VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE TNPSC Current Affairs NOVEMBER - 2020
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1 HISTORY 01 . Important Days . Defence National Security and Terrorism . World Organisations – Pacts and Summits . Eminent Persons . Sports and Games . Books & Authors . Awards & Honours . Cultural Panaroma . India & its Neighbours . Appointments – Who is who?
2 POLITICAL SCIENCE 26 .India’s Foreign Policy .Latest Court Verdicts .Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility
3 GEOGRAPHY 31 .Policy on Environment and Ecology .Natural Disasters – Safeguard Measures
4 ECONOMICS 34 .New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector .Current Socio - Economic Problems 44 5 SCIENCE .Latest Inventions in Science & Technology . Latest Discoveries on Health Science . Mass Media & Communication
66 6 NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENTS
72 7 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
8 TAMIL NADU AFFAIRS 77
9 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 78 Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Important Days History
1.1 Important Days
Date Day Theme / Remark
November The 2020 theme is “Satellites Improve World Space Week 04 Life.”
The first demand for a separate state of Uttarakhand arose in 1897. In 1994, the demand for a separate state took full form that led to a mass movement resulting in the formation of the Uttarakhand state in 2000. November Uttarakhand Day It is known as the “Land of Gods” 09 or “Dev Bhumi”. It was named ‘Uttaranchal’ during its foundation. Later, it was renamed to Uttarakhand in 2007. The capital of the state is Dehradun. The high court of the state is located in Nainital.
India celebrates National Education Day on November 11. It is also called November Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas. The day is National Education Day 11 celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He was the first Education Minister of India.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 1 Important Days Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
It is being observed every year from 2016, on the day of Dhanwantri Jayanti. The Potential role of Ayurveda in National Ayurveda Day the management of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the focus of this year’s ‘Ayurveda Day’ observation. National Press Day is observed on November 16 every year to celebrate November free and responsible press in India. National Press Day 16 It also commemorates the day when the Press Council of India started functioning. The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) celebrated the National Pharmacy November National Pharmacy Week (NPW) from November 16 to 22, 16 to 22 Week (NPW) 2020. Theme: “Pharmacists: Frontline Health Professionals”. In India, November 26 is celebrated as National Milk Day, since 2014, to commemorate the birthday of the father of India’s White Revolution, Dr Verghese Kurien (also nicknamed as Milkman of India). November National Milk Day The day was fixed by all the dairy 26 majors of the country including the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), along with 22 state-level milk federations.
2 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Important Days
Constitution Day is celebrated every year on 26 November to mark the anniversary of the formal adoption of the Constitution of India on this day in 1949. The constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. It is celebrated to bring awareness about the Constitution of India and to pay tribute to India’s first Law Minister Dr.B.R.Ambedkar. Constitution of India: It is longest written Constitution of the world. November Constitution Day It was completed in 2 years, 11 months 26 and 17 days. At present, it has 22 parts, 448 articles, 12 schedules and a Preamble. Originally it was written by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. Dr.B.R.Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution. He is also recognized as “Father of the constitution of India”. The other members of the Drafting Committee are Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, N.Gopalaswami, K.M. Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, B.L.Mitter and D.P.Khaitan.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 3 Defence, National Security and Terrorism Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 1.2 Defence, National Security Mission Sagar-II, is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Security and and Terrorism Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded First phase of four-nation Malabar by India to relations with her maritime naval exercise kicks off neighbours and further strengthens the existing bond. The 24th edition of the Malabar naval The Indian Navy is progressing this exercise is scheduled to be held in two mission in close coordination with the phases in November 2020 with the first Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, phase set to kick off. and other agencies of the Government of Phase 1 of the exercise Malabar 20 India. involving participation by Indian Navy (IN), United States Navy (USN), Japan Indian Coast Guard Ship C-452 to be Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), commissioned in Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is set The ICGS C-452, designed and built by to commence off Visakhapatnam in Bay L&T is to be commissioned in the Indian of Bengal from 3-6 November, 2020. Navy. The ship was indigenously built in INS Airavat India under the Make in India initiative. Earlier, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath As part of ‘Mission Sagar-II’, Indian Singh had commissioned the ICGS Sachet Naval Ship Airavat entered Port Sudan and two other interceptor boats namely on 02 November 2020. The Government C-451 and C-450 in Goa. of India is providing assistance to Foreign Countries to overcome natural Indian Coast Guard calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and It is an armed force and maritime law towards the same INS Airavat is carrying enforcement agency. It was established in a consignment of 100 Tonnes of food aid 1978 under the Coast Guard Act, 1978. IT for the people of Sudan. operates under Ministry of Defence.
Mission Sagar-II, follows the first ‘Mission The ICG works in close operation with Sagar’ undertaken in May-June 2020, the State Police Forces, Department of wherein India reached out to Maldives, Revenue, Department of Fisheries and Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Indian Navy. Comoros, and provided food aid and The four main regional headquarters of medicines. As part of Mission Sagar-II, Indian Coast Guard are located in Port Indian Naval Ship Airavat will deliver Blair, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti Gandhinagar. and Eritrea.
4 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Defence, National Security and Terrorism
Nagchaudhuri Committee It is guided by the Indian Regional In 1960s the sea borne smuggling activities Navigation Satellite System. increased in India. The Nagchaudhuri Committee was set up to find solution India Conducts Tri-Service Combat to the problem. In 1971, the committee Exercise “Bull Strike” at Teressa recommended to create a patrolling Island service to safeguard India’s vast Coast Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) line. conducted a three-day Tri-Service Combat Rustamji Committee Exercise code named “Bull Strike” from ff It was set up in 1974. It was this November 3-5, 2020 at Teressa Island in committee that recommended to set Nicobar Group of Island. up the Indian Coast Guard Service. The exercise saw participation from three service components of ANC, elements DRDO: Advanced Version of Pinaka of Indian Army’s Parachute Brigade, Rocket test fired successfully MARCOS (Marine Commando Force) The enhanced version is to achieve longer and Special Forces. range as compared to the earlier version. The exercise focused on interoperability This is to replace the current version of and synergy among three services – Pinaka Mk-1 system deployed along the Army, Navy and Air Force to maximize borders of Pakistan and China. combat potential. The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher US supercarrier Nimitz to join system called the Shiva’s bow can fire Vikramaditya for QUAD Malabar 12 rockets in 44 seconds. One single exercise off Goa coast battery of Pinaka system consists of six launch vehicles. They are accompanied Indian Navy’s flagship Vikramaditya and by command post, links with network- US supercarrier Nimitz along with two based systems and radar. A battery can destroyers of the Australian and Japanese neutralize an area of 1 km by 1 km. navies will conduct full-spectrum The Pinaka Mark-1, that is currently exercises off the coast of Goa as part of being used by the Army has a range of 38 Malabar war games from November 17 km. On the other hand, the current tested to 20. version, enhanced Pinaka Mark-1 has a The two carrier groups, with MiG-29K range of 45 km. fighters on board Vikramaditya and F-18 The Pinaka Mk-II has a range of 60 km fighters on board Nimitz, will participate and the Guided Pinaka system has a in war games, while the involvement range of 75 km. the Guided Pinaka has of the two other countries, which are, an integrated control, navigation and like India and the US, members of the guidance system. Quad grouping, will strengthen multi- operability in full domain exercises.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 5 Defence, National Security and Terrorism Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
Shipping Ministry renamed Ministry The missile struck a test satellite at 283 of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, kilometres in the low earth orbit and announces PM Modi made ASAT test successful. Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed DRDO develops Fire Detection and the Ministry of Shipping as the Ministry Suppression System of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed The DRDO has developed fire detection the Ministry of Shipping as the Ministry and suppression system for passenger of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. buses. The technology can detect fire in The decision to change the name of buses in less than 30 seconds. Also, it can the Shipping Ministry is part of Modi extinguish the fire in 60 Seconds. government’s efforts to revamp the ports The technology was developed by the and create world-class Inland Water Delhi based Centre for fire explosive and Transport. environment safety of DRDO. The fire detection and suppression system consist Model of Anti-Satellite Missile system of a water tank of 80 litres of capacity, inaugurated at DRDO network of tubing with 16 atomizers and The Defence Minister Shri Raj Nath Singh 6.8 kilograms of Nitrogen cylinder. The inaugurated the anti-Satellite Missile nitrogen cylinder installed is pressurized System at Defence Research Development to 200 bar. Organization (DRDO) headquarters, The system has an aerosol generator New Delhi. with which the fire suppression can be The DRDO successfully conducted anti- achieved within 5 seconds. The system satellite missile test at Dr APJ Abdul has been developed as a defence spin off Kalam Island in Odisha. Technology.
India tested its Anti-Satellite weapon Though, there is fire threat in all vehicles, in 2019 under its operation code named the system has been specially developed “Operation Shakti”. The ASAT test for sleeper coaches and school buses. used the interceptor, Prithvi Defence Indian Navy launches 5th Scorpene Vehicle Mark II to conduct the test. The Submarine “Vagir” interceptor was developed under Indian Ballisti Missile Programme. The Indian Navy has launched the fifth Prithvi was a modified anti-ballistic Scorpene submarine “Vagir” at Mazagon missile. It was developed under Project Dock of south Mumbai. The submarine is XSV-1. The test made India the fourth capable of taking missions such as anti- country after US, Russia and China to test submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, the anti-satellite weapon. mine laying, intelligence gathering and area surveillance.
6 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Defence, National Security and Terrorism
Vagir is a part of six Kalvari class Second Phase of Malabar Exercise submarine that is being built in India. commences These submarines were designed by the The second phase of Malabar Exercise is French Navy and an energy company to be held between November 17, 2020 DCNS. and November 20, 2020 in the Northern
The six submarines were built under Arabian Sea. The first phase of Malabar Project-75 of Indian Navy. exercise was held between November
Vagir has been named after Sand Fish. 3, 2020 and November 6, 2020 in Bay of It is a deep-sea predator in the Indian Bengal. Ocean. The exercise is important because the
The first Vagir was commissioned in four countries together form the QUAD 1973. The first Vagir submarine was from grouping. Under the recent QUAD Russia. group meeting held in October 2020, the countries agreed on free and open Indo- India Successfully test fires QRSAM Pacific Region. system off Odisha Coast These exercises include cross-deck India successfully test-fired the Quick flying operations and advanced air Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) defence exercises by MiG-29K fighters system off the coast of Balasore in Odisha. of Vikramaditya and F-18 fighters and The system achieved a major milestone E2C Hawkeye from Nimitz. In addition, by a direct hit on to a Banshee Pilotless advanced surface and anti-submarine target aircraft at medium range and warfare exercises and weapon firings will medium altitude. also be undertaken to further enhance Indian forces have carried out at least inter-operability and synergy between seven tests earlier of the missile system. the four friendly navies.
The QRSAM system has been developed The navies of the four countries exercising by the Defence Research and Development together follows India green-lighting the Organisation (DRDO) in association with participation of Australia in the Malabar Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat exercises that first started in 1992 with the Dynamics Limited for the Indian Army. Indian and US navies. The Japanese navy The system is capable of detecting was included in 2015. and tracking targets on the move and engaging target with short halts. The Indian Navy receives 9th –P-8I system is designed to give air defence Surveillance Plane from US at INS coverage against strike columns of the Hansa, Goa Naval Airbase Indian Army. Indian Navy received the 9th Poseidon 8I maritime surveillance aircraft from the United States (US) at the INS Hansa, Goa Naval Airbase.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 7 Defence, National Security and Terrorism Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
The P-8I Aircraft receive on November SIMBEX 2020: India-Singapore Naval 18, 2020 is the first of the Four Additional Exercise planes ordered by India after completion The Indian and Singapore Navy are to of the Initial order for eight aircrafts. hold maritime exercise SIMBEX-20 in the In 2016, India signed a deal of USD 1.1 Andaman Sea between November 23, Billion with the US for Four Additional 2020 and November 25, 2020. The exercise P-8I Aircrafts. is being conducted between the countries The P-8I is developed and produced since 1994. The exercise aims to enhance by Boeing Defense, Space & Security mutual inter-operability between the (US-based). countries. It is capable of long-range anti-submarine About the Exercise warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, The Indian Navy ships to participate in Surveillance and surveillance in support the exercise are destroyer Rana along with of broad area, maritime and littoral Chetak helicopter, corvettes Kamorta operations. and Karmuk. Also, submarine Sindhuraj Rajnath Singh Launches Portal for and P81 reconnaissance aircrafts are to Defence Land Management System participate in the exercise. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched SITMEX-20: India, Thailand and a portal for defence land management Singapore trilateral Naval exercise system (LMS) that is expected to bring held greater transparency, efficiency and Indian Navy teaming up with its speed in dealing with land management counterparts from the US, Japan and matters. Australia for the Malabar exercise in Indo-Thai CORPAT, Coordinated the Bay of Bengal and thArabian Sea, Patrol held the Navy has joined with forces from Thailand and Singapore for a trilateral The 30th Indo-Thai CORPAT is being exercise in the Andaman Sea. held between Indian Navy and Royal India’s naval ships including the Thai Navy from November 18, 2020 indigenously built ASW (anti submarine to November 20, 2020. INS Karmuk, warfare) corvette Kamorta and missile HTMS Kraburi along with the Dornier corvette Karmuk are participating in maritime aircraft are to participate in the second edition of the two-day India, the CORPAT. The countries have been Singapore and Thailand Trilateral holding CORPAT along the International Maritime Exercise SITMEX-20. Maritime Boundary Line twice a year The first edition of SITMEX was hosted since 2005. by Indian Navy and conducted off Port Blair in September 2019. The SITMEX series of exercises “are
8 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Defence, National Security and Terrorism conducted to enhance mutual inter- Russia test-fired Tsirkon hypersonic operability and imbibing best practices missile in the Arctic between IN(Indian Navy), Republic of Russia successfully test-fired a Tsirkon Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal Thai hypersonic cruise missile in the Arctic. Navy (RTN). The frigate Admiral Gorshkov in the White Sea fired a Tsirkon hypersonic India test-fires land-attack version of cruise missile, hitting a naval target 450 BrahMos missile km away in the Barents Sea at a speed of India successfully test-fired a land-attack over Mach 8. version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise In early January, the same frigate test- missile from the Andaman and Nicobar fired a Tsirkon missile for the first time, Islands territory at 10 am on November striking a ground target over 500 km 24, 2020. away. The supersonic cruise missile successfully Last month, the warship deployed in the hit its target, which was on another White Sea destroyed a naval target in the island. The test-firing was conducted by Barents Sea with a Tsirkon missile. the Indian Army. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is Indian Army launches cycling the world’s fastest operational system in expedition in Gujarat & Rajasthan its class and recently DRDO has extended Konark Corps of Indian Army has the range of the missile system from the launched a 1971 kilometres cycling existing 298 km to around 450 km. expedition in Gujarat and Rajasthan to commemorate the commencement of DRDO flags off first Varunastra, a the Golden Jubilee Victory Celebrations heavy weight torpedo of Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pak Secretary, Department of Defence R&D War of 1971. and Chairman, DRDO, G. Satheesh 1971 Kilometers ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh Reddy, flagged off the first Varunastra, Cyclothon’ across Gujarat & Rajasthan the heavy weight torpedo, which was has been joined by the relay teams of 20 delivered to the Indian Navy, at a participants each of the various Army ceremony held at BDL, Visakhapatnam Formations across the two states. unit. Varunastra has been designed and developed by NSTL, Visakhapatnam. BDL, being the production agency, is manufacturing Varunastra at its Visakhapatnam unit for the Indian Navy. This product is also being offered for export.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 9 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 1.3 World Organisations – summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on November 10. Pacts and Summits The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced Modi will lead the Indian delegation at the summit. Shaktikanta Das Chairs 40th SAARC The prime minister will lead the Indian Central Bank Governors Meet delegation to the 20th summit of the SCO The 40th Meeting of the SAARCFINANCE Council of heads of state which will be Governors’ Group was held virtually, held in the virtual format on Nov 10. under the Chairmanship of Shri The meeting will be chaired by Russian Shaktikanta Das, Governor, RBI. President Vladimir Putin. The meeting was attended by the Governors from SAARC central banks. PM Modi to cochair India-ASEAN During the meeting, Mr Das also Summit along with Vietnamese PM inaugurated the SAARCFINANCE Sync, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to a closed user group secure communication cochair India-ASEAN summit along with network. the Vietnamese Prime Minister Ngyuyen In his opening remarks, Governor Shri Xuan Phuc. ASEAN is Association of Das highlighted the close partnership South East Asian Nations. and co-operation among the member The summit is to review the status of countries in jointly fighting the pandemic. India-ASEAN strategic partnership. It The group took stock of the macroeconomic will focus on key areas such as maritime situation in the SAARC region; discussed cooperation, connectivity, trade and the current SAARCFINANCE initiatives; commerce, capacity building and and the way ahead. education. ASEAN is considered as The Governors reaffirmed their an influential grouping as the ASEAN commitment to continued co-operation region has high potential for upcoming and sharing of central bank experiences. markets. The region is expected to grow SAARCFINANCE is a network of central at an average of 5.2% by 2022. It is to bank governors and finance secretaries of become the world largest single market the SAARC region. by 2030. Therefore, India, China, Japan The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the and Australia are competing with each current chair of SAARCFINANCE. other to grab their place in the market. The ASEAN summit is being held amid PM Modi to lead Indian delegation at China’s aggressive behaviour in the virtual SCO summit South China sea. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to come face-to-face virtually at the annual
10 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits 2nd World Health Expo kicks off in out of home remedies and books and Wuhan develop it as per modern needs. The second World Health Expo was UN launches “Team Halo” inaugurated on November 11, in Wuhan, the capital city of Central China’s Hubei The UN has collaborated with The Province. Vaccine Confidence Project at the This year’s Expo will focus on displaying University of London to undertake Team the most cutting-edge science and Halo, an initiative which aims to counter technology in the global health industry, the misinformation around Covid-19 and help Wuhan build of global health vaccines. industry”. “City control, and the Global In India, over 22 scientists have joined University Leaders Forum, will be Team Halo from renowned institutes organized. Normalized a summit forum, PM Modi Virtually Attends 12th BRICS academician forum and the roundtable Summit dialogue on epidemic prevention and During the Expo, more than a Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually hundred high-end forums including. addressed the 12th Brazil-Russia-India- China-South Africa (BRICS) Summit on WHO to set up Global Centre on 17 November 2020. Traditional Medicine in India The theme of the 12th edition of BRICS Prime Minister Narendra Modi Summit was “Global stability, shared announced on November 13, 2020 that security and innovative growth”. the World Health Organisation would The Summit was held under the be setting up a WHO Global Centre on Chairmanship of Russian President Traditional Medicine in India. The Prime Vladimir Putin. Minister shared this while speaking The key issues discussed by the leaders after virtually inaugurating two future- included intra-BRICS cooperation and ready Ayurveda institutions in Jamnagar other key issues in the global context, and Jaipur on the occasion of the 5th like the reform of the multilateral Ayurveda Day on November 13th. system, measures to mitigate the impact The two institutions include National of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur and the cooperation in Counter Terrorism, trade, Institute of Teaching and Research in health, energy and people to people Ayurveda in Jamnagar. exchanges. Prime Minister Modi highlighted during India will be taking over the Chairmanship the occasion that Ayurveda is the heritage of the BRICS in 2021 and host the 13th of India that focuses on the well-being BRICS Summit in 2021. of the whole humanity and stressed the It would be the third time that India will need to bring the Ayurveda knowledge take over the BRICS Presidency since its
