CURRENT AFFAIRS APRIL 2020
Important Current Affairs for IAS, SSC, Bank, RRB and Other Government Exams
WITH SYNOPSIS
www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
02 Apr Syndicate Bank’s Krishnan S appointed as ED at Canara Bank post merger
05 Apr Sunil D'Souza assumes charge as MD and CEO of Tata Consumer Products
05 Apr Keir Starmer made U.K.’s new Labour party chief
06 Apr Indian-origin Lisa Nandy appointed UK shadow foreign minister
09 Apr IIM Board appoints Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan as IIM Bangalore's new director
14 Apr Ka. Balachandran appointed Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Chairperson
17 Apr Anand named ambassador for WWF India
21 Apr Kapil Dev Tripathi appointed Secretary to President Kovind
26 Apr President's secretary Sanjay Kothari appointed Central Vigilance Commissioner
27 Apr Bureaucratic reshuffle: Health Secretary Preeti Sudan gets 3-month extension
27 Apr Government appoints Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi as MNRE Secretary
27 Apr Bureaucratic reshuffle in govt, Tarun Bajaj appointed Department of Economic Affairs Secretary
27 Apr Govt promotes Air India chief Rajiv Bansal to secretary-level rank
29 Apr PNB Housing appoints Neeraj Vyas as interim MD&CEO
29 Apr Ex-Andhra Bank chief Suresh N Patel to take over as Vigilance Commissioner
30 Apr Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar appointed PESB chairman
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
23 Apr Books & Authors 'Midnight in Chernobyl' wins William E. Colby Award
24 Apr People Mukesh Ambani becomes Asia's richest man once again after Facebook deal
IMPORTANT DATES
19 Apr National UNESCO World Heritage Day 2020
29 Apr International UN commemorates Earth Day with 'Earth Anthem' penned by Indian poet-diplomat
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 2 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
1. National
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & SCHEMES
01 Apr Validity of expired Driving Licences and Vehicle Registration extended till June 30 The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has extended the validity of documents like driving licenses, permits and registration that expired since February 1.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The decision was taken to facilitate people facing difficulties in renewing the validity of various motor vehicle documents due to nationwide lockdown in the country and closure of government transport offices. The documents include fitness, permits (all types), driving licence, registration or any other concerned document under the Motor Vehicle Rules. The ministry has requested all states to implement the advisory in "letter and spirit" so that the people and transporters and organisations rendering essential services do not get harassed and face difficulties.
01 Apr Govt hikes MG-NREGS wages in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic The average national increase is Rs 20. The focus of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS may be on individual beneficiary-oriented works that directly benefit SC, ST, and women-headed households as well as small & marginal farmers and other poor households.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The focus of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS may be on individual beneficiary-oriented works which directly benefit SC, ST and women-headed households as well as small & marginal farmers and other poor households. Ministry of Rural Development is according top priority to liquidate the wage and material arrears. An amount of Rs. 4,431 crore has been released in this week to various States/UTs to liquidate these liabilities of the current fiscal year.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 3 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
02 Apr Govt issues ordinance,, 100% tax rebate for PM-CARES Fund The Ordinance also amended the provisions of the Income Tax Act to provide the same tax treatment to PM-CARES Fund as available to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The donation made to the PM CARES Fund shall be eligible for 100 per cent deduction under section 80G of the IT Act. The date for making various investment/payment for claiming deduction under Chapter-VIA-B of IT Act which includes Section 80C (LIC, PPF, NSC etc.), 80D (Mediclaim),80G (Donations), etc. has been extended to June 30, 2020. The govt has brought in an Ordinance on March 31 which provides for extension of various time limits under the Taxation and Benami Acts.
03 Apr 960 Tablighi foreigners blacklisted,, visas cancelled by MHA The home ministry has blacklisted 960 foreigners and their Indian visas have also been canceled for their involvement in Tablighi Jamaat activities while coming on tourist visas.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government on Thursday blacklisted 960 foreigners and cancelled their visas after finding they were involved in Tablighi Jamaat activities violating their visa conditions. The Home Minister's Office asked Delhi Police and other police to take legal action under the Foreigners Act and the Disaster Management Act. Sources in the government also shared details of the 960 Tablighis, saying the group comprised people of 41 countries and maximum people came from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
04 Apr Coronavirus: SC rejects plea for using hotels as shelters for migrant workers SC on Friday dismissed a plea seeking direction for using resorts and hotels for migrant workers walking back to their native places after being rendered jobless following 21-day lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic as shelter homes where they are kept allegedly lack adequate sanitation facilities.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, raised objections on the application and said that state governments have already taken over buildings like schools and others to use them as a shelter for migrants. The apex court is already seized of petitions which have raised the issue related to the migration of daily wagers from cities to their native places amid the lockdown. It had also asked the Centre to set up within 24 hours a portal for dissemination of real-time information on COVID-19 pandemic to counter the panic and fear being spread through fake news.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 4 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
04 Apr Centre credits Rs 500 each to over 4.07 crore women Jan Dhan account holders Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said on March 26 that ex-gratia payment of Rs 500 would be credited to women Jan Dhan account holders for the next three months, starting from April.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The amount is being released by the ministry and will be credited to more than 20.39 crore Jan Dhan accounts of women by the end of April first week, Rural Development Ministry is releasing the lump sum amounts of Rs 500 per woman to Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account holders for April 2020 and the same have been credited to the designated accounts of individual banks on April 2, 2020 In order to maintain social distancing and orderly withdrawal of money by the beneficiaries, the ministry said the government has prepared a schedule of payment withdrawal from banks on the basis of the last digit of the accounts.
07 Apr 75 lakh people provided food at special camps set up across country by MHA Over 75 lakh needy people, including migrant labourers, have been provided with food at 19,460 special food camps set up across the country in the wake of the lockdown imposed to counter coronavirus pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The home secretary has asked the state governments to develop standard operating procedures for the interstate movement of workers in conformity with social distancing norms and health protocols. A total of 9,951 food camps have been set by the state/UT governments and 9,509 camps by NGOs also 13.5 lakh workers are being provided with shelter and food by their employers. MHA Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said 23,924 shelter camps have been set up by the state and Union Territory governments, while 3,737 shelters have been set by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
07 Apr 2500 coaches converted as Isolation Coaches by Railways Indian Railways has put all its might and resources behind national efforts. In a short span of time, it has achieved almost half the initial task of 5000 coaches by being able to convert 2500 coaches.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Once the prototype was approved and conversion action was started quickly by Zonal Railways. On average, 375 coaches are being converted by Indian Railways in a day. These coaches are equipped as per medical advisories issued and efforts are being done to ensure the best possible stay and medical supervision as per the needs and norms. These isolation coaches are being prepared only as a contingency and to supplement the efforts of the Ministry of Health in fighting the COVID 19.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 5 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
09 Apr Rs 7,,825 crore transferred to Jan Dhan accounts of 15.65 crore women The funds so transferred to the banks must be credited to the accounts of beneficiaries immediately on receipt of funds for the purpose, he said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The pro-poor plan would cost the exchequer around Rs 10,200 crore a month (Rs 30,600 crore for three months). The PMJDY accounts are with various public and private sector banks and regional rural banks. The ex-gratia amount would be provided for by the department of rural development, through a central national bank (SBI) which will further transmit funds to other participating banks. Money transfer in Jan Dhan accounts started from April 2.
10 Apr Indian Railways introduces 109 Timetabled parcel trains over 58 routes to connect
all the important centres. In a major boost to the supply chain across the country, Indian Railways has introduced unhindered services of Time tabled Parcel Trains for nationwide transportation of essential commodities and other goods.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The railways said that local industries, e-commerce companies, interested groups, individuals and any other prospective loaders can book parcels on these trains. The Indian Railways has also been running other parcel trains as per demand of customers during this period, which include ‘Milk Specials’ from Palanpur (Gujarat) to Palwal (near Delhi), and from Renigunta (AP) to Delhi, milk products from Kankariya (Gujarat) to Kanpur (UP) and Sankrail (near Kolkata) and food products from Moga (Punjab) to Changsari (Assam).
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 6 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
10 Apr Govt. launches a training module for management of COVID-19 named iGOT portal
on DIKSHA platform of MHRD India is fighting against covid-19 Pandemic and India's first line of workers is already engaged in COVID relief and doing commendable job. However, a larger force will be needed to replace the first line and to tackle the exponential or geometric increase in positive COVID cases in the subsequent stages of the pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
(DIKSHA) platform - an initiative for education & training has been leveraged by Government of India to launch iGOT portal to train all frontline healthcare and COVID Warriors of India to meet Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to care for those ‘who care for the nation’, DIKSHA platform is well equipped to cater to unlimited demands of learning, any time, anywhere. Multiple states in the country besides NCERT & CBSE will be using it for online teacher training, conducting quizzes, doing learning activities to promote creative & critical thinking, as well as for ensuring continuity in curriculum-linked education for students in these times. The portal will provide agencies like the Health Department and NCC with the ability to upload their content suited for its various users and users to take training using the mobile app and online.
10 Apr Government okays Rs. 15000 crores for India COVID-19 Emergency Response and
Health System Preparedness Package The funds sanctioned will be utilized for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response (amount of Rs.7774 crores) and rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The key objectives of the package include mounting emergency response to slow and limit COVID-19 in India through the development of diagnostics and COVID-19 dedicated treatment facilities, centralized procurement of essential medical equipment and drugs required for treatment of infected patients. It also aims to strengthen and build resilient National and State health systems to support prevention and preparedness for future disease outbreaks, setting up of laboratories and bolster surveillance activities, bio-security preparedness, conduct risk communication activities. These interventions and initiatives would be implemented under the overall umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 7 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
13 Apr Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” launches a web-portal YUKTI Union Minister for HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” has launched a web-portal YUKTI (Young India Combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) today in New Delhi. It’s a unique portal and dashboard to monitor and record the efforts and initiatives of MHRD.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Shri Pokhriyal informed that It will cover the various initiatives and efforts of the institutions in academics, research especially related to CoVID, social initiatives by institutions and the measures taken for the betterment of the total wellbeing of the students. The portal will cover both qualitative and quantitative parameters for effective delivery of services to the academic community at large. He said that portal will also allow various institutions to share their strategies for various challenges which are there because of the unprecedented situation of COVID-19 and other future initiatives. The HRD Minister hoped that this portal will give inputs for better planning and will enable MHRD to monitor effectively its activities for coming six months. The web platform Yukti will epitomize its name and prove to be a great enabler in taking the research to the ultimate stakeholders, the citizens of our country
14 Apr Coronavirus lockdown | Free extension of foreigners’’ visas till April 30 The visas of foreigners that expired during the lockdown period would be extended till April 30 on gratis (free) basis after they apply online, the Mi
P O INTS TO NO TE
The regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation of foreign nationals who had been stranded because of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent travel restrictions and whose visas had expired from February 1-March 30, “would be extended till April 30” on gratis basis after they apply online. India suspended operation of all flights on March 23 and it came under a 21-day lockdown on March 25 after a day- long Janata Curfew on March 22.
15 Apr Covid-19: PM Narendra Modi extends world''s biggest lockdown till May 3 The fight against coronavirus was still on, said PM Narendra Modi in his address to the nation and warned that the coming week would see more strict action to contain the damage
P O INTS TO NO TE
There will be a careful survey and evaluation to see how each region has fared in stopping the spread. These steps are being proposed in view of the economic needs of the poor, who rely on the wages they earn on a daily basis. These poor daily-wage workers indeed are my family. They and the mitigation of their problems are my priority. Their welfare has been kept in mind while drafting the new guidelines.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 8 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
15 Apr Ministry of Tourism launches its "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series COVID-19 has had a major impact on all human life and not just in India but globally. Tourism as a sector is naturally hugely impacted with no movement happening either domestically or from across the border.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Ministry of Tourism has launched its "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series from today to provide information on the many destinations and the sheer depth and expanse of the culture and heritage of our Incredible India. The webinar was titled " City of Cities- Delhi's Personal Diary'. The webinar shall be available in the public domain soon. It will be available on the Ministry’s social media handles- IncredibleIndia on Instagram and Facebook. The next webinar is on the 16th of April from 11 am to 12 noon and shall take visitors to the amazing City of Kolkata.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 9 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
20 Apr Govt reverses stance on e-commerce,, disallows sale of non-essential items The norms earlier allowed them to operate without any restriction on their working hours from April 20, provided they ensured strict social distancing.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The decision marked a big win for small trader bodies, most notably the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which wanted the government to reconsider its earlier decision to allow e-commerce firms to sell non-essential items. According to CAIT allowing e-commerce firms to sell non-essentials when brick-and-mortar small traders were allowed to sell just essential items would be “unfair” and “create a further imbalance in the level playing field The e-tailers were already facing an uphill task in making non-essential items available given absentee delivery staff and delays in getting permissions from local authorities.
20 Apr Simple health policy Arogya Sanjeevani for first-time buyers The introduction of Arogya Sanjeevani is a revolutionary move as it will give access to quality and world-class healthcare services to everyone at highly affordable prices
P O INTS TO NO TE
The current health insurance products available in the market are different and quite complex, and it is difficult for the common man to understand various inclusions and exclusions of the plans. This is a major reason why many people face numerous difficulties while filing a claim and often, their claims get rejected. The whole standardisation process helps in making the buying process much simpler. Arogya Sanjeevani is a standard health policy that comes with the same coverages and exclusions across all insurers. The plan is an indemnity-based health insurance policy that has to be renewed every year to ensure the benefit of the policy continues.
21 Apr Govt to distribute free pulses to 19.5 crore households under Food Security Act The government has started distribution of one kg of free pulses per month to every ration card holder covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The official said that states like Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Goa and Gujarat have commenced the distribution of pulses to the beneficiaries. The other states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have received the partial stock and will commence the distribution to the beneficiaries in a phased manner as per their plan. Under the scheme, 8.89 crore farmers have been benefitted and an amount of Rs 17,793 crore has been released so far since the lockdown period from March 24.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 10 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
29 Apr Panchayati Raj Minister issues guidelines regarding the SVAMITVA scheme SVAMITVA scheme is a new initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to provide rural people with the right to document their residential properties so that they can use their property for economic purposes.
P O INTS TO NO TE
This scheme will help in streamlining planning and revenue collection in rural areas and ensuring clarity on property rights. This will also help in resolving property related disputes. The scheme will enable the creation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plans PDPs), leveraging the maps created under this programme. SVAMITVA scheme, a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments and Survey of India, aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India, engaging the latest Drone Surveying technology, for demarcating the inhabitant (Aabadi) land in rural areas
COMMITTEES & MEETS
01 Apr NTA extends dates for submission of Online Application Forms for various
examinations Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the National Testing Agency has extended/ revised the dates of submission of Online Application Forms for various Examinations- (AIAPGET)-2020, (CSIR-NET)-June 2020, (UGC-NET)-June 2020 among others.
P O INTS TO NO TE
NTA asked students and parents to not worry about the Examination. Parents were requested to help young students utilize this time for preparing for the Examination and focus on critical concepts in order to close learning gaps if any. NTA would keep students updated about the latest developments and would inform about changes with ample time. The detailed schedule mentioning revised dates of downloading of Admit Cards and of Examination will be displayed separately on respective examination website(s) and after assessment of the situation after 15.04.2020 only.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 11 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
01 Apr FSSAI declares import clearance of food items,, testing at notified labs as essential
services All personnel who are assigned the charge of these essential services are required to be available in office on all working days from Monday to Friday between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM in order to facilitate the trade as well as ensure smoother operation of related services across the country.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The FSSAI has its Offices at six locations namely Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin and Tuticorin. These offices are fully operational for scrutiny of applications, visual inspection and sampling for import clearance to ensure expeditious processing of applications and timely issuance of NOC.
01 Apr National Testing Agency postpones JEE (Main) April 2020 NTA has notified that as of now the examination which was scheduled on the 5th, 7th to 9th and 11th April 2020, is proposed to be held in the last week of May 2020. The exact dates will be announced after assessing the situation in the coming weeks.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The National Testing Agency has expressed hope that normalcy will be restored relatively soon; but for now, NTA is closely monitoring the scenario to evaluate if the situation may necessitate any change in the schedule. NTA would keep students updated about the latest developments and would inform them about changes and exact dates of examination much in advance.
02 Apr POWERGRID commits Rs.200 Crore to PM CARES Fund While the whole nation is locked down, POWERGRID, the ‘Maharatna’ CPSE under Ministry of Power, GoI and Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of India, has been ensuring uninterrupted 24x7 power supply.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It has committed another contribution of Rs.70 Crore in next FY. This makes POWERGRID's total contribution commitment as Rs.200 Crore which would be part of Rs. 925 Cr. The total contribution committed by all CPSEs under Ministry of Power and Ministry of New &Renewable Energy.POWERGRID employees are also contributing a part of their salary towards the cause. The labourers and contractual workers at transmission/construction sites are also being provided with masks, soaps, sanitizers, packed food items, grocery items and medical support in all POWERGRID Sub-stations in the country.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 12 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
02 Apr 250 Rajya Sabha members to contribute from MPLADS fund Officials and staff of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat also announced on Tuesday that they would be contributing a minimum one day’s salary each to the PM-CARES.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu had asked the MPs to contribute at least ₹1 crore each from their MPLAD funds. Under the scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector works estimated at ₹5 crore a year to be taken up in their respective constituencies. A day’s salary of about 1300 employees of the secretariat would come up to ₹33 lakh.
05 Apr ICMR unveils rule book on ‘‘large outbreaks’’ The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) made public guidelines that detail how the country plans to manage a “large outbreak” as well as guidelines on how rapid antibody test kits ought to be deployed.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The plan for large outbreaks, released on Saturday, specifies: active surveillance for cases and contacts in the identified geographic zone, expanding laboratory capacity for testing all suspect cases, high-risk contacts and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness cases. It also detailed guidelines on the use of rapid antibody testing kits. Unlike the Real-Time RT-PCR kits that are used to detect an ongoing infection, these kits can say if a person has ever been infected by the virus and gives authorities an estimate of whether there are asymptomatic carriers of the infection in a community.
07 Apr UGC directs universities to set up mental health helplines for students "During the period of national lockdown, it is equally important to address any kind of mental health and psychosocial concerns of student community during and after COVID-19 situation issue," UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain said in a letter to vice chancellors.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The universities may form COVID-19 help groups of students, headed by hostel wardens and senior faculty, who can identify friends and classmates in need of help. The Union health ministry has launched a toll-free helpline for people who may face mental health issues due to the ongoing 21-day countrywide lockdown. The commission has suggested that there should be regular mentoring of students through interactions and appeals to remain calm and stress-free.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 13 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
07 Apr ICAI postpones practical training for appearing in final examination This decision has been taken on account of the COVID-19 situation by the competent authority as a requisite measure. A notice regarding this decision has been uploaded on the institute’s official website.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has extended the time period for the commencement of Practical Training on or before April 30 2020 for appearing in Final examinations to be held November 2022. The notice released by the institute at the time of postponement said that the chartered accountant exam will now be conducted from June 19 to July 4, 2020.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 14 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
08 Apr ICMR study suggests 1 covid patient can infect 406 people in 30 days in absence of
self-isolation Adding further he said that the government has managed to build three kinds of centres exclusively for COVID management and treatment of Corona patients.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Citing the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study, the current 'R0' or R nought for the coronavirus infection is somewhere between 1.5 and 4. Reviewing the strategy of cluster containment, the official added that the strategy is producing positive results, especially in Agra, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Pathanamthitta, Bhilwara & East Delhi. Ministry of External Affairs said that it will lift the export ban for India's neighbouring countries and those who are largely impacted by COVID-19.
08 Apr MHRD launches "Samadhan" a challenge to fight against covid19 and future
challenges The Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Human Resources Development and All India Council for Technical Education in collaboration with Forge and InnovatioCuris launched a mega online challenge - SAMADHAN - to test the ability of students to innovate.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Under the "Samadhan" challenge, the students and faculty will be motivated for doing new experiments and new discoveries and provide them with a strong base leading to spirit of experimentation and discovery. The success of this program depends on how effective are the ideas of participating contestants with ability to find solutions, technically and commercially, which in turn will help fight the epidemic like coronavirus. The students participating in this challenge will search and develop such measures that can be made available to the government agencies, health services, hospitals and other services for quick solutions to the Coronavirus epidemic and other such calamities.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 15 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
10 Apr DST funded company to scale up device to enrich oxygen supply in air for treatment
of COVID-19 patients Genrich Membranes, a spin-off company, based on proprietary technology licensed from CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory, Pune is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to scale up membrane oxygenator equipment (MOE) that it has developed to treat COVID-19 patients.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The equipment consists of membrane cartridge, oil-free compressor, output flowmeter, humidifier bottle, nasal- cannula, and tubing & fittings. The compressed, filtered air from the compressor is fed to the membrane cartridge, which selectively permeates oxygen over nitrogen offering oxygen-enriched air as the product at the ambient pressure. The membrane cartridge capable of distinguishing oxygen and nitrogen restricts the passage of viruses, bacteria, and particulate matter. The device is safe, does not require trained manpower for its operation, needs minimum maintenance, is portable, compact, and with plug-and-play facility provides on-site, quick-start oxygen-enriched air.
