Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has died on 06 Aug 2019. She was 67 years old. The BJP politician who was admitted to AIIMS last night has died. Her body was taken to her Delhi residence later in the night and will be kept for three hours at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday for people to pay tributes. The last rites will take place at the Lodhi Crematorium.
Sushma Swaraj was brought to AIIMS at 9:30 pm and was straight away taken to the emergency ward
Swaraj had a kidney transplant in 2016 and had opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for health reasons.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) examinations twice a year, to select officer candidates of the Tri-Services. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for a grueling, six-day personality assessment procedure known as the Services Selection Board (SSB), those who are recommended by the board go on for their medical evaluation, the call letter to join the academy is dependent on the final merit list. The NDA, situated in Khadakwasla, Pune is the country’s premier pre-commission training institute, designed to train cadets of all the three services; The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
NDA Cadets Celebrating Passing Out
The duration of training at the esteemed
military college is three years, broken down into six terms, where the cadets
are trained in basic military skills and subjects and complete their regular
bachelor’s degrees in their respective subjects of interest.
In their fifth term, cadets go into specialised
training for their respective services, divided into three wings; The Army
Wing, Naval and Air Force wing. Successful candidates, graduate with a
bachelor’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and, go on to their
respective pre-commission training institutes dedicated to their opted service.
Army cadets train for another year at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Naval cadets train at the Naval Academy, Ezhimala while cadets who have opted for the Air Force train at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Cadets Polishing Their Firing Skills!
NDA 2 2019
Date of notification
07.08.2019
Last date of online applications
03.09.2019
Date of examination
17.11.2019
Result Date
Feb 2020
SSB Date
April 2020
Eligibility:
Applications for NDA 2 (2019) will start from 7
August and the eligibility criteria as given by the UPSC is as follows:
Nationality:
The appearing candidate must be a citizen of
India, Nepal or Bhutan.
A Tibetan refugee came to India before 1
January 1963 with a mindset to become a permanent resident of India are also
eligible.
A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan & East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible to apply.
For NDA (2) 2019:
Those who have age between 2nd January 2001 to 1st January 2004 are permitted
to write the exam. If the candidate bears the age before 2nd January 2001 and
after 1st January 2004, they are not allowed to appear the exam.
Only unmarried male
candidates are eligible for NDA examination. Girls are not allowed for the NDA
entrance examination. Note-1: The DOB mentioned in the Matriculation/Higher
Secondary Examination Certificate available or an equivalent certificate will
be considered by the commission.
Note-2: Candidates
are informed not to marry until they complete their full training. A candidate
who marries subsequent to the date of his application though successful at this
or any subsequent exam will not be selected for training. A candidate who
marries during the training shall be discharged and will be liable to refund
all expenditure incurred on him by the Government.
The minimum
qualification required for Indian Army wing, Navy and Air Force is as follows:
Eligibility for
Indian Army:
The candidates want
to apply for Indian Army must have completed 12th (10+2 pattern) or its
equivalent exam from a well-recognized board.
Candidates appearing their 12th boards can also apply.
Airborne Soldier (Picture Courtesy Arjun Menon)
Eligibility for
Indian Navy and Air Force:
Those seeking for
Indian Navy and Air Force must have passed their 12th/appearing (10+2 pattern)
from a recognized board or University with Physics and Mathematics as a
compulsory subject.
Note: Students who
have debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of Commission in
the Defence Services are not eligible to apply. Those candidates have failed
INSB/PABT earlier are not eligible for Air Force.
Candidates must be
physically & mentally fit as per the physical standards maintained by the
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination 2019.
A candidate who has
resigned or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any of the training
academies of Armed Forces is not eligible to apply.
IAF Cadets Keeping The Josh High!
The detailed
physical standards are mentioned here:
Indian Soldiers Training With Foreign Troops
Candidates are required rectify minor defects/ailments in order to speed up finalization of a medical examination conducted at the Military Hospital after being recommended at the SSB. Few of such commonly found defects/ailments are listed below:
Wax (Ears).
Deviated Nasal Septum.
Hydrocele/Phimosis.
Overweight/Underweight.
Under Sized Chest.
Piles.
Tonsillitis.
Gynaecomastia.
Varicocele.
Body Tattoos:
Permanent body
tattoos are accepted only on the inner face of a forearm. Tattoos on the inside
of elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of palm/back (dorsal) side of
hand/Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are not acceptable.
