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October 2020 Daily News Current Affairs

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  1. Oct 31, 2020
    1. SBI signed loan agreement of up to $1 billion with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), to facilitate operations of Japanese car companies in India.
      1. $600 million will be financed by JBIC, and rest will come from other participating Japanese lenders, with JBIC guarantee.
      2. Recently, NTPC has also entered similar foreign currency loan agreement with JBIC, under its GREEN initiative, for JPY 50 billion.
    2. Oct 31 is observed as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
      1. It was introduced by Government in 2014, marking Birth Anniversary of Legendary Leader and 1st Home Minsiter and Deputy PM of India, Shri Sardar Valabh Bhai Patel.
      2. On this occasion in 2018, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's memorial in Gujarat's Narmada district. Called the Statue of Unity, the bronze sculpture is the world's tallest statue measuring 600 feet (182m). It has overtook China's Spring Temple Buddha (153m) and USA's Statue of Liberty (93m). It was constructed in 33 months at 2,989 crores.
      3. On This occasion -
        1. PM Narendra Modi launched a seaplane service from Sabarmati Riverfront to Kevadia. He also inaugurated Sardar Patel Zoological Park and Geodesic Aviary Dome in Kevadia, among 17 projects launched.
        2. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju flagged off 200-km long ‘Fit India Walkathon’, at Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).
        3. UTs of J&K and ladakh marked First Anniversary of Bifurcation.
      4. Oct 31 is also Death Anniversary of Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She was killed on this day in 1984.
      5. Oct 31 is observed as World Thrift / Savings Day. In India it is observed on 30th october.
      6. Oct 24 - 31 is observed annually as Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, initiated in 2012.
    3. Oct 31 is Observed as UN World Cities Day, proclaimed in 2013. 2020 Theme is Valuing Our Communities and Cities.
    4. 14th edition of Asian Film Awards  organized virtually, due to Covid-19 Pandemic. Awardees -
      1. Award Name Winner
        Best Actor Lee Byung-hun – The Man Standing Next (South Korea)
        Best Actress Zhou Dongyu – Better Days (China)
        Best Director Wang Xiaoshuai for So Long, My Son (China)
        Best Film Parasite (South Korea)
        Best Supporting Actor Ryo Kase – To the Ends of the Earth
        Best Supporting Actress Ko Shu-chin – A Sun
        Best Original Music Karsh Kale, for Gully Boy
    5. General Conferences /News (Oct 21-31, 2020) -
      1. Minister of State for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria launched Mobile application for Geo tagging of components of projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme(PMKSY-AIBP).
      2. BRICS Meets -
        1. 6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum organised virtually under chairmanship of Russia. It was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on India's Behalf.
        2. Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel virtually attended BRICS Tourism Ministers’ meeting.
      3. Uttar Pradesh Government will establish anti-human trafficking Police Stations in each and every district, to promote security of women and children.
      4. 6th edition of United Kingdom India Business Council’s (UKIBC) Doing Business in India Report 2020 Doing Business in India: The UK Perspective has been released. It stated that UK Companies are becoming more affirmative about doing business in India.
      5. Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated Direct Port Entry facility’ of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust in Tamil Nadu, to help increase Ease of Doing Business for exporters.
      6. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)'s National Productivity Council has been granted accreditation conforming to ISO 17020:2012 by National Accreditation Board for Certification Body (NABCB), Quality Council of India (QCI).
      7. World Bank sanctioned around 3 crores for India’s first sand dune parks and interpretation centre, to be developed in Goa.
      8. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Meets -
        1. India hosted 19th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Ministers of Foreign Economy and Foreign Trade Activities, attended by Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal.
        2. 18th meeting of Prosecutors General of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Held Virtyually, with india Represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
      9. 10th Economic and Financial Dialogue between UK and India held Virtually, attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
        1. During meet, India and UK reached landmark agreements on financial services, infrastructure and sustainable finance, to boost jobs and investment.
      10. 1st ever Ministerial Meeting of G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group held Virtually, attended by Minister of State (IC) of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh.
      11. MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launched India’s first-ever high quality Khadi Fabric Footwear, designed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), and made of Khadi fabric like Silk, Cotton and Wool.
      12. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched Green Delhi mobile application, to enable citizens to bring pollution causing activities to government's notice.
      13. Passenger train services from Dhaka (Bangladesh) to Siliguri (West Bengal) will be started in March 2021.
      14. 1st session of India - International Food & Agri Week, organised virtually between Oct 16-22, 2020.
      15. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) launched 100 new forest fresh organic products, to be available to 125 tribes in India.
      16. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched virtual festival of Parampara Series 2020-National Festival of Music and Dance, organised by Natya Tarangini, in association with United Nations.
    6. Researchers from India and Italy discovered a new plant species of Sahyadri globe thistle, Echinops sahyadricus, from Rajgad Fort area in Pune (Maharashtra). The newly discovered species, under genus Echinops, is endemic to western Maharashtra.
    7. Arunachal Pradesh government signed MoU with Sports Ministry, for development of infrastructuresat National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in state.
    8. Maple Group received RBI approval to acquire up to 9.99 percent stake in RBL bank.
    9. As part of Vigilance Awareness Week ( Oct 27 - Nov 2), Punjab National Bank launched Tracking & Monitoring Staff Accountability Cases (TMSAC) portal.
    10. IndusInd Bank went live as a ‘Financial Information Provider’ (FIP) under new ‘Account Aggregator Framework’ of RBI, Becoming first Indian bank to do so. It will enable customers to avail several services on a single window, to take better informed decisions.
    11. European Commission and Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) signed implementing arrangement, to enhance scientific cooperation. It will enable ICSSR supported Indian researchers, to pursue research collaborations with European researchers.
    12. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit gave his assent to Bill which provides 7.5 % reservation to students of government schools who have cleared NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in MBBS admissions.
    13. Punjab government signed agreement with Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME), to improve ' ease of doing business for MSMEs in state under Omidyar Network India's ReSolve Initiative.
    14. Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as 12th such entry from India.
      1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had declared Panna Tiger Reserve as a Biosphere Reserve in 2011.
      2. Now, UNESCO has included it in Man and Biosphere programme.
    15. Obituaries (October 2020) -
      1. A S Dave - Former acting Chief Justice of Gujarat HC.
      2. Mishti Mukherjee - Bollywood actress.
      3. Pushpa Bhave - Noted Social activist.
      4. Ram Vilas Paswan - Serving Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
      5. Edward Lodewijk Van Halen - Noted American musician (guitarist) and songwriter.
      6. KK Usha - First Female Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.
      7. Mario José Molina - The only Mexican scientist to receive Nobel Prize.
        1. He shared 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Frank Sherwood Rowland of US and Paul Crutzen of Netherlands.
      8. Ashwani Kumar - Former Governor of Manipur and Nagaland, and ex-CBI Director.
      9. Vishal Anand - Bollywood Actor.
      10. Najeeb Tarakai - Afghanistani cricketer.
      11. Avinash Kharshikar - Noted Marathi Actor / Producer.
      12. Carlton Chapman - Former India footballer.
      13. Shobha Naidu - Noted Kuchipudi Classical dancer, From Andhra Pradesh.
      14. Notable deaths due to COVID -19 -
        1. CM Chang - Nagaland's Serving environment minister.
        2. Kapil Deo Kamat - Bihar's serving Panchayati Raj Minister.
        3. Kaumudi Munshi - Noted Gujarati Musical Artist, also called Nightingale of Gujarat.
        4. Naresh Kanodia - Gujarati Actor.
      15. Charles Moore - Noted American athlete. He won gold in 400 metre hurdles in 1952 Summer Olympics.
      16. John Richard Reid - Former New Zealand cricketer.
      17. Vijay Reddy - Noted Kannada film director.
      18. Rajan - Noted Kannada music composer.
      19. Kishore Bhimani - Noted sports journalist and commentator.
      20. Bhanu Athaiya - Costume designer, who won India’s first Oscar winner. She won 1983 Academy Award for Best Costume Design for movie ‘Gandhi’.
      21. Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri - Noted Malayalam poet. His major honors include Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri and Jnanpith Award.
      22. Pradip Ghosh - Noted Bengali recitor and vocal artist.
      23. P.S. Narayanaswamy - Padma Bhushan Awardee noted Carnatic music vocalist.
      24. Vijaylakshmi Ramanan - Indian Air Force's 1st woman officer.
      25. Jayanta Madhab - Noted economist from Assam.
      26. K J Mohammed (Zero Babu) - Playback singer and actor.
      27. Lee Kun-hee - Serving chairman of South Korean conglomerate Samsung.
      28. B Venkataraman - Noted Historian (Chola) and Former Odisha Chief Secretary.
      29. Mahesh Kanodia - Noted Gujarati musician and former BJP MP.
      30. Keshubhai Patel - Former CM of Gujarat
      31. Sean Connery - Notd Scottish actor. He was first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond.
      32. Daniel Menaker - Noted American fiction writer.
      33. Mesut Yılmaz - Former Turkish PM (Served Thrice).
    16. Misc. Defence News / Tests (October 2020) -
      1. Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) successfully flight tested. SMART is a missile assisted release of lightweight Anti-Submarine Torpedo System for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations far beyond Torpedo range.
      2. Indigenously developed Laser Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) successfully test fired.
      3. New version of nuclear capable Shaurya missile India successfully test fired, as hypersonic surface-to-surface missile with a range of 700-1000 km. It is considered as land version of Sagarika K-15 missile.
      4. Defence Ministry placed orders with a private firm (Economic Explosive Limited (EEL)) for the first time, for supply of 10 lakh hand grenades, to replace vintage design grenades in use.
      5. India will acquire Sprut SDM1 light tanks from Russia, which are very useful in high altitude areas.
      6. New generation Anti Radiation Missile (RUDRAM) successfully Flight tested, as first indigenous anti-radiation missile of country for IAF. The missile is integrated on SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft as launch platform.
      7. DRDO tested Rustom 2 drone successfully, which is capable of carrying payloads depending on mission objectives.
      8. Government scrapped requirement of Minimum Qualifying Service for Enhanced Family Pension with effect from 1st October 2019. Currently, there is requirement of continuous qualifying service of 7 years for grant of Ordinary Family Pension at enhanced rate to Next of Kin of Defence Forces personnel.
      9. Aimed at Boosting indigenous defence manufacturing, Ministry of Defence appointed private sector player Alpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL), to upgrade soviet era Pechora surface to air systems.
      10. DRDO's Nirbhay Cruise Missile test Failed due to a technical snag, with capability to hit targets within 1000 KMs.
      11. Indian Navy successfully test fired Naval Version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, with range 290 KM, from indigenously-built stealth destroyer INS Chennai.
      12. DRDO successfully test fired Stand-Off Anti-Tank Missile (SANT), as a variant of Nag missile with range 15-20 KM. Other variants of Nag missile are Helina (Dhruvastra) and MP-ATGM. SANT is an upgraded version of HELINA.
      13. DRDO conducted night trial of indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi II missile, with 250 KM Range.
      14. Indian Army war memorial called Joginder War Memorial inaugurated at Bum La (Arunachal Pradesh). Joginder singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra posthumously. During 1962 Sino Indian War, he led his outnumbered Troops and handled 50 Chinese men alone.
    17. Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates (October 2020) -
      1. National -
        1. Department of Biotechnology's Translational Health Science And Technology Institute (THSTI) has been recognized by CEPI as one of Global network of Laboratories for centralized assessment of COVID 19 Vaccines. CEPI network will initially involve 6 labs, one each in Canada, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Bangladesh and India.
        2. Reliance Life Sciences developed RT-PCR kit that will diagnose COVID-19 infection in about 2 hours, called R-Green Kits.
          1. RT-PCR are most accurate tests being conducted for COVID-19. However, they take 6 - 8 hours to produce results. The new R-Green Kits will address timing issues.
        3. As a small relief to individual borrowers and SMEs, Govt agreed to waive compound interest (interest on interest) charged on loans of up to Rs 2 crores for a six-month moratorium period announced due to COVID-19 pandemic.
        4. US Agency for International Development (USAID) committed USD 1.9 million to India, to support vulnerable populations affected due to COVID-19.
        5. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services till October 31, 2020.
        6. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), in association with University of Melbourne (Australia) organized International Conference on ‘Mental Health – Looking beyond COVID 19’.
        7. Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and Google collaborated to mark Containment Zones in city on Google Maps.
        8. IIT Kharagpur launched telemedicine system ‘iMediX’ to help patients receive assistance from doctors without Physical Visit.
        9. Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan launched website called CuRED (CSIR Ushered Repurposed Drugs), that gives information about numerous COVID-19 clinical trials that CSIR is engaged in.
        10. Poll spending limit for candidates contesting Lok Sabha / Assembly elections has been enhanced by 10 % based on recommendation of Election Commission. Election Commission had earlier recommended 10 % hike in expenditure for all elections to be held during COVID-19 pandemic.
        11. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) validated ‘COVIRAP,’ the diagnostic machine evolved by the IIT Kharagpur researchers, for its efficacy in COVID-19 detection.
        12. Delhi’s IGI Airport has been named world’s 2nd safest airport on Covid-related safety protocols, by Safe Travel Barometer. Singapore’s Changi Airport topped the list.
        13. Punjab National Bank Launched its All India CSR campaign against COVID 19, launched by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
        14. 6 year old Bangladeshi boy Anzar Mustaeen Ali won special prize of USD 1000, for his artwork in the global art competition organised by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), named ‘United Against CORONA- Express through Art’.
      2. International -
        1. India and South Africa submitted Proposal to WTO Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights entitled Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of COVID-19.
          1. This will make tools related to COVID-19 available at affordable costs. It has now been backed by World Health Organization.
        2. Russia approved its 2nd COVID-19 vaccine called EpicVacCorona, as a two shot vaccine. Sputnik V was first vaccine developed by Russia.
        3. World Bank approved USD 12 billion to help developing countries purchase novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and treatments. It is part of World Bank Group's package to provide up to $160 billion through June 2021 to help more than 100 countries amid pandemic.
        4. As per United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), value of global trade is set to fall by 7 - 9 % in FY 21 (2020-21), due to COVID-19.
        5. Bangladesh's government launched a ‘no mask, no service’ policy, to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
    18. Misc. Appointments (October 2020) -
      1. Harinder Singh has been appointed head of Dehradun-based Indian Military Academy.
      2. Devyani Khobragade is appointed as India’s next ambassador to Cambodia.
      3. M A Ganapathy has been appointed as Director-General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
      4. Mutual fund industry body AMFI re-appointed Nilesh Shah as its chairman. Nilesh is MD of Kotak Asset Management Company (AMC).
      5. RBI extended term of Rajesh Kumar Chhibber as CMD of Jammu & Kashmir Bank for 6 months.
      6. Indian-origin academician Srikant Datar has been named Dean of Harvard Business School (US), replacing Nitin Nohria, who also was Indian-Origin Person.
      7. Rohan Jaitley (son of late Minister Arun Jaitley) has been elected as President of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
      8. Govt extended tenure of Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla till August 2021.
      9. Govt extended tenure of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) CMD Gurdeep Singh by 2025.
      10. CSIR-CDRI's Saman Habib has been elected as fellow of Indian National Science Academy (New Delhi), for her work on understanding malaria parasite.
      11. Nanda Kishore Sahoo is appointed as Director General Dental Services in Army.
      12. ITBP Appointed Amrit Mohan Prasad to head newly created Guwauhati based Eastern command. ITBP also announced to create 47 new Border Outposts, amid tensions with China.
      13. Neena Malhotra is appointed as Indian Ambassador to Republic of San Marino (Europe).
      14. Sushil Kumar Singhal is appointed as Indian Ambassador to Solomon Islands (Oceania).
      15. Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports appointed Bimal Julka as its Chairman (Former Chief Information Commissioner of India).
    19. Misc. Corporate News / Tie-Ups (October 2020) -
      1. SBI partnered with packaged consumer goods company Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) to offer digital payment and financing solutions for small store owners and distributors of company's products.
      2. BOB Financial Solutions Limited partnered with Mastercard to Launch Four New variants of Credit Cards.
      3. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed 3 MoU with State Bank of India (SBI), to extend credit support for various projects Including financing joint liability groups, Self-Help Groups-support credit inflows to Farmer Producers’ Organizations and economic support for watershed development projects.
      4. Reliance General Insurance partnered with SatSure for satellite-based crop monitoring and predictive analytics support to better risk management and improve efficiency of its crop insurance business operations.
      5. Volume of Digital payments has jumped manifold in past five years, with RBI data stating compounded annual growth rate of 55.1 % for Digital Payments, Between 2015-16 and 2019-20.
      6. Govt. designated single SBI branch in New Delhi for all FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) accounts.
      7. RBI imposed penalty of 4.50 crores on IndusInd Bank, for non-compliance with certain provisions of directions issued by RBI.
      8. HDFC Bank and Apollo Hospitals collaborated to launch “HealthyLife Programme”. It aims to make healthy living accessible and affordable for Bank's customers.
      9. Global Payments Firm Mastercard partnered with India Based Signzy, to enable Signzy’s video-based KYC solution for its banking customers.
      10. Fintech Startup EarlySalary launched RuPay powered Salary Card, a digital card that enables salaried professionals to make instant purchases across merchants across India.
      11. To push agriculture finance, Bank of Baroda entered into pact with Mahindra and Mahindra for tractor finance business.
      12. Citibank and Mastercard jointly launched IKEA Family Credit Card, to make shopping at Swedish furnishing company more affordable and rewarding.
      13. Government banned natural gas and coal-bed methane (CBM) producers from buying their own produce, under new gas marketing freedom guidelines.
      14. Flipkart acquired 7.8% stake in Aditya Birla Fashion for Rs 1500 crores.
      15. Indian Bank launched an initiative for funding start-ups, ‘IND Spring Board’, in collaboration with IIT-Madras Incubation Cell.
      16. Mastercard partnered with Atlantis to expand Digital First Program in India, to enable Mastercard users to enjoy a best-in-class digital banking experience.
      17. Stock exchange BSE signed agreement with Inventivepreneur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI), to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
      18. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and SBI Card launched co-branded credit card, for benefit of Delhi Metro commuters.
      19. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has been selected as national industry partner for 3rd edition of ‘Make in Odisha’ conclave.
      20. As relief to taxpayers desirous of settling disputes under Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, Government extended date for making payment without additional amount from to 31-03-2021 (from 31-12-2020 earlier).
      21. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched RuPay Festive Carnival, giving compelling offers to RuPay users, aimed at motivating cashless payments.