30 Apr USCIRF names India among ''countries of particular concern'' USCIRF alleges that in 2019, religious freedom conditions in India experienced a drastic turn downward, with religious minorities under increasing assault.
P O INTS TO NO TE
However, two of the nine members have expressed their dissent over the USCIRF recommendation to place India in the CPC. And a third member also expressed his personal view on India. In its report, the watchdog alleged that in 2019, the national government in India used its strengthened parliamentary majority to institute national-level policies violating religious freedom across the country, especially for Muslims.
OTHERS
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 16 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
03 Apr Aarogya Setu,, Govt''s Covid-19 tracker app The app tracks with the help of a Bluetooth and location-generated social graph. The app has already been downloaded over 5,000 times by the users.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It calculates the user's risk of infection based on recency and proximity of COVID-19 patient."We understand the nature and sensitivity of the topic and have taken strong measures to ensure that your data is not compromised. The app is currently available on Google Play Store for download. With Aarogya Setu, you can protect yourself, your family and friends, and help our country in the effort to fight COVID-19.
03 Apr TV viewership up 37% in first week of lockdown News consumption sees a 298% growth. It has seen a sharp growth of 37% from 21-27 March as compared to the pre lockdown from 11- 31 January.
P O INTS TO NO TE
This period witnessed the highest-ever TV viewing at 1.20 trillion minutes. And 622 million new viewers were found watching TV for 4 hours 40 minutes daily. While news saw a growth of 298%, business news grew 180% in viewership. Infotainment clocked a growth of 63%, while movies saw a 56% growth in viewership. This is against the 3% growth in general entertainment content (GEC) viewing. These were also a significant rise in smartphone content consumption across geographies, socio-economic classes and age groups.
04 Apr Aditya Birla group contributes Rs 500 crore to fight Covid-19 pandemic To supply one million N95 masks and 280,000 personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as ventilators, Rs 50 crore were allocated. The group had already commenced the production of one million triple layer surgical masks and 100,000 coverall garments with the support of the Textiles Ministry.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Rs 400 crore were earmarked for donation to the PM-Cares fund while Rs 50 crore will be granted to FICCI-Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence The plan also included setting up a 100-bed Covid-19 facility at the Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai in partnership with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This initiative was being overseen by Neerja Birla. Moreover, a cumulative capacity of about 200 beds was being set up Covid-19 patients across locations including Ujjain, Pune, Hazaribagh, Rayagada, Solapur, and Kharach, as per the statement.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 17 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr Since March,, 75,,000 masks stitched by Tihar,, Mandoli jail inmates These masks are also being supplied to the Rohini jail. We are preparing masks majorly for our own use and are also supplying them to different organizations as per their requirement,” Director General for Prisons Sandeep Goel said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The process of making masks was started in March and 75,000 masks have been made so far, the officials said, adding that 1,500 to 2,000 masks are being made every day. According to a senior jail official, 356 inmates were released on bail, while 63 inmates were released on emergency parole. The interim bail is for 45 days and emergency parole is for eight weeks.
06 Apr Kendriya Vidyalayas to start online classes for students All Kendriya Vidyalayas have been asked to get in touch with teachers, students and their parents about it through e-mail, WhatsApp and SMS to ensure maximum benefit to students, the official said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
They have also shared the schedule of lessons of the recorded and live programmes of National Institute of Open Learning for secondary and senior secondary classes from their Swayam Prabha portal commencing from April 7. The KVS, an autonomous body under the HRD Ministry, has nominated teachers for a live session conducted by NIOS to address queries of the learners through Skype and Live Web Chat. These nominated teachers will prepare additional material and notes on the content broadcast in the morning session of the same day so that the doubts of the learner could be clarified during the live session
06 Apr Millions of Indians come together to light candles,, diyas on Modi''s appeal This is the second time Modi has sought to rally people amid the ongoing lockdown to combat the pandemic, which has claimed more than 65,600 lives globally and inflicted over 12 lakh people.
P O INTS TO NO TE
PM had urged people to turn off lights at their homes for nine minutes at 9pm to display the country's collective resolve and solidarity to defeat the virus The Prime Minister had earlier asked them to clap or beat utensils on March 22 for five minutes at 5pm while observing 'janta curfew' from 7am to 9pm to thank those working in essentials services.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 18 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
06 Apr Haptik-powered Coronavirus chatbot sees 2 crore users The government’s dedicated WhatsApp chatbot MyGov Corona Helpdesk, which aims to provide timely updates and help citizens clear their queries on Covid-19.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot company Haptik Infotech Pvt Ltd, which is 87 per cent owned by Reliance Jio, developed the MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot. According to Haptik, more than 55 million messages have been sent by over 20 million users since the chatbot was launched by the government on March 20. The service was initially launched in English, and Hindi language was added later to assist the millions of Hindi- speaking users in the country
07 Apr GSTN provides work from home access to more than 1,,700 tax officers This has provided officers a secured access to work on various GST applications such as processing of registration application, refund application, audit, assessment, appeal etc
P O INTS TO NO TE
The GSTN has enabled tax officers of different states and Union Territories (UTs) to access their offices during the lockdown. It has facilitated tax officers to process 20,273 registration-related cases in the first 10 days of lockdown. The officers who will work from their homes using a secure virtual private network (VPN) facility amid the lockdown.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 19 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
08 Apr Commerce ministry creates online platform for issuance of ‘‘certificate of origin’’
for exporters An exporter has to submit a 'certificate of origin' at the landing port of the importing country. The Directorate has asked all concerned agencies to issue the certificate under the trade agreements through this platform.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The platform has been designed as single-point access for all FTAs/PTAs, for all designated Certificate of Origin (CoO) issuing agencies and for all export products, and is accessible at – https://coo.dgft.gov.in. To further this initiative and facilitation, and in the light of the current crisis, the preferential certificate of origin for exports to various other countries under following FTAs/PTAs shall also be applied and issued only from this online platform with effect from April 7, 2020. The Directorate has asked all concerned agencies to issue the certificate under the trade agreements through this platform. Under this trade agreement, two or more trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them.
09 Apr COVID-19 tests must be free in government,, private labs: Supreme Court The court raised questions on the feasibility of coronavirus tests that were being charged Rs 4,500 by private labs. The court raised questions on the number of testing kits available in the country.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The apex court also ordered that such tests be conducted only in NABL accredited labs or agencies approved by the World Health Organization or the ICMR. It also sought a direction for ensuring that all tests relating to COVID-19 are conducted under the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) or ICMR accredited pathological labs. CMR should be directed to hold regular news briefings through national TV channels about the current situation on coronavirus and precautions to be taken by the citizens.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 20 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
11 Apr COVID-19 treatment: Govt allows partial withdrawal for NPS subscribers The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA) on Friday said NPS subscribers will now be allowed partial withdrawal for covering expenses related to treatment of COVID-19.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The partial withdrawals shall be permitted to fulfil financial needs of the subscribers, if required to him/her against the request placed for partial withdrawals towards treatment of the illness of subscriber, his legally wedded spouse, children, including a legally adopted child or dependent parents, as per the regulations, PFRDA said in the circular. NPS and APY are the two flagship pension scheme run by PFRDA. Whereas the NPS is for the central, state governments, autonomous bodies and corporates, APY is mainly meant to cater to the pension needs of those employed in the unorganised sector.
11 Apr COVID-19 Lockdown: Over 4.8 lakh daily wagers get Rs 1,,000 Financial Assistance
from UP govt The beneficiaries of this relief measure have been identified by the state urban development department. Street vendors, auto drivers, rickshaw pullers, e-rickshaw drivers and porters working at agricultural wholesale markets 'mandis' are among the beneficiaries
P O INTS TO NO TE
The 21-day nationwide lockdown was imposed from March 25 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. In this procedure, the government is sending a "maintenance allowance" of Rs 1,000 in the bank accounts of small vendors, rickshaw pullers, e-rickshaw drivers and porters. The chief minister also interacted with beneficiaries from different districts through video conferencing.
11 Apr Punjab extends lockdown till May 1 The state is also setting up a multi-disciplinary task force to formulate a strategy out of the lockdown. The Punjab Government on Friday decided to extend the curfew in the state till May 1, 2020.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, to check community spread of the pandemic and to prevent overcrowding at the Mandis. There was general consensus in the medical community that the lockdown curbs would only delay the spread of the disease, he said, hoping that some medication/cure would be found soon. The Council of Ministers also decided to set up a multi-disciplinary task force to formulate an exit strategy for gradual relaxation of the lockdown.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 21 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
13 Apr PM-CARES to be audited by independent auditors The new fund has been opened up for donations from abroad after it was exempted from the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. Donors will be able to download donation receipts directly from the PM- CARES portal itself, ET has learned.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Left parties have lamented that receipts for donations to the PM-CARES fund are not available. Congress chief ministers have also asked why the CM Relief Funds are not eligible for funds from companies under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), like the PM-CARES. The officials said the contribution of funds to the state disaster management authority for combating COVID-19 shall be counted as CSR expenditure and hence companies can make CSR contributions to any state government for fighting COVID-19 through the ‘disaster management authority route.
13 Apr Centre begins district-wise mapping of Covid-19 curve A district-wise demarcation — colour-coded red, yellow/orange or green —on the basis of the number of cases and week-by-week virus trajectory is being done through a fresh survey with the help of district collectors and IAS officers on the ground.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The collectors have been asked to indicate the colour code — green, yellow or red — for their respective districts. Red zone indicates high number of cases. They are also expected to convey whether there is a shift in the colour code. Assessments so far indicate that most districts are moving from green to red. The survey aims to assess whether the steps taken by the government, especially for the migrant labourers and underprivileged, are being implemented fully or not.
17 Apr India to send hydroxychloroquine to 55 coronavirus-hit countries Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for the COVID-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for the COVID-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York. The demand for the drug has swelled rapidly in the last few days after India decided to lift a ban on its export. India is also supplying hydroxychloroquine to Zambia, Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Congo, Egypt, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Ecuador, Jamaica, Syria, Ukraine, Chad, Zimbabwe, France, Jordan, Kenya, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman and Peru
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 22 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
17 Apr Anand named ambassador for WWF India Five-time World chess champion Viswanathan Anand is the new Ambassador for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India’s Environment Education programme.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Vishwanathan Anand is a five-time World Chess Champion. Environment Education reaches out to school children, youth and citizens across the country. It aims to create a generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers and environmentally-conscious individuals. Currently, the Environment Education programme impacts over five million children across 2000 schools.
19 Apr UNESCO World Heritage Day 2020 The idea behind the 2020 theme - Shared Culture, Shared Heritage and Shared Responsibility - is the recognition and value of all types of heritage sites across varied diverse groups and communities.
P O INTS TO NO TE
India, which is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from natural wonders to architectural marvels, boasts of a total number of 37 such sites which are further categorised as 29 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed site. This theme will continue to be the highlight of the ICOMOS 20th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium which is set to take place in Australia this year.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 23 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
19 Apr Postal employees to get Rs 10 lakh compensation in case they succumb to COVID-
19 It has been decided to extend payment of compensation of Rs 10 lakh to all postal employees, including Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), if they succumb to COVID 19 on duty.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The postal services come under essential services and apart from regular services, the post offices are also delivering food packets, rations and essential medicines, among others, across the country by liaising with local administration and police. Communications and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad held a video conference with each state whereby chief postmaster generals and chief general managers were instructed to keep their postal network geared and active to help the needy throughout the country.
22 Apr India ranks 142nd on global press freedom index 'The World Press Freedom Index 2020' said that the security situation has improved slightly as there were no murders of journalists in India in 2019, as against six in 2018.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), or Reporters Without Borders, is a non-profit organisation that works to document and combat attacks on journalists around the world. South Asia in general features poorly on the index, with Pakistan dropping three places to 145, and Bangladesh dropping one place to 151. Norway is ranked first in the Index for the fourth year running. China at 177th position is just three places above North Korea, which is at 180th.
22 Apr Doubling rate of Covid-19 cases improves to 7.5 days Seven states had doubling rates of between 20 and 30 days — Andaman & Nicobar Islands (20.1 days), Haryana (21 days), Himachal Pradesh (24.5 days), Chandigarh (25.4 days), Assam (25.8 days), Uttarakhand (26.6 days) and Ladakh (26.6 days).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government maintained that it does not plan to change testing norms for the time being. Eighteen states had better doubling rates than the national average. Nine states had doubling rates of less than 20 days — Delhi (8.5 days), Karnataka (9.2 days), Telangana (9.4 days), Andhra Pradesh (10.6 days), Jammu & Kashmir (11.5 days), Punjab (13.1 days), Chhattisgarh (13.3 days), Tamil Nadu (14 days) and Bihar (16.4 days).
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 24 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
23 Apr Union HRD Minister launches national program VidyaDaan 2.0 VidyaDaan is a common national programme to develop and contribute e-learning content and a chance to be recognized nationally for e-learning content contributions.
P O INTS TO NO TE
VidyaDaan is conceptualised as a common national program for individuals & organizations across the country to donate/contribute e-learning resources for both school and higher education to ensure continuity of quality learning. VidyaDaan has a content contribution tool that provides a structured interface for the contributors to register and contribute different types of content (such as, explanation videos, presentations, competency-based items, quizzes etc.), for any grade (from grade 1 to 12), for any subject as specified by the states/UTs. Shri Pokhriyal explained that it will be a matter of pride and national recognition for all those whose contributions will be approved and accepted to be included in the Diksha e-learning content.
24 Apr COVID-19 detection test method developed by IIT-Delhi gets ICMR nod A method to detect COVID-19 which will significantly reduce the cost of testing, making it affordable for a large population in the country, developed by IIT Delhi has got approval from ICMR.
P O INTS TO NO TE
IIT Delhi is the first academic institute to have obtained ICMR approval for a real-time PCR-based diagnostic assay. The test method has been approved by ICMR. The assay has been validated at ICMR with a sensitivity and specificity of 100 per cent. This makes IITD the first academic institute to have obtained ICMR approval for a real-time PCR-based diagnostic assay. IITD team identified unique regions (short stretches of RNA sequences) in the COVID-19 and SARS COV-2 genome.
26 Apr President''s secretary Sanjay Kothari appointed Central Vigilance Commissioner The post of the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had been lying vacant since June last year after completion of K V Chowdary's tenure.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Kothari's appointment to the top post of the probity watchdog now may further escalate the war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. Sanjay Kothari, a 1978-batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, retired in June 2016 as secretary, department of personnel and training. He was in November 2016 appointed as the chief of the government's head-hunter -- the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). Sanjay Kothari was in July 2017 named as the secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 25 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 26 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
2. International
MOU'S / AGREEMENTS
15 Apr GlaxoSmithKline,, Sanofi strike deal to develop coronavirus vaccine The drugmakers said they expect to start clinical trials for the vaccine in the second half of this year. it is done o combat Coronavirus (COVID-19) by developing COVID Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The unit has been developed by DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad. The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. Patient under test walks into the Kiosk and a nasal or oral swab is taken by health care professional from outside through the built-in gloves. The Kiosk is automatically disinfected without the need for human involvement, making the process free of infection spread. The shielding screen of the kiosk cabin protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking the sample. This reduces the requirements of PPE change by health care workers.
COMMITTEES & MEETS
01 Apr UN Security Council adopts 4 resolutions remotely The 15-nation powerful organ of the UN, chaired by Council President, China's Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun, met via video-conferencing on March 30.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Council adopted unanimously a resolution on renewing the mandate for the Panel of Experts working with the 1718 Sanctions Committee for North Korea, a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, a resolution on maintaining the African Union-United Nations Mission Hybrid Operation in Darfur of its current troop and police ceilings, and a resolution on improving safety and security of peacekeepers. The Security Council last met at the UN headquarters on March 12 when it had adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
OTHERS
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 27 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
01 Apr Great Pyramid of Giza lights up in solidarity against pandemic Egypt has so far registered 656 COVID-19 cases, including 41 deaths and 150 reported recoveries. The Great Pyramid on March 30, 2020, displayed a laser projected message about self-isolation.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Egypt has carried out sweeping disinfection operations at archaeological sites, museums and other sites across the country. In tandem, strict social distancing measures were imposed to reduce the risk of contagion among the country’s 100 million inhabitants. Tourist and religious sites are shuttered, schools are closed and air traffic halted. The World Health Organization has commended Egypt’s response to the pandemic as “strong and adapted to the situation”.
03 Apr Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte orders police to shoot coronavirus quarantine
violators The law includes a provision of 200 billion pesos to distribute among 18 million disadvantaged households in the country, where 16 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The closure of much of the country, including Manila, and strict quarantine and confinement regulations have prevented millions who subsist day by day in the capital's poorest neighbourhoods from finding a way to earn a living. The Philippines has so far reported 2,311 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 96 deaths. Duterte was granted special executive powers from Congress last week to deal with the disease.
03 Apr Over 95% who died in Europe were over 60,, WHO The UN health agency says 10% to 15% of people under 50 with the disease have a moderate or severe infection. The very notion that COVID-19 only affects older people is factually wrong.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Severe cases of the disease have been seen in people in their teens or 20s with many requiring intensive care and some, unfortunately, passing away, On a positive note, there are reports of people over the age of 100 who were admitted to hospital for COVID-19 and have now since made a complete recovery In more than four in five of those people had at least one other chronic underlying conditions, like cardiovascular disease, hypertension or diabetes.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 28 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
04 Apr World Bank approves $1 billion aid to India to fight Covid-19 This new support will cover all states and Union Territories across India and address the needs ofinfected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service providers, medical and testing facilities, and national and animal health agencies.
P O INTS TO NO TE
This is the largest ever health sector support from the Bank to India. The project will immediately enable the Government of India (GOI) to scale-up efforts to limit human-to-human transmission, including reducing local transmission of cases and containing the epidemic from progressing further. Procurement of testing kits setting up of new isolation wards including turning hospital beds into intensive care unit beds; infection prevention and control; and purchase of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and medicines, particularly in district hospitals and designated infectious disease hospitals will be scaled up under the project.
04 Apr Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong announces one-month shutdown,, says prepared to
deal with COVID-19 Essential services and key economic sectors will function during the coronavirus pandemic-triggered lockdown.He also said that the country is in control and prepared to deal with any future COVID-19 outbreak situation.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The PM asked to close most workplace except for all essential services and key economic sectors. Food establishments, supermarkets, hospital, transport and key banking services will remain open,.He He reassured that Singaporeans that our food supply is secure and adequate. The number of coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000 this week with 5 deaths. The global tally of the total number of people infected by coronavirus as of Friday crossed 1,000,000 and the death toll from the disease exceeded 50,000, as per the data provided by Johns Hopkins University.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 29 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr Coronavirus survivor donates blood to find treatment The Food and Drug Administration announced a national study, led by the Mayo Clinic, that will help hospitals offer experimental plasma therapy and track how they fare.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Chinese doctors last week reported that five patients given convalescent plasma all showed some improvement about a week later. But they also received other therapies, and without a rigorous study, there’s no way to know if the plasma made the difference. NIH researchers are measuring survivors’ antibody levels to learn how strong the vaccines under development must be to protect. Other teams, including at Beijing's Tsinghua University, are hunting which antibodies are most potent, to copy in a lab and turn into drugs. Spain-based plasma manufacturer Grifols aims to concentrate donor plasma in a North Carolina factory, creating a high-dose version that also would need testing.
05 Apr US sets new global record with 1,,480 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours,, toll crosses
7,,000 There has been a huge surge in the number of deaths being reported from the US, jumping from more than 6000 cases and crossing over to the 7000-mark in just a single day.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The country had recorded 1,169 COVID-19 fatalities in the past 24 hours, the Johns Hopkins University tracker showed, the highest one-day death toll recorded in any country since the global pandemic began. The grim record was previously held by Italy, where 969 people died on March 27. Globally, Italy continues to report the most number of deaths with 14,681 fatalities, and 119,827 cases followed by Spain, which has recorded 11,198 deaths and 119,199 active cases, according to Johns Hopkins University tracker.
06 Apr Bill Gates announces funding to develop 7 COVID-19 vaccines His foundation is paying for the construction of facilities that will manufacture seven promising coronavirus vaccines and the best two vaccines would be picked up for final trials.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the scientists, a vaccine may take up to 12-18 months after successful human clinical trials. Gates has called for a nationwide shutdown in the US, saying the country needs to enforce stricter lockdown measures in every state. Gates has also called upon donor governments to help low- and middle-income countries prepare for this "pandemic", in addition to helping their own citizens respond. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in February announced that it would immediately commit up to $100 million for the global response to the novel coronavirus.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 30 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
06 Apr Ukraine battles forest fire in Chernobyl nuclear zone Chernobyl polluted a big part of Europe when its fourth reactor exploded in April 1986, with the area immediately around the power plant the worst affected.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Two planes, a helicopter and around 100 firefighters have been deployed to fight a fire that broke out Saturday and spread over 20 hectares in a forested area near the Chernobyl power plant. A 30-kilometre radius around the power station is still an exclusion zone where people are not allowed to live. The three other reactors at Chernobyl continued to generate electricity until the power station finally closed in 2000. A giant protective dome was put in place over the fourth reactor in 2016.
07 Apr Tiger at New York''s Bronx Zoo tests positive for coronavirus The virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to have spread from animals to humans, and a handful of animals have tested positive in Hong Kong.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Nadia, the 4-year-old Malayan tiger that tested positive, was screened for the COVID-19 disease after developing a dry cough along with three other tigers and three lions. Nadia underwent X-rays, an ultrasound and blood tests to try to figure out what was ailing her. They decided to test for COVID-19 given the surge in cases in New York City, the epicentre of the outbreak in the United States.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 31 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
08 Apr China reports no new coronavirus deaths for first time Cases in mainland China have been dwindling since March, but the country faces a second wave of infections brought in from overseas, with health officials reporting nearly 1,000 imported cases in total.
P O INTS TO NO TE
There were also 30 new asymptomatic infections, health officials said, bringing the national total to 1,033. Around a quarter of the current total of asymptomatic cases were also imported from overseas. 81,740 people have been infected and 3,331 have been killed by the deadly virus in China, with the vast majority in Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province. The global death toll from the pandemic has surpassed 70,000 as the virus ravages numerous countries in Europe and the US.
08 Apr Coronavirus severs Brazil''s Amazon forest from world Due to the pandemic, authorities in Amazonas state have restricted river traffic to essential travel, seeking to stop the spread of the virus in a region that could be particularly vulnerable to it.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The restrictions amount to the jungle equivalent of the isolation measures now in place for around half the world's population. The authorities have ordered all hammocks be placed a minimum of two meters (yards) apart. Passengers usually make the trip on "regionals," big diesel-engine ferries that replaced the steam-powered paddle boats of the 19th century. The transport restrictions affect hundreds of families, indigenous or not, that live from fishing and gathering in stilt- house villages along the Amazon and its tributaries.
09 Apr Twitter''s Jack Dorsey pledges $1 bn for COVID-19 relief effort Twitter co-founder and chief executive Jack Dorsey said Tuesday he was committing $1 billion of his personal fortune to coronavirus relief through his philanthropic fund. Dorsey said in a series of tweets that he would transfer his equity in his digital payments group Square to his limited liability corporation Start Small, contributing around 28 percent of his overall wealth.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The move could be the largest from a single individual for coronavirus relief and comes with the pandemic spanning the globe and inflicting a heavy toll in lives and economic devastation on the United States. Dorsey's net worth is estimated at about $3 billion including his stake in Twitter and Square. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has pledged $100 million to help food relief efforts during the pandemic, and Zuckerberg has offered more than $25 million to help research through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 32 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
09 Apr Donald Trump announces to put a hold on WHO funding US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would put a hold on America's funding to the World Health Organization, accusing it of becoming China-centric during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Geneva-headquartered World Health Organization, receives vast amounts of money from the United States. The United States' intelligence community has reported that the Chinese government hid the threat of COVID-19 and, as a result, made it difficult for the rest of the world to respond early, appropriately and aggressively, Senator Marco Rubio ACCUSED The Chinese Communist Party of using WHO "to mislead the world.
09 Apr China lifts 73-day lockdown of Wuhan amid sharp increase in COVID-19 cases The Chinese health authority said on Wednesday that 62 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported on the Chinese mainland on Tuesday, including 59 cases of people returning from abroad, taking the total tally to 1,042.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Three new domestic cases were reported, including two in Shandong Province and one in Guangdong Province, 137 new asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported and 1,095 asymptomatic cases were still under medical observation Asymptomatic coronavirus cases are those who test positive for the virus but do not show any symptoms and have the potential to cause sporadic clusters of infections. Hubei has so far reported 67,803 confirmed COVID-19 cases in total, including 50,008 in Wuhan.
09 Apr Ethiopia declares state of emergency to fight coronavirus It is the first state of emergency announced under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to power in 2018. it has has so far infected 52 people and resulted in two deaths there.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the country's constitution, under a state of emergency, the Council of Ministers has "all necessary power to protect the country's peace and sovereignty" and can suspend some "political and democratic rights". The constitution also says lawmakers need to approve a state of emergency, which can last for six months and be extended every four months after that. Since reporting its first COVID-19 case on March 13, Ethiopia has closed land borders and schools, freed thousands of prisoners to ease overcrowding, sprayed main streets in the capital with disinfectant, and discouraged large gatherings.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 33 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
10 Apr Coronavirus hits Saudi royals,, King and Crown Prince in isolation The senior Saudi prince who is the governor of Riyadh is in intensive care with coronavirus. More than six weeks after Saudi Arabia reported its first case, the coronavirus is striking terror into the heart of the kingdom's royal family.
P O INTS TO NO TE
More than six weeks after Saudi Arabia reported its first case, the coronavirus is striking terror into the heart of the kingdom’s royal family. The sickness in the royal family, though, may also shed new light on the motivation behind the speed and scale of the kingdom’s response to the pandemic. The authorities have now cut off all air and land travel into or out of its borders and between internal provinces. They have placed all of its biggest cities under a strict 24-hour lockdown, allowing only short trips to the closest grocery or drugstores, and they have indicated that they are likely to cancel the annual hajj pilgrimage scheduled for this summer.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 34 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
11 Apr COVID-19 death rate to be 10 times higher than influenza: WHO chief Without help and action now, poor countries and vulnerable communities could suffer massive devastation, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He added that the world is yet to see the devastation it could wreak in poorer and more vulnerable countries. Without help and action now, poor countries and vulnerable communities could suffer massive devastation. The window for containing the virus at the sub-national and national level is closing in many countries. The infection numbers in Africa are relatively small now, but they are growing fast. As per Johns Hopkins University tracker, more than 1.5 million people have been infected, and over 96,000 people have lost their lives.
11 Apr Covid-19: EU ministers agree on half a trillion euro economic rescue plan Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned that the EU's very existence would be under threat if it could not come together to combat the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus
P O INTS TO NO TE
The agreement was reached after EU powerhouse Germany, as well as France, put their feet down to end opposition from the Netherlands over attaching economic conditions to emergency credit for governments weathering the impacts of the pandemic, and offered Italy assurances that the bloc would show solidarity. EU member states have struggled to present a united front in the face of the pandemic, squabbling over money, medical equipment and drugs, border restrictions and trade curbs, amid fraught talks laying bare their bitter divisions.
11 Apr Global deal to cut oil production in sight after Mexico signs up Even more countries, including the US, were discussing Friday their own cuts in what would be an unprecedented global pact to stabilise the market.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The agreement between OPEC and partner countries aims to cut 10 million barrels per day until July, then an 8 million barrels per day cut through the end of the year, and 6 million a day for 16 months beginning in 2021 The price of crude is down by over 50% since the start of the year and while that helps consumers and energy-hungry businesses, it is below the cost of production for many countries and companies. Analysts warn even these proposed cuts may not be enough to offset the loss in demand over the longer term, as the coronavirus pandemic has decimated demand for energy around the world.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 35 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
11 Apr EU Finance Ministers agree on $ 590-billion Coronavirus Package “Today [Thursday] we agreed on three safety nets and a plan for the recovery to ensure we grow together and not apart once the crisis is behind us,” Mario Centeno, the Portuguese finance minister who runs the so-called Eurogroup meetings, told reporters.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The common response includes a joint employment insurance fund worth 100 billion, a European Investment Bank instrument intended to supply Euro 200 billion of liquidity to companies, as well as credit lines of as much as 240 billion from the European Stability Mechanism, the euro area’s bailout fund, to backstop states as they go on a spending spree to help economies back on their feet. The ministers also agreed to work on a temporary fund that would help kickstart the recovery and support the hardest-hit countries while leaving how it would be financed. French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said the fund could be decided on in the next six months and may total Euro 500 billion.
13 Apr Coronavirus | British PM Boris Johnson discharged from hospital Mr Johnson, 55, was taken to St Thomas's Hospital in central London on April 5. The PM has been discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery, at Chequers
P O INTS TO NO TE
On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas for the brilliant care he has received. Mr Johnson, 55, was taken to St Thomas's Hospital in central London on April 5, suffering from persistent symptoms of the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
13 Apr Coronavirus | Sri Lanka makes cremations compulsory for virus deaths,, angering
Muslims The country’s main political party that represents Muslims, which make up 10% of the 21 million- strong national population, has accused the government of “callous disregard” for religious rituals and the families’ wishes.
P O INTS TO NO TE
More than 200 people have tested positive for coronavirus so far in Sri Lanka, where an indefinite, nationwide curfew has been imposed. The cremations have been criticised by rights groups. Of the seven deaths from the infectious disease so far in the island nation, three were Muslims. The bodies were cremated by authorities despite protests from relatives.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 36 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
14 Apr Oil price war ends with historic OPEC+ deal to cut global crude output The slash is about 10% of global supply. The talks almost fell apart because of resistance from Mexico, but came back from the brink after a weekend of urgent diplomacy with the clock ticking down to the market open.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Opec+ will cut 9.7 million barrels a day just below the initial plan of 10 million. This comprises around 10 per cent of the global supply. Mexico appeared to have won a diplomatic victory as it will only be required to cut 100,000 barrels less than its prorated share. With countries around the world extending their lockdowns, the death toll mounting in New York, and unemployment exploding in the US, the oil market is far more worried about consumption than supply.
14 Apr COVID-19: With plasma treatment,, three Indian-Americans show recovery In the absence of a vaccine, doctors and scientists are looking to convalescent plasma because they consider it low risk and effective treatment against coronavirus.
P O INTS TO NO TE
As the vaccine for COVID-19 is not expected for months and new cases are increasing daily, doctors in Texas and around the country are experimenting with a new treatment based on an old technique, but aren’t sure if it to be fully effective The Convalescent Plasma therapy is a process in which blood plasma from a patient who has recovered from COVID- 19 is infused into a critically ill patient so that the specific antibodies present in the blood of the recovered person can help fight the infection. Antibodies are proteins in the blood that fight specific bacteria and viruses.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 37 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
14 Apr Coronavirus | COVID-19 is 10 times more deadly than swine flu,, says WHO It said that a safe and effective vaccine would be needed to fully halt the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 114,000 people worldwide.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The novel coronavirus is 10 times more deadly than swine flu, also called H1N1, which caused a global pandemic in 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO), calling for control measures to be lifted “slowly”. WHO stressed that ultimately, the development and delivery of a safe and effective vaccine will be needed to fully interrupt transmission.
15 Apr IMF grants immediate debt relief to 25 poor nations to help fight Covid-19 The countries benefitting are nearly all in Africa, but also include Afghanistan, Yemen and Haiti with immediate debt relief. The world will brace for "the worst economic fallout since the Great Depression."
P O INTS TO NO TE
This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts It enables the IMF to deliver grants for debt relief benefitting eligible low-income countries in the wake of catastrophic natural disasters and major, fast-spreading public health emergencies
16 Apr Trump blames WHO for ''covering up'' Covid-19 spread; stops US funding US President Trump on halted America's funding of the World Health Organisation, while ordering a review to assess the institution's role in "severely mismanaging and covering up" the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Trump administration has accused WHO of taking side with China in the coronavirus outbreak that has brought America's economy to a standstill. The president alleged that WHO failed to investigate credible reports from sources in Wuhan that conflicted directly with the Chinese government's official accounts. American taxpayers provide between $400 million and $500 million per year to the WHO, in contrast, China contributes roughly $40 million a year and even less.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 38 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
16 Apr France becomes fourth country to register over 15,,000 deaths from COVID-19
infections But the number of people in intensive care units fell to 6,730 from 6,821 over 24 hours - declining for a sixth consecutive day, suggesting the national lockdown put in place on March 17 is having some success in containing the disease.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Jerome Salomon, head of the public health authority, told a news conference that the number of COVID-19 deaths in French hospitals and nursing homes had risen by 5% in a day to a cumulative total of 15,729, versus 4%. According to various running simulations, Mr Salomon said that depending on calculations for different regions, 5%-10% of the French population had probably contracted the disease. He added that the total number of confirmed infections had climbed by 5.3% to 103,573, compared to a rate of increase of 2.8%.
16 Apr COVID-19: China shuts down largest makeshift hospital in Wuhan The makeshift Leishenshan (Thunder God Mountain) Hospital ceased operation in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province, on Wednesday as the coronavirus epidemic wanes.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It was one of the two over a 1000-bed capacity hospital built in 10 days to treat the COVID-19 patients amid a glare of national and international publicity to curb the virus. China deployed 42,000 medical personnel in Hubei to deal with the outbreak which was first reported in Wuhan, the provincial capital. The government began serious action to curb the outbreak by imposing the lockdown in Wuhan from January 23. Besides the two hospitals, China also built 14 additional makeshift health centres to quarantine and treat COVID-19 patients. All of them were closed down recently.
16 Apr Coronavirus sends Germany into recession,, to last to mid-year The economic blow from the virus fell just as Germany was beginning to recover from a 2019 marked by the impact of trade wars and Brexit fears.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Germany has been in progressively tighter lockdown since mid-March, with Chancellor Angela Merkel set to discuss with state premiers Wednesday whether to extend restrictions beyond the present April 19 cutoff date. Berlin has passed a rescue package totalling 1.1 trillion euros, ranging from guarantees for bank lending to business to a state fund that could buy up stakes in stricken companies if necessary. The BA federal labour agency said some 725,000 companies had applied for the assistance, adding that the number of workers affected will likely be “significantly” above the 1.4 million helped in the 2008-9 financial crisis.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 39 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
16 Apr Rich countries agree to help poorer nations handle debt Finance ministers of the G-20 group of major economies, which includes the US, China, India and others, said they will immediately put on hold poor countries' obligations to service debt they owe. The joint appeal was signed by the leaders of France, Ethiopia, Germany, South Africa and other nations.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The appeal had called for dramatic measures that include an immediate moratorium on all debt payments, public and private until the pandemic is over. Debt payments worth $20 billion will be suspended including $8 billion owed to private creditors and $12 billion owed to other countries, he said. An additional $12 billion in debt payments to multilateral institutions like the World Bank are also under consideration for a debt freeze.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 40 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
17 Apr Australian company to begin first human trial of COVID-19 vaccine According to the Clinical research company Nucleus Network, phase one of the trial was expected to begin in mid-May with preliminary results of effectiveness and safety available in July.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Clinical research company Nucleus Network revealed it would test the effectiveness and safety of a Recombinant Spike Protein Nanoparticle vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, developed by US-based biotechnology company Novavax, reports Xinhua news agency A small group of healthy volunteers would be recruited for the trial to test the effectiveness of this vaccine and according to Griffin, there was absolutely no chance that they could be infected with the disease by taking part. The World Health Organization estimated at least 20 other COVID-19 candidate vaccines are in development around the world.
17 Apr UK government extends virus lockdown by at least 3 weeks Schools, pubs, restaurants and most shops are closed, and most people are allowed to leave home only for essential errands or exercise during the lockdown.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government insists it is rectifying those mistakes. It has vowed to conduct 100,000 tests a day by the end of April - a more than five-fold increase on current rates. The suspension of normal business activity has thrown hundreds of thousands of Britons out of work and sent the economy into a nosedive. According to the Office for National Statistics a quarter of U.K. businesses had temporarily closed since the lockdown began. 13,729 people have died in U.K. hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus, an increase of 861 from a day earlier.
17 Apr Japan extends emergency until May 6 The government said it was considering cash payouts of ¥1,00,000 ($930) for everyone, an attempt to cushion the blow from the pandemic to the world’s third-largest economy.
P O INTS TO NO TE
With more than 9,000 infections and nearly 200 deaths nationally, the government has declared an emergency in Tokyo and six areas including western Osaka, but other regions have sought to be added amid worries about the spreading virus. While short of a lockdown, the state of emergency imposed for a month from April 7 gave authorities more power to push people to stay home and businesses to close. It has covered about 44% of the population up until now. The International Monetary Fund, which expects Japan's economy to contract by 5.2% this year, has urged it to boost fiscal spending and focus on easing the hit to growth.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 41 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
18 Apr COVID-19: IMF approves nearly $1.4 billion to Pakistan to meet balance of payment
crisis This is in addition to the $6 billion bailout package that Islamabad signed with the IMF in July last year to stave off a balance of payment crisis.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The domestic containment measures coupled with the global downturn are severely affecting growth and straining external financing which has created an urgent balance of payments need The government of Pakistan has taken swift action to halt the community spread of the virus and introduced an economic stimulus package aimed at accommodating the spending needed to tackle the health emergency and supporting economic activity.
18 Apr Coronavirus-hit Chinese economy shrinks 6.8 per cent in Q1,, worst since 1976 While China had shut down the 56 million-strong central Hubei province and its capital Wuhan for over two months since January 23 to contain the virus for over two months, the entire country came to a standstill.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The world’s second-largest economy is now limping back to normal with factories resuming production all over. China’s gross domestic product stood at 20.65 trillion yuan ($2.91 trillion approx) in the first quarter of 2020 amid the COVID-19 impact, down 6.8 per cent year on year, China’s National Bureau of Statistics China’s economy grew by 6.1 per cent in 2019, the lowest annual growth rate in 29 years amid the bruising trade war with the US but it remained above the psychologically important mark of six per cent.
18 Apr Myanmar to free almost 25,,000 prisoners in New Year amnesty President Win Myint said 24,896 people jailed across the country, including 87 foreigners, would be freed unconditionally to bring delights to the citizens of Myanmar and taking into consideration humanitarian concerns.
P O INTS TO NO TE
More than 331 people were prosecuted in freedom of expression-related cases in 2019, according to human rights nonprofit group Athan. The president gave no details of the crimes the prisoners were convicted of. Those behind bars include members of a satirical poetry troupe and students imprisoned last month for protesting against a government-imposed internet shutdown.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 42 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
19 Apr After a long legal battle,, Twitter barred from revealing surveillance requests by U.S.
govt. The social media company had sued the U.S. Department of Justice in 2014 to be allowed to reveal, as part of its “Draft Transparency Report”, the surveillance requests it received.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The social media company had sued the U.S. Department of Justice in 2014 to be allowed to reveal, as part of its “Draft Transparency Report”, the surveillance requests it received. It argued its free-speech rights were being violated by not being allowed to reveal the details. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers granted the government's request to dismiss Twitter's lawsuit in an eleven- page order filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California.
19 Apr Strong earthquake hits off islands south of Tokyo,, no tsunami threat The magnitude 6.9 quake Saturday evening occurred in the Pacific Ocean west of Japan's Ogasawara island chain but there was no danger of a tsunami and there were no reports of damage or injuries.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The agency said the quake, whose epicentre was very deep at 450 kilometres (280 miles) below the sea surface, posed no danger of a tsunami. The Ogasawara chain made up of ancient undersea volcanoes and also called the Bonin islands, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 43 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
19 Apr Coronavirus | U.K. announces GBP 2.67mn to support Pakistan healthcare systems According to a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad, the funding is first in a series of measures to give wide-ranging support to help the poorest and the most vulnerable people in Pakistan during the coronavirus outbreak.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It said that the 2.67 million pounds support will ensure funds for vital health support to Pakistan, build stronger systems to detect and test for COVID-19 and support communities to have the right information to protect themselves and others. It comes alongside the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal to the overseas diaspora to help fund-raise for the COVID- 19 response, and the U.K.’s support for Pakistan’s debt relief and loan postponements from the G20 group of countries, according to the statement.
19 Apr Major faux pas by Pakistan as Kartarpur domes collapses The domes were not constructed with cement and the Sikh community upset with the way construction was done by the Pakistan, sources alleged.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The renovation work of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartapur Sahib by Pakistan army has been exposed and shows that Kartarpur was just a political stunt for Imran Khan, alleged members of the Sikh community. According to sources, eight domes and installed at Minars, Musem, dewanistan and at Darshan door fell down. Pakistan has levied an entry fee of US$ 20 while saying that they need money the maintenance of the Gurdwara.
20 Apr Spain extends lockdown by two weeks to May 9 This is done to stem the spread of the coronavirus, signalling that Europe's worst-affected countries remain in the pandemic's grip.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Spain became the second European country after Italy to report more than 20,000 deaths linked to the virus after authorities reported another 565 victims on Saturday. Spain's officials say the outbreak is cresting, cumulative cases rose by 4,499 to 191,726. Spain has seen a total of 2 lakhs cases of coronavirus and total death toll raised to 20,852
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 44 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
23 Apr US Senate approves new $480 billion coronavirus relief plan The effort is the government's latest massive cash infusion to prop up a collapsing economy amid struggles to contain a pandemic that has killed 43,000 Americans and left some 22 million people jobless.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The measure builds on the $2.2 trillion rescue legislation -- the largest-ever federal intervention in the US economy signed into law last month. The new tranche would include $320 billion in small business funding, plus $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion to expand coronavirus testing. It also provides $60 billion in disaster recovery loans and grants. The considerable PPP money will be reserved for minority-run small businesses and those without access to large financial institutions.
