Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 14-10-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 14-10-2020

• [message]
• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Economy – India’s economy to contract by 10.3% this fiscal, says IMF – According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India’s economy is expected to contract 10.3% in the current fiscal year as the country and the world reel from the COVID-19 pandemic. Global output is projected to shrink 4.4% in 2020, the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook October 2020 report titled, “A Long and Difficult Ascent”. The projection for India is a downgrade of 5.8 percentage points from its June forecast. India is expected to rebound in the fiscal year beginning in April 2021 with 8.8% growth — an upgrade of 2.8 percentage points relative to the June update. Consumer prices in India are expected to grow at 4.9% this year and by 3.7% in the next fiscal. The current account balance is projected to grow by 0.3% this year and -0.9% next year.
2. India-China Standoff 2020 – After talks fail to break impasse, China blames India for tensions – A day after the marathon talks between Corps Commanders, held at Chushul in eastern Ladakh, failed to reach an agreement on disengagement, China said the “root cause” of the recent tensions was India’s infrastructure development and military deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). China’s claim, which India has rejected previously pointing to the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) build-up of troops, multiple transgressions and attempt to unilaterally redraw the LAC since May, underlines the difficulty that the seven rounds of military talks have faced in taking forward the stalled disengagement process and achieving a return to the status quo that India has demanded.
3. Indian Politics – Mehbooba Mufti released after fourteen months – The Jammu & Kashmir administration revoked the detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) of former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, who has been under arrest for more than 14 months. The move comes just days ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on her detention. Ms. Mufti was lodged in two separate sub-jails in Srinagar before she was shifted to her official residence, which was converted into a sub-jail. Ms. Mufti would address the press in Srinagar. Ms. Mufti has not issued any statement since her arrest last year after the Centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on Aug 5.
4. Constitution and Law – Hathras case: High Court pulls up UP government – The Allahabad High Court has said it is not satisfied with the explanation of the Uttar Pradesh government on why it had taken action against the district police chief of Hathras but not the District Magistrate (DM) over the alleged rape of a Dalit woman and the hurried cremation of the victim, though it was admittedly a “collective decision”. The action of the State authorities, though in the name of the law and order situation, was prima facie an infringement upon the human rights of the victim and her family, stated the court. The Lucknow Bench also pulled up Additional Director General (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar and asked if it was proper for anyone not directly connected with the investigation to comment, even when the probe was pending.
5. Covid-19 Updates – Overall death rate 1.5%, but rises to 18% with co-morbidities: Government data – The overall case fatality rate of people with comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, renal and heart diseases and cancer is 17.9%, while it is 1.2% for those without co-morbidities, according to Union health ministry data. Overall Covid deaths in India (1,09,856 till Monday) remain at 1.5% of total cases. The latest age-wise analysis of Covid-19 mortality by the health ministry showed younger patients were more vulnerable, though the fatality rate continues to be higher at 53% among people over 60. India recorded 1,09,856 deaths due to Covid-19, whereas the total confirmed cases of the infection stood at 71,75,880. Over 62.27 lakh patients have recovered from the disease so far.
