Current Affairs 25 March, 2021 [Top Six Micro-Updates]

DGFT to assist the states/UTs in preparing the annual export ranking index of districts

The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry announced that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will assist states and union territories to prepare an annual export ranking index of different districts. The index will rank each district on its export competitiveness. A district export action plan that will include identification of goods and services with export potential in the district.

ISRO demonstrates ‘Free space quantum communication’ for the first time

For the first time, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently demonstrated free-space quantum communication over a distance of 300 m. It demonstrated live videoconferencing using quantum-key-encrypted signals. . The free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) was demonstrated at Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad.

Israel held its 4th parliamentary election in the last two years

Israel held its 4th parliamentary election in the last two years. The exit polls conducted did not show any clear winner. This election was triggered in December 2020, when the country’s parliament failed to agree a budget. It ended a seven-month power sharing arrangement between Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz.

Russia launched launched 38 foreign satellites from 18 countries

Russia successfully launched 38 foreign satellites from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellites were from 18 countries including South Korea, Japan and Germany. The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket placed all 38 spacecraft in the orbit. Among the satellites was the Challenge-1, the first satellite made completely in Tunisia

India-Japan MoU in Water Cooperation

The Union Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the Jal Shakti Ministry of India and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. The MoC was signed for development of a long-term cooperation in the field of Water and Delta management. It also encourages implementation of joint projects between the two countries and exchange of information, knowledge, technology and scientific allied experience.

Union Tourism Ministry engages NCAER to conduct study on the effect of Covid-19 on Tourism industry

Ministry of Tourism has engaged National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to conduct study on “India and the Coronavirus Pandemic: Economic Losses for Households Engaged in Tourism and Policies for Recovery. It aims to estimate the sector-wise direct and indirect impact of tourism activities on overall economy, and especially on household income. It also estimates the impact of gradual opening up of domestic tourism activities and sectors.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021