Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2021

Notes:
According to the performance index compiled by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, New Zealand handled the pandemic the most effectively.
India is ranked 86th in the index comprising 98 countries, which measures several key indicators including confirmed cases, deaths, cases per million people and deaths per million people. New Zealand is followed by Vietnam and Taiwan while Brazil is the worst performing country.

Notes:
The Central Government has approved the Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) with a corpus of Rs 945 crore to provide financial assistance to start-ups.
As per the recent notification of thethe Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the funds will be disbursed through selected incubators across India from 2021 to 2025. DPIIT will also set up an Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) to monitor the scheme.

Notes:
The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill 2021 is to be introduced in the Budget session.
The government is set up a National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), which will facilitate the infrastructure financing of the country. The developmental financial institution (DFI) will act as a principal financial institution and development bank to support infrastructure projects.

Notes:
As per the latest Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, the Fiscal Deficit of our economy is estimated at 9.5% of GDP for the current financial year. The same is expected to be at 6.8% of GDP for FY 2021-22.
The budget estimate of expenditure for next FY (2021-22) is Rs.34.83 lakh crore.

Notes:
Anders Antonsen of Denmark won the men’s singles final at badminton World Tour held in Bangkok recently. In the final match, he defeated Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
The tournament is hosted by Thailand in a bio secure coronavirus bubble. The tournament contained no spectators, to guard against the pandemic.

Notes:
Lieutenant General C P Mohanty assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Prior to this appointment he was the Army Commander of the Southern Army.
The area of responsibility of the Southern Army includes 11 states and four Union Territories. C P Mohanty has replaced the previous Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini.

Notes:
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated Aadi Mahotsav, a National Tribal Festival at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The event is scheduled to be held from February 1 to February 15, this year.
Aadi Mahotsav is a national-level tribal festival and a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). The event showcases traditional art, handicrafts and cultural heritage of the country. It has been organised from 2017.

Notes:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her Budget speech that a “Deep Ocean Mission” will be launched.
A budget outlay of more than Rs 4,000 crore has been announced over five years. This programme will undertake deep ocean survey exploration. It also includes projects to conserve deep-sea biodiversity.

Notes:
Amazon has moved the Delhi High Court against Future Retail for selling its retail assets to Reliance Retail.
Amazon alleges that the ₹24,713 crore worth Future-Reliance deal violates its own contract with the Future Group. The Delhi High Court asked Future retail to maintain status quo. Earlier the Singapore Arbitration gave the Emergency Arbitrator (EA) award in favour of Amazon.

Notes:
This year, the 16th edition of India-USA joint military exercise – Yudh Abhyas would be held between February 8 and 21.
This year’s exercise would be conducted at Indio-Pakistan border. The exercise aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries and will have a special focus on counter-terrorism operations.