Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

Notes:
Dr. Kakarla Subba Rao who was a renowned radiologist passed away recently at Secunderabad. He also served as the Director of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad.
For his relentless service in the field of medicine, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2000 by the Government of India.

Notes:
The financial system regulator – Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced the list of shortlisted applicants, under its on-tap licensing window for universal banks and small finance banks.
Universal bank licence can be obtained by individuals and professionals having 10 years of experience in banking and finance at a senior level. For SFBs, the minimum net worth requirement is Rs 200 crore.

Notes:
The National Assembly of France has recently approved the creation of an “ecocide” offence, which seeks to punish acts of environmental damage.
The bill will be applied to the most serious cases of environmental damage at national level, such as the pollution of a river. An offence of endangering the environment is punishable on the lines of endangering life.

Notes:
Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually launched world’s first affordable and long-lasting hygiene product in the name of “DuroKea Series”.
The hygiene product has been launched by IIT Hyderabad researchers. This innovative and long-lasting technologies was developed to combat COVID-19 virus spreading.

Notes:
The U.N Security council is to deploy six-month-old cease-fire agreement in Libya, which has been in political crisis, after the removal of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011
Libya is heading toward December elections after over ten years of political chaos. Libya’s transitional government welcomed the UNSC decision to deploy international monitors to watch the old cease-fire.

Notes:
IAS officer Siddharth Singh Longjam is to take over as the National Anti-Doping Agency’s Director General.
The officer will succeed Navin Agarwal, who introduced Athletes Biological Passport (ABP) for around 60 elite Indian sportspersons during his tenure. Longjam is currently serving as joint secretary in the Sports Ministry.

Notes:
Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin is found to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain, B.1.617, of SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine is manufactured by Hyderabad based – Bharat Biotech
Also, ICMR has stated that at its National Institute of Virology, scientists have successfully isolated and cultured the double mutant strain which has E484Q and L452R mutations.

Notes:
The state government of Andhra Pradesh is implementing a scheme named Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme, under which financial assistance is given to students for pursuing higher education.
Recently, the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy released the 1st instalment of education fee reimbursement under the scheme to the bank accounts of 10.88 lakh mothers.

Notes:
The United Nation’s flagship report – State of the Global Climate report has been released for the year 2020.
The report has stated that Cyclone Amphan that made landfall in the India-Bangladesh border last year, was the costliest tropical cyclone on record for the North Indian Ocean. It has led to economic losses amounting $14 billion to the affected nations.

Notes:
April 22 is observed as the Earth Day throughout the world. It is an international event celebrated around the world to support for environmental protection. This year marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations.
The theme for Earth Day 2021 is ‘Restore Our Earth’. The United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.