Daily updates 3 june 2020

National News

1. Indian Energy Exchange launches "Real-Time Electricity Market"

The "Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM)" has been launched by the Indian Energy Exchange on its platform and it will be effective from 01st June 2020. RTM will facilitate the power utilities to reduce dependency on deviation framework and save on the huge penalties. It will aid the grid operators to improve the overall safety and security of the grid. It will help the utilities and system operators to forecast and schedule green energy in an effective way.

Economy News

2. Moody's Investors Service downgrades India's sovereign rating to 'Baa3'

The sovereign rating of India has been downgraded by the Moody's Investors Service from "Baa2" to "Baa3" citing the challenges faced by India in implementing the policies in order to reduce the risks of a sustained period of low growth and deteriorating fiscal position. "Baa3" is the lowest investment grade that is just a notch above the junk status. It has also expected contraction by 4% in the India's real GDP in fiscal 2021, due to the shock from the coronavirus pandemic as well as the related lockdown measures taken by India to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointments

3. Raveesh Kumar becomes new Ambassador of India to Finland

Raveesh Kumar has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Finland. He is presently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry. He is an IFS officer of 1995 batch. He will replace Vani Rao as the next Ambassador of India to Finland.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime Minister of Finland: Sanna Marin; Capital: Helsinki.

4. Sushil Singhal appointed India's next High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

Sushil Kumar Singhal has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. He is presently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will replace Vijay Kumar as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

5. Sibi George appointed India's next Ambassador to Kuwait

Sibi George has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait. He will replace K. Jeeva Sagar as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait. K. Jeeva Sagar assumed charge as Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait in January 2018.

6. Gaitri Kumar appointed India's next High Commissioner to UK

Gaitri I. Kumar has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. She is an IFS officer of 1986 batch and will replace Ruchi Ghanashyam as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom.

Science & Technology

7. DRDO creates disinfection unit named as "Ultra Swachh"

A disinfection unit named as "Ultra Swachh" has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to disinfect a wide range of materials such as electronics items, fabrics, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) etc. It has been developed in compliance with International Standards of Industrial, Occupational, Personal and Environmental Safety. It comprises of Ozonated Space Technology and uses the advanced oxidative process for disinfection process.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation: G Satheesh Reddy.
• Headquarters of Defence Research and Development Organisation: New Delhi.

Important Days

8. World Bicycle Day celebrated on 3rd June

United Nations celebrates World Bicycle Day every year on 3rd June to advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development. The day is being observed every year to encourage member nations to give particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies and to improve road safety and integrate it into sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure planning and design.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Secretary-General of United Nations: António Guterres.

Obituaries News

9. Former Union Minister & social worker P Namgyal passes away

Former Union Minister and three-time Congress MP from Ladakh, P Namgyal passes away. He has served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Surface Transport and Chemicals and Petro chemicals. He was the member of the then Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council from 1960-73 and then from 1974-80, and later served as the union deputy minister in the Central Government between 1988-89.

10. Archery coach Jayantilal Nanoma passes away

Former International Archer turned coach Jayantilal Nanoma passed away. He was an Asian Cup and Asian Grand Prix medallist in compound individual and team archery in 2010. After becoming archery coach, he produced several national and international level archers from Rajasthan, and also worked as a coach of Indian team in various overseas competitions.

Daily updates 6 june 2020

National News

1. GoI starts SWADES scheme for skill mapping of overseas citizens

The government of India has launched a new initiative ‘SWADES’(Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the Indian citizens returning from overseas under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’. This initiative aims to make a database of qualified citizens supported their skillsets and knowledge to tap into and fulfil the demand of Indian and foreign companies.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Mahendra Nath Pandey.
• Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation: Hardeep Singh Puri.
• Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Appointments

2. V N Datt becomes new CMD of National Fertilizers Limited

National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) Marketing Director, Virendra Nath Datt has taken additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director of the Company. He will replace Manoj Mishra.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Headquarters of National Fertilizers Limited: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• National Fertilizers Limited established: 1 September 1979.

3. Krishnendu Majumdar becomes new chairman of BAFTA

Emmy-winning television producer, Krishnendu Majumdar becomes the new chairman of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). He is the first person of colour to be named as the chairperson of BAFTA in its 73 year-long histories of BAFTA. He will replace Pippa Harris. Harris will now continue as deputy chairperson.

4. Twitter appoints ex-Google CFO as new board chairman

Twitter has appointed ex-Google chief financial officer (CFO), Patrick Pichette as new board chairman. He will replace Omid Kordestani. Pichette joined Twitter’s board of directors in 2017 and had been a lead independent director since the end of 2018. Prior to this, he served as Google’s CFO from 2008 until 2015. It is the first time in Twitter’s history that an outsider will preside over the group.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Executive Officer of Twitter: Jack Dorsey.
• Twitter formed: 21 March 2006.
• Headquarters of Twitter: San Francisco, California, United States.

5. Uday Kotak takes over as President of CII

MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak has taken over as the President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2020-21. He has replaced the chairman and MD of Kirloskar Systems, Vikram Kirloskar as the President of CII.

6. Subramanian Sundar's tenure as LVB CEO extended by 6 months

The tenure of Subramanian Sundar as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lakshmi Vilas Bank has been extended after the approval from the Reserve Bank of India. His tenure has been extended for a period of 6 months i.e. till 30th November 2020 or till the appointment of the new CEO, whichever is earlier.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikanta Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

Awards

7. World No Tobacco Day 2020 awards announced

World No Tobacco Day Award 2020 has announced. Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards.

To read the the complete list of winner: Click here

Schemes and Committees

8. MoHUA launches PM SVANidhi scheme

"PM SVANidhi" is a Special Micro-Credit Facility Scheme that has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Street vendors will be provided affordable loans under the PM Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, hence enabling them to resume work and earn livelihoods. The scheme is expected to benefit over 50 lakh people including hawkers, thelewalas, vendors, rehriwala etc.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs: Hardeep Singh Puri.

9. GoI launches KCC campaign for 1.5 crore Dairy Farmers

The Government of India has launched Kisan Credit Card (KCC) campaign for 1.5 crore Dairy Farmers. Under this campaign, GoI will provide Kisan Credit Card to 1.5 crore dairy farmers within the next two months i.e. from 1st June to 31st July 2020. KCC will be provided to those Dairy Farmers who belongs to the Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies.

To read the the complete list of winner: Click here

Books and Authors

10. "One Year of Modi 2.0" e-booklet released by I&B Ministry

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has released an e-booklet called ‘One Year of Modi 2.0 – Towards A Self-Reliant India’. The e-booklet highlights the achievements of the Modi government during its second term. This marks the first anniversary of the second term of the government.

Important Days

11. International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression: 4 June

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed globally on 4th June every year. This day affirms the UN's commitment to guard the rights of children. This day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the planet who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. The main aim of celebrating today is to spread the notice about the pain and sufferings faced by the victims as children.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Secretary-General of the United Nations: António Guterres.

Obituaries

12. NBA hall of famer Wes Unseld passes away

National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Wes Unseld passed away. He was one of the greatest American professional basketball player. He led his franchise ‘Washington Wizards’ ( then Baltimore Bullets) to the NBA Championship in 1978. He played for Washington Wizards throughout his entire 13-season playing career and also worked for as a coach and general manager. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

13. Legendary Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passes away

Legendary Filmmaker & the National Film Award winner Basu Chatterjee passed away. He was known for his middle-of-the-road cinema and films like “Chhoti Si Baat” and “Rajnigandha”. He also directed two hit TV serials namely "Byomkesh Bakshi" and "Rajani".

Miscellaneous

14. Delhi Government launches mobile application “Delhi Corona”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched a mobile application “Delhi Corona”. The mobile application will provide information to the people of Delhi about the availability of the beds and ventilators in government as well as private hospitals in Delhi. Hence, the mobile application “Delhi Corona” will enable people to check hospital-wise beds and ventilators available for COVID-19 patients.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal.
• Lieutenant Governor of Delhi: Anil Baijal.

Daily updates 5 june 2020

National News

1. "The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)" launched by Government of India

Government of India has launched "The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)" to provide internship opportunities to fresh graduates in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as well as Smart Cities across the nation. The programme would also facilitate practical experience to the students of India and hence help in infusing fresh ideas and innovative thinking into the working of Urban Local Bodies and smart cities. This programme is an initiative of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of HRD, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs: Hardeep Singh Puri.
• Union Minister for Human Resource Development: Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'.
• Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE): Anil D. Sahasrabudhe.

State News

2. Kerala becomes 1st state to provide free internet to poor

Kerala government has declared its ambitious broadband project "Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project" for all the citizens below poverty line living in Kerala. They will get free high-speed Internet. Kerala will be the first state to provide free high-speed broadband to poor people. The estimated cost of project is Rs 1500 crore and it will kickstart from December 2020.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan.
• Governor of Kerala: Arif Mohammad Khan.
• Capital of Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram.

3. Chhattisgarh government starts “Spandan” campaign for police

Chhattisgarh Police have launched a special campaign “Spandan” to check mental stress and depression among their personnel by conducting interactive programmes and arranging counselling sessions, music and yoga therapies for them. The motive of the campaign is to prevent the force from depression and stress pushing them to take extreme steps.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor: Anusuiya Uikey.

