Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 12-06-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 12-06-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. COVID-19 Updates – Only 0.7% of popn in 83 districts exposed to Covid – Less than 1%-0.73% to be precise - of the population of India has been found exposed to Covid-19 infection in the results of the first part of the sero survey conducted by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) in 83 districts till April 30 and the low prevalence saw the government assert that there was no community transmission even though incidence may be higher in containment zones or hotspots. The second part of the survey - to estimate the scale of transmission in containment zones in hotspot cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and others - is still going on. The ICMR conducted the sero-survey in May. The government cautioned that a limited spread also means a large proportion of the population is still susceptible and the infection can travel.
2. COVID-19 Updates – Real-time test used to detect Covid-19 not totally reliable – In a finding that could have widespread ramifications, researchers at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, have found that about 50% of Covid-19 positive samples tested through the standard RTqPCR test may not yield the correct result. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test has been recommended by WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is used globally to detect the virus. The CCMB scientists found a high percentage of false negative cases while comparing the RT-qPCR with a new test method developed by the them. The new test — R-T-nPCR — is not only cost-effective but can be conducted on a large number of people in a short time.
3. India: Society – MEA dismisses USCIRF report, says it is biased – Responding to criticism of India in the report on international religious freedom for 2019 published by the US state department, India said that it saw no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the constitutionally protected rights of Indian citizens and that the panel had exhibited its bias and lack of understanding. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reports on India and its minorities have been a regular friction point with the Indian government vigorously rejecting its critical commentary. In an indicator to its formal response, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had written to BJP MP Nishikant Dube that the USCIRF has been known to make “prejudiced, inaccurate and misleading observations” on the state of religious freedom in India.
4. Environment and Ecology – 3rd elephant found dead in Chhattisgarh in three days – Another female elephant has been found dead in north Chhattisgarh — the third in less than three days — leading the forest department to suspect they were poisoned. If true, foresters will be in a desperate race to save other members of the herd. Officials suspect the three jumbos ate or drank something ‘toxic’, while moving through Surguja division. All three carcasses had foam at the mouth, which indicated poison. Autopsy strengthened the chilling possibility. The common features found in all three are symptoms of toxicity and enlarged spleen. During post-mortem, it was found that the elephants had charred skin inside their mouth, congested lungs and intestinal haemorrhage. Two of the dead elephants were pregnant.
5. India: Society – Authorities to face double punishment for not eliminating manual scavenging – Amid rising incidents of deaths in the cleaning of sewer lines nationally, the Centre is set to beef up the deterrent by doubling the punishment for “hazardous cleaning” for the authorities and the contracted agencies. The proposal to amend the Manual Scavenging Act, 2013, which bars manual scavenging and unsafe cleaning of sewer lines, is in the final stages of approval. The MS Act lays down that cleaning of sewer and septic tanks has to be done by providing an employee with adequate protective gear and cleaning devices, and observance of safety precautions.
