QUARTERLY CURRENT AFFAIRS (APRIL 2020 - JUNE 2020)

1. The virtual meeting of the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers was attended by Piyush Goyal. Note: Piyush Goyal has urged the G20 nations to build a universal framework to boost the affordable access & facilitate easy movement of health professionals across national borders to fight over COVID-19. He stressed on the need to uphold multilateral commitments and improve its effectiveness to meet current challenges. 2. Govt extends implementation of uniform stamp duty for capital market instruments from 1 April 2020 to 1st July, 2020. Note: the Department of Revenue has postponed the implementation of the uniform stamp duty on transfer of shares, debentures, futures, options, currency and other capital market instruments by 3 months to 1 July 2020 from 1 April 2020. 3. As per revised norms of the central government the limit for a person reside in J&K to become permanent resident of the UT -- 15 Years. Note: A new definition for domicile for Jammu and Kashmir was introduced. As per the new definition a person residing in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for at least 15 years or has studied for a period of seven years in Jammu and Kashmir and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examinations will now be eligible to be a permanent resident of the UT.This new rule was issued under the Section 3A of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Adaptation of State Laws Order 2020, under the Jammu and Kashmir civil services decentralisation and recruitment Act. 4. Indian Council for Cultural Relations has launched a competition titled “United Against Corona- Express through Art”. Note: The aim of the competition is to unite citizens across the world. The competition was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and this soft-power initiative is being organized by ICCR. ICCR invites Indians and world citizens to submit their work of art expressing their emotions, feelings, ideas and innovative thoughts on the COVID- 19. 5. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) to March 2021. Note: The existing Policy came into effect on 1st April, 2015, is valid for 5 years and was originally up to March 31, 2020. Now, the commerce ministry will continue to provide the relief under various export promotion schemes such as Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) by granting an extension of another one year. 6. Donations for PM-CARES Fund granted tax exemption of 100%. Note: the donations made under newly-formed Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES FUND) to provide assistance to the persons affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, are made eligible for 100% deduction under section 80G of the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961.For this, the provisions of the IT Act are amended through the Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020. 7. National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered its volunteer cadets to assist the civilian authorities to fight COVID- 19 under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’. Note: It has issued guidelines for the temporary employment of its cadets to enhance the operations of various organizations involved in relief efforts & fighting the pandemic.The tasks for NCC cadets include- manning of helpline, call centres; distribution of relief materials, medicines, food, essential commodities; community assistance; data management and queue & traffic management. 8. To build a portable and lightweight emergency ventilator system Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has partnered with ‘Wipro 3D’. Note: The ventilator system will be based on Artificial Manual Breathing Unit (AMBU) to assist the breathing of the critical patients who have no access to ICU. This ventilator system is essentially a hand held device also called as AMBU bag or bag-valve-mask (BVM) to provide positive pressure ventilation to a corona patients with breathing difficulties with a controlled rate of expiration, inspiratory to expiratory ratio, Tidal volume etc. 9. The COVID- 19 National Preparedness Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 districts. Note: The COVID-19 National Preparedness Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 Districts in the Country within 3 working days beginning on March 25, 2020. The survey was conducted with responses from 410 civil servants who are providing field level leadership. 10. To fight COVID-19 Civil services associations form an initiative called ‘Caruna’. Note: Associations representing officers of Central Civil Services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), have created an initiative called ‘CARUNA. The CARUNA stands for Civil Services Associations Reach to Support in Natural Disasters. This is to assist and supplement the government’s efforts to battle against Corona Virus (COVID-19). 11. The National Health Authority (NHA) partnered with taxi company Uber India to provide 24/7 free transport services to India’s frontline healthcare workers. Note: Initially, Uber will facilitate the provision of 150 cars free of cost to support medical facilities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Patna via UberMedic service. The new cars supplied to NHA will be equipped with roof-to-floor plastic sheeting enclosing the driver’s seat, thereby acting as a protective barrier between rider and driver. 12. ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to air-lifted 6.2 tonnes of essential medical supplies to Maldives via transport aircraft C-130J as assistance in the fight against the virus. Note: Medicines including influenza vaccines, anti-viral drugs such as Lopinavir arid Ritonavir & other useful items were purchased by the Maldives’ State Trading Organisation (STO) from 8 suppliers in India. But due to the 21-day lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it could not be possible to take them to Maldives by any other means. 13. To deal with Covid-19 epidemic the central government has constituted a 10-member group under the chairmanship of Amitabh Kant. Note: The work of this group will primarily identify issues through 3 groups of stakeholders, the empowered group set up for coordination with private sector, NGOs and international organisations then present effective measures to address solutions to the issues related to the formulation of plans for counter-activities related to COVID-19. 14. To help India fight against COVID-19 the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched the initiative called “Lifeline UDAN”. Note: Under Lifeline UDAN initiative of Ministry of Civil Aviation, 132 cargo flights have been operated so far across the country to transport medical cargo including to remote and hilly areas.With support from Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private airlines, medical supplies of more than 184 tons have been delivered till date during lockdown period. 15. Department of Science & Technology, Government of India has approved to set up a rapid response centre -- “CAWACH”. Note: CAWACH stands for Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis. Rapid response centre “CAWACH” has been set up at a total cost of Rs 56 Crore at Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay. Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) is a rapid response centre which has been set up to scout, evaluate and support the innovations and start-ups that address COVID-19 challenges. 16. Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam has designed ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)’. Note: This oxygen manifold is designed to supply oxygen to multiple patients at a time, which could prove helpful in a contingency created by COVID-19 spread. The preliminary trials were conducted at MI Room at NDV, followed by rapid trials at the Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani, where it was successfully installed within 30 minutes. The Navy personnel from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) have developed a ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)’ using a six-way radial header fitted to a single cylinder. 17. Name the official COVID-19 tracking app that has been launched by the Government of India -- Aarogya Setu. Note: The “Aarogya Setu” app has been developed by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in association with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.The Government of India has launched the mobile application “Aarogya Setu” to connect essential health services with the people of India to fight against COVID-19. 18. To help foreign tourists who are stuck in various parts of the country the Ministry of Tourism has launched a portal ‘Stranded in India’. Note: The portal consists of information around COVID-19 helpline numbers and call centres that foreign tourists can reach out for help, information around Ministry of External Affairs control centres along with their contact information and information around state-based/regional tourism support infrastructure. 19. Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved an ordinance to cut in the salaries of all Members of Parliament by 30%. Note: It also provisioned a two-year suspension (2020-21 and 2021-22) of the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme so that the amount saved can go to the Consolidated Fund of India to fight COVID-19. This announcement was made by Prakash Javadkar, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting. 20. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has achieved the highest ever highway construction feat with an accomplishment of 3,979 km. Note: However, it has completed 88% of highway construction against the target of building 4,500 km highways in FY-20. In the FY 2018-19, NHAI constructed 3,380 km of National Highways. Under Phase-I of the programme, the government has approved implementation of 34,800 km of national highways projects with an outlay of Rs 5.35 lakh crore in a period of five years 21. The name that has been given to mega ONLINE innovation challenge launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) -- SAMADHAN. Note: The innovation cell of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched a mega ONLINE challenge called “SAMADHAN” to fight against covid19. 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 a spirit of experimentation and discovery. 22. iGOT e-learning platform has been launched by the government of India for all front-line workers to equip them with the training and updates in coping with Pandemic. Note: Giving COVID 19 training to other potential second line workforce, India will be better prepared for the emergent situations. The target group is Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Hygiene Workers, Technicians, Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs), Central & State Govt. Officers, Civil Defence Officials, various Police Organisations, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme (NSS), Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Bharat Scouts & Guides (BSG) and other volunteers. 23. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has removed export restrictions on 24 pharma ingredients including 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients, it operates under Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Note: In this regard, amendment has been made in the chapter 29 and 30 of the Schedule 2 of the ITCHS (Indian Trade Clarification based on Harmonized System) Export Policy, 2018 which is related APIs and formulations.It should be noted that the outbound shipments of paracetamol and its formulations continue to remain restricted or need a license from the government to get exported 24. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has divide the the health centers into 3 categories namely- COVID Care Centre, Dedicated COVID Health Centre and Dedicated COVID Hospital. Note: Under these facilities, it will be ensured that the capacity of hospital beds is used only for moderate and severe patients of infection.Patients suspected of corona or patients with mild or very mild symptoms will be placed in Covid Care Center.Patients with moderate symptoms of coronavirus will be admitted in Dedicated COVID Health Centre. Serious patients infected with the corona virus will be admitted in Dedicated COVID Hospital. 25. Name the mobile doctor booth created by the West Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) -- CHARAK. Note: This is to eliminate the possibility of physical contact between the doctor and the coronavirus (COVID-19) infected patient. A viral barrier chamber has been built in the railway compartment itself, through which doctors will be able to examine patients without direct physical contact. 26. Hindustan Unilever has partnered with UNICEF to support India to combat COVID-19. Note: Hindustan Unilever has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support India to combat COVID-19. The partnership aims to initiate a mass communication campaign with an objective of informing and empowering the general public against the COVID-19 pandemic.The mass communication campaign titled ‘#BreakTheChain‘ or ‘#VirusKiKadiTodo‘ will unite the technical knowledge of UNICEF with the marketing expertise and scale of HUL. 27. The government of India has approved for the ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package -- Rs.15000 crores. Note: The package is to build health infrastructure in states and UTs till March 2024. Of the 15,000 crore, Centre would release Rs.7,774 crore for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response use till June 2020 and the rest will be set for medium-term support of 1-4 years. 28. To launch a digital campaign to ensure work safety of Tribal Gatherers TRIFED has collaborated with WHO and UNICEF. Note: This is to ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely during the collection and harvest of Minor Forest Produce (MFP)/Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP). This collaboration will promote a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) highlighting the importance of Social Distancing.This will further create awareness among the tribal community and also provide Do’s and Don’ts Advisories relating to NTFP during Covid-19. 29. The Supreme Court (SC) of India has extended the tenure of chairperson of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Justice Shiva Kirti Singh. Note: This decision has been taken by the bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Deepak Gupta headed by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde.The bench also expressed concern over the delay in appointment of administrative and technical members of TDSAT and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to answer on behalf of Centre. 30. To improve the online education ecosystem of India Union Human Resource Development Ministry has launched the campaign -- ‘Bharat Padhe Online’ Note: The campaign aims to invite all the best brains in India to share suggestions or solutions directly with the HRD Ministry, to overcome the obstacles of online education while promoting the available digital education platforms. Educators across the country can also contribute with their expertise in the field of education, where a conversation may be initiated about the limitation of the current online education scenario, challenges faced by them in traditional classrooms that can be addressed through online education & the structure of a perfect online education ecosystem. 31. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has allowed the use of a diagnostic machine used to test drug- resistant TB (Tuberculosis) for conducting coronavirus tests namely TruenatTM. Note: Currently, India is using Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction test recommended by the US and approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).During the investigations, samples will be taken from the nose and throat and sent to the viral transport medium (VTM) provided with the kit. Earlier ICMR has also recommended the use of the Truenat beta CoV test on Truelab workstation, which is used to detect drug resistant TB. 32. Ahmedabad railway station becomes first station of IR to install sanitizing tunnel. Note: The Ahmedabad railway station at Kalupur, Gujarat of Western Railway became the first station of Indian Railways (IR) to install a Walk Through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel to ensure the safety of staff and passengers in the view of the COVID-19. The tunnel was inaugurated by Ahmedabad DRM (Divisional Railway Manager) Deepak Jha. 33. Exit from the Lockdown report has been prepared by CII. Note: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in its report titled “Exit from the Lockdown: A CII Strategy” has recommended phase-wise lifting of the lockdown based on the incidence of COVID cases. In this regard, the report made three classifications of geographies as red, amber and green.In the first phase, partial open up (25%) of manufacturing, e-commerce and construction is to be permitted. In the second phase, all other sectors could resumed –Five aspects to be considered while restarting the economy 34. Fit India in collaboration with CBSE for first-of-a-kind live fitness session under its Fit India Active Day programme for school children across the country. Note: The decision has been taken due to the nation-wide lockdown till May 3, 2020, to counter COVID- 19 which has restricted the activities of children. These online sessions will enable children to practice fitness even at home in order to remain healthy.The guidelines of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurvedic, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) to stay healthy and to build immunity will also be shared with students during this programme. 35. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced a training program on COVID-19 for intergovernmental organization SAARC. Note: It will be carried out by the Central Government’s Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. It is to take forward the Prime Minister’s (PM) ‘Prepare Not Panic’ for ‘SAARC fights Corona’. PM Narendra Modi has suggested that the health professionals of the member nations come together to fight the coronavirus pandemic at the India-initiated video conference of SAARC leaders on March 15. 36. Jim Corbett National Park becomes the India’s 1st quarantine centre for animals. Note: Jim Corbett National Park has become the India’s 1st quarantine centre for animals with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). It is India’s oldest forested wildlife sanctuary located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. At least 10 quarantine centers are being set up within the complex to handle the corona virus prey animals & Cameras will be installed in the park to monitor the cold and cough symptoms of animals. 37. Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the National Conference on Kharif crops 2020 by video conference. Note: During the conference the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said that all states should aim to achieve the kharif target and also the doubling of farmers’ income should be taken up in mission mode. The main aim of the conference was to discuss various issues & to list the steps with the states on the preparedness for Kharif cultivation due to the lockdown situation. 38. M S Sahoo Committee submitted its report on “valuation professionals” and proposed an institutional framework for valuers by setting up National Institute of Valuers (NIV). Note: The government-appointed 8-member committee of experts headed by IBBI Chairperson M S Sahoo. The Committee has submitted its report on “valuation professionals” and proposed an institutional framework for valuers by setting up National Institute of Valuers (NIV). In this regard the committee has submitted its report to the Government of India on March 31, 2020 along with Draft Valuers Bill, 2020, recommending to establish a National Institute of Valuers, which is now open for comments till May 14, 2020. 39. Nirmala Sitharaman attended the Plenary Meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through video conferencing. Note: The discussion in the meeting is based on IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva global policy agenda titled, “Exceptional Times – Exceptional Action”. IMFC’s members updated the committee on the measures & actions taken by the member countries to combat COVID-19 & remarked on IMF’s crisis- response package to address global liquidity and members’ financing needs. 40. National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad is training community leaders online to combat COVID-19 in collaboration with UNICEF. Note: Both the organization is is training over 28.33 lakh community leaders through online programs to practice social behaviours required to control the transmission of COVID-19 cases in villages in association with the governments of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Karnataka. The online training program was initiated along the line of a detailed risk communication plan to build capacities of panchayat raj institutions (PRI), self-help groups (SHG), National Service Scheme (NSS) officials, volunteers and community radio stations (CRS) to control the spread of Coronavirus in their groups and village communities. 41. The ministry of finance has increased the coverage of lender’s loss in case of loan default under the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU) scheme to 75%. Note: The aim of the amendment is to incentivize lending to micro businesses which bear the impact of coronavirus outbreak & the lockdown. Lenders can pay a fee for the portfolio of loans they want to cover under the guarantee, which enables them to lend easily while improving profitability. The lender’s burden under the scheme has reduced from the first 5% of the amount in default to 3%. 42. Amount 7,300 crores has been released by the central government to to State & UTs under MGNREGS. Note: The Central Government has released 7,300 crore rupees to the States and Union Territories (UT) under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to liquidate pending dues of last financial year but also the wages dues for the first fortnight of 2020-21.Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar conducted a detailed review of all flagship schemes of the Rural Development and said that MGNREGS works in Non-Containment Areas with adequate focus on social distancing, must be resumed in an efficient manner. 43. Dr. Harsh Vardhan attended G20 Health Ministers Meeting held via video conference to control COVID- 19. Note: An international forum of Health Ministers of G20 countries was held on April 19, 2020, via Video Conference. Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) estimated that, Over $8 billion is required to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective behind this meet was to discuss weaknesses in health systems that made the world vulnerable to the coronavirus outbreak to pursue unified efforts towards mitigation of COVID-19. 44. Vinod Paul and Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan will head the high-level task force for vaccine and drug testing for coronavirus disease. Note: The objective of the task force is to catalyze national and international efforts towards vaccine development to treat Covid-19. The task force members include Director General of Health Services, Dr. Rajiv Garg, Drug Controller General of India, Dr. VG Somani and representatives of Ayush (Ayurvedic, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), department of biotechnology, among others. 45. Nirmala Sitharaman attended the 5th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of New Development Bank (NDB). Note: During the meeting FM commended the NDB’s efforts to establish itself as a credible Global Financial Institution & successfully delivered its mandate by adopting a sustainable and inclusive approach.Appreciated NDB’s effort to provide financial assistance of about USD 5 billion to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 46. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has been appointed as the implementing agency to handle the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Note: MNRE will timely review the maximum permissible VGF amount & will reduce if the cost difference comes down. In Case of the existing clause, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) handled the scheme on behalf of the ministry. The CPSU Scheme Phase II aims to set up 12,000 MW grid-connected solar PV power projects under the government producers with the VGF support for self-use or by government entities either directly or through discoms 47. Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) meeting approved & allowed Food Corporation of India (FCI) to convert the available surplus rice to ethanol. Note: Recently the government has also allowed sugar companies and distilleries to make hand sanitizers using ethanol. By using the surplus rice for ethanol, it will address about 750 million litres from the total capacity of 2 billion litres of grain-based distillery capacities lying idle 48. Narendra Singh Tomar has participated in G-20 Extraordinary Agriculture Ministers Meeting through video conference to address the issue of COVID-19 impacts on food security, safety and nutrition. Note: The G-20 nations decided to have international cooperation in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. Agreed for food security, nutrition, share best practices and lessons learnt, promote research, responsible investments, innovations and reforms that will improve the sustainability and flexibility of agriculture and food systems. 49. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Institute of Medical Science and Research becomes the 1st authorized study centre in the country to carry out the plasma research under trial in view of COVID 19. Note: The institute has identified the potential donors for the research and started collecting their plasma. It will carry out ICMR’s multicentric collaborative study for phase-2 open level randomised control trial to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit COVID-19 associated complications in moderate disease. 50. Ravindra H Dholakia chaired the committee formed by the central government that suggested a complete revamp of how states collect and compile data for state-level gross domestic product (GDP) and other estimates. Note: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) on June 30, 2018 formed a 13 member committee to review the methodology of estimation of sub-national accounts ( state & district), revise the base year for national accounts or GDP calculation & suggest recommendations. It is headed by Ravindra H Dholakia, a retired professor of IIM Ahmedabad. The Committee suggested that the goods and services tax (GST) to be used for estimating incomes and other statistics at the state level. 51. To invite e-learning content contributions Union Human Resource Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched programme VidyaDaan 2.0. Note: The contribution can be made by individuals, teachers, educationists, subject experts, schools, government and non-government organisations etc after registering & nominating themselves. The program will soon be inviting contributions for Teacher Training material. 52. Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL) which is developed by DRDO. Note: This mobile lab has the testing capacity of more than 1000 to 2000 samples daily. The Mobile Viral Research lab is the combination of a Bio-Safety Level (BSL)-3 and a BSL-2 lab essential to carry out activities. The Mobile lab was set up in a record time of 15 days which usually takes about 6 months 53. Swamitva Scheme has been launched by the PM Narendra Modi on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th of April 2020. Note: On the occasion an integrated e-Gram swaraj Portal & Mobile app for accelerating the pace of development in India’s villages was also launched. The Unified Portal is a new initiative of Ministry of Panchayati Raj which will provide the Gram Panchayats with a single interface to prepare and implement their Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).The scheme provides an integrated property validation solution for rural India. 54. Malini Shankar will head the reconstituted 16-member National Shipping Board (NSB). Note: The Ministry of Shipping has given its consent for the reconstitution of the 16-member National Shipping Board (NSB), the highest advisory body on matters related to Indian shipping and its development or other matters arising out of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The reconstituted board will be headed by former Director General of Shipping Malini Shankar. 55. The premier multilateral air combat training Exercise Pitch Black 2020 has been cancelled which was to be conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force. Note: Exercise Pitch Black 2020 scheduled to be held from July 27 to August 14 2020.The next edition is scheduled in 2022. It is a biennial three-week multinational large force employment exercise conducted primarily from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal. 56. Banking service has been declared as public utility service (PUS) for six months by Ministry of Labour and Employment. Note: It means the employees and officers of the banking sector are barred to do any strikes in the given period.This decision has been taken due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the economic activities.The notification for the same has been issued by the Department of Financial Services in the Ministry of Finance to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stating about the order implemented by the Labour and Employment Ministry. 57. On the occasion of the World Book Day the Union Minister of Human Resource and Development(HRD), Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched #MyBookMyFriendcampaign. Note: The World Book Day is celebrated in the lockdown and he asked the students to read books of their interest and share about the book they are reading with him in the social media using #MyBookMyFriend. He mentioned that the campaign will run for the next seven days for the people to join the campaign. 58. 1st government (govt) hospital in India to successfully launch the Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT) treatment for the COVID-19 patients -- The King George Medical University (KGMU). Note: The 1st dose of CPT was administered to a 58-year old patient.It is an experimental procedure for COVID-19 patients, where plasma, a blood component, from a cured patient is transfused to a critically ill coronavirus patient as the blood of the recovered COVID-19 person has developed antibodies to fight the virus. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently allowed states to start clinical trials of CPT. Important News – State

1. Tamil Nadu state topped in the all-India level for micro-irrigation (MI), under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Note: Tamil Nadu topped with coverage of 2,06,853.25 ha for the year financial year 2019-20. The state is followed by Karnataka and Gujarat with 1,41,103.56 Ha and 1,08,322.00 Ha of coverage respectively. On the other hand, the cumulative total coverage of MI during 2015-2020 has been topped by Karnataka (8,15,690.31 ha) followed by Andhra Pradesh (7,17,421.08 ha) and Gujarat (7,00,858.35 ha)

2. A ‘Modi Kitchen‘ has been set up in Tamil Nadu state of India. Note: The kitchen which has a capacity to serve 500 meals per day and will remain operational till 14th April 2020.The Modi Kitchen aims to deliver food parcels within a range of radius of 10 kms and has been set up in one of the main shopping areas of the city. This initiative has been taken by the functionaries of the Common Service Centre amid the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. 3. To provide information about the symptoms of COVID-19 to the people at their doorsteps Himachal Pradesh state has launched “Active Case Finding Campaign”. Note: Under the “Active Case Finding Campaign”, the information would be provided to the people by the health workers. Every ASHA worker with a two-person team will reach out every house in the village and collect health information of every person. The collected information would be shared by the team with the department via Google form. 4. Karnataka state government has launched a mobile application ‘Corona Watch’. Note: The mobile application aims to track the movement history of persons tested positive, before their detection in order to take precautions and to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The app will also provide the date and time of visit to spots by the patients. ‘Corona Watch’ app also comprises a list of government designated first response hospitals for COVID-19 where citizen with symptoms can visit. 5. Odisha state has celebrated its formation day on April 1, 2020. Note: Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) is celebrated every year on 1st April all over Odisha. Odisha Day is celebrated in the memory of the formation of the state as a separate province on 1 April 1936. This year marks the 83rd Utkal Divas or the foundation day of Odisha. 6. Andhra Pradesh state government has started distributing pensions at the doorstep to its 58,44,240 beneficiaries. Note: They using its 2.5 lakh volunteer eliminating the need for pensioners to step out of their homes. The aim is to encourage beneficiaries to stay at home and avoid stepping out. The beneficiaries have been receiving different amounts as per the defined categories. From old age persons to fishermen and folk artists, the pension will help every section amid the ongoing 21-day lockdown. 7. The Odisha government has launched an online cultural competition “Mo Prativa” in collaboration with the UNICEF. Note: The cultural competition “Mo Prativa” has been launched in order to keep children engaged at home during the lockdown period. The competition will enable childern to participate in various activies such as painting, writing of slogans, short stories, poems etc. 8. Telangana state has been installed ‘V Safe Tunnel’ to sanitize people. Note: The sanitising tunnel has been installed at the state Director General of Police’s office. A unique disinfectant named ‘V Safe Tunnel’ sanitizes people from any possible bacteria and other microbes within 20 seconds. The ‘V Safe Tunnel’ aims to minimise the local transmission of Coronavirus in the state by providing maximum protection to people passing through the tunnel in around 20 seconds. 9. As per the report published by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year ended March 31, 2018 Rajasthan state commits highest crime related to the environment in the country. Note: In accordance with the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year ended March 31, 2018, 40.59% of the crimes related to the environment in the country were committed in Rajasthan (RJ) during 2014-16. The major crimes were violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Wildlife Protect Act, 1972 which resulted in using of forest land for non-forest purposes without approval of government and capturing, poisoning, snaring or trapping of wild animals respectively. 10. Odisha becomes the first state to extend Covid-19 lockdown till April 30. Note: Amid unconfirmed speculation about the nationwide lockdown due to end on April 14, Odisha has become the first Indian state to extend the ongoing lockdown. In a statement Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that his government has decided to extend the lockdown period in Odisha till April 30. 11. Kerala becomes the first state to commence clinical trial plasma therapy treatment. Note: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given approval to Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, This is to commence convalescent plasma therapy, which uses antibodies from the blood of cured patients, to treat critically ill COVID- 19 cases on a trial basis. Therefore, Kerala becomes the first state in the country to start clinical trial plasma therapy treatment 12. UT Delhi has announced a 5T plan which includes- Testing, Tracing, Treatment, Teamwork & Tracking and monitoring to control the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Note: Testing- Only through testing, the infected person can be detected & aggressive testing is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. Tracing- Persons associated with a positive patient are identified and asked for self-quarantine. reatment- If someone is infected with COVID-19, they will be provided treatment. Teamwork- The virus can be combated & defeated through teamwork. Tracking & Monitoring- Active tracking & monitoring the developments will help to take action to deal with the spread of the virus. 13. Delhi government has launched “Operation SHIELD” in identified Containment Areas of the state to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Note: It deals with sealing, home quarantine, isolation & tracking, essential supply of commodities, local sanitisation and door-to-door health checkups.S– Sealing of the immediate area/surroundings after geographical marking.H– Home quarantine of all the people living in the area. ➢ I– Isolation and tracing of people who have been first and second contacts. ➢ E– Essential supply of commodities is ensured. ➢ L– Local sanitisation of the area by authorities. ➢ D– Door-to-door health checks of everyone living in the area. 14. Manipur state Government has launched a new initiative “Food Bank” based on the theme ‘Help End Hunger Today’. Note: The food bank will provide food items (such as rice, aata, maida, daal, edible oil, salt, potato, onions , milk, biscuits, packaged drinking water), hand sanitisers and face masks to drug rehabilitation centres and people living in Imphal East District affected by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). 15. Arunachal Pradesh state government has launched an app called “COVIDCARE”. Note: The newly developed “COVIDCARE” app is an effort of the Arunachal Pradesh government to combat COVID-19. The “COVIDCARE” app has been launched for the people who are quarantined, asymptomatic or COVID-19 patients, facilitating them various facilities through the app. 16. Goa becomes the first state to integrate allopathy and Ayurveda to treat COVID-19 patients. Note: Goa Chief Minister (CM) Pramod Sawant announced that Goa becomes the first state to integrate allopathy and Ayurveda to treat COVID-19 patients and those who have been quarantined.

17. Uttar Pradesh becomes the first state to initiate Pool Testing of COVID-19. Note: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given its approval for pool testing to Uttar Pradesh (UP), making latter the first state to do so. The decision has been taken to maximize the sample testing on a daily basis as the cases of COVID-19 positive patients are increasing in the state. 18. Rajasthan becomes the first state in the country to carry out Rapid Testing for Covid 19. Note: State’s urban primary health centre of TopkhanaDesh (also known as Jaju Dispensary) in Jaipur started rapid tests at 5 p.m where 52 persons were tested and all were found COVID-19 negative.This test will be done at a large scale to assess the prevalence of Covid 19 in hotspots or red zones.Apart from this, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or laboratory tests will continue to be done in acceleration in the containment zones all over Rajasthan. 19. Uttar Pradesh becomes the first state to geotag its community kitchens and community shelters. Note: The Yogi Adityanath State government has also tied up with Google to “Geo-map” for the location of all these establishments through the Google Maps app for ease of beneficiaries.Out of these 7,368 community kitchens, 668 are being run by NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), religious institutions and more than 2 crore food packets have been distributed in UP since March 25, 2020. Relief Commissioner Sanjay Goyal, added that the concept of relief camps and community kitchens is not new as every year, the DMs (District Magistrates) work out similar plans in areas affected by yearly droughts and floods 20. Border Roads Organisation has constructed 430 feet long bailey “Daporijo bridge” in Arunachal Pradesh. Note: The bridge was inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu over video conferencing.The bridge is built over Subansiri River the largest tributary of Brahamputra.The new bridge will provide adequate movement of supplies for 451 villages and approximately 3,000 security force personnel deployed along the India-China border. The bridge replaced an older bridge in Daporijo, which was constructed in 1992. 21. Himachal Pradesh. state government has rolled out “e-sanjeevani-opd” for free online medical consultation to sick people. Note: The “e-sanjeevani-opd” has been launched to provide free online medical consultation to sick people at their residence throughout the state. Hence, through this new initiative, the Himachal Pradesh government will ensure the facility of health services to the people in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic. 22. Uttar Pradesh becomes the 1st state with a software-based in-house facility of virtual courts. Note: As per an apex court directive to develop video conferencing system for hearing cases and also for maintaining social distancing, Allahabad High Court has developed a new software by which multiple court proceedings at the High Court and district courts across the state can be conducted through virtual courts within the court premises without any internet connectivity. 23. Madhya Pradesh government has launched ‘Chief Minister COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana’ to benefit the Anganwadi workers and Assistants of the state. Note: Under the scheme, the state government will provide a special health insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs. The benefit of this scheme will be given to the warriors under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), which was launched by the central Government to cover only the field staff of health, police and other departments working day and night to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

24. Rajasthan government has partnered with MedCords to provide online consultations and to deliver medicine to the people of the state. Note: MedCord will provide the requirements of over 68 million people throughout Rajasthan through its integrated solution – Aayu and SehatSathi app.The aim of the startup is to provide access to quality healthcare in urban and rural India. MedCord is fully adopted in 7 districts of Rajasthan (Kota, Udaipur, Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pali and Jaipur). 25. Delhi government has launched “Assess Koro Na” app for door-to-door survey in COVID-19 containment zones. Note: The first phase of the app-based assessment will be launched in South Delhi.Since there is a delay in collecting and analysing the data of a person in a physical form during the door-to-door survey. With this app, the data collected can be uploaded on the servers in real-time and immediate analysis. 26. Gujarat government has approved the 3rd edition of his government’s ‘Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan’ (SSJA). Note: The scheme will continue till June 10, 2020 with a focus on deepening of lakes, check dams and rivers by removing silt. It will be done with people’s participation as well as under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).The scheme will create employment opportunities for the rural population amid the lockdown. 27. Himachal Pradesh state government has started to use eSanjeevaniOPD through which free online medical consultation & general health advice will be provided to the people at their residence. Note: It is a National Teleconsultation Service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & is the 1st of its kind online OPD (Out Patient Department) service. It aims to provide healthcare services to patients in their homes, which enables a safe & structured video-based clinical consultations between a doctor in a hospital and a patient at home. 28. Karnataka state government has launched “Apthamitra” helpline toll free number and an application to empower the people to fight against coronavirus pandemic. Note: The Apthamithra helpline will provide service from 8 AM to 8 PM, with four helpline centers in Bangalore, one center in Mysore and one in Bantwal, Mangalore with a capacity of 300 seats. The helpline is to reach out to people in the corona hotspot areas and to identify the Influenza Like illness (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SERI) and the corona like symptoms. 29. Assam state government has launched a special scheme called ‘Dhanwantari’, under which locally unavailable medicines will be delivered to patients at home. Note: The Assam state government’s health department has launched a special scheme called ‘Dhanwantari’, under which locally unavailable medicines will be delivered to patients at home. This medicine is free up to 200 rupees. If the required medicine is not available at a distance of 10 km from the house, the government will provide the medicine at home. This facility can be availed by calling 104. 30. Andhra Pradesh government has launched zero interest loan scheme for Women Self-Help Groups(SHGs). Note: Each SHG will receive a sum ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 towards the interest component on their loans. The State will also distribute house-sites to over 27 lakh women on July 8 as the programme got postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 31. Madhya Pradesh government has launched Jeevan Shakti Yojana to enable women in urban areas to earn by making masks at home. Note: The government will pay them Rs 11 per mask.The CM interacted with some women of the state through video conferencing, who have registered to make masks. 32. Gujarat state government has launched a unique initiative called ‘Umbare Aanganwadi under Integrated Child Development Services programme to reach out to children during the lockdown. Note: Under this initiative, the ICDS department of the state will mainly offer ready to eat nutritious food packets through AMUL to its beneficiaries including 14 lakh children between 3-6 years of age, pregnant and nursing women and adolescent girls through the network of around 53 thousand Aanganwadi. 33. Andhra Pradesh state government has launched ‘Covid Pharma’ app to keep a track of people buying medicines over-the-counter (OTC) for cough, cold and fever from medical stores across the state. Note: The pharmacies in the State is expected to download the app and register the details of persons, including their mobile number. To monitor patients who experience any increase in cold & fever, which helps to trace easily the persons with any symptoms of coronavirus. It works as an additional precautionary measure for regular sample testing simultaneously Important News – World 1. As per the UNCTAD report titled World will go into recession except India and China. Note: According to the latest UN report the world economy will go into recession except India and China due to coronavirus pandemic. With two-thirds of the world's population living in developing countries facing unprecedented economic damage from the coronavirus crisis. The exporting countries will face $2 trillion to $3 trillion drop in investment from overseas in the next two years. 2. The World Bank in its Economic Update for East Asia and Pacific (EAP) titled “East Asia and Pacific in the Time of COVID-19” stated that poverty is estimated to increase 11 Million. Note: The World Bank in report says that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could drive an additional 11 million people into poverty in East Asia and the Pacific. In the worse-case scenario outlined by the Washington-based financial institution, the region could suffer its sharpest downturn in more than two decades, plunging much of Asia into a prolonged recession. 3. United Nation’s COP 26 climate change summit postponed till 2021. Note: The conference was planned to take place from 9-19 November 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland in the United Kingdom (UK). Pre-COP and ‘Youth for the Climate‘ event were also postponed supposed to be held in Italy.This decision has been taken by the COP Bureau of the UNFCCC after discussion with the UK and Italian partners. 4. USD 1 billion amount has been offered by the World Bank to the Indian government for a proposed India COVID-19 emergency response and health systems preparedness project. Note: This four-year project aims to develop the preparedness of India’s health care systems in the time of the pandemic. The idea of the project will be to respond and mitigate the COVID-19 threat and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in India, as per the project document. The World Bank funding is from its COVID-19 fast-track facility where both the entities (World Bank and the government of India) will work on following the best international practice. 5. USD 2.9 million amount has been announced by the aid agency USAID to India to fight against Coronavirus. Note: The funds announced are going to help India in its fight against COVID-19 and to also provide care for those who are affected and help the local communities with the tools to stop the pandemic spreading in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other relevant agencies, is working closely with India to support the country’s response to the pandemic. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the leading aid agencies globally. 6. USD 5 million amount has been allocated by the SAARC Development Fund for COVID-19 projects. Note: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Development Fund (SDF) has allocated USD 5 million (about Rs 38 crore) for COVID-19 projects in 8 member countries, in an effort to mitigate the financial losses and severe socio-economic impact of the pandemic. 7. China has become the world leader in international patent filings via WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Note: China has filled a total of 58,990 applications surpassing the United States (US), which was at top spot since the PCT began operations in 1978. It should be noted that for the third consecutive year, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei topped the global ranking in 2019 with 4,411 PCT applications. It was followed by Mitsubishi of Japan, which made 2,661 filings, Samsung of South Korea with 2,334 filings and Qualcomm of the US with 2,127 filings 8. UNIDO has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Consumer Unity and Trust Society. Note: The MoU, valid for 5 years, aims to create joint technical co-operation initiatives to support ongoing activities in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).As per the MoU, CUTS will support e-commerce as a platform to accelerate Member States’ transition to the digital economy and adapt to the 4th Industrial Revolution.Both the agencies also decided to implement a BRICS e-commerce project that will build upon the success of UNIDO’s pilot e-commerce project implemented in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries from 2016 to 2018. 9. United States has stopped its funding towards World Health Organization (WHO). Note: The United States provides 400-500 million USD to the organization annually.The American President Donald Trump was threatening the world organization that the United States would freeze its funding. The President has now stopped the funding completely accusing the organization being completely China-centric. 10. South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu affected by Harold cyclone for which UN releases $ 2.5 million. Note: The United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock announced and released 2.5 million dollar from its emergency humanitarian fund to help thousands of people in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.The island nation is affected by Cyclone Harold.The cyclone made landfall on the largest island in Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo. 11. Special ASEAN Summit and special ASEAN plus 3 summits held via video conferencing was chaired by Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam. Note: The summit was attended by heads of state or government of the 10 ASEAN members– Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.The objective behind this summit was to discuss measures relating to containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 and to support people in the countries hit by the disease.

12. In accordance with the Gartner 2019 Digital Workplace Survey India becomes the world’s most digitally dexterous (skilful) country in the world. Note: India has a vast Gen Z workforce who are keen to learn new digitally powered skills in the workplace. India is followed by the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US). It should be noted that Generation Z or Gen Z are the ones born between 1995 and 2009. 13. North Korea test fired anti-ship cruise missiles as a part of military exercises recently. Note: The missiles were of short range and test fired into the sea.The missiles were test fired to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kim II Sung. He was the grand father of the current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The missiles were capable of travelling 150 kilometres. According to the South Korean officials, multiple missiles were test fired. 14. South Korea becomes the first country to hold national election amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Note: The ruling democratic party of President Moon Jae won the election taking 180 seats. The opposition United Future Party took 103 seats. There are 300 seats in the South Korea National Assembly.There were 14,000 polling booths set up for elections and at every polling booth the temperature of the voters was checked before they were allowed to vote. 15. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has increased the size of its COVID-19 Response Package to $20 Billion. Note: The amount in the COVID-19 Response Package was initially $6.5 billion as per announcement in March 2020 as ADB’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. ADB has also approved ways and means to streamline its actions for quicker and more flexible delivery of assistance. 16. Annual Global Report on Food Crises titled “2020 Global Report on Food Crises-Joint Analysis for better decisions” by United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP). Note: As per the report number of people from 50 countries in the food crisis rose by nearly 10% to 123 million people from 112 million in the 2019 edition. The reports also found another 183 million were at risk of slipping into a food crisis. The 10 countries faced worst food crisis in 2019 by number of people in Crisis are Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti. 17. UNODC organization has launched the “Lockdown Learners” series of online dialogues with students and educators in India on COVID-19 & its impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), peace and the rule of law. Note: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) under its flagship Education for Justice Initiative launched the “Lockdown Learners” series of online dialogues with students and educators in India on COVID-19 & its impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), peace and the rule of law.The aim of this initiative is to make students aware of the vulnerable groups and emerging issues such as cybercrime, misinformation, gender-based violence, discrimination, and corruption, among others. 18. Lebanon becomes the 1st Arab nation to legalise cannabis (also known as marijuana) farming for medicinal & industrial use. Note: This is to boost the exports & to beat the economic crisis created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Lebanon faces the worst economic crisis due to lockdown since the 1975-1990 civil war. Earlier the Lebanon banned growing, selling and consuming cannabis.As per the United Nations (UN), Lebanon is the 3rd largest supplier of cannabis resin in the world after Morocco and Afghanistan. 19. Pakistan hosted the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) health ministers virtual conference. Note: The meeting was chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza and SAARC Secretary-General- Esala Ruwan Weerakoon also attended the virtual conference.During the virtual conference SAARC countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the health sector, particularly in the context of efforts to combat the virus at the regional level.India was represented by Rajiv Garg, the Director General of Health Services 20. To organize a virtual workshop “The Contract Management during Emergency situations” World Bank has tie up with All India Management Association. Note: The aim of the agreement is to create awareness about the likely impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the implementation of the bank-funded projects. The workshop saw the discussion over the role of Dispute Resolution Boards and Arbitrators in case of the disagreement between the parties.It was attended by Dr. Ajit Patwardhan, contract management expert, Director Planning and Coordination, JTFRP and other senior officers of JTFRP. Honor & Awards 1. Manufacturing unit of Indian Railway Chittaranjan Locomotive Works has set the Limca Book of Records for producing record 431 locomotives in the financial year 2019-2020. Note: This was achieved despite novel coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that creating disruptions during the current financial year (FY20). The unit has surpassed its own previous year (2018-2019) record when it produced 402 locomotives in 297 working days. CLW’s Locomotive production has increased 75% over the last 6 years period from 250 in 2014-15 to 431 in 2019-20 in line to support 100% Electrification and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the central government. 2. NGO ‘ARMMAN’ has been awarded the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship 2020 in recognition of its exceptional work in the maternal and child health space in India. Note: ARMMAN, an India-based non-profit organization (NPO), has been awarded the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship 2020 in recognition of its exceptional work in the maternal and child health space in India, along with 4 other awardees.ARMMAN is the only organization from Asia and Africa, selected from 700 organizations. 3. Naveen Patnaik has been conferred with ‘Hero to Animals Award’ by animal rights body PETA India. Note: He has been awarded by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for allocating funds to feed community animals in Odisha during the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic. The lockdown has not only affected people but animals as well. In the concern that the animals do not go starving in such conditions, CM approved of Rs 54 lakhs from a relief fund to feed animals of the community. 4. Ben Stokes has been named as the leading cricketer of the world in 2020 by Wisden. Note: England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named as the leading cricketer in the world 2020 by Wisden. Andrew Flintoff was the last English player to win the award in 2005. Ben Stokes was the hero of the Cricket World Cup 2019 final as he guided England to their maiden triumph in the 50-over showpiece tournament at Lord’s on July 14. 5. Female cricketer Ellyse Perry has been named the Wisden’s Leading Female Cricketer in the World 2020. Note: Australia’s Ellyse Perry has been named the Wisden’s Leading Female Cricketer in the World.Perry scored the highest runs and took the most wickets as Australia successfully retained their Women’s Ashes title against England last year.

