Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 06-02-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 06-02-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Trust formed for Ram temple construction – Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Lok Sabha that the Cabinet had approved a scheme for the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya by setting up an autonomous trust, the Shri Ram Janma bhoomi Teerth Kshetra, to take forward the process as per the Supreme Court’s orders. The Supreme Court mandated three-month deadline to set up a trust was to end on February 9, a day after Delhi votes. The Union Home Ministry notified the Trust and Home Minister Amit Shah said in a tweet that there would be 15 trustees, out of which one would always be from the Dalit society.The Uttar Pradesh government had approved the Supreme Court’s direction to grant 5 acres to the Sunni Central Wakf Board. The Trust will be headed by former Attorney General and Supreme Court lawyer K. Parasaran.
   
2. Nirbhaya Case: Government appealed to the SC – The Centre appealed to the Supreme Court within hours of the Delhi High Court’s rejection of its plea to separately execute the death sentence of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts. The Centre had challenged a January 31, 2020 decision of the sessions court to postpone the issuance of fresh death warrants against the four convicts, especially Mukesh Kumar Singh, whose mercy petition had already been declined by the President on January 17.The government has argued in the Supreme Court that under the Delhi Prison Rules of 2018 the pendency of legal remedies or mercy petitions of other co-convicts would have no bearing on the fate of a convict whose plea for mercy has already been rejected.
3. Women in Indian Army–A day after the Centre’s assertion on physiological limitations of women officers and changed battlefield scenario as reasons for not granting them command posts in the Army, the Supreme Court told the government that there are many non-combat services like NCC and Sainik Schools in which they could be accommodated. Responding to the various grounds raised by the Centre for convincing the court that women officers are not fit for command posts, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Ajay Rastogi said battlefield and combat operation is a very small portion of Army services and even if it is assumed that women are less fit for combat roles, there are other areas within Army where women officers could be accommodated.
   
4. MP becomes sixth state to pass resolution against CAA –The Kamal Nath-led cabinet in Madhya Pradesh passed a resolution against Citizenship Amendment Act, becoming the sixth state and fourth Congress-ruled government to do so. The resolution will now be forwarded to the Narendra Modi-led Union government.Secularism is a fundamental percept of the Constitution, and it cannot be changed, the resolution says.
5. PM pitches for boost to defence exports–India became the world’s largest arms importer as it did not utilise its capacities to full potential after Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated and asserted that India was looking to achieve defence exports worth Rs. 35,000 crore in the next five years.In the last two years, defence exports worth ?17,000 crore has been achieved; it is up from ?2,000 crore in 2014.
   
