Category: Current Affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS
01 APRIL 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

1) Tourism Ministry opens platform to assist foreign visitors:

The Union Tourism Ministry has unveiled the ‘Stranded in India’ stage to spread data to all stranded foreign sightseers in India. The Ministry of Tourism asserted that the platform ‘Stranded in India’ can be utilized by international visitors stranded here a long way from home to find out all the facilities they can use to make a sage stay possible.

2) Life saver Udan flights receives clinical supplies for COVID-19 care throughout India:

Life saver Udan freight incorporates vital clinical supplies for COVID-19 related reagents, clinical hardware, proteins, test packs, PPE, masks, gloves and different accessories required for treating COVID-19 patients in India.

3) ICICI Bank is releasing whatsApp banking services:

The ICICI Bank released Whatsapp banking on 31 March 2020 to enable its clients to satisfy home financial needs during the lockdown.

4) ADB is paying Aavas financiers $60 million for increasing women’s access to housing in India:

Asian Development Bank, a provincial development bank, signed a $60 million advance concurrence with moderate housing credit supplier Aavas Financiers Ltd on March 31, 2020 to give housing financing to women in low-salary networks, either as essential loan specialists or as co-borrowers.

5) The Indian Government releases the ‘Corona Kavach’ application for coronavirus monitoring:

The Government of India has propelled a Coronavirus risk monitoring application called “Corona Kavach,” established mutually by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Union and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union.

6) Nagaland CM introduced Application for Self-Declaration COVID-19:

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio propelled the COVID-19 self-declaration app at Kohima, Nagaland, which is critical for high risk case monitoring and observation.

7) IESA pursued electronics commission of the ISRO:

The Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association solicited the Government of India to make a National Electronics Mission in accordance with India’s space agency, Indian Space Research Organization, with the objective of building a homegrown gadgets biological system that would enable the nation to decrease imports of semiconductor chips and sensors.

WORLD AFFAIRS:

1) 11 million entering deprivation in the Pacific and East Asia:

The World Bank declared on 31 March 2020 that around 11 million will enter deprivation in Pacific and East Asia because of the spread of COVID-19 as the infection has tainted more than 780,000 and has killed more than 37,000.

2) NASA declares mission to SUNRISE:

NASA revealed on March 30th, 2020 the mission of Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SUNRISE) to research how sun produces Giant Solar Particle Storms.

SPORTS AFFAIRS:

1) Tokyo Olympics have been rescheduled for July 23- August 8, 2021:

On March 30th, 2020 the International Olympic Committee coordinators pronounced the 32nd version of Tokyo Olympics rescheduled dates to be held in Tokyo, Japan from July 23 to August 8, 2021.

2) Pape Diouf died of coronavirus:

The previous president of French football club Olympique de Marseille, Pape Diouf, died at 68 years old on 31 March because of COVID-19.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
02 APRIL 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

1) JNCASR produces a covering which could prevent contamination from spreading:

The Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has built up a one-step treatable anti- microbial covering capable of destroying infections of any sort when covered on different surfaces, for example, textiles, plastics, etc. The covering can be produced on an assortment of surfaces, and its simplicity and robustness removes the requirement for proficient specialists to obtain the covering.

2) In order to finance the COVID-19 crisis, Telangana declared 75 per cent pay cut to govt employees:

The administration of Telangana State announced on 30 March a significant compensation cut for its workers going from 10 percent to 75 percent as the choice was taken at an elevated level audit meeting in the wake of the state’s budgetary circumstance amidst coronavirus epidemic.

3) MHA released JK Reorganizing State Laws Order 2020:

The Center released the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of State Laws) Order 2020 issued on 1 April by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Union (MHA). The request accompanied prompt impact and out of J&K’s aggregate of 138 state laws, 25 laws were revoked overall, and different laws were presented with replacements.

4) India’s Food Corporation runs e-auction to satisfy Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana’s objectives:

On April 2, 2020, India’s Food Corporation will direct an Open Market Selling Scheme to facilitate the market supply of Food Grains to guarantee the nation’s continuous stockpile of rice and wheat during the lock-down period.

5) AP Government purchases MOM for COVID-19 patients from Indian Navy:

The Government of Andhra Pradesh purchased Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold set up by Indian Navy, Vishkhapatnam to meet the prerequisite of COVID-19 patients for oxygen supply.

6) Minister of Finance is taking part in the 2nd FMCBG Extraordinary G20 Virtual Conference:

Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Union, partakes in the second Virtual Meeting of Extraordinary G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) on 31 March 2020 to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the worldwide economy and arrange endeavors to handle this worldwide test.

7) Govt extends the presentation from 1 April 2020 of an institutionalized stamp duty for capital market instruments to 1 July 2020:

The Revenue Department deferred the presentation of the uniform stamp duty on the offer of securities, debentures, prospects, alternatives, money and other capital-market instruments by 3 months to 1 July 2020 from 1 April 2020 on March 30th, 2020.

8) Jitendra Singh has released the COVID- 19 Grievances National Reporting Platform for DARPG:

DARPG’s [Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances] National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID-19 complaints was started on 1 April 2020 by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

9) RBI proposed additional steps to counter COVID-19’s economic consequences:

On April 1, 2020, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) declared extra steps, for example, relaxing export standards, rising the Ways and Means (WMA) limit and presenting the counter-cyclical capital buffer (CCyB) to handle the COVID-19 financial impacts.

10) The government of Jharkhand introduced the PRAGYAAM application to grant e-passes for important deliveries:

On March 30th, 2020 A mobile application PRAGYAAM was propelled by the Jharkhand Government to concede e-passes to anybody related with offering basic types of assistance during the national lockdown to battle COVID-19.

WORLD AFFAIRS:

1) SpaceX discharged its Starship rocket Users Guide:

SpaceX has provided a User’s Guide to its goliath Starship rocket where the manual will include a brief outline of the rocket intended to cary individuals, payloads, satellites and freight to a range of orbits and landing destinations on Earth, Lunar or Martian.

2) The Global Day of Autism Awareness is celebrated on April 2:

World Autism Awareness Day is being celebrated on 2 April as the day is aimed at acknowledging and promoting the rights of people with autism and helping people understand, respect and embrace.

3) COP26 delayed because of COVID-19:

On April 1, 2020, the United Nations proclaimed that the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to be held in Glasgow in November 2020 was deferred to 2021 as being done because of the response of COVID-19 infection and its global effects.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
31 MARCH 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

1) NBT propelled Corona Studies Series books:

National Book Trust (NBT) is to launch books of the Corona Studies Series to give suitable perusing materials to all age groups for the necessities of post-Corona readership where the details were transferred by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

2) ICAR advises farmers to take protective precautions during the harvesting of Rabi:

The Indian Agricultural Research Council (ICAR) of the administration’s agri-research body guided farmers to follow social separation and safety measures when taking care of farm machines and field work during Rabi harvesting.

3) In the middle of the lockdown, the Indian Army prepares:

Taking into account the coronavirus epidemic, the Indian Army has organized basic exercises required for its movement as the lockdown of the country of the Center has brought about arrangement and military stations diminishing collaboration with regular citizens and a portion of the units are isolated from the outside world and different units.

4) ADB to spend 100 million dollars in NIIF FOF:

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has joined India’s government and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as a financial specialist under the instruments of India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund where ADB will put $100 million proportional in the NIIF Fund of Funds under the progression.

5) PM Narendra Modi has devised PM-CARES funds to counter outbreaks of coronavirus:

PM Narendra Modi has established a help and crisis circumstance alleviation finance, called the Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) of the Prime Minister, where individuals can contribute and help in the battle against coronavirus by the Government.

6) Center endorsed COVID-19 medical compensation program for health care employees:

On March 29, 2020, the center endorsed a Rs 50 lakh clinical insurance strategy for medicinal services staff adapting to coronavirus pandemic where endorsement is a part of the means declared by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package of Rs 1.7 lakhs.

7) During Lockdown, the government formed 11 distinctive affirmed groups:

On March 30th, 2020, the administration formed 11 diverse empowered groups under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to prescribe steps to improve wellbeing, reestablish the economy and alleviate individuals’ misery following a 21-day lockdown imposed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

8) IIT Bombay creates two applications “Corontine” and “Safe” to follow infringement by those in isolation:

IIT Bombay created 2 versatile applications called “Corontine” and “Safe” on March 29, 2020 as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency spreads, which can monitor infringement by individuals who should be in isolation.

