Current Affairs 24th December 2020| Current Affairs News

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National Consumer Rights Day 2020: Observed on Dec 24

• National Consumer Rights Day is observed on December 24, every year in India.
• The Consumer Protection Act 1986 came into effect on this day.
• The theme of the National Consumer Day is The Sustainable Consumer. The theme is in view of the urgent need for action to approach the worldwide crisis, global temperature change and biodiversity loss.

Aim of the act:

• The main objective of the Consumer Protection Act is to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services, and unfair trade practices.

Significance:

• This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Current Affairs 23rd December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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National Farmers Day 2020: Observed on December 23

• Kisan Diwas or National Farmers Day is observed on December 23 across the country to praise the farmers as they are the spine of India.
• The day was chosen to honour the birth anniversary of the fifth Prime Minister of India, Choudhary Charan Singh. He was born on December 23, 1902.
• He brought farmer-friendly policies and worked towards the welfare of the farmers
• The day was first celebrated in

Significance: 

• To promote awareness to help and reward farmers for their contribution to society Farmers day is celebrated every year.
• National Farmers Day is celebrated every year especially in those states which are actively engaged in farming such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh among others.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Dharmendra Pradhan Dedicates Bengal’s First Oil And Gas Reserve To Nation

• Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister, dedicated West Bengal’s first oil and gas reserve, Bengal Basin, to the nation.
• He stated production from the petroleum reserve in Ashoknagar, about 47 km from Kolkata, has started with the extracted oil being sent to Haldia refinery of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
• The Bengal Basin is explored and owned by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and It is the eight producing basin of India by ONGC.
• ONGC Limited commenced the production of crude oil from the Asokenagar-1 well, Bengal Basin in 24 Paragana district of the state on 20 December 2020.
• The first proven reserve of oil and gas in the state was discovered in 2018.

The other seven are :

• Krishna-Godavari (KG),
• Mumbai Offshore,
• Assam Shelf,
• Rajasthan,
• Cauvery,
• Assam-Arakan Fold Belt
• Cambay

About ONGC:

• Headquarters : Delhi
• CEO : Shashi Shanker
• Founded : 14 August 1956

Current Affairs 22nd December 2020| Current Affairs News

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National Mathematics Day 2020: Observed on December 22

• National Mathematics Day is celebrated every year on December 22 across the nation to recognise and celebrate the works of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
• The former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on February 26, 2012, declared December 22 as the National Mathematics Day to mark the mathematician’s birth anniversary.
• 2020 ensures 133rd birth anniversary of Ramanujan.

Achievements :

• In 1916 he was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree.
• In 1917 he was elected to the London Mathematical Society.
• In 1918 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his research on Elliptic Functions and theory of numbers.
• The same year in October he became the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

New electricity rules give consumers across India the right to 24×7 supply

• Government Notifies New Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020 to give consumers the right to 24×7 supply.

Current Affairs 20th & 21st December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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International Human Solidarity Day 2020: Observed on Dec 20

• International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated every year on December 20.
• According to the UN website, the day celebrates unity in diversity throughout the world and serves as a reminder to governments to respect their commitment to international agreements and raise public awareness.
• International Human Solidarity Day also reiterates the importance of solidarity in removing poverty.
• The day was proclaimed by the United Nations’ (UN) General Assembly on December 22, 2005.
• According to the United Nations Millennium Declaration, solidarity is one of the fundamental values that are essential for healthy international relations.

About Solidarity

• Solidarity is an awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathies creating a psychological sense of unity of groups or classes. It refers to the ties in a society that bind people together as one.

History of International Human Solidarity Day : 

• The General Assembly, on December 22, 2005, by resolution 60/209 recognized solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values in the twenty-first century. Therefore, proclaimed December 20 of each year as International Human Solidarity Day.

Current Affairs 19th December 2020| Current Affairs News

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Goa Liberation Day: December 19

• Goa Liberation Day is observed on December 19 every year in India.
• It marks the day Indian armed forces freed Goa in 1961 following 450 years of Portuguese rule.
• Goa Liberation Day is marked by an abundance of events and festivities in Goa though this time because of the pandemic the celebrations are expected to be muted.
• A torchlight procession is ignited from three different locations in the state, eventually all meeting at the Azad Maidan.

About Goa Liberation Day:

• The Portuguese colonised several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19th-century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island.
• The Goa liberation movement, which sought to end Portuguese colonial rule in Goa, started off with small scale revolts.
• On August 15, 1947, when India gained its Independence, Goa was still under the Portuguese rule.
• The Portuguese refused to give up their hold over Goa and other Indian territories. Following a myriad of unsuccessful negotiations and diplomatic efforts with the Portuguese, the former prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided that military intervention was the only option.
• The 36-hour military operation, conducted from December 18, 1961, was code-named ‘Operation Vijay’ meaning ‘Operation Victory,’ and involved attacks by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Army.

