General Knowledge 2023 PDF

CONTENTS Current Affairs 5-32 INDIAN HISTORY 1-27 Ancient India Pre-Historic Period (1), Indus Valley Civilisation (1), Vedic Period (3), Jainism and Buddhis...

CONTENTS Current Affairs 5-32 INDIAN HISTORY 1-27 Ancient India Pre-Historic Period (1), Indus Valley Civilisation (1), Vedic Period (3), Jainism and Buddhism (5), Dynasties of Ancient India (6) Medieval India Provincial Kingdoms (11), Mughal Empire (12), Later Mughals and Marathas (14) Modern India Advent of the Europeans (15), Governor-Generals of Bengal (15), Governor - Generals of India (16), Viceroys of India (17), The Revolt of 1857 (19), Chief National Activities (19) Art and Culture Classical Dancers of India (26), Musical Instruments and Instrumentalists (27) GEOGRAPHY 28-50 World Geography Universe (28), Solar System (28), Rocks (31), Landforms (31), Atmosphere (32), Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming (33), Important Canals and Lakes of the World (34), Major Islands and Minerals of the World (35) Indian Geography India (37), Highest Peaks of India (37), Important Lakes and Rivers of India (39), Important River Projects and their Beneficiary States (40), Natural Vegetation of India (41), Soils in India (42), Forests of India (43), Climate (44), Agriculture (44), Mineral Resources (45), Transportation in India (46), Railways (46), Road Transport (46), Water Transport (47), Air Transport (47) Environment and Ecology Important Sanctuaries and National Parks (49), Biosphere Reserves of India (50) INDIAN POLITY 51-64 Framing of the Indian Constitution (51), Enactment of the Constitution (51), Preamble (51), Important Articles (52), Directive Principles of State Policy (54), Fundamental Duties (54), The President (54), The Vice-President (56), Council of Ministers (56), Prime Minister (56), Union Legislature (56), Supreme Court (58), Comptroller and Auditor General (58)  The States The Governor (59), States Legislature (59), The Panchayats and the Municipalities (60), Committees to Study Panchayat System (61), Union and State Public Service Commission (61), Election and Planning Commission (62), National Development Council (63), Finance Commission (63), e-Governance and Its Impacts (63), Parliamentary Terms (64), Constitutional Amendments (64) INDIAN ECONOMY 65-74 Outline of Indian Economy (65), Broad Sectors of Indian Economy (65), Five Year Plans at a Glance (66), National Income in India (66), Poverty (67), Unemployment (68), Industries (68), Major Industries in India (69), Banking and Finance (70), Insurance (72), Census 2011 (73), Economic Terms (74) GENERAL SCIENCE 75-102 Physics Newton’s Laws of Motion (75), Circular Motion (75), Gravitation (76), Satellites (76), General Properties of Matter (77), Archimedes’ Principle (77), Density (78), Heat and Thermodynamics (78), Waves (80), Light (80), Lens (81), Human Eye (82), Magnets (83), Atomic and Nuclear Physics (83), Laser Technology in India (84) Chemistry Physical and Chemical Changes (86), Corrosion (87), Acids, Bases and Salts (89), Soaps and Pesticides (90) Biology Living World (92), The Cell and Human Systems (92), Fat Soluble Vitamins (93), Blood (94), Central Nervous System (95), Some Human Diseases Caused by Viruses and Bacteria (96), Ecology (98), Biotechnology (98) Computer Components of Computer (101), Memory (101), Some Commonly Used Terms (102) GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 103-128 First in the World (Male and Female) (103), Superlatives (104), Countries with Capitals and Currencies (105), Geographical Epithets (106), Major Newspapers of the World (109), Religions of the World (109), First in India (Male and Female) (111), Books and Authors (113), Important Dates and Days of the Year (114), Abbreviations (115), Awards and Honours (119), Indian Defence (122)  Current Affairs NATIONAL l Both Centre and States government employees’ tax deduction limit to be UNION BUDGET 2022-23 increased from 10% to 14% to help Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the social security benefits of state presented the Union Budget 2022-23 government employees. on February 1, 2022. With a focus on l For the taxation of virtual digital assets, four pillars of development — inclusive the budget provides that any income development, Productivity from transfer of any virtual digital asset enhancement, energy transition and shall be taxed at the rate of 30%. Climate Action. l 100% of 1.5 lakh post offices to come This Budget 2022-23 gives a blueprint on the core banking system and of economy from India at 75 to India Scheduled Commercial Banks to set at 100 (Amrit Kaal). up 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in 75 districts. Provisions l Digital rupee to be issued using block l Budget Estimates of ` 39.45 lakh crore chain and other technologies and will total expenditure in 2022-23 in be issued by RBI starting 2022-23. This Budget. Budget Estimates 2021-22 will give big boost to the economy. was ` 34.83 lakh crore and Revised Estimates 2021-22 is ` 37.70 lakh l Introducing new Updated return on crore. payment of additional tax and Can be filed within two years from the end of l Outlay for capital expenditure the relevant assessment year. stepped up sharply by 35.4% to ` 7.50 lakh crore in 2022-23 from ` 5.54 lakh l Surcharge on cooperative societies crore in the current year (2021-22). reduced from 12% to 7% for those having total income of more than l India’s real GDP is estimated to grow ` 1 crore and up to ` 10 crore. by 9.2% in 2021-22, as compared to a contraction of 7.3% in 2020-21. l No changes in tax slab and Payment of annuity and lump sum amount l The Fiscal Deficit in 2022-23 is from insurance scheme to be allowed estimated at 6.4% of GDP. to differently abled dependent during l In 2020-21 (as per 4th Advance the lifetime of parents/guardians, i.e., Estimates), total food grain on parents/guardian attaining the age production in the country is of 60 years. estimated at 308.7 million tonnes l Public issue of Life Insurance which is higher by 11.1 million tonnes Corporation expected shortly and 5G than the production of food grain of spectrum auctions to be conducted 297.5 million tonnes during 2019-20. in 2022. Announcements ECONOMIC SURVEY 2021-22 l 60 lakh new jobs to be created Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled under the Productivity Linked the Economic Survey 2021-22 in the Incentive (PLI) scheme in Parliament on January 31, 2022. A Central 14 sectors. theme of a survey in amidst pandemic has l One class-One TV channel been Agile Approach. programme of PM eVIDYA to be Highlights expanded to 200 TV channels. l The survey estimate nominal GDP growth l Udyam, e-shram, NCS and ASEEM of 8-8.5 % and real GDP growth of 9.2% in portals to be interlinked. 2022-23. l Guarantee cover under ECLGS to l Agriculture and Allied Sectors are expected be expanded by ` 50000 crore to to grow by 3.9%, industry by 11.8% and the total cover of ` 5 lakh crore. services sector by 8.2% in 2021-22. l National Highways Network to l The Agriculture sector experienced be expanded by 25000 km in buoyant growth in past two years, 2022-23 under Gatishakti Master accounting for a sizeable 18.8% (2021-22) Plan. in Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country l 400 new generation Vande registering a growth of 3.6% in 2020-21 Bharat Trains to be manufactured and 3.9% in 2021-22. during the next three years. l Food inflation averaged at a low of 2.9% in l National Ropeways Development 2021-22 (April to December). Program, Parvatmala to be taken l Capital expenditure for the Indian railways up on PPP mode and Contracts has increased to ` 155181 crore in 2020-21 to be awarded in 2022-23 for 8 from an average annual of ` 45980 crore ropeway projects of 60 km during 2009-14. length. l The extent of road construction per day l Digital University for world-class increased substantially in 2020-21 to 36.5 quality universal education with km per day from 28 km per day in 2019-20 personalised learning experience – a rise of 30.4%. to be established. l The number of new recognized start-ups l National Tele Mental Health increased to over 14000 in 2021-22 from Programme for quality mental 733 in 2016-17. health counselling and care l 44 Indian start-ups have achieved unicorn services to be launched. status in 2021. l Two lakh anganwadis to be l With the enhanced borrowings on account upgraded to Saksham of COVID-19, the Central Government debt Anganwadis. has gone up from 49.1% of GDP in 2019-20 l ` 60000 crore allocated to cover to 59.3% of GDP in 2020-21. 3.8 crore households under Har l As of end-November 2021, India was the Ghar, Nal se Jal and ` 48000 fourth-largest forex reserves holder in the crore allocated for completion of world after China, Japan and Switzerland. 80 lakh houses under PM Awas l As per the National Family Health Survey-5 Yojana in 2022-23. : Total Fertility Rate (TFR) came down to 2 l Special Economic Zones Act to in 2019-21 from 2.2 in 2015-16; Infant be replaced with a new Mortality Rate (IMR), under-5 mortality rate legislation to enable States to and institutional births have improved in become partners in 2019-21 over the year 2015-16. Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs. Current Affairs 7 73rd Republic Day Celebrations Index for 20 Districts of UT of Jammu India celebrated its 73rd Republic Day on and Kashmir on January 22, 2022. The January 26, 2022. The occasion was top 5 districts in the District Good marked by a grand military parade at Governance Index are Jammu, Doda, Rajpath (Delhi), showcasing the country's Samba, Pulwama and Srinagar. history, cultural diversity and strategic Amar Jawan Jyoti Eternal Flame weapons. The biggest highlight of this Merged with National War year's parade was the flypast of 75 Memorial Flame aircrafts and helicopters as India The government of India has merged celebrates the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav- the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame at India 75 Years of Independence'. Gate with the flame at the newly A mega drone show of 1000 drones constructed National War Memorial in dazzled the skies on January 29 during the same complex on January 21, the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony at 2022. The ceremony was led by the Vijay Chowk in the national capital as Integrated Defence Staff chief, Air part of Republic Day celebrations 2022. Marshal Balabhadra Radha Krishna. India became the fourth country in the PM Modi Inaugurates Launch of world after Britain, Russia and China to ‘Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav se dazzle 1000 drones in the sky during the Swarnim Bharat Ki Ore’ Beating Retreat ceremony. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Culture Ministry Organised Rangoli launch of ‘Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav se Utsav ‘Umang’ Swarnim Bharat Ki Ore’ via video conferencing on January 20, 2022. The Ministry of Culture organised Rangoli program unveiled yearlong initiatives Utsav 'Umang' to celebrate National Girl dedicated to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Child Day under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Brahma Kumaris, which include on January 24, 2022. Rangoli decorations more than 30 campaigns and over at more than 70 locations were done to 15000 programs and events. celebrate the contributions of women to the journey of a progressive India@75. PM will Deliver ‘State of the World’ Address at WEF’s Davos Agenda Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s PM Narendra Modi will deliver a ‘State Hologram Statue Installed of the World’ special address at the PM Narendra Modi has unveiled a World Economic Forum’s virtual hologram statue of iconic freedom fighter summit ‘Davos Agenda’ on January 17, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate, 2022. WEF Davos Agenda event is New Delhi on January 23, 2022. The Netaji being held in virtual mode, amid the statue will be 28 feet by 6 feet and will COVID-19 pandemic, from January 17 stand at the spot that once featured a to 21, 2022 on the theme of ‘The State statue of England’s King George V that of the World.’ was removed and shifted in 1968. January 16 Declared as District Good Governance National Startup Day Index Released PM Narendra Modi declared that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has January 16 will be celebrated as released first District Good Governance ‘National Startup Day’, while  8 Current Affairs interacting with over 150 startups on the courage of the 4 Sahibzades (the January 15, 2022. The interaction was four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji), who part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, attained martyrdom in the 17th century. ‘Celebrating Innovation Ecosystem,’ a National Health Mission Launched week-long event hosted by Department for Promotion of Industry Project ‘Niramay’ and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of National Health Mission (NHM), Assam in Commerce and Industry. collaboration with Piramal Swasthya, a non-profit organisation, and Cisco India State of Forest Report 2021 launched a pilot project ‘Niramay’ to The Union Ministry of Environment, digitise the public healthcare delivery in Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Assam on January 8, 2022. released the India State of Forest Report The project aims to strengthen the (ISFR) 2021 on January 14, 2022. India’s health system at the grassroots level and forest cover is now 713789 square improve the quality of healthcare along kilometres, 21.71% of the country’s with healthcare delivery. geographical area, an increase from 21.67% in 2019. 24th Conference on e-Governance 2020-21 PM Modi Inaugurated MSME Union Minister of Science and Technology Centre Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a inaugurated the 24th National Technology Centre of the MSME Conference on e-Governance in Ministry, established at Puducherry, on Hyderabad, Telangana on January 7, the occasion of National Youth Day on 2022. The theme of the two-day January 12, 2022. The technology Conference is ‘India’s Techade: Digital centre was built at a cost of ` 122 crore Governance in a Post Pandemic World’. with a focus on the Electronic System Election Dates Announced Design and Manufacturing Sector. for Five States 16th India Digital Summit 2022 The Election Commission of India (ECI) Union Minister of Commerce & Industry on January 8, 2022 announced the Piyush Goyal addressed the 16th schedule for Assembly Elections in Uttar edition of India Digital Summit, 2022 Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur through a video conference on January and Goa. The elections will be held in 11-12, 2022. The two-day virtual event seven phases from February 10 to was organised by the Internet and March 7. Votes for all five Assembly Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) with Elections will be counted on March 10. the theme ‘Supercharging Startups’. NEAT 3.0 Launched December 26 will be Observed as Union Education Minister Dharmendra ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ Pradhan launched NEAT 3.0, a single PM Narendra Modi has declared that platform to provide the best-developed 26 December will be observed as ‘Veer Ed-Tech solutions and courses to Baal Diwas’ annually starting from the students of the country on Jan. 3, 2022. year 2022; on January 9, 2022. The day National Educational Alliance for will be commemorated as a tribute to Technology (NEAT) is an initiative to Current Affairs 9 provide the use of best-developed National Importance” category followed technological solutions in the by IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. Among education sector to enhance the government technical universities – state employability of the youth on a single run and deemed – Punjab University has platform for learners’ convenience. been ranked number one. COVID-19 Vaccination Programme First Kashi Indian International for 15-18 Years Film Festival India started its vaccination programme The first edition of the three-day Kashi against COVID-19 for children from Indian International Film Festival January 3, 2022. Bharat Biotech’s commenced in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi Covaxin is the only vaccine available for on December 27, 2021. children between the age of 15 and The festival showcased glimpses of 18 years. Covaxin will be administered Indian classical music and dance and in two doses at a gap of 28 days. events on famous philosophers, poets, Foundation Laid for Major Dhyan writers and musicians. Chand Sports University Good Governance Index 2021 PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation Home Minister Amit Shah released the stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports Good Governance Index 2021 prepared University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh on by the Department of Administrative January 2, 2022. The University will be Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) established at Salawa and Kaili villages on December 25, 2021. on the outskirts of the Sardhana town of Top Ranked States the district at an estimated cost of Other States – Group A Gujarat, about ` 700 crore. Maharashtra and Goa. India to Chair Counter- Terrorism Other States – Group B Madhya Committee of UNSC Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. India has assumed the chairmanship of North-East and Hill States Himachal the United Nations Security Council’s Pradesh, Mizoram and Uttarakhand. Counter-Terrorism Committee for one Union Territories Delhi year, beginning from January 1, 2022. Prior to this, India held the chairmanship 3rd India-Central Asia Dialogue Held of the committee in 2011-12. In The 3rd meeting of the India- Central addition to this, India has also voted in Asia Dialogue was held in New Delhi favour of the UNSC resolution to renew under the chairmanship of the External the mandate of the Counter- Terrorism Affairs Minister of India, on Dec.19, 2021. Committee Executive Directorate. Parliament Passed NDPS ARIIA Rankings 2021 Released Amendment Bill, 2021 Ministry of Education has released Atal The Parliament passed the Narcotics Rankings of Institutions on Innovation Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Achievements (ARIIA) 2021 on (Amendment) Bill, 2021 on December 20, December 30, 2021. IIT Madras has again 2021. It seeks to replace the Narcotic emerged as the best institute under the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances “CFTIs, Central University, & Institute of (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.  10 Current Affairs The Bill amends the Narcotic Drugs and Durga Puja In UNESCO’s Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ list correct a drafting error. The UNESCO has added Kolkata’s Durga India International Science Puja festival to its ‘Representative List of Festival 2021 the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ on December 15, 2021. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 7th edition of the It is the first festival in Asia to achieve four-day India International Science recognition as UNESCO Intangible Festival (IISF) in Panaji, Goa, held from Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In total, 14 December 10 to 13, 2021. Intangible Cultural Heritage elements from India have now been inscribed on The theme of IISF 2021 was Celebrating UNESCO’s Representative List. Creativity in Science, Technology and Innovation for Prosperous India. National Helpline Against Atrocities Parliament Passed Elections Laws on SCs/STs (Amendment) Bill 2021 Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar has The Elections Laws (Amendment) Bill launched a National Helpline Against 2021 was passed in the Parliament after Atrocities (NHAA) on SCs/STs on getting assent from the Rajya Sabha on December 13, 2021. December 21, 2021. The Helpline is now available round the This bill provides for linking of Voter ID clock on toll-free number ‘14566’ across card with Aadhaar card to prevent the country in Hindi, English and duplication in the electoral rolls. regional language of the State/UTs. Foundation Stone Laid for Ganga Kashi Vishwanath DHAM Project Expressway Inaugurated Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the first foundation stone of the India’s longest phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor highway, ‘the Ganga Expressway’ in project (Kashi Vishwanath Dham Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh on project), in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on December 18, 2021. December 13, 2021. The Phase 1 of Shri The six-lane 594 km long expressway Kashi Vishwanath Dham has been will be built at a cost of about ` 36200 constructed at a cost of ` 339 crore. crore and will connect the Western and Eastern regions of UP. Saryu Canal National Project Inaugurated India Re-elected to IMO Council PM Narendra Modi has India has been re-elected to inaugurated Saryu Canal National International Maritime Organisation Project in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh on (IMO) Council for the 2022-23 biennium December 11, 2021. under category B states. The project will provide assured water The Assembly of the International for irrigation to over 14 lakh hectares of Maritime Organisation has elected the land and benefit about 29 lakh farmers Members of its Council for the 2022-23 in Uttar Pradesh. biennium. Current Affairs 11 Haiderpur Wetland Recognised as Parliament Passed Dam Safety Ramsar Site Bill, 2019 Uttar Pradesh’s Haiderpur wetland has The Parliament on December 2, 2021 been added to the list of Indian cleared the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 for wetlands of international importance on surveillance, inspection, operation and December 9, 2021. maintenance of all specified dams Haiderpur wetland is human-made across the country. The Bill seeks to wetland covering an area of 6908 prevent dam failure, related disasters hectares and was formed in 1984 after and provide for institutional the construction of the Madhya Ganga mechanism to ensure their safe Barrage on the floodplains of Ganga. functioning. NIPER (Amendment) Bill, 2021 Passed India’s First Virtual Science Lab The Parliament on December 10, 2021 for Children passed the National Institute of Union Minister of Science and Pharmaceutical Education and Research Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Bill amends launched India’s first Virtual Science the 1998 law to provide for a Council to Lab for Children on November 22, coordinate activities among the 2021. The new virtual science lab institutes and also ensure development facility has been developed by CSIR in of pharmaceutical education and partnership with IIT Bombay under the research standards. CSIR Jigyasa programme, which facilitates classroom learning with Russian President Visit to India laboratory research for school students. Russia President Vladimir Putin visited India on December 6, 2021. During the Bharat Gaurav Theme-Based Circuit visit, he participated in the 21st Trains Launched India-Russia (Annual) Summit in Union Minister of Railways Ashwini New Delhi with his counterpart Vaishnaw on November 23, 2021 PM Narendra Modi. Indian PM and announced the introduction of ‘Bharat Russian President signed 28 agreements Gaurav Trains’, the theme-based tourist in different sectors Including trade, circuit trains to boost tourism in India. energy, science and technology, Bharat Gaurav Trains can be operated intellectual property, outer space, by private operators and the Indian geological exploration, cultural Railways Catering and Tourism exchange, and education. Corporation (IRCTC). Survey Vessel ‘Sandhayak’ Launched PM Modi Laid Foundation of Noida ‘Sandhayak’, the first of the four Survey International Airport Vessels (Large) project being built for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the Indian Navy, was launched in Kolkata on foundation stone of ‘Noida International December 5, 2021. These vessels have Airport (NIA)’ at Jewar (Gautam Budh been designed and developed by Nagar) on November 25, 2021. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, which is The airport will be the second among the leading warship building international airport to come up in companies in India. Delhi NCR. Uttar Pradesh to become  12 Current Affairs the only state in India to have five elected in Group IV Asian and Pacific international airports. It will be India’s States category. UNESCO Executive first net zero emissions airport. Board consists of 58 member-states each with a four-year term of office. Three Farm Bills Repealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Purvanchal Expressway Inaugurated address to the nation on November 19, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2021 announced the repeal of all three Purvanchal Expressway at KarwalKheri in farms laws. Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on According to PM Modi, these three laws November 16, 2021. The 341 km long were for the benefit of the farmers, but Purvanchal Express will connect despite best efforts, the government Lucknow with Ghazipur and has been could not persuade a section of the constructed at an estimated cost of farmers. The laws will be repealed in ` 22500 crore. the upcoming Winter Session of First Audit Diwas Event Held Parliament. PM Narendra Modi addressed the first SMART Policing Index 2021 Released Audit Diwas at CAG office premises on The Indian Police Foundation (IPF) has November 16, 2021. On the First Audit released ‘IPF Citizen Satisfaction Survey Diwas, he also unveiled the statue of on SMART Policing’ Index 2021 on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the office of November 18, 2021. the Comptroller and Auditor General of Andhra Pradesh has secured first rank India (CAG) in New Delhi. with an overall score of 8.11 out of 10. Bhopal’s Habibganj Telangana Police is on second position Railway Station Renamed with 8.10 points while Assam Police has The Habibganj railway station in Bhopal, secured the third position with an Madhya Pradesh has been renamed overall rating of 7.89. after 18th-century Gond Queen of ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv’ Bhopal, Rani Kamlapati on Organised November 13, 2021. Three day ‘Rashtra Raksha Samarpan PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Parv’ was held in Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) revamped Rani Kamlapati railway from November 17-19, 2021 as part of station on November 15, during his visit ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. to Bhopal. Prime Minister Modi launched and November 15 Declared as dedicated a number of schemes in a ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ grand ceremony on November 19, 2021. The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM India Re-elected to UNESCO Narendra Modi has approved Executive Board declaration of November 15 as Janjatiya India has been re-elected to the Gaurav Divas on November 10, 2021. Executive Board of UNESCO for the term The day will be celebrated every year 2021-25 with 164 votes on from now on to recognise the efforts of November 17, 2021. Apart from India, the tribals for preservation of cultural Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cook heritage and promotion of Indian values Islands and China have also been of valour, hospitality and national pride. Current Affairs 13 Srinagar Joined UNESCO CCN India’s rank improved by one place to The capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, 85 in 2021 with the CPI score of 40 Srinagar, has been designated as a part from 86th in 2020. of United Nations Educational, Scientific Oxford Declared ‘Anxiety’ as and Cultural Organization - Creative Children’s Word of the Year 2021 Cities Network (UCCN) by UNESCO on Oxford University Press (OUP) has November 8, 2021. The Srinagar city has declared ‘Anxiety’ as Children’s Word of been designated the creative city in the the Year 2021, based on their recent field of Crafts and Folk Arts - only second research on January 18, 2022. city in India in this category after Jaipur. Anxiety has been selected based on a ‘November 15’ Marked as survey conducted on around 8000 ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ children of the 7-14 age group from 85 The Union Cabinet on November 10, schools in the United Kingdom, who 2021 approved declaration of ‘15th were asked to choose the words they November’ on ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.’ most often used while talking about The day is dedicated to the memory of health and wellbeing. brave tribal freedom fighters so that Nusantara has been Selected as coming generations could know about the New Capital of Indonesia their sacrifices about the country. Indonesia passed a bill replacing its The date (15th November) is the birth capital Jakarta with East Kalimantan, anniversary of Sri Birsa Munda who is and will be called Nusantara (situated revered as Bhagwan by tribal to the east of Borneo island) on communities across the country. January 18, 2022. President Joko Widodo first announced the capital INTERNATIONAL would be relocated in 2019, citing concerns over Jakarta’s environmental Military Seizes Power in Burkina Faso and economic sustainability. The military in Burkina Faso has seized power, detained President Roch Kaboré, Dubai Opens Its Infinity Bridge for suspended the constitution and closed Traffic for the First Time the country's borders on January 24, Iconic ‘Infinity Bridge’ in Dubai, United 2022. The military had seized power in Arab Emirates has been formally response to the ongoing degradation of opened to traffic for the first time on the security situation in the country and January 16, 2022. the incapacity of the government to Its design resembles mathematical unite the population. sign for infinity (8) which represents 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index limitless, infinite goals of Dubai. Transparency International released the Henley Passport Index 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2021 The Henley Passport Index 2021 has on January 24, 2022. been released by Henley and amp; Denmark, Finland, New Zealand topped Partners, based on the exclusive data the list with the highest score of 88. from the International Air Transport While, South Sudan has ranked last on Association (IATA), on January 8, 2022. the index with the CPI score of 11.  14 Current Affairs Japan and Singapore have been ranked European Union for the next six 1st, with passport holders have months till June 30, 2022; with effect accessibility of 192 destinations visa-free. from January 1, 2022. The motto of India has climbed seven places up from France as EU President is ‘Recovery, 90th rank in 2021 and has been ranked at Strength, Belonging’. 83rd position. World’s Longest Metro Line Antigua and Barbuda Joined ISA Opened in China Antigua and Barbuda became the 102nd World’s longest Metro Line was member of the International Solar opened in China’s Shanghai Province Alliance (ISA) by signing on December 31, 2021. Shanghai has the ISA Framework Agreement in St. opened two new metro lines – Line 14 John’s, Antigua on January 4, 2022. and Phase One of Line 18, upholding Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, its rank as the city with the Gaston Browne, signed the ISA largest Metro network in the world. Framework Agreement (FA) on behalf of Germany Shuts Down Three the Government of Antigua and Barbuda Nuclear Power Plants in the presence of Dr. KJ Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India, who is currently Under Germany’s energy transition on a visit to Antigua and Barbuda. policy, the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde nuclear power plants James Webb Telescope Giant was decommissioned on Sunshield Deployed December 31, 2021. The three NASA technicians have successfully fully remaining power plants are located in deployed the 70-foot sunshield Bavaria, Baden- Württemberg and protecting the James Webb Space Lower Saxony and are due to be Telescope on January 4, 2022. The closed by the end of 2022. five-layer, tennis court-sized sunshield is Russia Launched 1st Versatile essential for protecting the telescope Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker from the light and heat of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Russia has launched its first in the series Project 22220 versatile New Coronavirus Variant Identified nuclear-powered icebreaker known as in France ‘Sibir’, on December 30, 2021. French scientists have identified a new Sibir will support the growing fleet of COVID-19 variant named IHU or variant icebreakers to keep the Northern Sea B.1.640.2 with 46 mutations on Route open for year-round shipping January 3, 2022. This variant has been through the Arctic and enable a wider reported by researchers at institute IHU presence of India in the arctic region. Mediterranee Infection in at least 12 cases, and has been linked to travel to Japan Introduced World’s First African country Cameroon. Dual-Mode Vehicle The world’s first dual-mode vehicle France Takes Over EU Presidency that can run on road and rail, had for Six Months made its public debut in the town of France has assumed the rotating Kaiyo in Japan’s Tokushima prefecture presidency of the Council of the on December 27, 2021. Current Affairs 15 The DMV looks like a minibus and runs December 14, 2021. Former US on normal rubber tyres on the road, but President Barack Obama has retained when it arrives at an interchange, steel the top position on the chart as the wheels descend from the vehicle’s world’s most admired man in 2021 for underbelly onto the rail track, effectively the second year in a row; followed by turning it into a train carriage. Bill Gates and Xi Jinping at the second and third place, respectively. Global Unicorn Index 2021 Hurun Research Institute, India has Global Health Security Index 2021 released the Global Unicorn Index 2021 Released on December 23, 2021. The United The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and States and China still continue to bag the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health the top two ranks in the list by adding Security has released the 2021 Global 254 and 74 unicorns, respectively. Health Security Index on December 10, As per the report, India ranked at third 2021. The world’s overall performance (by adding 33 ‘unicorns’) in 2020 by on the GHS Index score slipped to 38.9 displacing the United Kingdom (UK) to (out of 100) in 2021, from a score of the 4th spot. 40.2 in the GHS Index, 2019. WADA Report 2021 Released World Inequality Report 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has The World Inequality Lab, a research released the WADA report, detailing the center at the Paris School of Economics transgressions for the year 2019, on has released the 2022 World Inequality December 21, 2021. A total of 278047 Report (WIR) on December 9, 2021. samples were collected by Anti-Doping As per the ‘World Inequality Report Organisations worldwide in 2019, and 2022’, India is among the most unequal subsequently, analysed by countries in the world, with rising WADA-accredited laboratories. poverty and an ‘affluent elite’. Gabriel Boric Becomes Asia Power Index 2021 President of Chile Lowy Institute has released the Asia Leftist candidate Gabriel Boric has won Power Index 2021 by assessing the Chile’s presidential election to become resources and influence to rank the the country’s youngest ever leader, on relative power of states in the December 20, 2021. The 35 year old Indo-Pacific region on December 7, former student protest leader defeated 2021. United States topped the index his far-right rival Jose Antonio Kast by 10 followed by China at the second place. points. He will lead a country that has India ranked fourth most powerful been rocked in recent years by mass country on the measures of economic protests against in equality and capability, military capability, resilience corruption. and cultural influence. World’s Most Admired Men in 2021 Dubai is first in World to go PM Narendra Modi surpassed several 100% Paperless world leaders and celebrities to retain UAE Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin the 8th position of YouGov’s World’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Most Admired Men for the year 2021, on announced on Dec.13, 2021 that Dubai  16 Current Affairs became the world’s first govt. to turn At the current rate of progress, the 100% paperless. All the external and global nutrition targets will not be internal transactions and the procedures achieved by 2025 globally and in most in Dubai Government are now 100% countries worldwide. digital. The digitization will provide all OMICRON : Another Variant the govt. services to customers & reduce paper consumption by more than 336 of Concern million papers. The WHO on November 26, 2021 designated variant B.1.1.529 as a Adama Barrow Re-elected ‘Variant of Concern’ and named it Gambian President Omicron. Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has It has been categorised as a SARS-CoV-2 been re-elected for a second term in Variant of Concern (VoC) by the WHO. office in the tiny West African nation on The new COVID-19 strain was first December 5, 2021. identified in southern Africa by the With 53% of the vote, he easily beat out Network for Genomics Surveillance in his main contender Ousainou Darboe of South Africa (NGS-SA). the United Democratic Party who Malta becomes First EU Country to received about 28% of the vote. Legalise Cannabis World Malaria Report 2021 Released Malta became the first European The World Health Organisation (WHO) country to allow limited cultivation and released its World Malaria Report 2021 possession of cannabis for personal use, on December 6, 2021. following a vote in parliament on In the report, the WHO notes that December 14, 2021. Adults will be ‘Global efforts to tackle malaria suffered allowed to grow four plants at home because of novel coronavirus disease in and carry seven grams of cannabis, with 2020. There were an estimated 627,000 smoking in public or in front of children malaria deaths in 2020, an increase of remaining illegal. 