Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Download Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader for Mobile App

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs - January 2018

Tamil Nadu Government launches e-governance policy

On 2nd January 2018, Tamil Nadu Government launched an e-governance policy to help public,
government and commercial establishments avail all services through digital medium.
i. The e-Governance policy 2017 booklet was released by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K
Palaniswamy. It was received by Tamil Nadu IT Minister M Manikandan.
ii. The e-Governance policy contains guidelines for developing IT infrastructure for the digital
initiatives of the government.
iii. This policy lets the government allocate 0.5 % of the total funds in a financial year for digital
initiatives and further increase it to 3 % in the next five years.

Govt releases AISHE 2016-17, Tamil Nadu leads in Gross Enrolment Ratio
On January 5, 2018, Union Minister of Human Resource Development,
PrakashJavadekar released All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2016-
2017.
Highlights of All India Survey on Higher Education (2016-2017):
As per the findings of the survey, overall enrolment in higher education institutions across India
has increased from 27.5 million in 2010-11 to 35.7 million in 2016-17.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has increased from 24.5% in 2015-16 to 25.2
in 2016-17.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) too has improved from 0.86 to 0.94 .
• , Tamil Nadu topped in terms of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education.
Tamil Nadu recorded 46.9% GER.
• Among Union territories, Chandigarh topped with 56.1% GER.
• Bihar posted lowest GER of 14.4%.
Trend of Gross Enrolment Ratio
(GER
Survey Period GER
2014-15 24.30%
2015-16 24.50%
2016-17 25.20%

171st Araadhanai Music Festival begins in Tamil Nadu

On 2nd January 2017, the 171st Araadhanai Music Festival started in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu.
i. The Araadhanai Music Festival of musician Thyagaraja was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu
Governor BanwarilalPurohit. Thyagaraja is one of the Trinities of Carnatic music.

1|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

AffairsCloud Recommends Oliveboard Mock Test

SBI PO 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
SBI Clerk 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
IBPS RRB 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free
RBI Grade B 2018: Take 30 Tests, 1 Free
Railways RRB Group D 2018: 1 Free Test
SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

ii. The highlight of the festival is choral singing of Thyagaraja’s 5 kritis in Ghana ragas. Around
1000 musicians from various countries are participating in this festival to pay homage to the
music saint Thyagaraja.

RS Puram police station in Tamil Nadu ranks India’s best police station
R.S. Puram Police station in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has been adjudged as the best police
station in India in SMART Police Stations initiative of Union Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA).
i. R.S. Puram Police Station House Officer T. Jothi, received the award from Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh on January 6, 2018 at the all India conference of Director General/Inspector
General of Police held at BSF Academy Tekanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
ii. Abbreviation SMART in SMART Police stands for S-Sensitive and Strict; M-Modern with mobility;
A- Alert and Accountable; R- Reliable and Responsive; T- Trained and Techno-savvy.

RS Puram police station in Tamil Nadu ranks India’s best police station
R.S. Puram Police station in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has been adjudged as the best police
station in India in SMART Police Stations initiative of Union Ministry of
Home Affairs(MHA).
i. R.S. Puram Police Station House Officer T. Jothi, received the award from Union Home
Minister Rajnath Singh on January 6, 2018 at the all India conference of Director
General/Inspector General of Police held at BSF Academy Tekanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
ii. Abbreviation SMART in SMART Police stands for S-Sensitive and Strict; M-Modern with
mobility; A- Alert and Accountable; R- Reliable and Responsive; T- Trained and Techno-
savvy.

Coast Guards of India, Japan organised joint naval exercise

8th edition of biennial ‘National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and
Exercise’between ships and aircraft from the Indian and Japanese Coast Guards commenced on
January 16, 2018 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
i. During the course of this event, a workshop was held on January 16, 2018 and search and
rescue operations was conducted on January 17, 2018 in Bay of Bengal.
ii. Ships and aircraft of Coast Guards from India and Japan, the Indian Navy and Air Force
and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) participated in this event.
iii. Search and rescue operations were jointly reviewed by Indian Coast Guard Director General,
2|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Rajendra Singh and Japanese Commandant Admiral Satoshi Nakajima.

Veteran journalist and writer GnaniSankaran passes away

On 15th January 2018, Gnani Sankaran,64, Tamil writer and journalist passed away at his
residence in Chennai.
i.He was also a dramatist and political analyst. He was the editor of Dheemtharikida, a Tamil
magazine. He also worked with the drama troupe Pariksha.

