next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks. The 5G
wireless technology will offer far greater upload and download speed i.e. 100 times faster
internet data speed than current 4G networks.
 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 11, 2018 permitted the marketing of
the first medical device to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect greater than a mild level of
the eye disease diabetic retinopathy in diabetic adults. Diabetic retinopathy, the most
common cause of vision loss for people living with diabetes, occurs when high levels of
blood sugar lead to damage in the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in
the back of the eye. The device, called IDx-DR, is a software programme that uses an AI
algorithm to analyse images of the eye taken with a retinal camera called the Topcon
NW400. If the images are of the desired quality, the software will provide the doctor with
one of the two results, either "more than mild diabetic retinopathy detected: refer to an eye
care professional" or "negative for more than mild diabetic retinopathy: re-screen in 12
months."
 Boeing India subsidiary of US aerospace manufacturer Boeing, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
(HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems entered into agreement to manufacture fighter
aircraft F/A-18 Super Hornet in India. The partnership comes in backdrop of stiff
competition between global aerospace companies looking to secure $15 billion (Rs. 97,950
crore) deal to sell 110 fighter jets to India. Three companies exchanged Memorandum of
Agreement (MoA) for Make in India fighter at on-going „DefExpo‟ in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
 Global networking giant Cisco on April 12, 2018 launched the „Blueprint for Digital
Education‟ to skill students in technologies like Big Data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
and Cyber Security during the Cisco „Digital Education Summit‟ at the Indian School of
Business (ISB), Hyderabad. The blueprint will allow colleges and universities to facilitate
students to learn anywhere with Cisco Connected Classroom solutions It will help colleges

and universities to create an integrated digital environment that meets the high
expectations of the industry.
 China has introduced China Science and Technology Cloud (CSTC) to provide scientists
with accessible, accurate and secure data services to promote research and innovation.
China Science and Technology Cloud (CSTC) has been developed by the Computer
Network Information Centre of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. CSTC obtains data from
the academy‟s research institutes and major scientific installations, and many Chinese top
universities and private innovation centres.
 Babur Weapon System-1 (B), an enhanced version of indigenously-built Babur cruise
missile was test fired successfully by Pakistan. It is an unmanned self-propelled (till the
time of impact) guided missile. The missile has been named after the first Mughal emperor
Babur. It can deliver conventional and non-conventional weapons with range of 700
kilometres (brings many important Indian cities within its range.). It is low-flying, terrain-
hugging missile, which carries certain stealth features, making it important force multiplier
for Pakistan‟s strategic deterrence.
 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled beta version of portal
(www.tariff.trai.gov.in) to enable consumers see tariffs of different TSPs (telecom service
providers) and different Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) at single place. The portal‟s beta
version (now available only for Delhi circle) shows regular tariffs, special tariff vouchers,
promotional tariffs and value-added service packs among others. The portal will not only
benefit consumers but also help other stakeholders do a comparative analysis.
 A new 3D conic device that can greatly increase the solar-thermal conversion efficiency
named as „Artificial Transpiration‟ have developed by a team of Chinese scientists led by Zhu
Jia. This device is inspired by the transpiration process of trees. The device is fixed with a
special 1D water path which can reduce the energy loss in conduction. As 10 to 50 percent of
sunlight is diffusive, the cone structure of the device could collect more sunlight throughout the
day, compared with a flat device.
 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of „Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses‟
with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology, world‟s first contact lens that automatically
darkens when exposed to bright light. It is first of its kind contact lens that incorporates same
technology that is used in eyeglasses that automatically darken in the sun.These contact lens
are indicated for daily use to correct vision of people with non-diseased eyes who are
nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic).

 A group of researchers recently developed a plastic-eating enzyme, which can be used to fight
one of the world‟s biggest pollution problems. The discovery was made by the researchers
from Britain's University of Portsmouth and the US Department of Energy's National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) while examining the structure of a natural enzyme that
was found in a waste recycling centre a few years ago in Japan.The enzyme - Ideonella
sakaiensis 201-F6, is able to eat polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which was patented as
plastic in the 1940s.
 A team of scientists has recently discovered that Indian mosquito, when contaminated with the
Zika Virus (ZIKV), can transmit the infection to suckling mice. The study demonstrated that
how the Indian Aedes Aegypti mosquito, known for infecting people with dengue and
chikungunya, is vulnerable to the Zika virus. As part of the study, mosquitoes were
experimentally infected with Zika virus (African Strain MR-766) through the oral-feeding route.
 China will launch Fengyun-II 09 satellite, a new meteorological satellite, in 2018 to enhance its
weather forecasting capabilities. The satellite will be launched from Xichang Satellite Launch
Centre in Sichuan Province of China. The Fengyun satellites are a series of remote-sensing
meteorological satellites developed by China. Fengyun-I and Fengyun-III are polar orbiting
weather satellites. Fengyun-II and Fengyun-IV function in geostationary orbit. The Fengyun-II
09 satellite is the last in the Fengyun-II series. It will collect meteorological, maritime, and
hydrological data to help weather forecast in China and neighbouring regions.
 World‟s top 34 technology and securities firms, led by Microsoft and Facebook, have signed a
"Cyber-security Tech Accord", a watershed agreement among the largest-ever group of
companies agreeing to defend people from malicious attacks by cybercriminals and nation-
states. The Cyber-security Tech Accord agreement will prevent them help governments launch
cyber attacks against innocent citizens and enterprises. It will also protect against tampering or
exploitation of their products and services through every stage of technology development,
design and distribution.
 The launch of India‟s second lunar mission „Chandrayaan-2‟ has postponed from April 2018 to
October-November 2018 by ISRO. Chandrayaan 2 is India‟s second mission to Moon and is
advanced version of previous Chandrayaan-1 mission (launched in 2008). It has been
developed indigenously by ISRO. It is ISRO‟s first inter-planetary mission to land rover on any
celestial body. The spacecraft (orbiter) weighs around 3,290 kg and it will orbit around moon
and perform objectives of remote sensing moon.
 „Smart Health‟- an innovative mobile app to enable „ASHA‟ community health workers track the
growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes in the rural areas was

developed by the researchers. The health workers will be trained to identify people suffering
from diabetes or are at high risk of the disease in the rural communities.ASHAs will then offer
them lifestyle and diet advice and refer them to a doctor for drug treatment.
 Reliance Jio topped the charts of 4G availability and was able to provide an LTE signal more
than 95 per cent of the time to testers in every single region in India as per the London-based
OpenSignal. Airtel emerged as the clear leader in OpenSignal's speed metrics across 4G
providers in the country.Vodafone had the fastest mobile data connection response times and
it got both 3G and 4G latency awards with the lowest ping scores.
 Indian Scientists have discovered world‟s first ayurvedic drug to cure dengue which is likely to
be available in market by 2019.
 Cyber security Tech Accord to work together on cybersecurity issues was signed by 34
leading global technology firms including Facebook, Microsoft, HP, ARM, Cisco, and Oracle.
Under it,signatory companies have agreed to collaborate on stronger defence systems, no
offensive cyberattacks, and protect against tampering of their products, capacity building and
collective action. The participant companies view Tech Accord as Digital Geneva Convention.
 Transiting Exo planet Survey Satellite (TESS), a new planet-hunting spacecraft onboard of
SpaceX‟s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Carnival, Florida, US was launched by NASA. The TESS
mission is led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology‟s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and
Space Research. It is designed to find potential planets orbiting stars close to Earth. The
primary mission objective of TESS is to survey brightest stars near Earth for transiting
exoplanets over two-year period. TESS has no instruments capable of detecting life. Its main
job is to find and characterize planets that will become main targets of future telescopes.
 Two small potent molecules Pep-I and Pep-II, for their inhibitory activity to treat Chikungunya
disease have identified by the researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee.
Currently, there are no drugs to treat chikungunya or any vaccine to prevent it. The antiviral
activity of these molecules was so high that their small amount was able to achieve almost
99% reduction in virus. Pep-I molecule was very efficient in killing the virus, 99% reduction in
virus at 5 microMolar and Pep-II molecule showed reduced antiviral activity of only 50% even
at a higher concentration of about 200 microMolar.
 In order to remove sulphur from fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal, the Scientists from
CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) have found four bacterial
strains. The four bacterial strains are Rhodococcus rhodochrous, Arthrobacter sulfureou,
Gordonia rubropertinita and Rhodococcus erythropolis. It was found that four bacteria were
able to use almost 99% of sulphur compound in just 10 days. Researchers were also able to