12% over 2019. Australia & South Korea Signed Merriam-Webster Declared ‘Vaccine’ Defence Pact as ‘Word of the Year’ Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison American publishing company and South Korean President Moon Jae-in Merriam-Webster on November 30, 2021 have signed a defense deal worth 1 billion declared the word ‘Vaccine’ as its ‘Word Australian dollars as the two countries mark of the Year 2021’. ‘Vaccine’ word saw a 60 years of diplomatic relations on 601% increase in definition lookups over December 13, 2021. Under the agreement, the year, compared to 2020. South Korean defense company Hanwha will provide the Australian army with Global Nutrition Report 2021 equipment like artillery weapons, supply The World Health Organisation (WHO) vehicles and radar. has released the Global Nutrition Report 2021 (GNR 2021) on November 25, UNGA Grants Observer Status to ISA 2021. India has made no progress on The United Nations General Assembly anaemia and childhood wasting. (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to International Solar Alliance (ISA) on Current Affairs 17 December 9, 2021. The granting of Climate Change Performance Index Observer Status to ISA in the General 2022 Released Assembly would help provide for German-watch in collaboration with regular and well-defined cooperation Climate Action Network (CAN) and New between the Alliance and the United Climate Institute, published the Climate Nations that would benefit global Change Performance Index 2022 on energy growth and development. November 10, 2021. Collins Dictionary Named ‘NFT’ as India has been placed at 10th spot and ‘Word of the Year’ retained its position as the top 10 best Collins Dictionary has named the term performing countries with higher ‘NFT’ (Non-Fungible Token) as the ‘Word climate performance for the third year of the Year 2021’ on November 25, in a row. 2021. As per Collins Dictionary, NFT is UN Climate Change Conference defined as “a unique digital certificate, 2021 Held registered in a blockchain that is used to The United Nations Climated Change record ownership of an asset such as an Conference 2021 was held at the artwork or a collectible.” Scottish Events Campus in Glasgow Collins English Dictionary is published (Scotland) from October 31 to by HarperCollins in Glasgow. November 12, 2021. NASA Launched World’s It was hosted by the United Kingdom First DART Mission (UK) in partnership with Italy. This was The US space agency NASA has the 26th Session of the ‘Conference of launched a first-of-its-kind $ 325 million the Parties (CoP26)’. Double Asteroid Redirection Test USA Becomes Member of ISA (DART) mission into orbit from The United States of America (USA) has Vandenberg Space Force Base in joined the International Solar Alliance California atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (ISA) as the 101st member country on on November 24, 2021. November 10, 2021. NASA’s DART Mission is the world’s first The framework agreement was formally mission to test asteroid-deflecting signed by John Kerry, the U.S. Special technology. Presidential Envoy for Climate, at the China Passed ‘Historical Resolution’ COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Boosting President Xi’s Authority Global Drug Index 2021 The ruling Communist Party of China on The inaugural Global Drug Index was November 11, 2021 approved a rare released by the Harm Reduction resolution, which uplifted the country’s Consortium, on November 7, 2021. President Xi Jinping’s status in its history. In this index, Norway (74/100), New The resolution on the Communist Party Zealand (71/100), Portugal (70/100), the of China’s ‘achievements and historical UK (69/100) and Australia (65/100) are experiences’ since its founding 100 the five leading countries with respect years ago was passed at the end of a to humane and health-driven drug 4-day, closed-door meeting (Sixth policies. Plenum).  18 Current Affairs EIU Worldwide Cost of Living Winners Index 2021 Category Winner Runner Up The Worldwide Cost of Living Index Men’s Lakshya Sen Loh Kean Yew released by the Economist Intelligence singles (India) (Singapore) Unit (EIU) has listed the world’s most Women’s Busanan Supanida expensive cities to live in 2021, on singles Ongbamrungp Katethong han (Thailand) (Thailand) December 1, 2021. Tel Aviv (Israel) has become the most Syed Modi International Badminton expensive city in the world to live in Tournament 2022 2021, pushing Paris and Singapore The 2022 Syed Modi International jointly to occupy the second spot with badminton tournament was held at Zurich and Hong Kong at the fourth Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in and fifth spots respectively. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from Global Bribery Risk Rankings 2021 January 18-23, 2022. An anti-bribery standard setting Men’s Singles Final between Arnaud organisation TRACE has released the Merkle and Lucas Claerbout not held Global Bribery Risk Rankings 2021 on after one finalist tested Covid positive November 17, 2021. Women’s Singles PV Sindhu (India) North Korea, Turkmenistan, Venezuela BWF World Championships 2021 and Eritrea posed the highest commercial bribery risk, while Denmark, The 2021 BWF World Championships Norway, Finland, Sweden and New was a badminton tournament which Zealand had the lowest. India ranked took place at Palacio de los Deportes 82nd with a score of 44, whereas in 2020 Carolina Marín in Huelva, Spain from India had ranked 77 with a score of 45. December 12-19, 2021. Shuttler Kidambi Srikanth became the SPORTS AND GAMES first Indian man to win a silver medal at BWF World Championships. BOXING Men’s Singles Loh Kean Yew (Singapore) AIBA World Championship 2021 Men’s Doubles Takuro Hoki & Yugo AIBA World Boxing Championships Kobayashi (Japan) 2021 were held in Belgrade (Serbia) for October 25 to November 6, 2021. Indian BWF World Tour Finals 2021 boxer Akash Kumar won the bronze Indian badminton player PV Sindhu lost medal in the bantomweight category. to South Korea’s An Seyoung in the Cuba topped the medals tally with 5 women’s singles final at the BWF World medals (3 Gold and 2 Bronze). Tour Finals 2021 in Bali, Indonesia, on December 5, 2021. BADMINTON Men’s Singles Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) India Open Badminton 2022 Women’s Singles An Seyoung (Korea) The 2022 India Open or Yonex- Sunrise Indonesia Masters 2021 India Open 2022 was a badminton tournament that took place at the KD Indonesia Masters badminton Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi from tournament 2021 took place in Bali January 11-16, 2022. (Indonesia) from November 16-21, 2021. Current Affairs 19 Kento Momota (Japan) defeated Anders CRICKET Antonsen (Denmark) to win the men’s South Africa Beat India by 4 Runs, singles title. An Se-young (South Korea) Clinch Series 3-0 clinched the women’s singles title after South Africa beat India in the third defeating Akane Yamaguchi (Japan). and final One Day International by 4 Denmark Open 2021 runs, winning the series 3–0, at The Denmark Open badminton Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape tournament 2021 was held at the Odense Town on January 23, 2022. Quinton Sports Park in Odense, Denmark, from de Kock (South Africa) won the title of October 19-24, 2021. Player of the Series. Men’s singles Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) South Africa Defeats India in 3rd & Women’s singles Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) Final Test South Africa defeated India in the third Thomas and Uber Cup 2020 and final Test of the series by 7 wickets Uber Cup and Thomas Cup 2020 at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Badminton championship played between Cape Town to win the series 2-1 on October 9 to 17 at Aarhus (Denmark). China January 14, 2022. Keegan Petersen beat Japan with 3-1 in Uber Cup final to (South Africa) won the title of Player of reclaim the title. Indonesia lifted the the Series. India won the first Test by Thomas Cup trophy for the first time after 113 runs while South Africa won the defeating China with 3-0. second Test by seven wickets to level TABLE TENNIS the series. World Championships 2021 Under-19 Asia Cup 2021 The 2021 World Table Tennis The 2021 Under-19 Asia Cup was held Championships was held in Houston (US) at Dubai International Stadium in from November 23-29, 2021. Dubai, UAE from December 23-31, Winners List 2021. India lifted the under-19 Asia cricket Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by Event Gold Silver nine wickets in a rain-interrupted Men’s Fan Zhendong Truls Möregårdh One-Day International final through Singles (China) (Sweden) Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Women’s Wang Manyu Sun Yingsha method. Harnoor Singh Pannu (India) Singles (China) (China) won the title of Player of the Series. CHESS Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 FIDE World Championship 2021 The 2021-22 Vijay Hazare Trophy, a The FIDE Chess World Championship List A cricket tournament in India was between the champion Magnus Carlsen played from December 8-26, 2021. and the challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi Himachal Pradesh beat Tamil Nadu by took place in Dubai, UAE from 11 runs (VJD Method) in the final to November 24-December 12, 2021. GM win their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy Magnus Carlsen won the 2021 FIDE World 2021, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Chess Championship after beating GM Ian in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Nepomnia- chtchi with the black pieces.  