6. Bill to resolve tax dispute tabled in Lok Sabha –Four days after announcing a scheme to resolve pending direct tax cases, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced 'Vivaad se Vishwas' (No dispute but trust) Bill in Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to provide resolution for disputed tax cases involving Rs 9.32 lakh crore. Introducing the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020, the minister said this bill aimed to resolve disputed tax and related matters and emphasised on trust building. The minister said the bill would not be an open-ended scheme and can be availed for a limited time. It sought to provide a formula-based solution without any discrimination, she said. The proposed bill will come into force on the date it receives the assent of the President.
7. Coronavirus update –The death toll from coronavirus has passed 550, a baby had been diagnosed with the virus just 30 hours after birth, the youngest case recorded so far. The disease claimed 73 more victims, taking the number of casualties so far to 563. More than 28,000 people have now been infected globally, including the baby born in Wuhan, the centre of the outbreak. The baby’s mother had tested positive for the virus before she gave birth.Two cruise ships quarantined in Asia.
8. Impeachment Trial Updates: Senate Acquits Trump, Ending Historic Trial – The Senate acquitted President Trump of charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress, as Republicans turned back an election-year attempt by House Democrats to remove him from office for pressuring a foreign power to incriminate his political rivals. The tally for conviction fell far below the 67-vote threshold necessary for removal and neither article of impeachment garnered even a simple majority. The first article, abuse of power, was rejected 48 to 52, and the second, obstruction of Congress, was defeated 47 to 53. Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, was the only member to break with his party, voting to remove Mr. Trump from office.
9. Cooperative banks to come under Reserve Bank purview – In the wake of the recent Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank crisis, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Banking Regulation Act to bring 1,540 cooperative banks under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulation. Cooperative banks have 8.6 lakh account holders, with a total deposit of about Rs. 5 lakh crore.
10. US Presidential Elections– As the Iowa Democratic Party began releasing partial results from caucuses that kicked off the primary race of the party, Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old Mayor from Southbend, Indiana, led the candidates in state delegates, followed closely by progressive candidate Bernie Sanders. Former Vice-President Joseph R. Biden performed poorly as per polls prior to the caucuses. The Iowa race is crucial to winning the nomination as it provides candidates with momentum to carry them through to July, when the Democratic Party will chooses its presidential nominee.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	NEEPCO	Technician & Trade Apprentice	46	ITI, Diploma	Feb 28, 2020	https://neepco.co.in/sites/default/files/Apprentice%20Advt%202020%20website%20advertisement.pdf
2	ERNET India	Project Eng, Sr Project Eng, Project Mngr.	5	B.Tech/ BE/ MCA/ M.Sc	Feb 10, 2020	https://ernet.in/sites/default/files/pdf/interivew%20for%20technical%20post%20on%2010th%20feb%202020.pdf
3	IIM, Rohtak	Sr Admin Officer, Admin Officer, JE	11	Degree, PG Diploma/ Degree	Feb 14, 2020	https://www.iimrohtak.ac.in/index.php/announcement-details/335-call-for-non-teaching-positions
4	RIMS, Imphal	Scientist C, Research Asst	6	12th Class, DMLT, Degree, MBBS, PG	Feb 10, 2020	http://www.rims.edu.in/secure/wp-content/uploads/walk-in-interview-4-2-2020.pdf
5	UCIL	Chief Manager, Manager, Chief Superintendent, Superintendent	16	Degree, Degree (Engg), PGPM, MBA, CA, ICWA	Feb 28, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/01/Notification-UCIL-Chief-Manager-Manager-Chief-Superintendent-Superintendent-Other-Posts.pdf
6	SPMCIL	Jr Technician, Fireman	29	10th Class, ITI	Feb 8, 2020	https://spphyderabad.spmcil.com/UploadDocument/SPPH%20Advt%20No%2002-2019%20Jr.%20Techincians.04c47b63-4058-4684-8e90-97277749dff9.pdf
7	Hindustan Copper Ltd.	Asst Medical Superintendent & Medical Superintendent	6	MBBS with PG Degree/ Diploma	Feb 20, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2019/12/Notification-Hindustan-Copper-Ltd-Doctor-Posts.pdf

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• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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• 1. CONSTITUTION AND LAW (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

1.1 Koregaon-Bhima panel’s term extended

• Context - The judicial commission conducting inquiry into the 2018 Koregaon-Bhima caste violence in Mahrashtra has been given a two-month extension and salaries of its staff have been released.
• The commission, comprising former Calcutta high court chief justice J N Patel and IAS officer Sumit Mullick, had written to the government saying it was facing a funds crunch.
• The 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence refers to attack on visitors during an annual celebratory gathering at Bhima Koregaon to mark the 200th year of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon victory.
• The gathering consisted largely of Mahars, and stone pelting by anti-social elements on the gathering resulted in death of 28-year old Rahul Patangale.
• The aftermath consisted of various protests across India resulting in one death. A Maharashtra bandh was called by Prakash Ambedkar on 3 January 2018.Protests were staged all over Maharashtra. In Mumbai, suburban trains were affected due to which Dabbawalas suspended their services.
• Battle of Bhima-Koregaon - was fought on January 1, 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima.
• The battle was part of the Third Anglo Maratha war, a series of battles that culminated in the defeat of the Maratha empire (under the Peshwas) and subsequent rule of the British East India Company in nearly all of Western, Central and Southern India.
• There is a "victory pillar" (obelisk) in Koregaon commemorating the battle.

