Current Affairs 9 January 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 9 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.

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Top 20 Current Affairs of 9 January 2021

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

National Board of Wildlife Approved Advisory for Human-Wildlife Conflict Managementi.On January 7, 2021, the Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife (SC-NBWL) in its 60th meeting has approved the advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the country to expedite effective inter-departmental coordinated actions.
ii.The advisory envisages empowering gram panchayats in dealing with the problematic wild animals as per the section 11 (1) (b) of WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972.
iii.It advised to utilize Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna for crop compensation against crop damage due to HWC.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
It is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). It is chaired by Prime Minister (Current- Narendra Modi)
<<Read Full News>>

PM CARES Fund Trust allocates Rs 201.58 cr for installation of PSA Oxygen Plantsi.On January 6, 2021, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund Trust has allocated Rs 201.58 crore for installation of additional 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants with a total capacity of 154.19 MT in 32 States and Union Territories (UTs). These will be installed inside public health facilities.
ii.The procurement of Medical Oxygen Generation Plants will be done by the Central Medical Supply Store, an autonomous body of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
iii.The plants have a warranty for the first 3 years.
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW):
Union Minister – Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State (MoS) – Ashwini Kumar Choubey
<<Read Full News>>

Flipkart signs MoU with LSC to set up Centre of Excellence in Logistics Skilli.On January 7, 2021, Flipkart has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Logistics Skill Sector Council (LSC). It is LSC’s first-of-its-kind industry partnership with Flipkart to set up the industry-first Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii.LSC is an organisation set up by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through National Skill Development Corporation of India (NSDC) and Karnataka Skill Development Centre (KSDC).
iii.It should be noted that Flipkart had partnered with LSC in 2019 to provide training to its supply chain employees. With setting up of CoE, the company is enhancing its partnership.
About Logistics Skill Sector Council (LSC):
Chairman– Capt TS Ramanujam
Headquarter– Chennai, Tamil Nadu
About Flipkart:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Kalyan Krishnamurthy
Headquarter– Bengaluru, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

Centre Approves New National Highway projects worth Rs 5,801 cr for Maharashtrai.On January 7, 2021, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) informed that the Central Government has approved Rs. 5,801 Cr for new 1035 km National highway (NH) between Surat (Gujarat) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) to curb the vehicular pollution in Maharashtra’s Mumbai and Pune. It is approved under the annual plan of MoRTH.
ii.It should be noted that the Annual Plan for NH works in Maharashtra was approved for Rs. 2,727 Cr. Now, it got enhanced to Rs. 5,801 Cr
iii.The plan also includes reconstruction of 5 major bridges and 10 minor bridges have been included at cost of Rs. 429 Cr.
About Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH):
Nitin Gadkari Constituency– Nagpur, Maharashtra
Minister of State (MoS)– Vijay Kumar Singh
<<Read Full News>>

Government Promulgates J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 to merge J&K Cadre Officers with AGMUTGovernment of India promulgated a Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 by amending the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 to merge the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) cadre of All India Services Officers like IAS, IPS & Indian Forest Service (IFoS) with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.
i.With this, officers from the Union Territories & above mentioned States can now be placed in J&K and vice versa.
ii.The ordinance was signed by President Ram Nath Kovind amended section 13 & 88 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, it was issued by the Ministry of Law & Justice.
iii.Section 88 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 amended.The amendment states that The members of the IAS, IPS and IFS for the existing cadre of J&K shall be borne and become part of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory cadre and all future allocations of All India Services officers for the Union Territory of J&K and the UT of Ladakh shall be made to AGMUT cadres for which necessary modifications may be made in corresponding cadre allocation rules by the Central government.
iv.The Ordinance also amended Section 13 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 by inserting the words “or any other article containing reference to elected members of the legislative Assembly of the State”.
About Ministry of Home Affairs:
Union Minister  – Amit Shah
Minister of State – Nityanand Rai, G. Kishan Reddy
<<Read Full News>>

