Current Affairs (15th-30th November 2021)
National
The world’s highest rail bridge ghat will soon be built in the north-eastern state of Manipur. This bridge is being constructed by Indian Railways in the Noni Valley of Manipur. The height of the bridge is 141 meters.
Nagaland Police officially launched the ‘Call Your Cop’ mobile app on November 29, 2021.
On November 29, 2021, the Indian Parliament passed the Agricultural Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 during the first day of the winter session.
TRIFED organized a Tribes India Conclave in association with the Ministry of External Affairs at “Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav” on 27th November 2021.
NITI Aayog recently published its report on the “Multidimensional Poverty Index” (MPI) of India. The report was prepared on the basis of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) for 2015-16.
The Indian government cautioned people not to subscribe to Starlink internet services, which are led by Starlink, the satellite broadband arm of Elon Musk-led SpaceX. The government is doing this because internet service has not been licensed to provide satellite-based internet services in India.
Indian Railways has launched a new scheme named “Bharat Gaurav Yojana” on 23rd November 2021. Under this scheme, private tour operators can take trains on lease from railways and run these trains on any circuit of their choice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2021 announced the repeal of all three agriculture laws passed in 2020.
Defense And National Security
On November 29, 2021, the Government of India told the Parliament that India is to develop jet engines for aircraft such as Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in collaboration with the International Engine House. Key Points At present, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been integrated with an imported engine.
The sixth edition of the biennial Indo-French joint military exercise called “East Shakti- 2021” concluded in France on November 26, 2021. Ex SHAKTI 2021 included twelve days of intensive joint military training.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the “5th World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM)” on November 24, 2021.
India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka are organizing the 15th edition of the biennial trilateral Coast Guard exercise ‘DOSTI’ in the Maldives.
The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Vela, the fourth stealth Scorpene-class submarine under Project 75, on November 25, 2021.
The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has permitted mass production of AK-203 rifles while providing firepower to the standard weapon profile of the armed forces. DAC has also approved an independent satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Exercise Sagar Shakti was conducted from November 19 to 22, 2021 in the Creek sector of the Kutch peninsula. It was a four-day mega military exercise. During the exercise, India’s capability and readiness to face any multi-faceted security threat were tested in detail.
The Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Visakhapatnam at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Russia recently started supplying the S-400 Triumph air defense system to India, giving a major boost to Indian defense capabilities. These defense systems will boost India’s capabilities to take out cruise missiles and enemy fighter jets at long range.
Awards And Recognition
- The Pratham NGO is the first NGO to have been awarded the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 for its work in expanding the scope of education in India.
Appointments
- Senior bureaucrat Vivek Johri was appointed as the chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on November 28, 2021. Vivek Johri is a 1985-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer.
Business, Economy And Finances
India1 Payments has crossed a milestone by deploying 10000 white-label ATMs, which used to be called “India1ATMs”.
On November 26, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new norms for private banks. Under the new rules, the RBI has accepted the suggestion of raising the limit of promoters’ stake in banks from 15 percent to 26 percent.
Recently, the Ministry of Labor released a new series of Wage Rate Index (WRI) with the base year 2016. The Wage Rate Index (WRI) is being compiled and maintained by the Labor Bureau. The new series of WRI with base 2016=100 is going to replace the old series with base 1963-65.
On November 25, 2021, Moody’s Investors Service highlighted that India’s rising vaccination rates, high public spending, and low-interest rates are driving a positive outlook for the corporate sector and non-financial companies.
The second edition of the Summit on Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hub (GCPMH) was inaugurated on November 25, 2021.
On November 25, 2021, the central government allocated more than Rs 10000 crore for the MGNREGA scheme. While allocating the funds, the central government said that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) is a demand-based scheme.
National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) is all set to start its lending operations with 190-200 large infrastructure projects in the roads, railways, and power sector.
The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 is expected to be finalized and passed during the winter session of Parliament, which is scheduled to begin on November 29, 2021.
Science And Technology
Skyroot Aerospace test-fired India’s first privately built cryogenic rocket engine named Dhawan-1. Skyroute Aerospace demonstrated the upper stage of its Vikram-2 launch vehicle. The Cryogenic Rocket Engine is 100% 3D Printed and 100% Made in India.
The Hubble Telescope has spotted the “Shrimp Nebula,” a giant stellar nursery located about 6,000 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog announced its collaboration with Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous organization of the Department of Science and Technology, for AIM’s Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and ‘Engage with Science’. To coordinate. EWS)’ of Vigyan Prasar.
Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched India’s first Virtual Science Lab for Children on November 22, 2021.
Astronomers at the Pune-based National Center for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) have discovered eight stars that belong to a rare category called main-sequence radio pulse emitters or MRPs.
Government Initiatives
Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh launched a “unique” face recognition technology on November 29, 2021. Face recognition technology will act as a proof of life certificate for pensioners. It will ensure ease of living for retired and elderly citizens.
