Daily Current Affairs and GK | 11 November 2021

Topic: Sports

1. Rohit Sharma has been named the official T20I captain.

• Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the T20 captain after the retirement of Virat Kohli from a captaincy of the shortest format.
• K.L. Rahul has been assigned as the vice-captain of the T20.
• Rohit Sharma will be the captain of India in the three-match T20 international series against New Zealand, which will start on November 17 in Jaipur.
• Chetan Sharma headed the senior selection committee and selected the 16-member squad for the New Zealand series.
• Recently appointed new head coach, Rahul Dravid, will join with the new skipper of T20.
• Sharma has made his international debut in June 2007 and is currently the senior-most player of the Indian cricket team.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Banking System

2. RBI is going to organize Smart Payments Hackathon.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will organize its first global hackathon 'HARBINGER 2021- Innovation for Transformation'.
• The hackathon will be started with the theme ‘Smarter Digital Payments’.
• The central bank said in a statement that registration for the hackathon will begin on November 15.
• The hackathon will invite participants to identify and develop solutions that include making digital payments accessible to underserved people, enhancing the ease and user experience of payments, strengthening the security of digital payments, and promoting customer safety.
• Hackathon participants will get the opportunity to be mentored by industry experts, showcase their innovative solutions to an eminent jury, and win prizes in each category.
• A prize of Rs 40 lakh will be given to the winner and Rs 20 lakh to the runner-up.

Topic: Indian Economy

3. Government has notified revised mineral concession rules to ease pricing pressure.

• The Central Government has notified the revised Mineral Concession Rules, which will pave the way for the sale of 50 percent of the mineral produced from captive mines, transfer of mines with no duty, and partial surrender of the lease.
• Earlier this year, the Government has made several amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Amendment) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
• The aim of the change in amendment increasing employment and investment in the mining sector, increase revenue to the states, increasing production and timely operation of mines, among other objectives.
• The Ministry of Mines has notified the "Minerals (other than Atomic and Hydrocarbon Energy Minerals) Concession (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2021” to amend the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydrocarbon Energy Minerals) Concession Rules, 2016 (MCR, 2016).
• The new rules have been formulated after extensive consultations with state governments, industry associations, miners, other stakeholders, and the general public.

Topic: Important Days

4. World Science Day for Peace and Development: 10 November

• World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated annually on 10 November.
• The aim of this day is to highlight the important role of science in society and the urgent need to engage the public in debates on scientific issues.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this day in 2001 but the day was first celebrated in 2002.
• World Science Day 2021 for Peace and Development is the 20^th edition. It highlights the effect of climate on the billions of people and the planet.
• The theme of the World Science Day for Peace and Development 2021 is “Building Climate-Ready Communities”.

Topic: International News

5. United States joined International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a member country.

• The US becomes the 101st country to sign the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry made this announcement at COP26 in Glasgow.
• It will further strengthen the ISA and help in providing clean source of energy to the world.
• The framework of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was circulated for the support of countries in 2016.
• Denmark become the first country to ratify International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement (ISA FA) after amendments came into force.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has amended the framework agreement to enable any UN member countries to join the group.
• Recently, ‘Green Grids Initiative: One Sun One World One Grid’ has been launched during the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 in Glasgow.

Topic: National News

6. Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated 40^th edition of IITF.

• Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the 40th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF).
• The trade fair is focused on theme of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It aims to promote investment and self-reliance in diverse sectors.
• It will also highlight the performance of Indian entrepreneurs who have shown exemplary commitment despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• IITF is a platform to showcase Indian products under the Vocal for Local campaign and infuse vigour in the Indian economy.
• Bihar is the Partner State of the 40th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF). Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand are the Focus States of this edition.
• Jute Manufactures Development Council, Small and Medium Enterprises, Coir Board will display the achievements of traditional sectors to promote local products.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. The restoration and continuation of Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) approved by Union Cabinet.

• The restoration and continuation of Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) has been approved by Union Cabinet.
• The scheme was discontinued in view of COVID-19 pandemic. Now, its restoration and continuation during the remaining part of Financial Year 2021-22 and up to Financial Year 2025-26 has been approved.
• The funds will be released at the rate of two crore rupees per MP for remaining period of Financial Year 2021-22 in one installment.
• The funds will be released at the rate of five crore rupees per annum per MP during the next Financial Year to Financial Year 2025-26 in two installments of 2.5 crore rupees each.
• Cabinet has also approved declaration of 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. 15th November is the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

8. National Achievement Survey (NAS) to be conducted across the country on 12th November, 2021.

• National Achievement Survey (NAS) will be conducted across the country on 12th November, 2021.
• NAS will help in assessing learning interruptions and new learnings during the COVID pandemic. It will also help in taking remedial measures.
• NAS 2021 will cover Government Schools including Central Government and State Government, Government Aided Schools and Private schools across the country. 
• NCERT has done instrument development, testing, finalization of the test items, sampling of the schools etc.
• Actual administration of the test in the sampled schools will be done by CBSE in collaboration with the respective states/UTs. The Test would be conducted in 22 mediums of instruction.
• The expectation is that nearly 1.23 lakh schools and 38 lakh students in 733 districts across 36 States and UTs will be covered in the NAS 2021.
• The last National Achievement Survey (NAS) was conducted on 13th November, 2017 for assessing competencies developed by children at the grade levels III, V and VIII.
• Union Government is implementing a rolling programme of sample based National Achievement Survey (NAS).
• The programme is aimed at classes III, V, VIII and X. It has a cycle period of three years.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Sports

9. India wins five medals in U23 World Wrestling Championships 2021.

• Indian wrestlers won five medals at the U23 World Wrestling Championships 2021 in Belgrade.
• Shivani Pawar won silver in 50kg while Anju, Divya Kakran, Radhika and Nisha Dahiya picked up bronze medals in the 55kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg weight category respectively.
• Russia wins the Freestyle team title with 145 points while Iran ended at second spot with 140 points.
• Armenia ended at the third position in the U23 World Wrestling Championships with 114 points.
• India has won the highest number of medals in the tournament since 2017.

Topics: National News

10. Cabinet approves price support to Cotton Corporation of India.

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved 17,408 crore rupees to the Cotton Corporation of India for the cotton seasons from 2014-2015 to 2020-2021.
• The CCEA also approved reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging for the Jute Year 2021 – 2022.
• Reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging will protect the interest of domestic production of raw jute and jute packaging material in India.
• The provision of the Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act will provide relief to 3.7 lakh workers employed in jute mills.
• The CCI procured around one- third of the cotton production in the country and transferred ₹55,000 crores directly to the bank accounts of around 40 lakh farmers.
• Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol programme, Cabinet has also approved the mechanism for procurement of ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies.
• The decision will help in price stability and remunerative prices for ethanol suppliers.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Days

11. National Legal Services Day: 9 November

• National Legal Services Day is observed every year on 9 November. It is observed to commemorate the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
• It is observed to create awareness about the provision of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
• The Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted in 1987 to provide a “statutory base to legal aid programmes” in India.
• On 5 December 1995, India's National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was formed under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
• National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) provides free legal aid and advice to the needy through mediation and amicable settlement.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

12. President Ram Nath Kovind presided over 51st Conference of Governors and LGs.

• President Ram Nath Kovind presided over 51st Conference of Governors and Lieutenant Governors.
• The Conference started at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 11 November 2021. PM Modi attended the conference.
• This is the fourth Conference being presided over by President Kovind.
• Apart from Governors and Lt. Governors of all States and Union Territories, Vice President and Union Minister of Home Affairs also attended the Conference.
• In the inaugural address, President Ram Nath Kovind said, India carried out a comprehensive and effective campaign against Covid-19.
• He said India is helping other countries under the Vaccine Matri initiative.
• The conference has been organized after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.       

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

13. E-Amrit Portal launched by India at the ongoing COP26 Summit in Glasgow, UK.

• E-Amrit Portal has been launched by India at the ongoing COP26 Summit in Glasgow, UK.
• E-Amrit Portal is a web portal on electric vehicles (EVs). It is a one-stop destination for all information on electric vehicles.
• NITI Aayog has developed and hosted E-Amrit Portal under a collaborative knowledge exchange programme with the UK government and as part of the UK–India Joint Roadmap 2030.
• The purpose of E-Amrit Portal is to complement initiatives of the government on raising awareness on EVs. It also aims at sensitizing consumers on the benefits of switching to electric vehicles.
• India celebrated Transport Day at COP26. Transport has been selected as a priority theme by UK COP26 Presidency.
• UK COP26 Presidency has designated 10 November as the dedicated transport thematic day.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

14. US and India organize 11th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Group meeting virtually.

• US and India have organized 11th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Group meeting virtually.
• India’s Secretary of Defence Production Department Raj Kumar and U.S.’s Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment Gregory Kausner co-chaired the meeting.
• They agreed on a revised Statement of Intent to strengthen dialogue on defence technology cooperation.
• The last DTTI Group meeting was held in September 2020. DTTI Group aims to bring leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship between India and US.
• It also aims at creating opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment.

(Source: News on AIR)