Dec 8 To 15 2020 RBI GR B SEBI GR A NABARD GR A 2 1 Lyst7931

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IN / 8146207241
Contents
1. GA in news ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
National News....................................................................................................................................................... 8
1.1 6th edition of India International Science Festival to be held virtually ...................................................... 8
1.2 Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Koilwar Bridge over Sone river in Bihar.................................................... 8
1.3 Association of Buddhist Tour Operators International Convention inaugurated ...................................... 8
1.4 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses International Bharathi Festival 2020 ............................... 8
1.5 5th India - Myanmar bilateral meeting on Drug Control Cooperation ...................................................... 8
1.6 Gwalior & Orchha in MP included in UNESCOs world heritage cities list .................................................. 8
1.7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses IMC 2020 ............................................................................... 8
1.8 Indian Embassy launches Bollywood 'cinemaSCOpe' series for SCO diplomats ........................................ 9
1.9 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2021......................................................................................... 9
1.10 Lok Sabha Speaker releases book on 19th anniversary of Parliament attack ........................................... 9
1.11 UK PM Boris Johnson accepts India’s invitation for Republic Day Celebrations. ....................................... 9
1.12 International Corona virus Short Film Festival held in New Delhi. ........................................................... 9
1.13 Cattle, Buffalo meat residue found in Indus Valley vessels. ..................................................................... 9
1.14 India’s first mRNA vaccine candidate HGCO19 received approval from India’s Drug Regulator. ............. 10
1.15 IMS and NESAC organized a four-day virtual Symposium on Tropical Meteorology (TROPMET-2020). .. 10
International News ............................................................................................................................................. 10
1.16 Air force exercise "Shaheen (Eagle)-IX" begins ...................................................................................... 10
1.17 General Lloyd Austin selected for the post of Secretary of Defence in Joe Biden’s government. ........... 10
1.18 Akufo-Addo wins second term as the president of Ghana. .................................................................... 10
Appointments ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
1.19 Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah re-appointed as PM of State of Kuwait ............................. 10
1.20 HDFC Bank appoints Sanmoy Chakrabarti as Chief Risk Officer ............................................................. 11
1.21 Vivek Murthy appointed as Surgeon General in Joe Biden's team ......................................................... 11
1.22 Uday Kotak reappointed as chief of Kotak Mahindra Bank. ................................................................... 11
1.23 RBI appointed three of its senior officials as executive directors. .......................................................... 11
Persons in News .................................................................................................................................................. 11
1.24 British actress Barbara Windsor passes away ........................................................................................ 11
1.25 Padma Shri awardee Bannanje Govindacharya passes away ................................................................. 11
1.26 Uday Shankar takes over as FICCI President .......................................................................................... 11
1.27 Justice Rajesh Bindal to perform duties of office of Chief Justice of Common High Court for UT of J&K
and Ladakh ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.28 Noted environmentalist S. Sitaraman passes away ............................................................................... 12
1.29 Former international athlete B. Earnest Das passes away ..................................................................... 12
1.30 Sahitya Akademi Award winning poet Manglesh Dabral passes away ................................................... 12
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1.31 Veteran Hindi writer Madhukar Gangadhar passes away ...................................................................... 12
1.32 Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini passes away ........................................................................ 12
1.33 British author John le Carre passes away .............................................................................................. 12
1.34 Indian Navy’s Vice Admiral Srikant passed away. .................................................................................. 12
1.35 Roddam Narasimha, an aerospace scientist passed away. .................................................................... 12
1.36 Agriculture expert Heli passed away ..................................................................................................... 12
1.37 India Contemporary Dancer, Astad Deboo passed way ......................................................................... 12
Science and Technology ...................................................................................................................................... 13
1.38 Israel launches "Beresheet 2" moon landing project ............................................................................. 13
1.39 China successfully launched two satellites under GECAM mission for gravitational wave detection. ..... 13
Days in News ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
1.40 Indian Army celebrates 260th Corps Day .............................................................................................. 13
1.41 International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the
Prevention of this Crime .................................................................................................................................. 13
1.42 Human Rights Day ................................................................................................................................ 13
1.43 International Anti-Corruption Day. ....................................................................................................... 13
1.44 International Mountain Day. ................................................................................................................ 13
Defence in News ................................................................................................................................................. 14
1.45 Webinar between India and Brazil on Defence Industry Global Outreach for Collaborative Partnership 14
1.46 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus ........................................................................................ 14
1.47 Joint Venture Protective Carbine undergoes successful user Trials........................................................ 14
1.48 Himgiri, the first of three Project 17A ships launched. .......................................................................... 14
Awards ................................................................................................................................................................ 14
1.49 Dr. Carolina Araujo wins Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians 2020 .......................................... 14
1.50 IOCL won Swachta Pakhwada Award while HPCL felicitated with Swachta Hi Sewa Award. ................... 15
1.51 India Sports Awards 2020 presented by FICCI ....................................................................................... 15
1.52 UNESCO set to launch an international prize in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman..... 15
2 GA + ESI in news........................................................................................................................................... 16
2.1 Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Suriname on Cooperation in the
field of Health and Medicine ............................................................................................................................ 16
2.2 Cabinet approves Universal Service Obligation Fund Scheme for providing Mobile Coverage in Arunachal
Pradesh and two Districts of Assam under the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for North Eastern
Region 16
2.3 9 States have successfully completed One Nation One Ration Card Reform .......................................... 17
2.4 MoRTH signs MoU with Austria on Technology Cooperation in Road Infrastructure Sector ................... 17
2.5 NITI Aayog and SAP Labs India collaborate to foster digital literacy and accelerate the India startup
ecosystem ....................................................................................................................................................... 17

2.6 Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS decides to work together to set up a Department of Integrative Medicine
18
2.7 Union Health Minister addresses World Bank Inter Ministerial Meet on Vaccinating South Asia ........... 19
2.8 6th India International Science Festival 2020 ........................................................................................ 19
2.9 Union Jal Shakti Minister inaugurates 5th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) with focus on Arth Ganga-
River conservation synchronized development ................................................................................................ 20
2.10 CCPA asks FSSAI to probe honey adulteration issue .............................................................................. 20
2.11 Union Minister of Education virtually addresses the 26th National Annual Conference of Sahodaya
School Complexes ............................................................................................................................................ 21
2.12 MOHUA launches Socio-Economic Profiling of PM SVANidhi................................................................. 21
2.13 2927 Court complexes across country have been connected by a high-speed Wide Area Network (WAN)
as against target of 2992 under e-Courts Project .............................................................................................. 22
2.14 Indian Railways Launches Hospital Management Information System Trial Project ............................... 22
2.15 Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production and Use-Based Index for the Month of October, 2020
(Base 2011-12=100) ......................................................................................................................................... 22
2.16 India and Qatar Agrees to Set Up a Task Force on Energy ..................................................................... 23
2.17 Climate Ambition Summit..................................................................................................................... 23
2.18 FICCI’s Annual Convention & 93rd AGM................................................................................................ 24
2.19 Handicraft and GI Toys exempted from Quality Control Order .............................................................. 24
2.20 27 States avail benefits of the “Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure” ......... 24
2.21 Consumer Price Index Numbers on base 2012=100 for Rural, Urban and combined for the Month of
November 2020 ............................................................................................................................................... 25
2.22 NITI Aayog releases ‘Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India’ ................................................... 26
2.23 Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the month of November, 2020 ..................................... 28
2.24 “eSanjeevani” telemedicine service records 1 million tele-consultations .............................................. 28
2.25 Tourism Minister virtually attends the 5th meeting of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism
Promotion Board ............................................................................................................................................. 29
2.26 Amma Mini Clinics to treat poor ........................................................................................................... 30
2.27 Centre approves health data management policy of NDHM ................................................................. 30
2.28 MSME Ministry thanks the consumers as MSMEs celebrated not just Diwali but also Atmnirbharata ... 31
2.29 QCI Launches Recognition Scheme for Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies .................................................. 32
2.30 Postal Department confers Meghdoot awards to Postal Employees for their achievements in 2019-20 32
2.31 Finance Minister chairs 23rd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council .................... 33
2.32 Kamdhenu Chair will be established in Universities and Colleges .......................................................... 33
2.33 2nd Conference on ‘Good Practices in Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS)/
Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) .................................................................................................... 34
2.34 Mastercard, CII come together to help over 3 lakh MSMEs digitise their businesses ............................. 34
2.35 Praja report: No state has devolved all 18 municipal functions to urban local bodies ............................ 34
2.36 WHO Foundation appoints Indian-origin health expert Anil Soni as 1st CEO.......................................... 35

2.37 National Centre for Divyang Empowerment becomes operational in Hyderabad .................................. 35
2.38 9thedition of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit begins in Dehradun ..................................... 36
2.39 Maharashtra unveils Uniform Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR).................... 36
2.40 WHO joins hands with IFRC to strengthen delivery of emergency medical supplies............................... 36
2.41 Cabinet approves Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY) ................................................................. 36
2.42 MP will turn warriors against malnutrition............................................................................................ 37
2.43 Maharashtra clears Bill proposing death penalty for rape ..................................................................... 38
2.44 India-Portugal Tech Summit identifies possibilities of India & Portugal jointly scaling up solutions to
address societal challenges .............................................................................................................................. 38
2.45 Universal Healthcare Coverage Day celebrated on 12th December 2020. ............................................. 39
2.46 ₹15,000 financial assistance a year for each student under Amma Vodi scheme ................................... 39
2.47 Hunger continued even after lockdown ................................................................................................ 39
2.48 Crisil narrows FY21 GDP shrinkage estimate to 7.7% ............................................................................. 40
2.49 India slips to 54th rank in home price appreciation: Real estate group.................................................. 40
2.50 FM Nirmala releases the ‘Smuggling in India Report 2019-20’ ............................................................... 41
2.51 Nomura says India would be fastest growing Asian economy in 2021 ................................................... 42
2.52 Swiggy partners govt to build 'world's largest' street food vendor project ............................................ 42
2.53 Subscribers to get 8.5% EPF savings interest at one go on 'market boost' ............................................. 43
2.54 ADB cuts India's FY21 contraction forecast to 8%.................................................................................. 43
2.55 NREGA National Tracker December 2020 ............................................................................................. 43
2.56 Mood of the Consumer Survey ............................................................................................................. 44
2.57 Indian Software as a Solution (SaaS) Companies to reach $18-20 billion revenue by 2022 .................... 44
2.58 PayPal partners with Razorpay to help small businesses go global ........................................................ 45
2.59 World Food Price index jumps in November to almost six-year high : Food and Agricultural Organization
(FAO) 45
2.60 Covid-19 could push 72 million children into ‘learning poverty’: World Bank ........................................ 46
2.61 2021 to see 40% increase in people needing Humanitarian Aid due to Covid-19: Global Humanitarian
Overview 2021................................................................................................................................................. 46
2.62 Health Insurance Policies would now cover robotic and bariatric surgeries: IRDAI revised norms ......... 47
2.63 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) seeks $6.4 billion emergency funds ...................................... 47
2.64 MGNREGS workers spend money to collect wages: Length of the Last Mile Report .............................. 48
2.65 36th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Charter Day observed ....................... 48
2.66 Fitch revises India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast ................................................................. 49
2.67 Union Minister of Commerce and Industry addresses ICAI Startup Manthan Week 2.0 ......................... 49
2.68 EXIM Bank and SIDBI to set up investment fund to provide loan support to SME’s ............................... 50
2.69 TiE Global Summit (TGS 2020) organized in Hyderabad......................................................................... 50
2.70 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare addresses the Inter Ministerial Conference by Partners in
Population and Development (PPD) ................................................................................................................. 51

2.71 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) releases the Emissions Gap Report 2020 .................. 52
2.72 Employees State Insurance Corporation announces major policy initiatives for better medical services to
workers ........................................................................................................................................................... 53
2.73 LVPEI awarded ‘The Greenberg Prize – End Blindness 2020’ ................................................................. 53
2.74 UAE-India Food Security Summit 2020 .................................................................................................. 53
2.75 NBCFDC & NSFDC signed Memorandum of Agreements (MoA) with Punjab National Bank .................. 54
2.76 United Nations declares International Day of Epidemic Preparedness .................................................. 55
2.77 NITI Aayog and Patna High Court initiate a drive for technology use to advance access to Justice through
Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) ..................................................................................................................... 55
2.78 World Health Organization applauds India for Fitness Ka Dose Aadha Ghanta Roz campaign ................ 56
2.79 Union Finance Minister appreciates efforts in higher procurement and payments to MSMEs upto
November 2020 ............................................................................................................................................... 56
2.80 HelpAge India awarded with UN Population Award 2020 ...................................................................... 57
2.81 Maharashtra Government, XED Institute to launch accelerator programme for entrepreneurs............. 58
2.82 Andhra Pradesh Government launches Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi Scheme ............................................. 58
2.83 Cabinet approves public Wifi networks without any fee and telecom development schemes for North
East and Lakshadweep ..................................................................................................................................... 58
2.84 India Qatar to set up Energy Task Force ................................................................................................ 59
2.85 World Health Organization releases 2019 Global Health Estimates ....................................................... 59
3 Finance News............................................................................................................................................... 60
3.1 RBI lists eligibility criteria for NBFCs to declare dividend ....................................................................... 60
3.2 Cabinet approves the proposal of SEBI to sign Bilateral MoU between India and Luxembourg .............. 61
3.3 6th Instalment of Rs.6,000 crore released to the States to meet the GST shortfall ................................ 61
3.4 RTGS money transfer facility to be operational 24X7 ............................................................................ 62
3.5 India and UN-Based Better Than Cash Alliance organized a joint Peer learning exchange on fintech
solutions .......................................................................................................................................................... 62
3.6 India Post Payments Bank launches its digital payments' services 'DakPay' ........................................... 63
3.7 GSTN launches taxpayer communication facility on portal .................................................................... 63
3.8 7th Instalment of Rs.6,000 crore released to the States as back to back loan to meet the GST shortfall 64
3.9 AIFs can leverage without limits in IFSC ................................................................................................ 64
3.10 IFSCA notifies International Financial Services Centres Authority (Bullion Exchange) Regulations, 2020 65
3.11 SEBI bars entities from securities market for unauthorized investment advisory activities .................... 65
3.12 RBI eases norm for entities availing TLTRO funds to get guarantee ....................................................... 66
3.13 FM reviews progress of various schemes under 3 Aatmanirbhar Bharat packages ................................ 66
3.14 Burger King India makes remarkable market debut; shares jump over 92% .......................................... 68
3.15 RBI exempts certain accounts from its current account norm ............................................................... 68
3.16 Sovereign fund flow: India replaces China as most sought-after destination ......................................... 69
3.17 Centre considers easing RBI's inflation target to help growth................................................................ 70

3.18 NSE to launch derivatives contracts on Nifty Financial Services index ................................................... 70
3.19 Bombay Stock Exchange launches e-agricultural spot market platform ................................................. 71
3.20 SEBI to have department to check price manipulation, misuse of IPO funds ......................................... 71
3.21 SEBI defers T+1 settlement plan after opposition from foreign investors .............................................. 71
3.22 SEBI tweaks eligibility norms of companies relisting after CIRP process ................................................ 72
3.23 BSE, NSE, MCX gear up for India's first bullion exchange at Gift City...................................................... 72

1. GA in news
National News
1.1 6th edition of India International Science Festival to be held virtually
 IISF is a science festival celebrated to promote Science and Technology and demonstrate how
science could lead India towards a developed and self reliant nation.
 Theme of IISF 2020- Science for Self-reliant India and Global Welfare.
1.2 Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Koilwar Bridge over Sone river in Bihar
 Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has
inaugurated the 3-lane 1.5 km long Koilwar bridge over Sone river in Bihar.
 The bridge will connect the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
1.3 Association of Buddhist Tour Operators International Convention inaugurated

 Recently, the Union Minister of State (IC) for Tourism & Culture Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has
inaugurated the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) International Convention.
 Event has been held in partnership with Ministry of Tourism in Bodhgaya, Bihar.
1.4 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses International Bharathi Festival 2020
 The festival has been organised by Vanavil Cultural Centre to celebrate the 138th birth
anniversary of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi.
 On the occasion, Shri Seeni Viswanathan has been conferred the Bharathi Award.
1.5 5th India - Myanmar bilateral meeting on Drug Control Cooperation

 Recently, the 5th India- Myanmar Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation has been
held virtually between the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India and the Central Committee
on Drug Abuse Control, Myanmar.
 Additional Information- The 6th India-Myanmar Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control
Cooperation will held in India in 2021.
About Myanmar-
 Capital- Naypyidaw
 Currency- Myanmar kyat
1.6 Gwalior & Orchha in MP included in UNESCOs world heritage cities list
 Recently, the historical fort cities of Gwalior and Orchha in Madhya Pradesh have been
included in the list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCOs) world heritage cities under its urban landscape city programme.
 UNSECO is an agency of the United Nations which aims to promote world peace and security
through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
1.7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses IMC 2020

 Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and the Cellular Operators
Association of India (COAI) have jointly organized the virtual India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2020.

