Daily Current Affairs February 21

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 February 21. 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.

TO PURCHASE OUR BANKING AWARENESS (2021 Edition) – CLICK HERE

February 21| Daily Current Affairs 2024

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs February 21

1. When is International Mother Language Day observed?
A) February 20
B) February 21
C) February 22
D) February 23
E) February 24
Answer: B) February 21

• International Mother Language day is observed on February 21
• Theme: Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning.
• On February 21, 1952, four students got killed as they started the movement to make Bengali as the official language in Bangladesh.
• In November, 1999, the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed International Mother Language Day, which was later welcomed by the General Assembly of the UN.

---

Sports – Daily Current Affairs February 21

2. Which cricket tournament marked Faiz Fazal’s retirement from professional cricket?
A) Indian Premier League (IPL)
B) Asia Cup
C) Ranji Trophy
D) ICC Cricket World Cup
E) T20 World Cup
Answer: C) Ranji Trophy

• Faiz Fazal, who scored a half-century in his only appearance for India, has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the end of Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy match against Haryana.
• He retires as the leading run-getter of Vidarbha in first class as well as List-A cricket, and is the only one with over 100 red-ball games for them.

Note:

• He played 137 first-class matches, 113 List A games and made 66 T20 appearances.
• He led Vidarbha in 53 first-class games, 36 times in List-A matches and in 27 T20 matches.
• He made his international debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe, scoring an unbeaten 55 as India registered a 10-wicket win.
• It would remain his only appearance in the national colours.
• He is also the only Indian to have scored fifty or more in his only ODI appearance.
• Overall, he became the third player to have this distinction, after Australia’s Ashley Woodcock and England’s Kim Barnett.
• Having made 151 on debut in 2003, Fazal registered low scores of 1 and 0 in his final appearance for Vidarbha to finish with 9184 runs in first-class cricket, with 24 centuries and 39 fifties.
• He also gathered 3641 List A runs at an average of 35.

---

Obituary – Daily Current Affairs February 21

3. At what age did Fali S Nariman pass away?
A) 85
B) 90
C) 95
D) 100
E) 105
Answer: C) 95

• Eminent jurist and constitutional expert Fali S Nariman passed at the age of 95.
• Nariman started his law practice after joining the Bombay Bar in November, 1950.
• He was designated as a senior advocate in 1971.
• Nariman was appointed as Additional Solicitor General in May, 1972, which made him to shift from Mumbai to Delhi but he resigned in June 1975 in protest against imposition of Emergency.
• Nariman has been part of several landmark constitutional bench decisions, including Golak Nath, related to judicial review of the constitutional amendments, T M A Pai on right of minorities to establish educational institutions and those related to Collegium system of appointment of judges and the NJAC.
• He also assisted N A Palkhiwala in famous Kesavanand Bharati case related to basic structure doctrine of the Constitution.
• He represented Karnataka for three decades in its vexed dispute with Tamil Nadu over sharing of Cauvery river water.
• He was also a nominated member of Rajya Sabha.
• Due to his services, he was awarded with Padma Bhushan in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan in 2007.

---

 

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs February 21

4. Besides partnering with banks, which organization did Paymart collaborate with to expand the reach of its virtual ATM service?
A) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
B) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
C) National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
D) Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
E) CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd
Answer: E) CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd

• Fintech startup Paymart has partnered with five Indian banks to offer its innovative virtual, cardless, and hardware-less cash withdrawal service.
• It has partnered with five prominent banks, including IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, and Karur Vyasa Bank, to roll out this service nationwide.
• The virtual ATM service will empower local shopkeepers, converting them into essential hubs for cash withdrawals without the need for traditional ATM machines or other hardware.
• It entered into a partnership with CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd to further expand the reach of its virtual ATM service.

Paymart:

• Paymart India Pvt ltd (my paymart.com) is a Fintech company working on replacing ATMs with network of merchants .
• The company is engaged with India’s largest private bank to launch service in sept.
• It will be first company to launch the service in India.
• Founded: 2015
• HQ: Chandigarh

---

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs February 21

5. What is the amount of the penalty imposed by SEBI on Kotak Alternate Investment Fund and its trustees?
A) Rs 1 lakh
B) Rs 2 lakh
C) Rs 3 lakh
D) Rs 4 lakh
E) Rs 5 lakh
Answer: C) Rs 3 lakh

• Market regulator SEBI has levied a penalty of Rs 3 lakh on Kotak Alternate Investment Fund and its trustees for extending the tenure of its close-ended venture capital fund Kotak SEAF India beyond the prescribed tenure.
• The corpus of VCF was Rs 698 crore and had invested Rs 577 crore in 18 portfolio companies.

