National Affairs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiates Startup India Seed Fund Scheme worth Rs.1000 crore
Prime Minister of India shri Narendra Modi has launched Startup India Seed Fund scheme of Rs.1000 crore.
- The main aim of this fund is to support startups and help budding entrepreneurs pursue innovative ideas.
- Also this scheme will provide financial assistance to startups for Proof of Concept, prototype development, product trials, market-entry, and commercialization.
Current Affairs January 2021 PDF Download
Union Ministry launches SAKSHAM campaign to spread awareness about green energy
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched SAKSHAM campaign to increase awareness about green and clean energy to the people.
- ‘SAKSHAM’s idea is to convince consumers to switch to cleaner fuels and bring in behavioral change to use fossil fuel intelligently.
- The campaign will also spread awareness about 7 key drivers that would help India move towards cleaner energy.
About Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry:
- Union Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan
Current Affairs December 2020 PDF Download
Country’s First ‘Driverless Metro Car’ launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the country’s first indigenously designed and developed Driverless Metro Car at the BEML manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.
- These metro cars are made up of stainless-steel body with a capacity of carrying 2280 passengers in six-cars Metro train-set.
Current Affairs November 2020 PDF Download
International Affairs
Traditional Kite Festival celebrated in Dhaka, Bangladesh
The traditional Kite festival also known as Shakrain festival was celebrated in several parts of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- This year, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) organized the Shakrain festival for the first time.
- The slogan of this year’s festival was ‘Let’s Fly a kite, Cherish Tradition’.
About Bangladesh:
- Capital: Dhaka
- Currency: Bangladeshi taka
- President: Abdul Hamid
State Affairs
Kerala State Government launches ‘One School One IAS’ scheme
The State Government of Kerala has launched ‘One School One IAS’ scheme.
- This scheme has launched under Vedhik Erudite Foundations Scholarship Programme
- Under this scheme free training will be provided to the intelligent students who are economically backward to score good marks in civil service exams.
About Kerala:
- Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
Awards & Honors
Ministry of Panchayati Raj wins SKOCH Challenger Award
Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj has won the SKOCH Challenger Award at the 70th SKOCH summit
- Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj received the SKOCH Challenger Award conferred to Ministry of Panchayati Raj under “Transparency in Governance” category
- The ministry won this award IT-led initiatives, transformational reforms and strengthening of the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country.
About Panchayati Raj Ministry:
- Union Minister: Narendra Singh Tomar
Veteran actor Biswajit Chatterjee wins ‘Indian Personality of the Year’ award at IFFI
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar announced veteran actor, director and singer Biswajit Chatterjee as the recipient of the ‘Indian Personality of the Year’ award.
- He has begun his career in 1950 and he also directed and produced a film named “Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja”
- The International Film Festival of India, founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.
Banking Affairs
India Post Payments Bank and FSS collaborated to boost financial inclusion in the country
India Post payment bank has collaborated with Financial Software and Systems (FSS) to increase financial inclusion among underserved and unbanked segments.
- As part of the collaboration, the payments bank will use FSS’ Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) to deliver interoperable and affordable doorstep banking services to customers across India.
About India Post payment bank:
- Founded: 1 September 2018
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
Yes Bank launches wellness-themed credit cards in partnered with Aditya Birla Financial Services
YES BANK has launched ‘YES BANK Wellness’ and ‘YES BANK Wellness Plus’ credit cards in partnership with Aditya Birla Wellness Private Limited.
- The main objective of these credit cards is to develop health, self-care and wellness growth of the consumers.
- Customers can get the health benefits by simply registering on the Aditya Birla Multiply App.
About Yes Bank:
- CEO: Prashant Kumar
- Founded: 2004
- Headquarters: Mumbai
MoUs & Agreements
India and Japan signs MoU to boost cooperation in the Field of ICT
India and Japan signed MoU to increase cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technologies.
- This MoU will enhance mutual cooperation in the field of 5G technologies, telecom security, submarine optical fiber cable system to islands of India, spectrum management etc
About Japan:
- Capital: Tokyo
- Currency: Japanese yen
- Prime minister: Yoshihide Suga
Tribal Affairs Ministry and KVIC signs two MoU for employment and strengthen Khadi artisans
Union Ministry for Tribal Affairs and The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost employment and strengthen Khadi artisans and the tribal population.
- The MoUs was signed between Union MSME Minister, Shri Nitin Gadkari and Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Shri Arjun Munda.
About Tribal Affairs Ministry:
- Union Minister: Arjun Munda
- Minister of State: Renuka Singh Saruta
Appointments
UN Rights body elects Fiji’s Nazhat Shameem Khan as its President for 2021, succeeds Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger
The UN Human Rights Council elected Fiji’s ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan as its president in 2021.
- She served as the council’s vice president in 2020 and is considered a rights champion
- She won with 29 out of 47 votes
- She replaces Australian lawyer Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw appointed as one of US-India Business Council’s vice-chair
Indian Entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has appointed as one of US-India Business Council’s vice-chair.
- The two other business executives joining Shaw as vice-chairs are Amway CEO Milind Pant and Edward Knight who is the vice-chair at Nasdaq.
- Her appointment was come effect from 14 January 2021.
About US-India Business Council’s vice-chair:
- Chairman: Nisha Desai Biswal
- Founded: 1975
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
Summits & Conference
‘Prarambh’, Startup India International Summit inaugurated by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal
Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal has inaugurated ‘Prarambh’, Startup India International Summit.
- The inaugural event participated by the members of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries.
- The aim of this summit is to develop cooperation of countries around the globe
Obituaries
Noted Indian Musician Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Dies
Popular Indian classical musician Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan has passed away. He was 89
- He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, followed by Padma Bhusan in 2006 and Padma Vibhushan in 2018.
- In 2003 he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi award
Ex Union Minister Kamal Morarka passes away
Former Union Minister and industrialist Kamal Morarka has passed away at the age of 74.
- Morarka was a minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office in the Chandra Sekhar-led government between 1990 and 1991.
- He was also a Rajya Sabha MP 1988 – 1994
Important Days
NDRF 16th Raising Day 2021 – 19 January
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has celebrated its 16th Raising Day 2021 on 19 January 2021. NDRF was established in 2006.
- NDRF is playing a vital role in Disaster Management and Community awareness for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the country.
About NDRF:
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: New Delhi
Latest Govt Syllabus 2020 – 21
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· Current Affairs
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· Famous Personalities
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