DAILY GK 4, 5 OCT 2020

 DAILY GK 4, 5 OCT 2020

1. FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION (REGULATION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2020

•  Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has redefined guidelines on how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can accept, transfer and utilise foreign donations and contributions by amending the provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA) with Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which has come into force w.e.f. September 29, 2020.

•  The decision regarding its commencement was taken by the Centre in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 (33 of 2020) to maintain transparency in NGOs.

 

2.  ‘ATAL TUNNEL’- WORLD’S LONGEST HIGHWAY TUNNEL

•  PM  Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Atal Tunnel’ – World’s Longest Highway Tunnel in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.  The 9.02 Kilometre Long Tunnel has been constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of INR 3, 300 crores.

•  It connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley.

•  The Tunnel is built in the PirPanjal Range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Meters (10, 000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).

•  The Tunnel is 9.02 Kilometres Long and connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley all over the year.

 

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DAILY GK 2 OCT 2020

 

DAILY GK 2 OCT 2020

1.  NITI AAYOG AND THE NETHERLANDS SIGNED SOI

•    India is committed to reduce carbon emissions’ intensity by 33%–35% by 2030 and for this nation is collaborating internationally to achieve the ambitious sustainable targets.

•    In this regard, a Statement of Intent (SoI) was inked between NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog and Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi, to combine the expertise of both nations (Indo-Dutch) in supporting the decarbonization and energy transition agenda for accommodating cleaner and more energy.

•    It was signed by NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amitabh Kant and Ambassador of the Netherlands to India Marten van den Berg.

 

2.  “AMBEDKAR SOCIAL INNOVATION & INCUBATION MISSION (ASIIM)”

•  Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot virtually launched “Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission (ASIIM)” under Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (SC)(VCF-SC).

•  It has been launched to promote innovation, enterprise among SC students in Higher Education Institutions and to help them become Job Givers.

•  Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice & Empowerment, Rattan Lal Kataria,

•  Deputy Managing Director (MD) of Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI), Sunil Kumar Bansal were present during the launch.

 

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DAILY GK 1 OCT 2020

 DAILY GK 1 OCT 2020

 

1. PRESIDENT GIVES ASSENT FOR TAXATION AND OTHER LAWS BILL, 2020

·   President of India, Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020 which will amend 5 Acts viz. the Income-tax Act, 1961, Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, Finance Act, 2019, the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 and the Finance Act, 2020.

·   Under this bill the provision of Incom Tax (IT) Act, 1961 has amended by making tax features of Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) at par with Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

 

2. THIRD G20 SHERPA MEETING

·   G20 Sherpa Meeting took place virtually under Saudi Arabia’s Presidency.

·   The meeting discussed the actions taken by the forum for tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is the 3rd edition of G20 Sherpa Meeting.

·   Suresh Prabhu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha represented India at the meeting.

·   He is India’s Sherpa (Emissary) to G7 and G20.

·   2020 theme– Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All

·   Chairman– Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2020)

 

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DAILY GK 30 SEPT 2020

 DAILY GK 30 SEPT 2020

Rajnath Singh Unveiled DAP 2020 Final Document; Approved Capital Acquisition for Arms & Equipment worth Rs 2,290cr

i.After the release of New Draft Defence Procurement Procedure 2020 in March 2020 (Read Here), the final form of DAP 2020, a renamed version of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), was unveiled by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh which has been prepared on the lines of Atmanirbhar Bharat to empower domestic industry with the ultimate aim of turning India into a global manufacturing hub. It will be applicable with effect from October 1, 2020 for a period of five years i.e. till 2025.
ii.During the meeting, DAC approved the procurement of Static HF Tans-receiver sets and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) under the Buy Indian [IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)] category. 
iii.Apart from above, DAC also accorded approval for procurement of SIG SAUER Assault Rifles at a cost of approx. Rs.780 crore to equip the Frontline Troops of the Army.
About Ministry of Defence:
Rajnath Singh constituency– Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Shripad Yesso Naik

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DAILY GK 29 SEPT. 2020

 DAILY GK 29 SEP 2020

1.  PRESIDENT GIVES ASSENT TO 3 FARM BILLS

·     President Ram Nath Kovind gave Assent to Three Bills:

·     The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, 

·     The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Service Bill, 2020 and 

·     The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020. 