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 11 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
inception. Previously India was the Chair India to host G-20 Summit in 2023 in 2012 and 2016. India will host the Summit of the G20 Group in 2023. India was earlier slated to WHO praises UP government for host the summit in 2022. COVID-19 management However, now the G20 Summit be be The World Health Organisation (WHO) hosted by Italy in 2021, Indonesia in 2022, has praised the Uttar Pradesh government India in 2023 and Brazil in 2024. for its COVID-19 management strategy terming it as a good example for other UN release $25 mn for women- states to follow. led projects fighting gender-based The UP government’s strategic response to violence COVID-19 by stepping up contact tracing The United Nations humanitarian chief efforts is exemplary and can serve as a has released 25 million US dollars from its good example for other states,” Roderico emergency fund to support women-led Ofrin, WHO Country Representative, organisations that prevent and respond announced in a statement issued here by to gender-based violence. the state government. India to Chair 19th Summit of SCO th 15 G20 Leaders’ Summit (November Council of Heads of Government on 21-22, 2020) 30 November 2020 virtually
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will India will host the 19th meeting of the be attending the 15th G20 Summit chaired SCO Council of Heads of Government in by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under virtual format on 30 November 2020. the theme “Realising the Opportunities of It will be the first time that a Summit- 21st Century for All” on 21-22 November level Meeting will be held under the 2020. The meeting will be held in a virtual Chairmanship of India, since it gained format. full -membership of the organization in The focus of the upcoming G20 Summit 2017. will be on an inclusive, resilient, and The Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri sustainable recovery from the COVID-19. Venkaiah Naidu will be the chair of the During the G 20 Summit, the leaders Summit. will discuss pandemic preparedness and The Summit will end with the adoption the ways and means to restore jobs. The of the Joint Communique. leaders will also share their vision for building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future. India will enter the G20 Troika, along with Saudi Arabia when Italy will take over the Presidency of the G-20 on 1st December, 2020. 12 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Eminent Persons 1.4 Eminent Persons stretch between Hulikal and Kudur near her husband’s hometown in Tumakuru First transgender in Bihar Election district. She is also known as the mother of trees. Thimmakka and her husband
Ram Darshan Prasad is the first do not have children and they started transgender to have been given a ticket spending their evenings tending to trees by any registered political party for the until they grew sturdy. assembly elections in Bihar. Céline Gounder of Tamil Origin Part 82-year-old woman becomes Sikkim’s of Biden’s COVID-19 Task Force oldest paraglider The first woman and the first woman of
An octogenarian, who is a grandmother South-Asian origin to become the 46th of three, has become the oldest paraglider Vice President of the United States has in Sikkim. her roots in Tamil Nadu. Kamala Harris
The oldest paraglider registered by is also first black woman and the first Sikkim Paragliding Association before woman of Indian-origin to serve at such Dumkit Lepcha was a 68-year-old man. a position in the government. Another Indian connection is Dr Céline 108-yr-old Saalumarada Thimmakka Gounder, of Tamil origin, who is one awarded honorary doctorate by of the 13 doctors named by President- Central University of Karnataka elect Joe Biden as part of his coronavirus Karnataka-based environmentalist advisory board. ‘Saalumarada’ Thimmakka was awarded a doctorate by the Central University Modi pays tribute to RSS ideologue of Karnataka (CUK). The 108-year-old Dattopant Thengadi on his birth was handed the doctorate by university centenary officials at her residence in Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
CUK Vice Chancellor HM Tuesday paid tributes to RSS ideologue Maheshwaraiah, Linguistics Professor Dattopant Thengadi on his birth Rajeshwari Maheshwariah, Basavaraj P centenary he will always be remembered Donur, Dean, School of Humanities and for his unwavering commitment to Languages, and Vikram Visaji, Associate national progress. Professor, were among those present to Thengadi founded the RSS’’ key affiliate confer the honour on Thimmakka. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh. The environmentalist, who is also Thengadi was born on this day in 1920 in popularly called ‘Saalumarada’ – Maharashtra. meaning rows of trees in Kannada – is known for growing close to 400 banyan trees and protecting them on a 4-km
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 13 Eminent Persons Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
Birsa Munda’s contribution to days 14 hours 46 minutes 48 seconds. freedom movement Khawla visited 208 countries and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid dependent territories during her epic tributes to tribal leader Birsa Munda on journey. Her trip ended in Sydney, his birth anniversary on Sunday and Australia on February 13, 2020, shortly said his contribution to the freedom before coronavirus-related travel movement and social harmony will restrictions went into effect. always inspire the countrymen. Former PM Indira Gandhi’s 103rd birth Birsa Munda, who belonged to the anniversary observed Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875. During the British rule in the late The 103rd birth anniversary was observed 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian of India’s first woman Prime Minister, tribal religious Millenarian movement Indira Gandhi on November 19, 2020. across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar Indira Gandhi served as the Prime and Jharkhand. Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and then from 1980 till her assassination in Japanese Nobel-prize-winning 1984. Masatoshi Koshiba passes away Born on November 19, 1917, Indira Physicist Masatoshi Koshiba, who shared Gandhi was the daughter of India’s first 2002 Nobel prize for the detection of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. cosmic neutrinos, passed away. Name for Manakkudi Bridge; Koshiba’s most famous work involved Lorthammal Simon is the only female detecting neutrinos from a distant minister in the Kamaraj’s cabinet supernova explosion using a vast detector based in a mine in central Japan. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Koshiba, a distinguished professor at the Palanisamy has announced that University of Tokyo. Koshiba devised the Manakkudi Link Bridge near the construction of giant underground Kanyakumari will be named after former chambers to detect neutrinos, elusive minister Lourdhammal Simon who was particles that stream from the sun. in the Kamaraj cabinet. Manakkudi village is located near Around the World in less than Kanyakumari. In the middle of the 87 hours: UAE woman visits all 7 village is a creek that mixes with the old continents in record-breaking time river. Manakkudi village is divided into A United Arab Emirates woman travelled two parts, Upper Manakkudi and Lower around the world in a record-breaking Manakkudi due to the old river. This time. Dr Khawla AlRomaithi has created caused them to fly several kilometers to a world record for the fastest time to the other side of the river. The bridge travel all the seven continents in just 3 connecting Upper Manakkudi and Lower
14 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Sports and Games Manakkudi was constructed as a result of passed away at the age of 96. many years of public demand. The bridge Kohli was also actively involved in the collapsed in a tsunami on December 26, decision to bring IBM to India as part of 2004. Tata-IBM in 1991 FC Kohli pioneered India’s ‘Technology Nashik boy cycles from Kashmir to Revolution’ and helped the country build Kanyakumari in 8 days, sets record the $100-billion IT industry as first CEO Mahajan, resident of Nashik in of TCS. Maharashtra, covered the distance of 3,600 km from Srinagar to Kanyakumari 1.5 Sports and Games on bicycle in eight days, seven hours and Ritu Phogat wins third straight MMA 38 minutes. title Om’s father Hitendra and uncle Mahendra had won the RAAM as a team Former Indian wrestler and now a Mixed of two in 2015. They also hold a record Martial Arts star, Ritu Phogat won her for the fastest ride along the Golden third consecutive MMA championship Quadrilateral. title in Singapore. His next challenge is RAAM, often 26-year-old Phogat defeated Cambodia’s described as the toughest cycle race on Nou Srey Pov with a technical knockout the planet. To finish it successfully, Om win in the second round. will have to ride 4,800 km within 12 days. The match was part of ONE Championship’s ONE: INSIDE THE PM Modi tops social media ‘trends’ on MATRIX event that featured four exciting Google World Championship contests at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Singapore Indoor Stadium. continued to be India’s most popular Rafael Nadal wins his 1,000th title politician on social media as he appeared in the highest number of trends on social Rafael Nadal recorded his 1,000th tour- media platforms like Google, Twitter and level match win on November 4, 2020 YouTube between August and October. defeating Feliciano Lopez to reach the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta third round of the Rolex Paris Masters. Banerjee, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi With this, the Spaniard has become the and Congress President Sonia Gandhi fourth player to reach the milestone in the also led the significant trends. Open Era, joining Jimmy Connors (1,274- 283), Roger Federer (1,242-271) and Ivan TCS Founder FC Kohli Passes Away Lendl (1,068-242). Faqir Chand Kohli, IT sector visionary Roger Federer reached the milestone in and the founding chief executive of sector a silent 20,000-seater stadium where the leader Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), match was being held without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vetrii IAS Study Circle 15 Sports and Games Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
Lewis Hamilton wins 2020 For the ODI Player of the Decade award, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) India’s MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit has won the Turkish Grand Prix 2020, Sharma, Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga & held on 15 November 2020. Kumar Sangakkara, Australia’s Mitchell This was his 10th victory of the season, Starc and South Africa’s AB de Villiers and 94th F1 win of his career. have been nominated. Also,with this win, he claimed the PM unveils a book on the life of Sri seventh Formula One championships Guru Nanak Dev title of his career to equal the record of Michael Schumacher. Prime Minister has released a book on the Sergio Perez (Racing Point-BWT- Mexico) life and ideals of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. secured second position and Sebastian It is written by Kirpal Singh Ji. Vettel of Ferrari finished third. Sri Guru Nanak Dev: He was born on 15 April 1469 in Talwandi, India to now host 2022 U-17 Women’s Pakistan. World Cup; 2021 edition cancelled by He was the founder of Sikhism and the FIFA first Sikh Guru. The Bureau of FIFA Council on November He had started writing the Guru Granth 17, 2020 cancelled the U-17 Women’s Sahib. World Cup 2021, which was set to be His birth anniversary is celebrated as hosted by India, due to the COVID-19 Guru Nanak Jayanti. pandemic. India will now host the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022. The FIFA has Archery Association of India has also cancelled Women’s U-20 World Cup, been recognized as National Sports which was scheduled to be held in Costa Federation by the Sports Ministry Rica. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has recognized the Archery Association Virat Kohli, R Ashwin nominated for of India as a National Sports Federation ICC Player of the Decade Award (NSF). India skipper Virat Kohli and spinner Government of India had withdrawn the Ravichandran Ashwin have been AAI recognition on 7 December 2012 due nominated for the ICC Player of the to failure to conduct election according to Decade Award. the National Sports Development Code Other cricketers nominated for the of India, 2011. award include England’s Joe Root, New Archery Association of India stated that it Zealand’s Kane Williamson, Australia’s will help in the development of sports in Steve Smith, South Africa’s AB de Villiers the country and it will help people who and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara. are preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. The recognition will be valid for one year.
16 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Books & Authors Archery Association of India (AAI): It was established on 8 August 1973. 1.6 Books & Authors It is governing body of Archery in India. World’s first scientoon book “Bye Bye Terms associated with archery are Bow hunting, Bow fishing, Anchor Point, Corona” by Anandiben Patel Archcer’s Paradox, etc. World’s 1st scientoon book entitled “Bye Bye Corona”, was released by Anandiben Belgium tops FIFA’s final rankings for Patel, Governor, Uttar Pradesh. 2020, France second, Brazil 3rd The book was written by ‘scientoonist’ Belgium has been ranked at the top in the Dr Pradeep Srivastava, former Senior final rankings list for 2020, released by Principal Scientist at CSIR-Central Drug FIFA on November 27, 2020. Research Institute, Lucknow. France is placed second, while Brazil is It is further planned to make a 3D version on third place, England on fourth place of the book. The book has been published and Portugal in fifth place. by Vigyan Prasar. Spain has been ranked sixth, followed by Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and Italy. ‘Till We Win’ – Book on COVID-19 Croatia is ranked 11 and Germany is by AIIMS Director to release in ranked 13th in the rankings list. November, 2020 ‘Till We Win’ – India’s Fight Against Fit India Mission 200 Kilometers COVID-19 Pandemic – a New book walkathon organized in New Delhi written by AIIMS (All India Institute of Union Minister for Sports Affairs has Medical Sciences) New Delhi, Director, participated in Fit India Mission 200 Randeep Guleria and co-written by Kilometers walkathon in New Delhi. Chandrakant Lahariya, who is a leading This was organized by the Indo-Tibetan public policy and health systems expert Border Police (ITBP) in association with and Gagandeep Kang, a renowned the Sports Ministry vaccine researcher and virologist is set to The march aimed at ‘Fit India’ movement be released in November, 2020. and to promote fitness among people. Participants were awarded with special Political Scientist Vinay Sitapati’s walkathon medals and certificates. 2nd Book Titled “Jugalbandi: The BJP Before Modi” Vinay Sitapati, a political scientist, lawyer and a journalist authored his 2nd book titled “Jugalbandi: The BJP Before Modi”. The book documents about the partnership between Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, The founding
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 17 Books & Authors Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sonu Sood’s autobiography to be The book will be published by Penguin’s titled ‘I Am No Messiah’ Viking (Viking Books is an imprint An actor, producer and humanitarian, of Penguin General) and it is set to be Sonu Sood is set to pen his autobiography released in November 2020. titled “I Am No Messiah”. The book will be co-authored by Meena Ex-SPG officer pens novel “Rasaathi” Iyer. The book will account the experience on transgenders of Sonu Sood during the COVID-19 Ex-SPG officer, Sasindran Kallinkeel’s pandemic. has penned a novel named “Rasaathi: The Other Side of a Transgender”. A New Book on Gulzar “Boskiyana” The main character in the novel, published by Radhakrishna Prakashan by BookMitra, is a transgender named ‘Boskiyana’, a new Hindi book on Gulzar, Rasaathi born in a well-to-do family in veteran Indian poet-lyricist has been South India. published by Radhakrishna Prakashan.
Rasaathi, meaning princess, is in the The book portrays the life of Gulzar late 40s who wants people to treat through his films, poetry, philosophies, transgenders like human beings by lifestyle, likes and dislikes. showering love, affection, sympathy and The 228- page book is edited and compiled recognise their pathetic and horrible life. by Yashwant Vyas. ‘Boskiyana’ is the name of the house of Gulzar in Mumbai. Thavaasmi book launched by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu ‘A Promised Land’: Book of Barack Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu Obama has launched the book titled “Thavaasmi: The most audacious thing about Barack Life and Skills through the lens of Obama’s new memoir, “A Promised Ramayana”. Land,” is the beaming portrait on its The book was authored by Rallabandi cover: There he is, the 44th president. Srirama Chakradhar and co-author by Amara Sarada Deepthi. Obama’s A Promised Land sells almost Thavaasmi is in 4 volumes prepared by a 891,000 copies on first day team of young professionals. Barack Obama’s new book A Promised The book presents the story of Ramayana Land has sold nearly 890,000 copies as a dialogue between a father and in the US and Canada in its first 24 daughter with a number of exercises hours, putting it on track to become making it an interesting learning the bestselling presidential memoir in experience. modern history.
18 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Awards & Honours The first-day sales, which set a record for 1.7 Awards & Honours Penguin Random House, includes pre- orders, e-books and audio. Best Intelligence: Central Interior Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Award for 5 including I.G.Kannan unveils two books The Federal Interior Special Award Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has is given annually for outstanding unveiled two books ‘The Republican intelligence work in the police. The Ethic Volume III’ and ‘Loktantra Ke Federal Interior Special Award was Swar’ which are a collection of selected announced for 39 people in the police speeches of President Ram Nath Kovind department across the country. during the third year of his presidency. Additional Commissioner of Traffic, Information and Broadcasting Prakash Chennai Metropolitan Police, N. Kannan, Javadekar unveiled the e-book versions Inspector of Police, Q Division, S.Aravind, of the two books. Inspector of Police, Thiruvannamalai Mr Rajnath Singh stated that the District, P. Bandarinathan, Assistant President’s speeches depict his concern Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore. towards issues such as girls education, Thiruvannamalai SP Aravind had empowerment of women, and welfare of been awarded for his outstanding the weaker sections. investigation into Kannan’s tenure as the DIG of the Security Forces and for his Shashi Tharoor’s latest book “The excellent intelligence gathering during Battle of Belonging” launched his tenure as the Special Intelligence Unit Renowned Author and Politician, Shashi Superintendent of Police, which monitors Tharoor has released his new book titled religious organizations. “The Battle of Belonging”. The book is published by Aleph Book Company. Tamil Semmal Awards for 2019 Shashi Tharoor described this book as his Chief Minister Palanisamy today “magnum opus” on the Theory, evolution presented the Tamil Semmal Awards and practice of Nationalism across the to 19 of the 37 nominees for the 2019 globe and especially in India. Tamil Semmal Awards at the General Secretariat. Jayalalithaa announced in the Legislative Assembly on 25.7.2014 under Rule 110 that the Tamil Semmal Award would be given annually to one person per district in order to identify and glorify the Tamil language as an individual who pioneers for the development of Tamil and for the
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 19 Awards & Honours Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
Tamil language. He also announced that Bond writing has charmed both the recipient of the award will be given categories of readers into lifelong love an award of Rs. 25,000 and a merit. and admiration. He has been recognised by the Indian Kerala Tourism wins World Travel Council of Child Education for his Mart London Award contribution to the growth of children’s The World Travel Mart London bestowed literature in India. Kerala Tourism with the coveted ‘Highly His famous works: Room on the roof, Commended’ Award. Kerala Tourism Blue Umbrella, etc. He was conferred the was recognised for its remarkable Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan. activities for promoting Responsible Tourism (RT) during the challenging Sadat Rahman of Bangladesh wins times of COVID-19 pandemic. Kerala’s International Children’s Peace Prize Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission Sadat Rahman from Bangladesh won received this recognition in the category the International Children’s Peace Prize of ‘Meaningful Connections.’ 2020. The award was presented to Sadat today by Nobel Peace Prize laureate ‘Natkhat’ eligible for Oscar nomination Malala Yousafzai during a ceremony in The Indian film ‘Natkhat’, starring and the Netherlands. He was awarded the co-produced by Vidya Balan, has won the prize for his involvement in setting up top prize at the third edition of Best Of his social organization and mobile app India Short Film Festival 2020. ‘Cyber Teens’ to stop cyberbullying. By winning the festival, the film The International Children’s Peace has become eligible for 2021 Oscar Prize is an initiative of the international qualification. children’s rights organization KidsRights. The film has been directed by Shaan Vyas From an impressive 142 applicants from and co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala 42 countries, the KidsRights’ Expert and Vidya Balan. Committee selected Sadat Rahman from Bangladesh as winner. Ruskin Bond conferred with Tata This prestigious prize was launched in Literature Lifetime Achievement 2005 during the World Summit of Nobel Award Peace Laureates in Rome, chaired by Ruskin Bond, one of India’s most Mikhail Gorbachev. Since then, the prize cherished authors was conferred Tata has been presented by a Nobel Peace Literature Live! Lifetime Achievement Prize Laureate every year. Award for 2020. He has a substantial body of work, close to 100 books – across genres for children and adults.
20 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Awards & Honours Children’s Climate Prize titles such as Burnt Sugar. The Burnt Vinisha Umashankar, a 14-year-old Sugar was published in India as “Girl studying in 9th grade at a private school in in White Cotton”. It also included “The Tiruvannamalai, has won the prestigious New Wilderness” by Diane Cook, “The Children’s Climate Prize for designing Shadow King” by Maaza Mengiste, “This a mobile ironing cart using solar panels Mournable Body” by Tsitsi Dangarembga, to power a steam iron box rather than “Real Life” by Brandon Taylor and “The conventional charcoal. Shadow King” by Maaza Mengiste.