identify process of bio-desulfurization of these bacterial strains through specific pathway (4-S
pathway). Sulphur is one of the major pollutants emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels.
 Scientists have identified signs of the presence of life about 1300 feet below ground in a
massive cave in Italy, a discovery that may help detect life on other planets like Mars.
Researchers explored the microbiology and geochemistry of the Frasassi Caves in central
Italy and found variations in the isotopic content of atoms in the mineral gypsum, which is a
weathering product of the cave's formation. This isotopic variation, in combination with other
data, indicates that life played an active role in producing the gypsum.
 For the past couple of years, NASA has been partnering with Fairchild Tropical Botanic
Gardens in Miami, Florida, to encourage student interest in science, technology, engineering
and math, or STEM. Not only scientists with advanced degrees but students are also helping
NASA decide what crops to grow in space to expand food options and increase plant diversity.
NASA partners with The Fairchild Challenge, an annual standards-based environmental
outreach programme which reaches more than 125,000 students annually, to help determine
which edible plants might be suitable for growth in microgravity aboard the International Space
Station (ISS) in the vegetable growth chamber. Using equipment that mimics the
environmental conditions aboard the ISS, students test factors that may influence plant growth,
flavour and nutrition. NASA will use students' data to determine which plants to begin growing
in space.
 In a bid to boost defence cooperation with the friendly countries, the Union Government is
planning to gift obsolete weaponry that can be refurbished at minimal cost. Specific military
platforms being looked under this proposal are artillery guns, armoured vehicles, helicopters,
naval patrol vehicles and radar systems that are obsolete or nearing obsolescence. Fulfilling
the requests of these countries will open way for deeper strategic engagement with these
countries. It will also pave way for long-lasting partnership.
 „Sagar Kavach‟- two-day coastal security exercise to strengthen and assess the loopholes in
the coastal security mechanism was held along Kerala coast. The objective of the exercise
was to provide seamless seaward cover along coast by all concerned security agencies from
coastal belt area to limit of territorial waters i.e. 12 nautical miles. The exercise saw
participation of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy, Coastal Police and Marine
Enforcement wing and various other security stakeholders. It saw participation of three ships of
India Navy, 10 of ICG, four fishing boats, besides 20 coastal police stations from Vizhinjam to
Kasaragod.

 World‟s smallest land fern named Malvi‟s adder‟s-tongue fern (Ophioglossum malviae) have
discovered by the researchers inAhwa forests of Western Ghats in Gujarat‟s Dang district.The
fingernail-sized fern belongs to group known as adder‟s-tongue ferns, named after their
resemblance to snake‟s tongue. Its size is just one centimetre (the most similar adder‟s-tongue
fern is 10 cm tall). Its minuscule seeds (called spores) has unique thick outer layer which is not
present in similar species. It is differed from similar ferns in not just size but also in other
complex fern features too.
 NASA will start work on its Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway by early 2019 when it will award
the first contract for the program. The lunar platform will be NASA's planned „staging‟ area for
studies of the moon and the deep-space environment. It will eventually also function as a
gateway space station for Astronauts travelling to and from Mars.
 HARIMAU SHAKTI 2018- a Bilateral joint training exercise between India and Malaysia will be
conducted as part of ongoing defence cooperation between both countries.in the dense
forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia from 30 April 18 to 13 May 2018. This is the
first instance wherein a joint training exercise of this magnitude involving Indian and Malaysian
soldiers is being organized on Malaysian. Soil. In this bilateral military exercise, Indian
contingent is being represented by 4 GRENADIERS, one of the oldest infantry battalions
having rich operational experience in conventional as well as counter insurgency warfare.
Malaysian contingent is being represented by soldiers from 1 Royal Ranjer Regiment and
Royal Malay Regiment, known for their experience in Jungle Warfare. The exercise aims at
bolstering cooperation and coordination between armed forces of both nations. It also seeks to
share expertise of both contingents in conduct of counter insurgency operations in jungle
terrain.
 The Indian Navy has inducted Landing Craft Utility (LCU) INLCU L53 at Port Blair. LCU L53
MK-IV ship is amphibious ship with displacement of 830 Tons and can sail through sea at
speed of 15kt. It is capable of carrying 160 troops and transporting 145 tons of military
equipment including combat equipment such as Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun, T72 and
other Armoured Vehicles. LCU L53 is the third ship in series of eight Mark IV LCU vessels built
and designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for Navy. The
first ship of the series was commissioned in 2016. The ship will based in Andaman and
Nicobar Command and will help Indian Navy in carrying out multi-role activities, such as
beaching operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), search and rescue
and supply and replenishment of distant islands.

 Fejervarya goemchi - a new species of frog have identified in the highland plateaus of the
Western Ghats parts of Goa. It has been named after state of Goa where the species is
discovered.
 Bhabha Kavach, a next-generation bulletproof jacket that is cheaper, lightweight has
developed by the Bhabha Atomic Reseach Centre (BARC), The jacket was developed at
BARC‟s Trombay centre in Mumbai in response to request from Ministry of Home Affairs and
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It has been named after Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, father of
Indian nuclear programme. Bhabha Kavach is made of boron carbide and carbon nanotube
polymer composite and weighs just 6.6 kg. The materials used in it reduce weight by nearly
50% as compared to presently used heavy steel-armoured jackets that weigh between 10kg to
17kg. It has passed over 30 tests carried out by certified agencies. These materials have been
indigenously developed at BARC and are spin-off from nuclear technology.
 The first ever mock exercise was conducted by the National Disaster Response Authority
(NDMA) which is aimed at enhancing preparedness of Airport Emergency Handlers (AEHs) to
respond to CBRN emergencies at airports. CBRN emergencies pertain to threats emanating
due to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear material. The exercise was based on
suspected Ebola outbreak scenario. The mock drills with simulated situations of biological
disasters are conducted by NDRF regularly to fine tune response mechanism in case of
threats arising out of usage of biological agents.
 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved Capital Acquisition Proposals of the
services valued at over Rs 3687 crore. DAC approved procurement of DRDO‟s designed and
developed NAG Missile System (NAMIS) at the cost of Rs 524 crore. The DAC also approved
procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for the Navy. The guns will enable naval ships to
provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land.
 Indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas successfully fired Derby air-to-air
beyond visual range missile (BVRM) off the Goa coast. Derby is short to medium range BVR
Air-to-Air missile. It is a dual-use missile (air-to-air and surface-to-air).It is developed jointly by
Israeli armament development agency Rafael and Israel Aircraft Industries MBT. It has
maximum effective range of about 50 km. The missile weighs around 118 kg light and is 3.8
metres long. Its weight allows it to be adapted to various modern fighter aircraft.

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Economy:
1. India became the second largest mobile phone producer I the world after China as per the
claim made by ICA ( Indian Cellular Association) . with 11 million units produced in the year
2017, India replaced Vietnam which is in the second position. Fast Track Task Force (
FTTF) , a body under MeitY has set a target to achieve around 500 million mobile phone
production in India by 2019.
2. The e-way Bill System for Inter-State movement of goods across the country is being
introduced from April 1, 2018 as per previous decision of GST council,The e-way bill will
apply to inter-state transportation of goods worth over Rs. 50,000 through road, railways,
airways and vessels. From this date, the businesses and transporters moving goods worth
over Rs. 50,000 from one state to another will have to carry an electronic or e-way.bill. E-
way bill is an electric document generated on the GST Portal, which is a common and

shared information technology (IT) infrastructure between the Centre and States; and acts
as evidence for movement of goods.
3. A record amount of Rs 71, 633.45 crore was digitally transacted through the Public
Financial Management System (PFMS) portal. PFMS is implemented by the Controller
General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance. It acts as a platform for management of funds
through tracking of funds and real time reporting of expenditure and receipts through
treasury and bank interface. The total number of transactions through the PFMS portal was
98,19,026 on 28th March 2018. This has created a record in number of digital transactions
processed in a single day. It is also used for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments under
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and other
notified schemes of the government.
4. The subscriber base of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) stood at 97.05 lakh at end of 2017-18
fiscal. It was lower than target of 1 crore set by pension regulator PFRDA according to
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). APY was launched in
June 2015 with aim to provide affordable universal access to essential social security
protection to unorganized work force of country, which makes major chunk of labour force
(88%). It had replaced earlier government-backed pension Swavalamban scheme targeted
at the unorganised sector.
5. India was ranked 37th out of 125 countries in global startup ecosystem in 2017 according
to report released by global startup ecosystem map Startupblink. Top 5 Countries in Global
startup ecosystem in 2017 are United States (1st), United Kingdom (2nd), Canada (3rd),
Israel (4th) and Germany (5th).
6. A 10% duty on imports of key smartphone components such as populated printed circuit
boards (PCBs), camera modules and connectors has been imposed by the Central Bureau
of Excise and Customs (CBEC) under Finance Ministry. At present there is zero import
duty imposed on the three components. This move will make imports of components
expensive while giving stimulus to local manufacturing under Make in India program.
7. SEBI (The Securities Exchange Board of India) has relaxed algorithm trading norms at
commodity derivatives exchanges. It has raised limit of trading using algorithm trading
process up to 100 orders per second by user from the existing limit of 20 orders per
second. The decision was taken after receiving representations from exchanges along with
views of SEBI‟s subcommittee- Commodity Derivatives Advisory Committe.

8. The eight core infrastructure sectors grew by 5.3% in February 2018 released by Ministry
of Commerce and Industry. In India, there are eight core sectors comprising of coal, crude
oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity.
9. The GST Council delegated its powers to an IT Grievance Redressal Committee to
approve and recommend the steps to be taken to redress the grievance and provide relief
to the taxpayer on April 4, 2018. The relief could be in the nature of allowing filing of any
Form or Return prescribed in law or amending any Form or Return already filed. However,
this mechanism will not be available to the individual taxpayer who face problems like poor
internet connectivity or failure of power supply.
10. The digital initiatives by Export Inspection Council (EIC) for ease of export were launched
by the Union Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation Minister, Suresh Prabhu on April
03, 2018. In order to continue the vision for credible inspection and certification and to
strengthen the confidence on Indian produce, three portals have been developed to reduce
transaction time and cost in a transparent manner.
11. Jio Payments Bank Limited has commenced operations as a payments bank with effect
from April 3, 2018. Jio Payments Bank is a 70:30 joint venture between Mukesh Ambani-
led Reliance Industries and the State Bank of India (SBI). In November 2016, Airtel
Payment Bank became the first entity to commence operations as Payments Bank. Paytm
Payments Bank and Fino Payments Bank commenced operations in 2017.India Post
Payments Bank, which also got a license for a payment bank is yet to start its full-fledged
operations in a formal way.
12. IndusInd Bank announced that it has launched a pilot WhatsApp enterprise solution to
communicate with its customers. The customers of IndusInd Bank will now be able
to check balance, obtain mini statement, check reward points as well as update of
Aadhaar through WhatsApp. There will be a two-way communication with replies to
customer messages seeking basic banking services.
13. Indian Bank has introduced Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and has
launched „Bharat QR‟ facility. „Bharat QR‟ is a mobile payment collection scheme to accept
digital payments. Using this scheme, a merchant will receive Bharat QR sticker. This will
enable customers to make payments through the QR facility. Merchants should place the
stickers at the shop. Customers can scan that and pay through any digital transaction
mode. The facility was being used for NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
transactions in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, at present.

14. MakeMyTrip Limited, and Flipkart announced that they have entered into a partnership
regarding online bookings in the travel segment on 5th April,2018. Various brands of
MakeMyTrip like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and redBus, will utilize the customer base of
Flipkart to increase online travel bookings. Initially, domestic flight booking will be made
available in Flipkart, which will be launched soon. Later hotel booking and bus ticket
booking will also be made available on Flipkart.
15. India has become the ninth most affected country in the world and second most affected
country in Asia-Pacific Japan region in cryptojacking activities, as per the „Internet Security
Threat Report‟ presented by Symantec, a security solutions provider. The secret use of a
computing device to mine cryptocurrency with the use of malware is called Cryptojacking.
Cryptojacking increased by 8,500% throughout the world in 2017.
16. India emerged as third most vulnerable country in terms of risk of cyber threats, such as
malware, spam and ransomware in 2017 according to recently published Internet Security
Threat Report. The global threat ranking of countries was based on 8 metrics viz. malware,
spam, bots, phishing, network attacks, web attacks, ransomware and cryptominers. India
has moved up by one place over previous year.
17. India has overtaken Japan to become world‟s second largest producer of crude steel in
February 2018 according to Steel Users Federation of India (SUFI). Earlier in 2015, India
had overtaken US to become third largest producer of crude steel. China is the largest
producer of crude steel in the world, accounting for more than 50% of the production.
18. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its first bimonthly policy review for financial year 2018-
19 has decided to maintain status quo in policy rates by keeping repo rate unchanged at
6.0%. This decision was taken by RBI‟s six member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel.
19. UTTAM (Unlocking Transparency by Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal) Application
for coal quality monitoring was launched by the ministry of coal. The app has been jointly
developed by Ministry of Coal and Coal India Limited (CIL). The app has been designed for
active participation of citizens as stakeholders in the coal ecosystem. The app aims to
ensure transparency and efficiency in coal quality monitoring process and bring coal
governance closer to people. The app has been designed for active participation of citizens
as stakeholders in the coal ecosystem.
20. Central banks around world are exploring options of introducing „fiat‟ digital currencies in
landscape of rapidly changing payments industry with technological evolution. Fiat
currency is currency that a government has declared to be legal tender. It is different from

cryptocurrency or virtual currency like Bitcoin which is not legal tender and not backed by
government. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted an inter-departmental group
to study and provide guidance on feasibility to introduce fiat digital currency backed by it. It
will be submitted by end-June 2018.
21. A 5-member working group (committee) headed by Pragya Sahay Saksena, a joint
secretary with Foreign Tax & Tax Research Division of CBDT has constituted by the
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to examine taxation aspects related to High Net
Worth Individuals (HNWIs) who are migrating abroad to other jurisdictions. The working
group will make recommendations for policy decision in respect of tax risks of migrating
HNWIs.
22. The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) will provide loans worth about US $4.5 billion
(Rs 29,200 crore) to Bangladesh for financing of various social and infrastructure projects.
In this regard, Exim Bank has entered into agreement with Bangladesh Government in
October 2017 to extend this line of credit (LoC) facility on behalf of Government of India
(GoI). Bangladesh will also use this financing facility to import consultancy services from
India.
23. The adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) by commercial banks for year (till
April 2019) due to unpreparedness of banks to migrate to the new accounting system has
deferred by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Ind AS is global accounting practice that
lender is mandated to adopt. The practice is on par with International Financial Reporting
Standard (IFRS) 9.
24. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed concept of open
architecture-based public Wi-Fi grid to bring down the cost of internet by 90%. The Wi-Fi
grid or mesh proposed by TRAI entails various providers coming together to address
aspects like services, access, payment, and authentication. It is much needed as
broadband proliferation across country.It is important pillar of Digital India and Wi-Fi serves
as cheapest option given low cost of equipment and free spectrum.
25. Reserve Bank of India decided to set up Data Sciences Lab to improve its forecasting,
surveillance and early warning detection abilities. The lab will comprise experts and
budding analysts, who are trained in Computer Science, Data Analytics, Statistics,
Economics, Econometrics and Finance.The lab is likely to become operational by
December 2018.
26. A nationwide GOBARdhan Yojna, a central government scheme will be launched by the
union govt from Karnal district of Haryana by end of April 2018. GOBAR is acronym for

Galvanising Organic Bio Agro Resources. The government aims to cover nearly 700
districts under the scheme in this financial year (2018-19). The scheme focuses on
managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste from farms and fields to useful
compost, biogas and bio-CNG. It will also help in keeping villages clean and generate
energy while increasing income of farmers and cattle herders.
27. The Global Logistics Summit (GLS-2018) organised by Department of Commerce, Ministry
of Commerce & Industry along with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &
Industry (FICCI) and World Bank Group to improve logistics and connectivity which are
vital for increasing intra-state and international trade flows was held in New Delhi from April
5-6, 2018. The sector involves transportation, material handling, warehousing, packaging,
shipping security, inventory management, and supply chain management, procurement,
and customs service. India spends around 14.4% of its GDP on logistics and transportation
sector. It provided platform to hold discussions for global experts, academics, government
officials and private sector and industry representatives.
28. ICICI Bank (India‟s largest private sector lender) became first Indian bank to go live on
SWIFT‟s (Society for World Interbank Financial Telecommunication System) Global
Payment Innovation (GPI), an improved cross-border payments service. It improves
customer experience by increasing speed, transparency and automatically provides status
updates to all GPI banks involved in any GPI payment chain. It allows banks to confirm
when payment has been completed. SWFIT GPI was launched in May 2017 to help banks
to track their global transactions at all times, keeping full vigil on payments activity.
29. NITI Aayog is planning to build National Data & Analytics Platform (NDAP) to host and
analyse huge amount of data which shall be helpful for citizens to understand spend
patterns of the government, consumption trends and the success of various government
policies. The Objective behind developing this platform is to increase transparency in
government functioning by giving citizens access to this data. NDAP will use artificial
intelligence (AI) for in-depth analysis. Cost of developing NDAP could between Rs 50 crore
to Rs 100 crore and would entirely be funded by NITI Aayog. NDAP will be developed
through public-private partnership on design, build, operate and transfer basis.
30. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched three „Internet of Things‟ (IoT)-based customer
service initiatives on a pilot basis at one of its branch in Chennai, Tamil Nadu as part of its
„Customer First‟ initiative. First initiative is a sound pressure level meter placed at the
branch service counter with a configured average decibel level. Whenever the sound at this
counter crosses the average threshold, the system sends an alert to the branch

