Current Affairs 05th October 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Teacher’s Day- Oct 5

• World Teachers’ Day or commonly known as International Teacher’s day is celebrated on the 5th of October to commemorate teachers across the globe.
• The theme of World Teacher’s Day 2021 is, ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery.’ The theme recognises teachers for their tireless efforts to keep teaching even during hardships like COVID-19 Pandemic.
• It was the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994 that created the World Teacher’s Day to especially celebrate teachers that play such a vital role in the development of each individual.
• It is an annual initiative to recognize and celebrate each teacher’s contribution and efforts, without whom we would not be who we are today.

Ganga River Dolphin’s Day – Oct 5

• India celebrates Ganga River Dolphin Day on October 5. The day has been celebrated since 2010.
• In India the Ganges River Dolphin was formally adopted as the National Aquatic Animal on 5th October 2009.
• The Ganga river dolphin is important because it is a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem. The government of India declared it the National Aquatic Animal in 2009.
• A new campaign called “My Ganga My Dolphin” has launched in the 250 km stretch of the river. The campaign is to conduct census in the stretch.
• The Central Government has recently launched “’Project Dolphin” to conserve and protect dolphins in the marine.

World Habitat Day- 1st Monday of October

• The United Nations’ (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of human settlements and people’s right to sufficient shelter. This year it falls on October 5.
• It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future next generations.
• It was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHSP) in 1989.
• The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–HABITAT) is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It was established in 1978 and has its headquarters at the UN office in Nairobi, Kenya.
• It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

NITI Aayog – Released Report on District Hospitals in India; Tie up with AWS, Intel to Boosts Innovation

• The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the Government of India’s national policy think tank, released a performance assessment report of district hospitals in India titled ‘Best Practices in the Performance of District Hospitals’.
• NITI Aayog conducted the study in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO (World Health Organisation) India.
• NITI Aayog ties up with AWS, Intel to Boost Innovation
• NITI Aayog tie-up with Intel and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish a new experience studio at the NITI Aayog Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation Center (CIC).
• The studio will act as a hub for experimentation and collaboration with a focus on agriculture, health care, and smart infrastructure.

About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog):

• Establishment – 2015
• Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
• Chairman – Prime Minister of India

PM Launched 2nd Phases of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, AMRUT

• Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U 2.0) and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0).

About Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA):

• Union Minister – Hardeep Singh Puri (Constituency – Uttar Pradesh)
• Ministry of State – Kaushal Kishore (Constituency – Mohanlalganj, Uttar Pradesh)

Panjayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh Launched PPC 2021, Gram Sabha Dashboard

• The union minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Giriraj Singh launched the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2021- Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas and Vibrant Gram Sabha Dashboard.
• He released a booklet on PPC 2021 for the preparation of plans for FY23 and the 10th issue of Gramoday Sankalp Magazine.
• The PPC 2021 was scheduled to be rolled out in all the States from 2nd October 2021.

About PPC-2021:

• It is a strategy for ensuring the preparation of GPDP (Gram Panchayat Development Plan) in a campaign mode. 
• PPC 2021 meetings will be rolled out from October 2, 2021, to January 31, 2022.
• The meetings include physical presence and presentation by frontline workers/supervisors on 29 sectors including Agriculture, Minor Irrigation, Animal husbandry, Fisheries, Social Forestry, etc.
• The GPDP aims to strengthen the role of elected representatives of Panchayats and SHG (Self Help Group) Women under DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission) ineffective Gram Sabha.

Mansukh Mandaviya launched delivery of COVID-19 vaccine by drone in Manipur

• The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya has launched delivery of COVID-19 vaccine by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone in Bishnupur district of Manipur.
• Shri Mandaviya also launched the initiative through virtual mode from Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The delivery of COVID-19 vaccine by drone is being taken up by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under its project- Drone Resource and Outreach in North East India (i-DRONE).
• Covering a distance of 25 kilometres, the drone-based vaccine transportation took approximately 15 minutes to deliver which, otherwise will take about one hour to deliver through road transport.
• According to ICMR officials, vaccine delivery from ‘plain to island’ is the first in SouthEast Asia.
• ICMR officials also mentioned that the i-DRONE project was started for the first time in Manipur to field test vaccine delivery in difficult terrains of the country with study sites selected from four districts.