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• 2. ECONOMY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper

2.1 Interim report of Fifteenth Finance Commission tabled

• The Fifteenth Finance Commission, in its interim report tabled in Parliament on February 1, 2020, has recommended maintaining States’ share in the divisible pool of tax collections at 41% (1% less than previous share) for 2020-21.

2.2 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Janak Raj as member of the MPC

• The RBI in Jan2020 appointed its Executive Director Janak Raj as member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the highest interest rate setting body.
• Raj replaces M. D. Patra, who was recently elevated as Deputy Governor of the RBI.
• The government had in 2016 constituted MPC to set the benchmark interest rate.
• The MPC is headed by the RBI Governor.
• Of the six members, three are nominated by the government, while the remaining three are from the RBI (including the Governor).
• The Monetary Policy Committee takes decisions based on majority vote.
• Each member has one vote but the RBI Governor get a casting vote in case of a tie.
   

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• 3. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

3.1 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

• Renowned environmental economist and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador Pavan Sukhdev was awarded the 2020 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in Jan2020.
• Sukhdev was the Special Adviser and Head of UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative.
• Green Economy Initiative is a major project launched by then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, to demonstrate that greening of economies is not a burden on growth but rather a new engine for growing wealth, increasing decent employment, and reducing persistent poverty.

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• 4. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

4.1 US House passes bill on sanctions against China for meddling in Dalai Lama’s succession

• US House of Representatives in Jan2020 passed a bill that authorises financial and travel sanctions against Chinese officials who interfere in the process of selecting the successor to the Dalai Lama.
• The bill was passed by an overwhelming vote of 392 to 22.  
• The Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019, will also prohibit China from opening any new consulate in the US until Beijing allows Washington to open its diplomatic station in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital.
• According to the bill, the succession or reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including a future 15th Dalai Lama, is an exclusively religious matter that should be decided solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community.
• The Global Magnitsky Act allows the US to sanction foreign government officials implicated in human rights abuses anywhere in the world.
• The bill also mandates the US State Department to begin collaborative and multinational efforts to protect the environment and water resources of the Tibetan Plateau.
• Tibet is a region on the Tibetan Plateau in Asia, spanning about 2.4 million km2 – nearly a quarter of China’s territory.
• Tibet has been occupied and ruled by China since 1951 in “a calculated and systematic strategy aimed at the destruction of their national and cultural identities.”
• This has often been described by the Tibetan people and third party commentators as “a cultural genocide”.
• The unsuccessful Tibetan Uprising of 1959, in which Tibetans rebelled in an attempt to overthrow the Chinese government, led to the fleeing of the 14th Dalai Lama to India. He has lived in exile ever since.

4.2 Dr. Pratap Chauhan of Jiva Ayurveda won Ayurveda Ratan Award at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

4.3 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Turkmenistan counterpart Rashid Meredov in New Delhi.

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• 5. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (Prelims, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3)

5.1 Doorstep pension distribution scheme

• Initiative of Andhra Pradesh Government.
• Under the scheme various welfare pensions is being delivered at the doorstep of the pensioners.
• Known as YSR Pension Kanuka initiative is to end the struggles of old people who find it difficult to go to the pension office.
• The age for old age pensioners (OAP) has been reduced from 65 to 60 years.

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Defence–Weekly Roundup

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in January 2020 revealed that China is the second-largest arms producer in the world, behind the United States but ahead of Russia. In 2014-18, the five largest arms exporters were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China- in that order.
• Appointments -Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General S. K. Saini took over as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. The post fell vacant after Lieutenant General MM Naravane, then vice chief, was elevated as the Chief of Army Staff.
• Inaugurations –
  1. L and T MBDA Missile Systems (LTMMSL), Joint Venture between Larsen and Toubro and MBDA Missile Systems of Europe, set-up missile integration facility at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu 
  2. 'Veer Smriti' memorial for 357 Army and Assam Rifles personnel killed while fighting insurgency in Nagaland inaugurated at Mokokchung (Nagaland).
    
