Daily Current Affairs: September 2020

Current Affairs: 30^th September 2020

• Union Minister Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot e-launched the “Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM) under Venture Capital Fund for SCs on September 30, 2020. The mission seeks to promote innovation and enterprise among SC students who are studying in higher educational institutions.
• Bharti Airtel on Wednesday launched ‘Airtel Secure’, a suite of cyber security solutions for business customers, as part of which it also announced its ‘Security Intelligence Centre’ built with an investment of about ₹100 crore.
• Google India on September 30, 2020 announced the launch of its nationwide campaign “Make Small Strong” in order to help support small businesses and drive demand through customer support.
• India successfully test fired the surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile BrahMos having an indigenous booster and airframe section at Balasore, Odisha
• 30th September is observed by the United Nations as International Translation Day, every year. The primary aim of the day is to celebrate and appreciate the work of language translation professionals. These language translator professionals facilitate dialogue, understanding and cooperation. They also contribute to the development and strengthening the world peace and security. This year the day is being observed under the theme- “Finding the words for a world in crisis”.
• Harijan Sevak Sangh was founded today, on September 30, in 1932, when Gandhi Ji was on fast in the Yervada Jail, Pune
• The Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) in the Kolar Gold Field (KGF) again hopeful for its revival in last 16 years after the Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi directed the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) to start exploring the gold fields.
• Shri Gowda launched PoS 3.1 Software, SMS Services and facility of Home delivery of Fertilizers (RBK) for farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

Current Affairs: 29^th September 2020

• India and Denmark have begun a new era in the form of a “far reaching Green Strategic Partnership” that will give the country a special place in delivering sustainable solutions to India.
• September 29 is observed as World Heart Day. It is an initiative by the World Heart Federation. It is observed in order to spread awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease and stroke.
• Prime Minister on September 29, 2020 will inaugurate six ‘Namami Gange’ projects mostly relating to the sewage treatment in Uttarakhand.  The Prime Minister will also dedicate a museum on Ganga named- “Ganga Avlokan” located at the Chandi Ghat to the Nation.
• Eminent filmmaker Shekhar Kapur was appointed as the new president of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and the chairman of the governing council, which runs the country’s most prestigious film school in Pune.
• Syeda Anwara Taimur, the only woman to have held the post of chief minister of Assam, passed away at age 84 due to cardiac arrest, according to several media reports.
• The Reserve Bank of India has roped in Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the customer awareness campaign. The campaign aims to prevent gullible account holders from being duped by fraudsters.

Current Affairs: 28^th September 2020

• World Rabies Dayis observed on 28th September every year, globally. It is celebrated to raise awareness regarding the impact of rabies on humans and animals, to provide information and to advice preventive measures that is needed to cure the disease. The day also encourage people to take efforts in order to control rabies. This year, the day is being celebrated under the theme ‘End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate’.
• The 74th United Nations General Assembly proclaimed on 15th October 2019 that 28th September 2020 would observe the International Day for Universal Access to Information.It is celebrated to showcase the advantages of statutory and constitutional policies in order to provide public access to information. Theme: Access to Information- Saving lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope.
• India’s sandalwood trees are facing a serious threat due to Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD). The natural population of sandalwood in Marymoor Sandal Forest of Kerala and various reserve forests in Karnataka, including MM Hills (Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary), are heavily infected with SSD. It is an infectious disease which is caused by phytoplasmas which are bacterial parasites of plant tissues transmitted by insect vectors and involved in plant-to-plant transmission. Presently, there is no option but to cut down and remove the infected tree to prevent the spread of the disease. About 1% to 5% of sandalwood trees lost every year due to the disease.

Current Affairs: 27^th September 2020

• The Himalayan Chandra Telescope, housed within the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Ladakh, completes 20 years in operation on the intervening night of 26-27 September
• The World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27 as an annual event. The day is celebrated to raise awareness on the role played by tourism sector in integrating the international community. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has designated year 2020 as the “Year of Tourism and Rural Development”. The day was celebrated under the theme– Tourism and Rural Development, this year.
• Ministry of Tourism launches SAATHI App (System for Assessment, Awareness and Training for Hospitality Industry) for hospitality industry on World Tourism Day.
• Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Virgin Hyperloop, that claims to be a category leader in hyperloop technology said that they have signed an MoU to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Hyperloop corridor from the city’s Kempegowda International Airport.
• Fighting erupts between Armenia, Azerbaijan over disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh

Current Affairs: 26^th September 2020

• Neetu David has been appointed as chairman of the women’s selection committee replacing Hemalata Kala, the BCCI announced on 26th September,2020.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his birthday.
• India, Denmark sign MoU on Intellectual Property cooperation
• Tokyo is determined to host Olympics next year, Suga tells U.N.
• Kerala Tourism’s internationally-acclaimed ‘Human by Nature’ campaign won the prestigious PATA (Pacific- Asia Travel Association) Grand Award 2020 for Marketing.
• The World Bank (WB) has approved a 200-million-dollar loan for Bangladesh in order to improve access to safe water and sanitation services in the rural areas of the country.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 300 million dollar (about Rs 2,200 crore) loan to develop the inclusive water supply, sanitation infrastructure and services in secondary towns of Rajasthan.
• World Environmental Health Day is being observed globally today on 26th September. The day is celebrated to throw the light on important works being done on the environmental health around the world. Theme for the 2020 edition of the day is : Environmental health, a key public health intervention in disease pandemic prevention
• Vodafone Group has won the tax case against India at the  international arbitration Tribunal over retrospective tax demand of ₹20,000 crore including the capital gains tax and withholding tax. The Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled that conduct of Income Tax Department is breach of fair and equitable treatment.
• The United Nations observes 26 September every year as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a priority.

Current Affairs: 25^th September 2020

• Shinku La also known as Shingo-la is a mountain pass on the border between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. It is world longest high altitude tunnel (13.5 km). On completion of this tunnel, the Manali – Kargil highway will remain open throughout the year.
• The NASA Chandra X-Ray Center (CXC) has unveiled a new ‘Sonification’ project that transforms data from astronomical images into audio.
• Bilateral Maritime Exercise Between Japan and India (JIMEX 20) to Commence off West Coast of India
• The Income Tax Department today launched Faceless Income Tax Appeals. Under Faceless Appeals, all Income Tax appeals will be finalised in a faceless manner under the faceless ecosystem with the exception of appeals relating to serious frauds, major tax evasion, sensitive & search matters, International tax and Black Money Act. Necessary Gazette notification has also been issued today.
• First Look of India’s First RRTS Train The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is one of the three prioritised RRTS corridor being implemented in phase-1. The 82 km long Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut Corridor is the first RRTS corridor being implemented in India. The corridor will bring down the travel time between Delhi to Meerut by around 1/3^rd
• Antyodaya Diwas 2020 is being celebrated on 25th September to celebrate the foundation Day of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) celebrated as “Kaushal Se Kal Badlenge”
• Foundation Stone of World Class ‘Centre for Disability Sports’ at Gwalior Laid Today
• The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a unified portal called ‘U-Rise’- Unified Re-imagined Innovation For Student Empowerment. The portal will guide students in learning, career counselling, and getting employment in the state. The portal has been developed by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Technical University.
• In order to check banking fraud, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to introduce from January 1, 2021, the ‘positive pay system’ for cheque, under which re-confirmation of key details may be needed for payments beyond Rs 50,000.
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India and The New India Assurance Co have been identified as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for 2020-21 by insurance regulator IRDAI
• Students and youth under the banner of Fridays For Future (FFF), a global movement demanding climate justice, protested outside the Union Environment Ministry on Friday afternoon.

Current Affairs: 24^th September 2020

• Kerala has won the United Nation Interagency Task Force Award for controlling non-communicable diseases related to Substantial Development Goals.
• Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh of Varanasi is going to become the first woman pilot in the Rafale squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF). She is currently undergoing conversion training, a course pilots take to switch from flying one aircraft to the other, and will soon be inducted into the Ambala-based 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’.
• Prime Minister launched the Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Fit India Movement, via virtual conferencing today.
• The Union Cabinet condoled the sad demise of Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Union Minister of State for Railways.
• Former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi was appointed to be a life trustee of the India International Centre in New Delhi.
• The World Maritime Day is observed on September 24 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other international organizations. The day is celebrated on the last Thursday of the September every year. Theme for this year is Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet.