Dell Technologies, MoHFW & Tata Trusts launched ‘NCD PHC’ Mobile App to combat NCD in IndiaDell Technologies, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) & Tata Trusts have collaborated to develop a mobile application ‘NCD PHC’ for the management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at Government Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across India. The app is based on Dell’s DigiLifeCare.
Target of Dell Technologies- Transforming lives of 1 billion lives with technology globally by 2030.
KeyPoints:
i.The app will further strengthen the existing NCD IT system being used by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Doctors, Programme managers and Health officials in the Government.
ii.NCDs like hypertension, stroke, diabetes & heart disease account for 63% mortality in India.
iii.One in four people in India face the prospect of dying from an NCD before reaching the age of 70.
iv.The app was formally launched by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan on Universal Health Coverage Day (On December 12, 2020).
v.According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2019 Global Health Estimates,  NCD constitute 7 of the World’s Top 10 causes of death.
NCD IT System:
Developed by Dell in 2018, it supports India’s Population Based Screening (PBS) & management of NCDs under  the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
About Dell Technologies:
Chairman  & Chief Executive Officer – Michael Dell
Headquarters – Texas, United States of America
President and Managing Director, Dell Technologies India – Alok Ohrie
About Tata Trusts:
Chairman – Ratan Tata
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
About Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW):
Union Minister – Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State – Ashwini Kumar Choubey

IREDA signs MoU with NHPC Ltd to develop Renewable Energy ProjectsOn January 8, 2021, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA)virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHPC Limited (formerly known as National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), to provide its technical expertise for developing renewable energy projects for the next 5 years.
i.As part of the Agreement, IREDA will undertake Techno-Financial due diligence (identification of suitable technology for particular project sites) of Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency & conservation projects for NHPC.
ii.The MoU will facilitate knowledge & technology transfer between the two countries.
iii.It will also provide consultancy & research services which will contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA):
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) – Pradip Kumar Das
Headquarters – New Delhi
About NHPC Ltd:
CMD – Abhay Kumar Singh
Headquarters – Faridabad, Haryana
<<Read Full News>>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India set to head 3 Important Committees of UNSCPermanent Representative of India to United Nations (UN) TS Tirumurti announced that India will head 3 Important Committees of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – Counter-Terrorism Committee (for 2022), Taliban Sanctions Committee (also called the 1988 Sanctions Committee) & Libya Sanctions Committee.
i.On January 4, 2021, India began its 8th Term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2 years(2021-2022). Mexico, Kenya, Norway & Ireland also joined India as non-permanent members.
Counterterrorism Committee:
i.India will chair the Committee in 2022 which will coincide with the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence.
ii.The main function of the committee is to prevent terrorist acts within their borders & across the regions.
Taliban Sanctions Committee:
Also known as 1988 Sanctions Committee focuses on the presence of terrorists & their sponsors in the region of Afghanistan.
Libya Sanctions Committee:
This committee focuses on implementation of sanctions regime, two-way arms embargo on Libya, Asset freeze, travel ban, measures on illicit export of Petroleum.
About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
Established in 1945
Headquarters – New York, United States of America
Security Council President (for January 2021) – Tunisia
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

PNB Collaborates with IIT Kanpur & FIRST to Set up Fintech Innovation Centre at IIT Kanpur Campusi.On January 7, 2021 Punjab National Bank (PNB) partnered with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) to jointly set up ‘Fintech Innovation Centre (FIC)’, the Punjab National Bank – IIT Kanpur Innovation Centre at the IIT Kanpur campus.
ii.In this regard an MoU was signed at Dwarka, New Delhi in presence of top officials from the PNB, IIT Kanpur and FIRST.
iii.Agyey Kumar Azad, Sanjay Kumar, Executive Directors of  PNB and CH SS Mallikarjuna Rao , Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of  PNB exchanged MoU with the Dean IIT Kanpur Prof Amitabh Bandopadhyaya
About Punjab National Bank (PNB):
i.The United Bank of India(UBI) and Oriental Bank of Commerce(OBC) has been merged with PNB with effect from April 1, 2020.
ii.PNB with this merger becomes the 2nd largest nationalized bank of India, in terms of business and branch network.
Founded– May 19, 1894
Commenced Operations– April 12, 1895
Tagline– The name you can bank upon
MD & CEO– CH S.S. Mallikarjuna Rao
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
About Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur:
Director– Prof. Abhay Karandikar
HeadQuarters– Kalyanpur, Kanpur
<<Read Full News>>

