Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 01-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 01-07-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. India-China Standoff 2020 – India’s app ban a setback to global ambitions of Chinese tech giants – The Indian government’s decision to ban 59 Chinese apps may not significantly impact their revenues, but it is a big setback for many internet giants with global ambitions. The ban includes apps from some of the largest Chinese technology companies, including Alibaba, Bytedance, Baidu, Tencent, Xiaomi, YY Inc and Lenovo, which have been building up user bases of millions in India. Even more worryingly for them, India’s move could set a global precedent. Unlike US tech majors like Facebook and Google, which have been able to build big businesses in Europe and Asia, India and Southeast Asia are some of the markets that large Chinese companies have been betting on to show that they can succeed beyond their home turf. With no global competitors at home due to the great Chinese firewall, many of these firms have flourished in their huge domestic market, generating billions in profits. They have used these funds to expand globally, either through investments or direct operations.
2. Indian Society – Education brings down women’s fertility rate – As total fertility rate (TFR) reflects a decline from 5.2 in 1971 to 2.2 in 2018, the sample registration system statistical report 2018 highlights, among other factors, how not just age but education levels of women too have had a direct impact on fertility.mAt the national level, TFR for women whose educational status was given as ‘illiterate’ was 3 in 2018. The figure was 2.1 among the ‘literate’ group. As the level of education increased, the TFR registered a gradual decline.
   
3. Nepal – Party rivals put pressure on Nepal PM Oli to quit – Nepal’s hardline Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli came under immense pressure to resign from within the ruling Nepal Communist Party, including from former PM Prachanda. Prachanda, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Bamdev Gautam demanded that Oli quit during a meeting. The party has seen simmering discontent in recent days and Oli has tried to blame India for the rebellion. He has gone on record to say that India has been behind the efforts to unseat him. Over the weekend, Oli said there were “plots” in Kathmandu and New Delhi to remove him over his move to claim Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories. Nepal Parliament recently approved a map by the Oli government, which shows these territories as part of the Himalayan nation.
   
4. Indian Society – With IIM-B fee hike, flagship MBA at the top 3 costs Rs. 23L  – With the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) hiking tuition fees for its flagship MBA programme, India’s top three Bschools are now charging at par. Whether a student gets into IIM-A (Ahmedabad), B or C (Calcutta), the charges remain the same — Rs 23 lakh. IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta have not hiked fees for the incoming batch in lieu of the Covid-19 pandemic. At a lower fee of Rs 19 lakh (not increased), IIM Kozhikode topped the charts with highest number of full fee waivers last year.
5. Arts and Culture – Jharkhand woman wins Commonwealth story prize – A woman from Ranchi currently studying in the US has won £5,000 after her tale about a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim boy beat more than 5,000 entries from 49 countries to win the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Kritika Pandey, 29, was speechless and tearful when announced as the overall winner of the prize for “The Great Indian Tee and Snakes” at an online ceremony. The prize is judged by an international panel of writers, representing each of the five regions of the Commonwealth. The award was presented by the chair of the 2020 judging panel, Ghanaian writer and editor Nii Ayikwei.
   
6. Environment and Ecology – Country gets its wettest June in 12 years –  India experienced its wettest month of June in 12 years with 18% above normal rainfall on the back of timely monsoon onset and its swift advance across the country. While all four regions have recorded surplus rains, central India as well as east and northeast have received the heaviest showers. Early figures for kharif season sowing reflects the good rainfall so far, with 315.6 lakh hectare already under cultivation, which is 68% higher than the normal for the week, as per agriculture ministry data from June 26. While the area under rice was 5.7 lakh hectare higher than normal, significantly higher sowing was also recorded in pulses, course cereals, oilseeds and cotton.
   
7. COVID-19 Updates – PM Modi extends free ration to 80cr till Nov – In a move to bolster food security for the poor impacted by a Covid induced economic slowdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the scheme to provide five kg foodgrains and one kilo of pulses for free to 80 crore beneficiaries for another five months. During a national broadcast, Modi said the five month extension will cost around Rs 90,000 crore, taking the overall cost to Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Poor families are entitled to 5 kg grains every month under the National Food Security Programme and the government is topping up the entitlement with a matching quantity, with pulses thrown in, at no charge.
8. COVID-19 Updates – EU reopens its borders to 14 nations, US and India don't make it to the list – The European Union will reopen its borders to travellers from 14 countries, and possibly China soon, but most Americans have been refused entry for at least another two weeks due to soaring coronavirus infections in the US. As Europe's economies reel from the impact of the coronavirus, southern EU countries like Greece, Italy and Spain are desperate to entice back sun-loving visitors and breathe life into their damaged tourism industries. American tourists make up a big slice of the EU market and the summer holiday season is a key time.
   
9. World Politics – China passes sweeping Hong Kong national security law – Beijing imposed a wide-reaching national security law on Hong Kong, which many fear could be used to override existing legal processes and erode the city's civil and political freedoms. The stringent national security law and its 66 articles were kept secret from the public until 11pm local time, when the law officially went into effect. It dramatically broadens Beijing's powers to investigate, prosecute and punish suspected criminals in Hong Kong. The law was drafted behind closed doors by members of Beijing's top lawmaking body, the National People's Congress (NPC), bypassing Hong Kong's own elected legislative council. The new legislation criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign powers.
   
10. Indian Economy – Core sector decline slows in May, deficit at 59% of target – The contraction in the key eight core sectors narrowed in May compared to the previous month but overall it still remained in negative territory with seven segments posting sharp declines, highlighting the brutal impact of the lockdown. Data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed the eight core sectors — spanning coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity — contracted 23.4% in May, narrower than the 37% decline posted in previous month.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	IBPS	CRP RRB IX	9640	Degree, MBA, CA	July 21, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-IBPS-CRP-RRB-IX-Exam.pdf
2	SSC	JHT, Jr Translator & Other Exam 2020	283	Diploma, PG	July 25, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Short-Notification-SSC-JHT-Jr-Translator-Other-Exam-2020.pdf
3	NBFGR	Research Asso, Sr Research Fellow	6	PG, Ph.D	July 13, 2020	http://www.nbfgr.res.in/site/writereaddata/siteContent/Online%20interview%20Kochi.pdf
4	BECIL	Accountant, Lab Assistant, Cashier, DEO	35	10th, 10+2, DMLT, Dip, Deg	July 15, 2020	https://www.becil.com/uploads/vacancy/0c05373699c5ea29a21cddcadca38a76.pdf
5	Western Railway	Sr Resident	16	PG Degree/ Diploma	July 2, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-Western-Railway-Sr-Resident.pdf
6	Western Railway	GDMO, Specialist, Nursing Superintendent	67	DMLT, Dip., GNM, B.Sc	July 2, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-Western-Railway-Contract-Medical-Practitioner-Other-Posts.pdf
7	DCHS, Kurnool	Staff Nurse, Pharmacist Gr II, Lab –Technician	99	GNM/ B.Sc Nursing	July 22, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s37f24d240521d99071c93af3917215ef7/uploads/2020/06/2020062862.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 Interest Subvention Scheme for Shishu Loan Accounts 

• Key point -

1. The union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved a scheme for interest subvention of 2 percent for a period of 12 months to all Shishu loan accounts under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to eligible borrowers.

• Highlights -

1. The move is aimed at helping the MSMES.
2. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the consequent lockdown has led to severe disruption of business for micro and small enterprises which are funded through Shishu Mudra loans.
3. The scheme will be extended to loans outstanding as on 31st March, 2020; and not in NPA category, as per RBI guidelines, on 31st March 2020 and during the period of operation of the Scheme.
4. The interest subvention would be payable for the months in which the accounts are not in NPA category including for the months that the account becomes a performing asset again, after turning NPA.
5. The scheme will incentivize people who will make regular repayments of loans, an official statement said.
6. The estimated cost of the Scheme would be approximately Rs 1,542 crore which would be provided by the government.

• Key facts -

1. Under PMMY, loans for income generating activities up to Rs 50,000 are termed as Shishu loans.
2. PMMY loans are extended by Member Lending Institutions viz. Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking Finance Companies and Micro Financial Institutions, registered with Mudra Ltd.
3. As on March 31, 2020, about 9.37 crore loan accounts under the Shishu category of PMMY with a total loan amount of about Rs 1.62 Lakh crore, were outstanding.

 2.2 President Kovind promulgates Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance 2020

 

•  Key point - 

1. President Ram Nath Kovind has promulgated the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 in pursuance of the commitment to ensure safety of bank depositors.

• Highlights -

1. The Ordinance amends the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 as applicable to Cooperative Banks.
2. It seeks to protect the interests of depositors and strengthen cooperative banks by improving governance and oversight by extending powers already available with RBI in respect of other banks to Co-operative Banks.
3. The amendments do not affect existing powers of the State Registrars of Co-operative Societies under state co-operative laws.
4. The amendments do not apply to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies or co-operative societies whose primary object and principal business is long-term finance for agricultural development.

• Key note -  

1. The Ordinance also amends Section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act to enable making of a scheme of reconstruction or amalgamation of a banking company for protecting the interest of the public, depositors and the banking system and for securing its proper management, even without making an order of moratorium, so as to avoid disruption of the financial system.

• Current Scenario - 

1. Currently, co-operative banks come under dual regulation of the RBI and the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (RCS).
2. The above move is aimed at getting rid of several instances of fraud and serious financial irregularities, including the major scam at the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank in 2019.

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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 36th ASEAN Summit

• Key Points - 

1. Virtual 36th ASEAN Summit underscored cooperation, integration in addressing challenges.
2.  The members discussed issues including the COVID-19 pandemic control and socio-economic recovery, the building of a strong community, as well as expanding and deepening ASEAN's external relations with partners. 
3. The 36th Summit was chaired by Vietnam which is also holding the chairmanship of ASEAN currently.
4. Theme: The theme for the Summit was "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN".

• Highlights -

1. The ASEAN leaders announced the establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.
2. Leaders also agreed to come up with the ASEAN standard procedures of epidemic response in case of health emergencies.
3. The leaders have tasked the ASEAN Community Councils to undertake relevant works in their respective pillars to contribute to the ASEAN comprehensive recovery plan to be submitted to the 37th ASEAN Summit.
4. Members remained committed to keeping markets open for trade that is free from unnecessary trade restrictions as well as for investment.
5. They also remain committed to coordinate the implementation of pertinent policy measures to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic.

• Gloomy picture - 

1. The ASEAN region's economy is likely to shrink for the first time in 22 years.
2. The summit also focused on the crippling cost of the coronavirus, which has ravaged the economies of tourism and export-reliant countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.

• South China Sea Issue -

1. The Summit took note of concerns over land reclamations and recent developments in the South China Sea.
2. Both Vietnam and Philippines lodged protests with China after it unilaterally declared the creation of new administrative districts on islands.
3. The Summit has also urged parties to refrain from escalating tensions and abide by responsibilities under international laws.

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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 Weekly Roundup – Accidents and Natural Disasters

• Yusuf Memon, a 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case convict, dies in prison - Yusuf Memon, a 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case convict and a brother of absconding accused Tiger Memon, died on June 26, 2020 at Nashik Road Prison in Maharashtra’s Nashik district. At least 250 persons were killed when 12 blasts ripped through Mumbai on March 12, 1993.
• Earthquake with 7.4 magnitude shakes southern Mexico, at least 5 dead - A powerful earthquake of 7.4 magnitude centred near the southern Mexico resort of Huatulco killed at least five people, swayed buildings in Mexico City and sent thousands fleeing into the streets.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 National Statistics Day 2020

• Key Points-

1. The day is observed in India on the birth anniversary of PC Mahalanobis, remembered as the 'Father of Statistics' in India.
2. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), shaped the Planning Commission and pioneered methodologies for large-scale surveys.

