Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 11-09-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 11-09-2020

• [message]
• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. India-China standoff 2020 – Two incidents of firing at south bank of Pangong Tso – The south bank of the Pangong Tso (lake) where Indian and Chinese troops are currently engaged in a face-off, witnessed firing in the air not only on Sept 7 but also a week earlier. The first incident when a few rounds were fired in the air was reported on August 30 from the same area. It was not clear how the firing began. This is the first time since 1975 that shots were fired along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Indian Army said that it was the Chinese troops who fired a few rounds in the air on September 7. On August 31, the Army issued a statement, saying China had carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo in the south bank of the Pangong Tso and “Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity”. The two instances of firing were worrying as no concrete solution on restoring the status quo had been achieved so far through military and diplomatic-level dialogue.
2. International Relations – Jaishankar, Wang hold talks – External Affairs Minister and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first face-to-face meeting in Moscow to discuss the four-month- long stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, which has seen violent clashes and even gunfire for the first time since 1975. The meeting took place, after the completion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council’s Foreign Minister’s meeting as well as a Russia-India-China trilateral meeting that both Ministers attended but the outcome of the India-China bilateral meeting was not immediately known. Meanwhile, there was little change at the LAC, where ground commanders at the north bank of Pangong Tso (lake) met for the second consecutive day.
3. Defence –  Rafales a game changer, says Rajnath – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the induction of the French Rafale fighter jet into the Indian Air Force (IAF) a “game changer”, and said it was a very important step in light of the security conditions that “have been created along India’s borders.” The formal ceremony marked the full operational induction of the jets into the IAF, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria said. Five Rafales were inducted into the No. 17 Golden Arrows squadron. This is the first imported fighter to be inducted since the Sukhoi-30s came from Russia in the late 90s.
4. Social – SIT to probe ‘expensive’ COVID kit purchases in U.P. – The UP govt formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged anomalies in the purchase of equipment related to COVID-19 treatment. There were reports from some districts that certain items were bought at a cost higher than the market price. The reports reportedly said certain gram panchayats in districts, including Sultanpur, Ghazipur, Bijnor and Barabanki, purchased pulse oximeters and infrared thermometers at a cost higher than the market price. Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, Renuka Kumar will head the SIT, which has been asked to submit a report in 10 days, said a government spokesperson. In June, the State government issued orders for procurement of pulse oximeters, infrared thermometers and sanitiser sets as part of the COVID-19 surveillance kits in every gram panchayat. The fund transfer was to be made from the State Finance Commission.
5. COVID-19 Updates – Biggest spike in deaths (1,169) on Thurs, marginal drop in new cases – The Covid-19 pandemic has now claimed more than 75,000 lives in India. The toll went past the milestone on Thursday, when fatalities reported from across the country surged to a single-day high of 1,169. India’s death toll from the pandemic has risen from 50,000 to 75,000 in just 26 days, averaging around 1,000 fatalities per day in this period. Meanwhile, the daily count of Covid-19 cases has been inching towards the one lakh mark over the past few days. On Thursday, 96,084 new cases were reported, the second highest single-day surge so far after the previous day’s tally of 97,399, as per TOI’s data collated from state governments.