 Aim- To drive foreign and local investments, encourage R&D in the telecom and emerging
technology sector.
 Theme- Inclusive Innovation - Smart, Secure, Sustainable
1.8 Indian Embassy launches Bollywood 'cinemaSCOpe' series for SCO diplomats
 Recently, Indian Embassy has launched the Bollywood 'cinemaSCOpe' series for Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) diplomats in Beijing, China.
 Under this series, Indian movies will be screened on a monthly basis till India's chairmanship
of the eight-member SCO 'Council of Heads of State' meeting in 2023.
1.9 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2021

 The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2021 will be inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on January 9, 2021.
 Theme of Convention- Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-
 It is celebrated on 09th January to celebrate the contribution of the overseas Indian community
into the development of India.
1.10 Lok Sabha Speaker releases book on 19th anniversary of Parliament attack
 Recently, the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has released the books with title “The Shaurya
Unbound” and “Samundar Samawe Boond Mein”.
 Occasion - 19th anniversary of the Indian Parliament attack which took place on 13th
December 2001.
1.11 UK PM Boris Johnson accepts India’s invitation for Republic Day Celebrations.
 Recently, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson accepted India’s invitation to become a chief
guest at Republic Day’s Celebrations.
 With this he will become the second Prime Minister of UK to attend this event after John Major
in 1993.
1.12 International Corona virus Short Film Festival held in New Delhi.
 Recently, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressed
International Corona Virus Short Film Festival at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi.
 The short films were based on cure, safety measures and lives during Covid-19 pandemic.
1.13 Cattle, Buffalo meat residue found in Indus Valley vessels.

 Recently, a study analyzing the lipid residue in pottery found the presence of animal
products including cattle and buffalo meat in ceramic vessels at seven Indus sites including
Rakhigarhi, Farmana and Masudpur.
 This study was published in the ‘Journal of Archaeological Science’.
 About 50-60% of domestic animal bones found at Indus Valley sites come from cattle/buffalo.
The high proportions of cattle bones may suggest a cultural preference for beef consumption
across Indus populations.

1.14 India’s first mRNA vaccine candidate HGCO19 received approval from India’s Drug Regulator.
 Recently, India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate HGCO19 has received approval
from Indian Drug regulators to initiate Phase I/II human clinical trial.
 HGCO19 is developed by Gennova, Pune and HDT Biotech Corporation, USA. It is supported
with seed grant under the Ind-CEPI mission.
1.15 IMS and NESAC organized a four-day virtual Symposium on Tropical Meteorology (TROPMET-
2020).
 Recently, Indian Meteorological Society (IMS) in collaboration with North Eastern Space
Applications Centre (NESAC) organized a four-day Virtual Symposium on Tropical
Meteorology (TROPMET-2020) at NESAC, Shillong.
 Theme: ‘Weather and Climate Services over Mountainous regions’.
International News
1.16 Air force exercise "Shaheen (Eagle)-IX" begins
 Recently, the air forces of Pakistan and China have commenced the ninth edition of joint air
exercise "Shaheen (Eagle)-IX" in Sindh province of Pakistan.
 Aim- To improve the actual level of combat training and strengthen practical cooperation
between the two air forces.
1.17 General Lloyd Austin selected for the post of Secretary of Defence in Joe Biden’s government.
 Recently, US President Joe Biden nominated retired General Lloyd Austin as the Secretary of
Defence for his government.
 He became the first black person to take up this role.
 Under Trump’s administration, Chris Miller and Mark Esper held this post.
1.18 Akufo-Addo wins second term as the president of Ghana.

 Recently, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won the election again and
secured his second term.
About Ghana
 Capital: Accra
 Currency: Ghanaian Cedi
Appointments
1.19 Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah re-appointed as PM of State of Kuwait
 Recently, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has been re-appointed as the Prime
Minister of the State of Kuwait.
About Kuwait-
 Capital- Kuwait City
 Currency- Kuwaiti dinar
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1.20 HDFC Bank appoints Sanmoy Chakrabarti as Chief Risk Officer
 HDFC Bank has named Sanmoy Chakrabarti as the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for a period of 3
years.
 He will replace Jimmy Tata as the CRO.
1.21 Vivek Murthy appointed as Surgeon General in Joe Biden's team

 Recently, Indian-American Dr Vivek Murthy has been appointed as the Surgeon General in US
President-elect Joe Biden's health team.
1.22 Uday Kotak reappointed as chief of Kotak Mahindra Bank.

 Recently, RBI reappointed Uday Kotak as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
of the Kotak Mahindra Bank for a period of three years.
 He has been serving as the head of the bank for past 17 years already.
About Kotak Mahindra Bank:
 Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
1.23 RBI appointed three of its senior officials as executive directors.

 Recently, RBI appointed three of its senior officials R. Subramanian, R.S. Ratho and Rohit Jain
as executive directors of RBI.
Persons in News
1.24 British actress Barbara Windsor passes away
 Recently, British actress Barbara Windsor, who was known for her role as landlady Peggy
Mitchell in the soap EastEnders, has passed away.
1.25 Padma Shri awardee Bannanje Govindacharya passes away

 Karnataka’s renowned Sanskrit scholar and Kannada poet Vidyavachaspati Bannanje
Govindacharya has passed away recently.
 He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009.
1.26 Uday Shankar takes over as FICCI President

 Uday Shankar, President of the Walt Disney Company, has taken over as president of
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) for 2020-21.
 He has replaced Sangita Reddy as the president of FICCI.
1.27 Justice Rajesh Bindal to perform duties of office of Chief Justice of Common High Court for UT
of J&K and Ladakh
 President of India has appointed Shri Justice Rajesh Bindal to perform the duties of the office
of Chief Justice of the common High Court for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and
Union Territory of Ladakh.
 He will replace Kumari Justice Gita Mittal.
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1.28 Noted environmentalist S. Sitaraman passes away
 Recently, noted environmentalist from Kerala, S. Sitaraman has passed away.
 He was the face of the people's movements in Ernakulam, Kerala against the indiscriminate
human interference on natural resources.
1.29 Former international athlete B. Earnest Das passes away

 Recently, former international athlete and technical official of Athletics Federation of India, B.
Earnest Das has passed away.
1.30 Sahitya Akademi Award winning poet Manglesh Dabral passes away
 Senior Hindi poet and writer from Uttarakhand, Manglesh Dabral has passed away recently.
 He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his poetry collection “Hum Jo Dekhte Hain.”
1.31 Veteran Hindi writer Madhukar Gangadhar passes away

 Veteran Hindi writer from Bihar, Madhukar Gangadhar has passed away recently.
1.32 Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini passes away

 Recently, the Prime Minister of Eswatini, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini has passed away.
About Eswatini-
 Capital- Mbabane
 Currency- Swazi Lilangeni
1.33 British author John le Carre passes away

 The spy-turned-novelist, David John Moore Cornwell, known to the world as John le Carre has
passed away recently.
1.34 Indian Navy’s Vice Admiral Srikant passed away.

 Recently, Indian Navy’s Vice Admiral Srikant passed away due to Covid-19 complications.
 He was Director General of Project Seabird.
1.35 Roddam Narasimha, an aerospace scientist passed away.

 Recently, an aerospace scientist Roddam Narasimha passed away.
 He was recipient of Padma Bhushan (1987), Padma Vibhushan (2013) and Bhatnagar Prize.
1.36 Agriculture expert Heli passed away

 Recently, an agricultural expert R. Heli passed away at an age of 86.
 He was from Kerala.
 He was the recipient of the first Karshaka Bharathi Award for farm journalism.
1.37 India Contemporary Dancer, Astad Deboo passed way

 Recently, Astad Deboo, a contemporary dancer passed away.
 He was trained in Kathak as well as Kathakali and went on to combine both the forms to create
a unique fusion dance form.
 He earned the tag of ‘pioneer of modern dance in India’.
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Science and Technology
1.38 Israel launches "Beresheet 2" moon landing project
 Recently, Israel has launched the Beresheet 2 project aimed at landing an unmanned craft on
the moon in 2024.
 It consist of three spacecrafts- an orbiter and two landers which are expected to land at two
sites on the moon to conduct scientific experiments.
1.39 China successfully launched two satellites under GECAM mission for gravitational wave
detection.
 Recently, China successfully launched two satellites under Gravitational Wave High-energy
Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) mission.
 They were launched by a Long March-11 carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch
Centre in Sichuan Province.
 It was carried out by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Days in News
1.40 Indian Army celebrates 260th Corps Day
 Recently, Indian Army celebrated the 260th Corps Day of the Army Service Corps on 08th
December 2020.
 To commemorate the day, a 260 kilometer Ultra Run, themed ‘Run for Martyrs’ has been
organised from War Memorial, Chandimandir to National War Memorial, Delhi.
1.41 International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and
of the Prevention of this Crime
 United Nations celebrates the day on 09 th December every year.
1.42 Human Rights Day

 Every year 10th December is celebrated as Human Rights Day.
 Theme – “Recover Better- Stand up for Human Rights”.
About Human Rights Day:
 Human Rights Day was adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
1.43 International Anti-Corruption Day.

 Every year 9th December is celebrated as Anti-Corruption Day.
 Theme – United Against Corruption
About International Anti-Corruption Day:
 The United Nations General Assembly designated 9 December as International Anti-
Corruption Day.
1.44 International Mountain Day.

 Every year 11th December is celebrated as the International Mountain Day.
 Theme - Mountain Biodiversity
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Defence in News
1.45 Webinar between India and Brazil on Defence Industry Global Outreach for Collaborative
Partnership
 Recently, a webinar between India and Brazil has been held with the theme “Indian Defence
Industry Global Outreach for Collaborative Partnership: Webinar and Expo”.
 Organized by- Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence through Society
of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
1.46 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus

 Recently, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, addressed the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’
Meeting (ADMM) Plus organized online at Hanoi, Vietnam.
 It also marked the 10th anniversary of ADMM Plus.
 ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10 ASEAN Countries and eight
partner countries.
 Additional Information- Brunei Darussalam will take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2021.
About Vietnam-
 Capital: Hanoi
 Currency: Vietnamese Dong
1.47 Joint Venture Protective Carbine undergoes successful user Trials

 Recently, Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC), a Gas Operated Semi Bull-pup automatic
weapon, has undergone successful user trials meeting all the stringent performance criteria
of reliability and accuracy.
 It can be used for Counter Insurgency /Counter Terrorism operations by security agencies.
 Developed by- Defence Research and Development Organsiation (DRDO).
1.48 Himgiri, the first of three Project 17A ships launched.

 Recently, Himgiri the first of the three Project 17A ships being built at M/s Garden Reach
Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata for Indian Navy.
 It was launched in the waters of Hooghly River.
About Project 17A:
 Under this Project, a total of 7 ships will be built indigenously with advanced stealth
features at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Ltd. (GSRE).
 The P17A is the follow-on of earlier P-17 Shivalik class ‘first indigenously’ constructed
stealth warships which are already in operation with Indian Navy
Awards
1.49 Dr. Carolina Araujo wins Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians 2020
 Recently, the Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians 2020 has been awarded to Dr.
Carolina Araujo, Mathematician from the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA),
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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 She is the first non-Indian to receive this prize.
1.50 IOCL won Swachta Pakhwada Award while HPCL felicitated with Swachta Hi Sewa Award.
 Recently, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas presented Swachta Pakhwada and Swachta
Hi Seva 2019 awards for efforts in raising awareness on various aspects of cleanliness,
including waste management and eliminating single-use plastics.
Swachta Pakhwada Awards Swachta Hi Seva 2019 Awards
1. Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. 1. Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
2. Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. 2. Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
3. Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd. 3. Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.
Special Award: Hindustan Petroleum Corp.
Ltd.
1.51 India Sports Awards 2020 presented by FICCI

 Recently, Shooter Elavenil Valarivan and Wrestler Bajrang Punia bagged sportsperson of the
year award at FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) India Awards
2020 ceremony that was held virtually this year.
 The awardees were:
o State promoting sports: Madhya Pradesh and Assam.
o Organisation promoting sports through CSR: Tata Steel.
o Company promoting sports, public sector: Indian Air Force.
o Company promoting sports, private sector: Tenvic Sports.
o National Sports Federation: Paralympic Committee of India and Wrestling Federation of
India.
o Sports Persons of the year: Elavenil Valarivan (Shooter) and Bajrang Punia (Wrestler)
o Breakthrough sports person: Annu Rani (Javelin Thrower)
o NGO promoting sports: Magic Bus India Foundation and Pullela Gopi Chand Badminton
Foundation.
o Lifetime achievement: Manjusha Kanwar (Badminton)
o Para athlete of the year: Sundar Singh Gurjar, Simran Sharma.
o Sports journalist: Mona Parthasarathi.
o Coach: Radhakrishnan Nair.
o Professional services company: Collage Design Pvt. Ltd.
o Sports set-up: SportzGrid Pvt. Ltd.
o Educational Institute, University: Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and
Studies.
o Educational Institute, School: The Sports School.
1.52 UNESCO set to launch an international prize in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman
 Recently, UNESCO has decided to launch an international prize in the field of ‘creative
economy’ in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
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 It is a 50-thousand-dollar award and will be given once in two years for global economic
initiatives of the youth.
 UNESCO has declared 2021 as ‘International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable
Development’.
2 GA + ESI in news
2.1 Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Suriname on
Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine
[Social Sectors - Health]
 Recently, Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Understanding between India and
Suriname on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.
 The main areas of cooperation between the two Governments include the following:
o Exchange and Training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals and experts
o Assistance in development of human resources and setting up of health care facilities
o Short term training of human resources in health
o etc
2.2 Cabinet approves Universal Service Obligation Fund Scheme for providing Mobile Coverage in
Arunachal Pradesh and two Districts of Assam under the Comprehensive Telecom
Development Plan for North Eastern Region
[Employment Generation in India]
 Recently, Cabinet has approved Universal Service Obligation Fund Scheme for providing
Mobile Coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and two Districts of Assam, namely Karbi Anglong
and Dima Hasaounder the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for North Eastern
Region.
Key Highlights
 The project has envisaged to provide mobile coverage to 2374 uncovered villages (1683 in
Arunachal Pradesh and 691 in two districts of Assam) at an estimated cost of implementation
about Rs.2,029 crore including operational expenses for five years.
 The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be
awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures.
 Completion Target – December, 2022.
About Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for North Eastern Region
 Government has approved the proposal to implement the project in September 2014.
 It envisages to provide mobile coverage to 8621 identified uncovered villages, installation of
321 mobile tower sites along National Highways and strengthening of transmission network in
the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and
Tripura.
 Funded by – Universal Service Obligation Fund.
 Provision of mobile services in identified uncovered villages & along national highways in
Assam and Sikkim units of North Eastern Region is being implemented by Bharti Airtel Ltd.
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2.3 9 States have successfully completed One Nation One Ration Card Reform
 Recently, Government has informed that 9 States have successfully completed One Nation
One Ration Card Reform.
 It includes
o Andhra Pradesh
o Goa
o Gujarat
o Haryana
o Karnataka
o Kerala
o Telangana
o Tripura
o Uttar Pradesh
 The states have been issued additional borrowing permission of Rs.23,523 crore.
Relevance
 Ministry of Finance has included a grant of additional borrowing permission of 2% of the
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in the year 2020-21 to the states.
 It has been granted for the challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic for mobilisation of
financial resources.
 Out of the additional borrowing limit of 2% of GSDP, 0.25% is linked to implementation of “One
Nation One Ration Card system”.
2.4 MoRTH signs MoU with Austria on Technology Cooperation in Road Infrastructure Sector
[Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues]
 Recently, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has signed an MoU with Austria on
Technology Cooperation in the Road Infrastructure Sector.
 Aim – To create an effective framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of Road
Transportation, Road/Highways infrastructure development, management and
administration, Road safety and Intelligent Transport Systems between both countries.
2.5 NITI Aayog and SAP Labs India collaborate to foster digital literacy and accelerate the India
startup ecosystem
[Social Sectors - Education]
 Recently, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and SAP Labs India have strengthened
their partnership to promote digital literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
 Under the agreement, SAP will conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) under UnBox Tinkering for
around 500 teachers in the next three years.
o Aim – To adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Laboratories and impart digital education to 30,000
students from the states of North East, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
 It will create a platform for the existing 68 Atal Incubation Centers (AICs) across India.
 The platform will help curate and support the stakeholders' engagement and empower all
incubators to connect better with their networks in an engaging way.
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 SAP will conduct three idea challenges in Karnataka to curate and select up to 100 youth-led
or social enterprises or ideas in the next three years.
o It will support 25 youth entrepreneurs to incubate their ideas, leading to fostering socio-
economic development and jobs in the state.
Background
 SAP has already adopted 49 Atal Tinkering Laboratories to promote science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to around 9,700 secondary school children
across India.
 It has also conducted 5 UnBox Tinkering sessions and provided training to 149 teachers with
topics focusing on Electronics, Mechatronics, IoT, Digital skills and Coding.
2.6 Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS decides to work together to set up a Department of Integrative
Medicine
 Recently, Ministry of AYUSH and AIIMS have decided to initiate work on setting up a
Department of Integrative Medicine at AIIMS.
 It has also been decided that CIMR, AIIMS may develop an integrated protocol with Ayurveda
and Yoga for study on Post COVID treatment.
 The Ministry of AYUSH could collaborate in the potocol through the Extra Mural Research
Scheme.
 It has also reviewed the progress in establishing the Integrated AYUSH cancer care facilities at
the National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar, Haryana.
Relevance
 Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR) at AIIMS, New Delhi has received notable
support through the Centre of Excellence Scheme of the Ministry of AYUSH.
About Extra Mural Research Scheme (renamed as Core Research Grant (CRG))
Implemented by SERB
Objective Provides core research support to active researchers to undertake research
and development in frontier areas of Science and Engineering.
Features  It provides funding to academic institution, research laboratories and
other R&D organizations to carry out basic research in all frontier areas
of Science and Engineering.
 It encourages emerging and eminent scientist in field of science and
engineering for individual centric competitive mode of research
funding.
Funding  It is provided normally for a period of three years.
Method of  National Laboratories and Research Institutions should share 50% of
Funding the non-recurring cost of the project.
 For projects with total cost more than Rs. 80 lakh, 50% of the non-
recurring and consumables cost should be shared by the
Lab/Institution.
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2.7 Union Health Minister addresses World Bank Inter Ministerial Meet on Vaccinating South Asia
 Recently, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has digitally addressed the Inter-
Ministerial meeting on Vaccination of South Asia against COVID-19.
 Hosted by – World Bank
Key information Shared
 India has 7,078 cases per million against the global average of 8,883.
 India’s Fatality rate is 1.45%, well below the global average of 2.29%.
 Out of the 260 vaccine candidates 8 are scheduled to be manufactured in India, including 3
indigenous ones.
 He has also informed about India’s “Mission Indradhanush” immunization programs.
About Mission Indradhanush
Launch Year December 2014
Implemented by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Aim To cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are
partially vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases
Goal To ensure full immunization with all available vaccines for children up to two
years of age and pregnant women.
Vaccination  It provides free vaccines against 12 life threatening diseases
1. Tuberculosis
2. Diphtheria
3. Pertussis
4. Tetanus
5. Polio
6. Hepatitis B
7. Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib)
8. Measles
9. Rubella
10. Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
11. Rotavirus
12. Diarrhoea.
2.8 6th India International Science Festival 2020