Tribes with tattoo
marks on the face or body as per their existing custom and traditions will be
permitted on a case by case basis.
Commandant of the Selection Centre will be the competent authority for clearing such cases. Height & Weight Standards:
The minimum height measurement is 157 centimeters (162.5 cm. for Air Force).
For Gorkhas and
individuals belonging to hills of North-Eastern areas of India, Garhwal, and
Kumaon, the minimum heights will be 5 cms. less.
In case of
candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height can be reduced by 2 cms.
The detailed height/weight standards are mentioned below:
Height/Weight
Standards for Army/Air Force:
Height/Weight Chart For Army and Air Force
Height/Weight
Standards for Navy:
Height/Weight Standard For The Indian Navy
Note-1: “Individual’s weight is considered normal if it is within ±10% departure from average given weight”. However, in individuals with heavy bones and broad build as well as individuals with a thin build but otherwise healthy, this may be given some relaxation on merit.
Note-2: Height relaxation is up to 2.5 cm. (5 cm. for Navy) maybe allowed where the Medical Board certifies that the candidate is likely to grow and come up to the required standard on completion of his training.
Medical Test being Conducted at the SSB
Candidates recommended by the Services Selection Board will go through a medical examination by the Board of Service Medical Officers. Candidates who are declared fit by the Medical Board will be admitted to the academy. The candidate should be in good physical & mental health and free from any kind of disease/disability which is likely to interfere with the efficient performance of military duties.
There should be no
symptoms of weak constitution, bodily defects or underweight. The Candidate
should not be overweight or obese.
Well-developed chest. A fully expanded chest should not be less than 81cms. The minimum range of expansion after full inspiration should be 5 cm. Chest X-Ray is compulsory and will be taken to rule out any chest diseases.
No maldevelopment or impairment of a function of the bones or joints, nor any past history of mental breakdown or fits furthermore the applicants hearing should be normal.
A candidate should be able to hear a forced whisper with each ear at a distance of 610 cms. in a quiet room. There should be no evidence of present or past disease of the ear, nose, and throat. Audiometric test will be done for AF. Audiometric hearing loss should not be greater than 20 db in frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz. There is no impediment of speech.
Blood Pressure
should be normal with no signs of functional or organic disease of the heart
and blood vessels.
There should be no
enlargement of liver or spleen. There will be not any evidence of disease of
internal organs of the abdomen.
Un-operated hernias will make a candidate unfit. In the case of Hernia which has been operated, a minimum of 6 months must have passed prior to a final medical examination before commencement of the course.
Urine examination will be done and any abnormality if detected will be a cause for disqualification.
Any kind of skin diseases which is likely to cause disability or disfigurement will also be a cause for rejection. USG abdomen examination will be carried out and any congenital structural anomaly or disease of the abdominal organs will be a cause for rejection in Armed Forces. Candidates should have a sufficient number of natural and sound teeth. A minimum of 14 dental points will be accepted. When 32 teeth are present, the total dental points are 22. The candidate should not be suffering from severe pyorrhoea.
Routine ECG for Air Force candidates must be within normal limits. Past medical history of diseases or any injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints, either with or without objective signs which have prevented the candidate from successfully following a physically active life, is a cause for rejection for commissioning in IAF. History of spinal fracture/prolapsed intervertebral disc and surgical treatment for these conditions will entail rejection. Any of the following conditions detected radiologically during the medical exam will disqualify a candidate for Air Force.
Any of the following conditions detected at the time of X-Ray examination will be disqualified for Armed Forces.
Visual Standards
Indian Soldier Maintaining Vigil
The distance vision (corrected) should be 6/6 in the better eye (6/9 in the worse eye). Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D including Astigmatism. Internal examination of the eye will be done by means of ophthalmoscope to rule out any disease of the eye. A candidate should have good binocular vision. The colour vision standard will be (CP-III) for Army.
A candidate should
be able to recognize red and green colours. Candidates will be required to
produce certificates that neither he nor any member of his family has suffered
from congenital night blindness. Candidates who have undergone or have the
evidence of having undergone Radial Keratotomy, to improve the visual acuity
will be permanently rejected for all the Services. Candidates who have
undergone Laser Surgery for correction of refractive error are also not
permitted to defence services. The detailed eyesight eligibility is given
below:
Eyesight
Eligibility for Naval Candidates:
Uncorrected without glass 6/6
Corrected with glass 6/6
Limits of Hypermetropia +1.5
Limits of Colour Perception I
Binocular Vision III
Eyesight
Eligibility for Air Force Candidates:
Uncorrected without glass 6/6, 6/9
Corrected with glass 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia)
Limits of Myopia Nil
Limits of Hypermetropia +2.00 D Sph
Manifest Myopia Nil Re
Tinoscopic Myopia 0.5
Colour Vision CP-I (MLT)
Astigmatism +0.75 Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max)
Near Vision N-5 each eye
Maddox Rod Test
The details of Maddox Rot Test are as the following:
At 6 meters Exo-6 prism D
Eso-6 prism D
Hyper-1 prism D
Hypro-1 prism D
At 33 cms Exo-16
prism D
Eso-6 prism D
Hyper-1 prism D
Hypo-1 prism D
Candidates who permanently need spectacles are not eligible for the Air Force.
Handheld Stereoscope–All of BSV grades Convergence–Up to 10 cm Cover test for distant and near-Lateral divergence/convergence recovery rapid and complete Radial Keratotomy, Photo Refractive Keratotomy/laser in Situ, Keratomileusis (PRK/LASIK) surgeries for correction of refractive errors are not accepted for any Air Force duties.
Candidates having undergone cataract surgery with or without IOL implants will also be not eligible to apply. Candidates must possess a good binocular vision (fusion and stereopsis with good amplitude and depth). Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery are not declared fit for permanent commission in flying branch in IAF.
Physical
Conditioning:
Regiment of Artillery conducting a Training exercise
Candidates are required, to keep themselves in a good physical condition, by following the routine given below:
Honourary Lieutenant Colonel and erstwhile cricket captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni, is all set to be deployed to the militancy prone Jammu and Kashmir. The 38-year-old sportsman will be serving with the 106 Para Territorial Army Battalion, which is the TA battalion of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment. Dhoni is currently undergoing pre-deployment training, with his unit. During his 15 day stint in the Valley, cricket superstar will be taking part in regular patrolling and guard duties. Videos of the ace athlete polishing his army boots and playing volleyball with the troops went viral. He was also seen signing autographs to soldiers serving in the Valley.
Citizens concerned about their favourite cricketers’ safety had raised questions about protective measures being provided to him by the army. The Army Chief General Bipin Rawat replied to the concerns saying , “I don’t think he will need to protect him; he will protect the citizens and garrison entrusted to his task!” Dhoni will be serving till August 15 and has taken a two-month break from cricket and will resume his cricket career after this deployment
Lt. Colonel Mahendra Singh Dhoni spotted playing volleyball with his Para Territorial Battalion. Lt. Col. Dhoni is scheduled to stay with the Army unit till August 15, where he will be undertaking patrol, guard and post duties. That, at least, was the plan till the recent developments in Kashmir. Lt Col MS Dhoni living the life of a soldier, fending for and accoutring himself for his daily tasks which include patrolling and guard duties.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zqPsDg3wY/
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, joined Army troops in the militancy-affected south Kashmir region on July 31 to carry out patrolling, guard duties and similar responsibilities just like other soldiers. The former Indian cricket team captain will be staying with his 106 TA Battalion (Para) till August 15 and undertake duties with the troops, Army officials said. In this photo, MS Dhoni is seen giving autographs in Srinagar. (Image: PTI)
Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army is seen donning the army outfit, in Srinagar on July 31, 2019. MS Dhoni has begun his training with the Indian Army in the militancy-intensified Kashmir. Last week, he was seen undertaking training session with Parachute Regiment in Bengaluru. (Image: PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Israeli Prime Minister during his visit to Israel
In a rather filmy
display of twitter diplomacy, India and Israel celebrated world friendship day
by exchanging virtual friendship bands this Sunday!
Pictures of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were tweeted by the embassy of Israel with the hit song “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge” from the Amitabh-Dharmendra starrer Sholay Playing in the Background! The tweet’s caption read,
“May our ever-strengthening friendship and growing partnership touch greater heights,” Israel tweeted.
The Indian head of state responded to the tweet in Hebrew saying, “Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Netanyahu. India and Israel are time-tested friends. Our bond is strong and eternal. May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in the times to come.”
This has truly been a unique display of increasing diplomatic ties between the two nation-states!