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs - February

2018
Tamil Nadu Govt, Microsoft tie-up to accelerate cloud technology adoption
On February 23, 2018, Tamil Nadu State Government announced an agreement with Microsoft to
improve the integration of technology in teaching and learning across the state.
i. The agreement aims at reforming education, build tech capacity and enhance digital literacy
across all levels.
ii. As per the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will adopt seven schools identified by Tamil
Nadu State Government and will train their teachers and students in inculcating skills such as
critical thinking, app development, creative coding & gaming, robotics and entrepreneurship.
iii. All educators in primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary education across Tamil Nadu will
be offered Microsoft Innovative Educator Program.

Google, Tata Trusts to promote IT adoption among TN rural women

On 7th February 2018, Google India and Tata Trusts extended their Internet
Saathiprogramme to 4,000 villages in six districts of Tamil Nadu.
i. Google India and Tamil Nadu government also announced that, they have planned to provide
Google Cloud credits and access through its affiliate for eligible startups coming under the Tamil
Nadu government’s startup initiative.
ii. Google India will also provide technical mentorship and support to various startups. The
announcement was made by Tamil Nadu Information Technology Minister M Manikandan.

Government starts process to build India's first defence 'Quad'

Union Defence Ministry has started the process to set up India's first defence industrial
‘Quad’ (quadrilateral corridor) linking Chennai with four other cities of Tamil Nadu to promote
industries manufacturing weapons and military equipments.
i. 'Quad' project in Tamil Nadu will connect Chennai with Hosur, Coimbatore, Salem and
Tiruchirappalli.
ii. Officials from Defence Ministry along with representatives from defence PSUs - Hindustan

3|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Aeronautics Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Earth Movers - will soon start interactions with
defence manufacturers in Coimbatore, Salem, Chennai and Tiruchirappalli to take their views on
the proposed Quad in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu wins maiden senior national football championship in 23rd Senior Women's
National Football Championship
On 14th February 2018, Tamil Nadu won the 23rd Senior Women's National Football
Championship title, at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha.
i. Tamil Nadu defeated Manipur 2-1 in the finals of the 23rd edition of the Senior Women's
National Football Championship. Tamil Nadu women’s team won its first senior national football
championship title.
ii. Tamil Nadu team’s Indumathi was named the Player of the Final and also the
Tournament. AIFF vice-president, SubrataDutta was the chief guest at the finals.

Former SC Judge RatnavelPandian passes away

On 28th February 2018, S RatnavelPandian, former Supreme Court judge, died following a
short term illness in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
i. SRatnavelPandian was 89 years old. He was Supreme Court judge in the 1988 to 1994 period.
ii. After his retirement from Supreme Court, he served as chairperson of the National Commission
for Backward Classes.
iii. He hailed from Thirupadaimarudur village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. He was born on
13 February 1929.
iv. He served as the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court twice.

PM Modi Launches Amma 2 Wheeler Scheme in Tamil Nadu

On February 24, 2018, Prime Minister NarendraModi Launched ‘Amma’, subsidised 2 Wheeler
Scheme for working women in Tamil Nadu.
i. This scheme was launched to mark 70th birth anniversary of Jayalalithaa , the former
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
ii. Under ‘Amma’ 2 Wheeler Scheme, every year, one lakh working women in Tamil Nadu will be
given 50% of the cost of a two- wheeler or a grant of Rs. 25000.
iii. PM Modi launched this scheme in presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

4|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

AffairsCloud Recommends Oliveboard Mock Test

SBI PO 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
SBI Clerk 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
IBPS RRB 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free
RBI Grade B 2018: Take 30 Tests, 1 Free
Railways RRB Group D 2018: 1 Free Test
SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs - March 2018

Chennai tops in fixed broadband speed in India: Ookla report

According to a study titled ‘India’s digital divide: how broadband speed splits the nation’
by Ookla, Chennai has the highest fixed broadband download speed among 20 largest cities of
India.
Broadband Speed in India:
In context of this news, it is important to note that for February 2018, with fixed broadband
average download speed at 20.72 Mbps, India ranked 67th in the world on Speedtest Global
Index.
With fixed broadband average download speed at 32.67 Megabits per second (Mbps)
Chennai has topped the list and has clocked 57.7% faster download speed than the average for
the rest of the country.

