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Top Current Affairs of the Week (24 - 30 January 2021)

National Girl Child Day: 24 January

• National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is observed every year on January 24. • Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced National Girl Child Day in 2008. • It also aims towards promoting awareness about the rights of the girl child and to increase awareness on the importance of girl education, and their health and nutrition. • On this occasion, Punjab has launched Dheeiyan Di Lohri scheme and announced January 2021 to be the ‘month of the girl child’.

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Uttar Pradesh Govt launches ‘Udyam Sarathi App’ for Youths

• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has launched ‘Udyam Sarathi App’ on the occasion of 71st Foundation Day of UP, on 24 Jan 2021 • Udyam Sarathi App: o Aim: enable the youths to get every information related to self-employment and job industry. o It will comprise of varied range of data regarding business opportunities in different depts and sectors, including state and Central govts, anywhere and at any time o It has been launched under One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.

Uttar Pradesh celebrates its foundation day today

• Uttar Pradesh commemorated its 71st Foundation Day on January 24, 2021 • The foundation day event will run from 24 January to 26 January, 2021 across the state in all 75 districts • Theme of UP Foundation day 2021: ‘Respect for self-reliant Uttar Pradesh, women young farmers, development of all’ • ABHYUDAYA has also been launched to provide free coaching to students preparing for various competitive exams like JEE, NEET, NDA, CDS and UPSC.

BSF launches Operation ‘Sard Hawa’ at Rajasthan border

• Border Security Force (BSF) has rolled out ‘Operation Sard Hawa’ on the western international border of Rajasthan. • Aim: To check the instances of infiltration due to the dense fog cover in the region and increase security on the border areas in Jaisalmer. • It is a week-long operation that will continue till 27 January 2021. • Operation will keep a hawk’s eye on the international border, where vigil has been beefed-up and officers will also participate in the same.

MP becomes first state to get additional funds for capital projects 1

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• Madhya Pradesh has become the 1st state to get additional funds for capital projects for carrying out reforms in various citizen-centric areas. • Ministry of Finance has allocated additional Rs 660 crore to MP for undertaking One Nation, One Reforms, Ease of Doing Business Reforms, and Urban Local Bodies Reforms. • ‘Special Assistance to States for capital expenditure’ scheme was announced by Finance Minister under AtmaNirbhar Bharat package.

China overtakes Germany as largest current account surplus country

• China became world’s largest current account surplus nation in 2020 overtaking Germany, as per the survey of IFO institute. • Current account surplus of China is $310 billion in 2020, while current account surplus of Germany shrank to $261 billion in 2020 • China and Germany is followed by Japan with current account surplus of $158 billion • Ifo (Information and Forschung) Institute for Economic Research is based in Munich, Germany and analyses economic policy

Home Minister inaugurates new 4-lane railway overbridge in Ahmedabad

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has virtually inaugurated new 4-lane Thaltej – Shilaj - Rancharda railway overbridge in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat • This new overbridge has been built with an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore. • Railways is working to eliminate all unmanned gates, under which by 2022 there will be almost no unmanned gates in the country, which will reduce accidents. • Gujarat CM: Vijay Rupani.

RBI proposes scale-based regulations for shadow banks

• RBI has suggested tougher regulatory framework for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to prevent recurrence of any systemic risk • It will be based on 4-layer structure: o Base layer (NBFC-BL) o Middle layer (NBFC-ML) o Upper layer (NBFC-UL) o Top layer • Revisions for lower layers will also be applicable to NBFCs in higher layers • Current threshold of ₹500 crore for systemic importance is to be revised to ₹1,000 crore • Extant NPA classification norm will be reduced to 90 days

First Parakram Diwas being celebrated on 23rd January 2021

• Inaugural edition of ‘Parakram Diwas’ is observed on 23 January 2021 across our nation. • The day has been declared by PM Modi Government on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. • From onwards, ‘Parakram Diwas’ will be celebrated every on 23rd January marking the birthday anniversary of Netaji to honour and remember his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation • Th day will infuse a spirit of patriotic fervour in youth

