CURRENT AFFAIRS CAPSULE (DECEMBER 2020)

INTERNATIONAL Iran says ready to return to nuclear deal Iran is ready to return to full compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal with major powers as soon as the other Biden names Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary, parties honour their commitments, President Hassan Neera Tanden asNATION head of OMB Rouhani said. US President-elect Joe Biden has named Janet Yellen as his Treasury Secretary and Indian-American Neera US panel of experts formally recommend that FDA Tanden as Director of Office of Management and authorize Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine Budget, as he announcedAL key members of his economic Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine has passed a critical milestone team. when a US panel of experts formally recommended that the Food and Drug Administration authorize the vaccine. China, Pakistan sign military deal China and Pakistan have signed a new military Morocco latest country to normalise relations with memorandum of understanding to boost their already Israel in US-brokered deal close defence relationship. Both countries also Morocco has become the latest Arab country to agree to discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security, normalise relations with Israel in a deal brokered with US and enhanced bilateral defense collaboration. help.

Wisconsin, Arizona certify Biden wins in Presidential Israel establishes diplomatic ties with Bhutan poll Israel has established diplomatic relations with Two battleground States, Wisconsin and Arizona, Bhutan.The agreement follows several years of secret certified their presidential election results in favour of Joe contacts between Israel and Bhutan with the aim of Biden, even as President Donald Trump’s legal team establishing relations. continued to dispute the results. , Iran and Uzbekistan to hold talks on joint use U.S. Senate clears Bill on immigrant visas of Chabahar port The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a Bill that The first Trilateral Working Group Meeting between eliminates the per-country numerical limitation for India, Iran and Uzbekistan on joint use of Chabahar Port employment-based immigrant visas and raises it for will be held virtually. family-based visas, a legislation that will hugely benefit hundreds of thousands of Indian professionals in Germany orders partial lockdown America who have been waiting for years to get their Germany will go into a partial lockdown with non- green cards. essential shops and schools to close, as Europe’s biggest economy battles to halt an exponential growth in Bangladesh starts relocation of Rohingyas to the coronavirus infections. The new curbs will apply until newly developed facility at Bhashan Char Island January 1. Going ahead with its plan to shift the Rohingyas from Cox's Bazar refugee camp, the Bangladesh government UN Secretary General says world leaders should started the process of relocating them to the newly declare climate emergency in their countries to developed facility at the Bhashan char Island. avoid catastrophic global warming UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has called on all Bangladesh signs first Preferential Trade Agreement countries to declare a climate emergency to spur action (PTA) since its independence to avoid catastrophic global warming. He was speaking Bangladesh signed its first Preferential Trade Agreement at a virtual summit on the fifth anniversary of the Paris (PTA) with Bhutan allowing duty free access to a range climate agreement. of goods between the two countries. This is the first PTA Bangladesh has signed with any country in the world. Covid-19 vaccination drive begins in the US; Nurse Sandra Lindsay is the first to get the vaccine Maduro wins legislature polls boycotted by The first Covid-19 vaccination in the has Opposition taken place, as the country gears up for its largest ever Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s political alliance immunisation campaign. Sandra Lindsay, an intensive claimed a sweeping victory in congressional elections care nurse in New York is the first in US to get COVID- boycotted by the most influential opposition politicians 19 vaccine.The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received and widely criticized internationally as being fraudulent. emergency-use authorisation from the FDA.

US slaps financial sanctions & travel ban against 14 Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech's novel Chinese officials coronavirus vaccine The United States has slapped financial sanctions and Singapore has approved Pfizer-BioNTech's novel travel ban against 14 Chinese officials for undermining the coronavirus vaccine and expects delivery of the first autonomy of Hong Kong. shots by the end of this month.

UK to become first country to roll out Covid-19 Saudi Arabia announces three-phase roll out of vaccine Covid-19 vaccine United Kingdom will become the first country to roll out Saudi Arabia announced a three-phase COVID-19 the Covid-19 vaccine. Earlier, the UK became the first vaccination programme as it began registering citizens country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech and foreign residents after approving the Pfizer- Covid-19 vaccine for use. BioNTech vaccine.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 1

China, Russia aim to enhance strategic mutual trust deadline in a row over state budgets last night. Israel will and avoid strategic miscalculation now hold its fourth elections in two years in March next China and Russia have signed a Protocol to extend an year. agreement between the two countries on notifications of launches of ballistic missiles and space missile carriers. European Union and Britain reach an agreement The validity of the Agreement will be extended for over post-Brexit trade another 10 years. European Union and United Kingdom have struck a post-Brexit trade deal, after months of negotiations over WHO team expected to visit China in January 2021 to future business rules, just a week before the deadline. probe COVID-19 origins British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that they The much-awaited international mission led by the World have completed the biggest deal yet worth 668 billion Health Organization (WHO) is expected to go to China in pound a year. the first week of January to investigate the origins of the Trump Signs $900 Billion Covid Relief Bill novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that triggered the After delaying for nearly a week and under pressure from COVID-19 pandemic. all sides, US President Donald Trump finally signed a India’s COVID-19 cases per million among lowest in massive $900 billion stimulus bill, in a long-sought boost world for millions of Americans and businesses battered by the The Ministry of Health has said that India's active coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 cases per million population is among the WHO calls for expanded measures to find variants lowest in the world. The Ministry said that while active The head of the World Health Organization Tedros cases of COVID-19 per million population in India stand Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that it’s important to step up at 226, it is 2 thousand 557 in Turkey and 3 thousand genomic sequencing worldwide to ensure that new 501 in Russia. variants of the coronavirus are detected as the pandemic enters its second year. U.S. FDA authorizes Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use European Union Ambassadors unanimously approve Moderna Inc's coronavirus vaccine became the second EU-UK post- Brexit trade deal to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Ambassadors from 27 European Union (EU) Member U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). States have unanimously approved the EU-UK post- Brexit trade deal. The deal is likely to become law on 1st New Strain of Coronavirus "Out Of Control", Says January, as the UK Parliament is expected to approve it. UK Amid Flights Ban European countries banned flights from the UK on British lawmakers approve post-Brexit trade deal Sunday and the WHO called for stronger containment with EU measures as the British government warned that a Britain’s House of Commons voted resoundingly to potent new strain of the virus was "out of control". approve a trade deal with the European Union, paving the way for an orderly break with the bloc that will finally Nepal: Parliament dissolved, Election will be held in complete the U.K.’s years-long Brexit journey. two phases in April and May next year Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari dissolved U.K. approves Oxford vaccine parliament at the request of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma The COVID-19 vaccine by Oxford Universty and Oli’s cabinet. President's office said in a statement that AstraZeneca has been approved for emergency supply in the elections will be held on April 30 and May 10 next the U.K., with the first doses being released on Wednesday so that vaccinations may begin early in the New Year. year, more than a year ahead of schedule.

China justifies its military exercise with Pakistan NATIONAL amid apprehensions about India’s Malabar exercise China has justified its ongoing joint air exercise "Shaheen- IX" with Pakistan, even though it had expressed Agriculture Infrastructure Fund:An important Link in apprehensions about India’s "Malabar exercise" last Agricultural ReformsNATI month. The Central Government has launched one lakh crore rupees Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). The EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech's corona vaccine for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a medium - long term use in 27 nation grouping debt financing facility for investmentON in viable projects for European Union has approved the coronavirus vaccine post-harvest management infrastructure and community developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The first phase of farming assets through interest subvention and credit the 27-nation bloc's mass vaccination programme to guarantee. AL begin later this week. India and Nepal decide to open flights under bilateral UK identifies new South African coronavirus variant, bubble arrangement tightens lockdown India and Nepal have decided to open flights under a Two cases of another new strain of Covid-19 linked to bilateral bubble arrangement, as India has done with South Africa have been identified in the UK, Health several countries. Secretary Matt Hancock revealed. India, UK hold delegation level talks on boosting Israel to hold snap polls next year as Parliament fail cooperation in different areas to meet deadline to pass Budget India and UK held delegation level talks on strengthen Israel's parliament, the Knesset, was dissolved after the cooperation in different areas including trade and two main parties in its unity government failed to meet a prosperity, defence and security, climate and health.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 2

India and Uzbekistan hold their first virtual summit Naidu releases postage stamp in former PM IK A virtual summit was held between Prime Minister Gujral's honour Narendra Modi and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has virtually released a Mirziyoyev. This will be the first bilateral ‘Virtual Summit’ commemorative Postage Stamp in honour of the late meeting between India and a central Asian country. Prime Minister of India & Freedom Fighter, I K Gujral (Inder Kumar Gujral). India and Uzbekistan sign nine agreements to strengthen strategic partnership Gwalior, Orchha in UNESCO world heritage cities list India and Uzbekistan signed nine Agreements and The historical fort cities of Gwalior and Orchha in Madhya Memorandum of Understandings, MoUs in various areas Pradesh have been included in the list of UNESCOs world including in the field of Solar Energy, Digital heritage cities under its urban landscape city programme. Technologies and on High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP). Ministry of AYUSH, AIIMS to set up Department of Integrative Medicine India and Qatar to create special Task-Force to Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS have decided to initiate further facilitate investments by QIA into India work on setting up a Department of Integrative Medicine India and Qatar have decided to create a special Task- at AIIMS Force to further facilitate investments by Qatar Investment Authority into India. Nine states complete implementation for One Nation one Ration Card System Govt. announces ₹900 crore package for COVID-19 A total of nine states have completed the implementation Vaccine Development Mission process of One Nation One Ration Card System. Andhra The Centre has announced the third stimulus package of Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, , Kerala, ₹900 crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha- The Indian Telangana, Tripura and have successfully COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission. This grant will completed the reforms in PDS. be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research and Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines. Cabinet nod for public WiFi networks The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal for setting Bangladesh signs agreement with Serum Institute of up public WiFi hotspots across the country via public India for procuring COVID-19 vaccine data offices or PDOs, which could even be a kirana shop The government of Bangladesh signed an agreement or a paan shop. The public Wi-Fi Access Network with the Serum Institute of India (SII) for procurement of Interface, which will be called ‘PM-WANI’. 3 crore doses of the Oxford/ Astrazeneca vaccine Karnataka Assembly adopts Bill against cow slaughter BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile in Anti-Ship The Legislative Assembly adopted the Karnataka mode successfully test fired Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile in Anti-Ship mode 2020, that has stringent penal provisions ranging from was successfully test fired against a decommissioned imprisonment of three to seven years and penalty of Ship. The test firing was carried out by Indian Navy. ₹50,000 to ₹7 lakh for violations.

Panel formed to oversee India’s Paris climate goals PM Modi laid foundation stone of new Parliament The Union Environment Ministry has constituted a high- building level inter-ministerial apex committee for Implementation Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed a ground- of Paris Agreement (AIPA) under the chairmanship of breaking ceremony in the heart of Delhi to mark the Secretary, MoEFCC. symbolic launch of the new parliament building. Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct the new India and the US sign MoU on Intellectual Property Parliament building. cooperation India, and the US have signed Memorandum of BSNL launches world’s largest NB-IoT to benefit Understanding on Intellectual Property cooperation. The traditional sectors MoU aims at increasing IP co-operation between the two BSNL announced the launch of a satellite-based internet countries of things (IoT) device service that can be used across India where mobile towers are not present, including the Manipur police station chosen best in country seas within the country's jurisdiction The state-run Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district of telecom firm said it is the world's first satellite-based Manipur has been selected by the Home Ministry as the narrowband-IoT(NB- IoT) network. best among all police stations in the country for its performance in dealing cases. India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate receives approval to initiate Phase 1 and 2 human PASSEX conducted by Indian Navy and Russian Navy clinical trials The Indian Navy (IN) has undertaken a Passage India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate has Exercise (PASSEX) with Russian Federation Navy received approval from Indian Drug regulators to initiate (RuFN) in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from 4 Phase one and two human clinical trials. The novel to 5 December 2020. mRNA vaccine candidate, HGCO19 has been developed by Gennova, Pune and supported with seed grant under IIT alumni body to raise ₹50,000 cr for revitalising the Ind-CEPI mission of the domestic research The relatively new Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Handicraft and GI Toys exempted from Quality Alumni Council has announced an “India Empowerment Control Order Fund” with an aim to raise ₹50,000 crore in a decade, Centre has exempted Handicraft and Geographical with a promise to rekindle domestic research. Indications toys from Quality Control Order. Department

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 3

for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade mentioned FM Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 23rd Meeting of FSDC this exemption in Toys (Quality Control) Second through video conference Amendment Order, 2020. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 23rd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Ashraf Patel named Social Entrepreneur of the year Council, FSDC through video conference in . Ashraf Patel has won the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award instituted by the Schwab Foundation and GoI, World Bank sign 400 million dollar project to Jubilant Bhartia Foundation. Ashraf Patel is the co- protect India’s poor from COVID-19 founder of Pravah and ComMutiny Youth Collective. Government of India and the World Bank have signed 400 million dollar project to protect India’s poor and All states, except TN, availed benefits of “Special vulnerable from the impact of COVID-19. Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure” scheme All the states except Tamil Nadu have availed benefits of India signs one billion dollar loan agreement with the newly announced scheme for “Special Assistance to NDB for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan States for Capital Expenditure”. The scheme was The Government of India and New Development Bank announced by the Finance Minister on 12th October as a signed a loan agreement for one thousand million dollar part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package. to provide support to Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan through MGNREG Scheme. Norway Research Institute signs an MoU with Clean Ganga Mission for development of sludge Virtual Summit: India and Bangladesh sign 7 MoUs, management framework agreements Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research has signed India and Bangladesh signed seven MoUs and an MoU with cGanga, a think-tank of National Mission for agreements during the virtual summit between Prime Clean Ganga (NMCG) for development of sludge Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. management framework in India. DAC approves proposals worth ₹27,000 crore to NITI Aayog releases a white paper ''Vision 2035 - procure equipment from domestic industry Public Health Surveillance in India'' Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, headed by NITI Aayog released a white paper Vision 2035 - Public Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved proposals to Health Surveillance in India. The white paper lays out procure equipment worth ₹27,000 crore from the India’s vision for public health surveillance through the domestic industry. integration of the three-tiered public health system into Ayushman Bharat. Farmers have the right to continue protest: SC The Supreme Court of India said farmers have a Gujarat to get mega renewable energy park constitutional right to continue with their “absolutely Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone perfect” protest as long as their dissent against the three for what is billed as the world’s largest hybrid renewable controversial agricultural laws did not slip into violence. energy park in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The 30,000 MW hybrid renewable energy park will be the world's largest ISRO launches new communication satellite CMS-01 with both windmills and solar panels being set up to successfully generate power. The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, has successfully launched the country’s new communication GRSE Kolkata launches ‘Himgiri’, its 1st Ship of satellite CMS-01 in the intended orbit in space. The new Project 17A satellite CMS-01 will take over the mantle from the Himgiri, which is the first of the three Project 17A ships ageing telecommunication satellite GSAT-12 that has being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers outlived its planned operational period by rendering Limited (GRSE), Kolkata was launched. P17A ships are seamless service for 11 years. the first gas turbine propulsion and largest combat platforms ever built at GRSE. COVID19 Vaccination will be voluntary: Health Ministry British PM Boris Johnson to be Chief Guest at Vaccination against Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as Republic Day Parade next year part of national vaccination drive is voluntary, reiterated The United Kingdom has confirmed that Britain’s Prime Union ministry of health and family welfare in its recently Minister Boris Johnson will be the chief guest at Republic released document. Day Parade in January 2021. Skill India establishes first Centre of Excellence for Centre issues guidelines for mass Covid-19 Skill Development in Power Sector vaccination drive;First Phase to include 30 crore Skill India has established first Centre of Excellence for people Skill Development in Power Sector in the campus of Centre has issued guidelines for mass Covid-19 National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram Haryana. vaccination drive in the country. Health and Family Welfare Ministry is planning to vaccinate nearly 30 crore India, Indonesia holds the 4th Bilateral JWG meeting people during the first phase. The vaccine will be offered on Drug Control Cooperation virtually first to healthcare workers, frontline workers and to 4th Bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) between the persons above 50 years of age. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India and the National Narcotics Board (BNN), Indonesia was held virtually. Dept of Posts & Payments Bank unveil new digital payment app ‘DakPay’ Health Minister chairs 22nd meeting of high-level Department of Posts and India Post Payments Bank has Group of Ministers on COVID-19 unveiled a new digital payment app DakPay. The App is Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, chaired the 22nd launched as part of its ongoing efforts to provide Digital meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on Financial inclusion at the last mile across India. COVID-19 by a video-conference in New Delhi.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 4

