KVK Scheme

• The KVK scheme is functioning on 100% Central funding pattern under the ambit of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).
• The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry. The number of KVKs has risen to 645 and 106 more KVKs are to be established in the newly created districts and some larger districts.
• KVK, is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.
• KVKs have been functioning as Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technology supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector for improving the agricultural economy of the district and are linking the NARS with extension system and farmers.

Interstitium layer

• Scientists have stumbled upon a new “organ” just beneath the skin.
• It contains collagen and elastin, proteins that give the skin its durability and elasticity.
• It is found in spaces filled with interstitial fluid, and lines tissues that suffer physical strain.
• The layer is found in tissues lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels, and muscles.
• The organ was found using the technique called probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy on a living tissue.
• The interstitium layer could help understand how cancer spreads in the body, and prove to be a potential diagnostic tool.
• It is the cells in this layer that age and contributes to skin wrinkles, the progression of certain diseases, and stiffening of limbs.
• Research is being carried out to confirm whether the layer is organ or not.

Bandhavgarh National Park

• Bandhavgarh National Park is spread at vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh.
• The name Bandhavgarh has been derived from the most prominent hillock of the area of Umaria.
• Bandhavgarh was the hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharaja of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
• The region is marked by vegetation that includes tall grasslands and sal forests.
• It was included in Project Tiger Network as very soon it gained publicity as a Tiger Reserve with highest density of Tigers in India.
• Wild gaur in the region was extinct around 1990s.
• The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India and a safari group from South Africa relocated gaurs from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh
• The relocation was done according to the guidelines provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature / Species Survival Commission for re-introduction.

Bhikhaji Cama

• Bhikhaji Cama, the coast guard ship was decommissioned by the coast guard after 21 years of service in trying circumstances.
• The Coast Guard ship was named after the famous women freedom fighter.
• The ship saved 85 lives during eight search and rescue operations, and also evacuated 137 personnel during a tsunami relief mission.
• It was part of the project responsible for curbing poaching in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
• It also touched international ports, including Singapore, Myanmar and Manila.

India Convention Promotion Bureau

The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) has been set up under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism.

• It has been set up to promote India as a venue for International Conferences and Exhibitions.
• It is a non-profit organization, with members comprising national airlines, hotels, travel agents, tour operators, tourist transport operators, conference organizers, etc.
• It participates in International Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Tourism trade fairs like IMEX in Frankfurt and Las Vegas, EIBTM- Barcelona and AIME- Melbourne along with the Indiatourism overseas offices.

South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme

• In order to promote and support protection, management and enhancement of the environment in the South Asian region, the Governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka established the SACEP in 1982 in Sri Lanka.
• The SACEP jointly with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) developed a “Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan” to facilitate international co-operation and mutual assistance in preparing and responding to a major oil pollution incident in the seas around the Maritime States of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana

• The scheme “Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana”(PMRPY) was announced in the Budget for 2016-17.
• The objective of the scheme is to promote employment generation.
• The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• Under the scheme employers would be provided an incentive for enhancing employment by reimbursement of the 8.33% EPS contribution made by the employer in respect of new employment.
• The PMRPY scheme is targeted for workers earning wages upto Rs. 15,000/- per month.