A Panel of Judges at the International Court of Justice
Pakistan
has slammed India’s decision to revoke Article 370 challenging to take the
country to the International Court of Justice (ICG)
Earlier
today India, by president’s ascent revoked article 370 of the Indian
Constitution, a provision which had granted the former state of Jammu and
Kashmir Special Autonomous Status.
The
abrogation of the state will bifurcate the state into two union territories.
Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature, while Ladakh is to be a union
territory without a legislature.
Pakistan
has vehemently challenged this decision with a statement from the country’s
foreign ministry saying “Islamabad will exercise all possible options
to counter the illegal steps, being a party to the international dispute.”
The foreign ministry report further stated that Pakistan “strongly condemns and rejects the announcements made today by the Indian Government regarding the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
Pakistan’s foreign ministry claimed the part of the state in Indian control “is an internationally recognized disputed territory,” and “No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan,” and has communicated its full commitment to the ‘Kashmir cause’ saying,
“Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination,”
Security
and Foreign policy analysts believe that India will have to look at Pakistan
raising the Kashmir issue at all possible international forums, including the
upcoming 28 September session United Nations General Assembly. The Indian head
of state, Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to the United States to address
the UN General Assembly session in September.
Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar, a flag officer of the Indian Army, has been appointed as the new Force Commander on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The three-star general has taken over the post from Rwanda’s Lt Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, who served as the force commander since 2017. Lt. Gen Tinaikar, is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, graduating in 1983 and has since had a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades. The general rank officer has served in the Special Forces and has held very prestigious appointments serving as the Commandant of The Infantry School since July 2018. He had previously served as the Additional Director General of Military Operations at Army Headquarters from 2017 to 2018 and 2012 to 2017, he commanded a division, a recruit training center and a brigade.
Special Forces officer Lt. Gen Tinaikar takes over as UNMISS Force Commander
He was awarded the Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for Distinguished Service.
From 1996 to 1997, he served in the United Nations Angola Verification Mission III, and from 2008 to 2009, in the United Nations Mission in Sudan.
Indian Peacekeeper awarded for distinguished service in South Sudan
Over, 14,276 UN peacekeeping troops are currently deployed in South Sudan, 2,547 of whom are from the Indian Army, making India the second largest contributor of peacekeepers in the UN mission after Rwanda. Over 150 Indian soldiers awarded the medal of honour for services rendered in the UN mission.
The Indian General reports directly to the head of the mission, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan (SRSG) and is responsible for all of the peacekeeping activities in the region.
Tensions in Jammu and Kashmir are boiling! Article 370, granting special autonomous status to J&K has been scrapped! Political leaders have been put under house arrest, and at least 10,000 additional troops have been deployed to the valley in what is being dubbed as ‘Operation Kashmir!’ The massive troop deployment has been cited to enhance the security of the tourists in light of explosives found on the routes of the Amaranth Yatra and, intelligence inputs of possible terrorist activity targeting the pilgrims. Fear of a violent escalation has led to panic amongst the local civilian population who have begun to stockpile on food and fuel!
Article 370 Scrapped by President’s ascent!
In a landmark announcement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the Rajya Sabha, to repeal Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, the provision which grants Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status.
Ram Nath Kobind, the president has signed the order this morning , revoking J&K’s status as a recognized state of India. The repeal of Article 370 follows the Centre’s introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill in parliament. The abrogation of the state will bifurcate the state into two union territories. the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature, while Ladakh is to be a union territory without a legislature!
Article 370 Revoked with immediate effect!
Explosives and Sniper Rifle recovered, Amarnath Yatra Cancelled, Pilgrims and Tourists asked to go back
Indian security forces have issued an advisory to the pilgrims and tourists visiting the Amaranth Yatra, asking them to leave due to security concerns.
According to security forces operating in the valley, explosives such as remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) and Mines have been recovered from the routes used by the Amaranth pilgrims.
Security forces have also displayed an M-24 American made sniper rifle, claimed to have also been recovered from the site.
The anti-personnel mine displayed in the press conference has
‘unique markings’ highlighting it had been manufactured in the Pakistan ordnance
factory!
“Pakistan army’s mine has been recovered!” Army Spokesperson KGS Dhillion stated in a press conference!
He further stated. “Pakistan and the Pakistani army is desperate to disrupt the Kashmir valley and I can assure you on behalf of the security forces here, this will not be allowed to happen.”
