Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services -14-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 14-07-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Economy – Will invest $10 billion in India, says Google chief – Technology giant Google will invest $10 billion (₹75,000 crore) in India over the next five to seven years with a focus on digitising the economy and building India-first products and services. Investments will focus on four areas key to digitisation — enabling affordable access and information for every Indian in their own language, building products and services that are deeply relevant to India’s unique needs, empowering businesses on their digital transformation journey, and leveraging technology and AI for social good in areas such as health, education and agriculture.
2. International relations – Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project, cites funding delay – Four years after India and Iran signed an agreement to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan, the Iranian government has decided to proceed with the construction on its own, citing delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project. The development comes as China finalises a massive 25-year, $400 billion strategic partnership deal with Iran, which could cloud India’s plans. The railway project, which was being discussed between the Iranian Railways and the state-owned Indian Railways Construction Ltd (IRCON), was meant to be part of India’s commitment to the trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan to build an alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
   
3. COVID-19 – India’s Covid count tops 9 lakh; 28,648 cases, 538 deaths on Monday – India’s Covid-19 caseload zoomed past the 9 lakh mark, just three days after crossing 8 lakh, as the new week began with the addition of over 28,600 cases and 538 deaths. The past week saw the biggest rise in both cases and deaths from the virus in the country, discounting the third week of June when 2,003 deaths, mostly back-dated, were added in a single day. Over 1.83 lakh cases and 3,466 deaths were recorded between July 6 and 12, at a daily average of over 26,100 cases and 495 deaths. On Monday, 28,648 new cases emerged, taking the total to 9,07,041, as per data collated from states. India’s Covid-19 toll rose to 23,695. While over 5.7 lakh patients have so far recovered, there are 3.12 lakh active cases.
4. Internal security – India faces jt Pak-China threat in Indian Ocean – The collusive China-Pakistan threat along the land borders is slowly extending to the maritime domain as well. Even as China steps up its naval forays into the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), it is also helping Pakistan build its maritime combat power in the overall attempt to stymie India in its own backyard. China is following a twin-pronged approach by facilitating Pakistan to build its Navy while hunting for more overseas bases to offset its “tyranny of logistics” in the IOR as compared to India, say officials.
5. World – Iran, China set to clinch 25-year deal – Iran and China are close to finalising a 25-year Strategic Partnership which will include Chinese involvement in Chabahar’s duty-free zone, an oil refinery nearby, and possibly a larger role in Chabahar port as well. According to leaked versions of the 18-page “Comprehensive Plan for Cooperation between Iran and China”, being finalised by officials in Tehran and Beijing, the cooperation will extend from investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and upgrading energy and transport facilities, to refurbishing ports, refineries and other installations, and will commit Iranian oil and gas supplies to China during that period.
   
6. Defence – Aircraft carriers to get Indian jets by 2032 – The Navy is expected to start receiving new twin-engine aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by 2032 and it will be a replacement for the Russian MiG-29K carrier jets in service. The Navy currently operates Russian-origin carrier INS Vikramaditya and expects to have the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-I) Vikrant operational by 2022. With a second carrier to come in, the Navy is already evaluating a global tender for 57 carrier-based twin-engine fighter aircraft.
7. World – Polish president Duda narrowly wins re-election, enabling the continuation of a far-right agenda – Poland's right-wing president, Andrzej Duda, won a second term by a razor-thin margin in results announced Monday, paving the way for Warsaw to continue a political program that human rights advocates and other European leaders have criticized as undermining democracy. Duda — an ally of President Trump — won 51 percent of the vote in Sunday's runoff election. Centrist Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski trailed with 49 percent.
8. World – China hits U.S. lawmakers, envoy with sanctions over Xinjiang – China has slapped retaliatory sanctions on three senior Republican lawmakers and a U.S. envoy in a deepening row over Beijing’s treatment of Uighurs in the western Xinjiang region. It asks Washington to ‘stop any words and actions that interfere in its internal affairs’. The unspecified “corresponding sanctions” were announced days after the U.S. imposed visa bans and asset freezes on several Chinese officials, including the Communist Party chief in Xinjiang, Chen Quanguo, over rights abuses in the region.
   