23 Apr Iran''s Revolutionary Guard launches military satellite amid US tensions The launch comes amid tensions between Tehran and Washington over its collapsing nuclear deal and after a US drone strike in Iraq killed Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January.
P O INTS TO NO TE
On its official website, the Guard said the satellite successfully reached an orbit of 425 kilometres (264 miles) above the Earth's surface. The Guard called it the first military satellite ever launched by Tehran. The two-stage satellite launch took off from Iran's Central Desert, without elaborating or saying when exactly the launch took place A separate fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 also killed three researchers, authorities said at the time. American officials, as well as European nations, worry that these launches could help Iran develop intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
24 Apr COVID-19: China announces additional $30 million grant for WHO Both China and the WHO faced serious criticism over lack of transparency especially about the discovery of the coronavirus in December last year.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang made the announcement at a media briefing here. The grant will be in addition to the $20 million provided by China earlier to the WHO. China will always support the Geneva-based WHO in playing an important role in international public health and global anti-epidemic response. China has denied the allegations of any cover-up, saying it was the first country to report the COVID-19 to the WHO.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 45 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
25 Apr Covid-19: World leaders launch plan to speed drugs,, vaccine French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa joined a video conference to fight the pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The aim is to speed development of safe and effective drugs, tests and vaccines to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID- 19, the lung disease caused be the novel coronavirus - and ensure equal access to treatments for rich and poor. During the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009, there was criticism that distribution of vaccines was not equitable as wealthier countries were able to purchase more.
25 Apr Covid-19: US FDA approves plasma therapy trial,, Amazon grants $2.5 million According to the FDA, plasma with antibodies from individuals who recovered from viral infections has been used to treat influenza, measles, MERS, Ebola, and SARS.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Dr W Ian Lipkin, director of Columbia's Center for Infection and Immunity, is leading the study in collaboration with colleagues. Amazon has made a $2.5 million grant to fund research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Small scale studies in China have suggested that convalescent plasma may be effective in preventing and treating COVID-19. In CII's Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab, researchers will test plasma for its capacity to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and will measure its impact on virus replication and shedding, using molecular tests.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 46 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
26 Apr China approves third COVID-19 vaccine for clinical trials China has approved three coronavirus vaccines, including the one developed by Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for clinical trials
P O INTS TO NO TE
An “inactivated” vaccine developed by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products under the China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) and the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) started its clinical trials. An “inactivated” vaccine consists of virus particles, bacteria, or other pathogens that have been grown in culture and then lose disease-producing capacity. In contrast, live vaccines use pathogens that are still alive. The vaccine will also go through the third phase of the clinical trial, and it may take about one year to complete the clinical trial.
26 Apr Pakistan Navy successfully test-fires anti-ship missiles The successful demonstration of missile firing is a testament to the Pakistan Navy's operational capability and military readiness, the official said. On the occasion, Admiral Abbasi said that the “Pakistan Navy is fully capable to respond enemy's aggression befittingly”. The Navy did not divulge more details.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The missiles were fired from surface ships, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, the Navy's spokesperson Rear Admiral Arshid Javed said. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi witnessed the firing of the missiles said that the anti-ship missiles were fired at the sea level by warships and aircraft.
27 Apr Saudi Arabia extends suspension of flights,, public transport till further notice Train, bus and taxi services also remain suspended and people employed in the state sector will continue working from home, the spokesman told a news conference broadcast on state television.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The kingdom recorded 1,223 new cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 17,522. Saudi Arabia will continue the suspension of international and domestic flights until further notice, with the exception of emergency cases, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 47 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
28 Apr Saudi Arabia ends death penalty for minors Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have long called on the kingdom to abolish the use of the death penalty, particularly for crimes committed by minors.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The latest royal decree by King Salman could spare the death penalty for at least six men from the country’s minority Shiite community who allegedly committed crimes while under the age of 18, including Ali al-Nimr, who had participated in anti-government protests. Such activity carries terrorism-related charges in the kingdom for disturbing order and disobeying the ruler. The decree states that terrorism-related cases of minors will be tried differently. It was not immediately clear whether these cases would be bound by the 10-year prison limit.
29 Apr COVID-19: Rishi Sunak unveils ‘‘Bounce Back Loan Scheme’’ for UK’’s small
businesses Under the scheme, qualifying small businesses can apply online to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 as interest-free loans for the first 12 months.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Indian-origin UK Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday told the House of Commons that the new fast-track finance scheme, to open from next Monday, would help bolster the existing package of support available to crisis-hit UK businesses. This is in addition to business grants, tax deferrals, and the job retention scheme, which are already helping to support hundreds of thousands of small businesses The scheme has been designed to ensure that small firms who need vital cash injections to keep operating can get finance in a matter of days.
29 Apr UN commemorates Earth Day with ''Earth Anthem'' penned by Indian poet-diplomat 'Earth Anthem' penned by Ambassador of India to Madagascar and Comoros and poet Abhay Kumar was screened to commemorate Earth Day and to inspire the youth globally to join hands to fight COVID-19 and climate crisis.>>>>
P O INTS TO NO TE
Kumar wrote the anthem in 2008 and since then it has travelled a long distance, having so far been translated into 50 languages. The online conversation also focused on the efforts and challenges faced by youth climate activists and environmentalists during the current health crisis and served as a platform for youth to come together and share their perspectives and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic facing the global community.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 48 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
29 Apr Record 50.8 million people internally displaced worldwide A record 50.8 million people worldwide are internally displaced due to conflict or disaster, with the coronavirus pandemic posing a new threat.
P O INTS TO NO TE
In its annual report, the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) said the ongoing global pandemic may add further risks to millions of already vulnerable peopl It added that the number of people internally displaced, those who flee conflict or disaster but remain in their own countries, has now reached a record high. Contributing to the figures, the report said that there were 33.4 million new displacements recorded in 2019, the highest annual figure since 2012.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 49 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
3. Regional and State
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & SCHEMES
01 Apr People in home quarantine in Karnataka directed to send selfies every hour to govt In a press release, Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar directed all home quarantined persons to enroll themselves and send their selfies. The selfie sent from the Quarantine Watch contains GSP coordinates, which makes the location of the person known.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government quarantine check team during house-to-house visits will use the application and click the photo of home quarantined persons and send it to the government. The decision comes following complaints that home quarantined persons were violating regulations and roaming around freely ignoring government directions.
02 Apr Tripura to provide free ration to 6.19 lakh poor families for one month As per the Public Distribution System (PDS) records, Tripura has 5.79 lakh 'poor' families including 1.09 lakh Antodaya Annapurna Yojana (AAY) families, 4.70 lakh priority group or BPL families, Nath said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
In addition to BPL and AAY beneficiaries, the government would extend similar benefits to 50,000 people registered to be living above the poverty line (APL), though they are actually poor Students in primary and elementary sections would be given take-home food under the mid-day meal scheme, pregnant and lactating mothers would also be given take-home food on a daily basis. The scheme also covers 40,000 construction workers of the state who would get Rs 1,000 for the next three months. The money would be credited in their account in DBT mode at a time.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 50 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
02 Apr Delhi govt to cook meals twice a day for 12 lakh people at 2,,800 locations The locations will be in close proximity to jhuggi clusters, resettlement colonies and those pockets where the daily wagers and poor reside so that they don’t have to walk long distances for food.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Officials said the district magistrates of each of the 11 districts along with officials of the directorate of education (DoE) have been asked to identify schools or other prominent government buildings and set up hunger relief centres. To ensure that social distancing was maintained at each hunger relief centre, the Delhi government has now decided to add 2,000 more locations. The decision to add more such locations was taken during a video conference chaired by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal to review the measures taken to contain COVID-19. Kejriwal, some of his cabinet colleagues and top officers of the Delhi government and police attended the video conference.
02 Apr Arvind Kejriwal announces Rs 1 crore for kin of healthcare staff who die dealing
with COVID-19 cases If any healthcare personnel, including government or private doctor, nurse, and sanitation workers, die while serving coronavirus patients, the government will give Rs. 1 crore for their families," he said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
At an interaction with doctors, Kejriwal thanked all healthcare workers for their efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. Kejriwal's interaction with doctors came after three doctors tested positive for COVID-19. So far, a total of five doctors have tested positive of the virus in Delhi. Of them, two worked at Mohalla clinics. Out of 219 patients in Delhi, there are only 208 patients as six were discharged, one was migrated and four death.
03 Apr Delhi govt to give Rs 5,,000 to each of auto,, taxi and e-rickshaw drivers Kejriwal said he will ensure that no one in the city face starvation and the financial assistance will be provided to public service drivers in the next 7-10 days.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He said the government is planning how to do this since bank account numbers of drivers of public service vehicles like autos, taxis, e rickshaw, Gramin Sewa, RTV. Delhi government has already provided the assistance of Rs 5,000 each to over 35,000 construction workers in the city.
167 new coronavirus cases were reported as of 9:00 AM on Apr 04 in Delhi, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 51 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr 26 private medical colleges,, 112 private hospitals can treat COVID-19 patients in
Tamil Nadu Now, people who test positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can get treatment in private hospitals across the State and avail themselves of treatment at their own expense.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government has now included private establishments in the list of hospitals where COVID-19 patients could get treatment. These hospitals have been directed to follow the treatment protocols prescribed by the government from time to time. They should send daily reports on the treatment given to patients to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Treatment is being offered at all government medical college hospitals, district headquarters hospitals and key sub- district hospitals, free-of-cost.
05 Apr Cash Withdrawal on doorstep in Kerala The facility is available for accounts in 119 participating banks and 24 non-banking finance companies. All that a person needs is a mobile phone and Aadhaar number (including Aadhaar QR, virtual ID) linked to any of the banks.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government acted on a request of Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Circle, Sarada Samapth seeking permission to make available doorstep banking services through India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), which rolled out Aadhaar enabled payment system services in September 2019. The customer should share the OTP received in the phone with the delivery staff of the Department of Posts. After scanning or entering the Aadhaar number and the amount and the bank from which money is to be withdrawn, the customer has to place the finger on the biometric device to authenticate identity, based on which up to ₹10,000 can be withdrawn in a day.
07 Apr Thermal scanning cameras installed in Telangana Secretariat Move comes in the wake of a report that a section officer had attended the prayers at Nizamudddin and joined back duty without informing the government about his visit
P O INTS TO NO TE
The cameras, worth ₹7 lakh each, have been installed at two important points, one in front of the lift for the VIPs and VVIPs, and the other near the elevators being used by staff and general visitors. These cameras had been procured on and have been put to use after successful trials by the officials. In addition to the screens fitted to the cameras, steps have been taken to attach a monitor to each of the cameras so that officials can clearly see the face of the person and measure his or her body temperature.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 52 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
08 Apr Odisha makes wearing masks mandatory while venturing out of house It further stated that Covid-19 is "assuming grave threat to the health of the general public in the state" and the virus is "believed to be spreading through droplets."
P O INTS TO NO TE
Masks have been found to be extremely useful in controlling and containment of the spread of coronavirus as seen from several Global and National experiences, so it is imperative to adopt strict social distancing and isolation measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. The state government has directed district municipal authorities to ensure prevention of crowding and also ensure the use of any form of masks or clothes such as handkerchiefs, bandanas, gamuchha, dupatta etc. by the people while stepping out of their houses.
09 Apr Face masks compulsory for people stepping outdoors in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal Announcing the decision after a high-level meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of coronavirus substantially."
P O INTS TO NO TE
The chief minister said that all government departments have been directed to stop all expenditures except salary, adding that they will have to cut expenses drastically considering the current revenue status. The meeting to discuss measures to contain the COVID-19 spread was attended by ministers and top officials of Delhi.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 53 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
13 Apr Wearing masks made compulsory in Haryana,, violators to face action: Home
Minister Anil Vij Those found violating the instructions will be punishable under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC and the police authorities are empowered to take action against the violators, he said. "People can wear a mask or cover their face with cloth, scarves etc," he said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Haryana has witnessed a spike in number of COVID-19 cases in the past few days and the total number of such cases on Sunday rose to 179 including five health professionals with a doctor and two nurses among them. The worst affected districts of the state with maximum number of positive cases are Nuh (45), Gurugram (32), Faridabad (31) and Palwal (29). The minister also sought to assure that there were sufficient stocks of personal protection equipment (PPE) needed by doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in government hospitals
14 Apr Odd-even rule to be implemented in Delhi''s wholesale markets in view of
coronavirus There are five major wholesale vegetable and fruit markets in the national capital, including the Azadpur mandi, the Ghazipur mandi and the Okhla mandi. Also, there two wholesale 'anaj mandis' (wheat markets) - Najafgarh and Narela.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the odd-even rule, sheds under which hundreds of traders sell vegetables will be allowed to operate according to their numbers The minister also said that the Delhi government has formed four special task forces to ensure effective social distancing in the mandis in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the development minister here.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 54 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
28 Apr Tamil Nadu Govt suspends earned Leave Encashment,, freezes DA till july 2021 Officials say the move will help the govt save over Rs 7,000 crore at a time when Covid-19 has hit its finances.The decisions were taken to manage the fiscal strain due to Covid-19 relief measures.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the government, as and when the decision to release the dearness allowance from July 2021, the rates effective from January 1.2020, July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021, would be restored prospectively and would be subsumed in the cumulative revised rate effective from July 1, 2021. The decision is applicable to teaching and non-teaching staff working in aided educational institutions, employees under local bodies, employees governed by UGC and AICTE scales of pay. The dearness allowance for state government employees and others are similar to that of central government employees and others.
OTHERS
02 Apr Supply of essential commodities at doorstep through WhatsApp People will be supplied groceries and other essential items from Reliance Fresh, More, Vishal Mart, Fresh Box and other Kirana shops too. The process of delivering vegetables and fruits to respective layouts and colonies is in vogue.
P O INTS TO NO TE
This new step is expected to help further mitigate the number of customers in the market. A team of officials comprising NWKRTC Divisional Controller Ganesh Rathod, HDMP Commissioner Suresh Itnal and Food & Civil Supplies Joint Director Sadashiv Marji are managing this system. The people interested in purchasing goods through WhatsApp will have to choose the nearest provision store and then order.
03 Apr Domino’’s and ITC Foods partner to deliver groceries The service will be rolled out in Bengaluru, Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Users can download the Domino’s delivery app to use digital payments to complete the order.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The statement said the delivery infrastructure of Domino’s will be leveraged under this partnership through which consumers can order ITC NSE 6.91 % Foods brands such as Aashirvaad atta and spices. Domino’s said its delivery executives will follow zero contact delivery to fulfil the order. The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) had announced last week that it is encouraging employees of restaurants to take up temporary employment with online grocer Bigbasket, as India battles the deadly Covid-19.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 55 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr TAFE to lend tractors for free to Tamil Nadu farmers TAFE would rent 4,400 of its Massey Ferguson and Eicher tractors and 10,500 farm implements to small and marginalized farmers to sustain their livelihood.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The scheme that starts from April 1 will be available across 30 districts of Tamil Nadu. TAFE would rent 4,400 of its Massey Ferguson and Eicher tractors and 10,500 farm implements to small and marginalised farmers. To ensure smooth implementation on the ground level, TAFE has alerted field officers and dealer networks working closely with the farming community in the state. It has also requested the administrative support of the agriculture department and district-level officials to ensure that marginalised farmers avail the offer.
07 Apr Maharashtra deploys drones,, uses CDR to contain Covid-19 In Mumbai, which has reported a few cases of cluster containment, 474 teams across 241 containment zones have been set up. Around 900,000 people have been screened in the city.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Maharashtra, which has the highest numbers of COVID 19 cases, has formed a cluster containment plan to deal with the contagion. The state is using data analytics, drones and the traditional patrolling methods to deal with containment in crowded places. A drone can cover a kilometre area once pressed and it will give an aerial view of Marine Drive, show the arterial roads then move into its lanes and bylanes and then into the building that requires to be sealed, making tracking of movement of people simpler. If anybody is spotted roaming in these areas, a team is immediately pressed to take action.
07 Apr Disaster Response Force deployed in Madurai They have been trained in rescue during natural calamities such as flood, earthquake and cyclone.Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force personnel who have been deployed in Madurai.
P O INTS TO NO TE
An 80-member Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force has been deployed in Madurai city for emergency requirements arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. They had been deployed in Uthagamandalam and Kodaikanal during cyclone last year. Besides, they were also deployed for crowd control in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi during Tamirabarani Pushkaram. They are creating awareness of the danger of COVID-19 among people also distributing pamphlets to vehicle users and advise them against venturing out unnecessarily.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 56 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
07 Apr Disinfection tunnel set up in Madurai The walk through the tunnel would take only a few seconds and is a supplement to other precautionary measures like hand-washing and sanitising.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It was sponsored by a non-governmental organisation. The Minister said that makeshift markets were allocated at 35 spots across the city to prevent crowding of customers and at the same time ensure that all essential vegetables were available. The people were also warned of stern action taken against those who mishandle commodities supplied through ration shops. The Corporation was also attending to civic complaints filed through the helpline.
07 Apr MPEDA begins export of seafood products from 3 ports in Andhra Pradesh Containers sent to Malaysia, Singapore, China, says MPEDA chief Srinivas. However, there is no demand for shrimp in the international market as US, European Union
P O INTS TO NO TE
China has stopped imports due to COVID-19 has started taking shrimp and the market is picking up. Prices are fluctuating and exporters are not coming forward to procure the stocks immediately amid Covid-19. Andhra Pradesh was contributing 34% of the total exports, followed by Kerala and Maharashtra 12%, Tamil Nadu 11% and Gujarat and West Bengal 10%. In 2018-19, seafood products worth about ₹16,000 crores were exported to different countries from the State.
07 Apr Nearly190-year-old Amrutanjan Bridge demolished The iconic Amrutanjan Bridge, which crossed over the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was demolished on 5 April 2020. Wide pillars of the 190-year-old structure had created blind spot leading to accidents
P O INTS TO NO TE
The bridge was opened on November 10, 1830, as a key connector between Mumbai and Pune. It had later served as the third line for the Railways on the Bor ghat section to reverse engines but was later stopped after more powerful engines were introduced. The MSRDC had received permission from agencies to demolish the bridge in 2017, the high volume of traffic on the expressway gave them no window to execute this project.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 57 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
07 Apr OJEE 2020 application deadline extended due to COVID-19 lockdown As per the notification, the detailed schedule regarding the dates of downloading of admit cards and examination dates will be notified after assessing the situation post-April 14, 2020.
P O INTS TO NO TE
OJEE 2020 is a computer-based entrance exam conducted annually for the admission to B.Pharm, MBA, MCA, M.Tech, M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Pharm and Lateral Entry to MCA (LE - MCA) in government and private colleges of Odisha. Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) committee has further extended the last date to submit online application forms for OJEE 2020 till April 25, 2020,
12 Apr COVID-19 halts J and K’’s ‘‘Darbar Move’’,, first time in 144 years Introduced by Dogra monarch Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872, the Darbar Move would see shifting of the Civil Secretariat in summers from Jammu to Srinagar and in winters from Srinagar to Jammu.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Meanwhile, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has been directed to carry out extensive sanitation and fumigation drives in the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, where the offices will open after the six-month break on May 4. The administration’s decision to halt the Darbar Move comes as COVID-19 cases showed an upward trend. J&K on Friday crossed the 200 marks, with 23 more samples testing positive. The total positive cases in J&K is 207, as 23 more cases were reported. Jammu has 39 and Kashmir 168 such cases.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 58 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
13 Apr ICMR approves DBT institute as COVID-19 testing facility for Faridabad region The bioassay laboratory of Department of Biotechnology’s Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) will now function as an extension of diagnostic facility of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad for COVID-19 testing.
P O INTS TO NO TE
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutes also provides for the team at the bioassay laboratory to train manpower and build capacity at the ESI hospital for COVID-19 testing. This MoU was signed following the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) decision to undertake an expansion process wherein it engaged government laboratories, which were not under ICMR, to also initiate testing facilities. This includes laboratories of DBT, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and government-funded medical colleges, among others.
19 Apr Over 12 lakh construction workers in Maharashtra to get Rs 2,,000 each Rs 2,000 each will be deposited through direct benefit transfer in the bank accounts of workers who are registered with the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board
P O INTS TO NO TE
Dilip Walse Patil observed that workers were reeling under hardships and finding it difficult to take care of their daily needs, as construction activities had come to a halt due to the lockdown. The decision was taken in a meeting of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, his deputy Ajit Pawar, Walse-Patil and senior bureaucrats According to the minister's more than 12 lakh workers registered with the board will benefit from this.
21 Apr Goa first Indian state with zero Covid-19 cases Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said all the seven Covid-19 persons are natives of Goa, but six of them returned to the state from abroad.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The last of the seven COVID-19 cases in the state was detected on April 3. The state government has set up a dedicated hospital to treat coronavirus patients. It has also set up a laboratory at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GHMC) for testing. The chief minister said that though the number of positive cases has come down to zero, citizens should continue to remain at home during the lockdown. The restrictions during the lockdown period will continue. They will go as per the central government's guidelines.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 59 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
23 Apr Karnataka: BS Yediyurappa launches home-delivery helpline "Apthamitra" The chief minister said more than 18,000 shops, including chemists and vegetable sellers, have registered themselves on the BBMP's WhatsApp helpline number (080 6191 4960).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The civic body has introduced the service in association with the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority. The speciality of this service is that it works on the most basic & ubiquitous tech platform a call or a WhatsApp message. It’s the country’s first WhatsApp bot enabled SuperApp. The platform is India’s first integrated voice and messaging platform providing citizens with instant services to order groceries, fruits, vegetables, medicines and essentials through an ecosystem of 16,000 merchants across Bangalore.
24 Apr COVID-19: Sikkim not to host Mansarovar Yatra,, border trade through Nathula Pass MEA organises the yatra from June-September each year through two different routes -- Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim). Kailash Mansoravar is in Tibet.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The border trade through Nathula Pass was scheduled to begin in May while the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the route was slated to commence in June. The state government is assessing the losses incurred by various stakeholders due to COVID-19 and will send a report to the Centre, requesting it to adequately compensate all those who have lost business and livelihood due to disruption in tourism-related activities in Sikkim.
25 Apr Centre allows COVID-19 pool testing,, plasma therapy in Maharashtra Pooling of samples involves testing them in batches and when pooled sample tests positive, then individual samples are assessed. It reduces the number of test kits used.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Pool testing reduces the number of test kits used, and therefore, increases testing capacity. Under the plasma therapy technique, transfusion of plasma from recovered patients to severally-ill COVID-19 patients is conducted. Tope said that the issues of a portable pulse oximeter and X-ray tests for easy testing of coronavirus patients and measures to lower the mortality rate were also discussed during the meeting with the Union minister.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 60 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 61 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
4. Business and Economy
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & SCHEMES
03 Apr Women Jan Dhan account holders to get cash benefits in a staggered manner To ensure that social distancing is maintained at the bank branches, the department of financial services, under the finance ministry, has issued guidelines to all banks.
P O INTS TO NO TE
For instance, account numbers ending with 0 or 1 will be asked to report to their banks on Friday, those with 1 or 2 on Saturday, 3 or 4 on Monday and so on. A text message will be sent to customers to inform them about the arrangement. The women beneficiaries will receive Rs 500 per month for the next three months, in order to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26 who said that this will help women run their household during this difficult period. The banks have been told to publicise the fact that the beneficiaries can withdraw the money any time when required and not necessarily when it’s credited.
06 Apr Government extends validity of e-way bills,, defers restriction on availing input tax
credit The government has retrospectively extended the validity of e-way bills under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that would have expired between March 20 and April 15 to April 30.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government has deferred the implementation of 10 per cent restriction on availing input tax credit during February-August, which would then be cumulatively adjusted in September. According to notified e-way bill rules, every registered supplier requires prior online registration on the e-way bill portal for the movement of these goods. The rules also specify that the permits for conventional cargo are valid for one day for the movement of goods for 100 km, and in the same proportion for the following days. Tax officials have the power to scrutinise the e-way bill at any point during transit to check tax evasion.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 62 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
06 Apr Government tightens export ban norms for anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine Under the advance authorization (AA) scheme, firms are allowed to import raw material at zero duty but with the condition of export obligation within a certified time frame.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The drug is also not allowed to be shipped by export-oriented units (EOUs) or under any export promotion scheme. Under advance authorisation scheme, firms are allowed to import raw material at zero duty but with the condition of export obligation within a certified time frame. The move assumes significance as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for treating healthcare workers handling suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases and also the asymptomatic household contacts of the lab-confirmed cases.
10 Apr Government exempts customs duty,, health cess on essential medical goods This was done keeping the escalating demand for medical goods as India enters a crucial phase in its covid-fight. As of now, the country has recorded 5,865 confirmed cases and 169 deaths as various state governments has urged the centre to extend the nation-wide lockdown.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The health ministry stressed on the rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers treating coronavirus patients amid concerns over their dwindling numbers in the country. The centre has also constituted high-level teams which will coordinate with states on containment plan, hospital preparedness and ventilator management.
15 Apr GST paid for cancelled future events,, unreceived goods can be claimed via credit
note: CBIC clarifies CBIC has clarified that in case GST is paid by the supplier on advances received for a future event which got cancelled, the supplier is required to issue a credit note.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The credit note can be issued in terms of section 34 of the CGST Act and the supplier shall declare the details of such credit notes in the return for the month during which such credit note has been issued. The tax liability shall be adjusted in the return and there is no need to file a separate refund claim. The supplier which got cancelled or the goods supplied by a supplier are returned by the recipient and where tax invoice had been issued, the supplier is required to issue a credit note.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 63 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
23 Apr Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme Entities against whom prosecution has not been instituted even though a notice has been issued can avail the Direct Tax ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ scheme.
P O INTS TO NO TE
In the FAQ issued on March 4, the CBDT said that where notice for initiation of prosecution has been issued with reference to tax arrears, the taxpayer has a choice to compound the offence and opt for Vivad se Vishwas. However, the scheme will not cover cases where prosecution has already been instituted and is pending in the court. The Vivad Se Vishwas scheme was launched to settle direct tax disputes locked up in various appellate forum. In cases where a taxpayer’s appeals are pending before appellate forums, high courts and the Supreme Court, he will have the option to settle the dispute on payment of 100% tax (125% in search cases) and get complete waiver of interest and penalty if he pays by June 30.
29 Apr Central Board of Indirect Taxes allows video conferencing for personal hearings
under Customs Act Experts said that the move would help the department transition into the new work culture while also helping in clearing a number of pending cases and also the cases like countervailing duty refund, custom duty refund and other refunds.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Board’s judicial cell issued an instruction on April 27, which laid out guidelines to be used by parties and officials for conducting the virtual hearings, including the requirement of secure computer network and applications like VIDYO, exchanging e-mail records of personal hearings and admitting submissions of scanned self-attested documents. Covid-19 has changed the way of doing business for most of the private sector organizations and employees are getting adjusted to the work from home culture.
MOU'S / AGREEMENTS
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 64 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
12 Apr COVID-19: Flipkart ties up with Tata Consumer to provide essentials Distributors of the Tata group firm will list themselves on Flipkart as marketplace sellers. Consumers can buy different combo packs using Flipkart platform.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The list of essential products contains products such as beverages (Tata Tea and Coffee) and foods (Tata Sampann spices, pulses, and Nutri mixes) offered by Tata Consumer Products. The partnership is already operational in Bengaluru, and the companies plan to expand these facilities in Mumbai and Delhi in the coming week and tier-2 cities in the future. Flipkart also announced a pilot programme with retail chain Spencers to introduce hyperlocal deliveries of groceries and essentials in Hyderabad.
22 Apr Daimler teams up with Volvo in 1.2-bn-euro deal to make hydrogen batteries The joint venture between the two, valued at 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), is a milestone in bringing fuel cell powered trucks and buses onto the roads.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Volvo will acquire 50% in the joint venture for around 0.6 billion euros. The joint venture agreed by the two companies will operate as an independent and autonomous entity, with Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group continuing to be competitors in all other areas of business. Joining forces will decrease development costs for both companies and accelerate the market introduction of fuel cell systems in products used for heavy-duty transport and demanding long-haul applications.
27 Apr Days after deal with Facebook,, RIL starts WhatApp-based online portal JioMart, an e-commerce venture of Reliance Retail, went live in three neighbourhoods surrounding Mumbai, leveraging a deal that gives it access to WhatsApp's 400 million users in India
P O INTS TO NO TE
The starting of the portal takes Asia’s richest man a step closer to his goal of setting up a digital platform to take on Amazon.com and Walmart’s Flipkart Online Services for a slice of India’s e-commerce market that KPMG says is set to grow to $200 billion by 2027. Facebook hopes a partnership with JioMart will help make WhatsApp the primary way small businesses connect with customers. Customers need to add JioMart’s WhatsApp number 8850008000 on their phones. JioMart provides a link to place the order. Once the order is placed, it is shared with a grocery store on WhatsApp
OTHERS
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 65 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
04 Apr Reserve Bank of India revises trading hours for various financial markets This has been done to minimise risks and to ensure that market participants maintain adequate checks and supervisory controls while optimising thin resources and ensuring the safety of personnel.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The RBI said that the unprecedented situation created by the COVID-19 outbreak has necessitated lockdowns, social distancing, restrictions on the movement of people and non-essential activities, work from home arrangements and business continuity plans. The timings have been revised for call/notice/term money, market repo in government securities, tri-party repo in government securities, commercial paper and certificates of deposit, repo in corporate bonds, government securities, foreign currency/Indian rupee trades including forex derivatives, and rupee interest rate derivative.
04 Apr Foreign investors sell over ₹1 lakh-cr. securities in a month,, for first time in history But domestic institutions save markets the blushes, buying stocks worth ₹55,595 crores in March and arresting a further plunge, For the first time in the history of the Indian capital markets, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have sold securities worth over ₹1 lakh crore in a single month.
P O INTS TO NO TE
As per data from the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), the cumulative net outflow from the debt and equity segments was pegged at ₹1.18 lakh crore in March — more than double the previous high of ₹44,000 crores witnessed in June 2013. According to market participants, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has affected stocks worldwide is the primary reason for such record outflows as foreign investors shy away from riskier assets and also, emerging markets. In the current calendar year, while FPIs have sold equities worth ₹51,832 crore they were net buyers in January and February DIIs have bought shares worth ₹74,554 crores.
06 Apr EPFO to accept Aadhaar as birth proof online from subscribers EPFO has instructed field offices to expedite disposal of online requests, enabling PF members in financial distress, to apply online for availing non-refundable advance from their provident fund accumulations to tide over the COVID-19 pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The date of birth recorded in 'Aadhaar' will now be accepted as valid proof of date of birth for the purpose of rectification, provided that the difference in the two dates is less than three years. The PF subscribers can submit the correction requests online. This will enable EPFO to validate the date of birth of members online with UIDAI instantaneously, thus authenticating and reducing the processing time of change requests
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 66 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
07 Apr TCS offers free,, 15-day digital certification programme TCS iON, a strategic unit of Tata Consultancy Services, announced on Monday a free, 15-day self- paced digital certification programme called Career Edge, specially designed for college students/working professionals to enhance their career skills by helping them effectively utilise the time at hand during this period of lockdown.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The programme, offered on the TCS iON Digital Learning Hub platform, is followed by an online digital assessment and certification. The programme consists of nano videos, case studies and assessments that will help the learners to understand and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Career Edge also carries useful recorded webinars hosted by TCSers to make it interesting and practical. This is the second initiative by TCS iON during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Its earlier offering TCS iON 'Digital Glass Room' is a virtual learning platform, offered free of cost to educational institutions across the world.
08 Apr India partially lifts ban on export of paracetamol and HCQ HCQ is the same drug that US President Donald Trump had sought from India and warned of retaliation if India did not supply the drug for combating coronavirus.
P O INTS TO NO TE
India has partially eased restrictions on the export of paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine. It has decided to licence paracetamol & Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries Hydroxychloroquine, an old and inexpensive drug used to treat malaria, is seen as a viable therapeutic solution by President Trump to coronavirus that has so far killed more than 10,000 Americans and infected over 360,000 within weeks. India has received similar requests from several other countries including its immediate neighbours Sri Lanka and Nepal. India had said that it is reviewing its export ban order.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 67 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
09 Apr India’’s GDP may plummet to multi-decade low of 1.6% in FY21: Goldman Sachs Indian policymakers have not been aggressive enough in their response till now to the crisis, and will need to eventually intensify their efforts, economists at Goldman Sachs said.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Many analysts have been doing downward reviews of their forecasts amid coronavirus concerns with some estimating a contraction in the first quarter of the fiscal, but this is the lowest forecast for the year as a whole yet. The brokerage, which had forecasted the GDP to expand by 3.3% on a real basis in FY21 on March 22, said the 1.6% growth will be deeper than the commonly perceived recessions India has experienced in 1970s, 1980s and 2009. High frequency data is also not showing much hope, as auto sales were down sharply in March, besides, the fall in manufacturing purchasing managers index and muted global demands.
09 Apr I-T Dept to release all pending tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakh immediately The move is aimed at helping many overcome cash crunch due to nationwide lockdown citing coronavirus and is expected to benefit 1.4 million taxpayers
P O INTS TO NO TE
It also decided to issue all pending GST (goods and services tax) and Customs refunds, providing benefit to around 100,000 business entities, including micro, small and medium enterprises. The move complements the announcement of the extension of deadlines for filing tax returns besides a slew of regulatory and compliance measures across sectors meant to alleviate the hardship being faced by businesses. The last date for income tax returns for FY2018-19 has been extended to June 30 and for delayed payments till that time the interest rate has been reduced to 9 per cent from 12 per cent.
10 Apr US Fed rolls out $2.3 trillion to backstop ''Main Street,,'' local govts U.S. central bank says it would work through banks to offer four-year loans to companies of up to 10,000 employees and directly buy the bonds of states.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The banks to offer four-year loans to companies of up to 10,000 employees and directly buy the bonds of states and more populous counties and cities to help them respond to the health crisis. The program offers to pump up to $500 billion into local governments, which are both on the front lines of the health battle yet also may see tax revenues collapse as unemployment rises and businesses are shut under social distancing rules aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. The new "Main Street" facility will use banks to funnel up to $600 billion in loans of at least $1 million to firms that have up to 10,000 employees or less than $2.5 billion in revenue,
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 68 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
11 Apr ADB assures $2.2 billion support package to India for COVID-19 response ADB president Asakawa commended Indian government's decisive response to the pandemic, including a national health emergency program, tax and other relief measures provided to businesses and a $23 billion (Rs 1.7 lakh crore) economic relief package announced on March 26 to provide immediate income and consumption support to the poor, women, and workers.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The bank was committed to supporting India’s emergency needs. “We are now preparing $2.2 billion in immediate assistance to the health sector and to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic on the poor; informal workers; micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises; The aid comes at a time when weakening global economic growth is causing disruptions in India’s trade and manufacturing supply chains, along with the slowdown in tourism and other economic activity.
11 Apr Govt. removes customs duty,, cess on COVID-19 Medical Equipment The customs duty exemption on ventilators, surgical masks, PPE, and test kits will be available up to September 30. These exemptions will also be applicable to inputs used to manufacture these items.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The government removed customs duty and health cess on ventilators, face and surgical masks, personal protection equipment and COVID-19 test kits with a view to boosting the availability of these products in the country to fight coronavirus pandemic. The Central Government has granted exemption from basic customs duty and health cess, on the import of these goods, with immediate effect.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 69 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
11 Apr Disney+ Hotstar India garners 8 million subscribers in 1 week Disney+ originally set a target of 60 million to 90 million subscribers by the end of fiscal 2024, when it was first launched in the US in November.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Disney on April 3 launched Disney Plus (Disney+) in India via Hotstar, a popular on-demand video platform, at a starting price of Rs 399 a year. The company announced it has now surpassed 50 million paid subscribers globally Disney+ originally set a target of 60 million to 90 million subscribers by the end of fiscal 2024, when it was first launched in the US in November. Disney+ amassed 26.5 million subscribers during the first quarter of 2020 in February. The new numbers indicate that Disney+ added 21.4 million subscribers in just over two months. Disney+ has also been rolled out in eight Western European countries, including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
11 Apr 50% of DMart outlets shut due to coronavirus lockdown: Avenue Supermarts Footfalls at stores that were open were lower than usual, the company said, pointing to the impact that retail firms, both organised and unorganised, were feeling due to the lockdown
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Retailers of Association of India had said that 25 per cent of retail firms would be out of business if the government did not support the sector, reeling under revenue losses due to the lockdown and containment zones Retail firms would take three quarters to stabilise, with the association asking for immediate relief measures from the government to bankroll the sector, which employs 6 million people. This included an extension of the loan moratorium to retailers to 270 days, providing additional working capital to tide over the cash crunch and making available easy credit lines to pay wages and salaries.
12 Apr TRAI recommends making interoperability of set top boxes mandatory Interoperable set-top boxes will allow consumers to change their DTH operator without buying a new set-top box. TRAI also recommended the mandatory provisioning of a USB port-based common interface for all digital television sets in India.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The TRAI also called for the setting up of a coordination committee by the I&B ministry having members from Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, TRAI, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and representatives of TV manufacturers. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) may include a suitable clause or condition in the permission, registration or Cable Television Network Rule mandating all the distribution platform operators to compulsorily facilitate service provisioning through the interoperable STBs either provided by DPOs or procured by the consumers from the open market
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 70 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
13 Apr People''s Bank of China picks up 1% stake in HDFC Domestic equities came under pressure in March, including that of HDFC's, after the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in India.Shares of HDFC are currently at ₹1,701.95 after having gained over 9% on Thursday.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to March-end shareholding pattern disclosed by the mortgage lender to the stock exchanges, the People's Bank of China has 1.75 crore shares or 1.01% stake in HDFC. HDFC shares are currently trading only marginally higher than their 52-week low of ₹1,473.10 that was touched on March 24. HDFC has been one of the most volatile stocks among the Sensex pack in the recent past, coming under heavy selling pressure as banking and financials sectors have bore the maximum brunt of investor pessimism.
14 Apr NCDEX gets Sebi go-ahead for Rs 500-cr IPO Agricultural commodity bourse, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX), has received capital market regulator SEBI’s approval to laun
P O INTS TO NO TE
The offering comprises a fresh issue aggregating up to Rs 100 crore and an offer for sale of up to 1.44 crore shares, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP). The company had approached the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) with its IPO papers in February. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) holds 15 per cent stake in the agricultural commodity exchange, while Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and NABARD have 11.10 per cent each. IFFCO has 10 per cent, Oman India Joint Investment Fund 10 per cent and Punjab National Bank 7.29 per cent, among others.
14 Apr Retail inflation eases to 5.91% in March The Reserve Bank of India mainly factors in retail inflation while deciding its bi-monthly monetary policy.For 2021-22, assuming a normal monsoon and no major exogenous or policy shocks, structural model estimates indicate that inflation could move in a range of 3.6-3.8 per cent,
P O INTS TO NO TE
The retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 6.58% in February 2020 and 2.86 per cent in March 2019. The retail inflation, which is factored in by the RBI to arrive at its monetary policy, has been on decline since last month. The previous low was 5.54% in November 2019. The government has asked the RBI to restrict the inflation around 4%, with a margin of 2% on the either side. The retail inflation was ruling above 6% since December 2019.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 71 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
14 Apr SoftBank''s $2-billion guarantee at risk as pandemic hits Oyo business Oyo risks turning into another problem startup for SoftBank and Son, still reeling from the meltdown at the shared-office company WeWork. The major reason for this meltdown is the current corona pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
SoftBank had booked profits on Oyo’s rising valuation and may now be forced to take losses on the investment. The startup was valued last year at $10 billion, one of the highest in SoftBank’s portfolio. The Oyo situation could prove particularly messy. In a highly unusual move, Agarwal, now 26, borrowed $2 billion to buy shares in his own company as the valuation rose, and Son personally guaranteed the loans from financial institutions, including Mizuho Financial Group Inc. Banks may ask for more collateral if Oyo’s valuation drops, and the two men could face personal losses.
15 Apr Coronavirus | IMF projects 1.9% growth for India in 2020 Global economic output to contract by 3% due to coronavirus pandemic. Apart from India’s modest 1.9% in 2020, Indonesia is expected to grow at 0.5%,while others in the region experience contractions.
P O INTS TO NO TE
India’s growth projection for 2020 is 3.9% less than what was projected for the country in the January update to the WEO while its rebound in 2021 is 0.9 % higher than the January projection (for India, forecasts on a fiscal year basis). World growth rates have been revised downwards by more than 6 percentage points since the January WEO update. If the pandemic fades in the second half of this year, with containment efforts gradually easing up, the world economy is projected to grow at 5.8% in 2020 as economic activity normalizes
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 72 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
15 Apr Hindalco seals $2.8 billion Aleris acquisition deal The Aleris acquisition takes forward Hindalco's aluminium value-added products strategy and gives them an entry into the high-end aerospace industry.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The acquisition of the U.S.-based rolled products company, Aleris Corporation, positions Hindalco Industries as one of the world’s largest aluminium companies, with a global footprint spanning 49 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. The Aleris deal, crucially enables the further diversification of our metals downstream portfolio, into other premium market segments, most notably aerospace. With the addition of Aleris’ operational assets and workforce, Novelis is poised to more efficiently serve the growing Asia market by integrating complementary assets in the region including recycling, casting, rolling and finishing capabilities.
15 Apr Covid -19 impact: UK economy may shrink by 13% in 2020,, the most in 300 yrs In the April-June period alone, economic output could plunge by 35%, with the unemployment rate more than doubling to 10%, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said
P O INTS TO NO TE
The OBR stressed it was not making an official projection, given the lack of clarity about the duration of the government-imposed shutdown which it assumed would last for three months, followed by a partial lifting over a further three-month period. The OBR said the hit to tax revenues and the government's huge spending plans meant the budget deficit could hit 273 billion pounds ($342 billion) in the 2020/21 tax year five times its previous estimate.