Representational image of weapons seizure
Operations underway, seven intruders Killed!
Acting on intelligence inputs the Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt by Pakistan’s infamous Border Action Teams (BAT’s), sources place the number of infiltrators killed at around five to seven.
Rashtriya Rifles soldiers deployed in COIN-OPS
Valley
under curfew, political leaders under house arrest!
Curfew has been imposed on the entire Kashmir Valley, with political leaders like Congress leader Usman Majid and CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami, including former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed, placed under house arrest.
Former CM of J&K Mehbooba Mufti and other leaders under house arrest
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure imposed!
As per CrPc section 144, there will a complete restriction of any public movement, meetings until this act provision is in effect furthermore, all educational initiations shall remain closed until notified.
Rashtriya Rifles soldiers on the look for suspected militant activity
Curfews imposed in certain Districts!
There has been an imposition of night
curfews in both the Kishtawar and Rajouri Districts, the Banihal area of the Ranban
District is also under curfew.
Restrictions have also been imposed in Jammu, Shringar, Resai and Doda districts since Sunday.
Mobile and Internet lines suspended in the Valley!
All internet and telecommunication lines have been suspended, government officials have been assigned satellite phones for secure communication.
Entry and exit point to Srinagar Barricaded!
The summer capital has been isolated, with all point of entry and exit barricaded by security forces, blockades have also been set up around other arterial roads.
Soldiers on high alert
Riot Control Vehicles are on active standby!
Anticipating outrage, security forces have deployed all forms of crowd control measures, police and central armed police forces (CAPF’s) have put riot control vehicles and tear gas on standby.
Army Quick Reaction Teams Deployed
There has been no official statement from the government regarding the developments, security operations are currently underway.
Many candidates who have applied successfully for AFCAT 2 2019 online are waiting for the admit card. Candidates are required to download the admit card from afcat cdac website as and when it is available. As per the official website, the AFCAT 2 2019 admit cards will be available for download from 5th August 2019 01:00 PM onward. Below we have mentioned the steps to download AFCAT 2 2019 admit card and other requirements. Many candidates who have applied successfully for AFCAT 2 2019 online are waiting for the admit card. Candidates are required to download the admit card from afcat cdac website as and when it is available. As per the official website, the AFCAT 2 2019 admit cards will be available for download from 5th August 2019 01:00 PM onward. Below we have mentioned the steps to download AFCAT 2 2019 admit card and other requirements.
Offical Statement: Admit Card for AFCAT 02/2019 is available for download through Candidate Login from 05 August 2019 (1:00 PM) onward. Please verify its contents, read the instructions which are to be strictly adhered to, and carry a printout copy of the Admit Card along with other mandatory documents to the allotted exam centre as per the scheduled date and time, as given in the Admit Card
Admit Cards are available for download now.
The eligible candidates shall be issued with an e-Admit Card three weeks before the date of the examination. The e-Admit Card will be sent to the registered email IDs and will be also available at the website www.careerindianairforce.cdac.in of all candidates who successfully submitted their online application. No Admit Card will be sent by post. To download the e-Admit Card, a candidate should have his/her username and password. The candidate will be solely responsible for downloading his/ her e-Admit Card.
No candidate will be allowed to appear in the examination unless he/ she holds a downloaded e-Admit Card for the examination. If there is any error/ discrepancy in the e-admit card, please bring it to the notice of AFCAT-C-DAC Query Cell immediately (Telephone No. 020-25503105/ 06. E-Mail queries may be addressed to [email protected]).
The courses to which the candidates are admitted will be according to their eligibility as per age and educational qualifications and the course preferences given by them. The candidates should note that their admission to the examination will be purely provisional, based on the information given by them in the Application Form. On verification, in case the IAF finds that the information disclosed by the candidate is not correct or genuine, the candidature will be treated as canceled.
Candidates are to ensure that the personal information on the front side of the e-Admit card is as per the details provided by them during the registration process. They are also advised to read the instructions given at the rear of the e-Admit card beforehand.
Article 370 will be withdrawn from Kashmir, says Home Minister Amit Shah. Rajya Sabha adjourned after uproar as Amit Shah announces abrogation of Article 370. This grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. President Ram Nath Kovind has signed notification to scrap Article 370, that grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0xXKCGARoh/
Official Gazette of India notification for the abolition of Article 370 from Constitution of India. The historical document of full integration of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh with India.
