Today Current Affairs for Competitive Exams - Current Affairs 2021 Online

IIT Kharagpur launch PhD programme  In an earlier estimate in November 2020, it predicted ’s GDP will grow at 9% in the  IIT Kharagpur and the University of calendar year. Manchester have launched a dual award  Near-term prospects for Asia’s third-largest Ph.D. programme. economy have turned more favorable, but the  While IIT Kharagpur has already established second wave of covid-19 infections is a key similar programmes with universities in risk to recovery. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, this is the first time such a joint programme has Nippon India launches new SDL-focused ETF been set up with a British university.  Nippon India has announced the launch of its  The programme will be launched this July ETF (Exchange-traded fund) Nifty SDL - 2021. 2026. Samia Suluhu: 1st female President of  The fund will track a composition of Nifty SDL April 2026 Top 20 Equal Weight Index that  was sworn in on 19 constitutes 20 SDLs. Mar'21 as Tanzania's first female President  The scheme carries a lower risk as it will buy after the sudden death of . and hold securities till maturity.  Hassan will serve the remainder of Magufuli's  New Fund Offer for the fund closes on March second five-year term, which does not expire 19, 2021. until 2025.  She is the only other current serving female Cuba approves second homegrown covid vaccine head of state in Africa alongside Ethiopia's President Sahle-Work Zewde, whose role is  Cuba's drug regulatory authority has mainly ceremonial. approved a second COVID-19 vaccine candidate for late-stage clinical trials. India, US launch AI-focused forum  In March 2021, Cuba started late-phase trials of its most advanced experimental vaccine,  The Indo-US Science and Technology named Soberana (Sovereignty) 2. Forum’s US India Artificial Intelligence (USIAI)  Abdala, the new vaccine, named after a poem initiative was launched on 17 March 2021. by 19th century Cuban independence hero  The initiative focuses on AI cooperation in Jose Marti, targets the spike protein of the critical areas that are priorities for both novel coronavirus. countries.  It will provide an opportunity for key Bengaluru: 2nd on retail attractiveness index stakeholder groups to share experiences, identify new R&D areas and opportunities that  Bengaluru ranked second on the Kearney would benefit from synergistic activities. retail index released on 18 March 2021.  It overtook Mumbai in the 2021 edition of the Moody’s upgrades India’s GDP growth to 12% report.  Kearney noted Bengaluru’s brand penetration  India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is per capita is higher when compared to projected to grow by 12% in 2021, Moody’s Mumbai making it attractive for retailers. Analytics informed on 18 March 2021.

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 More recently, Bengaluru was also named the  PM inaugurated most liveable city in the country. the Amar Ekushey book fair in Dhaka on 18 March 2021. Govt signs ₹1,188 crores deal with BDL  She also released the book ‘New China 1952’  The Union Defence Ministry has signed a which is the English translation of ₹1,188 crore deal with Bharat Dynamics Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib’s book ‘Amar Limited (BDL) for the supply of 4,960 Milan-2T Dekha Naya Chin’. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) to the  The theme of the book fair is the birth Indian Army. centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur  It is a ‘Repeat Order’ of contract, which was Rahman and the golden jubilee of signed with BDL on March 8, 2016. independence.  The missile is a Tandem Warhead ATGM with 8.76 GW renewable energy added during 2019-20 a range of 1,850 meters, produced by BDL under license from MBDA Missile Systems,  A total of 8.76-gigawatt renewable energy . capacity has been added in the country during the year 2019-20. Vaccination capacity in Delhi to be enhanced  The total installed capacity from non-fossil  Vaccination capacity in Delhi will be ramped fuel sources constitutes 38.49 percent of the up to 1.25 lakh daily. total installed electricity generation capacity in  At present, 30-40 thousand vaccine doses are the country. being administered per day.  India has committed to generate 40% of its  Vaccination is being done in about 500 total installed electricity generation capacity centers in Delhi which will be doubled. from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.  The hours will also be increased from 9 AM to LIC not going to be privatized: Government 9 PM so that more people can be vaccinated.  The Government has informed that the Life ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashal’ reaches Kolkata Insurance Corporation is not going to be  The golden jubilee celebrations of the 1971 war privatized and only the initial public offering, across the nation continue with the victory flame IPO will be issued. reaching the Akashvani Bhawan in Kolkata on  LIC is an Indian government-owned insurance 18 Mar'21. and investment corporation.  The celebration of the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’  It was established on September 1, 1956, was launched on 1 Mar'21 from Delhi by when the Parliament of India passed the Life lighting up the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ from Insurance of India Act that nationalized the the National War Memorial. insurance industry in India.  4 ‘Vijay Mashaals’ were further lit from it and VSP will create 3.7 crore job opportunities sent to various parts of the country.  Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari informed that Taiwan gives approval to AstraZeneca vaccine more than 3.7 crore job opportunities will be  Taiwan has given regulatory approval to created in the country with the implementation AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine and might of the Vehicle Scrapping Policy. start giving the first inoculation as early as 22  Additional GST revenue of 30 to 40 thousand March 2021. crore rupees will be generated through this  Taiwan is prioritizing health workers in the first move. wave of its vaccination programme and about  The policy is aimed at creating an eco-system 60,000 people are in line to get the first for phasing out unfit and polluting vehicles. vaccinations. Dutch election: PM Mark Rutte claims victory Amar Ekushey book fair in Dhaka 2 | P a g e

 Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's party has  Punjab Govt has decided to create a robust won the most seats in parliamentary and integrated technology solution to elections. implement and review the progress of the  The victory hands Mr. Rutte a mandate to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. form a new coalition government led by his  This will ensure accountability, transparency, center-right VVD party, with a fourth term as and responsiveness of the scheme. Prime Minister.  The decision has been taken in the meeting  His last government resigned in January 2021 of Advisory Board of the Punjab State DBT over a child welfare fraud scandal. Cell, chaired by the Chief Secretary, Vini Mahajan on 18 Mar 2021. Government notifies draft rules LS passes demand for grants in respect of J&K  Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified draft rules for setting up Registered  The Lok Sabha on 18 Mar 2021, passed the Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF). Supplementary demands for grants in respect  These shall be provided access to the of J&K for 2020-21. VAHAN database and shall be authorized to  The House also passed demands for grants make entries regarding scrapping of the for J&K for 2021-22. vehicle and issuance of Scrapping Certificate.  The House also cleared the Appropriation  The government will also develop a portal for Bills 2021 related to J&K and Puducherry. single-window clearance.  These Bills seek to authorize payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of Lloyd J Austin arrives in India the Consolidated Fund of J&K and  US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin arrived Puducherry. in India on 19 Mar'21. Mission Gramodaya launched in Madhya Pradesh  During the visit, he will meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior dignitaries of  Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh the government to discuss deepening the Tomar and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh India US Major Defense Partnership. Chouhan have launched the Mission  They will also discuss advancing cooperation Gramodaya in Madhya Pradesh. for a free, prosperous, and open Indo-Pacific  Under the Gramodaya mission, besides Region. providing housing facilities in rural areas,  His visit is a part of his first overseas travel. basic and fundamental infrastructure will also be expanded. Aparna Chennapragada: Robinhood's 1st CPO ‘Kaushal Mela’ in Kargil  American stock trading platform Robinhood has appointed Indian-origin Aparna  The department of Technical Education and Chennapragada as its first Chief Product Skill development will organise Kaushal Mela Officer. in the Kargil on 24 March 2021.  She has worked on various product roles at  This Kaushal Mehla will be organised under Google for 12 yrs and has over 20 yrs of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana experience in product development, design, (PMKVY). and strategy including stints at companies like  Leh will host the Kaushal Mela on the 27th of Akamai and Oracle. March 2021.  She is also currently a board member at Insurance Bill, 2021 passed in Rajya Sabha financial giant Capital One.  The Rajya Sabha has passed the Insurance Punjab: Solution to implement DBT scheme (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

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 The Bill provides, increase of foreign direct ties of fraternity and friendship and support investment limit from existing 49 % to 74 %. ways of cooperation in all fields.  It also has a provision for the removal of  It will be co-chaired by External Affairs restrictions on ownership and control Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Kuwait of insurance companies. counterpart.  It seeks to amend the Insurance Act, 1938  It will work to strengthen the relations which will increase the limit of foreign between the two countries, in the fields of investment allowed in Indian insurance energy, trade, economy, and investment. companies. India to register increase in child deaths: UN Iran receives Malathion 95% ULV pesticide  India is projected to register the greatest  India has supplied a second batch of 20 increase in the number of deaths among thousand litres of Malathion 95 per cent ULV children under five in South Asia in 2020 as pesticide to Iran under a Government-to- well as the highest number of maternal deaths Government Locust Control Programme. as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts the  The consignment reached Chabahar Port on country’s health services, as per a UN report. 18 March 2021 and was handed over to Plant  The report also noted that India could spend Protection Organization, Iran. nearly $10 billion on COVID-19 testing and  India supplied the first tranche of 20 thousand healthcare utilization by September 2021. litres of Malathion to Iran in June 2020. Hero sets up global headquarters in London Compendium on CPI released for workers  Hero Motors Company (HMC) has announced  Labour and Employment Minister Santosh the setting up of its international headquarters Kumar Gangwar on 18 March 2021, released Hero International (HIT) in London to four volumes of Compendium on Consumer strengthen its global presence. Price Index for industrial workers.  HIT is aimed at bringing HMC’s European  These compendiums have data on the businesses under one umbrella and giving its Consumer Price Index for industrial workers electric bike business a major boost globally. of more than eight decades.  The company aims to take up its European  It will help in bridging the data gap between revenue up to €300 million by 2021. old records and present figures and NSE Data invests in Capital Quant Solutions maintaining continuity.  NSE Data and Analytics, a wholly-owned AIM, NITI Aayog, AWS announce new initiatives subsidiary of leading stock exchange NSE  Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and has invested in technology startup Capital Amazon Web Services on 18 March Quants Solutions Ltd (CQS). 2021, announced new initiatives to strengthen  CQS is an India-based technology startup the innovation and entrepreneurship focused on providing software products. ecosystem in India.  The investment is a part of NSE's program for  This will be done by empowering school investment in the fields of analytics, digital, students with cloud computing skills and robotics, artificial intelligence, machine enabling entrepreneurs to build innovative learning, and blockchain. education technology solutions on the cloud. Burglars to be fitted with GPS tags in UK India, Kuwait to establish Joint Commission  Burglars, thieves, and robbers released from  India and Kuwait have decided to establish a prison will be made to wear GPS tags to track Joint Commission to enhance and deepen the their movements in a world-first scheme to crack down on neighborhood criminals.