9) Dr Harsh Vardhan opens the National Center for Teleconsultation (CoNTeC):

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan unveiled the CoNTeCan abbreviation for the COVID-19 National Teleconsultation Center, a New Delhi Telemedicine Center to interface specialists across the nation to AIIMS progressively for treating COVID-19 patients.

WORLD AFFAIRS:

1) Prince Charles recuperates from Covid 19:

Prince Charles, the 71-year-old beneficiary to the honored position, recuperated from COVID-19 and left self-isolation on March 30th, 2020, seven days in the wake of being positively tested.

2) Tata Power, in Georgia, installed Shuakhevi HPP:

The joint venture between Tata Power Company and Norway’s Clean Energy Invest and International Financial Corporation initiated its business activity of a 178-megawatt hydropower project (HPP) in Georgia.

STATE AFFAIRS:

1) A mobile application called “RajCop citizen app” was introduced by the Rajasthan police:

Rajasthan police propelled a mobile application named “RajCop Citizens App” to permit state-owned people and corporate workers to take consent to venture out under the required conditions that Data Ingenious GLobal Limited created.

2) Rajasthan marks the Day of Statehood:

Consistently, on 30 March, Rajasthan praises its Statehood Day, prevalently known as the “Place that is known for the Kings” as it is the biggest Indian state in the locale and the day is additionally called the “Rajasthan Day”.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
29 MARCH 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

1) The Indian Government is setting up a PM- fund to counter the COVID-19 pandemic:

Individuals and associations can visit the pmindia.gov.in site and give to the PM-CARES Fund, where the funds consider miniaturized scale gifts that empower an enormous number of individuals to contribute with the smallest denominations.

2) Nagaland CM initiated the COVID-19 self-declaration app:

Nagaland’s chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, propelled the COVID-19 Nagaland App Self Declaration at Kohima on 28 March planned for tracing the individual entering the state as a step to handle the spread of Coronavirus.

3) Jammu & Kashmir committed 2 hospitals solely for the care of COVID-19 patients:

Two Jammu medical facilities, Psychiatry Hospital and Chest Diseases Hospital, were devoted solely to the care of COVID-19 patients, which is the step of the state’s endeavors to combat the COVID-19.

4) The Indian government approves health worker compensation policy:

Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package, the Central Government endorsed the launch of an insurance scheme for health laborers who are battling the COVID-19 epidemic.

5) CoNTeC was initiated by the Government of India to link Doctors in India to AIIMS:

On 28 March 2020, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare propelled CoNTec, the telecommunication center COVID-19, which means to link doctors in the nation with AIIMS.

6) India to take part in COVID-19 WHO trials:

On 28 March 2020, ICMR (Indian Medical Research Council) pronounced that India is to take part in WHO (World Health Organization) studies to discover potential solutions for COVID-19 epidemic.

WORLD AFFAIRS:

1) The IMF announced the risk of the global economy entering recession:

Chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, reported that the worldwide economy is currently in decay due to coronavirus, which has clarified that the nations of the world have entered a decrease. IMF reported that more than 80 countries have already received emergency assistance due to coronavirus.

2) Apple released an app for information about COVID-19:

‘Apple,’ the technology giant, has propelled a new dedicated app and website for consumers around the US that provides consumers with reliable and trustworthy information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
30 MARCH 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

1) Mann Ki Baat’s 10th Episode was presented by PM on 29 March 2020:

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 10th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat 2.0’ on March 29, in which he talked about the administration’s troublesome choices to battle COVID-19. He claimed the move was planned at keeping the Indian people secure, expressed trust that together India will crush COVID-19 and also explained that following with the lockdown isn’t a method for helping other people yet of securing oneself.

2) RBI to enforce the Consolidation Program for Mega Banks on 1 April:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) declared that the plans for the merger of 10 state-run banks into four loan specialists would come into power from 1 April and the branches of merging banks would work as banks in which the banks were amalgamated as the banks attempted to postpone lenders merger plots due to the coronavirus flare-up activated lockdown.

3) Center discharges Rs 4,431 crore under MGNREGA to clear pending salaries:

The Center issued Rs 4,431 crores on March 27, 2020 to clear up pending salaries under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Jobs Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) and will likewise satisfy all obligations (Rs 11,499 crores) by April 10, 2020.