manager as well as the designated official at the regional office, on a real-time basis.
Second initiative is to provided a tablet containing a web responsive application to
customers visiting the branch. Visiting customers can submit their feedback through this
application which also has „Happy‟ and „Unhappy‟ emoticons. The feedback will be
monitored by a team of dedicated customer service representatives. Third initiative is
a „Missed Call Feedback‟ system wherein customers can give a missed call on the
dedicated mobile numbers in case of grievances.
31. Ganga Hariteema Yojana (also known as Ganga Greenery scheme) was launched by Uttar
Pradesh Government in 27 districts of the state located on the bank of river Ganga. It was
launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a function organised on bank of Sangam the
confluence of rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. The scheme aims at
enhancing green cover in catchment areas of river Ganga and control land erosion. Under
it tree plantation will be carried out in 1Km areas from banks of river. General people will
also be encouraged for tree plantation on their private lands under „One Person One Tree‟
slogan.The scheme will be carried out by September 16, 2018 which is observed as Ozone
Day.
32. The Reserve Bank of India switched back to gross domestic product (GDP) model from the
gross value added (GVA) methodology to provide its estimate of economic activity in the
country. The switch to GDP is mainly to conform to international standards and global best
practices. The GVA methodology gives picture of state of economic activity from producers‟
side or supply side whereas the GDP model gives picture from consumer‟s side or demand
perspective. Government had started analysing growth estimates using GVA methodology
from January 2015 and had also changed the base year to 2018 from January 2018.
33. Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Central Government, hiked
the foreign portfolio investors (FPI) investment limit in Central government securities (G-
Sec). The FPI investment limit in G-Sec has been hiked from 5 per cent of outstanding
stock now to 5.5 per cent in Financial Year 2018-19 and 6 per cent in Financial Year 2020.
34. RBI under its Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework has placed 11 public sector
banks (PSBs) out of 21 State-owned banks because of deteriorating performance. Three-
four more PSBs are expected to be brought under PCA framework. PCA is process or
mechanism to ensure that banks don‟t go bust. Under it, RBI has put in place some trigger
points to assess, monitor, control and take corrective actions on banks which are weak and
troubled. Since PCA framework restricts amount of loans banks can extend, placing 11
PSBs under it will put pressure on credit being made available to companies especially

MSMEs. The 11 banks already under PCA framework are IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of
India (BoI), Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Dena Bank, Oriental Bank of
Commerce (OBC), Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), United Bank of India, Corporation Bank
and Allahabad Bank.
35. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
Gas in New Delhi. Under it gas connections will be distributed to identified beneficiary
women in the national capital. The scheme aims to empower women and protect their
health by shifting them from traditional cooking based on unclean cooking fuels or on fossil
fuels to clean cooking gas. In February 2018, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) had approved to enhance target base of PMUY from 5 crore to 8 crore. PMUY was
launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2016 with tagline of Swachh Indhan,
Behtar Jeevan. It is first social welfare scheme implemented by Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas.
36. SEBI will take action in a phased manner against more than 14,700 entities for non-
genuine trades through illiquid stock option segment. According to a SEBI order on April 5,
adjudication proceedings have been initiated against 567 entities involved in such trades in
the first phase. The market regulator came across violations by 14,720 entities while it was
probing 59 entities in a case related to alleged trading irregularities in stock options
segment of the BSE.
37. Pradhanmantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna ( PMKVY) was launched by Tripura Chief Minister
Biplab Kumar Deb in Agartala on April 7, 2018.Under this programme, the state aims to
achieve the target to provide training to more than 1 lakh 16,000 youths by 2020. Under it,
those who wish to start, especially the small-scale industries, will be provided land, other
assistance and security.The state government is also planning to promote industrialisation
based on pineapple, bamboo, rubber and jackfruit.The programme is expected to solve the
problem of unemployment prevailing in the state.
38. RInfra said that, it has obtained purchase order of Rs 1,081 crore for Common Services
System, Structure & Components (SSC) package and allied civil works of Unit -3 and 4 of
the Kudankulam project at Tirunelveli District. The contract comprises design, engineering,
supply, erection, testing and commissioning of SSC package and allied civil works on EPC
basis. This project will be commissioned in 56 months. The contract value is inclusive of
taxes and duties and also has imported component of USD 23.2 million.
39. Online cab aggregator platform Uber announced the launch of its new partner (driver) app
in India. The new app is more simple as compared to previous version, provides a

personalised experience, and has been designed to support Uber drivers on every moment
of their journey. Inputs collected by interacting with drivers via groups sessions, ride alongs
and in person meetings have been incorporated in the new Driver app.
40. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated that the Indian economy would expand by 7.3
% in fiscal year (FY) 2018 and 7.6 % in the next fiscal year on 11th April 2018. In
ADB‟s Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2018 report, it stated that the reduction in growth
to 6.6 % in FY2017 was partially due to demonetization. Also, issues related to Goods and
Services Tax (GST) disturbed operations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
and exporters.
41. The Index of Economic Freedom 2018 that measures the degree of economic freedom in
the countries of the world was released by top US based Think Tank, The Heritage
Foundation. India ranked 130th out of 186 economies in recently released Index. It ranks
countries based on score ranging 0 (least free) to 100 (most free). The score is based on
12 factors of economic freedom. Twelve factors for calculating score are: property rights,
government integrity, tax burden, judicial effectiveness, government spending, fiscal health,
business freedom, monetary freedom, labor freedom, trade freedom, investment freedom
and financial freedom. Top 10 countries are: Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand,
Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, Estonia, United Kingdom, Canada and UAE.
42. The World Bank has approved $55 million to expand the use of clean renewable energy in
rural areas of Bangladesh where grid electricity cannot reach easily. The project, including
the additional financing, will enable about 10 million people living in villages, shoals and
islands to access electricity and use energy efficient cooking stoves. The additional
financing to the Second Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development (RERED
II) Project will install 1,000 solar irrigation pumps, 30 solar mini-grids and about 4 million
improved cooking stoves in rural areas. The project has already built 10 solar mini-grids in
remote areas, including islands and shoals to provide grid-quality electricity.
43. Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth became World number 1 in men‟s singles category
after Badminton World Federation updated its weekly rankings on April 12, 2018. Srikanth
has now become the first Indian male shuttler to achieve the feat in modern ranking
system. He overtook World Champion Viktor Axelsen at the top of rankings with 76,895
points. He joins Saina Nehwal to become only the second Indian to achieve the feat.
44. The Day 8 of Commonwealth Games 2018: Wrestling legend Sushil Kumar and Rahul
Aware got gold medal matches, Babita Kumari opened India‟s wrestling account at the
games with silver in women's freestyle 53 kg and Kiran won bronze in women‟s freestyle

76 kg event. Indian shooter Tejaswini Sawant also added to India‟s medal tally by winning
silver in the finals of the women‟s 50m rifle prone.
45. The reporting norms for the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) have been tightened by
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The purpose of tightening of norms is to improve
monitoring and also to ensure compliance with LRS limit under which individual can
transfer up to US $2,50,000 abroad in a year.
46. The factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) had grown
7.1% in February 2017 according to data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The IIP is composite indicator that measures short-term changes in volume of production of
basket of industrial products during given period with respect to chosen base period. The
CSO had revised the base year of the IIP from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in May 2017 to capture
structural changes in economy and improves quality and representativeness of indices.
47. $140 million loan for project aimed at improving rural roads (connectivity) in Madhya
Pradesh was approved by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Project will
be co-financed with World Bank. It aims to improve rural road connectivity and
management for residents of about 5,640 villages who use the rural roads for daily
activities. It was approved at meeting of Board of Directors of AIIB recently held in Beijing,
China. It was approved at meeting of Board of Directors of AIIB recently held in Beijing,
China.
48. National E-Repository Limited (NERL), a group company of National Commodity and
Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), has empanelled ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank as
repository participants. As per the agreement, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank will offer pledge
finance against electronic negotiable warehousing receipts (eNWR) created on NERL‟s
repository platform for commodities stored in warehouses registered with Warehousing
Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA).These empanelment will boost the
repository ecosystem and will also be beneficial for stakeholders in reducing the turn-
around time in processing the loans and marking the pledge on the eNWR.
49. The intra-state e-way bill will come into effect on 20th April 2018 in Haryana. The e-way bill
is mandated for intra-state movement of goods also in Haryana. This was announced by
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the inaugural function of new building of
excise and taxation. He said the Haryana state government has been expanding e-
governance in a planned manner to create an easy and transparent work environment.
50. The E-Way Bill system for all inter-State movement of goods valued over Rs 50,000 was
rolled-out from 1st April 2018. At that time, Karnataka was only state which had rolled out e-