9. World – Taliban Stage a Major Attack, as Violence Intensifies in Northern Afghanistan – Insurgents bombed the entrance of an Afghan intelligence complex in a provincial capital, then stormed the offices in a sustained gun battle, killing at least 11. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in Samangan and accused the Taliban of trying to strengthen their hand before any negotiations. There has been a surge in violence across the country in recent weeks following a disagreement between the government and the Taliban group about the release of prisoners. As per a February deal between the US and the Taliban, up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners are to be released in advance of intra-Afghan talks, along with up to 1,000 government prisoners.
10. Research/study – Antibody immunity to Covid-19 may be short-lived: UK study – Patients who recover from the novel coronavirus may have an antibody response that makes them immune to the deadly virus only for a few months. Research found levels of antibodies that can destroy the virus peaked about three weeks after the onset of symptoms then started declining. The immune system has multiple ways to fight the coronavirus but if antibodies are the main line of defence, the findings suggest people could become reinfected in seasonal waves just like the common cold and other kinds of flu.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	Nainital Bank	IT Officer	8	B.E/ B.Tech, PG	July 23, 2020	https://www.nainitalbank.co.in/pdf/Recruitment%20of%20IT%20Officer.pdf
2	IIT, Dharwad	Junior Research Fellow & Project Associate	5	B. Tech/ BE/ ME/ MS	July 24, 2020	https://www.iitdh.ac.in/announcements/Recruitment/JRF/JRF_PA_advertisement_NMB_10.07.2020.pdf
3	PGCIL	Apprentic	69	ITI, Dip. & Deg (Eng), MBA	Aug 10, 2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/pgcil-recruitment/17455/#Apprentice-ERTS
4	Mini. of Social Justice & Empowerment	Sr Account Officer, Research Associate	8	----	--	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/07/Notification-Dr.-Ambedkar-International-Centre-RA-JE-Other-Posts.pdf
5	NCCBM	Lab Tech, Project Engineer (Ele., Mech.)	6	B.E/ B.Tech, B.Sc/ M.Sc	--	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/07/Notification-NCCBM-Laboratory-Technician-Project-Engineer-Posts.pdf
6	South Central Railway	Specialist Doctor, Lab Asst., Hospital Attendant	110	MBBS, B.Sc, PG Deg/ Dip	July 15, 2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/scr/16135/#HospitalAttendant
7	Collector & Dist. Magistrate	Data Entry Operator	21	Any Degree	July 27, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s30777d5c17d4066b82ab86dff8a46af6f/uploads/2020/07/2020071029.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 Constitution and Law – Weekly Roundup

• SC grants bail to Unitech MD and promoter Sanjay Chandra. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and M. R. Shah
• SC extends interim order against coercive action and investigation granted to Journalist Amish Devgan. Justice A. M. Khanwilkar and Sanjay Khanna
• Top court grants one month’s time to implement grant of permanent commission and command post for eligible women officers in Indian Army. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Ajay Rastogi
• Supreme Court sets aside Delhi HC order calling for production of records for Gautam Navlakha from Delhi to Mumbai. Justice Arun Mishra, S. Abdul Nazeer and Indira Banerjee
• Supreme Court allows service of summons and notices through instant tele-messenger services like WhatsApp as well as via email and fax. Chief Justice S. A. Bobde, A. S. Bopanna and Subhash Reddy
• Supreme Court recalls order allowing sale of 10% of unsold BS-IV vehicles for ten days after the lockdown; Bars registration. Justice Arun Mishra, S. Abdul Nazeer and Indira Banerjee
• Supreme Court dismisses petition alleging adoption of a “pick and choose” policy by  its registry; imposes Rs. 100 cost on lawyer. Justice Arun Mishra and S. Abdul Nazeer.
• Suo Motto Writ: Problems and Miseries of Migrant Workers – Supreme Court pulls up state of Maharashtra for lapses in filling a detailed affidavit. Justice Ashok Bhushan, S.K. Kaul and M. R. Shah
• Provisions of order VII rule 11 code of civil procedure regarding ‘Rejection of Plaint’ is mandatory in nature: SC. Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Indu Malhotra
• Central government to SC – No prohibition on creation of PM cares fund as it is independent and distinct from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). Justices Ashok Bhushan, S. K. Kaul and M. R. Shah

