Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 27-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 27-07-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Environment & Ecology – Over 14 lakh affected by Bihar floods – Floods continue to wreak havoc on 11 districts in north-eastern Bihar on Sunday (July 26), with over 14 lakh people affected so far. Seven persons have been reportedly killed. Sources said the government has deployed IAF helicopters to drop food packets and set up 463 community kitchens and 26 relief camps in the affected areas. Nearly 1.7 lakh people are getting food from the community kitchens and 14,011 have taken shelter in relief camps. As many as 25 teams of the National and State Disaster Response Force are engaged in relief and rescue operations.
   
2. World – South China Sea dispute: Australia says Beijing's claims have no legal basis – Australia has formally rejected China's territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea, aligning itself more closely with the US as tensions rise. Australia said the claims, which take in the majority of the sea, had "no legal basis". China has not reacted. It comes after the US called some of China's actions in the area "unlawful". In recent years China has built bases on artificial islands in the sea, saying its rights go back centuries. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam contest China's claims. The countries have wrangled over territory for decades but tensions have steadily increased in recent years, with several maritime confrontations taking place.
3. COVID-19 – N. Korea reports first case as global infections top 16 million – North Korea declared its first suspected COVID-19 case on July 26, becoming one of the last countries to do so as the number of people infected worldwide passed 16 million. The isolated, impoverished state had until now insisted it had not detected a single COVID-19 case — even as the pandemic swept the planet, overwhelming health systems and trashing the global economy. At least 6,45,000 people around the world have succumbed to the respiratory disease, with the United States continuing to be the worst-hit country by far.
   
4. COVID-19 – Record 50,000+ infections on Sun; over 5k deaths in 7 days – Daily Covid-19 cases in India went past 50,000 for the first time on Sunday (July 26) even as the total caseload crossed 14 lakh, capping the deadliest week of the pandemic so far, when total cases grew by 28% and the death toll jumped by 19%. On Sunday, 50,362 fresh cases were reported in the country, beating the previous single-day high of 49,055 on Friday. India has now recorded 14,34,851 Covid-19 cases in all. One in every five coronavirus cases in India till date was recorded in the past week. During this week (July 20-26), 3,17,892 new infections were detected, a 34% jump over the previous week’s tally of 2,37,999 cases. The week also saw 5,315 deaths from the virus, 24% higher than the toll of 4,285 in the previous week.
5. Polity & Governance – With 100 days to elections, Trump trails in polls amid growing unrest – With 100 days to go for the 2020 elections, the US is boiling with social unrest and political fervour, with riots and clashes in several cities over the weekend and a brewing confrontation between a federal Republican administration and states and cities run by Democrats. President Trump is pouring in heavily-armed and militarised federal enforcement personnel into many cities, including Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Baltimore, and Philadelphia — all Democrat-run — to contain growing protests that began as a Black Lives Matter movement and is now transforming into a broader agitation against the Trump administration’s strong-arm methods, including what some critics describe as Gestapo tactics where unidentified federal personnel are scooping up protesters from the streets.
   
6. Economy – Remittances to India likely to decline 25%; fall in oil prices to hit flow from Gulf region – Remittances to India are estimated to decline sharply by about 25 per cent in FY2021 amid the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Private transfers are expected to slow to $55-60 billion in FY21 on a year-on-year basis. India is the largest recipient of remittances (in value terms) in the worId and received nearly $76 billion of flows (2.7 per cent of GDP) in FY20. These flows help boost household income, support private consumption and add stability to current account balance (CAB). Many Indians working in the Gulf region had recently lost jobs and more layoffs are in the offing as lockdown and the decline in global trade are set to hit the global economic growth. Kerala — which is one of the largest recipients of remittances in India — is expected to witness a decline in remittances.
   
7. Economy – Australia’s migration intake to fall by over 2 lakh due to Covid-19; Indians affected – Australia’s migration intake will drop significantly to 31,000 in 2020-21 from 232,000 in 2018-19 due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, impacting thousands of Indians planning to emigrate to this country. While the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Australian economy are still evolving, migration, which is a key driver of the economy, has been hit following the travel bans, border closures imposed earlier this year since the contagion began.
8. World – Fires and pepper spray in Seattle as police protests widen across U.S. – Weeks of violent clashes between federal agents and protesters in Portland, Ore., galvanized thousands of people to march through the streets of American cities on Saturday (July 25), injecting new life into protests that had largely waned in recent weeks. One of the most intense protests was in Seattle, where a day of demonstrations focused on police violence left a trail of broken windows and people flushing pepper spray from their eyes. At least 45 protesters had been arrested as of early evening, and both protesters and police officers suffered injuries.
   