Current Affairs 16th December 2020| Current Affairs News

Current Affairs: Days

49th Vijay Diwas Observed on 16 December 2020

• Vijay Diwas also called Victory Day is celebrated in India every year on December 16.
• The country is celebrating the49th Vijay Diwas in 2020.
• The day is also observed in Bangladesh as Bijoy Dibos that marks the country’s formal independence from Pakistan.

Significance of the Day:

• Victory Day is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War.

History of Vijay Diwas:

• The 1971 Indo-Pak war lasted for almost 13 days and ended on December 16. Pakistan’s Army General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrendered before the Indian Army and Mukti-Bahini leading to the creation of a new state in India’s east called Bangladesh. Gen. Niazi surrendered along with his 93,000 Pakistani troops

About Indian Army:

• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Founded : 1st April 1895
• Chief of Indian Army : Manoj Mukund Naravane

Current Affairs 15th December 2020| Current Affairs News

Current Affairs 13th & 14th December 2020| Current Affairs News

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National Energy Conservation Day 2020: Observed on Dec 14

• December 14 is celebrated as National Energy Conservation Day every year
• The India Energy Conservation Act was first implemented by the Energy Efficiency Bureau (BEE) in 2001.
• Objective : The day focuses on making people aware of global warming and climate change and promotes efforts towards saving energy resources.
• Purpose of the day : To raise awareness among the general public about the importance of energy conversation and energy efficiency, as well as holistic development for overall effort towards climate change mitigation.

Current Affairs 11th December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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International Mountain Day 2020: Observed on Dec 11

• The International Mountain Day is observed on December 11 every year.
• Theme of 2020 – Mountain biodiversity
• The first International Mountain Day was celebrated in 2003.
• The United Nations had declared 2002 as the UN International Year of Mountains.

Why is International Mountain Day celebrated?

• It is a UN designated day to celebrate the rich biodiversity, as well as address the threats mountains face.
• Purpose : To create awareness about the importance to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.

Current Affairs 09th December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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International Anti-Corruption Day 2020: Observed On Dec 9

• The first International Anti-Corruption Day was celebrated across the world in the year 2005.
• The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the convention against corruption on October 31, 2003.
• The UN designated December 9 International Anti-Corruption Day in 2005
• The day intends to raise awareness on the importance of a corruption-free society
• International Anti-Corruption Day 2020: Theme – United Against Corruption
• The theme focuses on corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2020: Dec 9

• In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.
• The 9th of December is the anniversary of the adoption of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”).

Purpose of the day:

• The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in combating and preventing the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention, and to commemorate and honour its victims.

Current Affairs 08th December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

IIT Bombay Releases Urban Quality of Life Index: Mumbai Bagged the 1 st Place

• IIT-Bombay researchers have come up with an urban quality of life index tailored to the reality of life in India.
• The first time, they have factored in gender parity
• Chennai, it turns out, is the most women-friendly and Patna the least.
• Overall, Mumbai tops the list of 14, followed closely by Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
• The study found that Jaipur has the highest crime rate against women, Chennai has the lowest .

About IIT- Bombay

• Established in 1958
• Located in Powai, Mumbai

PM virtually inaugurates construction of Agra Metro project in UP

• Prime Minister NarendraModi is set to inaugurate the phase one of construction of the Agra metro project  via videoconferencing on 7 thdec.
• Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandi Ben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath marked their virtual presence on the occasion.
• The Agra metro project comprises two corridors with a total length of 29.4 km and will connect major tourist attractions like TajMahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra with railway stations and bus stands.
• The estimated cost of the construction of the project is Rs 8,379.62 crore and it will be completed in five years, an official stated.
• The project will benefit Agra’s population of 26 lakh and also cater to more than 60 lakh tourists who visit the historic city every year. It will provide an environment-friendly mass rapid transit system to Agra.

Current Affairs 06th & 07th December 2020| Current Affairs News

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International Civil Aviation Day 2020 : Dec 7

• The International Civil Aviation Day 2020 will be observed all over the world on December 7.
• The day is commemorated to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of countries.
• International Civil Aviation Day was first observed in the year 1994 as part of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s 50th-anniversary activities.
• The United Nations General Assembly officially recognised December 7 as International Civil Aviation Day in the UN system in 1996.

