National News
Great Indian Bustard Census in Jaisalmer
- In 2024, a significant increase in the Great Indian Bustard population was observed during the annual waterhole survey in the National Desert Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, with 64 birds counted compared to 42 in 2022.
- The absence of a census in 2023, due to rainfall from western disturbances, interrupted the data collection.
- The Great Indian Bustard, also known as Godawan, is Rajasthan’s state bird and faces critical endangerment, predominantly inhabiting dry grasslands.
- Recognizable by its terrestrial nature and distinctive features like a black crown on the forehead, pale neck, brownish body, and wings marked with black, brown, and grey, the increased count signals positive momentum in conservation efforts for this threatened species.
Great Indian Bustard in India
- According to the Union Ministry of Wildlife Institute of India, as of August 2023, there were 150 Great Indian Bustards in India.
- Out of this, 128 were in Rajasthan, while the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka account for less than 10 birds each.
Rajasthan:
- Chief minister: Bhajan Lal Sharma
- Capital: Jaipur (Executive Branch)
- Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Cyclone Remal bring heavy rains in part of West Bengal and Bangladesh
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a low depression in Bay Bengal has developed into a severe cyclonic storm Remal. The Remal cyclone is expected to have a wind speed of 100-120 km per hour, bringing heavy rain and thundershowers in parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh.
- Cyclone Remal is the first cyclone of the season to develop in the Bay of Bengal region. The name Remal has been given by Oman which means sand in Arabic.
- Tropical cyclones are quite common in India during the months of May-June and October-November.
Worldwide terminology of Tropical Cyclone
Based on the area of the origin, tropical cyclones are given different names in different parts of the world. They are known as:
- Typhoons in the China Sea and Pacific Ocean;
- Hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean around West Indies Islands;
- Tornados in the Guinea lands of West Africa and southern USA.;
- Willy-willies in north-western Australia and
- Tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
How are Cyclones named?
The name of the tropical cyclone is decided by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) jointly.
There are five such RSMCs in the world.
The naming of the cyclone originating in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea started in 2004. The names are suggested by the member countries -Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand., Maldives and Oman.
The RSMC tropical cyclones, New Delhi, gives a tropical cyclone an identification name from the given list.
Bangladesh:
- Capital: Dhaka
- Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
- Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina
IGNCA, Prasar Bharati Collaborate To Bring Cultural Programmes Of IGNCA On DD Bharati Every Sunday
- Collaboration: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Prasar Bharati team up to broadcast IGNCA’s cultural programs on DD Bharati every Sunday.
- Significance: Government institution presenting its cultural work professionally to the public.
- Objective: Showcase India’s rich cultural dimensions, led by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA.
- Purpose: Preserve and share India’s unparalleled cultural richness and diversity with the masses.
- Recent Contributions of IGNCA:
- Completed artwork for the new Parliament building.
- Pioneered India’s art scene over 35 years.
- Contributed to the construction of Nataraja’s statue at the G-20 summit.
- Evaluated Sengol’s historicity and provided data for its inclusion in the new Parliament building.
- Institutional Status: IGNCA operates autonomously under the Ministry of Culture.
Ministry of culture: Ministers responsible: G. Kishan Reddy, Cabinet Minister; Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State
MHA Forms Inter-Ministerial Committee to Combat Organized Cybercrimes from SE Asian Countries
Formation: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established a high-powered committee to address rising cybercrimes from SE Asian nations like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos PDR.
Concerns: SE Asian region responsible for 45% of cyber financial frauds in India.
Committee Chair: VSK Kaumudi, Special Secretary (Internal Security) at MHA.
Committee Members: Representatives from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Department of Financial Services, Banks, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Department of Telecommunication (DOT), and financial technology companies.
Focus: Coordinated efforts to combat increasing cybercrimes.
Mandate: Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under MHA’s Cyber and Information Security Division, tasked with addressing cybercrimes comprehensively.
About Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C):
- It is an initiative of MHA, Government of India (GoI), to provide a framework and ecosystem for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for tackling the cybercrimes in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
- Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre scheme was approved on 5th October, 2018.It was launched on 10th January, 2020 in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Rajesh Kumar
About Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA):
- Union Minister-Amit Shah (Lok Sabha Constituency- Gandhinagar, Gujarat)
State news
Karnataka Mandates 33% Reservation for Women in Govt Contract Jobs
- The Karnataka government has mandated a 33% reservation for women in outsourced government jobs. This aligns with existing quotas for permanent positions and applies to jobs lasting more than 45 days and involving over 20 employees.
- Government Order Issued: A Government Order (GO) was issued by Randeep D., Principal Secretary, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, enforcing the reservation policy across various government departments and organisations.
- Coverage of Reservation Policy: The policy affects services and posts outsourced by government departments, including those contracted through third-party agencies. It encompasses roles such as drivers, data-entry operators, housekeeping staff, and other Group-C and Group-D positions
Karnataka:
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Chief minister: Siddaramaiah
- Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
Summit news
10th World Water Forum Opens in Bali, Indonesia
- The 10th World Water Forum, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” officially commenced on May 21 in Bali, Indonesia. Attendees included numerous country leaders and United Nations representatives.
- The forum focused on four critical topics: water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters.
Presidential Address: In his opening remarks, Indonesian President Joko Widodo highlighted the vulnerability of 500 million small farmers, who contribute 80 percent of the world’s food, to drought by 2050. He emphasized the importance of global collaboration in tackling water-related challenges.
World Water Council Insights: World Water Council President Loic Fauchon addressed the need for global efforts to repair environmental damage and provide hope for future generations, underscoring the unifying power of water.
Indonesia:
- Capital: Jakarta
- Official language: Indonesian
- President: Joko Widodo
Ranks and reports news
Uttar Pradesh tops in addition of Transmission line in 2023-24
According to the recently released statistics of the Central Electricity Authority, Uttar Pradesh emerged as the number one state in terms of the addition of transmission lines by state transmission companies in 2023-24. In 2022-23 also, Uttar Pradesh topped the list amongst the state utilities.
Uttar Pradesh leads the other states
- In 2023-24, the state government-owned Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (UPPTCL) added 1,460 ckm(Circuit Kilometer) of transmission lines of 220kV or above.
- Gujarat was in second place. The state-run Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO) added 898 ckm of transmission line in 2023-24.
- At the third place was Tamil Nadu. The state-run utility company Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (TANTRANSCO) added 753 ckm of transmission line.
- Andhra Pradesh came fourth with its Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTRANSCO), adding 682 ckm of the transmission line.
Uttar Pradesh:
- Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Capital: Lucknow
Kerala tops youth unemployment rate, Delhi registers lowest: PLFS Survey:
- Kerala recorded the highest unemployment rate among the 15-29 age group in urban areas for the January-March quarter of 2024, while Delhi had the lowest joblessness rate, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI).
- The survey, which covered 22 states and Union territories, identified Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Odisha as other states with high unemployment rates in this age category.
- The overall unemployment rate for the 15-29 age group was 17 per cent for the January-March period, an increase from 16.5 per cent in the previous quarter but slightly lower than the 17.3 per cent reported in the same period in 2023. For all age groups, the unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent , marginally up from 6.5 per cent in the previous quarter and slightly below the 6.8 per cent from the previous year.
Kerala:
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
WSJ’s Highest-Paid CEOs in the USA for 2023
- According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ)’s list of the highest-paid Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in the United States of America (USA) for 2023. Indian-origin Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, ranked 2nd on the Wall Street Journal’s list of highest-paid CEOs in the USA for 2023, earning USD 151.43 million
- Hock E. Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom Inc., topped the list with a salary of USD 161.83 million, while Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Blackstone, secured the 3rd spot with USD 119.78 million.
Appointment news
Government Extends Tenure Of Army Chief Gen Pande By One Month
- The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the extension in service of Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande for a period of one month up to 30th of June.
- The extension was given beyond his normal age of superannuation of 31st of May. He was appointed as the Army Chief on 30th of April, 2022. He was commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers).
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh Takes Command Of NDA
- Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh assumed the appointment of Commandant, National Defence Academy from Vice Admiral Ajay Kocchar in Pune.
- An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1st July 1990. Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh has held several appointments, both afloat and ashore.
Pradeep Kumar Sinha Appointed as Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited
- The former Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed as the Non- Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited.
- He will succeed Girish Chandra Chaturvedi who is set to retire from the post on 30th June 2024.
- He will take over the position with effect from July 1, 2024, for a three-year term as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval.
About ICICI Bank Limited:
- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) – Sandeep Bakhshi
- Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established – 1994
- Tagline – Hum Hai Na, Khayal Apka
Science and tech news
Mission ISHAN: Streamlining India’s Airspace for Enhanced Efficiency
- India is embarking on Mission ISHAN, aimed at consolidating its fragmented airspace management into a single, unified system headquartered in Nagpur. This move promises to revolutionize air traffic management, benefitting both airlines and passengers.
Current Scenario: Currently, India’s airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) and a sub-FIR, each managed independently. This decentralization poses challenges in terms of coordination, efficiency, and capacity handling.
The Vision: Under Mission ISHAN, all FIRs will be integrated into a single airspace managed from Nagpur. This centralization is expected to optimize operations, enhance safety, and increase capacity, crucial for accommodating the soaring demand in the aviation sector.
Sports news
Dipa Karmakar Clinches India’s First-Ever Gold Medal In Women’s Pole-Vault At Asian Championships In Tashkent
- Dipa Karmakar scripted history yesterday clinching India’s first-ever gold medal at the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The 30-year-old Olympian registered an average score of 13.566 in the women’s Vault final.
- This is the first time that an Indian gymnast has won a gold medal in any event at the Asian Championships.
- Dipa’s already outstanding list of firsts for Indian gymnastics is enhanced by the vault gold. She is the first female gymnast from India to compete in the Olympics, and at Rio 2016, she put on the best performance of any gymnast competing in the Summer Games, placing fourth in the women’s vault.
- She also became the first Indian to ever win a gold medal at an international gymnastics competition when she won the women’s vault gold medal at the 2018 FIG World Cup in Mersin, Turkey.
Uzbekistan
- Capital: Tashkent
- Currency: Uzbekistani Som
- President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Shahid Afridi Named Tournament Ambassador for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
- Shahid Afridi Joins Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle As Tournament Ambassador For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
- Shahid Afridi, Pakistan cricketer has been named as a Tournament ambassador for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024which will take place in the United States of America (USA) and West Indies from 1 to 29 June, 2024.
- He has won the Player of the Match award after Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the final of the 2009 T20 World Cup held in London, United Kingdom (UK).
- He was also the Player of the Tournament of the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2007.
Important day
Observing World Thyroid Day 2024: Raising Awareness and Educating on Thyroid Health
- World Thyroid Day (WTD) is annually observed across the globe on 25 May to raise awareness about the significance of the thyroid gland, a vital endocrine (hormone-producing) gland, and to educate people on thyroid diseases and their symptoms.
- WTD forms part of International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) (25-31 May 2024), supported by the global, non-profit network of patient organisations known as Thyroid Federation International (TFI).
- The theme of the ITAW-WTD 2024 is “Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)”.
- The Blue Paisley Ribbons are used as the symbol for Thyroid Awareness.
