Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2020

Notes:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has recently inaugurated a model of the anti-satellite missile system.
The model, which is seen as a symbol of national technological advancement, has been inaugurated at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquarters in New Delhi. In 2019, DRDO conducted an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’.

Notes:
Leading technology company Apple is would be organizing a virtual event named ‘One More Thing’.
It is expected that the company would launch new MacBook models that would work on the in-house processors instead of Intel processors. Apple fans can watch the event live through the Apple Events website or the Apple TV app.

Notes:
The Ministry of Power has issued notification to cover all the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) under the preview of the Energy Conservation (EC) Act 2001.
The DISCOMs will be governed under the various provisions of EC Act, like Appointment of Energy Manager, Energy Accounting & Auditing, identification of Energy Losses etc.

Notes:
Punjab has become the latest state to withdraw general consent given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases.
After this resolution, the CBI has to seek permission from the state government to probe every case. As per the related act, all states except Delhi and the Union Territories have the discretion to give their consent to the CBI to probe in the state.

Notes:
Hunar Haat is the flagship programme of the Minority Affairs Ministry aimed to create employment opportunities for artisans across India.
After a gap of about seven months due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Hunar Haat is set to restart at Delhi Haat at Pitampura, New Delhi. The theme of this event is “Vocal for Local”.

Notes:
The West Bengal government has planned to constitute anti-electrocution cells to protect wild elephants in the state.
These multi-departmental cells will have members including those from the Forest Directorate, Electricity Department, District Administration and Police along with the Local Panchayat members. It was also decided to alter the high-tension lines and electric poles to avoid hurting the animals.

Notes:
COVISHIELD, the Covid-19 potential vaccine candidate has recently completed the enrolment of Phase III clinical trials.
COVISHIELD has been developed by the Serum Institute of India with a master seed from Oxford University and AstraZeneca. SII has already manufactured 40 million doses of the vaccine and will make the vaccine available by joining hands with ICMR.

Notes:
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently approved Google’s proposed purchase of 7.73 % stake in Jio Platforms.
Earlier in the month of July 2020, Google announced its plans to invest 7.73% stake in Reliance’s technology arm – Jio Platforms for an amount of Rs,33,737 crore.

Notes:
The 8th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial meeting was held virtually, which was organised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.
Russia is the Chair of the 12th BRICS Summit. The Ministerial meeting unanimously adopted BRICS STI Declaration 2020. The Members applauded India’s ‘SERB–POWER’ (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) scheme.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Sports has launched an incentive scheme, under which monetary support would be provided to 500 private academies. This would be done under the Khelo India Scheme over the next four years from FY 2020-21.
The private sports academies in India would be ranked based on the quality of coaching, achievement of players, infrastructure availability etc.