SEPTEMBER MONTHLY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2022: Monthly Current Affairs are very important for every competitive exam and as we all know, in the upcoming months, many government exams.
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Centre clears AGNIPATH Scheme to recruit youth in Armed Forces for a period of four years
– President Ram Nath Kovind dedicates ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple built on Vaikunta hills in Bengaluru
– PM inaugurates ‘Kranti Gatha’ a newly created Gallery of Indian Revolutionaries inside an
underground British – era bunker at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai
– PM inaugurates Jagatguru Sreesant Tukaram Maharaj Shila Mandir at Dehu in Pune
– Coal Ministry launches Project Information and Management Module of Single Window Clearance System
– PM instructs his govt to provide ten lakh jobs to youth in mission mode over next 1.5 years
– Union Civil Aviation Minister awards first Type Certificate under Drone Rules to IoTech
Avigation Private Ltd for making drones
– Wholesale inflation in May accelerates to 15.88% on higher food prices
– Govt. appoints Anand Mahindra, Ravindra Dholakia, Venu Srinivasan and Pankaj Patel to RBI’s board
– Pramod K. Mittal of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. takes over as COAI chairperson for 2022-23
– British govt set to deport asylum-seekers of various nationalities to Rwanda
– World Blood Donor Day observed on June 14; theme: ‘Blood donation: An act of solidarity’.
– NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) to provide an opportunity for further education to those Agniveers who are just 10th class pass out
– India hosting meeting of SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) on June 15-17
– India hosts SAIFMM (Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting) in New Delhi to
commemorate 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations
– US announces $122mn fund for India to prevent avoidable epidemics
– Night launch of Prithvi-II short range ballistic missile carried out; has a strike range of 350 kms
– Railways flags off first train under Bharat Gaurav scheme; from Coimbatore North in Tamil Nadu to Sainagar Shirdi in Maharashtra
– Rajya Sabha: P. Chidambaram resigns from his seat in Maharashtra following his election from Tamil Nadu
– India Energy Transition Summit held in New Delhi
– Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat says DRIP (Dam Rehabilitation Improvement
Project) of Govt has improved safety, operational performance of large dams
– Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022 in New Delhi
– Government issues draft guidelines for operationalization of Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax ferry services along Indian coast
– RBI lifts restrictions on Mastercard over onboarding new customers after compliance with Storage of Payment System Data norms
– Unemployment rate declined to 4.2% in 2020-21 from 4.8% in 2019-20: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
– UAE suspends re-export of wheat and flour from grain originating in India
– Trade deficit in May at $15.44 billion; Exports: $62.21 billion, Imports: $77.65 billion
– India adds 15.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power capacity in 2021; 3rd highest behind China, USA
– BCCI to get Rs 44,075 crore from selling IPL TV and digital media rights for 2023-27
– Four European Union leaders — French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian PM Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis — visit Ukraine
– Microsoft shuts down Internet Explorer browser after 27 years
– 94% of domestic workers worldwide lack comprehensive social security: ILO
– International Day of Family Remittances observed on June 16
– European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) halts UK’s first flight deporting asylum seekers to
Rwanda
– US Federal Reserve raises main interest rate by 0.75%
– Govt. extends upper age limit for Agnipath recruitment scheme from 21 to 23 years
– SC on UP demolitions: Authorities should strictly follow due process
– Nearly 5 mn in India displaced due to climate change, disasters in 2021: UN
– External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addresses Ministerial Session of the Delhi Dialogue -12
– SCO approves the Plan for conduct of the Joint Border Operation Friendship Border 2022
– ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’: 75 Sea beaches to be cleaned from 3rd July to 17th Sept
– Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju meets Mongolian president Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh in
Ulaanbaatar
– Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal terms World Trade Organisation’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva as successful; claims India received 100 percent success
– Union Minister Nitin Gadkari proposes setting up of Innovation Bank for new ideas, research
findings, technologies to focus on quality in infrastructure development
– Forex reserves down $4.5 billion to $596.4 billion in the week ended June 10
– Indians’ funds in Swiss banks jump 50% to 3.83 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 30,500 crore) in 2021; customer deposits up too
– World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought observed on June 17, theme: “Rising up from drought together”
– China launches its third aircraft carrier named Fujian
– UK approves extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to US
– EU Commission backs candidate status for Ukraine
– China blocks India, US bid to designate Pak-based Abdul Rehman Makki as global terrorist by UN
– 110th Session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva
– Russia’s Gazprom cuts gas supply to Germany
– Mongolia’s Khuvsgul lake added to UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves
– England hit world record one-day international score of 498-4 against the Netherlands in
Amstelveen
– Govt. reserves 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces) and Assam Rifles for Agniveers
– Gujarat: PM participates in ‘Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan’ in Vadodara; launches schemes worth Rs 21,000 crore
– Gujarat: PM inaugurates redeveloped Kalika Mata temple in Pavagadh
– Ex-Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai is new Chairperson of Press Council of India
– EAM S. Jaishankar with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son launch joint logo for
celebration of 50 Years of bilateral Diplomatic Relations
– Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates National Yoga Olympiad 2022 in New Delhi
– India and European Union re-launch negotiations for India-EU free trade agreement
– Sustainable Gastronomy Day observed on June 18
– International Day for Countering Hate Speech observed on June 18
– Global dirty money watchdog FATF (Financial Action Task Force) keeps Pakistan on ‘grey list’
– French screen icon Jean-Louis Trintignant dies aged 91
– Urdu scholar-litterateur Gopi Chand Narang dies in US at 91
– Sourav Kothari clinches Pacific International Billiards Championship in Melbourne
– IAF releases details on Agnipath recruitment scheme; process to begin from June 24
– New Delhi: Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor to cut commute time by 15 mins
– Polio Immunisation 2022 starts in 11 states & UTs across country
– Aadhaar number to be linked to voters list
– Govt. to implement Employees’ State Insurance Scheme in entire country by year-end
– Govt. tags IT assets of ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and UPI managing entity NPCI as ‘critical
information infrastructure
– RBI unveils “Payments Vision 2025” with a core theme of ‘E-Payments for Everyone, Everywhere, Everytime’ (4Es)
– International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed on June 19
– World Sickle Cell Awareness Day observed on June 19
– British journalist Dom Phillips confirmed dead in Brazil; he and his guide had gone missing on a book research trip in the Amazon
– 2022 Indonesia Open badminton in Jakarta Winners — Men’s singles: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, Women’s singles: Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu-ying, Men’s doubles: China’s Liu Yuchen & Ou Xuanyi,
Women’s doubles: Japan’s Nami Matsuyama & Chiharu Shida and Mixed doubles: China’s Zheng Siwei & Huang Yaqiong.
– Basketball: Golden State Warriors defeat Golden State Warriors to win NBA Finals crown in Boston
– Women’s weightlifting: Bindyarani Devi improves upon her National records in 55kg
– Sunil Chhetri becomes joint fifth highest goalscorer in international football history with 84 goals
– B. Aishwarya creates new national record in women’s triple jump: 14.14m
– Neeraj Chopra wins gold in javelin with throw of 86.69m at the Kuortane Games in Finland
– Torch relay for 44th Chess Olympiad launched by PM at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi
– Former athlete Hari Chand dies at 69; won gold in 5000m & 10,000m at Bangkok Asian Games in 1978
NEW CHIEF JUSTICES
– Justice Satish Chandra Sharma: Delhi High Court
– Justice Vipin Sanghi: Uttarakhand HC
– Justice Ujjal Bhuyan: Telangana HC
– Justice Amjad Ahtesham Sayed: Himachal Pradesh HC
– Justice Shinde Sambhaji Shiwaji: Rajasthan HC
– Justice Rashmin Manharbhai Chhaya: Gauhati HC
INDIA
– ‘Agnipath’: Army announces recruitment, registration from next month
– PM inaugurates the Centre for Brain Research and lays the foundation Stone for Bagchi
Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital at IISc Bengaluru
– PM inaugurates new campus of Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE) University in Bengaluru
– Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah addresses the National Conference on Cyber Safety and National Security in New Delhi
– Indian Coast Guard inducts indigenously designed, developed Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III in Chennai
– Hardeep S. Puri launches National Initiative for Promotion of Upskilling of Nirman workers
(NIPUN); over 1 lakh construction workers will be trained in partnership with the NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) under DAY-NULM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission)
– Colombia: Gustavo Petro elected new President
– Wildfires gut more than 30,00 hectares in Spain
– World Refugee Day celebrated on June 20
YOGA DAY AWARDS
– Prime Minister’s award for outstanding contribution for promotion of Yoga announced
– Individual winners: Bhikkhu Sanghasena from Ladakh and Marcus Vinicius Rojo Rodrigues from Brazil
– Organisation winners: The Divine Life Society from Uttarakhand and British Wheel of Yoga from UK
– Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha will be the opposition candidate for the Presidential
Election
– Diplomat Ruchira Kamboj to become India’s Permanent Representative to UN
– Ration card portability implemented across India with Assam being last to operationalise
– Expedite NPA resolution, focus on credit growth: Finance ministry to PSBs
– Govt dept to collaborate with SBI to create integrated pension portal
– Apollo Hospitals partners with Imperial Hospital, Bangladesh; to manage 375-bed multispeciality tertiary care hospital in Chittagong
– Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov’s Nobel Peace Prize medal fetches record $103.5 million in auction
– World’s largest recorded freshwater fish weighing 300 kg caught in Cambodia
– International Day of Yoga celebrated on June 21, theme: ‘Yoga for humanity’
– World Music Day celebrated on June 21
– International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice observed on June 21
– England’s Matt Fitzpatrick wins 2022 United States Open Championship in Boston
– Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal
– Former Jharkhand Governor & Odisha minister Draupadi Murmu named candidate of be BJP-led NDA for Presidential polls
– Australian Deputy PM and Minister for Defence Richard Marles visits India
– EAM S. Jaishankar to lead Indian delegation to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda from June 22 to 25
– PM addresses BRICS Business Forum virtually
– Centre flags off Bharat Gaurav train connecting India and Nepal operating on the Ramayana
Circuit
– ‘Jyotirgamaya’ festival showcasing talent of unsung performers being held in New Delhi
– Illegal to use police personnel as orderlies for domestic work: Madras HC
– India had current account deficit of 1.2% of GDP in 2021-22; had surplus of 0.9% in 2020-21: RBI
– Country’s foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 30.3 billion in 2021-22: RBI
– RBI stops non-bank payment instrument (PPI) issuers from loading wallets, cards via credit lines
– Yes Bank launches FDs linked to repo rate
– India stands 4th in global gold recycling; recycled 75 tonnes in 2021: WGC
– Bengaluru: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai inaugurates largest IKEA store in India
– Afghanistan: Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits Paktika province; over 900 killed
– Russia warns Lithuania of serious consequences after it banned rail transfer of some goods to
Kaliningrad
– South Korea launches first satellite with homegrown Nuri rocket
– Elon Musk’s $44 billion Twitter deal gets board endorsement
– UN Convention on Biological Diversity talks to move from China’s Kunming to Montreal over pandemic-related delays
– Former Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar becomes first woman president of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA).
– GSAT-24 satellite (4180 kg), built by ISRO for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), launched by French company Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana (South America)
– IPS officer Dinkar Gupta appointed director general of National Investigation Agency (NIA)
– Maharashtra: Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs declare Eknath Shinde as their leader
– External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar addresses CHOGM Foreign Ministers’ plenary in Kigali, Rwanda
– Home Ministry extends FCRA validity of NGOs with pending renewal till Sept 30
– Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat meets Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing
– No entry of medium, heavy vehicles into Delhi from October 1
– Tamil Nadu government dispatches second consignment of relief materials to Sri Lanka worth Rs.67.70 crore
– RBI proposes norms for outsourcing of IT services by banks, NBFCs; regulated entities (REs) will not require prior approval from the central bank for the outsourcing of IT and IT-enabled services
– World Bank approves $245-million loan for the railway logistics project to help reduce India’s high carbon emissions
– Seven companies have built ONDC (open network for digital commerce) compatible apps: Piyush Goyal
– Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah addresses National Conclave of Scheduled and Multi- State Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies on Future Role of Urban Cooperative Credit Sector in New Delhi
– PM inaugurates Vanijya Bhawan– the new premises of Commerce & Industry Ministry – in New Delhi
– PM launches NIRYAT (National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade) portal, a onestop
platform for stakeholders to get all necessary information related to India’s foreign trade
– ONGC Videsh Limited announces new discovery in Colombia
– Gautam Adani and his family pledge to donate Rs 60,000 cr for social causes
– IOC unveils indoor solar cook top Surya Nutan
– CBI starts biggest banking fraud probe; registers a case against Dewan Housing Finance
Corporation promoters Kapil Wadhawan, Dheeraj Wadhawan and others for defrauding a consortium of 17 banks to the tune of Rs. 34,615 crores
– BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) annual summit held virtually; hosted by China
– Germany triggers gas alarm stage, accuses Russia of ‘economic attack’ for cutting gas flows
– International Widows’ Day observed on June 23
– United Nations Public Service Day celebrated on June 23
– Asian Track Cycling Championships in New Delhi: India finish with best-ever nine senior medals
– International Olympic Day celebrated on June 23; theme: ‘Together for a peaceful world’
– IPS Officer Tapan Kumar Deka appointed as Director of Intelligence Bureau
– Tenure of R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) Chief extended by one year
– Former IAS Officer Parameswaran Iyer appointed as CEO of NITI Aayog
– India test-fires Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from an Indian Naval Ship (INS) off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha; meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets
– IAF participates in Tactical Leadership Programme at Egyptian Air Force Weapon School in Cairo
– India’s foreign exchange reserves declined $5.9 billion to $590.59 billion for the week ended June 17
– National Conference on the development of the Space Start-up Ecosystem in India held in
Bengaluru
– Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari approves draft of Bharat-NCAP (New Car
Assessment Programme) car safety rating system
– RBI extends deadline for tokenisation of debit and credit cards by another three months to
September 30
– Tokenisation is a process by which card details are replaced by a unique code or token, allowing
online purchases to go through without exposing sensitive card details
– National Logistics Excellence Awards given in 12 categories by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal
– Coal India Ltd. ventures into power generation; to set up 660-MW unit in Chhattisgarh
– Media & entertainment industry set to hit Rs.4.3-trn revenues by 2026: PwC
– Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to set up ‘BRO Cafes’ in border areas to boost tourism
– Ukraine asks its forces to withdraw from Sievierodonetsk city in eastern Luhansk region
– European Union grants candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia; the three countries will
be required to carry out a series of political and economic reforms to obtain EU membership
– Austrian capital Vienna named world’s most livable city by the Economist; Syrian capital Damascus is least livable
– Xi Jinping announces additional $1 billion for Global Development Fund
– Pakistan announces 10% super tax on large-scale industries like cement, steel, automobiles
– US Senate passes bipartisan gun-safety legislation by a wide margin
– FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup to be held in India from 11th October to 30th October
– S. M Krishna, Narayana Murthy, Prakash Padukone selected for ‘Kempegowda International
Award’ in Karnataka
– Death penalty valid, judges cannot find ways to avoid it: SC
– J&K to host G-20 meeting next year
– Passport Seva Divas celebrated on June 24
– CM Patnaik shares Odisha’s achievements on food security at WFP HQ in Rome
– Sajid Mir, 26/11 Mumbai terror attack handler, once claimed to be dead, arrested in Pakistan
– Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh leaves for Portugal to take part in “2022 UN Ocean Conference” at Lisbon
– Government notifies GST compensation cess extension to March 2026
– Cochin Shipyard delivers two Autonomous Electric Barges to Norway-based ASKO Maritime AS
– Toyota, Suzuki to make hybrid vehicles in India
– Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issues performance standards for electric vehicle batteries
– PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurates 6.15 km ‘Padma Bridge’; Bangladesh’s longest that will connect capital Dhaka to underdeveloped northwestern region of the country
– BRICS call for Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism
– Sri Lanka limits foreign currency possession by individuals to USD 10,000 to support dwindling
forex reserve
– Day of the Seafarer celebrated on June 25 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
– Afghanistan: India reopens Embassy in Kabul, sends aid
– Indian duo of Jyoti Surekha and Abhishek Verma win gold in Archery World Cup Stage-3 mixed team event in Pairs
– UP Lok Sabha byelections: BJP wins Rampur and Azamgarh seats earlier held by SP
– Punjab Lok Sabha byelection: Simranjit Singh Mann of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) wins
Sangrur seat earlier held by AAP
– Tripura Assembly byelection: BJP’s Tripura CM Manik Saha wins from Town Bardowali
– Tata Power Solar Systems commissions India’s largest floating solar power project of 101.6-
Megawatt Peak (MWp) in Kerala backwaters
– US Supreme Court overrules women’s constitutional right to abortion
– US President Joe Biden signs the breakthrough gun safety legislation that enhances background
checks on young gun buyers between 18 and 21 years of age
– UK, US, Japan and Canada to ban Russia gold imports amid Ukraine war
– International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed on June 26
