RAS Free Notes

             RAS Preliminary Exam 2013

                       Current Affairs

                    Expected questions

1. IGL Suraksha Yojana, a group accident insurance scheme for nearly 2.5 lakh drivers of CNG run public transport vehicles in Delhi was launched.
2. Rudra,first indigenous helicopter: The first indigenously developed weaponised helicopter, Rudra, was handed over to the Army which has successfully raised an attack helicopter fleet on its own.
3. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram : Gov. launched a new health initiative called Rashtriya Bal Sawsthya Karyakram .The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is a part of the National Rural Health Mission .The Main Features of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram are as following:
4. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is aimed at improving overall quality of life of children through early detection of birth defects, diseases and deficiencies, which are among key factors for child mortality.
5. The new initiative would assure a package of health services for all children up to 18 years of age.
6. Rajratan, Indian Coast Guard Ship: Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Rajratan, the fifth of a series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) was commissioned in Kolkata.
7. National e-Governance award: Madhya Pradesh has been conferred upon the prestigious National e-Governance Gold Award for 2012-13, for its ‘Sparsh Abhiyan’ aimed towards the disabled and the aged.
8. C-154,New  interceptor boat: Indian Coast Guard’s C-154, an interceptor boat (IB) with new generation Arneson Surface Drive (ASD), was commissioned in Coast Guard Region (West).
9. 3rd International Conference on Adoption: Minister for Women & Child Development inaugurated the 3rd International Conference on Adoption. The conference has been organized by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
10.  World’s highest rail bridge to come up across Chenab River: The Indian Railways is planning to complete the world’s highest rail bridge, which is estimated to be five times the height of Qutab Minar by 2016. The arch-shaped bridge across Chenab river-bed in Reasi district will connect Baramulla and Srinagar to Jammu via Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund covering the entire route in about seven hours.
11.  First open Agricultural University, Nagpur: Arvind Krushi Mukta Vidyapeeth, the first-ever open agricultural university, dedicated to practical education in the field of agriculture, will come up in Nagpur.
12. 12.   Highlights of Budget 2013-14

a)      Service tax on all A/C restaurants

b)      Royalty tax hiked from 10% to 25%

c)       11 lakh beneficiaries have received benefit under Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme to be rolled out throughout the country during the term of UPA Government.

d)      Modified GAAR norms to be introduced from April 1, 2016.

e)      First home loan from a bank or housing finance corporation upto Rs. 25 lakh entitled to additional deduction of interest upto Rs. 1 lakh.

f)       Green revolution in east India significant. Rice output increased in Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal;Rs 500 crore allocated for programme on crop diversification

g)      Foodgrain production in 2012—13 will be over 250 million tons

h)      Rs 80,194 crore allocation for Ministry of Rural Development in 2013—14. About Rs 33,000 crore for MGNREGA

i)        An Institute for agricultural biotechnology will be set up in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

j)        The idea of setting up a PNGSY-2 causes uproar in the Parliament. The minister is interrupted the round of shouting, who clarifies that states that have completed PNGSY -1 will get the second version, the rest will continue under the first version

k)      “Government committed to reconstruction of Nalanda University” – But no specific funds for the project was announced.

l)        Plan Expenditure placed at Rs. 5,55,322 crore. It is 33.3 percent of the total expenditure while Non Plan Expenditure is estimated at Rs. 11,09,975 crore. The plan expenditure in 2013-14 will be 29.4 percent more than the RE of the year 2012-13.

m)    Fiscal Deficit for 2013-14 is pegged at 4.8 percent of GDP. The Revenue Deficit will be 3.3 percent for the same period.

n)      Two new ports in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh

o)      Budget expenditure is Rs 16,65,297 crore and Plan expenditure Rs 5,55, 322 crore: FM.

p)      Plan expenditure in 12th Five Year Plan revised to Rs 14,30,825 crore or 96 per cent of budgeted expenditure

q)      WPI inflation to 7 per cent and core inflation to 4.2 per cent.

13.The Ministry of Steel under Government of India has become the first Central Ministry to be awarded ISO 9001:2008, Quality Management System certification.