·     With the President’s Assent all Three Bills have now become Laws, and have been notified in the official gazette by the Law Ministry.

2. ‘CABLE STAYED BRIDGE’ INAUGURATED IN TELANGANA

·     Telangana inaugurated the cable stayed bridge on DurgamCheruvu constructed across DurgamCheruvu Lake along with a four-lane elevated corridor connecting it with Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad during an event.

·     Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs GangapuramKishan Reddy was the chief guest of the event.

·     It is 426 metre long, and 25.8 metre wide, with a total of 52 stay cables. Except the cables, which were procured from Germany, everything else is sourced from India.

·     It is claimed as the “world’s longest pre-cast segmental span” of 233.85 metres in concrete for a cable stayed bridge.

 

3. MUI COLLABORATES WITH UN TO HELP INDIAN SAILORS

·     Maritime Union of India (MUI) has collaborated with the United Nations to assist seafarers who are stranded on ships due to COVID-19 Pandemic. 

·     Through the Seafarers Crisis Action Team (SCAT), MUI will provide round-the-clock advice, counselling and assistance to Indian seafarers and their family members. 

·     Maritime Union of India (MUI) represents Merchant Navy Officers who are its members.

·     We are affiliated to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), London, U.K. MUI is also affiliated to the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), New Delhi.

 

4. RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX 2020

·     Mercedes Driver Valtteri Viktor Bottas (Finland) won the Russian Grand Prix 2020 held at Sochi Autodrom, Russia. 

·     Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) finished second, while Mercedes Lewis Hamilton (Britain) finished third in the Russian Grand Prix 2020. 

5. WORLD TOURISM DAY

·     World Tourism Day (WTD) is held annually on September 27 globally to raise awareness on the importance of tourism in the social, cultural, political and economic aspects of any region. 

·     United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has designated 2020 as the Year of Tourism and Rural Development.  Therefore, the 2020 edition of WTD was held with the theme “Tourism and Rural Development”.

·     Also GOI launched SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry) Application was to assist the hospitality industry in safe operations covering staff, employees and guests.

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DAILY GK 27-28 SEPT 2020

 DAILY GK 27-28 SEPT 2020

1.  KRITAGYA (KRISHI-TAKNIK-GYAN) HACKATHON

·     Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) announced a hackathon named “KRITAGYA” (Krishi-Taknik-Gyan) under its National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP).

·     The national level AgTech Hackathon aims to develop and promote women friendly equipment through potential innovative technological solutions and collaboration with stakeholders to improve the farm mechanization, productivity and profitability in India.

·     The cash award of Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs.1 lakh will be given to the winners of 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.

 

2. NMC-TOP MEDICAL EDUCATION REGULATOR

·     The Central government is trying hard to detach corruption from all sections of our society including health sector, the statutory body of which i.e. Medical Council of India (MCI) had faced corruption charges and was dissolved by the Government of India in 2018 with the Board of Governors (BoG)-MCI chaired by Dr Vinod Kumar Paul, member (health), Niti (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog.

·     MCI dissolved by Centre and was replaced by National Medical Commission (NMC) as India’s top regulator of medical education. The notification in this regard was issued by

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DAILY GK 26 SEP 2020

 DAILY GK 26 SEP 2020

1.  INDIA, AUSTRALIA CONDUCTED PASSAGE EXERCISE (PASSEX) IN THE EAST INDIAN OCEAN REGION

·        Indian Navy conducted a two-day long Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian Ocean Region (IOR) where Indian side was represented by stealth frigate INS Sahyadri and missile corvette INS Karmuk Australian side included HMAS Hobart along with Indian Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), and helicopters from both the nations. 

·        It should be noted that India-Australia conducts maritime exercise “AUSINDEX” biennially to boost defence cooperation in the maritime domain.

2. FIRST MEDICAL DEVICES PARK TO BE SET UP IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

·        Central government approved the setting up four medical device parks in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the lines of “Make in India” initiative and to provide world-class products at affordable prices for treatment. 

·        Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for one of the first medical devices parks in the country, “MedSpark” at Life Science Park, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram.

3. INDIA PROVIDED 1.54 BILLION ASSISTANCE TO NEPAL

·        The Nepal earthquake of 2015 also known as “Gorkha earthquake” had severely affected thousands of lives as well as the economy.

·        At that time, India being the Nepal’s immediate neighbour, was the first to respond with Operation Maitri which provided rescue and relief by its armed forces and also announced a post-earthquake reconstruction package of US$ 1 billion (which comprises US$ 250 million grant and US$ 750 million concessional Line of Credit). 

4. WORLD RISK REPORT 2020

·        According to the World Risk Index (WRI) 2020, India has been ranked at the 89th spot among 181 Countries.

·        The World Risk Index is a statistical model for the assessment of global risk of disasters such as earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts and sea-level rise. 

·        According to the Index, Qatar (0.31) had the lowest risk, followed by Malta (0.66) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0.81).

Rank	Country	World Risk Index	Category (Based on Risk)
1	Vanuatu	49.74	Very High Risk
2	Tonga	29.72	Very High Risk
181	Qatar	0.31	Very Low Risk
180	Malta	0.66	Very Low Risk

 

5. RBI RELEASED “’TECHNOLOGY VISION FOR CYBER SECURITY’

·        RBI released “’Technology Vision for Cyber Security’ for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) – 2020-2023”. 

·        It aims to enhance the cyber security in the Urban Co-operative banking sector against the growing Information Technology (IT) and cyber threat environment. 

·        Based on the inputs from diverse stakeholders, the technology vision document was formalised.

 

6. UNIATF AWARD 2020

·        Kerala won the UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF)UNIATF Award 2020 for its contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) related to the non-communicable diseases. 

·        Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the

annual UNIATF Award for the year 2020 on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. 

This is the first time for Kerala to be recognised by this annual UN Award.

 

7. INDIGENOUS MICROPROCESSOR “MOUSHIK” FOR IOT DEVICES

·        Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras developed the indigenously made microprocessor “MOUSHIK”, a processor cum “system-on-chip” (SoC)for Internet of Things(IoT) devices.

·        MOUSHIK will support the developing IoT devices which are the integral part of the Smart Cities of Digital India.

·        This project was funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

 

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DAILY GK 25 SEPT. 2020

 DAILY GK 25 SEPT. 2020

1.  GOVT RAISED LIMIT FOR USE OF SDRF FUNDS BY STATES

·        State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for COVID specific infrastructure was increased from 35% to 50% to help States with more finances at their disposal to fight the coronavirus.

·        This was announced during the virtual meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Ministers of six states and one Union Territory with high Covid-19 caseload viz. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

·        State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)Constituted under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, it is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters.

 

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DAILY GK 24 SEP 2020

 

DAILY GK 24 SEP 2020

 

1.  JOINT SECURITY PATROL ALONG BORDER IN KAPILVASTU DISTRICT

·        The Security forces of Nepal and India have started a joint security patrol at the Nepal-India Border in Kapilvastu district, Nepal.

·        The patrol has been started with a motive to control the spread of COVID-19 and keep in check the illegal cross-border activities at the Nepal-India Border. 

·        The Krishnanagar Municipality of the Kapilvastu district is a major point of transit along the Nepal-India Border.

2. VIRTUAL G-20 MEETING OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT MINISTERS

·        Virtual G-20 Trade and Investment Ministers under the Saudi Arabia Presidency was held where India was represented by Union Commerce and Industry & Railways Minister, Piyush Vedprakash Goyal. 