Prime Minister delivers inaugural address at India Thaawarchand Gehlot Launches ‘Swachhata International Science Festival 2020 on Dec 22 Abhiyan’ Mobile App to Identify, Geotag the data of Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural Insanitary Latrines & Manual Scavengers address at the India International Science Festival, IISF Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, 2020 on December 22 through video conferencing. The Thaawarchand Gehlot launched a Mobile Application central theme of this year’s festival is “Science for Self- ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’ for identifying & Geo-tagging the reliant India and Global Welfare”. data of Insanitary Latrines & Manual Scavengers across the country. I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar announces the selection films in Indian Panorama for the 51st IFFI Niti Aayog launches Cloud Storage Service Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash ‘DigiBoxx’ Javadekar announced the selection of 23 Feature and NITI Aayog has launched indigenously developed India’s 20 non-feature films in Indian Panorama for the 51st first Digital Asset Management and Storage platform, International Film Festival of India, IFFI to be held in Goa called ‘DigiBoxx’. Digiboxx offers free 20GB cloud in January next year. storage space, and 100GB space per month at just ₹30.

Amid global concerns over a new strain of ISRO & IIT-BHU Signs MoU to Set-up Regional Coronavirus India suspends all flights originating Academic Center for Space (RAC-S) at IIT-BHU from UK till 31st December Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed India has suspended all flights originating from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian United Kingdom to the country till 31st December 2020, Institute of Technology (IIT)-Banaras Hindu University amid growing global concerns over a highly infectious (BHU) to set up its Regional Academic Centre for new strain of the Coronavirus. Space(RAC-S) at the institute.

Centre and WB sign USD 500 million project to build Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launches E- Green National Highway Corridors Sampada web portal and mobile app on Good The Centre and the World Bank signed a USD 500 Governance Day million project to build safe and green national highway Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri corridors in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh launched E-Sampada, a new web portal and mobile app and . on Good Governance Day(December 25th).

Leopard population increases by 60 per cent in the First data from Chandrayaan-2 out country The Indian Space Research Organisation has released The ‘Status of Leopard in India 2018’ report, released by the first set of data from the country's second mission to Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar, said the Moon, the Chandrayaan-2, for the general public. that India now has 12,852 leopards. More than 60 per Chandrayaan-2 was launched on July 22, 2019 from the cent increase in population has been recorded over the Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra previous estimate which was conducted in 2014. Pradesh.

DRDO conducts successful trial of Medium Range DGT inks pact with MICROSOFT and NASSCOM Surface to Air MR-SAM missile from Chandipur off FOUNDATION for digital skilling of ITI Students Odisha coast through Bharatskills Portal DRDO conducted the successful trial of the Medium The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under Range Surface to Air MR-SAM missile from Chandipur the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and off the Odisha coast. This was the army version of the Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has collaborated with MR-SAM missile which has been designed jointly by Microsoft and NASSCOM Foundation to provide a digital India and Israel. content for ITI students.

Cabinet approves post matric scholarship scheme Visakahapatnam’s civic body ranks first in country for more than 4 Crore SC students Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has been selected as the best performing civic body in has approved 59 thousand 48 Crore rupees post matric the country. It has been chosen under the annual awards scholarship scheme for more than 4 Crore Scheduled for excellence instituted by the Union Ministry of Housing Castes students in 5 years. and Urban Affairs to recognise the outstanding contribution of PMAY-Urban in 2019. Cabinet gives nod to merger of 4 Film Media Units with NFDC through rationalization of infrastructure, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurates manpower and other resources India’s first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine The union Cabinet approved the merger of Films Division, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Archives of India’s first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV. The India, and Children's Film Society, India with National Film vaccine named ‘’Pneumosil’’ has been developed by the Development Corporation. Serum Institute of India Private Limited, SIIPL in collaboration with partners like the Bill and Melinda Aero India latest edition to be held only on 3 Gates Foundation. business days In view of COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions, the PM Modi inaugurates country's first ever driverless 13th edition of Aero India scheduled to be held in metro train in Delhi Bengaluru in February next year will be held only on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off India’s first three business days and the public will be able to ever driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s witness the air display only in virtual mode, the Defence Magenta Line which will connect Janakpuri West to Ministry said. Botanical Garden metro stations.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 5

Total electrification of railways by 2023: Railway Exxon Mobil in talks to buy stake in Indian oil, gas Board CEO fields: Pradhan Indian Railways is on course to complete the Energy supermajor Exxon Mobil Corp is in talks to buy a electrification of entire broadgauge network by 2023 with stake in producing oil and gas fields in India, Oil Minister 66% of track length already covered so far. Dharmendra Pradhan said.

Govt proposes to make airbag mandatory for front Onion exports to resume from January 1 passenger seat The Centre has lifted the ban on exports of all varieties In a significant measure to boost passenger safety, the of onions with effect from January 1, 2021. The union government has proposed to make airbag Directorate General of Foreign Trade had issued a mandatory for the passenger on the front seat of a notification lifting the prohibition on Monday. vehicle seated next to the driver. Nov. exports decline 9.1%, imports slide DRDO, Indian Navy conduct successful maiden test India’s merchandise exports fell 9.1% in November to trial of SAHAYAK-NG $23.43 billion, while imports fell 13.3% to $33.39 billion, Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO preliminary data from the Commerce and Industry along with Indian Navy conducted the successful maiden Ministry show. test trial of SAHAYAK-NG India’s first indigenously designed and developed Air Dropped Container from IL Lottery, gambling and betting taxable under GST 38SD aircraft of Indian Navy off the coast of Goa. Act: SC Govt launches Global Pravasi Rishta portal & mobile The Supreme Court of India held that lottery, gambling App to connect with Indian Diaspora across the world and betting are taxable under the Goods and Services The External Affairs Ministry launched the Global Tax (GST) Act. Pravasi Rishta portal and app to connect with the nearly 3.12-crore strong Indian diaspora across the world. HCL’s Roshni tops list of India’s richest women HCL Technologies chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Cabinet clears modified scheme to enhance ethanol with a net worth of ₹54,850 crore, tops the Kotak Wealth distillation capacity in country Hurun list of India’s wealthiest women. Biocon The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the second-richest approved modified scheme to enhance ethanol distillation woman on the list. capacity in the country for producing 1st Generation, 1G ethanol from feed stocks such as cereals like rice, wheat, RBI halts HDFC Bank from issuing new credit cards barley, corn and sorghum and sugarcane, sugar beet etc. In an unprecedented move, the Reserve Bank of India has temporarily barred HDFC Bank from launching new Govt approves export of indigenous Akash missile digital banking initiatives and issuing new credit card system after taking a serious view of service outages at the The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has approved the country''s largest private sector lender over the last two export of Akash Missile System and a Committee for years. faster Approvals has been created. Developed by DRDO, it is India’s first indigenously designed missile Reserve Bank keeps repo rate unchanged at 4 % system and can target fighter jets, cruise missiles, Maintaining an accommodative stance, the RBI drones and other aerial assets. Governor Shaktikanta Das said that the Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously decided to leave the policy

repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent. He said the marginal

BANKING & ECONOMY standing facility remains unchanged at 4.25 percent and

reverse repo rate stands unchanged at 3.35 per cent. India FDI Apr-Sep 2020: Singapore with $8.30 billion tops the list, US 2nd biggest source RBI advises banks not to make any dividend payouts The US has emergNATIONALed as the second biggest source of from profits pertaining to the FY ended March 2020 foreign direct investment (FDI) into India, replacing The Reserve Bank of India has advised banks not to Mauritius, during the first half of the current financial make any dividend payouts from profits pertaining to the year. Singapore with $8.30 billion foreign inflows financial year ended March 2020. RBI said it is continued to be the top source of FDI for India in April- imperative that banks continue to conserve capital to September 2020-21. support the economy and absorb losses, if any.

