CTRRENS AFFAIRS...CTRRENS AFFAIRS DIGESS. Most Important current affairs collected for school students from The HINDU / The Indian Express / Press Information Bureau etc.. SUCCESS

CTRRENS AFFAIRS

DIGESS. Most Important current affairs collected for school students from The HINDU / The Indian Express / Press Information Bureau etc..

SUCCESS PREAMBLE JUNE 2019 www.race2ias.com Follow : www.facebook.com/race2ias

1

World Milk Day being observed

World Milk Day is celebrated every year

on 1st June to educate people about the

importance of milk in our diet (science

2001).

The theme for World Milk Day 2019 in

India is "Drink Milk: Today & Everyday

World Milk Day is a day established by the

United Nations Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) to recognize the

importance of milk as a global food

PM Modi approves the hike in

rates of scholarship under National

Defence Fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has

approved major changes in the Prime

Minister's scholarship scheme under the

National Defence Fund.

Mr Modi has enhanced rates of

scholarship from 2000 rupees per month

to 2500 rupees per month for boys and

from 2250 rupees per month to 3000

rupees per month for girls.

Pakistan to host 2020 Asia Cup

Pakistan will host the 15th edition of the

2020 Asia Cup cricket tournament (in

September 2020).

The matches will be played as Twenty20

Internationals (T20Is) in the quadrennial

event.

In the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)

meeting, it was also decided that the

tournament will be shifted to another

venue if diplomatic ties between India

(defending champions) and Pakistan do

not improve.

Elephanta festival of art and

culture begins in Mumbai

The two-day Elephanta Festival of art

and culture kicked off at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai.

The gala event is organised on

the Elephanta Islandand promoted by

the Maharashtra government.

They are a collection of cave

temples predominantly dedicated to Lord

Shiv.

Centre shortlists five cities for

International Yoga Day

The Union Government has shortlisted

five cities (Delhi, Shimla, Mysore,

Ahmedabad and Ranchi) to hold National Programme of the International Yoga

Day this year.

According to Official sources, names of these citieshave been sent to the Prime

Minister's Office (PMO) which will finalize


2

the venue of the main function to be held

on June 21.

If selected, the national capital would be

hosting the event for the second time.

About 10,000 people, including yoga

teachers, professionals, enthusiasts and

others are attending it.

AYUSH Ministry launches App to

locate yoga centres, instructors

AYUSH Ministry has launched a mobile

application to enable people to locate

yoga events and centres providing

training and instructors.

‗Yoga locator‘ is a map-based location app

which will also enable yoga instructors to

register themselves and reach out to a

large number of people.

The mobile app was launched ahead of

International Yoga Day (21st June). Yoga locator app will help people to

locate yoga centres as well as yoga

instructors within the preferred radius of

their vicinity.

PM-KISAN Scheme extension to

include all eligible farmer families

irrespective of the size of land

holdings

The Union Cabinet approved the

extension of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan

Samman Nidhi Yojana to all eligible

farmer families, irrespective of the size of

their landholding. The ‗PM-KISAN scheme‘ for farmers was

launched by PM Modi on 24th February

2019.

Under the original scheme, households

with agricultural landholdings smaller

than two hectares were eligible to receive

Rs 6,000 annually (as direct benefit

transfers from the Centre).

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana

will provide a minimum fixed pension of

Rs 3,000 per month to farmers above the

age of 60.

2nd June: Telangana celebrates its

fifth formation day'

Telangana people celebrated the fifth

anniversary of its Formation Day with

enthusiasm and fervour.


3

Telangana was formed on 2nd June in 2014

following the bifurcation of Andhra

Pradesh.

Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekhar

Rao hoisted the tricolour at a ceremonial

programme held on the lawns of Jubilee

Hall at Public Gardens in Hyderabad.

A number of cultural, sports and social

events have been lined up in the state

capital Hyderabad & also in districts as

part of the celebrations

3rd June: World Bicycle Day

The World Bicycle Day (WBD) is observed

by United Nations (UN) on 3rd June every

year to raise awareness about the multiple

societal benefits of using the bicycle for

transport and leisure.

The WBD was approved on 12th April

2018 as an official United Nations day of

awareness about the multiple societal

benefits of using the bicycle for transport

and leisure.

Kasturirangan committee submits

new draft education policy to HRD

Ministry

Former ISRO chief Dr Kasturirangan led

Committee submitted the draft National

Educational Policy (NEP) to HRD Minister

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in New Delhi.

The policy draft recommends

incorporation of Indian knowledge

systems in the curriculum, constituting a

National Education Commission and

curbing arbitrary fees hikes by private

schools.

The expert panel also proposed massive

transformation in Teacher Education by

moving all teacher preparation and

education programmes into large

multidisciplinary universities or colleges

Forex reserve rises by 1.99 billion

to 419.99 billion

As per RBI press release, India's foreign

exchange reserves increased by 1.994

billion to 419.992 billion US Dollar in the

week ended 24th May 2019.

The reserves had declined by 2.05 billion

to end at 417.99 billion US Dollar.

Gold reserves remained stable at 23.021

billion US Dollar.

GST revenue collection crosses Rs

One lakh cr in May

The GST revenue collection has crossed

one lakh crore rupees in May 2019, which

is a growth of 6.67% over the revenue

collected in the same month last year.


4

The GST collected during last month was one lakh 289 crore rupees as

compared to over 94 thousand crore

rupees in the same period of last year.

Ajit Doval reappointed National

Security Advisor with Cabinet rank

PM Narendra Modi has reappointed IPS

(Retd) Ajit Doval (74-years) as

5th National Security Advisor(NSA) for

another five-year term. Ajit Doval (first NSA to serve two

consecutive terms) has been also granted

cabinet status.

With his reappointment, Modi‟s national

security teamis complete — with S

Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister)

and Amit Shah (Home Affairs minister) as

the other members of the trio. Earlier, Mr. Doval served as the Director

of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 2004–

05, after spending a decade as the head of

its operation wing. Under his supervision 2016 Indian Line of

Control strike (on 29th Sept 2016) and Balakot airstrike (on 26th Feb,2019)

were conducted.

4th June: International Day of

Innocent Children Victims of

Aggression

The International Day of Innocent

Children Victims of Aggression is a

United Nations (UN) observance every year on 4th June to protect the rights of

children. The day was established on 19th August

1982.

Its purpose expanded to acknowledge the

pain suffered by children throughout the

world who are the victims of physical,

mental and emotional abuse

Gun license applicants in MP need

to plant trees and take a selfie

In a unique kind of initiative, Tree will

have to be planted for the license of arms

in Madhya Pradesh state.

According to Gwalior district collector, Anurag Choudhary informed

that Gun license seekers will need to plant

at least ten saplings.

