Top Weekly Current Affairs – 20 December to 26 December 2020

Today, we will see the latest current affairs of December 2020 week from 20th Dec-20 to 26th Dec-20. This current affairs 2020 is a must for aspirants of competitive exams. So let’s start!!!

Polity and Governance

1. Electricity Rules 2020

The Central Government under the Rights of Consumers introduced new electricity rules this year.

The new rules allow the consumer to practice the right to electricity and have access to good quality electric supply in their household. 

2. India loses Taxation Case 

The Cairn Energy Plc won the arbitration case against India exactly three months after the Vodafone case.

This is a major setback for the country as they will again pay a heavy fine to the UK firm under the India-UK bilateral investment treaty.

3. Rs 18,000 crore released under the PM-KISAN scheme

PM Modi has released 18000 Crores for around 9 crore farmers in India under the PM-KISAN scheme.

The funds will directly reach the accounts of farmers under Direct Benefit Transfer. An expected amount of Rs. 2000 will reach farmers’ accounts thrice in a year.

Environment and Ecology

1. Ladakh’s Tso Kar Wetland

The Tso Kar Wetland became the 42nd Ramsar Site in India and is now of international importance under the wetlands treaty.

It consists of two water bodies with freshwater and hypersaline lakes. Black-necked Crane is the most common species found here. 

2. The Western Ghats shelters 3,387 leopards

There was a 60% increase in the leopard population of the country compared to the Status of Leopard in India 2018 report.

The Western Ghats alone has more than 3000 leopards in the country. They are in the forest areas of the region living along with tigers. 

Economy and Banking

1. India’s Expected GDP comes down to 7.8% for FY21

India Ratings and Research changed the expected GDP of the country from – 11.8 % to – 7.8 %. Covid 19 seems to be the main reason behind the falling GDP of the country.

The numbers are subject to change in the second half of the year as and when the vaccines come out. 

2. Infinite India by ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank has begun its own online platform to improve international organizations’ business in India.

The name of the portal is Infinite India which is mainly to support Multi-National Corporations with banking solutions.

3. 100% Foreign Direct Investment for DTH

The cabinet of India has approved 100% FDI for DTH services in India. This resulted in rising in the DTH sector stock prices.

The license period for the same also increased to 20 years as the center approved the changes.  

4. India is the 6th Largest Economy

India lost its fifth position in the list of largest economics in the world.

It took over the UK in 2019 but the good news is that it is expected to get back at number five by 2025.

This was shared by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Health and Sanitisation

1. National Family Health Survey 5 

The phase one result of the national family health survey is out as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shared it.

Malnutrition was one of the major problems revealed by the survey.

Child malnutrition increased in the country in most of the states in the past few years. 

2. Mutant COVID-19 strain in the UK

A new COVID-19 strain has created chaos in the United Kingdom due to its high infectious property.

Over 1000 citizens of the country tested positive for the mutant virus. India has suspended all the flights between the countries as a precautionary measure. 

3. India doesn’t need a two-child policy – NHFS 5

The phase 1 data of the NHFS survey revealed that India is on the positive side of population control.

The population council of India added that the two-child policy doesn’t require compulsion in the country and India is already making progress without it. 

Science and Technology

1. Jupiter-Saturn conjunction

Jupiter and Saturn aligned at 0.1 degrees of each other and formed a double planet.

21 December 2020 saw this once in a lifetime site which will be in 2080 next time.

This was the great conjunction as the scientists called it that last took place in 1226. 

Awards and Prizes

1. Singapore’s Hawker Culture 

Singapore’s Hawker Culture is famous street food in the nation. UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List has added this culture.

Hawker culture is basically the term used to describe vendors selling meals to hawker centers. 

2. PM Modi gets the Legion of Merit Award

Former US President Donald Trump honored PM Modi with the Legion of Merit award.

This was to appreciate his role in strengthening the ties between the US and India and maintaining the partnership for the future as well. 

3. India’s first Lithium Refinery 

Gujarat will see the set up of India’s first Lithium refinery soon. Manikaran Power Limited will invest Rs 1,000 crore approximately for setting up the refinery.

The long term goal is to support the electric vehicle with lithium batteries produced in Gujarat.

Summary

These are the top Current affairs news from 20th Dec 2020 to 26th Dec 2020. Hope it was useful to you.