Govt announces Subhash Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2021

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• Govt has announced Subhash Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2021 on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (23 Jan) • The award was given in 2 categories: o Institutional category: Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society o Individual category: Rajendra Kumar Bhandari • Aim: To recognize and honour invaluable contribution and selfless service for Disaster Management • It carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh in case of an individual

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021 awarded

• Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2021 has been conferred to 32 children, hailing from 32 districts of 21 States/UTs. • It is given by Govt to the children with exceptional abilities and outstanding accomplishments • Awards are given in following categories: o Art & Culture o Innovation o Scholastic achievements o Sports o Bravery o Social Service • Awardees: Ameya Lagudu, Vyom Ahuja, Tanuj Sammadar, Rakeshkrishna K, Jyoti Kumari, Veer Kashyap, and many more.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police wins IHAI National Ice Hockey Championship 2021

• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has won 10th National Ice Hockey Championship trophy, after defeating team Ladakh with the score line goals of 5-1. • National Ice Hockey Championship was organized by Ice Hockey Association of (IHAI) at Gulmarg Ice Rink, in Jammu and Kashmir • It was held at an altitude of 8,694 feet where the temperatures is below freezing point (Minus 1 degree) • Eight teams participated in the championship.

Legendary American talk-show host passes away

• Iconic American radio and television host, and paid spokesman, Larry King (87 years) passed away in , U.S due to COVID-19 complication • He hosted interview television program The Larry King Live Show on CNN from 1985 to 2010. • He hosted which aired on , Ora TV, and RT America from 2012 to 2020 • He has quizzed thousands of world leaders, politicians, athletes, and everyday people for CNN • He won two Peabodys, an Emmy and ten Cable ACE Awards.

Govt extends Ayushman Bharat health scheme to CAPF

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has rolled out Ayushman Bharat health scheme on the occasion of Parikrama Diwas for about 28 lakh Central Armed Police Forces and their families • It has been launched in all the states where Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is operational. • Centre is committed for the welfare of the security forces and their family members and the government decided to launch Ayushman Bharat CAPF for them.

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India- Bangladesh hold Joint Steering Committee meeting on power sector

• India-Bangladesh held 19th meeting of Joint Steering Committee on cooperation in energy sector held in Dhaka. • Committee took stock of implementation decisions taken during the last meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) and Joint Steering Committee (JSC). • India and Bangladesh have set up institutional mechanism of JSC and JWG for reviewing and enhancing bilateral cooperation in power sector. • The last meetings were held in March 2020 in Udaipur in India.

President launches ECI’s Web Radio: ‘Hello Voters’

• President of India has launched ECI’s Web Radio: ‘Hello Voters’ programme that will be accessible through a link on the Election Commission of India website • It is a online digital radio service that will stream voter awareness programmes • It will provide information and education on electoral processes through songs, drama, discussions, spots, stories of elections etc. in Hindi, English and regional languages • Elector Photo Identity Cards to five new voters has been given.

India celebrates 72nd Republic Day

• India observed 72nd Republic Day on 26 January 2021 at Rajpath in New Delhi. • Republic Day marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. • Our constitution replaced Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India. • Republic Day parade saw 32 tableaux comprising 17 from states and UTs, 9 from ministries and 6 from defence arm • Rafale fighter jets took part in Republic Day flypast 2020 for the first time.

President approves conferment of 119 Padma awards

• President of India distributes Padma Awards on every Republic Day to the civilians of India. • This year, President has approved conferment of 119 Padma awards, that comprises of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri • Awardees: o Padma Vibhushan: Shinzo Abe and late singer SP Balasubramaniam o Padma Bhushan: Tarun Gogoi and Keshubhai Patel, Ram Vilas Paswan, Sumitra Mahajan • Eligibility: All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex.