6. Power company Tata Power has won the Edison Award for social innovation. Note: The company bags the awards for its ‘Club Enerji #Switchoff2SwitchOn’ campaign. It has brought about 533 participating schools across India, saving over 29.8 million units of power since its inception in 2007. Tata Power is India’s largest integrated power company and has an installed capacity of 10,763 megawatts together with its subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities. 7. Algerian Novelist Abdelouahab Aissaoui has won the 13th International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) 2020 for his novel ‘The Spartan Court’. Note: The novel was published by Dar Min in 2018 & will receive USD 50,000 and funding will be provided for the English translation. It is shortlisted from 6 novels, where the other 5 authors will each receive USD 10,000. It is a historical novel that relates the power struggle between Ottoman and French colonial powers in Algeria where it interconnects the lives of 5 characters in Algiers at the beginning of the 19th century (1815 to 1833). 8. Adam Higginbotham has won the William E. Colby Award 2020 for his book “Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster”. Note: The Award was established in 1999 by William E. Colby Military Writers’ Symposium at Norwich University in Vermont to recognize the 1st work of fiction or nonfiction that has made a major contribution to the understanding of military history, intelligence operations, or international affairs.It is presented by Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, and sponsored in part by the Chicago-based Pritzker Military Foundation.It is named in honor of the late Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) director, William Egan Colby. Banking & Financial Awareness 1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the foreign portfolio investment (FPI) limit in corporate bonds to 15%. Note: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the foreign portfolio investment (FPI) limit in corporate bonds to 15% of outstanding stock for FY 2020-21 from 9%to strengthen the segment of the corporate bonds. The limit has been increased under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999). Apart from raising FPI limit in corporate bonds, RBI has also enabled a Fully Accessible Route (FAR) for investment by non-residents in government securities. 2. ICICI Bank has launched Whatsapp banking to assist its customers in meeting the banking needs from homes during the lockdown. Note: Any existing ICICI Bank Savings Account customer on WhatsApp can access the new service.The customer who has only an ICICI credit card can use the service to block/ unblock the card.The Non-ICICI Bank customers can also use this service to know the nearby location of the Bank’s branches / ATMs. 3. To launch ‘COVID-19 protection insurance cover’ for shopkeepers, in a 1st, BhartPe partners with ICICI Lombard. Note: According to this policy, 100% of the sum assured will be paid to the policyholder for the diagnosis of Coronavirus. This includes expenses incurred after hospitalization. The ICICI Lombard Health Cover, available on the BharatPe app, provided at a reasonable cost & offers a premium starting from Rs 199 and a sum assured of Rs 25,000 and value-added benefits. 4. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a loan agreement worth of $60 million with affordable housing loan provider Aavas Financiers Ltd. Note: The grant, provided under the ADB’s supporting access to housing finance for women and in lagging states project, will help increase higher rates of property ownership for women in lower-income groups. At present, India saw the acute housing shortage of 18.7 million units in urban region & 43.7 million units in rural region, that mostly affecting low-income groups, who are facing major problems in receiving mortgages including a lack of documents to prove their incomes. 5. Standard & Poor Global Ratings has slashed down India’s growth forecast for financial year 2020-21 to 3.5%. Note: The growth rate has been slashed due to the deteriorating credit conditions in the Asia-Pacific region as a result of Covid-19 outbreak. It also expects a sharp growth at 7.3% in the Indian economy for FY22 & also has lowered India’s growth rate to 5.2% from 5.7% before lockdown. 6. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in consultation with the Government of India (GoI), has hiked the limit of Ways and Means Advances (WMA) for the first half of the financial year 2020-21 for the centre to Rs 1.2 lakh crore. Note: The increment will help state & central government to overtake the current mismatch in the cash flow of their receipts and payments & will step up expenditure in the social sector, including health and sanitation at the time of outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 7. For the proposed a 4 -year COVID-19 emergency response & health systems preparedness project in India the World Bank has offered USD 1 billion. Note: The project aims to develop the preparedness of India’s health care systems in the time of the pandemic & also to respond and mitigate the pandemic. The project measures the progress on key indicators, such as the proportion of laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 who responded within 48 hours and the proportion of samples submitted for the confirmed Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. 8. PhonePe has launched India’s first COVID-19 hospitalization insurance policy called Corona Care in collaboration with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. Note: The policy will provide an insurance cover of 50,000 on a one-time payment of Rs 156 for people who are under 55 years of age. The insured person will be eligible for the claim only if he/she is diagnosed with COVID-19 after 15 days from the date of purchase of this insurance. The policy will be valid at any hospital that is offering treatment for covid-19. It will also cover 30 days of expenses on pre-hospitalization and post-care medical treatment. 9. State Bank of India has listed green bonds of USD 100 million under its USD 10 billion global medium- term note programme on India International Exchange Limited’s (INX) Global Securities Market Green Platform (GSM). Note: SBI has adopted the green bond framework with the objective of creating a positive impact on the environment & this transaction is considered as part of the sustainability journey. The funds raised by green bonds are used to finance green projects that do not discharge toxic elements. 10. The United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) World Economic Forecasting Model estimates that the global economy could shrink by 1%. Note: The UN has also warned if the restrictions on economic activities are extended without adequate fiscal responses, the decline could be even deeper. The analysis estimated best & worst scenarios for global growth in 2020 11. According to the Fitch Solutions India’s fiscal deficit is expected to go up to what per cent of GDP -- 6.2 %. Note: The reason for this is the economic stimulus package given to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. The government had set a target of limiting the fiscal deficit to 3.5 % of GDP during the current financial year FY 2020-21. 12. Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020 has forecasted a slowdown in Indian economic growth to 4%. Note: For FY 21-22 it has predicted Indian economic growth to 6.2%.On the region front, Asia and Pacific are expected to decline to 2.2% in FY 20-21 and then rebound to 6.2% in 2021.Also, the growth in South Asia will downgrade to 4.1% in FY 20-21 and then recover to 6% in FY 21-22. 13. Fitch Ratings has trimmed the Indian growth forecast for fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021 to 2%. Note: This would be the slowest growth in India over the past 30 years.On the global front, Fitch has predicted a contraction of 1.9% in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth for FY 20-21. 14. The government of India has nominated Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and HDFC Bank for the collection of donations PM-CARES Fund. Note: The contributions can be made by RTGS, NEFT, IMPS, cheques and demand drafts were 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 nominated banks.It should be noted that all donations are entitled to 100% income tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 15. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to increase the number of days that a State/UT can continue to overdraft to 21 working days. Note: Due to coronavirus pandemic States/UTs are facing cash flow mismatches therefore RBI has increased the number of days of overdraft from 14 working days to 21 working days.In addition, the number of days that a State/UT can overdraft in a quarter has also been increased to 50 working days from the current stipulation of 36 working days. The new arrangement is effective immediately and is valid until September 30 16. Airtel Payments Bank has collaborated with Bharti AXA General Insurance to offer financial protection for COVID-19 via two different health insurance plans. Note: The plan named “Bharti AXA Group Health Assure Policy”offers a lump sum benefit of Rs 25,000 and the other plan “Group Hospital Cash”will offer a daily benefit of starting Rs 500. It should be noted that both are ‘Need-Based Insurance’ covers with a validity of one year and there is no mention about the minimum and maximum age limit to avail this policy. 17. The Punjab National Bank Housing Finance (PNBHF) has signed agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to raise to provide loans to affordable housing segment. Note: ➢ It is a 5 year long term loan which helps to balance the company’s Asset Liability Management (ALM) position. ➢ It is JICA’s first debt funding in India’s housing finance sector. 18. Bank of Baroda (BoB) has initiated four schemes for agri sector to tackle COVID-19 impact. Note: The Bank of Baroda (BoB) has initiated four agro schemes for Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO/FPC) and farming community. It should be noted only the existing borrowers of BoB whether individual or FPO or SHG are eligible for the schemes. 19. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has announced to provide emergency working capital to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) up to one crore. Note: The SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency response against coronavirus (SAFE) loan limit has been increased to 2 crores from Rs 50 lakhs.It is a financial assistance program launched by SIDBI for (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) MSMEs that engage in the manufacturing of products (hand sanitizers, masks, gloves, head gear, bodysuits, shoe covers, ventilators, goggles, among others) or offer services to combat the novel coronavirus. 20. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report India’s GDP growth for FY 20-21 is likely to be declined to 4.8%. Note: As per the report the Economic growth for the country could stand at 5.1% for fiscal year 2021- 22.It should be noted that our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had projected India’s GDP growth of 6-6.5% while presenting economic survey 2020-21, up from 5% estimate for 2019-20. 21. Goldman Sachs lowered India’s growth forecast for Financial Year 2020-21 from 3.3% to 1.6%. Note: It stated that the revised growth will be deeper when compared to the recession India has experienced in 1970’s, 1980’s & 2009.Many analysts like Fitch, Moody are downgrading India’s growth rate due to the pandemic. 22. Jana Small Finance Bank has launched DigiGen a digital banking platform to open savings account & fixed deposit digitally. Note: It is a 3 step process to open an account, where the customers are eligible for 4.5% interest rates on savings accounts with no minimum balance and up to 7.5% interest on fixed deposits.The new digital solution offers many features including online bill payment, instant cash transfer and airport lounge access on a debit card. 23. Yes Bank has extended its strategic bancassurance partnership with Max Life Insurance for five more years. Note: As a part of partnership, the products of the life insurer sold through the branches of Yes Bank. Customers are offered with a broad range of need-based products and services.It should be noted that the companies began their partnership in February 2005, and has about 280,000 policies. It has settled death claims of more than Rs 70 crore and offered protection worth Rs 34,500 crore to policy holders and their families. 24. China (People’s Bank of China) has raised its stake in Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC) from 0.8% to 1.01%. Note: The stake raising process was done as a secondary market transaction. The stakes comprises of 17.49 million shares of the country’s largest mortgage lender HDFC. After the transaction, the closing price of the Chinese central bank’s stake in HDFC was Rs 2,976 crore. 25. The twitter campaign urging bank customers to adopt digital modes of payment that are convenient and safe has been launched by Reserve Bank of India. Note: RBI emphasised on transacting digitally as it gives the convenience of making payments anytime and anywhere. Through the campaign, RBI reiterated the multiple digital payment options such as NEFT, IMPS, UPI and BBPS that are available 24*7. The face of the campaign is Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. 26. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to invest what per cent of the funds raised through targeted long-term repo operations (TLTRO) route 50 per cent. Note: RBI has announced the TLTRO on March 27, 2020 to ensure sufficient liquidity in the corporate bond market and has already conducted three such operations worth Rs 25,000 crore each. Now, the liquidity availed under it has to be deployed by banks in investment grade corporate bonds, commercial papers and Non-convertible debentures (NCDs). Investments made by banks under this TLTRO facility will be classified as held to maturity (HTM) i.e. owned till maturity. 27. The rate of interest in the “Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2020-21” to be launched by the RBI on behalf of GoI -- 2.50 per annum. Note: The Central government after exercising its power conferred under clause (iii) of section 3 of Government securities Act 2006 has launched a new series of the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme namely “Sovereign Gold Bond 2020-21”.It is to be issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in six tranches from April 2020 to September 2020 i.e. in first half of FY 20-21. Their sale will be restricted to resident individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions. 28. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in partnership with State Bank of India (SBI) to launch a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based payment platform. Note: The platform Bharat InstaPay is to enable all types of channel partners of BSNL to digitize their payment transactions on round the clock basis/ real- time basis. In particular it will help the prepaid sellers to buy the services immediately for sale. It will improve BSNL’s credibility towards partners, & will help in growth of partners’ business at a faster pace. 29. International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its “World Economic Outlook, April 2020” has decreased India’s GDP growth rate to 1.9%. Note: It has also predicted that in FY 21-22 the Indian economy will recover strongly with a growth projection of 7.4%. This current projected GDP growth rate at 1.9% for 2020-21 is 3.9% lower than the January outlook and 5.1% lower than the projection made in 2019.On the global front, the economy is projected to contract by –3% in FY 20-21 while it will grow by 5.8% in 2021 as economic activity normalizes due to the containment of COVID-19. 30. HDFC Bank has launched Safety Grid campaign which was conceptualized by Leo Burnett India to help people maintain social distancing. Note: It has created physical makers on the ground using the outer grid of its logo at a distance of 1 meter from each outside the outlets like pharmacies, grocery stores, Automated teller machines (ATMs) among others.It has been implemented in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar at 1,750 essential services stores & will be implemented at over 4,000 essential services stores across the 8 cities. 31. As per the IMF report titled ‘COVID-19 Pandemic and the Asia-Pacific Region: Lowest Growth Since the 1960s’ what will the growth of Asia region in 2020 -- 0 per cent. Note: International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) report titled ‘COVID-19 Pandemic and the Asia-Pacific Region: Lowest Growth Since the 1960s’ stated that Asia will stall at 0% growth in 2020 for the 1st time in 60 years which includes the Global Financial Crisis (4.7%) and the Asian Financial Crisis (1.3%).It also stated that the region will be “severe and unprecedented“ due to the impact of the pandemic & Asia is still doing better than other regions in terms of activity. 32. Tata AIA becomes the 1st Life Insurance company in India to announce additional benefits for its policyholders & agents. Note: This is to to support them during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.All policyholders will get additional benefit equal to the base sum assured or Rs 5,00,000 (no additional cost) whichever is lower, it is applicable for all valid death claims with a date of death on or before June 30th 2020.All ‘active’ agents with their spouse and children are entitled upto Rs 25,000 hospitalization cover if diagnosed with COVID-19 within the period as mentioned for the policyholders. 33. The Reserve Bank of India has slashed Reverse Repo rate to 3.75%. Note: It has been decided to reduce the fixed reverse repo rate under liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points (bps) from 4% to 3.75% with immediate effect to maintain more liquidity in the banking system.The reverse repo rate is the rate at which central bank of a country (Reserve Bank of India in case of India) borrows money from commercial banks. 34. The State Bank of India’s (SBI) Ecowrap report estimated India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth may fall to 1.1%. Note: Due to the extension of lockdown till May 3, it has estimated overall loss for FY21 around Rs 12.1 lakh crore or 6% of nominal gross value added (GVA) taking the nominal GVA growth for the entire year to be around 4.2% & the nominal GDP is projected at 4.2%.The net tax revenue will have a shortfall of at least around Rs 4.12 lakh crores, and revenue shortfall for states will be Rs 1.32 lakh crores. The revised fiscal deficit will be at 5.7% of GDP from the budget estimate of 3.5% in FY21 and after taking into account only the current EBR (Extra Budgetary Resources), the deficit rises to 6.6% of GDP. 35. Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFB) has launched Selfe Fixed Deposits (FD) and Selfe savings accounts to expand its digital banking services. Note: This will help its customers to avoid visiting the branches as the lockdown is extended till May 3.With the Aadhaar and Permanent Account Number (PAN) details customers can open an online account for value of Minimum investment of Rs 5,000 and invest up to Rs 90,000 under 3 minutes 36. ICICI Bank has launched voice assistance-based banking services for its retail banking customers. Note: ICICI bank has launched voice assistance-based banking services on its integrated artificial intelligence (AI) powered multi-channel chatbot iPal with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Customers can access a wide range of banking services like check balance, seek credit card details & ask queries through voice commands. 37. Fitch Solutions has declined India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the FY 2020-21 to 1.8%. Note: For China, it has revised to 1.1% from 2.6% previously & the real GDP contracts by 6.8% year over year(y-o-y) in the 1st quarter of 2020.In the meantime, the targeted financial stimulus should see stable investment growth remain relatively flat, while strong government consumption will provide the majority support and prevent full year contraction by 2020. 38. SBI has made an announcement that the bank will waive service charges for all ATM transactions. Note: The decision will also be implemented on the other bank ATMs on account of exceeding the free number of transactions up to 30th June 2020. Therefore, any customer having a debit card from a State Bank of India will be allowed to withdraw cash from any other bank’s ATM without incurring any additional charges till 30th June, 2020. 39. The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the licence of Mapusa Urban Co-operative Bank of Goa Ltd. bank. Note: The central bank has issued an order, barring the bank to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on April 16, 2020. Hence, the Urban Co-operative Bank has been refrained from running the business of ‘banking’ which comprises of acceptance of deposits as well as repayment of deposits as defined in Section 5 (b) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 with immediate effect. 40. The Reserve Bank of India has increased the limit for Ways and Means Advances (WMA) for Central Government to Rs 2,00,000 crores. Note: RBI has increased the limit for Ways and Means Advances (WMA) by 66% for Central Government to Rs 2,00,000 crore from Rs 1,20,000 crore for the remaining part of first half of the financial year 2020- 21 to tackle the financial crisis arisen due to COVID-19 pandemic.Last week, RBI increased the WMA limit of state governments by 60%.With this move states would get greater financial support to undertake COVID-19 containment and mitigation efforts.It should be noted that by Fiscal year end (FYE) i.e. on March 31, 2020 the WMA limit for H1 FY21 was increased to Rs 1.20-lakh crore against Rs.75,000 crore. 41. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has canceled the license granted to the Mapusa Urban Co-operative Bank of Goa Ltd. Note: The order came into effect from the close of business on 16 April 2020. In the sequence of cancellation of license and commencement of liquidation work, the process of payment of amount will be initiated to depositors of Mapusa Bank as per Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act, 1961.During the liquidation, every depositor will be entitled to deposit up to Rs. 5 lakhs from the DICGC subject to the general terms and conditions. 42. To issue virtual and physical debit cards to enable its customers to perform secure online transactions Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) has collaborated with Mastercard. Note: PPBL will issue Mastercard virtual debit cards to its new customers to perform secure online transactions for everyday purchases.After this, Customers will also have an option to request a physical card, for contactless in-store transactions supported by Mastercard’s chip-based technology.The aim of PPBL is to issue over 10 million digital debit cards in FY 2020-21. 43. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched Working Capital demand Loan for agriculture sector. Note: It is a special credit facility for the agriculture sector & allied activities as a relief measure to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The loans will be available to all the existing borrowers whose accounts are ‘standard’ and ‘performing’ as of March 2020. The loans will be available to all the existing borrowers whose accounts are ‘standard’ and ‘performing’ as of March 2020 from poultry, dairy, fisheries and other allied activities and infrastructure activities such as cold storage and rural go-downs. 44. Fitch Ratings Inc in its ‘Global Economic Outlook (GEO)’ has lowered India’s GDP growth forecast to 0.8 per cent. Note: It revised its projection due to the global economic downturn caused by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and Lockdown in India. Prior to this, Fitch had predicted India’s economic growth for the financial year (FY 20) at 4.9 %. However, the agency expects the growth rate in 2021-22 (FY 22) at 6.7%. 45. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in a paper- A plan for economic recovery has stated that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is likely to grow at 1.5 per cent. Note: In considering the extent of the damage to the economy from the disruption to business, the GDP growth in FY21 is likely to be the lowest in many decades.Without an increase in government spending in the near term for economic recovery, government’s revenue will decline and high deficits will be a problem in future. As the capacity utilization levels may be minimum, any significant recovery in investment activities is unlikely. Consumption demand will be sluggish as people’s incomes are affected. 46. In accordance with the report on impact of COVID-19 on migration and remittances by World Bank, titled “COVID-19 Crisis: Through a Migration Lens” remittances to India are likely to drop by 23%. Note: In 2019, the remittances were increased by 5.5%. Importantly, India is the world’s biggest recipient of remittances, which bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves and help fund its current account deficit.Remittance flows are expected to fall across all regions, mostly in Europe and Central Asia (27.5%), followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (23.1%), South Asia (22.1%), the Middle East and North Africa (19.6%), Latin America and the Caribbean (19.3%), and East Asia and the Pacific (13%). 47. To establish innovation centres Tech Mahindra Limited has entered into the partnership with US based IBM. Note: Both the firms have decided to open a 1st such centre in Bengaluru (Karnataka) later in 2020, which showcases transformation solutions built with IBM Cloud Paks, enterprise-ready containerized software solutions running on Red Hat OpenShift. More such centres will be opened throughout North America and the United Kingdom(UK) sometime in 2020. The tie-up is in line with Tech Mahindra’s TechMNxt charter, which aims on providing solutions that enable digital transformation and meet the customer’s evolving and dynamic needs. 48. World Bank has approved Rs 585 cr for Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project. Note: Under tranche-I of HPSRTP, Road construction work of Barotiwala-Baddi-Sain-Ramshehar with length of 45 kms, Dadol-Ladraurr Road with length of 14.5 kms, Mandi- Riwalsar-Kalkhar of length 28 kms and Raghunathpura-Mandi- Harpura-Bharari road with length of 3.5 kms would be undertaken. Also, the construction of 4,960-km roads has been fixed under Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojna (PMGSY) for FY 2020-21 for which financial allocation of Rs 1,666 crore had been made. 49. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance launched a preventive healthcare platform ‘BAGIC GOQii Co-pay Option’ in partnership with a smart health company -- GOQii. Note: Objective of the product is to reward the customers with a healthy lifestyle in the form of co-pay deduction in their health insurance policy named Health Ensure policy. The option is an add-on cover which can be opted by the holders of company’s existing health insurance policy.If the policyholder agrees for the add-on cover, GOQii will on-board the customer on their app to monitor their engagement level and also send them the health band.

50. SIDBI has launched special liquidity schemes to support MSMEs due to lockdown. Note: The schemes will cover all eligible entities with investment-grade ratings irrespective of the entity’s size & the quantum of the loans is 90 days.Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has received Rs 15,000 crore from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide financial aid to MSMEs.The central bank provided the capital through a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF). SIDBI will provide the financing to MSMEs through banks, non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and micro-finance institutions (MFIs). 51. Transcorp International Ltd(TIL) becomes the 1st non-bank company to receive Reserve Bank of India(RBI) nod to enter into co-branding arrangements for prepaid Instruments. Note: It will launch Application Programming Interface (API) based co-branded partnerships for digital, physical and contactless cards with select marquee clients in its own Bank Identification Number (BINs).These cards can be used by partners, financial institutions and corporate houses to ease their core business activities & facilitates the accounting department to manage expenses by not having to check every individual bill & eliminates cash as a medium of paying for company expenses 52. The CARE Ratings has projected the gross domestic product (GDP) of India for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 between 1.1%-1.2%. Note: Gross Value Added (GVA) has been estimated to grow at 1.4% for FY21. Overall growth is expected to be driven only by the government expenditure. The agency also revised the GDP forecast for FY20 by declining it to 4.7% from 5% with GVA growth expected at 4.6%. 53. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched a special borrowing programme for Self Help Groups (SHGs) with better records. Note: Under this scheme, a member of SHG will be given a maximum loan of Rs 5,000 & the limit for the group has been fixed at Rs 1 lakh. This loan will be sanctioned with an interest rate of 9.4 % for 1 year. It has been disbursed in 6 working days & the benefit can be availed till June 30, 2020. SHGs with better records and at least twice the loan from IOB will be able to avail this facility. 54. India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has revised India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts for the fiscal year 2020-21 (FY 21) to 1.9 per cent. Note: The ratings, which is lowest in the last 29 years, based on the assumption that the partial lockdown will continue till mid-May 2020. However, if the lockdown continues even after mid-May, the country will register a negative growth of 2.1% lowest in the last 41 years, and only the sixth instance of contraction since fiscal year 1957-58. It is noteworthy that in the financial year 1991-92, the pace of economic growth of the country was just 1.1 %. 55. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam has called for a global expression of interest (EoI) to buy 10 Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FC) based electric buses & 10 Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based electric cars to operate them in Delhi and Leh. Note: It is a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited. The procurement is the first of its kind project in India to develop a complete solution ranging from green energy to fuel cell vehicles & aims to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Other cities for release of FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles) at other locations may also be included. 56. Asian Development Bank has approved the loan of 1.5 Billion USD to India to support the response actions of the Government of India against the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: The President ADB, Masatsugu Asakawa assured that the ADB is committed to support the Government of India’s novel coronavirus response programs and to provide support to the people of India. The disbursing of the fund is a part of the package of support form the ADB in coordination with the government and the other development partners. 57. To provide better power connection in rural areas the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan worth of $346 million for Maharashtra state. Note: The loan, which is ADB’s first results-based lending (RBL) modality in South Asia’s energy sector, will be sanctioned as part of the Maharashtra Rural Connectivity Improvement Project & Maharashtra Agribusiness Network Project.It will support the state’s high voltage distribution system (HVDS) program, in which some 46,800km of high-voltage 11 kilovolts (kV) energy distribution systems will be installed and 121 substations of 33/11 kV modernized by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).Maharashtra Energy Department and MSEDCL will implement this project. Obituaries 1. Professor Arjun Dev passed away recently; he was a veteran Historian. Note: He served as a historian at the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT). He also co-wrote some of the extremely popular textbooks with his wife Indira Arjun Dev.Arjun Dev served as Member Secretary of the National Steering Committee on Textbook evaluation.One of his books, which was discontinued by NCERT and was republished by Orient Blackswan as “History of the World: From the Late 19th to the Early 20th century”, has remained a widely read text. 2. Nobel Prize- winning physicist who expanded the world’s understanding of magnetism, superconductivity and the structure of matter, passed away -- Philip Warren Anderson. Note: The American theoretical physicist graduated from Harvard University in 1949 & then worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories until he began teaching at Princeton and the University of Cambridge. Anderson received Nobel Prize in Physics in 1977, along with Nevill Francis Mott of Britain & the American John Hasbrouck van Vleck, for their contribution on fundamental theoretical investigations of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems. 3. Padma Shri awardee and former “Hazoori Raagi” at the Golden Temple, passed away -- Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa. Note: He has the knowledge of all 31 “raags” in the Gurbani of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Holy Book). In 2009, Singh received the Padma Shri award from the Government of India for his contribution of services in the field of arts and he was the first Hazoori Raagi to receive the award. 4. Name the American singer-songwriter, record producer and bassist passed away due to Coronavirus -- Adam Lyons Schlesinger. Note: He was the co-founder of the 2000s pop-rock band “Foundations of Wayne” & known for co-writing the band’s 2003 hit “Stacy’s Mom”. Schlesinger won 3 Emmy awards, two for original music and lyrics for the 2011 and 2012 Tony Awards and, another for original music and lyrics for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” in 2015. ”A Colbert Christmas”, co-written by Schlesinger & David Javerbaum, won him the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

5. World renowned virologist Gita Ramjee passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa. Note: She was the stellar vaccine scientist and an HIV prevention research leader.Gita was born on April 8, 1956, in Kampala, Uganda. She served as 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. 6. American songwriter, soulful singer, guitarist & 3 time Grammy award winner Bill Withers passed away recently. Note: He is well known for these compilations- Lean on Me, Ain’t No Sunshine, Just the two of us (for which he received Grammy awards) & Lovely Day. He has produced 9 albums, his debut album is Just As I Am(1971) & the last album was Watching You Watching Me(1985).In 2006 he was awarded the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, in 2007- Inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame & in 2015- Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 7. Libya’s former Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril el-Warfally passed away due to Coronavirus. Note: He served as the interim Prime Minister (PM) of Libya for almost a year during the Libyan Civil War in 2011, chairing the executive board of National Transitional Council and later killed Moammar Gaddafi in 2011. He also served as an economic advisor to the Gaddafi government before the revolution and served as the interim leader until the country held its first free elections in four decades in 2012. 8. Malayalam Music Composer M.K. Arjunan passed away recently. Note: He tuned about 700 songs, many of them among the biggest hits of all time. His songs were celebrated as much as those of great composers like G. Devarajan (who was also his guru), M.S. Baburaj, V. Dakshinamoorthy and K. Raghavan. rjunan was awarded Kerala State award for the best composer in 2017 for Jayaraj’s Bhayanakam. 9. Renowned personality Honor Blackman passed away recently. Note: Honor Blackman was one of the memorable co-stars of the early James Bond films. Honor Blackman shot to fame in her late 30s after playing legendary Bond girl Pussy Galore in the 1964 movie Goldfinger. 10. Famous sportsperson Radomir Antic passed away recently. Note: Radomir Antic, Serbian football manager and player, the only man to have coached Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, passed away at the age of 71 in Madrid, Spain. Antic managed Atletico on three separate occasions, winning the league and cup double in 1995-96 and only one of two people to coach EL Clasico rivals Real and Barca during his career after Enrique Fernandez Viola. 11. Two time Grammy award winner & Grammy lifetime achievement award winner American folk singer John Prine passed away recently. Note: John Prine passed away due to coronavirus complications.His best works are Missing Years, Fair and Square for which he received Grammy awards, Angel From Montgomery, Illegal Smile,Christmas in Prison & Tree of Forgiveness among others.He was inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003 & Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 & received the PEN/New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award in 2016. 12. Renowned player Donato Sabia passed away due to Coronavirus. Note: Donato Sabia, twice Olympics 800 meters finalist and the former European Indoor Champion, passed away at the age of 56 in Potenza, Italy due to Coronavirus. He was born on September 11, 1963 in Potenzo, Italy. 13. Famous Indian American Brahm Kanchibotla passed away due to coronavirus. Note: In recent years, he has been writing for two Indian-American publications, the Indian Panorama and the South Asia Times. During his 28-year career in the US, he worked for 11 years as a content editor for Merger Markets, a financial publication, and also worked for News India-Times Weekly. He emigrated to the US in 1992 after having worked for several publications in India. 14. Famous Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away recently. Note: Shanti was trained in thumri, dadra and ghazal singing by Begum Akthar. With the passing of Shanti Hiranand the Begum Akthar era is formally over. She was world-renowned for keeping the legendary ghazal singer’s style alive in her performances, which she staged all across the world including Lahore, Islamabad, Toronto, Boston, New York and Washington. 15. Legendary sportsperson Sir Stirling Moss passed away recently. Note: Moss was widely regarded as the greatest driver never to win the Formula One drivers’ world championship. The British driver took part in Formula One from 1951 to 1961 and also made 67 starts in the F1 World Championship, claiming victory winning 16 races and claiming 16 pole positions and 24 podium positions. 16. Famous sportsperson Peter Bonetti passed away recently. Note: He was part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team but was unused throughout the tournament. He was featured in 1970 World Cup quarter-final defeat by West Germany. He was nicknamed as ‘The Cat’ because of his safe handling, lightning reflexes and his graceful style. 17. Renowned Politician M V Rajasekharan passed away recently. Note: He was former Union Minister of State of planning and statistics and veteran Congress leader. He was also agriculture and rural development consultant. He was born on 12th September 1928 in Maralawadi in Ramanagara District, Karnataka. He represented the constituency of Kanakapura in the Lok Sabha and well known for his value-based politics. 18. Famous sportsperson Zafar Sarfaraz passed away recently. Note: Former Pakistani first-class cricketer, Zafar Sarfaraz ,50 years, who tested positive to COVID-19 passed away in a hospital at Peshawar, Pakistan. He was born on 30th October 1969 in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan.Zafar Sarfraz, middle-order batsman played 15 First Class (FC) Games for Peshawar and played 6 List A Matches for Peshawar Cricket Team between 1988 to 1992. 19. Renowned personality Ranjit Chowdhry passed away recently. Note: He was well known for his performance in classic comedies like Baton Baton Mein as Sabhi Perreira and Khubsoorat as Jagan Gupta.His mother Pearl Padamsee, was a Jewish descent and a well known drama teacher and stage and film actress and his stepfather Alyque Padmsee, was a theatre actor, director and head of an advertising company in Mumbai He started his film career with “KhattaMeetha” as RussieMistry. 20. Name the best-selling Chilean writer and journalist passed away due to coronavirus complications Luis Sepúlveda Calfucura.

Note: He was with Chile’s Communist Youth and socialists working against Pinochet regime and in 1973 he was arrested and imprisoned for treason for 2 and half years and freed after the intervention of Amnesty International. He was exiled from Chile by Pinochet dictatorship in 1977 and settled in Europe in 1980s after his extensive travel.

21. Name the former prime minister of Fiji Laisenia Qarase passed away recently. Note: The founder of the Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua Party & former Fiji Prime Minister (2000- 2006) Laisenia Qarase passed away at 79 in Oceania Hospital, Suva due to an illness. He hails from Mavana, Vanuabalavu, Lau. He was the former Managing Director (MD) of Fiji Development Bank, served on the board of Fijian Holdings Limited, was a former Chairman of Fiji Television Limited, was the MD of Merchant Finance & also served as a senator after being nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs. 22. Renowned personality Eugene Merril Deitch passed away recently. Note: He was one of the directors behind world’s most popular cartoons and directed 13 episodes of Tom and Jerry. Deitch directed multiple episodes of the ‘Popeye the Sailor’ series and also directed popular animator cartoons such as Munro, Tom Terrific and Nudnik. Deitch received the “Winsor McCay” Award for his lifetime contribution to animation in 2004. He also won the ‘Academy Award’ for his Best Animated Short Film named “Munro” in 1960. 23. Name the Indian theatre director-actor and activist Usha Ganguly passed away recently. Note: Usha Ganguly, was an Indian theatre director-actor and activist, most known for her work in Hindi theatre in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away at the age of 75 in Kolkata, West Bengal. She was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan in 1945. She founded Rangakarmee theatre group in 1976, known for its productions like Mahabhoj, Rudali, Court Martial and Antaryatra. 24. Famous sportsperson Michael John passed away recently, he was associated with Football. Note: Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool forward footballer Michael John Robinson passed away at the age of 61 in Marbella, Spain. He was born on July 12, 1958 in Leicester, England. He appeared in more than 300 official matches in England for five clubs, including Liverpool, and played the last three seasons of his career in Spain with Osasuna (Spanish Football Club). Robinson received the XIII International Vázquez Montalbán prize for Sports Journalism, awarded by FC Barcelona in December 2017. He was the winner of the 2018 Vazquez Montalban International Journalism Award. 25. Renowned personality Irfan Khan passed away. Note: The actor was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai after suffering from colon infection.He has acted in several remarkable movies like Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Haider, Piku, Hindi Medium, Slumdog Millionaire, Jurassic World, The Amazing Spiderman and Life of Pi. He was honoured with various awards along with Padma Shri which is the fourth highest civilian award of India. 26. Renowned Actor Rishi Kapoor passed away. Note: Rishi breathed his last at the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. His wife and actor Neetu Kapoor was by his side. Born in the first family of Hindi cinema, Rishi Kapoor was the son of the man India call the showman, Raj Kapoor, and grandson of the famous Prithviraj Kapoor. Rishi was the second son of Raj and the sibling of Randhir, Ritu Nanda, Rima Jain and Rajeev Kapoor.

Important Days 1. World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2. Note: The World Autism Awareness Day is observed to raise awareness about autism and problems faced by people suffering from it. The day has been observed since 2008. The day is one of the seven health- based United Nations (UN) days. The theme for 2020 is “The Transition to Adulthood”. 2. The International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed every year on 4th April. Note: It is observed to create awareness on landmines, other threats and progress towards their eradication.In 2005, the UN (United Nations) General Assembly declared April 4 as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. 3. The 57th Edition of National Maritime Day (NMD) was celebrated on April 5, 2020. Note: The day is observed annually to raise awareness in supporting intercontinental commerce and the global economy. The National Maritime Day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964. The saga of India shipping first started on April 5, 1919, when the SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Limited travelled from Mumbai to the United Kingdom (UK). 4. The International Day of Conscience (IDC) is observed for the 1st time on 5th April 2020. Note: This is celebrated to recognize the need to establish stability, well-being, peaceful and friendly relations on the basis of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.FIFA has joined forces with the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in supporting the”#BeActive campaign” launched on the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 5. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSP) is celebrated every year on 6th April. Note: This is celebrated to recognize the power of sport in promoting social change, community development and to encourage peace and understanding. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2013 has declared April 6 as IDSP & is celebrated annually since then 2014. 6. The International Romani Day is observed every year on 8th April. Note: The day is observed annually to raise awareness of the issues faced by Romani people and to celebrate Romani culture.The International Romani Day was officially declared at the fourth World Romani Congress of the International Romani Union (IRU) in Serock, Poland, in 1990.The day also remembers the first major international meeting of Romani representatives held between April 7 to 12, 1971 in Chelsfield, England. 7. The World Homeopathy Day is celebrated every year on 10th April. Note: This year the day marks the 265th birth anniversary of the father of the Homeopathy systems of medicines Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, German physician. He discovered the way to heal through the use of homeopathy. The term ‘homeopathy’ comes from the combination of the two Greek words, homeo- meaning similar & pathos- meaning suffering or disease.Theme of the day this year (2020I is “Enhancing the scope of Homeopathy in Public Health”. 8. The Play True Day is observed every year on 9th April. Note: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) celebrated the Play True Day 2020.The theme of this year is ‘Play Safe on Play True Day 2020’.WADA and the anti-doping community worldwide is celebrating the ‘Play True Day’ since 2014. WADA celebrates the day with athletes, national and regional anti- doping organizations, sports federations, major event organizers & other anti- doping stakeholders from the global clean sport community. 9. National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is celebrated annually on 11th April. Note: The day is celebrated to raise awareness on proper healthcare and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women. NSMD is an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) to ensure that every woman should have the availability and enough access to care during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal services 10. The international day of human space flight is observed across the world annually on 12th April. Note: The day remarks 1st human to orbit the earth- Yuri Gagarin in “Vostok 1” on April 12, 1961.The day is observed to celebrate the space age for the human race to reaffirm the vital role of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and improve the well-being of states, people, and to realize the ambition of maintaining the space for peaceful purposes. The 1st human-made Earth satellite Sputnik I was launched into outer space on 4th October 1957 which opened a new way for space exploration. 11. National Pet Day is celebrated every year on 11th April. Note: The Day is celebrated to create public awareness about animals that currently live in shelters and rescues and are in need of a forever home.National pet day was founded in 2006 by Colleen Paige, who is a renowned animal welfare advocate and lifestyle expert. 12. The World Chagas Disease Day was celebrated for the first time on 14th April 2020. Note: The main aim of marking the day is to increase awareness of Chagas disease. Also, it focuses on the resources needed to prevent, control and eliminate the disease.The Chagas disease is also called “American trypanosomiasis”.The disease has been termed as silent and silenced disease. This is because, it progresses very slowly and mainly affects the people under poverty who do not have political voice to access health care. 13. International Day of Action for Rivers is observed every year on March 14. Note: The objective of this is to raise public awareness of destructive water development projects, health and sustainable management of the watersheds. Theme for the year 2020 is “Women, Water and Climate Change”. 14. The World Voice Day (WVD) is celebrated every year on 16th April. Note: World Voice Day (WVD) is a worldwide annual event that takes place on April 16 devoted to the celebration of the phenomenon of voice. The day is celebrated to increase the public awareness of the importance of voice and alertness to voice problems. The Theme of the day for the year 2020 is “FOCUS ON YOUR VOICE”. 15. The International Day of Mathematics (IDM) was celebrated for the first time on March 14, 2020. Note: On this day all countries will be invited to participate through activities for both students and the general public in schools, museums, libraries and other spaces. The day was proclaimed by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on the 40th session of the General Conference, November 26, 2019.Theme for the year 2020 is “Mathematics is Everywhere”. 16. World Haemophilia Day is celebrated worldwide on 17th April. Note: The day is celebrated to create awareness about Haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. World Federation of Haemophilia was established by Frank Schnabel in 1963. The World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) initiated the celebration of the World Haemophilia Day in 1989 on April 17 to honor the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, the founder of WFH.The theme of the World Haemophilia Day 2020 is “Get+involved”.