Current Affairs: 23^rd September 2020

• The Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has launched the “Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan Achoni Yojana” of the state transport department. Under the scheme, Light Motor Vehicle Service would be launched in all the villages of the state to improve rural connectivity and generate employment in the villages. One vehicle would be provided to one beneficiary per village.
• IDFC First Bank will launch “SafePay” a contactless debit card-based payment facility. This payment facility will allow contactless debit card payments by simply waving one’s smartphone against a Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled POS terminal.
• The DRDO successfully test fired a laser guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from the indigenous Arjun main battle tank.
• The Punjab Cabinet approved the rules for governing the conduct of business of the Punjab State Police Complaints Authority, 2020, set up earlier this year to probe allegations of serious misconduct against police officers of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and above.
• Madhya Pradesh government is going to launch the ‘Mukhya Mantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana’ by following the path of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi which is an initiative of the central government.
• Parliament passed the Taxation and other laws (Relaxation and Amendment of certain provisions) bill, 2020 on September 23, 2020. It replaces the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020 that was promulgated on March 31, 2020. The new bill will make few changes to direct and indirect tax laws including the Income Tax Act, 1961 (IT Act), Finance Acts, the Customs Act, 1962, and the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988.
• International Day of Sign Languages is observed on September 23, 2020 by the United Nations. Theme for the year 2020 is Sign Languages are for Everyone

Current Affairs: 22^nd September 2020

• The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 with provisions to remove commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities was passed by Rajya Sabha.
• Defence Research and Development Organization conducted a successful flight test of ABHYAS- High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) vehicle at the Balasore test range in Odisha on September 22, 2020. While testing, the vehicle achieved 5 km of flying altitude, 2g turn capability of test vehicle and vehicle speed of 0.5 mach. The project costs Rs 150 million.
• The Indian Navy (IN) is scheduled to undertake a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian Ocean Region from 23 to 24 Sep 20
• Films Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has come up with yet another fiesta, ‘Nrityanjali’, an online film festival on Indian Classical Dance and Maestros from 23^rd to 25^th September, 2020. The first part of ‘Nrityanjali’ will showcase 10 films on the life and works of India’s leading classical dancers.
• Government has launched YuWaah – a multi-stakeholder platform to make young people career ready
• The Parliament on September 22, 2020 has passed the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill 2020 after the Rajya Sabha approved the bill. The bill seeks to give five IIITs in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode –IIIT Bhopal, IIIT Agartala, IIIT Surat, IIIT Bhagalpur and IIIT Raichur, a tag of Institutions of National importance.
• The Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya launched the first direct Cargo Ferry service to Maldives. This cargo service will help in boosting the business and trade relations between the countries. This service has been launched in the wake of strengthening the Neighbourhood First Policy.
• World number one Novak Djokovic overcame a sluggish start to lift his fifth Italian Open title, defeating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3 for a record 36th ATP Masters crown
• Facebook introduces a new tool to help creators protect their photos. The tool uses image-matching technology to scan for similar content on Facebook and Instagram, allowing creators and publishers to manage their intellectual property.
• The Lok Sabha passed the J&K Official Languages Bill, 2020 that seeks to include Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi as the official languages in the newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, only English and Urdu were the official languages in the former State.
• INS Viraat the world’s longest serving warship arrives at Alang coast in Gujarat for dismantling
• World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 every year
• Google launches ‘Tables’ for tracking work, automating tasks. Tables uses bots to trigger emails, update status and send weekly reports. The automation process can also help schedule recurring email reminders when tasks are overdue, or move a task to someone else’s work queue when the status is changed.
• Russia offers UN staff free corona virus vaccines Sputnik-V.