Ahmedabad host Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 championship

• Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy 2020-21 (cricket) has been started at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad from 26 to 31 January 2021. • As per schedule, four quarter finals will be played from 26-27 January, two semi finals on January 29, with the final scheduled on January 31. • The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a Twenty20 cricket domestic championship in India, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, among the teams from Ranji Trophy.

Manjamma Jogathi received Padma Shri awards

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• Manjamma Jogathi has been conferred with Padma Shri awards after decades of social and financial struggle • She is a transgender from Karnataka who has over the past many decades practised and single-handedly popularised rural folk arts, especially Jogati Nritya, Janapada songs, practiced in rural Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh • She was awarded Karnataka Janapada Academy Award in 2006 and was appointed its 1st transgender President in 2019.

Rebelo de Sousa elected as President of Portugal for 2nd term

• Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (72 years) has been elected as the President of Portugal for his second five- year term with landslide victory. • He is from Social Democratic Party and won 61% of the total votes in 2021 Portuguese presidential election. • He was serving as the President of Portugal since 9 March 2016. • He will assume office for his second term on March 9, 2021. • Portugal Capital: Lisbon. • Currency of Portugal: Euro.

UP becomes first Indian State to have 2 Expressway airstrips for landing

• Uttar Pradesh has become 1st state in the country with two airstrips on expressways to facilitate emergency landing and take-off of fighter planes. • It is a 3,300-metre-long airstrip and has been constructed near Kurebhar on Purvanchal Expressway. • Uttar Pradesh also has an airstrip on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. • Airstrips on expressways are designed to facilitate emergency landing and take-off of fighter planes.

Andaman Lt Governor flagged-off fleet of electric buses

• Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, D K Joshi has flagged-off fleet of 40 electric buses. • It is being executed by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN Limited), which is a PSU under Ministry of Power. • Introduction of electric buses in Andaman union territory and will help cut down tail pipe emissions as well as provide comfortable public transport. • These buses will provide last mile connectivity to NAMMA Metro network.

VP inaugurates Integrated Weapons System Design Centre

• Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated Integrated Weapons System Design Centre at DRDO’s APJ Abdul Kalam Missile complex in Hyderabad. • Integrated Weapon System Design facility will enhance the capability in design and development of command & control systems for surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and ballistic missile defence systems. • It will display missile technologies and weapon systems and the centre will be the backbone for outreach activities.

India ranks 7th in Global Climate Risk Index 2021

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• India has been placed at 7th rank among top 10 most affected countries by climate change, in Global Climate Risk Index 2021 • It has been published by Bonn-based environmental think tank Germanwatch. • It is the 16th edition of report and has taken into account the data available for 2019 and from 2000 to 2019 • Mozambique tops the index, followed by Zimbabwe and Bahamas as most affected countries in 2019 • Top 3 Countries most affected in 20 years: Puerto Rico, Myanmar, Haiti

Bharat Parv 2021 inaugurated virtually

• Bharat Parv 2021 has been organised virtually at bharatparv2021.com platform • It is a festival to celebrate the spirit of India that will conclude on 31st January • Objective: To generate a patriotic fervour, promoting rich cultural diversity of the country. • Organised by: Ministry of Tourism since 2016 in front of the ramparts of the Red Fort. • Prasar Bharati has set up its virtual stall which will showcase its efforts towards promoting Ek Bharat- Shrestha Bharat.

51st International Film Festival of India concludes

• 51st edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held from 16 to 24 January 2021 in Goa • It was held in hybrid mode (physical and virtual screening) showcasing 224 films • Bangladesh was country of focus in the festival • Winners of IFFI awards: o Golden Peacock Award for Best Film: Into the Darkness o Silver Peacock Award for Best Male Actor: Tzu-Chuan Liu, The Silent Forest o Silver Peacock Award for Best Female Actor: Zofia Stafiej, I Never Cry.

Maha Vir Chakra awarded to Col Santosh Babu posthumously

• President of India has approved 455 Gallantry awards and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others. • Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, Colonel B Santosh Babu, who lost his life during Galwan Valley clash posthumously awarded with Maha Vir Chakra • Deputy Commandant CRPF Rahul Mathur awarded with Kirti Chakra. • Gallantry awards: Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.

SpaceX breaks ISRO’s Record by launching 143 Satellites in single mission

• SpaceX has successfully launched rideshare mission named as Transporter-1, carrying 143 small satellites by Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida • It created record of launching the largest number of satellites from single rocket. • With this, SpaceX broke the record set by ISRO in Feb 2017 for deploying 104 satellites onboard PSLV in single mission. • 143 satellites included 133 commercial and govt satellites and 10 Starlink satellites of SpaceX.

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Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches ‘PANKH Abhiyan’

• Madhya Pradesh, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched ‘PANKH Abhiyan’ scheme on the occasion of National Girl Child Day. • It is launched under ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme for empowerment and growth of the girl child. • ‘PANKH Abhiyan’ is a year-long programme. • PANKH scheme stands for: o P: protection o A: awareness of their rights o N: nutrition o K: knowledge o H: health. • MP also announced scholarships worth Rs6.47 crore for 26,099 girls under Ladli Laxmi Yojana.

China surpasses United States as largest recipient of FDI

• China was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020, as per United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report. • China overtook United States to gain the top position in 2020. • China attracted $163 billion FDI inflows in 2020, compared to $134 billion attracted by United States. • In 2019, United States received $251 billion in inflows and China received $140 billion. • Overall, global FDI had fell by 42% in 2020.

Joint Tri-service Exercise AMPHEX 21 held in Andaman & Nicobar

• Large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise ‘AMPHEX 21’ was held in Andaman & Nicobar group of islands from 21 to 25 Jan 2021. • It involved participation of troops of Army, Navy and Indian Air Force. • Joint force executed multi-domain, high intensity offensive and defensive manoeuvres in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. • Ex KAVACH for defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands was also a part of AMPHEX 21. • AMPHEX 21 was aimed at validating India’s capabilities

TCS ranks third most valued IT services brand globally.

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been ranked 3rd most-valued IT services brand globally, according to a report released by Brand Finance. • Accenture and IBM has been ranked as the most-valued IT services brand. • Apart from this, 4 Indian IT services companies like TCS, Infosys, HCL and Wipro secured top spots in the report. • TCS has a brand value of USD 15 billion. • 'Brand Value' is referred to the present value of earnings, specifically related to brand reputation.

India signs strategic partnership framework with IEA

• India has signed framework for Strategic Partnership with International Energy Agency (IEA) members to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation, enhancing global energy security, stability, and sustainability. • It will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and help India becoming a full member of International Energy Agency (IEA).

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• Strategic partnership content will be jointly decided by IEA members and India. • IEA HQs: Paris, France. • Executive director: Fatih Birol

IT minister to launch Tejas Virtual Intelligence tool at NICSI event

• IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is all set to launch Tejas and 'Work from Anywhere' portal • Tejas: Virtual intelligence tool that extracts critical information for policy decisions and improving efficiency in govt services • 'e-Auction India' will also be launched to cater to electronic forward and reverse auction requirements of govt organizations • Work from Anywhere portal: Virtual environment that enables employees to access routine applications

Indian Railways' longest freight train 'Vasuki' sets a new record

• South-East Central Railways (SECR) zone in Chhattisgarh breaks record by successfully operating the longest ever freight train named as 'Vasuki' by amalgamating five rakes of goods trains as one unit of around 3.5 km. • The train covered a distance of 224 km between Bhilai and Korba railway stations and took about 7 hours. • It comprises of 300 wagons of long haul rake of five goods trains, ran with the help of one pilot, one assistant loco pilot and a guard.

