Current Affairs 1 & 2 January 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 1 & 2 January 2021, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2021 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs January 2021 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2021 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name –  Learn Current Affairs – Free Course – Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Date-Wise Current Affairs January 2021 PDF for Paid Users – Click Here to Know More

Top 20 Current Affairs of 1 & 2 January 2021

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

ICG signs MoU with 7 Asian Countries for Cooperation in Maritime Search and Rescue Operations

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 7 Asian Countries – Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia & Vietnam for cooperation in Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) Operations.
i.ICG is conducting Maritime Exercises & Training Activities regularly with these countries.
ii.India is a signatory to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979 ratified in May, 2001.
iii.The SAR has been established in India and is controlled & coordinated by ICG, through 3 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers at Mumbai, Chennai & Port Blair.
iv.SAR communication check exercises are also conducted with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia & Vietnam.
v.ICG-Karnataka held a 2-day workshop on Regional Search & Rescue Exercise from December 29-30, 2020.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director General– Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Motto-“Vayam Rakshamah” meaning “We Protect”
Headquarter– New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

96th Edition of Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Annual Music Festival Hosted in Gwalior, MP;Pt Satish Vyas won Tansen Samman 2020

The 5 day Tansen Sangeet Samaroh 2020, 96th edition of the annual music festival organized to pay tribute to the Great Indian Musical Maestro Tansen was held in Behat Village, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh(MP) from 26th December to 30th December 2020. The festival was organised near the tomb of Tansen.
The event was jointly organised by Ustad Alauddin Khan Kala Evam Sangeet Academy and Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh.
2020 Awards :
i.Pt Satish Vyas conferred with prestigious Tansen Samman 2020. Tansen award is provided,which carries sum Rs. 1,00,000.The award is given for Hindustani Music.
ii.Bhopal-based institution Abhinav Kala Parishad was honoured with Raja Mansingh Tomar award 2020.
Tansen Sangeet Samaroh 2020:
i.The 7 programmes of the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh 2020 were held at the tomb of Tansen and the tomb premises of Mohammed Gaus.
ii.The final event took place on the banks of Jhilmil River in Behat, the birthplace of Tansen.
iii.The events features artists like Pandit Rajan Mishra and Sajan Mishra, Abdul Hameed Khan and Abdul Majeed Khan, Sanjay Kumar Malik and Madhu Bhatt Tailang
iv.The Department of Culture has uploaded the programmes of the festival on its Youtube channel and facebook page.

Cabinet Approvals on December 30, 2020 On December 30, 2020, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the following approvals which were detailed by Prakash Keshav Javadekar, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).

• Cabinet approves Deepening and Optimization of Paradip Port & Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis under PPP mode to handle cape size vessels
• Cabinet approves Industrial Corridor nodes at Krishnapatnam and Tumakuru under CBIC & Multi Modal Logistics Hub & MMTH at Greater Noida
• Cabinet approves modified scheme to enhance ethanol distillation capacity in the country
• Cabinet Approves Export of Akash Missile System and Creates a Committee for faster Approval of Exports
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
• Cabinet approves Opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic

About Bhutan:
Prime Minister– Lotay Tshering
Capital– Thimphu
Currencies– Bhutanese ngultrum, Indian rupee
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Releases Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2019-20

i.On December 29, 2020, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released “Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2019-20” under broad theme of impact of COVID-19 on banking and non-banking sectors, and the way forward. This report for the year ended June 30, 2020 has been submitted to the Central Government in terms of Section 36(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
ii.The report presented the performance of the banking sector, including co-operative banks, and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) during 2019-20.
iii.The Gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of banks declined from 9.1% of total assets at end-March 2019 to 8.2% at end-March 2020 and further to 7.5% at end-September.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Formation– 1 April 1935
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, and M Rajeswar Rao)
<<Read Full News>>

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

President of India, Ram Nath Kovind Confers 6th Digital India Awards 2020 

i.On December 30, 2020 President of India, Ram Nath Kovind  conferred 6th Digital India Awards(DIA) 2020 through video conferencing in a virtual awards ceremony. 24 digital governance initiatives/ products by Government entities under 7 categories received Digital India Awards 2020.
ii.The National Informatics Centre(NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) organized the awards online. It is a biennial award.
iii.New 2 categories have been introduced namely, Innovation in Pandemic category and Exemplary Product category in DIA 2020.
Highlights of the Awards:
i.The Department of Post won the gold icon award in the category, ‘Excellence in Digital Governance Ministry/Department (Central)’.
ii.Aapda Sampoorti Portal of Bihar govt won silver icon award in the category, ‘Innovation in Pandemic’.
iii. E-Committee Supreme Court of India, Department of Justice won Platinum award in the category ‘Excellence in Digital Governance Ministry/Department (Central)’ for the E-Courts project.
iv.Haryana wins Platinum icon award in the category of Excellence in Digital Governance State/UT.
v.The Food and Civil supplies department of Uttar Pradesh has won the Silver icon award in the category of Excellence in Digital Governance State/UT.
<<Read Full News>>

FAO names 4 Asian Tea Cultivation Sites as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

The Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has named 4 Asian Tea Cultivation Sites – 2 from China & 1 each from South Korea & Japan as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
The list of sites are:

Key Points:
i.GIAHS is an initiative started by FAO in 2002 for the identification & conservation of traditional agricultural systems all over the world. These sites also represent models of sustainable agriculture production.
ii.Some major factors which go into selection of sites of tea production are Idea of Sustainability, ancient traditions.
Reason for India’s absence:
India being the 2nd largest tea producing country (China being the 1st) of the world does not find even 1 tea site in the list because the practice of tea cultivation is not ancient in India. Tea plantation & cultivation in India were introduced by the British Colonists during the 19th Century.
About Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO):
Director General –  Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
<<Read Full News>>

Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board Received the “Eminent Engineer Award” 2020 from IET

Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways received the “Eminent Engineer Award for the year 2020” for his contribution towards modernisation and reforms in Indian Railways. The award was presented by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). 
About “Eminent Engineer Award”:
i.The Eminent Engineer Award is presented to the distinguished engineering personalities recognising their service in the field of Engineering and technology.
ii.The award is annually presented by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on the occasion of Engineers Day – 15th September, which is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
About Vinod Kumar Yadav:
i.Vinod Kumar Yadav (V.K Yadav), of 1980 Batch Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineer was appointed as the Chairman of the Railway Board in December 2018.
ii.He became the first ever CEO of the Railway board which was formally constituted by the Central Government in September 2020.
iii.Previously he has served as the General Manager of the South Central Railway(SCR).
About Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET):
IET is formally known as The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). This is one of the world’s largest engineering institutions with more than 168,000 members in 150 countries.
Established in – 1871
Head Office– Stevenage, United Kingdom

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS          

ACC Approves 1 year extension of ISRO Chairman K Sivan As Space Secretary and Space Commission Chairman

i.On December 30, 2020 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet(ACC) approved a 1 year extension of Kailasavadivoo(K) Sivan, Secretary of Department of Space, Govt of India and Chairman of space commission from January 14, 2021, i.e. upto January 14, 2022 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
ii.He is currently the chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO).
About Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO):
Chairman– Kailasavadivoo (K) Sivan
Department of Space and ISRO Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS        

IDBI Bank to Sell 23% Stake in IFLI to Ageas Insurance International NV;IFLI renamed as Ageas Federal Life Insurance Company Ltd

IDBI Bank has entered into the final stage of selling the 23% stake in IDBI Federal Life Insurance Company Limited (IFLI) to Ageas Insurance International NV for a consideration of Rs 507 crore.Following this transaction, the joint venture has been rebranded as Ageas Federal Life Insurance Company Ltd.The deal is expected to be completed by December 31, 2020.

• IFLI is a three-way joint venture of IDBI Bank, Belgium’s Ageas and Federal Bank.
• On purchasing the stake, Ageas Insurance International NV will hold 49% stake in IFLI earlier from 26%.
• While IDBI Bank’s stake in IFLI will be reduced to 25% from 48%.
• Federal Bank continues to hold 26 per cent stake in IFLI.

Reason behind Selling the Stake:

Points to be Noted – An insurer is not allowed to hold more than 10 per cent stake in a rival insurer.

Since LIC owns 51 per cent stake in IDBI Bank and the later owns 48 per cent stake in IFLI, the bank had to divest its stake in its insurance joint venture.

IDBI Bank to sell 4% in IFLI to Federal Bank
IDBI Bank is seeking to sell another 4% in IFLI to Federal Bank, for this the bank did not receive the banking regulator’s clearance.
Agreement
On August 06, 2020 IDBI Bank has executed an agreement to sell up to 27% stake inIFLI , to Ageas Insurance International NV and The Federal Bank Limited
Key Info
i.By selling 27% stake, IDBI Bank will get Rs 595 crore, valuing the insurance company around Rs 2,200 crore.
ii.This deal will help the bank to increase its capital.
Note
As per the Basel-III, the capital adequacy ratio of IDBI bank was 13.67% at the end of September.

CCI Approves Acquisitions of API Holdings Private Ltd and Mukand Sumi Special Steel Ltd

On December 30, 2020 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the following acquisition under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.

