Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 19-08-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 19-08-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Economy – Centre targets PSBs’ stake sale by March – The Finance Ministry is working to expedite the sale of stakes in four state-owned banks — IDBI Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab & Sind Bank and UCO Bank — with the aim of completing the disinvestment process in the current fiscal. The government is looking to divest its stakes in multiple public sector companies at a time when its finances have taken a hit from significant shortfalls in tax revenue amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The four banks mentioned were the only prospects currently being considered for divestment in the banking sector. The Prime Minister’s Office wrote a letter to the Finance Ministry earlier this month asking it to expedite the sale of stakes in these lenders.
2. Economy – RBI unveils framework for retail payments entity – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a framework for setting up of a pan-India umbrella entity for retail payments systems. This entity, to be incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, would need to focus on retail payments systems. The umbrella entity will set up, manage and operate new payments systems in the retail space comprising ATMs, white label PoS, Aadhaar-based payments and remittance services. The entity will operate clearing and settlement systems for participating banks and non-banks, identify and manage relevant risks, monitor retail payments system developments and related issues in the country and internationally.
3. Economy – Farm exports rise 23% to ₹25,553 cr. in March-June – India’s farm exports rose more than 23% in value terms to ₹25,553 crore during March-June period amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. To promote farm exports, a “comprehensive action plan” has been prepared under which ‘Export Promotion Forums’ are being created and existing agri-clusters strengthened besides identifying certain destinations for promotion of agricultural exports. Promotion of farm exports is extremely important not only for earning precious foreign exchange for the country but also for achieving the goal of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ for which self-reliant agriculture is critical. According to the Ministry, ‘clear and proactive interventions’ are required to be taken to ensure India becomes a top exporting nation in agriculture commensurate with the production.
4. Constitution & Law – No need to audit PM CARES: SC – The SC on August 18 endorsed the PM CARES Fund as a “public charitable trust” to which donors contribute voluntarily. There is “no occasion” for the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to audit a public charitable trust independent of budgetary support or government money. The court said that it is “not open” for a PIL petitioner to question the “wisdom” that created the fund in an hour of need. NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation had argued that the PM-CARES Fund was not subject to CAG audit. It was not under “public scrutiny”. Contributions to it were “100% tax-free”. The court dismissed the idea that the PM CARES was constituted to “circumvent” the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) — the statutory fund already in existence under the Disaster Management Act of 2005 to receive contributions to finance the fight against a calamity.
5. Economy – Lockdown takes toll on 18.9 mn salaried jobs, informal sector shows silver lining – Salaried jobs suffered the biggest hit during the lockdown, with total loss estimated to be at 18.9 million during April-July. The plight of salaried employees has worsened since the lockdown, with a loss of 17.7 million salaried jobs in April, additional 0.1 million jobs in May, followed by gain of 3.9 million jobs in June and then again loss of 5 million jobs in July. Salaried jobs were nearly 19 million short of their average in 2019-20. They were 22 per cent lower than their level in the last fiscal year. Informal and non-salaried jobs, however, have shown improvement during the same period increasing to 325.6 million in July from 317.6 million last year, an increase of 2.5 per cent.
6. Business – People's Bank of China picks up stake in ICICI Bank via QIP issue – After picking up a stake in housing finance major HDFC, the Chinese central bank People’s Bank of China has acquired a very small stake in ICICI Bank through the recently closed Rs 15,000 crore share sale by the country’s second largest private sector lender. The People’s Bank of China was among 357 institutional investors which incl­uded domestic mutual funds, insurance firms and global institutions that subscribed to the issue. According to sources, the Chinese central bank has picked up shares worth Rs 15 crore in Rs 15,000 crore qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue. At current market capitalisation, the stake of People’s Bank of China in ICICI Bank is about 0.0065 per cent.
7. Research/Study – ‘Data, AI may add up to $500 bn to GDP by 2025’ – Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could add $450-$500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025 and contribute to the country’s economic recovery and growth, said industry apex body Nasscom. Digital India has reimagined how our government connects with citizens and the accelerated deployment of AI and other emerging technologies will help further this objective. Debjani Ghosh, president, Nasscom, said, “Data and AI’s true potential emerges from its ability to drive transformation across multiple sectors through a diverse range of applications.”
8. COVID-19 – Covid-19 recoveries cross 2 million; case fatality rate declines to 1.91% – India’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) recoveries have crossed the two-million mark, as the number of recovering patients has outnumbered new viral infections. At present, the number of active Covid-19 cases are less than 25% of the total number of the viral infections reported since January 30. Around 60,000 Covid-19 patients are recovering daily from their viral infection. While around 55,000 new Covid-19 cases are being reported a day. A continuous uptick in average daily recoveries has led to India’s recovery rate at 73.18% and a low case fatality rate (CFR) at 1.91%.
9. Economy – Rising for 4th straight month, SIP closure in July crosses 7L accounts – While the mutual fund industry witnessed a net outflow of Rs 2,480 crore from equity-oriented schemes in July on account of rising redemptions and slowdown in gross inflows, data shows the industry witnessed closure of 7.16 lakh SIP accounts in July. Even SIP collection for the month fell for the fourth straight month to hit a 22-month low of Rs 7,830 crore. The industry, however, witnessed a rise in number of outstanding SIPs to 3.27 crore, as it added a net (gross account additions less accounts getting closed) of 3.84 lakh new investor accounts in July.
10. COVID-19 – Coronavirus pandemic now driven by younger adults, WHO says – The WHO said it was concerned that the novel coronavirus spread was being driven by people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, many of whom were unaware they were infected, posing a danger to vulnerable groups. Officials said this month the proportion of younger people among those infected had risen globally, putting at risk vulnerable sectors of the population worldwide, including the elderly and sick people in densely populated areas with weak health services. A surge in new cases has prompted some countries to re-impose curbs as companies race to find a vaccine for a virus that has battered economies, killed more than 770,000 people and infected nearly 22 million. Surges in infections have been reported in countries that had appeared to have the virus under control. 