DRDO conducts successful tested launch of Surface-to-Air Akash-NG Missile

• DRDO has conducted successful maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile from Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha. • Akash-NG: Surface-to-Air Missile for Indian Air Force (IAF) with an aim of intercepting high manoeuvring aerial threats. • Akash-NG system has been developed with deployability compared to other similar systems with canisterized launcher and much smaller ground system footprint. • Chairman of DRDO: G Satheesh Reddy

India secures 86th rank in Corruption Perception Index 2020

• India has secured 86th rank with a score 40, among 180 countries in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2020. • The index is released by Transparency International, which is headquartered in Berlin, Germany • India has secured 80th rank in 2019 • Top Country: New Zealand and Denmark have jointly secured first position with scores of 88, followed by Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland. • Lowest Country: Somalia and South Sudan are ranked lowest with scores of 12.

Swaminathan Janakiraman and AK Tewari appointed as MDs of SBI

• Swaminathan Janakiraman and Ashwini Kumar Tewari has been appointed as Managing Directors (MDs) of State Bank of India (SBI) for 3 years. • Prior to this, Swaminthan Janakiraman was serving as the deputy managing director (Finance) at SBI and Ashwini Kumar Tewari was serving as MD & CEO of SBI Card (subsidiary of SBI). 8

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• SBI is headed by a Chairman and 4 managing directors. They are: o Current Chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara o Other two MDs: C.S. Setty and Ashwani Bhatia.

Kaja Kallas sworn in as first woman Prime Minister of Estonia

• Leader of the Reform Party, Kaja Kallas has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Estonia. • She is first female Prime Minister of Baltic country, Estonia since it regained independence in 1991. • She succeeded Juri Ratas, who resigned recently for being accused in corruption scandal. • After her appointment, Estonia became the only country in the world where both the President (Kersti Kaljulaid) and Prime Minister are women. • Capital of Estonia: Tallinn.

Meghalaya wins National Award for Best Electoral Practices 2020

• Election Commission of India (ECI) has conferred Office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Meghalaya for Special Award for Information Technology (IT) applications in the category of National Best Electoral Practices Awards 2020. • The award recognizes sustained and consistent IT application efforts in electoral activities for the entire Enrolment to Elections (E2E) process and for leveraging technology for the benefit of all categories of voters

Election Commission Rolls Out Digital Voter ID Cards

• Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has launched electronic version of voter identity card, e-EPIC (Electronic Electoral Photo Identity Card) • It can be downloaded on mobile phone or computer. • e-EPIC is non-editable digital version of the elector photo identity card and it can be saved in facilities such as digital locker and can be printed in the PDF format • Conventional 'PV' physical voter card would continue to be in use. • Chief Election Commissioner: Sunil Arora.

Maharashtra launches 'jail tourism' initiative from Pune's Yerawada jail

• Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has launched 'jail tourism' initiative through Pune's Yerawada prison. • Students and researchers will get an opportunity to get information about historical events that took place in various jails through this unique initiative. • Yerawada jail is 150 years old where freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu and Subhas Chandra Bose had been imprisoned under British rule.

India ranks 86th in Lowy Institute’s Covid-19 Response Index

• India has been ranked 86th among 98 countries in Coronavirus Performance Index • The index has been released by Australia-based Lowy Institute. • New Zealand topped the index, followed by Vietnam and Taiwan. • Brazil was ranked at the bottom of the list for worst handling of COVID pandemic than any other country. 9

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• Index ranks countries on the publicly available and comparable data on Covid-19 response. • China was excluded from the list due to lack of publicly available data.

UP govt to set up India's first leather park in Kanpur

• Uttar Pradesh govt will establish India’s 1st leather park in Kanpur district. • This leather park is expected to provide employment to 50,000 people directly and more than 1,50,000 people indirectly • It will be established in 268 area of land in Ramaipur village of Kanpur and is expected to attract an investment of more than 5850 crores • It will have all the facilities for production as well as exhibition of leather products and will also have food and lodge arrangements.