• Highlights:

1. The National Statistics Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of PC Mahalanobis, often referred to as the 'father of Indian statistics', is being marked on June 29, 2020.
2. On June 29, 2006, the first Statistics Day was observed.
3. This year, National Statistics Day is being observed through a series of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. The day is dedicated to statistics in daily life and creating awareness among people on how statistics helps in framing policies.
5. Theme: "Good Health and Well Being and Gender Equality", is the theme for National Statistics Day 2020.

• Mahalanobis distance -

1. The key contribution of PC Mahalanobis is known as "Mahalanobis distance'.
2. The formula is used to find the distance between a point and a distribution, based on measurements in multiple dimensions.
3. It is widely used in the field of cluster analysis and classification.

• Key facts - 

1. PC Mahalanobis was also instrumental in formulating India’s second five-year-plan (1956-1961), which laid the blueprint for industrialization and development in India.
2. He analyzed data regarding the floods in Odisha and published his findings in 1926. This analysis later formed the basis for the construction of the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi River.
3. He was honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 1968 and was also conferred a large number of awards by international organizations.

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

8.1 Ministry of Culture celebrates “Sankalp Parva”

• Key points -

1. Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (I/C) Prahlad Singh Patel announced on June 27, 2020 that the Ministry has decided to celebrate “Sankalp Parva” from June 28 to July 12, 2020 and plant trees as desired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• Highlights -

1. Under “Sankalp Parva”, all the subordinate offices, academies, affiliated and attached institutions of the Culture Ministry have been urged to plant trees in their campus or surroundings wherever possible.
2. The ministry also recommended five trees which represents the herbal heritage of our country. These are: Awla, Bel, Pepal, Bargad, Ashok.
3. The Culture Minister said that if the sapling of these trees are not available then people may plant any other sapling of their choice.
4. The Culture Minister urged all to participate in the Sankalp Parv campaign and share the photo of plantation with the hashtag #SankalpParv with the Ministry of Culture.
5. Officials reiterated during the announcement of the Sankalp Parv campaign that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of a clean and healthy environment.
6. They said that India’s herbal wealth has enough strength to enable us to sail through the period safely.
7. They have urged everyone to participate in the campaign and take care of at least one plant to create a healthy environment and a flourishing Bharat. 

• Note -

1. Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (I/C) is Prahlad Singh Patel.

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

9.1 Agra-based company bags NRDC license for manufacturing NavRakshak PPEs'

• Key point -

1. Agra-based company bags license for manufacturing NavRakshak PPEs, targets one million units a year.
2. The demands for PPEs is high globally given the unabated rise of coronavirus disease.

• Highlights -

1. Indian Garment Company is registered with the government as a micro enterprise under the MSME Act and has been manufacturing PPE kits that have been supplied to various hospitals.
2. After winning the license, the company has proposed an annual production target of over one million NavRakshak PPE kits.
3. The award of license was done through National Research Development Cooperation (NRDC), which has signed a technology licensing agreement for the manufacturing know-how of the NavRakshak suit with the company.

• Details about the special suit -

1. It incorporates superior quality breathable fabric and its design innovation is said to eliminate the need for costly taping and sealing of the seam which is otherwise needed in other PPEs currently available in the market. 
2. The fabric, suit and seam have been found to meet the synthetic blood penetration resistance criteria comfortably.
3. Details about the development: The prototype development took place earlier at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, and it was tested and certified at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 

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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 -

• Former judge Hosbet Suresh passed away on June 11, 2020 at the age of 90.
• Brajendra Navnit has been appointed as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to WTO.
• According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in May 2020, India’s fiscal deficit in 2019-20 was 4.6% of GDP.
• According to data released by RBI, India’s services trade surplus in 2019-20 was 80.07 billion?
• The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) launched YASH (Year of Awareness on Science & Health) programme.

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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