6. George Floyd Protests – Protesters tear down statue of a slave trader –  Anti-racism demonstrators in the UK tore down a statue of a 17th-century slave trader, rolled it through the streets and dumped it in the sea, in a dramatic act of protest that has shone a spotlight on the country's stubborn colonial legacy. Protesters in Bristol, southwest England used ropes to rip down the monument of Edward Colston, a local merchant who made the bulk of his fortune from the slave trade in the late 1600s. His statue had stood in the city since 1895, but its presence in the multicultural city had become increasingly controversial.
7. George Floyd Protests - Statues in the US and around the world are being beheaded – Monuments and statues in the US and around the world that are dedicated to controversial historical figures with legacies of slavery and racism have become the target of demonstrations during the #BlackLivesMatter protests. In several cases, the statues have even been toppled by activists taking matters into their own hands. At a demonstration in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday night, a 93-year-old statue of Christopher Columbus was brought down, set on fire, and thrown into a lake as bystanders chanted “Tear it down.” Left in place where the statue had previously stood was a cardboard sign with the words “Columbus Represents Genocide.”
8. World Politics – Indonesia’s New Coronavirus Concern: A Post-Pandemic Baby Boom  – A Post-Pandemic Baby Boom: With restrictions in place, millions stopped visiting clinics for contraceptives, says the government, which promotes family planning as part of its fight against child malnutrition. The government vehicles began appearing in Indonesian towns and cities in May, equipped with loudspeakers blaring a blunt message. “You can have sex. You can get married. But don’t get pregnant.”.
9. Indian Economy – SBI moves NCLT to recover Anil’s personal guarantee – State Bank of India (SBI) has moved the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), seeking to recover loans disbursed to the Anil Ambani-led group of companies from a personal guarantee given by Anil Ambani. The bank has filed two applications under section 95 (1) to nominate a resolution professional for insolvency resolution process of personal guarantor — Ambani. The case list on the NCLT New Delhi principal bench website has two cases by SBI for urgent hearing. Section 95(1) allows a creditor to apply either by himself or jointly with other creditors, or through a resolution professional, to the court for initiating the insolvency resolution process. The application has been filed even as lenders have approved bids for the group’s telecom companies.
10. Indian Economy – Indian economy to grow sharply at 9.5% in 2021-22: Fitch Ratings – India's economy is expected to bounce back in 2021-22 with a sharp growth rate of 9.5% provided it avoids further deterioration in financial sector health, Fitch Ratings said. Earlier, the ratings agency forecast 5% contraction in India's GDP in 2020-21 due to coronavirus pandemic. Fiscal component of government's stimulus measures is less than many of India's peers, Fitch Ratings added.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	IBPS	Professor, Associate & Asst Prof., Faculty Res.	29	Degree/ PG/ Ph.D	June 30, 2020	https://www.ibps.in/wp-content/uploads/Advertisement-Various-Posts-in-IBPS.pdf
2	Karnataka Bank	System Architect, Tech Lead, Proj. Head, Head	5	BE/ MCA/ MBA	June 20, 2020	https://karnatakabank.com/sites/default/files/2020-06/KBL-Ad-Specialised%20Category-2020.pdf
3	IES/ ISS	IES/ ISS	47	Degree/ PG	June 30, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-UPSC-ISS-Exam-2020.pdf
4	MPEDA	Quality Control Trainee	7	PG	June 25, 2020	https://www.mpeda.gov.in/MPEDA/admin/app/webroot/files/opening/Post_252335977_1591766894.pdf
5	Vigyan Prasar Science Portal	Project Consultant, Project Manager	21	Any Degree, Diploma, PG	June 21, 2020	https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/recruitment-science-channel/
6	HMT Machine Tools Ltd	Apprentice	36	ITI, Diploma, Degree	June 16, 2020	http://www.hmtmachinetools.com/2020/NOTICE_APPRENTICE.pdf
7	CSIR-CSMCRI	Project Associate I	9	B.E./ B. Tech, M. Sc	July 3, 2020	https://www.csmcri.res.in/jobs/project-associate-i-advt-no-csir-csmcriftt-mmp2020-21