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

2.1 US remains India’s top trading partner in 2019-20

• Key point - 

1. In 2019-20, the bilateral trade between the US and India stood at $88.75 billion as against $87.96 billion in 2018-19.

• Highlights - 

1. The US remained India's top trading partner for the second consecutive fiscal in 2019-20, which shows increasing economic ties between the two countries.
2. The US is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. 
3. The trade gap between the countries has increased to USD 17.42 billion in 2019-20 from USD 16.86 billion in 2018-19.
4. In 2018-19, the US first surpassed China to become India's top trading partner.
5. Trade experts believe that the trend of widening trade ties between India and US will continue in the coming years also as both the sides are engaged in further deepening the economic ties.
6. India is seeking relaxation in US visa regime, exemption from high duties imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products, and greater market access for its products from sectors such as agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering.
7. On the other hand, the US wants greater market access for its farm and manufacturing products, dairy items, medical devices, and data localisation, apart from cut on import duties on some information and communication technology products.

• Trade between India and China –

1. The bilateral trade between India and China has dipped to USD 81.87 billion in 2019-20 from USD 87.08 billion in 2018-19.
2. Trade deficit between the two neighbours have declined to USD 48.66 billion in 2019-20 from USD 53.57 billion in the previous fiscal. 
3. The data also showed that China was India's top trading partner since 2013-14 till 2017-18. Before China, UAE was the country's largest trading nation.
4. India is also considering certain steps like framing technical regulations and quality control orders for host of items with a view to cut import dependence on China and boost domestic manufacturing.

2.2 FICCI sees GDP contraction

•  Key point - 

1. Industry body Ficci on has said its Economic Outlook Survey has projected India’s annual median GDP growth for 2020-21 at (-) 4.5 per cent.

• Highlights - 

1. With the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic manifesting into an economic and healthcare crisis globally, the latest forecast marks a sharp downward revision from the growth estimate of 5.5 per cent reported in the January 2020 survey.
2. The latest round of the survey puts forth an annual median GDP growth forecast for 2020-21 at (-) 4.5 per cent — with a minimum and maximum growth estimate of (-) 6.4 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively, for 2020-21. 
3. The quarterly median forecasts indicate GDP growth to contract by (-) 14.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2020-21, with a minimum estimate of (-) 25 per cent and a maximum estimate of (-) 7.4 per cent.
4. Economic activity-wise annual forecast indicated a median growth of 2.7 per cent for agriculture and allied activities for 2020-21.
5. The rural sector supported by a steady agriculture performance and hopefully a contained number of COVID-19 cases will be a key demand generator for India this year.
6. Industry and services sector, on the other hand, are expected to contract by 11.4 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively in 2020-21.
7. Some of the stimulus measures are reaching to the ground - especially through the credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs and support through MGNREGA - which is positive. 

• RBI governor’s views: 

1. The Indian economy has started showing signs of getting back to normality in response to the staggered easing of restrictions.
2. It is, however, still uncertain when supply chains will be restored fully; how long will it take for demand conditions to normalise; and what kind of durable effects the pandemic will leave behind on our potential growth.
3. In May 2020, the RBI had said the GDP growth during 2020-21 is likely to remain in the negative territory. 

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

3.1 WWF warns about increase in demand of rare animals due to Commercial farming of endangered species in Myanmar

•  Key point -  

1. Wildlife and environmental conservation group WWF and Fauna & Flora International (FFI) have warned that the change in the Myanmar law allowing for commercial farming of endangered species may boost the demand for rare animals in the world.

• Highlights - 

1. The organisations in a joint statement cautioned that commercial trade has been shown to increase trade in wildlife by creating a parallel market for these products, according to sources.
2. The government of Myanmar in June passed a law allowing private zoos to breed 90 wildlife species out of which more than 20 are endangered. 
3. The list of wildlife animals allowed for commercial farming include Tiger, Pangolin, Siamese crocodile and Ayeyarwady Dolphin which are among endangered species in the world.
4. Myanmar is considered to be a major hub of illegal trade in wildlife driven by demand from neighbouring China.
5. Experts also fear that it may lead to the spillover of diseases from animals to humans as Myanmar lacks the capacity to regulate the trade.
6. However, the Forest Department of Myanmar maintains that the list of wild animals allowed for commercial farming was drawn after consultation with  conservation groups, academics, and experts in the field.

3.2 India’s 2018 Tiger Census sets Guinness World Record

 

•  Key point -

1. India's tiger estimation for the year 2018 has entered the record books as it was awarded the Guiness World Record on July 11, 2020 for being the largest camera-trap wildlife survey.

• Detailed news - 

1. Environment minister Prakash Javadekar reacted to the feat and said that the aim is to double the numbers achieved four years before target.
2. Since 2006, the government of India has been conducting the census every four years led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) with cooperation from various state forest departments and conservation NGOs. 
3. In 2018, India had as many as 2,967 tigers in the wild, with more than half of them in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, according to that year's tiger estimation report.
4. The paired camera traps were placed at 26,760 different locations across 139 study sites, which generated approximately 35 million photos, including 76,523 tiger and 51,337 leopard photos.

• Data analysis – 

1. The data was released by Prime Minister Modi, who announced, to the delight of nature lovers that the population of the tigers had jumped from 2226 in 2014 to 2967.
2. There was a population increase of nearly 33% since the last census in 2014 when the total estimate was 2,226.
3. Not only has it set a new world standard in tiger census but also the encouraging results have validated India’s efforts in tiger conservation.
4. It also means that India has become one the most largest and secure habitats for these wild cats.
   

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

4.1 Malala Day 2020

•  Key point -  

1. Malala Day is commemorated on July 12, the birthday of Malala Yousafzai, to honour women and children’s rights around the world.
2. On October 9, 2012, Malala was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen after she publicly advocated for the education of girls.
3. Despite the attack, Malala soon returned to the public eye, fiercer in her views than earlier and continued her advocacy for gender rights.
4. She founded the Malala Fund, a non-profit organisation to help young girls go to school and also co-authored a book titled I Am Malala, an international bestseller.
5. Yousafzai has also authored another book titled We Are Displaced that chronicles her experiences of travelling the world and visiting refugee camps.
6. In June 2020, Malala Yousafzai completed her degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford.
7. Now a book that documents the journeys of 25 exceptionally brave girls who fought oppression and defied regressive social norms for their right to education has been announced just ahead of Malala Day.
8. HarperCollins India has acquired the rights of the anthology which is compiled by Malala Fund and will be released in 2021.
9. The book will feature school-aged girls who are speaking out, tackling local issues in their communities and showing the next generation that they too can do the same.

• Awards and honours -

1. In 2012, she was awarded the first-ever National Youth Peace Prize by the Pakistan government.
2. In 2014, at age 17, Malala became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in recognition of her efforts for children’s rights which had begun even before she was shot.
3. The UN has declared her as “the most famous teenager in the world” in its Decade in Review report in late 2019.
4. Malala has also been awarded an honorary Canadian citizenship and became the youngest person to address the House of Commons in Canada.
5. The documentary on the activist, He Named Me Malala, was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2015.

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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 Natural and Manmade Disasters – Tropical Storm Fay makes landfall in New Jersey (US)

• Tropical Storm Fay made landfall on July 10 afternoon near Atlantic City in New Jersey, leaving thousands without power in the eastern U.S. state, according to the National Hurricane Center.
• Jersey Central Power and Light has reported large-scale power outages across New Jersey.
• In Monmouth County alone, more than 19,000 customers were without power.
• Flash flood warnings were issued along the storm's path, including one for the New York City area.
• The storm contains maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph, with higher gusts. 
• It was moving north at 14 mph and should pick up speed through the evening and overnight as it moves through southeastern New York and western New England.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Various political parties have voiced their concerns over holding elections in Bihar amid Covid-19 pandemic and asked to postpone the same

• Key point - 

1. Six months is the constitutionally defined limit between two sessions of the House/Assembly (Article 85(1) and Article 174(1) of the Constitution, respectively).
2. The Election Commission (EC) of India is mandated under law to hold elections at any time within six months before the five-year term of the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly expires.
3. In the case of early dissolution, EC has to ensure a new Lok Sabha or Assembly is in place within six months of the dissolution.
4. An election once called usually proceeds as per schedule. 

• Exceptional cases when elections were postponed under Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Article 324 of the Constitution of India - 

1. Postponed elections should not go beyond the six months.
2. Postponed elections should not go beyond the date of the normal dissolution of the Lok Sabha or the Assembly.
3. In 1991, the EC postponed the ongoing parliamentary elections for three weeks after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination during his campaign in Tamil Nadu.
4. In March 2020 elections to 18 Rajya Sabha seats were postponed by the EC due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• The road ahead -

1. South Korea conducted its election by disinfecting polling centres, and mandating voters practise physical distancing, wear gloves and masks and use hand sanitiser, voters had their temperatures checked on arrival at the booths, voters were allowed to mail their ballots, while self-quarantined voters were allowed to vote after 6 p.m. EC can work on this model
2. As per experts the pandemic will have its effect for at least two years, postponing the election for such a long period will go against the spirit of the democracy.

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

8.1 Not Available Today

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

9.1 Comet C/2020 F3 will make its closest approach to the Earth at a distance of 64 mn miles while crossing outside orbit of Earth on July 22, 2020

•  Key point -  

1. It is also known as NEOWISE after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) telescope that discovered it.
2. It will be visible through binoculars or a small telescope.
3. The word comet comes from the Latin word ‘Cometa’ which means ‘long-haired’.
4. The earliest known record of a comet sighting was made by an astrologer in 1059 BC.
5. Comets are mostly made of dust, rocks and ice and can range in their width from a few miles to tens of miles wide.
6. When they orbit closer to the sun, like C/2020 F3, they heat up and release debris of dust and gases.
7. When near the sun, the icy cometary surfaces vaporize and throw off large quantities of gas and dust thus forming the enormous atmosphere and tails.
8. The released gases form a glowing head that can often be larger than a planet and the debris forms a tail that can stretch out to millions of miles.
9. Each time a comet passes the sun, it loses some of its material and it will eventually disappear completely as a result.
10. There are more than 3,650 known comets as of now.
11. The predictable comets are the short-period comets which take less than 200 years to orbit around the sun.
12. These can be found in the Kuiper belt, where many comets orbit the sun in the realm of Pluto.
13. One of the most famous short-period comets is called Halley’s Comet that reappears every 76 years. Halley’s will be sighted next in 2062.
14. The less-predictable comets can be found in the Oort cloud that is about 100,000 AU (Astronomical Unit which is the distance between the Earth and the Sun and is roughly 150 million km) from the sun or 100,000 times the distance between the Earth and the sun.
15. Comets in this cloud can take as long as 30 million years to complete one rotation around the sun.
16. Astronomers believe that comets hold important clues about the formation of the solar system and it is possible that comets brought water and other organic compounds to Earth.

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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 -

• Jean-Yves Le Drian is the Foreign Affairs Minister of France.
• e-Samiksha is Union government’s real time, online system for monitoring projects and decisions taken.
• Amish Tripathi is the author of recently released book ‘Legend of Suheldev: The King Who Saved India’,
• United States was affected by Tropical Storm Cristobal in June 2020.
• Safe Blood Saves Lives was the theme of the World Blood Donor Day observed on June 14, 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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