·        The objective of the meet was the further strengthening of G20 trade and investment cooperation.

·        During the meet, Piyush Goyal cleared that India is not in a position to accept the concept of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) as there is a need for policy to finalize laws around digital trade and data.

 

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DAILY GK 22 SEPT. 2020

 DAILY GK 22 SEPT.  2020

1.  9 HIGHWAY PROJECTS WORTH RS 14, 528 CRORES IN BIHAR

·        PM  Narendra Modi laid the Foundation Stone for Nine Highway Projects worth Rs 14, 528 Crores in Bihar through video conference.

·        The project includes making six-lane highways, and three bridges on rivers.

·        He also laid foundation of ‘Har Gaon Optical Fibre Cable’ for Internet Services to connect all villages of Bihar.

·        “Har Gaon Optical Fibre Cable” project , under this  about six lakh villages would be provided internet services through optical fibre cable in 1,000 days.

·        This includes all 45,945 villages in Bihar. 

·        It will be executed by the Department of Telecom, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Common Service Centres (CSC).

 

2. INDIA LAUNCHES FIRST EVER CARGO FERRY VESSEL “MCP LINZ” TO MALDIVES

·        Minister of State for shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives, Aishath Nahula jointly launched the First Ever Direct Cargo Ferry Service between India and Maldives.

·        It is considered to be the new connectivity effort has begun in Indian Ocean Region.

·        India provided a financial assistance of US$250 million(Indian Rupees of around 1837 crores) at favourable terms to the Government of Maldives

 

3. DMUC TRAINS TO NEPAL RAILWAYS

·        Konkan Railways (operated by Konkan Railway Corporation) handed over two modern Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DMUC) trains to Nepal Railways for the Jaynagar-Kurtha Broad Gauge Line.

·        The Rails will run between Jaynagar (Bihar) and Kurtha in Dhanusa district from December, 2020. 

·        The Trains have been manufactured by Integrated Coach Factory, Chennai with modern amenities and latest AC-AC Propulsion Technology.

·        They were procured by Nepal’s Railway Department for a price of  84 Crore 65 Lakhs Nepali Rupees.

 

4. INDIA’S NOMINAL GDP TO GROW BY 19% IN FY22

·        Krishnamurthy Subramanian, chief economic advisor in the finance ministry, Government of India informed that as per the estimate of finance ministry, India’s nominal Gross Domestic Product(GDP) is expected to grow by 19% in FY22(2021-22) on a low base. 

·        NK Singh, chairman of Fifteenth Finance Commission (FFC) stated that this estimate is a bit moderate when compared with some estimates received from experts.

 

5. NARENDRA MODI WON THE IG NOBEL PRIZE 2020

·        Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India won the Medical Education Prize of Ig Nobel Prize 2020 at the 30th First Nobel Prize Ceremony over virtual platform.

·        Modi became the 2nd Prime Minister from India to win the Ig Nobel Prize after Atal Bihari Vajpayee who won the 1998 Peace award for “Aggressively peaceful explosion of atomic bombs”.

·        The government of India and Pakistan won the Ig Nobel Prize 2020 for peace for “having their diplomats surreptitiously ring each other’s doorbells in the middle of the night, and then run away before anyone had a chance to answer the door.”

·        India’s 1st CRISPR COVID-19 test, ‘FELUDA’

·        Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given regulatory approval for the commercial launch of ‘FELUDA’( FNCAS9 Editor-Limited Uniform Detection Assay), India’s 1st CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) test.

·        It is developed by the scientist of CSIR-IGIB (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology).

·        As per the agreement as signed by Tata Sons  Private Limited  and CSIR-IGIB in May, 2020, Tata group will manufacture it.

 

6. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE OBSERVED ON 21ST SEPTEMBER, 2020

·        The theme for 2020 International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together”. 

 

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