On November 28, 2021, India’s only certified organic kiwi from Zero Valley Farm in Arunachal Pradesh was launched in a mega National Tribal Festival named Aadi Mahotsav. The festival is being organized at Dilli Haat, INA in New Delhi.
Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been earmarked for 13 cheetahs in 2022. Kuno National Park was originally developed as the second home for Asiatic lions in India apart from Gir National Park.
Kerala Tourism is all set to launch the “Street Project” at select locations in seven districts to take tourism deeper into the interior and interior of the state. About Street Project, This project will help visitors to experience the diversity of offerings at these places.
The Women’s Participation in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) program was launched on November 26, 2021. This is a first-of-its-kind program launched to promote women in research and development through lateral entry.
The Delhi government on November 26, 2021, announced the addition of Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan and Velankanni Church in Tamil Nadu in a pilgrimage scheme named “Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana”.
The Minister of State (MoS) for AYUSH, Munjpara Mahedrabhai virtually inaugurated the Ayurveda Parv-2021 in New Delhi on November 26, 2021.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 9th BRICS Science and Technology meeting on 26 November 2021.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Central Government, and the World Bank have signed legal agreements for a $250 million loan for the “Supporting Andhra Learning Transformation (SALT) Project”.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for the continuation of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme for the next five years.
The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government has passed the ‘AP Motor Vehicle Taxation (Amendment) Bill 2021’ to levy a green tax, in an eco-friendly move.
On November 24, 2021, the central government has extended the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)” by four months.
The Government of Chhattisgarh has prepared draft rules named “Chhattisgarh Panchayat Provisions (Extension of Scheduled) Rules, 2021” under PESA Act, 1996.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has decided to set up a tax scheme for “cow welfare” in the state.
Important Days
The United Nations observes “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People” on 29 November every year.
The famous Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 of Shillong was held in Meghalaya from November 25 to 27, 2021.
National Milk Day is observed every year on 26 November.
Karnataka celebrated “Kanakdas Jayanti” on November 22.
World Fisheries Day is observed on November 21.
World Television Day is observed on 21 November.
World Children’s Day is observed on 20 November.
World Toilet Day is observed on 19 November.
National Press Day is observed every year on 16 November.
The International Day of Tolerance is observed every year on 16 November.
To celebrate the classic heritage and culture of Kashi, Kashi Utsav is being organized in Varanasi from November 16 to November 18, 2021.
MoU/ Summits / Conferences:-
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, and Flipkart have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted an international webinar on “Increasing Electoral Participation of Women, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Senior Citizen Voters: Sharing Best Practices and New Initiatives” in New Delhi.
The Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh held an online meeting with George Freeman, the Science Minister of the United Kingdom on November 25, 2021.
The 13th edition of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit is scheduled to be held on November 25 and 26, 2021. In the summit, the Indian delegation will be led by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan agreement worth USD 300 million to improve primary health care in urban areas.
India and the United States have agreed to look at ways to resolve differences on issues such as market access and digital trade, besides reviving the trade policy forum after four years.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) jointly launched an online certificate course on practical education. This program will be deployed for 350 teachers from 6 states.
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $61 million loan agreement to improve livability, promote new development and harness technology.
International
Barbados has become the world’s newest republic nearly 400 years after it became a British colony. The Caribbean island nation removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Dame Sandra Prunella Mason takes over as President of Barbados.
On November 29, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that; the new version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus known as “Omicron” poses a very high global risk.
Petr Fiala has been named the new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Following his electoral victory in October, President Milos Zeman nominated him as Prime Minister on 28 November.
The sixth edition of the BRICS Film Festival Awards was announced at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa. For the first time, the BRICS Film Festival was held from November 20 to November 28, 2021, along with IFFI.
On November 26, 2021, after a two-day space voyage, a Russian cargo craft carrying a new docking module successfully attached to the International Space Station (ISS). The new circular module named Prichal was docked with the orbiting post. It includes six docking ports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to make an official visit to New Delhi on December 6, 2021.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has postponed its “World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (WTO MC 12), due to concerns over the new Omicron COVID-19 edition. WTO MC was scheduled to be held on 12 November 2021.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1529 as a ‘type of concern’.
Germany announces new development commitments of around 1.2 billion euros to India in support of India’s fight against climate change.
According to the Syrian military, Israeli warplanes attacked military posts in its central region on November 23, 2021. Two civilians were killed in the attack and seven people were injured, six of whom were soldiers.
US President Joe Biden has invited Taiwan to a virtual summit with more than 100 countries. The US did not invite China and Russia for this meeting. The convention was a campaign pledge by President Biden. He placed the conflict between ‘autocratic governments’ and democracies at the center of his foreign policy.
Australia signed a submarine agreement with the new defense alliances named United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) on November 22, 2021.
The Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)-UNESCO Peace Media Awards 2021 was presented on November 17, 2021, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
NASA is set to test “Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) technology” in space with the aim of accelerating space communications.
On November 20, 2021, China launched a new satellite named “Gaofen-11 03” from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