      22. Singapore based DBS Bank has been named 'Safest Bank in Asia' for 12th consecutive year, by New York-based trade publication Global Finance.
      23. Tech Firm IBM collaborated with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), to transform IOCL's customer experience using digital tools.
      24. ICICI Lombard and Freepaycard (online pre-paid card trading platform) launched Group Safeguard Insurance, to be offered to members of Freepaycard.
    20. Misc. Sports News / Events (October 2020) -
      1. India’s Visnu Shivaraj Pandian won 10m air rifle event at 5th edition of the International Online Shooting Championship.
      2. Australian woman cricketer and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy broke record of Most Dismissal by Wicket Keeper, which was earlier kept by MS Dhoni, who made 91 dismissals.
      3. Los Angeles Lakers defeated Miami Heat to win USA's National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship 2020, as 17th NBA title win for LA Lakers.
      4. Romania’s 2008 Olympic champion, Constantina Dita has been named an ambassador for the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020 (Poland).
      5. Sports Ministry upgraded centres from 9 States / UTs to Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) under Khelo India scheme. Earlier in 2020, Ministry identified total of 14 centres to be upgraded to KISCEs. Overall number now stands at 24 KISCEs.
      6. India's Elavenil Valarivan won gold medal in women’s event of 2020 Sheikh Russel International Air Rifle Championship in Bangladesh.
      7. Unique Plastic Premier League (PPL) tournament held in Indore (Madhya Pradesh), to free city from single use plastic.
    21. Misc. MOUs Signed (October 2020) -
      1. Chennai-based small rocket maker Agnikul Cosmos signed agreement with Alaska Aerospace Corporation to test launch its launch vehicle Agnibaan, from Pacific Spaceport Complex (US).
      2. Ministry of Electronics and IT's Common Services Centre (CSC) partnered with HelpAge India, to provide digital literacy to citizens above age of 55 years through a pilot project in selected states.
      3. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signed MOU with Amity University, to promote research in Ayurvedic Sciences.
      4. National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed MoU with administration of Ladakh to promote dairying and rural livelihoods.
      5. India’s National Maritime Foundation (NMF) and Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) signed MOU, aimed at fostering cooperation in Indo-Pacific region, and deepen Taiwan-India cooperation in maritime affairs and regional development.
      6. CRPF signed MOU with IIT Delhi and DRDO, to find technological solutions to operational challenges faced by CRPF.
      7. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing(C-DAC) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeITY) signed 13 MoUs with premier academic and R&D institutions, for establishing Indigeneous Supercomputing Infrastructure.
      8. Pernod Ricard India Foundation and WWF India partnered, aimed at securing future of wild elephants in Assam.
      9. Indian Bank Signed MoU with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and SIDBI, to Pay Street Vendor’s Subsidy under PM SVANidhi Scheme.
      10. UNICEF and India Chapter of International Advertising Association (IAA), partnered to support research on gender representation in advertisements in India.
      11. IIT Jodhpur and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed MoU, for research for betterment of highway infrastructure.
      12. IIT Kanpur and Archaeological Survey of India signed MOU with Italian institutions Ca’ Foscari University and Soprintendenza Archeologia, seeking restoration and protection of historical monuments.
      13. India's Cochin Shipyard Limited signed MOU with Italy’s Fincantieri S.p.A, to collaborate on design, shipbuilding an related activities.
    22. Industrial Awards (October 2020) -
      1. 35 Startups have been Honored in First edition of National Startup Awards 2020, released by Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry. First edition invited applications across 12 sectors, which were further sub-classified into a total of 35 categories.
      2. Chamber of Indian Industry (CII) Foundation’s work on crop residue management has been awarded UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) Action Award by UNDP in partnership with Government of Punjab under category ‘Integration, Convergence, Joint Action and Holistic Solution Approach – Industry’. 
      3. Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) presented lifetime achievement award to business icon Ratan Tata.
      4. Seema Gupta, Director (Operations) of Power Grid Corporation of India, has been named winner of GOLD Stevie Award in Lifetime Achievement - Business category in 17th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, hailed as world’s premier business awards for women.
      5. UK-based Indian-origin plastic surgeon Jajini Varghese has been named 'Outstanding Young Person of the World 2020' by an NGO, for her scientific contributions to treating breast cancer.
      6. National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has been named on top on list of Indian PSUs under ‘World’s Best Employer 2020’, published by Forbes.
      7. National Academy of Medical Sciences selected Satish Mishra (CSIR-CDRI) for Dr.Tulsi Das Chugh Award 2020, as recognition of his research work on Malaria parasite's life cycle.
    23. India GDP Growth Forecasts (October 2020) -
      1. RBI Monetary Policy Statement Predicts GDP growth in FY 21 (2020-21) to be negative at - 9.5 % (- 9.8 % in Q2; -5.6 % in Q3 and 0.5 % in Q4). GDP growth for Q1 of FY 22 (2021-22) is placed at strong 20.6 %.
      2. As per World Bank South Asia Focus update, India’s economy is to contract 9.6% in FY21 (2020-21).
      3. As per IMF World Economic Outlook October 2020 Edition, India is expected to Contract at - 10.3 % in FY 21, and expected to grow at 8.8 % in FY 22.
  2. Oct 30, 2020
    1. Telangana government launched Dharani portal, as first of its kind in country, for storing digitised land records and registration of properties.
      1. This will enable property registrations without human interface, eliminating scope for corruption.
    2. Actor Om Puri has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at 3rd edition of India International Film Festival of Boston. Other Awards -
      1. Best Feature Film - Kaanthi
      2. Best Male Actor - Victor Banerjee for Josef: Born In Grace.
      3. Best Female Actor - Shylaja Ambu for Kaanthi.
    3. Alpha Condé has been elected as President of Guinea (West Africa) for his 3rd term.
    4. Microsoft collaborated with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to impart digital skills to more than one lakh underserved women in India over 10 months.
    5. Book Night of the Restless Spirits: Stories from 1984, authored by Sarbpreet Singh has been released.
    6. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched web portals Odisha State Scholarship Portal and Sumangal.
      1. Sumangal aims to help people avail inter-caste marriage incentives.
    7. Young Advocates Welfare Fund has been launched in Tamil Nadu, aimed at helping fresh advocates withstand initial challenges, with monthly financial assistance of 3000 for 2 years.
    8. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 4th India Energy Forum by CERAWeek, with theme India’s Energy Future in a World of Change.
    9. Govt has set up a 70 member committee headed by PM Narendra Modi, to commemorate 400th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur (on Apr 01, 2021).
    10. South Korea based electronics conglomerate Samsung topped list of ‘World’s Best Employer 2020, by Forbes’. Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and LG others in top 5. India's HCL Technologies ranks 30th in List.
    11. Oct 24-30 is observed by UN as Disarmament Week.
  3. Oct 29, 2020
    1. Cabinet Approvals (Oct 29, 2020) -
      1. MOUs -
        1. Japan - Information and Communication Technologies.
        2. Cambodia - Health and Medicine.
      2. CCEA -
        1. Approved Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II & Phase III, with assistance of World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to improve performance of selected dams across country.
          1. Project cost is 10211 crores, to be implemented over 10 years. 7000 crores will come as extrnal funding.
          2. Components -
            1. Rehabilitation and improvement of dams and associated appurtenances.
            2. Dam safety institutional strengthening in participating States and Central agencies.
            3. Exploration of alternative incidental means at selected dams, to generate incidental revenue.
            4. Project management.
        2. Approved that 100% of foodgrains and 20% of sugar shall be mandatorily packed in diversified jute bags, to boost jute industry.
          1. Also, initially, 10% of indents of jute bags for packing foodgrains would be placed through reverse auction on Gem portal, to usher in regime of price discovery.
          2. Government has expanded scope of mandatory packaging norms under Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act 1987.
        3. Approved Mechanism for procurement of ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies under Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme - Revision of ethanol price for supply to Public Sector OMCs for Ethanol Supply Year 2020-21 (Dec 2020 to Nov 2021)
          1. Price of ethanol from C heavy molasses route increased from 43.75 to 45.69 per litre.
          2. Price of ethanol from B heavy molasses route increased from 54.27 to 57.61 per litre.
          3. Price of ethanol from sugarcane juice / sugar / sugar syrup increased from 59.48 to 62.65 per litre.
    2. Govt. appointed Yashvardhan K. Sinha as new Chief Information Commissioner, replacing Bimal Julka.
      1. Central Information Commission includes 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and maximum 10 Information Commissioners.
    3. Oct 29 is observed as Internet Day.
      1. In 2005, it was decided to propose to UN, to designate October 29 as World-wide Day of Information Society, resulting in Internet Day being celebrated on that day.
      2. Oct 29 is also observed as World Stroke Day.
    4. Japan annouced its target to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, to promote green economy. Presently, 56 % of Japan's energy requirements come from fossil fuels.
    5. India extended $1-billion line of credit to Central Asian countries for priority projects in connectivity, energy, IT and health care. This was announced during 2nd India-Central Asia Dialogue held Virtually.
  4. Oct 28, 2020
    1. Oct 28 is observed as International Animation Day (IAD), proclaimed in 2002.
    2. Asan Conservation Reserve became Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site, making it a ‘Wetland of International Importance’, located on banks of Yamuna river near Dehradun.
      1. Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake in Bihar (Begusarai), has also been included in Ramsar sites in India.
      2. With this, number of Ramsar sites in India goes up to 39.
    3. As per World Bank's World Bank's Migration and Development Brief, remittances to India will fall this year by 9 cent to $76 billion, due to coronavirus pandemic.
      1. India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and Egypt will be top 5 countries in 2020 to receive foreign remittances.
      2. Globally, money sent to home by migrants is to decline 14 % in FY 2021 (2020-21).
    4. As per Public Affairs Index 2020 released by Public Affairs Centre -
      1. Kerala is best governed state, while Uttar Pradesh ranked at bottom of list.
      2. Among large states - Kerala (1), Tamil Nadu (2), Andhra Pradesh (3).
      3. Small states - Goa (1), Meghalaya (2), Himachal Pradesh (2).
      4. Chandigarh named best governed UT.
    5. RPF's Meri Saheli initiative, which focuses on safety of women passengers, has been extended to all zones. It was launched as a pilot project in South Eastern Railway.
    6. Chhattisgarh Assembly passed Chhattisgarh Krishi Upad Mandi (Amendment) Bill 2020, to invalidate Central Govt’s recently-notified agriculture legislations. It gives strength to state government to control all agricultural produce markets.
      1. State government launched concept of deemed market, which gives state agencies control over APMCs.
      2. Deemed markets would comprise of cold storage, silos, warehouses, electronic trading and transaction platforms.
    7. President Ram Nath Kovind promulgated an ordinance to constitute a Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas, tasked with framing measures to improve qir quality in Delhi NCR.
      1. Commission will have 3 Sub-Committees - Monitoring and Identification, Research and Development, Safeguarding and Enforcement.
    8. Kerala became first state to fix Minimum Support Price for sixteen agriculture items, which consist vegetables, fruits and tubers.
      1. Base Price will be 20% more than production cost of vegetables. Yields procured under this scheme will be sold under name Jeevani Kerala Farm Fresh Fruits and Vegetables”.
    9. Indian organisation Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), which leverages tourism and technology to help remote communities access solar energy, is among winners of 2020 UN Global Climate Action Award, for its efforts to combat climate change amid Covid-19 pandemic.
    10. RBI Directed Payment system operators (PSO) to launch new proprietor QR code for transactions, to have least 1 interoperable QR code.
      1. This is aimed at using same QR code across multiple payment applications, to improve digital payment infrastructure.
    11. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh launched phase2 of Urban Environment Improvement Programme (UIEP), with budget 11000 Crores. It focuses on development of state’s urban infrastructure and service delivery systems. State Govt had spent 3000 crores in first phase of UIEP.
    12. National Board for Wildlife approved an action plan for vulture conservation 2020-2025, which envisages 5 new conservation centres to be established in Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
      1. Earlier plan for vultures was formulated in 2006, for 3 years. It focuses on conservation of 3 vulture species - Oriental white backed, Slender billed, Long billed.
    13. NASA's SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) mission confirmed presence of water in clavius crater, which is on sun lit surface of Moon.
      1. Earlier, ISRO Chandrayaan 1 had found presence of water in shadowed places of moon.
  5. Oct 27, 2020
    1. Oct 27 is observed as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. 2020 theme is Your Window to the World. It was marked by UNESCO in 2005.
      1. Oct 27 is also Birth Anniversary of K R Narayanan, 10th President of India.
      2. Oct 27, 2020 also marks 350th Birth anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Noted sikh warrior.
      3. Oct 27 is also observed as Infantry Day by Indian Army, as on this day an Infantry Company of First Battalion of Sikh Regiment was airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar to liberate Kashmir from invading Pakistan Army.
    2. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda launched two Centers of Excellence for Tribal Welfare, in collaboration with Art of Living (AoL).
      1. First CoE is in field of training tribal farmers in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, on sustainable natural farming based on Go-Adharith farming techniques.
      2. 2nd in field of ‘Strengthening PRIs’ in 5 districts covering 30 Gram Panchayats and 150 villages of Jharkhand.
    3. NTPC entered into foreign currency loan agreement with Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC), under its GREEN (Global Action for Reconciling Economic growth and Environment preservation) initiative, for JPY 50 billion (approx 3582 crores INR).
      1. JBIC will provide 60% of facility amount and balance will be given by commercial Japanese banks, under JBIC guarantee.
    4. National Conference on Vigilance and Anti Corruption held virtually, on theme सतर्क भारत, समृद्ध भारत (Vigilant India, Prosperous India).
      1. Also, Vigilance Awareness Week is observed between Oct 27 - Nov 2.
    5. NITI Aayog and Quality Council of India launched National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’ (NPMPF), envisaged to bring reforms in way infrastructure projects are executed in India.
    6. Department of Pharmaceuticals revised guidelines of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for promoting domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs and medical devices keeping.
      1. Minimum threshold investment requirement has been replaced by committed investment, taking into account availability of technology choices which varies between products.
    7. Indian Army developed a secure messaging application named Secure Application for Internet (SAI), similar to commercially available messaging applications. SAI will be utilised pan Army to facilitate secure messaging within Army.
      1. Indian Army also introduced a software named Infrastructure Management System (IMS).
    8. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launched Scheme SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research), designed exclusively for women scientists.
      1. SERB - POWER Scheme will have two components - SERB-POWER Fellowship AND SERB- POWER Research Grants.
    9. New Book Bye Bye Corona written by Pradeep Srivastava of CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), has been released. It has been termed as World’s first scientoon book.
    10. International Financial Services Centres Authority Board approved two Regulations -
      1. IFSCA (Bullion Exchange) Regulations 2020 - To pave way for setting up ecosystem for bullion trading, namely, bullion exchange, depository, clearing house and vaults.
      2. IFSCA (Global In-House Centres) Regulations 2020 - Notified Global In-House Centres (GIC) as financial service to provide services relating to financial products / services.
    11. RBI released report State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2020-21, as annual publication that provides information about finances of states. Theme of this year’s Report is COVID-19 and its Spatial Dimensions in India.
      1. States’ consolidated gross fiscal deficit (GFD) is placed at 2.8 % of GDP for 2020-21, which may get altered by COVID-19 pandemic.
    12. 3rd annual US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi. 
      1. US represeneted by Mark T. Esper (Secretary of Defence) and Michael R. Pompeo (Secretary of State)
      2. India represented by Rajnath Singh (Minister of Defense) and S. Jaishankar (Minister of External Affairs).
      3. India and US signed BECA Agreement (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation).
        1. BECA will provide militaries of Both nations with access to extremely accurate geo-spatial data, high-end military technology and classified satellite data on defence-related issues. This will help in improving accuracy of missile systems of India.
        2. BECA is 4th agreement signed between India and US for strengthening defence ties. Othrs -
          1. General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), signed in 2002.
            1. GSOMIA provides for specific measures to ensure security standards for safeguarding critical information shared by US with India.
          2. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), signed in 2016.
            1. LEMOA establishes basic procedures for Logistic support, supplies, and services.
            2. It gives access to designated military facilities on either side for refueling and replenishment, along with many other co-operative measures.
            3. Under LEMOA, For the first time in Indian history, US long range maritime patrol aircraft P-8 Poseidon, recently refuelled at India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
          3. Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), signed in 2018.
            1. COMCASA is meant to provide legal framework for transfer of communication security equipment from US to India.
      4. Also -
        1. India Post and US Postal Service signed agreement for Electronic Exchange of Customs data related to postal shipments.
        2. It was recalled during meet that NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) joint project will be launched by 2022, as first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies.
  6. Oct 26, 2020
    1. Govt will integrate its central public procurement portal (CPPP) with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to further improve buying and selling process for ministries, departments and other agencies.
    2. United Nations Treaty to ban Nuclear Weapons entered into force, with ratification by 50 countries (Honduras 50th to ratify).
      1. Treaty was opposed by US and other nuclear powers, with India abstaining from Voting. Netherlands was only NATO country to vote in favour of the treaty.
      2. According to India, it recognises Geneva based Conference on Disarmament as only powerful multilateral disarmament negotiation forum.
    3. Atal Innovation Mission, in association with CSIRO, organized hackathon on circular economy called India–Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE). It focuses on development of innovative technology solutions.
    4. Luis Arce has been elected as new President of Bolivia (South America).
    5. Scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) that suture zone of Himalaya that was conventionally thought to be locked, is now tectonically active. This may have implications in terms of earthquake study and prediction.
      1. Data stated that Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) has been neo-tectonically active since last 78000 - 58000 years.
  7. Oct 25, 2020
    1. The Fixer, debut Novel of Suman Dubey has been released.
    2. Indian-origin Person Wavel Ramkalawan has been apponted President of Seychelles.
    3. Jammu and Kashmir became first union territory to operationalise public financial management system (PFMS) at district level, with e-inauguration of eight district offices.
    4. Karnataka cabinet approved to implement Bhagyalakshmi scheme, which provides financial security to girl child of BPL families, through Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana of postal department, instead of LIC.
      1. State Govt opted for Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana of postal department, as interest rate offered by LIC was too less.
    5. Maharashtra’s Women and Child welfare department launched a new initiative to fulfill nutritional requirements of lactating mothers and children in state, named TARANG SUPOSHIT MAHARASHTRACHA.