About ICAO

• Headquarters – Montreal, Canada
• Founded – 7 th December 1944

International Armed Forces Flag Day Observed on Dec 7 

• Armed Forces Flag Day is marked in India every year on December 7 since 1949. Interestingly, the Centre, this year, has declared that Armed Forces Flag Day would be celebrated throughout December.
• The Day provides us an opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by defence personnel in the line of duty.
• The Day also urges citizens to support defence personnel and their families by contributing to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).
• To celebrate the day, all three branches of the Indian armed forces – the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy arrange a variety of shows, carnivals, dramas and other entertainment programmes to showcase to the general public the efforts of their personnel to ensure national security.

Current Affairs 05th December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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International Day of Banks Observed on Dec 4

• Every December 4th is International Bank Day to recognize the important role of the banking system in improving living standards.
• It also recognizes the great potential of multilateral development banks and other international development banks in financing sustainable development and providing expertise.
• On December 19, 2019, the UNGA – United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 74/245, designating December 4 as International Banking Day.

World Soil Day : Dec 5 

• The theme for World Soil Day 2020 is Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity. World Soil Day also highlights the growing problem due to population expansion.
• It aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil biodiversity loss, increasing soil awareness, and encouraging governments, organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to commit to proactively improving soil health.

Current Affairs 04th December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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DRI celebrates 63rd Founding Day

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is celebrating its 63rd Founding Day on 4th of December, 2020.
• This time the celebration will be done virtually on a digital platform in the presence of the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman along with the Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.
• As part of this year’s Founding Day celebrations, a panel discussion on Trade Based Money Laundering is also organised through video conferencing with the representatives from Australian Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs, Customs Administration of the Netherlands and INTERPOL as panelists.

About DRI

• Headquarters – New Delhi
• Founded – 4 th December 1957

Indian Navy Day – Dec 4

• Indian Navy Day is observed on December 4th to celebrate the achievements and role of the naval force of the country.
• The theme of Navy Day 2020 is Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible & Cohesive.

About Indian Navy:

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the Father of Indian Navy.
• Indian Navy Day is also celebrated each year to work towards securing marine borders and bolstering relationships with other countries through joint exercises, humanitarian missions and relief operations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

Vocal for Local – Hunar Haat Invites artisans and craftsmen organised at Rampur and Lucknow

• HunarHaat will be organised at Numaish Ground, Rampur from 18th to 27th of this month and Shilp Gram, Lucknow from 23rd to 31st January next year.
• The theme will be Vocal for Local with focus on indigenous Indian toys (Swadeshi toys). Artisans and craftsmen from 27 States and UTs will bring their indigenous exquisite handmade products for display and sale at these HunarHaats.

Current Affairs 03rd December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebrated on Dec 3

• The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
• Theme of the day is “Not all Disabilities are Visible”
• Celebrated on 3 December around the world, IDPD mobilizes support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, promotes awareness-raising about disability issues and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all

About IDPD 

• Aim of the day: To promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Agricultural Education Day celebrated on Dec 3

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research has designated on 3rd December as Agricultural Education Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of first President of Independent India and Union Minister of Agriculture, Bharat Ratna, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• The objective of this day was to expose students including schools to various facets of agriculture and its relevance to country’s development, inspire them and attract them towards agriculture, so that they develop interest in agriculture and allied subjects, choose professional career after schooling in some of these courses, engage themselves in agriculture and related activities or become agri entrepreneurs in future.

Current Affairs 02nd December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting held Through video conference

• Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting through video conferencing.
• In view of the deep depression emerging along the Southern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Mr Gauba held the meeting with the Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Advisor Lakshadweep and Secretaries of different ministries.
• India Meteorological Department stated. “A depression has formed over southeast Bay of Bengal,” the department and in a subsequent post on pre-cyclone watch for south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala coasts stated it is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
• As per the naming convention, it is named as ‘Burevi’ (बुरेवि), and the name has been contributed by the Maldives

About NCMC:

• Oversees the Command, Control and Coordination of the disaster response.
• Give direction to the Crisis Management Group (CMG) as deemed necessary.
• NCMC Head- Cabinet Secretary
• It is the National Disaster Management Authority for which the Prime Minister of India is the Chairman

About IMD:

• IMD is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Headquarters in Delhi
• The IMD is headed by the Director General of Meteorology, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

First Mobile CNG Dispensing Unit Launched

RRB NTPC Exam Date 2020 Postponed: Check Here the Expected Exam Date Details

 RRB NTPC Exam Date 2020 Postponed: RRB NTPC Exam Date 2020 Postponed!!! Details regarding the Non-Technical Popular Category exam will get postponed to 28th December. Railway aspirants who have applied for the RRB NTPC 2019 Notification shall check here the latest exam date updates.

