DO YOU KNOW? RBI to launch Central Bank Digital Currency .Important Weekly Current Affairs June 2021 and Today’s Current Affairs

 

Today’s Current Affairs 

Rakeysh Omprakash announces autobiography

• Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is coming up with his autobiography, The Stranger In The Mirror.
• Published by Rupa Publications, the book will hit the stands across the country on July 27, 2021.
• Mehra is known for movies like Rang De Basanti, Delhi-6, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and the recently released Toofan.
• He has co-written the book with noted author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta.

Check Nicknames of Famous Personalities here

IOA rope in Adani Group as sponsor

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has roped in Adani Group as a sponsor for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the future. 
• Earlier, IOA had announced that SFA Pvt Ltd had joined as one of its sponsors for the event.
• IOA had also earlier entered sponsorship agreements with MPL Sports Foundation as the ‘Principal Sponsor’ covering the Tokyo Olympic Games, 2022 Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.

Check for Indian Athletes qualified for Olympics

Centre to invest to expand lab testing infra

• The Union government will set up over 42 virology research and diagnostic laboratories under a central scheme during the period of the 15th Finance Commission (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• These will be set up at a cost of Rs 324 crore.
• The scheme aims to help boost coverage of timely diagnosis and identification of viruses during an epidemic outbreak, generation of data about viral diseases, etc.

VCs of 12 central universities appointed

• President Ram Nath Kovind has approved the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in 12 central universities.
• The President is the Visitor to Central universities.
• The universities include the Central University of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Hyderabad.
• The central varsities currently without any regular VCs include the Banaras Hindu University, etc.

RBI to launch Central Bank Digital Currency

• Reserve bank of India is planning to launch Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the near future.
• It is currently working towards a phased implementation strategy and examining use cases that could be implemented with little or no disruption.
• High Level Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted by Ministry of Finance in November 2017 had recommended the introduction of CBDC.

Check RBI Grade B exam 2021 here

Magma Fincorp Limited renamed

• Magma Fincorp Limited has been renamed Poonawalla Fincorp Limited and has initiated rebranding activity.
• The decision came after the acquisition of controlling stake by Adar Poonawalla led Rising Sun Holdings Private Limited on 21st May 2021.
• Along with this, its fully owned housing finance subsidiary Magma Housing Finance Limited is also renamed Poonawalla Housing Finance Limited.

FDI limit to be raised in oil refineries

• The Union Cabinet has approved raising the foreign investment limit in privatization-bound public sector oil refiners.
• A proposal to allow FDI limit in public sector refineries that are disinvestment candidates to 100 percent from the current 49 percent.
• At present 49 percent FDI is allowed in oil refineries promoted by public sector companies under the automatic route.

NCC introduced as an elective subject

• In Meghalaya, NCC has been introduced as an elective subject in the Under Graduate Course for all colleges of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
• Governor of Meghalaya, Satya Pal Malik in a programme held on 22 July 2021 at Raj Bhavan, Shillong made the announcement.
• The UGC had issued necessary guidelines to vice-chancellors of all universities on April 15, 2021.

Check DRDO CEPTAM MTS Recruitment here

APEDA collaborates with Ladakh officials

• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA is collaborating with Ladakh officials to boost unique agricultural produce.
• Identified areas of work include enhancement of production of fruits with medicinal values including sea buckthorn, apricot, and organic produce.
• The aim is to ensure that Ladakh achieves the goal of becoming an organic region by 2025.

• Guinea pulls out of Tokyo Olympics

  • The African country of Guinea has pulled out of Tokyo Olympics 2021, keeping five athletes from competing at the Tokyo Games.
  • Due to the resurgence of COVID variants, the government has decided to cancel Guinea’s participation in the 32nd Olympics.
  • Fatoumata Yarie Camara, a freestyle wrestler, was one of the five athletes affected by the decision.

  • Tokyo Olympic Games begin on 23 July

    • After a year-long delay due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Tokyo Olympic Games finally got underway on 23 July 2021.
    • The mega quadrennial event began at 4.30 pm Indian time at the newly-built National Stadium in Tokyo.
    • Only about 950 people, including officials and reporters, were allowed to watch the ceremony in person.
    • From India, only 28 members participated in the opening ceremony.

    Check History of National Sports Day here

    World Brain Day: 22 July

    • World Brain Day is observed on 22 July every year.
    • It is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting advocacy related to brain health.
    • The World Federation of Neurology and MS International Federation are leading a campaign for 2021 to spread awareness about multiple sclerosis.
    • The theme for 2021 is “Stop Multiple Sclerosis”, which entails raising global awareness about multiple sclerosis.

    India scores 90.32 % in UNESCAP’s survey

    • India has scored 90.32 percent in the United Nation’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP)’s latest Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation.
    • The survey hails this as a remarkable jump from 78.49 percent in 2019.
    • India has achieved a 100 percent score for the transparency index and 66 percent in the women in trade component.

    AIM reveals top 300 teams of ATL Marathon 2020

    • Atal Innovation Mission has revealed the top 300 teams of the ATL Marathon 2020.
    • It is a flagship competition where a new theme is brought in every year for innovators under which students with the help of their ATL in-charges and mentors carefully research, ideate, innovate and implement their innovations over a period of six months.
    • Over 1000 Atal Tinkering Labs took part in it.

    S Jaishankar held talks with Abdulla Shahid

    • External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held talks with the Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid in New Delhi on 23 July 2021.
    • They discussed key international, multilateral, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual interest.
    • An agreement for High Impact Community Development Projects to be implemented with Indian grant assistance in the Maldives was also signed.

    Harsh Vardhan Shringla on a visit to UK

    • Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla left on a two-day visit to the United Kingdom on 23 July 2021.
    • During his visit, the Foreign Secretary will meet with his counterpart and conduct a detailed review of bilateral relations with a particular focus on the implementation of the 2030 Roadmap.
    • He will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.

    Check United Nations Day Here

    National Broadcasting Day: 23 July

    • National Broadcasting Day is observed on July 23 every year.
    • The Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) started organising radio broadcasting from Bombay station on this day in 1927.
    • To mark the event, All India Radio (AIR) conducted a symposium on Creation of New India and Broadcasting Medium in New Delhi.
    • Radio broadcasting services began in India during the British rule in 1923.

    Check Yearly Review of International Affairs here

    Vodafone Idea gets nod for FDI

    • Vodafone Idea’s proposal for an investment of up to Rs 15,000 crore through foreign direct investment (FDI) has been approved by the Union government.
    • The nod would help the financially stressed company raise funds to pay up some of its dues linked to adjusted gross revenue (AGR).
    • The company had approached the government seeking relief in payment of certain dues.

    SMC Global ties up with Dhanlaxmi Bank Limited

    • SMC Global Securities Ltd has announced a strategic alliance with Dhanlaxmi bank for offering online trading services to the bank customers.
    • This tie-up will offer an integrated 3-in-1 account comprising of a Savings, Demat, and Trading account through the portal www.smctradeonline.com.
    • The platform is a high end, integrated application for fast, secure, and hassle-free execution of trades.

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    Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s birth anniversary

    • Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, whose real name was Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, was born 165 years ago on July 23.
    • He was a freedom warrior, social thinker, philosopher, and educator who was instrumental in India’s Independence effort.
    • He was popularly known as the ‘Father of Swaraj’.
    • He established the Deccan Education Society in 1884 to impart nationalist principles to young people.

    Chandra Shekhar Azad’s birth anniversary

    • 23 July 2021 marks the 114th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad.
    • He was one of the most notable Indian revolutionaries who took part in India’s freedom struggle at a very young age. 
    • He was the chief strategist of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
    • He was most famous for the Kakori Rail Dacoity in 1925 and the assassination Jogn Poyantz Saunders in 1928.

    Bust of Dr. Abdul Kalam installed

    • The Bengaluru division of South Western Railway has installed a 7.8 ft high and 800 kg statue of Dr. Abdul Kalam at Yesvantpur depot.
    • The bust of Dr. Abdul Kalam, also known as ‘Missile Man of India’, has been made of scrap material.
    • Such activities are an offshoot of the Japanese 5S workplace philosophy to create a visually appealing work environment to boost the morale of staff.​

    Check APJ Abdul Kalam GK Notes here

    V-Mart to acquire ‘Unlimited’ retail chain

    • Value fashion retailer V-Mart Retail Ltd has signed definitive agreements to acquire assets of Unlimited retail business from Arvind Lifestyle Brands Ltd (ALBL).
    • V-Mart will acquire the assets of all stores, warehouses, inventory as well as the brand ‘Unlimited’ at their book value, with an estimated outlay of about ₹150 crores at closing.​

    China’s first green sheep-farming city

    • Xilingol League has become China’s first green sheep-farming city thanks to its efforts in grassland ecological protection and green sheep farming.
    • The recognition will become another signature brand for Xilingol League to build a green animal products production, processing, and export base, marking a new solid step in the high-quality development of the region’s animal husbandry.​

    Corteva Agriscience inks pact with World Bank

    • Global agricultural firm Corteva Agriscience has signed a three-year project with the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) hosted by the World Bank Group, to promote sustainable rice cultivation in 40,000 acres in Uttar Pradesh.
    • Corteva will also assist farmers with hybrid seeds and mechanized sowing services as well as help in soil testing and management of weeds and pests on the farms.​

    Portal for children orphaned by COVID floated

    • The government has launched a portal that proposes to enable online registration and tracking of applications with due safety precautions under the “PM-Cares for Children Scheme.” 
    • The scheme seeks to provide long-term support to children who have lost both parents, surviving parents, legal guardians, or adoptive parents due to Covid-19 since the pandemic gained momentum in March 2020.​

    Check List of Exams Postponed due to COVID 19 Here

    India changes ‘petroleum reserve policy’

    • India has decided to commercialize half of its current strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs) as the nation looks to enhance private participation in building new storage facilities.
    • India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, imports over 80% of its oil needs and has built strategic storage at three locations in southern India to protect against supply disruption.​

    Tannu wins title at Cadet World Championship

    • Young Indian wrestler Tannu won the 43kg title without conceding a single point at the Cadet World Championship on 22 July 2021.
    • Tannu is the third Indian to emerge world champion at this event, where Aman Gulia (48kg) and Sagar Jaglan (80kg) took titles in men’s freestyle competition to propel India to the Team championship title for the first time in history.​

    ‘Child Service Scheme’ launched by UP

    • Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Governor Anandi Ben Patel, launched the “Uttar Pradesh Mukhyamantri Bal Sewa Yojna” at a function in Lok Bhawan on 22 July 2021.
    • At present, an advance 3-month allowance (of Rs 4000 for each month) is being given to these 4,050 children, who became orphaned during the pandemic.
    • Those studying in schools will be given tablets or laptops.​

    Naval exercise between India and UK

    • Indian Navy participated in a two-day bilateral Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group (CSG)-21 led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Bay of Bengal from 21 to 22 July 2021.
    • The bilateral maritime exercise was designed to hone the ability of the two navies to operate together in the maritime domain.
    • Indian Navy was represented by IN Ships Satpura, Ranvir, and Kulish.​

    RBI launches two key surveys

    • The RBI has launched its quarterly Industrial Outlook Survey (IOS) to assess the performance of the manufacturing sector.
    • The central bank has also announced the launch of the next round of the quarterly Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey (SIOS) for the current quarter.
    • The SIOS survey will assess the business situation for the current quarter from selected companies.

    Check RBI Assistant Recruitment Here

    Union Cabinet approves a PLI Scheme

    • Union Cabinet has approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel with incentives of Rs. 6,322 crore.
    • This will be provided over a period of five years.
    • This scheme will boost the production of high-grade specialty steel in the country.
    • It will cover coated or plated steel products, high strength or wear-resistant steel, specialty rails, alloy steel products, etc.

    Russia invites India for Troika Plus meet

    • Russia has invited India for the first time to the Russia-US-China Troika Plus meet on Afghanistan that will discuss, among other issues, the role of Taliban and the future of the landlocked country.
    • Besides India, Iran has also been invited for the meeting.
    • Pakistan and representatives from Kabul are also expected to be part of the meet.

    Cabinet approves Central University in Ladakh

    • The Central government has approved the establishment of a Central University in Ladakh.
    • It will be constructed with a project cost of Rs 750 crore.
    • An integrated, multi-purpose corporation will be set up in Ladakh as well.
    • Ladakh Integrated Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (LIIDCO) will look at the development of industries and tourism in the region.

    Centre extends ‘Stand Up India Scheme’

    • The govt has extended the duration of ‘Stand Up India Scheme’ up to the year 2025.
    • This scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi on April 5, 2016.
    • The objective of the scheme is to facilitate loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) of value between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to at least one SC or ST borrower and one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up green field enterprise.

    Rasmi Rajan appointed to UN tax committee

    • Rasmi Ranjan Das is among a distinguished group of 25 tax experts from around the world appointed as members of the UN tax committee for the 2021-2025 term.
    • He is a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
    • The committee, formally known as the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, guides countries’ efforts to advance stronger tax policies.

    Aviation Ministry forms three advisory groups

    • In a bid to improve the aviation services and to deal with the challenges the sector faces, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on July 21, 2021, formed three advisory groups.
    • The groups comprise Airlines, Airport Operators and MRO, Cargo Carriers, FTOs and Ground Handling companies.
    • It will work under the chairmanship of the Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia.

    Sandesh Jhingan: Footballer of the Year

    • Sandesh Jhingan has been named the AIFF men’s Footballer of the Year.
    • Suresh Singh Wangjam was picked as the Emerging Player for the 2020-21 season.
    • It is the first time that Sandesh has received the AIFF Player of the Year award, having won the Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2014.
    • Jhingan made his senior national team debut in 2015 in Guwahati.

    Check Chetri’s Birthday Celebrated as Football Day here

    Chaurasi Kosi Marg declared a National Highway

    • The Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya, UP has been declared a National Highway.
    • About 80 kms of Ring Road in Ayodhya and 275 kms of Ayodhya Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Marg will be made National Highway.
    • The Parikrama Marg covers districts Ayodhya, Barabanki, Gonda, Basti, Ambedkarnagar.
    • Also, the Parikrama route will connect people living in Bahraich, Raibareli, and Sultanpur as well.

    Germany and US announce a deal

    • Germany and the United States have announced a deal to allow the completion of Nord Stream 2 (NS2) to Europe without the imposition of further American sanctions.
    • Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline that would allow Germany to effectively double the amount of gas it imports from Russia. 
    • Its delivery system is designed to carry up to 55 bn cubic meters (1.942 trn cubic feet) of gas per year.

    UK and France sign an agreement

    • UK Home Secretary Priti Patel and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin have signed an agreement to strengthen UK-France joint cooperation to tackle illegal immigration across the Channel.
    • This follows a rise in dangerous crossings and will see the number of police patrolling French beaches more than double for the second time in a year to prevent illegal migration.

  Important Weekly Current Affairs June 2021

  • Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced signing an MoU with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA).
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a total penalty of ₹8 lakh on three Maharashtra-based cooperative banks.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gujarat on 27 June 2021 to inaugurate a Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA).
  • Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman held a virtual meeting with senior government officials to discuss the infrastructure roadmap ahead, on 29 June 2021.
  • NITI Aayog convened the National Convention on ‘Prevention of Maternal, Adolescent, and Childhood Obesity’, on 25 June 2021.
  • Nine Indian cities have taken significant measures to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis and inculcated a climate-sensitive approach to urban planning.