Current Affairs Summary with Quiz 28 & 29 April 2021

Python 5 Air to Air Missile

Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM), Israel - Airforce Technology
The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently test-fired a series of missile trials. It included the Derby missiles and the Python missiles. The missiles were test-fired in Goa and achieved 100% hits.
With this, the DRDO announced that the Python 5 Air to Air Missile has been successfully added to the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

Python 5

It is the fifth generation Python missile. It is an air to air missile built by the Israeli weapon manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. The Israeli Government began manufacturing missiles in the name of “Shafir”. Later as it started exporting missiles it selected a western name “Python” or “Derby”.
The Python-5 is currently the most capable Air to air missile in the inventory of Israel. It is beyond a visual range missile. The Beyond Visual Range missiles are those missiles that are capable of engaging at ranges beyond 37 km.
It features an advanced seeker that includes Electro-Optical and Images Infrared Homing. Python 5 is capable to scan for the target area for the hostile aircraft and then locks on for the terminal chase. It was first used in the 2006 Lebanon war. It destroyed two Iran made UAVs. The speed of the missile is Mach 4. It weighs 11 kilograms

Derby

Just like Python, it was also made by Rafael of Israel. In fact, Python 5 is an advanced version of Derby. It is also a Beyond Visual Range Missile. It is an active radar homing missile. An Active Radar Homing Missile is a missile that contains a radar transceiver to find and track the target autonomously.

GNCTD (Amendment) Act comes into force in Delhi

Government in Delhi means Lieutenant Governor': Centre notifies GNCTD Amendment Act | India News – India TV
On April 27, 2021, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 came into effect. The act was passed by the Parliament during the budget session. The act gives more power to Lieutenant Governor (LG).

Key Provisions

The act proposed that the word “Government” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi meant the LG of Delhi.
It provides discretionary powers to the LG even in matters where the Delhi Legislature is empowered to make laws.
The act seeks to ensure that the LG is granted an opportunity to give his opinion before a decision made by the Council of Ministers is implemented.
The LG opinion should be obtained before the Delhi Government takes action based on decisions taken by the Cabinet.
It bars the Legislative Assembly of Delhi from making rules related to day-to-day administration.

Administration of Delhi

The National Capital Region is administered with a legislature that came into existence in 1991. The Delhi Legislature was constituted under Article 239AA of the Constitution. By law, the Delhi Legislature has all powers to make laws in matters except public order, land and police.

Concerns

The law will take away the autonomy of the Delhi Government.

Supreme Court on Delhi Legislative Assembly

In 2018, the Supreme Court pronounced that the LG’s concurrence is not required on issues other than police, land and public order. The SC had also said that the LG of Delhi is not like a Governor in other states. He is an administrator.

Cabinet approves Agreement between India and UK on Customs Cooperation

Cabinet approves signing and ratification of Agreement between India, UK on Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters
On April 28, 2021, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the agreement signed between the Government of India and the Government of the UK. The agreement was signed on Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
India and UK have been signing several trade-related agreements after the latter moved out of European Union.

About the Agreement

The Agreement will provide a legal framework to share intelligence and information between the customs department of the two countries.
It will help to ensure if Customs laws are abided by.
It will also help in the prevention and investigation of custom offences.
Also, the agreement will help in the exchange of information about the origin of goods traded between the countries, customs value, tariff classification, etc. It is important to learn about this information as it is included in the calculation of customs duty.

How are Customs Duties calculated in India?

The Customs Duties are calculated based on the following factors:
Place of acquisition of goods
Place where the goods were made
Material of the goods
Dimensions and Weight of the goods

Customs Duty in India

The Customs Duty in India is imposed under Customs Act, 1962 and Customs Tariff Act, 1975. The Indian Tariff System is based on the Harmonised System of Nomenclature.
Types of Customs Duties in India
Basic Customs Duty: Levied under Customs Act, 1962
Additional Customs Duty: It has been subsumed by GST now.
Protective duty: Levied to protect indigenous goods
Education Cess
Anti-Dumping Duty
Safeguard Duty
Countervailing Duties
Social Welfare Charges
Compensation Cess
Customs Handling Fee

ADB raises India GDP forecast by 11%

List of Indian states and union territories by GDP per capita - Wikipedia
The Asian Development Bank recently released its Asian Development Outlook, 2021. According to the report, India is to grow by 11%. The Asian Development Bank recently released its annual outlook. The outlook says that ADB has provided financial support of 1.5 billion USD to India to fight against COVID-19

Key Findings of the report

According to ADB, South Asia is expected to rebound at 9.5% in 2021. The South Asian region had contracted by 6% in 2020. The growth of the region will moderate to 6.6% in 2022.
The economic growth of Asia is to rebound at 7.3% in 2021. The region faced a contraction of 0.2% in its growth in 2020. In 2022, its growth rate is to be 5.3%.
The countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei are expected to meet an increased growth rate of 7.7% in 2021 and 5.6% in 2022. The report classifies these countries as newly industrialised countries.
The GDP of East Asia is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2021 and at 5.1% in 2022.

Report about China

The GDP of China is to expand to 8.1% in 2021 and will reach a moderate value of 5.5% in 2022.
Strong exports of China is to boost the economic activity of the country in 2021.

