Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of  the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing  Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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January 15 | Daily Current Affairs 2021

SPORTS

1. Which cricketer became the first Indian cricketer to make his international debut across all three formats during the same tour?
A) Mahesh Kumar
B) Thangarasu Natarajan
C) Ruturaj Gaikwad
D) Ravi Bishnoi
E) Yashasvi Jaiswal
Answer: B) Thangarasu Natarajan

• Pacer Thangarasu Natarajan, who came to Australia as a net bowler became the first Indian cricketer to make his international debut across all three formats during the same tour.
• He picked up two wickets in the 20 overs he bowled on the day, conceding 63 runs.

Natarajan – First Indian to make international debut in 3 formats on same tour.

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. The Army Day is being celebrated on January 15. This year in which edition?
A) 71
B) 72
C) 73
D) 74
E) 75
Answer: C) 73

• The Army Day is being celebrated January 15 to mark the taking over as
  commander-in-chief of the Indian Army by the then Lt Gen K M Carriappa in 1949 from General Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India.
• The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital New Delhi as well as in all headquarters.

The Indian Army:
Founded: 1895
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC
Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS): Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini, AVSM, YSM, VSM

OBITUARY

3. Joanne Rogers passed away. He was related to which field?
A) Mathematician
B) Writer
C) Pianist
D) Dancer
E) Actor
Answer: C) Pianist

• Joanne Rogers, an accomplished concert pianist who celebrated and protected the legacy of her husband, the beloved children’s TV host Mister Rogers, has died.

Joanne Rogers – Pianist

4. BS Gnanadesikan passed away. He was related to which Party?
A) ADMK
B) AIADMK
C) YSRCP
D) TMC
E) BJP
Answer: D) TMC

• Former Member of Parliament and vice-president of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) party, BS Gnanadesikan (71) passed away.
• He served as Rajya Sabha Member from the Congress Party twice from 2001 to 2013.
• He was also the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee Chief.
• He resigned from the Congress and joined the Tamil Maanila Congress led by G. K. Vaasan.
• He was working as the Deputy Leader of TMC. The party is now in alliance with NDA.

Tamil Nadu:
Capital: Chennai
CM: Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

B. S. Gnanadesikan – Former Member of Parliament and vice-president of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) party.

RANKING

5. What is the rank of Varun Kapur in the list of BWF Junior Rankings Men’s single category?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5
Answer: B) 2

BWF Junior Rankings Men Singles category:

RANK	COUNTRY / TERRITORY	PLAYER
1	DEN	Mads Juel Møller
2	IND	Varun kapur
3	NEP	Prince Dahal
11	IND	S.Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian

 

BWF Junior Rankings Women Singles category:

RANK	COUNTRY / TERRITORY	PLAYER
1	INA	Stephanie Widjaja
2	IND	Samiya Imad Farooqui
3	THA	Pornpicha Choeikeewong
4	IND	Tasnim MIR
8	IND	Treesa Jolly
10	IND	Aditi Bhatt
12	IND	Tanya Hemanth
15	IND	Gayatri Gopichand Pullela

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

6. Which Bank has launched a new year campaign with offers available on various brands and e-commerce platforms?
A) ICICI Bank
B) IDFC First Bank
C) IDBI Bank
D) Bandhan Bank
E) IndusInd Bank
Answer: A) ICICI Bank

• Private sector lender ICICI Bank has launched a new year campaign with offers available on various brands and e-commerce platforms.
• Called iDelights New Year Bonanza, it is a customised bouquet of offers for its customers to celebrate the beginning of 2021

ICICI Bank:
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
MD & CEO: SandeepBakshi
Tagline: Hum Hai Na, KhayalApka

ICICI Bank – New year campaign – Offer available on various brands and e-commerce platforms.

APPOINTMENTS

7. The National Green Tribunal has formed a committee to look into a plea alleging illegal mining and stone crushing in which state?
A) West Bengal
B) Telangana
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Uttar Pradesh
E) Odisha
Answer: E) Odisha

• The National Green Tribunal has formed a committee to look into a plea alleging illegal mining and stone crushing in Odisha.
• A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel constituted a committee comprising officials from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), District Collector, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

NGT:
Abbreviation: The National Green Tribunal
Act: The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
Founded: 2010
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Chairperson: Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel

NGT – Committee to look into plea alleging illegal mining in Odisha – Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.