way bill system for intra-state movement of goods. The E-Way Bill system for Intra-State
movement of goods was rolled out in five more states-Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala,
Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. The roll-out of e-Way Bill system in these States will facilitate
trade and industry so far as the transport of goods is concerned. This will also help in paving
way for nation-wide single e-Way Bill system.
51. India is coordinating with China and other Asian countries to raise voice against Asian
premium charged by Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Asian
Premium is extra charge being collected by OPEC countries from Asian countries when selling
oil in comparison to western countries. India sources about 86% of crude oil, 75% of natural
gas and 95% of LPG from OPEC member nations. It has been voicing its dissent against this
discriminatory practice and has called for replacing Asian Premium with Asian Discount
(dividend).\
52. A loan Agreement with World Bank for IBRD loan of US $48 million for Meghalaya Community
– Led Landscapes Management Project (MCLLMP) has been signed by the Union
Government (Finance Ministry). The project aims to strengthen community-led landscapes
management in selected landscapes in Meghalaya by 2023. Meghalaya‟s natural resource
such as land, water sources and forests is source of livelihood for majority of state population.
It will help manage these depleting resources, by strengthening communities and traditional
institutions.
53. The first tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) for current fiscal (FY 2018-19) was launched
by the Union Government (Finance Ministry) in consultation with Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
It will be sold through banks, designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges namely
NSE and BSE and Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited( SHCIL). SGB Scheme is aimed
at providing alternative to buying physical gold. Under it, bonds are denominated in units of
one gram of gold and multiples thereof. These gold denominated bonds are restricted for sale
to resident Indian entities, including individuals, Hindu undivided families (HUF), trusts,
universities.and charitable institutions. The minimum subscription for individual and HUF is 1
gram and maximum is 4 kg. For trusts and similar entities, maximum subscription is 20 kg per
fiscal.
54. FIEO GlobalLinker, a digital platform for MSME exporters to digitise their businesses and join
global community of growing businesses has been developed by Federation of Indian Export
Organisations (FIEO).It was launched by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. FIEO
GlobalLinker aims to make the business growth of SMEs simpler, more profitable and
enjoyable.

55. Suzlon, a renewable solution provider, said that it has commissioned 626 MW of wind power
projects in 2017-18 (FY18), the highest installations by any firm in this fiscal year. Suzlon has
stated that, with this, Suzlon has gained a market share of 35 % despite an extremely
challenging year. Various obstacles were faced due to the shift from feed-in-tariff (FiT) to
bidding regime.
56. India is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018 and 7.8% in 2019 respectively according to the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO). It also held
that India will again emerge as world‟s fastest-growing major economy at least for the next two
years (2019 and 2020).
57. DARPAN-PLI application for seamless collection of premium for Postal Life Insurance (PLI)
and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) policies was launched under DARPAN ((Digital
Advancement of Rural Post Office for a New India) project by the Union Ministry of
Communications. With launch of this app, indexing of maturity claims of PLI and RPLI polices
can be done at Branch Post Office itself, upon which insurant will immediately be provided with
request number for further references. This will help in providing better after-sales service to
customers of PLI and RPLI, particularly those living in rural areas of country.
58. UIDAI has introduced updated „QR code‟ for offline Aadhaar verification to strengthen its
privacy measures during usage. The updated „QR code‟ will only reveal non-sensitive details
such as name, address, photo, and date of birth. The new QR code comes with photo and can
be used in offline mode to safeguard against any tampering of documents.
59. The NASSCOM (National Association of Software & Services Companies) and TechUK
launched new UK-India Tech Alliance. The alliance is aimed at increasing collaboration on
skills and new technologies, assisting policy development and encouraging innovation and lay
groundwork for roadmap which will be jointly presented in June 2018.
60. RBI norms on resolution of banks' Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) are outcome-oriented and
provide banks the flexibility on deciding the contours of resolution. As per the RBI's revised
framework on NPAs, banks are required to classify even a day's delay in paying loan
instalments as a default. The accumulated NPAs in the Indian banking system have crossed
the level of Rs 9 lakh crore.
61. The TRA Brand Trust Report 2018 stated that the State Bank of India is the most trusted bank
in the country and ICICI Bank topped the chart among the private ones. State Bank of India
topped the chart of Banking and Financial Services Institutions (BFSI) super-category, despite
witnessing a drop in its overall brand trust index rankings from 13th in 2017 to 21st this year.
The leader among the private banks is ICICI Bank with an overall 38th rank in 2018.Punjab

National Bank, which in February witnessed a multi-crore fraud, ranked 6th among the public
sector banks (PSB) and is 297th in the overall ranking.
62. India fetched 10th position in the index topped by the United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada
as per the 2018 Commonwealth Innovation Index, The Commonwealth Innovation Index has
been created in partnership with the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organisation
(WIPO) and its annual Global Innovation Index (GII). The index was launched on the sidelines
of the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) as part of a new
Commonwealth Innovation Hub. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will
conclude on April 20, 2018.
63. India is now the world‟s sixth largest economy at $2.6 trillion (interms of GDP), displacing
France according to International Monetary Fund‟s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO) for
April 2018. India is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018 and 7.8% in 2019, making it fastest
growing economy in the world. The five economies ahead are United States, China, Japan,
Germany and United Kingdom.
64. India‟s largest IT outsourcing company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) created history by
becoming the first Indian company to reach $100 billion market capitalisation (m-cap)
milestone. With this, TCS joined the ranks of the world‟s 100 most valued organizations and
now ranks 97th. TCS has also overtaken outsourcing and consultancy giant Accenture which
has market cap of $98.20 billion. TCS holds first position among most valuable international
pure play technology services firms.
65. India has retained top position as recipient of remittances with about $69 billion in 2017
according to recently released Migration and Development Brief by World Bank. India was
followed by China ($64 billion), Philippines ($33 billion), Mexico ($31 billion), Nigeria ($22
billion) and Egypt ($20 billion). Global remittances grew 7% to US $613 billion in 2017, from
US $573 billion in 2016. Global remittances are expected to grow 4.6% to $642 billion.
66. The central government on April 23, 2018 stated that five more states including Arunachal
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Puducherry will roll out intra-state e-way
bills from April 25. Earlier, encouraged by the success of its inter-state implementation, the e-
Way bill system for intra-state movement of goods was implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat,
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala from April 15. In Karnataka, it was implemented along
with nationwide inter-state implementation on April 1. According to a statement from the
Ministry of Finance, with the latest addition, the total number of states implementing e-way bills
for intra-state movement of goods will rise to 17.

67. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under the NITI Aayog will be launching the Atal New India
Challenge on April 26, 2018. Under the Atal New India Challenge, AIM will invite prospective
innovators/MSMEs/start-ups to design market-ready products using cutting edge technologies
across 17 focus areas such as Climate Smart Agriculture, Smart Mobility, Predictive
Maintenance of Rolling Stock, Waste Management etc. Applicants who will be able to show
capabilities, intent and potential to utilise these technologies will be awarded grants of up to Rs
1 crore.
68. Government has collected Rs 7 lakh 41 thousand crore from the Goods and Services Tax
(GST) during 2017-18. The tax system was rolled from July 1, 2017. According to an official
statement from the Finance Ministry, the total revenue collected under GST in the period
between August 2017 and March 2018 has been Rs 7 lakh 19 thousand crore.The amount
included Rs 1 lakh 19 thousand crore of CGST, Rs 1 lakh 72 thousand crore of SGST, Rs 3
lakh 66 thousand crore of IGST and over Rs 62 thousand crore of cess. According to the
ministry, the average monthly collection for the past eight months was over Rs 89 thousand
crore.
69. Nifty equity savings index that will serve as benchmark for equity saving funds offered by
various mutual funds has launched by the National Stock Exchange‟s (NSEs) arm India Index
Services & Products Ltd (IISL). The index is total return index capturing price return and
dividend or coupon income. The index will capture performance of portfolio having exposure to
equity, equity arbitrage and debt instruments in similar way to the investment philosophy of
equity savings funds.
70. Global credit rating agency Fitch has kept India‟s sovereign rating unchanged at „BBB-„ with
stable outlook. This rating is at junk bond or lowest investment grade with stable outlook. A
rating upgrade changes profile of country and makes it attractive to investors. In 2017,
Moody‟s had upgraded India‟s rating (to Baa2 from Baa3) after gap of nearly 14 years, while
Standard & Poor‟s (S&P) retained its BBB- rating with stable outlook.
71. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has further liberalised External Commercial Borrowings
(ECB) Policy by including more sectors in the window in a bid to facilitate cheaper access of
overseas funds to Indian companies. ECBs are commercial loans borrowed from foreign
sources for financing the commercial activities in India. It may be bank loans, securitised
instruments, buyers‟ credit, suppliers‟ credit, foreign currency convertible bonds, etc.

