Current Affairs 30th March 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

EAM S Jaishankar meets Afghanistan Prez Ashraf Ghani

  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and had a discussion on the Afghan peace process.
  • Dr Jaishankar and Mr Ghani are in Dushanbe to attend the ninth Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference.
  • Tajikistan is hosting the conference which is focused on strengthening a regional and international consensus for Afghan peace.
  • Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar visited India and held-back-to-back talks with Dr Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval.
  • In New Delhi, the Afghan Foreign Minister during his meeting with Dr Jaishankar on the peace process, the two sides reviewed the Troika Peace Meeting in Moscow and assessed the final declaration of the meeting as positive for strengthening and advancing the peace process.

Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 Winners List : Check Here

 

Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 Winners List

Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 winners list has announced!! The names of the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 winners list were announced by the National Akademi of Letters during the opening day of its annual ‘Festival of Letters’ event. Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 winners list include 20 writers in different languages. Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India. It is a dream for all Indian writers to look forward to one of the prestigious literary awards. Sahitya Akademi Award is one of the best literary awards after the Jnanpith Award. The work will then be translated into other regional languages so that there is a wider reach out to the audiences. The literary work has reached all over India and has gained huge recognition.

The political-writer M Veerappa Moily, poet Arundhathi Subramaniam will be bestowed with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020. The Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 winners’ list includes seven books of poetry, four novels, five short stories, two plays, and one each of memoirs and epic poetry in 20 Indian languages. The awards for Malayalam, Nepali, Odia and Rajasthani will be announced later.

Sahitya Akademi Award 

The Akademi is run by three authorities

  • General council.
  • Finance committee.
  • Executive board.

SEBI Approved Paytm UPI: To Enable Payment for IPO Applications

 SEBI Approved Paytm UPI: The SEBI Approved Paytm UPI(Unified Payments Interface) handle to enable payment mandates for initial public offerings (IPO) application. Securities and Exchange Board of India has approved Paytm to enable fast and seamless payment mandates for Initial Public Offering (IPO). It will benefit millions of od users who are investing in capital markets through various brokerage platforms through the Paytm UPI handle.

Paytm Payments Bank has entered into a partnership with Paytm Money to enable payment mandates for IPO applications which is possible when SEBI Approved Paytm UPI Handle. Paytm Money, Paytm’s stocks and mutual fund investment platform, aims to get more than 10 million users and 75 million yearly transactions in the coming financial year. Details regarding SEBI Approved Paytm UPI are given below in this article.


SEBI Approved Paytm UPI: PPBL Key points:

  • As per the latest National Payments Corporation of India (NPCL) Report, Paytm payments bank registers the lowest technical decline rate of 0.02% as compared to all UPI remitter banks and 0.04% as compared to all UPI Beneficiary banks.
  • Similar to Paytm money, Paytm UPI will soon be activated across all brokerage platforms.
  • PPBL has entered into a partnership with Paytm money to enable payment mandates for IPO Applications.
  • It aims to open over 3.5 lakh demat accounts by year-end and expects 60% of users to be from small cities.

Grammy Awards 2021 Winners List: Check List Here

 

Grammy Awards 2021 Winners List:

Grammy Awards 2021 Winners List has announced!! The Annual Grammy Awards will be held on March 14, 2021. This is the 63rd edition of the prestigious Award ceremony. The Grammy awards 2021 Winners list include musical artistes, compositions and albums across 84 categories. The 63rd Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles in a unique social distancing. In this ceremony, Meghan Thee Stallion and Harry Styles winning their first-ever Grammys. Trevor Noah hosted the 63rd Grammy Awards 2021. Beyonce created history at the 63rd Grammy Awards as she became the only female artist to ever win 28 Grammy awards.

For this year’s ceremony, among the Grammy Awards 2021 winners list, BeyoncĂ© led the way with nine nominations, making her the most nominated female artist of all time. Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift, who bagged trophies for their respective albums  2020 with six nominations each. Candidates preparing for the upcoming competitive exams can go through this article to check the Grammy Awards 2021 winners list and make a note of the list for their preparation.

History of Grammy Award

The Grammy Award is an award presented by the Recording Academy to recognize achievements in the music industry. The trophy depicts a gilded gramophone. It is considered one of the four major annual American entertainment awards, along with the Academy Awards (film), the Emmy Awards (television), and the Tony Awards (theatre and Broadway).

