Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

Notes:
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced the annual awards for excellence in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) Mission.
In the best performing states category, Uttar Pradesh bagged the first place, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. In the North East region and Hilly states, Tripura bagged the first place. Vishakhapatnam was named the best performing Municipal Corporation.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has developed the Digital Payments Index (DPI), to record the expansion of digitisation of payments across the country.
The index has been constructed with March 2018 as the base period. As per the RBI, the DPI for March 2019 and March 2020 stand at 153.47 and 207.84 respectively. The index includes 5 parameters with the highest weightage for Payment Performance.

Notes:
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Union Ministry of Science and Technology has released the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP).
It includes nudge for self-reliance in technology, enhanced funding for science, technology and innovation via state budget. It also calls for gender and social audits in academic organisations. DST has also invited suggestions from stake holders and public by January 25.

Notes:
People of Tamil Nadu celebrate the ‘Thai Poosam’ festival, which is dedicated for the worship of the Tamil God Lord Muruga.
After the devotees requested to declare the day as a public holiday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami issued an order for the same. It is also celebrated in some parts of Kerala and in other countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Indonesia.

Notes:
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) has adopted an international practice for production of Indian Certified Reference Material (CRMs).
The CRM, which is branded as ‘Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya’, supports the testing and calibration of laboratories, for assuring quality at par with international standards.

Notes:
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund Trust has allocated Rs 201.58 crore rupees for installation of 162 dedicated Medical Oxygen Generation Plants.
The Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants are to be procured by the Central Medical Supply Store, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The PSA plants are source of medical-grade oxygen.

Notes:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is set to introduce a standard home insurance policy.
Named the ‘Bharat Griha Raksha’, the policy aims to cover the risk of fire and some allied dangers. Natural Catastrophes, Riot, Strike, theft among others. Along with the home building, the policy also covers ‘General Home Contents’ automatically.

Notes:
The Ministry of Economy of Brazil has announced that it had defaulted on its capital instalment to the New Development Bank (NDB).
When the bloc was started by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in 2015, Brazil agreed to contribute in capitalising the bank in 7 instalments. Now, the country has defaulted two outstanding instalments totalling USD 350 million.

Notes:
Justice Hima Kohli became the first woman Chief Justice of Telangana High Court when she sworn in, in the presence of Governor of the state.
She was earlier serving as a Delhi High Court judge, prior to this promotion. She had also served as the Standing Counsel and Legal Advisor to the New Delhi Municipal Council. The present Chief Justice of Telangana Raghavendra Singh Chowhan is transferred to Uttarakhand High Court.

Notes:
Union Education Ministry issues guidelines for identification, admission and supportive education of migrant children.
The guidelines include Continued Education for Out of School Children (OoSC) and Children with Special Needs (CWSN), Enrolment Drives and Awareness Generation, Support while schools are closed and Teacher Capacity Building via NISHTHA training modules and DIKSHA portal.