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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 Amulya Leona granted default bai 

• News –

1. 19 years old Amulya Leona who was arrested in Feb 2020 on sedition charges for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans at an anti-CAA protest site, has been granted default bail by the magistrate court after the police failed to file the chargesheet within the stipulated 90 day period.

• Background –

1. Amulya was arrested on Feb 20, under section 124-A, 153 (A), 153-B, 505 (2) of Indian Penal Code. After being in police custody for five days she was sent to judicial custody and has been since then in prison.

• Basis of decision –

1. As regards the argument on behalf of the applicant that mere sloganeering by itself cannot be an offence, Additional Session Judge Vidyadhar Shirahatti, observed "It is my opinion that there are no materials to show that Pakistan is or not an enemy country. But the slogans which are alleged to have been used by the petitioner will certainly affect the feelings of public, law order and public peace."

• The road ahead –

1. The college student is likely to be released after being behind bars for over three months.

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

2.1 S&P retains India's sovereign rating at 'BBB-'; keeps outlook stable

• News –

1. S&P retained India's sovereign rating at 'BBB-' with a stable outlook, saying that while risks to growth are rising, the economy and fiscal position will stabilise and begin to recover from 2021 onwards.
2. India's long-term rating was affirmed at 'BBB-' with a stable outlook while the short-term rating was held at 'A-3'.
3. S&P has forecast India's economy to shrink by 5 per cent this fiscal.

• Reasons -

1. S&P's stable outlook reflects its expectation that the Indian economy will recover following the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic, and maintain its sound net external position.
2. The agency also assumes that the government's fiscal deficit will recede markedly following a multi-year high this fiscal year.
3. S&P expects the government's fiscal deficit to touch 11% of GDP in the current year to March 2021 on the back of pandemic related spending.

• Conclusion - 

1. The government's ability to consolidate its finances once the economy begins to recover will be key in determining the sustainability of India's debt stock.
2. India's ratings could be raised if the government significantly curtails its fiscal deficits, resulting in materially lower net indebtedness at the general government level.

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

3.1 Lonar lake turns pink, scientists probe the cause

• News -

1. In an interesting phenomenon, the 56,000-year-old Lonar crater sanctuary lake in Buldhana district has turned dark pink, almost red.
2. This has raised quite a few eyebrows within the forest department, scientists, and nature lovers.

• The Lonar lake -

1. The 77.69 hectare lake area is part of the Lonar sanctuary, which is spread across 3.66sqkm. 
2. It is famous as the world’s largest basaltic impact crater. 
3. Two similar ones are in Dhala and Ramgarh, in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, respectively.

• Similar phenomenon -

1. Similar phenomenon takes place in Umria lake in Iran, which is well documented. 
2. Scientists studying that have concluded that during dry seasons, water level goes down, thus increasing the salinity of water and making it warm too. This becomes the breeding ground for Dunaliella algae.
3. This algae, under such circumstance, turns red in colour.
4. The halobacteria also uses a red pigment to absorb sunlight and convert it to energy. 
5. This also turns the water red.

• Normal colour will be back as monsoon will progress -

1. With monsoon, the water level will increase and water temperatures will go down taking the lake water back to its normal colour.

• Conclusion -  

1. The reason for the unique colour is still not fully understood by scientists, although many suspect it has to do something with the presence of Dunaliella salina microalgae.

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

4.1 World Accreditation Day celebrated on June 9

•  News - 

1. The World Accreditation Day (WAD) was celebrated on 9th June by the Quality Council of India (QCI) to highlight as well as to promote the role of accreditation in trade and economy.
2. The theme for WAD 2020 was “Accreditation: Improving Food Safety”.

• Key Points - 

1. Accreditation is a formal, independent verification that a program or institution meets established quality standards in terms of testing, inspection, or certification.

• The International Accreditation Forum -

1. It is the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation bodies and other bodies interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel and other similar programs of conformity assessment.

• Conformity Assessment Bodies - 

1. These are bodies that can certify product, process or services, management systems or persons. E.g. International Organization for Standardization (ISO). India is also a member.

• Quality Assessment in the Food Sector -

1. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recognized the role of credible, competent accreditation inputs in overall services.

• Quality Council of India - 

1. The Quality Council of India (QCI) set up in 1997 is an autonomous body attached to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the government.
3. Its mandate is to establish and operate the National Accreditation Structure (NAS) for conformity assessment bodies and providing accreditation in the field of health, education and quality promotion .
4. National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) are the two accreditation boards of the QCI.
5. These two bodies work closely to support the Government and regulators to ensure that the data provided by accredited conformity assessment bodies is robust, reliable, trustworthy in terms of decision making, compliance testing and standards setting.

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

5.1 Not Available Today

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Defence: French Defence Minister assures timely delivery of Rafale jets to India 

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 2, 2020 held a telephonic conversation with his French counterpart Florence Parly during which she conveyed that the Rafale jets being manufactured by Dassault will be delivered to India as scheduled notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 2019 International Religious Freedom Report, critical to India

• News -

1. The US State Department has released its annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report 2019, which is a survey of the state of religious freedom across the world.
2. It published a country report for India to highlight the issue of religious freedom in the country. 

• Critical to India -

1. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) downgraded India’s religious freedom to the lowest grade - in the ‘Country of Particular Concern (CPC)’ category.
2. It highlighted the developments that took place in 2019 i.e. the status of J&K, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
3. It discussed in detail about mob lynchings, anti-conversion laws, cow vigilantism and related issues.

• Highlights - 

1. The IRF report listed countries for positive developments in religious freedom and negative examples.
2. Nicaragua, Nigeria and China were cited as negative examples.
3. It stated that in China, state-sponsored repression against all religions continues to intensify because of the Chinese Communist Party.
4. India is not cited in either list.

• India's position - 

1. Responding to criticism of India in the report on international religious freedom for 2019 published by the US state department, India said that it saw no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the constitutionally protected rights of Indian citizens and that the panel had exhibited its bias and lack of understanding.
2. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reports on India and its minorities have been a regular friction point with the Indian government vigorously rejecting its critical commentary. 
3. In an indicator to its formal response, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had written to BJP MP Nishikant Dube that the USCIRF has been known to make “prejudiced, inaccurate and misleading observations” on the state of religious freedom in India.
   

7.2 Obituary

1. DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan passed away at the age of 62 in Chennai.
2. Former Planning Commission member Dr. A. Vaidyanathan passes away in Coimbatore.

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

8.1 Karnataka banned online classes from LKG to V. It warned against increasing fees.

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

9.1 Not Available

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

10.1 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

•  Higher Education Institutes Category -

1. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, is the country’s best in the field of higher education.
2. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, stands at the second place, followed by IIT-Delhi.

• University Category -

1. The IISc topped the list, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University and Banaras Hindu University.
2. While Delhi University has dropped out of the top 10. 

• College Cateory -

1. All the best colleges were affiliated to Delhi University - Miranda House got the first rank, followed by Lady Shri Ram College for Women and Hindu College.

• Engineering Colleges Category -

1. The three best engineering institutions are all IITs, with the Madras, Delhi and Bombay institutes making up the top three in that order.

• Management Colleges Category - 

1. The Indian Institutes of Management at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata took the top positions in the management category.

• Law Colleges Category - 

1. National Law School of India University is the best for studying law.

• Architecture Colleges Category -

1. IIT-Kharagpur is the best place to study architecture

• About NIRF and Ranking parameters - 

1. The NIRF, was launched by the HRD Ministry in 2016, gives higher weight to parameters such as teaching and learning, student and faculty strength, use of financial resources, research papers and patents and graduation outcomes. 
2. Keeping in mind the social responsibility aspect of education in a developing country, there is a unique provision to judge institutions on inclusivity and outreach measures, including gender, geographical and socioeconomic diversity and the welcoming of differently abled students.
3. 90% of the parameters in NIRF are completely objective and fact-based, while only 10% is based on the subjective parameter of perception by academic peers and employers.

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Odisha government has promulgated an ordinance allowing investors and farmers to enter into agreement for contract farming.
• SAARC Disaster Management Centre in March 2020 launched a website for information related to coronavirus pandemic in the region.
• Arabic, English, French are the official languages of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• An Indian Air Force (IAF) delivered essential medicines and hospital consumables to Maldives in April 2020 under Operation Sanjeevani.
• Afghanistan has pledged to contribute US $ 1 million to the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund in March 2020.

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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