Top Current Affairs 29 April 2021
Daily Current Affairs 29 April 2021: This post contains the latest current affairs for 29 April 2021 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. You can also attempt our Current Affairs Quiz after reading our daily current affairs.
National
DRDO Conducts Maiden Trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile Using LCA Tejas
- On April 27, 2021, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) , successfully test fired the 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) from Tejas aircraft, at Goa.
- This adds the Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in the air-to-air weapons package of India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.
- The trials also aimed to validate enhanced capability of already integrated Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) AAM on Tejas.
- Python-5 air-to-air missile (AAM) has been manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel and is one of the most sophisticated guided missiles in the world.
International
China Launches Robot Prototype ‘NEO-01’ Clear Space Debris
- The Chinese government has launched a robot prototype named as ‘NEO-01’, in the Earth’s low orbit on April 27, 2021 on its Long March 6 rocket.
- The 30kg robot prototype has been developed by Shenzhen-based space mining start-up ‘Origin Space’.
- Main Purpose: to observe small celestial bodies in deep space and to experiment with space debris removal techniques.
- NEO-01 will use large net to capture debris left behind by other spacecraft and then burn it using its electric propulsion system.
Chinese First Mars Rover Named as ‘Zhurong’
- China has named its first Mars rover as ‘Zhurong’.
- In Chinese tradition Zhurong means the mythical god of fire and war.
- The solar-powered rover was launched aboard the Tianwen-1 probe in July 2020.
- The rover reached the red planet’s orbit on February 24, 2021.
- Zhurong is likely to make a landing attempt in May 2021.
- If Tianwen-1 mission is successful, China would become the third country after the former Soviet Union and the US to land a robot on Mars.
Ranking
India Ranks 49th in Chandler Good Government Index 2021, Finland Tops
- India has been placed at 49th position among 104 nations in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2021.
- Finland has topped the CGGI Index 2021.
- Venezuela is the last ranked country at 104
- The CGGI is an annual index developed by the Chandler Institute of Governance, based in Singapore, that measures the effectiveness of governments in 104 countries across the world in terms of government capabilities and outcomes.
Banking & Economy
ADB Projects India’s GDP to grow 11% in FY22
- The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected the growth rate of India’s economy, in its latest flagship Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021, as follows:
- FY22 (2021-22) – 11%
- FY23 (2022-23) -7%
- ADB has based the rate on the “strong” vaccine drive being undertaken across the country, however, it has also cautioned that the recent surge in COVID cases may put the country’s economic recovery at “risk”.
IHS Markit Estimates GDP Growth Rate of India at 9.6% for FY22
- London-based financial services company IHS Markit has projected the GDP growth rate of Indian economy to grow at 9.6 percent in FY22 (2021-22).
- The revision is based on factors like on-going lockdown and mobility curbs coupled with fears of an extension, time wise and across more Indian cities.
Appointment
SEBI Appoints Arun Raste as MD and CEO of NCDEX for 5 years
- Arun Raste has been appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX).
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the appointment of Raste for five years.
- He replaces Vijay Kumar Venkataraman, who was appointed for 3 years in January 2018.
- Raste was currently serving as the Executive Director of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
- Raste also serves as a director on the board at Indian Immunological Limited and Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd.
Amit Banerjee Appointed as new CMD of BEML Limited
- Amit Banerjee has been appointed as the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Limited, a Miniratna Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence.
- Mr Banerjee was appointed on April 26, 2021 by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), the organisation responsible for making top-level appointments in PSUs.
- Currently, Banerjee is serving as Director (Rail & Metro Business) in BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) Limited.
- He succeeds former BEML CMD DK Hota, who superannuated on January 31, 2021.
- Following his superannuation, MV Rajasekhar, the Director (Mining & Construction) at BEML Limited has been holding the additional charge of the CMD’s post.
Days
International Dance Day: 29 April
- The International Dance Day is observed globally on 29 April to celebrate the value and importance of the dance, and encourage participation and education in this art form through events and festivals.
- The day was created in 1982, by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO.
- The day 29 April has been chosen as it marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), who is known as the creator of modern ballet.
- Theme 2021: ‘Purpose of dance’.
Obituary
Noted Odia and English Author Manoj Das Passes Away at 87
- Eminent Indian educationist, popular columnist and prolific author, who wrote in Odia and English, has passed away. He was 87.
- The first book of Das was of poetry called ‘Satavdira Artanada’, in Odia, which was published when he was in high school.
- Das was honored with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2020 for his contributions in the field of literature and education.
