CONTENTS

VOL-14
ISSUE -4

Editor
N.K. Jain
Advisors
Neeraj Chabra Union Budget 2018-19
K.C.Gupta
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Editorial
"Don't limit your challenges, Challange your limits"

Dear Aspirants,
We feel great pleasure in bringing the 'April 2018' edition of our very own 'Masters in Current Affairs', a platform where
you get all the exam related information at a single place. It is designed especially for the forthcoming examinations. Its
regular sections such as News Maker, News Diary, One liners etc. cover each and every news in details which is important
for examinations. Rest of the news are covered in 'Chalte - Chalte' i.e. one liner news, which you can find at the bottom of
each page.
On 1st February 2018 our Union Budget was presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. This was the fourth budget by
the Union Finance Minister which emphasis on agriculture and healthcare. Some major steps taken are: Implementation
of MSP for all crops. A flagship National Health Protection Scheme will be started to cover 10 crore poor and vulnerable
families. Under the other focuses of government, Ujjwala Yojana will be expanded to eight crore households. The
Saubhagya Yojana will be a point of focus for the government. The detailed summery of Union Budget 2018-19 is given
in this edition.
Another Major scam was witnessed by the nation in the banking field is the 11,300 Crore fraud by Jewelry designer
Nirav Modi. India’s Punjab National Bank (PNB) stated recently that it has detected fraudulent transactions
worth over Rs 11,300 crore at its Mumbai branch. This incident shocked the entire nation as this is the biggest
fraudulent case after Vijay Malya. A detailed analysis of the entire case is given in the economy section of
the New Diary.
In this edition we are providing solved paper of CDS (I), 2018 which was held on 4th February 2018. There
is a separate section named Que-TM for your self-evaluation, which includes all the possible MCQ's from
this month's current affairs. MCQ's from Union Budget and Economic Survey are also included in the
Que-TM section. This will be highly beneficial for all the upcoming examinations.
Your advice or suggestions will be much appreciated and welcomed.

With Best Wishes

Mahendra Publication Pvt. Ltd.

“Your Success is Our Success”

Gratitude

With Best Wishes

Mahendra Publication Pvt. Ltd.
 AYUSH INTERVIEW
AYUSH : The best thing about this
PERSONAL DETAILS institution is the 24*7
Ayush Agarwal availability of the faculties.
Father’s Name : Anup Kumar Agarwal They are ready to solve
all your queries anytime,
Mother’s Name : Anupama Agarwal which is great.
Hobbies : Playing cricket, Watching Movies, Playing Sudoku MICA : What is the role of “Time
Management” in one’s
Prior Selection : This is my first selection success?
Name of the Exam : Nainital Bank & Federal Bank (PO) AYUSH : Time management helps
Roll No. of Qualified Exam : Nainital Bank : 1913001123 in arranging and managing
things perfectly. It contributes
Federal Bank : 3201130297 to the overall development
of the personality.
Roll No. of Mahendra Institute : PDH0271354628
MICA : How did you prepare for
MICA : How did you prepare for the Interview?
the examination? AYUSH : I prepared for the
AYUSH : Interviews through the
English Language mock interview sessions
organized by Mahendra's.
Daily Newspaper reading and English
classes at the institute helped a lot in MICA : Tell us about the Interview
this section. Board and the questions
asked?
Reasoning Ability & Computers
AYUSH : The interview board was
Mahendra's classes and regular
friendly and most questions
practice.
were from the family
Data Interpretation background, Graduation
All the basic concepts was cleared related and Banking related.
during the classroom sessions and The questions asked were:
MICA : Mahendra's family expresses then with regular practice you can
its heartiest congratulations (I) Why did you choose banking
clear this section.
on your success. after doing B.tech?
General Awareness
AYUSH : Thank You so much. (II) What is NEFT, RTGS and IMPS?
For current affairs MICA,
MICA : To whom do you want (III) Any location preferences?
Competition booster are enough for
to give the credit of your the preparations. (IV) What is your Fathers profession?
selection? MICA : By whom did you get
MICA : How about “Master in
AYUSH : First of All my parents and Current Affairs” Magazine information of your selection
than to the excellent faculty and Mahendra Guru Website? and what was your reaction?
of Mahendra's. AYUSH : I received the information
AYUSH : The website and Magazine
MICA : After how many attempts did both are excellent. It covers from the banks website and
you succeed in examination? all the examination related I was extremely happy.
AYUSH : This was my 1st attempt. aspects at a single platform. MICA : What message do you
MICA : What is the role of Here you will get everything want to convey to other
Mahendra's institute in important for examinations aspirants?
your selection? such as Current affairs, AYUSH : Work Hard and Pursue
Study Notes, Previous year your dream.
AYUSH : Mahendra's helped me in
papers, solved papers and a
understanding the basic MICA : Congratulations once again
lot more.
concepts of Banking, on your success. Your
which are really beneficial MICA : What is the best thing about success is our success.
throughout the selection our coaching institute,
AYUSH : Thank You Mahendra for
process. according to you?
guiding me to Success.
Allahabad Bank became the first public sector lender to offer an employee stock option Scheme
(ESOP) to its staff.
APRIL 2018 MICA 5
CURRENT AFFAIRS One Liner

ONE Liner
PERSON IN NEWS
## Who has been appointed as the coach of the Delhi ## Who has awarded with Sahitya Akademi Awards for
Daredevils franchise for the upcoming IPL 2018? Sanskrit novel “Gangaputravadanam”?
w Ricky Ponting w Niranjan Mishra
## Who has been chosen for the prestigious Pandit ## Anwar Jalalpuri who died recently , belongs to which
Bhimsen Joshi award? w Manik Bhide field -------------- w Poet
## What is the name of Pakistan Air Force Ex-chief and ## Legendary astronaut ---------------- who walked on the
veteran politician who has passed away recently? Moon and also has commanded the first space shuttle
w Asghar Khan flight, whom has died recently ?
## Who has appointed as General Manager of the
w John Young
BCCI? w Saba Karim ## In which international organization Peter Sutherland
belongs, who died recently ?
## Who has appointed as Director General of National
Cadet Corps? w Lt Gen B.S.Sahrawat w WTO
## Name the person, whom has been appointed as ## Shrivallabh Vyas belongs to which field ?
the head of Indian Council of Cultural Relations w Actor
(ICCR)? w Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
AWARDS
## Who has been appointed as the Foreign Secretary of
India? w Vijay Keshav Gokhale ## Who became the first African-American to win
75th Golden Globe Award for best actor in a drama
## Name the person, who was appointed as the new
television series? w Sterling K Brown
Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA)?
w Rajinder Khanna ## What is name of Indian origin actor who has been
awarded with the Best Actor in Golden Globes
## Who took oath as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat?
awards? w Aziz Ansari
w Vijay Rupani
## Which temple has been named the cleanest iconic place
## Who took oath as the new chief minister of Himachal?
in India under the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' Programme?
w Jai Ram Thakur
w Meenakshi Temple
## Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has
## Which state has won the 'Best Tourism State' national
appointed K.Sivan as the -----------
award? w Madhya Pradesh
w Chairman
## Who has topped the prestigious Foreign Policy
## Who has been appointed as the Managing Director
magazines 50 Leading Global Thinkers list?
(MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the
w Kamala Harris
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)?
w Dilip Asbe ## Who will be awarded a D. Litt. degree from the
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala?
## Partha Mukhopadhyay died recently, he was an ------
w Dipa Karmakar
w Actor

6 MICA APRIL 2018 The Indian football team is at 102nd place in the latest FIFA rankings.
 One Liner
## Who has been honoured with the People for the ## First Ever Broad Gauge Air-conditioned AC EMU has
Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) 2017 Person of been introduced in which city recently?
the Year Award? w Anushka Sharma w Mumbai
## Which Indian Premier Container Port has won the ## Assam recently launched skill development training
‘Samudra Manthan - Caring Organisation of the Year’ centers across the state. It is organised by which
award? w Jawaharlal Nehru department? w Department of Skill,
Port Trust Employment and
## Who has been honored with the first Mufti Mohammad Entrepreneurship
Sayeed Award for his Probity in Politics and Public ## In context of FAME India Scheme, what does 'F'
Life? w Nitish Kumar stands for? w Faster
## Who has won Broadway World India Awards 2017 for ## Which ministry has launched a Regional Project to
Best Ensemble Cast? w Shapoorji Pallonji Tackle Stubble Burning? w Ministry of
and NCPA Environment
SCHEMES AND LAUNCHES ## A high-level task force has formulated the 12 point
draft ‘Air Action Plan-Abatement of Air Pollution in
## Which ministry has launched a new program the Delhi NCR'. Who will head this task force?
SAMEEP? w Ministry of External w Nripendra Misra
Affairs
## e-HRMS is launched during the observance of___ NATIONAL & STATE
w Good Governance
Day ## Who is the nodal agency for implementation of the Ganga
Gram Project? w Ministry of Drinking
## Which Union minister has recently launched Livestock
Water and Sanitation
Disease Forewarning –Mobile App?
w Radha Mohan Singh ## Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), selected additional
____ Schools for establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs
## AP Fiber Grid Project was recently inaugurated by the
(ATLs) w 1500
President of India. It is related with_______?
w High speed internet ## Ministry of Shipping has exempted the requirement of
biometric enrolment. The exemption is for the period
## In context to recently launched NARI scheme. What
of ______. w Three years
does 'R' stands for in 'NARI'?
w Repository ## In which city, establishment of new AIIMS has been
approved by the government recently?
## 'NARI' portal is related with: w Women
empowerment
w Bilaspur

## Which portal was launched by government for ## Which ministry has proposed rolling out of
connecting breeders and farmers of indigenous e-Sansad and e-Vidhan in State Legislatures?
breeds. w e-Pashu Haat w Ministry of
Parliamentary
## Which ministry has launched SFOORTI application ? Affairs
w Ministry of
Railways ## In which City 18th All India Whips’ Conference was
held recently? w Udaipur, Rajasthan
## Who has inaugurated the new stretch of Metro line in
New Delhi? w Narendra Modi ## Zojila pass is located in which state?
w Jammu & Kashmir
## The recently inaugurated new stretch of Metro line in
New Delhi connects which two station? ## Kerala government and fertilizer major FACT signed
w Botanical Garden an MoU for setting up petrochemical park in which
and Kalkaji Mandir city? w Kochi

10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture was held in Berlin. APRIL 2018 MICA 7
CURRENT AFFAIRS One Liner
## India’s second largest rooftop solar power plant has ## Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been signed MoU
been commissioned in which state? between India and ---------------- on Cooperation in the
w Uttar Pradesh field of Information Communication Technology and
## Which state has become the second state in the
Electronics (ICT&E)? w Belgium
Northeast to be declared Open Defecation Free? ## Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the
w Arunachal Pradesh Agreement between India and -------------- on Land
Border Crossing. w Myanmar
## Arunachal Pradesh government has launched Swachh
Arunachal Mission. The mission was launched on___
_______ w 2 October 2017 FINANCIAL AWARENESS
## Which state government is going to form an education ## The NABARD has sanctioned___ crore loan to
board for non-English medium schools? Odisha. w Rs 372.51
w Maharashtra
## Union Cabinet recently approved the establishment of
## Recently Which state government has banned the use new AIIMS in Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh). The cost
of electronic cigarettes? w Bihar of this project is______. w Rs.1351 crore
## Which State has become the first State in India to ## Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB)
launch High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) Portal which helps has Introduced Desktop ATM in Rural India. It is
in early identification of high-risk pregnant cases? sponsored by which Bank? w SBI
w Haryana ## Telangana Industrial Health Clinic Ltd (TIHCL) has
got RBI approval to function as a non-banking finance
INTERNATIONAL company (NBFC). Headquarters of TIHCL is in
________. w Hyderabad
## With which country India has signed MoU to improve ## Which Bank has tied up with Samsung Pay through
Public Transport in India? w UK which card holders will be able to pay using
## In which country ASEAN India Pravasi Bharatiya smartphones at merchant establishments?
Divas was held recently? w Singapore w Kotak Mahindra
Bank
## US has announced to withdrew itself from which
agreement recently? w Paris Climate Deal ## According to global financial services major Morgan
Stanley, India's GDP growth rate will rise to _______
## Which Country’s Navy has successfully test-fired the in 2018. w 7.5%
'Harba' Naval cruise missile?
## World Bank has estimated India’s GDP Growth Rate
w Pakistan
to _________in 2018.
## With which banks Air India has tied up to acquiring
w 7.3%
three Boeing 777 aircraft? w Standard Chartered
Bank, First Abu ## India has been signed an agreement on automatic
Dhabi Bank & sharing of tax- related information with which
Mashreq Bank country? w Switzerland
## India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ## Which state government top in GST tax collection
in first five months since the rollout of the GST tax
with which Country that will focus on socio-economic
regime? w Maharashtra
development and livelihood initiatives in the Rakhine
State? w Myanmar ## Government of Tamil Nadu has been signed a loan
agreement with which International organization
## Which country has been launched a land exploration
for Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization
satellite into a preset orbit for remote sensing
Project? w World Bank
operations? w China
## Which Organization has been launched ‘Udyami Mitra’
## Which arabic nation has introduced VAT system portal to improve the accessibility of Credit ?
recently along with United Arab Emirates (UAE)? w SIDBI
w Saudi Arabia
## With which international organization U.P. government

8 MICA APRIL 2018 Noted Kannada film actor, director and producer Kashinath died.
 One Liner
has been signed a loan agreement for “U.P. Pro-Poor ## Which Chinese Athletic player has been banned for
Tourism Development Project” ? eight years after failing a drugs test?
w World Bank w Wang Jiali
## Which public sector bank has been published electoral
bond? w SBI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
## Who has approved mandatory packaging of food ## A new frog species Odorrana arunachalensis has been
grains in Jute Materials ? w CCEA discovered in which state? w Arunachal Pradesh
## RBI has decided a new interest rate for their ## With the launch of PSLV-C40, India has in total
Government saving bonds is ----- launched how many of its own satellites till date?
w 7.75% w 100
## What is the dimension of new 10 Rs. banknote that ## Scientists have observed less ozone depletion for the
has been issued by RBI ? w 63 mm x 123 mm. first time due to ban on which things?
## RBI has imposed Prompt Corrective Action on which w Chlorine
public sector bank recently? w Allahabad Bank ## In which state, a new species of blind fish has been
## Paytm Payments Bank has partnered with which private discovered? w Mizoram
sector bank in India ? w IndusInd Bank ## World Health Organization (WHO) can keep the ____
in the category of mental illness.
SPORTS w Gaming disorder
## 'Proxima Centauri B' is a: w Exo planet
## Who has won the WTA Auckland Classic title by
defeating Caroline Wozniack?
w Julia Goerge MISCELLANEOUS
## Which Union Territory has become a new associate ## How many digits are there in Adhaar Number?
member of BCCI? w Puducherry w 12 Digits
## Who has won the Kolkata Open International Invitation ## How many digits would be there in virtual ID
Snooker Championship? w Aditya Mehta number? w 16 Digits
## Who has won ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year ## Who has introduced the concept of limited KYC?
award ? w Indian Cricket Team w UIDAI
## Who has bagged a gold medal National Shooting ## Where is the headquarter of Gail (India) Limited
Championship Competition? (GAIL) is located? w New Delhi
w Manu Bhaker ## What is the Theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)
## Who has won silver medal in Galym Zharylgapov 2018? w Ancient Route,
Boxing Tournament held in Kazakhstan? New Journey
w Manish Kaushik ## The World Hindi Day (WHD) is observed every year
## Who has won World Rapid Chess Championship held on which date? w 10 January
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia? w Viswanathan Anand
## Good governance day was observed on which date in
## Shiv Kapoor is associated with which sport ----- India? w 26 december
w Golf ## Which place has been chosen as the host venue for
## Name the first batsman who has scored three hundreds the 2022 Commonwealth Games?
in T20 international matches ? w England
w Colin Munro ## Losar Festival celebrations were organised at which
## Name the India's highest- ranked player in the place in India ? w Ladakh
latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
## World Minorities Rights Day is celebrated every year
ranking? w G Sathiyan on which date? w 18 December
## Name the player who has won an international bronze
## International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated
medal in Skiing? w Aanchal Thakur every year on which date? w 20 December

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the e-Pragati CORE platform APRIL 2018 MICA 9
SPOTLIGHT ALL THAT MATTERS
ABBREVATIONS IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
GrAMs : Gramin Agricultural Markets April 5 National Maritime Day
RISE : Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education
April 7 World Health Day
PMRF : Prime Minister's Research Fellows
April 11 National Safe Motherhood Day
UDAN : Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
CBIC : Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs April 13 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
MKSP : Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana April 17 World Hemophilia Day
FAIDF : Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure April 18 World Heritage Day
Development Fund
April 22 Earth Day
AHIDF : Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development
Fund April 23 World Book and Copyright Day
TOT : Toll, Operate and Transfer April 30 Anti-Child Labour Day

ECONOMIC GLOSSARY BOOKS & AUTHORS

Cobweb cycle
Cobweb cycle, in economics, fluctuations
WHY I AM A
occurring in markets in which the
quantity supplied by producers depends 01 HINDU
on prices in previous production periods.
The cobweb cycle is characteristic of :-Shashi Tharoor
industries in which a large amount of time
passes between the decision to produce
something and its arrival on the market.
It occurs most commonly in agriculture,
THE HUNGRY
EMPIRE 02
because the decision of what to produce
in the coming year is often based on the :-Lizzie Collingham
results of the previous year. For example,
if corn prices are particularly high in a
given year, more farmers will choose to
plant corn the next year to take advantage
of the high price. This increased supply,
03 GROWTH DELUSION

however, will lead to lower prices.

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement :-David Pilling

A DTAA is a tax treaty signed between

two or more countries. Its key objective
CHINATOWN
is that tax-payers in these countries can
avoid being taxed twice for the same DAYS 04
income. A DTAA applies in cases where
:-Rita Chowdhury
a tax-payer resides in one country and
earns income in another.
DTAAs can either be comprehensive
AN UNFINISHED
to cover all sources of income or be
limited to certain areas such as taxing 05 REVOLUTION
of income from shipping, air transport,
inheritance, etc. :-Kishalay Bhattacharjee

10 MICA APRIL 2018 Viorica Dancila became Romania's first female Prime Minister.
 APPOINTMENT THE PEOPLE

V Narayanan Sudeep Lakhtakia S Somanath

Senior scientist Dr V Narayanan has Sudeep Lakhtakia took charge as the Noted scientist S Somanath took
assumed charge as Director of ISRO’s Director General (DG) of National charge as Director of Vikram
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre Security Guard (NSG). He succeeded Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),
(LPSC). He succeeded S Somanath S P Singh, who retired on January 31, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He
who was appointed as Director of 2018. Lakhtakia was serving as a Special succeeded K Sivan, who was recently
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). DG in the Central Reserve Police Force appointed as Chairman of ISRO.
Prior to this appointment, he was (CRPF) headquarters in New Delhi. Prior to his elevation, he was Director
Associate Director of LPSC and was About Sudeep Lakhtakia of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
guiding liquid propulsion activities of Prior to being appointed as the (LPSC), the lead centre responsible
ISRO and was instrumental in finalising Additional DG in the CRPF, the 1984 for liquid engines and stages for all
the Liquid Propulsion Roadmap of batch IPS officer was serving as the launch vehicles and satellite programs
ISRO for the next 20 years. Additional Director-General of Law of ISRO,
About Dr V Narayanan & Order in Telangana. S Somanath
Narayanan had joined ISRO in Among other positions, Lakhtakia S Somanath had joined ISRO in 1985
1984 and since then has functioned occupied in his long career include and was team leader for Integration
in various capacities. He is rocket Superintendent of Police in Warangal, of PSLV during its early development
propulsion expert and outstanding Deputy Commissioner of Police phase and during first flight of
scientist, guiding ISRO team that (Traffic) and in Hyderabad-West Zone, PSLV and successful second flight
designed 200 ton thrust Lox-Kerosene Commissioner in Vijayawada and PSLV-D2. He also was Associate
Semi Cryogenic Rocket Engine. Deputy Inspector General of Security. Director (Projects) of VSSC and
He had played crucial role in About NSG also Project Director of GSLV Mk-
successful development of Cryogenic III launch vehicle. He has received
## The NSG is an Indian Special ‘Merit Award” and ‘Performance
Upper Stage (CUS) and made it Forces unit under the Ministry of
operational for GSLV Mk II vehicle Excellence award’ from ISRO and
Home Affairs (MHA). ‘Team excellence award’ for GSLV
when India was denied complex
Cryogenic Propulsion Technology. ## It was raised in 1984, following Mk-III development.
He also had played vital role in Operation Blue Star and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
successful launch of GSLV Mk III assassination of former Prime (VSSC)
vehicle in its maiden attempt in 2017 Minister Indira Gandhi for
combating terrorist activities VSSC is major space research centre
from Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO, under the Department
(SHAR), Sriharikota. with a view to protect states
against internal disturbances. of Space (DOS). It is mandated to
As Project Director for C25 Cryogenic focus on rocket and space vehicles
Project, he had led team that ## The NSG is specially trained to for India’s satellite programme. It is
successfully developed indigenous conduct counter terrorist tasks located in Thiruvananthapuram, in
C25 Cryogenic Stage powered by 20 including counter hijacking tasks the Indian state of Kerala. VSSC has
tonne thrust Cryogenic Engine using on land, sea, and air, bomb disposal emerged as one of the main research
Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen (search, detection and neutralization and development establishments
propellant combination. of IEDs), Post Blast Investigation within ISRO.
(PBI) and Hostage Rescue missions.

Niklaus-Samuel Gugger is the first Indian to be elected to the Switzerland's parliament. APRIL 2018 MICA 11
THE PEOPLE APPOINTMENT

Jerome H Powell Susanta Kumar Roy Anandiben Patel

J erome H Powell was sworn in as

the 16th Chairman of the Federal
Reserve for a four-year term. His
S ushant Kumar Roy has been
appointed as Director (Projects),
NTPC, the state-owned company.
G ujarat’s first woman Chief
Minister Anandiben Patel has
been appointed as Governor of
appointment as the Fed Chairman was He was Executive Director (Projects) Madhya Pradesh. She replaces Om
approved by the US Senate in January at the country's largest electricity Prakash Kohli, who has additional
2018. Powell was nominated for the producer, NTPC. A Mechanical charge of the office of MP Governor
post in November 2017 by President Engineering Graduate from REC, along with the office of Gujarat
Donald Trump. Powell succeeds Janet Durgapur, Roy joined NTPC in 1981 Governor.
Yellen, the first woman to lead the US as Executive Trainee and has more
central bank in its 100-year history. than 36 years of experience in large Anandiben Patel succeeded Narendra
size coal power stations. He was Modi as Gujarat CM after the 2014
About Jerome H Powell
associated in managing largest station parliamentary polls.
## Powell has been serving on the of the country at Vindhyachal. Anandiben Patel had stepped down
Federal Reserve's board since 2012.
NTPC Ltd., formerly known as as Chief Minister of Gujrat in
His term as a Fed board member
National Thermal Power Corporation August 2016 citing overage as the
will end on January 31, 2028.
Limited, is an Indian Public Sector reason.
## He also serves as Chairman of the Undertaking, engaged in the business
Federal Open Market Committee, During the 2017 state assembly
of generation of electricity and allied elections, she had refused to contest.
the System's principal monetary activities. The company has also
policymaking body. She is the second Gujarat Minister
ventured into oil and gas exploration
from the BJP to have been made a
## Before joining Fed in 2012, he and coal mining activities. In May
Governor. Earlier, Vajubhai Vala, a
served as a visiting scholar at 2010, NTPC was conferred Maharatna
former BJP MLA from Gujarat, was
the Bipartisan Policy Center, a status by the Union Government of
India. made Governor of Karnataka.
Washington think tank.

Khadag Prasad (KP) Sharma Oli

Khadag Prasad (KP) Sharma Oli has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal for the
second time. CPN-UML president KP Oli has been appointed to replace Sher Bahadur
Deuba.
President Bidiya Devi Bhandari appointed 65-year-old Oli as the 41st Prime Minister
of the country. KP Oli, who has been known for keeping soft attitude towards China,
has been the Prime Minister of Nepal from October 11, 2015 to August 3, 2016.
For the Prime Minister post, Oli is supported by UCPN-Maoist, National Republican
Party Nepal and Madhshey Rites Forum Democratic, besides 13 other smaller parties.
CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center coalition won 174 out of 275 seats in the general
elections held in December. Earlier, Sher Bahadur Deuba had resigned from the Prime
Minister to the President after addressing the country.

12 MICA APRIL 2018 Tamil Nadu will host the biannual defence exhibition, Defence Expo from 11th to 14th April 2018.
 AWARDS THE PEOPLE
P anchayat Raj & Rural Development and IT Minister N. Lokesh received
the Kalam Innovation in Governance Award-2018 (KIGA) presented by
the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre in New Delhi as part of the Dr. A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam Memorial Summit and Awards on Innovation in Governance.
The Kalam Centre for Livable Planet Earth and Sustainable Development,
recognising the development of rural areas and integration of technology in
rural governance, selected Andhra Pradesh for the innovation award in the
Panchayat Raj & Rural Development category.
About 'Kalam Innovations in Governance Award'
The 'Kalam Innovations in Governance Award' was established on 15th
of October 2016, to marked the 85th birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam. It is India’s first of its kind award on innovations in governance
space. The award was a step in the direction of exploring how can be the 'Kalam Innovations
cutting-edge technology, 21st century management and out-of-box thinking,
transform the role and impact of governance in India and across the world.
in Governance Award'

B ollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan recives the Crystal Award at

the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, along with
Hollywood star Cate Blanchett and legendary musician Sir Elton John.
He receives this award for "his leadership in championing children's and
women's rights in India.
The past awardees from India include Amitabh Bachchan, Mallika Sarabhai,
A R Rahman, Shabana Azmi, Ravi Shankar and Amjad Ali Khan.
Sir Elton John has been selected for the 2018 award for his leadership in
the fight against HIV/AIDS and Blanchett for her leadership in raising
awareness about the refugee crisis.
The Annual Crystal Awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of
outstanding artists who have shown exemplary commitment to improving
the state of the world.
Crystal award at the
World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum (WEF)
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland. The forum was
founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab. The forum is best known for its annual meeting at the end of January in Davos, a mountain resort
in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland. The meeting brings together some 2,500 top business leaders, international
political leaders, economists, celebrities and journalists for up to four days to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world.

L egendary playback singer Asha Bhosle (84) was chosen for fifth edition
of Yash Chopra Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to
the Hindi film industry. She will be presented with award by Maharashtra
Governor C Vidyasagar Rao.
Asha Bhosle : Born as Asha Mangeshkar on 8 September 1933 in Sangli,
Maharashtra. She is best known as a playback singer in Hindi cinema. She has
recorded over 11,000 songs in 20 different languages. Her work includes film music,
pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian classical music, folk songs, qawwalis, and
Rabindra Sangeets. She is sister of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.
Yash Chopra Memorial Award
The award has been instituted by MP T Subbarami Reddy in the memory
of renowned filmmaker Yash Chopra, who died in 2012, in association with
Anu Ranjan and Shashi Ranjan. The award also carries a cash prize of Rs Yash Chopra
10 lakh. The list of previous recipients of award include melody queen Lata Memorial Award
Mangeshkar and actors Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, and Shah Rukh Khan.
Uber has entered into a partnership with Eastern Railway to help travelers avail a ride at
Howrah station.
APRIL 2018 MICA 13
THE PEOPLE AWARDS
Geospatial World Excellence Award-2018
O disha Government has won ‘Geospatial
World Excellence Award-2018’ for
successful IT application for tracking of
Geospatial World Excellence
Awards

mineral production, dispatch and valueIt is internationally-

acclaimed private award
accrued on real-time basis through its i3MS
web-based software. that recognizes exemplary
innovations and practices in
The award was presented at the Geospatial global geospatial industry.
World Forum Meeting held at Hyderabad, It was initiated in 2007. It
Telangana. encourages all geospatial
i3MS web-based software and allied projects. It is
i3MS is GPS-linked web-based software designed by scientists of Odisha Space given in three categories
Applications Centre (ORSAC), Bhubaneswar. This system has enabled for first time in viz. Geospatial Application
India to fix GPS devices on large number of moving objects in the mining sector. Excellence Awards,
Using it, daily production and dispatch are being recorded on real-time basis through this Geospatial Technology
software. Moreover, State Steel and Mines Department uses it for watching live movement Innovation Awards
of 43,000 vehicles carrying minerals from production point to ports, railway sidings and and Geospatial Policy
end-user industrial units. Implementation Awards.

Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman award

M agahi writer Shesh Anand Madhukar was honoured with Sahitya

Akademi Bhasha Samman award. He is second writer of Magahi
language to be given this award.
Magahi language
Magahi language also known as Magadhi is language spoken in Bihar-
Jharkhand region of eastern India. It has been derived from ancient
language Magadhi Prakrit, spoken in ancient kingdom of Magadha. It is
believed to be the language spoken by Gautama Buddha. It was official
language of the Mauryan court, in which edicts of Ashoka were composed. Magadhi has approximately 18 million
speakers and has a very rich and old tradition of folk songs and stories. It has not been constitutionally recognised
in India and was legally absorbed under Hindi in the 1961 Population Census.

Shesh Anand Madhukar

Madhukar has been working extensively for the development of the Magahi language. He had started his career as lecturer
in Hindi. He entered in the field of literature in 1960 and since then he has immensely contributed in enrichment of language.

Grand Collar of the State of Palestine

P rime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the
State of Palestine’ by President Mahmoud Abbas, recognising his key
contribution to promote relations between India and Palestine. President
Abbas conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on Modi after
the conclusion of the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to make an official visit
to Palestine. The Grand Collar is Highest order given to foreign dignitaries
— Kings, Heads of State/Government and persons of similar rank. It has
in the past been awarded to King Salman of Saudi Arabia, King Hamad of
Bahrain, President Xi Jinping of China, amongst others.
It is given In recognition of his wise leadership and his lofty national and international stature, and in appreciation of his
efforts to promote the historic relations between the State of Palestine and the Republic of India; in acknowledgment
of his support to our people’s right to independence and freedom so that peace prevails in the region.
According to Morgan Stanley report, India's fiscal deficit is expected to increase to 3.5 per cent
14 MICA APRIL 2018
of GDP in 2018-19.
 OBITUARY THE PEOPLE
BJP MP Kairana Khwaja Haleem

H
Hukum Singh
ukum Singh,
parliamentarian
BJP
from
F ormer Uttar Pradesh minister
and senior Samajwadi Party
leader Khwaja Haleem passed
Uttar Pradesh's Kairana, away. He was 75. Haleem,
passed away. He was 79. who belongs to a family of
Hukum Singh had been a freedom fighters, completed
seven-time member of the his masters from Aligarh
Uttar Pradesh state assembly Muslim University in 1969.
and was a minister in the state He started his political career
before entering the Lok Sabha with the Youth Congress in the
in the 2014 elections. early 1970s.
He later joined the Lok Dal and was elected to the Vidhan
Frida Topno Sabha from Aligarh Assembly constituency in 1980. He

F ormer parliamentarian
from Odisha and Congress
leader Frida Topno passed
remained a Mulayam Singh loyalist ever since and was
elected twice for the Vidhan Parishad.
In 1990, Haleem was appointed the chairman of Uttar
away. She was 92. Topno Pradesh Minority Commission and was the member of
served as a Lok Sabha member the Samajwadi Party Central Committee for nearly two
for two terms from Sundergarh decades. In 2014, he was appointed advisor in tourism
parliamentary constituency in department by then chief minister Akhilesh Singh Yadav.
1991 and 1996. She was also
elected to the Rajya Sabha Gali Muddu
from Odisha in 1998.
Krishnama Naidu
Asma Jahangir S enior Telugu Desam Party
(TDP) leader Gali Muddu

A
Krishnama Naidu died. He
sma Jahangir, Pakistan’s
was 71. He had held the
renowned human rights
cabinet post in the Ministry for
lawyer, social activist and an
Education, Forest and Higher
outspoken critic of the country’s
Education and has a record of
powerful military establishment,
being elected for six terms to
died. She was 66. Asma was
the State Assembly. After some
the first woman to serve as the
differences with the Telugu
President of Supreme Court Bar
Desam party, he moved out and contested with ticket from
Association of Pakistan. She
the Congress party and won the election in 2004. However,
was a critic of the Supreme
he later resigned from Congress and joined back TDP in
Court over judicial activism and
2008 and was elected to Andhra Pradesh Assembly in 2009.
she also criticized the Supreme Court for disqualifying Nawaz
Sharif for the post of Prime Minister last year. Bolla Bulli
Ramaiah
Muzaffar Hussain

N oted writer, thinker and

journalist Muzaffar
F ormer union minister and
Senior TDP leader Bolla
Bulli Ramaiah died. He was
Hussain died. He was 78. In his 92. Bulli Ramaiah joined TDP
illustrious career, he bagged at the time of its inception. He
several state and national level became an MP in 1984.
awards in literature, besides He was elected to the Lok
Padmashree in 2002. He was Sabha from Iluru constituency
conferred with the Lokamanya in 1991, 1996 and 1999 and
Tilak Jeevan Gaurav award for was the Minister of State for
journalism by the government Commerce of the United Front Government in 1996-98.
of Maharashtra in 2014.
The World Bank approved a US$300 million (S$400 million) loan for Nepal. APRIL 2018 MICA 15
 NATIONAL

Burning Topics of the Month

President Ram Nath The Ministry of The Fifth edition of
Kovind launched the Commerce & Industry South Asia Region Public
Pulse Polio programme has launched Government Procurement Conference
2018 e-Marketplace (GeM 3.0). was held in New Delhi.

& Many More...

T
22 January '18
Homeopathy Research he Minister of State (IC), for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik laid
the foundation stone for Central Research Institute (CRI) in
Institute in Jaipur Jaipur. This will be the third CRI under the aegis of Central
Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), an autonomous
body of Ministry of AYUSH for undertaking scientific research
in Homoeopathy, with 23 institutes across the country.
Homoeopathy research institutes at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh,
Lucknow in UP and Siligudi in West Bengal are also lined up.
The institute is also contributing to the Swasthya Rakshan
Program at five adopted villages i.e. Chharsa, Kumbhawas,
Sakatpura, Khoraladkhani, Hanutpura. Under National Health
Mission, 19 villages under Amber block are being catered
to for the program “Healthy Teething in Children through
Homoeopathy”.
23 January '18
Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative' for strengthening cybersecurity

R
ecognizing the need to strengthen the cybersecurity
ecosystem in India, and in alignment with the Prime
Minister's vision for a 'Digital India', the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), announced
the Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative in association with
National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and industry partners.
Conceptualized with the mission to spread awareness about
cybercrime and building capacity for safety measures for
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline
IT staff across all government departments, Cyber Surakshit
Bharat will be operated on the three principles of Awareness,
Education and Enablement. It will include an awareness
program on the importance of cybersecurity; a series of workshops on best practices and enablement of the officials with
cybersecurity health tool kits to manage and mitigate cyber threats. Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the first public-private
partnership of its kind and will leverage the expertise of the IT industry in cybersecurity. The founding partners of the
consortium are leading IT companies Microsoft, Intel, WIPRO, Redhat and Dimension Data. Additionally, knowledge
partners include Cert-In, NIC, NASSCOM and the FIDO Alliance and premier consultancy firms Deloitte and EY.
Today, India is home to over 118 crore Aadhaar accounts, providing people with a unique identity. We have opened 30
crore bank accounts for the poor and underprivileged section of the society and linked those with Aadhaar. So far the
Government has transferred subsidies worth 2.40 lakh crore to the Jan Dhan accounts linked with Aaddaar, thereby saving
over 60,000 crore, which would earlier go to the middlemen. As we are moving towards that ecosystem, we also must
ensure that our systems are protected and our data is secured. Keeping this concern in mind, the government has launched
the Cyber Surakshit Bharat, with a primary objective to keep our data safe and protected. Cyber Surakshit Bharat aims to
conduct a series of training programs in the next six months across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

India's golfer Shubhankar Sharma remained at 44th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. APRIL 2018 MICA 17
NEWS BITES NATIONAL

24 January '18
International Dam Safety Conference - 2018

I
ndia hosted the International Dam Safety Conference - 2018 at Thiruvananthapuram. Dam safety conferences are
organized as an annual event under the Dam Safety Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) project being run
by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD & GR) in the seven
states of Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand. Launched in the year
2012 with a financial outlay of Rs. 2100 Crores, this World Bank aided project aims at the rehabilitation of old dams in the
country that may be experiencing distress and are in need of attention for ensuring their structural safety and operational
efficiency. The project also aims to strengthen the institutional capacity and project management in this area. As part of this
exercise, DRIP has been engaged in bringing greater awareness on dam safety issues and finding novel solutions to address
them by pooling the best technologies, knowledge and experience available around the world. In this direction, Dam Safety
Conferences are being organized as annual events in the different DRIP states.
Seven dam safety guidelines and manuals developed under DRIP was released for implementation during the conference.
A software programme - Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA)- was launched during the
conference. DHARMA is a web tool to digitize all dam related data effectively. It will help to document authentic asset
and health information pertaining to the large dams in the country, enabling appropriate actions to ensure need based
rehabilitation. It is a new stride in asset management aspect by India. The project DRIP consists of three main components;
Component I: Rehabilitation of selected dams and their appurtenances; Component II: Institutional Strengthening; and
Component III: Project Management.

Pulse Polio Programme 2018 27 January '18

P
resident Ram Nath Kovind launched the Pulse Polio About Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) Program
programme 2018 by administering polio drops to children ## The Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) Program
less than five years old at the Rahstrapati Bhawan, New was initiated in India in 1995 with the aim of
Delhi. The programme was launched on the eve of the National eradicating polio completely from the country.
Immunization Day, which is observed every year on 28 January
## The program was launched under the World
2018. Under the Pulse Polio Programme 2018, more than 17 crore
Health Organization's (WHO) Global Polio
children of less than five years across the country will be given
Eradication Initiative.
polio drops to sustain polio eradication from the country.
## Under this program, every child below five years
Union Government's efforts to sustain polio-free status of the
in age is given two doses of Oral Polio Vaccine
country
(OPV), in the month of January and December
In order to mitigate the risk of poliovirus importation, the every year and it needs to be continued till Polio
immunity against polio infection is maintained through National is eradicated completely.
and Sub-National Polio rounds along with sustained high quality
## It aims to reach unreached children through
polio surveillance.
improved social mobilization, plan mop-up
In order to provide additional protection to children, Union operations in areas where poliovirus has almost
Government has also introduced the injectable Inactivated Polio disappeared and maintain high level of morale
Vaccine (IPV) into its routine immunization program. among the public.

Kerala won the men's and women's sections in the 68th Senior National Basketball Championship.
18 MICA APRIL 2018
 NATIONAL
27 January '18 29 January '18
Stree Swabhiman Initiative High performance computer system
(HPC) or supercomputer Mihir

M
inistry of
Earth Science
( M o E S )
has inaugurated high
performance computer
system (HPC) or
supercomputer Mihir
(meaning sun) at
National Centre
for Medium Range

U
Weather Forecasting
nion Information Technology and
(NCMRWF), Noida.
Electronics Ministry announced
to launch the Stree Swabhiman The HCP will provide facility for improving weather/climate
Initiative to ensure and maintain perfect health forecasts. It is country’s largest HPC facility in terms of peak capacity
for Women and maintain Health Hygiene. and performance. It also propelled India’s ranking to Top 30 in the list
of HPC facilities in world.
The initiative was launched in partnership
with Common Service Centres (CSCs). Key Facts
Highlights of the Stree Swabhiman With this, MoES has acquired HPC facility total of 6.8 Peta Flops
Initiative (PF) which has been installed at two of its constituent units: 4.0
PF HPC facility named ‘Pratyush’ at Indian Institute of Tropical
## The initiative will be implemented by
Meteorology (IITM), Pune and 2.8 Peta Flops facility at NCMRWF,
the central government in coordination
Noida. It also improved India rank to 4th position after Japan, UK
of the CSC (Common Service
and US interms of dedicated HPC resources for weather/climate
Centers). The entire project will also
forecasts.
be implemented within the country at
the ground root level. Mihir HPC facility will improve following services
## Under this initiative, Common Service ## Weather forecasts at block level over India which can predict
Centres (CSC) will provide access to extreme weather events.
affordable, reliable and modern (eco- ## High resolution seasonal and extended range forecasts of active
friendly) sanitary napkins (menstrual and break spells of Monsoon.
pads) to adolescent girls and women in
## Very high resolution coupled models for prediction of cyclones
rural areas.
with more accuracy and lead time.
## Under this initiative, semi-automatic and
## Ocean state forecasts including marine water quality forecasts at
manual sanitary napkin manufacturing
very high resolution.
units will be set up at CSC for producing
affordable and eco-friendly sanitary ## Tsunami forecasts with greater lead time.
napkins. ## Air quality forecasts for various cities.
## These micro manufacturing units will ## Climate projections at very high resolution.
be operated by women entrepreneurs
and each production unit will generate Significance of new HPC facility
employment for 8-10 women. ## Help in meeting operational requirements of MoES and also
## The new sanitary pads that will be support research and development activities on various problems
manufactured by the CSC will be more related to Earth Science.
eco friendly and cheaper ones. ## Help MoES in developing several services for societal benefits
## It will help promote the idea of protecting catering by building state-of-the-art systems for multi-hazard
the rights of all women and girls within risk reduction from floods/droughts, cyclones, heat/cold waves,
the country. earthquakes and tsunamis.

L&T Shipyard has launched its 2nd indigenously built Coast Guard offshore patrol
vessel (OPV) 'Vijaya'
APRIL 2018 MICA 19
NEWS BITES NATIONAL

T
he Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched third version of the
Government e-Marketplace (GeM 3.0) . The earlier version GeM 2.0 was
launched as pilot project in August 2016. 31 January '18
Government
GeM 3.0 will offer standardised and enriched catalogue management, powerful
search engine, real time price comparison, template-based Bid and RA creation, e-Marketplace
demand aggregation, e-EMD, e-PBG, user rating, advanced MIS and analytics (GeM 3.0)
and more.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
GeM is an Online Market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by
various Ministries and agencies of the Government. It has been envisaged as National
Procurement Portal of India.
It aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement of goods and services and eliminate corruption.
It functions under Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D), Ministry of Commerce and Industries. It is
completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and
services with minimal human interface.
GeM 3.0
It has powerful search engine and price comparison using third party sites –
multisource and real time. It has performance based User Rating and online vendor
assessment (optional). It has market based-bundling and bunching of products
and services. It also has multi-Cart Functionality and offers more Services
with bid and RA Facility.
Benefits of GeM 3.0
• Completely transparent transactions across all ranges.
• Market Based generic requirements across all government
agencies.
• Open and dynamic market place with rating based on
performance of user on website.
• Generic standards established through universal service
levels and cost comparison enabled.
• Standardisation of specifications of both products and
services enabling empirical price comparability.

MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited signs with USC 02 February '18

T
he Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and joint stock ## Once the infrastructure for water based transport is
company United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), in place, there will be a demand for different kinds
Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding of specialized vessels and the MoU is an effort to get
(MoU) to collaborate and engage in Design, Development ready to cater this demand.
and Execution of modern vessels for Inland and Coastal
Waterways. United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), a Joint Stock
company, is the largest shipbuilding holding in Russia.
Highlights of the MoU
It incorporates about 40 enterprises including shipyards
## CSL and USC will collaborate for development which have been key contributors to the growth of inland
of High-Speed Vessels, River-Sea Cargo Vessels, waterways in Russia.
Passenger Vessels, Dredgers, and other watercrafts for
inland waterways and coastal shipping. On the other hand, CSL has recently incorporated a JV
Company called Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited
## The MoU will give a push to the Government’s Make-in-
(HCSL) at Kolkata, West Bengal with plans of setting up an
India programme as it plans to develop eco-friendly and
economic transportation along India’s inland waterways exclusive facility for construction and repair of vessels for
and coastal shipping routes under SAGARMALA Project. inland and coastal waterways.

20 MICA APRIL 2018 8th edition of the International Conference on Wild Silk Moths held in Guwahati.
 NATIONAL
03 February '18 KUSUM SCHEME 05 February '18
Project agreement for Jal Marg
Vikas Project on river Ganga

I
nland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
signed a project agreement with the World Bank
for Jal Marg Vikas Project on river Ganga.
World Bank entered into a USD 375 million loan
agreement with the Department of Economic
Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance for Jal Marg
Vikas Project (JMVP).
Funding of the Jal Marg Vikas Project
The signing of the project agreement follows the
approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs for the implementation of the USD
800 million JMVP for capacity augmentation

U
of navigation on National Waterway-1 (River nder the Kusum Scheme, all the pumps used for irrigation
Ganga) from Varanasi to Haldia. in the country will be made solar based. Under Kisan Urja
Out of the remaining amount, USD 380 million Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme,
is to be sourced through the Union Government by the year 2022, three crore pumps in the country will be run by solar
counterpart funds from budgetary allocation and power instead of electricity or diesel. Total cost of Kusum Scheme
proceeds from the bond issue. Another USD 45 will be Rs 1.40 lakh crores.
million will come from private sector participation
In this scheme, the central government will contribute Rs 48 thousand
under the PPP mode.
crore, while the same amount will be given by the state governments.
Jal Marg Vikas Project, which is expected to be Farmers will have to raise only 10 percent of the total cost, while
completed by March 2023, is being implemented about Rs 45,000 crore will be made from bank loan.
with the financial and technical support of the
World Bank. About the scheme

Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) ## Under the Kusum scheme, 30 million irrigation pumps of the
country will be run with solar energy.
## The Jal Marg Vikas Project aims to enable
commercial navigation of vessels with the capacity ## Farmers will have to pay only 10 percent of the cost.
of 1500 - 2000 tons on National Waterway-1. ## Government will mobilize about 45 thousand crores in the form
## The development and operations of the of bank loan for this scheme.
National Waterway-1 project will lead to ## The plan will generate 28 thousand MW of electricity.
direct employment generation to the tune of
46000 and indirect employment of 84000 in ## This scheme will help farmers to double benefits. First, it will get
the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, free electricity for irrigation. Second, the farmer will make extra
West Bengal. electricity and send it to the grid, then the price will also be given
to the farmers.
## The project includes development of fairway,
Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Haldia ## In the first phase of the scheme, 17.5 lakh irrigation pumps
and Sahibganj, strong river navigation system, running from diesel will be run with solar energy.
modern River Information System (RIS), Benefits of KUSUM scheme
Digital Global Positioning System (DGPS),
night navigation facilities, construction of a ## If running from solar power, irrigation from pumps will be
navigational lock at Farakka. possible for long and the yield of crops will improve.
## This waterway will function as a link to ## This will reduce the consumption of diesel in the country.
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and ## Negative effects of diesel on the environment will also decrease.
other east and south-east Asian countries
## This will create additional power generation in the country.
through the Kolkata Port and Indo-
Bangladesh Protocol Route. ## Power saving of farmers will be possible.

Ethiopia's Soloman Deksisa has won the 15th edition of Mumbai Marathon. APRIL 2018 MICA 21
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
06 February '18 Fifth South Asia Region Public Procurement
Ministry of Railways has signed Conference

T
06 February '18
MoU with the Ministry of Ayush he Fifth edition of South Asia Region Public Procurement
Conference was held in New Delhi. It was hosted by Public
Procurement Division (PPD) of Ministry of Finance and All
India Management Association (AIMA). It was held under auspices of
South Asia Region Public Procurement Network (SARPPN), which
is sponsored and facilitated by the World Bank, Asian Development
Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
Key Facts

M
inistry of Railways has signed MoU The theme this edition of conference was “Public Procurement and
with the Ministry of Ayush for Service Delivery”. It aims to strive to improve public procurement
promoting Ayush services in Railway of member countries to ensure timely and quality delivery of public
Hospitals in New Delhi. services. Its objective was to enable heads of Public Procurement
and other key stakeholders in 8 South Asian countries (Bangladesh,
B.R. Singh Hospital, Eastern Railway, Perambur
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Railway Hospital, South Railway, Central Hospital
Afghanistan) to meet and learn from one another and from experts in
of Northern Railway, J. R. hospital of Western
field of public procurement. It will help South Asian Governments to
Railway will be benefited through this decision.
consider enhancements and innovations in their public procurement
Key facts related to AYUSH services: systems, enable efficient utilization of public resources, ensure
## AYUSH services will be promoted in New quality and timeliness in delivery of services.
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Background
Guwahati Regional Hospitals.
The First Conference was held in Kathmandu in 2010, second in
## Traditional knowledge of AYUSH system Islamabad (2014), third in Dhaka (2015) and fourth in Sri Lanka
can be helpful for those large numbers (2017). All eight SAR countries spend approximately $550 billion
of railway workers who do stressful duty equivalent on public procurement of goods, works and services,
outside the office. which eventually convert to public services.
## Cooperation between Ministry of Railways
and Ministry of AYUS will work to spread 07 February '18
the benefits of ancient tradition of medicine. Development of Solar Cities scheme

M
## Medicines prepared by AYUSH system inistry of New and Renewable
provide a safe, effective and overall Energy (MNRE) under its
treatment for many diseases. “Development of Solar Cities”
## Railway Ministry will provide basic scheme has sanctioned development of
infrastructure and transportation facilities 60 Solar Cities including 13 Pilot and 5
in accordance with the guidelines of the Model Cities up to 12th Five-year Plan
MoU, which includes providing land and period (2012–2017). So far, master plans
buildings, equipment, furniture, medicines of 49 Solar Cities have been prepared. Moreover, Stake-holders
of AYUSH system. Committees have been constituted in 21 Cities and Solar City Cells
have been created in 37 Solar Cities.
## The AYUSH Ministry will provide necessary
technical information for the use of AYUSH About the scheme
system in five identified railway hospitals The Scheme aims at reducing minimum 10% in projected demand
on its behalf. of conventional energy at end of five years, through combination of
## AYUSH Ministry will provide technical enhancing supply from renewable energy sources in city and energy
information related to drug science, storage efficiency measures. Under it, local Governments are motivated for
of medicines, planning for hospitals. adopting renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures.
Solar City developed under this scheme will have all types of renewable
At present, Indian Railway is operating 126
energy based projects like solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, waste to
homeopathic and 40 ayurvedic medical centers
energy etc. It may be installed alongwith possible energy efficiency
through the karmi Kalyan Fund of Directorate of
measures depending on the need and resource availability in the city.
Installation.

Pema Khandu has inaugurated the World War II Memorial Museum in Jairampur in
22 MICA APRIL 2018
Changlang District.
 NATIONAL
08 February '18 Cabinet approves proposal to
President inaugurates implement PM’s scheme for research
Mahamastakabhiskeha of Lord fellows 08 February '18
Bahubali

P
resident Ram
Nath Kovind
inaugurated the
Mahamastakabhisheka,
the head anointing
ceremony of the
monolithic statue of
Lord Gommateshwara
Bahubali, a ritual
observed once in 12 years.

T
The ceremony is an integral part of the ancient and
composite Jain tradition at the Jain pilgrimage centre. he Union cabinet approved a proposal to implement
Bahubali was one of the 24 Teerthankars of Jain sect. the Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF)
scheme, under which the top 3,000 B.Tech
Hailing the rich Jain tradition around Shravanabelagola graduates of the country will get grants to pursue a PhD
and the towering 57 feet tall statue, the president said in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian
Shravanabelagola has been a centre of religion, spirituality Institute of Science (IISc). The cabinet approved the
and Indian culture. scheme at a cost of Rs1,650 crore for a period of seven
The ceremony will be held from February 17 to years, beginning 2018-19. The scheme was announced
February 26. Organisers estimate the arrival of at least by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley during his budget
40 lakh pilgrims at Shravanabelagola in the next 20 speech in Parliament on 1 February.
days. “Under this scheme, the best students who have completed
Located between the two hillocks of Vindyagiri and or are in the final year of B.Tech or integrated M.Tech or
Chandragiri, Shravanabelagola has been a Jain pilgrimage M.Sc in science and technology streams in the IISc/IITs/
centre for the past 2,500 years. NITs/IISERs/IIITs will be offered direct admission in the
The 2018 ceremony is the 88th in the series that began in PhD programme in the IITs/IISc,” an official statement said.
981 A.
13 February '18
Gadkari releases India's first 'Highway Capacity Manual'

U
nion Minister Nitin Gadkari released country's first ever Highway
Capacity Manual (HCM) which will guide road engineers
and policy makers about road expansion.
The manual known as 'Indo-HCM' has been developed by CSIR-
CRRI on the basis of an extensive, country-wide study of the traffic
characteristics on different categories of roads like single lane, two-
lane, multi-lane urban roads, inter- urban highways and expressways
and the associated intersections on these roads, the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways said in a statement.
The road transport and shipping minister "released India's first ever
Highway Capacity Manual. The manual will guide Road Engineers
and Policy Makers about Road Expansion".
The study involved seven academic institutions including IIT-Roorkee, Mumbai and Guwahati, School of Planning and
Architecture, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Engineering and Science and Technology, Shibpur, Sardar Vallabhai Patel
National Institute of Technology, Surat and Anna University, Chennai.
The manual lays down guidelines for when and how to expand or manage different types of roads and their intersections
and the level of services to be put in place. It has been developed based on the unique nature and diversity of traffic on
Indian roads.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the 'Cyber
Surakshit Bharat initiative'.
APRIL 2018 MICA 23
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
14 February '18
India-Russia Agriculture Business Summit held in New Delhi

A
s a part of the country-wide year-long celebration
of India-Russia Diplomatic Relations, since April
2017, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
organised two major events, an India-Russia Agriculture
Business Summit held in New Delhi and celebration of 70
years of Agricultural Relationship to be held in Suratgarh,
Rajasthan on 14th February 2018.
Gajender Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for
Agriculture and Sergey Beletskiy, Deputy Minister, Ministry
of Agriculture, Russia addressed the India-Russia Agriculture
Business Summit 2018, held at PUSA, New Delhi. Several
business houses and leaders of business associations of both countries, working in agriculture sector attended the event.
This will strengthen exchange of expertise to further business ties between the two countries.
Apart from presentation by both countries that highlighted the agricultural trade opportunities, there was intense
discussion in 4 theme sessions on potential areas of collaboration and trade in the fields of agriculture machinery;
sanitary and phytosanitary measures (both plants and animals); agriculture education and biotechnology; fishery and
sea products (including feeding, care and processing); and confectioner’s/baker’s, dry fruits and coconut products. The
discussions were facilitated by officers of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Food Processing
Industries.
The Russian and Indian delegations will visit Central State Farm (CSF) in Suratgarh, Rajasthan on 14.2.2018, which
was set up in 1956 with assistance from erstwhile USSR. Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
and Deputy Minister of Russia will inaugurate Russian Machinery Museum, address a gathering of farmers in which
the veterans of the farm will be facilitated, and also visit Cattle Breeding Centre. Russian scientists helped in laying the
foundation of agriculture in the deserts of Thar, which brought about a change in the agriculture farming in nearby areas
including fringe area of Punjab.

R.K. Singh inaugurates ‘Indian Power Stations 2018’ - International

Conference on Operations and Maintenance 18 February '18

U
nion Minister of State (IC) for Power and New and
Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh inaugurated the
‘Indian Power Stations 2018’ - three-day International
Conference on Operations and Maintenance. The Minister
exhorted the NTPC to become India’s power sector multinational
by setting up power plants in other Nations and become world’s
largest power producer. Singh also added that there was huge
opportunity to export cheap power to neighbouring countries
which will be beneficial for the entire region.
The Minister said that neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka,
Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh are viable markets for export of power, where per unit cost of electricity is very high. He
added that Ministry of Power would explore the idea of sending teams to these countries to assess the demand for export
of power.
Talking about achieving Government’s aim of ‘24x7 Power for All’ Singh said, “If you look at the entire power sector, the
demand has been suppressed because not everyone is connected. We have just started taking-off and going to enter double
digit growth. What we see as excess capacity today may not turn out to be enough if we unlock that demand. The unlocking
of demand will come but with some constraints. We don’t have a shortage of coal but we need to put in place mechanisms
to get coal from underground to over ground and to the power stations and we need to do that as soon as possible”.
Further, the Minister added that when all power plants in the country would run at 70-80 per cent of PLF, there would be
no stressed assets. The problem of stressed assets is there because first, the power plants are not able to get adequate coal
and secondly, demand needs to be unlocked.

Mauritius was the highest source of India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2016-17.
24 MICA APRIL 2018
 STATE NEWS BITES
Burning Topics of the Month
Loan Agreement Kolkata first metro
to improve access city in India to get First State Health Index
to Water Supply in floating market is released NITI Aayog
Uttarakhand

& Many More...

21 January '18
Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi
Sanjivani Yojna

M
aharashtra Govt. has approved Nanaji Deshmukh
Krishi Sanjivani Yojna, a Rs.4,000-crore project
aimed at promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
It will be roll out in 2018-19 and continue till 2023-24. The
Main objectives of scheme Scheme has been named after social activist Nanaji Deshmukh
## Promote very idea of sustainable who has worked in fields of education, health, and rural self-
development in agricultural reliance, and has been honoured with Padma Vibhushan.
The scheme will be implemented in 5,142 villages across 15 districts.
sector. Its objectives are to improve soil quality, develop foodgrain varieties
## Eliminate the problems of ground which can sustain climate variations and effect necessary changes in
water salinity problems. the crop pattern as per the availability of water in a particular region.
The scheme will cover small- and medium- scale farmers, who
## Improve conditions of the are more vulnerable to the impact of climate change. The total
agricultural yields to overcome cost of project is Rs 4,000 crore, 70% of which will be borne
the climatic changes. by World Bank while state will contribute 30% over six years
The entire project will focus on promoting climate resilient
## Promoting the quality of the soil
method of agriculture and cultivation that will be monitored within
such that quality of food grains various districts and villages in the state. It also strives at doubling
produced can be improved. income of state farmers by next few years till 2022 for farmers
## Cultivate new variety of grains belonging to medium and small grades to help overcome loses.
Under it, state government will also try and take new measures to
that will more sustainable and help change the pattern of cultivation of the crop depending on the
adaptable to climatic changes. availability of the water. This will help in making the state drought
free.

A Garbage fest 'Kachra Mahotsav’ was organized in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. APRIL 2018 MICA 25
NEWS BITES STATE
22 January '18
Loan Agreement to improve access to Water Supply in Uttarakhand

T
he Government of India, the Government
of Uttarakhand and the World Bank Board
signed a $120 million Loan Agreement
which will help increase access to improved water
supply services in peri-urban areas in the State of
Uttarakhand.
The Uttarakhand Water Supply Program for Peri-
Urban Areas will help the State increase water
supply coverage as well as ensure sustainable
water supply service delivery in peri-urban areas. It
will develop and implement a service-oriented and
efficient water supply policy for peri-urban areas,
strengthen the current monitoring and evaluation
systems, and provide dedicated incentives for preparation and adoption of water supply ‘master-plans’ in peri-urban
areas.
Highlights of the program:
## Over 700,000 people residing in peri-urban areas of the state are expected to benefit from the program.
## Through this project, the peri-urban population in the State, especially the women will have easy access to
regular water supply services.
## The Program will focus on increasing coverage, quality and reliability of water supply services in all peri-urban
areas of the State.
## Services would be provided through piped network and metered service connections with a focus on improving
the operation and management (O&M) of it.
## Some of the efforts at improving services under the Program will include ensuring a minimum 16-hour water
supply which meets the Government of India water quality standards, supplied at a minimum pressure of 12m,
for no less than 300 days in a year.
## 100 percent customer metering and volumetric tariffs
## The $120 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 5-year
grace period, and a maturity of 17 years.

The Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) 23 January '18

M
anipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched the Chief
Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), a pioneering
health assurance scheme for the poor and disabled people.
The chief minister launched the CMHT along with 10 advanced life
support ambulances as a gift of Statehood Day to the people of Manipur
at a function at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium. The CMHT will
provide cashless treatment to the poor at government hospitals, health
centres and other empanelled selected private hospitals. The scheme
will provide cover up to Rs 2 lakh per eligible family identified from
the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) in the treatment of seven
critical identified critical ailments - cardiovascular diseases, kidney
ailments, neurological conditions, liver ailments, cancer, neo-natal diseases and burns per year. The beneficiaries
may get themselves enrolled for the scheme with the help of ASHA workers at the kiosks opened in nearby PHCs,
CHCs and District Hospitals. The most special aspect of the scheme is its innovative features. Firstly, CMHT will
have convergence with Government of India programme like PMs Jana Aushadhi Programme and Free Diagnostic
Programme.Secondly, the scheme will be a truly IT platform driven scheme.
India has emerged as the fifth most attractive market for investments CEOs of global as per the
26 MICA APRIL 2018
survey by consultancy PwC.
 STATE
25 January '18
MoU for municipal solid waste incineration facilities in Telangana

P
aving way for a cleaner Telangana, the State government of Telangana signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
with Clean Authority of Tokyo for cooperation in the field of municipal solid waste incineration facilities. The State
government had been mulling various proposals to tackle solid waste, waste water and polluted air in urban areas
especially emanating from industries. Based on government's ideas, a Japanese team from Clean Authority of Tokyo, which
handles Tokyo's waste management, conducted a feasibility study to set up a Clean Authority of Telangana a few months ago.
The Clean Authority will deal with vital aspects of waste management, including collection, transfer, management and
administration of landfill disposal sites, besides tackling air and water pollution.
Officials are making arrangements to introduce a Bill for constituting the Clean Authority of Telangana on the lines of Clean
Authority of Tokyo, in the ensuing budget session of the legislature. In view of fast growing urban centres across the State,
the officials said that the government decided to establish the authority at the State-level unlike Tokyo which was restricted
to the Japan's capital city. The Clean Authority of Tokyo will share
technical know-how, human resource training and other issues
in municipal solid waste incineration facilities. The government
will examine proposals for the waste to energy projects as well.
A letter of interest was also signed between the Telangana
government and Ise Foods Inc in the presence of the Telangana
Minister and the Indian Ambassador to Tokyo, facilitating Ise
Foods Inc to establish its pilot project for egg production using
advanced technologies, establish a solar park to support its egg
production facility and also develop storage devices in the State.
Ise Foods, Japan's largest egg producer, is eyeing enormous Indian
market to launch major egg production operations in the country.

K
26 January '18
Kolkata first metro city in olkata, capital of West Bengal became first metro city in
India to get floating market India to get floating market. It was inaugurated by West
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The floating market is located on lake at Patuli in South Kolkata
which is 400 metres long and 60 metres wide. The lake has
been transformed into the floating market similar to the one in
Thailand.

Key Facts
The aim of floating market is to rehabilitate over 200 shopkeepers from nearby market that was demolished
for the widening of Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (EMB) — an important road that connects the northern parts
of Kolkata o the eastern and southern tips.
The market will host at least 114 boats, each one accommodating two shops. These shops will sell regular or
daily-use items that include vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish and meat and poultry. Shoppers can approach these
boats through wooden walkways.
Special provisions have been made to ensure that water in lake does not stink and the aquatic life
survives. Nets will be routinely used to fish out vegetable peel, fish scales and other waste from the
water. The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is executing agency of floating
market.

ASEAN – India Business and Investment Meet and Expo was held in New Delhi. APRIL 2018 MICA 27
NEWS BITES STATE
Key Highlights
27 January '18
‘Shakti’ app for ## Shaking the device would trigger the
app to send its location through GPS.
women’s safety

T
he Chief Minister of ## Once triggered, the app would
Himachal Pradesh, automatically send a message to the
Jai Ram Thakur nearest police control room.
launched the ‘Shakti’ app for
## It would also start recording
women’s safety in the state.
The app, which comes with a audio and video after 20 seconds.
panic button, was developed Besides this, the Chief Minister also
by the National Informatics launched the 'GUDDIYA' helpline
Centre (NIC) of the Himachal number 1515 and the 'Hoshiyar
Pradesh government. It Singh' helpline number 1090.
would be available in both
Hindi and English languages Key Objective
and would not require The main objective behind the launch
internet connectivity. of the app and the helpline is to fight
crimes against women in the state.
The Hoshiyar Singh helpline would be
monitored by the CM's office on a 24x7 basis.

Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) 28 January '18

P
unjab Government has launched Mahatma
Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) for the
welfare of the downtrodden citizen across the
state.
This scheme is aimed at the inclusive growth of the
distressed sections of the society. It will be on the line
of Antyodaya principles (Antyodaya’ means rise of
the last person) and will be implemented in the state’s
rural areas.
The objective of scheme is to identify poor and
distressed households which have been deprived of
the benefits of the various welfare schemes launched by state government. It will give distressed sections much need socially
or economically or psychologically help.
Its purpose is to benefit 18 marginalized sections living in rural areas of state. It will provide benefit of welfare schemes for
debt stressed farmers, poor families that have woman as sole bread earner, out-of-school children, martyred soldiers, families
of AIDS patients, differently-abled, abandoned old persons, drug addicts etc.
It aims to will give more focus on encouraging voluntary organizations, various civil society organizations, Non-Resident
Indians (NRIs) and other socially committed persons to contribute to the welfare of the downtrodden. Moreover, under the
scheme will be no financial implication.
The information gathered through the helpline will then be used by the state government to crackdown on the drug, forest and
mining mafias in the state.

Government of India has entered into an agreement with ONGC for sale of its 51.11% equity
28 MICA APRIL 2018
shareholding in HPCL.
 STATE
Loan Agreement to Boost Rural Economy of Tamil Nadu 29 January '18

T
he Union Government has inked The project will be operational in 120 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It will
$100 million Loan Agreement blocks across 3,994 villages in 26 also specifically support eligible
with World Bank for Project to Districts of Tamil Nadu with 411,620 households from socially and
Boost Rural Economy of Tamil Nadu. direct beneficiaries. It will be rolled culturally disadvantaged groups to
The loan is from the International Bank out in phased manner and in first phase harness their existing assets, skills,
for Reconstruction and Development 26 blocks will covered in all project and resources.
(IBRD) and has a 5-year grace period districts, followed by 52 blocks in It will also test selected innovations
and maturity of 19 years. second phase and remaining 42 blocks and start-up ideas or scaled up them
Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation in third phase. under newly created platform known
Project Under this project, communities will as Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation
The project aims to promote rural identify commodities and subsectors in Marketplace. This platform will
enterprises, facilitate their access the value chain for preparing business identify, showcase and celebrate
to finance and create employment plans based on the analysis. 30% of innovative solutions related to themes
opportunities for youth, particularly the financing for these s plans will that have potential to impact rural
women in selected blocks of Tamil be through matching grant program economic growth in state.
Nadu across 26 districts. It will create from project and remaining 70% will Moreover, it will have e-governance
enabling environment for producer be leveraged from other financial architecture with use of ICT along with
organizations and enterprises to institutions. a robust Management Information
promote businesses across select value The project will work with targeted System (MIS) to monitor and track
chains. households that are already part of results real time.

Loan Agreement to Improve Rural Connectivity in 5 States 31 January '18

T
he Union Government has inked $250 Million Loan
Agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to
Improve Rural Connectivity in 5 States viz. Assam,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal under
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The loan proceeds
will be used to finance the construction of 6,254 kilometres all-
weather rural roads in these 5 States under the PMGS).
Key Facts
It is first tranche Loan of the $500 million Second Rural Pradhan Mantri Gram
Connectivity Investment Program for India approved by the ADB Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Board in December 2017. The program is aimed to improve rural PMGSY was launched in year
connectivity, facilitate safer and more efficient access to livelihood 2000 as a Centrally Sponsored
and socio-economic opportunities for rural communities through Scheme with an objective
improvements to about 12,000 kms Rural Roads across 5 States. to provide single all-weather
Significance of ADB-funded investment program road connectivity to all eligible
unconnected rural villages
## Provide continued assistance to PMGSY and support the Government’s (habitations). The Union Ministry
long-term goal for rural development. of Rural Development is nodal
## It will have transformative impact in terms of rural economy and will implementing authority. It was
bring greater efficiency in terms of access and connectivity for rural fully funded scheme by the central
people in 5 States. government.
## Under it about 2,000 technical personnel will be imparted training on road safety and maintenance.
## It will also support Government’s drive for innovative approaches to reduce costs, conserve non-renewable natural
resources and promote use of waste materials in rural road construction.
## It builds upon $800 million ADB-financed first Rural Connectivity Investment Program in 2012 that added about
9,000 kms of all-weather rural roads in the same States.
## The road designs under it take into account climate risks (such as increased rainfall and storm surges) with measures
such as greater elevation of road embankments, slope protection, and better drainage.

IMF has retained India’s GDP forecast for 2017 at 6.7% and for 2018 at 7.4%. APRIL 2018 MICA 29
NEWS BITES STATE
Punjab Government discontinue the sale of 20 pesticides

P
02 February '18
unjab Government’s Department of Agriculture has issued directions
to discontinue the sale of 20 pesticides (insecticides) including Background
Endosulfan harmful to health of humans and environment with
immediate effect. This decision was taken based on the recommendations of In India, use of several class I
Registration Committee, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Punjab pesticides are still used which
State Farmers’ Commission (PSFC).
are banned by other countries.
Key Facts
In 2015, based on the
The insecticides that are banned includes Tricholorofon, Phosphamidon, recommendations of Anupam
Dicofol, Methomyl, Thiophanate Methyl, Benfuracarb, Bifenthrin,
Endosulfan, Chlorfenapyr, Carbosulfan, Ethofenprox (Etofenprox), Verma committee, Union
Phorate, Triazophos, Dazomet, Diflubenzuron, Fenitrothion, Metaldehyde, Agriculture Ministry through an
Kasugamycin, Alachior and Monocrotophos. order of December 2016 had
Some of these pesticides (Phosphamidion, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos planned to ban only three out of
and Monocrotophos) are considered class I pesticides by World Health
Organization (WHO) and are further categorised into extremely hazardous
these five class I pesticides and
(class Ia) and highly hazardous (class Ib) to human health. Many of these are that too, starting from 2021.
already banned in several countries.
Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) in Hyderabad 05 February '18

T
he Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) was inaugurated on World
Wetlands Day (February 2) in Neknampur Lake in Hyderabad to clean
and purify the polluted waterbody. Plants planted on FTW can clean the
lake by absorbing nitrates and other pollutants in the water.
Key Facts
FTW is joint effort of NGO Dhruvansh, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development
Authority (HMDA), district administration and other organisations. It measures
around 3,000 sq. ft and comprises four layers viz. floatable bamboo at base,
styrofoam cubicles above it. The third layer consists of gunny bags and gravels
on final layer to support cleaning agents (plants). Cleaning agents planted on
FTW include vetivers, cattalis, canna, bulrush, citronella, hibiscus, fountain
grass, flowering herbs, tulsi and ashvagandha.
FTW’s working is based on soil-less hydroponics technique. Hydroponics permits plants to grow only on sunlight and
water. There is no need of soil. There are small holes at bottom of base which facilitates flow of nutrients from water to
plants through biological uptake process.
Micro-organisms growing on FTW and plant root systems of cleaning agents break down and consume organic matter
in water through microbial decomposition. The root systems filter out sediments and pollutants, reduce content of these
chemicals from waterbody.

Rhodendron Park in Arunachal Pradesh 07 February '18

F
oundation stone of Rhodendron Park was laid in Tawang district of
Arunachal Pradesh by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Tawang district was
once home to about 100 species of rhododendron but now they have been
reduced to only 50 plus species due to construction activities in border areas.
Important points
The park will be built in total area of 1.15 hectares. It will be partly funded
under border area development programme (BADP). More than 30 species of
rhododendrons would be planted and conserved in park where terrace cutting to raise the beauty and scenic component.
The park will also have modern nursery, information center on rhododendron, resting sheds, public toilet facility, vehicle parking
facility, signage and lightings and iron security gate. It will add to the scenic enhancement of city and also offer an opportunity
for conservation of rhodo species, which are under serious threat due to various ongoing road and land acquisition projects.

30 MICA APRIL 2018 Siddharth Pratap Singh has won the Swedish Open Junior Badminton Title.
 STATE NEWS BITES
State Health Index by NITI Ayog 10 February '18
Kerala tops the list of large States in Developed by NITI Aayog, with one-third of the States, including the
overall health performance based on technical assistance from the World top-ranked Kerala, have registered
the health index released by NITI Bank, and in consultation with the a decline in their performance in
Aayog as part of its ‘Healthy States, Health Ministry, the health index 2016 as compared to 2015, stressing
Progressive India’ report. Punjab and ranks States and Union Territories on the need to pursue domain-specific,
Tamil Nadu were ranked second and their year-on-year incremental change targeted interventions. However, the
third among 21 large States evaluated in health outcomes as well as their report also noted that it is a challenge
on the basis of various health indicators overall performance with respect to for States with high index scores
such as neonatal mortality rates, under- each other. to even maintain their performance
five mortality rate, full immunisation The health index is a weighted levels while it is much easier for States
coverage and institutional deliveries. composite index, which for the with low levels of development to
Jharkhand, J&K and Uttar Pradesh are large States, is based on indicators notch up high incremental changes.
top-three ranking States in terms of in three domains: health outcomes Common challenges for most States
annual incremental. (70 per cent), governance and and UTs include the need to focus
Best performance information (12 per cent) and key on addressing vacancies in key
inputs and processes (18 per cent). staff, establishment of functional
Among small States, Mizoram ranked district Cardiac Care Units, quality
first followed by Manipur on overall Among UTs, Lakshadweep showed
both the best overall performance as accreditation of public health facilities
performance, while Manipur followed and institutionalisation of Human
by Goa were the top- ranked States in well as the highest annual incremental
performance. The incremental Resources Management Information
the annual incremental performance. System.
measurement revealed that about

N C Asthana new Kerala Vigilance chief 15 February '18

T
he Kerala government has decided to appoint DGP Nirmal Chandra
Asthana as the new director of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption
Bureau.
A decision has been taken in this regard, sources at the office of Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Asthana, a 1986 batch IPS officer, is now on Central deputation.
He has co-authored several books including one on internal
security.
DGP (Law and Order) Loknath Behra was holding additional
charge as vigilance director after Jacob Thomas was transferred
from the post in March last year.
Asthana's appointment comes against the background of a
report based on an RTI document that the state government
appointed Behra as vigilance director without seeking
permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

17 February '18
Rupani inaugurates Air Odisha's first flight under UDAN scheme

A
ir Odisha launched its maiden flight under the Centres UDAN scheme, linking
Mundra with Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani launched the
inaugural flight of the Bhubaneswar-based airline.
Air Odisha, which started services as a non-scheduled operator in November 2012, was
granted the flying permit by the DGCA to launch flights under the Ude Desh Ka Aam
Nagrik (UDAN), the Centres regional connectivity scheme (RCS).
It has bagged 50 routes under the RCS.

West Indies will host 2018 Women’s World T20. APRIL 2018 MICA 31
NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL

Burning Topics of the Month

India has joined Ashgabat India and Oman signed Tanzania withdraws from
Agreement eight Memorandums of UN refugee programme
Understanding (MoU)

& Many More...

Global Centre for Cybersecurity 24 January '18
## The global centre will be an excellent opportunity to
safeguard verticals like automotive and health care
where wireless connectivity is the key.
## It will establish an independent cyber library of best
practices and will strengthen cyber resilience and
robustness.
## It will act as a think-tank, especially in determining
future cybersecurity scenarios.

T
## It will assist regions which are less cyber developed in
he World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched establishing their national/regional cyber strategy and
the Global Centre for Cybersecurity to safeguard certification in cyber preparedness.
the world from hackers and growing data breaches.
## It will consolidate and advance the implementation of
The centre will help bring all the stakeholders together in
all existing cybersecurity initiatives.
warding off cyber criminals.
Global Centre for Cybersecurity What is the need of such centre?
## Headquartered in Geneva, the Cyber breaches recorded by businesses are on the rise. In
centre will become operational the last five years, cyber threats have almost doubled to an
from March 2018. average of 130 breaches per business in 2017. Professional
## Initially, the centre will reach out cyber criminals target high-value organisations like banks.
key industry players and G-20
countries to make this platform Immediate action is needed to create a safe operating environment
a success for dialogue and real- for new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Drones,
time action on cyber threats. Self-Driving cars and the Internet of Things (IoT).

MoUs Between India and Vietnam 25 January '18

I
ndia and Vietnam have signed two List of MoUs It seeks to establish tracking and data
Memorandum of Understandings MoU to enhance cooperation in field reception station and data processing
(MoUs) to enhance cooperation in of information and broadcasting: It facility in Vietnam under ASEAN
field of information and broadcasting aims to enhance cooperation in the India Space Cooperation.
and space cooperation. The MoUs field of information and broadcasting, It will define framework and conditions of
were signed following bilateral based on principles of equality and cooperation for establishment of facility
meeting between PM Narendra Modi reciprocity pursuant to their national to provide Indian remote sensing satellite
and his visiting counterpart Nguyen laws and regulations. data over ASEAN region. It will enable
Xuan Phuc ahead of the India-Asean remote sensing applications, which
Commemorative Summit in New MoU on space cooperation: It is
implementation arrangement between include natural resources management,
Delhi. Vietnam is a key pillar in India’s ocean development and disaster
Act East Policy and strategic partner in ISRO and National Remote Sensing
Department of Vietnam. management to ASEAN member states.
South East Asia.
US science fiction and fantasy author, Ursula K Le Guin, died.
32 MICA APRIL 2018
 INTERNATIONAL
Delhi Declaration 27 January '18
ASEAN
ASEAN is regional intergovernmental organisation
comprising ten Southeast Asian countries which
promotes Pan-Asianism and intergovernmental
cooperation and facilitates economic, political,
security, military, educational and socio-cultural
integration amongst its members and other Asian
countries.
It consists of 10-member countries- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It was established on August 8, 1967 through ASEAN
declaration (also known as Bangkok Declaration). Its secretariat is located in Jakartaa, Indonesia.

T
he ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit was held Economic Ties: Both sides reaffirmed to work to further
in New Delhi to celebrate the 25th anniversary of strengthen ASEAN-India economic relations, including
the establishment of sectoral dialogue between two through full utilisation and effective implementation of
sides under the theme of “Shared Values, Common Destiny”. ASEAN-India Free Trade Area. They also called for swift
It issued joint statement titled Delhi Declaration after the conclusion to comprehensive and mutually beneficial
plenary session focusing on counter-terrorism, identity Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
security, military cooperation, and bilateral financial support. in 2018 to further trade ties. They also look forward to
establish ASEAN-India Trade and Investment Centre.
India and 10 ASEAN countries for first time mentioned cross-
border movement of terrorists and made commitment to counter Physical and digital connectivity: Reaffirmed their
the challenge through close cooperation as part of the declaration. commitment to enhance physical and digital connectivity
in line with Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and
Key Highlights of Delhi Declaration ASEAN ICT Masterplan (AIM) 2020 by availing $1-billion
Strengthening relations: Called for strengthening and line of credit (LoC) announced by India. They will also
deepening ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership for mutual work towards encouraging early completion of India-
benefit, across the whole spectrum of political-security, Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway Project and
economic, socio-cultural and development cooperation. extend it to Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.
Terrorism: Deepen cooperation in combating terrorism Conservation and sustainable use of marine resources
in all its forms and manifestations, violent extremism and in Indian and Pacific Oceans and address threats to these
radicalisation through information sharing, law enforcement resources including illegal, unreported and unregulated
cooperation and capacity building under existing ASEAN- fishing, loss of coastal ecosystems and the adverse impacts
led mechanism. of pollution, marine debris and ocean acidification.
Maritime cooperation: It emphasised need to promote maritime
Cyber-security: Strengthen cooperation on cyber-security
transport cooperation and encourage potential private sector
capacity building and policy coordination, including through
participation in development of seaports, maritime logistics
supporting the implementation of ASEAN Cybersecurity
network and maritime services in order to create greater efficient
Cooperation Strategy.
linkages and continue discussions on these priority areas.
Transnational crimes: It called for strengthening cooperation MSMEs: It calls for promotion of stable and sustainable
to combat other transnational crimes, including people growth for MSMEs, including through technology transfer,
smuggling, trafficking in persons, illicit drug trafficking, as well as enhancing capacity building, technical assistance,
cybercrime, and piracy and armed robbery against ships. access to innovation and opportunities to integrate into
Political and Security Cooperation: Reaffirm importance of global and regional value chains were agreed upon.
maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety Peaceful exploitation of outer space: India and ASEAN
and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. countries will continue to collaborate in peaceful exploitation
It calls for other lawful uses of seas and to promote peaceful of outer space, through implementation of the ASEAN-India
resolutions of disputes, in accordance with universally Space Cooperation Programme. It will include launching of
recognised principles of international law, including 1982 satellites, sustainable exploitation of ground, sea, atmospheric
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). and digital resources for equitable development of region.

Legendary South African Jazz Musician Hugh Masekela passed away. APRIL 2018 MICA 33
NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL
Agreements between India and Cambodia 28 January '18

I
ndia and Cambodia have signed four agreements to boost bilateral
cooperation between both countries. The agreements were signed
after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Hun Sen in New Delhi.
Key Takeaways from comprehensive talks
Defence, security and counter-terrorism: Both leaders held talks to
boost ties in key areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism and
called for concerted global efforts to eliminate terrorism, including
blocking terror financing and dismantling terrorist bases.
Background
Enhance bilateral defence ties: They agreed to further enhance
bilateral defence ties, including through exchanges of senior-level India-Cambodia bilateral
defence personnel and capacity building projects. They also discussed relations are warm and
exploring ways to intensify development partnership and boost ties cordial. The relations go back
in key sectors, including trade and investment, energy conservation, to 1st century AD when Hindu
agriculture, and tourism and culture. and Buddhist religious and
Maritime Security: They also expressed keen interest in enhancing cultural influences emanated
cooperation in maritime domain, including preservation of coastal out of India to various parts of
and marine environment, anti-piracy cooperation, security of sea
Southeast Asia. Cambodians
lanes of communication to maintain peace and ensure safety and
security of navigation in Indo-Pacific Region. They also supported
are predominantly Buddhist but
complete freedom of navigation and overflight and pacific resolution retain strong influence of Hindu
of maritime issues based on international law. mythology, rituals and idolatry.
Agreements signed are
## Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP): It seeks to promote cultural exchange and strengthen the friendly relations
between both countries.
## Credit Line Agreement: It was signed between India’s EXIM Bank Government of Cambodia for Line of Credit
(LoC) to finance Stung Sva Hab Water Resource Development Project for US$ 36.92 million.
## Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters: It seeks to improve effectiveness of both countries in prevention,
investigation and prosecution of crimes through cooperation and legal assistance in criminal matters.
## MoU on Cooperation for Prevention of Human Trafficking: It seeks to increase bilateral cooperation on issues of
prevention, rescue and repatriation related to human trafficking.

India joins Ashgabat Agreement 02 February '18

I
ndia has joined Ashgabat Agreement which envisages facilitation
of transit and transportation of goods between Central Asia and
the Persian Gulf to significantly boost up trade and investment.
Ashgabat Agreement aims at establishment of International Transport
and Transit Corridor between the Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan. It was signed in April 2011 and is named after capital
of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. It establishes international transport and
transit corridor between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf countries.
Pakistan is also its member since October 2016.
Significance of this Agreement
## It will enable India to utilise this existing transport and transit corridor to facilitate trade and commercial interaction
and ties with Central Asia and Eurasian region.
## It will synchronise India’s efforts to implement the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for enhanced connectivity.
## It will provide India an opportunity for reorientation of the freight traffic from the traditional sea route to land
transcontinental routes.

7th Asia Steel International Conference was Held at Bhubaneswar.

34 MICA APRIL 2018
 INTERNATIONAL
National Heritage Festival in Riyadh 09 February '18

K
ing Salman bin Abdulaziz in presence of External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated 32nd edition of
Saudi Arabia’s National Heritage Festival in Janadriyah
village, Riyadh. This year India is guest of honor country.
About Jenadriyah
Jenadriyah is cultural and heritage festival of Saudi Arabia. It is
held annually at Jenadriyah village near Riyadh. It was held for
first time in 1985. It draws more than one million visitors every
year.
The festival normally falls during the month of February or March. The activities
in festivals include camel race, horse race, sports, dance, arts, history, falconry, and traditional arts and
crafts. The India Pavilion at festival was based on the theme ‘Saudi ka dost Bharat’. It showcased traditional and modern
aspects of India and its culture.

India-Saudi Arabia relations

Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trade partner after China, US and UAE. It is
major source of India’s energy security requirement as it accounts for almost one-fifth
of India’s crude oil requirement. The volume of bilateral trade between both countries
during 2016-17 was recorded at $25.079 billion. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3
million Indian people.

Agreements between India and Oman 10 February '18

I
ndia and Oman signed eight Memorandums of Understanding
(MoU) to expand cooperation in different sectors including
defence and tourism.
The agreements were signed during Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to the Gulf nation. During the visit,
Modi held delegation-level talks with the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos
bin Said al Said on measures to strengthen cooperation between the
two nations in trade and investment, energy, defence, security, food
security and regional issues.
Following MoUs were signed during the meet:
1. Agreement on legal and judicial cooperation in civil and
commercial matters.
2. Agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports.
3. MoU on cooperation in the field of Health.
4. MoU for cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
5. MoU on cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman Diplomatic
Institute.
6. MoU on academic and scholarly cooperation sectors between National Defence College, Sultanate of Oman and the
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.
7. MoU in the field of Tourism Cooperation between India and Oman.
8. Annexure to the MoU on Military Cooperation.

Deloitte Global has placed Reliance Retail at189th place in the list of top 250 global retailers list. APRIL 2018 MICA 35
NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL
11 February '18 MoU'S between India and UAE 12 February '18

I
MoUs between India and ndia and the United Arab
Palestine Emirates (UAE) signed
five Memorandum of
Understanding (MoUs) in key
areas during PM Narendra
Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi.
The MoUs were signed in
key areas of energy sector,
railways, manpower and
financial services.
MoU between Indian Consortium (OVL, BPRL & IOCL) and ADNOC
## An MOU was signed between Indian Consortium (OVL, BPRL &
IOCL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for acquisition

I
of 10 per cent participating interest in the offshore Lower Zakum
ndia and Palestine have signed
Concession. The concession will be for 40 years from 2018 to 2057.
six Memoranda of Understanding
(MoUs) in different areas including ## Under the MoU, 60 per cent of the participating interest will be
health and education. The MoUs were retained by ADNOC and remaining 30 per cent will be awarded to
other International oil companies. This is the first Indian Investment in
signed after bilateral talks between Prime
upstream oil sector of UAE.
Minister Narendra Modi and Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas at Ramallah. MoU in the field of Manpower
PM Modi had reached Ramallah, ## Indian Government and Government of UAE signed a MoU in the
capital of Palestine via helicopter from field of Manpower with an aim to institutionalise the collaborative
Jordanian capital Amman becoming administration of contractual employment of Indian workers in
the first Indian Prime Minister to UAE.
visit Palestine. He was conferred ## Under the MoU, both the sides will work together to integrate their
Grand Collar of the state of Palestine, labour related e-platforms for ending the existing malpractices, combat
the highest order given to foreign trafficking and organize programs for education of workers.
dignitaries. MoU for Technical Cooperation
Signed agreements are ## An MoU was signed between Railways Ministry of India and Federal
## MoU for setting up of India-Palestine Transport Authority - Land & Maritime of UAE for technical cooperation
in Rail Sector. The MoU aims at cooperation in Infrastructure sector
Super-specialty hospital at Beit Sahour
especially Railways.
in Bethelhem Governorate.
## It will facilitate development of joint projects, knowledge sharing, joint
## MoU for construction of Turathi: research and technology transfer. It also envisages formation of a Joint
India Palestine Centre for Empowring Working Group for institutionalising the cooperation mechanism.
women.
MoU for bilateral cooperation in the field of finance
## MoU for setting up of new National
## With an aim to extend the bilateral cooperation in the field of finance,
Printing Press at Ramallah. an MoU was signed between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Abu
## MoU for Construction of school in Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). It aims to enhance cooperation
Muthalth Al Shuhada Village. between both the countries in financial services industry.
## MOU for construction of school in ## It will facilitate investment in financial markets by investors from both
Tamoon village in Tubas Governorate. the countries.

## MoU for providing assistance for MoU between Jammu and Kashmir and DP World
construction of additional floor to An MoU between Jammu and Kashmir Government and DP World, UAE
Jawahar Lal Nehru for Boys at Abu was signed to establish multi-modal logistics park and hub in Jammu
Dees. comprising warehouses and specialized storage solutions.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the Bharat-ASEAN Maitri Park in New
36 MICA APRIL 2018
Delhi.
 INTERNATIONAL
17 February '18
India and Iran sings Double Taxation Avoidance Agrements (DTAA)

I
ndia and Iran on signed Double Taxation Avoidance (DTAA) and the
prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.The information
was shared by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
The agreement is on the same line as the previous agreements entered into by
India with other nations. It was signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who arrived in India on
February 15, 2018 for a three day visit.
Significance
## The pact will stimulate flow of investment, technology and personnel from
India to Iran as well as from Iran to India and will prevent double taxation.
## It will also provide for exchange of information between the two contracting parties as per latest international standards.
## It will also improve transparency in tax matters and will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.
## The agreement also meets treaty related minimum standards under G-20 OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting
(BEPS) project, in which India participated on an equal footing.
19 February '18
Saudi Arabia allows women to open business without male consent

T
he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia system that has ruled the
announced a major policy country for decades.
change by allowing women ## Under Saudi Arabia's
to open their own businesses without guardianship system, women
the need of showing consent from a are required to present proof
husband or male relative. of permission from a male
The announcement was made by the guardian, a husband, father or
country’s Ministry of Commerce brother, to do any government
and investment, which stated on its paperwork, travel or enrol in
website that women can now launch classes. ## The oil-rich nation, which has
their own businesses and benefit from ## It is also a significant move on the been long dependent on crude oil
governmental e-services without having part of the Saudi government to production for economic revenue,
to prove consent from a guardian. create a gender-neutral society. is pushing to expand its private
Significance ## The development is also in line with sector, including an expansion of
## The move marks a major step Saudi Arabia’s effort to expand its female employment under its new
away from the strict guardianship fast-growing private sector. reform plan for a post-oil era.

Tanzania withdraws from UN refugee programme

T
19 February '18
anzania has decided to withdraw CRRF. It calls for greater support to support the countries that welcome
from UN refugee programme refugees and the countries that host them.
for reasons of security and them. The New York Declaration for ## UN’s “comprehensive refugee
lack of funds. Tanzania has long been Refugees and Migrants is a milestone response framework” provides lasting
considered a safe haven for refugees, for global solidarity and refugee solutions for refugees, including
particularly from Burundi and the protection at a time of unprecedented integration into host communities.
Democratic Republic of Congo. displacement across the world. The framework approach is based
About UN refugee programme: ## Adopted by all 193 Member States on the idea that refugees should be
The New York Declaration lays out of the United Nations in September included in their host communities.
a vision for a more predictable and 2016, it contains historic and wide- When refugees have access to
more comprehensive response to these ranging commitments that reaffirm education and the right to work
crises, known as the Comprehensive the commitment by Member legally, they can develop their skills
Refugee Response Framework, or States to respect the human rights and be more self-reliant, contributing
of refugees and migrants and to to the local economy.
Nitin Gadkari has laid the foundation stone for an Intermodal Terminal at Ghazipur in Uttar
Pradesh.
APRIL 2018 MICA 37
NEWS BITES ECONOMY

Burning Topics of the Month

India becomes the Double Taxation Avoidance

11,300 Crore Scam in
world’s third largest Agreement (DTAA)
PNB: Explained
steel producer in 2017 between India and China

& Many More...

AU Small Finance Bank has signed a NIIF has partnered with DP
MoU with LIC 21 January '18 World 23 January '18

B N
anking finance IIF has partnered with DP World to create
company AU an investment platform for ports, terminals,
Small Finance transportation and logistics businesses in India.
Bank has signed an The platform will invest in opportunities in the ports
MoU with LIC to sector, and beyond sea ports into areas such as river
offer Pradhan Mantri ports and transportation, freight corridors, port-led
Jeevan Jyoti Bima special economic zones, inland container terminals,
Yojana (PMJJBY). and logistics infrastructure including cold storage.
Under the MoU, LIC NIIF was set-up to function as a major platform in
will give a life cover of `2 lakh in case of death to the customer India for attracting foreign investments. The NIIF is
at a nominal premium of `330 per annum. being operationalized by establishing three Alternative
Investment Funds (AIFs) under the SEBI Regulations.
The aim is to provide best services to the customers under
The proposed corpus of NIIF is Rs. 40,000 Crores (around
one roof. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana is a
USD 6 Billion). GOI’s contribution to the AIFs under
government-backed Life insurance scheme in India. As of May
the NIIF scheme shall be 49% of the total commitment.
2015, only 20% of India's population has any kind of insurance,
NIIF has mandate to solicit equity participation from
this scheme aims to increase the number. It is available to
strategic anchor partners, like overseas sovereign/quasi-
people between 18 and 50 years of age with bank accounts.
sovereign/multilateral/bilateral investors.

Indian Overseas Bank has signed a MOU with

National Housing Bank 25 January '18

I
ndian Overseas Bank announced an MOU with National Housing Bank for
Implementation of the Rural Housing Interest Subsidy Scheme (RHISS) of the
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India.
IOB is one of first major public sector bank to execute the MOU to implement the
Scheme. With the association, the bank will be able to extend the benefit of the
RHISS scheme to its rural home loan customers of its 923 rural branches spread
across India.
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) The aim of the RHISS is to provide subsidy for the Housing loans to
the households living in rural areas that are availed for construction
## Major public sector bank and modifications of their dwelling units. The interest subsidy under
## Headquartered - Chennai (Madras) the scheme is at 3.00%p.a for a loan amount of Rs. 2 lakhs with
repayment period upto 20 years.
## CEO: R. Subramania kumar
## Tagline : Good People to grow
with

38 MICA APRIL 2018 HSBC has Projected India's GDP Growth Rate will be 7% in the Financial Year 2018-2019.
 ECONOMY
World Economic Forum's Inclusive Development Index 25 January '18

I
ndia was ranked at the 62nd place among emerging
economies on an Inclusive Development Index. Norway
remains the world’s most inclusive advanced economy,
while Lithuania again tops the list of emerging economies.
Inclusive Development Index is the yearly index released
by World Economic Forum (WEF).
The index takes into account the “living standards,
environmental sustainability and protection of future
generations from further indebtedness,”. It urged the
leaders to urgently move to a new model of inclusive
growth and development, saying reliance on GDP as a
measure of economic achievement is fuelling short-termism highest. It is followed by Canada (17), France (18), the UK
and inequality.India was ranked 60th among 79 developing (21), the US (23), Japan (24) and Italy (27).
economies last year. The 2018 index, which measures
The top-five most inclusive emerging economies are
progress of 103 economies on three individual pillars —
Lithuania, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Latvia and Poland.
growth and development; inclusion; and inter-generational
Performance is mixed among BRICS economies, with the
equity — has been divided into two parts. The first part
Russian Federation ranking 19th, followed by China (26),
covers 29 advanced economies and the second 74 emerging
Brazil (37), India (62) and South Africa (69).
economies.
Of the three pillars that make up the index, India ranks 72nd
The index has also classified the countries into five sub-
for inclusion, 66th for growth and development and 44th for
categories in terms of the five-year trend of their overall
inter-generational equity.
Inclusive Development Growth score — receding,
slowly receding, stable, slowly advancing and advancing. The neighbouring countries ranked above India include Sri
Despite its low overall score, India is among the ten Lanka (40), Bangladesh (34) and Nepal (22). The countries
emerging economies with ‘advancing’ trend. Only two ranked better than India also include Mali, Uganda, Rwanda,
advanced economies have shown ‘advancing’ trend. Burundi, Ghana, Ukraine, Serbia, Philippines, Indonesia,
Iran, Macedonia, Mexico, Thailand and Malaysia.
Among advanced economies, Norway is followed by Ireland,
Luxembourg, Switzerland and Denmark in the top five. Although China ranks first among emerging economies in
Small European economies dominate the top of the index, GDP per capita growth (6.8 per cent) and labour productivity
with Australia (9) the only non-European economy in the growth (6.7 per cent) since 2012, its overall score is brought
top 10. Of the G7 economies, Germany (12) ranks the down by lackluster performance on inclusion.

27 January '18
India to grow at 7.4% of its GDP in 2018: World Economic Outlook

I
n its latest World Economic Outlook (January 2018 forecast for emerging markets and developing economies
update) released by International Monetary Fund for 2018 and 2019 remain unchanged, with marked
(IMF), India is projected to grow at 7.4% of its gross differences in outlook across regions.
domestic product (GDP) in 2018 as against China’s 6.8%. Emerging and developing Asia will grow at around 6.5%
The projection makes India fastest growing major economy over 2018-19, broadly the same pace as in 2017. The US
following slowdown in 2017 due to demonetisation and will grow 2.7% and 2.5% in 2018 and 2019, respectively,
implementation of goods and services tax (GST). higher by 0.4 and 0.6% point than earlier estimate.
Key Facts
World Economic Outlook (WEO)
IMF has projected that global economy is expected to grow 3.9%
this year, faster than 3.7% forecast earlier in October 2017. Some The report contains analysis and projections of
120 economies, accounting for three quarters of world GDP, have integral elements of IMF’s surveillance of economic
seen pickup in growth in year-on-year terms in 2017. It is the developments and policies in its member countries
broadest synchronised global growth upsurge since 2010. and of developments in global financial markets
and economic system. It is usually prepared twice
IMF projected India’s GDP growth rate at 7.4% in 2018 and
a year and is used in meetings of the International
7.8% in 2019. China, during the same period, is expected to
Monetary and Financial Committee.
grow at 6.8% and 6.4% respectively. The aggregate growth

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) appointed KVB Reddy as its new Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer.
APRIL 2018 MICA 39
NEWS BITES ECONOMY
Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana
(APY). 28 January '18

T
he Union Government has allowed Small Finance Banks
and Payments Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
The Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks are a new
model of banks conceptualised by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI). In total, 11 Payment Banks and 10 Small Finance Banks
have received the license from Reserve Bank of India to start
banking operations in India.
Significance
The Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks are new age banks
and given the strength, expertise and reach of these banks, they
can play a pivotal role in the outreach of subscribers under APY.
Key Objective
## The decision of allowing the Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks to offer APY is mainly aimed at strengthening
the existing channels of APY distribution.
## These banks are expected to provide a boost to the outreach of subscribers under APY.
## With their participation, the government would not only be able to build a pensioned society but also add sustainable
fee income to Banks by offering attractive incentives for mobilizing APY, at Rs 120-150 per account.
## At present, over 84 lakh subscribers are registered under the APY scheme with an asset base of more than Rs 3194 crore.
About Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
The social security scheme was launched on May 9, 2015. It is the Union Government’s first-ever
guaranteed pension product to the people of the nation.
It is available to people falling in the age group of 18 to 40 years.
Under the scheme, the subscriber would receive a minimum guaranteed pension of 1,000 to 5,000
rupees per month from the age of 60 years depending upon the contribution.

India becomes the world’s third largest steel producer in 2017 30 January '18

A
ccording to recent report published by World Steel Association
(WSA), India has overtaken US to become the world’s third largest
steel producer in 2017. India’s crude steel production has grown
by 6.2% to 101.4 million tonnes (MT) in 2017 compared to 95.5 MT in the
previous year.
Key Facts
China has remained world leader by producing 831.7 MT in 2017, up 5.7%
from 786.9 MT in the year-ago period. Japan is second largest global steel
producer and had witnessed negative growth in steel output declined by
0.1% to 104.7 MT in 2017 from 104.8 MT in 2016.
The Global steel production had reached 1,691.2 MT in 2017, up by 5.3% compared to 2016 when output was 1,606.3 MT. Crude
steel production increased in all regions in 2017 except in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), which has remained stable.
World Steel Association (WSA)
WSA is a non-profit organisation and is one of the largest industry associations in world. Its members
represent approximately 85% of the world’s steel production. It includes over 160 steel producers
with 9 of the 10 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel
research institutes. It was founded in July 1967 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

40 MICA APRIL 2018 Indian boxing star Vijender Singh has risen four rungs to sixth in the latest WBO rankings
 ECONOMY
CriSidEx, India’s first MSE Sentiment Index 03 February '18

T
he SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) and ratings
agency Crisil have launched CriSidEx, India’s first MSE Sentiment Index About CriSidEx
for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The index will help to CRISIL-SIDBI MSE
indicate the current state and expected outlook on the MSME sector every quarter.
Sentiment Index (or CriSidEx)
Significance of index has been developed jointly
## Provide crucial insights into employment, business environment and foreign by CRISIL and SIDBI. It
trade in MSME sector. is a composite index based
## Allow policy makers to take timely proactive steps, including those based on on diffusion index of 8
early warnings thrown up by survey of index. parameters. It measures MSE
## Provide intelligence and insights for regulators, trade bodies, lenders as well business sentiment on a scale
as economic and financial analysts.
of 0 (extremely negative) to
## Help in forecasting business environment by capturing sentiment on various 200 (extremely positive).
business parameters such as business situation, capacity utilisation, order
book and margins. The parametric feedback for the
## Flag potential headwinds and changes in production cycles in MSME sector index will be captured through
and thus help in improving market efficiencies. a survey of 1100 MSEs.

06 February '18

D
epartment of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under Commerce
Ministry has unveiled Start-up-India ranking framework to rank states/
UTs based on measures regions that have taken to foster entrepreneurship.
It was launched by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Objective of Startup States and UTs Ranking Framework

Start- The framework aims to foster competitiveness and propel states/UTS to act
proactively in startup matters. This ranking will help states to bring progress
up-India made in their startup ecosystem and also make different states learn and
ranking replicate good practices.
framework Its objective is to encourage States/UTs to take proactive steps towards
strengthening Startup ecosystems at local level. It will also measure impact of
each step initiated at local level for building strong Startup ecosystem. It will
also enable continuous learning through the dissemination of good practices.
It also gives greater thrust like seed funding support, women entrepreneurship.

Background
India is home to about 20,000 startups, with about 1,400 beginning operations every year. They are
driving economic growth and also leading to technological innovations and employment generation
in every state. Entrepreneurs in these startups are introducing new solutions everyday and also
are improving existing processes. Thus, this framework will encourage and help startups and help
government to create policies for ease of doing business for startups.

Usha Ananthasubramanian became the first woman chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). APRIL 2018 MICA 41
NEWS BITES ECONOMY
Development Impact Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)
Bond between India and China 08 February '18

B T
07 February '18
ritain’s Prince Charles has he Union Cabinet has approved
launched a new 10-million- signing and ratification of
dollar Development Impact protocol amending Double
Bond (DIB) to help improve Taxation Avoidance Agreement
education for over 200,000 children (DTAA) between India and China. The
in India. The DIB is the largest bond DTAA aims for avoidance of double
of its type in South Asia. It is the latest taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion
fundraising initiative by British Asian with respect to taxes on income and
Trust (BAT) set up by royal 10 years update the provisions on exchange of
ago to fight poverty in South Asia. information of the DTAA to the latest international standards.
Key Notes Important points
The DIB was announced on occasion of The amending protocol updates existing provisions of DTAA for exchange of
celebration of 10th anniversary of BAT. information to the latest international standards. It also incorporates changes required
It was launched by trust with support to implement treaty related minimum standards under Action reports of Base Erosion
of UK government’s Department for & Profit shifting (BEPS) Project, in which India also had participated. It will also
International Development (DfID), bring in changes as per BEPS Action reports as agreed upon by two countries.
Comic Relief, Mittal Foundation and
UBS Optimus Foundation. Background
The DIB is intended as result-oriented
way to attract new capital into
In 2016, India had signed multilateral convention to
development projects, with strong implement measures to prevent shifting of profits by
emphasis on data and evidence. It multinational companies (MNCs) to low-tax nations as
is intended to improve literacy and
numeracy learning levels for primary way to avoid paying taxes. It was outcome of Organisation
school students from marginalised for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)/G20
communities in country.
BEPS project.
Under the initiative, DIB will
provide funding to local not-for- The convention aims to BEPS through tax planning
profit delivery partners in India strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules
over 4 years period to deliver range
of operational models including to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax nations where
principal and teacher training, there is little or no economic activity, resulting in little or
direct school management, and
supplementary programmes.
no overall corporate tax being paid.
Rs.136 crore fine imposed on Google 10 February '18

T
he Competition Commission of India (CCI) has generated from India operations from its different business
imposed Rs.136 crore fine on world’s most popular segments for financial years 2013, 2014 and 2015.
search engine Google for unfair business practices in Background
Indian market for online search. The penalty was imposed
on Google for infringing anti-trust conduct. CCI passed the penalty order on complaints filed in 2012 by
Matrimony.com and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS)
The Ruling in 2012. It was alleged that Google is indulging in abuse of
CCI held that Google was found to be indulged in practices dominant position in market for online search through practices
of search bias and by doing so it has caused harm to its leading to search bias and search manipulation, among others.
competitors as well as to users. It also held that Google CCI’s ruling comes after similar anti-trust setbacks for
was leveraging its dominance in market for online general Google in European Union and Russia. In 2017, in similar
web search, to strengthen its position in market for online case EU’s anti-trust arm had fined Google $2.7 billion for
syndicate search service. The penalty amount imposed promoting its own products over others. Google also had
translates to 5% of company’s average total revenue settled an anti-trust matter in Russia out of court.

The second highest Tiranga of Uttarakhand was dedicated to the people on the 69th Republic Day
42 MICA APRIL 2018
in the Udhamsingh Nagar district.
 ECONOMY
14 February '18
India Post Payments Bank to enable Digital Payments in Post Offices

T
he India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) announced that it will enable
Digital Payments in Post Offices by April 2018, as scheduled earlier.
The announcement came after some sections of the media reported
revision in timelines of the India Post Payments Bank Expansion Programme.
Key Highlights
## Once the proposed India Post Payments Bank Expansion Programme
is accomplished, IPPB will be providing the largest financial inclusion
network in the country, covering both urban as well as rural surroundings.
## It will provide digital payment services at the doorstep with the help of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS).
## IPPB will also enable more than 17 crore active account-holders of Post Office Savings Bank to make digital payments
including the benefit of NEFT, RTGS, UPI and bill payment services.
## It will also enable acceptance of digital payments across post offices in the country in line with the digital payments
initiative of the Union Government.
About IPPB
## The India Post Payments Bank was incorporated on August 17, 2016 under Companies Act, 2013 as a public limited
company with 100 per cent Government of India equity under Department of Posts.
## IPPB launched its branches in Ranchi and Raipur on January 30, 2017 and proposes to open total of 650 branches with
the objective of being present in all corners of India.

11,300 Crore Scam in PNB: Explained 16 February '18

I
ndia’s Punjab National Bank ## Jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly branches of other banks to meet a
(PNB) stated that it has detected acquired fraudulent letters of liability on behalf of an importer,
fraudulent transactions worth over undertaking from a PNB branch in based on which foreign branches
Rs 11,300 crore at its Mumbai branch. Mumbai to secure overseas credit offer credit to buyers.
The amount is nearly 1/3rd of the from other Indian lenders. ## An LoU involves four parties- an
bank’s total market capitalisation of ## While PNB did not name the other issuing bank, a receiving bank, an
Rs 36,000 crore. It is also 8 times of lenders, Union Bank of India, importer and a beneficiary entity
bank's fiscal year 2017 net profit of Allahabad Bank and Axis Bank overseas. It is used in international
Rs 1,324 crore. With the sharp fall, are reported to have offered credit banking transactions.
investors have reportedly lost Rs 3,844 based on letters of undertaking
crore of wealth on a single day. (LOUs) issued by PNB. ## The issuer bank messages overseas
branches of other banks through the
The Scam ## Modi, who figured in Forbes India's
Society for Worldwide Interbank
The bank has detected some fraud and Richest People List 2016 with a net
worth of $1.74 billion, is already Financial Telecommunication
unauthorised transactions (messages) (SWIFT) network and that bank
in one of its branch in Mumbai for the being investigated by the CBI for
another alleged fraud involving Rs immediately pays the client
benefit of a few select account holders against the LoU.
with their apparent involvement. Based 280 crore at a PNB branch.
## Besides him, three other jewellers, ## The bank that holds the LoU then
on these transactions other banks
Gitanjali, Ginni and Nakshatra are goes back to the issuer bank and
appear to have advanced money to
these customers abroad. The quantum also under the scanner with the gets its due.
of transactions is approximately worth CBI and Enforcement Directorate ## According to norms, the term of
USD 1,771.69 billion. looking at their arrangements with an LoU is 180 days, and can be
various banks and end use of money. rolled over once for six months.
Under Scanner
## The PNB has also suspended 10 of ## A SWIFT instruction, which
## The PNB has reportedly lodged its officers.
two complaints with the Central represents a bank’s consent, is
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ## Foreign bank branches too are cleared by a maker, a checker and
against billionaire jewellery under investigation. a verifier before it is sent across.
designer Nirav Modi and a What is a Letter of Undertaking? ## There is no reported instance so far
jewellery company about ## It is a letter of assurance or of a breach in SWIFT instructions
fraudulent transactions. guarantee issued by one bank to anywhere in the world.

Noted Bengali film actress Supriya Devi died. APRIL 2018 MICA 43
NEWS BITES SPORTS

Burning Topics of the Month

Veteran Indian tennis Mary Kom claimed gold Mahendra Singh Dhoni
star Leander Paes won medal in the India Open became India's first and
his 25th ATP Challenger International Boxing world's third wicketkeeper
level doubles title tournament to take 600 catches

& Many More...

21 January '18
Manav Thakkar at World No.2 in the International
Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings

M
anav Thakkar climbed to World No.2 in the boys' under-18
category while Diya Chitale rose to No. 5 in the girls' under 15
category in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
rankings, which also have an unprecedented 17 Indian players in the top-50.
Thakkar's jump has been particularly phenomenal as he moved from 18th
to his current position. The top place is within striking distance, which will
become India's moment of crowning glory.
He has also broken into the top-15 in the boys' under-21 rankings because of his win in Slovenia. Among other successes,
recently crowned Junior national champion Payas Jain has climbed to the 11th spot, and right behind him is Jeho H at No.
12. Another entrant into the top-50, Yashansh Malik currently placed at 46.
Snehit S (24), Manush Shah (33), Jeet Chandra (36) and Parth Virmani (43) also promise big things, making it into the
upper echelons of the under-18 ITTF rankings.
24 January '18 25 January '18
Siddharth Pratap Singh Rakhi Halder has won the gold medal
has won the Swedish Open in the 33rd Women Senior National
Junior Badminton Title Weightlifting Championships

R
akhi Halder created a
new national record
in clean and jerk en
route to a gold medal in the
63kg women's category in the
33rd Women Senior National
Weightlifting Championships.
Rakhi lifted 128kgs in the clean and jerk for a total of 230kgs to

Y
oung Indian shuttler Siddharth Pratap create a new national record, bettering Karnam Malleswari's feat
Singh secured his maiden international (127kg) created in Athens in 1999. The silver in this category went
title, bagging the Swedish Open Junior to S Thasana Chanu of Karnataka (202kg) while the bronze was
International Series with a straight-game victory clinched by AIPSCB's Amandeep Kaur (191kg).
over Denmark’s Mads Christophersen in the finals The day concluded with a gold medal for R V Rahul of RSPB
in Uppsala in Sweden. in 85kg men's division of the 70th Men National Weightlifting
Playing his first career final, Siddharth defeated Championships.Rahul won the gold with a total lift of 335kg, while
Christophersen in a 33-minute match to claim the the silver and the bronze were bagged by Harshad Wadekar of
men’s singles title. Maharashtra (325kg) and K Ravi Kumar (323kg).

Indian-American attorney Parthiv Patel is included in the New Jersey Bar Association.
44 MICA APRIL 2018
 SPORTS
Indian boxing star 29 January '18
Vijender Singh has Veteran Indian tennis star Leander Paes won
risen four rungs to his 25th ATP Challenger level doubles title
sixth in the latest
V
eteran Indian tennis
star Leander Paes
WBO rankings for the won his 25th ATP
super middleweight Challenger level doubles title
category 27 January '18 with partner James Cerretani
after beating Denis Kudla and
Treat Huey in the final of the
Newport Beach event.
The second-seeded Indo-
American pair defeated the
American-Filipino combine 6-4 7-5 in the summit clash of the USD 150,000
hard court tournament.
Paes, world No 61, has won crucial 125 points with this win as he is striving to

I
move up the rankings ladder. He had logged 90 points at the Australian Open,
ndian boxing star Vijender Singh where he made the third round with compatriot Purav Raja.
has risen four rungs to sixth in
the latest WBO rankings for the Leander Adrian Paes is considered to be one of the
super middleweight category. Vijender
has successfully defended his WBO
best doubles and mixed doubles players of all time,
Asia Pacific and Oriental super having achieved a career Grand Slam in each discipline.
middleweight belts against Ernest He has won eight doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam
Amuzu of Ghana last month. The titles, and is the oldest man to have won a Grand Slam title.
WBO super middleweight rankings He holds a career Grand Slam in men's doubles and mixed
are topped by Jesse Hart, the American
super middleweight champion,
doubles, and achieved the rare men's doubles/mixed doubles
followed by Brit Callum Smith. Smith, double at the 1999 Wimbledon tournament. He has received
a 2010 Commonwealth Games silver- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting
medallist, held the European, British, honour, in 1996–99; the Arjuna Award in 1990; the Padma Shri
and WBC Silver super-middleweight award in 2001 and its 3rd Highest Civilian Award the Padma
titles from 2015 until last year.
Following him in the fourth place is
Bhushan in January 2014 for his outstanding contribution to
another Brit in Rocky Fielding. tennis in India.

Roger Federer wins the Australian Open men's singles title 29 January '18

R
oger Federer won his career's 20th Grand Slam title
by defeating Marin Silich of Croatia in the title of the
Australian Open. With this he became the first male
player to win 20 Grand Slam titles.
20th Grand Slam title:
## It is the second consecutive and final Australian Open title of
the Swiss player
## Roger Federer has now won a total of 20 grand slams,
including 6 Australian Open titles.
Roger Federer:
## Roger Federer was born on August 08, 1981 in Basel City, Switzerland.
## Roger Federer's name came to the list of the world's top 100 tennis players for the first time in 1999.

Gurdeep Singh of RSPB won a gold medal in the +105kg category in the 70th men's Senior
National Weightlifting Championships.
APRIL 2018 MICA 45
NEWS BITES SPORTS

P
rime Minister Narendra Mary Kom claimed gold medal in the India Open
Modi declared the 03 February '18
International Boxing tournament

T
inaugural of first edition
Khelo India School Games he five-time World Champion and
(KISG) open at the Indira Gandhi Olympic bronze medallist, Mary
Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Kom claimed the gold medal in
the India Open International Boxing
02 February '18 tournament at Thyagraj Indoor Stadium
in New Delhi.
Kom defeated Josie Gabuco from the
Philippines in a split 4-1 decision to
grab the gold in the women's 48kg
weight category. The 12th seeded boxer
had earlier booked her place in the finals after defeating Mongolian Altansetseg
Lutsaikhan in the semi-final clash.
Khelo India
In the 64 kg category, the former world and Asian bronze medallist Pwilao
School Games Basumatary was the first among the women to fetch gold by claiming a 3-2 win
(KISG) over Thailand's Sudaporn Seesondee. Pinki Rani also fetched gold for India after
defeating Mongolia’s Jargalan Ochirbat in the final of fly (48-51 kg) category.
Key Facts In other categories, Lovlina Borgohain defeated Pooja to claim the welterweight
The first KISG were held under the gold, while L Sarita Devi had to settle for silver after she lost to Finland’s Olympic
Khelo India Programme to highlight bronze-medallist Mira Potkenon in the 60 kg category. The Indian men boxers, on
India’s young sporting talent and the other hand, were denied a complete sweep by traditional powerhouses of Cuba
showcase India’s sports potential. and Uzbekistan on the final day of the India Open Boxing Tournament.
It was held across 16 disciplines 05 February '18
in Under-17 age category. 5,000 India won Under-19 ICC World Cup 2018

I
school children from 29 states and ndia has won Under-19 ICC
seven union territories participated World Cup 2018 by defeating
in mega sporting event held from Australia by eight wickets.
January 31 to February 8, 2018. With this victory, India became
Total of 199 gold medals, 199 silver first nation to win Under-19 World
medals and 275 bronze medals Cup four times. It was India’s sixth
were awarded at first KISG. appearance in the under-19 World
Khelo India Programme Cup finals. Australia had made
The Khelo India programme was into the final five times, winning the tournament three times.
introduced by Ministry of Sports Key Facts
and Youth affairs to revive sports The 2018 final match was played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.
culture in India at grass-root level. Australia, choosing to bat first after winning the toss had set target of 216 runs
Its objective is to build strong (10 wickets) in 47.2 overs. India in the chase, scored 220-2 in the 39th over.
framework for all sports played in India’s opener Manjot Kalra who scored 101 runs from 102 balls became second
our country and establish India as player in history to score century in ICC U-19 World Cup final, after Unmukt
great sporting nation. It is expected Chand. Indian team was led by Prithvi Shaw and was coached by former batsman
to help scout young talent from Rahul Dravid.
schools in various disciplines
and groom them as future sports ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup
champions. Talented players will It is an international cricket tournament organised by International
be identified under it in priority Cricket Council (ICC) and contested by national under-19 teams. It was
sports disciplines at various levels first contested in 1988 as the Youth World Cup and later was not staged
by High-Powered Committed again until 1998. Since then, it is held as biennial event by the ICC.
and each will be provided annual Previous winners: Australia (1988), England (1998), India (2000), Australia (2002),
financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh Pakistan (2004), Pakistan (2006), India (2008), Australia (2010), India (2012),
for 8 years. South Africa (2014) and West Indies (2016).

46 MICA APRIL 2018 India and Vietnam launched the first ever set of commemorative postage stamps
 SPORTS
India's Saurav Ghosal 13 February '18
beat Nicolas Mueller Smith wins Australia's Border Medal

A
to clinch Indian Open ustralia cricket captain Steve
Smith capped off a golden
squash title 12 February '18 12 months by winning his
second Allan Border Medal in
Melbourne.
Smith, hailed as the country's
finest batsman since Donald
Bradman, polled 246
votes, well ahead of two-
time medal winner David
Warner (162 votes) and
Nathan Lyon (156 votes).
Smith, who had earlier been named Australia's Test Player of the Year

N
for his dominant 12 months with the bat, won his first Border Medal in
ational champion and top seed 2015.
Saurav Ghosal defeated number The skipper was the hot favourite to take the award following a year in
2 seed Nicolas Mueller to win the which he played 24 international games across limited overs and Test
Vedanta India Open Squash tournament title. cricket and scored 1754 runs at 67.46 with seven centuries.
Ghosal, ranked 14th, won 3-2 after a no- He captained a hard-fought series loss in India, a drawn series in
holds-barred, 67-minute final against the Bangladesh and a triumphant 4-0 Ashes victory over England at home
much taller Swiss ranked 33rd in the world in which he was also named man of the series.
for his second crown at home in four months
on the Professional Squash Association tour. Smith, 28, is also the reigning ICC Test Cricketer of the Year after
earning that accolade last month.
Ghosal won 11-9 5-11 6-11 11-7 12-10, after
bouncing back from 3-7 and 5-8 by reeling All-rounder Ellyse Perry won the Belinda Clark Award for a second
off five straight points to hold championship time, confirming her as Australia's best female cricketer over the past
points at 10-8. 12 months.
15 February '18
Tamil Nadu win maiden senior national football championship

T
amil Nadu beat Manipur 2-1 to lift their maiden title
in the 23rd edition of the Senior Women's National
Football Championship. Tamil Nadu created
history by becoming champions in their first-ever final
with Indumathi scoring the opener in the 3rd minute while
Indrani made it 2-0 in the 40th.
Ratanbala scored the lone goal for Manipur in the 57th.
Indumathi was also adjudged the Player of the Final as well
as the Tournament for her superlative performances.

FIFA Rankings: Germany Retain Top Spot 16 February '18

W
orld champions Germany has retained
its top spot in the latest FIFA rankings.
India is placed at 102 rank in this
ranking.
Iceland, which has participated in the 2018 FIFA
World Cup, has gained 18 places in the world
rankings.

Senior Congress leader and former MP of Madhya Pradesh, Puran Singh Bedia died. APRIL 2018 MICA 47
NEWS BITES SPORTS
Kohli first to score 500 runs in 17 February '18
bilateral ODI series 17 February '18 Tendulkar made T20 Mumbai
League's brand ambassador

S
achin Tendulkar has been made the brand ambassador
of the upcoming T20 Mumbai League and he feels

I
ndian captain Virat Kohli broke yet another record the league will provide a fine platform for the talented
when he became the first ever batsman to amass 500 cricketers of the megapolis.
runs in a bilateral ODI series, surpassing teammate "It's always a pleasure to be associated with the Mumbai
Rohit Sharma. Cricket Association. The T20 Mumbai League will not only
Kohli achieved the stellar feat in the sixth and final ODI entertain cricket fans, but also provide a great platform to
against South Africa. He smashed three hundreds in the the talented young cricketers in Mumbai, Tendulkar was
series, including in the final ODI, to lead from the front. quoted of saying in a media release.
Sharma had collected 491 runs in the six-match home series The league, scheduled from March 11 to 28 is to be
against Australia in 2013-14. organised by Sports India Pvt Ltd.

F
17 February '18
ormer India captain Mahendra
Singh Dhoni became India's
first and world's third
wicketkeeper to take 600 catches in
international cricket.
Dhoni achieved the feat by taking
the catch of Hashim Amla off pacer
Shardul Thakur's bowling during the
sixth India-South Africa ODI.
Former cricketer Mark Boucher (952)
is first and Adam Gilchrist (813) is
second in this regard.
Dhoni has taken 256 catches in Tests,
297 in ODIs and 47 in T20Is as a
wicketkeeper so far.

48 MICA APRIL 2018 Vijay Keshav Gokhale took charge as the next foreign secretary.
 SCIENCE

Burning Topics of the Month

Rotavac - first Indigenously The ‘Pelican Bird
Discovery of a small
developed vaccine from Festival-2018’ was
population of fishes in
India to be pre-qualified by held in Atapaka Bird
Tasmania
WHO Sanctuary

& Many More...

23 January '18
India ranked 177 in the Environmental Performance
Index (EPI) – 2018

I
ndia has been ranked 177 among Environmental Performance Index 5. Forests (tree cover loss)
180 countries in the Environmental (EPI) is calculated on the basis of data 6. Fisheries
Performance Index (EPI) – 2018. gathered from 24 individual metrics of
This index has been developed environmental performance. These 24 7. Climate & Energy (CO2, Methane
by Yale University and Columbia individual metrics are then aggregated and Black Carbon Emissions)
University in collaboration with the into a hierarchy that begins with 10 8. Air Pollution (SO2 and NOx emission)
World Economic Forum and the Joint major environmental issues categories.
9. Water resources (wastewater treatment)
Research Centre of the European 1. Air Quality (household solid fuels
Commission. This report has been 10. Agriculture
and PM2.5 exposure)
released on the sidelines of World Top Five Countries in 2018 EPI
2. Water & Sanitation
Economic Forum meet in Davos.
3. Heavy Metals (lead exposure) Switzerland, France, Denmark,
About the Index
4. Biodiversity & Habitat Malta and Sweden

Four new schemes to promote young scientists 25 January '18

T
he Ministry of Science & Technology has preparatory allowances
announced four new schemes to promote to cover visa fee, airport
young scientists and researchers in the country. transfer charges,
The schemes primarily aim at early recognition and reward medical insurance etc.
to young talent in the field of science. They focus on youth Distinguished
to empower, recognize and motivate them.
Investigator
TARE Scheme
Award (DIA)
It aims to tap latent potential of faculty working in state
universities, colleges and private academic institutions The scheme was
who are well trained but having difficulty in pursuing their initiated to recognize and reward Principal Investigators
research due to varied reasons including lack of facilities, (PIs) of Department of Science and Technology (DST)
funding and guidance. projects that have performed remarkably well.
Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship AWSAR (Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating
Research) Scheme
It will offer opportunities for up to 100 PhD students
admitted in Indian institutions for gaining exposure and The scheme aims to encourage, empower and endow
training in overseas universities /institutions of repute and popular science writing through newspapers, magazines,
areas of importance to country for 1 year period during blogs, social media, etc. by young PhD Scholars and
their doctoral research. The selected fellows will be paid Post-Doctoral Fellows during course of their studies and
a monthly fellowship amount, one-time contingency/ research pursuits.

Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei defeated Saina Nehwal to win the women's singles title of
Indonesia Masters.
APRIL 2018 MICA 49
NEWS BITES SCIENCE
26 January '18
Successfully cloned two identical long-tailed macaques (monkeys)

C
hinese scientists for first time have successfully cloned
two identical long-tailed macaques (monkeys), named
Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua using same technique that
produced Dolly sheep two decades ago. This development
makes them world’s first primates – the order of mammals
that includes monkeys, apes and humans – to be cloned from
non-embryonic cell.
Key Facts
These two identical long-tailed macaques were cloned
using process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT),
which involves transferring the nucleus of cell, which
includes its DNA, into egg whose nucleus is removed.
Since cloned Dolly sheep was born in Scotland in
1996 using SCNT, scientists have successfully used
this technique to clone more than 20 other species,
including cows, pigs, dogs, rabbits, rats and mice. Similar Significance
work in primates earlier, had always failed, leading Genetically identical animals are useful in research
some scientists to wonder if primates were resistant. because confounding factors caused by genetic
Chinese Scientists were successful to clone macaques using variability in non-cloned animals can complicate
modulators to switch on or off certain genes that were experiments. This development breaks technical
inhibiting embryo development. Their technique worked barrier for the cloning of primate species, including
only when nuclei were transferred from foetal cells, rather humans. It will make possible to study diseases in
than adult ones, as was the case with Dolly. In all, it took 127 populations of genetically uniform monkey and test
eggs to produce two live macaque births. new drugs for a range of diseases before clinical use.

Rotavac - first Indigenously developed vaccine from India to be pre-

qualified by World Health Organisation (WHO) 28 January '18

R
otavac became first Indigenously developed immunisation programme. The vaccine was tested in field
vaccine from India to be pre-qualified by for over a year, have not shown any negative effect.
World Health Organisation (WHO). It Significance
means that vaccine can be sold internationally to
several countries in South America and Africa. This recognition signifies credible industrial, scientific
So far, several vaccines from India have been pre-qualified and regulatory process in place to develop vaccines
by WHO, but Rotavac is first vaccine entirely developed in India. It paves the way for health and humanitarian
locally to get this status in safety and efficacy. organizations such as UNICEF, GAVI and Pan-American
Health Organization to procure Rotavac for public health
Rotavac vaccination programmes across the world.
Rotavac conceived and developed by the Hyderabad- Rotavirus
based Bharat Biotech Limited. It protects against
childhood diarrhoea caused by the rotavirus. It was It is a most common causative agent of moderate-to-severe
developed under the joint collaboration between diarrhoea (MSD) among infants below 11 months age group
India and United States in area of medical research. in India. It spreads from person to person due to bacterial
It was developed under public-private partnership (PPP) and parasiting agents that are primarily transmitted through
model that involved Ministry of Science and Technology, contaminated food or water. It is responsible for estimated
institutions of the US Government and NGOs in India 36% of hospitalisations for childhood diarrhoea around
supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. world and for estimated 200,000 deaths in low- and middle-
The vaccine was built on strain of the virus isolated at the income countries. In India, diarrhoea caused by rotavirus,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi kills nearly 80 thousand children under age of 5 years and
over 30 years ago. It has been included in India’s national up to 10 lakh hospitalizations each year.

International bird festival will be held at the Dudhwa National Park.

50 MICA APRIL 2018
 SCIENCE
Discovery of a small population of fishes in Tasmania 29 January '18

A
group of scientists have found a small population of fish that walk along
the seabed off Australia's south coast in Tasmania.
The fish species, the Red Handfish (Thymichthys politus)
is only found in south-eastern Tasmania, an isolated island state,
which is one of the few places on the planet that is home to rare
and unique endangered species.
Key Highlights of the Discovery
## Till last week only about 20 to 40 of them were identified in
Tasmania’s Frederick Henry Bay.
## The new group also comprising 20 to 40 fishes inhabits a small
area whose location the researchers decided not to disclose
until the conservation plan for the area was discussed.

Green Good Deeds campaign 05 February '18

T
he Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched
Green Good Deeds campaign. It was launched by Environment Minister
Dr Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi.
The purpose of the people-oriented campaign is to sensitise
people and students, in particular about climate change and
global warming.
Key Facts
Environment Minister has asked teaching community to join a
campaign to sensitise all about climate change and global warming,
which he termed was matter of concern for the world. He also
underlined need for ‘Green Sainiks’ on the lines of ‘Polio Sainiks’
to broaden the ‘Green Good Deeds’ campaign and take it to the
grassroots level. The campaign aims to broad its base with
involvement of teachers, students and other voluntary organisations.

Pelican Bird Festival-2018 06 February '18

The ‘Pelican Bird Festival-2018’ was held for the first time in Atapaka Bird Sanctuary on at
Kolleru lake in Andhra Pradesh. It was jointly organised by Andhra Pradesh
Tourism Authority (APTA) and Krishna district administration.
Background
During winter season, thousands of pelicans, painted storks
and other birds migrate to Kolleru lake. During their stay they
roost, breed and later fly away with their off springs. Recently,
Atapaka Bird Sanctuary was recognised as one of the largest
pelicanry in the world.
Kolleru lake
Kolleru Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India located in
Andhra Pradesh. It is located between Krishna and Godavari deltas. It
spans into two districts of Andhra Pradesh- Krishna and West Godavari. It was declared as
wildlife sanctuary in November 1999 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and designated wetland of
international importance in November 2002 under Ramsar Convention.
It is important habitat for resident and migratory birds, including the grey or spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis).
Many birds migrate here in winter, such as Siberian crane, ibis, and painted storks.

Veteran Indian tennis star Leander Paes won his 25th ATP Challenger level doubles title APRIL 2018 MICA 51
NEWS BITES SCIENCE
Agni-1 was successfully test-fired 09 February '18

I
ndigenously developed short-range nuclear capable ballistic Agni-1
was successfully test-fired from mobile launcher located at Integrated
Test Range of Dr Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) off the Odisha.
The missile was tested as part of a periodic training activity by the Strategic Forces
Command (SFC) of the Indian Army to consolidate operational readiness. It is
claimed to be part of India’s minimum credible deterrence under No first to use
policy.
Agni-1 Missile
Agni-1 is indigenously developed intermediate range surface-to-surface, single-stage
missile. It was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) in collaboration
with Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre
Imarat (RCI). ASL is the premier missile development laboratory of DRDO.
The missile weighs around 12 tonnes and is propelled by a solid rocket propellant
system. It is 15-metre-long and can carry both conventional as well as nuclear
payloads (warheads) up to 1,000 kg. It has strike range of over 700 km. It is equipped
with specialised navigation system that ensures it reaches target with high degree of
precision.
The missile already has been inducted into the armed forces (service) in 2004. It has proved its performance in terms of
range, accuracy and lethality. The last trial of missile was successfully conducted in November 2016 from the same base.

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Natural History Museum

(NHM) of United Kingdom signed MoU 18 February '18

T
he Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Natural History Museum
(NHM) of United Kingdom signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to enhance
cooperation in the field of genetic/taxonomic studies, research
and training and conservation in India, including species and
habitat conservation assessments.
The MoU was signed by BSI Director Dr. Paramjit Singh and
Head of the Algae, Fungi and Plants Division, NHM, Dr. Sandra
Knapp, in the presence of Union Environment Minister Dr. Harsh
Vardhan.
Objective
The main objective behind signing the agreement is to open up mediums of collaboration in science, support further
research and boost scientific study for the benefit of both India and UK.
The agreement will also help both the nations keep up with their commitment to use scientific evidence to support the goals
of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES and the Nagoya Protocol.
Besides this, the MoU will centre on capacity building and scientific exchanges between the two nations and will enable
both to learn from each other and work collaboratively to address important scientific questions and deliver benefit to
humanity.
Significance
The agreement will pave the way for the BSI staff to work in London’s Natural History Museum and for the staff there to
work in Botanical Survey of India.
It will also enable the exchange of knowledge and information between the two esteemed research organisations.

52 MICA APRIL 2018 Sandeep Lamichhane became the first cricketer from Nepal to land an IPL contract.
 MISCELLANEOUS

Burning Topics of the Month

Mehul Garg became
Google and NCERT
youngest applicant to Mumbai is 12th richest city
signed pact on Digital
achieve highest score in world
Citizenship and Safety
in Mensa IQ test

& Many More...

I
ndia was ranked 81st among 118 countries in 2017 India ranked 81st in 2017 Global
Global index of talent competitiveness (GTI) list.
India has improved its position from 92nd last year. index of talent competitiveness
The index measures ability of countries to compete for (GTI) list
talent i.e. how countries grow, attract and retain talent.
It is produced by global business school INSEAD in 23 January '18
partnership with Adecco Group and Tata Communications.
Key Facts
Top Countries: Switzerland is followed by Singapore
and US. European countries dominate top ranks, with
15 out of the top 25 places. Developed, high-income
countries are still the global talent champions while
Zurich, Stockholm and Oslo take the top spots in the
GTI cities’ ranking.
BRICS countries: India’s ranking was last among the five BRICS countries in 2017. China has moved up to 43rd now,
Russia to 53rd, South Africa to 63rd and Brazil to 73rd position.
India faces serious risk of worsening brain drain. In terms of formal Education, India ranks 67th and in Lifelong Learning
it ranks 37th. In terms of pool of Global Knowledge Skills (63rd) is solid compared with other emerging markets. India
also has plenty of room for improvement is in minimising brain drain while achieving brain gain by luring back some of
its talented diaspora members as iit ranks 98th in the Attract pillar and in retaining its own talent it ranks 99th.

India ranked 3rd on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED) certified buildings. 26 January '18

I
ndia has been ranked 3rd on the annual ranking of the top 10 countries for Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) certified buildings. India ranks third on the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual
ranking of the top 10 countries for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings.
According to the survey by USGBC, the top 10 list highlights countries outside of the US that are using LEED and
India, with more than 752 LEED-certified projects totalling over 20.28 million gross square meters of space, ranks third.
“Around the world leaders are committing to climate change initiatives that have the power to improve quality of life for citizens and
ensure a sustainable future,” USGBC and Green Business Certification (GBCI) President and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam.
The list ranks countries and regions in terms of cumulative LEED-certified gross square metres as of December 31, 2017 and
represents 6,657 certified projects totalling more than 158 million gross sq mt.
The top 10 list is led by China with a total of 1,211 LEED certified and registered projects for more than 47.16 million gross sq mt
of space followed by Canada with 2,970 such projects with a total space of 40.77 million gross sq mt.
The other countries include Brazil, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Mexico and the UAE.
In comparison, the US, which is not included in the list, has 30,669 LEED certified projects totalling 385.65 million gross sq mt.

Economic Survey has estimated that the Indian economy will grow by 7-7.5 per cent in 2018-19. APRIL 2018 MICA 53
NEWS BITES MISCELLANEOUS
Mehul Garg became youngest applicant to achieve highest score in Mensa
IQ test 28 January '18

I
ndian-origin boy Mehul Garg (10) in United Kingdom became youngest
applicant in decade to achieve highest score in Mensa IQ test,
beating geniuses like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
He scored maximum score of 162 to become a member of
Mensa. His score is two points higher than Einstein and Hawking.
Mehul Garg is from Reading Boys Grammar School in Reading,
southern England. He can solve Rubik’s Cube in 100 seconds. He has
been shortlisted for ‘Child Genius 2018’ show on Channel 4.
Mensa IQ test
Mensa is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. It is
non-profit organization open to people who score at 98th percentile or higher on standardized, supervised IQ or other
approved intelligence test. Its mission is to identify and foster human intelligence for benefit of humanity, encourage research
into nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence and provide stimulating intellectual and social environment for its
members. It was established in October 1946 and is headquartered in Lincolnshire, England. So far it has 134000 members.
31 January '18 Global Democracy Index (GDI)

I
02 February '18
Oxford's Hindi Word of ndia world’s largest
the Year: aadhaar democracy was
ranked 42nd among
165 independent states
on annual 2017 Global
Democracy Index
(GDI) released by
UK-based company,
Economist Intelligence

O
Unit (EIU). India’s rank
xford Dictionaries has has slipped from 32nd
chosen its first ever Hindi in 2016 GDI and its
Word of the Year: aadhaar. overall score dropped
Aadhaar is far from being a new word 0.58 points from 7.81 to
– in fact, its origins can be traced back 7.23. Moreover, India was classified India as a flawed democracy in 2017 GDI
to Sanskrit. In modern Hindi, aadhaar
About Global Democracy Index (GDI)
means ‘base’ or ‘foundation’, but the
decision to use this word as the name of The index ranks 165 independent states and 2 territories on basis of 60
India’s new identification initiative put it indicators grouped in five different categories viz. electoral process and
at the centre of a great social and political pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation
debate in India that also attracted the and political culture. It categories countries into four broad categories viz. full
attention of the rest of the world in 2017. democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime and authoritarian regime based
Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number on their score on a scale from 0 to 10.
assigned to all residents of India. Translated Highlights of GDI
into figures, that is almost 1.2 billion
enrolled individuals as of the end of 2017, Top 10 countries in 2017 GDI: Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand,
representing over 99% of Indians above Denmark, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Finland and Switzerland.
the age of 18, each with a unique code Global Scenario: US (ranked 21), Japan, Italy, France, Israel, Singapore, and
linked to their biometric and demographic Hong Kong were named among ‘flawed democracies’. The hybrid regimes
data. The Indian government’s aim for the classified by it includes India’s neighbours Pakistan (110th), Bangladesh
introduction of Aadhaar is to eliminate (92nd), Nepal (94th) and Bhutan (99th). Those named as ‘authoritarian
duplicate and fake identities, and to regimes’ include China (139th), Myanmar (120th), Russia (135th) and
facilitate the delivery of social benefits and Vietnam (140th). North Korea was ranked lowest at 167th and Syria second
services to Indian citizens. last at 166th place.

Veteran actor Carrie Fisher posthumously won the "Best Spoken Word Album Grammy" at the 60th
54 MICA APRIL 2018
Grammy Awards.
 MISCELLANEOUS
7th India Energy Congress World University Rankings for educational
(IEC) 2018 02 February '18 institutes in Asia 07 February '18

O
nly two Indian institutes have featured in the top 50 Asian
institutes in recently released TIMES Higher Education
(THE) World University Rankings for educational institutes
in Asia. The two institutes that have made their way to top 50 are
Indian Institute of Science (29th rank) and Indian Institute of
Technology, Bombay (44).
Highlights of Rankings

T
Other institutes that have made their way to top 100 are IIT
he 7th India Energy Congress (IEC) 2018 Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Delhi. The
was held in New Delhi. The theme for this ranks as released by the World University Ranking are: Indian
edition of conference was Energy 4.0: Energy Institute of Science (rank 29), IIT Bombay (44), IIT Kharagpur
Transition Towards 2030. It was organised by World (60), IIT Roorkee (65), IIT Kanpur (81) and IIT Delhi (86).
Energy Council India (WEC India) and inaugurated Other Indian institutes that have made it to top 200 are Tezpur
by Union Power and New and Renewable Energy University (100), IIT Madras (103), IIT Guwahati (112), Panjab
Minister R K Singh. University (114), National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
Key Facts (126), Jadavpur University (127), Indian School of Mines (141),
University of Delhi (144), Aligarh Muslim University (158),
IEC is the flagship event of WEC India and joint event Savitribai Phule Pune University ( 188) and IIT-BHU (194).
of Ministries of Power, Coal, New & Renewable Total of 17 institutes from India have made their way to top 200
Energy, Petroleum & Natural gas, External Affairs Asian Universities in comparison to last year. Though representation
and Department of Atomic Energy. Over 400 experts of India has increased in list, several of the universities have fallen
participated in the Congress. They also discussed and down the rankings. Both IISc and IIT Bombay have dropped two
debated on five sub-themes: Energy Investments in places each to 29 and 44 position respectively. IIT Madras has
Uncertain World; Policy and Energy Environment witnessed biggest decline this year and has fallen from last year’s 41
2030; Sustainable Mobility; Variable Renewable place to 103 this year.
Energy Integration; and Reaching Last Mile.
08 February '18
Google and NCERT signed pact on Digital Citizenship and Safety

G
oogle and National Council of Educational Research
and Training (NCERT) has signed a pact to integrate
a course on ‘Digital Citizenship and Safety’ in
information and communication technology (ICT) curriculum.
The pact was signed on ‘Safer Internet Day’ (February 6). The
course aims to bring awareness amongst the young generation
of India to make Internet a Safe space.
Key Facts
The Digital Citizenship and Safety course by Google India
aims to bring social, ethical and legal aspects of internet safety
and usage via structured in-class lessons. The complete course is divided into four categories (themes) viz Being Smart, Being
Safe, Being a Digital Citizen and Being Future Ready.
The course aims to grow gradually with internet usage of children from elementary classes to senior secondary. The modules
(categories) of the course are made to engage kids and match pace with their intellectual and inquisitive nature.
The basic modules of the course aim to make the children aware of Internet Safety, advanced topics like Privacy, Device
Management, Intellectual Property (IP) and Reputation Management are added included as children grow, gradually moving
towards Online Financial Literacy and Cyber Crime to shape them as Digital Citizens.
In addition, Google has also created curriculum for teachers so that they can help students learn all about digital citizenship
in their classrooms.

According to a survey by GoBankingRates, India is the world's second cheapest country in

terms of living or retirement. APRIL 2018 MICA 55
NEWS BITES MISCELLANEOUS
Intellectual Property Mumbai is 12th richest city in world 12 February '18

I
(IP) Index 10 February '18 ndia's financial capital
Mumbai, with a total wealth
of $950 billion, is among the
top 15 wealthiest cities globally,
while New York tops the list, says
a report.
According to a report by New
World Wealth, the economic hub

I
of India is the 12th wealthiest city,
ndia was ranked 44th out of 50 followed by Toronto with a total
countries in the Intellectual Property wealth of $944 billion, Frankfurt ($912 billion) and Paris ($860 billion).
(IP) Index released by US Chamber
of Commerce. Last year, India was Total wealth refers to the private wealth held by all the individuals living in
ranked 43rd out of 45 countries in each city. Government funds are excluded from the figures. Mumbai also
index, with an overall score if 8.4 points. features among the top 10 cities in terms of billionaire population. The city is
The index was released as part of annual home to 28 billionaires.
report prepared by the Global Innovation Regarding Mumbai, the report said, "Total wealth held in the city amounts
Policy Center (GIPC) of the US Chambers to $950 billion. Mumbai is the economic hub of India. It is also home to the
of Commerce. The report analyses IP Bombay Stock Exchange, the 12th largest stock exchange in the world. Major
climate in 50 world economies based industries in the city include financial services, real estate and media."
on 40 unique indicators that benchmark London ranked second in the list, followed by Tokyo, and San Francisco Bay
activity critical to innovation development area. Others in the list include Beijing, ShanghaI, Los Angeles, Hong Kong,
surrounding patent, copyright, trademark Sydney, Singapore and Chicago. Among the 15 cities listed, San Francisco,
and trade secrets protection. Beijing, Shanghai, Mumbai and Sydney were the fastest growing in terms of
Key Highlights of report wealth growth over the past 10 years.
The US topped this edition of list with
total 37.98 points, followed by United India's defence budget breaks into world's top 5:
UK report 15 February '18

I
Kingdom (37.97) and Sweden (37.03).
India has increased substantially its score ndia's defence budget
this year. Its overall score has increased broke into the world's
substantially from 25% (8.75 out of 35) top five, beating the
in previous year to 30% (12.03 out of UK for the first time, a
40) in latest edition. new report by a London-
based global think-tank
Despite improvement in score, India
said.
continues to remain towards bottom of
ladder. India has demonstrated long- India overtook the UK as
standing and clear commitment to the fifth-largest defence
increasing awareness of importance of spender in the world in
IP rights and respect for creators and 2017 at USD 52.5 billion,
innovators. However, India has long up from USD 51.1 billion
way to go. in 2016, according to the
'Military Balance 2018'
India’s ranking reflects relatively strong
report by the International
performance in new indicators as well as
Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). In contrast, the UK's defence budget fell
positive reform efforts on patentability of
from USD 52.5 billion in 2016 to USD 50.7 billion last year.
computer-implemented inventions (CIIs)
and registration procedures for well-known The report notes that while India continues to modernise its military
marks. ‘Guidelines on the Examination capabilities, China with the world's second-largest defence budget after the
of Computer-Related Inventions’ issued US remains far ahead with three times India's defence budget at USD 150.5
by India in July 2017 has significantly billion.
improved patentability environment for China's real defence spending increased by nearly 25 per cent in 2016-17,
technological innovations. whereas India's rose by just 2.4 per cent.

56 MICA APRIL 2018 Ingvar Kamprad, the Founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, died.
OUR PRESENCE BRANCH MOBILE NO.
Branch Name Phone Number Deoria 9208248122
Agra 9235253430/ 9236455136 Dhanbad 9204979723/24
Ahmedabad 9227575027 Durgapur 7076856390
Ajmer 9261503888 Ernakulam 9645415987
Aligarh 7706008037 Etah 9208237386
Allahabad 9235253403 Faizabad 9235253421
Alwar 9521177944 Faridabad 9643396140
Ambala 9253058711 /7206424816 Farrukhabad 7706008029
Ambikapur 8823868882 Fatehpur 9554330811
Amritsar 9646606160 Firozabad 9208235736
Asansol 7076880723 Gaya 9204311416
Azamgarh 9208242842 Ghaziabad 9212229752/24
Budaun 9627671787 Ghazipur 9208244539

Bahraich 9208249852 Gonda 9208250778

Gorakhpur 9235253400/ 9208205892
Balasore 9583185223
Gurugram 9643396139
Ballia 9208243152
Guwahati 8134935078
Banda 9554334847
Gwalior 9229174910
Bangalore 9538712808
Haldwani 9208256021
Bareilly 9235253431
Hardoi 9208248208
Basti 7706008031
Haridwar 7706008034
Berhampur 9078907945
Hisar 9253678050
Bhagalpur 9204363221
Hoshangabad 8358831338
Bhilai-Durg 8878783345
Hyderabad-Ameerpet 9247749865 /8790034792
Bhopal-MP Nagar 9229174901
Hyderbad- Dilsukh
Bhopal-Lalghati 9229174902 7032410704
Nagar
Bhubaneshwar 9237026745/ 9237081352 Indore- Sapna
7581800952
Bijnor 7706008027 Sangeeta Road
Bilaspur 8878817515 Jabalpur 9229174905
Bulandshahr 7706008030 Jaipur 9261601713/ 9261518894

Chandigarh 9256002024 Jammu 9419305561

Jamshedpur 8877187640
Chennai 8939777224
Jaunpur 9208244355
Coimbatore 8110967668
Jhalandhar 8557088164
Cuttack 7894013095
Jhansi 9235253424
Darbhanga 9204303818/ 9204300620
Jodhpur 9636512855
Dehradun 9236510116
Kanpur Kakadev 9235253484
Delhi Janakpuri 9212069515
Kanpur
Delhi Kingsway 9268561517 9235253482
Kidwainagar
Delhi Laxmi Nagar 9268209355 /9268693952 Kanpur Mall Road 9236757143/ 9236720133
Delhi Munirka 9210092245 Karnal 8930175568
Delhi Rohini 9250239671/9250239674 Kolkata 9230141497/8017652045

58 MICA APRIL 2018 Sauli Niinisto has been re-elected as the President of Finland for the Second Term.
 BRANCH MOBILE NO. OUR PRESENCE
Kurukshetra 9253678053 Pilibhit 9837186684
Lakhimpur 9208251562 Pratapgarh 9208245660
Lucknow Pune 9225231629
9235253521
Alambagh PO Raebareilly 9235253412
Lucknow Raipur 9229174912/ 9200193438
9235253438/66
Alambagh SSC
Rajkot 9979316870
Lucknow
9235253528 Rampur 9208255388
Bhootnath
Lucknow Gomti Ranchi 9204855313
9235253548
Nagar Rewa 7415690904
Lucknow Rohtak 8930403886
9235253443
Mahanagar PO
Roorkee 7706008033
Lucknow
9235253425 Sagar 7509219781
Rajajipuram
Saharanpur 9235253445
Ludhiana 9256002028
Sambalpur 8594958962/ 8594959148
Mainpuri 9208241450
Mathura 9208235067 Shahjahanpur 9208256201

Meerut 9235253448 Shimla 8894100342

Mirzapur 9208243884 Siliguri 7602742939
Moradabad 9235253442 Sitapur 7706008028/ 9235253514
Mumbai 9221944071 Sultanpur 9208252915
Muzaffarnagar 7706008032 Surat 9537360459
Muzaffarpur 9204303515/ 9204355614 Tirupati 9581933099
Nagpur Gandhinagar 9272273686/9272295576 Thiruvananthapuram 9645415029
Nagpur-Buldi 9168558073 Unnao 9208242493
Nasik 9168512624/ 9168511626 Vadodara 9537589477
Noida 9953948834 Varanasi 9235253419
Orai 9208237457 Vijaywada 8886309897
Patiala 9780859721 Vishakapatnam 9966593419
Patna Boaring Road 9204855301/02 Warangal 8142230661
Patna Fraizer Road 9204855305/06/09/11

Acclaimed Ottanthullal artiste Kalamandalam Geethanandan died. He was 58. APRIL 2018 MICA 59
WHO'S WHO DESIGNATION
WHO’S WHO
S.No. DESIGNATION NAME
1. Chairman, Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu
2. Chairperson of Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan
3. Chairman of Niti Ayog Narendra D Modi
4. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad
5. Leader of House in Lok Sabha Narendra D Modi
6. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge
7. Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat
8. Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, Sunil Arora
9. Director General, ITBP RK Pachnanda
10. Chief Vigilance Commissioner K V chaudhary
11. Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale
12. Comptroller & Auditor General of India Rajeev Mehrishi
13. Chairman, National Commission for Backward Classes Jus. Vangala Eswaraiah
14. Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India R. S Sharma
15. CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma
16. Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Nand Kumar Sai
17. Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi
18. Chairman, UPSC David R. Syiemlieh
19. Director General, National Investigation Agency Y.C. Modi
20. Chairman, UGC D.P. Singh
21. Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO K. Sivan
22. Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Sec. Deptt. of Atomic Energy Sekhar Basu
23. Chairman, SSC Ashim Khurana
24. Chairman,National Human Rights Commission Justice H.L. Dattu
25. Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner Sailesh
26. Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes Sushil Chandra
27. Chairman, Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India T.S. Vijayan
28. Chairman, Securities & Exchange Board of India Ajay Tyagi
29. Chairperson, State Bank of India Rajnish Kumar
30. Chairman, LIC V.K. Sharma
31. India’s permanent representative in UNO Syed Akbaruddin
32. Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba
33. Chairperson of National Commission for Women Lalitha Kumaramanglam
34. Chairman, 15th Finance Commission N.K. Singh
35. Chairman, Competition Commission of India Devendra Kumar Sikri
36. Chairperson,Central Board of Film Certification Prasoon Joshi
37. President, ASSOCHAM Sandeep Jajodia
38. Chairman, NASSCOM Raman Roy
39. New Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat
40. Director General, RAW Anil Dhasmana
41. Chairperson, Children Film Society of India Mukesh Khanna
42. Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas
43. President, CII Shobana Kamineni
44. President, FICCI Rashesh Shah
45. Chairman, National Knowledge Commission Sam Pitroda
46. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval
47. Chairperson, Prasar Bharati Dr. A. Surya Prakash
48. Chairman, Investment Commission Ratan Tata
49. Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia
50. Chairman, Indian Banks Association Rajeev Rishi
Data as on 20th February, 2018
The armies of India and Vietnam organised a six day-long military exercise 'VINBAX' in
60 MICA APRIL 2018
Madhya Pradesh.
 MISCELLANEOUS
Online consumer spends to hit $100 billion by 2020: Report 15 February '18

O
nline consumer spending is expected to grow
2.5 times to around USD 100 billion by 2020
led by growth in e-commerce, travel and hotel,
financial services and digital media, says a report.
“Potential exists for digital transactions to triple from
around USD 40 billion at present to USD 100 billion
by 2020,” the report by the Boston Consulting Group in
association with the search giant Google said.
E-commerce for products such as apparel and
accessories, consumer electronics, durables, food and
grocery, is likely to be the biggest constituent with the
market size estimated to reach USD 40-45 billion by
2020, from around USD 18 billion at present.
Digital payments for travel and hotel is estimated to touch USD 20 billion by 2020 from USD 11 billion at present, financial
services to reach to USD 30 billion from USD 12 billion at present, and digital media to reach USD 570 million from USD
200 million, according to the report.
Online users has grown nearly two times in four years to reach 430 million users at present, propelled by cheaper
smartphones, cheaper data and more mobile-specific or local language content, it said.
The report found that women, new users from non-tier 1 cities and above 35 years shoppers will drive this growth.

Six Indian Americans win Gates Cambridge scholarship 15 February '18

S
ix Indian Americans, including two women, are among 35
students from the US selected for the prestigious Gates Cambridge
scholarship. The six Indian Americans are Neil Davey, Ayan
Mandal, Pranay Nadella and Vaithish Velazhahan. The two women
selected for the scholarship are Kaamya Varagur and Monica Kullar.
Under a USD 210 million endowment from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, the scholarship enable outstanding graduate students from
all around the world to study at the University of Cambridge.
Names of the candidates from other countries would be announced in
April. The aim of the program is to build a global network of future
leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

42 Indian languages may be heading for extinction 20 February '18

M
ore than 40 dialects or languages in India are The languages or dialects which were considered
considered to be dying out and they are believed to endangered, include 11 from Andaman and Nicobar Islands
be heading towards extinction as only a few thousand (Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Lamongse, Luro, Muot, Onge,
people speak them. Earlier in 2013, comprehensive linguistic Pu, Sanenyo, Sentilese, Shompen and Takahanyilang),
survey in India was done by People's Linguistic Survey of seven from Manipur (Aimol, Aka, Koiren, Lamgang,
India (PLSI) which said that in India people speak 780 different Langrong, Purum and Tarao) and four from Himachal
languages, It also said that in the last 50 years, India lost nearly Pradesh (Baghati, Handuri, Pangvali and Sirmaudi), three
250 languages. As per the government’s census data, India has from Odisha (Manda, Parji and Pengo), two from Karnataka
1635 rationalised mother tongues, 22 major languages in the (Koraga and Kuruba), two from Andhra Pradesh (Gadaba
country and 234 identifiable mother tongues. and Naiki), two from Tamil Nadu (Kota and Toda), two
Languages or dialects which were considered endangered from Arunachal Pradesh (Mra and Na), two from Assam
(Tai Nora and Tai Rong), One frm Uttarakhand (Bangani),
The endangered list was prepared by UNESCO (United one from Jharkhand (Birhor), one from Maharashtra
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) (Nihali), one from Meghalaya (Ruga) and one from West
on the basis of number of people speak the language and Bengal (Toto).
other various parameter.

Ramsinh Parmar is elected as the Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF). APRIL 2018 MICA 61
WORLD OF ENGLISH ETYMOLOGY
ANTAGONISE A relationship between two species of organisms in which
the individuals of each species adversely affect the other, as
PRONUNCIATION
in competition.
SYNONYMS : Alienate, estrange, disaffect
Okay so let’s deal with this one! ANTONYMS : Pacify, placate, allay
‘AN’ can be pronounced like ‘an’ from the word ‘Animal’ EXAMPLES OF ANTAGONISE IN A SENTENCE
, ‘TAG’ can be pronounced like ‘tag’ ’,
1. It is a very delicate situation and I have no wish to
‘O’ this sound can be taken from ‘fare’ [feə(r)] and ‘NISE’
antagonise him.
can be pronounced like ‘wise’ so all together you
have to pronounce it like ‘an+tag+a+naiz’. 2. The biggest drawback to this plan is that it will
antagonise opponents of outsourcing.
DEFINITIONS
RELATED FORMS : Antagonised, antagonising
To make someone dislike you or feel opposed to you; cause
EXAMPLES
someone to become hostile.
1. His speech antagonised many voters.
Physiology- an opposing action, as by one muscle in
relation to another. 2. Some people are antagonising the release of a movie.
FIRST KNOWN USE OF ANTAGONISE
Biochemistry, Pharmacology- the opposing action of
substances, as drugs, that when taken together decrease 18th century
the effectiveness of at least one of them (contrasted with C18: from Greek antagōnizesthai,
synergism). from ‘ant- against’ and ‘agōnizesthai-struggle’
Ecology.
NEW AND TRICKY
SUFFIX - DESCRIPTION PARTS OF SPEECH MADE FROM EXAMPLES
-ise Make into X Verb Adjective or noun Advertise, polarise, improvise, pologise

OTHER PARTS OF SPEECH 1. If you antagonise the dog, it will bite you.
antagonisable, adjective 2. The man made a huge mistake when he decided to
antagonisation, noun antagonise the bees in his yard.

reantagonise, verb 3. The public seems to be going out of his way to

antagonise politicians.
unantagonisable, adjective
4. Since John was already irritated, his wife knew it would
unantagonised, adjective not take much to antagonise him.
RELATED WORDS 5. The boy believes he will antagonise his religious father
Antagonism, noun if he tells him he is bad.
An active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or 6. They personally don't think we should be given more
conflicting groups. powers because it would just antagonise people.
Antagonist, noun 7. He liked his neighbour and didn't want to antagonise
him.
A person who struggles against someone or something.
8. We didn't go out of our way to antagonise him, indeed
EXAMPLES IN A SENTENCE
we tried to avoid all contact.
1. William’s plan to become an actor met with the
9. Never antagonise anybody without knowing the
antagonism of his family
reasons.
2. The stakes of nuclear war engage not just the survival of
10. On the basis of his experience, he says that people
the antagonists, but the fate of mankind.
generally antagonise the change.
OTHER RELATED EXAMPLES

62 MICA APRIL 2018 According to 'Airpocalypse', Uttar Pradesh is India’s most polluted state in India.
 ANNUAL
BUDGET
2018-19
Summary of Budget 2018-19

G
overnment says that it is firmly on course
to achieve high growth of 8% plus as
manufacturing, services and exports are back
on good growth path. While GDP growth at 6.3% in
the second quarter of 2017-18 signaled turnaround
of the economy, growth in the second half is likely
to remain between 7.2% to 7.5%. IMF, in its latest
Update, has forecast that India will grow at 7.4% next
year in the backdrop of services resuming high growth
rates of 8% plus, exports expected to grow at 15% in
2017-18 and manufacturing back on good growth
path.
The Government has taken up programmes to direct
the benefits of structural changes and good growth
to reach farmers, poor and other vulnerable sections
of our society and to uplift the under-developed
regions. This year’s Budget consolidated these gains
and particularly focus on strengthening agriculture
and rural economy, provision of good health care to
economically less privileged, taking care of senior
citizens, infrastructure creation and working with the
States to provide more resources for improving the quality of education in the country.
Agriculture and Rural Economy

MSP for all unannounced kharif crops will be one

and half times of their production cost like majority
of rabi crops: Institutional Farm Credit raised to
11 lakh crore in 2018-19 from 8.5 lakh crore in
2014-15.
Government has decided to keep MSP for all unannounced kharif crops
atleast one and half times of their production cost after declaring the
same for the majority of rabi cops. The volume of institutional credit for
agriculture sector from year-to-year increased from Rs.8.5 lakh crore in
2014-15 to Rs.10 lakh crore in 2017-18 and he proposed to raise this to
Rs.11 lakh crore for the year 2018-19.

Prakash Padukone has been conferred with Lifetime Achievement award by Badminton
64 MICA APRIL 2018
Association of India's (BAI).
After the establishment of Dairy Infrastructure Fund, a Fisheries and Aqua culture Infrastructure Development Fund
(FAIDF) is announced for fisheries sector and an Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) for
financing infrastructure requirement of animal husbandry sector with a total corpus of Rs.10,000 crore for the two new
funds.
“Operation Greens” launched to address price fluctuations in potato, tomato and onion
for benefit of farmers and consumers.
On the lines of ‘‘Operation Flood’’ a new Scheme ‘‘Operation Greens’’ was announced with an outlay of Rs 500 Crore to
address the challenge of price volatility of perishable commodities like tomato, onion and potato with the satisfaction of
both the farmers and consumers.
It is also announced to develop and upgrade existing 22,000 rural haats into Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) to take
care of the interests of more than 86% small and marginal farmers. These GrAMs, electronically linked to e-NAM and
exempted from regulations of APMCs, will provide farmers facility to make direct sale to consumers and bulk purchasers.
Moreover, an Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund with a corpus of Rs.2000 crore will be setup for developing and upgrading
agricultural marketing infrastructure in the 22000 Grameen Agricultural Markets
(GrAMs) and 585APMCs. So far 470 APMCs have been connected to e-NAM
network and rest will be connected by March, 2018.
Similarly, allocation of Ministry of Food Processing has been doubled from Rs.715
crore in 2017-18 to Rs.1400 crore in 2018-19.
Terming Bamboo as ‘Green Gold’, a Re-structured National Bamboo Mission with an
outlay of Rs.1290 crore is announced to promote bamboo sector in a holistic manner.
Under Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojna-Har Khet ko Pani, 96 deprived irrigation
districts will be taken up with an allocation of Rs 2600 crore.
It is also proposed to extend the facility of Kisan Credit Cards to fisheries and animal
husbandry farmers to help them meet their working capital needs.
India’s agri-exports potential is as high as US $100 billion against current exports
of US $30 billion and to realize this potential, export of agri-commodities will be
liberalized. It is also proposed to set up state-of-the-art testing facilities in all the
forty two Mega Food Parks.
A special Scheme to support the efforts of the governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar
Pradesh and the NCT of Delhi to address air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region by
subsidizing machinery required for in-situ management of crop residue.
Loans to Women Self Help Groups will increase to Rs.75,000 crore in 2019 from
42,500 crore last year.
On the loans to Self Help Groups of women, it increased to about Rupees 42,500 crore in 2016-17, growing 37% over
previous year and expressed confidence that loans to SHGs will increase to Rs.75,000 crore by March, 2019. Allocation
of National Rural Livelihood Mission is increased to Rs 5750 crore in 2018-19.
Higher targets for Ujjwala, Saubhagya and Swachh Mission to cater to lower and
middle class in providing free LPG connections, electricity and toilets.
Under Ujjwala Scheme distribution of free LPG connections will be given to 8 crore poor women instead of the previous target
of 5 crore women. Under Saubahagya Yojana, 4 crore poor households are being provided with electricity connection with an
outlay of Rs.16,000 crore. To fulfil target of housing for All by 2022 ,more than one crore houses will be built by 2019 in rural
areas, besides already constructed 6 crore toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission. In the year 2018-19, for creation of livelihood
and infrastructure in rural areas, total amount to be spent by the Ministries will be Rs.14.34 lakh crore, including extra-budgetary
and non-budgetary resources of Rs.11.98 lakh crore. Apart from employment due to farming activities and self employment, this
expenditure will create employment of 321 crore person days, 3.17 lakh kilometers of rural roads, 51 lakh new rural houses, 1.88
crore toilets, and provide 1.75 crore new household electric connections besides boosting agricultural growth.

Two Indian-Americans, Arogyaswami Paulraj and Sumita Mitra have been inducted into
National Inventors Hall of Fame this year.
APRIL 2018 MICA 65
Education, Health and Social Protection
Outlay on health, education and social protection will
be 1.38 lakh crore. Tribal students to get Ekalavya
Residential School in each tribal block by 2022.
The estimated budgetary expenditure on health, education and social
protection for 2018-19 is Rs.1.38 lakh crore against estimated expenditure
of Rs.1.22 lakh crore in 2017-18 .
Ekalavya Model Residential School on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas will
set up to provide the best quality education to the tribal children in their own
environment by 2022 in every block with more than 50% ST population and
at least 20,000 tribal persons with special facilities for preserving local art
and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
To step up investments in research and related infrastructure in premier
educational institutions, including health institutions, a major initiative
named ‘‘Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022’’ with a total investment of Rs.1,00,000
crore in next four years was announced . He said that a survey of more than 20 lakh children has been conducted to assess
the status on the ground, which will help in devising a district-wise strategy for improving quality of education.
To improve the quality of teachers an integrated B.Ed. programme for teachers will be initiated. Government would
launch the ‘‘Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF)’’ Scheme this year. Under this, 1,000 best B.Tech students will
be identified each year from premier institutions and provide them facilities to do Ph.D in IITs and IISc, with a handsome
fellowship. Allocation on National Social Assistance Programme this year has been kept at Rs. 9975 crore.
National Health Protection Scheme is announced
to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families
(approximately 50 crore beneficiaries)
The world’s largest government funded health care programme titled
National Health Protection Scheme is announced to cover over 10 crore
poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries)
providing coverage upto 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary
and tertiary care hospitalization.
Also Rs 1200 crore is committed for the National Health Policy, 2017,
which with 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centres will bring health care
system closer to the homes of people. The Government also decided to
allocate additional Rs.600 crore to provide nutritional support to all TB
patients at the rate of Rs.500 per month for the duration of their treatment.
The government will be setting up 24 new Government Medical Colleges
and Hospitals by upgrading existing district hospitals in the country.
On cleaning the Ganga, a total of 187 projects have been sanctioned under the Namami Gange programme for infrastructure
development, river surface cleaning, rural sanitation and other interventions at a cost of Rs.16,713 crore. 47 projects have
been completed and remaining projects are at various stages of execution. All 4465 Ganga Grams – villages on the bank
of river - have been declared open defecation free. The government has identified 115 aspirational districts taking various
indices of development in consideration for making them model districts of development.
Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) and Employment
Proposal to extend reduced rate of 25 percent currently available for companies with
turnover of less than 50 crore (in Financial Year 2015-16), to companies reporting
turnover up to Rs. 250 crore in Financial Year 2016-17, to benefit micro, small and
medium enterprises.

66 MICA APRIL 2018 Sanjay Rajoria has been appointed as the new Managing Director of TRF Ltd.
The Budget has given a big thrust to Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) to boost employment and
economic growth. A sum of Rs. 3794 crore has been provided for giving credit support, capital and interest subsidy
and for innovations. MUDRA Yojana launched in April, 2015 has led to sanction of Rs.4.6 lakh crore in credit from
10.38 crore MUDRA loans. 76% of loan accounts are of women and more than 50% belong to SCs, STs and OBCs. It
is proposed to set a target of Rs.3 lakh crore for lending under MUDRA for 2018-19 after having successfully exceeded
the targets in all previous years.
Employment Generation
Reiterating that creating job opportunities is at the core of Government policies, Finance Minister cited an independent
study as showing that 70 lakh formal jobs will be created this year.
The Government will contribute 12% of the wages of the new employees in the EPF for all the sectors for next three years.
It is also proposed to make amendments in the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 to
reduce women employees' contribution to 8% for first three years of their employment against existing rate of 12% or 10%
with no change in employers' contribution.
The Budget proposed an outlay of Rs.7148 crore for the textile sector in 2018-19 as against Rs.6,000 Crore in 2016.
Infrastructure and Financial Sector Development
Emphasising that infrastructure is the growth driver of economy, It is estimated that investment in excess of Rs.50 lakh
crore is needed to increase growth of GDP and connect the nation with a network of roads, airports, railways, ports and
inland waterways. He announced increase of budgetary allocation on infrastructure for 2018-19 to Rs.5.97 lakh crore
against estimated expenditure of Rs.4.94 lakh crore in 2017-18.
The Government has made an all-time high allocation to rail and road sectors and is committed to further enhance public
investment.
To further boost tourism, the Budget proposes to develop ten prominent tourist sites into Iconic Tourism destinations by
following a holistic approach involving infrastructure and skill development, development of technology, attracting private
investment, branding and marketing.
Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, about 35000 kms road construction in Phase-I at an estimated cost of Rs.5,35,000 crore
has been approved.
Railways
Capital Expenditure for 2018-19 : Rs.1,48,528 crore.
3600 kms of track renewal is targeted.
90 kilometers of double line tracks for Mumbai Local.
Railways Capital Expenditure for the year 2018-19 has been
pegged at Rs.1,48,528 crore.
4000 kilometers of electrified railway network is slated for
commissioning during 2017-18. Adequate number of rolling
stock – 12000 wagons, 5160 coaches and approximately
700 locomotives are being procured during 2018-19. Over
3600 kms of track renewal is targeted during the current
fiscal. Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations is
being taken up.
Mumbai’s local train network will have 90 kilometers of
double line tracks at a cost of over Rs.11,000 crore. 150
kilometers of additional suburban network is being planned
at a cost of over Rs.40,000 crore, including elevated corridors
on some sections. A suburban network of approximately
160 kilometers at an estimated cost of Rs.17,000 crore is
being planned to cater to the growth of the Bengaluru metropolis.

Maharashtra's senior BJP MP, Chintaman Vanaga, passed away. APRIL 2018 MICA 67
Air Transport
The Budget proposes to expand the airport capacity more than five times to handle a billion trips a year under a new
initiative - NABH Nirman. Under the Regional connectivity scheme of UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) initiated by
the Government last year, 56 unserved airports and 31 unserved helipads would be connected.
Digital Economy
NITI Aayog will initiate a national program to direct efforts
in artificial intelligence.

Disinvestment
Disinvestment crossed target of Rs 72,500
crore to reach Rs 1,00,000 crore
The Finance Minister announced that 2017-18 disinvestment
Department of Science & Technology will launch a Mission target of Rs.72,500 crore has been exceeded and expected
on Cyber Physical Systems to support establishment of receipts of Rs.1,00,000 crore. He set disinvestment target
centres of excellence for research, training and skilling in of Rs.80,000 crore for 2018-19.
robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big
Three Public Sector Insurance companies- National
data analysis, quantum communication and internet of
Insurance Co. Ltd., United India Assurance Co. Ltd., and
things. The Budget doubled the allocation on Digital India
Oriental India insurance Co. Ltd., will be merged into a
programme to Rs 3073 crore in 2018-19.
single insurance entity.
The Finance Minister announced that a comprehensive
Gold Policy will be formulated to develop gold as an asset
class. The Government will also establish a system of
consumer friendly and trade efficient system of regulated
gold exchanges in the country. Gold Monetization Scheme
will be revamped to enable people to open a hassle-free
Gold Deposit Account.
The Budget proposes to revise emoluments to Rs.5 lakh for
the President, Rs 4 lakhs for the Vice President and Rs.3.5
lakh per month to Governor. These emoluments were last
revised in 2006.
With regard to the emoluments paid to the Members of
Parliament, the Finance Minister proposed necessary
changes to refix the salary and allowances with effect
To further Broadband access in villages, the Government from April 1, 2018. He said the law will also provide for
proposes to set up five lakh wi-fi hotspots to provide net automatic revision of emoluments every five years indexed
connectivity to five crore rural citizens. Rs. 10000 crore to inflation and hoped that the Hon’ble Members will
is allocated in 2018-19 for creation and augmentation of welcome this initiative.
Telecom infrastructure.

68 MICA APRIL 2018 Himachal Pradesh Government has launched Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) project.
To celebrate the 150 Birth Anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi, Father of the Nation from 2nd October 2019, the
Budget set aside Rs.150 crore for the activities leading to
the commemoration programme.
Fiscal Management
The Budget Revised Estimates for expenditure in 2017-18 are
Rs.21.57 lakh crore (net of GST compensation transfers to the
States) as against the Budget Estimates of Rs.21.47 lakh crore.

The growth of direct taxes in financial year 2016-17

was 12.6 percent, and for financial year 2017-18 (upto
15th January, 2018) is 18.7 percent. Therefore buoyancy
in personal income tax for financial year 2016-17 and
2017-18 (RE) are 1.95 and 2.11 respectively. This the
Finance Minister said, indicates that additional revenue
collected in the last two financial years from personal
income tax compared to average buoyancy for the pre
2016-17 period, amounts to a total of Rs. 90,000 crore,
which is a result of a strong anti-evasion measures by the
government.

Continuing Government’s path of fiscal reduction and

consolidation, the Finance Minister projected a Fiscal
Deficit of 3.3% of GDP for the year 2018-19. The Revised
Fiscal Deficit estimates for 2017-18 were put at Rs. 5.95
lakh crore at 3.5% of GDP. He also proposed acceptance
of key recommendations of the Fiscal Reform and
Budget Management Committee to bring down Central
Government’s Debt to GDP ratio to 40%.

There has been a huge increase in the number of returns

filed by tax payers. The number of Effective Tax
Payers has increased from 6.47 crore at the beginning
of Financial year 2014-15 to 8.27 crore at the end of
2016-17.

According to New World Wealth, India has been ranked sixth in the list of wealthiest countries. APRIL 2018 MICA 69
 all employees. The proposed Standard Deduction will
help middle class employees even further in reducing their
tax liabilities. It will also significantly benefit pensioners,
who normally do not enjoy any allowance for transport
and medical expenses. 2.5 crore salaried employees and
pensioners would benefit from this proposal and the revenue
cost would be approximately Rs. 8,000 crore.
Relief to Senior Citizens has also been proposed. The
proposals are :-
## Proposed to extend Pradhan Mantri
Vaya Vandana Yojana up to March,
2020. Current investment limit proposed
to be increased to Rs. 15 lakh from the
Proposed 100 percent deduction to companies registered as existing limit of Rs. 7.5 lakh per senior
Farmer Producer Companies with an annual turnover upto
citizen.
Rs. 100 crore on profit derived from such activities, for a
period of five years from financial year 2018-19. ## Exemption of interest income on deposits with banks
and post offices are proposed to be increased from
In order to encourage creation of new employment the
Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000. TDS shall not be required
deduction of 30 percent Under Section 80-JJAA with a
to be deducted under section 194A. Benefit will also
further relaxation to 150 days in the case of the apparel
be available for interest from all fixed deposit schemes
industry, has been proposed to be extended to the footwear
and recurring deposit schemes.
and leather industry. It is also proposed to rationalise the
deduction of 30 percent by allowing the benefit for a new ## Hike in deduction limit for health insurance premium
employee employed for less than the minimum period and/ or medical expenditure from Rs. 30,000 to Rs.
during the first year, but continues to remain employed for 50,000 under section 80D.
the minimum period in the subsequent year. ## Increase in deduction limit for medical expenditure
In fulfilment of the promise to reduce the corporate tax rate for certain critical illness from Rs. 60,000 (in case of
in a phased manner proposed to extend the reduced rate of 25 senior citizens) and from Rs. 80,000 (in case of very
percent currently available. It proposes for companies with senior citizens) to Rs. 1 lakh for all senior citizens,
turnover of less than 50 crore (in Financial Year 2015-16), under section 80DDB. Concessions will give extra tax
benefit of Rs. 4,000 crore to senior citizen. It is also
also to companies reporting turnover up to Rs. 250 crore in
proposed to extend the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana
Financial Year 2016-17. This would benefit the entire class
Yojana up to March, 2020. The current investment limit
of micro, small and medium enterprises, which account for
is also proposed to be increased to Rs. 15 lakh from the
almost 99 percent of companies filing tax returns, he said.
existing limit of Rs. 7.5 lakh per senior citizen.
The estimated revenue forgone during Financial Year 2018-
19 will be Rs. 7,000 crore. This lower corporate income It is proposed to provide more concessions for International
tax rate would leave such companies with higher investible Financial Services Centre (IFSC), in order to promote
surplus, which would create more jobs. trade in stock exchanges located in IFSC. The concessions
propose transfer of derivatives and certain securities by
Proposal to introduce tax on distributed non- residents from capital gains tax, and non corporate tax
income by equity oriented mutual funds at payers operating in IFSC to be charged Alternate Minimum
the rate of 10 percent. Tax (AMT) at concessional rate of 9 percent at par with
The Budget proposals also seek to provide relief to salaried Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) applicable for corporates.
tax payers by allowing a Standard Deduction of Rs. 40,000 In a measure that proposes to control the cash economy,
in place of the present exemption allowed for transport payments exceeding Rs. 10,000 in cash made by trusts and
allowance and reimbursement of miscellaneous medical institutions shall be disallowed and would be subject to tax.
expenses. However, transport allowance at enhanced In order to improve TDS compliance by these entities, the
rate is proposed to be continued for differently abled Finance Minister has proposed to provide that in case of
persons. Further, it is also proposed to continue medical non deduction of tax, 30 percent of the amount shall be
reimbursement benefits in case of hospitalization etc. for disallowed and would be taxed.

70 MICA APRIL 2018 The Indian Navy has launched the third Scorpene class submarine 'Karanj'.
The total amount of exempted capital gains from listed value addition and Make in India in sectors
shares and units is around Rs. 3,67,000 crore (as per returns such as food processing, electronics, auto
filed for A.Y. 2017-18). A major part of this gain has
components, footwear and furniture.
accrued to corporates and LLPs. It is roposed to tax Long
Term Capital Gains exceeding Rs. 1 lakh at the rate of 10 It is proposed to increase customs duty on mobile phones
percent, without allowing any indexation benefit. However, from 15 percent to 20 percent, on some of their parts and
all gains up to 31st January, 2018 will be grandfathered. accessories to 15 percent and on certain parts of televisions
The Finance Minister has also proposed to introduce a tax to 15 percent.
on distributed income by equity oriented mutual funds Proposal to increase cess on personal
at the rate of 10 percent, to provide a level field across
income tax and corporation tax to 4
growth oriented funds and dividend distributing funds. The
proposed change in Capital Gains Tax will bring marginal
percent from present 3 percent.
revenue gain of about Rs. 20,000 crore in the first year, in Customs duty is proposed to be reduced on raw cashew
view of grandfathering. from 5 percent to 2.5 percent, to help the cashew processing
industry.
In order to take care of the education and health care needs
of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and rural families, The Budget It is also proposed to abolish the Education Cess and
proposes to increase the cess on personal income tax and Secondary and Higher Education Cess on imported goods.
corporation tax to 4 percent from the present 3 percent. The In its place it is proposed to impose a Social Welfare
new cess will be called the “Health and Education Cess” and Surcharge at the rate of 10 percent of the aggregate duties of
is expected to lead to a collection of an estimated additional Customs, on imported goods, to provide for social welfare
amount of Rs. 11,000 crore. schemes of the government.

Proposed changes in customs duty to With the roll of GST, the Budget also proposes to change the
promote creation of more jobs in the name of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC)
to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
country and also to incentivise domestic

Former governor of Chhattisgarh and Tripura, Dinesh Nandan Sahay died. APRIL 2018 MICA 71
Que TM GENERAL AWARENESS
Q.1. Consider the following Immunization (PPI) Program: (5) None of the above
statements: (A) It was initiated in India in Q.8. Which among the following
(A) Foundation stone for 1992. services will be provided by
Central Research Institute (B) It was launched recently inaugurated high
(CRI) was recently laid in under World Health performance computer system
Jaipur. Organization's (WHO) (HPC) or supercomputer Mihir :
(B) Another Central Research Global Polio Eradication (A) Weather forecasts
Institute (CRI) is also lined Initiative. (B) Ocean state forecasts
up in New Delhi. (C) Under this program, every (C) Air quality forecasts
(C) Shripad Yesso Naik is the child below five years in (D) Flood forecast
present Minister of State age is given Oral Polio
(IC), for AYUSH. Vaccine (OPV), in the (E) Climate projections
Choose the correct statement(s) month of January and Choose the correct statement(s)
from the given options: December. from the given options:
(1) Only A Choose the incorrect (1) A, B & C only
(2) Only B statement(s) from the given (2) B, C, D & E Only
(3) Only A & C options: (3) A, B , C & E Only
(4) All of the above (1) Only B (4) All of the above
(5) None of the above (2) Only B & C (5) None of the above
Q.2. Consider the following (3) Only A Q.9. Consider the following
statements about International (4) All of the above statements about Government
Dam Safety Conference: (5) None of the above e-Marketplace (GeM).
(A) It was recently held at Q.6. Which of the following ministry (A) It is an Online Market
Thiruvananthapuram. has recently announced to platform to facilitate
launch Stree Swabhiman procurement of goods
(B) It was organized under and services by various
Dam Safety Rehabilitation Initiative.
(1) Ministry of AYUSH Ministries and agencies of
and Improvement Project the Government
(DRIP) project. (2) Ministry of Women and
Child Development, (B) It aims to enhance
(C) It is an IMF aided project. transparency, efficiency
Choose the correct statement(s) (3) Ministry of Health and and speed in public
from the given options: Family Welfare procurement of goods and
(1) Only A (4) Ministry of Electronics and services and eliminate
(2) Only B & C Information Technology corruption.
(3) Only A & B (5) None of these (C) It is completely paperless,
(4) All of these Q.7. Consider the following cashless and system driven
(5) None of the above statements: e-market place
Q.3. DHARMA is a recently (A) Stree Swabhiman Initiative Choose the correct statement(s)
launched web tool. Which will provide access to from the given options:
among the following purpose it affordable, reliable and (1) Only A
serves? modern (eco-friendly) (2) Only B
(1) Maintaining the number of sanitary napkins (menstrual (3) Only C
Dams in India only. pads) to adolescent girls (4) All of the above
(2) Digitalizing the proceedings and women all over the (5) None of the above
of parliament. country. Q.10. Consider the following
(3) Online portal for (B) Semi-automatic and statements about Nanaji
Agricultural market. manual sanitary napkin Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani
(4) Digitize all dam related data manufacturing units will be Yojna:
set up under this initiative. (A) This scheme will be
(5) None of these
(C) Each production unit will launched in Maharashtra.
Q.4. National Immunization Day in generate employment for
India is celebrated on which (B) Its aim is to promoting
8-10 women. climate-resilient agriculture.
date in India?
Choose the correct statement(s) (C) 70% of the project cost
(1) 28 January (2) 21 January from the given options:
(3) 20 January (4) 2 February will be borne by World
(5) 11 February (1) Only A Economic Forum.
(2) Only B Choose the correct statement(s)
Q.5. Consider the following (3) Only B and C
statements about Pulse Polio from the given options:
(4) All of the above
Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan took charge as the new Director General of Military Operations
72 MICA APRIL 2018
(DGMO) of the Indian Army.
 GENERAL AWARENESS
(1) Only A (1) Air Pollution state’s rural areas.
(2) Only A & B (2) Clean water (C) It will benefit 18
(3) Only C (3) Agriculture marginalized sections
(4) All of the above (4) Solid waste incineration living in rural areas.
(5) None of the above (5) None of these Choose the correct statement(s)
Q.11. Consider the following Q.15. Which city has recently became from the given options:
statements: the first metro city in India to (1) Only A
(A) Government of Uttarakhand get floating market. (2) Only B
has signed a $120 million (1) New Delhi (2) Mumbai (3) Only C
Loan Agreement with the (3) Kolkata (4) Bengaluru (4) All of the above
World Bank Board. (5) None of these (5) None of the above
(B) This will increase access Q.16. Consider the following Q.19. Consider the following
to improved water supply statements: statements:
services in peri-urban areas (A) The floating market in (A) Government has inked
of the state. Kolkata is located on lake $100 million Loan
(C) The water facility would at Patuli. Agreement with World
be provided through piped (B) It is similar to the one in Bank.
network and metered Maynmar. (B) This loan will boost the
service connections. (C) The Kolkata Metropolitan agriculture of Tamil Nadu.
Choose the incorrect Development Authority (C) The project will be
statement(s) from the given (KMDA) is executing operational in 120 blocks
options: agency of floating market. across 3,994 villages in 26
(1) Only A Choose the incorrect Districts of Tamil Nadu.
(2) Only B statement(s) from the given Choose the correct statement(s)
(3) Only C options: from the given options:
(4) All of the above (1) Only A
(5) None of the above (1) Only A (2) Only B
(2) Only B (3) Only C (4) Only A & C
Q.12. In which among the following (3) Only C (5) Only B & C
state Chief Minister-gi (4) All of the above
Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) Q.20. Which among the following
(5) None of the above state is/are not covered under
scheme was launched recently? Q.17. Consider the following the Loan Agreement with Asian
(1) Manipur (2) Nagaland statements: Development Bank (ADB) to
(3) Mizoram (4) Meghalaya (A) ‘Shakti’ app was recently Improve Rural Connectivity?
(5) Assam launched in Himachal (A) Odisha (B) Assam
Q.13. Which of the following critical Pradesh.
ailment is/are not included (C) Chhattisgarh (D) Bihar
(B) Its main objective is to (E) Uttar Pradesh
for the treatment under Chief provide Women Safety.
Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang Choose the answer from the
(CMHT) scheme? (C) It was developed by the codes given:
National Informatics
(A) cardiovascular diseases Centre (NIC). (1) Only A & B
(B) neurological conditions (2) Only A & C
Choose the correct statement(s) (3) Only D & E
(C) kidney ailments from the given options: (4) All of the above
(D) liver ailments (1) Only A (5) None of these
(E) Tuberculosis (2) Only B Q.21. Who has been appointed as the
Choose the correct answer (3) Only C governor of Madhya Pradesh?
from the codes given: (4) All of the above
(5) None of the above (1) Vijay Rupani
(1) Only A, B, C (2) Anandiben Patel
(2) Only A, B, C & D Q.18. Consider the following (3) Vajubhai Vala
(3) Only D statements about Mahatma (4) Om Prakash Kohli
(4) Only E Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (5) None of these
(5) None of these (MGSVY):
Q.22. Consider the following
Q.14. Telangana recently signed a (A) It was launched by Punjab statements:
memorandum of understanding Government.
(A) Sushant Kumar Roy has
(MoU) with Clean Authority of (B) It will work on the line of recently been appointed
Tokyo for cooperation in which Antyodaya principles and as the Executive Director
among the following field? will be implemented in the (Projects) at NTPC.

Magahi writer Shesh Anand Madhukar has been honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman
Award 2018.
APRIL 2018 MICA 73
Que TM GENERAL AWARENESS
(B) NTPC's only function is (DG) of National Security (B) Environmental sustainability
generation of electricity Guard (NSG). Whom did he (C) Poverty
(C) NTPC was conferred succeeded? Choose the correct statement(s)
Maharatna status in 2010. (1) K. Acharya from the given options:
Choose the incorrect (2) M. K. Singh (1) Only A
statement(s) from the given (3) S P Singh (2) Only A & C
options: (4) Sudhir Yadav (3) Only A & B
(1) Only A (5) None of these (4) All of the above
(2) Only B Q.28. With which Finance bank LIC (5) None of the above
(3) Only C has signed an MoU to offer Q.33. India was ranked at the
(4) Only A & B Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti _____ place among emerging
(5) All of the above Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). economies on an Inclusive
Q.23. Who has been recently (1) AU Small Finance bank Development Index.
appointed as the Director of (2) Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (1) 63rd (2) 62nd
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (3) Equitas Small Finance Bank (3) 60th (4) 53rd
(VSSC)? (4) Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (5) 100th
(1) R. K. Shastri (5) None of these Q.34. For the implementation of
(2) V Narayanan Q.29. Consider the following which among the following
(3) K. Sivan statements: scheme Indian Overseas Bank
(4) S Somanath (A) NIIF has partnered with signed an MOU with National
(5) None of these DP World to create an Housing Bank?
Q.24. Consider the following investment platform in (1) Rural Housing Interest
statements: India. Subsidy Scheme
(A) Vikram Sarabhai Space (B) NIIF was set-up to function (2) Urban Housing Interest
Centre functions under as a major platform in Subsidy Scheme
Department of Space. India for attracting foreign (3) Rural infrastructural
(B) It is located in Thiruvanantha investments. development Scheme
-puram, Kerala. (C) GOI’s contribution to (4) Rural housing Subsidy
(C) It was earlier named as the AIFs under the NIIF Scheme
Thumba Equatorial Rocket scheme shall be 79% of the (5) None of these
Launching Station. total commitment.
Q.35. What is the Tagline of Indian
Choose the correct statement(s) Choose the correct statement(s) Overseas Bank?
from the given options: from the given options:
(1) The name you can bank pon
(1) Only A (1) Only A (2) India's International Bank
(2) Only B (2) Only A & B (3) Relationship beyond banking
(3) Only C (3) Only C (4) Good People to grow with
(4) All of the above (4) All of the above (5) Tradition of Trust
(5) None of the above (5) None of the above
Q.36. Consider the following
Q.25. Who has been appointed as Q.30. Which among the following statements:
the Director of ISRO’s Liquid organization releases the (A) World Economic Outlook
Propulsion Systems Centre Inclusive Development Index. is released by International
(LPSC). (1) World Bank Monetary Fund (IMF).
(1) R. K. Sharma (2) IMF (B) It has projected India's
(2) K. Sivan (3) World Economic Forum growth at 7.4% of its gross
(3) B S Sehrawat (4) UNFCCC domestic product (GDP) in
(4) Dr V Narayanan (5) G20 2018
(5) None of these Q.31. What was the color of the (C) It is usually prepared twice
Q.26. Who has sworn in as the Economic Survey 2017-2018 a year.
16th Chairman of the Federal document?
Choose the correct statement(s)
Reserve? (1) White (2) Blue from the given options:
(1) Jerome Powell (3) Yellow (4) Red
(5) None of these (1) Only A
(2) Janet Yellen (2) Only B
(3) Haruhiko Kuroda Q.32. Which of the following indices (3) Only C
(4) Elvira Nabiullina were taken into account for (4) All of the above
(5) Thomas Jordan the Inclusive Development (5) None of the above
Q.27. Sudeep Lakhtakia recently took Index:
Q.37. India has overtaken which
charge as the Director General (A) Living standards country to become the world’s
Neelam Kapoor has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Sports Authority of
74 MICA APRIL 2018
India (SAI).
 GENERAL AWARENESS
third largest steel producer in (3) Only A & C (4) All of the above
2017. (4) All of the above (5) None of the above
(1) China (2) US (5) None of the above Q.47. Rotavac became first
(3) Australia (4) Russia Q.42. Who among the following has Indigenously developed vaccine
(5) None of these imposed Rs. 136 crore fine on from India to be pre-qualified
Q.38. CriSidEx is India’s first MSE world’s most popular search by World Health Organisation
Sentiment Index. It is launched engine Google? (WHO). It is related to which of
by __? (1) Competition Commission the following disease?
(1) SIDBI & RBI of India (1) AIDS (2) diarrhoea
(2) RBI & Crisil (2) Reserve Bank of India (3) Tuberculosis (4) Pneumonia
(3) SIDBI & Crisil (3) Ministry of Finance (5) None of these
(4) SBI & Crisil (4) Election Commission of Q.48. Recently a small population of
(5) None of these India fish that walk along the seabed
Q.39. Consider the following is discovered in Tasmania.
(5) None of these Where is Tasmania situated?
statements about Start-up-
Q.43. Who among the following has (1) South Africa (2) America
India ranking framework:
imposed ban on Google for anti- (3) Australia (4) India
(A) It is unveiled by Department trust setbacks before India?
of Industrial Policy and (5) Indonesia
(1) European Union and Russia Q.49. Green Good Deeds campaign
Promotion (DIPP) under (2) Japan and Russia
Commerce Ministry. was launched recently. What is
(3) European Union and China its objective?
(B) Its aim is to foster (4) Switzerland and Russia
competitiveness among (5) None of these (1) To sensitise people about
states/UTS to act climate change
Q.44. What is India's rank at
proactively in startup Environmental Performance (2) To sensitise people about
matters Index (EPI) – 2018? global warming
(C) It was launched by Union (1) 180 (2) 177 (3) To create awareness about
Minister of Commerce and (3) 175 (4) 172 Pollution
Industry. (5) 134 (4) Both A & B
Choose the correct statement(s) Q.45. Who among the following is (5) None of these
from the given options: not involved in the development Q.50. In which bird sanctuary ‘Pelican
(1) Only A of Environmental Performance Bird Festival-2018’ was held
(2) Only B Index (EPI) – 2018: recently?
(3) Only C (A) Yale University (1) Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary
(4) All of the above (B) Columbia University (2) Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
(5) None of the above (C) World Economic Forum (3) Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Q.40. Development Impact Bond Choose the correct statement(s) (4) Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
(DIB) is related to which among from the given options: (5) None of these
the following fields? Q.51. Consider the following
(1) Only A
(1) Agriculture (2) Investment (2) Only B statements about Kolleru Lake:
(3) Education (4) Healthcare (3) Only C (A) It is one of the largest
(5) None of these (4) All of the above freshwater lakes in India.
Q.41. Consider the following (5) None of the above (B) It is located in Andhra
statements about Development Q.46. Which of the following issues Pradesh.
Impact Bond (DIB): were consider while calculating (C) It is located between
(A) It is launched by Britain’s Environmental Performance Krishna and Godavari
Prince Charles. Index: deltas.
(B) It is the latest fundraising (A) Air Pollution Choose the correct statement(s)
initiative by British Asian (B) Agriculture from the given options:
Trust (BAT). (C) Heavy Metals (1) Only A
(C) It was launched 10 years (D) Water & Sanitation (2) Only B
ago to fight poverty in (E) Climate & Energy (3) Only C
India only. Choose the correct statement(s) (4) All of the above
Choose the correct statement(s) from the given options: (5) None of the above
from the given options: (1) Only A, B & C Q.52. Consider the following
(1) Only A (2) Only B, C & E statements about Agni-1
(2) Only A & B (3) Only A, B, C & E Missile:

Bharati Defence and Infrastructure Ltd (BDIL) has launched an interceptor vessel ‘V-410’ for Indian
Coast Guard.
APRIL 2018 MICA 75
Que TM GENERAL AWARENESS
(A) It is indigenously from the codes given. Q.61. Name the guest of honor
developed intermediate (1) Only A, C & D country in the National Heritage
range surface-to-surface, (2) Only A, B, C & D Festival of Saudi Arabia.
single-stage missile. (3) Only A, B & C (1) India (2) China
(B) It was developed by ISRO. (4) All of the above (3) USA (4) Russia
(C) It weighs around 12 tonnes (5) None of these (5) None of these
and is propelled by a solid Q.57. Recently ASEAN-India Q.62. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
rocket propellant system. Commemorative Summit was recently visited Palestine. Who
Choose the correct statement(s) held in New Delhi. What was is the President of Palestine?
from the given options: the theme of this summit. (1) Mohammed Dehlan
(1) Only A (1) Shared Destiny, Common (2) Rawahi Fattuh
(2) Only B Values (3) Ahmed Qurei
(3) Only C (2) Same Values, Same Destiny (4) Mahmoud Abbas
(4) All of the above (3) Shared Values, Common (5) None of these
(5) None of the above Destiny Q.63. According to a report by World
Q.53. Consider the following (4) Shared Values, Similar Steel Association (WSA), India
statements about Global Destiny has overtaken US to become the
Centre for Cybersecurity: world’s _______ largest steel
(5) None of these producer in 2017.
(A) It is launched by World Q.58. Consider the following
Bank. (1) Second (2) Third
statements about ASEAN: (3)Fourth (4)Eighth
(B) It is headquartered in (A) It is headquartered in
Geneva (5)Ninth
Jakarta, Indonesia. Q.64. Which State Government has
(C) It aims to make bank (B) It is founded in 1967.
ransactions safe from launched Zero Budget Natural
ransomware only. (C) Its motto is One Vision, One Farming (ZBNF) project to
Identity, One Community. promote organic farming?
Choose the correct statement(s)
from the given options: Choose the correct statement(s) (1) Himachal Pradesh
from the given options: (2) Uttar Pradesh
(1) Only A (3) Uttarakhand
(2) Only B (1) Only A
(2) Only B (4) Arunachal Pradesh
(3) Only C (5) Andhra Pradesh
(4) None of the above (3) Only C
(5) None of the above (4) All of the above Q.65. Who has been honoured with the
(5) None of the above Life Time Achievement Award
Q.54. In which of the following by Badminton Association of
two fields MoU's were signed Q.59. India has recently joined
Ashgabat Agreement. Ashgabat India (BAI)?
between India and Vietnam.
is the capital of which country? (1) Pullela Gopichand
(1) Education, Agriculture (2) Prakash Padukone
(1) Iraq (2) Oman
(2) Space, Agriculture (3) Turkmenistan (4) Afghanistan (3) Saina Nehwal
(3) Health, Agriculture (5) None of these (4) Arvind Bhat
(4) Space, Information and Q.60. Consider the following (5) P.V. Sandhu
broadcasting statements Ashgabat Q.66. Consider the following
(5) None of these Agreement: statements:
Q.55. What is the capital of Vietnam? (A) It was signed in April 2010 (A) 'Airpocalypse' is an air
(1) Hanoi (2) Da Nang (B) It establishes international pollution measurement
(3) Can Tho (4) HaiPhong transport and transit report.
(5) None of these corridor between Central (B) It is released by Greenpeace
Q.56. Leaders of the Association of Asia and the Persian Gulf India.
Southeast Asian Nations or countries. (C) According to the report
ASEAN was guests of honour (C) Pakistan is also its member. Mumbai is the most
in India's 69th Republic day Choose the incorrect polluted city.
celebration. Which among the statement(s) from the given Choose the correct statement(s)
following country is/are not a options: from the given options:
member of ASEAN? (1) Only A (1) Only A
(A) Thailand (B) Vietnam (2) Only B (2) Only A & B
(C) Malaysia (D) India (3) Only C (3) Only B & C
(E) Bangladesh (4) All of the above (4) All of the above
Choose the correct answer (5) None of the above (5) None of the above

The Maharashtra Government has approved Ghodazari in Chandrapur district as new wildlife
76 MICA APRIL 2018
sanctuary in the state.
 GENERAL AWARENESS
Q.67. According to the second edition (5) Akash Sharma (4) Narendra Modi
of annual report 'Airpocalypse', Q.74. In which city 32nd Surajkund (5) Pema Khandu
Which State is the India’s most International Crafts Mela was Q.81. Competition Commission of
polluted state? held recently? India (CCI) has imposed a fine
(1) Tamilnadu (1) New Delhi of Rs _______ on Google for
(2) Madhya Pradesh (2) Ambala unfair business practices for
(3) Uttar Pradesh (3) Kurukshetra online search in India.
(4) Rajasthan (4) Hisar (1) 186 Crore (2) 126 Crore
(5) Kerala (5) Faridabad (3) 156 Crore (4) 146 Crore
Q.68. With which country India Q.75. Who among the following has (5) 136 Crore
has organised a six day-long won Gold medal in India Open Q.82. What is the Name of An
military exercise 'VINBAX' in boxing tournament in New eight-year-old Indian-origin
Madhya Pradesh. Delhi? schoolgirl who has entered the
(1) Thailand (2) Malaysia (1) Farida Narang UK's 'Mathletics Hall of Fame'?
(3) Vietnam (4) Saudi Arab (2) Kavita Chahal (1) Sohini Roy Chowdhury
(5) Afghanistan (3) MC Mary Kom (2) Nikita Verma
Q.69. Who has inaugurated the High (4) Kavita Goyat (3) Pragya Singh
Performance Computer (HPC) (5) Sarita Devi (4) Garima Sharma
System named ‘Mihir’ at the Q.76. Who among the following has (5) Ritu Jain
National Centre for Medium been recently appointed as Q.83. Which State has topped the
Range Weather Forecasting the Chief Executive officer of overall medal tally in first Khelo
(NCMRWF) at Noida? Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC)? India School Games?
(1) Venkaiah Naidu (1) Sudhir Narayan (1) Haryana
(2) Narendra Modi (2) Vijay Raghavan (2) Maharashtra
(3) Dr. Harsh Vardhan (3) G Kalyanakrishnan (3) Rajasthan
(4) Ram Nath Kovind (4) Dinesh Srivastava (4) Bihar
(5) Arun Jately (5) Vikas Goyal (5) Madhya Pradesh
Q.70. What is the Name of third Q.77. Which of the following wildlife Q.84. Who has sworn-in as new Chief
Scorpene class submarine sanctuary has been approved Justice of the High Court of
which is recently launched by by Maharashtra Government Manipur?
Indian Navy? recently? (1) Abhilasha Kumari
(1) Arihant (2) Rakshak (1) Ghodazari (2) Pangula (2) Hemant Gupta
(3) Kamal (4) Kalvari (3) Koyna (4) Bor (3) Indira Banerjee
(5) Karanj (5) Pench (4) Dinesh Maheshwari
Q.71. Who has launched the first Q.78. In which city Indian Council of (5) Rajendra Menon
Khelo India School Games at Medical Research (ICMR) and Q.85. What is Rank of India in latest
Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Pfizer will set up a Centre to FIFA Ranking?
in New Delhi? combat antimicrobial resistance (1) 102 (2) 100
(1) Ramnath Kovind (AMR)? (3) 101 (4) 108
(2) Yogi Adityanath (1) Lucknow (2) New Delhi (5) 107
(3) Narendra Modi (3) Dehradun (4) Mumbai Q.86. What is India's rank in the
(4) Smriti Irani (5) Kanpur annual ranking of Leadership
(5) Rajyavardhan Rathore Q.79. Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Energy and Environmental
Q.72. India Energy Congress 2018 has become the _______ Design (LEED) certified
was recently held in which city? wicketkeeper to effect 400 buildings.
(1) Lucknow dismissals in One Day (1) 2nd (2) 3rd
(2) Kanpur Internationals. (3) 4th (4) 5th
(3) Mumbai (1) Seventh (2) Fifth (5) 6th
(4) Dehradun (3) Fourth (4) Second Q.87. Consider the following
(5) New Delhi (5) Third statements about Leadership
Q.73. Who has been appointed as the Q.80. Who among the following has in Energy and Environmental
Director General (DG) of the laid the foundation stone of Design (LEED) certified
Sports Authority of India (SAI)? Rhodendron Park in Tawang buildings:
(1) Vinod Singh district? (A) It is released by US Green
(2) Raj Kumar (1) Ram Nath Kovind Building Council.
(3) Pooja Kumari (2) Sumitra Mahajan (B) Its president is Mahesh
(4) Neelam Kapoor (3) Venkaiah Naidu Ramanujam.

32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela was held in Faridabad. APRIL 2018 MICA 77
Que TM GENERAL AWARENESS
(C) The top 10 list is led by (A) It is released by UK-based (1) Indian Institute of
China. Company, Economist Management and Indian
Choose the correct statement(s) Intelligence Unit (EIU). Institute of Technology,
from the given options: (B) The index is topped by Delhi
(1) Only A Norway. (2) Banaras Hindu University
(2) Only B (C) North Korea was ranked and Indian Institute of
(3) Only C lowest in the index. Technology, Bombay
(4) All of the above Choose the correct statement(s) (3) Indian Institute of
(5) None of the above from the given options: Management and Indian
Q.88. What is India's rank in Inclusive (1) Only A Institute of Technology,
Development Index (IDI- (2) Only B Roorkee
2018)? (3) Only C (4) Indian Institute of Science
(1) 61th (2) 62nd (4) All of the above and Indian Institute of
(3) 63rd (4) 64th (5) None of the above Technology, Bombay
(5) 50th Q.95. Consider the following (5) None of these
Q.89. According to Inclusive statements: Q.98. With which among the following
Development Index (IDI-2018), (A) 7th India Energy Congress Google has signed a pact to
which country is world’s most (IEC) 2018 was held in integrate a course on ‘Digital
inclusive advanced economy? Hyderabad. Citizenship and Safety’?
(1) Switzerland (2) India (B) It is inaugurated by (1) IIT Chennai
(3) Norway (4) Lithuania Union Power and New (2) IIM Ahmedabad
(5) None of these and Renewable Energy (3) CBSE
Q.90. Which among the following Minister R K Singh. (4) NCERT
is not a criteria for Inclusive (C) The theme for the (5) None of these
Development Index (IDI-2018). conference is Energy (4)0: Q.99. ‘Safer Internet Day’ is
(1) Living standards Energy Transition Towards celebrated on _____ ?
(2) Environmental sustainability 2030. (1) 1st February
(3) Protection of future Choose the incorrect (2) 6th February
generations from further statement(s) from the given (3) 11th February
indebtedness options: (4) 25th February
(1) Only A (5) None of these
(4) All of the above
(2) Only B Q.100.Consider the following
(5) None of these statements Intellectual Property
(3) Only C
Q.91. Name the Indian-origin boy (4) All of the above (IP) Index:
who became youngest applicant (5) None of the above (A) It is released by World
in decade to achieve highest Intellectual Property
score in Mensa IQ test. Q.96. Consider the following
statements about World Organization.
(1) Swarndeep Singh University Rankings: (B) India is ranked 43rd this
(2) Nitesh Arora year.
(3) Mayank Sharma (A) It is released by TIMES
(4) Mehul Garg Higher Education (THE). (C) US is at top of the index.
(5) None of these (B) 17 institutes from India Choose the correct statement(s)
Q.92. Which is the first ever Oxford are there in top 200 Asian from the given options:
Dictionaries Hindi Word of the Universities. (1) Only A
Year? (C) IIT Madras has witnessed (2) Only B & C
(1) aadhaar (2) Namasty biggest decline this year in (3) Only A & C
(3) Bharat (4) Pranaam the ranking. (4) All of the above
(5) None of these Choose the correct statement(s) (5) None of the above
Q.93. India has been ranked___ in from the given options: Q.101.Cyril Ramaphosa has been
annual 2017 Global Democracy (1) Only A sworn in as the new President of
Index (GDI). (2) Only B which nation?
(1) 43rd (2) 42nd (3) Only C (1) Zimbabwe (2) Ankara
(3) 41th (4) 40th (4) All of the above (3) South Africa (4) Libya
(5) 39th (5) None of the above (5) Paleatine
Q.94. Consider the following Q.97. Which two Indian institutes Q.102.The Supreme Court recently
statements annual 2017 Global have made their way to top 50 in announced its verdict on the
Democracy Index (GDI): World University Rankings for dispute between states over
educational institutes in Asia? which river’s water?

78 MICA APRIL 2018 Two-day Global Investors' Summit 'Advantage Assam' held in Guwahati.
 GENERAL AWARENESS
(1) Krishna (2) Cauvery (3) Kenya (4) Ghana (3) Lakshadweep
(3) Mahanadi (4) Godavari (5) Angola (4) Chandigarh
(5) Son Q.110.Which state government has (5) Daman & Diu
Q.103.Which city hosted the World recently banned the sale of Q.118.The Union Cabinet approved
Sustainable Development loose cigarettes in the state? signing of a protocol to amend
Summit 2018? (1) Bihar (2) Rajasthan the double taxation avoidance
(1) Davos (2) Zurich (3) Punjab (4) Maharashtra agreement between India and
(3) New Delhi (4) Colombo (5) Uttar Pradesh which country?
(5) Kathmandu (1) China (2) USA
Q.111. Gevora, the world’s tallest hotel
Q.104.Who among the following has (3) Indonesia (4) Australia
has recently inaugurated in
been recently elected as the new (5) UAE
which country?
president of Sahitya Akademi? Q.119.Which among the following is
(1) USA (2) Japan
(1) Chandrashekhara Kambara the online security campaign
(3) Dubai (4) China
(2) Bhalchandra Nemade launched by Google India
(5) Russia
(3) Pratibha Ray recently?
Q.112. Which Union Minister launched
(4) Madhav Koushik (1) #InternetSecureKiya
the National Deworming (2) #OnlineCheckKiya
(5) None of the above Initiative in Gurugram?
Q.105.According to ADR report on (3) #SecurityCheckKiya
(1) J P Nadda (4) #InternetSafetyKiyaKya
current Chief Ministers of India, (2) Venkaiah Naidu
which CM is the wealthiest with (5) None of the above
(3) Suresh Prabhu Q.120.What does the pink color of
the highest number of declared (4) Ram Nath Kovind
assets against his name? the Economic Survey 2017-18
(5) Arun Jately represent?
(1) Pema Khandu Q.113.Which nation has agreed
(2) Amarinder Singh (1) Gender and Son meta-
to allow Indian pilgrims to preference
(3) Chandrababu Naidu undertake Mansarovar yatra
(4) Devendra Fadnavis (2) Women empowerment
through Nathu La? (3) Girl Education
(5) Yogi Adityanath
(1) China (2) Bhutan (4) All of the above
Q.106.Which Chief Minister was (3) Nepal (4) Myanmar
found to be the poorest among (5) None of the above
(5) Tibet Q.121.Which city has launched
all the current CMs in the ADR
report? Q.114.Mobile Democracy Vans have India's largest floating treatment
been deployed in which state to wetland (FTW)?
(1) Mamata Banerjee create voter awareness?
(2) Manik Sarkar (1) Hyderabad (2) Mumbai
(3) Mehbooba Mufti (1) Manipur (2) Nagaland (3) Delhi (4) Lucknow
(4) Yogi Adityanath (3) Meghalaya (4) Rajasthan (5) Cochin
(5) None of these (5) Mizoram Q.122.India recently contributed how
Q.107.Who has been appointed as Q.115.Union Cabinet was apprised much additional amount to the
India's new Ambassador to of an MoU signed between UN Development Partnership
Brazil? India and which country for Fund?
cooperation on Youth matters? (1) $1 mn (2) $2 mn
(1) Ashok Das
(2) Rajiv Singh (1) China (2) Tunisia (3) $5 mn (4) $6 mn
(3) Sudarshan Kumar (3) USA (4) Egypt (5) $10 mn
(4) Rahul Bhatia (5) Palestine Q.123.According to a report by
(5) None of the above Q.116.Which large state has been Greenpeace India, how many
Q.108.Which state's government has ranked at the top in NITI Indian cities meet the air quality
recently launched the DASTAK Aayog’s Health Index? standards set by WHO?
campaign to eradicate Japanise (1) Maharashtra (1) 11 (2) 5
Encephalitis? (2) Kerala (3) None (4) 2
(1) Madhya Pradesh (3) Gujarat (5) 4
(2) Uttar Pradesh (4) Uttar Pradesh Q.124.The National Girl Child Day is
(3) Rajasthan (5) Madhya Pradesh observed on which day?
(4) Maharashtra Q.117.Among the Union Territories, (1) January 24 (2) January 22
(5) Jharkhand which one faired the best in (3) February 2 (4) January 25
Q.109.Which nation is the latest to NITI Aayog’s 'Healthy States, (5) 20 February
withdraw from the UN refugee Progressive India' report?
Q.125.Which country was the partner
programme? (1) Andaman & Nicobar Islands country at the 32nd Surajkund
(1) Tanzania (2) Zambia (2) Pondicherry International Crafts Mela?

Shabnam Asthana was awarded the 'Times Power Women of the Year 2017' for Global PR. APRIL 2018 MICA 79
Que TM GENERAL AWARENESS
(1) Kyrgyzstan (3) Ghulam Nabi Azad (1) Rs.1200 crore
(2) Afghanistan (4) Bhartruhari Mahatab (2) Rs.1300 crore
(3) Kazakhstan (5) None of the above (3) Rs.1400 crore
(4) Turkmenistan Q.132.Cultural extravaganza “2018 (4) Rs.1500 crore
(5) UAE Bharat Parv” was organised at (5) Rs.1600 crore
Q.126.Who has been honoured with which Indian monument? Q.138.In the Union Budget 2018-19,
the 2018 Sahitya Akademi (1) Red Fort Loans to Women Self Help
Bhasha Samman award? (2) India Gate Groups is increase to ___in
(1) Kaikala Satyanarayana (3) Jantar mantar 2019 from 42,500 crore last
(2) Shesh Anand Madhukar (4) Qutub Minar year.
(3) Ramanujan Pillai (5) None of the above (1) Rs 74000 Crore
(4) Rahul Sankarnarayan Q.133.Which state cabinet approves (2) Rs 75000 Crore
(5) None of the above 'one district, one product' (3) Rs 76000 Crore
Q.127.The Inland Waterways scheme? (4) Rs 77000 Crore
Authority of India (IWAI) (1) Uttar Pradesh (5) None of these
recently signed a project (2) Madhya Pradesh Q.139.Consider the following
agreement with World Bank for (3) Karnataka statements:
Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) (4) Gujarat (A) Ujjwala Scheme is for free
for which river? (5) Maharashtra LPG connections.
(1) Yamuna (2) Godavari Q.134.A new Scheme ‘‘Operation (B) Earlier target for Ujjwala
(3) Cauvery (4) Ganga Greens’’ was announced in scheme is to provide free
(5) Narmada Union Budget 2018. It will be connections to 5 crore
Q.128.People around the world launched to address which of women.
witnessed a rare celestial event the following issue? (C) In Union Budget 2018-19
on January 31 The lunar trifecta (1) Deforestation the target has been doubled
was the collision of which three (2) Air Pollution to 10 Crore.
rare events? (3) Price Fluctuation of certain Choose the correct statement(s)
(1) Blood Moon, Super Moon vegetables from the given options:
and Blue moon (4) Cleaning of river Ganga (1) Only A & B
(2) Lunar eclipse, Super Moon (5) None of these (2) Only B
and Solar eclipse Q.135.Consider the following (3) Only A & C
(3) Lunar eclipse, Solar eclipse statements about Gramin (4) All of the above
and Red Moon Agricultural Markets (GrAMs): (5) None of the above
(4) Partial Lunar eclipse, Blue (A) It will be electronically Q.140.Saubahagya Yojana is related to
moon and meteor shower linked to e-NAM. which of the following fields?
(5) None of the above (B) It will be exempted from (1) Providing Clean Drinking
Q.129.Which state’s government has regulations of APMCs Water
approved a proposal to provide (C) It will provide farmers (2) Free electricity connection
sanitary napkins at a subsidised facility to make direct sale (3) Nutritional support to
rate of Rs 5 to women living in to consumers and bulk lactating mothers
rural areas? purchasers.
(4) Free LPG connection
(1) Rajasthan Choose the correct statement(s)
from the given options: (5) None of these
(2) Maharashtra
(3) Uttar Pradesh (1) Only A Q.141.As per Union Budget 2018-19,
(4) Karnataka (2) Only B Ekalavya Residential School
(5) Madhya Pradesh (3) Only C will be established by 2022. It
(4) All of the above will be established for which of
Q.130.The Anti-Leprosy Day was the following community?
observed in India on which day? (5) None of the above
Q.136.Which among the following (1) Schedule Castes
(1) January 29 (2) January 30
(3) January 25 (4) January 22 is termed as 'Green Gold' in (2) Schedule Tribes
(5) January 28 Budget 2018-19? (3) Migrants from different
Q.131.The Outstanding (1) Neem (2) Bamboo countries
Parliamentarian award for (3) Peepal (4) Wheat (4) All of the above
the year 2017 went to which (5) None of these (5) None of these
Member of Parliament? Q.137.How much amount is allocated Q.142.Consider the following statements
(1) Najma Heptulla to Ministry of Food Processing about ‘Prime Minister’s Research
(2) Dinesh Trivedi in Union Budget 2018-19? Fellows (PMRF)’:

80 MICA APRIL 2018 John Hennessy has been appointed as the Chairman of Alphabet’s Board.
 GENERAL AWARENESS
(A) Under this, 1,000 best (4) All of the above (2) Agriculture, education, and
B.Tech and B.Sc. students (5) None of the above women empowerment
will be identified each year Q.144.The Government In Union (3) Agriculture, education, and
from premier institutions. Budget 2018-19, has announced employment
(B) This scheme will provide to allocate additional _____ to (4) Entrepreneurship, education,
students facilities to do provide nutritional support to and employment
Ph.D. all TB patients (5) None of these
(C) Selected students will (1) Rs.600 crore Q.148.What is the increase in indirect
pursue Ph.D from IITs and (2) Rs.800 crore
IISc. tax collections of the Centre
(3) Rs.1000 crore during April-November 2017
Choose the correct statement(s) (4) Rs.900 crore period?
from the given options: (5) Rs.1600 crore
(1) 13.4% (2) 14.3%
(1) Only A Q.145.As per the Union Budget 2018- (3) 18.3% (4) 19.5%
(2) Only B & C 19, How many new Government (5) None of these
(3) Only A & C Medical Colleges and Hospitals
(4) All of the above will be set up by upgrading Q.149.By what percent the GST has
(5) None of the above existing district hospitals in the increased the number of unique
country. indirect taxpayers?
Q.143.Consider the following
statements about National (1) 23 (2) 24 (1) 50% (2) 20%
Health Protection Scheme: (3) 25 (4) 26 (3) 30% (4) 40%
(A) It will cover over 10 (5) 27 (5) None of these
crore poor and vulnerable Q.146.How much amount does union Q.150.Which among the following
families. budget 2018-19 has propose for states are the states with highest
(B) It will provide coverage up Textile sectore? GST registrants?
to 5 lakh rupees per family (1) Rs.7140 crore (1) Karnataka, Kerela, UP,
per year. (2) Rs.7145 crore Bihar
(C) The scheme is for (3) Rs.7110 crore (2) Karnataka, Kerela, UP,
secondary and tertiary care (4) Rs.7148 crore Rajasthan
hospitalization. (5) Rs.7149 crore (3) MP, UP, New Delhi, Gujrat
Choose the correct statement(s) Q.147.In the economic Survey 217- (4) Maharashtra, UP,
from the given options: 18, What will be areas of focus Tamilnadu, Gujrat
(1) Only A in the medium term? (5) MP, Maharashtra, New
(2) Only B (1) Agriculture, education, and Delhi, Gujrat
(3) Only C gender equality

ANSWER KEY
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(3) Q.3.(4) Q.4.(1) Q.5.(3) Q.6.(4) Q.7.(3) Q.8.(3) Q.9.(4) Q.10.(2)
Q.11.(4) Q.12.(1) Q.13.(4) Q.14.(4) Q.15.(3) Q.16.(2) Q.17.(4) Q.18.(4) Q.19.(4) Q.20.(3)
Q.21.(2) Q.22.(4) Q.23.(4) Q.24.(4) Q.25.(4) Q.26.(1) Q.27.(3) Q.28.(1) Q.29.(2) Q.30.(3)
Q.31.(3) Q.32.(3) Q.33.(2) Q.34.(1) Q.35.(4) Q.36.(4) Q.37.(2) Q.38.(3) Q.39.(4) Q.40.(3)
Q.41.(2) Q.42.(1) Q.43.(1) Q.44.(2) Q.45.(4) Q.46.(4) Q.47.(2) Q.48.(3) Q.49.(4) Q.50 (4)
Q.51.(4) Q.52.(4) Q.53.(2) Q.54.(4) Q.55.(1) Q.56.(3) Q.57.(3) Q.58.(4) Q.59.(3) Q.60.(1)
Q.61.(1) Q.62.(4) Q.63.(2) Q.64.(1) Q.65.(2) Q.66.(2) Q.67.(3) Q.68.(3) Q.69.(3) Q.70.(5)
Q.71.(3) Q.72.(3) Q.73.(4) Q.74.(5) Q.75.(3) Q.76.(4) Q.77.(1) Q.78.(2) Q.79.(3) Q.80.(5)
Q.81.(5) Q.82.(1) Q.83.(1) Q.84.(1) Q.85.(1) Q.86.(2) Q.87.(4) Q.88.(2) Q.89.(4) Q.90.(4)
Q.91.(4) Q.92.(1) Q.93.(2) Q.94.(4) Q.95.(1) Q.96.(4) Q.97.(4) Q.98.(4) Q.99.(2) Q.100.(2)
Q.101.(3) Q.102.(3) Q.103.(3) Q.104.(1) Q.105.(3) Q.106.(2) Q.107.(1) Q.108.(2) Q.109.(1) Q.110.(1)
Q.111.(1) Q.112.(1) Q.113.(1) Q.114.(3) Q.115.(2) Q.116.(2) Q.117.(3) Q.118.(1) Q.119.(3) Q.120.(1)
Q.121.(1) Q.122.(1) Q.123.(3) Q.124.(1) Q.125.(1) Q.126.(2) Q.127.(4) Q.128.(1) Q.129.(2) Q.130.(2)
Q.131.(4) Q.132.(1) Q.133.(1) Q.134.(3) Q.135.(4) Q.136.(2) Q.137.(3) Q.138.(2) Q.139.(1) Q.140.(2)
Q.141.(2) Q.142.(2) Q.143.(4) Q.144.(1) Q.145.(2) Q.146.(4) Q.147.(3) Q.148.(3) Q.149.(1) Q.150.(4)

Thanglura Darlong has been appointed as Indian Ambassador to Romania. APRIL 2018 MICA 81
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
English
Q.1. A hot potato. (c) Take a responsibility (d) Take an opportunity
(a) A dish to relish when it is hot Q.10. The Holy Grail.
(b) A very important person in a gathering (a) The pious place of worship
(c) An issue which is disputed, and catching the attention (b) An important object or goal
of people (c) A very important place
(d) A way of thinking what someone is thinking (d) Someone's destination of life
Q.2. You snooze, you lose. Q.11. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.
(a) Don't take it lightly (b) Don't be over-enthusiastic (a) Mutual favour (b) Mutual understanding
(c) Don't hesitate to do it (d) Don’t be pessimistic (c) Mutual respect (d) Mutual disliking
Q.3. I don't buy it. Q.12. At the drop of a hat.
(a) I don't believe it (b) I have no money (a) Without any hesitation
(c) I summarize it (d) I don't need it (b) When attempt fails and it's time to start all over
Q.4. My two cents. (c) To further a loss with mockery
(a) My money (b) My opinion (d) Judging other's intentions too much
(c) My decision (d) My explanation Q.13. Ball is in your court.
Q.5. Out of the blue. (a) Be happy at the dance / ball room
(a) Undoubtedly (b) Unexpectedly (b) It's up to you to make the decision
(c) Unbelievably (d) Unconcerned (c) A very powerful person
Q.6. What a small world. (d) Not speaking directly about an issue
(a) What a coincidence (b) What a challenging task Q.14. Best of both worlds.
(c) What a narrow space (d) What a beautiful place (a) A happy person who is the best with all
Q.7. Down the road. (b) All the advantages
(a) In future (b) In the past (c) To take on a task that is way too big
(c) At present (d) No particular time
(d) Someone whom everybody likes
Q.8. Raising eyebrows.
Q.15. Costs an arm and a leg.
(a) To show surprise (b) Criticize
(a) Severe punishment to someone
(c) Support (d) Instruct
(b) Too much consciousness about one's body
Q.9. Step up the plate.
(c) Two difficult alternatives
(a) Take control (b) Take a job
(d) Something very expensive
CLOZE COMPREHENSION - I
Directions :
Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four words or group of words given. Select whichever word or
group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
One of India's greatest musicians is M.S. Subbulakshmi, affectionately known to most people as M.S. Her singing has brought__________
Q.16. (a) sorrow / (b) joy / (c) boredom / (d) pain to millions of people not only __________ Q.17. (a) over /(b) on / (c) in /(d) with
all parts of India, but in Q.18. (a) strange / (b) unknown / (c) other / (d) familiar countries around the world as well. __________
Q.19. (a) Within / (b) On / (c) In / (d) By October 1966 Subbulakshmi was invited to __________ Q.20. (a) dance / (b) sing / (c) speak
/ (d) enjoy in New York, where people of __________ Q.21. (a) many / (b) few / (c) backward / (d) all foreign countries listened to
her music __________ Q.22. (a) attentively. / (b) quietly. / (c) indifferently. / (d) boldly. This was one of the greatest __________
Q.23. (a) awards / (b) honours / (c) prizes / (d) recognitions ever given to any musician. For __________ Q.24. (a) seconds / (b) minutes
/ (c) hours / (d) days together M.S. kept that international __________ Q.25. (a) spectator / (b) audience / (c) viewer / (d) businessmen
spell-bound with the beauty of her voice and her style of singing.
CLOZE COMPREHENSION - II
The Second Anglo-Maratha War had shattered the __________ Q.26. (a) power / (b) dignity / (c) time / (d) patience of the Maratha
chiefs, but not their spirit. The __________ Q.27. (a) disappearance / (b) empowerment / (c) loss / (d) disappointment of their freedom
rankled in their hearts. They made a last __________ Q.28. (a) horrible / (b) desperate / (c) poor / (d) strong attempt to regain their
independence and old __________ Q.29. (a) prestige in / (b) army / (c) rebellion / (d) infantry 1817. The lead in organizing
a united front of the Maratha chiefs was taken by the Peshwa who was smarting under the Q.30. (a) pleasant / (b) satisfying / (c) rigid
/ (d) orthodox control exercised by the British Resident.

Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the fourth wicket-keeper to effect 400
dismissals in One Day Internationals. APRIL 2018 MICA 83
UPSC CDS (I)
SPOTTING ERRORS
Directions :
Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there
is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c).
If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
Q.31. The best way in which you can open the bottle is by putting it into hot water first. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.32. Somebody who I enjoy reading is Tagore. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.33. Electricity companies are working throughout days and nights to repair the damage. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.34. The students’ test results were pleasant. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.35. Two thirds of the book were rubbish. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.36. You will be answerable for the court with any lies you have told. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.37. She felt terribly anxious for have to sing in front of such a large audience. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.38. I don't agree with smacking children if they do something wrong. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.39. The fruit can be made to jam. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.40. I asked him what he has done. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.41. There have been a tornado watch issued for Texas country until eleven O’clock tonight. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.42. Although the Red Cross accepts blood from the donors the nurses will not leave you give blood,
(a) (b)
if you have just had cold. No error.
(c) (d)
Q.43. A prism is used to refract white light so it spreads out in a continuous spectrum. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.44. Because of the movement of a glacier, the form of the Great Lakes was very slow. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.45. The new model costs twice more than last year's model. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.46. Gandhi ji always regretted for the fact that people gave him adulation while what he wanted
(a) (b)
was acceptance of his way of life. No error.
(c) (d)
Q.47. The party was ousted in power after twelve years. No error.
(a) (d) (c) (d)
Q.48. He was held in the prevention of Terrorism act. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.49. He has great fascination for each and every thing that are connected with drama. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Q.50. It’s no secret that the President wants to have a second term of office. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

84 MICA APRIL 2018 The National Meet on Grassroot Informatics- VIVID 2018 was held in New Delhi.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
COMPREHENSION host plant, thus keeping its appetizing body safely under wraps.
Directions : Q.56. Which varieties of caterpillars ‘build' shelters to protect
In this section you have few short passages. After each themselves ?
passage, you will find some items based on the passage. (a) Leaf roller and aquatic larva
First, read a passage and answer the items based on it. You (b) Leaf roller and jelly slug
are required to select your answers based on the contents (c) Jelly slug and aquatic larva
of the passage and opinion of the author only.
(d) Jelly slug and citrus leaf miner
Passage
Q.57. Which one of the following caterpillars produces a sticky
Over-population is the most pressing of India's numerous and covering ?
multi-faceted problems. In fact it has caused equally complex
(a) Leaf roller (b) Jelly slug
problems such as poverty, under-nourishment, unemployment
and excessive fragmentation of land. Indisputably, this country (c) Aquatic larva (d) Citrus leaf miner
has been facing a population explosion of crisis dimensions. It Q.58. Which one of the following pairs of words in the passage
has largely diluted the fruits of the remarkable economic progress describes enemies of the caterpillar ?
that the nation has made during the last four decades or so. The (a) Serpentine and host (b) Predator and marauding
entire battle against poverty is thwarted by the rapid increase in the (c) Serpentine and marauding (d) Predator and host
population. The tragedy is that while over-population accentuates Q.59. Which one of the following makes itself unpalatable?
poverty, the country's stark poverty itself is in many areas a major
(a) Leaf roller (b) Jelly slug
cause of over-population.
(c) Aquatic larva (d) Leaf miner
Q.51. What is the irony behind the over population of India?
Q.60. The main idea of the passage is that caterpillars
(a) Over-population gives birth to poverty, which (poverty)
itself is the cause of over-population (a) like to eat a lot
(b) Under nourishment and unemployment are outcomes (b) have to protect themselves while feeding
of flawed economic progress (c) are good to eat
(c) Fragmentation of land is leading to over-population (d) are not good to eat
(d) Fruits of the remarkable economic progress are Passage
trickling down to the poor I have always opposed the idea of dividing the world into the
Q.52. What is the general tone of the passage ? Orient and the Occident. It is, however, the tremendous industrial
growth that has made the West what it is. I think the difference,
(a) funny / humorous (b) sombre
say, between India and Europe in the 12th or 13th century would
(c) didactic (d) tragic
not have been very great. Differences have been intensified by
Q.53. What, in the author's view, severely affects the economic this process of industrialization which has promoted material
growth of our country ? well-being tremendously and which is destroying the life of the
(a) poverty (b) illiteracy mind, which is in a process of deterioration, chiefly because the
(c) over-population (d) None of the above environment that has been created by it does not give time or
opportunity to individuals to think. If the life of the mind is not
Q.54. What, according to the author, is the biggest reason behind
encouraged, then inevitably civilization collapses.
over-population ?
Q.61. The words "the Orient and the Occident" mean
(a) under-nourishment
(a) the West and the East respectively
(b) unemployment
(b) the East and the West respectively
(c) excessive firagmentation of land
(c) the North and the South respectively
(d) poverty
(d) the South and the North respectively
Q.55. “It has largely diluted the fruits of the remarkable economic
progress”. Find antonym of the underlined word. Q.62. The author believes that the difference between India and
Europe in the 12th or 13th century was not very great
(a) coalesced (b) compounded
because
(c) cheapened (d) consolidated (a) Indians and Europeans mixed freely
Passage (b) Indians imitated the European way of living
To eat and not be eaten - that's the imperative of a caterpillar's (c) Europeans imitated the Indian way of living
existence. The leaf roller reduces its risks of being picked off
(d) Industrialization had not yet taken place
by predators by silking together a temporary shelter in which to
feed and rest. Adopting a different line of defense, the jelly slug Q.63. In the opinion of the author, Industrialization is
extrudes a sticky translucent coating that may foul the mouth-parts (a) an absolute blessing
of marauding ants. For its part, the aquatic larva, by its watery (b) an absolute curse
element, fashions a portable hideout from fragments of aquatic (c) neither a blessing nor a curse
leaves. Cutting a serpentine trail as it feeds on tender young leaves,
(d) more of a curse than a blessing
the minute citrus leaf miner spends its entire larval life inside its

Jhulan Goswami has become the first cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets in the history of
women's cricket. APRIL 2018 MICA 85
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.64. The author says that the mental life of the world is in a Directions :
process of deterioration because the modern generation is In this section each item consists of six sentences of a
(a) endowed with low mental powers passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the
(b) too lazy to exert its mental powers beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each
have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are
(c) taught that physical activities are more important than
required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences
mental
and mark your response accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
(d) brought up in an environment unfavourable to the
Q.71. S1 : First and foremost, there are order and safety in our
growth of the mental life
civilization.
Q.65. The title that best expresses the central idea of the passage is S6: Nobody may come and break into my house and steal
(a) difference between the Occident and the Orient my goods.
(b) impact of Industrialization on our civilization P : Thus in disputes between man and man, right has taken
(c) advantages of Industrialization the place of might.
(d) disadvantages of Industrialization Q: If today I have a quarrel with another man, I do not get
Passage beaten merely because I am physically weaker.
In Delhi, it was forbidden by the law, at one time, to take a Dog R : I go to law, and the law will decide fairly between the
into a public vehicle. One day a lady, accompanied by a pet dog, two of us.
entered a bus. Wishing to evade the law, she placed her tiny dog S : Moreover, the law protects me from robbery and
in her dress pocket. It so happened that the person next to this violence.
lady was a pickpocket; and during the journey he carefully placed The correct sequence should be
his hand into her pocket in search of her purse. Great was the (a) R Q P S (b) S R Q P (c) Q R P S (d) P R S Q
horror to find instead a pair of sharp teeth inserted into his fingers. Q.72. S1 : In democratic countries, men are equal before the law.
His exclamation of pain and surprise drew the attention of other
S6: And they live like this not for fun, but because they are
passengers to him. too poor to afford another room.
Q.66. Once the law in Delhi did not permit the people to P : While some few people live in luxury, many have not
(a) carry dogs into private vehicles enough to eat, drink and wear.
(b) board a bus without ticket Q: There are many families of five or six persons who live
(c) carry dogs into a public vehicle in a single room.
(d) carry animals with them R : But the sharing-out of money - which means the
Q.67. In order to evade the law, the lady sharing-out of food and clothing and houses - is still very
unfair.
(a) hid the dog under the seat
S : In this room they sleep and dress and wash and eat, and
(b) got off the bus in this same room they die.
(c) gave the dog to a fellow passenger The correct sequence should be
(d) put the dog in her pocket (a) R P Q S (b) P R S Q (c) Q S P R (d) S P R Q
Q.68. The pick-pocket travelling with the lady Q.73. S1 : Tomorrow it will be a year since we lost our great
(a) reported the matter to the conductor leader.
(b) put his hand in her pocket S6: Though he is no more with us, the qualities he
(c) took out the dog possessed and the ideals he cherished remain with us.
(d) asked the lady to get off P : To these he added a feminine sensitiveness to
atmosphere.
Q.69. Which one of the following correctly expresses the
meaning of “wishing to evade the law" ? Q : He was involved in the major events of his time.
(a) Wish to avoid following the law R : He participated in them all while maintaining the
highest standards of public conduct.
(b) Desire to follow the law blindly
S : He was incomparably the greatest figure in our history
(c) Reluctance to break the law
- a man of dynamic force, intellectual power and profound
(d) Wish to change the law vision.
Q.70. Why did the pick-pocket exclaim with pain ? The correct sequence should be
(a) He was hit by the lady (a) P S R Q (b) R Q P S (c) R P Q S (d) S P Q R
(b) He was caught by the fellow passengers Q.74. S1 : It would be possible to adduce many examples
(c) He was bitten by the dog showing what could be done with the limited means at our
(d) He fell of the bus ancestor's disposal in the way of making life comfortable.
ORDERING OF SENTENCES S6: I hope, in this essay, to make that connection manifest.

86 MICA APRIL 2018 Genome Valley Excellence Award of Bio Asia 2018 is presented to Michael N. Hall.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
P : What have comfort and cleanliness to do with politics, electronics industry.
morals, and religion? S : Raw materials and piece parts now carry customs duty
Q : But look more closely and you will discover that there of 30 per cent and 40 per cent ad valorem respectively.
exists the closest connection between the recent growth of The correct sequence should be
comfort and the recent history of ideas. (a) R S Q P (b) P R S Q (c) S Q P R (d) Q P R S
R: They show that if they lived in filth and discomfort, Q.78. S1 : At four O'clock this morning, Hitler attacked and
it was because filth and discomfort fitted in with their invaded Russia.
principles, political, moral and religious.
S6: Under its cloak of false confidence, the German armies
S : At a first glance one would say that there could be no drew up in immense strength along a line which stretches
causal connection between arm chairs and democracies, from the White Sea to the Black Sea.
sofas and the family system, hot baths and religious
P : No complaint had been made by Germany of its
orthodoxy.
non-fulfilment.
The correct sequence should be
Q: All his usual formalities of perfidy were observed with
(a) P R Q S (b) R P S Q (c) Q SR P (d) Q S P R scrupulous technique.
Q.75. S1 : To most people, the term technology conjures up R : No one could have expected that Hitler would do it.
images of mills or machines.
S : A non-aggression treaty had been solemnly signed and
S6 : It includes ways to make chemical reactions occur, was in force between the two countries.
ways to breed fish, plant forests or teach history.
The correct sequence should be
P : The classic symbol of technology is still the assembly
(a) R Q S P (b) R S Q P (c) P S Q R (d) Q P S R
line created by Henry Ford half a century ago.
Q.79. SI : Roderick Usher has always been a quiet person who
Q : The invention of the horse collar in the Middle Ages
talked little of himself.
led to changes in agricultural methods and was as such a
technological advance. S6: In the part of the country where he lived, the “House of
Usher” had come to mean both the family and its ancestral
R : Moreover, technology includes techniques, as well as
mansion.
the machines that may or may not be necessary to apply
them. P : Many of his ancestors had been famous for their artistic
and musical abilities.
S : This symbol, however, has always been inadequate,
for technology has always been more than factories and Q : Others were known for their exceptional generosity
machines. and charity.
The correct sequence should be R : Yet I did know that his family was an old one.
(a) S P R Q (b) P S Q R (c) R S P Q (d) Q S R P S : So I did not know too much about him.
Q.76. SI : I was the secretary of the Philosophical Society of the The correct sequence should be
Patna College. (a) P Q R S (b) S R Q P (c) S P R Q (d) S R P Q
S6: I have been to Kolkata many times since, but never has Q.80. S1 : Mass production has increased the tendency to view
it been more pleasant than that first visit. things as useful rather than delightful.
P : It was my first visit to the city and its impression on my S6: Indeed a lowering of quality usually results when mass
mind was indelible. production is substituted for more primitive methods.
Q : In that capacity, I once led a trip to Kolkata. P : These various things share nothing with the buttons
R : I felt I had landed in the midst of beautiful dream world except money value.
of a fairy land. Q : All the rest you wish to exchange for food, shelter, and
S : I saw the roads, the trams, the skyscrapers and the many other things.
magnificent shops at the Chowranghee lane. R : Suppose you are a manufacturer of buttons : however
The correct sequence should be excellent your buttons may be, you do not want more than
a few for your own use.
(a) Q P S R (b) P S Q R (c) S R P Q (d) S Q R P
S : And it is not even the money value of the buttons that
Q.77. S1 : Union finance ministry announced a series of
is important to you : what is important is profit which may
concessions to trade and industry last month.
be increased by lowering their quality.
S6: Manufacturers feel that prices of certain components
The correct sequence should be
may not be brought down because of the imposition of a
30 per cent duty where there was none earlier. (a) P Q R S (b) R Q P S (c) S P Q R (d) Q R P S
P : Together, these will result in a loss of revenue of Rs. ANTONYMS
100 crore to the exchequer. Directions :
Q : Earlier, these were attracting customs duty varying Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an
from zero to 100 per cent. underlined word/words followed by four words. Select the
R : The chunk of the relief of Rs. 60 crore has gone to the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word/

Third Global Procurement Summit was held in New Delhi. APRIL 2018 MICA 87
UPSC CDS (I)
words and mark your response on your Answer Sheet (a) get by (b) get off (c) get through (d) get over
accordingly. Q.96. It is no use in crying over ________
Q.81. It was a mystery as to where the young girl had acquired (a) spoiled milk (b) spirited milk
such a naive belief.
(c) split milk (d) spilt milk
(a) credulous (b) childlike (c) wise (d) innocent
Q.97. You must go to the station now, your brother ________ go
Q.82. It's the only treatment suitable for cancer.
just yet as his train leaves after three hours.
(a) insufficient (b) impertinent
(a) shouldn't (b) mustn't (c) wouldn't (d) needn't
(c) befitting (d) congenial
Q.98. Every rash driver becomes a ________ killer.
Q.83. Some of the criticisms which they had to put up were very
(a) sure (b) reckless (c) potential (d) powerful
unfair.
Q.99. The country owes a deep debt of ________ for the
(a) scold (b) scorn
freedom fighters.
(c) appreciation (d) censure
(a) patriotism (b) sincerity
Q.84. I would beg of all friends not to rush to Birla house nor try
to dissuade me or be anxious about me. (c) remembrance (d) gratitude
(a) certain (b) composed (c) careless (d) heedless Q.100. The whole lot of young men was very enthusiastic but
Q.85. It could not have been expected that, with such a bent of your friend alone was ________
mind of the people, there should have been much activity (a) quarrelsome (b) complaining
for the cultivation of the physical sciences in this part of (c) a wet blanket (d) sleepy
the world. SYNONYMS
(a) dull (b) dormant (c) indolence (d) idle Directions :
Q.86. Indian culture has been, from time immemorial, of a
Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an
peculiar cast and mould.
underlined word/words followed by four words. Select the
(a) common (b) customary (c) natural (d) familiar option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word/
Q.87. The princess charming was the centre of attraction today. words and mark your response on your Answer Sheet
(a) enchanting (b) hypnotic (c) repulsive (d) fascinating accordingly.
Q.88. Macbeth is a/an abominable figure. Q.101. A truly respectable old man is a ripe person.
(a) abhorrent (b) repugnant (c) reputable (d) attractive (a) senior (b) mature (c) perfect (d) seasoned
Q.89. Terrorists profess fanatical ideology. Q.102. The soldiers repulsed the enemy.
(a) bigoted (b) militant (c) moderate (d) fervid (a) defeated (b) destroyed (c) rejected (d) repelled
Q.90. Rakesh is vulnerable to political pressure. Q.103. She deftly masked her feelings.
(a) weak (b) unguarded (c) exposed (d) resilient (a) hid (b) flaunted (c) oblique (d) obscured
FILL IN THE BLANK Q.104. Vendors must have licence.
Directions : (a) One who drives a car
Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank
(b) One who works in a hospital
space and four words or group of words given after the
sentence. Select the word or group of words you consider (c) One who is employed in food serving
most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your (d) One engaged in selling
response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. Q.105. They will not admit children under fourteen.
Q.91. In the face of the overwhelming mass of evidence against (a) avow (b) receive (c) accept (d) concede
him, we cannot ________ him of the crime. Q.106. The jewels have been stolen from her bedroom.
(a) punish (b) absolve (c) release (d) ignore
(a) embezzled (b) asserted (c) yielded (d) abdicated
Q.92. I hope that the rain will ________ our picnic tomorrow.
Q.107. The soldier showed an exemplary courage.
(a) keep off (b) put off (c) set back (d) stay out
(a) flawed (b) faulty (c) ideal (d) boisterous
Q.93. After the marathon, some of the competitors felt
Q.108. They served fruits after the dinner.
completely
(a) cut up (b) done in (c) done out (d) run out (a) assisted (b) obliged (c) waited (d) offered
Q.94. Scarcely ________ the teacher entered the class when he Q.109. The committee should recommend his name to the
heard the noise. government.
(a) did (b) has (c) had (d) will have (a) praise (b) advise (c) counsel (d) suggest
Q.95. I do not think he will ever ________ the shock of his Q.110. Can medicines save us from death ?
wife's death. (a) hide (b) rescue (c) protect (d) liberate

An eight-year-old Indian-origin schoolgirl, Sohini Roy Chowdhury has entered the UK's
88 MICA APRIL 2018
'Mathletics Hall of Fame'.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
ORDERING OF WORDS IN A SENTENCE
Directions :
Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been
labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to re-arrange
the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
Q.111. the British manufacturers popularity of Indian textiles were jealous of the from the very beginning
P Q R S
The correct sequence should be : (a) P Q RS (b) S P Q R (c) S P R Q (d) Q R S P
Q.112. dress fashions changed and light cotton of the English textiles began to replace the coarse woollens
P Q R S
The correct sequence should be : (a) P R S Q (b) R S P Q (c) Q P R S (d) S P R Q
Q.113. put pressure on their government Indian goods in England the British manufacturers to restrict and prohibit
P Q R S
The correct sequence should be : (a) P Q R S (b) S P R Q (c) R P SQ (d) Q R S P
Q.114. however still held their own in foreign markets in spite of these laws Indian silk and cotton textiles
P Q R S
The correct sequence should be : (a) Q P R S (b) S P R Q (c) S RP Q (d) R P S Q
Q.115. and it led to rapid economic development the Industrial Revolution transformed the British
P Q R
society in a fundamental manner
S
The correct sequence should be : (a) S P R Q (b) Q P R S (c) Q R S P (d) S R P Q
Q.116. Muhammad Iqbal the philosophical and religious outlook of people through his poetry profoundly influenced
P Q R
one of the greatest poets of modern India
S
The correct sequence should be : (a) Q R S P (b) S R Q P (c) S R P Q (d) S P R Q
Q.117. to accept any of the important disillusionment demands of the nationalists produced
P Q R
the failure of the British government
S
The correct sequence should be : (a) S P R Q (b) P Q R S (c) S R Q P (d) Q R P S
Q.118. showed that a backward the rise of modern Japan after 1868
P Q R
Asian country could develop itself without Western control
S
The correct sequence should be : (a) P Q R S (b) S R Q P (c) P R Q S (d) Q R P S
Q.119. and the current Hindu emphasis and urged the people to imbibe the spirit of free-thinking
P Q
on rituals, ceremonies and superstitions. Vivekananda condemned the caste system
R S
The correct sequence should be : (a) P Q RS (b) S P R Q (c) S P Q R (d) R P S Q
Q.120. Mr. John who was hardly six months old Charles as his son adopted
Р Q R S
The correct sequence should be : (a) S Q R P (b) P S Q R (c) R S P Q (d) P R S Q

Haryana became the team champion of the first Khelo India School Games. APRIL 2018 MICA 89
UPSC CDS (I)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Directions : Q.8. Which one of the following is a true fish as per the
The following seven (7) items consist of two statements, Statement biological system of classification?
I and Statement II. Examine these two statements carefully and (a) Silverfish (b) Jellyfish
select the correct answer using the code given below. (c) Cuttlefish (d) Flying fish
Code : Q.9. In which one of the following types of connective tissues
(a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement in animals does fat get stored?
II is the correct explanation of Statement I
(a) Adipocyte (b) Chondrocyte
(b) Both the statements are individually true but Statement
(c) Osteocyte (d) Reticulocyte
II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
Q.10. Which one of the following pairs about organ/part that
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
helps in locomotion is not correctly matched?
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
(a) Euglena : Flagellum
Q.1. Statement I:
(b) Paramecium : Cilia
By far the most common topographic form in a Karst
terrain is the sinkhole. (c) Nereis : Pseudopodia
Statement II: (d) Starfish : Tubefeet
Topographically, a sinkhole is a depression that varies in Q.11. Lysosome is formed from which of the following cell
depth from less than a meter to few hundred meters. organelles?
Q.2. Statement I: (a) Nucleus (b) Endoplasmic reticulum
Incised meanders are formed in the mature stage of a river. (c) Golgi bodies (d) Ribosomes
Statement II : Q.12. A protein is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum
Incised meanders are characterized by rejuvenation and bound ribosomes and it targets to the inner thylakoid space
upliftment of land. of chloroplast. How many double-layered membrane
Q.3. Statement I: layers it has to pass to reach its destination?
Portions of glacial troughs may exhibit remarkably flat floors. (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5
Statement II : Q.13. Which of the following causes adiabatic temperature
The flat floor in a glacial trough is produced by uniform changes in atmosphere?
glacial erosion. (a) Deflection and advection
Q.4. Statement I: (b) Latent heat of condensation
In Tundra climate, biodiversity comparatively less. (c) Expansion and compression of the air
Statement II : (d) Partial absorption of solar radiation by the atmosphere
Tundra climate has less reproductive warm period. Q.14. Which one of the following is applicable to collision-
Q.5. Statement I: coalescence process of precipitation?
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the (a) Clouds which do not extend beyond the freezing level
combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the (b) Clouds which extend beyond the freezing level
Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.
(c) All types of clouds
Statement II :
(d) Cirrocumulus cloud
The Earth rotates from west to east.
Q.15. Which one of the following places of India experiences
Q.6. Statement I:
highest atmospheric pressure during winter?
A person may suffer from tuberculosis if she/he frequently
(a) Jaisalmer (b) Leh
visits crowded place.
(c) Chennai (d) Guwahati
Statement II :
Q.16. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer
Bacteria of tuberculosis spread through droplets by
sneezing or coughing. using the code given below the Lists :
Q.7. Statement I: List-I List-I
Bioaccumulation is a process of progressive accumulation (Hypothesis/Theory) (Propounder)
of heavy metals and pesticides in an organism. A. Planetesimal hypothesis 1. Kober
Statement II : B. Thermal contraction theory 2. Chamberlin
Large fishes of the pond are found to have higher concentration C. Geosynclinal Orogen theory 3. Daly
of pesticides than planktons of the same pond. D. Hypothesis of sliding 4. Jeffreys
Justice Abhilasha Kumari has sworn-in as the first women Chief Justice of the High Court of
90 MICA APRIL 2018
Manipur.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
Code : Q.24. Match List-1 with List-II and select the correct answer
(a) A B C D using the code given below the Lists :
2 4 1 3 List List-II
(b) A B C D (Cloud) (Characteristic)
2 1 4 3 A. Cirrus 1. Rain-giving
(c) A B C D B. Stratus 2. Feathery appearance
3 1 4 2 C. Nimbus 3. Vertically growing
(d) A B C D D. Cumulus 4. Horizontally spreading
3 4 1 2 Code :
Q.17. Bright light is found to emit from photographer's flashgun. (a) A B C D
This brightness is due to the presence of which one of the 3 1 4 2
following noble gases? (b) A B C D
(a) Argon (b) Xenon 2 1 4 3
(c) Neon (d) Helium (c) A B C D
Q.18. Which one of the following is not a characteristic of a 2 4 1 3
compound?
(d) A B C D
(a) Composition is variable.
3 4 1 2
(b) All particles of compound are of only one type.
Q.25. Which one of the following is not an exclusive right of the
(c) Particles of compound have two or more elements. concerned coastal nations over Exclusive Economic Zone
(d) Its constituents cannot be separated by simple physical (EEZ)?
methods. (a) Survey and exploitation of mineral resources of ocean
Q.19. Which of the following substances cause temporary deposits
hardness in water? (b) Exploitation of marine water energy and marine
1. Mg(HCO3)2 2. Ca(HCO3)2 organisms including fishing
3. CaCl2 4. MgSO4 (c) Conservation and management of marine resources
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (d) Navigation of ships and laying down submarine cables
(a) 3 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 1 and 2 Q.26. In which one of the following groups of States in India is
Q.20. Which one of the following elements will be an isobar of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project
calcium if the atomic number of calcium is 20 and its mass being implemented as a pilot investment?
number is 40? (a) Gujarat, Kerala and Goa
(a) Element with 20 protons and 18 neutrons (b) Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
(b) Element with 18 protons and 19 neutrons (c) Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal
(c) Element with 20 protons and 19 neutrons (d) Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
(d) Element with 18 protons and 22 neutrons Q.27. Which of the following statements about the National
Q.21. Which of the following represents a relation for 'heat lost Water Academy (NWA) is/are correct?
= heat gained'? 1. The primary objective of the NWA is to function
(a) Principle of thermal equilibrium as Centre of Excellence in training for in-service
engineers from Central and State organizations on
(b) Principle of colors
various aspects of water resource planning.
(c) Principle of calorimetry
2. The NWA is located in New Delhi.
(d) Principle of vaporization
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q.22. Two metallic wires made from copper have same length
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
but the radius of wire 1 is half of that of wire 2. The
resistance of wire 1 is R. If both the wires are joined (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 or 2
together in series, the total resistance becomes Q.28. A wire of copper having length l and area of cross-section
R 5 3 A is taken and a current I is flown through it. The power
(a) 2R (b) (c) R (d) R
2 4 4 dissipated in the wire is P. If we take an aluminium wire
having same dimensions and pass the same current through
Q.23. When the Sun is near the horizon during the morning
it, the power dissipated will be
or evening, it appears reddish. The phenomenon that is
responsible for this observation is (a) P (b) <P (c) >P (a) 2P
(a) reflection of light (b) refraction of light Q.29. The pressure of a fluid varies with depth h as P = P0 +rgh
where r is the fluid density. This expression is associated with
(c) dispersion of light (d) scattering of light

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APRIL 2018 MICA 91
UPSC CDS (I)
(a) Pascal's law (b) Newton's law (b) This scheme has been taken as a Central Sector
(c) Bernoulli's principle (d) Archimedes' principle Scheme.
Q.30. Consider the following constituent gases of the (c) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the
atmosphere : national implementing entity for the fund.
1. Argon 2. Neon 3. Helium 4. Carbon dioxide (d) The scheme has been in force since 2015-2016.
Which one of the following is the correct ascending Q.40. SAMPRITI-2017' is a joint military exercise between
sequence of the above gases in terms of the volume armed forces of India and
percentage? (a) Bhutan (b) Bangladesh
(a) 1-3-2-4 (b) 1-4-2-3 (c) 4-2-3-1 (d) 2-4-1-3 (c) Pakistan (d) Myanmar
Q.31. Which one of the following Indian States has the highest Q.41. The judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the
percentage of Scheduled Tribe population to its total Vishakha Case pertains to
population? (a) sexual harassment in the work place
(a) Mizoram (b) Nagaland (b) Sati
(c) Meghalaya (d) Arunachal Pradesh (c) dowry death
Q.32. Extrusive volcanoes are not found in which one of the (d) rape
following mountains? Q.42. The first BRICs Summit, after the inclusion of South
(a) Alaska (b) Rocky (c) Andes (d) Himalayas Africa, was held at
Q.33. Which one of the following crops is not cultivated in (a) Brasilia (b) Sanya
Karewas, the lacustrine deposits of sand, clay, loam, silt (c) Yekaterinburg (d) Durban
and boulders?
Q.43. Who deciphered the Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts?
(a) Saffron (b) Almond (c) Walnut (d) Ling nut
(a) Piyadassi
Q.34. Consider the following tributaries of river Ganga :
(b) Colin Mackenzie
1. Gandak 2. Kosi 3. Ghaghara 4. Gomti
(c) Alexander Cunningham
Which one of the following is the correct order of the
above rivers from east to west? (d) James Prinsep
(a) 3-4-1-2 (b) 2-1-3-4 (c) 2-3-1-4 (d) 1-2-4-3 Q.44. Which of the following is/are the feature(s) of the
Brahmadeya Grants during c 600-1200 AD?
Q.35. Which one of the following statements about "Niryat
1. Their creation meant a renunciation of actual or
Bandhu Scheme' is correct?
potential sources of revenue by the State.
(a) It is a scheme for mentoring first generation entrepreneurs.
2. These grants could vary from a Small plot to several
(b) It is a scheme for crop protection. villages.
(c) It is a scheme for the vulnerable section of the society. 3. Most grants were made in unsettled areas.
(d) It is a scheme for monitoring rural poor.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q.36. Which one of the following statements about the Deen
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-
GKY) is not correct? (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) It is a placement-linked skill training programme Q.45. Who is the author of Manimekalai?
exclusively for rural girls. (a) Kovalan (b) Sathanar
(b) It aims to convert India's demographic surplus into a (c) Ilango Adigal (d) Tirutakkatevar
demographic dividend. Q.46. Which one of the following statements about the Elephanta
(c) The scheme aims to benefit more than 55 million poor Island is correct?
rural folk. (a) It was given its name by the British after a large
(d) It is a generational poverty alleviation programme. elephant structure located there.
Q.37. Where is Hambantota Port located? (b) It contains one large cave.
(a) Iran (b) Sri Lanka (c) Japan (d) Pakistan (c) It is well-known for a spectacular carving of Vishnu
Q.38. The projects under Coastal Berth Scheme of the flagship described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
Sagarmala Programme are distributed over how many (d) It is associated with the Pashupata sect.
States? Q.47. Which of the following statements about Sir Syed Ahmad
(a) Eight (b) Ten (c) Twelve (d) Fourteen Khan is/are correct?
Q.39. Which one of the following statements about the National 1. He argued that India was a federation of ethnic
Adaptation Fund for Climate Change is not correct? communities based on common descent.
(a) The fund is meant to assist national and State level 2. His philosophy was very similar to that of the Indian
activities to meet the cost of adaptation measures. National Congress.

Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi has been appointed as the brand ambassador of All India Chess
92 MICA APRIL 2018
Federation for the Blind (AICFB).
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
3. He imagined India as a Nation State based on Q.54. Name the platform used for ritual purposes by the kings of
individual citizen's rights. the Vijayanagara Empire.
4. The curriculum at the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (a) Mahanavami Dibba (b) Lotus Mahal
College blended Muslim theology and European (c) Hazara Rama (d) Virupaksha
empiricism.
Q.55. The idea of "Farr-i Izadi', on which the Mughal kingship
Select the correct answer using the code given below. was based, was first developed by which one of the
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 3 only (d) 1 and 4 following Sufi saints
Q.48. Consider the following statements about impact of tax : (a) Shihabuddin Suhrawardi
1. A tax is shifted forward to Consumers if the demand is (b) Nizamuddin Auliya
inelastic relative to supply. (c) Ibn al-Arabi
2. A tax is shifted backward to producers if the supply is (d) Bayazid Bistami
relatively more inelastic than demand. Q.56. Which Buddhist text contains an account of the Mauryan
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Emperor Ashoka?
(a) l only (b) 2 only (a) Vinaga Pitaka (b) Sutta Pitaka
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) Abhidhamma Pitaka (d) Mahavamsa
Q.49. According to the law of diminishing marginal utility, as Q.57. Which one of the following statements about Buddhist
the amount of a good consumed increases, the marginal Stupas in India is not correct?
utility of that good tends to (a) Ashoka played an important role in popularizing the
(a) improve (b) diminish Stupa cult.
(c) remain constant (d) first diminish and then improve (b) They were repositories of relics of Buddha and other monks.
Q.50. eBiz is one of the integrated services projects and part of (c) They were located in rural areas.
the 31 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) under the National (d) They were located close to trade routes.
e-Governance Plan of the Government of India. eBiz is Q.58. Which one among the following States of India has the
being implemented under the guidance and aegis of the largest number of seats in its Legislative Assembly?
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of (a) West Bengal (b) Bihar
Commerce and Industry by
(c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Tamil Nadu
(a) Tata Consultancy Services
Q.59. Which of the following statements about the Ordinance-
(b) Infosys Technologies Limited making power of the Governor is/are correct?
(c) Wipro 1. It is a discretionary power.
(d) HCL Technologies 2. The Governor himself is not competent to withdraw
Q.51. Which of the following statements about the olive the Ordinance at any time.
ridley turtles is/are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
turtles found in the world.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. They live in warm waters of Pacific, Atlantic and
Q.60. Which one of the following events is not correctly matched
Indian Oceans.
with the year in which it happened?
3. The Coromandel Coast in India is the largest mass (a) Inauguration of the SWIFT system of electronic
nesting site for the olive ridley turtles. interbank fund transfers worldwide–1985
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (b) Conclusion of the Uruguay Round of GATT–1994
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 only (c) Inauguration of the World Trade Organization—1995
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 only (d) Establishment of the first wholly electronic stock
Q.52. Consider the following statement : exchange (Nasdaq)—1971
"A sound body means one which bends itself to the spirit Q.61. Consider the following statements about Indo-Tibetan
and is always a ready instrument at its service." Border Police (ITBP) :
The above statement is attributed to 1. ITBP was raised in 1962.
(a) Sardar Patel (b) Winston Churchill 2. ITBP is basically a mountain trained force.
(c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Baden-Powell 3. ITBP replaced Assam Rifles in Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh in 2004-2005 for border guarding duty.
Q.53. Who among the following was the founder of Phoenix
Settlement? 4. ITBP presently has 52 service battalions.
(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) B. R. Ambedkar Which of the statements given above are correct?
(c) Rabindranath Tagore (d) Swami Vivekananda (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Justice Antony Dominic, was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court. APRIL 2018 MICA 93
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.62. Which one of the following is not an International Human (a) Lymph is formed due to leakage of blood through
Rights Treaty? capillaries.
(a) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (b) Lymph contains blood cells such as RBC.
(b) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of (c) Lymph is also circulated by the blood circulating heart.
Discrimination against Women (d) Lymph only transports hormones.
(c) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Q.68. Which of the following classes of animals has/have three-
(d) Declaration on the Right to Development chambered heart?
Q.63. In the context of elections in India, which one of the (a) Pisces and Amphibia (b) Amphibia and Reptilia
following is the correct full form of VVPAT? (c) Reptilia only (d) Amphibia only
(a) Voter Verifiable Poll Audit Trail Q.69. Accumulation of which one of the following in the muscles
(b) Voter Verifying Paper Audit Trail of sprinters leads to cramp?
(c) Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (a) Lactic acid (b) Ethanol
(d) Voter Verifiable Paper Account Trail (c) Pyruvic acid (d) Glucose
Q.64. Which one of the following is not an objective of the Q.70. Which one of the following statements about Exchange-
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)? Traded Fund (ETF) is not correct?
(a) To achieve convergence of investment in irrigation at (a) It is a marketable security.
the field level (b) It experiences price changes throughout the day.
(b) To expand cultivable area under irrigation (c) It typically has lower daily liquidity and higher fees
(c) To improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce than mutual fund shares.
wastage of (d) An ETF does not have its net asset value calculated
(d) To protect farmers against crop failure due to natural once at the end of every day.
calamities Q.71. Which one of the following is the maximum age of joining
Q.65. Which of the following National Parks of India are National Pension System (NPS) under the NPSPrivate Sector?
declared as World Heritage by UNESCO? (a) 55 years (b) 60 years (c) 65 years (d) 70 years
1. Keoladeo National Park Q.72. The Reserve Bank of India has recently constituted a high-
2. Sundarbans National Park level task force on Public Credit Registry (PCR) to suggest
3. Kaziranga National Park a road map for developing a transparent, comprehensive and
near-real-time PCR for India. The task force is headed by
4. Ranthambore National Park
(a) Sekar Karnam (b) Vishakha Mulye
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(c) Sriram Kalyanaraman (d) Y. M. Deosthalee
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
Q.73. In October 2017, India sent its first shipment of wheat
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
to Afghanistan as a part of commitment made by the
Q.66. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer Government of India to supply 1:1 million tonnes of
using the code given below the Lists : wheat to that country on grant basis. The shipment was
List-I List-II sent through
(Railway Zone) (Headquarters) (a) Iran (b) Pakistan (c) Tajikistan (d) China
A. North Central 1. Secunderabad Q.74. Which of the following statements about the India Post
B. North Eastern 2. Jabalpur Payments Bank (IPPB) is/are correct?
C. West Central 3. Gorakhpur 1. It has been incorporated as a Public Limited Company.
D. South Central 4. Allahabad 2. It started its operation by establishing two pilot
branches at Hyderabad and Varanasi.
Code :
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) A B C D
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
3 1 4 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) A B C D
Q.75. Which of the following are the functions of the National
2 1 4 3
Human Rights Commission (NHRC)?
(c) A B C D
1. Inquiry at its own initiative on the violation of human
2 4 1 3 rights
(d) A B C D 2. Inquiry on a petition presented to it by a victim
3 4 1 2 3. Visit to jails to study the condition of the inmates
Q.67. Which one of the following statements about lymph is 4. Undertaking and promoting research in the field of
correct? human rights.

94 MICA APRIL 2018 Famous Odia Litterateur Chandrasekhar Rath passed away. He was 89.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (c) Nitrogen (d) Hydrogen
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only Q.83. Which one of the following elements is essential for the
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 formation of chlorophyll in green plants?
Q.76. A person is disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, (a) Calcium (b) Iron
a Member of either House of the Parliament if the person (c) Magnesium (d) Potassium
1. holds any office of profit under the Government of Q.84. Consider the following chemical reaction :
India or the Government of any State other than aFe2O3 (s) + bCO(g) → cFe (s) + dCO2
an office declared by the Parliament by law not to
In the balanced chemical equation of the above, which of
disqualify its holder
the following will be the values of the coefficients a, b, c
2. is an undischarged insolvent and d respectively?
3. is so disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the (a) 3, 2, 3, 1 (b) 1, 3, 2, 3 (c) 2, 3, 3, 1 (d) 3, 3, 2, 1
Constitution of India
Q.85. Why is argon gas used along with tungsten wire in an
4. is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a electric bulb?
competent Court
(a) To increase the life of the bulb
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(b) To reduce the consumption of electricity
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(c) To make the emitted light colored
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) To reduce the cost of the bulb
Q.77. According to the Election Commission of India, in order
Q.86. Which one of the following is the correct relation between the
to be recognized as a "National Party', a political party
Kelvin temperature (T) and the Celsius temperature (tc)?
must be treated as a recognized political party in how
many States? (a) These are two independent temperature scales
(a) At least two States (b) At least three States (b) T = tc
(c) At least four States (d) At least five States (b) T = tc-273.15
Q.78. Which one of the following statements with regard to (d) T = tc + 273.15
Antrix Corporation Limited is correct? Q.87. Sound waves cannot travel through a
(a) It is a commercial arm of the Department of Industrial (a) copper wire placed in air
Policy and Promotion. (b) silver slab placed in air
(b) It is under the administrative control of the Department (c) glass prism placed in water
of Space.
(d) Wooden hollow pipe placed in vacuum
(c) It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare. Q.88. Which one of the following is the value of one nanometer?
(d) It is a commercial arm of the Department of Science (a) 10-7 cm (b) 10-6 cm (c) 10-4 cm (d) 10-3 cm
and Technology. Q.89. Consider the following statements :
Q.79. Verses ascribed to poet-saint Kabir have been compiled in 1. There is no net moment on a body which is in equilibrium.
which of the following traditions? 2. The momentum of a body is always conserved.
1. Bijak in Varanasi 3. The kinetic energy of an object is always conserved.
2. Kabir Granthavali in Rajasthan Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
3. Adi Granth Sahib (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 Q.90. Working of safety fuses depends upon
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only 1. magnetic effect of the current
Q.80. Which one of the following elements is used as a 2. chemical effect of the current
timekeeper in atomic clocks? 3. magnitude of the current
(a) Potassium (b) Caesium 4. heating effect of the current
(c) Calcium (d) Magnesium Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q.81. Which one of the following elements is involved in the (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
control of water content of the blood?
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 4 only
(a) Potassium (b) Lithium
Q.91. In November 2017, India's MC Mary Kom won the gold
(c) Rubidium (d) Caesium medal at the Asian Boxing Championship, 2017 held at Ho
Q.82. Which one of the following gases dissolves in water to Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In which one of the following
give acidic solution? categories was she declared winner?
(a) Carbon dioxide (b) Oxygen (a) 48 kg (b) 51 kg (c) 54 kg (d) 57 kg

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh released a book titled “Mere Sapnon ka Bharat”. APRIL 2018 MICA 95
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.92. Which one of the following is the theme of the World Soil (c) Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader,
Day, 2017? Group Captain, Wing Commander, Air Commodore,
(a) Soils and pulses, a symbol for life Air Vice Marshal, Air Marshal, Air Chief Marshal
(b) Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground (d) Sub Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander,
Commander, Captain, Commodore, Rear Admiral,
(c) Soils, a solid ground for life
Vice Admiral, Admiral
(d) Soils, foundation for family farming
Q.100. Which of the following statements about Attorney
Q.93. Who among the following is the winner of the National General of India is/are not correct?
Badminton Championship (Men), 2017?
1. He is the first Law Officer of the Government of India.
(a) Kidambi Srikanth (b) H. S. Prannoy
2. He is entitled to the privileges of a Member of the
(c) Ajay Jayaram (d) Sai Praneeth Parliament.
Q.94. Which of the following statements about the usage of 3. He is a whole-time counsel for the Government.
the term "barbarian' is/are Correct? 4. He must have the same qualifications as are required to
1. It is derived from the Greek word 'barbaros' which be a judge of the Supreme Court.
means a non-Greek. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
2. Romans used the term for the Germanic tribes, the
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4
Gauls and the Huns.
(c) 3 only (d) 1 only
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q.101. Under which one of the following Amendment Acts was
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Sikkim admitted into the Union of India?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 35th (b) 36th (c) 37th (d) 38th
Q.95. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
Q.102. Which one of the following became a part of China in
(a) Al-Biruni identifies the Sufi doctrine of divine love as 1997 following the principle of one country, two systems?
selfannihilation with parallel passages from Bhagavad
(a) Tibet (b) Hong Kong
Gita.
(c) Xinjiang (d) Inner Mongolia
(b) According to Al-Biruni, Sufi theories of Soul were
similar to those in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. Q.103. Which one of the following statements in respect of the
States of India is not correct?
(c) The Hatha Yogic treatise Amrita Kunda had lasting
impact on Sufism. (a) States in India cannot have their own Constitutions.
(d) Hujwiri's conversation with the Yogis shows that he (b) The State of Jammu and Kashmir has its own
was impressed with their theory of the division of the Constitution.
human body. (c) States in India do not have the right to secede from the
Q.96. Consider the following statement : Union of India.
"So much is wrong from the peasants, that even dry bread (d) The maximum number of members in the Council
is scarcely left to fill their stomachs." of Ministers of Delhi can be 15 percent of the total
number of members in the Legislative Assembly.
Who among the following European travellers had made
the above statement about the condition of peasantry in the Q.104. Consider the following statements about National
Mughal Empire? Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) of India for 2017-2031 :
(a) Francisco Pelsaert (b) Francois Bernier 1. This is the Third National Wildlife Action Plan.
(c) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (d) Niccolao Manucci 2. The NWAP is unique as this is the first time India has
recognized the concerns relating to climate change
Q.97. What is the name of the literary genre developed by the impact on wildlife.
Khojas who are a branch of the Ismaili sect?
3. The NWAP has ten components.
(a) Ginan (b) Ziyarat (c) Raag (d) Shahada
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q.98. Who was / were the 10th century composer(s) of the
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
Nalayira Divya Prabandham?
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) Alvars (b) Nayanars (c) Appar (d) Sambandar
Q.105. Growth in production (in percent) of which one of the
Q.99. Which one of the following is not a correct ascending order
following core industries in India during the period 2015-
of commissioned Tanks in the defence forces of India?
2016 was negative?
(a) Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel,
Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, General (a) Natural gas (b) Refinery products
(b) Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron (c) Fertilizer (d) Coal
Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Q.106. Around twelfth century, Sufi Silsilas began to crystallize
Commodore, Air Vice Marshal, Air Marshal, Air in different parts of the Islamic world to signify
Chief Marshal 1. continuous link between the master and disciple

Indian Cyclists won three medals including one silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Para-
96 MICA APRIL 2018
Cycling Championships.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
2. unbroken spiritual genealogy to the Prophet Muhammad (a) India has 12 major ports and about 200 non-major
3. the transmission of spiritual power and blessings to ports.
devotees (b) 95 percent of India's trade by volume and 68 percent
Select the correct answer using the code given below. by value are moved through maritime transport.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) India has a coastline of about 7500 km.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (d) In the Maritime Agenda, 2010-2020, a target of 300
MT port capacity has been set for the year 2020.
Q.107. In the 10th Mandala of the Rigveda, which one of the
following hymns reflects upon the marriage ceremonies? Q.115. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) Surya Sukta (b) Purusha Sukta (a) India joined MTCR in 2016.
(c) Dana Stutis (d) Uma Sutra (b) India submitted a formal application for membership
of the NSG in 2016.
Q.108. Which of the following statements about the Non-
Cooperation Movement is/are correct? (c) India proposed the Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism in 1996.
1. It was marked by significant participation of peasants
from Karnataka. (d) The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) was held in 2016 at Malta.
2. It was marked by non-Brahmin lower caste
participation in Madras and Maharashtra. Q.116. Which one of the following Amendments to the
Constitution of India has prescribed that the Council of
3. It was marked by the lack of labour unrest in places
Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of total number
like Assam, Bengal and Madras.
of members of the House of the People or Legislative
4. It was badly shaken by the Chauri Chaura incident in Assembly in the States?
1922 after which Gandhiji decided to continue with
(a) 91st Amendment (b) 87th Amendment
the movement on a much Smaller scale.
(c) 97th Amendment (d) 90th Amendment
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q.117. Which of the following about the role of Indian Coast
(a) 1 only (b) 1, 2 and 4
Guard is/are correct?
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 only
1. Indian Coast Guard has been entrusted with the
Q.109. Which one of the following was a focus country of the offshore security coordination authority
World Food India', a mega food event held in November 2. Lead intelligence agency for coastal and sea border
2017 in New Delhi?
3. Coastal security in territorial waters
(a) Germany (b) Japan
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(c) Denmark (d) Italy
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1, 2 and 3
Q.110. Which one of the following States will host the Nobel Prize
Series-India 2018 (Science Impacts Life) Exhibition? (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 3 only
(a) Gujarat (b) Rajasthan Q.118. Which one of the following is India's first indigenously
designed and developed long-range subsonic cruise
(c) Goa (d) Madhya Pradesh missile which can be deployed from multiple platforms?
Q.111. The Ministry of Communication has recently launched (a) Astra (b) Akash (c) Nirbhay (d) Shankhnaad
a Pan India scholarship programme for schoolchildren
called "Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana'. The objective of the Q.119. The Ministry of Power, Government of India has recently
scheme is to increase the reach of constituted a Committee to investigate the causes of the
accident that occurred on 1st November, 2017 at Feroze
(a) sports (b) philately Gandhi Thermal Power Plant Ltd., Unchahar, in Uttar Pradesh.
(c) music (d) web designing Who among the following is the Chairman of the Committee?
Q.112. Which one of the following temples of India has won the (a) Dr. L. D. Papney
UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit, 2017' for cultural (b) Shri Dhawal Prakash Antapurkar
heritage conservation?
(c) Shri Subir Chakraborty
(a) Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
(d) Shri P. D. Siwal
(b) Sri Ranganathaswami Temple, Srirangam
Q.120. In November 2017, an Indian short film, The School Bag
(c) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai won the Best Short Film Award at the South Asian Film
(d) Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath Festival held at Montreal. Who among the following is the
Q.113. Which one of the following teams was defeated by India to Director of the film?
win the Women's Hockey Asia Cup title, 2017? (a) Anurag Kashyap (b) Dheeraj Jindal
(a) Japan (b) China (c) Sujoy Ghosh (d) Samvida Nanda
(c) South Korea (d) Pakistan
Q.114. Which one of the following statements about India is not
correct?

Australia’s champion javelin thrower Jarrod Bannister passed away. APRIL 2018 MICA 97
UPSC CDS (I)
Elementary mathematics
Q.1. If cos x + cos2x =1, then what is sin2x + sin4 x equal to ? (a) p increases as m increases
(a) 1 (b) 1.5 (c) 2 (d) 3 (b) p decreases as m increases
Q.2. If sin A + cos A = p and sin3A + cos3 A = q, then which one (c) p remains constant as m increases
of the following is correct ? (d) p increases for some values of m as m increases and then
(a) p3- 3p + q = 0 (b) q3- 3q + 2p = 0 decreases thereafter
(c) p3- 3p + 2q = 0 (d) p + 3p + 2q = 0 Q.12. What is the volume of a cone of maximum volume cut out from
a cube of edge 2a such that their bases are on the same plane ?
Q.3. If x = sec q − tan q , then which one of the
2

sec 2 q + tan q πa3 2πa3 3πa3

following is correct ? (a) πa3 (b) (c) (d)
3 3 4
1 1  Q.13. The radii of two circles are 4.5 cm and 3.5 cm respectively.
(a) < x < 3 (b) x ∉  ,3  The distance between the centres of the circles is 10 cm.
3 3
 
What is the length of the transverse common tangent ?
(c) −3 < x < − 1 (d) 1 ≤ x ≤ 3
3 3 (a) 4 cm (b) 5 cm (c) 6 cm (d) 7 cm
Q.4. ABC is a right angled triangle with base BC and height AB. Q.14. There are as many square centimetres in the surface area of
The hypotenuse AC is four times the length of the perpendicular a sphere as there are cubic centimetres in its volume. What
drawn to it from the opposite vertex. What is tan C equal to ? is the radius of the sphere ?
(a) 2 − 3 (b) 3 − 1 (c) 2 + 3 (d) 3 + 1
(a) 4 cm (b) 3 cm (c) 2 cm (d) 1 cm
Q.5. ABC is a triangle right angled at C with BC= a and AC=b.
If p is the length of the perpendicular from C on AB, then Q.15. The length of a line segment AB is 2 cm. It is divided into
which one of the following is correct? two parts at a point C such that AC2 = AB × CB. What is the
(a) a2b2 = p2 (a2 + b2) (b) a2b2 = p2 (b2 – a2) length of CB ?
(c) 2a b = p (a + b )
2 2 2 2 2
(d) a2b2 = 2p2 (a2 + b2) (a) 3 5 cm (b) 3 − 5 cm (c) 5 3 cm (d) 5 − 1 cm
Q.6. The radius and slant height of a right circular cone are 5 cm
and 13 cm respectively. What is the volume of the cone? Q.16. 5 + 5 + 5 + 520 is divisible by-
17 18 19

(a) 100π cm3 (b) 50π cm3 (c) 65π cm3 (d) 169π cm3 (a) 7 (b) 9 (c) 11 (d) 13
Q.7. Two equal circular regions of greatest possible area are a c
cut off from a given circular sheet of area A. What is the Q.17. If a+b = 2c, then what is the value of + ?
a−c b−c
remaining area of the sheet?
(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 2
(a) A/2 (b) A/3 (c) 3A/5 (d) 2A/5
Q.8. If the ratio of the radius of the base of a right circular cone to Q.18. If x= y , y = z and z = x where x ≠ 1, y ≠ 1, z ≠ 1, then
1/a 1/b 1/c

its slant height is 1 : 3, what is the ratio of the total surface what is the value of abc?
area to the curved surface area? (a) -1 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) 3
(a) 5 : 3 (b) 3 : 1 (c) 4 : 1 (d) 4 : 3
Q.9. A right circular cone is sliced into a smaller cone and a frustum Q.19. If 2b = a+c and y = xz, then what is x y za-b equal to?
2 b-c c-a

of a cone by a plane perpendicular to its axis. The volume of (a) 3 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) -1
the smaller cone and the frustum of the cone are in the ratio
64 : 61. Then their curved surface areas are in the ratio Q.20. Which one of the following is correct?
(a) 4:1 (b) 16 : 9 (c) 64 : 61 (d) 81 : 64 (a) Decimal expansion of a rational number is terminating.
Q.10. In a room whose floor is a square of side 10 m, an equilateral
triangular table of side 2 m is placed. Four book-shelves of size (b) Decimal expansion of a rational number is non-terminating.
4 m × 1 m × 9 m are also placed in the room. If half of the rest (c) Decimal expansion of an irrational number is terminating.
of the area in the room is to be carpeted at the rate of Rs. 100 per
square metre, what is the cost of carpeting (approximately) ? (d) Decimal expansion of an irrational number is non-
terminating and non-repeating.
(a) Rs. 7, 600 (b) Rs. 5, 635 (c) Rs. 4, 113 (d) Rs. 3, 200
Q.11. A region of area A bounded by a circle C is divided into n Q.21. If the roots of the equation px2+x+r=0 are reciprocal to each
regions, each of area A/n, by drawing circles of radii r1, r2, other, then which one of the following is correct?
r3, ... rn-1 such that r1 < r2 < r3 < ... rn-1 concentric with the
(a) p = 2r (b) p = r (c) 2p = r (d) p = 4r
rm+1
circle C. If pm= where m = 1, 2, 3, ... (n - 2), then which Q.22. If 65x-33y = 97 and 33x - 65y = 1, then what is xy equal to?
rm
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) -2 (d) -3
one of the following is correct ?

98 MICA APRIL 2018 India was the guest of honor country at National Heritage Festival, Saudi Arab.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
b z c x ab + xy (d) None of the above
Q.23. If + = 1 and + = 1 , then what is equal to? Q.33. A car has an average speed of 60 km per hour while going
y c z a bx
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 0 (d) -1 from Delhi to Agra and has an average speed of y km per
hour while returning to Delhi from Agra (by travelling
a 6 -1
Q.24. If a2 − 1 = 5 , then what is the value of 3 ? the same distance). If the average speed of the car for the
a a whole journey is 48 km per hour. then what is the value
(a) 125 (b) -125 (c) 140 (d) -140 of y?
(a) 30 km per hour (b) 35 km per hour
Q.25. If x + y +z = 0, then what is (y+z-x) (z+x-y)3 + (x+y-z)3 3

equal to? (c) 40 km per hour (d) 45 km per hour

Q.34. An article is sold at a profit of 32%. If the cost price is
(a) (x+y+z)3 (b) 3 (x+y) (y+z) (z+x)
increased by 20% and the sale price remains the same, then
(c) 24xyz (d) -24xyz the profit percentage becomes.
Q.26. If (x+3) is a factor of x3+3x2+4x+k, then what is the value (a) 10% (b) 12% (c) 15% (d) 20%
of k ? Q.35. A, B, C, D and E start a partnership firm. Capital contributed
(a) 12 (b) 24 (c) 36 (d) 72 by A is three times that contributed by D. E contributes
Q.27. The smallest integer with 4 digits which is a perfect square is- half of A's contribution and B contributes one -third of E's
contribution and C contributes two-third of A's contribution.
(a) 1000 (b) 1024
If the difference between the combined shares of A, D and
(c) 1089 (d) None of the above E and the combined shares of B and C in the total profit of
Q.28. Which one of the following is a zero of the polynomial the firm is Rs. 13,500, what is the combined share of B, C
3x3+4x2-7 ? and E? (The shares are supposed to be proportional to the
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) -1 contributions)
Q.29. There are two numbers which are greater than 21 and their (a) Rs. 13, 500 (b) Rs. 18, 000
LCM and HCF are 3003 and 21 respectively. What is the (c) Rs. 19, 750 (d) Rs. 20, 250
sum of these numbers? Q.36. A Pie Chart is drawn for the following data:
(a) 504 (b) 508 (c) 514 (d) 528 Sector Percentage
Q.30. If a and b are the roots of the equation ax2+bx+c=0, then Agriculture and Rural Development 12.9
what is the value of the expression (a+1) (b+1) ? Irrigation 12.5
Energy 27.2
a+b+c b+c−a a −b+c a+b-c Industry and Mineral's 15.4
(a) (b) (c) (d)
a a a a Transport and communication 15.9
Q.31. A man can row at a speed of x km/hr in still water. If in a Social Services 16.1
stream which is flowing at a speed of y km/hr it takes him z What is the angle (approximately) subtended by the Social
hours to row to a place and back, then what is the distance Services Sector at the centre of the circle?
between the two places? (a) 45o (b) 46o (c) 58o (d) 98o
Q.37. The arithmetic mean of two numbers is 10 and their

(a)
(
z x 2 − y2 ) (b) z ( x 2
− y2 ) (c) ( x 2
− y2 ) (d)
(
z x 2 - y2 )
geometric mean is 8. What are the two numbers?
(a) 15, 5 (b) 12, 8 (c) 16, 4 (d) 18, 2
2y 2x 2zx x
Q.38. The arithmetic mean of 11 observations is 11. The arithmetic
Q.32. A water tank has been iftted with two tapes P and Q and mean of the first 6 observations is 10.5 and the arithmetic
a drain pipe R. Tap P and Q fill at the rate of 12 litres per mean of the last 6 observations is 11.5. What ist he sixth
minute and 10 litres per minute respectively. observation?
Consider the following statements S1, S2 and S3: (a) 10.0 (b) 10.5 (c) 11.0 (d) 11.5
S1 : Pipe R drains out at the rate of 6 litres per minute Q.39. What is sin4q-cos4q equal to for any real number q?
(a) 1 (b) 1-2sin2q (c) 2cos2q+1 (d) 1-2cos2q
S2 : If both the tapes and the drain pipe are opened
simultaneously, then the tank is filled in 5 hours 45 minutes. Q.40. What is cot1o cot23o cot45o cot67o cot89o equal to?
S3 : Pipe R drains out (fully) the filled tank in 15 hours 20 (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 1/2 (d) 1/3
minutes. Q.41. What angle does the hour hand of a clock describe in 10
To know what is the capacity of the tank, which one of the minutes of time?
following is correct? (a) 1o (b) 5o (c) 6o (d) 10o
(a) S2 is only sufficient Q.42. Consider the following statements:
(b) S1, S2 and S3 are necessary 1. (sec2q-1) (1-cosec2q)=1
2. sinq(1+cosq)-1+ (1+cosq(sinq)-1 = 2cosecq.
(c) Any two out of S1, S2 and S3 are sufficient
Which of the above is/are correct?

Rakesh Singh has been appointed as the private banking head of HDFC Bank. APRIL 2018 MICA 99
UPSC CDS (I)
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Q.51. Given that the angles of a polygon are all equal and each
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 angle is a right angle.
Q.43. Each side of a square subtends an angle of 60o at the tip of a Statement-1: The polygon has exactly four sides.
tower of height h metres standing at the centre of the square. Statement-2: The sum of the angles of a polygon having
If l is the length of each side of the square, then what is h2 n sides is (3n - 8) right angles.
equal to? Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above
l2 3l 2 2l 2 statements ?
(a) 2l2 (b) (c) (d) (a) Both Statement-1 and Stateinent-2 are true and
2 2 3
Statement-2 is the correct explanation of Statement-1
Q.44. From a height of h units, a man observes the angle of
(b) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are true but
elevation as a and angle of depression as b of the top and
Statement-2 is not the correct explanation of Statement-1
the bottom respectively of a tower of height H (>4h). To what
further height should he climb so that the values of angle of (c) Statement-1 is true but Statement-2 is false
elevation and angle of depression get interchanged for the (d) Statement-1 is false but Statement-2 is true
top and bottom ofthe tower? Q.52. If the length of a side of a square is increased by 8 cm, its
(a) H - h units (b) H - 2h units area increases by 120 square cm. What is the length of a side
(c) H - 3h units (d) H - 4h units of the square?
Q.45. If sec x cosec x=2, then what is tannx+cotn x equal to? (a) 2.5 cm (b) 3.5 cm (c) 4.5 cm (d) 5.5 cm
(a) 2 (b) 2n+1 (c) 2n (d) 2n-1 Q.53. What is the largest power of 10 that divides the product 1×
Q.46. The locus of the mid-points of the radii of length 16 cm of 2×3×4..... ×23×24 × 25?
a circle is (a) 2 (b) 4
(a) A concentric circle of radius 8 cm (c) 5 (d) None of the above
(b) A concentric circle of radius 16 cm Q.54. Walls (excluding their roofs and floors) of 5 identical
(c) The diameter of the circle rooms having length, breadth and height 6 m, 4 m and 2.5
(d) A straight line passing through the centre of the circle m respectively are to be painted. Paints are available only
in cans of 1 L and one litre of paint can be used for painting
Q.47. The curved surface area of a right circular cone is 1.76 m2
20 square metres. What is the number of cans required for
and its base diameter is 140 cm. What is the height of the
painting ?
cone ?
(a) 10 (b) 12 (c) 13 (d) 14
(a) 10 cm (b) 10 2 cm (c) 20 2 cm (d) 10 15 cm
Q.55. A rectangular pathway having width 4-5 m and length 10 m
Q.48. Consider the following statements ; will have to be tiled using square tiles of side 50 cm. Each
1. The orthocentre of a triangle always lies inside the triangle. packet of such tiles contains 20 pieces and costs Rs. 100.
2. The centroid of a triangle always lies inside the triangle. What will be the total cost of tiles for the pathway ?
3. The orthocentre of a right angled triangle lies on the (a) Rs. 1, 200 (b) Rs. 1, 100 (c) Rs. 1, 000 (d) Rs. 900
triangle, Q.56. A cube of maximum volume (each corner touching the
4. The centroid of a right angled triangle lies on the triangle. surface from inside) is cut from a sphere. What is the ratio
Which of the above statements are correct ? of the volume of the cube to that of the sphere ?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 and 4 (a) 3:4p (b) 3 : 2 p (c) 2 : 3 p (d) 4 : 3p
Q.49. The locus of a point equidistant from two intersecting lines is Q.57. If the ratio of the circumference of the base of a right circular
(a) A straight line (b) A circle cone of radius r to its height is 3 :1, then what is the area of
(c) A pair of straight lines (d) None of the above the curved surface of the cone ?
Q.50. Consider the following statements :
(b) 2r 4π + 9
2 2
(a) 3pr2
Two triangles are said to be congruent, if 3
1. Three angles of one triangle are equal to the corresponding
three angles of the other triangle. πr2 π 2 +1 π r 2 4π 2 + 9
(c) (d)
2. Three sides of one triangle are equal to the corresponding 3 3
three sides of the other triangle. Q.58. A wire is in the form of a circle of radius 98 cm. A square
3. Two sides and the included angle of one triangle are equal is formed out of the wire. What is the length of a side of the
to the corresponding two sides and the included angle of the square ? (Use p = 22/7)
other triangle. (a) 146 cm (b) 152cm (c) 154cm (d) 156cm
4. Two angles and the included side of one triangle are equal Consider the following for the next two (02) questions;
to the corresponding two angles and the included side of
In a triangle ABC, a, b and c are the lengths of the sides and
the other triangle.
p, q and r are the lengths of its medians.
Which of the above statements are correct ?
Q.59. Which one of the following is correct ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4

India and Oman signed eight agreements, including pacts on cooperation in the field of defence,
100 MICA APRIL 2018
health and tourism.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
(a) 2 (p + q + r) = (a + b + c) (b) 2(p + q + r) >3(a + b + c) Q.72. A train moving with a speed of 60 km per hours crosses an
(c) 2 (p + q + r) < 3 (a + b + c) (d) 11(p + q + r) > 10(a + b + c) electric phole in 30 seconds. What is the length of the train
Q.60. Which one of the following is correct ? in metres?
(a) 300 (b) 400 (c) 500 (d) 600
(a) (a + b + c) < (p + q + r)
(b) 3 (a + b - c) < 4 (p + q + r) Q.73. Rs 120 is distributed amonh A, B and C so that A's share is
20 more than B' s share?
(c) 2 (a + b + c) > 3 (p + q + r)
(a) Rs 10 (b) Rs 20 (c) Rs 15 (d) Rs 25
(d) 3 (a + b + c) > 4 (p + q + r)
Q.61. The remainder when 3x3 + kx2 + 5x-6 is divided by (x+1) is Q.74. In the following table of inbverse variation, what are the
-7. What is the value of k? values of A, B and C respectively ?
(a) -14 (b) 14 (c) -7 (d) 7 M 15 -6 2 C
Q.62. If f(x) and g(x) are polynomials of degree p and q respectively, N -4 A B 60
then the degree of {f(x) + g(x)} (if it is non-zero) is-
(a) Greater than min(p, q) (a) 10, -30,-1 (b) 10, -1,30 (c) -30, 10,-1 (d) -1,- 30, 10
(b) Greater than max(p, q) Q.75. A person borrwed Rs 5,000 ,at 5% rate of interest per annum
and immediately lent it at 5.5%. After two years he collected
(c) Less than or equal to max (p, q)
the amount and settled his loan. What is the amount gained
(d) Equal to min(p, q) by him in this transaction?
5− 3 5+ 3 (a) Rs. 25 (b) Rs. 50 (c) Rs. 100 (d) Rs. 200
Q.63. What is the value of − ?
5+ 3 5− 3 Q.76. What is the area of the largest circular disc cut from a square
2
(a) −2 15 (b) 2 15 (c) 15 (d) - 15 of side units?
π
Q.64. What is the value of (a) p square units (b) 1 square units
1 1 1 (c) p2 square units (d) 2 square units
+
1+ x b−a
+x c−a
1+ x a −b
+x c −b + a −c b−c where x ≠ 0? Q.77. The product of the lengths of the diagonals of square is 50
1+ x +x
square unite. What is the lenght of a side of the square ?
(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 3
(a) 5 2 units (b) 5 units (c) 10 units (d) 2 5 units
Q.65. The sum of a number and its square is 20. Then the number is
Q.78. The surface area of a closed cylindrical box is 352 square cm. If
(a) -5 or 4 (b) 2 or 3 (c) -5 only (d) 5 or -4 22
Q.66. If the price of wheat rises by 25%, then by how much percent its height is 10 cm, then what is its diameter ? (Use π = )
7
must a man reduce his consumption in order to keep his (a) 4 cm (b) 8 cm (c) 9.12 cm (d) 19.26 cm
budget the same as before?
Q.79. A square and an equilateral triangle have the same perimeter.
(a) 15% (b) 20% (c) 25% (d) 30% If the diagonal of the square is 6 2 cm, then what is the
area of the triangle ?
Q.67. 1 of the students who registered did not appear for the
25 (a) 12 2cm2 (b) 12 3cm2 (c) 16 2cm2 (d)16 3cm2
11
examination, of those who appeared passed. If the number Q.80. What is the area of the region bounded internally by a square
20 of side of lenght 'a' and externally by a circle passing though
of registered students is 2000, the number who passed is the four corners of the square?
(a) 1920 (b) 1056 (c) 1020 (d) 864 ( π − 1)a2
(a) ( π − 1) a2 square unites (b) square unites
Q.68. What is the difference between 0.9 and 0.9? 2
( π − 2)a2
(a) 0 (b) 0.099 (c) 0.1 (d) 0.09 (c) ( π − 2) a2 square unites (d) square unites
2
Q.69. If A : B = 1: 2, B : C = 3 : 4, C : D = 2 : 3 and D : E = 3 : 4,
then what is B : E equal to ? Q.81. In the figure given below, XA and XB are two tangents to a
(a) 3 : 2 (b) 1 : 8 (c) 3 : 8 (d) 4 : 1 circle. If AXB = 500 And AC is parallel to XB, then what
is ACB equal to ?
Q.70. A work when done by 10 women is completed in 12 days. when
A
done by 5 men. How many days will it take to complete when 6
woman and 3 men are employed to perfrom the same job ?
(a) 12 (b) 10 (c) 8 (d) 5
Q.71. A man undertakes to do a certrain work in 150 days. He X
o

C 50
employs 200 men. He finds that only a quarter of the work
is done in 50 days. How many additional men should he
employ so that the whole work is finished in time ? B
(a) 75 (b) 85 (c) 100 (d) 120
(a) 700 (b) 650 (c) 600 (d) 550

According to a report by New World Wealth, Mumbai is the 12th wealthiest city in the world. APRIL 2018 MICA 101
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.82. In the figure given below, p, q, r are parallel lines; I and m Q.89. Which one of the following decimal number is a rational
are two transversals. number with denominator 37 ?
L M
(a) 0.459459459... (b) 0.459459459
(c) 0.0459459459... (d) 0.00459459...
A D
P
Q.90. The annual income of a person decreases by 64 if the annual
B E
rate of interest decreases from 4% to 3.75%. What is his
q
original annual income ?
C F
r
(a) 24,000 (b) 25,000 (c) 25,600 (d) 24,600
Q.91. For 0 < m < 1, Which one of the following is correct ?
(a) log10 m < m2 < m < m−1 (b) m < m−1 < m2 < log10 m
Consider the following:
−1
(c) log m < m < m−1 < m2 (d) log10 m < m < m < m
2
1. AB : AC = DE : DF 2. AB × EF = BC × DE
10
which of the above is/are correct ?
Q.92. A gentleman left a sum of Rs 39,000 to be distributed after his death
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
among his widow, five sons and daughters. If each son recevies 3
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 times as much as a daughter recives, and each daughter recives twice
Q.83. In the equilateral triangle ABC given below, AD = DB and as much as their mother receives, what is the widow' s share ?
AE = EC. If l is the lenght of a side of the triangle, then what (a) Rs 1,000 (b) Rs 1,200
is the area of the shaded region? (c) Rs 1,500 (d) None of the above
A
Q.93. Three numbers which are co-prime to each other, are such
that the product of the first two is 286 and that of the last
D E two is 770. What is the sum of the three numbers ?
(a) 85 (b) 80 (c) 75 (d) 70
Q.94. The age of a woman is a two- digit integer. On reversing this
B C
integer, the new integer is the age of her husband who is elder
to her. The difference between their ages is one- eleventh of
3 3l 2 3l 2 3 3l 2 3l 2 their sum. What is the difference between their ages ?
(a) (b) (c) (d)
16 16 32 32 (a) 8 years (b) 9 years (c) 10 years (d) 11 years
Q.84. In the figure given below, SPT is a tangent to the circle at Q.95. A passenger train and a goods train are running in the same
P and O is the centre of the circle. If QPT = a, then what direction on parallel railway tracks. If the passenger train
is POQ equal to ? now takes three times as long to pass the goods train, as when
they are running in opposite directions, then what is the ratio
(a) a (b) 2 a (c) 90o - a (d) 180o -2a
of the speed of the passenger train to the goods train ?
o ( Assume that the trains run at uniform speeds)
Q
(a) 2 :1 (b) 3 : 2 (c) 4 : 3 (d) 1 : 1
a
Q.96. All odd prime numbers upto 110 are multiplied together.
S P T What is the unit digit in this product ?
Q.85. In the figure given below, two equal chords at point P. If AB (a) 0 (b) 3
= CD = 10 cm, OC = 13 cm (O is the center of the circle) (c) 5 (d) None of the above
and PB = 3 cm, then what is the length of OP ? Q.97. An alloy A contains two elements, copper and tin in the ratio
of 2 : 3, whereas an alloy B contains the same elements in
(a) 5 cm (b) 6 cm (c) 2 29cm (d) 2 37 cm
the ratio of 3 : 4. If 20 kg of alloy A, 28 kg of alloy B and
some more pure copper are mixed to form a third alloy C
which now containd copper and tin in the ratio of 6 : 7 then
what is the quantity of pure copper mixed in the alloy C ?
(a) 3 kg (b) 4 kg (c) 5 kg (d) 7 kg
Q.98. A quadratic polynomial ax 2 + bx + c is such that when it
Q.86. At present the average of the ages of a father and a son is 25 is divided by x, (x-1) and (x+1) ,the remainders are 3, 6 and
year. After seven years the son will be 17 years old. What 4 respectively. What is the value of (a+b)?
will be the age of the father after 10 vears ?
(a) 3 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) -1
(a) 44 years (b) 45 years (c) 50 years (d) 52 years Q.99. If the average of 9 consecutive positive integers is 55, then
Q.87. If 5 tractors can plough 5 hectares of land in 5 day, then what is the what is the largest interger ?
number of tractors required to plough 100 hectares in 50 days? (a) 57 (b) 58 (c) 59 (d) 60
(a) 100 (b) 20 (c) 10 (d) 5 Q.100. The average of the ages of 15 students in a class is 19 years.
Q.88. A merchant commences with a certain captial and gains When 5 new students are admitted to the class, the average
annually at the rate of 25%. At the end of 3 years he has 10,000. age of the class becomes 18.5 years. What is the average
What is the original amount that the merchant inversted ? age of the 5 newly admitted students ?
(a) 5,120 (b) 5,210 (c) 5,350 (d) 5,500 (a) 17 years (b) 17.5 years (c) 18 years (d) 18.5 years

National champion and top seed Saurav Ghosal win the Vedanta India Open Squash
102 MICA APRIL 2018
tournament title.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
ENGLISH ANSWER
Q.1. (c) Hot potato. A problem so controversial and sensitive Q.46. (d) No error
that it is risky to deal with. Q.47. (b) Oust from-expel from the position.
Q.2. (a) “You snooze, you lose” is an idiom used to warn Q.48. (d) No error
people who aren't paying attention, wait too long, or Q.49. (c) Use ‘is’ instead of ‘are’
are indecisive that they will eventually pass up the Q.50. (d) No error
opportunity to gain or do something they need, want,
Q.51. (a) Q.52. (b) Q.53. (c) Q.54. (d) Q.55. (d)
or aspire.
Q.56. (b) Q.57. (b) Q.58. (b) Q.59. (b) Q.60. (b)
Q.3. (a) Disagree; to not be convinced.
Q.61. (b) Orient = the countries of the East
Q.4. (b) My two cents in" is an American idiomatic expression,
taken from the original English idiom "to put in my Occident = the countries of the East
two penny worth" or "my two-cents." It is used to Q.62. (d) Q.63. (d) Q.64. (b) Q.65. (b) Q.66. (c)
preface the tentative statement of one's opinion. Q.67. (d) Q.68. (b)
Q.5. (b) Without warning; unexpectedly. Q.69. (a) Evade means escape or avoid (someone/something),
Q.6. (a) Meeting someone not expected to be at a certain place. especially by trickery.
encountering the same people, events, or situations in an Q.70. (c) Q.71. (c) Q R P S
unexpected place. someone knows a person you know. Q.72. (a) R P Q S Q.73. (d) S P Q R Q.74. (b) R P S Q
used to express surprise that events or people at different Q.75. (b) P S Q R Q.76. (a) Q P S R Q.77. (b) Q P R S
places are somehow connected. Q.78. (a) R Q S P Q.79. (b) S R P Q Q.80. (b) R Q P S
Q.7. (a) In the future. Q.81. (c) Naive = innocent ; credulous
Q.8. (a) To elicit shock, surprise, or offense, typically through Q.82. (b) Impertinent = disrespectful
unconventional actions or words. The phrase typically
Congenial = friendly
suggests negative attention or judgment.
Q.83. (c) For other options : Scorn (N) = mock
Q.9. (c) To take responsibility for doing something, even
Censure (V) = criticise
though it is difficult. It's time they stepped up to the
plate and took responsibility for their actions. Q.84. (b) Composed = calm, cool
Q.10. (b) Something that is extremely difficult to find or get. Q.85. (c) Indolence = avoidance of activity
Q.11. (a) You do a favor for me and I'll do a favor for you.; If you Q.86. (a)
do something for me that I cannot do for myself, I will Q.87. (c) Repulsive = disgusting
dosomething for you that you cannot do for yourself. Enchanting = fascinating, tempting
Q.12. (a) Without hesitation or good reason. Q.88. (d) For other options: repugnant = hostile; abhorrent
Q.13. (b) It's your responsibility now; it's up to you. Q.89. (c) For other options : Militant = aggressive
Q.14. (b) a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of Fanatical = overenthusiastic, bigoted, fervid
two very different things at the same time. Q.90. (d) Resilient = flexible
Q.15. (d) Very expensive For other options : All are synonyms of Vulnerable.
Q.16. (b) Q.17. (c) Q.18. (c) Q.19. (b) Q.20. (b) Q.91. (b) Absolve of = declare free from guilt/punishment.
Q.21. (a) Q.22. (a) Q.23. (a) Q.24. (c) Q.25. (b) Q.92. (b) Put off = postpone
Q.26. (a) Q.27. (c) Q.28. (b) Q.29. (a) Q.30. (c) Q.93. (d) Run out = exhaust
Q.31. (b) Remove by Q.94. (c) Scarcely+had+subject+V3
Q.32. (b) Use ‘whom’ instead of ‘who’ Q.95. (d) Get over = recover
Q.33. (a) Use ‘electric companies’ instead of ‘electricity Q.96. (d) Spilt milk = the milk which has been dropped or
companies’ overflowed.
Q.34. (d) No error Q.97. (c) Q.98. (b) Q.99. (d)
Q.35. (b) Use ‘was’ instead of ‘were’ Q.100. (c) A wet blanket = A pessimistic person
Q.36. (b) Use ‘in the court for any lies’ Q.101. (b) Q.102. (d) Q.103. (a)
Q.37. (b) Use ‘for singing’ Q.104. (d) Vendor = person who sells wares.
Q.38. (c) Use ‘anything’ instead of ‘something’ Q.105. (c)
Q.39. (b) Use ‘can be used to make’ instead of ‘can be made’ Q.106. (a) Embezzled = stolen or misappropriate
Q.40. (c) Use ‘had done’ instead of ‘has done’ Q.107. (c) Q.108. (d) Q.109. (d) Q.110. (c)
Q.41. (a) Use ‘has been’ instead of ‘have been’ Q.111. (c) S P R Q Q.112. (b) P R S Q Q.113. (c) R P S Q
Q.42. (c) Use ‘had a cold’ Q.114. (c) S R P Q Q.115. (c) Q R S P Q.116. (d) S P R Q
Q.43. (d) No error Q.117. (a) S P R Q Q.118. (d) Q R P S Q.119. (c) S P Q R
Q.44. (b) Use ‘formation’ instead of ‘form’ Q.120. (a) S Q R P
Q.45. (b) Use ‘as much as’ instead of ‘more than’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’. APRIL 2018 MICA 103
UPSC CDS (I)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ANSWERS
Q.1.(d) A sinkhole is a hole in the ground that forms when or fat-loving, the reason why these substances are
water dissolves surface rock. Often, this surface rock deposited and concentrated in the fat tissues of
is limestone, which is easily eroded, or worn away, by the organisms. The affected organism has a higher
the movement of water. concentration of the substance than the concentration
In a landscape where limestone sits underneath the in the organism's surrounding environment. The toxic
soil, water from rainfall collects in cracks in the stone. substances are very slowly metabolized or excreted
These cracks are called joints. Slowly, as the limestone so if the organism keeps on consuming prey or food
dissolves and is carried away, the joints widen until the contaminated with toxic substances, the concentration
ground above them becomes unstable and collapses. of the substance will further increase in its body, hence,
The collapse often happens very suddenly and without bioaccumulation results. When a certain threshold
very much warning. Water collects in these collapsed level is reached, measured in parts per million (ppm),
sections, forming sinkholes. symptoms due to the type of toxin are manifested.
Sinkholes are often funnel-shaped, with the wide end open Q.8.(d) A silverfish is a small, wingless insect in the order
at the surface and the narrow end at the bottom of the pool. Zygentoma. Jellyfish or jellies are softbodied, free-
Q.2.(d) A meandering river valley that has cut down its bed into swimming aquatic animals with a gelatinous umbrella-
the bedrock, because of uplift or lowered base level, shaped bell and trailing tentacles. Cuttlefish or cuttles are
is called incised, intrenched, entrenched, inclosed or marine animals of the order Sepiida. They belong to the
ingrown. It is characteristic of antecedent drainage class Cephalopoda, which also includes squid, octopuses,
systems. Finer distinctions are recognized by some and nautiluses. The Exocoetidae are a family of marine
authorities. Thornbury (1954)proposed that incised or fishes in the order Beloniformes class Actinopterygii. Fish
inclosed meanders are terms appropriate to all sorts of of this family are known as flying fish.
meanders cut down into bedrock, and that two sub- Q.9.(a) Adipocytes are cells that derive from multipotential
types should be identified: mesenchymal cells; their main role is to store energy in
Intrenchedorentrenched meanders are those cut down with the form of lipids to cushion and insulate the body from
symmetrical valley sides, i.e., due to rapid down-cutting; and the outer environment. Chondrocytes are the only cells
found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain
Ingrown meanders (Rich, 1914) are those with a the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of
pronounced asymmetry of cross section, which would collagen and proteoglycans. An osteocyte, a star-shaped
normally develop under slower incision. type of bone cell, is the most commonly found cell in
Q.3.(a) Glaciers cut distinctive U-shaped valleys with a flat mature bone tissue, and can live as long as the organism
floor and steep sides. The glacier widens, steepens, itself. The adult human body has about 42 billion
deepens and smoothes V-shaped river valleys, eg Great osteocytes. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells.
Langdale Valley in the Lake District (England). Q.10.(d)
Q.4.(b) Species richness is generally lower in the Arctic than Q.11.(c) Lysosomes are spherical membranous sacs of enzymes.
at lower latitudes, and richness also tends to decline These enzymes are acidic hydrolase enzymes that
from the low to high Arctic. However, patterns of can digest cellular macromolecules. The lysosome
species richness vary spatially and include significant membrane helps to keep its internal compartment
patchiness. Further, there are differences among acidic and separates the digestive enzymes from the
taxonomic groups, with certain groups being most rest of the cell.
diverse in the Arctic.
Lysosome enzymes are made by proteins from the
Characteristics of Tundra- endoplasmic reticulum and enclosed within vesicles by
Extremely cold climate,Low biotic diversity,Simple the Golgi apparatus.
vegetation structure,Limitation of drainage,Short Q.12.(d)
season of growth and reproduction ,Energy and
nutrients in the form of dead organic material Q.13.(c)
Q.5.(b) Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the Q.14.(a) The collision-coalescence process is an important
combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by mechanism in forming raindrops in warmer clouds.
the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of Earth. the In these warm clouds raindrops form exclusively by
earth rotate from west to east. this process. Most tropical rain is formed in this way.
The collision- coalescence process is of relatively little
Q.6.(d) Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually importance in middle and high latitudes where, even
caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the summer,most precipitation begins high in the
(MTB). generally affects the lungs. Tuberculosis is clouds where temperatures are well below freezing and
spread through the air when people who have active the dominant precipitation-producing mechanism is
TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. the so-called ice-crystal or Bergeron process. However
Q.7.(b) Bioaccumulation is defined as the increase in falling raindrops in these clouds do grow by the
concentration of a substance(s) in an organism or a collision-coalescence process.
part of that organism.Toxic substances are lipophilic

104 MICA APRIL 2018 Asma Jahangir, Pakistan’s renowned human rights lawyer and social activist, died.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
Q.15.(b) (iii) the protection and preservation of the marine
Q.16.(a) Planetesimal hypothesis- Chamberlin environment;
Thermal contraction theory- Jeffreys (c) other rights and duties provided for in this
Geosynclinal Orogen theory- Kober Convention.
Hypothesis of sliding continent- Daly Q.26.(c) Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) or
Q.17.(b) Bright light is found to emit from photographer’s Integrated coastal management (ICM) is a process
flashgun. This brightness is due to the presence of for the management of the coast using an integrated
Xenon gases. approach, regarding all aspects of the coastal zone,
including geographical and political boundaries, in
Q.18.(b) Two or more elements combine together chemically to
an attempt to achieve sustainability. national ICZM
form a new substance called compound.
capacity building; piloting ICZM approaches in
Q.19.(d) Temporary hardness is due to the presence of calcium
Gujarat; piloting ICZM approaches in Orissa and;
hydrogencarbonate Ca(HCO3)2 and magnesium
piloting ICZM approaches in West Bengal.
hydrogencarbonate Mg(HCO3)2.
Q.27.(a) The national water academy located in Pune, Maharashtra.
Q.20.(d) Isobars are elements having same mass no. but different
no. of electrons. They have same mass no. But different Q.28.(a)
atomic no.Therefore calcium and Argon are isobars as Q.29.(a) Pascal's law basically states that any pressure applied to
they have atomic no. 20 and 18 but their mass no.is 40. a fluid inside a closed system will transmit that pressure
Name: Argon equally in all directions throughout the fluid. This law
Symbol: Ar is the basic principle that causes hydraulic power in
heavy construction machines to work.
Atomic Number: 18
Q.30.(c) The main constituents of the dry atmosphere are
Atomic Mass: 39.948 amu
nitrogen (78.084% by volume), oxygen (20.946% by
Melting Point: -189.3 °C (83.85 K, -308.74 °F)
volume) and argon (0.934% by volume), but much lower
Boiling Point: -186.0 °C (87.15 K, -302.8 °F) concentrations other noble gases can also be found.
Number of Protons/Electrons: 18 Q.31.(a) Mizoram has the highest percentage (94.4%) of
Number of Neutrons: 22 Scheduled Tribe Population to its Population & in other
Q.21.(a) The objects will approach the same temperature, and Nagaland(86.5%),Meghalay(86.1%) & Arunachal
in the absence of loss to other objects, they will then Pradesh(68.8%)
maintain a constant temperature. They are then said to Highest ST Population in Indian state’s is MP & Least
be in thermal equilibrium. Thermal equilibrium is the ST Population has UP.
subject of the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics.
Q.32.(d) There are two main types of igneous volcanic rocks__
Q.22.(c) Extrusive, and Intrusive. Extrusive volcanic rock’s
Q.23.(d) According to Rayleigh''s law, the intensity of scattered (igneous rock) formation in which hot magma from
light varies inversely as the fourth power of its inside the Earth exhaust on the surface as lava. While,
wavelength. Sunlight consists of seven colours. Of Intrusive volcanic rock is made from magma which
these, red has the maximum wavelength. During sunrise becomes solid before reaching the surface. Himalay is
and sunset, the rays have to travel a larger part of the an example of intrusive volcanic rocks
atmosphere because they are very close to the horizon.
Q.33.(d) Karewas is a type of soil which are thick deposits of
Therefore, light other than red is mostly scattered away.
Most of the red light, which is the least scattered, enters glacial clay and other material. These deposits are
our eyes. Hence, the sun and the sky appear red. found in the mostly Kashmir valley between pir panjal
and Zaskar range in the Himalaya.
Q.24.(c)
It is very suitable for Safforn,Almond,Walnut cultivation.
Q.25.(d) In the exclusive economic zone, the coastal State has:
Ling nut is known as Water Caltrop or Singhada.
(a) sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and
exploiting, conserving and managing the natural It grows in the pond, wet muddy land in the warm
resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters climate. It is found mostly in Europe and Asia region.
superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its Q.34.(b) Ganga River originated as Bhagirathi in the Gomukh
subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the Glacier Himalayan mountain in Uttrakhand.
economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, Ganga forms devpryag where Bhagirathi and
such as the production of energy from the water, Alakananda rivers meet . It travels 5 Indian states
currents and winds; (Uttrakhand,UP,Bihar,Jharkhand & WB) 2525 km &
(b) Jurisdiction as provided for in the relevant meet to Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh) .Ganga tributaries
provisions of this Convention with regard to: are divided into two types__
(i) the establishment and use of artificial islands, 1 Left bank tributaries- Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara,
installations and structures; Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda
(ii) marine scientific research; 2 Right bank tributaries- Yamuna, Tamsa, Son, Punpun

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched a project for the construction of the first
Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
APRIL 2018 MICA 105
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.35.(a) Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) introduced Q.45.(b) Sathanar is the author of ‘Manimekalai’
a new “Niryat Bandhu Yojna” for International Q.46.(b) Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage
Business mentoring for first generation entrepreneurs Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly
in international business enterprises. dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. They are located on
Q.36.(d) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (also known as "the city
(DDU-GKY) is a youth employment scheme of Indian of caves") Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Government Consists of Shaivism caves and a few Buddhist stupa.
It was launched by on 25 September 2014 by Union Q.47.(d) His philosophy was similar to the Indian National
Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu on the Congress.He imagined India as Nation State based on
occasion of 98th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal individual citizen's rights.
Upadhyaya. It's Vision is "Transform rural poor Q.48.(c) Right statements about Impact of tax is:-
youth into an economically independent and globally A Tax is shifted forward to consumers if the demand
relevant workforce". It aims to target youth, under the is inelastic relative to supply, While If the supply is
age group of 15–35 years & benefit approx 60 million relatively more inelastic than demand tax is shifted
poor rural folk. DDU-GKY is a part of the National backward to producers.
Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
Q.49.(b) The law of diminishing marginal utility describes a
Q.37.(b) The Hambantota Port is a maritime port in Hambantota, familiar and fundamental tendency of human behavior.
Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has formally handed over its “As a consumer consumes more and more units of a
southern port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year specific commodity, the utility from the successive
lease. units goes on diminishing”. Mr. H. Gossen, a German
Q.38.(a) The Sagarmala project aims to promote port-led economist, was first to explain this theory in 1854.
development along India’s 7500 km long coastline by Alfred Marshal later on detailed this theory.
developing string of ports around coastal Q.50.(b)
The projects under Coastal Berth Scheme are Q.51.(b) The olive ridley sea turtle, also known as the Pacific
distributed over eight states with highest number of ridley sea turtle, is a medium-sized species found in
projects in Maharashtra (12 projects), Andhra Pradesh warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and
and Goa (10 projects), Karnataka (6 projects), Kerala Indian Oceans along the Bay of Bengal is Orissa.
and Tamil Nadu (3 projects), Gujarat (2 projects) and
West Bengal (1 project) Q.52.(c)
Q.39.(a) The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change Q.53.(a) The Phoenix Settlement, established by Gandhiji near
(NAFCC) was established in August, 2015 to meet Durban,South Africa in 1904.
the cost of adaptation to climate change for the State Q.54.(a) The Vijayanagar Empire("City of Victory") was
and Union Territories of India that are particularly situated in the Deccan Plateau region banks of the
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Tungabhadra River, in South India. It was established
Q.40(b) SAMPRITI- 2017 is an important bilateral joint military in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka I of
exercise between India and Bangladesh. Seventh Indo- Sangama Dynasty.
Bangladesh joint military exercise SAMPRITI- 2017 Q.55.(a)
was held at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare Q.56.(c) The composition of Abhidhamptik was composed
School, Vairengte in Mizoram. by Moghaliputtatisy in the third Buddhist council at
Q.41.(a) Vishakha case of sexual harassment at workplace is Pataliputra. At this time the kingdom of Magadha was
a case of landmark judgement by Supreme Court of Mauryan ruler Ashoka .
India. Q.57.(d) The Buddhist stupa known as a sacred space. Mauryan
Q.42.(b) BRICS was founded June 2006. ruler Ashoka played an important role in formation the
Before 2010 its only four countries group BRIC, but Stupa.
South Africa join BRIC 2010 and its complete BRICS. Q.58.(a)
At present time BRICS is five major emerging national State No. of seats in Legislative Assembly
economies (B - Brazil, R - Russia, I - India, C - China, West Bengal- 294
S - South Africa). South Africa attended the 2011 Bihar- 243
BRICS summit in Sanya, China, as a full member.
Tamilnadu- 234
Q.43.(d) Ashokan inscriptions, refers to himself as "Beloved of
the Gods" (Devanampiyadasi). Madhya Predesh- 230
Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts were deciphered by Q.59.(b) The Governer issues ordinance under Article 213.
British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep. Ordinance will be issued only when State Vidhanmandal
is not in session, but as soon as State Vidhanmandal
Q.44.(b) Brahmadeya (given to Brahmin) was tax free land gift comes in session, it will have to pass by both Houses
either in form of single plot or whole villages donated or Vidhansabha within 6 weeks. Maximum time of
to Brahmans in the early medieval(600-1200 AD) intervals between two sessions of State Vidhanmandal
India. is 6 months, so the maximum duration of ordinance

106 MICA APRIL 2018 The world's tallest hotel, 'Gevora Hotel', was opened in Dubai.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
is considered to be 6 months. The Governor issue Or Department of Posts with 100% GOI equity. IPPB has
Returns Ordinance With the President's Permission. launched on January 30th, 2017 in Ranchi and Raipur.
Q.60.(a) SWIFT was founded in Brussels in 1973 and was Q.75.(d)
supported by 239 banks in fifteen countries. It started to Q.76.(b)
establish common standards for financial transactions
Q.77.(c) If a political party is treated as a recognised political
and a shared data processing system and worldwide
party in four or more States, it shall be known as a
communications network. Its Headquarters is:- La
`National Party’ throughout the whole of India, but
Hulpe, Belgium.
only so long as that political party continues to fulfill
Q.61.(d) The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is one of the thereafter the conditions for recognition in four or more
five Central Armed Police Forces of India, raised on 24 States on the results of any subsequent general election
October 1962. It is basically a mountain trained force. either to the House of the People or to the Legislative
It replaces Assam riffles in Sikkim and Arunachal in Assembly of any State.
2004-05 for border guarding duty. It presently has 56
service battalions. Q.78.(b) Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL), Bengaluru is a
wholly owned Government of India Company under
Q.62.(d)
the administrative control of the Department of Space.
Q.63.(c) The full form of VVPAT is Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Antrix Corporation Limited was incorporated as a
Trail. The Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail is a method private limited company owned by Government of
that provides feedback to voters. It is an independent India in September 1992 as a Marketing arm of ISRO
verification printer machine and is attached to for promotion and commercial exploitation of space
electronic voting machines. It allows voters to verify if products, technical consultancy services and transfer
their vote has gone to the intended candidate. of technologies developed by ISRO.
Q.64.(d) The major objective of PMKSY is to achieve Q.79.(b)
convergence of investments in irrigation at the field
level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, Q.80.(b) Caesium is used as a timekeeper in atomic clocks.
improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage Q.81.(a) Potassium is involved in the control of water content of
of water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation the blood.
and other water saving technologies (More crop per Q.82.(a) Aqueous carbon dioxide, CO2 (aq), reacts with water
drop), enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce forming carbonic acid, H2CO3 (aq).
sustainable water conservation practices by exploring Q.83.(c) Magnesium is responsible for the formation of
the feasibility of reusing treated municipal waste water chlorophyll in green plants.
for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private
Q.84.(b)
investment in precision irrigation system.
Q.85.(a) Argon gas is used in fluorescent and incandescent
Q.65.(d)
light bulbs to stop the oxygen in the light bulbsfrom
Q.66.(a) corroding the hot tungsten filament. The use of argon
Q.67.(c) Lymph is clear or white fluid that travels through in light bulbs prevents the evaporation of the tungsten
vessels, moves within tissues and work to keep all the filaments, which results in increased light bulb life.
parts of the body clean.
Q.86.(d)
Q.68.(b) All amphibians have three chambered heart. In reptiles,
Q.87.(d) Sound waves cannot travel through a wooden hollow
Except for crocodilians, which have a four-chambered
pipe placed in vacuum.
heart, all have a three-chambered heart consisting of
two atria and one ventricle. Q.88.(a) Value of one nanometer is 10-7 cm.
Q.69.(a) Accumulation of Lactic acid in the muscles of sprinters Q.89.(c)
leads to cramps. Q.90.(c) Working of a safety fuse depends upon the magnitude
Q.70.(c) and heating effect of the current.
Q.71.(c) Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Q.91.(a)
(PFRDA) has increased the maximum age of joining Q.92.(b) The World Soil Day (WSD) is observed every year
under NPS-Private Sector (i.e. All Citizen and on December 5 to communicate messages on the
Corporate Model) from the existing 60 years to 65 importance of soil quality for food security, healthy
years of age in November 2017. ecosystems and human well-being. The 2017 theme
Q.72.(d) The Reserve Bank of India has recently constituted a is “Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground”. It
high level task force on Public Credit Registry (PCR) is celebrated annually at the Food and Agriculture
to suggest a road map for developing a transparent, Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, the regional
comprehensive and near-real-time PCR for India. This offices and through national and local events.
task force is headed by Y.M. Deosthalee. Q.93.(b) H S Prannoy has won the men’s singles title at the
Q.73.(a) 82nd Senior National Championship Senior National
Q.74.(a) The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been Badminton Championships in Nagpur, Maharashtra on
incorporated as a public sector company under the November 8, 2017.

Veteran Odia actress, director and producer Parbati Ghosh passed away. She was 85. APRIL 2018 MICA 107
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.94.(a) A barbarian is a human who is perceived to be either Q.101.(b) Q.102.(b) Q.103.(d) Q.104.(b) Q.105.(a)
uncivilized or primitive. Q.106.(d) Sufism is a mystical form of Sunni Islam whose
Q.95.(d) members pursue a spiritual experience using bodily
Q.96.(a) Francisco Pelsaert was a Dutch merchant who worked discipline and mystical intuition. The sect also
for the Dutch East Indies Company, who became most incorporates ecstatic experiences and the veneration
famous as the commander of the ship Batavia, which of Muslims or saints. The word Sufi comes from the
ran aground in the Houtman Abrolhos off the coast of Arabic word for wool because early followers wore
Western Australia in June 1629. robes of coarse white wool. In medieval times Sufis
Q.97.(a) Ginans - are devotional hymns or poems recited by were also known as dervishes (their Persian name) and
Shia Ismaili Muslims. fakirs, both of which mean “poor brother."
Ziyarat - is a form of pilgrimage to sites associated with Q.107.(b) Q.108.(d) Q.109.(d) Q.110.(c) Q.111.(b)
Muhammad, his family members and descendants Q.112.(b)
Raag - A raga is a musical mode in the Indian classical Q.113.(b) Indian women’s hockey team won the 2017 Asia Cup
music tradition used in an improvised performance. hockey title. In the final match held at Kakamigahara
The Shahada is an Islamic creed declaring belief in the in Japan, India defeated China by 5-4 goals in penalty
oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as shootout. With this victory, India qualified for 2018
God's prophet. World Cup and women’s hockey team win closely
follows victory of men’s side in October 2017. It was
Q.98.(a) The alvars, ‘those immersed in god’ were Tamil poet- India’s second Women’s Asia Cup title and first one
saints of South India who espoused bhakti (devotion) was won in 2004.
to the Hindu Supreme god Vishnu or his avatar Krishna
in their songs of longing, ecstasy and service Q.114.(d)
Q.99.(c) correct ascending order – Q.115.(d)
AIRFORCE Q.116.(a) 91st amendment act sates that the size of the council
of ministers and in the respective state governments
*Marshal of the Air Force should not be more than 15% (Fifteen Percent) of
Air Chief Marshal the total members of lower house (i.e. 15% strength
Air Marshal of Lok Sabha in the parliament and 15% strength of
Air Vice Marshal lower houses of respective states legislatures (the
Air Commodore minimum strength in the case of small states (Sikkim,
Mizoram, Goa) is being 12 due to lower strength of
Group Captain the Legislative assembly of that states) Sikkim - 32,
Wing Commander Mizoram – 40, Goa - 40
Squadron Leader 91st Amendment act of Indian constitution also state
Flight Lieutenant that person who is disqualified under anti-defection
Flying Officer law (Schedule 10th of Indian constitution) shall not
Q.100.(c) The Attorney General for India is appointed by be appointed as a minister nor hold and remunerative
the President of India under Article 76(1) of the political post from the period of disqualification
Constitution of India and holds office during the Before the 91st amendment act Prime Minister under
pleasure of the President. He must be a person qualified his discretion can appoint any number of members in
to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court. his council of ministers
The Attorney General is responsible for giving advice With this 91st amendment act the prime minister can’t
to the Government of India upon such legal matters and appoint the any number of ministers into his council
to perform such other duties of legal character as may Q.117.(b) The Indian Coast Guard is a multi-mission organization,
be referred or assigned to him by the President. conducting round-the-year real-life operations at sea.
The Attorney General has the right of audience in all Despite being relatively small, it has a wide range of
Courts in India as well as the right to participate in the task capabilities for both surface and air operations.
proceedings of the Parliament, though not to vote. The The organization is headed by the Director General
Attorney General appears on behalf of Government Indian Coast Guard (DGICG) exercising his overall
of India in all cases(including suits, appeals and command and superintendence from the Coast Guard
other proceedings) in the Supreme Court in which Headquarters (CGHQ) located at New Delhi.
Government of India is concerned. Q.118.(c) Nirbhay', a two-stage missile, is 6-metre long, 0.52
The Attorney General is assisted by a Solicitor General metre wide and with a wingspan of 2.7 metre. It can
and four Additional Solicitors General. The Attorney carry the designated warhead at a speed of 0.6 -0.7
General is to be consulted only in legal matters of real Mach. Its launch weight is about 1500 kg.
importance and only after the Ministry of Law has been Q.119.(d)
consulted. All references to the Attorney General are Q.120.(b)
made by the Ministry of Law.

108 MICA APRIL 2018 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari released country's first ever 'Highway Capacity Manual' (HCM)
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
Elementary mathematics ANSWERS
Q.1.(a) cosx+cos x=1 2
From (2)
π R2 A
= =
cosx = 1-cos x=sin x 2 2
b= x ( 6− 2 )
2 2
A A
Now, sin2x+sin4x = cosx+cos2x
Remaining area = A − =
=1 a 6+ 2 2 2
tanC= = = 2+ 3
Q.2.(c) (sinA+cosA) = p -------- (1) b 6− 2 Q.8.(d) r:l=1:3
Taking cube on both the sides, Required ratio
a+b = 2 6x ------ (4)
we get π r (l + r ) 3 + 1
s i n 3A + c o s 3A + 3 s i n A c o s A a–b = – 2 2 x ------- (5) = =
π rl 3
(sinA+cosA) = p3 on adding (4) and (5), we get
= 4 :3


q + 3sinAcosA.(sinA+cosA) = p3
q+3(p-q) = p3
2a = 2x ( 6− 2 ) Q.9.(b)
l h
p3 -3p + 2q= 0 a=x ( 6− 2 ) L
Q.3.(d) sec 2 q − tan q H
x= From (4)
sec 2 q + tan q
1 sin q
b =x ( 6+ 2 ) r
−
= cos 2
q cos q a 6− 2
1 sin q tanC= = = 2− 3
+ R
cos 2 q cos q b 6+ 2 r h l
= =
Q.5.(a) B R H L
1 − cos q sin q 2 − sin 2q
= = 1 2
1 − sin q cos q 2 + sin 2q πr h
V1
we know that, –1<sin2q<1 = 3
a V2 1 2
1
p πR H
so, <x<3 3
3
C b A
A 3
Q.4.(a&c) 64  r 
1 1 1 = 
= + 125  R 
p2 a 2 b2
4x r 4
a 1 b2 + a 2 =
D = 2 2 R 5
2
x p ab Ratio between C.S.A

a b = p (a +b )
2 2 2 2 2
π rl
B b C =
1 2 π RL
1 1 Q.6.(a) Volume of the cone = πr h
×a×b = ×4x×x 3  r 16
2
2 2 =  =
ab = 4x2 =
1
3
π × 52 × ( 132 − 52 )
 R 25
Required ratio = 16 : 9
2ab = 8x2
1
a2+b2 = 16x2 -------(1) = π × 25 × 12 Q.10.(c) Required cost
3
(a+b) = 16x + 8x = 24x
((10) ) × 100
2 2 2 2
2
= 100p cm3. − 3 − 16
a+b = 2 6 x ------- (2) =
Q.7.(a) pR =A
2
2


a–b = 2 2 x ------- (3)
on adding (2) and (3), we get
πR 2
= A1 = A2
=
(100 − 3 − 16 ) × 100
4
2
2a = 2x ( 6+ 2 ) A1 + A2 =
π R2
+
π R2 (84 − 3 ) × 100
=
a=x ( 6+ 2 ) 4 4 2

Veteran Odia actress, director and producer Parbati Ghosh passed away. She was 85. APRIL 2018 MICA 109
UPSC CDS (I)
84 − 1.732 divisible by 13. On adding (1) and (2)
= × 100 = 4113.4 Q.17.(c) a+b = 2c 98x - 98y = 98
2
Q.11.(b) r2 > r1 a-c = c-b x-y = 1 ---------- (3)

r1 + 1 r1 1 Now, (1) - (2)

1
p1 = = + = 1+ 32x+32y = 96
r1 r1 r1 r1 a c
+
a−c b−c x+y = 3 ------- (4)
r2 + 1 1
p2 = = 1+ a c On adding (3) and (4) we get
r2 r2 = +
c−b b−c x = 2, y = 1
r2 > r1
a c a−c xy = 2×1 = 2
= − = =1
1 1 c−b c−b c−b
< b z x c

r2 r1 1 Q.23.(a) + = 1 , = 1 −
y c a z
Q.18.(b) z = x
c
p2 < p1
1 2 1 b z c−z x z−c
Q.12.(c) Volume = πr h  1c = 1− = , =
3 =  ya  y c c a z
 
1 ab + xy ab xy
= π a 2 × 2a 1 Now, = +
3 =y ac bx bx bx

2 1
= π a3 a y
3   1   ac = +
z =  z  b  x b
Q.13.(c) Length of transverse common  
z c
tangent = +
1 z−c c−z
= 10 − ( 4.5 + 3.5)
2 2 z = z abc
z−c
On comparing both sides we get = =1
z−c
= 102 − 82 = 6 cm.
1
=1
4 3 abc a2 −1
Q.14.(b) π r = 4π r 2 Q.24.(c) =5
3 a
r = 3 cm. abc = 1
Taking cube on both the sides,
x 2-x Q.19.(c) 2b = a+c we get
Q.15.(d)
b+b = a+c
A C B b-c = a - b
(
a 6 − 1 − 3a 2 .1 a 2 − 1) = 125
3
a
Now, xa-b yc-a za-b
2 cm a − 1 − 3a 2 .5a
6
= (xz)a-b yc-a = 125
AC = AB×BC
2
a3
= y2 (a-b) y c-a
x2 = 2×(2-x)
= y2a-2b + c-a a6 − 1
x2 + 2x-4 = 0 − 15 = 125
= y2b-2b a3
−2+ 4 + 16
x= = y0 = 1 a6 − 1
2 = 140
Q.20.(d) Decimal expension of an irrational a3

=
−2+ 2 5
2
= −1+ 5 ( ) number is non-terminating and
non- repeating
Q.25.(c) x+y+z = 0
On taking x=y=k and z = – 2k
5 − 1 cm. 1
x= Q.21.(b) Let the roots be a and (y+z-x)3 + (z+x-y)3 + (x+y-z)3
a
Q.16.(d) 5 + 5 + 5 + 5
17 18 19 20
1 r = (k-2k-k) 3 + (-2k+k-k) 3 +
= 5 (5 +5 +5 +5 )
17 0 1 2 3 a× = (k+k+2k)3
a p
= 517 (5+1+25+125) = -8k3 + (-8k3)+ 64k3
p=r
= 156×517 = 12×13×517 = 48k3
Q.22.(a) 65x - 33y = 97 ------ (1)
It means the expression is = -24 k.k (–2k)
33x - 65y = 1 ------ (2)

110 MICA APRIL 2018 According to Deutsche Bank, India's economy is expected to grow at 7.5 percent in 2018-19.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
Q.26.(a) x+3 = 0 = x - 3 48×60+48y = 120y Q.40.(b) cot1o cot23o cot45o cot67o cot89o
Then, x +3x +4x+k = 0
3 2
72y = 48×60 = cot1 o cot(90 o -67 o ) cot45 o
- 27+27-12+k = 0 cot67o. cot(90o-1)
48×60
y= = 40 kmph = cot1o tan67o.1. cot67o tan1o
k = 12 72
Q.27.(b) The required number = 1024 =1
Q.34.(a) CP = 100, SP = 132 30
Q.28.(b) On putting x = 1 in the given Q.41.(b) Required angle = × 10 = 5o
polynomial CP = 120, SP = 132 60
3x3 + 4x2 -7 = 3+4-7 12 Q.42.(b) (1) (sec2q-1) (1-cosec2q) = tan2q(-
Profit % = × 100 = 10%
=0 120 cot2q)

i.e. x = 1 satisfies the given = –1 ≠ 1

Q.35.(b) A  3x
polynomial. sin q 1 + cos q
1 3x x (2) +
Hence, x = 1 is a zero of the given B  × = 1 + cos q sin q
polynomial 3 2 2
sin 2 q + 1 + cos 2 q + 2 cos q
Q.29.(a) L.C.M = 3003 2 =
C  × 3x = 2 x sin q (1 + cos q )
H.C.F. = 21 3
D  x 2 + 2 cos q 2
Let numbers be 21x and 21y = =
sin q (1 + cos q ) sin q
21x×21y = 21×3003 3x
E  = 2cosecq
xy = 143 2
Only (2) is true.
means x=11, y = 13 According to question
Q.43.(c)
Sum of the numbers = 21×24 = 11x 5x h

504 - =13500
2 2 60 o
Q.30.(c) If a and b be the roots of the l
equation ax2 + bx + c=0 6x 2
=13500
b 2
Then, a + b = - ------ (1) x = 4500
a
c Required share = 4×4500 h 2
ab = ------ (2) tan60o =
a = 18000 l
(a+1) (b+1) = ab + a + b + 1 16.1 h 2
Q.36.(c) Required angle = × 360o 3=
c b c-b+a 100.1 l
= - +1 = = 57.9o
a a a h2 2
= 58o =3
Q.31.(b) Speed upstream = x-y l2
a+b 3l 2
Speed downstream = x+y Q.37.(c) =10 ---------- (1) h2 =
2 2
According to question
d d ab =8 --------- (2) Q.44.(b) H– 2h units
+ =z
x-y x+y Q.45.(a) secx cosecx = 2
From (1) and (2)
 x+y+x-y  a = 16, b = 4 1 1
d  2 2  =z . =2
 x -y  Q.38.(c) 6th observation cosx sinx
d×2x = z(x -y ) 2 2
= 6×10.5+6×11.5 - 11×11 sin 2 x+cos 2 x
=2
cosxsinx
d=
(
z x 2 -y 2 ) = 6(22) - 11×11
tan x + cotx = 2
2x = 11(12-11) = 11×1 = 11
Q.32.(c) Any two out of S1, S2 and S3 are Q.39.(d) sin4q -cosq = (sin2q)2 - (cos2q)2 It is possible only when x = 45o
sufficient. Now, tannx+cotnx
= (sin2q + cos2q) (sin2q-cos2q)
Q.33.(c) According to question = tann45 + cotn45o
= 1-cos2q-cos2q
2×60×y = 1-2cos2q = (1)n + (1)n
=48
60+y =2

Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy received first 'Raj Kapoor Award for Excellence in Cinema'. APRIL 2018 MICA 111
UPSC CDS (I)
Q.46.(a) = 2(6+4)×2.5×5 k – 14 = 0

P = 20×2.5×5 For remainder - 7 k =7

= 50×5 = 250 m . 2
Q.62.(d)
16
250 5− 3 5+ 3
Number of cans = = 12.5 Q.63.(a) −
The locus of the mid-points of the 20 5+ 3 5− 3
radii of length 16 cm of a circle
is a concentric circle of radius 8 Q.55.(d) Number of tiles 8 − 2 5 8 + 2 15
cm. = −
4.5 × 10 × 100 × 100 2 2
140 =
Q.47.(d) Base radius =
2
= 70 cm
= 180
( 50) 2 =
1
2
(
−4 15 = −2 15 )
According to question,
Number of packets of tiles 1 1
prl = 17600
required Q.64.(c) b x
+ a
x x x xc
22 1+ + 1+ + b
× 70 × h 2 + r 2 = 17600 180 xa xa x b
x
7 = =9
20 1
17600 Cost = 9×100 = 900
h 2 +r 2 = xa xb
220 1+ c + c
Q.56.(c) Required volume x x
2 2

h +r =80 3
 2r  4 3 xa xb xc
=  : πr = + +
h = 6400 - 4900 = 1500  3  3 x a +cb +x c x a +xb+x c x a +x b +x c
2

h = 10 15 8r 3 3 x a +x b +x c
= × = 2 : 3π =1
3 3 4π r
3 =
Q.48.(c) 2 and 3 x a +x b +x c
Q.49.(b) A circle Q.57.(d) According to question
Q.65.(a) -5 or 4
Q.50.(d) 2, 3 and 4 2π r 3 2π r
= ⇒h= Q.66.(b) Old price New price
h 1 3
( 2n-4) ×90o =90o 100 125
Q.51.(c) (1) C.S.A. of the cone
n Required %
2n–4 = n 4π 2 r 2 25
= π .r. + r2 × 100 = 20%
n=4 9 =
125
which is correct r
= π r. 4π 2 + 9 Q.67.(b) Not present
2000

(2) Statement (2) is incorrect 3

80 1920
because the sum is = (2n–4)×90o π r 2 4π 2 + 9
= Failed Passed
or (2n-4) right angles. 3 (1920-1056) 1920×11 = 96×11
Q.52.(b) Let length of side of the square be 22
=864 20
= 1056
x cm Q.58.(c) 2 × × 98 = Perimeter of
7 9
Area of square originally = x2 Q.68.(c) 0.9 = =1
the wire 9
New area of square = (x+8)2 Perimeter of the wire = 616 cm Required difference = 1-0.9 = 0.1
According to question, Length of the side of square
Q.69.(c) A : B = 1 : 2
(x+8)2 – x2 = 120 616 B : C =3:4
= = 154 cm.
x2 + 64 + 16x – x2 = 120 4
C : D =2:3
16x = 56 Q.59.(c) 2(p+q+r) < 3 (a+b+c)
A : B : C : D = 6 : 12 : 16 : 24 =
x = 3.5 Q.60.(b) 3(a+b+c) < 4 (p+q+r) 3 : 6 : 8 : 12
Q.53.(d) Number of zeroes at the end of Q.61.(d) 3y3+ ky2+5x–6 =0 A : B : C : D = 3 : 6 : 8 : 12
the product x +1 = 0 D : E = 3 : 4 ]×4
1×2×3×4× ---- × 23×24×25 = 6 x = –1 A : B : C : D : E = 3 : 6 : 8 : 12 :
largest power of 10 = 106 putting the value of x in equation. 16
Q.54.(c) Area of walls of five rooms –3+k – 5-6 =0 B : E = 6 : 16 = 3 : 8

112 MICA APRIL 2018 Australian cricket captain Steve Smith won the Allan Border Medal for the second time.
 SOLVED PAPER 2018
Q.70.(c) 10w×12 = 5M×8 r2 = 10r – 56 = 0
3 2  1
m:w=3:1 r = -14, +4 = l 1 − 
4  4
10w×12 = (6w+3m) d diameter = 8 cm.
10×1×12 = (6+3×3) d 3 2 3
Q.79.(d) Diogonal a 2 = 6 2 a= 6 = l ×
120 4 4
d= Perimeter of square = 4x = 24
= 8 days
15 Perimeter of square = Perimeter 3 3 2
200×50 x×100 of triangle = l
Q.71.(c) = 16
1 3 side of equilateral triangle = 8
Q.84.(b)
4 4 3 2
x = 300 Area of b =
4
8 = 16 3 cm2 ( ) O
Extra men required = 300 –200= Q.80.(d) Required area = Area of circle - Q
100 Area of square
a
Q.72.(c) Distance = speed × time P
a
15 a2  POQ =  OQP = (90-a)
Length of train = 60 × × 30
= 500 m 18  POQ = 180 - 2(90-a)
Q.73.(c) A B C = 2a
x x-20 x+20 2 Q.85.(d)
 a 2
x+x–20+x+20 = 120 π  −a
2

 2 
x = 40 O 13
B = x–20 = 20 π a2 1
= −a 2
= a 2 ( π − 2) P
12 C
Q.74.(a) 2 2 A
7.5
3 2
Q.75.(b) Total profit Q.81.(b) A D
3
B
5000 × ( 0.5) × 2 58O
X OC = 13
= = 50 Draw a perpendicular on PC
100 O
Then DOMC is right angle
Q.76.(b) Area of disk = pr2 B triangle

2 Then
d=  AOB = 180 – 50
π
= 130
Then

130 7
 ACB = = 65o
2 A
2 Q.82.(c)
π 2 
π  2 π  = = 1 unit2 Q.83.(a)
π
A MC = 5 and
Q.77.(b) d2 = 50 OM = 12
D E PM = 2 {7-5=2}
(a 2)
2
= 50 Then
B C OP2 = 122 + 22 = 148
a = 25 = 5 unit DE II BC and DE = 1/2 BC
OP = 148 = 2 37 cm
Q.78.(b) Total surface area {Mid point theorem}
Q.86.(c) F+S = 25×2 = 50
= 2prh + 2pr2 = 352 Then Required area
2
Present age of son = 17-7 = 10
= 2pr(h+r) = 352 3 2 3 l year
l -  
22 4 4  2 F = 50-10 = 40
2× × r (10 + r ) = 352
7 After 10 year F = 40+10 = 50

Software Company Zoho has tied up with private lender ICICI Bank to provide accounting and
banking on an integrated platform. APRIL 2018 MICA 113
UPSC CDS (I)
M1D1 M 2 D 2 286 5 so unit place of given expression
Q.87.(c) = 1st no.= = 13 is 5
W1 W2 22
Q.97.(b) A B
5×5 50×x 770
= 2 no.=
nd = 35 C : T C : T
5 100 22
2 : 3 3 : 4
x = 10 sum = 22+13+35 = 70
n 20 kg A = 8 kg copper+12 kg tin
 r  Q.94.(B) Let the present age of women =
Q.88.(a) A =  1+ 28 kg B = 12 kg copper + 16 kg
 100  10+y
tin
Then the present age of her
3
husband = 10y+x Total = 20 kg copper + 28 kg tin
 25 
10000=P 1+
 100  10y+x – (10x+y) 20 + x 6
=
3
1 28 7
 5
10000=P   = (10x+y+10y+x ) x = 4 kg
 4 11
P = 80×64 = Rs. 5120
9y – 9x = (x+y) Q.98.(a) ax2 + bx + c = 3

Q.89.(a) 0.459459459 ------- 8y = 10x when x=0

then c= 3
= 0.459 x 8 4
= = when (x-1) = 0
459 17 y 10 5
= = x=1
999 37 x 8 4
= = ax2+bx+3 = 6
Q.90.(c) (4-3.75) % = 64 y 10 5
a+b = 6–3 = 3
.25% = 64 Age of women = 45
Q.99.(c) 47 49 51 53 55 56 57 58 59
25% = 6400 Age of her husband = 54
Largest intiger = 59
100% = 6400×4 = Rs. 25600 Difference of age = 9 year
Q.100.(a) Sum of age of new 5 students
Q.91.(a) log10m < m2<m<m-1
3 ( l1 + l2 ) ( l1 + 2 ) = 18.5×20–15×19
Q.92.(a) W(1) D(4) S(5) Q.95.(a) =
s1 + s2 ( s1 − s2 ) = 370 – 285
1 2+2+2+2 6+6+6+6+6
3(s1-s2) = (s1+ s2) = 85
Total 1+8+30 ------ 39000
2s1 = 4s2 Average
39 ------ 39000
Share of widow 1 ---- 1000 s1 : s2 = 2 : 1 85
= =17
Q.93.(d) 3rd number = H.C.F of 286, 770 Q.96.(c) When 5 is multiplied in any odd 5
= 22 number always gives unit place

Karnataka’s Kishan Gangolli has won the 13th edition of the National ‘A’ Chess Championship
114 MICA APRIL 2018
for the blind in Mumbai.