40th edition of India International Trade Fair 2021 to be held in New Delhi

• The 40th edition of India International Trade Fair 2021 will be held from 14th to 27th November  at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. 
• This year the theme of the fair is  Atmanirbhar Bharat which will focus on economy, export potential, infrastructure supply chain, demand and vibrant demography.
• The event is being organised  as  integral part  of “ Azadi K aAmrit Mahotsava”- commemorating the 75th year celebration  of  India‘s Independence in newly built halls of International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) as well as in the existing halls at Pragati Maidan.
• Apart from trade and industry related conference and seminars, the fair offers branding opportunity on large LED screens installed at strategic locations in fair premises.

Defence Secretary launched website for Republic Day Celebrations – 2022

• Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar has launched a website for Republic Day Celebrations – 2022. 
• To showcase the Republic Day Celebrations, which will mark the 75th year of Independence-Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Defence has created a new website: www.indian rdc.mod.gov.in. 
• The website will be a single-point official source for all the content related to Republic Day Celebrations.
• The website includes features like a special RDC Radio, Gallery, Interactive Filters, E-book, Blogs on the Indian Freedom Movement, Wars and War Memorials.

PM to inaugurate Urban Conclave in Lucknow and also lay foundation stones of 75 urban projects& schemes in Uttar Pradesh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the New Urban India: Transforming Urban Landscape, Conference-cum-Expo at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
• The three-day conclave on the subject is being organised at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. On this occasion, the Prime Minister has also inaugurated and lay the foundation stones of 75 urban projects or schemes.
• Prime Minister will digitally handover keys of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) houses to 75,000 beneficiaries in 75 districts of state and will also interact virtually with beneficiaries of the scheme.
• Prime Minister has announced the setting up of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chair in Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow. On the occasion, 75 best housing techniques and technologies would also be showcased.
• The event is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. It is themed on transforming urban landscape with specific focus on the transformative changes brought about in Uttar Pradesh

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ADB signs agreement with Bangladesh of USD 400 million loan for highway development:

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh signed the agreement for USD 400 million in loan for constructing the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to improve mobility, road safety and regional trade in the north east economic corridor in Bangladesh.
• It is the first tranche of the USD 1.78 billion financing facility approved by ADB  for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Dhaka-Sylhet Road investment project.
• It will be utilised for widening of about 210 kilometres of Dhaka-Sylhet road  from 2-lane to 4 lane highway among other activities.

About ADB:

• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
• President: Masatsugu Asakawa
• Founded: 19 December 1966
• Members: 68 countries

About Bangladesh:

• Capital: Dhaka
• Currency: Bangladeshi taka
• Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina
• President: Abdul Hamid

Fumio Kishida to be sworn-in as new Prime Minister of Japan

• Japan’s Parliament elected former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida as the Prime Minister. He is the 100th Prime Minister in the country’s political history.
• He is from Liberal Democratic Party, the main ruling party.
• He replaces Yoshihide Suga, who resigned after only one year in office as his support plunged over his government’s handling of the pandemic and insistence on holding the Tokyo Olympics as the virus spread.
• Mr Kishida is expected to make a policy speech in Parliament but is looking to dissolve the lower house to hold elections on the 31st of October.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the new Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio. He looks forward to working with him to further strengthen the special strategic and global partnership and advance peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.