Railway Recruitment Board has announced the notification for the engagement of various posts under the recruitment of Non-Technical Popular Category. The Notification was released on its official site in March 2019 with a total vacancy of about 35,208. This recruitment has been conducted throughout the national level for various railway zones. A lot of passionate aspirants have applied and prepared for the recruitment drive. The selection process is based on Tier-I, Tier-II & Document Verification. For that, the recruitment board has planned to conduct the recruitment process in various locations. But due to the non-confirmation of the test conducting agency the RRB NTPC Exam Date 2020 Postponed.

Earlier 2 months before there was an update from the railway recruitment board that the tier – I exam will be scheduled from 15th December 2020. From the exam date news, all the applied candidates have kicked their preparation process in a rapid manner. But now as per the latest conference of Railway Chairman VK Yadav, RRB NTPC Exam Date 2020 Postponed and it will be conducted from 28 December 28 to the last week of March 2021. The RRB NTPC Admit Card 2020 will get released on its respective official site itself. So candidates stay tuned with us to get the regular updates.

RRB NTPC 2019-20	Date
RRB NTPC Exam Date	28 December 2020 to the last week of March 2021 (Expected)
RRB NTPC Admit Card Date	December 2020
RRB NTPC Application Status	21 September to 30 September 2020
RRB NTPC Online Application	01 March 2019 till 31 March 2019

 

RRB NTPC Tier-I Exam Pattern

Current Affairs 01st December 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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Arjun Munda launches Áadi Mahotsav’

• The 10-day-long Áadi Mahotsav’, a festival of tribes will be launched by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda in a virtual format. Due to COVID 19 the TRIFED has decided to organise its annual event Aadi Mahotsav-2020 in an online mode.

Guests of honour for this online inauguration

• Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh
• Minister for Tribal Development, Madhya Pradesh Meena Singh
• TRIFED chairman Ramesh Chand Meena

About Aadi Mahotsav:

• Aadi Mahotsav is being hosted on the Tribes India website www.tribesindia.com and the main focus of this year is on the tribal craft and culture of Madhya Pradesh.
• Aadi Mahotsav is a unique celebration of the spirit of tribal culture, crafts, cuisine and commerce..The festival is an attempt to familiarize the people with the rich and diverse craft and culture of the tribal communities across the country, in one place.
• It commenced in 2017.

Nagaland Statehood Day 2020

• Nagaland attained statehood with the enactment of the state of Nagaland Act in 1962 by the Parliament.
• The interim body was dissolved on 30 November 1963 and the state of Nagaland was formally inaugurated on 1 December 1963
• Kohima was declared as the state capital. Nagaland became the 16th state of India on 1 December 1963.The state is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna.

56th BSF raising Day

• “The Border Security Force has always lived up to its motto ‘Duty for Life’ (Jeevan Paryant Kartavya) with its bravery and prowess.
• As per the official website of BSF, ‘India’s first line of defence’ was officially raised in accordance with an Act of the Indian Parliament on December 1, 1965, soon after the India-Pakistan War of 1965.
• BSF has distinguished itself as a valorous force, unwavering in its commitment to protect the nation and assist citizens during natural calamities.
• Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also saluted brave personnel of the force for their national service.

World AIDS Day – December 1

• The theme of World AIDS Day, to be observed on December 1 is ‘Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic: resilience and impact.’ The aim is to make U=U or undetectable = Untransmittable a reality.
• The 2017 National Health Policy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals aim to end AIDS by 2030.

About AIDS

• AIDS is a chronic, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

PM participates in Dev Deepawali Mahotsav in Varanasi

• The Prime Minister named Guru Nanak Dev ji himself as the biggest symbol of reforms in the society and system.

India the 4th Country to Get a Navigation Satellite System: Check Here the Details

 India: 4th country to get a navigation satellite system

A proud moment for INDIA!! India gets its own navigation satellite system named IRNSS. India the 4th country to get a navigation satellite system. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System is the full form of IRNSS. IRNSS is India’s own GPS-like system, much like the American GPS system. The primary service for the IRNSS is to provide location information to users in India and the region extending up to 1,500 km from the Indian boundary. The IRNSS can now replace the GPS in the Indian Ocean waters up to 1500 km from the boundary. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System is recognized by the International Maritime Organization(IMO) as a part of the World Wide Radio Navigation System(WWRNS).

