Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
Coking coal mines was first nationalized in 1971. In 1973, all non-coking coal mines were nationalized and thus coal India got monopoly over coal mining in the country. 

Notes:
The Vishakhapatnam railway station in Andhra Pradesh has been adjudged as the cleanest railway station among the 75 busiest stations in the country in category A1, followed by Secunderabad, Jammu Tawi, Vijayawada and Anand Vihar railway stations. This was revealed by Third Party Audit Report on Station Cleanliness i.e. released by Ministry of Railway in New Delhi on May 17, 2017. The railway stations are categorised — A1, A, B, C, D, E and F — based on their annual passenger revenue by the ministry. Among the ‘A’ category stations, Beas railway station in Punjab was rated the cleanest station followed by Khammam station in Telangana and Ahmednagar station in Maharashtra. Zone wise South-East Central railway has been ranked first followed by East Coast railway and Central Railway. The survey was carried out by the Quality Council of India (QCI) and was based on criteria such as toilets on platforms, management of tracks and dustbins.

Notes:
India fulfils 85% of its crude oil requirements through imports. As of June, 2022, Iraq, Russia and Saudi Arabia are India’s largest three crude oil suppliers.

Notes:
In a major digital initiative to help plan the traffic flows and optimize freight operations, Ministry of Railways has launched Smart Freight Operation Optimisation and Real Time Information (SFOORTI) App for freight managers. The app provides features for monitoring and managing freight business using Geographic Information System (GIS) Views and Dashboard. With this application both passenger and freight trains can be tracked over Zones, Divisions and Sections in single GIS View. The app provides a bird’s eye view of all freight assets in a single window and end to end rake movement on Geospatial view. Expected traffic at interchange points can be viewed to evaluate daily performance. Position of rakes for specific type of stock can be viewed through this application.

Notes:
INS Arihant is a nuclear-powered submarine built by India. It is first indigenously built nuclear propelled strategic submarine and is the lead ship of the Arihant-class of submarines. It was designed and constructed as part of India’s nuclear weapons program. INS Arihant is India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, and it was designed to carry and launch ballistic missiles. The submarine was launched in 2009 and completed its sea trials in 2016. It is currently in service with the Indian Navy.

Notes:

Area of sectors
=> Area of square = 4 4 = 16 sq.cm.
∴ Area of the remaining portion = (16 – 4π) sq.cm.
Hence option [B] is the right answer.

Notes:
The Pardhi community in central India has been a nomadic community of hunters. Phase Pardhis, one of the subgroups within the community, were known for their skill in catching birds with phase (traps). Traditional hunters Phase Pardhis are part of an initiative to save critically endangered lesser f1oricans. (Down To Earth)

Notes:
The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Notes:
The central government proposed setting up of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Sehore in Madhya Pradesh with Satellite Hubs in West Bengal (for pulses) and Rajasthan (for Natural Resource Management).

Notes:
The Pam Rajput committee recently submitted its interim report on “Status of Women in India” to the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). The committee has strongly supported the passage of Women’s Reservation Bill which has been hanging fire in Lok Sabha after being passed by the Upper House in 2010. However, it has called for 50% reservation instead of the current 33% reservation provided in the bill.