Daily Current Affairs for BPSC as on 02.05.22

NATIONAL:

1. National monument tag for 1,000-year-old lake

Why in news - The Anang tal lake in South Delhi would soon get a new lease of life.

Key Points –

• The historic lake in Mehrauli is said to be created by Tomar King, Anangpal II, in 1060 AD.

• Anang tal is situated to the north of Jog Maya temple and approximately 500 meters to the Northwest of Qutub Complex.

• It is also said Alauddin Khalji, in 1296-1316 AD, utilised the water of this tank when he built Qutub Minar and extended the Qutub-ul-Islam mosque.

• Maharaja Anang Pal is known as the nana (maternal grandfather) of Prithviraj Chauhan.

2. Tata group to merge Air Asia with Air India

Why in news - Tata Sons-owned Air India has approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for a merger of its low-cost subsidiary Air Asia India.

Key Points –

• The two combined entities, Air India and AirAsia India will have a 15.7% share of India's domestic passenger market.

• In January 2022, Tata acquired Air India. It made a bid of Rs 18,000 crore.

• Tatas raised their stake in AirAsia India to 83.67 percent in December 2020.

• Vistara Airlines is also owned by the Tata group.

INTERNATIONAL:

1. PM Modi on ‘3-day 3-nation’ Europe tour

Why in news – PM Modi embarked on a three-day visit to Germany, Denmark and France.

Key Points –

• In Germany, Modi and Chancellor Olaf Scholz would co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

• In Denmark, he would take part in the second India-Nordic summit.

• The 1st India-Nordic Summit took place in 2018 in Stockholm.

• Modi would have a brief stopover in Paris on his return journey.

2. Saudi Arabia offers Pakistan $8 billion

Why in news – Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide Pakistan with a “sizeable package” of around $8 billion to help the cash-¬starved country.

Key Points –

• The financial package includes a doubling of the oil financing facility and additional money either through deposits or Sukuks (Islamic financial certificates).

• Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves nosedived to $10.5 billion.

UNION GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:

1. MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme

Why in news - Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane launched the MSME Sustainable (ZED-Zero Defect Zero Effect) Certification Scheme.

Key Points –

• It is an extensive drive to enable and facilitate MSMEs to adopt ZED practices.

• MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification can be attained in three levels –

A. Level 1: BRONZE

B. Level 2: SILVER

C. Level 3: GOLD

ECONOMY:

1. GST collection soars to an all-time high

Why in news - Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose to Rs 1.68 lakh crore in April 2022, according to data released by the Union Finance Ministry.

Key Points –

• This marks a 20% increase from the April 2021 level.

• It is Rs 25,000 crore more than the previous high of Rs 1.42 lakh crore collected in March 2022.

• The highest ever tax collection in a single day happened on April 20, 2022 and Rs 57,847 crore was paid as GST through 9.58 lakh transactions.

• GST collections contracted 33% in Manipur and 2% in Bihar to the growth of 90% in Arunachal Pradesh, 33% in Uttarakhand, 32% in Nagaland, 28% in Odisha and 25% in Maharashtra.

About GST –

• GST is an indirect tax which has been implemented in India on 1 July 2017.

• India's GST is based on the Canadian model.

• GST in India was made on the recommendation of the Vijay Kelkar Committee.

• The first state which implemented the GST was Assam.

• GST has been implemented by the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016.

• There are 5 rates of taxes in GST i.e., 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.

• It is a destination-based taxation system.

• It is calculated only in the “Value addition” at any stage of goods or services.

• GST Council (Article 279A) decides upon any matter related to GST.

2. ED seizes Rs 5,500 crores in Xiaomi assets

Why in news - The Enforcement Directorate announced it had seized more than Rs 5,500 crore in assets from the Indian subsidiary of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi.

Key Points –

• ED alleged that it had made illegal remittances to foreign entities and shown them as royalty payments.

• Actions were taken under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

APPOINTMENTS:

1. Nand Mulchandani

Why in news – Nand Mulchandani, an Indian-origin man, has been appointed as the first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Key Points –

• CIA Director - William J Burns.

• CIA is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States.

• The main functions of the CIA include overseas intelligence gathering and covert action.

AGREEMENTS:

1. Railway Ministry signs an agreement with the C-DOT

Why in news – The Ministry of Railways has signed an MoU with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) for the modernisation of telecommunication facilities.

Key Points –

• C-DOT and the ministry will work together for modernisation of telecommunication in the Railways for public safety and security services.

• It uses LTE-R which is a next-generation communications network dedicated to railway services.

• It would also help the railways follow world standards in line with the ‘Make in India’ policy.

2. Indian Army signs tripartite MoU for ‘Manipur Super 50’

Why in news – The project ‘Manipur Super 50’ is expected to be fully functional for the first batch of 50 students by the first week of July 2022.

Key Points –

• Red Shield Division of the Indian Army entered into a tripartite agreement with the State Bank of India Foundation (SBIF) and the National Integrity and

Educational Development Organization (NIEDO).

• It will be set up in Manipur’s Bishnupur district.

• It will provide residential coaching to students belonging to economically weaker and underprivileged sections of the Northeast.

3. Qualcomm India partners with MeITY’s C-DAC to help Indian chip set startups

Why in news – Qualcomm India proposes to launch and run the Qualcomm Semiconductor Mentorship Program (QSMP) 2022 for selected semiconductor startups in India.

Key Points

• C-DAC will be an outreach partner for the program and facilitate exposure for the participating startups.

• Qualcomm India will shortlist up to 10 Indian semiconductor startups for QSMP 2022.

IMPORTANT DAYS:

1. World Tuna Day 2022

Why in news – World Tuna Day is observed every year on 2nd May to spread awareness among people about Tuna fish.

Key Points –

• The United Nations marked the day to spread awareness about sustainable fishing practices.

• The fish contains minerals, proteins, Omega 3 and vitamin B12.

• It is considered an endangered species of the ocean.

• Tuna marks 8 percent of the globally traded seafood.

• The first Tuna Day was recognised globally on 2 May 2017.

2. World Laughter Day 2022

Why in news – World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of every May to remind people to laugh. This year the day was celebrated on 1st May.

Key Points –

• World Laughter Day was first celebrated in Mumbai in 1998.

• The concept was given by Dr. Madan Kataria.

• Dr Madan Kataria was the founder of the Laughter Yoga Movement.

3. International Labour Day 2022

Why in news – International labour day is observed on 1st May to celebrate the achievements of the working class.

Key Points –

• The first May Day celebrations took place on May 1st, 1890.

• It was proclaimed by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14th, 1889 in Paris, France.

• The first May Day celebration in India was organised in Madras (now Chennai) by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923.

AWARDS & HONOURS:

1. Sitio Burle Marx garden, Brazil

Why in news – Brazil landscape Sitio Burle Marx garden earns UNESCO world heritage status.

Key Points –

• The Sitio Burle Marx features more than 3,500 species of plants native to Rio and is considered a laboratory for botanical and landscape experimentation.

• The recognition was granted during a meeting of UNESCO’s Heritage Committee in China.

• It is the 23rd Brazilian location recognized on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

2. Charudutt Mishra

Why in news – Renowned snow leopard conservationist Charudutt Mishra has won the Whitley Gold Award from the UK Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN).

Key Points –

• He was given the award for his work in 12 snow leopard range countries including Afghanistan, China and Russia.

• This is his second Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) Award. He got the first in 2005.

• He is the co-founder of the Bengaluru-based Nature Conservation Foundation.

• He established India’s first community-based initiatives to save the endangered snow leopard.

3. Ardeshir B K Dubash

Why in news – Ardeshir B K Dubash was conferred the highest diplomatic award by the Government of Peru.

Key Points –

• He has received the Order of “Merit in the Diplomatic Service of Peru Jose Gregorio Paz Soldan” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru.

• Dubash was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru in 1973.

INDEX & REPORTS:

1. Special 301 Report 2022

Why in news – US Places India, China, Russia on US property rights 'Priority Watch List'.

Key Points –

• 'Priority Watch List' include countries that must be monitored for intellectual property related issues.

• The report was released by the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

• It has placed at least 21 countries under the list.

ENVIRONMENT:

1. Tal Chhapar Sanctuary

Why in news – This is a refuge of unique antelope, popularly known as blackbuck.

Key Points –

• Tal Chhapar is located in the Churu district of Rajasthan.

• It was established in 1966.

• This place once used to serve as the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Bikaner.

BIHAR:

1. Litchi of Muzaffarpur

Why in news – The litchi of Punas village will be exported to England and Malaysia.

Key Points –

• Shahi Litchi got GI tag in 2018 along with Jardalu mango, Katarni rice, Magahi paan of Bihar

• Litchi need rain to gain sweetness along with redness.

• Due to the lack of Boron and moisture, Litchi burst.

POINTERS:

• In which European country India opened its new mission – Lithuania.

• Which medal won by PV Sindhu in Asia Badminton Championship - Bronze medal.

• When was Ayushman Bharat Day celebrated every year - 30 April.

• Where was the 39th Conference of Chief Justices of High Courts held - New Delhi.

• In which city the national level workshop on innovative agriculture was organized - New Delhi.

• Which bank launched new facility for senior citizens on mobile banking platform - Bank of Baroda.

• Who started the 90-day campaign "Till Independence Day" - Giriraj Singh.

• In which city PM Modi inaugurated the Semicon India Conference 2022 – Bengaluru.

• Which university topped the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking - University of Sydney.

• Mission Sagar IX- INS Gharial reached which country with important medical aid - Sri Lanka.

 

Click here to download the PDF

Enquiry Us