Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 6th December 2019. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates those who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 6th December 2019
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
Civil Defence Day is observed on 6 December
- Civil Defence Day is celebrated on 6 December 2019 in India. Day is observed every year.
- The day aims to make aware of the citizens and highlight the importance of Civil Defence.
BANKING CURRENT AFFAIRS
HDFC ERGO launches my:health Woman Suraksha policy
- HDFC ERGO general insurance company, India’s third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector, has launched “my: health Woman Suraksha policy”, a comprehensive medical insurance scheme specially designed for women.
- The my:health Woman Suraksha policy is specially designed to cover women against numerous illnesses and contingencies they may face during their lifetime, thereby providing financial aid in case of medical contingencies.
- This policy is offered to women between 18-65 years of age and offers a sum insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to 1 crore.
Extra Shots:
HDFC ERGO: HDFC ERGO is a 51:49 joint venture firm between HDFC and ERGO International AG, one of the insurance entity of the Munich Re Group in Germany operating in the insurance field under the BFSI sector. The company offers products in the retail, corporate and rural sectors.
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded: 2002
- Parent organization: Housing Development Finance Corporation
FINANCE AND ECONOMY
India’s forex reserves crossed $450 billion
- The country’s foreign exchange reserves crossed the $450-billion mark for the first time ever.
- India’s foreign exchange reserves were at $451.7 billion on December 3, 2019, an increase of $38.8 billion over end-March 2019.
Extra Shots:
FOREX: The foreign exchange market is a global decentralized or over-the-counter market for the trading of currencies. This market determines foreign exchange rates for every currency. It includes all aspects of buying, selling and exchanging currencies at current or determined prices.
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Nation pays homage to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 64th Mahaparinirvan Diwas
- The nation is paying homage to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his 64th Mahaparinirvan Diwas (death anniversary) on 6 December.
- He was popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar and everyone knows that he was one of the architects of the Indian Constitution.
Extra Shots:
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables, while also supporting the rights of women and labour.
- Born: 14 April 1891, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar
- Died: 6 December 1956, Delhi
- Full name: Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
Mongla and Chattogram port declared as Ports of Call
- Centre has declared Port of Mongla and Chattogram as Ports of Call under Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWT&T) between India and Bangladesh.
- Mongla and Chattogram are declared as Ports of Call under the Coastal Shipping Agreement between India and Bangladesh.
Extra Shots:
- Port of call is an intermediate stop for a ship on its scheduled journey for cargo operation.
- The Ports of Call in India are Kolkata, Haldia, Pandu, Karimganj, Silghat, Dhubri. Similarly,
- In Bangladesh, the Ports of Call are Narayanganj, Khulna, Mongla, Sirajganj, Ashuganj, and Pangaon.
CCEA approved Rs.150 crore for 39 Government Medical Colleges and Institutions
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposal for the up-gradation of the 39 Government Medical Colleges and Institutions (GMCIs) in the third phase of PMSSY on 7th November 2013.
- It also approved a cost of Rs.150 crore each, Rs.120 crore for the Central Contribution and Rs.30 crore for the State Share.
- The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) was approved in March 2006.
- The scheme aims to correct the imbalances in the availability of affordable healthcare facilities in the different parts of the country.
Extra Shots:
CCEA: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for creation and launch of Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) to create an additional source of funding for Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Central Public Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other Government organizations. Bharat Bond ETF would be the first corporate Bond ETF in the country.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Avantee mega Food Park inaugurated in Dewas, MP
- The Union Minister for food processing inaugurated Avantee mega Food Park in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.
- This first food park of central India is spread over 51 acres and has been constructed at a cost of about 150 crore rupees.
- About 5 thousand local people will get employment from this Mega Food Park. Processing of soybean, gram, wheat and other grains and vegetables will be done in the park.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: Kamal Nath
- Governor: Lalji Tandon
- National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP
The 2nd Nagaland Honey Bee Day was celebrated on 5 December
- The 2nd Nagaland Honey Bee Day was celebrated on 5 December 2019 at the Heritage, Old DC Bungalow, Kohima, Nagaland.
- It aims to give more effort to continue on mission for more production of honey and to make Nagaland a Honey destination.
- Theme: The theme of the Honey Bee Day is Save Bee Save Life.
- The program was organized by Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) with support from North East Council (NEC).
Extra Shots:
Nagaland
- Capital: Kohima
- Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
- Governor: RN Ravi
Odisha to merge Kalia scheme with PM Kisan scheme
- The Odisha government is to merge the State’s Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme with the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) yojana due to financial constraint.
KALIA Scheme:
♦ KALIA Chhatravritti scheme was launched by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in December 2018.
♦ Under the scheme farmers, mostly small and marginal cultivators will get Rs.10,000 in two installments for two crops in a year. The landless agricultural farmers eligible to get Rs.12,000 per annum for three years.
PM-Kisan scheme:
♦ Under the PM-Kisan scheme, the central government is providing annually Rs.6,000 in three equal installments to about 14 crore farmers.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
- Governor: Ganeshi Lal
- National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Centre sanctions Rs.100 crores to set up Women Help Desks in Police Stations
- The central government has sanctioned a sum Rs.100 crores from Nirbhaya Fund to set up and strengthen Women Help Desks in Police Stations.
- The scheme will implemented by the States and Union Territories.
- Women Help Desks will focus on making the Police Stations more women-friendly and approachable
- The government has considered that it would be the first and single point of contact for any woman walking into a police station.
- Lady police officers will be deployed at these help desks.
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
India’s 1st HAM project in “Sewerage Sector” inaugurated in Haridwar
- India’s 1st HAM project in “Sewerage Sector” inaugurated in Sarai Village,Haridwar.
- This project is inaugurated by Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat together.
Extra Shots:
Uttarakhand
- Capital: Dehradun
- Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat
- Governor: Baby Rani Maurya
NATO Summit 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom
- The United Kingdom(UK) hosted two days organised 2019 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit in London.
- The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the summit. It was attended by NATO leaders and chaired by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
- The purpose of the summit was to make the heads of state and heads of government of NATO member countries to evaluate and provide strategic direction for Alliance activities.
Extra Shots:
NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries. The organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
- Founded: 4 April 1949, Washington, D.C., United States
- Abbreviation: NATO, OTAN
- Chairman of the NATO Military Committee: Air Chief Marshal Stuart Peach, Royal Air Force
- Supreme Allied Commander Europe: General Tod D. Wolters, United States Air Force
RANKS AND INDICES
India stands as fifth worst country in terms of biometric use
- The Britain-based tech research firm Comparitech reported that India is the fifth worst country in terms of extensive and invasive use of biometric data.
- Before India stands China, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the US. India shared the fifth position along with Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- India scored 19 out of 25.
- The top 5 best countries in terms of collection, storage and use of biometric data as per the report are:
1) Ireland
2) Portugal
3) Cyprus
4) The UK
5) Romania
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
BlackBuck partners with IDFC Bank, Yes Bank to offer free FASTags to truckers
- The Online trucking platform BlackBuck has partnered with private lenders IDFC Bank and Yes Bank to provide FASTags to truck owners free of cost.
- Truck owners can order FASTags on BlackBuck’s Boss App, a digital services platform exclusively for truck fleet owners, and it will be delivered at their doorstep free of cost until December 31, 2019.
- The initiative is expected to help over 3 million trucks in India become FASTag compliant.
Extra Shots:
Yes Bank Limited is an Indian private sector bank, founded by Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapur in 2004. It primarily operates as a corporate bank, with retail banking and also asset management as subsidiary functions.
- CEO: Ravneet Gill
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founder: Rana Kapoor
APPOINTMENT
K Vijay Kumar is appointed as a Senior Security Advisor in the Home Ministry
- K Vijay Kumar is appointed as a Senior Security Advisor in the Union Home Ministry.
- He will be advising the Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah on security-related matters of Union Territory of JK and Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Exercise INDRA 2019
- Exercise INDRA 2019 a joint, tri-services exercise between India and Russia will be conducted in India from 10-19 December 2019 simultaneously at Babina (near Jhansi), Pune, and Goa.
- The contingents of both countries will share expertise and their professional experience.
- The INDRA series of exercise began in 2003 and the First joint Tri-Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
- Contingents, fighter and transport aircraft and ships of respective Army, Air Force, and Navy will be participating in the 10-day long exercise.
- Exercise INDRA series began in 2003.
- The First Joint Tri-Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
Extra Shots:
Russia (Capital/Currency): Moscow/Ruble
- Prime Minister: Dmitry Medvedev
- President: Vladimir Putin
BOOKS & AUTHORS
IIT researchers to create ‘Gandhipedia’
- The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) and IIT (Indian Institutes of Technology) Gandhinagar and Kharagpur, have joined hands to develop Gandhipedia, an online repository of books, letters and speeches written by Mahatma Gandhi, to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary.
- The entire project will be done with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Extra Shots:
NCSM: The National Science Centre established in 1992, is a science museum in Delhi, India. It is part of the National Council of Science Museums, an autonomous body under India’s Ministry of Culture.
‘Borderman’ yearly magazine released by Nityanand Rai
- The yearly magazine called ‘Borderman’ was released by Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs on the occasion of 55th raising day of BSF (Border Security Force) organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The 55th raising day of BSF (Border Security Force) was celebrated on the 1st of December 2019.
Extra Shots:
BSF: The Border Security Force is the border defence organisation of India. It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of India, and was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965, “for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for matters connected there with”.
- Motto: जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य (Duty Unto Death)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- General nature: Federal law enforcement
- Founder: Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
- Founded: 1 December 1965
- Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs
AWARDS
“Shilpa Shetty App” wins in 2019 Google Play Awards
- Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty’s fitness app “Shilpa Shetty App” has been awarded Google Play’s Best Apps of 2019.
- The app was awarded in the category of ‘Personal Growth’.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Mysore University to set up separate Department of Disabilities and Rehabilitation Studies
- The University of Mysore (UoM) is to set up a separate Department of Disabilities and Rehabilitation Studies (DDRS) on its campus at Manasagangotri.
- It was approved by the University of Mysore Academic Council.
- The announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar.
- With this, UoM became the first varsity in the state to introduce the course, as per the directives of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- The University aims to help the welfare of disabled persons.
DDRS in University of Mysore:
- DDRS will come into effect from the next academic year 2019-20.
- It will be set up in the Department of Studies in Physical Education and Sports Sciences.
- The University will offer Rs.500 per month as stipend to students who join the course.
Government to introduce AI as a subject in the next academic year
- Centre has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject in class IX from the session 2019-20 in the schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
- The move aims to enhance the multidisciplinary approach in teaching-learning and to sensitize the new generation.
- The study material for teaching AI in classes VIII and IX has already been provided to schools through the CBSE’s website http://cbseacademic.nic.in/ai.html.
Extra Shots:
Central Board of Secondary Education
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Founded: 2011
- Parent organisation: Ministry of Human Resource Development
- Official language: Hindi; English; Chairperson: Anita Karwal, IAS