About Japan:

• Prime minister: Fumio Kishida
• Capital: Tokyo
• Currency: Japanese yen

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sworn in for second time

• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sworn in for a second five-year term running a country in the grip of a nearly year-long war.
• His Prosperity Party was declared the winner of Parliamentary Elections earlier this year in a vote criticized and at times boycotted by opposition parties. However, outside electoral observers described the poll as better run than those in the past.
• Mr Abiy, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner for restoring ties with neighbouring Eritrea and for pursuing sweeping political reforms.
• Ethiopia’s Government last week faced condemnation from the United Nations, United States and several European nations after it expelled seven U.N. officials it accused of supporting the Tigray forces who have been battling Ethiopian and allied forces.

About Ethiopia:

• Prime minister: Abiy Ahmed
• Capital: Addis Ababa
• Currency: Ethiopian birr
• President: Sahle-Work Zewde

Adani Group Signed $700 Million Agreement with SLPA to Develop Srilanka’s Port

• The Adani group signed a more than $700-million build-operate-transfer agreement with the Sri Lankan government-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and John Keells Holdings (from Sri Lanka) for 35 years to jointly develop a Colombo Western Container Terminal (WCT).
• It is the 1st largest foreign investment in the port sector of Sri Lanka.
• Adani Group has become the largest foreign investor under its port sector.
• The Adani group holds the 51 percent controlling stake of the investment in the Colombo WCT, whereas the John Keels and the SLPA will hold the remaining 34 percent and 15 percent stake in WCT.
• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) Limited is the largest developer and operator company in India which holds 24 percent of the overall port capacity in India.

About Sri Lanka:

• Capital – Colombo
• President – Gotabaya Rajapaksa
• Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee

Elon Musk Overtakes Jeff Bezos to Become World’s Richest Person: Bloomberg Billionaires Index

• According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s richest people, as of 28th September 2021, with a total net worth of 213 billion USD, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla has overtaken Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, (total net worth of 197 billion USD) to become the world’s richest person. 
• Elon Musk gained 13 billion USD in net worth with a rise in the share price of tesla.
• Bernard Arnault, the chairman of Louis Vuitton (LVMH) has secured the 3rd position with a net worth of 160 billion USD. 
• Mukesh Ambani Topped among Indians & ranked 11th globally.
• Gautam Adani followed him & ranked 14th globally.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS 

Manoj Sinha addresses Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Smriti Vyakhyan: J & K

• In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has addressed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Smriti Vyakhyan
• It is organised by Research and Development Foundation for Integral Humanism through virtual conference.
• The UT Administration is making every effort to ensure that benefits of development reach all sections of the society
• They have accelerated efforts to improve the physical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.There are special schemes for youth and women in J&K to contribute to sustainable development.

New integrated airport terminal of Chennai Airport likely to be ready before March 2022: TN

• In Tamil Nadu, the new integrated airport terminal between the domestic and the international terminal of the Chennai Airport is likely to be ready before March 2022.
• The systems, equipment offices and other facilities will be moved out and reinstalled at the new building.
• The administration has to ensure and conduct tests to ensure that every arrangement is fool proof. After the shifting is complete, the old arrival building will be pulled down and a new terminal will be built.

About Tamilnadu:

• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Capital: Chennai
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• National Parks: Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park, Mudumalai National Park,Mukurthi National Park

Telangana govt forms Special Cell in GHMC for protection of lakes

• The Telangana Government has formed a Special Cell in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to protect the lakes in and around the city. The cell will be headed by a Special Commissioner (Lakes).
• The cell will strive to protect and rejuvenate lakes within the Outer Ring Road and will work under the Urban Development Special Chief Secretary.
• Lakes including the Hussain Sagar and management of the same will also be under the cell’s control.
• Protecting water used for agriculture, strengthening of weirs of water bodies and increasing the green cover around lakes will also be taken up by the cell.

