Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 27-06-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 27-06-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Environment and Ecology – Monsoon covers India 12 days in advance, fastest since 2013 – In a swift and smooth advance through the country, the monsoon covered the whole of India, 12 days before the normal date of July 8, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Along with 2015, when the monsoon had raced through the country on the same date, this was the fastest progression of the rain-bearing system since 2013. In the past 13 years, the monsoon has covered the entire country before June 26 only once—in 2013, when a freak convergence of several weather systems had caused the catastrophic Kedarnath deluge while advancing the monsoon by an all-time record date of June 16. IMD said the monsoon marched into the remaining parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan on Friday to cover the entire country, 26 days after hitting the Kerala coast. This sets the stage for timely sowing of kharif crops across the country.
2. India-Nepal Relations – India watches as Oli faces ‘revolt’ – After the initial hostility over Nepal’s new map, the government has adopted, for now, a more sedate approach to the neighbour, not least because of the fissures in the ruling communist party coming to the fore in the past few days. While it may be too early to say that Nepal PM K P Oli’s days are numbered, his rival in the party, P. K. Dahal Prachanda, has made it clear he has had enough of the unilateral manner in which Oli is allegedly working. According to reports from Nepal, Oli is already facing calls for his resignation. India has also closely followed reports that Nepal may have ceded territory to China but this has been denied by Nepal’s foreign ministry. India’s reaction to internal developments in the past week or so in Nepal has been limited to reminding Kathmandu that the government has worked to ensure that supplies of essentials to Nepal despite the lockdown have remained unaffected.
3. Jammu and Kashmir – IAS officer is first non-Kashmiri to get domicile under new law – A 1994 batch IAS officer from Bihar posted in J&K for 26 years has become the first non-Kashmiri civil servant to get a domicile certificate under a new law that offers permanent residency in the Valley to any Indian or registered West Pakistan refugee who meets the eligibility criteria. Navin Choudhary, currently principal secretary of agriculture, had so far lived in government-provided accommodation but will be now eligible to buy property anywhere in the Valley and enjoy all other rights that used to be reserved for indigenous Kashmiris. The new law grants settlement rights to anyone who has resided in J&K for a minimum of 15 years or has studied in an institution in J&K for at least 7 years and appeared for Class 10 or plus-two board exams.
   
4. Environment and Ecology – New colony of near-extinct Finn’s weaver found in UP – A chance discovery of a fresh breeding colony of the Finn’s weaver — a tiny bird clothed in yellow and black — in UP’s Bijnor by a team of Bombay Natural History Society has kindled hope among those worried about the future of the species. Of the just 1,000 or so left in the world right now, 500 are in India. The Finn’s weaver is a globally threatened species currently listed as vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. It’s on the verge of extinction, according to BNHS that is looking to upgrade the species’ status to “critical” in the list.
5. Indian Economy – Reverse journey a relief for industry – There is strong evidence of “reverse” migration with several Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Howrah, Delhi and Secunderabad bound special mail and express trains from states like UP and Bihar running full. The reservation status for these trains from June 26 to June 30 was at 100% with more people on the waiting list, rail ministry data showed, indicating that migrant workers who had gone to their homes in the hinterland are returning to cities. The return of these workers augurs well for the economy as businesses reopen, though it means there is a need for more measures to check the spread of Covid-19.
   
