CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS
World Oceans Day- June 8
- World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on June 8 to ponder upon the role and importance of the oceans.
- This day provides a platform to inspire action and sustainable use of marine resources available to our planet.
- World Oceans Day reminds us of the role oceans play in our everyday life.
World Oceans Day 2022 Theme
- This year the UN has planned an annual event on World Oceans Day coordinated by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs and supported by the nonprofit Oceanic Global will focus on the theme of “Revitalization: Collective action for the ocean”.
- This year, the United Nations will host the first hybrid celebration of the annual event on June 8, 2022, hosted in-person at the UN Headquarters in New York to be broadcasted live.
History
- The concept of World Oceans Day was first proposed by the UN in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
- It was suggested that a day be observed to raise awareness about the crucial role oceans play in our lives and ways in which people can help protect them.
- Since 2002, the World Ocean Network has built support for ocean awareness events on June 8 with the help of sponsorship from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
- On December 5, 2008, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to designate this day.
- Apart from UNESCO, other agencies under the aegis of the UN such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and FAO also work to protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
World Brain Tumor Day- June 8
- World Brain Tumor Day is observed every year on June 8 as a day dedicated to creating awareness about brain tumors.
- A brain tumor occurs in brain cells that multiply abnormally and in an uncontrolled way.
- They can be cancerous or non-cancerous depending on their location and grading.
- The grading is given based on the pace at which cells multiply and spread to the adjacent areas.
THEME
- The theme for World Brain Tumor Day 2022 is “Together We Are Stronger.”
HISTORY
- World Brain Tumor Day was first observed on June 8, 2000, by the German Brain Tumor Association (Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe e.V.), a non-profit organization for serving and offering support to brain tumor patients.
- The day came into existence with the idea of paying tribute to brain tumor patients and their families by educating people about the disease.
- According to the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC), over 28,000 cases of brain tumors are reported in India every year.
- Of these, 24,000 succumb to the deadly disease.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS
Prime Minister Modi Virtually Addressed Rotary International Convention 2022:
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, who set an example of what it means to live for others.
- While giving an electronic speech about the International Rotary Convention, the Prime Minister made comments.
- The Rotaries have been described as a true union of many “Every Rotary gathering of this scale is like a mini-global assembly”.
Key Points:
- “There is diversity and vibrancy,” the prime minister said of Rotary’s two mottos, “Serving Yourself” and “One who gives the most profit to who serves the best”.
- According to the Prime Minister, these are principles important to the well-being of all humanity and resonate with “the teachings of our saints and sages”.
- India is home to one-seventh of the world’s population, and any achievement by India will have a beneficial impact on the rest of the world.
- For example, he references the history of the Covid19 vaccine and the plan to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global target of 2030.
- Prime Minister Modi urged the Rotary family to support these grassroots activities and celebrate Yoga Day in large numbers around the world.
Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates 15 National Highway projects worth over Rs.13,000 cr in Bihar:
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 15 National Highway projects in Patna and Hajipur in Bihar with a total cost of Rs.13,585 crores.
- Gadkari, Mahatma Gandhi Setu over river Ganga in Patna is the lifeline of Bihar, which connects North Bihar with South Bihar.
- With this superstructure replacement project, the time taken to cross Mahatma Gandhi Setu has been reduced from 2 to 3 hours to 5 to 10 minutes.
- Chhapra-Gopalganj section being 2-lane with 4 bypasses will allow the traffic of the highway to pass through the bypass and the city will get rid of traffic jams.
PM Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 in New Delhi:
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and address the gathering.
- The Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 is a two-day event to be held on the 9th and 10th of this month.
- It is being organized by the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council BIRAC.
- It is being held to mark the completion of ten years of setting up of BIRAC.
- The theme of the Expo is ‘Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
About the Expo:
- The Expo will act as a platform to connect entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, manufacturers, regulators, government officials, etc.
- About 300 stalls will be set up at the Expo, which will showcase the applications of biotechnology in various fields such as healthcare, genomics, biopharma, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, waste-to-value, and clean energy, among others.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS
Govt of TN launches Nalaya Thiran skilling program for college students:
- Under the Tamil Nadu Govt’s Naan Mudhalvan (I am the first), it launched the program called Nalaya Thiran (Tomorrow’s ability).