6. World – US aiming to build an Indo-Pacific NATO – China’s Foreign Minister said the United States was aiming to build an “Indo-Pacific NATO” that would be founded on the four-nation India, U.S., Japan and Australia grouping, in Beijing’s most high-profile criticism so far on the “Quad”. Wang Yi’s remarks, during a visit to Malaysia, underline how Chinese officials who once sought to downplay the Quad as an over-hyped idea are now highlighting it prominently, describing it as part of a broader American effort in the region to “contain” China, as ties continue to worsen between Beijing and Washington. Mr. Wang had, in 2018, dismissed the then recently-revived Quad and the Indo-Pacific concept as a “headline-grabbing idea” that would “dissipate like sea foam”.
7. US Presidential Elections – President Trump back on campaign trail with a roar – Just a week after getting out of hospital with the coronavirus, Mr. Trump strode onto the stage, tossing out face masks, like a rock star handing out autographs. But he wasn’t wearing a mask himself. And neither was anyone else, barring a small minority, in the crowd of several thousand, who were jammed cheek by jowl to witness the Republican’s return to the campaign trail. Which was the whole point. Mr. Trump wanted to show he can defy the pandemic and his seemingly plummeting chances of beating Democratic candidate Joe Biden alike. Loud, coarse at times, diving into his well-worn jokes, and freely insulting opponents and journalists, Mr. Trump didn’t sound like a clinically obese man of 74 who only a few days ago was being administered oxygen by doctors.
8. Covid-19 Updates – J&J pauses coronavirus vaccine trials – Johnson & Johnson has paused clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine candidate due to an unexplained illness in a study participant, delaying one of the highest profile efforts to contain the global pandemic. The move comes around a month after AstraZeneca also suspended trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine — which uses a similar technology — due to a participant falling ill. The illness was being reviewed by an independent data and safety monitoring board as well as the U.S. group’s clinical and safety physicians.
9. Constitution and Law – Airing private messages of accused is dangerous: Govt in SC – Days after CJI S A Bobde flagged the misuse of freedom of speech, attorney general K K Venugopal told the Supreme Court that there is an urgent need to strike a balance between the freedom of speech and contempt of court as the media was foraying into “forbidden territory”. He was addressing the court on larger issues arising from the contempt proceedings against Prashant Bhushan for his statement alleging that half of the past 16 CJIs were corrupt. He said that abuse of the freedom of speech “had taken serious proportions today”.
10. Accidents and Natural Disasters – India placed third in UN’s disaster ranking – India has been ranked No. 3, after China and the USA, in recording the highest number of natural disasters over the last 20 years (2000-2019), paying a huge economic and human cost. In a report released by the UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), also celebrated as the International Day for DRR, global economic losses have been estimated at $3 trillion in the last two decades. The study has avoided giving country specific data for the losses. Extreme weather events — floods, storm, landslide, heatwaves, drought and wildfire — accounted for almost 91% of all 7,348 natural disasters in the last 20 years as compared to 4,212 recorded between 1980 and 1999.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	-	Foreman, Senior Sci. Asst, Asst Professor	44	MBBS, Degree (Engg)	OCT-29-2020	https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Advt-No-12-2020-Engl.pdf
2	-	Stenographer Grade C&D Exam 2020	-	12th Class with Typing	NOV-4-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/ssc-stenographer/761146/#Stenographer-2020
3	NALCO	GDMO, Specialist	16	MBBS, MD/ MS	NOV-2-2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/10/Notification-NALCO-GDMO-Specialist-Posts.pdf
4	IIT, Delhi	Sr Project Scientist, Project Asst, Project Attendant	6	BE/ B.Tech, M.Tech/ M.E/ M. Des	OCT-24-2020	http://ird.iitd.ac.in/sites/default/files/jobs/project/IITD-IRD-156-2020.pdf
5	NFSU	Assistant Pro, Research Associate & Lab. Asst	13	Degree, PG	OCT-28-2020	https://www.gfsu.edu.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Advertisement-Notification-NFSU-SOM-Contract-081020-01.pdf
6	CMET, Pune	RA, JRF/ Project Associate I/ Project Staff I	6	M.Sc/ ME/ M.Tech, Ph. D with NET	OCT-23-2020	http://cmet.gov.in/sites/default/files/jobs/PN-SP-085A-09102020.pdf
7	CPRI	Engineering Officer Gr.1	11	BE/ B.Tech	NOV-6-2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/10/Notification-CPRI-Engineering-Officer-Gr-I-Posts.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 World Bank expects India’s GDP to contract by 9.6% in FY21