GST collections over ₹1 lakh crore for second RBI tightens oversight of NBFCs, UCBs consecutive month The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the Finance Ministry has said that Revenue from the Goods introduction of risk-based internal audit norms for large and Services Tax(GST) exceeded One Lakh Crore urban cooperative banks (UCBs) and non-banking Rupees for the second consecutive month. The Collection financial companies (NBFCs), as part of measures of one lakh four thousand nine hundred and 63 crore aimed at improving governance and assurance functions Rupees in November, a 1.4% year-on-year growth, and at supervised entities. also registering a third straight month of growth.

Paytm waives off all charges on merchant transactions Axis Bank launches ‘Axis Bank Rupi Business Paytm has waived off all charges on the merchant Credit Card’ for MSMEs transactions. The company is now enabling the Axis Bank Ltd in partnership with Rupifi and Visa merchant partners to accept payments from Paytm launched ‘Axis Bank Rupifi Business Credit Card’ for MSMEs(Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). wallet, UPI apps and RuPay cards at zero charges.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 6

Ikea to launch its second physical store in India at border cooperation in the area of securities regulations Navi Mumbai on Dec 18 and facilitate mutual assistance. Furniture maker Ikea will open its Navi Mumbai outlet on BSE Sensex hits 46,000 mark for 1st time; NSE Nifty December 18, making it the second store launch for the touches 13,500 level Swedish company in the country in two years. Key domestic indices continued their rally of setting fresh DBS Bank India gets ₹2,500 cr capital support from records. Amid positive global cues, the BSE Sensex hit parent for LVB merger 46,000 mark for the first time while the NSE Nifty DBS Bank India Limited (DBIL) has received capital crossed 13,500 level on December 9. infusion of ₹2,500 crore from DBS Bank Limited, ADB cuts India's FY21 contraction forecast to 8% on Singapore to support its amalgamation with Lakshmi Vilas back of faster recovery Bank (LVB). The Asian Development Bank (ADB) upgraded its forecast

BBB recommends S Ramann for post of CMD of for the Indian economy, projecting 8 per cent contraction SIDBI in 2020-21 as compared to 9 per cent degrowth estimated earlier, on the back of faster than expected recovery. The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has recommended S Ramann for the post of Chairman and Managing Director Swiggy to bring 36,000 street food vendors online of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) under PM SVANidhi scheme and Shivendra Tomar for the post of MD&CEO of IFCI Food delivery platform Swiggy will bring over 36,000 Ltd. street food vendors online under the Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNibhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Shantanu Narayen, Ajay Banga named among scheme.With this partnership, Swiggy will expand its Fortune Businessperson of the Year 2020 Street Food Vendors program to 125 cities. Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen and Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga have been named by Fortune among the RBL Bank, ICICI Pru Life enter bancassurance Businessperson of the Year 2020, a list topped by Tesla partnership CEO Elon Musk. The Fortune 2020 Businessperson of RBL Bank and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance have the Year is Musk for a second time. Narayen has been entered a bancassurance partnership. RBL Bank will ranked 8th on the list and Ajay Banga, ranked 9th on the distribute ICICI Prudential Life’s products through its list. network of 398 branches in 28 States.

Chinese exports to India decline in first eleven Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd Launches 3 in 1 months of 2020 Account(savings + trading + demat) China's exports to India continued to decline with a 13- Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd (ESFBL) launched a 3- percent drop in the first 11 months of the year 2020, in-1 account (tripartite account), which comprises customs data showed. However, China's imports from savings, trading and demat accounts for its customers.

India rose by 16 percent during this period. China Maharashtra Govt Signs MoU with Cornell University exported about $59 billion worth of products to India from to Set up World-Class Incubation Centre in January to November, down 13 percent. Maharashtra to Train Entrepreneurs

Quarterly return filing option for most GST payers Maharashtra Govt signed a 1st of its kind Memorandum from Jan. of Understanding (MoU) with Cornell University, to set up Starting January 2021, 92% of taxpayers under the a world-class incubation centre in Navi Mumbai, Goods and Services Tax regime with an annual turnover Maharashtra. This is the first time for Cornell University of up to ₹5 crore can opt to file their returns once a to set up an incubation centre outside the US. quarter instead of the present monthly system, Round-the-clock RTGS facility from December 14 Department of Revenue officials said. The Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) for

RBI cancels licence of Karad Janata Sahakari Bank high-value transactions will become available round-the- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence clock from 00:30 hours December 14 onwards, making of Karad Janata Sahakari Bank, Karad, in Maharashtra, India one of the few countries in the world to operate the system 24X7. with effect from the close of business from December 7. RBI cancelled the licence of the bank as the bank does SEBI forms new department to check promoter frauds not have adequate capital and earning prospects. Market regulator SEBI has set up a specialised department to tackle cases of diversion of funds, bank ICICI Bank to sell 2.21% stake in ICICI Sec via OFS loans and resources by company promoters. The new ICICI Bank will sell up to 2.21 per cent stake in ICICI department will be known as the Corporation Finance Securities through an offer for sale on December 9 and Investigation Department (CFID). 10. The proposal was approved by the board of directors of ICICI Bank. Wholesale price-based inflation rises to 1.55% in November Not viable to extend moratorium: RBI The wholesale price-based inflation rose to 1.55 percent The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) told the Supreme Court in November, mainly due to rise in manufactured that extending the loan moratorium date was “not viable”. products prices. The WPI inflation was 1.48 per cent in October 2020 and 0.58 per cent in November last year. Union Cabinet approves SEBI's proposal to sign Bilateral MoU between India and Luxembourg Centre releases ₹42,000 cr to states to meet GST Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of Securities compensation shortfall and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to sign Bilateral The Centre has so far borrowed ₹42,000 crore since Memorandum of Understanding between India and October and released the funds to states to meet GST Luxembourg. The MoU is likely to strengthen cross compensation shortfall, the Finance Ministry said.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 7

