April 2nd Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test English

Explanation

• The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released the ‘Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ report recently. As per the report, deforestation rates in Latin America and the Caribbean are significantly lower in Indigenous and Tribal territories. The report was jointly released by Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC).

Explanation

The world’s first animal vaccine against the novel coronavirus has been registered in Russia. It has been as ‘Carnivac–Cov’. As per the country’s agriculture safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor, the immunity lasts for six months after the vaccination. The use of this vaccine is expected to prevent the development of virus mutations.

Explanation

• The Department of Science and Technology announced that Scientists have developed a new technique to track the huge bubbles of gas, which are ejected from the Sun. This new technique will be used in India’s first solar mission Aditya–L1. A software named Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus) and CMEs Identification in Inner Solar Corona (CIISCO) algorithm have been developed.

Explanation

• The Government of India has announced scholarships to 2000 descendants of the Liberation War fighters of Bangladesh under its new Muktijoddha Scholarship scheme, which was announced it 2017.
• The scheme aims to benefit 10,000 students from Bangladesh over a period of five years. This year, 1000 students each from the Higher Secondary and Undergraduate categories have been given as scholarship directly in their account.

Explanation

• France is set to conduct the joint naval exercise, La Pérouse, in the Bay of Bengal from April 5 to 7. India is set to join its Quad partners — Australia, Japan, and the United States in the exercise.
• Two French Navy ships will be joined by ships from India, Australia, Japan, and the US. India and France will also hold the bilateral naval exercise, Varuna later this month.

Explanation

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that India holds the world record for fastest road construction.
• India has entered Guinness World Records by building a 2.5 km 4–lane concrete road within 24 hours. It also built 25–km bitumen Solapur–Bijapur road within 24 hours. A record construction of 37 km per day was achieved in financial year 2020–21.

Explanation

• India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) announced that it has signed a loan agreement of up to USD 1 billion with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). JBIC is wholly owned by the Government of Japan.
• This loan intends to promote smooth flow of funds for the business operations of Japanese automobile manufacturers in India. SBI had signed a similar deal with JBIC in October last year. The beneficiaries include suppliers, dealers and the end users.

Explanation

• Recently, a new view of the black hole has been released by astronomers working with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT).
• In this view, the astronomers have mapped the magnetic fields close to the hole. The event horizon telescope first revealed the images of black hole, in the year 2018, which is located in the galaxy M87 at a distance of 55 million light–years.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has amended the rules pertaining to location of thermal power plants within 10 km of major cities with more than 10 lakh population and the National Capital Region.
• As per the amended rules, certain emission norms have been mandated to be adhered by the thermal power plants latest by the end of 2022.

Explanation

• Haryana has recently amended several provisions under its Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly of the state. The new provisions include mandating presence of at least two ministers and preventing the members from tearing off documents in the House in protest. This is expected to maintain the decorum of the house.

Explanation

• The UNESCO has recently released a report titled “World 2030: Public Survey Report”. This report is based on surveys conducted around the world from May 2020 to September 2020.
• As per the report, climate change, violence and conflict, loss of biodiversity, discrimination and inequality etc are some of the important challenges affecting a peaceful society.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has recently released a report titled “Women and Men in India 2020”. This report has been published by MoSPI since 1995 and this year’s report is 20th in the series. It provides gender related data for policy makers, planners and other stakeholders.

Explanation

• Under the PM SVANIDHI scheme, urban street vendors are sanctioned with working capital credit facilities upto Rs,10,000 per year by banks. This scheme was launched by the Government of India to provide micro–credit facility to vendors during COVID–19 lockdown. As per a recent data by the Ministry of Home Affairs, out of the total disbursement under the scheme, private banks have contributed only 1.6%.

Explanation

• As per the data released by National Savings Institute under the Ministry of Finance, West Bengal has made the highest contribution to government’s small savings schemes and has a share of more than 15% in deposits at post offices and banks. West Bengal is followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in the list.

Explanation

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2020, also known as the Shanghai Ranking has been released recently. As per the ranking, Calcutta University has been ranked 1st among the Indian Universities and 3rd among higher educational institutions in the country. 15 India Universities have made it into the ARWU 2020 list.

Explanation

• The Tribal Co–operative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has recently launched “Sankalp se Siddhi” – Village & Digital Connect Drive. This drive has commenced on April 1, 2021. This is a 100–day drive that would include participation of 150 teams and would cover 1500 villages of the country. The main aim of this drive is to activate the van dhan kendras of these villages.