SEBI:

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body for securities and commodity market in India under the administrative domain of Ministry of Finance within the Government of India. It was established on 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.
• HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman: Madhabi Puri Buch

---

Appointments – Daily Current Affairs February 21

6. Who has been appointed as the part-time non-official Director and non-executive Chairman of Bank of India (BOI)?
A) M R Kumar
B) Srinivasan Sridhar
C) Aravamudan Krishna Kumar
D) None of the above
E) All of the above
Answer: A) M R Kumar

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed former LIC Chairman M R Kumar as part time non official Director as well as non-executive Chairman of Bank of India (BOI).
• He has been appointed as BOI Chairman for a term of three years.
• ACC has also appointed Srinivasan Sridhar, as part time non official Director as well as non Executive Chairman on the Board of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).
• ACC has appointed Aravamudan Krishna Kumar as part time non official Director as well as non Executive Chairman on the Board of UCO Bank.

Note:

• Chairman of UCO Bank – Aravamudan Krishna Kumar
• Chairman of IOB – Srinivasan Sridhar
• Chairman of BOI – M R Kumar

---

7. Who has been appointed as an additional independent director of Axis Bank?
A) Pranam Wahi
B) Rajesh Sharma
C) Ananya Singh
D) Rohit Mehta
E) Neha Gupta
Answer: A) Pranam Wahi

• The Board of Directors of Axis Bank has appointed Pranam Wahi as an additional independent director of the bank for four years with effect from February 15.
• This appointment is subject to approval of shareholders.

---

8. Who has been re-designated as the joint managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank?
A) Shanti Ekambaram
B) Devang Gheewalla
C) KVS Manian
D) Milind Nagnur
E) Jaimin Bhatt
Answer: C) KVS Manian

• Private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank announced significant leadership changes, including re-designating whole-time director KVS Manian as the joint managing director effective 1 March.
• In addition, Shanti Ekambaram has been named deputy managing director, also effective March.
• It has appointed Devang Gheewalla as the chief financial officer and designated him as the president and group chief financial officer from April.
• His appointment would be effective after Jaimin Bhatt, the incumbent group president and group chief financial officer superannuates on 31 March.
• It has appointed chief technology officer Milind Nagnur as the chief operating officer from April.

Note:

• Last year, the bank announced that former Barclays veteran Ashok Vaswani will be the new chief executive officer, taking over from founder and billionaire banker Uday Kotak.
• The Reserve Bank of India approved a three-year term for Vaswani, who took over his new role on 1 January.

---

Awards – Daily Current Affairs February 21

9. What is the name of the top civilian honour conferred upon Shashi Tharoor by France?
A) Order of Merit
B) Knight of the Legion of Honour
C) Medal of Honor
D) Order of the Crown
E) Order of the Star of Romania
Answer: B) Knight of the Legion of Honour

• Author and diplomat-turned-politician Shashi Tharoor was conferred with France’s top civilian honour ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur’, or Knight of the Legion of Honour, at a ceremony in New Delhi.
• The Congress MP was conferred the prestigious award at the French Embassy by French Senate President Gerard Larcher.

Note:

• An Era of Darkness’, ‘Pax Indica’ and ‘The Great Indian Novel’ are some of the most popular names among the plethora of books written by Tharoor.

---

10. How many awards did Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer” win at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards?
A) Five
B) Six
C) Seven
D) Eight
E) Nine
Answer: C) Seven

• Following its splendid performance at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, Christopher Nolan’s epic biographical thriller Oppenheimer marked its dominance at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards too, bagging seven trophies including for Best Film and Director, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
• Oppenheimer entered the BAFTA race with a total of 13 nominations and bagged awards in technical categories such as Cinematography and Editing too.

77th BAFTA Awards winners List:

BAFTA Awards:

• The British Academy Film Awards, more commonly known as the BAFTA Awards, is an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to honour the best British and international contributions to film.