Current Affairs: 21^st September 2020

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for nine National Highway Projects worth Rs 14000 crore in Bihar and launched Ghar tak Fiber scheme to provide internet services through Optical Fibre in the state. Ghar tak Fiber scheme will be implemented in a short span of 180 days and will be completed by 31.03.2021 at an approximate cost of Rs. 1,000 Crore through CSC SPV providing 1 Wi-Fi and 5 FTTH connections for one year free of cost to identified Government Institutions, Primary Schools, Anganwadi Centres, Aasha Workers & Jeevika Didi etc. and one Wi-Fi at a public place in every village of Bihar. Rs. 640 Crore of capital expenditure will be borne by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all mandated Rabi crops for marketing season 2021-22. The highest increase in MSP has been announced for lentil (Rs. 300 per quintal) followed by gram and rapeseed & mustard (Rs. 225 per quintal each) and safflower (Rs. 112 per quintal). For barley and wheat, an increase of Rs. 75 per quintal and Rs 50 per quintal respectively has been announced.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving industry institute interaction was signed between The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) and Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Kalamassery . FACT a psu under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• Government of India has sanctioned Rs. 48 Crores for Jagdalpur (expenditure incurred INR 45 Crores), Rs. 27 Crores for Ambikapur (expenditure incurred INR 27 Crores) and Rs. 33 Crores for Bilaspur (expenditure made INR 20 Crores) under UDAN scheme for up-gradation and development of 3 Airports in Chhattisgarh.
• The Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh today unveiled the Logo and song for festival “Destination North East-2020” (Theme: The Emerging Delightful Destinations)
• Fish Cryobanks: The National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR)  has reported on September 21, 2020 that Fish sperm cryobanking technology is undergoing field level validation. It has shown a potential to improve fish seed quality. The Fish sperm cryobanking technology is in experimental stage currently. The establishment of the fish cryobanks for fish seed production will be finalised only after experimental attempts has been completed.
• The two women officers include-Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt Riti Singh selected to join as “Observers” (Airborne Tacticians) in the helicopter stream of the Indian Navy for the first time in history of Indian naval aviation. The selected women officers would be the first set of women airborne combatants who would be operating from warships.
• Emmy Awards 2020 were hosted live by Jimmy Kimmel from an empty Los Angeles Staples Center on September 21, 2020. The winners collected their trophies from home this year The Emmys has become the first big awards show to take place amid the pandemic. List of winners is given below:
  1. Outstanding Drama Series- Succession
  2. Outstanding Limited Series- Watchmen
  3. Outstanding Comedy Series-  Schitt’s Creek
  4. Best Actor – Drama-  Jeremy Strong, (Succession)
  5. Best Actress – Drama-  Zendaya, (Euphoria)
  6. Best Actor – Comedy- Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)
  7. Best Actress – Comedy-  Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)
  8. Best Actor – Limited Series or Movie- Mark Ruffalo (I Know This Much Is True)
  9. Best Actress – Limited Series or Movie- Regina King (Watchmen)
  10. Outstanding Director – Drama- Andrij Parekh, (Succession)
  11. Outstanding Reality Host- RuPaul (Drag Race)
  12. Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series- The Last Dance
  13. Outstanding Writing – Drama- Jesse Armstrong, (Succession)
  14. Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special- The Apollo
• Every year, the International Day of Peace is observed on September 21. It is also known as the World Peace day. Theme for world peace day 2020 is- “Shaping Peace Together“.
• World Alzheimer’s Day is observed on September 21 across the world. The day is observed to raise awareness about the neurological condition, underlying causes, symptoms and its management.

Current Affairs: 20^th September 2020

• Parliament passes The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020
• Government struck off 3,82,581 shell companies during last three years.
• 35,074 taxpayers opt for Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to work together to control the menace of malnutrition through integration of AYUSH systems with the ongoing nutrition interventions under the Umbrella ICDS program

Current Affairs: 19^th September 2020

• Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL), a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has been granted Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS certification for all its products.
• Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC) firmness has forced e-commerce portals like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and others to remove over 160 web links selling products in the brand name of “Khadi”.
• The Tata CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) test, powered by CSIR-IGIB(Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology) FELUDA, received regulatory approvals today from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for commercial launch, as per ICMR guidelines, meeting high quality benchmarks with 96% sensitivity and 98% specificity for detecting the novel coronavirus
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was laid down to resume sports activities in the training centres under the name of “Khelo India-Firr Se”
• Udit Singhal, an 18-year old Indian boy has been named by the United Nations in the list of 2020 Class of Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals
• On 19^th September every year World Photography Day is celebrated.
• On 19^th September every year World Humanitarian Day is celebrated
• Rajya Sabha has passed the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on September 19, 2020.  It amends the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. Now it will include protections for healthcare service personnel who are combating the epidemic diseases. The bill also expands the powers of the central government to prevent the spread of such diseases.

Current Affairs: 18^th September 2020

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the historic Kosi Rail Mahasetu to the Nation and inaugurated new Rail Lines and Electrification Projects in Bihar for the benefit of passengers through video conference.
• Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) has donated Rs. Five (05) crores to the state of Uttar Pradesh for procurement of 50 Ambulances
• 18^th September is celebrated as World Bamboo Day

Current Affairs: 17^th September 2020

• The 36^th National Games allotted to Goa, which was scheduled from 20.10.2020 to 04.11.2020, had been postponed due to outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Lok Sabha passes The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020
• Govt. has set a target to increase the number of Pradhanmantri Janaushadhi Kendras PMBJK to 10500 by the of March 2025. As on 15th September 2020 the number of stores has increased to 6606.
• India has entered into Air Bubble agreements with 10 countries viz. USA, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Afghanistan and Bahrain, till 13.09.2020.
• Every Year on 17^th September is celebrated as Vishwakarma Jayanti
• Every year, on Prime Minister Modi’s birthday that falls on September 17, Seva Diwas is celebrated. This year Seva Saptah has been organized to mark the PM’s 70^th The Seva Saptah is observed between September 14, 2020 and September 20, 2020. Seva Saptah is also called a week of Seva.

