GS-III

Demand from firms, NFBCs drive loan growth; however, deposits grow slower In what could be an indication of a pick-up in private investment, loan growth of commercial banks is at a five-year high on the back of strong demand, latest data released by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed. According …

The National Health Mission has said the recent Zika virus outbreak in Rajasthan was under control after the detection of over 150 cases of infection, including those among pregnant women. Source  :  https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/zika-outbreak-in-rajasthan-under-control-nhm/article25459232.ece

The rift between the two became public last month after a speech by RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya in which he cautioned that “governments that do not respect central bank independence will sooner or later incur the wrath of financial markets… ignite economic fire, and come to rue the day …

Initial contract is to despatch 50,000 tonnes to COFCO In a boost to sugar mills sitting on surplus stocks, India will start raw sugar exports to China in early 2019, and is in talks to finalise exports to Indonesia and Malaysia as well. In a statement on Thursday, the Commerce …

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has constituted a three-member team of independent wildlife experts to probe how the man-eating tiger Avni (T1) was killed. After animal activist and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi criticised the killing of Avni (which was legally sanctioned by Maharashtra’s wildlife authorities) last Sunday, the NTCA …

Emerging from the shadow of the Bofors scandal, the Army on Friday inducted its first artillery gun systems in three decades. The M777 Ultra Light Howitzers from the U.S. and K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery gun from South Korea were inducted at the Devlali Field Firing Ranges in Maharashtra. The third …

Mamallapuram and Bommayarpalayam among sites chosen for study to provide solutions In the past two decades, Tamil Nadu has reportedly lost 41% of its shoreline to erosion. As an effort to protect the coastline, National Centre for Coastal Research is preparing a report to identify vulnerable areas and propose solutions …

China unveiled on Tuesday a replica of its first permanently crewed space station, which would replace the international community’s orbiting laboratory and symbolises the country’s major ambitions beyond the earth. The 17-metre core module was a star attraction at the biennial Airshow China in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai. …

Whitewash, single-use, vegan, plogging among key words “Single-use” was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in its usage since 2013, in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability. It edged out “MeToo” and “whitewash” to top the list of 10 new and …

Suggests eliminating or limiting fear and violence in a parent-child relationship Parents should not spank their children, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a strongly-worded policy statement. The group, which represents about 67,000 doctors, also recommended that paediatricians advise parents against the use of spanking and said to avoid …