6.  COVID-19 Updates –  Serum Institute puts on hold Oxford vaccine trial after showcause notice – Serum Institute of India paused the trials of Covishield, Oxford University-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate, following a notice issued by the central drug regulator. Serum Institute had said that it had not faced any issues in its trials so far and that it was continuing with its trials here but the DCGI issued a show cause notice to the vaccine manufacturer late on Wednesday evening asking why the company had not informed the regulator about the issues faced by AstraZeneca during trials in the UK.
7. World – Trump admits he played down virus – President Donald Trump admits he tried to minimise the seriousness of the threat from COVID-19 at the outset of the pandemic in audio recordings released from interviews with veteran U.S. journalist Bob Woodward. In another recorded interview, on Feb 7, he told Mr. Woodward the virus “goes through the air” — despite repeatedly mocking people who wear masks, in the weeks and months after. It took until July before the President was seen publicly wearing a mask. Coming eight weeks before the November 3 presidential election, the revelations add new pressure on Mr. Trump. Opinion polls show around two thirds of Americans disapprove of his handling of the virus and he has often been accused of minimising the crisis in order to try and boost his re-election chances.
8. World  – A month after explosion, huge blaze at Beirut port – A large fire erupted at Beirut port, sending a huge column of smoke over the Lebanese capital weeks after a massive blast devastated the port and surrounding residential area. The blaze began in the shattered duty free zone of the port, prompting some residents to flee the city still traumatised by last month’s explosion which followed a port fire. A military source said early indications suggested the blaze started when cooking oil in the port area caught fire and spread to stores of tyres. At one point, live television footage showed flames licking up near a pile of tires in a smashed warehouse.
9. World – U.K. holds crisis talks with EU as Pelosi warns on Brexit Bill – Britain held emergency talks with the European Union on Thursday, facing warnings of legal action over a new Brexit Bill and a threatening reminder of its obligations to Northern Ireland from leading U.S. Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Warnings redoubled too within the ranks of the governing Conservative party as former Prime Mnister John Major, who helped lay the foundations for Northern Irish peace in the 1990s, said his successor Boris Johnson risked trashing the U.K.’s global reputation.
10. Corporate World – RIL becomes 1st Indian co to hit $200bn mcap – Reliance Industries (RIL) became the first Indian company to cross the $200-billion market capitalisation mark after its stock surged over 8% on the back of reports that global retailing giant Amazon has been offered a $20-billion worth of stake in its retail venture. From being an entity with a market cap of nearly $43 billion a little over five years ago and a pure-play business-to-business (B2B) entity, RIL’s market value has risen almost five times as it scaled up its two consumer-focused businesses — telecom and organised retail — during the intervening period. In the process, it has leap frogged to become one of the 10 most valued companies in Asia and also among the top 40 globally. RIL is the only Indian company in these exclusive clubs, Bloomberg data showed.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	IIT, Patna	RA, SRF, JRF	5	B.Tech, M.Sc, M.Tech, Ph.DW	SEPT-29-2020	https://www.iitp.ac.in/images/pdf/Advertisement_JRF_SRF_RA_Sept_2020.pdf
2	Sikkim University	Research Associate cum Field Asst, Office Asst, Resource Person	5	Degree, PG, Ph.D	SEPT-28-2020	https://cus.ac.in/images/content/dynamic/ad/2020/SELDP_ApptNotice_07092020.pdf
3	Army Recruiting Office, Jodhpur	Soldier	-	8th, 10th Class, 10+2	OCT-24-2020	https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/BRAVO_NotificationPDF/Rally_Notification_2020-21.pdf
4	Andhra University	AP SET 2020	-	PG	SEPT-19-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/apset-2/149536/
5	Goa Medical College & Hospital	Staff Nurse, Lab. Tech., Jr Technician, Basic Health Worker, MTS	17	Matriculation, DMLT, Diploma, B.Sc	14 & 15-09-2020 – Walk in	http://www.gmc.goa.gov.in/images/Site_Images/photos/public_noticies/vacancy/Recruitment_Cell/2020/09-09-2020/advt._no_07_2020.pdf
6	Inst. of Seismological Research, Guj.	Junior Research Fellow, Geophysicist	9	M.Sc, M.Tech	OCT-8-2020	https://isr.gujarat.gov.in/sites/default/files/Advt%20ISR.pdf
7	Chief Medical Officer, Nagpur	Sr Laboratory Technician	5	B.Sc/ M.Sc	10 to 17-09-2020	https://arogya.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Uploads/NewsAndEvents/637352647857311569-recruitmentadvertisment.pdf