Exports fall 8.7%; trade deficit shrinks Public sector banks to raise ₹25,000 crore in next Declining for the second straight month, India’s exports three months dipped 8.7% in November to $23.52 billion on account of Public sector banks (PSBs) are planning to raise about contraction in shipments at key sectors like petroleum, ₹25,000 crore through a mix of equity and debt in the engineering, chemicals and gems and jewellery, even as next three months to support credit pick up and meet the trade deficit narrowed to $9.87 billion. Imports regulatory requirement. declined for the ninth month in a row, slipping 13.3% to $33.39 billion. 5 States permitted to borrow additional ₹16,700 crore The Centre granted permission for additional borrowing FinMin extends deadline to implement reform-linked of over ₹16,700 crore to 5 States on account of completing benefits till Feb 15 stipulated citizen centric reforms. These States are The finance ministry has extended the deadline for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil states to complete citizen-centric reforms in various Nadu and Telangana. sectors to February 15 from December 31 earlier. Now the states will be eligible for reform linked benefits if the Canada’s PSP, US’ DFC, Axis Bank invest finance ministry receives a recommendation from the USD 107 mn in NIIF’s master fund nodal ministry concerned about the implementation of The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) the reform by February 15, 2021. announced a USD 107 million investment into its 'master fund' from Canada's PSP Investments, US International Cabinet approves assistance of ₹3,500 crore for Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and domestic sugarcane farmers private sector lender Axis Bank. The Centre approved a ₹3,500-crore subsidy to sugar mills to incentivise them to export 60 lakh tonnes of Canara Bank has exposure of ₹678 crore to Transstroy surplus stock in the 2020-21 season, helping them to Canara Bank has clarified that it has an exposure of clear payment arrears due to cane farmers. ₹678.28 crore to Transstroy India Ltd which allegedly committed a bank fraud and is under liquidation. Canara SBI sees recovery narrowing FY21 GDP contraction Bank said that it has already made 100 per cent to 7.4% provision for the account in its books. India’s GDP is expected to shrink 7.4% in FY21 on a Paytm Payments Bank has best tech for UPI better-than-projected recovery, SBI said in a research payments, confirms NPCI report report, upgrading its earlier forecast of a 10.9% Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) has once again contraction. outperformed all major banks in India in terms of the Govt. plans $60-bn investment to bolster gas success rate of UPI transactions. According to the latest infrastructure report by the National Payments Corporation of India Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the (NPCI), PPBL has the lowest technical decline rate at government had planned a $60-billion investment for 0.02% among all UPI remitter banks and 0.04% among creating gas infrastructure in the country till 2024, and all UPI beneficiary banks. that gas’s share in the energy mix is expected to rise to Centralised investment clearance cell by April 15 15% by 2030. Currently, gas accounts for 6% in the The Centralised ‘Investment Clearance Cell’, under the country’s total energy mix. proposed single window system, aimed at facilitating

Brazil’s Marcopolo to exit bus body making JV with businesses through a one-stop digital platform, is Tatas planned to be launched with relevant Ministries and Brazil’s Marcopolo S.A., one of the world’s largest bus Departments and select States by April 15, 2021. and coach manufacturers, has agreed to sell its 49% Fundraising via bonds hits a peak at ₹7.45-lakh crore shareholding in Tata Marcopolo Motors Ltd. (TMML) to Riding on low-interest rates and policy reforms by the joint venture partner Tata Motors Ltd. for ₹99.96 crore in Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian corporates have cash. raised the highest-ever sum of 7.45-lakh crore through rupee bonds this year. This is 8.3% more than last year’s Bank credit grows by 5.73%, deposits by 11.34% ₹6.87-lakh crore. Bank credit grew by 5.73 per cent to Rs 105.04 lakh crore while deposits increased by 11.34 per cent to Rs Centre to set up development finance entity in 145.92 lakh crore in the fortnight ended December 4, the 3-4 months RBI data showed. In the fortnight ended December 6, The Union government plans to set up a Development 2019, bank credit had stood at Rs 99.35 lakh crore and Finance Institution (DFI) in the next three to four months deposits at Rs 131.06 lakh crore with a view to mobilise the ₹111 lakh crore required for funding of the ambitious national infrastructure pipeline, RBI extends curbs as PMC draws 4 EoIs according to Financial Services Secretary Debasish The Reserve Bank of India has extended the current Panda. curbs on the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Ltd. till March 31, 2021, after the cash-strapped lender Govt. invites EoI to divest full stake in Shipping Corp. received four proposals from potential investors. The Centre invited expression of interest (EoI) for the

nd disinvestment of its entire 63.75% shareholding in the RBI Invited Application for 2 Test Phase of Shipping Corporation India Limited (SCIL) along with the Regulatory Sandbox on Cross Border Payments handing over of its management control. After the commencement of Test Phase of First Cohort under the Regulatory Sandbox (RS) by Reserve Bank of Indian Army and Bank of Baroda enter into MoU for India (RBI), now the apex bank has announced the Baroda Military Salary Package opening of the Second Cohort on the theme of “Cross Indian Army and Bank of Baroda have entered into a Border Payments”. Memorandum of Understanding, MoU for Baroda Military

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 8

Salary Package. The MoU lays down the basis on which Vedanta raises $1.4 bn to retire debt banking services would be provided by Bank of Baroda Promoters of Vedanta have pledged their holding in the to serving and retired Army personnel. company to raise $1.4 billion, mostly for repaying the debt that was coming up for maturity. ICICI Bank launches 'Infinite India' for foreign companies setting up operations in India Tatas pay $37.7 mn, raise AirAsia stake to 83.67% ICICI Bank launched 'Infinite India' - an online platform Tata Sons acquired an additional 32.67% stake in for foreign companies looking to set up or increase AirAsia India (AAI) from AirAsia Group Berhad for $37.7 business in India. This platform provides banking million (₹276.6 crore), thereby reducing the Malaysian solutions, as well as value-added facilities. carrier stake to 16.33%.

RBI Cancelled Licence of Maharashtra-Based Suryoday Small Finance Bank gets SEBI nod to float Subhadra Local Area Bank IPO Banking Licence of Subhadra Local Area Bank at Markets regulator Securities and Exchanges Board of Kolhapur, Maharashtra under Section 22 (4) of the India (SEBI) has granted the go-ahead to small lender Banking Regulation Act, 1949 was cancelled by Reserve Suryoday Small Finance Bank to float its Initial Public Bank of India (RBI) with immediate effect from December Offering (IPO). 24, 2020. Current account surplus moderates to $15.5 bn in Q2 SBI Life Insurance acquires 8.99% stake in Paisalo India’s current account surplus moderated to $15.5 Digital billion (2.4% of GDP) in the second quarter compared SBI Life Insurance Company has acquired 38 lakh equity with a $19.2-billion surplus (3.8% of GDP) in the April- June quarter. shares or 8.99% equity stake in non-banking finance company Paisalo Digital. AWARDS US financial body to invest USD 54 mn in India to support critical infrastructure projects The United States International Development Finance Prize 2020 winners felicitated in six Corporation (DFC) has announced to invest $54 million categories NAT in India to support the development of critical The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the infrastructure projects in the country in the wake of the winners of the Infosys Prize in six categories COVID-19 pandemic. IO Engineering and Computer Science category: Prof. Govt re-caps Punjab & Sind Bank via zero coupon Hari Balakrishnan, Massachusetts Institute of bonds Technology N The Centre has resorted to a novel recapitalisation Humanities category: Dr Prachi Deshpande, Centre for exercise to provide ₹5,500-crore support to state-owned Studies in Social Sciences (CSSS ) listed Punjab & Sind Bank to shore up its regulatory Life Sciences category: Dr A Rajan Sankaranarayanan, capital and help enhance exposure limits, thereby Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) improving the lending capacity of the bank. Mathematical Sciences category: Prof. Sourav Chatterjee,

Physical Sciences category:L Prof. Arindam Ghosh, India to replace UK as fifth-biggest economy in 2025, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) says UK think-tank Social Sciences category: Prof. Raj Chetty, Harvard A UK based think-tank, the Centre for Economics and University Business Research has said that Indian economy will again overtake the UK to become the fifth largest Maharashtra teacher Ranjitsinh Disale wins Global economy in 2025 and race to the third spot by 2030. Teacher Prize 2020 India had overtaken the UK in 2019 to become the fifth A primary school teacher from Maharashtra Ranjitsingh largest economy in the world but has been relegated to Disale won the Global Teacher Prize 2020 in recognition 6th spot this year. of his efforts to promote girls' education.

