Current Affairs - 21 Apr 2022

Daily Current Affairs of 21 Apr 2022. Follow Current Affairs on daily Basis in on post. Current Affairs PDF for Competitive Exams

World Creativity and Innovation Day 2022 observed on 21st April

World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated on April 21 every year. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-solving and encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking at the individual and group levels. The World Creativity and Innovation Week is also observed from April 15-21.

The theme of World Creativity and Innovation Day 2022: Collaboration

History of World Creativity and Innovation Day:

World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) was founded on 25 May 2001 in Toronto, Canada. The founder of the day was the Canadian Marci Segal. Segal was studying creativity in 1977 at the International Center for Studies in Creativity.

The United Nations on 27 April 2017 resolved to include World Creativity and Innovation Day on 21 April as a Day of observance to raise importance among people about the use of their creativity in problem-solving for all issues that may be related to achieving the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

MCQ:

Q) What was the theme of World Creativity and Innovation Day 2022? – Collaboration

Q) On which day World Creativity and Innovation Day was observed? – April 21

National Civil Services Day 2022: Observes 21 April

India observes National Civil Services Day on April 21 every year to acknowledge the works of officers engaged in several public service departments in the country. The day also marks a reminder for civil servants, who collectively run the country’s administrative machinery and their dedication to serving the citizens of the country.

History and Significance:

Civil Services Day is celebrated on April 21 to commemorate the day when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of Independent India addressed probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Delhi’s Metcalf House in 1947. In his address, he called Civil Servants, the ‘Steel Frame of India’. This meant that civil servants, employed at various levels of the government, act as supporting pillars of the country’s administrative system.

Earlier, during the British rule, the name of civil services was Indian Civil Services which was later changed to All India Services and it was fully controlled by India.

Every year, on this occasion, the Prime Minister’s Awards of Excellence in Public Administration are presented to District/Implementing Units for the implementation of priority programmes and innovation categories.

National Civil Services Day 2022 Observes 21 April

History and Significance:

Earlier, during the British rule, the name of civil services was Indian Civil Services which was later changed to All India Services and it was fully controlled by India.

MCQ

Q) On which day National Civil Services Day is observed? – April 21

Q) Who callled Civil Servants, the ‘Steel Frame of India’? – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

India’s first pure green hydrogen plant commissioned in Assam

India’s first 99.999% pure Green Hydrogen pilot plant has been commissioned by the Oil India Limited (OIL) at its Jorhat Pump Station in Assam. The plant has an installed capacity of 10 kg per day. The plant produces Green Hydrogen from the electricity generated by a 500kW Solar plant using a 100 kW Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolyser array. The use of AEM technology is being used for the first time in India.

This plant is expected to increase its production of green hydrogen from 10 kg per day to 30 kg per day in future. The company has initiated a detailed study in collaboration with IIT Guwahati on the blending of Green Hydrogen with Natural Gas and its effect on the existing infrastructure of OIL. The company also plans to study use cases for commercial applications of the blended fuel.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Assam Capital: Dispur;
Assam Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma;
Assam Governor: Jagadish Mukhi.

Scorpene-class Submarine ‘VAGSHEER’ inaugurated at Mazagon Dock Limited

The Indian Navy launched the sixth and last submarine, Yard 11880, of the French Scorpene-class under Project 75, at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. The submarine has been named ‘Vagsheer’. The submarine will now undergo rigorous harbour trials and sea trials, before being commissioned in the Indian Navy. These submarines are designed by French naval defence and energy company ‘DCNS’ while Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai has manufactured them.

List of other submarines under Scorpene-class submarines:

First submarine: INS Kalvari- commissioned on 14 December 2017.
Second : INS Khanderi – September 2019
Third: INS Karanj – March 2021
Fourth: INS Vela – November 2021
Fifth: INS Vagir- launched in November 2020 and is undergoing sea trials.

National Metallurgist Award 2021would be awarded at the Union Steel Ministry

The “National Metallurgist Award 2021” will be held here tomorrow by the Union Ministry of Steel. Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, the Union Minister of Steel, will host the event. The programme aims to recognise the outstanding contribution of metallurgists/engineers working in the field of iron and steel in the areas of manufacturing, research and development, design, education, waste management, and energy conservation, as well as their specific contribution to achieving Atmnirbhar Bharat’s objectives.