6. US Presidential Elections – Polls show landslide win for Biden if elections held now –  US President Trump is headed for a rout in the elections while handing a landslide to his Democratic opponent Joe Biden, various polls are showing. Although there are over four months to go for the November 3 polls, surveys show Biden leading by anywhere from 10 to 14 points nationwide, translating into an easy win if elections were held today. Converted into electoral college outcome, the popular support shows Biden comfortably getting the 270 votes (out of 538) needed to win the White House, the tally going past 400 if everything goes the Democratic way.
7. World Politics – Southeast Asia leaders sound alarm on South China Sea tensions – Vietnam and the Philippines raised concerns over repeated violations of maritime rules at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders amid growing grievances with China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea. The meeting, held virtually and hosted by Vietnam, comes as the region reopens after lockdowns to check the spread of Covid-19 and negotiates travel lanes with other nations. While the 10-nation bloc known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has pledged cooperation to fight the virus, it is also grappling with Beijing’s assertions in the high seas.
8. World Politics – Li Zhensheng, photographer of China's Cultural Revolution, dies – Li Zhensheng, a photographer who at great personal risk documented the dark side of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, producing powerful black-and-white images that remain a rare visual testament to the brutality of that tumultuous period, many of them not developed or seen for years, has died. He was 79. His death was confirmed by Robert Pledge, a founder of Contact Press Images and editor of Mr. Li’s photo book “Red-Color News Soldier,” who said that Mr. Li had been hospitalized on Long Island. He lived in Queens. Further details, including the date of his death, were not released.
9. Indian Economy – RBI board takes stock of economy, rate transmission; no decision on loan recast – Contrary to expectations, the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) did not take up the proposal to restructure the loans of borrowers hit by COVID-19 pandemic. The board, which met through video conferencing Friday, discussed the economic scenario, impact of the RBI measures and interest rate transmission.
10. Indian Politics – Bihar Elections – People aged 65 years and above can opt for postal ballot facility in Lok Sabha, Assembly polls; earlier 80 years and above were allowed.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	RMRC, Bhubaneswar	Jr Med. Officer, Pro. Tech. Officer, Research Asst	12	High School,12th Class, DMLT, Degree, PG	June 30, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-RMRC-Bhubaneswar-Jr-Medical-Officer-Project-Technical-Officer-Other-Posts.pdf
2	ECHS	DEO, Clerk, Driver, Chowkidar, Peon, Female Attendant	161	GNM, Diploma, Degree, PG	June 30, 2020	https://echs.gov.in/img/adv/ADVT%20PATNA.pdf
3	ECHS	Gynecologist, Medical Officer, Clerk, Safaiwala, Chowkidar	12	--	June 30, 2020	https://echs.gov.in/img/adv/ADVT%20HISAR.pdf
4	DRDO-DRDE	Jr Research Fellow, Research Associate	15	M.Sc with NET/ GATE, Ph.D	--	https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/career-vacancy-documents/Advertisment.pdf
5	ECHS	Officer-In-Charge, Medical Officer, Lab Technician, Chowkidar	--	--	July 3, 2020	https://echs.gov.in/img/adv/ADVT%20PUNE.pdf
6	South Central Railway	Crew Controller, Traction Loco Controller, Power Controller	32	--	July 24, 2020	https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1593088635290-CC-TLC-PRC%20notification.pdf
7	Medical & Health Dept, Guntur	Staff Nurse, Lab Tech. Gr II, Pharmacist Gr II, MNO & FNO	218	B.Sc (Nursing), B.Sc with PG Diploma	July 22, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s30777d5c17d4066b82ab86dff8a46af6f/uploads/2020/06/2020062514.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 45 years of National Emergency

• 45 years ago, on June 25, the central government led by Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi imposed the infamous National Emergency in the country. It lasted for 21 months and is considered to be one of the darkest phases of independent India.
• It saw widespread human rights violations, censorship of the press, rampant arrest of dissenters etc.
• The decision to impose the Emergency is considered a response to the Allahabad High Court judgment in Raj Narain v. Indira Gandhi (delivered on 12 June 1975) wherein the election of Mrs. Gandhi (sitting Prime Minister at the time) was invalidated on counts of electoral malpractices and she was debarred from holding any elective office for six years.
• The judgment sent shockwaves to the central government. It gave support to the J.P. Movement led by the opposition forces to ask for the resignation of Mrs. Gandhi.
• Mrs. Gandhi made every possible attempt to save her Prime Ministership. On June 20, Mrs. Gandhi did the unthinkable and organised a rally wherein her entire family sat on the dais behind her. She remarked, 'My opponents are after my chair, they want to murder me and family.'
• Mrs. Gandhi challenged the Allahabad High Court verdict before the Supreme Court, which was heard by a vacation bench consisting of Justice Krishna Iyer. In effect, Mrs. Gandhi could remain in office but not vote in the Parliament, till the election appeal was decided by the Supreme Court.
• The stay order did not impress Mrs. Gandhi and she now had two choices before her. First, to either resign as the Prime Minister and appoint a titular PM (in reality her pawn) in her place. The second choice, was to continue in office and not resign.
• It is believed that one of the factor influenced Mrs. Gandhi's decision. She is reported to have told Mr. Siddhartha Shankar Ray (then Chief Minister of West Bengal) that Indian Intelligence Agencies have informed her that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of USA is secretly supporting the JP Movement and US President Nixon wants to overthrow her government.
• She considered Ray her legal advisor and asked him to study the Constitution and present a solution to stay in power. Interestingly, she did not consult the Law Minister.
• Ray advised her to invoke Article 352 of the Constitution that allowed the President to declare a National Emergency on grounds of 'internal disturbance'. A proclamation under Article 352 was sent to the President Late Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed who signed it past midnight.

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

2.1 Covid-19 to dent India's per capita income by 5.4% - SBI report 

• SBI’s report -

1. Covid-19 pandemic is likely to bring down India’s per capita income (PCI) by 5.4 per cent in the financial year 2020-21 (FY21) to Rs 1.43 lakh from Rs 1.52 lakh in FY20.
2. This decline in PCI is higher than the nominal GDP decline of 3.8 per cent.

• Highlights -

1. Residents of prosperous states such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana may lose over 15 per cent of their annual incomes in the current year.
2. At the other end of the spectrum are Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Manipur that are likely to witness the least drop in PCI during this period.
3. Globally also, the decline in per capita GDP of 6.2 per cent in 2020 is significantly greater than the 5.2 per cent decline in global GDP.
4. A total of 8 states and Union Territories are supposed to witness a decline in PCI in double digits in FY21 and that is most alarming.
5. These states constitute as much as 47 per cent of India’s GDP. This is due to the fact that these are the urban areas (and red zones also) where lockdown was implemented most severely.
6. Even after the opening of markets (in a staggered manner), the number of customers is still 70-80 per cent less than the normal times.

