Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2021

Notes:
World Bank recently released the report titled ‘Shifting Gears: Digitization and Services-Led Development’.
As per the report, India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the current fiscal year is estimated to grow by 8.3%. This is a South Asia economic focus report released ahead of its annual meetings which start next week in Washington.

Notes:
The RBI Governor – Shri. Shaktikanta Das has announced that the fourth regulatory sandbox cohort of the Reserve Bank would be on “Financial Frauds”.
It has been stated that the main focus would be on “reduce the lag between the occurrence and detection of frauds” and to “strengthen the governance structure”.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Power has recently released the “Framework for Implementation of Market Based Economic Despatch (MBED) Phase 1”. This framework aims to lower the cost of power purchase to consumers.
Under this framework, the state distribution companies (DISCOMs) will now be able to plan power purchases from the day-ahead market at power exchanges.

Notes:
The Tata Sons has emerged as the winner in the bid to acquire Air India and will take over 100% Government of India’s stake in the carrier.
Tata sons placed a bid of Rs 18,000 crore, of which Rs 2,700 crore would be paid in cash and the remaining would be absorbed over Rs 60,000 crore debt of the airline. The Government of India in 1953 took control of Air India from the Tata Group.

Notes:
October 10 marks the World Day Against the Death Penalty. This year, the theme is focused on safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls around the world.
According to Amnesty International’s 2020 death penalty report, more than two-thirds of the world has now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. As many as 108 countries have completely abolished the death penalty for all crimes. As per the report, at least 483 people were known to have been executed in 2020.

Notes:
The Union Power Ministry has set a revised policy to use biomass pellets in coal-burning thermal power plants.
This guideline encourages the use of agricultural waste which is otherwise burnt by farmers, causing air pollution. The decision mandates three categories of thermal power plants to use a five per cent blend of biomass pellets along with coal. The policy will come into force in October 2022

Notes:
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and industrial group Siemens unveiled the world’s first automated, driverless train in the city of Hamburg.
The project is part of a 60 million euro ($70 million) modernisation of Hamburg’s rapid urban rail system. As per the operator, this project can bring up to 30 percent more passengers, can improve punctuality and save more than 30 percent energy.

Notes:
The Malabar series of exercises, which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992.
The Indian Navy is set to participate in the Second Phase of Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar along with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy. It is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 12 – 15 Oct 2021. First Phase of the exercise was conducted in the Philippines Sea in August.

Notes:
Jaishankar arrived in Armenia on the last leg of his three-nation tour to Central Asia. This is also the first-ever visit by an External Affairs Minister to Armenia.
He proposed that the strategic Chabahar Port in Iran be included in the North-South Transport Corridor, to enhance the connectivity. The Minister’s tour is aimed at further expanding bilateral ties and discussing regional issues including the developments in Afghanistan.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Government has directed all state secondary schools to set up ‘Arogya Vatikas’ on school premises. Vatikas or Gardens would be used to grow medicinal plants.
Arogya Vatika will be set up in all secondary schools of the state. As per the state government, it will help conserve the environment as well as boost the immunity and well-being of students. The order also states that all students should be made aware of the medicinal values of the plants.