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 This was announced by the UK government masses about the rapid pace at which our on 17 March 2021. natural resources are being used.  Under the new rules, such offenders who  The day promotes the concept and practice of have served a prison sentence of a year or recycling. Every year, events are organised more will be automatically fitted with a tag on by environmentalist and activists to promote release. the cause.  In 2021, the theme of Global Recycling Day is Indian Oil Corp enters into JV with Phinergy “Recycling Heroes”.  Indian Oil Corporation has entered into a PhonePe announces six IPL 2021 sponsorships collaboration with Phinergy, an Israeli company specialising in hybrid lithium-  Digital payments platform PhonePe has ion and aluminium-air/zinc-air battery signed up six sponsorship deals for the Indian systems, to form IOC Phinergy Private Premier League (IPL) 2021. Limited.  Apart from the co-presenting sponsorship with  The joint venture will manufacture Aluminum- official broadcaster Star India, it is also an Air systems in India to boost India's flagship associate sponsor with Disney+Hotstar. programme - "Make in India" and recycle  PhonePe is also sponsoring four IPL used Aluminum to strengthen India's energy franchises - Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super security. Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Capitals. HFCL wins order worth ₹221 crore Floating solar farm in Singapore  Telecom equipment major HFCL has won a ₹221 crore order from the Uttar Pradesh  In a bid to tackle climate change, Singapore is Metro Rail Corporation for setting up building one of the world’s largest floating telecommunication systems for the Kanpur solar farms. and Agra metro projects.  It has resorted to setting up these energy  It will set up the telecommunication systems plants off its coasts and on reservoirs. for 32.4 km (corridors one and two) of Kanpur  The country aims at increasing solar energy Metro and 14 km (corridor one) of Agra Metro use four-fold to around two percent of the projects. nation's power needs by 2025, and to three  The work for projects will be completed in the percent by 2030, enough for 350,000 next 33 months. households per year. undertakes Passage Exercise Ultrasound can damage novel coronaviruses  Indian Navy on 17 Mar'21 undertook Passage  Coronavirus may be vulnerable to ultrasound Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Bahrain Naval vibrations, within the frequencies used in Force Al Muharraq in the Persian medical diagnostic imaging, according to a Gulf under Operation Sankalp. study.  These are conducted regularly by the Indian  The researchers from the Massachusetts Navy with units of friendly foreign navies. Institute of Technology modelled the  The exercises are aimed at fostering mechanical response of the coronaviruses to interoperability and reflecting the vibrations across a range of ultrasound commitments of both, India and Bahrain, to frequencies. build cooperative partnerships.  They found that vibrations between 25 and 100 megahertz triggered the virus' shell. Global Recycling Day: 18 March Michael Holding awarded 'Best pundit'  Global Recycling Day is observed every year on March 18 to create awareness among the

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 Former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding,  The actor has been nominated for his who came out in support of the 'Black Lives performance in Sound of Metal. Matter' movement, has been named the 'Best  The nomination also makes Ahmed the first Pundit' at the SJA British Sports Journalism actor of Pakistani descent to grab a Award 2020. nomination in a category for actors at the  Holding had delivered a powerful message Oscars. against racism during last year's England- West Indies series, saying that blacks have India to commission INS Dhruv soon been dehumanised.  India is all set to commission the INS Dhruv  The awards were hosted online due to the ship. COVID-19 pandemic.  It is capable of tracking nuclear missiles and Riz Ahmed: 1st Muslim nominated for Oscar satellites from a distance, into the Navy.  This ocean surveillance ship is also equipped  British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed made with active electronically scanned array history as he is the first Muslim to be (AESA) radars that can help India collect nominated for an Academy Award in the lead accurate data not about an enemy nation’s actor category. missile range and capabilities.

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