SH- Current Affairs Update 25th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Government announces 4 new schemes to promote young scientists

On January 24, 2018, Central Government launched four new schemes to promote young scientists and researchers in India. All the schemes focus on empowering, recognising and motivating youth.

i. Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) Scheme will connect the educators to leading public funded institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) or national institutions like Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)to pursue research.

ii. Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship scheme, support will be offered to 100 PhD scholars for training at foreign universities/laboratories up to 12 months during their doctoral research.

iii. Distinguished Investigator Award scheme, 100 fellowships will be offered to principal investigators of Science and Engineering Research Board/Department of Science and Technology projects.

iv. Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) scheme aims to encourage science writing.

International Conference on ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’ in New Delhi

On January 24, 2018, Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted a one-day International Conference on ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’ in New Delhi.

ighlights of International Conference on ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Election Process’:

i. The Conference was organized under the VoICE.NET platform, a common knowledge/resource sharing network for 25 Election Management Bodies and International Organisations.

ii. It was attended by representatives from five Election Management Bodies (EMBs) viz. Australia, Guinea, Bhutan, Moldova & Zambia and Heads of two International Organisations viz. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES).

iii. During the conference, representatives from EMBs and international organisations shared their experiences, initiatives and best practices for electoral engagement, enrolment and active participation of Persons with Disabilities in ballot exercise.

iv. On the sidelines of the Conference, ECI signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the field of election management with Central Election Commission of Moldova, with National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) of Guinea and also with International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

India, Vietnam sign MoUs on I&B, space cooperation

On January 24, 2018, India and Vietnam signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the areas of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and space.

Details about India-Vietnam MoU:

i. MoU documents were exchanged in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnam counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc in New Delhi.

ii. Under the MoU, India and Vietnam will strive to enhance cooperation in the field of Information and Broadcasting based on principles of equality and in accordance with their national laws and regulations.

iii. In area of space cooperation, India and Vietnam have agreed on the implementation arrangement between Vietnam’s National Remote Sensing Department and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the establishment of tracking and data reception station and data processing facility in Vietnam. This arrangement will be set up under the ASEAN-India Space Cooperation.

Quick Facts about Vietnam:

♦ Capital – Hanoi

♦ Currency – Vietnamese Dong

♦ Current President – Tran Dai Quang

♦ Important Rivers – Red River, Perfume River

Government to increase number of ‘AMRIT’ pharmacy stores 4 times

Union Health Minister, J P Nadda has stated that his ministry is working to increase the number of AMRIT pharmacy stores by four times (from the existing 111 outlets) by the end of 2018.

About AMRIT Pharmacy stores:

i. Since November 2015, Union Ministry for Health & Family Welfare has opened several Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacy stores across India with an aim to reduce the expenditure incurred by patients on treatment of cancer and heart diseases.

ii. According to Mr. Nadda, AMRIT stores have benefited over 52 lakh patients as medicine buyers have saved over Rs 267 crore by buying drugs from these stores.

iii. In order to help more patients, Health Ministry is working for opening more such stores. Mr. Nadda has stated that the goal is to have one AMRIT store in every district of India.

SH- Current Affairs Update 24th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Rapid Reporting System for SAG Launched on National Girl Child Day

Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Mr Rakesh Srivastava launched the Phase -1 i.e. the beneficiary module of the Rapid Reporting System (RSS) for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) on the occasion of National Girl Child Day.

·         It is a web-based online monitoring for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls in New Delhi. The URL for the portal is ‘sag-rrs.nic.in.‘ Presently, MWCD is implementing the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) in selected 508 districts across the country.

AP-Zurich sign sister state agreement

The Andhra Pradesh Government and the Canton of Zurich have signed a letter of intent, to promote mutual prosperity and development. This will bring the State of Andhra Pradesh and Canton of Zurich closer and ensure that a framework is created, which supports the exchange between both the parties.

AYUSH Minister Lays Foundation Stone for Homeopathy Research Institute in Jaipur

The Minister of State (IC), for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik laid the foundation stone for Central Research Institute (CRI) in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This will be the third CRI under the aegis of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH).