The applicant will be required to take care

of the saplings for a month, click a selfie

with them immediately after planting and


5

a month later, and attach the pictures with

the application.

After planting the tree, the applicant of

license must take care of it for a month

and then will take a selfie with plant

and submit along with application form

for license.

World Environment Day being

observed today

The World Environment Day (WED)

observed every year across the world on 5th June to encourage awareness and

action for the protection of the

environment.

The theme for World Environment Day 2019 is " Beat Air Pollution ".

China is the global host nation for the

44th edition of this event. Today, Environment Minister Prakash

Javadekarplanted a sapling in Paryavaran

Bhawan in New Delhi.

Rajiv Mehrishi elected external

auditor of WHO

Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Mr. Rajiv Mehrishi (IAS- 1978 batch-

Rajasthan cadre) has been elected as

external auditor of the World Health

Organization (WHO) for a term of four

years (from 2020 to 2023).

Mehrishi was elected at the 72nd World

Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2019.

In March 2019, he was elected for the post

of External Auditor of Food and

Agriculture Organization in Rome.

Mehrishi is currently also on the Board of

Auditors of the United Nations and Vice-

Chair of the UN Panel of External Auditors.

Scientists break the record for

highest-temperature

superconductor

Scientists have discovered

superconductivity at the highest

temperatures ever recorded.

The researchers at the University of

Chicago in the US studied a class of

materials in which they observed

superconductivity at temperatures of

about minus 23 degrees Celsius.

Superconductivity is the ability to conduct

electricity perfectly.

The material offers zero resistance to

electrical current and cannot be

penetrated by magnetic fields.

Volcano erupts in the Indonesian

island of Bali

A volcano on the Indonesian island of

Bali, Mount Agung erupted.

Mount Agung spewed a plume of ash and

smoke more than 2,000 metres into the

sky.

The volcano is located about 70 kilometres

from the tourist hub of Kuta.


6

It has been erupting periodically since it

came back to life in 2017

Food grains production for the

agricultural year 2018-19

estimated at over 283 million

tonnes

Food grains production for the agricultural

year 2018-19 has been estimated at over

283 million tonnes.

It is higher by over 17 million tonnes than

the previous five years average

production of food grain.

According to Agriculture Ministry, as per

the third advance estimates the rice

production is estimated at an all-time high

of over 115 million tonnes during 2018-19,

(previous 112 million tonnes- in 2017-18)

RBI reduces repo rate by 25 basis

points to 5.75 %

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has

announced its second Bi-monthly

Monetary Policy Rates for 2019-20 in

Mumbai. The Bi-monthly policy has been released

based on the assessment of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of

India (RBI).

The six-member Monetary Policy

Committee (MPC) led by RBI Governor

also decided to change the stance of

monetary policy from neutral to

accommodative.

The RBI reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment

facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 5.75

per cent from 6.0 per cent with immediate

effect.

India to grow at 7.5% during the

next three years: World Bank

The World Bank has forecast that India's

economy is projected to grow at 7.5 per

cent in the next three years.

India is estimated to have grown 7.2 per cent in the fiscal year 2018-19, which

ended March 31 this year.


7

A slowdown in government consumption

was offset by solid investment, which

benefitted from public infrastructure

spending. With this, India will continue to retain

the position of being the fastest growing

emerging economy and by 2021, its

growth rate is projected to be 1.5 per cent

more than China's 6 per cent.

6 June: Maharana Pratap Jayanti

observed

Maharana Pratap Jayanti (479th birth) is

being observed every year on 6 June to

celebrate the birth anniversary of a brave Rajput warrior.

Maharana Pratap was the 13th Rajput

king of Mewar, a province in modern-day

Rajasthan.

He became ruler of Mewar in 1572, after the death of Udai Singh.

He was the eldest son of Maharana Udai

Singh and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai.

Sunil Chhetri becomes most

capped India player

Sunil Chhetri has become the most

capped India player by surpassing

Bhaichung Bhutia's 107 international

matches.

In his milestone match of the King's Cup

football tournament in Buriram, Thailand,

he scored the lone goal for his side in the

31st minute from a spot kick for his 69th

goal

PM Modi approves reconstitution

of NITI Aayog

Mr Modi will be the Chairperson of the

Aayog and Rajiv Kumar will be the Vice

Chairman. An official release said V K

Saraswat (former DRDO Chief), Ramesh

Chand (Agriculture Expert) and Dr V K

Paul (Public Health expert)will be the full-

time members of the NITI Aayog. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home

Minister Amit Shah, Finance

Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh

Tomar will be the Ex-Officio Members.

Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari,Social Justice and

Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand

Gehlot, Rail Minister Piyush Goyal and

Statistics and Programme Implementation

Minister Rao Inderjit Singh will be the

special invitees of NITI Aayog.

Nigeria's envoy to UN elected

President of the 74th session of

UNGA


8

Nigeria's Ambassador to the United

Nations Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (61-

year) has been elected as President of the

74th session of the UN General Assembly

(UNGA).

He succeeds Ecuadorian María Fernanda

Espinosa, whose term ends in September

2019.

Tijjani Muhammad-Bande had been nominated by Nigeria and endorsed by

the African group, at the election by

acclamation.

In accordance with the rules, the President

of the 74th session of the General

Assembly (193-member) should be

elected from among the African States.

Sunder Pichai, Friedman to receive

2019 Global Leadership Award

In the United States, Google's India-born CEO Sundar Pichai (46-years) and

Nasdaq president Adena Friedman (50-

years) have been chosen for the

prestigious Global Leadership Awards

2019 by business advocacy group USIBC.

They recognised for companies'

contribution as the leading technology-

driven platforms.

World Oceans Day being observed

globally

World Oceans Day (WOD) is observed

every year on 8th June to provide an

opportunity to take personal and

community action to conserve the ocean

and its resources.

The theme of World Oceans Day- 2019 is "Gender and Oceans".

The main action focus is to prevent

plastic pollution and encourage solutions

for a healthy ocean.

The Ocean Project has promoted and

coordinated World Oceans Day globally

since 2002.

Nirmala Sitharaman attends the G-

20 Finance Ministers‟ meeting in

Japan


9

Finance Minister Nirmala

Sitharaman attended the two-day

meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers and

Central Bank governors in Japan.

Besides Ms Sitharaman, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das also attend

the meeting at Fukuoka in Japan.

The deliberations at the meeting would be

followed by the G-20 Leaders‘ Summit scheduled on June 28-29 at Osaka.

Saudi Arabia will host the G20 summit

in November 2020.

G-20 include India, the US, the UK, China,

Russia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, France and

Australia among others.

S Jaishankar reaches Bhutan for his

first overseas visit as External

Affairs Minister

S Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan for his

first overseas visit as External Affairs

Minister. This is Mr. Jaishankar's first overseas

visit after assuming charge of the Ministry.