• TPG Growth V SF Markets Pte. Ltd. Acquires About 8% Stake in API Holdings Private Limited
• Jamnalal Sons Private Limited Acquires 51% equity share Capital of Mukand Sumi Special Steel Limited

About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
Chairman– Ashok Kumar Gupta
Established by– The Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003
<<Read Full News>>

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DRDO, Indian Navy Conduct Maiden Trial of 1st Indigenous Air-Droppable Container ‘SAHAYAK-NG’

On December 30, 2020, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) & Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden trial of ‘SAHAYAK-NG’ which is India’s 1st indigenously designed and developed Air Droppable Container. It was dropped from IL 38SD aircraft of the Indian Navy at Goa.
i.2 DRDO Laboratories – Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh & Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Agra, Uttar Pradesh developed SAHAYAK-NG, Private company Avantel was also involved in the project for GPS (Global Positioning System) Integration.
ii.SAHAYAK-NG is an advanced version of SAHAYAK-Mk I and is aided by GPS.
iii.It is capable of carrying payloads of upto 50 Kgs
iv.It will provide critical engineering stores to ships which are deployed more than 2000 kms from the Indian coast.
Indian Army receives Bridges developed by DRDO and L&T:
On December 30, 2020 Indian Army received 3 sets of 10-metre short span bridges developed & manufactured by DRDO in partnership with Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T).
About Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman – Dr G Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Skyroot Aerospace becomes 1st Indian Company to Successfully Test Fire Solid-Fueled Rocket Engine ‘Kalam-5’

Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian Space Startup successfully test-fired a solid propulsion rocket engine named ‘Kalam-5’ from a Private Test Facility at Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is the 1st Private company in India to successfully design, develop & test a full solid-fueled rocket stage.
i.It will now be used for propulsion of their maiden rocket ‘Vikram-1’ which is expected to be launched in December, 2021 with the help of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
ii.‘Kalam-5’ is the 1st of 5 Kalam series of solid rocket motors, the other four rocket motors are expected to be tested in 2021.
Kalam-5:
i.They have a thrust ranging from 5 kN (kilonewton) – 1000 kN (approximately 100 Tons).
ii.They have been using advanced Carbon Composite Structure which are five-times lighter than steel & will help in improving the efficiency of the rocket.
iii.Kalam-5 is the smaller version of Vikram-1 Launch Vehicle’s 3rd stage – ‘Kalam-100’.
About Skyroot Aerospace:
Co-Founder, CEO & CTO– Pawan Kumar Chandana
Co-Founder & COO– Naga Bharath Daka
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
<<Read Full News>>

MEA Launches Global Pravasi Rishta Portal & Mobile app to connect with Global Indian Diaspora

On December 30, 2020, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched Global Pravasi Rishta Portal & Mobile application to connect with 3.12 Crore Indian Diaspora across the world. Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan launched the portal.
The portal web interface will be used by Indian Missions whereas the mobile app will be used by diaspora & Indian nationals.
Objective:
To establish an effective channel of communication between the External Affairs Ministry & Global Indian community to communicate effectively during normal situations & times of emergencies.
Key Points:
i.Apart from registering the Indian diaspora members, the portal will enable a three-way communication between Indian Mission, MEA & Indian diaspora to make engagements easier.
ii.The portal will be used by MEA for sharing information on Visa, Passport & other activities like consular services, conducting surveys and news about events organised by missions.
About Ministry of External Affairs:
Union Minister– Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Minister of State– V. Muraleedharan
<<Read Full News>>

OBITUARY

John Fulton Reid, Former New Zealand Cricketer Passed Away at 64

On December 28, 2020 John Fulton(F) Reid, former New Zealand cricketer passed away at the age of 64 after a long illness at Christchurch, City in the South Island, New Zealand. The Left-handed batsman was born on March 3, 1956 in Auckland, City in the North Island, New Zealand.

• He served as the New Zealand Test captain.

Note
The name of New Zealand national cricket team is nicknamed as Blackcap
About John Fulton Reid:
i.He played 25 ODIs, 19 tests from 1979 to 1986, where he scored 633 runs in ODIs and 1296 runs in Tests. The test runs of him came at an average of 46.28, along with 6 centuries and 2 half centuries.
ii.He holds the New Zealand record of scoring over 1,000 test runs in the fewest innings.
iii.He took 108 runs against Australia  at Brisbane’s Gabba ground in November 1985.
iv.He became the 1st chief executive of Auckland Cricket.
v.He served as the coach & high-performance head of  NZC Academy.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Kerala Governor Released the Book “Sabarimala Vijnaanakosham” Authored by K S Vijayanath

On 30th December 2020, Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kerala released the book titled “Sabarimala Vijnaanakosham” authored by K S Vijayanath at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.  He presented the first copy of “Sabarimala Vijnaanakosham” to S Sreejith, Inspector General of Police (Crime Branch) Kerala.
He also presented the Limca Book of World Records certificate to Swami Maheswarananda who erected a 111 feet Shiv Linga Sthoopa at Maheswaram Sri Siva parvathi Temple in Chenkal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

STATE NEWS

CM BS Yediyurappa Inaugurated New Building of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre in Bengaluru

i.On December 29, 2020, the Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yediyurappa inaugurated the New Building of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru (Karnataka) which has 150 seats for the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) course.
ii.During the inauguration the state’s Deputy CM and minister for higher education Dr. C N Ashwath Narayana has informed that the state has signed three agreements with different firms to impart skill training to the youths of the state to help them get lucrative jobs abroad.
About Karnataka:
Capital– Bengaluru
Governor– Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala
<<Read Full News>>

IAS Officer P Ravi Kumar Appointed as 38th Chief Secretary of Karnataka ; Succeeds T.M. Vijay Bhaskar

On December 31, 2020 IAS officer P Ravi Kumar was appointed as the 38th Chief Secretary of Karnataka. He will succeed T.M. Vijay Bhaskar who will superannuate on December 31 2020.  P Ravi Kumar will hold this post until May 2022, i.e., till he attains the age of 60.

• Prior to his appointment, P Ravi Kumar was the Additional Chief Secretary(ACS) of Karnataka govt and was ACS of Karnataka CM, BS Yediyurappa.

Note
P Ravi Kumar is the 2nd senior most IAS officer of Karnataka cadre after T.M. Vijay Bhaskar.
About P Ravi Kumar:
i.He is an 1984 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre officer.
ii.He was appointed as ACS to the state in 2019.
iii.Prior to this he was ACS to Energy department, Karnataka govt.
About T.M. Vijay Bhaskar:
i.T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, a 1981-batch IAS officer was appointed as CS of Karnataka govt in 2018.
ii.He had served in many posts including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike(BBMP)  Administrator, Chairman of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj.

Oakridge Energy Partners with Delhi Govt & Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to Solarise Schools in Delhi

Oakridge Energy, a Solar energy firm has signed agreements with Delhi Government & Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to solarise schools in Delhi. The project will be developed by Oakridge & subsidised under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) capital subsidy scheme for Government Buildings.
i.The installation of solar plants will help in making institutions energy independent, reduce their electricity bills and generate additional income through sale of surplus power.
ii.Oakridge has set a target to solarise 1, 000 schools & educational institutions by 2022.
About Oakridge Energy:
Chief Executive Officer – Shravan Sampath
Location – New Delhi
<<Read Full News>>

Captain Amarinder Singh Launches a Mobile App, ‘DigiNest’ & Online Punjab Advertisement Release Order System

On December 30, 2020 Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab virtually launched  a mobile application ‘DigiNest’. It will enable people to have digital access to the directory of state govt, this enables people to reach out to the officers easily by calling or sending Email.
In addition to this, he also launched an online Punjab Advertisement Release Order System. This will bring transparency and efficiency in the entire process of releasing State Government’s advertisements and payments to media houses.
Note
These 2 initiatives will be instrumental to create an alliance between the Public Relation department and the concerned stakeholders, particularly the common people.
About DigiNest:
It can be synced with the smartphone.
The employees of Punjab Government by using their Human Resource Management System (HRMS) credentials can log into the app and be updated about the  superannuation and birthday dates of their fellow employees.
About Online Punjab Advertisement Release Order System:
The Online Punjab Advertisement Release Order System will help to streamline the process to issue the ads and the release of payments.
Recent Launch of Punjab Govt:
Captain Amarinder Singh, recently launched ‘PR Insight’, a mobile app and web portal to monitor feedback and consequently enhance the delivery of citizen centric services to ensure responsive and transparent governance in the State.

Jharkhand Launches ‘Kisan Fasal Rahat Yojana’ – Crop Relief Scheme 

Jharkhand has launched the state’s own crop relief scheme ‘Kisan Fasal Rahat Yojana’ which will replace Government of India’s crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The new scheme is a compensation scheme which will provide security cover to farmers of Jharkhand in cases of crop damage due to natural hazards.
i.Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Co-operative, Jharkhand will be the implementing agency of the scheme.
ii.The main objectives of the scheme are – Food Safety, Crop Diversification, rapid development in Agriculture & paving way for competition.
iii.Jharkhand being a single crop (Paddy) state, the scheme will target farmers who grow paddy.
iv.It will cover both land owning & landless farmers, no premium needs to be paid in the scheme.
v.Compensation – from 0.1-5 acre of land, compensation ranges from INR 3000-3500/acre depending upon the loss.
About Jharkhand:
Governor– Draupadi Murmu
Chief Minister– Hemant Soren
Capital– Ranchi
<<Read Full News>>

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)