Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 28-05-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 28-05-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. International Relations – India-China Stand-off – U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had offered to help New Delhi and Beijing resolve their tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The offer came as a surprise on a day the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeared to soften its line on the standoff, suggesting the situation was “stable and controllable” now. Indian and Chinese troops have faced off at at least four points along the LAC, including Pangong Tso (lake), Demchok and Galwan Valley in Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim, where PLA soldiers are reported to have occupied tracts patrolled by Indian troops, pitching tents and building trenches.
2. COVID-19 Updates – Govt. removes ₹4,500 ceiling on test – The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has written to all the States and the Union Territories, suggesting that the upper ceiling of Rs. 4,500 for the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for COVID-19 be removed so that they can negotiate with the approved laboratories and introduce cheaper tests. The ICMR said the option was being given now as the “testing supplies situation has stabilised with greater local procurement”. The direction came on Wednesday when India reported 6,387 new cases and 170 deaths. The total number of cases stands at 1,51,767, including 83,004 active cases, 64,425 discharged and 4,337 deaths.
3. COVID-19 Updates – Kerala to conduct 3,000 tests daily – Kerala has decided to do more diagnostic PCR testing for COVID-19 and increase the number of tests per day to 3,000, as the influx of expatriates and non-resident Keralites from other parts of the country where disease transmission is intense has necessitated a better containment strategy.
4. Indian Economy – Despite lockdown, wheat procurement on target – On the back of a record wheat harvest of more than 1,071 lakh tonnes, procurement of the grain — currently at 342.6 lakh tonnes — has also crossed last year’s levels despite the lockdown, and is well on the way to reaching this year’s target of 407 lakh tonnes. However, the progress on procurement is uneven, with States such as Punjab and Haryana racing towards their targets despite a late start, while Uttar Pradesh lags behind, having reached less than 40% of its target. Madhya Pradesh has already crossed its target. The late excess rainfall during last year’s monsoon followed by a long winter provided the climatic conditions needed for wheat production to hit a record high for the fourth straight year.
5. Environment and Ecology – Locust threat is bigger this year, warns monitor – The threat of locusts, which have invaded vast swathes of land in Rajasthan and entered neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, is bigger this year in comparison with the damage caused to standing crops in a limited area in 2019. The tropical grasshoppers have been crossing over to India via Pakistan’s Sindh province since April 11. The Union Agriculture Ministry’s Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), headquartered in Jodhpur, said that the locusts that came last year, after a gap of 26 years, were mature and had affected 12 districts of the State. This time, the locusts are immature and have crossed the India-Pakistan border soon after their birth.
6. COVID-19 Updates - CBSE students can shift exam venues – Responding to demands from thousands of students who have been forced to move or been stranded during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has permitted Class 10 and 12 candidates to write their examinations wherever they are now. The CBSE had earlier expanded its list of examination centres from 3,000 to 13,000 to allow students a wider choice of venues, and also make it easier to implement social distancing norms. The move comes as a relief to students who had been studying in coaching centres or residential schools and had initially selected examination centres in these locations.
7. COVID-19 Updates - France, Belgium and Italy halt HCQ use on Covid patients – France, Italy and Belgium acted to halt the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients suffering from Covid-19, amid questions about the safety of the antimalaria drug. France cancelled a decree allowing hospital doctors to dispense the medicine, while the Italian Medicine Agency suspended authorisation to use hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for Covid-19 outside clinical trials. France in March allowed the use of HCQ — which beyond malaria is approved to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis — in specific situations for hospital treatment of Covid-19.
8. Indian Economy – Revenue loss and labour top worries– A week after markets regulator Sebi asked companies to disclose in detail their estimated and expected losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, disclosures by some of the leading corporates show that loss of revenue, along with the availability of labour and logistics challenges, top the list of hurdles. Of the about 25 corporates that have disclosed to the exchanges the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their businesses, the top ones include Bharat Forge, Titan, Avenue Supermarts (D-Mart), Dabur and L G Balakrishnan.
9. Environment and Ecology – 6-yr-old Sariska tigress gives birth to triplets again – Six-year-old tigress ST-12 has given birth to triplets one more time in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), making her the mother of six cubs born in different litters in the last two years. This is a record for any tigress to have six surviving cubs in STR. In 2018, the tigress for the first time set a record of giving birth to triplets in the history of STR. Born in 2014, this is the second time ST-12 has given birth to triplets. The tigress mated with ST-13. The total number of tigers in the Sariska reserve now stands at 20.
10. Indian Economy – Govt looks at RBI to monetise deficit – The Centre is likely to look at the option of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monetising the deficit in the second half of the financial year, a senior government official has said, asserting that the Centre is seriously examining the issue. The assessment within the government is that expenditure in the first half of the financial year would be met through market borrowing and spending re-prioritisation for various ministries. There is an uncertainty about how long the pandemic will last and the government is not keen on rushing into any decisions so early in the financial year.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	Assam Police	Forester, Steno, Forest Guard, Surveyor, Mahut, Carpenter and Driver	1081	8th Class, 12th Class, Any Degree	June 25, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/05/Notification-Assam-Police-Forest-Guard-Steno-Forester-Other-Posts.pdf
2	DME, Assam	Demonstrator	5	MD	May 27, 2020	https://dme.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/dme_lipl_in_oid_8/menu/document/ad._demonstrator_micro.pdf
3	NHM, Chhattisgarh	District Laboratory Technician	8	10+2 with BMLT/ DMLT	May 28, 2020	http://cghealth.nic.in/ehealth/2020/NHM/Recruit/SamvidaBhartiVigyapan_22052020.pdf
4	KSP	Armed Police Constable (Men) (HK & NHK)	1449	SSLC	June 22, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/05/Notification-KSP-Armed-Police-Constable-NHK-Posts.pdf
5	KSP	Civil Police Constable (Men & Wmen) (HK &NHK)	2565	Matriculation, Diploma, Degree	June  22, 2020	http://cpchk20.ksp-online.in/
6	Kerala PSC	Police Constable & Women Police Constable	125	SSLC	June 24	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/05/Notification-Kerala-PSC-Police-Constable-Posts.pdf
7	PCMC	ASHA	360	8th Class	--	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/05/Notification-PCMC-ASHA-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 Not Available Today

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

2.1 PFC ties up with TajSats to provide food to medical staff fighting COVID-19 in New Delhi for 60 days.

2.2 Sensex at Bombay Stock Exchange climbed 996 points, or 3.25% to end at 31,605. The Nifty at National Stock Exchange surged 286 points, or 3.17% up at 9,315.

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

3.1 World Metrology Day celebrated on May 20

• World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations.
• The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications.
• The original aim of the Metre Convention - the world-wide uniformity of measurement - remains as important today as it was in 1875.
• Metrology is the study of measurement.
• The theme for World Metrology Day 2020 is Measurements for global trade.
• The World Metrology Day project is realized jointly by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) and the The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).  
• We hope that you enjoy this site and that your Country or Metrology Organization will join us and participate in this year's event.
• The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), an intergovernmental organization, was established under a diplomatic treaty signed in Paris on 12 October 1955 to promote the global harmonization of legal metrology procedures that underpin and facilitate international trade. Purpose: Legal metrology. Legal status: Treaty. Headquarters: Paris, France.
• The International Bureau of Weights and Measures is an intergovernmental organisation that was established by the Metre Convention, through which member states act together on matters related to measurement science and measurement standards. The organisation is commonly referred to by its French initialism, BIPM. Founded: 20 May 1875. Location: Saint-Cloud, France. Official language: French and English. Director: Martin Milton. Formation: 20 May 1875; 144 years ago. Type of business: Intergovernmental organization.

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

4.1 The US President offered to mediate between India and China

• The offer has come in the backdrop of the ongoing standoff between India and China at four points along the LAC, including Pangong Tso lake, Demchok and Galwan Valley in Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim.
• The tensions escalated after China ordered the military to scale up battle preparedness and asked it to resolutely defend the country’s sovereignty. Subsequently, India has also increased its presence on the boundary with China in North Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Ladakh.
• At least six rounds of talks have been held between military commanders in Ladakh but have failed.
• It is the first time that the USA made such an offer to India and China.
• Previously the USA had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir but it was rejected by India saying that the issue can be solved bilaterely.
• The offer comes amid ongoing issues between the USA and China over the origin of Covid-19 and trade tensions between the two countries.
• The USA’s National Security Adviser also said that the U.S. could impose sanctions on both Beijing and Hong Kong, if China were to go ahead and impose a national security law on Hong Kong.
• China has cleared that both countries would resolve the standoff bilaterally. It has also stated that India and China have good border related mechanisms and communication channels and any issue can be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
• India has not given any official response but in the past India has rejected all offers for third party mediation. India has been carrying out high level meetings to open diplomatic channels to resolve the issue peacefully.
• In the Wuhan and Mahabalipuram summits, both China and India had reaffirmed that they will make efforts to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas. Both countries have resolved border issues peacefully in the past four decades which gives the hope that the tensions will subside soon.
• The peaceful resolution between India and China is essential for their own growth and development as well as for maintenance of global peace.

