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 29 | Daily Current Affairs 2021

OBITUARY

1. Cicely Tyson passed away. She won Tony Award in which year?
A) 2013
B) 2014
C) 2017
D) 2018
E) 2019
Answer: A) 2013

• Cicely Tyson, the pioneering Black actor who gained an Oscar nomination for her role as the sharecropper’s wife in ‘Sounder’, won a Tony Award in 2013 at age 88 and touched TV viewers’ hearts in ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’, died.
• Besides her Oscar nomination, she won two Emmys for playing the 110-year-old former slave in the 1974 television drama “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.”
• A new generation of moviegoers saw her in the 2011 hit “The Help.
• In 2018, she was given an honorary Oscar statuette at the annual Governors Awards.
• In 2013, at age 88, Tyson won the Tony for best leading actress in a play for the revival of Horton Foote’s “The Trip to Bountiful.”
• It was her first time back on Broadway in three decades and she refused to turn meekly away when the teleprompter told to finish her acceptance speech.
• At the Emmys, “Pittman” won multiple awards, including two honors for Tyson, best lead actress in a drama and best actress in a special.
• She won a supporting actress Emmy in 1994 for “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.” She was nominated for Emmys several other times, including for “Roots,” “King,” “The Marva Collins Story” “Sweet Justice” and “A Lesson Before Dying.”
• Barack Obama presents Cicely Tyson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour, during a ceremony honouring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 22, 2016

Cicely Tyson – Award-winning actress who shattered stereotypes.

2. Temjen Toy passed away. He served as Chief Secretary of which state?
A) Nagaland
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Karnataka
D) Mizoram
E) Gujarat
Answer: A) Nagaland

Nagaland:
Capital: Kohima
CM: Neiphiu Rio
Governor: R N Ravi

Temjen Toy – Nagaland Chief Secretary.

RANKING

3. According to 2nd edition of India Justice Report, Which state is topped in the list of better Justice Delivery?
A) Maharashtra
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Gujarat
D) Madhya Pradesh
E) Bihar
Answer: A) Maharashtra

• The report was an initiative of Tata Trusts, along with the Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, CHRI, DAKSH and TISS-Prayas and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
• Large and mid-sized States : 18.
• Small States: 7.

Overall Ranking
Large and mid-sized states

Small states

 

Judiciary ranking:
Large and mid-sized states

Small states

 

Prisons Ranking:
Large and mid-sized states

Small states

 

Legal aid ranking:
Large and mid-sized states

Small states

 

Police ranking:
Large and mid-sized states

Small states

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

4. The Government of India and the World Bank signed how much amount for STARS to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states?
A) USD 300 Million
B) USD 400 Million
C) USD 500 Million
D) USD 600 Million
E) USD 700 Million
Answer: C) USD 500 Million

• The Government of India and the World Bank signed a 500-million US dollar Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Programme (STARS) to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states.
• These include Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
• Some 250 million students (between the age of six and 17) in 1.5 million schools and over 10 million teachers will benefit from the programme.
• The STARS programme builds on the long partnership between India and the World Bank (since 1994), for strengthening public school education and to support the country’s goal of providing Education for All.
• Prior to STARS, the Bank had provided a total assistance of more than three billion US dollars towards this goal.

World Bank:
Founded: 1944
Members: 189 countries (IBRD), 173 countries (IDA)
HQ: Washington D.C, US
Head: David Malpass

India + World Bank – 500-million-dollar Programme to improve quality of school education in India.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

5. “Yearbook” is authored by whom?
A) Kalraj Sharma
B) Temjen Toy
C) Bala Shah
D) Seth Rogen
E) Vanitha Sampat
Answer: D) Seth Rogen

• Actor-writer Seth Rogen is set to make his book debut with “Yearbook”, which will be released on May 11.
• Billed as a collection of “true stories and essays”, the book is published by Penguin Random House.

“Yearbook” – Seth Rogen (Author) – Published by Penguin Random House.

APPOINTMENTS

6. Who has been appointed as Chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services?
A) Naresh Shah
B) Amit Shah
C) Anish Shah
D) Sathish Shah
E) Bala Shah
Answer: C) Anish Shah

• Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services announced the appointment of Anish Shah as the chairman of the board, effective April 2, 2021.
• Shah is already a director of the company.
• He is the deputy managing director and group CFO of Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Ltd and is designated to take over as the managing director and CEO of the company from April 2, 2021.
• Shah has taken over from Dhananjay Mungale, who will continue to be an independent director on the board of Mahindra Finance

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited:
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman: Anish Shah

Anish Shah – Chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services
– Dhananjay Mungale (Replaced)

7. Who is appointed as MD & CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance replaced Anoop Pabby?
A) Vanitha Sampat
B) Kavitha Sampat
C) Kannesh Sampat
D) Kalpana Sampat
E) Anitha Sampat
Answer: D) Kalpana Sampat

Pramerica Life Insurance:
Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana
MD & CEO: Kalpana Sampat

Kalpana Sampat – MD & CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance – replaced Anoop Pabby.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

8. ICAR-CIBA develops indigenous hatchery tech for high-value commercial fish Grey Mullet. What is the headquarters of ICAR-CIBA?
A) Kolkata, West Bengal
B) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
C) Bangalore, Karnataka
D) Hyderabad, Telangana
E) New Delhi, Delhi
Answer: B) Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• For the first time in the country, Chennai-based Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has announced roll-out of the indigenous hatchery technology for Grey Mullet, a high-valued commercial fish.
• CIBA has successfully bred the Grey Mullet (Madavai), a highly sought-after fish for farming; farmers have been awaiting such a technology for more than three decades.
  The long-awaited breeding technology is a major breakthrough that can help increase fish production, in line with the government’s blue revolution initiatives.

ICAR-CIBA – Indigenous hatchery tech for high-value commercial fish Grey Mullet.

9. Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology developed A multi-purpose service robot ‘Cutebot’ for use in hospitals and security agencies. This University is situated in which place?
A) Kolkata, West Bengal
B) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
C) Bangalore, Karnataka
D) Jalandhar, Punjab
E) New Delhi, Delhi
Answer: D) Jalandhar, Punjab

• A multi-purpose service robot ‘Cutebot’ has been developed by Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar for multiple uses, including in a hospital environment as well as by security agencies for surveillance.
• The robot is also enabled with a wheeled mobile platform.
• Doctors and medical staff can interact with patients of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases through the audio-visual screen of the robot while sitting in their rooms as it is equipped with a camera and voice communication system.
• They can help in guiding patients on medicines and also deliver refreshments in the isolation wards.
• For security personnel, it can help in surveillance and in some other required areas.
• The robot has been designed jointly by Kuldeep Singh Nagla, Associate Professor and a specialist in robotics and automation, and Professor L K Awasthi, director of the institute.
• The robot can carry around 15-kilogram weight in the hospital environment besides doing some other jobs.
• Nagla said Cutebot can be controlled both through the internet and wire-based joy stick within a radius of 25-30 meters. It moves at a variable speed with a maximum of 22 meters per minute.

Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology – Service robot for use in hospitals and security agencies.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

10. India and which country launched a joint initiative to strengthen cooperation in sustainable development and work towards global environment protection?
A) Iraq
B) Iran
C) UK
D) USA
E) France
Answer: E) France

• India and France launched a joint initiative to strengthen cooperation in sustainable development and work towards global environment protection.
• Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and French Minister for Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment, under which the two countries will engage in discussions on critical areas of collaboration relating to environment and allied areas.
• Various programmes under the initiative will focus on five main themes – Environmental protection, Climate change, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable urban development, and Development of renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Visit

• Welcoming Pompili on her maiden visit to India, Javadekar emphasised on the significance of India-France alliance in working towards climate change.

France:
Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro

India + France – Launch initiative to boost ties in sustainable development.

11. Which country launches second advanced naval missile frigate for Pakistan?
A) USA
B) UK
C) Russia
D) Australia
E) China
Answer: E) China

• China launched the second naval missile frigate equipped with an improved radar system and long-range missiles for its all-weather ally Pakistan to help it bolster maritime defence and deterrence capabilities.
• The Pakistan Navy has contracted the construction of four Type 054A/P frigates from China since 2017, and the first ship was launched in August last year.
• The Type 054A multi-purpose, guided-missile frigate is the mainstay of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, with 30 vessels in commission.
• The second Type 054A/P frigate for Pakistan was launched in Shanghai which will significantly enhance Pakistan’s maritime defence and deterrence capabilities
  Besides advanced naval ships, China also partners with the Pakistan Air Force to build JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft.

China:
Capital :Beijing
Currency : Renminbi

Pakistan:
Capital : Islamabad
Currency : Rupee
President: Arif Alvi
Prime Minister: Imran Khan

China – Second advanced naval frigate for Pakistan.

12. India and Japan held which edition of joint meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum in New Delhi?
A) 5
B) 4
C) 3
D) 2
E) 1
Answer: A) 5

• India and Japan held the fifth joint meeting of the India-Japan Act East Forum in New Delhi.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Ambassador of Japan to India Suzuki Satoshi.
• The Act East Forum reviewed progress of ongoing projects in the North Eastern Region of India in various areas including connectivity, hydropower, sustainable development, harnessing of water resources, and skill development.
• They discussed several ongoing new projects under India-Japan bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on cooperation in new areas such as healthcare, agro-industries and SMEs, bamboo value chain development, smart city, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
• Foreign Secretary and the Japanese Ambassador appreciated the role played by the Act East Forum since its establishment in 2017 in streamlining India-Japan bilateral cooperation for the modernization of the North Eastern Region.
• Act East Forum provides a platform for India-Japan collaboration in the North Eastern Region under India’s “Act East Policy” and Japan’s vision for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.

