Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast.
The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using solid rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 kilometers from where cruise vehicle separated and moved on the desired flight path at a velocity of 6 times the speed of sound i.e., nearly 2 km/second for more than 20 seconds.

Notes:
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is set to hold a programme named ‘SVanidhi Samvaad’ with street vendors from Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan will also participate in the program through video conferencing. Prime Minister is to interact with three beneficiaries from the state through virtual mode. 4.5 lakh street vendors of Madhya Pradesh registered in the PM SVANidhi scheme.

Notes:
India, Israel and the United States of America have begun collaboration in developmental areas.
These include development of a transparent, open, reliable and secure 5G communication network. This collaboration among the three countries is a result of people-to-people collaboration, particularly by Indian Diaspora in the US and Israel.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently inaugurated the Patrika Gate in Jaipur through video conference.
This Iconic Gate has been built by the Patrika Group of Newspapers in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Prime Minister Modi also released two books written by the Group Chairman during the virtual event. This cultural monument is expected to boost tourism in the region.

Notes:
Union Minster of Petroleum has stated that Five state run oil and natural gas PSUs will become corporate partners of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
These PSUs would make financials contribution to ISA’s corpus fund. This announcement was made during the 1st World Solar Technology Summit organized by ISA. ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and GAIL are the 5 PSUs.

Notes:
India and Japan have recently signed a key agreement for Reciprocal provision of supplies and services between their Defence forces.
Called as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), it facilitates smooth provision of supplies and services between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and India’s armed forces. This agreement is expected to promote military cooperation and regional security.

Notes:
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat has stated that India’s Defence exports has grown by 700% from Rs 1521 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 10,745 crore in 2018-19.
Also, as of 2019, India is ranked 19th in the list of top Defence exporters in the world, which is an all-time high rank ever featured by India.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and France’s ENGIE group have signed a long-term loan of up to Rs 466 crore to set up a 200-MW solar power project in Gujarat.
The project that is to be developed in the Raghanesda Solar Park, is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2021. Electro Solaire Private Limited (ESPL), a special purpose vehicle owned by the ENGIE group, will implement the project.

Notes:
The Government of India has released a sum of Rs.6,195 crore to 14 states as Revenue Deficit Grant. This is as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission.
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal are the 14 states to receive the grant from centre.

Notes:
The Baghjan Oil Well of Oil India Limited (OIL) is located in Eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district has been put off.
A massive fire occurred in the Oil well due to equipment failure and it turned out into a blowout, which means uncontrolled escape of gas at great speed. Oil India Limited (OIL) and foreign experts managed to tame the fire after 110 days.