Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 16-06-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 16-06-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. COVID-19 Updates – India sees record 396 deaths in a day, overall toll nears 10,000 – India reported its sharpest single-day rise in Covid-19 deaths, with 396 fatalities being recorded, even as the number of fresh infections fell to a sixday low of 10,373 cases. The daily tally dropped below the 11,000 mark for the first time in five days. India’s caseload rose to nearly 3.43 lakh while the death toll stood at 9,914. With this, the first 15 days of June have seen more cases and fatalities than the whole of May. June 15 was the sixth day in a row of over 300 deaths being reported and the highest so far. The previous highest was 393 on June 11.
2. COVID-19 Updates – ICMR nod for antigen-based test kit – The government’s apex research body, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has recommended use of the first antigen-based testing kit for Covid-19 to enable faster diagnosis at lower rates and without laboratory examinations of samples. The antigen test — developed by private biotechnology firm SD Biosensor — has also been validated by AIIMS, New Delhi, apart from ICMR and can detect presence of SARS-nCoV2 in swab collected from the nose alone. The test can detect presence of molecules of the pathogen that triggers immune response in Covid infected persons. Maximum duration for interpreting a positive or negative test is 30 minutes through the antigen-based kit.
3. Constitution and Law – Apex court allows merit to breach quota barrier – Merit breached the iron wall of quota as the Supreme Court permitted a Madhya Pradesh OBC woman, who topped the merit list, to join as an assistant professor in geography from posts earmarked for unreserved category women candidates. Madhya Pradesh sets aside 33% of all posts in government jobs, except those in the forest department, for women. This is sub-divided into four categories — unreserved, SC, ST and OBC. For the 84 posts advertised for assistant professors, 26 were reserved for women candidates. Of these, 12 were for unreserved, four for SCs and six each for STs and OBCs.
4. India-China Stand-off 2020 – India-China talks on, BRO labourers move ahead for infra work – India and China continued with their military talks, which has already led to some troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, even as 1,600 workers from Jharkhand are on their way to forward areas in the region to resume work on infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Brigadier and colonel-level talks were held at two face-off sites of ‘Patrolling Points 14 and 17’ in the Galwan Valley region and Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh. But the deadlock on the major troop confrontation on the north bank of Pangong Tso continues. Meanwhile, in a clear signal that India will resume its border infrastructure projects in Ladakh, the first lot of 1,600 workers from Jharkhand are now headed for Leh in truck convoys after their train reached J&K.
5. India-Pak relations – 2 Indian High Commission staff abducted, released by Pakistan – Two Indian nationals, employed as drivers in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, went missing for several hours, in a suspected case of abduction by local security agencies. Paul Selvadhas and Dwimu Brahma were, however, later released by authorities in Pakistan after India lodged a strong protest. Upon the release of Mr. Selvadhas and Mr. Brahma, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed in a note that both the drivers were involved in a traffic accident in the morning and were arrested. The initial police report had claimed that the duo were involved in fake currency circulation, though the issue remains unconfirmed by the Pakistan foreign office.
6. COVID-19 Updates – Xi’s fortress against pandemic cracks as Beijing cluster grows –  A section of Beijing was locked down as the government rushed to contain a new coronavirus outbreak — an unnerving breach in the capital, which President Xi Jinping had said should be a fortress against the pandemic. City officials said they had tracked down 79 infections in Beijing over the previous four days, including 36 on Sunday. All appeared traceable to the bustling Xinfadi food market. To contain the outbreak, authorities have put about 90,000 people under lockdown in the city of 20 million and suspended planned restart of some primary schools. Inspectors found 40 samples of the virus in the closed market, including on a chopping board for imported salmon. That prompted some supermarket chains to take salmon off their shelves over the weekend, and inspect markets, stores and restaurant.
7. US Politics – Amid Covid and racial strife, Trump focuses on grand rally – President Trump boasted that almost a million people have requested tickets for his night rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, amid concern even among his own associates that the event would send out wrong signals both on the health front (due to Covid-19), and in terms of political messaging because of the city’s association with a massacre of blacks. Although Trump agreed to postpone the rally that was initially scheduled for a day known as Juneteenth (June 19), which commemorates the emancipation in 1865 of the last remaining enslaved Blacks in the Confederacy, he has doubled down on holding the event in the midst of a pandemic in a state where there has been an uptick in virus cases — and in a city where scores of African-Americans were lynched by white residents 99 years ago.
8. World: Society– US civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers, says SC – The Supreme Court ruled that a landmark American civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination, handing the movement for LGBT equality a stunning victory. The vote was 6 to 3, with Justice Neil M Gorsuch — appointed by President Donald Trump — writing the majority opinion. Trump’s administration had opposed the LGBT workers in the litigation. The case concerned Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin and sex. The question for the justices was whether discrimination “because of sex” applies to gay and transgender workers.
9. Indian Economy – After over 4 yrs, wholesale prices in deflationary zone – Wholesale price inflation entered the deflationary zone for the first time in over four years, reflecting sharp dip in demand due to the lockdown enforced to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Inflation, as measured by the wholesale price index (WPI), contracted 3.2% in May compared to 2.8% growth in the same period in the previous year. This was the sharpest level of deflation witnessed since November 2015, economists said. The government had released some data only for April WPI and did not release the headline number due to the paucity of data, as several units were closed due to the lockdown and could not send responses.
10. Indian Economy – Officials push for a revision in GST slabs, hike in levies – It may not be politically palatable, but officials are pushing for quickly reworking GST (goods & services tax) slabs, along with a rise in levies, while correcting the inverted duty structure on garments, footwear and fertilisers to ensure that states and the Centre earn more revenue amid signs of higher economic activity. Several state finance ministers had blocked a move to increase GST on garments and footwear as part of the proposal to correct the inverted duty structure - where the finished product has lower levies than inputs - on the grounds that this was “not the right time” when businesses are demanding a stimulus.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	AIIMS, Patna	Junior Resident	17	MBBS	June 23, 2020	http://aiimspatna.org/advertisement/JR_ADHOC_Recruitment_13062020.pdf
2	Central Silk Board	Scientist, Assistant	79	Degree, PG	July 17, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-Central-Silk-Board-Scientist-Assistant-Technical-Posts.pdf
3	NCCBM	Project Engineer (Civil), Laboratory Assistant	8	Diploma, B.E/ B.Tech, B.Sc.	June 23, 2020	https://www.ncbindia.com/wp-content/uploads/HRSPER/Advt4508062020.pdf
4	Doordarshan	Asst News Editor, Producers, Copy Editor	37	10+2, Degree/ Diploma	June 25, 2020	https://doordarshan.gov.in/sites/default/files/GUIDELIES%20%26%20INFORMATION%20FOR.pdf
5	Sainik School, Tilaiya	Doctor, Art Master & Other	25	10th, 12th Class, Degree	June 27, 2020	http://www.sainikschooltilaiya.org/careers/
6	RRC, Eastern Railway	Cultural Quota, Scouts & Guides Quota, Sports	36	--	July 13, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-RRC-Eastren-Railway-Cultural-Scouts-Guides-Quota.pdf
7	DFCCIL	SAP Consultant/ Team Lead & SAP Consultant	5	BE/ B.Tech/ CA/ ICWA/	June 17, 2020	https://dfccil.com/upload/Advt_No_03_of_2020_9DQ0.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 Right to reservation is not a fundamental right: SC 