17. The World Art Day is celebrated every year on 15th April. Note: The International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP), partner of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared the World Art Day on April 15.The day is chosen to honor & mark the birthday of famous Mona Lisa’s painter Leonardo da Vinci who is a symbol of world peace, freedom of expression, tolerance and brotherhood. 18. World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on 18th April. Note: Also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites is an annual event which is celebrated every year on April 18, to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, their vulnerability and the efforts required for their protection and conservation. Theme for the year 2020 is “Shared Culture, Shared Heritage and Shared Responsibility”. 19. World Liver Day (WLD) is observed every year on 19th April. Note: This celebrated to spread awareness about the importance of liver in our body and liver related diseases. The liver is the second largest and most complex organ in the body, after the brain. It is a key player in your body’s digestive system.The liver performs many crucial functions related to digestion, immunity, metabolism and the storage of nutrients within the body and removing toxic substances from the body. 20. World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) is celebrated all across the world on April 21. Note: World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) is a global United Nation (UN) day celebrated on April 21.This day is celebrated to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals. The day was first created with UN resolution 71/284 with the support of 80 countries and the first WCID was celebrated on April 21, 2018. 21. The National Civil Service Day is celebrated every year on 21st April. Note: The Day celebrated to celebrate the civil servants who dedicate their lives to serve the government and the citizens of the nation and to honour them for their services and to encourage them to continue to do their service with commitments and excellence.This is also to encourage the passion of the Indians to get into civil service.On April 21, 1947, The Home member of Parliament, Sardar VallabhBhai Patel inaugrated the All India Service and referred the civil servants as the ‘Steel Frame of India’ in his speech addressing the Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf.On April 21, 2006 the First National Civil Service Day was celebrated at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 22. Mother Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April. Note: The Day is celebrated every year in order to create awareness about pollution and to celebrate the environment of our planet.This year is a special occasion as it marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and events was coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries. The theme for Earth Day 2020 is “Climate Action”. 23. World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on 23rd April. Note: This event is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the day aims to promote reading, publishing and copyright.Each year, UNESCO and the international organisations representing the 3 major sectors of the book industry- publishers, book sellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for a period of one year from April 23. 24. Every year the United Nation Celebrates the UN English Language Day and UN Spanish Language Day on 23rd April. Note: The UN English Language Day is celebrated on the 23rd April every year which is traditionally observed as the birth and death anniversary of William Shakespeare. The celebration of English language day is aimed to educate the people on the history, culture and the achievements associated with the language and to encourage the books, poetry and the literature exchange like activities to promote the language. 25. The World Day of Laboratory Animals has been observed annually on 24th April. Note: This World Day for Animals in Laboratories was established by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to educate the public and Governments about the animal tests and the alternatives for the past 40 years. The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is the first organisation in the world to campaign against Vivisection, the act of operating on animals for experimental purposes. 26. National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) is observed annually on 24th April. Note: The day is organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to mark a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power at the rural level. On this day PM Narendra Modi launched the e-Gram Swaraj Portal and mobile app and the Swamitva scheme.The Unified Portal is a new initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj which will provide the Gram Panchayats with a single interface to prepare and implement their Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). 27. Every year 25th April is celebrated as World Malaria Day. Note: 25th April 2020 is observed as World Malaria Day to recognise the global efforts made to control malaria and to commemorate the Africa Malaria Day. It is one of the eight official global public health campaigns recognised by the World Health Organisation(WHO). The theme of World Malaria Day 2020 is “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” 28. World Intellectual Property Day established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is celebrated every year on 26th April. Note: The Day is celebrated to educate and learn about the role that Intellectual Property (IP) rights that support and encourage innovation and creativity in creating a green future. The day coincides with the date on which the convention establishing the WIPO entered into force in 1970. The theme of this year is “Innovate for a Green Future” 29. International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed every year on 26th April. Note: The day remembers the explosion at the No.4 reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near the city of Pripyat in the north of Soviet Ukraine, in 1986 which spread a radioactive cloud over large parts of the Soviet Union Federation. This year marks the 34th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. On December 8, 2016, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution designating April 26 as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. 30. 25th April of every year is celebrated as World Penguin Day. Note: The Day is celebrated to create awareness about the threat to the existence of these flightless birds. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), a non-governmental organisation mentions that this day coincides with the annual northern migration of Adelie penguins of Antarctica.The day is celebrated by individuals and organisations by sharing the facts about the penguins and images and videos of penguins on social media. 31. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work (WDSHW) is observed every year on 28th April. Note: The day is observed by the ILO to raise awareness on the adoption of safe practices in workplaces, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic. April 28 is also the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers organized worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996. Theme of the Day for the year 2020 is Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives. New Appointments 1. D. Lakshminarayanan has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Sundaram Home Finance. Note: He will take charge on April 1, 2020 and will replace Srinivas Acharya.Srinivas Acharya has been the company’s MD since 2010 & has been part of the Sundaram Finance Group for almost 4 decades. The company had posted a total income of Rs 1006 crore and a net profit of Rs 145 crore for the financial year 2019. 2. The government extended the tenure of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) acting President BSV Prakash Kumar. Note: Earlier he was appointed as the acting President for 3 months from January 5 after the retirement of NCLT president Justice Mahesh Mittal (M.M.) Kumar. He previously served as a Judicial Member of the NCLT’s Madras bench. 3. The Government has extended the appointment of Madhabi Puri Buch as a whole time member (WTM) of the SEBI. Note: She was appointed as a WTM of SEBI for a period of 3 years in April 2017 whereas all the appointed members and Chairman of SEBI were only men from the public sector, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). She was not only the first woman to be appointed as a WTM of SEBI but also the first person from the private sector. In SEBI, she handles a range of departments from market and market intermediaries regulation to integrated surveillance and economic and policy analysis. 4. UB Pravin Rao has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM). Note: UB Pravin Rao succeeds Keshav Murugesh, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of World Network Services (WNS) Global Services, who served as chairman of NASSCOM for the year 2019-20. Previously Rao was the vice chairman of NASSCOM. 5. Shafali Verma has been appointed as the brand ambassador of PepsiCo for one year. Note: Pepsi will be Shafali’s first contract with a major brand. The beverage firm recently signed Bollywood star Salman Khan as its face for 2 years. Shafali Verma hails from Haryana is the explosive top- order Indian batswoman, who played the ICC Women’s Twenty20 International World Cup against Australia in Melbourne. 6. Parag Raja has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bharti AXA Life Insurance Company. Note: The appointment will be subject to the requisite approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Parag Raja will be the successor of Vikas Seth. Raja served as the Chief Distribution Officer at Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI). 7. Anamika Roy Rashtrawar has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance. Note: She was the successor of Warendra Sinha. She was the first woman MD and CEO of a large private sector IFFCO Tokio general insurance company. She joined the company as a whole-time director in June 2018 and spearheaded the company’s business transformation project by expanding operations in tier -II, III, IV towns. 8. Raj Vikash Verma has been appointed as part-time Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for the period of one year. Note: Verma was inducted as an Independent Director with the AU Bank in January 2018. He was the former Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of National Housing Bank (NHB). Verma was a certified Associate of the Indian Institute of the Bankers (CAIIB). 9. Sanjay Agarwal has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AU Small Finance Bank. Note: Sanjay Agarwal reappointed as Managing Director (MD) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer).Agarwal has been associated with this institution (AU small finance bank) since its inception in 1996 (erstwhile AU Financiers India Limited), is also its promoter.AU Small Finance Bank is an Indian Scheduled Commercial bank that was founded as a finance company AU financiers (India) Limited incorporated as L.N. Finco Gems Private Limited 10. Mahabaleshwara M S has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Karnataka Bank. Note: Private sector lender Karnataka Bank received RBI (Reserve Bank of India) approval for the re- appointment of Mahabaleshwara M S as MD (Managing Director) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) for next 3 years. The bank regulator has also approved for reappointment of Polali Jayarama Bhat as part time (non-executive) chairman. 11. Sara Ali Khan has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the James Bullough Lansing (JBL)’s campaign -”Live it Real, Live it Raw”. Note: She lines up with JBL ambassadors and partners from music, sports, and entertainment industries including actor and humanitarian Priyanka Chopra, music mogul AR Rahman, and Olympian Shuttler PV Sindhu in India. Mahindra Group’s MeraKisan, an organic Agri producer has partnered with The Vice- Captain of the Indian Test Cricket team Ajinkya Rahane, as part of this, he will own equity & will be its brand ambassador. 12. J Packirisamy has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Union Bank of India. Note: Andhra Bank Managing Director (MD) J Packirisamy has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Union Bank of India (UBI).The appointments come after some of the public sector banks were merged by the government with effect from April 2020.Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank have merged with Union Bank of India from April 1, 2020. 13. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Canara Bank. Note: The appointments come after some of the public sector banks were merged by the government with effect from April 2020.Mahapatra has been appointed as an OSD in Canara Bank from April 1, 2020 till the age of his retirement. Syndicate Bank merged with Canara Bank from April 1, 2020. 14. MS Dhoni has been appointed as the new brand ambassador of the PokerStars India. Note: Prior to MS Dhoni’s appointment popular Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui was the brand ambassador of the company. Muskan Sethi and Sharad Rao are the other brand ambassadors of PokerStars India, while Aditya Agarwal quit the brand in December 2019. Currently, the brand is at rank four for player traffic among poker sites. 15. Ajay Mahajan has been appointed as the MD & CEO of the Credit Analysis and Research Limited (CARE) Rating. Note: He is the successor of T.N. Kumar- Interim CEO of the company. Mahajan started his career with Bank of America in 1990 and went on to become MD & Country Head of Global Markets Group. He was also part of the management team at inception of Yes Bank in 2004, building UBS’ maiden branch in India in 2008 and then working in IDFC (Infrastructure Development Finance Company) 16. Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the new brand ambassador of the CricKingdom. Note: “CricKingdom” is a Dubai-based cricket coaching academy which provides a platform for online coaching after the global COVID-19 pandemic subsides.Provides support on booking of coaches, ground/nets with the management of academies.They are trying to merge the modern scientific training methods with the time-tested theories of the legends in the game. 17. Vineet Arora has been appointed as the MD and CEO of Paytm General Insurance Limited. Note: Earlier he served as the MD & CEO of Aegon Life Insurance Company and was part of the India Leadership team.Prior to this, he was senior general manager and head of Product, Distribution, Marketing and Wealth Management at ICICI Securities Ltd, where he developed a profitable distribution business across various delivery channels. 18. Viswanathan Anand has been appointed as the ambassador of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India’s environment education programme. Note: The programme was started in 1976 as an initiative of Nature Clubs of India (NCI) with aim to create a generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers and environmentally conscious individuals.It follows a 3 way strategy approach namely; building environmental awareness and knowledge; developing requisite capacity and skills; and enabling action for conservation and sustainability. 19. N Kamakodi has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of City Union Bank. Note: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the re-appointment of N Kamakodi as the Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of City Union Bank (CUB), a private sector bank for 3 years with effect from May 1. He joined CUB as Deputy General Manager (DGM) in 2003, elevated as General Manager in 2005, Executive Director in 2006 & as MD and CEO with effect from May 1, 2011. 20. Noel Quinn has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the HSBC Bank. Note: He served as the interim CEO of the bank since August 2019. He was the successor of John Flint. Noel joined HSBC in 1987 and has proven the outstanding candidate to take on a role permanently as CEO. Quinn will earn a base salary of 1.27 million pounds per annum. 21. PV Sindhu has been appointed as the one of its ambassadors for the “I am badminton” awareness campaign of BWF. Note: World Champion PV Sindhu, named as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation’s (BWF’s) “I am badminton” awareness campaign to provide a platform for the players to express their love and respect for the sport. Five years since the Integrity unit of BWF was formed and the campaign is made to be the forefront of the governing body’s effort to communicate its approach and integrity. 22. Rakesh Sharma has been appointed as the President of Geneva-based International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA). Note: IMMA represents the manufacturing industry of powered two-wheelers at the global level. He was the successor of Johannes Loman.Sharma was elected from its member organisation, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). 23. Shiv Das Meena has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) ltd. Note: The Additional Secretary of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA),Shiv Das Meena Government of India was appointed to hold the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director of Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) ltd, for six month or till the appointment of a regular incumbent to the post, effect from 21st April 2020.Shiv Das Meena – 1989 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu Cadre with over 30 years of experience in the public service is a Bachelor of Civil Engineer and completed his Master in International Studies from Japan. 24. Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board(PESB). Note: The former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board(PESB) by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a period of three years in place of KapilDev Tripathi who took over as the Secretary to the President Ram NathKovind.Rajiv Kumar, IAS officer of 1984-batch of Jharkhand cadre, in September 2017 he took over as the Financial services secretary and initiated many reforms in the banking sectors and retired from the post in February 2020. Sports News 1. Grand Slam tournament Wimbledon 2020 has been cancelled for the first time since World War II due to coronavirus pandemic. Note: The tournament organizer, All England Club (AELTC) after an emergency meeting announced that the Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. The tournament was due to be played between 29 June and 12 July. 2. World Athletics championship shifted to the year 2022. Note: The 2021 world athletics championships will be shifted to 2022. The championship was originally scheduled to held in Eugene, Oregon from August 6-15, 2021.The announcement came immediately after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic will now take place on July 23-August 8, 2021.The athletics federation also talking to the organisers of the 2022 European Athletics Championships, which are due to take place in Munich on August 11-21. 3. ‘The Smart Triplets’ will be the mascot 19th Asian Games. Note: The Olympic Council of Asia has announced the official mascots of the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou in 2022. The three robots namely Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen which are collectively known as “The Smart Triplets” will be the official mascots of the 19th Asian Games. The mascot was unveiled by Olympic Council of Asia at a digital launch ceremony in Hangzhou, China. 4. Kobe Bryant has been inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Note: The late Kobe Bryant has been selected as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He has been selected as the member of the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.Kobe Bryant, the 18-time NBA All Star, has now become a part of 9-member class that also constitutes multiple All-Star selections Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. 5. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has banned two countries Malaysia & Thailand from participating in weightlifting events at the Tokyo Olympics due to multiple doping offences. Note: The Independent Member Federation Sanctions Panel (IMFSP) of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has banned the Malaysia & Thailand weightlifters from competing in Tokyo Olympics 2020. IMSP has imposed the disciplinary sanctions on both the countries from participating in weightlifting events at the Tokyo Olympics for doping violations. 6. India’s rank in the latest FIFA Ranking -- 108th. Note: According to the FIFA latest World Ranking 2020, released on April 09, 2020, Indian football team retained its 108th position with 1187 points. While Belgium ranked first and world champion France is in 2nd place and Brazil is at 3rd spot. 7. India will host Asian Boxing Championships 2020 in November 2020. Note: India will host the Women’s and Men’s Asian Boxing Championships 2020 in November-December as he expressed confidence that by then the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic would have been completely under control. However, the host city will be decided by BFI after things return to normal.India last hosted the Men’s Asian Championship in Mumbai,Maharashtra in the year 1980, while the Women’s Championship was hosted in 2003 in Hisar, Haryana. 8. ‘Fei Fei’ will be the official mascot for 4th Asian Para Games 2022. Note: The organizing committee of Hangzhou Asian Games, has released ‘Fei Fei’ the bird as an official mascot for 4th Asian Para Games 2022, which is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from 9 – 15 October 2022.The design inspiration of “Feifei” comes from the motif of the ‘Divine Bird’ in the Liangzhu Culture and represent both Hangzhou city’s heritage and its innovation in technology.The first fei’ of the mascot represents the birds flying, implying inclusiveness, respect, and fraternity of human society, whereas the 2nd fei’ represents the mental tenacity of the athletes with disabilities pursuing dreams and reaching beyond themselves. 9. According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Ranking 2020 of senior Indian male players Achanta Sharath Kamal got top rank. Note: India’s table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal has become the top-ranked player at 31st position with 6460 points by beating Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (who slipped one place to number 32). The list has been topped by Fan Zhendong of China with 17915 points.The jump of 7 places in the rankings comes after Sharath acquired the title at the Oman Open 2020, his first ITTF title in the last 10 years. 10. The 11th edition of World Games which has unveiled an updated logo and title after being delayed a year because of the Coronavirus pandemic scheduled to be held in Birmingham, USA. Note: The World Games 2021 Birmingham has been renamed to World Games 2022 Birmingham.The World Games was initially scheduled for July 2021, but it will now be held from July 7 to 17, 2022 to accommodate the one-year postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics. 11. Mirabai Chanu and Jeremy Lalrinnunga have been qualified to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, they are associated with Weightlifting sports. Note: Jeremy placed 22nd in the 67kg category in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) ranking list. Mirabai ranked 4th in the 49kg category. In the video conference of Executive board of IWF on 17-18 March recommended that to close the qualification process since the five continental championships were cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic and the selections were made with the current world rankings. 12. Sana Mir announced her retirement from international cricket held, she held from Pakistan. Note: Sana Mir, right handed batter made her debut in One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December 2005 and her ODI in Lahore against Bangladesh in November 2019. In 120 ODIs she took 151 wickets. She made her Twenty20 International(T20I) debut in Dublin against Ireland in May 2009 and her last T20Is in Lahore against Bangladesh in October 2019. In 106 T20Is she took 89 wickets and scored 802 runs. 13. India lost the hosting rights of 2021 Men’s World Boxing Championships to Serbia. Note: The Boxing Federation of India acknowledged the delay but blamed it on "procedural complications" arising out of the AIBA's failure to resolve "issues" with regards to the account in which the money was to be transferred. The payment of what is estimated to be $4 million was due to be made on December 2 last year. 14. Quadrennial 50-over Women Cricket World Cup 2021 to be held in New Zealand. Note: ICC has announced that India, New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa have sealed a direct berth for the quadrennial 50-over Women World Cup 2021 to be held in New Zealand. & scheduled from February 6 to March 7 in 2021. ------0------May-2020 Banking & Financial Awareness

58. ‘Vikas Abhaya’ a loan scheme has been launched by Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB). Note: The Regional Rural Bank has launched the scheme to provide some relief to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) borrowers whose business activities are disrupted on account of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dharwad. The loan will be for the existing MSME customers who have been regular as on February 29, a maximum loan of up to Rs 1 lakh will be provided and no collateral security is emphasized & is repayable within 36 months.It is an additional credit facility to the eligible existing MSME borrowers & helps them to assist over the current crisis and ensures the continuation of viable business activity. 59. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended the regulatory benefits under the special liquidity facility for mutual funds (SLF-MF) to All banks. Note: This decision has been taken on the lines of request made by banks to RBI.As we have notified earlier,on April 27, 2020, RBI has initiated a special liquidity facility of Rs 50,000 crore for MFs under which RBI will conduct repo operations of 90 days tenor at the fixed repo rate

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60. World Bank has approved a USD 400 million multi-year financial support to help India enhance its coastal & marine resources. Note: It will help protect coastal resources by focusing on the rehabilitation of coastal beaches and mangroves. The 1st phase covers 8 coastal States and 3 coastal Union Territories, with USD 180 million in funding, for Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE).The loan from the international bank for Reconstruction and Development(IBRD) has a final maturity of 14.5 years including a grace period of 5 years. 61. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the license of CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd. Note: The order has come into effect after the working hours of 30 April, 2020 in order to save investors’ decision.The reason behind this is the financial position of the bank is highly unfavorable & there is no concrete revival plan or any proposal for merger with any other bank.In the sequence of cancellation of license and commencement of liquidation work, the process of payment of amount will be initiated to depositors of CKP bank Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act, 1961. 62. SIDBI decided to launch ‘India SME Services Platform’, a digital platform to educate stakeholders in the small and medium enterprises(SME) ecosystem. Note: The platform will provide Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) information about starting operations, getting finance, credit enhancement and other support services.Bring together all MSMEs, MSME ecosystem stakeholders, financiers, corporates, government, regulators, employees and associations in an interactive platform, where all will be at one place & one place for all kinds of initiatives. 63. The Singapore based DBS bank has trimmed the India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for FY 2020-2021 to 1%. Note: The general government (the Centre and States) deficit is likely to rise to 10-10.5% of GDP in FY21 vs around 6% of GDP earlier. Public debt level to rise from 70% of GDP to 75-80%. 64. Ameyo entity has launched video KYC engagement platform for the banking and finance sector. Note: A customer engagement technology provider, Ameyo has launched video KYC engagement platform for the banking and finance sector. The newly launched platform will eliminate the businesses’ requirement of physical KYC in accordance with latest RBI guidelines issued in January 2020. It is expected to decrease the customer onboarding process from the present 5-7 days to less than 3 minutes. 65. HDFC Bank has released a song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge to keep hopes up amidst the ongoing national lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic. Note: The lyrics of the song has been penned by Prasoon Joshi and music has been composed by AR Rahman. HDFC Bank has announced that it will contribute Rs 500 each time the song is shared via social media towards the PM-CARES Fund. 66. PNB Housing Finance company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Delhi to develop washable and reusable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. Note: By this MoU, the PNBHFL will support the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, IIT Delhi in fast-tracked R&D of high-quality PPE material. It is to contribute to the well-being of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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67. For India’s ‘COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project’ the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a loan worth of $500 million. Note: This is the first-ever health sector support from AIIB to India. Co-financed by the World Bank (WB), the undertaking is part of a $10 billion AIIB’s Covid-19 Crisis Recovery Facility to help public and private sector entities deal with the pandemic. 68. Amount Rs 12,767 crore has been disbursed by NABARD to State Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks across the country for extending credit to farmers during the lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Note: The loans are being offered for one year at an interest rate of 4.8 per cent. NABARD so far has extended the refinance to the rural banks in 15 states which includes- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. NABARD received Rs 25,000 crore for refinancing RRBs, co-operative banks and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as refinance facility. 69. For current fiscal year 2020-21 Moody’s slashed down India’s Gross Domestic Product growth to zero percent. Note: Moody earlier forecasted it at 2.6%. In 2021-22 India’s GDP growth rate will bounce back to 6.6%. Fitch’s forecast of 0.8%, International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 1.9%, World Bank’s 1.5-2.8% and Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) estimate of 4%. Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency(ICRA) estimated a contraction of up to 2% and 0.4% by Nomura 70. The Government of India has hiked its estimated gross market borrowing to Rs 12 lakh crore. Note: As per the Budget Estimates it was Rs 7.80 lakh crore for Financial Year (FY) 2020-21.So far, from the start of this fiscal, the government has borrowed Rs 98,000 crore through Government Securities (GSecs). In the 1st half of the FY2021, the government will increase its borrowing to Rs 6.98 lakh crores (58% of the total borrowing target) against the original Rs 4.88 lakh crore. In the 2nd half up to Rs 5 lakh crore is likely to be borrowed against Rs 2.92 lakh crore estimated in the budget 71. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has predicted India’s GDP growth for 2020-21 at -0.4%. Note: In April 2020, it had expected GDP growth to slip to 1.6 % in FY21. However, it was earlier 2.7 % in the general opinion.In order to deal with the situation, It expects the RBI to cut rates by 100 basis points (bps) between now and the third quarter of calendar year 2020 (Q3-2020). 72. SBI General Insurance has launched the standard health insurance policy named “Aarogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy”. Note: This policy provides hospitalization cover anywhere in India with sums insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs. Arogya Sanjeevani Policy will cover the hospitalization treatment cost of COVID–19 and will help in making affordable health care more accessible in times like these. 73. For India Emergency Assistance Program Loan of USD 1 billion has been approved by the New Development Bank (NDB). Note: The Emergency Assistance Program Loan aims to support the Government of India in its attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 as well as to minimize the human, social and economic losses caused by the

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COVID-19 outbreak. This is NDB’s second emergency assistance program in order to help its member countries to fight COVID-19. 74. Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman launched the INR-USD Futures and Options contracts in the BSE and NSE platforms. Note: They were launched at the GIFT International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat through video conference. The contracts have been launched to increase economic activity and employment in the country. A significant market share of India has moved to other International financial Centres in the last decade. The move will help to bring back those businesses back to India. 75. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the interest subsidy period for exporters till 31 March 2021. Note: Exporters get the subsidy under the ‘Interest Equalisation Scheme for pre and post shipment Rupee Export Credit’, which was ended on March 31, 2020.The extension shall take effect from April 01, 2020 and will remain in force for a year with the same size and coverage. The move comes after the exporters, who are facing huge problems due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, had been demanding extension of the scheme. 76. MoneyGram Payment Systems has partnered with Federal Bank to offer a cost-effective direct to bank account credit option for customers in India. Note: Through this partnership, millions will be able to receive deposits directly in their bank accounts without leaving the confines of their homes which is imperative in the current situation.This tie-up will help the non-resident Indians with access to modern, low cost, fast, easy and reliable ways for transferring money to India.Federal Bank has a 15% share of the country’s remittance market and expects that the tie-up with MoneyGram will give the business a further boost. 77. The United Nations (UN) World Economic Situation and Prospects(WESP) mid-year report forecast that the COVID-19 pandemic situation will shrink the world economy by 3.2%. Note: The mid 2020 report of WESP states that the COVID-19 pandemic situation is expected to cut off the global economic output by arournd 8.5 trillion USD in the next two years which will nearly wipe out all the gains of the past four years.The UN forecast in January before the COVID-19 pandemic expected a modest acceleration of growth by 2.5% in 2020.Around 90% of the world economy is under the form of lockdown, disrupting supply chain, depressing consumer demand and unemployment. 78. The United Nations (UN) World Economic Situation and Prospects(WESP) mid year report forecast that in 2020 India’s economy to grow at 1.2%.

Note: The report forecast that India’s economy to grow at 1.2% in 2020 which is deterioration from the growth of 4.1% in 2019. In 2018 the economy of India grew at 6.8% and expected to recover slightly and make 5.5% growth in 2021.The lockdown in India is expected to result in an economic depression at 1.2% lower than the growth in 2019. 79. World Bank has approved 1 billion USD to increase India’s COVID-19 Social Protection response Program. Note: Rs. 4100 crore (USD 550) of the approved Rs.7500 crore will be credited from the International Development Association(IDA) ,the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm.The International Bank for 44 | P a g e

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Reconstruction and Development(IBRD) will loan 1500 crore (USD 200) with maturity of 18.5 years including a grace period of five years. The balance Rs.1900 crore (USD 250) will be available after the 30th June, 2020.This makes the total commitment from the World Bank to India for the COVID-19 response to Rs.15000 crore(USD 2 billion). 80. As per the report published by the Asian Development Bank global economy is expected to lose between $ 5.8 trillion to $ 8.8 trillion. Note: As per ADB, the GDP in South Asia is expected to decrease from $ 142 billion (3.9%) -$ 218 billion (6 %) due to stringent lockdown restrictions imposed by nations like Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to prevent the coronavirus infection.If the Asia-Pacific region faces a brief 3-month containment ban, the GDP loss could be as high as $ 1.7 trillion. But if the restrictions are stretched for six months to prevent infection, the loss could be up to $ 2.5 trillion. The sector will account for about 30 % of the total loss in GDP around the world. 81. At the centers request the Reserve Bank of India has increased the Ways Means Advance limits of States by 60 Per cent Note: At Centre’s request to the Reserve Bank of India, the RBI has increased Ways Means Advance limits of States by 60%.Number of days state can be in continuous overdraft from 14 days to 21 days.Number of days state can be in overdraft in a quarter from 32 to 50 days. 82. The Government of India and West Bengal Government have inked agreements with AIIB organization to improve irrigation services and flood management in the Damodar Valley Command Area (DVCA) of West Bengal. Note: The agreement was inked with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for $145million. The agreement was signed by Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and RajatMisra, Director General on behalf of the AIIB. The loan has a 6-year grace period, and a maturity of 24 years. 83. Canara Bank has launched a special business vertical dedicated for gold loans to meet the financial needs of its customers. Note: The bank has launched a gold loan campaign till 30th June 2020 with an interest rate as low as 7.85% per annum. The credit can be utilised for different purposes, such as expenses for agriculture and allied activities, business needs, health emergencies and personal needs 84. Amount Rs 20,500 crores has been extended by NABARD to co-operative banks and Regional Rural Banks(RRB’s) in various States. Note: This amount is part of the Rs 25,000 crores of special refinance facility provided by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) to NABARD for refinancing RRBs, cooperative banks and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).It aims to increase the resources of the Cooperative banks and RRBs to enable them to extend credit to farmers for taking up pre-monsoon and kharif(summer sown crops) 2020 operations. 85. American brokerage Goldman Sachs expects in FY 21 the Indian economy to contract by 5%. Note: It will be the deepest compared to all recessions India has ever experienced since 1979. It is against its earlier forecast of 0.4% contraction before revising it down to a level it shares with Japanese brokerage Nomura. 45 | P a g e

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86. Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes first bank in India to introduce video-KYC facility for saving account customers. Note: Under the video conferencing KYC system, customers have to provide Aadhaar and PAN (Permanent Account Number) to open ‘Kotak 811 savings account’ in the Bank. After this, a bank official will complete the KYC process by verifying of documents, signature on a video call with the customer & this entire video will be saved. 87. Private sector bank ICICI Bank has launched special fixed deposit (FD) scheme for senior citizens to help them get higher interest rate. Note: 'ICICI Bank Golden Years FD’ scheme offers senior citizens an interest rate of 6.55% per annum for deposits up to ₹2 crore with a tenure of more than five years to 10 years.The scheme is available from May 20 to September 30, 2020.It offers 80 basis points (bps) more than what is applicable to general public for the same deposit amount and tenor. Resident senior citizens can avail the benefit of this scheme for new FDs as well as renewal of old FDs. 88. eCommerce major Flipkart has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company to offer a digital motor insurance policy to Flipkart’s customers. Note: This partnership between the insurance company and an e-commerce major, will provide seamless, accessible as well as flexible insurance solution to the customers of Flipkart in order to safeguard their vehicles.Bajaj Allianz General Insurance also offers mobile insurance on Flipkart.Flipkart Consumers can subscribe to this motor-insurance policy using their Flipkart app. 89. Franklin Templeton Trustee Services Pvt. Ltd. has appointed Kotak Mahindra Bank as an advisor to work together to assist the Trustees in monetizing portfolios of the 6 schemes that are being wind up. Note: Kotak Mahindra Bank has been appointed to assist the Trustees in monetizing portfolios of the 6 schemes that are being wound up & make payouts to the affected investors.The 6 schemes 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 of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund. 90. Intellect Design Arena Limited has ties up with tech giant IBM to launch ‘iTurmeric FinCloud’ platform to switch to the latest tools and technologies. Note: This platform will enable the new digital banks’ systems to be tested and run in isolation or in parallel with core legacy systems. The platform comprises of various facilities such as retail banking, lending, origination, and corporate banking API. 91. ICRA Limited has sharply reduced India’s FY21 growth forecast to -5%. Note: The growth forecast has been reduced from 1% to -5%. It has also reduced the growth forecast in first quarter (Q1) of FY2021 to 25 % as compared to the previous forecast of 16-20 % and to minus 2.1 % in Q2 as against the 2.1 % growth predicted earlier. 92. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has exempted firms engaged in business-to-business (B2B) transactions from using only BHIM, RuPay for accepting payments with a turnover of ₹50 crore. Note: As per the CBDT, the relaxation has been notified for B2B companies only if at least 95% of aggregate of all amounts received during 2019. The move comes after the representations stating that 46 | P a g e

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requirement of mandatory digital payment facilities for payments through the prescribed electronic modes should be applicable in B2C businesses that directly deal with consumers. 93. The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the Repo Rate to 4 per cent. Note: This is expected to bring down lending rates and deposit rates as well. RBI's monetary policy committee in an off-cycle meeting voted 5-1 for a 40 bps repo rate cut, while maintaining an accommodative stance. 94. After reducing the Repo rate by RBI in an scheduled meeting Reverse repo gets automatically adjusted to 3.35 per cent. Note: The Reserve Bank of India has cut key repo lending rate by 40 basis points to 4%. RBI's monetary policy committee in an off-cycle meeting voted 5-1 for a 40 bps repo rate cut, while maintaining an accommodative stance. Reverse repo gets automatically gets adjusted to 3.35% from 3.75%. 95. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations(FIEO) informed that in the current fiscal the Indian exports are expected to fall by 20 per cent. Note: The reduction in export in vale term will be around USD 50 to 60 billion.FIEO has requested the government to provide 2% additional Merchandise Exports from India Scheme(MEIS) support to all exports & 4% to labour-intensive sectors like apparel, leather, handicraft, carpets, marine, tea and processed food.Merchandise exports constitute around 12% of India’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP), and foreign exchange earnings are around USD 320 billion. 96. Amount $160 billion has been announced by the World Bank as assistance to 100 developing countries. Note: The coronavirus pandemic and shutdown is expected to put over 60 million into extreme poverty globally.Of the 100 developing countries, nearly 70% are home to the world’s population, 39 are in Sub- Saharan Africa. Nearly one-third of the total projects are in fragile and conflict-affected situations, such as Afghanistan, Chad, Haiti and Niger. 97. Maruti Suzuki India Limited has joined hands with financial company Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (CIFCL) to launch ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ financing scheme to make the purchase of its cars. Note: Under the scheme, customers have the option to avail a 60-day surcharge on their EMI (equated monthly instalments). However, this offer is available on select Maruti Suzuki models and is applicable on loan payments due on or before 30 June 2020.The partnership will enhance both the companies’ convenience by offering customized retail financing to customers. 98. Edelweiss General Insurance has launched an app-based motor insurance own damage (OD) floater policy under IRDAI’s sandbox regulations. Note: The company has launched ‘Edelweiss SWITCH’ which is a driver-based motor insurance allows the owners of the vehicles to cover multiple vehicles under a single policy.Edelweiss SWITCH is approved under the ‘Pay as you use’ model, expected to change the standard of determining the premium of Motor OD based on the age, make and model of vehicle to usage of vehicle and experience of driver.The policy holder can cover three vehicles in a single policy for one year. The policy holders can use the app to SWITCH their policy cover ON and OFF based on their usage of vehicle.

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99. Interest rate the special fixed deposit (FD) scheme launched by ICICI Bank for senior citizens called ‘ICICI Bank Golden Years FD’ -- 6.55% per annum. Note: It is applicable for resident Indians & is available from May 20 to September 30, 2020.The scheme offers 80 basis points (bps) more than what is applicable to the general public (non-senior citizens) for the same deposit amount and tenor.It is 30 bps more than the previous rates offered by the Bank. 100. HDFC Bank has launched ‘Senior Citizen Care FD’ for deposits with more than 5-year tenors with investments up to Rs 5 crore. Note: Private sector lender HDFC Bank has launched special fixed deposit (FD) scheme for senior citizens called Senior Citizen Care FD scheme. The special FD offer for senior citizens has been made available for investment from 18 May 2020 101. IRDAI’s working committee recommended enhancing trade credit policy (TCI) cover from 85% to 90 per cent. Note: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) formulated nine-member expert panel headed by New India Assurance (NIA) Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Atul Sahai. The committee has recommended an increase in indemnity (protection against finances) being provided to the policyholders under Trade Credit Insurance (TCI) from existing 85% of the trade receivables from each buyer to 90%. 102. The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana-PMVVY Scheme launched by Life Insurance Corporation of India(LIC) for those over and above60 years. Note: The sale will be available from May 26 for 3 financial years (up to March 31, 2023). This scheme can be purchased offline as well as online from LIC website.The Union Cabinet has recently extended the pension plan till 31 March 2023 which is a social security scheme for senior citizens.LIC is solely authorised to operate this scheme that offers a total payout not exceeding Rs 15 lakhs. The scheme is a Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Pension Scheme subsidised by the Centre. 103. Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has joined hands with ICICI Bank to offer retail financing schemes to its customers. Note: As part of the tie up, ICICI Bank is offering flexi EMI scheme which enables customers to pay low EMI initially, in order to help them overcome the liquidity stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The EMI amount starts from ₹899 on a loan of ₹1 lakh for first three months. The bank is also offering similar other EMI plans for MSI customers. 104. According to the State Bank of India’s Ecowrap report India’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) is estimated to grow at 1.2 per cent. Note: The GDP is likely to be 4.2% for FY20 as compared to the 5% projected earlier and (-)6.8% for FY21. The GDP growth of 3rd quarter of FY20 slipped to a nearly seven-year low of 4.7%, in Q1 it was 5.1% & in Q2 was 5.6%. The report forecast a loss of at least Rs 1.4 lakh crore during the last week of March. 105. Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has entered into an agreement with Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd. (NBPCL) to fund projects worth ₹22,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh.

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Note: The funds will be deployed by NBPCL for setting up hydroelectric projects of 225 MW and power components of 12 major multipurpose projects in state. PFC is a central PSU under Ministry of Power and one of India's leading NBFCs. Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd. (NBPCL) is a wholly-owned company of Madhya Pradesh government. 106. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will raise Rs80,000 crore by selling cash management bills (CMB), CMBs in India are non-standard, discounted instruments issued for maturities less than 91 days. Note: The cash management bill (CMB) is the most flexible instrument for a Central Bank because it can be issued when needed, allowing the Central Bank to have lower cash balances and issue fewer long-term notes. CMBs tend to pay higher yields than bills with fixed maturities, but their shorter maturities lead to lower overall interest expense.The Government of India, in consultation with the RBI, had decided to issue a new short-term instrument, known as Cash Management Bills, to meet the temporary cash flow mismatches of the Government. 107. National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbot, PAi, to create awareness around its products like FASTag, RuPay, UPI, AePS on a real time basis. Note: This is yet another NPCI’s initiative to improve digital financial inclusion in India. The AI virtual assistant, PAi is available round the clock helping users with access to accurate information on NPCI products. Customers can ask their queries in English and Hindi, via text or voice on the websites of NPCI, RuPay, and UPI Chalega. Through PAi, users get verified automated responses to their queries on all NPCI’s products. PAi would also be accessible to global RuPay Cardholders as well. 108. Airtel Payments Bank has collaborated with Mastercard to create customised financial products for Indian farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Note: These financial products particularly for those territories where there is less access to bank administrations.The coordinated effort will unite Mastercard’s worldwide and nearby involvement with developing advanced financial solutions and Airtel Payments Bank’s circulation system to arrive at the last mile and its large customer base. 109. Deutsche Bank has received approval from SEBI to offer custodial services for silver bullion contracts. Note: The bank had received licence for custodial services in gold, oil and natural gas and index futures in October.For institutional participation in commodity derivatives, appointment of a custodian is mandatory for these asset managers for safekeeping of any physical assets.Even as Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had permitted institutional investors to trade in commodity derivatives segment for the first time in September 2018, the participation could not take off immediately as there were no licensed custodians for commodities.

110. The Indian government has decided to withdraw Savings Bonds Scheme. Note: The scheme, commonly known as RBI Bonds or GOI bonds, is popular among retail investors who looking for safety of principal and a regular income.The Reserve Bank of India too has notified the Cessation of 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018. Interest on the Bonds is taxable.The Bonds are issued at par at ₹100. The minimum subscription was fixed at ₹1,000. As per the scheme, the Bonds are be repayable on the expiration of seven years from the date of issue 49 | P a g e

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111. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed ₹5 crore fine on Bank of India for violating certain provisions on asset classification, divergence, opening of current accounts, and classification and reporting of frauds. Note: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of Rs 6.50 crore on Karnataka Bank, Bank of India and Saraswat Co-operative Bank for non-compliance with central bank's Income Recognition and Asset Classification norms.It fined Rs 5 crore on Bank of India, while it charged Rs 1.20 crore and Rs 30 lakh from Karnataka Bank and Saraswat Cooperative Bank, respectively.For Bank of India, the fine was imposed because it violated certain provisions on asset classification, divergence, opening of current accounts, and classification and reporting of frauds. 112. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a loan of US $ 177 loan to India to upgrade 450 kms of state highways and major district roads in Maharashtra. Note: As part of the project, 2 major district roads and 11 state highways, with a combined length of 450 km, to 2-lane standard across seven districts of Maharashtra will be upgraded, with improved connectivity to national highways, interstate roads, seaports, airports, rail hubs, district headquarters, industrial areas, enterprise clusters and agricultural areas.The project will also focus on training the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) project staff to build their capacity in climate change adaptation and disaster- resilient features in road design, road maintenance planning and road safety. 113. Vakrangee Limited has join hand with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to distribute micro insurance products of LIC. Note: Vakrangee kendras will also act as a renewal premium collection point for all micro insurance policies of LIC irrespective of whether these policies have been procured at the kendra or not.In addition, Follow up for Collection and remittance of renewal premium of LIC’s micro insurance policies will be enabled at the kendras. Vakrangee Limited is a technology company based in Mumbai (Maharashtra). 114. The Foreign Direct Investment has increased by what percent in the FY 2020 -- 13%. Note: Sectors which attracted maximum foreign inflows during 2019-20 include services ($7.85 billion), computer software and hardware ($7.67 billion), telecommunications ($4.44 billion), trading ($4.57 billion), automobile ($2.82 billion), construction ($2 billion), and chemicals ($1 billion), the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) data showed. Singapore emerged as the largest source of FDI in India during the last fiscal, with $ 14.67 billion investments. 115. For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) companies BSE and National Stock Exchange(NSE) announced to reduce the annual listing fee by 25%. Note: It is as a part of their attempts to lower the compliance costs for companies during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These steps will help to revive the SMEs & encourage thousands of SMEs to go for listing.NSE will provide the rebate to all its existing listed companies currently listed on its EMERGE platform.BSE will provide the rebate to its currently-listed companies & for all the firms waiting to be listed on the exchange. 116. Indian IT company Infosys Limited has entered into the partnership with Avaloq to offer end-to-end (e2e) products and services as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) across the world to its clients. Note: This tie-up will not only help Infosys to leverage its Global Delivery Model and a standardized perspective to implement Avaloq’s solutions but also help latter’s unique knowledge and experience in 50 | P a g e

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providing e2e wealth management solutions combined with Infosys’ global presence and digital transformation capabilities will help create a one-stop-shop for wealth management clients.Infosys will also get the benefit to expand its market beyond Switzerland with an initial focus on EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions. 117. According to the Provisional Estimates of National Income for the financial year 2019-20 by National Statistical Office(NSO) India’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) growth has slowed to an 11-year low of 4.2 per cent. Note: Estimation- GDP at Constant (2011-12) prices in Q4 of 2019-20 is estimated at Rs. 38.04 lakh crore, as against Rs 36.90 lakh crore in Q4 of 2018-19, which shows a growth of 3.1%, the slowest since a 0.2% rise in the fourth quarter of FY09.Revision of the quarterly GDP for earlier quarters: October- December period – to 4.1% from 4.7%; July-September period- to 4.4% from 5.1%; April – June period – to 5.2% from 5.6% 118. In accordance with the data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the total foreign direct investment (FDI) increased by 18%. Note: This hike was the highest in the four years.Out of the total FDI, equity inflows through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) automatic route of acquisition rose 13% to around $49.98 billion.Total FDI has doubled from FY13-14 when it was only $36 billion. Obituaries 27. Renowned personality Rishi Raj Kapoor passed away. Note: Rishi Kapoor was the third generation actor, the second son of actor Raj Kapoor and a grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor.He recently announced his next project, a remake of Hollywood film The Intern, also featuring Deepika Padukone. Rishi had starred in more than 100 films. His autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored… was published by HarperCollins and launched at “The Hindu Lit for Life 2017”. 28. Renowned personality Chuni Goswami, passed away, he was a famous Sportsperson. Note: Former India football captain Subimal Goswami, commonly known by his nickname Chuni Goswami, passed away at the age of 82 in Kolkata.He was the captain of the 1962 Asian Games gold-medal winning team. Goswami played 50 matches for India as a footballer from 1956 to 1964. However, he quit international football in 1964, at the age of 27.Goswami was part of the Bengal’s triumphant Santosh Trophy squad thrice in 1955, 1958, and 1959.Goswami was successful in cricket as well, he represented Bengal in 46 first-class games between 1962 and 1973. 29. Renowned personality Bijay Mishra passed away, he was a famous Playwriter. Note: Noted playwright, dramatist, scriptwriter and film director Bijay Mishra of Odisha passed away at the age of 83 due to age-related ailments in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Mishra began playwright from 1960 and his first play ‘Janani’ was staged in Annapurna Theatre, Cuttack, Odisha. He was also a mainstream script writer in Odia Cinema & TV Industry. 30. Renowned personality Nissar Ahmed popularly known as K S Nissar Ahmed passed away, he was a popular Poet and Kannada writer. Note: He was the 73rd president of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in the year 2007 held at Shivamogga.He received Rajyotsava in 1981, Padma Shri in 2008 and Pampa Award in 2017. 51 | P a g e

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31. Famous personality Dalit Ezhilmalai passed away recently, he was a veteran Politician. Note: He participated in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 as an army officer and received Sainik Sewa Medal for his meritorious service.He served in the Former Post & Telegraph Department of the Government of India Between 1963 and 1987 and deputed to the Army for five years.In 1989 The Pattali Makkal Katchi(PMK) was established and he joined the party and became the general secretary. 32. Renowned personality Hari Shankar Vasudevan passed away recently, he was a famous Historian. Note: He served as the Director of MaulanaAbulKalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.From 2005 to 2015, he was the Chairman of Syllabus Committees and Textbook Development Committees for Social Science, NCERT and from 2006 to 2007 he acted as a consultant on Indo-Russian Trade for the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.

33. Famous sportsperson Manmeet Singh Walia, passed away, he was associated with which sports Table Tennis. Note: He became the national champion in 1989 when he beat S Sriram in the men’s singles final in Hyderabad. He was also one of the finest and consistent performers in the 1980’s. 34. Renowned personality Betty Wright passed away recently, she was a famous Singer. Note: The Grammy-winning soul singer, Betty Wright passed away. Her real name is Bessie Regina Norris. She is an R&B (Rhythm & blues) singer, songwriter and background vocalist. She received her first Grammy Award for the Best Song, “Where is the Love?”, at the age of 23. 35. Renowned personality Jerry Stiller passed away recently, he was associated with which fieldActing. Note: He was renowned for his recurring role as George Costanza’s father on TV’s Seinfeld for which he was also nominated for Emmy Awards in 1997. His other popular roles includes that of Arthur Spooner in TV sitcom “The King of Queens”. He received joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along with his wife Meara in year 2007. 36. Renowned personality Shafique Ansari passed away recently, he was associated with which field Acting. Note: TV actor Shafique Ansari passed away. He was best-known for his appearance in TV series ‘Crime Patrol’. He was a member of the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) since 2008. Apart from being an actor, he was a screenwriter and an assistant director too. He is one of the screenwriters of Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini’s 2003 film ‘Baghban’. 37. Renowned Actor Sai Gundewar passed away recently. Note: Film actor, model, voiceover artist and an entrepreneur, Sai Gundewar passed away. His popularity rose in 2010 after his participation in the hit Reality TV show MTV Splitsvilla, Season 4. He has also acted alongside Aamir Khan in PK, and Rock on. 38. Renowned Writer Ratnakar Matkari passed away. Note: Last week he was tested positive to coronavirus. He was born on 17th November 1938 in Mumbai, India.He was the director and producer of numerous Marathi films and he was a self-taught artist and writer In the 1970’s he wrote many columns for multiple newspapers and magazines.He was known for his acting skills who made his mark in plays like Prem Kahani, Vinashakadun Vinashakade, Lokakatha 78 and State Lote. 52 | P a g e

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39. Former JDS MP Raja Rangappa Nayak passed away recently. Note: He had represented the Raichur constituency, Karnataka and was elected in the Lok Sabha elections held in 1996.He entered into politics as Mandal Pradhan of Rukmapur of Shorapur taluk. He had served as chairman of the health standing committee of Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat in 1993. 40. Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy passed away recently. Note: Debesh Roy was known as a writer who broke the set patterns in the fictional world of Bengali literature.He was a regular contributor to many Bengali dailies and a critic of the attacks on liberals in recent times and participated in protest meetings.His famous works includes Tista Parer Brittanto, Borisaler Jogen Mondal, Manush Khun Kore Keno and Samay Asamayer Brittanto. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel ‘Tista Parer Brittanto’ in 1990. 41. Padma Bhushan recipient Bangladeshi professor Anisuzzaman passed away recently. Note: He was born on February 18, 1937, in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India and shifted to Bangladesh soon after the partition in 1947.He made an immense contribution to Bangla language & literature through his research and writings.Anisuzzaman played a significant role in all democratic movements. Anisuzzaman was a member of the Planning Commission to the Government of Bangladesh during the Bangladesh liberation war and a member of the National Education Commission set up by the government after liberation. 42. Famous sportsperson of Tennis Ashley John Cooper passed away at the age of 83 in Sydney Note: Cooper, the former Ranked No.1 player, led Australia’s Davis Cup team to victory over the United States to retain the title in 1957.A right-handed serve-and-volley player, Cooper won 8 Grand Slam titles- 4 Grand Slam singles and 4 Grand Slam doubles titles in the amateur era. 43. Famous Hockey sportsperson Balbir Singh Dosanjh, passed away recently. Note: Balbir Singh Sr. made his International debut in May 1947 tour of Sri Lanka.He was appointed as the Captain of Indian hockey team for the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.Retiring from his active hockey career, he served as the Manager of India’s World Cup winning team lead by Ajitpal Singh in 1975.He wrote his biography “The Golden Hat Trick: My Hockey Days” in 1977. 44. Renowned Football Coach Gigi Simoni passed away recently. Note: He was an Italian football official, player & manager. Simoni played as an attacking midfielder for Mantova, Napoli, Torino, Juventus, Brescia and Genoa. He won the Coppa Italia in 1961–62 with Napoli. He had a well-travelled coaching career and guided 7 teams to promotions from Serie B to the Italian top flight, a record. Gigi Simon was awarded the Panchina d’Oro as the best Italian coach. 45. Noted Classical Singer Shyamala G. Bhave passed away. Note: Her father, late Govind Vitthal Bhave, trained her in Hindustani music, while she was tutored in the Carnatic stream by noted vocalists A Subbaraya and B Doreswamy. Her mother Lakshmi Bhave was also a classical vocalist.She was bestowed with the title of 'Ubhaya Gaana Vidushi (expert in both styles)' by Sir M Visvesvaraya, the 19th Diwan of Mysore. 46. Renowned Author Mujtaba Hussain passed away recently. Note: Hussain was described as the Mark Twain of Urdu. He began his literary career from “Siasat”, a leading Urdu daily published from Hyderabad.Hussain was awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth- 53 | P a g e

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highest civilian award, in 2007. He published a book titled “Mujtaba Hussain Jaisa Dekha Jaisa Paya” and “Mujtaba Hussain Aayeinon ke Beech. 47. Famous Football R. Shanmugam passed away. Note: Shanmugam played for Mohun Bagan in 1968, Indian Railways in the 1969 Nowgong senior Nationals, Tamil Nadu in the 1970 Jalandhar & ’71 Chennai senior Nationals. He played for the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) from 1969-77 in the top-tier of the Chennai Football Association (CFA) league. He attended the FIFA Coca Cola coaching course in 1978 & ’91, and the Olympic solidarity course in 1996. 48. Famous personality Stanley Ho passed away. Note: Stanley Ho is one of the richest men in Asia and the head of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM) holdings and famously known as the Casino kingpin of Gambling.He won the government monopoly license in 1961 and dominated the casino business in the former Portugal colony of Macau.He operated casinos across the globe including Portugal and North Korea and built residential and office buildings in Hong Kong. 49. First chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Pramod Kumar Jogi passed away. Note: Jogi studied Mechanical Engineering at the Maulana Azad College of Technology & also won the University Gold Medal. He served as a lecturer at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur and was also a successful IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer.In 1998, Jogi was elected as a Lok Sabha member from Raigarh, Chhattisgarh and became a spokesperson of the Indian National Congress (INC) party. 50. Famous personality associated with Indian cinema passed away recently, he was a veteran lyricist. Note: Famous Indian Lyricist and writer Yogesh Gaur, commonly known as Yogesh in the film industry passed away at the age of 77 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.He was a prominent lyricist in 1970s Hindi cinema and also worked with the prominent film directors such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee.He wrote the lyrics of hit songs “Kahin duur jab din dhal jaye” and “Zindagi kaisi hai paheli” that defined the superhit film Anand (1971). Important Days 32. International Labours day or May Day is celebrated every year on 1st May. Note: It is also known as Workers day or May day. This day is observed to pay tribute to the contribution of workers across the world. It was only in the year 1891 when 1st May was announced formally to be observed as International Labour Day each year. 33. World Tuna Day is observed globally every year on 2nd May. Note: This day is established by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness about the importance of tuna fish. It is observed for the first time in 2017. According to the UN, an outsized number of nations worldwide depend upon tuna for both food security and nutrition. At the same time, more than 96 countries have tuna fisheries, and their capacity is constantly growing.The World Tuna Day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 71/124 in December 2016. 34. World Press Freedom Day is observed globally every year on 3rd May. Note: It is also known as World Press Day. The day also pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives. They risk their lives at times or may even have to face tough situations in order to bring the news

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from different corners of the world in front of the public.The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020 is “Journalism without Fear or Favour”. 35. International Firefighters’ Day is observed globally every year on 4th May. Note: This day is celebrated since 1999, to recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. The day was instituted, after the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a bushfire in Australia on 2 December 1998. 36. International Day of the Midwife is observed globally every year on 5th May. Note: This day is celebrated to recognise the work of midwives and raise awareness about the status of midwives for the essential care they provide to mothers and their newborns. The theme for 2020 International Day of the Midwife is Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our time is NOW!. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designed the year 2020 as ‘Year of Nurse and Midwife’ to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale. 37. World Hand Hygiene Day observed globally on 5th May. Note: The World Health Organization (WHO) has marked 5 May as World Hand Hygiene Day. This day is recognising the role clean and safe hands play in warding off many serious infections. It is also known as Hand Hygiene Day.The theme of the campaign is “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands”. 38. World Asthma Day is observed every year on 1st Tuesday of May. Note: This year, World Asthma Day is observed on May 5, 2020. The day spread awareness about asthma disease and care around the world. Whilst the primary focus is supporting the person with asthma, support may also extend to family, friends and caregivers. The theme for 2020 is ‘Enough Asthma Deaths’.World Asthma Day is annually organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). 39. The World Athletics Day is observed every year on 7th May. Note: The date is subject to adjustment, the date of World Athletics Day is decided by the IAAF, however, the month stays the same as May. The first World Athletics Day was observed in 1996. The basic objective of World Athletics Day is to boost the participation of youths in athletics. 40. To increase awareness about athletics and to encourage youth to take up sports World Athletics Day is observed every year on 7th May. 41. World Red Cross Day is observed globally every year on 8th May. Note: This day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) founder, Henry Dunant. This day is dedicated to the people who suffer from shortage of food, several natural calamities, war as well as from an epidemic disease. 42. World Thalassaemia Day is observed globally every year on 8th May. Note: This day is observed to raise awareness about thalassaemia disease, its preventive measures and to avoid transmission and the importance of vaccination for children’s health, society and among the people throughout the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, World Thalassaemia Day 2020 will be celebrated through different online activities. 43. World Migratory Bird Day is observed globally every year on 9th May. Note: The aim of the day is to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation to conserve them. This time the theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2020 is “Birds Connect 55 | P a g e

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Our World”. The theme highlights the importance of conserving and restoring the ecological connectivity and integrity of ecosystems that support the natural cycles that are essential for the survival and well- being of migratory birds. 44. Mother’s day is celebrated every year on Second Sunday of May (9th May 2020) Note: Mother’s Day is widely known to salute the motherhood, to extend the influence of mothers within the society, to extend the maternal bonds to children, etc. Mother, being a protector throughout her life loves her children unconditionally. She plays a special role sort of a teacher, best friend and one’s who besides us under all circumstances. 45. National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11th May. Note: This day marks the successfully tested Shakti-I nuclear missile at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This day will be focusing on rebooting the economy through Science and Technology.Every year, National Technology Day is celebrated across India on 11 May to memorize the anniversary of Shakti, the Pokhran nuclear test held on 11 May 1998. 46. International Nurse Day is observed globally on every year 12th May. Note: This day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. She was also known as Lady with the Lamp. She was the founder of modern nursing and was a British social reformer and statistician. 47. Armed Forces Day is observed every year on ____ third Saturday in May (16th May 2020). Note: ➢ In 2020, it falls on the 16th of May. ➢ This day is celebrated to pay tribute to the men and women who served the United States Armed Forces. ➢ Armed Forces Day is a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. military: Army, Air Force, United States Marine Corps (United States Marines), Coast Guard, US Navy, and therefore the newly created Space Force. 48. The International Day of Light is celebrated every year on 16th May. Note: The Day is celebrated to celebrate the role that light plays in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development, and also in the fields as diverse as medicine, communications, and energy. The day also marks the anniversary of first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. 49. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed globally every year on 17th May. Note: The main aim to celebrates the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies.The theme of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day of 2020: “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” 50. World Hypertension Day is observed globally every year on 17th May. Note: The main aim to celebrates the day is to promote public awareness of increasing high blood pressure (BP) and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer. The day was

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celebrated for the 1st time in May 2005. World Hypertension Day (WHD) is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL), an affiliated section of the International Society of Hypertension. 51. International Museum Day is celebrated every year on 18th May. Note: The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the fact that, “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” The International Museum Day 2020 was celebrated with the theme “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”. 52. World Bee Day is observed globally every year on 20th May. Note: On this date, 20 May, the pioneer of beekeeping Anton Janša was born in 1734 in Slovenia. The purpose of the bee day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. About 33% of the world’s food production depends on bees thus they are vital for the preservation of biodiversity, ecological balance in nature and helpful in reducing pollution. 53. International Tea Day is observed globally every year on 21st May. Note: The purpose of International Tea Day is to try to improve the condition of tea producers and tea workers. Tea producing countries make a lot of profit but the condition of the labourers working in the tea plantations is very bad. Therefore, the purpose of International Tea Day is to encourage the status of tea workers, workers’ rights, daily wages, social security, employment security, and health. 54. World Metrology Day is observed globally every year on 20th May. Note: Many nations on this day, internationally collaborate to create awareness about metrology and its advancement in the respective field.World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 in Paris, France by representatives of seventeen nations. The World Metrology Day project is realized jointly by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). 55. Anti Terrorism Day 2020 is observed every year in India on 21st May. Note: The day marks the death anniversary of India’s seventh Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May 1991. He was killed in Tamil Nadu in a campaign by the Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) a terrorist group. After this assassination, V.P. Singh government has decided to observe 21st May as Anti Terrorism Day. 56. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated every year on May 21. Note: The purpose of the day is to deepen the understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.In the year 2001, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted ‘Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity’ as a result of the destruction of the Buddha statues of Bamiyan in Afghanistan in 2001. 57. Anti Terrorism Day is observed every year in India on 21st May. Note: The day marks the death anniversary of India’s seventh Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May 1991. He was killed in Tamil Nadu in a campaign by the Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) a terrorist group. After this assassination, V.P. Singh government has decided to observe 21st May as Anti Terrorism Day. 58. The United Nations celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity every year on 22nd May.

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Note: The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the issue of significant reduction in biological diversity due to certain human activities. Biological Diversity comprises of wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms including genetic differences within each species, for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock.Theme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 is “Our solutions are in nature”. 59. The United Nations observes International Day to End Obstetric Fistula every year on 23 May. Note: The day is being observed to significantly raise awareness and intensify actions towards ending obstetric fistula, as well as urging post-surgery follow-up and tracking of fistula patients. Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth.The theme for International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2020 is “End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!”. 60. World Turtle Day is being celebrated every year on 23rd May. Note: The day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises as well as their disappearing habitats around the world. The day was celebrated for the first time in year 2000. 61. International Missing Children’s Day is observed globally every year on 25th May. Note: This day is observed for missing children who have found their way home, remember those that are victims of crime, and continue efforts to seek out those that are still missing. 25 May is now widely referred to as Missing Children’s Day, with the forget-me-not flower as its emblem. 62. World Thyroid Day is observed globally every year on 25th May. Note: The main purpose of the WTD is to aware of the importance of Thyroid and the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases.This day is established in 2008 as a part of the campaign led by European Thyroid Association (ETA) and the American Thyroid Association (ATA) followed by Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS) and Asia Oceania Thyroid Association (AOTA) to commemorate the patients with Thyroid diseases and doctors and physicians who treat them. 63. International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed globally every year on 29th May. Note: The United Nations commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This day is dedicated to all the women and men who have served as military, police or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations.The Theme of day for 2020 is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace”. 64. International Day of Action for Women’s Health is observed globally every year on 28th May. Note: The main purpose of this day is to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all women all over the world. May 28th, International Day of Action for Women’s Health is being coordinated by the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR). Every woman has a right to sexual and reproductive health and rights, no matter which part of the world she hails from, what age she is, or what her ethnicity or religion is. 65. World Hunger Day is observed globally every year on 28th May. Note: The objective of this day is to raise awareness about more than 820 million people living in chronic hunger worldwide. It is observed since 2011 to not only spread awareness about the malaise of chronic hunger but also to solve hunger and poverty through sustainable undertakings. 66. International Everest Day is being observed every year on 29th May. 58 | P a g e

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Note: Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary had climbed the Mt. Everest on this day (29th May) in 1953, as the first humans to achieve the feat. 67. World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World No Tobacco Day every year on 31st May. Note: The day is being celebrated to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic including the preventable death and disease it causes. The World No Tobacco Day 2020 provides a counter-marketing campaign and also empower young people to engage in the fight against Big Tobacco by dismissing its lies and rejecting the use of tobacco products. New Appointments 25. Shikha Sharma has been named advisor to Google Pay India. Note: Google Pay is one of the leading apps on Unified Payments Payments Interface (UPI), battling with the likes of Amazon Pay, Paytm, etc. Sharma’s appointment could be a way forward for Google Pay India’s attempt at a card-based offering, which could be launched soon. Sharma quit ICICI Bank in 2008 to join Axis Bank. She steered Axis Bank till 2018 and transformed it into a major banking entity of the country. Sharma also serves in the board of IT major Tech Mahindra as an independent director. 26. Giridhar Aramane has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Note: His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has replaced Sanjeev Ranjan who has been appointed as secretary in the Ministry of Shipping. Giridhar Aramane is a 1988 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre. Before assuming charge as Secretary to MoRTH, he was serving as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. 27. Arvind Kumar Sharma has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Note: His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Before assuming charge as Secretary to MSME Ministry, he was serving as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Arvind Kumar Sharma is a 1988 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre and has worked in the Government of Gujarat at various positions. 28. Krishnan Ramachandran has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Max Bupa Health Insurance. Note: He will replace Ashish Mehrotra. Prior to this, he served as the CEO of Apollo Munich Health Insurance. He has over 23 years of experience in health insurance, healthcare and life sciences segments. 29. Ashok Michael Pinto has been appointed as the US representative to World Bank’s lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Note: He was nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a period of 2 years. He currently serves as Counsellor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States (US) Department of the Treasury. He has been nominated by the United States President, Donald Trump 30. Tarun Bajaj has been appointed as the new director on Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Note: His appointment is confirmed by the Government of India. He is a 1988 batch Indian Administration Service(IAS) officer. He will replace Atanu Chakraborty, who retired on April 30. Prior to taking over as Economic Affairs Secretary, Bajaj was the Additional Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office.

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31. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been appointed as the chairperson of the Parliament’s public accounts committee (PAC). Note: He was appointed the chairman of the committee by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The PAC examines accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for the expenditure of the Government of India, the annual financial accounts of the Government and others. The PAC is the oldest Parliamentary Committee in which 15 members are elected from the Lok Sabha and 7 members from the Rajya Sabha are elected every year for the 22 member panel of PAC. 32. Dia Mirza has been appointed as the as the Goodwill Ambassador of India by UNEP. Note: The actress is also the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal Advocate. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Mirza will continue work with the UN to further spread the message on key areas including clean air, clean seas, wildlife protection and climate change. 33. Manisha Singh has been nominated as an envoy to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with an Ambassador rank by US President Donald Trump. Note: US President Donald Trump announces his intent to nominate Manisha Singh, who is in her late 40’s, as the US envoy to OECD on 27th April 2020. Manisha Singh served as the acting secretary of Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment and the deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs of the State Department. She served as the Deputy Chief Counsel to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 34. Mustafa al-Kadhimi sworn in as the Iraq’s 6th Prime Minister. Note: This has ended the leadership crisis that had been going on in the country for 6 months. Mustafa has become Iraq’s 1st proper PM after Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned in November 2019 due to massive anti- governmental protests. 35. Neeraj Dhawan has been appointed as the Chief Risk Officer of Yes Bank for a period of three years. Note: He replaced Ashish Agarwal, the current Chief Risk Officer. He assumed charge on 2nd May 2020 in place of AshishAgarwal who will be assigned to a different role in the bank. Neeraj Dhawan was the Chief risk officer for retail and business banking at Yes Bank with 29 years of experience in the banking industry and financial services. 36. Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Edu-tech firm ELSA Corp for India, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and SAARC. Note: Now Rahane will work with company’s mobile app ‘ELSA Speak’ to popularize it among Indian people who want to better their English pronunciation.English Language Speech Assistant Corporation (ELSA Cor) India is a education technology company based out of the US. 37. Narinder Batra’s term has been extended as President of FIH until May 2021 by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Note: International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended the term of Narinder Batra as President of FIH until May 2021. Batra and therefore the Executive Board members which were due to end in October 2020 have now been extended. The Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also decided to postpone the 47th FIH Congress, initially planned on 28 October-1 November 2020 in New Delhi, to May 2021. 60 | P a g e

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38. Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed as the president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for a second term. Note: He is the first non-British President of the Club, he assumed office on 1st October 2019 and entered the list of people who served multiple terms. Sangakkara participated in the club tour of Pakistan his first return to the country after the terrorist attack in March 2009 on the Team Bus of Sri Lanka. 39. Indian sportsperson Akhil Kumar has been re-inducted into the Disciplinary Panel of National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA). Note: Akhil, who is also serving in Haryana Police as ACP Gurugram, was formerly in the panel from 2017 to 2019. The Arjuna award-winning Olympian is among the most accomplished names in Indian boxing and has also been the government observer for the sport between 2017 and 2019. The NADA ADDP also features track-and-field Arjuna awardee Ashwini Nachappa among others. 40. V. Vidyavathi has been appointed as the Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Note: Vidyavathi will be serving in the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. Her appointment is confirmed by the order of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 41. Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Note: Odisha cadre IAS, Manoj Ahuja has been appointed the new chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He is currently served as Special Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Department of Personnel and Training. He will replace Anita Karwal as the chairman of the CBSE. 42. Roberto Azevedo decides to resign a year before his term expires as head of international organization WTO. Note: Mr Azevedo, a former diplomat from Brazil, will step down on August 31st, cutting short a seven- year tenure marked in recent years by intense pressure from US President Donald Trump. In a special meeting of WTO delegations, Mr Azevedo said, it is a personal decision - a family decision. 43. Zubair Iqbal has been appointed as new Managing Director (MD) of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Note: Iqbal will have a three-year tenure.The appointments are based upon the continuous directions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to separate the positions of Chairman and Managing Director for better governance. 44. Benjamin Netanyahu has sworn in as the prime minister of Israel for the 5th time. Note: He will now chair the post until 13 November 2021. With this, the longest political deadlock in the Isreal’s history came to an end. During the standoff, the caretaker government held the reins for more than 500 days and no one got a clear majority in three successive elections. 45. Rajesh Goel has been appointed as the director-general (DG) of the Realtors body National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO). Note: Prior to this, he was serving as the chairman and managing director, Hindustan Prefab Ltd. He is a professional with over 37 years of experience in leading PSUs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. 61 | P a g e

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46. Kevin Mayer has been appointed as the chief executive officer of TikTok, the popular video app owned by China's ByteDance Technology Co . Note: Kevin Mayer led the successful launch of the Disney streaming service in November but in February was passed over as Disney's new chief executive.Mayer's appointment will be effective June 1, when he will also become chief operating officer of ByteDance. 47. Govinda Rajulu Chintala has been appointed as the chairman of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Note: The appointments committee of the union cabinet cleared Chintala’s appointment for two years till his superannuation in July 2022.He will replace Harsh Kumar Bhanwala. 48. Carmen Reinhart has been appointed as Chief Economist and Vice President of the World Bank. Note: Reinhart's experience and insights would prove invaluable during the current unprecedented crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and the economic havoc it is wreaking around the globe. She will start her new job on June 15. 49. Dilip Oommen has been appointed as the President of Indian Steel Association (ISA). Note: He is presently the CEO of Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India. He was unanimously appointed as President for the next two years. He will replace Tata Steel CEO TV Narendran, who stepped down as President on May 1. 50. Rajesh Bhushan has been appointed as the chairman of the11-member committee constituted by the Ministry of Health to simplify and expedite” the drug approval process in India. Note: The Ministry of Health & Joint Drug Controller of India Eswara Reddy will assist the committee to adopt global standards for drug and medical device regulation amid COVID-19 pandemic. 51. Carmen Reinhart has been appointed as the new Vice President (VP) and chief economist of World Bank. Note: Reinhart’s appointment is effective on June 15, 2020. Reinhart has a PhD from Columbia University and currently teaches international economics at the Harvard Kennedy School. 52. Jahnabi Phookan has been appointed as the 37th National President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Ladies Organization (FLO). Note: She took over the position from Harjinder Kaur Talwar at the 36th FLO session in the presence of Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker. FLO is the oldest women-led and -focused business chamber of Southeast Asia and the Women’s wing of the apex chamber FICCI. 53. Abhas Jha has been appointed as World Bank’s Practice Manager for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management for South Asia. Note: In his capacity, Jha will be responsible to nurture, lead, inspire and position a team of highly qualified professionals to provide the best solutions for South Asian countries. 54. Marcos Prado Troyjo has been appointed as the President of the New Development Bank. Note: He will succeed eminent Indian banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath who took over as the first president of the bank in 2015. The decision regarding appointment was taken during the special virtual meeting of the Board of Governors. 55. Anil Kishora has been appointed as the vice president of the New Development Bank (NDB).

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Note: Before joining the NDB, he worked as the deputy managing director and chief risk officer of the state-run SBI. 56. Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra has been appointed as the member of the Olympic Channel Commission by International Olympic Committee (IOC). Note: Batra also heads the International Hockey Federation (FIH).Batra also served as the president of Hockey India (2014-2016) and Asian Hockey Federation (2003-2013) 57. Leo Puri has been appointed as the chairman of JP Morgan South and Southeast Asia after Kalpana Morparia retirement in 2021. Note: Leo Puri is the former Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of UTI Mutual Fund.Puri had joined the asset management company (AMC) in 2013 from Warburg Pincus India. 58. Thierry Delaporte has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Managing Director(MD) of Wipro. Note: He will take over the position from Adidali Neemuchwala who will be stepping down from his position on June 1.The operation of Wipro until July 5th will be monitored by its chairman Rishad Premji. He will be based in Paris and report to Rishad Premji. 59. Sandip Mukund Pradhan has been given two-year extension as Director General (DG) of Sports Authority of India (SAI). Note: The proposal was put forward by the Sports Ministry of India to extend the tenure of Pradhan and was then approved by the cabinet. Pradhan was appointed as the Director-General of SAI in August 2017. 60. Ravinder Singh Dhillon has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of State-run Power Finance Corporation (PFC). Note: He will be the successor of Rajeev Sharma as he retires on May 31, 2020.PFC is one of the largest profit-making CPSE (Central public sector enterprises) on a consolidated basis. 61. SN Rajeshwari has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Delhi-based Oriental Insurance Company (OIC). Note: She will be the successor of AV Girija Kumar, 60 years old, who retires on May 2020.Rajeshwari will serve as the CMD of OIC till May 2022. Important News – India 59. The central government has brought the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) under Jal Shakti Ministry. Note: Earlier it was under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. This decision is a formality of business allotment, which means that the authority must report to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The move will have no impact on the independent nature of the functioning of the authority. Water management authorities of other rivers have also been brought under the ministry, which was earlier under the same ministry as CWMA. 60. Atanu Chakraborty chaired the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) which submitted its Final Report to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Note: The task force has submitted its Final Report on NIP for FY 2019-25 projecting total infrastructure investment of Rs 111 lakh crore during a 5-year span of FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25.The report highlighted 63 | P a g e

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policy deficits and challenges in India’s infrastructure sector and recommended reforms to scale up investment in the sector. For NIP projects, the Centre would invest 39% of the projected expenditure while states’ share would be 40%, followed by private sector with 21%. 61. According to Mercom India Research’s ‘India Solar Market Leaderboard 2020’ report 7.3 Giga Watt (GW) solar energy generation capacity India has added during calendar year 2019. Note: According to Mercom India Research’s ‘India Solar Market Leaderboard 2020’ report, India has installed 7.3 Giga Watt (GW) of solar power in Calendar Year (CY) 2019. India has total solar installations of approximately 35.7 GW by the end of December 2019. Mercom Communications India, a subsidiary of global clean energy communications and consulting firm Mercom Capital Group, has released its report 'India Solar Market Leaderboard 2020. 62. India’s rank in the 7th edition of ‘Open Budget Survey 2019’ conducted by International Budget Partnership (IBP) -- 53rd. Note: In the survey time New Zealand has been topped the list with a score of 87.The global average transparency score on this survey was 45. The survey ranked the countries in 5 different categories based on their scores.[0-20: scant, 21-40: minimal, 41-60:limited, 61-80:substantial,81-100:extensive]. It evaluates each nation’s 8 key budget documents of the Central or Federal Government, and assesses whether these are made public, in a timely manner, and provide comprehensive information. 63. National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) has initiated a programme on health and risk communication focusing on COVID-19 titled “Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)”. Note: Its aim is to convey authentic best practices to the general public to minimize the risk of transmission of virus at all levels, in the absence of vaccines and cure for COVID-19. This programme will provide scientific awareness and health preparedness to combat the pandemic scenario like COVID-19 outbreak which has posed concerns and challenges around the globe. 64. Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India Private Limited has started the production of Coal for the first time. Note: The coal allocated to the Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL) in 2016 with a capacity of 20 million tonne per annum from the Talabira II and III mines of Odisha will suffice the requirements of existing and future coal fired power plants. The NLC will generate competitive power in the future since the coal of grade G 12 and the stripping ratio of this mine is 1.09. NLCIL achieved Renewable Energy Generation capacity of 1404 MW comprising 1353 MW of Solar and 51 MW of Wind Power 65. National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has permitted the use of 98.59 hectares of land for opencast coal mining project in Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve in Assam. Note: The coal mining project will be done by North-Easter Coal Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited. While, the rest of the area may be used for underground coal mining.Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Jeypore Rainforest) consists of an 111.19 sq km area of rain forests and several reserve forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts. 66. Ravi Shankar Prasad attended the Extraordinary Virtual G20 Digital Economy Ministers meeting was held to discuss the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 64 | P a g e

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Note: The meeting was attended by Digital Ministers of G20 Members, invited countries and International Organizations.India was represented by Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad. 67. Name the webinar organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and National Institute of Urban Affairs on theme “The future of River Management” -- IDEAthon. Note: Recently, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized an IDEAthon on “The Future of River Management’. The event aimed to explore how the Covid-19 crisis can shape river management strategies for the future. The IDEAthon sought to brainstorm the learnings from Covid-19 pandemic, the following lockdown and its impact on river management. 68. India’s rank in the in scientific publication in 2018 among the countries -- Third. Note: The National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), has conducted a survey on Research and Development (R&D) Statistics and Indicators 2019-20. The survey included more than 6800 S&T Institutions spread across varied sectors like central government, state governments, higher education, public sector industry, and private sector industry in the country. 69. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for the first time since 2014, Azerbaijan presented the group. Note: Modi became the first full-time Indian prime minister to skip the NAM summit in 2016 and again in 2019. India was represented by the vice president in the last two summits in 2016 in Venezuela and 2019 in Azerbaijan. Manmohan Singh had participated at the Tehran NAM meet in 2012.Azerbaijan is the president of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) grouping till 2022 and the meet is being organised under the leadership of its president Ilham Aliyev. 70. India’s first “COVID-19 test bus” has been launched by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Alumni Council in Mumbai. Note: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Alumni Council launched a “COVID-19 test bus” in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The COVID-19 Testing bus will reduce 80% of the testing cost without compromising on the testing capacity. According to the IIT alumni council, a global alumni body for all the 23 IITs this will increase the testing capacity within 100 days and support the health department in controlling the COVID- 19 pandemic 71. IIT Kanpur has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Ltd for development of affordable ventilators for Covid- 19 treatment. Note: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has joined hands with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the development of affordable ventilators for Covid-19 treatment.An MoU to this effect, has been signed between BDL, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kanpur’s incubator Foundation for Innovation and Research in Science and Technology and Nocca Robotics Private Limited(NRPL), an incubated start-up of IIT Kanpur. 72. NITI Aayog has launched virtual ‘Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan’ to ensure well being of senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic in association with Piramal Foundation.

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Note: The aim of the campaign is to create awareness about various aspects of senior citizens’ health and lifestyle including preventive measures and requisite behavioural changes in view of COVID-19 pandemic. It focus on behaviour change, access to services, early detection & tracking of COVID-19 symptoms 73. Operation Samudra Setu has been launched by the Indian Navy as a part of a national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas. Note: The operation aims to evacuate personnel who repatriate Indian citizens from overseas.Under the operation, a total of 1000 persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip, catering for COVID- related social distancing norms vis-a-vis the carrying capacity and medical facilities available onboard.This operation is done by the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health, and various other agencies of Central/State governments. 74. CISF has launched ‘e-karyalay’ an electronic office application to enable the movement of files and documents without physical touch. Note: It is designed by CISF in-house technical team for the usage of the 1.62 lakhs personnel & it resembles each and every function of traditional file movement. It has digital signature features to handle various securities related concerns and keep pace with existing standards. App’s ‘Dak’ or letters management section handles all sorts of communication between various levels of functional hierarchy & it enables to transfer the dak (snail mail) directly to the file noting. 75. Under chairmanship the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a committee to frame standard professional indemnity policy for insurance intermediaries that can be issued by all the insurers-- Yegnapriya Bharat. Note: The panel has been asked to prepare a standard professional indemnity policy “which covers all the contingencies and conditions (retroactive date, indemnity limits, excess, etc) mentioned in the Regulations” that can be issued by all insurers. The development came after the regulator witnessed several instances where policies taken by insurance intermediaries did not comply with the regulatory provisions. It was constituted by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act – IRDA Act, 1999 as an autonomous & statutory body to regulate & promote insurance and reinsurance in the country. 76. Raj Kumar Singh unveiled e-book titled “ A Report on Impact of Energy Efficiency Measures” for the year 2018-19. Note: India reduced energy intensity in 2018-19 by 20% as compared to the 2005 level. India has set a target to reduce the energy intensity by 33-35%by 2030 compared to 2005 level. The energy efficiency efforts have also contributed in reducing 151.74 Million Tonnes of CO2 (MTCO2) emissions (in 2018-19), whereas last year (2017-18) this number was 108 MTCO2. 77. India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Coking coal with Russia. Note:Indian Petroleum Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Russian Energy Minister alexander Novak held a meeting through video conference. The ministers reviewed ongoing projects.The ministers emphasized on the cooperation in coking sector. They also held talks about signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Coking coal. The Russian minister briefed about the OPEC+ agreement that was recently signed

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78. Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched the mobile application 'AYUSH Sanjivani' App and two AYUSH based studies related to COVID-19 situation. Note: The app was developed by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). The AYUSH Sanjivani mobile app will help to generate data on acceptance and usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures among the population and its impact on the prevention of COVID-19. It is expected to reach out to a target of 50 lakh people. 79. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) the country’s unemployment rate rose to 27.11%. Note: As per the Mumbai-based think tank, the unemployment rate in the urban areas is high in red zones due to COVID-19 cases at 29.22%, against 26.69% for the rural areas. In the previous week ending April 26, the urban unemployment rate was at 21.45% and the rural unemployment rate at 20.88%.CMIE’s weekly series of data indicated a steady rise in unemployment since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, showing a sharp spike of 23.81% from the week of March 29. 80. The Defence Ministry has signed a contract with Tata Power for Phase-II of Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure of 37 airfields for Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. Note: The proposal is approved by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.The project will give a boost to over 250 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) which will directly benefit from the execution of various activities of this project. 81. National Institute of Virology, Pune has developed first indigenous antibody-based ELISA test kit - COVID KAVACH for diagnosis of novel Corona Virus. Note: This test is expected to change the dynamics of COVID-19 testing in the country. The kit has displayed high sensitivity and accuracy in the validation tests at different sites. It can test around 90 samples in approximately two and half hours. 82. Mission Sagar has been started by the Government of India to provide assistance to Eastern Indian Ocean Region Nations amid the coronavirus crisis. Note: Under the mission, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari has been deployed, carrying on board two medical assistance teams, essential Food Items and COVID related Medicines and Special Ayurvedic Medicines five to Island countries in the Indian Ocean. The five countries are Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. 83. The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) tie-up with Bharat Biotech companies to develop indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. Note: ICMR has shared one of the 11 virus strains that it managed to culture with Bharat Biotech.The industry partnership is to develop the vaccine candidate and ICMR has transferred the technology to them One of the strains has now been successfully transferred from NIV to Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL) in Hyderabad as part of the partnership. ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development.

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84. Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has designed and developed a personal protective equipment (PPE) doffing unit for Government Chengalpattu Medical College. Note: Financial support for construction of the doffing unit came from corporates through their CSR arms.Koshy Varghese and Anil Jayachandran, professors in the civil engineering department, fabricated the unit in collaboration with a team of public works department officials at the hospital, complying with the safety norms required for COVID-19 pandemic. 85. Research Centre Imarat (RCI) of the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has developed Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitizer (DHRUVS). Note: The RCI of DRDO based in Hyderabad has developed a Ultra Violet Cabinet to sanitize mobile phones, laptops, iPads, passbooks, challans and paper. It can also be used to sanitize currency notes and papers. It provides 360-degree exposure to UV rays to the objects placed inside the cabinet.DHRUV is a contactless ultraviolet sanitization cabinet that is highly useful to sanitize electronic gadgets. 86. Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh recently approved the abolition of 9,304 posts in the military engineering services on the recommendation of Shekatkar Committee. Note: The Union Ministry of Defence had constituted a Committee of Experts under Chairmanship of Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar for recommending measures to enhance combat capability & rebalancing defence expenditure of Armed Forces with an aim to increase “teeth to tail ratio”. The committee had submitted around 99 recommendations. If all the recommendations are implemented according to the committee, India can save Rs 25, 000 crores. 87. As per International Energy Agency (IEA) “Global Energy Review 2020 due to COVID 19 India’s energy demand falls by 30%. Note: It means that with each additional week of lockdown, India’s annual energy demand is reduced by 0.6%. The impact on Q1 2020 energy demand in India was modest, with demand increasing by 0.3 relative to Q1 2019.In India, energy demand would decline for the first time, following on from low demand growth in 2019.The report is based on an analysis of around 100 days of real-data of2020. 88. Vehicle manufacture Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. has announced the launch of ‘Own-Online’, an end-to- end online vehicle ownership solution. Note: Mahindra Own-Online will be a one-stop available 24X7 where customers can finance, insure, exchange, accessorise and own a Mahindra vehicle in four steps, without having to visit a dealership.This platform has been launched by (M&M) to offer its customers a transparent, seamless and contactless experience from selection to the delivery of the vehicle. Through this platform, a customer can own a Mahindra vehicle in four simple steps, from their homes, in few clicks. 89. CSIR institute has developed a Non Invasive BiPAP Ventilator “SwasthVayu” to treat COVID-19 patients - - National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore. Note: The unique features of the Non-Invasive BiPAP Ventilator “SwasthVayu” helps to alleviate the fear of the virus spread. The ventilator is very simple to use without any specialized nursing and is cost effective, compact and configured with majority of indigenous components. A BiPAP Non Invasive Ventilator “SwasthVayu” is a microcontroller-based precise closed-loop adaptive control system.

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90. Bengaluru cities has launched “Pranavayu Programme” to create awareness about the respiratory health of the residents. Note: The initiative aims to help people in increasing oxygen level of the people by themselves. This will help them to keep track about their health before their ailments become fatal.There are several deaths reported in the country due to Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). Especially, COVID-19 causes Hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen in tissues). This is like starving the body of oxygen. 91. Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched “Bharosa” helpline for Central University of Odisha. Note: This helpline has been launched with an objective of relieving the student community from the distress caused during the troubled time of the COVID-19 pandemic. All University Students of Odisha will be offered Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services via this helpline. The Helpline “Bharosa” will address the issue of distress faced by any student of any University in Odisha in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic 92. Rajnath Singh has inaugurated 80km strategically crucial road link connecting Lipulekh pass (China Border) with Dharchula in Uttarakhand through video conferencing. Note: The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has constructed the road that originates from Ghatiabagarh and it ends at Lipulekh Pass which is a gateway to Kailash-Mansarovar.It will help pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet as it is around 90 kms from the Lipulekh pass. This road, which has an altitude ranging from 6000 to 17060 feet, constructed along the banks of river Kali between India and Nepal. 93. (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ announced various modifications in the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. Note: The modification will be done to boost research in the country & to enable more students to avail the benefit under the scheme. The scheme is designed to improve the quality of research in various higher educational institutions in the country & with attractive fellowships it seeks to attract the best talent into research through realizing the vision of development by innovation. 94. To send medical aid to five Island nations in the Indian Ocean amid COVID-19 pandemic India has initiated -- “Mission Sagar”. Note: In this regard, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food items, COVID related Medicines including Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams. For Maldives, 600 tonnes of food items will also be provided and for Comoros medicines related to dengue would be given. This mission is launched in coordination with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and other agencies of GOI. 95. Two scientific papers on child survival published by the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative stated that the under-5 Mortality Rate in India has dropped by what percent since 2000 -- 49 per cent. Note: The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative has recently published two scientific papers. The initiative has given its report on district-level trends of child growth and child mortality.The findings show there were 1.04 million under-5 deaths in 2017, down from 2.24 million deaths in 2000. The child mortality rate has dropped by 49% between 2000 and 2017.

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96. industry body ASSOCHAM has organised the Indo-Bangladesh “Virtual Conference”. Note: Union DoNER Minister of State (I/C) Dr Jitendra Singh addressed the virtual conference. The conference featured the participation of Minister of Commerce Bangladesh Tipu Munshi, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma and Riva Ganguli Das High commissioner to Bangladesh. 97. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has organized the digital conference, RE-START – ‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations is association with Technology Development Board (TDB) Note: The Union Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressed the digital conference, RE-START – ‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations.The conference was organized by the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 98. India’s rank in the recently released Global Energy Transition Index (GET Index) 2020 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) -- 74th. Note: The World Economic Forum released Global Energy Transition Index (GET Index). The World Economic Forum has ranked 115 countries based on GET Index in its report “WEF Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2020 report”. Sweden has topped the ranking for the third consecutive year. It was followed by Switzerland and Finland. 99. As per the new definition of MSMEs what is the maximum investment limit for a micro unit -- 1 crore. Note: The GoI has changed the definition of MSMEs. The new definition has increased the investment limit upwards. Previously, an enterprise with investment up to Rs 25 lakh was called a micro unit. Under the new definition, a firm upto investment of Rs 1 crore is to be called Micro unit, of Rs 10 crore is to be called as small unit and investment greater than Rs 20 crore will be called as medium unit. 100. TVS group, Sundaram Medical Foundation in collaboration with which IITs has developed an automated respiratory assist device Sundaram Ventago -- IIT Madras. Note: This versatile and mobile device will assist the clinicians in constantly monitoring and reporting respiratory parameters. The device has been developed to provide respiratory support to patients through the controlled and automated squeezing of a self-inflating or AMBU bag. To the needy patients, the Sundaram Ventago also provides safety feature such as audible alarms for line disconnection or in case that the PIP exceeds a certain threshold. With the help of this device, the respiratory support will become more affordable and available to all. 101. For the first time the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has included which region of POK in its weather forecast -- Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad. Note: The department taken this decision as it says that it is a part of India and the country always maintains its position that PoK belongs to India. The agency has included the regions as part of its meteorological sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in its daily forecast for ‘north-west India’. 102. Theme of the 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting held through Video Conferencing -- Delivering a co-ordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 response.

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Note: Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare participated in the 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting through Video Conference on 14 May. The meeting was held with a theme: Delivering a co-ordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 response. 103. Amount Rs 3100 crores has been allocated from Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund Trust to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Note: PM CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund Trust has allocated Rs 3100 crores to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Out of the total amount around Rs 2000 crores will be allocated for the purchase of ventilators, Rs 1000 crores to care migrant labourers and Rs 100 crores to support vaccine development. 104. Central Government has set up a new body Rice Export Promotion Forum to give impetus to rice exports under the aegis of APEDA. Note: Centre set up a new body Rice Export Promotion Forum to give impetus to rice exports under the aegis of Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority (APEDA).The Constitution of Rice Export Promotion Forum has been done considering the importance of exporting rice and inherent the potentials and multifarious issues faced in the exportation. 105. Prime Minister announced the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan with an economic stimulus package worth Rs 20 lakh crores which is almost what percent of GDP – 10%. Note: Recently, the Prime Minister has announced the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (or Self-reliant India Mission)’ with an economic stimulus package — worth Rs 20 lakh crores aimed towards achieving the mission. The package is expected to focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws 106. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has developed a low-cost device to detect the presence of melamine (adulterate) in milk and dairy products. Note: The techniques currently used to detect the presence of melamine are time-taking and typically require expensive and sophisticated equipment and highly trained personnel. With the help of a newly developed fluorometer device. Researchers were able to detect up to 0.1 parts per million (ppm) of melamine in water and milk, which is much lower than the acceptable limit of 1 ppm. 107. Flagship social security scheme of the Government of India ‘Atal Pension Yojna’ has completed five years of its implementation in May 2020. Note: The scheme is being administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority through National Pension System (NPS). Any citizen of India can join the APY scheme. The age of the subscriber should be between 18-40 years. The contribution levels would vary and would be low if a subscriber joins early and increases if she joins late. 108. Union Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved Rs 400 crores for Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme. Note: The establishment of defence testing infrastructure will provide easy access and thus meet the testing needs of the domestic defence industry.The scheme will run for a period of 5 years & envisages to set up 6 to 8 new test facilities in partnership with private industry. This will facilitate defence production, therefore reduce imports of military equipment and help make the country self-reliant.

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109. National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) has partnered with fintech start-up DotPe to build its own tech platform. Note: This platform enables them with online payments for digital ordering, bill settlements, and contactless dining. DotPe will provide us with a tech solution. This partnership would directly take on existing food-tech aggregators, Zomato and Swiggy. 110. Additional amount 40,000 crores has been allocated for the under MGNREGS which will help in generating total work of nearly 300 crore person days. Note: With this allocation, GoI will ensure to address the need for more work including returning migrant workers in Monsoon season as well.It will also led to the creation of larger number of durable and livelihood assets including water conservation assets.Hence it is expected to boost the rural economy through higher production. 111. For multi-mode access to digital/online education Government of India has decided to launch PM-eVIDYA programme. Note: Under the programme the DIKSHA programme will provide “one nation, one digital platform” for school education in states/UTs. It will also include the launch of Energized Textbooks for all grades.One earmarked TV channel will be launched for per class from 1 to 12 following the concept of “one class, one channel”. 112. Manodarpan intiative will be launched to provide psychosocial support to students, teachers and families for their mental health and emotional well being under the PM-eVIDYA Programme. Note: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched Manodarpan, an initiative to provide psychological support and counselling to students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional well-being 113. National Disaster Management Authority has developed “National Migrant Information System (NMIS)” to secure information regarding the movement of migrants workers. Note: An online dashboard “National Migrant Information System (NMIS)” has been developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The dashboard has been developed by NDMA to secure information regarding the movement of migrants and to facilitate the smooth movement of stranded persons across States.A central repository on migrant workers would be maintained by the dashboard NMIS. 114. Landing Craft Utility Ship ‘INLCU L57’ commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair. Note: The “INLCU L57” is the seventh LCU Mark IV class warship. The primary role of the warship, being transportation and deployment of main battle tanks, armoured vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore. The first ship of the Mark IV LCU Vessels INLCU L51 was commissioned into Indian Navy in March 2017. 115. Mobile application National Test Abhyas developed by the National Testing Agency will help the candidates to take mock tests for exams such as JEE Mains, NEET, etc.

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Note: The mobile application was developed by the National Testing Agency. The application will help the candidates to take mock tests for exams such as JEE Mains, NEET, etc. The application is powered by Artificial Intelligence and therefore the students will get instant results after taking the tests.The application also aims to help the candidates take high quality mock tests from their homes. It is currently available in Android and iOS versions.The main aim of the application is to help students during closure of educational institutions. 116. The Indian Railways operationalized the first 12,000 HP electric locomotive built in Electric Locomotive Factory, Madhepura locomotive establishmet. Note: The locomotive was built by the French Alstom Company under the Make in India initiative.It is capable of hauling 6000 tonnes at a top speed of 120 km/hr. The locomotive was manufactured as a joint venture between the Indian and French share holding of 74% and 26%.With this, India has become the sixth country in the world to produce high horse power locomotive. 117. South Central Railway zone has developed a robotic device, “RAIL-BOT” (R-BOT). Note: R-BOT is getting used to supply medicines, medical accessories and to serve food to the patients, with none need for physical contact. Using this device will enable doctors, nurses and other support medical staff to remain faraway from the danger of contracting infections.The R-BOT is operated through a singular mobile application developed as a part of the Innovation, supported by Wi-FI- facility. 118. Six cities rated 5 star in Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities, for the assessment year 2019-2020. Note: In rating Ambikapur, Rajkot, Surat, Mysuru, Indore and Navi Mumbai were rated 5 Star (6 cities). 65 other Cities rated 3 Star and 70 Cities rated 1 Star out of 141 cities.He also launched the revised protocol for the Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities. 119. The Union Cabinet has extended Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) till year 2023. Note: It is a social security scheme for senior citizens for those who are above 60.The government has fixed its annual rate of return at 7.4% for financial year 2020-21.Now, Senior citizens will have time till March 31, 2023 to invest in Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana which provides higher return than any bank. 120. National Thermal Power corporation (NTPC) has signed an MoU with ONGC to set up a joint venture company for renewable energy projects. Note:The MoU will enable both companies to achieve their respective targets in renewable energy business.As per the MoU, NTPC and ONGC will explore and set up renewable power assets including offshore wind, in India and overseas 121. The National Skills Development Corp. (NSDC), along with an artificial intelligence company will create a skilled and certified workers platform to map. Note: The skill management information system aims to create a local ecosystem in every region to minimise the need to depend on migrants, as well as to provide workers with opportunities closer to their homes. NSDC is the implementing body of the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship.The platform will map details of skilled professionals by region, as well as demand across industries, using artificial intelligence-based solutions.

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122. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a scheme for 100% solarisation of Konark city of India Note: The scheme has been launched to develop the historic Sun Temple in the town of Konark. Also, the scheme will develop the town into Surya Nagri. The scheme mainly aims at promoting solar energy. 123. CII organization has organized the E-Conclave of Defence MSME which was chaired by the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Note: The E-conclave was organized by CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), SIDM (Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers) and Department of Defence Production. Around 800 Defence MSMEs participated in the conclave that was held through video conferencing. 124. Public sector oil company Oil India Ltd(OIL) will get the environmental clearance for extension drilling and testing of hydrocarbons at 7 locations inside the Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (NP). Note: The clearance was given as part of the Centre’s target to reduce 10% imports and the Northeast Vision 2030.And the commercial production from this area shall also enable OIL to meet the same centre’s target 125. India’s position in manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) body coveralls -- Second. Note: PPE body coveralls are crucial to safeguard against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.China is the world’s leading producer of PPE body coveralls, crucial to safeguard against the COVID-19 pandemic. 126. National Health Authority is the nodal agency for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Note: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare(HFW), Harsh Vardhan to mark 1 crore treatments(milestone) of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(AB-PMJAY).The National Health Authority(NHA) is responsible for implementing the scheme. 127. In the first meeting of the 15th Finance Commission’s on Fiscal Consolidation Roadmap it estimated India’s GDP growth to -5% to 1%. Note: The first meeting of the 15th Finance Commission’s (XVFC) committee on Fiscal Consolidation Roadmap was held through video conferencing (VC). The committee headed by Nand Kishore (NK) Singh has recommended the judgement of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on monetisation of fiscal deficit. 128. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm REC Foundation has partnered with TajSATS to provide specially made nutritious meal packets for medical staff in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. Note: REC is already providing cooked meals and ration to the needy across the nation in collaboration with various district authorities, NGOs and electricity distribution companies.Every day, 300 food packets are being delivered as a gesture of gratitude to the frontline healthcare warriors of New Delhi. Now with REC- TajSATS initiative, over 18,000 meals will be delivered in New Delhi. 129. Indian software company TCS has launched ‘Ignio’ an AI Digital Workspace solution. Note: Tapping into the rising demand for automation amid the covid-19 pandemic, Digitate, a software venture of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has announced the launch of ignio AI.Digital Workspace.It is an end-user experience management software that helps employees and service desk teams boost productivity.

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130. Indian Navy has formed PPE kit with innovative breathable fabric material. Note: This PPE kit provides comfort to healthcare workers working against COVID-19 pandemic wearing multi-layered coverall PPE treating patients within the hot and humid condition for quite 12 hours.The ability of the material to permit water vapour to undergo and stop the water from entering is understood as Breathability. 131. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad has developed an AI-based Attendance application (AINA) which allows non-contact based personnel verification, using facial features of the person in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic ______Note: AINA can be deployed with minimal upgradation to the legacy attendance infrastructure with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers. AINA can be installed on a normal desktop computer with a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) based display adapter. 132. Market Regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed a penalty of ₹7 lakh on NHAI for delay in disclosing financial results. Note: The market regulator observed that NHAI had delayed filing half yearly financial results between FY16 and FY19. The delays ranged from 4 days to 78 days. According to Sebi's listing obligation and disclosure norms (LODR), the half yearly results have to be filed within 45 days from the end of the half year. 133. The Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering of IIT Delhi has developed a breathable and light- weighted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to fight COVID-19. Note: The Head of the Department Professor Dr SM Ishtiaque along with his PhD student, Biswa Ranjan Das, Scientist 'D' and Assistant Director, DMSRDE (DRDO), Kanpur, developed an advanced version of PPE.Priced at ₹905 (including GST), the PPE overall would cost around ₹300 for one time given the option to reuse. 134. The Army Commanders’ Conference was held in New Delhi. Note: The Army Commanders’ Conference is an apex level biannual event that was earlier scheduled to be held in April 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.It was then planned to be conducted in two phases. The second phase of the conference will be held in the last week of June 2020. 135. The length of the tunnel built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Rishikesh-Dharasu Highway (NH 94) in Uttarakhand -- 440 Km. Note: Union Minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated the 440 metre-long tunnel as part of the Chardham Connectivity Project in Chamba. The tunnel will significantly reduce the time taken by travellers on the Rishikesh-Dharasu and Gangotri stretch of the Chardham Highway (NH 94). 136. Electric mobility company Ola Electric Mobility has acquired Amsterdam-based electric scooter-maker Etergo. Note: It would leverage Etergo’s design and engineering capabilities to build its smart electric two-wheeler for international and Indian markets.Ola Electric aimed to launch its global electric two-wheeler in India in 2021.

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137. IIT Madras has developed magnesium alloy to replace steel, aluminium in cars. Note: There has been an excellent deal of specialising in lowering the carbon footprint of vehicles by using light-weight material in their bodies. Lighter vehicles consume less fuel to run and are therefore play a strategic role in increasing energy-efficiency. Vehicular emissions alone contribute 27 per cent of total CO2 emissions currently. 138. Adille Sumariwala will chair the 11-member committee constituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to monitor annual grant and affiliation fee of its members for the 2020-2021 cycle. Note: Besides Mr. Sumariwala, the panel includes D R Saini, Vagish Pathak, S M Hashmi, Sekhar Chandra Biswas, Vithal Shrigaonkar, M P Singh, D V Seetharama Rao, Abu Mehta, Madhukant Pathak and B K Roka.The committee will review and monitor issues concerning the disbursement of IOA’s annual grant to its members in coordination with the finance department 139. Recently, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has started looking into allegations against Alphabet. Note: According to the allegations, Google is abusing its market position to unfairly promote its mobile payments app (Google Pay) in the country. The complaint alleges the USA tech giant more prominently showcases its Google Pay app inside its Android app store in India, giving it an unfair advantage over apps of competitors. 140. Tejas Mk-1 FOC aircraft has been inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the recently resurrected No 18 Squadron the “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur. Note: Tejas Mk-1 FOC is a single engine, light weight, highly agile and all weather multi role fighter aircraft. The aircraft is capable of air-to-air refueling and hence makes the Squadron the first in the IAF to induct this platform. 141. Swath Sagar has been given to the plan to modernize the fisheries sector which is part of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Note: Also, Government will register “Sagar Mitra” and encourage formation of Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to help achieve the PMMSY goals by enhancing domestic fish consumption with corresponding health benefits. 142. Missile Park Agneeprastha being established in Eastern Naval Command (ENS) at INS Kalinga, Visakhapatnam. Note: Agneeprastha aims to capture glimpses of Missile History of INS Kalinga. Agneeprastha is to provide a one-stop arena for motivation and stimulation of people regarding the missiles and related technologies, from school children to Naval personnel and their families. Important News – State 1. According to an official statement which state tops among other states in providing employment under MGNREGS -- Chhattisgarh. Note: According to an official statement Chhattisgarh is 1st state to provide employment to over 18(18.51) lakh unskilled labourers, followed by Rajasthan (2nd) to 10.79 lakh workers & Uttar Pradesh (3rd) to around 9.06 lakh workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

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(MGNREGS). As per the data released by the Union Rural Development Ministry around 77.85 lakh people are engaged in different work under the scheme across the country. 2. Chak-Hao, the black rice of which state gets Geographical Indication (GI) tag -- Manipur. Note: Chak-Hao- the Consortium of Producers of Chak-Hao (Black Rice), Manipur and was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC).The black rice is glutinous rice cultivated in Manipur over centuries, is characterised by its special aroma& is consumed mainly after being cooked like rice or kheer.It has a deep black colour and when cooked, it usually turns purple. It’s dark purple colour is primarily a product of its anthocyanin content which is considered as boosting up the antioxidants level, apart from this it also has vitamins, minerals, fibre, proteins, among others. 3. Terracotta work of which place has been granted with the Geographical Indication(GI) tag -- Gorakhpur (UP). Note: It is a centuries-old traditional art form, the work is done with bare hands including the ornamentation & natural color which stays fast for a long time. There are more than 1,000 varieties of terracotta work designed by the local craftsmen, Some of the major products of craftsmanship include the Hauda elephants, Mahawatdar horse among others. 4. Kovilpatti kadalai mittai of which place has been granted with the Geographical Indication(GI) tag -- Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu). Note: It is a peanut candy manufactured in Kovilpatti and adjacent towns and villages in Thoothukudi district, the southern part of Tamil Nadu. It is produced by using groundnuts and vellam (jaggery) and water from the river Thamirabarani which enhances the taste naturally. It is sold as single rectangular chunks, or rather cuboids, sealed in packets. 5. Saffron of which state has been granted with the Geographical Indication(GI) tag -- Kashmir Saffron. Note: It is a spice grown in some regions of Kashmir, including Pulwama (saffron bowl of Kashmir), Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar. Iran is the largest producer of saffron and India is a close competitor.In India, GI registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003. Darjeeling Tea(2004) is the 1st indian product to get a GI tag. 6. Maharashtra government has announced a free and cashless health insurance scheme to all its citizens. Note: Under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, people in the state can avail of the benefits of free and cashless health insurance. Documents such as ration cards and domicile certificates are essential to apply for the scheme. At present, the scheme covers 85% of the population; but benefits are now extended to the remaining 15%. 7. Andhra Pradesh state government has launched a mobile application ‘CMAPP (Comprehensive Monitoring of Agriculture, Price, and Procurement)’ to monitor the agriculture needs of the farmers in the state. Note: Andhra Pradesh government has launched the mobile application ‘CMAPP to monitor the agriculture needs of the farmers in the state.The mobile app showcases all data relating to the cost, procurement, and marketing facilities of the farmers for their agriculture produce.

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8. Himachal Pradesh government announced to launch the "Nigah" Scheme to properly sensitize and educate family members of people coming from other states so that social distancing is effectively maintaine. Note: Under the scheme, a team of ASHA workers, health workers, and Anganwadi workers would visit the family members of persons arriving from other states. The will educate them about the importance of social distancing so that they could be saved from any possible infection. The state government also ordered to mark the people who have come from other states. 9. Uttar Pradesh government has launched the Ayush Kavach app that will provide health-related tips and information about ayurvedic medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: Ayush Kavach mobile app will help people access prescriptions to strengthen their resistance through the ancient mode of Yoga and Ayurveda of India.The mobile app Ayush Kavach was developed by the Ayush Department of Uttar Pradesh in view of the COVID-19 health crisis. 10. West Bengal government has launched “Exit App” for stranded people of other states. Note: “Exit App” will enable these people who are willing to go back to their native states, by applying online on this app. The permission for the exit of these people would be granted in an automatic and extremely easy manner.The “Exit App” can be accessed by the stranded people from the West Bengal government’s ‘Egiye Bangla’ website. Hence, this initiative of the West Bengal government will help large number of people who are stuck, in their return to their native state. 11. Himachal Pradesh government has decided to starts the “Mukhya Mantri Shahari Rojgar Guarantee Yojna”. Note: In this Yojna, 120 days” assured employment will be provided to people living in urban areas. It is being launched to revive the coronavirus-hit economy of the state. Adequate training will be given to the people for their skill upgrade if required. The cabinet also decided to provide an assistance of Rs 2,000 to each of the 1 lakh workers registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers Board. 12. Madhya Pradesh has become the 1st state in the country to provide mid-day meal ration. Note: Distribution of the mid-day Meal ration with the help of Anganwadi workers, Panchayat representatives and local teachers was taken in sending ration to the students at their home after the school closing in April. To provide mid-day meal to school children in the corona outbreak an amount of Rs 117 crore has been transferred online in the bank account of the parents of 66 lakh 27 thousand students of primary and secondary school by the state government. Under door-to-door mid-day meal scheme, ration has also been provided to 56 lakh 87 thousand children. 13. Uttar Pradesh government has passed an ordinance to suspend labour laws to boost industrial investment and employ the large number of migrant workers that have come back to their native villages in the state. Note: Uttar Pradesh State government passed an ordinance 'Uttar Pradesh Temporary Exemption from Certain Labour Laws Ordinance, 2020' to suspend labour laws for the next three years.The move is aimed to boost industrial investment and employ the large number of migrant workers that have come back to their native villages in the state. The Ordinance has been sent to Governor Anandiben Patel for assent.

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14. Tripura government has launched ‘Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana’. Note: The scheme was announced by the Education Minister of Tirupura Ratan Lal Nath on 4th March 2020 during a meeting of the council of ministers.The Scheme aims to provide grants for the purchase of smartphones to the students of final year to empower them digitally & help them leverage the advantages of an interconnected world. Through the implementation of the scheme, the student will be able to get employment through internet platforms 15. Madhya Pradsh government has launched country's first ever ‘FIR Aapke Dwar Yojana’ to lodge FIR. Note: Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to implement such an innovative scheme under which now people would not be required to visit police station to lodge an FIR.‘FIR Aapke Dwar’ Yojana has been started as a pilot project in 23 Police Stations including one urban and one rural Police Station at 11 Divisional Headquarters. For this Yojana “Dial 100” vehicle would have trained Head Constables to lodge FIR. 16. To provide support to the migrant workers which state has launched ‘Pravasi Raahat Mitra’ -- Uttar Pradesh. Note: The mobile application is developed by the state revenue department in collaboration with United Nation Development Program (UNDP).The ‘Pravasi Raahat Mitra’ helps the migrants to monitor their health and provide the requirements like job and livelihood related to their skills. The app will also record the status of distribution of ration kits to migrant citizens. 17. Tamil Nadu government has constituted a 24 member high-level committee headed by C Rangarajan to assess the immediate and medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors of the State’s economy. Note: The committee will examine fiscal challenge & suggest ways to improve its fiscal position including increasing the tax-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio and diversifying revenue sources and re-prioritising expenditure.State Finance Secretary S Krishnan will be the coordinator of the committee.The committee will submit its final reports to the Government within 3 months apart from the interim reports. 18. Uttarakhand government has launched “HOPE” (Helping Out People Everywhere) portal to help unemployed youth to get jobs opportunities. Note: The portal will be used to collect the data on the youths of the state who are staying in as well as the recently returned migrant youths.This platform will help unemployed youths for job seeking and skill development. The database in the portal will help employers to find suitable candidates for their requirements. 19. West Bengal government has launched ‘Matir Smristi’ scheme to utilise 50,000 acres of barren land in 6 districts. Note: This scheme helps to generate income activities in horticulture and pisciculture involving the locals. The ‘Matir Smristi’ scheme will benefit around 2.5 lakh people in rural Bengal. In West Bengal at least 50,000 acres of barren land in Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, West Burdwan and West Midnapore districts, which cannot produce anything naturally nor can the farmers cultivate on the strip.

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20. Rajasthan government has levied 2% Krishak Kalyan fees on agricultural produce brought or bought or sold in mandis. Note: Recently, the Rajasthan government has levied 2% Krishak Kalyan fees on agricultural produce brought or bought or sold in mandis.The 2% fees collected will be deposited in the Krishak Kalyan Kosh — dedicated to the welfare of farmers in the state.The Rajasthan government had announced the creation of the Krishak Kalyan Kosh for the purpose of ensuring fair price for farmer’s produce and to strive towards “ease of doing farming” in 2019. 21. Madhya Pradesh government has launched Charan Paduka campaign, first of its kind initiative for migrant labourers passing through the state. Note: Under the campaign the migrant workers were provided with shoes and slippers to reduce their pain.The Charan Paduka campaign is being conducted by the Police of Madhya Pradesh state. Eventually, the initiative received full support of the public. By providing slippers, the pain of the migrant workers is being reduced. 22. Karnataka state has launched its first cyber security-specific accelerator programme 'H.A.C.K' for start- ups recently. Note: This comes even at a time when there are serious discussions around surveillance and lack of safety through government-run online software for COVID-19.The programme is implemented by CySecK, which is state’s CoE (Centre of Excellence) in Cyber Security meant for creating a cyber-safe environment for industry collaboration. It is housed at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. 23. Jammu and Kashmir UTs has issued new rules to provide domicile certificates to its residents. Note: The “J&K Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) rules 2020” has been provided through an amendment of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act, 2010.The rules have included extraordinary penalty of Rs 50,000 to the competitive authority in case the issuing of domicile certificate is delayed. 24. Jammu & Kashmir (UTs)Department of Information and Public Relations has started an initiative “SUKOON – COVID-19 Beat the Stress” programme. Note: This initiative spread awareness about the psychological impact of lockdown and measures to be adopted to overcome them.The programme will be telecast on Doordarshan Kashmir Channel every Tuesday at 9.00 PM during which psychiatrists, eminent doctors and scientists will share their knowledge on psychological health. 25. “Mee Annapurna” initiative has been launched by an IRDA licensed insurance intermediary Integrated Risk Insurance Brokers Limited (IRIBL) in Maharashtra. Note: This initiative has been launched by Integrated Risk Insurance as a part of its commitment as a Corporate Social Responsibility towards the welfare of the farmers and agriculture community in Maharashtra. This initiative is based on three commandments namely: Expertise, Engagement and Entitlement. 26. Chhattisgarh government has launched “Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana” on the occasion of death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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Note: The farmer centered scheme aims to stimulate the rural economy in the state, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision of the scheme was made in the Budget 2020-21. The scheme is expected to benefit over 1.87 million farmers. 27. Uttar Pradesh government has set up a ‘Start-up Fund’ under the its Information Technology and Start- up Policy 2017. Note: An MoU has been signed between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the fund will be managed by SIDBI. Initial contribution of Rs 15 crore has been made to the fund. The fund aims to support the registered start-up ventures present across different verticals in Uttar Pradesh. 28. Madhya Pradesh state the women Rural Livelihood Mission started Didi Vehicle Service for rural women for the safe delivery and other emergency services. Note: The mission has been started in tribal-dominated Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh (MP).the women Rural Livelihood Mission started Didi Vehicle Service for rural women for the safe delivery and other emergency services. This vehicle service is completely free. 29. Uttarakhand become the first state to release report on conservation of endemic, threatened floras. Note: The project aims at Germplasm conservation so that species remain conserved with the forest department & also to promote conservation of plant species among the general public so as to end plant blindness. The report is one of the largest repositories of conserved plants & is carried out by the research wing of the state forest department. 30. NBFCs Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has entered into an agreement with Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd. (NBPCL) to fund projects worth ₹22,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh. Note: The funds will be deployed by NBPCL for setting up hydroelectric projects of 225 MW and power components of 12 major multipurpose projects in state. Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd. (NBPCL) is a wholly-owned company of Madhya Pradesh government. 31. The Mango Board and Marketing Corporation of Karnataka state has signed a memorandum of understanding with e-commerce firm Flipkart to sell mangoes on its platform. Note: The latest tie-up is part of Karnataka government’s efforts to enable farmers to sell their produce online as the covid-19 induced lockdown has hit sales and their earnings.Farmers produce organisations from Bengaluru Urban, Kolar, Haveri, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belgaum will be onboarded on the Flipkart platform as sellers. 32. Adani Power has received approval for setting up of a 1,320 MW thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh. Note: Adani Power got an approval from the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission for setting up of a 1,320 MW thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh.The commission has also approved sale of entire electricity from the plant to the state through Adani Power arm Pench Thermal Energy. 33. Madhya Pradesh government has launched ‘Rozgar Setu Yojana’ for skilled migrant workers who returned to the state. Note: The government of Madhya Pradesh launched a portal ‘MP Rojgar Setu Portal’ for the unemployed migrants to register and find jobs in the field related to their skills.

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34. Uttarakhand state government has launched “Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana” to retain the migrants who have returned to the state during the lockdown. Note: The scheme aims at providing self-employment opportunities to youth and a boost to reverse migration, specifically entrepreneurs returning to Uttarakhand. The scheme will offer credit facility through nationalised banks, scheduled commercial banks and cooperative banks. 35. Uttar Pradesh government announced to develop 800 km herbal roads along the state and national highways through the state. Note: These herbal roads will have herbal and medicinal trees on the both sides of the road.The trees on the herbal roads include Peepal, Neem, Sehjan along with herbal trees like Brahmi, Ashvagandha and Jatrofa. Important News – World 1. The geological survey of USA has released the first ever digital, unified, global, geological map of the moon namely “Unified Geologic Map of the Moon” . Note: The scientists from United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center, in collaboration with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and the Lunar Planetary Institute have virtually released the first ever digital, unified, global, geological map of the moon namely “Unified Geologic Map of the Moon”. It will serve as a blueprint for future human missions and a source of research and analysis for the educators and the general public interested in lunar geology. It should be noted that the moon is the closest cosmic body to Earth 2. Russia country will launch its first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring the Arctic climate and environment at the end of the year. Note: Russia will launch its first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring the Arctic climate and environment at the end of the year. Russia's Arktika-M remote-sensing and emergency communications satellites will gather meteorological data in the polar regions of the Earth, which will allow to improve weather forecasts and will enable scientists to better study climate change. 3. USD 400 million of multi-year financial support has been approved by the World Bank for India. Note: It will help protect coastal resources by focusing on the rehabilitation of coastal beaches and mangroves. The 1st phase covers 8 coastal States and 3 coastal Union Territories, with USD 180 million in funding, for Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Efficiency (ENCORE). The loan from the international bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a final maturity of 14.5 years including a grace period of 5 years. 4. Arabian country Iran has decided to change its currency from Rial to Toman by slashing four zeros from the rial. Note: Iran's parliament has passed a bill allowing the government to slash four zeros from the rial and authorizing its replacement with another basic unit of currency called the toman (redenomination).Under the bill, Iran's national currency will be changed from the rial to the Toman, which is equal to 10,000 rials.It is the process whereby a country's currency is revalued due to significant inflation and currency devaluation, or when a country adopts a new currency and needs to exchange the old currency for a new one at a fixed rate. 82 | P a g e

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5. China country has successfully launched a new rocket named “Long March 5B” into space which will pave the way of its Moon landing plans. Note: This rocket is launched in Wenchang launch site that is located on the island of Hainan, china. The rocket is a massive vehicle and is being compared with deep space Orion capsule of NASA. The rocket in the future will help China transport astronauts to space station by 2022. The rocket launch will also aid China in its plans of building a huge space station called “Tiangong”. Tiangong is the space station programme of China. 6. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nation (UN) postal agency released a commemorative postage stamp on the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox. Note: The commemorative stamp was designed and developed by Sergio Baradat, United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) in collaboration with WHO. The stamp will be available for purchase at unstamps.org and it can be used to mail postcards and letters around the world, provided that they are sent from the UN headquarters in New York, Geneva or Vienna respectively. 7. Israel named street after Rabindranath Tagore on his 159th anniversary. Note: Israel named it ‘Tagore Street’ to commemorate the poet’s birth anniversary.Tagore, who wrote his poetry, novels, stories and plays in Bengali, In 1913 he won the prestigious Nobel prize in literature and till now, he is the only poet from India to have done so. 8. India hold the chair of the World Health Organization in May 2020 after Japan completes its tenure. Note: India is to hold the chair of the World Health Organization in May 2020 after Japan completes its tenure. India will continue to hold the chair for the next three years. This comes during the time when there are world wide criticisms faced by WHO. Especially the US, one of India’s primary trading partner, accused WHO being China-centric. It is to be noted that US has also cut the funds allocated to the WHO. 9. As per the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Report, 2020 India is one among the 88 countries that are to miss global nutrition targets set for the year 2025. Note: The World Health Organization released Global Nutrition Report, 2020.According to the report, India is one among the 88 countries that are to miss global nutrition targets set for the year 2025. India also has highest rates of domestic inequalities, especially in malnutrition. Along with Nigeria and Indonesia, India was declared the least performing in case of disparities in stunting. 10. World Health Organization (WHO) has released the first “The State of the World’s Nursing 2020” report amid COVID19 pandemic in partnership with Nursing and International Council of Nurses (ICN). Note: In accordance with the report, there are 28 million nurses worldwide but still, there is a global shortfall of 5.9 million. Countries facing the greatest shortfall of nurses are in Africa, South East Asia and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region as well as some parts of Latin America. Between 2013 and 2018, nursing numbers increased by 4.7 million. More than 80% of the world’s nurses work in countries that are home to half of the world’s population. 11. In the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, the United Nations (UN) and its partner agencies have appealed to governments, companies and billionaires to donate $ 6.7 billion. Note: In this campaign, special attention is being given to dealing with more vulnerable countries and combating food insecurity, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, among others. As per 83 | P a g e

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the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock, the $ 2 billion initial appeal by the United Nations on March 25, 2020, has been boosted because income and job losses have increased. However, due to increasing human needs continuously, the updated “COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan” for the remaining time of 2020 was 6. 7 billion dollars. 12. Italy country has developed ‘iFeel-You’ bracelet for social distancing. Note: The Genoa-based Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) has developed ‘iFeel-You’ bracelet for social distancing.This bracelet will help users respect social distancing rules. The bracelet has been developed as the measures for safeguarding against the coronavirus lockdown is being gradually lifted. 13. FAO organization has released Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020. Note: According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment(FRA) 2020 released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the forest loss rate in 2015-2020 has declined to an estimated 10 million hectares (mha), down from 12 mha in 2010-2015.The world has lost 178 mha of forest since 1990, an area the size of Libya. 14. Russia country hosted the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting via video conferencing on COVID-19 which was attended by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Note:EAM mentioned that the security challenges faced today are not associated with the physical or political boundaries and stated that the threat to security and stability in the region of SCO requires collective actions.He also stated about the Pakistani deep state’s alleged involvement in the cross-border terrorism in Kashmir violating the ceasefire as the focus of India is on combating against COVID-19. India and Pakistan became the members of the SCO in 2017. 15. recently USA announce to donate ventilators to India. Note: The announcement is seen as a reciprocal gesture of India’s lift on the export ban of the anti- malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine. India recently lifted the export ban over HCQ drugs. This benefitted the United States to larger extent. 16. India along with 61 other countries moved a proposal in the World Health Organization to identify the source of COVID-19. Note: The countries together moved a proposal at the WHO to identify zoonotic source. Only three permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have backed the resolution namely Russia, France and UK. The other countries to support the resolution includes South Korea, Japan, Australia, South Africa, India, New Zealand, etc. 17. Slovenia becomes the first country in Europe to declare an end to its COVID-19 epidemic. Note: The country officially marked an end to its virus epidemic after the government authorities confirmed less than seven new cases each day for the past two weeks.Slovenia, a country with a population of two million, has also opened its borders after declaring the end of the virus. The country shares its borders with Croatia, Austria, Italy and Hungary, and now people have started arriving in Slovenia from other European Union states. 18. USD 2 billion amount has been announced by China over two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic at WHO assembly.

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Note: The decision comes after, when China faced growing global pressure over the lockdowns, the death toll and a huge increase in coronavirus cases that has brought the world to a standstill. WHO announced the coronavirus outbreak to be a worldwide health emergency on January 30th 2020. 19. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) partnered with Indian telecom company Airtel Africa to support the school children in the coronavirus affected areas of Africa. Note: Under this partnership, UNICEF and Airtel Africa will use mobile technology to benefit an estimated 133 million school age children currently affected by school closures in 13 countries across sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Airtel Africa will zero-rate select websites hosting educational content, which will provide children with remote access to digital content at no cost. 20. Alfanar group of Saudi Arabia will sell 300MW wind power projects in India which is likely to be among the largest wind energy deals in India. Note: Riyadh-based Alfanar Group has a clean energy portfolio of 1.4 gigawatts (GW) in West Asia, Africa, Europe and Asia. In India, Alfanar has a wind project portfolio of around 600MW that it won in auctions conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI).India is running the world’s largest clean energy programme, with an aim of having 175 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity by 2022 21. India handsover war game centre named as “INDIA” to Uganda. Note: The state of the art military training facility was handover by the Indian Association Uganda (IAU), in association with the Indian Military Advisory and Training Team to the UPDF. The Ugandans of Indian origin made voluntary contributions for the establishment of war game centre. 22. NASA has renamed its next-generation space telescope “Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST)”, which is set to launch in 2025 in honour of Nancy Grace Roman. Note: Nancy Grace Roman is the US space agency’s first chief astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe. She left behind a tremendous legacy in the scientific community when she died in 2018. 23. Social media platform Facebook has launched a group calling application named as “CatchUp”. Note: The app allows its users to engage in group calling with up to 8 members. However, this is not the first platform from Facebook that gives users this facility including WhatsApp, Messenger Rooms, etc Honor & Awards 9. Thangjam Dhabali Singh has been conferred with “Order of Rising Sun- Gold and Silver Rays” by the Japan government for promoting a better understanding of Japan in India and deepening ties between 2 countries. Note: The Japan Government conferred the decoration on Singh while announcing the names of the foreign recipients of the Spring Decoration 2020. He is the founder and the former president of the Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF). Singh organised the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal of the Second World War and several Japanese citizens, including officials from the Embassy of Japan in India had participated in the event. 10. Shobhana Narasimhan has been elected as an International Honorary Member to the American Academy of Arts and Science.

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Note: Prof. Shobhana Narasimhan from the Theoretical Sciences Unit (TSU) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), has been elected as an International Honorary Member to the American Academy of Arts and Science (AAAS).JNCASR is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology. AAAS honors such scholars and leaders who have distinguished themselves in the sciences, arts, humanities, and public life. 11. Sania Mirza has become the first Indian to be nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award from the Asia/Oceania zone. Note: Sania had recently made a comeback to Fed Cup after four years.With her 18-month son Izhaan present in the stands, Sania had helped India qualify for the Play-offs for the first time. The winners of the Heart Awards will be determined by online voting by fans which will go live on May 1 and will go on until May 8. 12. Kim Jong Un has been honoured with a commemorative World War II medal to mark the 75th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Note: The medal was awarded to Kim for the role he played in safeguarding the memories of Soviet soldiers who died in the territory of North Korea. Russian ambassador in North Korea, Alexander Matsegora presented the award to North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon. 13. Indian journalist Siddharth Varadarajan has been named for Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award 2020. Note: Siddharth Varadarajan, one of the founding editors of non-profit online newspage The Wire, was handed a notice for appearance by a police team on April 10, 2020 following a story about a politician violating COVID-19 guidelines by participating in a religious ceremony. The Wire was accused of “causing a riot” and “leading to panic.” 14. Sania Mirza has become the 1st Indian to win Fed Cup Heart Award 2020 for Asia/Oceania zone. Note: She decided to give a prize money of $ 2000 to the Telangana Chief Minister Relief Fund to help battle against coronavirus. Sania is one of 4 winners chosen by a public vote, alongside Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia (wins Qualifiers award), Mexico’s Fernanda Contreras Gomez (Americas I zone) and Estonian Anett Kontaveit (Europe/Africa I zone). 15. Indian airport Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has won this year’s SKYTRAX Award for Best Regional Airport in India and Central Asia. Note: The airport was voted by customers because of the Best Regional Airport in India & Central Asia for the third time in four years at the 2020 World Airport Awards.The Awards have supported the planet Airport Survey questionnaires completed by over 100 nationalities of airport customers during the 6-month survey period. 16. Akshay Kumar has been conferred with the Vice Admiral G.M. Hiranandani Memorial Rolling Trophy for the year 2020. Note: He commissioned in Anti-Submarine Warfare School of the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The award ceremony was held at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Kochi, Kerala.This trophy was instituted in 2013 for the officer performing best in tactics during the year-long warfare specialisation course. The trophy was instituted within the memory of the late flag officer GM Hiranandani, who was the commissioned naval 86 | P a g e

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officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command from 1985 to 1987 and retired as Vice Chief of Naval Staff in 1989. 17. Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar has been awarded the Alexander Dalrymple Award 2019. Note: This award is given to him for his outstanding contribution to Indian hydrography and across the broader Indian Ocean region. The award was presented by the UK Ministry of Defence. 18. Naomi Osaka becomes the highest paid female athlete in the world. Note: Osaka has been ranked No.1 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The complete Forbes list, due to be released next week.She toppled American great Serena Williams. 19. Indian American inventor Rajiv Joshi has bagged the prestigious “Inventor of the Year award” in recognition of his pioneering work in advancing the electronic industry and improving artificial intelligence capabilities. Note: He was awarded in recognition of his pioneering work in advancing the electronic industry and improving artificial intelligence capabilities.Dr Joshi, who is a master inventor with more than 250 patented inventions in the US, works at the IBM Thomson Watson Research Center in New York. 20. Suman Gawani has been selected for the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award (2019) along with Brazilian Naval Officer Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo. Note: Suman Gawani becomes the 1st Indian peacekeeper to win the award. The award will be given during an online ceremony presided over by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on May 29, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. 21. Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been awarded Christophe Merieux Prize 2020 for finding a topical gel could stop many women catching the HIV. Note: Christophe Merieux Prize is one of France’s top science prizes. She won the half a million-euro ($551,000) Prize for her work for the Durban-based Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), which she heads. Sports News 15. Sports organization FIFA has launched the campaign “#WeWillWin” to pay a special tribute to health workers and other professionals. Note: Through this campaign FIFA tribute a special video to health workers and other professionals who ensure the society continues to function among COVID-19 pandemic. Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia who is also featured among 50 past and present football stars. 16. The governing body of swimming the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) has postponed the 2021 aquatics world championships to 2022. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Japan. Note: Following the postponement of 2020 Tokyo Olympics to 2021 the governing body of swimming Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) has postponed the 2021 aquatics world championships, Fukuoka, Japan to May 12 to May 29 of 2022 due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. FINA had to move the championships because the 2021 slot of Jul 16 to Aug 1 clashed with the new date for the Tokyo Games, which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 17. Sandeep Kumari has been given a 4 year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after failing a drug test, she is associated with Discus throw sport. 87 | P a g e

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Note: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned Indian discus thrower Sandeep Kumari for 4 years after failing a drug test. National Dope Test Laboratory (NDTL) had failed to detect the banned substance “steroid” which was present in her blood sample. This blood sample is collected by NDTL officials during the Inter-State Championships in June 2018, in Guwahati, Assam where Kumari had won the gold with a throw of 58.41 meters in the competition. WADA referred Kumari’s results management to the AIU (Athletics Integrity Unit) which notified her of the charges & provisionally suspended her in November 2018. 18. Tennis player Youssef Hossam awarded life-time ban by the Tennis Integrity Unit following his conviction on multiple match fixing and associated corruption charges. Note: Egyptian Youssef Hossam has been banned from tennis for life after being found guilty of multiple match-fixing and other corruption offences. A Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) investigation found that the 21- year-old had committed 21 breaches of anti-corruption rules between 2015 and 2019 and conspired with others to carry out a campaign of betting-related corruption at the lower levels of professional tennis. 19. Remy Di Gregorio has been banned for 4 years for using a form of banned blood-boosting hormone EPO (Erythropoietin) is associated with Cycling. Note: French cyclist Remy Di Gregorio has been banned for 4 years by the International Cycling Union (UCI) for using a form of banned blood-boosting hormone EPO (Erythropoietin). Remy Di Gregorio had tested positive for the hormone during a long-distance trip from Paris to Nice during a doping test on March 8, 2018. His suspension starts from the date of the test so he is going to be suspended until 7 March 2022. 20. China has won the 1st edition of FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup. Note: China was adjudged the winner on the basis of its topping the points table in the round-robin stage. In this tournament, India finished at 5th rank. The Superfinal concluded six days of online competitive chess at the highest level between six international teams full of top grandmasters. These 6 teams are China, USA, Europe, Russia, India, Rest of the world 21. India will host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2021 which was postponed due COVID 19 pandemic. Note: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was scheduled to be held in India from November 2 to 21, 2020 across 5 venues and has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FIFA announced that the tournament will keep original eligibility criteria despite the postponement: players born on or after 1 January 2003 and on or before 31 December 2005 will be eligible to compete. 22. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee Deepa Malik announced her retirement, she is associated with Shot- put. Note: She is the 1st Indian woman to earn a medal at the Paralympic Games (silver).She announced her retirement as per the national sports code so as to hold her post as the President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).She is the 1st woman para-athlete to receive Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna on August 29, 2019 and is a recipient of Arjuna Award (2012) & Padma Shri (2017). 23. The Bundesliga of Germany becomes the world’s first major sports event to resume after COVID-19 lock down. Note: The Bundesliga games began with empty stadium though the stadium had capacity to hold more than 80,000 players. The players are being tested twice a week.The teams participating in the games were 88 | P a g e

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kept under quarantine. The teams entered the ground at different times. The substitutes sat well apart during the matches. 24. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) provisionally suspended Savita Kumari and Ankit Shisodia for violating anti-doping rules. They are associated with Powerlifting sports. Note: Athletes were given an opportunity to present themselves before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and explain their cases on the date and time fixed by the panel for a hearing.Both athletes were given a chance to present themselves before the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) to explain their cases. But because of lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic, no sitting of panel could take place. 25. Tennis player Jamie Hampton announced her retirement from the professional tennis belong to UAS. Note: American tennis player Jamie Hampton has proclaimed that she is taking retirement from the professional tennis. Former World Top 25 player played her last official match 6 yrs ago when she was ranked 24th in the world. The right hander player then suffered numerous injuries and was unable to play against Venus Williams in the semi finals of ASB Classic in Auckland in 2014. 26. The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with International Olympic Committee (IOC) to work together to promote health through sport and physical activity. Note: The collaboration is to work with host countries to ensure Health of athletes, supporters and workers at the games. The two institutions will also work to ensure that the games leave a healthy legacy in host countries through enhanced awareness of the value of sport.

27. Sri Lankan cricketer Shehan Madushanka has been suspended from all forms of cricket with immediate effect for alleged possession of heroin. Note: The decision to suspend will stand until the board conducts a full inquiry of the matter.Madushanka took a hat-trick against Bangladesh on his one-day international debut in January 2018. 28. Indian sprinter Kiranjeet Kaur has been banned for four years by the World Athletics’ anti-doping body for testing positive for a banned substance. Note: She will be stripped of the gold medal she won at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K. Her ban period begins from December 15 (2019), the date of in-competition sample collection. She was provisionally suspended by World Athletics on February 26. 29. Spanish Famous footballer Aritz Aduriz has announced his retirement citing medical reasons. Note: He has won 13 caps for Spain and also become the Spain’s oldest goalscorer in 2016, scoring at the age of 35 years and 275 days. ------0------

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June -2020 Banking & Financial Awareness

119. Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has extended Deadline for Power of Attorney Norms till 1st August, 2020. Note: The decision regarding extension has been taken due to the difficulty faced by the stock brokers and broker associations in implementing the provisions amid the situation arising due to COVID-19. 120. To study and plan for initiating a joint venture (JV) company BEML has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO). Note: This MoU is on the lines of invitation of BEML regarding Expression of Interest (EoI) for Manufacturing, Partnerships under “Make in India” policy. 121. Yes Bank has acquired a 24.19% stake in Dish TV India Ltd. Note: As of March 31, Dish TV promoters owned 54.56% stake in the company, out of which over 93% was pledged with the lenders. Following the transaction, Dish TV promoters led by Jawahar Goel will only have just 30.37% stake in the company. But before as on March 31, 2020 they owned 54.56% stake in the company, out of which over 93% was pledged with the lenders. 122. Worker population ratio (35.3%) as per the ‘Annual Report of Periodic Labour Force Survey launched by National Statistical Office (NSO). Note: According to the survey, the worker population ratio increased to 35.3% as compared to 34.7% in 2017-18. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in the period July 2018 to June 2019 as compared to 6.1% in the same period 2017-18. 123. 14 kharif crops the central government has announced minimum support price (MSP) on the recommendation of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. Note: The Minimum Support Price of Paddy has been increased by Rs 53 per quintal. The MSP of paddy has been fixed at Rs 1,868 per quintal for the year 2020-21. The rates of pulses, oil seeds and cereals have also been increased.The MSP of cotton has been increased from Rs 5,255 per quintal to Rs 5,515 per quintal. 124. Grade Baa3 has been given by ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service towards India’s sovereign rating. Note: Baa3 is the lowest investment grade in Moody’s rating ladder.This means, India is just one notch above the non-investment grade or junk grade.Moody’s had upgraded the country’s rating to Baa2 in November 2017. 125. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is the technical partner for implementation of PM Svanidhi, or Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi scheme launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Note: The scheme was announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 14 May to enable street vendors to resume their livelihoods, which have been hit hard due to the national lockdown. It is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loan of up to ₹10,000 to more than 50 lakh street vendors, who had their businesses operational on or before 24 March. The the scheme is valid until March 2022.

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126. DBS Bank has partnered with Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCIL)to facilitate real time payments for truck drivers. Note: The solution has been set up under the aegis of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). DBS RAPID (Real-time APIs by DBS) and UPI payments, provides a seamless integration with the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.By this solution, TCIL truck drivers will receive an instant credit into their bank account, which they can then swipe at terminals or withdraw cash using ATMs. 127. IndusInd Bank has introduced a first-of-its-kind facility for customers to open current accounts (CA) through its ‘Corporate’ mobile app. Note: Current account can be opened for all types of businesses including proprietorships, partnerships and private and public limited companies through this facility.Bank officials will go to the customer’s home and gather information about them and his/her business on a real-time basis and verify it. 128. Axis Bank partnered with Mastercard India & Worldline India to launch a digital point-of-sale (POS) solution ‘Soft POS’. Note: Through this app merchants who traditionally accept cash payments will now have a simpler and more secure way to manage transactions. The app allows banks to have complete visibility of a merchant’s transactions, which makes it easier for small merchants to get business loans. 129. GAIL India Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) for development of” trigeneration” projects in India. Note: An equal (50:50) joint venture between the two companies will be incorporated for undertaking trigeneration projects if the studies made by 2 companies are viable. Since the trigeneration business is at the initial stage, the collaboration will enable first movers to take advantage in the trigeneration business like GAIL’s city gas business. 130. In order to encourage the deployment of Points of Sale (PoS) infrastructure in smaller cities and towns, the Reserve Bank of India has signed initiated a Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) of Rs 500 crore. Note: The fund has been created with initial corpus of of Rs 250 crore. The remaining amount will be contributed by card issuing banks and card networks working in the country. 131. As per the 64th survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) on Macroeconomic Indicators released by RBI in FY 2021 India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth may contract by 1.5 per cent. Note: However, the next financial year it will return to the relief of growth and will register a growth of 7.2 %.RBI has conducting this SPF since September 2007 & the results for the latest were received during May 7-28, 2020. 132. State Bank of India has created a separate Financial Inclusion and Micro Market vertical within the bank to provide financial services to people in the interior of the country. Note: The new wing will be headed by deputy managing director (DMD) Sanjeev Nautiyal at the national level. Under this new category, the bank will mainly finance agriculture and allied activities and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 133. The US International Development Finance Corporation (USIDFC) is planning to invest USD 350 million amount in India. 91 | P a g e

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Note: The investment will be made in finance, health infrastructure, renewable energy and food security space also look to empower smallholder dairy farmers, generate solar power increase access to education. It is one of the largest approvals made by the Board of Directors. 134. Rs 270 crore amount of Special Liquidity Facility has been provided to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank by NABARD in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic to support the agricultural activities of the farmers. Note: This support & separate line of credit will enable to intensify farmers crop production. NABARD received Rs 25,000 crore to refinance Regional Rural Banks(RRBs), co-operative(co-op) banks and Microfinance Institutions(MFIs) to ensure credit flow to farmers for agricultural operations during COVID- 19 pandemic from RBI. 135. IT company Tech Mahindra signed UNGC Initiative to reduce CO2 emissions. Note: Mahindra Group has joined 155 global companies by inking a joint declaration with United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) urging governments to align their COVID-19 recovery efforts with the latest climate science. Through this joint declaration, Tech Mahindra aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions 136. The World Bank (WB) has granted loan worth of Rs. 1,950 crores to West Bengal govt. for tackling COVID-19 situation and developmental work. Note: Out of the total amount, Rs. 1,100 crores will be allocated for creating Industrial infrastructures and the balance Rs. 850 crore will be spent for various Social-Welfare schemes. 137. Harsh Vardhan chaired the Committee on Development of Housing Finance Securitisation Market in India on the recommendation of which RBI draft Framework for Securitisation of Standard Assets. Note: The central bank has proposed significant changes in securitisation norms which are aimed at development of a strong and robust market.The revision in guidelines is an attempt to align the regulatory framework with the Basel guidelines on securitisation that have come into force effective January 1, 2018. 138. PhonePe has partnered with ICICI Lombard to launch first of its kind travel insurance & domestic trip insurance. Note: The cost of the insurance is Rs 499/year.It provides 365-day protection & covers all modes of transport.The policy provides affordable annual insurance cover for unlimited trips. This solution eliminates the need to insure each trip separately and will benefit both business and leisure travelers unlike other traditional travel insurance products. 139. Growth of India in FY2020-21 as per World Bank’s Global Economic Prospect (GEP) June 2020 ___ -3.2 per cent. Note: It was lower from 4.2% which forecasted in FY2019-20 at the end of March 2020.The growth forecast is 9 percentage lower than the GEP forecasts from January 2020 when the growth was projected as 5.8%. But it also highlights that country’s growth is expected to be 3.1% for the FY 2021-22. 140. According to World bank’s report, global economy will contract by in 2020 -- 5.2 per cent. Note: According to the World Bank, the massive shock of the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdown measures for its containment will lead to a contraction of the global economy by 5.2% in 2020. 141. Digital technology company Recykal has partnered with UNDP, HCCB for plastic waste management Project named ‘Prithivi’. 92 | P a g e

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Note: As part of this partnership, Recykal will leverage its cloud applications, mobile applications to raise consumer awareness on segregation and recycling. It will enable collection, channelization of plastic waste from schools, colleges, corporates, RWAs, and bulk generators to connect with recyclers closing the loop of the recycling ecosystem. 142. RazorpayX announced to launch of Payout Links for businesses in Gaming, E-commerce, Rental and other sectors to automate and process instant payouts to customers and vendors without bank account details. Note: The neobanking arm of the fintech giant Razorpay, announced the launch of Payout Links for businesses in Gaming, E-commerce, Rental and other sectors. It is designed to automate and process instant payouts to customers and vendors without bank account details. 143. Empays Payment Systems has partnered with Mastercard to launch “Cardless ATM powered by Mastercard” that enable contact-free ATM cash withdrawals in India. Note: With this partnership, Empays will upgrade the basic technology behind the IMT Payment System to incorporate the requirements of Mastercard Cardless ATM enabling a true EMV-capable cash withdrawal transaction. 144. ePaisa has partnered with First Alliance Bank (Z) Ltd to provide mPOS solution to SME and other businesses. Note: ePaisa will be the solution provider for First Alliance Bank (FAB), which will further provide it to businesses across Zambia. For ePaisa this partnership becomes first global expansion. The focus of the partnership for the FAB is to empower all business with POS solution in various industries across Zambia. 145. The growth rate of India in next fiscal (FY 2021-22) as per Fitch ratings -- 9.5 per cent. Note: After a contraction in the current financial year, India’s economy is forecast to bounce back with a sharp growth rate of 9.5 percent next fiscal, Fitch Ratings has said. It has forecast a 5 percent contraction in the GDP in the ongoing financial year. 146. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred People's Co-operative Bank from granting fresh loans and accepting deposits for six months, due to its weak financial position, Note: The central bank has barred the co-operative bank from selling, transferring or disposing any of its properties or assets. These directions will remain in force for six months from the close of business on June 10 and are subject to review. 147. As per the Economic Outlook (EO) released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). the growth rate of India’s GDP in FY 2020-21 ___ -3.7 per cent. Note: The GDP deceleration could further reach to -7.3% in the event of a second Covid-19 outbreak. It should be noted that EO, June 2020 has assumed an implementation of shutdowns in the December 2020 quarter (Q3), following another surge of the COVID-19 virus. 148. PK Mohanty will chair the committee formed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to review the guidelines related to ownership, governance and corporate structure of private sector banks. Note: The panel will be headed by RBI Central Board of Director Prasanna Kumar Mohanty. The RBI panel will also examine and review the eligibility criteria for individuals or entities to apply for a banking licence. 149. Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) has provided a line of credit (LOC) of $215.68 million to Malawi country for Drinking Water Supply Scheme. 93 | P a g e

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Note: This assistance will be used on drinking water supply schemes and other development projects includes supply of irrigation network, tobacco threshing plant, cotton processing facilities, green belt initiative, sugar processing equipment, fuel storage facility and construction of a new water supply system from Likhubula river in Mulanje to Blantyre. 150. As per the new framework of the RBI the National Payment Corporation of India and National Electronic Fund Transfer will be treated as Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI). Note: It is to be noted that in general Systematically important FMIs till now only included Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Securities Settlement Systems (SSSs), Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL) and

Negotiated Dealing System (NDS). In addition, NPCI has also been designated as a “system wide important payment system (SWIPS). 151. ICICI Bank has launched ‘Insta Flexicash’, an online overdraft facility for its salary account customers.

Note: The end-to-end fully digital facility can be accessed with no documentation, using the Bank’s internet banking platform without visiting a bank branch. The customers can start using the approved overdraft limit within 48 hours. 152. Bank offers the credit limit worth up to 3 times their net salary.The Reserve Bank of India on its Discussion Paper on ‘Governance in Commercial Banks in India’ proposed maximum age limit for CEOs and whole time Directors belonging to the promoter group of banks is 70 years. Note: This offer has been made to improve administration in the banking sector.The tenure has been limited in order to strengthen the culture of consistent governance and to adopt the principle of separating management from ownership. 153. PK Mohanty will chair the committee formed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to review the guidelines

related to ownership, governance and corporate structure of private sector banks.

Note: The RBI has constituted a 5-member Internal Working Group to review the guidelines related to

ownership, governance and corporate structure of private sector banks. The RBI panel will also examine and review the eligibility criteria for individuals or entities to apply for a banking licence. It will also study the current regulations on holding of financial subsidiaries through a non-operative financial holding company. 154. Airtel Payments Bank has launched ‘Suraksha Salary Account’ for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Note: Through this innovative account construct, MSMEs and other organisations will be able to make cashless payments and also provide a financial security blanket to their employees.The account offers benefits such as Hospicash Insurance and personal accident insurance cover, keeping in mind the low penetration of insurance in India. The account has no minimum balance condition. 155. In accordance with the weekly statistical data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s foreign reserves crossed the $500 billion mark. Note: India’s forex reserves comprise foreign currency assets (FCAs), gold reserves, special drawing rights (SDRs), and India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The FCAs, the largest component of the forex reserves, increased by $8.422 billion to $463.630 billion.

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156. According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2020, the Global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows

are forecast to decrease by up to 40% in 2020.

Note: This would bring FDI below $1 trillion for the first time since 2005 (figure 1). In addition, FDI is projected to decrease by a further 5% to 10% in 2021 and to initiate a recovery in 2022. 157. According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2020 what is the position of India as recipient of the

foreign direct investment in 2019 -- 9th largest.

Note: The UNCTAD in its World Investment Report 2020 report said that a lower but positive economic growth in India in the post-Covid19 pandemic period and the country's large market will continue to attract investments.Earlier, the inflows stood at $42 billion when India ranked 12th worldwide in 2018. The country witnessed an increase in the inflows by $9 billion in 2019.

158. HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company has joined hands with UK based tech firm TropoGo Limited

to launch India’s 1st ‘Pay as you Fly’ insurance for drone-owners in India.

Note: Members of this policy can claim an insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh on TropoGo mobile app & they can opt for 4 hours, one-day, or a one-month cover to insure themselves against third-party liabilities. 159. Infosys becomes the first Indian company to sign Climate Pledge with Amazon and Global Optimism to

become Net-Zero Carbon by 2040.

Note: The company, which has initially set 2018 for its transition to 100 per cent renewable energy, has now set 2035 to complete the transition to RE.Measure and report the emission of greenhouse gases on a regular basis.Implement decarbonization strategies through changes in business and innovations through renewable energy, materials reductions etc. 160. As per the SEBI Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers Amendment Regulations, 2020 promoters

owning 25% or more of the shares or voting rights in a company now can increase 10% shareholding in

a year.

Note: SEBI Amended it after exercising the powers conferred under section 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992. SEBI has amended the regulation 3, in sub-regulation (2) of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 to enhance the acquisition limit for promoters of a listed company. 161. Bank of Baroda planning to completely digitize its lending operations including home, agriculture, Micro,

MSMEs, personal and Auto loans.

Note: The bank has set up a new vertical, digital lending department at the corporate office, which will have substantial overlap with various credit verticals including Retail, MSME, Agri & service verticals like Analytics centre, Risk Management, Marketing.To set up this digital lending department the bank has reached out to the Big Four and some white shoe consultants like McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group.

162. ICICI Home Finance Company Limited has launched “SARAL” scheme for a special affordable house

loan for urban and rural areas.

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Note: The loan requires compulsory ownership of a woman in the country’s rural areas from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The maximum limit of the loan is Rs 35 lakh. The interest rate of the loan starts from 7.98%. The maximum tenure of the loan is 20 years. Customers with pre-existing loans can also transfer their loans.

163. According to the payroll data of EPFO witnessed 28.6 % increase in formal employment in 2019-20.

Note: The main reason for this is the low withdrawal by EPFO subscribers due to the government’s policy reforms such as implementing GST, allowing fixed income contracts as well as better returns on PF (Provident Fund) deposits.Sectors such as Hospitality and Financial Institutions have experienced a 50% growth, while the formalities of the workforce in the textile sector have increased by 20 %. 164. As per the proposed new rules for Housing Finance companies the Reserve Bank of India has increased

the Minimum net owned funds (NOF) from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore. Note: In exercise of powers conferred under Section 29A (1) (b) of NHB Act, 1987, RBI proposes to increase the minimum NOF for HFCs from the current requirement of Rs10 crore to Rs 20 crore in order to strengthen their capital base. Existing HFCs will get one year to reach the level of Rs 15 crore and two years to increase it to Rs 20 crore. 165. Karnataka Bank in partnership with Universal Sompo General Insurance Company have launched a health insurance policy to cover the individuals’ COVID-19 pandemic related health expenses. Note: The policy aims to cover the individuals’ COVID-19 pandemic related health expenses.The health cover can be availed at a nominal premium(current price without taking inflation or other factors into account) of Rs 399, inclusive of all taxes. 166. Tata AIA Life Insurance has partnered with East Consultancy Services to offer Aadhaar-based paperless offline e-Know Your Customer (KYC) service. Note: This tie up helps to service the customer during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The e-KYC service will offer uninterrupted service to customers during the online application process for the company’s life insurance solutions. 167. Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on India’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) to negative from stable and affirmed the rating at BBB-. Note: The move comes after another rating agency Moody’s earlier this month downgraded India’s sovereign rating by a notch to lowest investment grade of ‘Baa2’ for the first time in 22 years.“Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on India’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) to negative from stable and affirmed the rating at ‘BBB-. 168. Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has collaborated with Karur Vysya Bank to offer simpler and flexible financing plans for new clients. Note: Through the association with the bank, the company is trying to offer imminent purchasers exceptional plan of up to 100 per cent on-road funding with six months holiday period on all models, except van EECO, loans for both salaried and self-employed customers and repayment period up to 84 months. 169. According to Asian Development Outlook by the Asian Development Bank, in FY 2020-21 Indian economy is projected to contract by 4 per cent.

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Note: For Countries in ‘Developing Asia’, ADB forecasted growth of 0.1% in 2020. Excluding the newly industrialized economies of Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea; Singapore; and Taipei, China, Developing Asia’s growth predicted at 0.4% this year and 6.6% in 2021.‘Developing Asia’ refers to a group of over 40 countries that are members of the ADB.The growth of South-Asia is predicted to contract by 3% in 2020, in comparison to 4.1% growth predicted in April, 2020. For FY21-22, growth prospects revised down to 4.9% from 6%. 170. Hyundai Motor India Limited partnered with HDFC Bank to offer industry 1st online auto retail financing on its end-to-end online automotive retail platform, ‘Click to Buy’ to the customers. Note: Under this collaboration, HMIL will provide customised car financing solutions to its customers from HDFC bank through its online car buying platform.This partnership enables the customers to choose loans and get the funds they need to buy their favorite Hyundai car without visiting HDFC Bank branch. 171. Indian company Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) becomes the most valued company with almost Rs 11.83 trillion market capitalization. Note: In dollar terms, RIL’s m-cap translates into $155 billion, making it the 54th largest company globally.If the value of RIL’s partly paid shares of Rs 67,500 crore is added, then the company’s m-cap adds up to almost Rs 11.83 trillion. Importantly, RIL is the most valued firm followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which is valued at Rs 7.7 trillion. 172. Yes Bank partnered with fintech startup “Affordplan” to launch ‘Swasth Card’, a co-branded healthcare card, under Swasth program. Note: Yes Bank’s wallet has also been integrated on Affordplan Swasth to enable wallet QR scan for making payments to merchant partners empanelled on the Affordplan Swasth app. Equipped with a chip-enabled card, digital wallet, goal-based savings, loans, and insurance, Swasth program extends access to a family seeking curative as well as preventive care. 173. Public sector bank UCO Bank has four insurance companies to offer various insurance products for its customers. Note: UCO Bank partnered with SBI Life Insurance Company, the Oriental Insurance Company and Religare Health Insurance Company, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company.After this collaboration with 4 insurance firm, the total number of insurance company partnered with UCO bank increases to 6 from 2 insurance company. 174. According to India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), India’s Gross domestic Product (GDP) in FY 20-21 is likely to shrink by 5.3%. Note: For FY21-22, it is expected that GDP growth would bounce back in the range of 5-6%.This will be the lowest GDP growth in the Indian history (Indian GDP data is available from FY51) and sixth instance of economic contraction, others being in FY58, FY66, FY67, FY73 and FY80; the previous low was negative 5.2% in FY80. 175. As per the Moody’s Investors Service in its Global Macro Outlook 2020-21 projected the Indian economy to shrink by 3.1 per cent in the fiscal year 2020. Note: It also forecasts Indian economy to register 6.9% growth in fiscal year 2021.Global Macro Outlook also indicated that China would be the only G-20 country to record growth of 1% in fiscal year 2020 and 97 | P a g e

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expects it to grow at 7.1% in fiscal year 2021. Moody’s also forecasted the growth of G-20 economies and expects it to contract by 4.6% in fiscal year 2020 followed by 5.2% growth in 2021. 176. Karnataka Bank has launched a new product ‘KBL Micro Mitra’ for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Note: This product will provide financial assistance up to Rs 10 lakhs to the Micro manufacturing and service enterprises for working capital or for investment purposes. The facility has simplified procedure and competitive rate of interest.The product will be available across all branches of the bank & will be soon available in digital version. 177. The Reserve Bank of India has extended a special liquidity window for Rs 50,000 crores -- Yes Bank. Note: The RBI has made the emergency credit line of nearly Rs 600 billion available when the bank was under a moratorium that restricted deposit withdrawals at 50,000 rupees.The capital infusion will help Yes Bank diversify its ownership, meet the regulatory requirement and fund its growth. 178. As per the new Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) released by the World Bank, India’s global position as an economy in terms of PPPs -- 3rd. Note: The ICP 2017 results, revised results for 2011 and estimates of annual PPPs for the period 2012- 2016 are available on the ICP website and the World Bank’s Databank and Data Catalog.In 2017, India retained and consolidated its global position, as the third largest economy and accounted for 6.7% of global GDP in terms of PPPs.China was at first position with 16.4% and the USA at the second position with 16.3%. 179. As per the data released by the United States (US) Treasury Department, India’s position as a holder of US government securities -- 12th. Note: Notably, the holding touched a record high of $177.5 billion in February, 2020 which was drastically reduced in March. The country with maximum exposure to US government securities is Japan at US$1.266 trillion followed by China and the United Kingdom (UK) at the second and third positions, respectively at the end of April 2020. 180. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) steeply slashed India’s growth outlook for the current fiscal year to -4.5%. Note: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) steeply slashed India’s growth outlook for the current fiscal year to a minus 4.5 per cent from 1.9 expansion estimated in April owing to an extended Covid-19 lockdown and slower economic revival. This will be the lowest in several decades.As per the IMF WEO, in 2021 global growth is projected at 5.4 per cent, which will be about 6.5 percentage points lower than the pre-Covid projections of January 2020. 181. World Bank approved USD 500 million to improve the learning outcome and governance of government schools in six Indian states under STARS Programme. Note: The project, Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS ), will be implemented through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, the flagship central scheme, in Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan.STARS will help improve the learning assessment systems, strengthen classroom instruction, and remediation, facilitate school-to-work transition, and strengthen governance and decentralized management 98 | P a g e

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182. Minimum amount can be invest in the newly launched Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) Scheme -- Rs 1000. Note: The Floating Rate Savings Bonds 2020 (FRSB Bonds) will have a tenure of 7 years and the interest rate will keep varying during the tenure of the scheme. Currently, the rate of interest has been set at 7.15 per cent per annum payable half-yearly. 183. The tenure of the Floating Rate Savings Bonds 2020 (FRSB Bonds) launched by the Government of India in of 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 -- 7 years. Note: Currently, the rate of interest has been set at 7.15 per cent per annum payable half-yearly. The minimum investment amount is Rs 1000, while there will be no maximum limit for investments made in the Bonds. The maximum investment in cash can be made up to Rs 20,000. 184. Yes Bank has launched a digital wallet solution(app)‘Yuva Pay’ in partnership with UDMA Technologies Pvt Ltd to enable contactless payments for its customers. Note: The wallet is issued under minimum Know Your Client (KYC) regulations.The solution aims to help the low income group to access the digital and contactless transactions, which will enable broad access to secure electronic payment services. 185. PhonePe has partnered with ICICI Bank on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) multi-bank model to provide its users the option to create and use multiple UPI IDs. Note: Through this partnership, Phonepe giving its users the option to create and use multiple UPI IDs with ICICI and Yes Bank”s handles on the PhonePe app. The PhonePe customers will now be able to choose between multiple handles for their UPI IDs, thus making payments easy, secure and accessible to all. 186. Business to Business (B2B) digital platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank to Launch Credit Card for MSMEs. Note: SOLV MSME Credit Card provides MSME clients with a ready means to meet ongoing business expenses including supplier payments, fuel, logistics, purchase of raw material, utility payments and working capital outlays. SOLV is registered as Standard Chartered Research & Technology India Pvt. Ltd. It is a fully-owned entity of the London-headquartered Standard Chartered Group. 187. World Bank has approved $500 million to build road connectivity along the Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor directly connecting Dhaka in Bangladesh with India and Bhutan. Note: It will also support the Bangladesh government’s plan of developing a 260 km economic corridor in the western part and benefitting over 20 million masses.The Western Economic Corridor and the Regional Enhancement (WeCARE) Phase I project is the first of a multi-phased $1.4 billion World Bank program to upgrade the existing 110 km two-lane highway, Bhomra-Satkhira-Navaron and Jashore-Jhenaidah, to a safer and climate-resilient four-lane highway in western Bangladesh. 188. The Government of India has signed an agreement with World Bank to provide affordable housing to the urban poor of Tamil Nadu state. Note: The agreement signed has two projects under it- (i) Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening Program and (ii) Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project.The loans for both the project are from the lending arm of the World Bank Group the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). 99 | P a g e

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Obituaries 51. Veteran Music Director Wajid Khan passed away recently. Note: Wajid Khan was the brother of music director Sajid Khan. He was born in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh on July 10, 1977. Wajid along with his brother Sajid served as mentors on singing reality shows “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012” and “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Superstar”. 52. Famous sprinter Bobby Morrow passed away recently. Note: He is one of the four men (Jesse Owens(1936), Carl Lewis(1984), Usain Bolt(2012 & 2016)) to win three events at a single game (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay). He won three gold medals for 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in the 1956 Olympic in Melbourne. 53. Former Union Minister and three-time Congress MP P Namgyal passed away recently in Ladakh. Note: Former Union Minister and three-time Congress MP from Ladakh, P Namgyal passes away. He has served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Surface Transport and Chemicals and Petro chemicals. He was also an agriculturist, a social worker and served as the secretary general and vice president of the Pradesh Congress Committee in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. 54. Famous sportsperson turned coach Jayantilal Nanoma passed away recently, he was ass8ociated with Archery sports. Note: Former International Archer turned coach Jayantilal Nanoma passed away. He was an Asian Cup and Asian Grand Prix medallist in compound individual and team archery in 2010. He was also the recipient of prestigious Maharana Pratap State Sports Award and was presently serving as the District Sports Officer in Dungarpur. 55. Renowned personality Basu Chatterjee passed away recently, he was a veteran Screenwriter. Note: He worked in Hindi & Bengali cinema and was a dialogue writer and produced a few films. He received the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare in 1992 for his film Durga. He was born on January 10, 1930, in Ajmer, British India. 56. Renowned personality Anwar Sagar passed away recently, he was a veteran Song Writer. Note: He is best remembered for his hit track Waada Raha Sanam from 1992 Akshay Kumar-starrer Khiladi. The lyricist also has to his credit films like Yaarana, Salaami, Aa Gale Lag Jaa and Vijaypath among more. Anwar Sagar also worked with music directors like Nadeem-Shravan, Rajesh Roshan, Jatin-Lalit and Anu Malik. 57. Renowned personality Chiranjeevi Sarja passed away recently, Note: He has featured in films such as Samhaara, Aadyaa, Khaki, Sinnga, Amma I Love You, Prema Baraha, Dandam Dashagunam and Varadhanayaka among others. He was last seen in the Kannada action- drama Shivarjuna. 58. Ved Prakash Marwah who passed away recently is a former governor of the Jharkhand, Manipur and Mizoram states. Note: Ved Marwah was an alumnus of St. Stephens college.He was the first Secretary of the High Commission of India, London.From 1985 to 1988 he served as the Police Commissioner of Delhi during the repercussions of 1984 anti-Sikh riots and he served as the third Director General of the National Security Guard from 1988 to 1990. 100 | P a g e

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59. Renowned personality Arjun Charan Sethi passed away recently. Note: He was Water Resources Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet from 2000 to 2004. He entered Lok Sabha from Bhadrak on a Congress ticket in 1971 and re-elected in 1980, also on a Congress ticket. The veteran politician was also elected to Odisha Assembly twice on Janata Dal ticket in 1991 and 1995 from Bhandaripokhari. 60. Pierre Nkurunziza passed away recently was President of Brundi. Note: He was born on 18th December 1964 in Ngozi Province.He was a sports graduate and assistant lecturer at the University of Burundi and after the Civil War he became the leader of Forces for Defence of Democracy (FDD) in 2001. 61. Famous sport person Tony Dunne, passed away recently, he was associated with Football sports. Note: He joined Manchester United at the age of 18 in 1960 and debuted on 16th October 1960 against Burnley (A) league.He was a part of the winning side of the European Cup in 1968. 62. Famous Cricket sportsperson Vasant Raiji passed away recently. Note: A chartered accountant, he was also a well-known chronicler of cricket, having written books on C.K. Nayudu, Ranjitsinhji, Duleepsinhji, L.P. Jai and Victor Trumper.A Cricket Club of India player, he represented Bombay and Baroda.The cricketer-historian was also a founding member of Jolly Cricket Club in Mumbai. 63. Former Test cricketer of New Zealand Matt Poore passed away recently, Note: He is remembered for catching a stray dog during a match in Bengaluru in 1955 and subsequently taking 12 anti-rabies injections.An all-rounder, Poore had a short but colourful 14-Test career between 1953 and 1956 alongside two greats - Bert Sutcliffe and John Reid. 64. Veteran Urdu poet and freedom fighter Anand Mohan Zutshi passed away recently, Note: Anand Mohan Zutshi ‘Gulzar’ Dehlvi was the editor of the 1st Urdu science magazine, Science ki Duniya, published by the Government of India in 1975. He played a prominent role in opening Urdu schools across India & has been a part of a number of mushairas (Poetic symposium), which includes Jashn-e- Rekhta in 2015 and Jigar Fest in 2018. 65. veteran Actor Sushant Singh Rajput found dead in his house in Mumbai was a veteran. Note: 34-year-old actor committed suicide & found dead at his home in Bandra, Mumbai. He was born on 16th January 1986 in Patna, Bihar. He promoted the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog which was launched on 8th March 2018. 66. Renowned Military personnel.Raj Mohan Vohra passed away recently due to COVID-19. Note: Maha Vir Chakra awardee Lt Gen (retd) Raj Mohan Vohra passed away due to COVID-19. He was a 1971 war hero. Lt Gen Vohra had received the coveted award in 1972. The Maha Vir Chakra is that the country’s second-highest gallantry award. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry within the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air. 67. Renowned Journalist Dinu Ranadive passed away recently. Note: The veteran journalist was born in 1925 at a tribal hamlet at Dahanu near Mumbai, he started his journalistic career in 1956.Ranadive started his career as the founder-editor of Samyukta Maharashtra Patrika in the 1950s. He then did exemplary reporting on the Goa Freedom Struggle in 1961. 101 | P a g e

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68. Malayalam Film Director, Scriptwriter, and Producer K.R. Sachidanandan passed away recently, he was associated with which language films. Note: Malayalam Film director, scriptwriter, and producer K.R. Sachidanandan passed away. His directorial debut was Anarkali in 2015. He had co-scripted numerous movies with Sethu and later began composing solo contents. Sachy was a rehearsing legal advisor at the Kerala High Court. 69. Renowned Economist B.P.R. Vithal passes away recently. Note: He also served as the Secretary, Finance and Planning, government of Andhra Pradesh, from 1972 to 1982.B.P.R. Vithal also worked at the International Monetary Fund as the fiscal adviser to the governments of Malawi and Sudan. He also played an instrumental role in the establishment of Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad. 70. Renowned Army Man Lachhman Singh Lehl passed away recently. Note: Lachhman Singh Lehl took part within the 1948 war in Jhangar area of Jammu and Kashmir as a captain and commanded a division within the 1971 war. He received the Vir Chakra, the third highest gallantry award in India for his role as a forward observer within the 50 Para Brigade. 71. Famous sportsperson Rajinder Goel passed away recently he was associated with Cricket sports. Note: He made his ranji debut in 1957-58 and began his first class careen with Patiala (southern Punjab team).He represented Delhi from 1963 and in 1973 he moved to Haryana 72. Famous Basketball K Raghunath passed away recently, he was associated with which sports. Note: Raghunath represented Indian All-Star team which toured Sri Lanka in 1962. He played for Karnataka with distinction in 1960s He was one of the founding members of the still-popular Beagles Basketball Club. Raghunath’s tryst with basketball began in 1958. 73. Famous sportsperson Pournima Zanane passed away recently, she was associated with Shooting sports. Note: She started as a shooter in Mumbai and represented India in numerous ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships.She holds a national record in the 10 m air rifle event.She started coaching shooters in 2012 and she was the coach of the shooters team of Sri Lanka. 74. Renowned Journalist Vishwa Bandhu Gupta passed away recently. Note: He was the chairman and chief editor of the Tej-Bandhu group of publications, The Weekly Sun, The North-East Sun, Treasure monthly and Flash newspaper.He was the President of All India Newspaper Editors Conference(AINEC) and one of the founding members of the Press Club of India(PCI). 75. Noted Kannada novelist Geetha Nagabhushan passed away. Note: She was the first woman writer to bag Kendra Sahitya Academy and Nadoja awards and serve as the chairperson of Karnataka Sahitya Academy. She had presided over 76th Akhil Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, a prestigious literary fest, held at Gadag in 2020. Important Days 1. World Milk Day 2020 observed every globally on 1st June 2020. Note: June 1 is observed as World Milk Day with the aim to raise awareness about milk and its importance as a global food. Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as global food, World Milk Day is been observed on June 1 each year since 2001. 102 | P a g e

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2. The theme of the Global Day of Parents 2020 celebrated every year on 1st June-- Appreciate all parents throughout the world. Note: United Nations celebrates Global Day of Parents on 1st of June every year to honour all the parents throughout the world. Not only parents rather grandparents and great grandparents are also a part of this day. So Global Day of Parent’s urges upon to show gratitude and due respect to the elderly. 3. World Bicycle Day is celebrated every year on 3rd June. Note: The World Bicycle Day is being celebrated since 2018. The day was declared by the United Nations. The main aim to observe the day is to celebrate uniqueness, versatility and longevity of bicycle.The day is being celebrated as an after effect of Leszek Sibilski’s crusade. Sibilski led campaigns to promote UN resolution for World Bicycle Day. 4. International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed globally every year on 4th June. Note: This day affirms the UN’s commitment to guard the rights of children. This day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the planet who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. The main aim of celebrating today is to spread the notice about the pain and sufferings faced by the victims as children. 5. The theme of the World Environment Day 2020, celebrated every year on June 5 -- Celebrate Biodiversity. Note: This year, in 2020, the day is to be hosted in Colombia in partnership with Germany. The day was hosted by India in 2018. It was then India emphasized on prevention of Plastic pollution. In 2019, the day was hosted by China under the theme “Air Pollution”. 6. Every year June 2nd is celebrated as the International Sex Workers Day. Note: The is celebrated to ensure that the sex workers enjoy the same rights as all the other human beings and tackle the abuse and trafficking problems.More than 100 sex workers occupied the Saint-Nizier Church, Lyon, France On 2nd June 1975 to express their anger on being treated as criminals and their disgraceful living conditions with a banner saying “Our Children do not want their mothers to go to jail” broadcasted their campaign to the world through the media. The gathered were brutally raided by the police on June 10. 7. The International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing 2020 is celebrated on 5th June. Note: The first International Day for the fight against IUU fishing was observed in 2018. In July 2017, The proposal for the day was submitted to the 40th Session of the FAO conference.UN had declared the year 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. 8. World Pest Day or World Pest Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 6th June. Note: The day is observed to raise awareness of how pest management helps preserve the quality of life. The day is initiated by the Chinese Pest Control Association, and co-sponsored by the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers’ Association (FAOPMA), the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), and the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA). 9. United Nations Russian Language Day is celebrated every year on 6th June.

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Note: The Day is celebrated to promote and support Multilingualism and cultural diversity and to celebrate the birthday of the famous Russian poet Alexander Puskin who was born on 6th June 1799. The First UN Russian Language Day was celebrated in 2010. 10. The World Ocean Day is celebrated every year on 8th June. Note: The Day is celebrated to remind people all over the world about the importance of oceans in everyday life. This year, the World Oceans Day is celebrated under the theme ‘Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean’. 11. World Brain Tumor Day 2020 was observed on 8th June. Note: The day is celebrated to improve the care for the patients and to educate the general public about the sufferings and seriousness of brain tumor.The grey ribbon is the international symbol for the solidarity with brain tumor patients. 12. 9th June of Every year is celebrated as the World Accreditation Day. Note: It is an initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation(ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum(IAF) to promote the value of accreditation.The Theme of World Accreditation Day 2020 is “Accreditation: Improving food safety” 13. The World Day against Child Labour is observed every year on 12th June. Note: The theme this year is, “COVID-19 - Protect children from child labour now, more than ever". According to figures available on the United Nations' website, approximately 152 million children have been pushed into child labour. 14. International Albinism Awareness Day is observed every year on 13th June. Note: This day is observed to educate everyone about the rights of people with albinism and celebrate them. The United Nations General Assembly was first perceived this day as a resolution. The theme of the 5th anniversary of International Albinism Awareness Day is "Made To Shine." 15. The World Blood Donor Day is observed on every on 14th June. Note: This day tries to create awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products. This year (2020) the World Blood Donor Day is celebrated under the theme ‘Safe Blood Saves Lives’. 16. Every year, the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is celebrated on 15th June. Note: The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the neglect and abuse of older persons. It also raises awareness of social, cultural, economic and demographic processes that has impacts on elder neglect and abuse.The theme of the ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 is "Lifting up Voices". 17. World Wind Day or Global Wind is observed every year on 15th June. Note: The day is encouraging and raises awareness on wind energy, which is a natural form of energy and also sheds light on all the ways that wind energy helps to shape the energy systems and the way it encourages economic and other growth in the society. Global Wind Day began in Europe in 2007 and globally in 2009. 18. The International Day of Family Remittances is observed every year on 16th June by the United Nations. Note: The day is observed all over the world. The theme of the for the year 2020 is ‘Remittances are a lifeline’.The first International Day of Family Remittances was celebrated in 2015. 19. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020 observed every year on 17th June. The theme of 2020 is Food. Feed.Fibre. – the links between consumption and land. 104 | P a g e

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Note: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17th June every year. The day is observed to spread awareness among people about the cooperation required to combat desertification and the effects of drought. 20. Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed globally every year on 18th June. Note: This day is observed to acknowledge gastronomy as a cultural expression related to nature as well as the cultural diversity of the world. It also reaffirms that each one culture and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development throughout the planet. 21. World Hydrography Day is observed globally every year on 21st June. Note: World Hydrography Day is observed globally on 21st June every year. This day was adopted by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) as an annual celebration to publicise the work of hydrographers and the importance of hydrography. World Hydrography Day 2020 theme is “Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies”. 22. World Music Day is observed globally every year on 21st June. Note: Over 120 countries celebration World Music Day by organizing free public concerts in parks, streets, stations, museums and other such public places. The aim of celebrating World Music Day is to provide free music to everyone, and also to encourage amateur musicians to showcase their work to the world. 23. The theme of the International Day of Yoga 2020 -- Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home. Note: Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.The theme of International Day of Yoga 2020 is “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home”. 24. The United Nations Public Service Day is observed globally every year 23rd June. Note: This day is widely known by various public service organisations and departments around the world by organising several events to recognise the role of public servants in making developments and improvements in the community.On 20 December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated 23 June per annum to watch as United Nations Public Service Day. 25. The International Widows Day is observed globally every year on 23rd June. Note: The day is widely known to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that they have. Several women around the world after losing her life partner faces challenges and do long-term struggle for basic needs, their human right and dignity. 26. The theme of Day of the Seafarer, 2020 celebrated every year on 25th June -- Seafarers are Key Workers. Note: The Day of the Seafarer was first celebrated in 2011, following its establishment by a resolution adopted by the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, held in Manila, Philippines, in 2010. The Day of the Seafarer has now been included in the annual list of United Nations Observances. 27. The theme of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020 observed every year globally on 26th June -- Better Knowledge for Better Care. Note: For countering the impact that drug has on our societies, it is important that cross border cooperation increases among countries across the globe. This will help in restricting the negative effects 105 | P a g e

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of many kinds of misinformation that has caused challenges for the authorities involved in addressing the drug problem. 28. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed every year on 26th June. Note: This day is observed by the United Nations to raise awareness among the people about the human torture that it is not only unacceptable but it is also a crime. It’s to be remembered that pain or suffering caused by legal penalty isn’t considered as torture. On 26 June 1998, the primary International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was held. 29. National Statistics Day 2020’ celebrated every year on 29th June. Note: The National Statistics Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of PC Mahalanobis, often referred to as the 'father of Indian statistics.On June 29, 2006, the first Statistics Day was observed. "Good Health and Well Being and Gender Equality", is the theme for National Statistics Day 2020. 30. The UN’s International Day of Parliamentarism is observed globally every year on 30th June. Note: It is also a chance for parliaments to spot challenges and stock ways to deal with them effectively.The Day was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution. This day also acknowledges the formation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the global organization of parliaments which was established in 1889. 31. International Asteroid Day is observed globally every year on 30th June. Note: The day is widely known to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard and to tell the public about the crisis communication actions to be taken at the worldwide level just in case of a credible near-Earth object threat. Several events are organized everywhere in the world to teach people about asteroids New Appointments 62. Anita Kotwani has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Media Agency, Carat India. Note: She was earlier serving as the senior vice president, new business and client lead, for The Walt Disney business at Mindshare India.Taking over the new role of CEO, Anita Kotwani will work towards Carat India’s strategic progress and business growth nationally. 63. PR Jaishankar has been appointed as the as the Managing Director (MD) of the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) for 3 years. Note: He will serve as the MD of IIFCL for a period of 3 years. He has earlier served as the executive director of the National Housing Bank. The appointment comes after the recommendation of PS Jaishankar by the Bank Boards Bureau (BBB) on March 15, 2020. 64. Arun Singhal has been appointed as the chief executive officer of India’s apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Note: Singhal is special secretary, department of health and family welfare. The food regulator, that comes under the purview of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is responsible for setting up standards for the food industry and regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of foods. 65. TV Mohandas Pai has been appointed as the chairman of the advisory committee on service providers by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).

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Note: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) reorganised its advisory committee on service providers. The appointments of the Insolvency Professionals(IPs) as administrators are provided by the Security and Exchange Board of India Regulations. 2018. 66. Rajnath Singh will chair the committee constituted by the PM Narendra Modi to solve the difficulties faced in the implementation of Rs.3 Lakh crore collateral-free loan for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MSME). Note: The borrowers can borrow from the financial institutions without any asset or pledge collateral under this scheme.The units with Rs.25 Crore outstanding credit and Rs 100 crore turnover are eligible for the loan.It is for 4-year tenure with interest rates capped according to the Finance Ministry and the moratorium will be for 12 months. 67. Subramanian Sundar has been re-appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB). Note: This was the second extension given to Mr. Sundar, earlier as the MD and CEO (interim) from January 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020.His tenure was again extended from May 31, 2020 to November 30, 2020 or till the appointment of new CEO. 68. Uday Kotak has assumed office as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2020- 21. Note: T V Narendran, CEO and managing director of Tata Steel Limited, is now the president designate of CII for 2020-21.Sanjiv Bajaj takes over as CII vice president for 2020-21. He is the chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finserv Limited. 69. Krishnendu Majumdar has been named as the new chairman of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Note: He is the first person of colour to be named as the chairperson of BAFTA in its 73 year-long histories of BAFTA. He will replace Pippa Harris. Harris will now continue as deputy chairperson 70. Virendra Nath Datt has been appointed as the Chairman & Managing Director of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL). Note: National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) is a state-owned Miniratna (Cat-1) company and producer of chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers and industrial chemicals. Prior to joining NFL, he was Executive Director in GAIL (India) Limited. He also had a 10-year stint with ONGC before joining GAIL in 1995 71. Rajeev Topno has been appointed as the senior advisor to the World Bank Executive Director. Note: He is the 1996 batch IAS officer who has served as a key aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Topno had joined the Prime Minister’s Office as a deputy secretary in 2009 when Manmohan Singh had just started his second term 72. Brajendra Navnit has been appointed as the ambassador to the Permanent Mission for India (PMI) at the WTO in Geneva. Note: Navnit, a 1999-batch officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, will replace JS Deepak as the ambassador to the Permanent Mission for India (PMI) at the WTO in Geneva.The appointments come at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the global economy into its worst recession since the Great Depression in 1930s and ravaged world trade. The WTO has already warned of a massive 13-32% contraction in global trade in 2020. 107 | P a g e

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73. Manushi Chhillar has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Adidas to join Indian star Batsman Rohit Sharma and sprinter Hima Das. Note: Chhillar becomes Adidas’s forerunner in their mission to inspire women to embrace fitness and to create a beneficial social impact through sports. She supports the #HOMETEAMHERO challenge of Adidas to stay physically and mentally fit in the lockdown due to COVID-19 and use sports as a platform to inspire and encourage the women and children to take up sports. 74. Ashok Dalwani has been appointed as the chairman of the rearranged Commodity derivatives advisory committee of SEBI. Note: The 17 members committee examines issues related to the contract design and new products in the segment and recommend the required risk management system and regulatory framework of commodity derivatives and governance of commodities derivatives exchange 75. Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the first ever brand ambassador of the IIFL Finance. Note: IIFL finance is one of the leading Non-Banking Finance Companies of India which manages over Rs. 36,000 crore assets.Rohit managed the first campaign by IIFL Finance, IMG Reliance promoting and advertising the people on Safety guidelines and rules that must be followed in the COVID-19 situation. 76. Nethra has been appointed as ‘Goodwill Ambassador to the Poor’ of the United Nations Association for Development And Peace (UNADAP). Note: She was recognised for her role in feeding the poor during the COVID-19 lockdown by her father C. Mohan, a salon owner by convincing him to give Five Lakh rupees that he had been saving for her education since 2013.Nethra will speak at the United Nations (UN) conferences in New York and in Geneva addressing Civil Society forums and conferences. She was awarded a Dixon Scholarship amounting to Rs 1 Lakh. 77. G Kishan Reddy has been appointed as the chairman of the committee for the welfare of the freedom fighters reconstituted by the union ministry of home affairs. Note: This panel will verify if someone has given affidavits to two or more applicant and also examine the demands to build memorials and museums for freedom fighters. 78. Pankaj Tripathi has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Patna’s Khadi Mall by the Government of Bihar. Note: Tripathi mentioned that he would not take any salary for this role.The Khadi Mall in Patna is India’s first ever Kadhi mall inaugurated by Nitish Kumra, Chief Minister of Bihar in November 2019. 79. The Reserve Bank of India has approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as Executive Director of HDFC Bank for a period of three years. Note: Bharucha's re-appointment is subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Bank. In his current position, Bharucha is responsible for wholesale banking covering areas of corporate banking, emerging corporate group, business banking, capital markets and commodities business, agri lending, among others. 80. Imtaiyazur Rahman has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of UTI Asset Management Company (AMC).

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Note: Two years ago he was appointed as the acting CEO of UTI. Rehman was the internal candidate for the position which fell vacant after Leo Puri completed his five-year term in August, 2018. He joined the UTI Group in 1998 and is with the AMC since 2003. 81. Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta has taken charges as the Chief of Staff of Eastern Naval Command (ENC). Note: He replaced Vice Admiral S.N Ghormade, who has been appointed as Controller Personnel Services at the Integrated Headquarters, New Delhi. Mr Dasgupta was an alumnus of the NDA and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1985. 82. Kubatbek Boronov has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Note: He succeeded Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziyev who resigned on June 15 following accusations of corruption. Kyrgyzstan’s parliament approved the candidacy of Kubatbek Boronov with 105 votes out of 116. 83. Pralay Mondal has been appointed as the President of CSB Bank Limited. Note: He has around 30 years of banking experience across multiple business and functions including retail assets, retail liabilities, business banking, products and technology. Before joining Axis Bank, Mr. Mondal was the Senior Group President and Head of Retail and Business Banking at Yes Bank. 84. Volkan Bozkir has been elected president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. Note: Turkish’s diplomat Volkan Bozkir has been elected president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. The 75th session of the UN General Assembly begins in September 2020.Bozkir won the unanimous support of the 178 UN members. He will take over from Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the present General Assembly president. A General Assembly president has a one-year term. 85. Indian American Sethuraman Panchanathan has been appointed as the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) by the US senate. Note: He will replace France Cordova, whose six-year term ended in March, as the 15th director of the NSF. He is expected to take office on July 6. Panchanathan is the second Indian-American ever to be nominated to the prestigious science position with the first being Dr Subra Suresh who served from October 2010 to March 2013. 86. Saurav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri has been appointed as the brand ambassador of JSW cement. Note: JSW Cement has signed Sourav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors. The cement brand has also launched a new multi-media marketing campaign “Leader’s Choice” which includes both sports icons. The multi-media marketing campaign “Leader’s Choice” of JSW Cement promotes the ideology of building a solid foundation for a better tomorrow. 87. Urjit Patel has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). Note: The appointment of the Urjit Patel has been made for a period of four years. He will be replacing the outgoing chairman Vijay Kelkar. Urjit Patel has earlier served as the Governor as well as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He resigned as the Governor of RBI in December 2018. 88. Nirakar Pradhan has appointed as new as the Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) of its new India office. 109 | P a g e

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Note: Pradhan has led teams at State Bank of India and Generali Group in India and Europe. PRMIA is a non-profit led by top professionals dedicated to promoting best practices in risk management. 89. Natarajan Chandrasekaran has been re-nominated as a Part-Time Non-Official Director on RBI Central board for 2 years. Note: The government had 1st nominated him as the Director on RBI Central board for 4 years from March 4, 2016. The Natarajan Chandrasekaran joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in 1987, he became its Chief Executive Officer from 2009-17 , prior to which he was Chief Operating Officer (COO) and executive director of TCS. 90. Wasim Jaffer has been appointed as head coach of the Uttarakhand Ranji team for the upcoming season. Note: The highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy, Jaffer had announced retirement in March this year after playing for over two decades, primarily for domestic giants Mumbai and Vidarbha.This will be his first stint as a head coach with a team. 91. T Rabi Sankar has been appointed as the chairman of the Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS). Note: IFTAS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India. T Rabi Sankar, currently serving as Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India for Payment Systems, Information Technology, Risk Management and Fintech has taken over concurrent charge, ex officio, as the Chairman of IFTAS. 92. Clare Connor has been named as the first female president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in its 233 year-old history. Note: Connor is the current England and Wales Cricket Board’s managing director of women’s cricket. The 43-year-old will take up the post on 1 October 2021.Current president, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, has been offered to stay in the role for a second tenure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 93. IAS Vini Mahajan becomes 1st woman chief secretary of Punjab state. Note: She will replace Karan Avtar Singh, who has now been posted as Special Chief Secretary, Governance Reforms and Public Grievances. While Karan Avtar Singh was set to retire on August 31, Mahajan has succeeded him two months prior to that. 94. Micheal Martin has been elected as new Prime Minister of Ireland. Note: There are altogether 160 seats within the current lower house of Irish parliament with one seat getting to the speaker of the house who wasn’t involved within the vote. Micheal Martin has won the election by receiving 93 votes in favour, 63 votes against and 3 votes in abstention. He has been the leader of the Fianna Fáil party since 2011. 95. UP Governor, Anandiben Patel has taken additional charges as the governor of Madhya Pradesh. Note: Lal Ji Tandon, the Governor of Madhya Pradesh has been under treatment at a private hospital in Lucknow since 11th June 2020. Ms. Patel served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh before Mr. Tandon took over last year. 96. Lazarus Chakwera was elected as the new President of Mali after the annulment of the results of the 2019 Presidential Elections following evidence of irregularities.

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Note: Lazarus Chakwera was elected as the new President of Malawi after winning 2,604,043 votes, which is 59.34 percent of the total valid votes. 2019 Presidential Election winner Peter Mutharika secured 39.92 percent of the total valid votes in the 2020 Presidential Elections. Important News – India 143. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a video blogging competition my 'My Life, My Yoga' which is a joint by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Ministry of AYUSH. Note: The 'My Life, My Yoga' contest (also called 'Jeevan Yoga) is a joint effort by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).It focuses on the transformative impact of Yoga on the lives of individuals and it comes as one of the activities related to the observation of the sixth International Day of Yoga (IDY) coming up on June 21. 144. Union Ministry of Labour and Employment in partnership with TCS iON offers free online career skills training through the National Career Service (NCS) project. Note: The Ministry of Labours announced that around 1 crore job seekers and 54000 employers have registered with this portal and the NCS portal has mobilized more than 73 lakh vacancies In the period of lockdown due to COVID-19 the NCS has conducted around 76 online Job fairs to reduce the gap between the employers and job seekers.NCS in partnership with HireMee, online assessment and hiring service provider, offers creation of video profiles for job-seekers. 145. India’s apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) comes under the purview of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Note: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Arun Singhal as chief executive officer of India’s apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Singhal is special secretary, department of health and family welfare. 146. The Union Govt has announced Minimum Support Price List in which how many Minor Forest produce have been included 23. Note: Tribal Affairs has notified an Inclusion of 23 additional Minor Forest Produce (MFP) items and stipulation of their Minimum Support Price (MSP).This announcement was made under Central government-sponsored Scheme (2011) titled “Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through MSP and development of value chain of MFP”. 147. CHAMPIONS platform has been launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the smaller MSMEs by solving their grievances, encouraging and supporting them to march into the big league as national and global companies. Note: The portal aims to make smaller units big by supporting them, encouraging, solving their grievances, helping and handholding. It will act as one-stop shop solution of all entities of the MSME sector. 148. PM-SAVNidhi has been launched by the union government for to provide affordable loans to street vendors. Note: The PM SVANidhi or PM Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi is a credit facility scheme that will help more than 50 lakh urban and rural street vendors. The scheme will help the street vendors restart their livelihoods.Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 of credit is to be provided to street vendors. The street vendors shall return the amount as monthly installments within a year. 111 | P a g e

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149. DRDO has developed a disinfection unit called Ultra Swachh. Note: The Ultra Swachh Unit houses a catalytic converter that makes it environment friendly. It also holds several safety features such as door interlocks, emergency shut down, delay cycle, dual doors, leak monitors, etc.The system complies to International Standards of Industrial, Personal, Occupations and Environmental Safety. 150. Indian Energy Exchange has launched Real Time Electricity Market (RTM) to help discoms plan their power requirements. Note: The market will conduct 48 auction sessions during the day and the power will be delivered within one hour of closure of the bid session. The market, thus, will help distribution companies manage their power demand-supply variation. It will also help meet power supply needs in a better way. 151. The Government has announced that it is to provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 1.5 crore Dairy Farmers. Note: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in association with the Department of Financial Services has issued KCC application format to all State Milk Federation and Milk Unions for implementing the same on a mission mode.The campaign aims to provide KCC to 1.5 crore dairy farmers.The campaign is a part of the PM's Atma Nirbhar Bharat package for Farmers. 152. “Responsible AI for Youth” which will be run jointly by National e-Governance Division of Ministry of Electronics and IT and NASSCOM. Note: Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology(IT), Law and Justice and Communications Ravi Shankar Prasad launched India’s National Artificial Intelligence(AI) Portal called www.ai.gov.in.He also launched a National Program for the youth, “Responsible AI for Youth” during the occasion of the first anniversary of the second tenure of the government. 153. NASSCOM has provide an end-to-end coronavirus tracking platform for Karnataka, called the Karnataka Listening Dashboard for COVID-19. Note: As part of the launch, NASSCOM has provided the 1st set of dashboards to state government’s use and will add more soon.The analytics-driven platform is to assist state governments in sustainable industry recovery & helps them make informed decisions to reopen their economies in a phased manner across the state. 154. The Expert Committee on Rationalization of Film Media has submitted its report recently, the committee is operating under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Note: The committee has suggested for an umbrella configuration with four broad verticals under which the institutes should work. This includes festival, production, heritage and knowledge. The verticals are to be headed by the professionals.The committee was headed by Bimal Julka. 155. Nisarga has been given to the fast-moving depression in the Arabian Sea which intensified into a severe cyclone. Note: As per the India Meteorological Department, the impact of the cyclone is likely to be felt in Maharashtra and Gujarat.There is a concern about the impact of the cyclonic storm on the battle against Covid-19, as the rain and flooding may set back social distancing and other necessary measures at evacuation centres, and even at some Covid-19 facilities located in low-lying areas.

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156. The expert panel constituted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under Ishaat Hussain has recommended to allow Non-profit Organizations. Note: Allowing non-profit organisations to directly list through issuance of bonds in the form of zero coupon or zero principal bonds.Zero-coupon bond is a debt security that does not pay interest but instead trades at a deep discount, drawing a profit at maturity, when the bond is redeemed for its full face value. This would help to access funds from donors, philanthropic foundations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spenders as they will be encouraged to buy zero coupon bonds. 157. 25% percent of incentive has been announced on capital expenditure in the recently launched “Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS)” scheme. Note: The schemes were approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2020.he Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) will provide incentive of 25% on the capital expenditure. This is extended to certain identified lists such as semiconductor devices, electronic goods, display fabrication units, etc. 158. To foster the inclusion of LGBTQAI+ employees of Mahindra Logistics Ltd. has launched a five-year plan which aims at hiring queer people and extending benefits to same-sex partners. Note: The company’s definition of compassionate leave — which can be availed for four days by an employee in case of death of an immediate family member — will be extended to same-sex partners, under the new policy. To make the workplace more inclusive for queer employees, MLL will offer LGBTQAI+ staff counselling services on request, for them and three immediate family members, which includes their partner. 159. The union cabinet has approved to re-establish the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy as Subordinate Office under Ministry of AYUSH. Note: The commission has been set up by merging Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine and Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory. The two central laboratories were established at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh in 1975.The commission is an autonomous body that operates under Ministry of AYUSH. It is in operation since 2010 160. TULIP progmmme has been launched by the union government to provide internship opportunities to thousands of fresh graduates and engineers of the county under the ‘Smart City’ projects. Note: The TULIP portal has been developed by AICTE. Under the internship programme students will get to work for 100 smart cities under ministry of housing and urban development. 161. SWADESH initiative has been launched by the Government of India to map the skills of workers returning to India from overseas under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’. Note: The full form of SWADESH is “Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support”. The exercise, kick-started under the Vande Bharat Mission, aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skillsets and experience, which can be tapped into to fulfil demand of Indian and foreign companies. 162. Nagar Van scheme has been launched by the government to develop urban forests across the country. Note: Stressing on the substance theme of “Biodiversity” by the United Nation’s Environment Programme (UNEP), The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change celebrated the day by announcing the 113 | P a g e

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initiative of urban forests in India. Urban forest are seemingly the best way to bridge the gap of climate change. 163. Researchers at IIT Hyderabad have developed a low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19. Note: These kits can give results in about 20 minutes.The test kits have already been tried at the ESIC hospital and the results are encouraging. The test kits are Reverse Tranion Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)-free and get rid of many processes. 164. Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati has developed an artificial intelligence-based computer diagnosis framework for rapid and accurate diagnosis of oral cancers. Note: The framework developed by the research group at the Central Computational and Numerical Sciences Division, IASST led by Dr. Lipi B Mahanta, will also help grading of oral squamous cell carcinoma. An indigenous dataset was developed by the scientists through collaborations to make for the unavailability of any benchmark oral cancer dataset for the study. 165. ARCI, Hyderabad institution developed a rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material that can be effectively used for cancer treatment. Note: A magnetocaloric materials is a substance in which application and removal of a magnetic field causes the materials to become warmer or cooler.A paper on the research work has been published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds. ARCI is an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST). 166. India’s rank in the recently released 12th edition of the biennial Environment Performance Index (EPI Index 2020) released by the Yale University -- 168th. Note: The Yale University recently released the biennial Environment Performance Index. In 2018, India scored 27.6 out of 100 and secured 177th rank. Around 32 indicators were considered to create the ranking. 167. Jaya Jaitly will chair the task force constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GoI to work on the issues of women and child development. Note: The task force will examine the matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering MMR, improvement of nutritional levels and related issues. The Task Force will be provided secretarial assistance by the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog and will submit its report by 31st July, 2020. 168. The ISRO has signed an agreement with Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) for cooperation in the field of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Astrophysics. Note: The main objective of the MoU is to shield the Indian Space assets from the space debris’s conjunction threats and R&D of Astrophysics, solar sciences and space environment are the base for future space exploration projects and the key to progress in the Indian Space sector. 169. CSIR institution has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to promote innovation in the country. Note: The main focus of the agreement is supporting world class start-ups through CSIR Incubators under AIM initiatives and jointly work on new models of innovation, including setting up of CSIR Innovation Parks 114 | P a g e

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170. Adani Green Energy Limited has won one of world’s largest solar contract from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to develop 8 GW of solar projects. Note: Based on the award agreement the 8 GW of solar development projects will be implemented over the next five years. The first 2 GW of generation capacity will come online by 2022 and the subsequent 6 GW capacity will be added in 2 GW annual increments through 2025. 171. Digital learning platform TCS iON has partnered with the NSDC to provide its training partners access to the Digital Class Room. Note: The partnership will strengthen NSDC’s online content aggregation platform-- eSkill India--through which it enables e-learning amongst skill seekers and will contribute towards strengthening the Skill India mission. 172. Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) has developed Nano-Technology based disinfectant spray ANANYA to fight against COVID-19. Note: The spray has been prepared based on Nano-Technology assisted formulation. It will not only stop COVID-19 from entering the body but will also kill the virus that comes in direct contact. 173. IIT Bombay maintains its position as the top institution in India in the QS World University rankings 2021 released recently. Note: IIT-Bombay still maintains its position as the top institution in India in the QS rankings, but has slipped 20 places from 152 to 172 in the global list. IISc overtook IIT Delhi to make it to the second place, but still dropped a rank to 185. IIT Delhi fell more than 10 places in the rankings to 193 rank, while IIT Madras is at 275. Both IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur crashed out of the top 300. 174. A Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Complex was inaugurated in Vishakhapatnam. Note:Equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities, the complex is designed to accommodate the newly inducted submarine rescue system and store the DSRV assets in the rescue-ready state.The DSRV system consists of a submarine rescue vessel, a remote operations vehicle and side scan sonar and associated equipment. 175. IIT-BHU has developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask that an annihilate pathogenic microorganisms. Note: This face mask can annihilate pathogenic microorganisms that are stuck to its outer surface and thereby limit the spread of secondary infections. The mask that is available in the market currently acts as a filter to stop the entry of microbes to oral and nasal airways but does not have any effect on the microbe stuck to the mask surface. 176. The Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW) has allocated Rs. 4000 crores to the state governments for the year 2020-21 for implementing Per Drop More Crop. Note: For further allotment of funds, State Governments have identified the beneficiaries to be covered under the programme. This scheme was formulated on July 1, 2015 with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore in five years for extending the water coverage for irrigation under focusing “Har Khet ko pani” and improving water use efficiency aiming at “More crop per drop”. 177. The National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) Nangal. 115 | P a g e

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Note: Under the MoU, ITI’s 12 trades will be taught in the NFL & the theory will be studied at ITI Nangal. The MoU was exchanged between Ms Renu R P Singh DGM (HR) I/c, NFL Nangal unit and Sh Lalit Mohan, Principal of ITI, Nangal. 178. Infosys has announced to launch of 'Summer of Ideas' initiative for university students worldwide, an online learning programme. Note: The global eight-week ideathon, powered by Infosys' digital learning platform Wingspan, will help the global student and academic community overcome the loss of learning opportunities as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19.The initiative will allow students access to Infosys mentorship and specially curated learning materials virtually. 179. India’s rank in the recently compiled by Nature Research, a division of the international scientific publishing company ‘Springer Nature’ -- 12th. Note: The top five positions have gone to the United States of America, China, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan. The Nature Index is a database of author affiliation information collated from research articles published in an independently selected group of 82 high-quality science journals. 180. As per the “26th Annual Cost of Living Survey 2020” released by Mercer Indian city Mumbai is the most expensive city in India. Note: Mercer released its 26th Annual Cost of Living Survey 2020. From India, Mumbai city has been ranked 60th most expensive city globally and also 19th in Asia. 181. IIT Bombay has emerged as the top institutions in the list of ‘overall ranking’ category in the 5th NIRF Ranking 2020. Note: The rankings are being announced for India’s best universities and institutions in 10 categories namely- Overall, Universities, Engineering, Colleges, Management, Pharmacy, Medical, Dental Architecture, and Law. 182. Name the AI enabled robot launched by Indian Railway to intensify the screening and surveillance of railway passengers and railway staff -- ARJUN. Note: The full form of ARJUN is ‘Always be Responsible and Just Use to be Nice’.This innovation will help Indian Railways to modernise its security measures at the time of covid-19. 183. Name the National Healthcare Supply Chain Portal launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies _-- Aarogyapath. Note: This national healthcare supply chain portal will remove supply chain bottlenecks during the Covid- 19 pandemic. The vision of this initiative is to set up an information management and forecasting database platform at national level. 184. DRDO has developed a sanitizing chamber named ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise uniforms of security forces. Note: DRDO’s move came after Delhi Police gave their requirement for sanitizing their uniforms, canes, cane shields, helmets. This chamber is designed to sanitise 25 pairs of uniforms within 15 minutes.The sanitizing chamber has been set up at Parliament Street Police Station. 185. Construction company NHAI has become the first of its kind in the construction sector to go fully digital. Note: With the launch of cloud-based and artificial intelligence-powered big data analytics platform Data Lake and Project Management Software, the entire project management workflow of NHAI has been 116 | P a g e

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transformed from manual to the online portal based. All project documentation, contractual decisions and approvals are now being done through the portal only. 186. IIT Kharagpur has developed an Artificial Intelligence-based cyber-physical system to monitor social distancing in public places. Note: The device will play a proximity alert sound through audio output, whenever any violation will occur.It captures images of the field view and computes the distance as per criteria set by the government. 187. An Integrated Flood Warning System (IFLOWS) has been launched for Mumbai. Note: Named as 'Boon' and developed for Mumbai it will help the people in a "big way" as it can predict floods.The system was developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 188. According to “Poonam Avlokkan” survey the population of the Asiatic lion at the Gir sanctuary grew by approximately 29 per cent. Note: The Gujarat Forest Department has recently announced that the number of Asiatic lions in the state has gone up till 674 from 523 that were reported in a Lion Census done five years ago. Which shows almost 29 per cent increase in the population. 189. The 40th GST council meet was held recently virtually, who is the chairperson of the GST council -- Union Finance Minister. Note: Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the virtual 40th GST Council Meeting. The key outcome of this meet was further relief on late fee and interest payable on late payments as a part of compliance burden of businesses. This was the first meeting after COVID-19 breakout in India. 190. Uday Kotak will chair the advisory committee formed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) on Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation process. Note: The new 14-member committee, formed in August 2017, will be chaired by Uday Kotak, the Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank.It will suggest and provide professional support on a request from the IBBI or on its own volition on any matter with respect to the Corporate Insolvency resolution and liquidation dealt with by the Board under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. 191. Construction company NHAI has become the first of its kind in the construction sector to go fully digital. Note: With the launch of cloud-based and artificial intelligence-powered big data analytics platform Data Lake and Project Management Software, the entire project management workflow of NHAI has been transformed from manual to the online portal based. All project documentation, contractual decisions and approvals are now being done through the portal only. 192. IIT Kharagpur has developed an Artificial Intelligence-based cyber-physical system to monitor social distancing in public places. Note: The device will play a proximity alert sound through audio output, whenever any violation will occur. It captures images of the field view and computes the distance as per criteria set by the government. The system has been successfully tested by installing three prototypes of the device within the IIT- Kharagpur campus

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193. GermiBAN device launched by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy that kills viruses & other germs by sterilising, sanitising & disinfecting in large areas. Note: The device has been developed by Atal Incubation Centre & Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India (ALEAP) Women Entrepreneurs (WE) HUB. The recently launched device has the capability of killing 99.9% of surface and air microbes. 194. India’s rank in the annual World Competitiveness Index 2020 compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD) --- 43rd. Note: In 2019, India was at the 43rd ranking. Since 1989, India had ranked 41st in the World Competitiveness Ranking. However, it slipped to 45th rank in 2017 and secured 44th in 2018. 195. According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2020, India’s position as nuclear weapons holder in the world -- 6th. Note: However, India’s overall possession of nuclear weapons is less than half of Beijing’s and also slightly lower than what Pakistan possesses.The number of nuclear warheads in the Indian arsenal pegged at 150 in comparison to the 2019 report (on the basis of 2018) when India had 130-140.On the other hand, China’s nuclear arsenal calculated at 320 as compared to 290 of SIPRI’s 2019 report while Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal remained constant at 160 in comparison to 2019’s 150-160. 196. IIT Hyderabad has developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered COVID-19 test, which can be performed at an affordable cost. Note: The test kit can produce results in around 20 minutes for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The test kit has already been field-tested at ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad to ascertain its efficiency. It can be transported quickly, enabling the test to be conducted at the p oint-of-care. 197. Integrated Flood Warning System (IFLOWS) has been launched for Mumbai City. Note: Named as 'Boon' and developed for Mumbai it will help the people in a "big way" as it can predict floods. The system was developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The device will be very useful, especially if people need to be evacuated from low-lying areas. 198. Mumbai Municipal Corporation has launched a mobile application “Air-Venti” to provide information on ICU beds, ventilators. Note: Octaware Technologies Limited, in partnership with Probity Soft Pvt Ltd, has developed this mobile application for MCGM and therefore the data regarding the ICU beds and Ventilators vacant status. The mobile app ‘Air-Venti’ launched by the civic body in Mumbai aims to supply overall statistics of ICU beds and ventilators that are occupied and vacant in both govt and private hospitals besides location map, ability to contact hospital through telephonic call and email is additionally available. 199. Prime Minister Narendra Modi going to launch a massive rural public works scheme, Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan in Six states of India. Note: The campaign aims to provide livelihood opportunities to the returnee migrant workers and rural citizens.The campaign of 125 days will be implemented on mission mode. It will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of works to provide employment to the migrant workers and create infrastructure in the rural regions of the country. The scheme entails a resource envelope of 50 thousand crore rupees. 118 | P a g e

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200. IT company TCS has partnered with IBM to co-develop to accelerate digital and cognitive enterprise transformation. Note: As part of the tie up, TCS will establish an IBM Enterprise Cloud Architecture Unit, which will include technical professionals from both companies. TCS and IBM plan to co-develop solutions designed to help clients migrate workloads across applications, analytics, data estate and platforms. 201. Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)” has been inaugurated in Ranchi. Note: The centre was inaugurated by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot, and Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda. This is the 21st Composite Regional Centre (CRC) which will serve to fulfil the needs of Persons with Disabilities in Jharkhand. 202. Amitabh Kant will lead the high-powered committee of top executives of technology companies formed by NITI Aayog to develop a job platform for migrant labours who lost their job during lock down. Note: The committee will look into technology-based measures to address the issue related to migrant laborers.The platform, which will use technology with public and private participation, will connect job seekers, employers, overnment agencies, skill centers and external partners who are using new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). 203. India’s first nationwide online delivery-based natural gas trading platform, “Indian Gas Exchange (IGX)” has been launched with headquartered in New Delhi. Note: It has been launched on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to provide clean, affordable, sustainable and equitable supply of energy to every citizen.Notably, IGX will work as a wholly owned subsidiary of the India Energy Exchange (IEX), which is India’s energy market platform. IGX is headed by Rajiv Srivastava as its Director. 204. Two Indian Startups Stellapps and Zestmoney were featured in the List of Technology Pioneers of 2020, released by the World Economic Forum(WEF). Note: The List includes the pioneers focusing on carbon capture, alternative meat, circular economies, food security and financial access. More than 25 industries in the list are led by females which is twice the industry average. 205. Indian Railways’ Central Railway zone has installed 1st of its kind an Automated Ticket Checking & Managing Access (ATMA) machine at Nagpur station. Note: The machine has been introduced at the station under the New, Innovative Non Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS) policy to prevent transmission of COVID-19. This is an Innovative Earning Contract, implemented by Nagar(NGP) Central Railways(CR) for the prevention of COVID-19. ATMA ensures safety for passengers & railway staff as it adheres to social distancing norms. 206. FICCI has been managing the Indian Pavilion at Cannes Film Market 2020 on behalf of the GoI at Cannes. Note: The e-inauguration of the Virtual India Pavilion at Cannes Film Market 2020 was done by Minister of Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar. He also unveiled the booklet and poster of the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28, 2020 in Goa. 207. chartered accountancy firm has been appointed to audit PM Cares Fund -- SARC & Associates. 119 | P a g e

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Note: The appointment is significant because critics have questioned the rationale for a fund other than the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for relief work and have also sought more transparency about the usage of monies from the Fund. 208. Researchers at IIT Bombay has created a chip named ‘Dhruva’ that can be mounted in smartphones and navigation devices to find places and routes within the country. Note: The radio frequency receiver chip was designed in 18 months by students and researchers at IIT Bombay. It can receive in multiple frequency bands and handle weak signals.Besides, it can be converted into digital bits and processed by any standard digital signal processor (DSP) to determine one’s location precisely. 209. A Five-day Virtual Healthcare & Hygiene Expo was organized by industry bodies FICCI. Note: The event is to create a self-reliant ecosystem in the Pharmaceuticals and Health & Hygiene Sector by ramping up domestic production. In our resolute fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, this sector has a greater significance. 210. For reducing the carbon dioxide emission caused due to transportation in the country, NITI Aayog will launch the project ‘Decarbonising Transport in India’ in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF). Note: India’s Decarbonising Transport initiative is a part of the DTEE project. DTEE stands for Decarbonising Transport in Emerging Economies. DTEE is a project of ITF under which apart from India, currently Argentina, Morocco, and Azerbaijan are the participants. 211. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA)’ via video conference from Khagaria district of Bihar. Note: The outlay of this campaign is Rs 50,000 Crores and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is the nodal Ministry for its implementation.GKRA, the mission mode campaign of 125 days will cover 116 districts comprising more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers each across 6 states viz. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha. 212. Maharatna company Coal India Limited has entered into the partnership with NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), to actively support the key innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives across India. Note: The tie up will help the talented youth of our country to develop great innovations that have not developed or fallen short and thus enable them to have a AtmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).This will also create employment at the local level in the coming years 213. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) India has partnered with IIT Delhi to support state and national governments in achieving food and nutrition security. Note: The overall objective of this partnership is to use advanced analytics and operations research to develop practical solutions that support long term strategic planning of procurement, storage, and movement of food grains by agencies such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI).It also focuses on to create cost-effective supply chain networks for distribution of food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) at the state level.

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214. What is the budget outlay for the recently approved Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) by the Union Cabinet -- 15,000 crore. Note: The aim of setting up AHIDF is to unlock private sector investments in the animal husbandry sector. Through the fund, Infrastructural developments will be promoted in dairy, animal feed, and meat processing plants. As per Government estimate, the fund will help in creating up to 35 lakh jobs across the country. 215. The Union Cabinet has approved the declaration of the Kushinagar Airport as an international airport, it is located in Uttar Pradesh. Note: Khushinagar is a Buddhist pilgrimage town where Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. The move will provide a much-needed boost to the tourism sector of the country in the post-COVID-19 world as International connectivity will increase number of foreign and as well as domestic tourists. 216. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved additional investment of USD 121.27 million by ONGC Videsh Ltd. in Shwe oil and gas project located in Myanmar. Note: OVL, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), had picked up a stake in the Shwe Project in Myanmar in 2002. The firm has invested USD 722 million in the project till March 31, 2019.The first gas from the Shwe Project was received in July 2013 and plateau production was reached in December 2014. 217. Nitin Gadkari launched the scheme ‘Distressed Assets Fund- Sub- Ordinate Debt for MSMEs’ announced as part of AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package by GoI. Note: The scheme is also called as Distressed Assets Fund- Sub- Ordinate Debt for MSMEs.This scheme was announced as a part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package by Finance Minister. 218. As per the data released by the United States (US) Treasury Department what is India’s position as a holder of US government securities -- 12th. Note: Notably, the holding touched a record high of $177.5 billion in February, 2020 which was drastically reduced in March. The country with maximum exposure to US government securities is Japan at US$1.266 trillion followed by China and the United Kingdom (UK) at the second and third positions, respectively at the end of April 2020. 219. Adani Power Ltd will acquire US-based The AES Corporation's 49 per cent equity stake in Odisha Power Generation Corporation. Note: Adani Power Ltd (APL) has signed an agreement to acquire the 49% of stake (a total of 89,30,237 equity shares) in Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) from the affiliates of the US-based global energy company, AES Corporation(AES) for USD 135 million (around Rs 1,019 crore).The remaining 51% stake in OPGC is held by the Government of Odisha.The 49% stake includes the total issued, paid-up and subscribed equity share capital. 220. A behaviour change campaign named ‘Navigating the New Normal’ has been launched by NITI Aayog in partnership with Melinda Gates Foundation. Note: As the country is now in an Unlock phase, the aim is to develop an appropriate COVID safe behavior in the country, such as by making people adapt to wearing masks as a part of their daily routine. Until a

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vaccine is developed, it is essential for the citizens of the country to adopt certain behavioral changes in their day to day life by practicing hand hygiene, wearing masks, etc. 221. As per the Annual Tuberculosis Report 2020 released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare what is the percentage rise in TB patient in 2019 –14%. Note: It should be noted that the sustainable goal of eradicating TB globally is 2030, but the Indian government is committed to achieve this target in the country by 2025. 222. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has become the 1st airport in India to get an indigenously developed Aviation Weather Monitoring System (AWMS) at both ends of the runway. Note: The technology is developed by Bengaluru-based CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).The AWMS sensor has been installed on a 10 meters mast which is a 1st of its kind, designed by NAL. 223. Two Indian Institutes IIT Ropar and IIT Indore secured their ranks in the top 100 in the “THE Young University Rankings 2020” released by the Times Higher Education. Note: The Times Higher Education (THE) released THE Young University Rankings 2020 for the universities which are 50 years old or younger. The Indian Insttitute of Science Education and Research (Pune) and Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar ranked 101-150. 224. Ministry of Culture is celebrating the “Sankalp Parva” from 28th June to 12 July 2020. Note: This initiative has been launched following the call of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to plant at least five trees either in Office campus or wherever it is possible in order to ensure clean and healthy environment of the country. Under the “Sankalp Parva” celebrations, Ministry of Culture expects its Subordinate Offices, Academies, Attached Institutions as well as Affiliated Institutions to plant trees in its campus or at the surroundings wherever it is possible. 225. The Government of India has signed an agreement with World Bank to provide affordable housing to the urban poor of Tamil Nadu state. Note: The agreement signed has two projects under it- (i) Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening Program and (ii) Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project.The loans for both the project are from the lending arm of the World Bank Group the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). 226. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan virtually inaugurated Battery Swapping Facility Quick Interchange Service (QIS) in Chandigarh. Note: The battery swapping technology provides the best alternative to slow charging and enables drivers to optimize the use of the operational hours. The model was initiated to target the commercial segment like electric autos, rickshaws, electric 2W and the electric vehicle, which is factory fitted or retrofitted.

Important News – State

1. Uttar Pradesh becomes the first state in the country to prepare one lakh beds for COVID-19 patients. Note: The beds in the hospitals are classified into three categories- Level 1, level 2 and level 3. While level one and two beds are for patients exhibiting mild symptoms, level three beds are meant for graver

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infections. The hospitals catering to level one patients will have facilities for oxygen support, those catering to level two patients will have a few ventilators in addition to oxygen support. 2. Uttar Pradesh state government has signed an MoU with industry associations to create 10Lakh job for migrants. Note: The State MSME Minister Sidharth Nath Singh signed the MoU with the Industries and Business Chambers to promote the MSME sector and provide employment for around 10 lakh skilled and semi skilled workers. The migrant workers will be supported with the motto of “work to every hand and Employment to every house” 3. Delhi government has launched a mobile application that will inform people in the state about the availability of the hospital beds and ventilators in the government and private hospitals. Note: The Application mainly aims at providing real time information. The application will provide information related to availability of hospital beds and ventilators in the city. It is now available on Google Play. 4. Kerala becomes the first state to declare the internet as a fundamental right of the citizen. Note: It is to provide free internet access for the poor by December 2020 and become the first state to declare the internet as a fundamental right of the citizen.It would be implemented by Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited and Kerala State Electricity Board(KSEB). 5. Rajasthan state occupied the first rank in the COVID 19 Management Index analysed for 10 states by the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. Note: Rajasthan has occupied first rank in the COVID-19 management index analysed for 10 States by the Central government which included parameter such as active cases, recovered cases, and mortality rate. Mortality rate in the state is 2.16%. Recovery rate is 67.59% 6. Jammu & Kashmir has launched a salary tracker mobile app ‘MeraVetan’ for government employees. Note: With the launch of MeraVetan App (V-1), the employees especially posted in remote & rural areas who don’t have access to the DDO will easily access their salary and other details anytime. This application developed by the National Informatics Centre(NIC) – J&K State Centre on the Android Platform to provide end to end computerization of JK Payment System(JKPaySys) application. 7. Chhattisgarh has launched a special campaign “Spandan” to check mental stress and depression among its police personnel. Note: The motive of the campaign is to prevent the force from depression and stress pushing them to take extreme steps. As part of the campaign ”Spandan”, senior police officers will visit police lines, police stations and armed forces companies to interact with the personnel to know about problems being faced by them. 8. Gujarat Govt. occupied top position in the ‘Food Safety Index 2019-20 released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) among the larger state. Note: Gujarat is followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released the results of the second 'State Food Safety Index' to celebrate the World Food Safety Day during a webinar.

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9. The World Bank has granted loan worth of Rs. 1,950 crores to West Bengal for tackling coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and developmental work. Note: The loan amount has been lend to the West Bengal Government to tackle COVID-19 situation and developmental work in the state. Out of the total amount of Rs 1950 crore, West Bengal Government will spend Rs. 850 crore on various Social-Welfare schemes while the remaining Rs 1,100 crore will be spent to create Industrial infrastructures. 10. The colour of water in Lonar lake has changed to pink due to salinity and presence of algae in the water body. The lake is located in Maharashtra. Note: The lake was formed after a meteorite hit the Earth some 50,000 years ago. Located around 500 km from Mumbai, the Lonar lake is in Buldhana district of Maharshtra. The lake, which is a notified national geo-heritage monument, has saline water with pH of 10.5. 11. Himachal Pradesh government has launched ‘Panchvati Yojana’ for the senior citizens of rural areas of the state. Note: Under the yojana parks & gardens will be established in every development block with mandatory facilities under Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) 2005, Scheme of Rural Development Department. 12. Maharashtra government has decided to rename the state’s Environment Ministry as ‘Environment and Climate Change Ministry’. Note: The decision to change the name comes just weeks after the state was hit by a severe cyclonic storm Nisarga on June 3, 2020. Maharashtra is one among a few states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana in India which have a dedicated department to address climate change. 13. Financial assistance Rs 10,000 will be provided tailors, barbers and dhobis under ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme launched by Andhra Pradesh state government. Note: Andhra Pradesh government has launched the ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme to provide financial assistance to tailors, barbers and dhobis (washermen). In total Rs.247 crore was transferred to their bank accounts under financial liability so that bankers cannot use the money to offset the loan repayment balances. 14. Uttar Pradesh state government has launched ‘Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana’ to educate child labourers in the state. Note: This scheme has launched, on the occasion of the International Child Labour Prohibition Day. The government will give monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200 to selected boys and girls, respectively. If these children pass classes 8, 9 and 10, they will be given an additional amount of Rs 6,000 for clearing each standard. 15. Punjab government has launched ‘Ghar Ghar Nigrani’ app for house-to-house surveillance to contain the spread of COVID-19. Note: The app, 'Ghar ghar nigrani', was launched by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh through video conference. With the help of the application, the Punjab Government is to cover all the persons that are below the age of 30 years. The survey will cover persons that have influenza like illness.

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16. Odisha has become the first state in the country to receive ISO certification for hostels meant for tribal students. Note: This feat has been achieved due to 'Mission Suvidya' project which was launched by ST&SC Welfare Department to provide all the tribal hostels of the state uniform standards of infrastructure, amenities and human resources earlier. The audit team for certification visited hostels across the state and accorded the certification. 17. amount has been allocated by central government to Jharkhand for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the financial year 2020-21. Note: The state is planning cent percent household coverage by 2023-24. Out of 54 lakh rural households in the State, only 4.37 lakh have functional household tap connection (FHTC). 18. Kerala governments implemented ‘Food forest’ project in tribal belts of the state. Note: As part of the ‘Tribal Comprehensive Development Programme in Kerala the "food forest" project is being implemented in cooperation with the Mahila Kissan Sashaktheekaran Pariyojana of the Central Government. The project aims to provide food security to 192 tribal villages in Attapadi. 19. Uttar Pradesh government has set up a labour commission to ensure social and economic security for migrant workers. Note: The objective of the Commission is to provide maximum employment to the workers at the local level in private and non-government sector as per their skill and employment opportunities. The workers in the state will be given access to employment opportunities by skill development and it will also help the economy of the state gain momentum. 20. West Bengal government has launched Karmo Bhumi, a job portal to help IT professionals who have lost their jobs after the outbreak of COVID-19 and returned to the state. Note: IT professionals can use the portal ‘Karmo Bhumi’ to connect with companies based in the state. A web portal will act as a medium between the professionals and IT companies in Bengal. There are around 700 IT and ITeS companies at Salt Lake Sector V and Rajarhat where at present around 2.5 lakh people work. 21. Uttar Pradesh government has decided to adopt the scheme of Flatted Factory Model, which means the non-polluting industries can operate in Multistoried buildings. Note: The committee is headed by Alok Kumar Principal Secretary (Infrastructure & Industrial Development). The members of the committee includes the Chief Executive officers (CEOs) of UPSIDA. NOIDA, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). 22. Uttar Pradesh has become the top state in India to provide employment to the workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). Note: According to the data released, 57 lakh 12975 workers got employment is around 57 thousand village panchayats of the state which is 18% of the total work generated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the country. The state government has generated 7.93 crore man-days and the government will provide jobs to 10 lakh more workers. 23. Tripura state government has decided to start ‘Ektu Khelo, Ektu Padho’ –meaning ‘Play Little, Study Little’ scheme. 125 | P a g e

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Note: The scheme will be implemented via SMS or WhatsApp. For students, those who have access to smartphones of their parents will be able to access the scheme through WhatsApp. For students having feature phones, they will be able to access through SMS. The objective of the scheme is to make sure that students invest their time in studies during these times of uncertainty as it could still take a couple of months for schools to reopen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 24. Rajasthan state government is going to launch Indira Rasoi Yojana for the poor. Note: Under this scheme, pure and nutritious food on concessional rates is going to be provided to the needy twice each day. The State government will spend ₹100 crores every year on the scheme. 25. Jharkhand state government is to launch a job guarantee scheme to provide 100-day work guarantee to the unskilled workers living in the urban areas of the state. Note: The scheme aimed to enhance the livelihood security for the urban poor will be named Mukhyamantri SHRAMIK (Shahri Rozgar Manjuri For Kamgar). Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (AUEGS) is the 100-day employment guarantee scheme of the Kerala Government for urban poor. 26. Haryana state government has signed an agreement with Reliance Jio TV to benefit around 52 lakh rural students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: The four channels of EDUSAT can be accessed through television, Laptop, desktop, tablets and smartphones for free of cost which will be available on the Jio platform.The contents aired on the television will be available on Jio TV for a week so that the students can access the content to their convenience and time. 27. Himachal Pradesh state’s Panchayati Raj Department won the 1st prize under e-Panchayat Puraskar- 2020. Note: All the 3,226 panchayats of the state have been provided internet facility and people can access various services online. The various services such as family register, registration of birth, death and marriages are registered online in the panchayats. 28. Tripura state government has launched Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme to provide nutrition kits to pregnant and lactating women. Note: The scheme is a part of the state’s efforts to fight malnutrition and maternal mortality. The scheme was announced by state Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education Santana Chakma.The government expects to incur an expenses of about Rs 8 crore annually for this scheme. 29. Madhya Pradesh state government will launch a campaign called ‘Kill Corona’ from 1st July 2020 under which door-to-door Survey will be conducted to control the spread of COVID-19. Note: During the campaign, the highlight will be the number of tests conducted. The campaign will double the COVID-19 testing capacity from 4000 per 10 lakh people to 8000 per 10 lakh people in the state. 30. World’s Largest Plasma Therapy Trial under Project ‘Platina’ was launched in Maharashtra state. Note: The name of the project is Platina. The project was virtually launched by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray. 31. The forest department of Uttarakhand state has developed India’s first lichen park.

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Note: Lichens are found in the Himalayas up to 5000 metres are important species as they are the best bioindicators of the pollution levels. Uttarakhand has more than 600 species of lichens followed by Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir with 503 and 386 species respectively. 32. Gujarat state government has launched ‘At One Click’ Initiative for MSMEs & Other Bigger Industries. Note: Through the initiative, the State Government looks to restore the former vibrancy of the state by motivating sectors such as MSME, traders, bigger industries, and businesses. The online initiative is to encourage these sectors for taking up the challenge that the COVID-19 crisis has bought and convert this into an opportunity. Important News – World 24. SpaceX become the first private rocket company to send astronauts to space. Note: SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft with two NASA astronauts successfully docked with the International Space Station last night after a historic launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It has marked the dawn of a new age in commercial space travel. 25. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has extended the individual sanctions, travel ban and an arms embargo on South Sudan country till May 2021. Note: An arms embargo is a restriction or a set of sanctions that applies solely to weaponry.This extension has been drafted by the United States (US), which received 12 votes in favour while Russia, China and South Africa abstained it. The resolution will encourage developments in South Sudan’s peace process as the nation is emerging from a brutal six-year civil war that left 380,000 dead and millions displaced. 26. In association with Costa Rica country the World Health Organization has launched COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). Note: More than 30 countries have signed up to support this initiative. C-TAP was first proposed by Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado in March 2020. He also joined WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the video launch of the initiative. The nations who have not signed up for the WHO launched initiative are the economic powers such as France, China, Germany, Turkey, Japan, the US, and the UK. 27. India’s rank in the “Countries Global Ranking of Startup Ecosystem 2020” report prepared by Zurich based global innovation mapping and research company StartupBlink -- 23rd. Note: The third-largest ecosystem – India, in terms of number of technology startups, has been ranked even behind emerging ecosystems such as Estonia, Lithuania, Brazil, Denmark etc. The ranking has been led by the US, the UK, and Israel while China has improved its rank by 13 spots to 14th position this year and Japan stood at 21st spot. 28. South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has partnered with NASA to host a deep-space ground station, which will support human spaceflight missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Note: With this collaboration, South Africa became the fourth country after the US, Spain and Australia to host a deep space ground station.The partnership between the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) to host the space station followed an earlier agreement between the two organisations for the establishment of the station at Matjiesfontein town in the Western Cape Province. 127 | P a g e

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29. India has signed an MoU with Bhutan on cooperation in the areas of the environment that was approved by the union cabinet. Note: A Memorandum of Understanding covering air, waste, chemical management, climate change has been considered keeping in view bilateral interest of both sides.The MoU shall come into force on the date of signing and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years. 30. United Kingdom has hosted Virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020. Note: The virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020 featured the participation of over 50 countries including the business leaders, civil society, government ministers, UN agencies, Heads of State and country leaders.During the virtual summit, India pledged a contribution of 15 Million US Dollars to Gavi, the international vaccine alliance. 31. Australia signed Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) with India to increase military inter- operability through defence exercises between the two countries. Note: The first India-Australia virtual leader’s summit was held between Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.The focus of the meet was to further strengthen the bilateral ties in areas like healthcare, trade and defence. 32. What is the theme of the 51st WEF annual summit to be held in January 2021 --- The Great Reset. Note: The announcement was made by Prince Charles of Wales and WEF Founder and Executive Klaus Schwab during a virtual meeting. WEF annual meeting will be held every year at Davos,Switzerland.50th annual WEF meeting was held from January 21-24, 2020. 33. An Unmanned submersible of China to dived deep down to 10,907 metres to the world’s deepest point Mariana Trench, Note: A team of scientists left for an expedition on April 23, 2020. The researchers tested acoustic detection, video transmission, high precision depth detection during the deep-sea diving operation. 34. Kathy Sullivan has became the first woman and the fifth person in history to descend to the deepest known spot in the world’s oceans called the 'Challenger Deep' in the Mariana Trench. Note: She was also the first American woman to walk in space in 1984.Sullivan is now the only human who has walked in space and reached the deepest point in the ocean. Challenger Deep is the deepest point in the Earth’s sea bed. It is at a depth of 10,902 metres. 35. Italy and Greece has singed an agreement demarcating their maritime boundaries, amid tension in the Mediterranean region over rights to natural resources. Note: The agreement signed at the foreign ministry during a visit to Athens by Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, tackled an issue that had been pending for 40 years.It demarcates the exclusive economic zone — the maritime area in which a nation has the right of energy exploration and use of marine resources — between the two neighbors, as well as settling fishing rights. 36. Massachusetts Institute of Technology institute/university maintains its position as the top institution in world in the QS World University Rankings 2021 released recently. Note: In the QS World University Rankings 2021 feature not a single Indian institute among the top 100 universities across the world. Only three educational institutes from India IIT Bombay (172), IISc Bengaluru (185), and IIT Delhi (193) featured in the top 200 list. 128 | P a g e

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37. New Zealand has declared that the nation has become free from “Coronavirus”. Note: The announcement was made when the last person who was being monitored for coronavirus was released from isolation and regarded as recovered. Hence, New Zealand has announced to lift all the coronavirus measures that were implemented in the country and move to national alert level 1 from midnight on 9 June 2020. 38. Bangladesh has launched an initiative named ‘Shohojodha’, an online network to facilitate plasma exchange between recovered patients of COVID-19. Note: The initiative has been launched by the ICT division of the government of Bangladesh in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The plasma therapy for the Coronavirus patients in Bangladesh is under trial process awaiting final approval from the government. 39. India has signed an MoU with Denmark country to strengthen the cooperation in power sector. Note: Under the MOU to implement the agreement of the identified areas a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be established and co-chaired by joint Secretary-level officials who will report to a Steering Committee jointly chaired by the Secretary level officers from both the sides. 40. United Kingdom has announced ‘Jet Zero’ plan to drive down aviation emissions and to make carbon- free transatlantic flights possible. Note: The U.K. is chasing a target to make the country a net-zero economy by 2050, and transport emissions are proving among the toughest to get down. Aviation emissions currently account for more than 2% of global greenhouse gases and have risen by 70% since 2005. The International Civil Aviation Organization forecasts that they will rise another 300% by 2050 in the absence of measures to bring them down. 41. Western Railway has created a new world benchmark by successfully running first Double-Stack Container Train in high-rise in Over Head Equipment electrified territory on. Note: This achievement is a first of its kind in the entire world and will also boost the ambitious mission of Green India. The Operations successfully commenced on 10th June from Palanpur and Botad stations in Gujarat.

42. Teams for Education features launched by Microsoft to engage and prepare students and teachers for new remote and hybrid learning formats in the upcoming school year. Note: These features include expanded audience view of up to 49 participants, custom backgrounds, class insights, and virtual breakout rooms, among other new features. Aimed at increasing student participation and give educators new methods to keep students digitally engaged, Teams will expand its grid view to 7x7, accommodating up to 49 participants. 43. India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term from the Asia-Pacific category for the 2021-22 term. Note: Along with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway also won the Security Council elections held last night. India was a candidate for a non-permanent seat from the Asia-Pacific category for the 2021-22 term. India's two-year term will begin on January 1, 2021.

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44. India will send 75-member Tri-Service contingent to participate in the military parade to Russia on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War. Note: The parade will honour the heroism and sacrifices made by the Russian and other friendly people. Defence Minister of Russia had invited an Indian contingent to take part in the Victory Day Parade scheduled to be held on 24th of this month. 45. Accordance to the annual report on displacement titled “Global Trends- Forced Displacement in 2019″ released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with approx 1.0 per cent of world population faced forced displacement. Note: On the Global front, the displacement number is 79.5 million or one in every 97 people on the planet at the end of 2019. This number of forced displacement has almost doubled since 2010 (41 million). It should be noted that this figure is the highest since these statistics have been systematically collected. It is approximately 1% of the world’s population. 46. China has decided to join the multilateral Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Note: China was one of the 23 countries back in 2013 when it abstained from the vote to adopt the treaty at the United Nations. The U.S. President has announced in April 2019 that the U.S. will never ratify the Arms Trade Treaty under his administration (the U.S has signed the treaty but was yet to ratify). 47. China has successfully launched the last Satellite of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). Note: The satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch center in Sichuan Province. BDS is one of the four global navigation networks among the US’s GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and European Union’s Galileo. 48. Mt. Merapi an active volcano erupted twice in June, 2020 is in Indonesia. Note: Merapi (Mountain of Fire) is the most active of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes. Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.It is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. 49. As a commemorations of the 6th International Yoga Day, world’s first Yoga University outside India was launched in Los Angeles United State.

Note: The university will be known by the name- Vivekananda Yoga University. The University was launched as a part of the commemorations for the 6th International Yoga Day. Chancellor of SVYASA- Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Dr. H R Nagendra will be the first Chairman of the Vivekananda Yoga University. 50. Pakistan remained in the FATF’s Grey List. Note: The decision has been taken as Pakistan has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).The decision was taken at the Financial Action Task Force's third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 51. African country Mali granted the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) contract for the development of a 500 MW solar park to NTPC Limited. Note: In the event chaired by RK Singh, Minister of State for Power and President of International Solar Alliance (ISA), Sekou Kasse, Ambassador of Mali handed the award letter to Gurdeep Singh, Chairman & 130 | P a g e

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Managing Director (CMD) of NTPC. To support the electricity requirements of their citizens, the Republic of Mali has taken various initiatives with more focus on Solar power and its applications. 52. A Tripartite Power Purchase Agreement was signed for the construction of the 1124 MW Kohala Hydro Power Project between Pakistan, China, and Azad Kashmir. The Project is built on Jhelum river. Note: The agreement was signed in between the Government of Pakistan, Chinese Company- China Three Gorges Corporation (State-owned company of Chinese Government), and Government of Azad Kashmir (PoK). The Hydropower project is located near the villages of Siran and Barsala in Muzaffarabad district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. 53. India become the first country to control locusts through drones. Note: India is the first country to control locusts through drones. Under the Make in India initiative, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW), Agriculture Ministry has indigenously developed a vehicle-mounted Ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayer for locust control. Locust is a crop-threatening migratory pest that has entered the country through the India-Pakistan border. 54. According to latest study by OECD’s ‘Global Forum on transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes, which are top three countries as Exchange of Information partners of Switzerland -- India, France and Germany. Note: India is getting detailed information on request, from Switzerland about bank accounts and beneficiary ownership of entities established by its residents. India is also rated as ‘largely compliant’ by this OECD’s review. It has also named Italy, Netherlands and Spain among other significant EOI partners for Switzerland. 55. The theme of the ‘36th ASEAN Summit held via video conference under chairmanship of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc -- Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN. Note: The summit was chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc as Vietnam is ASEAN’s chair in 2020. The focus of the meet was on COVID-19 response, post-pandemic recovery and further cooperation with partners. Honor & Awards 22. Virat Kohli has become the only cricketer and the only Indian to feature in the Forbes’ Top 100 highest paid athletes of 2020. Note: Kohli ranked 66 with Forbes Magazine estimated earning of around 26 million USD (24 million from endorsements and 2 million from salary/winnings). Tennis player Roger Federer Tops the list for the first time with estimated earnings 106.3 million USD. He placed 4th in the 2019 list with the estimated earnings of 95million USD. 23. Kritika Pandey is the author of the book ‘The Great Indian Tee and Snakes’ for which she bestowed with Commonwealth short story prize 2020 for Asia region. Note: The 29-year-old writer won for her story The Great Indian Tee and Snakes, which is about two young people trying to navigate the idea of love in an era of hatred and prejudice.The story about a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim man had made it to the shortlist for the Asian region. 24. The World Health Organization (WHO) has accorded the “World No Tobacco Day Award 2020” to SEEDS NGO. 131 | P a g e

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Note: SEEDS has been working closely with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to prevent & control smokeless tobacco use. Deepak Mishra, executive director of the SEEDS has been nominated by the ministry as a member of the task force on the de-addiction campaign 25. Akshay Kumar. is the only Indian celebrities to find a place in the Forbes 100 list of world's highest paid celebrities during June 2019 to May 2020. Note: With an estimated pre-tax earnings of USD 48.5 million (roughly Rs 366 crore) during June 2019 to May 2020. Forbes puts Akshay at the 52nd spot in the list topped by makeup mogul Kylie Jenner, whose estimated earnings during the same time were USD 590 million (roughly Rs 4,453 crore). 26. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been named as EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020. Note: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw became the 2nd woman to hold the title, following Olivia Lum of Hyflux Limited from Singapore in 2011. She was chosen for this title among 46 entrepreneurs from 41 countries. 27. Indian Airport received Platinum Recognition in ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports recognition 2020 -- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. Note: The focus of Green Airport Recognition 2020 is Water Management.The Airports Council International(ACI) awarded the highest Platinum Recognition on World Environment Day. 28. Javed Akhtar becomes the first Indian to receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award for 2020 for critical thinking. Note: Javed Akhtar is a renowned lyricist in the Indian film industry. He was awarded Padma Shri in 1999. He has also won the Sahitya Akademi award and Padma Bhushan.It is to be noted that Javed Akhtar raised voice on social media like twitter, literary events and in interviews about the issues with Citizenship Amendment Act, public policy, reopening of liquor shops after lock down, communism in the society, etc. 29. India’s first solar-powered ferry which has been shortlisted for the Gustave Trouve Award -- Aditya. Note: Gussies Electric Boat Awards were instituted in memory of Gustave Trouvé, a French electrical engineer and pioneer in electric cars and boats. Trouvé was a prolific inventor with over 75 patents. Back in 1881, he developed a 5-m-long prototype electric boat. 30. Australian player Michal Clarke has been appointed an officer in the Order of Australia, an honour for achievement or meritorious service. Note: Clarke joined iconic ex-skippers like Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, Bob Simpson and Steve Waugh who have received the national recognition. Clarke, who led Australia to the 2015 World Cup title, has been appointed an officer (AO) in the general division of the Order of Australia, an honour for achievement or meritorious service. 31. The Ramon Magsaysay awards, regarded as Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the award foundation is located at Manila, Philippines. Note: The Manila-based foundation also cancelled the award due to a financial crisis in 1970 and a disastrous earthquake that hit the Philippines in 1990.The awards are named after a popular Philippine president who died in a 1957 plane crash and honor “greatness of spirit in selfless service to the peoples of Asia.” 32. Renjith Kumar has been honoured with “NASA Distinguished Service Medal” for his administration to NASA. 132 | P a g e

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Note: He worked in relationship with NASA for over 30 years and contributed to updating the International Space Stations(ISS). He is CEO Emeritus of the Virginia based Analytical Mechanics Associates(AMA). RK Chetty Pandipati was the First Indian to win this honour in 2002. 33. Rattan Lal has been conferred with prestigious World Food Prize 2020. Note: He was named as the 2020 World Food Prize Laureate for developing and mainstreaming a soil- centric approach to increasing food production that conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change.He will get USD 250,000 as prize money.The first recipient of this prestigious award in 1987 was Indian agricultural scientist Dr M S Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution. 34. Shobha Sekhar has been chosen for the ‘Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Note: She started the Kalakruthi in 1994 affiliated with The Music Academy, Chennai and has been training many aspirants of Carnatic music.The medal of the order of Australia is awarded to the individuals contributing to their community or to Australia globally or domestically. 35. Angad Singh Rana has been adjudged as the winner of New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual’ Chef competition – the ‘Quality NZ Culinary Cup’ held in India. Note: Chef Angad Singh Rana has won QualityNZ Culinary Cup 2020. The award was announced by Cricket legend and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming. This award is the New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual’ Chef competition – the ‘Quality NZ Culinary Cup’ held in India. 36. Deccan Development Society (DDS) has won the Biodiversity award 2020 of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Note: The award was announced in a teleconference by Olivier Wenden, Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.The award is given to recognise the individuals for their actions and the organisations for their contribution in preserving the planet in the three priority areas of the foundation. 37. Jammu and Kashmir has been conferred with three prestigious Deen Dayal Upadhyay Sashaktikaran Puraskar for its outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development of the Gram Panchayats across the state/UTs. Note: Panchayat Rathal, (Block Rajouri) and Panchayat Badakana, (Block Thana Mandi) of District Rajouri and Panchayat Meej, (Block Pampore) of Pulwama district were adjudged the best performing panchayats in recognition of their work in improving the delivery of services for socio economic development and implementation of various schemes. 38. Amartya Kumar Sen has been selected for the 2020 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. Note: He will be presented with the award by German Publishers’ and Booksellers’ Association, Borsenverein in a ceremony that will take place on October 18, 2020, in Paulskirche (Germany).Every year since 1950, the German Book Trade Peace Prize has been given. 39. Priyanka Chopra and Anurag Kashyap named among the 50 ambassadors at 45th edition Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2020. Note: This year 45th edition Toronto International Film Festival is to be held virtually. The 45th edition of TIFF will take place from September 10-19. This is the 1st time TIFF will launch a digital platform for the festival, offering new opportunities to connect with audiences beyond Toronto.

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40. Beyonce has received the Humanitarian Award at 20th edition of annual BET Awards 2020, for her long- standing philanthropic work, including her recent COVID-19 relief efforts. Note: The American award show was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment over the past year. 41. Gulabbai Sangamnerkar has been conferred with Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award by Maharashtra Government. Note: The Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award is given to a senior tamasha (folk art) artiste. The honour conveys the money prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a memento. 42. Madhuvanti Dandekar has been conferred with Annasaheb Kirloskar award by Maharshtra government. Note: The Sangeetacharya Annasaheb Kirloskar musical theatre lifetime achievement award also carries the cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a memento and a citation. 43. KK Shailaja has been honoured with United Nations Awards for her efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic in her state. Note: Shailaja was praised for maintaining low mortality rates within the state thanks to early intervention. Kerala, which recorded India’s first coronavirus cases, has been successful in flattening the curve.

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Sports News

30. Cricketer Rohit Sharma has been nominated by the BCCI for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards 2020. Note: The period of consideration for a person to get nominated is from January 2016 to December 2019. Rohit has become the first T20 cricketer to score four centuries. Also, he holds record of 150 plus score in around 8 ODIs. He also holds the greatest number of centuries in ODI matches since 2017, that numbered to 18. 31. Indian long distance player Kiranjeet Kaur has been slapped with four year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Note: The period of her ban started from December 15 and on February 26 she was provisionally suspended by World Athletics.The Athletics Integrity Unit(AIU) disqualified Kaur from all the competitive results from 15th December 2019 to 26th February 2020. 32. In association with National Sports Federations (NSF) the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has launched India’s 1st -ever national-level open online coaching and education programme called “Khelo India e-Pathshala”. Note: Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and Archery Association of India president Arjun Munda have inaugurated the programme via a webinar.A total of 21 games are included in this program, where veteran players showcase their technical skills and talk to young players and help them improve their technical and overall game. 33. India will host Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup 2022. Note: The tournament is likely to be held in the 2nd half of the year.The tournament will feature 12 teams from an earlier slot of 8 teams. 34. The Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) of the World Athletics has imposed a four-year ban on which Indian player who won the gold medal in 2019 Asian Athletics Championships -- Gomathi Marimuthu. Note: She won the gold medal in the women’s 800 m event at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar with her personal best timing. Gomathi had won gold with a timing of 2 minutes and 2.70 second. 35. The doping charge against Indian sportsperson has been dropped due to "non-conformities" in the handling of her sample -- K Sanjita Chanu. Note: The IWF made the decision based on the recommendation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The 26-year-old, who claimed innocence since the beginning, was informed about the final verdict via an e-mail, signed by IWF's legal counsel Lilla Sagi. 36. Spain’s sports council has accepted the change in status for the competitions, which will also be valid for men’s and women’s futsal. Note: The move is another step to promote the development of these competitions that until now were considered amateur football.

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37. Former European high jump champion, Alexander Shustov banned for four years by Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), he held from Russia. Note: This was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Russian Athletics Federation stated that his ban was dated from June 5, and his results had been disqualified for a period from 2013 to 2017. 38. Lightweight boxing champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk also known as “The Nail” announced his retirement held from Ukraine. Note: He won the Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic games.He won the 2018 World Boxing Councils (WBCs) light heavyweight world title against Adonis Stevenson in Quebec. 39. The 4th edition of Asian Youth Para Games to be held in Bahrain in December 2021. Note: Around 800 athletes under 20 years aged are expected to compete in nine sports: athletics, badminton, boccia, goalball, para taekwondo, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair basketball. The event is being organised in conjunction with the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Bahrain with the support of the government. 40. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov has won the World Stars Sharjah Online International Chess Championship 2020. Note: He won the coveted title and price of $3000 after scoring 7.5 points from 10 rounds. Indian Grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna finished second in the Championship after scoring 6.5 points from 10 rounds.Sharjah Online International Chess Championship was hosted by the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club. 41. Indian tennis player Niki Poonacha has been elected as a player member to ITF World Tennis Tour Player Men’s panels. Note: The Men’s and Women’s Panel will be headed by Mark Woodforde and Mary Pierce respectively who are the athlete representatives on the ITF board of directors. Poonacha is chosen as one of the two players from Asia/Oceania locale with a second-most noteworthy number of votes (62) among all challenging players. 42. Football club Liverpool has won the English Premier League 2019-20. Note: This is the first time that Liverpool has won the English Premier League title.As of 26th June 2020, Liverpool by winning 28 of their 31 games in the season has accumulated 86 points. 43. Wicketkeeper-batswoman Rachel Priest of New Zealand has announced her retirement from International Cricket. Note: She had a long career which spanned for 13 years.After her retirement, she has now signed up a contract with Cricket Tasmania to play in Australia Women’s National Cricket League and will represent Tasmanian Tigers for the 2020/21 season. 44. Indian umpire Nitin Menon has been inducted into International Cricket Council’s Elite Panel of Umpires. Note: Nitin Menon was earlier a part of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires. He has an experience of officiating in three Tests, 24 One Day Internationals and 16 T20 Internationals.

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45. Germany footballer Mario Gomez has announced his retirement from the sport. Note: He is considered as one of the best German forwards of his time.Mario Gomez played for different clubs in his soccer career. He won the Bundesliga title in 2007 while playing for Stuttgart, and two more titles while playing for Bayern Munich. 46. Australia and New Zealand will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Note: The joint offer put together by Football Federation Australia and New Zealand Football got 22 of the 35 substantial votes cast by the FIFA Council individuals in the first voting form, with the Colombian Football Association having acquired 13 votes. 47. Rahul Dravid has been declared as the greatest Indian Test batsman of all time, according to a poll conducted by Wisden India. Note: Dravid beats Sachin Tendulkar by a narrow margin of votes in the final round of voting. Dravid got 52 per cent of the votes, with as many as 11,400 fans participating within the final round of voting. 48. Kiren Rijiju has launched the National Anti-Doping Agency’s first mobile app named as “NADA App”. Note: The recently launched mobile application aims to bridge the gap between NADA and the athletes by offering easily-accessible information on various aspects of sport, prohibited substances as well as dope-testing.

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