About Telangana:

• Capital: Hyderabad
• Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
• Chief minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
• Rivers: Godavari, Krishna River, Manjra, Pranhitha, Tungabhadra, Wainganga, Wardha

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOUR:

Julius and Patapoutian win 2021 Nobel Prize in Medicine

• American scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian won the 2021 Nobel Prize for Medicine for discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.
• Their findings have allowed us to understand how heat, cold and mechanical force can initiate the nerve impulses that allow us to perceive and adapt to the world around us.
• This knowledge is being used to develop treatments for a wide range of disease conditions, including chronic pain.
• The breakthrough discoveries, achieved independently of one another, had launched intense research activities that had led to a rapid increase in our understanding of how our nervous system senses heat, cold and mechanical stimuli.
• The more than century-old prize is worth 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.15 million).

KVG Bank bags two PFRDA awards

• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), sponsored by Canara Bank, has bagged two national awards (‘APY Big Believers’ and ‘Leadership capital’) for significant enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• KVGB Chairman P. Gopi Krishna received the awards from PFRDA Chairman Supratim Bandopadhyay at Chennai.
• The KVGB is playing a pivotal role in implementing all the three social security schemes (PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY) launched by the Union government and the bank’s priority to ensure access to social security benefits to villagers and people from unorganised sectors continues along with other main banking activities.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND ECONOMY:

YES Bank loan increases 3.6% and deposits rise 30%

• YES Bank released 3.6 per cent increase in its loans and advances, to Rs 1.72 lakh crore from Rs 1.66 lakh.
• The bank’s deposits also grew by 30.1 per cent to Rs 1.76 lakh crore at the end of the second quarter this fiscal, as against Rs 1.35 lakh crore a year ago. CASA deposits increased by 54.3 per cent on an annual basis to Rs 52,029 crore
• The bank’s credit-to-deposit ratio was 97.9 per cent as against 122.9 per cent. The liquidity coverage ratio was 113.1 per cent at the end of the second quarter this fiscal, versus 107.3 per cent.

WTO upgrades global trade growth forecast to 10.8% in 2021, 4.7% in 2022

• The WTO has upgraded its forecast for global merchandise trade volume growth to 10.8 per cent in 2021 and 4.7 per cent in 2022 from the previous predictions of 8 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively.
• The biggest downside risks come from the pandemic itself as only 2.2 per cent of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine
• India’s goods exports in April–September 2021 were at $197.11 billion, an increase of 56.92 per cent over exports in the same period last year, and an increase of 23.84 per cent
• If all projections, both on trade and economic growth, are met, in the final quarter of 2022, Asia’s merchandise imports will be 14.2 per cent higher than earlier

Fino Payments Bank gets Sebi nod to float IPO

• Markets regulator Sebi has given its nod for the initial public offering of Fino Payments Bank, which is looking to raise around Rs 1,300 crore. 
• Besides, Kerala-based Popular Vehicles and Services Ltd has received approval from the watchdog for an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
• The observation letter for Fino Payments Bank IPO was issued, while that for the share sale of Popular Vehicles and Services was issued
• Fino Payments Bank’s IPO includes a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 300 crore and an Offer For Sale (OFS) of 15,602,999 equity shares by promoter Fino Paytech.
• The IPO is estimated to be worth Rs 1,300 crore.

About Fino Payments Bank   

• Q: Mumbai
• Tagline: Qadar Apki mehnat ki
• CEO: Rishi Gupta
• Founded: 2006

Srei Infrastructure Finance hits 5% lower circuit as RBI supersedes company board:

• Shares of Srei Infrastructure Finance were locked in the lower circuit filter of 5 per cent at Rs 8.17 after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded the board of the company, which will be taken for insolvency proceedings owing to governance concern and payment defaults
• The stock of the non-banking finance company (NBFC) has slipped 56 per cent from its 52-week high level of Rs 18.39 touched on June 23, 2021. 
• The Reserve Bank has superseded the Board of Directors of SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited (SIFL) and SREI Equipment Finance Limited (SEFL), owing to governance concerns and defaults by the aforesaid companies in meeting their various payment obligations.
• The Reserve Bank also intends to shortly initiate the process of resolution of the above two NBFCs under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Insolvency and Liquidation Proceedings of Financial Service Providers and Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2019 and would also apply to the NCLT for appointing the Administrator as the Insolvency Resolution Professional.

Acuite Ratings Became 1st Indian CRA to Join UN Supported ESG Initiatives

• Acuite Ratings & Research associated with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a United Nations (UN)- backed initiative that deals with ESG (Environmental Social Governance) credit risk.
• Acuite became the 1st Indian credit rating agency (CRA) to sign an UN-supported initiative for the integration of ESG factors with credit risk and rating criteria. 
• ESG is supported by over 170 investors (with nearly US$ 40 trillion in collective assets under management) and 27 CRAs over the world.
• Fitch, Moody’s, S&P Global, and Kroll Bond are among others, which are existing signatories of PRI.
• In January 2021, Acuite set up subsidiary ‘ESG Risk Assessments & Insights’ to make assessments for investors and corporates.

About Acuite Ratings & Research:

• It is a service credit rating agency with registration from SEBI (Securities And Exchange Board of India) and the accreditation from Reserve bank of India (RBI).
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Group CEO & Executive Director – Sankar Chakraborti

IDBI Bank signs Co-Lending Agreement with U GRO Capital

• U GRO Capital has signed a co-lending agreement with the IDBI (Industrial Development Bank of India) Bank to provide credit support to MSMEs (Micro Small Medium Enterprises) at affordable interest rates.
• The agreement will provide digital support of U GRO Capital’s platform driven by a Data Tripod– which consist of GST (Good and Services tax), banking and bureau.

About IDBI Bank (Industrial Development Bank of India)

• MD & CEO– Rakesh Sharma
• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Established– 1964

About U GRO Capital :

• Established– 1993
• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Executive Chairman and Managing Director- Shachindra Nath

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO’s NSIL announces its first demand-driven communication satellite

• The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL) announced its first ‘demand-driven’ communication satellite mission as part of Space reforms announced by the government in June 2020. 
• As part of this initiative, NSIL is undertaking its 1st demand driven communication satellite mission named GSAT-24, a four-tonne class Ku- band satellite. 
• The entire satellite will be leased to Tata Sky for meeting their DTH application needs

About New Space India Limited

• Founded: 6 March 2019
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Chairman and Managing Director: G Narayanan

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Centre appoints BC Patnaik MD of LIC

• The Union government appoints BC Patnaik Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on October 1, 2021, by notification dated July 5, 2021. 
• Earlier, he was working as the secretary general, Council for Insurance Ombudsman (CIO), Mumbai. 
• Prior to which he was the Director of Zonal Training Centre of the North Central Zone of LIC at Agra.
• He joined LIC of India in March 1986 as a Direct Recruit Officer.

About LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India)

• It is an Indian statutory insurance and investment corporation.
• Chairperson: M R Kumar
• Headquarters: Mumbai

Kangana Ranaut named Brand Ambassador of UP Govt ‘One District-One Product’ Scheme

• The government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) appointed Indian actor Kangana Ranaut as the brand ambassador of its” one district-one product” programme (ODOP).
• The ODOP aims to create product-specific traditional industrial hubs across 75 districts of the state. 
• It facilitates development of ingenious and specialized products and crafts of UP that are not found anywhere else.

About the Scheme:

• First started by the UP government.
• ODOP is aimed at giving a major push to traditional industries with the respective districts of the state.
• The objective of the ODOP is to optimise production, productivity and income, preservation and development of local crafts, promotion of art, improvement in product quality and skill development.
• Under the initial phase of the ODOP programme, 106 Products have been identified from 103 districts across 27 States.
• State Export Promotion Committee (SPEC) and District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) have been constituted in all states and districts of India, except districts of the state of West Bengal.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Paytm acquires 100% ownership of lending startup CreditMate

• Digital payment services provider Paytm has acquired 100% stake in
• However, the transaction details of the deal have not been disclosed.
• The Paytm Group will now be the 100% beneficial owners of the business, while the co-founders of CreditMate will exit the business.

About Paytm :

• Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh;
• Founder & CEO: Vijay Shekhar Sharma;
• Establishment: 2009

About CreditMate :

• Founded : 2019
• Founded by Jonathan Bill, Ashish Doshi, Swati Lad and Aditya Singh
• It is the Mumbai-based startup is a collection platform that helps lenders to collect overdue payments from borrowers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & SERVICES

PM Modi launches Jal Jeevan Mission App & Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh

• On Oct 02, 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Jal Jeevan Mission App and Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh.

Aim :

• To improve awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
• All details about the mission, including how many households received water, quality of water, among other things, will be available in one place on the mobile application.
• Further, Rs. 1.42 lakh Crore has been allocated to PRIs as a tied grant under the 15th Finance Commission for water and sanitation in villages for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.

About RJJK :

• Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh (RJJK) will enable individual, institution, corporation, or philanthropist, either in India or abroad, to contribute/donate to provide tap water connection in every rural household, school, Anganwadi centre, ashram shala, and other public institutions.
• It has been launched as a registered public charitable trust, set up by the department of drinking water and sanitation, under the ministry of Jal Shakti.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Durand Cup football trophy 2021 : FC Goa clinch maiden: Durand Cup trophy after beating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 in final

• On Oct 03, 2021, Indian Super League side FC Goa were crowned champions of the 130th Durand Cup football championship, beating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0, in the final, held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
• Captain Eduardo Bedia scored the all important goal from a set piece in the 105th minute after the final match went into the extra time.
• The Durand Cup crown also marked FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando Fenoll’s first-ever trophy on Indian soil.

List of awards and honours in 2021 Season :

• Champions award: FC Goa
• Runners-up award: Mohammedan Sporting
• Golden Glove award: Naveen Kumar (FC Goa)
• Golden Boot award: Marcus Joseph (Mohammedan Sporting)
• Golden Ball award: Eduardo Bedia (FC Goa)

About 2021 Durand Cup :

• The 2021 Durand Cup is the 130th edition of Durand Cup, the oldest football tournament in Asia.
• It was held from September 05 to October 03, 2021 in West Bengal.
• The tournament was jointly hosted by the Eastern Command of the Indian Armed Forces and the Government of West Bengal.

About FC Goa :

• Manager: Juan Ferrando
• Founded: 2014
• Headquarters: Goa
• Leagues: Indian Super League, AFC Champions League, Super Cup

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Inaugurates India’s First Sports Arbitration Centre in Gujarat

• Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the country’s first “Sports Arbitration Centre of India” at Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
• It will serve as an independent body to fast track disputes in the sports sector.
• The Sports Arbitration Centre of India (SACI) is promoted by Ahmedabad-based SE TransStadia Pvt Ltd.
• The Ministry of Law and Justice will provide all the legal backing to the SACI which will serve as a mechanism to redress issues related to sports, an initiative which is a first in our country.

Daily CA On Oct 03 & 04 :