Appointments/ Resignations:
1. BCCI has appointed former DGP of Rajasthan, Ajith Singh as head of its anti-corruption
Unit. He will replace Neeraj Kumar ( Delhi Commissioner of Police)
2. M L Srivastava has been appointed as the protem chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi. He
will hold this post until a regular chairman is appointed. The previous administrator of Lalit
Kala Akademi is CS Krishna Setty.
3. Subrata Bhattacharjee was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of
Serbia.
4. Debjani Ghosh took charge as the President of NASSCOM (National Association of
Software and Services Companies).
5. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Aashish Kapoor has replaced
Venkatesh Prasad in the three-member All-India Junior Selection Committee. Aashish
Kapoor is a former off-spinner in the Indian cricket team.Other two members of the All-India
Junior Selection Committee are Gyanendra Pandey and Rakesh Parikh.
6. Himanta Biswa Sarma elected as President of Badminton Association of India (BAI) for the
next 4 years. Himanta Biswa Sarma is a Cabinet Minister in Assam. He took charge as the
interim President of BAI in 2017 following the death of former BAI president Akhilesh Das
Gupta. Former Tamil Nadu Badminton Association president and Lok Sabha MP from
Dharmapuri constituency, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss was elected as the treasurer
uncontested. Ajay Singhania of Haryana Badminton Association was elected as General
Secretary of BAI.Maharashtra Badminton Association President, Arun Lakhani, was
elected as the Senior Vice-President unopposed. Omar Rashid, Secretary of Assam
Badminton Association was elected unopposed as the Secretary (events).
7. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar will hold additional portfolio of Information, Public
Relations and Languages department. Earlier this portfolio was held by Haryana Women
and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain.
8. Julius Maada Bio took oath as the President of Sierra Leone in the capital Freetown on
April 5, 2018. Bio is a former soldier who briefly ruled Sierra Leone in 1996.
9. Myntra hires PepsiCo India‟s Mithun Sundar as chief revenue officer.
10. Rakesh Kumar Vats has been given the additional charge of chairman of NPPA (National
Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) with immediate effect. He replaces Bhupendra Singh as
Chairman of NPPA. Bhupendra Singh has been appointed as chairperson of National
Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention under the Cabinet Secretariat.

11. Balram Bhargava, professor of AIIMS was appointed as the Director General of Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Secretary of the Department of Health Research.
He will have tenure of three years or until attainment of age of 60 years. ICMR is India‟s
apex scientific body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
It was established in 1911.
12. Senior IPS officer Rajesh Ranjan was appointed as the Director General of Central
Industrial Security Force (CISF). He will have tenure till November 30, 2020.
13. Labour Secretary M Sathiyavathy( IAS officer of 1982 batch) took charge as member of
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). She was administered oath of office and
secrecy as member by Vinay Mittal, Chairman, UPSC.
14. Inspector General KR Nautiyal has been appointed as the new Coast Guard Commander
(Eastern Seaboard).
15. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh was re-appointed as Managing Director and CEO of Bandhan
Bank for a period of three years with effect from July 10, 2018.
16. Inspector General Vijay Chafekar was appointed as the new Flag Officer of Indian Coast
Guard (West Region) on April 11, 2018.
17. Bhanu Pratap Sharma was appointed as the chairman of Banks Board Bureau (BBB). He
replaces earlier BBB headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai
as its two-year term ended in March 2018. The reconstituted BBB will have two-year
tenure, same as its predecessor.
18. Prince Harry was appointed as a youth ambassador for the Commonwealth by Queen
Elizabeth.
19. Senior Advocate Indu Malhotra was sworn in as Judge of Supreme Court of India. She
became first woman Judge to be elevated directly from the Bar. Her appointment raises
total tally of SC judges to 25 from sanctioned strengthened of 31 (including CJI). She was
administered oath to the office by Chief Justice (CJI) Dipak Misra. Indu Malhotra is reputed
senior advocate practising in SC for the past 30 years. Overall, she will be seventh woman
judge in SC, since it was established 67 years ago. In 1989, Justice M. Fathima Beevi
became first woman judge in Supreme Court.
20. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Christine Schraner
Burgener, a Swiss diplomat with conflict resolution experience in Southeast Asia, as his
special envoy for Myanmar. The position had been vacant ever since Indian diplomat Vijay
Nambiar vacated it at the end of 2016 when Ban ki-Moon completed his term as UN head.

21. Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo was sworn in as America's 70th Secretary of State,
after the US Senate confirmed his nomination by 57-42 votes on April 26, 2018.
22. Kavinder Gupta, who resigned as the Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on April
29, 2018, was sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing
BJP colleague Nirmal Singh.
Awards:
1. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, owning a fortune of $38 billion, is Asia‟s
third-richest man and has secured 19th rank in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index as of
2nd April 2018. In total, 24 Indians have found a place in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index top
500 list. Jeff Bezos has secured the top position globally with a net worth of $121 billion. He is
followed by Bill Gates at the second spot with a net worth of $90.4 billion. The third position is
occupied by Warren Buffett with $85.5 billion net worth.Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of
Alibaba Group, is Asia‟s richest person with $47.2 billion net worth. He is followed by Pony Ma,
Tencent co-founder and CEO, with $41.1 billion net worth.Indians who feature in Bloomberg
Billionaires top 100 index are Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries – 19th spot
with $38 billion net worth, Lakshmi Mittal, chairman of ArcelorMittal – 54th spot with $18.5
billion net worth, Pallonji Mistry – 65th position, with $16.8 billion net worth, Azim Premji,
Chairman of Wipro – 71st position with $16.2 billion net worth and Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL
Technologies – 86th spot with $14.5 billion net worth
2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was honoured with the Padma Bhushan Award by President Ram
Nath Kovind at an event in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 2nd April 2018. Former Indian
Cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of
Indian Army. He received the Padma Bhushan Award in his army uniform.Billiards player
Pankaj Advani also received the Padma Bhushan award for his extra ordinary achievements.
3. Study Khazana, an e-portal, was awarded “For best emerging online Education Portal in North
India” at the „World Education Summit and Award 2018‟ at New Delhi. Study Khazana helps
education-deprived aspirants get access to quality education irrespective of geographical
boundaries and it encourages open knowledge movement. Actress Sharmila Tagore
presented the award to Sana Baqai, the Founder of Study Khazana.
4. Chhattisgarh won the „State of the Year‟ Award under the „business leader‟ category at the
India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) in New Delhi . The India Business Leader Awards

(IBLA) was organised by CNBC-TV18 channel. Chhattisgarh was awarded for remarkable
increase in business and services activities in various sectors.
5. The Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award for 2018 is being awarded to Bollywood actor
Anushka Sharma. She is an actor and producer in the Bollywood film industry. She has been
promoting content-driven or experimental cinema, and encouraging fresh talents, through her
production company Clean Slate Films.
6. The 65th National Film Awards were announced on April 13, 2017 by the jury headed by
renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. The award ceremony will be held on May 3, 2018 and
the awards will be presented by President Ram Nath Kovind. Late actor Vinod Khanna was
honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award posthumously. Late actress Sridevi has been
honoured with the best actress award.
7. Siddharth Varadarajan, the founding editor of The Wire, will be awarded the Shorenstein
Journalism Award for 2017 at Stanford University on 16th April 2018. Nayan Chanda, a
member of the jury said that, Siddharth Varadarajan‟s initiative in independent, web-based
journalism as founding editor of The Wire, his well-researched reports, and his commentaries
have attributed to his success.
8. The 65th National Film Awards for year 2017 were announced by Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting on 13 April 2018. Assamese film Village Rockstars won the award in the Best
Feature Film category. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion directed by S. S. Rajamouli was selected
as the Best Popular film providing wholesome entertainment. Shekhar Kapur was the head of
the Jury this edition of awards feature films.Awards in various categories are as follows Dada
Saheb Phalke Award: Vinod Khanna Best Feature Film: Village Rockstars (Assamese) Best
Director: Jayaraj for „Bhayanakam‟ (Malayalam) Best Action Direction: „Baahubali 2: The
Conclusion‟ Best Choreography: Ganesh Acharya for „Toilet Ek Prem Katha. Best Special
Effects: „Baahubali 2: The Conclusion‟ Special Jury Award: Nagar Kirtan (Bengali) Best Lyrics:
Muthurathinam Best Music Direction: AR Rahman for „Katru Veliyidayi‟ Best Make-up Artist:
Ram Rajak for „Nagar Kirtan‟ Best Costume: Gobinda Mandal for „Nagar Kirtan‟ Best
Production Design: Santosh Rajan „Take Off‟ Best Editing: Rima Das for „Village Rockstar‟
Best Sound Design: „Walking With The Wind‟ Best Audiography (Location Sound): Mallika
Das, Village Rockstar Best Location Sound Recording: Mallika Das for „Village Rockstar‟ Best
Screenplay Original: Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum Best Screenplay Adapted: Bhayanakam
Best Cinematography: Bhayanakam Best Female Playback Singer: Sashaa Tirupati for „Kaatru
Veliyidayi‟. Best Male Playback Singer: K.J Yesudas for song „Poy Maranja Kalam‟ from
„Viswasapoorvam Mansoor‟ Best Child Artist: Anita Das for „Village Rockstar‟. Best Children‟s

