Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 4 July 2020
Contents 4 cities hit 95% of 2024 clean air targets: Study India third largest e-waste generator in world in 2019 A historic heat wave roasts Siberia Karimpuzha sanctuary comes into being 4 CITIES HIT 95% OF 2024 CLEAN AIR TARGETS: STUDY Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? Unprecedented lockdown measures resulted in […]
CENTRAL POLICE FORCES TO RECRUIT ‘TRANS PEOPLE’
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? In a major gender reform, the home ministry is set to allow induction of transgender people as ‘third gender’ into the central armed police forces. Details The ministry is at the concluding stage of consultations with central paramilitary forces—BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB—on incorporating ‘transgender’, along with […]
GOVT DEBATES TOUGH CHINA STEPS WITHOUT HURTING FDI
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Centre is said be debating adopting tough measures against China over the border standoff and act against Beijing’s interests in areas that do not add value to India’s economy. However, there is also the concern that Government needs to ensure that investments critical for accelerating growth should not […]
CHINA WARNS US, UK OF STRONG STEPS IF THEY MEDDLE IN HK
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China warned of strong countersteps if the US, Australia and the UK continued taking actions in response to Beijing’s tough national security law in Hong Kong. Details U.S. Move China “deplores and firmly opposes” the US parliament’s unanimous passing of a bill that would impose sanctions on entities […]
MORE THAN HALF OF INDIA’S POPULATION IS 25 YEARS OR OLDER
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? Sample Registration System 2018 report shows that: for the first time, more than half of India’s population, irrespective of gender or whether it’s in urban or rural areas, is now 25 years or older. Highlights As India’s fertility rate goes down steadily along with a rise in life expectancy, […]
DAC APPROVES PURCHASE OF JETS AND UPGRADES
Focus: GS-III Internal security Why in news? The defence ministry approved several capital procurement projects that include more than 30 new fighter jets, 300 long-range land-attack cruise missiles and 250 air-to-air missiles. Details The projects will take at least two to three years, if not more, to translate into actual inductions into the armed forces […]
UNCLOS TRIBUNAL: ITALIAN MARINES CASE
Focus: GS-II International Relations, Prelims Why in news? UNCLOS tribunal ruled that the Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen in the waters off Kerala on February 2021, held “immunity” and would face a trial in Italy, not India. However, UNCLOS Tribunal found merit in India’s counter-claim that the marines on board “Enrica Lexie” had […]
INDIA IN UNSC: IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction India will be back in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021 at a critical time in the history of the UN. All about the contest The basic contest for the non-permanent seats takes place in the respective regional groups and their sub-groups. […]
FROM PINAKA TO ASTRA: DAC APPROVED NEW WEAPONS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Internal Security Why in news? The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister cleared several proposals worth close to Rs 39,000 crore that will boost the combat capabilities of all three services—Army, Navy and the Air Force. The most prominent of these proposals include missile systems for the three […]
ICMR AND LAUNCH OF ‘COVAXIN’
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tied up with Bharat Biotech India (BBIL) to “fast-track” trials of the Hyderabad firm’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin. ICMR chief wrote to all the trial sites stating that all of the clinical trials had to be completed by August 15 […]