SH- Current Affairs Update 22nd, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban Launches Smart Star-Rating for Garbage Free Cities

On January 20, 2018, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri along with the Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar launched the ‘Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities’ in Goa.

Information about Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities:

i. This seven star-rating system has been developed by the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban.

ii. Under this system, cities will be assessed on multiple cleanliness indicators for solid waste management . Some of the indicators are door to door collection, source segregation, bulk generator compliance, sweeping, scientific processing of waste, scientific land filling, plastic waste management and dump remediation.

iii. Based on the assessment, cities can be rated as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 star in accordance with the protocol conditions specified for each of the rating.

iv. This is a SMART rating (Single metric, Measurable, Achievable, Rigorous verification, Targeted towards outcomes) system that provides stakeholders with a single metric to rate a city’s cleanliness.

President Ram Nath Kovind approves disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs for Holding Office of Profit

On 21^st January 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind approved disqualification of 20 MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for holding offices of profit.

Disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs:

i. Accepting recommendations of the Election Commission (EC) President Ram Nath Kovind has disqualified 20 members of the Delhi legislative assembly.

ii. The AAP MLAs were appointed as parliamentary secretaries. The Election Commission has stated that, being parliamentary secretaries, they held office of profit and they should be disqualified as MLAs of the Delhi Assembly.

iii. The members who have been disqualified are: Praveen Kumar, Sharad Kumar, Adarsh Shastri, Madan Lal, Charan Goel, Sarita Singh, Naresh Yadav, Jarnail Singh, Rajesh Gupta, Alka Lamba, Nitin Tyagi, Sanjeev Jha, Kailash Gehlot, Vijendera Garg, Rajesh Rishi, Anil Kumar Vajpayee, Somdutt, Sukhvir Singh, Avtar Singh Kalka and Manoj Kumar.

About Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):

♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

♦ Leader – Arvind Kejriwal

♦ Founded – 2012

India’s automated ocean pollution system to begin operation from April

S S C Shenoi, Director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has stated that India will soon have its own automated ocean pollution observation system.

Details about India’s automated ocean pollution system:

i. This new ocean data acquisition system (called automated moorings), which is expected to be functional in April 2018 will not only help in tracking ocean pollution levels but will also offer insights on how the marine system is changing.

ii. Estimated cost for setting up this system is Rs 100 crore.

iii. After being fully operational, this system will do away with the present practice of collecting water samples from sea and studying their pollution levels thereafter.

Quick Facts about INCOIS:

♦ Established in – 1999

♦ Located in – Hyderabad, Telangana

♦ Functions under – Union Ministry of Earth Sciences

SH- Current Affairs Update 11th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,

Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Governors’ committee submits report to President Kovind

On January 10, 2018, Committee of Governors submitted a report, titled ‘Rajyapal —Vikas Ke Rajdoot: Catalytic Role of Governors as Agents for Change in Society’ to President Ram Nath Kovind.

i. The report outlines best practices that have been adopted by offices of Governors, issues and an action-outcome framework to deal with them.

ii. The report suggests that governors should play a mentoring role in overall implementation of developmental schemes in their respective states.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways signs MoU with Transport for London

On January 10, 2018, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ‘Transport for London’ (TFL) in New Delhi.

Details about Ministry of Road Transport & Highways – Transport for London (TFL) MoU:

i. Under this MoU, expertise of TFL will be used to revamp the public transport system in India. 

ii. TFL is a statutory agency that manages the transport system for Greater London. It has been responsible for creating a strong and dependable public transport system in the city.

iii. The MoU will focus on capacity augmentation, improving customer services, conducting scientific data analysis, promoting digital transactions in ticketing and implementing effective IT systems in Indian transport sector.

iv. Emphasis will also be laid on use of electric vehicles in public transport and adopting public-private partnership (PPP) models for operations.

West Bengal government launches water ATM Project in city and suburbs

On 10^th January 2018, West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development and Public Health Engineering minister Subrata Mukherjee announced the launch of water ATM project to ensure bacteria-free drinking water in schools.