CBoI Signs MoU with NABFOUNDATION to Provide Working capital for SHGs to Undertake ‘My Pad My Right’ Projecti.On January 7, 2021 Central Bank of India (CBoI) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NABFOUNDATION to provide working capital for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to undertake ‘My Pad My Right’ project, sponsored by NABARD.
ii.As per the MoU, working capital will be provided by the bank to all SHGs who have an account with it.
iii.The funds will be provided collateral free and at a cheaper rate
About Central Bank of India (CBoI):
It is the 1st Indian commercial bank which was wholly owned and managed by Indians.
Established– 1911
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline–  Central to You Since 1911, Build a better life around us
MD& CEO– Pallav Mohapatra
About NABFOUNDATION:
It is a Section 8(of Companies Act, 2013) not for profit company, promoted and fully owned by NABARD.
Formed– August 2019
CEO– Sanjeev D Rohilla
Chairman of NABARD & NABFOUNDATION– G R Chintala
Head Office– Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

IOCL in Partnership with SBI Launches  ‘IndianOil – SBI Co-branded RuPay Debit Card’i.On January 7, 2021  Indian Oil Corporation Limited(IOCL) in partnership with State Bank of India (SBI) launched ‘IndianOil – SBI co-branded RuPay Debit Card’.
ii.This contactless card can be used anywhere in India.
iii.The card was launched by Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil  and Mr. Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman of SBI, in a virtual ceremony.
About Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL):
Chairman– Shrikant Madhav Vaidya
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
About State Bank of India (SBI):
Founded– July 1, 1955 as SBI
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline– The banker to every Indian; With you all the way; Purely banking nothing else; The nation banks on us; A bank of the common man
Chairman–  Dinesh Kumar Khara(Succeeds Rajnish Kumar)
<<Read Full News>>

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

NSO’s Advance Estimates of GDP for 2020-21:India’s GDP to contract by 7.7% in 2020-21i.On January 7, 2021, the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the First Advance Estimates of National Income at both Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices, for FY 2020-21.The growth in real GDP during 2020-21 is estimated at -7.7% as compared to the growth rate of 4.2% in 2019-20.
ii.It should be noted that there is a sharp revision of estimates due to restrictions imposed from 25 March, 2020 amid COVId-19. Though these were gradually lifted there but have impacted the economic activities as well as the data collection mechanisms.
iii.Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or GDP at Constant Prices (2011-12) in the year 2020-21 is projected at Rs 134.40 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2019-20 of Rs 145.66 lakh crore, released on 31st May 2020.
About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI):
Minister of State (MoS), Independent Charge – Rao Inderjit Singh
<<Read Full News>>

 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Overview of ISRO’s Plan for the Decade 2021-30Sivan, Secretary of Department of Space (DoS) & Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have chalked out the plan for the Decade 2021-30. It has listed both Short-term vision & Long-term visions.The plan envisions the development of heavy-lift rockets, reusable satellite launch vehicles & semi-cryogenic engines.

