Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 31 December 2021

Daily Current Affairs 31/12/2021

Important News: India

ARIIA 2021 Ranking Results: Seven Institutes from Maharashtra secure positions in Top 10 in 5 categories

Why in News

Union Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar announced the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021.

Key Points

A total of 1,438 Institutes and Universities from across the country participated.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been recognized as the Most Innovative Educational Institute in India for the Third Consecutive Year. It has been Ranked 1 in the ARIIA.
The seven Institutions from Maharashtra in the Top 10 positions in various categories are as follows:

I CFTIs/Central University/Institute of National Importance (Technical)

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2nd Rank)

II State University & Deemed University (Govt. & Govt. Aided) (Technical)

Institute of Chemical Technology (Rank 6)
Savitribai Phule Pune University (Rank 8)

III Govt. College/Institution (Govt. & Govt. Aided) (Technical)

College of Engineering Pune ((1st Rank)
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (Rank 5)

IV University & Deemed University (Self-Finance/Private) (Technical)

Symbiosis International (Rank 10)

V Private College/Institute (Self-Finance/Private) (Technical)

G H Raisoni College of Engineering (1st Rank)

About Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA):

It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India to systematically rank all major higher educational institutions in India on indicators related to Innovation, Start-up and Entrepreneurship Development amongst students and faculties.
ARIIA-2021 ranking is announced in various categories:Centrally funded technical institutions (e.g. IITs, NITs, etc), State Universities, State Standalone Technical colleges, Private Universities, Private Standalone Technical Colleges, Non-Technical Government and Private Universities And Institutions.

Source: PIB

India welcomes Egypt as 4^th member of BRICS New Development Bank

Why in News

India has welcomed Egypt’s entry as the 4^th new member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB).
The NDB admitted Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay as its new members in September 2021.

Key Points

The BRICS set up the bank with an aim to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies.

About New Development Bank (NDB):

It is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)
It is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
On 15 July 2014, the first day of the 6th BRICS summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, the BRICS states signed the Agreement on the New Development Bank.
Authorized Capital: NDB has an authorized capital of US$ 100 billion, which is open for subscription by members of the United Nations.
Since the beginning of its operations, the bank approved about 80 projects in all of its members, totalling a portfolio of USD 30 billion.

Source: ET

Defence Ministry restricts import of 351 more items for ‘Make in India’ push

Why in News

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced curbs on the import of 351 systems and components to boost indigenisation in defence manufacturing and to ensure foreign exchange savings of ₹3,000 crore a year.
This was the third such list issued by the defence ministry in the past 16 months as part of efforts to make India a hub for developing and manufacturing military hardware.

Key Points

The curbs on the import of 351 items – including components such as a missile approach warning sensor, shells, propellants, electrical parts, missile containers, a torpedo tube launcher and a gun fire control system – will kick in over the next three years.
The import of 172 systems and components will be stopped from December 2022, while curbs on another batch of 89 items will come into effect from December 2023. The import of a further 90 items will be stopped from December 2024.

Note:

The defence ministry announced in August 2020 that India will stop importing 101 weapons and military platforms.
A second list issued in May, 2021 restricted the import of 108 more weapons and systems.

Related Initiatives:

In May 2020, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit under the automatic route in the defence sector was hiked from 49% to 74%.
In October 2021, the government dissolved the four-decade-old Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and amalgamated 41 factories under seven new state-owned companies to manufacture defence hardware ranging from munitions to heavy weapons and vehicles.

Source: HT

Centre approves Rs 3,063.21 crore additional assistance to states for natural disasters

Why in News

The High Level Committee (HLC), under the Chairmanship of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has approved additional Central assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), to six States, which were affected by floods, landslides and cyclones during 2021.

Key Points

The HLC approved additional Central assistance of Rs. 3,063.21 crore from the NDRF:

For Cyclone ‘Tauktae’- 2021, 1,133.35 crore to Gujarat;
For Cyclone ‘Yaas’- 2021, Rs.586.59 crore to West Bengal;
For floods/landslides during the South West Monsoon, 2021, 51.53 crore to Assam, Rs. 504.06 Crore to Karnataka, Rs. 600.50 crore to Madhya Pradesh and Rs. 187.18 crore to Uttarakhand.
This additional assistance is over and above the funds released by the Centre to the States in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), already placed at the disposal of the States.