Film: „Mhorkya‟ Best Film on Environmental Conservation: „Irada‟ Best Direction: Jayaraj for
„Bhayanakam‟ Best Feature Film on National Integration: Dhappa (Marathi) Best Debut Film of
Director: „Sinjar‟ Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: „Baahubali 2: The
Conclusion‟ Best Regional Films Special Mention: Marathi: Mhorkya Malayalam: Take Off.
Best Regional Films: Hindi: Newton Ladakh: Walking With The Wind Lakshadweep: Sinjar
Tulu: Paddayi Marathi: Kachcha Limboo Malayalam: Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
Kannada: Hebbettu Ramakka Bengali: Mayurakshi Assamese: Ishu Telugu: Ghazi Gujarati:
Dhh Odiya: Hello Arsi.
9. The 2018 Pulitzer Prizes were awarded by Pulitzer Prize Board for work during 2017 calendar
year. List of 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winners are : Journalism Public Service: New York Times.
Breaking News Reporting: Staff of The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Cali Investigative
Reporting: The Washington Post Explanatory Reporting: The Arizona Republic and USA
Today Network. Local Reporting: The Cincinnati Enquirer Staff National Reporting: New York
Times and Washington Post International Reporting: Clare Baldwin, Andrew R.C. Marshall and
Manuel Mogato of Reuters Feature Writing: Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, freelance reporter, GQ
Commentary: John Archibald of Alabama Media Group, Birmingham, Ala. Criticism: Jerry Saltz
of New York magazine Editorial Writing: Andie Dominick of The Des Moines Register. Editorial
Cartooning: Jake Halpern, freelance writer and Michael Sloan, freelance cartoonist, New York
Times. Breaking News Photography: Ryan Kelly of The Daily Progress Feature Photography:
Photography Staff of Reuters. Letters, Drama & Music Fiction: Less, by Andrew Sean Greer.
Drama: Cost of Living, by Martyna Majok. History: The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea,
by Jack E. Davis (Liveright/W.W. Norton) Biography or Autobiography: Prairie Fires: The
American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by Caroline Fraser. Poetry: Half-light: Collected
Poems 1965-2016, by Frank Bidart. General Nonfiction: Locking Up Our Own: Crime and
Punishment in Black America by James Forman Jr. Music: by Kendrick Lamar.
10. Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra will be conferred with the prestigious Raj Kapoor
Lifetime Achievement award and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will be conferred with the Raj
Kapoor Special Contribution award. The awards, instituted by the Maharashtra state
government, will be given away at the 55th Maharashtra state Marathi Film Festival.
11. The production team of “Game of Thrones” drama will be awarded the BAFTA Special Award
at this year‟s British Academy Television Craft Awards. The BAFTA Craft Awards will be held
on 22nd April 2018 in London. Hannah Murray and John Bradley will receive the award on
behalf of the “Game of Thrones” production team. “Game of Thrones” is being honoured for
revolutionising several aspects of production in shooting the drama.

12. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization‟s (UNESCO) World Press
Freedom Prize for year 2018 won by Jailed Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid,
popularly known as Shawkan,
13. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended former Indian skipper
Rahul Dravid‟s name for the prestigious Dronacharya award and Virat Kohli‟s for Rajiv Gandhi
Khel Ratna honour. The board has also recommended veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar's
name for the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. The contribution of all the three
nominees to cricket has been phenomenal. While Virat Kohli has led the Indian men‟s cricket
team from the front for quite some time now, Gavaskar's contribution to the sport has been
tremendous and almost unmatchable and Dravid, besides being popularly known as „the Wall‟,
coached India‟s U-19 team to World Cup victory in early 2018.
14. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was on April 26, 2018 awarded the
National Intellectual Property Award, 2018 for being the top research and development
organisation for patents and commercialization. The award was conferred by Union
Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu, at a function organised by the Indian Intellectual Property
Office and Confederation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (CII) in New Delhi, to celebrate
the World Intellectual Property Day. The Director-General of CSIR, Girish Sahni, received the
award on behalf of CSIR.
15. National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018 in category “Top R&D Institution/Organization
for Patents and Commercialization” was awarded to the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) on the occasion of World IP Day (26 April).
16. Sitanshu Yashaschandra (Gujarati poet, playwright and academic) was selected for 2017
Saraswati Samman for his collection of verses (poetry) titled “Vahar” published in 2009. The
award has been named after Indian goddess of learning Saraswati. It carries cash prize of Rs.
15 lakh, a citation and a plaque of goddess Saraswati. Saraswati Samman is considered one
of the highest literary awards in India. It was established in 1991 by KK Birla Foundation
(which also gives Vyas Samman for Hindi, and Bihari Puraskar for Hindi and Rajasthani writers
of Rajasthan.
17. Commonwealth Games champion Neeraj Chopra has been recommended by the Athletics
Federation of India (AFI) for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.The federation has nominated
PT Usha and India youth team coach Sanjay Garnaik for the Dronacharya Award. Bobby
Aloysis, Kuldeep Singh Bhullar and Jata Shankar have been recommended for the Dhyan
Chand Award, while T.P. Ouseph has been recommended for Life Time Achievement Award.

Sports:
 Mithali Raj , Captain of Indian Women‟s Cricket Team was honoured with the “
Sportsperson of the year” award at the Telangana Sports Journalists Association annual
awards for 2017 in Hyderabad, Telangana.” The best coach of the year award was bagged
by Pullela Gopi Chand for the second consecutive time. “ The best male athlete award
goes to Kidambi Srikanth and the best female athlete award was bagged by PV SIndhu.
 Kerala defeated West Bengal and won its sixth title in the 72nd Santosh Trophy (Football)
at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 1st April 2018. Kerala had last won
Santosh Trophy in 2005. West Bengal had won Santosh Trophy title 32 times.
 Indian Badminton players, PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth have been named
„Sportspersons of the Year‟ at the inaugural ESPN Multi-Sport Awards. Kidambi Srikanth
has been adjudged „Sportsperson of the Year – Male‟ for winning four Super Series titles.
He is the only Indian shuttler and the fourth player ever to accomplish this feat in one
calendar year. PV Sindhu has been adjudged „Sportsperson of the Year – Female‟ for her
outstanding performance in past one year, wherein she won the Indian and Korean Open
Super Series titles.PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth‟s coach Pullela Gopichand has been
adjudged „best coach‟. Among other winners, Indian National Women‟s Hockey Team got
the „Team of the Year‟ title for their first Asia Cup victory in 13 years. ‟Moment of the Year‟
award, which was decided through a public poll went to Jeakson Singh for scoring a
memorable goal against Columbia in the U-17 FIFA World Cup. Jeakson is the only Indian
to score in a FIFA event.
 2018 Miami Open, also known as 2018 Miami Masters, a professional men and
women‟s tennis tournament, took place in Miami, Florida, United States, from March 19,
2018 to April 1, 2018. 2018 Miami Open was presented by Itaú (a Brazilian Bank). It was
the 34th edition of the Miami Open and was played on outdoor hard courts.
 Indian Table Tennis player Sathiyan Gnansekaran has reached his career-best ranking of
46 in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. Gnansekaran
performance has been on an upward trajectory since past six months as he won gold in the
ITTF Challenge – Spanish Open in November 2017 and reached the pre-quarterfinals of
the Qatar Open in March 2018. Veteran Table Tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal has
registered a phenomenal jump of 22 places to be at 48 in the latest ITTF
Ranking.Soumyajit Ghosh (70), Harmeet Desai(74), Anthony Amalraj (83) and Sanil
Shetty (84) are the other Indian Table Tennis players in top 100. Among Indian Woman

Table Tennis Players, Manika Batra continues to rank highest at 58, followed by Mouma
Das at 88.
 The 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games will begin on April 4, 2018 in Gold Coast,
Australia, with a colourful opening ceremony. Carrara Stadium will host the opening
ceremony which is expected to showcase Australia's diversity and culture. This year, the
Games will mark the 5th time that Australia has hosted the games. India will be
represented at the opening ceremony by a contingent of over 200 athletes who will be led
by flag-bearer P V Sindhu, the Olympic Silver medalist. The mascot is “Borobi” and the
motto is “Share the dream”.
 South African fast bowler Morne Morkel bid adieu to international cricket at the conclusion
of South Africa-Australia test series on April 3, 2018.
 India skipper Virat Kohli remains static on his second position in the latest ICC Test Player
Rankings . The test player rankings were topped again by Australia's Steve Smith. India‟s
test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara also held on to his seventh position. India Test spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin slipped one place in the bowlers ranking to take the fifth position
while Ravindra Jadeja held on to his second spot in the all-rounders ranking.In the ICC
Test Team Rankings, New Zealand overtook Australia to grab the third place.
 World champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on April 5, 2018 smashed the records by
winning India's first Gold Medal on the opening day of the 21st Commonwealth Games in
Gold Coast, Australia.
Mirabai won the coveted medal in the 48 kg category with a total lift of 196 kg (86 kg + 110
kg) with her power-packed performance.
 Weightlifter Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu on April 6, 2018 clinched the second Gold Medal
for India by winning in the 53 kg Women weightlifting category at the 21st Commonwealth
Games at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre in Gold Coast, Australia. Sanjita defeated
Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea with a total lift (snatch plus clean and jerk) of 192 kg (84
kg snatch + 108 kg clean and Jerk). She broke the Commonwealth Games record in
snatch with a lift of 84 kg.
 India‟s Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna pair won Davis Cup by defeating China‟s Gong
Mao Xin and Zhang Ze . Leander Paes secured his 43rd doubles win of his career in the
competition, in Tianjin, China. He has broken the 46-year-old record of Italian player Nicola
Pietrangeli and become the Davis Cup‟s most successful doubles player. 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 in
the second round of the zonal Davis Cup tie.

