Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 05 April 2022

Daily Current Affairs 05 April 2022

Important News: World

India contributes $500,000 to UN Women

Why in News

India has contributed USD 500,000 to the UN Women, the United Nations agency for gender equality and women empowerment.

Key Points

The amount was handed over by T. S. Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the UN to Dr. Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director.

About UN Women:

UN Women is a United Nations agency committed to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, founded in 1976) and other organisations merged to form UN Women, which began operations in January 2011.

Source: ndtv

Important News: India

PM Narendra Modi holds talks with Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba in Delhi

Why in News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on 2 April 2022.
Prime Minister Deuba, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived in New Delhi on 1 April 2022 on a three-day visit.

Key Points

This is Prime Minister Deuba's first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office for the fifth time in July last year.
Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old “Roti Beti” relationship.
Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Note: The last Head of State/Head of Government-level visit from Nepal was in May 2019, when then PM K P Oli visited India for the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi. Before that PM Modi had visited Nepal in August 2018 for the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu.

Source: Business Standard

Central govt exempts genome edited crops from stringent GM regulations

Why in News

The Central government has for the first time issued an order exempting certain types of genome edited crops from the stringent regulations applicable on genetically modified or GM cropsthus giving a big boost to their further research and development.

Key Points

The Ministry of Environment and Forest in an order issued recently, exempted SDN1 and SDN2 genome edited plants from Rules 7-11 of the Environment Protect Act (EPA) for manufacture, use or import or export and storage of hazardous microorganisms or genetically engineered organisms or cells rules-1989.
Genome editing or gene editing was discovered back in 2012, but Indian regulators took nearly a decade to comprehend its potential for developing crops resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses and with nutritional superiority.

Genome editing:

A decade ago, scientists in Germany and the US discovered a technique which allowed them to ‘cut’ DNA strands and edit genes. For agriculture scientists this process allowed them to bring about desired changes in the genome by using site directed nuclease (SDN) or sequence specific nuclease (SSN).

Note: Globally, European Union countries have bracketed genome edited crops with GM crops. Countries like Argentina, Israel, US, Canada, etc have liberal regulations for genome edited crops.

Source: Business Standard

Broadcast Seva Portal for broadcasters launched

Why in News

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur launched the Broadcast Seva Portal in New Delhi.

Key Points

About Broadcast Seva Portal:

Broadcast Seva Portal is an online portal solution for speedy filing and processing of applications of broadcasters for various kinds of licenses, permissions, registrations, etc.
It will reduce the turnaround time of applications and at the same time will help applicants track the progress.
It will reduce the human interface that was required earlier and thus add to capacity building of the Ministry and will be a major step towards Ease of Doing Business.
It will boost the business environment and empower the entire broadcast sector by directly benefiting more than 900 Satellite TV Channels, 70 Teleport operators, 1700 Multi-service operators, 350 Community Radio Stations (CRS), 380 Private FM Channels and others.
The portal would bring Transparency, Accountability & Responsiveness in the ecosystem and all information will be available on a single dashboard.

Source: HT

Railway Protection Force: Operation Upalabdh

Why in News

Recently, RPF (Railway Protection Force) conducted a Pan India Drive against the touts under Operation Upalabdh.

Key Points

About Operation Upalabdh:

The month long drive under Operation Upalabdh has been able to curb the activities of touts substantially and make railway tickets available to the common man.
Indian Railways advises the common public not to procure tickets from unauthorised persons as it is not only likely to be forfeited once detected, but may also land the buyer in legal trouble.

About Railway Protection Force (RPF):

RPF is a security force under the ownership of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, Government of India established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957.
It has the power to search, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenses committed under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966,

Note: In February 2022, the RPF had launched a nationwide operation to curb human trafficking named Operation AAHT.

Source: PIB

Important News: Economy

India’s merchandise exports hit a record high $418 billion in 2021-22

Why in News

India's merchandise exports spurt to a record high of USD 418 billion in the 2021-22 fiscal on higher shipments of petroleum products, engineering goods, gems and jewellery and chemicals, according to official data released recently.

Key Points

India's goods trade (exports and imports) crossed USD 1 trillion during 2021-22 as the country's imports too have touched an all-time high of USD 610 billion.
Outbound shipments touched an all-time monthly high of USD 40.38 billion in March 2022. Exports stood at USD 35.26 billion in March 2021.
India's merchandise exports had breached the targeted USD 400 billion mark on March 21 this year.
Agriculture exports crossed USD 48 billion during April 2021-March 2022.
Note: The top export destinations are the US, the UAE, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, Belgium and Germany.

Source: India Today

Important News: Science

Indian Antarctic Bill-2022

Why in News

Nearly 40 years after India first signed the Antarctic Treaty, the government has brought in a draft Indian Antarctic Bill-2022 to regulate and monitor activities at its research stations in the frozen continent.
Earth Sciences Minister Dr Jitender Singh tabled the draft Bill in Lok Sabha.

Key Points

About Antarctica Bill:

The draft bill is the first domestic legislation with regard to Antarctica in India.
Twenty-seven countries already have domestic legislations on Antarctica. Many others, such as India, are now following suit.
The Bill now puts into place a comprehensive list of regulations related to Antarctica, for such scientific expeditions, as well as for individuals, companies and tourists.
The most significant part of the Bill is extending the jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica, for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens, or foreign citizens who are a part of Indian expeditions.
The Bill also provides for Indian tour operators to be able to operate in Antarctica after acquiring a permit.
There are 40 permanent research stations in Antarctica of which two – Maitri and Bharati — are Indian.

About Antarctica Treaty:

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries and came into force in 1961.
The objectives of the treaty are to demilitarize Antarctica and establish it as a zone used for peaceful research activities and to set aside any disputes regarding territorial sovereignty, thereby ensuring international cooperation.
Currently, 54 nations are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, but only 29 nations have a right to vote at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings – this includes India.
India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and received consultative status the same year.

Source: Indian Express

Important News: Appointment

Hungary PM Viktor Orban wins fourth term

Why in News

Nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party had won a fourth term in office.

Key Points

Viktor Orban in November 2020 became the country's longest-serving Prime Minister. In December 2021, he became the longest-serving incumbent head of government in the European Union.
For the first time more than 200 international observers monitored the election in Hungary, an EU member, along with thousands of domestic volunteers from both camps.

Facts about Hungary:

Capital: Budapest
Currency: Hungarian forint

Source: TOI

Important News: Important Days

April 05, National Maritime Day

Why in News

National Maritime Day is observed on April 5^th every year.

Key Points

The National Maritime Day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964.
The legacy of Indian shipping first started on April 5th, 1919, when the first ship The SS Loyalty manufactured by The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. sailed from Mumbai to the United Kingdom.
India also became a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1959.
Note: World Maritime Day is observed every year on the last Thursday of the month of September.

Source: India Today