 Recently, 6th India International Science Festival 2020 (IISF 2020) has taken place.
 Organized by - Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MoES), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).
 Theme – “Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare”
 Nodal Institute - CSIR-National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies
(NISTADS), New Delhi.
Key Highlights
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 Union Health minister has virtually addressed the Curtain Raiser Ceremony by ICMR-National
Institute of Research in Tribal Health, at Jabalpur.
Relevance
 Recently, Curtain Raiser and Outreach program of the 6th India International Science Festival
(IISF) has taken place.
 Organized by - Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Navi Mumbai, an autonomous institute
of DST, Government of India and Vijnana Bharathi (VIBHA).
 Focus on areas like - History of Indian science, philosophy & science, agritech, clean air,
energy, water, waste, and sanitation, biodiversity, and science diplomacy.
 A webinar focused on 'Vigyanika' has also been organized.
 Organized by - Department of Library and Information Sciences, Haryana Central University,
Mahendragarh.
2.9 Union Jal Shakti Minister inaugurates 5th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) with focus on
Arth Ganga-River conservation synchronized development
 Recently, Union Jal Shakti Minister has inaugurated 5th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS).
 Organized by - National Mission for Clean Ganga and Center for Ganga River Basin
Management and Studies (cGanga)
 Aim - To discuss and disseminate the needs for the modalities of embracing Arth Ganga
 Focus on - Arth Ganga-River conservation synchronized development.
Key Highlights
 It has proposed “5 R’s” for waste water management
o Recycle
o Reuse
o Reduce
o Recharge (ground water)
o Respect for water
 During the conference, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research has signed MOU with
eGanga (think-tank of NMCG) for development of sludge management framework in India.
About Arth Ganga
 The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) has aimed to develop river Ganges as a safe mode of
navigation with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank.
 ‘Project Arth Ganga’ envisages to re-engineer the JMVP by involving the local community with
a focus on economic activities in and around the Ganga river.
2.10 CCPA asks FSSAI to probe honey adulteration issue

 Recently, The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has asked the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take appropriate action in the honey adulteration
issue.
 The issue has been raised by Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) and promised to extend
all cooperation in the investigation.
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Relevance
 Recently, an investigation carried out by CSE reportedly found that 10 out of 13 major and
minor brands were spiked with sugar syrup beyond permissible limits.
 Key Finding
o It was found that 77 per cent of the samples were adulterated with sugar syrup.
o Out of the 22 samples checked, only five passed all the tests.
About Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
 The rules are framed to regulate the pre-packaged commodities.
 Under the rules, the pre-packaged commodities have to comply with certain mandatory
information on e-commerce platform by the seller in the interest of consumer.
2.11 Union Minister of Education virtually addresses the 26th National Annual Conference of
Sahodaya School Complexes
[Social Sectors – Education]
 Recently, Union Minister of Education has addressed the 26th National Annual Conference of
Sahodaya School Complexes.
 Organized by – CBSE
 Hosted by – Bangalore Sahodaya Schools Complex Association
Important Release during the conference
 A Souvenir titled “SAMARTHAN”
o It is a compilation of the best teaching practices in India.
 CBSE Manuals on Inclusive Education, Joyful Learning and Physical Education for classes XI
and XII.
Note – It has been informed in the conference that Uttarakhand has been paired with Karnataka
under Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat program.
2.12 MOHUA launches Socio-Economic Profiling of PM SVANidhi

 Recently, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched a programme of Socio-
Economic Profiling of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families as an additional
component of PM SVANidhi Scheme.
Key Highlights
 Under the initiative, a complete profile of each PM SVANidhi beneficiary and their family
members will be prepared.
 Based on the profiled data, benefits of the various eligible Central Schemes would be extended
to the family for their holistic socio-economic upliftment.
 Ministry will run a pilot program in six cities - Gaya, Indore, Kakching, Nizamabad, Rajkot, and
Varanasi.
 125 cities have been selected for implementing the first phase of the programme.
 Implementing partner - M/s Quality Council of India (QCI).
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2.13 2927 Court complexes across country have been connected by a high-speed Wide Area
Network (WAN) as against target of 2992 under e-Courts Project
[Indian Political System]
 Recently, Ministry of Law and Justice has informed that 2927 Court complexes across India
have been connected so far by a high-speed Wide Area Network (WAN) under e-Courts
Project.
 It has led to completion of 97.86 % sites out of 2992 sites conceived to be connected with high
speed WAN under the project.
 Department has also been able to reduce the total Technically Not Feasible (TNF) sites from
58 in 2019 to 14 in 2020.
 Department of Justice has also decided to use the newly inaugurated submarine (under sea)
cable for providing connectivity to 5 TNF sites in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
About e-court Project
 As part of National e-Governance Plan, e-Courts Project is an Integrated Mission Mode Project
for the ICT development of the Indian Judiciary.
 Objective – To provide designated services to litigants, lawyers and the judiciary by universal
computerization of district and subordinate courts in the country by leveraging Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) for improved justice delivery.
2.14 Indian Railways Launches Hospital Management Information System Trial Project
 Recently, Indian Railways has launched Hospital Management Information System Trial
Project.
 It has been launched over South Central Railway.
About HMIS in Railways
 It has been developed by Indian Railways in coordination with RailTel Corporation Limited.
 Objective – To provide a single window of clearance of hospital administration activity such as
clinical, diagnostics, pharmacy, examinations, industrial health etc.
2.15 Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production and Use-Based Index for the Month of
October, 2020 (Base 2011-12=100)
[Inflation]
 Recently, Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for October 2020 has been
released.
Key Findings
 According to Use-based classification
Primary Goods 117.7
Capital Goods 91.4
Intermediate Goods 137.5
Infrastructure/ Construction Goods 140
 QIP for Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables remained at 133.2 and 149
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2.16 India and Qatar Agrees to Set Up a Task Force on Energy
 Recently, India and Qatar have agreed to Set Up a Task Force on Energy.
 It has been set up for promoting Qatari investments.
 The minister has also reiterated Qatar’s role as a reliable supplier of LNG and LPG.
2.17 Climate Ambition Summit

 Recently, Climate Ambition Summit has taken place, marking the fifth anniversary of the
Paris Agreement on the Climate Change.
 Launched by – United Nations and Co-hosted by – Britain and France
 It has been launched as the United Nations warns current commitments to tackle rises in
global temperatures are inadequate.
 The United Kingdom pledged to double its climate finance contribution to USD 15.5 billion
over the next five years.
 The European Investment Bank announced a goal of 50% of investments going toward the
climate and environment sectors by 2025.
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 China’s commitment to lower its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by over 65% from
2005 levels by 2030 and the EU’s commitment to reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% from
1990 levels by 2030.
 The ambitious commitments will take the shape of new Nationally Determined Contributions,
Long-Term Strategies setting out a pathway to net zero emissions.
 It also called for climate finance commitments to support the most vulnerable and ambitious
adaptation plans and underlying policies.
2.18 FICCI’s Annual Convention & 93rd AGM

 [Employment Generation in India]
 Recently, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has addressed FICCI’s annual convention
& 93rd Annual General Meeting.
Important information Shared
 Government has been working hard to create the first genuine Single Window System in
terms of compliances, ease of approval process.
 He has also informed about the Brand India initiative.
About Brand India Initiative
 India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) is a Trust established by the Department of Commerce,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
 Objective – To promote and create international awareness of the Made in India label in
markets overseas and to facilitate dissemination of knowledge of Indian products and services.
 India's Talent, Markets, Growth and Opportunity drive Brand India.
2.19 Handicraft and GI Toys exempted from Quality Control Order

 Recently, DPIIT has released Toys (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2020.
 It has exempted goods manufactured & sold by artisans registered with Development
Commissioner (Handicrafts), from use of Standard Mark under licence from Bureau of Indian
Standards (Conformity Assessment) [BIS (CA)] Regulations, 2018.
 It has also exempted products registered as Geographical Indications from following Indian
Toy Standards & compulsory use of Standard Mark licence from Bureau as per
BIS(CA)Regulations,2018.
About Quality Control Order
 It has been issued by the Department for standardization and quality adherence of Toys.
 Aim – To bring forward the synergized efforts of the union government, states and the
stakeholders to promote ‘Team up for toys’ vision keeping quality standards of the indigenous
toys as the priority.
 It will come into effect from 1st January, 2021.
2.20 27 States avail benefits of the “Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital
Expenditure”
[Fiscal Policy]
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 Recently, Ministry of finance has announced that all the States except Tamil Nadu have
availed benefits of the “Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure”.
 It has informed that capital expenditure for proposals of Rs. 9,879.61 crore of 27 States have
been approved.
 An amount of Rs. 4,939.81 crore has already been released to the States as the first instalment.
About Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure
 Aim - To boost capital expenditure by the State Governments who are facing difficult financial
environment this year due to the shortfall in tax revenue arising from the COVID 19 pandemic.
 The capital expenditure projects have been approved in diverse sectors of economy like,
Health, Rural Development, Water Supply, Irrigation, Power, Transport, Education, Urban
Development.
The Scheme has three parts.
 Part – I – Covers the north-eastern region.
o Under the part, Rs.200 crores is allocated to 7 north-eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura).
o Assam has been allocated Rs.450 crores under the scheme.
 Part-II - All other States not included in Part-I.
o An amount of Rs.7,500 crores is earmarked.
o It has been allocated amongst these States in proportion to their share of central tax as per
the interim award of the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2020-21.
 Part-III – Pushing various citizen-centric reforms in the States.
o An amount of Rs.2000 crores is earmarked which will be available only to those States who
carry out at least 3 out of the 4 reforms specified by the Ministry of Finance.
o The reform has linked additional borrowing permissions.
 The 4 reforms are –
o One Nation One Ration Card
o Ease of doing Business Reform
o Urban Local Body/ Utility Reform
o Power Sector Reform.
2.21 Consumer Price Index Numbers on base 2012=100 for Rural, Urban and combined for the
Month of November 2020
[Inflation]
 Recently, The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released All India Consumer Price Index
(CPI) and Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for Rural (R), Urban (U) and Combined (C) for the
month of November 2020 (Provisional).
Key Highlights
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2.22 NITI Aayog releases ‘Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India’
 Recently, NITI Aayog has released a white paper titled “Vision 2035: Public Health
Surveillance in India.”
About Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India
 Joint effort of - Health Vertical, NITI Aayog, and Institute for Global Public Health, University
of Manitoba, Canada with contributions from technical experts from the Government of India,
States, and International agencies.
 It lays out India’s vision 2035 for PHS through the integration of the three-tiered (primary,
secondary and tertiary) public health system into Ayushman Bharat.
 It contributes by suggesting mainstreaming of surveillance by making individual electronic
health records the basis for surveillance.
 The Surveillance is ‘Information for Action’
 Vision
o To make India’s public health surveillance system more responsive and predictive to
enhance preparedness for action at all levels.
o Citizen-friendly public health surveillance system will ensure individual privacy and
confidentiality, enabled with a client feedback mechanism.
o Improved data-sharing mechanism between Centre and states for better disease
detection, prevention, and control.
o India aims to provide regional and global leadership in managing events that constitute a
public health emergency of international concern
 Main Features:
o It has proposed strengthening the Public Health Surveillance (PHS) in India by
implementing a surveillance information system.
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o The Surveillance will be based on individual Electronic Health Records (EHR) that capture
and amalgamate individuals' health-care related information through the use of a unique
health identifier (UHID).
o Strengthen non-communicable disease prevention, detection, control and to reduce out of
pocket expenses of individuals and families.
o It builds on initiatives such as the Integrated Health Information Platform of the Integrated
Disease Surveillance Program.
o Aligns with the citizen-centricity highlighted in the National Health Policy 2017 and the
National Digital Health Blueprint.
o It encourages the use of mobile and digital platforms and point of care devices and
diagnostics for amalgamation of data capture and analyses.
o It highlights the importance of capitalizing on initiatives such as the Clinical Establishments
(Registration and Regulation) Act 2010 to enhance private sector involvement in
surveillance.
o It points out the importance of a cohesive and coordinated effort of apex institutions
including the National Centre for Disease Control, the Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR), and others.
Background
 Health Vertical released a set of four working-papers compiled in a volume entitled ‘Health
Systems for New India: Building blocks – Potential Pathways to Reforms’ during November
2019.
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2.23 Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the month of November, 2020
[Inflation]
 Recently, The Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade has released index numbers of wholesale price in India for the month of
November, 2020 (Provisional) and for the month of September, 2020 (Final).
Key Highlights
 The rate of inflation based on monthly WPI has remained at 1.55% (provisional) for the month
of November, 2020 as compared to 0.58% in November,2019.
 The index of Primary article has declined by (-0.79%) as compared to October 2020.
 Prices of Non-food Articles has increased by 6.17% in November, 2020 as compared to
October, 2020.
 Prices of Minerals (-13.19%), Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (-11.11%) and Food Articles (-
0.82%) have declined in November, 2020 as compared to October, 2020.
 The index for this major group increased by (0.22%) to 91.3 (provisional) in November, 2020
from 91.1 (provisional) for the month of October, 2020.
 The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index has decreased from 5.78% in October, 2020 to
4.27% in November, 2020.
2.24 “eSanjeevani” telemedicine service records 1 million tele-consultations

 Recently, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that “eSanjeevani”
telemedicine service have recorded 1 million (10 lakh) tele-consultations.
Important Information
 eSanjeevani is being used by patients in over 550 districts of India.
 Over 10% of the users of eSanjeevani are aged 60 and above.
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2.25 Tourism Minister virtually attends the 5th meeting of the National Medical and Wellness
Tourism Promotion Board
 Recently Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism has virtually attended the 5th meeting
of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board.
Relevance
 According to Services Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Commerce The Global Medical
Tourism Market was worth USD 19.7 Billion in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR
of 18.8 %, to reach USD 46.6 Billion by 2021.
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 According to the Indian Tourism Statistics, 2018 report, around 22 per cent arrivals from West
Asia was for medical purposes, followed by 15.7 per cent from Africa in 2017.
2.26 Amma Mini Clinics to treat poor

[Social Sector - Health]
 Recently, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has inaugurated the CM’s Amma Mini Clinic Scheme.
 Under the scheme, around 2000 mini-clinics will be set up in the state to provide various health
facilities to the people.
 Each clinic will contain a doctor nurse, and medical staff following with equipment facilities to
check the temperature oxygen level blood sugar hemoglobin level blood sugar level.
2.27 Centre approves health data management policy of NDHM

 Recently, Centre on Monday approved the health data management policy of the National
Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
 It has intended to digitize the entire healthcare ecosystem of India by creating digital health
records and creating and maintaining registries for healthcare professionals and health
facilities.
Key Highlights
 The policy has laid minimum standards for privacy protection in order to ensure compliance
with relevant and applicable laws, rules and regulations.
 The policy acts as a guidance document across the National Digital Health Ecosystem (NDHE).
 It sets out the minimum standard for data privacy protection that should be followed across
the board to ensure compliance with relevant and applicable laws, rules and regulations.
 Participation under NDHE will be on voluntary basis.
 Use of Aadhaar card for verification will also be voluntary, and failure or refusal to make use
of Aadhaar would not result in the denial of access to any health facility or service under the
policy.
Relevance
 The NHA had placed the draft of the policy in the public domain between August 20 and
September 21, to seek feedback and suggestions from citizens and stakeholders.
About National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)
 It would be a voluntary healthcare programme that would reduce the gap among stakeholders
such as doctors, hospitals etc.
 Aim and Objective:  To ‘liberate’ citizens from the challenges of finding the right doctors,
seeking appointment with them, payment of consultation fee, making several rounds of
hospitals for prescription sheets.
Components of the Mission
 Comprises six key building blocks or digital systems:
o HealthID
o DigiDoctor
o Health Facility Registry
o Personal Health Records
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o e-Pharmacy
o Telemedicine.
2.28 MSME Ministry thanks the consumers as MSMEs celebrated not just Diwali but also
Atmnirbharata
 Recently, Ministry of MSME has informed that it had launched an attractive and innovative
social media campaign to promote local products made by artisans and MSMEs before the
festival season.
 It has been launched with the brand of "उजाले इन उमीद ों के" and hash tag of
#msmechampions.
Key Findings
 Sale of a basket of products has witnessed an increase of almost 300 percent during Diwali
2020 over Diwali in 2019.
 The total sales in amount terms by a sample of outlets of Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC), spread in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh has increased four times to around Rs.
21 crores in Diwali 2020 from Rs. 5 crores in Diwali 2019.
 Sale of Food and Fabric items have increased upto ten times.
 Increase of over 700 to 900 percent in the sale of many agro products against last Diwali
 Sale of Papad, Pckle and hing have witnessed an increase of over 900 percent.
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2.29 QCI Launches Recognition Scheme for Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies
[Social Sectors Health]
 Recently, Quality Council of India (QCI) at the behest of FSSAI has launched Recognition
Scheme for Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies.
 It has been done after the FSSAI has launched a certification system for restaurants, hotels and
cafeterias among others under its ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’.
 Aim – To allow consumers to make informed choices/decisions pertaining to the food outlets
where they eat by encouraging food businesses to improve their hygiene and safety standards.
 At present, scheme is applicable for Food service establishments (such as hotels, restaurants,
cafeteria, dhabhas, etc), sweet shops, bakeries and meat retail stores.
Key Highlights
 The recognized Hygiene Rating Audit Agency will verify the compliance with food hygiene
and safety procedures laid by FSSAI.
 The food establishments are rated based on hygiene and safety conditions observed at the
time of audit.
 The rating will be in the form of smileys from 1 up to 5.
 The certificate should be displayed prominently in the consumer facing area.
2.30 Postal Department confers Meghdoot awards to Postal Employees for their achievements in
2019-20
 Recently, Department of Posts has conducted Meghdoot Award Function 2020.
 It has been given in the eight categories.
Key Highlights
 India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched logo of “DakPay.”

 Department of Posts has launched an eBook named “India Post meets Covid-19 Challenge.”
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 Department of Posts has signed a memorandum of Understanding with CSC e-Governance
Services India Limited that for providing various G2C (Government to Citizen) and B2C
(Business to Citizens) services to citizens in rural and remote areas.
 It will give a flip to setting a common service centres in more than 10000 Post Offices across
India.
About DakPay
 It is a suite of digital financial and assisted banking services provided by India Post & IPPB
through the trusted Postal (‘Dak’) network across India to cater to the financial needs (‘Pay’)
of various sections of the society.
 The financial needs include –
o Sending money to the loved ones (Domestic Money Transfers – DMT)
o Making payment for services/merchants digitally (Virtual debit card) & UPI
o Enabling cashless ecosystem through biometrics
o Providing interoperable banking services to the customers of ANY BANK (AePS) and Utility
Bill Payment services.
 DakPay UPI app allows users to create UPI ID and link multiple accounts across banks in a
single mobile app.
 The app facilitates instant money transfers, QR based payments in merchant stores and online
shopping on e-commerce websites.
About Business to Citizens (B2C) Services
 The B2C (Business to Citizens) Services offered includes Bharat Bill Payment System Bills
(Electric, Gas, Water bills etc.).
 The services offered also included Third Party Services such as EMI (Equal Monthly Instalment)
collections for various loans offered by financial institutions and submission of online
application forms for loans.
2.31 Finance Minister chairs 23rd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council
[Fiscal Policy]
 Recently, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs has chaired the 23rd Meeting of the
Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC).
 It has reviewed the challenges involved in smooth transition of London Interbank Offer Rate
(LIBOR) based contracts.
About Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
 It focuses on financial literacy and financial inclusion.
 Chairman of FSDC is Finance minister and other members include heads of SEBI, RBI, PFRDA,
FMC, Secretary (Dept. of financial services, Dept of economic affairs) and Chief Economic
Advisor.
 It is not a statutory body.
2.32 Kamdhenu Chair will be established in Universities and Colleges

[Social Sector – Education]
 Recently, a National Webinar on ‘Kamdhenu Chair in Universities and Colleges’ has been
organized.
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 Organized by - Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog in association with UGC, AICTE and AIU.
 The secretary of rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog has appealed all the Vice Chancellors across India
and College Heads for starting ‘Kamdhenu Chair’ in every University and College.
2.33 2nd Conference on ‘Good Practices in Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems
(CCTNS)/ Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)
[Social Justice]
 Recently, 2nd Conference on ‘Good Practices in Crime and Criminal Tracking Network &
Systems (CCTNS)/ Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has taken place.
 Organized by – National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Key Information shared
 NCRB has been implementing “National Automated Finger Print Identification System
(NAFIS)” project.
o It has been implemented to automate the collection, storage and matching of fingerprints
for expeditious identification of suspects.
 The updated version of CCTNS (State) application has been released to Haryana and
Chhattisgarh on pilot basis.
 Out of the total of 16,098 Police Stations in India, CCTNS Software is being used in over 95
percent Police Stations.
 The two new Universities, Rashtriya Raksha University and the National Forensic Science
University have been instituted with the vision to promote an objective and scientific
approach in the criminal justice system.
2.34 Mastercard, CII come together to help over 3 lakh MSMEs digitise their businesses
 Recently, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with Mastercard’s Centre for Inclusive
Growth and National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme) has
launched ‘Digital Saksham.’
 It has been launched to enable 3 lakhs+ MSMEs across India with digital know how and
acceptance.
 Aim - To educate and train micro and small business owners and entrepreneurs enabling them
to integrate into the digital economy and access credit, expand their market access, diversify
their customer base, digitize their financial operations and solidify their supply chain.
 It has been an extension of Mastercard’s global and India commitment to empower, enable,
and enhance small entrepreneurs making them more competitive.
 Implementation of the project is proposed from January 2021 and execution of trainings
among the MSMEs from June 2021.
2.35 Praja report: No state has devolved all 18 municipal functions to urban local bodies
[Indian Political System]
 According to ‘Urban Governance Index, 2020’ of Praja Foundation, no state has managed to
devolve 18 municipal functions to urban local bodies.
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 The study has spanned over three years (2017-2020) in 40 cities across 28 states and National
Capital Territory of Delhi.
About Urban Governance Index 2020
 The municipal bodies are dependent on the state for funds and decision-making.
 The index has ranked the states on a 100-point scale across 42 indicators.
 It has ranked the states under four heads:
o Empowered elected representatives and legislative structure (30 marks)
o Empowered city administration (15)
o Citizens (25)
o Fiscal empowerment (30 marks).
Key Highlights
 Top 5 States - Odisha followed by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
 Bottom 5 states - Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland.
 None of the top five states scored more than 57%, with Odisha scoring 56.86%.
 Madhya Pradesh ranked first for active grievance redressal mechanism.
 Maharashtra and Kerala ranked first for devolution of financial power and financial
accountability.
 Mumbai has been ranked first for fiscal empowerment of a municipal corporation and
second for empowered citizens, and empowered city administration.
 Delhi ranks 13th in the list.
 Maharashtra is the only state where councillors are given allowances & dedicated staff for
their office, and where the city’s government has constituted all the committees mentioned
in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act (1888).
 Only Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have directly
elected mayors.
 11 states, councils have the authority to pass no confidence motion against mayors.
2.36 WHO Foundation appoints Indian-origin health expert Anil Soni as 1st CEO
 Recently, Indian-origin global health expert Anil Soni has been appointed as the first Chief
Executive Officer of the WHO Foundation.
About WHO Foundation
 It an independent grant-making agency headquartered in Geneva.
 It was launched to work alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global health
community to address the world's most pressing global health challenges.
 Launched in – May 2020
2.37 National Centre for Divyang Empowerment becomes operational in Hyderabad

[Gender Issue]
 Recently, National Centre for Divyang Empowerment (NCDE) has become operational at the
Central Reserve Police Force’s group centre in Hyderabad.
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 Several market-driven expertise like computer skills and various sports skills will be imparted
on the Divyang Warriors to empower them and enable them to serve the force and India.
 All possible assistance and cooperation will be extended for the welfare of the Divyang
Warriors.
2.38 9thedition of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit begins in Dehradun

 Recently, 9th edition of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit has begun in Dehradun.
 It has commenced on the occasion of International Mountain Day.
 Theme – “Emerging Pathways for Building a Resilient Post COVID-19 Mountain Economy,
Adaptation, Innovation and Acceleration”.
 Organized by – Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI)
 Hosted by – Sustainable Development Forum Uttaranchal (SDFU), Dehradun.
2.39 Maharashtra unveils Uniform Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR)
 Recently, Maharashtra government has unveiled Unified Development Control and
Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) to boost real estate activity across the state.
 It will be applicable across the state except in places such as Mumbai and other special
planning authorities like Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Navi
Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), hill
station municipal councils and eco-sensitive zones.
 It mandates that permissible FSI will be linked to the length of the adjoining roads.
 It has given 60% additional FSI above the permissible FSI for residential and 80% for
commercial spaces.
2.40 WHO joins hands with IFRC to strengthen delivery of emergency medical supplies
 Recently, The Red Channel Agreement has been signed between the World Health
Organization and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).
 It has been signed to implement the Emergency Medical Team Initiative.
 The Agreement will allow WHO to provide increased support to Red Crescent Societies and
National Red Cross societies.
2.41 Cabinet approves Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY)

 Recently, The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana
(ABRY).
 It has been approved to boost employment in formal sector and incentivize creation of new
employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat
Package 3.0.
 It would cost the government Rs 1,584 crore in the financial year 2020-21 and Rs 22,810 crore
during the entire period, from 2020 to 2023.
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Salient Features of the Scheme
 Government will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or
after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June, 2021.
 It will pay both 12% employees' contribution and 12% employers' contribution i.e. 24% of
wages towards EPF in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000
employees for two years.
 It will pay only employees' share of EPF contribution i.e. 12% of wages in respect of new
employees in establishments employing more than 1000 employee for two years.
 Eligibility
o An employee drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working in any
establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before
1st October, 2020 and did not have a Universal Account Number or EPF Member account
number prior to 1st October 2020.
o Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of
less than Rs. 15000 who made exit from employment during Covid pandemic from 1st
March 2020 to 30th September 2020 and did not join employment in any EPF covered
establishment up to 30th September 2020.
2.42 MP will turn warriors against malnutrition

[Gender Issue, Social Sectors - Health]
 Recently, Madhya Pradesh government has launched ‘Matru Sahyogini Samiti’ or Mothers’
Cooperation Committees.
About Matru Sahyogini Samiti
 It will include mothers of beneficiary children as well as represented by pregnant women and
lactating mothers, who are enrolled under the scheme.
 The mother’s oversight will have a legal sanctity through the NFSA.
 The Committees will be selected from different sub-committees, which consist of members of
the ward, village and caste and tribe-based colonies known as manjra and phaliya.
o It will also include a woman ‘panch’ (elected village leader), women active in the
community and eager to volunteer their support to the scheme, teachers from the local
school, and women heads of self-help groups.
 It includes a package of six services, including supplementary nutrition, health services
including vaccination.
 It provides for vigilance committees as well as social audits or collective monitoring and
evaluation of planning and implementation of a scheme.
Relevance
 According to the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey, 2018, 39.5% of children under five
in Madhya Pradesh are stunted while the national average is 34.7%.
o In wasting 19.6% of under-five children are wasted in Madhya Pradesh as compared to the
national figure of 17.3%.
o 38.7% of children under five are underweight in the State, compared to 33.4% in India.
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2.43 Maharashtra clears Bill proposing death penalty for rape
[Gender Issue]
 Recently, Maharashtra Cabinet has cleared the draft of a Bill to curb crimes against women
and children.
 It has been titled as “Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act,
2020”.
 It has been prepared on the lines of the Disha Act passed by the Andhra Pradesh government.
 Key Highlights
o It has proposed death penalty in cases of rape, acid attack, and serious crimes against
children.
o The detection period has been reduced to 15 office days from the existing two months.
o The court period has been brought down to 30 office days from two months.
o The appeal period has also been reduced to 45 days from six months.
 The state government has also cleared “Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of
Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law 2020.”
 It has included new crimes within their ambit.
o Threatening and defaming women on social media
o False complaint regarding rape, acid attack
o Outraging the modesty of women.
o Non-cooperation in investigation by social media sites and companies providing mobile and
internet services, and elected representatives will be considered a crime.
 It has proposed a new judicial system under which 36 special courts will be set up and a special
public prosecutor will be made available to each court.
 Each district police superintendent or commissionerate will have one special squad to probe
crimes against women and children which will mandatorily have one female officer.
Relevance
 Recently, Andhra Pradesh government has launched WIN (women in need) Forum.
 It has been launched to provide a solution to a woman in distress, especially those who are
not able to approach a police station or those whose complaints need not be of cognizable
nature
About Disha Act
 Andhra Pradesh in 2019 has passed the Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019 (Andhra Pradesh
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2019).
 It provides for awarding death sentence for offences of rape and gangrape and expediting
trials of such cases to within 21 days.
 It has prescribed the death penalty for rape crimes where there is adequate conclusive
evidence.
2.44 India-Portugal Tech Summit identifies possibilities of India & Portugal jointly scaling up
solutions to address societal challenges
[Globalization]
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 Recently, DST (Department of Science & Technology) – CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)
India-Portugal Tech Summit has taken place.
 It has identified several opportunities for engagement amongst stakeholders at various levels
while deliberations on the possibilities of scaling up solutions to address societal challenges
facing the world have yielded positive results, dignitaries.
2.45 Universal Healthcare Coverage Day celebrated on 12th December 2020.