Short Term vision:
i.In the short term, ISRO has plans to execute diverse missions which are

• First Developmental Flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) planned to be launched in March, 2021.
• Operational Geo-Imaging capability expected to be launched in 2021.
• Chandrayaan-3 – Third Lunar Mission of ISRO expected to be launched by late 2021 or early 2022.
• Aditya-L1 – First Solar Mission of ISRO expected to be launched in 2022.
• Launching of the First Indian Data Relay Satellite, expected to be launched in early 2021.

ii.The Gaganyaan Programme India’s First unmanned flight is set to be launched in 2022.
Other Key Points:
i.The main focus will be towards self-reliance and global leadership in space systems.
ii.ISRO has also stated that the entry of private players is disrupting the Global Space Sector.
iii.The Government of India has also announced a dedicated Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), to promote and foster the Indian private players to take part in the space programme.
iv.It has also set aims to achieve partial or full reusability of Rockets.
Click here to read the Full Decade Plan
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – K. Sivan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
<<Read Full News>>

Pakistan successfully Test Fires ‘Fatah-1’ – Guided Multi Launch Rocket SystemOn January 7, 2021, Pakistan successfully Test-Fired its indigenous ‘Fatah-1’ – Guided Multi Launch Rocket System  (MLRS) which has capability of precision target engagement deep into the enemy territories.
i.It is capable of carrying conventional warheads and has a range of 140 Kilometres.
ii.The guided MLRS is capable of hitting targets without leaving behind the unexploded ordnance.
iii.It is a variant of the guided MLRS family which has an extended range of up to 150 kms.
iv.In December, 2020 Pakistan tested its Ballistic Missile ‘Ghaznavi’ which has a range of 290 Kilometers.
About Pakistan:
Prime Minister – Imran Khan
Currency – Pakistani Rupee
Capital – Islamabad
<<Read Full News>>

OBITUARY

A.Madhavan, Tamil Writer & Sahitya Akademi Awardee Passed Away at 86On January 5, 2021 Tamil writer A. Madhavan, who is the recipient of  Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award(2015) passed away at the age of 86 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was born on February 7, 1934 in Thiruvananthapuram.

• He served as a member of the expert committee of Kendra Sahitya Akademi and also was the founder and president of Thiruvananthapuram Tamil Sangam.

About A. Madhavan:
i.He has published over 500 short stories and 150 articles in various Tamil publications.
ii.His debut collection of short stories, Mohapallavi was published in 1974.
iii.His notable works include, Punalum Manalum, Krishna Parunthu, Thoovaanam.
iv.He translated works of writers across the world and in India.
v.His novel Punalum Manalum was translated into English as On A River’s Bank.
Award
He received KalaiMamani Award in 2009 and Vishnupuram Literary Award
In addition to this, he received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for his collection of essays Ilakkiya Chuvadukal.

STATE NEWS

AP Govt Signs MoU with University of Cambridge to Help Students & Teachers of the State to Improve their English ProficiencyOn January 8, 2021 The Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department, Govt of Andhra Pradesh(AP) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Cambridge. As part of the MoU, the university will offer training to teachers and students of state municipal schools to improve their proficiency in the English language.

• The MoU is a part of the Transformation Of Municipal Schools (TOMS) initiative taken up by the MAUD department, AP govt.

Purpose of MoU– To help students and teachers of the state to enhance their english proficiency.
Key People
The MoU was signed by state commissioner of municipal administration GSRK R Vijay Kumar on behalf of the state government and T K Arunachalam, regional director of University of Cambridge, South Asia in the presence of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Provisions of MoU:
Career guidance centres
i.As per the MoU, 14 career guidance centres will be set up in all the 13 districts of the state to enhance the skill of the students.
ii.One centre in every district headquarter and one more in Pulivendula model constituency will be established.
Training
i.University representatives will give training to 12,378 teachers working in municipal schools for english along with more two lakh students across the state.
ii.The 30-day training programme of the teachers to  teach various subjects in English
have been completed by 8000 teachers and they have passed the Cambridge Assessment English test.
iii.Currently, the remaining over 4000 teachers are receiving training.
English language labs
i.The State’s municipal administration department has established English language labs at Visakhapatnam, Kurnool and Vijayawada for teaching the students.
ii.The study material for the students will be prepared by the teachers.
Note
In the TOMS initiative, a  students’ guidance and training centre with integrated international labs, digital curriculum, international Olympiad, and IELTS training are also included.
Infrastructure & Cost
i.All necessary infrastructure to the Cambridge university authorities to provide training will be provided by the municipal administration department of the state govt.
ii.The university will offer free of cost training under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR scheme.)
About Andhra Pradesh
National Park– Papikonda national park, Sri Venkateswara National Park(biosphere reserve)
Wildlife Sanctuary– Kolleru wildlife sanctuary, Coringa Wildlife sanctuary, Sri Lankamalleswara WildLife Sanctuary, Krishna Wildlife sanctuary, Kaundinya WildLife Sanctuary

J&K LG launches Mobile App ‘Satark Nagrik’ &  Departmental Vigilance Officers PortalOn January 7, 2021 Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Manoj Sinha launched ‘Satark Nagrik’ Mobile app & Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVO) Portal  of J&K Anti Corruption Bureau at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu.
Objective of ‘Satark Nagrik’ Mobile app:
To facilitate flow of information about corruption & enable citizens of J&K to submit grievances  with ease and mobility.
Objective of DVO Portal:
To establish an online communication channel between DVOs of various departments.
To enable quick disposal of complaints, redress grievances & monitoring the status of DVO matters  and Citizens Grievances.
About Jammu & Kashmir:
RAMSAR sites – Hokera Wetland, Wular Lake
<<Read Full News>>

Justice RS Chauhan Sworn in as CJ of Uttarakhand HC & Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia Appointed as CJ of Gauhati HCi.On January 7, 2021 Justice Raghvendra Singh(R S) Chauhan was sworn in as the Chief Justice(CJ) of Uttarakhand High Court(HC) administered by Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya in Raj Bhawan in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

• He succeeds Justice Ramesh Ranganathan who retired in July, 2020. After his retirement, Justice Ravi Vijaykumar(R.V.) Malimath was appointed as acting CJ of Uttarakhand HC.

ii.The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind appointed Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, as CJ of Gauhati HC with effect from the date he assumed charge of his office.

• He takes over the charge from Justice Nongmeikapam(N) Kotiswar Singh, who was appointed as the acting CJ of the Gauhati HC after the retirement of Justice Ajai Lamba in September 2020.

Note – The Chief Justice and Judges of the High Courts are appointed by the President under clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution & The President of India in exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India transfer the CJ of HC to another.
Gauhati High Court(HC):
i.Gauhati HC was originally known as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland, but renamed as Gauhati High Court in 1971 by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.
ii.It has the largest jurisdiction in terms of states, with its area covering the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
Uttarakhand HC:
It was formed from the  erstwhile State of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000 under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000
<<Read Full News>>

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh launches Welfare Schemes; Dedicated January 2021 to Girl Childi.On January 7, 2021, The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Amarinder Singh virtually launched a set of welfare projects while dedicating January 2021 as “Dheeyan Di Lohri” from Chandigarh.
ii.Under ‘Dheeiyan Di Lohir’, Amarinder gave five girl children, along with their mothers, a shagun of Rs 5,100 and baby kits for each. Under the scheme, a series of events will be held every day across districts, beginning with Mohali district, through the month to mark the occasion of Lohri.
iii.Also free sanitary pads will be provided for girls studying in high school and colleges in the state.
About Punjab:
Capital– Chandigarh
Governor– Vijayender Pal Singh Badnore
<<Read Full News>>

Maharashtra Celebrates Marathi Journalist Day on January 6, 2021Marathi Journalist day is celebrated every year on January 6 across Maharashtra in the memory of Late Balshastri Jambhekar, who is known as the ‘Father of Marathi journalism’.
Why January 6?
i.The first issue of the first newspaper in Marathi, ‘Darpan’, founded by Balshastri Jambhekar was issued on January 6, 1832.
ii.Since then this day has been celebrated as the Marathi Journalist day in the State.
iii.Another significance of January 6 is on this day Balshastri Jambhekar was born in 1812 at Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
<<Read Full News>>

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