During the visit, Mr Jaishankar will call on

Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering

and meet his counterpart Tandi Dorji.

The Minister is also expected to receive

an audience with King of Bhutan Jigme

Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel

takes oath as new CJI of Delhi High

Court

Justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel (59-

years) was sworn in as Chief Justice of

the Delhi High Court. Lt Governor Anil Baijal administered the

oath of office to Justice Patel at a function

held at Raj Niwas.

Earlier, Justice Patel was posted at the

Jharkhand High Court (from 24th of May

2019 to 6th June, 2019).

The Supreme Court Collegium had

recommended his name for the

appointment as Chief Justice of the Delhi

High Court

BJD's Chandrani Murmu became

the youngest MP in India‟s history

Odisha‟s Chandrani Murmu (25 years

and 11 months) has become the

youngest Member of Parliament (MP) to

the 17th Lok Sabha.

Chandrani Murmu was elected as Biju

Janata Dal (BJD) candidate from the tribal-

dominated Keonjhar seat.

Odisha has a total of seven women MPs,

making it the first state ever to have 33%

or the largest share of women MPs of its

total of 21 seats.

2019 FIFA Women‟s World Cup

Starts in France


10

The 2019 FIFA Women‟s World Cup (8th

edition) started in France from 7 June to 7

July 2019.

The quadrennial international football

championship contested by the twenty-

four women‘s national teams. (from 6

confederations). The Championship held in nine cities

across France.

In March 2015, France won the right to

host the event, the first time the country

will host the tournament, and the third

time a European nation will.

Dr Virendra Kumar to be pro tem

speaker of 17th Lok Sabha

Seven-time MP Virendra Kumar (65

years) is set to be the pro tem

speaker (temporary Speaker) of the 17th

Lok Sabha.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Virendra

Kumar is likely to be administered

the oath of office at Rashtrapati

Bhavan on 17th June 2019.

Virendra Kumar was elected to the 11th (1996), 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th

and 17th Lok Sabha continuously.

The election for the speaker will be held on 19th June 2019.

The Pro-tem Speaker is a temporary

speaker appointed for a limited period to

conduct the works in Lok Sabha or in state

legislatures.

Equator Prize 2019 winners

announced for local innovative

climate solutions

The UN Development

Programme (UNDP) and partners

announced the winners of the 10th Equator Prize, recognizing 22 local and

indigenous communities from across the

world.

The winning organizations, which

showcase innovative, nature-based

solutions for tackling climate change,

environment, and poverty challenges.

Narendra Modi accepts Macron's

invite to attend the outreach

session of G7 Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has

accepted an invitation from French

President Emmanuel Macron to attend the

outreach session of the G7 Summit in

Biarritz as a special invitee.

According to External affairs ministry

Raveesh Kumar, the invitation is a reflection of the personal

chemistrybetween the two leaders.


11

Yuvraj Singh announces

retirement from International

Cricket

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh (37-year)

announced his retirement from all forms

of cricket. Yuvraj will be pursuing a freelance

career in ICC approved foreign

Twenty20 leagues. First time in Twenty20 cricket, Yuvraj hit

6 sixes in one over off Stuart Broad in a super-8 match against England at

Durban. He was the vice-captain of the Indian

ODI team between 2007–2008.

The veteran cricketer has amassed over

11,000 international runs in the 304 ODIs,

40 Tests, and 58 T20Is that he has played

Rafael Nadal wins the 2019 French

Open title

Spain's Rafael Nadal (33-year) has lifted

his 12th French Open Men's Singles title.

He defeated fourth seed Austrian Dominic

Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 for the third

straight year.

Ashleigh Barty wins 2019 French

Open women‟s singles crown

Australian Ashleigh Barty (23-years) has

beaten Marketa Vondrousova in the

French Open final to win her first Grand

Slam singles title.

Ashleigh Barty won 6-1 6-3 against Czech

teenager Vondrousova on the Paris clay.

PM Modi gets Maldives' Highest

Honour "Rule of Nishan

Izzuddeen"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was

conferred with the Maldives' highest

honour "Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen" during

his two-day state visit to the country.

The prestigious award was presented to

PM Modi by President Ibrahim Mohamed

Solih during a ceremony in Male.

The Most Honourable Order of the

Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen" is

the Maldives' highest honour accorded to

foreign dignitaries.

Military Government Chief

Prayuth Chan-ocha elected

Thailand‟s PM


12

Thailand‘s new parliament has elected

military government chief Prayuth Chan-

ocha (65-years) as the country‘s prime

minister.

Prayuth received 500 votes to 244 for

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of the

Future Forward Party.

Prayut is a former Commander in Chief of

the Royal Thai Army (from October 2010 -

October 2014)

Prayuth‘s appointment becomes official

when it is endorsed by King Maha

Vajiralongkorn.

Pakistan Likely stay in Grey List

Pakistan was placed on the grey list by the

FATF in June 2018 for failing to curb anti-

terror financing.

It has been doing everything in recent

months to avoid being added to a list of

countries deemed non-compliant with

anti-money laundering and terrorist

financing regulations by the Paris-based

FATF, a measure that officials here fear

could further hurt its economy

Pakistani analysts say being put on the

FATF watch list could deal a blow to

Pakistan‘s economy, making it harder for

foreign investors and companies to do

business in the country.

Canada to ban single-use plastics

as early as 2021

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has

announced, Canada will ban ―harmful‖

single-use plastics as early as 2021 in a

bid to reduce ocean waste.

This initiative is modelled on similar

legislation passed last year by the

European Union and other nations

Canada will also establish ―targets‖ for

companies that manufacture or sell

plastics to be responsible for their plastic

waste.

Currently less than 10% of plastic used in

Canada gets recycled

All States can now constitute

Foreigners Tribunals

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has

laid out specific guidelines to detect,


13

detain and deport foreign nationals

staying illegally across the country.

The MHA has amended the Foreigners

(Tribunals) Order, 1964, and has

empowered district magistrates in all

States and Union Territories to set up

tribunals to decide whether a person

staying illegally in India is a foreigner or

not.

Earlier, the powers to constitute tribunals

were vested only with the Centre.

ZERO WASTAGE

The Ministry is now advocating and

promoting a ―zero food wastage‖

campaign in restaurants. ―Display a clear

message, which conveys this to all

customers and staff members. Excess food

must be distributed among the poor and

kitchen wet waste must be turned into

compost,‖ says the Ministry.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of

the United Nations (FAO) estimates that,

every year, a third of food produced does

not even reach the table.

The UN estimates nearly 40% of the food

produced in India is wasted or lost, and

adds that food wastage in India is

happening at every level — from

harvesting, transporting and processing to

packaging and consuming.