The Grammys had their origin in the Hollywood Walk of Fame project in 1950. The second Grammy Awards was held in 1959 and it was the first ceremony that was televised, but the ceremony was not aired live until the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971. Through this ceremony, musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1958 was honoured and given respect. Following the 2011 ceremony, the Academy overhauled many Grammy Award categories for 2012.

IDBI Bank Out of PCA framework : RBI Announced, Check details here

 IDBI Bank Out of PCA framework: According to the RBI, it was noted that as per published results for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the bank is not in breach of the PCA parameters on regulatory capital, net NPA, and leverage ratio so IDBI Bank Out of PCA framework.  The bank was put under the PCA framework in May 2017, slapping curbs on expansion, investments, and lending.

After the continuous monitoring, (Industrial Development Bank of India) IDBI Bank Out of PCA framework announced RBI(Reserve Bank Of India). For more details about PCA Framework and IDBI Bank Out of PCA framework details, proceed through the article further.


Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework:

What is it?

  • Prompt Corrective Action or PCA is a framework under which banks with weak financial metrics are put under watch by the RBI.
  • The PCA framework deems banks as risky if they slip below certain norms on three parameters — capital ratios, asset quality, and profitability.
  • On profitability, banks with negative returns on assets for two, three, and four consecutive years fall under Prompt Corrective Action thresholds.
  • The PCA framework is applicable only to commercial banks and not extended to co-operative banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and FMIs.

NISAR Satellite Mission: World’s First Twin Radar SAR Mission

 

NISAR Satellite Mission:

NISAR is a joint Earth-observing mission by NASA and ISRO. The NISAR Satellite Mission aims at co-developing a dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar on an Earth observation satellite. The NASA-ISRO SAR mission will observe Earth and measure its changing ecosystem and masses globally. It is the world’s most expensive imaging-satellite and the two space agencies intend to launch the satellite by 2022. India and the US have signed an agreement to jointly develop the world’s first earth observation satellite with two different radars that can produce high-resolution images.ISRO now launches the satellites for other countries also including the US. NISAR Satellite Mission will add one more feather to the ISRO’s cap.The NISAR Satellite mission will observe Earth and measure its changing ecosystem and masses globally.NISAR Satellite Mission is the world’s most expensive imaging-satellite and the two space agencies intend to launch the satellite by 2022.

NISAR Satellite Mission Characteristics

Mission NameNASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
Mission Duration3 Years
Launch Date2022
Launch SiteSatish Dhawan Space Center
Satellite Orbit Altitude747 km
Satellite OperatorNASA & ISRO
RocketGSLV Mk. II
Aim of the MissionObserving Earth’s changing Ecosystem and masses
Total CostUS$1.5 billion

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar(NISAR)

International Women’s Day 2021 With Theme: History and Its Significance

 

International Women’s Day


International Women’s Day 2021 With Theme:

The International Women’s Day 2021 With Theme is #ChooseToChallenge. It indicates that a “challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes change”

Famous Saying for women,

“If you educate a man you are educating an individual… If you are educating a woman you are educating the whole generation…”

A woman strives to bring forth new ideas to achieve their goals. Let’s travel along the path to appreciate the women who are living with you as a friend, sister, mother, or wife. Women’s Day was celebrated every year on 8th March for gaining equality and rights. The day was also celebrated for recognizing the struggles and achievements.  This day promotes the welfare of women all over the world.

World Wildlife Day with Theme : Forests and Livelihoods : On March 3rd

 

World Wildlife Day with Theme:

On March 3rd, the whole world is celebrating World Wildlife Day to resolve the issues surrounding wildlife. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes many forest areas in all different climate zones (boreal forests, temperate forests, subtropical forests, and woodlands, tropical forests, mangrove forests). Ranging in size from 18 hectares to 5.8 million hectares. In addition, the List includes forest sites with the most emblematic forest animals in the world.

This year the theme decided by the United Nations is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”, as a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species, and ecosystems services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forest and forest-adjacent areas. World Wildlife Day with Theme 2021 aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their wide-ranging commitments to alleviating poverty, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and conserving life on land.

Indigenous peoples and local communities are at the forefront of the symbiotic relationship between humans and forests, forest-dwelling wildlife species, and the ecosystem services they provide. Roughly 28% of the world’s land surface is currently managed by indigenous peoples, including some of the most ecologically intact forests on the planet. These spaces are not only central to their economic and personal well-being, but also to their cultural identities so the World Wildlife Day with Theme 2021 is given.

To mark the occasion of World Wildlife Day, India’s sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created sand art, shared the pictures of the same, and wrote, “On #WorldWildlifeDay My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha with the message We love our wildlife.”

Golden Globe Awards 2021 : Check Complete List Of Winners Here

 

Golden Globe Awards 2021:

Information about Golden Globe Awards:

The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the 87 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in film, both American and international, and American television. The eligibility period for the Golden Globes corresponds to the calendar year (i.e., January 1 through December 31).

78th Golden Globe Awards:

The 78th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television in 2020, were held on February 28, 2021. Chadwick Boseman has won the award posthumously(After the death of the originator) at the Golden Globe Awards 2021. He passed away in 2021. Nomadland, a 2020 American drama film won the Best Picture Award. While Andra Day won the Best Actress Award. The complete list of winners in all the categories of Golden Globe Awards 2021 is given below.

Complete List of Winners:

  • Best Picture (Drama) – Nomadland
  • Best Actress (Drama) – Andra Day
  • Best Motion Picture – Borat Subsequent Movie film
  • Best Actor – Sacha Baron Cohen
  • Best Director – Chadwick Boseman
  • Best Limited Series – The Queen’s Gambit
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role – Gillian Anderson (Crown)
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any motion picture – Jodie Fost (The Mauritanian)
  • Cecil B. DeMille award – Jane Fonda
  • Best Drama – The Crown
  • Best Picture Foreign Language -Minari
  • Best Actor Drama – Josh O’Connor
  • Best Actress (Motion Picture) – Rosamund Pike
  • Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Schitt’s Creek
  • Best Actor Musical or Comedy – Jason Sudeikis
  • Best Actress Drama – Emma Corrin
  • Carol Burnett Award – Norman Lear
  • Best Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series – Mark Ruffalo
  • Best Motion Picture, Animated – Soul
  • Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) – Catherine O’Hara
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series – John Boyega
  • Best Supporting Actor – Daniel Kaluyaa

Finance Ministry allows all Private Banks in Government Business

 

Private Banks in Government Business:

The Finance Ministry allows all the Private Banks in Government Business. Currently, only some of the big private sectors are allowed to conduct government-related businesses. This article covers the important details about the Private Banks in Government Business and the Private banks in the implementation of government schemes and government businesses.


Highlights:

  • So, now the embargo has been lifted and this move will enhance the customer convenience and simulate the competition.
  • It will also stimulate higher efficiency in standards of customer services.
  • Private banks remain at the forefront of imbibing and implementing the latest technology and innovation in banking.
  • Now they have become equal partners in the development of the Indian economy.
  • Now, the bar has also been lifted on RBI to authorize the private sector banks along with the public sector banks for Government business and Government agency business.

Central Excise Day 2021: Check Theme here

 Central Excise Day 2021:Central Excise Day is celebrated on February 24 th every year across India. Central Excise Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the legislation of the Central Excise and Salt act on 24 February 1944. The Central Excise Day is being celebrated to honour the service of the Central Board of Excise and Custom (CBEC) officers to the country. Central Excise Day is celebrated annually to honour the immense contribution of the CBEC to the nation’s revenue as a whole.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs comes under the Revenue Department of the Union Ministry of Finance and is a kind of indirect tax. The Central Excise Department has an important role in the industrial development of the country. The CBEC Ministry has reformed the tax system to make payment of taxes easier and has also increased the use of techniques.

Why Central Excise Day is celebrated?

The purpose of celebrating Central Excise Day is to inform the people of the country about the importance of the Central Board of Excise and Customs. Many programs are organized on Central Excise Day, including seminars, workshops, educational and cultural programs, awareness programs, competitions and award ceremonies. The customs officers check corruption in goods from the manufacturing sector.

The common people do not know much about Central Excise, as it is an indirect tax. Excluding the agriculturally grown goods, factories are making decisions on almost all the goods being made, which started on 24 February 1944. Hence, 24 February is celebrated as Central Excise Day every year. About one-third of the entire income of the country comes from production duty. Since 1994, various types of services have also been classified as taxable services, as charged by the service provider in large amounts in pursuance of those services. Union Excise Ministry has the responsibility of collecting service tax.

Significance of CBEC

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is formerly known as the Central Board of Excise and Customs. The Customs and Central Excise/ Central GST department was established to administer customs laws. Now the department is under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

Nation’s progress depends on building a strong economy. Economic strengthening happens only when we are able to fulfil our responsibilities with full commitment keeping national interest in mind irrespective of whether being a politician, government employee or a common man.  The financial management of our country is entirely dependent on various taxes collected from the people.. Whether it is income tax, sales tax, central excise, customs duty etc.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has the responsibility of administering Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax, IGST, prevention of smuggling and administration of matters relating to Customs, and Narcotics in the country. It is a kind of indirect tax that is levied on all types of products manufactured in factories. The Excise Department was established in 1855 under British rule.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs is the administrative authority for its subordinate organizations, including Custom Houses, Central Excise and Central GST Commissionerates and the Central Revenues Control Laboratory. It primarily deals with the Customs Act, 1962, Customs Tariff Act, 1975, Central Excise Act, 1944 and Service Tax Act. After the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 1 July 2017, the activities of the board will be guided by the GST-related Acts.


Central Excise Tax

Central excise tax is an indirect tax imposed by the government on excisable goods which are produced within India. It is a major source of revenue for the government. It is a tax levied on the production of goods and not upon the sale of goods. Excisable goods are goods that are specified in the first or second schedule of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985.

Difference between Excise Duty and Customs Duty

There are many similarities between excise duty and customs duty. The major difference between those two is the place of production of the goods. While excise duty is charged on goods produced or manufactured within the country, customs duty applies to the goods that are sold in India but were produced in a different country. Excise duty will be paid by the manufacturer of the goods and not by the consumer. Customs duty will be paid by the importer of the goods.

Central Excise Day is celebrated for expressing gratitude towards the employees of the Excise department for their dedicative work. Central Excise Day is also observed to check corruption in the goods manufacturing business as well as implement other rules to carry out the best possible excise services.

State Bank of Sikkim under RBI for its regulatory purview

 

State Bank of Sikkim under RBI for its regulatory purview:

The Reserve Bank Of India, India’s central bank, responsible for the issue and supply of the Indian rupee and the regulation of the Indian banking system. The State Bank of Sikkim under RBI for its regulatory purview on February 22, 2021. The bank of Sikkim, established five years before Sikkim acceded to India in 1973, provides treasury operations for the state government. The bank currently has 42 branch offices and operates three revenue counters for government works. The bank’s ownership structure will not change, but the State Bank of Sikkim under RBI is, regulated by the RBI on a par with other banks.

Motera stadium renamed as Narendra Modi stadium

 Motera Stadium renamed as Narendra Modi stadium:

The world’s largest stadium Motera stadium renamed as Narendra Modi stadium by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind. It was announced during a ceremony ahead of the third Test between India and England. Motera Stadium renamed Narendra Modi stadium is situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It was a 1,10,000 seater stadium in Motera. It was Modi’s pet project during his time as chief minister of that state before he took over as head of the national government in 2014.

“This stadium was the dream of the prime minister and he had during his stint as chief minister here floated the idea of building the world’s largest stadium,” Home Minister Amit Shah said at the event Motera stadium renamed as Narendra Modi stadium. The $100m, perfectly round venue, with seats in the blue and saffron of the Indian team, promises unobstructed views from every angle.

World Air Quality Report 2020 India Rank: Delhi is the Most Polluted Capital City Globally Says Report

 World Air Quality Report 2020 India Rank: According to the World Air Quality Report released by IQ Air (Swiss Air Technology Company), Delhi is the most polluted Capital city Globally for the 3rd Consecutive time followed by Dhaka(Bangladesh) and Ulaan Baatar(Mongolia). World Air Quality Report 2020 India Rank is given below in this article. In the case of the world’s most polluted cities, Hotan of China came first followed by India’s Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh).  The rankings are based on the Annual average PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter) of the year 2020. It covered 106 countries.


World Air Quality Report 2020 India Rank is 3rd Most Polluted Country across the world. According to the report, South and East Asian countries continue to be the most polluted locations in the world. 37 out of 40 most polluted cities in 2020 are in South Asia. World Air Quality Report 2020 India Rank and the cities in India with major pollution are given below. Air Pollution causes a loss of 7.4% of South Asia’s GDP.


World Air Quality Report 2020 Global Scenario: