Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 04 March 2021

::NATIONAL::

Combined Commanders' Conference at Kevadia

A three-day Combined Commanders' Conference begins at Kevadia in Gujarat.
Theaterisation of armed forces, self-reliance in defence sector and evolving threats in the region will be the focus areas during the three-day annual event.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the top commanders of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force tomorrow.
During the conference, the setting up a new air defence command and maritime command is likely to be discussed at length. Implementation of the air defence command timeline is also likely to come up for discussion.
The formation of theatre commands will synergise the capabilities and combat potential of the three forces during war and peace.
Air defence command and maritime command are part of the restricting plan of the Indian armed forces as was announced by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat last year.
The newly created Department of Military Affairs is working towards the creation of joint military commands along with theatre command for the last one year.

WAN-IFRA declared Hindu group 'Champion Publisher of the Year 2020'

The Hindu Group won two golds and two silvers at WAN IFRA’s South Asian Digital Media Awards, culminating in being named ‘Champion Publisher of the Year’, owing to the highest tally on the points table.
The awards are presented in recognition of outstanding work done by news publishers, in digital media. The winners were honoured virtually at the Digital Media India 2021 Conference held.
Speaking at the virtual ceremony and accepting the honour, L.V. Navaneeth, chief executive officer, The Hindu Group, said, “I am extremely grateful and humbled to receive this recognition. I am receiving this on behalf of 2,400 of my colleagues who have had an incredibly tough year and managed to put our products out and do a stellar job. What is doubly heartening is the overall quality of entries and the company we are in. It is great to be amongst this august body of work. Congrats to all the winners and thanks for inspiring us. We will continue to learn and strive harder,” he said.

Printed Study Materials for IBPS, SBI Bank Exam

::International::

China to deter Taiwan independence, seek peaceful ties and 'reunification'

China will resolutely deter any separatist activity seeking Taiwan's independence but is committed to promoting the peaceful growth of relations across the Taiwan Strait and China's "reunification", Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.
China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its military activity near the island in recent months, responding to what it calls "collusion" between Taipei and Washington, Taiwan's main international backer and arms supplier.
Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting of China's parliament, Li said Beijing stands by the "one China" principle, which states that Taiwan is part of China.
China remains committed "to promoting the peaceful growth of relations across the Taiwan Strait and China's reunification", he told the roughly 3,000 delegates at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
"We will remain highly vigilant against and resolutely deter any separatist activity seeking Taiwan independence," Li added.

::Economy::

Cabinet approves signing of Memorandum of Understanding between India and Fiji for cooperation in agricultural sector

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of the Republic of India and Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Fiji for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
The MoU between India and Fiji provides for cooperation in the following areas:
Exchange of research personnel, scientific experts, specialists, and technical trainees;
Enhancement and transfer of technology;
Development of infrastructure for agriculture development;
Development of human resources through training of officers and farmers by conducting seminars and workshops;
Promotion of joint ventures between private sectors of both countries;
Promotion of investment in marketing and value addition/downstream processing of agricultural commodities;
Promote capacity development in all areas of agriculture;
Promotion of direct trade of agriculture products through market access;
Joint planning and development of research proposals and execution of research projects and programmes;
Establishment of Indo – Fiji Working Group for dealing phytosanitary issues, and any other form of cooperation which will be mutually agreed by the Parties.

4G telecom spectrum auction ends, bid of Rs 77,814.80 crore received

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) fetched Rs 77,814.80 crore from the 4G spectrum auction that got underway Monday and ended, the second day itself, making it one of the shortest such sales in recent times. The total quantity of spectrum for which right to use has been acquired in these bands is 855.60 MHz.
The department said that incremental bids for Rs 668.20 crore were made on Tuesday. It added that bidding took place for spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz bands. The participants did not bid in 700 MHz and 2500 MHz bands.
Band   Quantity put to auction (MHz)   Quantity acquired (MHz)   Percentage
700 MHz (paired)   660   0   0
800 MHz (paired)   230   150   65.22
900 MHz (paired)   98.80   38.40   38.87
1800 MHz (paired)   355   152.20   42.87
2100 MHz (paired)   175   15   8.57
2300 MHz (paired)   560   500   89.29
2500 MHz (paired)   230   0   0
Total   2308.80   855.60   37.06
The total quantity of 2308.80 MHz spectrum was put to auction, including spectrum that is expiring up to December, 2021. Of this quantity, bids were received for 855.60 MHz of spectrum.

Excluding spectrum in 700 MHz and 2500 MHz bands, this is about 60% of the spectrum put to auction.
Bidder   Total quantity (MHz)   Total amount (Rs crore)
Bharti Airtel Ltd
355.45   18,698.75
Vodafone Idea Ltd
11.80   1,993.40
Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd
488.35   57,122.65
"In the 2016 spectrum auction, where there were 7 bidders, the spectrum sold was 41% by quantity and 12% by value of the total spectrum put to auction. The corresponding figures in the 2021 spectrum auction are 37% and 19% respectively, with 3 participants," as per an official statement.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

Science should be solution-based, people-centric: Vardhan

Fundamental and translational science is important but it has to be solution-based and people-centric, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said.
Speaking on the occasion of National Science Day, Vardhan said it is the problems of the people that should be guiding the intellectual acumen while pursuing research.
"We have to make sure that the science that we do…of course, the fundamental science is important, translational science is important (but) it has to be solution-based science. It has to be people-centric," Vardhan said in a virtual address.
The National Science Day is celebrated on this day to mark the anniversary of Raman Effect, the discovery made by Indian physicist Sir C V Raman.
Vardhan also lauded the scientific community for its contribution during the coronavirus pandemic and also developing vaccines to fight the infection.

::SPORTS::

Indian women's hockey team ends Germany tour with 1-2 defeat

The Indian women's hockey team ended its tour of Germany with yet another defeat, going down 1-2 in the fourth and final match.
Naomi Heyn (29th) Charlotte Stapenhorst (37th) scored for the world number three side before Lalremsiami (51st) pulled one back for the visitors late in the game.
It was India's fourth defeat in as many matches as the team stayed winless in the tour.
After rain delayed the start of proceedings, Germany found a lively tempo to their attack and earned a penalty corner with just ten minutes on the clock.