How much plastic is in your diet?

People are ingesting 5 g of

microplastic every week, equal in

weight to a credit card

Coming mostly from tap and especially

bottled water, nearly invisible bits of

polymer were also found in shellfish,

beer and salt, scientists reported.

A third of that — some 100 million

tonnes — is dumped or leaches into

Nature, polluting land, rivers and the

sea. On current trends, the ocean will

contain one metric tonne of plastic for

every three metric tonnes of fish by

2025

PM Modi reaches Kyrgyz capital

Bishkek to attend SCO summit Prime Minister Narendra

Modi reached Bishkek (capital of

Kyrgyzstan) to attend the meeting of

Council of Heads of States of Shanghai

Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Presidents, Prime Ministers (8 member

countries) and 4 head of states as

observers are participating in

this multilateral international forum.

The China-led SCO meets once a

year and adopts decisions and guidelines


14

on all important matters of the organisation

International Albinism Awareness

Day observed on 13th

June

The International Albinism Awareness

Day is being observed on 13th June with

an aim to end multiple forms of

discrimination that is faced by people who

suffers from albinism.

The theme of the 2019 International Albinism Awareness Day is ‗Still Standing

Strong‘.

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious,

genetically inherited difference present at

birth, and it is still profoundly

misunderstood, socially and medically.

Union Cabinet extends the

President‟s rule in J&K for another

six months

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi has approved

the extension of President‘s rule in Jammu

and Kashmir for another six months (from

3rdJuly). President's rule is the suspension of state

government and imposition of direct

central government rule in a state.

Jammu Kashmir has been under President's rule since

20th December 2018. According to Election commission,

Assembly elections in J&K will be held

after Amarnath Yatra ends in August 2019

Kassyam-Jomart Tokayev takes

oath as the new president of

Kazakhstan

The career diplomat Kassym-Jomart

Tokayev (66-year) took the oath of office

as the new president of Kazakhstan during

a ceremony at the Palace of Independence

in the capital, Nur-Sultan. He was acting president following the

surprise resignation of Nursultan

Nazarbayev (78-years) in March 2019.


15

PM Modi chairs the fifth meeting

of Governing Council of NITI

Aayog

o The Governing Council have been held

under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister

with the Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors

of the states and union territories and

other members of NITI Aayog.

The meeting attended by Defence

Minister, Home Minister, Finance and

Corporate Affairs Minister, Agriculture

Minister, Rural Development and

Panchayati Raj Minister as ex-officio

members.

The agenda before the Meeting include

rain-water harvesting, drought situation

and relief measures, aspirational districts

programme, transforming agriculture, and

security-related issues with a specific

focus on Left Wing Extremism district

India ranks 141st on Global Peace

Index 2019

India‘s rank has slipped five places to 141st rank (136th- in 2018) among 163

countries on the 2019 Global Peace Index.

Iceland remains the most peaceful country

(since 2008) and Afghanistan the least

peaceful nation (replacing Syria) in the

world.

Global Peace Index reports published by

the Australian think tank Institute of

Economics and Peace.

The 2019 report also includes new

research on the possible effects of climate

change on peace.

India together with the Philippines, Japan,

Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Indonesia,

Vietnam and Pakistan are the nine

countries with the highest risk of multiple

climate hazards.

Japan to invest Rs 13,000 cr in the

northeast in infrastructure projects

Japan government has decided to

invest Rs 13,000 crore (205.784 billion

yen) in several ongoing as well as new

infrastructure projects in the northeast

region.

Some of the important projects in which

Japan will collaborate include the

Guwahati water supply project, Guwahati

sewage project, the northeast road

network connectivity improvement

project spread over Assam and

Meghalaya and northeast network

connectivity improvement project in

Meghalaya.

This was disclosed after a meeting which

the DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh had

with the Japanese delegation led by

Ambassador Mr Kenji Hiramatsu.


16

Udupi‟s Amasebailu becomes

Karnataka‟s first solar-powered

Gram Panchayat

Amasebailu in Kundapura Taluk of Udupi

district has become Karnataka‘s first solar-

powered Gram Panchayat.

Over 1800 houses were provided solar

lamps at a total cost of 2.13 crore rupees.

The project was funded by Centre and

State Government in the ratio of 30:20 and

the rest was paid by the Panchayat and

charitable organizations.

India‟s Moon mission

„Chandrayaan 2‟ to take off on

15th July

According to ISRO Chairperson Dr. K

Sivan, India‘s mission to the Moon „Chandrayaan-2‟ will take off on

15th July (at 2.51 am) from Satish Dhawan

Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra

Pradesh.

India‘s second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 is an advanced

version of the previous ‗Chandrayaan-1‘

mission, which was launched about 10

years ago.

Chandrayaan-2 will carry 13 scientific

satellites (weighs about 3.8 tonnes),

explore the southern part of the Moon.

FDI flows to India grew 6% in 2018

to 42 billion: UN report

According to UN report, Foreign Direct

Investment (FDI) to India grew by 6% to

42 billion dollars in 2018, with strong

inflows in the manufacturing,

communication and financial services sectors, and cross-border merger and

acquisition activities. The report ranked India among the

top 20 host economies for FDI inflows in

2017-18. The World Investment Report

2019, released by the UN Conference on

Trade and Development(UNCTAD),

Foreign Direct Investment inflows to South

Asia increased by 3.5% to 54 billion

dollars.

India has historically accounted for 70 to

80 per cent of inflows to the subregion.

Amazon clinches top spot in the

world‟s most valuable brand

ranking


17

US retail giant „Amazon‟ has moved past

hi-tech titans Apple and Google to

become the world's most valuable brand.

According to Kantar‘s 2019, Top 100

BrandZ report, the brand value of Amazon

surged by 52% to USD 315 billion.

Arjun Munda launches „E-

Governance initiatives for ST

Welfare Schemes‟

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun

Munda has launched the ―e-governance

initiatives for ST Welfare schemes‖ at a

function organized by Ministry of Tribal

Affairs. A power point presentation on these new

e-governance initiatives was made on the

occasion.

Shri Munda applauded the teamwork

efforts of the Ministry of Tribal affairs for

these-governance initiatives for

Scheduled Tribes Welfare schemes.

India successfully launches the

Hypersonic Technology

Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)

India has successfully conducted the maiden flight testof its indigenously

developed fired Hypersonic Technology

Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) off

Odisha Coast, developed by DRDO. Defence Research and Development

Organisation(DRDO) carried out the

trials from Dr Abdul Kalam Island in the

Bay of Bengal. While it can be used to launch small

satellites at a much lower cost, it will be

used for launching long-range cruise

missiles.

It will help in the development of a

hypersonic cruise missile system.