Banking News

4. RBI launches "Payments Infrastructure Development Fund"

Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) has been created by the Reserve Bank of India to encourage acquirers to deploy Points of Sale (PoS) infrastructure, both physical as well as digital modes, in tier-3 to tier-6 centres and in north eastern states. In the newly launched fund, an initial contribution of Rs 250 crores will be made by the Reserve Bank of India i.e. covering half the fund, while the remaining contribution will be from card issuing banks and card networks operating in the country.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikanta Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

5. IndusInd Bank starts mobile-based current account opening facility

The IndusInd Bank has launched a mobile application based facility where customer can open the current bank account in a paperless manner in just a few hours. The app uses multiple application programme interfaces (APIs) which enable secured validation of KYC documents from authorised government platforms.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Managing Director & CEO of IndusInd Bank: Sumant Kathpalia.
• Chairman of IndusInd Bank: Arun Tiwari.
• Headquarter of IndusInd Bank: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The tagline of IndusInd Bank: We Make You Feel Richer.

Business News

6. CCI approves merger of Peugeot S.A & Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.

The merger of Peugeot S.A (PSA) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) has been approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Peugeot S.A (PSA) is a publicly listed limited liability company incorporated in France. Headquartered in London, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) is a public company with limited liability and a global automotive group. PSA is an original equipment manufacturer and dealer of motor vehicles, passenger cars as well as light commercial vehicles.

Appointment News

7. Brajendra Navnit becomes India's new ambassador to WTO

India has appointed Brajendra Navnit as India's new ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO). He will be posted at the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the WTO in Geneva. He will replace JS Deepak at the PMI. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet also approved the appointment of Anwar Hussain Shaik for the post of Counsellor, at the PMI to WTO, Geneva.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• World Trade Organization Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• World Trade Organization Membership: 164 member states.
• World Trade Organization Founded: 1 January 1995.

8. Rajeev Topno appointed as Senior Advisor to ED of World Bank

Senior bureaucrat Rajeev Topno has been appointed as the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director (ED) of World Bank, in Washington DC. He was presently serving as the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014. He is a 1996 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre. He has been appointed as the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director (ED) of World Bank for a period of three years.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• President of World Bank: David Malpass.

Awards & Rewards

9. Kritika Pandey wins Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Asia Region

Indian writer, Kritika Pandey has been honoured with Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2020 for the Asia region for her story "The Great Indian Tee and Snakes". The story is about a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim man and how these two young people are trying to navigate the idea of love in an era of hatred and prejudice. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded since 2012, for the best piece of unpublished short fiction.

Summits & Conferences

10. World Economic Forum to host Unique Twin Summit in 2021

The World Economic Forum will host a Unique Twin Summit in January, 2021 which would will be both in-person as well as virtual, hence connecting key global governmental and business leaders in Davos. The theme of the summit will be “The Great Reset”. "The Great Reset" is a joint initiative of the World Economic Forum and HRH The Prince of Wales. As a part of "The Great Reset" dailogue, the World Economic Forum’s digital platform "UpLink" will contribute by crowdsourcing innovations for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum: Klaus Schwab.

11. United Kingdom hosts virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020

Virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020 was hosted by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. India was represented by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the summit. During the virtual summit, India pledged a contribution of 15 Million US Dollars to Gavi, the international vaccine alliance.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Dr Seth Berkley.

Important Days

12. World Environment Day observed on 5th June

World Environment Day is observed globally on 5th June every year to raise awareness about protecting the environment and to remind people not to take nature granted. World Environment Day 2020 will be celebrated with the theme Biodiversity. World Environment Day is promoted by the United Nation and for 2020 Colombia will host the World Environment Day.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Union Minister of Earth Sciences: Harsh Vardhan.

Obituaries

13. Renowned lyricist Anwar Sagar passes away

Veteran lyricist and member of Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS), Anwar Sagar passed away. He was remembered for his hit track Waada Raha Sanam from 1992 Akshay Kumar-starrer Khiladi. Anwar Sagar also worked with music directors like Nadeem-Shravan, Rajesh Roshan, Jatin-Lalit and Anu Malik.

Miscellaneous News

14. J&K Lt Governor launches salary tracker mobile app “MeraVetan"

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu has launched a salary tracker mobile app MeraVetan (Version-1) for government employees in order to provide Salary Related information to Employees. This application has been developed by the National Informatics Centre–J&K State Centre on the Android Platform to provide end to end computerization of JK Payment System (JKPaySys) application.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• NIC Deputy Director-General: Abhay Kumar (State Informatics Officer).
• NIC Established:1988.
• NIC Headquarters: Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir.

15. Government of India launches "Nagar Van" programme

Government of India has launched the "Nagar Van (Urban Forests)" programme with an objective of increasing the forest cover in urban areas. The programme has been launched with 200 corporations and cities across India and aims to develop 200 Urban Forests across India in next five years with the help of people’s participation and collaboration between Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporates and local citizens.