4) B.P Kanungo was reappointed as RBI Deputy Governor for a one-year term:

On March 27, 2020, The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) led by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has endorsed the augmentation of the residency of RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Deputy Governor, Bibhu Prasad Kanungo for a time of one year up to April 3, 2021 where his residency will  end on April 2, 2020.

5) UP CM Adityanath Yogi creates ‘Group 11’ to defeat Coronavirus:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath set up a “Team-11” on March 27, 2020, comprising of inter-departmental councils with over 2 dozen senior authorities to combat the spread of coronavirus.

6) Skill development NSTIs to be utilized as COVID-19 Quarantine Centers:

The Ministry of Skill development and Entrepreneurship agreed on March 29, 2020 to turn National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI) into quarantine-isolation facilities.

7) Panel developed by PMO to alleviate COVID-19 and to reestablish normalcy after 21 Days of Lock Down:

The Prime Minister’s Office set up a significant level board on March 29, 2020 to reestablish commonality following 21 days of regularity, prescribing steps to upgrade medicinal services, ease neediness, alleviate poverty and bring the economy in the groove again.

WORLD AFFAIRS:

1) 4 New Coal projects in India were acquainted however coal limit decreased with 66GW:

In 2019, as indicated by a study entitled “Boom and Bust 2020, Monitoring the Global Plant Pipeline,” 47.4 GW coal fired power plants at various stages were dropped in India, which diminished general coal limit under construction to 66 GW where the investigation was mutually arranged by Global Energy Monitor, Greenpeace International, the Sierra Club and the Energy and Clean Air Research Center.

2) As its 30th Member, North Macedonia formally joins the NATO:

On March 27, 2020, the Republic of North Macedonia formally drafted enrollment as the 30th and most up to date member from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) following the 2017 North Macedonia concurrence with Greece in which the previous changed its name from Macedonia-a name near that of the Greek area.

3) To tackle COVID-19, the US declared $174 million in assistance to 64 nations, including $2.9 mn to India:

The United States of America will offer extra $174 million in budgetary help to 64 most in danger countries, including $2.9 million for India as an assistance to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

4) IMF releases the Tracker of Government Policy:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) propelled a policy tracker on March 25, 2020 to monitor government strategies in order to share data on COVID-19 that helps resolve the emergency.

SPORTS AFFAIRS:

1) IAAF suspends doping infringement of Indian shot putter Navin chikara for 4 years:

On 28 March 2020, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the administering group of worldwide athletics – World Athletics (once in the past known as the International Association of Athletics Federations-IAAF) disqualified Indian shot putter Navin Chikara for 4 years for failing a doping test in 2018.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
27 MARCH 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:
1) Rs 16/piece, three-ply face mask until June 30:
The Central Government has set the retail cost of a three-utilize face cover produced using melton-non-woven fiber to a limit of Rs 16 for each mask until June 30.

2) DGFT creates an export or import problem relevant to COVID-19 Helpdesk:
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has initiated a helpdesk in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry where citizens can contact the department for any COVID-19 related Export or Import problem.

3) Union Cabinet agrees on the railway sector MoU between India and Germany:
On 25 March 2020, the Union Cabinet led by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi affirms the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2020 between the Ministry of Railways and Germany’s DB Engineering and Consulting GmbH for railway technical collaboration.

4) Indore is India’s first city to utilize drones to sanitize the city for COVID-19:
Indore, India’s cleanest city on March 23, 2020, turns into India’s first city to utilize drones to sanitize the city against COVID-19 risk.

5) Indian bank propelled 5 unique crisis loans for customers affected by COVID 19:
On March 25, 2020, Indian Bank introduced five special emergency loans for large businesses, medium-sized companies, MSMEs, wage earners and retirees as a support to their customers during an economic recession and lock-down due to COVID-19 pandemic.

6) IRS officials KM Prasad and SK Gupta named members of the Board of CBDT:
On 25 March 2020 the Cabinet Selection Committee endorsed the agreement as members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) of two Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officials Krishan Mohan Prasad and Satish Kumar Gupta.

