Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
The World Bank has recently approved four India projects worth over USD 800 million to support development schemes.
The projects include Chhattisgarh Inclusive Rural and Accelerated Agriculture Growth Project (CHIRAAG), Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project in Nagaland and Second Dam Improvement and Rehabilitation Project (DRIP-2) across various states.

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 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has set up a dedicated control centre for Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
It has been named as Netra” and is aimed at monitoring, tracking and protecting India’s space assets. It is set up at ISTRAC campus at Peenya, Bangalore.

Notes:
The Human Freedom Index 2020 is released by the Cato Institute in the United States and Fraser Institute in Canada, which measures the state of Human Freedom in the world.
Out of 162 countries that were ranked in the index, India has been placed at 111st Rank. India was ranked 110 in terms of personal freedom and 105 on economic freedom. An overall score of 6.43 out of 10 was given to India, with the global average score being 6.93.

Notes:
Chennai Mathematical Institute is a premier research and education institute, which was founded in 1989. It was granted ‘University’ status in 2006.
The Institute is set to establish Dr FC Kohli Centre of Excellence for Advanced Research in Mathematical and Computing Sciences. Dr Faquir Chand Kohli was the founder and first CEO of Tata Consultancy Services and considered the father of Indian IT Industry.

Notes:
The ‘Legion of Merit’ honour of the United States has been conferred on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The prestigious award has also been conferred on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. By this, the US President Donald Trump has focussed the QUAD group.

Notes:
India and Vietnam have recently organised a virtual summit which was participated by the Indian Prime Minister and his Vietnamese counterpart.
During the summit, the countries signed seven agreements for cooperation in fields such as defence, petrochemicals and nuclear energy. They also released a joint vision document for peace and prosperity and a plan of action for bilateral engagements during 2021-23.

Notes:
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry had initiated the first National Start up Awards in 2019.
The Award aims to reward outstanding start-ups that build innovative products or solutions and have a social impact. The second edition of the award NSA 2021 has been recently launched. The awards will be presented in 49 areas classified into 15 broad sectors.

Notes:
Ministries of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in association with Vijnana Bharati organise the India International Science Festival.
Launched in the year 2015, the festival aims to promote scientific temper in the society and encourage students to take up scientific career. This year, the theme of the 4-day long India International Science festival is ‘Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare’.

Notes:
After the coalition of the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu failed to pass a budget, the Parliament of the country dissolved.
This has triggered a fourth election in two years in the country, likely on March 23, next year. As per the three-year coalition deal, Netanyahu serves as Premier for 18 months, and Benny Gantz, the Alternate Prime Minister, was to take over in November 2021.