 Union Health minister has released some resourceful apps and guidelines for implementing
and monitoring various health programs
 The SDG-3 Health Dashboard – It would enable Policy makers and program implementers, to
identify key priorities areas that require action and in framing future action plan for achieving
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
 Compendium of Health and Wellness Centers Operationalization – It provides an overview of
the progress and achievement over the last two years in operationalizing Health and Wellness
Centers across India under the Ayushman Bharat program.
 The NCD Medical Officer App – It will ensure that the missing links in the follow up of patients
suffering from Non-Communicable Diseases can be established in a more effective way.
Key Information shared
 Under the Ayushmaan Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, 51,500 centers have become
functional, more than 1/3 of the target has been met.
 Government is aiming to establish 1.5 lakh centers by December 2022, it also includes 12,500
AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers.
 A massive 30 crore footfall has been recorded at the Health and wellness centers till 12th
December 2020.
2.46 ₹15,000 financial assistance a year for each student under Amma Vodi scheme
[Social Sectors - Education]
 Recently, Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme has been launched with a financial assistance of
₹15,000 for 2020-21.
About Jagananna Amma Vodi
 It has been launched for providing financial assistance to each mother or recognized guardian
in the absence of mother, who is below poverty line household, irrespective of caste, creed,
religion and region.
 The assistance will be provided to enable her to educate her child/children from Class I to XII
(Intermediate Education) in all recognized Government, Private Aided and Private Unaided
schools/ Jr. Colleges including Residential Schools/Colleges in the State from the Academic
year 2020-2021.
 The list of students has to be placed online on the child info/Gyanabhoomi portal.
2.47 Hunger continued even after lockdown

 Recently, Right to Food Campaign has conducted “Hunger Watch” survey.
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Key Highlights
 It has recorded responses from marginalised and excluded communities, such as from
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minority religious communities including Muslims.
 Over half of the people surveyed their consumption of rice and wheat had decreased and 25%
informed this had decreased a lot.
 64% reported decrease in consumption of pulses and nearly 30% informed this had “decreased
a lot”.
 73% reported a drop in consumption of vegetables and nearly 40% informed there was a
drastic decrease in their use.
 About 71% of those who were non-vegetarians could not afford eggs or meat.
 66% or 2/3rd of people informed they were having less than the quantity they used to eat.
 One in four Dalits and one in four Muslims reported they faced discrimination and about 12%
of Scheduled Tribes felt discriminated.
 Nearly 56% of those surveyed never skipped meals before the lockdown.
 Nearly one in three respondents had to “sometimes” go to bed on an empty stomach, while
one in 20 households did so “often.”
 43% of those surveyed had no income immediately after the lockdown in April and May, and
of these, only 3% have returned to the same income levels as pre-lockdown.
 The campaign has also demanded a universal public distribution system that provides every
individual with 10 kg grain, 1.5 kg pulses and 800 gm cooking oil for at least the next six months
up to June 2021, and guarantee of 200 days of employment per household under the Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) under the statutory minimum
wages.
2.48 Crisil narrows FY21 GDP shrinkage estimate to 7.7%

[Measurement of Growth]
 Recently, Crisil has re-adjusted India’s fiscal 2021 real gross domestic product (GDP) forecast
to contraction of 7.7% as compared with a contraction of 9% forecast in September 2020.
o It has informed that growth has been seen averaging at 6.2% annually between fiscals 2023
and 2025.
 Brickwork Ratings has estimated the GDP contraction between 7 and 7.5% in FY21 from the
previously estimated contraction of 9.5% in September 2020.
2.49 India slips to 54th rank in home price appreciation: Real estate group
 Recently, Knight Frank has released global house price index.
Key Findings
Global Findings
 Top 10 Countries: Turkey, New Zealand, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Austria,
Russia, Netherlands and Croatia.
 Bottom 10 Countries: Morocco, Hungary, India, Finland, Spain, Hong Kong, Malysia, Ireland,
Singapore and Chile.
 Average Annual growth rate – 4.5%
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 1 6 % percentage of countries and territories registering annual price declines in Q3 2020
 Ireland, Spain, India and Hong Kong have witnessed the weakest price growth year-on-year.
India Specific Finding
 India has moved down seven spots in the global home price index to 54th rank in the third
quarter (July to September) 2020.
 It has been ranked at 47th rank in Q3 2019.
 It has seen a decline of 2.4 per cent year-on-year in home prices.
 The ranking has remained unchanged to 54th spot among the 56 countries and territories
tracked in Q3 2020 index.
About Global House Price Index

 It tracks the movement in mainstream residential prices across 56 countries and territories
worldwide using official statistics.
2.50 FM Nirmala releases the ‘Smuggling in India Report 2019-20’

 Recently, Finance Minister has released the ‘Smuggling in India Report 2019-20.’
 It has been released during the 63rd Founding Day Celebrations of the Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence (DRI).
 Key Highlights
o The report has analyzed organized smuggling trends on Gold and Foreign Currency,
Narcotic Drugs, Security, Environment and Commercial Frauds.
o Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has detected 412 cases of smuggling resulting in the
seizure of contraband worth ₹1,949 crore in 2019-20.
o It has arrested 837 economic offenders and also unearthed 761 complex cases of Customs
duty evasion amounting to ₹2,183 crore.
o Around 120 tonnes of gold were smuggled into India in 2019-20.
o The Directorate Revenue of Intelligence did a total of 72 seizures under the Narcotic Drugs
and Psychotropic Substances act in the year 2019-20.
 The highest number of seizures was reported in Uttar Pradesh followed by
Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu.
o India has become the fourth largest illegal cigarette market in the world.
 In 2019-20, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized Rs 76.95 crores of
cigarettes.
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Important awards presented during the event
 Bravery Awards – Najimudheen and Sumer Sen.
 The DRI Utkrisht Seva Samman, 2020 – B. Sankaran, an officer of the 1961 batch of the Indian
Revenue Service.
Relevance
 According to the World Gold Council, India has an annual demand of 15% to 17%.
2.51 Nomura says India would be fastest growing Asian economy in 2021
 Recently, Nomura has expected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow at 9.9 per cent
in 2021.
 It has expected inflation to average at around 5.5 per cent in H1-2021 before easing to 4.1 per
cent in the second half.
 It has expected global growth to pick up from negative 3.7 per cent in 2020 to 5.6 per cent in
2021
2.52 Swiggy partners govt to build 'world's largest' street food vendor project
 Recently, Swiggy has partnered with Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNibhar Nidhi (PM
SVANidhi) Scheme to build street food vendor project.
 It has the potential to become 'world's largest' street food vendor project.
Key Highlights
 The SVANidhi scheme has received loan applications from 147,000 street food vendors.
 Out of the total, Swiggy in Phase I will onboard about 36,000 vendors to whom the loan has
been disbursed in 125 cities.
 Swiggy has created a special destination on the app where consumers can discover their
favourite street food vendors.
 Under the app
o At the time of onboarding, all vendors are registered with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India).
o Swiggy will then facilitate a Food Safety Training and Certification (FOSTAC) in partnership
with FSSAI and their empanelled partners.
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2.53 Subscribers to get 8.5% EPF savings interest at one go on 'market boost'
 Recently, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has informed that it will credit the
interest rate of 8.5% to the subscribers at one go for 2019-20.
Relevance
 The EPFO in September 2020 had decided that 8.15 per cent interest from its debt income
would be credited immediately and the remaining 0.35 per cent capital gains from the equity
sale would be given in December 2020.
2.54 ADB cuts India's FY21 contraction forecast to 8%

 Recently, The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) has upgraded its forecast for the Indian
economy, projecting 8 per cent contraction in 2020-21.
 It has also projected the growth for FY2021 at 8.0 per cent.
 It has revised India's inflation from 4.5 per cent to 5.8 per cent for 2020-21.
2.55 NREGA National Tracker December 2020

 Recently, NREGA National Tracker December 2020 has been released by People's Action for
Employment Guarantee (PAEG).
Key Highlights
 1.3 crore job cards have been issued under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2020.
 Total active job cards – 9.02 crore
 Eighty-three per cent of all active job cards demanded work.
 Total job cards demanding work in 2020 is 7.5 crore.
 Only 1.9 million households have finished 100 days of work (mandated under MGNREGA) n
2020 as compared to 4.06 million in 2019.
 Highest percentage of active users from total registered job cards – Tamil Nadu had the.
 Lowest percentage of active users from total registered job cards - Maharashtra
 All-India average percentage of active users from total registered job cards – 30.75 per cent.
 Highest percentage of Demand for work – Uttar Pradesh
 Lowest percentage of Demand for Work – Maharashtra
 National Demand for Work – 83.9%
 State that issued highest percentage of cards – Jharkhand
 State that issued lowest percentage of cards – Telangana
 1.7 million households have completed 100 days of employment.
 Out of the total allocation of 1,05,000 crore, 71 per cent of the allocated funds has been
utilized.
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2.56 Mood of the Consumer Survey
[Human Development]
 Recently, ‘Mood of the Consumer Survey’ has released by LocalCircles.
Key Findings
 About 48% consumers plan to spend a minimum of ₹1,000, going up to ₹50,000, on purchasing
discretionary products in the next four months.
 10% households plan to spend over ₹50,000 on discretionary purchases in the next four
months.
 21% households plan to spend between ₹10,000-₹50,000.
 Consumer Spending during festival season
o Rs 1,000 - Rs 10,000 - 37%
o Rs 10,001 - Rs 50,000 - 20%
o Over Rs 50,000 - 9%
o Did not spend anything – 33%
 68% consumers informed that their household savings have declined.
o Reduced by 50% or more - 28%
o Reduced by 0-25% - 25%
2.57 Indian Software as a Solution (SaaS) Companies to reach $18-20 billion revenue by 2022
 According to a recent report titled “India SaaS Report 2020”, SaaS companies founded by
Indian Entrepreneurs would reach $18-20 billion revenue by 2022.
Key Findings
 Indian SaaS companies have a potential to capture 7 to 9% share of the global SaaS market by
2022.
 Four key types of SaaS companies are expected to grow more, namely:
o Small and Medium Sized Business (SMB) focused Saas Companies.
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o Vertical-specific SaaS companies
o Globally competitive companies in emerging technology
o India initiators with SaaS and business-to-business (B2B) technology products
 Indian SaaS investments have increased to $1.3 billion in 2019, with 60% increase from 2018.
 SaaS investments constituted 15% of Venture Capital (VC)/growth equity investments in first
half of 2019 and rose to 20% in the same period in 2020.
 Zoho, Freshworks, Druva and Icertics have already broken the $100 million Annual Recurring
Revenue (ARR) Milestone.
 SaaS Companies raised around $2.10 billion funding during January-October 2020.
 Top 5 fund raising rounds:
o Freshworks - $250 million
o Postman - $150 million
o High Radius - $125 million
o Pine Labs- $85 million
o Khatabook - $60 million
About India SaaS Report 2020:
 It is an annual report, prepared by Bain & Company.
2.58 PayPal partners with Razorpay to help small businesses go global

 Recently, Razorpay and PayPal have entered into a partnership to enable seamless
international payments of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) and freelancers.
Key highlights:
 Razorpay’s partner businesses can now integrate with PayPal and accept payments from
international customers across 200 markets.
 This deal would be instrumental in enabling MSME’s and freelancers to tap 333 million
customer base.
Relevance:
 According to the report- Freelancing in 2020: An Abundance of Opportunities released by
Payoneer in September 2020, India witnessed a 46% increase in new freelancers from Quarter
One (Q1) to Quarter two (Q2) in 2020.
2.59 World Food Price index jumps in November to almost six-year high : Food and Agricultural
Organization (FAO)
[International Organizations]
 According to the recent, FAO Food Price Index, world food price index has jumped in
November 2020 to almost six year high.
Key Findings in Nov 2020 -
 FAO Food Price Index stood at 105.0 points
 FAO Cereal Price Index stood at 114.4 points
 FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index stood at 121.9 points
 FAO Dairy Price Index stood at 105.3 points
 FAO Meat Price Index stood at 91.9 points
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 FAO Sugar price index stood at 87.5 points
 FAO decreased its forecast for the 2020 cereal season to 2.742 billion tonnes.
 The forecast for world cereal utilization in 2020/21 has been kept at 2.744 billion tonnes,
 The global cereal stock-to-use ratio would decline from 31.8 % in 2019-20 to 30.7 % in 2020-
21.
About FAO Food Price Index:
 It measures the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food items.
2.60 Covid-19 could push 72 million children into ‘learning poverty’: World Bank
[Social Sectors – Education]
 According to recent report “Realizing the Future of Learning: From Learning Poverty to
Learning for Everyone, Everywhere” and “Reimagining Human Connections: Technology &
Innovation at the World Bank”, released by World Bank, Covid-19 could push 72 million
children into learning poverty.
Key findings:
 72 million primary school children aged under 10 are at the risk of learning poverty (not able
to read and understand simple text), as a result of covid-19 related school closures.
 It could increase learning poverty levels of primary school children in low and middle income
countries to 63% from 53%.
 Present Generation students are at the risk of losing about $10 trillion in future life time
earnings, which is equal to almost 10% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
 The Bank’s overall new commitments in education during the last fiscal year 2019 reached
US$5.2 billion
 Another $6.3 billion investments have been made in 2020.
2.61 2021 to see 40% increase in people needing Humanitarian Aid due to Covid-19: Global
Humanitarian Overview 2021
[International Institutions]
 According to the recently releases Global Humanitarian Overview 2021, there would be a
40% increase in people needing Humanitarian Aid in 2021, due to extreme poverty caused
by Covid-19.
Key Findings:
 Total People in need in 2021: 235 Million
 Total People targeted in 2021: 160 Million
 Total cost to support the people in need 2021: $ 35 Billion
 Countries to be benefited: 56.
 1 in 33 people worldwide would require humanitarian aid in 2021.
 By 2020 end, acutely food insecure people would be 270 million.
 Funding to increase food security requests have increased to $9 billion in 2020
 Over 5 million children under 5 years face the threats of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea.
Global achievements in 2020:
 Over 98 million people have been reached with humanitarian aid.
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 2,412 health facilities have been provided emergency obstetric care.
 2.5 million children have been treated for severe acute malnutrition.
 3.4 million children have been vaccinated against measles.
 6.3 million children have been vaccinated against polio.
 844,000 Metric Tonne (MT) of food has been procured locally, with a value of $548 million.
 14.2 million people have accessed safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene
 Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated over $60 million to GBV-focused
programmes
 CBPFs allocated a total of $236 million to local and national Non-Government Organizations
(NGOs).
 For the first time ever, CERF allocated $25 million for frontline NGOs to deliver life-saving
COVID-19-related services.
About Global Humanitarian Overview:
 It is an annual report.
 It is released by United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(UNOCHA).
2.62 Health Insurance Policies would now cover robotic and bariatric surgeries: IRDAI revised
norms
[Social Sectors – Health]
 Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has
standardized health insurance policies and released the new health insurance regulations.
 The new regulations would permit insurers to cover various types of advanced treatments,
which were not included earlier.
 Aim – Making insurance services more customer friendly to the public.
Recent inclusions in Health Insurance as per new Guidelines:
 Mental Illness, Obesity, Bariatric surgery, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinsons’ Disease, Robotic
Surgery
2.63 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) seeks $6.4 billion emergency funds
[International Institutions]
 Recently, the UNICEF has requested $6.4 billion emergency funds for the year 2021, the
largest funding appeal ever made to support increased global humanitarian needs amid
pandemic.
 The funds would cover 300 million people, including 190 million children globally in 2021
 It would cover over 149 countries and territories in 2021.
 The funding appeal has increased by 35% from 2020.
Top 5 funding appeals:
S. NO Country / Community Funds required (Amount in $)
1 Syrian refugees 1.0 billion
2 Yemen 576.9 million
3 Democratic Republic of Congo 384.4 million
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4 Syria 330.8 million
5 Venezuela 201.8 million
2.64 MGNREGS workers spend money to collect wages: Length of the Last Mile Report
 According to the recent report: “Length of the Last Mile-Delays and Hurdles in NREGA Wage
Payments”, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act/Scheme
(MGNREGS/MGNREGS) workers in India have been facing various hurdles in collecting the
wages.
Key Findings:
 1947 workers from Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand have been surveyed for the
report for the period September – November 2018.
 Average cost incurred to visit post offices to withdraw wages – Rs 6.
 Average Cost of visiting Bank to withdraw wages – Rs 31.
 Average Cost of visiting CSC/ BP to get wages – Rs 11
 Average Cost of visiting ATM to receive wages – Rs 67.
 Nearly 13% of respondents have faced payment rejections
 77% of the respondents are unaware about the reason for rejection.
 As of July 2020, in the last five years, about Rs 4,800 crores of wages have been rejected.
 As of July 2020, in the last five years, about Rs 1274 crores of wages is yet to be paid to
workers.
 Only 6.3% workers have registered written complaint regarding payment rejections.
 Complaints registered in online mode –1%
About the Survey:
 It has been published by LibTech India.
 It has been released in November 2020.
Relevance:
 Over 4.2 million rejected wage payments for the fiscal year FY21 remains unresolved.
 As of 30th November 2020, 98.2% of payments have been made within 15 days for FY21.
2.65 36th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Charter Day observed
[Regional Economic Cooperation]
 Recently, the 36th SAARC Charter Day has been observed.
About SAARC Charter Day:
 It has been observed annually on 8th December.
 It has been observed to mark the signing of SAARC Charter in 1985, at the first SAARC summit
held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Relevance:
 In March 2020, Indian Prime Minister has proposed a COVID-19 Emergency Fund, based on
the voluntary contributions from SAARC member countries.
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 India, has made initial contribution of $10 million while other member countries have
contributed $9.8 million together.
 SAARC Secretariat has committed $5 million to the fund.
2.66 Fitch revises India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast

 According to the recently released “Global Economic Outlook: light at the end of the tunnel
December 2020” India’s GDP growth will shrink by 9.4 % for fiscal year FY21 ending March
2021.
India Specific Findings:
 Comparison between September 2020 & December 2020 forecast:
GDP forecast in GDP forecast in Overall Change
December 2020 September 2020
(-) 9.4% (-) 10.5% (+) 1.1 %
 Economy would grow by 11% in FY22.
 Economy would grow by 6.3% in the following year, which was earlier projected at 6% in
September 2020.
 Consumer Price Inflation (Consumer Price Inflation) for FY21 – 4.9%
 Estimated CPI for FY22 – 3.5%.
Other important recent forecasts:
 Fitch Solutions, sister company of Fitch Ratings, has projected Indian economy would contract
by 8.6% in FY21.
 Fitch Solutions, has projected that India’s real GDP would grow by 9.5% in FY22.
 Reserve Bank of India, has projected that Indian economy will shrink by 7.5% in December
2020 for FY 21, as compared to (-) 9.5% in October 2020.
 S & P Global ratings has predicted that India’s GDP will shrink by 9% in FY21.
2.67 Union Minister of Commerce and Industry addresses ICAI Startup Manthan Week 2.0
 Recently, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has addressed the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Startup Manthan Week 2.0
 Theme: Startup Triology – Compliance, Management and Fundraising.
About the event:
 It has been organized by the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India (ICAI)
 It has been organized to discuss about the eco-system, opportunities and government
initiatives to promote startup companies in India.
What is a Start up?
 Any company shall be called as s startup:
o If it is registered as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act,2013),or
o registered as a partnership company ((under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932),
or
o Limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008).
o Up to 10 years from the date of registration.
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o If is turnover for any financial services since incorporation has not exceeded Rs 100
crores.
o If its nature of business is related to innovation, development, improvement of
products, services or if it has high potential to generate employment or create wealth.
Government Initiatives to promote startup ecosystem.
 To provide equity funding support to the startups, government has set aside a corpus fund
of Rs. 10,000 crores managed by Small Industries Development Corporation of India (SIDBI).
 A total of 7,438 startups have been registered in the Government E-Marketplace (GeM) in
2020.
Start- Up India Scheme
Launch Year January 2016
Implemented by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
,Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Aim Promoting Startup Ecosystem through:
 Simplification and Handholding
 Funding Support and Incentives
 Industry-Academia Partnership and Incubation.
2.68 EXIM Bank and SIDBI to set up investment fund to provide loan support to SME’s
 Recently, the Export and Import (EXIM) and Small Industries Development Corporation of
India (SIDBI) together have setup an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
 Aim – To provide loan support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for export promotion
in India.
About the proposed AIF:
 It has been first announced in Union Budget for the Fiscal Year FY21.
 The AIF has been announced as a part of Ubharte Sitaare Scheme.
 As per the Budget, both EXIM and SIDBI would contribute Rs 50 crores each.
 Additional debt amounting Rs 900 crores will be provided by various banks.
About Ubharte Sitaare Scheme:
 It is implemented by Exim Bank
 It aims to identify Indian businesses with potential advantages, in technology and processes,
along with export potential, but showing under performance.
 It assists SME’s through combination of loans, grants, equity and consultancy services.
2.69 TiE Global Summit (TGS 2020) organized in Hyderabad

 Recently, The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Global Summit (TGS 2020) has been organized in
Hyderabad, Telangana.
 Theme: Entrepreneurship 360
About TGS 2020:
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 It is the largest virtual entrepreneurial summit, attended by leaders, entrepreneurs, investors
and mentors across the globe.
 It is presented by CtrlS, Asia’s largest data centre company in Hyderabad.
About TiE Global Summit:
 It is an annual summit organized by The Indus Entrepreneurs.
2.70 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare addresses the Inter Ministerial Conference by
Partners in Population and Development (PPD)
 Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has addressed the 17th Inter
Ministerial Conference by Partners in Population and Development (PPD).
 Organized jointly by - Partners in Population and Development (PPD), the United Nation
Population Fund (UNFPA), and National Health Commission of China.
 National Health Commission of China chaired the summit for 2020.
Key Highlights:
 India has reaffirmed the commitments made at the Nairobi Summit.
 India has committed-
o to provide universal health care of $7000 dollars per family, per year through Ayushman
Bharat / National Health Protection Scheme, world’s largest health assurance scheme.
o to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate to less than 70% by 2030 through Safe Motherhood
Assurance (SUMAN) Scheme.
 Government has already allocated $ 3 billion by 2020, for improving reproductive health care
services.
 India is dedicated to providing quality, timely and disaggregated data, investing in digital
health innovations, and improvement of data systems by 2030.
 India’s National Health Policy 2017 aims at raising public health expenditure to 2.5 %.
 Indian Prime Minister has announced an allocation of 2 billion US Dollars for building health
infrastructure to combat covid-19.
About Partners in Population and Development (PPD):
 Establishment: 1994
 It has been established for the purpose of improving South-to-South collaboration in the
areas of reproductive health, population and development.
 It plays an important role in expanding the common agenda – ‘Health for All’.
About Nairobi Summit:
 It has been held in November 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
 It is also known as International Conference on Population and Development +25 ( ICPD+25)
 It has been organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ICPD held in Cairo in 1994.
 Nairobi summit Targets:
o Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths by 2030
o Zero unmet need for Family Planning by 2030
o Zero gender-based violence and harmful practices by 2030.
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2.71 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) releases the Emissions Gap Report 2020
[Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development]
 Recently, the UNEP has released the 11 edition of the “Emissions Gap Report 2020”.
Key findings:
 Top 4 emitters of the total GHC emissions without LUC in the last 10 years, contributing 55%
of total emissions:
o China
o United States of America
o United Kingdom + European Union
o India
 India, along with other 8 G20 members, are on track to attain 2030 Nationally Determined
Commitment (NDC commitments).
 Global Green House Gases (GHG) emissions in 2019, has reached a record high of 52.4
Gigatonne carbon equivalent (GtCO2e) (range: ±5.2) without land-use change (LUC) emissions
and 59.1 GtCO2e (range: ±5.9) when including LUC.
 Fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has dominated the total GHG emissions including LUC
(65 %) reached a record 38.0 GtCO2 (range: ±1.9) in 2019.
 According to preliminary data, fossil CO2 emissions reached a record 38.0 GtCO2 (range: ±1.9)
in 2019.
 Since 2010, GHG emissions without LUC have grown at 1.3% per year.
 According to primary data, GHG emissions have increased 1.1% in 2019.
 GHG emissions when including the uncertain and variable LUC emissions have increased 2.6
% in 2019 due to a large increase in vegetation forest fires.
 LUC emissions account for around 11 % of the global total emissions.
 Group of twenty (G20) members have accounted for 78% of GHG emissions in the last 10
years.
 Co2 emissions could decrease by about 7% in 2020 (range 2 to 12%), due to covid-19 and
lockdown, as compared to emission levels in 2020.
 Despite Co2 emissions reduction in 2020, atmospheric concentration of major GHG’s –
Methane (CH4), Co2 and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) would continue to increase in both 2019 and
2020.
 Covid-19 related decrease in emissions will not contribute to reduce emissions significantly
by 2030.
 The impact of the slowdown of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery
measures, is expected to reduce global GHG emissions by about 2–4 GtCO2eby 2030.
 By 2030, annual emissions need to be 15 GtCO2e (range: 12–19 GtCO2e) lower than current
unconditional NDCs imply for a 2°C goal, and 32 GtCO2e (range: 29–36GtCO2e) lower for the
1.5°C goal.
 Current NDCs remain seriously inadequate to achieve the climate goals of the Paris
Agreement (1.5 degree Celsius) and would lead to a temperature increase of at least 3 degree
Celsius by the end of the century.
 To meet the Paris Agreement goals, GHG emissions should reduce by 7.6% every year.
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 Globally, 12 % of Gross Domestic Product or $12 trillion has been spent by the Governments
for covid-19 related measures in 2020.
2.72 Employees State Insurance Corporation announces major policy initiatives for better medical
services to workers
 Recently, the ESIC during its 183rd Meeting, has made several important decisions to improve
the delivery of medical services and other related benefits to workers.
 The meeting has been chaired by Union Minister for Labour and Employment Independent
Charge (I/C).
Key initiatives announced in the meeting:
 ESIC has decided to directly run all the newly constructed and those that are approved in
future by itself, unless the state government insists to run the hospital.
 Any locality/area, where ESI infrastructure is not available within 10 kilometer radius,
beneficiaries from locality/area, can avail medical consultation for Out Patient Department
(OPD services) directly from an hospital empanelled with ESIC or with Ayushman Bharat,
without any referral from ESIC dispensary or Hospital.
 In the above mentioned case, in case if admission for indoor treatment is required, the
empanelled hospital would obtain time bound permission from the ESI approving authority
through an online system.
 Super specialty services in cardiology, nephrology, urology and oncology will be
strengthened in selected ESIC hospitals in Delhi/ National Capital Region NCR and it will be
extended to other ESIC hospitals across India in a phased manner.
 Under Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana, ESIC has also decided to extent relaxed conditions
and the enhanced benefit of 50% of the average per day earning upto a maximum of 90 day
to the insured workers who became unemployed due to COVID-19 induced lockdown for a
further period of six months, upto 30th June, 2021.
2.73 LVPEI awarded ‘The Greenberg Prize – End Blindness 2020’

[Social Sector – Health]
 Recently, The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad, Telangana has been awarded the
prestigious Greenberg Prize – End Blindness 2020, for its contribution to end blindness.
 Gullapalli N Rao has been presented with the in the ‘Outstanding Achievement Prize’
category
 Dr. R D Ravindran has also been awarded in the ‘Outstanding Achievement Prize’ category.
About ‘The Greenberg Prize – End Blindness 2020’:

 It has been introduced by Susan and Sanford Greenberg in 2012
 Objective – to recognize the outstanding work to end blindness during the period 2012-2020.
 Prize Money - $3 million.
2.74 UAE-India Food Security Summit 2020

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 Recently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – India Food Security Summit 2020 has been
organized by Consulate General of India, Dubai, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and
Invest India in Dubai.
 Aim - promote collaborations in trade and investment in the food sector.
Key highlights:
 A delegation of farmers, growers, businessmen and government officials from Jammu and
Kashmir have participated in the event to promote horticulture products in the UAE market.
 Geographical Indication (GI) tagged Saffron from Kashmir had also been launched in the
event.
 UAE investments in India are valued around $ 10 billion in the form of FDI and portfolio
investment.
 UAE is the 10th biggest investor in India in terms of FDI
 As a part of India –UAE food Corridor, UAE has proposed investments worth $ 5 billion India’s
Mega Food Parks, farming logistics, warehousing, fruits & vegetable hubs etc.
About UAE- India Food Corridor:
 It has been first proposed in October 2019.
 Aim – To secure UAE’s food security, through the processing, transport of 30% of food waste
from India to UAE.
 UAE Entities would be investing upto $ 7 billion in Indian food sector till 2022.
About Invest India:
Launch Year 2009
Ministry Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
Industry
Feature National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency helping investors seeking
investment opportunities in India.
2.75 NBCFDC & NSFDC signed Memorandum of Agreements (MoA) with Punjab National Bank
 Recently, the National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and
National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), have signed
Memorandum of Agreements with Punjab National Bank.
 Purpose: Implementation of Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta (VISVAS)
scheme.
About VISVAS Scheme:
Launch Year September 2020
Ministry Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Objective To provide interest subvention to for loans from Self Help Groups (SHG) with 100%
Other Backward class (OBC) / Scheduled castes (SC) members
Eligibility  Member of backward classes, Other Backward classes, Scheduled Castes as
notified by central/ state governments.
 Applicant’s annual family income should be less than Rs 3.00 Lakhs.
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 All OBC Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders, and OBC individuals facing
three or more deprivations in terms of Social Economic Case Census (SECC)-
2011, as per records available at the relevant Block Development Officer
(BDO) Office.
 All OBC beneficiaries involved in Agricultural activities and getting coverage
under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi( PM Kisan) Scheme
Benefits  Maximum loan limit ( SHG) : Rs 4.00 Lakh
 Maximum loan limit (for individual): Rs 2.00 Lakh
 Maximum Subvention Amount: @ 5% per annum.
 The interest subvention amount would be credited into the operating
account of SHG/ Individual through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Target Year 2024-25
About NBCFDC:
Establishment January 1992
Aim  To improve and develop the economic activities for the members of
Backward Classes who are living below double the poverty line.
About NSFDC:
Establishment 1989
Aim  To empower the people from the Scheduled Castes family living below
double the poverty line.
2.76 United Nations declares International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

 Recently, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), has declared 27th December as the
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.
 It has been declared on UNGA session on Global Health and Foreign Policy
 Aim - to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for and partnerships
against epidemics such as Covid-19.
 United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030, has also been declared in the session.
2.77 NITI Aayog and Patna High Court initiate a drive for technology use to advance access to
Justice through Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)
[Social Justice]
 Recently, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and Patna High Court,
Bihar have initiated a meeting with special focus on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).
 Objective – To provide insights about the efficient use of technology to provide affordable
justice for all in the post pandemic world.
About Online Dispute Resolutions:
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 It is the method of resolving disputes, particularly medium value cases using technology and
techniques of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), without going to courts in person.
 ODR’s are done in SAMA Platform, in collaboration with different states by organizing
electronic-lok (e-lok) adalats
About E- Lok Adalats:
● Launched in July 2020.
● Aim – Virtual settlements of disputes as court proceedings were limited due to the Covid-19
outbreak and lockdown.
● First E-Lok Adalat was launched in Chandigarh High Court.
About SAMA (Space for Resolution) Portal:
 It has been operational from 2015
 It has been recognized by the Department of Justice, Government of India, in accordance
with Regulations 3(2) and 14 of The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) (Lok Adalat)
Regulations, 2009.
 Over 65,000 cases have been filed, out of which over 39898 cases have been settled in the
SAMA Portal.
2.78 World Health Organization applauds India for Fitness Ka Dose Aadha Ghanta Roz campaign
 Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has applauded India for Fitness Ka Dose
Aadha Ghanta Roz campaign.
About the Campaign:
 It has been launched by the Union Sports Minister as a part of Fit India Movement.
 Objective: To encourage people to spend 30 minutes a day for fitness.
About Fit India Movement:
Launch Year August 2019
Implemented by Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs
Aim  To promote healthy lifestyle of people by including sports and
physical activities in daily life.
2.79 Union Finance Minister appreciates efforts in higher procurement and payments to MSMEs
upto November 2020
 Recently, the Union Finance Minister has appreciated the efforts made by the Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, resulting in higher procurement and payment of over
Rs. 21,000 crores to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) during May –
November 2020
Key Takeaways:
 Procurements have been made based on the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package guidelines.
 Special focus has been given to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) and the central
government agencies for payment of dues.
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 Procurement by CPSE’s and central government agencies from MSME’s have gone up by over
2.5 times since May 2020
 Highest level of procurement has been achieved in October 2020 amounting about Rs 5100
crore.
 Highest payment has also been made in October 2020 amounting about Rs 4100 crore.
 As on 10th November 2020, procurement of about Rs 4700 crore and payment of about Rs
4000 crore have already been reported.
About MSME Benefits – Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package:

