Today Current Affairs for Competitive Exams - Current Affairs 2020-2021 Online

Fitch revises India's GDP forecast to -9.4%  The air forces of Pakistan and China commenced a joint exercise designed  Fitch Ratings has raised Indias GDP forecast to deepen practical cooperation and improve to -9.4 per cent in the current fiscal year to the actual-combat training level of the two March 2021 from a previously projected sides, on 9 Dec 2020. contraction of 10.5 per cent.  The joint air force exercise called "Shaheen  The projections compare to a GDP growth of (Eagle)-IX started at an operational airbase of 4.2 per cent in 2019-20 (April 2019 to March the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Sindh 2020) fiscal and 6.7 per cent annual province. expansion between 2015 and 2019.  The first such drill was held in Pakistan in Astad Deboo passes away March 2011.  Contemporary Indian dancer Astad Deboo, in Forbes list known for amalgamating Indian and western  Amitabh Bachchan, , Akshay dance techniques, passed away in December Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Hrithik 2020. Roshan feature in the Forbes list of Most  Deboo employed his training in Indian Influential Celebrities on Social Media in the classical dance forms of Kathak as well as Asia-Pacific region. Kathakali to create a unique fusion dance  In the inaugural 100 Digital Stars list, Forbes form. Asia highlights celebrities who managed to  In 2002, he founded the Astad Deboo Dance remain active using social media to raise Foundation which provided creative training to awareness and even helped causes like the marginalised sections. COVID-19 relief. Indian govt to start an air bubble with Nepal Cabinet okays ₹22,810 crore for a scheme  The Indian govt has decided to start an air  The Cabinet has approved an expenditure of bubble with Nepal. ₹22,810 crores to bear the cost of pensions of  The Indian Foreign Ministry has agreed to a low-paid workers in the formal sector. proposal from Nepal to restart flight  The two-year scheme to subsidize wages operations between the two countries in a through the Employees Provident Fund phased manner to ensure people are not Organization (EPFO) is part of the inconvenienced due to COVID related Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana embargos. announced in Nov 2020 by Union Finance  There will be two flights a day between Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Kathmandu and New Delhi initially, one each by Nepal Airlines and Air India. Paolo Rossi passes away Pakistan and China begin joint air exercise

1 | Page

 Paolo Rossi, the footballer who helped Italy  Accommodation facilities and services will be win the 1982 world cup, passed away in provided to tourists in luxury cottages in December 2020. these locations.  Rossi led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot UP govt to set up 35,000 COVID vaccine centres as top goalscorer.  UP govt will prepare 35,000 COVID vaccine  He was awarded Ballon d Or in 1982. centres under 24 hours CCTV surveillance in  During his time with Juventus, he won two the state. Italian Serie A titles, a European Cup and a  All vehicles carrying vaccines will also have Coppa Italia. the GPS (global positioning system) trackers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the 'Emerging Markets Equity Fund' launched  officials concerned to put in place safe  PGIM India Mutual Fund has introduced the storage facilities by December 15, 2020. PGIM India Emerging Markets Equity Fund. Karnataka legislative assembly passes a bill  It is an open-ended equity fund of fund scheme investing in PGIM Jennison Emerging  Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Markets Equity Fund. Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020, was passed  PGIM India Mutual Fund is a wholly-owned in the state Legislative Assembly on 9 Dec business of PGIM, the global investment 2020. management business of Prudential  The Bill will now go to the Legislative Council, Financial, Inc. the upper house, for approval.  The fund is benchmarked with MSCI  Once passed, the slaughter of cattle, Emerging Markets Index. smuggling, illegal transportation and atrocities on cows will be a cognizable offence and will Successful demonstration of QKD communication attract 3-7 years of imprisonment and a fine.  The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) PBD Convention to be inaugurated in January technology developed by the DRDO underwent trials between two laboratories in  PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pravasi Hyderabad on 9 Dec 2020. Bharatiya Divas Convention on 9 Jan'21.  The quantum technology-based security was  The Convention will be held in a virtual validated for a range of 12 km over a fibre format. optic channel.  President Ram Nath Kovind will deliver the  QKD is primarily a mechanism to undertake valedictory address to the diaspora. secure communication which utilises a  The winners of 'Bharat ko Janiye' Quiz will be cryptographic protocol involving various announced in the inaugural Session. components of quantum mechanics.  The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will Odisha launches its Eco-Retreat program also be announced to honour eminent overseas Indians.  Odisha Tourism launched its flagship Eco- Retreat program at 5 locations in the State on Canada approves vaccine for people over age 16 9 Dec 2020.  Canada has approved Pfizers corona vaccine  It aims at boosting tourism in the state. for people over the age of 16.  The 5 locations, namely Konark, Satakosia,  The first doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive Bhitarkanika, Daringibadi and Hirakud under at 14 Canadian distribution centres by the the scheme are open to the tourists till Feb third week of Dec 2020. 2021.  The first shipment of 2.49 lakh doses to Canada will come from plants in the United States and Belgium.

