#iasupdates

The movement was founded in 1927 by Muhammad Ilyas al-Kandhlawi in Mewat region of India.

It’s always Something New to the Students who are passionate about to Become Top in Civil Services. Teaches and Guides you in a Very Specific manner.

Daily Current Affairs Dated on 06-Feb-2020 Contents: 1. Trust formed for Ram temple construction 2. PM pitches for boost to defence exports 3. Cooperative banks to come under RBI purview 4. Empire of ants 5. Mata Sundari Gurudwara near rouse avenue in New Delhi 6. The Terracota temples of Maluti TRUST FORMED FOR RAM TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION Why in news? Cabinet has approved a scheme for the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya by setting up an autonomous trust, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra, to take forward the process as per the Supreme Court’s orders Daily Current Affairs Dated on 06-Feb-2020 Ram Temple in Ayodhya PM PITCHES FOR BOOST TO DEFENCE EXPORTS Why in news?  India became the world’s largest arms importer as it did not utilize its capacities to full potential after Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated  He asserted that India was looking to achieve defence exports worth ₹35,000 crore in the next five years Daily Current Affairs Dated on 06-Feb-2020  A long-term integrated defence plan was being conceptualized with emphasis on startups and Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs). Two hundred defence startups were likely to come up to give a push to indigenisation COOPERATIVE BANKS TO COME UNDER RBI PURVIEW Why in news?  The Union Cabinet approved an amendment to the Banking Regulation Act to bring multi-state cooperative banks under the watch of the central bank and prevent a repeat of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank-like crisis  There are 1,540 cooperative banks with a depositor base of 8.60 crore having total savings of about Rs 5 lakh crore. The proposed law seeks to enforce banking regulation guidelines of the RBI in cooperative banks, while administrative issues will still be guided by Registrar of Cooperatives  Would be audited according to RBI rules and appointment of CEOs would require prior approval from the central bank EMPIRE OF ANTS  Of the 800 species in India, Bengaluru has more than 125 species with Lalbagh accounting for nearly 60  There are 11,931 species of ants the world over, varying in size from 40 mm to 1 mm. About 25 per cent of the total insect biomass of this world is made up of ants  Ants are a female-dominated society  Ants make best use of available resources.  They are now being recognised as ecological indicators like birds.  For instance, if you see ants nesting in leaf litter, it indicates the pristine and undisturbed nature of that forest.  Over millennia, ants have developed a close relationship with plants and animals. They pollinate and even disperse seeds Daily Current Affairs Dated on 06-Feb-2020  In the tropical forests of southern India, certain species of arboreal ants build a large nest, called the Pagoda nest by chewing leaves and mixing it with secretions from their salivary glands, on trees. MATA SUNDARI GURUDWARA NEAR ROUSE AVENUE IN NEW DELHI  After the death of Aurangzeb, when the war of succession broke out between Prince Moazzam and Prince Azam, the former sought the help of Gobind Singh who sent a token force to help his friend at the Battle of Jajua, near Agra, in June 1707.  But the guru camped nearby and when the need arose for reinforcements, he rushed in to Muazzam’s aid.  Azam was fatally wounded and his elder brother ascended the throne as Shah Alam, Bahadur Shah I  After the death of the guru and successive rulers came and went, Mata Sundari and Mata Sahib Devi were not unduly disturbed, except when the heroic Sikh warrior Banda Singh Bahadur was executed in 1716 and then in June 1725 when they had to leave Delhi and live in Mathura for two years.  They continued to guide the panth (community) from Mata Sundari haveli, sending hukumnamas (encyclicals) to followers as far away as Kabul in the north and Dhaka in the east, rallying the Sikhs and prevailing upon them not to accept those who were trying to set up an 11th guru. THE TERRACOTA TEMPLES OF MALUTI  Maluti is a tiny village in Jharkhand with more than 70 exquisite terracotta temples dating back to the 17th century  With intricate terracotta carvings of mythical scenes on their façades and walls, which have survived harsh weather and the ravages of time since the early 17th century, Maluti’s terracotta temples are now being restored.  The temples, mostly of Shiva, are dotted in five different clusters — Sikir Taraf, Rajar Bari, Madhya Bari, Chhoi Taraf and the Mauliksha temple complex Daily Current Affairs Dated on 06-Feb-2020  Situated in Dumka district, the village is close to the border with West Bengal, and Chala architecture, inspired by traditional Bengali huts with their sloping roofs with curved edges, is a distinct feature of Maluti’s temples.  Influence of the exquisite Keshta Raya terracotta temple at Bishnupur in Bengal’s Bankura district can be seen clearly in every temple.  The 17th century masonry technique using moulded bricks has been applied extensively.

Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Contents: 1. CEA sees growth rebounding to 6% 2. WHO declares coronavirus outbreak a global emergency 3. Crop dusting with drones is illegal, says Centre 4. Needed: fewer regulations for startups 5. A chance to chart China-like export trajectory 6. Thalinomics: the formula behind one square meal 7. Budget 2020: Archaeological Sites set to be developed CEA SEES GROWTH REBOUNDING TO 6% Why in news? The economic survey expects GDP growth to revive from the 5% estimated or this year to a range between 6%-6.5% next year. To make a point about how being pro-crony is different from being pro-business, the Survey refers to the gains made unfairly by stocks of connected companies before the CAG report on the 2G spectrum allocations came out in 2011, again rejuvenating UPA-era malfeasance memories. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Economic Survey on GDP Growth Rate WHO DECLARES CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK A GLOBAL EMERGENCY  The last time WHO declared a global health emergency was in 2019 for the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that killed more than 2,000 people.  The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is “an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease.”  The agency also declared global emergencies for the 2016 Zika virus, the 2009 H1N1 swine flu, and the 2014 polio and Ebola outbreaks. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 What does it mean?  Countries are reminded that they are legally required to share information with WHO under the IHR.  Any detection of 2019-nCoV in an animal (including information about the species, diagnostic tests, and relevant epidemiological information) should be reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as an emerging disease  All countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO.  Countries must inform WHO about any travel measures taken. Countries are cautioned against actions that promote stigma or discrimination, in line with the principles of Article 3 of the IHR. CROP DUSTING WITH DRONES IS ILLEGAL, SAYS CENTRE Why in news? Use of drones for agrochemical spraying had increased of late. This would create a lot of problems. What are problems? Aerial spraying impacts a larger area, while decreasing the efficacy on the target pests. Eg. Kasargod in Kerala reeling under such impact due to aerial spraying of Endosulfan for over 25 years The Insecticide Act does not allow aerial spraying. Drones and unmanned machines can be hazardous tools for spraying hazardous chemicals in many ways. Allowing Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 aerial spraying, using drones and unmanned, remote controlled vehicles can be catastrophic, NEEDED: FEWER REGULATIONS FOR START-UPS India needs to work on improving the ease of doing business, especially the ease of starting business, registering property, paying taxes, or enforcing contracts, according to the Economic Survey. World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings Cumbersome norms “If you want to start up a firm in India, it takes 18 days on an average with 10 procedures that can be often cumbersome. If we contrast it with New Zealand, which is the best in business, it takes half a day to fill up one form Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 A CHANCE TO CHART CHINA-LIKE EXPORT TRAJECTORY Why in news? The Economic Survey says India has an unprecedented opportunity to chart a China like, labour Intensive, export trajectory by integrating “Assemble in India for the world” into the Make in India policy and thus can raise its export market share to 3.5 % by 2025 and 6% by 2030 THALINOMICS: THE FORMULA BEHIND ONE SQUARE MEAL For the average worker in India’s organised manufacturing sector, the affordability of a plate of vegetarian food — comprising rice or roti, dal and sabzi has improved 29% since 200607, according to Thalinomics, a take on the economics of food by the Economic Survey. For non-vegetarians, affordability has risen 18%. BUDGET 2020: KNOW ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES SET TO BE DEVELOPED Rakhigarhi, Haryana Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Rakhigarhi, Haryana  Pre-Harappan Civilisation settlement, and later a part of the ancient civilisation itself, between 2600-1900 BCE.  What are found?: Remnants of a planned township with mud-brick houses and proper drainage system, along with terracotta jewellery, conch shells, vase and seals, things the Harappans were known for. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh  We know Hastinapur as the ancient capital city of Pandavas and Kauravas from the epic Mahabharata.  Excavations at Hastinapur reportedly began in 1950-52  What are found?: Arrows, spearheads, shafts, tongs, hooks, axes and knives, amounting to about 135 iron objects.  Shri Digamber Jain Bada Mandir is one of the oldest temples at the site, among others like Jambudweep Jain temple, Shwetambar Jain temple, Prachin Digambar Jain Temple and Astapad Jain Temple. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Sivasagar, Assam  This place used to be the capital of the Ahom kingdom from 1699-1788, and was formerly called Rangpur.  The province was later conquered by the British.  Guwahati Circle Archaeological Survey of India mentions excavations conducted at the Karenghar (Talatalghar) complex, the citadel of Ahom power.  What are found?: Structural remains of pathways, long walls, terracotta pipes for drains, vase, and vessels, to name a few. The other important historical site is Rang Ghar, an amphitheatre for the Ahom kings, known to have been used for enjoying sports. Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Dholavira, Gujarat  Ruins of the Harappan civilisation  Deemed the fifth largest Harappan site  What are found?: Artefacts excavated range from terracotta items and seals to urns and copper ornaments. About 10 large stone inscriptions have also been found at the site, written in Indus Valley script  Most importantly, it has one of the world’s earliest water conservation systems–a rainwater harvesting system–ever excavated Daily Current Affairs Dated on 01-Feb-2020 Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu  This is an archaeological urn-burial site in the Thoothukudi district  The objects yielded by these burial sites are finely made pottery of various kinds in great number; many iron implements and weapons; vessels and personal ornaments in bronze; a few gold ornaments; a few stone beads; bones; and some household stone implements used for grinding curry or sandalwood, besides the excavated urns which reportedly contained “complete skeletons”.

Daily Current Affairs Dated On 22-Feb-2020 Contents: 1. Pakistan Retained in FATF’s Grey List 2. Forex reserves rise to record $476 billion 3. Scientists oppose study into ‘qualities’ of indigenous cows 4. New solar energy park to come up in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer 5. Gurmukhi script 6. Vivad se Vishwas Scheme PAKISTAN RETAINED IN FATF’S GREY LIST Why in news? Pakistan has been retained on the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for another four months, with a stern warning from the global watchdog that met in Paris (February 19-21) to complete the 27-point action plan it has been given by June 2020 or face being put on the “black list” What did the FATF tell? According to the FATF summary report released on Friday evening, Pakistan needs to continue to work on eight specific areas, including demonstrating it is “identifying and investigating” all terror financing activity in the country, freezing the funds of all designated terrorists and that its prosecutions result in “effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions” against all terror entities in Pakistan What is FATF?  Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering  Is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering  In 2001 its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing. Daily Current Affairs Dated On 22-Feb-2020  It monitors progress in implementing the FATF Recommendations through “peer reviews” (“mutual evaluations”) of member countries  The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.  The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.  The FATF is, therefore, a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas FOREX RESERVES RISE TO RECORD $476 BILLION Why in News?  The country’s foreign ex Mumbai change reserves swelled by $3.091 billion to a lifetime high of $476.092 billion in the week to February 14, mainly due to a rise in foreign currency assets, according to RBI data Daily Current Affairs Dated On 22-Feb-2020  The Foreign exchange reserves of India consists of below four categories: 1. Foreign Currency Assets 2. Gold 3. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) 4. Reserve Tranche Position SCIENTISTS OPPOSE STUDY INTO ‘QUALITIES’ OF INDIGENOUS COWS  According to a concept note on the DST website SUTRA-PIC or ‘Scientific Utilization Through Research Augmentation Prime Products from Indigenous Cows’, has five themes:  Uniqueness of Indigenous Cows  Prime products from Indigenous Cows for Medicine and Health  Prime products from Indigenous Cows for Agricultural Applications  Prime products from Indigenous Cows for Food and Nutrition  Prime products from Indigenous Cows based Utility Items Causes for concern? The programme does not encourage fair comparison with other breeds of cows around the world or other bovine species within India NEW SOLAR ENERGY PARK TO COME UP IN RAJASTHAN’S JAISALMER Context and Details:  A new 925 MW solar energy park will come up shortly at Nokh in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district  The agreement is likely to bring an investment of ₹ 4,000 crore to the State Daily Current Affairs Dated On 22-Feb-2020  While the NTPC Limited will develop solar photovoltaic projects in the park at an estimated investment of ₹3,500 crore, the RSDCL will build the basic infrastructure at the solar park’s 1,856.73 hectare land at an investment of ₹450 crore GURMUKHI SCRIPT Why in news? Punjab govt. signboards to be in Gurmukhi Details:  Gurmukhi is an abugida developed from the Laṇḍā scripts, standardized and used by the second Sikh guru, Guru Angad (1504–1552).  Commonly regarded as a Sikh script, Gurmukhi is used in Punjab, India as the official script of the Punjabi language  Gurmukhi evolved in cultural and historical circumstances notably different from other regional scripts, for the purpose of recording scriptures of Sikhism, a far less Sanskritized cultural tradition than others of the subcontinent VIVAD SE VISHWAS SCHEME  Introduction of the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme during budget speech with a view to “provide for resolution of pending tax disputes.”  The scheme was introduced after the success of the “Sabka Vishwas Scheme,” which was introduced to reduce indirect tax disputes.  It provides waiver from interest and penalty.  The bill shall apply to all the appeals filed by declarants or the Government, which are pending with the Commissioner (Appeals), DRP, Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, High Court or Supreme Court and revision cases that are pending before the CIT as on the January 31, 2020 Daily Current Affairs Dated On 22-Feb-2020  The scheme applies to all the pending litigation except the following cases:-  Cases related to search or seizure;  Cases where the prosecution has been instituted on or before the date of filing of declaration;  Cases related to any undisclosed foreign income or assets;  Cases which are completed based on information received as a result of exchange of information with other tax jurisdictions  Cases where the CIT (Appeals) has issued a notice of enhancement;  Cases in which an order of detention has been made or prosecution has been instituted/ conviction has been made under specified Acts or notification has been made under the Special Court (Trial of Offences Relating to Transactions in Securities) Act, 1992.