Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 31-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 31-07-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. COVID-19 – India’s Covid toll tops 35k, fifth highest in world now – More than 54,000 fresh Covid-19 cases and 786 fatalities were reported from across the country on Thursday (July 30), both highest in a single day so far, even as the overall death count from the pandemic crossed 35,000, with more than 5,000 being reported in the last seven days. India now has the fifth highest Covid-19 death toll in the world after overtaking Italy’s fatality count of 35,132. The country’s overall toll stood at 35,748 on Thursday night. Of these, 18,356 have come in July alone, more than all Covid-19 deaths in the previous months put together. India’s coronavirus caseload crossed 16 lakh, with a record 54,211 new cases on Thursday (July 30).
   
2. Polity & Governance – Trump wants to delay US elections – U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested postponing the November 3 presidential election in order to avoid voting by mail, which he has repeatedly called fraudulent, without basis. Mr. Trump tweeted out his suggestion shortly after news broke that the U.S. economy had experienced a record level of contraction in the second quarter of this year. Only the Congress is empowered to delay or change Election Day, which is set in US constitutional stone — to be held every four years on the first Tuesday after November 1. Minutes prior to tweeting out his suggestion, the President had tweeted that voting by mail was a “catastrophic disaster”.
3. Economy – U.S. economy shrinks by a record 33% – The U.S. economy shrank at a dizzying 33% annual rate in the April-June quarter — the worst quarterly plunge ever — when the viral outbreak shut down businesses, throwing tens of millions out of work and sending unemployment surging to 14.7%. The Commerce Department’s estimate of the second-quarter decline in the gross domestic product marked the sharpest such drop on records dating to 1947. The previous worst quarterly contraction, a 10% drop, occurred in 1958. The contraction last quarter was driven by a deep pullback in consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of economic activity. Spending by consumers collapsed 34% as travel all but froze and shutdown orders forced many restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and other retail establishments to close.
   
4. Economy – Govt licenses TV imports to support local production – In a move aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing, the government has decided to license the import of fully-built televisions sets by putting them on the “restricted” list. The move will make it difficult for shipments worth Rs 7,000 crore coming in from China, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries to enter India and initially benefit contract manufacturers. It is expected to result in backward integration with investment in better assembly lines and component production. The curbs are unlikely to impact prices. The decision will impact the business of companies such as homegrown Vu, and China’s TCL. It will also affect the import of some high-end TV models from companies such as Sony, LG, Xiaomi and Samsung, even though a large part of their sales are through locally-made/sourced TVs.
5. COVID-19 – 3 out of 5 districts with most active cases are in M’rashtra – Pune district topped in active cases in the country on Thursday (July 30), followed by Bengaluru (Urban). Third and fourth positions were occupied by Thane and Mumbai—which meant three Maharashtra districts were among the top five. Chennai, inching toward the 1-lakh tally, had the fifth highest active cases. Of the 5,43,113 active cases in India, Pune district alone accounts for almost 9% (48,815), which means nearly one of every 10 infected Indians is currently in Pune. Bengaluru (Urban) had 36,523 active cases on Thursday, while Thane and Mumbai had 31,923 and 20,158 cases respectively. Mumbai’s active case load started showing a decline in mid-July. However, it has nearly double the active cases than Delhi, which ranks seventh with a tally of 10,743.
   
6. Polity & Governance – Hong Kong bars 12 opposition candidates from election – Hong Kong’s government said on Thursday (July 30) 12 pro-democracy candidates had been disqualified from running for election to the legislature, citing opposition to a new national security law imposed by Beijing, but denied infringing civil rights. Disqualified candidates included pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, some members of the Civic Party, a moderate, old-guard opposition group, and others who won an unofficial ”primary” vote held by the opposition camp this month. The move is sure to infuriate supporters of democracy, a month after Communist Party rulers in Beijing announced the national security law that reins in dissent in the semi-autonomous city. It could also steer China further onto a collision path with the West.
   
7. World – China conducts drills in South China Sea – Beijing recently conducted “high-intensity” naval exercises in the South China Sea as tensions grow over the Asian power’s manoeuvres in the contested waters. China’s expanding military presence in the region has worried several of its neighbours, while the U.S. has vowed to stand up against Beijing’s territorial claims to much of the South China Sea, including the contested Paracel Islands. Chinese H-6G and H-6J jet bombers carried out “high-intensity training, and completed day-and-night training exercises in taking off and landing, long-range assault, and attacks on sea targets.
8. Polity & Governance – Marathas are not eligible for EWS quota: State govt – The Maharashtra government has issued a circular stating the Maratha community would not be eligible to avail benefits under the quota for the 10% Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the general category in the state. Community representatives however said the state should withdraw its circular as it cannot stop the community from availing reservation benefits, or they would approach the court. The circular said the Maratha community has been given reservation under the socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) category, so its members would not be able to avail benefit of 10% reservation under EWS for jobs and admission in educational institutions.
   
9. COVID-19 – A death a minute: US toll tops 1.5L – US deaths from the coronavirus surpassed 1,50,000, the highest official toll in the world and another grim milestone in a pandemic that’s still raging in many parts of the country. One person in the US died about every minute from Covid-19 on Wednesday (July 29) as 1,461new deaths were recorded, the highest one-day increase since 1,484 on May 27. US coronavirus deaths are rising at their fastest rate in two months. Spikes in infections in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas this month have overwhelmed hospitals.
   
10. Science & Technology – NASA’s Perseverance Rover Launches to Mars – NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission is on its way to the Red Planet to search for signs of ancient life and collect samples to send back to Earth. Humanity's most sophisticated rover launched with the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter on July 30 on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Perseverance rover's astrobiology mission is to seek out signs of past microscopic life on Mars, explore the diverse geology of its landing site, Jezero Crater, and demonstrate key technologies that will help us prepare for future robotic and human exploration.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	Office of Dy Commissioner, Una	Peon, Basta Barder, Chowkidar	38	Matriculation, Middle Class	AUG-10-2020	Matriculation, Middle Class
2	Balmer Lawrie & Co Limited	Junior Officer	10	Diploma (Engg), Deg.	AUG-17-2020	https://www.blrecruit.in/UploadDocument/Notice/10/Junior%20Office%20Web%20Ad.pdf
3	BEL	Diploma Apprentice	100	Diploma (Engg.)	AUG 10--2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/bel/16294/#Diploma-Apprentice
4	ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad	Professor, Super Specialist, Sr Resident, Jr Resident & Other	120	MBBS, PG Degree/ Diploma	AUG-7-2020	https://www.esic.nic.in/attachments/recruitmentfile/5db4a6a152ae6f1b59234f3603fc3e95.pdf
5	A & N Administration	Data Entry Operator	9	12th Class, Computer Knowledge	AUG 8,2020	https://www.andaman.gov.in/admin-pannel/whatsnew/1-209-DDUGKYDAta.pdf
6	DMHO, West Godavari	Medical Officer	293	MBBS, MD	31-07-2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/07/Notification-DMHO-West-Godavari-Medical-Officer-Posts.pdf
7	Vadodara Municipal Corp.	MPHW, MO & Other	297	MLT, Dip (Pharma), Degree	AUG-8-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/vadodara-mahanagar-seva-sadan/136849/

 

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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 SIDBI, TransUnion CIBIL launched ‘MSMESaksham’ - financial education and knowledge platform for MSMEs.

2.2 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated CII National Digital conference on Ease of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat.

2.3 IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) of ISRO to be set up as single-window nodal agency for pvt sector. 

2.4 ICRA Ratings appoints N. Sivaraman as MD and Group CEO.

2.5 Senco Gold CMD Shaankar Sen passes away in Kolkata at 63.

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

3.1 High levels (around 3 parts per million) of ammonia in the Yamuna river has been detected in Delhi which led to the disruption of water supply in Delhi.

• Key point –

1. As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the acceptable maximum limit of ammonia in drinking water is 0.5 parts per million (ppm)
2. Ammonia (NH3) is a colourless gas and is used as an industrial chemical in the production of fertilisers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes and other products.
3. It occurs naturally in the environment from the breakdown of organic waste matter, and may also find its way to ground and surface water sources through industrial effluents, contamination by sewage or through agricultural runoff.

• Effect of High Level of Ammonia -

1. Ammonia reduces the amount of oxygen in water. If the concentration of ammonia in water is above 1 ppm it is toxic to fishes. In humans, long term ingestion of water having ammonia levels of 1 ppm or above may cause damage to internal organs.

• Solutions - 

1. Mixing of freshwater and chlorination are the two methods to purify Amonia polluted water.
2. Making sure untreated sewage does not enter the water.
3. Maintain a sustainable minimum flow, called the ecological flow (minimum amount of water that should flow throughout the river at all times to sustain underwater and estuarine ecosystems). 

3.2 World Nature Conservation Day 2020

•  Key point – 

1. Observed every year on July 28, World Nature Conservation Day came into practice as the day to educate people about the best practices to protect our natural resources as our planet Earth has only a limited amount of resources left that we hugely rely on each day like water, air, soil and trees. 

• Highlights – 

1. World Nature Conservation Day is celebrated to create and increase awareness about the importance of natural resources and how one can live sustainably. 
2. The day encourages people to save and protect Earth’s natural resources that are fast-depleting owing to over-exploitation and even misuse.
3. World Nature Conservation Day also recognises that a healthy environment is the core reason for a stable and productive society.
4. The sustainable practices are such that the well-being of the present and future generations can be secured.

• How to live sustainably – 

1. Waste management: Reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Practice rainwater harvesting and setup wastewater treatment plants. Use an organic compost if possible.
2. Sustainable commuting: Carpool with fellow office-goers who work in and around your office complex. It is good for the environment as fewer cars means lesser pollution and is also easier on the pocket.
3. Reduce your electricity consumption: switch off electrical appliances when not in use, or everytime you walk out of a room.
4. Reduce paper use: Save paper, save trees. In the digital age, the devices we use help us take notes so it saves the need for a print-out. 
5. Avoid the use single-use of plastics: The plastics eventually flowing into the oceans are causing damage to marine life, ecology and so much more. 

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

4.1 New Zealand suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong

• Key points –

1. New Zealand has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and made a number of other changes following China`s decision to pass a national security law for the territory.
2. The Chinese embassy in New Zealand called the decision a violation of international law and gross interference in China`s internal affairs.

• Highlights –

1. Beijing imposed new legislation on the former British colony earlier this month despite the protests of Hong Kong residents and Western nations, setting the financial hub on a more authoritarian track.
2. Australia, Canada and Britain all suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong earlier this month.
3. U.S. President Donald Trump has ended preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong.
4. New Zealand will treat military and dual-use goods and technology exports to Hong Kong in the same way as it treats such exports to China as part of a review of its overall relationship with Hong Kong.
5. Travel advice has been updated to alert New Zealanders to the risks presented by the new security law.
6. China is New Zealand`s largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade recently exceeding NZ$32 billion ($21 billion).
7. New Zealand`s ties with China have frayed recently after the Pacific nation backed Taiwan`s participation at the World Health Organization (WHO).

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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: Arts and Culture

• Eminent danseuse Amala Shankar passes away at 101 in Kolkata - Eminent danseuse and choreographer Amala Shankar passed away in Kolkata on July 24, 2020 at the age of 101. She was awarded the West Bengal government’s Banga Bibhusan award in 2011 for her contributions to art.

• Hollywood actress Olivia de Havilland dies at 104 in Paris - Hollywood actress Olivia de Havilland died at the age of 104 in Paris on July 26, 2020. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role twice: for ‘To Each His Own’ in 1946 and ‘The Heiress’ in 1949.

• Hollywood actor John Saxon dies at the age of 83 - Hollywood actor John Saxon died at the age of 83 in Tennessee (US) on July 25, 2020. He was best known for starring with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon and appeared in several Nightmare on Elm Street movies. Saxon appeared in nearly 200 roles in films and on television in a career that stretched over seven decades since he made his big screen debut in 1954. 