RBI extends deadline for urban co-ops by 6 months Invest India wins United Nations Investment The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended Promotion Award for 2020 the timeline for constitution of Board of Management The United Nations Conference on Trade and (BoM) by Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) by six Development (UNCTAD) has declared ‘Invest India’ as months till June 30, 2021. The central bank has winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion conveyed the extension in the timeline to state UCB Award. Federations. Bajrang Punia, shooter Elavenil Valarivan bag top Maintaining inflation target at 4% is appropriate: RBI honours at FICCI India Sports Awards paper Shooter Elavenil Valarivan and wrestler Bajrang Punia Amid growing speculation that the Union government bagged the sportspersons of the year award at the FICCI may ask the central bank to loosen the inflation target to India awards ceremony. help push economic growth, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) working paper has recommended that maintaining legend Anil Kumble received the 'Best Company the inflation target at 4 per cent is appropriate for the Promoting Sports (Private Sector)' award on behalf of his country. enterprise - Tenvic Sports.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 9

Brazil's Carolina Araujo Becomes First Non-Indian wins the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for To Win Ramanujan Prize For Young Mathematicians ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade The year 2020 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians was awarded to Dr Carolina Araujo, wins the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Mathematician from the Institute for Pure and Applied Male Cricketer of the Decade Mathematics (IMPA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. is ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Decade UNEP announces 2020 Champions of the Earth Award winners Virat Kohli is ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade The UN Environment Program (UNEP) announced six winners of the 2020 Champions of the Earth Award for Ellyse Perry is ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the their pioneering initiatives aimed at healing the planet Decade amid natural and man-made threats. The winners are: Frank Bainimarama, the Prime Minister of Fiji, Yacouba is ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade Sawadogo, a farmer from Burkina Faso, Nemonte Nenquimo, an Ecuadorian female green campaigner, Ellyse Perry is ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Fabian Leendertz, a German scientist , Mindy Lubber, an Decade American social entrepreneur. The Champion of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award went to Robert D. Bullard is ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Decade SAIL gets Golden Peacock Environment Management Award Kathryn Bryce is ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been awarded the Decade with the prestigious Golden Peacock Environment Management Award for the year 2020 in the Steel Sector MS Dhoni wins ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the by the Institute of Directors. Decade

Robert Lewandowski, Lucy Bronze Win FIFA Player PERSONS IN NEWS Of The Year Awards Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was named (National and International) men's player of the year at FIFA's 'The Best' awards ceremony in Zurich. England defender Lucy Bronze took Sheetal Amte the women's award. Renowned social worker and CEO at Maharogi Sewa Indian entrepreneur named among ‘Young Samiti (Leprosy Services Committee) Sheetal Amte- Champions of the Earth’ winners by UN environment Karajgi was found dead at ‘Anandwan’ in Chandrapur agency district’s Warora. Sheetal Amte-Karajgi is the A 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur named Vidyut Mohan granddaughter of social worker is among the seven winners of the prestigious “Young Champions of the Earth” 2020 prize given by the UN Abhay Bhardwaj environment agency to global change-makers using Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat Abhay Bhardwaj died due innovative ideas and ambitious action to help solve some to Covid19. He was 66 .Abhay Bharadwaj was a of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. prominent lawyer and was elected to Rajya Sabha in June this year. US President confers 'Legion of Merit' award to PM Modi Vivek Murthy The President of the United States of America conferred US President-elect Joe Biden has selected his key the highest decoration, The Legion of Merit, Degree Covid-19 advisor Dr Vivek Murthy as the next Surgeon Chief Commander, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. General, a role for which he was appointed during the Obama administration. Djokovic clinches top ATP award Djokovic finished world number one for a record- Zafarullah Khan Jamali equaling sixth time in the past 10 years. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan

Federer was the singles fans’ favorite for a record- Jamali passed away at a hospital in Rawalpindi at the extending 18th straight year. age of 76. Jamali served as the premier from November

Nadal received the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 2002 until June 2004. for the third year straight and fourth time overall after winning a 13th Roland Garros crown. Gitanjali Rao A 15-year-old Indian-American Gitanjali Rao has been NTPC wins ‘Excellence’ award for Corporate Social named by TIME magazine as the first-ever 'Kid of the Responsibility Year' for her astonishing work using technology to tackle National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to the country’s largest power producer has won the opioid addiction and cyberbullying. ‘Excellence’ award in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Domain at CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2020. Mahashay Dharampal Gulati Dharampal Gulati, the owner of the MDH Masala brand The ICC Awards of the Decade winners announced often called the grand old man of spices, died. He was The winners of the prestigious ICC Awards of the 97. Gulati was awarded the country's third-highest civilian award last year. Decade were announced.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 10

Stephanie Frappart Roddam Narasimha Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a Well-known scientist and men’s Champions League game. Frappart has already awardee Roddam Narasimha passed away. He was 87. made history as the first woman to referee in Ligue 1, Professor Narasimha made a mark in the field of and took charge of the 2019 Uefa Super Cup final aerospace and as a fluid dynamicist. between Liverpool and Chelsea. John le Carre Dineshwar Sharma John le Carre, the spy-turned-novelist best known for the Lakshwadweep’s Administrator and former Intelligence Cold War thrillers Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma passed away at a Who Came In From The Cold, has died. He was 89. Chennai hospital. He was 66. MG Vaidya G.R Udhwani MG Vaidya, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Gujarat High Court sitting Judge G.R Udhwani passed ideologue and former spokesman of the organisation, away due to Covid19.He began his law practice in 1987 died of age-related complications. He was 97. and was elevated as additional judge of the Gujarat High Court in 2012. Motilal Vora Veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora passed away from post-COVID-19 complications. He was 93. He served as The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh twice. He was also Industry has announced Uday Shankar as president- the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and a Union Minister. elect, for the year 2020-21. Dennis Ralston Eminent Malayalam poet, conservationist and women''s Dennis Ralston, a five-time Grand Slam doubles activist, Sugathakumari, who had tested positive for champion who was one of the initial players signed to COVID-19 died at the government medical college the professional World Championship Tennis tour in the hospital. She was 86. 1960s and a member of the sport’s Hall of Fame has passed away. He was 78. John Edrich England's former "fearless" opening batsman John Anil Soni Edrich has died at the age of 83. He played 77 Tests, World Health Organisation has appointed Indian-origin scoring 5,138 runs at an average of 43.54. Anil Soni as the Chief Executive Officer for the WHO Foundation. Shamsur Rahman Faruqi Legendary poet and critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi Tabare Vazquez passed away at his home, a month after Tabare Vazquez, an Uruguayan oncologist who rose recovering from COVID-19. He was 85. from poverty to win two terms as the country’s first socialist president, died. He was 80. Robin Jackman

Justice Bindal Former England and Surrey bowler Robin Jackman has Justice Rajesh Bindal was announced as the new Chief died at the age of 75.He was reputed commentator. Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. Sunil Kothari Ludovic Orban Eminent dance scholar and critic Sunil Kothari passed Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban has resigned away in a private hospital in Delhi because of COVID-19- after his party's disappointing performance in related complications. parliamentary elections. Nikhil Nandy Lloyd Austin Nikhil Nandy, a prominent member of the 1956 Indian US President-elect Joe Biden has chosen retired football team that finished a creditable fourth in the General Lloyd Austin as his defence secretary. If Olympics, is no more. He was 88. approved, the 67-year-old who retired in 2016 would become the first African-American to lead the Pentagon. John F Reid Former New Zealand cricketer John F Reid, who played Nana Addo Dankwa a key role in their success in the 1980s, has died in Ghana's incumbent president Nana Addo Akufo-Addo Christchurch at the age of 64. has been declared winner of the country's presidential election. Harsh Vardhan Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has been nominated Sonu Sood as a member on the GAVI Board by the Global Alliance Indian actor Sonu Sood has topped U.K.’s 2020 for Vaccines and Immunisation. Dr. Harsh Vardhan will Celebrity List for his charitable efforts during the course represent India for two years starting from 2021 to 2023. of the Covid-19 pandemic this year Paolo Rossi Tamil actor Rajinikanth has announced that he will not Paolo Rossi of Italy, who scored 6 goals in the 1982 take the political plunge and start a party as announced World Cup, passed away. He is the only male player in earlier, citing his frail health. Earlier, he had said he will history to win the World Cup, the Golden Boot, the float his own outfit in January and face the 2021 Golden Ball and Ballon d’Or in the same year. Assembly polls.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 11

Shashi Shekhar Vempati cycling event which started will run for 25 days till Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati was 31st December. elected as the vice president of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, one of the largest broadcasting Govt to start 1000 Khelo India small centres to associations in the world. encourage sports culture in country Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports (I/C) said that the central government is starting 1000 SPORTS Khelo India small centres across the country that will help retired sportspersons get employment or some role in shaping the sports culture of the country. Lewis Hamilton Wins Bahrain GP Lewis Hamilton won theNA Bahrain Formula One Grand Parthiv Patel retires from all forms of cricket Prix for Mercedes. The win, from pole position, was the Former India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel has announced 95th of seven-times world champion Hamilton’s career. his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 35-year-old represented India in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and 2 T20Is Wesley So wins title T having made his international debut as a 17-year old in GM Wesley So won the Skilling Open final by beating 2002. GM Magnus Carlsen 1.5-0.5 in the blitz tiebreak.