ISRO to launch India's own space

station to send more humans to

space

According to ISRO chief K Sivan, India is

planning to launch its own space station

which will enable the agency to send

more humans to space when executed. India will not join the International Space

Station.

A space station is a spacecraft capable of

supporting crew members, designed to

remain in space for an extended period

and for other spacecraft to dock.

The weight of the space station is likely to

be 20 tonnes.


18

„Suman Rao‟ crowned „Miss

India 2019‟

Suman Rao (20-year-old from Rajasthan)

has been crowned fbb Colors ‗Miss India

2019‘ (56th edition) in an extravagant

ceremony at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Indoor Stadium, Mumbai.

Chhattisgarh's Shivani Jadhav (23-years)

was crowned Miss Grand India 2019.

Shreya Shanker (21-years) from Bihar

won ‗Miss India United Continents 2019

title‘.

Now, Suman Rao will represent India at

Miss World 2019 in Thailand. Telangana's Sanjana Vij was adjudged

as Miss India Runner Up 2019.

Akshaya Patra wins BBC World

Service Global Champion Award

Bengaluru-based NGO ‗Akshaya

Patra‟ has been awarded the BBC World

Service Global Champion Award for the

programme. NGO ‗Akshaya Patra‟ runs one of

the world‟s largest school

meals project in India.

The Award, presented at the BBC Food

and Farming Awards in Bristol this week,

recognises a person or project who is

changing the way the world produces, processes, consumes or thinks about

food for the better.

Sahitya Akademi announces Bal

Sahitya Puraskar and Yuva

Puraskar 2019

Sahitya Akademi has selected 22 writers

for the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya

Puraskar 2019 and 23 writers for Yuva

Puraskar 2019.

Six books of children's poetry, including

works by Vijay Sharma (Dogri), Naji

Munauwar (Kashmiri), and Sanjay

Chaubey (Sanskrit); five storybooks by

authors including Govind Sharma (Hindi),

Mohammad Khalil (Urdu), and Swmim

Nasrin (Assamese); and five authors for

their total contribution in children's

literature won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar.

17 June: World Day to Combat

Desertification and Drought

The World Day to Combat Desertification

and Drought observed across the world

on 17th June every year to promote public

awareness of international efforts to

combat desertification.


19

World Day to Combat Desertification 2019

marks the 25th anniversary of the UN

Convention to Combat Desertification

(UNCCD).

The theme of 2019 World Day to Combat

Desertification and Drought is ―Let‘s Grow

the Future Together‖.

Minister for Environment, Forests and

Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has

delivered a keynote address at an event in

New Delhi to mark the occasion

Zuzana Caputova sworn in as

Slovakia‟s first female President

Anti-corruption campaigner Zuzana

Caputova (45-years) was sworn in as

Slovakia‘s first female president.

Caputova scored a convincing victory

against Smer-SD candidate Maros

Sefcovic.

Her allies from the Progressive

Slovakia/Together party hope to use the

momentum to unseat the ruling party in a

2020 general election.

Caputova is the fifth president in modern

Slovak history.

World‟s highest weather stations

installed on Mount Everest

A team of Tribhuvan University and

National Geographic Society scientists &

researchers have installed the world‘s

highest, fully automated weather stations

atop Mount Everest.

Total five weather stations, including one

at a record height of 27,657 feet, were

installed on the Earth‘s highest mountain

above sea level.

The weather station will record data on

temperature, relative humidity,

barometric pressure, wind speed, and

wind direction.

Autistic Pride Day is observed on

18th June

Autistic Pride Day observed every year

on 18th June, to recognises the

importance of pride for autistics and

understands it not as a disease but as a

difference. ‗Autism Spectrum Disability‘ is a range

of complex neurodevelopment disorders

characterized by social impairments,

communication difficulties, restrictive and

repetitive pattern of behaviour. It is a lifelong condition which usually

occurs in the first three years of life.

The exact cause of autism is not known

but it is known to be associated with

genetic and environmental factors

Bahrain to ban plastic products

from next month


20

Bahrain will start phasing out the use

of plastic products from 21st of next

month. The first phase will focus on single-use

plastic bags as well as banning the import

of non-biodegradable plastic bags. Later phases will witness a permanent

ban on the use of plastic bags at certain

malls and supermarkets. Bahrain has joined several leading

countries in banning the import of plastic

waste, following the United Nations' call to

mitigate ocean pollution and climate

change.

Lt General Faiz Hameed appointed

Pakistan ISI Chief

Lt General Faiz Hameed has been

appointed as the new Director General of

Pakistan‘s Inter-Services Intelligence

(military-led spy agency). Earlier, He was serving as the head of the

Counter-Intelligence wing in the ISI. Lieutenant General Hameed replaces

current head Lieutenant Gen Asim Munir.

Centre decides to send another

high-level team to Bihar in view of

Encephalitis

The Union Government has decided to

send another high-level multi-disciplinary

team to Bihar in view of Acute Encephalitis

Syndrome (AES). The team will undertake the necessary

groundwork for setting up the state-of-

the-art multi-disciplinary research centre

at Muzaffarpur. Earlier, the Union Health Minister Dr

Harsh Vardhan reviewed the situation

arising out of the reported cases of AES

and Japanese Encephalitis at a high-level

meeting in New Delhi.

The research team will investigate various

aspects of the disease including

periodicity, the cycle of disease,

environmental factors and metrological

data, besides other factors.

Virat Kohli becomes the fastest

batsmen to reach 11,000 runs


21

Indian skipper Virat Kohli (30-

years) became the fastest batsman to

reach the 11,000 runs (in 230 ODIs) mark

in the ODI cricket.

Virat Kohli broke Tendulkar's record,

achieved the 11000 runs mark against

England in 2002 in his 284th ODI.

He achieved the feat in the match between

India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's

Cricket World Cup.

Om Birla unanimously elected as

Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Om

Birla was unanimously elected as the

Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha on 19th

June.

He was declared elected and the Speaker

by pro-tem Speaker Virendra Kumar.

His candidature as the Speaker was

supported by all major parties including

Congress, TMC, DMK and BJD.

He succeeded Sumitra Mahajan to replace

her as the LS speaker.

Sumitra Mahajan did not contest the Lok

Sabha elections this year.

A total of 13 motions were moved in

support of Birla.

Om Birla represents the Kota

parliamentary constituency since the 2014

general elections and well-known political

leader from Rajasthan.

World Sickle Cell Day observed

World Sickle Cell Day observed every

year on 19th June.

It is observed each year to raise public

awareness about the sickle cell disease

and its treatment methods.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited form of

anaemia in which red blood cells are not

able to carry adequate oxygen throughout

the body.

Government has organised several

campaigns for the proper treatment and

cure of those suffering from the disease.