Reasons of recovery

The progress in the production and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines helped Asia in reaching the current state. However, significant new outbreaks might undermine the growth of the region.

Challenges

The following challenges are faced by the Asian Economies:
Increasing Geopolitical tensions
Financial turmoil from tightening financial conditions
Production bottlenecks
Long term scarring. This includes learning losses due to school closures

WHO to provide 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India

WHO | World Health Organization
The World Health Organisation recently announced that it will provide 4,000 Oxygen Concentrators to India to help the country in its fight against COVID-19.

Help from other countries

The following countries stepped forward to help India to combat against the Oxygen shortage:
The UK recently sent 495 Oxygen Concentrators and 140 ventilators to India.
Ireland announced that it is preparing to send 700 oxygen concentrators to India.
Saudi Arabia recently shipped 80 tonnes of Oxygen to India.
Under the Mega Vayu initiative of Amazon, 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines are to be airlifted from Singapore.
Australia is to send 500 ventilators, 100,000 goggles, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields.
The United States is sending in a range of emergencies such as vaccine materials, oxygen-related supplies and therapeutics.

Vayu Initiative

Amazon has joined hands with Temasek Foundation, ACT Grants and other partners to help India in its fight against oxygen shortage under the Vayu initiate. Under the initiative, 500 BiPAP machines and 8,000 oxygen concentrators will be transported from Singapore. Also, 1,500 concentrators are to be donated.

Google

Google recently announced that they will help India in its relief aid. The Google is to provide financial aid of Rs 135 crores through UNICEF and Give India. These aids are to be distributed to the needy through these international organisations.

Other MNCs

The Ethereum has donated Rs 4.5 crores.
Xiaomi announced that it will donate Rs 3 crores for oxygen cylinders.
One plus is to help India in amplifying COVID-19 emergencies through its social media reach.

NEO-01: China’s robot prototype to catch space debris

The NEO-01 robot was launched on Long March 6 rocket. It was launched to observe the small celestial bodies in deep space. The robot will now conduct experiments to clear space debris. It is to use large net to capture space debris. After capturing, it will burn the debris using electric propulsion system.

Chandler Good Government Index

The Chandler Good Governance Index is released by the Chandler Institute of Governance headquartered in Singapore. The index is prepared based on seven pillars namely leadership and foresight, strong institutions, robust laws and policies, attractive market place, financial stewardship, helping people rise, global influence and reputation.
India ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Governance Index out of 104 countries.
Finland topped the ranking following Switzerland, Singapore, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway.
Pakistan was ranked at 90th place, Sri Lanka at 74th and Nepal at 92nd.
Among BRICS countries China ranked 140th, Brazil at 67th, Russia at 48th, South Africa at 70th.
It recommends “Pracademics” in Government. Pracademics is rigorous understanding of research and data with a practical sense of what governments need to do to succeed.

SIPRI report on Military Spending

SIPRI releases report "Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019"
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute recently released its “Trends in world Military Expenditure” report. According to the report, the top military spenders in the world are the United States, China and India. These three countries alone contributed 62% global military expenditure.
In 2020, the US spent 778 billion USD on its military. While China and India spent 252 billion USD and 72 .9 billion USD respectively.
The military expenditure of India has grown by 2.1% and that of China has grown by 1.9%. The military Expenditure of US has grown by 4.4%.
Globally, the military expenditure increased to 1981 billion USD as compared to that of 2019. This is 2.6% increase. On the other hand, the global GDP shrank by 4.4% according to the International Monetary Fund.

Quiz

Who is the manufacturer of Python Missiles?
What is India's military expenditure?
Which among the following is true about GNCTD (Amendment) Act?
  • It bars the Legislative Assembly of Delhi from making rules related to day-to-day administration.
  • The act proposed that the word “Government” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi meant the LG of Delhi.
  • The law will take away the autonomy of the Delhi Government.
  • The LG opinion should be obtained before the Delhi Government takes action based on decisions taken by the Cabinet.
  • All of the above
Which country topped the Chandler Good Government Index?
Vayu Initiative  to help India in its fight against oxygen shortage is an initiative by ______.
What is the initial name of Python Air to Air Missile?
What is the name of China’s robot prototype to catch space debris?
  • Long March 6
  • Neo-01
  • PRABUS
  • Nucleus
Which act allows India to collect Custom duties from Indians?
  • Customs Act 1962
  • Customs Tariff Act 1975
  • EXIM Act 1981
  • Both 1 and 2
What is the GDP forecast of India by Asian Development Bank?
Which among the following is considered when Customs Duties are calculated?
  • Place of acquisition of goods
  • Place where the goods were made
  • Material of the goods
  • Dimensions and Weight of the goods
  • All of the above
Which state or UT was the test-fire of Derby missiles and the Python missiles conducted?
  • Rajasthan
  • Maharashtra
  • Goa
  • Ladakh
Which part of the constitution deals with The Delhi Legislature?
When did the National Capital Region is administered with a legislature that came into existence?
Recently Cabinet approves Agreement between India and ____ on Customs Cooperation
  • US
  • UK
  • Brazil
  • China

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