PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI – Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI June-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of June. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI June-2022 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Affairs
International Affairs
Economic Affairs
Dates & Days
Report & Indexes
Science & Technology
Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
WHAT IS AGNIPATH SCHEME OF UNION GOVT?
On June 14, 2022, Central Government launched a new scheme called “Agnipath Scheme”, to recruit soldiers across three services. The scheme will be implemented in immediate effect. Recruited Soldiers will be called “Agniveers”.
About Agnipath Scheme: The Agnipath Scheme has been launched for the recruitment of soldiers across three services.
Under it, about 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually. Most of them will be recruited for just four years.
Out of total annual recruits, around 25 per cent will be allowed to continue the service for another 15 years under permanent commission.
AGNIVEERS TO BE PRIORITISED BY UP GOVT. IN JOBS
Agniveers personnel recruited on short-term contracts in the Army, Navy, and Air Force under the unique Agnipath system would have preference in recruitment to the state’s police and associated services, according to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
This comes a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Agnipath scheme for short-term contractual recruitment of personnel in the tri-services for a maximum of four years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Agnipath Yojana is a visionary and welcome decision for the youth’s bright future.
The first four years of contractual service are unlikely to be taken into account when ultimate pensionary benefits are calculated.
1ST STATE TO APPROVE DRONE POLICY
The Himachal Pradesh government gave nod to a drone policy as it seeks to enable the use of drones and similar technology for different public services in the hill state.
The policy envisions creating a holistic drone ecosystem built upon the foundation of Governance and Reforms Using Drones (GARUD).
With this new drone policy, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to formally acknowledge the public use of drones.
About the “Himachal Pradesh Drone Policy 2022”:
Himachal’s drone policy mainly focuses on creating drone-enabled technology, creation of manpower through the establishment of training schools, startup and innovation schemes, and more.
PM MODI INAUGURATED IN-SPACE IN AHMEDABAD
The Indian National Center for Space Promotion and Authorization (IN-SPACe) was established in Ahmedabad by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, was also present at the ceremony. After inaugurating the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed its headquarters.
They have emphasised a holistic approach to improve the country’s health system for the past eight years.
Prior to becoming Prime Minister in 2014, PM Modi held the title of Gujarat’s longest-serving Chief Minister, holding the position from October 2001 to May 2014.
Prime Minister Modi lay the foundation stone for a number of development projects in Gujarat totaling Rs 3,050 crores.
WHAT IS 'BHARAT GAURAV' SCHEME?
First Train under the “Bharat Gaurav Scheme” started from Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) to Shirdi (Maharashtra) by Indian Railways’ Southern Railway zone.
Bharat Gaurav Train started on June 14, 2022 from Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi. It will reach Sainagar Shirdi on June 16, 2022.
About Bharat Gaurav Scheme
This scheme was launched by the Indian Government to tap the huge potential of Tourism in India. Under it, trains have a third segment for tourism. Before this scheme was launched, Railways had goods segments and passenger segments.
These trains are not regular trains, and will run according to timetable. It will run on the lines of Ramayana Express, which is being run by the IRCTC.
Scheme was announced under theme-based tourist circuit trains.
ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT SCHEME (ODOP)
Recently, the Ministry of Textile inaugurated the 'Lota Shop' at National Crafts Museum, New Delhi.
The shop was opened by Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited (CCIC), popularly known as the Central Cottage Industries Emporium.
What is One District One Product?
The ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, to help districts reach their full potential, foster economic and socio-cultural growth, and create employment opportunities, especially in rural areas.
It was launched in January, 2018, by the Uttar Pradesh Government, and due to its success, was later adopted by the Central Government.
This initiative is carried out with the ‘Districts as Exports Hub’ initiative by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
5 NATIONS ELECTED TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL
Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected to the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members for the 2023-2024 term, and took over the horseshoe table from India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Norway on January 1, 2023. India has been at the vanguard of the 15-nation Council’s reform efforts for years.
India’s two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council will finish in December 2022, when it will simultaneously hold the Presidency of the powerful UN body.
India has been at the vanguard of the 15-nation Council’s reform efforts for years, claiming that it is entitled to a permanent seat on the body, which in its current configuration does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century.
On the question of “categories of membership,” the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan have stated that the Council’s decisions can only reflect the interests of the entire membership if permanent seats are enlarged.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BAN ON PETROL & DIESEL CARS
Members of the European Parliament recently voted to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
This voting was held on an amendment that would have allowed some auto emissions through new vehicles after 2035. This amendment was rejected by Members of Parliament.
The European Union assembly voted in Strasbourg, France to require the automakers to cut 100 percent carbon-dioxide emissions by the middle of next decade.
Europe seeks to ban the sale with the aim of stepping up the fight against climate change by faster development of electric vehicles.