2 | Page

Nine states complete implementation of ONORC International Bharati Festival 2020  A total of nine states have completed the  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the implementation process of One Nation One International Bharati Festival, 2020 on 11 Ration Card System. December 2020 via video conferencing.  These states are Andhra Pradesh, Goa,  The festival for 2020 is being organised in , Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, virtual mode and will see the participation of Telangana, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh. several national and international poets and  Additional borrowing permission of 23,523 artists. crore rupees has been issued to these states  It is being organised by Vanavil Cultural on completion of reforms. Centre to celebrate the 138th birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramanya Bilateral MoU between India and Luxembourg Bharati.  Union cabinet has approved the proposal of China removes 105 apps from app store Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to sign bilateral MoU between India  China has removed 105 apps including that of and Luxembourg. U.S. travel firm TripAdvisor Inc from app  The MoU is likely to strengthen cross border stores in the country. cooperation in the area of securities  China removed these apps under a new regulations and facilitate mutual assistance. campaign to cleanse stores of apps it deems  The cabinet also approved an MoU between spread content related to pornography, India and Suriname on cooperation in the field prostitution, gambling and violence. of health and medicine. Chuck Yeager passes away 6th installment of Rs 6,000 crore released  Chuck Yeager, the first person to travel at a  The Finance Ministry has released the 6th speed faster than the speed of sound, has instalment of Rs 6,000 cr to the states to meet passed away in December 2020. the GST compensation shortfall.  He was born in 1923, in Myra, West Virginia.  Rs 5,516 crore has been released to 23  He made history on October 14, 1947, when States and Rs 483.40 crore has been he became the first man to fly faster than the released to 3 UTs who are members of the speed of sound during his nine-year GST Council. assignment as the nations leading test pilot.  The remaining 5 states, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab renames five Government Schools , Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim do not have a gap in revenue on account of GST  The Punjab Government has decided to implementation. rename five educational institutions of the state after those who sacrificed their lives for Dept of Integrative Medicine to be set up the country.  Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS have decided  It was decided under its policy of “honouring to set up a Dept of Integrative Medicine at the martyrs and prominent departed AIIMS. personalities”.  This was decided in a joint visit and review by  Government High School, Chuslewar of Secretary, AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha district Tarn Taran has been renamed as and Director, AIIMS, New Delhi Dr Randeep Shaheed Naik Karamjit Singh Sena Medal Guleria. Government High School.  The Centre for Integrative Medicine and UC approves Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana Research, AIIMS may develop an integrated protocol with Ayurveda and Yoga for study on post COVID treatment. 3 | Page

 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister  Under the scheme, the bank is offering loans Narendra Modi, has given its approval for at 0.50% concession for women. Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana.  The bank under the gold loan scheme is also  With this scheme, the govt aims to incentivise offering agri-gold loan at 0.25% concession the creation of new employment opportunities. and for a retail loan at 0.50% concession.  Cabinet has approved an expenditure of Rs  The scheme was launched at BOB's 1,584 crore for the current financial year and Ramamurthy Nagar branch in Bengaluru. Rs 22,810 crore for the entire Scheme period i.e. 2020-2023. Gomez: First transgender woman to play soccer Heritage Foods sells entire holding  Villa San Carlos striker Mara Gomez became the first transgender woman to play football in  Heritage Foods sold its holding of about 3% in Argentina on Dec 8, 2020. Future Retail for around Rs 132 crores.  The Argentina Football Association cleared  In November 2016, Future Group had signed Gomez to play in the contest, which Villa San a definitive agreement to acquire Hyderabad- Carlos won 7-1 against Lanus. based dairy and retails enterprise, Heritage  Gomez had been playing in the Platense Foods, in an all-stock deal. Football League for Las Malvinas before the  Heritage Foods is promoted by the family AFA were satisfied she had acceptable members of former Andhra Pradesh Chief testosterone levels in her blood. Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Tamil television actress Chitra passes away WhatsApp rolls out 'carts' for in-app shopping  Renowned Tamil television actress VJ Chitra  WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature carts to passed away in December 2020. make online buying and selling easier.  Chitra started her career in 2013 as an anchor  Users will be able to browse a catalog, select for Makkal TV and also worked for Jaya TV multiple products, and send the order as one and Zee Tamil. message to a WhatsApp business with the  She became popular with Pandian Stores, a new feature. serial which started in 2018, playing a  WhatsApp has also rolled out a bunch of character named Mullai. sticker packs created by WhatsApp designers and local artists to help people and Maharashtra Police acquires Crawler businesses stay connected.  The cyber wing of the Maharashtra Police KMB offers fitness allowance for employees recently acquired a software "Crawler" from Interpol that would help them track down child  Kotak Mahindra Bank announced the pornography uploaded online. introduction of fitness allowance and remote  12 officers of Maharashtra cyber were trained working benefits. by the Interpol officers in the use of this  Under Kotak's 'Health to the Power Infinity' software. programme, the bank's employees will be  Kerala too was to undergo training by Interpol eligible for the monthly fitness allowance. in 2019.  The employees will have to share their fitness goals with the bank to ensure they are 8th December : 36th SARRC Charter day actually benefitting from the allowance.  On December, 8, 2020, the South Asian BoB launches Atmanirbhar Women Gold Scheme Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) celebrated its 36th Charter Day  Bank of Baroda has launched the anniversary. Atmanirbhar Women Scheme as part of its  SAARC Charter day marks the signing of the Baroda Gold Loan. SAARC Charter in 1985 by the Leaders of

