Important Weekly Current Affairs PDF Download (14th to 22nd January 2021)

Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of 14th to 22nd January 2021. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBI Clerk 2021 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS 

• Indian Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed each year on 14 January since 2017.This day is celebrated on 14th of January every year to honour services rendered by veterans of the Army. 
• Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to honor the soldiers of the country, who have set the greatest example of selfless service and brotherhood and more than anything the love for the country.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)celebrated its16th Raising Day On 18th January.
• The Government of India has decided to celebrate the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose that falls on January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’ from now on every year.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

• Elon Musk-owned electric vehicle (EV) company Tesla has registered a fully-owned subsidiary inBengaluru,Karnataka.
• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched an air taxi service between Chandigarh and Hisar from the Chandigarh International Airport under the UDAN scheme of the central government.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the country’s first indigenously designed and developed Driverless Metro Car at the BEML manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.
• India launched the much awaited, world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination programme.Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the programme through video conferencing.
• National Informatics Centre and Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE will jointly launch CollabCAD Software to provide a total engineering solution for students and Faculty of Engineering Graphics Curriculum.
• The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Health & Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan dedicated an Innovation Portal, developed by National Innovation Foundation (NIF) India, an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to the nation, in New Delhi.
• On Jan 14, 2021, Harvest Festival Makar Sankranti is being celebrated.The festival is seen as a celebration of the end of the winter solstice month and also marks the end of the winter harvest
• The two day ‘Prarambh’, Startup India International Summit began in New Delhi,  with members of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries participating in the inaugural event.
• The ministry of external affairs confirmed that there will be no foreign head of state or government as the chief guest for the Republic Day event on January 26.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of Rs 1,000-crore ‘Startup India Seed Fund‘ to support startups and help budding entrepreneurs pursue innovative ideas.
• The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry launched a month-long mass awareness campaign ‘SAKSHAM’ to spread awareness about green and clean energy.
• On Jan 17, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off eight trains connecting different regions of the country to Kevadiya with an aim to facilitate seamless connectivity to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated Road Safety Month where he highlighted the Central Government’s commitment towards safety.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation handed over MotorBike Ambulance Rakshita to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Director General of CRPF Dr A P Maheshwari flagged off the contingent of 21 bikes on the occasion.
• Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar inaugurated Swachhata Pakhwada organised by National Cadet Corps, NCC at India Gate.
• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of AYUSH.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified Inter Country Transport Vehicles Rules, 2021 which would facilitate and regulate the movement of passenger and goods vehicles between India and neighbouring countries.
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the LNG truck-loading unit of Shell India at Hazira, Gujarat. 
• Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth is set to become the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the Republic Day parade.
• The government has nominated 28 non-official members on the National Startup Advisory Council.
• NITI Aayog released a book on faecal sludge and septage management in urban areas. It is Jointly developed with National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM)
• Road Transport and Highways Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.
• The Cabinet has given its approval for the investment of over Rs.5200 crore for 850 MWRatle Hydro Electric (HE) Project located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released financial assistance of around Rs 2,691 crore to over six lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), through video conferencing.
• President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura on the occasion of their Statehood Day on January 21, 2021.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• The 19th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) will be inaugurated on 16th January. The film festival this year is dedicated to the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
• Donald Trump became the first US president in history to be impeached twice.The House of Representatives voted to charge him with inciting last week’s mob attack on Congress.
• The United States has designated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain as its major strategic partners of the Country.
• The Pakistan government has issued at least seven special permits to Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and six other members of the ruling family to hunt the internationally protected bird houbara bustard during the 2020-21 hunting season.
• A team of 10 Nepali climbers made history by becoming the first to scale in winter the world’s second highest mountain K2, considered as the world’s most dangerous and challenging peak.
• The UK government unveiled new laws to protect England’s cultural and historic heritage in the form of statues and monuments to ensure they are not removed at a whim.
• Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his entire Cabinet resigned to take political responsibility for a scandal involving investigations into child welfare payments that wrongly labeled thousands of parents as fraudsters.
• India and the EU have held their first maritime security dialogue in a virtual format.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

• Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the ‘Fire Park’, a first of its kind initiative in the country, to bring awareness on fire safety measures.
• In Manipur, the Cherry Blossom Mao Festival was held at Senapati district marking the beginning of pink season in the district.
• Madhya Pradesh signed a memorandum of understanding with Kerala for replicating the latter’s pioneering Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative.
• The country’s first Labour Movement Museum, showcasing the history of world labour movement, would be launched in Kerala’s houseboat tourism hub, Alappuzha.
• Kerala has become the 8th State in the country to successfully undertake Ease of Doing Business reform stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
• In Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced the ‘Horticulture Development Mission’ (Bagayat Vikas Mission).
• The Maharashtra government renamedNagpur’s Gorewada International Zoo as Balasaheb Thackeray Zoological Park .
• Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has proposed to rename dragon fruit as ‘Kamalam.The dragon fruit has been renamed Kamalam because of the shape of the fruit.
• Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched Himachal Pradesh”s first online youth radio station ”Radio Hills-Youngistan Ka Dil.
• In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister S. Jagan Mohan Reddy flagged off Mobile Dispensing Units/ Door to door Delivery Vehicles in Vijayawada. 
• Ministry of Minority Affairs will organise the 24th Hunar Haat at Avadh Shilpgram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 22nd January to 4th February with the theme of Vocal for Local.
• In Karnataka, Chief Minister S. Yediyurappa launched Avolokana software that will enable the government to access data on sanctions and expenditures incurred by 39 departments on 1,800 programmes implemented by them.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE 

• The Reserve Bank of India has set up a working group to study digital lending activities of the regulated and unregulated players.
• The Fitch Ratings expect gross domestic product (GDP) of India to contract by 9.4 percentin FY21 (April 2020 to March 2021).
• Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set-up a committee to study health insurance products with the help of scientists and doctors in the panel.
• ICICI Bank on January 20 launched a new mobile application ‘InstaFX’ for authorised money changers to help customers of any bank get ‘ICICI Bank Forex Prepaid Card’ swiftly.
• CARE Ratings has revised downwards its projection of the Centre’s fiscal deficit to 8 percent of GDP during FY21 against its earlier estimate of 9-9.5 per cent.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS

• Nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov won a landslide victory in Kyrgyzstan’s snap presidential election, which was triggered by the collapse of the previous government.
• India and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), including 5G standardisation.
• The Indian Army has signed an approximately $20 million contract for undisclosed quantities of a high-altitude variant of ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV which will be delivered over a period of 1 year.
• Intel announced that its board of directors has appointed 40-year technology industry leader Pat Gelsinger as its new chief executive officer, effective February 15, 2021.
• YES Bank in collaboration with Aditya Birla Wellness Private Limited has launched ‘YES BANK Wellness’ and ‘YES BANK Wellness Plus’ credit cards with the aim of holistic health, self-care and wellness growth of the consumers.
• US-India Business Council (USIBC) has selected Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as one of its vice-chairs effective immediately.
• President Yoweri Museveni won a sixth five-year term, extending his rule to four decades, according to official results announced .
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was appointed the new chairman of the trust which manages the world famous Somnath Temple at Prabhas Patan town in Gujarat’s Gir-Somnath district.
• Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has scored a decisive election victory to win a sixth term.
• The board of directors of RBL Bank, approved the re-appointment of Vishwavir Ahuja as the Managing Director and CEO of the bank for three years.
• Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States of America at a scaled-back ceremony in the US Capitol building in Washington.
• The government appointed Siddhartha Mohanty, currently serving as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of LIC Housing Finance, as the MD of India’s largest insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) from February 1 onwards.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sanjeev Kumar as the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) .
• Chennai headquartered Non-Banking Finance Company Sundaram Finance has announced that Managing Director TT Srinivasaraghavan will retire on March 31, 2021 and Rajiv Lochan will become the next Managing Director from April 1.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCHEMES

• The Third Phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana was launched in 600 districts across the country.This phase will focus on new-age and COVID-related skills.
• Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla virtually released Lt Gen Singh’s book Making of a General-A Himalayan Echo (Konark Publishers) at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Imphal
• Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has launched Vedhik Erudite Foundation’s ambitious scheme to provide free coaching for civil services and other competitive examinations to 10,000 meritorious students.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING

• NITI Aayog released the second edition of the India Innovation Index-2020. The index demonstrates the government’s continued commitment towards transforming the country into an innovation-driven economy.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• The Union Minister of Science &Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan inaugurated a new institute of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), in New Delhi.
• An ICT Grand Challenge for development of a ‘smart water supply measurement and monitoring system’ is underway.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) has developed the country’s first indigenous machine pistol ASMI.
• Infosys has accredited with the Google Cloud Partner Specialisation within the information and analytics area.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

• Government has approved procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircraft, LCA, Tejas worth about 48 thousand crore rupees from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for Indian Air Force.
• Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force are conducting a bilateral Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 in Jodhpur.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AGREEMENTS

• FSS (Financial Software and Systems), a leading global payment processor and provider of integrated payment products, announced partnering with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to promote financial inclusion among underserved and unbanked segments.
• Walmart-owned Flipkart has partnered with Niti Aayog to launch the revamped Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
• The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Farm Forestry Development Co-operative Ltd (IFFDC)  to promote livelihood generation of tribal people.
• To improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), the PSU under Ministry of Power, has recently signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited. (HPSEBL) in Shimla (H.P.)

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU

• The Union Cabinet was apprised of signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy.
• Road Transport and Highways Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS & AUTHORS

• Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant released a book ‘Manohar Parrikar- Off the Record’ at a function organized at Institute Menezes Braganza hall in the city.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: ARTS & CULTURE

• First, a bird festival is being organised at the Mahananda wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal to provide an opportunity to enthusiasts to explore the forest and watch different bird

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, announced a new ‘Indian Personality of the Year’ award.
• Bilkis Dadi, and an eminent social activist and writer Harsh Mander of “Karwan -e- Mohabbat” were presented the Quaide Milleth Award.
• Karuna Sagar, a 1991 batch IPS officer of the TN cadre, has bagged the prestigious Bharat Gaurav Award for the year 2020 under the public service category.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

• Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of the Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) India Forum 2021 is being organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) virtually over three separate days, on 14, 21, and 28 January 2021.
• Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan digitally chaired the 148th session of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization through video conference.
• The India Digital Summit, the flagship event of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is one of the biggest conferences for the digital industry scheduled on January 19 and 20, 2021. 
• India and Singapore signed an implementing agreement on submarine rescue support and cooperation between their navies during the 5th Defence Minister’s Dialogue held over video conference

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• In Leh, the primary ever Ice climbing festival was celebrated in Nubra valley.The Seven Day occasion was organized by Nubra Adventure Club.
• In Ladakh, Khelo India 1st Zanskar Winter Sports Festival began On Jan 18, 2021. Aim : Engaging the Youth and opening new vistas of tourism in Zanskar are the main aims of the festival.
• Sports Ministry has decided to name all upcoming and upgraded sporting facilities of the Sports Authority of India, after renowned athletes, who have contributed to sports in India
• Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen and Spain’s Carolina Marin have won the men’s and women’s singles titles at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Yonex Thailand in Bangkok, the first of three competitions in the Thai capital.
• Ajinkya Rahane-led India defeated Australia by three wickets in the final fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES

• Social activist and Padma Shri D Prakash Rao passed away while undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. He was 63.
• Former Union minister and noted businessman Kamal Morarka has passed away. He was 74.
• Indian classical musician Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan passed away at the age of 89.
• Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81
• Dr V Shanta, renowned Indian oncologist and doyen of cancer care, has passed away at the age of 93. She was the chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute  which she joined in 1954.
• Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor Mata Prasad He was 95 years old.
• Veteran actor Unnikrishnan Namboothiri passed away in Kannur. He was 98.
• Congress legislator from Udaipur’s Vallabhnagarconstituency Gajendra Singh Shaktawat He was 48.

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