Water ATM project in West Bengal:

i. Water ATMs are being set up in the city and suburbs of West Bengal. The machines are made in Germany.

ii. Pilot projects have been launched in some parts of Kolkata already. Nearly 50 water ATMs are to be set up in Kolkata.

iii. Mainly, schools and hospitals will be covered under this project. This project is carried out with the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

iv. Subrata Mukherjee said that, if anyone proves the presence of harmful bacteria in any of the water ATMs, they will be handed Rs 2 lakh.

About Asian Development Bank (ADB):

♦ President – Takehiko Nakao

♦ Headquarters – Metro Manila, Philippines

CABE sub-committee recommends free education for girls up to PG level

A sub-committee of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) looking into the issues of girl education in India has recommended free and compulsory education for girls up to post-graduate level across India.

Information related to CABE sub-committee recommendations:

i. This sub-committee of CABE was formed by Union Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry in February 2017. It is headed by Telangana’s Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Kadiyam Srihari.

ii. Announcement pertaining to the recommendation of free and compulsory education for girls was made after sub-committee’s meeting which was attended by Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Jharkhand Education Minister Neera Yadav, Human Resources Development Department Special Secretary, Rinarayi and Member Secretary Meenakshi Garg.

iii. In the interim report which will be submitted to Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar on January 15, 2018 sub-committee has made several recommendations including setting up exclusive residential degree colleges for Schedules Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes (ST)  women and provision of health and hygiene kits for girls.

Bhopal Becomes 1st Railway Station to have Sanitary napkin Vending Machine

On January 1, 2018, Bhopal station has become the first railway station in the country to have Sanitary napkin Vending Machine.

Sanitary napkin Vending Machine at Bhopal Railway Station:

i. This machine has been named ‘Happy Nari’.

ii. It was installed by the Railway Women Welfare Association of Bhopal division with help from a local NGO ‘Arushi’.

iii. Women passengers can get two napkin for just in Rs. 5 from this machine.

iv. The machine has a capacity of storing 75 sanitary napkins at once. It will be refilled by a female staff attendant at the waiting room.

v. Total cost of setting up the machine (including monitoring staff’s compensation and sanitary napkins) was only Rs. 20,000.

India misses 2017 deadline for Kala Azar elimination

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the General Budget 2017-18 said that the Government has prepared an action plan to eliminate Kala-Azar by 2017.

Kala-Azar Elimination:

i. Kala-azar also known as black fever, and Dumdum fever is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a single-celled parasite of the Leishmania family.

ii. India has not only missed Kala–Azar elimination deadline announced by Finance Minister, but Kala- Azar endemic blocks have increased from 61 to 68 in 17 districts of Bihar and Jharkhand.

iii. However, according to Dr P K Sen of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), active case findings rather than an actual increase in the disease is the reason for increase in number of endemic blocks.

iv. Elimination in this context is defined as reducing the annual incidence of Kala Azar (KA) to less than 1 case per 10000 people at the sub-district level.

v. Health Ministry officials are of the view that pending construction of concrete houses since 2001-02, was the primary reason behind the failure to control this disease.

Prez Kovind inaugurates three-day 4th International Dharma Dhamma conference

On January 11, 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated 4th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference on “State and Social Order in Dharma-Dhamma Traditions” at Rajgir in Nalanda district of Bihar.

Details about 4th International Dharma Dhamma conference:

i. This conference has been organised by Nalanda University, in collaboration with the India Foundation, Centre for Study of Religion and Society, Vietnam Buddhist University and Union Ministry of External Affairs.

ii. It is a part of the commemorative events to celebrate the Silver Jubilee year of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership.

iii. Other dignitaries who will attend this three-day event include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik, Kingdom of Thailand’s Minister for Culture, Vira Rojpojchanarat and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Assignments Tilak Marapana

iv. The conference will conclude on January 13, 2018.

Cabinet Approvals: January 10, 2018 (STATIC GK)

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Study Static Awareness and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of Static Awareness.

On January 10, 2018, Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved following initiatives/bilateral agreement:

Cabinet approves major changes in FDI policy:

In a bid to liberalize and simplify the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and to provide ease of doing business in India, Union Cabinet has approved a number of amendments in the existing policy.

Major Amendments in FDI Policy:

• 100% FDI under automatic route has been approved for Single Brand Retail Trading.Till now, only 49% FDI was permitted under automatic route while FDI beyond 49% and up to 100% was to be brought through Government approval route.
• Foreign airlines have been permitted to invest up to 49% under approval route in Air India.
• It has been clarified that real-estate broking service does not amount to real estate business and is thus, eligible for 100% FDI under automatic route.
• Foreign institutional Investors (FIIs) and Foreign portfolio investment(FPIs) have been allowed to invest in Power Exchanges through primary market.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in Science & Technology:

This memorandum of understanding (MoU) will provide a mechanism to foster scientific cooperation between Research & Development (R&D) and academic institutions of India and Canada.

• The MoU was signed between Indian Government’s Department of Science and Technology and Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
• In order to promote multidisciplinary research partnership between India and Canada, the MoU envisages supporting India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnership to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) programme.
• Safe and sustainable infrastructure and integrated water management have been identified as areas for mutual cooperation under this MoU.

STATIC GK- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

Dear Aspirants,

Currently, UIDAI has been in the news as the Centre has made it mandatory to quote the Aadhaar number for opening bank accounts and for Generating Virtual ID for all Adhaar Card Holders from March, 2018. Now as we have seen in many past exams that always there were some questions asked from UIDAI so, we SH provides you short notes on UIDAI which will help you in upcoming banking exams.

Tagline of Aadhaar- Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchan

Earlier its tagline was “Aam Aadmi ka Adhikar” but now it has been changed to “Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchan”.

What is UIDAI?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (“Aadhaar Act 2016”) on 12 July 2016 by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Prior to its establishment as a statutory authority, UIDAI was functioning as an attached office of the then Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog). Later, on 12 September 2015,the Government revised the Allocation of Business Rules to attach the UIDAI to the Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY) of the then Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

UIDAI was created with the objective to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID),named as "Aadhaar", to all residents of India that is-

(a) robust enough to eliminate duplicate and fake identities, and 

(b) can be verified and authenticated in an easy, cost-effective way. 

The first UID number was issued on 29th September 2010 to a resident of Nandurbar, Maharashtra. The Authority has so far issued more than 111 crore Aadhaar numbers to the residents of India. 

SH- Current Affairs Update 10th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,
Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Cabinet Approvals On January 10, 2018
In a bid to liberalise and simplify the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and to provide ease of doing business in India, Union Cabinet has approved a number of amendments in the existing policy.
i. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in Science & Technology
ii. Cabinet approves implementation of CCEA decision on closure of Tungabhadra Steel Products Limited
iii. Cabinet approves continuation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme till the term of the 14^th  Finance Commission i.e. till March 31, 2020.
iv. Cabinet has approved proposal to amend Section 4(1) and Section 5(1) of the National Trust for the Welfare of Person with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

India, Indonesia hold 1st security dialogue, vow to combat terrorism
On January 9, 2018, India and Indonesia held their first bilateral security dialogue in NewDelhi
i. During the dialogue, India and Indonesia agreed on operational cooperation in security and counter-terrorism.
ii. Indian side was led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval  while Indonesian side was led by H Wiranto, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.
iii. At the 5th Indonesia-India joint commission meeting in Jakarta, held in first week of January 2018 during Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s Indonesia visit, both countries had agreed to strengthen strategic partnerships across various key areas, including defence, security, maritime and economy.
Quick Facts about Indonesia:
♦ Capital – Jakarta
♦ Currency – Indonesia rupiah
♦ Current President – Joko Widodo
♦ Important Rivers – Mahakam, Citarum