    6. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal laid foundation stone of Assam Agar International Trade Centre at Golaghat, to promote the business potential of farmers and entrepreneurs associated with agarwood plantation and trade in state.
    7. Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma launched 'micro ATM' service in rural areas of the state, to take banking services to doorsteps of people in rural areas.
    8. International Monetary Fund (IMF) slashed FY 21 (2020-21) economic forecast for Asia, with 2.2 % contaction.
      1. IMF also upgraded Asia's FY 22 (2021-22) growth forecast, to 6.9 % growth.
      2. India's economy is likely to shrink 10.3% in FY 21.
    9. Surat (Gujarat) become Indian city with longest BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) network with length 108 KM, with opening of Kumbharia to Kadodora BRTS.
    10. Insurance Regulator IRDAI has set up a panel to explore possibility of a basic standard product structure to provide insurance cover for individuals and establishments to manage their cyber risks, headed by P Umesh.
    11. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced new form of Aadhaar, known as Aadhaar PVC card, aimed at being more convenient to carry, with enhanced security features.
    12. Singapore-based bond exchange BondEvalue, will launch a blockchain-platform in Jan 2021. It aims at facilitating investment in bonds by individuals.
    13. Scientists from West Bengal discovered first dragonfly fossil found in India in Jharkhand’s Latehar district, said to be at least 2.5 million years old, belonging to late Neogene period. Experts suggest it belongs to Meganeuropsis permiana.
  8. Oct 24, 2020
    1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 3 key projects in Gujarat -
      1. Kisan Suryodaya Yojana -
        1. Aims at providing day-time power supply for irrigation. Under this, farmers will be able to avail power supply from 5 AM to 9 PM. State government has allocated budget of 3500 crores for installing transmission infrastructure under this scheme by 2023.
      2. Paediatric Heart Hospital attached with U.N Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre
      3. Girnar Ropeway -
        1. Distance of 2.3 kms will be covered in 7.5 minutes, as Asia's longest ropeway.
    2. European Union environment ministers agreed to make EU’s pledge to climate neutral by 2050 legally binding.
    3. IIT Kharagpur and TCS Jointly developed novel Industry 4.0 technology for remotely controlled factory operations and real-time quality correction during industrial production, to set a new trend in India’s advanced manufacturing sector.
      1. The innovative technology will acquire real-time information about welding process through multiple sensors and enable online control of weld quality by means of cloud-based communication with friction stir welding machine.
    4. Indian astronomers from National Centre for Radio Astrophysics Pune (NCRA-TIFR) and Raman Research Institute Bangalore (RRI) used upgraded Giant Metre wave Radio Telescope (GMRT), to measure atomic hydrogen content of galaxies to uncover mystery behind decline of star formation rate, after its peak 8-10 billion years ago.
      1. Gases in Galaxies convert to stars with time. Understanding this conversion requires measurement of atomic hydrogen gas, the primary fuel for star formation.
    5. RBI announced that banks can deploy money drawn from 1 Lakh Crores on-tap targeted long term repo operations (on-tap TLTRO) in six sectors - agriculture, agri-infrastructure, secured retail, MSMEs, and drugs, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
      1. On tap TLTROs are intended to enable banks to conduct their operations smoothly and seamlessly without being hindered by illiquidity frictions.
    6. Oct 24 is observed as -
      1. United Nations Day. It marks enactment of UN Charter on this day in 1945. 2020 theme is The future we want, the United Nations we need. 2020 Marks 75th Anniversary of Establishment of United Nations.
        1. India released a postage stamp, to mark 75th Anniversary of UN.
      2. WHO World Polio Day. 2020 Theme is A win against Polio is a win for Global Health.
      3. International Day of Diplomats, celebrated since 2017.
      4. World Development Information Day, established by UNGA in 1972.
      5. Oct 24 is also foundation day of ITBP.
    7. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constituted Market Data Advisory Committee (MDAC), to recommend appropriate policy for access to securities market data. Committee is headed by Madhabi Puri Buch.
    8. As per Tourism Ministry Data, Uttar Pradesh emerged as top destination for attracting highest number of domestic tourists in 2019, followed by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
      1. Uttar Pradesh also topped in Implementation of PM SVANidhi Scheme, approving highest number of loans to street vendors so far.
    9. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launched electricity consumer service portal Mo Bidyut, with URL www.mobidyut.com, under 5T (Teamwork, Transparency, Technology, Time leading to Transformation) initiative of state.
    10. With 3.3 Lakh Migrants, India ranked 2nd in terms of number of migrants going to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. China Ranked 1st (with 4.3 lakh migrants).
    11. Noted Economist and bureaucrat N K Singh released his autobiography Portraits of Power: Half a Century of Being at Ringside. He is currently serving as Chairman of 15th Finance Commission.
    12. Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched YSR Bima, a scheme to provide assistance to BPL Families, through insurance cover to beneficiary in case of death or accident of families members. All families with white ration cards are eligible for YSR Bima scheme.
    13. Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated Integrated Model Agricultural Village scheme, in partnership with NABARD.
      1. It aims at being a milestone in strengthening economy of farmers and doubling their income. Limit for interest-free loan given to farmers is being hiked to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 2 lakh.
    14. Andorra joined International Monetary Fund (IMF) as its 190th member. Andorra, is largest microstate in Europe, situated between France and Spain.
    15. Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district ranked at top, in successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), in Ministry of Rural Development's list of top performing 30 districts in country for implementing PMGSY.
    16. ICICI Bank has shut down its operations in Sri Lanka, amid operational issues.
    17. Mercedes F1 Racer Lewis Hamilton (UK) won Portuguese Grand Prix. With his 92nd F1 Win, Lewis went past Michael Schumacher's record of 91 wins.
      1. 2020 F1 Season -
        1. Round Grand Prix Winner Race date
          1 Austrian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas (Finland) 5 July
          2 Styrian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 12 July
          3 Hungarian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 19 July
          4 British Grand Prix  Lewis Hamilton (UK) 2 August
          5 70th Anniversary Grand Prix Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch) 9 August
          6 Spanish Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 16 August
          7 Belgian Grand Prix  Lewis Hamilton (UK) 30 August
          8 Italian Grand Prix Pierre Gasly (France) 6 September
          9 Tuscan Grand Prix  Lewis Hamilton (UK) 13 September
          10 Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas (Finland) 27 September
          11 Eifel Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 11 October
          12 Portuguese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 25 October
          13 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix   1 November
    18. India-assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project in Bhutan has been awarded Brunel Medal-2020, conferred by UK’s top engineering body, Institute of Civil Engineers.
      1. The 720-MW Mangdechhu run-of-river power project is built on Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag district.
  9. Oct 23, 2020
    1. Oct 23 - International Snow Leopard Day.
    2. European Nation Sweden banned use of telecom equipment from China's Huawei and ZTE, in its 5G network, on security grounds.
    3. Punjab Assembly passed sevral legislations seeking to penalise compeling farmers to sell wheat / paddy below minimum support price (MSP) in state.
      1. Assembly passed amendments to each of three recently passed central Farming laws, to bring them in line with the provisions of state’s APMC Act 1961, establishing its supremacy over central laws.
    4. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft collected sample of soil (57 Gram) from surface of asteroid Bennu, after successful touchdown on asteroid Bennu.
      1. OSIRIS-REx was launched in Sep 2016, taking 4 years to travel to Bennu, which is 205 million miles from Earth.
    5. Saad Hariri has been named Prime Minister of Lebanon, for his fourth Term.
    6. European Union awarded its top human rights prize (Sakharov Prize) to Belarus opposition movement and its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
      1. Sakharov PrizeIt is awarded by the European Union (EU) Parliament annually for free speech, constituted in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov.
    7. RBI fixed minimum Net Owned Fund (NOF) size for housing finance companies at Rs 25 crore. HFCs with NOF under 25 crores will be required to achieve NOF of 15 crore by March 31, 2022 and 25 crore by March 31, 2023.
    8. Maharashtra government withdrew general consent to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out probe into cases in state. CBI will now need state government's permission to probe any case in Maharashtra.
    9. IT Firm Tech Mahindra acquired New Zealand-based Tenzing Group for 218 Crores and Australian IT firm Momenton for 75 crores.
    10. Old Border Dispute Between Assam and Mizoram surfaced again with new clashses among residents. Assam districts Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj share their border with Mizoram districts Kolasib, Mamit and Aizawl. Frequent local clashes are witnesses due to border disputes.
  10. Oct 22, 2020
    1. Housing and Urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched e-Dharti Geo Portal, to integrate map and lease plans in the Management Information System. It will make system Geographic Information System enabled, GIS enabled. It will help avoid unnecessary litigation.
    2. Panel constituted by NITI Aayog, headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar, will review urban planning education system in India and examine availability, demand and supply of qualified urban planners in country.
    3. Sudan became 3rd country to join UAE and Bahrain in recognizing Israel.
      1. Earlier in Sep 2020, Israel, UAE and Bahrain signed Abraham Accords, first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years, mediated by US.
    4. Oct 22 is observed as International Stuttering Awareness Day, marked in 1998.
    5. Last of four indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes INS Kavaratti, under Project 28 (Kamorta class) has been commissioned into Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard (Visakhapatnam).
      1. It is built by Kolkata based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), with up to 90% indigenous content.
      2. All of four corvettes under Project 28 - INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt, INS Kiltan and INS Kavaratti were commissioned in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2020 respectively.
      3. Project cost is 7800 Crores.
    6. Archaeologists uncovered a 37 metre long cat on famous Nazca lines of Peru, a world known UNESCO Heritage site.
      1. Nazca lines consists of hundreds of gigantic geoglyph that date back more than 2000 years. Newly discovered cat Geoglyph is older than the ones discovered earlier.
    7. UN High Commissioner for human rights (UNHCR) asked India to revise its foreign contribution Regulation Act 2010, raising concerns over restrictions imposed by India over foreign funding for Non-governmental organisations.
    8. Tamil Nadu government launched Smart Black Board scheme in 80000 government schools, to ensure better teaching environment and lead towards Digital India. Under this, audiovisual teaching material would be possible, that can be fed into computer screens in classes using pen drives.
    9. Scientists at Netherlands Cancer Institute discovered a new organ in human throat during a research on prostate cancer, discovering a set of salivary glands in upper part of throat. They named it Tubarial salivary glands.
      1. Newly discovered organ is about 1.5 inches in length and is located over a piece of cartilage called torus tubarius.
      2. Its main function of the organ is to lubricate and moisten the upper throat, located right behind nose and mouth.
    10. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with UNICEF launched anaemia Mukt Bharat index, as an initiative to reduce prevalence of anaemia in India. Haryana topped the index, with score 46.7
    11. As per State of Global Air report 2020 by US based institutes, India recorded highest PM 2.5 exposure in world in 2019, followed by Nepal and Niger. Also,
      1. India is among top 10 countries with highest Ozone exposure. In past 10 years, Ozone concentration in India increased 17 %. Globally Ozone exposure has increased from 47.3 part per billion to 49.5 parts per billion.
      2. 1.67 million deaths occurred in India due to long term exposure of outdoor pollution, with global tally 6.7 million.
    12. As per world economic forum's 3rd edition of future of jobs report 2020 -
      1. Covid-19 and its impacts will disrupt more than 85 million jobs by 2025.
      2. Automation and new division of labour between Machines and humans will be major reason for disruption of jobs by 2025.
      3. Redundancy in workforce will decrease from 15.4 % to 9 percentage.
    13. Sri Lankan Parliament passed 20th Amendment of Sri Lankan constitution, which has expanded powers of President and also have increased immunity of President.
      1. Under 20th amendment, President gets power to dissolve parliament after 2.5 years of being elected. It has weakened the powers of the prime minister.
      2. It empowers President to appoint any person to Government office without having need of getting consent from parliament.
      3. This amendment rolls back 19th amendment of Sri Lanka Constitution.
    14. As per Observations by ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and MAVEN (US), Mars is losing its atmosphere to outer space at faster rate as compared to that of earth.
      1. A global dust storm began to encircle Mars in June 2018, which heated and expanded Martian upper atmosphere. This heating led to part of atmosphere reach exobase altitude.
    15. Researchers from Anna University, IISER Kolkata and Max Planck Institute of Germany found that population of stone age lived in a different landscape in Thar desert.
      1. Researchers found a lost river in central Thar desert in Rajasthan, which existed over 172000 years ago.
      2. River activity in region continued between 95000 to 78000 years ago. Later, there were only limited evidence for presence of river.
  11. Oct 21, 2020
    1. 8th Edition of annual India – Sri Lanka Naval bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20, held at Trincomalee (Sri Lanka).
    2. With an international airport coming up at Jewar in Gautam Budh Nagar (UP), it will become first aerotropolis of India, ushering in economic activities mainly in MSME and agriculture sectors. It will be managed by Switzerland's Flughafen Zürich AG.
    3. Central government will borrow 1.1 lakh crores under special window to meet shortfall of Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation.
      1. Estimated shortfall of Rs 1.1 lakh cr (assuming all States join) will be borrowed by Government, in appropriate tranches.
      2. Borrowed amount will be passed on to States as a back-to-back loan in lieu of GST Compensation.
    4. Oct 21 is observed as Police Commemoration Day in India, in memory of the policemen killed at Hot Springs in North Eastern Ladakh by Chinese troops on this date in 1959.
      1. Till October to November of 1959, Indian Police personnel were responsible for defending 2,500 mile long border of India with then Tibet.
      2. Oct 21 also observed as World Iodine Deficiency Day.
      3. Oct 21, 2019 also marks 76th anniversary of Azad Hind Movement, commemorated at Red Fort, Delhi. Azad Hind Movement was established in Singapore in 1943 on Oct 21, conceptualized by Netaji Subhsh Chandra Bose.
    5. Cabinet Approvals (Oct 21, 2020) -
      1. General -
        1. Approved extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for current season also (2020-21), on same terms and condition as in last season. Procurement of apple will be done by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED).
          1. 12 LMT of apples can be procured under this scheme.
          2. Government allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of 2500s Crore for this operation.
        2. Approved to pay Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 2019-2020 to 16.97 lakh non-gazetted employees of Govt. commercial establishments, with financial implication 2791 crores.
          1. Also, Non-PLB or ad-hoc Bonus will be given to Non-Gazetted Central Government employees (13.70 lakh employees and 946 crores).
          2. Total 30.67 lakh employees would be benefited by Bonus announcement, with financial implication 3737 crores.
        3. Approved adoption of Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989, to help establish all three tiers of grassroots-level democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, like elsewhere in country.
      2. MOUs -
        1. Nigeria - Cooperation in Exploration anduses of outer space for peaceful purposes.
        2. MOU between Institute of Chartered Accounts of India (ICAI) and Certified Practising Accountants of Papua New Guinea (CPA PNG), to work for capacity building and strengthening Accounting, Financial and Audit Knowledge base in Papua New Guinea.
        3. Approved Mutual Recognition Agreement between Institute of Chartered Accounts of India (ICAI) and Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), to enable appropriately qualified CA members of either Institute to join other Institute.
    6. International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) prescribed regulatory framework for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in IFSC, to develop financial products in GIFT CITY IFSC.
      1. IFSCA permitted global participants i.e. REITs and InvITs incorporated in FATF compliant jurisdictions to list on the stock exchanges in GIFT IFSC. InvITs have been permitted to raise funds through private placements also.
    7. Status of National National Super Computing Mission (NSM) -
      1. It will be completed in 3 phases. With infrastructure planned in NSM Phase-I already installed and much of Phase-II in place.
      2. Network of supercomputers will soon reach 16 Petaflops (PF) (Currently 6.6 PF). Phase-III, to be initiated in January 2021, will take computing speed to around 45 Petaflops.
      3. Param Shivay, was first supercomputer assembled indigenously, installed in IIT (BHU), followed by Param Shakti and Param Brahma at IIT-Kharagpur and IISER, Pune, respectively.
      4. In Phase-II, 8 more institutions will be equipped with supercomputing facilities by April 2021, with total 10 PF compute capacity.
      5. 3 phases will provide access to High-Performance Computing  Facilities to institutions, researchers and academicians throughout Nation.
      6. India has developed an Indigenous server (Rudra), which can meet HPC requirements of all governments and PSUs, as first time a server system has been made in India, with full software stack developed by C-DAC.
    8. Ministry of Shipping amended Right of First Refusal (ROFR) licensing conditions to boost domestic shipbuilding and shipping industries.
    9. Labour & Employment Minister of State Santosh Kumar Gangwar released new series of Consumer Price Index for Industrial Worker (CPI-IW) with base year 2016, maintained by Labour Bureau.
      1. The new series of CPI(IW) with base 2016=100 will replace theexisting series with base2001=100
      2. Earlier revisions since inception of Labour Bureau - 1944 to 1949, 1949 to 1960, 1960 to 1982 and 1982 to 2001
      3. The new series is more representative in character and reflects latest consumption pattern of industrial workers.
    10. Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel launched Life in Miniature project, a collaboration between National Museum (New Delhi) and Google Arts & Culture. It will enable miniature paintings from National Museum to be viewed online on Google Arts & Culture.
    11. Govt. will extend Employees'StateInsurance (ESI) Scheme for first time to Arunachal Pradesh, from November 2020.
      1. Factories in district of Papum Pare, employing 10 or more persons shall become eligible for coverage under ESI Act 1948.
      2. Employees earning wages up to 21000 per month (25000 for PWD) shall be eligible for coverage under ESI Scheme.
    12. India assumed Chairmanship of Governing Body of International Labour Organization, After a gap of 35 years.
      1. Apurva Chandra, Secretary (Labour and Employment) has been elected as Chairperson of Governing Body of ILO for October 2020- June 2021.
    13. India Meteorological Department Commissioned Flash Flood Guidance Services for South Asia, first of its kind for South Asian countries (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka).
      1. This Flash Flood Guidance is a robust system designed to provide necessary products in real-time to support development of warnings for flash floods, about 6- 12 hrs. in advance.
    14. A Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has been set up in Goa, under aegis of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). It will function at State level under supervision of State Drug Controller for increasing outreach of NPPA.
    15. Election Commission has set up a 2-member committee to examine issue of revising the expenditure limit for candidates for Lok Sabha and assembly polls. It comprises of Harish Kumar and Umesh Sinha.
  12. Oct 20, 2020
    1. Oct 20 is observed as World Statistics Day, being observed since 2010, declared by UN Statistical Commission. It is celebrated once in 5 years. 2020 theme is Connecting the world with data we can trust.
      1. India celebrates Statistics Day on 29th June, on birthday of legendry statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
      2. 51 African countries that jointly celebrate African Statistics Day annually on 18 November.
      3. Oct 20 is also known as World Osteoporosis Day.
      4. Oct 20 is also observed unoffically as National solidarity day. China attacked India on this day in 1962.
      5. Oct 20 is also known as International Chef’s Day.
    2. Visits from India (October 2020) -
      1. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visits Kuwait; meets new Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
      2. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Visited Japan, for attending Quadrilateral Foreign Ministers meet AND 13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue.
        1. India and Japan signed agreements of cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, 5G technology. The countries also agreed to give momentum to the supply chain initiative in the Indo-Pacific region.
        2. Quad Meet was attended by foreign ministers from US, Japan, India and Australia, with emphasis on free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
      3. Vice Chief of Army Staff SK Saini visited USA.
    3. Jammu and Kashmir UT government launched movement called My Town My Pride, to provide governance at doorsteps in urban areas, inline with Back to Village programme.
    4. General Events / Conferences (Oct 11-20, 2020) -
      1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended Plenary Meeting of International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), held virtually, with Agenda Catalyzing a Resilient Recovery.
        1. She also attended 102nd meeting of World Bank Development Committee Plenary and G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.
      2. Grand Challenges Annual Meeting 2020 held Virtually, hosted by India in association with several agancies Including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NITI Aayog, USAID and Others. It fosters international collaborations to address challenges in health / development.
      3. 9th Session of India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held virtually.
      4. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launched second phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, for underprivileged Thalassemic patients. Launched in 2017, this scheme is a Coal India CSR funded Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) program.
      5. Ayush Ministry inaugurated Regional Raw Repository at the National Institute of Siddha (Chennai), as component of National AYUSH Mission.
      6. 6th Session of India-Norway Joint Commission held Virtually.
      7. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 44 bridges to nation, constructed by Borders Roads Organisation (BRO) across 7 States/UTs.
      8. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari suggested formation of State Water Grid in Maharashtra to overcome flood crisis in State, to help State government to ensure availability of water in drought-prone areas and save resources to manage the flood crisis.
      9. 5th meeting of India Mexico bilateral high-level group on trade, investment and cooperation held virtually.
      10. Ministry of Shipping extended concessional rate of 40% discount for coastal movement of cargo / vessel charges, for 1 one year, being handled at Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Deendayal Port to Shahid Beheshti Port Chabahar (Iran).
      11. India and Chile held their first joint commission meeting, held virtually.
      12. Govt. Announced to hold 6th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2020 Between Dec 22-25, 2020.
      13. Santosh Gangwar (Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment) attended BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers' Meeting, held Virtually.
      14. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated operations of first phase of International Institute of Advanced Virology at life sciences park at Thonakkal (Thiruvananthapuram).
    5. As per Cost of a Plate of Food report by UN World Food Programme (WFP) -
      1. On average, an Indian spends 3.5% of daily income for a plate of food, ranking 28th.
      2. Most expensive plate of food is of South Sudan, where people on average would have to spend 186% of their daily salary on basic ingredients.
    6. Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Launched Invest 4G Unit Linked Individual Life Insurance cum Savings Plan.
    7. Punjab Cabinet cleared SC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, to replace Centre’s defunct scheme, in order to facilitate SC students to pursue higher education. Income criteria has been raised from 2.5 lakh to 4 lakh, to accommodate more students.
    8. New Book by Pradeep Goorha, Mr Prime Minister, We Shrank the Dragon, has been released.
    9. Insurance Regulator IRDAI issued Guidelines for a standard, individual term life insurance product called Saral Jeevan Bima, to be mandatorily offered by all life insurance companies from January 2021 onwards.
      1. It will be a non-linked non-participating individual pure-risk premium life insurance plan. There will be no exclusions, other than suicides.
      2. Sum assured will be between 5 - 25 lakh. However, insurer may provide sum assured beyond Rs 25 lakh.
      3. Entry age is 18 - 65 years, with maximum maturity age 70 years.
    10. Chandigarh University named as Top Stand-Alone University in India for filling highest number of patents in a year (336 patents), under annual rankings for 2018-19 by Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks.
      1. 27 IITs collectively filed 557 patents.
      2. Chandigarh University is followed by Tata Consultancy Services (239), CSIR (202), BHEL (173) applications.
    11. Jana Small Finance Bank partnered with Ashoknagar Co-operative Bank, under Bank Sponsorship Program.
      1. This makes Jana Bank first Small Finance Bank to Join this Program. RBI had permitted co-operative banks, to issue ATM cards/ATM-cum-debit cards in tie-up with a sponsor bank.
    12. Religare Health Insurance re-branded itself as Care Health Insurance, with tagline 'Health ki Guarantee'.
    13. New Book On the Trails of Buddha: A Journey to the East, written by Deepankar Aron, has been released.
  13. Oct 19, 2020
    1. IIT-Madras incubated dairy-tech startup Stellapps launched first-of-its-kind, fully-automated direct payment platform, ‘mooPay’, for dairy farmers in Rajasthan.
    2. Kati Bihu, one of sets of three Bihu festivals (agricultural festivals) celebrated across Assam.
      1. Kati Bihu, also known as Kangali Bihu, celebrated when crops are at growing stage and granaries of farmers are depleting.
    3. First-ever G20 Youth 20 (Y20) Global Summit held virtually, hosted by Saudi Arabia. India was represented by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju.
      1. Saudi Arabia also presided over a virtual global interfaith forum held virtually, with participation from Major religious figures.
    4. Rajkiran Rai G has been elected as Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for term 2020-21. He is MD and CEO of Union Bank of India.
    5. Persons Resigned / Retired (October 2020) -
      1. Pakistani Crickter Umar Gul announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
      2. Indian Cricketer Tanmay Srivastava announced his retirement from cricket.
      3. HDFC Bank MD & CEO Aditya Puri retired from his post. He has been replaced by Sashidhar Jagdishan.
    6. Indian wildlife photographer Aishwarya Sridhar won noted award of Wildlife Photography of Year 2020, for her entry Lights of Passion. She became first Indian woman to win this award.
    7. Michael Irani of Great Britain (GBR) has been appointed as Interim President of International Weightlifting Federation(IWF).
    8. Vishal V. Sharma has been appointed as next Permanent Representative of India to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), replacing Jawed Ashraf.
    9. New Book by Author and Politician Shashi Tharoor, titled The Battle of Belonging, will be released in November 2020.
  14. Oct 18, 2020
    1. 2020 Denmark Open Tennis -
      1. Men's Singles - Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
      2. Women's Singles - Nozomi Okuhara (Japan)
      3. Men's Doubles - England's Marcus Ellis AND Chris Langridge
      4. Women's Doubles - Japan's Yuki Fukushima AND Sayaka Hirota
      5. Mixed Doubles - Germany's Mark Lamsfuß AND Isabel Herttrich
    2. Nokia acquired deal to install first cellular network on Moon, selected by NASA to deploy an ultra-compact, low-power, space-hardened wireless 4G network on lunar surface.
      1. It is part of NASA's plans to establish a long-term human presence on Moon by 2030.
      2. This $14.1 million contract is part of NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to send first woman, and next man, to moon by 2024.
    3. Greece finalised plans to extend a wall along its northeast border with Turkey, over concerns about mass crossings by migrants from Turkey. 26 kilometers wall would be added to an existing 10-kilometer section.
    4. Bahrain and Israel signed historic joint communique, for establishment of diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations.
      1. Earlier in Sep 2020, Israel, UAE and Bahrain signed Abraham Accords, first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years, mediated by US.
    5. Commodity bourse Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) launched Base Metals Index 'METLDEX', little after launch of MCX Bullion Index BULLDEX.
      1. Base Metals Index will track real-time performance of a basket of MCX Base Metal futures, viz. zinc, copper, nickel, lead, and aluminium.
      2. In Base Metals Index, zinc carries weightage of around 33.06 %, copper 29.81 %, nickel 14.77 %, lead 12.88 % and aluminium 9.48 %.
    6. India signed USD 346 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB), to help provide efficient and reliable power supply to rural Maharashtra.
    7. Israel Embassy in India will have a separate 'Water Attache' from January 2021, to help share Israel's best practices for advancements in India's water management. It will join Pre-existing 'Agriculture Attache'.
    8. Mohun Bagan FC secured I-League title for the 2019-20 season, with four rounds to spare. Mohun Bagan equaled Dempo SC’s five NFL and I-League titles.
    9. As per Sydney (Australia) Based Lowy Power Institute's Asia Power Index 2020 -
      1. Top 5 - US (1), China (2), Japan (3), India (4), Russia (5)
      2. This Index ranks 26 countries / territories to assess relative power of states in Asia.
    10. Decade-long U.N. arms embargo on Iran that barred it from purchasing foreign weapons, has expired.
      1. United Nations had banned Iran from buying major foreign weapon systems in 2010 amid tensions over its nuclear program.
      2. It was part of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers.
    11. UK based Kalrock Capital and UAE based entrepreneur Murari Lal Jalan acquired troubled airline Jet Airways, which ceased operations in April 2019.
    12. Supreme Court appointed Madan B Lokur as one-man committee, to curb crop stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and west UP.
    13. As per World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report 2020 -
      1. COVID-19 may push Tuberculosis related deaths in world to 2012 Levels. It might increase TB deaths by 0.2 to 0.4 million.
      2. Philippines, Indonesia and South Africa account to 44% of global TB cases in world.
      3. Countries with largest burden of drug-resistant TB are India, China and Russia.
    14. 50 Hydrogen-Enriched Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG) based buses have been Launched in Delhi, to combat air pollution.
      1. HCNGis produced by blending hydrogen with CNG, produced using compact reforming process patented by Indian Oil Corporation.
      2. It is easier and safer to use HCNG as it contains low energy content. It also enhances fuel efficiency.
  15. Oct 17, 2020
    1. Oct 17 is UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP). 2020 Theme is Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all. It is being observed since 1987.
      1. Oct 17 is also observed as World trauma day.
    2. India will transfer Kilo-Class Submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy, enabling Myanmar to get its first submarine. It will be in accordance to SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Policy.
    3. Military Alliance North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will build a headquarters for space operations at its airbase in Ramstein in Germany, to counter a rising Russian and Chinese threat.
    4. National Green Tribunal (NGT) accorded environmental clearance to Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project in Telangana. NGT also directed Ministry of Environment to form a 7-member expert committee to suggest rehabilitation and relief measures.
    5. Singapore included facial recognition to its National Identity Database, becoming first country to include this technology in its national database, called SingPass Face Verification.
    6. Japan and Vietnam signed agreements to ensure “free and open Indo-Pacific”, Also allowing Japan to export defence equipment to Vietnam
      1. Recent QUAD grouping's Tokyo Meet reaffirmed significance of “free and open Indo-Pacific” and raised concerns over increasing Chinese influence in region.
    7. Food regulator FSSAI's Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) will become operational in the entire country from November 2020, which is currently operational in 9 States/UTs.
    8. Philippines will resume oil exploration in South China Sea, with President of Philippines lifting 6 year ban on oil exploration in Palawan Island.
      1. Philippines had imposed a ban of oil exploration in the Palawan Island due to increasing tensions with China.
      2. China has been pressurizing Philippines for a joint exploration in region that comes under Philippines jurisdiction according to UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
    9. India and South Africa submitted Proposal to WTO Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights entitled Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of COVID-19.
      1. This will make tools related to COVID-19 available at affordable costs. It has now been backed by World Health Organization.
    10. Uttar Pradesh Government launched Mission Shakti, aimed at reducing crime against women. Under this, state will have separate room for women complainants in over 1500 police stations.
      1. State Govt also inaugurated 180-day ‘Safe City Project’ for women’s safety in Lucknow.
    11. India banned import of air conditioners and refrigerants, to promote domestic manufacturing of such goods. Earlier, Import of TV Sets and Tyres was banned.
    12. 2020 Global Hunger Index (GHI), jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, score calculated by International Food Policy Research Institute -
      1. India ranks 94th out of 107 countries. India was ranked 102nd last year.
      2. Bottom 3 (alarming hunger category) - Chad (107), Timor-Leste (106), Madagascar (105).
      3. Neighbors - Nepal (73), Bangladesh (75), Pakistan (88), Sri Lanka (64), China (1-17).
    13. As per Medical Journal Lancet, life expectancy in India has increased from 59.6 years in 1992 to 70.8 years in 2019. Kerala has highest life expectancy of 77.3 years.
  16. Oct 16, 2020
    1. India Hosted 7th meeting of ministers of justice of Shanghai cooperation organisation, with India represened by Minister of law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad.
    2. Oct 16 as observed as World Food Day, commemorating creation of UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945.  2020 Theme is Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future. 2020 Marks 75th Anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). On this occasion -
      1. PM Narendra Modi issued commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination.
      2. He also dedicated to the Nation 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of 8 crops.
      3. India’s proposals for declaring 2016 as International Year of Pulses and 2023 as International Year of Millets have also been endorsed by the FAO.
      4. India aims to become trans-fat free by 2022, which is also target year set by World Health Organisation.
    3. Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced measures worth 73000 crores, to fight slowdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. The same was announced during 43rd GST Council Meeting.
      1. Consumer Spending -
        1. Leave Travel Concession (LTC) Cash Voucher Scheme -
          1. Central government employees get leave travel concession (LTC) in a block of four years. However, employees will not be able to avail LTC in 2018-21 year block due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
          2. Under Scheme, employees will receive a cash payment In lieu of one LTC during 2018-21.
          3. Employees opting for this will have to buy goods / services worth 3 times fare and one time leave encashment, by March 31, 2021.
        2. Special Festival Advance Scheme -
          1. Government announced one-time Rs 10000 interest-free festival advance to all its employees, as part of plans to increase consumer spending to spur demand in economy.
      2. Capital Expenditure -
        1. Government will issue a special interest-free 50-year loan to States of 12000 crores Capital Expenditure, consisting 3 Parts.
          1. Part 1 (2500 Crores) - 200 crores each for 8 North East states and 450 crores for each of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
          2. Part 2 - 7500 crores for remaining states, as per 15th Finance Commission devolution.
          3. Part 3 - 2000 crores will be given to states which fulfill at least 3 out of 4 reforms spelled out in Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package (ANBP), over and above other borrowing ceilings.
        2. Enhanced Budget Provisions -
          1. Additional budget of 25000 crore (in addition to 4.13 lakh crores given in Union Budget 2020-21), is being provided for Capital Expenditure on roads, defence, water supply, urban development and domestically produced capital equipment.
      3. Other Highlights of GST 43rd Council Meet -
        1. The council resumed discussing issue of revenue shortfall of states, as in last 2 GST Council Meets. In 41st Meet, Central Government gave 2 compensation options to states -
          1. Borrow compensation amount arising from implementation of GST (Rs 97,000 crore) - States will not bear Interest and Principal. It will be paid via cess on luxury goods.
          2. Borrow entire shortfall (2.35 lakh crores) - States will have to bear interest burden in this case.
    4. Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala launched AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme, aimed at assisting cooperatives in playing important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in country. It has been formulated by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
      1. NCDC will also extend term loans to prospective cooperatives, worth approx 10000 Crores.
    5. International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) introduced a framework for regulatory sandbox enabling entities, to test their new solutions in a live environment and on a limited set of real customers with necessary safeguards.
      1. These features shall be fortified with necessary safeguards for investor protection and risk mitigation, and the regulatory sandbox will operate within IFSC located at GIFT City.
    6. India signed a $177 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB), to upgrade 450 kilometers of state highways and major district roads in state of Maharashtra.
    7. CSIR - Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur (IHBT) Introduced asafoetida (Heeng) Farming in Himalayan Region, in offing Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh. CSIR-IHBT brought in seeds of asafoetida and developed its agro-technology.
      1. Asafoetida (Heend), is a high value condiment in India, of which India imports about 1200 tonnes annually from Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan.
      2. Lack of planting material of Ferula assa-foetida plants in India was a major bottleneck in cultivation of this crop. The first seedling of asafoetida has now been planted by CSIR-IHBT.
    8. NITI Aayog established a Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation Center (CIC) with Amazon Web Services (AWS), first of its kind in India, To address societal challenges through digital innovation.
      1. CIC is part of AWS CIC Global Program, which provides opportunity for government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions, to come together on pressing challenges, apply design thinking and test new ideas.
    9. CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) developed Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Processing Facility.
      1. CMERI developed Solid Waste Disposal using Plasma Arc converting wastes into plasma state for proper disposal. Residues having good carbon content are used in agriculture as fertilizer and non-usable are utilized to make bricks for construction purposes.
    10. Jacinda Ardern has been re-elected as Prime Minister of New Zealand, for her 2nd term.
    11. Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Science and Research (JNCASR) developed a synthetic mimic of redox-active biological assemblies, with precise structure and dynamics that can be manipulated.
      1. The developed synthetic material mimics dynamic capability of living organisms to adapt to new environments. It opens new avenues for smart materials because of their dynamic and adaptive nature.
    12. IFFCO Formed Organic Joint Venture with Sikkim Govt, called SIFCO (Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd), to be set up at Rangpo by October 2021.
    13. As per Govt Data, Total FDI inflow grew by 55% in Last 6 years, from US$ 231 billion in 2008-14 to US$ 358 billion in 2014-20.
      1. FDI equity inflow also increased by 57% from US$ 160 billion during 2008-14 to US$ 252 billion (2014-20).
      2. In Current FY 21 so far (April to August 2020), total FDI inflow has been US$ 35.73 billion (Highest so far in 1st Five Months of a FY).
    14. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari laid foundation stone for country’s first Multi-modal Logistic Park at Jogighopa in Assam, under Bharatmala Pariyojana.
      1. To be set up at cost 694 crores, this park will provide direct air, road, rail and waterways connectivity.
    15. Ministry of Shipping launched development of Indigenous Software solution for Vessel traffic services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS).
      1. VTS and VTMS will determine vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings within a port / waterway.
      2. Ministry of Shipping sanctioned 10 Crores to IIT Chennai, for development of indigenous VTS software.
  17. Oct 15, 2020
    1. Nobel Prizes 2020 -
      1. 2020 Winners -
        1. Trade Winners Description
          Physiology or Medicine Harvey J. Alter (US), Michael Houghton (UK) and Charles M. Rice (US) for discovery of Hepatitis C virus
          Physics One Half to Roger Penrose (UK), Other Half to Reinhard Genzel (Germany) and Andrea Ghez (US)

          Roger Penrose - for the discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity

          Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez - for the discovery of a supermassive compact object at the centre of our galaxy
          Chemistry Emmanuelle Charpentier (France), Jennifer A. Doudna (US) for the development of a method for genome editing
          Peace

          UN World Food Programme (WFP)

           
          Economic Sciences Louise Glück (US) for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal
          Literature

          Paul R. Milgrom (US), Robert B. Wilson (US)

          for improvements to auction theory and inventions of new auction formats
      2. Facts About Nobel prizes -
        1. In 2018, it was for first time in 70 years of Nobel Prizes, that no Literature Prize was given. It was announced by Swedish Academy after a sexual assault scandal. It was postponed to 2019.
        2. Background -
          1. Will of Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel established five Nobel prizes in 1895 - Chemistry, Literature, Peace, Physics, and Physiology or Medicine, first awarded in 1901.
          2. In 1968, Sweden's central bank Sveriges Riksbank established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, which, although not being a Nobel Prize, has become informally known as Nobel Prize in Economics.
        3. Physiology or Medicine -
          1. Granted by Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute awards.
          2. 12 women have been awarded Medicine Prize so far.
          3. Youngest - Canada's Frederick G. Banting (32 years age), awarded in 1923 for discovery of insulin.
        4. Physics -
          1. Granted by Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
          2. 4 women have been awarded Physics Prize so far.
          3. Youngest - Australian-British physicist Lawrence Bragg (25 years age), awarded in 1915 together with his father.
          4. India's C. V. Raman was awarded Physics Nobel in 1930, For his work on scattering of light and for discovery of effect named after him.
        5. Chemistry -
          1. Granted by Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
          2. 7 women have been awarded the Chemistry Prize so far.
          3. 1 person, Frederick Sanger, has been awarded the Chemistry Prize twice, in 1958 and in 1980.
          4. Youngest - France's Frédéric Joliot (35 years age), awarded in 1935.
        6. Peace -
          1. Granted by Norwegian Nobel Committee.
          2. 17 women have been awarded Nobel Peace Prize so far.
          3. Peace Prize Laureate Le Duc Tho (Vietnamese) declined his Nobel Peace Prize in 1973. He was awarded jointly with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, for negotiating Vietnam peace accord.
          4. Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan is youngest to win Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, at the age of 17.
          5. 2 Indian Person have been given Nobel Peaze Prize so far. Mother Teresa (1979), Kailash Satyarthi (2014).
        7. Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences -
          1. Granted by Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
          2. 2 women has been awarded Prize in Economic Sciences so far, Elinor Ostrom in 2009 and Esther Duflo in 2019.
          3. Youngest - Frances Esther Duflo (46 years age), awarded in 2019.
          4. India's Amartya Sen was guven Economic studies Nobel in 1998. For his contributions to welfare economics.
        8. Literature -
          1. Granted by Swedish Academy.
          2. 16 women have been awarded Literature Prize so far.
          3. Youngest - UK's Rudyard Kipling (41 years age), known for Jungle Book.
          4. Rabindranath Tagore, Only Indian to receive Nobel Literature Prize so far (in 1913). He is also first Indian Nobel Laureate.
        9. Indian Nobel Laureates -
          1. Rabindranath Tagore in 1913 (Literature)
          2. C.V. Raman in 1930 (Physics)
          3. Mother Teresa in 1979 (Peace)
          4. Amartya Sen in 1998 (Economic Studies)
          5. Kailash Satyarthi in 2014 (Peace)
        10. Indian Origin Nobel Laureates -
          1. Har Gobind Khorana (US) - In 1968 for Physiology / Medicine.
          2. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (US) - In 1983 for Physics.
          3. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (UK/US) - In 2009 for Chemistry.
          4. Abhijit Banerjee (US) - In 2019 for Economics.
    2. Oct 15 is Birth Anniversary of Former (11th) President of India A P J Abdul Kalam. He was a noted Aerospace Scientist, also known as Missile Man of India. He was also a recepient of Bharat Ratna Award, Highest honor in India.
      1. India had built its first indigenous satellite launch vehicle SLV-3 under Dr. Kalam's direction.
      2. In 2010, United Nations declared Shri Kalam's Birth Anniversary, 15 October as World Students' Day.
      3. On this occasion, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' launched the KAPILA (Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness) campaign.
      4. Oct 15 is also observed as Mahila Kisan Diwas in India.
    3. Oct 15 is observed as UN International Day of Rural Women, marked by UN in 2007. 2020 Theme is Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19.
      1. Oct 15 is also observed as Global Handwashing Day.
    4. G20 grouping extended its Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), to help poor countries cope with fallout of the COVID-19 crisis until middle of 2021. DSSI offers a temporary suspension of government-to-government debt payments to 73 countries.
    5. New Book The Khalistan Conspiracy: A Former R&aw Officer Unravels The Path To 1984, written b G.B.S. Sidhu has been released.
    6. Researchers found a new species of perennial woody herb of genus Lepidagathis from northern laterite plateaus of Kasaragod (Kerala).
      1. Since this rare plant was spotted in neighbourhood of the Ananthapura lake temple, it has been named ‘Lepidagathis ananthapuramensis’.
    7. All India Football Federation launche their new motto Indian Football. Forward Together, defining the new brand direction.
    8. Export-Import Bank of India signed agreement with Zimbabwe, for making available Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 310 million for purpose of financing repowering of Hwange Thermal Power Station in Zimbabwe.
    9. Kerala government formed a Welfare Fund Board for upliftment of farmers in state, as first such move in country. It will be known as Kerala Karshaka Kshemanidhi Board'.
      1. For farmers to become a member of Board, they need to pay Rs 100 as registration fee and monthly fee of Rs 100.
    10. Odisha government signed 3 year agreement with Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), to sponsor Indian National Rugby teams till 2023.
    11. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) constituted a committee for preparing the Professional Engineers Bill, under M.S. Ananth.
    12. New Zealand's Passport has been ranked at top in Arton Capital Passport Index 2020. Japan is on second spot along with Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, South Korea and Australia.
      1. Indian passporst is ranked 58th, joined by Jordan, Algeria, Gabon and Benin.
    13. Poland's Robert Lewandowski has been named UEFA Men's Player of the Year 2020. Also, Denmark's Pernille Harder has been named Women's Player of the Year.
  18. Oct 14, 2020
    1. Cabinet Approvals (Oct 14, 2020) -
      1. MOUs -
        1. Approved MoU between India's Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and MARVI PARTNERS (Australia).
      2. General Approvals -
        1. Approved Special Package worth Rs. 520 crores in UTs of J&K and Ladakh for 5 years till FY 2023-24, and ensure funding of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh on a demand driven basis, without linking allocation with poverty ratio during this extended period.
          1. DAY-NRLM has been implemented in erstwhile state of J&K by J&K State Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKSRLM) as "Umeed" programme. As per current funds allocation procedure, share of J&K was less than 1% of the annual allocation under DAY-NRLM. The new package will ensure sufficient funding support under Mission for J&K & Ladakh UTs.
        2. Approved Implementation of Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project with total project cost of 5718 crores, with support of World Bank amounting to US $ 500 million.
          1. STARS would be implemented as a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
          2. It will Include Setting up a National Assessment Centre PARAKH, as an independent institution under Department of School Education and Literacy (MOE).
          3. Project covers 6 States - Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha, to be supported tor various interventions for improving quality of education. It is also envisaged to implement a similar ADB funded project in 5 states - Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Assam.
          4. Overall focus and components of STARS project are aligned with objectives of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
      3. CCEA Approvals -
        1. Approved demerger of Nagarnar Steel Plant (NSP) from National Minerals Development Corporation (NMDC) and strategic disinvestment of demerged company (NSP) by selling entire Government stake. NSP is a 3 million ton per annum Steel Plant being set up by NMDC at Nagarnar(Chhattisgarh).
    2. 2020 Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index by Oxfam, Titled Fighting Inequality in times of Covid-19 -
      1. Top 3 - Norway (1), Denmark (2), Germany (3)
      2. Bottom 3 - South Sudan (158), Nigeria (157), Bahrain (156)
      3. India ranked 129th.
      4. Neighbors - Bangladesh (113), Pakistan (128), Sri Lanka (94)
    3. Britain’s Prince William and Naturalist David Attenborough launched Earthshot Prize, to encourage change and support to repair the planet.
      1. First five Earthshots will be awarded for projects that focus on protecting and restoring nature and clean air, reviving oceans, fixing climate and reducing waste. Five prizes of 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) will be awarded each year for next 10 years.
    4. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Asia Pacific Group kept Pakistan in its ‘Enhanced Follow Up’ list, which was earlier downgraded from “regular follow-up” to “enhanced follow up”. It means country need to provide monthly reports of its compliance to the Financial Action Task Force.
    5. To increase credit flow to small businesses, RBI raised banks' maximum aggregate retail exposure limit to entities with turnover up to 50 crores to Rs 7.5 crore, up from Rs 5 crores.
      1. Risk weight of 75 % will apply to all fresh exposures and also to existing exposures where incremental exposure may be taken by banks up to the revised limit of 7.5 crores.
    6. Axis Bank launched new entry-level credit card named ACE Credit Card, with focus on increasing participation of users in digital economy. It is launched in collaboration with Google Pay and will run on Visa platform.
    7. World Economic Forum (WEF) announced to hold its Annual Meeting 2021 in Lucerne-Burgenstock (Switzerland) in May 2019, as against traditional venue and time of Davos (January), due to COVID-19 pandemic.
    8. Indian Army's Agnibaaz Division and Maharashtra Police held joint anti-terror exercise called Suraksha Kavach, in Pune.
    9. Oct 14 is observed as World Standards Day. 2020 theme is Protecting the planet with standards.
      1. Oct 14 is also observed as International E-Waste Day, observed since 2018.
    10. Goa Government tied up with India Post, to get 11000 farmers enrolled in Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sanman Nidhi scheme.
    11. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurated Sujal - Drink from Tap Mission scheme, to provide round the clock supply of quality tap drinking water in all urban areas of state, by March 2022, with 1300 crores Budget.
      1. It will make Odisha first state to provide quality drinking water, fit for direct consumption, in urban areas.
    12. Gujarat government signed pact with Vedanta Group firm Hindustan Zinc Ltd, to set up a greenfield zinc smelter in state, as world's biggest Zinc Smelter project, with 300 (kilo tonnes per annum) production capacity. This will entail investment of 10000 crores.
    13. Bank of Ghana won Central bank of the year award 2020, by the Central Banking Awards Committee. Also, Mark Carney (Governor of Bank of England) won Central Bank Governor of the year award 2020.
    14. As per medical journal Lancet, Indian economy is set to become third largest in the world behind China and the US by 2050 and retain the same position till 2100.
      1. Taking 2017 as base year when India was seventh largest economy, Lancet claims will move up to 4th place (behind US, China, Japan) by 2030 and subsequently will overtake Japan in 2050. India is currently fifth largest economy.
      2. Indian government also aims to become 3rd largest economy by 2047, with ambitious target of becoming $5 trillion economy by 2025.
    15. Argentina approved HB4 drought-resistant GMO wheat by biotechnology firm Bioceres, making it first country in world to approve a strain of GMO wheat.
  19. Oct 13, 2020
    1. Oct 13 is observed as International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), marked by UN in 1989. 2020 Theme is Disaster Risk Governance.
      1. On this occasion, a new report The Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019 was released by United Nations. It pointed out that climate change is largely to blame for a near doubling of nat ural disasters in past 20 years.
    2. Tech For Tribals initiative launched by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with Chhattisgarh MFP Federation and IIT Kanpur.
      1. It aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development through SHGs operating through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).
    3. PM Narendra Modi released autobiography of Lok sabha MP Late Balasaheb Vikhe Patil titled Deh Vechwa Karani (means dedicating one’s life for a noble cause).
      1. PM also renamed Pravara Rural Education Society as ‘Loknete Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Pravara Rural Education Society’.
    4. RBI decided to move to Next Generation Treasury Application (NGTA), for managing country's foreign exchange and gold reserves.
    5. Saudi Arabia's National Commercial Bank acquired rival Samba Financial Group in a deal valued at $14.8 billion, creating Saudi's largest bank.
    6. IT Firm Microsoft partnered with All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE), to empower learners and educators in new-age technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), data science and cloud computing.
    7. India extended USD 400 million soft loan to Maldives (through Exim Bank), to finance Greater Male's connectivity project in Maldives.
      1. With This, Exim Bank has till date extended three LoCs worth a cumulative USD 1.2 billion to Maldives.
    8. Indian-origin philanthropist Harish Kotecha has been awarded Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award by National Association for Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), for his work in US, for meeting needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
    9. 15 new members have been elected to 47-member Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), including China, Russia, Pakistan.
    10. Cyprus (Middle east Nation) scrapped a lucrative program called golden passport, granting citizenship to wealthy investors, amid corruption allegations.
    11. India contributed USD 1 million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, to support Palestinian refugees who have been facing extreme challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic.
    12. Mercedes F1 Racer Lewis Hamilton (UK) won Eifel Grand Prix. With This, Lewis has equalled Michael Schumacher's record of 91 wins.
      1. 2020 F1 Season -
        1. Round Grand Prix Winner Race date
          1 Austrian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas (Finland) 5 July
          2 Styrian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 12 July
          3 Hungarian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 19 July
          4 British Grand Prix  Lewis Hamilton (UK) 2 August
          5 70th Anniversary Grand Prix Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch) 9 August
          6 Spanish Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 16 August
          7 Belgian Grand Prix  Lewis Hamilton (UK) 30 August
          8 Italian Grand Prix Pierre Gasly (France) 6 September
          9 Tuscan Grand Prix  Lewis Hamilton (UK) 13 September
          10 Russian Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas (Finland) 27 September
          11 Eifel Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton (UK) 11 October
          12 Portuguese Grand Prix   25 October
          13 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix   1 November
    13. Researchers led by CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research) scientists found that snowcaps on mountains of Pluto are very much different from snowcaps on mountains of Earth.
      1. It was discovered while exploring New Horizon space probe which was held in earlier 2015.
      2. Research states that snow on Pluto's mountains consists of frozen methane, with traces of Methane present in Pluto's atmosphere, like water vapour on Earth.
    14. As per zoological Survery of India, 544 New species discovered in India in 2019, including 364 animal and 180 plant varieties.
  20. Oct 12, 2020
    1. PM Narendra Modi released commemorative coin of Rs. 100 denomination, to celebrate Birth Centenary of Noted Political personality Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia.
    2. Oct 12 is observed as World Arthritis Day.
    3. As per UN World Meteorological Organization's State of Climate Report -
      1. 33 % individuals are not covered by disaster warning systems. Number of people that require humanitarian assistance will increase by 50% and cost 20 billion USD per year.
    4. Anti-Pollution measure Graded Response Action Plan came into force in Delhi, as set of institutional measures to be adopted to check deteriorates air Quality.
    5. International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook October 2020, titled A Long and Difficult Ascent. It is launched twice a year (June and October. Highlights -
      1. World will not recover completely till 2025. Rise in poverty and inequality will create a severe setback in living standards, with 90 million people falling below poverty. Extreme poverty threshold according to IMF is 1.90 USD per person per day.
        1. Earlier, World bank had released biennial poverty and shared prosperity report, stating that covid-19 pandemic will push an additional 88 million to 115 Million people to Extreme poverty. This will raise count of poor to 150 million by 2021.
      2. The report suggests that the Global fiscal support of 12 trillion USD is required.
      3. Global GDP Growth will be -4.4 % in FY 21 and 5.2 % in FY 22. US will contract at -4.3 % in FY 21 and will grow at 3.1 % in FY 22.
      4. About India -
        1. India is expected to Contract at - 10.3 % in FY 21, and expected to grow at 8.8 % in FY 22.
        2. Bangladesh will beat India in terms of per capita GDP this calendar year, amid sharp contraction in Indian economy. Bangladesh’s per capita GDP is expected to grow 4 % in 2020 to $1888. While, India’s per capita GDP is expected to decline 10.5 % to $1,877.
    6. Government constituted a panel of secretaries under cabinet secretary (Rajiv Gauba), to streamline spectrum allocation process and examine possibility of drawing up an annual calendar for auction of airwaves. It will give telcos a clear road map of quantum as well as frequency of spectrum on offer for commercial use.
    7. President Ramnath kovind assented Gujarat Distributed Area act (Amendment) Bill 2019.
      1. Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Areas Act 1991 is commonly referred to as Disturbed Areas act.
      2. Main objective of act is to check on elements that cause demographic imbalance and to stop polarisation.
      3. It will prohibit sale of property from one religious community to another religious community in the disturbed areas. Transfer of assets cannot be done without approval of district collector.
    8. NITI Aayog announced governing structure of India Energy Modelling Forum (IEMF), which was jointly launched in July 2020 by NITI Aayog and US Agency for International Development (USAID), under US–India Strategic Energy Partnership.
      1. IEMF aims to engage Indian researchers, knowledge partners, think tanks and national and international government agencies and departments for modelling and long-term energy planning.
      2. IEMF will consist of an inter-ministerial and a steering committee. Inter-ministerial committee will be convened by NITI Aayog and headed by its CEO. This committee will review studies/modelling activitiesand provide directions and new areas of research.
    9. At inaugural all.ai 2020 Virtual Summit, Intel, in collaboration with government of Telangana, IIIT Hyderabad and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) announced launch of INAI, an applied artificial intelligence (AI) research center in Hyderabad.
      1. INAI is an initiative to apply AI to population scale problems in the Indian context.
    10. Kerala became first Indian state to go completely digital in public education, with all 16000 public schools in state now equipped with IT equipment. These programmes are implemented by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE).
    11. UN launched a report on stillbirths titled A Neglected Tragedy: The Global Burden of Stillbirths, as First edition of this report. There are around 1.9 million stillbirths globally, with 0.34 million in India.
      1. Stillbirth means baby born with no signs of life.
    12. 2020 French Open Tennis Title (124th Edition) -
      1. Men's Singles - Rafael Nadal (Spain). He Defeated Novak Djokovic (Serbia). It was Nadal's 13th French Open Title and Overall His 20th Grand Slam Title.
      2. Women's Singles - Iga Świątek (Poland). She defeated Sofia Kenin (US). Its First Grand Slam title for Iga Świątek. She is also First Polish Player to win a Grand Slam Singles Title.
      3. Men's Doubles - Kevin Krawietz (Germany), Andreas Mies (Germany). They defeated Mate Pavić (Croatia) AND Bruno Soares (Brazil).
      4. Women's Doubles - Tímea Babos (Hungary) AND Kristina Mladenovic (France). They defeated Alexa Guarachi (Chile) AND Desirae Krawczyk (US).
      5. Boys' Singles - Dominic Stricker (Switzerland)
      6. Girls' Singles - Elsa Jacquemot (France)
      7. The mixed doubles event did not take place this year.
    13. BSNL tied up with private firm Hughes, to provide internet services to 5000 remote villages using ISRO satellites GSAT 11 and GSAT 19.
      1. Concerned Remote villages are in Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Ladakh and Manipur.
  21. Oct 11, 2020
    1. Oct 11 is observed as UN International Day of Girl Child, Being observed since 2012. 2020 Theme is My Voice, Our Equal Future.
      1. On this occasion, 16-year old Aava Murto assumed post of Finland’s Prime Minister for one day, to raise awareness about gender equality.
      2. Oct 11 is obseved as World Obesity Day. From 2021 Onwards, it will be observed globally on 4 March.
    2. To provide a single platform to integrate quality assurance across all its services, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE)'s Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) launched Skill Certification Assessment for Leather Employees (SCALE) India android app.
    3. Government notified Directorate General of Shipping as National Authority for Recycling of Ships, under section 3 of Recycling of Ships Act 2019.
      1. Under Ship Recycling Act 2019, India has acceded to Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling under International Maritime Organization (IMO).
    4. India has been designated Vice-Chair of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Working Group of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), recognising contribution of Indian GLP programme.
      1. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system, which has been evolved by OECD to ensure that safety data generated on various chemicals can be reliable.
      2. India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) established National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority (NGCMA) in 2002. NGCMA grants GLP certification to test facilities conducting safety studies on new chemicals.
    5. Work on Zozila Tunnel in J&K began, aimed at providing all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh (Ladakh plateau) on NH-1.
      1. It involves construction of a 14.15 Km long tunnel at an altitude of 3000 metres under Zojila pass, which is presently closed for 6 months in a year, on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras & Kargil.
      2. Project Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by BRO in 2013. Project was given to NHIDCL in July 2016 for implementation.
      3. It is to be completed in 6 years, at budget of 6809 crores.
      4. Once completed, it will be longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. It would reduce the travel time from more than 3.5 Hours currently to just 15 Minutes.
    6. To further support farmers using services of Kisan Rail, Railways and Food Processing Industries Ministeries announced 50% subsidy on transportation of notified fruits and vegetables (under Operation Greens – TOP to Total scheme of MoFPI) shall be granted directly to Kisan Rail.
      1. For the same, MoFPI will provide necessary funds to Railways.
      2. Kisan Rail ensures agro products reach across places under a faster transportation, benefitting both farmers and consumers.
      3. All Kisan Rails so Far -
        1. First Kisan Rail - ex Devlali (Nashik, Maharashtra) to Danapur (Patna, Bihar). On popular demand, train extended to Muzaffarpur (Bihar). (Bi-Weekly)
        2. Second Kisan Rail – Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) to Adarsh Nagar Delhi. (Weekly)
        3. Third Kisan Rail – Bengaluru (Karnataka) to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi). (Weekly)
        4. Fourth Kisan Rail – Nagpur & Warud Orange City (Maharashtra) to Adarsh Nagar Delhi. (Weekly)
    7. 3rd Assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) Held Virtually, attended by 53 Member countries and 5 Signatory / Prospective Members. ISA has 121 countries as members. Highlights -