9. Polity & Governance – India celebrates 21st anniversary of Kargil War victory, PM says World has seen nation's strength – Glowing tributes were paid to the soldiers who fought the Kargil War as India on Sunday (July 26) celebrated the 21st anniversary of its victory, with PM Modi saying the world had witnessed the country's strength and the valour of its armed forces when Pakistan tried to "backstab" it. Wreaths were laid at various memorials across the country by leaders and senior officers of the three services to commemorate the victory of Indian armed forces after a 60-day war against the Pakistan Army intruders in the Kargil, Drass and Batalik sectors in 1999. Kargil Vijay Diwas is symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our armed forces.
   
10. People & Personalities – Olivia de Havilland and John Saxon dead – Olivia de Havilland, classic star of Hollywood and two-time winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Paris, France, on July 26. She was 104. The actress is known for her portrayal of Melanie in. John Saxon, the rugged actor who kicked around with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon and appeared in three Nightmare on Elm Street movies for director Wes Craven, died Saturday (July 26). He was 83.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	Bank of Baroda	Business Correspondent Supervisor	15	Degree, M.Sc/ BE (IT)/ MCA/ MBA	August 14, 2020	https://www.bankofbaroda.in/writereaddata/Images/pdf/appontment-of-business-correspondent-23-07-2020.pdf
2	Medical/ Res. Officer, Specialist Gr III	MBBS/ DM/ DNB/ Degree, PG	188	Degree/ PG	August 13, 2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/upsc-advt-no-7/19023/
3	Tata Memorial Centre	Asst Nursing Superintendent, Nurse, Clinical Coordinator	125	GNM, Diploma, Degree, PG	August 12, 2020	https://tmc.gov.in/m_events/Events/JobDetail?jobId=6949
4	NIRD & PR	State Programme Coordinator, Young Fellow	510	Any Degree, PG	August 10, 2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/nird-recruitment/60682/
5	BOPTER	Graduate & Technician Apprentice	28	Diploma/ B.E./ B. Tech (Engg)	August 24, 2020	http://bopter.gov.in/assets/pdf/Graduate_Technician_Apprentices.pdf
6	Air India Express Limited	Chief Medical Officer, Senior Asst, Dy Chief, Manager	7	MBBS, Any Degree, CA/ ICWA	--	https://www.airindiaexpress.in/upload/AdvtDraftCMOMgrDyMgrFinance29072020%20.pdf
7	Spices Board	Research Trainee	17	M.Sc	July 30, 2020	https://www.indianspices.com/sites/default/files/EN-SpicesResearchTrainee%20Notif.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 Weekly Roundup – Constitution and Law

1. Rajasthan speaker vs Sachin Pilot: SC refuses to stay Rajasthan HC proceedings; HC judgement to be subject to SC orders. Justice Arun Mishtra, B. R. Gavai and Krishna Murari
2. SC issues contempt notice to advocate Prashant Bhushan over his tweets on Judiciary. Justice Arun Mishtra, B. R. Gavai and Krishna Murari
3. SC sets up commission headed by ex-SC judge Justice B. S. Chauhan to probe Vikas Dubey encounter. CJI S. A. Bobde, A. S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian
4. SC takes up 11 year old contempt case against Prashant Bhushan: Says, we need to hear the matter’. Justice Arun Mishra, B. R. Gavai and Krishna Murari
5. SC takes Suo Moto cognizance of financial difficulties of advocates amid Covid-19; issues notices to BCI, State Bar Councils. CJI S. A. Bobde, A. S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian
6. SC imposes cost of Rs. 1 lakh on each petitioner seeking protection of artefacts recovered at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Site. Justices Arun Mishra, B. R. Gavai and Krishna Murari
7. SC reserves order on plea seeking time for staggered payment of AGR dues by telecom companies. Justices Arun Mishra, M. R. Shah and Abdul Nazeer
8. SC grants 6 months extension to complete probe in Hyderabad encounter. CJI S. A. Bobde, A. S. Bopanna and V. Ramsubramanian

