February 2021 TNPSC Monthly Current Affairs Online Test in English

Explanation

• Minister of Electronics and IT and Communications has recently launched virtual intelligence tool Tejas.
• The tool can extract critical information for policy decisions thereby improving efficiency in government services. The Minister also launched a virtual portal to access routine office applications called ‘Work from Anywhere’ portal and ‘e–Auction India’.

Explanation

• The West Bengal Transport Corporation in association with a heritage book store has launched a Young Readers’ Boat Library.
• Under the initiative, children can choose from a selection of 500 titles in English and Bengali on cruising on the waters of Hooghly river on a three–hour–long trip.

Explanation

• As per media reports, the Government has appointed an expert panel to review industry’s objections to the proposed ban on 27 widely used pesticides. Former assistant director general of ICAR, TP Rajendran is to chair the committee, which will submit the report in next three months. The Government has proposed to ban 27 pesticides, which are said to be harmful to animals and humans.

Explanation

• World Leprosy Day is observed around the world on the last Sunday of January every year. This year World Leprosy Day held on 31 January. 
• The day is celebrated to raise global awareness of this deadly ancient disease and call attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated and cured. This year theme of World Leprosy Day 2021 is “Beat Leprosy, End Stigma and advocate for Mental Wellbeing”.

Explanation

• As per the Science Magazine, Scientists have discovered a rare Martian Mineral named ‘Jarosite’ in the Antarctic ice. After boring more than a mile deep in the Antarctic region, the yellow–brown mineral which is rarely seen on Earth but found more on Mars was spotted.
• Mars is believed to be a dusty place and this discovery may be used to explain this theory.

Explanation

• The second edition of the International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE–II) is to be hosted in February, 2021, at the Gender Park Campus, Kozhikode, Kerala. The Chief Minister is also set to inaugurate a Gender Park at Kozhikode. It was established in 2013 under the Department of Women and Child Development. It has partnerships with various global organisations like UN Women.

Explanation

• The United Kingdom (UK) has launched a New Variant Assessment Platform, which will be used to identify new variants COVID–19 viruses. It uses genomics expertise possessed by UK and has been dedicated for use by countries which does not have sufficient resources for identifying the new Covid virus strains.

Explanation

• Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the Indo–French year of Environment along with his French counterpart.
• India and France have environment projects being undertaken in Assam, Rajasthan and a project to be started in Jharkhand. The objective of this event is to strengthen Indo–French cooperation in sustainable development.

Explanation

• The second annual World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day is observed on January 30, 2021. India is home to the world’s largest absolute burden of 11 of the major NTDs.
• To celebrate the day, more than 50 landmarks representing 25 nations across the world will be lit up. India joins the celebration by lighting up the UNESCO world heritage site Qutub Minar, Delhi.

Explanation

• India conducted the 5th Act East Forum (AEF) meet with Japan and both the countries reviewed progress of various ongoing projects in the North–eastern region.
• India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Japan’s vision for a ‘Free and Open Indo–Pacific’ are realised through the Act East Forum, which also provides a collaborative platform in the North Eastern Region. The meeting was co–chaired by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Explanation

• As per a recent report by Alvarez & Marsal India, as at September 2020, it took an average of 440 days for resolving 277 cases approved by the NCLT under the IBC.
• The report stressed on the need for time–bound resolution of stressed assets and enhancing the resolution processes under Insolvency and Bankruptcy code as recovery percentages fell sharply to 15–25 % whenever there is an increase in time taken for resolution.

Explanation

• The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for the year 2020 has been released recently by Transparency International (TI).
• The index uses a scale of 0 to 100 to rate countries, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean. India slipped six places and has been ranked at 86th position out of 180 countries.

Explanation

• The National Statistical Office recently released its revised national account data. As per the data, the economic growth rate for 2019–20 was revised downwards to 4 percent.
• The decrease from the previous estimate of 4.2% was mainly due to contraction in secondary sectors like manufacturing and construction. Real GDP growth of 2018–19 is estimated at 6.5%, against the 6.1 percent revealed in January estimate.