Current Affairs: 16^th September 2020

• The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 16 as World Ozone Day. The World Ozone Day is also called the International Day for the preservation of the ozone layer.
• The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill 2020 has been passed by Rajya Sabha today. The Bill was earlier passed in Lok Sabha on 19^th March, 2020. This paves the way to establish a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic institution called the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar, Gujarat, and to confer the status of Institution of National Importance (INI) to it.
• Yoshihide Suga appointment as Prime Minister of Japan.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of Lok Sabha MP, Balli Durga Prasad Rao Garu.
• On September 16, 2020, India joined Djibouti Code of Conduct as an observer. The Djibouti Code of Conduct is also called the Jeddah Amendment.

Current Affairs: 15^th September 2020

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated various projects under ‘Namami Gange’ Yojana and ‘AMRUT’ Yojana in Bihar. Four schemes inaugurated today include sewerage treatment plants at Beur and Karam-Leechak in Patna city, as well as water-related projects in Siwan and Chhapra under the ‘AMRUT’ Yojana. Apart from this, foundation stones were laid today for water supply projects in Munger and Jamalpur and River Front Development Scheme under Namami Gange in Muzaffarpur
• Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh elected as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha for the second time.
• Cabinet approved establishment of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Darbhanga, Bihar.  This will be established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). The total cost will be Rs.1264 crore and is likely to be completed within a period of 48 months from the date of the approval of Government of India.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, approved the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Project from Palwal to Sonipat via Sohna-Manesar-Kharkhauda. This Rail Line will start from Palwal and end at existing Harsana Kalan station (On Delhi-Ambala section).  This will also give connectivity enroute to existing Patli Station (On Delhi-Rewari line), Sultanpur station (On Garhi Harsaru-Farukhnagar Line) and Asaudha Station (On Delhi Rohtak Line).
• A Customized My Stamp on India’s First Anti Satellite Missile (A-SAT) launch was released by Department of Posts on the occasion of Engineers Day today.
• The ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19’ was announced on 30 March 2020 for a period of 90 days. This was extended for a further period of 90 days i.e. up to 25^th Sept, 2020. The scheme has now been extended for another 180 days i.e. 6 months
• Every year on 15^th September, Engineers’ Day celebrated

Current Affairs: 14^th September 2020

• Hindi Diwas or Hindi Day is being celebrated on September 14, 2020 across India in order to mark the adoption of Hindi as one of the official languages of India and to make people aware of the language.
• The Legislative Assembly passed the Telangana State Building Permission Approval and Self Certification System (TS-bPASS)
• Microsoft’s proposal to partner TikTok in US rejected, Oracle wins’ bid

Current Affairs: 13^th September 2020

• In order to help artists during pandemic the Ministry of Culture released a grant of Rupees 5462.69 Lakh to artist community under various central sector schemes
• Former Union minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh died. He was 74.
• Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (IC) Shri Prahlada Singh Patel inaugurated a Sangeet Sandhya programme as a part of the 550th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in New Delhi
• Nomadland, a U.S. movie about a community of van dwellers traversing the vast American West, won the Golden Lion award for best film at the Venice film festival

Current Affairs: 12^th September 2020

• PM addressed the ‘Grih Pravesham’ event in Madhya Pradesh through video conferencing, where 1.75 Lakh Families were delivered pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Grameen (PMAY-G)
• Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology- IPFT has successfully developed two new technologies namely “Disinfectant spray for surface application” and “Disinfectant spray for Vegetables & fruits.”
• Veteran Actor Paresh Rawal has been appointed as Chairman of National School of Drama Society by President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind.
• Union Power Ministry has invested Rs 11,000 Crore worth of initiatives for electrification in Bihar in last 3-4 years:
• UNICEF (United Nations International Children Education Fund) appointed Ayushmann Khurrana as its celebrity advocate for promoting and supporting its work around ending violence against children. The actor will work towards ending violence against children especially in the current scenario when COVID-19 risk has blanketed the whole world.
• Indonesia becoming the fifth team to withdraw from the prestigious Thomas and Uber Cup badminton competition that is scheduled to be held in Aarhus, Denmark from Oct. 3 -11. Other countries that have withdrawn are Australia, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea.
• Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Russian Vera Zvonareva captured the S. Open women’s doubles crown with a 6-4 6-4 win over third seeds Nicole Melichar of the United States and China’s Yifan Xu.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the Afghan peace process .
• Ali Khan set to become first player from USA to feature in IPL.
• The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct environmental audit and recover fine from Amazon and Flipkart for violation of environmental norms.
• Citigroup Inc picked Jane Fraser as its next chief executive officer, placing the first woman atop any major global bank
• SBI Yono’s worth over USD 40 billion now, the biggest start-up by any bank.
• PNB launches festival offer, waives processing charges on some loans.