• Key point –

1. Reservation not a fundamental right – the SC's ruling came on a battery of petitions claiming violation of fundamental rights by not reserving medical seats for OBC students in Tamil Nadu (TN).

• SC’s ruling –

1. The top court’s observation came while delivering its judgement in pleas seeking 50 per cent reservation of seats in medical colleges for OBC candidates in TN.
2. It said no one can claim right to reservation as a fundamental right and ruled that refusing to provide reservation benefits cannot be treated as a violation of any constitutional right.

• Petitions –

1. The petitions were filed by DMK, Vaiko, Anbumani Ramadoss, CPI (M), Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and CPI.
2. The political parties challenged the decision of Centre not granting 50% reservation to OBC’s in seats surrendered by TN in the All India Quota for under graduate, post graduate medical and dental courses in current academic session.
3. They said that in TN, there is 69% reservation for OBCs, SC and ST and within this, OBC reservations are about 50%.
4. The petitions said 50% of OBC candidates must get admissions in the medical colleges out of seats surrendered under the all India Quota, except for central government institutions.

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

2.1 Indian government actively considering implementation of universal basic income: NHRC tells UN 

• News -

1. India is considering a universal basic income and will not consider a repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers ) Act or a moratorium on the death penalty, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has told the United Nations. The considerations were submitted in a mid-term report to UN on the human rights situation in the country.
2. In the report, Universal Periodic Review (UPR)-III, the UN has been informed that the Indian government is examining and “actively considering” the possibility of a universal basic income to reduce poverty. Universal basic income (UBI) refers to periodic cash transfers to every citizen.

• Details -

1. The report highlighted the government’s policies on climate change, rights of women, children, disabled, and the elderly, and the right to food, work and health.
2. The government has focused cash transfer schemes aimed at farmers, especially, but no universal cash transfer programme.

• Recommendations accepted and refused -

1. The Indian government accepted 152 recommendations out of 250 by 112 UN member states in September 2017 pertaining to poverty alleviation, rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, elderly, marginalized populations and right to education etc.
2. It refused to accept 98 recommendations including repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers ) Act, a moratorium on the death penalty, violence against marginalized groups and concerns over the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), a law regulating foreign funding to non-governmental organizations etc.

• What is UPR?

1. UPR is an international peer review mechanism based on a periodic self-assessment by each country of its human rights record, achievements and challenges, which is supplemented by reports from UN human rights experts, entities, treaty bodies, national human rights institutions, and civil society organizations. India was one of the first countries to be reviewed under the UPR mechanism.