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

2.1 July 24 is marked as Income Tax Day 

• Important points –

1. On July 24, 1860, income tax was introduced in India by Sir James Wilson to compensate the British government for the losses incurred during the First War of Independence in 1857.
2. The Income Tax department marked Friday (July 24) as the 160th Income Tax Day or Aaykar Diwas.
3. I-T department decided in 2010 to mark July 24 as the day for the annual celebration to mark 150 years of this levy from that year onwards.
4. Income tax was first levied as a duty in the year 1860 and the authority to levy that duty came into force on July 24 of that year.
5. The week preceding the Aaykar Diwas is marked by various activities undertaken by the regional offices of the I-T department across the country.
6. Several outreach programmes are usually organized every year across the country to promote the payment of taxes as a value norm and for sensitizing potential taxpayers that payment of taxes was an ethical duty of all citizens.

2.2 Other major happenings

1. Foreign exchange reserves climbed $1.27 billion to record peak of $517.637 billion in week to July 17.
2. Income Tax department to share PAN, bank details with 10 intelligence agencies under NATGRID.
3. Ministry of Shipping waives waterways usage charges for three years to promote Inland water transport. 
4. DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) extends the mandatory air fare band by 3 more months until November 24.

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

3.1 Vietnam bans wildlife imports and markets amid concerns over coronavirus spread

• Key point -  

1. Vietnam has announced it will ban wildlife imports and close wildlife markets in response to renewed concerns about the threat from diseases that can jump from animals to humans, such as the virus that causes COVID-19.
2. COVID-19 elevated the issue of wildlife trade, so Vietnamese lawmakers got involved with the issue in the past few months and helped push the directive forward.

• Detailed news –     

1. The Morrison Government welcomed an order signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Thursday banning all imports of wildlife dead or alive, including eggs and larvae.
2. It also merits tougher penalties for crimes involving the trade in wildlife.
3. Vietnam has been a popular destination for wildlife products — often from endangered species — that are used in traditional medicine or in preparing exotic cuisine.
4. The move comes amid increased scrutiny of the health risks of the wildlife trade as the world deals with the new coronavirus, which is thought to have jumped from animals to humans.
   

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

4.1 US relaxes exporting criteria for drones to friendly nations

• Key points -

1. In a significant development, the Trump administration has relaxed standards for exporting drones to friendly countries.
2. Under the new policy, drones that fly at speeds below 800 km per hour are no longer subject to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
3. This policy change modernises the US approach to implementing MTCR commitments.

• Highlights –

1. China aims to catch up with India, the US, Russia and the European Union to reach the red planet.
2. This action, which is consistent with the MTCR guidelines will increase the US' national security by improving capabilities of its partners and increase economic security by opening the expanding drones market to the US industry.
3. Higher-speed systems such as cruise missiles, hypersonic aerial vehicles, and advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles have not been affected by this revision.
4. The US remains a committed member of the MTCR and holds it as an important non-proliferation tool to curb the spread of high-end missile technologies to countries such as North Korea and Iran.
5. As of now only three countries -- England, France and Australia -- are allowed to buy larger, armed drones from US manufacturers.
6. In a statement, the White House said while the missile control pact is critical in slowing proliferation and promoting peace and security, it is in dire need of modernisation as it applies to unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
7. More than two years of discussion with MTCR partners were unable to produce consensus on this overdue reform.

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

5.1 Schemes for Electronic Manufacturing in India

• The Government of India unveiled three schemes with an outlay of about Rs. 48,000 crore to promote electronics manufacturing in India. These schemes are -

1. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
2. Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS).
3. Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme.

• Key Points - 

1. The Indian electronics sector is growing with the demand expected to cross US $ 400 bn by 2023-24.
2. Domestic production has grown from US $ 29 bn in 2014-15 to nearly US $ 70 bn in 2019-20.
3. The Economic Survey 2019-20 promoted this idea and suggested “assembly in India for the world”, especially in “networked products”, in a bid to create four crore well-paid jobs by 2025 and eight crore jobs by 2030.
4. This is the strategy that helped China become the economic superpower.
5. The recently launched PLI Scheme plans to achieve this goal by granting an incentive of 4-6% for domestic production.