Explanation

• The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill 2021 is to be introduced in the Budget session.
• The government is set up a National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), which will facilitate the infrastructure financing of the country. The developmental financial institution (DFI) will act as a principal financial institution and development bank to support infrastructure projects.

Explanation

• Swami Vivekananda started the ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna order in 1896, to spread the message of India’s spiritual knowledge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 125th Anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ organized by Advaita Ashrama in Uttarakhand.
• It is the place of publication of the journal. Several leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Sri Aurobindo have contributed to the journal.

Explanation

• Former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), RS Sharma is appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of National Health Authority (NHA).
• He is to replace Indu Bhushan after his 3 year term. NHA is responsible for implementing the public health insurance scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Sharma is also the Chairperson of an empowered committee on Co–WIN platform.

Explanation

• The BCCI has decided to conduct Vijay Hazare Trophy in place of its first–class domestic tournament Ranji Trophy.
• BCCI has stated that the decision has been made as per the wishes of majority of the state units. Additionally, BCCI would also be hosting U–19 National One Day tournament for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and a Women’s national 50–over tournament.

Explanation

• On the Polio National Immunization Day scheduled on January 31, 2021, around 89 lakh children were given polio drops under National Polio Immunisation drive across the country. President Ram Nath Kovind launched the first round of Pulse Polio Programme 2021.
• Over seven lakh booths were set up for implementing the drive. A house–to–house surveillance will also be provided to vaccinate the remaining children.

Explanation

• The Union Budget 2021–22 contain that the permissible Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Insurance Companies would be increased from 49% to 74%. Foreign ownership with safeguard would be allowed in this segment. Insurance Act of 1938 would be amended to make effect to the proposed hike in FDI limit.

Explanation

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest number of new cases of leprosy in the world annually. India is followed by Brazil and Indonesia in the largest number of cases.
• In India, more new cases are reported from the rural belts of Bihar, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. January 31 is observed as World Leprosy Day.

Explanation

• China is the largest producer of silk, in the world. It is followed by India in the second place.
• India is the only country in the world which produces all four major varieties of silk namely – Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga. Recently, the Textiles Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated India’s biggest silk fair, the 8th India International Silk Fair. It is held on the virtual platform of Indian Silk Export Promotion Council.

Explanation

• Lieutenant General C P Mohanty assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Prior to this appointment he was the Army Commander of the Southern Army.
• The area of responsibility of the Southern Army includes 11 states and four Union Territories. C P Mohanty has replaced the previous Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini.

Explanation

• In the Union Budget 2021–22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a scheme of Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA).
• The scheme is to be launched in addition to the Production Linked Incentive scheme. It aims to help the industry become competitive, attract investments and boost employment generation. Under the scheme, 7 Textile Parks will be established over 3 years.

Explanation

• In this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket tournament held at Ahmedabad, Tamil Nadu team defeated Baroda to win the trophy title. During this year’s tournament, Tamil Nadu remained un beaten till the final match. At the finals, the team chased Baroda’s with 7 wickets remaining.

Explanation

• The 13th edition of Aero India, the Global Air show ‘Aero India’ is being organised at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
• The exhibition is hosted by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Exhibition Organisation. This show enables the manufacturers and service providers from the Indian aviation industry meet buyers.

Explanation

• Indian–American Bhavya Lal has been appointed as the acting chief of staff of the US space agency, NASA. She was earlier serving as a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defence Analyses– Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI). She had served in several important positions related to space sector.

Explanation

• India’s first Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management has been set up in Chennai. It aims to strengthen research for conservation and management of the wetlands. This has been set up as a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai. The Centre would also serve as a knowledge hub and facilitate exchanges between state wetland authorities.

Explanation

• World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2nd February to create awareness on the importance of wetlands and its role played in the planet. This year, the theme of the World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetlands and Water’. This year’s theme highlights the importance of wetlands as a source of freshwater.

Explanation

• The Kaliveli Lake is a coastal lake and a wet land, situated in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu.
• The lake is near the Bay of Bengal and is the second–largest brackish water lake in Southern India after the lake Pulicat. The district administration has recently issued the 1st declaration under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to declare the wetlands as a bird sanctuary.

Explanation

• Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently launched two schemes named ‘Pragyan Bharati’ and ‘Bhasha Gourab’.
• Under Pragyan Bharati scheme, funds are provided to college students for purchasing text books while under the Bhasha Gourab scheme, the state government provides financial assistance to 21 Sahitya Sabhas (literary bodies).

Explanation

• The founder of the Indian multinational Software company Zoho, Sridhar Vembu has been appointed to the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). 
• The board is led by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Other new members are former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan, academic member Anshuman Tripathy and former ambassador Arun K Singh.

Explanation

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the country’s first thunderstorm research testbed is to be set up in Balasore, Odisha.
• The testbed will be established in a collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, DRDO and ISRO. It aims to reduce human fatalities and loss of property due to lightning strikes.

Explanation

• American digital payments major, PayPal Inc. announced that it will shut down its payment operations in the country.
• PayPal, which was offering its payment gateway to Indian brands and online merchants, will shut down its domestic payment services in India, from April 1. It was also providing international remittance services for small and medium enterprises.

Explanation

• The first meeting of the Joint Working Group in the field of Renewable Energy between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain was held recently in virtual format.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Bahrain in July 2018, for promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy. The meeting focussed on enhanced cooperation in the field of solar, wind and clean hydrogen.

Explanation

• National Safety Council (NSC) was set up by the Ministry of Labour in 1966 as a not–for–profit body on Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) at the national level. As per a press statement by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, S.N. Subrahmanyan, CEO and Managing Director of L&T Ltd, has been recently appointed as Chairman of the National Safety Council, for a period of three years.

Explanation

• India held its first High Level Dialogue on Trade and Investment with the European Union. The dialogue was co–chaired by the Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
• During the 15th India–EU Leader’s Summit held in July 2020, the leaders from both the sides committed to establish this dialogue. It aims to provide ministerial–level guidance for promoting the bilateral trade and investment relations.

Explanation

The England Cricket Team Captain Joe Root has become the first cricket player to score a double century in the 100th test match. Joe Root achieved this feat during the test match against India at Chennai. He scored fifth double century of his career.

Explanation

• As per the third round of the serological survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) finds that nearly one in five Indians were infected by the SARS–CoV–2 coronavirus.
• This nation–wide survey found the affected cases till December 2020. A serological test detects whether a person has antibodies to the Sars–Cov–2, which indicates the occurrence of past infection.

Explanation

• A unit called ‘Thozhi’ has been set up at the Chennai Police to provide direct and psychological assistance and counseling to children, women and their families affected by sexual offenses in their place of residence.

Explanation

• The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi dedicated the 348 km Dobhi – Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section. The LPG import terminal is a part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project.
• He also laid the foundation stone of the 2nd Catalytic–Isodewaxing unit of Haldia Refinery in the state.

Explanation

• Russia defeated Italy to clinch the ATP Cup tennis tournament, held recently in Melbourne. Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev won their singles matches in straight sets. With this win, the two Russian players head into the Australian Open.
• Ashleigh Barty also enters the Australian Open by winning her ninth WTA singles title by wiining the Yarra Valley Classic final.

Explanation

• After the Glacier burst occurred in the state of Uttarakhand, over hundred persons are missing in the massive flash flood.
• The flood washed away two hydel power projects namely the Rishiganga small hydro project and National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) Tapovan project. The projects are located on the banks of the Dhauliganga river in the state.

Explanation

• In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly announced 10 February as the World Pulses Day. This was followed by the celebration of the year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP), across the world, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
• The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the nutritional values of pulses and ways to tackle malnutrition through pulses. In this year 2021, World Pulses Day was celebrated on social media with the hash tag #Love_Pulses.