Uttar Pradesh’s Ram Temple tableau on Republic Day wins first prize

• Ram Temple tableau of Uttar Pradesh that was on display during Republic Day 2021 has bagged 1st prize among all tableaux. • Ram Temple tableau showcased Maharishi Valmiki composing Ramayana, followed by a model replica of the Ram temple, that is being built in Ayodhya, that showed how it would look after its construction. • Tripura tableau won 2nd prize for the Republic Day parade, followed by Uttarakhand’s tableau which was themed around Kedarkhand.

National Marine Turtle Action Plan launched

• Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has released Marine Mega fauna Stranding Guidelines and National Marine Turtle Action Plan • It contains ways and means to not only promote inter-sectoral action for conservation but also guide improved coordination amongst govt, civil society and all relevant stakeholders. • These two documents highlight actions to be taken for handling stranded animals, management actions for improved coordination, etc

Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty appointed as new Army Vice-Chief

• Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty has been appointed as the new Vice-chief of Army staff with effect from February 1, 2021. • He will succeed Lt General SK Saini, who is superannuating on 31 January 2021. • Lt Gen Mohanty is a June 1982 batch Infantry Officer from the Rajput Regiment and is presently serving as Southern Army Commander.

Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft (IN FAC) T-81 was decommissioned

• Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft (IN FAC) T-81 of the Super Dvora MK II class, was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai after having served the nation successfully for more than 20 years. • The 25 meters long vessel with 60 tonnes displacement was built at Goa Shipyard Ltd. • She was commissioned into the Navy on 05 Jun 1999. • It was specially designed for shallow waters. • It has the capability of day or night surveillance and reconnaissance.

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NSO released the 1st Revised Estimates of Economic Growth

• NSO released the First Revised Est of GDP of for FY 2019-20 and 2nd Revised Estimates for FY 2018-19 & 3rd Revised Estimates for 2017-18. (Base Year 2011-12). • Nominal GDP for FY 2019-20 is estimated at ₹203.51 lakh crore as against ₹188.87 lakh crore for the year 2018-19, showing a growth of 7.8 per cent during 2019-20 as compared to 10.5% during 2018-19. • Real GDP for FY 2019-20 and 2018-19 stands at ₹145.69 lakh crore and ₹140.03 lakh crore, respectively,

India ranks 10th in Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index

• The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released the 'Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index'. • India ranked 10th out of 11 Asia Pacific countries. • Singapore ranked first in the index followed by Taiwan (2nd), Japan (3rd) and Australia (4th). • Indonesia ranked 11th in the index. • It measures performance against 27 different indicators of personalised health across four categories called 'Vital Signs'.

GoI launches ‘Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme’

• The GoI has approved the ‘ Seed Fund Scheme' to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization. • SISFS shall provide financial assistance to startups via a corpus of Rs. 945 cr that will be disbursed through selected incubators across India in 2021-25. • A startup, recognized by DPIIT, incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application is eligible for SFS.

India ranked third in scientific publications after China and US

• As per the data released by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India ranked third globally after China and the US in scientific publications. • Of the 13,045 patents in 2017-18, as many as 1,937 were by Indians. • Out of 15,550 patents filed by Indians at Indian Patent Office during the period, 65 per cent were filed from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. • Union Minister of Science and Tech – Dr Harsh Vardhan (MP from Chandani Chowk, Delhi)

Noted economist Shaibal Gupta passes away

• Noted economist Shaibal Gupta (67) passed away after a prolonged illness. • He was the founder of the Asia Development Research Institute (ADRI). • Gupta was doing research in the field of economics and industrial economics for the last two decades. • He was also the director of the Centre for Economic Policy and Public Finance (CEPPF), which has been set-up in ADRI by the Bihar government as a dedicated centre for research on public finance.

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