Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
As per the recent statement of the Fitch Ratings, the annual GDP growth of India is projected to contract more than 10.5 per cent.
Earlier, it had estimated that the GDP Growth would contract by 5 per cent in its June Global Economic Outlook (GEO). In its recent GEO, it has also highlighted that the Global Economy is projected to fall less than projected level.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Kochi Metro’s final stretch of the Phase-I covering Thykoodam to Petta which is 3 km long.
The inauguration was made virtually. With this, the phase-1 of Kochi Metro is complete at a cost of Rs.6218 crore. The inaugural function was presided by Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs.

Notes:
The Hindustan Aeronautical Limited-HAL’s indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) has successfully demonstrated high altitude capability in hot and high weather conditions in the Himalayas.
The helicopter also demonstrated its payload capability in Siachen glacier. The Army version of LUH is to be presented for Initial Operational Clearance.

Notes:
India has signed a 500-million-dollar loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently.
This is the first tranche of one-billion-dollar credit facility offered by ADB to build high-speed Delhi-Meerut regional rapid transit system (RRTS) corridor. The RRTS is 82 km long and is aimed to improve the connectivity and mobility in the national capital region.

Notes:
As per a recent report on released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and World Bank Group, the Under-five mortality rate in India declined from 126 in 1990 to 34 in 2019.
Also, the Infant mortality rate in India declined from 89 in 1990 to 28 in 2019. The data has been published in ‘Levels & Trends in Child Mortality’ Report 2020.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved the Foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the Defence Sector through automatic approval to 74 per cent.
Earlier, the policy allowed 49 per cent FDI in Defence Sector. The new policy has a ‘National Security’ clause as a condition, that has been proposed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Government has the right to review any foreign investment that may affect national security.

Notes:
The Department of Post has launched a new scheme called Five Star Villages, to expand Universal coverage of Postal schemes in rural areas of the country.
The scheme aims to create public awareness on Postal Products and services across all interior villages. The products covered include Sukanya Samridhi Accounts, PPF Accounts, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana Account, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Account and other SB and RD accounts being offered.

Notes:
The High Court of Kerala has issued a set of directives to the state regarding Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
The High Court has directed the state to appoint woman IPS officer in every district, to oversee the cases investigated under POSCO Act. It has also directed to establish One-Stop Support Centres, in lines with the Supreme Court directions, to protect the victims.

Notes:
The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) under EASE Banking Reforms Index 2.0. EASE stands for “Enhanced Access and Service Excellence”.
Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India, and erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce were the top three in the list of “Top Performers”. Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India and erstwhile Corporation Bank were the leading banks in ‘Top Improvers’ category.

Notes:
The Naval Force of Iran has started a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman named ‘Zolfaghar-99’, in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Navy is expected to test-fire surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise missiles and rocket-launching systems fitted on warships, submarines, aircraft and drones. The exercise also aims to devise defensive strategies to safeguard the country’s territorial regions.