National News
1. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 comes into force in India
- The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has been implemented in India since 20th July 2020. It has replaced Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
- The new act has been introduced to offer protection to buyers from traditional sellers as well as from the new e-commerce retailers/platforms.
- It will protect the consumer rights through its various notified Rules and provisions and will empower consumers and hence help them in protecting their rights.
- Some of the features of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 includes Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, Mediation, Product Liability and punishment for manufacture or sale of products containing adulterant / spurious goods.
- It also involves the setting up of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which will aim to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers. It will also conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints / prosecution.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Union Minister of Consumer Affairs: Ram Vilas Paswan.
International News
2. SpaceX launches South Korea's 1st military satellite "ANASIS-II"
- SpaceX has successfully launched South Korea's first military satellite "ANASIS-II".
- ANASIS-II satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) by a Falcon 9 rocket.
- It was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US of Florida.
- With this launch, South Korea has become the 10th country to own a military-only communications satellite, which will provide permanent and secured military communications.
- ANASIS-II was previously named as KMitSatCom-1. It replaces the Koreasat-5/ANASIS-I satellite, a combined civilian and military communications satellite launched in 2006.
- As part of a package for Lockheed Martin’s F-35A combat aircraft, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA) contracted with Lockheed Martin for the satellite.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- South Korea President: Moon Jae-in.
- South Korea Capital: Seoul.
- South Korea Currency: South Korean Won.
- SpaceX founder & CEO: Elon Musk.
- SpaceX president & COO: Gwynne Shotwell.
- SpaceX Founded: 2002.
- SpaceX Headquarters: California, United States of America.
Business News
3. Ola rolls out enterprise solution ‘Ola Corporate’ to global customers
- India-based mobility platform, Ola is rolling out its enterprise mobility solution ‘Ola Corporate’ across global markets. It will be rolling out the enterprise offering to customers across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
- The solution had first been introduced in the Indian market and had garnered 10,000 corporate users in the country.
- Ola Corporate will also offer a range of safety features under its Ride Safe initiative and will follow in class hygiene and sanitisation protocols for safer mobility amid the pandemic.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Ola CEO: Bhavish Aggarwal.
- Ola Headquarters: Bengaluru.
Agreements & MoUs
4. CBIC has signed MoU with CBDT for data exchange
- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed an MoU with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to facilitate smoother bilateral exchange of data.
- According to the MoU, both the organisations will share data and information with each other on an automatic and regular basis. They will also share any information available in their respective databases which may be useful for the other organisation.
- This MoU will also supersede the MoU signed between CBDT and the erstwhile Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the year 2015.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs: M. Ajit Kumar.
Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes: Pramod Chandra Mody.
5. India-Maldives sign agreement to establish “Emergency Medical Services”
- India and Maldives have signed an agreement for the establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in Male, Maldives.
- The Emergency Medical Service is financed by India under grant assistance of 20 million USD for neighbouring countries.
- This will help to increase the collaboration between the countries, especially in the areas of health care facilities, disaster responses during critical times, etc.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
- Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Awards & Rewards
6. Arnab Chaudhuri to receive Toonz Media Award
- The ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the Toonz Media Group as part of the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020 - Digital Edition will be posthumously conferred to the legendary animation director Arnab Chaudhuri.
- The award is being presented for his invaluable contribution to the animation and entertainment industry of India.
- Arnab, who passed away on December 25, 2019, was one of the pioneers of the Indian Animation industry, and his animation movie ‘Arjun: The Warrior Prince’ is the only animation from India to date to be longlisted for Oscar awards.
Appointments News
7. SAP appoints Kulmeet Bawa as new India MD
- Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing (SAP) has announced the appointment of Kulmeet Bawa as President and Managing Director for SAP Indian Subcontinent. He will replace the incumbent Deb Deep Sengupta.
- Kulmeet will be responsible for driving and delivering an exceptional SAP experience for employees and customers across our ecosystem, as well as guide businesses in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to adopt a digital-first mindset.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- CEO of SAP: Christian Klein; Founded: 1 April 1972; Headquarters: Weinheim, Germany.
8. Ramesh Boddu appointed as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank
- Board of Directors of the Karur Vysya Bank has appointed Ramesh Babu Boddu as a Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the bank. He has also been co-opted as an Additional Director.
- The appointment of Ramesh Babu Boddu has been made for a period of three years from the date of taking charge. He will succeed PR Seshadri who resigned on 31st March 2020.
- Ramesh Babu Boddu has earlier served as Deputy Managing Director in State Bank of India and retired in April 2020.
Science & Technology
9. CSIR-CMERI unveils COVID Protection System for Workplace
- The COVID Protection System for Workplace has been unveiled by the CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur.
- The COPS for Workplace comprises of three units namely contactless Solar Based Intelligent Mask Automated Dispensing Unit cum Thermal Scanner (IntelliMAST), Touchless Faucet (TouF) and 360° Car Flusher.
- IntelliMAST: With the help of customised Software solutions, this intelligent surveillance kiosk will determine the body temperature and finds out whether an individual is wearing Face Mask or not.
- Touchless Faucet (TouF): This system has been launched for households and Office Spaces. It dispenses Liquid Soap and Water from the same Faucet with a time-gap of 30 seconds, and help in containing the spread of infection among the family members, for any asymptomatic individual.
- 360° Car Flusher: This system will be applicable to sanitize cars as it comprises a Sodium Hypochlorite Water Screen which uses specialised Nozzle Design to ensure that the Sanitizer Diffused Water is evenly spread over and under the Car Body/Wheels with adequate Water Force and coverage.
Defence News
10. India & US conducts Passage Exercise in Indian Ocean
- Indian Navy has conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX), a high-end joint naval exercise with the US Navy in the Indian Ocean.
- The Passage Exercise has been designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defense.
- PASSEX featured the participation of four Indian naval ships, including a stealth corvette which teamed up with USS Nimitz along with Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) in the Eastern Indian Ocean.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.
11. Indian Air Force Commanders' Conference begins in Delhi
- Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) New Delhi.
- The Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) will be held with the theme "IAF in the Next Decade".
- AFCC is a three days conference which will be chaired by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. The plan of action for operational capability enhancement of the IAF in the next decade would be deliberated during the conference.
12. Indian Army gets 'Bharat' drones for accurate surveillance
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided drones named ‘Bharat’ to the Indian Army.
- The indigenously developed drones are sent in order to provide accurate surveillance along the Line of Actual Control in high altitude and mountainous terrains of Eastern Ladakh.
- Bharat Drones is a series of drones that comes under one of the world’s lightest and agile drone surveillance systems and is made in India.
- Bharat drones are equipped with artificial intelligence which helps the drone to detect friends from foes and helps take any action accordingly.
- The drones are further being developed to perform in harsher weather.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Army Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Chief of the Army Staff: Manoj Mukund Naravane.
Obituaries News
13. Spanish novelist Juan Marse passes away
- Spanish novelist, Juan Marse passed away. He was one of Spain's most-respected novelists over the past few decades and the winner of the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world's top literary award.
- His most important novel was “Úlitmas trades on Teresa” (“Last Afternoons with Teresa”) published in 1965.
Miscellaneous News
14. PNB launches campaign to distribute face masks & sanitizers
- Punjab National Bank has launched a nation-wide campaign to distribute face masks and sanitizers to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- The PNB's campaign was launched by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
- This campaign has been launched by PNB under the Corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- Under this campaign, Punjab National Bank will distribute such material in 662 districts throughout the country. The campaign also featured the participation of PNB’s 22 zonal offices across the nation via video conferencing.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank: S.S. Mallikarjuna Rao.