Explanation

• International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ is observed every year on February 11, across the world. This year, the day will mark the sixth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. United Nations leads the observance of the day. This year, the theme is ‘Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID–19’.

Explanation

• Uttar Pradesh is set to export a consignment of 20 tonnes of Buddha Rice, also known as “Kala Namak” Rice to Singapore. This variety of rice is one of the finest varieties of aromatic rice in India.
• This will boost the farm exports of the states with more focus on the Buddhist countries. The state Government has declared it as the ‘One District One Product’ of Siddharth Nagar district.

Explanation

• The Bangalore International Airport Limited’s (BIAL) has won the World’s ‘Voice of the Customer’ award from the Airports Council International. The award recognises airports which continued to prioritise the customers during the COVID–19 pandemic in 2020. As per the council, the airport showed significant efforts in collecting passenger feedback.

Explanation

• The Government of India has launched the ‘The India Toy Fair 2021’, to promote domestic manufacturing of toys. It is to be held as a digitally accessible exhibition and platform to connect various stakeholders of Toy industry. The programme is scheduled from 27th February to 2nd March 2021. Webinars by State Governments, Knowledge sessions and Competitions are being planned.

Explanation

• Former Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari has authored a book titled ‘By Many a Happy Accident: Recollections of a Life’. It describes the unplanned happenings that took place in the life of Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Mohammad Hamid Ansari has twice served as the Vice President of India.

Explanation

• The Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) announced that 247 central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) earned profit of Rs 1.78 lakh crore during 2018–19. Out of the total profit, 73% was contributed by 63 companies in the fields of petroleum, coal and lignite and power.
• It also revealed that 189 CPSEs had suffered losses of Rs 1.4 lakh crore as on March 31, 2019.

Explanation

• The NITI Aayog has constituted a sub–group to prepare the ‘National Action Plan for Migrant Workers’, as per the recent announcement of Union Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar. The sub–group includes members from various ministries, experts, NGOs and other organisations. The Labour Bureau under the Labour Ministry will also begin to conduct an All–India Survey on Migrant workers.

Explanation

• ‘SVAMITVA’ is a new scheme launched under the Panchayati Raj Ministry in 2020. It aims to provide the property cards to the property owners through drone survey by Survey of India.
• Out of the total budget allocation to the Ministry, a provision of Rs.200 crores has been made for the ‘SVAMITVA’ scheme. The pilot phase of the scheme was approved with Budget outlay of Rs.79.65 crore, to be implemented in 9 States.

Explanation

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the ‘India Energy Outlook 2021’ recently. As per the report, India is the world’s fourth–largest energy consuming country.
• The report also highlighted that India will have the biggest share of energy demand growth at 25% over the next two decades. It will overtake EU as the third largest energy consumer by 2030. India’s energy consumption could touch USD 8.6 trillion by 2040.

Explanation

• Denmark has recently approved a plan to build the world’s first energy island in the North Sea. The artificial island will be linked to offshore wind turbines. The island would provide power to households and green hydrogen to shipping and aviation industries.
• It is claimed that the park can produce and store green energy to cover the electricity needs of 3 million households.

Explanation

• Karnataka recently launched the office of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM). It aims to increase the digital economy contribution to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to 30 percent. 
• The state also launched the “Beyond Bengaluru” to achieve this target. 51 percent stakes of the mission are given to industry associations and the remaining is kept by the state government.

Explanation

• In India, every year February 10 and August 10 are observed as the National Deworming Day (NDD). The day aims to eradicate intestinal worms within the age bracket of 1–19 years, which are also referred to as Soil–Transmitted Helminths (STH).
• As per the World Health Organisation, about 241 million children in India between 1–14 years are at risk of parasitic intestinal worms.

Explanation

• World Pangolin Day is observed annually on the third Saturday in February. This day is observed to create awareness about Pangolin and to protect these unique creatures from extinction. The 10th World Pangolin Day will be observed on Feb.20, 2021.