 

• [message]
• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

• [message]
• 1. CONSTITUTION AND LAW (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

1.1 Not Available Today

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

2.1 Fitch revises India’s FY21 fiscal deficit forecast to 8.2% of GDP from 7.2%

• Key points –  

1. Global credit rating agency Fitch has revised India’s FY21 central government fiscal deficit forecast to 8.2 percent of GDP from 7.2 percent due to higher than anticipated willingness of govt to spend amid weak revenue collection.
2. The rating agency also forecasts total government deficit including the state deficit for FY21 at 11.8 percent of GDP.

• Detailed report –

1. This is due to a quicker than previously anticipated divergence in expenditures and non-debt receipts, which saw the deficit exceed the full year target in only four months.
2. Fitch expects the government to maintain its spending expansion through increased government securities issuances, which would be absorbed by the banking sector under an increased Statutory Liquidity Ratio threshold up to March 31, 2021, which allows more funds to be invested in these securities.
3. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) announcement that the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) for banks will be raised to 22 percent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL), up to March 31 2021, from 18 percent at present, leads that the government will seek to ramp up its borrowing through bond issuances over the coming months, with local banks being the bulk of the lenders.
4. The FY21 central government expenditure forecasts has been revised to 12.7 percent over FY20 revised estimates, from 6.5 percent previously.
5. This is on the back of the centre’s commitment to maintain spending despite a wide revenue shortfall, with spending maintained by additional market borrowing.
6. The central government's revenue collection over the first four months of FY21 suffered a major hit as a result of a slump in economic activity in light of the nationwide Covid-19 induced lockdown from March 25 to May 31.
7. However, Fitch expects a gradual recovery in the economy over the coming months to support an improvement in revenue collection.
8. Non-debt receipts over the first four months of FY21 amounted to Rs 2.3 lakh crore, a 42 percent YoY decline over FY20. 

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

3.1 International Solar Alliance signs MoUs with NTPC, MNRE and World Bank

•  Key points –

1. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has signed an MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the World Bank to design a plan for implementing ‘One Solar One World and One Grid’ (OSOWOG).
2. The ISA also signed an MoU with India’s largest power generator, NTPC Limited, for implementing solar energy projects in 47 member countries of ISA.
3. The vision behind the OSOWOG mantra is “The Sun Never Sets” and is a constant at some geographical locations, globally, at any given point of time.

• Important details –

1. Officially announced during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, the ISA is a partnership of solar resource-rich countries. Currently, 121 countries have agreed to be members of ISA.
2. Most of these are countries with a large participation from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Pakistan and China are not members of the ISA. The alliance is headquartered in Gurugram.
3. According to the draft plan prepared by the MNRE, the ambitious OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a common grid which will be used to transfer solar power. ISA will execute the bidding for the OSOWOG plan.
4. The MoU will help NTPC share its technical and project management expertise with ISA member countries.

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

4.1 Weekly Round-up II

• UNSC approves cut in UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon - The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on August 28, 2020 cutting the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon from 15,000 to 13,000 and expanding its mandate to address US and Israeli concerns about activities of the militant group Hezbollah in the area. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after a 1978 invasion.
• Pakistan: Parliament passes Anti-Terrorism Bills - Pakistan’s Parliament recently passed The United Nations Security Council Amendment Bill, 2020, and the Anti-Terrorism Act Amendment Bill, 2020. The bills focus on measures to freeze and seize assets, travel ban and arms embargo on entities and individuals designated on the sanctions list of the UN. The passage of Bills is part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list to the white list.
• UNESCO launches “Beirut” initiative for rehabilitating damaged heritage buildings - Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced that the UNESCO has launched the initiative “Beirut” to attract funds to be used in rehabilitating the heritage buildings in Lebanon’s capital Beirut that were damaged by the explosions in the warehouses at the city’s port on August 4, 2020.
• China launches advanced naval warship built for Pak - China on August 23, 2020 launched first of the four advanced naval warships of Type-054 class frigate it is building for Pakistan. The launch ceremony was held at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on August 23, 2020.
• Africa declared free of the wild polio virus by WHO - Africa was declared free of the wild polio virus by the World Health Organization on August 25, 2020, with no new cases reported in the last four years. Polio is now only endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• IAEA head Rafael Grossi arrives in Iran to press for access to nuclear sites - Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Iran on August 24, 2020 to press for access to sites where authorities are thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material.
• Over 10,000 Islamic State fighters active in Iraq, Syria: UN - More than 10,000 Islamic State fighters are estimated to remain active in Iraq and Syria two years after the militant group’s defeat, and their attacks have significantly increased this year, the U.N. counter-terrorism chief Vladimir Voronkov told the U.N. Security Council on August 24, 2020.
• International Day Against Nuclear Tests observed on August 29 - The International Day Against Nuclear Tests was observed on August 29, 2020. On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of UNGA declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The commemorates the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site in Kazakhstan on 29 August 1991.
• US Presidential election: Republican Party re-nominates Trump and Pence as its candidates - The Republican Party re-nominated President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively for the election in November at the party’s National Convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24, 2020, Trump accepted the nomination on August 27.
• Japan: PM Shinzo Abe steps down; cites chronic illness as reason - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving premier, announced his resignation because of poor health on August 28, 2020. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is the party in power in Japan. Abe focussed on bolstering Japan’s defence and revive economic growth. In a historic shift in 2014, his government re-interpreted the constitution to allow Japanese troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War Two. Parliament in Japan is called Diet. The Lower house of Diet is the House of Representatives while the Upper House is called the House of Councillors.
• Phil Hogan quits as EU’s Trade Commissioner - Phil Hogan quit as the EU’s Trade Commissioner on August 26, 2020 after allegations he breached COVID-19 guidelines during a trip to his native Ireland. He had attended a public event without completing 14 days of self-isolation required for incoming travellers to Ireland.
• WWII spy Noor Inayat Khan gets honoured with blue plaque in London - World War II British secret agent Noor Inayat Khan has become the first woman of Indian origin to be honoured with a blue plaque in London. Khan worked as a British spy in Nazi-occupied France before being executed in a concentration camp, having revealed nothing to the Gestapo. She posthumously received the George Cross.
• US actor Chadwick Boseman dies at 43 - American actor Chadwick Boseman died August 28, 2020 at the age of 43 in Los Angeles (US). He is well-known for his role as the superhero Black Panther in the movie Black Panther (2018).

