Economy

• CRISIL has cut India’s base-case Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal 2021 to – 3.5% (from 5.2%).
• The RBI allowed banks to put on hold EMI payments on all term loans for – three months.
• The benchmark repurchase or repo rate was slashed by 75 basis points to – 4.40%.
• The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) was slashed by 100 basis points to – 3%.
• Amount that will be infused into the financial system by Reserve Bank of India to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic – about Rs 3.74 lakh crore.
• Moody’s Investors Service slashed its estimate of India’s GDP growth during 2020 calendar year to – 2.5% (from 5.3%).
• Responsive to the need of the hour to fight Corona Virus from all fronts, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched – SAFE (SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency response against Corona Virus) scheme.

International

• This financial institution has launched a ____Policy tracker to monitor the steps various governments have taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic – International Monetary Fund.

National

• This industries association has set up a fund to assist rehabilitation of micro, small and medium enterprises – Confederation of Indian Industries.

State Current Affairs

• “SMC COVID-19 Tracker” application launched by – Gujarat government.
• The “Mo Jeeban” Programme launched by – Odisha Government.

Science

• This Indian company will manufacture in-house ‘ambu bag’ ventilators for less than Rs 7,500 – Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M).
• The Indian institute has developed an “infection-proof fabric” to be used at hospitals to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
• The Lockheed Martin Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite was launched by – United States Space Force.

General Knowledge

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) – Founded: 02 April 1990; Headquarters: Lucknow, UP.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – Founded: 01 April 1935; Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) – Founded: 1895; Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Gujarat – Founded: 01 May 1960; Capital: Gandhinagar.
• Odisha – Founded: 01 April 1936; Capital: Bhubaneswar.