Amazon India is the country's most

attractive employer brand: Survey

According to the survey conducted by the

Randstad Employer Brand Research

(REBR) 2019, Amazon India is the country‘s

most attractive employer brand.

Microsoft India emerged as the runner-up,

followed by Sony India.

According to the REBR 2019 report,

Amazon scored high on financial health,

utilisation of the latest technologies and a

strong reputation.


22

India ranked 20th among the top

capital importing countries:

Knight Frank

Indian commercial real estate has

attracted inbound cross-border

investments worth $2.6 billion over the

last 12 months to the first quarter of 2019,

while outbound investment stood at $0.7

billion during this period.

According to the data from property

consultancy Knight Frank, United

Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, the

United States of America and Australia

were the top destination countries of

Indian capital investments.

Singapore, with investment volumes of

$0.7 billion, was the biggest capital source

country for the Indian commercial real

estate between followed by Australia and

Japan.

With an investment of $2.6 billion, India

was ranked 20th among the top capital

importing countries globally, while China

was at the 6th position with an investment

of $14.30 billion.

India accounts for 6.3% of global fish

production: Fisheries department

According to the Fisheries Department,

India is the second largest fish producing

country in the world as it accounts for 6.3

per cent of the global fish production.

China is the largest producer of fish in the

world.

Rajni Sekhri Sibal, Secretary, Department

of Fisheries, there is a huge potential in

harnessing tuna and tuna-like species in

the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone

(EEZ).

She is addressing the 23rd session of the

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), in

Hyderabad. She said 30 per cent of the

Indian EEZ is spread across the Andaman,

Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, but

only 1 per cent comprises the production

of tuna fish.

World Refugee Day observed on

20th June

World Refugee Day is observed on 20th

June every year to raise awareness about

the conditions and problems that refugee

faces in their lives.

The theme for World Refugee Day 2019 is 'Step with Refugees — Take A Step on

World Refugee Day.'

The theme focuses on that there is a need

to take big and small steps in solidarity

with refugees from around the world.

Millions of people are forced to move

from their homes every year to keep safe

from war, persecution or natural disaster.

According to the United Nation (UN) every

minute, around 25 people have to leave

everything in the search for a better and

safer life.


23

At 9.8 GB per month, India has

the highest data usage per

smartphone

According to a new study by Swedish

telecom equipment maker Ericsson, India

has the highest average data usage per smartphone, reaching 9.8 GB per month

at the end of 2018.

The report, released on 19th June, also

forecasts that this figure is likely to double to 18 GB per month per smartphone by

2024.

The ‗Ericsson Mobility Report‘ added

that total smartphone subscriptions in the region are likely to reach 1.1

billion by 2024, growing at 11%

CAGR.

The total mobile broadband

subscriptions in India are expected to

grow from about 610 million in 2018 to

1.25 billion in 2024.

India to generate over 2 million

outbound tourists annually by

2020: Report

India is estimated to generate over 2

million outbound luxury and MICE tourists

annually by 2020, reinforcing the country's

influence as a key source market for MICE

and luxury travel.

According to the organisers of the MICE

India and Luxury Travel Congress, India's

outbound MICE tourism market is

expected to reach US$ 9 Billion by 2025,

and in 2020 India is expected to generate

more than 2 Million outbound MICE

tourists.

India extends $15 mn assistance to

Niger for holding AU summit

India has extended USD 15

million assistance to Niger for organising

the African Union (AU) summit scheduled

to be held in Niamey early next month.

The summit is scheduled to be held in

Niamey from July 7-8. It will also be the

first time that Niger is scheduled to host an

AU summit. India is also establishing the Mahatma

Gandhi International Convention

Centre (MGICC) in Niamey under grant

assistance.

African Union (AU), international

organization established in 2002 by the

nations of the former Organization of

African Unity (OAU).

India to cross China's population

by 2027: United Nations


24

As per a United Nations report, India is

projected to surpass China as the world's

most populous country in 2027 and will

have almost 1.64 billion inhabitants by

2050.

UN Under-Secretary-General for

Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin

said the report offers a roadmap

indicating where to target action and

interventions. India is expected to add nearly 273

million people between 2019 and

2050 and remain the most populated

country through the end of the current

century.

Unemployed graduates to get up to

Rs 3,500 in Rajasthan

Unemployed youth having graduation or

equivalent degree will be given

unemployment allowance up to Rs 3,500

by the Rajasthan government, an official

statement said.

They will get the benefit of the Chief

Minister Yuva Sambal Yojana from

February this year.

The state government has implemented

the scheme from February this year

after rechristening the earlier Akshat

Yojana.

To be eligible for the scheme,

applicants should be natives of

Rajasthan.

Under the scheme, male applicants will

get Rs 3,000 per month whereas women

and differently-abled will get Rs 3,500

per month.

WHO offers a new tool for action

against antimicrobial resistance

WHO offers a new tool ―AWaRe‖ to

contain rising antimicrobial resistance and

make antibiotic use safer and more

effective.

WHO has launched a global campaign that

urges countries to adopt its new online

tool called AWaRe.

The campaign aims to achieve a 60 per

cent increase in the use of antibiotics

under the Access group cheap, ‗narrow-

spectrum‘ drugs (that target a specific

microorganism rather than several) and

also lower the risk of resistance.

It also reduces the use of the antibiotics

most at risk of resistance from the Watch

and Reserve groups.

5th International Yoga Day being

celebrated

www.race2ias.com | Download the App : tinyurl.com/junioriasapp | www.facebook.com/race2ias


25

Fifth International Yoga Day is being

celebrated on 21st June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the

nation in celebrating yoga day from

Ranchi in Jharkhand. The main function

was held at the Prabhat Tara ground in

Ranchi this morning.

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.

World Hydrography Day

observed

World Hydrography Day (WHD) is being

observed annually on 21 June to publicise

the work of hydrographers and the

importance of hydrography.

The theme of this year is – ―Hydrographic

information driving marine knowledge‖.

Since 2006, the day is observed annually

on 21 June. It was adopted by the International

Hydrographic Organization as an

annual celebration to publicise the work

of hydrographers and the importance of

hydrography.

Namma Kolhapuri chappal gets GI

boost

Maharashtra's extremely popular footwear

industry, renowned for its handcrafted

leather Kolhapuri chappal has been given

the Geographical Indication (GI) tag,

which is likely to further boost its sale in

other parts of the country and abroad.

The Controller General of Patents,

Designs and Trade Marks has granted the

GI tag for Kolhapuris to four districts of

Maharashtra — Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli

and Satara — along with four in Karnataka

— Dharwad, Belgaum, Bagalkot and

Bijapur.

The GI tag approvals imply that the

artisans producing Kolhapuris in these

districts will now be able to make and

market their product in domestic and

international markets

Japan will host the G20 summit for

the first time in 2019

Japan is going to host this year G20

Summit in the city of Osaka. It will be the

first-ever G20 summit to be hosted in

Japan.

The G20 Osaka Summit will be held from

June 28 to 29, 2019 in Japan.

The summit under the Japanese

presidency is centred around the theme "Human centred future society".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend

the G20 summit in Osaka. Apart from

participating at the summit, PM will also

have bilateral meetings

The G20 is an international forum for the

governments and central bank governors

from 19 countries and the European

Union.


26

Pankaj Advani clinches men's

Asian Snooker Championship

Pankaj Advani has clinched the 35th

men's Asian Snooker Championship in

Doha to complete a career grand slam in

cue sports.

He defeated Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon

6-3 in the final to become the only one to

win the Asian and World championships

in all formats.

Telangana CM Chandrashekar

Rao inaugurates Kaleshwaram

project

Telangana Chief Minister K.

Chandrashekar Rao dedicated one of the

largest multi-stage and multi-purpose lift irrigation schemes, the Kaleshwaram

Lift Irrigation Project.

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) worth Rs 80,000 crore, touted as

the world's largest multi-stage multi-

purpose scheme.

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

envisages irrigation over 37 lakh acres of

new and existing ayacut in 21 districts of

the State.

‗Operation Bandar' was IAF's code

name for Balakot airstrike

According to the senior defence sources,

in order to maintain secrecy and ensure

that the plans don't leak out, the Balakot

operations were given the codename

Operation Bandar,".

On February 26, 12 Mirages having taken

off from multiple air bases crossed over

into the Pakistani air space and carried

out missile attacks on Jaish-e-Mohammed

terror camp in Balakot town of Khyber

Pakhtunwa province.

The attacks carried out by the Indian Air

Force, pilots had dropped five Spice 2000

bombs.

Indian Navy launches Operation

Sankalp in the Gulf of Oman

Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp

in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman

to reassure Indian flagged vessels

transiting through the area following the

recent maritime incidents in the region.

INS Chennai and INS Sunayna have been

deployed in the region to undertake

maritime security operations. In addition,

aerial surveillance in the area is also

being done by IN aircraft.


27

The operation has been launched in the

wake of escalating tension in the Gulf of

Oman, where two oil tankers were

attacked last week. The incident has since

heightened tensions between Tehran and

Washington.

Govt. set up 713 Krishi Vigyan

Kendras to double farmers'

income by 2022

The Union Government has set up

713 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 684

Agricultural Technology Management

Agencies at the district level in the

country for dissemination of technologies

among the farming community.

This is aimed at meeting the target of doubling the farmers' income by 2022.

An inter-ministerial committee for the

purpose has recommended the use of

digital technology to transform and

modernize agricultural activities. The technologies include Artificial

Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics and

Block Chair Technology.

The Indian Council of Agricultural

Research has also compiled over one

hundred mobile Apps to help farmers with

a specific purpose.

RBI Deputy Governor Viral

Acharya resigns

RBI Deputy Governor Viral V Acharya has

resigned from his post, six months before

the scheduled end of his term.

Mr. Acharya joined the Reserve Bank in

January 2017 and was RBI‘s youngest

deputy governor, post-economic

liberalisation. Acharya will be returning to New York

University as CV Starr Professor of

Economics. With Acharya‟s resignation, the RBI is

now left with three Deputy Governors N.S.

Vishwanathan, B.P. Kanungo and M.K.

Jain.

Mohamed Ould Ghazouani elected

as the president of Mauritania

Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (62-years)

has won Mauritania's presidential

election with an absolute majority (52%-

votes).

His nearest rival, anti-slavery campaigner Biram Dah Abeid, came

second with 18.58%.

It was the first time Mauritanians voted

to elect a successor to a democratically elected president in the West African

state.

Mohamed Ghazouani is the

former general director of the national

security and army's former chief of staff

(2008–2018). He has been Defence Minister for

Mauritania from November 2018 to

March 2019

Government to launch Universal

Smart Card Driving License


28

Ministry of Road Transport and

Highways has decided to modify the

format of driving licenses to smart card

type driving licences.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a written

reply in Rajya Sabha that his Ministry has

prescribed a common standard format

and design of the Driving Licence for the

whole of the country.

This Ministry, through its flagship application called SARATHI

developed by NIC, has a common

countrywide database of all driving

license holders.

Almost 15 crore driving license records

are available in its central repository.

Japan Gifts Museum of Peace to

Manipur in Memory of Second

World War

Japan has gifted a war museum called „Imphal Peace Museum‟to

Manipur located at Red Hill, 20 km south-

west of Imphal.

The museum has been inaugurated to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of

Imphal. The Battle of Imphal is regarded as one

of the fiercest battles of World War II in

which about 70,000 Japanese soldiers

along with the Indian National Army, died

in battles with the British-led Allied forces

in areas around Imphal and Kohima from

March to June 1944

25th June: Day of the Seafarer

The Day of the Seafarer is being observed

on 25th June by the International

Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The theme of the 2019 Day of the Seafarer

is ‗Get on board with gender equality‘.

The theme supports the achievement of the

Sustainable Development goals,

specifically SDG 5.

The Day was proclaimed with an aim to

recognize the unique contribution made by

seafarers from all over the world to

international seaborne trade and civil

society as whole

Saudi Arabia becomes first Arab

Nation to get FATF Membership

Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab

country to be granted full membership of

the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The decision was taken during

the group‟s annual generalmeeting in

the United States.


29

With the induction of Saudi Arabia as FATF

member, the number of permanent members in the group is now 39

Kalu‟ in Rajasthan is India's best police

station

As per Ranking of Police stations for

2018 by the Home ministry, Rajasthan‘s

‗Kalu Police Station‘ (in Bikaner district)

has been ranked the best Police Station in

the country (in 15,666 - PS ) on its

performance in crime prevention,

investigation and disposal of cases, crime

detection, community policing and

maintenance of law and order. The No-2 rank goes to ‗Campbell Bay

police station‘ in Nicobar district of

Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The No-3 rank goes to ‗Farakka police

station‘ in Murshidabad, West Bengal,

which has facilities like air-conditioners,

besides a gymnasium and playground that

provide a comfortable environment for

public-police interaction.

International Day against Drug

Abuse and Illicit Trafficking being

observed

The United Nations‘ (UN) International

Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit

Trafficking is being observed every year

on 26th June to raise awareness about the

major problem that illicit drugs represent

to society.

This year the theme is Health for Justice,

Justice for Health, which highlights that

justice and health are two sides of the

same coin when it comes to addressing

drug problems. It is an initiative to increase support for

prevention of drug use that is based on

science and is thus an effective investment

in the well-being of children and youth,

their families and their communities.

