TODAY ïS IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS

BENEVOLENT IAS ACADEMY, COIMBATORE (DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS)

BENEVOLENT IAS ACADEMY

#25, Sri Nagar, Hope College, Peelamedu (PO), Coimbatore – 641 004. Phone: +91422-4521607, Cell: +91-9787731607/ 9787701067.

Web: www.benevolentacademy.com, E-Mail: [email protected]

Dated 08.12.2021

TODAY’S IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS

UPSC-IAS|IPS|IFS (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS)

In News : 21st INDIA – RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMIT

Exam Point of view: Prelims / Mains (GS2) – India and Neighbourhood Relations

What is the present news?

The first meeting of the 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers and the meeting of the

Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military-Technical Cooperation held in New

Delhi on 6 December 2021.

Key Points:

The meet signifiesthe sustained progress

in the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic

Partnership’ between both countries

despite the challenges posed by the Covid

pandemic.

Several Government-to-Government

Agreements and MoUs, as well as those

between commercial and other

organizations of both countries, were signed in different sectors such as trade, energy, science

& technology, intellectual property, outer space, geological exploration, cultural exchange,

education, etc

India and Russia Bilateral Relations:

During the Cold War, India and the Soviet Union (USSR) had a strong strategic, military,

economic and diplomatic relationship.

After the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited its close relationship with India

which resulted in both nations sharing a Special Relationship.

India and Russia term this sustained relationship as a “special and privileged strategic

partnership”.


Investments & Infrastructure:

They emphasized on new drivers of growth for long term predictable and sustained economic

cooperation.

Appreciated the success story of mutual investments and looked forward to greater

investments in each others’ countries.

The role of connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

and the proposed Chennai – Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor.

Cooperation in New sectors: New sectors of economic engagement are likely to emerge —

mining, agro-industrial, and high technology, including robotics, nanotech, and biotech.

India is the second-largest market for the Russian defence industry.

Cooperation extended by both the countries during the Covid pandemic in the field of vaccine

and humanitarian support.

Security:

India and Russia agreed that both countries share common perspectives and concerns on

Afghanistan and appreciated the bilateral roadmap charted out at the NSA level for

consultation and cooperation on Afghanistan.

Jointly fight against terrorism, terror funding, and drug trafficking.

Balancing China’s aggression: Russia has demonstrated its capabilities in diffusing tensions

between India and China.

Support At Multilateral Forums: To further strengthen cooperation at multilateral fora,

including at the UN Security Council.

Additionally, Russia supports India’s candidacy for permanent membership of a

reformed United Nations Security Council and of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.


In News : Home-grown Microprocessor Exam Point of view: Prelims / Mains (GS2 & GS3) – Government Policies & Interventions, IT & Computers

The importance of such initiatives (The Microprocessor Challenge) in bringing more innovation and

self-reliance in technology.

The Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge organized by the Ministry of Electronics and

Information Technology (MeitY) brought in innovations in drone technology which is designed to

assist the differently-abled, diagnosis and waste management.

Microprocessor:

The central unit of a computer system that

carries out arithmetic, logical operations

involving addition, subtraction and transfer

of numbers from one area to another is

known as a microprocessor or processor. It

is also referred to as the central processing

unit.

It works by accepting binary data as input

and processes the data followed by an

output based on the instructions stored in

the memory.

Vega-FCS-FT that used a VEGA processor to create a fault-tolerant reliable integrated avionics

system for Drones.

SHAKTI processor was used to display home solutions for blood cell counting which is essential

for diagnostics.

SpectroProcessor can be applied in biomedical operations and uses SHAKTI processors.

The SHAKTI processor was also used for making a calibration system for Nuclear Spectroscopy.

Remote monitoring and optimization of the sewage treatment plant was demonstrated using the

VEGA processor.

With the help of the SHAKTI processor, an anti-theft geofencing based locking system was

exhibited.

The VEGA processor enabled a lower limb exosuit for the differently-abled.


In News : Waste-wise cities Exam Point of view: Prelims / Mains (GS3) – Biodiversity & Environment

The important highlights of the report assessment and best practices that are

required for solid waste management to achieve zero waste cities.

The NITI Aayog and the Center for Science and Environment released

the compendium of best practices in municipal solid waste

management.

The report documents the best practices in 28 cities across 15 states.

The report acts as the comprehensive knowledge repository that offers

a picture of how the Indian cities are managing solid waste.

The scope of solid waste management in India has witnessed a sustainable value chain with

exemplary initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

This report includes an assessment of thematic aspects of solid waste management that ranges

from source segregation, material recovery and technological innovation to managing different

kinds of wastes.

Significance:

With the growing complexities of urbanization, the issue of solid waste management plays an

important role in the governance of cities in order to achieve the target of zero waste cities. The

report released by NITI Aayog and CSE provides a precise understanding of the present scenario

with respect to waste management in the country.

It was highlighted that frontier technologies have been employed to convert waste into the

highest form of energy.

The compendium acts as an important resource for developing cities to get new ideas, strategies,

institutional arrangements, technologies and modes of implementation that facilitate cities to

offer best practices in terms of waste management.

It is recommended that awareness must spread across the urban areas regarding the processing

of waste that must be reworked, reused and recycled.

The NITI Aayog recommends some of the best practices that include:

Behaviour change communication

Source segregation of waste

Innovative models of circular economy

Advanced Data Management

GIS (Geographical Information System) tracking of waste transportation vehicles

https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/swachh-bharat-abhiyan-essay/



BANKING [IBPS,SBI,RBI]

RBI Monetary Policy: Repo rate unchanged for the 9th consecutive time

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) headed by Reserve

Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das kept the repo rate unchanged at 4 per

cent for the ninth consecutive time while maintaining an ‘accommodative stance’ as long as

necessary. The reverse repo rate will continue to be 3.35 per cent. The central bank had last

revised the policy rate on May 22, 2020, in an off-policy cycle to perk up demand by cutting the interest rate

to a historic low. The meeting was held between December (6 to 8). The remaining will take place

in February (7 to 9, 2022).

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank named Ittira Davis as MD & CEO

The Board of Directors of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank appointed Ittira Davis as

the MD and CEO of the bank. Davis has been appointed as the MD and CEO for a

period of 3 years from the date of approval of the RBI or such other period as may be approved by RBI. Davis

was the MD and CEO of Ujjivan Financial Services Limited from July 2018 from where he resigned in 2021.

PNB launched “PNB Pride-CRMD module” app for differently-abled

employees

Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched the PNB Pride-CRMD module tool, an

android-based application for differently-abled employees to monitor and

effectively follow up with the special mention account (SMA) borrowers. The Pride-CRMD module has built-in

TalkBack software that allows the visually impaired to access the system freely and to interact with

customers by tapping on their phones.

Paytm partnered with AWS to offer startup Toolkits for entrepreneurs

Paytm, a leading digital ecosystem for consumers and merchants has

partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to offer Paytm Startup

Toolkit with exclusive payment services to early-stage Indian startups. Paytm will help entrepreneurs to

grow businesses with payment, distribution, and growth solutions who are operating in India in the AWS

Activate.

PM Modi holds India-Russia Summit 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held the 21st India-Russia Annual

Summit to discuss the entire gamut of relations, including regional and global issues. During his visit, India

and Russia signed 28 agreements. The leaders discussed on International North-South Transport Corridor

and also about the Chennai – Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor (which is under the proposal).

India-Maldives joint military Exercise EKUVERIN in Maldives

The 11th edition of Exercise EKUVERIN-21 between India and Maldives, held at Kadhdhoo Island,

Maldives. Ekuverin means “Friends” in the Dhivehi language. It is an Indo – Aryan language. It is spoken in

India, Lakshadweep and Maldives. The exercise enhances synergy and inter-operability between the Armed

Forces of both nations in terms of understanding transnational terrorism both on land and at sea, conducting

Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations and sharing best military practices and experiences.


Union Minister S Jaishankar addressed 5th Indian Ocean Conference

Union Minister of External Affairs (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has visited Abu Dhabi, United Arab

Emirates (UAE) to attend the 5th Indian Ocean Conference on December 4-5, 2021. The theme of the

conference was ‘Indian Ocean: Ecology, Economy, Epidemic’. The Conference is chaired by Sri Lankan

President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa & Vice Chairs are S.Jaishankar, Vivian Balakrishnan, Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad

Bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.

Sunil Arora invited to join top international democracy body IDEA

Former chief election commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora has been invited to join the board of advisers

at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, also known as International

IDEA. IDEA has a 15-member board of advisers, all of whom are eminent personalities from a wide variety of

backgrounds.

Nilmani Phookan Jr and Damodar Mauzo receive Jnanpith Award

Assamese poet Nilmani Phookan Jr won the 56th Jnanpith Award and Konkani novelist Damodar

Mauzo won the 57th Jnanpith Award. The country’s highest literary award, the Jnanpith is bestowed on

writers for “their outstanding contribution to literature”. Jnanpith Award is a literary award presented by the

Bharatiya Jnanpith organization to Indian writers every year. This was instituted in 1961 and is given only to

Indian writers who write in Indian languages and English.

FICCI appoints Sanjiv Mehta as its President

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) announced

that Sanjiv Mehta, the Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited

(HUL), will be appointed as its President. Mehta, presently the Senior Vice President of

FICCI, will be succeeding media industry veteran Uday Shankar. Mehta is also the

President of Unilever South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Nepal), and is a

member of the ‘Unilever Leadership Executive’ which is Unilever’s Global Executive Board.

‘She is a Changemaker’ programme launched by National Commission for Women

National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched a pan-India capacity building programme, ‘She is a

Changemaker’ for women representatives at all levels, gram panchayats to parliament members and political

workers including office bearers of National/State political parties. The programme was launched by Ms

Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. To improve leadership skills of

grassroots women political leaders.

US announces diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

The Biden administration has announced that US officials will not attend the 2022 Winter Olympics in

Beijing after China pledged unspecified “countermeasures” against any such diplomatic boycott. The US

cited that “China’s human rights ATROCITIES” is the main reason for its boycott. The US has named the

boycott as “Diplomatic Boycott”. It means that the US is not sending any official or diplomatic representation

to participate in the Olympics. However, the US is allowing American athletes to participate in the Olympics.

Russia defeated Croatia to win Davis Cup tennis tournament 2021

The Davis Cup 2021 was won by the Russian Tennis Federation by a 2-0 lead over Croatia in the Davis

Cup final in Madrid. Medvedev defeated Marin Cilic in the second singles match to give Russia an

insurmountable 2-0 lead over Croatia and its first Davis Cup title since 2006. Croatia also was seeking its third

title after triumphs in 2005 and 2018. Andrey Rublev was named the Most Valuable Player. The Russian

team is officially being called RTF (Russian Tennis Federation) in the competition amid its ongoing doping

suspension in international sport.



TNPSC|SSC|RRB

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) announced that

Sanjiv Mehta, the Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), will be

designated, president.

Union Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar, went to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

(UAE), and attended the 5th Indian Ocean Conference on December 4-5, 2021. The conference's

theme was 'Indian Ocean: Ecology, Economy, Epidemic'.

The Executive Director of Serum Institute of India (SII) Dr. Suresh Jadhav passed away at

the age of 72 after a long illness.

Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat will take oath as the new Chancellor of Germany. Scholz will

end the 16-year rule of Angela Merkel, who was also the first female chancellor of Germany.

National Commission for Women (NCW) launches a Pan-India Capacity Building

Programme „She is a Changemaker‟ for Women in Politics.

Ministry of Civil Aviation mandates Air Suvidha Portal to provide hassle-free, queue free,

and convenient air travel to all international passengers.

Nilmani Phookan Jr., an Assamese Poet and a Konkani novelist Damodar Mauzo have

won the 56th Jnanpith Award and 57th Jnanpith Award. India's highest literary award, the annual

Jnanpith is bestowed on writers for “their outstanding contribution towards literature”.

„Bhasha Sangam‟ mobile app has been launched by the Ministry of Education. The app will

help individuals in acquiring basic conversation abilities in languages other than one‟s own mother

tongue.

An Indian-origin doctor, Anil Menon has been named among the 10 new astronaut recruits

selected by NASA for its future space missions.

The United Arab Emirates announced all government entities will adopt a new work-week

schedule consisting of four-and-a-half days with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming

the new weekend.

On December 6, 2021, Union Cabinet approved the Ken-Betwa River interlinking project,

ahead of elections to major North Indian states. This project promises to address the issue of water

scarcity in Bundelkhand region, spreading across Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

On December 8, 2021, Union Cabinet approved the extension of flagship housing-for-all

scheme named “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G)” till March 2024.



TNPSC - I, II, IIA, IV& VAO (jkpH;)

பாதுகாப்பு ஆராய்சச்ி மற்றும் மமம்பாடட்ு அமமப்பு (டிஆரட்ிஓ)

சசவ்வாய் கிழமம, சந்திப்பூரில் உள்ள ஒருங்கிமைந்த மசாதமைத்

தளத்தில் இருந்து சசங்குத்து ஏவுதல் குறுகிய தூர ஏவுகமைமய

சவற்றிகரமாக மசாதமை சசய்தது.

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TODAY ïS IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS