Daily Current Affairs 27 September 2021 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi launches Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, saying it had the potential to bring “revolutionary changes in our health facilities”.The mission is currently being implemented in the pilot phase in six Union Territories.
- The key components of the mission include a health ID for every citizen that will also be used as their health account. Personal health records can be linked to this account and viewed with the help of a mobile application.
- The nationwide rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission coincides with the National Health Authority celebrating the third anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
SAUBHAGYA completes FOUR years of successful implementation
The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana -“Saubhagya Scheme” has completed four years of successful implementation, on 25 September 2021.
- The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25th of September, 2017 with an outlay of Rs. 16,320 crore.
ZSI signs MoU with Natural History Museum London
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has signed an MoU with the Natural History Museum (NHM) London to work together to collect, study and conserve faunal specimens for science and to create and exchange associated data and images.The MoU will be for five years.
- Through this MoU both the institutions are committed to implementing the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Fauna (CITES), the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and relevant national and regional laws and regulations concerning biodiversity including laws relating to access to faunal specimens, associated benefit sharing and traditional knowledge.
GoM constituted to suggest ways for GST rate rationalisation, eliminate inverted duty structure
After four years of implementation, the Centre and States have initiated an exercise to rework the rates slab under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), with the formation of a Group of Ministers (GoM).
- The GoM will be led by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj S Bommai tasked to propose rationalisation of tax rates and considering the merger of different tax slabs within two months.
- One more GoM has been set up under the convenorship of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, to suggest ways for GST System Reforms.
India Army organises ‘Bijoya Sanskritik Mahotsav’ in Kolkata
Indian Army will organise ‘Bijoya Sanskritik Mahotsav’ from September 26 to 29 in Kolkata to mark 50 years of Bangladesh’s liberation following India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.
- The event titled “Bijoya Sanskritik Mahotsav” aimed at showcasing the cultural linkages between India and Bangladesh during the war is being organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.
Ministry of Civil Aviation releases India’s airspace map for drone operations
Ministry of Civil Aviation has released an interactive digital airspace map for flying drone. The map demarcates green, yellow and red zones across the country for the purpose of drones operations.
- The digital map is available on the digital sky platform of Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It comes as a follow-through of the recently liberalised Drone Policy, the PLI scheme for drones and the geospatial data guidelines.
- Green zone consists of the airspace up to 400 feet that has not been designated as a red or yellow zone; and up to 200 feet above the area located between 8-12 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport. No permission is required for operating drones with an all-up weight upto500 kg in such areas.
- Yellow zone is the airspace above 400 feet in a designated green zone. Those above 200 feet in the area located between 8-12 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport and above ground in the area located between 5-8 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport would be considered as yellow zones.
- Red zone have been designated as no-drone areas, where drones can be operated only after permission from the central government.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
WHO revises air quality guidelines for the first time in more than 15 years
The World Health Organization (WHO) updated its air quality guidelines for the first time in 15 years.
- The new guidelines which have been derived from strong scientific evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health recommends new air quality levels based on reducing concentrations of key air pollutants.
- According to the new guidelines, the annual particulate matter 2.5 microns in thickness (PM2.5) has now been updated to 5mg/m3 compared to 10 mg/m3 in 2005. Similarly, annual mean for PM10 is updated to 20 mg/m3 to 15 mg/m3 and NO2 to 10 mg/m3 from 40 mg/m3.
- According to Greenpeace India’s report, out of 287 cities, more than 80 percent (231) cities or towns have PM 10 levels exceeding the 60 mg/m 3 limits for PM10 prescribed under National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by CPCB in 2018.
BANKING & FINANCE
HPCL partners with ICICI Bank for fuel payments
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is partnering with ICICI Bank, which will allow customers to use their ICICI Bank FASTag to pay for fuel and lubricants at HPCL retail outlets.
- ICICI Bank FASTag commercial vehicle users will have a fully digitized and contactless experience and will enjoy the convenience of having ONE tag for fuel, toll & parking payments.
- HPCL is the first oil marketing company to enable FASTag for fuel purchases by retail as well as commercial customers at its 19,000 outlets pan-India. With this, cashless transactions are expected to get a further boost.
RBI issues master circular on transfer of NPAs, securitisation of standard assets
The RBI has effected major changes to the norms governing the transfer of bad loans and standard assets by lenders to bring in transparency in the process and to improve liquidity in the system, besides corporate governance.