Carbon Emission Goals
EU lawmakers have also endorsed a reduction in CO2 by 55 %, from automobiles in 2030 compared with 2021. This move deepens an existing obligation on the car industry to decrease CO2 emission by 37.5 % on an average by the end of this decade.
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIMSTEC
The Secretariat of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Dhaka celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the regional organisation on BIMSTEC Day.
The evolution of BIMSTEC over the last 25 years from the signing of the Bangkok Declaration on June 6 in 1996, and highlighted milestones such as the establishment of the Secretariat in Dhaka in 2014 and the signature of the BIMSTEC Charter during the Fifth Summit in Colombo on March 30, 2022.
About the BIMSTEC: It is an international organization of South Asia and Southeast Asian countries.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are members of BIMSTEC. It was formed on 6 June 1997 and its headquarters is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
NINTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS 2022
The Ninth Summit of the Americas 2022 was held from June 6 to June 10, 2022. It is an international conference and was held in Los Angeles, United States.
Summit of the Americas 2022 was held under the theme of “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future”.
Host of the summit: In January 2022, the White House had announced that Los Angeles would serve as the host city.
The United States selects the site of this summit as a host and its attendees. For this year’s summit, the United States did not invite Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela because these countries are accused of having undemocratically elected leaders.
Countries that boycott the summit
Summit of the Americas 2022 was skipped by the President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, also boycotted the summit.
Similarly, the President of Bolivia, President of Guatemala, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent did not attend the summit.
12TH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF WTO
The 12th Ministerial Conference of World Trade Organization (WTO) started on June 12, 2022. It is being held at WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It was due to take place in 2021 but got postponed due to covid-19 pandemic.
Agenda of the conference
Chief of World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, expressed optimism that over 100 trade ministers would be achieving one or two global deals this week.
Saving Fish Stock- Apart from that, ministers would also take up the issue of the fisheries sector, where there is anti-development text in fisheries subsidies.
Which countries are taking part?
Around 50 civil society from 22 countries are representing in person at MC12 namely Indonesia, India, Philippines, Pakistan, Ghana, Pacific Islands, Morocco, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, Argentina, Zimbabwe, USA, Brazil, Uruguay, France, Belgium, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and the UK.
WEST ASIAN QUAD DIALOGUE - I2U2 GROUPINGS
The United States is set to launch a new four-nation dialogue “West Asia Quad Dialogue” with India, United Arab Emirates and Israel, during the visit of President Joe Biden to the region.
The forum will be launched during Joe Biden’s visit to Israel from July 13 to July 16, 2022. Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the West Bank, Saudi Arabia.
About West Asia Quad Dialogue
The West Asia Quad Dialogue will also be called I2U2. I2 for India and Israel while U2 for US and the UAE. It will focus on West Asia.
It was inaugurated in October 2021 by Secretary of US Antony Blinken. It is an entirely new grouping of partners that will focus on expanding economic and political cooperation in Asia and Middle East through energy cooperation, trade, coordination on vital shared interests and combating climate change.
38TH INDIA INDONESIA CO-ORDINATED PATROL
The 38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy Units of Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) and Indonesian Navy is being conducted from June 13 to 24 2022 in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.
The 38th CORPAT is the first post pandemic Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) between the two countries.
It includes a visit by the Indonesian Navy units to ANC at Port Blair from June 13 to 15, 2022 followed by a Sea Phase in the Andaman Sea and visit by IN Units to Sabang (Indonesia) from June 23 to 24, 2022.
As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), Naval Component under the aegis of HQ ANC undertakes coordinated patrols with other littoral countries of the Andaman Sea along respective Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) towards enhancing regional maritime security.
About the CORPAT exercise: The two Navies have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002.
AUSTRALIA AMBITIOUS TARGET RELATED TO EMISSIONS
On June 16, 2022, the new centre-left government of Australia submitted more ambitious emissions targets to the United Nations in order to end foot-dragging on climate change.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has increased Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target to 43 percent, against previous target of 26-28 percent. New goal sets it up for a future powered by cleaner and cheaper energy.
Greenhouse gas emissions by Australia
In Australia, Greenhouse gas emissions had reached 533 million tonnes CO2-equivalent, as of 2019. It represents per capita CO2e emissions of 21 tons, which is three times of the global average.
Coal contributed to 30% of emissions. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory estimates till March 2021 were 494.2 million tonnes, which is 5.3%, less than 2020.
14 BRICS SUMMIT TO BE HELD
India is likely to push back against an effort by Chinese President Xi Jinping to use the BRICS summit as a platform to highlight his efforts to develop an alternative to the US-led global order.
14th BRICS Summit will be held in virtual mode, on June 23, 2022. Summit will bring together Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro.
Theme of the BRICS Summit: BRICS Summit 2022 will be held under the theme of “Foster High-Quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development.”
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
RUSSIA BECOMES INDIA'S 2ND BIGGEST OIL SUPPLIER
Russia has overtaken Saudi Arabia to become India’s second-biggest supplier of oil behind Iraq as refiners snap up Russian crude available at a deep discount following the war in Ukraine.
Indian refiners bought about 25 million barrels of Russian oil in May, or more than 16 per cent of all their oil imports.
Russian-origin crude hit 5 per cent of India’s total seaborne imports in April for the first time, rising from under 1% throughout 2021 and Q1 2022.
After the U.S. and China, India is the world’s third-largest consumer of oil, over 85 percent of which is imported.
India, the world’s third-biggest oil-importing and consuming nation, has long defended purchases of crude oil from Russia following President Vladimir Putin ordering the invasion of Ukraine.
APPOINTMENTS
UN APPOINTED UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL
Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations has been appointed as the Under Secretary General of the United Nations.
Secretary General Antonio Guterres has announced the appointment of Ambassador Fatima. She succeeds Courtenay Rattray of Jamaica who was appointed as the Chef de Cabinet.
Ambassador Rabab Fatima is the first woman diplomat from Bangladesh to be appointed to this post.
With her appointment as Assistant Secretary General to the UN, Rabab Fatima has become the highest ranking official of Bangladesh under the UN system.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR
12 June marks the World Day against Child Labour under the theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour.”
On this day, the ILO, together with its constituents and partners, is calling for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are about 152 million children globally who are engaged in child labour, 72 million of whom are in hazardous work.
World Day Against Child Labour 2022:
Theme: The 2022 theme of the world day calls for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour. 2022
Theme: “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour”.
World Day Against Child Labour: History
The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the worldwide extent of kid labour and therefore the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.
WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY OBSERVED ON JUNE 14TH
World Blood Donor Day is observed globally on 14 June every year. The day is celebrated to promote awareness about the need for blood donation and thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
The day aims to promote regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe blood in times of emergency needs.
The host nation for World Blood Donor Day 2022 is Mexico. The global event will be held in Mexico City on June 14, 2022.
The Theme for World Blood Donor Day 2022 is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives”.
World Blood Donor Day: History
The World Health Organization initiated and declared June 14, the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, as World Blood Donor Day in 2004.
Nearly a year after this declaration, during the 58th Globe Health Assembly in May 2005 in May 2005, WHO and its 192 member states launched Blood Donor Day to encourage all nations to recognise blood donors for their selfless efforts in saving people’s lives.
WORLD REFUGEE DAY OBSERVED ON 20TH JUNE
World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on 20 June. World Refugee Day was designated as an International Day by the UN (United Nations).
The day is being celebrated to honour the refugees around the world. Refugees are people who are being forced to leave their homeland due to terror, conflicts, wars, prosecutions, or any other crises.
World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
World Refugee Day 2022: Theme
While the theme of World Refugee Day 2022 has not been rolled out, last year it was “Together we heal, learn and shine.” The 2021 theme highlighted the basic needs of displaced people, such as healthcare, nutrition and education.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
IMD’S WORLD COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2022
Institute for Management Development recently compiled and released the annual World Competitive Index on June 15, 2022. India witnessed the sharpest rise among Asian countries.
India witnessed a six-position rise from 43rd to 37th rank, due to gains in economic performance.
Denmark has been ranked at top position, among the top 63-nation list. It was ranked at third position in 2021. Switzerland dropped from the top position to second position.
It is followed by Singapore at third position, which was ranked at fifth position.
Others countries in top 10 include:
Sweden at fourth position,
Hong Kong SAR at fifth position
Netherlands at sixth position
Taiwan at seventh position
Finland at eighth position
Norway at ninth position and
USA at 10th position
INDIA RANKED 7TH AMONG TOP RECIPIENTS OF FDI
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India has jumped by one position to 7th in 2021, among the top recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI).
UNCTAD announced in its latest World Investment Report, which was released on June 9, 2022.
As per report, FDI inflows into India reduced to USD 45 billion in 2021 from USD 64 billion in 2020. The United States, with USD 367 billion, remained the top recipient of FDI.
The US is followed by China with USD 181 billion and Hong Kong USD 141 at second and third position.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CHINA PROPOSED TO LAUNCH SOLAR PLANT IN SPACE
Recently, China proposed a plan to launch a solar power plant in space, in order to get inexhaustible power in 2028, two years before the original schedule.
China had planned to establish a solar power station of 1 megawatt capacity, in space by 2030. However, according to the updated plan, China will launch a satellite in 2028.
About Solar Power Plant project in Space
This satellite will test wireless power transmission technology from space to ground, from the height of 400 km. It will convert solar energy to microwaves or lasers.