Life Time Achievement Award Education Minister launches AICTE’s Lilavati Award for women Union Education Minister Ramesh empowerment Pokhriyal will be conferred with the Vatayan Lifetime Achievement Award. The All India Council for Technical The ceremony will be conducted on Education (AICTE) launched the November 21, 2020, in a virtual mode. Lilavati Award to acknowledge efforts The award is being conferred to the union undertaken to empower women in the education minister of poetry and other country. The award was launched by the literary works. Minister of Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal The minister has earlier been conferred Nishank via a virtual conference. with several awards in the field of literature The awards are aimed to award the and administration including the Sahitya efforts taken in the field of women’s Gaurav Samman by Former President development and create ‘equality and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Sahitya Bharati fairness’ for women in all spheres of their Award by the former Prime Minister Atal lives. Bihari Vajpayee, Bharat Gaurav Samman, Delhi Crime wins ‘Best Drama Series’ Outstanding Achievement Award by Global Organization of Person of Indian award at 48th International Emmys Origin by Mauritius awarded in Ukraine Indian web series ‘Delhi Crime’ has won in the area of environmental protection, the ‘Best Drama Series’ award at the 48th Good Governance Award by Dubai International Emmys. Government, “Himal Gaurav Samman” The Netflix series, directed by Richie by Nepal. Mehta, is based on the horrific 2012 Delhi gang-rape. The cast of the series Booker Prize 2020 won by Douglas comprised Shefali Shah in the lead Stuart role as Deputy Commissioner Vartika The Booker Prize of the year 2020 was Chaturvedi and others such as Abhilasha won by Douglas Stuart for his debut Singh, Rasika Dugal and Rajesh Tailang novel “Shuggie Bain”. The shortlist of in key roles. th Booker Prize consisted of five more The 48 International Emmy Awards was
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 21 Awards & Honours Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 hosted live this year for the first due to given to the best performing libraries. In the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual that category, awards were announced event was hosted by Richard Kind in for 33 people for outstanding service to New York. government public libraries at the event. India also bagged nominations in the Best The award includes a certificate, a silver Actor category (Arjun Mathur, Made in medal and a check for Rs. 5,000. The event Heaven) and Best Comedy Series (Four was attended by Education Minister More Shots Please). K.A. Shenkotayan and many education officials. EPFO gets Platinum Partner Award for highest transactions on UMANG Malayalam Film ‘Jallikattu’ Selected App as India’s official entry for Oscars On the occasion of UMANG app 2021 completing three years, Minister for A Malayalam film “Jallikattu” directed Electronics and Information Technology by Lijo Jose Pellissery, has been Ravi Shankar Prasad unveiled the newly selected as India’s official entry for the instituted UMANG Awards for partner International Feature Film category at the departments of the Centre and states, 93rd Academy Awards or 2021 Oscars. based on average transactions in the past It was unanimously chosen from 27 six months across all services. entries across Hindi, Marathi and other Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation languages by the 14-member jury headed (EPFO) has been conferred with Platinum by Rahul Rawail, Chairman, Jury Board, Partner Award for registering more than Film Federation of India (FFI). 25 lakh transactions on UMANG app, the statement added. As the majority of the EPFO members are from the socio- economically disadvantaged sections, an accessible and affordable solution was needed to reach out to crores of EPFO subscribers.
Awards for best Librarians CM Palanisamy presented awards for libraries that have rendered outstanding service in public libraries. The event was held at the General Secretariat. Library week is celebrated every year in November. In this regard, the Dr.S.A.Aranganathan Award is being
22 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Cultural Panorama
The inscription describes the war 1.8 Cultural Panorama Virrajendra Chola had fought with Chalukya King Agavamallan at Kudal Kodumanal Excavation Sangamam to conquer him. The defeat The High Court has directed the of Vikalan and Chinkanan has also been government to take immediate action to deciphered through the inscription find out the age of the Tamil Nadu script Capturing of Vengainadu by the found in the Kodumanal excavation for Chola King also finds a mention in the the first time. inscription. For the first time in excavations, Tamil The encomium on the King also sheds script has been found. In Kodumanal light on charity and the donation of land excavations, the letters( Aa and Ee) tamil for water bodies. scripts have been found in Tamil Nadu. 300 kuzhi (roughly 43,000 sq. ft.) land was In this context, the Madurai branch of donated to a water body in the village. the High Court has raised a barrage of questions regarding the excavation work. Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival to be celebrated virtually Chola period inscription found in Nagaland govt decides to celebrate Tirupathur describes war, charity Hornbill Festival virtually this year, A Chola period inscription was discovered amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in the in a far off village in Tirupathur has country. This festival is also called the thrown light on wars fought by a Chola Festival of Festivals. King and charity done by a local village It is held every year from December 1 to head for priests 1,000 years ago. 10, showcases the culture, heritage, food A team of archaeological enthusiasts and customs of Naga tribes. led by A Prabu, professor of Tamil, 16 tribes come together to celebrate their Sacred Heart College, Tirupathur, and traditions with dance performances. retired professor of ancient history and Tourists from across the globe attend the archaeology of R Sekar deciphered the 10-day gala. inscription with the help of epigraphist S Rajagopalan. ‘Karkhanisanchi Waari’ only Indian It belonged to the Chola King Virarajendra entry at Tokyo Film Festival Chola whose period dates back to 1063- Marathi film, Karkhanisanchi Waari 1070 CE. (Ashes on a Road Trip), the 149-minute The inscription is a eulogy on the King film tells the story of the Karkhanis, the and describes certain wars he and his last joint family of Pune. captain had fought. The movie was directed by Mangesh Joshi. The movie will have its world premiere
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 23 Latest Historical Events Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 at the 33rd Tokyo International Film shed light on the rural economy of the Festival. It is the only Indian entry at the civilization. festival. Techniques like C16 and C18 analysis were used to identify the source of lipids Chola period inscription found in which were preserved by the porous pots. Tirupathur describes war ‘Hero stones’ believed to be from the 13th ‘Quarantine’ named Cambridge century have been discovered by faculty Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2020 members of the Department of Tamil, Cambridge Dictionary has named Sacred Heart College in Tirupattur, one of ‘quarantine’ as the Word of the Year the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu, located 2020, the year that saw people around in Vellore District, India.The stone Height the world being forced to remain isolated is 5 cm and breadth is 3 cm . indoors in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Tungabhadra Pushkaralu to be held ‘Lockdown’ and ‘pandemic’ turned out from November 20 to December 1 to be runner-ups for Word of the Year. Pushkaralu, a festival to celebrate ‘Quarantine’ was the only word that Tungabhadra river, is held once in 12 ranked among the top five in both overall years. views and search spikes in 2020.
1.9 Latest Historical Events 1.10 India and its Neighbours India-Pak border to light up with Archaeologists Found Evidence of 8000MW renewable park Dairy Production in Indus Valley
Civilisation India’s border areas with Pakistan in Rajasthan would soon be illuminated
The research of archeologists of with renewable energy. Indian and Canada found evidence of The state government will soon ink an dairy production in the Indus Valley MoU with National Thermal Power Civilization. The research discovered that Corporation (NTPC) and Solar Energy dairy was produced and processed by the Corporation of India (SECI) to establish Harappans back in 2500 BCE. The study Ultra Mega Renewal Energy Power Park. was carried out on 59 shards of pottery The park to be set up near borders areas from the archeological site in Kotada will be of 8,000 megawatts (MW) capacity, Bhadli, Gujarat. which will comprise 4,310 MW of wind
The team found traces of residues that energy; 3,760 MW of solar energy and 120 provide evidence of diary product MW of power from biomass. Currently, processing by the Harappans which Rajasthan’s solar gener2ation capacity is 4,883 MW.
24 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Appointments – Who is who? Nepal President releases Special 1.12 Appointments – Who is Anthology on Mahatma Gandhi Nepal President, Bidya Devi Bhandari who? has released a special pictorial anthology on Mahatma Gandhi to mark the 151st Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. New Zealand’s first-ever Indian- This anthology is written in the Nepali origin minister language. Priyanca Radhakrishnan on Monday The book was launched at a special became the first-ever Indian-origin function held at in Kathmandu in the minister of New Zealand after she presence of Indian Ambassador to Nepal, was inducted into the executive by the Vinay Mohan Kwatra. country’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. This anthology on Gandhi is titled as Born in India, Radhakrishnan, 41, went “Maile Bujheko Gandhi” or “the Gandhi to school in Singapore before moving to as I understood”. New Zealand to further her education. The book has been released to mark the She became the first-ever Indian-origin birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi minister of the country after Prime and the culmination of the 2 year-long Minister Jacinda Ardern brought five celebrations of ‘150 years of Mahatma’. new ministers into her executive. This anthology has been published by the Indian Embassy together with the BP Indian diplomat Vidisha Maitra Koirala India-Nepal Foundation. elected to UN advisory committee Indian diplomat, Vidisha Maitra has been 1.11 Latest Terminology elected to the UN’s Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Collins Dictionary named ‘lockdown’ Questions (ACABQ). as Word of the Year The election was a tightly contested one The word, which, in its current context but Maitra won with 126 UN members means measures implemented by supporting her candidature for the only governments around the world to post for the Asia-Pacific group while 64 restrict movement of people to mitigate voted for the opposing candidate who the spread of the coronavirus disease, was from Iraq. Covid-19, was chosen for its “unifying experience for billions” and for being one that “sums up the year” for most people. The dictionary defines lockdown as “the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces”.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 25 Appointments – Who is who? Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Indian-American Kash Patel named Maia Sandu Elected as First-Ever Chief of Staff to Acting US Defence Woman President of Moldova Secretary Maia Sandu, a former World Bank Indian-American Kash Patel has been economist, has won Moldova’s 2020 named as the Chief of Staff to the Acting Presidential election to become the US Defence Secretary Chris Miller, the President-elect of the country. She Pentagon has announced. received 57.72% of the vote. Patel replaces Jen Stewart, who resigned She is the first women to be elected as the earlier. He is currently on the National President of Moldova and would assume Security Council staff. office on 23rd December 2020. He had previously served as senior counsel for Counterterrorism at the House Permanent Select Committee.
CAG Murmu elected as External Auditor of Inter Parliamentary Union in Geneva Comptroller & Auditor General of India Girish Chandra Murmu has been elected as theExternal Auditor of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Geneva for three years. GC Murmu will take charge of this position from Supreme Audit Institution of Switzerland. The election took place at the virtual meeting of IPU’s 284th session, which is a 179 countries Parliamentarians body. The IPU also has 13 Associate Members. The IPU also has a permanent observer status at the United Nations General Assembly. The IPU is a global inter- parliamentary institution established by France and UK in 1889.
26 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Govt – Welfare oriented... POLITICAL 2. SCIENCE
2.1 Govt – Welfare oriented The Government of India has been bringing in several measures to help the Govt schemes, their MSMEs thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Atma Nirbhar Bharat package utility mainly focused on MSMEs. More than 40-60% of the MSME were NMCG organises three-day virtual facing closure due to COVID-19. ‘Ganga Utsav 2020’ They were already under stress due Ganga Utsav-2020 has been organised to the implementation of GST and by the National Mission for Clean Ganga Demonetisation in 2016. (NMCG) jointly with the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The three-day-long Ganga India’s first solar-based Integrated Utsav-2020 has been organised from 02 Multi-Village Water Supply Project to 04 November 2020, virtually amidst The Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra COVID-19 precautions. Singh Shekhawat launched India’s first The annual event is organised to spread solar-based Integrated Multi-Village awareness about river Ganga and Water Supply Project (IMVWSP) in the need to keep the river clean and Arunachal Pradesh on 06 November rejuvenated. The 2020 edition marks 2020. the 12th anniversary of Ganga being The solar-based lift water supply project accorded the status of National River, on is ‘first of its kind’ in the country, and has 4th November 2008. been commissioned at a cost of Rs 28.50 crore. However, such projects will be Udyam Scheme: 11 lakh MSMEs carried out in other parts of the country registered too. The Government of India announced The project would provide drinking water that over 11 lakh MSMEs have registered to 17,480 people in 39 villages of Lower on the new online system of Udyam Dibang Valley district in Arunachal Registration. It was launched in July 2020. Pradesh. MSME schemes
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 27 Govt – Welfare oriented... Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
The solar-based Integrated Multi-Village while taking efforts to ensure the rights Water Supply Project has been designed of states. as an integrated project with three components, which are drinking water, IPPB launches PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima green energy and tourism. Yojana India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has Atma Nirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana launched a low-cost insurance scheme launched to boost employment ‘Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman (PMJJBY)’ for its customers to bring large announced the fourth economic stimulus sections of the underserved and unserved package. During the announcement, the population into the financial mainstream. Finance Minister introduced the “Atma IPPB has collaborated with PNB MetLife Nirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana”. India Insurance Company for this Atma Nirbharat Bharat Rozgar Yojana product. Atma Nirbharat Bharat Rozgar Yojana To provide protection and financial is being launched to incentivize creation security to the poor and underprivileged, of new employment opportunities especially in unbanked and remote areas during COVID-19 recovery phase. of India, in the unforeseen and unfortunate The beneficiaries of the scheme event of the loss of a family member who include employees in EPFO registered is primarily the breadwinner. establishments who were on monthly wages less than Rs 15,000. West Bengal State Government Expands the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ Health Puducherry launches free breakfast Scheme from December 01 scheme for students named after M The State Government of West Bengal Karunanidhi has expanded ‘Swasthya Sathi’ Health The Puducherry government has rolled Scheme from December 01, 2020. The out a free breakfast scheme for school scheme was expended by west Bengal students named after the late DMK chief minister Mamata Banerjee President M Karunanidhi, for government The scheme was officially launched by and government aided school students Banerjee in December 2016 and is a basic at Jeevanandham Government Higher health cover for secondary and tertiary Secondary School. care up to Rupees five lakh per annum The scheme was an apt tribute to per family. Karunanidhi who championed the cause of downtrodden and poor people and “Jagananna Thodu” launched in was keenly interested in the development Andhra Pradesh and welfare of people of Puducherry Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy launched a
28 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Latest Court Verdicts
flagship scheme “Jagananna Thodu” the tribunals till the National Tribunals aimed to benefit several Small Traders and Commission is established. Street Vendors. The Scheme is allocated The Centre shall make serious efforts to with a find of 905 Crores to benefit 9.05 provide suitable housing to the chairman lakh street vendors and traders. or president and other members of the Objective of Jagananna Thodu: tribunals and if it is not possible, the Provides Interest Free loan upto Rs.10,000 government shall pay the chairman or to street vendors and marginal traders. president and vice-chairman or vice- Rs.1,000 crore is lent to nearly 10 lakh president an amount of ` 1.5 lakh per people where the government pays month as house rent allowance and ` 1.25 interest upto 100 crore annually. lakh per month for other members with effect from January 1, 2021.
2.2 Latest Court Verdicts
Supreme Court orders setting up of National Tribunals Commission The Supreme Court has passed directions for setting up of the National Tribunals Commission for appointment of members in various tribunals. A three-judge bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and S Ravindra Bhat has directed Centre to constitute a separate wing in the Ministry of Finance to deal with the appointments till the Commission is set up. To stop the dependence of tribunals on their parent departments for routing their requirements and to ensure speedy administrative decision making, as an interregnum measure, we direct that there should be a separate ‘tribunals wing’ established in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India to take up, deal with and finalize requirements of all
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 29 Policy on Environment and Ecology Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 3. GEOGRAPHY 3.1 Policy on Environment and Ecology
Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya The Tezpur Litchi has got the GI tag Pradesh gets UNESCO Biosphere under Horticulture Products (Fruits) – Reserve status Litchi in the Class 31. The registration is In Madhya Pradesh, the Panna Tiger valid upto 28th August 2023. Reserve has been included in the ‘World The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Network of Biosphere Reserves’ list of Marketing Corportaion Li the UNESCO. Vamco Cyclone Currently, Panna Tiger Reserve is home to 54 tigers. Vietnam was bracing for Typhoon This is the 12th biosphere reserve from Vamco to make landfall in the country’s India to be included in the ‘World central coast early, as the death toll in the Network of Biosphere Reserves’, and Philippines rose to 53 from that country’s third from Madhya Pradesh, after deadliest storm this year. Pachmarhi and Amarkantak. Tristan da Cunha becomes the largest The UNESCO World Network of Marine Protection Zone of Atlantic Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) covers Ocean internationally designated protected areas (known as biosphere reserves) that The isolated UK overseas territory of demonstrate a balanced relationship Tristan da Cunha was declared the largest between people and nature (like fully protected Marine reserve of Atlantic encourage sustainable development). Ocean. This will prohibit sand extraction, bottom trawling fishing and deep-sea Assam’s Tezpur Litchi Gets GI Tag mining in more than 90% of waters of the The Tezpur Litchi of Assam was granted territory. It includes 687,000 square kilo the Geographical Indication (GI) tag metres of water in the Atlantic ocean. certification on 27th March 2015. The Goldman Sachs Projects India’s GDP GI Tag to Tezpur Litchi made it an Forecast at -10.3% in FY21 incontrovertible proof of their origin in Assam. The GI tag prevents the The Investment bank, Goldman Sachs production of Tezpur Litchi from other has revised upwards the growth forecast places. for India in FY21 to -10.3% from its earlier projection of -14.8% in September 2020.
30 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Natural Disasters – Safeguard Measures For the financial year 2021-22 (FY22), 3.2 Natural Disasters – the Goldman Sachs has projected India’s GDP at 13%. Safeguard Measures Cyclone Nivar The district administration has advised Super Typhoon Goni hits the fishers to keep their boats safe to prevent Philippines them from damage as Cyclone Nivar Super Typhoon Goni, claimed as the heads towards the Tamil Nadu coast. world’s strongest typhoon of 2020 has hit The cyclone is expected to make landfall the south of the Philippines’ main island between Mammalapuram and Karaikal, of Luzon. including Mayiladuthurai district. Goni is one of the strongest storms to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve gets global hit the Philippines since 2013’s Haiyan, award ‘TX2’ for doubling tiger which killed more than 6,300 people. population The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), situated in the Pilibhit district and Shahjahanpur District of Uttar Pradesh has won the first-ever international award, TX2, along with the state Forest department, for doubling the number of tigers. *TX2 stands for ‘Tigers times two’, signalling the goal to double wild tigers. PTR is the first to receive the award among all the 13 tiger range countries. (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.) It achieved the goal of doubling the tiger’s population in just four years, against the target of 10 years. In 2014, PTR had 25 tigers which went up to 65 in 2018.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 31 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
4. ECONOMICS 4.1 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector
NSDC launches ‘Project Future fourteenth Finance Commission had Ready’ to impart career skills to 1 recommended 42%. lakh students ff 4.3 lakh crores for the local The National Skill Development governments Corporation (NSDC) in partnership ff Rs 1 lakh grant to health care with American India Foundation, Dell ff Rs 2.9 lakh crores of revenue deficit Technologies and University of Mumbai grants to 17 states. has launched ”Project Future Ready” to ff The commission have recommended equip students with career skills. the states to keep aside at least 8% of The project is set to impact over 1 lakh their budget for building health care students in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, of capacities. which 60 per cent are females. The project aims to provide skills Moody’s raises India’s 2020 GDP development for these students through forecast to -8.9% career mentoring, leveraging online Moody’s raised India’s GDP forecast for skilling platforms and providing market the calendar year 2020 upwards to -8.9 aligned skills training for employability per cent contraction from -9.6 per cent and inculcating entrepreneurial mind-set. contraction forecast earlier. Similarly, India’s GDP forecast for the calendar year Fifteenth Finance Commission Report 2021 has been revised upwards to 8.6 per The Fifteenth Finance Commission cent from 8.1 per cent projected earlier. headed by N K Singh is to submit its report the President of India. FM adds Diwali sparkle to economy The recommendations made by the with Rs 2.65 lakh crore Atmanirbhar commission are as follows Bharat 3.0 package ff The Commission has recommended Union Finance Minister Nirmala that the states shall get 41% of Sitharaman announced 12 fresh stimulus central tax revenues. Earlier, the measures under the Atmanirbhar 3.0
32 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector
stimulus package, amounting to Rs 2.65 Project Kirana launched by lakh crore. The fresh stimulus package, Mastercard and USAID which has been in the works for more Mastercard and United States Agency than three months, focused on helping for International Development launched stressed sectors, middle income groups, “Project Kirana”. The programme will MSMEs and more. enable women entrepreneurs to grow, The new measures are mostly focused launch and thrive. on generating employment and boosting Background labour-intrusive sectors like real estate In July 2020, Mastercard announced that and manufacturing. it will commit Rs 250 crores to reboot Nirmala Sitharaman also announced SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). a fresh scheme to incentivise new In line to the commitment, Master card employment under the Atmanirbhar had launched a host of initiatives. One Bharat Rozgar Yojana. The existing such is Project Kirana. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme has also been extended till March USAID 31, 2021. USAID is United States Agency for International Development. It is an Operation Calypso independent agency that is responsible to The Directorate of Revenue intelligence administer foreign aid and development (DRI) recently launched Operation assistance. Calypso. Under the operation, 504 grams RBI becomes the world’s 1st central of cocaine was seized and a transnational bank to reach 1mn followers on drug racket was busted. The gang has Twitter successfully smuggled more than 3.3 kilograms of cocaine in Mumbai. The The Reserve Bank of India has reached value of the smuggled cocaine has been one million followers on Twitter. With estimated as 20 crores of Rupees. this, the central bank of India is now the first-ever such bank in the world to India-World Bank sign 120 million have reached these many followers in the USD agreement to implement micro-blogging site. Meghalaya Integrated Transport RBI has beaten the US Federal Reserve Project and European Central Bank on Twitter India and World Bank signed 120 million by emerging as the most popular central USD to modernise transport sector in the bank on the microblogging site with one state of Meghalaya. The project aims to million followers. improve 300 km of strategic road segment The world’s most powerful central bank, through climate resilient and nature- the US Federal Reserve, has 6.67 lakh based solutions. Twitter followers and the Frankfurt-
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 33 New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
headquartered European Central Damascus (Syria), Taskent (Uzbekistan), Bank (ECB), the second most powerful Lusaka (Zambia) ranked the last three monetary authority in the world, has 5.91 spot as the most cheapest cities in the list, lakh followers. which comprises of 133 cities. The report took into account the price of EIU’s Worldwide Cost of Living 138 items, used in every day for survival, (WCOL) Index 2020 announced and the falling or rising value of that The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has country’s currency due to Covid to rank released its biannual ‘Worldwide Cost of the cities accordingly. Living (WCOL)’ report of the World’s Most Expensive Cities in 2020, based on Sebi launches SMARTs program their cost of living. Markets regulator SEBI is observing Hong Kong (China), Paris (France) and World Investor Week (WIW) in the Zurich (Switzerland) share the top spot country from November 3 – 29, 2020. as the most expensive cities in the list, As a part of the celebrations, SEBI has which comprises of 133 cities. launched an initiative called ‘Securities Market Trainers’ (SMARTs) program, to enhance investor education and awareness.