About Nalaya Thiran (Tomorrow’s ability) :
- Under this Programme, the Tamil Nadu government will train nearly 50,000 college students with knowledge in computer science, electronics, and IT domains, skilling them in problem-solving using technologies.
- It is not a pilot program & this will help companies to get a skilled workforce.
- This multi-agency program has been co-created by Nasscom, ICT Academy, and Skill Development Corporation, giving students access to much-needed cross-cutting skills.
About TN :
- Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
- Governor: R. N. Ravi
- Capital: Chennai
Goa CM launches Beach Vigil App for Beach Management:
- The chief minister of Goa Shri Pramod Sawant launched a “Beach Vigil App”.
Aim :
- To benefit both the travelers as well as those working in the tourism sector, for holistic management of the beaches.
- Goa IT and Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte was also present at the occasion.
About Beach Vigil App” :
- Using the app Drishti workers, police and other stakeholders will be able to raise issues safeguarding the interest of the travelers.
Benefits :
- The application would redress issues from illegal hawkers, encroachment, and massage services to cleanliness.
- According to the Public Health Foundation of India, India’s tally of rape-related crimes rose by 7 percent over the past decades, and Goa recorded the highest increase of 559.4 percent and 5.6 times the national average.
About Goa :
- Governor: P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
- Chief minister: Pramod Sawant
- Capital: Panaji
- Airport: Goa International Airport
- National Park: Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) National Park
Maharashtra gets 12 new conservation reserves and 3 wildlife sanctuaries:
- The 18th Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (MSBWL) chaired by Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray approved 12 new conservation reserves & 3 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.
- It will have an area of almost 1,000 sq km (around 692.74 sq km for conservation reserves and 303 sq km for wildlife sanctuaries) which is twice the size of Mumbai city’s 482 sq km.
List of 12 new conservation reserves :
| Districts | Conservation Reserves | Area (sq km) |
| Dhule | Chivatibawri | 66.04 |
| Dhule | Aladari | 100.56 |
| Nashik | Kalvan | 84.12 |
| Nashik | Muragad | 42.87 |
| Nashik | Trimbakeshwar | 96.97 |
| Nashik | Igatpuri | 88.499 |
| Raigad | Raigad | 47.62 |
| Raigad | Roha | 27.30 |
| Pune | Bhor | 28.44 |
| Satara | Dare-Khurd for butterflies | 1.07 |
| Kolhapur | Masai Plateau | 5.34 |
| Nagpur | Mogarkasa | 103.92 |
- So far, 15 conservation reserves have been notified in Maharashtra.
- With these new additions, the number will rise to 27.
List of 3 new wildlife sanctuaries :
- The extension of the Lonar wildlife sanctuary (0.8694 sq km),
- Kolamarka in Gadchiroli (180.72 sq km)
- Muktai Bhawani in Jalgaon (122.74 sq km).
- Kolamarka, which is affected by the presence of Left-wing extremists, has endangered Asiatic wild buffaloes (Bubalusarnee) & the area was notified as a conservation reserve in 2013.
- Besides, 10 spots have been designated as ‘endangered wildlife habitats’ in different parts of Maharashtra.
There are :
- Mayureshwar-Supe (5.15 square km)
- Bor (62 square km)
- Navin Bor (61 square km)
- extended Bor (16 square km)
- Narnala (12 square km.)
- Lonar (3.65 square km)
- Gugamal National Park (361 square km)
- Yedshi Ramalingaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (22.37 square km)
- Naigaon-Mayur Wildlife Sanctuary (30 square km)
- Deulgaon-Rehekuri Antelope Sanctuary (2.17 square km).
- As per the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the consent of the wildlife board is a must before notifying any fresh PAs in the state.
- Meanwhile, the board also approved a 5 km elevated corridor from Hotel Fountain on Ghodbunder road to Gaimukh and the proposal will now be sent to the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for its consent.
Additional Info :
- Currently, Maharashtra has 6 national parks, and 50 sanctuaries.
- It has 6 tiger projects, namely, Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Navegaon-Nagzira, and Bor.
- As per the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) ‘Status of Tigers in India, 2018’ report, the estimated number of tigers in Maharashtra was 312 as against 190 in 2014.
About Maharashtra :
- Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
- CM: Uddhav Thackeray
- Capital: Mumbai
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE
RBI issues standard assets provisioning norms for upper-layer NBFCs
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a new set of norms for provisioning for standard assets by large Non-Banking Financial Companies-Upper Layer (NBFC-UL) because of the increasing role played by such entities in the financial system.
- The new norms on standard asset provisioning will come into effect from October 1, 2022.
- In the case of individual housing loans and loans to Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), the rate of provision has been specified at 0.25 percent and for housing loans extended at teaser rates, it has been fixed at 2 percent.
- NBFC-UL shall maintain provisions in respect of ‘standard’ assets at the following rates for the funded amount outstanding:
| Category of Assets | Rate of Provision(%) |
| Individual housing loans and loans to Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) | 0.25 |
| Housing loans extended at teaser rates | 2.00%, which will decrease to 0.40% after 1 year from the date on which the rates are reset at higher rates (if the accounts remain ‘standard’) |
| Advances to Commercial Real Estate – Residential Housing (CRE – RH) Sector | 0.75 |
| Advances to Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Sector (other than CRE-RH) | 1.00 |
| Restructured advances | As stipulated in the applicable prudential norms for restructuring advances |
| All other loans and advances not included above, including loans to Medium Enterprises | 0.40 |
- In October 2021, RBI issued a framework for scale-based regulation for NBFCs.
- The regulatory structure for NBFCs comprises four layers based on their size, activity, and perceived riskiness.
About RBI :
- Founded: 1 April 1935
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Deputy Governors: Mahesh Kumar Jain] Rajeshwar Rao, Michael Patra, and T. Rabi Shankar
DBS Bank India launches its 1st credit card in partnership with Bajaj Finance Limited – Bajaj Finserv DBS Bank SuperCard
- DBS Bank India has launched its first-ever credit card in India in partnership with Bajaj Finance Limited, co-branded as ‘Bajaj Finserv DBS Bank SuperCard’, powered by Visa.
- Designed to de-clutter customers’ wallets, the SuperCard eliminates the need for having multiple credit cards.
- The Bajaj Finserv DBS Bank SuperCard was unveiled in the presence of Piyush Gupta (DBS Group CEO), Surojit Shome (DBS India CEO), and Bajaj Finserv leadership Rajeev Jain (BFL CEO) and Anup Saha (BFL Deputy CEO), Visa leadership Sandeep Ghosh (Group Country Manager, India, and South Asia).
Features of Bajaj Finserv DBS Bank SuperCard :
- SuperCard will provide its customers with benefits and rewards across different product categories and exclusive benefits on Bajaj Finserv’s range of products and services available across the country.
- The SuperCard will be available in 6 variants, offering a welcome bonus of up to 20,000 Cash Points.
- It also multiplies customers’ cash points up to 10x every month on achieving monthly milestone spending.
- The customers can also enjoy up to 20X accelerated cash points on spending via DBS Card+ mobile app and Bajaj Finserv app.
- Customers can apply for the card from the comfort of their homes through all the digital channels of Bajaj Finance Limited and get their paperless KYC completed on the same day, allowing them to start using their Card instantly
- It allows customers to receive up to 5% cashback (up to INR 500 per transaction) on the down payment of consumer durable loans at Bajaj Finance EMI network stores
- Also, It allows customers to subscribe to various memberships like Disney Hotstar, and Zomato Pro via DBS Card mobile app and get up to 40% cash back in form of Cash Points
- Other card benefits include a special health plan on Bajaj Finserv Health which offers deeply discounted teleconsultations from physicians across India, airport lounge access, interest-free cash withdrawal for up to 50 days, fuel surcharge waiver, and easy to convert spending to EMI starting from INR 2500
About Bajaj Finserv Limited :
- Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra, India
- MD: Rajeev Jain
- Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, is an Indian non-banking financial company.
RBI imposes a Rs 27.5 lakh penalty on Punjab & Sind Bank
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 27.5 lakh on Punjab & Sind Bank for non-compliance with certain directions issued by it on ‘external benchmark-based lending’.
- The penalty comes after RBI had carried out a statutory inspection for Supervisory Evaluation of the bank concerning its financial position as of March 31, 2020.
- The bank linked certain floating rate retail loans and floating rate loans to Micro and Small Enterprises, extended by it on or after October 01, 2019, to the Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) instead of an external benchmark.
- This action is based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.
About Punjab & Sind Bank :
- Founded: 24 June 1908
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- MD & CEO : Shri Swarup Kumar Saha
Suryoday SFB partners with Mobisafar Services for banking services across India
- Suryoday Small Finance Bank, one of India’s leading small finance banks, has partnered with Mobisafar Services Private Limited to provide banking services through all Mobisafar’s franchises and Business Correspondent networks across India.
Aim :
- To strengthen financial inclusion by providing key banking services, digitally to the underbanked customers even in the remotest parts of the country.
- Mobisafar through its presence in 13000+ pin codes would help facilitate onboarding new customers in Suryoday Small Finance Bank, digitally through eKYC and enable banking services like savings to account opening, deposit/withdrawal of money, balance inquiry, etc.
- Through this partnership, Mobisafar would further enable more underbanked customers to take benefit of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) & Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
About Suryoday Small Finance bank :
- Founded: 2017
- MD & CEO : Baskar Babu Ramachandran
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
SEBI restructures mutual fund advisory committee
- Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has restructured its advisory committee on mutual funds.
- The 25-member advisory committee will be chaired by former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Usha Thorat.
- The regulator has inducted Chairman of NJ India Invest Neeraj Choksi into the advisory committee.
Other members include
- Independent Trustee at SBI Mutual Fund Sunil Gulati
- Independent Trustee at DSP Mutual Fund Dharmishta Narendraprasad Raval.
- Tata Asset Management MD and CEO Prathit D Bhobe
- SBI Funds Management MD and CEO Vinay Tonse
- Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) CEO Swarup Mohanty
- Sundaram Asset Management Company MD Sunil Subramaniam
- Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company MD and CEO Navin Agarwal Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) Chairman A Balasubramanian
- Also, chiefs of BSE, NSE, Computer Age Management Services (CAMS), KFin Technologies as well as representatives of the finance ministry, and Sebi are part of the committee.
- The committee is mandated to advise Sebi on issues related to regulation and development of the mutual fund industry.
- It can also advise the SEBI on disclosure requirements and measures required for a change in the legal framework to introduce simplification and transparency in mutual fund regulations.
About SEBI :
- Established: on 12 April 1988 and given Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Chairman : Madhabi Puri Buch
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS
‘Har Time EMI on Time’ is a financial education initiative launched by Bajaj Finance:
- Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending arm of Bajaj Finserv Limited, a global financial services group, has launched Har Time EMI On Time, a digital campaign to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of good financial habits for a secure financial future.
- The campaign aims to educate the public about the benefits of making their monthly EMI loan payments on time, as well as the long-term consequences of underpayments on their overall financial health.
Key Points:
- The advertisement also emphasizes the importance of developing a disciplined habit of following through on payment commitments to benefit from the diverse financial products on the market.
- The brand campaign featuring the adorable Gupta Ji of the famous Savdhaan Rahein Safe Rahein is teaching Tinku Ji, in a catchy and musical style, a simple way to pay his monthly EMI on time.
- Tinku Ji educates consumers and the public about the various effects of non-payment or late payment, as well as the importance of paying on time to improve one’s credit rating, which can affect future loan opportunities.
- The multilingual digital campaign will be viewed on the Bajaj Finance Limited website, social media platforms, customer portal, interactive voice response (IVR), mobile app, and other multimedia infotainment.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
International Aluminium Institute appoints Mr. Satish Pai as the new Board Chairman
- The International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the only body representing the global primary aluminum industry, has appointed Satish Pai as its new Chairman.
- Earlier serving as Vice Chairman, he succeeded Ben Kahrs, Chief Innovation Officer, Alcoa Corporation.
About Mr. Pai :
- Pai became the Managing Director of Hindalco Industries (one of the world’s largest integrated producers of aluminum) in August 2016.
- He took over as the CEO of Hindalco’s Aluminium Business in August 2013.
- In February 2014, he was appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of Hindalco Industries & was also entrusted with Hindalco’s copper business.
- He serves as Director on the boards of Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt. Ltd. and ABB, Zurich.
- He is the Chairman of the International Aluminium Institute, the Vice President and Chairman – of Non-Ferrous, Indian Institute of Metals, and Vice President & Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee of the Aluminium Association of India.
- He worked with Schlumberger, based out of Paris, where he was responsible for Schlumberger’s operations globally.
Awards & Honors :
- He received the ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ by IIT Madras in 2017.
- He was conferred the Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa (D. Litt) by Ajeenkya DY Patil University in 2020.
About International Aluminium Institute :
- Founded: 1972
- Headquarters: London, UK
Purpose :
- To promote the sustainable development of the aluminum industry and to increase demand for aluminum products by raising awareness of their unique and valuable properties
- IAI members are engaged in the production of bauxite, alumina, aluminum, the recycling of aluminum, or the fabrication of aluminum in all major producing regions.
Alok Kumar Choudhary appointed as SBI Managing Director
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Department of Financial Services for the appointment of Shri Alok Kumar Choudhary as the new Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI) for a two-year term with effective from 30th June 2022 to 30th June 2024.
- He succeeds former MD Ashwani Bhatia, who was appointed to the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a full-time member (SEBI).
- As the new MD of SBI, he will be handling the Retail Business & Operations of the lender.
- With this new appointment, SBI will have 4 MDs
- CS Setty, MD in charge of retail banking
- Swaminathan Janakiraman, MD in charge of stressed assets, risk, and compliance;
- Ashwini Kumar Tewari, MD in charge of international banking
About Shri Alok Kumar Choudhary :
- Choudhary has been associated with SBI for three and a half decades.
- He started his career with SBI in 1987 as a Probationary Officer.
- He has worked as DMD (HR) & Corporate Development Officer at SBI.
- Previously, He was Deputy Managing Director (Finance) at the SBI.
- He had a stint as the Chief General Manager (CGM) of the SBI’s Delhi Circle for 3 years.
- His past roles and profiles at SBI include GM, Network I, Ahmedabad; DGM, B&O, Delhi; as well as DGM & CDO, North-East Circle.
About SBI :
- Founded: 1 July 1955
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara
CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS
Indian Army Participates In Multinational Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2022” Commenced in Mongolia
- A Multinational Peacekeeping exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2022” featuring participation from military contingents from 16 countries has commenced at the Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- The Hon’ble President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, inaugurated the Exercise.
- The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the LADAKH SCOUTS.
Aim :
- To enhance interoperability, building military to military relationships, developing peace support operations, and military readiness among participating nations.
About the exercise :
- Ex Khaan Quest 2022 is the 14-day exercise held from June 6 to June 20, 2022.
- The exercise will enable sharing of best practices between the Armed Forces of participating nations and will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures, and demonstrations.
- It will enhance the level of defense cooperation between the Indian Army and participating countries, especially with the Mongolian Armed Forces which will enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
Additional Info :
- 2021 marked the 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Mongolia
About the Indian Army :
- Founded: 26 January 1950
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi, India
- Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Manoj Pande
About Ministry of Defence :
- Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh
- Minister of State: Ajay Bhatt
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India successfully tests nuclear-capable Agni-4 missile from Odisha
- India successfully carried out a night launch of the nuclear-capable Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Agni-4 from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
- The successful test of Agni-4 reaffirms India’s policy of having a ‘credible minimum deterrence capability.
About the Agni-4 missile :
- Agni-4 is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles earlier known as Agni II prime – developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- It is a two-stage surface to surface missile & it has a range of around 4,000 kilometers.
- It can carry a 1,000-kg payload and can go as high as 900 km.
- The test of the Agni-4 Ballistic Missile was part of the routine user training launches that were carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
- In 2021, India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable strategic Agni Prime missile with the capability to hit targets between 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers.
Recent News :
- In May 2022, India successfully test-fired an extended range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet & it was the first launch of the extended range version of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30MKI aircraft.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING & INDEX
India Ranks Lowest Among 180 Countries – Environmental Performance Index 2022
- In the 2022 Environment Performance Index (EPI), India has been ranked lowest among 180 countries with a total score of 18.9.
- Denmark topped the 2022 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) followed by the UK and Finland.
- China is placed 161st, with an overall EPI score of 28.4.
Top 5 Countries in Environmental Performance Index 2022:
| Rank | Country | Score | 10 Year Change |
| 1 | Denmark | 77.90 | 14.90 |
| 2 | UK | 77.70 | 23.00 |
| 3 | Finland | 76.50 | 21.00 |
| 4 | Malta | 75.20 | 25.20 |
| 5 | Sweden | 72.70 | 15.80 |
Bottom 5 Countries :
| Rank | Country | Score | 10 Year Change |
| 176 | Sri Lanka | 34.70 | -2.60 |
| 177 | Nepal | 28.30 | -10.30 |
| 178 | Pakistan | 24.60 | 1.40 |
| 179 | Bangladesh | 23.10 | -1.90 |
| 180 | India | 18.90 | -0.60 |
- Only a handful of countries, including Denmark and the UK, are currently slated to reach greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050.
- EPI projections indicate that four countries i.e. China, India, the US, and Russia will account for over 50 percent of residual global greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 if current trends hold.
About Environmental Performance Index 2022 :
- The Environmental Performance Index 2022 was published by the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University.
- The EPI provides a data-driven summary of the state of sustainability around the world.
- Using 40 performance indicators across 11 issue categories, the EPI ranks 180 countries on climate change performance, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality.
Note :
- India has a 19.3 EPI score on the ecosystem vitality on the index & 12.5 on health, and 21.7 on Climate Policy.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT
Stashfin introduced #LiveBoundless, a credit line card for women”
- A neo banking platform Stashfin has introduced a credit line card, especially for women named #LiveBoundless.
- The #LiveBoundless card aims to give women greater financial freedom.
- It also offers cashback rewards, welcome credits, Free ATM Withdrawals, and deals.
- In recent years, credit card usage in India has grown dramatically.
- According to a Statista study, the Indian credit card market volume was at 37.5 million in FY2018 and reached 57.7 million in FY2020.
- A similar northward trend was witnessed in FY 2021 when the numbers hit 62 million.
Features:
- The card acts as a virtual and physical vehicle for shopping, travel, and dining and includes a 1% cashback on every spend on benefits worth Rs 5,000 for the first year, and a credit period Free for certain customers.
- The company also says the card acts as a virtual and physical vehicle for shopping, travel, and dining, setting it apart from existing players in the market.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: ENVIRONMENT
World’s 1st Fishing Cat Survey Pegs Its Population at Chilika Lake At 176:
- A new survey at the Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon in Odisha, has provided the world’s first population estimation of the fishing cat.
- Conducted outside the protected area by the Chilika Development Authority in collaboration with The Fishing Cat Project (TFCP), the survey stated that the lake has 176 fishing cats.
- This is the world’s longest-running research and conservation project on fishing cats.
- It began in 2010 and is currently underway in two states in India: West Bengal and Odisha.
- West Bengal declared fishing cats the state animal in 2012.
- And the Chilika authorities announced in 2020 that the fishing cat was the lake’s ambassador, according to The Fishing Cat Project.
- The Fishing Cat Project conducted the census in two phases.
- For the first phase in 2021, surveyors focused on the 115 sq. km marshland in the north and north-eastern section of the lake.
- The second phase was conducted this year on the Parikud side along the coastal part
About Fishing Cat:
- Fishing cats, according to the Chilika Development Authority, are endangered worldwide.
- Within their range of countries, they are classed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
- Fishing cats, unlike most felines, enjoy being around water and are noted for their exceptional hunting abilities in watery environments.
- The fishing Cat is a Schedule I species and deserves conservation measures of the highest accord in India like the Tiger and Elephant.
- Unfortunately, marshland and mangrove ecosystems, which are Fishing Cat habitats are in decline
The Marsh’s Original Fishermen:
- The fishing cat, which is twice the size of a house cat, is exactly what its name implies: a cat with excellent fishing skills and, as a result, an agile swimmer.