16 Apr Covid-19: Govt allows e-commerce,, agri industry to resume from April 20 PM Modi said that there would be some relaxations to allow activities to resume in select areas. The Ministry of Home Affairs came out with some guidelines about what is allowed and what will be restricted.
P O INTS TO NO TE
To support the rural economy and create employment, some industries working in rural areas have been allowed to resume operations. In the financial sector, the RBI, banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by SEBI and insurance companies will also remain functional, to provide liquidity and credit support to the industrial sectors. Transportation of all goods will be allowed without the distinction of essential and non-essential. Services provided by self-employed electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics, carpenters will be allowed to function.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 73 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
17 Apr Date for renewal of health,, motor insurance policies extended up to May 15 This extension is for policies that are due for renewal between March 25 and May 3. It is expected that similar extension will be effected for life insurance renewal policy also through a separate notification.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The finance ministry in two separate notifications said policyholders whose motor insurance third party insurance or health insurance policies that are due in the lockdown period from March 25 up to May 3 and who are unable to make payment of their renewal premium on time due to the lockdown are allowed to make such payments till May 15. The notifications assured policyholders of continuity of motor insurance third party cover as well as health insurance cover and assured that any valid claim during the period will be paid. These notifications have been necessitated as the lockdown period was extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi till May 3 to check the spread of COVID-19. The extension was done at the end of 21-day lockdown on April 14.
17 Apr Lockdown 2.0: E-tailers can sell non-essentials on state nod from April 20 The new norms allowed retailers to operate without any restriction on their working hours from April 20, provided they ensured strict social distancing.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The rider is that state governments will decide what items will be allowed to be sold. If the states permit, electronics such as phones, laptops, and televisions as well as garments would be allowed to be sold on the online platforms, starting April 20. Rajasthan and Maharashtra have already allowed e-commerce firms to sell non-essentials products. Karnataka, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh are also expected to give permissions soon.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 74 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
18 Apr TVS acquires Britain''s most iconic sporting motorcycle brand ''Norton'' Founded by James Lansdowne Norton, in Birmingham, in 1898, Norton Motorcycles is among the most popular British motorcycle brands of all time and is one of the most emotive marques today.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The immediate focus would be on developed markets, in which Norton is already present, before expanding in key developing markets. Norton has been renowned for its classic models and eclectic range of luxury motorcycles, ranging from the authentic retro classic reboots of the famous Commando to their contemporary 200 bhp, 1200cc V4 super-bikes. TVS Motor has enhanced its cost-reduction measures and cut down on CAPEX. Given the nature of Norton, which is not a CAPEX-heavy business, there seems no immediate concern. Manufacturing will continue in the existing facility, and there are many customer orders that will be fulfilled in a profitable manner.
18 Apr DRDO innovates automatic sanitiser and ultraviolet devices to fight coronoavirus The ultraviolet device, which is hand held, can disinfect office and house objects like chairs, files and food packets. It also comes as a box, which has been designed to disinfect personal belongings such as mobile phones, files and wallet.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The DRDO’s Centre for Fire Explosive & Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi, has developed an automatic mist based sanitiser dispensing unit, the defence ministry said. It is a contactless sanitiser dispenser, which sprays alcohol-based hand sanitiser, for use at the entry of buildings and office complexes. The sanitiser operates without contact and is activated through an ultrasonic sensor. A single fluid nozzle is used to generate aerated mist to dispense the hand rub sanitiser. It sanitises the hands with minimum wastage.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 75 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
21 Apr Centre permits conversion of surplus rice to ethanol for hand sanitisers This will lead to utilisation of part of a huge stockpile of 30.57 million tonnes (mt) of rice - almost 128 per cent more than the buffer stock and strategic requirement norms.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Ethanol produced from this will be used for utilisation in making alcohol-based hand sanitizers and blending in petrol. The decision was taken by a group of experts under the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC), chaired by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government had already clarified that the disposal would be strictly monitored to allay any misconception that food stock was wasted for fuel when millions of children remain malnourished.
22 Apr NCLT to start hearing urgent matters through video conferencing from Apr 21 The NCLT has asked that all advocates, litigants and others who would be part of the hearings to dress formally while addressing the video conference.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the notice, all benches of the NCLT will function with a single-judge bench until the lockdown. Earlier last month, the company tribunal had announced that it would not accept any fresh filings from March 27 onward due to crowding at the filing centres. Both the NCLT and the NCLAT had adjourned hearings for after the lockdown in progressive policies, however, with the lockdown being extended, the NCLT has decided to take up some of its pending cases.
22 Apr COVID-19 pandemic: Oil price falls below zero for the first time US crude futures crashed below zero for the first time ever as the coronavirus crisis crippled global energy demand and worsened a supply glut.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The commodity rout also sent world equity markets spiralling lower, as investors fretted it could compound an expected deep global economic downturn. WTI had collapsed to an unprecedented intra-day low of minus $40.32. Negative prices mean traders must pay to find buyers to take physical possession of the oil -- a job made difficult with the world's storage capacity at bursting point. Storage is a particularly big problem in the US where WTI oil is delivered at a single, inland point. In Europe, where Brent is the benchmark, there are several such points and their proximity to the sea allows some of it to be stored on tankers.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 76 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
28 Apr CBDT again defers GST,, GAAR reporting in I-T audit report till March 2021 Business entities having a turnover of more than Rs 1 crore and professionals with gross receipts of more than Rs 50 lakh have to comply with the tax audit requirements.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Business entities having a turnover of more than Rs 1 crore (or Rs 2 crore if they have opted for presumptive taxation) and professionals with gross receipts of more than Rs 50 lakh have to comply with the tax audit requirements. The board has received representations with regard to difficulty in implementation of reporting requirements under clause 30C (pertaining to GAAR) and clause 44 (pertaining to GST compliance) of the Form No 3CD in view of the global pandemic due to COVID-19 and requested for deferring its the applicability.
29 Apr Google Cloud plans to acquire enterprise cloud software firm D2iQ D2iQ investors include Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Khosla Ventures, Koch Disruptive Technologies, Microsoft, Andreessen Horowitz and T. Rowe Price Associates.
P O INTS TO NO TE
D2iQ will provide the Defense Department with access to its suite of enterprise-grade open source solutions for deploying cloud-native applications in Day 2 operations, a feature that is used later in the life-cycle of the managed object. The company recently reportedly laid off 34 employees, or 13 per cent of its workforce, to reduce costs to deal with a projected 40 per cent sales decline. According to Google Cloud, companies have relied on a mainframe architecture to run their mission-critical workloads, but it often holds developers back from taking advantage of new technologies that enable them to innovate more quickly.
30 Apr Amazon introduces ‘‘Amazon Pay Later’’ feature Amazon India announced ‘Amazon Pay Later’ — a new credit service in India that will allow shoppers on its platform to get instant credit online.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Amazon Pay Later is a unique service that will help customers expand their access to credit and experience most convenient option of making payments. In current times Amazon Pay later empowers our customers to better manage their monthly spends. The company added that this initiative by Amazon Pay — the company’s digital payments units, is aimed at helping customers extend their budgets for purchases like home appliances, electronic gadgets, everyday essentials, groceries, and even pay their monthly bills, including for electricity, mobile recharges and DTH.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 77 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
30 Apr Supreme Court orders tax refund of ₹733 crore to Vodafone Idea Vodafone Idea, formerly known as Vodafone Mobile Services Ltd., had sought ₹4,759.07 crore in tax refund for AYs 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Bench also directed the I-T Department to conclude as early as possible the proceedings relating to the demand for refund by the telecom firm and the scrutiny of income by the I-T Department with respect to assessment years (AYs) 2016-17 and 2017-18. The firm had earlier unsuccessfully moved the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the department to process and grant refunds for the AYs 2014-15 to 2017-18, along with interest.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 78 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
5. Banking Awareness
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & SCHEMES
01 Apr Govt cuts interest rates on small savings schemes as lockdown continues Interest rates were also cut for senior citizens saving scheme and National Savings Certificate. Interest rates on public provident fund the quarter were cut by 80 bps.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Interest rates were also cut for a senior-citizens saving scheme and National Savings Certificate. With the reduction, term deposits of 1-3 years will now fetch an interest rate of 5.5 per cent from the existing 6.9 per cent, down 1.4 per cent, according to a notification by the finance ministry. Interest rates are paid quarterly, while the five-year term deposit will earn 6.7 per cent from the current rate of 7.7 per cent.
05 Apr Govt nominates Indian Overseas Bank for collecting donations for PM Cares Fund The contributions can be made by RTGS, NEFT, IMPS, cheques and demand drafts drawn in favour of PM-Cares Fund. One can also remit contributions directly by electronic clearing system (ECS) to the designated savings bank account of Indian Overseas Bank.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), has been nominated by the government for collection of funds, which will be used to support the community during the Coronavirus outbreak. The funds will be assigned to PM-Cares Fund," the bank said in a statement. One can also remit contributions directly by electronic clearing system (ECS) to the designated savings bank account of Indian Overseas Bank. The Army, Navy and Indian Air Force as well as employees of the defence ministry have decided to donate one day's salary totalling around Rs 500 crore.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 79 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
24 Apr Govt decides to suspend up to 1 year IBC provisions The government has decided to amend the Section 7, 9 and 10 of the IBC to suspend provisions that trigger insolvency proceedings against defaulters for six months (extendable up to one year).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The sources said an ordinance would be promulgated to suspend three sections of IBC for up to one year and a decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet Suspension of these provisions could be extended up to one year based on the economic situation going forward. The effective date of the amendments coming into force would be the date of promulgation of the ordinance. The government raised the threshold default amount for invoking insolvency proceedings under IBC to Rs 1 crore from Rs 1 lakh in order to prevent triggering of such proceedings against small and medium enterprises.
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
08 Apr PNB Housing Finance inks agreement with JICA to raise $100 million "This would be JICA’s first debt funding in the housing finance sector in India,” said Sanjaya Gupta, managing director, PNB Housing Finance.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The long-term facility with a tenor of five years would further help in balancing the company’s asset liability management (ALM) position. As on March 31, the housing finance company had liquidity of around Rs 7,588 crore (not considering SLR investments) and has additional sanctioned, but undrawn lines, of Rs 3,994 crore. The company had assets under management (AUM) of around Rs 84,000 crore with deposits of around Rs 9,200 crore in FY20. The loan spread is expected to be within the guided range of 200 to 215 bps for the current financial year
16 Apr Goldman Sachs buys 1.4 mn shares worth over Rs 176 cr in IndusInd Bank According to the bulk deal data on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte-ODI bought 1.4 million shares of the private lender, at an average price of Rs 430.3 apiece.
P O INTS TO NO TE
This took the total deal value between the Goldman Sachs and Indusind Bank goes to Rs 1,76,42,30,000. On the NSE, shares of IndusInd bank on Wednesday rallied 3.8 per cent to close at Rs 426. IndusInd Bank was the one worst-hit stocks in the banking sector as the impact of Coronavirus swept over the market. A lot of banking stocks were hit when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seized control of Yes Bank, and IndusInd was one one of the worst-hit during the meltdown.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 80 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
23 Apr Facebook to buy 9.9% in Jio for $5.7 bn in largest tech FDI for minority stake In a Facebook post, Mark Zuckerberg announced that the two companies are joining hands to help people and businesses in India create new opportunities.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The investment by Facebook values Jio Platforms at Rs 4.62 trillion pre-money enterprise value ($65.95 billion, assuming a conversion rate of Rs 70 to a US Dollar). Reliance Jio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has been the fastest-growing telecom network in the country since its launch in 2016. Jio has more than 388 million customers in India. Facebook said that its focus would be to create ways for people and businesses to operate more effectively in a digitally growing economy. WhatsApp and Instagram, which are now a major part of lives of Indian people, are also owned by Facebook.
29 Apr Nokia,, Airtel sign deal worth Rs 7,,500 cr for 4G network enhancement Nokia’s SRAN solution helps operators to manage their 2G, 3G and 4G networks from one platform reducing network complexity, increasing cost efficiencies and future-proofing investment.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The agreement is expected to give a fillip to customer experience, particularly in 4G. It is learnt that the size of the deal is around Rs 7,500 crore. This agreement becomes significant in the current Covid-19 scenario where the demand and consumption of data has increased and has put pressure on the telecom companies to invest more towards network enhancement.
29 Apr Axis Bank to buy 29% stake in Max Life Insurance Max Financial Services currently owns a 72.5% stake in Max Life and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI) holds 25.5%. Max Life will include the Axis Bank logo in its brand tagline following the deal.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the agreement, Max Financial will have the right to nominate four directors to the board of Max Life and Axis Bank shall be eligible to name three directors. Max Life will include the Axis Bank logo in its brand tagline following the deal. This move is an emphatic signal that Max Life will become an even more formidable player in the Indian life insurance space
OTHERS
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 81 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
02 Apr Merger of 10 PSU banks into 4,, 6 banks cease to exist Experts said that merger at this point of time will not be very smooth and seamless. However, heads of the anchor banks are exuding confidence in the process.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The exercise assumes significance as it is taking place at a time when the entire country is under the grip of COVID-19 outbreak. With the merger, the bank looking at more than Rs 2,500 crore of synergy benefits in the next three years. Following the consolidation, there will be seven large public sector banks (PSBs), and five smaller ones. The merger will result in the creation of seven large PSBs with scale and national reach, with each amalgamated entity having a business of over Rs 8 lakh crore and it would help create banks with a scale comparable to global banks and capable of competing effectively in India and globally.
02 Apr PhonePe launches ''Corona Care'',, a coronavirus hospitalisation insurance policy Phonepe has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, one of the country's largest general insurance companies. PhonePePhonePe users can purchase their Coronavirus insurance policy under the “My Money” section on the PhonePe app.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The company said this Insurance policy is priced at Rs 156 with an insurance cover of Rs 50,000 for a person aged under 55 years and the cover is applicable at any hospital offering treatment. It also covers 30 days of expenses related to pre-hospitalization costs and post-care medical treatment. The entire policy purchase process takes less than 2 minutes and customers will be instantly issued their policy documents inside the PhonePe app.
02 Apr Union Bank becomes 5th largest PSB post merger with Andhra Bank,, Corporation
Bank The amalgamation will also strengthen the bank's footprint in southern India with a considerable market share in this region, the Mumbai-headquartered lender said. It is also expected to generate cost and revenue synergies to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore over the next three years.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Combined together, they are India's fourth-largest banking network and fifth largest public sector bank. In order to minimize disruption, the account numbers, IFSC codes, debit/credit cards and internet/mobile banking portals and login credentials will remain the same. No additional charges will be levied on Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank customers using Union Bank ATM's and vice versa.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 82 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr Yes Bank commits Rs 10 crore for COVID-19 relief works The struggling private sector lender, which had to be bailed out through state-run SBI and a consortium of private sector banks, will donate Rs 10 crore into the PM-Cares Fund.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Multiplex chain operator Inox has also made a commitment of Rs 5 crore towards various relief efforts. This includes Rs 2 crore each to the PM-Cares Fund, and a clutch of other government bodies and the remaining Rs 1 crore towards providing personal protective equipment to health workers and food to stuck migrants in Maharashtra.
06 Apr Life insurance policyholders get 30 days more to pay premium amid lockdown Regulator Irdia has provided an additional 30-day grace period for policyholders to pay the premium on life insurance policies, whose renewal date falls in March and April.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has already provided additional time for payment of renewal premium in case of health insurance policies and motor third party insurance. The insurers and the council had flagged operational constraints and difficulties being faced by policyholders due to the nationwide three-week lockdown and social distancing advisory. It further said where unit-linked policies mature (up to May 31, 2020) and fund value is to be paid in a lump sum, life insurers may offer settlement options in accordance with relevant regulation.
08 Apr Bajaj Allianz launches new health product,, Arogya Sanjeevani Policy. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has received two approvals as per the recent announcement under the Regulatory Sandbox to launch the products.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The launches of this product will play a crucial role in encouraging people to opt for health insurance. Since the policy wordings are the same across all insurers, the main differentiator will be the service you provide to the customer. The product coverage is easy to understand and will be same across all insurers, making it even easier for customers to opt for. An annual policy with a sum insured ranging between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. The premium of a new policy will start with Rs 2,400 (excluding GST) and will vary depending on the age of the policyholder The policy can be purchased for an individual and for a family like a spouse, children, parents and parents-in-law under the floater plan. The entry age for this policy is 18 to 65 years and dependent children can be covered between three months to 25 years. It also covers pre-hospitalisation expenses of up to 30 days and posts hospitalisation expenses of up to 60 days.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 83 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
09 Apr Cash payment company CMS to offer cash at doorstep to senior citizens The lockdown has inconvenienced the general public to meet their daily cash needs and restricted access to their own money in their salary and pension accounts.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Reserve Bank of India has pushed for doorstep banking to the elderly and senior citizens. It has asked that Banks should develop a Board approved framework for determining the nature of branches/centres where these services will be provided mandatorily and those where it will be provided on a best effort basis and make the policy public. The list of branches offering such doorstep banking services shall be displayed/updated on the bank’s website regularly.
12 Apr COVID-19: LIC gives 30-day extension for premiums due in March,, April Further, it said wherever policies can be revived without any evidence of good health, this can also be done online. LIC's policyholders can pay premiums through digital payment options without any service charge.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It also informed that policyholders do not need to register on the website for paying a premium but can directly pay by giving basic details. Premiums can also be paid by downloading mobile app LIC Pay Direct. Policy premiums are accepted through Net banking, Debit Card, Credit Card and on payment apps such as Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, BHIM, UPI among others. Premiums can also be paid at all IDBI and Axis Bank branches and in cash through Common Service Centres (CSC), operating at the block level. The insurer assured its policyholders that the death claims arising due to COVID-19 will be treated at par with other causes of death and payments shall be made on an urgent basis.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 84 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
12 Apr COVID-19: India Posts extends insurance premium payment deadline till June 30 According to official data, there are 64.62 lakh Postal Life Insurance (PLI) policies and 2. 5 crore lakh RPLI were active in March through India Post.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Benefits of PLI were available to government and semi-government employees, which have recently been extended to professionals and employees of listed companies of NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) in October 2017. RPLI scheme is envisaged to provide insurance cover to the people living in rural areas in general and to benefit weaker sections and women workers of rural areas in particulars.
12 Apr COVID-19: 3 more months to deposit money in PPF,, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana The deadline to make deposits in PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for the financial year 2019-20 (FY20) has been extended till June 30 due to Covid lockdown.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The customers will be able to deposit only till the upper limit, which is Rs 1.5 lakh a year, in these two schemes. If no money is deposited in these accounts in FY20, no default fee would be levied if deposits are made till June 30 this year. As per the small saving scheme rules, a PPF account holder needs to deposit at least Rs 500 in its PPF account in a financial year failing to which there is the provision of Rs 50 penalty on the PPF account holder. In the case of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account, the minimum deposit amount is Rs 250. In the case of RD default, the post office charges Rs 1 on each Rs 100 default in RD account.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 85 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
18 Apr RBI cuts reverse repo by 25 basis points,, announces Rs 50,,000 crore TLTRO 2.0 for
NBFCs It also announced relaxation of asset classification norms. These liquidity measures are over and above the Rs 3.74 lakh liquidity boost announced in the last week of March.>>>
P O INTS TO NO TE
These liquidity measures are over and above the Rs 3.74 lakh liquidity boost announced in the last week of March. Those included a Targeted Long Term Repo Operations (TLTRO) window of Rs one lakh crore for banks to invest specifically in corporate bonds and commercial papers. It also reduced the repo rate by 75 basis points and the reverse repo by a larger margin of 90 basis points, thereby making it less lucrative for banks to park money with the RBI. It also reduced the CRR by 100 basis points, The RBI has increased the limit under Ways and Means Advances for states to avail short-term funds to 60 per cent of the existing limit. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio has been brought down to 80 per cent from 100 per cent earlier.
18 Apr RBI assumes protective role,, asks banks not to pay dividend for FY20 The move by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), asking scheduled commercial and cooperative banks to not pay further dividend for FY20 till September 30, 2020, is being seen as a pre-emptive move to protect the balance sheet of lenders.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The decision is a step in the right direction, as the COVID-19 impact on asset quality is difficult to gauge. RBI wants banks to conserve capital by restricting dividend payouts, given the degree of asset quality pain banks could face is uncertain. According to India Ratings, PSBs may report Rs 15,000-20,000 crore in net profit for FY20. In the normal course, this would lead to a dividend payout of up to Rs 2,000-3,000 crore. The amount is inconsequential, considering State of Bank of India’s loan book of Rs 23 trillion as of December 2019.
21 Apr COVID-19: IRDAI directs health insurers to settle claims within two hours Decision on authorisation for cashless treatment shall be communicated to the network provider (hospital) within two hours from the time of receipt of authorisation request.
P O INTS TO NO TE
IRDAI said that the need for alleviating the pressure on the health care infrastructure, all the insurers shall decide health insurance claims expeditiously. In order to ensure that all health insurance claims are responded to quickly, it has directed insurers to ‘comply’ with certain timelines.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 86 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
22 Apr Covid-19: Paytm Payments Bank crosses Rs 1,,000 crore in savings deposits Paytm Payments Bank Ltd has been witnessing an accelerated rise in the deposits, as more people are embracing digital banking during Covid-19.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The bank has now implemented the option to avail benefits of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), which is a scheme by Government of India to transfer the subsidies of various social welfare schemes like LPG gas subsidy, MNREGA payments, Old Age Pension, Scholarships directly into the beneficiary’s bank account. Customers will be able to receive the benefits of over 400 government subsidies directly in their savings bank account. PPBL’s savings account holders can opt for DBT by submitting an online request through their Paytm Payments Bank Android app.
24 Apr Abu Dhabi Sheikh acquires 20% stake in Grocer LuLu An investment firm backed by a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family agreed to buy a stake worth just over $1 billion in LuLu Group International, which runs one of the West Asia’s largest hypermarket chains.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The company led by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan acquired an almost 20 per cent holding in the Abu Dhabi- based supermarket group founded by Indian entrepreneur Yusuff Ali, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. Abu Dhabi, the holder of about 6% of the world’s proven oil reserves, is investing in local businesses to diversify its economy away from crude. At just over $1 billion, the LuLu deal ranks among one of the U.A.E.’s largest consumer deals in recent years. Majid Al Futtaim Holding LLC agreed to buy Retail Arabia, the owner of the Geant store franchise in the Middle East, for an undisclosed amount in 2017.
25 Apr Franklin Templeton MF winds up six credit funds due to Covid-19 Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has decided to wind up six credit funds on account of the liquidity crisis following the coronavirus pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
In light of the severe market dislocation and illiquidity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this decision has been taken in order to protect value for investors via a managed sale of the portfolio. This action is limited to the... funds, which have material direct exposure to the higher-yielding, lower-rated credit securities in India that have been most impacted by the ongoing liquidity crisis in the market. The schemes that have been shut are Franklin India Low Duration Fund, Franklin India Dynamic Accrual Fund, Franklin India Credit Risk Fund, Franklin India Short Term Income Plan, Franklin India Ultra Short Bond Fund and Franklin India Income Opportunities Fund.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 87 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
28 Apr RBI opens ₹50,,000 crore liquidity tap for Mutual Funds While announcing the window, the RBI said the liquidity stress is limited to high-risk debt funds and the larger industry remains liquid.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The move comes after Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund decided to wind up six debt funds that have combined assets under management of nearly ₹26,000 crores on account of illiquid, low rated instruments in their portfolio last weak. The fund house had said it decided to wind up the schemes to preserve the value at least at the current levels, as the value was getting eroded due to a combination of redemption pressures and mark-to-market losses due to lack of liquidity on account of the coronavirus impact on the markets. Funds availed under this facility will be used by banks exclusively for meeting the liquidity requirements of MFs by extending loans, and undertaking the outright purchase of and/or repos against the collateral of investment-grade corporate bonds, commercial papers (CPs), debentures and certificates of Deposit (CDs).
29 Apr Govt notifies International Financial Services Centres Authority With this, the government has established a unified authority to regulate all financial services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in the country.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The notification brings into effect certain provisions of the IFSCA Act, 2019, related to its functioning, however, the Centre refrained from fully enabling the authority with all its powers as envisaged in the Act. The main function of the authority will be to regulate financial products such as securities, deposits or contracts of insurance, financial services, and financial institutions which have been previously approved by any appropriate regulator in an IFSC. As per the Act, the regulators include SEBI, RBI, IRDAI and the The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 88 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
29 Apr Over Rs 68,,600 cr loans of wilful defaulters written off,, including Mehul Choksi,,
Vijay Mallya firms In the last Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi had controversially asked the government to provide a list of top 50 bank loans defaulters in the country.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The information on top 50 wilful defaulters and their sum of the funded amount outstanding and amount wrote off as on September 30, 2019, reported in CRILC by banks, is provided The RBI said that according to section 8 (1)(a) of RTI Act 2005 read with para 77 of Supreme Court judgement of December 16, 201,5 in Jayantilal N Mistry case, information on overseas borrowers is exempted from public disclosure. Abscondingdiamantairee Choksi’s company Gitanjali Gems top the list of these defaulters with a whopping amount of Rs 5,492 crore, according to the list.
29 Apr Govt extends deadline to bid for Air India by two months till 30 June This is the second extension in the deadline to submit bids by investors for Air India since it initiated the process of stake sale in the debt-ridden national carrier.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Expression of Interest for sale of Air India has been extended in view of the request received from the IBs in view of the prevailing situation arising out of Covid-19. The aviation sector has been hit hard by Covid-19 with airlines cancelling international flights and announcing pay cuts for employees. The extension of Air India bid deadline followed the government’s move last month to extend the time given to investors to bid for its entire 52.98 per cent stake in Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) to June 13.
30 Apr RBI extends curbs on Mumbai-based Co-operative bank for 6 months The Reserve Bank in October 2018 had barred the The Needs of Life Co-op Bank Ltd from granting or renewing any loan for six months and later extended the curbs twice.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It also added that extension and/or modification “should not per-se be construed” to imply that Reserve Bank of India is satisfied of substantive improvement in the financial position of the bank. RBI said restrictions on Madgaum Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Margao, Goa too have been extended by three months till August 2. The RBI had also put restrictions on withdrawals from the bank.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 89 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
6. Science, Technology and Environment
OTHERS
01 Apr IIT Guwahati students develop drone to sanitize large areas The student group, which has a start-up called "Racerfly", has approached the Assam and Uttarakhand governments offering to join the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Just one person spraying and monitoring using a mobile app. This will help in following social distancing guIdelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight COVID- 19. The drone which is crash-proof is equipped to adjust itself to terrain height and avoid an obstacle. According to the five-member team, the drone can spray two to four litres of disinfectant per minute and can be filled twice for one charge.
01 Apr ICAR-IIRR scientists identify novel blast-resistant rice gene Popular BPT variety rice with blast-resistant gene to become available to ryots soon, The team of scientists was led by Principal Scientist in Plant Biotechnology at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The drone will help in sanitizing large areas byCouncil of Agricultural Research-IIRR M.S. Madhav has found a gene that has helped effectively arrest both the leaf and neck blast diseases in paddy. The disease, which is prevalent not only in the Telugu States but across the country and outside, reduces paddy yield about 30%. The outcome of the research is highly useful for development blast-resistant varieties suitable for cultivation in diverse agro-climatic conditions for combating the disease for global food security.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 90 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
02 Apr Japan begins clinical trials with anti-flu drug ''Avigan'' to treat COVID-19 patients Trials in China have suggested Avigan could play a role in shortening the recovery time for patients infected with the coronavirus. The trial will be conducted on 100 patients until the end of June.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The trial will be conducted on 100 patients until the end of June. The drug will be administered for a maximum of 14 days to coronavirus patients between 20 and 74 years old with mild pneumonia. It is expected that Avigan may potentially have an antiviral effect on the new coronavirus. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat malaria have shown early promise against the COVID-19 illness in early studies in France and China.
02 Apr Coating developed by JNCASR to prevent transmission of infection This covalent coating, the research paper about which has been accepted in the journal Applied Material and Interfaces, has been found to completely kill influenza virus as well as resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has created an unprecedented stir in global public health. Corona virus, like influenza, is also an enveloped virus. The molecules developed have an ability to chemically cross-link with different surfaces upon UV irradiation. Upon the formation of the coating, it has been shown to permeabilize the membranes of pathogens (i.e. bacteria) leading to their inactivation. An easy approach was developed to coat a wide range of substrates used in daily life as well as in clinical settings.
03 Apr IIT Roorkee develops low-cost portable ventilator to tackle COVID-19 The research development on the ventilator started during the lockdown period necessitating the development of many parts like microprocessor-controlled non-return valves, solenoid valves, one- way valve, etc. using the facilities of Tinkering Laboratory, IIT Roorkee.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The research team from IIT Roorkee included Prof. Akshay Dvivedi and Prof. Arup Kumar Das with online support from Dr Debendra Tripathi from AIIMS Rishikesh The ventilator is based on the controlled operation of the prime mover to deliver the required amount of air to the patient. The automated process controls the pressure and flow rates in the inhalation and exhalation lines. The ventilator can automatically limit high pressure with an alarm system. In case of a failure, the circuit opens to the atmosphere which prevents choking. Some additional features are remote monitoring by health professionals, touch screen control of all operating parameters, moister, and temperature control for inhaled air.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 91 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
03 Apr SCTIMST ties up with Wipro 3D to manufacture automated ventilators For enabling rapid production, the device is designed with readily available components so that it becomes an alternative solution. It provides ventilation support to the needy and is an ideal solution for ventilation shortages.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The ventilators can help meet urgent requirements arising out of the COVID 19 related crisis that the country is facing. AMBU bag or a bag-valve-mask (BVM) is a hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to a patient who is either not breathing or who is breathing inadequately. This portable and lightweight device enable positive pressure ventilation with a controlled rate of expiration, Inspiratory to Expiratory Ratio, Tidal Volume. The automatic device will minimize the need for support personnel in the isolation room, thereby enabling a safer and effective lung-protective operation to COVID patients.
04 Apr World''s largest radio telescope,, ALMA,, shut down due to COVID-19 LMA is an astronomical interferometer of 66 radio telescopes located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Chile's Health Ministry said 2,738 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and 12 have died so far.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He said that they made unprecedented decision to shut down ALMA for the well-being and health of all staff, to ensure they can be at home with their families while this pandemic unfolds. ALMA shut down on March 22 and was expected to resume operations no sooner than May 19, according to the announcement. ALMA is an astronomical interferometer of 66 radio telescopes located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. A radio telescope consists of a radio receiver and an antenna which detects radio-frequency radiation emitted by extraterrestrial sources. They're huge in size because they need to get the resolution of an optical telescope as radio wavelengths are much longer than that of visible light.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 92 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
04 Apr DRDO develops equipment for effective sanitisation of public spaces In the continuing quest for developing indigenous solutions to combat the Corona Virus Pandemic, Defence research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is ready with technologies for sanitising areas of different sizes.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The portable system can be mounted as a backpack and can be carried by the operations personnel. This system incorporates low-pressure twin fluid (air & disinfectant liquid) technology to generate very fine mist. The system is capable of disinfecting up to 300 square metre area. The application areas can include hospital reception, doctor chambers, office spaces dealing with the general public, corridors, pathways, metro and railway stations, bus stations, etc. The Centre with the help of its industry partner has also developed a higher capacity which is carried on a trolley. The system incorporates low-pressure single fluid (disinfectant liquid) technology generating a very fine mist. It has a tank capacity of 50 litres and has a lancing (throw) distance of 12-15 metres. This is useful for disinfecting hospitals, malls, airports, metro stations, isolation areas, quarantine centres and high-risk residential areas.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 93 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr Low-cost indigenous swab for coronavirus testing developed It was a joint project of C-MET (which comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), SRI Research FOR Tissue Engineering Private, Rangadore Hospital, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Additive Manufacturing Society of India.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It was a joint project of C-MET (which comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), SRI Research FOR Tissue Engineering Private, Rangadore Hospital, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Additive Manufacturing Society of India To develop a prototype of the swab, the researchers used a speciality polymer from polyester family and a rod made up of Polypropylene CMET has developed two types of swabs which are required to collect the sample. The swabs developed by his team could cost a third of the price of imported swabs.
05 Apr DST funded startup develops chemical free silver based disinfectant to fight COVID-
19 Weinnovate Biosolutions, a Pune based startup supported jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has come up with a non-alcoholic aqueous-based Colloidal Silver solution.
P O INTS TO NO TE
This liquid is noninflammable and free of hazardous chemicals and can be an effective sanitizer to prevent the spread of the infection through contact the prime method of transmission of the pandemic, thereby protecting health professionals and other infected people. The colloidal silver solution of Weinnovate Biosolutions, which is based on the ability of the silver nanoparticles to prevent the synthesis of viral negative-strand RNA and viral budding, is free from hazardous chemicals and has no risk of inflammability compared to alcohol-based disinfectants.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 94 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
06 Apr Researchers develop novel "smart" proteins programmed to turn genes on and off Researchers have created artificial proteins that can control the activity of genes and other molecules in living cells in predetermined ways, an advance that can be used to program the behaviour of more complex chemical and biological systems.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The researchers, including those from the University of Washington in the US, explained that the proteins, like their electronic counterparts, logic gates, implement a Boolean function, which is a logical operation performed on one or more binary inputs that produces a single binary output. The novel protein logic gates, made from biological parts, aim to bring this level of control into bioengineered systems. Using proteins like the one currently developed, the scientists said, inputs such as the presence of two different molecules in a living cell can cause it to produce a specific output, such as activating or suppressing a gene.
07 Apr Coronavirus can survive on face masks for a week,, banknotes for days A study by American researchers on the environmental stability of the coronavirus published last month in the journal Nature also concluded that it can remain infectious on some surfaces for days.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The study found that the COVID-19 virus can stick to stainless steel and plastic surfaces for up to four days, and to the outer layer of a face mask for a week. SARS-CoV-2 can be highly stable in a favourable environment, but it is also susceptible to standard disinfection methods. The report, published in The Lancet journal, adds to a growing body of research about the stability of SARS-CoV-2 as the novel coronavirus is formally known and what can be done to prevent its transmission.
10 Apr Smart dustbin for contactless waste collection at hospitals developed The three-feet-tall and 1.5-feet-wide smart container perform contact-less collection by opening its flap automatically. They have named the dustbin as Ally.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It follows voice commands and moves on the predefined paths autonomously inside a controlled environment. It has sensory system checks the current status, or level of the dustbin, and initiates the disposal procedure once it is filled up to a predefined threshold. Ally can move to the disposal centre autonomously, dispose of the waste and get ready on its own for reuse, according to the researchers.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 95 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
10 Apr SCTIMST scientists design super absorbent material for safe management of
infected respiratory secretions Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India have designed and developed a highly efficient superabsorbent material for liquid respiratory and other body fluid solidification and disinfection for the safe management of infected respiratory secretions.
P O INTS TO NO TE
AcryloSorb can absorb liquids at least 20 times more than its dry weight and also contains a decontaminant for in situ disinfection. Containers filled with this material will immobilize the contaminated fluid by solidifying it (gel-like), thus avoiding spillage and will also disinfect it. The canister containing the solidified waste canister can then be decomposed as all other biomedical waste by incineration. This technology reduces the risk for the hospital staff, the need for personnel for disinfecting and cleaning the bottles and canisters for reusing them and makes the disposal safer and easier.
11 Apr Mutations undergone by coronavirus tracked,, three lineages discovered: Study According to the researchers, including those from the University of Cambridge in the UK, there are three distinct "variants" of COVID-19, consisting of clusters of closely related lineages, which they labelled 'A', 'B' and 'C'. The closest type of COVID-19 to the one discovered in bats -- type 'A', the "original human virus genome" -- was present in Wuhan.
P O INTS TO NO TE
By analysing the first 160 complete virus genomes to be sequenced from human patients, the study, published in the journal PNAS, mapped some of the original spread of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, through its mutations into the lineages. These techniques are mostly known for mapping the movements of prehistoric human populations through DNA. We think this is the first time they have been used to trace the infection routes of a coronavirus like COVID-19.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 96 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
11 Apr Corona: IIT develops UV-technology fitted ''trunk'' for homes to sanitise grocery
items,,currency notes The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has developed a trunk-shaped device fitted with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology, which they recommend be placed at doorsteps and all items brought from outside including grocery and currency notes be put in it to sanitise them and aid the fight against COVID-19.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to the team at IIT Ropar, the trunk when commercialised can be available at less than Rs 500. The device will take 30 minutes to sanitise the items and the team has recommended a 10 minute cooling off period before one takes the items out. The team recommends that all items coming from outside including currency notes, vegetables, milk packets, any items ordered through delivery, wristwatch, wallets, mobile phones or any documents be placed in the trunk before being used. The device is based on ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology used in water purifiers. We strongly advise not to look directly at the light inside the trunk as it can be harmful.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 97 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
13 Apr Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 strikes East Delhi,, neighbouring areas According to the National Centre for Seismology, the quake occurred at 5.45 pm. Its epicentre was in NCT Delhi at the depth of 8 km. The earthquake was unexpected, there were no signs of it coming.>
P O INTS TO NO TE
Officials from the Department of Disaster Management Authority in Delhi said there were no immediate reports of any damage. The epicentre of the earthquake was reported near Sonia Vihar in north-east Delhi, about 16 km from the NCS head office at Lodhi Road, said M Rajeevan, secretary, ministry of earth sciences The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 8 km, was categorised in the "yellow, slight" level.
14 Apr Low-intensity earthquake hits Delhi,, second in two days A mild earthquake measuring 3.5 on the richter scale had hit Delhi and neighbouring areas yesterday. The tremors had lasted for 25 to 30 seconds. Officials from the Department of Disaster Management Authority in Delhi said there were no immediate reports of any damage.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The earthquake, with its epicentre near Wazirpur in northeast Delhi, occurred at 1.26 pm at a shallow depth of 5 km, said JL Gautam, Head (Operations) at NCS. Of the five seismic zones, Delhi falls under the fourth-highest zone, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. But it is rare that Delhi has been the epicentre of a quake. It, however, experiences tremors when a quake hits regions as far as central Asia or the Himalayan ranges, known to be a high seismic zone.
15 Apr Chinese research firm attached to PLA first to start 2nd clinical trial for
coronavirus vaccine An adenovirus vector vaccine, developed by a research team led by Major General Chen Wei of the Institute of Military Medicine under the Academy of Military Sciences of the People's Liberation Army, was the first to be approved to enter clinical trial.
P O INTS TO NO TE
It is the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world that has entered the second phase of a clinical trial, the Xinhua report quoting the World Health Organization The first phase of the clinical trial was completed at the end of March, and the second phase started on April 12. The vaccine is developed by genetic engineering methods and is used to prevent diseases caused by novel coronavirus infections. The first phase of the vaccine clinical trial focused on its safety, while the second phase weighs more on its efficacy. Unlike the first phase, the second phase recruited more participants and introduced a placebo control group.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 98 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
15 Apr DRDO develops kiosk for COVID-19 sample collection Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad has added another product to the portfolio of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to combat Coronavirus (COVID-19) by developing COVID Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Kiosk is automatically disinfected without the need for human involvement, making the process free of infection spread. The shielding screen of kiosk cabin protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking the sample.This reduces the requirements of PPE change by health care workers. The COVSACK costs nearly Rsone lakh and the identified industry based at Belgaum, Karnataka can support 10 units per day. The DRDO has designed and developed two units and handed over these to ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad after successful testing. The shielding screen of kiosk cabin protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking the sample.This reduces the requirements of PPE change by health care workers.
20 Apr IIT team develops magnetic RAM to enable higher data storage,, faster computation Researchers at the IIT Mandi, developed magnetic Random Access Memory (RAM) which is faster, more energy-efficient and capable of storing more information in a smaller volume than existing data storage technologies.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The team, which is in process of patenting the technology, claims that the Spin-transfer torque (STT) based nano spintronic devices will also put an end to computer data loss due to interruptions of power supply and hence will have the capability to transform next-generation computers, smartphones and other gadgets. According to the researchers, magnetic RAMs in which data are represented as the spin of electrons, promise better storage capabilities than conventional charge-based RAM. One major hurdle to scaling of spintronics-based RAM has been the high operating current density but the problem has been addressed by this research.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 99 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
20 Apr Cognizant hit by ''Maze'' ransomware attack amid coronavirus crisis The anonymous hackers behind Maze have made headlines in recent months for publicly holding their victims hostage by threatening to leak company information if the target doesn't pay the ransom.
P O INTS TO NO TE
While there has been a significant rise in phishing attacks in the guise of COVID-19 themed websites, the ransomware attack seems to be the most severe form of such attempts at this point of time. Other than encrypting data, it is able to spread across a network, infecting and encrypting every computer on its path, and it can also exfiltrate the data to the attackers. In January, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning to American companies about Maze’s tactic of threatening to release company information.
22 Apr Hackers sold data of 267 mn Facebook users for just Rs 41,,500 The data includes email addresses, names, Facebook IDs, dates of birth and phone numbers. No passwords of the 267 mn users were exposed by the hacker.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Cybele researchers executed the sale and were able to download and verify the data. Given that the data contains sensitive details on the users, it might be used by cybercriminals for phishing and spamming, it warned. The database was made available for download on an online hacker forum, according to a blog post on the website Comparitech. The social media giant in November last year revealed that at least 100 app developers may have accessed Facebook users' data for months, confirming that at least 11 partners "accessed group members' information in the last 60 days".
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 100 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
24 Apr Scientists track link between wildlife and COVID-19 outbreak Scientists have found very strong genetic clues that COVID-19 originated with bats. Bats are also believed to be the original source of Ebola virus outbreaks that infected people in Africa from 2014 to 2016, and in 1976.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) in the US say the COVID- 19 pandemic and additional outbreaks over the last decade are linked to wild life. Scientists are not certain how this latest outbreak began and spread, but they believe the coronavirus likely originated in populations of horseshoe bats. Evidence suggests that MERS spread from bats to camels to people, while SARS likely occurred as a result of transmission from bats to civet cats to humans, Cannon said. Bats are also believed to be the original source of Ebola virus outbreaks that infected people in Africa from 2014 to 2016, and in 1976
25 Apr China names its Mars mission Tianwen-1 ahead of its planned launch this year Aiming to catch up with India, U.S., Russia and the European Union to reach the red planet, China’s Mars mission plans to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Tianwen, which means Heavenly Questions or Questions to Heaven, a poem written by China’s well-known poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). The CNSA said all of China’s planetary exploration missions in the future will be named the Tianwen series, signifying the Chinese nation’s perseverance in pursuing truth and science and exploring nature and the universe, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. India became the first Asian country to have successfully launched its Mars orbiter mission, Mangalyaan which has entered the orbit of the red planet in 2014.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 101 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
26 Apr First merger of two black holes with unequal masses detected The actual merger took place at a distance of 2.5 billion light-years away. This study has been published in preprint server ArXiv and is pending peer review.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The detected signal’s waveform has special extra features in it when it corresponds to the merger of two unequal-sized black holes as compared with a merger of equal-sized black holes. These features make it possible to infer many more things about the characters in this celestial drama, namely, a more accurate determination of the distance from the event. Subsequent analysis of the signal coming from the violent merger showed that it involved two black holes of unequal masses coalescing, one of which was some 30 times the mass of the Sun and the other which had a mass nearly 8 times the solar mass.
29 Apr Twitter disables ''tweet via SMS'' feature due to text message vulnerability In September last year, Twitter said that it was temporarily turning off the ability to Tweet via SMS, or text message, to protect people's accounts.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The tweet via SMS feature was launched with Twitter's original 140-character limit They took this step because of vulnerabilities that need to be addressed by mobile carriers and our reliance on having a linked phone number for two-factor authentication. There are not many people who use this feature which is with Twitter since the very beginning but there were some complaints from people who still used SMS to read tweets.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 102 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
7. Defence
03 Apr Naval Dockyard designs its own handheld IR-based temperature sensor The infrared-technology-based sensor is manufactured using in-house resources under Rs 1,000 (which is a fraction of the cost of temperature guns available in the market).
P O INTS TO NO TE
There is a shortage of non-contact thermometers or temperature guns in the market and the device has become expensive since the outbreak. Citing these reasons, the Naval Dockyard designed and developed its own handheld IR-based temperature sensor with accuracy of 0.02 deg celsius The device has an infrared sensor and an LED display, with a micro-controller, which runs on a 9V battery The dockyard is capable to scaling up the production of this affordable device and is in the process of searching for its components.
15 Apr U.S. approves sale of missiles,, torpedoes to India Any offset agreements will be defined in negotiations between India and contractors. The torpedoes are expected to enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capability and can be used with the P-8I.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The first deal, for which Boeing is the contractor, is for ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles and related equipment. These missiles can be fitted onto Boeing’s 8-PI (Poseidon Eight India) maritime patrol aircraft and are intended to enhance India’s capability in anti-surface warfare while defending its sea lanes. The second deal, for $63 million and principally contracted with Raytheon Integrated Defense System, is for 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT); three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes (MK 54 LWT Kit procurement required); and related equipment.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 103 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
29 Apr WHO map shows parts of Ladakh as Chinese territory Parts of Ladakh (Aksai-Chin) in the China section of the WHO website have been shown as part of Chinese territory with a dotted line and colour code.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The map of India depicted by WHO differs from the standard depiction even of the United Nations itself, by not showing parts of J&K which are under actual control of India as a part of our country China included parts of Arunachal Pradesh within its international boundaries, according to an updated version issued by Sky Map, which is China's authority on digital maps. The map of China, until now, was based on the 1989 edition of the Sky Map of its national borders, though Beijing has since solved its border issues with Russia and Central Asian countries.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 104 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
8. Sports
02 Apr Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since WWII The tournament was first held in 1877 and has been contested every year since, with the exception of two stretches- from 1915-18 because of World War I, and from 1940-45 because of World War II.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The cancellation of the only grasscourt Grand Slam tournament at the All England Club would leave the tennis season in disarray after the French Open was controversially moved and all events cancelled until June 7. Organisers had earlier ruled out playing the Grand Slam behind closed doors and postponing the event would also create its own problems. The AELTC said that the Wimbledon will now be held from June 28 to July 11, 2021.
06 Apr Former Saints kicker Tom Dempsey dies due to Covid-19 Legendary New Orleans Saints kicker Dempsey, who held the record for the longest field goal in NFL history from 1970 until 2013, has died after contracting COVID-19,
P O INTS TO NO TE
Dempsey’s mammoth, game-winning 63-yard field goal struck on November 8, 1970, was the most famous moment of his NFL career. Dempsey flourished with a specially modified, flat-fronted right boot which critics said gave him an unfair advantage in kicking. It did not prevent him from spending a decade in the NFL between 1969 and 1979 with stints in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston and Buffalo.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 105 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
06 Apr PSA announces "No squash till July" The Professional Squash Association (PSA) announced in a release recently that the suspension of the PSA Tour due to COVID-19 has been extended and all World Tour, Challenger Tour, and WSF & PSA Satellite Tour events, scheduled for May and June, have been postponed.
P O INTS TO NO TE
PSA initially suspended both the PSA World Tour and PSA Challenger Tour until the end of April, but following regular communication with players and organisers, the suspension will continue till July. Two PSA Challenger Tour events in July Victoria Open and the Noida Leg of the HCL SRFI Indian Tour are expected to go ahead as planned (the Thiruvananthapuram and Pune legs have been affected), while the PSA World Tour is expected to resume in August.
17 Apr Sharath Kamal becomes highest-ranked Indian paddler Riding on the title-winning performance at the Oman Open last month, Sharath has taken a leap of seven spots to claim the 31st position in ITTF rankings.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Young rising paddler Mudit Dani also made notable progress in the rankings as he broke into the Top-200 for the first time in his career. While Harmeet Desai (72), Anthony Amalraj (100) and Manav Thakkar (139) are the other Indian paddlers who have positioned themselves in the first 200. Meanwhile, in the senior women’s rankings, Manika Batra is at the 63rd spot while Sutirtha Mukharjee at 95th, breaking into the top 100. The ITTF rankings will now be frozen until the start of events. ITTF has already suspended all its events until June 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
26 Apr FIFA to give members $150m of virus relief funds Each national governing body will receive $500,000, that FIFA says would normally be delivered “upon fulfullment of specific criteria”, but will release those funds and any “remaining entitlement for 2019 and 2020”.
P O INTS TO NO TE
FIFA said that all operational funding for 2019 and 2020 would be distributed amongst the 211 member associations in the next few days as the first step of a relief plan to assist the football community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that the funds were the “first step of a far-reaching financial relief plan we are developing to respond to the emergency across the whole football community”. FIFA announced the creation of a football aid fund but it has since not given any additional details on its operation or scope.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 106 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
28 Apr Umar Akmal banned for three years Akmal had stated in an interview that he was offered money to skip matches against India. He had also revealed that he was asked to leave two deliveries in a match by the bookies.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Akmal had not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal after he was charged for two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents. Akmal hit 129 runs from 160 balls becoming only the second Pakistani to score a hundred on debut away from home after Fawad Alam.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 107 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
9. People
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
02 Apr Syndicate Bank’’s Krishnan S appointed as ED at Canara Bank post merger He joined the services of Indian Bank in January 1983. The career banker with over thirty years of banking experience has specialization in credit, more specifically corporate credit.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Krishnan held the same portfolio in Syndicate Bank. Syndicate Bank has been merged with Canara Bank. He is a Post Graduate in Commerce, a qualified Cost Accountant (ICMA) and also a Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). He will assume the office as Executive Director, Canara Bank from 1.04.2020. Canara Bank is headquartered at Bengaluru, Karnataka.
05 Apr Sunil D''Souza assumes charge as MD and CEO of Tata Consumer Products D'Souza holds a PG diploma in management from IIM Calcutta, was leading Whirlpool India for four years prior to this. He had a 15-year stint in PepsiCo, where he worked in several leadership positions.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Tata Consumer Products has an impressive portfolio of brands and there are few exciting additions which we have planned. We will focus on delivering on the synergies to develop an unparalleled consumer retail platform cutting across food and beverages D'Souza started his career at Brooke Bond Lipton India in 1993 and has 26 years of experience in the consumer goods industry. He had a 15-year stint in PepsiCo, where he worked in several leadership roles.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 108 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr Keir Starmer made U.K.’’s new Labour party chief Keir Starmer, the former shadow Brexit Secretary, on April 4 emerged as the winner of a three-way race to replace Jeremy Corbyn as the Leader of the U.K.’s Opposition Labour party.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The lawyer-turned-politician has previously led the U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and served in Corbyn’s top team for more than three years and was the face of the party’s Brexit policy. Saturday’s result was announced by email after plans for a public event in London were cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. Mr Starmer won in the first round of voting under the preferential system, polling 275,780 votes and representing 56.2% of the total vote share. Rebecca Long-Bailey came second with 135,218 votes — or 27.6% — with Nandy in third with 79,597 votes or 16.2%.
06 Apr Indian-origin Lisa Nandy appointed UK shadow foreign minister Nandy, the 40-year-old MP for Wigan in Greater Manchester came in third in the three-way Labour postal ballot on April 4th. She will be responsible for coordinating Labour's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Starmer's top team will form a new shadow committee, which will be responsible for coordinating Labour's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Nandy, the 40-year-old MP for Wigan in Greater Manchester came in third in the three-way Labour postal ballot. Nandy said its an honour to be tasked with leading Labour's foreign policy response in these difficult times.
09 Apr IIM Board appoints Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan as IIM Bangalore''s new director Professor RT Krishnan said: “It is an extraordinary privilege to lead India’s best management institution, IIM Bangalore, at this most challenging time when there is an opportunity to re-define management education.”
P O INTS TO NO TE
He will assume office on July 31, following the superannuation of the present Director, Professor G. Raghuram. Professor R.T. Krishnan has served as Director of IIM Indore and is known as a thought leader in the management of innovation. IIM Bangalore lies at the second position in the list of Top IIMs.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 109 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
14 Apr Ka. Balachandran appointed Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Chairperson Mr Balachandran has been serving as the Principal Secretary to the State government in the Registration and Commercial Taxes Department until recently
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to an official release, he joined the State Civil Service in 1986 and was conferred an IAS officer in 1994. Mr Balachandran is expected to assume office on Monday 20 2020. Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission is headed by the Chairman and Comprises of fourteen other members, all appointed by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, in accordance with the above provisions of the Constitution of India.
21 Apr Kapil Dev Tripathi appointed Secretary to President Kovind The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Tripathi as Secretary to Kovind on contract basis, for a term co-terminus with the tenure of the President.
P O INTS TO NO TE
According to a Personnel Ministry order. Tripathi, a 1980 batch IAS (retired) officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is at present the chairman of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). Mr Tripathi, who retired as the Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in June 2018, was heading the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) that does top-level recruitments in the central public sector enterprises.
29 Apr PNB Housing appoints Neeraj Vyas as interim MD&CEO Vyas, a former deputy managing director and chief operating officer of State Bank of India, will be the at helm of affairs for a period of eight months, effective from April 28.>>>
P O INTS TO NO TE
Vyas, a former deputy managing director and chief operating officer of State Bank of India, will be the at the helm of affairs for a period of eight months, effective from April 28. He joined into the board of the mortgage lender in 2019 and has also been a member of the credit committee of the board since then. PNB Housing Finance has gained significant market share in recent years to become the fourth largest housing finance company in India in terms of advances and the second largest in deposits. The company is in the process of raising up to Rs 1700 crore by share sale to institutional investors.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 110 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
29 Apr Ex-Andhra Bank chief Suresh N Patel to take over as Vigilance Commissioner He was appointed the managing director and chief executive officer of Andhra Bank in November 2015 till his superannuation on December 31, 2017.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Patel's name to the post was recommended by a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February this year. He was a member of the advisory board for banking and financial frauds of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Patel resigned from the board after his selection as the vigilance commissioner.
30 Apr Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar appointed PESB chairman Rajiv Kumar is credited for several reforms in the country's banking sector, from cleaning up bad loans to strengthening public sector banks (PSBs).
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the appointment of Kumar as Chairman PESB for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders. Kumar was transferred to the power ministry in a major bureaucratic reshuffle on July 24 last year. He is known to have initiated and implemented the 59-minute loan scheme for the MSME sector.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 111 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
24 Apr Mukesh Ambani becomes Asia''s richest man once again after Facebook deal The jump in his wealth pushed him ahead of Chinese billionaire Jack Ma by about USD 3.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Facebook acquired a 9.9 per cent stake in Jio for USD 5.7 billion (Rs 43,574 crore). The investment is said to be India's largest tech sector FDI deal so far. Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd. soared 10 per cent on Wednesday after the announcement was made following which, the billionaire's wealth skyrocketed by USD 4.7 billion, taking his net worth to USD 49.2 billion, According to the real-time ranking, Mukesh Ambani is the 17th richest person in the world. The ranking will be updated after the close of each trading day in the US. The deal envisages leveraging Facebook-owned Whatsapp’s 400 million user base and connectivity to build Reliance’s New Commerce platform, JioMart in partnership with millions of small merchants and Kirana stores.
OBITUARY
02 Apr Prominent virologist Gita Ramjee dies from COVID-19 In 2018, Ramjee was presented with the Outstanding Female Scientist Award in Lisbon by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnerships for her lifetime commitment to finding new HIV prevention methods
P O INTS TO NO TE
Ramjee, aged nearly 50 years, was the Clinical Trials Unit Principal Investigator and Unit Director of the HIV Prevention Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) offices in Durban. The medicine was which are conducive to the lifestyles, circumstances and perceived risk factors that South African women are faced with. The South African government announced that it will double to 10,000 the teams going door-to-door to test people for COVID-19,
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 112 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
02 Apr Nobel laureate Phillip Anderson dies at 96 Anderson graduated from Harvard in 1949 and then worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories until he began teaching at Princeton and the University of Cambridge.
P O INTS TO NO TE
During his career in academia, Anderson advised another Nobel Prize winner, F. Duncan Haldane, who won the 2016 prize in physics. Anderson inspired another winner, Brian Josephson, who won the 1973 Nobel Prize and took a class taught by Anderson at Cambridge. Anderson was drafted during World War II into the Navy and assigned to work at the U.S. Naval Research Lab.
02 Apr Pape Diouf,, who led Marseille to Ligue 1 title,, dies from COVID-19 Diouf, who was born in Chad but had French and Senegalese citizenship, led the club between 2005- 2009 and helped build the side who lifted the Ligue 1 title in 2010.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He was hospitalised in Senegal after contracting the virus there and became the country’s first COVID-19 fatality. Diouf was also a journalist and football agent before taking over at the Stade Velodrome. He later became president at Marseille, “a difficult post, where there were very few men from diverse backgrounds,” said Jacques-Henri Eyraud, the club’s current president.
03 Apr Padma Shri awardee Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa dies of cardiac arrest after testing
positive for COVID-19 The local police have sealed the nearby residences of Nirmal Singh in Amritsar to contain the spread of the virus. He may have caught the infection during his trip to Chandigarh.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday. He may have caught the infection during his trip to Chandigarh. According to an IANS report, he was hospitalised on March 31 with complications of breathlessness and dizziness. Nirmal Singh was honoured with Padma Shri in 2009.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 113 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
09 Apr Grammy-winning singer US John Prine dies of COVID-19 complications at 73 The musician was hospitalised and intubated last month after a sudden onset of coronavirus symptoms, according to a family statement posted on his verified Twitter account.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Prine never had a hit single or a blockbuster album. But he built a devoted following, won several Grammys and overcame two bouts of cancer to record and tour into his 70s. Prine grew up in the suburb of Chicago and was famously working as a postal carrier when his musical career took off in 1970. He was singing on open-mic nights at a bar when then a reporter heard him play and wrote a favourable review, calling him the "Singing Mailman. Prine's debut album, in 1971, was a critical success. It contains several of his signature songs, including "Paradise," about the Western Kentucky town where his parents grew up, and "Hello in There," a tribute to senior people
19 Apr Trailblazing jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz dies at 92 The groundbreaking jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz, perhaps best known for his work on the pivotal Miles Davis album Birth of the Cool, has died following coronavirus complications. He was 92.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He started playing the clarinet as a child before switching to the saxophone, the instrument he used to cultivate a singular, uninflected style that set him apart from the era’s dominant Charlie Parker, whom Konitz considered a friend. Konitz was the last surviving musician who played in Davis’s Birth of the Cool sessions, which he later described as far more arranged than the improvisational style with which he would make his name.
22 Apr Former Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase dead The founder of the Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua Party, he served as Fiji’s sixth prime minister from 2000 to 2006, died in hospital after a short illness.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He was a career civil servant who was appointed Prime Minister in 2000 after the military quashed a coup by failed businessman George Speight that had removed the government of Mahendra Chaudhry. Qarase was a champion of indigenous Fijians and won two elections without gaining any significant support from the Indo-Fijian population.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 114 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
30 Apr Actor Irrfan Khan,, 53,, dies of colon infection at a Mumbai hospital In early 2018, Khan had revealed about his neuroendocrine tumour diagnosis. The actor stayed away from public eye as he underwent treatment in the UK.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Piku actor had lost his 95-year-old mother Saeeda Begum in Jaipur only three days earlier. He could not attend the funeral because of the lockdown in force across the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In early 2018, Khan had revealed about his neuroendocrine tumour diagnosis. The actor stayed away from public eye as he underwent treatment in the UK. After his return in 2019, he shot for Angrezi Medium, the sequel to his 2017 hit Hindi Medium.
OTHERS
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 115 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
05 Apr Jeff Bezos donates $100 million to feed out of work Americans Amazon Founder and CEO Bezos will donate $100 million to US food banks to help them feed a growing number of out-of-job Americans during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
P O INTS TO NO TE
He said he wants to support those on the front lines at nation’s food banks and those who are relying on them for food with a $100 million gift to @FeedingAmerica. This donation, the largest single gift in our history, will enable us to provide more food to millions of our neighbors facing hardship during this crisis. Countless lives will be changed because of his generosity
11 Apr IMF MD ropes in Raghuram Rajan,, 11 others to Key External Advisory Group Georgieva said that even before the spread of COVID-19 and the dramatic health, economic and financial disruptions it has brought, International Monetary Fund (IMF) members confronted a rapidly evolving world and complex policy issues.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Rajan, 57, who was the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor for three years until September 2016, is currently working as a professor at the prestigious University of Chicago. Other members of the group are Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister of Singapore and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore; Kristin Forbes, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia; Lord Mark Malloch Brown, former UN deputy secretary-general among others.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 116 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
10. Books & Authors
23 Apr ''Midnight in Chernobyl'' wins William E. Colby Award Adam Higginbotham’s Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster has won the $5,000 prize, given for an outstanding book on military or intelligence history.
P O INTS TO NO TE
Higginbotham has received the William E. Colby Award, given for an outstanding book on military or intelligence history. The award is named for the late CIA director. It’s presented by Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, and sponsored in part by the Chicago-based Pritzker Military Foundation. The Colby award was established in 1999. Previous winners include Karl Marlantes’ novel Matterhorn and Dexter Filkins’ The Forever War.
25 Apr Mahatma Gandhi''s anti-untouchability campaign letter to be auctioned The one-page handwritten letter is signed "M. K. Gandhi," and dated October 9, 1932. It will be auctioned online by Boston-based RR Auction and is expected to fetch $15,000.
P O INTS TO NO TE
The Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction from RR Auction with online bidding is scheduled to conclude on May 13. In 1932, Gandhi founded the Harijan Sevak Sanghas part of his efforts to eradicate the concept of 'untouchability' from India's caste system. The group's noble efforts have helped the depressed classes to access public places such as temples, schools, roads, and water resources that were previously available only to those of privilege.
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 117 Current Affairs Digest Apr 2020 https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
USEFUL LINKS FOR YOUR EXAM PREPERATION
Free Question Papers https://www.exambazaar.com/qp EQAD - Free Daily Practice https://www.exambazaar.com/exam-question-a-day Preparation Strategies https://www.exambazaar.com/blog Best Coaching Classes https://www.exambazaar.com/best-coaching-classes Exam Wiki https://www.exambazaar.com/exam-eligibility Coachings Around You https://www.exambazaar.com/aroundme Exam Updates https://www.exambazaar.com/exam
Want to read something more? Tell us on [email protected]
Follow us on
Read Current Affairs With Synopsis on https://www.exambazaar.com/current-affairs
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES: Free Question Papers | EQAD - Free Daily Practice | Preparation Strategies | Best Coaching Classes 118