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs - April 2018

TN Government rolls out Amma Free Wi-Fi zones

On 5th April 2018, the Tamil Nadu government launched Amma Free Wi-Fi zones in 5
cities of Tamil Nadu.
i. This scheme was announced by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in September
2016. It was said that Wi-Fi zones will be set up in 50 spots, mainly in larger bus terminals, parks
and commercial complexes.
ii. Amma Free Wi-Fi zones have been introduced at the following five locations:
1. Labour Statue at Marina, Chennai
2. Central Bus stand at Salem
3. Central Bus stand at Tiruchirappalli
4. Gandhipuram Bus Stand in Coimbatore
5. Mattu Thavani Bus Stand in Madurai
iii. Users of Amma Free Wi-Fi zones will be offered 20 minutes of free internet service per
day. After that the users will be charged Rs 10 per hour.

5|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

iv. This scheme will be implemented in 50 spots by Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV
Corporation (TACTV). Cost of this project is Rs 8.50 crore.

TN govt launches mobile app for farmers

Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister K Palaniswami recently launched ‘Uzhavan’ (meaning - farmer),
a mobile application for farmers.
i. This app allows farmers to have access to nine types of services, including details about
their crop insurance, information on farm subsidies, book farm equipment and related
infrastructure and receiving weather forecast for the next four days.
ii. ‘Uzhavan’ app is available in Tamil as well as in English. The app also provides
information on the available stocks of seeds and fertilisers in local government and private stores.
iii. This app is an attempt by Tamil Nadu State Government to use technology for benefit of
farmers in the state.

Madras HC becomes first court in south India to introduce e-court fee payment facility
On April 20, 2018, Madras High Court became the first court in south India and eighth in India to
introduce e-court fee payment facility.
i. e-court fee payment facility at Madras HC was jointly launched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Indira Banerjee.
ii. It is an advocate/litigant-centric initiative which enables advocates and litigants to pay
court fee online.
iii.The e-stamps would not just do away with the hassle of procuring physical court fee
stamps but will also help to tackle counterfeiting.
iv. So far, only Supreme Court and the High Courts in Delhi, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have the e-court fee payment facility.

Roll-out of e-Way Bill system for Intra-State movement of goods in Arunachal Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Puducherry
The e-Way Bill system for Intra-State movement of goods is implemented from 25th April 2018 in
Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Puducherry.
i. e-Way Bill system for Inter-State movement of goods was launched on 1st April 2018.
ii. As on 20th April, 2018, e-Way Bill system for Intra-State movement of goods has been rolled-
out in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala,
Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
iii. Trade and industry and transporters present in the above locations can register on e-Way Bill
portal at https://www.ewaybillgst.gov.in

The four-day DefExpo begins

Tenth edition of India's mega defence exhibition, DefExpo 2018 began at Thiruvidanthai (on
6|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

the outskirts of Chennai) on April 11, 2018.

i. DefExpo 2018 was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 12, 2018.
ii. This exhibition of weapons and military hardware showcases India's defence
manufacturing capabilities to the world.
iii. Live demonstrations, flying display and seminars on weapons and military hardware will be
held during the course of this four-day event.
iv. Theme of DefExpo 2018 is “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”.

Film director C.V. Rajendran passes away

On 1st April 2018, film director CV Rajendran died after a long term illness at a private
hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
He was 81 years old. He has directed several movies in Tamil. He has also directed movies in
Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu.His popular movies are: Sumathi En Sundari, Vani Rani,
Garjanai, Ullasa Paravaigal and Vaazhkai.

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs - May 2018

Roll out of e-Way Bill system for intra-State movement of goods in Chhattisgarh, Goa,
Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Odisha and Punjab are implementing e-way bill
system for intra-state movement of goods from 1st June 2018.
i. Tamil Nadu will implement e-Way Bill system for intra-State movement of goods on 2nd June
2018 and West Bengal on 3rd June 2018.
ii. The e-Way Bill system for inter-State movement of goods was launched from 1st April 2018.
iii. It is said that, the e-Way Bill system for intra-State movement of goods will be implemented
all over India latest by 3rd June 2018.

NMDC, NLC and an Australian firm to develop R&D facility in Tamil Nadu
On May 30,2018, National Mineral Development Corporation and NLC ltd. (formerly
knows as Neyveli Lignite Corporation) signed a pact with Environment Clean Technologies
Ltd. Of Australia in Canberra .To set up a research and Development facility in Tamil Nadu.
i. This pact would help Australia and India work together in developing low emission iron and steel
process through integrated Coldry – Mamtorplant that will be built in India.
ii. Developing innovations in iron and steel making and making a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for
steel manufacturing unit.
iii. The project has two phases : Commencing a R&D phase that has a fund of AUD 35
million by Indian partners and commercial expansion of the for the steel making facility with
capacity of 5 lakh tonne per annum . The amount for this fund is : AUD 300 million.

7|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

AffairsCloud Recommends Oliveboard Mock Test

SBI PO 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
SBI Clerk 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
IBPS RRB 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free
RBI Grade B 2018: Take 30 Tests, 1 Free
Railways RRB Group D 2018: 1 Free Test
SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

India’s Next Generation Defence Aircraft To Be Build In Tamil Nadu

On 20th May, The proposal for India’s Next –Gen Defence aircraft has been announced by
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) . They announced that India’s fifth
generation aircraft could even replace the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.Used To propel
the Government of India’s mission of ‘Make in India’ campaign forward.
i. The next gen aircraft is called Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)is for the first
time being built by inviting private players .
ii. The is also the firsttime that any defence project is being built outside Bangaluru. It will be
built in Sulur, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu.

Chennai Super Kings lift their 3rd IPL title

On 27th May 2018, Chennai Super Kings won their third Indian Premier League (IPL)
title at Wankhede stadium, in Mumbai.
i. Chennai Super Kings defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets and won the IPL title for
the third time.
ii. Shane Watson scored 117 runs and not out. This is the highest ever score in an IPL final.
iii. Now Chennai Super Kings has become the second team apart from Mumbai Indians to have
won the IPL title three times.
About Indian Premier League (IPL):
♦ Administrator - BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)
♦ Format - Twenty20

Eminent Tamil writer Balakumaran passes away

On 18th May, eminent Tamil writer Balakumaran passed away at the age of 71.
i. He was well known for creating strong women characters in his works.
ii. Some of his works include Vazhimayakkam, Mercury Pookkal, Irumbu Kuthiraigal .
iii. He wrote the dialogues for Mani Rathnam’s award-winning
film Nayakan, Shankar’s Gentleman, Kaadhalan and Jeans.

8|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs – June 2018

Defence minister inaugurates solar power plant at Heavy Vehicle
On 8th June 2018, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated a 16 MW solar 'PV power
plant' established by Bharat Electronics LTD at the Heavy Vehicle Factory in Avadi, Chennai.
i.This power plant has been constructed on a 80 acre land. It costs Rs 105 crore. It will meet the
captive consumption of the HVF and Engine Factory Avadi (EFA).The plant will inject power at
110kV to the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Ltd's 110 kV Sub-Station.
ii.It will contribute to an annual savings of Rs 45.41 million for HVF. It will provide green energy
to the factory and promote GreenIndia initiative.Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), under the 'Viability
Gap Funding Scheme', is setting up energy security for the Ordnance Factory Estates.

Tamil Nadu Government announces sops for MSME sector

On 13th June 2018, Tamil Nadu government announced sops for several sectors like Micro Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
i. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said that, the proposed MSME agency will work on
attracting investment, and obtaining foreign cooperation for such units.
ii. Also, an Innovation Policy will also be launched through which the government will promote
innovative ideas and develop entrepreneurs.
iii. Several other announcements were made in the Assembly regarding departments of Courts
and Prisons, Social Welfare and Differently-Abled.

Piyush Goyal dedicates NLCIL's Three 100 MW Solar Power Projects to the Nation
On 14th June 2018, Union Minister for Railways, Coal, Finance & Company Affairs, Piyush Goyal
inaugurated Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL)’s three 100 MW Solar Power
Projects for commercial operation and dedicated these projects to the Nation.
i. The Solar Power projects located at Thoppalaakkarai and Sethupuram in Virudhunagar District
and Sellaiya Sezhiyanallur in Tirunelveli District, with an installed capacity of 100 MW each, were
set up at a cost of Rs.1300 Crores.
ii. This is inclusive of Operation & Maintenance cost for 15 Years. The power generated from these
units will be provided to Tamilnadu Power Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) at a
cost of Rs.4.41/- per unit.
About NLCIL:
♦ Status - 'Navratna' profit making, Government Enterprise
♦ Purpose - mining of lignite and generation of power through lignite based thermal power plants
♦ Established – 1956.

9|Page
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

AffairsCloud Recommends Oliveboard Mock Test

SBI PO 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
SBI Clerk 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
IBPS RRB 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free
RBI Grade B 2018: Take 30 Tests, 1 Free
Railways RRB Group D 2018: 1 Free Test
SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

Ecotourism policy 2017: a community based tourism policy released by Tamil Nadu
Govt
On June 28, 2018, The Tamil Nadu government today released its Ecotourism Policy 2017 which is
a community based ecotourism policy.
i. The Forest Department will be the nodal department for implementing the policy.
ii. The SEB will finalise the strategies regarding pricing and appropriate packaging and branding of
ecotourism destinations.

Tamil Nadu students bag top spot at Smart India Hackathon 2018
Students from KCJ College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, have won first prize at the Smart
India Hackathon 2018 Hardware Edition under the ‘Smart Communication' category conducted at
the CSIR-CEERI in Pilani, Rajasthan.
i. Second prize was won by a team from Bengaluru and third spot was secured by a team from
Delhi for finding a solution to the problem of lost baggage at airports.
ii. The grand finale of the event was conducted in 10 centres like: CSIR-CEERI, Pilani, IIT-
Kharagpur, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Roorkee and IISC Bengaluru. Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar
participated in the award ceremony.

Jai Hind 1-S: World’s lightest satellite

Four students from department of aerospace engineering in Hindustan Institute of Technology and
Science near Chennai have designed the world’s lightest satellite named Jai Hind 1-S that weighs
only 33.39 grams.
i. Jai Hind 1-S will be put into space in August 2018 from at the Colorado Space Grant
Consortium, NASA, United States.
ii. Jaihind-1S is an experimental satellite. It might also be the cheapest satellite. It has been built
with a very low budget of Rs 15,000.
iii. The students were selected through “Cubes in Space” competition organised by Colorado
Space Grant Consortium, NASA and idoodle-learning in January 2018.
iv. The satellite has been made by 3D printed PLA Nylon. It has been designed to conduct three
experiments.

10 | P a g e
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

Tamilnadu & Puducherry Current Affairs – July 2018

Tamil Nadu government unveils draft state forest policy
Tamil Nadu government has released the draft state Forest Policy that aims to conserve forests
and wildlife, ecosystems, and climate change mitigation etc. It was released by Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister K Palaniswami as per the Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 document released by former
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2014,preserving the ecology was among the
themes of the document.
i. It aims to increase forest cover, protect wetlands and other waterbodies in Tamil
Nadu.Theobjectives are conservation of biodiversity, wildlife, rehabiliation and restoration of
degraded forests, coastal ecosystem conservation etc.
ii. The policy includes engagement of local tribal communities in protection, conservation and
wildlife management.
iii. Tamil Nadu has nearly 30.92 % of the forest declared as ‘protected areas’. It has 15 wildlife
sanctuaries, 5 National parks, 15 bird sanctuaries, 3 biosphere reserves and 4 project tiger areas.
iv. The Nation Forest Policy, 1988, states that the area under forest and tree cover should be
improved to 33 % of the geographical area of India.
v.As per this policy, Tamil Nadu will develop innovative strategies to enhance forest and tree
cover from current 21.76 % to 33 % by 2030.
vi. The Forest department will also develop mangroves in Tamil Nadu as ‘bio-shield’ along the
coast as per the policy.
vii. The policy will also offer a major role for women in forest management and also the National
Forestry Commission has recommended allocation of 2.5 % of the budget for forest and wildlife
improvement.

IIT-Madras unveils word’s first remotely operable LEAP microscope

On 16th July 2018, the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) launched a remotely
operable microscope worth Rs. 40 crore, claimed to be the world’s first remotely operable LEAP
microscope, which will allow precise view of atoms of a material.
i. The Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP) has been developed by the collaboration 8 major
research institutions in India. It was headed by IIT-M.
ii. IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Ropar, International Advanced Research
Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) contributed Rs. 2 crore each for the
project.
iii. Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) contributed Rs. 3 crore. Remaining funds were
from the Department of Science and Technology’s ‘Nano-mission’.
iv. Similar devices were already available in many parts of the world. But the LEAP launched at
IIT-Madras is the first one that can be operated through a special terminal by researchers divided

11 | P a g e
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com
 Current Affairs Statewise PDF

geographically.
v. Special terminals to operate the device have been established in all the 8 partner institutions.
vi. DST Secretary Prof Ashutosh Sharma was present during the launch.

AffairsCloud Recommends Oliveboard Mock Test

SBI PO 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
SBI Clerk 2018: Take 30 Tests. 1 Free
IBPS RRB 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free
RBI Grade B 2018: Take 30 Tests, 1 Free
Railways RRB Group D 2018: 1 Free Test
SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

Good Luck with Your Exams!!!

Suggestions are welcomed; Contact us any time at
affairscloud@gmail.com and sowba.ac@gmail.com

12 | P a g e
Follow Us - FB.com/AffairsCloudOfficialPage Copyright 2018 @ AffairsCloud.Com