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Weekly Current Affairs for SSC Exams 01 JUL 2019 - 07 JUL 2019

NATIONAL 5 #1 Analysis of Free Legal Aid Services in 5 #2 Most see free legal aid as last-ditch option 7 #3 Centre to streamline labour laws into set of 4 codes 8 #4 The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill 8 #5 The Malankara Church 9 #6 Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy (STRIDE) 9 # 7 WHO launches its first guidelines on self-care interventions for health 11 #8 Cabinet clears Bill banning Commercial Surrogacy 12

INTERNATIONAL 15 #1 How US coined Indo-Pacific to redefine geo-politics 15 #2 US law to give India NATO ally-like status 16 #3 Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives for Shipping 16 #4 27% of children with disabilities have never been to school: UNESCO 17 #5 Iran says it has breached stockpile limit under nuclear deal 17 #6 Korean Demilitarized Zone 18 #7 India-assisted IT-biotech park inaugurated in Cote d’Ivoire 18

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#8 First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) 18 #9 French lawmakers approve 3% tax on online giants 19

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY 20 #1 Chief minister inaugurates two units of Chhabra Power Plant 20 #2 National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 21 #3 Ramayana Circuit 22 #4 Centre ratifies convention to curb company profit shifting 22 #5 Money in Swiss banks: India ranked 74 23 #6 Kisan Credit Cards for Fishermen 23 #7 High trading costs impact liquidity of Indian equities: study 24 #8 One Nation, One Grid 25 #9 RBI sets up panel to review CICs 25 #10 Govt hikes Minimum Support Price of Kharif crops for 2019-20 season 25

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 27 #1 NASA’s PUNCH mission 27 #2 Cosmic waves discovery could unlock the mysteries of space 28 #3 AYUSH GRID Project 28 #4 Lithium-ion giga units mooted 28 #5 What is artificial gravity? 29

ENVIRONMENT 30 #1 Tamil Yeoman declared Tamil Nadu’s state butterfly 30 #2 India could lose the equivalent of 34 million jobs in 2030 due to global warming: ILO 30 #3 Japanese whalers bring home 1st commercial catch in 31 years 31 #4 MOSAiC Mission 31 #5 Arctic mission will trap scientists in ice to study climate 32

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SPORTS 34 #1 Max Verstappen won 2019 Austrian Grand Prix 34 #2 Vaibhav Yadav, Indian pro boxer won World Council (WBC) title 34 #3 Hima Das won the women's 200m gold in the Poznan Athletics Grand Prix in Poland 35 #4 Elavenil Valarivan won the gold medal in 10m women's air rifle at ISSF World Cup 2019 35

Current Affairs MCQ 36 1. Who was appointed the Governor of Manipur? 36 2. Which state approved a 10% reservation for the economically weaker section (EWS) in 2019? 36 3. Which state government has launched a free crop insurance scheme for farmers? 36 4. National Statistics Day is celebrated on which date? 36 5. Who is the author of the book "The New Delhi Conspiracy"? 37 6.Which state government has launched a knockout campaign for Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) disease ? 37 7. International Olympic Day celebrated on which day? 37 8. First International Co-operative Trade Fair will be organized in which city? 37 9. Mohammad Baji died recently, he was the freedom fighter from which state? 37 10. Which Indian scientist has been selected as the co-investigator for NASA's "Punch Mission"? 37 11. In which city "Garuda VI" practice began between India and France? 37 12. In which state the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, AFSPA has been extended by 6 months? 38 13. India has signed a deal worth 200 million rupees for the purchase of the Struem Ataka anti-tank missile with which country? 38 14. Padma Shri awardee Jaya Arunachalam hailed from which state? 38 15. Which city of Rajasthan has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019? 38

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NATIONAL

Authority (NALSA) and other legal #1 Analysis of Free Legal Aid Services service institutions at the State, district in India and taluka level. ● Study says over 16% of respondents ● Last year, the Commonwealth Human claimed legal aid counsel demanded Rights Initiative (CHRI) came out with a money; feedback from clients cannot be report stating that India’s per capita sole methodology to assess quality: lawyer ratio is better than most NALSA countries in the world. There are about ● A majority of the people who are entitled 1.8 million lawyers in India which means to the free legal aid system see the there is one lawyer for every 736 people. service as an option only when they ● The same report also stated there are cannot afford a private lawyer. 61,593 panel lawyers in the country, which translates to just one legal aid Background lawyer per 18,609 population or five ● In 1987, the Legal Services Authorities legal aid lawyers per 1,00,000 (LSA) Act was enacted to give free and population. competent legal services to the poor. ● Free legal services under LSA Act are The Act paved the way for the available to a person belonging to constitution of National Legal Service Schedule Tribe and Schedule Caste,

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woman, child, victim of human for free legal aid because they had no trafficking, differently abled person, means and resources to hire a paid industrial workman, and person in private practitioner. custody in a protective home and the ● “They would never have approached the poor. legal aid services if they had resources ● According to the statistics provided by to engage private legal practitioners. NALSA, about 8.22 lakh people across ● Also, 22.6% of the beneficiaries India benefited through legal aid responded that they won’t opt for free services from April 2017 to June 2018. legal aid services for the second time. ● The study also found that 60% of Genesis of the research women, who were aware of the free ● Prof. Mann said his research project has legal aid services, chose to opt for focused on the functioning of LACs as private legal practitioner because they they could have better control over their ● play a pivotal role in the dissemination lawyer. of legal aid services. ● These women have no faith and ● His research project was funded by confidence over the quality of services Indian Council of Social Science offered under the legal aid system, the Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Human study said. Resource Development. ● The survey found that 56% of LAC ● He said the data was collected from 18 spends an average of 1 to 10 hours per States and 36 districts. The primary data week on legal aid cases. On the was collected from 3,029 legal aid contrary, around 58% LAC spend on an beneficiaries, 609 judicial officers, 1,007 average of 20 hours and above per week empanelled legal aid advocates, 33 on private cases. regulators/secretaries, and 3120 ● Although the services offered by LAC women. are absolutely free, the ground reality is that around 16.30% of beneficiaries Key highlights of the study claimed their LAC often demand money ● The study demonstrated that before or after every court hearing. beneficiaries opt for free legal aid ● Also, around 33% of the judicial officers service due to the dearth of resources to said complaints were received against engage a private lawyer. About 75% of beneficiaries responded that they opted