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	-	CAPF (ACs) Exam 2020	209	Any Degree	SEPT-7-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/upsc-cpf-ac/148489/#CAPF-2020
2	NIPER, Raebareli	Associate, Asst Professor, Scientist, Secretary, Tech. Asst.	21	B.Com, M.Sc, M.Pharma, Ph.D	SEPT-24-2020	http://niperraebareli.edu.in/advertiesment/Full_Advertisement_2020.pdf
3	Indian Inst. of Toxicology Res.	Scientist & Senior Scientist	11	MD/ME/ M.Tech, Ph.D	SEPT-21-2020	http://iitrindia.org/pdf/IITRSciAdvt2020.pdf
4	IBSD	Pro. Scientist - I, II, Res Asso, Project Asso	16	M. Sc, M. Pharm, Ph.D	SEPT-7-2020	http://ibsd.gov.in/ibsd/home/uploads/documents/2020/08/17082020-17-Contractual_IBSD_17082020.pdf
5	NEERI	Project Assistant Level – II/ II	8	B.E/ B.Tech, M.E/ M.Tech (Engg), M.Sc (Chem)	AUG-31-2020	https://www.csircmc.res.in/sites/default/files/attachments/Rect_Neeri_PA_Aug2020_Advt.pdf
6	IARI	Sr Research Fellow, Field Assistant	5	10+2, PG	SEPT-8-2020	https://www.iari.res.in/bic/projectnew32/admin/jobs/Advertisement_BMGF_IRA_17082020.pdf
7	CRPF	Specialist Medical Officer	69	PG Degree/ Diploma	15 & 16-09-202	https://www.crpf.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/Recruitment_Advertise/ADVERTISE/1_198_1_756082020.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 Gadkari lays foundation stone for Rs. 3,000 crore highway projects in Manipur

• Key points – 

1. Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday laid foundation stones for 13 highway projects, with construction value worth ₹3,000 crore, to improve connectivity in Manipur.
2. The minister also inaugurated a road safety project in the north-eastern state through a video conference.
3. The minister also urged Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh to expedite land acquisition in the state urgently, so that roads can be built in a time-bound manner.
4. The chief minister said there is a need for four-laning of Imphal-Loktak highway, as it faces congestion for being a tourist spot.
5. Important details –
6. These projects involve a road length of 316 km, and include four laning of Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39, widening to two lane with hard shoulder of Churachandpur to Tuivai section of NH 102B, among others.
7. Paving the way for development of Manipur, these roads will enhance better connectivity, convenience and economic growth in this north-eastern state.
8. Detailed project report for an elevated road in Imphal is being prepared and work on this will begin in the next two-three months, the minister said, adding that more such projects are in the offing.

2.2 NTPC develops infrastructure at Rihand for increasing fly ash utilization

1. To transport fly ash to cement plants located at distance, NTPC Limited has developed infrastructure at Rihand project in Uttar Pradesh.
2. The Power Ministry said the development is in line with NTPC's commitment towards 100 percent utilization of fly ash from power plants.
3. As per a statement issued by the PSU under Ministry of Power, the first rake of 59 BOXN type of railway wagons carrying 3450 Metric Tonne (MT) of fly ash was flagged off from NTPC.
4. The effort marks the beginning of a new era for the transportation of fly ash from a remote location to a consumption centre, enabling power plants for upgrading the utilization of fly ash.
5. The Ministry said, over 44 million tonnes of fly ash was utilized for various productive purposes during the financial year 2019-20.

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

3.1 On I-Day, PM announces government’s plans for environmental protection

• Key point –

1. From launching projects to conserve Gangetic dolphins and Asiatic lions to making Ladakh carbon neutral, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his government''s plans in the kitty for the protection of the environment on Saturday (August 15).

• Importants details –

1. Announcing big plans for Ladakh, the PM said, "Just like Sikkim has made its mark as an organic state, efforts are being made to make Ladakh a carbon-neutral region."
2. According to officials, Ladakh accounts for 0.1 per cent of the country''s total emissions.
3. Carbon neutrality means achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing it from the atmosphere in carbon sinks.

• Project Dolphin –

1. Talking about giving a push to the country''s biodiversity, Modi announced a 10-year project to conserve the Gangetic dolphin, which was declared the national aquatic animal in 2010.
2. Project Dolphin aims to give a stronger impetus for the conservation of the species on the lines of Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
3. In India, these dolphins are sighted at long, deep river reaches in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
4. According to official figures, there are about 3700 Gangetic dolphins in Indian river systems.

• Asiatic lions – 

 

1. The PM said the government will soon launch a project to conserve Asiatic lions.
2. He hailed the country''s efforts in increasing the numbers of tigers and lions in recent times.
3. According to the ministry of environment, Project Lion will entail habitat development, engage modern technologies in lion management and address the issue of diseases in lions and associated species through advanced, world-class research and veterinary care.
4. The project will address the issue of human-wildlife conflict, involve the local communities living in the vicinity of the lions'' landscape and also provide livelihood opportunities.
5. As per the reports, earlier this year, there was a 29-per cent increase in the population of the Asiatic lions that live in Gujarat''s Gir forest, taking the number from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.
6. According to the 2018 tiger census, the figures of which were released in 2019, India''s wild tiger population increased by over 30 per cent in four years, with the census declaring 2,967 big cats, up from 2,226 four years ago.

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

4.1 Carrier that ran aground, spilled oil off Mauritian coast breaks up

• Important points –

1. The grounded Japanese ship that leaked tons of oil near protected areas off the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius has split apart, with its remaining fuel spreading into the turquoise waters.
2. Oil barriers were in place and a skimmer ship was nearby.
3. Most if not all the remaining 3,000 tons of fuel had been pumped off the ship in the past week as environmental groups warned that the damage to coral reefs and once-pristine coastal areas could be irreversible.
4. The MV Wakashio struck a reef on July 25 and its hull began to crack after days of pounding waves. Some 1,000 tons of fuel began to leak on Aug. 6.
5. The Mauritius government is under pressure to explain why immediate action wasn’t taken to empty the ship of its fuel. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth earlier blamed bad weather for the slow response.
6. Owner Nagashiki Shipping has said “residual” amounts of fuel remained on the ship after pumping. It is investigating why the ship went off course, as the ship was meant to stay at least 10 miles (16 kilometers) from shore. The company has sent experts to help in cleaning up the damage.
7. The Mauritius government is seeking compensation from the company.
8. After the government declared an environmental emergency, thousands of volunteers rushed to the shore to create makeshift oil barriers from tunnels of fabric stuffed with sugar cane leaves and even human hair, with empty soda bottles tucked in to keep them afloat.
9. The country of some 1.3 million people relies heavily on tourism and already had taken a severe hit with the coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions.

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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 Round-up – Arts and Culture

• Ebrahim Alkazi, ex-Director of National School of Drama (NSD), dies at 94 - Ebrahim Alkazi, theatre director & producer and ex-Director of New-Delhi based National School of Drama (1962-77), died at the age of 94 on August 4, 2020. Awards won by him included Padma Shri (1966), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Vibhushan (2010), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1962) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1967).
• ‘Moothon’ is Best Film at New York Indian Film Festival 2020 - Malayalam film ‘Moothon’ won the Best Film award at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) organised virtually from July 24 to August 2, 2020. Other awards won by ‘Moothon’ were – Best Actor for Nivin Pauly and Best Child Actor for Sanjana Dipu. Garggi Ananthan won Best Actress award for her role in Malayalam film ‘Run Kalyani’. Achal Mishra won the Best Director Award for his Maithili film ‘Gamak Ghar’. ‘Tailing Pond’, a 2019 documentary directed by Saurav Vishnu won Best Documentary.
• Government abolishes All India Handicrafts Board - The government has abolished the All India Handicrafts Board, an advisory body that gives recommendation to government for promotion and growth as handicrafts in India. The board is chaired by textiles minister and has secretaries to the ministries of rural development and micro small & medium enterprises, and various states as members.
• Sixth National Handloom Day celebrated on August 7 - The sixth National Handloom Day was celebrated on August 7, 2020 in memory of the Swadeshi Movement which was launched on the same day in 1905. Smriti Irani, India’s Union Minister of Textiles, urged people to use handmade items from their clothing to furnishings.
• Railway Museum at Hubballi, Karnataka dedicated to the nation - Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines, Pralhad Joshi on August 9, 2020 dedicate Railway Museum at Hubballi, Karnataka to the Nation.