- It has black markings — spots and stripes — all over its body, and its paws are somewhat webbed to help propel it through water and for prowling on muddy, rocky terrain.
- Its principal food source is, once again, fish.
- They are, however, not picky eaters.
- They are referred to as ‘generalists’ by wildlife experts since they graze on whatever is available.
- So, anything available nearby, including fish, small animals, water insects, shellfish, amphibians, and even lizards, is on the menu.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS
Indian shooter Avani Lekhara strikes gold at Para Shooting World Cup in France with a record score:
- Indian shooter Avani Lekhara won the gold medal at the Para Shooting World Cup in France with a record score.
- The victory assured Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Lekhara of a spot in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
- Avani created a world record by scoring 250.6 in the women’s 10-meter air rifle standing SH1 event.
- The 20-year-old shooter broke her world record of 249.6.
- The SH1 category is for athletes with lower limb impairment for competition in rifle events.
BWF confirms cancellation of US open to COVID-19:
- Badminton World Federation has confirmed that the US Open scheduled for 4th to 9th October has been canceled.
- USA Badminton concluded that it is no longer feasible for them to host their tournament this year due to organizational complications coming out of COVID-19.
- The US Open is a Super 300 tournament on the BWF World Tour.
- This is the third consecutive time that US Open has been canceled.
About BWF:
- The Badminton World Federation is the international governing body for the sport of badminton recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
- It was founded in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation with nine member nations.
- President: Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen
- Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Founded: 5 July 1934
Daily CA on June 09 :
- World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on June 8 to ponder upon the role and importance of the oceans.
- World Brain Tumor Day is observed every year on June 8 as a day dedicated to creating awareness about brain tumors.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, who set an example of what it means to live for others.
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 15 National Highway projects in Patna and Hajipur in Bihar with a total cost of Rs.13,585 crores.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and address the gathering.
- Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending arm of Bajaj Finserv Limited, a global financial services group, has launched Har Time EMI On Time, a digital campaign to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of good financial habits for a secure financial future.
- A neo banking platform Stashfin has introduced a credit line card, especially for women named #LiveBoundless.
- Under the Tamil Nadu Govt’s Naan Mudhalvan (I am the first), it launched the program called Nalaya Thiran (Tomorrow’s ability).
- The chief minister of Goa Shri Pramod Sawant launched a “Beach Vigil App”.
- The 18th Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (MSBWL) chaired by Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray approved 12 new conservation reserves & 3 wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a new set of norms for provisioning for standard assets by large Non-Banking Financial Companies-Upper Layer (NBFC-UL) because of the increasing role played by such entities in the financial system.
- DBS Bank India has launched its first-ever credit card in India in partnership with Bajaj Finance Limited, co-branded as ‘Bajaj Finserv DBS Bank SuperCard’, powered by Visa.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 27.5 lakh on Punjab & Sind Bank for non-compliance with certain directions issued by it on ‘external benchmark-based lending’.
- Suryoday Small Finance Bank, one of India’s leading small finance banks, has partnered with Mobisafar Services Private Limited to provide banking services through all Mobisafar’s franchises and Business Correspondent networks across India.
- Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has restructured its advisory committee on mutual funds.
- The International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the only body representing the global primary aluminum industry, has appointed Mr. Satish Pai as its new Chairman.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Department of Financial Services for the appointment of Shri Alok Kumar Choudhary as the new Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI) for a two-year term with effective from 30th June 2022 to 30th June 2024.
- A Multinational Peacekeeping exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2022” featuring participation from military contingents from 16 countries has commenced at the Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- India successfully carried out a night launch of the nuclear-capable Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Agni-4 from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
- In the 2022 Environment Performance Index (EPI), India has been ranked lowest among 180 countries with a total score of 18.9 & Denmark topped the 2022 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) followed by the UK and Finland.
- A new survey at the Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon in Odisha, has provided the world’s first population estimation of the fishing cat.
- Indian shooter Avani Lekhara won the gold medal at the Para Shooting World Cup in France with a record score.
- Badminton World Federation has confirmed that the US Open scheduled for 4th to 9th October has been canceled.