• World Animal Day 2021 is observed every year on October 4th to raise awareness about improving the welfare standards of the animals across the globe with the theme of “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet.”
• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced a new ambitious road project connecting Surat in Gujarat and Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has launched a web portal – indianwetlands.in on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and heralding the Iconic Week of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav of the Ministry. The portal is a single point access to all information relating to wetlands.
• World’s largest Khadi national flag was installed at Leh in Ladakh on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. It was inaugurated by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur.
• The 15th Edition of Indo-Nepal Joint Training Exercise, EXERCISE SURYA KIRAN XV culminated at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand after 14 days of rigorous training.
• Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has virtually inaugurated Iconic week under which various activities will be organized across the country.
• The Power Ministry has promulgated the Electricity (Transmission System Planning, Development and Recovery of Inter-State Transmission Charges) Rules 2021.
• To support the various businesses impacted by the second wave of COVID 19, the government has decided to extend the timeline of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) till March 31, 2022, or till guarantees for an amount of Rs 4.5 lakh crore are issued under the scheme, whichever is earlier.
• The Indian Navy signed the ‘Terms of Reference’ (ToR) with the Royal Australian Navy to conduct Navy to Navy (N2N) talks under the framework of the ‘Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy to Navy Relationship’ document signed by the Navies in August.
• As a move to further extend the Central Government’s effort of supporting youth from rural and semi-urban areas, on September 30, 2021, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Labour and Employment launched DigiSaksham in collaboration with Microsoft India.
• The NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd. (REL) signed its first Green Term Loan (GTL) agreement of Rs 500 crores with Bank of India (BoI) for a period of 15 years.
• A first-of-its-kind conventional gold loan co-lending partnership has been generated between a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Indel Money, and a commercial bank i.e. IndusInd Bank. 
• On the occasion of the 152 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the renovated Gandhi Museum was inaugurated at the historic Gandhi Ashram Trust at Noakhali in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Somudra Avijan has reached Visakhapatnam on a five day visit to the Eastern Naval Command. The officers and crew of BNS Avijan were accorded a traditional welcome by the representatives of the Eastern Naval Command and the Eastern Fleet with the navy band in attendance, said an official press release.
• Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan has launched the one million tree plantation programme of the Indian Red Cross Society, Andhra Pradesh State Branch, by planting a sapodilla plant in the Raj Bhavan lawns at a programme on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi.
• Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi recently interacted with Sarpanchs, members and Gram Sabhas of selected Gram Panchayats in various states through a televised system to know about the progress of National Water Mission in their region.
• Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated National Highway projects totalling a length of 527 km, worth Rs 4,075 crore at Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra.
• In Jammu and Kashmir, a cycle race “Pedal for Peace” was organised by Police alongwith an NGO ‘Feeding Kashmir’ in Vilgam area of Handwara in north  Kupwara district.
• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) assessment of the evolving domestic and global macro-economic and financial conditions and the outlook, the MPC voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent
• Shares of public sector power giant NTPC gained nearly 3 per cent during the morning trade on reports of the company’s plans to raise ₹15,000 crore by 2024 through the listing of its three units: NTPC Renewable Energy, North Eastern Electric Power Corp (NEEPCO) and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam.
• Private sector AU Small Finance Bank (SFB) signed a pact with the National Bank for Rural and Development (NABARD) to boost ongoing rural development initiatives in Rajasthan.
• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will provide loan assistance of USD 67 million (~Rs.2.65 lakh Crore) for the expansion of Chennai Metro Rail system, Tamil Nadu (TN), India.
• Cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX has brought onboard actor Amitabh Bachchan as its first-ever brand ambassador.
• In September 2021, the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) gave approval for the appointment of Padmaja Chunduru as the new Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL). 
• Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as the first woman Prime Minister of Tunisia. 
• The eighth edition of India-Sri Lanka bilateral joint Exercise Mitra Shakti will be conducted at Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka from October 4 to 15 , 2021.
• On Oct 02, 2021,The government launched a web portal called “Waste to Wealth” to bring together technology providers, government stakeholders and urban local bodies to find solutions to India’s waste problems, mainly plastic waste.
• On Oct 01, 2021, The Indian men’s table tennis team claimed the bronze medal after losing to South Korea 0-3 in the semi-finals in the Asian Table Tennis Championships held in Doha, Qatar from 28 September to 5 October
• The veteran forward and star striker of India men’s field hockey team, S V Sunil & Olympic bronze medal-winning Indian hockey star defender Birendra Lakra have announced their retirement from international hockey.
• The National Basketball Association (NBA) named Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh as the NBA Brand Ambassador for India to help grow the league’s profile in India throughout its landmark 75th Anniversary Season in 2021-22. 
• On Oct 03, 2021, Veteran actor Ghanshyam Nayak who is popularly known for playing the role of Nattu Kaka in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah passed away.