Explanation

• India has fixed a target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol by the year 2022. Recently, India has achieved more than 7.2 percent of ethanol blending in fuel, for the first four months of ethanol supply.
• Some stated like Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra have achieved 9–9.5% ethanol blending. This shows that India is on track to reach 10% ethanol blend by 2022.

Explanation

• The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5th of April. This year marks the 58th edition of National Maritime Day, while the first such event was celebrated in the year 1964. The National Maritime Day is celebrated on April 5, to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first wholly owned ship of Indians.

Explanation

• During the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, Bahrain sponsored its Prime Minister’s imitative to designate April 5 as the ‘International Day of Conscience’. The Assembly unanimously adopted resolution “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience” and declared April.5 as the International Day of Conscience. It is celebrated in 2020 for the 1st time.

Explanation

• Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwawala– former DGP of Gujarat, has been appointed as the head of the BCCI’s Anti–Corruption Unit. He succeeds Ajit Singh, whose term ended in March 2021. Khandwawala is a 1973 batch IPS officer and retired from his IPS service in 2010. He has been appointed ahead of the IPL beginning April 9.

Explanation

• The Union Health Ministry has recently approved the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021. This national policy aims to bring down the high cost of treatment for rare diseases.
• This policy has been drafted and approved in consultation with multiple stakeholders of the nation. It is also stated that 40% of beneficiaries covered under PM–JAY will benefit from the policy.

Explanation

The 18th century idol of Goddess Annapurna that was stolen from a temple in Varanasi, is being returned by Canada. As per a government statement, the ancient idol was stolen about 100 years ago. The idol is said to have housed in Canada’s MacKenzie Art Gallery. It was handed over to India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa.

Explanation

• Ingenuity is a mini–helicopter developed by NASA for propulsion in Mars. This was fixed with the NASA’s Perseverance rover that successfully landed in Mars recently. The helicopter has been dropped successfully on Mars’s surface and is expected to make its flight through Mars atmosphere on 11th April.

Explanation

• The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has allowed private sector firms to join hands with it in development and production of missile systems. This announcement has been made under the Development–cum–Production Partner programme.
• The programmes covered under the programme include the Vertical Launched Short–Range Surface to Air Missile system (VL–SRSAM).

Explanation

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy (second) Ordinance 2021. It aims to reduce tenancy disputes as it makes signing of contract compulsory to rent out a property. There is no clear mechanism for conflict resolution under the present law. It was promulgated and implemented in the state of January 2021.

Explanation

• Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL) is the invoice discounting platform for MSMEs. It is a TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System) Exchange Platform accredited by the RBI. The platform has over 7000 registered MSMEs and have processed over 5,00,000 invoices, since its launch in 2017.

Explanation

• Ajay Seth, a 1987–batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and the Managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation, has been appointed as the Department of economic affairs (DEA) secretary. Tarun Bajaj, the present Department of economic affairs (DEA) secretary, has been appointed as the new Revenue secretary.

Explanation

• Israel’s longest–serving leader and the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a mandate from Israel’s president to form a new government. Israel’s election on March 23, was its fourth in two years and ended with an inconclusive election.
• Netanyahu was in power consecutively since 2009, and now has 28 days to form a new Government.

Explanation

• Researchers at Tufts University have developed robots named ‘Xenobots’ from the stem cells of frogs. These robots are able to self–heal after damage and move using particles on their surface –cilia. 
• They can work together in teams and can record information about their surroundings. The robots can be used in bio–medical and environmental studies.

Explanation

• Gautam Adani’s Adani group of companies has become the 3rd in India to cross $100 billion in market capitalisation, after Tata Group and Reliance Group. The total market capitalisation of Adani group’s 6 listed companies touched Rs.7.84 lakh crore or $106.8 billion, according to stock exchange data.

Explanation

• The Union Minister of state for Education – Sanjay Dhotre represented India in the consultation meeting of Education Ministers of E9 countries. The theme of the meeting was “E9 initiative: Scaling up digital learning to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4”.
• E9 countries consist of Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

Explanation

• The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare – Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) in a virtual mode, recently. This platform is capable of tracking 33 diseases as compared to 18 diseases in the earlier version of the platform.
• The new version of IHIP will house the data entry and management for India’s disease surveillance program.

Explanation

• The President of India has appointed Justice NV Ramana as the 48th Chief Justice of India, in accordance with the powers conferred under Article 124 of Indian Constitution. He will assume charge as the Chief Justice of India on 24th April 2021.
• He has been a judge of the Supreme Court since the year 2014. He will have a term of 16 months before his retirement.