Explanation

• The Indian Navy and IIT Delhi has recently signed an MoU on research in underwater domain of Naval Electronic Systems. The key technologies for Navy in underwater electronics have been developed by the Centre for Applied Research in Electronics (CARE) at IIT Delhi since 1970s.

Explanation

• Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). As per the recent edition of the data, the IIP measure grew 1 per cent for December 2020. The Consumer Price Index inflation (CPI) decreased to 4.06 per cent in January 2021, due to the decline in vegetable prices.

Explanation

• India records the highest number of Road crash deaths, across the world. The World Bank recently released a report titled “Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society”.
• Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari released the report. Over 75% of the poor households in India reported a decline in their income after a road traffic crash.

Explanation

• ‘World Radio Day’ is celebrated on Feb.13 every year, across the world. It was first proclaimed by the member states of UNESCO in 2011. The UN General Assembly adopted the proposal in 2012.
• The 2021 edition of World Radio Day is based on 3 main sub–themes namely Evolution, Innovation and Connection. UNESCO released a video named “New World; New Radio”.

Explanation

• The Uttarakhand government has decided to limit Kumbh Mela 2021 to just 30 days from earlier three months. This was informed by Chief Secretary Om Prakash. This time the Kumbh, which is one of the most sacred events for Hindus, will be held from April 1 to April 30.

Explanation

The World Cancer Day is observed every year on 4th February to raise awareness about cancer, its treatment and to encourage methods of its prevention. The theme of the 2021 Cancer Day is ‘I Am and I Will’, which is being continued since 2019.

Explanation

• World Unani Day is observed every year on 11th February, to mark the birth anniversary of the Unani scholar and social reformer Hakim Ajmal Khan. He was the founder of scientific research in Unani System of Medicine. The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece and its foundation was laid by Hippocrates.

Explanation

• ‘World Radio Day’ is celebrated on Feb.13 every year, across the world. It was first proclaimed by the member states of UNESCO in 2011. The UN General Assembly adopted the proposal in 2012.
• The 2021 edition of World Radio Day is based on 3 main sub–themes namely Evolution, Innovation and Connection. UNESCO released a video named “New World; New Radio”.

Explanation

• Germany based professional football club Bayern Munich beat Mexico’s Tigres UANL in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. This is the 6th title won by the club in less than nine months. Benjamin Pavard of the German team scored the only goal of the final match in the 59th minute.

Explanation

• Grand Anicut Canal, also called as ‘Kallanai’ is said to be the oldest water regulating structure in the world, constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the Chola King Karikal Cholan.
• Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System. The project is to be taken up at a cost of Rs 2,640 crores.

Explanation

• As per the recent report released by Tracxn, a company which tracks investments and financials, the number of start–ups founded in Bengaluru has been higher than in San Francisco, United States in the past five years. In 2015, 3,080 firms were founded in the Indian city, as against 2,040 companies in San Francisco.
• Similarly, in 2020, 805 firms were founded in Bengaluru, whereas the US city’s count was 619. Bengaluru has around 13,000 active start–ups, at present.

Explanation

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has virtually launched the ‘Maa’ scheme under which the state government would provide meal at Rs 5 to poor people. A platter of food including vegetable and egg curry is to provided at Rs 5.

Explanation

• Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the ‘Abhyudaya’ scheme. It aims to provide coaching facilities to the interested candidates for competitive exams like NEET and IIT–JEE.  Over 50,000 students are selected under the scheme.

Explanation

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted an eight–member expert panel to lay down a regulatory road map for urban co–operative banks. The committee will be headed by former deputy governor of RBI, N. S. Vishwanathan. The group will also study the consolidation prospects in the sector. The expert committee has been asked to submit its report within three months.

Explanation

• The Tata Electronics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government in order to establish a facility to manufacture the mobile components.
• The project by the Tata Electronics will cost Rs 4684 crores. It will be established in Krishnagiri. The project can help in creating jobs for 18,250 people. Tamil Nadu has also signed a MoU with the Grasim Industries in order to establish a paint manufacturing unit at Cheyyar. It will be established with an investment of Rs 750 crore. In total, the Tamil Nadu states has signed 28 MoUs for the projects for which the budget outlay is Rs 28,000 crore.

