Daily Current Affairs and GK | 27 and 28 June 2021

Topic: Banking System

1. BIS: India’s bank credit-to-GDP ratio grows 56% in 2020.

• According to the latest data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), India’s bank credit-to-GDP ratio rose to 56 percent in 2020.
• India’s bank credit-to-GDP ratio is still far behind emerging market peers and just half of the G20 average.
• The country's credit-to-GDP ratio has improved to 56.075 percent in 2020 from a low of 52.7 percent in 2019.
• In 2020, the total outstanding bank credit stood at USD 1.52 trillion in the country.
• In spite of government effort, credit growth plunged to a 59-year low at 5.56 percent in FY21. Bank credit growth is an indicator of economic growth.
• A higher credit-to-GDP ratio represents active participation of the banking sector in the economy.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

2. Ajit Doval participated in the 16^th Meeting of Security Council Secretaries of SCO.

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval participated in the 16th Meeting of Security Council Secretaries of Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe.
• Tajikistan, the current president of the SCO, hosted the Meeting of Security Council Secretaries on 23^rd June.
• National Security officials discussed many issues including regional issues, and arms and trafficking crime. The member countries also pledged cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
• The meeting was addressed by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon.
• India and Pakistan became permanent members of the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) in 2017.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO):
  • It was formed in 2001.
  • India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  • It is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Topic: Sports

3. Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari win gold medal in the mixed recurve team event at the Archery World Cup Stage III in Paris.

• Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari have won the gold medal in the mixed recurve team event at the Archery World Cup Stage III in Paris.
• They scored 5-3 win over the Netherlands to win India’s second gold medal of the day. The Netherlands won a silver medal.
• India also won a gold medal in the recurve women’s team event. The team comprised of Deepika Kumari, Komalika Bari and Ankita Bhakat.
• India’s Abhishek Verma earlier won a gold medal in the men’s compound event by defeating Kris Schaff of the USA.

Topic: Appointments

4. President of India authorizes Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel to act as Central Vigilance Commissioner. 

• President of India has authorized Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel to act as Central Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission.
• Suresh N Patel will act as Central Vigilance Commissioner with effect from June 24, 2021, until the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
• The post was vacant after Sanjay Kothari completed his term as Central Vigilance Commissioner. Sanjay Kothari had joined the commission in April 2020.
• Suresh N Patel was appointed Vigilance Commissioner in April 2020. Personnel Ministry has already invited applications for the posts of Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and a vigilance commissioner.
• Central Vigilance Commission:
  • It is a multi-member body, consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairman), and can have a maximum of two Vigilance Commissioners. All of them are appointed by the President.
  • Central Vigilance Commissioner heads the Central Vigilance Commission.
  • It advises various officers in central government organizations to plan, implement, review and improve their vigilance work.
  • It was established in February 1964, based on the recommendation of K.K. Santhanam.
  • In 2003, it was granted statutory status by the Parliament.

Topic: State News/ Odisha

5. Odisha: Only state to have all three species of Crocodile.

• All three species of crocodiles were found in Odisha. It is the only state to have this achievement in India.
• Crocodiles are an indispensable part of the ecosystem and it is popularly known as the guardians of the marine ecosystem.
• Crocodiles protect critical water points against terrestrial animals in the dry season, which helps in protecting the marine ecosystem.
• Gharials were introduced in the rivers of Odisha in 1975. Gharials are found in Satakosiya in Mahanadi and the muggers & saltwater crocodiles are found at Kanika National Park in Odisha.
• The three species of crocodiles found in India are:
• Mugger Crocodile:
  • It is India's most common species of crocodile.
  • Their average size is about 13–14 feet.
  • It is mainly found in freshwater.
• Gharial:
  • The gharial, also known as the gavial or the fish-eating crocodile.
  • It is mainly found in the Indian Sub-continent.
• Saltwater Crocodile:
  • It is found in the eastern states of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
  • It is the largest living reptile.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

6. Ten islands of Lakshadweep Islands might submerge in the next 30 years.

• Ten islands of the Lakshadweep archipelago might submerge in the next 30 years.
• According to a study, the extreme rise of seawater level in the last 15 years could be the main reason for the submersion of islands in the archipelago.
• According to a study, there will be 70 percent to 80 percent land loss in eight of the ten islands by 2035.
• Lakshadweep:
  • It is the smallest Union Territory of India.
  • It was formed in 1956 and was named Lakshadweep in 1973.
  • Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km.
  • It comprises of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks, and ten inhabited islands. The Lakshadweep Islands are all made up of coral reefs.
  • Capital of Lakshadweep: Kavaratti

Topic: Awards and Prizes

7. EIL CMD conferred highest civilian award of Mongolia “The Order of Polar Star”.

• CMD EIL, RK Sabharwal, has been awarded the highest civilian award of Mongolia “The Order of Polar Star”.
• He has received the award for his outstanding contribution to the establishment of oil Refinery in Mongolia.
• The award has been presented by the Ambassador of Mongolia to India.
• EIL has provided Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services for the refinery project.
• Engineers India Limited (EIL) is a government corporation under the ownership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It was set up in 1965 to provide technical services to petroleum refineries and other industrial projects
• The Order of Polar Star is the most prestigious state award of Mongolia. It is given for invaluable contribution to the prosperity of Mongolia in the fields of arts, culture, science, and humanity.

Topic: Defence

8. INS Tabar deployed for naval exercises in Africa, Europe till September.

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar has been deployed for naval exercises in Africa, Europe till September.
• The ship will cross the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, and Baltic Sea.
• INS Tabar will participate in many bilateral exercises like Ex Konkan with UK Royal Navy, Ex Varuna with French Navy, and Ex Indra with Russian Federation Navy.
• It will also participate in Russian Navy Day celebrations from July 22 to 27.
• INS Tabar:
  • It is a talwar class stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
  • It is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors.
  • It is part of Western Naval Command.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Miscellaneous

9. PM inaugurates Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at AMA, Ahmedabad.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at AMA, Ahmedabad.
• Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy is a symbol of strong ties of the India-Japan relationship.
• It is a joint endeavor of the Japan Information and Study Centre at AMA and the Indo-Japan Friendship Association (IJFA) in Gujarat. Japan's Hyogo International Association (HIA) provided support for the establishment of the academy.
• Prime Minister pointed the similarities between ‘Zen’ and Indian ‘Dhyan’ and he emphasized on inner peace along with outer progress. He also called for further spread of Kaizen and Japanese work culture in India
• Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning "change for the better" or "continuous improvement." It is being used in many departments, institutions, and schemes of the Central Government.

Topic: International News

10. Joe Biden meets Ashraf Ghani at White House.

• US President Joe Biden, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation meet at White House.
• The last troop of about 4,000 US soldiers will move out from Afghanistan in the next two weeks.
• Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered thanks to American troops for their sacrifices in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.
• US President Joe Biden made a commitment to provide support to the Afghan people through diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian assistance.
• UNSC approved the US-Taliban peace deal in 2020. As part of this deal, the US military had to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.
• United States administration has set a formal deadline for the withdrawal of the US and foreign forces from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021.

Topic: National News

11. Rajnath Singh inaugurates 63 bridges built by BRO in 8 states.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 63 bridges built by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in Eight States across the country.
• He inaugurated 11 bridges in Ladakh, Four in Jammu and Kashmir, Three in Himachal Pradesh, Six in Uttarakhand, Eight in Sikkim, 29 in Arunachal Pradesh, and one each in Nagaland and Manipur.
• Border Roads Organization (BRO) has used the latest technologies for building these bridges. These bridges can bear the load of movement of Tanks and other heavy vehicles.
• These bridges will provide connectivity to strategic locations and border villages.
• Border Roads Organisation (BRO):
  • It was formed on 7 May 1960.
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.
  • Rajeev Chaudhary is the current Director-General of BRO.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

12. Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar arrives in Greece for a two-day bilateral visit.

• Dr. S. Jaishankar has arrived in Greece for a two-day bilateral visit and met with the Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Dendias.
• Both the ministers had a fruitful conversation about various regional and global issues.
• External Affairs Minister of India shared on Twitter that Greece is the important partner in India’s broader European Union (EU) engagement.
• It is the first visit of an External minister of India to Greece in the last 18 years.
• Dr. S. Jaishankar will attend the G20 Ministerial meeting 2021 in Italy.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Sports

13. Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won a bronze medal at Kuortane Games.

• In Kuortane Games held in Finland, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won the bronze medal. He threw the javelin at a distance of 86.79 metres.
• The World no. 1, Johannes Vetter of Germany won a gold medal to throw his javelin at a distance of 93.59 meters.
• Keshorn Walcott, a former Olympic gold medalist from Trinidad and Tobago, won a silver medal with a throw of 89.12m.
• It was his third-best performance in this season. He broke his own national record during the Indian Grand Prix 3 with a throw of 88.07m.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

14. Uttar Pradesh will soon have maximum number of international airports.

• Uttar Pradesh will soon have maximum number of international airports in a state. The government has sanctioned Rs 200 crore for the Kushinagar airport.
• At present, Chaudhary Charan Singh airport at Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Varanasi are the two international airports in Uttar Pradesh.
• Kushinagar airport becomes the third international airport of Uttar Pradesh. Recently, Kushinagar airport has got approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA’s).
• The Jewar international airport in the NCR region will be ready by 2023. The international airport construction work in Ayodhya is on full swing.
• The international airport will boost the tourism sector in the state.
• Currently, Kerala has the largest number of international airports (4 international airports).
• Kushinagar: It is one of the sacred places of Buddhism. Buddha had attained Mahaparinirvana (salvation) in 483 BC at Kushinagar.