Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 28th August 2021

Correct Answer: A. Rs 1 lakh

Explanation: Ministry of Civil Aviation has repealed the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rules, 2021 and replace the same with the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021. The step has been taken as the earlier UAS Rules 2021 was perceived by academia, Startups, end-users and other stakeholders as being restrictive in nature as they involved considerable paperwork, required permissions for every drone flight and very few “free to fly” green zones were available.

Some important features of liberalized Drone Rules 2021:

Quantum of fee reduced to nominal levels and delinked with the size of the drone.  For instance, the fee for a remote pilot license fee has been reduced from INR 3000 (for large drones) to INR 100 for all categories of drones; and is valid for 10 years.No permission is required for operating drones in green zones.  Green zone means the airspace up to a vertical distance of 400 feet or 120 metres that has not been designated as a red zone or yellow zone in the airspace map; and the airspace up to a vertical distance of 200 feet or 60 metres above the area located between a lateral distance of 8 and 12 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport.Interactive airspace map with green, yellow and red zones shall be displayed on the digital sky platform within 30 days of publication of these rules.The yellow zone was reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.The maximum penalty for violations is reduced to INR 1 lakh. Drone promotion council to be set up by Government with participation from academia, startups and other stakeholders to facilitate a growth-oriented regulatory regime.Nano and model drones (made for research or recreation purposes) are exempt from type certification.No restriction on foreign ownership in Indian drone companies.

Important Points:

• Union Minister of Civil Aviation: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia

Correct Answer – A. 7th

Explanation: The International Military and Technical Forum ‘ARMY 2021’ has been organised in Moscow, Russia from August 22 to 28, 2021, at Patriot Expo, Kubinka Air Base and Alabino military training grounds. The ARMY 2021 is the 7th edition of the annual International Military-Technical Forum.

About the forum:

The forum is being organised by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation since 2015. The International Military and Technical Forum ‘ARMY’ is the world’s leading exhibition of armament and military equipment and the authoritative platform for discussing innovative ideas and developments for the armed forces by various foreign exhibitors, delegations and visitors.

Correct Answer – C. HSBC India

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Hitendra Dave as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HSBC Bank (India).RBI has accorded the approval for a period of three years with effect from August 24, 2021. In June 2021, HSBC had announced the appointment of Hitendra Dave as the Chief Executive Officer of HSBC India.Dave succeeds Surendra Rosha who, after three years, is moving to Hong Kong as the Co-Chief Executive of HSBC, Asia-Pacific. Hitendra Dave, formerly Head of Global Banking & Markets of HSBC India.

Important Points:

• HSBC Bank India Headquarters: Mumbai;
• HSBC Bank India Founded: 1853.

Correct Answer – B. USD 400 million

Explanation: The Government of India and Maldives inked the contract for the mega Greater Male Connectivity project (GMCP). The Greater Male Connectivity project (GMCP) is the largest-ever civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives. The Government of India is funding the implementation of GMCP through a USD 400 million Line of Credit (LoC) and USD 100 million grant. The USD 400 million LoC will be provided by the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).

About the project:

The project will be developed by Indian construction and engineering firm, AFCONS, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) comprise of 6.74 km long bridge and causeway link that will connect the national capital Male with three neighbouring islands namely: Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi.

Important Points:

• President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih;
• Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Correct Answer- B. 26 August

Explanation: International Dog Day is observed every year on August 26 to raise awareness about dog adoption and the importance of providing rescue dogs with a safe and loving environment. The day was started as National Dog Day in the US in 2004 by pet & family lifestyle expert, animal rescue advocate, conservationist and dog trainer Colleen Paige. August 26 was chosen as on this day, Paige’s family had adopted their first dog “Sheltie” from an animal shelter when she was just 10 years old.

Correct Answer – D. PM SVANidhi Scheme

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India has announced to include street vendors of tier-1 and tier-2 centres, identified as part of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi Scheme) as beneficiaries under the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme.Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme was launched by RBI to encourage deployment of Points of Sale (PoS) infrastructure (both physical and digital modes) in tier-3 to tier-6 centres and northeastern states.So now RBI has specifically allowed street vendors of Tier-1 and Tier-2 centres, to be part of PIDF Scheme.The street vendors in tier-3 to tier-6 centres will continue to be covered under the Scheme by default. PIDF presently has a corpus of Rs. 345 crore.

Correct Answer – D. K J Alphons

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received a book titled ‘Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Government’ by former Union Minister, K J Alphons. The book is about all the areas of India’s reform journey, written by Mr Alphons. K J Alphons is the former Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), in office from 3 September 2017 to May 2019.

Correct Answer – B. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

Explanation: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, is undertaking an extensive anthropometric research study to develop a comprehensive body size chart for the Indian population.This initiative was launched with the aim of introducing a new standardised size chart in ready-to-wear clothing sector in India.This project was announced in February 2019. However, it got delayed because of covid-19 pandemic.New sizing chart will comprise of a size identification number. It will be created by mapping, categorising and defining the body size and type.At present, only 18 countries have their own sizing charts.

Correct Answer – A. Sweden

Explanation:  Sweden becomes the first country in the world to manufacture first fossil-free steel (Green Steel).It has been developed by HYBRIT Technology and its first delivery was done to truck-manufacturer Volvo AB as a trial run.The initiative was in process since 2016.Full-scale production of green steel will begin from 2026.Sweden strives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and become one of the world’s first fossil-free welfare nations.

Correct Answer – B. 2

Explanation: India ranks second in terms of crypto adoption worldwide behind Vietnam, but ahead of countries such as the US, UK, and China, according to the 2021 Global Crypto Adoption Index by blockchain data platform Chainalysis.This comes even as worldwide crypto adoption grew by 880% between June 2020 and July 2021, according to the report.

Correct Answer – B. Sarbananda Sonowal

Explanation: The Ministry of Ayush would be organizing a conference on 28 August 2021 in which Ayush and Health Ministers of all the North Eastern States are participating.The conference would open the door for all northeastern states to bring benefits of Ayush systems of medicines effectively and increase its awareness among masses about its preventive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects.The Ministry of Ayush Under the National Ayush Mission(NAM) has given due attention to the development to the Ayush infrastructure in the North-eastern region.Support for the establishment of new 50 bedded integrated Ayush hospitals, co-location of Ayush systems at public health facilities like PHCs, CHCs, and District Hospitals has been supported by the Ministry. Sarbananda Sonowal is the Union Minister of Ayush.

Correct Answer – E. All 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: India would be hosting the International Climate Summit 2020-21 on September 3, 2021, in physical and virtual mode.International Climate Summit is an initiative by the Ph.D. Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with NITI Aayog, Ministry of Environment, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.The summit is a precursor to the 26th Conference of Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be convened in November 2021 at Glasgow.

Correct Answer – A. CCI

Explanation: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) organized a workshop on ‘Competition Issues in the Pharmaceutical Sector in India’ on August 27, 2021.The daylong workshop was conducted by the CCI in pursuance of its mandate of protecting and promoting competition in markets.CCI is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002.

Correct Answer – B. Chandigarh

Explanation: The Chandigarh Administration and Indian Air Force on 28 August 2021 signed an Agreed in Principle (AIP) for setting up of “Airforce Heritage Centre” at Government Press Building, Chandigarh.The Indian Air Force would showcase its vintage aircraft, armaments and memorabilia and other IAF artefacts including an audio-video display at the heritage centre.The Air Force Heritage Centre would be an iconic place that will attract tourists from within India and abroad and will also be one of the most educative and informative centres for the people.The centre will also include a simulator wherein the public can experience the flying of IAF Aircraft.This will also act as the platform to motivate and facilitate youth of our country to join the force.