Explanation

• Longi Green Energy Technology Co., of China is the world’s biggest solar energy company. The company has entered into the hydrogen market recently. The company has formed a sister concern named Xi’an Longi Hydrogen Technology Co and the founder of Longi Green Energy Technology Co – Li Zhenguo, will serve as the chairman for the new entity

Explanation

• ShadowPad is a malware that is alleged to be behind the October blackout in Mumbai. It has been linked to Chinese cyberattacks in the past too. It was discovered in the year 2017. It was found injected into software updates by NetSarang, a legitimate software provider.

Explanation

• The Centre promulgated the Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021 recently. As per the ordinance, existing appellate authorities are replaced and their powers are vested High Courts.
• The laws covered are Cinematograph Act; Copyright Act; Customs Act; Patents Act; AAI Act; Trade Marks Act; GI of Goods (registration and protection) Act; Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act and Control of NH (land and traffic) Act.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers organised a “National Dialogue on ‘Manufacturing Excellence and Innovation for Competitiveness & Sustainability of Chemicals Manufacturing’.
• The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes industrial development for poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. UNIDO jointly organised this national dialogue as well as a dialogue under ‘Clean Manufacturing in India’ (Swachh Udyog).

Explanation

• “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace” is observed across the world on April 6, after the United Nations General Assembly resolution in 2013. It is marked to celebrate the positive contribution of sports towards sustainable development and advancement of human rights. This year’s theme is around recovery from the pandemic and the importance of equity in that recovery.

Explanation

• The Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates is the first nuclear power station in the Arab world. The nuclear power plant located in Abu Dhabi started commercial operations recently. As per the country’s leaders, the first megawatt from the nuclear plant has entered the national power grid. It was opened in the year 2019.

Explanation

• World Health Day is celebrated across the world annually on April 7. It marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948. It aims to create awareness on a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The theme for this year is “Building a fairer, healthier world”.

Explanation

• India recently hosted the Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors 2021. It was co–chaired by Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI governor Shaktikanta Das. Finance Minister addressed the meeting virtually from New Delhi.
• Issues regarding New development bank, social infrastructure, IMF reforms, fintech for SME and financial inclusion, customs cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

Explanation

• Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY–G), 92% target of completion has been achieved in the 1st phase of the scheme. A target of 1 crore houses was set for completion in the 1st phase of the scheme– from 2016–17 to 2018–19. It aims constructing 2.95 crore PMAY–G houses with all basic amenities by the year 2021–22.

Explanation

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to provide a sum of Rs.50,000 crore to the All–India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) namely NABARD, SIDBI and NHB. NABARD would receive Rs.25,000 crore, SIDBI would receive Rs.15,000 crore and NHB would receive a sum of Rs.10,000 crore as refinance credit facility.

Explanation

• “IH2A” stands for India H2 Alliance. Major global players in energy and industry have come together to form a new energy transition coalition, the India H2 Alliance (IH2A). This coalition is focused on commercialising hydrogen technologies in India to make it a net zero carbon emitter. It will work to build a hydrogen economy and supply chain in India.

Explanation

• Veteran Japanese scientist Isamu Akasaki, who shared a Nobel Prize in physics for the invention of blue light–emitting diodes (LEDs), passed away recently. Akasaki was one of three Japanese–born researchers who was awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in physics.
• He was also a recipient of 2009 Kyoto Prize, Japan’s highest honor, recognizing developments in advanced technology.

Explanation

• Sri Lanka will develop the West Container Terminal at the Colombo port along with India and Japan. India has nominated Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. Japan has yet to nominate a party. India and Japan will have 75% stake in WCT project.

Explanation

• Dr Chintan Vaishnav has been appointed as the Mission director of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the flagship initiative under NITI Aayog. He will take over from Ramanathan Ramanan, who has been leading AIM as its first mission director since June 2017.
• Chintan Vaishnav is a socio–technologist who is currently serving at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US.

Explanation

• INS Sarvekshak is a hydrographic survey ship, is on a deployment to Mauritius for conducting joint hydrographic surveys along with their Mauritian counterparts. The ship visited Port Louis, Mauritius and has started the hydrographic survey of ‘Deep sea area of Port Louis’.
• The survey will also include training of Mauritian personnel on advanced hydrographic equipment and practices.

Explanation

• The Government has appointed S Raman as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Banks Board Bureau had recommended his name for the post and the appointment is for a period of 3 years.
• Ramann is an Indian Audit & Accounts Service officer, is currently the CEO of National e–governance Services Ltd.

Explanation

• Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying signed an MoU with the Ministry of AYUSH. It aims to introduce the concept of Ayurveda and its allied disciplines into veterinary science. It also aims to promote research and development on new formulations in veterinary drugs.