January 4th Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test English

Explanation

The Union Culture Ministry announced that the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, January 23, would be celebrated as “Parakram Diwas” every year. It means the ‘Day of courage’.

The Ministry also said that the government is to celebrate the leader’s 125th birth anniversary year starting from January 23, 2021. A series of events from January 23 till January 23, 2022 is also planned.

Explanation

Uttarakhand Government announced that the number of working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will be increased from 100 to 150. As per the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, the entire cost will be borne by the state government. He also launched the ‘Uttarakhand Aajeevika App’ to help unemployed people in the state to search for job opportunities.

Explanation

The Assam Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Science City at Tepesia, in the outskirts of Guwahati. It would be built at a total expenditure of Rs. 184 crores. The main building is being built by National Council of Science Museum, Union’s Cultural Affairs department and state’s Science and Technology Department.

Explanation

The Indian Railways has recently renamed one of the oldest trains, the Howrah–Kalka Mail, as the ‘Netaji Express’. The Mail was started in the 19th Century as one of the early commercial passenger train services in India. This has been announced as a part of the 125th birth anniversary of Subash Chandra Bose. It is said Netaji took this train from Bihar, when he escaped from his house in Kolkata in 1941.

Explanation

Dragon fruit is a wild cactus species native to the Americas and it is called pitahaya in those regions. The fruit–bearing species was first introduced to India after 1990. Many states of India including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal cultivate the fruits.

However, India imports the fruit to meet its demand. Recently, Gujarat state government proposed to rename dragon fruit as ‘Kamalam’.

Explanation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh co–chaired the 5th India–Singapore Defence Ministers Dialogue along with the Minister for Defence, Singapore. During the dialogue, the Implementing Agreement on Submarine Rescue Support and cooperation between the Indian Navy and Singapore Navy were signed.

Explanation

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Textiles. It is a Mini Ratna company headquartered at Mumbai.

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) announced recently that it has planned to export at least 10 lakh bales of cotton during the current cotton season (October 2020–September 2021). Bangladesh would be the main focus country.

Explanation

The OTT (Over–the–top) channel managed by the Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous organization of the Department of Science & Technology, was launched in 2019. The OTT Channel ‘India Science’, has completed two years since its launch. It aims to create scientific awareness amongst the citizens of the country. The channel was also started on the DTH (Direct to Home) mode.

Explanation

The Government of Andhra Pradesh headed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the door delivery programme for ration, wherein 9,260 “Mobile Dispensing Units” / vehicles will supply ration (rice and other essential commodities) at the door steps of ration cardholders in the State.

This move aims to eliminate adulteration of food commodities and also prevent formation of long queues at the fair price shops.

Explanation

The National Voters Day is celebrated every year in India on January 25 since 2011 to enhance participation of citizens in the electoral process. The day also marked the foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was established on 25th January 1950.

The main purpose of the celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrollment, especially for the new voters. “Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed” has been selected as the theme for the 11th National Voters’ Day.

Explanation

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, have spotted rare hot UV–bright stars in a massive cluster in our Galaxy called NGC 2808.

The Astronomers have used the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard the first multi–wavelength space satellite of India, AstroSat.

Explanation

NASA has recently posted a picture of Abell 370, a massive cluster of galaxies, captured through its Hubble Space Telescope.

As per the statement of NASA, the massive gravity of the cluster makes the light to bend as it passes through. This phenomenon distorts the view of the galaxies behind Abell 370, which is located at 4.9 billion light–years away from the Earth.

Explanation

Meghalaya, Manipur & Tripura celebrated their 49th statehood day on January 21, 2021.

On January 21, 1972, these three states became full–fledged states under the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act of 1971. It also led to the formation of the Union territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, which were declared as states on February 21, 1987.

Explanation

The 7th Edition of ‘MASCRADE 2021’– Movement against Smuggled & Counterfeit Trade has been organised by FICCI Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy.

Union Minister of Health and Family welfare Harsh Vardhan has inaugurated the event, which aims to discuss innovative policy solutions to curb counterfeit and smuggled products.

Explanation

The 17th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was recently organised under the theme, “The New Normal and Safe and Healthy Tourism” virtually. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary of the Union Ministry of External Affairs represented India at the meeting.

She highlighted about the Indo–Pacific Oceans Initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.

Explanation

London approved the removal of the Statues of William Beckford and Sir John Cass from its iconic Guildhall home of statues. After the Black Lives Matter protests, the city corporation set up a task force on tackling racism, which recommended removing the statues of the two figures. The city’s elected representatives voted for the decision.

Explanation

India and Japan have been organising SAMVAD conference series for the past five years, in many places including New Delhi and Tokyo.