34 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology 5. SCIENCE
5.1 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology IIT Roorkee develops world 1st Highlights biosensor to detect harmful detergent The development of ACE was a joint pollutant initiative of Kerala Startup Mission A five-member team of researchers at (KSUM) and Centre for Development of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Advanced Computing (CDAC).
Roorkee have developed the world’s The ACE seeks to develop itself as a first specific reliable bacterial biosensor leading accelerator in the country’s to detect the presence of common electronics technologies.
environmental pollutant- Sodium ACE will nurture the development of Dodecyl Sulphate /Sodium Lauryl high-tech startups in electronics and Sulfate (SDS). allied disciplines.
The IIT Roorkee team has developed a The accelerator would be complementary whole-cell biosensor using Pseudomonas to the KSUM- supported incubator in the aeruginosa PAO1 strain as a framework field of electronics technologies that have (chassis). The system involves a highly been established in Kochi. specific regulator along with a fluorescent “Go Electric Campaign” of BEE: AP to protein that is produced only when SDS set up 400 EV charging stations is present in the sample. The “Go Electric” campaign was launched Kerala launched Accelerator for by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in Electronics technologies (ACE) to coordination with the Andhra Pradesh boost start-ups. State Energy Conservation Mission. The Andhra Pradesh State Government Kerala has launched a state- of-the-art Accelerator for Electronics Technologies is to set up 400 Electric Vehicle charging (ACE) on November 2, 2020. The vehicles all over the state to promote the technology is expected to boost the usage of electric vehicles. This is to be southern state’s startups that are striving achieved in coordination with the “Go to scale up as sustainable enterprises. Electric” campaign of BEE.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 35 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
ISRO initiates launch sequence for According to the recently released PSLV-C49 NCAER report titled “estimating the ISRO, in an announcement, said the economic benefits of investment in countdown for the launch of PSLV-C49/ monsoon mission and high performance EOS commenced. The mission which computing facilities“, the investment in is scheduled to carry all-weather earth high-performance computing facilities is imaging satellite EOS-01, will be launched to bring 50 times benefits and profits. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Mars losing its atmosphere to outer Sriharikota. space at faster rate than Earth The PSLVC49 mission will also carry nine foreign satellites under a commercial Mars is losing its atmosphere to outer agreement with New Space India Limited space at a faster rate, a study of data (NSIL), Department of Space. and images sent by Isro’s Mars Orbiter This will be the 76th launch vehicle Mission (MOM) and Nasa’s Mars orbiter mission from Sriharikota spaceport and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution the 51st flight of India’s Polar Satellite (Maven) has found. Launch Vehicle ‘PSLV’. According to According to a report in The Times of reports, this will be the second flight of India, Mars, being relatively smaller PSLC with ‘DL’ variant with strap-on planet compared to Earth, is losing its boosters. atmosphere at a faster rate. On its official website, ISRO has Why is Mars losing its atmosphere? mentioned that the launch viewing Though other terrestrial planets in the gallery will be closed on November 7 solar system are also constantly losing during the launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 their atmospheres to outer space, the rate in light of Covid-19 precautions. at which this loss happens is determined mainly by the size of a planet and Indian Meteorological Department to temperature of its upper atmosphere, the provide predictions for Malaria from report said as quoted by TOI. next monsoon Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) The Indian Meteorological Department on Wednesday posted on its website (IMD) announced that it will start these findings of scientists who had providing Malaria outbreak forecast from studied data and images sent by MOM next monsoon. Also, it announced that and Maven about a global dust storm that India is to ramp up its high performance enveloped the Red planet in June-July computing facility. Under this the existing 2018. Such a global storm is one of the capacity of 10 petaflop is to be increased dynamical meteorological phenomena on to 40 petaflops. Mars.
36 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Astronomers detect first fast radio China launches ‘world’s first 6G burst in our Milky Way galaxy experiment satellite’ National Aeronautics and Space China has sent into space the world’s first Administration (NASA) detected a bright 6G experiment satellite. Fast radio bursts (FRV) and X-rays,w hich The 6G satellite was among three Chinese lasted for a millisecond, from the Milky satellites successfully launched into orbit, Way galaxy for the first time ever. The along with 10 commercial remote sensing signal, called FRB 200428, was found in satellites developed by Argentinian April inside the Milky Way galaxy for the company Satellogic. first time and was also the first to be traced This was the 351st rocket of China’s Long to a magnetar, which are dead stars that March series. have the most powerful magnetic fields As per the reports, the technology is in the universe. expected to be over 100 times faster than The findings confirm that magnetars 5G. cound be sources for FRBs. The 6G communications test satellite was FRBs are bright bursts of radio waves launched into the orbit along with 12 from astronomical objects across galaxies, other satellites. and their sources have been a mystery for The satellite also carries technology which over a decade. will be used for crop disaster monitoring and forest fire prevention. World’s first CRISPR CaS-9 based diagnostic tool Crew 1 Mission: SpaceX, NASA send Tata Medical and Diagnostics Ltd 4 astronauts to International Space (TataMD) have unveiled “TataMD Station CHECK” which is a novel diagnostic SpaceX successfully launched its first testing for COVID-19. It is the world’s first operational space taxi flight for NASA, CRISPR CaS-9 based diagnostic tool and as a shiny white Falcon 9 rocket took to is powered by FELUDA. CRISPR Cas-9 is the skies above Kennedy Space Center in a technology developed in India by CSIR- Florida. IGIB for COVID-19 testing. TataMD is the SpaceX’s Crew-1 Dragon, called healthcare venture of Tata Group. Resilience, is bound for the International TataMD CHECK has been approved by Space Station (ISS), but instead of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) traditional crew supplies and research and Indian Council of Medical Research experiments its cargo variant normally (ICMR). This new diagnostic testing for carries, this spacecraft carried a different COVID-19 has been developed within a type of cargo into space: three NASA short span of 100 days of the licensing of astronauts, Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, technology. Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 37 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 nOPV2 vaccine for Polio becomes the Orbit. 1st Ever Vaccine to be listed under The mission will launch a capsule that WHO’s EUL will orbit the earth at 400 km altitude The World Health Organisation(WHO) up to seven days. When the orbit is at a listed nOPV2 (novel Oral Polio Taccine height of less than 1000 km, it is called type-2) Polio vaccine produced by Low Earth Orbit. Indonesia’s Bio Farma PT for Emergency Param Siddhi ranked 63rd among top Use Listing (EUL), this is the first 500 most powerful non-distributed approval by WHO of its kind amids computer systems several outbreaks in several parts of the world. India’s Artificial Intelligence The nOPV2 vaccine is aimed at containing supercomputer Param Siddhi has outbreaks of circulating Vaccine- achieved 63rd rank among top 500 most Derived Polio Virus (cVDPVs) in African powerful non-distributed computer Countries, Meditarranean countries as systems in the world. Ministry of Science well as Western Pacific and world. and Technology in a statement said that VDPVs are caused by the virus strains the AI system will strengthen application used in the polio vaccines regaining their development of packages in areas such ability to cause polio. as advanced materials, computational chemistry and astrophysics. Gaganyaan Mission: L&T delivers It announced several packages are Booster Segment, the first launch being developed under the National hardware to ISRO Supercomputing Mission for drug design Larsen and Toubro delivered a Booster and preventive health care system, Segment, the first hardware for the flood forecasting package for flood Gaganyaan Mission to ISRO. The prone metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, company has delivered the module ahead Chennai, Patna and Guwahati. This will of schedule. accelerate Research and Development in war against COVID-19 through faster About Gaganyaan Mission simulations, medical imaging, genome Gaganyaan is an Indian Human sequencing and forecasting and will be a Spaceflight Programme that is to carry boon for Indian masses and for start-Ups three astronauts to space. It is the first and MSMEs in particular. crewed mission of India. ISRO’s GSLV Mk III launch vehicle is to be used. It is WHO rolls out global strategy to a three stage heavy lift Geosynchronous eradicate cervical cancer by 2050 Satellite Launch Vehicle. GSLV Mk III is The World Health Organization (WHO) designed to carry 4 tonnes of satellites launched the global strategy to fast track into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit the eradication of cervical cancer. WHO or 10 tonnes of satellite to the Low Earth
38 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology
aims to reduce more than 40% of new charge using solar power and ensuring cases and 5 million related deaths by zero emissions. 2050, with a combination of vaccination, th screening and treatment. India becomes 4 nation to get IMO For the first time, 194 countries, including nod for navigation satellite system India, committed to eliminate cancer, The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite following the adoption of a resolution System (IRNSS) has been recognised by at the World Health Assembly 2020 in the International Maritime Organisation Geneva. (IMO) as a part of the World Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) for UN ESCAP Report cites the role of operation in the Indian Ocean Region. ISRO’s ‘BHUVAN’ in assisting Indian India has become the fourth country in the Government to contain COVID-19 world to have its independent regional United National Economic and Social navigation satellite system recognised by Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s the International Maritime Organisation (ESCAP) report ‘Geospatial Practices for (IMO). Sustainable Development in Asia and The other three countries that have its the Pacific 2020: A Compendium’ has navigation systems recognised by the cited the role of Indian Space Research IMO are the US, Russia and China. Organisation (ISRO)’s ‘BHUVAN’ Geo- The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite Portal in combating COVID-19 in India. System (IRNSS) was designed to provide It has also cited the efforts of ISRO for accurate position information services to supporting sustainable development assist in the navigation of ships in Indian projects in the country. Ocean waters. Bhuvan –Geoportal: The Director-General of Shipping (DGS) BHUVAN is a national geo-portal had approached the IMO for granting developed and hosted by ISRO, it contains recognition to the IRNSS as a component geo spatial date, services and tools for of the WWRNS, similar to the US-owned analysis for combating COVID-19. Global Position System (GPS) or Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System Zero Emission e-mobility (GLONASS) – a process that took two years. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd has
successfully conducted a ‘Proof of The IRNSS was a modern and more Concept’ feasibility study on ‘zero- accurate navigation system and at emission electric mobility’ at one of its any given time, there are at least 2,500 fuel stations in Bengaluru. merchant vessels in Indian waters that will now be able to use the system. A company statement said that Zero-
Emission Electric Mobility is a concept The IRNSS will be used to assist in the that allows the electric vehicle (EV) to navigation of ships in ocean waters
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 39 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
within the area of approximately 1,500 The vehicle captures precise depth km from the Indian boundary. measurements in both deep and shallow waters of all shapes. It is equipped with NASA-ESA successfully launches echo sounder for depth measurements, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite an onboard GPS system for tracking, The US space agency NASA and 360-degree view camera, and Light the European Space Agency (ESA) Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for successfully launched ‘Copernicus topographical measurement. Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite’, to It also has provisions to carry additional monitor the rising global sea level. engineering and technical payloads, with The joint US-European satellite lifted off the ability to also measure incoming and on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space passing water currents in the future. Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Curiosity rover finds evidence The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite of an ancient ‘megaflood’ on Mars 4 will help to enhance weather forecasts billion years ago and provide detailed information on Researchers used data sent back to Earth large-scale ocean currents to support ship by the NASA Curiosity rover on Mars. navigation near coastlines. The team behind the study examined The US-EU collaboration for the sediment data captured by Curiosity. monitoring of sea-level record began in They found evidence of giant ripples in 1992 with the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite the Gale crater similar to ones on Earth. and followed by Jason-1 (2001), OSTM/ These are caused by mass flooding events Jason-2 (2008), and eventually, Jason-3 as the water washing over the surface. (2016). The team say a meteor impact likely This Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite caused the flooding 4 billion years ago. will be followed in 2025 by its twin, Sentinel-6B. Chang’e-5: China Successfully launched its 1st spacecraft IIT-Madras develops autonomous China National Space Administration solar vehicle to survey water bodies (CNSA) has successfully launched the 8.2 Engineers at the Indian Institute tonne lunar probe namely “Chang’e-5” of Technology (IIT), Madras, have through Long March-5, China’s largest developed a novel solar-powered vehicle carrier rocket. to survey India’s water bodies. The launch took place from the Wenchang The autonomous robotic vehicle Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern can undertake hydrographic and province of Hainan, China. Its task is oceanographic surveys, while providing to bring 2kgs of sample soil and rock of real-time data about its environment.
40 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Mass Media & Communication
moon to earth in a mission of around 23 days. 5.2 Mass Media & Notably it is the world’s first moon- Communication sample mission in 44 years i.e. since 1976. Only two other countries, the United IIT Madras developed “IITM COVID States (US) and the former Soviet Union, Game” to raise awareness. have brought samples back from the moon. The Indian Institute of Technology, The landing site of Chang’e -5 will be Madras has developed “IITM COVID near Mons Rumker, a volcanic mound Game” in order to raise awareness on the in the Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of COVID-19 virus amongst children. Storms) located in the northwest region This Game is a browser-based software of the moon. which can be played on any device. The game has been launched in 12 different Prefix ‘0’ for all landline to mobile Indian languages including Sanskrit, calls from January 15 Tamil, Oriya, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Fixed line users will have to add a “0” before dialing any mobile number in the Assamese and Punjabi. The game is country from January 15 informed by the focused on a character who encounters Ministry of Communications. the right things such as washing hands and wearing masks that are necessary in This will free up sufficient numbering resources for future use. order to contain the COVID-29 spread. There will be no change in dialing plan IIT-Bombay launches self-help from fixed to fixed, mobile to fixed and website ‘Bandhu’ for students mobile to mobile calls. With the pandemic adding to the stress of students, IIT Bombay launched a selfhelp website to assist them through the tough time and enhance their emotional wellbeing. The website – ‘Bandhu’ (a friend in need), iitb-bandhu.com – is an initiative of IIT Bombay’s batch of 1992. The website addresses several issues such as procrastination, exam stress, the fear of failure, hostel life, discrimination, peer pressure, Internet addiction and a range of mental health issues. It also discusses a few techniques for relaxation and dealing with certain stressors.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 41 Mass Media & Communication Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
Tamil Nadu fisherman starts India’s safe and timely travel for the COVID-19 first and only radio channel for patients to and from hospitals and fisherfolk COVID centres. The app was launched A fisherman from the Ramanathapuram by Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain district’s Pamban town has started ‘Kadal on November 12, 2020. Osai FM 90.4’, India’s first and only radio The Delhi government has launched channel for fisherfolk. the Jeevan Seva app to facilitate Delhi It offers infotainment to listeners – from citizens in home isolation. The app will information on marine and COVID-19 to provide the user with access to an electric folk songs sung by fishermen/women vehicle that will provide free pick-up and film songs. and drop services. Each vehicle will be sanitised after each ride. The app has CM Naveen Patnaik launched a mobile been launched in collaboration with app “Secha Samadhan” EVERA cab services.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has Govt. launches international version launched ‘Secha Samadhan’, a bilingual of UMANG app select countries mobile application, to address the irrigation problems faced by farmers The international version of the UMANG without them having to visit the offices app was launched for select countries, concerned. including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, With the launching of the application, UAE, Netherlands, Singapore, Australia farmers need not run to the offices of and New Zealand. the Water Resources department and UMANG app’s international version was can send their grievances through launched by IT Minister Ravi Shankar photographs or videos. Prasad during a virtual conference to The farmers will be informed about the mark three years of the platform. status of their complaints through SMS. The UMANG (Unified Mobile Besides, immediate steps will be taken to Application for New-age Governance) redress the grievances of the farmers. He app provides a single platform to access also launched four other online services pan India e-governance services ranging to resolve the issue of water distribution from central to local government bodies, for industries, commercial establishments and other citizen-centric services. It and other institutions. offers ease of access to major government services for citizens, from a single mobile Jeevan Seva app launched for safe, app. timely travel of COVID-19 patients in UMANG will now be available in Delhi the US, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, Netherlands, Singapore and New The Delhi Government has launched Zealand. Jeevan Seva app to enable hassle-free,
42 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Mass Media & Communication LIC launches 1st digital app ‘ANANDA’ phone application which helps women Life Insurance Corporation of India has and children travelling in taxis and launched a digital application for agents autorickshaws to raise an alarm in case of for onboarding to get a life insurance any emergency. policy. To start with, 1,000 auto rickshaws The Digital Application is called equipped with Internet of Things (IoT)- “ANANDA”, which is an acronym for enabled GPS devices would be rolled out Atma Nirbhar Agents NewBusiness in Visakhapatnam city. Digital Application. About 5,000 vehicles would be brought The Digital application is a tool for on to the platform by February 1, 50,000 the onboarding process to get the life by July 1 and 1 lakh by November 2021 insurance policy through a paperless covering Vijayawada and Tirupati and module with the help of the agent or other towns later. intermediary. National Portal for Transgender India blocks access to 43 more Persons Chinese apps Union Minister for Social Justice & The Ministry of Electronics and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Information Technology on November Gehlot e-launched a ‘National Portal for 24, 2020, issued an order blocking Transgender Persons’ and e-inaugurated access to 43 mobile apps for the users a ‘Garima Greh: A Shelter Home for under section 69A of the Information Transgender Persons’ in Vadodara, Technology Act. The list of the banned Gujarat . apps also includes many of the Chinese This highly useful Portal would help Apps such as AliExpress, Alibaba a transgender person in applying for a Workbench, TrulyChinese among others. Certificate and Identity card digitally The step has been taken by the government from anywhere in the country. based on the inputs regarding the iOS version of the Nyaya Bandhu App blocked apps for engaging in activities that are prejudicial to defence, integrity, Committed to fulfil its mandate of sovereignty, and security of the state and Free legal aid and Access to Justice public order in India. as enunciated under Article 39A of the Constitution of India, Secretary ‘Abhayam’ app for safety of women (Department of Justice) would be passengers launched in A.P. launching the iOS version of the Nyaya Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Bandhu Application and its onboarding Reddy launched “Abhayam” mobile on UMANG platform (MeiTY), on Samvidhan Divas 26th Nov, 2020. The UMANG platform would also enable
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to make pan India easy accessibility of this mobile based legal service to approx 2.5 Cr registered users.Nyaya Bandhu mobile application was launched by Union Minister for Law and Justice and IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad in February, 2019 to ensure empowerment of common man by popularizing technology to a level that it becomes a instrument of change.