• Conferences/Meetings –  

1. THIRD Defence Attaches Conference organised in New Delhi.
2. Ministry of External Affairs to organised FOURTH East Asia Summit Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Chennai on February 6-7.
3. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Defence Ministers of Qatar (Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah) and South Korea (Jeong Kyeongdoo) in New Delhi.

• Military Exercises – 

1. The ninth edition of joint military training exercise between India-Bangladesh -SAMPRITI-IX will be conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya from February 3 to February 16.
2. Indian Navy to organise week-long multilateral Milan 2020 exercise in Visakhapatnam in March 2020.Theme: ‘Synergy Across the Seas’.
3. Indian Navy conductedfive-day coastal security exercise 'Matla Abhiyaan' along the riverine border with Bangladesh in West Bengal.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 The World Social Report, 2020 by United Nations

• The report was published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
• Report findings - India successfully managed to use digital platforms to reduce disparities among population groups. 
• Country’s experience of complementing mobile technologies with the Aadhaar identification system to reduce inequality is likely to be replicated in other countries in future.
• Experience of India suggests that mobile digital technologies need to be complemented by other technologies to reduce inequality in access to financial services.
• India managed to achieve more equal access to financial accounts by complementing mobile technologies with a national system of digital IDs and an affordable electricity system that provides an uninterrupted supply of stable current.

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• 8. SOCIAL ISSUES (Prelims, GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2)

8.1 Eminent social worker Tushar Kanjilal passed away

• He passed away in Kolkata at the age of 85.
• He is often credited with changing the face of Sunder bans with his decades long experiments based on ideas of Tagore and Gandhi.
• Two million people of the Sunderbans benefited from the Tagore Society for Rural Development, the NGO set up by him.
• He is also known for his contribution to education in remote Rangabelia in the Sundarbans.
• He penned a book ‘Who killed the Sunderbans?’ which deals with the issue of the destruction of the mangrove forests.
• He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1996 and Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 2008.
   

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• 9. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3)

9.1 SATHI initiative launched by government

• SATHI -Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institutes
• IIT Kharagpur has been selected for setting up.
• Department of Science and Technology(DST) initiative of the Centre.
• Rs 125 crore has been earmarked over a period of three years.
• The primary objective will be to extend help to the academic institutes in the neighbouring regions and creation of science and technology infrastructure in the country.
• DST has already set up three such centres in the country, one each at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi and BHU at a total cost of Rs 375 Cores.

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• 10. FACTS, CHARTS, RANKINGS and EDITORIALS (Prelims + GS Mains)

10.1  Ranking – TomTom Traffic Index,2019

• Bengaluru took crown of ‘World’s Most Traffic Congested City’.Bengaluru has overtaken Mumbai.
• Mumbai has slipped to fourth rank among 416 cities in 57 countries.
• Delhi has also improved its position from the second most traffic congested city in 2017 to eighth in the 2019 ranking
  
  Download pdf of the report from here –
  
  
  https://corporate.tomtom.com/node/26026/pdf

10.2 Daily dose of FIVE Facts -

1. Vodafone Idea reported a record loss of Rs 50,921 crore for July-September 2019 quarter, highest ever for any Indian company.
2. Ernakulum, Kerala saw the creation of a new Guinness World Record for holding the ‘largest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training on a single day.
3. Toshimitsu Motegi is the Foreign Minister of Japan.
4. Guru Ghasidas National Park was announced as the Fourth Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh.
5. The International Civil Aviation Day is observed on December 7 every year.

10.3 Today’s best editorials to read 

• We offer you 7 excellent editorials from across 10 newspapers we have scanned. 

CLICK HERE TO OPEN AND READ!

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• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

Solve the online quiz given, right now. Check scores, and relative performance!

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