TNPSC Current Affairs May 20, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs May 20, 2020 (20/05/2020)

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Garbage-free star rating for the cities

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has announced the results of garbage-free star rating for the cities.

Key facts:

A total of 141 cities have been rated — six of them 5-star, 65 of three-star, 70 one-star.

Around 6 cities were given 5-star rating. This includes Ambikapur, Surat, Rajkot, Mysuru, Indore and Navi Mumbai.

Karnal, New Delhi, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Bhilai Nagar, Ahmedabad are among ‘three-star garbage free rating while Delhi Cantonment, Vadodara, Rohtak are among one-star garbage free cities.

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Topic: Welfare Oriented Schemes and their Utilities

Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojana

Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojana will be launched by Chhattisgarh government to ensure “minimum income availability” to farmers of the state through direct bank transfer. The scheme will formally be launched in the state on May 21, the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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Topic: Geographical Landmarks, Latest Diary of Events

Solar Minimum

The sun is said to have gone into a state called the ‘solar minimum’ and is about to enter the deepest period of ‘sunshine recession’ as sunspots are virtually not visibly at all.

Some reports suggest that it has been almost 100 days this year when the sun has shown zero sunspots.

What is solar minimum and why is it happening now?

Sun has a cycle that lasts on average 11 years, and right now we are at the peak of that cycle. Every 11 years or so, sunspots fade away, bringing a period of relative calm. This is called the solar minimum. And it’s a regular part of the sunspot cycle.

Implications:

While intense activity such as sunspots and solar flares subside during solar minimum, that doesn’t mean the sun becomes dull. Solar activity simply changes form. For instance, during solar minimum we can see the development of long-lived coronal holes.

But, this may cause health risks to astronauts travelling through space as “the sun’s magnetic field weakens and provides less shielding from these cosmic rays.”

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Topic: India and its Neighbouring Countries

Nepal approves new Map: Includes Kalapani

Nepal approved a new map that included the territories of Kalapani, Lipuleh and Limpiyadhura. However, the territories have been claimed by India as well. In October 2019, India issued a new political map that included Lipulekh and Kalapani on its side of border.

What is the issue?

In 1816, the kingdom of Nepal and British India signed the Treaty of Sugauli under which Kali River was fixed as the Western Border of Nepal. The issue has arisen in locating the source of the river that led to boundary disputes between India and Nepal. Both the countries are supporting their own claims.

India’s Claims:

India recently inaugurated a road section in Pithogarh district of Uttarakhand. According to India, under treaty of Sugauli, Limpiyadhura is the point of origin of Kali river. It is the point where Nepal border begins.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

May 20: World Bee Day

Every year May 20 is being celebrated as World Bee Day by the United Nations. The official celebrations began in 2018.

This year, the World Bee Day is celebrated under the theme: “Save the Bees”. The day is being celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, hummingbirds, butterflies, bats.