Note: During the year 2021-22, the Central Government had deputed 22 Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) immediately after natural calamities, without waiting for the receipt of a Memorandum from the affected State Governments.

Source: PIB

Important News: State

Centre extends AFSPA in Nagaland for six more months

Why in News

The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland for another six months.

Key Points

The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant.

Note:

Recently, the Union government instituted a high-level committee chaired by a Secretary-level officer to examine the possibility of withdrawing the AFSPA in Nagaland.
Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Vivek Joshi will head the five-member committee.

Source: India Today

Indian Army establishes Quantum Laboratory at Mhow (MP)

Why in News

The Indian Army, with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has recently established the Quantum Laboratory at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow (MP) to spearhead research and training in this key developing field.

Key Points

Indian Army has also established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the same institution with over 140 deployments in forward areas and active support of industry and academia.
Ideation for Army's involvement in Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations was done in a seminar on Electromagnetic Spectrum and National Security organised in October 2020.
Since then, an impetus has been given to Indian Army’s Technology Institutions for investing in AI, Quantum and Cyber.

Source: PIB

Sankalp Smarak

Why in News

Sankalp Smarak was dedicated to the nation by Lt Gen Ajai Singh, Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), exactly 78 years after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's arrival on 29 Dec 2021.

Key Points

In the saga of India’s freedom struggle, 30 December 1943 holds a special place etched in time.
It was on this day that a national flag was hoisted for the first time on Indian soil, at Port Blair.
It is also significant that Netaji escaped British surveillance from Kolkata on 16 Jan 1941 and stepped back on Indian soil after nearly three years, at Port Blair Aerodrome on 29 Dec 1943 and unfurled a National flag the next day.
Netaji’s visit to the islands as the Head of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind and Supreme Commander of Indian National Army marked a symbolic fulfillment of his promise that the Indian National Army would stand on Indian soil by the end of 1943.
This historic visit also marked a declaration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the “first liberated territory of India”.

Source: PIB

Important News: Defence

Russia’s latest nuclear powered icebreaker ‘Sibir’ to boost India’s Arctic plans

Why in News

Russia has launched a new nuclear powered icebreaker ‘Sibir’ that will contribute to the rapidly growing fleet of lethal icebreakers to keep the Northern Sea Route open for year-round shipping through the Arctic enabling wider presence of India in the region.
The commissioning of the first-in-series Project 22220 versatile nuclear icebreaker Sibir will strengthen Atomflot’s position in the Arctic.

Key Points

During the 21st edition of the India-Russia summit held on December 6, 2021, the Indian Side also expressed its interest in collaborating with Russia on the Northern Sea Route.

Note: Russia has a fleet of six nuclear-powered icebreakers: “Taymyr”, “Vaygash”, “50 Let Pobedy”, “Yamal”, “Arktika” and “Sibir”. Also, the nuclear-powered cargo ship “Sevmorput” belongs to Rosatomflot’s fleet based in Murmansk.

Source: ET

Important News: Appointment

Vikram Misri appointed new Deputy NSA

Why in News

Vikram Misri, who served as envoy in China amid the border dispute, has been appointed as Deputy NSA (National Security Advisor) in the National Security Council secretariat.

Key Points

Misri is a 1989 batch Indian Foreign Service officer. He is a seasoned diplomat and an expert on India-China matters.
At present, Rajinder Khanna, Pankaj Saran and Dattatray Padsalgikar are serving as deputy NSAs.

Note:

Pradeep Kumar Rawat, a 1990 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s new envoy to China.
NSA (National Security Adviser)-Ajit Doval.

Source: TOI

Important News: Award and Honors

Alia Bhatt named PETA India's 2021 Person of the Year

Why in News

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt has been named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's 2021 Person of the Year for her work in support of an animal-friendly fashion industry.

Key Points

In addition, Alia Bhatt’s vegan kidswear line, Ed-a-Mamma, also won a 2021 PETA India fashion award for helping to nurture kids' love for animals and nature.

Note: PETA India has also named the celebrities who won the title of ‘Most Beautiful Vegetarians’. This year, actors Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar have won the coveted title.

Source: Indian Express