 The Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package has been announced in May 2020.
 A credit guarantee of Rs 3 lakh crore has been announced to help MSMEs with a credit
outstanding of Rs 25 crores or less than Rs 100 crore turnover.
 The loans has to be obtained before 31st October 2020, for a tenure of 4 years and 12 months
moratorium.
 100% credit guarantee is available for principal and interest.
 Government has allocated Rs 20,000 crore as subordinate debt to help about two lakh MSMEs
with stressed accounts or non-performing assets (NPA).
 Government has created a funds of fund with a corpus of Rs 50,000 for MSME sector.
 Pending MSME dues has to be settled within 45 days.
2.80 HelpAge India awarded with UN Population Award 2020

 According to the recent press release by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Help Age
India has been awarded with United Nations (UN) Population Award 2020 under the
institutional category.
 HelpAge India is the first Indian institution to receive UN Population Award.
About UN Population Award:
 It has been established in 1981 by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
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 It recognizes the contributions in the fields of population and reproductive health.
2.81 Maharashtra Government, XED Institute to launch accelerator programme for entrepreneurs
 Recently, the Maharashtra Government and XED Institute of Management, Singapore have
planned to setup an accelerator programme for entrepreneurs called ‘Cornell Maha 60’.
 Objective: to bridge the gap between the existing entrepreneurial skills and the demands of
the start-up ecosystem.
Key highlights of Cornell Maha 60’
 The accelerator programme is in line with Maharashtra State Innovative Start-up Policy 2018.
 An incubation centre would be setup in Mumbai in association with Cornell University, New
York.
 It would train 60 young entrepreneurs for three academic years.
2.82 Andhra Pradesh Government launches Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi Scheme

 Recently, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has launched Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi
Scheme, to distribute sheep and goat units to women.
 Aim – To improve the standard of living of women with less labour and less investment.
 It has also launched the distribution of 4.69 lakh units’ cows and buffaloes with Rs 3,500
crore to strengthen dairy sector.
Key Highlights of Jagananna Jeeva Kranthi Scheme:
 Women between the age group 45-60 from backward classes (BC), scheduled castes (SC) and
scheduled tribes (ST) are the beneficiaries of the scheme.
 2.49 lakh sheep and goat units would be distributed to women in three phases:
o 20,000 units would be distributed in the first phase till March 2021.
o 1,30,000 units would be distributed in the second phase from April to August 2021
o 99,000 units would be distributed in the third phase from September to December
2021.
 Budget – Rs 1,869 crores
 Training centres for sheep breeding would be set up in Dhone, Kurnool district and
Penugonda, Anantapur district.
2.83 Cabinet approves public Wifi networks without any fee and telecom development schemes
for North East and Lakshadweep
 Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved setting up public Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access
network called PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wifi Access Network Interface) and telecom
development schemes for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Lakshadweep.
 Objective – To promote the Growth of Public Wifi Networks in India.
Key Highlights of PM WANI:
 There is no licensing fee for providing broadband internet through PM WANI.
 Registration would be granted within 7 days of the application for free.
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Key Highlights of telecom schemes for Arunachal Pradesh and Assam:
 Cabinet has approved provision of Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for mobile
coverage in Arunachal Pradesh, and KabriAnglong and Dima Hasao districts in Assam under
the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for the North Eastern Region (NER).
 Budget - Rs 2,029 crore, including operational expenses for five years.
 It would provide mobile coverage to 2374 uncovered villages (1683 in Arunachal Pradesh and
691 in two districts of Assam).
 It would be funded by USOF
 Target – December 2022.
Key highlights of telecom schemes for Lakshadweep:
 Cabinet has approved the provision of submarine optical fiber connectivity between the
mainland (Kochi) and the Lakshadweep Islands (KLI Project).
 It would provide direct communication link through a submarine optical fibre cable (ofc)
between Kochi and 11 Islands of Lakshadweep.
 Budget – Rs 1072 crores, including operational expenses for five years.
 It would be funded by USOF.
 Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has nominated Telecommunications Consultant India
Ltd. (TCIL) as the Technical Consultant of the Project.
 Target – May 2023.
2.84 India Qatar to set up Energy Task Force

[Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development]
 Recently, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas has announced that India and Qatar
would be setting up an Energy Task Force.
 Objective: To identify specific projects in India’s energy sector to increase Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) from Qatar.
2.85 World Health Organization releases 2019 Global Health Estimates

 According to the recent “2019 Global Health Estimates”, released by World Health
Organization, Heart diseases has remained the leading cause of death during 2000-2019.
Key Findings:
 Top 3 global causes of death in 2019
o Heart diseases
o Stroke
o Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
 Top 3 global causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019:
o Neonatal conditions
o Heart diseases
o Stroke
 Heart diseases now represent 16% of total deaths globally.
 Number of death from heart diseases has increase to 9 million in 2019 from 2 million in 2000.
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 Lower respiratory infections has accounted for the highest number of deaths in the
communicable disease category.
 65% of death from Alzheimer’s and dementia are women.
 Diabetes related deaths have increased by 70% globally between 2009-2019.
 There has been 80% increase in diabetes related deaths among men.
 Globally, deaths from road traffic injuries are 75 % male
 Global life expectancy has increased to 73.4 years in 2019.
 Healthy life expectancy has increased to 63.7% in 2019.
3 GA + Finance in News
3.1 RBI lists eligibility criteria for NBFCs to declare dividend
[Recent Development in Financial Sector]
 Recently, RBI has listed the eligibility criteria for declaration of dividend by non-banking
finance companies (NBFCs) and also evolved a matrix of criteria for maximum permissible
range of dividend payout ratio (DPR).
o DPR - the amount of dividends paid in relation to the total amount of net income a
company generates.
 Guidelines on distribution of dividend by NBFCs will be applicable from the financial year
beginning April 1, 2020 (FY21).
Key Highlights of Guidelines
Eligibility Criteria
1. Capital Adequacy and Leverage:
NBFCs should comply with the prescribed minimum capital adequacy and leverage ratio as under:
 Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) and Systemically Important Non-
Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-ND-SI) should have CRAR of at least
15% for last 3 years, including the accounting year for which it proposes to declare dividend.
 Non-Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-ND)
should have leverage ratio of less than 7 for the last 3 years, including the accounting year for
which it proposes to declare dividend.
 Core Investment Company (CIC) should have Adjusted Net Worth (ANW) of at least 30% of
its aggregate risk weighted assets on balance sheet and risk adjusted value of off-balance sheet
items for last 3 years, including the accounting year for which it proposes to declare dividend.
2. Non-Performing Assets (NPA)
 The net NPA ratio should be less than 6% in each of the last three years, including the
accounting year for which it proposes to declare dividend.
3. Other Criteria
 If the CRAR/ leverage/ ANW norms are not met in the previous two years, the applicable
NBFCs/ CICs would be eligible to pay dividend as per category D shown in image below.
 Provided, they have achieved minimum regulatory CRAR/ leverage/ ANW norms and their net
NPA is less than 4% in the accounting year for which they propose to declare dividend.
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Quantum of dividend payable
 The Dividend pay-out ratio for NBFC-D and NBFC-ND-SI – Refer Fig-1
 The dividend pay-out ratio for CIC – Refer Fig-2
 The above-mentioned matrix is not applicable to NBFC-ND and Type I NBFCs.
 While NBFC-ND may declare dividend subject to a ceiling of 50% on the dividend pay-out
ratio, as per the Board approved policy, Type I NBFC shall not be subject to any ceiling on the
dividend pay-out.
3.2 Cabinet approves the proposal of SEBI to sign Bilateral MoU between India and Luxembourg
 Recently, Union Cabinet has given approval for signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Financial and Commission de
Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg.
Objectives
 To strengthen cross border cooperation in the area of securities regulations and facilitate
mutual assistance, aid in imparting technical domain knowledge and enable effective
enforcement of the laws and regulations governing the securities markets of India and
Luxembourg.
About CSSF Luxembourg
 The Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) of Luxembourg is a public law
entity, with administrative and financial autonomy, established by the law of 23rd December
1998.
 The CSSF is the competent authority for the prudential supervision of the entire Luxembourg
financial centre, except for the insurance sector.
3.3 6th Instalment of Rs.6,000 crore released to the States to meet the GST shortfall
[Direct and Indirect Taxes]
 Recently, Ministry of Finance has released the weekly instalment of Rs. 6,000 crore to the
States to meet the GST compensation shortfall.
 Out of this, an amount of Rs. 5,516.60 crore has been released to 23 States and an amount of
Rs.483.40 crore has been released to the 3 Union Territories (UT) with Legislative Assembly
(Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir & Puducherry) who are members of the GST Council.
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 The remaining 5 States, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim do not
have a gap in revenue on account of GST implementation.
 Rs 6000 Crores have been borrowed at an interest rate of 4.2089 %.
 So far, an amount of Rs. 36,000 crore has been borrowed by the Central Government through
the special borrowing window at an average interest rate of 4.7106%.
 Government of India has also granted additional borrowing permission equivalent to 0.5% of
States’ GSDP to the states choosing option-I to meet GST compensation shortfall to help them
in mobilizing additional financial resources.
o So far, permission for borrowing an additional amount of Rs. 1,06,830 crore has been
granted to 28 States under this provision.
3.4 RTGS money transfer facility to be operational 24X7

[Banking System in India]
 Recently, in a bid to give a push to digital payments, RBI allowed the transfer of funds through
Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) round-the-clock from December 14, 2020.
Key Highlights of RTGS facility
 RTGS shall be available for customer and inter-bank transactions round the clock, except for
the interval between ‘end-of-day’ and ‘start-of-day’ processes
 RTGS shall continue to be governed by the RTGS System Regulations, 2013
 RTGS transactions undertaken after normal banking hours are expected to be automated using
‘Straight Through Processing (STP)’ modes.
o Straight-through processing is an automated process done purely through electronic
transfers with no manual intervention involved.
 Intra-Day Liquidity (IDL) facility shall be made available to facilitate smooth operations. The
Intra-Day Liquidity (IDL) availed, if any, shall be reversed before the ‘end-of-day’ process
begins.
Additional Information
 RTGS is used to transfer a large sum of money instantly. Minimum limit is Rs.2 lakh, No upper
ceiling.
 The average ticket size for RTGS in November 2020 was Rs 57.96 lakh, making it a system of
large-value payment.
3.5 India and UN-Based Better Than Cash Alliance organized a joint Peer learning exchange on
fintech solutions
 Recently, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance hosted a learning session
“Accelerating Responsible Digital Payments: Unlocking the Role of Fintech in Last Mile
Service Delivery” with leaders from States and Union Territories across India.
 Session was co-organized with the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance.
 Various Ministries and agencies made presentations on Open APIs, Smart City Cards,
Blockchain use cases, Account Aggregator Eco system etc.
 Rs 68,000 crore of cash was provided as direct benefits transfers directly into the bank
accounts of the most vulnerable during COVID using above mentioned digital infrastructure.
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About Better Than Cash Alliance
 Alliance is a partnership of over 75 governments, companies and international organizations
committed to accelerate the transition from cash to digital payments to advance the
Sustainable Development Goals.
 India became a member of the Better Than Cash Alliance in 2015 to digitize payments to
achieve financial inclusion
3.6 India Post Payments Bank launches its digital payments' services 'DakPay'
[Banking System in India]
 Recently, The Department of Posts (DoP) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) have virtually
unveiled a new digital payment app 'DakPay'
 The App is launched as part of its ongoing efforts to provide Digital Financial inclusion at the
last mile across India
About Indian Post Payment Bank
 Headquarter: New Delhi
 Tagline: Aapka Bank Aapka Dwar
3.7 GSTN launches taxpayer communication facility on portal

 Recently, The GST Network launched the "communication between taxpayer" feature on its
portal.
 The new functionality will provide communication platform for taxpayers wherein a
recipient/purchaser can ask his supplier/s to upload any particular invoice/s that has not been
uploaded but is required by the recipient to avail input tax credit (ITC)
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 Businesses can communicate with their supplier on GSTN portal about invoice uploading or
any deficiency therein.
 Besides, the supplier can send reply to his recipient through the same facility.
 Whenever a communication is sent by a taxpayer to his counterpart, intimation by GSTN would
also be sent to such counterpart through email and SMS on mobile phone.
3.8 7th Instalment of Rs.6,000 crore released to the States as back to back loan to meet the GST
shortfall
 Recently, 7th Instalment of Rs.6,000 crore released to the States as back to back loan to meet
the GST compensation shortfall
 Out of this, an amount of Rs.5,516.60 crore has been released to 23 States and an amount of
Rs.483.40 crore has been released to the 3 Union Territories (UT) with Legislative Assembly
(Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir & Puducherry) who are members of the GST Council.
 The remaining 5 States, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim do not
have a gap in revenue on account of GST implementation.
 The amount has been borrowed this week at an interest rate of 5.1348%.
 A total amount of Rs.42,000 crore released so far to all States and UTs with legislation at an
average interest rate of 4.7712%.
3.9 AIFs can leverage without limits in IFSC

[Alternative Sources of Finance]
 Recently, GIFT City regulator IFSCA has removed several restrictions in current regulations on
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) operating in International Financial Service Centre (IFSC).
Key Highlights of Current Regulation
Leverage
 AIFs in GIFT City permitted to undertake leverage, subject to satisfaction of prescribed
conditions.
Investment
 Co-investment in portfolio companies permitted by AIFs in GIFT City through segregated
portfolio, provided the investment terms are not favourable than those offered to the
common portfolio and appropriate disclosures are made in the placement memorandum.
 AIFs in GIFT City permitted to invest in domestic AIFs, alongside other permissible investments.
Diversification
 Diversification limits under the AIF Regulations not applicable to AIFs in GIFT City, subject to
appropriate disclosures in the placement memorandum
Background
Leverage
 The SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012 (“AIF Regulations”) restricts
Category-I / Category-II AIFs from borrowing directly or indirectly or engage in any leverage
except for meeting temporary funding requirements for not more than 30 days, on not more
than 4 occasions in a year and not more than 10% of the investible funds.
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 Category-III AIFs are permitted to engage in leverage subject to consent from investors of the
fund and subject to maximum limit not exceeding 2 times of the Net Asset Value of the AIF.
Investment
 The AIF Regulations permit Category-I AIF to invest in units of other Category-I AIFs4 and
Category-II AIF to invest in units of other Category-I AIF / Category-II AIF. The AIF Regulations
provide that the AIF should only invest in such units and shall not invest in units of other Funds
of Funds.
Diversification
 Under The AIF Regulations, Category I and II AIFs cannot invest more than 25% of the
investable funds in one Investee Company and Category III AIFs cannot invest more than 10%
of the investable funds in one Investee Company.
About Leverage
 Leverage allows a fund to increase its potential gains, as well as losses, by using financial
instruments and/or borrowed money to increase the fund’s market exposure beyond its net
asset value.
3.10 IFSCA notifies International Financial Services Centres Authority (Bullion Exchange)
Regulations, 2020
 Recently, IFSCA notified the International Financial Services Centres Authority (Bullion
Exchange) Regulations, 2020.
 The regulations inter alia cover the Bullion Exchange, Clearing Corporation, Depository, and
Vaults.
 The regulations are divided into the 16 chapters.
Background
 In the Union Budget 2020, Ministry of Finance had made an announcement for setting up an
International Bullion Exchange at the International Financial Services Centre in GIFT City,
Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
 Subsequently, the Government of India had notified the bullion spot delivery contract and
bullion depository receipt (with bullion as underlying) as Financial Products and related
services as Financial Services under the International Financial Services Centres Authority
(IFSCA) Act, 2019.
 IFSCA has been entrusted with the responsibility of operationalization of this Exchange.
3.11 SEBI bars entities from securities market for unauthorized investment advisory activities
[Primary and Secondary Market]
 Recently, SEBI has barred three individuals and two entities from the securities market for
carrying out unregistered investment advisory activities.
 As per two separate interim orders, Equity Mania Financial Advisory and its proprietor --
Ankit Goel, Money Streets Advisory Services LLP and its partners -- Zulfiqar Ahmed and
Ifteqaar have been directed to cease and desist from acting as investment advisors until
further orders.
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3.12 RBI eases norm for entities availing TLTRO funds to get guarantee
 Recently, RBI announced that the credit outstanding stipulation for availing credit guarantee
under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 2.0 will not apply to funds availed
under On Tap TLTRO (Targeted Long-Term Repo Operation).
About ECLGS 2.0
 As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0, Government announced it in November 2020.
 Under ECLGS 2.0, the corpus of ₹3.0 lakh crore of existing ECLGS 1.0 was extended to provide
100% guaranteed collateral free additional credit to entities in 26 stressed sectors identified
by the Kamath Committee of RBI plus health care sector.
 Only entities with credit outstanding between ₹50 crore and ₹500 crore are eligible for credit
guarantee.
Relevance of RBI move
 Banks are encouraged to synergize the two schemes by availing funds from RBI under on tap
TLTRO and seek guarantee under ECLGS 2.0 to provide credit support to stressed sectors.
3.13 FM reviews progress of various schemes under 3 Aatmanirbhar Bharat packages

[Fiscal Policy]
 Recently, Finance Ministry reviewed the progress made by various schemes under the 3
Aatmanirbhar Bharat packages.
 FM presented the details of the ₹20.97 lakh crore ANBP 1.0 in a series of press conferences
from May 13-17. It was followed by AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package 2.0 on October 12 and the
third tranche on November 12.
Key Highlights of review
 Rs 3 lakh crore Collateral-free Automatic Loans for Businesses, including MSMEs:
o Under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), as on 04.12.2020, Rs.
2,05,563 crore has been sanctioned to 80,93,491 borrowers, while an amount of Rs.
1,58,626 crore has been disbursed to 40 Lakh MSME.
 Rs 45,000 crore Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme 2.0 for NBFCs:
o As on 04.12.2020, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have approved purchase of portfolio of
Rs. 27,794 crore and are currently in process of approval/negotiations for Rs. 1,400
crore. The timeline for purchase of bonds or Commercial Papers (CPs) has been further
extended till 31st Dec 2020.
 Rs 30,000 crore Additional Emergency Working Capital Funding for farmers through
NABARD:
o As on 04.12.2020, Rs. 25,000 crore has been disbursed out of this special facility.
Balance amount of Rs. 5,000 crore under Special Liquidity Facility (SLF) allocated to
NABARD by RBI for smaller Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Non-Banking
Financial Companies-Micro Finance Institutions (NBFCs-MFIs).
o Further, proposals amounting to Rs. 690 crore has been sanctioned to 6 NBFCs-MFIs
out of the balance amount of Rs 5,000 crore. Disbursement of Rs.130 crore has been
done till 04.12.2020.
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 Rs 2 lakh crore Concessional credit boost to 2.5 crore farmers through Kisan Credit Cards
o Almost 1.69 crore farmers with sanctioned credit limit of ₹1.54 lakh crore were covered
as on December 4, 2020.
 Demand booster for Residential Real Estate Income Tax relief for Developers & Home Buyers
o It has been decided to further increase the differential from Circle rate from 10% to
20% under section 43CA of the Act for the period from 12thNovember, 2020 to
30thJune, 2021 in respect of only primary sale of residential units of value up to Rs. 2
crore.
 Capital Expenditure: Special Assistance for States
o Finance Ministry approved ₹9,879 crore capital expenditure proposal of 27 states out
of which ₹4,939.81 crore has been released as the first instalment.
 Rs 18,000 crore additional outlay for Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana - Urban (PMAY-U)
o Special Window for Affordable and Mid Income Housing (SWAMIH) - 135 projects
approved with an outlay of Rs. 13,200 crore.
o Rs 18,000 crore is over and above Rs 8,000 crore allocated already this year.
 Rs 1.10 lakh crore Platform for Infra Debt Financing - Rs 6,000 crore Equity infusion in NIIF
Debt Platform
o The Government has approved an equity infusion of Rs 6,000 crore in National
Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Debt Platform, comprising of Aseem
Infrastructure Finance Limited and NIIF Infrastructure Finance Limited.
 Rs 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs
o Scheme was finalised and launched on 24th June, 2020. The State Bank of India has
identified 8,502 accounts and the disbursement process is in progress.
 Rs 50,000 crore Equity infusion for MSMEs through Fund of Funds
 Government's persistent efforts for payment to MSMEs
o With the concerted efforts by the Ministry of MSME since May 2020, over Rs 21,000
crore of MSME dues have been paid in past 7 Months since May 2020 by the Central
Government Agencies and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
 Rs 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers
o The Agri Infrastructure Fund was approved in July 2020. Under the Scheme, the first
sanction of Rs. 1,128 crore was made to over 2,280 farmer societies within 30 days.
 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) - Rs. 15,000 crore
o The AHIDF Scheme was approved in June 2020. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) was signed for development
of online Portal.
 Rs 20,000 crore for Fishermen through Pradhan MantriMatsyaSampadaYojana (PMMSY)
o As on 9th December 2020, the Department of Fisheries sanctioned projects worth of
Rs. 2,182 crore.
 Rs 70,000 crore boost to housing sector and middle income group through extension of
Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)
o The Government has extended the CLSS for MIG (Annual income: Rs. 6 – 18 lakh) up to
31st March 2021.
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o As on 8th December, 2020, 1,04,354 new MIG beneficiaries have been released subsidy
under the Scheme during 2020-21, taking the aggregate number to 4.29 Lakh.
 Rs 40,000 crore increase in allocation for MGNREGS to provide employment boost
o As on 10th December 2020, Rs. 40,000 crore has been received under
1st supplementary Demand for Grants 20-21. A total of 273.84 crore Person days have
been generated as of date which is 49% higher than last year.
 Rs. 90,000 crore Liquidity Injection for DISCOMs
o As on 10th December 2020, against the liquidity infusion package, Rs. 118,273 crore
worth of loans have been sanctioned and Rs. 31,136 crore has already been disbursed/
released. Another release of Rs 30,000 crore to various states is under process.
 Introduction of Commercial Mining in Coal Sector
o As on 10th December 2020, thermal coal imports in FY21 (upto 31.10.2020) down by
33% for power sector, overall by 27%.
 Liberalised Regime in Coal Sector
o Ministry of Coal/ Coal India Ltd. is drawing up a large evacuation plan for enhanced
CIL’s target of 1 billion tons coal production by 2023-24 plus coal production from
private blocks.
o As on 10th December 2020, 7 New Rail lines are under implementation with an
investment of Rs. 13,775 crore. Coal Bed Methane (CBM) extraction rights auction: 3
projects are planned in CIL command area on Built-Own-Operate basis.
o As on 10th December 2020, concessions in commercial terms of Rs. 6663.78 crore
already extended by CIL
3.14 Burger King India makes remarkable market debut; shares jump over 92%
 Recently, Shares of Burger King India zoomed over 92% in its debut trade against its issue price
of ₹60.
 Price range for the ₹810-crore initial public offering (IPO) was fixed at ₹59-60 per share.
 Investors seem to have fully favoured the Burger King India IPO, with the share sale getting
subscribed a massive 156.65 times on the last day of the offer.
3.15 RBI exempts certain accounts from its current account norm
[Regulatory Functions-RBI]
 Recently, RBI has allowed some accounts to be excluded from the ambit of its circular in
August in which the regulator had specified certain rules for opening current accounts with
banks.
An indicative list of such accounts is as given below:
 Accounts for real estate projects mandated under Section 4 (2) l (D) of the Real Estate
(Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 for the purpose of maintaining 70% of advance
payments collected from the home buyers.
 Nodal or escrow accounts of payment aggregators/prepaid payment instrument issuers for
specific activities as permitted by Department of Payments and Settlement Systems (DPSS),
Reserve Bank of India under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
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 Accounts for settlement of dues related to debit card/ATM card/credit card issuers/acquirers.
 Accounts permitted under FEMA, 1999.
 Accounts for the purpose of IPO / NFO /FPO/ share buyback /dividend payment / issuance of
commercial papers/allotment of debentures/gratuity, etc. which are mandated by respective
statutes or regulators and are meant for specific/limited transactions only.
 Accounts for payment of taxes, duties, statutory dues, etc. opened with banks authorized to
collect the same, for borrowers of such banks which are not authorized to collect such taxes,
duties, statutory dues, etc.
 Accounts of White Label ATM Operators and their agents for sourcing of currency.
Permission is subject to the condition that the banks shall ensure that these accounts are used for
permitted/ specified transactions only.
Background
 As per RBI’s August Notification, No bank shall open current accounts for customers who have
availed credit facilities in the form of cash credit (CC)/ overdraft (OD) from the banking system
and all transactions shall be routed through the CC/OD account.
 In case of customers who have not availed CC/OD facility from any bank, banks may open
current accounts as under:
o Borrowers with more than ₹50 crore exposure to the banking system should have an
escrow mechanism and only banks managing such escrow accounts can open current
accounts. Companies with less than ₹50 crore exposure will have fewer restrictions in
opening such accounts.
3.16 Sovereign fund flow: India replaces China as most sought-after destination
 According to data by New York-based Global SWF, which tracks over 400 sovereign wealth
funds, in the year 2020, India has quietly replaced China as the most sought after destination
for global sovereign wealth funds investment in the private sector.
 Funds deployed capital worth a record $14.8 billion in India, which is nearly three times more
than what they have put in China ($4.5 billion).
Key Highlights
 Comparison on year on year basis between India and China is as following:
 West Asian sovereign wealth funds have been on fire as far as their investments in India are
concerned.
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 Top west Asian sovereign funds, including Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Public
Investment Fund (PIF), Mubadala Investment Company, Kuwait Investment Authority and
Investment Corporation of Dubai and Qatar Investment Authority, together put in $ 7.38
billion in 14 deals in India.
 They accounted for more than 20 per cent of all private equity investments in the country.
3.17 Centre considers easing RBI's inflation target to help growth

[Inflation]
 Recently, the government is considering recommending a looser inflation target for the central
bank allowing it to focus more on economic growth.
 A consumer-price inflation band tracked by the Reserve Bank of India may be relaxed further
from the current 2%-6% range.
 The band -- a broad range of 400 basis points within which the central bank has sanction to
operate -- is the widest in Asia, and only matched by Turkey and surpassed by Argentina.
 The government still needs to hold consultations with the central bank before finalizing a new
framework sometime next year.
3.18 NSE to launch derivatives contracts on Nifty Financial Services index

 Recently, The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced to launch derivative contracts on the
Nifty Financial Services index.
 Derivative contracts on the Nifty Financial Services index will be only the third equity index.
 At present, NSE offers derivatives contracts for the benchmark Nifty50 and the Bank Nifty
index.
 The Nifty Financial Services index comprises 20 stocks, mainly banks, non-banking financial
companies (NBFCs) and insurance stocks — including HDFC Bank, HDFC, ICICI Bank, and Kotak
Mahindra Bank.
 The Nifty Financial Services index has a 94% correlation with the Nifty 50 Index and 98% with
the Nifty Bank index.
Relevance
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 Financial stocks have the biggest sectoral weight in the domestic stock markets. They account
for a third of the top 500 companies. It is also the biggest sector in terms of foreign investment.
In Nov 2020, nearly half of the $8 billion worth of foreign portfolio investment went into
financial stocks.
3.19 Bombay Stock Exchange launches e-agricultural spot market platform

 Recently, BSE has launched an electronic spot platform for agricultural commodities - "BSE E-
Agricultural Markets Ltd. (BEAM)" - through its subsidiary BSE Investments.
 Accordingly, the platform functions as a "national level, institutionalised, electronic,
transparent commodity spot trading platform.
Relevance
 With the help of BEAM, farmers in one state will be able to reach out to markets in other states
and auction their produce.
3.20 SEBI to have department to check price manipulation, misuse of IPO funds
 Recently, SEBI announced to have a separate specialised department, which will detect
possible irregularities in the utilisation of net proceeds and even do forensic accounting of
such firms.
 The new wing will be known as the Corporate Finance Investigation Department.
 It will be headed by one of Sebi’s executive directors.
 The department will have information technology solutions experts, particularly to detect the
menace of frauds.
Background
 Sebi had found out that companies are now using various new methods to use IPO proceeds
for various porpose other than those stated in the draft papers.
 In the past, such matters are mostly taken care of by the corporate finance department. But
now, some of the ongoing serious cases will be handled by the new division.
Additional Information
3.21 SEBI defers T+1 settlement plan after opposition from foreign investors
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 Recently, SEBI announced to defer the plan to half the trade settlement cycle to one day (T+1)
Following the opposition from foreign investors.
 At present, the domestic equity markets follow a T+2 settlement —the transfer of cash and
securities between the buyer and seller gets completed two days after the trading day.
Relevance of Moving to T+1 Cycle
 According to SEBI, shorter trade settlement cycle will help free up capital, make the markets
more efficient, and reduce the default risk faced by clearing corporations.
3.22 SEBI tweaks eligibility norms of companies relisting after CIRP process
 Recently, SEBI tweaked the eligibility norms of companies relisting after corporate insolvency
resolution process (CIRP) process.
 Companies relisting after the CIRP will need to have at least 5 per cent public shareholding,
which will need to be enhanced to 10 per cent within 12 months and 25 per cent within three
years.
 At present, Sebi provides up to 18 months for companies’ listing under the CIRP to hike their
MPS to 10 per cent and another 18 months to take it to 25 per cent.
3.23 BSE, NSE, MCX gear up for India's first bullion exchange at Gift City
 Recently, the government has notified regulations for setting up the bullion exchange in Gift
City IFSC.
Key Highlights of Regulations
 The applicant seeking recognition as a bullion exchange or bullion clearing corporation, as the
case may be shall have a minimum net worth of 30 million USD.
 The promoter group to hold a maximum 51 per cent equity. This includes equity held by
consortium members of the promoter group (domestic or foreign exchange).
 The remaining share capital may be acquired or held by any other person (whether Indian or
of foreign jurisdiction) with a maximum cap of 5 per cent per investor.
8146207241

Dec 8 To 15 2020 RBI GR B SEBI GR A NABARD GR A 2 1 Lyst7931

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1.3 Association of Buddhist Tour Operators International Convention inaugurated

1.5 5th India - Myanmar bilateral meeting on Drug Control Cooperation

1.7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses IMC 2020

8|P a g e W WW. E D U T AP . CO . I N QUERY? HELLO@EDUTAP.CO.IN / 8146207241

1.9 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2021

1.13 Cattle, Buffalo meat residue found in Indus Valley vessels.

9|P a g e W WW. E D U T AP . CO . I N QUERY? HELLO@EDUTAP.CO.IN / 8146207241

1.18 Akufo-Addo wins second term as the president of Ghana.

1.21 Vivek Murthy appointed as Surgeon General in Joe Biden's team

1.22 Uday Kotak reappointed as chief of Kotak Mahindra Bank.

1.23 RBI appointed three of its senior officials as executive directors.

1.25 Padma Shri awardee Bannanje Govindacharya passes away

1.26 Uday Shankar takes over as FICCI President

1.29 Former international athlete B. Earnest Das passes away

1.31 Veteran Hindi writer Madhukar Gangadhar passes away

1.32 Eswatini Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini passes away

1.33 British author John le Carre passes away

1.34 Indian Navy’s Vice Admiral Srikant passed away.

1.35 Roddam Narasimha, an aerospace scientist passed away.

1.36 Agriculture expert Heli passed away

1.37 India Contemporary Dancer, Astad Deboo passed way

1.42 Human Rights Day

1.43 International Anti-Corruption Day.

1.44 International Mountain Day.

1.46 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus

1.47 Joint Venture Protective Carbine undergoes successful user Trials

1.48 Himgiri, the first of three Project 17A ships launched.

1.51 India Sports Awards 2020 presented by FICCI

2.8 6th India International Science Festival 2020

2.10 CCPA asks FSSAI to probe honey adulteration issue

2.12 MOHUA launches Socio-Economic Profiling of PM SVANidhi

2.17 Climate Ambition Summit

2.18 FICCI’s Annual Convention & 93rd AGM

2.19 Handicraft and GI Toys exempted from Quality Control Order

2.24 “eSanjeevani” telemedicine service records 1 million tele-consultations

2.26 Amma Mini Clinics to treat poor

2.27 Centre approves health data management policy of NDHM

 India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched logo of “DakPay.”

2.32 Kamdhenu Chair will be established in Universities and Colleges

2.37 National Centre for Divyang Empowerment becomes operational in Hyderabad

2.38 9thedition of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit begins in Dehradun

2.41 Cabinet approves Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY)

2.42 MP will turn warriors against malnutrition

2.45 Universal Healthcare Coverage Day celebrated on 12th December 2020.

2.47 Hunger continued even after lockdown

2.48 Crisil narrows FY21 GDP shrinkage estimate to 7.7%

About Global House Price Index

2.50 FM Nirmala releases the ‘Smuggling in India Report 2019-20’

2.54 ADB cuts India's FY21 contraction forecast to 8%

2.55 NREGA National Tracker December 2020

2.58 PayPal partners with Razorpay to help small businesses go global

2.66 Fitch revises India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast

2.69 TiE Global Summit (TGS 2020) organized in Hyderabad

2.73 LVPEI awarded ‘The Greenberg Prize – End Blindness 2020’

About ‘The Greenberg Prize – End Blindness 2020’: