Monthly Current AffairsTitle Capsule & Quiz

AprilTitle 2020

 Autism is a developmental disorder and people with ASD are characterised by difficulties with social interaction and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.  The problem is associated with a combination of environmental and genetic factors. International Transgender Day of Visibility: 31  2020 theme: “The Transition to Adulthood." March United Nation's COP 26 climate change summit postponed till next year

International Trans Day of Visibility is observed annually on March 31.

 The day celebrates transgender and non- binary people around the globe and The United Nation's COP 26 climate change summit acknowledge the courage it takes to live due to take place in the Scottish city of Glasgow in openly and authentically. November has been postponed due to the  The day is also use the day to raise awareness coronavirus pandemic. around discrimination and violence that trans people still face.  British government said that dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021 would be World Autism Awareness Day: 02 April announced later.  Some 30,000 people, including 200 world leaders, had been due to attend the 10-day conference for crucial talks to halt rising global temperatures.  A UN panel in 2018 concluded that avoiding global climate chaos needed a major shift in society and the world economy.

Global Coronavirus Cases surpass One Million

World Autism Awareness Day is observed by the Member States of the United Nations on April 2 to raise public awareness of autism.

 Several organisations across the world contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

As of 03 April 2020, Global coronavirus cases have surpassed one million figures.

 According to the World Health Organization, over ten lakh cases have been recorded across 188 countries, including 51,718 deaths.  Of these fatalities, nearly three-quarters of the deaths are in Europe.  A total of 37,709 deaths have been recorded in Europe, with Italy registering 13,915, International Day for Mine Awareness and followed by Spain with ten thousand deaths, Assistance in Mine Action is observed on April 4 France with 5,387 and the United States with each year. 5,316.   The United States and Canada have 235,900 This day aims to raise awareness about cases and 5,427 deaths and Asia has 112,061 landmines and progress toward their cases with 3,998 deaths. eradication.  Mine Awareness Day aims to raise awareness Saudi Arabia imposes 24 hour curfew in holy about the dangers of landmines. cities of Makkah and Madina until further notice Beijing ramps up public transport service amid tomb-sweeping festival

Saudi Arabia has announced imposing of 24 hour curfew in the holy cities of Makkah and Madina until Beijing has ramped up subway and bus services to further notice. meet the needs of the people who commute to various places to pay tribute to the deceased as per the tomb-  The decision was taken to supplement the sweeping traditions. Kingdom’s efforts to confront Coronavirus pandemic and in the interest of public health.  Tomb-sweeping Day, also known as  The Royal order also prohibited the practice Qingming Festival, falls on Saturday (April of any commercial activities within the 4). residential neighborhoods of the cities of  During the period leading to and after the Makkah and Madinah, except for pharmacies day, people pay tribute to the deceased and and food supply stores, gas stations and worship their ancestors by visiting tombs and banking services. making offerings.  Beijing has strengthened service for 101 International Mine Awareness Day: 04 April regular bus lines surrounding 18 public cemeteries.

28 ferry passengers get swept overboard in a supported by the International Olympic powerful storm off Solomon Islands Committee since 6 April 2014.  This date commemorates the inauguration, in 1896, of the first Olympic games of the modern era, in Athens, (Greece).

South Sudan announces its 1st case of COVID-19

At least 28 ferry passengers were swept overboard in a powerful storm off the Solomon Islands.

 The passengers were heading from the capital Honiara to West Are'are, more than 120 kilometres away, under a government South Sudan has announced its first case of COVID- programme to evacuate people to their home 19, making it the 51st of Africa's 54 countries to villages during the global Coronavirus report the disease. epidemic.  The island nation, with a population of just  A UN worker who arrived in the country over 600,000, is one of a dwindling number from the Netherlands on February 28 is ill of countries where there have been no with the disease. reported Coronavirus cases so far.  The patient, a 29-year-old woman, first  Capital of Solomon Islands: Honiara showed signs of the disease on April 2 and is  Currency: Solomon Islands dollar recovering.  Continent: Oceania  Capital: Juba  Currency: South Sudanese pound International Day of Sport for Development and  President: Salva Kiir Mayardit Peace:06 April World Health Day: 07 April

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is an annual observed every year on 06 April. The World Health Day is a global health awareness  The day observes the power of sport to drive day celebrated every year on 7 April. social change, community development and to foster peace and understanding.  The day is observed to raise global awareness  The day. created by the United Nations on specific themes related to health in order General Assembly on 23 August 2013,

to highlight an area of importance for the In the US second clinical human testing for COVID- WHO. 19 vaccines, a new vaccine candidate entered Phase  Now at a time when the whole world is facing 1 clinical human testing after the US Food and Drug a health crisis as we fight the coronavirus Administration (FDA) accepted Inovio pandemic, healthcare professionals are the Pharmaceuticals’ Investigational New Drug (IND) frontline soldiers in this war and the World application for INO-4800 vaccine candidate. Health Day 2020 carries more importance than ever.  The company, backed by collaborators that  2020 Theme: Support Nurses And Midwives. include the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is testing its DNA vaccine International Day of Reflection on the 1994 candidate designed to prevent COVID-19 Rwandan genocide: 07 April infection with clinical testing in healthy volunteers beginning this week.  It will enrol up to 40 candidates in its Phase 1 study of the vaccines INO-4800 will enrol up to 40 people.

US President Trump says he would put on hold the WHO funding

April 7, 2004 was recognized as an international observance the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwandan genocide by the United Nations.

 It was established to remember members of the Tutsi community, an African ethnic group, who were targeted at the end of the 20th century.  In 1994, 800,000 Tutsis were killed in United States President Donald Trump has said that Rwanda in the space of just 100 days. he would put on hold funding to the World Health  The speed of the killings (approximately Organization, WHO. 8,000 per day) confirms that the atrocities were planned.  He accused the global organization of becoming China-centric during the ongoing US begins trial for a second potential COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. vaccine candidate  Geneva-headquartered World Health Organization, receives vast amounts of money from the United States.  He alleged that the organization has become a political puppet of the Chinese Government.  The United States' intelligence community has reported that the Chinese Government hid the threat of COVID-19 and, as a result, made it difficult for the rest of the world to respond early, appropriately and aggressively.

Brazilian Prez Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi, economic impact of the COVID-19 people of India for helping Brazil tackle COVID- pandemic. 19 outbreak  The SAARC Development Fund is mandated to build regional integration and economic cooperation through project funding in all the member countries through its economic, infrastructure and social windows.

World Homoeopathy Day: 10 April

Brazil President Bolsonaro in his address to the nation thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for helping Brazil tackle the COVID-19 outbreak by providing raw materials for Hydroxychloroquine production.

 Mr. Bolsonaro said that Brazil would receive the raw materials following his direct conversation with Prime Minister Modi. The world homeopathy day is celebrated each year  He expressed gratitude towards the Prime on April 10. Minister and the people of India.  This day is celebrated to honor the birth of the SAARC Development Fund allocates $5 million father of the Homoeopathic system of for Covid-19 projects medicines Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.  Born in Paris, France, he was a German physician, who was an acclaimed scientist, a great scholar, and linguist.  He discovered the way to heal through the use of homeopathy.  2020 theme: “Linking research with education and clinical practice: Advancing scientific collaborations”.

The SAARC Development Fund (SDF) has allocated Global coronavirus death toll crosses 100,000; USD 5 million (about Rs 38 crore) for COVID-19 WHO warns against lifting of restrictions projects in eight member countries as the virus pandemic threatens economic activities across the globe.

 This COVID-19 project shall be funded by SDF under its social window thematic areas.  The objective of the USD 5 million allocation is to provide fund support to the member

states in their efforts and to protect the people of the SAARC member states by mitigating the financial losses and severe socio-

The global coronavirus death toll crossed 100,000 as 1963, and is still observed in Russia and some Easter celebrations around the world began in near- former Soviet states. empty churches with billions of people stuck indoors to halt the pandemic's worldwide march. Famed Anak Krakatau Volcano is erupting once again  The grim milestone came as the World Health Organization issued a dire warning that prematurely lifting lockdown restrictions could spark a deadly resurgence of the disease.  The International Monetary Fund said the world now faces the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.  This week, China started to ease months-old lockdown orders in Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in December. Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano spewed a column  WHO Director-General: Tedros Adhanom of ash 500 meters into the sky in the longest eruption  Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland since its explosive collapse in 2018.  Founded: 7 April 1948  Anak Krakatau, which means child of International Day of Human Space Flight: 12 Kratakau, is the offspring of the famous April Krakatau volcano, whose monumental eruption in 1883 triggered a period of global cooling.  Anak Krakatau volcano is located in the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.  In 2018, the volcano’s eruption induced an underwater landslide leading to a massive tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java, and killed 430 people.

The International Day of Human Space Flight is the Major Oil producers except Mexico agree to annual celebration, held on April 12, of the output cuts: OPEC anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin.

 It was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 7, 2011.  Yuri Gagarin crewed the Vostok 1 space flight in 1961, making one orbit around the Earth over 108 minutes in the Vostok 3KA

spacecraft launched by Vostok-K launch vehicle. OPEC said that the major oil producers except  In the Soviet Union, April 12 was Mexico have agreed to cut output in May and June commemorated as Cosmonautics Day since by 10 million barrels per day, after marathon talks to counter collapse in prices.

 The agreement, which reduces production to  The government is also planning to seek eight million barrels per day from July to more support from the World Bank and Asian December, depends on Mexico's support for Development Bank in the future to save its it to take effect. economy from the dire economic fallout.  Global fuel demand has plunged by around 30 million barrels per day, or 30 percent of India sends 5,022 metric tonnes of wheat to global supplies, as steps to fight the virus Afghanistan have grounded planes, cut vehicle usage and curbed economic activity.  OPEC Headquarters: Vienna, Austria  Members: 13  Secretary General: Mohammed Barkindo

IMF to consider $1.4 bn loan to Pakistan after Imran Khan seeks help to tackle COVID-19 economic fallout India has shipped the first consignment of 5,022 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan to ensure food security during difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.

 Indian Embassy in Afghanistan has announced that 251 containers carrying the first consignment of 5,022 metric tonnes of wheat out of the total gift of 75,000 metric tonnes from India to Afghanistan set sail The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called from Kandla port to Chabahar port. its executive board meeting on April 16 to consider  Last year, India Ambassador to Afghanistan disbursement of an extra loan worth $1.4 billion to Vinay Kumar had said that India would give Pakistan after prime minister Imran Khan’s request. 75,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan.  Khan said that in developing countries, apart  Indian embassy in Afghanistan has also from containing the virus and dealing with announced that New Delhi will send 5 lakh the economic crisis, the biggest worry is hydroxychloroquine tablets soon. people dying of hunger as a result of the lockdown. World Chagas Disease Day: April 14  The Pakistan government had also requested the IMF last month for a low-cost, fast- disbursing loan under the fund's Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to deal with the adverse economic impact of COVID-19.  The RFI is used to provide financial assistance to IMF member countries facing an urgent balance of payments need.  The $1.4 billion loan to Pakistan is additional to the country's $6 billion bailout package For the first time, the global community is observing that it signed with the IMF in July last year to World Chagas Disease Day, on April 14. stave off a balance of payments crisis.

 The aim is to raise visibility and public IMF proposes to deploy its full 1 trillion US Dollar awareness in people about the disease and lending capacity to support countries help raise the resources needed for its prevention, control or elimination.  Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, has been termed as a “silent and silenced disease”, because of its slow progress.  Once endemic in Latin American countries, Chagas disease is now present in many others, making it a global health problem.  It was on this date in 1909 that the first The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has patient, a Brazilian girl named Berenice proposed to deploy its full 1 trillion US Dollar Soares de Moura, was diagnosed with this lending capacity to support countries battling disease by Dr Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano COVID-19 outbreak. Chagas.  Chagas disease is prevalent mainly among  Describing the COVID-19 pandemic as a poor populations of continental Latin crisis like no other, International Monetary America and affects 6–7 million people. Fund head Kristalina Georgieva said, the world is now in the worst recession since the Emirates claims to be first airline to conduct on- Great Depression. site rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers  The IMF Board has already approved debt relief for 25 of its poorest members.  The IMF chief expressed satisfaction that during the G20 Finance ministers discussion, there was unanimous support for the Fund to raise more capacity for concessional funding poor countries.

44th session of World Heritage Committee of UNESCO scheduled in Fuzhou, China postponed The Emirates Airline claimed to have become the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests for its passengers.

 Emirates in coordination with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will be introducing additional precautions.  The quick blood test, according to the statement, was conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and results were available "within 10 minutes." China's Ministry of Education announced that the  This test was conveniently done at the Group 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of Check-in area of Dubai International Airport UNESCO, initially scheduled from 29th of June to Terminal 3. 9th of July, in Fuzhou of eastern China's Fujian  The airline said its check-in and boarding Province, has been postponed. formalities have also been adapted with social distancing in mind.

 The decision to host the 44th session in China Parliamentary elections in South Korea have resulted took place at the 43rd session of the World in a big win for the governing Democratic Party. Heritage Committee in Baku.  Also at the meeting, Chinese Vice Minister of  Moon's Democratic party and its allies took Education Tian Xuejun was elected as 180 seats in the 300-member National chairman of the 44th session of the Assembly, while the opposition United committee. Future Party (UFP) won 103.  The World Heritage Committee selects the  South Korea was among the first countries to sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage hold a national election during the pandemic. Sites. The citizens are still being asked to maintain social distancing, wear protective masks, World Haemophilia Day: 17 April clean their hands with sanitiser and don plastic gloves.  At each of the 14,000 polling stations, voters had their temperature checked before they were allowed to enter. Those found to have fevers cast their ballots in separate booths that were disinfected after each user.  S Korea Capital: Seoul  President: Moon Jae-in  Currency: South Korean won  Prime minister: Chung Sye-kyun

World Heritage Day: 18 April World Haemophilia Day is observed every year on 17 April.

 The day is observed to raise awareness regarding the disease and other hereditary bleeding disorders.  17 April is also the birthday of Frank Schnabel, a businessman born with severe haemophilia who was the founder of the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH).  Haemophilia is a mostly inherited genetic World Heritage Day is observed every year on April disorder that impairs the body's ability to 18. make blood clots.  2020 Theme: ‘Get + involved’  The aim of celebrating this day is to promote cultural heritage through activities which are S Korea governing party sees big gains in undertaken by the International Council on parliamentary election Monuments and Sites.  The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 announced 18th April as the World Heritage Day.  It aims to conserve and enhance awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and monuments.

 The World Heritage Day Theme 2020 is  As its name implies, Demo-2 will be the ‘Shared Culture, Shared Heritage and Shared second time SpaceX launches its Crew Responsibility’. Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. But, unlike Demo-1 last year, this Indian Tricolour projected onto Switzerland's time two astronauts will be on board. Matterhorn mountain to send a message of hope  NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be strapped into a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that is sitting on top of a Falcon 9 rocket.  The Demo-2 mission will represent a major milestone for Musk’s SpaceX in its goal to begin regularly flying people to space. The company has been launching spacecraft, satellites and cargo since its founding in 2002 but never humans. The Indian flag has been projected onto the UN Chinese Language Day: 20 April Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps as part of a breathtaking light illumination series as part of an effort to spread hope amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 Renowned Swiss light artist Gerry Hofstetter has been lighting up the 14,690 feet mountain with spectacular displays of country flags and messages of hope to inspire solidarity as people face up to the alarming spread of the deadly pandemic.  The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, The UN Chinese Language Day is observed annually straddling the main watershed and border on April 20. between Switzerland and Italy.  This event is celebrated every year by NASA will launch astronauts from US soil for the UNESCO. first time in nearly a decade, with help from  It was first observed in 2010 by the SpaceX organisation to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of its official working languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) through the organisation.  The first UN Chinese Language Day was held on November 12, 2010. In 2011, the date  was moved to April 20.

World liver day: 19 April

NASA and SpaceX are targeting May 27 for the World liver day is observed on every 19 April, to launch of Demo-2, the first launch of NASA spread awareness about liver related disease. astronauts from the U.S. since 2011 and the first crewed launch for Elon Musk’s space company.

 The liver is the second largest and the most  The day was proposed at the UNESCO complex organ in the body, with the conference in 1969 and the first Earth Day exception of the brain. celebrations took place in 1970.  It is a key player in your body's digestive  World Earth Day 2020 will mark the 50th system. Anniversary of the day since it started being  It is also responsible for detoxification of observed in 1970. drugs, alcohol and control of infections.  The theme of Earth Day 2020: ‘Climate Action’. World Creativity and Innovation Day: 21 April Spain's bull running festival cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

World Creativity and Innovation Day is a global UN day celebrated on April 21. Spain's best-known bull running festival in the  The day is observed to raise awareness northern town of Pamplona has been cancelled around the importance of creativity and because of the coronavirus pandemic. innovation in problem solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable  Hundreds of thousands of people typically development goals, also known as the "global attend the centuries-old San Fermin goals". celebration, which sees half-a tonne fighting  The founder of the day was the Canadian bulls chase hundreds of daredevils, many Marci Segal. wearing traditional white shirts and scarves, through the narrow streets of the city each Earth Day: 22 April morning.  Pamplona's municipal council decided to call off the event, held each year between July 6 and 14, because of the fight against COVID- 19.

Donald Trump to temporarily suspend immigration to US

Earth Day is observed every year on 22 April.

 The day is celebrated worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

President Donald Trump said he will suspend all Israel’s Netanyahu and rival Gantz agree to form immigration into the United States temporarily ‘emergency’ coalition government through an executive order.

 He has said his forthcoming executive order barring new immigration will apply only to people seeking green cards, will last 60 days.  It won't affect workers entering the country on a temporary basis.  Instead, President Trump said the provision would amount to a 60-day pause only on people seeking permanent resident status in the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his  He would review the executive order at the chief rival signed an agreement to form an end of that period and decide if it should be “emergency” coalition government. renewed.  The deal between Netanyahu’s Likud Party Britain's Parliament prepares for virtual debates and former military chief Benny Gantz’s amid COVID-19 lockdown Blue and White ends months of political paralysis and averts what would have been a fourth consecutive election in just over a year.  After the last vote on March 2 ended in a stalemate, Netanyahu and former military chief Benny Gantz agreed late last month to try to form a unity government because of the burgeoning coronavirus crisis.  The power-sharing agreement means that Netanyahu will almost certainly remain in office for the duration of his upcoming trial Britain's Parliament is preparing for MPs to return to on corruption charges. the House of Commons to hold virtual debates and pave the way for a historic hybrid parliamentary International Day of Multilateralism and setting amid the coronavirus lockdown. Diplomacy for Peace: 24 April

 Unprecedented changes to the main House of Commons chamber will be rolled out to let politicians tune into statements and question sessions via video link.  Screens have been installed in the chamber to allow MPs to speak remotely while the limited number attending in person will be signposted where to sit.  The new practices will initially operate until May 12, although could remain in place for The International Day of Multilateralism and longer. Diplomacy for Peace is observed every year on 24 April.

 The UN Assembly proclaimed the day while Pakistan has received an emergency loan of 1.39 considering that preserving the values of billion US Dollars from the International Monetary multilateralism and international cooperation Fund to boost its foreign exchange reserves in the is fundamental to promote and support the wake of the further economic downturn due to the three pillars of the UN - Peace and Security, Corona virus crisis. Development and Human Rights.  The day was first observed by the United  Earlier, Pakistan requested the global money Nations (UN) on April 24, 2019. lender for a low-cost, fast-disbursing loan under its Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) World Immunization Week: 24 April to 30 April. to deal with the adverse economic impact of COVID-19.  The RFI is used to provide financial assistance to IMF member countries facing an urgent balance of payments need without requiring them to put a full-fledged programme in place.  The 1.39 billion US Dollar loan is in addition to the six billion US Dollar bailout package that Pakistan has signed with the IMF in July last year to stave off a balance of payment crisis. World Immunization Week is a global public health  The World Bank has earlier approved one campaign to raise awareness and increase rates of billion US Dollars and the Asian immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases Development Bank (ADB) 1.5 billion US around the world. Dollars for Pakistan to keep its economy afloat.  It takes place each year during the last week of April i.e 24 April to 30 April. World Malaria Day: 25 April  This week tries to inform individuals about the use of vaccines and their importance to fight against diseases at different ages. Vaccination protects a person's body and helps fight against deadly diseases.  The theme for World Immunisation Week 2020 is ‘VaccinesWork for All’.

Pakistan receives USD 1.39 billion emergency loan from IMF to deal with Coronavirus crisis World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise awareness of the global effort to control and ultimately eradicate malaria.

 World Malaria Day, which was first held in 2008, developed from Africa Malaria Day, an event that had been observed since 2001 by African governments.  Malaria is a life-threatening disease which is caused by the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is the Female Anopheles mosquitoes who

spread the Plasmodium parasite through their  The event was established by the World saliva, which causes malaria. Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in  The theme of World Malaria Day 2020 is 2000 to "raise awareness of how patents, "Zero malaria starts with me”. copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life" and "to celebrate creativity, and the The International Delegate’s Day: 25 April contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe".  26 April was chosen as the date for World Intellectual Property Day because it coincides with the date on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force in 1970.  The theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2020 is 'Innovation for Green Future.'

Saudi Arabia abolishes flogging as punishment The International Delegate’s Day is observed every year on 25 April.

 This day is observed to raise awareness of the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations.  International Delegate's Day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization. Saudi Arabia has abolished flogging as a form of  On 25 April 1945, delegates from fifty punishment. countries came together for the first time in San Francisco.  Court-ordered floggings in Saudi Arabia, sometimes extending to hundreds of lashes, World Intellectual Property Day: 26 April have long drawn condemnation from human rights groups.  Previously the courts could order the flogging of convicts found guilty of offences ranging from extramarital sex and breach of the peace to murder.  In future, judges will have to choose between fines and/or jail sentences, or non-custodial alternatives like community service.

Saudi Arabia ends death penalty for crimes committed by minors

World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April.

 The day which is being observed on April 28, 2020, aims at promoting the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases at the workplace.  2020 Theme: ‘Safety and health at work can save lives’

UK Finance Minister unveils 100% state-backed After ending the practice of flogging, Saudi Arabia 'Bounce Back Loan Scheme' for small businesses has now ended the death penalty for crimes committed by minors.

 The death penalty was abolished for those convicted of crimes committed while they were minors.  Instead, the individual will receive a prison sentence of no longer than 10 years in a

juvenile detention facility.  Observers are of the opinion that these steps United Kingdom's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has are being taken to blunt the human rights unveiled a 100 per cent state-backed 'Bounce Back criticism faced by Saudi Arabia at the Loan Scheme' for the small businesses to help them international level and also an attempt by the tide through the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Kingdom to carry out reforms as per the vision 2030 projected by the Saudi Crown  The Indian-origin UK Chancellor told the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. House of Commons that the new fast-track finance scheme would help bolster the World Day for Safety and Health at Work: 28 existing package of support available to April crisis-hit UK businesses.  Under the scheme, qualifying small businesses can apply online to borrow between 2,000 pounds and 50,000 pounds as interest-free loans for the first 12 months.

Australia cancels ‘Pitch Black’ 2020 air combat exercise

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work was first observed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the year 2003 and laid importance on the prevention of accidents and diseases at the workplace.

 The day is celebrated every year on April 28 and is important since a person spends most The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has of his time at his workplace and so a secure cancelled this year's iteration of the large-scale workplace environment is something which multinational 'Pitch Black' air combat exercise. everyone can expect.

 The exercise was set to be hosted by the  The event takes place every year on 29th Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for three April, the anniversary of the birth of Jean- weeks starting on 24 July. Georges Noverre (1727–1810), the creator of  The exercise is an opportunity to interact with modern ballet. forces from across the globe.  Every year a message from an outstanding  The next edition of Pitch Black is scheduled choreographer or dancer is circulated in 2022. throughout the world.  For 2020 the Executive Council of ITI in India third largest military spender in world, alignment with the Dance Committee of ITI after US and China and World Dance Alliance selected Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, the eminent dancer, choreographer, and dance educator from South Africa.

Pakistan's southern Sindh province Governor tests positive for COVID-19

India has become the third largest military spender in the world, after the US and China, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report.

 This is the first time that India and China are among the top three military spenders. Pakistan's southern Sindh province Governor Imran  India’s military spending grew by 6.8 percent Ismail, a close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan, to $71.1 billion in 2019, according to the has been tested positive for COVID-19. SIPRO report on “Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019”.  Mr. Ismail is the highest official in the  This was the highest military spending in country to test positive so far. Earlier, Sindh South Asia. minister for education, Saeed Ghani, tested  Total global military expenditure rose to positive but recovered. $1,917 billion in 2019.  Before he was tested COVID-19 positive, the governor spent 10 very busy days where he International Dance Day: 29 April met a host of people and attended important meetings.

US Navy to host world's largest maritime exercises ‘Rim of the Pacific’ in Hawaii again this year

The United States Navy has said that it will host the International Dance Day is a global celebration of world's largest maritime exercises ‘Rim of the dance, created by the Dance Committee of the Pacific’ in Hawaii again this year, but the drills will International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner only be held at sea because of the Coronavirus. for the performing arts of UNESCO.

 The Navy has held the Rim of the Pacific Utkal Dibasa: 01 April exercises in Hawaii every two years since the early 1970s.  Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will host a minimal footprint of staff for logistics and support functions.  The drills will also be held over two weeks, from 17th to 31st August , instead of the usual five weeks of events from late June to early August.

Every year on April 1, Odisha celebrates Utkal Dibasa to mark the day the state was born as a separate entity on linguistic basis.

World Bank offers $1bn for proposed India  This year marks the 83rd Utkal Dibasa, or the project foundation day of Odisha.  Odisha was born as a separate state on April 1, 1936, on linguistic basis.  The state was carved out of the combined Bengal-Bihar-Orissa province.  Odisha Capital: Bhubaneswar  Number of District : 30  Governor: Ganeshi Lal  Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik  Members of the Legislative Assembly: 147  Lok Sabha Seats : 21  Rajya Sabha Seats : 10

The World Bank has offered $1 billion to the Indian Government sanctions Rs 10-crore special funds government for a proposed India Covid-19 for CRPF; 'madadgaar' helpline expanded emergency response and health systems preparedness project.

 This four-year project aims to develop the preparedness of India’s health care systems in the time of the pandemic.  The idea of the project will be to respond and mitigate the Covid-19 threat and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in India.  The World Bank funding is from its Covid- The Union Home Ministry has granted a special Rs 19 fast-track facility where both the entities 10-crore fund to the Central Reserve Police Force (World Bank and the government of India) (CRPF), enabling it to undertake relief works for will work on following the best international those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. practice.

 The sanction for financial year 2019-20 has been made under the 'civic action programme' head to the country's largest CAPF that has about 3.25 lakh personnel in its ranks.  The 'madadgaar' helpline number of CRPF, ‘14411’ has received about 2,500 calls and got over 2.5 lakh impressions on its various social media platforms where people sought Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in help in the wake of the viral disease outbreak the 2nd Extraordinary G20 Finance Ministers and and the subsequent lockdown imposed in the Central Bank Governors meeting under the Saudi country from March 25. Arabian Presidency.  The helpline will now work in close coordination with other CAPFs and state  The meeting was called to discuss the impact authorities to help the needy. of COVID-19 pandemic on the global  Launched in July, 2017, the helpline has economy and coordinate efforts in response recently floated a new WhatsApp number to this global challenge. 7082814411- for the public.  Ms Sitharaman appreciated the Saudi Presidency for organizing these meetings IIT Kanpur to develop prototype of portable which provide opportunity to all G20 ventilator to support medical infrastructure members to not only share their individual experiences but also to work in better coordination.  G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors during the 1st Extraordinary Virtual G20 FMCBG Meeting held on March 23 had decided to meet virtually on a regular basis to continue discussions on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This includes its impact on markets and Amidst the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, economic conditions and take further actions Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is working on to support the economy during and after this portable ventilators. phase.

 The prototype of this ventilator will be ready Himachal Pradesh govt launches ‘Active Case very soon and just after assembling, it can be Finding Campaign’ for COVID 19 patients used as a life support system.  Ventilator is a very important medical equipment for COVID-19 Patients, especially those who are old and the virus can prove fatal to them.  Keeping this in mind BioScience and BioEngineering department of IIT Kanpur has prepared a design of lifesaver portable ventilator.