KEY POINTS:

After extensive discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) about how to rationalise the awards in keeping with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Ministry of Steel established the National Metallurgist Award.
The name of the award was changed from National Metallurgist Day Award to National Metallurgist Awards, the eligibility restrictions were relaxed to broaden the nomination pool, the number of awards was lowered to raise the award’s profile and emphasis, and so on.
The awards not only raise an individual’s or organization’s morale by recognising their accomplishments, but they also inspire innovation and creativity, increase motivation, encourage friendly competition, improve productivity, and foster a healthy work environment.
During August and September 2021, the procedure of submitting applications/nominations for the National Metallurgist Award 2021 began.

The awardees for the categories of Lifetime Achievement Award, National Metallurgist Award, Award for R&D in the Iron & Steel Sector, and Young Metallurgist (Metal Science) Award were finalised based on the Screening and Selection Committees’ evaluations of the applications/ nominations and the average marks obtained by the applicants.

Important Takeaways:

Union Minister of Steel: Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh
Union Minister of Home Affairs: Shri Amit Shah

IFSCA signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the NIA

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Insurance Academy with the goal of creating capacity and establishing a qualified talent pool in the insurance sector in International Financial Services Centres.

KEY POINTS:

IFSCA aspires to build a strong worldwide connection and focus on the demands of the Indian economy, as well as function as a regional/global international financial platform.
At IFSC, insurance is a growing sector, and the MoU with NIA will go a long way toward building insurance capacity.
The National Insurance Academy (NIA) is a prestigious school dedicated to training the finest and brightest in the insurance sector.
To address the needs of the ever-dynamic insurance sector, NIA has been involved in developing and regularly upgrading curriculums and offering training programmes in the insurance industry in India.
This Memorandum of Understanding aims to develop the necessary trained people for the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
IFSCA had already signed an MoU with the Insurance Institute of India to address the needs of IFSC insurance firms (III).

About IFSC:

The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) is an umbrella organisation for Indian culinary professions. We are a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organisation that was founded with the goal of advancing the culinary profession and promoting Indian cuisine on a global scale. The International Food Culture Association (IFCA) aims to promote culinary expertise, spread various types of food, and bring esoteric culinary styles and practises to the forefront.

J&K launched ‘Jan Nigrani’ app to help people lodge complaints

The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir, under the e-governance initiative has launched an app ‘Jan Nigrani’, intended to help people lodge their complaints related to various schemes online. The Jan Nigrani app is a 24×7 internet-based platform aimed at reporting and resolving the grievances of the residents of J&K, against various government schemes launched by the department.

What are the Benefits of the Jan Nigrani app?:

The app would act as a single link between the residents and the officials by mapping concerned authorities related to the complaint about faster grievance redressal. The app has been developed as an e-governance initiative to provide a 24×7 platform to the people for redressal of their grievances.

The application has been set at the block level with a seven-day time slot to redress any particular grievance. It will also check bogus or false complaints and can be downloaded from the Google play store of android software.

The app would also facilitate accurate reporting of grievances using customised scheme-specific input forms to ensure minimal rejections on account of incomplete information.

Important points for all competitive exams:

J&K Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha;

J&K Formation (Union territory): 31 October 2019;

J&K Capital: Jammu (winter), Srinagar (summer).

Highlights:

Under the e-governance effort, Jammu and Kashmir's Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj have released an app called 'Jan Nigrani' to let people make grievances about various initiatives online.

The Jan Nigrani app is a 24-hour, internet-based platform for citizens of J&K to submit and resolve complaints about various government programs sponsored by the department.

The software would serve as a single point of contact between citizens and regulators, mapping relevant authorities to complaints about faster resolution. The software was created as part of an e-governance initiative to give citizens a 24-hour venue to air their issues.

The application has been set up at the block level, with a seven-day time frame to address any specific complaints.

It may be obtained from the Google play store of android apps and will check for fake or false complaints.

The app would also make the proper filing of complaints easier with customized scheme-specific data input, resulting in fewer denials due to insufficient data.

J&K launched ‘Jan Nigrani’ app to help people lodge complaints

Benefits of the Jan Nigrani app:

The app would act as a single link between the residents and the officials by mapping concerned authorities related to the complaint about faster grievance redressal. The app has been developed as an e-governance initiative to provide a 24×7 platform to the people for redressal of their grievances.
The application has been set at the block level with a seven-day time slot to redress any particular grievance. It will also check bogus or false complaints and can be downloaded from the Google play store of android software.
The app would also facilitate accurate reporting of grievances using customised scheme-specific input forms to ensure minimal rejections on account of incomplete information.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

J&K Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha;
J&K Formation (Union territory): 31 October 2019;
J&K Capital: Jammu (winter), Srinagar (summer).

RBI Puts Lending Caps On NBFCs Exposure To A Single Entity

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened the rules for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) relating to their large exposures. RBI capped aggregate exposure of NBFCs which are in the upper layer toward one entity at 20% of the capital base. The limit can only be extended by another 5% with the board’s approval.

For a particular borrower group, the cap is at 25%, with an additional 10% if exposure is towards infrastructure. The upper-layer NBFCs are typically the top 10 ones in terms of asset size. However, NBFCs that are into infrastructure finance can have exposure of 25 per cent, with an option of an additional 5 per cent of Tier I capital to a single counterparty. For a group of connected counterparties, infrastructure companies can have an exposure of 35 per cent of Tier-I capital. These norms will come into effect from October 1, 2022.

Important points for all competitive exams:

RBI Founded: April 1, 1935;

RBI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;

RBI Governor: Shaktikanta Das;

RBI Deputy Governors: Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar.

To Which NBFCs Are These Guidelines Applicable?

NBFCs will be classified into four categories, i.e., base, middle, upper, and top layers. However, these new regulations apply to NBFCs in the middle and upper layers. The upper layer of NBFCs include those that the RBI are yet to identify; while the middle layer of NBFCs are those which have an asset of Rs 1,000 crore or more, including deposit-taking and non-deposit taking NBFCs.

What Happens When The Limits Are Breached?

If the said capital lending limits are breached, then the respective NBFC will have to report to the specified department of supervision of the RBI, and it may be barred to undertake any further exposure both at the entity and group level, until the situation is rectified. In addition, any penalty or fine, if applicable, will also apply.

What Led To These Changes?

In October 2021, the RBI released a set of rules which classified NBFCs based on their capital size and risk undertaken. According to the RBI, the entire NBFC sector has grown far bigger than anticipated, both in terms of size and complexity. Also, over the years, NBFCs have become more interconnected with the financial sector. So, it is essential that the regulatory framework for NBFCs are systematically aligned, keeping in view the changed risk profile and increased size of them.

Reserve Bank of India capped lending limits of NBFCs

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

RBI Founded: April 1, 1935;
RBI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
RBI Governor: Shaktikanta Das;
RBI Deputy Governors: Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar.

Shanti Sethi appointed as Kamala Harris’s defence advisor

Indian-American Navyveteran Shanti Sethi has been appointed as USA Vice President Kamala Harris’s Defence Adviser. Shanti Sethi is the first Indian-American commander of a major US Navy combat ship. Shanti Sethi commanded the guided-missile destroyer, USS Decatur, from December 2010 to May 2012. She joined the Navy in 1993. When she joined the Navy in 1993, the combat exclusion law was still in effect so she was limited in what she could do. However, when she was an officer, the Exclusion Act was lifted.

Recently, US Senate has confirmed the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson (the first Black woman) to Supreme Court Judge.

Government Officials to be trained in National Cyber Exercise

To bolster India’s cyber posture, the National Security Council Secretariat is holding a National Cyber Security Incident Response Exercise (NCX India) for government officials and key sector organisations.

KEY POINTS:

The National Cyber Security Incident Response Exercise was kicked off by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

According to a statement from the National Security Council Secretariat, more than 140 officials would be trained through training sessions, Live Fire, and Strategic exercises.

Intrusion Detection Techniques, Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP), Vulnerability Handling & Penetration Testing, Network Protocols & Data Flows, and Digital Forensics are among the topics covered by the attendees.

The practise comes in the wake of recent power grid hacking incidents in Ladakh, as well as a number of incidents involving ministry Twitter accounts being hacked.

A couple of attempted efforts to breach networks of despatch centres responsible for real-time grid control and electricity dispatch, according to the Centre, have occurred in recent months.

Important Takeawys:

National Security Advisor: Ajit Doval

Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates a nationwide meeting on agriculture for the 2022 Kharif campaign

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister, recently launched the National Conference on Agriculture for the Kharif Campaign 2022-23 at the NASC Complex in New Delhi.