AWARDS

8. Which company won ‘Best Governed Company’ at the 20th ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance, 2020 in the ‘Listed Segment: Large Category’?
A) IOCL
B) Accenture
C) Wipro
D) ITC Limited
E) FSSAI
Answer: D) ITC Limited

• ITC Limited has been adjudged ‘Best Governed Company’ at the 20th ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance, 2020 in the ‘Listed Segment: Large Category’.
• The award recognises its consistent growth and performance, contribute capabilities, governance ethos, and sensitised approach towards CSR and sustainable development, the company.
• The award was adjudged by a jury chaired by Justice A K Sikri, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court

ITC – ‘Best governed company ‘at ICSI National Awards.

9. Who has been awarded prestigious ” Chief of Army Staff Commendation” for his outstanding contribution to Armed Forces during critical period of Covid19 pandemic and its various operations?
A) Shri Anuprasath Kumar Chaudhary
B) Shri Abinath Kumar Chaudhary
C) Shri Amresh Kumar Chaudhary
D) Shri Ashok Kumar Chaudhary
E) Shri Aravind Kumar Chaudhary
Answer: C) Shri Amresh Kumar Chaudhary

• Incumbent Chief Controller, Shri Amresh Kumar Chaudhary has been awarded prestigious ” Chief of Army Staff Commendation” for his outstanding contribution to Armed Forces during critical period of Covid19 pandemic and its various operations.
• Shri Amresh Kumar Chaudhary is currently working as Chief Controller in Mil Rail.
  Shri Amresh Kumar Chaudhary is a very sincere, hard-working, proactive and result-oriented official with highest degree of integrity.

About Mil Rail:

• Mil Rail is an extension of Traffic Directorate of Ministry of Railways, headed by Executive Director (ED) level officer with office at Army HQ.
• Mil Rail is responsible for overall coordination, strategic planning & execution of Railway Logistics support to Defense forces during peace & emergency situations.
• Mil Rail works in close coordination with Ministry of Defense for Railway operations pertaining to their requirements. A separate control room manages all these Railway operations which is headed by a Chief Controller.

Shri Amresh Kumar Chaudhary – Prestigious “Chief of Army Staff Commendation”.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

10. The traditional festival of Shakrain is celebrated in which country?
A) Bangladesh
B) Nepal
C) Japan
D) Vietnam
E) Myanmar
Answer: A) Bangladesh

• The traditional festival of Shakrain was celebrated in several parts of Dhaka.
• On this occasion, people engaged in kite flying and fireworks among many other recent additions like ‘DJ Party’ to celebrate this occasion.
• The kite flying competition is followed by a winter cake festival – Pithapuli in which rice cake pudding is eaten by people.
• The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) organised the festival for the first time this year with the slogan ‘Let’s Fly a kite, Cherish Tradition’.

Bangladesh:
Capital: Dhaka
Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
President: Mohammad Abdul Hamid
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Kite festival Shakrain.

11. Which edition meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in New Delhi?
A) 6
B) 5
C) 4
D) 3
E) 2
Answer: A) 6

• The sixth meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in New Delhi.
• The Joint Commission comprehensively reviewed all aspects of multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries and explored ways to further strengthen the traditionally close and friendly ties.
• Both sides discussed several areas of cooperation including in the areas of connectivity, economy and trade, power, oil and gas, water resources, political and security issues.

External Affairs:
Minister: Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP, Gujarat

Nepal:
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Rupee
President: Bidya Devi Bhandari
Prime Minister: K. P. Sharma Oli

EAM Dr S Jaishankar – Co-chair 6th meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission with Nepalese counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.

12. India and which country signed a pact to enhance cooperation in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) with focus on aspects like 5G, telecom security and submarine optical fibre cable?
A) Bangladesh
B) Nepal
C) Japan
D) Vietnam
E) Myanmar
Answer: C) Japan

• India and Japan signed a pact to enhance cooperation in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) with focus on aspects like 5G, telecom security and submarine optical fibre cable.
• According to an official release, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad and Japanese Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Takeda Ryota.

Japan:
Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese Yen
Prime Minister: Yoshihide Suga

India + Japan = Enhance cooperation in ICT.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

13. Which Minister Unveils India’s First Indigenously Developed Driverless Metro Car in Bengaluru?
A) Defence Minister
B) Home Minister
C) Finance Minister
D) Women & Child Development Minister
E) External Affairs Minister
Answer: A) Defence Minister

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the country’s first indigenously developed Driverless Metro Car at the BEML manufacturing facility.

Ministry of Defence:
Minister: Rajnath Singh
Constituency: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Defence Minister – India’s First Indigenously Developed Driverless Metro Car.

14. Which Minister laid the foundation stone of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, formed after the merging of CSIR-NISCAIR and CSIR-NISTADS?
A) Defence Minister
B) Home Minister
C) Health Minister
D) Women & Child Development Minister
E) External Affairs Minister
Answer: C) Health Minister

• Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan laid the foundation stone of
  CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, formed after the merging of CSIR-NISCAIR and CSIR-NISTADS, a step aimed at further strengthening science communication.

CSIR-NISCAIR:

• The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (CSIR-NISCAIR) manages the largest and oldest National Science Library and also distributes International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).
• It has been the custodian of the National Knowledge Resource Consortium (NKRC) which facilitates access to more than 5,000 e-journals of all major publishers, patents, standards, citations, and bibliographic databases.
• It has also been a frontier institute in science communication, publishing popular science magazines (Vigyan Pragati and Science Reporter) and scientific journals.

CSIR-NISTADS:

• CSIR-National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (CSIR-NISTADS) has earned its reputation in its long journey in policy research and has a rich research experience in the area of History of Science, Science and Technology, and Society.

Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology; and Earth Sciences:
Minister: Dr Harsh Vardhan
Constituency: Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Harsh Vardhan – The foundation stone of new institution to further strengthen science communication.

15. The Indian Army has signed a contract with ideaForge to procure “undisclosed quantities” of high-altitude variant of SWITCH unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at a cost of approximately how much amount?
A) USD 10 million
B) USD 20 million
C) USD 30 million
D) USD 40 million
E) USD 50 million
Answer: B) USD 20 million

• The Indian Army has signed a contract with ideaForge to procure “undisclosed quantities” of high-altitude variant of SWITCH unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at a cost of approximately USD 20 million.
• This fixed-wing UAV, capable of vertical take-off and landing, can be deployed at high altitude and harsh environments for day-and-night surveillance.

The Indian Army:
Founded: 1895
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC
Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS): Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini, AVSM, YSM, VSM

Indian Army + ideaForge = Signs $20 mn contract – To procure SWITCH drones.

16. Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone for Rs 323 crore highway projects in which state?
A) Karnataka
B) Telangana
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Uttar Pradesh
E) Odisha
Answer: A) Karnataka

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for two national highway projects in Karnataka, to be built at a cost of Rs 323 crore.
• The projects pertain to construction of elevated corridor at Rani Chennamma Circle in Hubballi city and construction of four-lane road and minor bridge near Dastikoppa Kalaghatgi Tq on NH 63.

Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises:
Minister: Nitin Gadkari
Constituency: Nagpur. Maharashtra

Karnataka:
Capital: Bengaluru
CM: B. S. Yeddyurappa
Governor: Vajubhai Vala

Nitin Gadkari – Foundation stone for Rs 323 crore highway projects in Karnataka.

17. 2-day ‘Prarambh’, Start-up India International Summit begins in New Delhi. Which Minister inaugurates in this summit?
A) Defence Minister
B) Home Minister
C) Health Minister
D) Commerce and Industry Minister
E) External Affairs Minister
Answer: D) Commerce and Industry Minister

• The two-day ‘Prarambh’, Start-up India International Summit began in New Delhi.
  Members of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries participated in the inaugural event.
• The summit is being organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
• Declaring the summit open, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that it is a demonstration of Neighborhood First Policy which will boost partnership among the member countries.
• He hoped that this will usher in a new beginning, showcasing various aspects of the start-up world.

Railways and Commerce and Industry:
Minister: Piyush Goyal
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP, Maharashtra
New Delhi – 2-day ‘Prarambh’, Start-up India International Summit

18. The Third Phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana was launched in 600 districts across the country. Narendra Modi launched the Skill India programme in which year?
A) 2013
B) 2014
C) 2015
D) 2016
E) 2017
Answer: C) 2015

• The Third Phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana was launched in 600 districts across the country.
• Spearheaded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, this phase will focus on new-age and COVID-related skills.
• Skill India Mission-PMKVY 3.0 envisages training of eight lakh candidates over a scheme period of 2020-2021 with an outlay of 949 crore rupees.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Skill India programme in 2015 and it has gained tremendous momentum through the launch of its flagship scheme PMKVY to unlock the vision of making India the Skill Capital of the world.

January 15 – Third phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana being launched.

19. Kanuma festival is celebrated in which state?
A) Karnataka
B) Telangana
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Uttar Pradesh
E) Odisha
Answer: B) Telangana

• In Telangana, people are celebrating Kanuma, the festival of cattle, today on the third day of Sankranti festival.
• On the occasion, the people especially in rural areas, worship cattle and agriculture tools.
• Rural craftsmen and artisans who help farmers in their daily chores are specially honoured.
• Cattle processions are being held at many places across the states as farmers showcase their bulls and adorned cattle in their village streets.
• Cattle competitions and rural sports for youth are held at several places to mark the day.

‘Makaravilakku’:

• Sabarimala temple in Kerala gears up for its annual ‘Makaravilakku’ festival.
  The temple and its premises that used to be jam-packed with over a lakh pilgrims normally, will only see 5,000 pilgrims this time owing to the pandemic situation.
• Makaravilakku, a lamp lit in the forest areas of Ponnambalamedu on the mountain surrounding the hill shrine, and Makarajyothi, the star that appears in the sky are the highlights of the Makaravilakku festival.

Telangana:
Capital: Hyderabad
CM: K. Chandrashekar Rao
Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan

Telangana – Festival of cattle ‘Kanuma’.

20. Tamil Nadu has become ____ State in the country to successfully undertake “One Nation One Ration Card system” reform stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance?
A) 14
B) 13
C) 12
D) 11
E) 10
Answer: D) 11

• Tamil Nadu has become the 11th State in the country to successfully undertake “One Nation One Ration Card system” reform stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
• Thus, the State has become eligible to mobilise additional financial resources of Rs.4,813 crore through Open Market Borrowings. Permission for the same was issued by the Department of Expenditure.
• Tamil Nadu has now joined 10 other States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh, who have completed this reform. On completion of One Nation One Ration Card system reform, these 11 States have been granted additional borrowing permission of Rs.30,709 crore by the Department of Expenditure.
• So far 11 States have implemented the One Nation One Ration Card System, 8 States have done ease of doing business reforms, and 4 States have done local body reforms. Total additional borrowing permission issued so far to the States who have done the aforesaid reforms stands at Rs. 61,339 crores.

Tamil Nadu:
Capital: Chennai
CM: Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

Tamil Nadu – The 11th State to complete One Nation One Ration Card system reform + Additional borrowing permission of Rs.4,813 crore.

21. Home ministry extends validity of FCRA registration of NGOs till which date?
A) June 30, 2021
B) March 31, 2021
C) April 30, 2021
D) February 28, 2021
E) May 31, 2021
Answer: E) May 31, 2021

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the validity of registration certificates issued to NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, expiring between September 29, 2020 and May 31, 2021, till May 31 this year.
• It is mandatory for NGOs receiving foreign funding to register under the FCRA and the decision is expected to be beneficial for several thousand NGOs and other voluntary Organisations whose registrations have expired since September 29.
• In a notification, the MHA said it is mandated to administer the FCRA and section 12(6) of the act provides that the certificate granted shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.
• Besides, with the amendments, office expenses were brought down to 20 per cent from 50 per cent and election candidates, government servants, members of any legislature and political parties were prohibited to accept foreign funding.

Home Affairs:
Minister: Amit Shah
Constituency: Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Home ministry – Extend validity of FCRA registration of NGOs till May 31.

22. Which Minister launched the Aero India-21 mobile app will be the handy interactive interface for all issues related to the event and promises to provide a hassle-free entry to the venue?
A) Defence Minister
B) Home Minister
C) Health Minister
D) Commerce and Industry Minister
E) External Affairs Minister
Answer: A) Defence Minister

• Raksha Mantri Launched the Aero India-21 mobile app today which will be the handy interactive interface for all issues related to the event and promises to provide a hassle-free entry to the venue.
• The app will be available on the Apple App Store/Google Play Store and is a holistic app with features to support exhibitors, attendees, and the media – pre, during and post the event.

Ministry of Defence:
Minister: Rajnath Singh
Constituency: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Defence Minister – Aero India-21 mobile app – The handy interactive interface for all issues.

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