• Key note - 

• While income inequality in India has been a major issue for decades, it is expected that the inequality gap will narrow down post-COVID pandemic as the decline in income of rich states will be much greater than the decline in income of poor states.

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

3.1 Not Available Today

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

4.1 Mapping of nearly one-fifth of the world’s ocean floor had been finished under the Seabed 2030 Project

• Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
• It was launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2017.
• The project aims to bring together all available bathymetric (measurement of the shape and depth of the ocean floor) data to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all.
• Study of the ocean floor helps in understanding several natural phenomena, including ocean circulation, tides and biological hotspots.
• Provides key inputs for navigation, forecasting disasters, exploration for oil and gas projects, building offshore wind turbines, fishing resources, and for laying cables and pipelines.
• Ensure a better understanding of climate change as climate change has impacted the flow of ocean currents and has led to sea-level rise.
• General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) – It is the only intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor. It traces its origins to the GEBCO chart series initiated in 1903 by Prince Albert I of Monaco. It operates under the joint auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) (of UNESCO). India is its member. The IHO Secretariat is hosted by the Principality of Monaco.
  

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

5.1 Prime Minister launched “Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan”. About 1.25 crore migrant workers expected to benefit.

5.2 NITI Aayog launched behaviour change campaign ‘Navigating the New Normal’ and its website to help people follow norms to contain the spread of Covid-19.

5.3 Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar launched Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan web portal. 

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Roundup – Defence

• Former Haryana and Punjab spinner Rajinder Goel dies at 77 - Former Haryana and Punjab spinner Rajinder Goel passed away in Rohtak at the age of 77 on June 21, 2020. He played his last Ranji Trophy match for Haryana in 1984-85. During his illustrious career, Goel took 750 First Class wickets, including a record 637 in Ranji Trophy. In 2012, Goel was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI.
• Sports Ministry to set up Khelo India State Centres of Excellence in each State/UT - The Sports Ministry is all set to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence under the Khelo India Scheme. One such centre will be identified in each State and Union Territory with an aim to create a robust sporting ecosystem in the entire country, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
• Govt. to set up 1000 Khelo India Centers at the district level across the country - Government has decided to establish 1000 Khelo India Centers (KIC) at the district level across the country, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. These centers will either be run by a past champion or have them as coaches.
  

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Not Available Today.

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

8.1 International Widows' Day

• Key points -

1. The United Nations observes 23 June as International Widows Day since 2011, to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that they need.
2. Theme of International Widows' Day 2020: This year the theme is ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights’, which is aligned with UN Women’s new multi-generational campaign, Generation Equality.

• Key notes -

1. As per the UN, there are an estimated 258 million widows around the world, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty.
2. Apart from that, 2.7 billion women are denied access to the same choice of jobs as men due to legal restrictions, and one in three face gender-based violence even today.

• History of International Widows’ Day -  

1. The United Nations General Assembly formally adopted June 23 as International Widows’ Day on December 21, 2010, and it began to observe it from 2011.
2. But the day had been established before then by The Loomba Foundation in memory of Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba, who became a widow in 1954.
3. Its purpose was to care for widows and their children, and to change the culture that discriminates against them.

• Significance of International Widows’ Day -

1. The day is important as it brings about awareness among the public the problems that widows face all over the world.
2. It is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women.
3. It is also a day to draw the attention of the people to take action and provide full rights and recognition for widows.
   

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

9.1 China launches final Beidou satellite to complete GPS-like navigation system 

• Highlights - 

1. China launched the final satellite of its BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province at 9.43am local time (0243 BST) on 23 June 2020.
2. Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, the satellite is the 30th in the constellation, and was carried into space by a Long March 3B rocket.
3. This is the third iteration of the BDS system and consists of 24 medium Earth orbit satellites, three inclined geostationary satellites and three geostationary satellites.
4. Third iteration hoisted into space offers alternative to US, EU and Russian navigation systems.
5. The service began in 2000 with the launch of two satellites for BeiDou-1. A third satellite was launched in 2003, completing the flotilla.

• Key notes -

1. BeiDou-2 became operational in 2011 with 10 satellites, with another four added to the constellation by the end of 2012.
2. BeiDou-3 carries rubidium and hydrogen atomic clocks to provide upgraded navigation services.
3. The satellites also allow users to send messages of up to 1,200 Chinese characters and are designed to last for at least 12 years.
4. BDS is one of four global navigation satellite systems in use. The others are the US’s GPS, the EU’s Galileo, and Russia’s Glonass.

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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 -

• Uday Kotak is the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry for the year 2020-21.
• SpaceX became the first private company to launch humans into orbit on May 30, 2020 through Falcon rocket.
• The National Technology Day was celebrated on May 11, 2020 to mark the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998.
• Chak-Hao, which is a black Rice variety of Manipur, was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Chennai-based GI Registry on April 30, 2020.
• Benny Gantz is a leading politician in Israel.

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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