 

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 DEFENCE PRODUCTION MoUs

• DEFENCE PRODUCTION MoUs I – 

1. Two memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed between Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs).
2. Goa Shipyard Limited signed an MoU with IIT, Goa on areas such as artificial intelligence, internet of things and computational field dynamics.
3. An MoU on development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones was signed between Bengaluru-headquartered BEML and IIT Kanpur.

• DEFENCE PRODUCTION MoUs II -

1. BEML signed an MoU with NASSCOM CoE (Centre of Excellence) for artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)-related areas
2. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed an MOU for "indigenous overhauling of main motor of SSK Class Submarines" with Medha Servo Drives Private Limited.
3. Defence Minister approves proposal for expansion of NCC to cover 173 border and coastal districts
4. IPS officer Rakesh Asthana appointed Director General of BSF
5. Konkurs Missile Test & Launcher Equipment developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) launched
6. Indian Navy inks deal with Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority for setting up centre of excellence in UP defence corridor
7. Defence Minister launches SRIJAN portal to promote indigenization in defence sector by private sector companies.

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

8.1 India’s seafood exports pegged at 12,89,651 MT in FY 2019-20

• Key point – 

1. India shipped 12,89,651 MT of seafood worth Rs 46,662.85 crore (USD 6.68 billion) during 2019-20, largely cushioning the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Important details –

1. Frozen shrimp remained the major export item in terms of quantity and value followed by frozen fish while USA and China turned out to be the major importers of India’s seafood.
2. During the FY 2019-20, the export improved in rupee term by 0.16%, but the quantity and US dollar value declined by 7.39 per cent and 0.74 per cent, respectively.
3. In 2018-19, India had exported 13, 92,559 MT of seafood worth Rs 46,589.37 crore (USD 6,728.50 million).
4. Exports are now likely to witness an uptick as lockdowns have been eased globally and there is an increased sale of value added products in retail chains.
5. As for overseas markets, USA continued to be the major importer of Indian seafood in value term with an import worth USD 2, 562.54 million, accounting for a share of 38.37 per cent in in terms of dollar value.
6. Exports to US registered a growth of 8.25 per cent in quantity, 10.38 per cent in rupee value and 9.30 per cent in USD earnings.
7. Frozen shrimp continued to be the principal item exported to that country and the exports of Vannamei shrimp showed a growth of 18.94 per cent in quantity and 19.02 per cent in dollar terms.
8. China emerged as the largest seafood export destination from India in terms of quantity with an import of 3,29,479 MT worth USD 1,374.63 million, accounting for 25.55 per cent in quantity and 20.58 per cent in dollar terms. Exports to that country grew by 46.10 per cent in quantity and 69.47 per cent in USD value.
9. Frozen shrimp, the major item of exports to China, had a share of 44.22 per cent in quantity and 62.65 per cent in dollar value while the frozen fish had a share of 40.12 per cent in terms of quantity and 23.54 per cent in terms of value out of the total exports to China.
10. European Union continued to be the third largest destination for Indian seafood with frozen shrimp, the major item of exports, registering an increase of 5.21 per cent and 1.63 per cent in quantity and dollar value, respectively.
11. South East Asia is the fourth largest market. However, overall exports to the countries in this region plummeted by 50.02 per cent in quantity, 53.32 per cent in rupee value and 53.90 per cent in dollar earnings.
12. Japan continued to be the fifth largest importer with a share of 6.09 per cent in quantity and 6.32 per cent in USD value terms, registering a growth of 0.02 % in rupee value.
13. Frozen shrimp continued to be the major item of exports to Japan.
14. Exports to the Middle East also showed a growth of 5.04 per cent in rupee and 3.82 per cent in dollar terms, but marked a 4.72 per cent negative growth in quantity.

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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 Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• The International Day of Light was celebrated by UNESCO on May 16.
• According to a report published by a UK-based firm Comparitech recently in India, Hyderabad has the highest number of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at 3 lakhs.
• Pradeep Kumar Joshi was appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in August 2020.
• Rafale fighter jets are equipped with HAMMER missiles. HAMMER is Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range.
• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 calls for setting up of a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by MHRD.

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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