Supreme Court stays High Court verdict against 85% pictorial warning on tobacco
On January 8, 2018, Supreme Court of India stayed a Karnataka High Court orderquashing 85% pictorial warnings on packets of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Information about Pictorial Warning on packets of cigarettes and other tobacco products:
i. On December 15, 2017, Karnataka High Court had struck down the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2014 which mandated 85% pictorial warning on tobacco products packaging space.
ii .A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud stated that it was “unimpressed” with the submissions of the Tobacco Institute of India (TII) asserting that the stay would infringe tobacco manufacturers’ fundamental right to do business.
iii .The bench is of the opinion that health of citizens should be accorded highest priority.
iv. In context of this news, it is to be noted that as per a report by World Health Organisation (WHO), pictorial warnings prove to be very effective especially in creating awareness among illiterate consumers.

Panel under B.R. Sharma to take a call on national anthem in cinema halls
Union Home Ministry has appointed a 12-member inter-ministerial committee to recommend changes in the existing law of playing of the national anthem in cinema halls and public places.
Details of the inter-ministerial committee:
i. The committee is headed by B.R. Sharma, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
ii. Other members of this committee include officers of the Joint Secretary rank representing Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Culture, External Affairs, Women and Child Development, Parliamentary Affairs, Human Resource Development, Law and Information and Broadcasting, Minority Affairs and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
iii. First meeting of this committee will be held on January 19, 2018 and it will submit its final report within six months.
iv. This committee has been formed in wake of Supreme Courts observation – ‘it could not be assumed that if a person did not stand up for the national anthem, he or she was “less patriotic.”
v. The committee will make recommendations in context of existing Acts and orders relating to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

SH- Current Affairs Update 9th, Jan 2018

Dear SH Aspirants,
Study Daily Current Affairs and stay updated as well as prepare for General Awareness section of bank exams. It's time to gear up your preparations for IBPS/RBI/SBI/SSC and with the daily dose of current affairs, you can easily prepare G.A and score well.

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Central Government notifies the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017
On January 3, 2018, Central Government notified the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017. Certain provisions of this amendment act will ease the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.
Key Provisions of Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017:
i. As per Section 53 of the Companies Act, 2013 companies were prohibited to issue shares at a discount. Amendment Act has now allowed companies to issue shares at a discount to its creditors in instances wherein its debt is converted into shares as part of any statutory resolution plan/debt restructuring under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. 
ii. For defaulting companies, payment of managerial remuneration in excess of 11 percent of the net profits will now require approval of all stakeholders involved viz. banks, public financial institutions and other creditors.
iii. The amendment has also modified provision relating to registered valuer from undertaking valuation of any assets in which he has a direct or indirect interest.

Territorial Army battalion of ex-Armymen to clean Ganga
Central Government has sanctioned the raising of a Territorial Army (TA) battalion for cleaning River Ganga. This battalion will comprise only of ex-servicemen of the army.
Details about Territorial Army battalion to clean Ganga:
i. This battalion will be raised in February 2018 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, as a Composite Ecological Task Force (CETF) battalion of Territorial Army (TA).
ii. Central Government has allocated Rs 167 crore for this battalion.
iii. The CETF TA battalion will be headed by a Colonel-rank officer. It will have eight officers, 20 Junior Commissioned Officer (JCOs) and around 500 other ranks on its roll.
iv. It is to be noted that Territorial Army is considered as India’s second line of defence after the regular Army. Territorial Army functions under Union Defence Ministry.

Bihar Government bans electronic cigarettes
Bihar State Government has imposed a ban on manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, display and advertisement of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) across the state.

i. E-cigarettes are handheld battery-run devices which are smoked just like a conventional cigarette. However the ingredient (in liquid form) may differ.
ii. The ban also applies to online sale and purchase of e-cigarettes.
iii. It is to be noted Bihar has already imposed ban on manufacture, distribution, trade, sale, purchase, display and advertisement of all tobacco products and items containing nicotine and not approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI).
Quick Facts about Bihar:
♦ Capital – Patna
♦ Current Governor – Satya Pal Malik
♦ Current Chief Minister – Nitish Kumar
♦ Important National Park – Valmiki National Park