      1. India and France were re-elected as President and Co- President of International Solar Alliance (ISA), for term of 2 years. India's Upendra Tripathy is current Director General of ISA.
      2. Four new Vice-Presidents chosen to represent 4 regions of ISA - Fiji & Nauru for Asia Pacific Region, Mauritius & Niger for Africa Region, UK & Netherlands for Europe and others Region, and Cuba and Guyana for Latin America and Caribbean Region.
      3. ISA Solar awards conferred for For first time -
        1. Visvesvaraya award (recognizes countries with maximum floating solar capacity in each of four regions of ISA) - Japan for Asia Pacific region and Netherlands for Europe and Others region.
        2. Kalpana Chawla awards - Bhim Singh from IIT Delhi and Aaesha Alnuaimi from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
        3. Diwakar award - Arpan Institute (Haryana) and Arushi Society.
      4. Amid global pandemic, ISA has set up ISA CARES, an initiative dedicated to deployment of solar energy in healthcare sector in LDC/SIDS ISA Member countries.
    8. MSME Ministry onboarded latest IT tools of Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for providing assistance and solutions to issues of MSMEs.
      1. Ministry has implemented AI & ML on its robust Single Window System 'Champions', which was launched in June 2020.
    9. IMD Operationalized high resolution city scale model ENFUSER (ENvironmental information FUsion SERvice) for Delhi, to identify the air pollution hotspots and pollution upto street level.
      1. Also, Air Quality forecast model System for Integrated modelling of Atmospheric composition (SILAM) for India was developed earlier.
      2. SILAM and ENFUSER have been developed in technical collaboration with Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).
    10. Competition Commission of India Approvals (October 2020) -
      1. Approved acquisition of over 50% of equity share capital in CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited by Tube Investments of India Limited.
    11. India signed $300 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB), to finance inclusive and sustainable water supply and sanitation infrastructure and services in 14 secondary towns of the state of Rajasthan.
    12. India signed $270 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB), to develop water supply and integrated storm water and sewage management infrastructure and strengthen capacities of urban local bodies (ULBs) for improved service delivery in state of Madhya Pradesh.
    13. Amid pressing need for water testing, Haryana Haryana launched a novel approach by launching a State of the Art fully equipped Mobile Water Testing Laboratory Van, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
      1. Jal Jeevan Mission of Ministry of Jal Shakti aims to provide tap water connection to every rural home by 2024.
    14. NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) with CGI India, for creating a successful and innovative workforce from the ATL (Atal Tinekring Labs) schools.
      1. CGI will adopt 100 schools with ATLs across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai to promote and train students.
    15. India received prestigious Blue Flag certification for all its eight beaches that it recommended.
      1. Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark, based on 33 stringent criteria.
      2. Beaches - Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    16. PM Narendra Modi distributed property cards to rural land owners under Svamitva (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme, in states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
      1. Aim of scheme is to provide right to document residential properties to rural population, to enable them to use property as a financial asset.
      2. Under it, Drone surveys are to be conducted between 2020 and 2024, with annual budget 80 Crores.
      3. It was launched by Ministry of Panchayati Raj on April 24, 2020, on occasion of National Panchayati Raj day.
  22. Oct 10, 2020
    1. World Space Week (WSW) is observed Annually Between Oct 4 - 10, declared by UN in 1999. 2020 theme is Satellites Improve Life.
      1. Dates commemorate launch of first artificial satellite Sputnik I (on 4 October 1957) and entry into force of Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in Exploration and Use of Outer Space including Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (10 October 1967).
    2. Oct 10 is Observed as World Mental Health Day by World Health Organization. 2020 Theme is  Move for mental health: Increased investment in mental health. It was first celebrated in 1992 at initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health.
      1. Oct 10, 2020 is also observed as World Migratory Bird Day, which is is observed Twice a year, on 2nd Saturdays of May and October. 2020 Theme is Birds Connect Our World.
      2. Oct 10 is also observed as World Day Against Death Penalty.
    3. General Events / Conferences (Oct 1-10, 2020) -
      1. Provincial government in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa announced to purchase house of legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar in Peshawar. It will be converted it into a museum and will be preserve it in its original shape.
      2. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurated Gyan Circle Ventures, a MeitY funded Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of Indian Institute of Information Technology Sri City (Chittoor).
      3. Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals India Limited (GSFC) launched indigenous variety of boronated calcium nitrate and Calcium nitrate. These Chemicals are being manufactured in country for the first time.
      4. South Eastern Railways (SER) launched Operation my Saheli” to enhance the security of women passengers in train.
      5. PM Narendra Modi virtually attended Invest India Conference in Canada, aimed at giving Canadian business community a first-hand perspective of opportunities to invest in India.
        1. Also, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar attended inaugural India-Canada Agri-Tech Virtual meet.
      6. Railways rolled out User Depot Module (UDM) developed by Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) digitally across all user depots of Western Railway.
      7. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal virtually inaugurated Phoolbagan Station of Kolkata's East West Metro corridor.
      8. French Software major Dassault Systemes established a research centre in collaboration with Shiv Nadar University in Uttar Pradesh''s Greater Noida.
      9. NITI Aayog, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Invest India organised Global symposium India PV Edge 2020, to unveil cutting edge technologies in solar manufacturing in India.
      10. Delhi government announced to allow restaurants to open round the clock, and requirement of tourism licenses will also be removed, aimed at ending Permit Raj.
      11. Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia recently witnessed millions of sea animals dying, termed as Kamchatka Disaster. It happened due to increased levels of phenols and oil compounds in sea, and suspected leakage of rocket fuel from military testing grounds.
      12. Textiles Minister Smriti Irani Attended ‘India-Bangladesh Virtual Conference on Textiles and Apparel Sector’.
      13. US decided to open a Foreign Commercial office in Dhaka in order to boost its economic ties with Bangladesh.
      14. Russia test-fired TSIRKON (Zircon) Hypersonic Cruise missile successfully in Barents Sea, reaching hypersonic speeds of more than Mach 8.
      15. Railways renamied Naugarh railway station to Siddharthnagar railway station (Uttar Pradesh), in view of public aspirations due to birth of Mahatma Buddha in Lumbini near Naugarh.
      16. First-of-its-kind organic spices seed park will come up at two places in Gujarat, to encourage capacity building in production cumin and fennel seeds.
      17. To boost e-learning in higher education, Goa government launched a YouTube channel ‘DISHTAVO’, wherein students will be able to view recorded lectures.
    4. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal launched Swa-nirbhar Naari: Atmanirbhar Asom scheme, to empower the economically disadvantaged women of State, targeting 4 lakh families in first phase.
    5. FLO, Women’s Wing of FICCI, signed MoU with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for empowering women through skill training to enhance their employability and promote entrepreneurship.
    6. Telangana Government signed tripartite agreement between DET, GIZ India and Siemens India to implement a new initiative, Indo-German Initiative for Technical Education (IGnITE).
      1. It aims to enhance employability and improve practical skills of 40000 trainees in ITI’s across 10 states in 4 years (2020 – 2024).
    7. Indian Solar projects developer Avaada Energy secured USD 15 million funding each from French development finance institution Proparco and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
      1. ADB in 2019 announced to invest $50 million in Avaada.
    8. Scientists discovered a new family of bony fish from Western Ghats in Northern Kerala, naming it Aenigmachannidae.
      1. Aenigmachanna gollum has surprisingly large number of primitive characters, and detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses, suggesting an ancient separation from Channidae.
  23. Oct 09, 2020
    1. Oct 9 is observed as World Post Day. It marks establishment of Universal Postal Union in 1874 in Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared in 1969.
      1. In India, National Postal Day is celebrated annually on 10 October, as an extension of World Post Day. Also, National Postal Week in India is observed Between 9th to 15th October.
      2. Oct 9 is also obsebved as Indian foreign service (IFS) day in India, observed since  2011, to commemorate the day the Cabinet created the Foreign Service.
    2. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog organized Global Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) - RAISE 2020, with theme Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020.
      1. IT Firm IBM announced to set up an artificial intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in partnership with Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
    3. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani topped Forbes India Rich list for 2020, for 13th consecutive year, with total fortune of $88.7 billion.
      1. 2nd spot has been retained by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani ($25.2 billion), followd by HCL Chairman Shiv Nadar ($20.4 billion).
    4. Meghalaya government signed partnership with Israel to establish a one of a kind Centre of Excellence(CoE) on high-value vegetables in state to improve and promote the livelihoods of farmers.
    5. Uttar Pradesh government signed concession agreement with representatives of Zurich Airport International (Switzerland) for designing, building and operating Noida International Airport at Jewar for a period of 40 years.
      1. The airport will be developed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and is scheduled to open in 2024, at cost 29,560 crores.
    6. Jordan King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein appointed Bishr al-Khasawneh as new Prime Minister of The country.
    7. Noted Odia poet Nityanand Nayak will be conferred Sarala Puraskar for his poetry work Setebelaku Nathiba, Including cash award of 5 lakh.
      1. Other Awardees -
        1. Ranjit Kumar Nag will be Given Ila Panda Sangeet Samman and Shyamsundar Pattanaik will be felicitated with Ila Panda Chitrakala Samman, for their contribution to fields of music and art respectively. These awards comprise cash award of 1.5 Lakh.
      2. Sarala Puraskar is awarded by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT).
    8. J Venkatramu has been appointed the MD and CEO of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
    9. Axis Bank partnere with Vistara Airlines, to roll out a co-branded forex card, dubbed  (Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card), seen as first-ever collaboration by a bank and an Indian airline for a co-branded forex card.
    10. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched an online discovery platform for startups called “Startup India Showcase”, as a repository of India’s most promising startups, from various sectors.
    11. ICICI Bank became First to introduce a debit card facility for customers availing Loan Against Securities (LAS) from Bank, available on Visa platform. It can be used across all domestic POS / online transactions, within sanctioned LAS amount.
  24. Oct 08, 2020
    1. Oct 8 is observed as Indian Air Force Day. 2020 is 88th observance of the day.
      1. Also, Wildlife Week is observed across country every year between 2nd October and 8th October.
      2. Oct 08, 2020 is also obseved as World Sight Day, observed annually on second Thursday of October.
    2. Government appointed Dinesh Khara as New State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman, to replace Rajneesh Kumar, for 3 years term.
      1. Along with Chairman, SBI has 4 Managing Directors.
      2. Two Current SBI MDs - C.S. Setty, Ashwani Bhatia. Currently 2 MD Posts are vacant. Dinesh Khara has been elevated from MD to Chairman.
    3. 7th offshore patrol vessel of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), 'Vigraha' has been formally commisioned, built by Larsen and Toubro.
    4. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched ‘MSME Prerana’, an online business mentoring programme for MSMEs by Indian Bank. It is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs through skill development and capacity building workshops.
      1. Indian Bank also launched a green initiative named “IB-eNote” to enable a total paperless working environment. This will enable processing and tracking of notes put up by various offices digitally. Bank also launched ‘Ind Guru’, an e-learning platform for its employees.
    5. To promote buyer-seller network in state, the Assam government launched a mobile application, called Kisan Rath.
      1. Initially launched by Central Government, this app has now been customized by National Informatics Centre (NIC) Assam to suit requirements of state.
    6. World Trade Organization (WTO) revised upwards its forecast for decline in world merchandise trade at 9.2% in 2020 as against 12.9% drop projected earlier, based on strong trade performance recently.
      1. WTO now forecasts a 9.2% decline in the volume of world merchandise trade for 2020, followed by a 7.2% rise in 2021.
    7. As per RBI’s 3rd Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2020-21 -
      1. Key Rates have been kept Unchanged. Current rates are -
        1. Repo Rate - 4.00 %
        2. Reverse Repo - 3.35 %
        3. Bank Rate - 4.25 %
        4. CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) - 3 %
        5. SLR(Statutory Liquidity ratio) - 18.00 %
        6. Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate - 4.25 %
      2. Other Highlights
        1. GDP growth in FY 21 (2020-21) is expected to be negative at - 9.5 % (- 9.8 % in Q2; -5.6 % in Q3 and 0.5 % in Q4)
        2. GDP growth for Q1 of FY 22 (2021-22) is placed at 20.6 %
        3. RTGS fund transfer system for real-time fund transfer to become 24X7 from December 2020.
        4. Threshold for aggregate exposure of retail bank loans to one counterparty increased to Rs 7.5 crore from Rs 5 crore.
    8. India and Myanmar agreed to work towards operationalization of Sittwe Port in first quarter of 2021, during Visit of Army Chief M.M. Naravane and Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's visit to Myanmar.
      1. Sittwe port is part of Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, which is viewed as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. It will connect India’s landlocked northeastern region with the Bay of Bengal through Mizoram.
    9. Puducherry airport become first entirely solar-powered airport under Airports Authority of India (AAI), With 500KWp ground-mounted solar power plant commissioned recently.
    10. Red cherry pepper chilli of Sikkim, locally known as Dalle Khursani, earned geographical indication (GI) tag from department of Industry promotion and internal trade. It is included after an application was filed by North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (Neramac).
  25. Oct 07, 2020
    1. Oct 07 is observed as World Cotton Day, being observed since 2019.
      1. On this occasion, Textiles and Women & Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani launched 1st ever Brand & Logo for Indian Cotton. Now India’s premium Cotton would be known as ‘Kasturi Cotton’ in world cotton Trade. 
    2. Cabinet Approvals (Oct 07, 2020)-
      1. General -
        1. Approved revised cost estimates for Kolkata East West Metro Corridor Project at an estimated cost of Rs. 8575 croress, which includes construction of a Metro Corridor between Salt Lake Sector-V to Howrah Maidan in West Bengal for route length of 16.6 kms.
          1. Cost Includes Ministry of Railway’s share 3268 crores, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ share 1148 crores and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan of 4158.40 crores.
        2. Approved Ratification of seven chemicals listed under Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
          1. Cabinet aloso delegated its powers to ratify chemicals under Stockholm Convention to Ministers of External Affairs (MEA) and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC).
          2. Chemicals - Chlordecone, Hexabromobiphenyl, Hexabromodiphenyl ether and Heptabromodiphenylether (Commercial octa-BDE), Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and Pentabromodiphenyl ether (Commercial penta-BDE), Pentachlorobenzene, Hexabromocyclododecane and Hexachlorobutadiene.
      2. CCEA Approvals -
        1. Approved ‘Natural Gas Marketing Reforms’, as a significant step to move towards gas based economy.
          1. Policy aims to provide standard procedure for sale of natural gas in a transparent and competitive manner, to discover market price by issuing guidelines for sale by contractor through e-bidding.
          2. This will bring uniformity in bidding across various contractual regimes and policies to avoid ambiguity.
          3. Policy also permits Affiliate companies to participate in bidding process, for transparent and electronic bidding.
      3. MOUs -
        1. Apprised of MoU signed in June 2020, between Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Canadian not-for-profit corporation International Barcode of Life (iBOL). It aims to further efforts in DNA barcoding, a methodology for rapidly identifying species by sequencing a short segment of standardized gene regions and comparing individual sequences to a reference database.
        2. Approved signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)  in field of cybersecurity between India and Japan.
    3. Delhi Govt approved Tree Transplantation Policy, which makes it mandatory to transplant 80 percentage of trees that are being felled for a development project. Also, an additional 10 saplings should be planted as compensatory plantation.
      1. The policy does not apply if 10 or less trees are felled for development project. Also, invasive species are excluded from the list of species that will be transplanted. A New Tree Transplantation will also be formed.
      2. Delhi Government also exempted road tax on battery-operated vehicles under its new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy.
    4. Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy launched Jagan Anna Vidya kanuka scheme, allocating 650 crores for the same.
      1. Under this, state government will provide school kits to 43.32 to lakh government school students, named Vidya Kanuka kits.
      2. Stitching charges of uniform will be credited to Mother’s Bank account.
    5. Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat launched Mukhya Mantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana, aimed at promoting self-employment of youth and promoting production of Green Energy.
      1. 10000 Youths and Migrants beneficiaries will be allocated Solar Plants of 25 Kilowatts (KW) each.
      2. Plants will generate 38,000 Units of Electricity per annum which will be bought by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited for 25 years.
    6. RBI announced that finance companies cannot be set up with foreign direct investments (FDI) from Mauritius.
      1. It is in line with RBI’s recent reluctance to approve applications of non-banking finance companies (NBFC) with funding from Mauritius, both due to concerns about round-tripping and to avoid Chinese investments in India.
    7. US halted funding to voluntary and involuntary relocation projects from protected areas (PA) across world on account of human rights violations.
      1. This has stopped 12 million USD funding by US to World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society and other conservation NGOs.
      2. US said that these international organizations have been abusing local people, torturing them to leave their lands.
    8. Tamil Nadu government partnered with World Economic Forum (WEF), to establish what it described as India’s first advanced manufacturing hub (AMHUB) in state. It will help state in sectors of solar energy, electronics, electric mobility and textiles.
    9. World bank released biennial poverty and shared prosperity report, stating that covid-19 pandemic will push an additional 88 million to 115 Million people to Extreme poverty. This will raise count of poor to 150 million by 2021.
      1. If the pandemic had not arrived, poverty rate would have dropped by 7.9% in 2020. Global recession caused by pandemic will push 1.4% of world population into extreme poverty.
    10. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Visited Japan, for attending Quadrilateral Foreign Ministers meet AND 13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue.
      1. India and Japan signed agreements of cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, 5G technology. The countries also agreed to give momentum to the supply chain initiative in the Indo-Pacific region.
      2. Quad Meet was attended by foreign ministers from US, Japan, India and Australia, with emphasis on free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
    11. Government appointed M Rajeshwar Rao as new Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, to fill post which was vacant since N R Vishwanathan's resignation in March 2020.
      1. Other RBI DGs are M. D. Patra, M. K. Jain, B.P. Kanungo. RBI Governor is Shaktikanta Das.
    12. Gujarat Government launched “Digital Seva Setu Programme” for rural areas, under Bharat Net Project of Centre.
      1. It will connect village panchayats and will provide twenty types of pro-people services. Gram panchayats are to be connected to state data centre at Gandhinagar.
      2. Citizens should pay Rs 20 to avail benefits of this programme.
    13. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) commissioned largest HPC-AI supercomputer (High Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence). HPC-AI supercomputer is a machine with 210 AI Petaflops (6.5 Petaflops Peak DP).
      1. India has been implementing National Supercomputing Mission to build a network of 70 supercomputers.
    14. Government extended applicability of new emission norms for tractors (TREM Stage IV) and construction equipment vehicles till October 2021, which were to be applicable from October 2020.
      1. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is bringing in extension of date through amendment to CMVR (Control Motor Vehicle Rules).
    15. Half yearly Coastal security exercise named 'Sagar Kavach' conducted by Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, off the coast of Kerala.
    16. Government appointed Jayant R Varma, Shashank Bhide and Ashima Goyal as members of Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
      1. MPC comprises six members - three officials of RBI and 3 external members nominated by Government.
      2. Governor of RBI is chairperson ex officio of committee (Shashikanta Das Currently).
      3. Other 2 Members (RBI Officials) - RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debrata Patra and Mridul Saggar (Executive director of Bank in charge of monetary policy).
  26. Oct 06, 2020
    1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has deferred implementation of provisions made under Basel III international regulatory framework for banks, due to uncertainty related to COVID crisis.
      1. In this regard, RBI will repel final tranche of capital conservation buffer (CCB) and the implementation of net stable funding ratio (NSFR) by six months (Till April 2021).
      2. CCB is an additional pool that banks build in normal times for its use during periods of stress. RBI asked banks to build up CCB to required 2.5% in stages. Last stage of 0.625% was to start on Sept. 30, 2020 (now deferred to April 1, 2021).
    2. RBI extended enhanced borrowing facility provided to banks by six months to meet liquidity shortage till March 31, 2021.
      1. Earlier On March 27, 2020, this borrowing limit for banks was increased from 2% to 3% of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL).
      2. RBI also extended enhanced borrowing facility provided to banks under Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) scheme by six months till March 31, 2021.
    3. Department of Science & Technology (DST) and IBM India announced collaborations to scale up two DST initiatives--Vigyan Jyoti and Engage with Science (Vigyan Prasar), to build Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career opportunities for girl students.
      1. Vigyan Jyoti promotes STEM learning among girl students by creating a level-playing field for meritorious girls from grades 9 to 12.
      2. Engage with Science of Vigyan Prasar is another initiative to build interest and create a community of practice with students, teachers, and scientists connecting the high school students to the higher education institutions.
    4. Goa became first 'Har Ghar Jal State in country, as it successfully provided 100% Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) in rural areas covering 2.30 lakh rural households, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
    5. Government and RBI issued Guidelines for Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme 2020, to be issued in 6 tranches from October 2020 to March 2021 -
      1. Dates -
        1. October 12 - 16, 2020
        2. November 09 - 13, 2020
        3. December 28 2020 - January 01, 2021
        4. January 11-15, 2021
        5. February 01- 05, 2021
        6. March 01- 05, 2021
      2. Guidelines -