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

New Delhi – India, Japan hold fifth joint meeting of Act East Forum.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

13. The Amazon India signed a MoU with the government of which state to help drive e-commerce exports from the state?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Kerala
E) Karnataka
Answer: E) Karnataka

• The Amazon India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Karnataka to help drive e-commerce exports from the state.
• As part of the MoU with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Amazon will train and onboard MSMEs from the state on Amazon Global Selling, its exports programme, enabling them to sell their unique Made in India products globally to millions of Amazon customers across 200+ countries and territories.

Amazon:
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
CEO: Jeff Bezos

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

Amazon India + Karnataka = Help drive e-commerce exports from state.

14. The government has approved the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) with a corpus of how much amount to provide financial assistance to startups?
A) Rs 245 crore
B) Rs 445 crore
C) Rs 645 crore
D) Rs 545 crore
E) Rs 945 crore
Answer: E) Rs 945 crore

• The government has approved the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) with a corpus of Rs 945 crore to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization.
• The funds will be disbursed through selected incubators across India from 2021-25.
• To be chaired by an individual of eminence, the committee will evaluate and select incubators for allotment of Seed Funds, monitor progress, and take all necessary measures for efficient utilization of funds.
• The SISFS can be availed by a startup, recognised by DPIIT, incorporated not more than two years ago at the time of application. It must have a suitable commercially viable business idea and should use technology in its core product or service.

Govt – Notify Rs 945 crore seed fund scheme for startups.

15. The Rajasthan government has reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate by how many per cent on petrol and diesel?
A) 5
B) 4
C) 3
D) 2
E) 1
Answer: D) 2

• The Rajasthan government has reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate by two per cent on petrol and diesel, giving people the much-needed respite from rising fuel prices.

Rajasthan:
Capital: Jaipur
CM: Ashok Gehlot
Governor: Kalraj Mishra

Rajasthan – Announce 2 per cent cut in VAT on petrol, diesel.

16. Who addresses the World Economic Forum’s Davos Dialogue through video conferencing?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Ramnath Kovind
C) Amit Shah
D) Nirmala Sitharaman
E) Rajnath Singh
Answer: A) Narendra Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the World Economic Forum’s Davos Dialogue through video conferencing.
• More than 400 top industry leaders from across the globe will attend the session, wherein the Prime Minister will be speaking on the Fourth Industrial Revolution – using technology for the good of humanity.
• Mr Modi will also interact with the CEOs during the event.
• The Davos Dialogues agenda marks the launch of the World Economic Forum’s Great Reset Initiative in the post COVID world.

Prime Minister, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space and All important policy issues and All other portfolios not allocated to any Minister:
Minister: Narendra Modi
Constituency: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Narendra Modi – Address World Economic Forum’s Davos Dialogue.

17. Beating the Retreat ceremony was held at the historic Vijay Chowk in which place?
A) Kolkata, West Bengal
B) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
C) Bangalore, Karnataka
D) Hyderabad, Telangana
E) New Delhi, Delhi
Answer: E) New Delhi, Delhi

• Beating the Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of four-day long Republic Day celebrations was held at the historic Vijay Chowk in New Delhi.
• This year also, Indian tunes were the flavour of ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony.
• President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff and Chiefs of the three services were present at the ceremony among others.

Events:

• Bands from Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Force presented 26 performances at the historic Vijay Chowk and enthralled the spectators with captivating and foot-tapping music.
• This year, 15 Military Bands and 15 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions participated in Beating the Retreat ceremony.
• Besides, one each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force band also formed part of the event.
• Another band of CAPF also took part.
• The entry band was Massed Band with Swarnim Vijay theme.
• It was the special new composition to commemorate 50 years of victory of India in the 1971 war against Pakistan.
• It was followed by Pipes and Drums Band, CAPF Bands, Air Force Band, Naval Band, Army Mil Band and Massed Bands.
• Tunes like Kadam Kadam Badhae Ja, Bharat Ke Jawan, Sathi Bhai, Sitare Hind, Nidar Yoddha, Evening Star, Tiranga Senani, Queeen of Hill, Sky War, Manohar, Bharat Vandana, Garud Prahar, Abide With Me and Drummers Call were part of the ceremony.
• The Principal Conductor of Beating the Retreat ceremony was Lieutenant Colonel Girish Kumar U of AEC Training College and Centre.
• The event came to a close with the ever-popular tune of Sare Jahan Se Acha. ANUPAM MISHRA, AIR News, Delhi.

Vijay Chowk in New Delhi – Beating Retreat ceremony.