The plan for the space solar power plant project was first drafted in 2014. The idea to bring solar power projects to space was popularized in 1941 by Isaac Asimov, who was a science-fiction writer.
INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED PRITHVI-2 MISSILE
On June 15, 2022, India successfully test-fired its nuclear capable and indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile from Odisha, as part of user training trial.
About Prithvi-II missile
Prithvi-II missile is a proven system and a surface-to-surface missile. It is capable of striking targets with a high degree of precision. User training launch has validated all operational and technical parameters of the Prithvi missile.
The missile has a strike range of 350 km. It was test-fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
Background: In the previous instance, Prithvi-II also was successfully test fired on February 21, 2018 from ITR at Chandipur. Later, two consecutive trials of Prithvi- II were conducted on November 20, 2019.
SOUTH KOREA'S 1ST INDIGENOUS SPACE ROCKET
On June 21, South Korea launched its first domestically built space rocket in its second attempt. Space rocket was launched months after its previous lift-off could not place a payload into orbit.
Successful launch of the space rocket would boost the growing space ambitions of South Korea. It has also proved that; the country has important technologies to build space-based surveillance systems as well as bigger missiles.
Since the 1990s, South Korea has sent several satellites into space, but all were launched overseas, using rockets built on foreign technology.
In 2013, South Korea had launched a satellite from its soil for the first time, but its first stage launch vehicle was manufactured by Russia.
FUJIAN: CHINA 3RD MOST ADVANCED AIRCRAFT CARRIER
China launched its third aircraft carrier, the country’s most modern and first “completely domestically made” naval warship, as an aggressive Beijing pushed to expand its navy’s range in the key Indo-Pacific area.
The ‘Fujian’ aircraft carrier was launched at a brief ceremony at Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard, according to official media reports from the eastern metropolis.
Fujian is China’s first domestically designed and built catapult aircraft carrier.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited’s third aircraft carrier has a displacement of more than 80,000 tonnes and is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear.
Fujian is the name given to China’s easternmost coastline province.
The ‘Liaoning,’ China’s first aircraft carrier, was a refurbishment of a Soviet-era ship that was commissioned in 2012, followed by the Chinese-built second aircraft carrier, the ‘Shandong,’ in 2019. Two Chinese provinces are named Liaoning and Shandong.
MISCELLANEOUS
WORLD'S MOST DETAILED MAP ON MOON BY CHINA
A new comprehensive Geological map of the Moon was released by China. It is the most detailed map till date.
The Geological Map is likely to make a significant contribution to scientific research, exploration and landing site selection on the Moon.
Chinese scientists have created a high-resolution topographic map on the basis of data from a Chinese lunar exploration project called “Chang’e project”.
About the Map: The new map is to a scale of 1:2,500,000. It includes 12,341 impact craters, 17 rock types, 81 impact basins, and 14 types of structures.
Thus, it provides abundant information regarding the geology of the moon and its evolution. It will make a significant contribution to exploration, scientific research, and landing site selection on the moon..
INDIA'S 1ST COVID-19 VACCINE FOR ANIMALS
On June 13, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture unveiled India’s first Covid-19 vaccine “Anocovax” for animals.
Vaccine has been developed by Hisar-based National Research Centre on Equines. It can protect animals against Delta and Omicron variants of coronavirus. The vaccine can be used in dogs, leopards, mice, lions, and rabbits.
It is an inactivated vaccine that has been developed using an infectious part of the Delta variant.
Apart from that, the vaccine uses Alhydrogel as an adjuvant to boost immune response. This is the first Covid-19 vaccine developed in India, for animals.
Vaccine has been developed with the aim of protecting endangered animals like lions and tigers. India reported some 9 Covid infections in Asiatic lions in Chennai-zoo in 2021.
AMENDMENTS IN IBBI REGULATIONS IN INDIA
Recently, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has amended Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Grievance and Complaint Handling Procedure) Regulations, 2017 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Inspection and Inspection and Investigation) Regulations, 2017.
What are IBBI Regulations, 2017?
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Grievance and Complaint Handling Procedure) Regulations, 2017:
It provides a mechanism for redressal of complaints and grievances filed against insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and information utilities.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Inspection and Investigation) Regulations, 2017:
It provides a mechanism for carrying out inspections and investigations on insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professionals and information utilities and passing orders by the Disciplinary Committee.
What are the Key Highlights of the Amendment?
Revisions in various timelines related to enforcement process provided in the (Grievance and Complaint Handling Procedure) Regulations, 2017 and (Inspection and Investigation) Regulations, 2017 for addressing the issue of delay in the present mechanism.
Effective participation of IPAs (Insolvency Professional Agency) in regulating the IPs (Insolvency Professional) through examination of grievances received against IPs.
