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GS-2
US President Donald Trump terminates preferential trade status for India under GSP
President Donald Trump has terminated India’s designation as a beneficiary developing nation under the key GSP trade programme.
India’s GDP grew at 5.8% in the January-March 2019 quarter, dragging down the full year growth to a five-year low of 6.8%.
U.S. reiterates threat of sanctions over Triumf deal
USA has said that India should not assume it will get a waiver from U.S. sanctions if it goes ahead with its purchase of the S-400 Triumf missile shield from Russia
‘Jal Shakti’ Ministry to deal with integrated water issues
A new ‘Jal Shakti’ Ministry, in which the erstwhile Ministries of Water Resources and Drinking Water and Sanitation will be merged, has been formed
Frame Uniform Civil Code: petition
The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Centre on a petition seeking framing of a uniform civil code to promote “unity, fraternity and national integration.”
Guterres appoints Indian-origin Anita Bhatia as UN-Women’s dy executive director
Indian-origin official Anita Bhatia, a veteran in strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation, has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the Deputy Executive Director in UN Women
Tight-fisted Centre meets deficit target
Fiscal deficit for 2018-19 came in at 3.39% of the GDP (gross domestic product), marginally lower than the 3.4% projected in the revised estimates of the Budget, mainly on account of lower expenditure and increase in non-tax revenue.
NITI for policy framework for infra projects
A task force on project management, headed by NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, has suggested the development of a National Project Management Policy Framework for the effective execution of public sector and public-private partnership infrastructure projects.
E-cigarettes pose public health risk, says ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has warned of a potential public health disaster if action was not taken to completely prohibit and dissuade the use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes
GS-3
NGT stays linkage of Godavari, Krishna and Penna
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an order staying the Andhra Pradesh Government’s scheme to link Godavari Krishna and Penna Rivers of the State.
Below normal rainfall likely in northwest, northeast: IMD
A week before the onset of the southwest monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a “normal” rainy season, with the country as a whole set to receive 96% of the long period average (LPA) rainfall.
Scholarship for wards of defence personnel hiked
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved changes to the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for wards of deceased defence personnel under the National Defence Fund
NGT raps States for not curbing pollution in Ganga
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a penalty of Rs. 25 lakh each on the States of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal for not taking adequate steps to curb pollution in the river Ganga.
Japan unveils policy to curb plastic waste
Japan has announced a policy to reduce marine plastic waste, part of efforts to raise the issue at the G20 summit it will host in July