20 Current Affairs India-New Zealand Test Series 2021 January 12-16, 2022. Real Madrid won Indian team dethroned New Zealand in the tournament for their twelfth the latest ICC Test championships Spanish Super Cup by beating Athletic rankings and climbed to the top spot Bilbao 2-0. with 124 rating points on December 5, SAFF U 19 Women’s Championship 2021. India achieved this feat after The SAFF U-19 Women's Championship defeating New Zealand by 372 runs in 2021 was held at BSSS Mostafa Kamal the second test at Mumbai to win the Stadium, Dhaka in Bangladesh from two-match series 1-0. December 11-22, 2021. India-New Zealand T20 Series 2021 Bangladesh Under-19 Women’s team India defeated New Zealand by 73 runs defeated India by 1-0 to win the SAFF in the third and final T20I at the iconic U-19 Women’s Football Championship. Eden Gardens in Kolkata to win the Senior Women’s National three-match series 3-0 on November 21, Championship 2021 2021. Manipur retained their title at the Axar Patel was declared ‘Player of the national women’s football championship Match’ while Rohit Sharma was 2021 after beating Railways 2-1 in a declared ‘Player of the Series’. penalty shootout in the final at the EMS Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021-22 Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, The Board of Control for Cricket in India Kerala on December 9, 2021. This was (BCCI) organised the 2021–22 Syed Manipur’s 21st title in what was the 26th Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a Twenty20 edition of the senior national women’s competition from November 4-22, 2021. football championship. Tamil Nadu has won the Syed Mushtaq HOCKEY Ali Trophy for 2021-22 by defeating Asian Champions Trophy 2021 Karnataka in the finals by four wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The Men’s Hockey Asian Champions The Player of the Match title was won Trophy 2021 was held in Dhaka, by Shahrukh Khan (Tamil Nadu). Bangladesh from December 14-22, 2021. South Korea won their first Asian ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 Champions Trophy title by defeating Australia defeated New Zealand in the Japan 4–2 in a shoot-out after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 final in match finished 3–3. Dubai on November 14, 2021. The Men’s Junior Hockey target for the victory was 173 runs for World Cup 2021 Australia. Australia achieved this target International Hockey Federation (FIH) in 18.5 overs. Mitchell Marsh was named organised the 2021 Men’s FIH Hockey as the Player of the Match. Junior World Cup at the Kalinga FOOTBALL Stadium in Bhubaneswar from 2021-22 Spanish Super Cup November 24-December 5, 2021. The 2021-22 Spanish Super Cup was Argentina won their second title by held at the King Fahd International defeating the six-time champions Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Germany in the final by 4-2. Current Affairs 21 TENNIS ATP Finals 2021 2022 Sydney International The 2021 ATP Finals was a men's tennis The 2022 Sydney International was a tournament played on indoor hard tennis tournament on the 2022 ATP courts at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Tour and 2022 WTA Tour, took place at from November 14-21, 2021. the NSW Tennis Centre from Singles Alexander Zverev (Germany) January 10-15, 2022. defeated Daniil Medvedev (Russia) Men’s Singles Aslan Karatsev (Russia) Doubles Pierre-Hugues Herbert / Nicolas Women’s Singles Paula Badosa (Spain) Mahut (France) defeated Rajeev Ram (United States)/ Joe Salisbury (United 2022 Adelaide International 1 Kingdom) The 3rd edition of Adelaide ATP Finals 2021 International 2022 was held at The Germany’s Alexander Zverev on Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, November 21, 2021 defeated Daniil Adelaide, Australia as two events, from Medvedev (Russia) to win the men’s January 3-15, 2022. singles title in the year-ending men's Category Winners Runners tennis tournament ‘ATP Finals 2021’ held Men’s Gael Monfils Karen in Turin (Italy). Singles (France) Khachanov (Russia) WTA Finals 2021 Women’s Ashleigh Barty Elena Rybakina Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Singles (Australia) (Kazakhstan) conducted the 2021 WTA Finals, the women's championship tennis Melbourne Summer Set 2022 tournament, at the Panamerican Tennis Melbourne Summer Set was a series of Center in Zapopan, Mexico from two simultaneous tennis tournaments November 10-17, 2021. Garbine organized by Tennis Australia at Muguruza of Spain beat Anett Kontaveit Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia of Estonia in the final to claim her first from January 4-9, 2022. WTA singles final title. Muguruza is also Category Winner Runner Up the first Spaniard to win the WTA Finals. Men’s Rafael Nadal Maxime Cressy Paris Masters 2021 Singles (Spain) (USA) Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Women’s Simona Halep Veronika Medvedev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to win the Rolex Singles (Romania) Kudermetova (Russia) Paris Masters 2021 Singles title at Bercy on November 7, 2021. This is the sixth Paris Davis Cup 2021 Masters title for the Serbian Djokovic and The Davis Cup 2021 was held on indoor overall 37th ATP Masters 1000 title. hard courts at three venues in Paris Masters 2021 Innsbruck, Austria, Madrid, Spain and World number 1 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Turin, Italy from November 25- beat Daniil Medvedev (Russia) in the December 5, 2021. The Russia has won singles final of Paris Master tennis the Davis Cup for the third time after tournament 2021 on November 7, 2021. beating Croatia 2-0 in the final in Djokovic won a sixth Paris title and Madrid. record 37th Master crown.  22 Current Affairs exceptional achievements on AWARDS & HONOURS January 24, 2022. The PMRBP award is given by the Government of India to NATIONAL children with exceptional abilities and Padma Awards 2022 Announced outstanding accomplishments in 6 The Union Home Ministry announced the categories i.e., Innovation (7), Social recipients for Padma Awards 2022 on the Service (4), Scholastic (1), Sports (8), eve of Republic Day on January 26, 2022. Art & Culture (6) and Bravery (3). The 2022 Padma Award has been Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda conferred upon 128 winners, which Prabandhan Puraskar 2022 include 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. The government has announced the winners of ’Subhas Chandra Bose Of the total winners, 34 are women, 10 Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar’ for the persons are from the category of year 2022 on the birth anniversary of Foreigners/ NRI/ PIO/OCI, 13 Posthumous freedom fighter Netaji Subhas awardees and 2 duo case (in a duo case, Chandra Bose, on January 23, 2022. the Award is counted as one). Gujarat Institute of Disaster Award Winner Management (in the Institutional Padma Ms. Prabha Atre (Art), Shri category) and Professor Vinod Vibhushan Radheyshyam Khemka Sharma, Vice Chairman of Sikkim State (Posthumous)(Literature and Disaster Management Authority (in Education), General Bipin Rawat (Posthumous) (Civil Service) and the Individual category) have been Shri Kalyan Singh (Posthumous) selected for the Subhash Chandra (Public Affairs) Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar Padma Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad (Public 2022. Bhushan Affairs), Shri Victor Banerjee (Art), Ms. Gurmeet Bawa Sahitya Akademi Award 2021 (Posthumous)(Art), Shri Buddhadeb Sahitya Akademi announced its Bhattacharjee (Public Affairs), Shri NataraJanuary Chandrasekaran prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards (Trade and Industry), Shri Krishna for 2021 in various languages on Ella and Smt. Suchitra Ella (Duo) December 30, 2021. (Trade and Industry), Swami Sachidanand) (Literature and Major Winners Education) and among others Name Language Padma Shri Prahlad Rai Agarwala (Trade Bratya Basu Bengali Shri and Industry), Prof. Najma Akhtar (Literature and Education), Shri Namita Gokhale English Subbanna Ayyappan (Science and Daya Prakash Sinha Hindi Engineering), Srimad Baba Balia DS Nagabhushana Kannada (Social Work), Dr. Himmatrao Wali Mohd. Aseer Kashtawari Kashmiri Bawaskar (Medicine), Shri Neeraj Chopra (Sports) and among others Sanjiv Verenkar Konkani George Onakkoor Malayalam PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022 Kiran Gaurav Marathi PM Narendra Modi has conferred 29 Vindeshwariprasad Mishr Sanskrit Children with the Pradhan Mantri ‘Vinay’ Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022, from all Ambai Tamil regions of the country for their Gorati Venkanna Telugu Current Affairs 23 PETA India’s ‘Person of the Year’ 2021 Gallantry Awards 2021 Actress Alia Bhatt has been named President Ram Nath Kovind presented ‘Person of the Year 2021’ by People for Gallantry awards 2021 for armed the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) forces, police and paramilitary India on December 27, 2021. personnel on November 23, 2021. She was awarded this prestigious title to The 144 Gallantry awards include celebrate her work in support of an Ashok Chakra – 1, Kirti Chakra – 1, animal-friendly fashion industry and her Shaurya Chakras – 15, Bar to Sena advocacy for dogs and cats in need. Medals (Gallantry) – 4, Sena Medals (Gallantry) – 116 ,Nao Sena Medals SJFI Medal 2021 (Gallantry) – 5 and Vayu Sena Medals The Sports Journalists’ Federation of India (Gallantry) – 2. (SJFI) announced the winners of its prestigious ‘SJFI Medal 2021’ at SJFI Gallantry Awards 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in President Ram Nath Kovind presented Guwahati, Assam. Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Major Award Winners Service Decorations for the year 2020 at the Defense Investiture ceremony Award Winner held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on SJFI Sportsman of the Neeraj Chopra November 22, 2021. Year 2021 (Javelin) Group captain Abhinandan Varthaman SJFI Sportswoman of Mirabai Chanu was accorded the ‘Vir Chakra’ for his the Year 2021 (Weightlifting) role in pushing back Pakistan’s fighter SJFI Team of the Year Indian Men’s Hockey 2021 team jets in February 2019. Swachh Survekshan Awards 2021 56th Jnanpith Award President Ram Nath Kovind presented Assamese poet Nilmani Phookan Jr won the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2021 the 56th Jnanpith Award and Konkani at the Swachh Amrit Mahotsav novelist Damodar Mauzo won the 57th organised by the Ministry of Housing Jnanpith Award for “their outstanding and Urban Affairs in New Delhi on contribution to literature” on November 20, 2021. December 9, 2021. List of Award-winning Cities Phookan’s notable works include Surya Henu Nami Ahe Ei Nodiyedi, Gulapi l Cleanest city – Indore Jamur Lagna, and Kobita l Cleanest Ganga town – Varanasi Dr. MS Swaminathan Award 2017-19 l Cleanest State (with more than 100 V. Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor of urban local bodies)- Chhattisgarh Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Indira Peace Gandhi Prize 2021 Agricultural University (PJTSAU) won the Pratham, Mumbai-based civil society 7th Dr. MS Swaminathan Award for the organization, has been conferred with period 2017-19 on December 1, 2021. He the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for has been awarded for recognizing his Peace, Disarmament and contributions in the fields of ‘agricultural Development for 2021 by the Indira research, teaching, extension, and Gandhi Memorial Trust. administration’.  24 Current Affairs International Children’s Peace l ICC Umpire of the Year: Marais Prize 2021 Erasmus Two Delhi-based teenage brothers Vihaan l ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year: Agarwal and Nav Agarwal have won the Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) 17th annual Kids Rights International l ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Children’s Peace Prize for tackling Year: Tammy Beaumont (England) pollution in their home city by recycling l ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the household waste on November 14, 2021. Year: Janneman Malan (South Africa) JCB Prize for Literature 2021 l ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of The novel titled “Delhi : A Soliloquy” the Year: Fatima Sana (Pakistan) written by Malayalam writer M Mukundan l ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: has won the 2021 JCB Prize for literature Babar Azam (Pakistan) on November 13, 2021. The book l ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the originally written in Malayalam has been Year: Lizelle Lee (South Africa) translated into English by Fathima EV and l ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year: Nandakumar. Joe Root (England) National Sports Awards 2021 l Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Women’s Cricketer of the Year: National Sports Awards 2021 at an event Smriti Mandhana (India) at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on November l Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC 13, 2021. Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Shaheen ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Afridi (Pakistan) 2021’ has been given to 12 sports persons Bhutan’s Highest Honour to namely Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), Ravi PM Modi Kumar (Wrestling), Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing), Sreejesh PR (Hockey), Avani Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Lekhara (Para Shooting), Sumit Antil (Para conferred Bhutan’s highest civilian Athletics), Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar award, Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo also (Para Badminton), Manish Narwal (Para known as Order of the Dragon King Shooting), Mithali Raj (Cricket), Sunil (Druk Gyalpo), on the occasion of Chhetri (Football) and Manpreet Singh Bhutan’s 114th National Day, on (Hockey). December 17, 2021. PM Modi becomes the first foreign head of INTERNATIONAL government to receive the coveted International Cricket Council Awards award. 2021 Announced Miss Universe 2021 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has Harnzaaz Sandhu from India won the announced the winners of the 17th 70th Miss Universe 2021 held at edition of ICC Awards for the year 2021 to Universe Dome in Eilat (Israel) on recognise and honour the best December 12, 2021. India has got this international cricket players of the title of Miss Universe after 21 years. previous 12 months (between January 1, Earlier this title was given to India in 2021 and December 31, 2021) on the year 1994 by Sushmita Sen and in January 23, 2022. the year 2000 by Lara Dutta. Current Affairs 25 Ramanujan Prize for Young PERSONS IN NEWS Mathematicians 2021 Indian Mathematician Neena Gupta Vinodanand Jha has received DST-ICTP-IMU Vinodanand Jha, a 1983-batch retired IRS Ramanujan Prize for Young officer has been appointed as the chairperson Mathematicians 2021 from of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Developing Countries. Laundering Act) Adjudicating Authority Neena Gupta, a mathematician at located in New Delhi on January 23, 2022. the Indian Statistical Institute in Prajakta Koli Kolkata, was awarded the 2021 Ramanujan Prize for Young Content creator, YouTuber, and actress Mathematicians from Developing Prajakta Koli, known by her YouTube Channel Countries on December 10, 2021. “Mostlysane”, has become India’s first UN Development Programme (UNDP) Youth World Athletics Awards 2021 Climate Champion on January 21, 2022. World Athletics has announced the Zara Rutherford winners for the World Athletes Awards 2021 on December 1, 2021. Nineteen-year-old Belgian-British pilot Zara Rutherford set a world record as the Winners youngest woman to fly solo around the World Athletes of the Year Elaine world on January 20, 2022. Thompson-Herah (Jamaica) and She broke Guinness World Record that was Karsten Warholm (Norway) set by 30-year-old American aviator Shaesta Female Rising Star Athing Mu (USA) Waiz in 2017. Male Rising Star Erriyon Knighton (USA) Vinod Rai Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the Ballon d’Or 2021 appointment of former Comptroller and French news magazine ‘France Auditor General (CAG) of India Vinod Rai as Football’ presented an annual independent chairman of Unity Small football award, Ballon d’Or 2021 on Finance Bank (Unity SFB) on January 20, 2022. November 30, 2021. Winners List Roberta Metsola Centre-right Maltese lawmaker Roberta Ballon d’Or (Man) Lionel Messi Metsola (43 years) has been chosen as (PSG/Argentina) youngest President of European Union (EU) Ballon d’Or (Woman) Alexia Putellas Parliament until 2024, with 458 votes in the (Barcelona/Spain) first round on January 18, 2022. Booker Prize 2021 Pandit Birju Maharaj South African-writer Damon Galgut won the prestigious Booker Prize Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju for Fiction 2021 on November 3, Maharaj (Brij Mohan Nath Mishra) has passed 2021 for his novel ‘The Promise’. It is away at the age of 83 on January 17, 2022. a novel about one white family’s He was an Indian dancer, composer, singer reckoning with South Africa’s racist and exponent of the Lucknow history. ‘Kalka-Bindadin’ Gharana of Kathak dance in India.  26 Current Affairs S. Somanath Sindhutai Sapkal Eminent senior rocket scientist The renowned social worker and S. Somanath has been appointed as the recipient of the Padma Shri Award, 10th Chairman of the Indian Space Sindhutai Sapkal passed away due to Research Organisation (ISRO) and cardiac arrest at the age of 74 on secretary, Department of Space (DoS) January 4, 2022. on January 12, 2022. In 2021, she was conferred with the Somanath, who is at present Director of Padma Shri award for her significant Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), contribution to society. will succeed K Sivan who completes his Alka Mittal extended tenure on January 14, 2022. Government-owned ONGC (Oil and Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas Natural Gas Corporation) has appointed French-born economist Pierre-Olivier Alka Mittal as its first woman Chairman Gourinchas has been named as the next and Managing Director (CMD) on chief economist of the International January 3, 2022. She succeeded Monetary Fund (IMF) on January 11, Subhash Kumar who retired on 2022. He will succeed Gita Gopinath, December 31, 2021. first woman to serve as the Fund’s chief VS Pathania economist. Virender Singh Pathania took over as Maya Angelou the 24th Director-General of Indian Poet and activist Maya Angelou has Coast Guard with effect from become the first Black woman to December 31, 2021. He replaced K. appear on the US quarter, in a new Natarajan, who served as the Chief of version of the coin unveiled by the US the ICG from July 1, 2019 to Mint on January 10, 2022. December 31, 2021. The coins depicting Angelou were part Baldev Prakash of the American Women Quarters Baldev Prakash has been appointed as Program, celebrating prominent the MD & CEO of Jammu & Kashmir Bank women in US history. for three years. His appointment will be Atul Keshap effective from the date of taking charge US Chambers of Commerce has or April 10, 2022, whichever is earlier. appointed Indian-origin American Desmond Tutu diplomat Atul Keshap as the President Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Peace Prize laureate and veteran of with effect from January 5, 2022. Atul South Africa`s struggle against Keshap replaced Nisha Desai Biswal. apartheid, has died aged 90 on TS Tirumurti December 26, 2021. He was awarded India's permanent representative to the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his United Nations, TS Tirumurti assumed non-violent opposition to apartheid. the Chair of the Security Council Karolos Papoulias Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022 Former president of Greece Karolos on January 4, 2022. Papoulias, who served two terms Current Affairs 27 between 2005 and 2015 passed away at Avani Lekhara the age of 92 on December 26, 2021. He Indian shooter Avani Lekhara, who has previously served as Minister of Foreign created history by winning India’s first Affairs from 1985 to 1989 and again Gold medal in Shooting at the 2020 from 1993 until 1996. Tokyo Paralympics, won the “Best Female Rishabh Pant Debut” honour at the 2021 Paralympic Sport Awards on December 16, 2021. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appointed Indian cricketer Arvind Kumar Rishabh Pant as the ‘State Brand Arvind Kumar has appointed as Director Ambassador’ with the aim of General of Software Technology Parks of encouraging the youth of the state India (STPI) on December 14, 2021. towards sports and public health on Before joining STPI, Kumar was working December 20, 2021. with Telecom Regulatory Authority of Harjinder Singh India (TRAI) a an advisor since 2004. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Bipin Rawat December 20, 2021 appointed Harjinder India’s most senior military officer, Chief Singh as the ‘Chef de Mission’ of the of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his country’s contingent for the upcoming wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 other army Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing (China). personnel on board died when an IAF Mi Richard Rogers 17V5 helicopter crashed near Coonoor in Pritzker Prize-Winning British-Italian Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021. Architect Richard Rogers has passed Gautam Raghavan away in London, UK at the age of 88 onIndian American Gautam Raghavan has December 18, 2021. He received the been elevated to a key position of the Pritzker Prize, known as the Nobel Prize head of the White House office of of Architecture, in 2007. presidential personnel by the Joe Biden GT Nanavati administration on December 11, 2021. Former Supreme Court judge Justice He succeeded Catherine Russel, who Girish Thakorlal Nanavati has passed has been appointed Executive Director away at the age of 86 in Ahemdabad on of UNICEF. December 18, 2021. Olaf Scholz After his retirement, he headed two The center-left Social Democratic Party’s commissions inquiring into the 1984 candidate Olaf Scholz has been Anti-Sikh riots and the 2002 Godhra nominated as Germany’s next riots. chancellor on December 8, 2021. He Mohammed bin Sulayem replaced Angela Merkel who has led UAE’s Mohammed bin Sulayem has Germany for 16 years. been elected as the new President of Karl Nehammer the Federation International de Karl Nehammer was sworn-in as l’ Automobile (FIA) on December 17, Austria’s chancellor by Alexander Van 2021. He replaced Jean Todt (France), der Bellen, President of Austria in a who retired from the role after 12 years. ceremony in Hofburg Palace, Vienna,  28 Current Affairs Austria on December 6, 2021. He is Praveen Sinha succeeded the career diplomat The CBI Special Director Praveen Sinha has Alexander Schallenberg. been elected as ‘Delegate for Asia’ on the Eileen Ashe executive committee of the INTERPOL on November 25, 2021. The world’s oldest Test cricketer, Eileen Ashe (England) passed away at Geoff Allardice the age of 110 on December 4, 2021. The ICC on November 22, 2021 appointed She was a right-arm seam bowler, Geoff Allardice as its permanent CEO. who made her Test debut against Australian Geoff Allardice was appointed Australia in 1937 and represented as interim CEO in March, 2021 when England in seven Test matches Manu Sawhney (India) was suspended on picking up 10 wickets before retiring the findings of a cultural review. in 1949. Kamala Harris Vinod Dua US Vice-President Kamala Harris became Veteran journalist Vinod Dua has died the first woman to - briefly - be given after a prolonged illness following a presidential powers on November 19, Covid infection at the age of 67 years 2021. The power transfer took place while on December 4, 2021. He was a Biden was under anaesthesia for a routine pioneer in Hindi journalism, with stints colonoscopy for 85 minutes. at Doordarshan and NDTV. Babasaheb Purandare Bimal Patel The eminent historian, orator and noted Professor Bimal Patel of India has been author from Maharashtra, Balwant elected to the International Law Moreshwar Purandare has passed away at Commission for a period of five- year the age of 99 on November 15, 2021. The with effect from January 1, 2023. The celebrated author was popularly known 51-year-old Patel secured 163 votes in as Babasaheb Purandare, who wrote the UN General Assembly out of 192 extensively about Maratha warrior king members. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Parag Agrawal Daniel Bruhl Parag Agrawal has been appointed as Spanish-German actor Daniel Bruhl has the new Twitter chief executive officer, been named a Goodwill Ambassador for becoming the youngest CEO in top the United Nations WFP on November 10, 500 companies on November 30, 2021. 2021. Daniel Bruhl will help humanitarian He has replaced Twitter co-founder organisation in its mission to reach a and CEO Jack Dorsey. world with Zero Hunger. Chun Doo-hwan Sheel Vardhan Singh Former South Korean President Chun Senior IPS officer Sheel Vardhan Singh has Doo-hwan has passed away due to been appointed as the new cancer at the age of 90 years on Director-General of the CISF on November 23, 2021. He had served as November 9, 2021. Bihar cadre (1986 the fifth president of South Korea batch) IPS officer Sheel Vardhan Singh is from 1980 to 1988. currently the Special Director in the IB. Current Affairs 29 WHO’S WHO Minister Gajendra Singh Portfolio Jal Shakti President Ram Nath Kovind Shekhawat Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu Ashwini Vaishnaw Railways; Prime Minister Narendra Modi Communications; Electronics and Cabinet Ministers Information Technology Minister Portfolio Raj Kumar Singh Power; New & Raj Nath Singh Defence Renewable Energy Amit Shah Home Affairs; Hardeep Singh Puri Petroleum and Cooperation Natural Gas; Housing and Urban Affairs Nitin Jairam Gadkari Road Transport and Highways Mansukh Mandaviya Health and Family Welfare; Chemicals Nirmala Sitharaman Finance; Corporate and Fertilizers Affairs Mahendra Nath Heavy Industries Narendra Singh Agriculture and Pandey Tomar Farmers Welfare Bhupender Yadav Environment, Forest S. Jaishankar External Affairs and Climate Change; Arjun Munda Tribal Affairs Labour and Employment Smriti Zubin Irani Women and Child Development Parshottam Rupala Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Piyush Goyal Commerce and Dairying Industry; Consumer Affairs, Food and G. Kishan Reddy Culture; Tourism; Public Distribution; Development of Textiles North Eastern Region Dharmendra Pradhan Education; Skill Anurag Singh Thakur Information and Development and Broadcasting; Youth Entrepreneurship Affairs and Sports Pralhad Joshi Parliamentary Affairs; Coal; Mines Ministers of State Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Narayan Tatu Rane Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Portfolio Sarbananda Sonowal Ports, Shipping and Rao Inderjit Singh Statistics and Waterways; AYUSH Programme Virendra Kumar Social Justice and Implementation (I/C); Empowerment Planning (I/C)); and Corporate Affairs Giriraj Singh Rural Development; Panchayati Raj Jitendra Singh Science and Technology (I/C); Earth Jyotiraditya M. Civil Aviation Sciences (I/C); Prime Scindia Minister’s Office; Ramchandra Prasad Steel Personnel, Public Singh Grievances and Pashu Pati Kumar Food Processing Pensions; Department Paras Industries of Atomic Energy; Department of Space Kiren Rijiju Law and Justice  30 Current Affairs Ministers of State Minister Portfolio Minister Portfolio Darshana Vikram Textiles; Railways Jardosh Shripad Yesso Naik Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Tourism Meenakashi Lekhi External Affairs; Culture Faggansingh Kulaste Steel; Rural Development Som Parkash Commerce and Industry Prahalad Singh Patel Jal Shakti; Food Processing Industries Renuka Singh Saruta Tribal Affairs Ashwini Kumar Consumer Affairs, Rameswar Teli Labour and Choubey Food and Public Employment; Distribution; Petroleum and Environment, Forest Natural Gas and Climate Change Kailash Choudhary Agriculture and Arjun Ram Meghwal Parliamentary Affairs; Farmers Welfare Culture Annpurna Devi Education VK Singh Road Transport and A. Narayanaswamy Social Justice and Highways; Civil Empowerment Aviation Kaushal Kishore Housing and Urban Krishan Pal Power; Heavy Affairs Industries Ajay Bhatt Defence; Tourism Danve Raosaheb Railways; Coal; Mines BL Verma Development of Dadarao North Eastern Ramdas Athawale Social Justice and Region; Cooperation Empowerment Ajay Kumar Home Affairs Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Consumer Affairs, Devusinh Chauhan Communications Food and Public Distrib