Daily GK Update: 29th April 2021
1. TV Somanathan appointed as Finance Secretary of India
- Expenditure Secretary T V Somanathan (1987 batch IAS officer of TN cadre) has been appointed as the Finance Secretary of India
- His designation has been approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
- He succeeded Ajay Bhushan Pandey.
- Prior to this, he was serving as the Secretary of Department of Expenditure in Ministry of Finance.
- Senior-most officer among all the secretaries in the finance ministry is designated as the Finance Secretary.
National & International Organizations
2. India ranks 49th in Chandler Good Government Index 2021
- India has been placed at 49th rank among 104 nations in Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2021
- Finland has topped the index, followed by Switzerland, Singapore, Netherlands, Denmark
- Venezuela is ranked 104 (last)
- CGGI is an annual index developed by Chandler Institute of Governance, based in Singapore, that measures the effectiveness of governments in terms of capabilities, outcomes measured across over 50 open data points.
- Sri Lanka is ranked 74th, Pakistan 90th
National & International Appointments
3. Amit Banerjee appointed as new CMD of BEML Limited
- Amit Banerjee has been appointed as the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Limited (Miniratna Defence PSU under Ministry of Defence) by Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB)
- His term is effective from April 26, 2021.
- Currently, he is serving as Director (Rail & Metro Business) in BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) Limited.
- He succeeded DK Hota, who superannuated on January 31, 2021 and MV Rajasekhar has been holding additional charge of CMD’s post.
Important Dates
4. International Dance Day: 29th April
- International Dance Day is observed every year on 29 April globally to celebrate the value and importance of the dance and encourage participation and education in this art form
- This day was created in 1982 by Dance Committee of International Theatre Institute (ITI), main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO
- 29 April has been chosen as it marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, who is known as the creator of modern ballet
- Theme 2021: ‘Purpose of dance’
Science & Technology
5. China launches robot prototype ‘NEO-01’ in the Earth’s low orbit
- Chinese govt has launched 30 Kg robot prototype titled as ‘NEO-01’ in the Earth’s low orbit on April 27, 2021 on its Long March 6 rocket.
- It has been developed by Shenzhen-based space mining start-up ‘Origin Space’
- Objective: to observe small celestial bodies in deep space and to experiment with space debris removal techniques.
- NEO-01 will use large net to capture debris left behind by other spacecraft and then burn it using its electric propulsion system
Science & Technology
6. DRDO Conducts Maiden Trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile Using LCA Tejas
- DRDO has successfully test fired 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) from Tejas aircraft at Goa
- This adds Python-5 AAM in weapons package of India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas
- The trials has validated enhanced capability of already integrated Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) AAM on Tejas.
- Python-5 AAM has been manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel and is one of the most sophisticated guided missiles in the world.
Banking & Finance
7. ADB Projects India’s GDP to grow 11% in FY22
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected the growth rate of India’s economy to be 11% in FY22 (2021-22) in its latest flagship Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021
- ADB has also projected growth rate of India’s economy to be 7% in FY23 (2022-23)
- GDP of South Asia is expected to rebound to 9.5% this year, following a contraction of 6% in 2020, before moderating to 6.6% next year (2022)
- ADB HQs: Manila, Philippines
National & International Appointments
8. Vimla Singh Kapoor appointed as Judge of Chhattisgarh High Court
- Justice Vimla Singh Kapoor has been appointed as the Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court by President under Article 217 (1) of the Constitution of India
- Prior to this, she was serving as the Additional Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court
- She will assume the office with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office.
- She joined Judicial Service as Civil Judge Class Il in 1987.
- She was appointed as an Additional Judge of Chhattisgarh High Court in June, 2018
National & International Organizations
9. Oxford Economics Projects India’s FY22 GDP Growth Forecast to 10.2%
- Oxford Economics has revised GDP growth forecast for India to 10.2% for the fiscal 2021-22.
- Earlier, Oxford Economics predicted India’s GDP at 11.8%.
- The downward revision is based on the country’s serious health burden, weak vaccination rate and lack of a convincing government strategy to contain the pandemic.
- Headquarters: United Kingdom.
- Founded: 1981.
National Affairs
10. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga offers online Yoga programme
- Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga under Ayush Ministry is offering online Yoga training programmes promoting health and anxiety-relieving.
- This elementary training course is called ‘Yoga Volunteer Training Course’
- Apart from imparting Yoga learning, it also gives the learner an opportunity to be endorsed as a Yoga Volunteer.
- Information about such activities is available on Yoga Portal, yoga.ayush.gov.in and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
Summits & Conferences
11. NTIPRIT conducts webinar on NavIC-Opportunities for the Telecom Industry
- National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT) has conducted a webinar titled NavlC - Opportunities for the Telecom Industry in collaboration with ISRO and Telecom Industry
- NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation): Autonomous regional satellite navigation system established and maintained by ISRO.
- It covers India and a region extending up to 1 ,500 km beyond Indian mainland (primary coverage area).
Comments
Post a Comment