---

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs February 21

11. How many countries have joined the International Solar Alliance with Malta’s inclusion?
A) 118
B) 119
C) 120
D) 121
E) 122
Answer: B) 119

• Malta joined as the 119th country to join International Solar Alliance.
• Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Malta, Christopher Cutajar signed the ISA Framework Agreement in the presence of Head of Depository and Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy), Abhishek Singh in New Delhi.

International Solar Alliance:

• The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
• It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
• With the amendment of its Framework Agreement in 2020, all member states of the United Nations are now eligible to join the ISA.
• At present, 119 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement, of which 94 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA.
• Formed: 30 November 2015
• Director General: Ajay Mathur
• HQ: Gurugram, Haryana

---

12. Who are the co-hosts of Exercise Shanti Prayas IV?
A) Nepali Army and Indian Army
B) Nepali Army and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
C) Nepali Army and UN Peacekeeping Force
D) Nepali Army and Australian Defence Force
E) Nepali Army and British Army
Answer: B) Nepali Army and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

• The Nepali Army and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are co-hosting Exercise Shanti Prayas IV at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) in Panchkhal, Nepal from February 20 – March 4, 2024.
• Shanti Prayas is a multinational peacekeeping exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Nepali Army, hosted rotationally between the two countries.
• Shanti Prayas IV is the latest in a series of exercises designed to support peacekeeping operations.
• This year’s iteration consists of a UN peacekeeping operations staff training event, a field training event, and a critical enabler capability enhancement event at the BPOTC, all of which will focus on UN and international peacekeeping and stability operations.
• The exercise includes specific training on the integration of women in UN peacekeeping operations in line with UN Security Resolution 1325.
• Over 1,100 military personnel from 17 nations are participating in Shanti Prayas IV alongside U.S. and Nepali Army personnel.
• Countries sending personnel include Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

---

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs February 21

13. What is the main objective of the Rs 60,000 crore upgrade project for the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet?
A) Increase top speed
B) Enhance electronic warfare capabilities
C) Improve fuel efficiency
D) Add decorative features
E) Reduce aircraft weight
Answer: B) Enhance electronic warfare capabilities

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be involved in the Rs 60,000 crore worth upgrade of the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet.
• The project, approved by the defence ministry, aims to enhance the aircraft’s capabilities with new radars, mission control systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and integration of new weapon systems.
• The project is divided into two phases, with the first focusing on installing new avionics and radars, while the second phase concentrates on flight control systems.

Keyupgrades:

• The installation of a new indigenous radar system to enhance target detection and engagement capabilities, addressing previous concerns about radar performance.
• The aircraft will be equipped with a new electronic warfare system to counter incoming threats and disrupt enemy communication.
• The integration of indigenous infrared search and track systems will significantly improve air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting capabilities.

Note:

• Approximately 90 fighters are slated for upgrade in the initial phase, which will be entirely conducted in India.
• India’s initial order of 272 Su-30MKI jets from Russia forms the backbone of the Air Force’s fighter fleet, with an additional order for 12 jets cleared last year.
• HAL will manufacture these jets, incorporating over 50 per cent indigenous content.
• With over 600 Su-27/30 type aircraft manufactured globally, countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Algeria present a significant export market for these upgrades.

---

14. Which district is being transformed by the ‘Himalayan Basket’ initiative?
A) Dehradun
B) Haridwar
C) Champawat
D) Nainital
E) Tehri Garhwal
Answer: C) Champawat

• The ‘Himalayan Basket’ initiative, inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, transforms Champawat into an ideal district by boosting local employment and creating economic growth.
• The initiative focuses on purchasing milk, turmeric, and mint from local farmers to produce high-demand products like ‘churpi’ and ghee, providing a sustainable ecosystem for the community.
• The ‘Himalayan Basket’ initiative represents a vision for economic empowerment and sustainability in the Himalayan region.
• By focusing on products such as ‘churpi’ and ghee, derived from cow’s milk, the initiative taps into a growing market demand, opening up new avenues for local farmers and entrepreneurs.

---

15. How much money has the Telangana Government allocated for the development of 64 ITIs into Skill Development Centres?
A) Rs 500 crore
B) Rs 1,000 crore
C) Rs 1,500 crore
D) Rs 2,000 crore
E) Rs 2,500 crore
Answer: D) Rs 2,000 crore

• The Telangana Government has announced a Rs 2,000-crore plan to develop 64 ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) as Skill Development Centres.
• The Chief Minister also announced that the Government would set up a Dry Port in the State.

---

16. How much Official Development Assistance loan has the Government of Japan committed for nine projects in various sectors?
A) JPY 132.209 billion
B) JPY 232.209 billion
C) JPY 332.209 billion
D) JPY 432.209 billion
E) JPY 532.209 billion
Answer: B) JPY 232.209 billion

• The Govt. of Japan has committed Official Development Assistance loan of an amount of JPY 232.209 billion for nine (09) projects in various sectors.
• The Notes were exchanged between Mr. Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Mr. Suzuki Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to India.

The ODA loan assistance has been committed to:

• The North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 3) (Tranche II): Dhubri-Phulbari bridge (JPY 34.54 billion)
• The North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 7): NH 127B (Phulbari-Goeragre section) (JPY 15.56 billion)
• The Project for Promoting Start-up and Innovation in Telangana (JPY 23.7 billion)
• The Project for the Construction of Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (Phase 2) (JPY 49.85 billion)
• The Project for Promoting Sustainable Horticulture in Haryana (Tranche I) (JPY 16.21 billion)
• The Project for Climate Change Response and ecosystem Services Enhancement in Rajasthan (JPY 26.13 billion)
• The Project for the Establishment of the Medical College Hospital at Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kohima (JPY 10 billion)
• The Project for the Improvement of Urban Water Supply System in Uttarakhand (JPY 16.21 billion); and
• The Dedicated Freight Corridor Project (Phase 1) (Tranche V) (JPY 40 billion)

Note:

• The road network connectivity projects aim to improve infrastructure development in India’s North East region, while the Chennai peripheral ring road project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and strengthen connections to the southern part of the state.
• The project in Nagaland will help develop tertiary level medical service delivery by developing a Medical College Hospital contributing towards universal health coverage.
• A unique project in Telangana will help discover entrepreneurial skills with focus on women and rural population and support business expansion of MSMEs.
• In Haryana, the project will promote sustainable horticulture and improve farmer’s income by promoting crop diversification and infrastructure development.
• The forestry project in Rajasthan will enhance ecosystem services through afforestation, forest and biodiversity conservation.
• In the mountainous state of Uttarakhand, the project aims to provide stable water supply to urban towns.
• The fifth tranche of the Dedicated Freight Corridor project will help in construction of new dedicated freight railway system and bring about modernisation of intermodal logistics system enabling handling of increase freight traffic.

---

17. What is the main focus of the seed distribution program announced in the Agriculture Budget of Tamilnadu?
A) Encouraging traditional paddy varieties
B) Promoting hybrid maize cultivation
C) Boosting cotton production
D) Enhancing vegetable farming
E) Improving livestock management
Answer: A) Encouraging traditional paddy varieties

• Tamil Nadu Minister MRK Panneerselvam presented a separate ‘Agriculture Budger 2024-25’ in the state assembly.
• The state farm budget announced seed distribution to encourage traditional paddy varieties that could help fight against diabetes.

Highlights of Tamilnadu Budget:

• Rs 65.30 crore for millets, purposes including optimizing yield.
• One Village, One Crop’ scheme presented in Tamil Nadu Agriculture budget 2024.
• The Tamil Nadu farm budget also announced steps to reduce chemical fertilizers in paddy crops.
• Several measures to nurture villages to help them tackle climate change.
• A new scheme called the ‘Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Scheme (CM MK MKS)’ with 22 components will be implemented at an outlay of Rs. 206 crores during the year 2024-2025.
• Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme aims to transform every village into a model of self-sufficiency by focusing on the development of agriculture as the primary occupation, and by converting fallow land into cultivable land to increase the net cultivable area.
• During 2024-2025, this scheme will be implemented in 2,482 selected village panchayats at an outlay of Rs 200 crores.
• To help the farmers recover from loss of income due to unforeseen natural calamities, Crop Insurance Scheme is being implemented.
• The insurance claim for an amount of Rs 14.55 crores was immediately disbursed to 9,988 farmers of Thoothukudi district for the crop loss that occurred due to incessant rains on 17th and 18th December 2023.
• This scheme will be implemented during 2024-2025 with an allocation of Rs 1,775 crores.

---

---

Over All Review

DOWNLOAD TODAY’S CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF – CLICK HERE

You Must Also Read Daily Current Affairs February 20