Focus Merit

Category: National Current Affairs

Forex reserves bounce $8.22 billion; cross half-a-trillion (500M) mark for first time

June 12, 2020
forex
  • The country’s foreign exchange reserves passed the half-a-trillion mark for the first time after it surged by huge $8.22 billion in the week ended June 5, as per the latest data from the RBI.

Karnataka bans online classes from LKG to V; cautions against rising fees

June 12, 2020
online class
  • Minister for primary and secondary education S Suresh Kumar on 10th June announced that online classes cannot be carried out for the kids from LKG to class V.
  • He also said that severe action will be taken against the schools charging additional fees in the name of online classes.

India to start first-ever coal trading exchange

June 11, 2020
coal
  • India is reportedly planning to start its first coal trading exchange on the grounds of commodity or energy exchanges. Coal consumers and traders throughout the country welcomed the move but said the exchange should be commenced only when there are more buyers and sellers.

India to be 2nd nation to have contact-free ATM cash withdrawals

June 11, 2020
contact-free ATM cash withdrawals
  • In order to exclude the use of the physical card or touch an ATM PIN pad, amid the expanse of coronavirus from contaminated surfaces, Empays Payment Systems has tied hands with Mastercard to begin “Cardless ATM powered by Mastercard” in India based on the standards of EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa).

Himachal CM starts ‘Panchvati Yojana’ for elderly folks, to develop 100 parks in the state

June 11, 2020
Panchvati Yojana
  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, on 9th June, started the “Panchavati Yojana” for senior citizens of rural areas in the state.
  • In this scheme, parks and gardens will be made in all the development blocks with essential facilities under the MNREGA scheme of the Rural Development Department.

NIRF Rankings 2020 stated IISc, JNU and BHU best universities in India

June 11, 2020
NIRF Rankings 2020
  • The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has appeared as the best university in India accompanied by the Jawaharlal National University (JNU) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), according to the National Indian Ranking Framework (NIRF) Ranking 2020.

STREE’ started in Hyderabad to assist and empower women against domestic violence

June 10, 2020
woman
  • In a bid to assist and empower women against domestic violence and abuse, the Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC) in association with Hyderabad City Police has started the ‘STREE’ programme. The name shows the vision – “She Triumphs through Respect, Equality, and Empowerment” (STREE).

Maximum ever allocation of fund worth Rs 1,01,500 crore in MGNREGS for FY 2020-21

June 10, 2020
MGNREGS for FY 2020-21
  • A plan of Rs 1,01,500 crore has been presented under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the present financial year 2020-2021.
  • For the financial year 2020-21, a total of Rs 31,493 crore has already been released which is more than 50 percent of the budget calculation of the current Financial Year.

Mumbai most precious Indian city for expats, 60th most expensive in World stated 2020 Cost of Living Survey’

June 10, 2020
Nana Shankarsheth Mumbai Central railway station
  • India’s financial capital Mumbai has appeared as the most expensive city in the country for expatriates in terms of the value of living.
  • According to Mercer’s ‘2020 Cost of Living Survey’, Mumbai is the 60th most valuable city for expatriates globally, while it ranks 19th in Asia.

Govt allows Rs. 1,280 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Madhya Pradesh during 2020-21

June 10, 2020
Jal Jeevan Mission (Har Ghar Jal)
  • The government of India signed ₹1,280 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the State in 2020-21. Madhya Pradesh has prepared to have 100% Functional Household Tap Water Connection (FHTC) by 2023-24.