Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 8 June 2021, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
Daily Current Affairs 8 June 2021
India ranks 117 on 17 SDGs adopted as 2030 agenda
India ranks 117 on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015.
India ranks below four South Asian countries – Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it said. The overall SDG score of India is 61.9 out of 100.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
There are 17 SDGs which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.
The 17 SDGs adopted by UN member states are SDG1- no poverty, SDG 2-zero hunger, SDG3-good health and well-being, SDG4- quality education, SDG 5- gender equality, SDG 6- clean water and sanitation, SDG 7- affordable and clean energy, SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth, SDG 9- industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10 – reduced inequalities, SDG 11- sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12- responsible consumption and production, SDG 13- climate action, SDG 14- life below water, SDG 15- life on land, SDG 16- peace, justice and strong institutions and lastly SDG 17- strengthening global partnerships for the goals.
NCSM collaborates with SMG-London for international travelling exhibition
National Council of Science Museums, India is collaborating with one of the largest museum groups in the world- Science Museum Group, London for an international travelling exhibition called ‘Hunt for the Vaccine’.
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is a premiere institution in the field of science communication.
It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. It is Headquartered in Kolkata. It was established in 1978.
It is primarily engaged in popularizing Science and Technology through a network of science centres and Mobile Science Exhibitions (MSE) units that visit rural schools.
Presently NCSM administers and manages 25 science museums/centres spread across the country and is the “world’s largest network of science centres and museums that functions under a single administrative umbrella” with an annual reach to about 15 million people.
Mauritius’ ex-prime minister Anerood Jugnauth Passed Away
Anerood Jugnauth, the former president and prime minister of Mauritius passed away at the age of 91.
Jugnauth was Mauritius’ longest-serving prime minister and held the post for more than 18 years.
He held the post of prime minister between 1982 and 1995, then again between 2000 and 2003, and later between 2014 and 2017.
He also served as the president of Mauritius from 2003-2012. He was considered the father of the Mauritian economic miracle of the 1980s.
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the African continent, east of Madagascar.
It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon.
The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department), are part of the Mascarene Islands.
The capital is Port Louis It is the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the religion with the most adherents. Mauritius is the only African country to be in the “very high” category on the Human Development Index.
“Largest Green Railways” in the world with Zero Carbon Emission
Indian Railways is working in mission mode to become the largest Green Railways in the world and is moving towards becoming a “net zero carbon emitter” before 2030.
Railways is guided by a holistic vision of being an environment friendly, efficient, cost effective, punctual and a modern carrier of passengers as well as freight in order to serve the growing needs of New India.
Railway Electrification which is environment friendly and reduces pollution, has increased nearly ten times since 2014. Railways has planned to electrify balance Broad Gauge (BG) routes by December, 2023 to achieve 100% electrification of BG routes.
19 Railway Stations have also achieved Green Certification including 3 Platinum, 6 Gold and 6 Silver ratings. 27 Railway Buildings, Offices, Campuses and other establishments are also Green certified.
Green certification mainly covers assessment of parameters having direct bearing on the environment, such as, energy conservation measures, use of renewable energy, Green House Gas emission reduction, water conservation, waste management, material conservation, recycling etc.
Pension norms eased for families of deceased staff
The Union Government has written to all Ministries relaxing the norms for disbursing pension to families of deceased employees considering their urgent need of funds for livelihood.
The authorities have been told to disburse the provisional family pension immediately after receiving the claim with a death certificate.
Stating that the completion of the process for sanction of family pension and its disbursement through the bank could take some time, the department cited provisions under Rule 80-A of the Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 1972.
This rule provided for payment of provisional family pension and also provisional death gratuity, without waiting for forwarding of the family pension case to Pay & Accounts Office (PAO).
MoU between NMPB and CSIR-NBRI for promoting cultivation and production of medicinal plants
The National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) to extend joint collaborative efforts for boosting the cultivation and production of medicinal plants and herbs in India.
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has been established by Government of India to coordinate with all matters relating to Medicinal Plants and Support Policies and Programs for growth of trade, export, conservation and cultivation.
The board is working under Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy (AYUSH).
The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) is a research institute of CSIR in Lucknow. It is engaged in the field of taxonomy and modern biology.
Syria has likely used chemical weapons 17 times
Recently the international chemical weapons watchdog told the U.N. Security Council that its experts have investigated 77 allegations against Syria, and concluded that in 17 cases chemical weapons were likely or definitely used.
Syria was pressed to join the chemical weapons convention in 2013 by its close ally Russia after a deadly chemical weapons attack that the West blamed on Damascus.
In 2014, President Bashar al-Assad’s government declared that the destruction of its chemical weapons was completed.
But Syria’s initial declaration to the OPCW has remained in dispute. In April 2021, the OPCW suspended Syria’s rights until all outstanding issues are resolved.
Chemical weapons are typically categorized as blister, nerve, choking, blood and riot-control agents, and the effects of these weapons are felt immediately upon inhalation or skin contact. Examples of chemical weapons are mustard gas, sarin, chlorine, hydrogen cyanide and tear gas.
Citizenship to minority migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh
Union Home Ministry recently said that the migrants belonging to six non-Muslim minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who came to India on valid documents before 2014 are eligible to apply online for citizenship from any part of the country.
The six communities are Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Parsis. Citizenship is a Home Ministry subject but it can delegate powers to States for specific objective.
The official asserted that this particular awareness drive was not related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) that is intended to benefit undocumented (illegal migrants) from the six persecuted communities who entered India before December 31, 2014.
The CAA is yet to come into force as the rules that govern the law have not been notified by the Ministry yet.
Free ration under Garib Kalyan Yojna extended till Diwali
Government of India decided to extend the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till Diwali.
About 1.3 lakh tonne of wheat and rice have been provided to 2.6 crore beneficiaries so far in June under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
The food subsidy incurred for PMGKAY, so far, is more than Rs 9,200 crore for May and June 2021, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Giving specific about the implementation of the free ration scheme, he said, more than 63.67 lakh tonne foodgrains (around 80 percent of total PMGKAY allocation for May and June 2021) have been lifted by states and UTs from FCI (Food Corporation of India) depot.
The government is providing 5kg per person per month to approximately 79.39 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Nearly 80 lakh tonne foodgrains have to be issued under the PMGKAY scheme. This distribution is over and above the regular allocation to beneficiaries under the food law.
Haryana to create 80 acres of ‘Oxi-van’
Haryana state government announced to create 80 acres of ‘Oxi-van’ (a forest) in Karnal district. It was announced on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, 2021. Oxi-van will consist of 10 types of forests.
In order to promote the promotion, protection, planting of trees on World Environment Day, the Khattar led-Haryana Government has launched four important schemes:
Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme: Under this scheme, a pension amount of Rs 2500 will be provided in name of Pran Vayu Devta to maintain trees above 75 years. This pension would increase each year on the line of old age samman pension.
Panchavati Plantation in Haryana: Under this initiative, plantation will be done in name of Panchvati across the villages in Haryana. It will promote the process of getting natural oxygen from trees. Agro forestry will also be promoted on vacant land under the initiative. Thus, it will increase income of Panchayats in rural areas.
Oxy-Van in Karnal: Oxy Forest was launched on Forest Department land in Mughal Canal, Karnal. Panchavati, trees of Bel, Amla, Ashoka, Banyan and Peepal were planted. It will be built on 80 acres area.
Oxy-Van in Panchkula: It will be established in Bir Ghaggar on area of one hundred acres in a bid to create Mother Nature’s green lungs, for residents of Panchkula, to get in fresh oxygen. Rs One crore has been sanctioned for this initiative.
Raimona reserve forest named sixth national park in Assam
The Chief Minister of Assam announced that the Raimona reserve forest in Kokrajhar district under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), bordering Bhutan, has been upgraded as the sixth national park of the state.
The other five national parks in the state are Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang and Dibru-Saikhowa.
The Raimona National Park, which is within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), is part of a contiguous forest patch with an area of 422 square kilometres, covering the northern part of the notified Ripu Reserve Forest along the Indo-Bhutan border.
It is home to golden langur, Asian elephants, tigers, clouded leopards, Indian gaur, wild buffalo, spotted deer, hornbill, more than 150 species of butterflies, 170 species of birds and 380 varieties of plants and orchids.
Rajasthan launched free coaching scheme for underprivileged students
The state government of Rajasthan recently launched Chief Minister Anuprati Coaching Scheme to help underprivileged students prepare for entrance examinations to civil services and professional courses, with an aim to give them equal opportunity.
Under the scheme, free coaching will be provided for preparation for civil services examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Rajasthan Administrative services (RAS) examination and subordinate services joint entrance examinations organised by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
It will also help students prepare for other RPSC examinations such as Rajasthan Teacher Eligibility Test (REET), Grade Pay-2400 or Pay-Matrix Level-5 services, constable examination, sub-inspector and 3600 Grade pay or Pay matrix level-10 jobs.
Students belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, other backward classes (OBC), extremely backward castes, minority and economically weaker sections with annual family income less than ₹8 lakhs per annum will be able to avail the scheme run by the tribal area development, minority affairs, and social justice and empowerment departments.
DU to provide full fee-waiver to students who lost parents to Covid
The Delhi University is going to provide full fee waiver to students who lost one or both parents to the coronavirus infection.
The fee waiver, which will be 100 per cent, will be applicable for students who have lost either of the parents or both to the virus in both the waves of the pandemic. They won’t even be charged examination fees.
There are 28 colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government, including 12 that are fully funded by the city dispensation.
According to officials, there are three types of colleges under the Delhi University- colleges maintained by trusts; those maintained by the university; and the colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government.
Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021
Thomas Vijayan won the jury of Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021 competition. His picture beat 8,000 entries from around the world to win the top prize of £1,500.
Vijayan, a photographer from Canada, shot the spectacular picture called The World is Going Upside Down.
Vijayan’s photograph captures an orangutan clinging on to a tree, however since the tree was half immersed into water, the reflection of the sky, and the forest canopy created an optical illusion. So, the title of the image aptly describes the picture.
Nature TTL is the world’s leading online nature photography resource. Thousands of photographers enjoy our free, in-depth tutorials each day.
World Oceans Day 2021
World Oceans Day is celebrated on June 8 each year to create awareness among human beings of the benefits it has enjoyed from the ocean so far.
This year, the theme of World Ocean Day is ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’. The day highlights the need and necessity to protect oceans from further deterioration. The United Nations (UN) declared World Oceans Day as an official occasion in 2008.
This was first suggested in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The aim behind this was to not only celebrate the vast water body and its benefits in our lives but also to raise awareness about what can be done to make it a part of sustainable development.
UNESCO states that this day is observed to remind everyone that oceans are the lungs of our planet. Awareness is raised about how to conserve it and rescue it from the eventual degradation that is caused by our careless activities.