2.2 GMR group signed concession agreement with AP government for developing greenfield Bhogapuram international airport.

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

3.1 Nature Index 2020

•  Highlights -

1. India has secured twelfth spot, globally in science research output as per the recently-released Nature Index table 2020.
2. The top five positions have gone to the United States of America, China, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan.

• Nature Index -

1. It is a database of author affiliation information collated from research articles published in an independently selected group of 82 high-quality science journals.
2. Updated monthly, the ‘Nature Index’ serves as an indicator of high-quality research in the Natural and Physical Sciences.

• India’s achievements -

1. Top 3 institutions from India: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Indian   Institute of Sciences (IISc);Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
2. Keeping out CSIR, IACS Kolkata is among the top three institutions in quality Chemistry Research in India.
3. NCASR Banglore secured 4th rank among academic institutions in life sciences, 10th in Chemistry and Physical Sciences, 10th among Indian academic institutions, and 469th in the global ranking.

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

4.1 India–Laos relations  

•  Highlights -

1. Diplomatic relations between two nations were established in February 1956.
2. First PM of India Jawaharlal Nehru visited Laos in 1954, while first President of India Rajendra Prasad visited Laos in 1956.
3. India considers Laos as strategically important in accordance with China's growing land-reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
4. Laos has been supportive to India's efforts to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
5. Recently, in a telephonic conversation, the PM of India and the PM of Lao People’s Democratic Republic exchanged views on the health and economic challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
6. Both of them agreed on the need for global cooperation, and for sharing of best-practices and experiences, in order to prepare for the post-Covid era.
7. PM Modi referred to India’s historic and cultural links with Laos and expressed satisfaction at being involved in the restoration of the Vat Phou hindu temple complex (world heritage site).
8. Lao PM thanked India for its support for Lao’s development programmes, in capacity building and for scholarships.

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

5.1 To provide information on real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies government launched AarogyaPath portal.

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Malayalam producers not keen on film release on OTT platform

• According to a poll held by the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA), only three Malayalam film producers have expressed their wish to opt for a straight-to-OTT (over-the-top) release instead of waiting for cinemas to reopen amidst the current pandemic crisis. 
• They figure among the 48 producers who responded to the poll. Nearly 20 movies were ready for release when the COVID-19 outbreak hit normal life two months ago and cinema halls were forced to down shutters. More than 30 movies were at various stages of post-production. 
• The KFPA had sent letters to the producers of over 50 movies who were not able to release their works owing to the pandemic crisis asking them whether they would like to opt for digital release or wait till the cinemas reopen. 
• Exhibitors had opposed the straight-to-OTT release stating that it would dent their prospects.
• The differences between the producers and exhibitors on the issue were resolved following a meeting convened by the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce on May 27.
• The war of words over the OTT release emerged after the makers of Sufiyum Sujathayum announced on May 15 that the film would skip its theatre release and go for a direct-to-digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video. It figured among seven Bollywood and regional movies acquired by the OTT platform in this COVID-19 situation.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 International Albinism Awareness Day observed on June 13. Theme 2020 : Made To Shine

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

8.1 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day observed on June 15.

8.2 Health Ministry added loss of smell or taste to the list of Covid-19 symptoms.

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

9.1 Not Available Today

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

10.1 The SIPRI report on “world nuclear forces”

• SIPRI - Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
• India, Pakistan and China –  

1. Pakistan continues to be slightly ahead of India in the number of nuclear warheads
2. China has more than double nuclear warheads than the quantity of India.
3. China possesses 320 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has 160 as compared to 150 of India.

• India’s confidence –  

1. After the long-standing “land vectors” (700-km Agni-I to the over 5,000-km Agni-V ballistic missiles) and “air vectors” (Mirage-2000 and Jaguar fighters jury-rigged to deliver nuclear gravity bombs), India is now slowly but steadily strengthening the third leg of its nuclear triad (N-triad).
2. The country’s second nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, INS Arighat, is on course to becoming operational after the first one, INS Arihant, undertook its first deterrence patrol in late-2018.

• USA and Russsia –

1. US and Russia with 5,800 and 6,375 nuclear warheads respectively, together account for over 90% of the estimated 13,400 nuclear weapons at the beginning of 2020.

• Arsenals of the other nuclear-armed states – 

1. France (290), UK (215), Israel (90) and North Korea (30-40), apart from China, Pakistan and India — are considerably smaller.

 To download the complete report visit here – 

 https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/yb20_10_wnf.pdf

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• G7 launched the ‘Global Partnership on AI’ for setting ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence.
• International Day of Living Together in Peace was observed on May 16.
• India ranked 142nd among 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index 2020 of Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF).
• Journalist Brahm Kanchibotla passed away at the age of 66 in the US in April  2020.
• Centre’s Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune launched a Wheat variety MACS 4028 that has high protein content.

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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