Girish Koushik becomes India's

63rd Grandmaster

Karnataka's Girish A. Koushik (22-years)

has become India‘s 63rd Grandmaster at

the 37th Balaton International Chess

Festival in Hungary.

He is the only Indian chess player to have

won gold medals at the Asian U-8, U-10, U-

12, U-14 and U-16 age-group categories. Girish had completed his second GM

norm in Mallorca late in May, and the third in Budapest the following week.


30

World popular Chess player Mr.

Viswanathan Anand was the first

Grandmaster in India

Amitabh Kant gets two-year

extension as Niti Aayog CEO

Amitabh Kant was given a two-year

extension as Chief Executive Officer

(CEO) of NITI Aayog.

Mr Kant has been a key driver of

the 'Make in India', Startup

India and 'Incredible India' initiatives.

The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of

the GoI, established (in 2015) with the aim to achieve Sustainable Development

Goalsand to enhance cooperative

federalism by fostering the involvement of

State Governments of India in the

economic policy-making process using a

bottom-up approach.

27th June: Micro, Small and

Medium-sized Enterprises Day

The UN Micro, Small and Medium-sized

Enterprises (MSME) Day is observed

every year on 27th June to recognize the

importance of MSME in achieving

sustainable development goals and in

promoting innovation, creativity and

sustainable work for all. The Government of India (GoI) has also

organized a National Conclave (Udyam

Sangam) to encourage dialogue and

partnership among various stakeholders

of the MSME ecosystem.

International Trade Center, United Nations

(UN) will launch its flagship report: ―The

SME Competitiveness Outlook 2019: Big

money for small businesses‖.

Govt to provide broadband

connectivity under BharatNet

project to all gram panchayats

According to Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union

Government plans to provide broadband

connectivity under ‗BharatNet Project‘

to all gram panchayats in the country. One lakh 28 thousand 870 Gram

panchayats have been connected with

optical fibre till date.

Under BharatNet project, the last mile

connectivity is to be provided at all the 2.5

lakh gram panchayats in the country.

As of now, The Minister informed that Wi-

Fi spots have been installed in 44,140

Gram panchayats. Phase I of the project was completed in

December 2017, and one lakh gram

panchayats were made service ready. Phase II is under implementation, and a

total of 2 lakh gram panchayats are

targeted to be completed by March 2020.


31

RBI advises all banks to accept

coins of all denominations

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised

all banks to immediately direct all their

branches to accept coins of all

denominations.

RBI's advisory came after it received complaints about non-

acceptance of coins by branches of

various banks.

Reserve Bank advised all banks to accept

coins of all denominations tendered at

their counters for transactions or

exchange and ensure strict compliance in

the matter.

National Statistics Day 2019

observed in India

The “Statistics Day” is being observed

every year on 29th June in India to create

public awareness about the importance of

statistics in socio-economic planning and

policy formulation.

The theme of Statistics Day, 2019 is ―Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs)‖.

The theme has been chosen for intensive

and focused discussions towards filling

the data gaps and improvement of

timelines/quality in SDGs.

The day acknowledges the notable

contribution of Late Professor Prasanta

Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of

statistics, statistical system and economic

planning.

Samant Goel appointed as new

RAW chief

Senior IPS Officer Samant Goel (1984

batch- Punjab Cadre) has been appointed

as the new chief of Research & Analysis

Wing (R&AW). Samant Goel will succeed Anil Dhasmana

whose tenure comes to an end on June 29.

Mr. Goel played a key role in planning the

February 2019 Balakot airstrikes and the

2016 surgical strikes. Senior IPS Officer Arvind Kumar (1984

batch-Assam- Meghalaya Cadre) will be

the new Director of Intelligence Bureau

(27th).

Arvind Kumar will succeed Rajiv Jain.

India signs USD 400M loan

agreement with World Bank to

eliminate TB

World Bank India has signed a loan

agreement worth 400 million dollars with

the World Bank to help treat and eliminate

Tuberculosis (TB) from the country.

The World Bank supported program will

cover nine States and it will support the

government's National Strategic Plan to

end TB in India by 2025.


32

The Program will provide financial

incentives to private sector care providers

for reporting cases of TB and ensuring that

their patients complete the treatment

regimen.

According to the Finance Ministry, it will

provide Direct Benefit Transfers to

patients for acquiring the critical nutrition

needed during treatment.

ISRO forms new PSU to

commercially exploit technology,

launch satellites

The ISRO has formed a public sector

undertaking (PSU) named as the New

Space India Limited (NSIL).

It will commercially exploit the research

and development work of the space

agency, co-produce PSLV and launch

satellites through SSLVs.

The functions of NSIL will involve small

satellite technology transfer to industry

, manufacture of Small Satellite Launch

Vehicle (SSLV).

The new company will also look after the

production and marketing of space-based

products and services, including launch

an application, developed by ISRO

Centres.

West Bengal launches free crop

insurance scheme for farmers

West Bengal government has announced a

crop insurance scheme ‗Bangla Shashya

Bima (BSB)‘ in collaboration with the

Agriculture Insurance Company of India

(AIC) for the 2019 kharif season.

The scheme ‗BSB‘ is applicable for farmers

in 15 districts - Darjeeling, Kalimpong,

Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman,

Purba Medinipur, Malda, Hooghly, Nadia,

Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Birbhum,

Purulia, Dakshin Dinajpur, North 24

Parganas and South 24 Parganas.

The crop insurance scheme would be free

of cost for the farmers since the

government will pay the full premium.

The crops that will come under insurance

are aman paddy, aus paddy, jute and

maize.

KNOV SHE

SERUICE Introducing all the 26 services one gets

on qualifying UPSC Civil Service

Examination


33

INDIAN P&T ACCOUNTS & FINANCE SERVICE

(IP&TAFS)

The Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service

(IP&TAFS) is a Group ‗A‘ service which was constituted in 1973. This service

provides accounting and financial services to the Indian posts and

telecommunications departments. This is one of the services that a candidate

who clears the UPSC civil services can be recruited into. This article talks

about the functions, training and career prospects/hierarchy of the IP&TAFS

officers.

Functions

a. Assessing and collecting the License Fee and the Spectrum usage charges

from the telecom licensors.

b. Conducting spectrum auction.

c. Making of policies in the departments of telecom and posts.

d. Managing finances in the departments of telecom and posts.

e. Conducting internal audits in the departments of telecom and posts.

f. Accounting in the departments of telecom and posts.

g. Managing pensions in the departments of telecom and posts, MTNL and

BSNL.


34

Documents

CTRRENS AFFAIRS...CTRRENS AFFAIRS DIGESS. Most Important current affairs collected for school students from The HINDU / The Indian Express / Press Information Bureau etc.. SUCCESS