Current Affairs: 11^th September 2020

• A week after his mediation between Israel and UAE (United Arab Emirates) US President Donald Trump has been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize 2021.
• The 13th edition of Aero India-21 will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Karnataka from 3^rd to 07^th February 2021. Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh launched the Aero India 2021 website https://aeroindia.gov.in at New Delhi today giving the go ahead for space-booking.
• Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (I/C) has launched the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF) 2.0, along with the ‘Streets for People Challenge’ in a virtual event organized by the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
• Labour and Employment Minister inaugurates ‘Shram Bureau Bhawan’ in Chandigarh.

Current Affairs: 10^th September 2020

• Every Year, September 10 is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day. The objective of this day is to create awareness about the mental health and prevent suicides.
• On 10^th September 2020, The Department of Posts has launched a scheme called Five Star Villages, to ensure universal coverage of flagship postal schemes in rural areas of the country. The scheme seeks to bridge the gaps in public awareness and reach of postal products and services, especially in interior villages. All postal products and services will be made available and marketed and publicized at village level, under the Five Star Villages scheme.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, e-Gopala App & several initiatives linked to studies and research in fisheries production, dairy, animal husbandry and agriculture in Bihar through video conferencing. He said it is being launched in 21 States of the country with an investment of Rs 20,000 Crores which would be spent in the next 4-5 Years. Out of this, projects worth Rs 1700 crores are being launched today. Under this scheme he said that many facilities have been inaugurated in Patna, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Kishanganj and Samastipur.
• Union Minister of State (I//C) for Culture and Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, participated in the 17^th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Culture Ministers’ Meeting held on September 10, 2020.
• On September 10, 2020 Rafale Fighter Air craft has been formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) at a formal function at Air Force Station, Ambala. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Ms Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces of France graced the occasion.
• India and Japan signed an Agreement between the two countries concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defence Forces of Japan.
• A two-day Conclave on “School Education in 21^st Century” organised by Ministry of Education as part of Shikshak Parv 2020 virtually commenced.
• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addresses 61st Foundation Day celebration of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussorie.
• Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya today launched ‘SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes – Ports) through virtual ceremony today in New Delhi. SAROD-Ports consists members from Indian Ports Association (IPA) and Indian Private Ports and Terminals Association (IPTTA).

Current Affairs: 9^th September 2020

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone with His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and exchanged views on the global challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Inaugural run of South India’s 1st and country’s 2nd Kisan Rail between Anantapur and New Delhi flagged off. The Kisan train will run between Anantapur in Guntakal Division of South Central Railway and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi.
• Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd -BCPLachieved a highest ever pheneol production of Rs 8.3 Crore in August 2020, which is an all-time record in the 120 years’ history of the Company.
• Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated Doorstep Banking Services by PSBs and participated in the awards ceremony to felicitate best performing banks on EASE Banking Reforms Index. Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India, and erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce were felicitated for being the top three (in that order) in the ‘Top Performing Banks’ category according to the EASE 2.0 Index Results. Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India &erstwhile Corporation Bank were awarded in the ‘Top Improvers’ category basis EASE 2.0 Index. Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, and Canara Bank were also recognized for outstanding performance in select themes.
• With the inauguration of Organic food processing unit in Barabanki of Uttar Pradesh, 5000 farmers will be benefitted and it is expected to leverage an investment of Rs 50.33 crores, said Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries.
• Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally attended the73rd session of WHO South East Asia Region through Video Conferencing. The 73^rd session is being hosted by the Government of Thailand (from Bangkok) while the previous session was held in New Delhi.
• Shikshak Parv is being celebrated from 8^th September- 25^th September, 2020 to felicitate the Teachers and to take New Education Policy 2020 forward.
• Khadi and Village Industry Commission’s (KVIC) venture into the online marketing segment has quickly established a pan-India reach enabling the artisans sell their products to the remotest parts of India through the KVIC E-Portal – www.kviconline.gov.in/khadimask/. The online sale that was launched with just Khadi Face Masks on July 7 this year has evolved into a full-fledged E-market platform with 180 products as on 9^th September 2020 and many more in the pipeline.
• Raigarh-Pugalur High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Pole I put into commercial operation on 9^th September 2020
• Padmashree Awardee Bula Choudhury flags off Fit India Freedom Run event in SAI Kolkata regional centre.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog launched, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-Atal New India Challenges, to spur applied research and innovation in Indian MSMEs and startups. The programme will be driven by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), four ministries—Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Food Processing Industries; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs—and associated industries to facilitate innovative solutions to sectoral problems.