Introduction:

• India has become the 4th nation to get its navigation satellite system.  
• The other three countries are the USA, Russia, and China.
• IRNSS was designed to provide accurate position information services to assist in the navigation of ships in Indian Ocean waters.
• It will provide two types of services i.e. Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS)

Applications of IRNSS: 

• Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation
• Disaster Management
• Vehicle tracking and fleet management
• Integration with mobile phones
• Precise Timing
• Mapping and Geodetic data capture
• Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travelers
• Visual and voice navigation for drivers

Current Affairs 29th & 30th November 2020| Current Affairs News

 

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Guru Nanak Jayanti being celebrated with traditional fervour

• Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab is being celebrated with religious fervour across India and the world on 30th November . It marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, who laid the foundation of Sikhism. This year marks the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
• On this day, devotees around the world offer prayers. The Golden temple in Amritsar celebrates Gurpurab with much aplomb.

National Organ Donation Day 

• The 11th Indian Organ Donation Day was celebrated by the Union Health Ministry in New Delhi.
• Every year, for the past 10 years, 27 November has been celebrated as the ‘Indian Organ Donation Day’ in the country.
• The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is mandated under the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011 to carry out activities for promotion of organ donation from deceased persons.Tamil Nadu has been adjudged the best in organ donation in the country for the sixth consecutive year.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People- 29 November

• In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II))
• In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.

About Palestian

• Capitals:Ramallah, EastJerusalem;
• Currency: Shekel,Dinar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurates newly electrified Dhigawara-Bandikui section of NW Railway

• Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal inaugurated the newly electrified Dhigawara-Bandikui section of North Western Railway. He also flagged off the first train on this newly electrified route at the function organized at Dhigawara station.
• Mr Goyal stated, after the electrification of this line, the route from Rewari to Ajmer has been electrified and now the electric trains from Delhi to Ajmer will start soon. He stated, after running of these trains, the diesel trains will be stopped, which will eliminate pollution as well as the dependence on the fuel imported from outside  and significant revenue will be saved.
• He stated, apart from this, the average speed of trains will increase and there will be development of industries, agro-based businesses and progress of villagers and farmers. Mr Goyal stated, to avoid any inconvenience to the farmers, Kisan Rail is being operated by the railways to transport their agricultural products.

About Ministry of Railways: 

• Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways
• Constituency: Maharashtra
• Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman and CEO

Govt. announces Rs 900 crore package for COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission

• The Centre has announced the third stimulus package of Rs 900 crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha– The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission. This grant will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research and Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines with end-to-end focus from preclinical development through clinical development and manufacturing and regulatory facilitation for deployment. It would consolidate all available and funded resources towards an accelerated product development.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology stated that this will help accelerate development of approximately 5 to 6 vaccine candidates. This will also ensure that these are brought closer to licensure and introduction in the market for consideration of regulatory authorities for introduction in public health systems, to combat further spread of COVID infection. Phase-I of the COVID Suraksha Mission has been allotted 900 Crore rupees for a period of 12 months. 

About MoH&FW:

• Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Earth Sciences: Harsh Vardhan
• Constituency: Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

PM Modi to inaugurate six-lane widening project of Varanasi-Prayagraj section of NH-19

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi and dedicate to the nation the six-lane widening project of the Handia (Prayagraj) – Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19. During the tour, the Prime Minister will attend Dev Deepawali, undertake a site visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project and also visit the Sarnath Archaeological Site.
• The 73 Kilometers stretch of the newly widened and six laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of 2 thousand 4 hundred 47 crore rupees is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour.
• Dev Deepawali, which has become a world famous festival of light and fervour in Varanasi, is celebrated on Kartik Poornima every year. The festival will be started by the Prime Minister by lighting a diya on the Raj Ghat of Varanasi, which will be followed by lighting of 11 lakh diyas on both sides of River Ganges.

EPFO extends deadline for submission of Jeevan Pramaan Patra to February 28, 2021

• Taking into consideration the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the vulnerability of the elderly population to the virus, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the date for submission of Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan Patra-JPP) to February 28, 2021.
• According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the decision is likely to have an impact on 35 lakh pensioners.
• “In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the vulnerability of the elderly population to the coronavirus, the EPFO has extended the time limit up to 28th February 2021 for submission of Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan Patra-JPP) in respect of the Pensioners drawing pension under EPS 1995 and whose Life certificate is due in any month till February 28, 2021,” it stated.
• As of now, a pensioner can submit a JPP anytime during the year up to November 30. With the latest move, any pensioner can submit a Life Certificate till February 28, 2021.
• During this extended period, pension will not be stopped in respect of such 35 lakh pensioners who could not submit JPP during November 2020.