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LACs for demanding money from to the free legal aid system see the beneficiaries. service as a last-ditch option. Private lawyers Vs LAC About: ● Majority of judicial officers (52% ) rated ● Professor Jeet Singh Mann of National the overall skill set of a private legal Law University, Delhi (NLUD) has practitioner as of fairly good quality and released a research report titled ‘Quality that of LAC as of moderately low quality. of Legal Representation: An Empirical Analysis of Free Legal Aid Services in Full-time empanelment India’. ● Currently, the engagement of LAC is ● His research project was funded by usually on an ad-hoc basis. Around 45% Indian Council of Social Science of the regulators opined that making Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Human them full time will definitely improve the Resource Development. level of commitment among the LAC. Key findings: ● LAC can withdraw from an aided case by submitting a reason to ● In this first-of-its-kind pan-India research member-secretary. In this scenario, a he has found that people don’t have beneficiary has to go through the faith over the services of legal aid painstaking task of retelling their case counsel (LAC) under the free legal aid history to newly allotted LAC. services due to a variety of factors. ● This problem can be tackled by ● Although the services offered by LAC increasing the honorarium given to LAC. are absolutely free, around 16 % of The study recommended that making beneficiaries claimed their LAC often honorarium for a legal aided case at par demands money before or after every with private cases, will compel LAC to court hearing. not withdraw or desert aided cases in ● Majority of judicial officers (52% ) rated the middle. the overall skill set of a private legal practitioner as of fairly good quality and #2 Most see free legal aid as last-ditch that of LAC as of moderately low quality. option ● According to analysis of NALSA data, a majority of the people who are entitled

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fix minimum wages for the entire #3 Centre to streamline labour laws into country. set of 4 codes ● The government intends to push the Bill ● The Narendra Modi government in its in the ongoing session of Parliament. second term would streamline several existing labour laws into a set of four #4 The Central Educational Institutions labour codes in a move aimed at (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill reducing disputes, Finance Minister ● Parliament passed the Central Nirmala Sitharaman said while Educational Institutions (Reservation in presenting the Budget on Friday. Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2019. The Rajya ● The government is proposing to Sabha passed the Bill after it was streamline multiple labour laws into a passed in Lok Sabha on 1st July, 2019. set of four labour codes. ● This will ensure that the process of About: registration and filing of returns will get ● The Bill replaces the “The Central standardised and streamlined. Educational Institutions (Reservation in Key highlights Teachers’ Cadre) Ordinance, 2019”. ● The unit for reservation of posts in ● With various labour-related definitions direct recruitment in teachers’ cadre will getting standardised, it is expected that be the ‘University/Educational there shall be less disputes. Institution’ and not the Department. ● In its previous tenure, the Modi Thus, it restores the earlier reservation government tried pushing labour system based on a 200-point roster. reforms. However, these amendments were opposed by trade unions. Benefits of this decision: ● The government wants to concise 44 ● It allows up to more than 7000 existing labour laws into four broad codes on vacancies in Central Educational wages, social security, industrial safety Institutions and pave the way for filling and welfare, and industrial relations. up 3 lakh vacancies in the Government ● Earlier this week, the Cabinet approved (Central and State) Educational the Code on Wages Bill to subsume institutions by direct recruitment in existing laws related to workers’ Teacher’s Cadre. remuneration and enable the Centre to

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● It ensures full representation of the have been engaged in battle over SCs/STs, the socially and Educationally ownership of churches and their wealth. Backward Classes and Economically Supreme Court ruling of July 2017: Weaker Sections in direct recruitment in teachers’ cadres, thus ensuring ● The Supreme Court had upheld the 1934 compliance of the Constitutional constitution of the Malankara church. Provisions of Articles 14, 16 and 21. ● It ordered that the ownership of St Mary’s Church at Piravom in Ernakulam #5 The Malankara Church district, which is currently held by the ● The Supreme Court pulled up the Kerala Jacobite Church, should be handed over government for not implementing its to Orthodox Church, and so should the order of July 2017, on a dispute over the ownership of 1,064 other churches in ownership of churches and their dispute. properties between Orthodox and Jacobite factions of Malankara #6 Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Christian Church in Kerala. Research for India’s Developing Timeline of dispute: Economy (STRIDE) ● The University Grants Commission ● The Christian population of Kerala (UGC) has approved a new scheme – comprises Catholic, Jacobite Syrian, ‘Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research Orthodox Syrian, Mar Thoma, Church of for India’s Developing Economy’ South India, Dalit Christians and (STRIDE). Pentecostal Churches/groups. ● Broadly, STRIDE will provide support to ● The Malankara Church is a prominent research projects that are socially non-Catholic Christian community which relevant, locally need-based, nationally is believed to be established in AD 52 by important and globally significant. St. Thomas. ● STRIDE shall support research capacity ● The Malankara Church first split in 1912, building as well as basic, applied and into the Jacobite and Orthodox Syrian transformational action research that groups. The two Churches reunified in can contribute to national priorities with 1959, but the truce lasted only until focus on inclusive human development. 1972-73. Since then, the two factions ● STRIDE shall support creation, development and integration of new

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ideas, concepts and practices for public ● To identify young talent, strengthen good and strengthening civil society. research culture, build capacity, promote innovation and support About Trans-disciplinary research trans-disciplinary research for India’s ● Trans-disciplinary research is a team developing economy and national effort of investigators from different development. disciplines to create new conceptual, ● To fund multi institutional network theoretical, methodological innovations high-impact research projects in that integrates and transcends beyond humanities and human sciences. discipline-specific approaches to STRIDE components: address a common problem. ● Trans-disciplinary research goes beyond Component-1 mere production of knowledge and ● It will endeavour to identify the extends to the practical use of the motivated young talents with research knowledge outside academic and innovation aptitude in universities endeavour. and colleges. ● In essence, it takes into consideration ● The Scheme will provide research the societal impact of knowledge capacity building in diverse disciplines enunciating as what should be the main by mentoring, nurturing and supporting aim of research. young talents to innovate pragmatic ● It creates unity of intellectual solutions for local, regional, national and frameworks beyond the disciplinary global problems. perspectives and solves problems by ● This component is open to all going beyond the boundaries of disciplines for grant upto 1 crore. disciplines to involve various stakeholders. Component-2 ● Trans-disciplinary research generates ● It will be mainly to enhance problem knowledge through use of multi and solving skills with help of social inter-disciplinary concepts and innovation and action research to integrates new theories among science improve the wellbeing of people and and society. contribute to India’s developing STRIDE Objectives: economy. Collaborations between universities, government, voluntary

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organizations and industries are # 7 WHO launches its first guidelines on encouraged under this scheme. ● This component is open to all self-care interventions for health disciplines for grant upto 50 lakh – 1 ● The World Health Organisation (WHO) crore. has launched its first guidelines on Component-3 self-care interventions for health in response to an estimate that by 2035 ● It will fund high impact research the world will face a shortage of nearly projects in the identified thrust areas 13 million healthcare workers and the inhumanities and human sciences fact that currently at least 400 million through a national network of eminent people worldwide lack access to the scientists from leading institutions. most essential health services. ● Disciplines eligible for funding under ● In its first volume, the guidelines focus this component include: Philosophy, on sexual and reproductive health and History, Archaeology, Anthropology, rights. Some of the interventions include Psychology, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, self-sampling for human papillomavirus Indian Languages and Culture, Indian (HPV) and sexually transmitted Knowledge Systems, Law, Education, infections, self-injectable Journalism, Mass Communication, contraceptives, home-based ovulation Commerce, Management, Environment predictor kits, human immunodeficiency and Sustainable Development. Grant virus (HIV) self-testing and available for this component is upto 1 self-management of medical abortion. crore for one HEI and upto 5 crores for a multi institutional network. Crucial highlights about the guidelines ● To encourage high quality high impact ● These guidelines look at the scientific research in humanities, there is a evidence for health benefits of certain provision to identify experts and invite interventions that can be done outside them to develop a proposal. the conventional sector, although ● UGC is also proposing to provide a grant sometimes with the support of a of Rs 2 lakh for developing proposals. health-care provider. They do not replace high-quality health services nor are they a shortcut to achieving universal health coverage.

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● WHO said, “We foresee a future where affordable options to manage their around 1 in 5 of the world’s population health and well-being. will be living in settings that are ● WHO noted that self-care is also a experiencing humanitarian crises, this means for people who are negatively when the world is witnessing growth in affected by gender, political, cultural and new diagnostics, devices, drugs and power dynamics, including those who digital innovations which are are forcibly displaced, to have access to transforming how people interact with sexual and reproductive health services, the health sector.” as many people are unable to make ● Explaining what self-care means, the decisions around sexuality and organisation says that it is the “the reproduction. ability of individuals, families and ● The guidelines, meanwhile, will be communities to promote health, prevent expanded to include other self-care disease, maintain health, and cope with interventions, including for prevention illness and disability with or without the and treatment of non-communicable support of a health-care provider”. diseases. ● WHO is establishing a community of Autonomy and engagement practice for self-care, and will be ● It adds that self-care interventions promoting research and dialogue in this represent a significant push towards area during the self-care month between new and greater self-efficacy, autonomy June 24 and July 24. and engagement in health for self-carers and caregivers. #8 Cabinet clears Bill banning ● In launching this guideline, WHO Commercial Surrogacy recognises how self-care interventions ● could expand access to health services, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA including for vulnerable populations. Cabinet today cleared a Bill to prohibit ● People are increasingly active commercial surrogacy in India paving participants in their own health care and the way for reintroduction of the have a right to a greater choice of long-pending and controversial interventions that meets their needs legislation in Parliament. across their lifetime, but also should be Key highlights able to access, control, and have

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● The Surrogacy Regulation Bill, 2019, Bill, said Indian couples seeking allows only altruistic ethical surrogacy surrogacy service should have been to the needy infertile married Indian married for five years and either of the couples, including Non-Resident Indians spouses should be able to produce a (NRIs). medical certificate of infertility at the ● Surrogacy services won’t be permitted end of five years. for Persons of Indian Origin and ● The Bill puts the age of the intending Overseas Citizens of India or for couple between 23 and 50 years for the members of LGBT community, single female spouse, and 26 and 55 years for parents and live-in partners. the male spouse on the day of medical ● The Bill bars commercialisation of certification of infertility. surrogacy services, including sale and

purchase of human gametes, oocytes and human embryo, and aims to fill :: FOR DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS VISIT :: regulatory gaps in the sector. Foreigners https://sscportal.in/daily-current-affairs and Indian celebrities are known to engage surrogates routinely to have children. ● Secretary, Health Research, Balram Bhargava, who over saw drafting of the

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INTERNATIONAL

Reason behind using this term #1 How US coined Indo-Pacific to ● This move is redefining the region away redefine geo-politics from ’s economic and strategic ● In geographical terms, the Indo-Pacific dominance. refers to the two oceans — the Indian Ocean ● India’s resistance at the height of the and the Pacific Ocean between the east tensions over several issues – the Doklam coast of Africa, and the American west military standoff, the CPEC running through coast and all the countries with a coast on PoK, and more generally over the entire it. Chinese BRI. ● It has been in currency among scholars of ● The adoption of the term appeared to international relations and geo-politics since challenge India to play a larger role in the the first decade of this century as an region, for instance in the Quad. economic and a strategic region. Focus on India ● However, its widespread use began after an October 2017 speech on US-India relations ● The US emphasizes collaboration with India by former US Secretary of State Rex to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is Tillerson, who spoke of an India-US increasingly a place of peace, stability, and partnership in the interests of a “free and growing prosperity so that it does not open Indo-Pacific”, as India was more become a region of disorder, conflict, and reliable than China. predatory economics.

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● It also seemed to put India squarely in the passes it. The House is expected to take up middle of this region, challenging it to a its version of the NDAA sometime in July larger role in the region, for instance in the before the legislature adjourn for the Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue month-long August recess on July 29. that informally brings together for strategic ● In a statement, the Hindu American talks and military exercises. Foundation commended Senators Cornyn ● The “Indo-Pacific” has evoked mixed and Warner for their efforts in advancing the reactions in the Indian strategic community, US-India strategic partnership. with some cautioning that such positioning should not aggravate Delhi’s tensions with #3 Cabinet approves MoU between Beijing. India and Maldives for Shipping #2 US law to give India NATO ally-like ● The Union Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval for the MoU between India and status Maldives for the establishment of ● The US Senate has passed a legislative passenger and cargo services by sea, which provision that brings India at par with was signed on June 8, 2019 during the visit America’s NATO allies and countries like of Prime Minister of India to Maldives. Israel and South Korea for increasing About: defence cooperation. ● The National Defense Authorisation Act or ● The MoU will pave way for ferry services NDAA for the fiscal year 2020,that between Maldives and Kerala by Connecting contained such a proposal was passed by Kochi with Male and Kulhudhuffushi in the US Senate last week. Maldives by Sea route. ● While Male – the capital and most populous Crucial highlights city – is situated at a distance of 708 Kms ● Introduced by Senate India Caucus Co-Chair from Kochi, Kulhudhuffushi – the third most Senator John Cornyn with the support of populous city of Maldives – is 509 Kms Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator Mark away. Warner, the amendment provides for Significance: increased US-India defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean in the areas of ● Present connectivity involves flights to Male humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism, and seaplanes to the resorts, which is an counter-piracy and maritime security. expensive option. ● The bill would be signed into law after both ● On the other hand, connectivity with Kochi the chambers of the US Congress – the through sea could promote inbound House of Representatives and the Senate – tourism, particularly health and wellness

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tourism for India. A large number of ● Amend the Right to Education (RTE) Act, Maldivians also travel to Kerala and other 2009 to make it align with the Right of South Indian cities for educational Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. purposes. #5 Iran says it has breached stockpile #4 27% of children with disabilities limit under nuclear deal have never been to school: UNESCO ● Iranian has exceeded the 300-kilogramme ● According to a report by UNESCO and the limit on its enriched uranium reserves set by TISS, 27% of children with disabilities have the 2015 nuclear deal. never been to school in India. About: About: ● Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad ● “State of the Education Report for Zarif has said that the country has exceeded India-2019: Children with Disabilities. the 300-kilogramme limit on its enriched ● UNESCO and the Tata Institute of Social uranium reserves set by the 2015 nuclear Sciences (TISS). deal. This was confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency Key findings of the report: inspectors. ● Citing 2011 census data, the report showed ● Iran also announced that it is planning to that there are more than 78 lakh children suspend other commitments under the deal with disabilities in the country between 5-19 in 10 days unless European powers took years. steps to implement their new mechanism – ● 27% of children with disabilities between Instex – for facilitating trade. ages 5 and 19 in India have never attended Background: any educational institution, while around 75% of five-year-olds with disabilities are ● Under the nuclear deal, Iran had agreed to not in school. limit its sensitive nuclear activities and ● There are fewer girls with disabilities in allow in international inspectors in return for school than boys. the lifting of sanctions. ● Differences remain among various types of ● Iran can stockpile no more than 300kg of disabilities. Only 20% of children with visual low-enriched uranium. It is only permitted and hearing impairments had never been in (until 2031) to produce low-enriched school. However, among children with uranium, which has a 3-4 percent multiple disabilities or mental illness, that concentration of U-235, and can fuel a figure rose to more than 50%. power plant.

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● Enriched uranium is widely used for peaceful purposes, such as medical #7 India-assisted IT-biotech park research and producing electricity. But, if it inaugurated in Cote d’Ivoire is highly purified it can also be used to ● The Mahatma Gandhi Information make a nuclear bomb. Technology and Biotech Park (MGIT-BP) has been inaugurated in Côte d’Ivoire. #6 Korean Demilitarized Zone About: ● Recently, US President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to set ● The MGIT-BP was jointly inaugurated by foot in North Korea when he met its leader, Ambassador of India and Vice President of Kim Jong Un, in the Demilitarized Zone Cote d’Ivoire in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire (DMZ) between the two Koreas and agreed on 27 June 2019. to resume stalled nuclear talks. ● The MGIT-BP is being built with India’s assistance through EXIM Bank Lines of About DMZ: Credit of US$ 20 million. ● The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a ● MGIT-BP is a dedicated Free Trade Zone region 4 km wide and 240 km long, dividing (FTZ) for IT & Biotechnology. the Korean Peninsula into North Korea and The MGIT-BP project consists of two parts: South Korea. ● The DMZ was created after the 1953 Korean ● Firstly, architectural concept and design for War Armistice Agreement, which ended the the buildings of FTZ and construction of Korean War. main building to host IT enterprises. ● The site where the Armistice was signed is ● Secondly, supply and commissioning of called the Joint Security Area (JSA), located equipment which included, Computer 53 km to the north of Seoul. It continues to Assembly Plant, VSAT with Satellite Earth be the venue where successive peace Station, Networking Lab, Human DNA Lab, discussions concerning the region are Data Storage Area Network, an Audio-Visual conducted, including the recent meeting Lab and a power generator. between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. #8 First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) ● The Government of India announced that the First Ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) will be held in New Delhi later this year.

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About: ● The bill foresees a 3% tax on the French revenues of digital companies with global ● The Trade Fair is aimed at promoting revenue of more than 750 million euros cooperative to cooperative trade within ($847 million), and French revenue over 25 India and abroad leading to enhanced rural million euros. and farm prosperity. ● It will be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Implications: ● It will be held from 11th till 13th October, ● The French finance ministry has estimated 2019. the tax will raise about 500 million euros ● Steered by National Cooperative ($566 million) a year this year but that Development Corporation (NCDC), the Fair should increase “quickly.” is being conducted with the support of one ● The tech industry warns it could lead to international organization (NEDAC), three higher costs for consumers. It could affect Ministries, four State Governments and US companies including Airbnb and Uber as several apex level Indian cooperative well as those from China and Europe. organizations. Way ahead: #9 French lawmakers approve 3% tax ● The bill adopted by the National Assembly on online giants will be sent to the Senate next week, where ● In France, the lower house of parliament it is expected to win final approval. approved a small, pioneering tax on internet ● France failed to persuade EU partners to giants like Google, Amazon and Facebook. impose a Europe-wide tax on online giants, but is now pushing for an international deal About: with the 34 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. ● At present, the digital companies pay nearly no tax in countries where they have large sales like France. ● Salient features of bill: :: FOR DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS VISIT :: ● The bill aims to stop multinationals from https://sscportal.in/daily-current-affairs avoiding taxes by setting up headquarters in low-tax EU countries.

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

state’s First project based on Super Critical #1 Chief minister inaugurates two units Thermal Power Technology. of Chhabra Power Plant About Super Critical Thermal Power Station ● In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot ● Conventional coal-fired power plants, which inaugurated the 5th and 6th Unit of Chhabra make water boil to generate steam that Super Critical Thermal Power Station. activates a turbine, have an efficiency of ● This is the state’s First project based on about 32%. Super Critical Thermal Power Technology. ● Supercritical (SC) power plants operate at Key highlights temperatures and pressures above the critical point of water, i.e. above the ● Chhabra Thermal Power Plant is one of temperature and pressure at which the Rajasthan’s coal fired power plants. It is liquid and gas phases of water coexist in located at Chowki Motipura (Village) of equilibrium, at which point there is no tehsil Chhabra in Rajasthan’s Baran district. difference between water gas and liquid ● In Chhabra, 4 Units are already producing water. power with a capacity of 250 MW each. ● Supercritical (SC) power plants require less ● The 5th and 6th Unit of Chhabra coal per megawatt-hour, leading to lower SuperCritical Thermal Power Station are the emissions (including carbon dioxide and