This series of conference aims to highlight the shared values of the two countries. During the 6th India–Japan Samvad conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the creation of a library of Buddhist literature and scriptures.

Explanation

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT) test facility to Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad.

India is the third country to have such a large HWT Test facility. The system, which has been developed in collaboration with Indian industries, will play a major role on futuristic Aerospace and Defence Systems.

Explanation

Nikhil Srivastava, a young Indian mathematician, has been named winner of the prestigious 2021 Michael and Sheila Held Prize. He has been named the co–winner of the USD 100,000 award, along with two others for solving long–standing questions on the Kadison–Singer problem and on Ramanujan graphs. The mathematician is Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, at present.

Explanation

Reserve Bank of India recently released a discussion paper on revised regulatory framework for Non–Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).

As per the paper, the regulatory and supervisory framework of NBFCs shall be based on a four–layered structure namely Base Layer, Middle Layer, Upper Layer and a possible Top Layer. RBI also recommended more power for the NBFC Boards on capital and risk management.

Explanation

The Jammu and Kashmir administration approved the adoption of a new policy named ‘Land Allotment Policy 2021–30’. The policy aims to lay down a framework to regulate zoning of industrial areas.

It will also cover land allotment for health institutions and educational institutions. The policy aims to promote fair industrial growth in the UT.

Explanation

Two new species of a rare ant genus have been recently discovered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by a team of scientists from Punjabi University. One of the two species which was discovered found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala has been named Ooceraea Joshii, to honour the veteran biologist ‘Amitabh Joshi’.

Explanation

Border Security Force (BSF) organises the Operation “Garam Hawa” in summer season and operation “Sard Hawa” during the winter season every year. BSF has recently launched “Operation Sard Hawa” of this year, under which it aims to increase security on the borders in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. This operation was scheduled from January 21 to 27, coinciding with the Republic Day.

Explanation

A new draft ‘Arctic’ policy has been released recently by the Government of India. The draft policy would be available for public opinion till Jan 26, 2021. It has been prepared after deliberations with several Ministries. The policy aims to expand India’s scientific research, sustainable tourism and mineral oil and gas exploration in the Arctic region.

Explanation

Department of Science and Technology has stated recently that the number of scientific publications from India has increased exponentially over the last ten years and that India stands at 3rd position globally in number of scientific publications.

China and USA are ahead of India in the list. In the year 2017–18, 1,937 out of the total 13,045 patents were filed by Indians.

Explanation

A resolution titled “Promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites” has been adopted in the United Nations General Assembly recently. The resolution calls for efforts to promote a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels.

It also invites the Secretary General to convene a global conference to advance the UN’s “Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites”.

Explanation

India is to host the Defence Ministers of the countries of the Indian Ocean Region in Bengaluru city on February 4, 2021. This conclave will be organised alongside the upcoming Aero India in Bengaluru. The theme of the conclave will be ‘Enhanced Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Indian Ocean’.

Explanation

The freight train named ‘Vasuki’ operated by South East Central Railway has created a new record for longest ever freight train. This train has been formed by amalgamation five rakes of goods trains as a single unit of around 3.5 km. The train has covered a total distance of 224 km between Bhilai and Korba.

Explanation

The Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) along with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India has launched a unique initiative named a “firefly bird diverter”, to save Great Indian Bustard. The diverter is a flap installed on overhead power lines in areas where GIB populations are found in the forests.

They look like fireflies and act as reflectors for bird species like the GIB, which can spot them from distance and change their path of flight without colliding on power lines.

Explanation

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a Central university in Aligarh. It was originally established by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1875. After the Aligarh Muslim University Act, its original name of ‘Muhammadan Anglo–Oriental College’ was changed to Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. The Prime Minister addressed the Centenary celebrations of the University and also released a postage stamp dedicated to AMU.

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently announced the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for 2021.

As per the notification, Rajendra Kumar Bhandari has been selected in the individual category of the award, while the Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) has been selected for the award in the institutional category.

Explanation

Union Home Minster Amit Shah launched Ayushman CAPF scheme, which will benefit around 10 lakh personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and their family members.

The scheme is a joint initiative of National Health Authority (NHA) with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Cashless and paperless medical treatment will be given to the beneficiaries at 24,000 hospitals in the country.

Explanation

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye was seen in the news recently as he had a discussion with the new UN envoy on reviving the stalled peace process.

The UN envoy Tor Wennesland, is the Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process. He also highlighted the openness of the country on any political process sponsored by the Quartet, comprising of the US, the UN, Russia and the European Union.

Explanation

‘National Girl Child Day’ has been celebrated in India on January 24 from the year 2008. To mark National Girl Child Day, the Indian Government organises awareness campaigns under Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme.