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

5.1 Not Available Today

• [message]
• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Round-up – Sports

• Prize money for National Sports Awards hiked - August 29, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Dhyan Chand, was celebrated as National Sports Day.
• Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju announced a massive hike in the prize money in four of the seven categories of the National Sports and Adventure Awards, which were given away in a virtual ceremony on August 29, 2020. The hike will come into effect from this year.
• The prize money for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has been increased to a whopping Rs 25 lakh from the previous amount of Rs 7.5 lakh, while Arjuna Award has been enhanced to Rs 15 lakh from Rs 5 lakh.
• The Dronacharya (Lifetime) awardees, who were earlier given Rs 5 lakh, will now be richer by Rs 15 lakh, while Dronacharya (Regular) winners will be given Rs 10 lakh instead of Rs 5 lakh.
• The prize money of Dhyan Chand Award has been increased to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh.
• Online Chess Olympiad: India-Russia declared joint winners - India and Russia were declared as the joint winners of the 2020 Online Chess Olympiad after internet disconnection and server malfunction marred the final. The Indian team comprised Vidit Gujrathi (Captain), Viswanathan Anand, P. Harikrishna, Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, R. Vaishali, Bhakti Kulkarni, Nihal Sarin, R. Praggnanandhaa, Aravindh Chithambaram, Bhakti Kulkarni, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich took the decision that the gold should be shared by India and Russia after it became clear that the internet outage had disrupted the match.
• Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wins Formula One Belgian Grand Prix - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit in Stavelot on August 30, 2020. Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing-Honda were second and third respectively.
• Veteran Athletics coach Purshottam Rai dies at 79 - Veteran athletics coach Purshottam Rai died at the age of 79 in Bengaluru on August 28, 2020. He was among the winners of the 2020 Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category. He trained international athletes like Ashwini Nachappa, Murali Kuttan, M.K. Asha, E.B. Shyla, Rosa Kutty and G.G. Pramila.
• Western & Southern Open tennis: Djokovic, Azarenka win singles titles - Serbia’s Novak Djokovic defeated Croatia’s Milos Raonic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the final to win the men’s singles title at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in US on August 29, 2020. This is Djokovic’s 35th title victory at a Masters 1000 tournament. Women’s Singles title was won by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus by a walkover after Japan’s Naomi Osaka did not play in the final because of injury.
• Football: Bayern Munich wins UEFA Champions League title - Bayern Munich won their sixth Champions UEFA League football title after registering a 1-0 win over Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in the final played at Lisbon on August 24, 2020. Kingsley Coman netted the only goal scored in the match.
• Arsenal beat Liverpool to lift the FA Community Shield football title - Arsenal beat Liverpool 5-4 on penalties to lift the FA Community Shield, the curtain-raiser for the English domestic football season, after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium in London on August 29, 2020.
• James Anderson becomes first fast bowler to reach 600 test wickets - England's James Anderson, playing in his 156th test, became the first fast bowler to reach 600 test wickets on the final day of the third test against Pakistan at the Rose Bowl, Southampton on August 25, 2020 that ended in a draw. The host won the series 1-0. Only three bowlers, all spinners, have taken more wickets in tests -- Muttiah Muralitharan (800 in 133 matches), Shane Warne (708 in 145) and Anil Kumble (619 in 132).
• Dustin Johnson seizes World No. 1 ranking in men’s golf - Dustin Johnson of US seized the World No. 1 ranking in men’s golf on August 23, 2020 after winning the US PGA Northern Trust tournament in US.

• [message]
• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Rajnath meets Chinese Defence Minister; categorically conveys India’s position on recent developments

• Key points –

• Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has conveyed to his Chinese counterpart that “there should be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
• The People’s of Liberation Army (PLA) of China was attempting to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Rajnath Singh said at a meeting with General Wei Fenghe, State Councillor and Defence Minister of China, at Moscow.
• The two delegations of India and China had met at the invite of China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.

• Important details –

• A statement released by the Indian Defence Ministry said: “The two sides should resolve the ongoing situation and the outstanding issues in the border areas peacefully through dialogue.”
• The Chinese Defence Minister conveyed that the Chinese side, too, desired to resolve the issues peacefully.
• The two Ministers had frank and in-depth discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on the India-China relations.
• The Chinese Defence Minister suggested that both sides should maintain communication at all levels, including between the two Ministers.
• India’s position on the developments along the LAC, including in the Galwan valley, was conveyed and the aggression shown by the PLA was highlighted. The two sides have been locked in deadly standoff since May.
• General Wei said both sides should scrupulously implement the consensus reached between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping.
• Rajnath Singh asked his counterpart to work with the Indian side for a complete disengagement at the earliest from all friction areas, including Pangong Tso.
• He also asked for “de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols on the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas, strictly respect and observe the LAC and should not make attempts to unilaterally change status quo”..

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

8.1 International Literacy Day 2020

• Key points –

1. This Day is celebrated on the 8th of September every year to remind everyone of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies.
2. This year, the focus is on - “Literacy, teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond”. The theme highlights literacy learning in a lifelong learning perspective.
3. This day was declared International Literacy Day by UNESCO on 26th October 1966 at the 14th Session of UNESCO's General Conference.
4. It was celebrated for the first time in 1967 and its main aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

• Highlights –

1. The recent Covid-19 crisis has been a stark reminder of the existing gap between policy discourse and reality.
2. During this pandemic, in many countries, adult literacy programmes were absent in the initial education response plans.
3. During the initial phase of the pandemic, schools were closed disrupting the education of 62.3 per cent of the world’s student population of 1.09 billion.
4. World over, around 773 million adults and young people lack basic literacy skills. 617 million children and adolescents are not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.
5. The issue of literacy is a key component of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
6. International Literacy Day-2020 focused on Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond with a focus on the role of educators and changing pedagogies.
7. The theme highlighted literacy learning in a life-long learning perspective and  mainly focus on youth and adults.
8. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with at least 773 million adults worldwide lacking basic literacy skills today.
9. According to the UNESCO’s ‘Global Monitoring Report on Education for All’ (2006), South Asia has the lowest regional adult literacy rate, at 58.6 per cent and the causes for this illiteracy range from severe poverty and the prejudice against women.

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

9.1 Renowned astronomer, radio-astronomy pioneer Govind Swarup dies at 91

•  Key points –

• Globally acclaimed scientist Govind Swarup (91), one of the pioneers in radio-astronomy, passed away at the Ruby Hall Clinic here late on Monday (September 7).

• Important details –

1. Born in 1929, Swarup was one of the pioneers of radio astronomy in India.
2. He was known not only for his important research contributions but also for his leadership in building highly innovative, world-class radio telescopes such as the Ooty Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), which firmly established India as one of the leading countries for radio astronomy research.
3. Swarup obtained his M.Sc from Allahabad University in 1950 and his Ph.D. from Standford University in the USA in 1961. He returned to India in 1963 and joined the TIFR at the invitation of Homi Bhaba.
4. He received several distinctions throughout his career, including Padma Shri, the Bhatnagar award, and the Grote Reber medal.
5. Swarup was a fellow of many distinguished academics, including Fellowship of the Royal Society.
6. He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1973 and the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1972

• [message]
• 10. FACTS, CHARTS, RANKINGS and EDITORIALS (Prelims + GS Mains)

10.1 Chandigarh ranks 29th in case of doing business

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• The RBI in Aug 2020 said that it will set up an Innovation Hub in India, to further promote and facilitate an environment that can accelerate innovation across the financial sector.
• Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Ebrahim Alkazi died at the age of 94 in Aug 2020. Which national awards were won by him.
• According to report of Tiger Census – 2018 released in July 2020, Central India & Eastern Ghats had the highest tiger population in the country.
• For Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, has proposed the setting up of Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones..
• The fifth edition of the conference on Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Technologies organised online on July 15, 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!

• [message]
• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

Solve the online quiz given, right now. Check scores, and relative performance!

---

>