Nirmala Sitharaman participates in 2nd G20 The Himachal Pradesh government has launched an meeting of Finance Ministers Active Case Finding Campaign for COVID 19 patients from1 April.

 Under this campaign, health workers would provide information regarding symptoms of Covid-19 to the people at their doorsteps.  Under the campaign, every ASHA worker with two people's team will visit every house in the village and gather health information of every person and would share it with the department through Google form.  The timing for gathering information would start from 9 AM to 4 PM every day and the The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered a suspected persons would be investigated helping hand to civilian authorities in the country’s accordingly. fight against COVID-19 by extending the services of cadets under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’. BharatPe, ICICI Lombard launch COVID-19 insurance product for shopkeepers  It has issued guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts and functioning of various agencies involved in battling the pandemic.  The tasks envisaged for NCC cadets include, manning of helpline/call centres; distribution of relief materials/medicines/ food/essential commodities; community assistance; data management and queue & traffic management.  According to the guidelines, cadets should Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic BharatPe not be employed in handling law and order has partnered with ICICI Lombard to roll out situations or for active military duties or at 'COVID-19 Protection Insurance Cover' for hot spots. shopkeepers.  Only Senior Division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age will be employed.  On diagnosis of COVID-19 (positive) this  The NCC, which operates under the Ministry policy will pay 100 per cent of the sum of Defence, is the largest uniformed youth insured, irrespective of hospitalisation organisation of the country and has been expenses. engaged in conducting various social service  It is also a ‘first of its kind’ sachet product by and community development activities. ICICI Lombard that will cover merchants.  The NCC cadets have been contributing to  The health cover is priced at a premium the national cause during natural calamities starting at a nominal amount of Rs 199 and like floods, cyclone, etc since its inception. provides a sum insured for Rs 25,000 and value-added benefits. Delhi government to provide Rs 1 Cr to families  The benefit of the COVID-19 Insurance of healthcare personnel if they die handling Protection Cover is the coverage across the Corona cases age group of 18 to 65 years. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced NCC offers its volunteer cadets for national duty one crore rupees for the families of healthcare to fight COVID-19 under ‘Ex NCC Yogdan’ personnel if they lose their lives while dealing with COVID-19 cases.

 The personnel include all sanitation workers,  This means that your existing policies which doctors and nurses from the private or are falling due for renewal from March 25, government sector, be it temporary or 2020, to April 14, 2020, can be renewed uptill permanent. April 21, 2020.  The Chief Minister said COVID-19 has not  If your current compulsory third-party reached the stage of community transmission insurance policy is expiring between March in Delhi and the situation is under control. 25, 2020, and April 14, 2020, and you are not able to renew your policy because of country- CBSE introduces ‘Applied Mathematics’ as new wide lockdown then you can renew such academic elective from 2020-21 motor insurance policy by April 21, 2020.  Similarly, if your health insurance policy is expiring and is due for renewal in the period from March 25, 2020, to April 14, 2020, you can renew your policy by April 21, 2020.

HUL says GlaxoSmithKline merger is complete

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced ‘Applied Mathematics’ as a new academic elective from the current academic year (2020-2021) for class XI.

 The Applied Mathematics course is designed FMCG major Hindustan Unilever announced to enhance the knowledge and skills of completion of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Mathematics that are required to be Healthcare Ltd merger (GSKCH) with itself. successful in different fields of their future career.  The company has received all the necessary  The approach of Applied Mathematics regulator approvals along with the National subject will be practical, and the students are Company Law Tribunal for the merger of expected to learn through practical GSKCH into the company. applications of Mathematics in different  In addition, the board of HUL also approved disciplines. acquisition of popular health drink brand  Those students who have passed Basic Horlicks from GSK for a consideration of Mathematics in class X are now allowed to Euro 375.6 million (Rs 3,045 crore), offer the new academic elective Applied exercising the option available in the original Mathematics at Senior Secondary Level. agreement between its parent firm Unilever and GSK. Date for renewal of health, motor insurance  On December 3, 2018 HUL had announced policies extended to April 21 merger of GSKCH, which was subject to obtaining necessary approvals. The ministry of finance issued notifications on April  This is one of the largest deals in the FMCG 1, 2020, stating that the renewal dates of health and sector in recent times and will lead to motor insurance policies which fall in the period significant value creation for all stakeholders. from March 25, 2020, to April 14, 2020, are extended till April 21, 2020 due to coronavirus lockdown.

Englishman Bob Weighton confirmed as the  The App will enable people to assess world’s oldest man living at 112 themselves the risk of catching the Coronavirus infection.  It will calculate this based on their interaction with others, using cutting edge Bluetooth technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence.  Once installed in a smartphone through an easy and user-friendly process, the app detects other devices with Aarogya Setu installed that come in the proximity of that Bob Weighton, from the UK, has been officially phone. confirmed as the oldest person living (male) at 112  The app can then calculate the risk of Years and 1 day as of 30 March 2020. infection based on sophisticated parameters if any of these contacts is tested positive.  Bob Weighton received the record title after  The App will help the Government take Mr. Chitetsu Watanabe (Japan) passed away necessary timely steps for assessing risk of on February 23rd 2020 at 112 years and 355 spread of COVID-19 infection, and ensuring days. isolation where required.  Bob was born on March 29th 1908, in Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire and was one DRDO develops bio suit to keep health of seven children. professionals fighting COVID-19 safe  Bob has 10 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren.  Kane Tanaka from Japan is currently the oldest person living (female) and celebrated her 117th birthday in January.

Govt launches 'AarogyaSetu' mobile app to asses people on COVID-19

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a bio suit to keep the medical, paramedical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the deadly virus.

 Scientists at various DRDO laboratories have applied their technical know-how and expertise in textile, coating and nanotechnology to develop the Personal The Government launched a mobile app developed Protective Equipment (PPE) having specific in public-private partnership to bring the people of types of fabric with coating. India together in a resolute fight against COVID-19.  The suit has been prepared with the help of the industry and subjected to rigorous testing  The App, called ‘AarogyaSetu’ joins Digital for textile parameters as well as protection India for the health and well-being of every against synthetic blood. Indian.  The DRDO is making all efforts to ensure that these suits are produced in large numbers

and serve as a robust line of defence for the come to wholesale mandis for selling their medics, paramedics and other personnel in harvested produce, at a time when there is a the front line combating COVID-19. critical need to decongest mandis to effectively fight against COVID-19. Indian Railways Chittaranjan Locomotive Works  e-NAM was launched in 2016 as a pan-India creates world record; produces highest number of electronic trade portal linking Agricultural locos Produce Market Committee - APMCs across the States.

Naval Dockyard Mumbai designs low cost temperature gun

Indian Railways’ Chittaranjan Locomotive Works sets new world record amidst nationwide Coronavirus lockdown.

 Despite COVID-19 restrictions coming in force on 21 March 2020 across the country, Naval Dockyard Mumbai has designed and the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) developed its own handheld IR based temperature has created another record in making the sensor for undertaking screening of large number of highest number of locomotives. personnel at the entry gates of the yard.  In the financial year 2019-20, the CLW produced a total of 431 locomotives.  The instrument has been manufactured under  The locomotive factory, located in Asansol, Rs 1,000 through in-house resources (which West Bengal, surpassed its own record of is fraction of the cost of the Temperature manufacturing a number of 402 locomotives Guns in the market). in the financial year 2018-19, which has been  Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the non- recognized by Limca Book of Records as a contact thermometers or temperature guns World Record. have become scarce in the market and are  The production of locomotives by CLW has being sold at a very high cost. witnessed a jump of 75 per cent over the last  To overcome the scarcity and requirement of six years from 250 locomotives in 2014-15 to large numbers, ND (Mumbai) has designed 431 locomotives in 2019-20, under the ‘Make and developed its own handheld IR based in India’ initiative, states Indian Railways. temperature sensor with accuracy of 0.02 deg Celsius. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches new features of e-NAM Platform SBI lists $100 million green bond issue on India INX Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched new features of National Agriculture India’s biggest lender State Bank of India listed Market (e-NAM) Platform. Green Bonds of $100 million under its $10 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme on India  It will help strengthen agriculture marketing INX’s Global Securities Market Green Platform by farmers which will reduce their need to (GSM).

 Since the launch of global securities market,  The Indian Council of Medical Research it has been the leading listing platform for (ICMR) in its interim advisory has bonds at GIFT IFSC. recommended the use of the rapid antibody  SBI had earlier also listed its maiden Green test in the country's coronavirus hotspots. Bond issuance of $650 million on India INX.  The Health Ministry has identified 20  A green bond is a type of fixed-income existing and 22 potential COVID-19 hotspots instrument that is specifically earmarked to across the country. raise money for climate and environmental  The results of the antibody tests, similar to projects. other blood tests, are available in 15-30 minutes. UNGA adopts resolution calling for global solidarity in fight against COVID-19 Govt orders about 10 crore hydroxychloroquine tablets for healthcare workers

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution on COVID-19, In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Union calling for intensified international cooperation to Health Ministry has placed an order of about 10 crore defeat the pandemic. hydroxychloroquine tablets from various pharmaceutical companies for health care workers.  Co-sponsored by 188 nations including India, the resolution titled ‘Global solidarity’ to  The Indian Council of Medical Research fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- (ICMR) has suggested the use of 19) is the first such document on the global hydroxychloroquine tablets only for health pandemic to be adopted by the world care workers and caregivers involved in the organization. treatment and direct contact with the  The resolution called for intensified suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. international cooperation in exchanging  For those COVID-19 patients, who require information, scientific knowledge and best Intensive Care Unit care, the Health Ministry practices and applying guidelines has suggested the use of hydroxychloroquine recommended by the World Health tablets in combination with Azithromycin. Organization.  Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a medication used to prevent and treat malaria in areas ICMR recommends antibody test for speedy where malaria remains sensitive to detection of COVID-19 cases chloroquine.

To ensure speedy detection of coronavirus cases, Minister of State Human Resource Development those residing in Covid-19 hotspots or areas which launches 'Hack the Crisis-India' hackathon have reported large numbers of cases may have to undergo a rapid antibody blood test for the viral infection.

 The spectacle-type design of the protection shield provides the ease of replacement as the transparent sheet is not bound to a reusable frame.  The cost of the sheet is as low as Rs 5.  The manufacturing cost per shield is approximately Rs 45. Mass manufacturing cost will be less than Rs. 25.

Minister of State Human Resource Development and CCI nod for acquisition of stakes in Religare IT Sanjay Dhotre launched ‘Hack the Crisis - India’, Health Insurance by Trishikhar Ventures an Online Hackathon to find working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic.

 This hackathon is part of a global initiative and is being organised by ‘Hack A Cause - India’ and ‘FICCI Ladies Organization Pune’ and supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.  The aim of this hackathon is to strengthen the fight against COVID-19. The Competition Commission of India has approved  Over 2,000 teams and over 15,000 acquisition of 18.95 percent stake in Religare Health participants will be enhancing their working Insurance by Trishikhar Ventures under the green prototypes in a 48 hour hackathon. channel route.

IIT Roorkee develops low-cost face shields for  Trishikhar Ventures is a part of Kedaara protection of first line healthcare professionals Group, which invests in a variety of fighting COVID-19 companies through acquisitions and corporate restructurings.  Religare Health Insurance provides general insurance products in the health segment.

ational Maritime Day: 05 April

IIT Roorkee has developed low-cost face shields for first line healthcare professionals at AIIMS Rishikesh for protection from COVID-19. April 5 is celebrated as the National Maritime Day in  The frame of the face shield is 3D printed. India every year.  The shield can be used along with the protective gear by healthcare personnel while  It was on this day 99 years ago in 1919 when entering the wards housing COVID-19 the country's navigation history set sail with patients. SS Loyalty, the first ship of the Scindia

Steam Navigation Company Ltd started for 1.25 lakh AYUSH doctors in the state throughout the the United Kingdom from Mumbai. week.  It marked a red letter day in the maritime history of India, a country known for its  Necessary equipments, including about 1.5 seafaring abilities since ancient days. thousand ventilators and 2.5 lakh N95 masks  The day has been observed since 1964. are available so far.  2020 theme: "Sustainable shipping for a  Health teams are conducting tracing work sustainable planet" along with surveys through cluster containment activities. DRDO Laboratory designs full body disinfection chamber Mizoram government launches 'mCOVID-19' App for all COVID-19 related information

Vehicle Research Development Establishment, Mizoram government has launched 'mCOVID-19' VRDE Ahmednagar which is a DRDO Laboratory mobile application to provide its users all necessary has designed a full body disinfection chamber called and correct information in the fight against COVID- as PSE. 19.

 This is a portable system equipped with a  The app will give a big help to the State Level sanitiser and soap dispenser. Task Force, Departments of Health & Family  The decontamination starts using a foot pedal Welfare, Disaster, Management & at the entry. Rehabilitation and also the general public to  On entering the chamber, an electrically contain the spread of the coronavirus. operated pump creates a disinfectant mist of  The initiative was taken by the ICT hypo sodium chloride for disinfecting. Department engineers, who have developed  The mist spray is calibrated for an operation the ‘mCOVID-19 mobile app without asking of 25 seconds and stops automatically for any funds from the government. indicating completion of operation.  Approximately 650 personnel can pass PM pays tribute to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his through the chamber for disinfection until the birth anniversary refill is required. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Maharashtra govt to provide online training to freedom fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth about 1.25 lakh AYUSH doctors anniversary.

In order to provide necessary trained manpower to  Babu Jagjivan Ram struggled for the rights of prevent Coronavirus spread, Maharashtra the poor, the underprivileged and the victims. government will provide online training to about

 Jagjivan Ram, born in 1908, passed away on The National Health Authority (NHA) has inked a July 6, 1986. pact with ride hailing app Uber to provide transport  He was known popularly as Babuji, and services for frontline healthcare workers involved in politician from Bihar. treatment of COVID-19 patients.  His daughter and Congress leader Meira Kumar was the 15th Speaker of Lok Sabha  Uber will initially facilitate the provision of from 2009 to 2014. 150 cars free of cost to support medical facilities in certain cities- New Delhi, Noida, Odisha launches “Mo Prativa” cultural Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj and competition to engage children during lockdown Patna through its UberMedic service.  The development comes in the backdrop of a 21-day nationwide lockdown that had also led to restrictions on all forms of public and private transportation, limiting movement options for healthcare workers in particular cities.  Every UberMedic car will be disinfected after every ride to ensure adequate safety and hygiene.

The Odisha government in collaboration with the NASA unveils plan to setup 'Artemis', the first Unicef has launched “Mo Prativa” online cultural human base camp on Moon's south pole by 2024 competition among children to keep them engaged at home during the lockdown period.

 Children can participate in competitions of painting, writing of slogans, short stories and poems and poster making, winning entries will get certificates.  The “Mo Prativa” (My talent) programme is for children in the age group of 5 to 18 years.  The entries are being invited on two themes: Being at home during lockdown” and “My responsibility as a young citizen during NASA is working on the Artemis program that aims COVID-19”. to land humans on the moon by 2024.

NHA inks pact with Uber for transportation  The space agency has put forward a plan service for public healthcare workers showing what a US lunar presence may look like after the milestone.  NASA submitted a 13-page report to the National Space Council on 2 April.  NASA unveils plan to setup Artemis, the first human base camp on Moon's south pole by 2024  The report titled NASA’s Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development offers a summary of how the space agency will accomplish the 2024 moon landing mission.

 The initial plan is to move to one to two-  Mahavir Jayanti 2020 marks the 2,618th birth month stays to learn more about the moon anniversary of the teacher. and the universe.  This year the auspicious occasion will be observed amid a global health crisis triggered FCI sets new record in single day transportation by the coronavirus outbreak. of food grains Points to Remember

 First tirthankara of Jainism: Rishabhanatha; Symbol: Bull  Last tirthankara of Jainism: Mahavira; Symbol: Lion

IAS, IPS officers' associations form 'Caruna', an initiative to fight Coronavirus

Food Corporation of India (FCI) has set a new record in single day movement by moving 70 rakes carrying one lakh 93 thousand Metric Tonnes food grains continuously for two days.

 FCI is ensuring that enough food grain stocks are made available in every part of the country during countrywide lockdown.  During the 12 days since the start of lockdown on 25th of last month, FCI has done an average movement of one lakh 41 thousand tonnes of food grain per day as against the pre-lockdown daily average of Associations representing officers of Central Civil about 80 thousand tonnes. Services, including the Indian Administrative  Punjab accounted for about 46 per cent of Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), total food grain movement followed by have formed an initiative called 'Caruna' to support Haryana, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. and supplement the government's efforts in fighting  Food Corporation of India Headquarters coronavirus. :New Delhi  Founded: 1965  The acronym 'Caruna' stands for Civil  Chairman & Managing Director: D. V. Services Associations Reach to Support in Prasad Natural Disasters and represents a collaborative platform. Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of 24th  In this initiative civil servants, industry and last Jain Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir is leaders, NGO professionals and IT being celebrated across the country professionals among others have come together to contribute their time and abilities. People belonging to the Jain community celebrate Mahavir Jayanti to commemorate the birth IIT-Roorkee, AIIMS-Rishikesh develop low-cost anniversary of Jain spiritual leader Mahavir, who portable ventilator ‘Prana Vayu’ was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

concept by focussing on water-saving technologies.

NHAI achieves highest ever construction of National Highways in FY 2019-20

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee, in collaboration with All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Rishikesh, has developed a low- cost ventilator.

 A presentation was made before 450 industry representatives for early mass production.  The ventilator, Prana Vayu, will cost ₹25,000 National Highway Authority of India, NHAI has per unit, much less than the products achieved the highest ever construction of National available in the market. Highways in financial year 2019-20.  Prana Vayu was presented to more than 450 industry representatives in a webinar  It has accomplished construction of 3979 organized by Confederation of Indian kilometre of national highways and this is the Industries (CII) for its mass production. highest ever highway construction achieved in a financial year by NHAI. Tamil Nadu finishes on top in micro-irrigation  The authority said, in 2018-19, NHAI had coverage constructed 3380 Kilometre.  NHAI Headquarters: New Delhi  Founded: 1988  Chairman: Sukhbir Singh Sandhu

Indian Railways develops low-cost ventilator 'Jeevan'

At a time when every segment of society is reeling under the impact of COVID-19, farmers have brought some cheer to Tamil Nadu.

 In the just-concluded financial year 2019-20, the State finished on top at the all-India level for micro-irrigation coverage.  This has been achieved as part of The Indian Railways has developed a low-cost implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi ventilator, ‘Jeevan’, at its Kapurthala Rail Coach Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), a programme Factory. aimed at promoting the “more crop per drop”

 This device could save thousands of lives at a  Kejriwal said it was important for the city to time the country is grappling with a shortage come together to fight COVID-19. of the medical equipment in its fight against Teamwork, he said, was important. coronavirus.  Last, Kejriwal took it upon himself to ensure  The prototype is now awaiting ICMR all parts of the plan were conducted clearance to go into production. efficiently.  It will cost around Rs 10,000 without the compressor. IWF bans Thailand, Malaysia from weightlifting  A ventilator is a device used to pump air and at Tokyo Olympics oxygen into the lungs, and it can be critical for a patient with severe COVID-19 infection which can lead to lung failure.  India might need anywhere between 110,000- 220,000 ventilators by May 15 in the worst- case scenario.  The number of ventilators today available in the country is a maximum of 57,000 and come with a cost of Rs 5-Rs 15 lakh.

Arvind Kejriwal unveils ‘5T’ plan for Delhi to The Independent Member Federation Sanctions fight COVID-19 Panel (IMFSP) of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has imposed disciplinary sanctions on Thailand and Malaysia and banned both the countries from participating in weightlifting events at the Tokyo Olympics.

 The IMFPS also suspended the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) for three years, while the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) has been given a one-year Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unveiled a ban. five-point plan to tackle the coronavirus outbreak  The Thailand federation had already after speaking to experts and doctors. withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics voluntarily after nine of its weightlifters were caught for doping violations at the 2018  The “5Ts”includes testing, tracing, treatment, teamwork and tracking and monitoring of the World Championships. virus.  The Tokyo Olympics 2020 will now commence from July 23 to August 8 next  Taking from South Korea’s strategy, Kejriwal said that the government would year while the Paralympics Games will be conduct at least one lakh random “rapid tests” held from August 24 to September 5, 2021. in hotspots across the city.  The Tokyo Olympic Games were originally slated to be held from July 24 to August 9,  Secondly, the government will continue tracing contacts of those who have tested while the Paralympic Games were scheduled positive for coronavirus. to be held from August 25 to September 6.  Third, would be regarding the treatment of patients who have contracted the disease. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey to contribute 1 billion US dollars to Coronavirus relief fund

 It is being planted in an area of over 200 hectares in Junagadh, and the average yield, which is 40-50 t/ha, has become the main source of income to the local farmers.  The variety is being cultivated in more than 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh during the last three years. Twitter co-founder and chief executive Jack Dorsey  Shri Vallabhai Vashrambhai Marvaniyawas has made a commitment of one billion US dollars out conferred with a National Award by the of his personal fortune to coronavirus relief through President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, his philanthropic fund. New Delhi during Festival of Innovation (FOIN)- 2017.  He would transfer his equity in his digital  He was conferred with Padma Shri in the year payments group Square to his limited liability 2019 for his extraordinary work. corporation Start Small, contributing around 28 per cent of his overall wealth. MHRD launches 'Samadhan' challenge to invite  It could be the largest amount from a single ideas to fight COVID-19 individual for coronavirus relief at a time when the pandemic is inflicting a heavy toll on lives and causing economic disruption across the globe.  Earlier, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos had pledged 100 million Dollars to help food relief efforts during the pandemic while Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had offered more than 25 million Dollars to help The Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Human research through the Bill & Melinda Gates Resources Development and All India Council for Foundation. Technical Education have launched a mega online challenge - Samadhan - to test the ability of students Biofortified carrot variety developed by farmer to innovate and offer a quick solution to the scientist benefits local farmers Coronavirus pandemic and other such calamities.

 Students participating in this challenge will search and develop measures that can be made available to the government agencies, health services, hospitals and other services for quick solutions to the Coronavirus pandemic and other such calamities.  Apart from this, through this challenge, work will be done to motivate citizens to face any challenge, prevent any crisis and to help

people get livelihood. Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety with  Under the "Samadhan" challenge, the high β-carotene and iron content developed by Shri students and faculty will be motivated for Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer doing new experiments and new discoveries scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat is and provide them with a strong base leading benefitting more than 150 local farmers in the area.

to the spirit of experimentation and festival after the High Court directed it not to discovery. assemble for any religious activity.  Earlier, the Karnataka government had UP govt to establish COVID-19 testing labs in granted permission for the celebrations of the headquarter of each and every division annual Karaga festival with certain restrictions.  Karaga is one of the oldest and widely celebrated festivals of Karnataka.  It is celebrated in honour of the Goddess Shakti. The festival is held at the famous Dharmarayaswamy temple in Bangalore.

Chhattisgarh Police create app 'Rakhsa Sarv' to keep an eye on home quarantined patients

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that his government will establish Corona testing labs in the Headquarter of each and every division in the state.

 His government has managed to start collection centres in all 75 districts of the state.  He said 308 Covid-19 cases have been found In a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, police in the state as of now, of which 168 are linked in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa district have to the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi last created a mobile application 'Rakhsa Sarv' to keep month. tabs on those violating the home quarantine order, an official said. Annual Karaga festival celebrations prohibited  Nearly 6,200 people, most of them with a history of travel to foreign nations or other affected states in India, are being kept under home quarantine in Janjgir-Champa district.  The app enables people to track the quarantined people through Google Map.  Police teams have started installing the application in the phones of those kept under

home quarantine and so far, over 50 per cent Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central of such people have been covered. Karnataka said it is prohibited to celebrate Bangalore Karaga Shakthyothsava. ‘Lifeline Udaan’ flights transported 39.3 tons medical supplies in one single day  There should be no public celebration, procession and no other public program can Lifeline Udaan flights transported 39.3 tons of be done. medical supplies across the country on April 7, 2020.  Meanwhile, Dharmaraya Swamy Temple has agreed to cancel the celebration of Karaga  'Lifeline Udaan' is the central government's arrangement for operating medical cargo

lifelines for countries facing a coronavirus workers to equip them with the training and in coping crisis. with Pandemic.  The total cargo transported by these flights is around 240 tons during COVID-19  The target groups for the platform, ‘iGOT’ lockdown. are Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Hygiene  161 flights have been operated under Lifeline Workers, Technicians, Auxiliary Nursing UDAN to date covering 1,41,080 Kms. Midwives, ANMs, Central & State Govt.  Out of these, 99 flights were operated by Air Officers, Civil Defence Officials, various India and Alliance Air while 54 were Police Organisations, National Cadet Corpz, operated by IAF. NCC, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, NYKS, National Service Scheme, NSS, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust manages to Indian Red Cross Society, Bharat Scouts and continue its operations smoothly Guides and other volunteers.  Appropriate training will also prepare them for the subsequent stages of the pandemic.  The platform delivers curated, role-specific content, to each learner at his place of work or home and to any device of his choice.  iGOT platform is designed to population scale, and will provide training to around 1.50 crore workers and volunteers in the coming weeks. In Maharashtra, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Raigad district near Mumbai which is considered Odisha first Indian state to extend COVID-19 to be the busiest container port in the country has lockdown till April 30 managed to continue its operations smoothly even during the nationwide lockdown.

 After the announcement of lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, JNPT faced several difficulties to continue the regular operation as there was shortage of contract employees, shortage of truck drivers, sealing of state and district borders and difficulty in the movement of the staff.  But, the container port facilitated smooth Odisha has become the first Indian state to extend the operations bringing together all stakeholders ongoing lockdown. including 33 CFS and more than 15 empty containers yard operators.  In a video statement Chief Minister Naveen  It provided PPE’s to all personnel entering Patnaik said that his government has decided Port premises. to extend the lockdown period in Odisha till April 30. Center launches ‘iGOT’ learning platform to  According to the Ministry of Health and combat COVID-19 Family Welfare's official figures on April 9, Odisha has 42 confirmed cases of the novel The Center has announced the launch of a learning coronavirus. platform to combat COVID-19 for all front-line  This number includes one patient who succumbed to the infection and two individuals who recovered.

 The Odisha government will also take special  The campaign brings together the marketing measures for various sectors. expertise and scale of HUL and the technical  Activities related to agriculture, animal knowledge of UNICEF to create engaging husbandry and MGNREGS will be facilitated communication tools that can help people during the lockdown period following social change behaviours and stay safe during the distancing norms. pandemic.  Meanwhile, educational institutions in the  HUL had recently committed Rs 100 crore in state will remain closed till June 17. donations to help India fight the coronavirus crisis. SIDBI offers emergency credit facility of up to Rs  In addition to the campaign, it is rolling out 1 crore to SMEs many initiatives to ensure citizens across the country have access to essential products such as soaps, sanitisers and other products.

ADB assures India of 2.2 bn US dollar support to fight against COVID-19 pandemic

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) said it will provide emergency working capital of up to Rs 1 crore to small and medium enterprises against their confirmed government orders.

 The new loan product, SIDBI Assistance to Asian Development Bank assured India of 2.2 billion Facilitate Emergency response against US dollar support to fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus (SAFE) plus will be offered pandemic. collateral free and disbursed within 48 hours.  The loans will be offered at an interest rate of  ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa assured 5 per cent. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of  SIDBI further said it has enhanced the loan financial support of about 16,500 crore limit for MSMEs to Rs 2 crore under its rupees. SAFE initiative.  The ADB President also appreciated the 1.7  The scheme was launched to provide lakh crore rupees economic relief package to financial assistance to MSMEs engaged in provide immediate income and consumption manufacturing of hand sanitizers, masks, support to the poor, women, and workers gloves, head gear, bodysuits, shoe-covers, affected by the nationwide lockdown. ventilators and goggles used in dealing with  On 18th of March, ADB announced an initial COVID-19. package of approximately 6.5 billion US Dollars to address the immediate needs of its Hindustan Unilever partners with UNICEF to developing member countries, including support India's fight against COVID-19 India, as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hindustan Unilever has collaborated with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for a mass Doordarshan emerges among highest watched communication campaign to inform and empower channel in India the general public against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses, Paramedical staff, Class IV staff, Ambulance staff, Testing Lab staff will be doubled.  He said this will be applicable till the Coronavirus period ends.  He had earlier announced that these professionals will get an ex-gratia benefits

between 50 Lakh rupees and 10 Lakh rupees, Doordarshan has emerged among the highest if they are not covered under the new watched channels in India for the week ending 3rd insurance cover announced by the Centre. April. Manipur govt announces cash reward to medical  According to Broadcast Audience Research team which treated COVID-19 patient Council, telecast of Ramayan and successfully Mahabharat was the key attribute.  This was despite a surge reported by the private broadcasters who are also experiencing higher viewership.  The overall TV viewership grew 4 per cent as compared to the previous week and was 43 percent higher than the pre-COVID-19 outbreak period.  Interestingly, despite the absence of any new

sporting event, the viewership for sports channels grew 21 percent as they beamed In Manipur, the state government has announced a India's cricket wins from the past and also old cash reward of Rs. 35 lakh to the medical team which WWE matches. treated the first COVID-19 patient successfully.

Haryana govt doubles salary of Doctors, Nurses,  So far Manipur has recorded only two medical professionals dealing with Coronavirus positive cases of COVID-19 and out of them, cases the first patient has been confirmed negative of the virus three times.  Announcing the cash reward, Manipur Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh said that the state is able to contain further spread of the virus with the support of the public.  He also announced that the State government will also give rewards to frontline workers including health workers, police personnel and other stakeholders who are actively participating in combating the spread of virus The Haryana government has decided to double the in Manipur. salary of Doctors, Nurses and other Medical professionals dealing with Coronavirus patients. National Safe Motherhood Day: 11 April

 Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar said that salaries of all those engaged in fight against COVID-19 be it Doctors,

 The G20 Energy Ministers’ focused on ways and means to ensure stable energy markets, which are affected due to demand reduction as result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu pays homage to Jyotiba Phule National Safe Motherhood Day is observed every year on April 11.

 Every year the day is celebrated to create awareness about the day that is dedicated to enhancing healthcare and maternal facilities for pregnant women and her postnatal needs.  The Government of India had declared 11 April as National Safe Motherhood Day in the year 2013 and it coincides with the anniversary day of Kasturba Gandhi's birth, wife of Mohan das Karam Chand Gandhi, the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu paid homage to father of the nation. Jyotiba Phule on the occasion of Phule’s Jayanti.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan  Jyotiba Phule, was an Indian social activist, participates in G20 Extraordinary Energy thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer Ministers’ virtual meeting from Maharashtra.  His work extended to many fields including eradication of untouchability and the caste system, and women's emancipation.  He is mostly known for his efforts in educating women and lower caste people.  On 24 September 1873, he, along with his followers, formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) to attain equal rights for people from lower castes.

NCW launches WhatsApp number to report Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, domestic violence during COVID-19 lockdown Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting.

 The meeting was called by Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz.  The meeting was attended by Energy Ministers of G20 countries, guest countries

and heads of international organizations including OPEC, IEA and IEF.

The National Commission for Women (NCW)  Senior Scientist at ICMR Dr Raman launched a WhatsApp number to report cases of Gangakhedkar told the media in New Delhi domestic violence, which have seen a rise during the that the use of Hydroxychloroquine is as coronavirus lockdown period. Preventive healthcare and not as treatment.

 The NCW said the WhatsApp number, Maharashtra, Telangana & West Bengal ‘7217735372’, is in addition to the online announce extension of lockdown till April 30 complaint links and emails which are already operational.  The NCW urged people to report such cases through WhatsApp on the number so that the agency can provide support and assistance to the women in distress or experiencing domestic violence.  The number has only been launched for the period of lockdown till normal offices resume.  National Commission of Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma had recently said

that domestic violence complaints were increasing by the day since the nationwide The Telangana government has extended the lockdown was imposed on March 25, with 69 lockdown till 30th of April. complaints received just through email.  Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the With 70% annual global production share, India state border with Maharashtra will be tops Hydroxychloroquine producer, exporter completely sealed. chart  The West Bengal government has also announced extension of ongoing lockdown till 30th of this month.  State government has also announced suspension of classes in Schools, Colleges and Universities till 10th of June.  Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that the lockdown will be extended in the state till 30th of April.

 He said he had expressed the willingness to India is the largest producer and exporter of extend the lockdown during video Hydroxychloroquine with 70 per cent of annual conferencing with Prime Minister Narendra global production. Modi.  Previously, Odisha also has become the first Indian state to extend the ongoing lockdown.  The Department of Pharmaceuticals has said that there is enough stock of API and manufacturing capacity of Kerala to become the first state to commence Hydroxychloroquine formulations to meet convalescent plasma therapy to treat critically ill the country's requirement as well as export COVID-19 cases obligations.

 Cheiraoba is one of the major festivals of Manipur celebrated mainly by the Meitei community of the State marking the beginning of a new year.  Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla has congratulated the medical team of JNIMS hospital for treating the first COVID-19 patient successfully.

Kerala is set to become the first state in the country Finance Ministry extends deadline for mandatory to commence convalescent plasma therapy, to treat minimum deposit in PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi critically ill COVID-19 cases on a trial basis. Account till June 30

 The Indian Council of Medical Research has given its nod to Kerala for the first of its kind project.  In this therapy the blood plasma from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, i.e. their immune system that has developed antibodies in the blood plasma, to beat the disease, is transfused into a person critically ill with the disease. The Finance Ministry has extended the deadline for  The project is initiated by the Sree Chithira mandatory minimum deposit in Public Provident Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Fund (PPF) and Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) Technology in Thiruvananthapuram. for 2019-20 by three months up to June 30 in view of  At present Convalescent plasma therapy is the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. not new and has been used by doctors to treat critically ill patients during earlier epidemics  The relaxation will be applicable for account like H1N1, SARS and Ebola. holders of PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) and Recurring Deposits (RDs). Manipur markets will be opened for sale of  The Government has taken the decision to essential commodities to public in view of Easter, safeguard the interests of small savings Cheiraoba festival depositors in view of the lockdown.  The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched by the Prime Minister of India on January 22, 2015.  It encourages parents of a girl-child to stock a fund for their education and marriage.

LIC allows 30-Day extension for premiums due in March, April

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has announced an In Manipur, the State government has announced that extension of 30 days for payment of premium due in all markets/shops in the State will be opened for sale March and April 2020 to mitigate the hardships being of essential commodities to the public in view of faced by policyholders in the wake of COVID-19. Easter and Cheiraoba festival.

 LIC said that relaxation is allowed up to April  The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 15 for February premiums, where grace 13 April 1919. period was expiring after March 22.  Troops of the British Indian Army, under the  It also said that policyholders can pay command of Colonel Reginald Dyer, fired premiums through LIC's digital payment machine guns into a crowd of unarmed options without any service charge. protesters and pilgrims who had gathered in  Premiums can also be paid by downloading Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab's Amritsar on the mobile app LIC Pay Direct. occasion of Baisakhi.  LIC Headquarters: Mumbai  The crowd had assembled peacefully at the  Founded: 1 September 1956 venue to condemn the arrest of two national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, PM Modi greets citizens on Baisakhi, Odia New when they were fired indiscriminately by Year General Dyer and his men.  According to British government records, 379 people including men, women, and children were killed while 1,200 were wounded in the firing.  Other sources place the number of dead at well over 1,000.

Prasar Bharti launches ‘DD Retro’ to invoke

nostalgia Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the people on the occasion of Baisakhi and the Odia New Year, also known as Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti.

 Baisakhi marks the Sikh New Year and is a spring harvest festival celebrated in Punjab and other parts of north India.  On Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti, people

consume ‘pana’, a traditional sweet and sour drink made with raw mango and sugar. Public service broadcaster Prasar Bharti has launched a new channel specifically dedicated to old PM Modi Pays Tribute To Martyrs Of classics called DD Retro. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre  For now, DD Retro is airing the same shows that DD National had brought back in the wake of the covid-19 outbreak to keep viewers engaged.  Apart from mythological epics Ramayana and Mahabharat, the classics revived on the network are historical dramas Chanakya directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, superhero series Shaktimaan, detective show Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Byomkesh Bakshi and many more. "martyrs" who lost their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh  Last week, following the return of these massacre. classics, Doordarshan emerged as the most watched channel in India, with its viewership

surpassing any other genre in the Hindi- speaking markets when the mythological epic, Ramayana was aired.  In the last two weeks when the Ramanand Sagar show, a favourite from the 1980s, was telecast on DD, the 9am and 9pm slot viewership grew 60 times.

HRD Minister launches web portal 'YUKTI'

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has successfully developed a double layered Khadi mask and has procured orders for supplying it in large quantities.

 KVIC Chairman V.K. Saxena said the Commission is specifically using double twisted Khadi fabric for manufacturing of Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh these masks as it helps retain 70 per cent of Pokhriyal Nishank has launched a web-portal the moisture content inside, while providing YUKTI (Young India Combating COVID with an easy passage for the air to pass through. Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) in New  Mr Saxena added that these masks are special Delhi. because they are made of hand-spun, hand- woven khadi fabric which is breathable, easy  The portal and dashboard will monitor and to reuse, washable and biodegradable. record the efforts and initiatives of the  In order to make 7.5 lakh masks, around 75 Ministry of HRD. thousand meters of Khadi fabric will be used,  It intends to cover different dimensions of which will further enhance livelihoods COVID-19 challenges in a holistic and opportunities to the Khadi artisans. comprehensive way.  The Minister informed that it will cover the ‘Food Bank’ to help the poor and needy various initiatives and efforts of the introduced in Manipur institutions in academics, research especially related to COVID, social initiatives and measures taken for the betterment of the total well being of the students.  The portal will cover both qualitative and quantitative parameters for effective delivery of services to the academic community at large.

KVIC successfully develops double layered Khadi mask In Manipur, a new initiative titled ‘Food Bank’ has been introduced by the Imphal East District Administration to provide immediate aid in the form of free food to the poor and needy.

 These banks will provide food to the the Tamil calendar and traditionally people who are facing scarcity of essential celebrated as a festival. commodities due to the long statewide  Rongali or Bhoga Bihu is an important lockdown in view of the threat of Assamese festival celebrating spring festival. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  Distribution of food items, hand sanitisers Indian Army observes 36th Siachen Day on 13th and face masks has already started to Drug April Rehabilitation Centres and people living with HIV located in Imphal East District.  On the other hand, many donors from various sections of society have responded positively to the initiative.  Officials, who will be managing the ‘Food Bank’ have announced to the public that they will distribute the items after proper verification of the beneficiaries.

Vice President greets the nation on the occasion of The Indian Army observed the 36th Siachen Day on Vaisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu, Masadi, Vaishkhadi 13 April, remembering the gallant martyrs of and Bhoga Bihu Siachen.

 Siachen Day commemorates the courage and fortitude displayed by troops of the Indian Army in securing the highest and coldest battlefield in the world.  On April 13, 1984, the Indian Army launched ''Operation Meghdoot'' to secure Bilafond La and other passes on the Saltoro Ridgeline from Pakistani aggression.  Siachen lies in the Karakoram Range in The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu North-West India. has wished the people on the occasion of Vaisakhi,  Siachen Glacier is 76.4 km long and covers Vishu, Puthandu, Masadi, Vaishkhadi and Bhoga about 10,000 sq km of uninhabited terrain. Bihu which are being celebrated in different parts of  It was in 1974 that Pakistan started permitting the country on 13th and 14th April, 2020. mountaineering expeditions in the Siachen Glacier.  Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi is a historical and religious festival in Sikhism Lockdown in the country is to be extended till 3rd and Hinduism. It is usually celebrated on 13 May or 14 April every year, which commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.  Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the South Indian state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, bordering areas of Tamil Nadu and their diaspora communities.  Puthandu, also known as Puthuvarusham or Tamil New Year, is the first day of year on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation IIT Bombay researchers get patent for smart and announced that after considering all aspects the stethoscope "AyuDevice" lockdown in the country is to be extended till 3rd May.

 The Prime Minister lauds the patience and discipline observed by citizens in making lockdown successful.  The Prime Minister said that tight Vigil has to be kept on all hotspots and containment zones.  Every district will be analysed over the number of hotspots till 20th April. A team at the Indian Institute of Technology of  From 20th April, the restricted relaxations in Bombay (IIT-B) has developed a "digital few districts will be allowed. stethoscope" "AyuDevice", that can listen to heart beats from a distance and record them, minimising Nation remembers Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on the risk of healthcare professionals contracting the his 129th birth anniversary novel coronavirus from patients.

 The data or the auscultated sound from a patient's chest is wirelessly sent to the doctor using Bluetooth, doing away with the need to go near to take readings.  The IIT-B team has received a patent for the device that records the auscultated sound and stores it as part of a patient's health record.  The team has sent 1,000 stethoscopes to different hospitals and healthcare centres Nation remembers Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his across the country. 129th birth anniversary. e-NAM completes four years of implementation  Dr. Ambedkar is known as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and has been bestowed with the country’s highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna in 1990 posthumously.  Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar was born on 14th April, 1891 at Mhow, now known as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar in Madhya Pradesh.  Dr. Ambedkar was a known jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who worked hard throughout his life to end The pan-India Agriculture trading portal e-NAM social discrimination against weaker sections completed four years of implementation on 14 April. of the society.  He became the first Law and Justice Minister  e-NAM helped in realising the vision of One after the independence and played an Nation One Market for agri produce. important role in drafting the Indian  e-NAM was launched by Prime Minister Constitution and made provisions for Narendra Modi in 21 mandis on 14th April in abolition of all forms of discrimination. 2016.

 More than 1.66 crore farmers and 1.28 Lakh  These computer enabled software systems traders are registered on e-NAM platform. provide a total engineering solution from 2D  Farmers are free to register on e-NAM portal drafting & detailing to 3D product design. and they are uploading their produce for sale  The aim of this initiative is to provide a great online to the traders across all e-NAM platform to students of Atal Tinkering Labs mandis. (ATLs) across the country to create and modify 3D designs with free flow of Pohela Boishakh 2020: Bengali New Year creativity and imagination.  This software would also enable students to create data across the network and concurrently access the same design data for storage and visualization.  CollabCAD is a great platform for students to utilize indigenous, state-of-the-art made-in- India software for 3D modeling/slicing to use 3D Printing.

Gregorian calendar, the Bengali New Year usually Ministry of Tourism launches its falls around April 14 or April 15. "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series

 This year Pohela Boishakh is celebrated on April 14.

 On this day, Bengali traders community opens new books of accounts named as 'Hal Khata'.  But due to ongoing lockdown, New Years celebrations have been drastically curtailed this year. The Ministry of Tourism has launched its "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series. Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog & National Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly launches  The series have been started to provide CollabCAD in ATL schools information on the many destinations and the sheer depth and expanse of the culture and heritage of our Incredible India.  The first webinar which is a part of this series that shall unfold, touched upon the long history of Delhi.  The webinar was titled " City of Cities- Delhi's Personal Diary'.  The webinar shall be available in public domain soon on the Ministry’s social media Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National handles- IncredibleIndia on Instagram and Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly launched a Facebook. collaborative network, CollabCAD.  The next webinar is on the 16th of April from 11 am to 12 noon and shall take visitors to the amazing City of Kolkata.

DRDO develops ‘COVSACK’ kiosk for COVID- Fit India and CBSE will organise first-ever live 19 sample collection fitness sessions for school students in the second phase of lockdown.

 Live sessions will commence from 9:30 in morning and students can get access to these live sessions on Facebook and Instagram handles of Fit India Movement and CBSE.  During the programme guidelines of the Ministry of AYUSH to stay healthy will be shared with students.  The live sessions will cover all aspects of children’s fitness from daily workouts to Defence Research & Development Laboratory yoga, nutrition to emotional well-being. (DRDL), Hyderabad of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has added Robots to serve food, medicine to COVID-19 another product to the portfolio to combat patients in Jharkhand Coronavirus (COVID-19) by developing COVID Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK).

 The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients.  Patient under test walks into the Kiosk and a nasal or oral swab is taken by a healthcare professional from outside through the built in gloves.

 The Kiosk is automatically disinfected without the need for human involvement, ‘COBOT-Robotics’ Robots are serving food and making the process free of infection spread. medicine to COVID-19 patients in two hospitals in  The shielding screen of the kiosk cabin Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district. protects the health care worker from the aerosols/droplet transmission while taking  It is a step to protect doctors and health the sample. workers from getting infected with  The DRDO has designed and developed two coronavirus. units and handed over these to ESIC Hospital,  Developed by District Deputy Development Hyderabad after successful testing. Commissioner (DDC) Aditya Ranjan, the remote-controlled ‘COBOT-Robotics’ will Fit India, CBSE to organise 1st-ever live fitness provide food and medicine to patients sessions for School students without human intervention.

e-comic Textbooks launched in Manipur

After releasing the country's first comic textbooks primary classes, the electronic format of comic textbooks for Class III, IV and V respectively was formally launched in Manipur.

 The electronic format comic textbook for each class comprises three subjects namely Mathematics, Environmental Studies and English Language in a single electronic comic textbook format.  Manipur had topped the list of the best performing smaller states in NITI Aayog’s school education quality Index.

UP to become first state to start pool testing of The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said COVID-19 samples India and China are the only two major countries, which will register a positive growth rate despite the Coronavirus pandemic.

 In its latest edition of the World Economy report, IMF has projected India's GDP growth to be 1.9 per cent in 2020 from 5.8 per cent in January.  For China, it has projected a growth rate of 1.2 per cent.  The IMF said, despite the global economy hitting the worst recession since the Great Depression of 1930s, India and China are As the number of Covid-19 positive patients in Uttar likely to bounce back strongly in 2021 with Pradesh increased, the state government decided to India expected to grow at 7.4 per cent and start pool testing of the coronavirus samples. China at 9.2 per cent.  Most countries in the advanced economy  The Indian Council of Medical Research group are forecast to contract this year, (ICMR) gave permission for pool testing to including the US, Japan, the United the state in order to help maximise the testing Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. of samples on a daily basis.  During pool testing, if 10 samples are mixed HDFC Chairman pushes for restructuring of and tested for Covid-19 and if they test NPA norms negative, then it will be an indicator that all samples are negative.  But if the test is not negative, then individual testing will be done. This will increase the testing capacity as well as accelerate the process.  The health department at the moment is testing around 2000 samples per day in the state. HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh pushed for a one- India, China will register positive growth rate time restructuring of stressed real estate accounts and despite Coronavirus pandemic: IMF relaxation in classification of NPA norms to 180 days from 90 days to help the sector.

 Unless the stressed accounts are restructured, financial institutions will find it difficult to provide additional liquidity to the sector.  Most of the developers are in a stressful situation and many of them are NPAs or will become NPAs.  Recommendation has already been made to the RBI for the restructuring following which real estate developers can be given additional money. A consignment of 550,000 antibody testing kits and  Under the RBI norms, an account is classified 100,000 RNA extraction kits was dispatched by as a NPA if it is not serviced for 90 days. Chinese firms to India.

Air India flight carrying four tonnes of medical  They will be used in the country’s efforts to items arrives in Seychelles prevent and control the spread of Covid-19.  The consignment includes part of the large orders placed by India for medical supplies and equipment with Chinese firms.  Chinese companies have been contracted for nearly 15 million personal protective equipment (PPE) kits comprising gowns, gloves, masks and goggles, and 1.5 million rapid testing kits for Covid-19 by the Indian government and private companies

Spitting in public now an offence under Disaster An Air India flight carrying four tonnes of medical Management Act items including essential lifesaving medicines being gifted to Seychelles arrived at Victoria airport.

 The flight carried 4 tonnes of medical items being gifted to Seychelle.  It said the medicines have been requested by the Seychelles government.  India has reached out to countries in its neighbourhood and beyond with help in the form of medicines and other things as they battle with the coronavirus pandemic.  The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 Union Home Ministry has made spitting in public islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. without caring as a punishable offence under the  Seychelles Capital: Victoria strict Disaster Management Act in its revised  Currency: Seychellois rupee guidelines for lockdown. China dispatched total of 650,000 kits to India  The guidelines issued by the ministry also make wearing of face masks in public places mandatory.

 The Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation Tata AIA becomes the first Life Insurance has imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 if anyone is company to announce Additional Benefits caught spitting in public. Related to COVID-19  Similar measures are also in place in municipal corporations of Delhi, and several other states.

IMD announces that it expects monsoon rainfall to be normal this year

Tata AIA Life Insurance announced additional benefits for its Policyholders and Agents.

 As part of Tata AIA Life's initiative, its individual policyholders will get COVID-19 related additional benefits up to Rs 500,000 at no additional cost.  Further, to extend the Circle of Protection to The India Meteorological Department (IMD) its own Agents, all 'active' Agents of Tata announced that it expects monsoon rainfall to be AIA Life Insurance along with their spouse normal this year. and children will be reimbursed up to Rs 25,000 in case of hospitalisation due to  Southwest monsoon seasonal (June to COVID-19. September) rainfall over the country as a  This is a first of its kind initiative in India. whole is likely to be normal (96-104%).  All policyholders of Tata AIA will get an  It said that quantitatively, the monsoon additional benefit equal to the base sum seasonal (June to September) rainfall is likely assured or Rs 500,000 whichever is lower for to be 100% of the Long Period Average valid death claims due to COVID-19. (LPA) with a model error of 5%.  This benefit is applicable for all valid death  The LPA of the season rainfall over the claims with a date of death on or before June country as a whole for the period 1961-2010 30 2020. is 88 cm.  Monsoons are expected to hit Kerala's Centre unveils PUSA decontamination, sanitizing Thiruvananthapuram on June 1. tunnel  Monsoons are expected to withdraw in south India on October 15.  Neutral El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are prevailing over the Pacific Ocean and Neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are prevailing over the Indian Ocean.  IMD will issue the updated forecasts in the last week of May/ first week of June as a part of the second stage forecast.

Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary detoxified by any chemical or biological inaugurated a 'PUSA decontamination and sanitizing processes. tunnel' developed by the government research body  The health hazards associated with heavy ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute in the metal ions in water demands the development national capital. of efficient and portable sensors for rapid onsite detection of these ions.  The sanitization protocol includes hand  A team of researchers led by Dr. Pralay K. washing with foot operated soap and water Santra have developed a compact solid-state dispenser and fogging in a sanitizing tunnel sensor to detect the heavy metal ions, e.g., for 20 seconds. lead ions (Pb2) down to 0.4 parts per billion  In this tunnel, Quaternary Ammonium (ppb) for efficient onsite detection. Compounds (QAC) are used at concentrations of 0.045 per cent, which is Bihar Reports 3 Acute Encephalitis Syndrome recommended by the health department. Cases  The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), commonly known as the Pusa Institute, is India's national Institute for agricultural research, education and extension.  The name Pusa Institute is derived from the fact that the institute was originally located in Pusa Bihar as the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research in 1911.

 Indian Agricultural Research Institute HQ: New Delhi Amid coronavirus outbreak, Bihar has now reported 9 cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome cases, also CeNS develops a compact solid-state sensor to known as brain fever. detect the heavy metal ions in water  Last month, a three-year-old boy died due to acute encephalitis syndrome at ICU of state- run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur around 48 hours after his admission.  Last year over 140 children had died due to AES in the district.  As per official data, 121 deaths were reported at the government-run SKMCH, which handled the largest number of patients in the The Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences district. (CeNS) has developed a compact solid-state sensor  AES is a viral disease that causes flu-like to detect the heavy metal ions in water. symptoms such as high fever, vomiting and in extreme cases, brain dysfunction, seizure,  It is a portable device which can help onsite and inflammation of the heart and kidney. detection in remote areas.  Heavy metal ions such as lead, mercury and Viswanathan Anand joins WWF India as cadmium pose severe potential threats to ambassador for environment education living beings as they can easily be accumulated in the body and cannot be

 CSIR along with Gujarat-based pharma-giant Cadila Healthcare Ltd would be working on Mw vaccine for Covid-19.  Three hospitals will also be involved in this clinical trial which includes AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal and PGI Chandigarh.  The objective of the study is to carry out controlled clinical trials to compare the efficacy and safety in Covid-19 positive patients but not the ones who are critical.  The immune-boosting drug which was developed in 1966 by Indians as an anti- Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan leprosy drug has found some success in the Anand has joined WWF (World Wide Fund) India as cure for TB, cancer, and warts. its ambassador for the environment education programme. DRDO innovates automatic sanitiser and ultraviolet devices to fight coronavirus  WWF India is celebrating its 50 years of conservation in India.  In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, governments, development organisations, corporates and individuals around the world are doing their bit to prevent the spread of the disease.  The environment education programme currently reaches out to over 5,00,000 children across 2000 schools in the country. The Defence Research and Development Organisation introduced two new technologies that CSIR to begin trial on anti-leprosy drug are aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

 These two are Automatic Mist Based Sanitiser Dispensing Unit and UV Sanitisation Box and Hand-held UV device.  Ultraviolet device, which is hand held, can disinfect office and house objects like chairs, files and food packets.  It also comes as a box, which has been designed to disinfect personal belongings Council Of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) such as mobile phones, files and wallet. is slated to begin clinical trials on the anti-leprosy  Automatic mist based sanitiser dispensing vaccine called Mw (Mycobacterium w) to see if it unit is a contactless sanitiser dispenser, which can be used as a vaccine against coronavirus. sprays alcohol based hand sanitiser, for use at the entry of buildings and office complexes.  Mw is a cousin of BCG and it has been used as a vaccine for leprosy. IIT -Ropar designs ‘WardBot’ to deliver food, medicines to COVID-19 patients

Rapid Response Teams of doctors, specialists and testing equipment, medical supplies as well as capacity building and exchange of best practices amongst health care professionals.  A series of such free and interactive training programmes have been made available for SAARC countries. A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of  These will help exchange best practices and Technology (IIT), Ropar in Punjab’s Rupnagar connect healthcare professionals and district has come up with a design of an autonomous providers across the SAARC region. ‘WardBot’ which can deliver medicines and food to COVID-19 patients in isolation wards without Rate of doubling of COVID-19 cases improves to human intervention. 6.2 days from three days due to Lockdown

 Its deployment in hospitals will help in minimising the risk of the frontline health staff getting infected with the deadly virus.  Based on the smart line following, WardBot, fitted with sensors, can work on a known path and can carry food items and medicines for delivery at different beds to patients in a

ward.  WardBot also has a feature of self-sanitising India has been doing better than many other countries on the return path and could be used for on outcome ratio- the ratio of number of COVID-19 sanitising walls of the hospitals. recoveries Vs number of deaths.

MEA announces COVID-19 training programme  India’s doubling rate was about 3 days, for SAARC countries, first session held by before the lockdown. AIIMS-Raipur  For the past 7 days, the doubling rate is 6.2 Days.  19 states have shown a higher doubling rate better than the national average.  Indian government has set up 1,919 dedicated COVID Hospitals and COVID Health Centres have been set up in the country, with capacity of 1.73 lakh isolation beds and 21,800 ICU beds.

India has announced a capacity building programme Rajasthan claims to be first State in country to for healthcare professionals in SAARC countries to carry out Rapid Testing for COVID-19 assist them in their fight against coronavirus and an e-ITEC short training live webinar was held by In Rajasthan, Health minister Raghu Sharma claimed AIIMS-Raipur. that it became the first state in the country to carry out Rapid Testing for COVID-19.  India is assisting SAARC countries in their fight against COVID-19 by having set up a  Beginning, 52 persons were tested and all the USD 10 million fund, helping them with 52 persons tested negative.

 Health minister Raghu Sharma told that this  Air India has said that in the light of the test will be done at a large scale to assess the ongoing global health concerns, it has prevalence of COVID-19 in hotspots - both currently stopped accepting bookings on all in the containment and the buffer zones domestic flights for travel till 3rd of May and around the clusters. on all international flights for travel till 31st  In addition to rapid testing, PCR based testing of May. will continue to be done in an aggressive  This means the national carrier's domestic manner in the containment zones all over and international flights will remain Rajasthan. suspended during this period.

Delhi government launched 'Assess Koro Na' app Postal employees to get Rs 10 lakh compensation for door-to-door survey in containment zones in case they succumb to COVID-19

The Delhi government has asked officials to use the All postal employees, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, new 'Assess Koro Na' app for door-to-door survey in will get Rs 10 lakh compensation in case they COVID-19 containment zones. succumb to COVID-19.

 Officials say the delay in collecting and  The postal services come under essential analysing the data of a person in a physical services and apart from regular services, the form is a major challenge. post offices are also delivering food packets,  With this app, the data collected can be rations and essential medicines, among uploaded on the servers in real-time and others, across the country by liasioning with immediately analyse. local administration and police.  This will help the control centres in making a  The above guidelines have been implemented quick decision on the requirement of immediately and continues for the entire ambulances and other medical equipment and period till the crises of COVID-19 is over. personnel in the area.  COVID-19 के मामले मᴂ डाक कममचारियⴂ को 10  During the process, surveyors ask questions लाख 셁पये का मुआवजा ममलना like travel history, contact history, flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath. CSIR-CFTRI’s protein-enriched biscuits reach COVID-19 patients Air India announces opening of bookings for select Domestic flights for travel from 4th May; The Mysuru-based CSIR-Central Food International Flights to start from 1st June Technological Research Institute (CRTRI) has made available high-protein biscuits to the COVID-19 Air India has announced that it has opened bookings patients undergoing treatment in the All India for select Domestic flights for travel from 4th of May Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi. and for International Flights from 1st of June this year.

 CFTRI supplied 500 kg of high-protein biscuits and 500 kg of high-protein rusks to the Dietetics department of AIIMS to supply to the patients.  The biscuits contain 14% of protein while usual biscuits contain around 8-9% protein.  A 100-g packet of biscuits clearly pack a punch with its energy quotient of 400 kcal

and its nutritional value: carbohydrate (63.2 g), protein (14 g), fat (17.1 g) and minerals CSIR constituent Lab in Bengaluru, CSIR-National (1.2 g). Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), along with  The biscuits are being manufactured in MAF Clothing Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru has developed Noida, Uttar Pradesh, by Seven Seas Private and certified the overall protective coverall suit. Limited based on the formulation developed by CSIR-CFTRI.  The polyproplylene spun laminated multi- layered non-woven fabric based coverall can Union Minister for Culture launches the National be used to ensure the safety of Doctors, List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Nurses, Paramedical staff and Health Care workers working round the clock on COVID- 19 mitigation.  The Coveralls have gone through stringent testing at SITRA, Coimbatore and have been qualified for use.  CSIR-NAL and MAF have plans to augment the production capacity to about 30,000 units per day within four weeks’ time.

Union Minister for Culture Prahlad Singh Patel Odisha to re-telecast videos of online EDUSAT launched the National List of Intangible Cultural classes for Class X Students Heritage (ICH) of India in New DelhI.

 India houses a repository of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.  The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.  This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 In Odisha, the government has decided to re-telecast of the Ministry of Culture. the recorded videos of online EDUSAT classes for Class X students on Doordarshan in view of CSIR-NAL develop Personal Protective Coverall lockdown situation due to the COVID-19. Suit to Combat COVID-19  The recorded videos of online EDUSAT classes are available with Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC).

 A total of 34 videos will be telecast on Featuring India's most revered cricketers such as Doordarshan Odia channel till 12 May. Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, the BCCI has  The subjects that will be taught include created a new video to promote wearing masks in Mathematics, science, social science, English public places and help the country battle the COVID- and Geography. 19 pandemic.

Punjab develops Chatbot with Facebook to  The 'Team Mask Force' has been created to answer queries on COVID-19 spread awareness about wearing masks in public places.  The video has messages from BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, Smriti Mandhana, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj, all of them speaking about the importance of wearing masks and following the directives of the government in this fight.

Facebook launches third party fact checking in Bangladesh

A Chatbot has been developed by the Punjab government in collaboration with Facebook to keep the people of the state updated about information regarding the COVID-19.

 This Chatbot is based on an advanced artificial intelligence language system to give an immediate reply to frequently raised queries regarding COVID-19. Facebook announced the launch of its third party fact  This Chatbot is available on the Facebook page of Punjab government. checking system in Bangladesh to discourage the spread of fake news in the country.  The state government has also launched a special helpline for citizens to connect with a network of senior doctors over  Facebook in partnership with Boom Fact teleconference and get medical advice on check will review and rate the stories. coronavirus and other related concerns.  It will debunk misinformation on topics from health and medicine to current affairs so that BCCI Creates 'Team Mask Force' Facebook users in Bangladesh are able to identify factual information and news online.  When third party fact-Checkers rate a post as false or fake, it will appear less or at the bottom of the news feed. This will reduce the spread of the post.  Boom is an Indian fact checking website which is available in English, Hindi and Bengali.

 Facebook started its fact-checking  Under it, they have been allowed to go to programme in 2016 and now it covers 60 places of work within a state with certain partners in 50 languages. conditions.  The SOP said, in the event that a group of ARI researchers develop bug sniffer for efficient migrants wish to return to their places of detection of pathogens work within the state where they are presently located, they will be screened and those who are asymptomatic will be transported to their respective places of work.  During the journey by bus, it will be ensured that safe social-distancing norms are followed and the buses are sanitized as per guidelines of the health authorities.

IIA scientists connect Lithium abundance in interstellar space to new Lithium rich red giants

Researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have developed a sensitive and low-cost sensor to rapidly detect bacteria.

 The device has been called as ‘bug sniffer,’.  The portable device can detect as low as ten bacterial cells from a sample size of one milliliter in just 30 minutes.  The bug sniffer is affordable, and the raw Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics materials required for making it are readily (IIA) have discovered hundreds of Li-rich giant stars available. indicating that Li is being produced in the stars and accounts for its abundance in the interstellar medium. Home Ministry issues guidelines for movement of stranded migrant labourers for their work  They have also associated such Li engagement within States and Uts enhancement with central He-burning stars, also known as red clump giants, thereby opening up new vistas in the evolution of the red giant stars.  Lithium (Li), is one of the three primordial elements, apart from Hydrogen and Helium (He), produced in the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN).  However, the present measurement of Li in the interstellar medium and very young stars is about 4 times more than the primordial value. The Home Ministry issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the movement of stranded Telangana extends lockdown period till May 7 migrant labourers for their engagement in industrial, manufacturing, construction, farming and MNREGA works within States and Union Territories where they are currently located.

Civil Services Day: 21 April

The Telangana government has decided to extend lock down till 7th of May. The National civil services day is observed on April  The state cabinet also decided not to give any 21. exemption to any sector as suggested by the Central Government.  The civil service system is the backbone of  Night curfew and all other restrictions under the administrative machinery of the country. implementation in the state will continue till  The civil servants are responsible for 7th of May. implementing all the government policies  CM also asked air travellers not to come to and schemes successfully up to the root level. Telangana till 7th May as lock down will  April 21 was chosen to be celebrated as Civil continue. Service Day to commemorate the day when the first Home Minister of Independent India, Uttar Pradesh becomes first state to geotag Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the community kitchens probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi.  In his address, he called Civil Servants, the 'steel frame of India'.

Sown area of summer crops registers 36% rise over previous year

Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to geotag its 7,368 community kitchens and community shelters across 75 districts which produce 12 lakh food packets a day.

 The state government has also tied up with Google to 'Geo-map' the locations of all these The government said that the sown area of summer establishments on the Google Maps app for crops has registered an increase of 36 per cent over ease of beneficiaries. the previous year.  Out of these 7,368 community kitchens, 668 are being run by NGOs and religious institutions.  The rise has been mainly observed in rice cultivation.  More than two crore food packets have been distributed in Uttar Pradesh since March 25.  Farming operations have been exempted from lockdown, but social distancing

measures have to be maintained while doing Madhya Pradesh Anganwadi workers, Assistants farming related work. to get benefit of Chief Minister COVID-19  The “Krishi Rath App” was launched to help Yoddha Kalyan Yojana farmers find the right transport services for their harvested food grains.  The food grain production has been fixed at an ambitious 298 million tonnes at the recently held Kharif Conference 2020.

HRD Minister reviews National online education platform 'SWAYAM'

In Madhya Pradesh, around one lakh Anganwadi workers and Assistants of the state will get the benefit of Chief Minister COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana.

 Under this initiative, they will also get a special health insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs.  It is noteworthy that a special insurance

scheme has been launched by the Central Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Government for health workers who are 'Nishank' held a detailed review of the National fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic. online education platform SWAYAM and the 32  Anganwadi workers are taking risks by DTH Television Education Channels SWAYAM conducting door-to-door surveys in every PRABHA in New Delhi. district. Besides, they are also visiting from house to house for provide nutritional food to  In the lockdown condition there has been a the children. tremendous increase in demand and the usage  In such a situation, they have contact with of SWAYAM Courses and SWAYAM many people, which pose a risk of corona PRABHA videos. infection. Therefore, they should be given the  The Ministry in a statement said that 1902 benefit of this insurance scheme. courses are available currently in SWAYAM, which have been offered to 1.56 crore Himachal Pradesh to provide free online medical students since launch. consultation to sick people through e-sanjeevani-  It was decided that all the 1900 SWAYAM opd Courses and 60 thousand SWAYAM PRABHA videos would be translated into ten regional languages and made available to the students so that more benefits can be derived from the same.  On SWAYAM PRABHA, the Ministry said that it is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting high-quality educational

programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT- 15 satellite. In order to provide health services in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic, the Himachal Pradesh Health

Department has come up with a unique idea of  The G-20 nations resolved to have providing free online medical consultation to sick international cooperation in the backdrop of people at their residence through e-sanjeevani-opd. the Covid-19 pandemic, to avoid food wastage and losses, and maintain the  This free online health service has been continuity of the food supply value chain started throughout the state and now people across borders. can consult to take health advice from the doctors of different medical colleges from Dr Harsh Vardhan launches COVID INDIA 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on all working days. SEVA to provide solutions to coronavirus queries  In view of COVID-19 pandemic sick people were feeling uncomfortable to visit hospitals, hence for this, the state government with the health department has come up with an idea of 'esanjeevaniopd' through which general health advice will be provided to the people at their residence throughout the state.  To take advantage of this facility one should have a computer, laptop, tablet with webcam mike, speaker and internet connection. The Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Agriculture minister joins G-20 meet over Covid- Vardhan has launched an interactive platform, 19 impact on food safety ‘COVID INDIA SEVA’ aimed at providing real time solutions to Covid-19 related queries.

 People can post their queries to the COVID INDIA SEVA twitter handle for getting swift replies from the team of trained experts.  This initiative is aimed at enabling transparent e-governance delivery at large scales especially in crisis situations like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 The responses by the experts will be available Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for everyone and users will not be required to participated in a virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture share any personal details or health records Ministers to address the issue of Covid-19 impacts on this account. on food security, safety and nutrition. Third edition of Gujarat’s ''Sujalam Sufalam Jal  The G-20 Agriculture Ministers virtual Sanchay Abhiyan'' begins meeting was organized through video conferencing by the Saudi Presidency to deliberate on the ways and means of ensuring continuity of the food supply value chain including livelihood of farmers.  Agriculture Ministers of all G-20 members and the representatives of some guest countries and International organizations attended the meeting.

Amid the lockdown for the coronavirus outbreak, Pune's mobile App 'Saiyam' tracks home Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani gave the green quarantined citizens signal for the third edition of his government''s ''Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan''.

 This is a conservation plan to deepen water bodies in the state before monsoon.  The scheme, which will continue till June 10, will see the deepening of lakes, check dams and rivers by removing silt, and it will be done with people''s participation as well as under MGNREGA. A mobile application named Saiyam has been  Apart from maintaining social distancing, developed by the Pune Municipal Corporation under local authorities need to provide masks and Smart Cities Mission to effectively track the home- sanitizers to the workers. quarantined citizens and ensure that they are staying  The scheme was started in 2018 after a weak in the home. monsoon, and till date, the state''s water storage capacity has increased by 23,000 lakh  The city administration has appointed cubic feet due to deepening of lakes, check- dedicated teams for five zones to conduct a dams, rivers and reservoirs. follow-up with people under home quarantine on a daily basis. Manipur becomes second state after Goa to be  The teams will also check if those under Corona free home quarantine have downloaded the Saiyam Mobile Application.  The Mobile Application has GPS tracking so that whenever quarantined citizens leave their homes, City Administration gets ed and the local ward or the local police station gets informed.  All the Home Quarantined citizens are given the mandate to download the app and install

it. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has declared the state now has no COVID-19 active case as the Remittances likely to plunge 20 % amid Covid-19 second coronavirus patient was discharged from pandemic: World Bank hospital after he tested negative for the deadly virus.

 Though the State has no COVID-19 active case now but people should keep vigil all the time.  Manipur had two confirmed COVID-19 cases but both the patients, a 23-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man have recovered and have been discharged from hospital.  Goa was declared a Corona free State a few days back. The World Bank said that the remittances are expected to plunge by about 20 percent globally this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.

 In its report, the Bank said the biggest decline  In case of grievous injuries, the accused can in recent history, as closures cause a global be sentenced from 6 months to 7 years and recession and job losses that prevent workers they can also be penalized from one lakh to 5 from sending money to their families back lakh rupees. home.  If damage is done to the vehicles or clinics of  Developing countries are losing a key source healthcare workers, then a compensation of revenue as the coronavirus pandemic amounting to twice the market value of the causes worldwide shutdowns, sharply damaged property will be taken from the reducing payments from workers living accused. abroad.  The report mentioned that total remittances, HRD Minister launches ‘VidyaDaan 2.0’ for which comprise up to one-third of the inviting e-learning content contributions economies of some poor countries, are expected to fall to 445 billion dollar from 554 billion dollar in 2019.

Cabinet approves ordinance making acts of violence against health care workers as cognizable, non-bailable offences

Human Resources and Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the national program VidyaDaan 2.0 for inviting e-learning Content contributions in New Delhi.

 The programme has been launched due to the increasing requirement for e-learning content for students in both school and higher education especially in the backdrop of the situation arising out of COVID-19. The Union Cabinet has approved promulgation of  VidyaDaan is a common national programme Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, to develop and contribute e-learning content 1897 in the light of COVID-19 pandemic situation and a chance to be recognized nationally. making acts of violence against the healthcare  VidyaDaan is conceptualised as a common workers as cognizable and non-bailable offences. national program for individuals and organizations across the country to contribute  Under it , there is a provision to provide e-learning resources for both school and compensation for injury to healthcare service higher education to ensure continuity of personnel or for causing damage or loss to the quality learning. property.  He said that the content will be used on the  In the cases of attack on healthcare workers DIKSHA app to help millions of children will be completed within 30 days and across the country to continue their learning judgment will be pronounced within anytime and anywhere. one year.  The DIKSHA Platform of the Ministry has  The accused of the attack can attract a been operating since 2017 with more than 30 punishment ranging from 3 months to 5 years States and Union Territories leveraging and a fine from 50 thousand rupees to 2 lakh DIKSHA for augmenting teaching and rupees. learning processes.

Govt sanctions Rs15000 cr investment for 'India  The report states that the test, named Feluda COVID-19 Emergency Response & Health after a fictional sleuth created by filmmaker System Preparedness Package' and writer Satyajit Ray, was developed by two scientists - Dr Souvik Maiti and Dr Debojyoti Chakraborty.  It is expected to cost around Rs 500 against the usual RT-PCR test that costs Rs 4,500 in private labs.

BRO constructs permanent bridge on Ravi connecting Kasowal enclave in Punjab to rest of country

The Union Cabinet gave its post facto approval for significant investments to the tune of 15 thousand crore rupees for 'India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package'.

 The funds sanctioned will be utilized in 3 Phases.  Out of the total amount, seven thousand 774 crore rupees has been provisioned for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has and rest for medium-term support of one to constructed and opened a new permanent bridge on four years to be provided under mission mode the river Ravi connecting Kasowal enclave in Punjab approach. to the rest of the country.  Three thousand crore rupees has been released under the Package to States for  The 484-meter bridge was built by 141 Drain strengthening of existing health facilities as Maintenance Coy of 49 Border Roads Task COVID Dedicated Hospitals, Dedicated Force (BRTF) of Project Chetak. COVID Health Center and Dedicated  The bridge costing Rs 17.89 crore excluding COVID Care Centers. the approaches, consist of 16 cells of 30.25-  Orders for procurement of 13 lakhs metre length each. diagnostic kits have been placed to augment  The BRO had planned to open the Kasowal COVID 19 testing. bridge in time for Vaisakhi so that the farmers  All health workers have been covered with could transport their harvest to the market insurance under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib comfortably. Kalyan Package. JKSLSA launches helpline under 'Serve-the- IGIB scientists develop low cost COVID-19 test Seniors Initiative' for senior citizens 'Feluda' While the entire world is facing the threat of COVID- Scientists working at the Council of Scientific & 19, the senior citizens have been identified as the Industrial Research, Institute of Genomics and most vulnerable segment of the society. Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) have developed a low-cost test which can detect the coronavirus within  In this context, Jammu and Kashmir State an hour. legal Services Authority (JKSLSA) has

launched a helpline under 'Serve-the-Seniors Initiative'.  The objective of starting this helpline is to help and facilitate the senior citizens who live alone and are unable to step out to get medicines, groceries and other essentials in this hour of crisis.  The initiative has been taken realizing the fact that the elderly are doubly affected by the COVID lockdown and are not only vulnerable to contracting the virus in view of The Supreme Court held that 100 per cent reservation their old age but are in tremendous difficulty of teachers belonging to the Scheduled Tribe to manage their day to day needs like category at schools situated in "Scheduled Areas" is groceries and medicines. constitutionally invalid.

Karnataka govt launches "Apthamitra" helpline  A 5 judge Constitution bench led by Justice and app to fight COVID-19 Arun Mishra quashed the Government order issued under the hand of Governor of State of Andhra Pradesh which had affirmed absolute reservation for ST teachers and imposed costs on both Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Government's, seeking reasons from the Government for breaching the 50% ceiling in reservations.  The Court has also reiterated the Indira Sawhney Judgement, according to which Reservations are constitutionally valid if they do not go beyond 50%. The Karnataka government launched "Apthamitra" helpline with an exclusive toll free number and a National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April mobile app, aimed at providing required medical advice and guidance for those in need.

 If anyone has symptoms of coronavirus, they can call the helpline from their home, get medical advice or assistance and get their doubts cleared.  Based on the symptoms, an expert team of doctors will advice on what to do next.  The 'Apthamitra' helpline will work from 8 AM to 8 PM, with helpline Centers at six In India, April 24 is considered historic as it is locations in Bengaluru (four centers), Mysore observed as National Panchayati Raj Day. and Mangalore (Bantwal).  Every year the day is celebrated since the passing of the Constitution Act (73rd SC quashes order providing 100% reservation to Amendment), 1992 came into force from 24 ST candidates in scheduled areas of Andhra April, 1993. Pradesh

 Each year to celebrate the inception of Unique and first of its kind facility in the country, a decentralised power, National Panchayati Raj Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Research Day is celebrated. Laboratory has been inaugurated in Hyderabad at the  Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is ESI medical college. credited with laying the foundation of Panchayati Raj institutions in order to take  Developed by the DRDO, the Biosafety democracy to the grassroots level. level-3 laboratory can test thousand samples for Coronavirus daily and can scale up to CSIR's IMMT develops foot-operated wash 2000 in future. basins  The laboratory also has a facility to trial drugs and conduct research on Coronavirus.  The laboratory has been developed in less than two weeks.

Manipur govt commemorates ‘Khongjom Day’

In the time of the coronavirus crisis, CSIR's Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology has come up with foot-operated wash basins.

 These basins will be installed in Mumbai's Dharavi, a densely-populated slum area which has so far reported 189 cases of the infection. The Manipur state government commemorated  These wash basins are such that users do not ‘Khongjom Day’ at Khongjom War Memorial have to use their hands to get water or soap, Complex, on 23rd April. thus helping in minimising the chance of coronavirus spread.  The Khongjom Day is celebrated every year  Designed by IMMT scientist P C Deuria and on April 23 by the State government to pay technical officer R K Mondal the foot- tribute to the war heroes of Anglo-Manipuri operated machine has pedals. War 1891 who had sacrificed their lives  Pressing one will dispense soap, while fighting against the British to protect freedom another will release water. of Manipur.  The site is about 35 KM south of Imphal in India's first Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Thoubal district where the battle was fight Research Laboratory inaugurated in Hyderabad between Manipuri and British.

UP becomes first state with in-house facility of virtual courts

Uttar Pradesh has become the first state to have the requisite infrastructure in all its courts for hearing cases through video conferencing.

 The Allahabad High Court took a number of initiatives to facilitate court proceedings through video conferencing.  Recently a software has been installed in the high court and district courts of the state.  The Allahabad High Court and all district courts of Uttar Pradesh can now conduct multiple court proceedings through virtual courts within the court premises without any internet connectivity. The government has decided to amend the World Bank approves Rs 585 cr for Himachal insolvency law to suspend up to one year provisions Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project that trigger insolvency proceedings against defaulters.

 The amendments to the IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) would pave the way for banks to restructure loans.  The coronavirus outbreak and the nationwide lockdown to curb spreading of infections have significantly impacted economic activities and the latest decision in a way provides more leeway for corporate borrowers in repaying their loans.  As per existing norms, if a payment default The World Bank has approved 82 million US dollars exceeds 90 days then the lender concerned (585 crore rupees) for the Himachal Pradesh State has to refer the account for resolution under Roads Transformation Project (HPSRTP) for IBC or any other mechanism permitted by the upgradation of major roads and modernization of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The lender does Public Works Department in the state. not have the option to restructure the loan.  Currently, RBI norms prohibit restructuring  The work of construction and maintenance of of loans and resolution has to be done under road projects in the State has been adversely IBC. affected due to the lockdown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. NASA develops ‘VITAL’ ventilator specifically to  The target of construction of 900 kilometres treat COVID-19 patients road length was fixed for the year 2019-20 but 800 kilometres roads could be constructed during the outbreak of coronavirus.  On the other hand 1666 crore rupees had been allocated for target construction of 4960 kilometres of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) for the year 2020-21.

Govt to suspend IBC provisions up to 1-year

NASA engineers have developed a new, easy-to-  Also, it will enable officials to work from build high-pressure ventilator tailored specifically to home. treat COVID-19 patients. IIT Delhi develops COVID-19 dashboard  The device called VITAL (Ventilator ‘PRACRITI’ that accounts for the basic Intervention Technology Accessible Locally) reproduction number passed a critical test this week at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York.  NASA added that VITAL is designed to treat patients with milder symptoms, thereby keeping the country's limited supply of traditional ventilators available for patients with more severe COVID-19 symptoms.  NASA is now seeking FDA approval for the device via an emergency use authorization.  VITAL can be built faster and maintained more easily than a traditional ventilator, and IIT Delhi researchers have developed a web-based is composed of far fewer parts, many of dashboard for predicting the spread of COVID-19 in which are currently available to potential India. manufacturers through existing supply chains.  The mobile-friendly dashboard, named as PRACRITI (PRediction and Assessment of CISF launches ''e-karyalay'' app for movement of CoRona Infections and Transmission in files India), gives detailed state-wise and district- wise predictions of COVID-19 cases in India.  The projections are given for a three-week period, which is updated on a weekly basis.  The researchers believe that such a platform will be highly useful for healthcare bodies, local and central authorities, to efficiently plan for different future scenarios and resource allocation.  A key parameter of interest on COVID-19 is the basic reproduction number R0 and its Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has countrywide variability. launched an e-office application, that enables  R0 refers to the number of people to whom movement of files and documents without physical the disease spreads from a single infected touch. person.  PRACRITI provides the R0 values of each  The app has been launched for usage in the district and state in India based on the data 1.62 lakh personnel-strong force to prevent available from sources such as the Ministry coronavirus infection. of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW),  The application called ''e-karyalay'' Govt. of India; National Disaster (electronic office) has been designed by the Management Authority (NDMA), and World in-house technical team of the force. Health Organisation (WHO).  This application has been hosted at CISF cloud with all security arrangements in place Andhra govt revives ‘zero interest’ loan scheme to safeguard the data. for women self-help groups

starting cultivation and movement of essential supplies and to bring relief materials to Lahaul Valley in wake of COVID-19.  Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh government revived the ''zero interest'' loan scheme for women self-help groups Montek Ahluwalia to head expert group for post- (SHGs) in the state. COVID-19 revival in Punjab

 Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy re- launched the scheme by releasing a sum of Rs 1,400 crore for the SHGs.  The decision is expected to benefit over 8.78 lakh SHGs in the state involving over 93.80 lakh women.  Under the scheme, each SHG will receive sums ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 towards the interest component on their loans.  The zero interest scheme was first launched by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in The Punjab government has constituted an expert united Andhra Pradesh in 2011, under which group, headed by former deputy chairman of the the state government bore the interest burden Planning Commission and economist, Montek Singh on loans extended to the women SHGs. Ahluwalia, to form a post-COVID-19 revival strategy for the state. BRO opens Rohtang Pass after clearing snow  The group, which includes economy and industry experts, shall recommend to the Punjab government a short-term (one year) as well as a medium-term action plan, including a fiscal management strategy, along with other policy measures to revive the state's economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, as per an official release.  The 20-member group has been mandated to submit its initial set of recommendations by Border Roads Organization (BRO) has opened July 31. Rohtang Pass, more than three weeks in advance  Montek Singh Ahluwalia is an Indian after clearing snow. economist and civil servant who was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning  It is the arterial road connecting Lahaul and Commission of India Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh from rest of the country. Celebrations of Madurai Chithirai festival of  Himachal Pradesh Government had Kallalagar temple cancelled approached BRO to expedite the snow clearance to facilitate return of farmers for

welcomed by the general public, industrialists and the commercial circles.

CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan launches Jeevan Shakti Yojana in Madhya Pradesh

The Kallalagar temple management said that all functions pertaining to the Madurai Chithirai festival in Tamil Nadu, have been cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

 In Madurai, the two-week-long Chithirai In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh festival is among the biggest celebrations. Chauhan launched the Jeevan Shakti Yojana.  The occasion re-enacts the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi (Lord Vishu’s sister) Under this scheme, women in urban areas can earn and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) by making masks at home.

Thuthukudi airport in Tamilnadu upgraded to  The government will pay them Rs 11 per level 3 mask.  The Chief Minister said that women wishing to make masks will have to register themselves by calling on the Call Centre number through their telephone or mobile.  After registration, they will get an order to make masks on their mobiles.  They will get orders to make at least 200 masks at a time. The mask should be made of cotton cloth.  After making the mask, they will submit their masks to the nodal officer appointed by the The Thuthukudi airport in Tamilnadu, near the government. strategically important Bay of Bengal coast, has been  Its payment will be credited to their account upgraded to level 3 by the Airport Authority of India. on the same day or the next day.  This signifies a rise in the operational Assam govt deposited Rs 2000 to 1.6 lakh people potentials of the airport and increases the who stranded outside the state scope of getting more funds for expansion activities. The Assam government has deposited 2000 rupees to  The airport runway is at present being 1.6 lakh people who are stranded outside the state extended to 3115 metres to enable bigger under Assam Cares initiative. planes to use it.  With the work of setting up a 720 acre industrial park in Ththukudi well underway,  5 lakh 90 thousand people have responded to the upgrading of Thuthukudi airport has been the Assam Cares initiative.

 Out of these, 1.6 lakh people after The King George Medical University in Uttar verification received the incentive so far. Pradesh has become the first government hospital in  Apart from that, 758 cancer, heart, the country to successfully launch the plasma therapy kidney patients who are stranded outside the treatment for the COVID-19 patients. state due to lock down have also been given 25 thousand rupees each.  The first dose of the plasma therapy was given to a 58-year old patient. Andhra Pradesh launches 'Covid Pharma' app to  The plasma was already secured from the keep track of people buying medicines for cough, three recovered COVID-19 patients who cold and fever from pharmacies were treated at KGMU itself.  The 58-year old COVID-19 patient who was on ventilator has shown signs of recovery and a second dose of the plasma transfusion therapy can be given.  If this patient recovers successfully then it will be a great step in treating the serious patients with the help of plasma transfusion therapy.

Uttar Pradesh government bans all public functions till 30th June

The Medical and Health Department of Andhra Pradesh launched 'Covid Pharma', a mobile application to keep a track of people purchasing medicines over-the-counter (OTC) for cough, cold and fever from medical stores across the state.

 Using the App, the respective pharmacies will have to take down details of persons, including their mobile number, making OTC Uttar Pradesh government has banned all public purchase of medicines for such common functions till the 30th of June. ailments and report to the government.  This will help the government in easily  Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed tracing persons with any likely symptoms of officers that no public gathering should be coronavirus. allowed in the state till June 30 amid the coronavirus outbreak. King George Medical University in Lucknow  The move comes after the Chief Minister becomes 1st govt hospital in country to held a meeting with chairpersons of 11 successfully launch Plasma Therapy Treatment committees of the state over the COVID-19 for COVID-19 situation.  The restriction will have a direct impact on Eid festivities, apart from other religious gatherings.

Kerala govt hospital deploys robot to serve food, medicines to COVID-19 patients

 ASHA workers and multi-purpose workers will collect the medicines and deliver them to the patients’ families.

Narendra Singh Tomar releases SOP for e-Gram Swaraj Yojana platform and mobile App

A government hospital in Ernakulam, Kerala has deployed a robot to serve food and medicines to coronavirus patients.

 Malayalam star Mohanlal's Viswasanthi Foundation donated the autonomous robot to the COVID-19 ward of the Ernakulam Union Minister of Rural Development and government medical college hospital. Panchayati Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar issued a  The robot named 'KARMI-Bot' will be used detailed guideline of the SVAMITVA Scheme aimed to assist patients at the medical college's at providing people residing in Rural parts with the COVID-19 isolation ward. right to document their residential properties.  The robot is developed by ASIMOV robotics, a company working under maker village of  Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Kerala start-up mission. regarding the e-Gram Swaraj Yojana  The purpose of this project is to limit the platform and mobile App, was launched on interaction between COVID-19 patients and this occasion. health workers as well as to address the  This would also help in resolving property shortage of PPE kits by minimizing its use. related disputes and would also enable creation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Assam govt launches Dhanwantari scheme for Development Plans. home delivery of medicines  The pilot phase of the scheme will extend to six states namely Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand covering approximately one lakh villages.  Mr. Tomar informed that it will ensure that the funds given to the panchayats are not misused and transparency can be established.

ADB approves USD 1.5 bn loan to India to help The Assam government has launched a new scheme fight coronavirus Dhanwantari under which locally unavailable medicines are provided to the patients at home.

 Medicines below 200 rupees will be provided free of cost to patients.  Under the scheme, locally unavailable medicines due to the lockdown shall be delivered to patients at home.

Asian Development Bank has approved a 1.5 billion dollars loan to India to help fund its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

 The loan has been sanctioned with a view to support immediate priorities such as disease containment and prevention, as well as social

protection for the poor and economically vulnerable sections. Government has announced around 11 per cent  The quick-disbursing fund is part of a larger increase in annual central allocation of cooking cost package of support that ADB will provide in under Mid-day meal scheme to 8 thousand 100 crore close coordination with the government and rupees in view of the situation arising out of COVID- other development partners. 19.

Govt allows employees of IT companies to work  The annual central allocation of cooking cost from home till July 31 for procurement of pulses, vegetable, oil, spices and fuel under Mid Day Meal Scheme was 7 thousand 300 crore rupees.  Considering the health of the students, during the lockdown, ration is being provided under mid-day meal for the children to get adequate and nutritious food.  The scheme covers more than 12 crore children studying in over 11 lakh schools Employees of Information Technology (IT) across the country. companies can work from home till July 31 as the  The Midday Meal Scheme comes under the government has extended the relaxation of VPN HRD Ministry’s Department of School norms till the end of July. Education and Literacy.  It was launched in the year 1995 as a centrally  Information Technology Minister Ravi sponsored scheme. Shankar Prasad held a meeting with IT ministers from all states in which he Portal of Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand communicated the decision. opened  Companies were earlier not allowed to connect the office VPN to home infrastructure.  Other exemptions include the requirement of security deposit and agreement for WFH facility for IT and IT-enabled services.  Whether employees are allowed to work from home or when they will be asked to return to office will be at the discretion of the company. The portal of the central Himalayan shrine of Govt decides to provide Mid-day meals to Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand opened after the students during summer vacation in wake of winter break. situation arising out of COVID 19

 The portals were thrown open amid chanting  The projects worth 2 thousand crore rupees of Vedic Mantras and performance of have started in the state. necessary rituals.  2 thousand people are working at Guwahati  Chardham Yatra is suspended due to and Numaligarh offices of the NRL. nationwide lockdown following the Covid 19  NRL initially adopted the work from home pandemic. method during lock down period.  Kedarnath Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. MP CM launches 'Jeevan Amrit Yojana' scheme  Located on the Garhwal Himalayan range to boost immunity system of citizens near the Mandakini river, Kedarnath is located in the state of Uttarakhand.  Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April and November.

NLC India commences coal production at Talabira-II & III Opencast Coal Mine

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Jeevan Amrit Yojana, a unique scheme to boost the immunity system of citizens of the state.

 Under this scheme, the State Government will distribute a packet of special Trikatu Churna prepared by the AYUSH Department NLC India has commenced coal production at its free of cost to the citizens. Talabira-II and III Opencast Coal Mine in Odisha.  In this time of Corona crisis it is necessary that every person has good immunity power,  Tamil Nadu-based Navaratna company said so that this virus does not affect us. its production marked the entry of NLC India  Under Jeevan Amrit yojna, packets of 50 into the coal mining sector in the state. grams each of the kadha have been prepared  The Talabira II and III coal mines were by Madhya Pradesh Laghu Vanopaj Sangh in allotted to this Navratna firm in 2016 to meet collaboration with the Department of the requirement of its existing and future AYUSH. coal-fired power plants.  This kadha made of peepal, ginger and black  The company had said that the production of pepper is being distributed free of cost to one 20 million tonnes of coal per annum from crore people in rural and urban areas of the these two coal blocks would fuel its 4,200 state. MW thermal power projects in that state. Andhra Pradesh CM launches 'Jagananna Vidya Numaligarh Refinery Ltd begins operations with Deevena' Scheme precautions Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y. S.Jaganmohan In Assam, the Numaligarh Refinery Limited, NRL Reddy has launched the 'Jagananna Vidya Deevena' has started economic activities with all proper Scheme at Tedepalli, in Guntur District in AP. precautions.  Under this scheme over Rs 4 Thousand Crores of funds have been released along

with Rs 1880 crore towards the pending HVDS through the installation of about amount left by the earlier government. 46,800 kilometers of 11 kilovolt (kV) grid  Under this scheme, fee reimbursement will extension lines, construction and upgrading be credited directly to mothers’ accounts of 121 33/11 kV distribution substations. instead of college accounts in the coming academic year 2020-21. Cauvery Water Management Authority brought  An amount of INR 15,000 To INR 20,000 under Jal Shakti Ministry will be offered for the eligible candidates through the Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme.  Orders have been issued to the colleges to reimburse the entire fee amount paid by all the parents during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20.

ADB gives $ 346 mn loan for power sector in rural Maharashtra

The Centre has officially brought the Cauvery Water Management Authority under the Jal Shakti Ministry.

 The officials said the CWMA was earlier under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.  However, with the Modi government forming the Jal Shakti Ministry to deal with water- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved related issues, the Water Resources, River a USD 346 million (around Rs 2,616 crore) loan to Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has Indian government to provide reliable power taken the form of a department under it. connection in rural areas of Maharashtra.  Water management authorities of other rivers too have been brought under the Jal Shakti  Maharashtra is the second-most populous Ministry as they were also under the state in India, and about half of the state’s erstwhile Ministry of Water Resources, River labour force is engaged in agriculture and Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. related activities in the rural areas.  In 2018, the Centre constituted the Cauvery  The loan will support the state government’s Water Management Authority (CWMA) to high voltage distribution system (HVDS) address the dispute over sharing of river program for new grid-connected rural water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala agricultural customers across the state. and Puducherry.  The loan will be under ADB’s results-based lending (RBL) modality, where fund Amur Falcon tagging mission a success disbursements are linked to the achievement of agreed programme results rather than to The GPS Satellite Radio transmitters tagging on upfront expenditures. Amur Falcons which were released from Manipur in  This first ADB-financed RBL program in the first week of November last year have succeeded South Asia’s energy sector will help in the and one falcon returned back to Manipur after early construction and installation of metered

covering around 20,000 km up to Somalia of South SAMAGRA SHIKSHA Abhiyan among Africa. students of schools and Madrassas.

 Manipur Forest Department in collaboration Chhattisgarh tops among other states in with scientists from Wildlife Institute of India providing employment to workers under (WII), Dehradun and local people had MGNREGS released five satellite tagged Amur Falcons from Tamenglong district of Manipur.  One falcon named Chinwal has returned back from Somalia after staying there for three months and reached Myanmar.  The bird will further fly around 5,000 km towards their breeding ground -Northern China –Mongolia border area.  The mission has succeeded this time and some roosting sites in Manipur have also been identified through tagging this time. Chhattisgarh has topped the list of states in providing  The bird reached the jungles of some part of employment to over 18 lakh unskilled labourers Nagaland state and Tamenglong district of under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Manipur in mid October every year to build Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). fate reserves.  Around 77.85 lakh people are engaged in Tripura cabinet to start ‘neighborhood classes’ different work under the scheme across the besides tele-classes for students amid lockdown country.  The national participation of the workers working in the state is 24 per cent, which is the highest in the country.  Chhattisgarh has topped the country in providing employment to 18.51 lakh workers under MGNREGS.  Rajasthan has provided employment to 10.79 lakh workers under the rural employment guarantee scheme and Uttar Pradesh is at third position with around 9.06 lakh workers In Tripura, the state cabinet has decided to start engaged by it. ‘neighborhood classes’ in addition to the ongoing online and televised/aired classes to ensure every Assam SDMA engages 14,000 citizens as student gets an education during the lockdown 'Pratirodhi Bondhu' to fight against COVID-19 period.

 In these neighborhood classes, one teacher will be teaching a maximum of five students until school classes resume.  Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the state education department has appealed to school teachers to take part in the new initiative.  The state Education Department has started distribution of free textbooks under

Assam State Disaster Management Authority  Exports during April-February this fiscal (ASDMA) has come up with a novel idea to create a dipped by 1.5 per cent to 292.91 billion cadre of volunteers under the name and style of dollars. ‘Pratirodhi Bondhu’ using the existing volunteers  Imports during the period declined by 7.30 from ASLRM, NULM, Aapada Mitra, Indian Red per cent to 436 billion dollars, leaving a trade Cross Society, Nehru Yuvak Kendra, NCC and NSS. deficit of 143.12 billion dollars.

 Pratirodhi Bondhu are working as volunteers India’s foreign exchange reserves rise by 5.65 in creating awareness including social billion after falling for 2 weeks distancing across Assam.  One such volunteer has been assigned to reach out to 100 families in his or her locality.  The volunteers are also extending online support to the people.  Official sources said that citizen between 18 to 50 years have been deployed as Pratirodhi Bondhu.

After falling for two weeks in a row, India’s foreign exchange reserves have surged by $5.65 billion to $475.56 billion in the week ended on 27th of March. Govt extends existing foreign trade policy (2015- 20) for one year till March 2021  Foreign currency assets, a major part of the overall reserves, increased by $2.56 billion to $439.66 billion.  In the previous week, the reserves had declined by $11.98 billion to $469.91 billion as the RBI was supplying dollars to contain fall in the rupee, which has breached the 76 mark against the US Dollar.  Gold reserves also increased by $3.03 billion to $30.89 billion.  India's special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund went up by $14 million to $1.42 billion, while the country's The Government extended the existing foreign trade reserve position also increased by $44 million policy (2015-20) for one year till March 2021 amid to $3.58 billion. coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown. ADB expects India GDP to slip to 4 pc in 2020-21  The existing foreign trade policy 2015-20 which is valid up to March 31 this year is The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected extended up to March 31, 2021. India’ growth to slow down to 4% in the current  Various other changes are also made fiscal year, citing weak global demand and the extending the date of exemptions by one year government’s COVID-19 containment efforts. and extending validity of DFIA and EPCG authorisations for import purposes.  The outlook for India remains subdued, with growth slowing from 5.0% last fiscal year to

4.0% this year, it said in the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020 released.  The ADO is its annual flagship economic publication.  The bank expects the country’s gross domestic product growth to strengthen to 6.2% in FY22, boosted by government reforms.  The forecast assumes that the Covid-19 pandemic dissipates and full economic The Competition Commission of India (CCI) activity resumes from the second quarter of approves the proposed acquisition of 80.1% stake by this fiscal year. Hitachi in the power grid business of ABB Limited.

Airtel Payments Bank partners with Bharti AXA  The proposed combination envisages General to offer coronavirus insurance policy acquisition of 80.1% share capital of ABB Management Holding AG (ABB Management) by Hitachi Limited (Hitachi) from ABB Limited (ABB).  ABB Management will hold the entire power grid business of ABB (Target Business).  Hitachi, headquartered in Japan, is the parent company of the Hitachi group of companies.  It is active in a variety of business segments including IT Solution, Energy Solution, Airtel Payments Bank has tied up with Bharti AXA Industry Solution, Mobility Solution, and General Insurance to launch a coronavirus insurance Smart Life Solution. policy. Global trade will plunge by up to a third in 2020:  The Bharti AXA Group Health Assure Policy WTO comes with a fixed cover offering 100 per cent sum insured as a lump sum, if the policy holder is diagnosed positive or gets quarantined in a government hospital or military facility/establishment.  The policy can be purchased at a price of Rs 499 (including GST) for fixed sum insured of Rs 25,000.  The insurance policy can be purchased directly from the banking section of the 'Airtel Thanks App' or by visiting the nearest active banking point-of-sales (POS) of Airtel The World Trade Organization (WTO) said that the Payments Bank. Global trade could drop by a third this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. CCI approves Hitachi's proposed acquisition of 80.1% in power grid business of ABB Limited  COVID-19 has completely upended the global economy and with it international trade.  The global trade body was projecting that "trade in 2020 will fall steeply in every region

of the world, and basically across all sectors  The report noted that these are very of the economy”. preliminary forecasts based on the data and  North America and Asia would be hardest-hit information available up to March 10. and could see their exports plunge by 40 and 36 percent respectively, while Europe and Jana Small Finance Bank Launches DIGIGEN - South America could see declines of more Simple Digital Banking for Savings Account & than 30 percent. Fixed Deposits  In its main annual forecast, the 164-member WTO pointed out that trade had already been slowing in 2019, before the emergence of the novel coronavirus.  WTO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland  Membership: 164 member states  Founded: 1 January 1995  Director-General: Roberto Azevêdo

India's GDP projected at 4.8%: UN report

Jana Small Finance Bank, a scheduled commercial bank, launched DIGIGEN platform.

 DIGIGEN is a digital banking platform where customers can digitally open a Savings Account and Fixed Deposit instantly; anytime, anywhere.  DIGIGEN onboarding is a hassle-free, three- According to a UN report, India's GDP growth for step process to open an account. the current fiscal is expected to slow down to 4.8 per  True to its brand promise 'paise ki kadar', cent. customers are eligible for an attractive 4.5% p.a. interest rates on Savings Account with no  It warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is minimum balance and up to 7.50%* p.a. expected to result in significant adverse interest on Fixed Deposits. economic impacts globally.  The UN 'Economic and Social Survey of Asia RBI urges bank customers to adopt digital and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards payment modes, launches Twitter campaign sustainable economies' said that COVID-19 is having far-reaching economic and social consequences for the region, with strong cross-border spillover effects through trade, tourism and financial linkages.  India's GDP growth for the fiscal year 2019- 2020 was estimated at 5 percent and is forecast to slow down to 4.8 per cent for the current fiscal 2020-21.  Economic growth for the country could stand at 5.1 per cent for fiscal year 2021-22.

Reserve Bank of India urged bank customers to adopt plan paid to the customer on positive digital modes of payment that are convenient and diagnosis of COVID-19. safe.  It is priced at an annual premium of ₹159.  Additionally, the policy provides health  The usage of digital modes to make assistance benefit, virtual and transactions has become all the more teleconsultation benefit, and ambulance important as the ongoing 21-day nationwide assistance. lockdown, imposed to maintain social  It allows Flipkart's customers to submit distancing to contain the spread of the digital copies of the claim document to the coronavirus, has restricted the movement of insurer for processing. people.  In a Twitter campaign launched in public People's Bank of China now owns 1.01% stake in interest, the RBI emphasised on transacting HDFC digitally as it gives the convenience of making payments anytime and anywhere.  The face of the campaign is Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.  The RBI, through the campaign, reiterated the multiple digital payment options such as NEFT, IMPS, UPI and BBPS that are available 24*7.

Flipkart, ICICI Lombard, Go Digit to offer COVID-19 focused health insurance The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has bought 1.01 per cent stake in the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC).

 PBOC held 1.75 crore shares of HDFC during the quarter that ended in March.  HDFC Vice Chairman and CEO Keki Mistry said the PBOC has been an existing shareholder and had owned 0.8 per cent in the company as of March 2019.  Due to the coronavirus crisis, HDFC shares fell nearly 39.87 per cent this year from a E-commerce marketplace Flipkart, in partnership high of Rs 2,493 to a low of Rs 1,499 last with ICICI Lombard and Go Digit General week. Insurance, has launched health insurance policies on its platform that distinctly cover COVID-19. Apple books coronavirus domain name after Google collaboration  Enabling health cover for consumers combating the global pandemic, the two Apple has booked a domain name called health insurance policies come with instant AppleCoronavirus.com, after the iPhone maker and claim benefits and do not require any medical Google last week announced a joint effort to enable tests at the time of purchase. the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments  The COVID-19 Protection Cover by ICICI and health agencies reduce the spread of the new Lombard provides an instant ₹25,000 benefit coronavirus.

 Apple and Google are launching a Google has launched 'Nearby Spot' under Google comprehensive solution that includes Pay using which users in Bengaluru can see local application programming interfaces (APIs) stores selling essentials like groceries that are open, and operating system-level technology to amid the lockdown. assist in enabling contact tracing.  The Nearby Spot will be launched in Retail inflation eases to 5.91 percent in March Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi soon.  The company has also launched the COVID- 19 Spot on Google Pay that aggregates all pertinent information on the topic, sourced directly from the Health Ministry.  This Spot also helps users donate to the PM- CARES Fund or to NGOs such as SEEDS, Give India, United Way and Charities Aid Foundation that are working towards procurement of protective equipment for Retail inflation slowed to 5.91 per cent in March over medical workers and relief for lockdown- the previous month, mainly due to easing food prices impacted daily wagers. as per the government data released. Hindalco closes $2.8-billion acquisition of US-  The retail inflation based on Consumer Price based Aleris Corp Index (CPI) was 6.58 per cent in February 2020 and 2.86 per cent in March 2019.  The inflation in the food basket was 8.76 per cent in March 2020, lower from 10.81 per cent in the previous month, as per the CPI data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).  The Reserve Bank of India mainly factors in the retail inflation while deciding its bi- monthly monetary policy.  The government has mandated the central bank to keep inflation at around 4 per cent. Nearly two years after signing a deal to take over Ohio-based aluminium rolled products maker Aleris Google Pay launches 'Nearby Spot' to help users Corp, Kumar Mangalam Birla’s Hindalco Industries find local stores selling essentials finally completed the acquisition through its subsidiary Novelis Inc.

 The enterprise value of the deal, at $2.8 billion, is slightly higher than the initial estimate of $2.58 billion.  With the deal closure, Hindalco is now one of the world’s largest aluminium makers.  Aleris has long-term supply contracts with aircraft makers Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier.

 The acquisition will also give Hindalco The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a access to the aluminium supply market for reduction in reverse repo rate by 25 basis points from the building and construction segments. 4 percent to 3.75 per cent.

Asia expected to witness zero % growth in 2020 :  This announcement has been made to IMF facilitate bank credit flows amid the coronavirus crisis and subsequent countrywide lockdown which has brought economic activity to a virtual halt.  However, it kept the repo rate unchanged.  Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks, and reverse repo rate is the rate at which it borrows from them.

RBI launches latest round of quarterly survey on manufacturing sector The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Asia is expected to witness zero percent growth in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 It will be its worst growth performance in almost 60 years  The IMF in a blog titled 'COVID-19 Pandemic and the Asia-Pacific Region: Lowest Growth Since the 1960s' further said the impact of the coronavirus on the region will be "severe and unprecedented".  This is the worst growth performance in The Reserve Bank of India launched the latest round almost 60 years, including during the Global of quarterly order books, inventories and capacity Financial Crisis, when the growth stood at 4.7 utilisation survey (OBICUS) of manufacturing percent; and the Asian Financial Crisis when sector. it stood at 1.3 percent."  It further noted that "Asia still looks to fare  The RBI has been conducting the OBICUS of better than other regions in terms of activity". the manufacturing sector on a quarterly basis since 2008. RBI slashes reverse repo rate by 25 bps to 3.75 per  The information collected in the survey cent to inject liquidity includes quantitative data on new orders received during the reference quarter, backlog of orders, pending orders, total inventories with a breakup between work-in- progress (WiP) and finished goods (FG) inventories and item-wise production.

TVS Motor Company completes acquisition of Norton for Rs 153 crore

 It has now been decided to increase the WMA limit of states by 60% over and above the level as on March 31, 2020.  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gives temporary loan facilities to the central and state governments. This loan facility is called Ways and Means Advances (WMA).  Also, The central bank has reduced the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) requirement for banks to 80 per cent from 100 per cent TVS Motor Company has announced the acquisition with immediate effect as a relief to these of Britain's iconic sporting motorcycle Norton in an lenders. all-cash deal for 16 million pounds (about Rs 153 crore). New Development Bank's to provide 1 billion dollar emergency assistance to India  TVS Motor will acquire certain assets of Norton Motorcycles UK Ltd through one of its overseas subsidiaries.  Norton Motorcycles is among the most popular British motorcycle brands of all time and is considered one of the most emotive marques.  Since the 20th century, Norton Motorcycles is renowned for its classic models and eclectic range of luxury motorcycles.

RBI increases WMA limit for states by another Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman appreciated 30% efforts of New Development Bank on fast tracking of financial assistance of about five billion dollars to BRICS countries including Emergency Assistance of one billion dollar to India to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

 The NDB was established by the BRICS countries -Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in 2014.  NDB has so far approved 14 indian projects for an amount of 4,183 million dollar.  The purpose of the Bank is to mobilise The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has provided relief resources for infrastructure and sustainable to state governments by raising their short-term development projects in BRICS and other borrowing limit by an additional 30%. emerging market economies.

 This is estimated to create a space for Rs Facebook acquires 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio 12,000 crore for the state governments for Rs 43,574 crore looking to raise money.  The central bank had on April 1 announced raising the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit of states by 30%.

 The RBI data showed that gold reserves increased USD 1.54 billion to USD 32.68 billion in the reporting week.

Vodafone Idea ties up with Paytm to launch ‘Recharge Saathi’

Reliance Jio, the telecom unit of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), has sold a 9.99 per cent stake to US tech giant Facebook for $5.7 billion, or Rs 43,574 crore.

 The multibillion-dollar deal will make Facebook the largest minority shareholder in Jio Platforms Limited.  This is the largest investment for a minority Vodafone Idea and Paytm, a digital payments and stake by a technology company anywhere in financial services platform, have launched ‘Recharge the world and the largest FDI in the Saathi’ programme which helps individuals and technology sector in India. small businesses to earn an additional income.  Facebook would focus on collaborating its messaging platform WhatsApp with  The programme will enable any Paytm Reliance's e-commerce venture JioMart to customers (following a registration) to start enable people to connect with small selling Vodafone and Idea recharges on businesses. Paytm app.  They can start selling mobile recharges by Country's foreign exchange reserves surge by downloading and registering on the Paytm over 3 billion dollars app.  Vodafone Idea will also give an assured cashback to merchant partners for multiple recharges.  Individuals and small businesses, such as pharmacists, milk booth operators, newspaper vendors and individuals, would be able to earn up to ₹5,000 every month under the programme.

RBI announces Special Liquidity Facility for Country's foreign exchange reserves surged by USD Mutual Funds of Rs 50,000 crore 3.09 billion to USD 479.57 billion in the week to April 17 due to an increase in foreign currency assets.

 According to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of India, in the reporting week ended April 17, foreign currency assets (FCA), a major component of the overall reserves, rose USD 1.55 billion to USD 441.88 billion.

The Reserve Bank of India announced a Special Airtel Inks $1 Billion Multi-year Deal With Nokia Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds (SLF-MF) of to Enhance 5G Network Capacity in India 50,000 crore rupees with a view to easing liquidity pressures on MFs.

 The RBI has stated that it remains vigilant and will take whatever steps are necessary to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 and preserve financial stability.  The heightened volatility in capital markets in reaction to COVID-19 has imposed liquidity strains on Mutual Funds, which Bharti Airtel has inked a $1 billion (nearly Rs 7,636 have intensified in the wake of redemption crore), multi-year deal with Nokia to deploy the 5G- pressures related to closure of some debt MFs ready solutions across nine circles in the country. and potential contagious effects therefrom.  The Apex bank has said that under the  Nokia, which is the largest 4G vendor in the Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds Airtel network, will help lay the foundation (SLF-MF), the RBI shall conduct repo for providing 5G connectivity in the future by operations of 90 days tenor at the fixed repo deploying 300,000 radio units across several rate. spectrum bands in those circles expected to be completed by 2022. India Ratings lowers GDP growth rate further to  Nokia's SRAN solution helps operators 1.9% manage their 2G, 3G and 4G networks from one platform reducing network complexity, increasing cost efficiencies and future- proofing investment.

Axis Bank to acquire 29% stake in Max Life Insurance

India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra), a Fitch group company, has further slashed its estimate for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate to 1.9 per cent for 2020-21.

 This will be the lowest after India recorded growth rate at 1.1 per cent in 1991-92. The board of Axis Bank has approved purchase of an  The agency revised its estimate from the additional 29% stake in Max Life Insurance which March 30 announcement of 3.6 per cent GDP will take the private lender's total stake in the insurer growth to 1.9 per cent. to 30%.  The agency’s estimate is at par with IMF (1.9 per cent) and close to the World Bank (1.5-  Max Financial Services presently holds a 2.8 per cent), but lower than ADB (4 72.5% stake in Max Life and Mitsui percent). Sumitomo Insurance (MSI) owns 25.5% stake.

 Axis Bank also has a minor stake in the life insurer. Axis Bank is the third largest private bank and Max Life is the fourth largest private life insurer in India.  Post completion of the series of transactions, Max Life will become a 70:30 joint-venture between Max Financial Services and Axis Bank. Sundaram Finance has announced the appointment of D Lakshminarayanan as the Managing Director of its wholly owned subsidiary, Sundaram Home Finance, effective April 1, 2020.

RBI asks banks to inform about re-appointment  In May 2019, Sundaram Home had inducted cases of MD, CEOs six months in advance Lakshminarayanan, from within the Sundaram Finance group, as Executive Director.  In October, he was appointed as a Whole- time Director on the board of Sundaram Home Finance.

Justice Rajnesh Oswal sworn in as permanent Judge of High Court of J&K, Ladakh under Indian Constitution

The Reserve Bank asked the private sector and foreign banks to intimate it six months in advance in cases of re-appointment of managing director and chief executives as against the present practice of four months.

 The RBI said proposals for appointment of a new MD and CEO or CEO should contain a panel of at least two names in order of preference and the same should be submitted Justice Rajnesh Oswal was sworn in as a permanent at least four months before the expiry of the Judge of the common High Court of Jammu & term of office of the incumbent. Kashmir and Ladakh.  The revised forms aim to enhance disclosure and improve transparency, get more clarity in  He was administered the oath of office by the information being sought and is aligned Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High to the requirements of the Companies Act, Court, Justice Gita Mittal in a simple but 2013. impressive ceremony in Jammu.  He is the first Judge of the High Court to take D Lakshminarayanan named MD of Sundaram oath under the Indian Constitution. Home Finance  All previous Judges of the High Court had taken oath under the constitution of Jammu

and Kashmir, which ceased to have effect  He was the NBA Most Valuable Player in from August 5, 2019. 2008, was Finals MVP twice and earned 18  With the appointment of Justice Oswal, the All-Star selections. strength of Justices of J&K High Court  He was in the United States team that won increased from eight to nine. Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012.  Tim Duncan, a five-time NBA champion Paytm Money founder MD Pravin Jadhav quits with the San Antonio Spurs, and Kevin Garnett, who helped the Boston Celtics win the championship in 2008, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame is named after Dr James Naismith, the Canadian physician who invented basketball.

Three HC judges in Jammu & Kashmir High Court administered oath by Chief Justice Founder MD and CEO of Paytm Money Pravin Jadhav has resigned from his post due to growing differences with the company board.

 Jadhav, who built Paytm’s wealth management arm into India’s leading mutual

fund platform, reportedly quit over issues related to employee stock options (ESOPs) Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar and remuneration. and Justice Puneet Gupta were sworn in as  Paytm Money is part of Paytm parent One97 permanent Judges of the common High Court for the Communications’ growing consumer Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. ecosystem, alongside Paytm, Paytm Mall and Paytm Payments Bank.  The newly appointed Judges were administered the oath of office by Chief Kobe Bryant, eight others selected for Basketball Justice J&K High Court, Justice Gita Mittal Hall of Fame in a simple but impressive ceremony in the Jammu wing of the High Court.  The sitting Judges of the High Court of J&K joined the oath ceremony through Video Conference while sitting in their respective residences.

Bharti AXA Life Insurance appoints Parag Raja as MD & CEO

Kobe Bryant will be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

 The five-time NBA champion died, aged 41, in a helicopter crash in January alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

Bharti AXA Life Insurance announced the appointment of Parag Raja as managing director and chief executive officer of the company.

 The appointment will be subject to the requisite approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).  Raja will succeed Vikas Seth, who led Bharti AXA Life Insurance for the past two-and-a- half years, after April 30, 2020. IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva named former RBI  Prior to joining Bharti AXA Life Insurance, governor Raghuram Rajan and 11 others to her Raja was the Chief Distribution Officer at external advisory group. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI) and responsible for planning and executing the  The group will provide perspectives from strategic direction for expanding the around the globe on key developments and company’s footprint across India. policy issues, including responses to the exceptional challenges the world now faces Anamika Roy Rashtrawar appointed MD & CEO due to the coronavirus pandemic. of IFFCO Tokio  Rajan, 57, who was the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor for three years until September 2016, is currently working as a professor at the prestigious University of Chicago.

Karnataka Bank gets RBI nod to reappoint Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO for 3 yrs

Anamika Roy Rashtrawar has taken charge as MD and CEO of General Insurance with effect from March 27.

 Prior to this elevation, Rashtrawar was whole-time director with the private general insurer, which she had joined in June 2018.  IFFCO Tokio General Insurance is a 51:49 joint venture between IFFCO and Tokio Private sector lender Karnataka Bank has received Marine Group. RBI nod for reappointment of Mahabaleshwara M S  Rashtrawar replaces Warendra Sinha, who as MD and CEO for next three years. retired from the company after leading it for three years.  The regulator has also approved for reappointment of P Jayarama Bhat as part IMF MD ropes in Raghuram Rajan, 11 others to time (non executive) chairman. key external advisory group  The Board of Directors of the Bank have reappointed P Jayarama Bhat as Part Time (Non Executive) Chairman to hold office upto November 13, 2021 (i.e. upto the upper age limit of 70 years) and Mahabaleshwara M

S as Managing Director & CEO of the Bank MD and Country Head of Global Markets for a further period of three years with effect Group. from April 15, 2020.  CARE Ratings Limited is a credit rating agency. Birupaksha Mishra took charge as the Executive  The Company is engaged in providing Director of Union Bank of India financial services other than securities dealing activities.

Vineet Arora appointed MD, CEO of Paytm General Insurance

Birupaksha Mishra has taken over the charge as the executive director of Union Bank of India.

 Prior to this, Mishra was executive director at

erstwhile Corporation Bank, which along with Andhra Bank got amalgamated with Digital payments major Paytm has named Vineet Union Bank from April 1. Arora as the managing director and chief executive  Mishra has more than 35 years of experience officer of Paytm General Insurance Ltd. in various administrative and functional capacities at branches, regional offices and  The appointment, which is subject to also at the corporate office of Corporation regulatory approvals, is a step for Paytm to Bank. further its journey into the insurance sector with an immediate focus on General Ajay Mahajan appointed MD & CEO of CARE Insurance. Ratings  Arora will lead the efforts to provide industry-leading solutions in the general insurance space, where Paytm continues to explore options to enter the sector.  Previously, Arora served as the managing director and chief executive officer of Aegon Life Insurance Company and was part of the India Leadership team.

IWF President Tamas Ajan resigns during

corruption investigation CARE Ratings has appointed Ajay Mahajan as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer for a Tamas Ajan has resigned as president of the period of 5 years commencing from 15 April 2020 up International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) while to 14 April 2025. an investigation into alleged corruption is ongoing.

 Mahajan started his career with Bank of  Ajan, from Hungary, had been at the IWF America in 1990 and went on to become the since 1976, serving 24 years as general secretary and 20 as president.

 American Ursula Papandrea will continue to appointed as a member of the National lead the sport’s governing body as Acting Science Board for a six-year term. President.  Babu would be the third Indian American in this prestigious board. BSNL CMD P K Purwar takes charge of MTNL  The other two being Sethuraman Panchanathan from Arizona State University and Suresh V Garimella from University of Vermont.

Former IAS officer Kapil Dev Tripathi to be new Secretary to President

BSNL chairman and managing director P K Purwar has taken over additional charge of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.

 This is the third time Purwar has been given charge of MTNL CMD in the last six years. Former IAS officer Kapil Dev Tripathi has been  The appointment of Purwar comes at a time appointed as the Secretary to President Ram Nath when both the PSU are reeling under heavy Kovind. debt despite the government offering them a relief package.  The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet  While MTNL has been able to resolve salary approved the appointment of Mr Tripathi for related issues and has only debt of around Rs a term co-terminus with the tenure of the 20,000 crore, BSNL is yet to clear dues of President. employees and vendors.  Mr Tripathi, a 1980 batch IAS officer ( Retired) of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is at US President Trump appoints Indian-American present the Chairman of Public Enterprises to country's top science board Selection Board (PESB).

Bombay, Orissa, Meghalaya high courts to get new chief justices

US President Donald Trump appointed Indian- American Sudarsanam Babu to the country's top science board.

 Babu, who is from the prestigious Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been

The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the appointment of new Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts.

 The top court panel decided to recommend the elevation of Calcutta High Court judge Dipankar Datta as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.  The collegium, headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, also decided to recommend elevation The Reserve Bank of India has given its approval for of Allahabad High Court judge Biswanath the re-appointment of N Kamakodi as MD & CEO of Somadder as Chief Justice of Meghalaya City Union Bank (CUB). High Court.  The collegium also recommended the  He has been appointed for three years with transfer of Meghalaya High Court Chief effect from May 1. Justice Mohammad Rafiq to Orissa High  Kamakodi has been associated with the Court. Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu)-headquartered CUB since 2003. He was elevated as MD and Huawei India appoints David Li as CEO CEO in 2011.

Bajaj Auto''s Rakesh Sharma takes over as IMMA President

Huawei Telecommunications India has appointed David Li as its Chief Executive Officer. The International Motorcycle Manufacturers  He replaces Jay Chen who has been promoted Association (IMMA) has appointed Bajaj Auto to handle Asia Pacific level business roles. Executive Director (ED) Rakesh Sharma as its  Li joined Huawei in 2002 and has experience president. of working in the India market, including in roles like vice president sales and vice  Sharma had been previously holding office as president HR during different phases of his vice-president in IMMA, elected in May career. 2019.  He was serving as CEO of Huawei Cambodia  The election of the new president took place before returning to India to take on his new through a General Assembly by role. correspondence on April 21, 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. RBI gives nod to Kamakodi’s reappointment as  Sharma joined Bajaj Auto in October 2007 as MD & CEO of City Union Bank President (International Business) and is currently the executive director.

BWF Names Sindhu As An Ambassador For Its 'i  Mr Kothari was reportedly shortlisted as the Am Badminton' Campaign Central Vigilance Commissioner in February this year by a high-powered panel headed by the prime minister.

Govt appoints new Secretaries in different Ministries and Departments

World Champion P V Sindhu was unveiled as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)'s 'i am badminton' awareness campaign.

 The campaign provides a platform for players to express their love and respect for The Union Government appointed new Secretaries, badminton by advocating and committing to Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries in clean and honest play. different Ministries and Departments.  Besides Sindhu, other ambassadors include Canada's Michelle Li, Chinese duo of Zheng  Information and Broadcasting Secretary Ravi Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, England's Jack Mittal has been appointed as the Sports Shephard, Germany's Valeska Knoblauch, Secretary. Hong Kong's Chan Ho Yuen and Germany's  Secretary, Higher Education Amit Khare will Marc Zwiebler, who is Athletes' Commission hold additional charge of Ministry of Chair. Information and Broadcasting.  CBSE Chairperson Anita Karwal has been Sanjay Kothari takes oath as Chief Vigilance appointed as Secretary School Education and Commissioner Literacy.  Health Secretary Preeti Sudan, who was to retire this month, has been given a three month extension.  Vice Chairman of Delhi Development Authority Tarun Kapoor will be Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas .  Tarun Bajaj will be Secretary Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance.

Justice Mohammad Rafiq takes oath as Chief President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of Justice of Orissa High Court office to Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)- designate IAS Sanjay Kothari at the Rashtrapati Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal Bhavan. administered the oath to Justice Mohammad Rafiq as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.  Sanjay Kothari was secretary to the president before being nominated to the new role.  Justice Rafiq will serve as the 31st Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

 Justice Rafiq was previously serving as the Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. oath of office to him at Raj Bhavan.  Meanwhile, Justice Biswanath Somadder took oath as the Chief Justice of the  In view of the coronavirus pandemic, a Meghalaya High Court. limited number of guests including Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and a few judges US President Donald Trump nominates Indian- of the high court attended the ceremony. American as US envoy to OECD  Datta succeeds Justice Bhushan Dhamadhikari who retired as chief justice.

T. S. Tirumurti appointed as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to UN

US President Donald Trump has nominated senior Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as America's next envoy to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD.

 Manisha Singh is currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department. T. S. Tirumurti has been appointed as the next  Headquartered in Paris, France, the OECD is Ambassador or Permanent Representative of India to an intergovernmental economic organisation the United Nations. with 36 member countries to stimulate economic progress and world trade.  Tirumurti is an IFS officer of 1985 batch.  She previously served as the Acting Under  He is currently the Secretary in the Ministry Secretary of Economic Growth, Energy and of External Affairs. the Environment, and as a Deputy Assistant  He replaces Sayyad Akbaruddin. Secretary in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs at the State Department. Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar appointed PESB chairman Justice Dipankar Datta takes oath as new Chief Justice of Bombay High Court

Justice Dipankar Datta took oath as the new Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. Maharashtra

Former Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar was appointed Chairman of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) for a period of three years.

 Kumar, 60 and a 1984 batch Jharkhand cadre IAS official, was in July 2019 designated as the Finance Secretary and retired in February this year.  He will succeed the incumbent Kapil Dev Tripathi, a 1980 batch retired Assam- Meghalaya cadre IAS official. Former Karnataka batsman J Arun Kumar was  He took over as the financial services appointed coach of the USA cricket team. secretary in September 2017 and initiated several reforms in the country's banking  Jak, as he is known in the cricketing circles, sector, to clean up the bad loan mess and to has worked with the Karnataka team for make public sector banks (PSBs) stronger. several years and as batting coach with IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab. Deepak Mittal is India's new Ambassador to  Arun Kumar was also in charge of a fledgling Qatar, Piyush Srivastava to Bahrain Puducherry team before quitting in February owing to differences with the association officials.  Arun Kumar, who scored over 7,200 runs in first-class cricket and over 3,000 runs in List 'A' games, had guided Karnataka to a treble for two successive seasons Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Cup, in 2013- 14 and 2014-15.

Deepak Mittal has been appointed India's next Ambassador to Qatar, while Piyush Srivastava goes to Bahrain in the same capacity. Algerian author wins top Arab fiction prize for 'Spartan Court'  Deepak Mittal is a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.  Mittal has served as a Joint Secretary in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.  The new appointees are of the 1998 batch of Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and both of them are expected to take up their assignments shortly.

Former Karnataka batsman J Arun Kumar named as USA national team coach

Algerian author Abdelouahab Aissaoui won a prestigious prize for Arabic fiction with his novel "The Spartan Court".

 Backed by the UK's Booker Prize Foundation, the International Prize for Arabic Wimbledon Tennis tournament canceled for the Fiction (IPAF) is financed by Abu Dhabi's first time since World War-II Department of Culture and Tourism.  Aissaoui will receive $50,000 and funds will be provided to translate the book into English.  Published by Dar Mim, "The Spartan Court" is a historical novel that relates the power struggle between Ottoman and French colonial powers in Algeria at the start of the 19th century.

Adam Higginbotham wins William E. Colby Award Wimbledon, the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament, has been cancelled for the first time since World War-II because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

 Tournament organizer, All England Club (AELTC) after an emergency meeting announced that the Championships 2020 will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the Novel Coronavirus epidemic.  The tournament was due to be played between 29 June and 12 July.  The entire grass-court season has been Adam Higginbotham's "Midnight in Chernobyl: The abandoned, and there will be no professional Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear tennis anywhere in the world until at least 13 Disaster" has won a $5,000 prize. July.

 Higginbotham has received the William E. China to host Asian Youth Games in 2021 Colby Award, given for an outstanding book on military or intelligence history.  The award is named for the late CIA director.  The Colby award was established in 1999. Previous winners include Karl Marlantes' novel "Matterhorn" and Dexter Filkins' "The Forever War." Colby was CIA director during the Nixon and Ford administrations.

Epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic before it gripped Europe and the USA, China will host the

third edition of the Asian Youth Games in Shantou  The three robots, which are going to be the in November next year. mascots for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games are collectively known as the smart triplets.  The Chinese city of Wuhan was the epicentre  The Mascots - Congcong, Lianlian and of the pandemic that is still sweeping across Chenchen, which reflect the internet prowess the world with Western Europe and USA of Hangzhou city and Zhejiang province, being the worst hit currently. were unveiled at a digital ceremony in the  The pandemic has led to the postponement of wake of the COVID-19. the Tokyo Olympics to 2021 and brought  The Olympic Council of Asia's 19th Asian sports events to a halt. Games will be held in Hangzhou from  The OCA has decided to hold the Asian September 10 to 25, 2022. Youth Games from November 20 to 28. 2021 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, scheduled postponed to 2022 in November postponed

The 2021 World Games have been pushed back by a year to avoid clashing with the Tokyo Olympics which were rescheduled due to the coronavirus The FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, which pandemic. was scheduled to be played in India between November 2nd and 21st, has been postponed due to  The World Games, which are held every four the Coronavirus pandemic. years and feature 32 sports that are not part of the Olympic program, were scheduled to take  The new dates for the tournament will be place in Birmingham, Alabama, from 15–25 identified later. July next year but have now been postponed  The working group also postponed FIFA to 7-17 July, 2022. Under-20 Women’s World Cup which was  The international event was set to host 3,600 scheduled between August and September in athletes from over 100 countries to take part Panama and Costa Rica. in a variety of sports such as martial arts,  The Under-17 Women's World Cup was bowling, squash, billiards and even scheduled to be played in India across five wheelchair rugby. host cities - Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. Former Australia Test spinner Stephen O'Keefe retires from 1st class cricket Official mascots of 19th Asian Games unveiled in Hangzhou, China Former Australia Test spinner Stephen O'Keefe has retired from first class cricket after being omitted The official mascots of the 19th Asian Games were from New South Wales' list of contracted players for unveiled at a digital launch ceremony in Hangzhou, the next domestic season. China.

 The 35-year-old left-armer took 35 wickets in England all-rounder Ben Stokes ended Virat Kohli's nine tests - including 12 in a match against 3-year reign to be named Wisden's leading cricketer India at Pune in 2017. in the world.  O'Keefe took 16 wickets at 22.25 as New South Wales won the Sheffield Shield four-  Stokes was later named both BBC Sports day title last season, the most by any spinner Personality of the Year and received an OBE in the competition. in the New Year's Honours List before claiming ICC Men's Player of the Year High jumper Zhang Guowei retires at 28 honours.  Andrew Flintoff was the last English player to win the award in 2005.  Before Stokes, India captain Virat Kohli had won the award three straight times.

India retains 108th slot at FIFA's latest ranking

China's world silver-medallist high jumper Zhang Guowei, renowned for his flamboyant twerking celebrations, has announced his retirement aged 28.

 Zhang won silver at the Beijing 2015 World Championships and also competed at the India football team retained its 108th spot in the latest London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. FIFA rankings issued in the latest rankings.  However, his form and fitness tailed off after his 2015 triumph and his season's best  In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of 2.28m, set in Italy's Siena in whole raft of international fixtures including February, was some way short of the Tokyo qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and other 2020 Olympics qualifying standard of 2.33m. major tournaments has been postponed.  Belgium and France retained their first and England's Ben Stokes named as leading cricketer second positions respectively in the latest in the world by Wisden rankings. Brazil is in third place followed by England.

World's most famous cycling race Tour de France postponed in wake of Coronavirus pandemic

The world's most famous cycling race Tour de France has been postponed in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

 The French newspapers reported that the three-week race that was set to start on 27th of June in the Riviera city of Nice has been set for August.  This year's event has 21 stages, with the longest of them stretching 218 kilometres The mascot for the 4th Asian Para Games scheduled (135 miles). to be held from October 9 in 2022 in Hangzhou,  The last time the Tour was not held was in China was unveiled. 1946, with the nation still emerging from World War-II. It was also stopped during  The design of 'Fei Fei' is inspired by the motif World War-I. of the 'Divine Bird' in the Liangzhu Culture.  The mascot is the fusion of Hangzhou's BCCI suspends IPL 2020 indefinitely due to heritage and its drive for technological Covid-19 pandemic innovation, carrying the longing for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.  The 4th Asian Para Games will be held from October 9-15, 2022, featuring 22 sports with Taekwondo and Para-Canoe to make their Games debuts.

Mohun Bagan declared I-League champions as season gets called off The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to postpone the IPL 2020 tournament indefinitely owing to the global coronavirus pandemic.

 All the eight franchises were informed of the decision by IPL COO Hemang Amin.  The tournament’s stakeholders including

franchises and the players will now be facing a financial setback due to the event’s Mohun Bagan were officially crowned as the suspension. winners after the remaining 28 matches of the I-  According to the report, eight franchises League were cancelled as coronavirus continues to bought a total of 62 players spending ₹140.30 rage. crore overall.  The 2020 Indian Premier League was  The committee recommended that the 2019- scheduled to be the thirteenth season of the 20 season be deemed to be concluded. IPL.  Mohun Bagan declared as the I-League champion for the 2019-20 season as they Mascot for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games stand atop current standings in the Hero I- unveiled League until the point of suspension.

Bhaichung Bhutia among 50 footballers to take  With the F1 season halted by the coronavirus part in FIFA's initiative to applaud 'humanity's pandemic, the sport launched a virtual series heroes' to keep fans entertained.  The F1 world championship has yet to get underway this season due to the spread of the coronavirus.  Nine of the scheduled 22 races have either been cancelled or postponed.

World Games unveil new logo, title for 2022 edition

Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia was among the 50 footballers to take part in the FIFA's initiative to pay tribute to 'humanity's heroes' amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 FIFA expressed gratitude towards all the healthcare workers and other professionals who are giving their all to ensure society The World Games to be held in Birmingham, continues to function in the face of the Alabama, which have been delayed due to the coronavirus. coronavirus outbreak, have unveiled a new logo and  FIFA shared a video on their official Twitter a new title. handle where footballers from present and past came been seen applauding the frontline  With the announcement of The Games shift workers. to July 7-17, 2022, organisers have decided that the international multi-sport event will Leclerc wins F1 virtual Chinese Grand Prix officially become ‘The World Games 2022'.  While the International Olympic Committee postponed the Summer Olympics until 2021, it agreed to retain the name "Tokyo 2020".

FIH Pro League Season 2 extended by one year

Charles Leclerc has claimed his second straight Formula One Virtual Grand Prix on the Shanghai track.

 The Ferrari driver started the Chinese GP in pole position and finished ahead of Red Bull's Alex Albon and Zhou Guanyu. The International Hockey Federation (FIH)  The actual Chinese GP, originally scheduled announced that the second edition of the FIH Hockey for April 19, was postponed in February. Pro League is being extended through to June 2021

due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 global health pandemic.

 The second edition of the Pro League was initially set to run from January to June 2020.  Around one-third of the planned matches were completed between January and early March. Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal was banned for three  India are currently fourth on the table with 10 years by the PCB for failing to report corrupt points from two wins and as many number of approaches ahead of the country's premier T20 losses and draws behind Belgium, Australia league this year. and the Netherlands.

 The ban was imposed by its Disciplinary Former Pakistan skipper Sana Mir announces Panel chairman Justice (retired) Fazal-e- retirement from international cricket Miran Chauhan, who held a hearing.  The 29-year-old appeared before the panel at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore after not challenging a show cause notice issued to him by the PCB Anti-Corruption for not reporting an alleged offer to spot-fix in the 2020 Pakistan Super League.

Indian Distance Runner Jhuma Khatun Gets 4- year Ban For Doping

Former Pakistan women's skipper Sana Mir announced her retirement from international cricket, ending a 15 year long illustrious career.

 Mir featured in 226 international matches for Pakistan, including 137 as captain from 2009

to 2017.  The right-handed batter made her ODI debut Middle distance runner Jhuma Khatun has been against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit 2005, while her last ODI was against of the world governing body. Bangladesh in Lahore in November 2019.  Mir rose to number-one on ICC Women's  He was banned for testing positive for a Rankings for ODI bowlers in October 2018. banned substance, steroid, in a nearly two-  She is one of the nine women cricketers to year-old doping case which the NDTL had have taken 100 wickets and scored 1,000 runs failed to detect. in ODIs.  The 31-year-old Khatun's dope sample collected during the National Inter-State PCB bans Umar Akmal for three years Championships in June 2018 in Guwahati returned negative when it was tested by the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in Delhi.

 Khatun had won a bronze each in 1500m and  The three-time Grammy Award-winning 5000m in that Guwahati meet. artist enjoyed an active music career that lasted from 1970 to 1985.

Former Libya interim prime minister Mahmoud Jibril dies

Princess Maria Teresa of Spain becomes first royal person to die from COVID-19

Mahmoud Jibril, the former leader of the opposition Libyan government during the civil war that toppled Muammar Gaddafi after 40 years of rule, has died in Cairo after being hospitalised with the coronavirus.

Spanish Princess Maria Teresa of Bourbon-Parma  The 67-year-old had been quarantined at a has become the first royal to pass away due to Covid- hospital in the city since late last month. 19 complications.  He was an economic advisor to the Gaddafi government in its final years, before joining the revolution in 2011.  The 86-year-old was a cousin of Spain's King  Jibril had been interim prime minister for Felipe VI. about seven months in 2011 and resigned  Princess Teresa's death comes weeks after after Gaddafi was captured and killed in the King Felipe VI of Spain tested negative for city of Sirte. the virus.  She was known for her outspoken views and activist work, which led to her nickname the Former New Zealand cricketer Jock Edwards "Red Princess." passes away  Meanwhile, Prince Charles became the first British royal to be tested positive for the coronavirus, earlier this week.

3 times Grammy Award winner Bill Withers passes away

American singer and songwriter Bill Withers, whose songs from the 1970s have provided immeasurable inspiration in the decades, die at the age of 81. Big-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman Jock Edwards, who represented New Zealand in six Tests and eight  Withers earned international acclaim for ODIs, has passed away. songs like “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”, both are on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

 He was also a member of the Nelson side that Honor Blackman, one of the most memorable co- held on to the Hawke Cup for 14 matches stars of the early James Bond films, has died at the between February 1979 and February 1983. age of 94.  In his international career, Jock scored 377 runs in Tests and 138 runs in ODIs which he  The actress shot to fame in her late 30s after played against Australia, England and India. playing legendary Bond girl Pussy Galore in the 1964 movie "Goldfinger". Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla  Blackman also became well-known in Britain dies of COVID-19 in New York for playing the character Cathy Gale in the popular 1960s TV spy series 'The Avengers' alongside Patrick Macnee as the bowler- hatted John Steed.

American folk songwriter, John Prine, passes away due to coronavirus complications

Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla has died of COVID-19 that is ravaging New York, the epicentre of the pandemic in the US.

 The journalist died in after nine days in a hospital.  Brahm Kanchibotla, 66, was a correspondent John Prine, an American folk legend widely for United News of India. considered one of his generation's most influential  During his 28-year career in the US, he had songwriters, died following complications of worked for 11 years as a content editor for coronavirus. Merger Markets, a financial publication, and also did a stint with News India-Times  He won two Grammy awards for best weekly newspaper. contemporary folk albums “The Missing  He had emigrated to the US in 1992 after Years (1991)” and “Fair & Square (2005)”. having worked for several publications in  He was bestowed with Grammy Lifetime India. Achievement Award and was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 'Goldfinger' Bond girl Honor Blackman passes  Bob Dylan has named Prine among his away favorite songwriters.

Senior Congress leader Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passes away

Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passed away.

 A native of Seoni Malwa town in Hoshangabad district, Raghuwanshi was a five-time MLA from the Assembly

constituency and also served as a minister in performances, which she staged all across the various Congress-led governments in the world, including Lahore, Islamabad, state. Toronto, Boston, New York, and  The senior leader was elected as an MLA for Washington. the first time in 1977 and he also served as a  During her illustrious career, she has received deputy speaker in the state Assembly from numerous accolades, including the Padma 2003-2008. Shri, which was awarded to her in 2007.  Currently he was a member of the party disciplinary committee. Father of Modern Iraqi Architecture Rifat Chadirji Dies of COVID-19 Former cricketer Jackie du Preez passes away

Rifat Chadirji, known as the father of modern Iraqi architecture, died in the United Kingdom after contracting the novel coronavirus. The former Zimbabwean cricketer Jackie du Preez passed away.  The 93-year-old architect and photographer is credited with designing some of Iraq's most  The leg-spinner played for South Africa in well-known structures, including the iconic Zimbabwe's pre-independence days. "Freedom Monument" in the now protest hub  He played two Tests for South Africa in of Baghdad's Tahrir Square. 1967.  Born in Baghdad in 1926, Chadirji studied in  Du Preez didn't represent South Africa London and returned to Iraq in the 1950s to thereafter but enjoyed a long and successful design his magnum opus, an elegant arch first-class career. entitled "The Unknown Soldier" as well as  He also enjoyed enough success with the bat the capital's post office and other public so as to be labelled an all-rounder, scoring buildings. 4,063 runs in first-class cricket at an average  Chadirji had been a longtime advocate of of 23.76, including one century and 19 fifties. preservation, working even under Saddam to halt the demolition of traditional Iraqi Hindustani classical singer and Padma Shri architecture in Baghdad. awardee, Shanti Hiranand, passes away Legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma passes away Shri awardee Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away. Peter Bonetti, the former Chelsea and England  The singer was trained in thumri, dadra and goalkeeper nicknamed “The Cat” for his outstanding ghazal singing by Begum Akhtar, and was reflexes and agility, has died. world renowned for keeping the legendary ghazal singer's style alive in her

 Bonetti died after suffering from long-term  A Padma Bhushan awardee, Desai held office illness. as the Attorney General of India from July 9,  He appeared in 729 appearances for the 1996 to May 6, 1998. London club over two spells from 1960-75  Earlier, he was the Solicitor General of India and 1977-79. from 18 December, 1989 to December 2,  Only Ron Harris, with 795, has made more 1990. appearances for the club.  Desai took up several landmark cases,  Bonetti made seven appearances for England, including decriminalisation of including in the 1970 World Cup finals. homosexuality, Vineet Narain case relating to  He was in the 1966 World Cup-winning investigation into allegations of corruption squad but did not play, belatedly receiving a against high-ranking public officials in the winner’s medal in June 2009. country, Narmada Dam case and Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) British F1 racer Stirling Moss dies (IMDT) Act in Assam, among others.

Veteran Army officer KP Dhal Samata dies

Stirling Moss, the British racer widely regarded as Veteran Army officer Lt Gen (retd) K P Dhal the greatest Formula One driver ever to win the world Samanta, who had played a valiant role in 1971 and championship, has died at the age of 90. Kargil wars, died.

 He made 67 starts in the F1 World  A product of the first batch of Sainik School Championship, winning 16 races and Bhubaneswar, Lt Gen Samanta had retired as claiming 16 pole positions and 24 podium Director General of the Rashtriya Rifles, positions. India's premier counter insurgency force  He retired from top-level competition after a deployed in Kashmir. crash in 1962 but continued in historic racing  Gen Samanta fought in the 1971 war on the and was highly active within motor racing for eastern front and was awarded the Poorvi the rest of his life. Star.  In 1961 he was named the BBC’s sports  He was among the veterans invited regularly personality of the year. to Bangladesh as a mark of honour for their valiant efforts in the liberation of Former Attorney General of India Ashok Desai Bangladesh. passes away  Later in his career, he participated in Operation Blue Star and the larger fight Former Attorney General of India and senior against terrorism in Punjab. advocate Ashok Desai passed away.  During the 1999 Kargil war, Samanta was instrumental in helping deploy the 155 mm Bofors guns in difficult conditions.

Former Pakistani cricketer Zafar Sarfraz passes  Ranjit found fame overseas starring in away crossover films like Lonely in America, Mississippi Masala, Bollywood/Hollywood, Fire and Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love. He also featured in US shows like The Office and Prison Break.

Freedom fighter R V Bhuskute dies

Former Pakistani first-class cricketer Zafar Sarfraz became the first professional player in the country to die after contracting the novel coronavirus.

 Sarfraz, a middle-order batsman, played 15 first-class games in Peshawar and retired in 1994.  Pakistan has recorded more than 5,000 coronavirus cases to date and nearly 100 Freedom fighter R V Bhuskute, who had participated deaths. in the Quit India Movement, died of prolonged  Lack of testing and an underfunded health illness in Maharashtra's Raigadh district. care sector, however, has raised fears the country is ill-equipped to handle a spike in cases.  Bhuskute, who had participated in the Quit India Movement, wrote several books on land laws and worked for the release and Actor Ranjit Chowdhry passes away rehabilitation of bonded labourers in tribal areas of the state.  The Quit India Movement also known as India August Movement or Bharat Chodo Andolan was launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942.

Nigeria President Buhari's chief of staff Abba Kyari dies of COVID-19

Actor Ranjit Chowdhry, best known for his roles in Baton Baton Mein, Mississippi Masala and Bollywood/Hollywood among more, passed away.

 Son of renowned theatre actor Pearl Padamsee, Ranjit Chowdhry made his silver screen debut with Khatta Meetha in 1978.

 He went on to star in Hindi films like Baton Baton Mein, Khubsoorat, Bandit Queen and Kaante among more.

Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari, has died from Covid-19 after a nearly month-long infection.

 Kyari was in his 70s and had underlying health problems including diabetes.  He was the top official aide to 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tribal leader and former Odisha minister Gene Deitch, an American Oscar-winning illustrator, Saharai Oram dies animator, film director and producer has died.

 Deitch's movie Munro won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1960.  Earlier, he had created the Tom Terrific series, while Sidney's Family Tree, which he co-produced, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1958.  Working from behind the Iron Curtain, he directed 13 episodes of Tom and Jerry and also some of the Popeye the Sailor series.

Veteran Kolkata based sports journalist Samir Goswami passes away Veteran tribal leader and former Odisha Minister Saharai Oram died following a prolonged illness.

 Saharai Oram was a long associate of Biju babu and had contributed immensely for the development and welfare of tribal people.  Oram was first elected to the Odisha Assembly from Champua constituency in 1971 as an Utkal Congress candidate.  In 1977, he was elected from the same constituency as a Janata Party candidate, in 1980 as Janata-S candidate, 1990 as Janata Veteran journalist Samir Goswami, a much-liked Dal candidate and in 2000 as an Independent. figure in Kolkata sports journalism fraternity passed  Popular for his versatility, Oram not only away. worked for the welfare of the poor, orphans and destitute but also contributed towards  Goswami worked for more than two decades promoting tribal and folk culture. in the popular Bengali newspaper 'Bartaman'.  Goswami was one of the few journalists, who Tom and Jerry director Gene Deitch dies would devotedly cover first division cricket league games and unfailingly updated the scores of hockey league matches as well results of lower division (second to fifth division) football leagues.

 He also diligently covered senior and junior Former Australian cricketer Graeme Watson dies level swimming competitions as well as table at 75 tennis events.

BMW India CEO Rudratej Singh passes away

Former Australian cricketer Graeme Watson who Rudratej Singh, the President and CEO of BMW was fighting cancer, has died at the age of 75. Group India, passed away. He was 46.  Primarily a middle-order batsman and a  Rudratej Singh joined BMW Group India on medium-pace bowler, he featured in five August 1, 2019. Prior to that, he was serving Tests from 1967 to 1972 and two ODIs in as the Global President at Royal Enfield. 1972.  The 46-year-old had also worked with  The all-rounder earned the national call Unilever in India and international markets during the 1966-67 tour of Rhodesia and for more than 16 years. South Africa.

Thespian Usha Ganguly dies at 75 Senior Congress leader Badruddin Sheikh passes away following COVID19 infection

Eminent theatre personality Usha Ganguly died. Senior Congress leader and councillor in Amdavad Municipal Corporation Badruddin Sheikh passed  She founded the Rangakarmee group in 1976, away following COVID19 infection. which is known for non-conformist productions like Mahabhoj, Rudali, Court  He was 68 and active in politics and public Martial and Antaryatra. life.  Ganguly is credited for introducing a new  He had also served as State Congress form of alternative Hindi theatre in Bengal. spokesperson and Leader of opposition in  Her Bengali productions include Mukti and AMC in the past. Manasi.  He was under treatment at AMC run SVP - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hospital since the

third week of April after he detected COVID-  Popularly known as 'Ronny', he was 19 positive. associated with Bengali daily Aajkaal since 1990s and covered the ICC World Cup in Former governor, veteran Congress leader England last year. Devanand Konwar dies at 86  Having started from the entertainment section, Roy switched to sports and became a well-known face in the Maidan establishing a good rapport with both players and officials of all disciplines.

Noted playwright Bijay Mishra passes away

Former Governor of Bihar and Tripura and veteran Congress leader Devanand Konwar died of old age ailments

 He was governor of Bihar from July 24, 2009 to March 8, 2013 and of Tripura between Noted playwright and lyricist of Odisha Bijay Mishra March 25, 2013 and June 29, 2014. passed away.  He had also served as governor (additional charge) of West Bengal from December 2009  He was a pioneer of the modern theatre to January 2010. movement in Odisha, Mishra was recipient of  Konwar had joined the Congress in 1955 as a many awards at the State as well as national student leader. level.  He became a Cabinet minister in the  He won the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi governments of Assam headed by Hiteswar award for his play ‘Vanaprastha’. Saikia and later by Tarun Gogoi.  He won Odisha Sahitya Akademi and other State-level awards. Veteran sports photographer Ronny Roy passes  He also received the prestigious Jayadev away Award for his lifetime contribution to Odia film industry at the 30th Odisha State Film Awards last year.

Renowned actor Irrfan Khan passes away in Mumbai hospital

Veteran sports photojournalist Ronojoy 'Ronny' Roy died following a cardiac arrest.

 There is a lot of speculation that Roy could have died to COVID-19.

Renowned actor Irrfan Khan passed away in a  Rishi Kapoor was honoured with the Filmfare Mumbai hospital, losing his battle with a rare form Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. of cancer.

 The Maqbool actor, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, lost his mother in Jaipur just four days ago.  Irfan Khan made his Bollywood debut with Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay in 1988. Prize-winning reporter writes book on Melania  Later, he did many films but was noticed with Trump called ‘The Art of Her Deal’ films like Maqbool, Life In A Metro, Paan Singh Tomar and Piku.  He has also been associated with many international films like Slumdog Millionaire, A Mighty Heart, Jurassic World and The Amazing Spider-Man.  His best though is Ang Lee's Life Of Pi which was a huge commercial success.

Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passes A Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The away Washington Post has written an unauthorized biography of first lady Melania Trump.

 Mary Jordan’s “The Art of Her Deal,” which draws upon more than 100 interviews.  Jordan began working on the book in 2015, well before Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the presidential election.  She investigated everything from Melania Knauss’ childhood in Slovenia to her years as a model to her relationship with her husband. Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in Mumbai. Quiz April 2020 (English)  Rishi Kapoor received the National Film Award for his debut role as a child artist in Q. International Transgender Day of Visibility is his father Raj Kapoor's 1970 film ‘Mera observed every year on ______. Naam Joker’.  He had his first lead role as an adult opposite 29 March Dimple Kapadia in 1973 with the film ‘Bobby’ and received the Filmfare Best Actor 30 March Award in 1974.  He played leading roles as the romantic lead in many films between 1973 and 2000. 31 March  He won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor in 2011 for his performance in ‘Do 01 April Dooni Chaar’ and for his role in ‘Kapoor & Sons’. He also won the Filmfare Award for 02 April Best Supporting Actor in 2017.

Q. The World Bank has offered a ______project IIT Kanpur for the Indian government for emergency response IIT Delhi and health systems preparedness in India. IISC Bengaluru $50 million IIT Madras $1 billion None of these $1.5 billion Q. Recently, 2nd Extraordinary G20 Finance $2 billion Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting $5 billion concluded. The meeting was held under the presidency of ______. Q. Utkal Dibasa is observed every year on ______. USA

29 March France

30 March UAE

31 March India

01 April Saudi Arabia

02 April Q. Which of the following state government has launched an ‘Active Case Finding Campaign’ for Q. 'Madadgaar' helpline was recently in the news. COVID 19 patients? The 'Madadgaar' helpline works under ______. Uttar Pradesh Indian Army Rajasthan Delhi Police Himachal Pradesh Central Reserve Police Force Madhya Pradesh Central Industrial Security Force Sikkim U.P. Police Q. Which of the following company has partnered Q. Which of the following institute is working to with ICICI Lombard to launch COVID-19 insurance develop portable ventilators to support medical products for shopkeepers? infrastructure?

PhonePe 02 April

PayTm 03 April

Amazon India 04 April

BharatPe Q. The United Nation's COP 26 climate change summit has been postponed till next year. COP 26 None of these was scheduled to take place in ______. Q. Recently, Indian government has extended its Glasgow existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) till ______. Paris

July 2020 New York

September 2020 Rome

December 2020 Berlin

January 2021 Q. The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is offered a helping hand to fight against COVID-19 by March 2021 extending the services of cadets under Exercise Q. Princess Maria Teresa became the first royal ______. person to die from COVID-19. She was from Karmath ______. Desh UK Yogdan Spain Shakti France Sangathan Italy Q. Which of the following state/UT Chief Minister Germany has announced one crore rupees for the families of Q. World Autism Awareness Day is observed every healthcare personnel if they lose their lives while year on ______. dealing with COVID-19 cases?

31 March Uttar Pradesh

01 April Jammu and Kashmir

Delhi Nestlé

Maharashtra Parle Agro

Rajasthan Britannia Industries Limited

Q. Which of the following subject has been Q. According to the new notification by RBI, All introduced by The Central Board of Secondary private and foreign banks have to intimate about the Education (CBSE) as a new academic elective re-appointment of managing director and chief subject for class XI? executives ______in advance.

Mechanics 3 months

Applied Mathematics 6 months

Thermodynamics 7 months

Neuroscience 9 months

None of these 1 year

Q. According to a new notification, the date for Q. Who among the following has been named as the renewal of health and motor insurance policies has Managing Director of Sundaram Home Finance? been extended to ______. Ajay Soni 21 April Mohit Prajapati 1 May Ajeet Pal 11 May D Lakshminarayanan 01 June Vikrant Dubey 15 June Q. Which of the following country will host Asian Q. Which of the following company has completed Youth Games in 2021? the merger of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer India Healthcare Ltd merger (GSKCH)? Bangladesh ITC Limited China Hindustan Unilever Indonesia

Thailand Q. To assess people on COVID-19, the Government of India has launched a mobile app named as Q. As of 03 April 2020, Global Coronavirus Cases ______. have surpassed ______. AarogyaMantra 0.5 million Swasth 1 million AarogyaSetu 2 million Sajeev 3 million AarogyaSeva 5 million Q. Which of the following has developed bio suits to Q. Recently, Bob Weighton has been confirmed as keep health professionals fighting COVID-19 safe? the world’s oldest man living at 112. He is from ______. IISc Bengaluru

China Defence Research and Development Organisation

Japan IIT Madras

Russia Indian Council of Medical Research

UK All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

USA Q. Indian Railways Chittaranjan Locomotive Works has created a world record in producing the highest Q. A 24 hour curfew has been imposed in the holy number of locos. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works is cities of Makkah and Madina. These cities are in in ______. ______. Telangana Oman West Bengal UAE Odisha Saudi Arabia Andhra Pradesh Qatar Assam Bahrain

Q. e-NAM Platform was recently in the news. e- Q. Recently, State Bank of India has listed Green NAM Platform is related to ______. Bonds worth______on India INX’s Global Securities Market Green Platform (GSM). Pension $50 million Agriculture $100 million Student scholarship $150 million LPG distribution $200 million None of these $400 million Q. Which of the following has designed and developed its own low cost handheld IR based Q. International Mine Awareness Day is observed temperature sensor that is priced under Rs 1000? every year on ______.

Naval Dockyard Mumbai 01 April

INS Vikrant 02 April

IGI Airport New Delhi 03 April

Air Force Station Ambala 04 April

None of these 05 April

Q. Who among the following has become the first Q. Which of the following UN organisations has Judge to take oath under the Indian Constitution as a adopted ‘Global solidarity’ to fight against COVID- permanent Judge of the common High Court of 19? Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh? United Nations General Assembly Manoj Suri World Bank Group Rajnesh Oswal World Health Organization Ajeet Shrivastav Food and Agriculture Organization Rohit Dhankar United Nations World Food Program Sandeep Tyagi

Q. Which of the following organization has Q. Which of the following institute has developed recommended antibody tests for speedy detection of low-cost face shields for protection of first line COVID-19 cases in India? healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19?

All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi IIT Madras

Indian Council of Medical Research IIT Delhi

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization IISc Bengaluru

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research IIT Roorkee

None of these IIT Kanpur

Q. Government has ordered about 10 crore Q. Recently, The Competition Commission of India hydroxychloroquine tablets for healthcare workers. gave its nods for acquisition of stakes in Religare hydroxychloroquine is normally used to Health Insurance by ______. treat______. HDFC Ergo HIV Trishikhar Ventures Tuberculosis ICICI Lombard Dengue Mahalaxmi Insurance Malaria None of these Smallpox Q. At the end of last week of March 2020, India’s Q. Minister of State Human Resource Development Gold reserves stood at ______. launched a Hackathon named as ______to find $73.83 billion working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic. $18.93 billion

Hack the Crisis - India $26.48 billion

Be the solution $30.89 billion

Work from home-India $25.94 billion

No boundaries-India Q. The FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup that was scheduled in November Has been postponed. None of these

Which of the following country is the host for FIFA France Under-17 Women's World Cup? Germany China USA India Q. Recently, 28 ferry passengers got swept France overboard in a powerful storm off the Solomon Islands. What is the capital of Solomon Islands? Russia Maseru USA Honiara Q. What is/are the Official mascots of 19th Asian Games? Gaborone

Congcong Harare

Lianlian None of these

Chenchen Q. Which of the following has recently designed a full body disinfection chamber? 1 and 2 Bhabha Atomic Research Centre 1, 2 and 3 All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Q. National Maritime Day is observed every year on ______. Defence Research and Development Organisation

01 April Indian Space Research Organisation

02 April None of these

03 April Q. Which of the following state has decided to provide online training to about 1.25 lakh AYUSH 04 April doctors to prevent Coronavirus spread? 05 April Madhya Pradesh Q. Tomb-sweeping Day/Qingming Festival is Haryana mainly observed in ______. Rajasthan China Maharashtra Russia

Uttar Pradesh Q. The National Health Authority (NHA) has inked a pact with which of the following company to Q. Which of the following state government has provide transport services for frontline healthcare launched the 'mCOVID-19' App for all COVID-19 workers involved in treatment of COVID-19 related information? patients? Assam Ola Nagaland Meru Mizoram Uber Telangana Savaari Car Bihar Fasttrack Taxi App Q. PM paid tribute to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth Q. According to the Asian Development Outlook anniversary. Jagjivan Ram was also known as (ADO) 2020, Indian economy is expected to grow at ______. ______in FY 2020-21. Kisan Mitra 3.5% Babuji 3.8% Mamaji 4% Babulal 4.2% Bihar Kesri 5% Q. The Odisha government has launched a cultural Q. International Day of Sport for Development and competition named as ______, to engage children Peace is observed every year on ______. during lockdown. 02 April Biju Desh 03 April Mo Biju 04 April Mo Prativa 05 April Mo Mamata 06 April None of these

Q. Recently, South Sudan has announced its 1st case last Jain Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir. What was the of COVID-19. What is the capital of South Sudan? symbol of Bhagwan Mahavir?

Kampala Snake

Lusaka Lion

Juba Bull

Nairobi Elephant

Maputo Horse

Q. NASA has unveiled a plan named as______Q. IAS and IPS officers' associations have launched to establish the first human base camp on the Moon's a campaign named ______to fight Coronavirus. south pole by 2024? Korna Dawn Rakshak MAVEN Caruna Phoenix Sangathit Artemis Arogya Rosetta Q. Which of the following institute has developed a Q. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has set a new low-cost portable ventilator named as ‘Prana Vayu’? record in single day transportation of food grains. IIT Roorkee FCI is headquartered in ______. IIT Delhi Mumbai IIT Madras Kolkata IIT Kanpur New Delhi IIT Mumbai Agra Q. Kobe Bryant will be posthumously inducted into Chennai the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Kobe Bryant Q. Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated all over the was related to ______. country to observe the birth anniversary of 24th and Hockey

Football 08 April

Cricket Q. International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwandan genocide is observed every year on 07 Basketball April to remember the members which of the Tennis following community?

Q. 2021 World Games has been postponed due to Tutsi clashes with Tokyo olympics. 2021 World Games Brahui were scheduled to take place in ______. Tajik Shanghai, China Hutu Birmingham, Alabama Hausa Moscow, Russia Q. Which of the following Indian state has topped in Dubai, UAE micro-irrigation coverage in the financial year 2019- None of these 20?

Q. Recently, Bill Withers passed away.He was a Andhra Pradesh famous ______. Assam Singer Tamil Nadu Painter Telangana Actor Madhya Pradesh Director Q. National Highway Authority of India, NHAI has Journalist achieved the highest ever construction of National

Q. World Health Day is observed every year on Highways in financial year 2019-20. It has ______. accomplished construction of ______of national highways in FY 2019-20. 03 April 4878 kilometre 07 April 2565 kilometre 04 April 1989 kilometre 09 April

3979 kilometre Q. Recently, Stephen O'Keefe retired from 1st class cricket. He played international cricket for 9828 kilometre ______. Q. Which of the following organisation has New Zealand developed a low-cost ventilator named as 'Jeevan'? West Indies Defence Research and Development Organisation Australia Indian Railways Bangladesh Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited South Africa Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Q. Recently, China's world silver-medallist Zhang Ordnance Factory Board Guowei retired at a young age of 28. He was Q. Which of the following state/UT has unveiled a associated with which of the following sports? ‘5T’ plan to fight COVID-19? Shot Put Maharashtra Long jump Mizoram High Jump Telangana Weightlifting Delhi Fencing Jammu and Kashmir Q. Recently, Mahmoud Jibril died due to COVID- Q. Which of the following country has been banned 19. He served as the Prime Minister of ______. by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Sudan to take part in weightlifting at Tokyo Olympics 2020? Algeria

Thailand Ethiopia

Malaysia Libya

Mexico Egypt

1 and 2

1,2 and 3

Q. Which of the following country has begun trial for Q. Biofortified ‘Madhuban’ variety developed by a second potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate farmer scientist Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya ‘INO-4800’? is benefitting local farmers. ‘Madhuban’ is the biofortified variety of ______. China Cotton USA Wheat Spain Brinjal Italy Carrot Iran Pumkin Q. Which of the following country has recently decided to put on hold its funding to the World Q. The Ministry of Human Resources Development Health Organization, WHO? has launched a challenge named as ______to invite ideas to fight COVID-19. China Samadhan USA Sangarsh Spain Swasth Italy Nirog Iran Abhay Q. Recently, Jack Dorsey has decided to contribute 1 billion US dollars to the Coronavirus relief fund. Q. The UP government has managed to start Dorsey is the cofounder of ______. COVID-19 sample collection centres in all districts of the state. There are a total of ______districts in Twitter Uttar Pradesh. Instagram 81 Microsoft 79 IBM 75 Intel 72

68

Q. Annual Karaga festival celebrations have been Q. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has prohibited. Karaga festival is mainly celebrated in approved the proposal of which of the following the state of ______. company to acquire 80.1% share capital in power grid business of ABB Limited? Rajasthan Panasonic Assam Hitachi Karnataka Godrej Madhya Pradesh Toshiba Uttarakhand None of these Q. Which of the following state’s police has created the 'Rakhsa Sarv' app to keep an eye on home Q. Recently, Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi, people of quarantined patients? India, for helping tackle the COVID-19 outbreak. He is the president of ______. Rajasthan South Africa Jharkhand Peru Chhattisgarh Brazil Assam Belgium Manipur Indonesia Q. Which of the following payments bank has partnered with Bharti AXA General to offer Q. Recently, The SAARC Development Fund has coronavirus insurance policy? allocated ______for COVID-19 projects.

Airtel Payments Bank $2 million

Paytm Payments Bank $4 million

India Post Payments Bank · $5 million

Jio Payments Bank $7 million

None of these $10 million

Q. ______is the Indian government's Telangana arrangement for operating medical cargo lifelines for Odisha countries facing a coronavirus crisis. Maharashtra Lifeline Udaan Andhra Pradesh Udaan Pehal Uttar Pradesh Jeevan Udaan Q. The Small Industries Development Bank of India Aashrit Udaan (SIDBI) will provide emergency working capital of None of these up to______to small and medium enterprises against their confirmed government orders. Q. Recently, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust was in the news. JNPT is in ______. Rs 1 crore

Karnataka Rs 2 crore

Kerala Rs 3 crore

Maharashtra Rs 4 crore

Andhra Pradesh Rs 5 crore

Tamil Nadu Q. The World Trade Organization (WTO) said that the Global trade could drop by a third this year due Q. Indian government has launched ______to the coronavirus pandemic. WTO is headquartered learning platform to combat COVID-19. in ______. iGOT Rome iVID New York iLearn Ottawa iSkill Geneva None of these None of these Q. Which of the following has become the first Q. According to ‘Economic and Social Survey of Indian state to extend COVID-19 lockdown till April Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards 30? Sustainable economies’ report, Indian economy is

expected to grow at ______in the current financial TCS year. Pepsico 3.3% HCL Technologies 4.8% None of these 5.0% Q. Asian Development Bank has assured India of 4.5% ______US dollar support to fight against COVID- 19 pandemic. 4.2% 1.0 billion Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the MD & CEO of Bharti AXA Life Insurance? 1.6 billion

Ajay Pratap 2.2 billion

Mohan Singh 2.4 billion

Shivani Mukharjee 2.8 billion

Parag Raja Q. Which of the following TV channel has emerged as the highest watched channel in India? Pankaj Jha Aaj Tak Q. World Homoeopathy Day is observed every year on ______. Doordarshan

08 April Colors TV

09 April Sony Entertainment Television

10 April None of these

11 April Q. Which of the following state government has doubled the salary of Doctors, Nurses, medical 12 April professionals dealing with Coronavirus cases? Q. Which of the following company has partnered Uttar Pradesh with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support India's fight against COVID-19? Andhra Pradesh

Hindustan Unilever Haryana

Rajasthan Q. Recently, Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passed away. He was a famous ______. None of these Journalist Q. Which of the following state government has announced a cash reward to the medical team which Director treated COVID-19 patients successfully? Flute Player Tamil Nadu Politician Maharashtra Army Officer Manipur Q. Recently, Mary Jordan has written “The Art of Telangana Her Deal,” which is an unauthorized biography of ______. None of these Melania Trump Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the MD and CEO of General Insurance? Elizabeth I

Prachi Rawat Simona Halep

Pradeep Tyagi Rebecca Wilson

Anamika Roy Katy Perry

Shubham Gill Q. The World Health Organization issued a dire warning that prematurely lifting lockdown None of these restrictions could spark a deadly resurgence of the Q. Recently, John Prine passed away due to disease. Who among the following is the Director- coronavirus complications. He was a famous General of WHO? ______. Henrietta H. Fore Actor David Malpass Scientist Tedros Adhanom Journalist Kristalina Georgieva Singer None of these Painter

Q. National Safe Motherhood Day is observed every Delhi Police year on ______. Central Information Commission 07 April Law Commission of India 11 April National Commission for Women 09 April NITI Aayog 10 April Q. Which of the following bank has launched, 12 April DIGIGEN portal for Simple Digital Banking for Savings Account & Fixed Deposits? Q. Who among the following participated in G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual meeting? Jana Small Finance Bank

Dharmendra Pradhan DBS Bank

Rajnath Singh Ujjivan Small Finance Bank

Nirmala Sitharaman Kotak Mahindra Bank

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar AU Small Finance Bank

None of these Q. Who among the following is the face of RBI’s twitter campaign that urges bank customers to adopt Q. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu paid homage to digital modes of payment? Jyotiba Phule. Which of the following was founded by Jyotiba Phule? Virat Kohli

Ramakrishna Mission Salman Khan

Prarthana Samaj Akshay Kumar

Satyashodhak Samaj P. V. Sindhu

Brahmo Samaj Amitabh Bachchan

None of these Q. Which of the following company has partnered with ICICI Lombard and Go Digit to offer COVID- Q. Which of the following has launched a WhatsApp 19 focused health insurance? number ‘7217735372’ to report cases of domestic violence during the coronavirus lockdown period? Paytm

Amazon India 13 April

Flipkart Q. Recently, Anak Krakatau Volcano erupted. Anak Krakatau Volcano is in ______. State Bank of India Japan Bajaj Finserv Chile Q. Who among the following Indian has been named by International Monetary Fund MD Kristalina Indonesia Georgieva to her external advisory group? Argentina Arvind Subramanian Madagascar Urjit Patel Q. OPEC said that the major oil producers have Raghuram Rajan agreed to cut output in May and June by 10 million barrels per day. OPEC is headquartered in ______. Bimal Jalan Berlin None of these Vienna Q. Recently, Jackie du Preez passed away. He was a famous ______. Geneva

Journalist New York

Cricketer Riyadh

Astronaut Q. Which of the following country is the largest largest producer and exporter of Scientist Hydroxychloroquine? Boxer Bangladesh Q. International Day of Human Space Flight is India observed every year on ______. Brazil 09 April USA 10 April China 11 April

12 April

Q. Which of the following state/UT has become the Q. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has announced first to commence convalescent plasma therapy to an extension of 30 days for payment of premium due treat critically ill COVID-19 cases? in March and April 2020. LIC is headquartered in ______. Maharashtra Chennai Kerala Hyderabad Delhi New Delhi Telangana Mumbai Assam None of these Q. Which of the following Indian state recently observed the Cheiraoba festival? Q. Which of the following bank got the RBI nod to reappoint Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO for Assam 3 yrs? Sikkim Karur Vysya Bank Himachal Pradesh IndusInd Bank Nagaland Karnataka Bank Manipur Bandhan Bank Q. The Finance Ministry has extended the deadline Citibank for mandatory minimum deposit in Sukanya Samriddhi Account till June 30. The Sukanya Q. Recently, Rifat Chadirji died due to COVID-19. Samriddhi scheme was launched in the year He was known as the Father of Modern Architecture ______. of which of the following countries?

2014 Spain

2015 Iraq

2016 Iran

2017 France

2018 Russia

Q. The Pakistan government requested the $1.4 bn Q. Prasar Bharti has launched a new channel loan, a fast-disbursing loan under the RFI fund to specifically dedicated to old classics named deal with the adverse economic impact of COVID- as______. 19. R in RFI stands for ______. DD Retro Rapid DD Classic Reliable DD Bharat Rarid DD S amay Renewed None of these None of these Q. Which of the following ministry has launched a Q. Which of the following day is also known as web-portal YUKTI (Young India Combating Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti? COVID?

Pahela Baishakh Ministry of Home Affairs

Yawm Ashura Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Odia New Year Ministry of External Affairs

Puthandu Ministry of Human Resource Development

Masadi None of these

Q. PM Modi pays tribute to martyrs of Jallianwala Q. Khadi and Village Industries Commission Bagh Massacre. Jallianwala Bagh massacre took (KVIC) has recently launched a double layered place on 13 April ______. Khadi mask. Who among the following is the current chairman of KVIC? 1918 Ajay Mohan 1916 Rajesh Pandey 1917 V.K. Saxena 1919 Amitabh Chaudhary 1920 Prakash Jha

Q. Which of the following state government has IBM launched a ‘Food Bank’ to help the poor and needy? Microsoft Rajasthan Facebook Uttar Pradesh Apple Jharkhand None of these Manipur Q. World Chagas Disease Day is observed every year Tamil Nadu on ______.

Q. The Vice President greets the nation on the 11 April occasion of Puthandu. Puthandu is mainly observed 12 April in the state of ______. 13 April Rajasthan 14 April Haryana 15 April Tamil Nadu Q. Indian Army observes Siachen Day every year on Manipur ______. Assam 11 April Q. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has bought 12 April 1.01 per cent stake in which of the following bank? 13 April IndusInd Bank 14 April Yes Bank 15 April ICICI Bank Q. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the HDFC Bank extension of lockdown till ______. None of these 30 April Q. After collaboration with Google, Which of the 01 May following company has booked domain name after coronavirus? 02 May

03 May Q. In March 2020. Retail inflation stood at ______. 05 May 5.67% Q. Nation remembers Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 129th birth anniversary. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar 6.76% received Bharat Ratna in the year ______. 4.65% 1953 5.91% 1962 7.87% 1975 Q. Which of the following has launched 'Nearby 1990 Spot' to help users find local stores selling essentials?

2004 Flipkart

Q. Which of the following institute got a patent for Phone Pe the smart stethoscope "AyuDevice"? Paytm IIT Delhi Google Pay IIT Roorkee Amazon India IIT Bombay Q. Recently, Ashok Desai passed away. He served as IIT Madras the ______.

IIT Kanpur Chief Justice of India

Q. Recently, e-NAM portal completed four years of Governor of RBI implementation. e-NAM is related to ______. Attorney General of India Pension distribution Chairman of UPSC Agriculture Finance Secretary of India Student scholarship Q. Recently, KP Dhal Samata passed away. He was LPG distribution a/an ______.

None of these Classical Singer

Army Officer

Journalist Q. Which of the following state is using ‘COBOT- Robotics’ to serve food, medicine to COVID-19 Painter patients? Industrialist Assam Q. Recently, The Ministry of Tourism has launched Telangana a webinar series titled as ______. Andhra Pradesh BharatDarshan Jharkhand DekhoApnaDesh Uttar Pradesh IncredibleDesh Q. Which of the following state government has MeraBharat launched the electronic format of comic textbooks None of these for Class III, IV and V?

Q. Recently, DRDO has developed a kiosk for Telangana COVID-19 sample collection named as ______. Assam COVTEST Telangana COVKIT Manipur COVSACK None of these DRDOKIT Q. Which of the following state has become the first None of these state to start pool testing of COVID-19 samples?

Q. ______has partnered with CBSE to organise Maharashtra 1st-ever live fitness sessions for School students. Uttar Pradesh Mission Indhradhanush Kerala Fit India Andhra Pradesh Skill India Gujarat Janani Suraksha Yojana Q. Who among the following took charge as the None of these Executive Director of Union Bank of India?

Prashant Dubey Tata Steel

Rajat Tyagi Bharat Aluminium Company

Birupaksha Mishra Jindal Steel

Manohar Desh Pandey None of these

None of these Q. Which of the following airlines have become the first airline to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 tests Q. In its latest edition of the World Economy report, for its passengers? IMF has projected India's GDP growth to be ______in 2020. Flydubai

1.4% Emirates

1.9% Singapore Airlines

2.2% Etihad Airways

2.6% Lufthansa

None of these Q. The International Monetary Fund has proposed to deploy its full lending capacity of ______to Q. HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh suggested support countries. increasing NPA norms to ______from 90 days in the real estate accounts. 1 trillion US Dollar

100 days 1.5 trillion US Dollar

120 days 2 trillion US Dollar

150 days 2.5 trillion US Dollar

180 days 5 trillion US Dollar

200 days Q. The 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO has been postponed. This Q. Which of the following company has completed session was scheduled to take place in ______. the acquisition of US-based Aleris Corp for $2.8- billion? USA

Hindalco China

India Public Safety Act

France None of these

Italy Q. The India Meteorological Department has announced that it expects monsoon rainfall to be Q. Recently, Air India flight carrying four tonnes of normal this year. According to its prediction, medical items arrived in Seychelles. What is the monsoon will hit Thiruvananthapuram cost on capital of Seychelles? ______. Maputo 01 June Victoria 20 May Morondava 05 June Antananarivo 25 May Windhoek 08 June Q. Which of the following country has recently Q. Which of the following has become the first Life dispatched a total of 650,000 antibody testing and Insurance company to announce Additional Benefits RNA extraction kits to India? Related to COVID-19? Japan Max Life Insurance USA Tata AIA Life Insurance Russia HDFC Life China ICICI Prudential UAE None of these Q. Recently, The Union Home Ministry has made Q. Who among the following has been appointed as spitting in public without caring as a punishable the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of offence under ______. CARE Ratings? Disaster Management Act Mohit Prajapati Resource Management Act Rakesh Deshwal Indian criminal law Som Prabhu

Ajay Mahajan Q. Recently, a decontamination, sanitizing tunnel has been launched at PUSA Institute New Delhi. Anant Pandey Which of the following institutes is also known as Q. Vineet Arora has been appointed as the MD and PUSA Institute? CEO of which of the following General Insurance Indian Agricultural Research Institute company? Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural Institute Aditya Birla General Insurance Central Arid Zone Research Institute Paytm General Insurance Central Institute for Arid Horticulture Bajaj Allianz General Insurance None of these Bharti AXA General Insurance Q. Which of the following has developed a compact Cholamandalam MS General Insurance solid-state sensor to detect the heavy metal ions in Q. World Haemophilia Day is observed every year water? on ______. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research 13 April Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences 14 April Raman Research Institute 15 April Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 16 April Agharkar Research Institute 17 April Q. Recently, which of the following Indian state has Q. Which of the following country is the first country observed new cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome to hold a national election during the pandemic? also known as brain fever?

Vietnam Rajasthan

France Uttar Pradesh

South Korea Bihar

Laos Assam

None of these Maharashtra

Q. According to the International Monetary Fund, Q. Recently, Tamas Ajan resigned. He was serving Asia is expected to witness a growth rate of as the president of which of the following ______in 2020. organisations?

0.6% World Athletics

0.8% International Boxing Association

0% International Gymnastics Federation

1.2% International Weightlifting Federation

1.4% International Tennis Federation

Q. After the new reduction in reverse repo rate by the Q. Recently, Who among the following has taken Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the new reverse repo over additional charge of Mahanagar Telephone rate is ______. Nigam Limited?

4.25% Mohit Nagarjun

3.95% P K Purwar

3.75% R Dhanush Pandey

3.55% Ratnesh Kumar

3.50% None of these

Q. Which of the following has recently launched the Q. World Heritage Day is observed every year on latest round of quarterly order books, inventories and ______. capacity utilisation survey (OBICUS) of the 14 April manufacturing sector? 15 April Securities and Exchange Board of India 16 April Reserve Bank of India 17 April National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development 18 April

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs

Confederation of Indian Industry

Q. Indian Tricolour projected onto Matterhorn Q. Which of the following institute has designed mountain to send a message of hope. Matterhorn ‘WardBot’ to deliver food, medicines to COVID-19 mountain is in ______. patients?

France IIT-Kharagpur

Canada IIT-Delhi

Switzerland IIT-Ropar

Germany IIT-Madras

Australia None of these

Q. Council Of Science and Industrial Research Q. According to a recent announcement, The rate of (CSIR) will begin clinical trials of Mw doubling of COVID-19 in India has been improved (Mycobacterium w) vaccine against coronavirus. It is to ______. normally used to treat ______4.3 days Leprosy 5.4 days HIV 6.2 days Cancer 7.1 days Malaria 7.8 days None of these Q. Which of the following became the first state in Q. Which of the following organisation has launched the country to carry out Rapid Testing for COVID- automatic sanitiser and ultraviolet devices to fight 19? coronavirus? Uttar Pradesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Kerala Indian Army Rajasthan Defence Research and Development Organisation Andhra Pradesh Indian Council of Medical Research Gujarat None of these

Q. Which of the following state/UT governments has Q. Which of the following space agency is planning launched the 'Assess Koro Na' app for door-to-door to launch a ‘Demo-2’ mission with two astronauts on survey in containment zones? board to the International Space Station?

Delhi CNES

Assam JAXA

Manipur NASA

Andaman and Nicobar Indian Space Research Organisation

Jammu and Kashmir None of these

Q. Which of the following company has completed Q. Recently, Air India has announced the opening of the acquisition of Norton motorcycle company for bookings for select Domestic flights for travel from Rs 153 crore? ______.

Hero MotoCorp 30th March

TVS Motor 4th May

Bajaj Auto 15th May

Honda 18th May

Royal Enfield 01 June

Q. Recently, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has Q. All of the postal employees will get a raised its short-term borrowing limit Ways and compensation of ______in case they succumb to Means Advances (WMA) by an additional COVID-19. ______. Rs 01 lakh 10% Rs 05 lakh 15% Rs 10 lakh 20% Rs 15 lakh 30% Rs 20 lakh 40%

Q. Recently, CSIR-CFTRI’s protein-enriched Q. Which of the following state government has biscuits reached COVID-19 patients. These biscuits approved the re-telecast videos of online EDUSAT have protein content of ______as compared to 8- classes for Class X Students? 9% of normal biscuits? Jharkhand 12% Maharashtra 14% Rajasthan 18% Odisha 20% Uttar Pradesh 24% Q. Which of the following state government has Q. Who among the following has recently launched developed a Chatbot with Facebook to answer the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage queries on COVID-19? (ICH) of India? Maharashtra Narendra Singh Tomar Punjab Dharmendra Pradhan Rajasthan Prakash Javadekar Telangana Prahlad Singh Patel Andhra Pradesh Smriti Irani Q. Which of the following organisation has launched Q. Which of the following organisation has recently 'Team Mask Force' to spread awareness about developed polypropylene spun Personal Protective wearing masks in public places? Coverall Suit to Combat COVID-19? Reserve Bank of India CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories Life Insurance Corporation Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Board of Control for Cricket in India National Institute of Virology National Council of Educational Research and Defence Research and Development Organisation Training

None of these None of these

Q. Recently, Saharai Oram passed away. He was a/an Boom Fact check ______. Insta Fact check Journalist Indiatoday Fact check Cricketer None of these Politician Q. Which of the following has developed a sensitive Painter and low-cost sensor to rapidly detect ‘bug sniffer’ bacteria? Freedom Fighter Agharkar Research Institute Q. United Nation Chinese Language Day is observed every year on ______. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research

17 April Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

18 April Savitribai Phule Pune University

19 April None of these

20 April Q. Recently, Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have discovered giant stars 21 April containing ______. Q. World liver day is observed every year on Potassium ______. Lithium 17 April Iridium 18 April Platinum 19 April None of these 20 April Q. Recently, The Telangana has decided to extend 21 April lock down till ______. Q. Recently, Facebook has launched a third party 5 May fact checking in Bangladesh in partnership with ______. 7 May

Bill Fact check 9 May

11 May Q. Recently, Gene Deitch passed away. He was a famous ______. 15 May Actor Q. Which of the following state government has become the first state to geotag community kitchens? Scientist

Rajasthan Director

Maharashtra Politician

Uttar Pradesh Astronaut

Jharkhand Q. World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed every year on ______. Telangana 18 April Q. Which of the following football club has been declared as the I-League champions after the season 19 April gets called off? 20 April Bengaluru FC 21 April Gokulam Kerala 22 April Mohun Bagan Q. National Civil Services Day is observed every Sporting Goa year on ______.

Pune FC 18 April

Q. Who among the following Indian has been 19 April nominated among 50 footballers to take part in 20 April FIFA's initiative to applaud 'humanity's heroes'? 21 April Gurpreet Singh Sandhu 22 April Sunil Chhetri Q. According to a recent report, the sown area of Bhaichung Bhutia summer crops has increased by ______as Anirudh Thapa compared to previous year?

Pronay Halder 42%

22% 2.5 billion dollar

36% 5 billion dollar

49% Q. Who among the following Indian has been appointed as a member of the USA’s top science 14% board, National Science Board. Q. Which of the following state government will Radheyshyam Banarjee cover Anganwadi workers, assistants under Chief Minister COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojana? Sudarsanam Babu

Rajasthan Ajeet Tyagi

Madhya Pradesh Puneet Mehta

Jharkhand None of these

Tamil Nadu Q. Who among the following has been appointed as the new Secretary to President of India? Maharashtra Raghav Krishna Q. Which of the following state government will provide free online medical consultation to sick Kapil Dev Tripathi people through e-sanjeevani-opd? Rajneesh Kumar Haryana Mahesh Dubey Himachal Pradesh None of these Assam Q. Recently, Biswanath Somadder has been Odisha appointed as the Chief Justice of ______.

Telangana Orissa High Court

Q. Recently, New Development Bank has decided to Meghalaya High Court provide ______emergency assistance to India. Assam High Court 1 billion dollar Bihar High Court 1.5 billion dollar None of these 2 billion dollar

Q. Who among the following has recently won the United States F1 virtual Chinese Grand Prix? Canada Pierre Gasly New Zealand Alexander Albon Q. Which of the following country’s parliament has Lance Stroll prepared for virtual debates amid the COVID-19 lockdown? Charles Leclerc Britain None of these Australia Q. Earth Day is observed every year on ______. Iran 19 April Italy 20 April None of these 21 April Q. Recently, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin 22 April Netanyahu has signed an agreement with ______23 April to form an “emergency” coalition government.

Q. Which of the following country has recently Yair Lapid cancelled bull running festivals due to the Benny Gantz coronavirus pandemic? Naftali Bennett Italy Amit Segal Spain None of these Germany Q. Who among the following participated in a virtual France meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers over COVID- None of these 19 impact on food safety?

Q. Which of the following country has suspended all Thawar Chand Gehlot immigration temporarily through an executive order? Narendra Singh Tomar UAE Dharmendra Pradhan Italy

Radha Mohan Singh Sehat

None of these None of these

Q. Recently the Health and Family Welfare Minister Q. Who among the following has been appointed as launched an interactive platform ______which is the Chief Executive Officer of Huawei India? aimed at providing real time solutions to COVID-19 Sanjay Gupta related queries. Raheel Khursheed COVID SAHAYTA David Li COVID INDIA SEVA Ajit Mohan COVID POLL Tony Pidgley COVID SAATHI Q. According to a recent report by the World Bank, None of these Remittances are likely to fall by ______amid Q. Which of the following state government has COVID-19 pandemic. launched the third edition of ''Sujalam Sufalam Jal 10% Sanchay Abhiyan''? 15% Gujarat 20% Maharashtra 25% Telangana 30% Andhra Pradesh Q. After the recent amendment in the Epidemic None of these Diseases Act, 1897, Causing grievous injuries to Q. Pune Municipal Corporation has launched a healthcare workers can lead to a jail of maximum of ______application to track home quarantined ______years. citizens? 2 years Saathi 3 years Aarogya 4 years Saiyam 6 years

7 years Byomkesh

Q. Recently, the HRD ministry has launched a portal None of these named as ______for inviting e-learning content Q. Which of the following State/UT govt launches contributions. "Apthamitra" helpline and app to fight COVID-19 Unnati 2.0 Delhi VidyaDaan 2.0 Madhya Pradesh Saharah 2.0 Andaman and Nicobar Sajag 2.0 Telangana None of these Karnataka Q. Recently, The government has sanctioned Q. Recently, The Supreme Court rejected an order ______investment for 'India COVID-19 allowing ______reservation of teachers belonging Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness to the Scheduled Tribe category at schools situated in Package'. "Scheduled Areas". Rs 5000 crore 50% Rs 10000 crore 70% Rs 15000 crore 80% Rs 20000 crore 90% Rs 30000 crore 100% Q. Scientists at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Q. Which of the following company has acquired a Research, Institute of Genomics and Integrative 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio for Rs 43,574 crore? Biology (CSIR-IGIB) have developed a low-cost test which can detect the coronavirus within an hour Google named as ______. Facebook

Kella IBM

Feluda Alibaba Group

Jishu Microsoft

Q. Who among the following took over as the Q. What is the theme of World Immunization Week chairman of International Motorcycle Manufacturers 2020? Association (IMMA)? Protected Together Venu Srinivasan Close the immunization gap Amit Nandi Are you up-to-date? Gaku Nakanishi Vaccines Work for All Rakesh Sharma None of these None of these Q. Recently, Pakistan received ______emergency Q. Who among the following Indian has been named loan from IMF to deal with the Coronavirus crisis. as the ambassador for Badminton World Federation USD 1.94 billion (BWF)'s 'i am badminton' awareness campaign? USD 1.22 billion P V Sindhu USD 1.39 billion Parupalli Kashyap USD 2.11 billion Saina Nehwal USD 2.34 billion Srikanth Kidambi Q. National Panchayati Raj Day is observed every Pullela Gopichand year on ______. Q. International Day of Multilateralism and 25 April Diplomacy for Peace is observed every year on ______. 24 April

25 April 23 April

24 April 22 April 21 April 23 April Q. Which of the following institute has recently 22 April developed foot-operated wash basins for Mumbai’s 21 April Dharavi?

IIT Kharagpur

DRDO Jharkhand

IIT Madras Assam ‘

CSIR Q. World Games has unveiled a new logo and title for 2022 edition. The 2022 edition will take place in None of these ______. Q. India's first Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Tokyo Research Laboratory has been inaugurated in ______. Shanghai

New Delhi Birmingham

Hyderabad Rio de Janeiro

Chennai Cape Town

Pune Q. Recently, Usha Ganguly passed away. She was a famous ______. Indore Journalist Q. Which of the following northeastern state observed ‘Khongjom Day’ on 23 April? Painter

Nagaland Theatre Personality

Assam Politician

Tripura None of these

Manipur Q. World Malaria Day is observed every year on ______. Meghalaya 23 April Q. Recently, the World Bank has approved Rs 585 crore for State Roads Transformation Project of 25 April ______. 27 April Himachal Pradesh 24 April Uttarakhand 26 April West Bengal

Q. The International Delegate’s Day is observed Q. Which of the following institute has developed every year on ______. COVID-19 dashboard ‘PRACRITI’ that accounts for the basic reproduction number? 22 April IIT Delhi 23 April IIT Ropar 24 April IIT Kharagpur 25 April IIT Madras 26 April None of these Q. Which of the following organisation has developed ‘VITAL’ ventilator specifically to treat Q. Which of the following state government has COVID-19 patients? revived ‘zero interest’ loan schemes for women self- help groups? ISRO Uttar Pradesh World Bank Madhya Pradesh NASA Jharkhand WHO Andhra Pradesh Asian Development Bank Assam Q. Which of the following organisation has launched ''e-karyalay'' app for movement of files without Q. Vodafone Idea has tied up with which of the physical touch? following company to launch ‘Recharge Saathi’?

Central Industrial Security Force Flipkart

Indian Air Force Google Pay

Defence Research and Development Organisation Paytm

National Investigation Agency Amazon India

Indian Army Facebook

Q. Who among the following took oath as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India?

Sachin Shah 26 April

Sanjay Kothari 27 April

Rajesh Jha Q. Which of the following country has recently abolished flogging as a form of punishment? Mukesh Sharma Oman None of these Qatar Q. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has postponed the ongoing second edition of the FIH Saudi Arabia Hockey Pro League to ______. UAE October 2020 None of these December 2020 Q. Recently, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) March 2021 has opened Rohtang Pass after clearing snow. Rohatang pass lies in ______range. June 2021 Pir Panjal Range September 2021 Karakoram Q. Recently, Graeme Watson passed away.. He was associated with which of the following sports? Sivalik

Football Dhauladhar

Hockey None of these

Basketball Q. Who among the following will head the expert group for post-COVID-19 revival in Punjab? Golf C. Rangarajan Cricket Kaushik Basu Q. World Intellectual Property Day is observed every year on ______. Bimal Jalan

23 April Montek Singh Ahluwalia

24 April Bibek Debroy

25 April

Q. Recently, Chithirai festival celebrations in Q. Recently, The Assam government has deposited Kallalagar temple has been cancelled. The Chithirai ______to the state people who are stranded festival is observed in ______. outside the state.

Kerala Rs 1000

Tamil Nadu Rs 1500

Andhra Pradesh Rs 2000

Telangana Rs 2500

Karnataka Rs 4000

Q. Recently, Thuthukudi airport has been upgraded Q. Which of the following state government has to level 3. Thuthukudi airport is in ______. launched a 'Covid Pharma' app to keep track of people buying medicines for cough, cold and fever Andhra Pradesh from pharmacies? Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh Telangana Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Telangana Kerala Assam Q. According to the Jeevan Shakti Yojana in Madhya Bihar Pradesh, The government will pay ______per mask to the women for making masks at home. Q. Recently, Sana Mir announced her retirement from international cricket. She played international Rs 8 cricket from ______. Rs 10 Pakistan Rs 11 Bangladesh Rs 15 India Rs 17 Australia

South Africa

Q. Which of the following country has recently Q. Which of the following state has deployed ended death penalty for crimes committed by 'KARMI-Bot' to serve food, medicines to COVID-19 minors? patients?

UAE Assam

Kuwait Madhya Pradesh

Saudi Arabia Telangana

Qatar Maharashtra

Bahrain Kerala

Q. Which of the following hospital became the 1st Q. Which of the following state government has govt hospital in the country to successfully launch launched Dhanwantari scheme for home delivery of Plasma Therapy Treatment for COVID-19? medicines?

King George Medical University Lucknow Assam

Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi Gujarat

Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi Uttar Pradesh

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Madhya Pradesh Sciences and Research, Gandhinagar Karnataka AIIMS Rishikesh Q. Recently, The Reserve Bank of India has Q. The Uttar Pradesh government has banned all announced a Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual public functions till ______. Funds (SLF-MF) of ______.

30 May 10,000 crore rupees

05 June 50,000 crore rupees

15 June 100,000 crore rupees

30 June 150,000 crore rupees

15 July 500,000 crore rupees

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as Painter the economic secretary of India? Theater artist

Amit Khare Sitar player

Tarun Bajaj Photojournalist

Ravi Mittal None of these

Anita Karwal Q. World Day for Safety and Health at Work is None of these observed every year on ______.

Q. Recently, Justice Mohammad Rafiq took oath as 25 April the Chief Justice ______. 26 April

Orissa High Court 27 April

Andhra Pradesh High Court 28 April

Assam Gauhati High Court 29 April

Bihar Patna High Court Q. Which of the following country’s Finance Punjab and Haryana High Court Minister has unveiled 100% state-backed 'Bounce Back Loan Scheme' for small businesses? Q. Recently, Badruddin Sheikh passed away following COVID19 infection. He was a famous China

______. USA

Politician UAE

Journalist United Kingdom

Cricketer France

Painter Q. Which of the following country has recently Theater artist canceled ‘Pitch Black’ 2020 air combat exercise?

Q. Recently, Ronojoy 'Ronny' Roy passed away. He Australia was a famous ______. France

Spain None of these

Germany Q. Which of the following bank has acquired 29%

None of these stake in Max Life Insurance?

State Bank of India Q. According to the “Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019”, India is the ______largest ICICI Bank military spender in the world. Axis Bank Second IndusInd Bank Third HDFC Bank Fourth Q. Who among the following has been nominated as Fifth America's next envoy to the Organisation for

Sixth Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD?

Rashmi Desai Q. India Ratings has lowered GDP growth rate to ______for FY 2020-21. Ankit Jain

1.1% Manisha Singh

1.4% Pradeep Navroj

1.9% None of these

2.2% Q. Recently, Which of the following Pakistani

2.7% batsmen has been banned for three years by the PCB for failing to report corruption? Q. Which of the following telecom company has Kamran Akmal inked a $1 billion multi-year deal with Nokia to enhance 5G network capacity in India? Abdur Rehman

BSNL Imran Nazir

Airtel Umar Akmal

Jio Sarfaraz Ahmed

Vodafone Idea

Q. Recently, Jhuma Khatun was banned for 4 years 2 billion dollars for doping. She was associated with which of the 2.5 billion dollars following sports? 5 billion dollars Weightlifting 10 billion dollars Running Q. Government has allowed employees of IT companies Long Jump to work from home till ______.

Swimming 31 May 30 June None of these 31 July Q. International Dance Day is observed every year on ______. 15 October

27 April 30 November

28 April Q. The Mid Day meal scheme was launched in the year ______. 29 April 1991 30 April 1995 Q. Recently, Imran Ismail has been tested positive for COVID-19. He was the governor of a province of 1999 ______. 2001 Bangladesh 2005 Bhutan Q. Portal of Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand opened. Pakistan Kedarnath Dham is near the bank of ______river.

Sri Lanka Mandakini

Afghanistan Nandakini

Q. Recently, Asian Development Bank has approved Pindar ______loan to India to help fund its fight against the Alaknanda coronavirus pandemic. Bhagirathi 1.5 billion dollars

Q. NLC India has commenced coal production at its J. K. Maheshwari Talabira-II and III Opencast Coal Mine. Talabira-II and Ravi Ranjan III mines are in ______. None of these Jharkhand Q. Which of the following country’s Navy will host Bihar the world's largest maritime exercises ‘Rim of the Assam Pacific’?

Odisha USA

Chhattisgarh Japan Q. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd begins operations with Australia precautions. Numaligarh Refinery is in ______. France Nagaland None of these Assam Q. The Asian Development Bank gave $ 346 mn loan Karnataka for the power sector in ______. Maharashtra Uttar Pradesh None of these Telangana Q. Which of the following state has launched the 'Jagananna Vidya Deevena'? Himachal Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra

Rajasthan None of these

Gujarat Q. Which of the following Water Management

Andhra Pradesh Authorities has been recently brought under Jal Shakti Ministry? Bihar Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Q. Who among the following took oath as new Chief Justice of Bombay High Court? Delhi Jal Board

Govind Mathur Cauvery Water Management Authority

Dipankar Datta Yamuna Water Management Authority

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Bihar Sewerage Board Maharashtra Q. After the GPS Satellite Radio transmitters tagging Q. Which of the following state has engaged 14,000 last year, Which of the following bird has returned citizens as 'Pratirodhi Bondhu' to fight against back to Manipur after covering around 20,000 km up COVID-19? to Somalia and South Africa? Andhra Pradesh Odisha Amur Falcon Assam Siberian crane Bihar

Bar-headed goose Rajasthan Q. Who among the following has been appointed as Great white pelican the next Ambassador or Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations? None of these Ajay Bhushan Pratap Q. Which of the following state cabinet will start Mohit Vashisth ‘neighborhood classes’ besides tele-classes for T. S. Tirumurti students amid lockdown? A.N Iyer Assam None of these Q. Who among the following has been appointed as Madhya Pradesh the Chairman of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB)? Meghalaya Mohit Nagpal Nagaland Pankaj Singh Tripura Rajiv Kumar Manoj Kumar Q. Which of the following state government has None of these topped in providing employment to workers under Q. Deepak Mittal has been appointed as the India's Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment new Ambassador to ______. Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)? Qatar Uttar Pradesh Oman

Chhattisgarh Croatia UAE Madhya Pradesh Denmark