– International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking observed on June 26
– Madhya Pradesh (536 and 108/4) clinch first ever Ranji Trophy title with six-wicket win against Mumbai (374 and 269) at Bengaluru
– Indian women’s recurve team bag silver medal in World Cup Stage 3 in Paris
– Maharashtra: SC asks Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt not to disqualify rebel Shiv Sena MLAs till July 11
– PM Modi meets President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez in Munich
– Noted Malayalam lyricist, author and journalist, Chowalloor Krishnankutty dies at 86
– Rajasthan becomes 3rd state after Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh to foray into uranium mining;
issues a letter of intent (LoI) to Uranium Corporation of India
– Govt appoints Indian Revenue Services officer Nitin Gupta new CBDT chairman
– Former BHEL Chairman V. Krishnamurthy dies at 91
– Russia defaults on foreign-currency sovereign debt for 1st time since 1918 as western sanctions had shut down payment routes to overseas creditors
– Saudi Arabia confers Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa with King Abdulaziz Medal
– Iran launches a solid-fuelled rocket Zuljanah into space
– Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day observed on June 27
– G7 proposes $600-bn global infra plan called ‘Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment’ to rival China
– US athlete Sydney McLaughlin sets new world record in women’s 400m hurdles at 51.41 seconds
– Ramdarash Mishra gets Saraswati Samman for his Hindi poetry collection ‘Mein to Yahan Hun’; award given by KK Birla Foundation
– PM Modi holds bilateral talks with President of UAE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi
– In first Punjab budget, AAP govt announces 300 units of free electricity to every household every month from July
– Govt launches e-learning portal ‘Dak Karmayogi’ to enhance competency of Dak Sevaks and dept employees
– 3 ONGC employees among 4 dead in Pawan Hans helicopter crash in Arabian Sea
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– National Highways Excellence Awards-2021 given away in nine categories by Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi
– Gig economy workers will triple to 2.35 crore by 2030: Niti Aayog report titled ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy: Perspectives and Recommendations on Future of Work’
– A gig worker as a person who engages in income-earning activities outside of a traditional
employer-employee relationship, as well as in the informal sector
– National Insurance Awareness Day observed on June 28
– Industrialist Pallonji Mistry, the owner of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, dies at 93 in Mumbai
– 2022 UN Ocean Conference being organised at Lisbon, Portugal from June 27 to July 1; Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh leading the Indian delegation
– At least 50 people found dead in an abandoned truck in San Antonio (US) which is 250 kms away from US-Mexico border and is known as a major transit route for people smugglers
– DRDO, Indian Army successfully test ingeniously-developed anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
– Maharashtra: Aurangabad renamed as Sambhajinagar; Osmanabad as Dharashiv
– Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flags off 1st batch of pilgrims for annual Amarnath Yatra from Jammu; to conclude on August 11
– Bihar: Opposition RJD becomes largest party with 80 MLAs in 243-seat Assembly after 4 out of 5 MLAs of AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) join the party
– Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao inaugurates T-Hub 2.0, the world’s largest innovation campus in Hyderabad
– National Statistics Day observed on June 29; is the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta
Chandra Mahalanobis
– Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) of South Korea establishes an India Centre for the promotion of India-focused activities in the University
– G7 Summit in Germany: India, 12 other countries sign “2022 Resilient Democracies Statement” to
protect civil society, freedom of speech
– G7 Summit in Germany: India, 12 other countries sign statement to ‘Accelerate Clean and Just
Transition towards Climate Neutrality’
– Gujarat: Indian Coast Guard commissions Advanced Light Helicopter MK III squadron at
Porbandar
– Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda launches 2nd phase of the Going Online As Leaders (GOAL) Programme in New Delhi
– Govt. deregulates sale of domestically produced crude oil; condition to sell only to govt. and its PSUs waived off
– Union Cabinet approves computerisation of Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) with an overall budget outlay of 2516 crore rupees
– GST Council meeting held in Chandigarh–12% GST (0% earlier) levied on hotel rooms below Rs
1,000 per day, 5% GST (0% earlier) on hospital rooms above Rs 5,000
– Covid-19: DCGI approves India’s first indigenously developed mRNA vaccine
– Covid-19: DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) approves India’s first indigenously developed
mRNA vaccine GEMCOVAC-19 manufactured by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals
– Sandeep Kumar Gupta appointed new chairman and managing director of GAIL
– FSSAI mandates logo on vegan food items; lists regulations vegan foods have to comply with
– Govt to set up control rooms to enforce single-use plastic ban from July 1: Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav
– Centre plans to create 75 textile hubs like Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur: Union Minister Piyush Goyal
– Japanese chipmaker Renesas Electronics Corp and India’s Tata Motors form strategic partnership to design, develop and make semiconductor solutions
– NATO member Turkey agrees to support Sweden and Finland’s membership of the alliance
– Bankrupt Sri Lanka opens oil market to foreign firms
– Colombia: At least 51 dead in fire during prison riot in Tulua city
– International Day of the Tropics celebrated on June 29
– Former hockey player Varinder Singh dies at 75 in Jalandhar; was member of India’s only World Cup title victory at Kuala Lumpur in 1975
Agnipath Defence Recruitment Reform
On June 14, 2022, Central Government launched a new scheme called “Agnipath Scheme”,
to recruit soldiers across three services. The scheme will be implemented in immediate
effect. Recruited Soldiers will be called “Agniveers”.
About Agnipath Scheme
The Agnipath Scheme has been launched for the recruitment of soldiers across three
services.
Under it, about 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually. Most of them will
be recruited for just four years.
Out of total annual recruits, around 25 per cent will be allowed to continue the
service for another 15 years under permanent commission.
Significance of the scheme
This decision will make permanent force levels leaner for more than 13-lakh strong
armed forces in India.
The scheme will also reduce the defence pension bill, which has become a major
concern for governments for many years.
Eligibility criteria
Agnipath Scheme has been launched for personnel below officer ranks that is, those
personnel who do not join the forces as commissioned officers. Under it, aspirant aged
17.5 years to 21 years will be eligible to apply. Standards of recruitment will remain same.
Personnel would be recruited twice in a year, through rallies.
Training for aspirants
After selection, aspirants will undergo training for six months. Following this, they will be
deployed for three and a half years.
Salary and other benefits
During the training and service period, they will get a salary of Rs 30,000, along with
additional benefits. Thus, by the end of four-year services, salary will go up to Rs 40,000.
During this period, 30 per cent of the salary will set aside under “Seva Nidhi programme”,
under which government will also contribute an equal amount per month. This amount
will also accrue interest. At the end of the four-year period, personnel will get Rs 11.71
lakh, which will be tax-free. They will also be given Rs 48 lakh life insurance cover for four
years. In case of death, payout will be more than Rs 1 crore, including pay for unserved
tenure.
When will the recruitment start?
Recruitment under the scheme will start within 90 days.
First train under ‘Bharat Gaurav’ scheme’
First Train under the “Bharat Gaurav Scheme” started from Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) to
Shirdi (Maharashtra) by Indian Railways’ Southern Railway zone.
Highlights
Bharat Gaurav Train started on June 14, 2022 from Coimbatore North to Sainagar
Shirdi. It will reach Sainagar Shirdi on June 16, 2022.
1100 passengers boarded the round-trip service from Coimbatore to Shirdi.
Private service is offered by Registered Service provider for itinerary comprising of
five days.
Who is the registered service provider?
South Star Rail is the registered service provider. It is a Coimbatore-based company. It is a
part of conglomerate group called Future Gaming & Hotel Services Pvt. Limited. It has
paid Rs 1 crore as security deposit for Southern Railway, with a composition of 20 coaches.
Company had paid Rs.27.79 lakh for annual right to Use charges as well as Quarterly fixed
haulage charges of Rs.76.77 lakh. Apart from that, Variable haulage charges of Rs. 38.22
lakhs were also collected towards current round trip.
About Bharat Gaurav Scheme
This scheme was launched by Indian Government to tap the huge potential of
Tourism in India.
Under it, trains have a third segment for tourism. Before this scheme was launched,
Railways had goods segments and passenger segments.
These trains are not regular trains, and will run according to timetable.
It will run on the lines of Ramayana Express, which is being run by the IRCTC.
Scheme was announced under theme-based tourist circuit trains.
Who runs the trains under Bharat Gaurav Scheme?
Under the scheme, these trains are run by both private players and IRCTC.
What is theme-based tourism (circuits)?
By theme-based tourism, railways mean trains such as:
Guru Kripa, that goes to places related to Guru Nanak
Ramayan-themed train, that goes to places related to Lord Ram.
New Amendments in IBBI Regulations
On June 15, 2022, The Insolvency Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) amended insolvency
regulations.
What are the amendments?
The amended insolvency regulations now require creditors to file information on
assets and liabilities of their corporate debtors, as well as other relevant financial
information while undergoing the corporate insolvency process.
It also provides for filing GST returns copy by operational creditors, as well as e-way
bills as documentary evidence of debt and default.
Related Information can also be submitted as part of claim documents submitted to
interim resolution professional and Insolvency Resolution Professional for easier
verification of claims.
It also addresses the issue of treatment of avoidance applications filed to
Adjudicating Authority after corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) ends.
Amendment defines significant difference in valuations during CIRP as well enables
committee of creditors to make request to resolution professional on appointment
of a third valuer.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC)
IBC is an Indian law, that creates a consolidated framework governing insolvency and
bankruptcy proceedings for individuals, companies, and partnership firms. The code
requires to submit resolution plan within 180 days. Under this code, the first insolvency
resolution was passed by National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Synergies-Dooray
Automotive Ltd case in 2017.
Insolvency Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
IBBI is the regulator to look after insolvency proceedings and entities such as Insolvency
Professional Agencies (IPA), Information Utilities (IU) and Insolvency Professionals (IP) in
India. The agency was established on October 1, 2016. In 2016, it was given statutory
powers through Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. IBBI covers Individuals, Companies,
Partnership firms and Limited Liability Partnerships.
Members of IBBI
IBBI comprises of 10 members, including representatives from Ministry of Finance,
Reserve Bank of India and Ministry of Law & corporate affairs. Presently, IBBI has 130
Insolvency Professional Entities listed on its website.
Migration in India 2020-21 Report
Migration in India 2020-21 report was recently released by Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Key Findings of the report
Report highlighted that, with the onset of covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, 0.7 per
cent of India’s population was ‘temporary visitor’ in households during July 2020-
June 2021.
More than 84 per cent of these ‘temporary visitors’ moved places for reasons
associated with pandemic ranging from loss of job/closure of educational
institutions, family/relatives/friends, migration of earning member, health related
issues and closure of educational institutions.
Pandemic may have forced 51.6 per cent of men from urban India to migrate rural
homes.
There is a huge gap between men and women in rural areas, who migrated from
Urban India. This is because, in India male partner migrates for work to urban places
mostly, while female stays back home.
Rural-rural male migration
The rural-to-rural male migration stands at 44.6 per cent. It shows that, many people
staying away from their native places at rural locations returned home during covid-19
pandemic. Rural-to-rural female migration stands at 88.8 percent due to migration of
women to their husbands’ homes post marriage. Male migration from other countries to
rural areas was 3.9% as opposed to 2.3 percent in urban areas.
Migration rate
Rural migration rate stands at 6.5 per cent, while urban migration rate stands at 34.9 per
cent. Overall migration rate is 28.9 per cent. As per report, number of rural migrants is 21
crores while number of urban migrants is 11 crores.
Background
It covered 1.1 lakh migrants overall, out of which 59,000 were in rural areas and 55,000 in
urban areas. Entire India was covered, except the villages in Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.
Who are the Migrants?
Migrants are those people, whose last usual place of residence is different from present
place of enumeration. Usual place of residence is village or town where they stayed
continuously for six months or more. For survey, temporary visitors in households were
defined as people who arrived after March 2020 and stayed in households for 15 days or
more.
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)- Annual Report
Annual report of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) was recently released by the
government, for the period of July 2020 to June 2021.
Key Findings of the report
As per report, unemployment rate or proportion of persons in labour force who
could not find jobs, decreased to 4.2 per cent in July 2020-June 2021 as opposed to 4.8
per cent last year.
In 2018-19, the unemployment rate was 5.8 per cent, while 6.1 per cent in 2017-18.
Joblessness has decreased gradually during four years till 2020-21.
Unemployment rate among males has decreased to 4.5 per cent in 2020-21, as
compared to 5.1 % in 2019-20, 6 % in 2018-19 and 6.2 % in 2017-18.
Unemployment rate among females decreased to 3.5 per cent 2020-21 as compared
to 4.2 per cent in 2019-20.
Worker Population Ratio (WPR)
Worker Population Ratio is defined as the percentage of employed persons in population.
The report notes that, worker population ratio has increased to 39.8 per cent in 2020-21,
against 38.2 in 2019-20. WPR among females has also increased to 24.2 per cent in
2020-21, against 21.8 per cent in 2019-20. WPR among males increased to 54.9 per cent
against 53.9 per cent in 2019-20.
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
The Labour Force Participation rate is defined as percentage of persons in labour force.
This rate has also improved to 41.6 per cent in 2020-21, as compared to 40.1 per cent in
2019-20. LFPR among males has also increased to 57.5 per cent in 2020-21, against 56.8
per cent in 2019-20. Among females, this rate has increased to 25.1 per cent in 2020-21.
Spill Over Effect
According to MOSPI, fieldwork of PLFS was discontinued for the first time on March 18,
2020, amid COVID-19 pandemic. It was resumed in June 2020. Thus, the report had a spill-
over effect on completion of fieldwork that was allotted for survey from July 2020 to June
2021.
About Periodic Labour Force Survey
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by MOSPI, with the objectives of
estimating the key employment and unemployment indicators such as Labour Force
Participation Rate, Worker Population Ratio and Unemployment Rate, in short interval of
three months for urban areas in ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).
Kerala: First in Asia’s Global Start-up Ecosystem Report
Asia’s Global Start-up Ecosystem Report was recently released on June 14, 2022, in the
light of London Tech Week 2022.
Highlights
In the report, start-up ecosystem in Kerala has been ranked at first position in Asia.
Kerala has also been ranked at fourth position, in terms of Affordable Talent.
The report recognises creative steps taken by Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM) to
position it as a start-up power house.
This ranking will help Kerala in building a strong network of start-ups that will play a
key role in its growth.
About GSER
The GSER was released to bring together global governments, inspirational start-up
founders, investors and corporate leaders, to discuss the power of technology for
societies. This year, ranking has been decided jointly by policy advisory and research
organization Start-up Genome and Global Entrepreneurship Network. The first ever GSER
was published in 2020. In 2020, Kerala was ranked at 5th position in Asia while 20th in World.
Why was Kerala ranked first?
In the report, Kerala has been ranked first, highlighting the enriching start-up and
economic growth. Report measures the ability to hire and retain tech talent. It also
highlighted Government support and tech talent as pull factors for start-ups to move to
Kerala and flourish. State of Kerala is the third largest recipient of enterprise capital. It has
been ranked among prime 30 within the rising group, expertise, excellence, and expertise
in funding mobilization. During 2019-21, state was able to create a start-up ecosystem of
worth Rs 1037.05 crore.
About GSER ranking
The GSER report provides ranking to leading 140 ecosystems, continental insights, as well
founder-focussed articles from thought-leading experts. Top Asian emerging ecosystems
are measured based on talent, long-tern trends, experience, over the most significant
performance factors.
Ranking of other Indian States
Bengaluru has been ranked at 22nd position in the global start-up ecosystem index,
because of major improvements in its market reach. Delhi has moved by 11 places at
number 26, while Mumbai is at number 36.
U.P: Pilibhit Tiger Protection Foundation
On June 14, 2022, Uttar Pradesh Government decided to give incentives for setting units in
first medical device park of states.
Key Points
This unit has been proposed on 350-acre of land in Sector 28 of the Yamuna
Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).
Government also decided to implement Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Kisan Samridhi
Yojana in state till 2026-27.
About First Medical Device Park
The units will be set up in park, for which government would provide incentives in terms
of capital interest subsidy, relaxation in SGST, freight incentives, patent filing fee, air cargo
handling charge, stamp duty exemption, quality certification land lease rate, and
marketing assistance, etc. It will lead to creation of a large number of jobs and boost
commercial activities here.
About Pilibhit Tiger Protection Foundation
Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved a proposal to set up Pilibhit Tiger Protection Foundation,
in accordance with the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. State cabinet has also
authorised the chief minister to take any decision regarding the foundation set up. It is
being set up as a society, in a bid to protect tigers and biodiversity in Uttar Pradesh.
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is located in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. In 2014, it was notified
as a tiger reserve. The reserve is a part of Terai Arc Landscape in upper Gangetic Plain
along India-Nepal border. It is characterized by sal forests, swamp maintained by periodic
flooding from rivers and tall grasslands. The Sharda Sagar Dam, extends to a length of 22
km, is located on the boundary of this reserve. Forests in Pilibhit have 65 tiger and five
species of deer. It won international award TX2 for doubling tiger population in a
stipulated time.