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mercury), higher efficiency (above 45%) and ● The thrust for the Government through this lower fuel costs per megawatt. scheme will be to allow hybrid and electric vehicles to become the first choice for the #2 National Electric Mobility Mission purchasers so that these vehicles can replace the conventional vehicles and thus Plan (NEMMP) reduce liquid fuel consumption in the ● The Government of India launched the country from the automobile sector. National Electric Mobility Mission Plan ● It is envisaged that early market creation (NEMMP) 2020 in 2013. through demand incentive, in-house ● Government has launched the scheme technology development and domestic namely Faster Adoption and Manufacturing production will help industry reach a of (Hybrid) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) self-sufficient economies of scale in the under NEMMP 2020 in the Union Budget for long run by around the year 2020. 2015-16 with an initial outlay of Rs. 75 Cr. About the mechanism process Objectives ● As per the data available, around 42000 ● It aims to achieve national fuel security by electric vehicles were sold in 2012-13 and promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the nearly 20000 hybrid and electric vehicles country. were sold in 2013-14. ● There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 ● In the year 2012-13, most of the electric million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles vehicles sold were electric low speed year on year from 2020 onwards. scooters. Government aims to provide fiscal and ● It is expected that with the launch of the monetary incentives to kick start this aforementioned scheme, market for hybrid nascent technology. and electric vehicles will gain momentum for all the vehicles segments including 2W, Key highlights 3W, 4W, LCVs and Buses. ● With the support from the Government, the ● The incentive shall be administered through cumulative sale is expected to reach 15-16 an efficient and effective electronic Million by 2020. mechanism/portal for incentive ● It is expected to save 9500 Million Liters of disbursement. crude oil equivalent to Rs. 62000 Cr. ● Under this mechanism the manufacturer will savings. reduce the purchase price of a hybrid and ● The scheme will provide a major push for electric vehicle (the purchase price will be early adoption and market creation of both reduced by the level of the eligible hybrid and electric technologies vehicles in predetermined incentive amount) at the the country. time of selling to the buyer, and the same

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will be reimbursed to them by the and are sanctioned subject to availability of Government. funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme #3 Ramayana Circuit guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. ● Ramayana Circuit is one of the fifteen thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the #4 Centre ratifies convention to curb Ministry of Tourism. company profit shifting ● The Ministry has initially identified fifteen ● The government announced on Tuesday destinations for development under the that it had ratified the international Ramayana Circuit theme namely Ayodhya, agreement to curb base erosion and profits Nandigram, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot shifting (BEPS), a bid to stop companies (Uttar Pradesh), Sitamarhi, Buxar and from moving their profits out of the country Darbhanga (Bihar), Chitrakoot (Madhya and depriving the government of tax Pradesh), Mahendragiri (Odisha), Jagdalpur revenue. (Chattisgarh), Nashik and Nagpur ● India has ratified the Multilateral Convention (Maharashtra), Bhadrachalam (Telangana), to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures Hampi (Karnataka) and Rameshwaram to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (Tamil Nadu). (multilateral instruments (MLI)), which was Key highlights signed by the Finance Minister in Paris on June 7, 2017 on behalf of India, along with ● For the state of Chhattisgarh, the Ministry representatives of more than 65 countries.. has sanctioned the project for Development ● Base erosion and profit shifting refers to the of Tribal Tourism Circuit in Jashpur- phenomenon where companies shift their Kunkuri- Mainpat- Ambikapur- Maheshpur profits to other tax jurisdiction, which -Ratanpur- Kurdar-Sarodadadar- Gangrel- usually have lower rates, thereby eroding Kondagaon– Nathiya Nawagaon- the tax base in India. Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirathgarh in the year 2015-16 with a total sanction amount of Outcome of MLI Rs.99.21 crore. ● The MLI is a result of concerted work by the ● Submission of project proposals by the G20 countries to tackle the issue of base State Governments/Union Territory (UT) erosion and profit shifting, something that Administrations under the Swadesh affects them all. India was part of the Ad Darshan Scheme is a continuous process. Hoc Group of more than 100 countries and ● The projects for development under the jurisdiction from the G20, Organisation for scheme are identified in consultation with Economic Co-operation and Development the State Governments/UT Administrations

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(OECD), and other interested countries, ● Among the top-ranked jurisdiction, the UK is which worked on the finalising the text of followed by the US, West Indies, France and the Multilateral Convention. in the top five. These countries ● The MLI will modify India’s tax treaties to alone account for more than 50 % of the curb revenue loss through treaty abuse and aggregate foreign funds parked with the base erosion and profit shifting strategies Swiss banks. by ensuring that profits are taxed where ● India has moved down one place to 74th substantive economic activities generating rank in terms of money parked by its the profits are carried out. citizens and enterprises with Swiss banks at ● The MLI will be applied alongside existing the end of 2018. The funds officially held by tax treaties, modifying their application in Indians with banks in Switzerland now order to implement the BEPS measures. accounts for only 0.07 % of the total funds ● Out of 93 tax treaties notified by India, 22 kept by all foreign clients. countries have already ratified the MLI so ● Among the five-nation BRICS block of far and the Double Taxation Avoidance emerging economies, India is ranked the Agreement (DTAA) with these countries will lowest while Russia is ranked the highest at be modified by MLI. 20th place, followed by China at 22nd, South ● For the remaining countries with tax treaties Africa at 60th and Brazil at 65th place. with India, the MLI will come into force ● Several of India’s neighbouring nations are when they ratify it. ranked lower, with ranking 82nd, ● The MLI will come into force for India from 89th, 109th, October 1, 2019. 141st, Myanmar 187th and Bhutan 193rd.

#5 Money in Swiss banks: India ranked #6 Kisan Credit Cards for Fishermen 74 ● Under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility, the ● According to analysis released by the Swiss credit limit for the existing card holders is National Bank (SNB), India has moved down Rs 3 lakh including animal husbandry and one place to 74th rank in terms of money fisheries activities, whereas the KCC holders parked by its citizens and enterprises with for animal husbandry and fisheries have the Swiss banks. credit limit of Rs 2 lakh to meet their working capital requirements for animal Key findings of the data: husbandry and fisheries activities. ● Under this facility, interest subvention is ● The total money held in Swiss banks by available for animal husbandry and fisheries foreign clients from across the world fell by farmers at 2% per annum at the time of about 4 % to CHF 1.4 trillion (about Rs 99 disbursal of loan. lakh crore) in 2018.