This Day is an initiative of the Ministry of women and child development. It aims to focus on solutions for gender bias and the challenges faced by girls in Indian society. It also aims to create awareness on girl education, health and nutrition of girls.

Explanation

The central government has recently stated that, Geological Survey of India (GSI) is in the process of expediting some of its important national level surveys. The GSI has proposed to complete its National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) programme by 2024.

The GSI has also commenced an initiative named National Geoscience Data Repository for collecting all the geoscience data of the country.

Explanation

Recently, the All–India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi has conducted a large largest public awareness campaign program on Ayurveda and COVID–19 pandemic and it has been named as “Ayu Samvad”. This campaign is supported by Ministry of Ayush.

Morethan five lakh lectures were organised across the country by Ayurveda Physicians, during the campaign.

Explanation

The report titled “The Inequality Virus” has been released recently by Oxfam International. The report has found that the COVID pandemic has deepened the existing inequalities. The report has made a comparison that during the national lockdown in India its top 100 billionaires saw their fortunes increase by Rs 12.97 trillion while 70,000 people lost their jobs every hour in the month of April 2020.

Explanation

32 children across the county have been recently awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2021.

Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India has been giving away this award to children with outstanding abilities and accomplishments in the fields of innovation, scholastics, sports, arts & culture, social service and bravery. Prasiddhi Singh, a resident of Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the Social Service Award.

Explanation

Reigning Olympic champion, Carolina Marin from Spain and former World Champion Viktor Axelsen from Denmark recently claimed their second Thailand Open badminton men’s and women’s singles titles respectively. Carolina Marin went into the final without losing a single game across both tournaments.

Explanation

AMPEX – 21 is India’s tri–service joint amphibious exercise which was conducted in the Andaman & Nicobar group of islands. It involved the participation of Naval vessels, Army’s amphibious troops and flying machines of the Air force.

The aim of conducting this exercise is to validate the security force’s capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity and enhance interoperability among the three forces.

Explanation

As per a recent publication of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) named “Birds of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve”, the region is home to 428 species of birds.

The Indian Sunderbans one of the largest mangrove forests in the world, also comprises of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve. Some birds like Masked Finfoot and Buffy fish owl are found only in the Sunderbans.

Explanation

The Maharashtra government is launching a new initiative named Jail Tourism in the state. As a part of the programme, jails where many freedom fighters were jailed will be developed as Tourism sites.

From January 26, 2021 the state has launched the programme starting with the 150–year–old Yerawada Jail. It will also include Nagpur, Thane, and Ratnagiri Jails.

Explanation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently launched the ‘Union Budget Mobile ahead of the Union Budget 2021. As this year’s budget will be completely paperless, the mobile application will enable members of the parliament and general public, to access budget documents.

It has been developed by the National Informatics Centre under the guidance of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Finance Ministry.

Explanation

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. Recently, this first treaty came into force and in response, India announced that it does not support the treaty. None of the nine countries said to possess nuclear weapons and the NATO alliance supported the treaty.

Explanation

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched a revamped website, which provides information about gallantry awards in India and their recipients.

The portal has all the important information, which will be available throughout the day. The Minister also launched an e–magazine named ‘Shauryawaan’ and a gallantry award quiz competition.

Explanation

Rajasthan state has launched the new M–Sand Policy–2020 recently. The state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the state government aims to meet the quantity of sand needed for construction work in the state. This would encourage the production of manufactured sand or M–sand and reduce the dependence on traditional sand.

Explanation

The Netherlands government played host to an online international Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS Online) on 25 January 2021, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

It aims to help the countries build a climate–resilient ecosystem back after the pandemic Indian Prime Minister participated in the virtual conference and addressed the members.

Explanation

Union Ministry of Tourism organises ‘Bharat Parv’ every year, on the occasion of Republic Day Celebrations from 26th to 31st of January.

Since 2016, the event has been conducted near the Red Fort, New Delhi. The event aims to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the country. States and UTs will display their tourism destinations, cuisine, handicraft and unique features

Explanation

The Union Agriculture Ministry has proposed a Rs 19,000 crore National mission on edible oil for approval in the upcoming budget.

The mission seeks a five–year plan to achieve self–sufficiency in cooking oil production along with cutting its import. India spends almost Rs 75,000 crore annually in importing edible oil which will also promote local production and cut its cost.

Explanation

India’s economist Jayati Ghosh has been chosen to be a part of UN high–level advisory board on socio–economic challenges in post–COVID–19 world.

The board would make recommendations to UN Secretary–General for making response to the future, especially after the post COVID era. Ms. Jayati Ghosh is presently a professor of economics at University of Massachusetts.