Pilibhit district
Pilibhit is one among the well-forested districts in Uttar Pradesh. As per 2018 estimate,
Pilibhit district has more than 800 km2 of forests, accounting for 23% of total area of the
district.
India’s demands in WTO MC12
12th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) started from June 16,
2022.
The conference looks forward to reach a consensus on several issues like regulating
fisheries subsidies, food security and intellectual property waiver for covid-19
vaccines.
This conference usually takes place once in two years. However, this year ministers
are meeting after four years, because of covid-19 pandemic.
Committee for negotiations on fisheries subsidies
Committee for negotiations on fisheries subsidies finalised the draft, that will be taken up
by ministers. It is not in line with India’s demand to end non-specific fuel subsidies. It
mentions a transition period of seven years for developing nations to exempt some
developing countries from subsidy cuts, against India’s proposal of 25. Transition period
was being negotiated by member nations recently.
India’s priority
India’s priority is to safeguard long-term interests of farmers and fishermen. WTO seeks
to build a consensus on an agreement that aims to eliminate subsidies for illegal,
unregulated fishing, and promote sustainable fishing. India seeks to finalise fisheries
agreement at ministerial as overfishing and irrational subsidies by other countries are
hurting Indian fishermen and their livelihood. India is of the view that, sustainability big
subsidisers should take greater responsibility in reducing their subsidies and fishing
capacities. India has been asking for “special and differential treatment”, in order to
protect the livelihoods of poor fishermen and address India’s food security concerns.
TRIPS issue
Some other important issues that India seeks to address include, WTO’s response to
covid-19 pandemic including the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) issue,
WTO reforms, agriculture issues, including public stockholding for food security, and e-
commerce. India is of the view that, Vaccine distribution, trade facilitation, export
restrictions, and improved transparency in medical supply chains should be discussed.
World Competitiveness Index 2022
Institute for Management Development recently compiled and released the annual World
Competitive Index on June 15, 2022. India witnessed sharpest rise among Asian countries.
Rank of countries
India’s witnessed a six-position rise from 43rd to 37th rank, due to gains in economic
performance.
Denmark has been ranked at top position, among top 63-nation list. It was ranked at
third position in 2021.
Switzerland dropped from the top position to second position.
It is followed by Singapore at third position, which was ranked at fifth, position.
Other countries in top 10
Others countries in top 10 include:
Sweden at fourth position,
Hong Kong SAR at fifth position
Netherlands at sixth position
Taiwan at seventh position
Finland at eighth position
Norway at ninth position and
USA at 10th.
India’s position
Indian economy witnessed significant improvement in competitiveness, after stable and
stagnant five years because of gains in economic performance. It experienced a rise from
30th to 9th position in one year. The labour market in India has moved from 15th to 6th
position. Labour market is a key sub-factor in business efficiency parameter and business
attitudes. India have restored the trust of business community. India’s re-regulation of
sectors like drones, geo-spatial mapping, and space also played a role in its stellar
performance in the index. India is also a driving force in global movement to fight climate
change. Furthermore, India’s pledge of net-zero by 2070 is in sync with its strength in
environment-related technologies in 2022 ranking.
Challenges faced by India
India faces challenges like management of energy security, trade disruptions and
maintaining high GDP growth after covid-19, employment generation, skill development,
resource mobilisation and asset monetisation.
Attractive factors in India’s economy
Top five attractive factors for business in Indian economy include- skilled workforce,
dynamism of economy, cost competitiveness, positive attitudes, and high educational
level.
Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has decided to organise Pradhan
Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela every month onwards.
About Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela
Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela will be organised with the aim of
connecting youth with more opportunities to provide on-ground training within
corporates. It will also increase chances of getting employed.
On June 13, 2022, this mela was organised across 200+ nation.
Under this mela, over 1000 companies from more than 36 sectors will be
participating in Mela, in order to provide opportunities of being hired as an
apprentice in companies.
Who can apply for interview?
Individuals who are having a 5th-12th-grade pass certificate, an ITI diploma, skill training
certificate, or a graduate degree can apply for an interview in these trades or
opportunities. Candidates will be provided a choice of 500+ trades, including welders,
housekeepers, electricians, mechanics, beauticians, and others.
Aim of the programme
The Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela will be organised with the aim of
encouraging hiring of apprentices from these cities and to assist employers in identifying
& developing their potential by means of training and practical skillsets.
Apprenticeship certificates
At the end of training period, candidates will be provided an Apprenticeship certificate, by
National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). It will provide them
industry recognition.
Opportunity for participating organisations
Participating organisations of the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas will get
an opportunity for meeting potential apprentices on common platform and selecting
candidates. Apart from that, small-scale industries having at least four employees would
be able to hire apprentices at the event.
West Asia Quad Dialogue
United States is set to launch a new four-nation dialogue “West Asia Quad Dialogue” with
India, United Arab Emirates and Israel, during the visit of President Joe Biden to the
region.
The forum will be launched during Joe Biden’s visit to Israel from July 13 to July 16,
2022.
Joe Biden is scheduled to visit West Bank, Saudi Arabia,
This will be his first visit in the region and most volatile across world.
It is expected to reinforce the US’s “iron-clad commitment” to Israel’s security and
prosperity and continue the process of its integration into the region under the
Abraham Accords brokered by Trump between Israel on the one hand and the UAE
and Bahrain on the other in 2020; an agreement with Morocco followed.
Biden will also meet with Palestinian leaders in West Bank, recommitting US to a two-
state solution that had been somewhat diluted or abandoned under Trump.
About West Asia Quad Dialogue
The West Asia Quad Dialogue will also be called as I2U2. I2 for India and Israel while
U2 for US and the UAE.
It will focus on West Asia.
It was inaugurated in October 2021 by Secretary of US Antony Blinken.
It is an entirely new grouping of partners, that will focus on expanding economic and
political cooperation in Asia and Middle East through energy cooperation, trade,
coordination on vital shared interests and combating climate change.
When will this dialogue launched?
This initiative will be launched in a virtual call that Joe Biden will hold with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, UAE’s President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennet.
They will discuss security as well as areas of cooperation across hemispheres, where
Israel and UAE are important innovation hubs.
Joe Biden has launched several multilateral dialogues, after assuming office in January
2021 such as,
AUKUS- a three-nation group of US, UK and Australia
A Quadrilateral dialogue with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He has also strengthened and deepened existing platforms like Quad with India, Japan
and Australia as well as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Test-Fire of Prithvi-II missile
On June 15, 2022, India successfully test-fired its nuclear capable and indigenously
developed Prithvi-II missile from Odisha, as part of user training trial.
About Prithvi-II missile
Prithvi-II missile is a proven system and a surface-to-surface missile. It is capable of
striking targets with high degree of precision.
User training launch has validated all operational and technical parameters Prithvi
missile.
The missile has a strike range of 350 km.
It was test-fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test
Range (ITR), Chandipur.
Background
In the previous instance, Prithvi-II also was successfully test fired on February 21, 2018
from ITR at Chandipur. Later, two consecutive trials of Prithvi- II were conducted on
November 20, 2019.
Warhead of the missile
Prithvi-II is capable to carry 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads. It is powered by liquid
propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring
trajectory in order to hit its target. It was randomly chosen from production stock. Entire
launch of the missile was carried out by Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the Indian
Army. It is monitored by scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO).
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)
Prithvi missile is a 9-meter-tall, liquid-fuelled, single-stage missile which was already
inducted into armory of Indian defence forces in 2003. It is the first missile, that have been
developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme
(IGMDP). IFMDP was one of major works of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, launched to make Indian
defence forces self-sufficient in missile technology. Some other missiles developed under
this programme include Agni, Akash, Nag and Trishul.
Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the
“Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022”- road map for carbon neutrality by 2070 on
June 16, 2022.
During the inauguration, minister emphasized on maintaining equilibrium between
environment, ecology, and development.
The ‘Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022’ was inaugurated to overcome power
shortage because it is necessary to develop alternative fuels.
According to him, government’s priority is green hydrogen. Government is of the
view that, productivity of Biomass can be increased by using Biotechnology and Bio-
ethanol, Bio-CNG and Bio-LNG can be made using Biomass.
Usage of methanol and ethanol will decrease pollution.
Minister noted that, there is a need to create a focused road map and do adequate
research in a bid to reduce imports and increase exports.
What is Industrial Decarbonization Summit?
The Industrial Decarbonization Summit was inaugurated and organised on June 16 at Le’
Meridien Hotel in New Delhi. It focused on variety of research topics related to
decarbonization, Policy issues, sustainability, Climate Change including their
management, etc. During the summit, academia, researchers, policy makers, business,
industry, concerned government department etc will learn at large from each other and
identify best practices and promising technologies. Outcome of this summit will help
organizers in developing roadmaps on how innovative technologies can contribute
towards Decarbonization, and thus lead to energy transition for clean energy.
What is Decarbonization?
In literal terms, decarbonization means reduction of carbon. Precisely it means the
conversion to an economic system that compensates and sustainably reduces emissions
of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The long-term goal of decarbonization is to create a CO₂-free
global economy.
BIS: New Indian Standard for ‘Mitticool refrigerator’
National Standards Body “Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)” recently developed an Indian
Standard for “non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay or “Mitticool refrigerator”. The
developed standard is “IS 17693: 2022””.
Who invented Mitticool Refrigerator?
Mitticool refrigerator has been invented by Shri Mansukh Bhai Prajapati of Gujarat. The
refrigerator uses an environmentally friendly technology.
BIS standard for Mitticool Refrigerator
The BIS standard “IS 17693:2022” specifies the construction and performance
requirements for clay-based cooling cabinet, which uses the principle of evaporative
cooling. These cabinets can be used to store and keep fresh the perishable foods, without
using electricity. This standard assists the Bureau of Indian Standards in meeting 6 out of
the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations, including No Poverty;
Gender Equality; Zero Hunger; industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, Affordable and Clean
Energy, and Responsible Consumption & Production.
About Mitticool Refrigerator
Mitticool is a clay-based natural refrigerator to store fruits, vegetables, and milk, and
cooling water. Stored foodstuffs can be kept cool naturally without using electricity. These
items can be kept fresh for a long time without losing their quality. Efficacy of the product
is limitless. Some of the significance of this refrigerator includes:
1. It is helping in reviving the pottery culture, tradition, and heritage
2. It is connecting people back to their roots in healthier ways
3. The refrigerator is promoting sustainable consumption
4. It is also empowering indigent community, economically
5. It is working towards green and cool earth, employment generation, and economic
development
6. Lastly, it is contributing towards upliftment and financial independence of rural
women.
When was Mitticool Refrigerator displayed?
The ‘Mitticool Refrigerator’ was displayed at 4th batch of Innovation Scholars In-Residence
Program, held in 2017 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. This was displayed in association with
National Innovation Foundation (NIF), that supports grassroot innovations developed by
individuals and local communities.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Schedule
India is set to play three group stage matches at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
as FIFA announced the schedule for U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Key Points
FIFA announced the schedule for U-17 world cup, in association with the Local
Organising Committee (LOC).
Official draw is scheduled to take place on June 24, 2022.
Semi-finals will be hosted at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa while final
match will be played at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Quarterfinals will be held on October 21 and October 22.
India will play three matches on October 11, 14 and 17.
Final match will be played on October 30, 2022.
Group stage games
The 24 group stage games will conclude on October 18, 2022. Matches will be shared
among all three host states namely Goa, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru Stadium in Fatorda and DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will share the four
quarterfinal games.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
It is an international association football tournament, organised for female players aged
under 17. It is organized by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is
held in even-numbered years. It was first played in 2008. Current champion is Spain, which
won its first title at 2018 tournament held in Uruguay.
First tournament of FIFA women world cup
The first tournament of FIFA women world cup was held New Zealand in 2008. Matches
were hosted by four cities, during the inaugural tournament namely North Shore City,
Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. New Zealand won hosting rights and Chile
received hosting honours for 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In 2020, the world cup
was postponed due to covid-19 pandemic. 2020 tournament was scheduled to held in five
venues in India. But in November 2020, FIFA cancelled the 2020 edition of the tournament.
USA: New Measure to Protect LGBTQ Rights
On June 15, 2022 US President Joe Biden signed an executive order with the aim of
protecting LGBTQ community from a cascade of legislation in conservative states, that
targets their rights. The order is another step of fulfilling promises made by President for
LGBTQ community during the presidential campaign in 2020.
Legislation in conservative states
It will counter efforts by Republican politicians who pushed for banning teachers
from providing instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation.
New legislation will counter prohibitions on transgender girls, who are competing in
high school sports.
It will also be countering efforts to ban provision of gender-affirming care.
Legislation also directly hit at “conversion therapy”, which is a discredited therapy in
which doctors claim to be able to adjust sexual orientation and gender identity of
persons with treatment.
What is the executive order?
In the executive order, President Joe Biden has directed the secretary of health and
human services as well as secretary of state to take effort to limit the exposure of
American youth to the procedure and endeavour to end it altogether internationally.
This order will also direct the Federal Trade Commission to determine if conversion
therapy amounts to deceptive act.
The order also seeks to expand access to mental health resources and suicide
prevention for LGBTQ people.
LGBTQ rights in United States
LGBTQ rights in the United States have increased over time. United States is socially liberal
as compared to other nations. However, LGBTQ people may face some legal challenges
which are not experienced by non-LGBT residents. All the 50 states in US criminalized the
same-sex sexual activity, until 1962. But by 2003 all laws against same-sex sexual activity
were invalidated. LGBTQ Americans are protected from discrimination in employment,
access to public accommodation, and housing. But in 2022, over 300 bills have been
passed or introduced in 36 states to restrict the rights of LGBT people.
Australia’s ambitious 2030 emissions target to UN
On June 16, 2022, new centre-left government of Australia submitted more ambitious
emissions targets to United Nations in order to end foot-dragging on climate change.
Highlights
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has increased Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction
target to 43 percent, against previous target of 26-28 percent.
New goal of Australia sets it up for a future powered by cleaner, and cheaper energy.
Background
Australia is replete with fossil fuel deposits. It is one of the top exporters of coal and gas in
world. Coal plays a significant role in domestic electricity production in Australia. On the
Green Future Index 2022 by MIT, Australia was ranked at 52nd out of 76 nations. This index
provides ratings on how much nations are shifting towards environmentally sustainable
economy.
Greenhouse gas emissions by Australia
In Australia, Greenhouse gas emissions had reached to 533 million tonnes CO2-equivalent,
as of 2019. It represents per capita CO2e emissions of 21 tons, which is three times of the
global average. Coal contributed in 30% of emissions. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory
estimates till March 2021 were 494.2 million tonnes, which is 5.3%, less than 2020.
Uses of Coal in Australia
Australia uses coal power for electricity. It accounts for 66% of grid-connected electricity
generation in 2020. However, it is rapidly decreasing as a result of growing share of
renewables in the energy supply mix. Most of the existing coal-fired power station is likely
to cease operation between 2022 and 2048.
Fed’s biggest interest rate hike in 30 years
Central Bank of United States has announced the biggest interest rate increase in 30 years
in a move to fight the soaring consumer prices.
Key Facts
Central bank has decided to increase its key interest rate by three quarters of the
percentage point, in the range of 1.5% to 1.75%.
Interest rate has been increased for third consecutive time, in the aftermath of
inflation in US.
Officials expect rates charged by Federal Banks for borrowing could reach 3.4% by
the end of 2022.
Inflation in other countries
Consumer prices had jumped by 9% in UK, in April 2022. Bank of England is also likely to
announce its fifth-rate increase since December 2021. Canada, Brazil and Australia have
also increased rates. European Central Bank is also planning to take such measures.
Situation in US
United States has cut rates to support the economy, in the aftermath of covid-19
pandemic in 2020. Fed has also increased the rates two times in 2022. It increased the rate
by 0.25 percentage points in March and by 0.25 percentage point in May. Last time, the
Fed had announced a rate hike of similar size in 1994. This move has made borrowing
more expensive. It is likely to cool demand and slow down the economic activity.
Federal Reserve System
The Federal Reserve System or Fed, is the central banking system of United States. It was
established on December 23, 1913 in accordance with the Federal Reserve Act. Roles and
responsibilities of the Fed has expanded over the years in the aftermath of Great
Depression in 1930s and Great Recession during 2000s.
Three objectives under Federal Reserve Act
United States has set up three key objectives for monetary policy in Federal Reserve Act:
1. Maximizing employment
2. Stabilizing prices, and
3. Moderating long-term interest rates.
Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM)
India hosted a Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) on June 16, 2022,
in order to commemorate 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
Key Facts
Meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Vivian Balakrishnan.
It was also attended by Foreign Ministers of Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam,
Malaysia, besides the representatives of Foreign Ministers from Lao PDR, Thailand
and Philippines.
Agenda of the meeting
During the meeting, foreign ministers highlighted the importance of India-ASEAN
relations. They underlined the role played by ASEAN in India’s Act East Policy vision for a
wider Indo-Pacific. They reviewed the status of ASEAN-India Partnership. Deliberations
were held on COVID-19 & Health, Connectivity, Trade & Commerce, Capacity Building and
Education. They further discussed on the implementation of ASEAN-India Joint Statement
on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific. They also exchanged views on
important international and regional developments.
About ASEAN
ASEAN is officially called as “Association of Southeast Asian Nations”. It is a political and
economic union comprising of 10 member states in Southeast Asia. These member states
promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, security, political,
educational, military, and sociocultural integration between member countries and Asia-
Pacific countries.
Objectives of ASEAN
ASEAN work with the primary objective of accelerating economic growth, social progress
as well as cultural development. It seeks to promote regional peace and stability in
accordance with rule of law and United Nations charter. ASEAN has broadened its
objective beyond social and economic.
Members of ASEAN
ASEAN comprises of 10 members namely, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos,
Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.
UNHCR 2022 Global Trends Report
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) published its “2022 annual
Global Trends Report” recently.
Findings of the report
The report noted that, 100 million people were forced to go back to their homes in
2021, due to violence, war in Ukraine, food insecurity, human rights abuses, climate
crisis, and other emergencies from Africa to Afghanistan.
There were 23.7 million new internal displacements worldwide, due to disasters. It
shows the decrease of seven million, or by 23 per cent, as compared to the last year.
On Earth, 1 in every 78 people is now displaced.
Largest displacement, 6 million, occurred in China in 2021 due to disasters, followed
by the Philippines (5.7 million) and India (4.9 million).
Most of the disaster displacements were temporary.
Majority of internally displaced persons returned to their home areas. However, 5.9
million people across the world remained displaced at the end of 2021 due to
disasters.
People moving back to homes
According to UNHCR, the number of people who were forced to flee their homes has
increased in past decade. It stands at the highest level since records started. By 2021 end,
number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence, and human rights abuses was
89.3 million, which has increased by 8% and has doubled as compared to figure 10 years
ago.
Displacement amid Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused the fastest and largest forced displacement crises
after World War II from Africa to Afghanistan and beyond. It has pushed the figure over
100 million.
Displacement in India
In India, around five million people were internally displaced due to disasters and climate
change in 2021.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
UNHCR is a United Nations agency, that was set up to aid and protect refugees, stateless
people and forcibly displaced communities. The body assist them in their voluntary
repatriation, resettlement or local integration. Headquarter of UNHCR is in Geneva,
Switzerland.
Balika Panchayat Initiative
India’s first-ever girl Panchayat, called “Balika Panchayat”, was started in several villages
of Kutch district in Gujarat.
About Balika Panchayat Initiative
The Balika Panchayat Initiative was started with the aim of promoting social and political
development of girls as well as ensure active participation of girls in politics.
Which department started this initiative?
The Balika Panchayat initiative was started by the Women and Child Development Welfare
department of Gujarat Government. It was launched under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’
campaign.
Which district of Gujarat will benefit?
Currently, this initiative has been started in Kunaria, Motagua, Maska, and Vadsar villages
of the Kutch district of Gujarat. Women and Child Development Ministry is planning to
start girl panchayat across India.
Who manages the Balika Panchayat?
“Balika Panchayat” is managed by people aged 11-21 years.
Objectives of Balika Panchayat
Main objective of the Balika Panchayat is to promote social and political development of
girl child. It also seeks to remove evil practices like child marriage and dowry system from
society. It aims for girls to get their nominations done in decision-making process in
Panchayat. It seeks to make girls active in politics since childhood.
Sarpanch of Balika Panchayat
20-year-old Urmi Ahir has been named the sarpanch of Balika Panchayat.
Nomination of member in Balika Panchayat
The member of Balika Panchayat is nominated just like Gram panchayat.
Background
Last year, Kunariya village of Kutch district had come out with a unique idea to hold Balika
Panchayat. First-ever elections of the Balika Panchayat were held successfully. It was
inspired by TV series, Balika Vadhu and rolled with the aim of developing leadership
qualities among girls for Future Panchayat polls. Females aged 10 to 21 years contested
elections.
Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate much-awaited tunnel and six
underpasses, as a part of Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor project, on June 19,
2022.
About Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor
The Transit Corridor is likely to ease traffic for 1 lakh commuters.
Corridor has been built at a cost of Rs 920 crore.
It is funded entirely by the central government.
The corridor seeks to provide a hassle-free and smooth access to new world-class
exhibition and convention centre which is being developed at Pragati Maidan.
It seeks to facilitate easy participation of exhibitors and visitors for programmes
being held at Pragati Maidan.
Features of the corridor
The Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor is a 1.36-km-long tunnel.
It has six lanes, with a three-lane carriageway on both sides.
It connects Ring Road with India Gate via Purana Qila Road and Pragati Maidan.
It will provide direct connectivity to basement parking of Pragati Maidan.
The corridor is likely to provide a hassle-free commute for people travelling between
East, Southeast and Central Delhi.
Control room of the Tunnel
This tunnel will have two control rooms at the entry and exit for monitoring traffic through
CCTVs. A five-metre wide and 80-metre-long emergency lane has also been constructed on
underground stretch to tow away vehicle that breaks down.
Six Underpasses
The corridor will have six underpasses. Out of them, five are on the Mathura Road. It will
create a signal-free stretch between Pragati Maidan and Sunder Nursery. Sixth underpass
is on Ring Road which will go beneath the railway line and will connect to Bhairon Marg.
Background
Work on tunnel and underpasses was started in 2017. It was estimated to be completed by
2019 but was delayed due to covid-19 pandemic and ban on construction activities in Delhi
due to pollution.
RBI: ‘Payments Vision 2025′ Document
On June 17, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its vision on architecture of
digital finance, in a document for payments systems.
Payment Vision 2025 document
The document includes:
Regulations for BigTechs and fintechs in payments
Guidelines on payments along with “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) services
Introducing central bank digital currency (CBDC)
Linking credit cards as well as credit components of banking products with the
Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Aim of the document
The Payments Vision 2025 document aims to provide a safe and affordable e-payment
options to every user.
Goal Posts
Activities which will be taken up by RBI up to 2025 have been categorised under five
anchor goal posts namely, “integrity, innovation, inclusion, institutionalisation and
internationalisation”. These goal posts comprise of 47 initiatives by which RBI aims to
achieve 10 outcomes, including
Increasing the number of digital payment transactions three times
UPI registering 50 per cent annualised growth
Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and
National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT)
Debit card usage surpassing credit card usage.
With this, Reserve Bank of India expects an increase in payment transactions turnover in
relation with GDP to 8 per cent. It also expects to increase in debit card transactions by 20
per cent, at point-of-sale terminals (PoS) and increase prepaid instruments (PPI)
transactions by 150 per cent.
BNPL services
Document further stated that, BNPL services had developed a new payment mode along
with the existing payment modes such as cards, UPI, and net banking. This channel is
facilitated by some payment aggregators and leverages existing nodal account for
channelising payments between BNPL customer and merchant.
RBI’s support to increase market trading
The central bank will also extend support to increase in market trading and settlement
hours. Presently, capital markets and money markets operate at fixed hours while, RTGS
and NEFT payment systems operate 24*7.
Gaia Space Mission and Starquakes
The Gaia Space Observatory of European Space Agency recently detected several
“starquakes”, which were similar to tsunami-like earthquakes.
Key Points
Gaia Space Mission was launched in 2013. It studies the Milky Way.
The mission has created a map of galaxy.
It has revealed new information regarding stars and their chemical composition
including the colour, temperature, age, and brightness level of stars.
Gaia mission further revealed that, largest chemical map of Milky way galaxy coupled
to 3D motions from solar neighbourhood to smaller galaxies.
Starquakes Spotted
Gaia space mission spotted large scale tsunami, called starquakes, which changes
the shape of stars.
Mission has tracked radial oscillations, which is responsible for swelling and
shrinking of the stars, while maintaining their shape.
Starquakes provides a lot of information about stars, and their internal workings.
Startling Revelation
In a startling revelation, Gaia Space Mission found that some stars in Milky way
galaxy are composed of primordial material while others are composed of matter
enriched by previous generations of stars.
Data from the mission released 3 new and improved details regarding the galaxy,
like largest catalogue yet of binary stars and thousands of Solar System objects like
asteroids and moons of planets.”
What are Starquakes?
According to the European Space agency, starquakes are tiny motions on star surface,
which changes the shapes of stars.
About Gaia
Gaia is a space observatory by European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched in 2013. The
mission is likely to operate until 2025. It is designed for astrometry, in a bid to measure
positions, motions, and distances stars with unprecedented precision. It aims to construct
the largest and most precise 3D space catalogue, totalling around 1 billion astronomical
objects, mainly stars, comets, planets, asteroids and quasars.
The Milky Way
It is galaxy, which includes our Solar System. The describes its appearance from Earth. The
Milky Way appears as a band from Earth, because the disk-shaped structure of galaxy is
viewed from within.
China’s biggest and most modern aircraft carrier
On June 17, 2022 China launched its third aircraft carrier, named “Fujian” in a bid to
extend the range of its navy in Indo-Pacific region.
About Fujian aircraft carrier
The newly launched aircraft carrier is most advanced and first “fully domestically
built” naval vessel.
It was launched at a brief ceremony, at Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard.
It is the first domestically designed and built catapult aircraft carrier.
It has a flat, straight flight deck that has been equipped with electromagnetic
catapults and arresting devices.
Background
Launch of Fujian ship was delayed by two months, because of COVID-19 lockdown of
Shanghai. Spacecraft was scheduled to be launched on April 23, 2022 to mark 73rd
anniversary of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
Who built this ship?
The 3rd aircraft carrier has been built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited.
Features of the Fujian
Fujian has a displacement of over 80,000 tonnes. It is equipped with arresting devices and
electromagnetic catapults. It has been named after Fujian province of China.
Other aircraft carrier of China
Liaoning was the first aircraft carrier of China. It was a refit of Soviet-era ship
commissioned in 2012. This launch was followed by indigenously built 2nd aircraft
carrier named ‘Shandong’, which was launched in 2019. Liaoning and Shandong carriers
have also been named after provinces in China.
China’s plan
China has planned to launch around five aircraft carriers. The next aircraft carrier that
China has planned to build is likely to be nuclear-powered.
China’s global expansion
Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been carrying extensive military reforms including
downsizing of Army, enhancing the role of Navy and Air Force, as China seeks a global
expansion with military bases in Djibouti in Horn of Africa. It has already taken over
Hambantota port of Sri Lanka for a 99-year lease. It has modernised Gwadar port in
Pakistan. The country is also engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in South China
Sea as well as East China Sea. It claims almost all of South China Sea.
Solidarity-2023 Border Operation
India and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have extended
their support to China-led initiative “Solidarity-2023”, in a bid to organise a joint border
operation in 2023.
This was announced by Director of Border Security Force (BSF) General Pankaj
Kumar Singh after concluding the eighth meeting of heads of border authorities of
SCO member states.
This meeting was held in Delhi, under the chairmanship of India.
India had assumed the chair of SCO-RATS (anti-terrorist structure of the SCO) on
October 28, 2021 for a one-year period.
Member countries also “approved” work plan of expert group of the border services
of competent authorities for 2023.
India’s largest guarding force
The Border Security Force (BSF) is the largest frontier-guarding force, with about 2.65 lakh
personnel in its ranks. It is primarily tasked with guarding international boundaries with
Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Solidarity 2019-2021
The member states also discussed the results of joint border operation,
‘Solidarity-2019-2021′, which were carried out in 2021 by border services of competent
authorities of SCO member states. They also reviewed and approved the plan for
preparations and conduct of joint border operation called “Friendship Border – 2022”.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The SCO is a security and an influential economic bloc. It has become the largest trans-
regional international organisations. Members of the SCO include- Russia, China, India,
Pakistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Afghanistan is one
the observer states of this bloc. It was created in 2001.
SCO-Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS)
SCO-RATS is a permanent body of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It promotes
coordination and interaction between the member states of SCO, to fight against
terrorism, separatism and extremism. Main functions of the body are information sharing.
India, as a member, has actively participated in SCO-RATS activities. It is headquartered in
Tashkent.
APEDA ‘Mango festival’ in Bahrain
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is
organising an eight-day long mango festival in Bahrain, in order to boost Mango export.
Key Facts
During the mango festival, 34 varieties of mangoes are being displayed.
All the mangoes have been taken from eastern states of West Bengal, Jharkhand,
Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
Mangoes are being displayed at eight different locations in Al Jazira group
supermarket of Bahrain.
It will be organised till June 20, 2022.
Apart from mangoes, several mango preparations such as mango cake prepared in
Al Jazira bakery, shakes, juices, etc. have also been showcased at the festival.
Mango Show in Bahrain
Mango Show in Bahrain is being organised as a part of new initiative by APEDA, in a
bid to explore international markets for Indian mangoes under “Mango Festival
2022”.
It is the result of APEDA’s commitment for providing a global platform for Indian
mangoes.
How were mangoes procured?
All the 34 varieties of mangoes were directly procured from farmers as well as two Farmer
Producer Organizations.
India-Bahrain Relations
India is a close ally of Bahrain. GCC partners of Bahrain are amongst most prominent
supporters of India’s candidacy to permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Officials
from Bahrain have urged India to play a greater role in resolving international affairs like
in Iran’s nuclear programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Bahrain on in
August 2019 and become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Bahrain. During his visit,
both the countries signed 3 MoUs on space, International Solar Alliance and RuPay Card.
King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa honoured PM Modi with Bahrain’s third highest
civilian award called “Member 1st Class of the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance”
Tamil Nadu ‘Ennum Ezhuthum’ scheme
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin launched the “Ennum Ezhuthum Scheme” in state,
as schools re-opened after summer vacation.
Ennum Ezhuthum Scheme
This scheme was launched to bridge the learning gap among students aged under 8,
caused as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
It aims to ensure foundational numeracy and literacy by 2025.
Scheme was launched at an event, organised in Azhinjivakkam panchayat union
middle school, Tiruvallur.
Distribution of Workbook
Under the Ennum Ezhuthum Scheme, education department will distribute workbooks to
students from Classes 1 to 3, in order to assess and bridge the learning gap.
Training programme for teachers
Before this launch, a special training programme was organised for teachers and
handbooks were distributed among them. They were advised to opt for an interactive
learning method and encourage students to read books and newspapers in school library.
Why was this scheme launched?
This scheme was launched as schools in the state of Tamil Nadu were shut for over 19
months during covid-19 pandemic. Thus, this learning gap cannot be bridged by regular
classes alone. Thus, this scheme has been launched in order to help each child
individually. For this purpose, a high-level committee has been formed.
Training to children
Under the initiative, children will be trained in three subjects viz., Tamil, English and
Mathematics. Scheme seeks to make classroom suitable for conducting lessons. These
Lessons have been designed in dance, songs, puppetry and storytelling format.
Background
To mark the one year of DMK government, Chief Minister have launched several schemes
in recent months. He announced free breakfast scheme for primary school children as
well as a nutrition scheme for malnourished children. Moreover, Rs 1,000 incentive was
announced for girl students pursuing higher education.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is celebrated on June 17, every
year.
Why is this observed?
The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed to turn degraded land into healthy
land. It seeks to find a solution for combating desertification and ensuring restoration of
degraded land in order to enhance food fertility.
Factors leading to desertification
Factors leading to desertification of land include several human activities and climatic
variations. The land in extremely dry areas is prone to over-exploitation and inappropriate
use. Factors causing weak productivity include poverty, deforestation, overgrazing, bad
irrigation practices and political instability.
Significance of the day
The day is significant because it reminds and encourage people across the world to
prevent land degradation. Prevention of land degradation is possible only through human
efforts. The day is crucial considering that, an estimated 1.8 billion people will be forced to
live in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025. Apart from that, around
2/3 of the earth will be living under water-stressed conditions. By 2045, desertification may
displace about 135 million people. Furthermore, overgrowing and never-ending demand
for food, highways, raw materials, and homes has led to melting of three-quarters of
Earth’s ice-free land.
History of the day
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) started celebrating this day in December
1994. The United Nations, NGOs and countries worldwide are organising events for
spreading awareness on significance of this day. This day was created with the objective of
turning degraded land into healthy terrain. The day was proclaimed by UNGA resolution
A/RES/49/115 on January 30, 1995, a day after United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification was drafted.
Theme of the day
In the year 2022, the world day to combat desertification was observed under the theme
‘Rising up from drought together.’
ILO Report on Domestic Workers
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released its report on Domestic
Workers. According to the report, only 6 % of domestic workers across the world have
access to comprehensive social protection.
Report notes that, 94 per cent of the domestic workers are lacking access to full
range of protections, covering medical care, old age, sickness, unemployment,
family, maternity, employment injury, invalidity and survivors’ benefits.
Extension of effective coverage is lagging significantly behind the legal coverage.
In reality, only one-in-five domestic workers are covered in practice because majority
are employed informally.
Despite their vital contribution to society, they are supporting households with their
most personal and care needs.
6 million domestic workers of the world face multiple barriers in enjoying legal
coverage and effective access to social security.
They are usually excluded from national social security legislation.
Women Domestic Workers
Report notes that, around 76.2 per cent (57.7 million) of domestic workers are women.
Thus, social protection gaps leave women vulnerable, in particular. Few domestic workers
enjoy comprehensive social protection. They are likely to be eligible for old-age, disability
and survivors’ medical care and benefits. A few are eligible for maternity benefits and
sickness benefits. Many of them do not enjoy access to social insurance schemes benefits
related employment and unemployment injury.
Regional Differences
ILO report highlighted major differences across regions. In Central Asia and Europe, 57.3
per cent of domestic workers are legally covered for all benefits. Around 10 per cent have
enjoy such right in Americas. None of the workers are fully covered in the Arab States, the
Pacific, Asia and Africa regions.
Impact of Covid-19 pandemic
COVID-19 pandemic has further widened the social protection coverage gaps experienced
by domestic workers. They were hard-hit during the pandemic due to job loss and
livelihood loss. They could rarely rely on adequate health protection and unemployment
of sickness benefits.
Recommendations to ensure social protection for domestic workers
The report provides following recommendations:
Ensure that domestic workers enjoy conditions as those existing for other workers.
Customize and simplify administrative procedures, to ensure legal coverage.
Streamline and simplify registration and payment procedures
Design benefit systems, which can suit specificities of domestic work.
Raise awareness among them and their employers about their rights and
obligations.
India’s Coastal clean-up campaign
On June 16, 2022 the Union Government announced a coastal clean-up initiative for 75
beaches in 2022.
This was announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, during a meeting held at
Prithvi Bhawan, Ministry of Earth Sciences in New Delhi.
Coastal Clean-up drive will start from July 3 and will conclude on September 17, 2022.
This year, September 17 will also mark the ‘International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022’.
The 75 days drive is going to be most extended clean-up in India.
Significance of the drive
The clean-up drive is one of its kind initiatives and it is going to be the longest-running
drive with highest participation and spreading awareness. It is one of the reasons for the
campaign called ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’.
Aim of the campaign
The Coastal clean-up campaign will be started with the aim of cleaning around 1,500
tonnes of waste material from Indian coasts. This move will not only relieve the tourists or
locals but the aquatic life and marine animals who are endangered by littering on the
coasts.
Why clean-up drive is significant?
The clean-up drive is significant, because even one cigarette butt floating for one hour in
ocean can pollute eight litres of water. Cleaning it up removes toxins from seafood and
the water. Most of the coastal regions is dependent on tourism sector and fisheries sector.
Thus, beach clean-ups are necessary for their livelihood and encourage local economy.
International Coastal Clean-up Day
The International Coastal Clean-up Day is observed on third Sunday of September, every
year. In year 2022, this day will be observed on September 17. The day promises to bring
purity and cleanliness to nature as a whole. It was started to raise awareness regarding
growing pollution on various beaches across the world. Population growth and capitalism
are the main factor of increasing pollution in the environment, specifically in the oceans.
Unmesh: Himachal Pradesh International literary festival
A three-day international literary festival called “Unmesh” was held at Gaiety Theatre in
Shimla. It was officially started, on June 16, 2022; by Union Minister of State for Culture,
Arjun Ram Mehjawal.
About Unmesh Festival
Unmesh Festival is bringing together around 425 writers, poets, critics, translators,
and notable figures from 15 countries, representing more than 60 languages.
During the festival, more than 1,000 books relevant to the civil rights movement have
been put on display.
Unmesh is a celebration of expression. This festival is India’s largest international
literary festival till date.
Geetanjali Shree’s speech
Geetanjali Shree is the Booker Prize-winning author. During the festival, she spoke about
women’s writing in Indian languages.
Who is organising the festival?
The Unmesh Festival is being organised by Union Ministry of Culture and Sahitya Akademi,
in association with the Department of Art and Culture of Himachal Pradesh government. It
is being organised as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Gaiety Theatre or Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex
Gaiety Theatre is a significant tourist hot spot in Shimla. It is located on The Ridge. The
theatre is the hub of cultural events in state. It also very popular among Bollywood
because several music videos and movies are often filmed here. It was opened on May 30,
1887. The historic cultural centre was designed by English architect Henry Irwin. This
theatre is nicknamed as Mecca of Theatre.
The Ridge Road
It is a large open space and the hub of all cultural activities of Shimla. It is situated on Mall
Road, a famous shopping centre of the state.
HomoSEP: IIT Madras Robot to clean septic tanks
Indian Institute of Technology Madras has developed a robot called to clean septic tanks
and eliminate manual scavenging in India. It is all set to be deployed in field.
Highlights
A total of ten robots are planned to be deployed across Tamil Nadu.
Researchers are in touch with sanitation workers for identifying locations.
Some locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat are also being considered.
Who has developed the robot?
HomoSEP robot has been developed by a team led by Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal from IIT
Madras, in association with IIT Madras-incubated start-up Solinas Integrity Private Limited.
It is also supported by Safai Karamchari Andolan (SKA) NGO, which is dedicated towards
eliminating manual scavenging in India.
Distribution of HomoSEP
Currently, two HomoSEP units have been distributed to self-help groups led by Ms Ruth
Mary and Ms. Nagamma whose husbands died during sanitation work. In the unique
model, IIT Madras is empowering enterprises led by self-help groups, whose key
stakeholders will be women impacted by consequences of manual scavenging.
How are septic tank dangerous?
Septic tank is a poisonous environment. It is filled with semi-solid and semi-fluid human
faecal material. Materials makes up around two-thirds of the tank. Due to manual
scavenging, hundreds of deaths are reported every year across the country, even though
manual scavenging have been banned.
Background
HomoSEP robot was first developed by Divanshu Kumar, as a final year Masters’ project. It
was showcased at the IIT Madras Carbon Zerp Challenge 2019, after it received seed
support from Socially Relevant Projects Initiative of IIT Madras. This project was supported
first by several CSR donors, starting with WIN Foundation supported for initial prototype
development in 2019. GAIL (India) supported for product development in 2019-20 while
CapGemini extended support for miniaturization and portability of the robot.
Working Mechanism
HomoSEP Robot homogenizes the hard sludge in septic tanks by using custom-developed
rotary blade mechanism and then pumps the tank slurry by an integrated suction
mechanism. Sanitation workers can operate the robot on their own with relevant training
and appropriate guidance.
UNESCO Reserve List: Khuvsgul Lake National Park
The Khuvsgul Lake National Park of Mongolia has been added to the World Network of
Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO.
Key Points
This decision was taken during 34th session of International Co-ordinating council of
Man and Biosphere Programme.
This programme is taking place in Paris, France.
The Man and Biosphere Programme is an intergovernmental scientific program. It
was set up in early 1970s by UNESCO.
The primary aim of the programme is to establish a scientific basis for enhancing
relationship between people and their environments.
About Khuvsgul Lake
The Khuvsgul Lake is located in northern Mongolian province of Khuvsgul, near to Russian
border. It holds 70 per cent of freshwater of Mongolia or accounts for 0.4 per cent of
world’s total. This lake is located around 1645 meters above the sea level. It is a 135 km
long and 262-meter-deep lake. A total of nine sites from Mongolia have so far been
registered in the network, according to the ministry. It is the largest fresh water lake of
Mongolia, by volume. In terms of area, it is the second largest lake in Mongolia. The lake is
located at about 200 km west of Lake Baikal. It is nicknamed as “Younger sister” of two
“sister lakes”. It freezes over completely in winter.
Mountain Ridges surrounding the Lake
Khuvsgul Lake is surrounded by several mountain ridges. The highest of them is
Burenkhaan or Monkh Saridag. Its peak lies exactly on Russian-Mongolian border.
World Network of Biosphere Reserves
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO covers internationally designated
protected areas called as biosphere reserves. There reserves are meant to demonstrate a
balanced relationship between nature and people. They are created under Man and the
Biosphere Programme. It comprises of dynamic and interactive network of sites. It works
to foster harmonious integration of people and nature to attain sustainable development
by means of participatory dialogue, poverty reduction, knowledge sharing, human well-
being improvements, and respect for cultural values.
International Day for Countering Hate Speech
The International Day for Countering Hate Speech was marked on June 18, highlighting
the need of combating hate speech as well as promoting tolerance and dialogue between
communities. The day was marked for the first time in 2022.
UNGA Resolution
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had adopted a resolution in 2021 “to
promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate
speech”.
UNGA also drew attention to concerns over proliferation of hate speech across the
world.
The resolution highlighted the need of countering xenophobia, discrimination and
hate speech.
It further called all relevant actors and member states, to speed up their efforts of
addressing these issues, in accordance with international human rights law.
It declared June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
Background
This initiative builds upon UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which was
started in 2019. It emphasises on the “need of countering hate holistically and with full
respect for freedom of expression and opinion. It also provides a framework for global
body to complement states in resolving this issue.
Significance of the day
This day is significant for countering hate speech, because hate speech is against the core
principles of UN Charter like equality, peace, and respect for human dignity. It gives rise to
violence and disharmony and causes physical, psychological and emotional harm to
affected people or communities. Social media and other means of communication has
also amplified the devastating impact of hate speeches. If it is left unchecked, it can lead
to wide-scale human rights violations and increase conflicts.
Theme of the day
The first International Day of Countering Hate Speech was observed under the theme
“Role of education to address the root causes of hate speech and advance inclusion, non-
discrimination, and peace”.
Haryana- Israel Agreement on Water Management
Recently, Israel and Haryana government signed a joint declaration in capacity building
and integrated water resources management.
Highlights
The joint declaration is a significant milestone as India and Israel are celebrating 30
years of full diplomatic relations.
Water security has always been an important pillar of the bilateral relations.
About the agreement
Under the agreement, Israel will share its most advanced and cutting-edge water
technologies, expertise and know-how with the government of Haryana.
Israel will work closely with all of its partners in India, in order to continue enhancing
the strategic relations between both the countries.
Through the joint declaration, Israel and government of Haryana expressed their
willingness to strengthen existing relations in water management sector, improve
public health in the region and preserve water resources in public water areas in
Haryana.
They also seek to cooperate and coordinate efforts in protect the water resources.
India-Israel Diplomatic Ties
India recognised Israel officially in 1950, but both the countries established full diplomatic
relations on January 29, 1992. India was among 164 members of the United Nations (UN)
to have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Economic Ties
During the April 2020-February 2021, the bilateral trade between both stood at USD 4.14
billion, with balance of trade in favour of India. Trade in diamonds amounts to 50% of total
trade. India has the 3rd largest trade partner of Israel, in Asia while 7th largest worldwide.
Defence Ties
India is the largest buyer of military equipment from Israel. Israel is the second-largest
defence supplier to India, first being Russia.
Agriculture
India and Israel had signed a three-year work program agreement for agriculture
cooperation in May 2021. The programme seeks to grow existing Centres of Excellence
(CoE), bring Centres of Excellence into self-sufficient mode, and encourage private sector
companies and collaboration.
Changes in Agnipath Scheme
The Agnipath Scheme was launched by central government recently. The scheme aims to
enrol youths into service for four years. But it has sparked protests in several parts of the
country.
What is the controversy?
Under the scheme, youths will be enrolled for four years into service.
After completion of the tenure, 25% of Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted into
regular cadre. 75% will be demobilised with an exit package
This has sparked protests because protestors are of the view that, this scheme will
limit the opportunities for permanent jobs in defence forces, that provide fixed
salaries, pensions along with other benefits.
Centre’s view
Central Government has explained to the youths that, youths will get a generous exit
package of Rs 11.71 lakh, after four years. They will be given priority in government
services like CAPFs, state police forces. However, to calm down the protestors,
government has introduced several changes to the new scheme.
What are the changes?
Union defence minister Rajnath Singh approved proposal of 10% reservation for
Agniveers in job vacancies in ministry of defence, who meet the requisite eligibility
criteria. It would be in addition to existing reservation for ex-servicemen.
Ministry of home affairs (MHA) also announced a 10% quota and upper age limit
relaxation of three years for Agniveers, for their recruitment in Central Armed
Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, after completing four years. Thus, the
upper age limit for CAPFs now stands at 26 years. Apart from that, first batch of
Agniveers will avail a relaxation of five years, taking it to 28 years.
Government has also increased the upper-age limit for recruitment to 23 years from
21 years for 2022.
The National institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) under Department of school
education, has announced to start a special programme, to enable 10th pass
Agniveers to further their education and obtain 12th class pass certificate through
customised courses.
Ministry of education will launch a three-year skill-based bachelor’s degree
programme for Agniveers, in order to recognise their skill and to equip them for
various job roles in civilian sector.
Indian Navy’s Operation Sankalp – Key Facts
Stealth Frigate of Indian Navy, INS Talwar, is currently deployed for “Op Sankalp”. The
frigate is commemorating the 3rd continuous year of presence of Indian Navy in the Gulf
for protection of Maritime Interests of India.
Operation Sankalp
Indian Navy has launched the Operation Sankalp in the Gulf region on June 19, 2019
in the aftermath of deteriorating security situation in the region, following attacks on
merchant ships in Gulf of Oman.
It was started to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels passing through Strait of
Hormuz.
The operation is run in close association with stakeholders including Ministry of
External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Petroleum
& Natural Gas.
Under it, Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation in Gulf region. It is also
maintaining presence in this region in a bid to ensure security of sea borne trade as
well as safety of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels.
Indian Navy is committed to protect India’s Maritime Interests.
INS Talwar (F40)
It is the lead ship, belonging to Talwar-class frigates of Indian Navy. Its name means
“Sword”. The ship was built in Russia. It was commissioned into Indian Navy on June 18,
2003. The multirole frigate and true to its name, has participated in several operations and
exercises since 2003, including anti-piracy operations along the coast of Somalia. Talwar-
class guided missile frigates are the modified Krivak III-class frigates. Many of the
equipment on the ship is Russian-made. Systems of Indian Origin have also been
incorporated.
Who built INS Talwar?
INS Talwar was built by Baltiyskiy shipyard and was launched in May 2000. However, it was
formally commissioned into Indian Navy on June 18, 2003.
Konkan Railway Electrified Network
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to dedicate 100% electrification of the Konkan
Railway (KR) route to India. He will flag off trains on electric traction from Ratnagiri,
Margao and Udupi through video conferencing.
Electrification of Konkan Railway
Konkan Railway had electrified its 741km route from Roha, near Mumbai to Thokur in
Mangaluru in March 2022.
The 741-km network was certified for operating trains on March 28, 2022.
It marked an important step towards green transportation of India’s biggest
stretches of railway electrification.
Konkan Railway being one of India’s biggest railway routes on Indian Railway
network. On this route, train operations with electric traction will be implemented in
a phased manner.
Electrification of this route is likely to lead to a savings of Rs 150 crore in fuel
expenditure.
It will also lead to seamless operation on west coast and pollution-free mode of
transportation besides reducing dependence on HSD oil.
The Konkan Railway
Konkan Railway is operated by Konkan Railway Corporation. It is headquartered with at
CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. First passenger train ran on the Konkan
railway tracks, between Udupi and Mangalore, on March 23, 1993. During initial years of
operation, the mountainous Konkan region led to a number of accidents. It prompted
Konkan Railway to implement new technology like Anti-collision devices, the roll-on/roll-
off and Sky Bus.
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL)
KRCL is a public sector undertaking, with headquarter in Navi Mumbai. It operates the
Konkan Railway. It also undertakes other railway-related projects. KRCL started the full
operations of trains on January 26, 1998. It is at the forefront of research and development
of new concepts and technologies for Indian railways.
Appointment of new Chief Justices for 5 High Courts
Appointment of new chief Justices in five high courts has been approved by Central
Government.
Key Facts
Ministry of Law and Justice notified the appointment for Uttarakhand, Telangana,
Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Guwahati.
Justice Vipin Sanghi of Delhi High Court (HC) has been appointed as Chief Justice of
Uttarakhand HC.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of Telangana HC will be appointed as Chief Justice of Telangana
HC.
Justice Amjad Ahtesham Sayed of Bombay HC as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh
HC.
Justice Shinde Sambhaji Shiwaji of Bombay HC as Chief Justice of Rajasthan HC.
Justice Rashmin M Chhaya of Gujarat HC will be appointed as Chief Justice of
Guwahati HC.
Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma of Telangana HC has been appointed to Delhi
HC.