7) ARCI, Hyderabad creates’ ultrafast laser surface texture technology’ to increase IC engine fuel efficiency:
On 25 March 2020, the International Advanced Center for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad which work as an award-in-help organization of the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology has developed’ ultra-fast laser surface texture technology’ capable of increasing fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines by minimizing friction.

WORLD AFFAIRS:
1) Regardless of Coronavirus, US Space Force dispatches Extremely High Frequency Satellite:
On March 26, 2020, the U.S. Space Force started its first national security mission by sending a hyper-secure military communications satellite into space while the U.S. made this step regardless of most parts of the world struggling with Coronavirus pandemic.

2) More instances of Coronavirus identified in the US than in China and Italy:
The United States announced a greater number of instances of coronavirus than some other nation with more than 82,400 as the study was revealed by Johns Hopkins University that the number had surpassed China and Italy and the nation had made the coronavirus tests accessible in all 50 states and more than 552,000 tests were carried out nationally.

3) The United Nations estimated 25 million jobs will be lost due to the effects of COVID-19:
The organization estimated that the economic and human lockdown is triggering a global economic crisis that about 3.3 million Americans have applied for unemployment insurance and Italy has shut down much of its industries.

4) Worldwide creation of coal dropped for the fourth sequential year:
As per a report, the worldwide development of coal power plants decreased for the fourth continuous year in 2019, with a sum of 13 GW of limit building deferred because of the Corona Virus.

5) 25 devotees murdered in Kabul, Afghanistan by ISIS suicide bombers targeting on Gurudwara:
Twenty-five devotees were slaughtered on March 25, 2020, and eight were wounded during the assault by four vigorously armed suicide bombers targeting at Dharamshala, a Sikh worship place in Kabul, Afghanistan.

SPORTS AFFAIRS:
1) Rohit scored 1567 runs in 5 years, the most with a full shot:
Rohit is the highest run-scorer from Pull Shot since 2015 and during this time he has scored 1567 runs with Pull Shot, which is 17.47 percent of his total runs.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
28 MARCH 2020

BY:GAZAL BHATNAGAR, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

1) Operation Namaste was initiated by the Indian Army:

The Indian Army started an ‘Operation Namaste’ program to expand all conceivable government help in preventing the spread of coronavirus initiated on 27 March by Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

2) The Center authorized to 8 states more than Rs.5 Crore:

An additional Rs.5,751.27 crore was endorsed by the Government of India as a help to 8 states (Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, and West Bengal) affected by floods, avalanches, cyclone ‘Bulbul’ and drought in 2019 which was determined by a high level council under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

3) DMF Funds for States to battle COVID-19:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman recently ordered state governments to utilize DMF (District Mineral Foundation) assets to battle COVID-19, which is being done to support medical facilities that will help counter the Corona Outbreak.

4) India is the first nation on the planet to launch Corona Virus antibody examination:

India is all set to start antibody testing to affirm if an individual was previously contaminated with the infection that will help comprehend the Covid-19 study of disease transmission.

5) India and France are the first to conduct joint patrols:

For the first time in February 2020, India & France directed joint patrols by P-8I aircraft from Reunion Island with French Navy personnel to ensure the protection of international maritime routes for trade and communications.

6) Odisha to create the nation’s largest COVID-19 hospital:

The Odisha government pronounced on March 27, 2020 that it is prepared to set up India’s biggest Covid-19 emergency clinic due to the coronavirus outbreak on the planet that will have 1000 beds in Bhubaneswar, Odisha and will be functional soon.

7) RBI raised the amount of Rs 50,000 cr from Rs 25,000 cr on March 26, 2020 repo auction:

The Reserve Bank of India raised the variable rate term repo auction amount to Rs 50,000 crore from Rs 25,000 crore because of the problematic effect of Covid-19 for the monetary segment.

WORLD AFFAIRS:

1) COVID-19 primary cause is mutation and Pangolins:

As indicated by an examination published in the journal “Pathogen,” infection bounced from Pangolins to people and furthermore mutation was the essential clarification for the infection to enter human cells so effectively and thus contributes to rapid virus spread.

2) China launching rocket carrier Long March-5B in April 2020:

China intends to dispatch a trial shuttle, a Long March-5B bearer rocket, without a team in April 2020, where the project is a part of a bigger spaceflight program to carry astronauts to its future space station.