Current Affairs: 8^th September 2020

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will hold ‘Svanidhi Samvaad’ with street vendors from Madhya Pradesh on 9th September, 2020
• On 8^th September 2020, Telugu actor Shri Jaya Prakash Reddy.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Patrika Gate in Jaipur today through video conference. PM also released the Samvad Upanishad and Akshar yatra books written by the Patrika Group Chairman Shri Gulab Kothari.
• Cabinet approves asset monetization of subsidiaries of Power Grid Corporation of India limited through infrastructure investment trust.
• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today inaugurated by virtual mode 22 bamboo clusters in 9 States (Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Karnataka). A logo for the National Bamboo Mission was also released.
• HIL (India) Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has supplied 114.2 Metric tonne ( MT ) of DDT 75 % WP to zambiya for their Malaria control program.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India today signed a $500 million loan, the first tranche of a total $1 billion facility, to build a modern, high-speed 82-kilometer Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor that will improve regional connectivity and mobility in India’s national capital region (NCR)
• Every year International Literacy Day is celebrated on September 8 by the UNESCO and other world organizations. The day was first celebrated in 1967. This year, in 2020, 54^th International Literacy day is celebrated under following theme          Theme: Literacy teaching and learning in COVID-19 crisis and beyond
• After a gap of about 6 months due to the Corona pandemic, “Hunar Haat” will restart from 09^th October 2020 with the theme of “Local to Global” and focus on indigenous exquisite Indian toys.
• In a nationwide investigation, RPF has disrupted the operation of illegal software called “Real Mango” used for cornering confirmed Railway reservation. In course of systematic unravelling of the working of the illegal software, it has been found that: –
  1. Real mango software bypasses V3 and V2 captcha.
  2. It synchronises bank OTP with help of a mobile app and feeds it to the requisite form automatically.
  3. The software auto-fills the passenger details and payment details in the forms.
  4. The software logs in to the IRCTC website through multiple IRCTC Ids.
  5. The illegal software is sold through five tiered structure: System Admin & his   team, Mavens, Super sellers, Sellers and Agents.
  6. System admin is receiving payment in bitcoins.
• The 24×7 Toll-Free Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline KIRAN (1800-599-0019) was launched by DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 13 languages to provide relief and support to persons with Mental Illness.
• In order to keep a check on rumors and fake news information which spreads like fire in jungle on social media platform, on 8^th September 2020, the government of Bangladesh has launched a special campaign called, “Asol Chini” when translated in English it is called “Real Sugar”.

Current Affairs: 7^th September 2020

• DRDO has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha today.
• Vodafone and Idea, the two brands of Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) have together been rebranded as “Vi” (read as “We”) from 7^th September 2020 and with this new brand identity, the two distinct brands will now fade away.
• On September 7, 2020, sir David Attenborough was conferred with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019. He is an English broadcaster and a historian. He is popular for writing and presenting BBC Natural History unit.
• Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha launched the online portal, Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window (SPARROW) for Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Service Officers (JKAS).

Current Affairs: 6^th September 2020

• The 3^rd Rashtriya Poshan Maah is being celebrated during the month of September 2020
• On September 6, 2020, Kesavananda Bharti, the head seer of Edneer Mutt in Kerala since 1961 passed away. He was famous for initiating the historic judgement of Supreme Court that “Basic Structure of Constitution” cannot be amended by the Parliament.
• On 6^th September, 2020, the Ministry of MSME approved the Khadi Agarbatti Aatma Nirbhar Mission. The scheme aims to create employment for migrant workers in different parts of the country, support the local Agarbatti industry and handholding artisans.
• Delhi government has again launched the initiative “10 Hafte 10 Baje 10 Minute, Har Ravivar, Dengue Par Vaar” initiative to arrest the surge of dengue cases across the national capital
• The Maharashtra Cabinet on 6^th September 2020 cleared an agro-tourism policy aimed at reviving the tourism sector and providing support to the rural economy.

Current Affairs: 5^th September 2020

• Union Commerce and Industry & Railways Minister Shri Piyush Goyal addressed Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA)’s 60th Annual Session today.
• Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, today announced the 4^th edition of Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) ranking of states. The top ten states under State Reform Action Plan 2019 are:
  1. Andhra Pradesh
  2. Uttar Pradesh
  3. Telangana
  4. Madhya Pradesh
  5. Jharkhand
  6. Chhattisgarh
  7. Himachal Pradesh
  8. Rajasthan
  9. West Bengal
  10. Gujarat
• Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) is propelling enterprises in rural areas and building rural entrepreneurs.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) organized Two Days ‘National Tribal Research Conclave’ through virtual platform on 3rd and 4th September, 2020

Current Affairs: 4^th September 2020

• Record area of 1095.38 lakh hacter has been covered under Kharif crops as on 04.09.2020
• Shri Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India inaugurated first Virtual Buyer and Seller Meet for loose diamonds. The two-day meet is being organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), the apex body for promotion of Gems and Jewellery Exports. The meet will give an opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to connect and talk business over the virtual platform.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addresses Combined Meeting of Defence Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organisation(CSTO) & Commonwealth of Independent States(CIS) Member States in Moscow
• The 11th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY, a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy is scheduled in the Bay of Bengal from 04 to 05 September 2020
• Shri Gadkari addresses 60th Annual Convention of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers(SIAM)
• The researchers at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have developed canister bags lined with super-absorbent material containing an effective disinfectant, named “AcryloSorb” that solidifies infectious secretions like COVID 19 and can save health workers from exposure during handling

Current Affairs: 3^rd September 2020

• On 3^rd September 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered the Special Key Note Address at the US-India 2020 Summit through video conference. The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is a non-profit organization that works for the partnership between India and the U.S. The Theme of the 5-day Summit that began on the 31st of August is “US-India Navigating New Challenges”.
• The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Extraordinary Meeting was convened by the current G20 Chair; Saudi Arabia was held on 3^rd September 2020. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud chaired the meeting.
• The trial run from Daudkandi in Bangladesh to Sonamura in Tripura started on 3^rd September 2020. The route will connect Tripura with Bangladesh using the inland waterways for the first time.
• IIT Delhi incubated startup Chakr Innovation has launched ‘Chakr DeCoV’ to decontaminate N95 masks. Chakr DeCoV is built with an innovative decontamination mechanism, which utilises the high penetrability of Ozone gas for cleaning the pores of the N95 mask, ensuring complete decontamination of its intricate layers.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reached Russia to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Defence Ministers’ Meet.
• Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda launched 8 immunity boosting products under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Priyojana (PMBJP) for sale through Janaushadhi Kendras across country.
• Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, has developed herbal-based immunity boosting room freshener product named “Healthy Air” to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Current Affairs: 2^nd September 2020

• The virtual tour of the Mysuru Rail Museum launched.
• The Union Cabinet approved Mission Karmayogi, a scheme for bringing post-recruitment reforms in Civil Services.
• The Union Cabinet approved a Bill to include Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi as official languages in the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Google expanded its flood warning service to whole of India, and parts of Bangladesh.
• The Australian government has appointed former cricketer Matthew Hayden and Indian-origin politician Lisa Singh as trade envoys for advancing business ties with India.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver key note address to the third leadership summit of U.S. India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) on 3^rd September 2020
• Sumit Nagal is the first Indian man to win a match at the USOpen tennis in 7 years.
• The government approved a memorandum of understanding between India and Finland for cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources.
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and Japan for cooperation in the field of good quality textiles
• On September 2nd, every year World Coconut Day is celebrated.

Current Affairs: 1^st September 2020:

• The Ranganathittu bird sanctuary near Srirangapatna in Mandya district of Karnataka, which was temporarily closed early this month over the threat of floods following heavy discharge from KRS dam, was reopened for visitors.
• Ladakh, Lakshadweep join existing national portability cluster of One Nation One Ration Card
• Japan provides Rs 3,500 crores assistance to India to fight COVID-19
• India develops World’s Largest Solar Tree
• Indian Astronomers have discovered one of the farthest Star galaxies in the universe