 The Indian mixed badminton contingent claimed its maiden Commonwealth Games gold
medal on April 9, 2018, thrashing three-time defending champions Malaysia in the final at
Gold Coast, Australia. India also swept the Table Tennis team events at the CWG with both
their men‟s and women‟s team bagging the gold medal. The Indian men‟s table tennis team
matched the women‟s team by claiming a memorable gold medal with a 3-0 win over
Nigeria in the final on April 9. It is the first time since the sport‟s induction into the
Commonwealth Games‟ program that India has topped both categories.
 Five-time world champion M C Mary Kom has assured herself a medal on her debut
appearance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games. The 35-year-old Olympic bronze-
medalist entered the semi-finals in Gold Coast with a 5-0 win over Scotland's Megan
Gordon. Her win has assured the Indian boxing contingent of its first CWG medal.
 Indian ace shooter Heena clinching the gold medal in women‟s 25m pistol event at the 21st
Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Australia on April 10, 2018 at the Day 6 of
Commonwealth Games 2018.
 The Day 7 of Commonwealth Games 2018: Indian shooter Om Prakash Mitharwal bagging
the Bronze in the finals of the men‟s 50m Pistol event. This was followed by an exemplary
performance by Indian shooter Shreyasi Singh, who shot her career-best score to clinch
the gold medal in the women‟s double trap final. In the men‟s double trap event, Indian
shooter Ankur Mittal won the bronze medal, while Tim Kneale from Isle of Man took silver
and David McMath of Scotland won the gold medal. Indian boxing legend Mary Kom has
also cruised into the finals of the women's 48kg boxing category after winning her semi-
final against Anusha Dilrukshi Koddithuwakku of Sri Lanka. With this, Kom became the
first Indian boxer in Gold Coast to reach the final of her event.
 Indian shooters added two gold and one silver to India‟s total medal tally at the 9th day of
Common Wealth Games. Anish Bhanwala (15 yrs) became India's youngest gold medalist
in the 25m Rapid Fire final, in the women‟s 50m Rifle 3 Positions final, Indian shooters
Tejaswini Sawant and Anjum Moudgil came out at the top by winning gold and silver
medals respectively. India‟s winning streak was taken forward by the wrestling contingent
with Bajrang Punia winning gold in the men's freestyle 65 kg category and Mausam Khatri
claiming the silver in men's 97 kg freestyle after being defeated by South Africa's Martin
Erasmus in the finals.
 The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of April 2018 ranked current world champions,
Germany at the top, Brazil, which is ranked at the second position .While Belgium moved

up two places to the third rank, Portugal and Argentina each dropped a place to be ranked
fourth and fifth respectively.
 Virat Kohli and Mithali Raj, captains of Indian men and women‟s cricket team respectively
found a place in the Wisden‟s leading cricketers of the year. England‟s women
cricketers Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole have been selected for
Wisden‟s Five Cricketers of the Year. West Indies batsman Shai Hope and Essex bowler
Jamie Porter were also chosen for Wisden‟s Five Cricketers of the Year. Stu Forster of
Getty Images took a picture of English fast bowler Katherine Brunt taking a selfie at the
cricket world cup final at Lord‟s stadium. This has been selected as the Cricket Photograph
of the Year.
 The 21st Commonwealth Games concluded on April 15, 2018 at Gold Coast, Australia.
Legendary boxer Mary Kom was the flagbearer for the Indian delegation at the closing
ceremony.India with a final haul of 66 medals including 26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze
finished at the third place. Australia stood first with 198 medals, followed by England with 136
medals. The final day of the event was action-packed for India, with two of India‟s star shuttlers
P V Sindhu and Saina Nehal battling it out in the women‟s singles final and recently crowned
world no.1 Kidambi Srikanth fighting for the top spot in the men‟s singles.
 Indian tennis star Yuki Bhambri on April 16, 2018 broke back into the top-100 of ATP men‟s
singles ranking for the first time since February 2016.As per the latest ranking, he jumped 22
places to his career-best rank of 83. This is also the best rank that any Indian has achieved in
the ATP singles chart since Somdev Devvarman touched a career-high of 62 in July 2011.
Bhambri‟s sudden jump in rankings follows his title win at the Santaizi ATP Challenger that
was held recently in Taipei City,Taiwan.
 Sampanna Ramesh Shelar, a 17-year-old swimmer from Pune has set a world record to
double cross the Bangla Channel. Sampanna Ramesh Shelar accomplished this feat on April
13, 2018 by completing the journey of 32.2 kilometers in 9 hours and 10 minutes. Water
stretch from Saint Martin‟s Island Jetty to Teknaf in Bangladesh is known as the Bangla
Channel.
 The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 on April 18, 2018 unveiled „Son of Dreams‟ as the
official Mascot of World Cup. Born in China on August 8, 2015, Son of Dreams' magical horns
give him the power to see in the future, envisioning plays and moves before they actually
happen.The mascot finalists were a Chinese dragon ('Son of Dream'), a Siberian tiger ('Speed
Tiger') and a lion ('Qiu Qiu').

 India won 10 gold medals at 8th South Asian Judo Championship in Lalitpur, Nepal. Indian
women grabbed 7 gold while men won 3 out of total 7 gold medals in the individual
category. Indian women such as Garima Chaudhary, C. Jina Devi and Tulika Maan showed
their golden performance at the championship.Nepal and Pakistan bagged two gold medals
each.
Books& Authors:
1. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu formally released the book on „Dr Babasaheb
Ambedkar: Vyakti Nahin Sankalp‟ at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. to mark
Dr B.R. Ambedkar‟s birth anniversary. President Ram Nath Kovind received the first copy
of the book
Deaths:
 Film Director , C. V. Rajendran ( 81) from Tamil Nadu died after a long term illness.
 Former Guatemalan military dictator Efrain Rios Montt died due to heart attack at his
residence in Guatemala on 1st April 2018.
 Oscar-nominated Japanese animation director Isao Takahata passed away on April 5,
2018. Takahata co-founded the Studio Ghibli and was best known for his work “Grave of
the Fireflies”. Takahata's latest film 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya earned him an
Academy nomination in 2014 for best animated feature.Born in central Japan, Takahata
started his career in animation at the Toei studio in 1959, where he met long-term
collaborator Miyazaki.
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Index

Tamil Nadu 05-11

Current Affairs for TNPSC Examinations - April 2018

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3. Mahindra Defence Systems signed an agreement with ShinMaywa Industries, Japan, to

5. The 10th edition of Defence Expo (DefExpo 2018) in Chennai at Tiruvidanthal, in

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7. Tamil Nadu Government‟s Awards 2017:

Tamil Thai Award – Bangalore Tamil Sangam

Kabilar Award – Dr. K.V.Balasubramaniyan

U.V.Swaminathan Award – Thiru S. Krishnamoorthy

Kambar Award- Thiru Sugi.Sivam

Sollin Selvan Award – Thiru Dr. Vaigai Selvan

G.U.Pope Award –Thiru K.Rajeswari Kothandam

Umaru Pulavar Award – Thiru Haji M. Muhammed Yusof

Illangovadigal Award – Dr. V. Nallathambi

Amma Illakiya Award – Thirumathi M.S.Srilakshmi ( Singapore)

Tamil Nadu Government‟s Ulaga Tamil Sangam Awards 2016:

Literature Award – Thiru N. Andiappan ( Singapore)

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Grammar Award – Thiru Benjamin Lebo ( France)

Linguistic Award – Dr. Subashini ( Germany)

Tamil Nadu Government‟s Ulaga Tamil Sangam Awards 2017:

Literature Award- Chandrika Subramaniyan ( Australia)

Grammar Award-Ulrike Nicholas ( Germany)

Linguistic Award- Mahadeva Iyer Jaya Rama Sharma ( Australia)

9. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2018-Anna University ranks at 10th

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A Comprehensive Study Material

To buy Online visit

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 Tripura State Government approved Rs 50.67 crore to set up an Indian Institute

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make recommendations for regulatory action against misleading advertisements and

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 Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan at Ramnagar, tribal-dominated district of Madhya Pradesh