KEY POINTS:

The Minister expressed his delight that, according to the 2nd Advance Estimates (2021-22), total food grain production in the country will reach 3160 lakh tonnes, a new high.

The production of pulses and oilseeds will be 269.5 lakh tonnes and 371.5 lakh tonnes, respectively.

Horticulture production is expected to reach 3310.5 lakh tonnes in 2020-21, the greatest level ever for Indian horticulture, according to third advanced projections.

The Minister added that the centre and states will collaborate to secure the availability of herbicides and seeds, lowering farmers’ input prices.

He argued that a method for replacing urea with Nano-urea should be developed. He stated that the government would continue to prioritise natural and organic agriculture.

While agriculture exports have increased, the Minister stated that quality products must be prioritised in order to compete in international markets. Both farmers and exporters should benefit.

Important Takeaways:

Union Agriculture Minister: Shri Narendra Singh Tomar

Jasleen Kohli named as MD & CEO of Digit Insurance

Digit Insurance has appointed Jasleen Kohli as the company’s new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) with effect from April 20, 2022. She succeeds Vijay Kumar who retired from the company on April 19, 2022. She served as chief distribution officer (CDO) at Digit, where she was responsible for all of the company’s sales and distribution channels.

In 2021, Digit increased its worth to USD 3.5 billion in less than six months after raising USD 200 million in a funding round. The company also announced it has promoted Adarsh Agarwal from the role of Appointed Actuary to Chief Distribution Officer (corporate business). Nikhil Kamdar has been appointed as the next Appointed Actuary, replacing Agarwal.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Digit Insurance Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka;

Digit Insurance Chairman: Kamesh Goyal.

Jasleen Kohli named as MD & CEO of Digit Insurance

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Digit Insurance Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka;
Digit Insurance Chairman: Kamesh Goyal.

Lt Gen. Manoj Kumar Katiyar named as next DG of Military Operations

Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar has been appointed as the next Director-General of Military Operations. He would take charge of the new office on May 1st. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lieutenant General Katiyar was commissioned in the 23rd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment in June 1986.

Lieutenant General Katiyar is presently the General Officer Commanding of 1 Corps, a strike formation responsible for offensive operations against both Pakistan and China. He was posted as Director of General Staff Duties at Army Headquarters. He also commanded an infantry brigade along the Western borders and a mountain division. Besides attending the National Defence College, New Delhi, he is also a distinguished graduate of the National War College, USA. He served as an instructor in the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

LV Vaidyanathan appointed CEO of P&G India

Procter & Gamble India appointed LV Vaidyanathan, who leads the company’s business in Indonesia, as the new chief executive officer. He takes over from Madhusudan Gopalan who will move into a new role at the parent company. Vaidyanathan takes over as the CEO from July 1, 2022.

Career of LV Vaidyanathan:

Vaidyanathan completed his Bachelor of Engineering (mechanical) from the National Institute of Technology, Nagpur and has an MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad. He started his career with P&G in India in 1996 in the sales function and worked in various leadership roles. He has more than 26 years of experience across diverse geographies and cultures like India and ASEAN countries including Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. In 2018, he was elevated to the role of CEO, P&G Indonesia.

Manappuram Finance fined Rs 17.63 lakh by the RBI for failing to comply with KYC regulations

Manappuram Finance Limited was fined Rs 17.63 lakh by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for failing to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Prepaid Payment Instruments regulations (PPIs).

KEY POINTS:

Manappuram Finance Limited has been fined Rs 17,63,965 by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for failing to comply with certain provisions of the Master Direction on Issuance and Operation of Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) dated October 11, 2017 (as updated on February 28, 2020) and the Master Direction – Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction dated February 25, 2016 (as updated on April 20, 2020).
This action is based on regulatory compliance issues and is not meant to be a judgement on the validity of any transaction or agreement the organisation has with its consumers.
The entity was found to be in violation of RBI instructions on KYC and minor PPI standards. As a result, the entity was given notice to show cause why a penalty should not be applied for failing to follow the orders.

RBI found that the aforementioned accusation of non-compliance with its orders was proven and warranted imposition of monetary penalty after reviewing the entity’s answer and giving it a personal hearing.

Important Takeaways:

RBI Chairman: Shri Shaktikanta Das