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Jun 18, 2022 Daily News Update

                                                                                     PRELIMS BITS         1. June 18 is observed as:              --Autistic Pride Day (Theme: 'Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World’)        2. World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought is observed on:              --June 17 (Theme: “Rising up from drought together”)       3. Which state launched the Ennum Ezhuthum scheme to bridge the learning gap that was caused due to the COVID                              pandemic among students aged below eight:             --Tamil Nadu, by CM MK Stalin       4. Who is appointed as the new chairperson of the Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI):             --Pramod K Mittal (succeeds: Ajai Puri)        5. Who was sworn in as the new Lokayukta of Karnataka:            --Former Karnataka High Court judge, Bhimanagouda Sanganagouda Patil        6. India’s position in IMD’s World Competitiveness Index 2022, compiled by the Institute for Management Development (IMD)            --37th (Top: Denmark; Top in Asian countries: Singapore(3rd))        7. Who has retained his place in the ICC Elite Panel and is set to make his maiden appearance as a neutral umpire in Sri                      Lanka later this month:            --India’s Nitin Menon        8. The Eighth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians is being hosted in:             --Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (India’s representation is being done by S. Phangon Konyak at the Conference, she’s the first woman                       from Nagaland to be elected as MP to Rajya Sabha)        9. Who has been appointed by the Centre as Chairperson of the Press Council of India:             --Ranjana Prakash Desai J.  (Relevant section: section 5(2) & 6(1) of Press council of India Act 1978)       10. Which place in India recorded massive rainfall of 972mm making June 17 the third wettest June day in 122 years:            --Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya       11. Recently an MoU has been signed to set up India’s First Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh between:           -- between Ladakh’s administration, LAHDC Leh, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), at Hanle’s Changthang Wildlife                         Sanctuary.        12. Maharashtra’s First theatre festival dedicated to mental health is being hosted in:            --Pune from June 22-23        13. Which church in Mumbai will become Carbon Neutral in the next 2 years:            --Mumbai’s St Michael church, also known as Mahim Church        14. Which airport was named the best regional airport in India and South Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022:             --Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (Skytrax is a UK-based agency that reviews and ranks airports and airlines)         15. Which song by late singer Sidhu moosewala has entered the Billboard Global 200 chart, adding him to the list of very                    few Indian artists to do so:               --song ‘296’ at 154 Position.         16. Which cricket team recorded the highest-ever total in ODI cricket history:               --Men’s Cricket team of England scored 498/4 against the Netherlands in one-day international series                                                      NEWS IN DETAIL (FOR JUDICIARY MAINS+PRELIMS)                    17. Cabinet approves development of Greenfield Airport in Gujarat’s Dholera:             --cabinet committee on Economic Affairs has approved the development of phase 1 of greenfield Airport in Gujarat’s Dholera.            --union minister of IB Anurag Thakur said that 1,501 hectares of land had been allocated for the airport which will be built within 48                   months.         18. The upper age limit for Agnipath scheme hiring is raised to 23 for 2022:              --Amid nationwide protest for the Agnipath scheme, the Union government has raised the upper age limit for recruitment from 21 to                    23.              --a spokesperson from the defense ministry said that keeping in view the pandemic situation of the last two years and that no                         recruitments were made during this time, the government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed                     recruitment cycle for 2022.              --it has been clarified by the government that the number of Agniveers to be recruited in the first year would only make up 3% of                     the armed forces. “No change is being done to the regimental system".        19. Sensex, Nifty log worst week in over 2 years dragged by IT:            --India’s stock logged worst week in over two years since the week ended May 8, 2020, dragged by information technology, and                      metal stocks after U.S.Fedral Reserve raised rates by 75bps, the biggest since 1994.            --though metal and I.T indices declined the most in the week. Losses were logged in all sectoral indices.            --This is the 6th straight session of losses for Sensex and Nifty.        20. Extradition of WikiLeaks’ Founder Julian Assange to the US approved by the UK:           --UK’s secretary of state for the home department has approved the extradition of WikiLeaks’ Founder Julian Assange to the US to                  face criminal charges.             --Assange is wanted by US authorities on 18 counts, including a spying charge, relating to WikiLeaks’s release of vast troves of                        confidential US military records and diplomatic cables which they said had put lives in danger.         21. India successfully test-fired Prithvi-II Ballistic Missile at Chandipur:             --India has test-launched Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II from an integrated test range in Chandipur, Odisha.             --It is an indigenously developed, surface-to-surface missile. It is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines. Its range is 350 km                      and can carry a one-ton payload. Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is powered by liquid                            propulsion twin engines. The state-of-the-art missile uses an advanced inertial guidance system with a maneuvering trajectory to                  hit its target.         22. Delhi court denies Bail to GNCTD Minister Satyendar Jain in PMLA case:             --Special Judge Geetanjali Goel dismissed the bail plea moved by Satyendra Jain, a cabinet minister of the Government of                             National Capital Territory of India.             --Jain was sent to judicial custody earlier this month in connection with a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement                Directorate.             --The money laundering case is based upon an FIR registered by the CBI against the minister and other individuals in 2017 under                   the prevention of corruption Act.         23. European Commission recommends Ukraine be granted EU candidate status:             --amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine be granted EU candidature.             --quoting European commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “Ukraine has clearly shown commitment to live up to                              European values and standards.”             --The leaders of the bloc’s 27 existing members are scheduled to discuss the recommendation during a summit in Brussels next                     week.        24. China launches its third aircraft carrier:             --named Fujian at a shipyard in shanghai.             --The first catapult aircraft carrier wholly designed and built by the country. It was named after the Fijian province that is opposite                     self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.       25. India-US proposal to list Pakistan-based terrorist Makki as a global Terrorist blocked by China:            --joint proposal proposed by India-US to name Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist under ISIL (da’esh) and Al-Qaida                               sanctions committee of the security council was blocked by China.            --Makki is a U.S designated terrorist and brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-taiba head. China has played similar such moves in the past                   as well.     26. WTO fisheries deal approved by all 164 members; it was initially opposed by India:          --after India opposed eliminating fisheries subsidies, on the fourth day of WTO’s 12th ministerial conference in Geneva have now                    approved it.          --WTO (world trade organization) is the only global international organization dealing with rules of trade between nations; it has 164               members and 23 observer governments; the structure of WTO is dominated by the ministerial conference composed of                              representatives of all WTO members.   27. Ukraine plans to introduce Visas for Russians out rolling visa-free travel:       --Ukraine plans to introduce Visas for Russian nationals from July 1st announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.       --This move is taken due to the full-scale war that emerged between the two countries.       --This move will end Visa-free travel for Russians for the first time since Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union.                 

Jun 15, 2022 Daily News Update

                                                                                PRELIMS BITS 1. Global Wind Day 2022 is celebrated across the world on:     --15th June (Theme: celebrate to enjoy the benefits of Wind energy and providing education to the individuals about the power and potential of wind energy to change the world.) 2. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is annually observed on:    --15th June (Theme: “Combatting Elder Abuse”) 3.  Which country has overtaken Saudi Arabia to become India’s second-biggest supplier of oil:   --Russia (First biggest supplier of oil: Iraq) (India's third-largest consumer of oil in the world) 4. Name Microsoft's oldest browser that will be completely phased out from June 15:   --Internet Explorer (IE) retiring after 27 years. 5. India's Neeraj Chopra set a new national record as he threw 89.30 meters javelin throw at:  --The Paavo Nurmi games held in Finland (previous record throw: 87.58m, at Tokyo Olympics 2021) 6. Kamla Nagar Market in Delhi will soon be known as:   --"pride of Delhi" 7.  