Banking & Finance
1. RBI introduces Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) for Large Value Transactions
- RBI has introduced Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) system for all payment transactions of value ₹50 crore and above using Centralized Payment Systems operated by RBI like Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT).
- LEI: 20-digit number used to uniquely identify parties for financial transactions worldwide. It has been introduced in phased manner.
- LEI can be obtained in India from Legal Entity Identifier India Ltd. (LEIL)
Banking & Finance
2. Shivalik Bank gets license to operate as Small Finance Bank (SFB)
- Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank (SMCB) has become first urban co-operative bank (UCB) in India to receive license from RBI to operate as a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
- SMC bank received commercial banking license from banking regulator RBI to transition to a SFB, under the voluntary transition scheme.
- The bank will start its banking operations from April 2021.
- SMCB headquarters: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
National Affairs
3. Harsh Vardhan releases India report on LASI Wave-1 on virtual platform
- Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has released India report on ‘Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI)’ Wave-1 on virtual platform
- LASI: Full-scale national survey of scientific investigation of health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing in India
- It covered a baseline sample of 72,250 individuals aged 45 and above and their spouses including 31,464 elderly persons aged 60 and above
- It is India’s first and the world’s largest ever survey
National & International Appointments
4. Justice Hima Kohli sworn in as Chief Justice of Telangana High Court
- Justice Hima Kohli has been sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Telangana high Court.
- His oath has been administered by Telanagana’s Governor Tamilesai Sounderarajan at a ceremonial programme, held on Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.
- She has served as a judge of Delhi High Court and become the first woman Chief Justice of Telangana High Court.
- Shee will succeed Justice RS Chauhan, who has been appointed as Chief Justice of Jharkhand high court.
Banking & Finance
5. RBI unveils guidelines for digital payment infra fund
- RBI has announced operational guidelines for Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme, aimed at encouraging deployment of more digital payments infrastructure across tier-3 to tier-6 centres
- PIDF will be used to subsidize banks and non-banks for deploying payment infrastructure, which will be contingent upon specific targets being achieved.
- RBI has constituted an advisory council under chairmanship of B.P. Kanungo (RBI deputy governor) to manage the fund
National & International Appointments
6. Ashish Pethe appointed as new Chairman of GJC
- Ashish Pethe has been appointed as the new Chairman of All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC)
- He has been closely associated with GJC and is serving as West Zonal Chairman GJC
- Apart from him, Saiyam Mehra has been appointed as Vice Chairman of GJC
- Both of them have been appointed for two years.
- GJC: National apex body of the gems and jewellery industry across India with headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra.
National Affairs
7. Centre constitutes high-level group for South Asia energy security
- Central Govt has set up high-level group for South Asia-focused energy security architecture named as ‘South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE)’
- It will be headed by former Union Power Secretary Ram Vinay Shahi.
- SAGE has been set up under Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) run think tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).
- Aim: To achieve balanced and optimal development of energy infrastructure through mutual understanding and cooperation.
Defense
8. India & Israel successfully test MRSAM air defence system
- India and Israel has successfully tested ‘Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)’ defence system.
- MRSAM missile defence system: It has been developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to deal with airstrikes by enemy countries.
- It is an air and missile defence system that can destroy enemy aircraft from a distance of 50 to 70 km.
- It provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms.
Science & Technology
9. Japan plans to launch world’s first wood-based satellite by 2023
- Japan’s Sumitomo Forestry company and Kyoto University aims to launch world’s first wood-based space satellite to combat the growing problem of space debris or junk.
- The 1st satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2023.
- It is a wooden satellites that is considered good alternatives against the traditional satellites, as they can be easily burnt while re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, thus leaving no harmful junk behind.
Agreement
10. India and NDB signs agreement to upgrade road network in Andhra Pradesh
- New Development Bank (NDB) has signed $646 million loan agreements with Govt of India for two road projects in Andhra Pradesh.
- Projects:
- Andhra Pradesh Roads and Bridges Reconstruction Project: Widening 1,600 km of State Highways to double lane and reconstructing dilapidated bridges.
- Andhra Pradesh Mandal Connectivity and Rural Connectivity Improvement Project: Widening 1,400 km of district roads to double lane and reconstructing dilapidated bridges.
Sports
11. Khelo India Ice Hockey tournament begins in Chiktan, Kargil
- Zonal Physical Education Officer Chiktan organized Khelo India Ice Hockey Tournament at Chiktan, Kargil (Ladakh)
- There are 13 teams from different villages of Chiktan that are participating in the tournament, which include 11 men's teams and 2 women's teams
- Women’s team of Chiktan has been included for the first time.
- tournament was inaugurated by SDM Shakar Chiktan and Chief Guest of the event Kacho Asgar Ali khan in the presence of ZPEO Chiktan Ghulam Rasool
Science & Technology
12. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates CEPI Centralized network lab at THSTI Faridabad
- Minister for S&T Harsh Vardhan has inaugurated one of the seven labs of the world named as ‘centralized network lab of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)’
- It has been established at Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad
- THSTI: institute of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). This is the only laboratory of such kind in India and is also accredited by NABL.
National Affairs
13. Kamdhenu Gau-Vigyan Prachar-Prasar Exam announced
- Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) has announced Kamdhenu Gau-Vigyan Prachar-Prasar Exam.
- It will be an online exam to be conducted throughout the country on 25th Feb, 2021.
- It will be conducted in 4 categories:
- Primary level up to Std 8th
- Secondary level (from class 9th to class 12th)
- College level (after 12th+)
- For the general public.
- It will be consists of 100 marks and one-hour duration in Hindi, English and 12 regional languages.
National Affairs
14. Sagarmala Seaplane Project Services commenced
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is initiating Project of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS) with potential airline operators on the select routes
- The project will work through Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL), under administrative control of Ministry.
- Proposed Origin-Destination pairs under Hub and Spoke model: Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, Guwahati Riverfront & Umranso Reservoir in Assam, Yamuna Riverfront / Delhi (as Hub) to Ayodhaya
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