Daily CA On Oct 05 :

• World Teachers’ Day or commonly known as International Teacher’s day is celebrated on the 5th of October to commemorate teachers across the globe & with the theme of ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery.’
• India celebrates Ganga River Dolphin Day on October 5. The day has been celebrated since 2010.
• The United Nations’ (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of human settlements and people’s right to sufficient shelter & This year it falls on October 5.
• The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the Government of India’s national policy think tank, released a performance assessment report of district hospitals in India titled ‘Best Practices in the Performance of District Hospitals’.
• Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U 2.0) and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0).
• The union minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Giriraj Singh launched the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2021- Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas and Vibrant Gram Sabha Dashboard.
• The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya has launched delivery of COVID-19 vaccine by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone in Bishnupur district of Manipur.
• The 40th edition of India International Trade Fair 2021 will be held from 14th to 27th November  at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. 
• Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar has launched a website for Republic Day Celebrations – 2022. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the New Urban India: Transforming Urban Landscape, Conference-cum-Expo at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh signed the agreement for USD 400 million in loan for constructing the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to improve mobility, road safety and regional trade in the north east economic corridor in Bangladesh.
• Japan’s Parliament elected former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida as the Prime Minister. He is the 100th Prime Minister in the country’s political history.
• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sworn in for a second five-year term running a country in the grip of a nearly year-long war.
• The Adani group signed a more than $700-million build-operate-transfer agreement with the Sri Lankan government-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and John Keells Holdings (from Sri Lanka) for 35 years to jointly develop a Colombo Western Container Terminal (WCT).
• According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s richest people, as of 28th September 2021, with a total net worth of 213 billion USD, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla has overtaken Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, (total net worth of 197 billion USD) to become the world’s richest person. 
• In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has addressed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Smriti Vyakhyan
• In Tamil Nadu, the new integrated airport terminal between the domestic and the international terminal of the Chennai Airport is likely to be ready before March 2022.
• The Telangana Government has formed a Special Cell in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to protect the lakes in and around the city. The cell will be headed by a Special Commissioner (Lakes).
• American scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian won the 2021 Nobel Prize for Medicine for discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.
• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), sponsored by Canara Bank, has bagged two national awards (‘APY Big Believers’ and ‘Leadership capital’) for significant enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• YES Bank released 6 per cent increase in its loans and advances, to Rs 1.72 lakh crore from Rs 1.66 lakh.
• The WTO has upgraded its forecast for global merchandise trade volume growth to 10.8 per cent in 2021 and 4.7 per cent in 2022 from the previous predictions of 8 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively.
• Markets regulator Sebi has given its nod for the initial public offering of Fino Payments Bank, which is looking to raise around Rs 1,300 crore. 
• Shares of Srei Infrastructure Finance were locked in the lower circuit filter of 5 per cent at Rs 8.17 after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded the board of the company, which will be taken for insolvency proceedings owing to governance concern and payment defaults
• Acuite Ratings & Research associated with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a United Nations (UN)- backed initiative that deals with ESG (Environmental Social Governance) credit risk.
• U GRO Capital has signed a co-lending agreement with the IDBI (Industrial Development Bank of India) Bank to provide credit support to MSMEs (Micro Small Medium Enterprises) at affordable interest rates.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL) announced its first ‘demand-driven’ communication satellite mission as part of Space reforms announced by the government in June 2020. 
• The Union government appoints BC Patnaik Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on October 1, 2021, by notification dated July 5, 2021. 
• The government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) appointed Indian actor Kangana Ranaut as the brand ambassador of its” one district-one product” programme (ODOP).
• Digital payment services provider Paytm has acquired 100% stake in
• On Oct 02, 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Jal Jeevan Mission App and Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh.
• On Oct 03, 2021, Indian Super League side FC Goa were crowned champions of the 130th Durand Cup football championship, beating Mohammedan Sporting 1-0, in the final, held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
• Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the country’s first “Sports Arbitration Centre of India” at Ahmedabad in Gujarat.