what is India's rank in World Bank’s Environment Performance Index 2022 among 180 countries:   --180, bottom position (Index given by Yale and Columbia universities) 8. which country topped the World Competitiveness Index of 63 economies compiled by the Institute for Management Development:   --Denmark (India's position: 37th) 10. Name India's First Covid Vaccine for Animals:   --Anocovax (developed by the Haryana’s ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines.) 11. Name India's  first centralized AC railway terminal in the country:   --The Ultra Luxury Sir M. Visvesvaraya Railway Terminal at Bengaluru, Karnataka 12. US President joe Biden nominated which Indian-American to the post of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment: -- security expert Radha lyengar plumb 13. which are India's top 10 most valuable companies as per Hurun list: --1) reliance Industries(value- 18,87,881 crore); 2)Tata consultancy services; 3)HDFC bank; 4)Infosys; 5)ICICI bank; 6)Adani Green Energy; 7)Bharti Airtel; 8)Housing Development Finance Corporation; 9)Bajaj Finance; 10)Kotak Mahindra Bank 14. India's first steel-slag road is inaugurated in:   --Surat, Gujrat by union minister of steel: Ram Chandra prasad                                                         NEWS IN DETAIL (FOR U.P JUDICIARY MAINS+PRELIMS)    15. The government announced  the 'Agnipath' scheme:         --what: This scheme provides for a process for recruiting soldiers in the Army, Navy, and Air force, to be hired for a term of                   four years on contract.  it focuses on individuals below the rank of officials to have a younger and fitter lot.        --who can apply: Under this scheme, both men and women between the ages of 17.5 and 21 can apply.        --Eligibility criteria: it will be an "All India All class" based recruitment. Agniveers will meet medical requirements for enlistment in                  the armed forces according to their particular categories/trades applied. Agniveers' educational qualifications will also be an                           important aspect for enrolment in many categories, such as The educational requirement for becoming a General Duty (GD) soldier             is Class 10.        --IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) to offer a special three-year program for ‘Agniveers’        -- Home Ministry to give priority to Agniveers who complete 4 years of service under Agnipath scheme in the recruitment of                     CAPFs, Assam Rifles   16. First National Conference of Chief Secretaries being held at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh:        --Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the first National Conference of Chief Secretaries at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association              (HPCA) from 16-17 June.        --the conference aims at strengthening center-state relations, rapid and sustained economic growth in partnership with the states,                        initiating collaborative action for higher growth with sustainability, creation of jobs, education, ease of living, and Aatmanirbharta                (Self-Reliance) in agriculture.         --Mainly three themes have been curated to have detailed deliberations over during the conference--(i) Implementation of the National              Education Policy; (ii) Urban governance; and (iii) Crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds, pulses, and other                  agri- commodities.     17. The 38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol is being conducted:          --The 38th India-Indonesia coordinated patrol is being conducted between the Indian Naval Units of the Andaman and Nicobar                        Command (ANC) and the Indonesian Navy in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca from 13 to 24 June 2022.         --38th CORPAT includes a visit to ANC by Indonesian Naval Units at Port Blair from June 13 to 15, 2022 followed by a sea phase in                the Andaman Sea and a visit of IN units to Sabang In Indonesia.     18. cabinet approves mega 5G auction:        --The Union Cabinet has approved the auction of airwaves capable of offering fifth generation, or 5G, telecom services, including ultra           high-speed Internet, and gave its nod for setting up of captive 5G networks by big tech firms.        --The spectrum auction is likely to start on July 26, 2022, and the pre-bid conference is scheduled for June 20, 2022.   19. japan to be a part of NATO summit for the first time:       --In a first instance, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will attend this month's NATO summit which is scheduled to be held in                     Madrid from June 28 to 30       --He will become Japan's first leader to join a top meeting of the transatlantic alliance.        --South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol will also be the first leader of his country to attend the summit.    20. Supreme Court issues notice to Uttar Pradesh government on the recent demolition of houses:     --recently the U.P government demolished houses of violence accused for which hon'ble supreme court issued a notice to U.P                        government.      --court observed that it can't stay demolition but the process of law must be followed for the demolition of unauthorized structures.     --The court granted the State Three days to show how the recent demolitions were carried out in accordance with the law.    

Jun 15, 2022 Daily News Update

                                                                                         PRELIMS BITS 1. International Albinism Awareness Day is observed on:             -- 13th June (Theme: “United in making our voice heard”) 2. June 14 is observed globally as:             --World blood donor day 3. Who has been appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as MD & CEO of RBL Bank?             --R Subramaniakumar (succeeds: Vishwavir Ahuja) 4. Who has been appointed UN Under-Secretary-General?             --Ambassador Rabab Fatima (succeeds Courtenay Rattray) 5. which monarch overtook Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej to be the world’s second longest-reigning monarch?            --Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (Crowned: 1953) 6. Maharashtra Governor presented Honorary Doctor of Literature to:            -- Mr. Ratan Tata (Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari) 7. Which state inaugurated the country’s first oncology laboratory for comprehensive cancer diagnostic services?           -- Kerela by Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan 8. Which new national party has been launched by Telangana’s chief minister, K Chandrashekhar Rao?            -- ‘Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti’ 9. Who becomes India’s 74th Grandmaster?           --Rahul Srivatshav P from Telangana 10. Which Indian won the Norway Chess Group A open chess tournament unbeaten throughout nine rounds?           --16-year-old Grandmaster: R. Praggnanandhaa 11. Who became India’s first weightlifter to win a gold at the IWF Youth World Championships in Leon, Mexico?           --Gurunaidu Sanapathi                                                    NEWS IN DETAIL ( FOR U.P JUDICIARY MAINS + PRELIMS) 12. The National e-governance service delivery assessment (NeSDA) report 2021: --overall, Kerala had the highest overall compliance score amongst all the States and UTs. -- among Union Territories: It is for the first time that Jammu and Kashmir was assessed in this report and ranked 1st. -- among northeast and hill states: Meghalaya and Nagaland were ranked at the top in State Portals with an overall compliance of over 90 percent on all assessment parameters. -- among the remaining state category: Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh had a compliance of over 85 percent 13. First-ever India-European Union (EU) Security and Defence Consultations: --Held in Brussels. --Deliberations over issues such as cyber security, terrorism, maritime awareness, training modules, joint exercises, and threat assessment were co-chaired by Joint secretary of the Ministry of Defence Somnath Ghosh and Joint Secretary (Europe West) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Sandeep Chakravorty from India and Director Security and Defence Policy, from European Union 14. “National Museum of Customs and GST” inaugurated by Finance minister: -- National Museum of Customs and GST called “Dharohar” was inaugurated in Goa by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as a part of Azadi ka Mahotsav. -- Dharohar is a distinctive two stories blue building museum that will exhibit artifacts seized by Indian Customs. -- it will also depict multiple aspects of work performed by the Customs Department while safeguarding the economic frontiers of India, flora & fauna, India’s heritage, and society. --the museum is divided into 8 galleries: Introductory gallery, History of taxation gallery,  15. Children in Street Situations (CiSS) App was launched by ‘The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): -- This app was launched under the Baal Swaraj portal for the rehabilitation of children living on the streets. --This initiative is being taken up on the order of the hon'ble Supreme court, under Article 51 (A) of the constitution of India. 16. Bengal passes Bill replacing Governor with CM as state university Chancellor: --In a new development by Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal curtailed the authority enjoyed by Governors as Chancellors. -- The state Legislative Assembly passed the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to replace the Governor, Jagdeep Dhankhar, with the CM as the Chancellor of state-run universities. --However, in an ironic turn of events, Mr. Dhankar would himself have to give the assent to the bill as governor of the state, He will be left with two options: either to give assent to the bill or withhold it and send it back for reconsideration. --However, if the assembly passed it again with or without reconsiderations, Mr. Dhankar will have no option but to pass it. 17. Navies of India, and Indonesia begins coordinated patrol exercise in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca: -- 38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol between the Indian Navy Units of Andaman and Nicobar Command, ANC, and Indonesian Navy is being conducted from 13###sup/sup### June to 24###sup/sup### June. -- This is the first post-pandemic 12 days Coordinated Patrol between the two countries. -- The two navies have been carrying out the coordinated patrol along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002. 18. Haryana tops medal tally in khelo India youth games 2021: -- Haryana tops the medal tally with 52 gold, 39 silver, and 46 bronze medals. --Maharashtra finishes second with 45 gold, 40 silver, and 40 bronze. -- the closing ceremony was held at Indradanush Auditorium in Panchkula with Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya as chief guest. -- The fourth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games saw athletes from over 36 states and Union Territories compete in 25 different sports