Constitutional provision for appointment of HC Judges
Judge of a High Court is appointed in accordance with Article 217 of the Constitution. As
per Article, the Judge is appointed by the President after consulting the Chief Justice of
India (CJI) and Governor of the State. To appoint a HC Judge other than Chief Justice,
consultation of Chief Justice of HC is taken.
How are the judges appointed?
Judges of the High Court recommended by a Collegium comprising of CJI and two senior-
most judges. Proposal is initiated by Chief Justice of the concerned HC, in consultation
with two senior-most judges. Recommendation is then sent to the Chief Minister of
concerned state, who advises the Governor to send proposal to Union Law Minister. Lastly, the Chief Justice of HC is appointed in accordance with policy of having Chief
Justices from outside of the respective States.
Collegium System
It is the system of appointment and transfer of judges. This system has not been evolved
by an Act of Parliament or by Constitutional provision, but has evolved through supreme
court judgments.
UNESCO Recognition for Use of ICT in PM eVidya
“Use of ICT in PM e-Vidya scheme” by Ministry of Education won UNESCO’s recognition,
called King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize recently.
About PM eVIDYA Programme
PM eVIDYA programme was launched by Ministry of Education, as part of ‘Atmanirbhar
Bharat Abhiyaan’ by in May 2020. The programme unifies all efforts associated to digital,
on-air, online education, in order to enable multi-mode access for imparting education
using technology to minimise learning losses.
Major initiatives of PM eVidya
Major initiatives of PM eVidya scheme include:
1. DIKSHA (one nation, one digital platform)- It is India’s digital infrastructure to
provide quality e-content for school education in states or UTs and QR coded
Energized Textbooks for grades.
2. SwayamPrabha TV channel (one class, one channel)– one earmarked channel for
each class from 1 to 12.
3. Extensive use of Community radio, Radio, and CBSE Podcast- Shiksha Vani.
4. Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired. It has been developed on
Digitally Accessible Information System (DAISY) as well as in sign language on
YouTube/NIOS website.
UNESCO’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize
Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET) has been awarded with the King Hamad
Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for year 2021. CIET was awarded for use of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) in Education. CIET is a constituent unit of the NCERT.
The award recognises innovative approaches in leveraging new technologies in a bid to
expand educational and lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is in line with 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal 4 on Education. This award was established in
2005, with the help of Kingdom of Bahrain. It rewards individuals and organisations which
are implementing outstanding projects and promoting creative use of technologies to
enhance teaching, learning, and overall educational performance in digital age.
Annual Prize Winner
An international jury selects two best projects in a year. Each of the prize winner receives
USD 25,000, a diploma and a medal during a ceremony, which is organised at UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris on June 24.
Kerala Migration Survey
Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, has announced to conduct “Kerala Migration
Survey 2022-23”, in order to prepare a data bank on Malayali expatriates across the world.
Data bank will be prepared, because lack of data affected the government’s welfare
measures for expatriates.
As a part of the survey, a “Malayali Pravasi Portal” will be launched.
This portal will be used to link Insurance and other welfare schemes for expatriates.
An elaborate global registration campaign will also be held, to prepare the database.
Legal Assistance System
Kerala government will explore the possibility to set up a legal assistance system for
expatriates, with the participation of lawyers in host countries. Government will consult
with experts on formulating a comprehensive health insurance scheme for them, in order
to cover their treatment as well as treatment of their families, including accidents and
children’s education.
Higher education for expatriate community
Government of Kerala views the issues in education sector seriously. Government has
asked the expatriate community to open a higher education institution of international
standards, for which government will extend all the necessary support.
Migration trend from Kerala
Internal as well as International Migration has been the most dynamic factor in
development of Kerala since the state was formed in 1956. As per available data, the state
was characterised by a net inflow of persons until 1941. In succeeding decades migration
reversed dramatically, with more people leaving. Until 1971, Keralites were migrating to
emerging cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai due to demand for skilled or
educated persons. But with the opening up of Gulf economies to foreign workforces
during 1970s migration moved decisively from internal to international. In this context, the
Centre for Development Studies conducted the first ever Kerala Migration Survey in 1998.
First Kerala Migration Survey
The first ever survey in 1998 showed that, around 1.5 million Keralites were then living
outside India, while 750,000 former emigrants having returned. According to Kerala
Migration Survey 2018, there are an estimated 2.12 million emigrants from Kerala
worldwide. It is 149,000 less as compared to 2016 survey.
MoHUA NIPUN Initiative
An Innovative project called “National Initiative for Promoting Upskilling of Nirman
workers (NIPUN) was launched on June 20, 2022 by Union Minister of Housing and Urban
Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri.
About NIPUN Initiative
The NIPUN Initiative was launched for skill training of 100,000 construction workers.
It has been launched under the flagship scheme of “Deendayal Antyodaya-Yojana
National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)”.
Under the scheme, construction workers will be trained through fresh skilling and
upskilling programs. This move will provide work opportunities to them in foreign
countries also.
Which organisation will implement the project?
The NIPUN Project will be implemented by National Skill Development Corporation
(NSDC), which is the nodal agency under Ministry of Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The agency would be responsible for overall execution of
training, candidate tracking and monitoring.
Three parts of NIPUN project
Implementation of NIPUN project has been divided into three parts:
1. Training by means of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at construction sites
2. Training through Fresh skilling by Plumbing and Infrastructure SSC
3. International Placement through builders, industries, and contractors.
Onsite Skill Training
Under the RPL certification, onsite skill training will be provided to around 80,000
construction workers through industry associations. The certification will be co-branded
with MoHUA. Around 14,000 candidates will receive fresh skilling through infrastructure
Sector Skill Council (SSC) and Plumbing in trades having promising placement potentials.
Significance of the initiative
Through the NIPUN initiative, the spirit of entrepreneurship has been encouraged
and supported by providing access to self-employment and skilled wage
employment opportunities to the urban workers.
This initiative would help in creating a future labour force for construction industry,
which in turn will propel innovation and large-scale development across India.
It will facilitate and support convergence with other related ministries.
Insurance cover for trainees
The NIPUN Project will provide trainees with ‘Kaushal Bhima’, 3-year accidental insurance
with coverage of Rs 2 lakhs, digital skills like BHIM app and cashless transactions,
orientation regarding entrepreneurship, and EPF and BOCW facilities.
International Day of Yoga 2022
The International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21, every year starting since 2015.
History of Yoga Day
The idea to have an UN-mandated day for celebrating Yoga was put forward by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in 2014. Later, this proposal was backed by 177 nations which led UN to declare
June 21 as “International Day of Yoga”. The day was incepted in UNGA in 2014.
UN Resolution on Yoga Day
After the initial proposal by PM Modi, the UN adopted a draft resolution, titled “Day of
Yoga”, in 2014. Indian delegation convened the consultations.
Why was June 21 selected?
June 21 was selected as “Yoga Day” because it is the longest day of year in Northern
Hemisphere. It also shares a special significance in different parts of the world.
Theme of the Day
The International Day of Yoga 2022 is being observed under the theme “Yoga for
Humanity”.
Significance of the Yoga and Yoga Day
Yoga promotes a holistic wellbeing. It can be practised by anyone because it does not
require any gym machines. During the covid-19 pandemic, Yoga helped people in
boosting immunity. People across the world embraced yoga to stay healthy and
rejuvenated. It helped them to fight social isolation and depression amid pandemic. Yoga
is playing an important role in psycho-social care and rehabilitation of Covid-19 patients in
isolation.
RBI Commemorative Coin
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a commemorative coin of 10 rupees, in 2015 to
mark the International Day of Yoga.
UNPA stamps
UN Postal Administration (UNPA) issued 10 stamps on Asanas in April 2016. 10 stamps
were issued on a single sheet for marking the Yoga Day.
EX KHAAN QUEST – 2022 Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise
The Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest -2022” was concluded on June
20, 2022 at “Peace Support Operations Training Centre” in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Key Points
Ex Khaan Quest 2022 was conducted from June 06 to June 20, 2022.
It provided a platform for sharing best practices and mutual learning amongst
armies from 16 Nations.
Indian contingent was represented by personnel from “LADAKH SCOUTS”. They
participated in the field training and Command Post exercise.
Activities held during the course of exercise
During the course of exercise, several number of training activities were organised,
including mock tactical operations in accordance with United Nations (UN) mandate,
training of staff & command appointments, training of combat discussions, as part of a
combined UN brigade, which will help in enhancing multinational interoperability.
About Ex Khaan Quest 2022
It is a multinational peacekeeping operations exercise. The exercise comprises of a United
Nations Peacekeeping Mission command post exercise, which is a UN Peace Keeping
Operation Mission field training exercise. It has been designed to improve peacekeeping
capabilities, enhance the core UN doctrine Peace Keeping Operation competencies and
strengthen military-to-military relationships of all participants.
2008 doctrine
The doctrine of 2008 re-confirms and provides a contemporary understanding on how
practitioners might apply three basic peacekeeping principles on United Nations viz,
consent, impartiality and non-use of force. However, these principles would not be applied
in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
Significance of the exercise
Ex Khaan Quest 2022 helped in enhancing the level of defence co-operation between
Indian Army and other participating countries, specifically with the Mongolian Armed
Forces. It also helped in enhancing the bilateral relations between India and Mongolia.
Giant Stingray: World’s largest freshwater fish
Scientists have caught the world’s largest recorded freshwater fish, named giant stingray,
in the Mekong River of Cambodia.
Key Points
The stingray was captured on June 13, 2022.
It measured almost four metres from snout to tail while weighed under 300kg.
Giant Stingray was captured under “Wonders of the Mekong” project, which is a joint
Cambodian-US research project.
Background
The earlier record for a freshwater fish was a 293kg Mekong giant catfish. It was
discovered in 2005, in Thailand.
The giant freshwater stingray
It is a species of stingray, belonging to Dasyatidae family. It is found in large rivers and
estuaries of Borneo and Southeast Asia. Historically, it has been more widely distributed in
South and Southeast Asia. it is the largest freshwater fish as well as the largest stingray
worldwide. The species grows upwards of 2.2 m across and can reach up to 300 kg in
weight. It has a relatively thin, oval pectoral fin disc and a sharply pointed snout, along
with a protruding tip. Tail of giant freshwater stingray is thin and whip-like. It uniformly
greyish brown above and white below.
About Stingrays
Stingrays are a group of sea rays. They are cartilaginous fish related to sharks. These
species are classified in suborder Myliobatoidei of Myliobatiformes order. It comprises of
eight families namely,
1. Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingray)
2. Plesiobatidae (deepwater stingray)
3. Urolophidae (stingarees)
4. Urotrygonidae (round rays)
5. Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays)
6. Potamotrygonidae (river stingrays)
7. Gymnuridae (butterfly rays) and
8. Myliobatidae (eagle rays)
Mekong River
The Mekong River is a trans-boundary river, flowing in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is
the twelfth longest river in world and third longest in Asia. Originating in the Tibetan
Plateau, it runs across China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Extension of Telecom PLI scheme
The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has amended the Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting telecom and networking products manufacturing,
based on the feedback of stakeholders.
What are the amendments?
DoT has extended the scheme by one year.
It has announced an additional 1% incentive rate, over and above the existing rates.
Existing PLI beneficiaries will have an option to select either financial year 2021-22 or
financial year 2022-23 as first year of incentive.
11 new telecom and networking products has been approved to the existing list, on
the basis of suggestions of stakeholders.
Guidelines for PLI Scheme for Telecom & Networking Products have also been
amended, in order to introduce Design-led Manufacturing along with additional
incentive rates.
Allocation for MSMEs has been increased from Rs 1000 crore to Rs 2,500 crore.
Design-led manufacturing
For the promotion of design-led manufacturing, telecom department has invited
applications from Design-led manufacturers others, to avail incentives under PLI Scheme
for five years starting from April 1, 2022.
Which investments are eligible?
Investment by successful applicants in India from April 1, 2022 to Financial Year 2025-2026
shall be eligible. Eligibility is subject to qualifying incremental annual thresholds.
Who can apply for the scheme?
MSME and Non-MSME companies, including domestic and global, are allowed to apply to
the scheme. However, applications from Design-led manufacturers will be given priority
over manufacturers, while shortlisting them.
Minimum investment threshold
The minimum investment threshold under the scheme is Rs 10 crore for MSMEs while Rs
100 crores for non-MSMEs applicants. Land and building costs will not be counted under
investments. Eligibility of the investment is subject to incremental sales of manufactured
goods over base year FY 2019-20.
When will registration start?
Applicants can start the registration process for the scheme from June 21, 2022.
Application window stands open for 30 days. Registration will end on July 20, 2022.
Critical Information Infrastructure
In a notification issued on June 16, 2022, the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
has declared IT resources of HDFC bank, ICICI Bank, and NPCI as ‘critical information
infrastructure (CII)’.
What is critical information infrastructure?
According to Information Technology Act of 2000, “Critical Information Infrastructure” is a
“computer resource”. Incapacitation or destruction of such resource have debilitating
impact on national security, public health, economy, or public safety”.
Who declare entity as Critical Information Infrastructure?
Under the IT Act 2000, the Union government has the power to declare any data, IT
network, database, or communications infrastructure as Critical Information
Infrastructure, in order to protect that digital asset. In case, any person who secures
access or tries to secure access to protected system, can be put behind the bars for up to
10 years.
What is the need of CII classification and protection?
Governments across the world have been moving to protect their critical information
infrastructure because IT resources are the backbone of almost all critical operations in
the infrastructure of country. Any interconnectedness and disruptions to IT resources can
have a cascading effect on different sectors. For instance, IT resources failure at a power
grid can lead to prolonged outages affecting other sectors like healthcare, banking
services.
Protection of CIIs in India
In India, CIIs are protected through a nodal agency “National Critical Information
Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC)”. NCIIPC was created in January 2014. It is the
nodal agency to take all measures for protecting CIIs. It guards CIIs from “unauthorized
access, use, modification, disclosure, incapacitation, disruption, or distraction”. It will
monitor and forecast national-level threats to CII for policy guidance, situational
awareness and expertise sharing for early alerts or warning. In case of threat to CII, the
NCIIPC may call for information and provide directions to critical sectors or persons
having a critical impact on CII.
Gustavo Petro: Colombia’s first leftist President
Gustavo Petro has become the first leftist President of Colombia. He secured 50.5% of vote
in second round of the presidential election, which was held on June 19, 2022.
In April 2021, there was a series of anti-establishment protests in Colombia, against
corruption, increased taxation amid covid-19 pandemic, stagnancy and new health
care reform.
President Iván Duque Márquez was criticised for his taxation policy, at the time when
jobs were hit badly.
Furthermore, former government attempted to push Bill 010, that was aimed at
privatise healthcare. This fuelled anger and it was withdrawn after four days of
massive protests.
Maximum electorate in Colombia is aged 28 or younger. Empty promises of jobs, and
uncertain prospects for poverty, education, and inequalities hit them the hardest.
According to Invamer poll, 68% support Gustavo Petro, and they are voters aged
18-24.
Who is Gustavo Petro?
Gustavo Petro is an environmental and human rights activist. He was a part of urban
guerrilla outfit called M-19. M-19 was established in 1970. It sought to gain power by
means of violence following claims of fraud in 1970 elections. Petro spent time in jail for
carrying illegal arms. He joined urban military group when he was 17. He was among
many university students and artists who were fighting against the government. M-19
was discontinued in 1990 and was metamorphosed into a political party.
Petro’s attempt for presidency
Petro won in 2022 elections, in his third attempt at winning the presidency. In 2018
elections, he was defeated by Duque Márquez. In 2022 election, both of the presidential
candidates, Petro and Rodolfo Hernández, flighted against the monopoly of ruling political
class.
Ban of Use of ‘Single-use plastic’
Union government has banned the use of ‘single-use plastic’ from July 1, 2022.
Highlights
Gazette notification was issued by Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate
Change in 2021, and announced the ban.
It has now defined a list of items, that will be banned from July 2022.
About single-use plastic
Single-Use plastic refers to plastic items which are used once and discarded. It makes the
highest shares of plastic manufactured and used, ranging from packaging of items, to
bottles, polythene bags, coffee cups, face masks, trash bags, cling film, food packaging
etc.
Share of Single Use Plastic
As per 2021 report of Minderoo Foundation of Australia, single-use plastics accounts for
one-third of all plastic produced worldwide, with 98% are manufactured from fossil fuels.
It also accounts for majority of plastic discarded worldwide in 2019 (130 million metric
tonnes). If this trajectory is followed, single-use plastic could make up 5-10 % of
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Single-use Plastic Waste Generation in India
As per 2021 report of Minderoo Foundation, India is featured among top 100 countries of
single-use plastic waste generation. It is ranked at rank 94. The top three countries are
Singapore, Australia and Oman. Domestic production in India lies at 11.8 million metric
tonnes annually. Net generation of single-use plastic waste in India stands at 5.6 MMT.
Which items will be banned in India?