• Annie Ross, jazz singer and actress, dies at 89 in New York - Annie Ross, a popular jazz singer in the 1950s before crossing over into a successful film career, died at the age of 89 in New York on July 21, 2020.
• Natesa Icon - A rare sandstone idol from the 9th century (Pratihara Style of Rajasthan) has been retrieved after 22 years by Rajasthan police. It is currently at the Indian High Commission, London, was originally from the Ghateswar Temple, Baroli, Rajasthan. It was smuggled out of the country in 1998. A few archaeologists behind the ‘India Pride Project’ have also taken consistent efforts for the restitution of the Natesa icon. The sandstone Natesa figure stands tall at almost 4 ft. in a rare and brilliant depiction of Shiva. A beautiful depiction of Nandi is shown behind the right leg of the Natesa icon. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Ministry of Culture should use this restitution as a much-needed impetus to go after thousands of artefacts stolen since the 1960s.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Cabinet approves National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, brings in major reforms 

• Key points –

1. The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved National Education Policy 2020 bringing major reforms in higher education including a target of 50 per cent Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by 2035 and provision for multiple entry and exits.
2. It is important as for 34 years there were no changes in the education policy.
3. The NEP includes graded academic, administrative and financial autonomy for institutions and a single regulator for all higher education, working under a self-disclosure based transparent system for approvals in place of numerous 'inspections'.

• The New Policy – 

1. According to the new policy, Board exams will be kept in low stakes and test actual knowledge of the student instead of rote learning.
2. Board exams for classes 10 and 12 will be continued, but will be reformed to eliminate the need for taking coaching classes.
3. All students will be allowed to take board exams on up to two occasions during any given school year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired.
4. All students will take school examinations in classes 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate authority.
5. Under the new education policy, the government said the national mission will now focus on basic literacy and numeracy.
6. A per the new policy, the 10+2 structure of school curricula is to be replaced with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to age groups 3-8, 8-11, 11-14 and 14-18 years respectively.
7. The new system will cover four stages -- Foundational Stage (three years of anganwadi or pre-school followed by classes 1-2), Preparatory Stage (classes 3-5), Middle Stage (classes 6-8) and Secondary Stage (classes 9-12).
8. There will be no rigid separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams.

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

8.1 Three Wind Power projects with 800 megawatt capacity inaugurated

• Highlights –

1. Union Power Minister R K Singh has dedicated three wind energy projects with 800 megawatt (MW) capacity to the nation.
2. Sembcorp Energy India Limited (SEIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries, has developed these projects awarded by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
3. With the full commissioning of its 300MW SECI 3 wind project, Sembcorp became the first independent power producer to fully commission its projects awarded in the first three wind power auctions held by the SECI.
4. Together, these assets provide enough clean energy to power more than 600,000 homes and avoid over 2 million tonnes/annum of carbon dioxide emissions.
5. This is also the largest operational wind capacity with any developer to-date from SECI auctions.
6. Officials said that the government is determined to achieve energy transition for which it will ensure transparency, fairness and level playing field to its partners in the sector.
7. Officials also added that they are committed to achieving the target of 175 GW Renewable Energy capacity by 2020 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of 450 GW Renewable Energy capacity by 2030.
8. Under the first SECI auction, Sembcorp installed 250 MW of wind power capacity in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu and a further 250 MW and 300 MW under subsequent auctions in Bhuj, Gujarat.

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

9.1 NASA flawlessly launches its most ambitious Mars rover yet

• Key points –

1. Perseverance began its long journey to Mars on July 30, 2020 by successfully launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a ULA Atlas V rocket.
2. It now begins its seven-month journey to the Red Planet, landing there on Feb. 18, 2021.
3. The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of America's larger Moon to Mars exploration approach that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.
4. Charged with sending the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA's Artemis program.

• Important details – 

1. The Perseverance rover is on track to reach the red planet in February and begin exploring a crater that held water 3.5 billion years ago.
2. The mission is on its way to the Red Planet to search for signs of ancient life and collect samples to send back to Earth.
3. The Perseverance rover's astrobiology mission is to seek out signs of past microscopic life on Mars, explore the diverse geology of its landing site, Jezero Crater, and demonstrate key technologies that will help us prepare for future robotic and human exploration.
4. The Martian rock and dust Perseverance's Sample Caching System collects could answer fundamental questions about the potential for life to exist beyond Earth.
5. Experts believe that the rover's technologies for entry, descent, and landing also will provide information to advance future human missions to Mars.

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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 -

• Malini Parthasarathy has taken over as the new Chairperson of The Hindu Group of Publications.
• Akhatov Dilshod Khamidovich has taken charge as the new envoy of Uzbekistan to India.
• ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts’ was e-launched by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in June 2020.
• #iCommit campaign to promote energy efficiency was launched by the Power and New & Renewable Energy Ministry in June 2020?
• International Tea Day was observed by the UN on May 21, 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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