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Key highlights tank, open water bodies, raceway, hatchery, rearing unit, possess necessary license for ● The Kisan Credit card facility has been fish farming and fishing related activities, extended by the central government to and any other State specific fisheries and fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to allied activities, it said. help them meet their short term credit ● Marine Fisheries: The beneficiaries as listed requirements of rearing of animals, poultry above who own or lease registered fishing birds, fish, shrimp, other aquatic organisms vessel, boat, possess necessary fishing and capture of fish, said a government license/permission for fishing in estuary statement. and sea, fish farming/ mariculture activities ● Under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility, the in estuaries and open sea and any other credit limit for the existing card holders is State specific fisheries and allied activities Rs 3 lakh including animal husbandry and fisheries activities, whereas the KCC holders for animal husbandry and fisheries have the #7 High trading costs impact liquidity credit limit of Rs 2 lakh to meet their of Indian equities: study working capital requirements for animal ● As per the latest study by the World Bank, husbandry and fisheries activities, the the turnover ratio of the Indian stock market statement said. has fallen significantly by 60% in the last 10 ● Under this facility, interest subvention is years. available for animal husbandry and fisheries farmers at 2% per annum at the time of About: disbursal of loan and additional interest ● The turnover ratio of the Indian stock subvention at 3% per annum in case of market had fallen from 143 in 2008 to 58 in prompt repayment as Prompt Repayment 2018 i.e. a fall of nearly 60% between 2008 Incentive. and 2018. Eligibility ● The fall had been the highest among most leading markets of the world, barring the ● However, the criteria for eligible U.S. and the European Union. beneficiaries under KCC for animal ● The turnover ratio of China dipped less than husbandry and fisheries would be: 6% in the last 10 years, while Brazil and ● Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture: This will Korea registered a dip of 12.85% and include fishers, fish farmers–individual & 31.12%, respectively. Japan and Hong Kong groups/partners/sharecroppers/tenant saw the ratio dip between 40-50% between farmers–Self Help Groups, Joint Liability 2008 and 2018. Groups and Woman groups. The beneficiaries must own or lease any of the fisheries related activities such as pond,

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relative to other non-banking financial #8 One Nation, One Grid companies. ● Package for recharging the power sector is ● However, in light of recent developments, in the offing along with a new tariff policy, there is a need to strengthen the corporate Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the governance framework of CICs. Troubled Budget, reiterating the government’s financial conglomerate Infrastructure commitment to provide 24X7 affordable Leasing and Financial Services (ILandFS) is power to all. registered with the RBI as a CIC.

Key highlights About:

● The FM said the Centre was working on ● To examine the current regulatory several initiatives such as “one nation, framework for core investment companies onegrid” and a new tariff policy to further (CICs) in terms of adequacy, efficacy and reform the sector. effectiveness and suggest changes. ● The policy will have provisions for imposing ● The group will be headed by Tapan Ray, financial penalty on discoms resorting to non-executive chairman, Central Bank of gratuitous load-shedding instead of buying India and former Secretary in the Ministry of power to meet demand. Corporate Affairs. ● Discoms will not be allowed to pass on to consumers the financial burden of more #10 Govt hikes Minimum Support Price than 15% of power loss in their systems, of Kharif crops for 2019-20 season which will force them to improve efficiency. ● In a major boost to the farmers’ income, the #9 RBI sets up panel to review CICs Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the increase in the Minimum ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a Support Prices, MSP for all Kharif crops for working group to review the regulatory and 2019-20 Season. supervisory framework for core investment companies (CIC). Key highlights

Background: ● Briefing reporters in New Delhi after the cabinet meeting, Agriculture Minister ● In 2010, the RBI had introduced a separate Narendra Singh Tomar said, the move will framework for the regulation of systemically lead to increased investment and important Core Investment Companies production through assured remunerative (CICs) recognising the difference in the prices to the farmers. business model of a holding company ● He said the MSP of paddy has been increased by 65 rupees per quintal, Jowar

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by 120 rupees and Ragi by 253 rupees per ● The increase in MSP for Kharif Crops for the quintal. He said the MSP of Tur has been 2019-20 season is in line with the principle raised by 125 rupees, Moong by 75 rupees of fixing the MSPs at a level of at least 1.5 and Urad pulses raised by 100 rupees per times of the all India weighted average Cost quintal. of production, which was announced in the ● The Minister said, the MSPs of soyabean last budget 2018-19. increased by 311 rupees, sunflower by 262 rupees and sesamum by 236 rupees per quintal which is a major step towards increasing the income of farmers.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

● NASA has selected Texas-based Southwest #1 NASA’s PUNCH mission Research Institute to lead its PUNCH ● Dipankar Banerjee, an Indian solar physicist mission which will image the Sun. from Indian Institute of Astrophysics has Mission Objective: been selected as a Co-Investigator of PUNCH mission by NASA. ● It will image regions beyond the Sun’s outer corona. About: ● It will image and track the solar wind and ● PUNCH stands for “Polarimeter to Unify the also the coronal mass ejections – which Corona and Heliosphere,” ● are huge masses of plasma that get thrown ● The mission is expected to be launched in out of the Sun’s atmosphere. 2022. ● The coronal mass ejections can affect and drive space weather events near the Earth.

Features:

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● PUNCH will consist of a ‘constellation’ of ● Pinning it down could help scientists finally four suitcase-sized microsats that will orbit understand what causes these one-off the Earth information and study how the FRBs. corona, which is the atmosphere of the Sun, ● It’s only the second fast radio burst ever to connects with the interplanetary medium. have been traced to a location. The first, called FRB 121102, is a special case, #2 Cosmic waves discovery could because it bursts repeatedly. Locating the source of one-off FRB presented a much unlock the mysteries of space more difficult challenge. ● A team of international astronomers have determined for the first time the precise #3 AYUSH GRID Project source of a single/ one-off fast radio burst ● (FRBs). The Ministries of AYUSH and Electronics and Information Technology signed a About FRBs: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to collaborate on the digitization ● Fast radio bursts are intense bursts of radio of the AYUSH sector. emission that have durations of milliseconds and exhibit the characteristic About: dispersion sweep of radio pulsars. ● ● FRBs flash for only a micro-instant but can The Electronics and Information Technology emit as much energy in a millisecond as the Ministry has agreed to give technical Sun does in 10,000 years. support to the AYUSH Ministry for planning ● The first was discovered in 2007 and so far and development of AYUSH GRID Project. ● over 80 have been detected. In pursuance to the National Health Policy ● Exactly what creates these high-energy 2017, the project aims to digitize the entire surges of long waves at the far end of the AYUSH, leading to transformation in the electromagnetic spectrum remains the field of health care delivery at all levels, subject of intense debate, though scientists along with greater research, education, now agree they originate in far away delivery of various health care programmes galaxies. and better drug regulations. Key highlights #4 Lithium-ion giga units mooted ● The signal has been named FRB 180924 – ● NITI Aayog has proposed the establishment they’re named for the date of detection – of giga factories in India for the and it originated in the outskirts of a Milky manufacture of lithium-ion batteries in the Way-sized galaxy roughly 3.6 billion next couple of years. light-years from Earth.

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About: About:

● The recommendation is part of the Aayog’s ● Artificial gravity means spacecraft push for the adoption of electric mobility in generating their own gravity by spinning the country. around in space. ● It recently proposed that only electric Key highlights (lithium-ion or other advanced battery chemistry only) three-wheelers would be ● These researchers are examining ways to sold in the country after March 31, 2023, design revolving systems that might fit and all new sales of two-wheelers below within a room of future space stations and 150cc would be electric post March 31, even moon bases. 2025. ● Under it, a short-radius centrifuge will rotate ● Arguments for Lithium-Ion Giga Factories: around the room, gathering more and more The lack of domestic capability will result in speed. The angular velocity generated by massive imports from China for its electric the centrifuge will push astronauts’ feet vehicles as is the case in electronics. toward the base of the platform — almost ● Industry opposition: The two-wheeler as if he was standing under his own weight. industry had strongly opposed the Aayog’s ● It will one day help keep astronauts healthy proposal to stop selling ICE (internal as they venture into space, allowing humans combustion engine) 150cc two-wheelers, to travel farther from Earth than ever before cautioning that the move would disrupt the and stay away longer. Astronauts could industry that was already reeling under crawl into these rooms for just a few hours stress. a day to get their daily doses of gravity. ● The concept of artificial gravity has so far #5 What is artificial gravity? as existed only in science fiction. ● A team from the University of Colorado at Boulder is working on making the concept of artificial gravity a reality.

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ENVIRONMENT

peacock), Karnataka (Southern bird wings) #1 Tamil Yeoman declared Tamil and Kerala (Malabar banded peacock). Nadu’s state butterfly #2 India could lose the equivalent of 34 ● Tamil yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) butterfly species has been declared the state million jobs in 2030 due to global butterfly of Tamil Nadu. warming: ILO ● Tamil yeoman is a tawny-coloured creature with a dark brown outer ring. ● A UN report say India is projected to lose 5.8 percent of working hours in 2030 due to Crucial highlights global warming, particularly impacting agriculture and construction sectors. ● It is among the 32 butterfly species found in ● The International Labour Organization said Western Ghats.It is endemic to Western in its report named ‘Working on a Warmer Ghats Planet – The Impact of Heat Stress on ● It is also known as Tamil Maravan which Labour Productivity and Decent Work’. means warrior.These butterflies could be ● It stated that working hours will be lost found mainly in hilly areas. because it is too hot to work or because ● Tamil Nadu has become the fifth state in workers work at a slower pace. the country to announce its state butterfly.Maharashtra was the first to Key highlights declare Blue Mormon as its state butterfly followed by Uttarakhand (Common

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● Projections are based on a global research whaling after commercial whaling temperature rise of 1.5 degree Celsius by was banned by the International Whaling the end of the twenty-first century, and Commission (IWC). Japan gave six months’ labour force trends. The report said India notice that it was withdrawing from the IWC, will be the most affected country. a move that took effect recently. ● It said because of its large population, in ● The Fisheries Agency said the hunts will absolute terms, India is expected to lose the stay within the country’s exclusive equivalent of 34 million full-time jobs in economic zone, and the catch quota for the 2030 in productivity. rest of this year will be 227 whales. ● Most of the impact in India will be felt in the About International Whaling Commission (IWC) agricultural sector. But, increasing working hours are expected to be lost in the ● The International Whaling Commission construction sector, where heat stress (IWC) was set up under the International affects both male and female workers. Convention for the Regulation of Whaling ● The report said that costs may be higher (ICRW) which was signed in Washington DC without mitigating climate change. Heat in 1946. stress is defined as generally above 35 ● To provide for the proper conservation of degrees Celsius, in places with high whale stocks and thus make possible the humidity. orderly development of the whaling ● The report also noted that Ahmedabad industry. incorporated a cool roofs initiative into its 2017 Heat Action Plan, notably by providing #4 MOSAiC Mission access to affordable cool roofs for the city’s slum residents and urban poor. ● In a couple of months, the German icebreaker RV Polarstern, a hulking ship will #3 Japanese whalers bring home 1st set out for the Arctic packed with supplies and scientific equipment for a year-long commercial catch in 31 years mission to explore the planet’s frigid far ● Japanese whalers brought back two minke north. whales to the northern Japanese port of ● The icebreaker will be the base for Kushiro, their first catch after resuming scientists from 17 nations studying the commercial whaling for the first time in 31 impact of climate change on the Arctic and years. how it could affect the rest of the world.

Key highlights Key highlights

● It was the first commercial hunt since 1988, ● Scientists plan to sail the ship into the when Japan switched to what it called Arctic Ocean, anchor it to a large piece of

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sea ice and allow the water to freeze around their own, making any emergency them, effectively trapping themselves in the evacuation almost impossible. vast sheet of white that forms over the Other highlights North Pole each winter. The organizers say that the project is unprecedented in scale ● Nonetheless, the ship has a fully equipped and ambition. medical station to avoid any calamity on ● As temperatures drop and the days get board, said Verena Mohaupt, a logistics shorter, they’ll race against time to build expert who has prepared elaborate safety temporary winter research camps on the measures for the ship. ice, allowing them to perform tests that ● The MOSAiC mission, which stands for wouldn’t be possible at other times of the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the year or by satellite sensing. Study of Arctic Climate, comes about 125 ● So far we have always been locked out of years after Norwegian explorer Fridtjof that region and we lack even the basic Nansen first managed to seal his wooden observations of the climate processes in the expedition ship, Fram, into the ice during a central Arctic from winter. We are going to three-year expedition to the North Pole. change that for the first time. ● Scientists now believe that the cold cap that ● The mission’s aim to understand global forms each year is key to regulating weather warming means there’s no time for national patterns across the Northern Hemisphere. rivalry, said Rex. ● Mr. Rex cited the polar vortices that blasted ● Scientists from the United States, China, cold air as far as Florida last winter and the Russia and other countries will be rotating early summer heat wave in Europe as prime every two months as other icebreakers examples of the impact. bring fresh supplies. ● The dramatic warming of the Arctic doesn’t ● By combining measurements on the ice with stay in the Arctic. We as scientists, I think, data collected from satellites, scientists have the obligation to produce the robust hope to improve the increasingly scientific basis for political decisions. sophisticated computer models for weather and climate predictions. #5 Arctic mission will trap scientists in ● The mission has received funding from U.S. institutions such as the National Science ice to study climate Foundation, the Department of Energy, the ● Scientists from 17 nations will take part in National Oceanic and Atmospheric the year-long MOSAIC mission as they Administration, and NASA. anchor the RV Polarstern ship to a large ● Once the Polarstern is carried into the depth piece of Arctic sea ice to study climate of the Arctic night, far off the coast of change. northern Greenland, the scientists will be on

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About: ● They will build temporary winter research camps on the ice, allowing them to perform ● The MOSAiC mission stands for tests that wouldn’t be possible at other Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the times of the year or by satellite sensing. Study of Arctic Climate. ● Studying the impact of climate change on Participants: the Arctic and how it could affect the rest of ● Scientists from 17 nations will take part in the world. the year-long mission. Key highlights of proposed mission: ● The mission has received funding from U.S. institutions such as the National Science ● In a couple of months, the German Foundation, the Department of Energy, the icebreaker ship RV Polarstern will set out for National Oceanic and Atmospheric the Arctic packed with supplies and Administration, and NASA. scientific equipment for a year-long mission. ● They will anchor the ship to a large piece of sea ice and allow the water to freeze around :: FOR DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS VISIT :: them, effectively trapping themselves in the https://sscportal.in/daily-current-affairs vast sheet of white that forms over the North Pole each winter.

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SPORTS

#1 Max Verstappen won 2019 Austrian #2 Vaibhav Yadav, Indian pro boxer won Grand Prix (WBC) Asia title ● Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the 2019 ● Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav became the Austrian Grand Prix. WBC Asia silver champion. ● He defeated Ferrari's, Charles Leclerc ● They defeated 's Fahpetch ● Mercedes Valtteri Bottas met continuous Singmanassak in the title bout held in win and finishes with the third one. Pattaya, Thailand. ● Ferrari's Sebastian Ve became fourth. ● Yadav, a cousin of Commonwealth Games ● Five-times world champion Mercedes Lewis gold-medallist Vikas Krishan clinched a Hamilton won fifth place. third-round knockout over Singmanassak. ● The fight, which took place was conducted About 2019 Austrian Grand Prix by the Asian Boxing Council. ● It is approved by the World Boxing Council ● 2019 Austrian Grand Prix which is formally (WBC). known as the Formula 1 my World Großer ● He became the WBC Asia silver Preis von Österreich 2019 was a Formula welterweight champion after defeating One motor race Thailand's Fahpetch Singmanassak in the title bout held in Pattaya, Thailand.

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● Yadav, a cousin of Commonwealth Games ● She holds the current Indian national record gold-medallist Vikas Krishan clinched a in 400 metres with a timing of 50.79 s that third-round knockout over Singmanassak. she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, . #3 Hima Das won the women's 200m ● She has been conferred with Arjuna award by the President of India on 25 September gold in the Poznan Athletics Grand Prix 2018. in Poland ● She was appointed as India's first ever ● Star Indian sprinter Hima Das won the youth ambassador of UNICEF. women's 200m gold in the Poznan Athletics Grand Prix in Poland. She clocked 23.65s on #4 Elavenil Valarivan won the gold her way to the 200m gold. This was Hima's medal in 10m women's air rifle at ISSF first competitive 200m race of the year 2019. World Cup 2019 ● Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan won the Other winners: gold medal in the 10m women's air rifle ● The national record holder shot putter event of the season's first junior ISSF World Tajinder Pal Singh Toor bagged a bronze Cup 2019 on 4 July. with a best effort of 19.62m.VK Vismaya ● She defeated Chinese Taipei's Lin Ying-Shin finished third with a personal best time of to win the title. 23.75s in the race at Poznan Asian ● She shot 249.8 in the women's final. Her champion. 631.4 in the qualification was a new world ● Muhammed Anas, the 400m national record record. holder, secured third in the men's 200m race ● China's Wang Zeru managed to win the with a timing of 20.75 seconds. bronze medal with a score of 228.4 in her ● K S Jeevan won the men's 400m bronze in first World Cup appearance. 47.25s. ● Elavenil Valarivan is a sport shooter from Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. She had also won a Hima Das: bronze medal at the FISU World Shooting ● Hima Das, nicknamed the Dhing Express, is Sport Championship 2019. an Indian sprint runner from the state of Assam.

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Current Affairs MCQ

1. Who was appointed the Governor of 3. Which state government has Manipur? launched a free crop insurance scheme a. Najma Heptulla for farmers? b. Syed Ahmed a. West Bengal c. Shivinder Singh Sidhu b. Gujarat d. Padmanabh Acharya c. Andhra Pradesh d. Delhi Answer : (d) Answer : (a) 2. Which state approved a 10% reservation for the economically 4. National Statistics Day is celebrated weaker section (EWS) in 2019? on which date? a. Madhya Pradesh a. 27 June b. Uttar Pradesh b. 28 June c. Delhi c. 29 June d. Maharashtra d. 30 June

Answer : (a) Answer : (c)

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5. Who is the author of the book "The 8. First International Co-operative New Delhi Conspiracy"? Trade Fair will be organized in which a. Ravi Shankar Prasad city? b. Pratibha Advani a. New Delhi c. Shashi Tharoor b. Bangalore d. Meenakashi Lekhi c. Hyderabad Answer : (d) d. Kochi Answer : (a) 6.Which state government has launched a knockout campaign for 9. Mohammad Baji died recently, he Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and was the freedom fighter from which Japanese encephalitis (JE) disease ? state? a. Madhya pradesh a. Maharashtra b. Bihar b. Delhi c. Uttar pradesh c. Odisha d. Jharkhand d. Bihar

Answer : (c) Answer : (c)

7. International Olympic Day celebrated 10. Which Indian scientist has been on which day? selected as the co-investigator for a. 22 JUNE NASA's "Punch Mission"? b. 23 JUNE a. Professor Dipankar Banerjee c. 24 JUNE b. Professor Sudhakar Rao d. 25 JUNE c. Professor Sanjeev Singh Answer : (b) d. Professor Anjali Thakur Answer : (a)

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c. Russia 11. In which city "Garuda VI" practice d. Isreal began between India and France? Answer : (c) a. Strasbourg b. Marseille 14. Padma Shri awardee Jaya c. Lyon d. Mont-de-Marsan Arunachalam hailed from which state? a. Tamilnadu Answer : (d) b. Andhra Pradesh c. Kerala 12. In which state the Armed Forces d. Assam (Special Powers) Act, AFSPA has been Answer : (a) extended by 6 months? a. Arunachal pradesh 15. Which city of Rajasthan has been b. Nagaland declared as UNESCO World Heritage c. Tripura d. Assam Site in 2019? a. UDAIPUR Answer : (b) b. DHOLPUR c. JAIPUR 13. India has signed a deal worth 200 d. SUJANGARH million rupees for the purchase of the Answer : (c) Struem Ataka anti-tank missile with which country? a. Japan b. USA

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Study Material for SSC CGL (Tier-1) Examination English

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