44 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 National – Diary of Event 6. NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT
Mansar Lake project will attract 20 like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, lakh tourists every year Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, the same In a move to increase tourism, Jitendra stands at 79.6 per cent, 60.4 per cent, 95 Singh, Union Minister of Development per cent, 34.6 per cent and 80.8 per cent of North Eastern Region, inaugurated respectively. the Mansar Lake Development Plan in Jammu and Kashmir. The project is eyed Union Territory of Ladakh celebrating to attract almost 20 lakh tourists every its first raising day; J&K marks first year and create employment for 1.15 crore anniversary of becoming UT man-days with an income generation of Union Territory of Ladakh celebrated its ` 800 crore per year. First Raising Day on October 31, 2020. It was on 31st October 2019 that Ladakh became West Bengal Ranks First in Decline of a Union Territory. Ladakh is celebrating School Dropout Rate: Survey the Union Territory Foundation Day with According to the Annual State of a theme of One year of Development, Education Report (ASER) 2020, West Prosperity and Empowerment. A series Bengal occupies the top position in the of foundation ceremonies or dedications decline of dropout rate among school were planned in Leh and Kargil districts students during 2018-2020. to commemorate the day. October 31, The report says, school dropout rate in also marks one year since Jammu and the state declined from 3.3 per cent to 1.5 Kashmir acquired the Union Territory per cent while it went up from four per status. cent to 5.5 per cent at the national level. The dropout rate in some bigger states India’s 1st solar-powered miniature like Karnataka, Telangana and Rajasthan train launched in Kerala was 11.3 per cent, 14 per cent and 14.9 per A solar energy-driven miniature train, cent respectively. billed as the country’s first of its kind, was
West Bengal also holds the first position inaugurated at the Veli Tourist Village. in the country in terms of text books The train, which would be an attraction for provided to the students with 99.7 per children especially, was part of a string of cent coverage, while in bigger states projects totally worth Rs 60 crore taken up
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to elevate the facilities at the panoramic movement of people at public places destination to international standards. without properly covering mouth and The eco-friendly solar-powered 2.5 km nose with a face mask or cover. miniature railway will enable visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature. The Rs ten CJI SA Bobde inaugurated India’s crore project is the first of its kind in the first-ever e-resource center Nyay country. Kaushal in Nagpur Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind India’s first ‘tyre park’ to come up in Bobde inaugurated India’s first-ever West Bengal E-resource centre Nyay Kaushal at In West Bengal, Kolkata will soon feature Judicial Officers Training Institute in India’s first “Tyre Park”, where artworks Maharashtra’s Nagpur. made from scrap and defective parts will Nyay Kaushal will facilitate e-filling of be on display. The West Bengal Transport cases in Supreme Court, any High court Corporation will launch this Tyre Park. and district courts across the country. The Tyre Park, which will come up at the Esplanade area, would have a small cafe 30 Indian cities Will Face ‘Water Risk’ where people can sit, relax and enjoy the by 2050; Jaipur tops: WWF report craftsmanship made from tyres. In accordance with the World Wide Fund No scrap material can be labelled as (WWF) Water Risk Filter, an online tool, waste, it can be reused and converted into co-developed by the WWF for Nature an art form. Scrap tyres, lying as waste in and Germany’s Deutshce Invetitions- various bus depots, have been reworked und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (KFW and converted to colourful shapes by the DEG), nearly a third of the 100 cities in the in-house team of WBTC. world susceptible to “water risk” are in India means 30 Indian cities are excepted Rajasthan to be first state to legalise to suffer increased water risks by 2050. mask-wearing The list of Indian cities was topped by Rajasthan government is planning Jaipur (Rajasthan) which is followed by to make a law on wearing face mask Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Thane mandatory to prevent the spread of (Maharashtra). Among 100 cities, Jaipur coronavirus in the state. ranked 45th and Indore featured at 75th. If the Bill gets the nod in the state assembly On global front, the cities such as Beijing, then Rajasthan will become the first state Jakarta, Johannesburg, Istanbul, Hong in the country to enact a law for making Kong, Mecca and Rio de Janeiro are masks mandatory. included in this filter. China accounts for A new clause in Section 4 of the Rajasthan almost half the cities. Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 has been inserted, which proposes to prohibit the
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Globally, populations in areas of high- PRASAD Scheme: Tourist Facilitation water risk could rise from 17% in 2020 to Centre at Guruvayur, Kerala 51% by 2050. inaugurated The Union Minister of State (IC) for Chhattisgarh CM launches scheme Tourism and Culture Shri Prahlad Singh for distribution of fortified Rice Patel inaugurated the “Tourist Facilitation Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Centre” at Guruvayur, Kerala. The centre Baghel launched a scheme for was constructed under the PRASAD distribution of fortified rice through Scheme of Ministry of Tourism. Public distribution System (PDS) and other welfare initiatives for the people of PRASAD Kondagaon district of the state on a pilot ff The scheme aims at infrastructure basis. development such as last mile connectivity, entry points, eco-friendly CCEA approves 210 MW hydropower modes of transport, interpretation project centres, ATM/Money exchanges, and The Cabinet Committee on Economic other basic tourism facilities. This is Affairs (CCEA) approved funding to different from that of the HRIDAY the tune of `1,810.56 crore for the 210 scheme. HRIDAY Scheme is Heritage megawatt (MW) Luhri hydropower City Development and Augmentation project on the Satluj river in Himachal Yojana. It preserves and revitalises Pradesh. heritage cities. The CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Kerala jumbo care centre to be Narendra Modi, approved the investment world’s largest care-and-cure facility for the project that is located in Shimla for elephants and Kullu districts. The project will take 62 months to be Kerala’s acclaimed elephant rehabilitation completed and will generate 758.20 centre at nearby Kottoor is set to become million units of electricity a year. the largest care-and-cure centre for The project will be implemented by the pachyderms in the world with upgraded Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited on the features and facilities. “build-own-operate-maintain” model The existing jumbo care centre at Kottoor, and would be supported by the Central located over 25 km away from the capital and State governments, Information and city, is being upgraded to international Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar standards as part of the state government’s said while announcing the decision at a special programme for the protection and press conference. conservation of elephants.
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The facility is upgraded with an aim Kerala Devaswom Minister to give the elephants that come to the Kadakampally Surendran announced rehabilitation centre a natural ecosystem that the temple board would soon appoint just like in the forest. one person from the ST community and 18 others from the SC community as part- IIT Kharagpur: Centre of Excellence time temple priests. for Indian Knowledge System to be set up PM Modi to inaugurate Gujarat’s Union Education Minister Ramesh Ghogha-Hazira ferry service Pokhriyal announced that a Centre of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will Excellence for Indian Knowledge System virtually inaugurate the Ghogha-Hazira is to be set up IIT Kharagpur. He also Ro-Pax ferry service in Gujarat. This will inaugurated 3 days International webinar be the second such ferry service to be titled “Bharata Tirtha”. launched by the PM after the Ghogha- Dahej route three years ago, which is now DMC launched “Plastic Lao MASK LE dysfunctional. JAO” initiative Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated In Uttarakhand, Dehradun Municipal a new Ro-Pax vessel “Voyage Symphony” Corporation (DMC) has launched an that was procured from South Korea by initiative named Plastic Lao MASK LE the Surat-based ferry operator. This ferry JAO to fight against the menace of plastic replaced Island Jade on the Ghogha- waste and contain the spread of Covid-19. Dahej route. It has distributed Five thousand face Between October 2018 and September masks in exchange for plastic waste. 2019 — when the ferry operations were Municipal commissioner of Dehradun, suspended — it had transported 2.8 lakh Vinay Shankar Pandey, who was the first passengers, 45000 cars, 12500 trucks and to bring plastic waste from his house and 26000 two wheelers between Ghogha and get a face mask, and create awareness in Dahej. the public against plastic waste and also the importance of masks. OROP scheme: Govt disbursed over `42,700 crore to 20.6 lakh ex- In a first, Travancore Devaswom servicemen in 5 years Board to appoint ST priest in Kerala The Centre has disbursed over `42,700 In its first, the Travancore Devaswom crore to 20.6 lakh retired defence personnel Board (TDB) set to appoint an individual under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) from the Scheduled Tribes category as scheme since its inception, the defence temple priest in Kerala. ministry.
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The yearly recurring expenditure on The key mandatory provisions of the account of OROP is about `7,123 crore 73rd and 74th amendments, are: and for about six years, starting from July Regular direct elections to all local bodies. 1, 2014, the total recurring expenditure Setting up of state-level election worked out to approximately `42,740 commission and finance commissions. crore. Mandatory reservation of seats for The OROP scheme has been effective Dalits and Adivasis in every local body, since 1 July, 2014. Under the scheme, the proportionate to their share in the armed forces personnel retiring in the population. same rank with the same length of service 33% reservation for women. regardless gets the uniform pension, Setting up of District Planning regardless of their date of retirement. Committees that consolidate plans of rural and urban bodies. Haryana clears Bill on right to recall panchayat member UNDP-powered accelerator programme for social impact startups The Bill: launched in Kerala Provides the right to recall members of
Panchayati Raj institutions to those who Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac elected them. launched Green Innovation Fund, a fund- linked accelerator programme for social Gives women 50% reservation in these rural bodies. impact start-ups, as a joint initiative of Kerala Startup Mission, Haritha Provides 8% reservation to the “more disadvantaged” among the Backward Keralam Mission and United Nations Classes. Development Programme, India. Green Innovation Fund (GIF), seeks to Allows the recall of village sarpanches and members of the block-level panchayat support startups working on SDG goals samitis and district-level zila parishads if (Climate change related) by giving them they fail to perform. Grant and technical support. Procedure to be followed: Atal Innovation Mission-Sirius To recall a sarpanch and members of the Programme two bodies, 50% members of a ward or The Atal Innovation Mission-Sirius gram sabha have to give in writing that Innovation Programme was launched they want to initiate proceedings. for India and Russia school children. The This will be followed by a secret ballot, in programme aims to develop technological which their recall will require two-third solutions for both India and Russia. members voting against them. The programme is to be held between November 7, 2020 and November 21, 2020. Around 48 students and 16
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educators are to participate in the Kerala launches “Parivarthanam” programme. The innovations developed scheme for better livelihood of by the students will be from the field of fisherfolk block chain, artificial intelligence and The government of Kerala has launched machine learning. a pioneering eco-sustainable programme SIRUS called ‘Parivarthanam’, to improve the SIRIUS is Scientific International Research livelihood of the fishing community. in Unique Terrestrial Station. It is a series The scheme aims at improving the of experiments that investigates flight to livelihood skills of youngsters along the the moon coastline and also enable socio-economic Background uplift of the fishermen community. The programme is jointly held Parivarthanam, which means change, will between AIM and SIRIUS based on a be headed by Kerala State Coastal Area Memorandum of Understanding signed Development Corporation (KSCADC). during PM Modi’s visit to Russia in 2018. The scheme will promote the processing and marketing of clean fish and its fresh Working on aviation fuel from products. Gadchiroli bamboo plan Parivarthanam will also guarantee a fixed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced price to fish-catchers as fair compensation. that he was working on an idea to set up It would also provide jobs to college a refinery for production of aviation fuel dropouts and migrant workforce from bamboo grown in Maharashtra’s returning home due to Covid-19. Gadchiroli district. Gadkari was Thirty Meter Telescope Project: announced at the inauguration of an Indian Astronomers collaborated “Atmanirbhar Bharat’ assistance. with Nobel Laureate India Mobile Congress 2020 to be The Indian Astronomers have held from December 8-10 collaborated with 2020 Physics Nobel The India Mobile Congress (IMC) will Laureate Prof Andrea Ghez on the be held in India between December 8-10. “Thirty Meter Telescope Project”. The The fourth edition of the annual event telescope is being installed at Hawaii and will be hosted virtually this year owing to is to revolutionise the understanding of the ongoing pandemic and it will witness the universe. over 50 participating countries along Thirty Meter Telescope Project with over 110 global speakers, start-ups It is an international partnership project generating over 30 hours of content in a between India, China, Japan, California span of three days. The event is expected and Canada. over 15,000 visitors this year.
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About the Telescope bridge, was inaugurated by the Chief It is extremely large telescope. It is Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to mark designed for Ultra Violet to mid infra the 20th foundation day of the state on red observations. It has 30 metres prime 9th November 2020. mirror diameter and is three times as The bridge is 725-metre long and has been wide as the largest existing visible light built in 14 years over the Tehri lake with a telescope in the world. The three major cost of Rs. 2.95 crore. It will cut travel time instruments to be included in the telescope between Tehri and Pratapnagar from 5 to are Infrared Imaging Spectrometer, Wide 1.5 hours. Field Optical Spectrometer and Infrared Multi Object Spectrometer. Hardeep S.Puri inaugurates 13th Urban Mobility India Conference PM Narendra Modi to unveil life-size 2020 statue of Swami Vivekananda at JNU The 13th Urban Mobility India (UMI) campus Conference was organized by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. unveiling a life-size statue of Swami It was inaugurated by Hardeep S. Puri, Vivekananda at the campus of Jawaharlal Minister of State (IC) Housing and Urban Nehru University on November 12, 2020 Affairs. through video conferencing. Education The day-long conference was held Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will via Video Conference on the theme be present on the occasion. “Emerging Trends in Urban Mobility”. The Prime Minister has always said how The conference focused on innovative the ideals of Swami Vivekananda are measures taken at the national and relevant as much today as they were international level to address the during his lifetime. challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic The philosophy and the mission of Swami to provide accessible and convenient Vivekananda has inspired millions of transport to the people. people across the globe. The life-size The Ministry of Housing and Urban statue aims to pay tribute to the religious Affairs had issued the National Urban leader’s ideas and thoughts. Transport Policy, 2006 (NUTP) to ensure safe, affordable, quick, comfortable, Country’s longest motorable reliable and sustainable access for the single-lane bridge inaugurated in growing number of city residents to jobs, Uttarakhand education, recreation and such other India’s longest single-lane motorable needs within our cities. suspension bridge has been inaugurated in Tehri-Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The Dobra-Chanti Jhula (suspension)
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Kerala on top, Delhi near bottom in mark the beginning of operations, Union New Migrant Policy Index Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar The states of Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan Abbas Naqvi inaugurated ‘Hunar Haat’ and Andhra Pradesh have been most at Delhi Haat, Pitampura. The Hunar successful in integrating migrant Haat is being organized by the IITF, workers, while crucial migrant receiving Pragati Maidan from November 11 to 22. states, including Delhi, have done poorly, The theme of this Hunar Haat is “Vocal shows the Interstate Migrant Policy Index for Local”. As the name suggests, local (IMPEX) that seeks to measure integration products made from Metal, Maati (clay), of interstate migrants. and Machiya (wooden and jute products) India’s average IMPEX 2019 score for are the major attractions of the event. 28 states and the Union Territory of Telangana top performing state with NCT Delhi is 37 out of 100, reflecting maximum functional drinking water the limited attention paid to integration tap connections efforts in destination states. The index has been developed by Telangana has been adjudged as a Mumbai-based research non-profit India ‘top-performing’ state in the country Migration Now (IMN), and it assesses followed by Bihar and Goa for providing states’ performance on eight policy areas a high number of functional tap water spanning. connections. The latest data shows that Telangana has ensured 69.56 per cent Ministry of Textiles launches of its households in the rural belt have “Local4Diwali” campaign access to water. The Union Ministry of Textiles has Karnataka’s Mysuru to Get India’s launched a campaign for Diwali- First Sandalwood Museum “Local4Diwali”. The campaign has been launched to promote the Indian handicraft India’s first Sandalwood Museum is which is the cultural heritage of the being established in Aranya Bhavan in country and also a source of livelihood Ashokapuram, Mysuru, Karnataka. for many. As per the available data, the The museum is set up by the Regional handicrafts sector is a major sector of Forest Department to educate farmers women empowerment as almost 55% of about the significance of cultivation of the workers and artisans are women. sandalwood.
Hunar Haat resumes operation after PM Modi To Unveil Statue 7 months gap due to COVID-19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil Hunar Haat has restarted from November the ‘Statue of Peace’ to mark the 151st birth 11 after a gap of around seven months anniversary celebrations of Jainacharya due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To
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Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj, The ‘Kolkata Young Reader’s Tramcar’ is via video conferencing. the world’s first such tram library. Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj The tram would run on Shyambazar- (1870-1954) led an austere life as a Jain Esplanade and Esplanade-Gariahat Saint working selflessly and dedicatedly routes, spanning across north and south to spread the message of Lord Mahavira. Kolkata, every day from morning to The 151-inch tall statue has been made evening. from Ashtadhatu- 8 metals, with Copper It has been jointly developed by the West being the major constituent, and is Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) being installed at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana and Apeejay Anand Children’s Library Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, Rajasthan. and will have around 1,000 books.
Haryana CM Launches ‘Project Air Lonar Lake in Maharashtra selected Care’ in Gurgaon under ‘Ramsar site’ Haryana Chief Minister (CM), Manohar The Lonar Lake in Buldhana district Lal Khattar has virtually unveiled ‘Project of Maharashtra has been chosen as a Air Care’ to combat rising Air Pollution wetland site of international importance in Gurgaon. under the Ramsar conservation treaty. 65 Wing Augmentation Air Purifying A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated Units (WAYU) would be set up at areas to be of international importance under with high Air Quality Indices (AQI) in the Ramsar Convention. The name Gurgaon to improve the air quality. Ramsar comes from Ramsar City of Iran, The Air Purifiers have been developed where this treaty was signed. by CSIR-NEERI (Council of Scientific The Convention on Wetlands is also & Industrial Research-National known as the Ramsar Convention. It is an Environmental Engineering Research intergovernmental environmental treaty Institute), IIT (Indian Institute of established in 1971 by UNESCO and Technology) Bombay. came into force in 1975.
Jharkhand Assembly Passes World’s first Tram library for children resolution on ‘SarnaCode’ seeking launched in Kolkata separate identity code for Tribals On the occasion of Children’s Day, a first- Jharkhand Assembly unanimously of-its kind in the world, library on tram passed a resolution on ‘Sarna Code’ for children was launched in Kolkata, during a special one-day assembly session West Bengal on 14 November 2020. on November 11, 2020. The resolution A tram is a rail vehicle that runs on seeks inclusion of Sarna as a separate tramway tracks along public streets. religion in the 2021 census.