About EPFO:

• Founded: 4 March 1952
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Sunil Barthwal: Central Provident Fund Commissioner

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL

4th NSA-level meeting held between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives

• The fourth National Security Advisor Level Meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation was held between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives in
• The participants took stock of the current maritime security environment in the region. They have discussed mutual cooperation in an array of areas including Maritime Domain Awareness, Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, Joint Exercises and Maritime pollution.
• Exchanging views on common security threats, India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives have agreed to broad base cooperation on a host of maritime security related issues.

About Maldives:

• Capital: Malé
• Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
• President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE

FDI surges to 30 billion dollars in Apr-Oct this year

• Union Minister Prakash Javadekar stated Foreign Direct Investment into India surged by a healthy 15 percent to 30 billion dollars in April – October this year.
• Total Foreign Direct Investments inflows into India during the second quarter of financial year 2020-21 is 28,102 million dollars, out of which FDI equity inflows is 23,441 million dollars.
• This takes the FDI equity inflows during the financial year 2020-21 upto September this year to 30,004 million dollars which is 15 percent more than the corresponding period of 2019-20. In rupee terms, the FDI Equity inflows of 2 lakh 24 thousand 613 crore rupees are 23 percent more than the last year. August this year has been the significant month when 17,487 million dollars FDI equity inflows were reported in the country.

About  Foreign Direct Investment:

• A foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country. Generally, FDI takes place when an investor establishes foreign business operations or acquires foreign business assets in a foreign company.

IRDAI approves Mitsui Sumitomo’s Max Life stake swap with MFSL

• Max Financial Services Ltd (MFSL) stated Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) approved the proposed transfer of 47 crore shares constituting 20.57% of the paid-up equity share capital of Max Life Insurance held by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance to MFSL.
• This is in exchange for issuance of 7.54 crore shares of MFSL, constituting 21.87% of issued and paid-up share capital of MFSL.
• “MFSL will now proceed for the implementation of the share swap transaction, which will entail swapping by MSI of its 20.57% stake in Max Life with a 21.87 per cent stake in MFSL by way of issue and allotment of 7,54,58,088 equity shares of 2 each at a price of Rs.565.11 per equity share on a preferential allotment basis,” the company stated.
• Upon consummation, this will effectively result in MFSL’s stake in Max Life increasing to 93.10%. Presently, MFSL holds a 72.5% stake in Max Life and MSI owns 25.5% stake.
• MFSL had recently announced that Axis Bank and its subsidiaries, Axis Capital Limited &Axis Securities Limited (together Axis Entities), have entered into agreements with MFSL for acquisition of up to 19% stake in Max Life, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

About Max Group:

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Analjit Singh (group chairman)
• Rahul Khosla (group president)

ICICI Lombard gets IRDAI’s ‘in-principle approval’ to acquire Bharti AXA General Insurance

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) gave an in-principle approval to the acquisition of General Insurance business of Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited by ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited, the company stated in an exchange filing.
• Earlier, BSE Limited, National Stock Exchange of India Limited and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had approved the proposed acquisition by ICICI.
• The IRDAI mentioned that following the demerge, ICICI will issue 1.82 crore equity shares to Bharti General Ventures Private Limited and 1.75 crore equity shares to Societe Beaujon.
• Currently, Bharti Enterprises owns 51 percent in Bharti AXA General. The firm has joint venture with French firm AXA which owns 49 percent stake. With the deal with ICICI Lombard in place, Bharti and AXA will be public shareholders in the combined entity.

About IRDAI:

• Headquarters: Hyderabad
• Chairperson: Subhash Chandra Khuntia

About ICICI Lombard:

• CEO: Bhargav Dasgupta
• Headquarters: Mumbai

Sebi launches SMARTs program to strengthen investor education framework

• Markets regulator Sebi launched the Securities Market Trainers (SMARTs) program, an initiative aimed at enhancing investor education and awareness. The launch of SMARTs program comes amid World Investor Week being celebrated across the country.
• The first batch of SMARTs empanelled by Sebi includes 40 individuals across 16 states and union territories, covering 31 districts on a pan-India basis. They have also undergone four days of training at the National Institute of Securities Market (NISM).
• The regulator stated it would be empanelling more trainers at a pan-India level under the SMARTs program. SMARTs will conduct investor education programs in their respective geographical areas.
• Under the SMARTs program, the trainers are empanelled for the district they belong to, subject to fulfilling the required eligibility criteria.
• In addition to individuals, organisations engaged in similar activity can get enrolled as SMARTs. They would undergo training at NISM and then they would be eligible to conduct programs.The programs are conducted under the aegis of Sebi and are monitored directly by it.