        1. Issuance

          To be issued by Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Government of India.

          Eligibility

          The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions. In case of joint holding, the investment limit of 4 KG will be applied to the first applicant only.

          Denomination

          The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram.

          Tenor

          The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option after5thyear to be exercised on the next interest payment dates.

          Minimum size

          Minimum permissible investment will be 1 gram of gold.

          Maximum limit

          The maximum limit of subscription shall be 4 KG forindividual, 4 Kg for HUF and 20 Kg for trusts.

          Issue price

          Price of Bond will be fixed in Indian Rupees on the basis of simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity, published by India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited for last 3 working days of week preceding subscription period. issue price of the Gold Bonds will be 50 per gram less for online payments.

          Payment option

          Payment for the Bonds will be through cash payment (up to a maximum of `20,000) or demand draft or cheque or electronic banking.

          Redemption price

          The redemption price will be in Indian Rupees based on simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity, of previous 3 working days published by IBJA Ltd.

          Sales channel

          Bonds will be sold through Commercial banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices (as may be notified) and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange, either directly or through agents.

          Interest rate

          The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 percent per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value.

          Collateral / Tradability

          Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is to be set equal to ordinary gold loan mandated by the Reserve Bank from time to time. Bonds will also be tradable on stock exchanges.