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have announced to ban items like earbuds, candy,
balloon sticks, and ice-cream sticks. Cutlery items including plates, glasses, cups, spoons,
knives, forks, trays will also be banned. It has also notified to ban sweet boxes, invitation
cards, cigarette packs, PVC banners under 100 microns as well as polystyrene for
decoration. Polythene bags under 75 microns was already banned in September 2021.
From December 2022, polythene bags under 120 microns will also be banned. These items
have been banned because they are “difficult to collection” making its recycling difficult.
Study: Human Middle Ear Evolved From Fish Gills
According to a study led by scientists from Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and
Palaeoanthropology (IVPP) of Chinese Academy of Sciences, middle ear of human has
evolved from fish gills.
Human Middle Ear
Middle ear of human houses three tiny, vibrating bones. It helps in transporting sound
vibrations into inner ear. In the inner ear, sound vibrations become nerve impulses,
allowing us to hear.
What are the findings?
Fossil and embryonic evidence proves that, human middle ear evolved from spiracle
of fishes.
However, origin of vertebrate spiracle is an unsolved mystery in vertebrate evolution.
As per 20th century researchers, early vertebrates must possess a complete spiracular
gill, searched for one between hyoid and mandibular arches of early vertebrates. But
non were found in any vertebrate fossils.
But scientists from IVPP have found some clues from armored galeaspida fossils in
China.
They have found a 438-million-year-old Shuyu3D braincase fossil in Zhejiang province
as well as first 419-million-year-old galeaspid fossil in Yunnan Province, that have
been completely preserved with gill filaments in first branchial chamber.
These fossils provided the first evidence for vertebrate spiracle originating from fish
gills.
Restructure of Shuyu Braincase
Seven virtual endocasts of Shuyu braincase were subsequently reconstructed. All details of
cranial anatomy of Shuyu were revealed through its fingernail-sized skull, including five
brain divisions, cranial nerve, sensory organs, and blood vessel passages in the skull.
Several important structure of human can be traced back to fish ancestors like jaws, teeth,
middle ears etc.
About Shuyu
Shuyu is an extinct genus of early jawless vertebrate, belonging to early or middle Silurian
period. It lived in present day north-western Zhejiang Province in Southeast China. The
genus is known from over 20 headshields, out of which, 20 include three-dimensionally
preserved neurocrania.
South Korea: Launch of First domestically built space rocket
On June 21, South Korea launched its first domestically built space rocket in second
attempt. Space rocket was launched months after its previous lift-off could not place a
payload into orbit.
Why is this launch significant for South Korea?
Successful launch of the space rocket would boost the growing space ambitions of South
Korea. It has also proved that; the country has important technologies to build space-
based surveillance system as well as bigger missiles. Since 1990s, South Korea has sent
several satellites into space, but all were overseas launch, using rocket built on foreign
technology. In 2013, South Korea had launched a satellite from its soil for the first time,
but its first stage launch vehicle was manufactured by Russia.
About the launched satellite
The domestically built space rocket is a three-stage rocket, which is carrying a functioning
“performance verification” satellite. It is named as Nuri rocket and was blasted from only
space launch centre of country, located on a small island off its southern coast.
Results of the launch
Officials will announce the results of launch on June 23, 2022.
Failed attempt by South Korea
South Korea first attempted to launch the satellite in October 2021. In the first attempt,
dummy payload of the rocket reached its desired altitude of 700 km. However, it could not
enter orbit because third stage engine of rocket burned out earlier than planned.
Where is South Korea placed among other countries?
South Korea is the world’s 10th-largest economy. It is a main supplier of semiconductors,
smartphones and automobiles across the world. However, its space development
programme is behind its Asian neighbours China, Japan and India. If the recent launch is
successful, South Korea would become the 10th country in world, to place a satellite into
space with its own technology.
Satellites by North Korea
North Korea had placed its first Earth observation satellite into orbit in 2012 while and
second was put in 2016. However, there is no proof if these satellites have ever
transmitted spaced-based imagery and data to Earth.
India: Fourth in Global Gold Recycling
According to a report by World Gold Council (WGC), India has become the fourth largest
gold recycler worldwide. In 2021, it has recycled 75 tonnes of gold.
About Gold refining and recycling report
The Gold refining and recycling report was published by WGC recently.
In the report, China was ranked first in global gold recycling chart after recycling 168
tonnes of gold in 2021.
It is followed by Italy at second position, with recycling of 80 tonnes gold and US at
third position, with recycling of 78 tonnes in 2021.
India’s gold refining capacity
As per report, India’s gold refining capacity has increased from 300 tonnes in to 1,500
tonnes in 2021. It witnessed a jump by 500 per cent. Its capacity has changed in last
decade. Number of formal operations has increased from less than five in 2013 to 33 in
2021. Informal sector accounts for an additional 300-500 tonnes.
Why has unorganised refining decreased in India?
Scale of unorganised refining has decreased due to tightening pollution regulations
by government.
Furthermore, tax advantages have underpinned growth of gold refining industry in
India.
Import duty differential on dore, over refined bullion has encouraged the growth of
organised refining in India.
Thus, share of gold dore of overall imports has increased from 7 per cent in 2013 to
22 per cent in 2021.
India’s potential
India has the potential to become a competitive refining hub if next phase bullion market
reforms encourage responsible sourcing, consistent supply of dore or scrap and exports
of bars.
Concerns
According to WGC report, despite being the fourth largest recycler worldwide, India
recycles less of its own stock of gold. It accounts for around 8 per cent of global scrap
supply.
World Gold Council
It is the market development organisation for gold industry. The organisation works
across gold mining to investment. It aims to stimulate and sustain demand for gold. It
publishes research and demonstrates gold’s strength frequently. It is headquartered in
London, United Kingdom.
IIT Madras 5G test bed for Army Training Command
The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) has announced to establish a 5G Testbed in
association with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras.
The 5G test bed for Army Training Command will be established at Military College of
Telecommunication at Mhow in Indore.
It will be used for operational use of 5G technology of Army, especially along the
borders.
Under the MoU, IIT-Madras would provide consultancy, which will be duly supported
by research to study feasibility and prototype development of 5G-enabled future
communications.
Aim of the collaboration
ARTRAC and IIT Madras have collaborated with the aim of giving impetus to induction of
systems, equipment, and devices using niche technology. It is also aimed at using AI-
based algorithms to enhance capabilities of armed forces. Collaboration will also promote
collaborative and cooperative research as well as facilitate exchange of ideas for the
development of new technology.
About Army Training Command
The Army Training Command is one among the seven commands of Indian Army. It is
based at Shimla and was established in 1991. Its current commander is Lieutenant General
SS Mahal.
History of ARTRAC
ARTRAC was established on October 1, 1991 at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. It later moved to
Shimla on March 31, 1993. The command aims to maximize effectiveness of training.
Merger of DGMT and ARTRAC
In 2019, it was announced to merge DGMT (Directorate General of Military Training) with
ARTRAC. DGMT runs Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS).
Background
India’s first 5G testbed was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in May 2022,
which allowed industries and start-ups to test and certify their technologies domestically.
It was built at a cost of Rs 220 crore. The testbed was created in collaboration with eight
institutes, led by IIT Madras.
14th BRICS Summit 2022
India is likely to push back against an effort by Chinese President Xi Jinping to use the
summit BRICS summit as a platform for highlight his efforts to develop an alternative to
the US-led global order.
Highlights
14th BRICS Summit will be held in virtual mode, on June 23, 2022.
Summit will bring together Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and President of
Brazil Jair Bolsonaro.
Negotiators from India seeks to ensure that any joint statement made out of this
summit is neutral as well as look to prevent any attempts by China and Russia to use
this platform to score a propaganda against the US and its allies.
Indian side will also seek to delay China’s effort of expanding BRICS grouping by
pushing organization to bring about criteria of adding new members.
Agenda of the meeting
BRICS grouping has become a platform to discuss and deliberate on issues of common
concern for all the developing countries. During the meeting, heads of state will discuss
intra-BRICS cooperation in areas like trade, counter-terrorism, traditional medicine,
health, environment, reform of multilateral institutions and combating covid-19 pandemic.
Theme of the BRICS Summit
BRICS Summit 2022 will be held under the theme of “Foster High-Quality BRICS
Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development.”
Vision of global order
This BRICS summit will provide China and Russia a vehicle to expand their vision of global
order, as leaders of both the countries declared a “no-limits friendship” before Russia
invaded Ukraine. China has extended crucial diplomatic support to Russia, as it seeks to
redefine the terms democracy and human rights.
About BRICS Summit
Brazil, Russia, India and China formed the BRIC block in 2009. South Africa joined the bloc
in 2010, after which “BRICS Bloc” was created.
ONORC Scheme Operational in Entire Country
With the adoption of “One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) in Assam, this scheme has
become operational in entire India.
Key Points
Assam became the 36th state to adopt One Nation One Ration Card food security
scheme.
With the addition of Assam, all the 36 states and union territories have now started
issuing ration cards which will be applicable across India.
This move has made food security portability a reality.
About ONORC Scheme
The ONORC scheme is nationalising of ration card, basically. Under the scheme, ration
cards have been nationalised using Aadhaar seeding. This enables the beneficiary to
purchase food grains from any fair price shop across the country. Thus, the scheme
assures the claim to food security irrespective of residence of beneficiary. This scheme
was launched in August 2019.
Who are the beneficiaries?
The One Nation One Ration Card food security scheme have benefitted the National Food
Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries, immensely. This is because, they received subsidized
food grains during COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme has been swiftly implemented across
India. Thus, it is benefiting more than 80 crore Indians.
Objective of food security scheme
The One Nation One Ration Card scheme was launched with the objective of making the
beneficiaries self-reliant for their food security across India. with the pan-India
applicability of the scheme, citizens can now use cards across India to purchase the
subsidised food grains from any fair-price shop. This move also enables the family
members to buy food grains, pending from allowed quota in ration card from across
country.
Current Affairs [PDF] – June 16-30, 2022
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Mera Ration mobile app
Government has launched “Mera Ration Mobile App”, to make best use of ONORC. The
app will provide information to users in real-time in 13 languages.
No of beneficiary
71 Crore portable transactions have been done since the launch of scheme. Out of these,
43.6 crores are NFSA while 27.8 crore are Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-
GKAY) transactions. Through portability, food grains of worth Rs 40000 crore have been
made.
Coast Guard: Induct of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III
Eastern region of Indian Coast Guard, inducted the indigenously designed and developed
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III on June 20, 2022.
Key Facts
Advanced Light Helicopter is the first aircraft of newly created “840 Squadron”.
It will be positioned in the Coast Guard Region East.
Capabilities of the first ALH MK-III aircraft would enhance the operational footprint
of Unit.
Where will the aircraft be stationed?
The new aircraft will be stationed at Chennai, which is the headquarters of Eastern Region
of Coast Guard. Three more Advanced Light Helicopter will be added to inventory of ‘840
Squadron’ soon.
Water cannon salute
The Advanced Light Helicopter Mark III was received at the Coast Guard Air Station in
Chennai, with ‘water cannon salute’.
Features of the aircraft
Coast Guard achieved a multifield capability of Beyond Visual Range detection, by
stationing the aircraft in Chennai.
Multifield capability has been achieved by using state-of-the-art radar integrated
with long range imaging as well as by identifying the Automatic Identification System
and Electro Optical Pod.
It is additionally is equipped to carry target neutralisation, and to use its mounted
heavy machine gun.
Through concerted aerial efforts, the aircraft will address India’s multi-faceted
marine interests within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Who has developed the ALH MK-III?
The ALH MK-III has been indigenously designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL). It will boost the air-arm of coast guard. Till now, HAL has delivered 13
aircrafts out of 16 to the Indian Coast Guard.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
ICG is a maritime law enforcement, search and rescue agency of India. It has jurisdiction
over the territorial waters including exclusive economic zone and contiguous zone. ICC
was formally established on February 1, 1977 in accordance with Coast Guard Act, 1978. It
works under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Defence.
Massive Wild Fires in Spain and Germany
Germany, Spain, and Greece have been facing worst of Europe’s extraordinary heat wave.
Apart from that, wildfires have also ravaged the three countries.
Key Points
Countries have witnessed temperatures rising to record highs even before the
official start of summer that is before summer solstice on June 21.
The Sierra de la Culebra Mountain range in Spain is affected. Fires have destroyed
almost 25,000 hectares. This had led to evacuation of residents of 18 municipalities.
Wildfires are also raging in Tarragona, Lleida, and Garraf in north-eastern region
of Catalonia.
In Germany, wildfires have reached to 50 km southwest of Berlin.
Why forests catch fire?
Wildfire is a major fire which breaks out unpredictably in combustible environments like
dry bush or forests. They often burn uncontrollably across a large area and length of time.
Forest fires are triggered by natural factors like prolonged dry and hot weather, or
lightning strikes, or human carelessness. They require fuel, oxygen and heat to grow and
spread. They can be extinguished when at least one element is removed.
Why wildfires cause destruction?
Wildfires cause immense destruction, because of speed of their spread. Speed depends on
the weather, fuel, winds, and topography. High temperatures and droughts led t
devastating wildfires in California, Brazil, Australia, and southern Europe. Slopes are more
prone to catch fire, as they face the sun and retain more heat.
Forest fires in Europe
As per European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), Europe witnessed the second
worst fire in 2021, since EFFIS started keeping list of wildfires in 2000.
How does climate change affect fires?
Climate change have made heat waves 5 to 10 times worse as compared to heat waves
about a century ago. Global warming is causing extreme weather events like hotter
temperature, famines, droughts, rain, and floods. Earliest heatwave in 2022 in Europe sent
the mercury past 40 degrees Celsius. These temperatures are expected only in July or
August. May 2020 recorded the highest level of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere (420 ppm).
Wildfires in Germany, Spain and Greece can also be linked to hotter temperatures and low
humidity as a result of climate change.
Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at IISC, Bengaluru
On June 20, 2022 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Centre for Brain
Research (CBR).
Key Facts
The Centre for Brain Research (CBR) has been set up at Indian Institute of Science
(IISc), at a cost of Rs 280 crore.
During the Programme, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Bagchi
Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital. It is 832-bedded hospital.
The CBR is one of its kind research facilities, which focuses on conducting vital
research for providing evidence-based public health interventions in order to
manage age-related brain disorders.
About Centre for Brain Research
Centre for Brain Research was established as a non-profit, autonomous research
organization in the IISc. It was a generous gift from Gopalakrishnan and his wife Sudha
Gopalakrishnan. It is funded by philanthropy and receives research grants to do specific
projects from several granting agencies. Gopalakrishnan has also provided funds to
construct the state-of-art building.
The Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital
Foundation stone for the Bagchi Parthasarathy Multispeciality Hospital was laid down by
PM Modi. It will be developed in IISc Bengaluru campus. The hospital will help in
integrating science, medicine and engineering at prestigious institute. The hospital will
provide a major fillip to conduct clinical research in India. It will work in finding innovative
solutions, which in turn will help in improvement of healthcare services across India.
Background
IISc entered into partnership with Susmita & Subroto Bagchi, and Radha & N S
Parthasarathy, in February 2022 for establishment of Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital. They
will collectively donate Rs 425, for the construction of 800-bed hospital. Subroto Bagchi
and N S Parthasarathy were also the co-founders of Mindtree, which is an information
technology services and consulting company.
International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice
On June 21, 2022, over 6,000 people gathered at Stonehenge in Britain’s Wiltshire to
celebrate the summer solstice, which is the longest day of year in northern hemisphere.
Key Facts
People arrived at the spot to see sunrise directly behind the largest stone at World
Heritage site in southwest England.
This event was also live-streamed by English Heritage, running the site.
To witness the summer Solstice, people saw the Sun glint over horizon at around
4.49 am local time.
Tourists were allowed to gather at ancient stone circle, for the first time in three
years, to celebrate summer solstice.
On the summer solstice day, Earth’s tilt is maximum from the Sun.
Summer Solstice
The summer solstice is also known as midsummer or estival solstice. It occurs when one of
the poles of Earth has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. This phenomenon happens twice
in a year, once in each if Northern hemisphere Southern hemisphere. For the northern
hemisphere, summer solstice happens when sun reaches its highest position in sky. It is
the day with longest period of daylight. During the summer solstice, there is continuous
daylight within Arctic circle (for northern hemisphere) or Antarctic circle (for southern
hemisphere). Earth’s maximum axial tilt towards the Sun is 23.44 degree, on summer
solstice.
When does summer solstice occur?
Summer solstice occurs during summer. This is called June solstice in Northern
Hemisphere while December solstice in Southern Hemisphere. Summer solstice occurs
between June 20 to June 22 in northern hemisphere while between December 20 to
December 23 in Southern Hemisphere, depending upon the shift in calendar.
Ruchira Kamboj: India’s Permanent Representative to the UN
Ruchira Kamboj has been appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the
United Nations. She is currently Indian ambassador to Bhutan. Ruchira Kamboj will
succeed T S Tirumurti. She is likely to take up assignment soon.