 

 

World Bank’s views on Indian economy –

• The World Bank has projected India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to plunge in FY21 by 9.6% revised down since its June forecast of 3.2% drop – this reflects the impact of the nationwide lockdown and the income shock experienced by households and small urban service firms.
• While the government has signalled it is prepared to support the economy, there is no clarity about the timing or the extent of the next round of stimulus.
• Growth is expected to rebound to 5.4% in FY22, provided that covid-related restrictions are completely lifted.
• However, potential output is expected to remain depressed in the medium term and inflation is expected remain around the RBI’s target range mid-point of 4% in the near term.
• The covid-19 shock will lead to a long-lasting inflexion in India’s fiscal trajectory – the general government fiscal deficit is projected to rise to above 12% in FY21 before improving gradually.
• Public debt is expected to remain elevated, around 94% (in FY23), due to the gradual pace of recovery.
• While policy interventions have preserved the normal functioning of financial markets thus far, demand slowdown could lead to rising loan delinquencies and risk aversion.

Important details –

• The Indian economy contracted a record 23.9% in the June quarter – this shows the severity of economic damage brought about by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown.
• Many forecasters now expect Indian economy to contract in double digits in FY21.
• Recent RBI analysis indicates that gross nonperforming loans to asset ratio of scheduled commercial banks may increase to 12.5% by March 2021 from 8.5% in March 2020.

2.2 Weekly Round-up - Economy

 

• P. D. Vaghela appointed new Chairman of TRAI - Bureaucrat P. D. Vaghela was appointed as the new Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for a period of three years. He replaced R. S. Sharma who demitted office on September 30. 
• Foreign exchange reserves at $542.021 billion in the week ended Sept 25 - The country’s foreign exchange reserves declined by $3.017 billion to $542.021 billion in the week ended September 25, RBI data showed on Oct 2. Foreign currency assets decreased by $1.523 billion to $499.941 billion. Gold reserves were down by $1.441 billion in the reporting week to $35.999 billion. The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dipped by $10 million to $1.472 billion. The country’s reserve position with the IMF also fell by $43 million to $4.608 billion.
• India posts current account surplus of $19.8 bn in April-June quarter - India’s current account balance (CAB) recorded a surplus of $19.8 billion (3.9% of GDP) in Q1 of 2020-21. This contrasts with a deficit of $ 15 billion (2.1% of GDP) in April-June 2019 (Q1Fy20). The surplus was due to decline in the trade deficit to $10 billion, as the country’s merchandise imports declined sharply relative to exports on a year-on-year basis.
• India’s trade deficit in April-September at 23.63 $ billion - India’s exports in the April-September period fell 21.43% to $125.06 billion while imports declined 40.06% at $148.69 billion. Trade deficit was at 23.63 $ billion.
• Core sector output shrinks for 6th straight month in August, down 8.5% - After slowing for the previous four months, the contraction in core sector output again worsened in August as output declined by 8.5%, following July's 8% fall. Demand slump and the continuing liquidity crisis has affected most industries.
• Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission launched for SCs - Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot on September 30, 2020 launched the Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission under Venture Capital Fund for SCs, with a view to promoting innovation and enterprise among SC students studying in higher educational institutions.
• Defence Minister unveils new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) - Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 28, 2020 unveiled a new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) with a focus on significantly boosting indigenous production and turning India into a global manufacturing hub of weapons and military platforms. The DAP has also included provisions to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) to establish manufacturing hubs both for import substitution and exports while protecting the interests of Indian domestic industry. Under the new policy, the offset guidelines have also been revised facilitating preference to defence majors offering to manufacture products in India over relevant components. The policy also provides for single stage accord of AoN (Acceptance of Necessity) in all cases up to Rs 500 crore to cut delays in approval of acquisition proposals.
• Rajnath Singh launches Defence India Startup Challenge-4 - Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 4) during the iDEX event, featuring the initiatives aimed at expanding the horizons of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ecosystem in New Delhi on September 29, 2020. Singh also launched the iDEX4Fauji initiative and Product Management Approach (PMA) guidelines during the event. iDEX4Fauji is a first of its kind initiative, launched to support innovations identified by members of the Indian Armed Forces and will bolster frugal innovation ideas from soldiers and field formations. 
• Acquisition of military hardware worth Rs 2,290 crore approved - The defence ministry on September 28, 2020 approved the procurement of arms and military equipment worth Rs 2,290 crore including around 72,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles for the Indian Army from the United States and procurement of smart anti- airfield weapon (SAAW) systems for the Navy and the Indian Air Force. Procurement of Static HF Tans-receiver sets that will enable seamless communication for the field units of the Army and the Air Force has also been approved.
• Covid-19: SC orders airlines to pay interest on delayed refunds of cancelled tickets - The Supreme Court on September 30, 3030 ordered airlines to pay a 0.5% interest per month on delayed refunds of tickets which were cancelled due to restrictions imposed to counter Covid-19 pandemic. The court said that the credit shell will be valid till 31 March 2021 and if the passenger hasn’t used the amount after that, airlines have to refund the amount with additional interest.