- It has made it mandatory for lenders to put in place a comprehensive board-approved policy for transfer and acquisition of loan exposures under these guidelines.
- As per the Master Circular, loan transfers should result in transfer of economic interest without being accompanied by any change in underlying terms and conditions of the loan contract usually.
- These guidelines must lay down the minimum quantitative and qualitative standards relating to due diligence, valuation, requisite IT systems for capture, storage and management of data, risk management and periodic board-level oversight.
- As per the new rules a transferor cannot re-acquire a loan exposure, either fully or partially, that had been transferred by the entity previously, except as a part of a resolution plan under the Reserve Bank of India (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2019.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Kerala CM launches Startup Mission’s Digital Hub in Kochi
Kerala Chief Minister inaugurated a new ‘Digital Hub’ at Technology Innovation Zone in Kochi by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
- The hub is envisaged to be a destination for designing and prototyping. The 4 lakh sq. ft. campus including the already functioning Integrated Startup Complex can support 365 start-ups, the state’s CM Pinarayi Vijayan claimed.
- With this, the Technology Innovation Zone has become “one of the largest Startup spaces in South Asia,” Vijayan said.
SPORTS
Lewis Hamilton wins 2021 Russian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has won the F1 Russian Grand Prix 2021. This is his 100th Grand Prix win. It was Hamilton’s fifth win of the season and his first since the British Grand Prix in July.
- Max Verstappen came second while Carlos Sainz Jr. came third in the Russian Grand Prix 2021.
Rohit Sharma becomes first cricketer in IPL history to score 1,000 runs against 1 team
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma became the first batter to score 1000 runs against one team in the IPL when he crossed 18 in the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. He reached the landmark with a boundary to fine leg off Varun Chakravarthy.
- Rohit now has 1015 runs against KKR at an average of 46.13 and strike rate of 132.16, including six fifties and one hundred. He was caught for 33 off Sunil Narine.
- David Warner, with 943 runs against Punjab Kings, is second on the list.
APPOINTMENTS
CAG Murmu becomes external auditor of International Atomic Energy Agency
India’s Comptroller and Auditor General G C Murmu was selected as the external auditor of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a prestigious institution that promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy.
- Murmu assumed office as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on August 8 last year. Before assuming the charge, he served as the first Lt Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Murmu also served in various capacities in the Government of India, such as secretary of the department of expenditure, special and additional secretary in the department of financial services and department of revenue.
Mastercard names world chess champion Magnus Carlsen global brand ambassador
Mastercard names world chess champion Magnus Carlsen global brand ambassador and announces partnership with Meltwater Champions Chess Tour as part of its Priceless Experiences launch for chess enthusiasts.
- Carlsen is a natural fit to join the company’s all-star lineup of ambassadors, which includes Lionel Messi, Naomi Osaka, Crystal Dunn and Dan Carter.
AWARDS
Naga Cucumber from Nagaland gets GI tag
Nagaland’s “sweet cucumber” was awarded a geographical identification (GI) tag as an agricultural product under provisions of The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- Naga cucumber is recognised for its sweetness and unique green colour. It is rich in potassium and has low calories.
- The cucumber is not the first product from the small state to receive a vaunted GI tag. Both the regional variants of tree tomato (tamarillo) and the famed Naga king chilli are also GI tagged.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India signs pact for joint development of small satellite for Bhutan
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed Implementing Arrangement (IA) to jointly develop a small satellite for Bhutan.
- Following the agreement, the DITT and ISRO will develop a joint satellite to be launched sometime towards the end of this year.
- This is in line with the MoU signed on November 19 last year between the two countries on Collaboration in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Environmental Health Day
Since 2011, September 26 is observed annually as World Environmental Health Day across the globe.
- The day is important in the current situation as most parts of the world continue to recover from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation.
- The theme for this year is ‘Prioritising Environmental Health for healthier communities in the global recovery’
World Rivers Day
Every year on the fourth Sunday of September, World River Day is observed to raise awareness regarding water bodies and to promote their conservation. This year, it falls on September 26.
- This year’s theme is ‘waterways in our communities,’ with a specific emphasis on the need to conserve and repair urban waterways, which are frequently under stress.
World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27.
- The day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its effect on social, cultural, political and economic values globally.
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is observed on September 26. The aim of this day is to address one of humanity’s most difficult challenges: peace.
- The day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a priority.