18. Uttar Pradesh government will establish the first leather park of the country in which district?
A) Kanpur
B) Prayagraj
C) Moradabad
D) Gautam Buddha Nagar
E) Gorakhpur
Answer: A) Kanpur

• Uttar Pradesh government will establish the first leather park of the country in Kanpur district.
• The park is expected to provide employment to 50 thousand people directly and more than 1 lakh 50 thousand people indirectly.
• The project will be established in 268 area of land in Ramaipur village of Kanpur district and is expected to attract an investment of more than 5850 crores.
• The leather park will have all the facilities for production as well as exhibition of leather products.
• It will also have fooding and lodging arrangements for the investors who will come here from all over the world.

Uttar Pradesh:
Capital: Lucknow
CM: Yogi Adityanath
Governor: Anandiben Patel

Uttar Pradesh – Set up India’s first leather park in Kanpur.

19. MHA approves how much amount of additional Central Assistance to five States towards relief for floods/landslides that occurred during 2020 and for hailstorm during Rabi 2019-20?
A) ₹1,251.05 crore
B) ₹1,351.05 crore
C) ₹1,451.05 crore
D) ₹1,651.05 crore
E) ₹1,751.05 crore
Answer: E) ₹1,751.05 crore

• The High-Level Committee (HLC) under the chairmanship of Home Minister Amit Shah, approved ₹1,751.05 crore of additional Central Assistance to five States – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh – towards relief for floods/landslides that occurred during 2020 and for hailstorm during Rabi 2019-20.
• For floods/landslides during the South-West monsoon-2020, ₹437.15 crore to Assam, ₹75.86 crore to Arunachal Pradesh, ₹320.94 crore to Odisha, ₹245.96 crore to Telangana and ₹386.06 crore to Uttar Pradesh have been approved.
• For hailstorm during Rabi 2019-20, ₹285.08 crore to Uttar Pradesh has been approved,
  In addition, during the financial year 2020-21, till date, the Centre has released ₹19,036.43 crore to 28 States from the SDRF and ₹4,409.71 crore to 11 States from NDRF.

MHA – Approve ₹1,751.05 cr for 5 States as flood relief.

20. Which company announces new greenfield refinery at Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu?
A) IOCL
B) BHEL
C) BEL
D) BDL
E) ONGC
Answer: A) IOCL

• State-run oil refiner Indian Oil’s board of directors approved setting up a new refinery in Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.
• the refinery will have an annual refining capacity of 9 million metric tonnes and an investment of ₹31,500 crore.
• A joint venture between Indian Oil and its subsidiary Chennai Petroleum Corporation, the project will be completed within 48 months from the dates of investment approval and statutory clearances.

Indian Oil Corporation:
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Chairperson: Shrikant Madhav Vaidya

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

Indian Oil – new greenfield refinery at Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu.

21. Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft (IN FAC) T-81 of the Super Dvora MK II class, was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It was commissioned in which year?
A) 1995
B) 1996
C) 1997
D) 1999
E) 1998
Answer: D) 1999

• Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft (IN FAC) T-81 of the Super Dvora MK II class, was decommissioned on 28 Jan 21 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai after having served the nation successfully for more than 20 years. Rear Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
• The 25 meters long vessel with 60 tonnes displacement was built at Goa Shipyard Ltd. In collaboration with M/s Ramta of Israel. She was commissioned into the Navy on 05 Jun 1999 by the then Governor of Goa, Lt Gen JFR Jacob (RetD).
• The ship, specially designed for shallow waters, could achieve speeds up to 45 knots and had the capability of day/night surveillance and reconnaissance, Search & Rescue, beach insertion, extraction of Marine Commandoes and high-speed interception of intruder craft.

IN FAC T-81 – Decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

22. Which Minister has released Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines and the National Marine Turtle Action Plan in New Delhi?
A) Finance Minister
B) Women & Child Development Minister
C) Home Minister
D) External Affairs Minister
E) Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister
Answer: E) Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister

• Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar has released Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines and the National Marine Turtle Action Plan in New Delhi.
• The documents contain ways and means to promote inter-sectoral action for conservation.
• It also suggests improved coordination amongst the government, civil society and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, injury or mortality of marine mammals and also conservation of marine turtles.
• Both floral and faunal diversity including the marine biodiversity is the beauty of India and we need to conserve it with best possible action and interventions.
• India has rich marine biodiversity along a vast coastline of over seven thousand 500 kilometers.
• From colorful fish, sharks, turtles and big mammals like whales, dolphins and dugongs to bright corals, marine habitats not only harbor diverse species but also provide resources essential for human wellbeing.
• Millions of people depend on these resources ranging from maritime trade and transport, food, spiritual values and inspiration that draws tourists from around the world.

Union Minister Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting:
Minister: Prakash Javadekar
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP, Maharashtra

Environment Minister – Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines & National Marine Turtle Action Plan.

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