          Commission

          Commission for distribution of bond shall be paid at the rate of 1% of the total subscription received by receiving offices and receiving offices shall share at least 50% of commission so received with agents.
    6. Piyush Goyal has been appointed Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. He already holds Charge as Minister of Railways AND Commerce and Industry.
      1. It came after earlier Cabinet Minister Ram Vilas Paswan passed away recently.
    7. On occasion of 60th Foundation Day of NCERT, an MoU signed between Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center-ISLRTC (Under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) and NCERT, to make education materials accessible for Deaf children in their preferred format of communication viz Indian Sign Language.
    8. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and Prasar Bharati signed MoU to broadcast and promote new agriculture technology and innovations.
      1. Under it, DD Kisan will broadcast various innovative techniques being adopted in agriculture field in easy language through 30 minutes program series for benefit of farmers.
    9. Under Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme, Govt launched Application Programming Interface (API) integration between PM SVANidhi Portal and State Bank of India (SBI), to facilitate seamless flow of data between PM SVANidhi Portal and SBI's eMudra Portal.
    10. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and KPIT ran trials of India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) prototype car running on an indigenously developed fuel cell stack at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.
      1. Fuel cell is a low temperature PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) type Fuel Cell that operates at 65-75 degree centigrade, which is suitable for vehicular applications. CSIR and KPIT have successfully developed a 10 kWe automotive grade LT-PEMFC fuel cell stack.
      2. Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) technology uses chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen (from air) to generate electrical energy, eliminating use of fossil fuels.
    11. Indian researchers from Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO) of Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) have digitised films and photographs of sun taken at multiple wavelengths and corresponding to past century.
      1. They digitised data (calling it proxy data), to develop first magnetic field map of Sun for period 1915-1965.
      2. This may help Scientists study future magnetic activity of sun, with understanding of its behaviour in recent past.
    12. Aam Admi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has been Selected for Gandhi Award of Mahahtma Ghandhi National Foundation, for being instrumental in India's diplomatic intervention to remove Mahatma Gandhi's images on beer bottles of a private company in Israel.
  27. Oct 05, 2020
    1. Oct 05, 2020 is observed as World Habitat Day, observed annually on first Monday of October. 2020 theme is Housing for All-A better Urban Future.
      1. Oct 05 is also observed as Gangetic Dolphin Day in India, celebrated since 2010. On October 5 in 2010, dolphins were declared as National Aquatic Animal.
    2. Oct 5 is observed as World Teachers Day, marked by UNESCO since 1994. 2019 Theme is Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession.
      1. Note that National Teachers' Day in India is observed on Sep 5. It commemorates Birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, first Vice President and second President of India.
    3. India Announced to build a cricket stadium of 22000 spectators capacity, and a 100-bedded cancer hospital in Hulhumale (Maldives).
    4. BRICS Nations' New Development Bank (NDB) approved US $241 million loan for Mumbai metro and US $500 million for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project.
    5. RBI has set ways and means advances (WMAs) limit at Rs 1.25 lakh crore for central government for the second half of fiscal year 2021 (2020-21).
      1. WMAs are temporary advances given by the RBI to the government to tide over any mismatch in receipts and payments.
    6. Haryana government appointed Vijai Vardhan as new state chief secretary.
    7. As per IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2020 -
      1. Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries Chief) continues to top the list for 9th consecutive year, followed by London-based Hinduja brothers, Shiv Nadar (HCL-Founder), Gautam Adani, Azim Premji.
    8. Government launched project Sunidhi, aimed at digitizing all provident fund and pension related activities of Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO), a statutory body under coal ministry.
    9. Bahubali Series Author Anand Neelakantan’s First Kid’s book The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids, has been released.
    10. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar Thursday digitally launched Gram Darshan platform, to make accessible data of as many as 6197 Gram Panchayats of state online.
  28. Oct 04, 2020
    1. Kuwait’s Crown Prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became Kuwait’s new ruling emir, after earlier emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah passed away recently.
      1. India observed one day’s State Mourning on passing away of earllier Kuwait Ruler Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
      2. Also, Kuwaiti government, chaired by Prime Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah, submitted its resignation to newly apponted Emir Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.
    2. Oct 4 is observed as World Animal Day, an international day of action for animal rights and welfare.
    3. 42nd GST Council Meet held under Chairmanship of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Recommendations Include -
      1. Levy of Compensation Cess to be extended beyond transition period of 5 years i.e. beyond June 2022.
      2. Centre to release compensation of 20000 crores to States towards loss of revenue during 2020-21 and 25000 crore towards IGST of 2017-18.
      3. As a step towards reducing compliance burden (particularly on small taxpayers having aggregate annual turnover < 5 crores), Council’s earlier recommendation of allowing filing of returns on a quarterly basis with monthly payments to be implemented from Jan 2021.
      4. Taxpayers with turnover more than Rs 5 crores will now have to provide HSN Code from April 2021.
      5. To encourage domestic launching of Satellites by ISRO and Antrix Corporation, GST Council decided that 18% GST will completely be scrapped.
    4. State Bank of India (SBI) appointed Charanjit Singh Attra as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
    5. Right Livelihood Award Foundation announced winners of 2020 Right Livelihood Award, also known as alternative Nobel Prize -
      1. Ales Bialiatski (Belarus), Nasrin Sotoudeh (Iran), Bryan Stevenson (US) and Lottie Cunningham Wren (Nicaragua) are named as winners, for their contribution towards equality, democracy, justice and freedom.
    6. Assam CM launched portal Kritagyata, as online pension submission and tracking system, to lend convenience to the pensioners to dispose off their pension related claims quickly.
    7. West Bengal government launched Pathashree Abhijan scheme, as a road repair scheme, where more than 7,000 stretches of roads comprising 12,000 kilometers across state will be repaired in a mission mode.
    8. To promote sustainable and healthy lifestyle in rural areas, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) announced a special refinance facility to support Government of India’s Water, Sanitisation and Hygiene (WASH) programme. NABARD earmarked 800 crores for this purpose for FY 21 (2020-21).
      1. NABARD will provide concessional refinance to eligible financial institutions, with repayment period up to 36 months.
    9. Tata Steel Limited and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) partnered to work in field of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage). Under this, Tata Steel and CSIR will work towards accelerating development and deployment of CCUS technologies in steel industry.
      1. These technologies would expedite transition to a decarbonised economy in other carbon intensive sectors like Power, Cement, and Fertilizer etc.
    10. Gujarat Government signed MoU with Denmark for co-operation in water sector, to set up Indo-Danish Water Technology Alliance in Gujarat.
    11. As per Forbes, Sofia Vergara (American-Colombian) is world’s highest-paid actress of 2020, with earnings of $43 million. She’s followed by Angelina Jolie and Gal Gadot, with $35.5 million and $31.5 million earnings respectively.
  29. Oct 03, 2020
    1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Atal Tunnel at Rohtang (Himachal Pradesh), at altitude of above 3000 metres.
      1. The 9.02 km-long-tunnel, built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10000 Feet, and connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley.
      2. It provides all-weather connectivity to the landlocked valley of Lahaul-Spiti, which remains cut-off for nearly six months in a year as the Rohtang Pass is uually snow-bound between November and April.
      3. Tunnel reduces distance by 46 km between Manali and Leh and the travel time by about 4 to 5 hours.
      4. Atal Tunnel has been designed for traffic density of 3,000 cars per day and 1,500 trucks per day, with maximum speed of 80 km/hr. 
      5. It was built at a cost of Rs 3,300 crores.
    2. Rajasthan government announced that 30 % of new PDS (public distribution system) shops will be alloted to women, to promote women empowerment.
    3. India's Sehgal Foundation named as a co-runner up of Citizen Diplomacy Award for its human rights and women’s empowerment work in rural Indian communities.
      1. Along with Sehgal Foundation, Tempe Sister Cities is the other co-runner up.
      2. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Public Affairs launched the Citizen Diplomacy Award in 2017 to celebrate significant contributions of US citizens and organisations to furthering US foreign policy objectives.
    4. New Investments in Reliance Subsidairy Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL).
      1. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) will invest 5,512.50 crores in Reliance subsidiary Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL) for 1.20% stake.
      2. American investment firm TPG will invest 1837.5 crores into Reliance subsidiary RRVL, for 0.41% stake.
      3. Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC to buy 1.22% stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), for 5512 Crores.
      4. Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co to pick up 1.4% stake in Reliance Retail, for 6247 Crores.
      5. Earlier Investments in RRVL Since October 2020,
        1. American investment firm General Atlantic invested 3675 crores into Reliance Retail ventures Limited (RRVL) for .84 % stake.
        2. American investment firm KKR invested 5550 crores into Reliance Retail ventures Limited (RRVL) for 1.28% stake.
        3. American investor Silver Lake invested 7500 Crores INR for 1.75% Stake in Reliance Retail.
      6. In concerned 7 Deals, RRVL has divested 8.10 % Stake so far.
    5. Government has set up a screening panel to analyze all Chinese foreign investment proposals, to approve only those which will be considered as non-controversial. It is headed by home secretary (Ajay Kumar Bhalla).
  30. Oct 02, 2020
    1. Oct 02 is Birth Anniverary of M K Gandhi and Former PM Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji (2nd PM of India). It was 151st Birth Anniversary of M K Gandhi. It is observed as UN International Day of Non-Violence, established in 2007. On this occasion -
      1. PM Narendra Modi Announced a 100-day campaign from 02-10-2020, to ensure drinking water connection to every school and Anganwadi in country.
      2. PM inaugurated Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, as a global virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Researchers and Academicians. It will Conclude on 31st October 2020, on occasion of Sardar Patel Jayanti.
      3. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) observed 6th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban by organizing a webinar titled ‘Swachhata Ke 6 Saal, Bemisaal’.
      4. Punjab National Bank launched a financial inclusion and literacy initiative 'Gram Sampark Abhiyan'.
      5. Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia launched coffee-table book titled Babu – The Unforgettable.
      6. Swachh Bharat 2020 Awards Conderred under 3 categories - Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shauchalaya (SSSS) campaign Samudayik Shauchalaya Abhiyan (SSA) Gandagi Se Mukt (GMB) campaign.
        1. Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shauchalaya (SSSS) campaign -
          1. Best State: Gujarat
          2. Best District: Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
          3. Best Block: Khachrod, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
          4. Best Gram Panchayat: Chinnaur, (Salem)
        2. Samudayik Shauchalaya Abhiyan (SSA)
          1. Best State: Uttar Pradesh (GKRA) and Gujarat (Non-Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA)]
          2. Best District: Prayagraj (GKRA) and Bareilly (Non-GKRA)
          3. Best Gram Panchayat: Borigaon, Bongaigaon, Assam.
        3. Gandagi Se Mukt (GMB) campaign
          1. Best State: Telangana and Haryana.
          2. Best District: Moga, Punjab.
      7. Oct 2 is also observed as World Day for Farmed Animals.
    2. As per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Nutrition's report What India Eats -
      1. Urban Indians consumed 51.6 grams of fat per day, compared to 36 grams per day in Rural.
      2. Report mentions three types namely abdominal obesity, obesity and being overweight.
        1. Overall obesity was prevalent in 12.5% of population in urban areas and 4.9% in rural areas.
        2. Abdominal obesity prevalent in 61.4% population - 53.6% of urban and 18.8% of rural population had abdominal obesity.
        3. Around 31.4% of urban were overweight and 16.6% of the rural population were overweight.
          1. National Institute of Nutrition had recently increased the ideal weight of men and women by 5 kg. Current ideal weight of Indian men is 65 kg and of Indian women is 55 kg.
    3. SEBI enhanced penalty amount to Rs 1 crore each on rating agencies ICRA and CARE in connection with lapses on their parts while assigning credit rating to non-convertible debentures of IL&FS.
    4. National Wildlife Week is observed annually between October 2nd - 8th, since 1954. 2020 Theme is RoaR (Roar and Revive) – Exploring Human-Animal Relationships.
    5. India's first 5 animal overpasses will be built over Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, to avoid disturbances to Ranthambore Wildlife Corridor that connects Mukundra and Ranthambhore Wildlife Sanctuaries.
      1. Animal bridges are natural looking structures over corridor that will provide safe passage for wildlife. Animals will get passage at every 500-metre interval.
    6. India and France will launch a constellation of maritime surveillance satellites to monitor illegal spillage of oil in Indian Ocean Region, under an agreement between ISRO and French Space Agency CNES.
      1. ISRO and CENS will also collaborate for ISRO’s Venus Mission SHUKRAYAAN, to be launched in 2025.
      2. So far, 42 Venus missions have been sent to Venus from Earth.
    7. South Pacific French territory of New Caledonia chosen to remain under French control, narrowly rejecting independence in a referendum.
      1. The Island was discovered by a British Navigator James Cook in 1774. It was annexed by France in 1853.
    8. Territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh region increased with heavy clashes.
      1. Armenia and Azerbaijan are a part of the Transcaucasia region, the geographical region on border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It consists of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
      2. Chronology -
        1. In 1920, Nagorno-Karabakh region was established by USSR within Azerbaijan.
        2. In 1988, Nagorno-Karabakh region passed a resolution to join Armenia.
        3. In 1991, region conducted a referendum according to which it declared that it will not join Armenia or Azerbaijan.
      3. Nagorno-Karabakh region has 95% of Armenian ethnic people (Christians). However, the region is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan (Muslim majority).
    9. RBI excluded 6 public sector banks from Second Schedule of RBI Act 1934, following their merger with other banks.
      1. Banks are Syndicate Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), United Bank of India, Andhra Bank, Corporation Bank, and Allahabad Bank.
      2. Banks mentioned in Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act is known as 'Scheduled Commercial Bank'.
    10. NASA launched a commercial spacecraft named after Indian Origin deceased NASA Astronaut Kalpana Chawla.
      1. The spacecraft carried 4 tonnes of cargo for International Space Station, built by Northrop Grunman.
    11. 2nd edition of bilateral naval exercise Bongosagar between India and Bangladesh held in Northern Bay of Bengal. Bongosagar will be followed by 3rd edition of India Bangladesh Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT).
    12. Ayush Grid, the emerging IT backbone for AYUSH Sector, will be integrated with National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). It will be beneficial to people for availing varied options for their health needs.
    13. Ministry of Power had released Draft Electricity (Change in Law, Must-run Status and Other Matters) rules 2020, aimed at bringing in quick compensation to power plants, amid Gencos and Discoms being in financial distress. It avoids long drawn regulatory procedures for incontestable cases.
      1. Monthly tariff should be adjusted so that economic position of power plant can be restored.
      2. Renewable power plants are currently selling their power through exchange mechanism. The rules recommend against this and suggest a bilateral trade opportunity, to bring in higher prices for renewable power.
    14. A Chinese Firm will send world’s first mining robot named ‘asteroid mining robot’ into space.
      1. Goal will be to assess asteroid mining robot’s capabilities – to find out how well it can identify and extract valuable resources.
    15. HDFC Bank's Ravi Santhanam has been recognized in Forbes list of 'The World's Most Influential CMOs', Ranked 39. List is topped by Phil Schiller (Apple).
    16. Actress Priyanka Chopra announced her memoir Unfinished, to be launched in Jan 2021.
    17. RBI Approved interim committee of directors, headed by G Subramonia Iyer, to run private bank Dhanlaxmi Bank, after shareholders voted out its MD and CEO Sunil Gurbaxani.
    18. Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS Kanaklata Barua of Indian Coast Guard has been commissioned, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata.
  31. Oct 01, 2020
    1. Oct 1 is observed as UN International Day of Older Persons. 2020 Theme is Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?. It was established by UN in 1990.
      1. On this occasion, Harsh Vardhan (Minister for Health & Family Welfare) launched Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030).
      2. Oct 1 is also observed as International Coffee Day, being observed since 2015.
      3. Oct 1 is also observed as World Vegetarian Day, established by North American Vegetarian Society in 1977.
      4. Oct 1 is also National day of China.
    2. Under PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNibhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) signed MoU with food-delivery startup Swiggy, to onboard street food vendors on its ecommerce platform, giving them access to numerous consumers.
    3. Minister of State (IC) (Development of North Eastern Region), Jitendra Singh released Coffee Table Book on Discovering the Heritage of Assam, with foreword by Actor Amitabh Bachchan. It has been written by Padampani Bora.
    4. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda Launched India's largest Market of Tribal Products Tribes India e-Marketplace, to Showcase Tribal Produce and Handicrafts and Connect Tribal Forest Dwellers and Artisans with National / International Markets.
      1. He also laucnhed 2 New Tribes India Outlets in Kolkata and Rishikesh. Pakur Honey Produced by Vulnerable Pahadiya Tribes was also Launched.
      2. Also, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) launched a new 3 year initiative jointly for Tribal Entrepreneurship Development’. It aims to develop tribal offerings in national / International market and create better livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans.
    5. Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute Pune (ARI) found 2 new species of pipeworts (Eriocaulon), known for their varied medicinal properties, in Maharashtra and Karnataka (Western Ghats).
      1. The species reported from Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra was named as Eriocaulon parvicephalum, and other reported from Kumta, Karnataka was named as Eriocaulon karaavalense.
    6. S Aparna has been appointed has been named as Secretary in Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Pharma Secretary of India).
      1. Also, Apurva Chandra has been named as Secretary in Ministry of Labour & Employment.
    7. Two more States, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh have been integrated with existing national portability cluster of States/UTs under One Nation One Ration Card.
      1. With this, total 28 States/UTs are now seamlessly connected with each other under One Nation One Ration Card plan.
      2. Migratory PDS beneficiaries in these 28 States/UTs can access their subsidised foodgrains at same Scale and Central Issue Prices from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice.
    8. Cabinet Committee on Security approved proposal for establishment of Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) Phase IV Network to be implemented by PSU ITI Limited, at cost 7796 crores, within 3 years.
      1. It will provide better survivability, responsiveness and high bandwidth in any operational scenario and enhance communication coverage of network closer to IB/LC/LAC.
    9. Gross GST revenue in September 2020 stood at 95480 crores (CGST - 17741 crores, SGST 23131 crores, IGST 47484 crores and Cess 7124 crores).
    10. Kerala's first and nation's twentieth mega food park inaugurated in Palakkad district of Kerala.
      1. It will leverage investment of 250 Crores in 25-30 food processing units and would lead to turnover of 450-500 Crores annually.
      2. It will also provide direct and indirect employment to 5,000 persons. 
      3. Named KINFRA Mega Food Park, it has been set up in 79 acres of land at cost of 102 crores.
    11. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar Represented India at UN Biodiversity Summit, held virtually on occasion of 75th anniversary of UN General Assembly. He stated that India aims to restore 26mn hectares of deforested land by 2030.
    12. A study at Nainital Based Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) suggested a formula that can help probe black holes.
      1. Black holes cannot be observed directly, but their presence can be detected by huge amount of energy that is liberated through temporary accumulation of matter outside black hole, before it dives into the BH, a process called accretion.
      2. Scientists found the formula that can assess spectrum emitted from accretion discs around black holes. Spectra of accretion discs can help estimate the mass of the black hole. 
      3. This is first time any approach of removing degeneracy from two-temperature theory has been proposed.
    13. Government issued new re-opening guidelines under Unlock 5.0, allowing more activities under containment zones.
      1. Cinema halls/multiplexes and swimming pools used for training of sportspersons and entertainment parks will be allowed to re-open from October 15, 2020.
      2. Centre gave states flexibility to take a decision after October 15 for re-opening of schools, with parental consent to be required.

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