4 | Page

SAARC Countries, Heads of State or  He was appointed as Permanent Judge of the Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 22, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at 2006. the First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka.  He was transferred to Jammu and Kashmir High Court on November 19, 2018. Anindya Banerjee: Ambassador to Korea Govt to set up PM-WANI  Anindya Banerjee has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Democratic  In a bid to provide public Wi-Fi service, the Peoples Republic of Korea. Union Cabinet has decided to launch a PM-  Anindya is presently the Assistant High Wi-Fi Access Network Interface to unleash a Commissioner in the Assistant High massive WIFI network in India. Commission of India, Chittagong.  With this, public data centres will be opened  He is expected to take up the assignment across the country. shortly.  There will be no licence, fee or registration for it. MoS Muraleedharan inaugurates a website  The Public Wi-Fi Access Network Interface  V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for will be known as PM-WANI. External Affairs inaugurated the website for the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2021, ADB approves two loans for India on 8 Dec 2020, marking the commencement  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has of online registration for participation in the approved a $500 million loan. convention.  It will construct new metro rail lines in  The day is observed on 9 January every year. Bengaluru, Karnataka, and another $300  It was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma million to strengthen primary health care in Gandhi returned to India from South Africa urban areas across the country. and led India's freedom struggle.  This will enhance the economy, improve the B Medical Systems to set up a facility urban environment and make the city more livable.  Luxembourg-based B Medical System will start a specialised refrigerated vaccine RBL Bank, ICICI Prudential in a partnership transportation plant in Gujarat to ensure last  RBL Bank and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance mile drug delivery to villages across the have announced a bancassurance country. partnership to offer life insurance products to  Its target is to start a manufacturing unit by the bank customers. March 2021.  It will enable customers of RBL Bank to  This is the first time in the companys history access and seamlessly purchase customer- that they are establishing a plant outside their centric protection and long-term savings native land Luxembourg. products of the company. Rajesh Bindal: Chief Justice J&K, Ladakh HC  RBL Bank will distribute ICICIs products through its network of 398 branches spread  Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed as across 28 states. the Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Bajrang Punia bags top honour at FICCI Awards  Bindal is the senior-most judge of common  Wrestler Bajrang Punia and shooter Elavenil High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Valarivan -- bagged the top honours at the Ladakh. FICCI India Sports Awards 2020.  The two athletes, who have had an impressive 2019-20 season, won the

5 | Page

Sportsperson of the Year awards in their neurological symptoms in American respective categories. diplomats, including dizziness, nausea,  Cricket legend Anil Kumble received the 'Best headaches and hearing problems, which they Company Promoting Sports (Private Sector)' called Havana syndrome. award on behalf of his enterprise - Tenvic  MRI of the brain revealed a loss of white and Sports. grey matter, as well as impaired functional connections between the sensory regions, Parthiv Patel announces retirement and without any traumatic brain injury.  Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has UP govt's scheme for Tharu tribe announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.  UP govt has recently embarked upon a  Parthiv featured in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and a scheme to take the unique culture of its ethnic couple of T20Is for India. Tharu tribe across the world.  In domestic cricket, he featured in 194 first-  The UP Forest Corp will train the Tharu class matches for Gujarat. people to communicate effectively with  He broke into the Indian team in 2002, visitors and encourage villagers to acquaint becoming the youngest wicketkeeper in them with aspects of safety and cleanliness. Tests, after making his debut at 17 years and  Tharu community belongs to the Terai 153 days. lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. COVID-19 testing centre detection app Human Rights Day: 10 December  UP CM Yogi Adityanath has launched COVID-19 testing centre detection app  Human Rights Day 2020 falls on December named the Mera Covid Kendra app. 10 every year.  It will help people in accessing public and  The day is being observed ever since the private COVID testing labs available within 5 United Nations General Assembly adopted km of their location. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights  All the data like map, centre timing, test type (UDHR) in 1948. and other details of the testing labs are  UDHR is a document that states all the rights present in the map. that humans are entitled to which is  This mobile app can be downloaded from regardless of any race, colour, etc. Google Play Store.  The theme for the year 2020 is "Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights". Report on Havana syndrome

 American scientists have published a report on the possible causes of a number of

Attempt Daily Current Affairs Quiz

6 | Page