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Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren known as the Ramsar Convention. It is an tabled the proposal in the Jharkhand intergovernmental environmental treaty Assembly. established in 1971 by UNESCO and The bill will now be sent to the Central came into force in 1975. Government for approval. Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are ‘Sarna Religion’: protected under strict guidelines of the Sarna Followers are worshippers of convention. nature; they do not consider themselves The aim of the Ramsar list is to develop as Hindus. and maintain an international network They pray to trees and hills and believe in of wetlands which are important for the protecting the forest areas. conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through S.Jaishankar Represents India at 15th the maintenance of their ecosystem East Asia Summit 2020 components, processes and benefits. The External Affairs Minister Manipur introduces award for civil Dr.S.Jaishankar represented India at servants to promote good governance the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) on 14 November 2020 on behalf of PM Modi. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh The Summit was chaired by the Prime launched “Scheme for Chief Minister’s Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc Award for Good Governance” to because Vietnam is ASEAN Chair in recognise and reward progressive and extraordinary work executed by 2020 (ASEAN holds the central role and authorities officers that promotes good leadership in the forum). governance. All the 18 EAS countries participated in Under the scheme, authorities servants the virtual Summit. will probably be rewarded for excellent Keetham lake in Uttar Pradesh added and exemplary efficiency and tasks whose qualitative and quantitative outcomes to Ramsar sites are of a really excessive order and which The Keetham lake, also known as Sur have benefitted numerous residents and Sarovar, in Agra of Uttar Pradesh has stakeholders, stated a notification issued been added to the list of Ramsar sites. by the state. What are Ramsar Sites A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated 1,494 Indians among top 2% to be of international importance under scientists in world the Ramsar Convention. The name Twenty-two faculty members and Ramsar comes from Ramsar City of Iran, researchers of Indian Institute of where this treaty was signed. Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G) and seven The Convention on Wetlands is also faculty members of Tezpur University
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are among 1,494 Indian scientists who PM Modi addresses Third Annual featured in a list of top 2 per cent of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum world scientists. virtually The prestigious list was prepared by a Prime Minister Narendra Modi team of scientists in the US’ Stanford addressed the Third Annual Bloomberg University. New Economy Forum through video- Delhi Government declares November conferencing on 17 November 2020. 20th as public holiday The Bloomberg New Economy Forum was established in 2018 by Michael The Delhi government on November 17, Bloomberg, to build a community of 2020 declared November 20th as a public leaders to engage in real conversations holiday on the account of Chhath Puja. leading to actionable solutions about the The announcement comes almost a week critical challenges facing a world economy after the Delhi government authorities in the throes of a historic transition. prohibited celebration of Chhath Puja in The inaugural Forum was held in public places and water bodies. Singapore and the Second Annual Forum Asia’s first solar power-enabled was hosted in Beijing. Textile Mill to be unveiled in Parbhani Ministry of AYUSH Observes Third district of Maharashtra Naturopathy Day The first solar power-enabled Textile Mill The National Naturopathy Day is in Asia is set to be set up in Parbhani observed in India on 18 November every district, Maharashtra. year, to promote positive mental and
Spread across 30 acres of land, the Jai physical health through drugless system Bhawani women’s cooperative textile of medicine, called as Naturopathy. mill, will be first in Asia that will operate The day was declared by the Ministry entirely on solar power. of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and
Once functional, the mill will process Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and cotton to cloth, and would provide jobs Homeopathy), Government of India, on to many women in the district. November 18, 2018. The overall cost of setting up the project is around Rs. 100 crore. PM to inaugurate Bengaluru Tech Parbhani is the leading cotton producing Summit, 2020 on 19th November district in Maharashtra and with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will operationalization of the mill it will give inaugurate Bengaluru Tech Summit, 2020 momentum to the industrial sector in the on 19th November via video conferencing. district. The Bengaluru Tech Summit is scheduled from 19th to 21st November, 2020. The summit is organised by the Government
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of Karnataka along with Karnataka 2021 World’s Best Cities Ranking; Innovation and Technology Society Delhi Placed at 62nd (KITS), Karnataka government’s Vision In accordance with the annual report Group on Information Technology, and ranking of best cities around the Biotechnology & StartUp, Software world titled “2021 World’s Best Cities” Technology Parks of India (STPI) and by Resonance Consultancy Ltd, London, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. United Kingdom (UK) is at top spot for This year, the theme of the summit is the 6th consecutive year. It was followed “Next is Now”. by New York, United States (US) and Paris (France) at 2nd and 3rd rank respectively. Goa to get India’s first green energy Notably only one Indian city, Delhi, is convergence project listed in the ranking at 62 which was India’s first convergence project to ranked 81st in previous year ranking. generate green energy for rural and The report has ranked 100 cities around agriculture consumption is set to come up the world with a population of more than in the state. Energy Efficiency Services Ltd 10 lakh. The ranking was based on the (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the 25 ranking factors grouped into six core ministry of power, and Goa government categories. signed a memorandum of understanding Notably, for the first time, the cities (MoU) on Tuesday to discuss the rolling were also ranked on new criteria such out of the affordable clean power project. as unemployment, the rate of COVID-19 The state has set a target to generate infections (as of July) and income 150MW green energy in the next two to disparity. three years and will also set up 100MW solar power plants across the state. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces ‘Gau Cabinet’ for protection of cows Vijayanagara, carved out of Ballari, The Madhya Pradesh government, led by is Karnataka’s 31st District as cabinet Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, gives approval has decided to set up a ‘Gau Cabinet’ Vijayanagara, which will be carved out for the protection, conservation and of Ballari district, is set to be Karnataka’s promotion of cows in the state. 31st district after Cabinet nod . The Cabinet will comprise of the Chief minister BS Yediyurappa had last departments of animal husbandry, year announced he will soon place a forests, panchayat and rural development, proposal before the cabinet for approval revenue, home and farmers welfare. of carving out Vijayanagara district, The first meeting of the Cabinet will which is named after the capital of historic be held at 12 pm on ‘Gopashtami’ on Vijayanagara Empire. November 22 at the Cow Sanctuary in
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Agar-Malwa district named ‘Kamdhenu It will ensure that no person lost their life Gau Abhyaranya’. due to entering a sewer or septic tank. It It is India’s first cow sanctuary which will promote mechanized cleaning and was set up by the Bharatiya Janata Party will fend off the hazardous cleaning’ of (BJP)-led Madhya Pradesh government sewers and septic tanks. in September 2017. In this challenge, the focus will be on creating awareness, infrastructure TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix: India creation for mechanized cleaning and ranks 77 capacity building of the workforce. In 2019, India was at 78th position with a In 2013, the Government of India had score of 48. In 2020, India has performed enacted the Prohibition of Employment better than that of China, Pakistan, as Manual Scavengers and their Bangladesh and Nepal. Bhutan was the Rehabilitation Act to restrict hazardous only neighbour that was ranked better cleaning. than India. Bhutan secured 48th rank on Hazardous cleaning means entering of a the list. person into a septic tank or sewer without About the ranking any protective gear. The ranking is prepared by TRACE Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U): International. It is the world leading anti- It was launched in 2014. bribery standard setting organisation. It is national-wide flagship programme The TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix, 2020 for universal sanitation in urban areas. measured bribery in 194 jurisdictions. It is implemented by the Ministry of The jurisdictions were ranked based on Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). score. The score is calculated based on st four parameters. They are Government Bhubaneswar Becomes 1 City in and civil service transparency, business India to get ISO Certification for interactions with government, capacity FSSM services for civil society oversight and anti bribery Bhubaneswar, Capital of Odisha became deterrents and enforcement. the First City in the Country to get ISO 9001:2015 Certification for Faecak Sludge Government of India has launched and Septage Management (FSSM) Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge services. Bhubaneswar Municipal ‘Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge’ has been Corporation (BMC) was the first civir launched by the Housing and Urban body to implement FSSM regulations in Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Odisha. It has launched on the occasion of World Toilet Day for the safety of sewer or septic tank cleaner.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 57 National – Diary of Event Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Delhi Airport Became the 1st Airport Punjab Cabinet approves ‘Punjab in Asia Pacific Region to get Level 4+ Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana’ to Transition Carbon Accreditation Empower Persons with disabilities Indira Gandhi International Airport The Punjab Cabinet headed by Chief (IGIA), Delhi, implemented by Delhi Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh International Airport Limited (DIAL) approved the ‘Punjab Divyangjan became the first airport in Asia Pacific Shaktikaran Yojana’ to empower persons Region to get the highest level – Level with disabilities in a virtual meeting. 4+ Transition – carbon accreditation. Phase–I will strengthen the existing The airport was accredited under ACI’s programmes to ensure that benefits reach Airport Carbon Accreditation Program people with disabilities. for its works in aligning its carbon Phase-II will introduce 13 new management with global climate goals interventions proposed to be undertaken to reach net zero emission reduction. The for empowerment of such persons. Airport is Owned and operated by GMR Group. RE INVEST 2020 The announcement was made by the Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi will Airports Council International (ACI) inaugurate the 3rd Global Renewable during the ACI Europe Annual Assembly Energy Investment Meeting and Expo and Congress on 17th November 2020. (RE-INVEST 2020) on November 26 to woo investors for investing in clean Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad energy in India. India has set an ambitious releases “My Stamp on Chhath Puja” target of having 175GW of renewable Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister energy by 2022 and 450GW by 2030. of Communications, Electronics & During the last six years, over Rs. 4.7 lakh Information Technology and Law and crore were invested, making the country Justice released a “My Stamp on Chhath a preferred destination for investment in Puja”. My Stamp is an innovative clean energy. concept initiated by Department of Posts. Any common person or corporate Delhi, UNICEF’s “YuWaah” sign MoU organisation can now book order and get to empower youth with Skills & Job a personalised photograph or an image of Opportunities a Postage Stamp. My Stamp is one of the Delhi Government’s Dialogue and unique products being offered by India Development Commission and UNICEF Post, which has gained its popularity in (United Nations Children’s Fund) initiated customised gifting category. multi-stakeholder global platform- YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India) signed an Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) to empower youth with Skills and
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Job Opportunities. New building permission system ‘TS- The MoU was signed by Jasmine bPASS’ launched in Telangana Shah, Vice Chairperson, Dialogue and A new online single window system for Development Commission and Yasmin sanctioning approvals to new buildings Ali Gaque, UNICEF India Representative based on self- certification by the in the presence of Manish Sisodia, Deputy applicants was launched in Telangana by Chief Minister of Delhi. Municipal Administration Minister K T The MoU will strengthen the Rozgaar Rama Rao. Bazaar Portal which was launched in Under the Telangana State Building July, 2020 by Delhi Government for job Permission Approval and Self- seekers, employers. Certification System (TS-bPASS), no It will address the challenges of permission was required for constructing Joblessness and COVID-19. a house in plots area up to 75 square yards and building height up to 7 meters. Ayushman Bharat Amidst the challenges posed by the India’s first Moss Garden opens in covid-19 pandemic, India managed to Uttarakhand make functional more than 50,000 (50,025) The Uttarakhand forest department Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness dedicated the newly-built Moss Garden Centres (AB-HWCs) across the country. to the people, claiming that it is the With the aim of providing comprehensive country’s first such garden, spread over primary health care (CPHC) services to 10 hectares in Kumaon’s Nainital district. the communities closer to their homes, Of the 2,300 moss species found in India, 1.5 lakh AB-HWCs will be established by 339 are found in Uttarakhand according December 2022. to experts. Mosses are non-vascular plants This has led to improved access to that belong to Bryophyta division. They affordable primary healthcare services are small flowerless plants that typically for more than 25 crore people. grow in damp and shady locations.
SpiceJet starts Huderabad Nashik 2.6 crore families got drinking water flight under Udan scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission
SpiceJet started operating flights on the The start of the government’s Jal Jeevan Hyderabad-Nashik route under regional Mission, more than 2.6 crore families connectivity scheme Udan. have been provided piped drinking water “The airline will be operating four weekly in their homes. flights and will deploy its 78-seater Q400 During the last one and half years from aircraft. Nashik is the 14th destination to the start of Jal Jeevan Mission more than 2 be connected under Udan by SpiceJet”. crore 60 lakh families have been provided
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piped drinking water connection to their inaugurated a ‘’mask bank’’ at his official homes including lakhs of families in Uttar residence from where one can get or Pradesh as well. donate masks.
SATAT Initiative: MoUs signed to set Uttarakhand govt paying cash up 900 Compressed Bio Gas Plants incentives to inter-caste marriage The Government of India signed Amid several BJP-ruled states Memorandum of Understanding with contemplating to enact a law to check the leading oil and gas marketing companies alleged religious conversion of women in to establish Compressed Bio-Gas the name of marriage, the Uttarakhand Plants all over India. These plants are government is paying Rs 50,000 to inter- to generate biogas from crop wastes. caste and inter-faith couples to encourage The agreements were signed under the such alliances. SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards The cash incentives are given to all legally Affordable Transportation) initiative. registered inter-faith Indian couples, SATAT initiative said officials of the state Social Welfare The Sustainable alternative Towards Department. Affordable Transportation aims to set up In cases of inter-caste marital marriages, compressed Bio-gas production plants. one condition for availing the cash The initiative was launched in 2018. incentive is that one of the spouses should Under the initiative, the CBG plants be from the scheduled caste as defined by are to be set up through independent Article 341 of the Constitution. entrepreneurs. The targets set under the Maha Awas Yojana launched in initiative are as follows Maharashtra ff The ultimate goal of the initiative is to establish 5,000 plants by 2025. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddav Thackeray launched “Maha Awas ff The other sub goals of the initiative Yojana”. The project aims to build 8.82 are as follows lakhs of rural houses in 100 days. The ff To establish 250 CBG plants by 2020 project includes construction of toilets ff To establish 1,000 CBG plants by 2022 as well. The cost of the project has been North Delhi Municipal Corporation to estimated as Rs 4,000 crores. open 104 face mask banks The Government of India recently announced Affordable housing Scheme
The BJP ruled North Delhi Municipal for the migrant workers affected by Corporation (NDMC) will open 104 face COVID-19. This was launched under mask banks in all the wards of the civic Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. body to protect people from COVID-19. North Delhi mayor Jai Prakash
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IIT Delhi tops among Indian institutes “historic” for the country’s development in employability and a lot remains to be done in the According to Global Employability remaining period. Ranking and Survey (GEURS) 2020 The 16th Lok Sabha (2014-19) has been results, the Indian Institute of Technology historic for the country’s progress, and (IIT) Delhi has been ranked as the best the 17th Lok Sabha has already become institute in India and 27th globally, in a part of history due to a number of terms of employability of its students. decisions it has taken, he said, referring The GEURS 2020 was released by the to the passage of landmark legislations Times Higher Education and French HR aimed at reforming farm and labour Consultancy group ‘Emerging’. sectors besides abrogation of Article 370 Globally, India has been ranked among and the citizenship law. the 15 best-performing countries in Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal employability, improving from its 23rd Nishank to inaugurate 46th Online rank in 2010. Faculty Development Programmes IIT Delhi climbed 27 ranks from 54 in 2019 to 27. Indian Institute of Science In a further push to faculty development (IISc), however, has dropped to 71 from and training across the country, the All 43 in 2019. The other Indian institutes that India Council of Technical Education made it to the list are IIT Bombay (128), (AICTE), will inaugurate 46 online AICTE Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Training and Learning (ATAL) Academy Ahmedabad (184), IIT Kharagpur (195), Faculty Development Programmes and Amity University (236). (FDPs) in the presence of the chief guest Universities from the USA, California Hon’ble Education Minister, Shri Ramesh Institute of Technology, the Pokhriyal Nishank. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The ATAL Academy, under the aegis and Harvard University made it to the of AICTE, conducts various Faculty podium, followed by two universities Development Programmes to impart and from UK, University of Cambridge and upgrade faculty knowledge and skills. The ATAL Academy decided to conduct the University of Oxford in top five. FDPs in online mode. AICTE has further Prime Minister Narendra Modi says planned 1000 online FDPs on thrust areas 2014-2029 period is ‘very important’ and other emerging areas which aims for India to benefit one lakh participants. Out of 1,000 FDPs, 499 online FDP have been Asserting that the 2014-29 period completed with more than 70,000 faculty between the 16th to 18th Lok Sabha is members already trained,” said Prof M.P. “very important” for a young democracy Poonia, Vice Chairman, AICTE. like India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last six years have been
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Amit Shah Launches Mobile Covid RT- the districts by ensuring water supply PCR Lab In Delhi through pipelines to 2,995 villages.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah The scheme will be completed within the launched a mobile laboratory that will next two years (24 months). conduct free RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 Sustainable Development Goal in Delhi and the results will be available Investor Map launched by UNDP and in six to eight hours. Invest India The Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing mobile laboratory, a The United Nations Development joint initiative of the SpiceHealth and the Program (UNDP) and Invest India has government, came up after Shah stepped launched a Sustainable Development in to fight the recent spurt in the number Goals Investor Map for India. It lays of COVID-19 cases in Delhi with a close out 18 Investment Opportunity Areas coordination of various wings of the (IOAs) in six SDG enabling sectors. They Centre and the Delhi government. are education, healthcare, agriculture and allied activities, financial services, Mega food park inaugurated Punjab renewable energy & alternatives and A mega food park (MFP) at Phagwara sustainable environment. in Kapurthala district of Punjab was First cow hospital of Northeast inaugurated by the Food Processing inaugurated in Assam’s Dibrugarh Minister. It is spread over 55 acres of land. It is equipped with warehouses, A cow shelter in Assam’s Dibrugarh silos, cold storage, deep freezer and other inaugurated Northeast’s first-ever cow related food processing facilities. hospital, on the occasion of Gopashtami. The hospital, Surbhi Aarogyashala, is set PM Modi launched “Har Ghar Nal up by Shree Gopal Gaushala at a cost of Yojna” drinking water projects in Rs 17 lakh. UP’s Mirzapur Sonabhadra There are 368 cows in the shelter.The Prime Minsiter (PM) Narendra Modi hospital will provide services in 30 km launched “Har Ghar Nal Yojna” (Tap radius. Water to every household) worth Rs. PM honors and praises 5,555.38 crore for drinking water project LachitBorphukan on Lachit Diwas in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts in Vindhyachal region of Uttar Pradesh PM has honoured and praised Lahit (UP). Borphukan on Lachit Diwas, which is In this regard, Rs.3212.18 crore will be celebrated each year in Assam on 24 spent in Sonbhadra and 2343.20 crore will November. be utilized in Mirzapur. PM said that Lachit Borphukan played This will benefit 41,41.438 families in both a crucial role in protecting the unique
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culture of Assam and worked to empower It would ensure door to door data the poor and downtrodden. collection of health parameters of the Remembered for his leadership role in people. 1671 Battle of Saraighat, Lachit Borphukan was a commander and Borphukan in Haveri railway station named after Ahom Kingdom (1228-1826). freedom fighter Mahadeva Mailar He prevented Mughal forces led by The Karnataka government notified Ramsingh I from taking control of Ahom the naming of Haveri Railway Station Kingdom. after the freedom fighter Mailara Mahadevappa. Following a request by th 80 All India Presiding Officers’ the state government, the union home Conference ministry has approved the name change President Ram Nath Kovind will of the railway station. inaugurate the two-day 80th All India Mahadevappa was the only representative Presiding Officers’ Conference at from the then Mysore state who took part Kevadiya, Gujarat in the Dandi March and walked with The two-day conference will begin Mahatma Gandhi. He was jailed for six tomorrow on the banks of River Narmada months. Upon his return, he along with and near the Statue of Unity. This tradition his revolutionary friends, Mahadevappa of organising the conference dates back to had attacked the railway station at 1921. Byadagi in Haveri. The Britishers had even announced Rs 300 reward to those Himachal Pradesh govt launches ‘Him who help capture Mahadevappa alive. Suraksha Abhiyan’ Himachal Pradesh government has Indian-Origin MP creates history launched ‘Him Suraksha Abhiyan’ to by taking oath in Sanskrit in New sensitize the people regarding Covid-19 Zealand pandemic and also to collect information Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Member of Parliament regarding symptoms of diseases like TB, (MP) in New Zealand created history on Leprosy, sugar and blood pressure by the November 25, 2020 by becoming the first door to door campaign throughout the Indian-origin parliamentarian to take State. oath in Sanskrit language on foreign land. Under this Abhiyan about 8000 teams Dr. Sharma is one of the youngest and comprising of Health, Ayurveda, Women newly-elected MPs from the Labour and Child Development, Panchayati Raj Party in the NZ Parliament. He hails from Departments, District Administration Himachal Pradesh. and NGOs would be involved in this He took oath first in New Zealand’s campaign. indigenous Maori language and then in Sanskrit, showing deep respect for the
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cultural traditions of both India and New NITI Aayog forms panel to study Zealand. feasibility of Hyperloop technology in Sharma, who is a doctor by profession, had India defeated Tim Macindoe of the National Government think-tank NITI Aayog has Party by 4,386 votes to win Hamilton formed a high-level panel to explore the West. Before this, he had unsuccessfully technological and commercial viability fought elections in 2017. of the Virgin Hyperloop technology for ultrahigh speed travel in India, weeks Mamata Banerjee launches after its first test was completed with “Government At Doorstep” scheme humans on board. From December 1, West Bengal will The committee has NITI Aayog member launch an initiative to take government V.K. Saraswat as its Chairman and services to the doorsteps of people. Adviser (Infrastructure Connectivity, ‘Duare Duare Sarkar’ or government at NITI Aayog) Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha as its the doorstep. convener. To run until Gandhi Jayanti on January 30, the initiative will attempt to ship Agriculture Minister unveils ‘Sahakar pending companies to folks. Pragya’ to impart training to primary From 11 am to 3 pm every day from cooperative societies in rural areas December 1, government camps will be Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh held in every block in the state where Tomar unveiled Sahakar Pragya. The people can come and demand any service 45 new training modules of Sahakar they have not received yet. Pragya of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) will 10th edition of National Science Film impart training to primary cooperative Festival begins virtually societies in rural areas of the country along th The 10 edition of prestigious National with Lakshmanrao Inamdar National science film festival kicked off on 24th Cooperative Research and Development November 2020 in a virtual mode. Academy.
The four-day long film festival has been These 45 training modules pf Sahakar jointly organized by Vigyan Prasar, Pragya to be delivered at LINAC and an autonomous agency under the its countrywide network of Regional Department of Science and Technology, Training Centres will address the need Govt. of India and the Tripura State for training of Primary cooperatives, Council of Science and Technology, Govt. FPO-Cooperatives and Self Help Groups of Tripura from 24 to 27 November 2020. federating.
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Films Division organizes ‘Lok Virasat’ any domestic airlines, and will boost festival from November 27 – 29 connectivity to the area with the rest of Films Division (FD) is conducting Lok the country. Virasat, which is known as a festival of The maiden freighter flight of the airline films on folk art and painting starting was launched from Delhi to Leh, carrying from November 27, 2020. 13 tonnes of cargo supplies.
The festival is being held between The flight was operated by SpiceXpress, November 27 and 29, 2020 on FD website the dedicated cargo arm of SpiceJet, and You Tube channel. whereas, a Boeing 737 freighter has been Films Division, as part of ‘art-outreach’ deployed on this route. initiative, has been presenting select Artificial Intelligence hub in package of films on Indian art and heritage Bengaluru to promote technology as curated online festivals during the last innovations few months. The Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Prakash Javadeker launches India Technologies Park (ARTPARK) set up Climate Change Knowledge Portal in Bengaluru will promote technology Minister of Environment, Forest and innovations in niche areas by executing Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar has ambitious projects in various sectors by launched the “India Climate Change focusing on problems unique to India. Knowledge Portal”. With seed funding of `170 crore ($22 According to Prakash Javadekar, India million) from the Department of Science has practically achieved its pre-2020 and Technology (DST) under the climate action targets. He said, though National Mission on Inter-disciplinary India is not responsible for climate change Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), it it is taking responsible action to mitigate will bring about collaborative consortium the challenge. of partners from industry, academia and The portal will have all the major steps government bodies. the Government is taking at both national PM to inaugurate six-lane widening and international levels to address the project of the Varanasi-Prayagraj climate change issues. section of NH-19 on 30 November SpiceJet launches India’s first Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is dedicated freighter services to Leh in set to visit his Lok Sabha constituency Ladakh Varanasi on 30 November 2020.
Low-cost domestic airline major SpiceJet Programmes to be attended by PM during launched its dedicated freighter services the visit includes: to Leh on 26 November 2020. Dedicate to the nation the six-lane It is the first-of-its-type service by widening project of the Handia
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(Prayagraj) – Rajatalab (Varanasi) section MP loses 26 tigers in 2020 of National Highway 19. Madhya Pradesh, which is known as the Total outlay of this 73 Km stretch of the ‘tiger state’ of India, has lost 26 striped newly widened and six laned NH19 is animals so far this year, as per the Rs 2447 crore. It is expected to reduce National Tiger Conservation Authority. the travel time between Prayagraj and According to the National Tiger Varanasi by one hour. Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) Attend world famous festival of Dev website, out of the 26 tiger deaths Deepawali reported since April this year, MP lost 21 Dev Deepawali is celebrated on every felines inside the tiger reserves, including Poornima of the Kartik month 10 in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
11 lakh diyas will be lighted on both sides MP has 124 tiger cubs. The cubs were not of River Ganges. counted during the last census (in 2018). Undertake a site visit of under In the next count, we are going to have construction Kashi Vishwanath Temple more than 600 tigers. Corridor Project to review its progress. Karnataka, which is on the second Visit the Sarnath Archaeological Site to position in the number of tigers in the attend the Light and Sound show. country, registered eight deaths and two seizures of tiger body parts this year, as PM Modi visits 3 cities to review per the data. coronavirus vaccine development The southern state lost 12 big cats last Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi year. embarked on a three-city visit on 28 November 2020, to personally review the COVID-19 vaccine development and manufacturing process at facilities in these cities. Facilities visied by PM Modi are: 1. Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, 2. Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad 3. Serum Institute of India in Pune The scientists at these facilities expressed their joy that the Prime Minister met them face to face in order to boost their morale and help accelerate their efforts in the vaccine development journey.
66 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 International Affairs 7. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will be the OnePlus opens its biggest Experience world’s longest immersed tunnel store in Hyderabad After more than a decade of planning, OnePlus has unveiled a new experience work has begun on the world’s longest store in Hyderabad. This store also immersed tunnel. Descending up happens to be its largest in the world. to 40 meters beneath the Baltic Sea, Spread across 16,000 sqft, this new Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will link Denmark experience store is called the “OnePlus and Germany, slashing journey times Nizam Palace” and also includes a large when it opens in 2029. customer service center with dedicated
The tunnel, which will be 18 kilometers glass cubicles for customers to meet and (11.1 miles) long, is one of Europe’s consult service executives. largest infrastructure projects, with a construction budget of over €7 billion US formally withdraws from Paris ($8.2 billion). agreement
PM Narendra Modi to chair Virtual The Paris deal was drafted in 2015 to Global Investor Roundtable on strengthen the global response to the November 5th threat of climate change. It aims to keep the global temperature
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will rise this century well below 2C above be chairing the Virtual Global Investor pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts Roundtable (VGIR) on November 5, 2020. to limit the temperature increase even
The VGIR is being organized by the further to 1.5C. Union Ministry of Finance and National The agreement was signed in December Investment and Infrastructure Fund. This 2015, the treaty only came into force on was announced by the Prime Minister’s 4 November 2016, 30 days after at least Office. 55 countries representing 55% of global
The Virtual Global Investor Roundtable emissions had ratified it. (VGIR) is an exclusive dialogue between leading global institutional investors and Indian business leaders.
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India-OPEC Energy Dialogue held The meeting was co-chaired by Shri virtually Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, The fourth high level meeting of India- Commerce & Industry and Consumer OPEC Energy Dialogue was held Affairs and Public Distribution and His virtually. India was represented by the Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive dialogue is being held since 2015. Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. India-OPEC ‘Argyle Mine’ World’s Biggest Pink In 2019-20, India imported 92.8 billion Diamond Mine in Australia, Shuts USD worth Hydrocarbons from OPEC down after Exhausting ‘Economic countries. Reserves’ The World Oil Outlook, 2020 of the OPEC The world’s largest pink diamond mine, has projected that India will account to Argyle mine, in the remote Kimberley 16% of global economy by 2045. Also, region of Western Australia, has per day oil demand of India is to increase announced that it is shutting down its from 4.7 million barrels per day to 10.7 business, after 40 years of a successful million barrels per day by 2045. operation. First India-Nordic-Baltic Conclave The iconic mine has exhausted all its held economic reserves, hence it is shutting down its business. The first India-Nordic-Baltic Conclave The seam was discovered in 1979 and was held virtually. India was represented the Anglo-Australian firm began mining by External Affairs Minister S Jai Shankar. operations in 1983. The Conclave was jointly hosted It produced more than 90 percent of the by Ministry of External Affairs and world’s pink diamonds. Confederation of Indian Industry. The Globally, Argyle is the fourth-largest Conclave focused on clean technologies diamond-producing mine in the world and renewable energies, Artificial by volume. Intelligence, supply chain logistics and block chain led transformation. UK invites PM Modi to Climate Ambition Summit Piyush Goyal Co-chairs 8th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint The UK has invited Prime Minister Task Force on Investments Narendra Modi to the Climate Ambition Summit scheduled next month. The 8th meeting of the India-UAE High The December 12 Climate Ambition Level Joint Task Force on Investments Summit will provide a platform for (“the Joint Task Force”) was hosted by leaders who are ready to come forward India in virtual format on 43rd November with announcements of new, more 2020.
68 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 International Affairs ambitious nationally determined Murthy is likely to be included in the contributions and long-term strategies to coronavirus task force that President-elect net zero, as well as new climate finance Joe Biden, who clinched the presidency pledges and ambitious adaptation plans. after defeating President Donald Trump, is going to announce on Monday. Vivek Joe Biden-Kamala Harris win Murthy, 43, who originally hails from Joe Biden was declared the winner of Karnataka, was appointed America’s US Election, 2020. He is to become 46th 19th Surgeon General by then President President of the United States beating Barack Obama in 2014. Donald Trump. President-elect Joe Biden pledged he Biden had played a key role in will spare no effort to turn around the strengthening the relations between India coronavirus pandemic to revive the and US as a Vice President and also as the battered US economy. Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Australia-India Water Centre Joe Biden chose California Senator inaugurated virtually Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential Australia-India Water Centre (AIWC) running mate for the 2020 US Elections has been inaugurated in a virtual event to on August 11, 2020. This makes Harris the promote water-related research, teaching, first black and Asian American woman to and training between the two countries. compete on a major party’s presidential This Water Centre is led by IIT Guwahati ticket in the United States. from the Indian side and the University Kamala Harris of Western Sydney from the Australian Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, side. Along with this, the centre has 21 California, to immigrant parents- Indian partners from India and Australia. mother and Jamaican father. The 5-year MoU has been signed to She became the district attorney and the establish an understanding of cooperation top prosecutor for San Francisco in 2003, for the Australia India Water Centre She was later elected as the first woman (AIWC) between the parties. and the first African American to serve as India Ranked 196th in BMI Ranking California’s attorney general. 2019 Kamala Harris has now become the third- ever female US vice-presidential nominee A review of BMI (Body Mass Index) of of a major party. various countries’ teenagers has been recently published in the international Biden names Covid Task Force co- medical journal “The Lancet”, according chaired by Vivek Murthy as pandemic to which India is placed at 196th rank rages across US with respect to BMI.
Indian-American physician Dr Vivek India’s 19-year-old boys and girls have a
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 69 International Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 BMI of 20.1 means they are also among the year 2020-21. Dandiya, the founding the shortest in the world. principal of Democracy Prep Endurance India’s boys ranked 180th with an average High School in Harlem, New York, is the height of 5.46 feet while girls ranked only Indian American among 14 White 182nd with an average height of 5.06 feet. House Fellows announced this year. The Netherlands is the nation with the tallest boys and girls of age 19 years. It Malaysia Hosts 2020 APEC Summit is followed by Montenegro, Estonia, and The 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for Meeting was held on 20 November 2020 girls. under the Chairmanship of Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Operation Thunder 2020 Yassin.
The operation involved law enforcement This was the first time that all 21 APEC agencies in 103 countries. Economic Leaders met virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Indian Customs intercepted an 18-ton The theme of the APEC Malaysia 2020 was shipment of red sandalwood bound “Optimising Human Potential Towards for the United Arab Emirates, during a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity: a month-long “Operation Thunder Pivot. Prioritise. Progress”. 2020”, coordinated by Interpol and the The APEC 2020 ended with the adoption World Customs Organization, which of the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and involved law enforcement agencies in 103 the 2020 Kuala Lumpur Declaration. countries. The operation against environmental Lahore Ranks World’s Most Polluted crime took place from September 14 to City October 11. It resulted in major seizures Lahore has once again topped the list of of specimens and products of protected most polluted cities in the world as its air flora and fauna, triggering arrests and quality index (AQI) recorded six times investigations around the world, Interpol over the safe limit. said. “By focusing on pre-identified Citing the data by IQAir, a Swiss air routes and hotspots, Operation Thunder technology company that pulls together 2020 has resulted in more than 2,000 air quality indices from across the world, seizures of wildlife and forest products. Geo News reported that on Monday Indian American Pia Dandiya morning, Lahore was engulfed in a grey Appointed the White House Fellow haze and recorded an AQI of 306. for 2020-21 The city’s air quality has been classified as “hazardous”, putting an additional
Indian American Pia Dandiya has been burden on the fragile healthcare system appointed the White House Fellow for
70 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 International Affairs amid a surge in coronavirus deaths and 17 and July 17 this year in India with a new infections. sample size of 2,000. The other city that made the list of the After India, Cambodia has the second top 10 most polluted cities was Karachi. highest bribery rate at 37 per cent, It ranked seventh with an AQI of 168. followed by Indonesia (30 per cent) while The Swiss air quality monitor regards air the Maldives and Japan maintain the quality as satisfactory if the AQI is below lowest overall bribery rate (2 per cent), 50. (ANI). followed by South Korea (10 per cent) and Nepal (12 per cent). India launches High Impact Community Development Projects in Arab Gulf’s first coal-based power Afghanistan plant being developed in Dubai
India has announced Phase-IV of the The first coal-based power plant of Arab High Impact Community Development Gulf country is being developed in Saih Shuaib, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Projects in Afghanistan. It was announced The 2,400MW Hassyan clean coal power by the External Affairs Minister Dr S station will be built at an estimated cost Jaishankar during the 2020 Afghanistan of $ 3.4 billion. Conference organized in Geneva through The project will comprise four units of video- conference. The conference was 600MW each, which are expected to start co-hosted by UN, the Government of operations in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Afghanistan, and the Government of respectively. Finland. The power plant is expected to produce sufficient electricity to power India records highest rate of bribery approximately 250,000 households. in Asia India has the highest bribery rate in Asia India and Finland sign MOU on and the most number of people who use environmental protection and personal connections to access public biodiversity conservation services, according to a new report by India and Finland signed an MoU for corruption watchdog Transparency developing cooperation in the field of International. Environment protection and biodiversity The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) conservation. – Asia, found that nearly 50 per cent of The MoU was signed by Environment those who paid bribes were asked to, Minister Prakash Javadekar from the while 32 per cent of those who used Indian side and his Finnish counterpart personal connections said they would not Krista Mikkonen through video-mode. receive the service otherwise. The report is based upon the survey which was conducted between June
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 71 International Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 GMRT Accorded Prestigious IEEE Milestone Status The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observatory near Pune has been awarded the prestigious ‘IEEE Milestone’ statuesto honour its significant technical achievement as well as its excellence in unique product, services, patents and seminal papers which aim to benefit humanity. The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) shared the information while adding that this is the third IEEE Milestone recognition awarded for an Indian contribution with the previous two being the works of JC Bose in 1895 and CV Raman in 1928, which received IEEE Milestone in 2012. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers award IEEE Milestone recognition for essential and historical achievements in the field of electrical and electronics engineering and is dedicated to advancing technology.
72 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Tamilnadu Affairs 8. TAMILNADU AFFAIRS
Tamil Nadu Day- November 1, 2020 Increase in the sex ratio of female The AIADMK government, last year, children declared that November 1 would be A review meeting on the Let’s Protect celebrated as state formation day. The Girls – Teach Girls program held at the state was created in 1956 following an Trichy District Collectorate. exercise of the linguistic reorganization The project has been implemented in the of the state, it was rechristened as district since last 2018. As of September Tamil Nadu by then chief minister C N this year, there are 929 females per 1000 Annadurai on January 14, 1969. males. It is necessary to prevent the destruction of the female child in the Tamil Nadu grants 100% vehicle tax womb on the basis of gender. In order waiver to EVs, plans dedicated park to adjust the sex ratio, abortion details Tamil Nadu Government has notified from last year were examined wise by all 100 per cent motor vehicle tax exemption primary health centers. for battery-operated vehicles (Electric Vehicles). Tamil Nadu clinches top spot, gets The State Government’s order says after highest investments in April-Sept careful examination it has decided to Tamil Nadu received the highest share grant 100 per cent tax exemption for all of investment proposals during the first battery-operated transport and non- half of the current fiscal, moving up two transport vehicles. notches from the third position it held a The State has been taking various year ago, a ratings agency report. initiatives to boost the EV system in the Ratings agency Care Ratings said that state. Tamil Nadu had the highest share of Tamil Nadu is planning to set up the 16% in the investments proposed during country’s first park exclusively for the April-September period with Rs 20,000 electric vehicle production eco-system. crore, while Andhra Pradesh had the The state is targeting investments of highest share of 23% in the capex projects about Rs 50,000 crore in the EV segment announced. and has announced a series of incentives to attract investments in this space.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 73 Tamilnadu Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020
Andhra Pradesh garnered 11%, Tamil Nadu, HCL to set up disaster Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka management analytics centre have garnered 7% each, while the balance Tamil Nadu government and HCL will went to the other states. set up a Disaster Management – Data Analytics Centre to strengthen the State’s Centres to impart skills in healthcare, disaster management efforts in the face of logistics inaugurated the Covid-19 pandemic. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami The Disaster Management Centre of the unveiled the Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Tamil Nadu government (in Chepauk, Development Centre for Healthcare in Chennai) is responsible for the overall Chennai and an Apex Skill Development management of disasters across the entire Centre for Logistics at Indospace Limited state. in Oragadam. The Disaster Management-Data Analytics The World Health Organisation has also Centre will help capture data trends from joined and will impart training in handling across all districts of Tamil Nadu in real Covid cases, said a release. Meanwhile, time and display them live to inform the a Memorandum of Understanding was government’s future decisions on degree signed between the Central Footwear of response needed for each district and, Training Institute and TNSDC to establish also for graded relaxation of the current an institute at Vaniyambadi at Rs 20.37 lockdown to resume economic activities. crore. “SAKHI”- ONE STOP CENTRE (OSC) MSME Prerana IN TAMIL NADU ‘MSME Prerana’, an online Business The Government of India has proposed a Mentoring Programme for MSMEs, an Special Scheme named “SAKHI”, which initiative by Indian Bank was launched is a One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC), by Hon’ble Union Minister of Finance & intended to support women affected by Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, at violence, in private and public spaces, the Bank’s Corporate Centre in Chennai. within the family, community and at The first two programs will be in Tamil for the workplace. Women facing physical, the Coimbatore clusters of Indian Bank. sexual, emotional, psychological and The second phase was implemented in economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, Trichy, Erode, Tirunelveli, Kumbakonam, caste, education status, marital status, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai, race and culture will be facilitated with Puducherry, Chennai districts. support and redressal.
74 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Tamilnadu Affairs
Tamil Nadu tops water management or dedicated way having two-tiered charts stations. This comes as the Ministry of Tamil Nadu, a water-deficit state Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) knocking on the doors of neighbours has issued standard specifications of year after year to get its due share of Metrolite, which will cost around 40-50 Cauvery and Krishna river water, has per cent of the Metro Rail System and topped the Union ministry of Jal Shakti’s much reduced cost on operations for National Water Awards in the ‘best state’ cities with projected passengers per hour category, for 2019. The state has been per direction up to 15,000. recognised for its commendable work in MoHUA stated that Metrolite has the field of conserving water resources attracted many tier-1 cities with and managing it. population upto 10 lakh. It is learnt that Maharashtra and Rajasthan bagged Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has second and third prizes respectively in already launched the feasibility study the best state (normal) category. Mizoram for the metrolite project in the 15 km- topped the best state (special) category. long stretch connecting Velachery with The awards will be presented during Tambaram. the second National Water Awards According to MoHUA secretary Durga 2019 distribution ceremony, scheduled Shanker Mishra, MetroNeo will provide for November 11 and 12 on a virtual secure, comfortable, convenient, punctual platform. and affordable eco-friendly commuting.
Execution of Athikadavu Avinashi Metrolite trains with a maximum 12T groundwater recharge and drinking axle load is to be adopted for passenger water scheme, costing Rs 1,652 crore, to capacity from 2,000 to 15,000. realize the long-pending dream of the HPCL Launches ‘poWer 99’, India’s drought-hit areas of Coimbatore, Tirupur Highest Rated Octane Fuel, in TN and Erode districts, and the diversion of flood surplus water from Mettur to the ‘poWer 99’ is expected to be made dry tanks in Sarabanga basin in Salem available in other cities in Tamil Nadu in district through lift irrigation are the the next two years notable achievements, which the Centre Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, has recognized. a Government of India Enterprise with a Maharatna Status, has launched ‘poWer Metrolite line between Tambaram to 99’, a branded petrol with an Octane Velacherry rating of 99, in Tamil Nadu, to cater to the The proposed Metrolite line, connecting growing demand for premium fuel from Tambaram and Velachery, is likely to the rising population of high-end cars be a rubber-tyred coach-based mass and performance bikes in the State. rapid transit system running on elevated
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 75 Tamilnadu Affairs Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Internet Gambling: Publication of the Tamil Nadu bags best performer Emergency Law Gazette award An emergency law has been published Tamil Nadu has been adjudged the in the Tamil Nadu Gazette to ban online best performing big State for the third gambling. Consequently, the law came consecutive year. into force immediately. The study titled, “States of the State”,says A similar emergency law was passed that Tamil Nadu has topped in as many as by Governor Banwar, the Emergency 11 categories from a total of 12, including Act was Immediately published in the economy, tourism, infrastructure, gazette. Consequently, all aspects of the inclusive development, law and order, law have come into force. According to along with entrepreneurship, cleanliness, the law, engaging in online gambling in environment, health, education and Tamil Nadu is punishable by a fine of Rs agriculture. 5,000 and imprisonment for six months. Tamil Nadu had registered a higher economic growth rate (8.03 per cent) than Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi the national average of 4.2 per cent in K.Palaniswami Launched “Thee” 2019-20. Mobile App Tamil Nadu secured the top spot, scoring Edappadi K.Palaniswami, Chief Minister a total of 1,263.1 points out of 2,000 for its (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) launched a overall performance. The State also stood mobile application “Thee” to support second in fighting the Covid pandemic, the general public to reach out the Tamil securing 74.2 points out of a 100. The Nadu Fire nad and Rescue Services. recognition comes in the backdrop of Key people: Tamil Nadu bagging the first position in the composite ranking for good K.Shanmugam, Chief Secretary; J.K. governance index (GGI), last year. Tripathy, Director General of Police, M.S.Jaffar Sait, Director of Fire and NABARD Chennai Bags 2 Gold & Rescue Services and other senior officials. Silver Awards Under Overall Best About “Thee” app: Performance of Business Categories Purpose: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural To help the people in case of fire accidents, Development (NABARD) Tamil Nadu flood, mishaps in deep well, rescue in Regional Office has bagged four awards wildlife, chemical or gas leaks and others. at all India level at the recently held 72nd Business Plan Meet (BPM) of NABARD at Mumbai. Awards were distributed to various Regional Offices for their performance under various categories and Tamil
76 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Tamilnadu Affairs
Nadu Regional Office bagged two Gold under Overall Best Performance and Strategic Business Initiatives, Silver under Development Initiatives, and Bronze under Business Consultancy categories.
Tamil Nadu tops organ donation list for the sixth year All over the world, battling for their lives because of terminal organ failures, organ donation holds a special place in humanitarian deeds. With the ongoing pandemic and its woes continuing to batter humankind, a “best State award” for organ donation is something to be proud of for Tamil Nadu.
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 77 Practice Questions Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 9. PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following were published by Mahatma Gandhi? (A) Young India (B) Harijan (C) Kesavarthini (D) A & B
2. Currently India spends ______of its GDP on healthcare. (A) 3% (B) 3.5% (C) 5% (D) 10%
3. Sardar Patel Zoological Park is in news recently is located in ______. (A) New Delhi (B) Maharashtra (C) Gujarat (D) Assam
4. Indo-Israel centre of excellence for vegetable protected cultivation is going to be setup in______. (A) Assam (B) Nagaland (C) Mizoram (D) Manipur
5. The Ganga Utsav is being organised by the ministry of______. (A) Jal Shakti (B) Environment, Forest and Climate Change (C) Finance (D) Defence
6. Which of the following ship participating mission sagar phase-II in Port sudan? (A) INS Kalvari (B) INS Kandheri (C) INS AIRAVAT (D) INS Karikalan
7. What is the Name of the initiative launched by Indian Railways to ensure safety of womaen passangers on trains? (A) Mera Dost (B) Meri Sathi (C) Meri Saheli (D) Mera Mithra
8. Where is the headquarters of Hindustan Aeronautics limited located? (A) Bengaluru (B) Chennai (C) Pune (D) Hyderabad
9. Who become the first batsman to hit 1000 sixes in T20 Cricket? (A) Chris Gayle (B) Andre Russel (C) Virat Kohli (D) M.S.Dhoni
10. Ministry of Consumer affairs is going to implement the fortification of Rice Scheme to be in______states. (A) 10 (B) 12 (C) 14 (D) 15
11. Which of the following state recently announced 100% motor vehicle Tax Exemptions to Electrical Vehicles? (A) Kerala (B) Karnataka (C) Tamilnadu (D) Gujarat
12. India’s first ever e-resource centre” nyay Kaushal” has been inaugurated in which state? (A) Karnataka (B) Telangana (C) Gujarat (D) Maharashtra
13. Guru Ghasidas Tiger reserve is located in which state? (A) Assam (B) Chattisgarh (C) Odisha (D) Madhya Pradesh
78 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Practice Questions
14. What is the correct share of Central Government, State Government, Sponsor Banks on Regional Rural Banks? (A) 35:35:30 (B) 50:15:35 (C) 50:25:25 (D) 30:35:35
15. The legendary maestro T.N. Krishnan is associated with which musical intrument? (A) Guitar (B) Violin (C) Tabla (D) Miruthangam
16. The first ever solar energy –drivan miniature train in India has been inaugurated in which state? (A) Maharashtra (B) Goa (C) Gujarat (D) Kerala
17. The Pardoning Powers of a Governor are enshrined in which of the following Article? (A) Article 161 (B) Article 72 (C) Article 148 (D) Article 142
18. India’s first tyre park is to come up in______. (A) New Delhi (B) Chennai (C) West Bengal (D) Kerala
19. Which Indian State is the First to launch a project for free internet for poor families and public officer? (A) Gujarat (B) Assam (C) Karnataka (D) Kerala
20. ‘GO Electric’ Campaign was launched by______. (A) Niti Aayog (B) ISRO (C) CSIR (D) Bureau of Energy Efficiency
21. PRASAD Scheme is Associated with which of the following? (A) Tourism (B) Women Empowerment (C) Youth Welfare (D) Senior Citizen
22. Bhaskaracharya Institute for space Applications and Geo informatics (BISAG) is located in the state of______. (A) Uttarkhand (B) New Delhi (C) Gujarat (D) Haryana
23. The BRICS Business Forum was held recently under the chairmanship of ______. (A) Brazil (B) Russia (C) India (D) China
24. According to recent World Wide Fund’s report which Indian city is most susceptible to water risk? (A) Indore (B) Chennai (C) Pune (D) Jaipur
25. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in______. (A) Telangana (B) Kerala (C) Maharashtra (D) Andhra Pradesh
26. NH306 (National Highway 306) is recently seen in News which is connects the states of______. (A) Jammu & Kashmir-Tamilnadu (B) Gujarat & Arunachal Pradesh (C) Maharashtra-Kolkata (D) Assam – Mizoram
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 79 Practice Questions Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 27. Which of the following language was the first to be given the status of classical language of India? (A) Sanskrit (B) Tamil (C) Kanada (D) Telugu
28. International Day for preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in war and Armed conflict is being observed on______. (A) November 5 (B) November 6 (C) November 7 (D) November 8
29. Katakey Panel is preparing report on______. (A) Rafale deal (B) Baghjam oil well accident (C) Ladak Issue (D) Covid Vaccine
30. “Sanjeet’ is associated with which sports? (A) Chess (B) Weight lifting (C) Athletics (D) Boxing
31. The Books titled “The Age of Pandemic” (1877-1920) was written by______. (A) Randeep Guleria (B) Chinmay Tumbe (C) Sashi Tarur (D) Romila Thapar
32. Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park is located in? (A) Tamilnadu (B) Andhra Pradesh (C) Telangana (D) Kerala
33. Luhri Stage-1 Hydro Power project recently seen in News which is located in______. (A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Himachal Pradesh (C) Assam (D) Bihar
34. Long March 6 carrier rocket recently launched 13 satellites is belongs to______. (A) USA (B) Japan (C) India (D) China
35. Scientists discovered 500 metre tall coral reef in______. (A) Australia (B) India (C) Maldives (D) Srilanka
36. Kartarpur Corridor connects India and Pakistan it is being built across which of the following river? (A) Sutlej (B) Ravi (C) Chenab (D) Jhelum
37. Indian Army is conducting “Bull STRIKE” Exercise in ______. (A) Visakapatnam (B) Chennai (C) Andhaman & Nicobar (D) Jaipur
38. Which of the following Rocket is going to be launched by ISRO soon? (A) PSLV C-46 (B) PSLV C-47 (C) PSLV C-48 (D) PSLV C-49
39. 2nd Batch of three Rafale Fighter jets landed in______. (A) Ambala (B) Leh (C) Jamnagar (D) Gujarat
80 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Practice Questions
40. AMRUT Scheme is implemented by the ministry of______. (A) Tourism (B) Housing and Urban affairs (C) Minority Affairs (D) Social Justice
41. Which of the following year Uttarkhand state was formed? (A) 2000 (B) 2002 (C) 2007 (D) 2008
42. Recently launched Earth observation satellite EOS-01 is belongs to ______. (A) USA (B) Japan (C) India (D) South Korea
43. Which of the following state in India has the highest number of Bio diversity Heritage sites? (A) Tamil Nadu (B) Assam (C) Kerala (D) Karnataka
44. Geographically indicated Araku Valley Coffee is mainly planted in ______. (A) Andhra Pradesh (B) Karnataka (C) Kerala (D) Tamilnadu
45. Which country’s Election Commission has organised International virtual Election visitors programme? (A) USA (B) Japan (C) Australia (D) India
46. National Saffron Mission was launched in______. (A) 2002 (B) 2007 (C) 2010 (D) 2012
47. New Development Bank was set up Fortaleza Summit in ______. (A) 2000 (B) 2005 (C) 2009 (D) 2014
48. Who has become New Zeland’s first ever Indian-origin Minister in recent Election? (A) Jacinda Ardern (B) Priyanca Radhakrishnan (C) Pramila (D) Hiral Tipireni
49. Where is pobitora Wild Sanctuary located? (A) Karnataka (B) Assam (C) Kerala (D) Andhra Pradesh
50. Which of the following year Biological Diversity Act was Enacted? (A) 1986 (B) 1972 (C) 1956 (D) 2002
51. Which state recently enacted Act to recall Panchayat Members? (A) Rajasthan (B) Madhya Pradesh (C) Telangana (D) Haryana
52. The headquarters of National Agriculturate Cooperative marketing federation of India is located in ______. (A) Kolkata (B) New Delhi (C) Chandigarh (D) Mumbai
53. Who has been appointed as the president of Hockey Indian recently? (A) Mohd Mushtaque (B) Gyanendra Ningombam (C) Praful Patel (D) Hamong Amin
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 81 Practice Questions Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 54. NITI Aayog’s ranking of Aspiration districts in India of September 2020? (A) Peddapalli (B) San Bhadra (C) Bokaro (D) Chandauli
55. Which High Court has become first in India to live strem its Judical proceedings on youtube channel? (A) Tripura (B) Bombay (C) Gujarat (D) Patna
56. Kerala State launched Parivarthanam scheme for ______. (A) Differently abled (B) Womens (C) Blind People (D) Fishers
57. What can be maximum number of information commissioners in central information commission? (A) 10 (B) 12 (C) 15 (D) 20
58. Which of the following organization Developed Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM)? (A) ISRO (B) HAL (C) DRDO (D) Reliance Defence
59. What is the theme of the National Ayurveda Day 2020 celebrated November 13? (A) Ayurveda for Pandemic (B) Ayurveda for Human Sustainable (C) Ayurveda for Covid-19 (D) Ayurveda with the recent innovation
60. International Court of Justice is located in ______. (A) Greenland (B) France (C) Switzerland (D) Netherland
61. Who has won the Turkish Grand Prix 2020 championship? (A) Sebastien (B) Leclarc (C) Verstappen (D) Lewis Hamilton
62. What is India’s Rank in TRACE’s Bribery Risk Report? (A) 102 (B) 97 (C) 82 (D) 77
63. The headquarters of New Development Bank is located in______. (A) Beijing (B) Manila (C) Shanghai (D) Moscow
64. Dibru Saikhowa National Park is located in which state? (A) Manipur (B) Meghalaya (C) Sikkim (D) Assam
65. The headquarters of Lakshmi vilas Bank is located in______. (A) Chennai (B) Mumbai (C) New Delhi (D) Pune
66. Which district has been conferred with National Award for water conservation under Jeevika Project launched by the District Administration? (A) Udaipur (B) Kangra (C) Udhampur (D) Jalandhar
67. Which state was adjudged the best state in water conservation efforts in the country in National Jal Shakti Awards for the year 2019? (A) Chhattisgarh (B) Odisha (C) Jharkhand (D) Tamil Nadu
82 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Practice Questions
68. Who has authored the book titled “Insomnia: Army Stories”? (A) Rachna Bisht Rawat (B) Uma Chakravarti (C) Shobha Deepak Singh (D) Anvita Abbi
69. Where is the world’s first library for children on a tram launched? (A) Bhopal (B) Kolkata (C) Pune (D) Bhubaneshwar
70. Who has been appointed the White House Fellow for the year 2020-21? (A) Alia Mukerjee (B) Michael Sk (C) Bhavna Setia (D) Pia Dandiya
71. The Japanese physicist Masatoshi Koshiba had won the Nobel Prize ______. (A) Economy (B) Physics (C) Chemistry (D) Medicine
72. Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the newly constituted Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)? (A) Nandan Nilekani (B) Vishal Sikka (C) Kris Gopalakrishnan (D) N. R. Narayana Murthy
73. PM Modi has recently inaugurated the ‘Statue of Peace’ in which state? (A) Rajasthan (B) Uttar Pradesh (C) Gujarat (D) Bihar
74. Which state governemnt has decided to set up a Gau Cabinet for the protection and promotion of cows in the state? (A) Jharkhand (B) Kerala (C) Uttar Pradesh (D) Madhya Pradesh
75. The ‘Fleets’ recently seen in News which is launched by______. (A) Microsoft (B) Twitter (C) Facebook (D) Instagram
76. Which of the following Ministry recently launched Land Manage System for the first time? (A) Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (B) Defence (C) Housing and Urban Affairs (D) Home Affairs
77. Under which the ministry of food processing industries has announced 50% air transportation subsidy for 41 notified fruits and vegetables? (A) Operation green Top (B) Gran Sadak Yojana (C) Kissan Sampada Yojana (D) Kissan routs
78. World Children’s Day is observed on______. (A) November 14 (B) November 20 (C) November 22 (D) November 24
79. India’s first reptile park is located in which state? (A) Kerala (B) Karnataka (C) Bihar (D) Tamil Nadu
80. The Arecibo telescope” is located in which place? (A) Hawaii (B) Arizona (C) Ladakh (D) Pureto Rico
Vetrii IAS Study Circle 83 Practice Questions Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 81. The headquarters of world bank is located in ______. (A) Rome (B) Geneva (C) Newyork (D) Washington D.C
82. Who has been elected as the external auditor of inter parliamentary union? (A) Om Birla (B) N.K. Singh (C) Manoj Sinha (D) Girish Chandra Murmu
83. SITMEX is a trilateral Noval Exercise between Indian, Thailand and which other country? (A) Switzerland (B) Sweden (C) Singapore (D) Saudi Arabia
84. What is the theme of the National Pharmacy Week (NPW) 2020? (A) Pharmacists: Frontline Health professionals (B) COVID-19 Warriors (C) Responsible Pharmacy (D) Ethical Pharmacy
85. Which is the following country recently launched chang e-5 probe? (A) USA (B) China (C) Russia (D) Israel
86. International Version of which Government Application has been launched recently? (A) UMANG (B) FAME (C) Arogya Setu (D) M.AWAS
87. Shaheed Diwas is being celebrated on the memorial of Guru______. (A) Tegh Bahadur (B) Hargobind (C) Gobind Singh (D) Ram Das
88. ATAL Faculty Development Programme are organized by which of the following organization? (A) NITI Aayog (B) AICTE (C) UGC (D) NASSCom
89. Mahadevappa Mailara Railway Station is located in the State of ______. (A) Andhra Pradesh (B) Kerala (C) Karnataka (D) Telangana
90. “Thee” mobile application is belongs to ______. (A) Kerala (B) Uttar Pradesh (C) Tamil Nadu (D) Telangana
91. Pancheswar Project is recently seen in News which is built across the ______river. (A) Mahakali (B) Ganga (C) Yamuna (D) Kosi
92. According to IATA which city becomes the most connected city in the world? (A) Mumbai (B) Newyork (C) Shanghai (D) Beijing
93. Battle of Saraighat was held in______. (A) 1671 (B) 1688 (C) 1771 (D) 1781
94. Transgender persons protection of rights Act was enacted in the year of______. (A) 2019 (B) 2018 (C) 2019 (D) 2020
84 Vetrii IAS Study Circle Vetrii's Current Affairs, November - 2020 Practice Questions
95. Which of the following first Arab country to generate electricity from coal? (A) United Arab Emirates (B) Dubai (C) Oman (D) Quathar
96. Which country going to declare climate Emergency soon? (A) Australia (B) New Zeland (C) France (D) USA
97. India to build shahtoot dam in ______. (A) Bhutan (B) Nepal (C) Bangladesh (D) Afghanistan
98. Bee Keeping Development committee was formed under the leadership of ______. (A) Sasi Tharur (B) Ranjan Gogai (C) Bibak Dibroy (D) Rangarajan
99. Which of the following organization launched National Program and Project Management Policy Framework for infrastructure sector? (A) Finance Commission (B) NITI Aayog (C) WTO (D) National Development Council
100. Which of the following states providing reservation to Government School students in Medical Admission? 1. Kerala 2. West Bengal 3. Tamil Nadu (A) 1 only (B) 1, 2 (C) 3 only (D) 2, 3
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