Explanation

• Pi Beam – an IIT Madras incubated start–up has recently launched a 2–wheeler named PiMo. This vehicle can be charged faster than a smart mobile phone. It has a range of 50 km and is priced at Rs.30,000/–. This vehicle does not require registration and is targeted at personal and commercial users.

Explanation

• The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been conferred the Skoch Chief Minister of the Year Award. The award has been provided based on a year–long study of results of the projects being implemented by various state governments of the country. Over 123 projects were implemented in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Explanation

• Giant Leatherback turtle are the largest of the seven species of sea turtles. They are found in all oceans except the Arctic and the Antarctic. 
• In the Indian ocean, they nest at Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Government’s proposal for tourism promotion and port development will threaten this species, which is accorded legal protection by listing in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Explanation

• S. Chinny Krishna, the co–founder of Blue Cross of India, has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Prani Mitra’ award for 2021 by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Giriraj Singh presented the award to Mr. Krishna in New Delhi, for his lifetime service to animals. It is the country’s highest award for animal welfare.

Explanation

• The Ministry of Earth Sciences has unveiled the draft blue economy policy in the public domain, inviting suggestions and inputs from various stakeholders. The draft policy document highlights the strategy that can be adopted by the government to utilise the oceanic resources available in the country.
• It also has recognised seven thematic areas.

Explanation

• Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar is to launch software applications for five all India surveys, being conducted by the Labour Bureau.
• The Ministry will also release instruction manuals with questionnaire for five All India Surveys including All India Survey on Migrant workers, All India Survey on Domestic Workers, All India Survey on Employment Generated by Professionals, All India Survey on Employment Generated in Transport Sector, and All–India Quarterly Establishment based Employment Survey.

Explanation

• The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August, 2019. It aims to provide tap water connection to every rural household by 2024. Recently, the scheme has reached a new milestone by providing 3.53 Crore rural household tap water connections. 35.24% of rural households receive potable water through taps, against only 17% in 2019.

Explanation

• Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah has granted recognition to Mallikarjun Kharge as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. The Indian National Congress Leader succeeds Ghulam Nabi Azad whose term has ended recently. Mallikarjun Kharge was a former Union minister and had been Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, earlier.

Explanation

• The Union Cabinet recently approved a Rs 12,195–crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking products.
• The products include switches, routers, radio access network, wireless equipment and other internet of things (IoT) access devices. With this, the total number of sectors stand at 13, for which incentives of 4 to 6 percent would be provided by the Government.

Explanation

• The Union Cabinet has approved signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between India and Mauritius. This is the first trade Agreement to be signed by India with any country in Africa.
• The agreement aims to liberalise norms covering Rules of Origin, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Dispute Settlement, Telecom, Financial services and Customs Procedures among others.

Explanation

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Australian Space Agency signed an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding, for space cooperation with Australia.
• The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison last year.

Explanation

• Annual naval defence and maritime security exhibitions ‘NAVDEX’ and ‘IDEX’ are to be scheduled in the United Arab Emirates.
• Indian Naval Ship Pralaya arrived at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the exercises from February 20 to Feb.25. ‘INS Pralaya’ is the second ship of the indigenously built Prabal Class Missile Vessels.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Mission Indradhanush 3.0.
• It aims to vaccinate children and pregnant women who have missed their regular vaccination due to COVID–19 and national lockdown. This campaign will have two rounds of vaccination. Women and children of migration areas and hard to reach terrains would be targeted first.

Explanation

• The trials of Helina – Indian Army version of a Missile system was carried out recently from an Advanced Light Helicopter. Additionally, Dhruvastra – the Indian Air Force Version of the same missile system was also tested. These systems were designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Explanation

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge over Brahmaputra river. It is a 19 km long 4–lane bridge to be laid from Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari in Meghalaya.
• The bridge will improve transport connectivity in the Barak valley. It also reduces the distance between the four North eastern states of Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

Explanation

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has built and delivered the 100th K9 Vajra tracked self–propelled howitzer. This is the last howitzer of the contract awarded in 2017. This system has been built with technology transfer from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defense.

Explanation

• The Commonwealth High–Level Law Ministers Meeting on the Legal aspects of COVID–19 was chaired by the Law Minister of Sri Lanka. It was organised in virtual mode by Commonwealth Secretariat. Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice represented India on behalf of Union Minister for Law & Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad.
• He said that India used video–conferencing to dispose the cases in a timely fashion during the pandemic.

Explanation

• Khajuraho city in the state of Madhya Pradesh has several ancient Hindu and Jain temples. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The six–day Khajuraho Dance Festival began on the temple premises after 44 years. ASI had cancelled the permission as there were reports of destruction of monuments and defacement of idols. For the last 44 years, the festival was organised in open grounds.

Explanation

• The Commonwealth High–Level Law Ministers Meeting on the Legal aspects of COVID–19 was chaired by the Law Minister of Sri Lanka. It was organised in virtual mode by Commonwealth Secretariat. Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice represented India on behalf of Union Minister for Law & Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad.
• He said that India used video–conferencing to dispose the cases in a timely fashion during the pandemic.

Explanation

• Bangladesh has recently banned the painkiller ketoprofen used widely to treat the cattle. With this it became the first country to ban all the drugs known so far to be toxic to vultures. Over 10 years ago, the country banned the veterinary drug diclofenac.

Explanation

• International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on February 21. The theme for this year is “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society”.
• In 1999, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNES –CO) had declared 21st Feb as International Mother Language Day. It was on the same date, Bangladesh fought for their Bangla language, which transformed into a language–based national movement.

Explanation

• This year (2021), the 16th edition of India–USA joint military exercise – Yudh Abhyas held between February 8 and 21. This year’s exercise was conducted at Indio–Pakistan border. The exercise aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries and will have a special focus on counter–terrorism operations.

Explanation

• A Damage Control Simulator (DCS) for the Indian Navy would be set up in Port Blair of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Commander in Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command – Lt. Gen. Manoj Pande laid the foundation stone for the Damage Control Simulator. It would be established by Goa Shipyard Ltd.

Explanation

• The ‘Central Excise Day’ is celebrated every year in India on February 24. The day is celebrated to encourage the employees of excise department to perform their duties more efficiently.
• Various seminars, workshops and cultural events are organized all over the country, to mark the event. It is also observed to commemorate the Central Excise and Salt Act, which was enacted on February 24, 1944.

Explanation

Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram received their statehood on February 20, 1987, following the 53rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1986. On 20th January 1972, the North East Frontier Agency was renamed as Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh and on 20th February 1987 statehood was granted to Arunachal Pradesh. Mizoram was also a Union Territory from 1972 to 1987 before achieving statehood.

Explanation

• Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified all eight species of pangolin as “threatened”.
• The World Pangolin Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of February, to raise awareness on their importance. This year, it has been celebrated on Feb.20. Pangolins are considered as the pest controllers in the ecosystem.

Explanation

• The Union Minister for Forests, Environment, Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated Lakshadweep forest department’s headquarters as ‘Atal Paryavaran Bhavan’. He stated that as per NITI Aayog’s scheme for three islands of India, many permits have been issued for different tourism projects in Lakshadweep that are aimed at growth and increase employment opportunities in the island.

Explanation

• Vijay Sampla, former Union Minster recently took charge as the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), after being appointed by the President of India. He served as the Union Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment from 2014 to 2019. Ram Shankar Katheria was earlier the head of NCSC.

Explanation

• National Science Day is celebrated across the country on February 28 each year, to commemorate the discovery of the great Indian physician C V Raman – the Raman’s effect. Raman had received the Nobel Prize for the effect, which he discovered in 1928.
• This year (2021), the theme of the National Science Day is, “Future of STI: Impacts on Education, Skills, and Work”.