Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
The United Nations Development Programme introduced a new measure named called the Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI, or PHDI.
It assesses the impact caused by each country’s per-capita carbon emissions and its material footprint. While India stands at 131st rank in the Human Development Index, when this metric is considered, India is placed at 123rd rank in the list, which is topped by Ireland.

Notes:
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held a voting for conducting Asian Games for the year 2030 and 2034. The candidates were Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The 2030 Asian Games were awarded to Qatar (Doha), while the 2034 event went to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia and was formed in the year 1982.

Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched ‘PAReSHRAM’ portal, for the industrial development of the state.
The Chief Minister also launched 22 online services of Department of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI). The portal will have information regarding different labour laws. Entrepreneurs can get registration certificate, licence and approval through the portal.

Notes:
E-commerce platform Snapdeal has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to allow buyers to make digital payments at the time delivery.
This QR-based facility aims to assist new or first-time users who are not comfortable in pre-paying for the goods. The delivery executive will generate a UPI-linked QR code, which will be scanned by the customer for payment.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Oil and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan has stated that India has set a target of 15% for natural gas in the total energy mix of the country by 2030.
The existing share of natural gas in energy mix is 6.2%. The government has aimed to create a natural gas infrastructure with an investment of USD 60 billion by the year 2024.

Notes:
In the recently held Cologne Boxing World Cup in Cologne, Germany, India finished with nine medals including three gold.
Amit Panghal won gold in men’s category while Manisha Moun and Simranjit Kaur won gold in Women’s category. India also won two silver and four bronze at the Tournament and grabbed the second rank in the medal tally.

Notes:
India and Israel have recently signed an agreement to cooperate in the fields of health and medicine, replacing the old agreement signed in September 2003.
The two countries also agreed to share their expertise in building climate resilient infrastructure and support ‘Green healthcare’ or Climate resilient Hospital infrastructure. It will also promote cooperation in exchange and training of health professionals.

Notes:
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, headed by former chief secretary of Delhi M M Kutty, recently directed switching over of all industries in Delhi and NCR to Piped Natural Gas (PNG).
As per the Commission, the industrial sector is one of the major contributors to air pollution in the region. The Commission issued directions to IndraPrastha Gas Ltd in this regard.

Notes:
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a Central university in Aligarh. It was originally established by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1875.
After the Aligarh Muslim University Act, its original name of ‘Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College’ was changed to Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. The Prime Minister addressed the Centenary celebrations of the University and also released a postage stamp dedicated to AMU.

Notes:
Central Bank of India has recently launched contactless ‘RuPay Select’ debit card in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Through this card, the users can avail membership and access to golf courses, gyms, spas and restaurants. The users can also avail discounted health check-ups with the National Common Mobility Debit Card (NCMC).