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UPSC CSE Prelims 2020 Exam Notification 2020 Update

upsc exam new date 2020

VisionIAS 19:37

UPSC Released Information on Postponement of UPSC Examination

Revised Programme of Examinations/RTs-2020 [including the date of the Civil Services (Prel.) Examination-2020] will be uploaded on 05.06.2020 after assessing the situation.

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Daily Current Affairs, 20th May 2020

vision ias current affairs

VisionIAS 17:25

1) World Bee Day observed globally on 20th May

•World Bee Day is observed globally on 20th May every year. On this date, 20 May, the pioneer of beekeeping Anton Janša was born in 1734 in Slovenia. The purpose of the bee day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. About 33% of the world’s food production depends on bees thus they are vital for the preservation of biodiversity, ecological balance in nature and helpful in reducing pollution.

•Due to COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual event held under the theme “Bee Engaged”. The theme will specifically focus on bee production and good practices adopted by beekeepers to support their livelihoods and deliver good quality products.

2) India gives $2 million aid to UN agency for Palestinian refugees’ welfare

•India has provided USD 2 million aid for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency working for the welfare of Palestinian refugees. This aid is given for UNRWA core programmes and services, including education and health, amidst the coronavirus crisis. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) applauded India’s support to stay its basic services operating, especially under the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

•India has increased the annual contribution to the UNRWA from 1.25 million USD(Rs.9.45 crore) to five million USD (Rs. 37 crore) in 2019 and promised another 5 million USD(Rs. 37 crores) for 2020 this opens a chance for India to become a member of the agency’s advisory commission. The contribution was presented to the United Nations agency by the Representative of India (ROI) to the State of Palestine, Sunil Kumar. The UNRWA supports the Palestinians who fled and were expelled from their homes during the war in 1948.

3) Cyclone Amphan intensifies into Super Cyclone

•Cyclone Amphan intensified into a super cyclone with wind speed above 200 kmph moved further North-Northeastwards over West Central Bay. Amphan is the first super cyclone to hit the region in the last two decades since a super cyclone-hit Odisha in 1999 causing widespread damage and loss of life.

•India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain in Odisha and West Bengal under its impact. The coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, East and West Midnapore, Howrah and Hooghly will experience heavy rain.

4) Union HRD Ministry launches new mobile app “National Test Abhyas”

•The Ministry of Human Resources Development has launched a new mobile application called “National Test Abhyas”. The application was developed by the National Testing Agency.

•The application will help the candidates to take mock tests for exams such as JEE Mains, NEET, etc. The application is powered by Artificial Intelligence and therefore the students will get instant results after taking the tests. The main aim of the application is to help students during the closure of educational institutions.

5) WHO to initiate Independent Inquiry in handling of COVID-19

•The World Health Organisation will be initiating Independent Inquiry in the handling of COVID-19. In order to achieve this, the organization is to launch “Resolution on COVID-19 response”. The main aim of the review is to put an end to the international blame game in the origin of COVID-19. The resolution was taken at the 73rd World Health Assembly that was held through video conference. India was represented by the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

•Around 116 countries backed the resolution of independent review. India backed the resolution. The idea of the resolution was initiated by Australia. However, the resolution was drafted by the European Union. China opposed the resolution.

6) China announces USD 2 billion help at WHO assembly

•China has announced to provide USD 2 billion over two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic at WHO assembly. The USD 2 billion over subsequent two years will support COVID-19 response efforts, particularly in developing countries.

•The decision comes after, when China faced growing global pressure over the lockdowns, the death toll and a huge increase in coronavirus cases that has brought the world to a standstill. WHO announced the coronavirus outbreak to be a worldwide health emergency on January 30. It declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on March 11, after the virus had killed thousands globally.

7) Lata Mangeskar sings “JAYTU BHARATAM” song for Atma Nirbhar Bharat

•Legendary singer Lata Mangeskar has sung a song titled as JAYTU BHARATAM saluting the spirit of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. She has dedicated the song to people of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

•More than 200 singers have sung the song including Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shaan, Udit Narayan, Pankaj Udas, Alka Yagini, Rekha, Asha Bhonsle, SP Balasubrahmanyam, Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam and Kailash Kher. Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam song has been written by renowned lyricist, poet, writer Prasoon Joshi.

8) Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar wins Alexander Dalrymple Award 2019

•India’s Chief Hydrographer of Indian Naval Hydrographic, Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar has been awarded the Alexander Dalrymple Award 2019. This award is given to him for his outstanding contribution to Indian hydrography and across the broader Indian Ocean region. The award was presented by the UK Ministry of Defence. The recipients of the award are selected by the chief Committee of the UK Hydrographic Office(UKHO) for his or her efforts in raising the standards of hydrography, cartography and navigation around the world.

•Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar joined the Indian Navy in 1982. He leads the regional Capacity Building programmes of Indian Naval Hydrographic Office (INHO). In 2019, He honoured with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for “distinguished service of an exceptional order during peacetime”. He has been the member of the International Hydrographic Organisations (IHO’s) Capacity Building Sub-Committee since its creation.

9) Ruskin Bond’s new book released on his 86th birthday

•Ruskin Bond’s new book titled ‘Hop On: My Adventures on Boats, Trains and Planes’ was released on his 86th Birthday in an e-book format. The book narrates some of his memorable travel adventures on boats, trains and planes from his childhood. The book presents its readers with a number of the author’s hilarious journeys and travel adventures. The illustrations for Ruskin Bond’s new book has been done by Samrat Halder.

Dhyeya IAS Hindi Literature Notes PDF

Upsc

VisionIAS 12:58

Dhyeya IAS Hindi Literature Notes PDF

विषय (Subject) : हिंदी साहित्य (वैकल्पिक विषय)

माध्यम (Medium): हिंदी (Hindi)

Faculty Name: Kumar Sarvesh Sir

File Type: PDF

File Size: 10 MB

Total No of Pages: 350

Click Here to Download Official Class Notes in PDF

The HINDU Notes – 20th May 2020

the hindu notes

VisionIAS 12:45

📰 COVID-19 unlikely to affect illicit drug supply

Restrictions may lead to drop in seizures, but no real change in supply: UN agency

•Movement restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to an initial statistical reduction in drug seizures, but without a real change in terms of supply in the East and Southeast Asia region, according to the latest report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

•Re-ordering of governments’ priorities and resources towards the pandemic could also jeopardise the efforts to strengthen drug prevention and treatment programmes, said the report on “Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia”.

•The report said that not every fluctuation in terms of drug seizures, prices, drug-related arrests or deaths in the coming months would be a direct or indirect consequence of the outbreak.

•“Organised crime groups active in the region have shown a high degree of flexibility to respond to shortages of supplies, raising risk levels on certain trafficking routes. The flexibility of the illicit economy, which does not have to wait for new rules and regulations to enter into force, should also not be underestimated,” it said.

•The UNODC said a large proportion of methamphetamine, the main synthetic drug of concern in the region, was manufactured, trafficked and consumed without the need for globalised supply chains. “Trafficking in the lower Mekong region also takes place in a variety of ways across borders which are porous and difficult to control ... While containerised trafficking exists, it is just one of many methods used...” said the report.

•Where movements were significantly affected, for instance couriers and body-packing through airports, methods would change quickly, leading to an initial statistical reduction in seizures, but without a real change in terms of supply.

•Additional efforts would be required at the national, regional and international level to carefully analyse methods and trends to understand changes to drug markets in the wake of the pandemic, it added.