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

3.1 Not Available Today

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

4.1 Abdullah Abdullah’s visit to India concluded

 

Highlights –

• Afghanistan leader and Chairman of High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Abdullah Abdullah has concluded his visit to India, where he had been invited by the Indian government to discuss peace efforts and support for the Afghan peace process.
• On October 8, Abdullah met PM Modi and Doval, where he reaffirmed the long-term commitment to further deepen India-Afghan ties.
• On October 9, Jaishankar met Abdullah and assured him of India’s commitment to peace, prosperity and stability in the neighbouring country.
• This was the first visit of Abdullah to India after the formation of a new government in Afghanistan.
• His visit came at a time when the Afghanistan government and Taliban are trying to negotiate a deal in order to restore peace in the country.
• Prior to the New Delhi trip, Abdullah had visited Pakistan and discussed the Afghan peace process with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister, and other Pakistani officials.
• The peace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban began on September 12 in Qatar’s capital Doha to end decades of war in which tens of thousands have been killed.
• The intra-Afghan talks was a key element in the peace deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in Doha on February 29.

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

5.1 Gyan Circle Ventures, a MeitY funded Technology Business Incubator at IIIT Sri City

 

Highlights –

• Union Minister for Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has virtually inaugurated the Gyan Circle Ventures, a MeitY funded Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sri City (Chittoor), Andhra Pradesh.

Gyan Circle Ventures –

• Gyan Circle Ventures will function as a Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) incubation center.
• They will also serve as a hub for innovation and startups by providing support, in various phases, via investments, infrastructure and mentoring.
• They would also invite participation from potential entrepreneurs and startups that are building cutting edge technology solutions to real world problems.

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

6.1 Weekly Round-up – Corporate world

 

• ITI Ltd to set up ASCON (Army Static Switched Communication Network) - The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the proposal for the establishment of a secure communication network for the Army. The Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) phase IV network will be implemented by the Public Sector Undertaking ITI Limited at an estimated ₹7,796.39 crore. The contract was signed on October 1, 2020 with an implementation schedule of 36 months.
• In a first, govt. places order for hand grenades with a private sector firm - In a first for the private sector in India, the defence ministry has placed orders on the industry for the supply of ten lakh hand grenades with domestic private sector company Economic Explosive Limited (EEL). This marks major change from the past where similar products were either imported or made by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). These grenades have been designed by the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of DRDO.
• LG Electronics launches dual-screen smartphone ‘The Wing’ - LG Electronics on October 4, 2020 announced sales of its new dual-screen smartphone ‘The Wing’ in South Korea with a price tag of $940. The Wing has two separate displays, with the main screen swivelling 90 degrees horizontally to reveal a secondary screen under it and creating a T-shape design.
• M&M raises Rs 1.11 crore by auctioning new Thar - Domestic auto major Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd on September 30, 2020 said it has raised Rs 1.11 crore from online auctioning of the first unit of all-new version of SUV Thar. Mahindra has matched the amount raised at the auction and the total proceeds of Rs 2.22 crores will be donated towards coronavirus pandemic relief work.
• Mubadala Investment Co to pick up 1.4% stake in Reliance Retail - Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co will invest Rs 6,247.5 crore for a 1.4 per cent stake in Reliance Retail, the Indian firm said on October 1, 2020.
• One Indian in Forbes list of ‘The World’s Most Influential CMOs’ - Ravi Santhanam, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), HDFC Bank has been recognized in the Forbes list of ‘The World’s Most Influential CMOs’. Ranked at Number 39, he is the only CMO of an Indian company to be featured in the illustrious list.
• Paytm to open ‘mini app’ store for Indian developers - Paytm has announced the launch of its “mini app” store to “support Indian developers” in taking their products to the masses. The mini apps are a custom-built mobile website that give users app-like experience without having to download them. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder & CEO, Paytm, among several other Indian start-up founders, has been at the forefront of voicing displeasure against Google over the U.S. company’s requirement that apps use Play Store’s billing system for in-app purchases of digital goods. In August 2020, Google had briefly removed Paytm from its Play Store, citing a violation of its policy on gambling.
• Private sector company roped in to upgrade Pechora surface to air systems - The defence ministry has roped in private sector player Alpha Design to upgrade its soviet era Pechora surface to air systems after the company trounced public sector units like BEL and ECIL in the competitive bidding process.
• Shares of Chemcon Speciality Chemicals list at 115% premium over issue price - Shares of Chemcon Speciality Chemicals made a stellar debut on October 1 as the scrip got listed at Rs 731, a 115 per cent premium over its issue price of Rs 340 on NSE.
• Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC to buy 1.22% stake in Reliance Retail - Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC will invest Rs 5,512.5 crore ($752.08 million) in Reliance Industries’ retail arm Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), the company said on October 3, 2020. GIC’s investment will translate into a 1.22% equity stake in Reliance Retail on a fully diluted basis.