I Mick Schumacher to drive for Haas next season Madagascar replaces Maldives as host of 2023 Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time World champion Indian Ocean Island Games Michael Schumacher, will driveO in Formula One for the Madagascar has replaced the Maldives as the host of first time with Haas next season, the team announced. the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. India beats Australia by 13 runsN to win final ODI India defeated Australia by 13 runs in the final ODI of the New Zealand inflicts innings defeat on West Indies, three-match series at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. clinches series Australia wins series 2-1. New Zealand took a little over an hour to wrap up a A comprehensive innings and 12 runs victory in the second Radhakrishnan is new National chief coach Test against West Indies on the fourth day at the Basin The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) appointed Reserve to seal a 2-0 series sweep. Radhakrishnan Nair as the fullL-time coach of athletics. New dates announced for rescheduled Women's New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson retires World Cup from international cricket The rescheduled Women's 50-over World Cup in New New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who once Zealand will start on 4 March, 2022 with the final to be held the record for fastest ODI hundred, called time on held on 3 April, the International Cricket Council have his international career and signed a three-year deal with confirmed. USA's (MLC). Moody named SRH director of cricket Japan to host seven-team Club World Cup in 2021 Australia cricketer-turned-coach Tom Moody was FIFA has confirmed that the 2021 Club World Cup will appointed as the director of cricket by IPL franchise now be held in Japan and plans to expand the Sunrisers Hyderabad. tournament have been shelved for another year. Iniyan, Pranav claim gold India beat Australia by six wkts in 2nd T-20 to clinch Grandmaster P. Iniyan and V. Pranav won gold medals 3 match series 2-0 in the under-18 and u-14 open categories respectively in India defeated Australia by six wickets in the second T20 the Asian continental online selection chess tournament at Sydney Cricket Ground. With this win, India also won recently for the FIDE online world u-10 to 18 rapid the three-match series. championships to be held from Dec. 19 to 23.

Mick Schumacher wins Formula 2 title ahead of F1 Qatar to host 2030 Asian Games, 2034 edition in debut next season Saudi Arabia Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time Formula One The 2030 Asian Games were awarded to Doha and the world champion Michael Schumacher, won the Formula 2034 event went to Riyadh after a deal was struck Two title in Bahrain. between the rival nations.

NZ beats West Indies by innings and 134 runs in 1st Kiren Rijiju lauds role of Ayush Ministry for creating test perfect platform to launch Yogasana as competitive New Zealand beat the West Indies by an innings and sport 134 runs on the fourth morning of the first cricket test. The Centre has decided to promote Yogasana as a competitive sport. National Yoga Sports Federation Daruvala finishes maiden season on a high (NYSF) recognized as a National Sports Federation for India’s Jehan Daruvala capped off his rookie campaign promotion & development of Yogasana. in Formula 2 with a brilliant maiden win in the Sakhir Sprint Race. Russia banned from Olympics, FIFA WC Russia will be barred from competing as a nation at the Kiren Rijiju launches 2nd edition of Fit India Cyclothon Olympic Games, Winter Olympics and football World Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched the second Cup over the next two years after the Court of Arbitration edition of Fit India Cyclothon via social media. The mega for Sport partly upheld a suspension imposed for

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 12

breaching anti-doping rules. In 2019, Russia was handed pandemic. Belgium men's and the Netherlands' women's a four-year ban from major international sporting events teams will finish the year at the top of the world rankings. by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju virtually inaugurates Australian Open to begin on Feb. 8 8 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence across The Australian Open is set to begin on February 8, three India weeks later than planned, as part of a pandemic-altered Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju virtually inaugurated 8 Khelo 2021 tennis calendar released by the ATP. India State Centres of Excellence across India in the presence of State Sports Ministers. The 8 States include Rajeev Shukla set to be BCCI vice-president Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Kerala, Former Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla is all set to be Telangana, Nagaland, Karnataka and Odisha. elected unopposed as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president. Meanwhile, IPL chairman Narain to lead Team India Brijesh Patel and Khairul Jamal Majumdar have been re- India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan will elected as members of the governing council. lead an all-Indian line-up, which includes Arjun Maini and Naveen Rao, for Racing Team India’s campaign in the Anshu Malik grabs silver 2021 Asian Le Mans Series in February. Anshu Malik won a silver in the 57kg category of the wrestling World Cup. She lost the gold medal bout 5-1 to Nihal Sarin, Rakshitta Ravi and D Gukesh win gold Moldova’s Anastasia Nichita. medals at Online World Youth and Cadet Rapid Chess Championships Mohammad Amir retires from international cricket Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, Woman International Master Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has retired from Rakshitta Ravi and D Gukesh won the titles in their respective categories in the FIDE Online World Youth international cricket. Amir represented Pakistan in 36 and Cadet Rapid Championships. Tests, 61 ODIs and 50 T20Is

Qatar To Host FIFA Club World Cup 2020 Across Australia defeat India by 8 wickets in First day and Three Venues night Test at Adelaide Qatar will host the FIFA Club World Cup from February 1 Australia beat India by eight wickets in the first Day and to 11, 2021, after it was postponed earlier this year due night Test of the 4-match series at Adelaide. Chasing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament will be held 90 runs for a win, Australia scored 93 runs for 2 wickets. across three FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums -- Earlier, India were bowled out for 36 in their second Ahmad Bin Ali, Khalifa International and Education City. innings which is the lowest test score by any team in 65 years. Landmark goal for Messi in Barcelona’s victory Lionel Messi overtook Pele's record of goals for a single Indian pugilists bag nine medals including 3 golds club as Barcelona strolled to a 3-0 La Liga win at Real in Cologne, Boxing World Cup championship Valladolid. Messi struck his 644th goal for Barca, one Indian pugilists bagged nine medals including three gold, more than Brazil legend Pele scored for Santos. two silver and four bronze at the Cologne Boxing World Cup ended in Cologne, Germany. Amit Panghal won FIFA postpones Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups gold in men's category while Manisha Moun and till 2023 due to coronavirus pandemic Simranjit Kaur won gold in Women's category. The World football's governing body, FIFA has cancelled Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups that were Govt approves inclusion of four indigenous sports in scheduled to be played next year due to a coronavirus Khelo India Youth Games 2021 pandemic. These World Cups will now be played in The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of four 2023, with Indonesia still hosting the Under-20s and indigenous Games to be a part of Khelo India Youth Peru the Under-17s. Games 2021, scheduled to take place in Haryana. The games include, Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and India’s largest hockey stadium planned in Rourkela, Mallakhamba. will host 2023 World Cup Games Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced Seifert, Southee seal series for New Zealand that India’s biggest hockey stadium will come up at An unbeaten 129-run stand between Rourkela and the 20,000-capacity facility will host and Tim Seifert and a four-wicket haul from Tim Southee matches of FIH men’s World Cup in 2023. saw New Zealand take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series against Pakistan in Hamilton. Dhoni of ICC's white-ball teams of decade, Kohli voted skipper of Test side India Open to be the last Olympic-qualifying event Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named captain of ICC's ODI The twice-cancelled $400,000 India Badminton Open will and T20 International teams of the decade, while Virat be held here from May 11 to 16, 2021, and will be the Kohli was voted the skipper of the Test team. final Olympic-qualifying event. Roger Federer out of Australian Open after knee FIH rankings: Indian men finish 2020 in fourth surgery position, women ninth Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will finish miss the Australian Open for the first time in his career 2020 in fourth and ninth positions, respectively, after a as he continues his recovery from two rounds of knee major part of the year was disrupted by the COVID-19 surgery, organisers said.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 13

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane guides India to series- Mahaparinirvana Divas. Mahaparinirvan is one of the levelling victory against Australia in 2nd Test at major goals of Buddhism. It means “Nirvana after death”. Melbourne Stand in Skipper Ajinkya Rahane guided India to level Armed Forces Flag Day being celebrated across the Test series against Australia by 1-1 by registering an country on December 7 eight-wicket victory in the second match at Melbourne. Armed Forces Flag Day is observed every year on 7th Chasing a low target of 70 runs, Shubman Gill and December since 1949 to honour the soldiers, sailors, Rahane kept their cool and achieved the meagre target airmen of our country. with ease. International Human Rights Day – December 10 Every year Human Rights Day is celebrated on MISCELLANEOUS December 10. The theme for this year is Recover Better- Stand Up for Human Rights.

AR Rahman is the ambassador for BAFTA Breakthrough Pak. approves chemical castration of sex offenders Academy Award-winning music composer AR Rahman Pakistan has approved the chemical castration of rapists was announced as the ambassador for the British as part of sweeping new legislation sparked by outcry Academy of Film and Television Arts' (BAFTA) over the gang-rape of a mother on a motorway. ''Breakthrough Initiative''. India drops two ranks in Human Development Index Joe Biden & Kamala Harris jointly named Time India dropped two ranks in the United Nations’ Human magazine's Person of the Year Development Index this year, standing at 131 out of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect 189 countries. Norway topped the index, followed by Kamala Harris were jointly named Time magazine’s Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Iceland, the report 2020 Person of the Year. showed.

UNESCO to launch international prize in the name India among top 10 nations in climate performance of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib index The United Nations has decided to establish "UNESCO- India remained in the top 10 for the second year in a row Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) International Prize in the field of the Creative Economy" 2021, occupying rank 10. It received high ratings in all to promote creative industries that provide youths, CCPI categories, except renewable energy, where it had women and migrants with sustainable jobs globally. a medium performance. Sweden continues to lead The prize worth $50,000 will be given once in every two the Index. years. China successfully launches two satellites for Singapore Becomes First Country To Approve Sale gravitational wave detection Of Lab-Grown Meat China successfully launched two satellites for the Singapore has given US start-up Eat Just the greenlight detection of gravitational waves into planned orbit from to sell its lab-grown chicken meat, in what the firm says the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan is the world's first regulatory approval for so-called clean meat that does not come from slaughtered animals. Province.

China turns on nuclear-powered 'artificial sun' for India contributes USD 2 million to UNRWA first time India has contributed US$ 2 million to the United Nations China successfully powered up its "artificial sun" nuclear Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in fusion reactor for the first time, marking a great advance the Near East (UNRWA), in support of the Agency’s in the country's nuclear power research capabilities. programmes and services, including education, The HL-2M Tokamak reactor is China's largest and health care, relief, and social services for Palestine most advanced nuclear fusion experimental research refugees. device. India drops to 2nd Position in BNEF’s 2020 International Volunteer Day: 05 December Climatescope survey The International Volunteer Day (IVD), also called According to Climatescope Survey Emerging Markets International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Outlook 2020 : Energy Transition in the World’s Fastest Development is observed on 5 December every year. Growing economies’ released by Bloomberg New IVD 2020 Theme: “Together We Can Through Energy Finance Limited BNEF) India with a score of 2.61 Volunteering”. dropped to the 2nd position in the 2020 survey due to decline in Clean Energy Investment. Chile topped the World Soil Day: 05 December survey rankings The World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5 to raise awareness of the importance of soil International Mountain Day 2020: December 11 quality for human well-being, food security and International Mountain Day is annually observed across ecosystems. the globe on 11th December to encourage the sustainable developments in mountains and to create Mahaparinirvan Diwas: December 6 awareness about the importance of mountains to life. The death anniversary of Dr BabasahebAmbedkar, The theme of International Mountain Day 2020 is which falls on December 6, is dubbed as “Mountain Biodiversity”

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 14

UNICEF Day 2020: December 11 India jumps to 63 in 2020 EODB survey The UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) day is Following reviews of data irregularities, the World Bank annually celebrated on 11th December to mark the recently released its updated Doing Business in which creation of UNICEF by the United Nations General China's position has been downgraded. As per the Assembly (UNGA) on 11th December 1946. 'Doing Business' 2020 report, India had jumped 14 places to the 63rd position on the ease of doing business CinemaSCOpe: India's diplomatic outreach to SCO ranking. New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong are countries ranked as top three in ease of doing business rankings Indian Embassy in Beijing launched a movie series 2020. "cinemaSCOpe" exclusively for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO in which more than two Cairn Energy wins arbitration award dozen Indian films dubbed in Russian, will be screened British energy major Cairn Energy has won an on a monthly basis. international arbitration case against the Indian government over a tax dispute. International Universal Health Coverage Day: 12 December India adds Ladakh’s Tso Kar Lake Complex to list of International Universal Health Coverage Day is a United Ramsar Sites Nations’ recognized international day celebrated every Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate year on December 12. This year theme of International Change (MoEFCC), Prakash Javadekar announced that Universal Health Coverage Day is ‘Health For All: Tso Kar Wetland complex in Changthang region, Ladakh PROTECT EVERYONE’. has been added to the list of Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of

International Importance). It will be India’s 42nd site & International Day of Neutrality: 12 December Ladakh’s 2nd Ramsar Site. International Day of Neutrality is a United Nations recognized day held on December 12 each year to raise public awareness of the value of neutrality in National Good Governance Day: 25th December international relations. 2020 National Good Governance Day is annually observed Human Freedom Index 2020: India slips 17 spots across Indian on 25th December to create awareness down to 111th rank about the accountability of the government. The day also The Human Freedom Index 2020, a worldwide ranking of marks the birth anniversary of India’s former Prime civil, economic and personal freedom, released, placed Minister (PM) and Bharat Ranta , India at the 111th spot out of 162 countries. New who served 3 terms as the Prime Minister of India. Zealand, Switzerland and Hong Kong bagged the first three spots. U.S., China dominates arms market: report U.S. and Chinese companies dominated the global arms International Migrants Day 2020 observed in Dec 18 market in 2019, while West Asia made its first International Migrants Day is a global event observed on appearance among the 25 biggest weapons December 18 every year. This year, the theme of the manufacturers, a report by the SIPRI research institute International Organization for Migration is “Reimagining said. The US arms industry accounted for 61 percent of Human Mobility”. sales by the world's "Top 25" manufacturers last year, ahead of China's 15.7 percent. Singapore’s Hawker culture gets UNESCO recognition India ranks 3rd in list of Countries with most The UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Publications on AI from 2015-2019 Cultural Organization) has recognized “Hawker” culture According to the ‘Nature Index 2020 Artificial of Singapore and has included it under the list of Intelligence’ released by Nature Research, India ranked intangible cultural heritage. 3rd (with 91,563 publications) in the list of 25 Countries with most publications on Artificial Intelligence (AI) during Goa Liberation Day: December 19 the period 2015-2019. China topped the List, followed by Every year, the Goa Liberation day is celebrated on the United States. December 19 in India. The day is celebrated to mark the victory of Indian armed forces to free Goa from 450 50 journalists killed in 2020: watchdog years of the Portuguese rule. Fifty journalists and media workers were killed in connection with their work in 2020, the majority in National Farmers’ Day observed on December 23 countries that are not at war, Reporters Without Borders December 23 is commemorated as the National (RSF) said in report. It highlighted murders in Mexico, Farmers' Day or Kisan Divas in India in the honour of India and Pakistan. former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was a premier farmers' leader of his time.

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

Tel : 040–40088400 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com 15