• Concerned issues - 

1. The net value added by electronics production units is very low (5-15%), mere US $ 7-10 billion out of a global market of US $ 2.1 trillion.
2. Most components are imported rather than locally sourced, nearly constitute 80% of these components, with approximately 67% of the imports coming from China alone.
3. Absence of semiconductor fabrication plants where microchips are produced. There are about 170 commercial foundries globally but India does not have a single one. Setting up a foundry requires massive capital expenditure to the tune of US $ 2 billion and more.
4. Uncertain domestic demand and poor cost efficiencies.
5. Most of the chips, as well as components used in Indian communication and critical systems, are imported this could hamper national security and sovereignty as backdoors (method by which authorized and unauthorized users are able to get around normal security measures) could be programmed in chips during manufacturing, which could compromise networks and cyber-security.
6. It is expected that electronics imports will soon overtake crude oil as India’s largest import commodity.

• Possible solutions - 

1. The total outlay of SPECS must be increased from the current Rs. 3300 crore, to attract the microchip giants.
2. There is a need to promote semiconductor manufacturing alongside assembly units in India.

• The road ahead - 

1. India is one of the upcoming hubs for microchip designing. IITs have developed indigenous microchip designs like Shakti and Ajit. Above mentioned schemes combined with the PM’s call for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, have rejuvenated hopes of a rise of the indigenous electronics industry. 

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Roundup: Defence

• Trials of helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missile Dhruvastra held in Odisha; earlier called Nag missile (HELINA)
• India to boost Rafale capabilities with HAMMER missiles from France via emergency order.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Lt Gen Benjamin Gantz.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 World Class State of the Art Honey Testing Lab inaugurated at Anand, Gujarat

• Key points –

1. Pushing PM’s concept of Sweet Revolution ahead, a World Class State of Art Honey Testing Laboratory at Anand in Gujarat has been inaugurated by Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar through Video-Conferencing along with his team.
2. The laboratory was established by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) with support of the National Bee Board (NBB).
3. The move is in line with PM Narendra Modi's vision to bring sweet revolution in India.

• Important details –

1. The establishment of Laboratory will motivate large number of famers for production and marketing of Honey and earn more profit in agriculture.
2. NDDB has set-up this world-class lab based on the parameters notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with all the facilities and developed the test methods/protocols, which have been accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
3. Now, FSSAI has notified new standards of Honey, Bee Wax and Royal Jelly.
4. The government aims to increase the income of farmers and the Bee-keeping enterprise must play a major role in supplementing the income of farmers.
5. The government is taking several activities to promote beekeeping under Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission for Beekeeping being implemented through the National Bee Board and the States.
6. The Centre also aims to increase bee colonies, honey bee production, processing, marketing and export, which will significantly contribute in GDP and boosting the rural economy.

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

8.1 Kashmir’s saffron gets GI tag

• Highlights –

1. In a momentous decision, the Central Government has issued certification of geographical indication (GI) for saffron grown in Kashmir Valley.
2. The recognition would help Kashmir Saffron to acquire more prominence in the export market and would help the farmers get the best remunerative price.
3. Officials said that the restoration of Kashmir’s saffron’s pristine glory has been a top priority for both the union territory (UT) administration and the Central government.
4. GI certification enables those who have the right to use the sign in order to prevent a third party from using the sign.
5. The GI certification would also stop the prevalent adulteration of Kashmir Saffron and the authenticated spice would fetch a much better price.
6. Kashmir Saffron is the only one spice in the world grown at an altitude of 1,600 metres, making it a one-of-a-kind variant that is known for its unique characteristics such as natural deep-red colour, aroma, bitter flavor, etc.

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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 Not Available Toay

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Tropical Storm Fay made landfall in New Jersey (US) in July 2020 amid heavy, lashing rains.
• India will construct the 600 MW Kholongchhu joint venture hydroelectric project in Bhutan.
• India is importing Ka-226T light utility helicopters from Russia for its armed forces.
• Ajay Singh passed awat at the age of 70 in June 2020. He served as minister in the cabinet of PM V. P. Singh.
• Marcos Troyjo was elected as the new President of the New Development Bank in May 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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