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

7.1 Indian Air Force Day 2020

 

Key points –

• To celebrate the achievements of the flying armed forces, the Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8 every year.
• In 2020, India celebrated the 88th Indian Air Force (IAF) Day.

History and Significance –

• It was on this day in the year 1932 when the IAF was founded.
• Since then, the IAF has been a part of several important wars as well as missions.
• While it was officially established as a part of an auxiliary air force of the British Empire, it became a part of India after the country gained Independence in 1947. The Indian Air Force helped the British Army during World War II.
• After 1947, it carried the name Royal Indian Air Force, which was later changed in 1950 with the prefix ‘royal’ removed from it.
• As decided in the Constitution of India, the President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the Air Force.
• The next position is the Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal, who is a four-star officer.
• The Air Chief Marshal is responsible for taking making major operational decisions for the Air Force. At a given time, there is only one working ACM in the Indian Air Force. 

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

8.1 International conference on Mental Health: Looking Beyond Covid-19

 

 

Key points –

• Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot has inaugurated the virtual “International conference on Mental Health: Looking Beyond COVID 19”.

Important details about the conference –

• The government has said that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on psychosocial wellbeing of people and stressed on promoting community sensitisation, family counselling and support, and teachers'' counselling to tackle complex mental health issues.
• It has also highlighted the need for addressing increasing incidence of mental health issues.
• Addressing the conference, Mr. Gehlot spoke about the recent initiatives of the government such as setting up of the National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, and the KIRAN mental health rehabilitation helpline for addressing mental health issues.
• Barry O'Farrell, High Commissioner of Australia, gave a broad overview of the mental health situation in his country. He stressed on the need for taking up joint initiatives by both governments through their respective institutes to promote research in the rehabilitation sector including mainstreaming of persons with mental illness.
• The conference had five technical sessions – experts from India and Australia touched upon issues such as stress management for frontline non-health workers, maintaining mental health, working from home, suicide and associated media reporting in India.
• The conference was organised by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in association with the University of Melbourne, Australia, as a part of joint initiative under the memorandum of understanding signed in 2018 between the governments of Australia and India for cooperation in the disability sector.

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

9.1 Not Available Today

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

10.1 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to 80 police personnel by the government on Aug 14.
• Govind Swarup (91) died in Pune on September 7, 2020. He founded National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
• Army Chief General Manoj Naravane in Aug 2020 conferred the COAS (Chief of Army Staff) Unit Appreciation to 51 Special Action Group (SAG) of the National Security Guard.
• The Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Foreign Ministry of Thailand organized the 6th Round Table of ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT) on August 20-21, 2020.
• Seven Indian companies are in Fortune Global 500 list launched in Aug 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!

271000

---

>