Career Background
Ruchira Kamboj joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1987.
She was All India women’s topper of 1987 Civil Services batch as well as topper of
1987 Foreign Service batch.
She started her diplomatic journey in Paris, France. She was posted as the Third
Secretary in Indian Embassy to France, during 1989-91.
She has been Indian High Commissioner in South Africa, Permanent Representative
of India to UNESCO in Paris, and Chief of Protocol in New Delhi.
Past experience at UN
She also has past experience at the UN in New York. She was posted as Counsellor from
2002-2005, at Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York. She dealt
with several political issues, including UN Peacekeeping, Middle East crisis, UN Security
Council Reform, etc.
Part of G-4 team
In December 2014, she was a part of G-4 team, which worked on the reform and
expansion of United Nations Security Council.
India’s Chief of Protocol
She has been India’s Chief of Protocol, from 2011-2014. She is the first and only woman
diplomat till date in Indian government to held this position.
Permanent Representative of India to United Nations
Permanent Representative of India to UN is the foremost diplomatic representative of
India to the United Nations. It is the head of Permanent Mission of India to UN in New
York City. Currently, T. S. Tirumurti is the Permanent Representative of India. He was
appointed in May 2020.
Western Sahara Dispute and Algeria-Spain ties
On June 8, 2022 Algeria announced to suspend its treaty of “friendship, good
neighbourliness, and co-operation”, that it signed with Spain 20 years ago.
Highlights
This move has proved beneficial for both the countries. It came after Spain decided
to shifting its position regarding Western Sahara dispute.
This deal was signed in 2002, for promoting dialogue and cooperation on economic,
political, financial, defence and education issues.
About Western Sahara dispute
The Western Sahara dispute was started in 1884, with colonisation of this region by
Spain. In 1975, Spain decided to withdraw from Western Sahara. following this, the
region descended into a conflict between Morocco, Mauritania and Polisario Front.
All of them were trying to control the region.
Polisario Front decided to establish Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in
Western Sahara. However, SADR did not get Western recognition.
In 1975, this matter came to International Court of Justice. Court decided that,
neither Morocco nor Mauritania could claim sovereignty on Western Sahara region.
Thus, it called for decolonization of the region.
How did Morocco react?
Moroccan Sultan did not withstand with the decision of ICJ and started “Green March”
towards Western Sahara. It caused an influx of thousands of Moroccans in this region.
Polisario Front kept fighting with Morocco and Mauritania. In 1979, Polisario Front signed
a ceasefire with Mauritania. However, fighting with Morocco continued. It ended when
Polisario Front and Morocco agreed to UN-proposed peace deal, in 1991,
Control of Morocco over Western Sahara
After the 1991 Agreement, Morocco controls 80 per cent of the Western Sahara region
while Polisario Front-led SADR is operating primarily from refugee camps in Algeria and
eastern part of the Western Sahara.
Why has Spain changed its stand?
Spain has now changed its position to support UN-sponsored referendum to settle the
decolonization in region. The country considers autonomy initiative as basis, realistic and
credible to resolve the dispute. Autonomy initiative was presented by Morocco in 2007.
June 23, 2022
Twin Deficit Problem in India
Ministry of Finance recently released its ‘Monthly Economic Review’ report. In the report,
Ministry has highlighted that, Fiscal Deficit and Current Account Deficit (CAD) are two key
areas of concern for the Indian economy.
Findings of the report
Monthly Economic Review report noted that, Fiscal deficit has increased, possibly due
to cuts in excise duties on petrol and diesel.
Oil prices have surged due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. It has led to
deterioration in current account deficit because of higher oil import bill.
As per report, India will continue to be the fastest growing economy in 2022-23,
among major countries.
India, unlike other countries, is at low risk of Stagflation because of its prudent
stabilization policies.
Rupee can weaken if foreign portfolio investors (FPI) continue to pull out money
from Indian markets, considering the higher interest rates in western economies
especially the US. It will hurt rupee and further increase CAD.
Effect of Twin Deficit
Twin deficit will have no effect in short term; however, it may reduce the savings in long
term. It might lead to depreciation in the rupee and imbalance in financial investments of
government for social purposes.
Way forward
Government should cut its revenue expenditure.
Capital expenditure should be rationalized, in order to avoid fiscal slippages.
Tight monetary policy should be used, to achieve fiscal consolidation
Import of non-essential goods should be cut and exports of Indian goods should be
made competitive.
What is Fiscal Deficit?
The shortfall in a government’s income, as compared to its spending, is called the fiscal
deficit. It is amount of money, that is borrowed by government to fill the gap between its
revenues and expenditures in any financial year. If the fiscal deficit is high, it means,
government takes the investible funds in market for itself, which otherwise could have
been used by private sector for investment needs.
What is Current Account Deficit?
When the total value of goods and services imported by a country becomes higher than
total value of goods and services it exports, it is called as Current Account Deficit (CAD).
Widening CAD is responsible for weakening to domestic currency, because CAD means
more foreign currencies or dollars are in demand as compared to domestic currency (or
rupees).
What is Stagflation?
A condition, where economic growth is stagnant but prices are rising, is called stagflation.
First India-Nepal Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train
On June 21, 2022, the first India-Nepal Bharat Gaurav tourism train was flagged off from
Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi.
Key Facts
The train is carrying 500 Indian tourists on board.
It will arrive at Janakpur Dham station in Nepal, on June 23.
This tourist train will connect India and Nepal, for the first time.
Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train for Ramayana Circuit
The Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train between India and Nepal will provide an opportunity to
people from across the countries to explore the architectural, historical and cultural
marvels of the country. The train started its first Shri Ramayana Yatra for 18 days from
June 21. First trip of the train will also cover the religious destination of Janakpur (in
Nepal), apart from other popular destinations like Ayodhya, Nandigram, Varanasi,
Sitamarhui, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Hampi, Pancvati (Nasik), Rameshwaram and
Bhadrachalam.
Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train for Krishna Circuit
Ministry of Tourism in coordination with Ministry of Railways and Indian Railway Catering
and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has also proposed Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains for
Buddhist Circuit, Krishna Circuit, and many other circuits.
Significance of the Bharat Gaurav Trains
Bharat Gaurav trains is an attempt of showcasing the rich spiritual, cultural, and historical
heritage of India to its people. This unique idea was envisaged by Ministry of Railways.
This concept will help in promoting mass tourism across the country. It will also provide
an opportunity to people to explore Indian culture.
Exterior of the train
Exterior of the coaches of Bharat Gaurav trains have been designed as kaleidoscope of
Bharat Gaurav (Pride of India). It highlighting several facets of India like dances,
monuments, folk art and Yoga. The coaches have recently undergone refurbishment. Its
amenities and services have also been upgraded. It has 14 coaches.
18-days journey
The train will return back to Delhi, after completing 18 days of journey. It will cover a
distance of about 8000 Kms in the entire Ramayana tour.
Assam Floods and Landslides
Assam has been experiencing unprecedented floods and landslides over the last one
week. This has affected million people and left people dead too. In last 34 hours, 10 people
were killed and 7 went missing.
What are the factors behind unprecedented floods?
Pre-monsoon rains-Average rainfall in Assam for March-May 2022 was 719 mm,
against 434.5 mm last year for same period.
Assam has been experiencing more concentrated and heavy rainfall episodes
because of climate change.
Undesirable, unplanned and unpragmatic structural intervention on fragile
landscape of Assam hills are the causes of landslides of devastating nature.
Massive deforestation for expansion of roadways and railways and rampant riverbed
mining has also led to landslide of such nature.
Why is Assam prone to floods?
Assam is prone to frequent floods, because-
1. Brahmaputra River is unstable and braided in the entire reach of Assam, because of
high sedimentation and steep slopes.
2. Assam and some other parts of the north-eastern region are prone to frequent
earthquakes, which in turn causes landslides. Frequent earthquakes and landslides
send huge debris in the rivers, resulting into rise of river bed.
3. Assam also faces bank erosion around the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. As per an
estimate, nearly 8000 hectares land in Assam is lost to erosion. Due to bank erosion,
width of the Brahmaputra River has increased up to 15 km.
4. Man-made cause of floods in Assam region includes, releasing of water from dams
situated on hills.
5. Topography of the region is like bowl, making it susceptible to water logging.
What steps should be taken?
Government should study the river as well as impact of climate change.
Water flow information should be shared with public, in order to understand the
river in better manner. This information is shared by China with India.
More accurate and decentralised rain forecasts should be made, which can help in
preparedness.
SEBI Advisory committee on Hybrid securities
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has set up an advisory committee on
hybrid securities, to make recommendations for the growth of hybrid securities.
About Advisory committee on hybrid securities
The committee will also recommend on measures focusing on attracting domestic &
global capital and ease of issuance.
It is a 20-member committee, chaired by K V Kamath. K V Kamath is the Chairperson
of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development.
The committee also comprises of top-level officials of infrastructure investment
trusts (InvITs), finance & legal experts of SEBI and officials of real estate investment
trusts (REITs).
Task assigned to Committee
Committee will advise SEBI on issues related to regulation and development of
primary & secondary markets of Hybrid securities in India.
It will identify use case scenarios of hybrid securities, in light of infrastructure
financing needs of Indian economy.
It will make recommendations for developing instruments, in order to meet the
needs of infrastructure sector.
It will further make recommendations on infrastructure financing by means of
capital markets.
Panel will be responsible for making suggestions for facilitating greater retail
participation in hybrid securities.
It will ensure protection of interest of investors.
Research Advisory Committee
SEBI has also reconstituted its research advisory committee. It is responsible for
promotion, development and maintenance of databases which are relevant for research
of capital market.
REITs and InvITs
REITs and InvITs are hybrid securities. They are relatively new investment instruments in
Indian market, but are popular in global markets. REIT comprises of portfolio of
commercial real assets. Major portion of the REIT asset is already leased out. InvITs
comprises of a portfolio of infrastructure assets, like power transmission and highways.
What are Hybrid securities?
Hybrid securities are a broad group of securities, consisting of characteristics of two
broader groups of securities namely debt and equity. Such securities pay a predictable
rate of return or dividend (either fixed or floating), until a specific date.
June 24, 2022
India’s GSAT-24 satellite launched on French rocket
On June 23, India launched its GSAT-24 satellite, that has been built by ISRO for NewSpace
India Limited (NSIL).
Key Points
GSAT-24 satellite was launched on Ariane 5 space launch vehicle, by French company
Arianespace.
It was launched from Kourou in French Guiana, in South America.
GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite. It weighs 4180 kg. The satellite will
provide coverage to pan-India, to meet DTH application needs.
Why was GSAT-24 launched on a French rocket?
The GSAT-24 satellite was launched on French rocket Ariane 5, because currently India
does not have space-launch rocket which can lift a satellite weighing over 4 tons into
geostationary orbit. India’s most powerful rocket GSLV MK3 is capable of lifting a
maximum of 4 tons into geostationary orbit. It is not enough to life a satellite over 4 ton
like GSAT-24.
Why are communication satellites placed in geostationary orbit?
Communications satellites are placed in a geostationary orbit, so that satellite antennas
based on Earth, do not have to rotate to track them. They can be pointed permanently at a
position in sky where the satellites are located.
What is GSAT-24?
GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite, launched to provide Pan India coverage
to meet DTH application needs. It is a 4180 kg satellite. Entire satellite capacity has been
leased by NSIL to M/s Tata Play. It is the first demand driven satellite, that has been
configured by ISRP. It is owned, funded and operated by NSIL, for commercial user. It has
been configured with the objective of augmenting satellite based VSAT and DTH services
in BSS Ku-band.
Uses of the GSAT-24 satellite
The satellite has enhanced EIRP, which provides more HD channels, more DTH
channels within same spectrum, or more system robustness with additional rain fade
margin.
It will provide a satellite based interactive educational services to classes employing
DTH quality broadcast.
It will be helpful in telecommunications and emerging applications such as high
speed backhaul links, digital cinema, bulk-data transfer etc.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
NSIL is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and commercial arm of Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). It was established on March 6, 2019. It works under the
administrative control of Department of Space (DoS). The organisation seeks to increase
the participation of industries in Indian space programmes.
Dinkar Gupta: New Director General of NIA
On June 23, 2022 Former DGP of Punjab Dinkar Gupta was appointed as the new Director
General of National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Key facts
CRPF Director General, Kuldiep Singh, was given additional charge of NIA in May
2021, following the retirement of Y C Modi.
Dinkar Gupta will hold the post till March 31, 2024 or till further orders. It is the date
of his retirement.
Academic and career background
Dinkar Gupta is having a Master’s degree in police administration. He has held the
position of Director General of Punjab Police in 2019. He served this post for 2 years
and 7 months.
Later, he was shifted as Chairman of Punjab Police Housing Board, as he asked
permission for a central deputation.
He also served as Director General of Police, Intelligence, Punjab. It involved the
direct supervision of Intelligence wing of Punjab, Organised Crime Control Unit
(OCCU) and State Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
He had an eight-year stint on central deputation during June 2004 to July 2012. He
held sensitive assignments during this period, including as head of the Intelligence
Bureau unit that looked after VVIPs security.
Awards and Achievements
Dinkar Gupta has been decorated with two police gallantry medals in 1992 and 1994. He
was also given Police Medal for Meritorious Services by the President as well as
President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2010. He was awarded with British
Chevening Gurukul Scholarship, in 1999 by British Council at London School of Economics,
London.
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
NIA is the primary counter-terrorists task force of India. It investigates terror related
crimes, without getting any special permission from states under written proclamation
from Ministry of Home Affairs. It was established on December 31, 2008, in accordance
with National Investigation Agency Act 2008, in the aftermath of 26/11 terror attack in
Mumbai. It is headquartered in New Delhi but has branches in Hyderabad, Kochi,
Guwahati, Mumbai, Lucknow, Raipur, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jammu, Chennai, Ranchi, and
Imphal.
CHOGM Foreign Ministers’ plenary 2022
On June 23, 2022 External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar addressed the
“Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Foreign Ministers’ plenary”,
which was held in Rwanda. The meeting was delayed by two-years, due to covid-19
pandemic.
Theme of CHOGM Plenary
CHOGM Foreign Ministers’ plenary was held in Rwanda, under the theme of “Democracy,
Peace and Governance”.
EAM’s address
During the plenary, Dr S Jaishankar highlighted that, India’s digital backbone is of
particular relevance. He noted the significance of collectively addressing the crucial
challenges of present times, including climate change, ongoing global conflicts and post
COVID recovery.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
It is a biennial summit meeting of de facto leaders of all Commonwealth nations.
However, meeting can be attended by the head of state instead of the head of
government, particularly among semi-presidential states. Meeting is held in every second
year, in a different member state. Meeting is chaired by that respective Prime Minister or
President of Nation. Prime Minister of President becomes the Commonwealth Chair-in-
Office until the next CHOGM.
Head of Commonwealth Nations
Queen Elizabeth II, being the Head of the Commonwealth, attended every meeting
starting with Ottawa in 1973 until 2011 meeting in Perth. Her formal participation started
in 1997. She was represented by Prince of Wales in 2013 meeting. In 2015, the Queen
attended summit in Malta and 2018 summit in London. She was again represented by
Prince of Wales at 2022 meeting.
The Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations is a political association of 54 member states. Almost all the
member states are former territories of British Empire. Commonwealth Secretariat is the
chief institutions of the organisation, that focuses on intergovernmental aspects.
Ban on entry of medium, heavy vehicles into Delhi
On June 23, 2022, Government of Delhi issued an order to ban the entry of medium and
heavy goods vehicles in Delhi, starting from November to February, in order to curb
vehicular pollution.
This is because, vehicular pollution deteriorates air quality during winter months.
Apart from that, Delhi government also urged the neighbouring states, including
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to allow only BS VI-compliant buses to enter Delhi, from
October 1. This move will help in controlling air pollution.
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR as well as the Indo Gangetic Plains depends on following
factors:
1. Change in Wind Direction– October marks with withdrawal of monsoons in
Northwest India. During this time, north westerly winds predominate. This brings
dust from northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, causing pollution.
2. Reduced Wind Speed– During October month (Winters), overall speed of the winds
reduces as compared to summer months, making entire region prone to air
pollution because, low-speed winds are not effective at dispersing pollutants.
3. Landlocked Region– Delhi is a landlocked region and is not having geographical
advantage similar to eastern, western or southern parts of India, where sea breeze
disperses the pollutants.
4. Stubble Burning– Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan causes a thick
blanket of smog in Delhi during winters. Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants
containing harmful gases like methane (CH4), volatile organic compound (VOC),
carbon monoxide (CO), and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
5. Vehicular Pollution– Vehicular Pollution is the biggest cause deteriorating air
quality in the region. About 20% of PM2.5 in winters comes from vehicles.
6. Dust Storms– Dust storms from Gulf countries make the condition worst. Dust
pollution accounts for around 56% of PM10 and PM2.5 load.