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

5.1 Aarogya Setu App

• Government announces Bug Bounty Programme for Aarogya Setu app.
• Rs. 1 lakh award for finding security flaw in the App.
• Aarogya Setu becomes world's largest contact tracing app reaching over 11 crore 40 lakh people in 40 days - Dr Harsh Vardhan.

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Roundup – Corporate

• ONGC, NTPC sign MOU to set up joint venture for renewable energy business - India’s top oil and gas producer ONGC and country’s biggest electricity generator NTPC on May 21, 2020 signed a preliminary agreement to set up a joint venture company for renewable energy projects. The MoU will enable both companies to achieve their respective targets in renewable energy business.
• KKR & Co. Inc. picks 2.32% stake in Jio Platforms for Rs 11,367 crore - US private equity giant KKR & Co. Inc. has bought a 2.32 per cent stake in the digital unit Reliance Industries for Rs 11,367 crore, the billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led firm said on May 22, 2020. Prior to this, Jio Platforms had raised Rs 67,194.75 crore from technology investors including Facebook, Silver Lake Partners, Vista Equity Partners and General Atlantic.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes India’s first bank to launch Video KYC facility - Kotak Mahindra Bank on May 18, 2020 introduced India’s first Video KYC facility for opening a savings account. In January 2020, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) first allowed Video based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) for entities regulated by it.  
• NCDEX to launch India’s first agri-futures index from May 26 - Agri-commodity bourse NCDEX on May 20, 2020 said it will launch the country’s first agri-futures index, NCDEX AGRIDEX, on May 26. AGRIDEX represents a basket of ten liquid agricultural commodities on the NCDEX and will serve as a broad benchmark for the country’s agricultural sector.
• Dilip Oommen appointed new President of Indian Steel Association - Indian Steel Association (ISA) on May 19, 2020 appointed Dilip Oommen as its new President with immediate effect. He is CEO of Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India.
• Zubair Iqbal appointed new MD of Jammu & Kashmir Bank for 3 years; R K Chibber to continue as Chairman for next 3 years.
  

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has selected S. N. Rajeswari as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Delhi-based Oriental Insurance Company (OIC). 

• The Ministry of Finance will start the process for the same which will be followed by the Finance Ministry's nod and a further approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office.
• The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has its roots in the recommendations of ‘The Committee to Review Governance of Boards of Banks in India, 2014’. Government approved the constitution of the BBB as a body of eminent professionals and officials to make recommendations for appointment of whole-time directors and non-executive chairpersons of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), state-owned financial institutions and Insurance Companies in 2016.
• It is an autonomous recommendatory body. The Ministry of Finance takes the final decision on the appointments in consultation with the Prime Minister’s Office. 
• Apart from recommending personnel for the PSBs, the Bureau also recommend personnel for appointment as directors in government-owned insurance companies.
• It works to improve corporate governance at public sector banks, building capacities, etc.
• The Banks Board Bureau is a public authority as defined in the Right to Information Act, 2005.

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

8.1 The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was observed on May 23, 2020. Obstetric fistula is an injury that can occur during childbirth. It can be prevented and, in most cases, treated.

8.2 Five Star Garbage Free Cities.

• The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry on May 19, 2020 declared Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), Rajkot, Surat, Mysore, Indore and Navi Mumbai as ‘5-star garbage-free cities’ for the assessment year 2019-2020. 65 cities were declared as 3-Star and 70 cities as 1-Star.

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

9.1 Coir Geo textiles to be used for construction of rural roads

• Coir Geo textiles will be used for construction of rural roads under the PMGSY-III said a communication from the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency under Union Ministry of Rural Development. Coir Geo textiles, a permeable fabric, natural, strong, highly durable, resistant to rots, moulds and moisture, free from any microbial attack.

 9.2 Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences develops cup-shape design mask 

• A team of researchers at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter (CeNS), Bangalore, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a cup-shaped design (patent filed) of the mask that helps to create enough space in front of the mouth while speaking. It has been transferred to a Bangalore based company for mass production.

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

10.1 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Magnus Carlsen won the Magnus Carlsen Invitational online chess tournament in May 2020.
• Indian Naval Ship Kesari went on Mission Sagar to provide food and medical supplies to island nations including Maldives and Mauritius in May 2020.
• T. S. Tirumurti was recently appointed as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
• Facebook recently announced an investment of USD 5.7 billion to buy 9.99 per cent stake in Jio Platforms.
• Yury Fedotov is the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

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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