About SEBI:

• Founded: 12 April 1992
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Chairperson:Ajay Tyagi

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATES

LG Manoj Sinha releases Panchayat Newsletter “Parivartan” first ever publication in five official languages of J&K

• In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has released Panchayat Newsletter “Parivartan“- a first ever publication in five official languages of J&K at Raj Bhavan, Jammu.
• The LG appreciated the initiative of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj for coming out with a publication in all the five official languages of J&K, viz Dogri, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi and English, highlighting the progress being made under Back to Village-3 and 21 day long Jan Abhiyan programmes. The publication in multiple languages will serve as a great tool to inform the larger population of J&K about the latest Government activities besides, a glimpse into the working of the government, stated the LG.

About J&K:

• Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Governor: Manoj Sinha

Haveri railway station renamed Mahadevappa Mailara Railway station

• The Karnataka government has issued a notification, renaming Haveri Railway station as Mahadevappa Mailara Railway Station. It has been a long-standing demand of the public and representatives from Haveri District to name the Haveri station after Mahadevappa Mailara, a freedom fighter from the district, South Western Railway stated.
• It stated, at the age of 18, he accompanied Mahatma Gandhi on the Dandi March. He sacrificed his life for the service of society and liberation of the country and his courage had inspired a large number of people, it stated. The Ministry of Home Affairs had given no objection to changing the name of Haveri railway station as Mahadevappa Mailara Railway Station.

About Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru
• Governor: Vajubhai Vala
• Chief minister: B. S. Yediyurappa

PM Modi launches ‘Har Ghar Nal Yojna’, 3,000 villages in Uttar Pradesh to benefit

• Prime minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Har Ghar Nal Yojna’ (tap water to every household), for Sonbhadra and Mirzapur in Vindhya region of Uttar Pradesh via video conference, while chief minister Yogi Adityanath was present in Sonbhadra.
• The scheme worth Rs 5,555.38 crore is aimed at providing water to over 41 lakh villagers in two districts.
• Under ‘Har Ghar Nal Yojna’, Yogi Adityanath government will ensure water supply through pipelines to 2,995 villages in two districts in the region.
• The scheme will benefit 21,87,980 villagers in Mirzapur. In Sonbhadra, 19,53,458 families will be benefitted by the scheme. The water of lakes and river will be purified and supplied to the families in Sonbhadra.
• Rs 3212.18 crore and Rs 2343.20 crore will be spent under the scheme in Sonbhadra and Mirzapur respectively. The total cost of the scheme is Rs 5555.38 crore.

About Uttar Pradesh:

• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath

Assam proposes 6th national park in militancy ravaged forest

• The Assam government has proposed setting up a national park in a militancy ravaged reserve forest, which, if approved, would make it the state’s sixth national park.
• Forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya informed that the process for approving Raimona National Park has been initiated. He unveiled the map of the new park at Manas National Park.
• According to the forest department, the proposal has been submitted to the governor of Assam for upgrading an area of 422 sq km of notified Ripu reserve forest under Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve as the proposed Raimona National Park.
• The existing national parks in Assam are Kaziranga, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Manas and Orang.Ripu reserve forest is part of the buffer zone of Manas national park bordering Bhutan. The forest along with Chirang reserve forest has the largest known population of endangered Golden Langur.
• Since 1989, nearly 30% of the reserve forest has been felled and encroached upon due to the insurgency related issues.

About Assam:

• Capital: Dispur
• Chief minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi

Trifed of m/o tribal affairs and state of Goa to implement ‘Goatribal plan’

• TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs held a virtual meeting with Goa Administration  to finalize the Goa Tribal Development Plan. The main agenda of the meeting was to finalise the Tribal Development Plan for the state of Goa for the establishment of 25 Van DhanVikas Kendras, 1 Tribal food park, 2 showrooms in North and South Goa.
• The proposed activities included in the development plan includes the setting up of 25 VDVKs in Goa; setting up of 25 procurement centres-cum-godowns; of 2 tertiary processing units (mega food parks/ tribal enterprises) and two flagship retail outlets across the state.
• The target is to identify 20 minor forest produces per VDVK. With this planned enterprise initiative, TRIFED will offer an end-to-end comprehensive development package for tribals promoting employment and incomes and entrepreneurship. TRIFED continues to work for the complete transformation of the tribal ecosystem across the country through the large-scale tribal entrepreneurship model.

About MoTA:

• Minister of Tribal Affairs: Arjun Munda
• Constituency: Khunti, Jharkhand

About Goa:

• Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
• Capital: Panaji
• Chief minister: Pramod Sawant

India’s first IoT enabled Smart Trolleys at GMR Hyderabad International Airport

• GMR Hyderabad International Airport has gone digital by envisioning an airport platform using the Internet of Things (IoT). Walking on the steps of the Government of India’s flagship Digital India Programme, it has modified its services and operations making Hyderabad a harbinger of Smart Airport City.
• The GMR Hyderabad has deployed ‘IoT enabled smart baggage trolleys’, for the comfort of passengers. It will make it easier for the passengers to track and maintain the baggage trolleys in real-time across the airport.
• The GHIAL has installed LoRa (Long Range) IoT platform for the project of Airport Baggage Trolley. The IoT technology adapted for a total of 3000 baggage trolleys will reduce the passenger waiting time substantially.
• Trolley management and replenishment will be done on the basis of the requirement at various areas across the airport, thus increasing efficiency and making the whole process smoother enhancing the experience of the passenger.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU

Women empowerment: IESC, FLO sign MoU under the aegis of IIM Shillong

• The MoU is signed for the purpose of a mentorship programme for women entrepreneurs.
• Under this MoU contract, FLO will create an independent Entrepreneurial Ecosystem which will help to empower women and transform them to become job creators.
• The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of FLO will identify potential based startups and will provide them with the necessary support and guidance.
• This support and guidance will help to build initial startup cost and will thus help to establish a business in a short time span.

About FLO & FICCI:

• President of FLO: Jahnabi Phookan
• HQ of FICCI: New Delhi
• President of FICCI: Sangita Reddy

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Burkina Faso president Roch Marc Christian Kabore re-elected

• President Roch Marc Christian Kabore will serve another five years as Burkina Faso”s president, according to provisional results announced by the National Independent Electoral Commission.
• 63-year-old head of the ruling People’s Movement for Progress party secured 57.87% votes.The result gives Kabore another five years in the office that he has held since 2015.Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa.

About Burkina Faso:

• Capital: Ouagadougou
• Currency: CFA franc

Rajnish K Jenaw appointed as CMD, NSFDC

• Rajnish K Jenaw (IP&TA&FS 1992-Batch) has been posted as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Schedule Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC) under the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment for a period up to August 31, 2024, which is the date of his superannuation.

About NSFDC:

• National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) was set up in 1989 as a non profit company under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India for financing, facilitating and mobilizing funds for the economic empowerment of persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes families living below double the Poverty Line.

Indian oil Chairman Shri SM Vaidya taken charge as VP of the World LPG Association

• Shri SM Vaidya is appointed as the Vice President of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), The World LPG Association (WLPGA) is the authoritative voice of the global LPG industry representing the full LPG value chain. Shri SM Vaidya currently is the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation.

About Indian Oil Corporation:

• Chairperson: Shrikant Madhav Vaidya
• Headquarters: New Delhi

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONORS

Israeli Prime Minister, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2021

• The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2021 for their roles in establishing the strategic and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
• As per the statement of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Lord David Trimble on November 25, 2020, submitted the candidacy of PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince for Nobel Peace Prize 2021.
• The leaders of both nations have been nominated because of the recent peace agreement which has been signed between Israel, UAE, and Bahrain.

Oscars 2021: Keith Gomes’ Shameless is India’s official entry in short film category at 93rd Academy Awards

• Keith Gomes’ short film ‘Shameless’ has been selected as India’s official entry at the 93rd Academy Awards in the ‘Live Action Short Film’
• The short film was chosen from a list of five short films that included Trapped, Safar, Aditya Kelgaonkar’s ‘Sound proof’ and Shaan Vyas’ ‘Natkhat’. Shameless, written and directed by Keith Gomes, had released in April 2019.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING

Global Terrorism Index 2020

• The Global Terrorism Index [GTI] 2020 ranks India as 8th in the world on a list of countries most affected by terrorism in 2019, with 558 incidents that killed 277 and injured 439. Further, the report marks South Asia as region worst affected by terrorism for the second year in a row.
• India ranks 8th in the world on the basis of its score on the GTI – 7.353. It ranks better than Pakistan (ranked 7) but lower than the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Philippines, which rank 9th and 10 respectively. A higher score, and thus a higher rank (1 being the worst) shows a country more severely affected by terrorism. But, since 2002, India’s rank has improved substantially Afghanistan ranked 1st, Iraq 2nd , Nigeria 3rd . In 2002, India was the second worst country in the world affected by terrorism and was in the top 5 until 2012.